CHAPTER XII. 



METAPHYSICS OF BEAR-HUNTING. 



THERE are those who can learn nothing through the ex- 

 periences of others, however impressively presented; who 

 must hear, see, taste, smell and feel for themselves, before 

 they can understand the most self-evident truths. The knock- 

 down argument is the only one that has availed with me foi 

 evil or for good; and that, it seems, I was to have the full 

 benefit of, before the frantic scepticism, which had fastened 

 upon this period of my life, could be reached. The passion 

 of the hunter-naturalist for solitary communion with the sou! 

 of nature, which had strengthened the life of my childhood 



343 



