: 'r^'^W 



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 for 

 evil or for good; and that, it seems, I Avas 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 soul 

 of nature, which had strengthened the life of my childhood 



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