282 RANDOM THOUGHTS ON HUNTING. 



vice, have been completely exempt from it. May 

 this* not be ascribed, in a good measure, to their 

 devotion to this pursuit ; and to the indirect influ- 

 ence of some of those habits of thought and action 

 that it calls into exercise? Here is the forecast, 

 that provides, at a distance, for what may be 

 wanted at a given day the punctuality, that 

 observes the hour and day appointed the observa- 

 tion, that familiarizes itself with the nature and 

 habits of the quarry the sagacity, that anticipates 

 its projects of escape and the promptitude that 

 defeats them! the rapid glance, the steady aim, 

 the quick perception, the ready execution; these 

 are among the faculties and qualities continually 

 called into pleasing exercise; and the man who 

 habitually applies himself to this sport will become 

 more considerate, as well as more prompt, more full 

 of resource, more resolute, than if he never had 

 engaged in it ! Assuredly, there is no such prepa- 

 ratory school for war ; and the expert hunter will, 

 I doubt not, show himself the superior in the field to 

 another, every other way his equal, yet wanting this 

 experience! Neither should I forget to mention, 

 among its recommendations, the direct tendency 

 of this amusement to promote social intercourse, 

 and the interchange of friendly offices between 

 neighbors. 



