10 RECOMMENDED BY THE SPECTATOR. 



a proper object of it ; since it is more than pro- 

 bable he was a happy man, if the employing of 

 his time in obliging others and pleasing himself 

 can be thought to have made him so. Whether 

 vanity misleads us or not in the choice of our 

 pursuits, the pleasures or advantages which re- 

 sult from them will best determine. I fear the 

 occupation of few gentlemen will allow of nice 

 scrutiny ; occupations therefore that amuse, and 

 are at the same time innocent, that promote 

 exercise and conduce to health, though they 

 may appear trifles in the eyes of others, certain- 

 ly are not so to those who enjoy them : of this 

 number I think I may reckon hunting ; and I 

 am particularly glad the same author furnishes 

 a quotation in support of it : " For my own 

 part," says this elegant writer, " I intend to hunt 

 twice a-week during my stay with Sir Roger; 

 and shall prescribe the moderate use of this 

 exercise to all my country friends, as the best 

 physic for mending a bad constitution, and pre- 

 serving a good one." The inimitable Cervantes 

 also makes honourable mention of this diversion: 

 he makes Sancho say, " Mercy on me, what plea- 

 sure can you find, any of ye all, in killing a poor 

 beast that never meant any harm.''" that the 

 Duke may reply, " You are mistaken, Sancho ; 



