24 THOUGHTS UPOif HUNTING. 



Hunting is the soul of a country life : it gives health id 

 the body, and contentment to the mind , and is one of the 

 few pleasures that we can enjoy in society, without preju- 

 dice either to ourselves or our friends. 



The Spedator has drawn with infinite humour the 

 cliarader of a man who passes his whole life in pursuit of 

 trifles ; and it is probable that other Will Wimbles mighfc 

 still be found. 1 hope, however, that he did not thinls- 

 they were solely confined to the country. Triflers there 

 are of every denomination. Are we not all triflers ? — and 

 are we not told that all is vanity ? — The Spedator, with^ 

 out doubt, felt great compassion for Mr. Wimble j yet 

 Mr. Wimble might not have been a proper obje<5l of it j 

 i;ince it is more than probable that he was a happy man, if 

 the employment of his time in obliging others, and pleasing, 

 himself, can be thought to have made him so. Whether 

 vanity mislead us or not in the choice of our pursuits, the 

 pleasures or advantages which result from them will best 

 determine. 1 fear that the occupation of few gentlemen will- 

 admit of nice scrutiny : occupations therefore that amuse,* 

 and are at the same time innocent ; that promote exercise,- 

 and conduce to healthy though they may appear trifles 



