THE ETHIOiR OF FIELD SPORTS. 577 



will see in my presence one who is kind, generous, and 

 brave; for one can not love animals and delight in their 

 companionship without learning from them lessons of 

 unselfishness, and without becoming himself the soul of 

 generosity. Still, we must admit, reluctantly, that there 

 are exceptions to this as well as to all other rules, and we 

 would not conceal the fact that there are so-called sports- 

 men who are selfish. These exceptions sim^^ly prove the 

 rule we have stated. 



As at times that which seems most perfect in appearance 

 is sullied with hidden defects, so it is with some sportsmen. 

 It often takes years, in the ordinary course of business or 

 social life, to find out a man's true nature; but if you will 

 but camj) with him, hunt with him, or tramp with him, on 

 some nomadic excursion for a few weeks, his real character 

 will become as oi)en and plain to read and to understand 

 as an open book when the day is at its brightest. 



Were I to invite you to my house, you would be an hon- 

 ored guest. All the sources within my j^ower, so far as my 

 means might permit, would be brought forward in order to 

 make you feel that you were welcome, and that my aim 

 and desire were merely the gratification of your pleasures. 

 The hospitality which one friend so gladly extends to 

 another, you would expect, and I would accord you. Sup- 

 pose, however, I broaden the invitation, and, instead of 

 inviting you to my house, solicit you to enjoy, as my guest, 

 the pleasures of my fields. Should there be a distinction 

 in my manner of treatment of you, as between my house 

 and my fields? Most ast^uredly not. Yet I have been 

 received with the greatest cordiality at a man's house, who 

 left me under many obligations to him as I bade him good- 

 night, l)ut who has chilled me, and canceled all the kindly 

 feeling 1 li;i(l for him, by his selfishness on the following 

 day. Taking me to fields where game was plentiful, he has 

 shot throughout the day, taking fii'st choice of ground and 

 of whots on all occasions, apparently without the least com- 

 l>un(;tion of conscience, regardless of all etiquette or com- 

 mon decency. 



37 



