A TIME FOR ALL THINGS. IGl 



his time to reading — all whose object is self-gratifi- 

 cation, are amenable to the charge of misemploying 

 talents committed to their keeping. The storing 

 our minds with literary lore is most praiseworthy, 

 if beneficial to ourselves in a moral or religious 

 point of view, or made productive of benefit to 

 others ; but as a mere amusement, witliout such 

 purposes, the bookworm may spend a life in study 

 with much less benefit to his fellow men than a 

 Master of Tox-hounds. 



I never argued that any man should devote six 

 days out of seven to fox-hunting ; on the contrary, 

 I think he should not do so, and I say the same of 

 every other amusement and pursuit, call it by what 

 name you please. The evil consists in the abuse, 

 not in the moderate use of the many enjoyments 

 and pleasures which this world affords. We may 

 drink wine without being drunkards — eat without 

 being gourmands — love without being sensualists — 

 dress neatly without being dandies — read books 

 without becoming pedantic — be sociable and en- 

 tertaining without being sarcastic and backbiters 

 — render ourselves agreeable to the fair sex with- 

 out gross flattery — and ride fox-hunting I hope, 

 and even feed our hounds after hunting, without 

 forfeiting our dignity as gentlemen. 



In fact, I am inclined to think a Master of Fox- 



M 



