ii6 A TIME FOR ALL THINGS 



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, without such purposes, the book- 

 worm may spend a life in study with much less benefit 

 to his fellow-men than a Master of Fox-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 enter- 

 taining without being sarcastic and backbiters — render 

 ourselves agreeable to the fair sex without 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-hounds 

 may be, if he is not always so, a very useful member of 

 society. He may improve the breed of horses by keeping 

 a good thorough-bred one for the use of the farmers ; live 

 on good terms with all his neighbours, which is perhaps 

 more a matter of choice than necessity ; be given to 

 hospitality, promote the amusement of the ladies, by 

 patronising a hunt ball or two during the winter ; afford 

 recreation to half the country, if they are disposed to 

 partake of it ; set an example of patience and forbearance 

 when every one is determined to try his temper in the 

 field by riding over his hounds and spoiling his sport ; 

 and last, though not least, by going with his household 



