12 THE INFLUENCE OF 



character which overcomes all difficulties, and goes 

 on in spite of many failures. 



The same obstinate determination which is found 

 in this, the heme ideal of all shooting, is found 

 similarly in shooting of other kinds ; and it is a 

 question whether to the endurance inculcated by 

 this pursuit may not be attributed that part of an 

 Englishman's character which made the Peninsular 

 heroes " never know when they were licked." 



It is objected by foreigners to many of our 

 national sports that they involve great disregard for 

 animal life. " Let us go out and kill something," 

 they say, is the exhortation of an Englishman to 

 his friend when they wish to amuse themselves. 

 Sport consists, they hold, in slaughter ; sport 

 therefore is cruel, and teaches contempt for the 

 feelings of creatures lower than ourselves in the 

 scale of existence. I do not wish to enter into 

 this question, which has been a source of con- 

 siderable controversy ; but I would say three 

 things in reference to it. First, that it is difficult 

 to answer the question. Why should man be an 

 exception to the rule of instinct — undoubtedly 

 prevalent throughout the world — which leads 

 every animal to prey upon its inferior ? Secondly, 

 that every possible arrangement is made by man for 

 the comfort and safety of his prey — salmon, foxes, 

 pheasants or stags — until the actual moment of 



