mies; when the huntsman getting forward threw down his pole before
the dogs. They were now within eight yards of that game which they
had been pursuing for almost as many hours; yet on the signal
before-mentioned they all made a sudden stand, and tho' they continued
opening as much as before, durst not once attempt to pass beyond the
pole. At the same time Sir Roger rode forward, and alighting, took up
the hare in his arms; which he soon delivered up to one of his servants,
with an order, if she could be kept alive, to let her go in his great
orchard; where it seems he has several of these prisoners of war, who
live together in a very comfortable captivity. I was highly pleased to
see the discipline of the pack, and the good-nature of the Knight, who
could not find in his heart to murder a creature that had given him so
much diversion.

As we were returning home, I remembered that Monsieur Paschal, in his
most excellent discourse on the misery of man, tells us, that all our
endeavours after greatness proceed from nothing but a desire of being
surrounded by a multitude of persons and affairs that may hinder us from
looking into ourselves, which is a view we cannot bear. He afterwards
goes on to shew that our love of sports comes from the same reason,
and is particularly severe upon hunting. What, says he, unless it be
to drown thought, can make men throw away so much time and pains upon a
silly animal, which they might buy cheaper in the market? The foregoing
reflection is certainly just, when a man suffers his whole mind to be
drawn into his sports, and altogether loses himself in the woods; but
does not affect those who propose a far more laudable end for this
exercise, I mean, the preservation of health, and keeping all the organs
of the soul in a condition to execute her orders. Had that incomparable
person, whom I last quoted, been a little more indulgent to himself
in this point, the world might probably have enjoyed him much longer;
whereas thro' too great an application to his studies in his youth,
he contracted that ill habit of body, which, after a tedious sickness,
carried him off in the fortieth year of his age; and the whole history
we have of his life till that time, is but one continued account of
the behaviour of a noble soul struggling under innumerable pains and
distempers.

For my own part I intend to hunt twice a week during my stay with Sir
Roger; and shall prescribe the moderate use of this exercis