PREFACE. T had often occurred to me upon observing the difference that existed in the charac ters of the English and Continental nations, that there must be some cause for this, not so much perhaps in the people themselves as in those habits and pursuits which in early times formed the basis of their national idiosyncrasy, and hence in my leisure hours I prepared a paper upon the subject of the "Sports and Pursuits of the English, as bearing upon their National Character," which I intended to have read at the last meeting of the British Associa tion held at Manchester; but which circumstances prevented my doing. Subsequently it was suggested to me to carry out this idea more fully; the subject however expanded so much, when I came to consider the effects produced by our sports and pursuits, not only upon our national character, but upon our personal freedom, that I felt myself obliged to call in the aid of a friend to assist me in substantiating these views from the records of the past. To him I must here express my obligation for the great assistance he has rendered me. I hope that this little work will be received in the same spirit in which it has been written, as taking a somewhat novel view of the past history of this country, and contrasting it with that of the nations of the Continent, and thus proving, what seems to me to be really the case, that the inherent love of sport and manly pursuits, so conspicuous among the inhabitants of these islands, is indeed the foundation of the glorious liberty we now enjoy. 7, Grosvenor Square. WILTON. |