Epistle VI. To Cornelius Tacitus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Pelham.]
[_]
He gives him an Account of his having been a Hunting, and how he spent his time there.
I know you will Laugh, and so you well may. I, Pliny, the very
Pliny whom you know so well, have been Hunting, and taken Three
Boars, and fine ones too. What Pliny! You'll say, yes, Pliny.
But, that I might not entirely part with my beloved Indolence, and Ease,
I sat down by the Toils, having ready at Hand, not a Boar-Spear,
or a Javelin, but a Pencil, and a Pocket-Book: There I Studied on a Subject I had in view,
and Wrote down my Thoughts, that, if I my self were obliged to go Home empty Handed,
I might, at least, bring back my Pocket Book full. Nor is this way of Study to be Condemned,
it is surprizing how much the mind is excited, by the Agitation and Motion of the Body;
besides, the Woods, and Solitude, and the very silence which that sort of Hunting obliges to,
are great helps to Thinking. Therefore pray, whenever you Hunt again,
be sure, that with the rest of your Provisions, you carry a Table-Book,
and quote my Authority
for it. And you will find that
Minerva Haunts the Woods no less than
Diana.
Farewel.