Hunting in Many Lands 



It is unnecessary to enumerate the different 

 game laws and the various cruel judgments 

 entered therein in the English courts, or to 

 refer to the many essays and orations written 

 and delivered against the game laws of the 

 various European States. They met the con- 

 demnation alike of philanthropists, statesmen 

 and poets. Charles Kingsley wrote in 1848, 

 on behalf of the people, the bold and pathetic 

 song: 



The merry brown hares came leaping 

 Over the crest of the hill. 



It defended the poacher lad, but lost for the 

 writer his lawn sleeves. 



The great distinction to be ever borne in 

 mind between the game laws of Europe and 

 those of America is, that the former were 

 passed for the protection of game for a class, 

 while the laws of a republic are passed for 

 the preservation of game for the use of all the 

 people. The former encountered the hostility 

 of all the people save the aristocracy ; the lat- 

 ter should obtain the approbation of all the 

 people, rich and poor, for they are passed and 

 maintained for the good of the people at large. 



The value of the fish and game to the peo- 

 ple of the State of Maine is greater and brings 



362 



