CONGER 247 



ing entire fishes, contrary to the statute. This 

 may be a painful subject of consideration for the 

 whole Court." 



Mr Ruggles, of Barre, was one of those inde- 

 pendent legislators, who conceived that there were 

 too many ornithological and icthyological laws al- 

 ready passed. When the bill to restrain the tak- 

 ing of eels at Nantucket was under consideration 

 in the House of Representatives, he concluded a 

 speech, touching the momentous subject, with the 

 following original doggerel : 



'< Mankind have grown BO wise of late, 

 And rule so strict their wishes, 

 That legislators, short of work, 

 Make laws for birds and fishes." 



The poor pickerel, alewives, and Taunton her- 

 ring, have undoubtedly felt a deep solicitude and 

 sympathy for the long neglected eels, on which 

 such a vast population have been feeding since the 

 landing of the pilgrims, but thanks to a humane 

 General Court, viri graves et docti, of sad 

 and "learned men, those unfeeling Cape Coders 

 are now restrained by the majesty of the law, to 

 three dozen in a day ; enough, in all conscience, 

 for a common man ; yes, the appetites of those 

 monsters will now be regulated by the conserva- 

 tory regulations of the conscript fathers of the 

 town, the selectmen ! 



