rights of mankind ; and confulering the dif- 

 parity of the object, one of the greateft infults 

 of tyranny. 



The Romans had no idea of appropriating 

 game. Under their government the forefts of 

 England, like thofe of America, were common 

 hunting-grounds. The northern barbarians 

 firft pretended to the right of making private 

 property of what, being naturally wild, belonged 

 equally to all. 



The idea of forefl-law, and forefl-rights 

 obtained early indeed in Saxon times. But 

 the Saxon princes were in general a mild 

 race; and there were fome traces of liberal 

 fentiment in their inftitutions. Under them, 

 untenanted waftes only were afforefted the 

 penalties of foreft-laws were gentle and the 

 execution of them never rigid. So that, in 

 thofe equitable times, foreft-law was hardly 

 efteemed a burthen upon the people. 



The Norman princes were a different race. 

 They were fierce, haughty, violent, and de- 

 fpotic. Under them the language of Engliih 

 law in general afTumed a new tone ; and of 

 foreft-law in particular. For as the Norman 

 princes were all mighty hunters, this part of 

 jurifprudence engaged their peculiar attention. 



It 



