30 WOLMER FOREST THE BLACK ACT. 



the stop-dogs were permitted to pursue, and a most 

 gallant scene ensued. 



LETTER VII. 



TO THE SAME. 



THOUGH large herds of deer do much harm to 

 the neighbourhood, yet the injury to the morals of 

 the people is of more moment than the loss of their 

 crops. The temptation is irresistible ; for most men 

 are sportsmen by constitution : and there is such 

 an inherent spirit for hunting in human nature, as 

 scarce any inhibitions can restrain. Hence, towards 

 the beginning of this century, all this country was 

 wild about deer-stealing. Unless he were a hunter, 

 as they affected to call themselves, no young person 

 was allowed to be possessed of manhood or gallantry. 

 The Waltham blacks at length committed such 

 enormities, that Government was forced to inter- 

 fere with that severe and sanguinary act called the 

 Black Act,* which now comprehends more felonies 

 than any law that ever was framed before ; and, 

 therefore, a late bishop of Winchester, when urged 

 to re-stock Waltham chase,f refused, from a motive 

 worthy of a prelate, replying, that " It had done 

 mischief enough already." 



Our old race of deer-stealers are hardly extinct 

 yet. It was but a little while ago that, over their 

 ale, they used to recount the exploits of their 

 youth ; such as watching the pregnant hind to her 



* Statute 9 Geo. I. c. 22. 



f This chase remains unstocked to this day ; the bishop was 

 Dr. Hoadley. 



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