EFFECTS OF PRESERVING GAME. 107 



There's not a leaf within the bower ; 



There's not a bird upon the tree ; 

 There's not a dew-drop on the flower, 



But bears the impress, Lord, of Thee. 



MRS. OPIE. 



WE are furnished with abundant proofs of a super- 

 intending Providence, and we may perceive a wise 

 arrangement in everything connected with the 

 animal as well as the vegetable creation. Every- 

 thing has been made for some good purpose; 

 and it is man alone who interferes with the bene- 

 volent order and design of the Creator. 



A friend of mine preserved his game with more 

 than usual strictness. His keepers had orders to 

 destroy every stoat, weazle, hawk, owl, magpie, or 

 jay, on his estate ; and this was done to such a 

 degree, that not one of these supposed marauders 

 were to be met with in his preserves. The con- 

 sequence was, that rats and mice infested his 

 property to an enormous extent. The former 

 burrowed in his fields and hedge-rows like rab- 

 bits, destroying the corn of his tenants, and feast- 

 ing not only on the eggs of his partridges and 

 pheasants, but also on the young birds when they 

 were hatched. During the winter they committed 



