GAME LAWS. 419 



an advocate for the present e^ame laws, advert no 

 further than to the act relating to qualifications, and 

 to the mutiny act, and see whether they are not in- 

 consistent ; or, in other words, contrary to justice, 

 and to common sense ? Can that member, therefore, 

 say, that he would be strictly doing his duty, if, when 

 called on for his vote, he tacitly admits, that those 

 acts which are inconsistent, or contrary to common 

 sense, should remain among our code of laws ? But, 

 as to the general principles of the game laws, we 

 should, instead of putting ourselves out of temper, 

 make every allowance for the errors of those who may 

 be inclined to vote in their favour. We should re- 

 collect, that many of the cleverest men in existence, 

 when you come to the subject of their game, cannot 

 divest themselves of feeling, in some degree, personally 

 interested ; and it need scarcely be observed, that 

 although a man may have the highest sense of honour, 

 and the most consummate talent, yet all men have, 

 more or less, one favourite pursuit, their attachment 

 for which evidently points out where their weak side 

 exists ; and here, therefore, it becomes difficult to 

 give them satisfaction. Let what will be proposed, 

 depend on it there will be a host of public speakers 

 and public writers to disapprove of it ; and as every 

 suggestion on such a tender subject is not only open 

 to criticism, but to public ridicule, I am justified in 

 repeating, that whoever speaks or writes on this sub- 

 ject undertakes a most unthankful office. 



I shall, therefore, withhold going far into detail, 



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