424 GAME LAWS. 



Have licensed dealers subject only to the magistrates. 



Every person should have the power of legally 

 obtaining game ; by which means it would be thought 

 the less of; and there could be no excuse for dealing 

 with a poacher, or other unlawful vend. It is 

 very hard, that not only a respectable tradesman, 

 but even a gentleman, perhaps with high rank and 

 immense "funded property, cannot command a brace 

 of birds for his table without being liable to a 

 penalty. The unjust severity of such a prohibition, 

 therefore, induces many opulent persons to encou- 

 rage this illegal traffic. It does not follow, however, 

 that the gentleman is to turn game-poulterer, or that 

 game must be made private property, for the pur- 

 pose in question. For if it was, the farmer might 

 possibly spoil the gentleman's sport, by making a 

 trade of it ; or, if thwarted in his views, might then 

 destroy the nests of half the birds on his land. But 

 let those, who, from having a certificate, and per- 

 mission to shoot, are lawfully in possession of game, 

 be allowed also the power of selling it to persons 

 who are duly licensed to deal in that article. In 

 short, let the matter be so arranged, that every one 

 may have a lawful means of procuring game, as well 

 as venison, or any other luxury. 



One hundred pounds penalty for buying game of one who has 

 neither a certificate to kill it, nor a licence to sell it ; and let the 

 vender have the power of turning informer. The same penalty 

 of course for one, who, with neither certificate nor dealer's licence, 

 shall sell game, or offer game for sale. 



