GAME LAWS. 431 



gentlemen as are an ornament to a most honourable 

 profession, and who are always the first to open for 

 their clients the doors of reconciliation. But, with 

 regard to the frivolous points that are repeatedly 

 contending, how sincerely is it to be regretted, that so 

 many expensive lawsuits should be for ever taking 

 place, and particularly about the game ! How easily, 

 in many cases, might they be avoided to the greatest 

 interest of both parties ! For instance, if any little 

 difference occurred, why not have it decided by a 

 certain number of gentlemen chosen by each party ? 

 To the decision of other persons it must come tit 

 last! though most likely before a less competent tri- 

 bunal ! for it stands to reason, that a promiscuously 

 assembled jury cannot be made such perfect masters 

 of every circumstance, as persons selected, who are 

 ably versed in the subject of dispute ; and especially 

 as the final decision, in a court of justice, may be 

 liable to depend on the judgment of a dozen poor 

 men, who can scarcely read or write, or even under- 

 stand a single point of an argument. 



If, therefore, people, who have the honesty to 

 require no more than what is just and fair, would 

 also have the good sense to withhold going to law on 

 ercri/ trumpery altercation, there would be much 

 more happiness among mankind ; and there could 

 accrue but one evil, and this of a minor consideration ; 

 which is, that a certain proportion (I mean the dross 

 only) of hireling dons, instead of being arrayed like 



