THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 223 



opening day of the shooting season, in 

 the event of a backward harvest. 



It is a judicious enactment, and well 

 worthy of imitation. The first of Septem- 

 ber is a dies non, provided the grain be not 

 housed ; and I have known, in some De- 

 part ements, the chasse to be interdicted 

 until the 10th, I2th, and even the 15th 

 of the month. The birds, too, are none the 

 worse for being a fortnight older ; and I 

 am convinced that if grouse-shooting 

 with us were not permitted until the end 

 of August, it would be of more real bene- 

 fit to the sportsman than as the law now 

 exists. 



The penalty of shooting in France be- 

 fore the period officially announced by the 

 mayor of the town, village, or district, is 

 very severe — fine and imprisonment, in a 

 greater or lesser degree, according to the 

 enormity of the off^ence, and the character 

 of the offender. If he be a notorious 



