THE THIEF AND rOACHER. 95 



side of charity, however misplaced and undeserved 

 any approach to favourable consideration may be. 

 The people in the parish always well know how 

 easy it is to cheat their parson, by ^^ outward and 

 visible signs," into the belief ^^ of the inward and 

 spiritual grace," and on his credulity they endea- 

 vour to trade. 



As to the good or evil effects of a large preser- 

 vation of game, the real fact stands thus. It is the 

 little amount oi unprotected gci^me that fosters crime. 

 There is just enough on the unprotected lands to 

 promise to a dissolutely inclined man enough illicit 

 game to bring him beer, without the slightest chance 

 of his being taken and punished. 



On the other hand, where there is a large head of 

 game, it must have many vigilant protectors — capture 

 being almost a certainty if inroads are made on 

 the lands. In addition to this, when there are 

 watchers, the farmer's roots and turnip-tops are safe; 

 his hedges cannot be pulled nor his gates thrown 

 off the hinges without an almost certainty of detec- 

 tion; cattle cannot get cast in ditches, nor sheep 

 in grips ; nor can sheep be stolen, nor corn from 

 the sheaf either, when there is a large preserve of 

 game, and men out night and day to look after it. 



