270 TO KEEP UP A GOOD 



houses*, by concealing people during the night, near 

 loth their front and back doors; also to have, up the 

 road, an eye on the stage-coaches; and, above all, some 

 spies over the waggoners, who are often their very 

 employers, and who are enabled to smuggle to London 

 both your game and poultry, not only better concealed, 

 than if sent by the coach, but in much greater quan- 

 tities. Thirdly, to keep on good terms with the farmers, 

 who, it should be remembered, have a right to tread, 

 on their own ground, though the nest of & partridge or 

 pheasant be under their feet! 



In a few words, a gentleman, who, living on his 

 estate, is liberal and popular with his neighbours, his 

 tenants, and the poor, will seldom have much difficulty 

 in preserving his rights of every kind. Few will be 

 disposed to infringe on them, while every one is ready 

 to offer assistance for their protection. But, on the 

 other hand, the tyrant, hated and despised by all, when 

 shot over by day, poached on by night, or even robbed 

 of his property, becomes only the laughing-stock of his 

 villagers, who would perhaps rather succour than in- 

 form against the offenders ! 



Nothing will keep pheasants at home better than 

 stacks of buck wheat, oats, white peas, or barley ; pro- 

 vided you dispose of them IN coverts, where there is 

 access to water. It is equally as well known, that high 



* These men often frequent what are called bough houses (un- 

 licensed places, where beer is sold) ; and here it may be contrived 

 to discover the whole gang, by having them closely watched, or 

 buying over, for a spy, or keeper, some well-known old poacher. 

 In short, if these fellows are never lost sight of, they must be taken 

 sooner or later ; but if only hunted in thejields and woods, they may 

 escape their pursuers, till they have nearly stripped a manor. 



