440 GAME LAWS. 



One simple question, however, may be asked by every 

 one : Let any member, supposing that he is an ad- 

 vocate for the present game laws, advert no further 

 than to the act relating to qualifications, and to the 

 mutiny act, and see whether they are not inconsistent; 

 or, in other words, contrary to justice, and to common 

 sense? Can that member, therefore, say, that he would 

 be strictly doing his duty, if, when called on for his 

 vote, he tacitly admits, that those acts which are incon- 

 sistent, or contrary to common sense, should remain 

 among our code of laws ? But, as to the general prin- 

 ciples of the game laws, we should, instead of putting 

 ourselves out of temper, make every allowance for the 

 errors of those who may be inclined to vote in their 

 favour. We should recollect, that many of the cleverest 

 men in existence, when you come to the subject of their 

 game, cannot divest themselves of feeling, in some de- 

 gree, personally interested ; and it need scarcely be ob- 

 served, that although a man may have the highest sense 

 of honour, and the most consummate talent, yet all men 

 have, more or less, one favourite pursuit, their attach- 

 ment for which evidently points out where their weak 

 side exists ; and here, therefore, it becomes difficult to 

 give them satisfaction. Let what will be proposed, 

 depend on it there will be a host of public speakers and 

 public writers to disapprove of it ; and as every sug- 

 gestion on such a tender subject is not only open to cri- 

 ticism, but to public ridicule, I am justified in repeating, 

 that whoever speaks or writes on this subject undertakes 

 a most unthankful office. 



I shall, therefore, withhold going far into detail, and 

 conclude with a few hints, that are entirely founded 

 on experience ; and pretty good information as to the 



