448 GAME LAWS. 



to mitigate the penalty ; as this law, like all others, 

 must, of course, be open to the abuse of tyrannical per- 

 sons, and there might occur some extraordinary in- 

 stances, where it would become desirable to mitigate 

 the punishment as much as possible. 



If the defendant appeals from the decision of the magistrates, to 

 a court of law, for a second wilful trespass, whereby the penalty 

 here proposed would be from 5/. to 50/. ; let him, if he loses his 

 cause, pay, in addition to the damages, whatever sum had before 

 been awarded by magistrates. 



Amend the 57th statute of Geo. III. for transporting a man who 

 is found, at night, armed with intent to kill game ; and let it be, 

 that, if he makes any RESISTANCE on being apprehended, he shall 

 be transported. 



If not, his " footing it," for a month or two, in the 

 tread-mill would be quite sufficient punishment ; and 

 particularly to a poacher, who, except when at his 

 nightly business, is generally one of the laziest drones 

 in existence. This little " training," too, may perhaps 

 be the means of getting him " in wind" for a more in- 

 dustrious life ; and, therefore, of tending to the support, 

 instead of the starvation, or incumbrance on a parish, 

 of his unfortunate family. 



All game-shooting (except black game, muir game, and ptarmigan) 

 to begin on the 1st of October. 



By such an arrangement thousands of very young 

 partridges, that are not fair game, would escape being 

 massacred by the gentleman-poacher, and falling a prey, 

 when in hedges and hassocks, to the dogs of the pot- 

 hunter. There would be avoided many disputes be- 

 tween farmers and eager young sportsmen (perhaps the 

 sons of their landlords), who sometimes cannot resist 

 following their game into the corn. There would be 



