2o6 The Gamekeeper at Home. 



There is a saying that an old poacher makes the 

 foest gamekeeper, on the principle of setting a thief to 

 catch a thief : a maxim, however, of doubtful value, 

 since no other person could so thoroughly appreciate 

 the tempting opportunities which must arise day after 

 ■day. That keepers themselves are sometimes the 

 worst of depredators must be admitted. Hitherto I 

 have chiefly described the course of action followed 

 by honest and conscientious men, truly anxious for 

 their employers' interests, and taking a personal pride 

 in a successful shooting season. But there exists 

 a class of keepers of a very different order, who 

 have done much to bring sport itself into unmerited 

 odium. 



The blackleg keeper is often a man of some 

 natural ability — a plausible, obsequious rascal, quick 

 in detecting the weak points of his employer's cha- 

 racter, and in practising upon and distorting what were 

 originally generous impulses. His game mainly 

 depends upon gaining the entire confidence of his 

 master ; and, not being embarrassed by considera- 

 tions of self-esteem, he is not choice in the use of 

 means to that end. He knows that if he can 

 thoroughly worm himself into his employer's good 

 opinion the unfavourable reports which may be set 

 afloat against him will be regarded as the mere tittle- 



