278 SHOOTING-RIGHTS OF 



conviction. The money received may be ap- 

 plied to reduce the parish rate, but I suggest 

 that it be paid to the freeholders direct, and, 

 moreover, that the auction should be at per 

 acre, purchaser to pay the cost of the dis- 

 tribution, advertising, etc., so that every 

 cottager who has two acres would know, 

 if the shooting let at a shilling, he would 

 have to receive two shillings, free of any 

 deduction whatever. He would have some- 

 thing, however little, tangible and honestly 

 come by, to show for his right. This, if it 

 went into parish funds, he might not realise. 

 Lastly, let us remember, if we are 

 inclined to deal too tenderly with the small 

 freeholder, that he Is generally a repre- 

 sentative of thieves or receivers. Either 

 he Is descended from those who In past 

 days "squatted" on other people's land, 



