THE GAME LAWS. 299 



and in default thereof, the offender to be committed to the house 

 of correction for three months ; and for the second and every 

 subsequent offence four months. 



Also, s. 3. of the same act allows any person buying and sel- 

 ling game, to inform against any other peron so offending, and 

 to be allowed the same benefit as any other informer ; and him- 

 self discharged from the above-mentioned penalties. 



By s. 4?. the lord of the manor, or justice of the peace, may 

 take to his own use any game which shall be found in the cus- 

 tody or possession of any unqualified person ; unless protected 

 by some qualified person. 



If any person, whether qualified or unqualified, shall sell or ex- 

 pose for sale any hare, pheasant, partridge, moor or heath game; 

 every such person shall be liable to the penalty of five pounds 

 for every hare, &c. on the oath of one witness half to the in- 

 former, and half to the poor of the parish where the offence was 

 committed: to be levied by distress, if necessary ; and for want 

 thereof, the offender to be committed to the house of correction 

 for three months for the first, and four months for every subse- 

 quent offence. Or, if any of the above-mentioned game be found 

 in the house, shop, or possession of any poulterer, salesman, 

 fishmonger, cook, or pastry- cook, the same shall be deemed an 

 exposing thereof to sale. 



The last statute upon this subject cuts both ways with a ven- 

 geance : By 58 Geo. III. c. 75, the buyer (whether qualified 

 or not) of any partridge or any other description of game, is 

 liable to a penalty of five pounds for every head of game he may 

 purchase; and may be convicted on the oath of the very person 

 who sold him the game ; who, for his information, will not only 

 be borne harmless, but entitled, without further trouble, to half 

 the penalty ; and is at liberty, if he thinks proper, to sue for and 

 recover the whole. A greater temptation to roguery could not 

 have been devised ! 



