248 THE SHOOTER'S GUIDE. 



birds, that when let loose put no limits to their ex- 

 cursions. They feed every where, upon every man's 

 ground ; and no man can say these birds are fed only 

 by me. Those birds which are nourished by all, be- 

 long to all ; nor can any one man, or any set of men, 

 lay claim to them when still continuing in a state 

 of nature." However, let us hear what is urged on 

 the other side of the question, before we draw a con- 

 clusion. 



As a plea in favour of the Game Laws, it has been 

 urged, that they were intended to prevent inferior 

 tradesmen, apprentices, and dissolute persons from 

 leaving their proper occupations in pursuit of game* 

 to the injury and ruin of themselves and families. 



Now the first question which obviously presents it- 

 self under this head is, who are inferior tradesmen ? 

 I cannot conceive that a man, who, by his good moral 

 character, and respectable connections, renders him- 

 self a valuable member of society, ought to be dis- 

 tinguished by the mean epithet of an inferior trades- 

 man. Fashion and custom have, however, attached 

 certain ideas to certain occupations : and therefore I 

 suppose that if a chimney-sweeper or tinker were to 

 gain by his profession 10,000/. per annum, he would 5 

 notwithstanding, be deemed an inferior tradesman* 

 1 am far from being certain that this is the construc- 

 tion which the long- robed gentlemen would put upon 

 the statute : but of this I am confident, that the 

 chimney-sweeper, upon paying the legal duty, would, 



