( H ) 



of a weak prince, the fpirit of the nation arofe, 

 and endeavoured to refume it's native rights. 

 Succefs at lafl: attended thefe repeated ftruggles. 

 Forefl-law was abolifhed ; at leaft it's mifchie- 

 vous effedls were repreffed. 



But if the people imagined this victory- 

 would reinftate them in their native rights 

 over the foreft, they were miftaken. A new 

 fpecies of law, under the denomination of 

 game-law y arofe upon the ruins oi for eft -law. 

 This law had from it's inftitution an arif- 

 tocratic caft. For the barons and great men, 

 who had wrefted the rigour of foreft-law from 

 the prince, did not mean to free the people 

 from the impolition ; but only to adminifter 

 it themfelves : and thus a thoufand tyrants 

 ftarted up inftead of one. Some of the feverer 

 penalties indeed were aboliflied. A man pre- 

 ferved his eyes, or his hands, tho he killed a 

 pheafant, or a partridge ; but he was fined — 

 he was imprifoned — his dog was fliot — his 

 arms were taken from him — and he was conti- 

 nually tcafed with vexatious fuits. Befides, as 

 game-law was more cxtenfive than foreft- 



law. 



