PETTY TYRANNY. 215 



or even break them in in a friendly way ; and when once 

 he has committed himself, and winked at what is going 

 on, the constable feels that he may as well join and share 

 altogether. At outlying wayside ' publics ' the keeper 

 and the constable may carouse to the top of their bent : 

 the landlord is only too glad to be on good terms with 

 them ; his own little deviations pass unnoticed, and if by 

 accident they are discovered he has a friend at court to 

 give him a good character. 



The worthy pair have an engine of oppression in their 

 hands which effectually overawes the cottagers : they can 

 accuse them of poaching ; and if not proceeding to the 

 ultimatum of a summons, which might not suit their con- 

 venience, can lay them under suspicion, which may result 

 in notice to quit their cottages, or to give up their allot- 

 ment gardens ; and a garden is almost as important to a 

 cottager as his weekly wages. In this way a landlord 

 whose real disposition may be most generous may be 

 made to appear a perfect tyrant, and be disliked by the 

 whole locality. It is to the interest of the keeper and the 

 constable to obtain a conviction now and then ; it gives 

 them the character of vigilance. 



Sometimes a blackleg keeper, not satisfied with the 

 plunder of the estate under his guardianship must needs 

 encroach on the lands of neighbouring farmers occupying 

 under small owners ; and so further ill-will is caused. In 

 the end an exposure takes place, and the employer finds 



