SPORTSMEN, FARMERS, &C* 175 



woods, to destroy poachers' dogs, who 

 come, by night, to drive with their dogs 

 to their nets and snares ; but then, I am 

 firmly of opinion, that the man w^ho lays it, 

 and does not take it up at dawn of day, 

 long before sun-rise, richly deserves to have 

 the portion forced down his own throat. 

 However, so far I am resolved as to make 

 myself thoroughly acquainted wnth the 

 legality or illegality of this outrageous 

 practice, by consulting an eminent law^yer, 

 w^ho has written on, and made the game- 

 laws his particular study : then I shall find 

 myself more at home on this subject ; then 

 I shall know how to proceed against such 

 outrages, sanctioned by persons callirig 

 themselves gentlemen. 



In respect of laying poison in a planta- 

 tion, or wood, close to, and bordering on, the 

 king's highway, either hy day or nighty I am 

 firmly of opinion, that every liberal-minded 

 man wall agree with me, that it is an unjust- 

 ifiable act. By night, even, it cannot, in 

 justice and honour, be sanctioned : suppose, 

 for instance, a gentleman be travelling after 

 .dark, on a high public road, as many do, 



