CONGER 247 



ing entire fishes, contrary to the statute. This 

 may be a painful subject of consideration for the 

 whole Court." 



Mr Ruggles, of Barre, was one of those inde- 

 pendent legislators, who conceived that there were 

 too many ornithological and icthyological laws al- 

 ready passed. When the bill to restrain the tak- 

 ing of eels at Nantucket was under consideration 

 in the House of Representatives, he concluded a 

 speech, touching the momentous subject, with the 

 following original doggerel : 



u Mankind have grown so wise of late, 

 And rule so strict their wishes, — 

 That legislators, short of work, 

 Make laws for birds and fishes." 



The poor pickerel, alewives, and Taunton her- 

 ring, have undoubtedly felt a deep solicitude and 

 sympathy for the long neglected eels, on which 

 such a vast population have been feeding since the 

 landing of the pilgrims, — but thanks to a humane 

 General Court, viri graves et docti, of sad 

 and learned men, those unfeeling Cape Coders 

 are now restrained by the majesty of the law, to 

 three dozen in a day ; enough, in all conscience, 

 for a common man ; yes, the appetites of those 

 monsters will now be regulated by the conserva- 

 tory regulations of the conscript fathers of the 

 town, — the selectmen ! 



