254 SYLVA FLORTFERA, 



to take any animal food excepting partridges, 

 which were recommended as a daily diet. 

 These were easily obtained, so long as we 

 remained not only in that city, but in all the 

 country towns likewise; but the moment we 

 arrived in an English town, this comfort was 

 forbidden, unless we would either condescend 

 to beg, or risk the penalty of offended laws. 



We feel satisfied that if game were allowed 

 to be as publicly sold as venison, w r e should 

 in a few years hear no more of poachers than 

 we now hear of deer-stealers. 



The number of poachers, who, at the pre- 

 sent time, fill our prisons, is a national dis- 

 grace, whilst their terrible boldness and infa- 

 mous acts would be revolting to the most 

 uncivilised nations ; but as long as luxury 

 demands, and the laws forbid, the regular 

 supply of this kind of food, so long will there 

 be found men to pursue the nefarious trade 

 of poachers. We hear of no poachers on the 

 continent, where game is publicly sold ; and it 

 would be hardly more unreasonable to banish 

 mutton from our shambles for fear of creating 

 sheep-stealers. 



At the time when the luxury of the patri- 

 cians was undermining the safety of theRoman 

 empire, the plebeians were prohibited by law 

 from eating artichokes, which were then con- 



