44 
it. Et EF RI Crass 1. 
hunting-grounds became more limited; and as til- | 
lage and hufbandry increafed, the beafts of chace 
were obliged to give way to others more ufeful to_ 
the community. The vait tratts of land before de- 
dicated to hunting, were then contracted; and in 
proportion as the ufeful arts gained ground, either 
loft their original deftination, or gave rife to the in- 
vention of Parks. Liberty and the arts feem coe- 
val, for when once the latter got footing, the for- 
mer protected the labors of the induftrious from 
being ruined by the licentioufnefs of the fportfman, 
or being devoured by the objects of his diverfion: 
for this reafon, the fubjects of a defpotic govern- 
ment {till experience the inconveniences of vatt 
waftes, and forefts, the terrors of the neighbouring 
hufbandmen*; while in our well-regulated monar- 
chy, very few chaces remain: we ftill indulge our- 
felves in the generous pleafure of hunting, but con- 
fine the deer-kind to parks, of which England boafts 
of more than any other kingdom in Europe. Our 
equal Jaws allow every man his pleafure; but con- 
fine them in fuch bounds, as prevents them from 
being injurious to the meaneft of the community. 
Before the reformation, our prelates feem to have 
suarded fufficiently again{ft the want of this amufe- 
ment, the fee of Norwich in particular, being pof- 
* In Germany the peafants are often obliged to watch their 
grounds the whole night, to preferve the fences and corn from 
being deftroyed by the deer. 
feffed 
