INTRODUCTION 



9 



ness, and appointed persons to take care that 

 it should continue so, with orders to nourish 

 up the wild animals fit for the chase ; making 

 very severe laws against such as should, by 

 hunting or any other means, presume to kill 

 his deer, or imitate his own pastime." 



But," said one of my hearers timidly, 



can kings always do as that king did ? " 



*^*^At that time," said I, there were very 

 few kings who could not do that, and worse, 

 when they pleased ; but now, even in what are 

 called absolute monarchies, it could scarcely 

 be done. England has, for a long time, en- 

 joyed the government of the laws^ which, and 

 only which, the king has power to execute. 

 If the sovereign were now to desire the in- 

 dulgence of such a whim, his only way would 

 be to buy the property of the persons to 

 whom it might belong, and thus induce them 



