Page:Cynegetica.djvu/23

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Introduction.
7

or his ſpade, to range the woods for the deſtruction of animals, which afford a noble and manly diverſion to their Proprietor, I can conceive no more inconſiſtent with juſtice, than that he ſhould be prevented from entering the orchard or the hen-rooſt. Aſ the beaſts of the foreſt and the fruits of the foil are equally common in a ſtate of nature, ſo I ſee no reaſon why they may not be equally appropriated in a ſtate of civil ſociety, And I appeal to any perſon really converſant in theſe kind of facts, if he knows a ſingle inſtance of one of thoſe men, commonly called Poachers, whoſe profeſſion is a violation of the Game Laws, and againſt whom alone they are ever executed with any ſeverity, whoſe character and ſufferings could entitle him to a tear, even from that moſt ſentimental of all

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