and fire at those containing the eggs or the young broods, he would thin their numbers far more effectually than by shooting them as they casually come across his path; besides, in the end, it would be a less infliction of pain: for, if the parent birds only were destroyed, the broods would be doomed to a lingering death from not receiving a supply of food.

To keep the covers and adjacent grounds free from the intrusions of the marauding visitor; to preserve the pheasants and partridges from being disturbed or destroyed during the important process of incubation; to protect the young birds after they have left the parent nest, as well as when they are enabled to mount upon the wing; to provide, at the proper season, food for the beautiful inhabitants of the young plantations and the woods, near a supply of water;-in short, to be continually vigilant in all matters which may conduce to the preservation and the security of game of all descriptions, these are the duties which the true lover of field sports should see fulfilled by the keeper, without exercising severity either to strangers or the tenants of the estate. The silent and solitary wanderings of the molecatcher and the earth-stopper-the habits and pursuits of the rabbit-catcher, the woodman, and the charcoalburner-should not escape his particular notice.

Thus securing, by his vigilance, the quietness of the woods and grounds, backed by the pure and unsullied character of the owner of the manor, whose good name is in itself a host, there will always be abundance of game for the employment of the gun, including, probably, as the proper season prevails, no small portion of both cocks and snipes: for these beautiful and interesting migratory favourites will abound most in those localities, which, suited to the nature of their habits, are free from the visits of many strangers and from the noisy clamour of a hasty and bad shot. To the owner of an estate thus judiciously managed, no disappointment will arise in ranging wood or coppice, stubble or meadow, hedge-row or low ground. To him the morning will shine with increased attraction; and evening close around with calmness and serenity. Possessed of an ample store of game of every description, he has the means, within the range of his own estate, of gratifying his friends with a day's superior diversion; and while the grateful visitor, under these favourable circumstances, will scorn to abuse, by unnecessary and indiscriminate slaughter, the kindness which has been extended to him, the owner of the wellpreserved covers enjoys the delights of the day himself, and feels that he has also contributed to the enjoyment

of others. The wily fox may prowl through his covers without risk of trap or gun; for the loss of a few hares or rabbits is well compensated by the enjoyment of that mutual good feeling which should always exist between brother sportsmen, whether fox-hunter or pheasant-shooter.

MONGST all shooters, the most despicable fellow that carries a gun is the pothunter. Whenever he leaves his home

in the morning,-not for the purpose of recreation or of exercise, but of destruction and greediness, his bosom is filled with feelings more base and selfish than even those of the poacher or smuggler. In estimating his character, he will be found to be beneath both. The former has to labour hard at an unseasonable hour, and to encounter innumerable difficulties. He is, at the same time, exposed to great danger of detection, and of severe punishment. The latter braves

the fury of the ocean, during the prevalence of the most violent storms, when death rides upon each foaming wave. His life is placed upon the hazard of a moment; and, in order to accomplish the objects which he has in view, courage, resolution, and even desperation are indispensable.

No

The pot-hunter is a braggart and a coward. matter who suffers-if he can fill his bag and his capacious pockets with game by any means, however shabby-he chuckles over his success. How different the feelings of the generous sportsman! Accompanied by his faithful dog, he leaves the bosom of his family when the morning "opes her golden gates," and,

"In russet mantle clad,

Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastern hill."

The blessings of his own offspring go with him as he bids them farewell: the sprightly, the frank, the free, the generous-hearted boy; the timid, the affectionate daughter-that beautiful girl, who has more power in the glance of her eye, than is possessed in the arm of a giant. His heart is free and open; and, as a pure and unsullied mirror, reflects each image which is presented before it. With all objects, indeed, that