converted to the Uſe of the Game-keeper and his Family. Tho’ as Jones alone was diſcovered, the poor Lad bore not only the whole Smart, but the whole Blame; both which fell again to his Lot, on the following Occaſion. Contiguous to Mr. Allworthy’s Eftate, was the Manor of one of thoſe Gentlemen, who are called Preſervers of the Game. This Species of Men, from the great Severity with which they revenge the Death of a Hare or a Partridge, might be thought to cultivate the ſame Superſtition with the Bannians in India, many of whom, we are told, dedicate their whole Lives to the Preſervation and Protection of certain Animals, was it not that our English Bannians, while they preſerve them from other Enemies, will moſt unmercifully ſlaughter whole Horſe-loads themſelves, ſo that they ſtand clearly acquitted of any ſuch heatheniſh Superſtition.
I have, indeed, a much better Opinion of this Kind of Men than is entertained by ſome, as I take them to anſwer the Order of Nature, and the good Purpoſes for which they were ordained in a more ample Manner than many others. Now, as Horace tells us, that there are a Set of human Beings,
‘Fruges
