m ground there. The general interest of the subject,
and the loudness with which it was debated, soon drew all the scattered
conversation into one focus.

"What!" said Sir Lionel, in a high voice, to a modest, shrinking youth,
probably from Cambridge, who had supported the liberal side of the
question--"what! are our interests to be never consulted? Are we to
have our only amusement taken away from us? What do you imagine brings
country gentlemen to their seats? Do you not know, Sir, the vast
importance our residence at our country houses is to the nation? Destroy
the game laws, and you destroy our very existence as a people."

'Now,' thought I, 'it is my time.' "Sir Lionel," said I, speaking almost
from one end of the table to the other, "I perfectly agree with your
sentiments; I am entirely of opinion, first, that it is absolutely
necessary for the safety of the nation that game should be preserved;
secondly, that if you take away game you take away country gentlemen:
no two propositions can be clearer than these; but I do differ from you
with respect to the intended alterations. Let us put wholly out of the
question, the interests of the poor people, or of society at large:
those are minor matters, not worthy of a moment's consideration; let us
only see how far our interests as sportsmen will be affected. I think
by a very few words I can clearly prove to you, that the proposed
alterations will make us much better off than we are at present."

I then entered shortly, yet fully enough, into the nature of the laws as
they now stood, and as they were intended to be changed. I first
spoke of the two great disadvantages of the present system to
country gentlemen; viz. in the number of poachers, and the expense of
preserving. Observing that I was generally and attentively listened
to, I dwelt upon these two points with much pathetic energy; and having
paused till I had got Sir Lionel and one or two of his supporters to
confess that it would be highly desirable that these defects should, if
possible, be remedied, I proceeded to show how, and in what manner it
was possible. I argued, that to effect this possibility, was the exact
object of the alterations suggested; I anticipated the objections; I
answered them in the form of propositions, as clearly and concisely
stated as possible; and as I spoke with great civility and conciliation,
and put aside every appearance of care for any human being in the world
who was not poss