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By EDWARD CHRISTIAN,

OF GRAY'S INN, ESQ.

BARRISTER AT LAW, PROFESSOR OF THE LAWS OF ENGLAND, AND
CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE ISLE OF ELY.

LONDON:

Printed by R. WATTS, Crown Court, Temple Bar,`

FOR W. CLARKE AND SONS, PORTUGAL STREET,

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I PRESUME to dedicate to your Lordship the result of a laborious investigation of the Game Laws;- a subject upon which there has hitherto been infinite confusion. This has arisen, in a great degree, from an accumulation of statutes; most of which. have been composed by those who did not possess sufficient knowledge of the prior existing laws. But I have found more consistency in the decisions of the Courts, upon this, than upon any other subject that I have had occasion diligently to examine.

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In a few instances, I have ventured to suggest doubts upon the correctness of some of them. But your Lordship's caution and great diligence have left me no reason to dissent from any of your judgments. These are essential qualities to complete the character of a Judge, and are perhaps more rare than superior learning and abilities; but the union of them all in your Lordship has produced the very extraordinary occurrence in the history of the profession of the Law, that, in the course of fifteen years, when the weight of business has been greatly augmented, not more than two of the judgments of the Court of King's Bench have been reversed.

The little credit I aspire to, in my legal productions, is accuracy, from elaborate examination; and the only reward I am anxious to obtain is, the approbation of men of learning in my own profession. I have no purpose to serve, but the advancement of truth and science. These have ever been

your

your guides, in the administration of public justice.

Every friend to his country must anxiously wish your Lordship health, long to execute the functions of your high office; and in that wish no one one more ardently joins

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