The modifications which the Lords introduced into the Ground-Game Bill
were two. They insisted on a close time for game, including hares and rabbits, namely, four months, from the end of March to the end of July,—declaring that it was necessary for the preservation of winged game, an amend- ment which may, we hope, be disagreed with by the House of Commons,—and passed an amendment to that effect by a majority of 35 (94 to 59); and they declined to let the farmer delegate his power of shooting ground-game—the right of trap- ping it is not toucliedto any but one person, so as to prevent farmers from making shooting parties, as landlords make shoot- ing parties when they have reserved the game to themselves. This amendment was passed by a majority of 50 (108 to 58). Lord Feversham's attempt to re-enact the right of " free con- tract," as it is called, in other words the power of the land. owner to squeeze a surrender of the game out of the tenant was promptly snubbed by Lord Beaconsfield, and was not persevered in.
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