Franco-Gallia | Page 9

plain they had) I know no Reason why their Example shou'd be
followed in the Days of Liberty, when there is no such Prospect. The
Preservation of the Game is but a very slender Pretence for omitting it.
I hope no wise Man will put a Hare or a Partridge in Balance with the
Safety and Liberties of Englishmen; tho after all, 'tis well known to
Sportsmen, that Dogs, Snares, Nets, and such silent Methods as are
daily put in Practice, destroy the Game ten times more than shooting

with Guns.
If the restoring us to our Old Constitution in this Instance were ever
necessary, 'tis more eminently so at this time, when our next
Neighbours of Scotland are by Law armed just in the manner we desire
to be, and the Union between both Kingdoms not perfected. For the
Militia, upon the Foot it now stands, will be of little Use to us: 'tis
generally compos'd of Servants, and those not always the same,
consequently not well train'd; rather such as wink with both Eyes at
their own firing a Musket, and scarce know how to keep it clean, or to
charge it aright. It consists of People whose Reputation (especially the
Officers) has been industriously diminished, and their Persons, as well
as their Employment, rendred contemptible on purpose to enhance the
Value of those that serve for Pay; insomuch that few Gentlemen of
Quality will now a-days debase themselves so much, as to accept of a
Company, or a Regiment in the Militia. But for all this, I can never be
persuaded that a Red Coat, and Three Pence a Day, infuses more
Courage into the poor Swaggering Idler, than the having a Wife and
Children, and an Estate to fight for, with good wholsome Fare in his
Kitchen, wou'd into a Free-born Subject, provided the Freeman were
as well armed and trained as the Mercenary.
I wou'd not have the Officers and Soldiers of our most Brave and
Honest Army to mistake me. I am not arguing against them; for I am
convinced, as long as there is Work to do abroad, 'tis they (and not our
home dwelling Freeholders) are most proper for it. Our War must now
be an Offensive War; and what I am pleading for, concerns only the
bare Defensive Part. Most of our present Generals and Officers are fill'd
with the true Sprit of Liberty (a most rare thing) which demonstrates
the Felicity of her Majesty's Reign, and her standing upon a true
Bottom, beyond any other Instance that can be given; insomuch, that
considering how great and happy we have been under the Government
of Queens, I have sometimes doubted, whether an Anti-Salick Law
wou'd be to our Disadvantage.
Most of these Officers do expect, nay (so true do I take them to be to
their Country's Interest) do wish, whenever it shall please God to send

us such a Peace as may be relied upon both at home and abroad, to
return to the State of peaceable Citizens again; but 'tis fit they should
do so, with such ample Rewards for their Blood and Labours, as shall
entirely satisfy them. And when they, or the Survivors of them, shall
return full of Honour and Scars home to their Relations, after the
Fatigues of so glorious a Service to their Country are ended; 'tis their
Country's Duty to make them easy, without laying a Necessity upon
them of striving for the Continuance of an Army to avoid starving. The
Romans used to content them by a Distribution of their Enemies Lands;
and I think their Example so good in every thing, that we could hardly
propose a better. Oliver Cromwell did the like in Ireland, to which we
owe that Kingdom's being a Protestant Kingdom at this Day, and its
continuing subject to the Crown of England; but if it be too late to think
of this Method now, some other must be found out by the Wisdom of
Parliament, which shall fully answer the End.
These Officers and Soldiers thus settled and reduced to a Civil State,
wou'd, in a great measure, compose that invincible Militia I am now
forecasting; and by reason of their Skill in military Affairs, wou'd
deserve the principal Posts and Commands in their respective Counties:
With this advantageous Change of their Condition, that whereas
formerly they fought for their Country only as Soldiers of Fortune, now
they shou'd defend it as wise and valiant Citizens, as Proprietors of the
Estates they fight for; and this will gain them the entire Trust and
Confidence of all the good People of England, who, whenever they
come to know their own Minds, do heartily hate Slavery. The Manner
and Times of assembling, with several other necessary Regulations, are
only proper