Page:Memoirs of the late John Kippen, cooper, in Methven, near Perth.pdf/10

 proprietor on the backs of rivers, attempt to catch at many as he can, without any regard to the interest of another, and have not I a right to catch also? Who feeds these fishes? Do they cost any man any thing? No. Why then should any man claim a property in them more than me. I have learnt to kill game, and I will catch them, in spite of every opposition," Such were the doctrines held by this man, and, strange to tell, that his character was never impeached even by his enemies, for any breach in moral honesty in any other way whatever. This propensity of his, however frequently brought him to trouble, for the gentlemen on whole grounds John sported, were of very different opinion open this point; and he was frequently prosecuted for killing hares, and catching fish. On these occasions he commonly attended the courts of law in person, and defended himself with a degree of eloquence & ingenuity, which would have done