The Virginian

Madness of English Laws—The following article is taken from the Suffolk Chronicle: "Letitia Hewitt of Sudbourn, single woman, was convicted before Charles Brooke, clerk, and Wm. Carthew, Esq. at the Sessions hall, Woodbridge, on Wednesday, upon the oath of two witnesses, of having taken four pheasants' eggs, in the nest; and being unable to pay the penalty of 4l. being 20s. for each egg, was committed to Woodbridge Bridewell, for three months, unless the penalty should be sooner paid. Ann Chatten, of Sudbourn, single woman, was also convicted before the same magistrates, upon the oath of the same witnesses, of having spoiled five partridge eggs, and being unable to pay the penalty of 5l. being 20s. for each egg, was so committed to Woodbridge Bridewell for three months, unless the penalty be sooner paid." Three months! A pretty good sentence for treading upon four pheasants' eggs! I should like to know whom the eggs belonged to.