Nobody must hunt wild beasts.
"It would fatigue both you and me, Mr. Punch (weakened as I feel by these gladiatorial prospects), were I to make more lengthy observations on the Oxford Statutes; for the subject is so copious, that it would take me some time to travel through all the Statutum ests, and stop at each. Yet I think I have told you enough about them to enable you to give me your valuable opinion on the propriety and wisdom of suffering my son Peterloo to enter an university, to the privileges of which he will only be admitted on the condition that he swears to observe all the foregoing Statutes, and a host of others, to the utmost of his power: 'Scito te,' says the Vice-Chancellor, as he gives the young man a copy of the book which I have now been considering, 'Scito te in matriculam Universitatis hodie relatum esse, sub hac conditione, sempe, ut omnia Statuta, hoc libro comprehensa, pro virili observes.'
"But I will add one word in favour of a few more Statutes of this 'Tit. XV.' I am glad to see that, while my son will not be permitted to draw a weapon upon another, or threaten him with a knife, dagger, sword, or other species of weapon (cultellum, pugionem, gladium, aut aliquot aliud genus teli aut distrinxerit, aut intentaverit, cum minis, &c.), yet, that he will be allowed to bear a bow and arrow for the sake of honest recreation (qui honestæ recreationis causá arcus cum sagittis portaverint), and will not be suffered to ride in, or be the charioteer of, any vehicle, unless he is permitted to do so by the Proctors or the Heads of his College, on account of his infirm health, or some other reasonable cause (nisi cui propter infirmam valetudinem aut rationabilem aliquam causam licentia, &c.). And yet, Mr. Punch, why does young Bellingham Grey tell me tales of Traps, and Dog-carts, and Tandems, and Teams? Have all their charioteers infirm health? or has that young gentleman, in this as in other things, been practising upon the credulity of
"Dear Mr. Punch,
"Your constant reader,
Peterloo Brown."
[4] "Tragedy of Remorse." Act ii., Scene I.