KEEPERS
—are of different kinds, acting under different appointments, as servants of the Crown, or of individuals. There are FOREST-keepers, PARK-keepers, and GAME-keepers, whose employments are distinct and separate from each other. It is the province of the first to protect and superintend the DEER in any one of his Majesty's forests, to which he is appointed, and to become a principal instrument of enforcing the laws enacted for its preservation, against depredators of every description. Park-keepers are retained in the service of NOBLEMEN and GENTLEMEN who have parks stocked with deer, having the same perquisites and privileges as those employed in the service of the Crown; their employment is principally to superintend, preserve, and regulate the stock, as well as to kill BUCKS, DOES, and FAWNS, according to the season, when required for the table; which can never be done by any PARK-keeper of the Crown, without the receipt of a proper WARRANT previously issued from superior authority for that purpose. Game-keepers are employed in various forests, parks, chases, free-warrens, and manors, the property of the Crown, to furnish a constant supply of game for his Majesty's table and household, under such regulations as prevent the possibility of too great an influx at one time, and too short a supply at another. Every LORD or LADY possessing a manor within any part of the kingdom, has the power of appointing a person, under the denomination of a GAME-keeper, to protect, preserve, or KILL any kind of GAME upon the particular MANOR for which he is appointed; and to execute and enforce all such other manorial rights and privileges within the department, as may be submitted to his delegation; he first conforming to the LEGAL prescription, before he can be confirmed, or qualified to act in the office to which he has been deputed.—See Game-Laws, and Game-Keepers.