The minor regulations for its
maintenance are still more encouraging, for some of these aim directly at
preserving beauty, or objects of natural interest, for their own sake. The
oldest are those which protect the fishery. There is one close-time for
the coarse fish, another for the trout, and a limit of size to the meshes
of the nets which may be used. Such minor disfigurements as the throwing
of ashes from steam-launches into the water or of kitchen _debris_
from houseboats are forbidden. Recently the Conservators have taken powers
more frankly directed to the preservation of natural beauty, though even
in these cases what may be called direct "taste legislation" has not been
exercised. They have not asked for leave to say definitely: "This or that
object is hideous or disfiguring, and cannot be allowed by the side of our
national highway." But they have said, "This or that object which grows on
or lives by the side of our river-road is beautiful, and gives pleasure to
the public, and therefore it shall not be destroyed." The result has been
that the birds on the river and its banks may no longer be shot, and
certain flowers are not permitted to be plucked.
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