202 lewis's AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



merit iu bringing to bag, or demands a greater share of labor and 

 perseverance to follow. A sporting writer — no great admirer of 

 this diversion, however, we imagine — remarks that "snipe-shooting 

 is a pastime the best calculated (grousing excepted) to try the 

 keenness of the sportsman, to ascertain his bottom, and if he can 

 stand labor, water, mire, swamps, and bogs. He should be pos- 

 sessed of a strong constitution, not liable to catch cold, and have 

 all the fortitude as well as exertion of a water-spaniel ; he should 

 be habitually inured to wet, dirt, and difficulties, and not be de- 

 terred by cold or severe weather." 



This statement, although a little overdrawn, is not far wide of 

 the real truth, as every snipe-shooter knows full well ; and, when 

 entering on the sport, each one should be willing to repeat within 

 himself, Audax omnia perpeti. Notwithstanding the numerous ills 

 attendant on this recreation, it has many ardent admirers, who, in 

 spite of wind and weather, cold and rain, mud and mire, are at each 

 succeeding spring and autumn found ready at their posts, all 

 eagerness to commence the fray ; and, at the close of every season, 

 each one has a long list of adventures to relate, not, perhaps, 



" Of moving accidents by flood and field, 

 Of hairbreadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach," 



but of many mishaps and hardships encountered during the 

 campaign on the filthy marshes, the most of which, though griev- 

 ous at the time, in reality added zest to the diversion, and will ever 

 remain imprinted on the memory of the true sportsman as agreeable 

 souvenirs by which to recall the scenes of much past enjoyment. 



