82 MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. 
be persuaded to try it again and again; for after 
one or two trials he will instinctively adapt his eye 
to its construction, and will imagine the gun suits. 
him—an impression that the rapid flight of the first 
quail he endeavors to cover will dissipate. The 
triggers should give back at a weight of four or five 
pounds; the hammers of a muzzle-loader at ten or 
twelve, and of a breech-loader at twelve or fourteen. 
For the former, the best cone is what is called the 
inverted, where the bore is larger at the top and 
receives the entire flame from the cap. 
The shape of the breech for the muzzle-loader for- 
merly gave rise to much learned disquisition and 
many plausible theories ; but, in all probability, had 
no infiuence on the shooting, which is due mainly to 
the form and quality of the barrels. Joe Manton 
founded his fame on the idea that the lines of force, 
if reflected from a hollow cup, like rays of light from 
a reflector, would be directed parallel to one ano- 
ther and lengthwise of the barrel; but later expe- 
riments have tended to destroy this theory. The 
simple fact appears to be, that powder exerts just so 
much force, and, as it cannot escape sideways, it 
must go out at the end of the barrel; and that the 
shape of the breech, except so far as it may affect 
the rapidity of ignition, has no influence whatever. 
These questions, however, are being effectually 
disposed of by the march of events and the general 
diffusion of breech-loaders ; to the latter, as they are 
not generally known or appreciated in our country— 
to which, by its nature and its game, they are 
