MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. dl 
“9, Another serious objection to the breech- 
loader is the weight of ammunition that must be 
carried in the shape of ready-made cartridges when 
going to the Highlands or any remote shooting 
quarter, And then arises the difficulty of keeping 
them perfectly dry in damp weather ; and evéry one 
knows how very soon the damp will penetrate 
through a. paper case, and cake, and w a the 
force of the gunpowder.” 
If the cartridge cases are carried unloaded, the 
bulk of ammunition is increased; if loaded—and 
they are as safe as powder in mass—neither the 
weight nor bulk is at all increased. The powder 
might be injured in very damp weather in the course 
of years; but such an occurrence has not yet come 
before the public. 
*¢10, The cartridges must be carried in a strong case 
with divisional compartments. In the event of their 
being carried loose, they become damaged ; and the 
danger of so carrying them is excessive, by reason of 
the results which may ensue in the event of a fall 
or accident in getting over a hedge, or otherwise, 
whereby a blow or friction is given to the metal 
pin which explodes the cap.” 
Friction will not discharge them, and no ordinary 
blow ; and, in case of explosion, the danger is merely 
what may result from the discharge of a charge of 
powder in the open air—by no means so great, but 
about as probable as from the explosion of the caps 
in the cap-pocket. The writer has never heard 
of such an occurrence, and English sportsmen 
