62 MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. 
not be made to spring shut like the Lefaucheux, but 
must be drawn back into place by a short lever. 
The price of a superior breech-loader, made by 
Jeffery of Guildford, several of whose make have 
been imported and given entire satisfaction, is thirty 
guineas, and by Dougall of Glasgow about forty 
guineas, although of course the price varies to suit 
purses ; and some of the best London makers, who 
spare neither labor nor expense, and who turn out 
work that is unsurpassable, charge double these 
sums. It has even been asserted that Purdey has 
received over a hundred pounds for a breech-loader ; 
but this is merely a fancy price, and makes the gun 
neither safer nor more useful than one at a third of 
the cost. 
A breech-loader to shoot creditably must be well 
made, and consequently is expensive; and at the 
best an extra quarter drachm of powder must be al- 
lowed. This is supposed to be required by the 
yielding of the comparatively soft material of the 
cartridge-case, which must fit rather loosely in the 
chamber of the barre: to allow of its ready insertion, 
and any defect of workmanship increases this difli- 
culty materially. | 
There are several descriptions of cartridge—those 
made by Eley of England or Gevelot of France 
being the best. Eley manufactures two qualities at 
different prices, and those persons who object to re- 
loading their cartridges, may purchase the lower- 
priced article, which is not intended to be used more 
than once. The first quality cost three pounds a 
