318 Rev. Mr Sbmerville's Methods of Preventing the 



Ireland, lost every year in this way, besides far more than that 

 number maimed and wounded. Against such fatalities the gun 

 now described presents the most absolute security. Acciden- 

 tal discharge with it is completely out of the question ; at least, 

 the probability of it is so small, as to be beyond the reach of 

 calculation. If accidental pressure shall touch the triggers, no 

 evil happens, because they are locked ; if it touches the key, 

 no evil happens, because the pressure, by that time, is sup- 

 posed to be removed from the triggers. The pressure must 

 be against the triggers and on the key at the same instant of 

 time, otherwise the locks will not work. If the triggers are 

 touched the twinkling of an eye before the key, or the key be- 

 fore the triggers, then no evil can ensue ; for, unless touched 

 at the same instant of time, they mutually support and coun- 

 teract one another, and thus prevent the gun from going off. 

 Accident may touch the key and the triggers of this gun, as 

 well as any other ; but then accident cannot touch both key 

 and triggers at the same instant of time. Design only can 

 touch two specific points at one specific time. If accident does 

 touch the key and triggers of this gun, it must be in succes- 

 sion ; but successive touching will not fire the gun. It must 

 be simultaneous to do it ; but this supposes thought, and 

 thought supposes design. The inspection of the gun or the fi- 

 gure will make this more palpable than any words can ; and 

 to them we refer to confirm what has been said. 



The second advantage which this gun possesses over the or- 

 dinary fowling-piece is superior dispatch, as it allows the 

 sportsman always to go with the utmost security, with his gun 

 full cocked, and, of course, saves the time of cocking the gun 

 when game rises unexpectedly. So sensible are sportsmen of 

 the advantage of having their fowling-pieces always full cock- 

 ed, that the writer knows some of them who always go with 

 their guns so prepared, though at the risk both of their own 

 and the lives of their friends. The present invention, how* 

 ever, renders this practice not only harmless, but adviseable 

 and advantageous, as it thus unites the greatest dispatch with 

 the most perfect security. 



The third advantage which this gun enjoys over others is 

 the ease and tranquillity of mind, which it necessarily imparts, 



4 



