MODERN FARRIER. 567 



of the wood, however, we remove from this, and 

 which some gun-smiths call the sap, is more tough, 

 and though not capable of such a polish, is yet less 

 liable to spring, and not so weighty. Of this the 

 French seem sensible; many are of opinion that even 

 their double-barrelled pieces, which have this lighter 

 stocking, meet the eye with singular celerity. 



A keen sportsman has generally a favourite gun, 

 and it is chiefly from the readiness of coming up 

 rectilineally to the eye in the time of need, that it 

 becomes so. In proof of this observation, after many 

 years adherence to a fowling-piece of this favourite 

 stamp, let any one have the barrel thereof fresh 

 mounted, and he will find the difference, although 

 the original stock was lent to the smith as a model, 

 in nine instances out of ten, if not in the shop, at 

 least in cover-shooting, where for a whole day to- 

 gether, it often happens that (what are called) snap 

 shots only can be obtained. 



To what has been here advanced, may be added 

 this general observation, viz. that the inside of the 

 gun-barrel, and the surface of every thing in, on, 

 through, or from, which powder can experience the 

 most instantaneous ignition, must be as smooth as 

 possible. Any roughness whatever, any visible 

 porosity, even the smallest thread, caused by indirect 

 drilling of the touch-hole, will entertain and prolong 

 the fusion, if it may be so called, and produce a 

 diminution of effect. 



That the fowling-piece is an object of the first 

 consideration will be readily admitted, and every 

 sportsman should be able to form an opinion of its 

 merits, that he may not lay out a considerable sum 

 of money uselessly, or incur those dreadful accidents 

 which proceed from causes by no means obvious at 

 first sight. 



