36 FIELD SHOOTING. 



the art and mystery of gunmaking, establish this 

 beyond doubt. There are plenty of men among 

 us who can remember when nothing was in use 

 but the old flint-lock gun. They have not forgot- 

 ten the misfires which often occurred, when the 

 sportsman was left staring after the bird, which 

 flew away rejoicing, and impartially distributing 

 his curses between the flint, the lock, and the 

 priming. The percussion-lock with its detonating 

 cap was an immense improvement, and, no doubt, 

 suggested the use in the household of the friction' 

 matches which have quite superseded the old- 

 fashioned tinder-box with its piece of flint and 

 steel. Then came the breech-loader, an invention 

 of enormous value, and so much improved upon 

 since its first discovery and application that upon 

 this principle, with various details of construction 

 for opening, shutting, and securing the piece at the 

 breech, the most convenient, the safest, and the 

 best guns in the world are now made. A few 

 years ago many good sportsmen would have dis- 

 puted this statement, and there are some who will 

 do so now. It is, however, founded upon large 

 experience and many trials of the breech-loader in 

 my own hands, against the most vaunted muzzle- 

 loaders in those of other good marksmen and 



