SHOOTING. 



PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 



Shooting is one of the great brandies of British field-sports, and 

 is keenly relished, and almost universally practised, throughout 

 every section of the kingdom. Though but of comparatively 

 modern origin— dating from the discovery and application of fire- 

 arms—it has, as an art, made rapid progress towards perfection. 

 It has exercised a peculiar influence on the inliabitants of these 

 islands, in sustaining and strengthening that invincible courage, 

 and skilful use of warlike w;eapons, now rendered necessary for 

 the maintenance of our national existence, and the consolidation 

 of our independence and power. 



Looking at shootmg as a mere sporting art, it has many 

 things to recommend it. It can be personally enjoyed. It 

 does not bring a man into a crowd, where reflection is often 

 impossible, but it leaves him at liberty to tliink and contem- 

 plate, and to measure out his amusement in strict accordance 

 to his circumstances, strength, and inclination. Shooting aug- 

 ments the pedestrian capabilities of man, on the due balance 

 and effective exercise of which so much of his real health of body 

 and mind depends. Its pleasures are gently exciting, without pre- 

 cipitatmg him into a state of revelry and danger. Its well-regulated 

 enjoyment is connected with aU that is manly, energetic, and 

 healthful. It is a wholesome mental tonic ; giving the intellect 

 that gentle material impulse so requisite for preventing it from 

 sinking uitq that mopish nervousness, and sedentary sensibility, 

 which impair a man's power to grapple with, and successfully over- 

 come the necessary evils and perplexities of human life. " There 

 is no one," says Zimmerman, " who may not, by quietly traversing 

 the mountains with his gun, learn to feel how much the great 

 secrets of nature will influence the heart, when assisted by the 

 powers of the imagination. The sight of an agreeable landscape, 

 the various points of view which the spacious plains afford, the 

 freshness of the breeze, the beauties of the sky, and the appetite 



