THE MODE 01 USING THE GtJN AND THE DOG. 49 



Precautionary ohservations are commonly appended to all formal 

 treatises on tlie gun. These are often of great value ; but it is 

 siugidar to witness how often they are disregarded. The Tiabif 

 should be formed to attend to certain minute matters ; when this is 

 acquired, it becomes second na-bii-e, and affords a firm confidence 

 in_ the mind of the sportsman nimself, as well as in that of his 

 friend. A gun should be always held with the left hand, and close 

 to the guard ; aU the requisite steadiness for taking aim, and even 

 of motion, m following the flight of a bird, can be obtained in this 

 manner, even if the piece be of the heaviest description. With 

 double-barrelled guns, the shooter, when he fires one barrel, should 

 uncock the other previous to reloading. _ A sense of self-preserva- 

 tion should always infl.uence a man with a fowling-piece in liis 

 , hand. The parrying of a gun in a safe position is one of the funda- 

 mental maxims wliich should be inculcated upon every young and 

 perhaps volatile sportsman. Until he understands and practises it 

 regularly, he can never be a pleasant or safe companion in the fields 

 ; or moors. We have seen, in our limited experience, scores of men 

 iwith whom it seemed dangerous to traverse a field, who had 

 i no idea or care either of their own or other people's lives, and whose 

 i every movement was characterized by a wanton negligence and 

 j an iuconsiderate precipitancy. These errors should be carefully 

 I rectified. 



I The_ follomng matters are likewise worthy of the sportsman's 

 [ attention : — 



I 1st. If you or your dog should at any time get a severe blow, let 

 ■ the wounded part be instantly fomented with warm water, as hot 

 as can be borne, for at least half an horn-, and you will thereby 

 reduce your sufferings or impediment from sport to at least half its 

 duration. 



2nd. If you burn yourself in shooting or otherwise, wrap the part 

 affected immediately in cotton, the application of which, it has been 

 proved, acts like magic on a burn. 



3rd. If you should take cold, and the inflammatory process seems 

 rapid, bathe your feet in warm water as hot as you can bear it ; if a 

 little salt or bran, or both, be added, so much the better. Get into 

 a warm bed, and take some whey, or whatever you can get to pro- 

 mote perspiration. 



4th. Never fast too long, and avoid, whenever you can, anything 

 approaching to excessive fatigue. 



5th, Never go out with quite an empty stomach to wait for game 

 of any kind, particularly in the morning. Should you wish to rise 

 early, before any of the household are up, you can have a little 

 crust of bread or a biscuit, with a glass_ of milk, left for your use 

 the night before. This may be taken mth a little sugar, nutmeg, 

 pinger, and the yoke of an egg. These items are superior to what 

 is called the " Doctor" (rum and milk), because you then dispense 

 with taking spirit in the morning ; a habit that should always be 



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