4 THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



sportsmen, frequently start from their homes heavily 

 laden with kegs, demijohns, and numerous boxes well 

 filled with bottles ; and it may here be added that their 

 luggage conveys a correct idea of the recreation which 

 they may be expected to obtain when partially withdrawn 

 from the restrictions imposed upon them by the rules of 

 civilization. It will not be necessary for the accomplish- 

 ment of their purpose that they should traverse wide 

 tracts of wilderness, or be supplied with the most im- 

 proved guns, the best dogs, or a large amount of food, 

 since the free imbibition of the spirits with which they are 

 so abundantly supplied will assuredly give them a highly 

 spiritual nature, in which condition they should not be 

 expected to join in the chase or perform any other acts 

 which commonly characterize the ordinary corporeal man. 

 It will therefore be sufficient for their purposes that they 

 withdraw from our crowded thoroughfares to some quiet 

 nook, village, or grove, where, in cabin or tent, surrounded 

 by some congenial guides, — boon companions, — they suc- 

 ceed in whiling away a few days or weeks in a style 

 which has always honored the memory of Tam O'Shanter. 



It is not very unusual, even among these parties, when 

 the effects of their deep imbibition have passed away, to 

 find them engaged in target-practice, and they may occa- 

 sionally sally forth for a few hours in search of game. It 

 is generally a matter of some pride with these so-called 

 sportsmen to be able to say that they shot, during their 

 sojourn in the land of game, one or more deer, and to 

 accomplish this purpose it is said to be not an infrequent 

 practice with them to send out their guides with instruc- 



