10 INTRODUCTORY. 



told tale to proffer more advice upon the subject of 

 sporting. But the ground has not yet been, nor is it 

 soon likely to be, entirely covered. During the past 

 century there has probably been no time when greater 

 strides have been made in the improvement of the 

 fowling-piece and musket than during the past five 

 years. War has brought about a wonderful revolu- 

 tion in the construction of most of the engines of 

 death. We have witnessed the introduction of iron- 

 clad vessels, the Minie and Spencer rifles, and Colt's 

 revolving pistol, and many corresponding improve- 

 ments have been made in the fowling-piece. 



The advantages of breech-loading guns are so ap- 

 parent in the case of the musket, that probably no 

 war will ever occur, either in Europe or America, 

 without their general adoption. The breech-loading 

 fowling-piece also is destined soon to be placed in the 

 foremost rank of sporting-guns. How long it will 

 retain that position can only be decided by time. 



The sportsman's profession by no means enjoys the 

 repute in this country that it does on the other side 

 of the Atlantic. This state of things will doubtless 

 eventually be changed for the better. Here, the occu- 

 pation of the sportsman has been considered as too 

 low for any person of mind and character to follow. 

 There, it is held to impart a finish to education, of 



