footing. 



LET every one, who begins shooting, take warning 

 from the many serious misfortunes, that have, alas ! 

 too often occurred, and start with the determination 

 of -never suffering a gun, at any time, to be held for 

 a moment, or even carried, so as to be likely to come 

 in the direction of either man or beast. One, who 

 strictly abides by this golden ride, would be less 

 liable to accidents, even if he went from his door 

 with both barrels cocked, than he, who neglected it 

 for a few frivolous maxims. 



Although w r e are not all blessed with such nerves, 

 as to aspire to being first rate shots, yet I have no 

 doubt but almost every man may be taught to shoot 

 tolerably well ; and, indeed, the art has of late been 

 so much improved, that although but little more than 

 half a century ago one who shot flying was viewed 

 with wonder, yet we now frequently meet with 

 schoolboys, who can bring down their game with the 

 greatest dexterity. 



Most men, who can, in a slow, bungling manner, 

 kill more birds than they miss, or now and then 

 shoot brilliantly, have the name of being " excellent 



