120 SHOOTING. 



shots;" and, as this character has an opening for 

 scandal, the world is too happy to indulge them 

 with a circulation of it, while others, who have real 

 skill, are laughing in their sleeves, and have real 

 sense to conceal it. 



But (to be brief, which is here my study) allow 

 me to suggest an humble attempt for the instruction 

 of the complete novice. First, let him take a gun 

 that he can manage, and be shown how to put it 

 to his shoulder, with the breech and sight on a level, 

 and make himself master of bringing them up to a 

 wafer. 



Then, with a wooden or bone driver (instead of a 

 flint) let him practise at this mark ; and, when he 

 thinks he can draw his trigger without flinching, he 

 may present the gun to your right eye, by which you 

 will see, at once, if he is master of his first lesson. 

 In doing this he must remember, that the moment 

 the gun is brought up to the centre of the object, 

 the trigger should be pulled, as the first sight is 

 always unquestionably the best. 



Then send him out to practise at a card with 

 powder, till he has got steady, and afterwards load 

 his gun, occasionally, with shot; but never let the 

 time of your making this addition be known to him, 

 and the idea of it being, perhaps, impossible to strike 

 his object, will remove all anxiety, and he will soon 

 become perfectly collected. 



The intermediate lesson of a few shots, at small 

 birds, may be given ; but this plan throughout must 





