136 FINISHING LESSONS 



day, I should, in September, always recommend him 

 to dine at one o'clock, and shoot in the afternoon 

 (the grand time for filling the bag). His nerves are 

 then sure to be in a pretty good state for shooting, 

 and his head perhaps would then be less disposed 

 for application. When he returns, let him take 

 with his refreshment tea or coffee, instead of other 

 beverage, after which he will feel himself cool, clear- 

 headed, and again fit for business, instead of being 

 disposed to throw himself into an arm-chair and 

 snore away the evening in concert with his dog. Do 

 not let him think that by thus advising I wish to 

 deprive him of his nightcap, or he may at once con- 

 demn me and my book for ever ! No ! if he likes 

 grog, or other liquor, he may finish the evening with 

 a bucketful, only let business be first done, and put 

 out of the way. 



For gentlemen who require a delicate hand in 

 drawing, mechanism, surgical operations, music, &c. 

 &c., I should advise them always to shoot in gloves, 

 and the moment they return from the field to wash 

 their hands in very warm water, using with it a more 

 than usual quantity of soap ; or their hands, by con- 

 stant shooting, will, for a time, become so coarse and 

 hard as to spoil and unfit them, in some degree, for 

 that nicety which may be required in their more 

 valuable occupations. Many people cannot, or rather 

 fancy that they cannot shoot in gloves, and conse- 

 quently their hands become as coarse as those of a 

 gamekeeper, which, utterly as I abhor dandyism, 



