318 REMARKS. 



that (unless in a sharp frost, when guns are apt to 

 strike harder) he can manage to fire half a pound of 

 shot at a time. Birds may be approached much 

 nearer by this means than by any other kind of 

 " launching" as the whole concern is so much lighter, 

 and smaller. 



So much for the new system, by which the ancient 

 mode of shooting on the Hampshire coast, so well 

 described by Mr. Gilpin, and quoted by Mr. Daniel, 

 has long ago been totally superseded ! 



Although I cannot, for a moment, suppose, that 

 the generality- of sportsmen would ever think of 

 adopting this method, yet I have given directions 

 for it, because I am fond of any thing original ; and 

 for this reason I have made it the subject of a little 

 drawing. Here the light launching sledge is in the 

 fore ground ; the Hampshire gunner contending with 

 it in the centre, and the Sussex mud-boat looking 

 after other birds in the back ground ; the latter is 

 shown with a man in the position in which he tra- 

 verses the oozes before he begins to crouch and ad- 

 vance to the birds. In order to tell the story, I have 

 found it necessary to put this, and other subjects, a 

 little " out of drawing." Here (jUhope the R. A. 

 gentlemen will pardon me, with that liberality which 

 is inseparable from men of talent. 



