THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 189 



cates for the innovation contending that 

 the appearance of the gun is materially 

 improved, and that on the new principle 

 the locks are effectually protected from 

 wet. 



Quant a moi, 1 do not agree with 

 these disciples of the new school, inas- 

 much as I do not think the construction 

 of the back-action lock adds to the beauty 

 of the stock — it is not half so sportsman- 

 like in appearance as the old system ; and 

 as to keeping out damp from the locks, if 

 they be properly fitted, and turned out by 

 any of the respectable firms I have men- 

 tioned, water will never find its way to 

 the inner works on the ancient prin- 

 ciple. 



But I am prepared to shew that the 

 back-action lock principle is d effective in 

 two essential particulars, — firstly, the 

 stock of the gun is materially weakened, 



