APPENDIX. C. 317 



shooting, are much less liable to become leaded, than is gene- 

 rally supposed. 



I am in the habit, however, at the end of a severe season's 

 work, of" putting my gun into a good workman's hands, and having 

 the breeches taken out, so that I can inspect the barrels myself. 

 If leaded, they can be reamed out in a few moments with a blind 

 borer, without half the risk of damaging the ban-els that is in- 

 curred from the brush or sand ; though, by the way, I disbe- 

 lieve the power of a brass wire-brush to scratch polished iron 

 barrels. 



The best powder in the world for Upland Shooting is Curtis 

 and Harvey's diamond grain — by best, I mean strongest and 

 cleanest. Next to that, is John Hall's glass gunpowder ; and, 

 like the horses which ran against Eclipse, all the rest are no- 

 where. Dupont's eagle powder is strong, but filthy beyond 

 measure. Ten shots with it dirty a gun more than a canister 

 full of the diamond. The Scotch powder has a reputation, but 

 does not deserve it. It is neither strong nor clean. 



For Fowl Shooting, Hawker's Ducking powder, by Curtis 

 and Harvey, is the best by all odds. 



Whatever sized shot you use, always use it unmixed. If you 

 use two or more sizes, the heavy shot casts off the lighter to the 

 right and left, at all sorts of tangents. 



The best copper caps in the world are Starkey's best central 

 fire waterproof, and the next best are Westley Richards' large 

 heavy caps. Both are dear, but they will save their own cost 

 in certainty and cleanliness. The anti-corrosive caps I don't 

 like at all — they should be called corrosive. The French caps 

 are very good for pocket pistols. 



Powder should always be dried before using, on a hot China 

 plate, but beware of sparks. 



For shooting apparatus of all kinds, pouches, belts, flasks, 

 liquor-flasks, and the like, Dixon and Sons, of Sheffield, are a 

 hundred to one against the world. 



I have done, — therefore adieu, fi-iend. You -are set fairly 

 a-field ; if you do not succeed, it is not my fault, — fare thee 

 well. 



