268 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS LETTER 



given up, simply because the grouse declined to be 

 driven, though they could be killed in plenty over 

 pointers. 



SOME GENERAL HINTS ON THE SELECTION OF 

 A MOOR 



When you propose to hire a grouse moor, take 

 nothing whatever for granted unless from an old and 

 trustworthy friend ; and even should such a one wish 

 you to become his tenant, my advice to you is not to 

 do so, lest at the expiration of your lease you part 

 strangers ; for as much bitterness and ill feeling might 

 be engendered through the moor producing a hundred 

 brace or so of grouse below the expected total as if 

 you ran away with his wife ! 



The recriminations, explanations, innuendoes, and 

 hard words arising from the disappointment caused to 

 a shooter who has taken a moor that has not realised 

 his hopes are a fund of employment to the lawyers, 

 and an everlasting terror to landlords and agents. 



Eemember, a man who has a moor, or a house, or 

 a yacht, or a river, or a horse to sell or let, naturally 

 makes it out as perfect as he can ; and it is the 

 would-be buyer or tenant's duty and interest to find 

 out if the article is worth the sum asked for it, and 

 not to buy a ' pig in a poke.' Yet a man who would 

 consider himself an idiot if he purchased a yacht, or 

 a house, or a valuable horse without a thorough and 



