GROUSE- SHOOTING. 795 



highly essential for wading through the thick heath with 

 which these moors are clad. Either a flannel or cotton jacket 

 should be worn next the skin, to guard against taking cold 

 when overheated ; and either of which are much more agree- 

 able than a wet and cold linen shirt adhering to the skin. 

 Some prefer trousers, with short laced boots, which are more 

 easy to the limbs than long ones. But care should be taken 

 that the soles are strong, as the bc-^t means of preventing 

 blistered feet. A flask of brandy or whiskey is a necessary 

 appendage to a shooting excursion. The flask should have 

 a drinking-cup attached to its bottom, as no sportsman should 

 ever drink cold water without its being qualified with a portion 

 of ardent spirits. But where this has either been forgotten 

 or otherwise, when thirst compels the sportsman to have 

 recourse to cold water, he should take care to keep up the 

 heat by exercise, otherwise the most dangerous consequences 

 may follow. He should likewise be cautious not to drink 

 cold water at the end of his day's sport, until his body is 

 sufiiciently cooled down, that is, nearly to its ordinary tem- 

 perature. 



Aged and feeble sportsmen were accustomed to have 

 trained ponies and galloways, which would stand still, with 

 the reins laid over their necks, and permit their masters to 

 take aim and shoot from their backs. The sport, however, can- 

 not be enjoyed in full perfection but in walking. Where the 

 moors are distant from the sleeping quarters, it is undoubt- 

 edly proper to ride to and from the starting-point, to begin the 

 day's work (severe enough of itself) quite fresh : and it is but 

 right to indulge oneself after a day of laborious amusement. 



The sportsman who goes out every day ought to have 

 three brace of dogs, only using, however, a couple at a time; 

 and by employing difierent dogs in the morning and afternoon, 

 they will be kept fresher for work. 



