82 ifcfngs of tbe IRob, IRifle, attf> Gun 



the windows, so as not to derange the symmetrical 

 appearance of the carriage, was designed to preclude 

 those unpleasant bickerings which frequently arise in 

 journies from the multiplicity of the ladies' band- 

 boxes ; necessary indeed to the softer sex, but which 

 generally prove very objectionable to gentlemen when 

 travelling." 



From a sporting point of view the record of this 

 tour presents little of interest. The sport was of a 

 very mongrel kind. The hounds were laid on to 

 wolves, foxes, boars, and deer indiscriminately, and the 

 quarry was shot down by the sportsmen when hounds 

 were in full cry ! Every Frenchman was provided 

 with a huge horn, and the hideous din they made 

 on these instruments to celebrate the death of the 

 game was maddening. 



The Colonel distinguished himself as a shot both 

 with gun and rifle, and his wonderful seven-barrelled 

 guns created a sensation. Apropos of these marvel- 

 lous weapons I may quote the following passage : 



"Joseph Manton, the gunsmith, was of opinion that 

 he could make a double-rifle gun sufficiently stout to 

 carry seven balls each barrel and that they would do 

 more execution than one of my seven-barrelled guns, 

 which were only stout enough to carry three balls each, 

 /.., twenty-one from the seven barrels. This piece 

 carried very small balls, about the size of what is 

 called buck-shot. 



Great pains were taken in hammering the barrel 

 of the new gun, and when it was finished, I went to 

 witness its execution, and resigned to Manton the 



