140 ffcfngs of tbe TCofc, TCifle, an& Oun 



myself up with tincture of bark, sal volatile, and spirits 

 of lavender, to give me artificial strength for a grand 

 field day, and, aided by markers of cavalry and infantry, 

 I attacked the birds in right earnest (and when I do this 



1 never yet failed), and in spite of an execrably bad 

 scent, and a gale of wind from the east, I bagged 15 

 partridges (and another shot dead and lost) and I 

 hare, without missing a shot. Though I shook like an 

 old man of seventy I never shot more brilliantly. I, of 

 course, suffered no other gun to interfere with me, and 

 therefore went alone, so that I could follow up the game 

 at speed when the markers gave the signal, and do as I 

 please, whereas, if I have friends, I always lose two- 

 thirds of my shooting by wishing to accommodate them 

 with the cream of the sport. 



2ist. Being sadly in want of game, and seeing every- 

 one beat by the birds, I quacked myself up again with 

 sal volatile, bark and lavender, and, aided by the same 

 good markers, I bagged 12 partridges, 2 snipes, and I 

 jack snipe, without missing a shot. 



26th. Was prevented going out or doing anything 

 till this day through illness in the house, and also being 

 unwell myself. I went out merely to try for a brace of 

 birds for the doctor, who had been a repeated attendant, 

 and in an hour and three quarters brought home 6 

 partridges, 3 snipes, and 2 jack snipes. 



Game, etc., killed up to the end of September, 1 822 : 

 1 08 partridges, 3 hares, I rabbit, n snipes, 2 wild ducks, 



2 teal. Total, 127 head." 



On another occasion he thus accounts for what he 

 considered bad shooting : " Was nearly tortured to death 



