HAND AND EYE TOGETHER. 37 



After this brief preamble, I will endeavour, in as 

 few words as possible, to come to the point 



A person who reads well, does not puzzle over 

 each letter that composes a word, or each word that 

 makes up a sentence, although the last may be as 

 tortuous as can be selected in Browning's or Tenny- 

 son's works. No ! The moment the eye passes over 

 it, the mind embraces the meaning of the author that 

 you are perusing. 



With writing it is the same. The formation of a 

 letter, spelling of a word, construction of a sentence, 

 never delays the pen of the educated man ; the 

 mind knows and arranges what it wishes to indite, 

 and the hand without hesitation performs what is 

 required of it. 



This skill in reading and writing is the result of 

 long and patient study. 



To become perfect in the art of shooting requires 

 very much the same attention. 



A bird flushes close to you and at once com- 

 mences to tower ; your mind grasps in a moment 

 what aim is necessary, and both hand and eye do 

 their bidding. Again, the sportsman has cross 

 shots, some to the right, some to the left, some 

 passing at right angles, others at more less acute or 

 obtuse angles ; again the mind seizes instantaneously 

 what has to be done, and the hand and eye prove 

 themselves willing, prompt, and dexterous servants. 



The two best shots I ever met with were both 

 Americans, and both were as skilful with the rifle as 

 with the shot gun a rather unusual occurrence. I 

 I do not think that I am incorrect in saying that 

 both paid more attention in their youth to the study 

 of field sports than they did to their books. The 

 one was Mr. Nathaniel West, Kent, Indiana, the 

 other Mr. William Holland, Yazoo City, Missis- 

 sippi. 



In the longest day, whether the game were geese, 



