64 PARTRIDGES 



invented, and gunpowder of reliable quality 

 was for the first time readily obtainable. 

 Even then, the man with the gun must 

 have been at a great disadvantage to our 

 notions ; in the Art of Shooting Flying 

 explained, published in 1767, 'Aimwell' 

 gives as his advice to the 'young 

 practitioner ' 



Briskly draw the trigger as soon as you have 

 got an exact sight at the object, and continue 

 to keep your muzzle at it for some time after 

 you have drawn the trigger, lest your gun should 

 hang fire, which if it happen to do will render 

 your shot uncertain, especially if your mark is 

 moving any way from the line ; but by means of 

 keeping your gun in motion with the object, a 

 shot may be recovered, though it hangs fire. 



When one considers the doubtful 

 execution of a piece about which such 

 advice could be necessary, the tight and 

 unsuitable attire then affected by sports- 

 men, the large and miscellaneous assort- 

 ment of powder-horns, dram-flasks, shot- 

 belts, canisters, wadding, pivots, copper 

 caps or flints carried on the person in 

 the field, one is inclined to believe in 



