INTRODUCTION xiii 



labour to such an extent under the excitement of sport 

 as to become for brief periods more or less irresponsible 

 for their actions. Obviously enough, thorough school- 

 ing and discipline are needed in such circumstances, 

 otherwise accidents may arise. 



Few novices would have the assurance to pick up a 

 cue to play an even game at billiards with a skilled 

 player ; neither would the mere beginner in music be 

 likely to accompany his own singing with any instru- 

 ment, not even the banjo, in the presence of critical 

 musicians. It seems inconceivable, therefore, that men 

 can be found who, not having, shot half-a-dozen times in 

 their lives, yet have the assurance to enter the field with 

 seasoned men and try to make believe they are veterans 

 at the game. The terms vanity and foolishness are not 

 sufficiently strong to convey a proper impression respect- 

 ing such deceit. There is, therefore, much cause for 

 thankfulness that such cases are becoming more and 

 more rare. This pleasant change is in some degree 

 attributable to the establishment within recent years of 

 various schools for shooting where all safe and proper 

 methods of handling and carrying the gun are taught, 

 and every conceivable kind of shot may be practised. 

 Undoubtedly these training grounds for shooters are 

 capable of much good, and the novice is certainly not 

 alone in having much cause to rejoice at their establish- 

 ment. At these shooting schools the beginner may 

 become more or less fitted to take the field, whilst the 

 seasoned gunner may have facilities accorded him for 

 occasional practice, without which so few people are 

 able to keep themselves up to their proper form. 



The tendency to apply the term gunner to shooting 

 men is much more apparent now than formerly. And, 



