%** THE following directions were originally written 

 for, and, therefore, relate only to, flint-gnus. In percus- 

 sion-gims the powder must be reduced about one-fourth, 

 as I before observed under the head of " Detonating 

 System." 



Much as may be said on this important head, I shall 

 attempt to explain it by one simple example : for in- 

 stance, to load a single gun of six, or double gun of 

 seven, eight, or nine pounds' weight, take a steel charger, 

 which holds precisely an ounce and a half of shot ; fill 

 it brim full of powder, from which first prime, and then 

 put the remainder into the barrel : to this add the same 

 measure bumper full of shot, and then regulate the tops 

 of your flasks and belts accordingly. 



Some little difference of charge will, of course, be 

 required between a twenty-two and a fourteen gauge ; 

 and, in this, we may be guided by the shoulder, ob- 

 serving, at the same time, the proportion of each here 

 recommended : but, unless the gun is very heavy 9 a 

 gauge of fourteen will recoil more than one of twenty- 

 two ; so that, after all, the above charge might do equally- 

 well for both. 



For those who have scales at hand, another way will 

 be to ascertain this by weight : for instance, to the guns 



