Routing. 



* # * I SHALL leave the following directions as they 

 originally stood, for flint-guns ; repeating my observa- 

 tion that, with detonaters, the young sportsman has 

 only to make half the allowance at crossing objects, &c. 



Let every one, who begins shooting, take warning 

 from the many serious misfortunes, that have, alas ! too 

 often occurred, and start with the determination of never 

 suffering a gun, at any time, to be held for a moment, or 

 even carried, so as to be likely to come in the direction 

 of either man or beast. One, who strictly abides by this 

 golden rule, would be less liable to accidents, even if he 

 went from his door with both barrels cocked, than he, 

 who neglected it for a few frivolous maxims. 



Although we are not all blessed with such nerves, as 

 to aspire to being first-rate shots, yet I have no doubt 

 but almost every man may be taught to shoot tolerably 

 well ; and, indeed, the art has of late been so much 

 improved, that although but little more than half a 

 century ago one who shot flying was viewed with wonder, 

 we now frequently meet with schoolboys, who can bring 

 down their game with the greatest dexterity. 



Most men, who can, in a slow, bungling manner, kill 

 more birds than they miss, or now and then shoot bril- 

 liantly, have the name of being " excellent shots ;" and, 



