SHOOTING. 135 



now, among the tame birds in the preserved turnip- 

 fields of Norfolk and Suffolk, where they may pick both 

 their shots, or keep the second barrel for the chance of 

 springing another bird. But those who shoot on this 

 system, in a wild country, would stand a poor chance 

 in competition with one who went up to his game with 

 both barrels cocked, at a time when the birds were 

 wary, and when the loss of an instant made the dif- 

 ference of ten yards in the distance. Then only is it 

 that the difference is to be seen between a first and 

 second-rate shot; and, consequently, that those who 

 pride themselves on skill, instead of easy slaughter, 

 have the opportunity of distinguishing themselves. 

 The argument, therefore, as to not cocking a gun, can 

 only be heard on the question of safety. And here 

 again I must confess I have my doubts as to their cor- 

 rectness. We will put a cool and steady old sportsman 

 out of the question : but suppose an eager young man, 

 who is unaccustomed to shooting, walks up to his dog 

 with his gun half-cocked; the moment the birds rise 

 he is in such a state of agitation, that in attempting to 

 draw back the cock of his gun, with a trembling hand, 

 he lets it slip before the scear has caught the tumbler. 

 Off goes the gun ! and the best fortune that can be 

 expected is the happy escape of a favourite dog, or the 

 life of his fellow-shooter. While, on the other hand, 

 if he goes up with his gun cocked, and his companion 

 or follower sees that he advances with the mu^de in a 

 safe and elevated position, the worst that can happen 

 is, that he may fire it by accident, in a direction that 

 may be as likely, or more so, to kill a bird than when 

 he aimed at it, or, at all events, in one that could en- 



