SEAFOVVL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 35 



and began to circumambulate the table. She was so astonished 

 that she rushed out of the room for assistance, which being at 

 once forthcoming", the strange reptile was captured. 



Now, the sport we had was very poor indeed. Still, as I inti- 

 mated at the commencement, my friends did not care much so 

 that they bad a good " out," which we had. There was plenty 

 of fresh air and new scenery to some of the party, and to myself 

 there was a remote hope that I might get something. 



Going down in the evening, the guns were placed carefully 

 aside, as I did not think it right to endeavour to use them under 

 the circumstances. I really think the difficulty of getting any- 

 thing enhances its value. 



For instance, suppose a man to go out and shoot a score of birds 

 sitting, would he experience half the pleasure of another who only 

 killed four or five on the wing? I am sure not. The pleasure 

 surely consists in overcoming the difficulties. 



My friend, the late Mr. Thomas Bazley Hall, wrote me at the 

 time, as follows : 



" I was glad to see by the paper that you are still alive and 

 kicking (and shooting). You are still at your old game. Ducks, 

 plovers, and any kind of sea bird seem to have a fascination for 

 you, though I could never quite see it myself. It seems to me 

 cold, wet work, but, after all, ' chacum a son gout.' ' He further 

 says, " Last year we had a grand day at the rabbits amongst some 

 gorse in the park, and slaughtered about 200. The first hour we 

 killed 140, when I gave up disgusted, and went off with a keeper 

 to try for some pheasants. I managed three or four brace, and 

 three brace of partridges that got up promiscuous like." I think 

 the last quotation sufficiently demonstrates what I have been 

 attempting to argue. 



