MUZZLE-LOADERS AND BREECH-LOADERS. 51 



" 9. Another serious objection to the breech- 

 loader is the weight of ammunition that must be 

 carried in the shape of ready-made cartridges when 

 going to the Highlands or any remote shooting 

 quarter. And then arises the difficulty of keeping 

 them perfectly dry in damp weather ; and every one 

 knows how very soon the damp will penetrate 

 through a paper case, and cake, and weaken the 

 force of the gunpowder." 



If the cartridge cases are carried unloaded, the 

 bulk of ammunition is increased; if loaded and 

 they are as safe as powder in mass neither the 

 weight nor bulk is at all increased. The powder 

 might be injured in very damp weather in the course 

 of years ; but such an occurrence has not yet come 

 before the public. 



" 10. The cartridges must be carried in a strong case 

 with divisional compartments. In the event of their 

 being carried loose, they become damaged ; and the 

 danger of so carrying them is excessive, by reason of 

 the results which may ensue in the event of a fall 

 or accident in getting over a hedge, or otherwise, 

 whereby a blow or friction is given to the metal 

 pin which explodes the cap." 



Friction will not discharge them, and no ordinary 

 blow ; and, hi case of explosion, the danger is merely 

 what may result from the discharge of a charge of 

 powder in the open air by no means so great, but 

 about as probable as from the explosion of the caps 

 in the cap-pocket. The writer has never heard 

 of such an occurrence, and English sportsmen 



