PREFACE 



The following pages are arranged somewhat in the 



order of time, beginning with the first gun, and 



attempts at shooting. Then come the fields, the first 



hills, and woods explored, often without a gun, or 



any thought of destruction : and next the poachers, 



and other odd characters observed at their work. 



Perhaps the idea of shooting with a matchlock, or 



wheel-lock, might, if put in practice, at least afford 



some little novelty. 



R. J. 



