26 ON THE DOGMATISM 



yet that there was an unequal length with 

 any gun, the distance between the two 

 triggers corresponding to that between my 

 index and second fingers. Perhaps some 

 people do not press the second trigger with 

 the second finger ; and this may be a piece 

 of my dogmatism. Let us get back to the 

 gunmakers. Not very long ago they hit 

 upon an excellent idea — a real addition to 

 every sportsman's battery — the shot-and-ball 

 gun. Every firm of note makes them now, 

 and I believe the difference between the 

 systems — none of which are patent— exists 

 principally in the registered names given 

 them by their makers. One and all of these 

 depict, write of, and recommend them as 

 i2-bores. Why, in the name of goodness? 

 As a rifle the 12-borc is only to be recom- 

 mended for the biggest of big game — 



