PARTRIDGE SHOOTING 



for the sportsman : ' No wadding lies so close or drives so 

 fierce.' 



Markland does not mention the device suggested by Sprint 

 to ' make even cartridges in moulds like serpents, but with a 

 very thin paper casing,' which prevented the powder getting 

 damp while loading in wet weather : nor does he follow the 

 earlier author in recommending shot cartridges fashioned to 

 make the pellets ' come out closer and more level,' 



Censorious critics may take exception to Markland's con- 

 ception of rhythm, rhyme and metre, but he throws interesting 

 light on the ideas accepted in his time : — 



' There sprung a Single Partridge — ha ! She 's gone ! 

 Oh ! Sir, you 'd Time enough, you shot too soon ; . 

 Scarce twenty yards in open Sight ! — for Shame ! 

 Y" had shattered Her to Pieces with right Aim ! 

 Full forty yards permit the Bird to go, 

 The spreading Gun will surer ^Mischief sow : 

 But, when too near the flying Object is. 

 You certainly will mangle it, or miss ; 

 And if too far, you may so slightly wound. 

 To kill tiie Bird, and yet not bring to Ground. 



' There, if the Goodness of the Piece be prov-'d, 

 Pursue not the fair mark till far remoy'd : 

 Raise the mouth gently from below the Game, 

 And readily let fly at the flrst Aim. 

 But, without Aim admit no Random Shoot : 

 'Tis just to judge before you execute.' 



Markland, it will be observed, took deliberate and careful 

 aim at his bird. ' Bird,' mark it, for shooting men had now 

 arrived at the stage when they chose one of the covey, and held 

 it unsportsmanlike to do otherwise : — 



' See, Jewell stands a Point : — A Covey ! — Stay, 

 And take this sober caution by the way : 

 When in a Cloud the scattering Birds arise, 

 And various Marks distract the Choosing Eyes, 

 That Choice confine to One Particular: 

 Most who confide in fooling Fortune, err. 



71 



