COURSING, EtC. 211 



to answer the end intended; the greater 

 part of gunsmiths are sensible of this, and 

 therefore very seldom practise them, unless 

 to indulge the whim of their customers. As 

 far as reason and experience are sufficient 

 for enabling me to determine upon the matter, 

 I would reject all the expedients that have 

 hitherto been proposed, and give a decided 

 preference to the barrels as they are usually 

 made, namely, those whose caliber is very 

 smooth and perfectly cylindrical throughout : 

 barrels of this sort have long supported their 

 credit amongst the best sportsmen. Would 

 they only forbear to determine upon the 

 merits or defects of their pieces, until they 

 had given them a patient and impartial trial, 

 by varying the quantity of powder and shot 

 in different ways, I am inclined to think 

 there would be fewer complaints made of the 

 modern fowling-pieces. Within my know- 

 ledge several great sportsmen have hastily 

 parted with their pieces, and thrown a cen- 

 sure upon the maker, which, after experi- 

 ence, proved to be undeserved. The chief 



