150 THE FOWLING PIECE. 



in double guns the stoutness of the barrels is indispensable if 

 the shooter has any regard to his own safety ; for, in light double 

 barrel pieces, the firing of the one will frequently loosen the 

 charge in the other barrel, and should the shot be shaken, so as 

 to leave the powder a few inches, and the second barrel be fired 

 with the muzzle pointing downwards, most likely it bursts. 



Some time after the introduction of the fowling-piece, the 

 Spaniards became celebrated for the manufacture of the barrels, 

 and Spanish barrels were eagerly sought for many years. It is 

 possible, certainly, that Spain, at the period alluded to, might 

 excel her neighbours in making gun barrels ; but at present she 

 is by no means equal, in this respect, to either England or 

 France. Spanish barrels are fallen into disrepute ; nor is it a 

 matter of surprise, as cunning fellows, in various parts of Europe, 

 taking advantage of the rage for these articles, poured abroad 

 what they denominated Spanish barrels in profusion ; and some 

 considerable time elapsed before the cheat was discovered. 



The French make beautiful fowling-pieces ; but the English 

 are the neatest in the world. At Birmingham, all descriptions 

 of guns are manufactured in the greatest perfection ; what are 

 called the best military muskets are-made complete, with bayonets 

 included, for fifteen shillings each : and there are very few gun- 

 makers in any part of the kingdom, (London included) who do 

 not receive every part of the fowling-piece from this place, in a 

 rough v state, which they polish and put together. 



