SHOOTING. 



A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE WEAPONS OF THE CHASE ; 



AND OF SOME OF THE SPORTS AND PASTIMES THAT 



PRECEDED THE USE OF THE GUN. 



THE pursuit and destruction of wild animals for 

 security, food, clothing, or pastime, have been 

 among the occupations of men in all ages, since 

 the primeval bruere overspread the earth, 



And wild in woods the noble savage ran ! 



Before the more refined arts are introduced into 

 any country, the chase is a necessity, and the chief 

 business of life. The stronger and more noxious 

 animals are destroyed for individual safety; the 

 weaker for food. It is not until civilisation and 

 her handmaid luxury have seated themselves, that 

 the chase becomes a pastime. Nor does it appear 

 when the sportsman first sprang into existence. 

 There is no corresponding word in any ancient lan- 

 guage, since that could not be called a sport which 



