286 SHOOTING. 



was a necessity. It is probable that in the earliest 

 ages of society, the dog was the sole agent employed 

 by the hunter. Afterwards various weapons, ma- 

 nual, missile, and projectile as the club, the dart, 

 the arrow, were used by the hunter and fowler. 

 Then would follow springes, traps, nets, and all 

 that class of devices for the capture of beasts and 

 birds feroe naturae, comprehended in the term toils. 

 As dogs were employed to hunt quadrupeds, so, in 

 process of time, hawks were trained to bring down 

 birds for the service of their master. The arbalest 

 or cross-bow, preceded the matchlock, which, how- 

 ever, could scarcely be called an implement of the 

 chase, but which, in the order of succession, brings 

 us down to the rifle, and original fowling-piece 

 with its long heavy barrel, and flint and steel lock ; 

 and lastly, we arrive at the double barrels and de- 

 tant locks of the modern shooter. 



In the days of the Saxon and Norman kings, and 

 long previously, the Britons were famous for their 

 skill in archery, both in war and in the chase. 

 The accuracy of aim and power of projecting an 

 arrow from a bow which they possessed, almost 

 surpasses credibility ; and that the manly character 

 of the exercise should not degenerate, laws were 

 enacted interdicting the use of bows under a certain 

 strength, and arrows under a certain length. Phy- 

 sical strength but it is rather sleight than strength 

 which contributes to success in archery is account- 

 ed honourable among all savage nations ; it was 

 always deemed an accomplishment by the nations 

 of antiquity. Homer's heroes are as well known 



