OF SHOOTING. 229 



barrel liable to burst on firing. It is a good method 

 to examine occasionally, in shooting in general, 

 whether by any means the shot has moved. 



If the sportsman use a double gun, and has dis- 

 charged one of the barrels, he should, after ramming 

 the wadding on the powder in re-loading, put the 

 ram rod down the barrel that has not been dis- 

 charged, which will be less trouble than placing it 

 under his arm, or otherwise; he can then put in the 

 shot; and on taking the ram-rod out of the other 

 barrel, he can instantly ascertain whether the shot has 

 moved. In discharging one barrel of a double gun, 

 the shot in the other will frequently be loosened, if 

 paper or any such pliable wadding be used ; but with 

 card I never knew this to happen, though I invari- 

 ably examine with the ram-rod, in the method above 

 described, in order to avoid every possible danger. 



The Gravitating Stops, invented by Mr. Manton, 

 act of themselves, and completely remove the danger 

 of charging a double gun with one of the locks 

 cocked. Since the double barrel is so very prevalent, 

 this discovery merits the attention of the sportsman. 

 Many most lamentable accidents have happened 

 through inadvertency in this respect, and it is a cir- 

 cumstance to which, in the eagerness of the sport, 

 the most careful sportsman is liable. 



There are some few shooters who do not shut one 

 eye in taking aim, and these of course contend that 

 this is the best method: I must confess that I am 

 no convert to this opinion ; at the same time, I am 



