238 THE SHOOTER'S GUIDE,, 



If by chance a valuable dog happens to stray to 

 these poison-preserves, his destruction is the certain 

 consequence. After taking one of these pills, a dog- 

 will perhaps not survive fifteen minutes, unless in- 

 stant relief is administered (for which see receipts, 

 p. 115). 



The method above described may perhaps be aptly 

 called the legitimate offspring of petulant tyranny. 

 William the Conqueror, whose unfeeling and re- 

 morseless heart was more than proof against every 

 thing tender and humane ; who would have put out 

 the eyes, castrated, or probably punished with death, 

 a rustic, who had injured or destroyed any of his 

 game, was, notwithstanding, too manly to preserve it 

 by poison. 



WILD-DUCK SHOOTING. 



ON first beginning to write the present volume, it 

 was certainly my intention not to mention the sub- 

 ject of wild-duck shooting ; as it appears to be a di- 

 version by no means calculated to promote health, 

 since these fowls are chiefly to be found in marshes 

 and other wet places. However, should the sports- 

 man be anxious for duck-shooting, let him, in the 

 first place, procure a strong pair of boots, and anoint 

 them liberally with some one of the compositions, 

 for the making of which receipts have been just 

 given (under the head Receipts for making Shoes 



