MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 417 



bursting of guns is far more frequent with those who reside in the 

 neighborhood of the sea-shore than in any other part of the coun- 

 try, owing in a great measure to the fact that the salt moisture of 

 the atmosphere produces rust with so. much rapidity that it is 

 almost impossible to keep the barrels clear of it, even with the most 

 persevering industry. Of this, however, we will speak more fully 

 under another head. 



We are astonished that any sensible sportsman could for a mo- 

 ment entertain or endeavor to promulgate such a ridiculous notion 

 as putting away a gun dirty to preserve it from rust ! In fact, 

 we cannot understand his motive or conjure up one single good 

 reason for so doing ; but, on the other hand, we are satisfied that 

 such a course would be attended with the most injurious results. 



SHOOTING-BOOTS. 



How frequently have we seen one of our sporting friends vic- 

 timized during a whole day's shooting by the tortures of a pair 

 of badly-made and ill-constructed boots ! and how often have we 

 sympathized with him in his misfortunes, as well as laughed at his 

 negligence in being caught in such an unsportsmanlike predicament. 



Nothing adds more to the comfort and good-humor of a sports- 

 man than a perfectly-fitting and well-modelled boot, and nothing 

 is more easily obtained if recourse is had to a smart workman. If 

 walking-boots are not made full, large, and easy, no comfort can 

 be expected from them, as they will be sure either to cramp the 

 feet, pinch the toes, gall the heel, skin the instep, or arrest the free 

 circulation of the blood and fatigue the wearer almost to death. 

 It is of no use, certainly, to enumerate any more of the miseries 

 attending a pair of bad-fitting shooting-boots, as many of our 

 readers no doubt, some time in the course of their lives, have had 

 a practical demonstration of the matter, and perhaps can speak 

 more feelingly on the subject than we can, as we have always been 

 very particular in the choice of these articles, and consequently 

 have seldom been caught in the unfortunate situation above alluded 

 to. There are, however, some other objections attending the own- 



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