48 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



this way, feeling satisfied that they could never arrive at any 

 degree of perfection in an art so difficult to acquire. Or, if they 

 should be tempted to venture in the field with some one of their 

 associates more experienced in the use of the gun, expecting a 

 day's enjoyment, they become so discouraged at their want of 

 success, as well as perplexed at the inability of their sporting 

 companion to give them any definite or systematic instruction for 

 shooting, that they not unfrequently withdraw from the field 

 completely mortified and disgusted with every thing appertaining 

 to the sport ; when, by a little perseverance and a few well-timed 

 hints from their companion, they might soon have arrived at that 

 pinnacle of fame to which all sportsmen aspire ; we mean a good 

 shot! 



We ourselves do not pretend to be a great shot, but, on the 

 contrary, are very modest in our claims upon this point ; but 

 because we cannot kill every bird we fire at, that is no reason why 

 we may not instruct others, so that they, by longer practice, may 

 arrive at this degree of excellence, if they wish it, but to which 

 we have neither the ambition to aim nor the time at our disposal 

 to acquire. It is no uncommon circumstance in the study of the 

 arts and sciences for the pupil to excel the master; and we 

 suppose, or rather we flatter ourselves, that we may yet look 

 forward to encountering some one of our own pupils in the field 

 who will not hesitate to snub our nose whenever an opportunity 

 offers. If such should be the case, we shall be happy in the 

 knowledge of having done some good for our country, and more 

 particularly for the sports of the field. 



The first grand desideratum to be considered by the pupil is 

 the possession of a good gun, of which, however, we will speak 

 more particularly under the chapter on fire-arms. The next great 

 acquisition to be sought after is coolness and deliberation, for 

 without these qualities you might as well leave the gun in its case, 

 and walk into the fields with a dog at your heels, and a shooting- 

 cracker in your hand ready to throw at the birds as they rise 

 from the stubble, in the vain hope of frightening them to death 



