SPORTSMEN, FARMERS, &C. 117 



centre of it, behind, not deep,, and not bigget 

 than a middle-sized straw. This hole must 

 communicate with the touch-hole, which 

 must be countersunk on the inside. The 

 breech-plilgs, to every gun I have, are thus 

 made, excepting one, and that bears the 

 name of Joseph Mantons patent ; but it is 

 not one whit the better for that t it is a 

 very excellent gun, for certain ; and I am 

 as certain that my old friend Joseph can 

 make as good a gun, as any man existing ; 

 and certain I am, that there are others who 

 can make as good a gun as he : I do not 

 mean to say there are many. 



When I speak respecting the shooting of 

 barrels, I desire it may be distinctly under- 

 stood, that I speak of such as are exactly of 

 the same weight; for if one barrel weighs 

 only tlij^ee pounds and a half] and another 

 four pounds and a half, the latter will carry 

 a larger charge, shoot stronger, and, having 

 more resistance from its superior weight, 

 will not strike the shoulder more than the 

 lighter barrel with a smaller charge. Now 

 gun-makers will do me a very great favour, 

 and I shall be infinitely obliged to them, 



I 



