SPORTSMEN, FARMERS, &C. 149 



I hope it will be satisfactory to you to fj^^Xfe-' 



1 ' n ^ 1 , n arms m per- 



be intormed, how to preserve your iire-arms feet order, for 



two or three 



ybr two or tJiree years loaded, and that they years. 

 shall go off more lively, and with less dan- 

 ger of hanging fire, than when fresh loaded. 

 The method is very simple ; of course, so 

 much the better. About once every month, 

 or five weeks, lay your pistols — and, parti- 

 cularly, ever on the morning before you 

 travel — on the brass stand, on which toast 

 and muffins are placed before the fire, with 

 the butts and locks towards the fire, until 

 they are quite Jiot through ; so hot, that you 

 cannot hold your finger on the butt of the 

 barrels and pans; then prick the touch-hole 

 well, quite into the body of the powder. 

 Thus the powder will be dried as perfectly 

 as when it first was taken warm out of the 

 drying- room, at the powder-mills; and will 

 go off more sure, than powder which has 

 lain in your horn for some time. 



There is no better defence for a house, 

 than a double-gun, nor against robbers on 

 the road; but be sure never to load it with 

 a ball, but with Nos. 2 or 3, patent shot. If 



L 



