NOTABLE GUNMAKERS 173 



having received the most unjust treatment I ever 

 heard of, and which occurred whilst he was sufferins' 

 from a long illness. No one is better able to fit a 

 beginner with a gun, or correct the many failings 

 which young and impetuous sportsmen are subject 

 to, than he is. 



Whilst enumerating the above firms, I may as well 

 remark that I consider James Lang, of Bond Street, 

 the best gunmaker in London ; Messrs. Holland and 

 Rigby the best makers of grooved rifles ; and Messrs. 

 Lancaster of or^me rifles, their oval bore carrvino- 

 well up to 300 yards. Mr. Henry, of Edinburgh, is 

 the best maker in Scotland, and I may also add that I 

 consider him second to none anywhere. Mr. Richards, 

 of Preston, is the best cartridge-maker in England, 

 that is to say, north of London ; and Messrs. Henry 

 and Dickson, of Edinburgh, are excellent gunmakers 

 and gunfitters. 



Having obtained a gun to suit him, the next thing 

 which a beginner has to consider is how to use it, so 

 as to be able to stop with a degree of certainty birds 

 flying at every different angle. 



Now, there are various ways of acquiring this art, 

 and the novice can practise swinging his gun at spare 

 times. For instance, even if he lives in a city such 

 as London, and has to attend to office-work daily, he 

 can, with very little trouble and in a very short time, 

 say six or seven minutes every morning, before or 

 after breakfast (the former for choice), make himself a 

 proficient in the art of swinging his gun, if he follows 

 out the plans I here lay down for his adoption. 



Let him paste, at different heights and angles, some 

 five or six No. 12 gun-wads on the walls of his room, 



