238 DIET AND CONDITION 



Many a hunting-man has made himself a martyr to 

 rheumatism and lumbago by wearing a mackintosh. 

 Nowadays, however, there is no excuse for their use, 

 since it is so easy to have any cloth thoroughly water- 

 proofed. 



In order to shoot well, one must know how to live, 

 and live regularly. I recommend a real good break- 

 fast of porridge and milk, and nothing more, for the 

 sportsman, if he wishes to shoot straight and be ready 

 for luncheon at one o'clock. Nor should he on any 

 account drink any spirits, or even water, when ascend- 

 ing the hills ; for if the day is once so begun, then 

 good-bye to straight shooting. The more a man 

 drinks, the more he wants to drink, and the more he 

 perspires ; and the consequence of perspiration in- 

 creased by drinking water is that the eyes become 

 affected and the sight dimmed, and it becomes impos- 

 sible to shoot well until the evening. When a man 

 has been for some weeks getting himself into condition 

 for the Twelfth, this advice may not be necessary ; but 

 it will take a beginner who is out of working order 

 a good ten days, unless he follows my advice, to 

 get himself really fit. I very much sympathize with 

 those men who have neither the time nor the oppor- 

 tunity necessary to somewhat prepare themselves 

 before the commencement of the season, and it is very 

 much for their benefit that I offer my advice. If they 

 are not in condition, if they but conquer the first 

 temptation to quench their thirst, they will find them- 

 selves able to hold their own against many a man who, 

 being otherwise better trained, cannot resist the 

 temptation offered by every spring he sees in the hot 

 August and September mornings. If this advice is 



