THE GUN, AND HOW TO USE IT. 125 



The mode of selecting a rifle to suit the shooter, is 

 identical with that of choosing a shot gun. The way to 

 ascertain its operation, is for the buyer to have it tried in 

 his own presence, at arm's length and at rest, at long and 

 short ranges, with the wind, against the wind, and across 

 the wind which last, if it be blowing any thing like a 

 respectable breeze, is the hardest test of all by some one 

 in whose shooting, if he be not confident of his own, he 

 may have perfect reliance. If it execute quickly, surely 

 and forcibly, he may be sure he has got what he requires. 

 But, by all means, let him insist on trying it, or seeing it 

 tried, in the open. No testing in a gallery of fifteen or 

 thirty paces is worth sixpence, as a real proof, either of 

 the weapon or of the shooter ; and none but a tyro would 

 dream of purchasing on such a childish assay. Distance 

 and penetration are the only true tests. At twenty feet 

 a schoolboy's steel cross-bow, with a deal bolt, will snuff 

 a candle ; at a hundred yards it will hardly hit a house. 



If, notwithstanding all that I have written, the hunter 

 lean to the old single rifle, let him select one of not less 

 than a ounce round ball, seven or eight pounds' weight, 

 and 33 to 36-inch barrels, by any American maker, and 

 he can scarce go wrong. 



If he want a supereminent double, let him pay Purday, 

 Moore or Lang, of London, fifty guineas for his last and 

 best turn-out, and he will not be disappointed ; but in my 

 mind, if he prefer a double, he will do well if he cause 

 each barrel to be separately sighted at the breech and on 

 the end, instead of in the ordinary method, which sights 

 both intermediately along the dividing elevation. 



