of the Old World. 493 



however rapid its progress, it takes a certain time in 

 travelling from the first grain to the last. 



The sportsman can easily make up his own cart- 

 ridges at the rate of about half a gross in an hour, 

 or, if he prefers it, he can purchase them all ready 

 from any gun maker. 



When all the advantages of the breech-loader are 

 contrasted with the known disadvantages of the 

 muzzle-loader, it is difficult to account for the pre- 

 judice that has existed against them for so many 

 years; for, notwithstanding that the present system 

 was introduced by La Faucheux a quarter of a cen- 

 tury ago, it is only lately that it has come into 

 general use amongst sportsmen. Numerous objec- 

 tions have been urged against the system,. but none 

 appear to have had any substantial foundation ; and 

 I shall not enter into them, although I am aware 

 that there are many sportsmen of the old school 

 who from prejudice will not even deign to give it 

 a trial : with them arguments and facts are both 

 equally lost. 



In the pursuit of large game, breech-loading arms 

 are infinitely preferable ; for until the last few years 

 the hunter was always obliged, when waging war 

 with the denizens of the forest, to keep up a battery 

 of several guns and rifles, which, to say nothing of 

 the expense of the first outlay and the continual wear 

 and tear, &c., was attended by several serious disad- 



