of the Old World. 511 



to judge distance accurately ; but there is always a 

 ready method of ascertaining it practically, by firing, 

 and watching whether the bullet strikes the ground 

 over or under the object aimed at. If over, he will 

 lower the sliding bar of the back-sight ; if under, he 

 will raise it. Practice over all kinds of ground is 

 the best means of teaching a novice how to judge 

 distance correctly by the eye, and anyone possessing 

 good vision may train himself most effectually in 

 this art for all practical purposes. This, however, 

 ran only be accomplished by continual practice and 

 careful observation. When engaged in ball-practice 

 at a target placed at known distances, the tyro should 

 carefully notice the apparent height of the markers 

 at each range, remembering that in fine clear 

 weather objects standing in a strong light will appear 

 much nearer than they really are, and vice versd in 

 cloudy and damp weather. 



At 50 yards, the features of a man may be clearly 

 identified, and his complexion, arms, accoutrements, 

 and dress distinctly perceived, the buttons and the 

 badge on his forage-cap being distinguishable. At 1 00 

 yards, the features become indistinct, the buttons 

 appear in a line, and the badge can be only faintly 

 discerned. At 200 yards, the face appears like a 

 whitish ball under the line of the cap, and the 

 buttons and badge become invisible. These distances 

 should constitute the first practice ; the second would 



