292 SPORT IN BENGAL. 



my neck to protect it from the sun and to absorb perspira- 

 tion ; I also wear old kid or doeskin gloves, with the finger 

 tips cut off close down to the middle finger joints, and strongly 

 recommend the custom for many and obvious reasons. 



I have observed that, in my own case, snipe-shooting has 

 proved a recreation by no means unhealthy for nearly forty 

 years, and I may truly add that it has done me good " all 

 round ;" but of course it is necessary to follow certain rules 

 which prudence and common sense dictate ; and if I venture to 

 name a few, let it be understood that they are such as have 

 been beneficial to me, and I do not presume to press them 

 upon others, or to insist upon their infallibility, or general 

 application like "Hollo way's Ointment" or "Cockle's Pills" ; 

 but the young sportsman may at least give them a trial. 



For a long day I like to shoot between ten in the 

 morning and six in the evening, and for a short spell between 

 two o'clock and sunset, taking in the former case a little 

 refreshment about one or two o'clock while resting for an 

 hour, consisting of sandwiches, sausage-rolls, cold pie, cutlets, 

 or croquets, washed down with a weak "peg." well iced, if 

 ice be procurable. I never drink while shooting, no matter 

 how thirsty I may be, but if compelled to moisten my mouth 

 and lips, do so with weak brandy and water, rinsing my 

 mouth only with it; and I often shoot for three hours in 

 the hottest weather without requiring to do even that 

 much. My rule is never to smoke in the sun, and not to do 

 so till the shooting is over for the day. Before starting on a 

 long trudge through the mud and water, if ice be at hand, I 

 drink one or two tumblers of ice-cold water ; and when the 

 shooting is over I take care to be on the move till I can put 

 on dry clothes, after soaking my feet for a quarter of an hour 

 in water as hot as I can bear, and taking a tepid bath. These 

 rites and ceremonies being observed I am ready for my 

 dinner, and after it for whist or billiards till midnight, 

 although I may have been out from nine or ten in the 

 morning till nightfall. 



I think that three days in the week is as often as most 



