CHAPTER VIII. 



FIREARMS, AND THE USE AND ABUSE OF THEM. 



THAT firearms of all kinds are dangerous, I think 

 no one will dispute, and that wherever gunpowder is 

 present there is a certain degree of risk attending it. 

 From the tiny brass cannon, which the little boy with 

 any Guy Fawkes inclination delights to fire, and is 

 never satisfied, or thinks it properly loaded, unless it 

 rears up and stands on end and bounds, tumbling head 

 over heels for two or three yards, to the imminent 

 danger of his little brothers and sisters, who are con- 

 gregated just behind it, and enjoying the fun from 

 this tiny piece of brass ordnance to the largest 

 Armstrong gun, there is danger more or less, 

 which was sadly proved on board H.M.S. Thunderer. 

 Accidents occur from no apparent cause sometimes, 

 and therefore guns and gunpowder are dangerous 

 things to play with. 



