PREFACE. XXXV11 



which, what composes the second part of 

 the book as now offered, would have made 

 the leading article ; being followed by 

 several additional chapters, containing a 

 considerable variety of matter, imme- 

 diately connected with the subject: alto- 

 gether, giving to the sportsman a more 

 perfect knowledge, as well as a more dex- 

 terous use, of his weapon ; and evincing, 

 with somewhat more clearness than some 

 modern philosophers have hitherto been 

 able to make out their application of the 

 doctrine, that on this subject, at least* 

 " knowledge is power/' 



Such was the regular order of our 

 author's views ; but as a man who puts 

 forth to sea, although with a clear idea of 

 his destination, is exposed to winds and 

 currents, and can not always tell where he 

 shall make land, so did it fare with him ; 

 and in the prosecution of his plan, the 

 latter part of his subject got considerably 

 the start of the former. Having seriously 

 adopted the notion of giving his matter to 



