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the stock for you." It is the common complaint 

 of all beginners. " Too long," or " too short," 

 are only different modes by which they express 

 the indecision of their own imperfect know- 

 ledge; and the former is the more general 

 objection against the but, until they have learned 

 how, properly, to dispose of it. Of the gun of 

 which you speak, I have a perfect recollection ; 

 for I am to presume, that it is the same which 

 you received as a memorial from our mutual 

 friend *****; to whose somewhat premature 

 departure from us, more especially when thus 

 discussing a subject with which he would occa- 

 sionally be so much delighted, we owe a moment's 

 serious pause: and I well know that it was 

 mounted for him under my immediate direction, 

 and that the stock, both in its bend and length, 

 were under my own eye fitted to his shoulder. 

 Now, Sir, viewing your very different form, I 

 can not suppose that it is really too long for 

 you ; and I do strongly suspect that the impe- 

 diment you complain of, is partly, if not entirely, 

 owing to your not knowing how to bring up a 

 gun to your shoulder. Be not offended ! Before 

 you have followed me through many pages, 

 you will probably begin to be convinced that 

 it is a thing you have yet to learn. Give me 

 leave to ask you one question: Do not you 

 now, when your dog is at point, or on strong 



