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were, the centre of motion upon which the gun 

 turns, during this sweep ; by which action the 

 but should be raised nearly to its full height, 

 and then bring it back, with somewhat of a 

 thump, into its place within the shoulder*; 

 whilst, at the same time, an increasing grasp 

 with the left hand, which till now has kept its 

 hold rather loosely, combines with that of the 

 right hand upon the gripe of the stock, to keep 

 it firmly there. The direction of the barrel to 

 the mark, or what I would call the line of level, 

 to be taken, in the first instance, a little below 

 that which, as already drawn by your eye to 

 the object, I would distinguish by the line of 

 sight. Again let me remind you, that the latter 

 be firm and irrernoveable ; to which a precise 



* The heedless handler of a gun, who has never drilled 

 himself into a due performance of this action, or who from 

 ignorance on the subject of proper fitting, has got his stock 

 too short or too straight, is very apt to lodge the lower tip of 

 the but against the point of his shoulder, or against what the 

 anatomists call the deltoid muscle of the arm below. In the 

 hurry for a quick present, a man is liable to this ; and the 

 black and blue complexion of this muscle next morning, will 

 prove that there has been imperfect handling. The proper 

 place for the but is within the shoulder, having a firm central 

 bearing against the collar-bone. It is precisely for the pur- 

 pose of escaping this erroneous lodgment, that at the word 

 "Mark!" the first action directed is "to throw it off to an 

 easy extent of the arms ;" so that, in the circular sweep of 

 the gun, the but may come up clear of all impediment, and 

 be brought back with firmness into its place. 



