PIIEPARATIONS FDR SHOOTING. 2GI 



ardent fox-hunter, however, does not disdain the 

 shooting jacket during the month of September, 

 and whilst his horses are in training for the en- 

 suing month, prepares hhnself also, by strong 

 walking exercise, to be fit for the coming fray. 



To the young and ardent sportsman there is a 

 great amount of excitement inseparably connected 

 with the first day of partridge shooting, although 

 not of so long duration as fox-hunting. I can 

 well remember with what anxiety and pleasurable 

 anticipations this event was looked forward to by 

 myself when a boy. The month before this long 

 wished-for day was industriously employed in 

 having the pointers in proper order and condition ; 

 the Avhereabouts and number of coveys ascertained, 

 the cutting of corn almost impatiently watched, 

 as it fell slowly before the sickle, and gradually 

 disappeared from the fields. The day preceding 

 this grand event was devoted to the arrangement 

 of shooting accoutrements, laying in a stock of 

 powder and shot, cleaning the gun, and other 

 necessary preparations. In those times, by the 

 break of day we were in the field ; breakfast was 

 laid over-night, and by three o'clock of the aus- 

 picious morning we were astir, with little trouble 

 in being awakened from our restless slumbers. 

 Although it is well known to experienced sports- 



