46 



THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



the number of pellets, the birds struck will be in the same 

 ratio. 



But, notwithstanding the apparent facilities that are offer- 

 ed of success, this amusement is probably one of the most 

 exposing to cold and wet, and those who undertake its en- 

 joyment without a courage " screwed to the sticldng point," 

 will soon discover that 



" To one good, a thousand ills oppose." 



It is indeed, no parlour sport, and between creeping 

 through mud and mire, often for hundreds of yards, to 

 be at last disappointed, and standing exposed on points to 

 the 



"Pelting rain, or more than freezing cold," 



for hours without even the promise of a shot, it would even 

 try the patience of Franklin's glorious nibble?: It is, 

 however, replete with excitement and charm, and to one 

 who can enter on the pleasure, with a system formed for 

 polar cold, and a spirit to endure 



''The weary toil of many a stormy day," 



it will yield a harvest of health and delight, that the "room- 

 er of the woods" can rarely enjoy. I. T. S. 



ADVICE TO YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



When young men first take the field in pursuit of 

 game, they are full of expectations, excited by the pros- 

 pects of enjoyment; and, possessing youth, health and ac- 

 tivity, seldom weigh the consequences of irregtdar habits, 

 or the evils resulting from not observing a proper course of 

 conduct, or the effect which the errors of their youth may 

 have on their future life. Under these views, I have sug- 

 gested the following advice: 



In associating with companions for your hunting excur- 

 sions, choose, if possible, those who are calm in their mind, 

 and deliberate in their movements, and free from that blus- 

 tering spirit, which too often manifests itself in sportsmen. 

 You will thereby avoid much danger, and those accidents 

 which are mostly the effect of rashness and carelessness. 



Shun the company of a man who is continually cursing 

 and swearing at his dogs, or on the slightest provocation, 

 especially if he is unsuccessful in his enterprise, for it com- 

 monly happens, that persons of these dispositions and 

 habits, do not subject themselves to restraint, and will find 

 excuse, no matter how trivial, to vend their anger, most 

 generally on their dogs, and attribute their want of success 

 to the error of these animals, when it originates altogether 



in their own turbulent passions. Shun such contaminating 

 breath, as you would a contagious disease, that affects your 

 very vitals. 



Never swear yourself, nor suffer any circumstance to 

 make you commit yourself in a way that you would con- 

 demn in others; neither permit the contingencies attending 

 hunting excursions, such as misbehaviour of your com- 

 panions, or dogs, to ruffle your disposition or excite anger; 

 if your companion claims a bird to which you are entitled, 

 or which has been shot on the discharge of both your guns, 

 compromise your feelings and let him have it, it is but a 

 bird, and not worth quarreling about; and, if he has been 

 unjust in his claim, he will be ashamed of it. Should your 

 dog commit error, chastise him, but keep yourself free 

 from rage. Observing these rules, you will be more fitted 

 for the pleasures of the field, more successful in your en- 

 terprise, and avoid many unpleasant feelings to yourself 

 and companions; the labours of the day will end with 

 calmness and pleasure, unmixed with rancorous feelings, 

 and prove a period of recreation rather than toil. Choose 

 cool weather for your season of sliooting, your body then 

 is more invigorated, and you will prevent considerable ex- 

 citement and occasion for fever, wliich is more likely to 

 attend warmer weather; beside, you perhaps can be better 

 spared from your business. 



Do not let your excursions be marked with cruelty, 

 either towards your dogs, or the innocent objects of your 

 search; let a moderate quantity of game suffice you always, 

 and be not ambitious to excel, when tliat superiority is to 

 be gained at the expense of much life, or labour ending in 

 great fatigue to yourself Beware displaying your art by 

 shooting at harmless birds, such as swallows, robins, &c. 

 for it is not only useless as a plan of practising to shoot, but 

 cruel and disgraceful to him who employs it. 



Disclaim all braggarts of shooting, and found your prin- 

 ciples on their failure, for I never yet saw a braggart, but 

 had to back his performances with heavy oaths. These, 

 generally, are the poorest shots, and most certainly the 

 worst companions; for the man who makes a statement, 

 and endeavours to confirm it witli an oath, is entirely un- 

 worthy of confidence and respect; beside, persons who 

 habituate themselves to this disgraceful and ungentlemanly 

 practice, engender feelings, which in their nature are not 

 only callous to truth, but to every sense of propriety; and 

 there is nothing too ridiculous or incredible, either for 

 them to relate as truth, or to be swallowed by them as such, 

 when related by others; this is strongly verified in an old 

 saying, "that it is even possible for a man to tell a lie so 

 often, as to believe it himself for truth." This principle is 

 more common amongst those who idle their time with a 

 gun, lounge about taverns and drink to excess, but who, in 



