THE SHOT-GUN, AND HOW. TO USE IT. 313 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



THE SHOT-GTTN, AND HOW TO USE IT. 



In a book of this kind, where wild fowl is the first, 

 and every thing else a secondary consideration, the 

 reader can readily see the irnpossibility of reviewing 

 the shot-gun, except in a cursory manner ; although a 

 frank confession prompts me to admit I would like to. 



The explosive force of gun powder having been dis- 

 covered in the fourteenth century, active inquiry was 

 made how to confine this destructive element to the 

 purposes of war. And it is a matter of interest to be 

 able to recall the fact that so long ago as that time 

 breech-loading cannon were made. We cannot spare 

 the time or space to dwell on these things that are a 

 matter of history, but carried along as if by a panorama, 

 let our thoughts dwell lightly on them, and consider 

 them as they are, as of bygone ages. 



In 1630 the flint lock was invented in Spain ; for 

 two centuries it was considered par excellence in the 

 art of gun-making. At about the beginning of the 

 nineteenth century Joseph Manton invented improve- 

 ments, that made him • the most renowned inventor of 

 his day. Being a skilled artisan, ambitious, ever pro- 

 gressive and honest, his make of guns gained world re- 

 nowned celebrity, and were considered perfect models 

 of elegance and beauty, and unsurpassed in shooting 

 powers. 



