44 MANUAL FOK YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



First, the gun must be a good one in itself, well built, 

 of good materials, strong, sound, and safe by the excel- 

 lence of metal and superiority of finish, which also produce 

 efficient carrying of its charge, rapid firing, and clean 

 killing. 



Secondly, the gun must particularly suit the indi- 

 vidual owner ; for one gun will no more suit all men, than 

 one coat will fit all wearers ; and no man can any more 

 shoot well with a gun that docs not come readily to his 

 shoulder and fairly to his eye, than he can be at ease in a 

 coat two sizes under his fit, or walk a foot-race in boots 

 that pinch him. According to the length of the shooter's 

 arms and neck, must be the length and curvature of the 

 stock, from the heel-plate to the breech ; and that which 

 constitutes a perfect _/K, if I may use the word in reference 

 to a gun, is this — that its weight being in due proportion 

 to the size, strength, and comfort of the shooter, when it 

 is raised deliberately to the shoulder, the right hand 

 grasping the gripe, with its fore-finger on the trigger, and 

 the left hand supporting the. barrels immediately in front 

 of the trigger guard, it shall come so justly and handily 

 to the face, that, the cheek being naturally lowered, with- 

 out consideration or adjustment, the eye may clear the 

 level of the breech, and at once find the sight at the end 

 of the barrels, precisely on its own level. If the eye, 

 above the breech, find any part of the barrel in view 

 between itself and the sight, the stock is certainly too 

 btraight ; and possibly too short also. If the sight appear 

 sunk below the breech, and it be necessary to advance the 

 left hand, and so elevate the muzzle, in order to bring it 



