THE GUN, AND HOW TO USE IT. 127 



decently and creditably, if not brilliantly or like an artist. 

 It may be a consolation to beginners to know that a strong 

 inclination toward field-sports and shooting rarely occurs, 

 where practice, if persevered in, will not ultimately insure 

 proficiency. In a lifetime, I remember but two instances 

 of men, passionately fond of shooting, who never could 

 compass even the humblest mediocrity, but continued to 

 the end blazing at every thing, slap-dash, hit or miss, and 

 seemingly as well content to make a noise, as to kill game 

 like a Lord Kennedy or a Captain Scott. 



In conclusion, no one need despair. The introduction 

 of percussion locks has so simplified the art or science, call 

 it which you may, of shooting on the wing, that it is much 

 rarer now to find a dismally bad performer than a crack 

 shot. 



The latter was in my boyish days, rara avis in terris ; 

 nowadays, every second man is a fair shot, and every 

 sixth, of those I mean who hold to the gun at all, an 

 artist. In the mean time, 



jEquam memento rebus in arduis * 

 Servare mentem, 



and be " deliberate promptitude " your motto and the mark 

 for your attainment. 



Note. — See Appendix D for description of Ballard's breech-load- 

 ing sporting rifle, patented in 1862. The above was written 1856. 



* Remember in difficulty to preserve an equal mind. 



