THE GUN, AND HOW TO CHOOSE IT. 9 
had, the best, for 35 to 40 dollars. If they be top or 
muzzle-heavy, which they sometimes are, and which is a 
bad fault, and a great hindrance to quick shooting, the 
fault may easily be remedied, by taking off the heel-plate, 
scooping a hole in the butt, and running in a pound or two 
of lead. The restoration of balance, by means of this 
counterpoise, will far more than compensate the increase 
of the total weight; the rather that guns of this size are 
only to be used in boat-shooting, not carried in pursuit of 
game. 
A very little practice will enable a hardy man and 
quick shot to use two single guns, laying down the one 
after firing, and snatching up the other; if not quite so 
rapidly as one double-barrel, quite rapidly enough to de- 
molish a flock, by getting in both loads. I have, at this 
moment, one of the exact character described, so handy, 
that I can raise and manage it with ease with my left hand 
on the trigger-guard. For sea-fowling guns, the nipples 
should be of the inverted fashion, having the orifice like a 
funnel, large above and tapering to a point below; as the 
flame of the cap is thus more forcibly injected, which is 
needful, as the coarse-grained powder, which is preferable 
for sea shooting, will not enter the cones. 
As to the makers, qualities, prices, or descriptions of 
guns needful to the sportsman, I have no word more to 
say; but as to the mode of choosing, a few hints may be 
found serviceable. 
We will suppose a person, having made up his mind to 
what price he will go, and what description of piece he 
needs, to have found, by the assistance of competent 
