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. Ina 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. 
Tn 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, 
“quam memento rebus in arduis * 
Servare mentem, 
and be “ deliberate promptitude ” your motto and the mark 
for your attainment. 
Norse.—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. 
