EVOLUTION OF GUNS AND RIFLES 
say that it is unfair to use it against wild animals whose weapons are 
only teeth, claws, and horns; even arrows and darts must be left to lady 
hunters; only hand weapons should be used by men. But by some mis- 
chance one of his plates shows a man firing a gun at a hare. The prejudice 
as to the unfairness of new inventions of increased destructive power, 
whether in war or in sport, was quite as strong then as now, and, though 
it does honour to human nature, has produced, until late years, little 
practical effect. 
We may note how wide was Bonfadini’s knowledge of shooting 250 years 
ago. Though he considers that the shooter will do well to make his own 
powder and shot owing to the difficulty of procuring them of good and 
even quality, he shows how the closest shooting charge and the most 
effective range should be ascertained by trial at a paper target. He says 
there are boasters who declare they never miss, but that these are liars, 
though the experienced shot will kill if nothing goes wrong. He knows 
that a barrel does not shoot well if rusty, and that not only the size of shot, 
but the powder charge, must be varied for different game. The loading 
must be by measure; the powder is best carried in a flask, not a bag, so 
that the grains may be kept dry and not crushed; the shot must be of even 
size and not rammed hard. The wadding is a soft pad of flock, or of tow; 
and the gun has to be carried muzzle upwards to prevent the charge from 
shifting. In firing, the shooter must stand firmly, holding the butt pressed 
against the shoulder, his cheek on the stock, and his right elbow held well 
up. It is again and again repeated that the left hand must keep the gun 
from moving until the shot has left the barrel, a precaution necessary 
with modern guns, but much more so with the chronic hang -fire of the 
early flint-lock. 
The method of aim for straight-away shots, crossing shots, and over- 
head shots is described. It is recommended that for shooting in the open, 
the barrel of the gun should be 40 inches long; for shooting in covert, 
2 feet 6 inches; and for shooting wildfowl, 4 feet 7 inches. Unfortunately 
the bore is not given precisely, but apparently it was 20 bore or there- 
abouts; it is to be such as will carry to ounces of shot. The charge for 
partridge shooting is U drachm powder and li ounces of shot; for young 
partridges and quails 1 drachm powder and 1 ounce shot; for wildfowl 
4 drachms powder and If ounces shot. The quality of the powder was 
no doubt inferior to that of modern black powder. For ordinary use the 
stock should be formed with the heel of the butt 3i inches below the line 
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