136 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
and seeing with his own eyes; and above all, cause him to 
avoid regarding the smallest peculiarity he may observe in the 
field of nature unworthy of consideration. 
With regard to the art of shooting, a very few instructions only 
can be given, and they can do but little toward the formation of a 
shot. Practice alone can make a good shot, even of one en¬ 
dowed with the greatest natural aptitude ; and, without the 
gift of natural aptitude, no one can ever hope to be a crack 
shot on the wing. No one, however, who desires it, need des 
pair of becoming, in something more than a moderate degree, 
a proficient in this beautiful art, since the introduction of the 
percussion system; which has so greatly simplified the art, 
and diminished the difficulty of shooting on the wing, that it 
is a current remark now-a-days that, u a bad shot in 1848 
is a rarer thing to meet than a good one was in 1800.” 
The same thing is in a less degree the case with the man¬ 
agement of dogs in the field; there are, it is true, general, aye, 
and particular rules, which may be laid down for the guidance 
of the hunter ; which rules, if strenuously put in practice, shall 
be in themselves all sufficient. But to this end practice is 
essential—practice in learning when and how each rule is to 
be put in force; practice in controlling impatience, in combat¬ 
ing temper, in acquiring perfect coolness and complete self- 
command. No man may hope, let him know how to do so 
never so well, to govern his dogs, until he has learned first 
to govern himself. If I were asked to state what were the 
three things most necessary to the formation of the perfect 
sportsman, I think I should parody the reply of the great 
Athenian rhetorician, and reply, “ Practice ! practice ! practice !” 
But of these things severally in their places: and now to 
the field for spring Snipe-shooting. 
