UPLAND SHOOTING. 
257 
friend, Mr. M., although I should have rejoiced to see and con¬ 
fer with him on the subject of the sports of the South-West, of 
which I have seen too little, while 1 desire so greatly personally 
to participate in them. I may also add that I have learned from 
good sportsmen of the West, that the objection against the use 
of pointers, lies in the inability of their thin-skinned legs and bare- 
soled feet to endure the wear and tear of the prairie grass. 
St. Louis , Mo., January 29th, 1849. 
Sir :—Not only are an author’s works the property of the pub¬ 
lic, but his readers become in some degree his acquaintances. 
He addresses his readers familiarly, sometimes almost affection¬ 
ately, especially when, as in your case, the subject is such as to 
establish a kind of free-masanry between him and all true lovers 
of the dog and gun. 
Having read both your original works and your translations, 
L feel as if I had some right to address you without the formality 
of an introduction. I wish to thank you for the additions you 
have made to our knowledge in sporting matters, and to say how 
heartily I, in common with all who wish to perpetuate the manly 
and healthful sports of the field, concur with you in opinion of 
the desirableness of some measure of legislation which may arrest 
the rapid destruction of the noble birds which yet adorn our 
prairies and forests, and which will render it penal—it ought to 
be infamous—to kill game either in the breeding season or before 
the young birds have acquired full strength of wing. 
I have been particularly struck with the article on Grouse shoot¬ 
ing, in vol. 1, and seq., p. 248, of your “ Field Sports.” With the 
principles which actuate you I entirely concur. But, as I con¬ 
ceive, you are slightly inaccurate in several particulars of the 
natural history of the Pinnated Grouse : and this has led you into 
error—as I think—in fixing the time—middle of October—when 
Grouse shooting ought to begin. 
Secondly, I think you are gastronomically wrong when you 
speak of the only mode in which the Grouse, when legitimately 
killed, should be cooked for the rational epicure. In my opinion 
