I have half your Charge now in my Leg."—" Very likely, (replied the other, coolly,) but I killed my Hare, and your Bird was missed."

In shooting alone with a double Gun, it frequently occurs, that the Attention is taken up by a wounded Bird, and the Opportunity of a second shot is neglected; or, upon a second Bird being shot at, the first is lost, although, if observed, it might have been easily retrieved. In company, the Marker to a double Gun should keep his Eye on the first Bird if wounded, and leave the second to the shooter himself.

The Marker should however recollect that the harder a Bird is hit, especially at long Distances, when only one or two Grains have taken place, the less visible signs of it are observed, unless the Bird drops the Legs, or instantly towers; for which reason the Marker's Eye should be kept on the Bird so far as it can be seen: it frequently happens, that a Bird falls dead, four or five hundred yards from the place where first struck, and is as frequently lost for want of proper Attention to its Flight. When a Bird is seen to drop its Legs at the instant of firing, and fly off in an undulated Motion, or tower to a great height, both these are certain Signs of Death, and are generally occasioned by a Contusion on the Vertebra; for if the Spine is injured, Paralysis ensues. If the Brain is contused, the Bird towers, but the Legs are not pendent.

Instructions for shooting at Partridges have been so poetically and ably given that they are here in-. serted.

"As glory more than gain allures the brave
To dare the combat loud, or louder wave;
So the ambition of the Sportsman lies
More in the certain shot than bleeding prize:
While Poachers, mindful of the festal hour,
Among the Covey random slaughter pour;
And as their number press the crimsoned ground,
Regardless reck not of the secret wound,
Which borne away, the wretched victims lie,
'Mid silent shades, to languish and to die.
O let your breast such selfish views disclaim,
And scorn the Triumph of a casual aim!
Disdain such rapine, of your Skill be proud,
One object singling from the scattering Crowd!"

PYE*.

With Rifle Barrels the compiler has had no practice; he was once a tolerable shot with a Pistol; the Construction of the latter Implement is now, perhaps unfortunately, at the height of Perfection. The three best shots in England, probably in Europe, are the Duke of HAMILTON, Lord JOHN CAMPBELL, and Sir JOHN LEICESTER. In firing both Rifles and Pistols, the Place should be well adapted, and admit no Chance of a Ball's flying off to do Mischief. As an Instance of the fatal consequences of a stray Ball, one of the BURRELL Family lies buried in Beckingham

* A Bet some time since was made between P. MACKENZIE, Esq. of Southampton, and two Brother Sportsmen, "that the former Gentleman did not kill one brace of Partridges, every Day (Sundays excepted) for Six Weeks in succession from the first Day of September, 1805." This was determined on Saturday the twelfth of October, when Mr. M. completed his Engagement, which is looked upon by Amateurs as one of the most uncommon Field Exploits that has been performed for many Years.

Churchyard, who was killed by the Servant discharging a Horse-pistol at the Stables, which shot him through the Head in the Dining-room, at the distance of Three hundred and seventeen yards.

4

The foregoing are salutary Cautions: what follows are ludicrous Comments, which may apply, and have a proper Tendency, if perused by would-be Shooters, every where too abundant.

Let the Gun be stocked to the Muzzle, and heavy as possible, observing in particular that the Touch-. hole be large should the Lock go off when Halfcocked, so much the better, it saves trouble, and is always prepared for Action. A bright barrel is more conspicuous in the Field, and handsomer over the Fireplace at home, than a dull brown piece of Iron. The shot-belt should be capable of holding twenty pounds at least; it is impossible to define what Quantity may be wanted. As to the article of Dress, opinions are much divided; one Gentleman has insisted upon Green in the early part of the Season, and in Winter dark Grey, or some colour resembling that of a dead leaf, except during Snow, when a white habit is indispensable: however, leaving the Colour to the fancy of the Wearer, the Coat should be made with long Skirts; it will then enable the Lock of the Gun to be covered, and the priming defended from the effect of Rain: a cocked Hat will also be proper, as it causes no obstruction to the Sight, and preserves Uniformity.

In the choice of Dogs there are various Fancies, but that species of the Spaniel called the Spitalfields Hie-away is to be preferred, as he will hunt every

kennel as well as ditch, and runs over much ground; a few half-grown puppies will be also serviceable, as they will not keep close to the heel, but, by continually frisking and yelping, will assuredly disturb every thing that has Life. The moment the Trigger is drawn, both Eyes should be shut; the priming cannot then hurt them, and they can be opened time enough to see where the Game falls. Hammer the Flint with the back of a knife after every discharge (when the Gun is reloaded,) to prevent its missing fire; and let the point of the Gun be presented to a Companion, if possible; and in stopping upon any occasion, always put the Muzzle under the Arm for a support, as well as to prevent Wet from running down the Barrel.

If a party of Three go together in a Carriage, be sure that two barrels of the Guns appear at least a quarter of a Yard from the side Windows, and the third in front; all the people that are passed must then know they are Shooters. Be careful in hastily firing at any Dog for standing still; a famous City Sportsman once did so, and the same shot that disabled Ponto, disturbed the Partridges. But still more laughable than the foregoing is the Deed underneath recited, and which, if there be such things as ESQUIRES who understand LATIN, and Sporting PARSONS who have not forgotten it, they will smile at.

"In flammas et in arma feror."

ARMA VIRUMQUE cano, qui primo Sole bo-peeping, Jam nunc cum tabby Nox languet to button her eye-lids, Cum Pointers aut Spaniels campos sylvasque pererrat→→→

VOL. III.

K K

Vos mihi Brontothesi, over Arms small and great dominantes, Date Spurs to dull Poet qui dog-latin Carmina conditArtibus atque novis audax dum SPORTSMEN I follow, Per Stubbles et Turnips et tot discrimina rerum, Dum PARTRIDGE with popping terrificare minantur, (Pauci namque valent a Feather tangere plumbo) Carmina si hang fire discharge them bag-piping APOLLO.

Te quoque, Magne CLEATOR*, te memorande precamur— Jam nunc thy Fame gallops super Garamantas et Indos, Nam NABOBS nil nisi de Brimstone et Charcoal loquuntur, Horrifiphizque TIPPOO sulphurea sustinet arma-Induit ecce SHOOTER Tuncam made of neat marble Drugget; Quæ benè conveniens defluxit to th' waistband of Breeches. Nunc paper et powder, et silices, popp'd in the side pocket, Immemor haud Shot-bag graditur commitatus two Pointers, Mellorian retinens tormentum dextra bi-barrel’d.

En! stat staunch DINGO haud aliter quam steady Guidepost, Proximus atque PERO perstat se ponere juxta—

With Gun cock'd and levell'd, et lævo lumine clauso,
Nunc Avicida resolves haud double-strong parcere Powder.

Vos teneri Yelpers †, vos grandævique parentes,
Nunc palsy-pate JOVE orate to dress to the left-hand,
Et VENERI tip the wink, like a shot to skim down ab alto
Mingere per touch-hole totamque madescere priming.-

Nunc lugete dui nunc SPORTSMEN planjite palmas
İnfandum flebili Musâ renovante dolorem-

Exsilit ecce LEPUS from Box cum Thistles operto-
Bang bellow'd both barrels-heu! pronus sternitur each Dog-
Et Puss in th' interim trips away sub tegmine Thorn-bush.

The Compiler here closes his Labours. On the various Topics which he has undertaken to treat, he

*Author of the ingenious "Essay on Shooting."

+ Young Partridges.