much strength left as if that only had received the full force of the powder. Try this on the water.-I do not, however, say but that, at even a little distance, some shot must strike (not fall) short, if a bird is swimming. These are the grains which, in spreading, would take the under part of any thing placed perpendicular. It should also be observed, that with a small charge of shot you are not so liable to fire behind an object crossing, or under a bird which is rising, by reason that the less the weight of shot is in proportion to the charge of powder, the shorter time it requires to travel through the air.

POWDER FLASK.

IF you expostulate with an old wildfowl gunner on the danger of his piece, he may retaliate on that of your spring powder flask; while he (with a cow's horn, stopped at one end with a piece of oakum, and at the other with a bit of ood), can fill his backey-pipe, and load with more safety than you gemmen! 'Tis very true! Many serious accidents have happened from sportsmen not having had the precaution to detach their charge before they put it into the barrel, which may have a fatal spark remaining. A spring powder horn should have a cap to it, from which you can load, and by means of which you keep all dead leaves, and other dirt, that may fall in the pocket, from crumbling into the top of it.

Having pushed back the spring, to fill the top or charger, let it gradually close again on the thumb, instead of allowing it to fly back and snap. I mention this in consequence of an accident which happened to one who, in doing the latter, had his hand dreadfully mangled by the explosion of a flask, which it is supposed was occasioned by the presence of a piece of flint.

The late Mr. Egg and Mr. Sykes have each invented powder flasks, in which, if a charge is blown up, all communication is so effectually prevented, that no farther damage can be done. I have seen the one of Mr. Egg

repeatedly tried by himself. To do this, he dropped red-hot nail into the barrel, which, of course, instantly fired the measure put into it. He then unscrewed the top, and showed me the remainder of the powder in the horn, having only guarded his right hand by a shield of pasteboard, to avoid being burnt by the charge from the barrel.

The principle of it is so secure, as to render it impossible for the powder in the flask to ignite while in the act of loading, the passage being completely cut off, from the lever being placed on the top of a strong plate, instead of underneath. It also prevents the flash out of the barrel from injuring the hand, as the charger is fixed in an octant position, with a vent to let out the flame.

The springs of these powder flasks must be kept very clean and free, or like many other ingenious patents, they will fall victims to the abuse of slovenly sportsmen. I have now used also the flask of Mr. Sykes since it has been improved. It appears to be perfectly safe; and nothing can be more convenient. The flasks manufactured by Messrs. Hawksley of Sheffield, made with German silver tops, which are less liable to corrosion, are of very superior workmanship; these are of course more expensive than the common ones, but as a powder horn is one of the most important articles of your gun-case, treat yourself to one of first-rate manufacture, which is less liable to get out of order, and will prove the cheapest in the end.

Another caution relative to powder horns in the field:— If you should have fired one barrel, and, while in the act of reloading it, other game should be sprung, beware of

firing the other barrel until you have either put the flask in your pocket, or thrown it on the ground. I could name several who, through a neglect of doing this, have been severely wounded by blowing up their flasks; and among them, two excellent shots of my acquaintance.

SHOT BELT.

In my humble opinion there is, after all inventions, no better method of loading than from the common shot belt; but it so often falls into awkward hands, and steel chargers are such a pretty little item for a gun-maker's bill, that it is almost considered too vulgar an appendage for a gentleman. Let it be observed, however, that a shot belt is light, and no incumbrance when empty; does not fill the pockets; is not liable to be lost; and, if properly managed, is on the whole as quick a mode of loading as any that can be adopted. For instance: First, if you have fired both barrels, and should take out a charger left full only on one side, some little time is lost in using another. Second, if you load with gloves on, the hand is apt to catch in the pocket, from which steel chargers are not so easily taken as a powder flask (or, if they were, they would be liable to be lost). Third, if you do not take a supply for the whole day, they must be replenished; and this office generally falls to the lot of some marker, or servant, who, being perhaps a clumsy-handed fellow, on a fidgety horse, wastes a considerable time as well as a great quantity of your shot.

Frivolous as it may appear to mention so trifling a subject, I shall endeavour to describe the manner by which a shot belt may be managed so neatly, that it