to be hoped that the
Provisional Committee will be able to carry out the object in view,
which is, according to the programme, as follows:--

'That this Club be formed, having for its object
the provision of facilities for acquiring a
thorough knowledge of and proficiency in the use
of the Military Revolver.'

DUDLEY WILSON, Esq., 2 Pall Mall, is the Honorary Secretary, and may
success attend him.

To the inexperienced, the revolver is, perhaps, as deadly a weapon as
can well be handled; and to no class is this fact so well known as to
naval and military men. The many deplorable accidents resulting from the
incautious handling of firearms is terrible to contemplate; and
sportsmen and military men have frequently fallen victims to
carelessness, to say nothing of novices. The unfortunate part is, that
foolish and inexperienced people often inflict misery upon innocent
persons; unintentionally, it is true: but they are none the less guilty.
Firearms should be looked upon as a kind of machinery, which no one in
his senses would attempt to handle unless he knew the use of them.

The abominable practice of those to whom firearms belong, or those in
the charge or care thereof, of keeping or leaving such weapons loaded,
so that they may at any moment fall into the hands of children, or
perhaps, what is worse still, inexperienced adults, is most seriously to
be condemned, and may be designated really as a criminal act, which
ought to be summarily punished.

It is an act which has no real motive, no real _bona fide_ object, and
is lawless and idle in the extreme,--an act which has resulted in the
death of its thousands, and the maiming of even more.

A weapon should never be brought within the portals of a man's house
loaded; the breech-loading cartridge can be easily withdrawn. If the
piece is a muzzle-loader it should be discharged after the day's sport
is over; ammunition is really not so very costly as to require to be
husbanded at the probable cost of a serious accident, or perhaps a
fellow-creature's life. This rule cannot be too strictly adhered to.
Some years ago it was my lot to be staying with a gentleman of eccentric
habits, a man of violent temper, and when in one of these fits really
not answerable for his actions. I was aware that he kept a full-sized
revolver loaded with ball, and capped, in his dressing-room. I confess I
was coward enough to let this matter trouble me. I