hat by an accidental slip, or stumble, or fall, the barrels may become
choked with earth (which would burst the muzzle if not removed before
firing); should never be carried transversely across the body with
barrels pointing left. When shooting, a man should be as much upon his
etiquette as he would be in my lady's drawing-room; should mind his P's
and Q's, and remember that when in a china-shop he should refrain from
carrying his umbrella under his arm.

As a fact, the closing of one eye in taking aim is unnecessary. The
complete angle of sight upon a given object can only be obtained by the
use of both eyes. Consequently two objects cannot be seen distinctly or
clearly at the same instant, one is clear while the others are blurred
or misty; hence it stands to reason, that in laying a gun the top of the
notch of the hindsight, the apex of the foresight, and the object, can
be brought into line as accurately with both eyes open as with one
closed.

An artilleryman can lay a gun perfectly without closing one eye. The
eyes should not be less than 12 inches from the hindsight, if from 2 to
3 feet so much the better, and a more accurate aim will be the result.

Upon the principle that the hand follows the eye, a sportsman fixing
both eyes upon his bird can take as perfect an aim as he could with one
eye closed.

This rule applies equally to all arms.

A man when in the field or at practice should keep his eyes about him;
he should remember whom he is with; that he may be covered by a friend's
gun or rifle at any moment, and that as the abominable and unnecessary
proceeding of carrying weapons loaded, when not actually in the field,
is the rule rather than the exception, he may perhaps find himself
accidentally pinked at any moment, and when he little expects it.

I remember some years ago the magnificent solemnity of a military
funeral was brought to a somewhat ludicrous termination by one of the
firing party shooting his comrade in the stern. How the accident really
occurred I never could learn; but it was a fact that the rear-rank man
managed somehow to discharge his rifle, and pretty nearly blow off the
tail of his comrade's tunic.

The wounded man, who was more frightened than hurt, seemed not at all to
relish the joke. An old lady came to the rescue.

This good old soul seems to have been in the habit of carrying a flask,
and, graciously offering the 'pocket pistol,' suggested a drop of the
creature. The offer