was most readily accepted, but, I regret to say, the
terror of the injured man was so great that he emptied the flask. He had
evidently had enough of soldiering and 'villainous saltpetre,' for the
very next day he sent in his resignation.

At ball practice men should refrain from talking, joking, and that
ungentlemanly pastime known as _horse-play_. Their attention should be
directed to what they are about to do and what others are doing, and
they should leave frivolities for some other time.

Many accidents in the field have occurred when getting over stiles,
gates, hurdles, stone walls, and even through hedges.

Within the beautiful glades of Kensington Gardens stands a lasting
memorial.

IN MEMORY OF
SPEKE.
VICTORIA, NYANZA,
AND THE NILE.
1864.

Here is a terrible record of an awful death through carelessness. A
noble life lost, sacrificed in a moment. Poor Speke, who had faced death
often in many forms, met it at last by his own hand.

While out shooting, in getting through a hedge he dragged his
fowling-piece after him, the muzzle towards his own body, when, the lock
becoming entangled in the brambles, his immediate death was the result.
Such a piece of foolhardiness on the part of a man accustomed to the use
of firearms is astounding.

Use dulls the edge of caution, and some men, unhappily, who are
accustomed to deal constantly with weapons and ingredients of
destruction, become not only careless but indifferent and callous.

There is a class of men who, if not kept under surveillance, would
probably be found smoking their pipes in a powder-magazine, or while
sitting upon a barrel of gunpowder.

Men are too prone to carry their weapons at full-cock. This should never
be done. If alone, when getting through a hedge or over any
_impedimenta_ the weapon should be laid on the ground, parallel with the
hedge, if possible. After getting upon the other side, the weapon should
be drawn through with the butt end towards the person.

If you have a comrade or keeper with you, hand him the weapon, muzzle
up; get through yourself, and then take the weapons from him, _muzzle
up_, and he can follow you with safety. Always place your weapon upon
half-cock (it should never be at full-cock) before attempting to go
through a hedge or over a stile.

When two or more gentlemen take the field together, it is advantageous
to work the ground in the formation of echelon.