SPORTING. Although we have not omitted to notice what generally apper tains to the winged, finny, or quadruped parts of nature, it appeared to us better to collect the whole of the matter relat ing to sporting, in general, under one head ; thereby to preclude the necessity for reverting to other volumes for such information as might be sought. The reader will, however, remark, that we have, under the article ANGLING, furish ed an ample detail of that diversion : therefore we shall proceed to the discus sion of what relates to Fowrano. The first item presenting itself to our consider ation is the gun ; which ought always to be suited to the occasion. For ordinary field excurions, that is to say, when quest ing for pheasants, or partridges, the piece ought to be conveniently light, and of rather a small bore ; the barrel from two feet four to two feet six, or perhaps eight inches in length. Chambered guns undoubtedly strike hardest, and in most instances will be found to scatter least. Hence a good marksman will prefer such; but taking care to allow full thirty yards distance to the bird, unless in cases of emergency, before the trigger is drawn. When this precaution is neglect ed, the chance of missing is greater; while, on the other hand, such birds as may be hit are absolutely spoiled by the column of shot which brings them down. The gun requisite for cocking, that is, for wood-cock shooting, is of a very light construction, and very short ; because the birds generally rise well within shot, and that the branches of trees, &c. may be less in the way of the gun's motion while taking aim. We have seen some guns made for this branch of shooting that have been little heavier than a large horse pistol. With regard to such birds as are found on plains, or are aquatics, guns of a larger calibre, and more strongly forti fied, so as to resist a large charge of powder without recoiling severely, are indispensably necessary. The selection of a gun, must, after all, depend on vari ous circumstances: for instance, a power ful man, in the prime of life, and of a large stature, would be no ways incom moded by such a one, as would prove highly distressing to an elderly person, of a weak frame, and ofa diminutive size.
Again, we necessarily make a distinction according to the nature of the sport : hence, when shooting in a punt, or when laying wait for water-fowl, a heavy gun may be used. In truth, without a very strong charge, some of the more shy, or more full feathered, birds arc not easily brought down. Some experienced per. sons find that-with a stout barrel, weigh ing from ten to fourteen pounds, they can bear the recoil of even two drachms of powder ; which in an ordinary piece would produce, ut least, an highly un pleasant recoil, if nut some damage to either the piece or the sportsman. Every barrel ought to be chambered ; because the piece is thereby strengthened, and the force, or impetus, of the shot consi derably increased. With respect to the kind of chamber, a variety of opinions exist ; for the most part purely theoteti cal, and in support of some favourite hy pothesis, started, by way of novelty, by some maker anxious to obtain After mature consideration, we are rather disposed to accord with a number of old sportsmen in comic nding the plain cylin drical chamber, made in the butt screw, or by a very small screw stump added to the butt of the piece : the latter being preferable in respect to security against lodging fire in the worm of the screw ; but rather more expensive.
The lock of a gun is a most important object. It cannot well be too small and compact, provided space be allowed for the free movement of the several parts. We all know that the lock of a pistol will answer its purpose as well as that of a musket. The great consideration is, that friction should be avoided by every pos sible means, which is best effected by the most simple movements, and by keeping them clear from the plates. Every part subject to the action of another should he well steeled and hardened ; and, where practicable, friction rollers should be em ployed. The pan, above all things, ought to shut very close, and to spring up in a smart manner, when struck by the flint. The trigger should not be subject to action at half-cock ; but at full-cock ought to draw with little re sistance : at least, it should not require such force as might derange the aim, or delay the discharge.