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 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. The whole field will by this means be thoroughly searched for game, and each man can fire clear of the other, commanding his own ground and the whole field within the range of the respective guns.