Lord Westbury.
Sir Robert Gresley.
Prince Victor Duleep Singh is no doubt about as quick a game shot as his
father before him; the latter as a shot compared in the same way with
Englishmen as his countryman “Ranji” compares with our slower
cricketers.
The Prince of Wales is very quick and very keen; not at all a
feather-bed sportsman, he is ready at all times to face the weather for
a very little sport. His duck shooting in Canada and his jungle sport in
India are within the recollection of everybody. That he does not draw
for places is because a host’s will is law even to the heir to England’s
crown.
The Hon. H. Stonor, who is not easily beaten for style and accuracy,
uses 33 grains of E.C. No. 3 and 1 oz. shot. He uses hammer ejector
guns, as do the Prince of Wales, Lord de Grey, and Lord Bradford, who
once did some record shooting in Scotland.
Mr. Wykeham Martin is supposed to be as good in a gale of wind as any
man, and his rabbit shooting across rides is at least as good as
anybody’s. He has made a name for himself on snipe in Ireland, and has
the very sporting reputation of being the most unselfish shooter in
England.
Mr. R. Rimington Wilson, who has been referred to on another page, is
specially good at low crossing grouse, which are generally considered
much more difficult than those which show against the sky, and he takes
the near birds just above the beak, and as he was described in _Bailey_
by some shooters as the best grouse shot in the world, here is another
very good proof of alignment being the correct thing.
Mr. Arthur Blyth has accounted for 64 partridges in one drive, and is
considered a brilliant shot.
Mr. E. de C. Oakley is probably the best shot in North Wales; he is
especially good in a gale of wind, at hard feathered game, and meets the
difficulty with a big charge.
Lord Ashburton is said by several of the voters to be a most graceful
shot, and his accuracy is beyond dispute.
Mr. Fryer complains that he gets older while the partridges do not;
other people think he uses a 6¼ lb. gun and 1 oz. shot in a way to
prevent them getting older.
[Illustration:
MR. B. J. WARWICK’S COMPTON PRIDE. A POINTER WHICH TWICE WON THE FIELD
TRIAL CHAMPION STAKE
]
[Illustration:
CAPT. H. HEYWOOD LONSDALE’S IGHTFIELD DUFFER. THE CELEBRATED FIELD
TRIAL WINNING SETTER.
]