diff --git "a/Archery/archery_its_theory_and_practive_1856.md" "b/Archery/archery_its_theory_and_practive_1856.md" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/Archery/archery_its_theory_and_practive_1856.md" @@ -0,0 +1,2299 @@ +A man in a dark coat and striped trousers stands in a field, aiming a bow and arrow. The sky is cloudy. +Archery: its theory and practice +Horace A. Ford + +barcode 600082067T +1 + +A blank page with a faint watermark in the top right corner. + +[API_EMPTY_RESPONSE] + +White background with no visible content. + +A black-and-white illustration of a man in a long coat and trousers, holding a bow and arrow. He is standing outdoors with a landscape in the background, including buildings and trees. +Yours truly +Monaco Co. Forte + +. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + +. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + +ARCHERY: +ITS +THEORY AND PRACTICE. + +BY +HORACE A. FORD. +(Holder of the Champion's Medal for 1949-50-51-52-53-54 and 1955.) + +Stamp with "BUCHEM" and "CHER" inscriptions. + +LONDON: +J. BUCHANAN, 815, PICCADILLY. +CHELTENHAM: H. DAVIES, MONTPELLIER LIBRARY. +1856. + +265. b. 100. + +--- + +PREFACE. + +--- + +GENTLE READER, + +The favour bestowed on my late Articles upon the Theory and Practice of Archery, published some months back in the "Field" newspaper, has induced me to present them to your notice embodied in their present more permanent form. Considerable additional matter, and the necessary illustrations and diagrams, (which were unsuited to the former mode of publication,) have now been introduced, but with this exception and some few trifling alterations, the present Work is very much a resume of those Articles, a careful revision having suggested no modification of the views and theories therein laid down. + +If you are already an Archer, it is hoped the perusal of the following pages may assist your onward progress in + +4 + +**PREFACE.** + +the noble art—if one of those benighted beings who know +it not, then that it may at least induce you to commence +its study; having done so, there is little fear of your ever +abandoning the pursuit. + +Your sincere well-wisher and friend, + +THE AUTHOR. + +ARCHERY; +OR +THEORY AND PRACTICE. +--- +Chapter I. +INTRODUCTORY. + +But little apology is, I think, needed, for presenting to the lovers of the long bow the present Work upon the Theory and Practice of Archery. The rapidly increasing taste for this elegant and mainly amusement (requiring, as it does, both physical powers and mental study for its successful practice), and the eager desire of many to acquire that skill which pursues the bow, have made so more practical and scientific Treatise upon the art, than at present exists. No disparagement is here intended to the clever and amusing Works upon the same subject already before the public ; but it is an undeniable fact—and the opinion of almost every experienced archer can be adduced to bear me out in asserting it—that all those Works, without exception, fail to touch upon or develop any fixed theoretical principle of shooting, and totally ignore those more abstract and delicate points connected with its practice, upon which accurate and perfect archery mainly depends. This may appear strange to some who hold and practise the bow much, but that is a fact, few, who have endeavoured to find written instruction to guide them in the pursuit, will be tempted to deny; and the principal reason for its being so would appear to be, that, at the time these publications appeared, the knowledge of the art and the powers of the bow had either been partially lost, or had not reached such a state of development as is the case at the present day—consequently, much less being known about it, much less could be taught. Just one example shall be mentioned in corroboration of + +A black-and-white illustration of a medieval archer aiming his bow. + +2 + +ARCHERY; ITS THEORY AND PRACTICE. + +this view of the matter. Mr. Roberts, in his very talented Treatise on Archery, published in 1591 (perhaps the best at present extent), remarks the following performance of a man who was considered in his time the great feats of the day, namely, that in one hundred arrows, shot at the distance of one hundred yards, fifty-two actually struck the target! Wonderful, indeed! Is there any third-rate archer of the present day who has not done as much, and a great deal more, over and over again? The name of many a brother archer occurs to me at this moment, who would be exceedingly disappointed, indeed, at having, in any morning's practice, only achieved such a performance as this! but + +Archery of 1586 is not the archery of half a century, or even of twenty years ago. Scenes that would then have been deemed impossible and visionary, are now of every-day occurrence; and the Robin Hoods and Little Johns of those days, could they but be pitted against the present living magnates of the bow, would occupy but a sorry position indeed. + +Another reason, to account for the undoubted omission in these Works of practical and scientific instruction, may be here further addressed; namely, that their authors were, with but few exceptions, themselves archers of no note even in their own days, and, therefore, not the best judges of exposition even up to the standard of knowledge at that time attained. + +Having thus far demonstrated that the want exists of a practical Work on Archery by a practical archer, and being well convinced of it by my own experience, and supported in that conviction by the almost unanimous opinion of my brother toxophytes, I am emboldened to lay before the public the following Treatise, containing the results of unassailable experience and much hard study; as likely, it is hoped, in some measure to supply the deficiency com- + +ARCHERY; ITS THEORY AND PRACTICE. +3 + +plained of, and to prove of practical utility not to the youthful aspirant only, but to archers of more advanced experience also. + +In the course of these pages, whilst giving utterance to my own settled convictions, some things must of necessity be said, some positions advanced and rules advocated, that will, it is feared, jar considerably with the preconceived opinions and time-honoured prejudices of many of the lovers of the bow. Even some of the revered dogmas of old Roger Ascham, and of a period antecedent to him, hitherto received as absolute, and the mere doubting of which will appear to many the very height of presumption and little short of rank heresy, cannot be wholly submitted to. The doctrine of the necessary superiority of old ideas over new ones, though supported by many writers on this argument, I do not adhere to; it is bare assumption only that those forefathers did so, therefore as necessitate rei we their descendants should do it likewise, will still find advocates, even in these our times of progress and knowledge. To such then I would merely remark, that inasmuch as very great success has in my own case followed the adoption of the theories and system hereafter laid down, so these may fairly be presumed to possess peculiar claims to careful attention, and to deserve something better than a hasty rejection on account of an apparent antagonism to preconceived notions. + +It has generally been the custom to commence a Treatise on Archery with an elaborate defence of its practice; and into such contempt, until of late years, had it, indeed, fallen amongst the non-shooting members of society, as being in their opinions a mere childish amusement, that this was both called for and unavoidable on the part of any author, desirous of disabusing the public mind of a groundless and ridiculous prejudice. + +At the present day, however, such a defence can hardly be + +2 + +4 + +ARCHERY; ITS THEORY AND PRACTICE. + +considered necessary; for, since the establishment of the Grand National Archery Society, some twelve years back, the knowledge of the real powers of the bow, and the qualities required for their cultivation, having become more universally known and better appreciated, this prejudice may be said to have died away; and, in addition to this, were such a defence, indeed, required, it has been already duly and successfully supplied by several of my predecessors. A few points may, however, be additionally touched upon, and to these, previous to the conclusion of these pages, I shall more particularly address myself. + +Before closing this introductory chapter, let me address a few words of advice and encouragement to the beginner. First of all, make up your mind to succeed, for that is one of the best elements of success in every thing; and, secondly, expect plenty of difficulties and discouragements, for you will be sure to meet with them. It is not easy to become great in any thing, and archery forms no exception to the rule. Do not go hunting about for a royal road to the bull's eye—such exists—you must work hard and patiently, before you can even succeed in reward your efforts. Use your brain as well as your muscles; study as well as practice. Brute force alone will never make an archer. Above all, do not fancy yourself a first-rate shot, when you are only a snaff—nothing will so much tend to keep you one all your days as this. A mistaken vanity is the very base of all improvement. Having once passed the gross assaiement of archery, you will begin at once to taste its pleasures. There is no exercise more healthy or more rational, or which returns more true and genuine gratification to the man who practises it. A well shot arrow lodged in the right place is a pleasure to see; but a well aimed shot also gives unmingled gratification to the shooter also. May the study of these pages assist you in attaining, as often as possible, this most desirable end. + +A black-and-white illustration of an archer aiming an arrow at a target. + +Chapter H. +A GLANCE AT THE CAREER OF THE ENGLISH LONG-BOW. + +The Anglo-Norman Period—Robin Hood—Military Achievements of the Bow in the Middle Ages—Its Decline and Fall—Revival for Amuse- +ment—First Twoaphile Society—Establishment of National Archery Society. + +Although, as stated in the last chapter, this work is essentially intended to treat on the practical and scientific points connected with the pursuit of archery, and mainly thereby to supply an unknowned want, yet it may not be altogether uninteresting to present a general view of the short history of the bow, of the history, powers, and doings of the bow, from the time of its first introduction into this country, to the present day; so that every archer may have a general knowledge of the career of this his favourite weapon, and be able to render a reason for the high estimation in which he doubtless holds it. Those that are desirous of more detailed in- +formation are specially referred to Mr. Roberts' work already alluded to—a work abounding in extracts from every author of authority who has written on the subject, and containing a mass of information that will simply repay a careful perusal. + +The date of the first introduction of the long-bow into England is a matter of considerable uncertainty, and a cheval de +bataille with all historians and authors who have attempted to determine it; but it is certain that it was not till after the battle of Hastings, and the consequent conquest of Britain by the Normans, + +A historical illustration showing Robin Hood and his band. + +6 +A GLANCE AT THE CARRIER + +that it became the favourite and specially encouraged military weapon in the hands of its inhabitants. The preponderance of historical evidence goes to prove, that to the deadly effects produced by it in that battle the invaders principally owed their victory—Harold himself and the best of his men falling victims to the cloth-yard shaft. Thus the long-bow proved the prime agent in subjugating the country, subsidising the Norman for the Sussex rule, and by the immense extent of its power, establishing a fact, that far-famed Anglo-Saxon race, the popularly supposed powers of which to accomplish everything everywhere, it behoveth not one of themselves further to dilate upon. From this time then, we may conclude, commenced in England that general and all but universal cultivation of the bow, which was ultimately to lead to such marvellous and astounding results, and to render the very name of the English Bowman an object of terror and dread in the minds of his enemies. Archers we find employed on both sides in the civil contests between Stephen and Matilda, and during the reigns of Henry the Second and Henry the Third; and they were used by all the infantry of the English armies, and to evince that decided superiority over those of every other nation, which they ever afterwards retained. + +In this reign, too, first appeared upon the scene that prince of good fellows (as times went) and gentlest of robbers and outlaws, bold Robin Hood—that hero of impossible shots, the twang of whose bow, with that "of his jolly companions every one" could, according to Dryden's version—a man of "all virtues." However this may be, if there be truth at all in history and legend, he and his merry men were incomparable archers, for strength and skill never surpassed, if ever equalled; and we may well suppose archery to have been brought to the highest pitch of perfection in the times that produced such eminent exemplifiers of the art. Robin flourished much longer than is usual with such bold spirits, + +A historical illustration showing a group of people dressed in medieval attire, possibly engaged in archery or other activities. + +OF THE ENGLISH LONG-BOW. +7 + +even in the olden time—for we find him still in his glory through the reign of Richard the First, and a considerable portion of that of his successor, Henry III. + +It would be impossible, without entering into a mass of details whose length would be unessential to the nature of these pages, to mention a title of the extraordinary fame conferred and victories gained by the English during the next three or four centuries, owing entirely to their superiority in the use of the long-bow. The fictions of romance pale before many of the authenticated tales handed down to us by historians of the wonders it achieved. No armour that could be made proved strong enough to insure its wearer against its power, no superiority of numbers seemed sufficient to wrest a victory from its grasp. Speed declares that the armour worn by Earl Douglas and his men-arms at the battle of Homildon had been three years in making, and was of remarkable temper, yet "the English sprang upon them like wild beasts." Chaucer tells us that on one occasion, during the Crusades, "Richard, with seventeen knights and three hundred archers, sustained the charge of the whole Turkish and Saracen army," and the pages of Froissart tell us with the details of battles and skirmishes without number, in which the irresistible power placed by it in the hands of the English enabled them to set all odds at defiance, and constantly to emerge victorious out of situations where utter destruction seemed certain and inevitable. Look at Creasy and Pollock's Naverata and Agincourt! Since this extinction of a race is a matter of war, has England ever shown results so such victories? Let him," says Roberts, "who reads the history of modern times, look narrowly to find, if but once (since archery flourished), with our twelve or fifteen thousand we have defeated an army of fifty or sixty thousand;" and he might have added, as was the case in the last-named battle, if with twenty-five thousand we have completely routed and nearly annihilated an army of a hundred and sixty thousand! + +# A GLANCE AT THE CAREER + +And be it also borne in mind that these marvellous and wondrous results were not obtained against barbarian hordes or undisciplined soldierry, but against some of the first chivalry and most renowned men-at-arms that the world at that time contained. In spite of Minlies and breech-loading rifles, will it ever again become a proverb in vogue regarding the British soldier, that he carries as many enemies with him as he does arrows? It is true that the common saying in Scotland in times gone by, that every English archer bore with him the lives of four-and-twenty Scots—such being the number of arrows each carried in his quiver. All honour, then, to the longbow! May the grateful remembrance of it never pass away from the land, whose glory it has raised to so high a pitch; and, though it may never be seen a weapon of war again, may its practice long continue to form one of its most manly and health-inspiring amusements. + +The time that archery commenced its decline in this country, till it finally ceased to be used in warfare at all, is almost as much a matter of dispute with writers as is the date of its first introduction. If we are to believe Mosley, "the battle of Agincourt (which happened under Henry V., 1415) is the last important action in which archery is mentioned," but according to Roberts (whose accuracy in matters of historical detail can in general be well depended on), great slaughter was caused by it in the civil wars between the White and Red Roses; and he further adds, "it continued to be used with great effect until the days of Elizabeth's glory with undiminished effect during the reigns of Henry VI., Henry VII., Henry VIII., and Edward VI., and even in the reign of Elizabeth was still in great repute amongst foreigners of great military skill, who had witnessed its powerful effects." Never-theless, we find Hollinshead, who wrote in the sixteenth century, bewailing the degeneracy of the archery of his day, as being deficient in force and strength. The mean between the extremes of con- + +A page from a book. + +OF THE ENGLISH LONG-BOW. +9 + +flicting opinions will probably lead us to the nearest approximation to the truth. It may, therefore, be concluded that towards the close of the fifteenth century the use of fire-arms had caused archery to be held in somewhat less repute than formerly, and that consequently the cultivation of it had ceased to be that all but universal character which it once had been. The general effect of this with low practice was that the greater skill attained by the time the sixteenth century came to an end, but little remained to the bow, beyond the remembrance of its former glory and achievements. The last mention of archery as used in warfare occurs in a pamphlet published in 1684, where it is stated to have been employed in the contests between the Marquis of Montrose and the Scots; but evidently for many years prior to this date, its ancient pith, power, and reputation, had departed. + +We now arrive at the time when the bow, abandoned as a weapon of war, became a mere instrument of amusement and recreation; but hardly any record exists to enlighten us as to the extent to which it was practised, or the degree of skill retained by its admirers. During the eighteenth century it would almost appear to have fallen entirely into disuse, two or three societies existing only in the kingdom, and those but in a very languid and feeble condition. In the year 1780, however, a society, under the title of Tuxophilians, was established in London; and, the impulse once communicated, a great revival of interest took place. For several years after this a few societies specifically sprung up in every part of the country, the greater part of which, with many new and more modern ones, exist in full force and vigour at the present day. Undoubtedly, however, we owe to the establishment of the Grand National Archery Society, twelve years back, the present high consideration in which the practice of archery is by both sexes now held, as well as the more general and increasing skill which continues year by year plainly to manifest itself--thus showing that the love of the bow has only + +10 A GLANCE AT THE CAREER OF THE ENGLISH LONG-BOW. +numbed, not died, in the breasts of Englishmen, and needs but moderate encouragement to become once more, if not a weapon of war, at any rate one of the most esteemed and highly-prized amusements in the kingdom. To conclude, let every Briton remember, in the words of Camden, that when Englishmen used Hercules' weapons—the bow and the black bill—they fought victoriously, "with Hercules' success"—and reverence their memory accordingly. + +Chapter III. +OF THE BOW. + +Varieties of Form and Material—The Fletched Bow—The Self-Bow, its Form, Texture, and Weight—Quality of the Yew—The Bucked-Back Wood and its Imploped—The Shape, Course of the Gut—The Length—Relative Merits of the Self and Bucked Yew Bow—The Carriage Bow. + +Of the various implements of Archery the bow demands the first consideration, and to it I shall therefore devote the present chapter. A general, though necessarily brief, outline of its reign and use in this country, and of its power and character in the hands of the English, having already been given, it may only be necessary further to add that in almost every nation it has, at one period or other, formed one of the chief weapons of war and the chase, and is, indeed, at the present day, in use for both these purposes in various parts of the world. It has differed as much in form as in material, having been made of wood, horn, bone, sinew, or some mixture thereof; horn, cane, whale-bone only, or of wood and horn, or wood and the sinews and sinews of animals and fish combined—sometimes of the rudest workmanship, sometimes finished with the highest perfection of art. But, as it is certain that in no country has the practice of archery been carried to such a degree of perfection as in our own, so is it equally undeniable that no bow of any other nation has ever + +A historical illustration showing a medieval archer with a longbow. + +18 +**OF THE BOW.** + +surpassed or indeed equalled the English long-bow in respect of strength, cast, or any other requirement of a perfect weapon. This being an indisputable fact, it would be a waste of space and a departure from my immediate object, were I to enter into a description of the bows used at various times in different countries, or into a discussion as to their relative merits. I have no intention of doing so, but confine myself to the practical point of treating upon the English long-bow, that being still, as it always has been, the only one in use and favour in this country. The cross-bow is, of course, altogether a different instrument. It is a matter for surprise and regret that so few, if any, genuine specimens of the old English long-bow should remain in existence at the present day. The only one with which I am acquainted was, and probably still is, in the possession of Mr. Muir, of Edinburgh; and he said to me that at the battle of Flodden 1513—is of self-yew, apparently of English growth, and very roughly made. Its strength is supposed to be between 80 and 90 lbs.; but as it cannot be proved without great risk of breaking (a risk its owner is very properly unwilling to run), this is matter of supposition only. This bow was presented to Mr. Muir by Colonel J. Ferguson, who obtained it from a bowman living contiguous to Greenfield Fields, where it had remained for many years, with the opinion of having been used at that battle. The specimen is probably unique, and has every appearance of being genuine. + +The Flodden Bow. + +There are likewise in the Tower at the present time two bows taken out of the "Mary Rose," a vessel sunk in the reign of Henry VIII. They are rough unfinished weapons, quite round from end + +**OF THE BOW.** + +13 + +to end, tapered from the middle to each end, and without horns. It is difficult to estimate their strength, but they do not appear to exceed 65 or 70 lbs. + +Before proceeding to the discussion of the practical points connected with the bow, I must beg my brother archers to bear in mind, once for all, that these pages profess to give the result of actual experience; and to assure them that nothing to be advanced in them is mere theory, or opinion unsupported by proof, but is the result of long, patient, and practical investigation, and of constant and unvarying experiment. Whenever, therefore, one kind of wood, or one shape of bow, is set up as one of the best, or even as the best, it is spoken of as being better than another, or the best of all, it is asserted so to be, simply because, after a full and fair trial of every other, the result of such investigation bears out that assertion. No doubt but some point contended for will be in opposition to preconceived opinions and practice, and will be set down as innovations—and so perhaps they are. The value of theory, however, is just in proportion as it can be borne out by practical results; and, in appealing to the success of my practice as a proof of the correctness of the opinions which I have expressed, I am not moved by any feeling of counsel or vanity, but wholly and solely from the desire of giving as much force as possible to the recommendations put forth, and to extort, even from my opponents themselves, at least a fair and impartial trial of them, previous to their being condemned. With these preliminary observations (which will apply generally to the whole course of this work) I will proceed with my subject. + +The English bow in use at the present day may be divided into two classes—the self-bow and the back-bow; and, to save space and confusion, I shall confine my remarks at present to the former, reserving for hereafter anything to be said respecting the latter; + +A historical illustration of an archer shooting a bow. + +14 +OF THE BOW. + +promising, however, that much to be said of the one applies equally to the other: the discrimination of my readers will at once distinguish where this occurs. + +The self-bow is the real old English weapon; the one with which the many mighty deeds that rendered this country renowned in times gone by were performed; for, until the decline and extinction of archery in war by improved fire arms, and the consequent cessation of the importation of yew staves, backet-lows were unknown. Ascham, who wrote in the sixteenth century, when archery had degenerated into little else than an amusement, mentions a bow made of yew wood, but he does not say that such only existed in his day. Of the woods for self-bows, Yew beyond all question carries off the palm; other woods have been, and still are, in use, such as Lanoa, Cocus, Washaba, Bow Snake, and some others; but they may be summarily dismissed with the remark, that self-bows made of these woods are all, without exception radically bad, being heavy in hand, apt to jar, comparatively dull in cast, and very liable to chrysal and break, and that no archer should use them so long as a self-yew or a good backet-bow is within his reach. + +The only wood, then, for self-bows, I may say, is Yew; and the best Yew is of foreign growth, though occasionally staves of English wood are met with which almost rival it. This, however, is the exception; as a rule the foreign is best; it is cleaner and finer in the grain, stiffer and denser in quality, and requires less bulk in proportion to the strength of the bow. + +The great bane of Yew is its liability to knots and pins; and rare, indeed, is it to find a six foot stave without one or more of these undesirable companions. Where, however, a pin does occur, it may generally be rendered harmless by the simple plan of + +--- + +PLATE II. + +A black-and-white illustration showing two bows. The left bow is a simple, straight wooden bow with a single string. The right bow is a more complex, recurved bow with two strings. Both bows have a rectangular notch at the center. + +From photographs of actual bows. + +1. An ordinary straight bow. +2. Auto-dell, when strung 5 inches. +3. A recurved bow, when strung 6 inches. +4. A recurved bow, and one that twirls on the hand (bad). + +PLATE III. + +A diagram showing three different shapes of bows. +A. A good shape for a new bow. After use this will come to follow the string. +B. and C. Show the different distances which the limbs of a reformed bow and +a reformed bow that have been drawn out and drawn in together. A very com- +monly used bow is the very worst, as it will jar and kick in the hand and +have a bad cast. + +. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + +OF THE BOW. +15 + +"raising" it, i.e., leaving a little more wood than elsewhere round the pin, in the belly of the bow, this strengthens it, and diminishes the danger of a chrapel (which is a small crack, attacking the weak places, almost imperceptible at the commencement, but which, by degrees, enlarges itself, and ultimately cuts into the bow as it were, until it breaks). The grain of the wood should be as even and fine as possible, not cross, nor running out towards the middle, nor winding. It should be thoroughly well seasoned, and of a good sound hard quality. The finest grain is, undoubtedly, the most beautiful and uncommon; but the open or less close, if straight and free from knots and pins, is nearly, if not quite, as good for use. + +The self-how may be made of one single piece, or of two pieces dovetailed together in the handle. If of one piece, the quality of the wood will not be quite the same at both ends, the lower part being slightly denser than the upper; whilst the grafted bow may be made of the same piece, cut or split apart, and so of exactly the same nature. The difference, however, is so slight as to be immaterial. Care must be taken in choosing a grafted-bow, to see that it be firmly put together in the middle. + +In shape the bow should be full in the centre, and taper gradually to each horn; not bend in the hand, or the cast will be deficient, and it will most likely jar in addition. (See plates No. 2 and 3.) A perfectly graduated bend from a stiff centre to each horn is best. Some self-grown bows are naturally reflexed, others quite straight, and others again follow the string. The reflexed are more pleasing to the eye, but liable to the above objection of jerrring. Those which follow the string a little are the most pleasant to use. + +The handle, which should be regulated to the grasp of each archer, ought to be in such a position that the upper part of it may be from an inch to an inch and a quarter above the true centre of + +16 +THE OF THE BOW. + +the bow; if placed in the exact middle the bow will be apt to kick. +If it be grasped properly (attention to which will often cause the lower limb of the bow to be pulled out of shape) the fulcrum in drawing will be about the centre. The upper limb, being thus a little longer than the lower, must of necessity bend a little more, and this it should do. For covering the handle nothing is better than green plush. + +It is customary to let into the bow, just above the upper part of the handle where the arrow lies, a small piece of mother-of-pearl, or some other hard substance. This is done to prevent the wearing away of the wood by the friction of the arrows, which is greater or less according to the slope of the bow, and the attention or otherwise of the archer in wiping his arrows when needed. + +The length of the bow is here calculated from nock to nock, and should be regulated by its strength, and the length of the arrow to be used with it. As a rule for safety, I should say the stronger the bow the greater should be its length; and so also the longer the arrow, the greater should be its length. A common bow would carry an arrow in bows from 48 inches to 54 inches, a useful and safe length would be about 4 ft. 10½ in. If this length of arrow or weight of bow be increased or decreased, then let the length of the bow be proportionally increased or decreased also, taking as the two extremes 6 ft. 7 in. for the shortest, and 6 feet for the longest. I would have no bow outside of either of these measurements. It may be here remarked, that a short bow will, perhaps, cast further than a longer one of the same weight; but this extra cast is only gained at the expense of accuracy on long range. As far as weight is concerned, and marked for a 38-inch arrow, a greater or less pull than this will take more or less out of them; and the archer's calculations must be made accordingly. + +OF THE BOW. +17 + +To increase or diminish the power of a bow, the usual plan is to shorten in one case, and reduce (in bulk) in the other; but if the amount of alteration required be but one or two pounds, it may be obtained by the simple process of setting the horns a little further on the bow (virtually reducing its strength); for increase, or removing them nearer to the end (and so lengthening) for decrease. This is preferable to meddling with the wood of the bow, which thus remains in its original state, both as to length and colour; and the strength can thus always be altered, at the trifling expense of a new pair of horns. In all new bows, then, the horns should be set so far on as to make the string as short as possible; and this cannot be done without there be at first plenty of wood within them. In all cases the horns should be well and truly set on, and the nocks be full and round. If the edges be sharp, the string will, in all probability, be cut, and, in consequence, break sooner or later, and endanger the safety of the bow. + +I now come to the second part of my subject, namely, the back-bow. From all that can be learnt respecting it, it would appear that its use was not adopted in this country until archery was in its last state of decline as a weapon of war, when, the bow degenerating into a mere instrument of amusement, the laws relating to the importation of yew staves from foreign countries were evaded, and the supply consequently ceased. It was then that the bowyers hit upon the plan of uniting a tough to an elastic wood, and so managed to make a very efficient weapon out of very inferior materials. This cannot fairly be called an invention of the English bowyers, but an adaptation of the plan which had long been in use amongst the Germans and Swedes. The Chinese and many other nations use especially the Laplanders, who have been known for two pieces of wood united with isinglass. As far as regards the English back-bow (this child of necessity), the end of the sixteenth century is given as the date of its introduction, and the Kennals of C + +18 +**OF THE BOW.** + +Manchester are named as the first makers—bows of whose make are still in existence and use, and are generally made of Yew, backed with Hickory or Wych-elm. + +The backed-bows of the present day are made of two or more strips of the same or different woods glued and compressed together, as firmly as possible, in a frame with powerful screws, which frame is capable of being set to any shape. Various woods are used, all of which make serviceable bows, though differing in quality. For the back bow, Lance, Hickory, Wych-elm and White Elm; for beam, and the sap or white part of the Yew; for the belly, Yew, Wabaha, Lance, Snake, Fustic, and some others inferior to those, are used. But of all combinations it may be said, "Miest inter omne Yew-backed Yew, celud inter ignes Lama minores." This is the real rival of the self-yew, the one that stands pre-eminently forward in the ranks of the backed, the disputer of its supremacy ; but more of this by-and-by, when comparing the respective merits of the two bows. Then next in quality comes Yew backed with Hickory, Wabaha and Lance; then Fustic, Wabaha, and Lance, backed in like manner. For bows of three pieces, Yew, Fustic, and Hickory, will hardly be improved by any other combination; but, as a general rule, bows of two pieces are preferable, as the more glue there is about a bow the more the danger exists of a breakage from damp, and in no one point does a bow of three or more pieces excel one of two. + +The next point to be treated of is a most important one, namely, **the shape,** and here I shall differ most materially from the commonly received opinion. The backed-bow is generally made re- flexed, and bends in the hand, more or less, according to the amount of the reflex. (See Nos. 4 and 8—Plates 5 and 6.) Now the exact reverse of this is contended for, and it is boldly maintained that every particle of reflex is bad, and that the proper shape is + +OF THE BOW. +10 + +either straight or a trifle following the string—similar, in fact, to that before recommended for the self-bow, namely, full and stiff in the centre, and tapering gradually to each end. The first quality of a bow is steadiness ; now every degree of reflex is accompanied by a like degree of jar or kick, the effect of which causes the very reverse of this quality ; and this holds good equally in respect of self-bows, which are sometimes, though rarely, naturally reflexed, and sometimes purposely so set when griffled, though the naturally reflexed self-bow is too much generally staid, that shape is any length of time, but, with a little use, comes to the string so far as to do away with the unpleasant jar. + +The jar or kick in reflexed bows has always appeared to me to arise from the following cause : when the bow is set free by the loose, its natural elasticity causes it to return as far as it can on its original shape, so that the further each limb has to go to its rest the greater becomes the struggle which checks the string. (See Note.) Not only does this cause a shock at the shot, but reflexed bows are almost invariably broken by the fracture of the string, whilst the contrary is the case with those which follow it. The less then there is of that violent struggle (so to speak) on the recoil, the less there will be of the jar or kick, and the steadier in consequence the shot. This may be easily tested by shooting a few drawn arrows with a bow that follows the string, and immediately afterwards with a reflexed one. A man must be prejudiced indeed who will not allow that there is a vast difference between the two upon the point in question. Now, it is impossible for any man of taste to find in it any peculiar merit of its own to compensate for the absence of this first element of a good bow—steadiness? Even its strongest advocates can only assert in its favour that it adds to the spring; but granting that this is so (which I do not), are a few extra yards of cast worth gaining at the expense of the finest quality a bow can possess, and without which accurate shooting is impossible? The + +C 2 + +20 +OF THE BOW. + +reflex, too, adds materially to the chance of breaking both by chrysalis, damp, and the fracture of the string, as the wood, particularly of the belly, is forced out of its natural shape, recoils farther, and meets with a more violent check when stopped by the string; so that, even supposing it gains a trifle on the point of cast, it loses infinitely more on the two equally important ones of steadiness and safety. I think that no one will be tempted to deny that the best form of bow is that which is steadied in cast, fronted from jar or kick, and pleasantest and safest in use; and that, it is confidently affirmed, is not the reflexed. + +Now comes a question which may well admit of dispute, and which must, after all, be left to each archer to decide for himself. +Which is best: a well-made self-pew, or an equally well-made yew-backed yew-bow? (Other backed-bows, though good and serviceable, I cannot thus come up to them.) The advocates of the self-pew affirm their pet weapon to be the sweetest in use, the steadiest in hand, the most certain in cast, and the most beautiful to the eye; and in all these points, with the exception of that of certainty of cast (in which they are all agreed), they are right. But this is borne out by the fact. This being the case, how is it then that a doubt can still remain as to which it is most profitable for an archer to make use of? Here are three out of four points (two of which are most important) upon which it is admitted the self-pew is superior; and yet, after much practical and experimental testing of the two bows, I hesitate to which to give the preference, and know not which to recommend, and must, after all, as before said, have it to the taste and judgment of every man to decide for himself. The fast unloaded bow has been held by many persons wonderful; but it is equally an undoubted fact, that it requires more delicate handling than its rival: since, its cast lying very much in the last three or four inches of the pull, any variation in this respect, or difference in quickness or otherwise of the loose, varies the elevation + +OF THE BOW. + +of the arrow to a much greater extent than the same variation of pull or loose in the backed-yew, whose cast is more uniform throughout. +Now, were a man perfect in his physical powers, or always in first-rate shooting condition, there would be no doubt as to which bow he should use, as he would in this case be able to attain to the difficulty nicely required in the management of the self-yew; but as this never can and never will be, the superior merits of this bow are partially counteracted by the extreme difficulty of doing justice to them; and, the degree of hardness of pull and unsteadiness in hand of the yew-bow makes it bring less trifling, to great certainty with which it accomplishes these difficult operations. In consequence, its own results, its inferiority in other respects. Another advantage the self possesses is, that it is not liable to injury from damp, when the backed is; but then the latter costs little more than a third of the money, and with common care need fear no harm from that cause; an inch or two of lapping at either end, close to the horns, will go a long way to preserve it from this danger. As regards chrysalis and breakage from other causes than damp, neither possesses any ad-vantage over each other. The chief reason of the different qualities of the two bows consists themselves in these two principal features, namely, that the self-yew bow, from its steadiness, sweet-ness, and absence of vibration, ensures the straightness of the shot better than the backed-yew; whilst the latter, owing to its regu-larity of cast not being confined to a hair-breath of pull, as it were, carries off the palm for certainty of elevation, and this favour-able attribute belongs to backed-bows generally. + +As regards backed-bows other than yew, it has already been observed that they are inferior to the two sorts just treated of. But it must not be supposed from this that it is intended to affirm that they are bad or unfit for the archer's use—on the contrary, if properly made, they are good and serviceable weapons, only less to be recommended than the two kinds of yew-bows; neither must the + +32 +**OF THE BOW.** + +Idea be adopted from what has been said respecting the superiority of yew as a wood for bows, that therefore all yew-bows are neces- +sarily good or better than those of other woods ; such is far from being the case, for a backed-bow, said made of a good piece of Fustie, +Washaba, or Lance, is decidedly better than either a self or backed one made of inferior yew. It is only to the best samples of yew- +bows of either kind that the foregoing remarks are intended to apply. + +There is a bow called the " carriage-bow," which here requires some notice. It is made to divide in the centre by means of an iron or brass socket fixed to the lower limb of the bow—something similar to the joint of a fishing-rod, in fact. The only object at- +tained, however, is that it enables the archer when travelling to carry his bow in a smaller compass : but to obtain this, much addi- +tional weight is added to the bow, rendering it heavy in hand, and unpleasant in use. The remedy here, therefore, is worse than the disease. + +The Carriage Bow. + +The Carriage Bow. + +Chapter IV. +HOW TO CHOOSE A BOW, AND HOW TO USE AND PRESERVE IT WHEN CHOSEN. + +Popular Errors in the Choice—Most Accomplished Shooters—Causes of Success and Failure—Principles guiding the Selection of a Bow—Its Preservation and Repair—Unstraining. + +The next point to be considered with reference to the bow, is the strength to be chosen; and, respecting this, the first thing to be observed is that it must be completely under the shooter's command —within it—but not much below it. One of the greatest mistakes young archers commit (many old ones too) is, that they will use bows too strong for them. (How many of us, by-the-by, are there, to whom the use of a bow is not an easy exercise? this reason has not applied ?) The natural desire to be considerate and muscular appears to be one of the moving agents to this curious hallucination, as if a man did not expose his weakness more by straining at a bow evidently beyond his strength (and thereby calling attention to his weakness) than by using a lighter one with grace and ease, which always gives the idea of force, vigour, and power. Another incentive to strong bows is the passion for "sending down the arrows sharp and low," and the consequent using of powerful bows to accomplish it—the which is perhaps a greater mistake than the other. For it is only when he has got the bow under the perfect command of it, that enables the archer to obtain this desideratum. The question is not so much as to what a man can pull as to what he can loose; and he will without doubt obtain a lower flight of arrow by a lighter power of bow under his command, + +A historical illustration showing an archer aiming at a target. + +34 +HOW TO CHOOSE A BOW, +than he will by a stronger one beyond his proper management. +How many a promising archer has this mania for strong bows +destroyed (in an archery sense of the term). I call to mind one at +this moment, now in a distant land—one of the best and most +beautiful shots of the day, a winner too of the second and first +prizes at the Grand National Meeting two successive years—whose +accuracy before he left this country was completely leaving him, +and dwindling down necessarily, owing to I fear, the sole +his influence upon this bow. Another was a slight inconsti- +tance, brought himself to death's door, by a violent illness of +nearly a year's duration, by injury to his physical powers, brought +on by the same thing, only carried to a much greater excess; and, +after all, the thing desired is not obtained. + +Let me transport my reader in mind to any field where the +Annual Grand National Archery meeting is held—observe there are +from eighty to a hundred prominent shots of the country standing at +target, equipped with bows that they have trained on for hours and +skills. Which arrows, think you, fly down the sharpest, the steadiest, +the keenest? Are they those of the sixty and seventy pounders? +Not a bit of it: observe that archer from an Eastern county just +stepping so unpretendingly forward to deliver his shafts—see what +grace and ease the whole thing is done—no straining and +"contortioning" here. Mark the flight of his arrow! how keen +and low, and to the mark! none fly sharper, few so sharp—and +what think you, is the strength of that beautiful self-yew he holds +in his hand? Why, 50lbs. only! and yet the pace of his pull is +un surpassed by any other bowman in England. He might too! +Here is another—mark his strength and muscular power—60, 70, +or even 80lbs. are probably within his pull, yet he knows better than +to use such bows, where the prizes are awarded for skill, not brute +force. The one he shoots with is but 45lbs., yet how steady and +true flies the arrow! how charming in its flight! and so on all + +AND HOW TO USE AND PRESERVE IT WHEN CHOSEN. +25 + +through the field you will find it is not the strong bow, but those that are under the perfect command of their owners, that do their work the best. + +Inasmuch then as the proper flight of the arrow from any bow depends almost entirely upon the way in which it is loosed, the strength of the bow must not be regulated by the mere muscular powers of the individual archer; for he may be able to draw a 30-inch arrow to the head in a bow of 70 or 80 lbs. without being able, after drawing, to keep it steady for more than 56 or 60 lbs., if as much. Not the power of drawing, but of loosing steadily, must therefore be the guide here. Let the bow be within this power, but well up to it; for it is almost as bad to be under as over bowed. The evils attendant on being over-bowed are various; the left arm, the fingers of the right hand and the wrist are strained and rendered unsteady; the pull becomes uncertain and wavering, and never twice alike; and the whole system is over-worked and wearied, and the mind depressed by ill success-the entire result being that the arrow is either too high or too low. To avoid this, care must be taken not to fall into the opposite extreme of being under-bowed, as in this case also the loose becomes difficult, and generally unsteady and unequal. The weight of bows now in use varies generally from 45 to 56 lbs., the weaker or stronger once forming the exception, and this weight is ample for the distances usually shot, which very rarely exceed 100 yards. Let each, therefore, find out what he can draw with ease and loose with steadiness during a day's shooting, and choose accordingly. If a beginner, probably 45 lbs. is sufficient; if an experienced commoner with a pound or two less in most cases would, in all likelihood, be even better. This is, however, a matter that only the individual archer can determine for himself. + +It is best always to use the same weight of bow and length of + +26 + +HOW TO CHOOSE A BOW, + +arrow; and, therefore, every archer, if he shoot much, should possess two or three bows as much alike as possible, and use them alternately. This will prove economy in the end, as each will have time to recover its elasticity, and will last a much longer time. + +To choose a bow, let each go to the maker he likes best, name the price he can afford, and the sort and weight he prefers. He will then see what choice he has. If there appears to him likely to suit him, let him examine the string, noticing that it is free from flaws; string it, and placing the lower end on the ground in such a position that the string shall be under his eye and uppermost, notice whether it be perfectly straight; if so, the string, when brought to bear on the middle of the handle, will divide the bow from horn to horn into two equal parts; should there appear to be more on one side than the other in either limb, the bow is not straight, and should be rejected. As a general rule the lightest wood is the quickest, the heavy the most lasting—but not always. The next step is to have it drawn up by hand; if it be bends easily, and give any sign of weakness at any particular part. The upper limb, as before stated, being the longest, should bend a trifle the most. If there be no ready-made bow to suit, the purchaser may select a state, and have it made to his own pattern; but, on the whole, the first plan is the best, as no one can tell how a stave will make up. + +Bows are broken from several causes—by neglected chrysalae, or damages to the wood, by a jerking and uneven style of drawing, by dwelling too long at the point of the arrow after it is pulled off by the breaking of the string, by damp, and oftentimes by thoughtlessness or carelessness. Whenever a chrysalae appears, it should be watched, and if found to increase, should then be firmly lapped up with hemp or string, well glued ; when dry, this should be rubbed smooth, painted with oil colour to the taste of the owner, and varnished. + +AND HOW TO USE AND PRESERVE IT WHEN CHOSEN. 27 + +This will keep the glue dry, and look less unsightly. Care should be taken not to make holes in the wood with the point of the arrow, nor scratch it with the buckles of breeches, or buttons of gloves, or any of the ornaments with which the archer may adorn his person. +The less of these hard substances about the shooter the better. +Breakages from a bad style of drawing, and dwelling too long on the aim, can only be avoided by adopting a better and more rational method; those caused by the fracture of the string only by being careful never to use one that is unsafe, or too much worn. A good deal depends, in this latter case, upon the moment when the string breaks. +If it breaks before the bow is drawn back, then it is little matter for the bow, as there is nothing to check or break the recoil; but if it breaks when the recoil has taken place, which is generally the case, a self or backed bow that follows the string will usually escape without damage. Breakage from damp applies to backed bows only, and great indeed is the mortality amongst them from this cause. Commonly it is the lower limb that gives, as that is most exposed to damp, arising from the ground when shooting, or the floor when put away. If the weather be moist when the bow is used, let the shooter continue to shoot until he gets dry; especially do so with a piece of waxed cloth or flannel. A waxed cloth is best. Ascham with the bottom raised a few inches from the floor in a dry room, are the best preservatives I know of. It is a good thing also to lap the bow for about an inch close to each horn, as when this is done, though the glue come undone, the wood will often escape damage, and can be made all right again by being reglued. Lastly, carelessness and thoughtlessness break many bows, and particularly that most silly of all habits of bending the bow the wrong way, while unstrung, in order to "get it back to its proper shape!" If it be broken hereafter, no amount of skillful archery would infallibly return the celebrated verdict of "Serve him right." + +A yew bow that is so much damaged by chrysalis, or by accident + +28 +HOW TO CHOOSE A BOW, ETC. + +to the wood, as to be beyond being made safe by lapping, may often be remedied by adding a belly or back, as the case may require. A weak bow may be strengthened in the same way, or, if either limb be broken or irretrievably damaged, and the remaining one be sound and worth the expense, a new limb may be grafted on to the old one, and the bow be made as good as ever. A bow that is weak in the centre, and not sufficiently strong to allow of the ends being reduced, may be brought to the required shape, and strengthened by the addition of a short belly. + +With regard to unstringing the bow during shooting—a national round of 144 arrows at the three distances—a good bow will not need it if the shooting be moderately quick, excepting at the end of each of the three distances. If there be many shooters, or very slow ones, then it may be unstrung after every three or four double ends ; but I am decidedly adverse to unstringing after every three shots, as many do, as the constant jerk back of the wood upon its own grain must throw an increased strain upon it, besides unnecessarily taxing the muscles of the shooter. + +All that has been said respecting men's bows, with the exception of the strength and length, applies equally to those used by ladies. The ordinary strength of the latter is from 24½. up to 30½., a medium between the two being about the average weight. The length of the bow is usually about 6ft. 1in. between the nocks. + +It is too common a practice amongst archers of all sorts to throw the consequences of their own faults upon the bow-makers, assuming the weapon instead of their own carelessness or want of skill; but before this can be justly done, let each be quite certain that he has chosen his bow with care, used it with care, and kept it with care; if otherwise, any accidents occurring are ten to one more likely to be the result of his own fault than that of the bow-maker. + +Chapter V. +OF THE ARROW. + +How to Test its Strength and Straightness—Best Materials for its Manu- +facture—Apparent Antagonism between the Theory and Practice of +Archery, as regards its Flight, explained—Ill Different Shapes—the +Feathering—the Point—Varieties of Length and Weight. + +The arrow is, perhaps, the most important of all the implements of +the archer, and requires the greatest nicety of make, and excel- +lence of materials; for though he may get on without absolute +failure with an inferior bow and other tackle, unless the arrow be of +the best, Robin Hood himself would have aimed in vain. Two things are essential to a good arrow, namely, perfect straightness, +and a stiffness or rigidity sufficient to stand in the bow, i.e., to re- +ceive the whole force of the bow, without flaring or gadding, for a weak or supple, is as sure worn as a crooked arrow, and it need +hardly be said that little can be gained by an arrow that is thus bent. +The straightness of the arrow may be easily tested by the following +simple process—Place the nails of the thumb and middle finger of +the left hand, so as just to touch, and with the same fingers of the +right hand, spin the arrow upon them; if it revolve true and steady, +and close to the nail, it is straight, but if it jumps in the very least, +the contrary is the case. To test its strength or stiffness, place the +pile on any solid substance, holding it by the neck, and with the +other hand press it gently downward in the middle. A very little +experience will suffice to tell whether it is sufficiently stiff or no. +An arrow that is weaker on one side than the other should also be rejected. + +Arrows are either selfs or fueded ; the former are made of a single +piece of wood ; the latter, and the more preferable, have a different + +30 +OF THE ARROW. + +and harder wood dovetailed on to them at the pile end. "A shaft," says old Roger Ascham, " hath three principal parts, the stile, the feather, and the head, of which each must be severally spoken of." The stile, that is, the wooden body of the arrow, used to be, and sometimes now is, made of different woods; but for target, or indeed any other modern shooting, all may be discouraged save one—red deal, which, when of clean, straight grain, and well seasoned, whether for swift or footed shafts, is incomparably superior to all others. For footing, my hardy wood will do; and if this be solid for one purpose, the same is true of the Washaba. The Washaba are perhaps the best woods for this purpose; the latter is the toughest, but the former, I think, the more preferable, the darkness of the Washaba having a tendency to attract the eye. This footing has three recommendations—the first, that it causes the arrow to fly steadier, and get through a wind better; the second, that being of a harder nature than deal, it is not so easily worn away by the friction it unavoidably meets with on entering the target or the ground; and the third, that the same hardness saves the point from being broken off in shooting. It happens also to retain any hard substance, such as a stone in the ground for instance. Before shooting is commenced, and after it is finished, let the arrows be rubbed with a piece of oiled flannel; this will prevent the paint of the target adhering to them (which otherwise it will assuredly more or less do), and thus save the application of sand-paper to clean them, which is objectionable on account of its wearing away the wood. + +Before entering upon the question as to the best shape of the "stile" for practical use, it is necessary to say a few words concerning a point where the theory and practice of Archery apparently clash; as follows: + +If a straight arrow be placed on the bowstring, the bow drawn, + +PLATE IV. + +1 +2 +3 + +The straight arrow. +The bent back arrow. +The bent forward arrow. +The bent forward arrow. + +Diagram of the bow, showing the position of the two arrows and the string. + +. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + +OF THE ARROW. + +and aim taken at an object, and if the bow be then slowly released, the arrow being held until it returns to the position of rest—that is, if the passage of the arrow over the bow be slow and gradual—it will be found that the arrow will return to its original position, but in a direction deviating to the left of $h$; in fact, that its direction has been altering at each point of its return to the position of rest. This is evidently due to the half-breadth of the bow, and the nock of the arrow being carried on the string, in a plane containing the string and the axis of the bow's length—and this deviation will be greater if the arrow be checked, less if it be bobtailed. (Video plate 4.) + +If the same arrow, when drawn to its head, be loosed at the object aimed at—that is, if the passage of the arrow over the bow be impulsive and instantaneous—it will go straight to the object aimed at (the shooting being in all respects perfect). + +How then is the difference of final direction in the two cases to be explained. + +It must be observed that the nock of the arrow being con- strained to move as it does more slowly, in the first case, a blow of the arrow upon the bow (owing to its slow alteration of direction, and its instantaneous rapidity of passage) and, therefore, a blow of the bow upon the arrow. This makes the bow have quite a different effect upon the deviation from what it had in the first case, when the arrow was merely moved slowly and gradually along it, the obstacle presented by the half breadth of the bow then causing a deviation solely to the left. The blow, however, now considered, has a tendency to cause deviation to the left only during the first half of the arrow's passage along the bow; whilst, during the second half, it causes a deviation to the right; or, more correctly speaking, the blow of the bow upon the arrow has a tendency to cause a + +81 + +32 +**OF THE ARROW.** + +deviation to the left, so long as the centre of gravity of the arrow is within the bow, and vice versa. So that, if this were the only force upon the arrow, the centre of gravity should lie midway in that part of the arrow which is in contact with the bow during the recoil. + +The blow of the bow during the latter part of the arrow's passage causing deviation of the point towards the right, is, however, counteracted to some extent, if not altogether, by the action of the string which holds the arrow. + +The struggle between these two forces is clearly indicated by the appearance of the arrow near the place where it is in contact with the bow when it leaves the string. It is here that the arrow is always most worn. + +The nature then of the dynamical action may be thus briefly explained. The first impulse given to the arrow, being instantaneous and very great in proportion to any other force which act upon it, imparts a high initial velocity in the direction of aim, and this direction the arrow recovers notwithstanding the slight deviations caused by the mutual action of the bow and arrow before explained—these in fact, as has been already shown, to a great extent counteracting each other. Just as, for example, a hoop when in rapid motion may be slightly struck at the side, and a deviation from its path caused, which it nevertheless immediately recovers from, and continues in its original course. + +The recoil of the bow, besides the motion in direction of aim, imparts a rotary motion upon the arrow about its centre of gravity. This tendency, however, to rotate about an axis through its centre of gravity is counteracted by the feathers. For suppose the arrow to be shot off with a slight rotary motion about a vertical axis, in a short time its point will deviate to the left of the plane of projection, and + +OF THE ARROW. +33 + +the centre of gravity will be the only point which continues in that plane. The feathers of the arrow will now be turned to the right of the same plane, and the velocity of the arrow will cause a considerable resistance of the air against them. This resistance will twist the arrow until the point comes to the right of the plane of projection, when it will begin to turn the arrow the contrary way. Thus through the agency of the feathers, the deviation of the point from the plane of projection is confined within very narrow limits indeed. + +A rotation about a horizontal axis would be prevented in the same way by this action of the feathers. Both these tendencies may be distinctly observed in the actual motion of the arrow. + +If the foregoing reasoning be carefully considered, it will be at once seen how prejudicial to the flight of the arrow in the direction of aim, any variation in the shape of that part of it in contact with the bow, must necessarily be; for by this means a new force is introduced into its motion, tending to turn it to the left. In the chocked arrow, which is smallest at the point and largest at the feathers. Here there is, during its whole passage over the bow, a constant and increasing deviation to the left of the direction of aim, caused by the arrow's shape, independent of, and in addition to, a deviation in the like direction, caused by the retention of the nock upon the string. Thus this arrow has greater difficulty in recovering its first initial direction, the forces opposed to its doing so, being so much increased. Accordingly, in practice, the chocked arrow has always a tendency to fly to the left, + +And so as regards the **choked** arrow, which is largest at the point and smallest at the feathers, the converse of this is true. For here the tendency during its whole passage over the bow is to the right of the direction of aim, only restrained by the retention of its + +D + +34 +**OF THE ARROW.** + +neck on the string. But, as I have previously shown, the blow of the bow during the last half of the arrow's passage, causing deviation also to the right, and in a degree, at least, to counteract the action of the string, there is a preponderance of deviation to the right for the arrow to overcome, in order to recover its initial direction; accordingly, in practice, the **bola-tailed** arrow has invariably a tendency to fly to the right. + +Oddly enough, however, the **bola-tailed** arrow has been looked upon as the easiest to shoot straight with, its shape having been considered partially to **boast**, cheated. Barreled straight counteract the deviation to the left, believed to be caused by the action of the string. But, as has been already shown, this left-hand deviation has no practical existence; therefore, this bad tendency, therefore, of the bola-tail is a mitigated evil. Excepting, indeed, to those who erroneously drew the arrow to the right of the eye; as, when this is the case, the arrow when pointing to the left of the mark, is apparently to the shooter directed straight towards it; thus the fault of the arrow operating in the opposite direction partially counteracts that of the shooter. It is a bad system, however, to mend one fault by another. Better far to get rid of both. + +There is another arrow very much in use, called the **barrelled** arrow. This arrow is largest in the centre and tapers thence to + +A diagram showing three different types of arrows: a standard arrow (left), a bola-tailed arrow (center), and a barrelled arrow (right). The standard arrow is pointed and tapers slightly towards the tip. The bola-tailed arrow has a wider body and a more rounded tip. The barrelled arrow is widest at its base and tapers towards the tip. + +. . . + +PLATE V. +Desc. I. + +A-B. Arrow with sharp pila. +C. Section of a straight pila. +E. Section of bow. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
1.2.3.4.5.
C.D.E.F.G.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
H.I.J.K.
1. Root for all purposes. + 2. Bow for shooting bad. + 3. Old sharp pila (but worst). + 4. Homoeopathic pila. + 5. Head of whistling arrow.6. Bullethanded pila. + 7. Head of a straight pila. + 8. Head of a poppy-pi pila. + 9. Homoeopathic pila.
+ +**OF THE ARROW.** + +both ends; it has a rapid flight, but does not follow the point well; and is additionally objectionable as a departure from the straight line. In short, it may be set down as an incontrovertible position target shooting, that any shape of arrow that causes the center of its thickness to vary in its relation to the edge of the bow, is radically bad. Therefore none other than the perfectly straight arrow is here recommended. + +The feathering of the arrow is the most delicate part of the Fletcher's art, and requires great care and experience to effect it as it should be effected. Rather full-sized feathers are to be preferred, as giving a steadiness and sobriety, as it were, to the flight; they should have a fair amount of rib, for if panel too fine their lasting qualities are diminished; and all three should be of the same wing, right or left. The turkey supplies most of the feathers now in use; those of the eagle and peacock, though most excellent, being too scarce to be generally attainable. The feathers of the "grey goose wing," so much spoken of in the legends of our forefathers, as guiding their unerring shafts to the heart of knight and yeoman, despite of "millen's seats" and "thousand feet," are now quite out of fashion; but if we had not been so blind as to suppose that they were not wiser in their generation than we are in ours, we must conclude that either turkeys did not exist in those days, or that geese have degenerated! + +The pile or point is a very important part of the arrow. Of the different shapes in use, the blunt or square-shouldered pile is the only good one. In every respect, even for distant shooting, it is superior to all others; but the greatest advantage it possesses is, that in this arrow he need not try to bring the pile on to his bow, it will not alter the direction of its flight, as is the case with all the sharp piles. (See plate 5.) + +D 2 + +86 +**OF THE ARROW.** + +No. 1 (in the same plate) is the only one recommended for target shooting. No. 5 has great penetrating power, for if it passes through the object struck, the whole "stile" will follow it. No. 6 is the old English barb. No. 8 is probably the shape of the pile used by the Emperor Commodus, who is said to have cut off the heads of ostriches at full speed! No. 9 is the whistling head, supposed to have been used to give alarm at night. + +To prevent the pile coming off, either by damp or by a blow, it may be slightly indented on opposite sides by a gentle rap with a pointed instrument; a broken broadawl filed to a point is as good as anything. + +The nock should be full and strong, and the notch as deep as will hold the string safely. To provide against the risk of splitting, I have found it a good plan to drill a hole through the solid part of the nock, as near the surface on which the string rests as may be, and to insert a piece of copper wire, which, when clenched or flattened into a loop, will serve as a spring. Another plan is to use a screw drill is the best for this purpose, but great care required in using it, or it will cause the very evil it is intended to guard against. + +As regards the length of the arrow, no arbitrary rule can be laid down: every archer must suit himself according to the length of his pull: hereafter I hope to lay down some principles which will guide him in this; for the present it will merely be observed, that no man's arrow, whatever his pull may be, should be less than twenty-six inches in length, as an experiment has proved that a short arrow fine lines are more likely to break than long ones. It is also well known though it is better, that he should pull the whole length of the arrow, provided his draw be always to the same mark. + +The weight of an arrow must, to a certain extent, be regulated + +OF THE ARROW. +37 + +by its length, and the strength of the bow with which it is to be used; for if an arrow be a long one, it must have bulk sufficient to insure stiffness, and stiffness in proportion to the strength of the bow; &c. &c. for the lowest, and &c. &c. for the highest weight, are two extremes, within which every length of arrow and strength of bow may be properly fitted, so far as gentlemen are concerned. For ladies, &c. &c. &c. should perhaps be the limits. It must be borne in mind that a light arrow is a decided mistake for target shooting. Even light arrows need not be less than 4½ in. in weight. + +To preserve the feathers from damp, let a coat of oil paint be laid on between and for 4th inch above and below them, and let this be afterwards varnished with a mixture of mastice and gold size, taking care that the rod of the feather be well covered, otherwise the desired purpose will not be attained. If the feathers be laid or ruffled by wet, they may be restored to their proper shape and firmness by being held for a short time before a fire, and kept turning to prevent scorching. + +Mr. Roberts mentions, and I have proved, a curious effect which is produced by feathering a light arrow at both ends, the wood being lighter at the pile-end; and the feather trimmed low at the neck and high at the pile-end; this, if shot against a wind, will return back again, like a Bomerang. If the same shaped arrow be feathered in the middle only, it will, in its flight, make a right angle, and no power of how can send it any distance. + +As the elevation should be regulated by the rise or fall of the left arm, and not by the weight of the arrow, the use of the same shots at all distances is highly desirable. Indeed, it is a great mistake to change any part of the tackle, bow or arrow, during the shooting, excepting in extraordinary cases; seldom, indeed, is the scoring bettered by such means. + +38 +**OF THE ARROW.** + +Three arrows are usually shot at one time, and a fourth kept in reserve, in case of accidents. Now let it be remembered, that if the slightest variation either in shape or weight occurs amongst them, the line or the elevation is sure to be affected, to the serious detriment of accurate hitting; therefore, too much care cannot be taken in their choice. Whatever kind or weight is used, let all the four be precisely similar in every respect. + +Whether for store or daily use, the arrows should be kept in a quiver or case, made on such a plan that each shall have its separate cell, and so be insured from warping, or from having the feathers crushed. It is too much the custom to squeeze a quantity of arrows into a small quiver; let not the archer who prunes his tackle be guilty of this folly. They will wear out quite speedily enough, without the addition of ill-usage to hasten it. In drawing them from the quiver, the archer should take the hand that hold as near the pile ends as possible. Every arrow should bear an appropriate mark painted on each of his arrows, so that they may be easily distinguished from those of his neighbour. + +It is a great point to have the arrow well stopped—that is, the wood should completely fill the pile, which otherwise, in striking against any hard substance, is apt to be driven down the side, to the great detriment of the arrow, and often the destruction, by splitting, of the pile itself. + +Chapter VI. +OF THE STRING, THE BRACER, AND SHOOTING GLOVE. + +THE STRING. + +Of the bowstring very little need be said. The only good ones are of foreign make, and the very best are, I have understood, the produce of one particular maker, a Belgaun, in whose family the secret of their manufacture is preserved with such jealousy as to cause a fear of its being lost, inasmuch as its present possessor is the last of his race. + +A thick string is generally supposed to cast the steadier, a thin one the sharpest; but, though preferring the latter myself, I have not been able to discover much practical difference between them; the strength of the bow must, however, somewhat regulate its substance. +In any case the string should be round and even, with a tolerably thick eye at one end for the upper horn, and plenty of substance in the twist at the other to form the loop for the lower end of the bow. This loop is formed by giving the appropriate end of the string one turn round itself, and interlacing or twisting it three or four times afterwards; taking care to do this every time before waxing to prevent slipping, and waxing the end before doing so. The length of the string between the loop and the eye must of course be regulated by the length of the bow; and ought to + +The Loop. + +40 +THE BRACER. + +be such that, when the latter is strong, a space of at least six inches for a man's, and five inches for a lady's bow, should exist between the string and the centre of the bow. + +The string for one inch above and five inches below the nocking point must be lapped with thread or thin twine, well waxed, of such a substance as nearly to fill the neck of the arrow, and this again, as far as is necessary by the use of a little glue, to prevent the loose silk. The object of the latter is to render the loose smooth and even, and to supply the place of grease wholly or in part. Any substance that is of the right thickness, and at the same time smooth and even, may supply the place of the thread and floss, and will equally well attain the desired object. A piece of smooth rellum, or thin strip of buffalo hide, have been found to answer admirably, being pleasant to loose on and very durable. Whatever is used, the nocking point must be of just such thickness as will fill the neck of the arrow without splitting it; this is a point which many archers seem to forget altogether. If the string becomes frayed, it may be rubbed with beeswax, or thin glue; but if it be worn in any part, especially at the nocking point or the lower horn, let it be instantly rejected and replaced with a new one; for it is poor economy to risk the loss of perhaps a favourite bow, worth many pounds, for the sake of eightpence, the price of a new string. + +A few spare strings should be kept in stock, free from damp ; if in a tin case, so much the better. + +THE BRACER. + +The object of the bracer or armguard, it is almost needless to say, is to protect the left arm from the blow of the string, in the event of this striking upon it when loosed. By the expression "in the event of," it is especially meant to imply that no need exists for + +THE BEARER. 41 + +the string's striking the arm at all; and hereafter, and in its proper place, I hope to demonstrate that when this does occur it is a fault to be amended, not a habit to be indulged in; and that if it habitually takes place, an insuperable barrier is thereby presented to certain and accurate shooting. Ascham indeed will have it that the brace serves also a second purpose, viz., "that the string, gliding sharply and quickly off its bow, the sharper should it would appear, may be the probable cause as well as the accelerating of a rason's speed, when in full career, by striking against a brick wall or any other obstruction." It is only, however, just to say, that he recommends the bow being so much strong up that the string shall avoid touching the arm at all; by which it may be concluded, that he merely meant to assert that the arrow's sharpness of flight was less injured by the string's striking against a hard smooth substance, such as that of which braces are usually composed, than against a soft yielding one, on the above of the coat, for instance. But this is not true; for the bow itself is capable of the surmounting of increasing, actually and positively, the cast of the bow. The brace then is simply a protection to the arm in case of need—unless indeed, as regards the fairer portion of humanity, it may be said to be of service in confining and rendering harmless those pendent armlets of lace, crochet, and frigipry that nowadays adorn their dresses, and the which, however servicable in rendering more fatal the ethereal shafts of Cupid, are anything but conducive to the correct flight of those grosser and more material missiles that obtain in an archery field. + +Too much care cannot be taken to see that, when fastened, no edge or corner protrudes that can by possibility obstruct the free passage of the string. I remember, upon one occasion some few years back and in my earlier days of practice, missing fifty-eight shots in succession, and only discovering at the end of that time that this mishance was entirely owing to one of the buckles having + +43 +THE BRACER. + +become loose, and so allowing the upper edge of the bracer at the time the arm was straightened to project some quarter of an inch beyond it; the string, in its passage back to the starting point, grazing against this projection, was for an instant arrested or else thrown out of the proper line; and thus the arrows either left the bow before the proper moment and so fell short, or, receiving the same eccentric direction as the string, were cast about the field in every direction but the right one. Upon remedying this defect my shooting resumed its ordinary course. + +In spite of good Anacham's "sharper shoot," a bracer made of moderately soft leather is preferable to a very hard one, as in this latter case the string on striking receives a greater rebound and vibration, which more or less injuriously affects the flight of the arrow. + +The bracer must not be buckled too tightly on the arm, as, besides the discomfort and inconvenience this will occasion, it will serve to impede the free play of the muscles, and thus tend to destroy the accuracy of the shooting. It is a very good plan to have the upper edge of the bracer shaved thin, and then sewn on to the shooting coat (being still buckled as before), as this effectively prevents such accidents as that already related, and insures its fitting closely and tightly to the arm. The straps should be of such a length that the buckle shall be quite at the back of the arm, and not at the lower side, as in the latter case the sharp end will be in the way of the string—a very common occurrence by-the-bye. + +Pauca's advice to persons "about to marry" will doubtless be in the remembrance of many of my readers; it was comprised in the single word "Don't." I shall conclude the subject of the bracer with the same piece of advice addressed to those who are constantly in the habit of striking it, and about to do it again—"Don't." + +A diagram showing how a bracer should fit on an arm. + +THE SHOOTING GLOVE. +43 + +THE SHOOTING GLOVE. + +By this is understood the protection that every archer more or less requires to the drawing fingers of the right hand. It is the one accoutrement of the archer that requires perhaps more care and attention than any other; for, as it is certain that skilful and scientific shooting depends in great part upon an even, certain, and unvarying loose, so I have found such a loose is only to be attained by the help of the most perfectly ditting and accurately adjusted shooting glove. The first thing to be observed in the construction of a shooting glove (the loose), the great thing it is to have the perfect command of the string, of the exact "how" and the "when" it shall be allowed to quit the fingers. This becomes almost an impossibility should the shooting glove be either too tight or too loose; in either case this necessary component is lost; in the one by the hold of the string (from the slipping of the glove) being insecure; in the other, by the fingers becoming cramped, and, so to speak, compressively *hors de combat*. Again, too thick a glove prevents the proper "foot" of the string ; thus this a one hurteth the fingers, and causes them to flinch from their natural position, and shoot with difficulty. And, once more, with too hard a glove the string cannot be with certainty retained till the proper instant of loosing ; with too soft a one it is apt to get so imbedded as to require an unnatural jerk to be got rid of at all. + +From all this it will be seen to be impossible to lay down any defined and specific rules for its size, shape, make, &c., &c., each individual requiring to be suited according to the peculiar nature of his own fingers, who had never been shot or swerved, and it therefore strongly recommended to every archer to use the finest leather of his own shooting glove, no other can fit him with the nicety and accuracy positively required. It may, however, be said generally that the thinner the leather composing it be, the better (provided always it be thick enough to protect the fingers from pain), + +A black-and-white illustration of a man holding a bow and arrow. + +44 +THE SHOOTING GLOVE. + +as also that it be not so constructed as to confine the hand, or cramp the knuckles. A small piece of quill placed inside will also be found of material assistance in giving a clean and certain loose. + +I must candidly confess, however, that the endeavours of eight years have hardly succeeded in producing finger stalls perfectly to my satisfaction. On the whole, I have found a plan of my own, improved by Mr. H. W. B. Smith, Mr. M. H. Smith, and myself, the best. It is to have the finger-guards made of a smooth pliable piece of leather, and perfectly independent of each other, fastened behind with vulcanised India-rubber, not sewn, and further kept in their places by rings of the like material passed over the middle joint of each finger; such ring having a thin tongue (also of India-rubber), about an inch or inch and a half in length, fastened to the leather stall inside the hand. The hand is thus perfectly free and + + +Front. +unrestrained, and the elasticity of the India-rubber prevents any tightness of the stalls or confinement of the fingers; a guard or stop is placed upon each stall about half an inch from the top, by + + + +Back. + + + +Front. + + +THE SHOOTING GLOVE. +46 + +which the line of the fingers and position of the string is so regulated as to render the loose always uniform. (See accompanying sketch.) The merit of the idea of the vulcanised India-rubber is, as far as I know, due to Mr. Mason. + +An excellent glove has lately been brought out by Mr. Buchanan, of Finsbury, very similar to those just described. (See accompanying sketch.) For those who cannot bear the exposure of the tips of the fingers to the friction of the string in escaping, this glove may be highly recommended. + + +Front. +Mr. Buchanan's Glove. +Back. + + +There is a peculiar kind of finger-guard, known by the euphonious name of "tab," that requires some notice. It is simply a piece of flat leather lying inside the hand, and held in its place by the fingers being let into it at one end. It cannot, however, be compared with either of the gloves just described, either for evenness and certainty of loose, or for perfect command of the string. Still it must in fairness be stated that several excellent shots are in the habit of using it; but it is decidedly an inferior method, as he shall say how much more these might have excelled had they adopted a different and more rational one? + +Chapter VII. +OF THE GREASE BOX, TASSEL, BELT, &C. + +THE GREASE BOX. + +The grease box is an invention, as its name implies, for the purpose of holding grease, which may be lard, deer's fat, or any other "anti-sticking" mixture that the varying fancies of different individuals may delight in. There is nothing to be said against the use of such matters; but to those who, like myself, object to messing with grease, a lapping of flax silk, or any other smooth substance will be preferable, and will answer every required purpose; but this is one of those points that can be safely left to each individual archer to decide, by his own experience, for himself, more or less assistance being required, according to the strength and powers of the fingers. It must be admitted, however, should it be said, that it is better to have the string so slippery as to prevent that perfect command of the time of loosing, which is a main ingredient in successful shooting. The grease box is generally made of wood, horn, or ivory. + +THE TASSEL. + +He must be a good archer indeed who can do without this necessary appendage to his equipment. It is simply a tassel, made of green material, for the purpose of removing any dirt that may adhere to the arrow after it has been drawn from the ground. It need not be a yard in circumference, as, to judge from the stupendous size of their tassels, would seem to be the opinion of some archers, but of as small a size as is compatible with its answering the required purpose. + +THE BELT. +47 + +THE BELT. + +This is a strap with a small pouch attached, which fastens round the waist, and serves the purpose of holding the arrows, tassel, grease pot, spare string, and any other little paraphernalia of archery, as also to assist in rendering one as hot and wretched as possible whilst shooting in warm weather. It is better to have a small deep pocket made in the right-hand side of the shooting-cost; this will serve for the tassel, and the other matters can be hung on to a button of the cost, or, if it be liked better, kept in the ordinary pocket. These remarks, however, do not apply to the fair sex; the shooting belt is an evil they must perform put up with. + +A belt with a small pouch attached. +Belt, &c. + +THE SCORING APPARATUS. + +The scoring apparatus is of various kinds and shapes suitable to all tastes, and consists of a scoring card, a frame (generally of wood, silver, or ivory) to hold it, and a needle enclosed, with the exception of the point, in a case of the like material, to prick the hits as they occur upon the card. It would be a waste of time and space to attempt a description of the different apparatus in use; suffice it to say, that each archer can suit his own taste, and, by having a plate struck for himself, can have the card arranged in that manner as well best accommodate the distances and number of arrows he is in the habit of shooting. For those who prefer the national round, Mr. W. H. Bremhall, of Norfolk, is in use. The former is so arranged as to embrace two rounds, and to keep a separate and distinct account of each distance, and each individual arrow shot, and this all within a + +48 +**THE ASCHAM—THE REGISTER.** + +very small compass; the frame contains a pricker to mark with, and a pencil to do the additions afterwards. It can be strongly recommended to all those who take an interest in ascertaining the exact particulars of each day's shooting. + +**THE ASCHAM.** + +This term is applied to a small narrow cupboard, constructed for the purpose of holding the archer's implements. It should be so arranged that the bows can stand upright, and each individual arrow in the same position, and sufficiently apart from its neighbour to prevent the feathers ruffling each other. The principal point to be mentioned, however, is not as respects the Ascham itself, but concerning the locality in which it should be kept. This should be in a room free from damp, and at a temperature of which it is even as may be desired by ground-floor dwellers. The Ascham should be raised five or six inches from the ground. This is especially called for in country houses, as these are often built directly on the earth, and ill drained. The very best place for the Ascham is a room over the kitchen, as this gives that medium temperature, neither too hot nor too cold, which is especially suited to the preservation of bows, arrows, and strings. + +**THE REGISTER.** + +This is simply a book, ruled and arranged in such a manner as to enable the archer to keep an accurate account of his shooting. Those who have not been in the habit of having one can have no idea of the great interest with which it invests the most ordinary practice; and it constitutes what is known as "the Ascham" of this time. It bespeaks a great desire to improve ; for no man likes to have evidence before his eyes of his pains and exertions being of no avail, and himself at a stand-still in any pursuit he takes an interest in ; it ensures a due carefulness in the shooting of every arrow, since, + +A page from a historical book about archery. + +THE TARGETS. +49 + +Without it, the score will be bad, and therefore disagreeable to chronicle; it excites emulation, by enabling one man's average shooting to be compared with another's, and restrains, by its sternly demonstrating figures, those flights of imagination occasionally indulged in by bad memories, as to feats performed and scores achieved. By noting too in this register the causes of failure at different times, a less chance will exist of their occurring again, as it keeps the same always in the mind's eye, and their necessary avoidance prominently before the attention. In short, the archer will find the help of this register when occasions occur him so abundantly repaid in a variety of ways, that, having once commenced it, he will never afterwards be induced to abandon its use. + +The target is made of thrashed or unthrashed straw (rye is best), firmly bound together with tarred string, somewhat similar in its formation to a bee hive, and is covered with stout canvas, upon which are painted five different coloured rings, white, black, blue, or iron white red ring (commencing from the outside). It should be exactly four feet in diameter (measured from the middle of all the rings being the same). This gives 3-5thia inches for the gold or centre, and 4-5thia inches for each of the rings to the right and left of it. The circles are valued as follows:--Nine for the gold, seven for the red, five for the blue, three for the black, and one for the white. These figures, however, do not represent the correct value of the rings according to their respective areas; for reckoning the gold to mere nine as above, strictly speaking, the red should count but three, the inner white or blue face, the black one and one-quarter of a circle. This is a very common error among shooters (vide Waring's treatise, page 39). This incorrectness in the number scored for each ring, however, is altogether unimportant, for as one man's score is only good or bad as compared with another's, and + +50 +THE TARGETS. +all use the same target and mode of counting, each archer gets the same proportionate benefit from the excess of counting, and so the comparative result is the same. + +Formerly, if an arrow lodged on the border of two rings, the least valuable of the two was counted ; but of late years the higher has been allowed—and this is right, as where a man hits two rings, he should have the option of choosing which he likes ; of course, he will take the highest. I believe the woodmen of Arder, however, still retain the old mode of reckoning the hits, allowing the archer only to score the lowest of the two circles struck by the arrow. + +The facing of the target should be covered with nothing but paint; there is too prevalent a custom amongst the target-makers of laying on, previously to the paint, a coating of whitening or some other villainous compound, in order to cheapen the process of colouring, and to smarten the appearance of the facing, and the consequence is, that after a day or two's use, and even without it, this original coating adheres to the arrow, and peels off in little flakes (of course carried away by wind or rain) before any one can see how long before either straw or canvas are one quarter destroyed, hardly a remnant of colour remains to distinguish the circles ; and in addition to this, the archer is bored with the necessity of removing this sticky compound from the end of his arrow, every time it is removed from the target. I know of nothing more annoying to the archer than this. He has paid a high price for his targets, and perhaps for long carriage besides, and does not get a quarter of the wear out of the facing he has justly a right to expect. The proprietors of these targets have no reason whatever to think their interest would soon put a stop to this obvious injustice, the result of it being, that every archer who has it in his power gets the facings of his targets made in his own neighbourhood under his own eye, instead of purchasing of them. " Verbum sap." &c. + +THE STANDS. +51 + +The present colours of the target are not well adapted for the most accurate shooting, being too bright and glaring, confusing the eye, and making it difficult to see from the centre. Thus it is more easy to aim at the gold, and not at the target generally. A black centre, with the rest of the target white, or one colour, would be much more conducive to central hitting. The rings might still be equally well marked. + +THE STANDS. + +These consist of three pieces of wood or iron, about six feet in length, fastened together by hinges at the top, and form a triangle, upon which the arrows are pended. There is little or nothing to be said about them, excepting that, if made of iron, they should invariably be covered with a thick coat of leather or gutta percha; otherwise the arrows will be constantly broken against them, especially in windy weather; but if made of wood, the per- centage of wooden ones are the safest, and if those latter are faced from end to end with about two square inches of good solid stuffing of tow or shaving, inclosed in canvas, they will last a great many years, and never do injury to a single arrow. + +A new kind of stand was introduced by the late Rev. J. Meclyer, and is now, and has been for some years past in use on the Toxophilite Grounds in Regent's Park. It is of iron, and constructed in such a manner, that no part of the stand is visible to the shooter. Though considered perfection by its author, it is open to several objections; the chief of which are, that it is very expensive, + +A diagram showing a wooden target with three legs and a triangular top. +The Padded Stand. + +52 + +THE QUIVER. + +can only be used as a fixture, and is occasionally the cause of a broken arrow; since, in spite of its careful construction, in dry weather the shaft will often rebound from the ground against it. I do not see indeed, how the triangular wooden stand, well guarded, is to be surpassed. + +The accompanying plate will give an idea of the Meyler stand. + +A diagram showing a triangular wooden stand with a level on the ground, a stand, and a target. +A. B. Level of the Ground. +C. The Socket. +D. The Stand. +E. The Target. + +THE QUIVER. + +The quiver is commonly a case made of tin, to hold about a dozen arrows, sometimes having a small receptacle in the top to contain a spare string, a piece of wax, some twine and silk, and a file. Those old-fashioned quivers are, however, very objectionable, as there is no provision made for keeping the arrows separate, so that too often they are squeezed in anyhow, and the feathers are crushed, and the arrows warped. The best sort of quiver (which now generally fits the travelling bow-case) is made of wood or tin, flat-sided, and fitted + +THE QUIVER. +53 + +inside (at nine inches from the top and six inches from the bottom) with two shelves (one inch thick), bored with as many holes (half-inch in diameter) as there is room for arrows. These two shelves have the holes exactly perpendicular to each other, so that the arrows, passing through the two, are kept steady in their places, without danger of warping or crushing the feathers. If made of tin, the bottom should be lined with a piece of leather, gutta percha, or cork. + +Chapter FHH. + +OF BRACING AND Nocking. + +Different Modes of Bracing—Bend of the Bow—Ordinary Mode of Ascertaining its Correctness—Used Direction as to Nocking—Its Objectives—How to be Remedied—Position of Nocking Place—A Word of Warning. + +In the previous chapters such plain directions, it is hoped, have been given concerning the various implements of archery, as will enable each archer to provide himself with the best of that art. The indications and means may lead him to adopt; and to avoid such as are in themselves radically bad, or likely to add to the difficulties he is sure to meet with before arriving at any great or satisfactory proficiency in the art. Having thus enabled him to form choice as to his weapons, the next step is to endeavour to guide him in their use; and in the first place I shall notice a few minor matters, which, although of lesser importance in themselves when compared with the more abstruse and difficult points connected with scientific archery, yet must not be overlooked. The former passage over the sinews, and the first of these has regard to bracing the bow, which may be considered as the first preliminary operation in actual shooting. This is perhaps better known under the more modern appellation of *stringing*, and has reference to the act of bending the bow when un-strung, sufficiently to enable the shooter to slip the upper noose of the string into the nock. To effect this, three different modes have been practised. The first and most usual method is to set the lower horn of the bow on the ground (its back being towards the archer) + +OF BRACING AND NICKING. +55 + +against the inside of the right foot, this being turned a little inward to prevent its slipping; then firmly grasping the handle with the right hand, and resting the lower part of the inside of the left hand upon the limb, just below the eye of the string, with a strong pull at the handle to bend the bow (the left hand and right foot forming the points d'appui of its two ends), the thumb and second joint of the forefinger of the left hand at the same time carrying the eye of the string into the socket. The first endeavouring to perform the operation of slipping the string into the neck almost invariably fail in doing so, but as invariably succeed in getting their fingers between the bow and string; thus discovering that the string can do something more than discharge the arrow, namely, nearly cut their fingers. To pre- vent this unhappy result, we here appended a sketch (from a photograph) of the proper position of the hand and fingers whilst stringing—expressly for their benefit. + +The second mode is, by identically the same action, excepting that the left hand takes the place of the right, and vice versa. The third mode is performed by resting the lower horn of the bow upon the ground, (or on some support,) and then bending towards the archer, whilst one hand passes the belly for pressing the inside of the other supports the upper end of the bow, and at the same time slips the string into the neck. Of this latter mode of bracing, it may be briefly said that it is somewhat unusual, and seldom practised. + +A sketch showing a hand holding a bowstring near its base, with fingers positioned to grip both bow and string. +Straining the Bow. + +86 +OF BRACING AND NICKING. + +As regards the first two methods, opinions are divided ; some, and I think the majority, advocating the grasp of the bow with the right hand, whilst the few maintain the left hand to be the best. It is, however, a matter so totally immaterial as hardly to be worth the slightest controversy ; still, as archers have made it a *sexta quinta*, I may as well state the principal argument advanced by both sides in support of either proposition, and leave each to decide for himself afterwards. The first is that he who has the right-hand grasp of the left-hand grasp, thus maintain that, as the bow when shooting is held with that hand, it should therefore be strong in like manner, as it saves the necessity of changing hands, and the action is more direct ; whilst those who maintain the right-hand grasp, though they allow this, assert it is more than counterbalanced by the necessity the archer is under of turning his back upon the mark, or whatever or whoever else he is at the time fronting, if the bow be placed against the left foot instead of the right, which it must be if the grasp be with the left hand. But it may be said to every shooter, male or female, + +Utrum huncem manus scelis. + +To unbrace the bow the action is the same, with the exception that the string is slipped out of the nock, instead of into it. Either to brace or unbrace gracefully, and without effort, is an affair rather of knack, than of strength or force, and is therefore only to be learnt with a certain amount of practice. + +The bow being breeched, two things are to be carefully noted ; firstly, that the bend of the bow be neither too high nor too low ; and, secondly, that the string starts from both horns exactly in their centre, neither to the right hand nor to the left, but dividing the bow precisely in half from end to end ; if this latter caution be not observed, the grain of the bow runs considerable risk of being unnaturally strained, and the bow itself of being pulled away and out of its proper shape, and sooner or later of breaking in consequence ; it + +OF BRACING AND NOKING. +57 + +is even doubtful if the correct cast itself be not also more or less injuriously affected by any carelessness on this point. It is another of those minutiae of archery which is of more importance than might at first sight appear, and one that should always be attended to before the bow is allowed to discharge a single arrow. During a morning's shooting, too, attention should be constantly directed to the string, to ascertain whether it has been properly drawn up, and whether it sometimes unavoidably does. Concerning the first point, it has been already stated, when speaking of the string, that, as regards a man's bow, the distance from the inside of the handle to the string should not be less than six inches. The advantages of a lower or smaller bend than this are that the bow casts quicker and further (owing to the greater length the arrow is acted upon by the string), and that the wood is less strained, and in less consequent danger of breaking; but to be put against this are the facts that the cast is less steady, and the probability of missing the target at the extreme point of the string's arc (already stated to be fatal to accurate shooting) much greater. Individually, I prefer the high bend, as giving much greater steadiness, tending more to secure the correct flight of the arrow, and making the drawing of the bow easier (the distance to be pulled being less), and have never found the loss of cast or the danger of breaking sufficiently great to induce an alteration of that opinion. I should therefore recommend the bow's being strong up, at least, six inches. + +It has long been the custom, in order to ascertain the amount of bend of the bow, to place the fist perpendicularly upon the interior of the handle (at the centre of the bow), at the same time raising up the thumb as high as it will reach; should the string then just touch the extremity of the thumb, the bracing is probably there or thereabouts correct: if higher or lower than the thumb's extremity, it is probably too great or too little, as the case may be. This is not, however, an infallible test, as the size and length of the hands of + +58 + +OF BRACING AND NOCKING. + +different individuals very materially; but each archer can once for all ascertain how near his own hand, placed in the above way, marks the distance he prefers, and, bearing this always in mind, brace his bow thereby equally as well as if his hand marked it exactly. + +I shall now proceed to the point of nocking, though, strictly speaking, the next in order should be that of standing; but, as this latter is so intimately connected with, as to be almost inseparable from, the subjects of position, method of drawing, aiming, &c., which are decidedly after-matters, it will be included in these, instead of being separately treated of. Nocking is the most simple operation of archery; the usual directions given for performing it are as follows—Holding the bow by the handle with the left-hand, and turning it diagonally with the string upwards, with the right-hand draw from the string, and then placing the thumb over the string and over the bow, then placing the thumb of the left-hand over it, with the thumb and first finger of the right-hand fix the arrow firmly on the string, the cock feather being uppermost." There is one objection, however, to that part of which directs the shooter to " pass the arrow under the string—an objection, curiously enough, entirely overlooked by all the authors upon archery—and it is this, that by doing so, and owing to the somewhat intricate passage the arrow is made to traverse, the bow is very apt to become pitted by the point of the arrow; but this objection is easily removed. The archer immediately assumes the appearance of having had an attack of some mild species of measles or small-pox, to the great injury of the bow, both as re- gaards beauty and safety, especially when made of yew; this most valuable wood of all being of a soft and tender character. It is true it may be argued that it is the archer's own fault for not using proper care and attention whilst performing the operation; but during the excitement of matches, or in rapid shooting, this is no + +OF BEARING AND ROCKING. +59 + +easy matter; and thus it will be generally found that the bows of archers whonock in this way are more or less indented in the manner mentioned. Are the important points of archery, too, not sufficiently numerous and difficult to bear constantly in mind without adding another to the list, unnecessary and altogether useless? If it had even the recommendation of being useful, or more quickly performed, it would be something in its favour; but neither of these arguments can be sustained by the assertion, that though it possess one single advantage to counterbalance its serious objection. + +I cannot imagine a plan of shooting more simple and easy than the following:---The bow being held by the handle with the left-hand, let the arrow be placed with the right (over the string, not under) upon that part of the bow upon which it is to lie; the thumb of the left-hand, being then gently placed over it, will serve to hold it perfectly under command, and the fore-finger and thumb of the right-hand will be sufficient to draw back the string of the arrow and manipulate it with the most perfect ease in any manner that may be required. Five minutes' practice will be sufficient to render this mode of nocking familiar and easy to any archer. + +The nocking place should be exactly upon that part of the string which is opposite the spot of the bow over which the arrow passes—that is to say, the arrow when nocked must be precisely perpendicular to the bow. If either above or below this point, the arrow will not have a good flight, and should not appear to show a trifle as if it were the safety of the bow is at communication with its cast injured. Care must be taken that the nocking part of the string closely fills the neck of the arrow—it must neither be too tight nor too loose; if the first, it may, and probably will, split the neck; if the second, the shaft is apt to slip when in the act of drawing, and the correct elevation and its proper flight be lost thereby. The degree of tightness should be such, that the arrow, if nocked + +60 + +OF BRACING AND NOCKING. + +and allowed to hang, should just be retained by the string—that is to say, sufficient to support the weight of the arrow. + +I must add a word of warning to the young archer against that objectionable but too common plan of attempting to alter the range of the arrow by changing the nocking-point, making it higher or lower as they wish to increase or diminish it. For the reasons above given, a worse system cannot be adopted. + +Chapter IX. +OF POSITION. + +The Standing—Requirements of a Good Position—What to Observe and what to Avoid—How to Grasp the Bow—Warley's Method—the Correct One—Whether the Bow should be held Perpendicularly or Otherwise. + +Ancham has made standing the first of his well-known five points of archery; but, as the term appears a most insufficient one for including all that is required for the proper execution of the great bearing of the archer whilst in the act of shooting, I have preferred the expression "position" as being more applicable and comprehensive. Under this head will be included, not only what may be considered as more particularly appertaining to it, namely, the footing (or standing according to Rogers) and attitudes of the archer (irrespective of what may more properly belong to the point of drawing), but also the manner in which the hand should grasp the bow, as well as the exact position of the bow itself. + +And, first, as to the footing or standing, and attitudes of the archer. Concerning these, it may safely be asserted that as many varieties exist as there are archers to give them existence. At any rate, certain it is that hardly any two shoot precisely in the same form, and very few without some individual mannerism, seu capite modus. Such being the case, it would be venturing too far to assert that but one position is good, or any particular one the best (indeed, it is doubtful if any archer could be instanced as having attained perfection in this respect); but, nevertheless, some general rules are necessary to be borne in mind, and can with confidence be laid down, + +1 + +62 +OF POSITION. + +in order to control such mannerisms, and restrain them within harm- +less limits. For numberless examples might be given, where the un- +fortunate body and limbs are twisted and contorted to such a degree, +and made to go through such wonderful acrobatic evolutions, as not +only to violate all the requirements of grace and elegance, but also +most effectually to prevent the possibility of even moderate hitting. +Such faults would appear to have been common in man's time as well as in our own, and they are still found in the hands of the novice. Now, +however, will be quoted upon the present occasion ; but it will be rather endeavoured to lay down such plain directions as may prevent +the assumption of attitudes injurious to good shooting, the reader +being left to his own common sense to avoid such as do violence to +gracefulness, and are repulsive to the looker-on. + +An archer's general position, to be a good one, must be +possessed of three qualities—namely, firmness, elasticity, and grace; +firmness, to resist the force produced and recoil of the bow; for if +there be any wavering or indelicacy, the shot will probably prove a +failure;--elasticity, to give free play to the muscles, and the needful +command over them, which will not be the case should the position be +too stiff--; and grace, to render the shooter and his performance an +agreeable object to the eye of the spectator. It so far fortunately happens that the third requirement, namely that of grace, is almost +the necessary consequent of the possession of the other two; for +the best position for practical results is almost sure to be the most +graceful one. At any rate, experience proves that an awkward and ungainly style of walking is either a never or seldom thing. Bearing in mind then, the above three requisites shall enable us to dis- +cuss what is and what is not the best position for combining them. + +The first point that calls for remark is the footing or standing, +and to this part of "position" there is little or nothing to be added + +OF POSITION. +63 + +to what has already been recommended in other treatises on archery. The heels should be about six or eight inches apart, not further; for it is neither necessary nor elegant for the shooter to straddle his legs abreast, and look as if he were preparing to withstand the blow of a battering ram, whatever his feelings upon the subject may be. The feet must be flat and firm on the ground, both equally inclining outwards from the heels, so that the toes be some six or seven inches wider apart than they; the position of the feet as regards the target being such, that a straight line drawn from it would intersect both heels—this to say, the standing must be at right angles with the mark.—(Video 1.) The body should be perfectly upright, not bent in the slightest degree. Some archers violate this rule; but could they once see themselves, or understand the ludicrous-looking object they present to the spectator by doing so, they would hardly be tempted to continue the practice. The weight of the body should be thrown equally on both legs; for, as Mr. Roberts very justly observes, a partial bearing on one leg more than on the other, tends to render the shooter uneasiness, and overrates his whole action. In short, the footing must be firm, yet at the same time easy and springy, and the most natural it be the more likely it is to possess these qualities. + +If the foregoing rules respecting the footing be accurately observed, it will be found that the side only of the archer's person is turned towards the target; and this is what has been invariably recommended by every author upon archery, and is indeed the proper attitude. The left shoulder must not, however, be additionally forced forward, set in a vice as it were, but allowed to maintain its natural position—otherwise the required element of elasticity will be lost; and if the right shoulder be forced forward too far, the son well balanced; and the face turned round so as to be nearly fronting the target, with the expression calm, yet determined and confident—for nothing is more unsightly than to see the "human + +64 + +OF POSITION. + +face divine" distorted by frowning, winking, sticking out the tongue, +and such like—the whole attitude, in short, should be generally sug- +gestive of power, command over the muscles, and the will to use +them so as to produce the desired result. + +During the brief period of time between the assumption of the +footing and the loosing of the arrow, some slight alteration of the +body's attitude first assumed will of necessity take place. During +the act of drawing and aiming, the right shoulder will naturally +come a little forward, and the left shoulder will come a little back. +Indeed, what is not to be feared but rather be the most pernicious +of awkwardnesses. The slightest possible inclination forward should +also be given to the head and chest. The object of this is to bring +the muscles of the chest into play to assist those of the arms, and is +what good Bishop Latimer called "laying the body in the bow." + +Not stooping, nor yet standing straight upright, + +As Nicholl's "London Artillery" hath it. + +A great many archers bend the body very considerably from the waist, but this is most highly objectionable on every account. +There is nothing to be said for it, and everything against it. Indeed, +the shooter who adopts this position requires so much of his wit +and muscles to keep himself from tumbling on his nose, as to have +but little of either left to enable him to hit the mark. Not that he +is to run into the opposite extreme, and look as if he had a ramrod +down his backbone, or was without vertebra at all ; but the same +rules apply to this point as to every other connected with the mode +of operation of shooting; namely, that any strained or unnatural +attitude is likely to be injurious to the success of the shot. A warning must likewise be given against bending the head too much forward. This, how- +ever, brings with it fortunately its own speedy punishment; for + +OF POSITION. +65 + +when it takes place, the string, in recoiling, will every now and then give the unfortunate archer such a merciless rap upon the nose as effectually to cure him of the fault---for the time being at all events; for archers who have once experienced the penalty of this mistake, will not be at all inclined to undergo a repetition of it, if it can by any possibility be avoided. + +I shall now proceed to the second part of my subject—which is indeed a most important one,—namely, the manner in which the hand should grasp the bow whilst in the act of shooting, and the exact position of the bow itself; that is, whether this should be perpendicular or more or less oblique. + +As regards the first matter, namely, the manner in which the hand should grasp the bow, it may be once more asserted that the most natural and easy position is also the best; in fact, this remark is applicable to almost every point connected with archery, and cannot be too often insisted on. Should the wrist and hand, then, be any way unnaturally employed, bad results immediately ensue. For example, should the grasp be such as to throw the fulcrum much below the centre of the bow, the lower limb runs great risk of being pulled away and out of shape, which sooner or later will result in a broken bow. And again, if, as Waterman's hook-bow would have it, "and others inclinate, and too many follow, the wrist be turned in as much as possible," the left arm must performe to hold in such a manner, and in so straightened a position, that not only will it + +A diagram showing a hand gripping a bow. +Waterman's Hook-Bow-Wood. + +66 +OF POSITION. + +present a constantly recurring obstacle and diverting influence to the free passage of the string, but also be the cause of an increased strain and additional effort to the shooter himself, besides taking all spring and elasticity out of him. If the reverse of this method be adopted, and the wrist be turned intentionally outwards, as some do (by the by, this is rather a peculiarity of the fainer sex), the whole force of the bow is thus wasted on one side, and it becomes unequal to the task of sustaining its pressure and recoil; thus, as in every other instance, extremes are bad, and to be avoided. + +Wrong. + +When the arrow is nocked and the foisting taken, let the bow lie easily and lightly in the left hand, the wrist being turned either inwards or outwards, but allowed to remain in that position that nature intended for it; as the drawing of the bow commences, the grasp will intuitively tighten, and by the time the arrow is drawn to the head, the position of hand and wrist will be such as to be easiest for the shooter, and best for the success of his shot. + +Some archers have a habit of letting the thumb of the left-hand lie extended along the belly of the bow, whilst others extend the forefinger, apparently to keep the arrow in its place. Both these + +OF POSITION. +67 + +habits are bad, as tending to weaken and unsteady the grasp, and as causing the jar of the bow to be more sensibly felt. + +Regarding the position of the bow, whether it should be held, when drawn up for the aim, perpendicularly or more or less obliquely opinions are pretty equally divided—the preponderance being, perhaps, rather to the side of the latter. I think, however, that sufficient reasons can be adduced to prove no doubt that the oblique is the best position for the archer. For first, the hand assumes that position naturally, the wrist requiring a slight twist to hold it quite perpendicularly; secondly, in a side wind blowing towards the face of the archer, the arrow is more easily retained on the bow; and, thirdly, it gives the elbow of the left arm a slight inclination outwards, which is so far advantageous as assisting to keep that arm out of the way of the string. I know of no advantage possessed by the perpendicular holding of the bow to counterbalance the above advantages appertaining to the oblique. It is therefore recommended that the bow be held somewhat in the latter direction. + +F 2 + +Chapter X. +OF DRAWING. + +Drawing an Essential Feature—Example of Bad Methods—Modes Adopted by Different Archers—the Best System—Inability of Devices to give Certainty of Draw—Position of Left Arm a most Important Feature—Mr. Waring's Arm—Striking Theory Denounced—The Necessity of the Uninterrupted Passage of the String Demonstrated—Proper Position for the Left Arm—the Length of the Brace. + +Whether Ascham's assertion that "drawing is the better part of shooting" be strictly correct or not, one thing is certain, that at any rate it forms one of its most important features ; and upon the manner in which it is accomplished very much depends, not only the ease and certainty of the shot, but also the accuracy and certainty of the hit. Now, though it may be true that no one method of drawing exists, whereby a man may attain to great scoring, it is nevertheless maintained that there are many modes in common practice at the present day, by the use of which such scoring is effectually prevented. A small volume might be written in describing the different bad methods of action adopted by various archers to accomplish this part of shooting. One I have seen took first a deliberate aim at his own toe, then an equally careful one at the sky above his head, and finally at his back ; it is perhaps needless to say that he missed his mark. Another was known to go through the most extraordinary gyrations with both arms, moving them about somewhat like the sails of a windmill during the whole process of drawing until the very moment of the arrow's departure—where to, until it dropped, neither he himself nor any of + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Chapter X.
OF DRAWING.
Drawing an Essential Feature—Example of Bad Methods—Modes Adopted by Different Archers—the Best System—Inability of Devices to give Certainty of Draw—Position of Left Arm a most Important Feature—Mr. Waring's Arm—Striking Theory Denounced—The Necessity of the Uninterrupted Passage of the String Demonstrated—Proper Position for the Left Arm—the Length of the Brace.
Whether Ascham's assertion that "drawing is the better part of shooting" be strictly correct or not, one thing is certain, that at any rate it forms one of its most important features ; and upon the manner in which it is accomplished very much depends, not only the ease and certainty of the shot, but also the accuracy and certainty of the hit. Now, though it may be true that no one method of drawing exists, whereby a man may attain to great scoring, it is nevertheless maintained that there are many modes in common practice at the present day, by the use of which such scoring is effectually prevented. A small volume might be written in describing the different bad methods of action adopted by various archers to accomplish this part of shooting. One I have seen took first a deliberate aim at his own toe, then an equally careful one at the sky above his head, and finally at his back ; it is perhaps needless to say that he missed his mark. Another was known to go through the most extraordinary gyrations with both arms, moving them about somewhat like the sails of a windmill during the whole process of drawing until the very moment of the arrow's departure—where to, until it dropped, neither he himself nor any of
+ +OF DRAWING. +69 + +the lockers-on had the remotest chance of divining. Several make a sort of see-saw of the bow and arrow, drawing the latter backwards and forwards for the last few inches, till the ill-treated weapons are at last allowed to separate. Such tricks as these, and many others like them too numerous for description, are methods of drawing that do prevent good shooting, and none are or can be correct that so glaring a manner do violence to greatness, or the first principles of common sense. + +But, putting aside such eccentric enormities as these, there still remain several different methods of drawing, that may well admit of discussion as to their respective merits, and these I shall proceed to notice. + +Some archers, and good ones too, extend the bow-arm fully and take their aim before they commence drawing at all. I cannot, however, think that this method is to be commended, as it has an awkward appearance from the necessity that exists of stretching the right arm so far across the body in order to reach the string, and materially increases the exertion necessary to pull the bow. The same objections apply, though it is a degree less to drawing now a few inches than when extending the whole arm until the aim. A third method to be noticed, the very method of that described, is, when the arm is extended, and the arrow drawn home before the aim is attempted to be taken at all. This, at the first view, has apparently a great point in its favour, namely, that it insures the arrow's always being drawn to the same point; but in objectionable manner, as being most trying both to arms and bow, as being generally ineffectual, not particularly graceful, and causing the proper loose to be constantly missed, from the great overstrain that is laid upon the drawing fingers of the right hand. Another mode is, to make the draw with the bow-arm only raised half-way on simultaneous movement, and to such an extent, that the arrow shall be at least three-fourths drawn at the time it is brought upon the aim—the right arm being at this time so much raised, that its + +70 + +OF DRAWING. + +elbow shall be on the same level as the drawing fingers. This is the system adopted by the generality of good archers, and is decidedly the best, as being the most graceful in action, and by far the easiest as regards the pulling of the bow. There is some difference of opinion amongst those who adopt this plan, as to whether the arms and bow should be brought to the point of aim from beneath that point, or brought round and above, and thus make a horizontal (in one case, whether) or a perpendicular line), or whether this should be done by a horizontal motion. The first method appears to me to be the simplest and most direct, since the drawing most naturally commences from beneath the point of aim, and it seems rather going out of the way to make an upward circular motion in order to get above it, for the sole purpose of again descending to it. As regards the horizontal movement, it is objectionable, as having a tendency to carry the arm across the target, and so out of the true line. + +At this point (the arrow being at the least three-fourths drawn and the aim found), a further matter for discussion amongst archers is, whether the continuation of the pull to its finish should be immediate and without pause, or otherwise; that is to say, whether the entire drawing should be one continuous act, from the first moment of pulling and raising the bow to the loosing ; or whether the bow should be held quiescent for a short time after the aim is found, so as to steady and correct it, and then be drawn to the loosing. Anarchum mentions this latter mode of proceeding; but he does not mention the second shift; but a very great deal of experiment has proved that very little, if any, advantage is possessed by either system over the other, and that the archer may adopt whichever he please without detriment to his shooting, provided only that the pause, if he make it, be a very slight one. My own predilection, from habit perhaps, is rather in favour of the continuous draw, and it is certainly somewhat less laborious, as if once a stop takes place, a + +OF DRAWING. +71 + +renewed effort is required to complete the pull ; but, upon the whole, the difference between the two methods is so trifling, that it may safely be left to the option of each shooter, as before stated, to choose for himself. + +I shall therefore venture to recommend, as being, all things considered, the best system of drawing, that the pulling of the bow and the extension of the left-arm be a simultaneous movement ; that this be to the extent of drawing the arrow at the least three-fourths of its length before the aim be taken (if to such a distance that the wrist of the right hand come to about the level of the chin, so much the better) ; that the aim be found by a direct movement on to it from the starting-place of the draw ; that the right elbow be well raised ; and that the arrow be then pulled home, either upon with or without a pause, preference being rather given to the latter. + +One of the main features of good drawing is, that the distance pulled be precisely the same every time, that is to say, the arrow always be drawn to identically the same spot. Unless this be accomplished, the elevation must be more or less uncertain, since the power taken out of the bow will, of course, be greater or less according to the extent it is pulled. A great many devices have been tried and practised to make it exact similarity in the distance drawn a matter of certainty ; but nothing has succeeded in this way for instance, so that the left hand may feel when it has reached a certain point, and by other contrivances of like nature, and producing the same effect. But such devices never have a beneficial result ; for when the eye and mind are fixed on the aim, concentrated upon it as it were (as they should be), if anything occurs to distract either, the shooting is sure to become uncertain and unequal. Some archers endeavour to obtain a certain guide to the length of draw by means of the right hand, making this be felt in some particular part of the cheek. One who shot at one of the earlier Grand National Meetings + +72 +OF DRAWING. + +actually held on by his own nose, the thumb being the instrument of fixture; another will put his tongue in his cheek, and hold on by that. The same objections apply to these as to the first-mentioned device ; namely, that they are inconvenient, awkward, unsightly and ungraceful, besides preventing the elasticity of finger required for a good loose. There appears indeed to be no artificial means by which similarity of draw can be beneficially obtained. Nothing but constant and unremitting practice will serve the archer here. + +The pile of the arrow should not be drawn on to the bow—at least it is better that it be not—so, unless it is exactly the same shape as the arrow itself, will throw it out of true. (See Fig. 5.) Moreover, much more danger will exist of the arrow's being pulled and set inside the bow, when such a smash will probably take place, as will anything but soothing to the nerves of the shooter, or safe to his bow or his eyes. This rule can be the more safely pressed on his attention, as there is no object gained by violating it. It is, therefore, recommended that the arrow be pulled just to that point where the commencement of the pile touches the bow and no further. Thus the arrow should be longer, by the length of the pile, than the archer's actual draw. + +All archers, good, bad, and indifferent, are particularly subject (more or less) to one failing, namely, that of completing the draw, after the aim is taken, in a somewhat different line to that occupied by the arrow; instead of making it, as they should do, an exact continuation of that line, dropping the right hand, or letting it incline to the right, or both—the effect being to cast the arrow out of the direction it had indicated, and by means of which the aim had been calculated. Here again nothing but the most constant and uniring practice will serve the archer; but his attention is most particularly directed to this most common failing, as it is one + +OF DRAWING. +73 + +of which he will very often be entirely unconscious, though the cause of his continually missing his mark. The very best of archers need to bear constantly in mind the necessary avoidance of this fault, for however skilful he may be, however experienced and practised a shot, he may be quite sure that it is one into which he will be constantly in danger of falling. + +Now let it be remembered that the right hand must always be drawn to the same spot for all kinds of target shooting, be the distance what it may, and the arrow be pulled the same length. Some archers have a very bad habit of varying the length of their draw at different distances, whilst others endeavour to accomplish the desired elevation by raising or depressing the right hand. This is all decidedly wrong. It is the left arm, and the left arm alone, that should do this part of the work, this being elevated or depressed according to circumstances, the right hand being maintained invariably in the same position at the moment of the arrow's departure. This is an inescapable rule in archery to obtain a true elevation, and one that admits of no variation, however many archers of the present day may be disposed to dispute its correctness. + +A further and a most important point, and one that applies to every archer, let his method of drawing see what it may, now calls for particular attention, namely, the amount of extension to which the left arm should be subjected at the final completion of the draw, that is at the moment of the loose. Concerning this, it is without hesitation affirmed, that if the left arm be stretched out quite straight—so as to form with the body a line parallel to the ground—by all writers upon archery, and more especially as already mentioned by Mr. Waring—accurate shooting at once becomes unattainable, owing to the difficulty, amounting almost to an impossibility, of keeping the string, when on the recoil, from habitually striking the bracer; or, in other words, that the constant striking of the string upon the + +74 + +OF DRAWING. + +breach is inimical to certain hitting. This, at the first view, will strike many archers as a most startling proposition, especially if their young ideas have been taught how to shoot from Mr. Waring's "Treatise on Archery," or the Art of Shooting; as he not only recommends the direct reverse, but that the left arm shall be held quite straight, but clenches the matter by inculcating, in addition, that "it (the left arm) be so turned in, that the string strikes it when loosed." Now, attention is the more particularly directed to this, as it is believed, most anti-hitting instruc-tion of Mr. Waring, as, from the large circulation of Work as it has been, the reputation of some of the others, en-joyed by himself as one of the good shots of his day (though, on reference to his scores, I find him to have been barely, if at all, more than third-rate, even at the low standard of shooting then prevailing), many archers have carefully guided their practice by the rules he has laid down. Had he directed the shooter to stand on his head whilst drawing, or to shut his eyes whilst aiming, it had hardly been more injurious doctrine; much less so, as the self-avowed object of his work was to teach the art of shooting attempted. As it is, however, his arm-striking theory has kept many a promising archer a slave in the dark regions of Mutilism, who otherwise might speedily have emerged from its pernicious, and shown forth to the admiring gaze of the archery world a full-blown Robin Hood. + +Before leaving Mr. Waring's Treatise, it should be observed, that + +A Perpendicular Shot. +A.B.—The Stringing Course. + +OF DRAWING. 75 + +he appears to have arrived at the conclusion that the left arm should be held in such a position that the string may always strike it, not because he actually thought the arm-striking beneficial as against the reverse, but as a guide to insure the left wrist being "turned in as much as possible;" he erroneously imagining that the bow could not be held with firmness in any other way. Certainly one system secured the other. I will now, however, endeavour to demonstrate the correctness of the proposition I have laid down, namely, that the constant striking of the string upon the bracer is fatal to good shooting. + +Now, let it be borne in mind, that the flight and direction of the arrow, are entirely caused and governed by the string's action upon it, (the latter's power being, of course, obtained by the recoil action of the bow), and that this government of the string over the arrow lasts to the extent of its force, in comparison with the other forces put into play by the act of shooting, during the former's entire passage (after being loosed) from the extreme point of draw to the like point of release; and that it would be impossible for it not properly part company before this passage is completed. This being the case, it follows that if, during the string's progress, any obstruction occurs to alter its natural and original direction, or to give it any vibratory or irregular motion, an immediate prejudicial effect of the like nature must be communicated to the arrow's flight; or the ob- struction, if it be sufficiently direct to arrest or stay the string in its course even for an instant, must cause the arrow to leave the string before the latter has reached the extreme point of recoil; and thus, the proper fling of the bow not being communicated to it, the arrow must of necessity drop short. + +Now, if the string strike the bracer previous to its extreme point of recoil, it, of necessity, becomes subject to one or other of the two evil influences mentioned; for, as the bracer follows the line of the + +76 + +OF DRAWING. + +left arm, and the line of the left arm is altogether different from that traversed by the string from point to point, it becomes obvious that an alteration and irregularity of the string's line must take place over such portion of its passage as may exist between the spot where it strikes the brace, and the extreme point of its recoil, in addition to any voluntary or improper motion communicated to it by the blow itself. +Thus the arrow, if it do not fall a victim to the second momentary evil, namely, that of being deflected from its course, will afterwards become subject in a greater or less degree to the irregularities and misdirection mentioned as communicated to the string, and its accuracy of flight be entirely prevented thereby. It may, even if the amount of obstruction be insufficient to free the arrow, though enough to deaden the string's progress for the remainder of its passage, be subject to all the evil influences described. If the brace be a hard one, the arrow will most probably lose little of its proper impetus (hence Archimedes' "sharper shoot"), but simply be cast irregularly and out of its course. If it be a soft one, it will strike with a thrown short, though likely enough in its correct line. In short, it is abundantly clear, and the fact must commend itself to the reflection of every archer, that, unless the string has a clear passage from end to end, the arrow can neither get the proper impetus from the bow, nor avoid receiving an eccentric momentum. + +It is possible, however, that the string may strike the brace, but do so only at the extreme point of its recoil, and not previous to it; or, in other words, there is just one spot where the string may strike the arm without causing any appreciable change in its direction or arresting influence. Now, could the arborist attain to such perfection of relative position in every respect, such precise similarity of drawing, &c., he, so as ensure that the string, each time it was loosed, should touch this spot, and this one only, he might indulge his penchant for arm-striking (if he have it) without, in all pro- bability, any injury to the flight of his arrow or the accuracy of his + +OF DRAWING. +77 + +shooting, though neither would be improved thereby, nor any com- +onitable advantage be gained by his doing so. Still he might, in +such a case, revel in the indulgence of his crotchet, and be happy. +Such required perfection of position, &c. &c., however, is practically unattainable; and this being so, its results, that if the left arm be so +straightened that the string habitually strike upon it when loosed; +or if any other peculiarity of position or method of drawing bring +about the same effect, some mishance, from the causes and of the +nature already described, is constantly happening to the arrow, and +marrying the success of the shot; and such mishance may be of two +or less kinds. The first kind is that which happens when the bow is +braced struck, and the extreme point of the string's recoil be greater +or less. Crude experts. + +The archer is, nevertheless, not to run into the opposite extreme, +and deliberately bend his left arm, as in +this case he will certainly, to a great +extent, lose his power of resisting the +force and preserving the bow; but if +the left hand be placed naturally +and easily (the elbow being turned a +little outwards and upwards), without +a conscious effort either to straighten +or to bend it, it will have just that +position which will most easily en- +able him to withstand the force of +the bow with firmness, and, at the +same time, that will allow of a +free and unobstructed passage of the +passage of the string ; especially if +the left hand grasp the bow in the +manner already advised in the chapter on " position." + +A Perpendicular Shot. +A.B.—The Courses of the String. + +A Perpendicular Shot. +A.B.—The Courses of the String. + +78 + +**OF DRAWING.** + +The length of each archer's draw must, of course, be regulated by the length of his arm, and should be such, that, when the arrow is drawn to the loosing point, its neck should be in a perpendicular line with the right eye, the level of the arrow being a shade higher than that of the chin. (Vide Frontispiece.) A direction of pull higher than this will render the return of the arrow at long distances (at 100 yards, for instance), unless the bow shot with be a very strong one, or the arrows very light (which they should not be for target shooting), the proper sight of the mark is lost by the excessive but required elevation of the bow-hand, and arm. For the reasons hereafter to be given, when treating of the "aim," the pull to the ear is decidedly rejected. The archer need be under no apprehension that, in the way recommended, he will be unable to pull a sufficient length of arrow; if a man of six feet, he will with ease be able to draw an arrow twenty-eight inches long. This is one of those famous cloth-yard shafts of our forefathers. (The arrow in the frontispiece is a twenty-nine inch one, pulled twenty-eight inches. As this plate is from a photograph, all the particulars referred to in it may be relied on as correct.) Indeed, it is exceedingly difficult to reconcile the two generally received dogmas of the pull to the ear and their clock-guard shafts; inasmuch as, the cloth-yard at that time being but twenty-seven inches, it would appear im- possible to get a draw of that length only, so far back as the ear, unless, indeed, we were to allow ourselves to have our arms too short for men, or to have kept their bow-arm very much bent whilst shooting. It is more probable that "to the ear" means in a direction towards the ear. However this may be, for modern target shooting neither one nor the other is recommended. + +To draw to the breast, as many do, is a bad method—indeed, about the very worst, as it curmudifies the pull, most materially diminishes the archer's power over this bow, and causes the line of sight to be so much above the arrow, that the difficulty of getting + +OF DRAWING. +70 + +an aim (as regards elevation) at the short distances is very great indeed. Moreover, when shot in this way, the arrow flies as if sent from a broomstick rather than from a bow; for the shooter's position is so cramped, so huddled together as it were, that he not only loses a great part of his natural power over the bow, but also that thorough command over the string required for a good loose. + +Finally, upon this point of drawing, is should be remarked, that the pull from end to end should be invariably even, quiet, and steady, without jerk or sudden movement of any kind. Some archers find it extremely difficult to use a bow for any length of time without chrysalising it, and this arises wholly and solely from want of proper attention to this rule. In addition to this, a sudden jerk, especially towards the end, is very likely to pull the arrow and string out of their proper line, and thus spoil the success of the shot. + +Chapter XI. +ON AIMING. + +Prevailing Ignorance on this Point—Absence of Scientific Instruction upon it in all Existing Works—Curious Reproductions Resorted to—Their Objections—Directions for its Full and Proper Attainment, and its Theory Clearly Elucidated—The Point of Aim—A Curious Example—Showing at Length Depend on Target Distance—Shooting One Eye— + +The following observations, be it understood, are intended to apply to those distances only which are fairly within the cast of the bows in use at the present day, and at which accuracy in hitting can reasonably be expected. Beyond 180 or 180 yards, the necessary but excessive arch of the arrow, the unavoidable concealment of the target by the required elevation of the left hand and arm, and the vastly increased effect of wind and weather, all conspire to render hitting the mark a matter much more of chance and guess-work than of skill and scientific practice. Not but what in any case the good archer will find that he has a decided advantage over one who is chance-shooting, so he still possesses the advantages that superior judgment and knowledge of his weapon will be sure to give him, and which, to a certain extent, will enable him to control the adverse influences that militate against the correctness and accuracy of his shooting; but the more chance enters into the elements of success, and the more the efforts of skill are baffled by matters out of the power of science to control, the less satisfactory will the pursuit become; and that + +A black-and-white illustration of a man aiming a bow and arrow. + +ON AIMING. +81 + +this is the generally received opinion, as regards distance shooting, +amongst archers of the present day, may be inferred from the fact, +that all the numerous archery societies now existing in the kingdom, +with the exception of two or three, limit their distances to 100 yards, +as does the Grand National Archery Society itself. I shall now +proceed to the discussion of my immediate subject, namely, the +method of aiming at what may be called the target distances. + +The "aim" is undoubtedly the most abstruse and scientific point +connected with the practice of archery; the most difficult to teach, yet +the most necessary to be taught; upon which all successful practice +depends, yet respecting which the most sublime ignorance generally +prevails; the want of a due understanding of which is all but +universal, yet without which understanding an impassable barrier is +prevented to the progressing a single step beyond the commonest +melodious. Ignorance of this fundamental principle it is that +causes so many archers to fall short of their mark, whether it be +great and accurate shots—health, strength, correctness of eye, &c.— +to stand still, as it were, at a certain point, immovable and, if +I may coin a word, unimprovable—year after year hammering +away in the despairing pursuit of bullet eyes, without any per- +ceptible improvement or increase of skill, until at last, as I have +known in some instances, the whole matter has been given up in +sheer hopelessness and disgust at continued ill-successes. As if to +add to the difficulty of obtaining the command of this most necessary +principle of archery, out of the authors who have treated on archery +have (to speak from their own experience) failed to think it sufficiently +unnEEDED; whilst others who have noticed it have combined to lead +the unfortunate aspirant in the wrong direction. In vain will he +search the standard works on the subject through, to find a common- +sense or scientific principle laid down to assist him on this point. +Aescham will tell him that, "to look at the shaft-head at the loose is +the greatest help in keeping a length that can be, but that it hinders + +A page from a book discussing archery techniques. + +82 +ON AIMING. + +excellent shooting; and afterwards, that, to have the eye always on the mark is the only way to shoot straight." Now, as keeping a length and shooting straight at the same time are just the two things necessary to hit the mark, and the best mode proper for the one is, according to Ascham, the worst for the other, I do not think much practical benefit is there to be derived from him. He does not even hint that his principles are inconsistent with common requisites, nothing does he give his readers any further practical assistance as to getting the straight line and elevation, than is contained in the two above quotations. If he then turn to Roberts, (who, by-the-by, on practical points mostly confines himself to quoting Ascham) he will find from what can be gathered from his (Roberts') own observations, that the eye is concerred to be an organ of such wonderful power as to be able to accomplish all the archer may require in the way of elevation, &c. And he is indeed right so far; but while he asserts that so the eye is taught, so it will continue to be taught; and while he says that "the archer learns in what manner it is to be trained so as to arrive at the required powers and capabilities. The author of "The Modern Book of Archery" asserts "that the best, and indeed the only, expedient for attaining perfection in shooting straight, is to shoot in the evening at lights;" and herein, indeed, as so many others have done, he but follows in the wake of Roger Ascham, but improves upon it in favour of the "town residents," by substituting the street gas-lamp opposite his sitting-room, for the paper lantern--policeman A 1, it is presumed, officiating as marker. Warren confides his instruction simply to touching up the bow-tube, drawing down the string brought up towards the ear, not into the eye as many suppose," and that "the archer must not look along the arrow, but direct at the mark;" and that "the mark is to be visible a little to the left of the knuckles." There are other and smaller works, but they are either plagiarisms from those already named, or ignore instruction upon this part of shooting altogether. + +ON AIMING. +83 + +Now, just let my readers imagine such desultory instruction upon aiming as the specimens quoted, given as regards rifle-shooting, for instance, and it will be instantly perceived how wanting it would be, and how utterly insufficient to enable a man to arrive at anything like excellence in this pursuit. Imagine a man, denouing of hitting a mark at 100 or 200 yards with this weapon, being told to keep his knuckles to the rights of the bull's eye, or to keep his eye on it and not to have any other object in view. Certainly, he can shoot all right at the end without further assistance of any kind. How different are the means actually employed to obtain accuracy here! to what a nicety is the sight regulated! How beautifully calculated to a hair's breadth. A small telescope is even sometimes fixed upon the barrel to insure greater certainty of aim; and even with all these concomitants, the rest is needed by many to make assurance doubly sure. No hand and eye, or lantern and gaslight theories are considered sufficient here. Yet for the bow, an infinitely more difficult weapon to shoot with, such things are gravely set forth as all that is necessary. The bowman must learn to draw up his arm to work upon. Hand and eye will do a good deal, no doubt—it will enable a man to throw a stone or bowl a cricket-ball a short distance with tolerable accuracy, or to bring down a partridge or pheasant with a projectile that spreads and covers a space of perhaps two feet in diameter. These and other things of the like nature it may do; but it is comparatively useless when depended on as the only means to enable the archer to strike with anything like certainty, and with a projectile analogous to a small bullet, a mark much beyond his own nose. The power of hand and eye are, as with the rifle shot, too limited for this. The reason why this is so has been demon- strated by the fact that so many curious devices have been originated by different archers to obtain some sure means of acquiring certainty. Some will endeavour to find some object to the right or left, above or below the target, which they can apparently cover with the arrow, and which shall yet be about the spot to aim at, so o 2 + +84 +ON AIMING. + +as to cause the shaft to drop into the mark. One I knew of, for 60 yards shooting, used actually to fix a bit of stick into the ground for that purpose. A nice sort of system this to depend upon, on strange grounds and in matches, where no well-placed tree or happily-located stick may happen to be at hand just in the right place. Some have covered the glove of the bow-hand with a series of lines of different colours, so as to show the line along which they aim according to their position of the line or elevation required; whilst others have improved upon this plan, by making a pinionchum of their left hand, by inserting a number of pins in a piece of leather fastened theron for the purpose, each individual pin serving as a guide for the particular line or elevation wanted at the time. Others, again, have contented themselves with making their left hand their guide, varying its position in conjunction with the mark according to circumstances, high or low, to the right or left hand, as the case might be. + +Now these things, and all others like them, are dodges—or, as Ascham would call them, shifts—and will never lead to a successful result, or to certainty and accuracy of practice; they may, perhaps, occasionally prove of assistance to those who have no more scientific knowledge of shooting in quiet private practice, where the mind is unexcited and undisturbed, and no distracting influences are likely to arise; but woe to the archer (in a target-biting sense) who depends upon them on strange grounds or in matches, or upon any occasion where he may be tempted thus to disregard of shooting well for all him. The reason why such a difficulty will stem from any such shifts and inventions should ever have been found necessary. Let a gun for the first time be put into a man's hands, and tell him to aim with it, and up it goes at once under the eye, and intuitively he looks at his mark and takes his sight along the barrel." Now the arrow represents precisely an analogous object to this latter; there it is, ready at hand, straight and true, and like as the rifle bullet, + +ON AIMING. +85 + +files accurately in the direction in which the barrel is held at the moment of discharge; so that the arrow will equally, and with the same accuracy, fly in the line in which its point lies, and in the direction indicated by itself, when drawn up for the bow--taking for granted, of course, that the shot in all other respects be correctly delivered, that the arrow be a good one, and that no countering influence of side wind interfere. The object then to be attained is such a mode of aiming as shall enable the archer, not only to keep his eye upon the point of aim (for this is absolutely necessary for all successful shooting, whether with the gun or with the bow), but at the same time to have a sufficient vision of his mark, and of the length as well as the point of the arrow. I will now proceed to lay down what I believe to be a certain and clearly defined theory embracing these requisites, and capable of being carried out in practice. + +The cause of the great difficulty experienced by the generality of archers in attaining a satisfactory system of aiming, and the consequent singular devices in vogue for that purpose already mentioned, have appeared to me to arise from a too rigid and mistaken adherence to the supposed old English style of shooting, "pulling to the ear." This may have been the method adopted by our forefathers, in the days when great strength and force of shooting was the one thing sought after, for they understood that by pulling the arrow uniformly to the ear, and thus keeping it having a longer distance to set upon the shaft, a quicker and stronger flight is obtained thereby; but I question very much if by this means greater actual power is obtained, but only that the same amount of power is applied in a different manner. This prolonged action of the string, then, upon the arrow, is the whole and sole advantage gained by pulling to the ear; but, in carrying out this method, all scientific principles of aiming must at once be cast aside, because it is impossible when the arrow is once drawn past, and consequently on one side of the eye, that its true direction can be any longer + +86 +ON AIMING. + +accurately seen ; since, pulled in this way, when to the eye it appears to be pointing to the mark, it is in reality held in a direction far away to the left of it. Hence the reason why some who have written upon the subject of the aim in archery (assuming at once that pulling to the ear can be the only correct method) direct the learner to keep his bow-hand to the right of the mark ; and so many archers aim with one or other of their knuckles, or a particular pin out of their pin-cushion ! I fear it shall be at once anathemised as a heresy for daring to impugn the dear old dogmatic legend of the "pull to the ear," but I must nevertheless maintain that, with the exception of the absurdity of the above-named, it is by no means impossible that Robin Hood might have used this method and trusted to his hand and eye only, or dologed about with knuckles or pins to obtain an aim. I for one cannot bring myself to believe in his skill, whatever the force of his shot may have been—it may be safely depended on that very few wildwood men are so to split in this way. Imagine a man being expected to hit accurately with a rifle with the trigger at his ear, and his eye looking sideways at the barrel. Its absurdity at once becomes evident. Yet this is exactly a similar case. I will now, however, proceed to demonstrate what appears to me to be the only true explanation of this matter. For this purpose it will be necessary in the first place to say a few words on those laws of optics which apply to the point in question. + +When both eyes are directed to any single object, say the gold of the target, their axes meet at it, and all other parts of the eyes having perfect correspondence as regards that object, give the sensation of direct vision ; but images at the same time are formed of other objects nearer or farther, to the right or the left, as the case may be. The latter images, though they may be included in the field embraced by this indirect vision, will be seen more or less distinctly according to its remoteness or otherwise from either of the axes of any part of their length ; and it will be clearest to the indirect vision + +ON AIMING. +87 + +of that eye to whose axis it most approximates, or at any rate, naturally, should be. + +Now, in aiming with the bow, to arrive at anything like certainty, it is necessary to obtain a view of three things, namely, the mark to be hit (which is the gold of the target), the arrow in its whole line and length (otherwise its real course cannot be appreciated), and the point of aim. + +It may, perhaps, be as well to explain here, that by the point of aim is meant the spot apparently covered by the point of the arrow. For this reason both eyes are employed with the gold, occupying at one particular distance to each individual archer, because the arrow has no adjusting sights to make it always so, as is the case with the rifle. As an example, let us suppose an archer shooting in a side wind, say at eighty yards, and that this distance is, to him, that particular one where, in calm weather, the point of his arrow and the gold are identical. It is clear if he now makes them so, the effect of the wind will carry his arrow to the right or the left, according to the side from which it blows. He is, therefore, obliged to aim to one side of the gold, and the point of his arrow, consequently, cover a spot other than that of the gold. And this spot, in this case, would be held to his point of aim. Under these parallel circumstances of a long range and a side wind, the rifle even would be subject to the same rule. + +Now I shall be understood when I repeat, that it is necessary for the archer to embrace within his vision the gold, the point of the aim, and the true line in which the arrow is directed. + +Direct vision, however, can only be applied to one object at a time, and as that object must never in any case be the arrow, I will first proceed to show in what way this must be held, in order to + +
Directed vision.
+ +88 +ON AIMING. + +enable the archer, by means of his *indirect* vision, clearly to appreciate the true line in which it points at the time of aiming, leaving for after discussion the question as to whether the gold or the point of aim should be directly looked at. + +Now it is at once asserted, as an incontrovertible axiom in archery, that this true line of the arrow can never be correctly appreciated by the shooter, excepting when the arrow lies in its whole length directly beneath the axis of the aiming eye. (The indirect vision of both eyes can never be used here, as, if it were, according to the law of optics, two arrows would be seen; but this is never the case with the habitual shooter though both eyes be open, habit and the wonderful adapting power of the eye preventing such an untoward effect equally as well as if the second eye were closed—which, indeed, with many archers is the case.) + +I have said then that the arrow, in its whole length, must be directly beneath the axis of the aiming eye (see diagram 1, plate 6), (which I shall here assume to be the right one, as in ninety-nine instances out of one hundred is the case,) and it must do so, because otherwise, the shooter will be deceived as to its true line; for so long as the point intersects the axis of the aiming eye, the arrow will appear to that eye to be pointing in a straight line with the object looked at, though in reality directed far away to the right or left of it. (See diagram 2, plate 6, where the arrows C., though held in the direction C. E., appear to the shooter to be aimed at the object D.) For instance, suppose the archer to be shooting at that distance where his point of aim is identical with the gold. He of course brings the point of his arrow to bear upon it, the same as the rifle-man would his sights; that is, *the point* intersects the axis of the aiming eye, but if the arrow itself be inclined, say to the right of + +PLATE VI. + +A series of five vertical lines with arrows pointing upwards, labeled A, B, C, D, E. +A.B. The two eyes. B. The aiming eye. +C. The arrow, directly looked at. +D. The axis of the eyes. +E.F. The two eyes. A. The aiming eye. +B. The arrow, directly looked at. +C. The axis of the eyes. +D.E. The axis of the eyes. + +A series of five vertical lines with arrows pointing downwards, labeled A, B, C, D, E. +A.B. The two eyes. B. The aiming eye. +C. The arrow, directly looked at. +D. The axis of the eyes. +E.F. The two eyes. A. The aiming eye. +B. The arrow, directly looked at. +C. The axis of the eyes. +D.E. The axis of the eyes. + +. . + +ON AIMING. +89 + +the axe (as in pulling to the ear it would be), it will fly away far to the left of the object looked at—and the converse of this is true also, for if it incline to the left of the axis, it will then fly off to the right. (See diagram 2, plate 6.) + +I will produce an example within my own personal knowledge—a curious, though perfect illustration of all that has been said—and I do so, as it is possible that cases of the like nature may exist, and therefore the description of this one and its solution may be useful. + +An archer had shot for many years, but always found that if ever his arrow pointed (as it flew) in a straight line with the gold, it invariably flew off far to the left of it—five or six yards even at the short distance—(see diagram 4, plate 6,) where the arrow C, though pointing in the direction B, E., appeared to the shooter to be aimed at the object D; he was therefore obliged to make this allowance and point his arrow (as it appeared to him) that number of yards to the right (see diagram 5, plate 6,) where the arrow C, though pointing straight to the object D, appeared to the shooter to be pointing in the direction B, E., and thus he could not hit his main sought a solution of this anomaly; all could tell him there was something faulty somewhere, but, as everything in his style and mode of action appeared correct, what that something was remained a mystery. Becoming acquainted with him some short time back he applied to me to solve the riddle, but, as it found that the arrow was held perfectly as it should be, directly beneath the axis of the right eye; and that the other important points of the archer were correct also, I was for a time as much puzzled as any one else on earth. But after some days' reflection I thought suffice it to say, that I ultimately discovered, that though the arrow was held close to, and directly beneath, the axis of the right eye, (this being open too,) this archer actually used his + +90 +ON AIMING. + +Left eye to aim with. If the previous observations be considered, it will now at once be seen why the discrepancy between his aim and the flight of his arrow existed—the fact being that the arrow did not appear to the shooter to be pointing straight, till the point intersected the axis of his left eye, and consequently until its course was in reality in a direction far away to the left of the mark. (See diagram 4, plate 6.) On closing the left eye, the line of flight and the aim became at once identical, because the eye, under whose axis the arrow was held, became the one with which the aim was taken. + +The diagrams illustrating the foregoing observations do not pre- sent to be drawn to scale, but are simply intended to illustrate their principle. + +Now, as to whether the direct vision should be applied to the mark or the point of aim, the argument is all in favour of the latter. +For the point of aim must, necessarily, be in relation to the mark, +either in a perpendicular line with it or outside that line: if outside, +then the direct vision must certainly be upon the point of aim, +otherwise the arrow cannot be directly beneath the line of the axis of the eye; and if within, then it must be upon some other point; +the only remaining question to be decided is, when the point of aim falls in a perpendicular line with the mark, which of the two should be directly looked at? Here again an argument can be addeduced to determine the choice in favour of the former; for when the point of aim is above the mark, the latter will be concealed from the right or aiming eye by the necessary raising of the bow-hand (as may be proved by the experiment of shutting the left eye); therefore, the direct vision cannot be here applied to the mark, though it may be to the point of aim; but when it is below it, on either case, namely, +when the point of aim falls in the perpendicular line below +the mark; and here (though either of them may in this case be viewed with the direct vision), as no reasoning or argument can be put for- + +ON AIMING. + +ward for violating the rule shown to be necessary in the other cases, +and as it is easier to view the point of aim directly, and the mark +indirectly, than the contrary, and as uniformity of practice is highly +desirable, I strongly recommend that in all cases the direct vision be +upon the point of aim. This is contrary to the usual received +opinion, which is that the eye should always be instantly fixed upon +the mark to be hit; but I am very much inclined to think that even +those archers that imagine they do so, will find, as I have done, +upon careful experiment, that the point of aim is directly looked at, +and not the mark, this being only seen indirectly, except as before +stated, when the eye is pointed at it; and this is exactly analogous +to that part of rifle-shooting where allowance must be made for a +strong side wind, at a long range. + +My readers must bear in mind that all these remarks, as before +stated, are intended to apply only to the target distances, or any +lengths within them. + +As regards aiming at lengths much beyond these distances, since +the mark and the point of aim are too far apart to be sufficiently +seen in conjunction. I do not see that any scientific principle can +here be laid down for the guidance of the archer. Practice alone +will give him a knowledge of the power of his bow, and the angle +of elevation required to throw the arrow up to the mark. If the +distance to be shot be a known and fixed one, for instance, two +hundred yards, the calculation is more or less attainable; but the +great distance renders the aim so uncertain as to prevent anything +approaching to the accuracy attainable at the targets. If the mark +be a varying and uncertain one, as in roving, the archer is entirely +dependent on his own skill; and though this sort of shooting, +though very interesting, must be attended with a great amount of +uncertainty; but, as in every other case, the more the practice, the +greater will be the success. + +98 +ON AIMING. + +No rule can be laid down for fixing where the point of aim ought to be at any distance, as this is dependent upon so great a variety of circumstances—the strength of the bow, a sharp or dull loose, heavy or light arrows, and the varying force of different winds. This is a matter entirely for the judgment of each individual archer, and can only be decided by his own practical experience. Indeed, as different winds have such different effects upon the flight of the shaft, it is not until the archer has arrived upon the field, and actually shot one or two arrows, that even he can be in a position to judge his point of aim for himself. Here the words of Ascham may, with propriety, be quoted—“He who best property of a good shooter is to be able to judge the wind by his aim and against him, that thereby he may shoot near to his mark.” + +Some few archers are in the habit of shutting one eye when aiming. Now, as it would be anything but interesting or instructive to enter into the discussion of the one and two-eyed theories—a custom pursued for centuries, and about which volumes might, and I believe have been written, and no one a whit the wiser in consequence—I shall confine myself to the remarks, that in archery it is objectionable to shut one eye. In this case, without the use of both eyes, the latter is concealed from the sight altogether by the bow-hand and arm—an instant’s experi- ment will prove the truth of this. Another reason against it is, that though apparently seeming to concentrate the aim, it nevertheless contracts the vision; and, moreover, distorts the face, and interferes with that gracefulness which ought to be one of the attributes of archery. The fair sex especially will, therefore, be cautious before they adopt so indignant a system of aiming. There may perhaps be cases in which it may be advisable—without that one of which a detail was given some page or two back. In such instances there is apparently no help for it. + +ON AIMING. +93 + +Finally, in conclusion, upon this point of aiming, it should be remarked that, as from the position necessarily assumed by the archer in shooting, the right eye is the one that comes naturally nearest to the arrow; it is beneath the axis of this one that the shaft should lie. It would hardly have been considered necessary to mention so very obvious a matter, had not a few archers contracted a habit of actually pulling the arrow to the left side of their nose, and thus under the left eye. Not only does such a useful purpose, has a very awkward appearance, and materially increases the difficulty of keeping the string, when loosed, from striking the left arm (before demonstrated to be fatal to success), the sooner such a habit is got rid of the better. In the exceptional case of the left-handed shooter, of course the contrary of the above is to be followed. + +Chapter XII. +OF HOLDING AND LOOSING. + +The Importance of Holding—Loosing the last of Ascham's Five Points— +Necessity of its Perfect Command—What is and what is not a Good +Loose—Its Effect upon the Flight of the Arrow—Directions for its +Proper Attainment. + +--- + +**HOLDING.** + +By "holding" is meant keeping the arrow fully drawn before it is bowed. Ascham has made this his fourth "point" of archery, and little doubt exists that he meant by it what he said of the subject. "Holding," says he, "must be so well done, for a man in danger of breaking, and also spoiling the shot; it must occupy so little time, that it may be better perceived in the mind, when it is done, than seen with the eye when doing." This is an entire and exact description of what holding should be, and I shall therefore only add that this almost imperceptible pause before the act of loosing serves to steady the arm and correct the aim, and is a grand assistant to the obtaining of a certain and even loose. It is therefore, with the other points of archery, most necessary to be cultivated if successful hitting is to be the result. + +--- + +**OF LOOSING.** + +After the bow is drawn up to its proper extent, and the aim correctly taken, there still remains one more "point" for the archer to achieve successfully before he can ensure the correct and desired flight of his arrow to its mark ; and this is the point of loosening, which term is applied to the act of quitting or freeing the string from the + +OF HOLDING AND LOOSING. 95 + +fingers of the right hand, which retain it. It is the last of Ascham's celebrated "Quintette," and the crowning difficulty the archer has to overcome, in order to complete the perfection of his shot. Though the last point to be considered, it is not one what the less important on that account; for however correct and perfect all the rest of the archer's performance may be, the shortest distance between a pull, and end of dismountment, would this said point be found not also successfully mastered. Upon this, it has been before observed, when treating of the bow, the flight of the arrow mainly depends; and to how great an extent this may be effected by it, may be gathered from the fact, that the same bow, with a like weight of arrow and length of pull, will cast 40 or 60 yards further in the hands of one man, than it will in those of another, owing solely and entirely to the different manner in which the string shall be quitted; consequently, in target shooting, the aim, which may be perfectly correct for one shooter, may be either too high or too low for another, who from the acting in a different manner. + +From this it may be gathered how delicate an operation in archery it is to loose well. To accomplish with evenness, smoothness, and unvarying similarity, it is perhaps the most difficult one of all, and yet for accurate hitting fully as necessary to be attained with all these requisites as any other point of archery. I think a great misapprehension exists amongst archers as to what is and what is not a good loose; it being generally thought that if at extreme sharpness of flight no communication takes place between arrow and string, it is conclusive evidence as to the goodness of loose. How often do we hear our friends say "What a beautiful loose he has," though the archer to whom this remark is applied may be missing arrow after arrow, and vainly endeavouring to hit his mark twice in succession; this incommon being passed upon him merely because his arrow flies keen and sharp. Now without in the least underestimating this very excellent quality in the flight of an arrow, and, so far as it goes, the goodness of the loose which + +Chapter XII. +Of Hitting and Loosing. + +The Importance of a Man's Learning the Use of Archery's Five Points— + +Necessity of an Instructed Instructor—What is to be done in a Good Lesson—a Few upon the Point of the Arrow—Directions for the Proper Aimment. + +HITTING. + +By "hitting" is meant keeping the arrow fairly drawn before it is loosed. Archers have made this their "point" of archery, and while we wishing to be able to do so, we have laid on the subject, we must not forget that it is only by being able to keep an image of hitting, and some guide like that, it must occupy our whole time, so as may be better preserved in the mind, when it is done, than even while the eye when doing." This is an entire and exact description of what hitting should be, and I shall therefore only add that this almost imperceptible pause before the act of loosing serves to steady the arm and correct the aim, and is a great assistant to the obtaining of a certain and even loose. It is there- fore, with the other points of archery, most necessary to be cultivated if successful hitting is to be the result. + +OF LOOSING. + +After the bow is drawn up to its proper extent, and the arrow taken, there still remains one more "point" for the archer to achieve successfully before he can ensure the correct and deft flight of his arrow to its mark; and this is the point of loosing, a term is applied to the act of quiting or freeing the string from + +A diagram showing the proper position of an archer's body during shooting. + +I +g +ch +the +or +the +slight, +and +if at all, +a +slight a +and the +upon it. +In Regarding able the learner +ations, that it is +described too fee +for removed from it, +the one was equally +ared to attain it might + +96 + +OF HOLDING AND LOOSING. + +produces it, I must still maintain that it is not the only requisite; and that unless a certainty, as well as a keenness of flight be also obtained, the archer's "beautiful loose" will be of little avail to him. Unavoidable, too, is the fact that perfect quill points being used, that which combines both of these qualities; but if the two cannot be obtained together, a slower flight and certainty rise necessarily superior to the rapid flight and uncertainty (of course it is meant as regards target, not distance, shooting). + +The question then resolves itself into this practical form—"Is it possible for the same mode of loosing to give extreme rapidity of flight, and, at the same time, certainty of line and elevation?" So far as my experience goes, the answer is decidedly in the negative—so that it is meant to say that a few successive arrows may not be accurately loosed one way, but true for any length of time; but certainty of flight is so much less than such as can be obtained by shoot- +ing inferior. This difficulty, amounting almost to an impossibility, of obtaining a loose which shall combine great sharpness and cer- +tainty of flight at the same time, arises from the fact that such a +loose requires (to obtain that sharpness) that the fingers of the right hand be stretched from the string with such suddenness and rapidity as to compromise the second quality of certainty—such a sudden jerk of the string endangering the steadiness of the left arm at the final moment, and, by its unavoidable irregularity, not only having a tendency to throw off the arrow out of its proper direction, but also constantly to vary its elevation. Excepting for distance shooting, then, a very sharp loose is not to be recommended; nevertheless, in case he should be en- +gaged therein, the perfect archer should have it under his command. + +It must not be supposed, from what has been said, that the exact opiate of the very sharp loose is advocated—that is to say, +that the string should be allowed to slip, or loose itself, as it were, + +A diagram showing an archer's stance and grip on a bow. + +OF HOLDING AND LOOSING. +97 + +without any assistance whatever from the archer. On the contrary, this mode of quitting the string is the very worst that can be adopted, and one that does more to stay and unsteady the flight of the arrow than any other; in fact, no cast can be got out of a bow at all in this way. But there is a medium between the two extremes, and, leaning rather towards that of sharpness, which, in its practical results, I have invariably found to answer the best. This mode of quitting the string, though it may appear to those who have little experience with archery, is extremely difficult to describe, if not altogether impossible; but the great characteristic with regard to it is, that the fingers do not go forward upon one hair's breadth along with the string, but their action be, as it were, a continuance of the draw rather than an independent movement, yet accompanied with just sufficient additional muscular action in a direction away from the bow, and simultaneous expansion of the fingers at the final instant of quitting the string, as to admit of its instantaneous freedom from all and each of them, so as to admit its instantaneous freedom from all and each of them, on the same immediate movement of the bow, for, if any one of these fingers but leave off following the instant movement before it follows, or all or any of them follow forward with it to the slightest degree, the loose will be bad, and the shot at all probability a failure. So slight, however, is this muscular movement, that, though a distinct and appreciable fact to the mind of the shooter, it is hardly, if at all, perceptible to the locker-on; yet, though apparently so slight a character, so important is it, that the goodness of the loose, and the consequent accurate flight of the arrow, mainly depend upon it. I am painfully conscious of having most significantly failed in describing this peculiar mode of quitting the string; but I hope it will enable a learner to understand and practise it; but Anthon's observations, that it is "less hard to be followed in shooting, than to be described in teach- ing," though not altogether the fact, is not very far removed from it. Had he contented himself with stating that the one was equally difficult with the other, all who have endeavoured to attain it might have agreed with him. + +M + +98 +**OF HOLDING AND LOOSING.** + +Some archers use two fingers in drawing, but by far the larger part use three, on account of the greater power the latter mode gives. +Provided, however, sufficient strength can be obtained with the first-named method, it may be well recommended, as the string when quitting the fingers has less surface to glide over, and the accom-plishment of the loose is therefore easier; but very few, indeed, can manage a bow of any power without the third finger; consequently the majority of archers use it. + +The position the string should occupy across the fingers is above their first joints, but not too near them, nor approaching too closely to their ends. In the first place a too great grip of the string necessitates a drag or jerk (already demonstrated to be unadvisable) to free the fingers, besides giving the string more surface to glide over than is conducive to a smooth and even loose; in the second place, an insufficient grip of the string deprives the shooter of his necessary command over it, and renders the giving way of the fingers of constant occurrence. Here again, as in so many other points, the natural disposition of the extremities is best, and it is therefore recommended that the string be placed midway between the tips and first joints of the first and third fingers, and rather more towards the end of the middle one—this latter difference being rendered necessary by its greater natural length. + +Now, as it is most important, in order to render the loose every time similar, that the string should always occupy exactly the same position on every finger, it has already been advised, when breaking of the shooting gloves, that this point should be observed at all times; and spot on which the string should be placed, should be fastened thereon; and this is especially necessary on the middle finger, which from its greater length, has a tendency when loosening to extend itself, and thus projecting beyond the other two, to present a second + +Google logo + +OF HOLDING AND LOOSING. +99 + +obstacle to the escape of the string, after the latter has freed itself from the first and third fingers: thus the string is sometimes caught upon it, and when this occurs it is unevenly loosed, and causes the shot to be nine times out of ten a dead failure. + +Especial care must be taken that whilst loosing, the left arm, maintains its position firmly and unswervingly, and does not give way at the final moment in the slightest degree in a direction towards the right hand: for in this case the arrow is more or less deep short of the bow. It will have already the same amount of effort upon its flight, as would the allowing the fingers of the right hand to go forward with the string. This yielding of the left arm is of more common occurrence amongst archers than is generally supposed, and is the cause of many an arrow, otherwise correctly shot, missing its mark. All must be firm to the last, and the attention of the shooter never be relaxed for a single instant until the arrow has actually left the bow. + +Some archers have an ugly habit of throwing the left arm and bow, as it were, after the arrow the instant it has started, as if to lend it a helping hand on its course; others again seem to have a notion that a kick up of the right leg will materially assist its flight. Now these antics, and all others of the like nature, are bad, of course useless, and enemies to all grace and elegance, and, therefore, should be studiously avoided. The shooter should remain perfectly quiescent, i.e. "statio" quaeret, if it may be allowed so question- able a pun, until he is assured of the final destination of his shaft, and satisfied of its success or failure. + +m 2 + +Chapter XII. + +Of Distance Shooting. + +The Divisions—Clout-Shooting—Advantage of the Modern System as a Test of Skill or Strength—the Elizabethan Marks—Roving—as Agreeable Pursuit—Flight-Shooting—Length of probable Range con- +sidered. + +Under this head I shall proceed briefly to notice the different kinds of shooting at distances beyond what may be called the regulation target lengths, and, in modern times, they may be classed under three heads, namely, Clout, Roving, and Flight-shooting. + +Clout-shooting is so called from the mark being a small white one, termed a "Clout," instead of the ordinary regulation-target. The distance at which it is placed varies from nine to twelve score yards—180 and 200 yards are. I believe, the actual lengths usually shot. This kind of shooting, however, is very little practised nowadays, but two or three societies, out of the many existing in the kingdom, advocating such distant marks; and these, I cannot but think, do so rather from a blind adherence to "tradition," than because of any amusement afforded by such archery. In former times, when the bow was the weapon of war, great force of shooting was the grand desideratum; precision being less required than presenting the enemy with the best chance of being missed. At that time, regulating the distances to be shot and the weights of arrows to be used, were made solely for the purpose of keeping up this force of shooting. One of Henry VIII., for example, forbids any but a sheaf or war arrow being used at eleven score yards or under. +In modern days, however, the cultivation of the bow being an + +OF DISTANCE SHOOTING. +101 + +amusement, and not a national necessity, it has very properly come to pass that skill and accuracy in its use have become the thing sought after, rather than the mere increase of brute force. Hence all existing societies, with the exceptions mentioned, shoot such distances only as are reasonably within the hitting range of modern bows. The exceptional situation alluded to, however, still preserve, under totally different circumstances as regards the practice of the bow, its antiquated distance is influenced, I conclude, by the idea of not degenerating into brute force. This idea was almost abandoned by our ancestors; at least, this is the only sensible reason I can think of. If this be the motive, however, they should enforce laws respecting the weight of the arrow, as well as the distance shot, and then they might at any rate plead, in defence of their system, their desire to encourage strong shooting. As, however, no such laws are in vogue, the result is that, instead of the bow being strengthened, the arrow is lightened, sensible persons very naturally declining to make a labour of it a pleasure. Thus strong shooting is not encouraged; for a good shot will carry with him light flight; thus a man who shoots 810 or 390 yards with a weight of bow is under the average weight used at the target distance. Thus this modern clout-shooting, as a test of strength, is a dead failure. + +Weak and inexperienced, indeed, must be the archer who cannot range an arrow considerably beyond its outside distance. + +As a test of skill, it is simply ridiculous; for owing to the excessive but required arc of the arrow, the utter impracticability of scientific aiming (from the impossibility of seeing the point of aim and the movement of wind), and the great difficulty of keeping up winds on a light arrow in a long flight, chance enters so much into the elements of success, as constantly to buffet the most experienced shot. + +As if, too, this chance required still further development, the mode of scoring in use is beautifully adapted to increase its amount; since, instead of the archer's average shooting each end being + +108 + +OF DISTANCE SHOOTING. + +reckoned, a hit in the clout, or failing that (which 19 times out of +20 is the case), the nearest shot to it, is alone allowed to count. +Thus, supposing A and B to be two archers, and that A shoots all +his three arrows within a foot of the clout, whilst B shoots one an inch +nearer, but the other two any amount of yards off, B alone is allowed +to score though, as regards the relative merits of three shots, A is +vastly superior. The chance inseparable from this mode of scoring, +however, would be overcome by the good shot in a very short time, +and his superiority by speedily made manifest, where he opposed to +a single antagonist only; but if the shooters be numerous, it is a +very different matter. For then each arrow would have a chance +converse proportionally increased according to the number shot. Thus +an extreme case might actually occur where our friend A, competing +with 18 others, each shooting 18 ends of 3 arrows each, might +actually beat every one of his competitors 35 times out of his 36 +shots, yet never score once, but be at the bottom of the list after all! +For though, each end, his three arrows might be within a foot or less +of the mark, some single arrow out of the 86 supposed to him might +each time prevent his scoring. This is, of course, an extreme case; +but it will serve to exemplify the system. A curious illustration of +the truth of this remark was given at a meeting of the London +clout-shooting occurred at the Grand National Meeting, held at +Edinburgh, in 1850. On that occasion, as the gentlemen of the +Royal Body Guard principally practised the long distances, ex- +ceptional prizes were expressly declared for them, in order that their +favourite shooting might come into play. Strange to say, however, +(yet not strange if the above remarks be properly considered), the +first prize for the 180 yards, and the same for the 200 yards shooting, +were both won by two gentlemen who had hardly, if ever, shot such lengths in their lives. The same thing happened at another meeting, +at the target lengths to several of the Scottish archers present. This +unlooked-for result not a little nonplussed our friends across the +border—as well it might. + +OF DISTANCE SHOOTING. +108 + +In order that my readers may judge whether or no these long distances are fairly within the hitting range of the bow, the following is the result of the shooting at Edinburgh alluded to, though the targets were the usual four-foot ones, instead of the conventional twelve-inch clout— + +At 180 yards ………… 226 shots ……… 10 hits! +At 200 yards ………… 888 shots ……… 6 hits! + +Let me, however, do this modern clout-shooting justice. It has one recommendation, and it is that of being in some sort "a refuge for the destitute," that is to say, for some whose nakedness and poverty as regards my real knowledge of archery would at once be apparent, were they to appear before the public at a hitting distance. For, as the clout may be said never to be hit (so seldom is this the case); as, consequently, all the arrows, good, bad, and indifferent, equally stick in the ground; and as the spectators very wisely take care to give the clout a very wide berth (forty or fifty yards is not a foot too much for such a distance), it is clear that any marksmanship that would at once detect a miss at the target is completely hood-winked here. Thus, the most excruciating muff—the man who cannot hit a four-foot mark a few yards removed from him—may manage to pass muster as an archer here—aye,—and even strum along the stage of his archery existence with a comfortable idea of his superiority over the poor, weak, benighted short-range man—he never shoots such paddy distances as sixty yards—"he knows better;" he would be found out if he did. So, after all, clout-shooting has its advantages. + +If it be desirable to encourage the strongest shooting, let such distances be shot and such arrows used as shall in reality constitute a trial of strength and power over the bow. If skill be the desideratum, let such distances be chosen and such a mode of scoring + + + + + + + + + + + + +
At 180 yards226 shots10 hits!
At 200 yards888 shots6 hits!
+ +104 +OF ROVING AND FLIGHT SHOOTING. +adopted as may give it its fair predominance. This modern clout- +shooting is just that happy medium that attains neither end. + +ROVING. +Concerning roving, or shooting at rovers, a very few words will suffice. This shooting consists in taking stray and accidental marks, +usually at long distances, as the object to be aimed at, instead of +fixed and certain ones. In older times, when the bow was a weapon +of war, the practice of roving was peculiarly valuable, as it tended +not only to keep up strong and powerful shooting, but also gave a +knowledge of distances and a judgment of lengths peculiarly valuable +in battles and campaigns, and in the chase of game in various +localities, indeed, being sufficiently open for it. It is, notwithstanding, +an interesting amusement, the uncertainty of the distance, +and the consequent difficulty of accurately judging it, giving an +agreeable amount of excitement. + +FLIGHT-SHOOTING. +Flight-shooting (so called from flight or light arrows only being +used in the sport) is practised solely with the view of experimenting +as to the extreme casts of different weights and kind of bows, or to +determine the greatest range to which the power and skill of in- +dividual archers can attain. In modern times it may be safely +asserted, that very few shooters (owing partly to a want of practice +in flight-shooting) can cover a distance of 500 yards; and to attain +this range, a bow, and a good one too, of at least sixty-two or sixty- +three pounds, must not only be used, but thoroughly mastered, not merely by strength and dexterity, but also by the ability to +harpoon or loose shot for, as before remarked, the rapidity of +the arrow's flight depends principally upon this latter qualification. +Thus an archer may be able to draw a bow of 70 or 80 lbs. and +yet very likely be unable to loose properly one of more than + +OF FLIGHT SHOOTING. +105 + +58 or 60 lbs., and he will consequently not be able to increase his range at all in proportion to the increase of power in his bow. Indeed, he will in all probability shoot further than the weaker bow within the command of his loose, than with the much more powerful one beyond it, however much the latter may be under the power of his pull. Now, without hesitation, it is affirmed that there is hardly an archer living (if there be one) who can lose properly a bow much over 65 lbs.; though there are many that can draw 75 lbs. or 80 lbs., and a few perhaps some pounds beyond even this; if this be so, a range much over 300 yards is not likely to be attainable. + +Some years back Mr. Muir of Edinburgh made many experiments with strong and medium power bows, with the view of testing the possibility of accomplishing 300 yards; but, though an archer of great power and experience, he found that with a bow from 58 to 62 lbs. he could shoot further than with a stronger one, and that that weight of bow would not quite reach the desired distance. He, however, afterwards, with a Turkish horn bow and flight arrow, accomplished a measure range of 300 yards; and this is the only successful experiment I have been able to find where such a range has been reached or passed in modern days. Mr. Roberts, however, in his "English Bowmen" (published in 1801), states that Mr. Troward shot repeatedly, up and down, and in the presence of many spectators, a measured length of 340 yards, with a self yew bow of 65 lbs. + +I am inclined myself to believe that, with practice, 300 yards is fairly attainable by many archers of the present day, and that several might even reach somewhat beyond it; but to attain this distant shooting, a continued study of itself would be required, as it is a totally different matter from target practice. I cannot, however, lay claim to much experience on the subject of flight-shooting, having experimented but two or three times thereon. The longest dis- + +106 + +OF FLIGHT SHOOTING. + +range I attained was 859 yards one way and 855 the other, and this with a 60lb. Italian self yew bow. + +However, experiment alone will enable any archer, curious as to his powers of distant shooting, to determine the length he will be enabled to reach. To that he is, therefore, recommended. + +Chapter XIV. +ON ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. + +Best Shots of the Toxophilite Society—Mr. Brady—Mr. Cramden—Mr. Palmer—Mr. Cazale—Mr. Shepherd—Result of Mr. Waring's Arm-driving Theory—Mr. Anderson, the Incomparable Shot—Scores of more Modern Archers—First and Second Scores of all the Grand National Meetings. + +In the present chapter I propose presenting to my readers a few specimens of ancient and modern scoring. The term "ancient," however, must be considered as used only in a comparative sense; for the earliest period to which I am able to refer goes no further back than 1796, some few years after the first establishment of the Toxophilite Society, and the subsequent revival of archery; but to this period I have recourse, in order to obtain any authentic records, either such records not having been kept, or having been in the lapse of time misplaced and lost. For the less modern scores about to be given the reader is indebted to the books of the Toxophilite Society, some of the earlier of which have fortunately remained in existence to the present day, whilst others, including the whole from 1806 to 1834, have been unaccountably lost. As this society has always, from its first commencement until now, numbered amongst its members some of the best, and generally the very best men of the day, their opinions on what may be fairly looked upon as the best shooting at that time, which they were achieved; and consequently a pretty accurate opinion may be formed as to the capabilities of the then magnates of the bow. The result of their comparison with the shooting of the + +A page from a book showing a table of scores. + +108 +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. + +present day will show what rapid strides in advance archery has made since the establishment of the Grand National Meetings has held out an adequate inducement for its proper study and practice. +The great scores of times anterior to these meetings now cut but a sorry figure indeed. May we not hope that some years hence the same may be said of the great performances of the present time. + +The first score I shall give is that which won the Prince's annual bough in 1795; and it is given more especially because Mr. Waring, in his treaties, calls it "undoubtedly very great shooting." +The Toxophilite records give it as follows :- +276 shots, 90 hits, 348 score. + +Mr. Brady was the shooter, and the distances were 100, 80, and 60 yards, at 4, 8, and 8 foot targets respectively (the smaller targets at the shorter distances may be considered perhaps a trifle easier to score at than the full-sized one at 100 yards). Those according to Mr. Waring who have been present at this meeting, and who shot at 100 yards, was very great shooting in his day. Down to 1805 this score was beaten only once, and that occurred in 1797, for the same prize and at the same marks and distances, when Mr. Shephard scored as follows :- +252 shots, 88 hits, 358 score. + +There appears to have been a bye-law respecting this annual bough, preventing the same member from winning so many times one year; so, in 1799, it was gained by Mr. Waring, with 53 hits and 186 score. The number of arrows shot in this instance is not given; but, as the shooting lasted two days, it could not well have been less than what appears to have been the ordinary round for this prize—namely, 269 arrows, equally divided between the three distances. + +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. +109 + +By far the best average shot of that era was indubitably Mr. Crunden ; though several, namely, Messrs. Palmer, Shepherd, and Cazalot, sometimes surpassed him, and generally were, one or other of them, close at hand. The first-named gentleman, indeed (Mr. Palmer), made the greatest single day's shooting during the ten years to which I am able to refer, having scored as follows at 100 yards :— + +192 shots, 91 hits, 379 score. + +Subjoined are the three best scores of Mr. Cruden during the same period (taking the hits as the criterion), the distance being still 100 yards : + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
192 shots85 hits331 score.
19279319
19276288
+ +The like of Mr. Palmer : + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
192 shots91 hits379 score.
20478268
19257305
+ +The like of Mr. Shepherd : + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
192 shots71 hits253 score.
19261233
19257211
+ +The like of Mr. Cazalot : + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
192 shots77 hits,245 score.
24073271
19262184
+ +The amount of benefit to be derived from Mr. Waring's "arm- + +110 + +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. + +"striking" theory may be estimated by reference to this gentleman's three best scores— + + + + + + + + + + + +
199 shots, 84 hits, 130 score.
192 = 41 = 153
304 = 41 = 157
+ +I am happy in being able to furnish my readers with two of Mr. Anderson's scores—that "incomparable" (sic) archer according to Mr. Roberts—they are as follows, the distance being 100 yards. + + + + + + + + +
192 shots, 87 hits, 187 score.
210 = 66 = 182
+ +If these are fair average specimens of this gentleman's shooting, his "incomparability" is in the very opposite direction to that intended by Mr. Roberts. + +It must be remarked, concerning the foregoing scores, that they are taken from those records only where the number of arrows shot is stated ; thus, though only occasionally the case, is sufficiently often as to render the specimens given a good average criterion of the shooting of that day. Scores made at 100 yards are given principally, as at the 80 and 60 yards different sized targets from those at present in use were then shot at. + +For want of the records from 1805 to 1834, I am now obliged to jump at once to the latter year. Whether during this interval the shooting improved or not is a question that must be left undecided. Probably not. But, if it did, it must again have retrograded, as from 1834 to 1844 (during which latter year the first National Meeting was held) the shooting appears to have been of about the same average character. Indeed, I am unable to find an instance up to the latter date of Mr. Palmer's best score, already + +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. +111 + +given, having being either beaten or equaled. The nearest ap- +proach to it is a score of Mr. Peter's, as follows --- +192 shots, 88 hits, 204 score. + +Of this era this gentleman appears to have been the Robin +Hood, though Messrs. Norton, Robinson, Arabin, and Smyth con- +tested the palm with him, and not always without success. The St. +George's Society (likewise a London club) also possessed several +shots equal in skill to these. + +Still the days when it was considered impossible to put in all/ +the arrows at 100 yards (excepting as a rare feat) were dragging +their slow length along. Indeed, I have seen a letter as late as +1844, from good old Mr. Roberts, who was well acquainted with +the powers of all the best archers for the preceding half-century, +in which he states "he never knew but one man that could accomplish +it." From what has been already stated, it will be seen that no +single recorded instance of its having been achieved in all is to be +found up to this date. But even so far as the Turf Club's marks +are concerned. It ought, however, here to be mentioned that, up +to this date, the scoring part of the target measured only three feet +ten inches in diameter, the archer not being allowed to score the hits +in the edge beyond this, which was then called the "petioal." Also +another rule then prevailing mitigated against the scoring, namely, +that when the arrow struck two circles the last only was marked, +whereas at the present time the whole of the target (four feet) +scores, as well as the higher numbered circle. Six out of, how- +ever, on account of the smallness of the petioal, with such a liberal +allowance to counterbalance the drawbacks alluded to. In +comparing then the foregoing scores with those about to be +mentioned, the reader must bear in mind the above observations. + +In 1844 the first Grand National Meeting was held, and the + +118 + +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. + +spur it and the succeeding meetings gave to the pursuit of archery, and the beneficial effects of a proper inducement to its practice, soon became apparent. Amongst the first to emerge from the "slough of despond," in which the art had so long languished, were Messrs. Bramhall, Maird, Hutchins, and some others, followed shortly afterwards by Messrs. Moore, Garnett, Ford, Hilton, and other good men and true. But though, having given aid of their scores of late years, they have now left us no mark on the distinction between match-shooting (more especially as regards the National meetings) and private practice. Many, taking an interest in the subject of archery, and hearing of the great things done at the present day when compared with the achievements of a former period, immediately refer to the records of these National meetings to find these great scores, and, to their surprise, discover that, excepting one or two instances, the shooting, when compared with that of forty or fifty years back, is very little better. This is not surprising, just as it is not surprising that in no such great gatherings existing in those days, the best scores made then (many of which I have given) were obtained either in the ordinary practice-days of the club, or at their quiet private matches. + +To shoot at the Grand National Meeting is a totally different affair, as every archer who has tried the experiment is too well aware of. Here the excitement of the occasion, the number of competitors, and the vastness of the assemblage, are enough to upset the finest nerves—they need, indeed, be of iron, to remain totally unaffected. Added to which, it is an opportunity of making a good score there occurs rarely. It is only when this happens that we have a memorable weather. Hence every archer, I may say I think without exception, falls below his level at this match ; consequently, his real powers, excepting amongst the initiated, cannot be judged thereby. + +In comparing, therefore, the scores of this day with those of a prior date, such only must be looked at as are shot under similar circumstances. + +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. 118 + +In the following score I do not pretend to give specimens of the shooting of all the good archers of the day, but such only as, through some authentic channel or other have come to my own personal knowledge. They, however, will be sufficient for the purpose I have in view, namely, to show the great development of the powers of the bow that has taken place of late years. + +The following are the first and second scores in a match that took place the 9th October, 1850, on the Toxophilite ground, for a handsome silver cup presented by W. Peters, Esq., the distance being 100 yards —— + +Mr. H. A. Ford, 316 shots, 166 hits, 638 score. +Mr. C. Garnett, ... 125 ..., 531 ... +The next score is one with which, on the Toxophilite ground, I won a handicap prize of £15, in June, 1854, thirteen competitors —— +100 yards, 96 shots, 79 hits, 373 score; 80 yards, 72 shots, 71 hits, +325 score; 60 yards, 45 shots, 47 hits, 515 score. Total, 316 shots, 197 hits, 1015 score. + +In November, 1851, a friendly passage of arms between Meursa. Ford, Bramhall, and Moore, resulted in the following score—the double York round of 144 arrows at 100 yards, 98 at 80 yards, and 48 at 60 yards, being shot. +Mr. H. A. Ford, 388 shots, 268 hits, 1416 score. +Mr. Bramhall ... ... 250 ..., 1544 ... +Mr. Moore ... ... 228 ..., 946 ... +The 100 yards part of the shooting was very good; Mr. F. getting at this distance 127 hits, 617 score; Mr. B. 114 hits, 504 score; and Mr. M. 100 hits, 440 score. This is not however, one of the most favourable specimens of this last-named gentleman's shooting. The following is a better one, obtained in private practice —still the double York round —— +288 shots, 259 hits, 1285 score. + +2 + +114 + +**OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING.** + +Here is also an excellent double York round of Mr. Bramhall's: +858 shots, 264 hits, 1932 score. + +At 100 yards, 117 hits, 535 score; at 80 yards, 91 hits, 497 score; at 60 yards, 48 hits, 290 score. + +Also a goodly specimen of 60 yards shooting by the same gentleman—the St. Leonard round: +76 shots, 74 hits, 504 score. + +The following are two good examples of 100-yard shooting, achieved by Mr. Charles Garnett: +78 shots, 61 hits, 569 score. +72 ... 58 ... 288 ... + +One of the most promising shots of his day was Mr. E. Mailand, both for style and accuracy. Unfortunately for the cause of Archery he went abroad, and thus his career as a Bowman came to a premature conclusion. The scores that follow are his best. +The St. George's round: 100 yards, 36 arrows, 28 hits, 97 score; 80 yards, 36 arrows, 34 hits, 190 score; 60 yards, 36 arrows, 36 hits, 190 score: total— +108 shots, 95 hits, 483 score. + +Also a good St. Leonard's round, 60 yards: +75 shots, 75 hits, 467 score. + +The St. George's Club have turned out some very excellent archers, amongst whom may be numbered Mansa, Hutchins, Marr, and Heath. I subjoin two specimens of Mr. Marr's best shooting: +The St. George's round: 100 yards, 36 arrows, 24 hits, 114 score; 80 yards, 36 arrows, 28 hits, 118 score; 60 yards, 36 arrows, 35 hits; 151 score: total— +100 shots, 90 hits, 413 score. + +Also a better specimen of 60 yards shooting by the same gentleman: +36 shots, 35 hits, 225 score. + +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. +115 + +The following is one of Mr. Heath's best scores, the St. George's round—28 hits, 89 score; 31 hits, 139 score; 35 hits, 203 score; total, 108 shots, 91 hits, 481 score. + +The National distances, until of late years, have not been much practised in Scotland; consequently our friends over the border have not yet achieved similar accuracy to those just given. At their point of departure, however, (1867) Mr. William Muir of the National Company, has put nine consecutive arrows into a four-deck paper; and Mr. Muir flew—one undoubtedly clever performance. The latter gentleman, at 100 yards, has also put in 38 arrows out of 48; several times, 34 arrows out of 35; and similar achievements. His best score, however, to my mind, is the following, distance between 20 and 30 yards— + +Two shots, two hits, score, a hawk and crow (fact). + +Under the risk of being considered epitatistical, but to oblige request of several correspondents, I now give the three following specimens of my private practice—I need hardly say my best. The first two are the single York round of 6 dozen, a dozen, and 2 dozen. At the first I made (with an Italian salt yew-bow of Mr. Buchanan's,) and 5a. arrows of Mr. Muir's) 71 hits, 335 score (missing the 59th shot); 49 hits, 972 score; 24 hits, 158 score; giving a total of + +144 shots, 145 hits, 765 score. + +At the second (with a yew-backed yew-bow and same arrows) 66 hits, 844 score; 47 hits, 301 score; 24 hits, 106 score; total— + +144 shots, 197 hits, 809 score. + +The following is a St. Leonard's round, at 60 yards: 28 golds, +37 reds, 7 blues, 3 blacks; total— + +75 shots, 7 hits, 555 score. + +116 + +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. + +All these scores were made in the public gardens at Cheltenham, in the presence of many persons. With many excellent archers' private shooting, such as Messrs. H. Garnett, Hilton, Mallory, &c. +I am unacquainted, therefore am unable to give specimens of it. + +As a matter of considerable interest to the general body of archers, I shall now give the figures of the first and second winners (ladies and gentlemen) at all the Grand National Meetings up to the present time, showing their gross hits and scores. It may be borne in mind that the number of arrows shot at all these gatherings (with the exception of the first, when only half the quantity were shot) was 144 at 100 yards, 96 at 80 yards, and 48 at 60 yards, for the gentlemen, and 96 at 60 yards, and 48 at 50 yards, for the ladies. + +1844—at YORK + + + + + + + + +
1.Mr. Higginsen..48 hits201 score.
2.Mr. Mayrick..58218
+ +No ladies appeared at this Meeting, and as already mentioned, the gentlemen only shot one-half the quantity shot since. + +1845—at YORK + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Ladies.Miss Tholwell..48 hits186 score.
"Miss Townshend..45" 63"
Gentlemen.Mr. Muir..135 hits537 score.
"Mr. Jones..199" 499"
+ +1846—at YORK + + + + + + + + + + + +
Gentlemen.Mr. Hubback..117 hits519 score.
"Mr. Mckryck..117" " 517"
Close fighting indeed! No ladies shot at this Meeting.
+ +1847—at DERBY + + + + + + + + + +
Ladies.Miss E. Wylde..65 hits245 score.
Gentlemen.Mr. Muir..163" " 681"
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. +117 + +**1848—at DERBY.** + +**Ladies.—1. Miss J. Barrow . . . 47 hits, 107 score.** +“ 2. Miss Temple . . . 44 “ 100 “ +**Gentlemen.—1. Mr. Maitland . . . 156 hits, 661 score.** +“ 2. Mr. Brannahm . . . 132 “ 514 “ + +During both the days of this match, a very strong wind prevailed, accompanied with constant showers. The difficulty of scoring was, consequently, very much increased. + +I first " put in an appearance" at this tournament. + +**1849—at DERBY.** + +**Ladies.—1. Miss Temple . . . 55 hits, 189 score.** +“ 2. Miss Mackay . . . 43 “ 163 “ +**Gentlemen.—1. Mr. P. Moore . . . 173 hits, 747 score.** +“ 2. Mr. H. A. Ford . . . 176 “ 708 “ + +The weather again unfavourable; a good deal of wind prevailing and many showers. The Champion's Gold Medal was first awarded at this meeting. This was gained by myself, though obtaining only the second prize, the medal being given for the greatest number of points gained by any archer. These points are reckoned in the following manner—Two for the gross score, two for the gross hits, One for best score at 100 yards, and one for best hits at ditto; and the same at the 90 and 60 yards. This makes 10 points in all. I gained 5 points, Mr. Moore 4 points, and Mr. Atwood 1 point. + +**1850—at EDINBURGH.** + +**Ladies.—1. Mrs. Calvert . . . 47 hits, 101 score.** +“ 2. Miss E. Forster . . . 43 “ 156 “ +**Gentlemen.—1. Mr. H. A. Ford . . . 195 hits, 899 score.** +“ 2. Mr. C Garnett . . . 165 “ 638 “ + +The weather wet, but little or no wind. The Medal awarded to myself, gaining all the points. + +A black and white illustration of a group of people playing archery. + +118 +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. + +1851—at LEAMINGTON. +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Ladies.1. Miss Villiers105 hits, 504 score.
"75 " 293 "
Gentlemen.1. Mr. H. A. Ford193 hits, 661 score.
"2. Mr. Bramhall178 " 760 "
+ +Compare Miss Villiers' score with those of the ladies gaining the first prize that preceded her,—what a rapid stride in advance! This lady was the first to demonstrate what the bow could do in the hands of the fair sex, and so deservedly obtained for herself the reputation of the first lady archer in the kingdom, a reputation since amply upheld under her married name of Mrs. Davison. The second gross score amongst the gentlemen was obtained by Mr. Heath, of the St. George's Club. The second prize, however, was awarded to Mr. Bramhall for gross hits; Mr. Heath's hit being only 161, with a score of 844. The Champion's Medal again awarded to myself, gaining nine points, Mr. Heath gaining a point; viz., the greatest score at 80 yards. + +1852—at LEAMINGTON. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Ladies.1. Miss Brindley84 hits, 336 score.
"Miss M. A. Peel84 " 330 "
Gentlemen.1. Mr. H. A. Ford188 " 798 "
"2. Mr. Bramhall184 " 778 "
+ +This is the only Meeting at which Miss Villiers (when shooting) has failed to gain the first prize. Her position was third only on the present occasion. This match had a most exciting finale between the first and second gentleman winners. When the last three arrows remained to be shot, Mr. Bramhall got two points in score ahead. It was then a simple question of nerves; I conclude mine was best, as I scored fourteen to my worthy opponent's two. The Champion's Medal awarded to myself gaining six points, Mr. Bramhall two points, and Mr. Wilson (of York) two points. + +OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SCORING. +119 + +**1853.—AT LEXINGTON.** + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Ladies.—1. Mrs. Horniblow ...89 hits, 865 score.
"2. Miss M. A. Peel ...84 " 864 "
Gentlemen.—1. Mr. H. A. Ford ...802 " 854 "
"2. Mr. Branhall ...167 " 783"
+ +The Challenge Silver Bracer for the Ladies was this year presented by the Worshipful Company of Bootmakers, which is awarded on the same principle as the Champion's Medal—namely, for the greatest number of points. It was gained by Mrs. Horniblow, another star in the archery hemisphere, this lady gaining 6 points and Miss M. Peel 3 points. + +The Champion's Medal awarded to myself gaining all the points. + +**1854.—AT SHEFFIELD.** + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Ladies.—1. Mrs. Davison ...109 hits, 490 score.
"2. Mrs. Horniblow ...95 " 499 "
Gentlemen.—1. Mr. H. A. Ford ...834 " 1074 "
"2. Mr. Branhall ...175 " 748 "
+ +The Challenge Bracer awarded to Mrs. Davison (see Villiers, and who did not shoot at the previous meeting), this lady gaining 7 points to Mrs. Horniblow's 1. + +The Champion's Medal to myself gaining all the points. + +**1855.—AT SHEFFIELD.** + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Ladies.—1. Mrs. Davison ...105 hits, 493 score.
"2. Mrs. Horniblow ...103 " 487 "
Gentlemen.—1. Mr. H. A. Ford ...179 hits, 609 score.
"2. Mr. Branhall ...175 " 709 "
+ +Weather wet and windy. The Challenge Bracer was again awarded to Mrs. Davison, that lady gaining 7 points; Miss Clay 1 point for score at 60 yards. + +The Champion's Medal to myself, gaining 9 points, the 10th (being hits at 60 yards), being a tie with Mr. Wilson. + +Chapter—THE LAST. + +Robin Hood—Distance and Accuracy of the Shooting of his Time—Did he Shoot in a Modern Hat?—Social Character of Archery—Concluding Observations to the Young Archer, also to the Old One—A Short Address to the Fair Sex—A Farewell. + +It was my intention, upon setting out, to have devoted a chapter to a brief sketch of the life and feats (more particularly where the latter were connected with archery) of that renowned outlaw, bold Robin Hood. Having, however, after considerable trouble and research, found that the story of his shooting at a man who was "untrue" or improbable, concerning him and his "merrie men," that had not already been written upon *seque ad annum*, I finally concluded it would serve no useful purpose were I to add another to the already long list of publications on the subject. As regards his life generally, works of all sorts abound; every age has been suited, every taste, whether for the truthful or the marvellous, accurately fitted. +The subject, in short, has been entirely exhausted. As regards his feats with the bow, all those that rest on a shadow of foundation (and some are very bitter) are now known or supposed (some centuries after his death) have been thoughtful and brought to the light of reason and common sense in Mr. Robert's work, so often alluded to. In respect of his distance shooting, for instance, he proves, satisfactorily enough, that Robin could not shoot a mile, a feat some legends give both him and Little John the credit of being able to perform—and considering it would take at least three of the strongest men in the world put together to pull and loose a bow of sufficient power to do it, my readers will be very + +1 + +CHAPTER—THE LAST. 187 + +much disposed to agree with him. In respect of the accuracy of his shooting, splitting willow wands and nocks of arrows (at any rate, if we are to believe novelists) appears to have been his average / That he could do the first tolerably often is likely enough—many archers of the present day could do the same—but to say that he could do it is certainly a trifle beyond even the most vivid imaginative power of belief. As to the neck-splitting, it is only necessary to observe that, if the distance fifteen or twenty yards, the shot would not be visible. I will not therefore insult my readers by arguing the possibility or otherwise of Robin's being able to split at four or five times that distance whenever he chose. + +Whilst, however, withholding credence from such impossible fictions as those above alluded to, it may very well be a question, whether archery had not, in Hood's time, attained a greater development in respect of skill than is the case at the present day—regarding its greater facility there can be no doubt. This was then undoubtedly so, and it is but partially so, therefore, my very well supposes that, as the number of archers at that time was so much greater, a proportionately larger number of first-rate shots would be produced, and that out of this latter class, consequently, a greater chance would exist of the issuing of the pre-eminent shot of all. But whilst the full benefit of this argument is given to Robin Hood, it must not be forgotten that in his day force was the great desideratum, and that very strong shooting, so far as our experience goes, is anything but likely to be the most accurate. Does any archer of our time venture to use a bow fully up to the power of his pull? Has almost every shooter, on the contrary, ten, twenty, or even more pounds of actual power in him, than he finds it good policy to use? And he does not use it, because experience has taught him that when his muscles are strained beyond a certain point, uncertainty and inaccuracy are sure to follow. In former days, however, the thing + +123 +CHAPTER—THE LAST. + +was different—force was everything in the shooter, accuracy being but a secondary consideration; for, as the long-bow was essentially a weapon of war, it mattered little whether the archer hit the man he aimed at or the one next him, provided the arrow had sufficient power to penetrate the finely tempered armour then in use—shooting at a body of men, however few they might be, to miss all was an exceeding improbability. + +Moreover, it may very well be disputed, whether the weapons themselves had the same excellent workmanship then as now, and upon this great certainty of hitting very much depends. The foregoing pages have been written to very little purpose indeed, if I have failed to show how the slightest inequality or imperfection of the tackle, be it bow, arrow or string, may mar the perfection of the shot. If then, the bowyers of the present day exceed those of the former period in the excellence of their weapons, it is more than probable that they will also surpass in the regularity and accuracy of the shooting. But do they? This cannot be decided, so few specimens of the old weapons remaining in existence at the present day, by which to form a comparison. + +Each will probably form his opinion as to the skill attained in the first ages of the English long-bow, as compared with that of the present day, according as his taste lies in the direction of the probable or the marvellous—and thus the matter must be left. + +There is one thing, however, connected with Robin, that I do feel quite confident about, and that is, that he did not wear an ordinary modern black or white hat. He was by far too sensible a fellow, depend upon it, to use a head-covering, at all times sufficiently tight and uncomfortable, but especially so when the wearer is more than usually exposed to heat and sun, as the archer is. Fancy this bold outlaw in a white four-and-nine! Alexander the Great in an + +CHAPTER—THE LAST. +123 + +umbrella ; Socrates in Hessian boots, might be parallel cases. Be- +sides, Robin knew too well, that anything likely to impede the +correct action of the string, as the brim of a modern hat very often +does, would effectually prevent the indulgence of his willow-ward and +nock splitting propensities. Therefore, he doubtless avoided any- +thing of the kind. I commend these reflections to one or two of the +societies of the present day. + +Robin must have been a social fellow—all accounts of him prove +this. Indeed it is one of the great advantages of this noble pastime +of archery, that it induces this very quality. There is nothing more +productive of kindly feeling and hospitality in a neighbourhood, +especially in the country, than a prevailing taste for this pursuit. +The freemasonry amongst archers is proverbial. It has, moreover, +one peculiarly bright feature, and this is, that its practice is +allowable to both sexes. Hardly any other amusement admits of +this. Cricket, tennis, billiards, hunting, &c., are all most excellent, +but are confined to the sternest sex, or should be. They have all +this failing; but that the most charming presence of the finer +portion of humanity I do not mean as regards the mere chase +in the exercise. I hope to see the day, when no town or neighbour- +hood of any extent is without its Archery Club. Each will be the +better in many respects for it, without doubt. + +And now, before bringing these pages to a conclusion, I must remind my readers of the statement with which they were com- +mened, namely, that the result of my own practical experience alone would be given. This has been done throughout, and where +I have differed from others on rules and points, e.g., the shape of the bow, the line of pull, the point of aim, &c., I +have done so, not from a love of novelty or from a desire to be +thought wiser than my fellows, but from positive conviction of the +incorrectness of those rules—such conviction being the result, not + +194 +CHAPTER—THE LAST. + +only of much thought, but of long and patient experiment. I can only say to every brother archer, with all truth, and a mind open to conviction— + +St quid noviis rectius sita +Candidus imperti, si non his siter meum. + +My observations, however, have professed to be addressed more particularly to the young archer; and to the few words of practical advice ventured upon in my introductory paper, I would now additionally impress upon him the absolute necessity of **perseverance** and a **command of temper**. Without these essentials he will never become eminent as an archer—neither the idle nor the irritable need hope for success here. This observation, indeed, applies to all pur-suits, but is particularly mentioned in connection with archery, because many (I know several), whilst acknowledging its truth as regards everything else, seem to think that this particular pursuit of archery should form an exception to the rule, and look upon them selves as being more masterful than they really are. They take their position in a very short time, and without the trouble of working hard for it. This is a great mistake. To obtain a thorough com-mand of the bow is no easy matter; on the contrary, it is a most difficult one; and pre-eminence here requires the exercise of the same qualities as pre-eminence in anything else. So let the young archer look to it. + +One other thing is also particularly desirable for him, though not so absolutely essential, and that is good teaching. The persevering archer may, and probably will, work his way without it, but only at the cost of an infinity of trouble and disappointment, that otherwise might well be spared him. Faults are more easily fallen into than got rid of afterwards; and this remark is the more applicable to archery,asmuch as success in it depends upon the accurate mastery of a number of small difficulties—a failure in any one of them in + +CHAPTER—THE LAST. 156 + +all probability spoiling the shot. By all means, then, let the beginner, whenever he has the chance, avail himself of superior knowledge and experience. The road to the bull's-eye he will find all the easier, by having a finger-post to direct him in the track. He will also find it a good plan to attend a meeting of the Grand National Archery Society as a spectator, and, by carefully noting the style, apparatus, and leading points of the best archers, will be the better able to rectify and guide his own practice upon afterwards. Perfection is not attained by copying the single shooter but, in marking the faults he sees, so as to avoid them, and the excellencies, so as to imitate them, he will find the surest means of approaching it. In short, he who will use his eyes and brains, as well as his hands—who will persevere in the face of failure and disappointment, and not be above taking the best advice, if he chanced to have it offered him, will in the end, be sure of a very high position. + +Having paid so much attention to the beginner, I feel called upon to take one shot at that archer of long-standing who is very probably giving a sigh of relief as he comes to the concluding chapter of this "tireless" treatise. Well, Sir, you have practised with the bow. I perceive, some fifteen or twenty years or more, and think, in consequence, you must know all about it. You have hitherto differed from me upon most of the essential points treated of in the foregoing pages, and, having since read them, you do so still. You will have none of these new-fangled ideas. You shoot as your great-great-grandpapa did before you (or was supposed to do)—via the same thing, of course. You will continue in the same line all the days of your life. Even supposing (which is a very dangerous proposition) propositions and rules laid down are better than your own, still, you say, they will not do for you (at least many of your style of thinking do say so)—you will have none of them, though those who act upon them prove by results how far they are beyond anything you knew on the subject. You can generally put in one out of three of your + +126 +CHAPTER—THE LAST. + +arrows at 100 yards, and now and then (twice, perhaps, in three years,) actually accomplish the half of them ! You can, besides, shoot the other distances in proportion, and you are content. Anything beyond these stupendous attainments must be owing to luck, or some peculiar gift of nature; for, have not you been prestationing a great number of years earnestly and energetically, and been unable to accomplish more ? Since, at any rate, your own ideas must be best, so far as you yourself are concerned, a different system, whatever it may do for others, cannot by any possibility, you think, do anything for you. + +Now, my very self-opinionated friend, I will venture to reply to you, that no system radically wrong and unsound in theory, opposed to the plain rules of practical sense, and unsuccessful in its results, can be made right either by its having antiquity pleaded in its favour (supposing you can justly do this, which I very much doubt), or by my special peculiarities of a particular individual. +You may have a pleasant idea of what may be done ; but ever since I took a good shot : but if you can use your limbs and muscles like other men, there can be nothing that can render a bad system better for you to act upon than a good one. If you cannot succeed with the latter, you are still less likely to do so with the former. You will by no means get over your unavoidable difficulties the easier, by persisting in a mode of shooting that only increases them. I do not presume to say that the system advocated in the foregoing articles is the best that can be discovered; but I say that, so long as it accomplishes in myself and others what the wisest thinkers have endeavoured to effect by their labours, it is accomplished by yourself, with your own, it is to be preferred to yours. You may say you have tried it, but find you only shoot the worse. This is likely enough, because no man can change from one mode of doing a thing to another, though it be from a bad to a good one, and not for the time experience an increase of difficulty. + +CHAPTER—THE LAST. 127 + +The habits of years are not to be so easily overcome. A little perseverance, however, would soon put a different face upon the matter. Of this at any rate be sure, that if you wish to arrive at the top of the tree in any pursuit, you must adopt that mode of action that is indubitably proved to be the only, or the best means of carrying you there. + +It would be ungallant, indeed, were I to come to a conclusion without a few words of direct address to the fairer portion of humanity. To you, then, fair Marianna, and to you who, though not as yet enrolled in that band, may still, it is hoped, some day be so, let me observe that archery is a boon indeed. Your sex have few out-door exercises at all—none, with the exception, perhaps, of riding (which is accessible but to few), that at all bring the maddened generally into healthy action. You cannot say that mere walking or shop-lounging does this; still less that the heated atmosphere of a ball-room allows of it. But archery does. How many consumpions can you name whose chins and such like, think you, must have been garped had its excitation been left to your care? It is an exercise admirably suited to meet your requirements—general and equal, without being violent—calling the faculties, both of mind and body, into gentle and healthy play, yet oppressing none—bringing roses to your cheeks, and occu- pation to your mind—withal most elegant and graceful. I never took up an archery book yet, without finding a quotation from one Madame Boilea, a celebrated opera dancer, declaring the attitude of the shooter the most graceful in the world; without instilling into my own mind that you must say it is in common with every brother archer, most cordially agree with that most respected female. A “duck” of a bowman, or of a moiré, has no chance in its killing powers against a “duck” of a shot. Cupid, like Paul Pry, “drops in” as he pleases, anywhere and everywhere; but I think he is particularly fond of a social archery gathering. + +128 +CHAPTER—THE LAST. + +Small blame to him for the same. Need I say more to recommend this pastime to you? I think not—every consideration should induce you to adopt it. + +And now, gentle reader, my task is done. To me it has been a labour of love, and to you I trust not altogether useless nor uninteresting. I have, as I proposed, laid before you faithfully and unreservedly all of my own opinions; and though I may feel the vanity to suppose that I have pleased all, I think that I have offended none. If I have spoken strongly against some errors of opinion or practice, it has been against the error itself, and not against the, perhaps thoughtless holder of that error. + +"Immodicile valens, +Eneas reidendum cat, ne pars sincera trahatur." + +My only aim has been to benefit you, the result is with yourself. +Farewell and—shoot well. + +. . . + +2023-05-18 16:37:49 + +A small rectangular object with a blue tint, possibly a label or sticker. + +HOUSE OF +MARTIN LUTHER +M.PLETT STREET +LONDON + + +White background with no visible content. \ No newline at end of file