Priceless, Drew. I really enjoy the masterful use of the English language as used 100+ years ago in so many writings.
OBTW, I have been searching for a reference I cannot find. Maybe you, being one interested in the old writings have run across it. I once read, in an issue of Field and Stream, or Outdoor Life or Sports Afield (or somewhere like that) an article comparing the vices and virtues of flintlocks and percussion muzzleloaders. Somewhere in that article was a quote from an old writing by an Englishman which said in part something to this effect:
We hear much about the new percussion form of ignition on sporting guns and rifles and the advantages of it over our tried and true flint ignition. It is put forth, among other arguments, that the cap ignition is faster and also is more reliable in the rain. To that I would say that a flintlock, properly built and cared for is fully quick enough in ignition to serve anyone's purpose. And, as to the charge of it not being reliable in the rain I would reply, "Gentlemen do not go sporting in such weather!".
This is nowhere near a recital of that piece, as it has been many years since I read it, but have you ever read anything like that? I sure would like to have a copy of the article if possible to find where it was originally.
