The Amateur Poacher - Richard Jefferies

"The following pages are arranged somewhat in the order of time, beginning with the first gun, and attempts at shooting. Then come the fields, the first hills, and woods explored, often without a gun, or any thought of destruction; and next the poachers, and other odd characters observed at their work. Perhaps the idea of shooting with a matchlock, or wheel-lock, might, if put into practice, at least afford some little novelty." That is the modest description of his classic book that Richard Jefferies made when it was first published. Since then the book has become established as a favourite of country lovers and shooters, one of the treasures of sporting literature. "There was the pheasant not fifteen yards away, his back somewhat towards me, and quietly questing about...My finger felt the trigger, and the least increase of pressure would have been fatal; but in the act I hesitated, dropped the barrel, and watched the beautiful bird.".