Every  person  accustomed  to  this  exercise  has  probably  re-
marked his  own  superior  shooting  between  sunset  and  twilight,
in  comparison  with  any  previous  portion  of  the  day.  The
atmosphere  seems  to  have  then  acquired  additional  clearness :
by  an  optical  illusion  the  surface  of  the  target  appears  enlarged,
and  its  colours  more  vivid  and  distinct

String  up  your  bow  I  turn  the  left  foot  a  little  more
inwards;  —  steady  —  so.  Now,  draw  stoutly  at  the  handle,
pressing  the  ball  of  your  thumb  close  upon  the  back.  All's
well.  Just  glance  along  the  string,  that  there  be  no  twist  at
either,  horn,  and  then  away  to  the  target,  where  you  shall  learn
how  an  archer

TAKES  HIS  FOOTING  ;  —

the  first  step  in  Ascham's  celebrated  ^<  five  points.*'  The  bow-
man, who  turns  his  front  towards  the  object  aimed  at,  as  when
discharging  a  fowling-piece,  will  assuredly  never  touch  it,  ex-
cept by  mere  accident.  The  side  only  is  to  be  presented  to  the
target,  with  which  your  eyes  will  be  brought  exactly  parallel,  —


remember  to  keep  both  wide  open,  —  by  turning  the  face  over
the  left  shoulder,  until  j'our  chin  rests  just  above  it.  Don't
stand  bolt  upright;  but  incline  the  head  and  neck  slightly
forward;  a  position  which  not  only  brings  your  bow  and
shaft-hand  in  a  line  with  eacli  other,  but  affords  a  more  distinct
view  of  the  gold  ;  for  in  the  target  ground  ■ —  and  only  there  —
Bcem  as  much  influenced  by  the  "  auri  sacra  fames  "  as  though
you  were  among  the  most  ardent  and  devoted  of  Mammon's
wretched  slaves.
