I love finding stuff that was discovered decades ago that were at one time or another “brilliant” observations of my own. R2

From “Archery, It’s Theory and Practice” 1859

“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 picked shots of the country standing at the targets, contending with all their might for the prize of honour and skill. Whose 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. Sec with what grace and case 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 shaft is unsurpassed by any, and it is nigh upon five shillings in weight 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 48lbs., yet how steady and true flies the arrow! how charming in its flight! And so on, all through the field, you will find it is not the strong bows, but those that are under the perfect command of their owners, that do their work the best.”