356 On the Mamifacture and 



On the Invention of Gunpowder, 

 Gunpowder has for ages been known in the East, particu- 

 Jarly in China, and, it is said, has been in use there ever since 

 the year 85. 



The first introduction of gunpowder into Europe has gene- 

 rally been ascribed to Roger Bacon, who wrote a treatise in 

 1280, in which we find the first hints for the application of 

 it to the purposes of war. In 1320, Bartholomew Schwartz, 

 a monk, is said to have re-invented it in Germany, by acci- 

 dentally pounding in a mortar the ingredients of which gun- 

 powder is made, and into which a spark of fire falling, blew 

 the mortar to pieces. This opinion has lately been contra^ 

 dieted in France by Citizen Langles, who contends, in a me- 

 moir read in the French National Institute, that the know- 

 ledge of gunpowder was conveyed to us from the Arabs on 

 the return of the crusades into Europe, and that the Arabs 

 made use of it at the siege of Mecca in 690 ; that they de- 

 rived it from the Indians, who, in their sacred books forbid- 

 ding the use of it in war, may reasonably be concluded to 

 have known it for ages. 



However this may be, it seems probable that gunpowder 

 was early, known in India; for in whatever country nitre 

 abounds, there its deflagrating quality is likely to be observed. 

 Sir George Staunton observes : *^ The knowledge of gun- 

 powder in China and India seems coeval with the most di- 

 stant historic events. Among the Chinese it has at all times 

 been applied to useful purposes, as blasting rocks, &c. and in 

 making of fire-works; although it has not been directed 

 through strong metallic tubes, as the Europeans did soon 

 after that they had discovered it." 



The honourable George Napier procured some gunpowder 

 made in China, and on the average analysis of two ounces 

 of it (960 grains), he found it to consist of saltpetre 720 

 grains, charcoal 141 grains, and sulphur 89 grains. Here 

 is a deficiency of 10 grains in the process. Now, admitting 

 the deficiency to be in equal proportions to each ingredient, 

 ^nd bringing the same to the proportion of 100 parts of gun- 

 powder, there will be. 



Saltpetre 



