1879.] on the ' Tlmndcrcr ' Qun Explosion. 225 



they became dimiuislied iu sectional area as they were pulled out 

 under the strain. 



Having now described the gun, I will ask your attention to the 

 subject of the ixncdcr and of the projectiles. 



I do not propose to say anything about the chemistry of gun- 

 powder, but I wish to make a few observations about the differences 

 which arise in the use of gunpowder from variation in the size of the 

 particles or grains, and to explain why it is that as the particles 

 enlarge the combustion is slower, and as it may be said takes place by 

 degrees. 



' With respect to this suggestion that powder may burn by degrees, 

 I remember the amusement that was caused by Tom Hood's ' Report 

 from Below,' where Mrs. Round, the washerwoman, has occasioned 

 great alarm to Mr. and Mrs. B. by emptying the whole contents 

 of Mr. B.'s powder-horn into the firej^tlace of the washing copper, 

 in order to clear out the flue and stop it from smoking. Mrs. Round 

 is rendered insensible, but the servant who escapes and rushes up- 

 stairs to give an account of the occurrence, does so in the following 

 words : — 



" As l\Irs. Eound and I, marm, was a-standing at our tubs, 

 And Mrs. Round was seconding what little things I rubs, 

 ' INIary,' says she to me, ' I say,' and there she stops for coughin*, 

 ' That dratted copper flue has took to smoking very often ; 

 But, please the pigs,' for that's her way of talking in a passion, 

 ' I'll blow it up, and not be set a-coughin' in this fashion.' 

 So down she takes my master's liorn (I mean his horn for loading), 

 And empties every grain alive for to set the flue exploding. 

 ' Lawks ! Mrs. Round,' says I, and stares, ' that quantum can't be proper ; 

 I'm sartin sure it ne'er can take a pound to sky a copper.' 

 Them words sets up her back, so, with her hands upon her knees, 

 'Afore ever you was born,' says she, 'I was used to things like these; 

 I'll put it in the fire and let it burn up by degrees.' " 



At the time this poem was written, everyone was prepared for the 

 catastrophe which, as on reading it, you will find did occur ; and even 

 now, if one were to speak of powder burning up by degrees, it would 

 excite a smile ; and still better ground was there for amusement when 

 the ' Report from Below ' was written, for then the largest-grained 

 cannon powder was but dust as compared with the cannon powder of 

 the present day. I have before me samj^les of these j^owders, the very 

 smallest of which, the R.L.G., or Rifle Large Grain, is of goodly 

 dimensions, while the P or Pebble powder is, except for its colour, fit 

 to form a gravel path, and the P- powder is, as you will see, comj)osed 

 of "grains"! which measure about 1^ inch in each direction, and 

 weigh some three to three and a half ounces. 



It is tolerably easy to see why the combustion of powder in large 

 " grains " should be slower than that of powder when the particles 

 are small. Although powder contains within itself the elements neces- 

 sary for its combustion, and does not need therefore the presence of 

 air to burn it, nevertheless, as combustion does not occur until a 



