[ "4 ] 



zine, as powder of this defcription retains its grain better, and 

 is confequently more durable, than when unglazed. 



Government powder, manufadured at Feverfham, when 

 received from the mills, is confiderably ftronger than either Dant- 

 zick or Battle fhooting powder ; and I believe it would continue 

 fo, was it fecluded from the adlion of the atmofphere, which 

 might be efFcded by lining the barrels with the thin lead ufed 

 for the prefervation of tea ; or was it expofed to a free circulation 

 of dry air, according to the pradice in Dutch men of war, which 

 have an ingenious and fafe mechanifm for ventilating their maga- 

 zines, worthy the imitation of the Britifli navy. Frequently re- 

 verfing the barrels contributes to the prefervation of powder from 

 that fpecies of dccompofition induced by the different gravitation 

 of the ingredients. In barrelling powder it is of the utmoft im- 

 portance to feled dry clear weather ; the confequences of inat- 

 tention to this material point, have, I fear, been oftener 7^// 

 than Jujpe£led by our fleets and armies. 



The fize, fhapc, and colour of the grain in powder are con- 

 fidered as indications of its quality ; and though I have met with 

 good and bad of all forms and colours, yet I am clearly of opi- 

 nion that the general preference is due to powder of a moderate 

 fized and fomewhat fphcrical grain, as being leaft apt to generate 

 duft, which fhould be carefully avoided, becaufe fubverfive of 

 that equal ftrength which ought to be diffufed through the whole 

 contents of a barrel, and is in all cafes important to the efficacy 

 of artillery, but in mortar pradice becomes indifpenfably necef- 



fary. 



