432 lewis's AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



given rise to a new era in the workings of man, — in fact, has been 

 the chief and all-powerful instrument in not only shaping the 

 mighty affairs of great nations in times past, but must ever con- 

 tinue to exercise a decided influence over the destinies of mankind 

 in all time to come. 



All this happened about the year 1340 ; and the city of Freiburg 

 has lately very properly commemorated the wonderful event by 

 the erection of a handsome fountain, emblazoned with suitable in- 

 scriptions and surmounted by a statue of the fortunate discoverer. 



CANNON. 



Notwithstanding the reputed antiquity of cannon, they were 

 little known in England before the fourteenth century, and w^ere 

 first employed as an engine of war by Edward III. At this early 

 period of their introduction into military service, they Avere of rude 

 construction and cumbersome proportion^, and so continued, with 

 little or no improvement, till the reign of Henry VIII. This 

 monarch soon undertook the manufacture of ordnance, which was 

 continued with spirit and energy by his persevering successor, 

 Queen Elizabeth, and, during her reign, vast improvements were 

 made in their fabrication. The "hand-goune" Avas next invented, 

 — an instrument sufficiently rude in its construction when compared 

 with the guns of the present day, but still, as a first efi'ort in this 

 branch of manufacture, a very serviceable weapon of attack as 

 well as defence. This "goune" was made light enough to be 

 carried about by one person, and was fired by the application of a 

 match. 



The stocked gun was the next improvement, which also was 

 fired by the application of a lighted match to the priming, either 

 through the medium of a match-lock or by the direct interposition 

 of the hand. 



The "wheel-lock" was the next invention, and approximated 

 closely in principle if not in construction to the flint-lock of the 

 present day, a spark of fire being produced and communicated to 

 the priming by the friction of a notched wheel passing rapidly 



