232 ON THE WING. 



perfect an octagon as the eye could assist in forming. 

 Best barrels are generally turned after they are 

 ground. Inferior barrels are struck up with a large 

 rubber, or smooth, by boys ; in some instances by 

 ■ women." 



The Patent Breech. 



"The invention of the patent breech;'' says Mr. 

 Greener, " was the emanation of a scientific mind ; 

 for it has been productive of more real benefit to the 

 progress of gunnery than any other improvement of 

 the last two centuries. Experience and study in the 

 theory of guns and gunpowder give the mind a much 

 more enlarged view of the subject, if regulated by the 

 established laws of true and sound principles : a want 

 of thorough knowledge induces the individual to draw 

 conclusions prematurely, and thus he is apt to fall, 

 and to lead others, into error. I confess, that, to- 

 gether with many hundreds more, I once concluded 

 that the great advantage of the patent breech arose 

 entirely from the loose state in which the powder 

 was preserved while in the breech, and its thus being 

 more instantaneously ignited. But I have already 

 shown that the quickness of powder is, in a great 

 measure, the greatest drawback to its efficacy, and I 

 am clearly convinced that compression, in most in- 

 stances, is beneficial, by retarding the ignition to a 

 certain extent. Here, then, is proof positive, that we 

 have been on the wrong scent, and running after a 

 ' Will o' the Wisp.' 



" There is the clearest evidence that the only ad- 



