236 ON THE*WING. 



proves that the Orientals were artists, and that they 

 were appreciated : were this the case now with us, we 

 could do all they ever did, and more. 



" Laminated steel is now a great fact. It is a name 

 stereotyped in Belgium, Germany, France, and Amer- 

 ica, as well as in the place of its birth, — England ; 

 and orders come from all parts of the globe for the 

 celebrated laminated steel. Every writer of eminence 

 is loud in its praise, and justly so too ; for about its 

 merits there is no mistake. No combination of metals 

 ever yet before tried since the birth of gunnery can 

 equal it, either in density, ductility, or tenacity. A 

 laminated steel barrel has never been known to burst. 

 ' Reputed ' laminated steel barrels have been burst, 

 but no real one ever. Nor is it probable, save from 

 malconstruction. Through inattention in the weld- 

 ing the best of metal may be burnt ; but the better 

 the iron, the greater the difficulty. Steel is more 

 liable to melt than burn ; so that, with care and 

 skill on the part of the workman, it- will very seldom 

 indeed occur. But that chance is provided for, as 

 far as human judgment can do, in intrusting such 

 barrels only to first-rate and steady workmen. Such 

 men are no doubt, to a certain extent, scarce; but 

 they may yet be found ; the Birmingham welder of 

 proved skill and ability is inferior to none in the 

 world. Laminated steel barrels are more scarce than 

 welders. 



" Although the various manufacturers of Europe have 

 complimented me by adopting the name of my in- 

 vention, yet I am sorry to add it is but in name ; 



