1864. | Russet on Gun-cotton. 401 
with the tides for a mighty broom, it daily sweeps and purifies our 
coasts of all that might be dangerous or offensive. 
But there is still another duty that she fulfils—namely, in per- 
forming the work of a “tug” in bringing vessels up our tidal rivers. 
Dwellers in seaports, or those who reside in towns situated up our 
tidal streams, have excellent opportunities of observing and appreciating 
her value in her towing capacity ; and, indeed, it may with truth be 
said that no small portion of the corn with which we are nourished, 
and of the coal that glows in our firesides, is brought almost up to 
our very doors by the direct agency of the Moon. 
GUN-COTTON. 
By Joun Scorr Russexz, C.E., F.R.S. 
Tux elements are proverbially good servants, but bad masters—Fire, 
water, wind, and steam are fierce demons when they get the upper 
hand; yet what would civilization be, wanting the fire of the kitchen, 
the smith’s hearth, and the foundry ; how should we be, without seas 
to carry our boats or rivers to turn our mills? Commerce and mer- 
chandise are mainly conducted by the wind and the sails of our mer- 
chantmen ; and steam clothes us, and carries us from city to farm, 
and from island to continent; yet the earthquake, the volcano, the 
conflagration, the torrent, the storm, the hurricane, and the explosion 
—what are they but servants become masters ? 
It is peculiarly true of steam and gunpowder that they are among 
the most useful, and most dangerous of human inventions ; but danger 
in both is generally admitted to be a matter merely of skill and care. 
No one proposes to put down railways because a locomotive explodes, 
or to give up shooting because a gun has burst, or a gunpowder 
manufactory blown up. 
Gun-cotton is a new power coming under the same category as 
steam and gunpowder. It is highly dangerous to those who don’t 
possess the necessary knowledge and skill; but, like them, it enor- 
mously extends human power, and, like them, the skill to use it can 
be rightly and certainly acquired. 
The object of this paper is to extend the knowledge and skill of 
my countrymen in the use of this new power. It is, I believe, of far 
more value to England than to any other nation in the world. It is, 
in my opinion, a power capable of being extensively used for a 
multitude of purposes yet unheard of; and I believe it will play an 
important part in the destinies of England. 
The first question we naturally ask on the introduction of a new 
power is, what are to be its advantages over existing powers and pro- 
cesses? In regard to gun-cotton, we at once ask, therefore, what are 
its advantages over gunpowder? Is it stronger? Is it more con- 
venient? Is it cheaper? Why should we give up gunpowder and 
