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 ; 



