10 BARRELS. 



best calculated for large wild-fowl guns, because the 

 first friction makes them shoot strong (by means of 

 giving due time to burn the powder), and yet with 

 as much ease, as any caliber that can be made to 

 answer that purpose. 



In answer to many absurd arguments in favour of 

 short guns, and observations about " lateral pressure," 

 I shall here subjoin a schedule, in order to show how 

 were bored the five best guns I ever so fired, ex- 

 emplifying how far they were from being bored a 

 cylinder, and therefore proving the absurdity of those 

 arguments which are all grounded upon this mistake. 

 Were a gun-barrel bored a true cylinder it might 

 shoot nearly, or quite, as well if two feet long as one 

 of greater length, because a superfluity of what may 

 be strictly called lateral pressure would do more 

 harm than good, by checking, instead of assisting, 

 the force of the charge. But to these two feet of 

 cylinder let me add some more caliber, and that to 

 consist of proper opening and relief, and then shoot 

 the guns for a wager, and see how those new- 

 discovery gentlemen would come off who have been 

 holding forth to the public such nonsense in favour 

 of short guns. 



Cannons are bored a cylinder, because they are 

 generally used for firing ball, and therefore may be 

 short : but how have they always thrown loose shot ? 

 Why, most miserably, till General Shrapnell invented 

 his admirable shells that keep the charge together 

 for a second 1 explosion, which takes place a little 



