DAMASCUS BARRELS. 23 



" Went to the proof house, and was present at the 

 proving of an immense number of barrels. The 

 proof, as ordered by the last act of parliament, is to 

 one ounce ball, thirteen drains and a half of best 

 cartridge powder, with a very stiff wadding of paper 

 on each ; and so on, more or less, according to what- 

 ever ball will tightly fit the caliber. It has been 

 observed to me here, that the London gunmakers do 

 not go the cheapest way to work, as they commonly 

 employ the tradesmen of the town, instead of the 

 master workmen, who actually do the business, and 

 consequently, they have to pay an extra price, beyond 

 prime cost, for the article with which their country 

 agent supplies them. Their reason, however, may 

 be much to their credit ; a wish to secure the best 

 barrels. Was I a gunmaker, however, I should prefer 

 keeping at Birmingham a first-rate foreman, or agent 

 of my own, who could pick and choose, and supply 

 me direct from the factories. 



" All shooting articles in Birmingham are usually 

 sold, or to use the term of trade ' put in,' by the 

 dozen, at a mere nothing in comparison with the 

 retail price. One of the best shops at which I 

 stocked myself was that of Messrs. Allen andReneaud, 

 No. 7, Whittal Street, who supply many of the gun- 

 makers with all kinds of turnscrews, brushes, tools, 

 &c. ; and who also deal in fishing-rods, reels, and 

 almost every thing that can be required in the sport- 

 ing way, at about one-fifth of the price that you pay 

 in London." 



