78 DETONATING SYSTEM. 



directions about them, to the dissertation of some 

 very learned mechanic, as their advantage and utility 

 are far beyond my comprehension. 



ANTI-CORROSIVE PERCUSSION POWDER. 



IN August, 1824, I gave the following statement 

 relative to this powder : 



" Since the first part of this work was printed off, 

 a letter has been received from Mr. Joyce, chemist, 

 11, Old Compton-street, Soho, commenting, as he is 

 fully justified in doing, on the injury done to fire- 

 arms by the oxy muriate of potash ; and inclosing a 

 specification of a new ' ANTi-corrosive' percussion 

 powder. The author, however, is extremely tena- 

 cious of misleading his readers, by recommending any 

 article that has not been thoroughly tried ; and, there- 

 fore, all he can as yet say is, that he has fired 24 

 copper caps with this new powder, after dipping each 

 cap, for some time, in water, and not one of them 

 missed fire ; nor was there any acid produced by the 

 decomposition. 



" Were Mr. Joyce's invention good for the gun 

 trade, it would soon find its way to the public ; and, 

 if defective, he might expect every assistance for its 

 improvement. But as, on the contrary, it is rather 

 the reverse, he may probably meet with obstacles to 

 getting it fairly circulated for trial ; and, for this 

 very reason, the author is induced to mention it. He 

 hopes, therefore, that some o^ier sporting writer, who 



