336 STANCHION, OK PUNT-GUN. 



indebted for not having remained much longer in 

 ignorance on the subject. Indeed nothing but ocular 

 demonstration would have convinced me of this argu- 

 ment. What pride and folly it is, then, for any one 

 to hold himself above being shown, even by the most 

 humble individual ! 



The gun was loaded with a pound of shot, and two 

 ounces of Messrs. Curtis and Harvey's best " gunning 

 powder." I fired from the confined swivel, as is ge- 

 nerally used by the London gunmakers ! in doing 

 which I levelled at least afoot over the object ; and, 

 by this means (as the water and the paper proved), 

 shot perfectly accurate. Buckle then fired ; having 

 taken level at the centre of the object, from the 

 swivel : and the whole charge went into the water, 

 before it had gone ninety yards, where the target was 

 placed. I then began to abuse Mr. D. Egg, and said, 

 I hoped that Buckle, as an experienced gunner, and 

 an engineer (he having been a long time in his Ma- 

 jesty's service), was convinced of the fault of the 

 gun ; on which he said, and with justice I own, that 

 both " the London gentlemen," and I, had " a little 

 to learn yet." He then, to use his own words, " hove 

 away that humbugging swivel ;" and, by means of a 

 large bolster of sheeps'-wool, fired the gun from his 

 shoulder, with the same charge as before ; which I 

 put in myself. He presented as usual, directly at 

 the object, and made such a shot as this barrel had 

 never before been known to make, both for strength 

 and closeness. I then, to be convinced of his veracity, 



