58 DETONATING SYSTEM. 



least one-fourth ! which evidently shows that quickness 

 and strength are not always combined. For instance : 

 load one gun with large-grained powder, and another 

 with very fine canister-powder. We are quite sure 

 that the latter will fire the quickest; but I would back 

 the other to fire the strongest if of equally good quality, 

 because the larger powder has the more projectile force. 

 Again, fire a small detonater and a swivel-gun, ay, a 

 twelve-pounder if you please, at a mark only thirty 

 yards off, and see if the little gun does not shoot up 

 to that distance as quick as, or quicker than, the others ! 

 And yet would it not be ridiculous to compare them for 

 strength ? 



Mr. D. Egg made to me a droll, though a good com- 

 parison, on the ignition of detonating guns : he said, 

 " If I were to kick a fellow out of my shop, would he 

 go off so strong on his legs as if I allowed him to walk 

 out?" 



I am not fond of quoting, but nevertheless I must 

 copy a few lines on the percussion principle by Ezekiel 

 Baker, one of the very few master-gunmakers in London 

 who understand barrels. I never saw Mr. Baker, though 

 I have read a few extracts from his work, which prove 

 that he has the ability to discover, and the honesty to 

 publish the real state of the case. He says, " By the 

 detonating, or percussion principle, the whole of* the 

 powder is fired instantaneously; but the very quickness 

 with which the powder is burned, in my opinion, lessens 

 its general effect, and I am satisfied more execution 



* " The whole of!" These are the only three words that I have 

 the least doubt of throughout Mr. Baker's observation: as this 

 question, I conceive, depends on what quantity of powder you put 

 into the gun. 



