DETONATING SYSTEM. 73 



of it very probably not : but this I must beg leave to 

 state: when Joe first brought out his detonaters, in 

 Davies-street (those which were discarded from giving 

 so much trouble), he made me the most perfect gun I 

 ever saw ; and, doubting whether such another could 

 be got, I set my wits to work in order to simplify the 

 invention. At last the plan of a perforated nipple, 

 and the detonating powder in the crown of a small cap, 

 occurred to me. I made a drawing of it, which I took 

 to Joe. After having this explained, he said he would 

 show me something in a few weeks' time ; when, lo 

 arid behold ! there was a rough gun altered precisely on 

 my own plan ! His factotum, poor old Asell, assured 

 me that the whole job was done from my drawing. 

 Thus Joe, who led the fashion for all the world, sent 

 out ar few copper-cap guns, and I know with some 

 degree of reluctance. The trade, finding that he had 

 then deviated from his own patent, adopted this plan ; 

 and it proved to answer so well, that we now see it in 

 general circulation. So much, and no more, have I to 

 say about the wished-for discovery of the copper-cap 

 inventor. But if Mr. this and Mr. that have any 

 fancy to claim the invention, they may safely fire their 

 ammunition into all the periodicals they please, as I 

 shall not indulge them with any paper-war on the 

 subject. 



The innumerable accidents that have occurred with 

 copper caps have been occasioned by three causes : 

 1st, bad workmanship, in not bringing the blow of the 

 striker to act equally on all parts of the nipple ; 2dly, 

 want of a proper fence to protect the eye; and, 3dly, 

 a want of sufficient strength in thejlrst lifting of the 

 main-spring. I need scarcely add, too, that having the 



