Experiments with Cannon, &c. 189 



them, and produce nearly the same effects as much 

 larger bullets, where they take place against either cav- 

 alry or infantry, it is very likely, I think, that two or 

 three of these guns, well plied with this grape, would 

 make an advancing column of very brave troops hesi- 

 tate, even though they should come on flushed with 

 victory. 



I had contrived a gun, on these principles, that could 

 be fired advancing, as well as retreating, in full march ; 

 but as I am not now writing a treatise on artillery, it 

 would be improper for me to enlarge farther on the sub- 

 ject. 



I cannot finish this Paper, without just observing, 

 with respect to iron guns, that if any country could 

 safely venture to substitute iron ordnance instead of 

 brass, for field artillery, it would be Great Britain ; for 

 the manufacture of cast-iron is now carried to such per- 

 fection in this island that it is made, at pleasure, of al- 

 most any degree of hardness or softness ; and if the 

 saving of copper can anywhere be an object of public 

 importance, it must be here, where so much of that 

 metal is used in covering ships. 



For my own part, I do not hesitate to say, that I 

 think iron guns better than brass guns, in every re- 

 spect ; when the metal is as good as it may be easily 

 made ; and they are certainly much more durable, and 

 cost incomparably less. They are likewise more easily 

 destroyed and rendered useless (by knocking off their 

 trunnions) when it becomes necessary to abandon them. 



I well know that these opinions will not meet with 

 the general approbation of those who, no doubt, ought 

 to be considered as the proper and only competent 

 judges in matters of this kind ; yet I may be permit- 



