x. GUNPOWDER, is @ coi ‘nitre, sulphur, 
and charcoal. The chemical action which these few ele- 
‘mentary bodies exert on each other, has many times de- 
- termined the fate of nations... More human beings have 
‘ victims to its than at t exist 
the face of the globe, and it is now considered as the 
‘most effective agent in modern warfare. 
yof . The history of this surprising substance is clouded 
* with much ity, and this we deem sufficient for 
‘not entering mi y into this branch of our subject. 
. Polydore Virgil, and Thevet, attribute the discovery 
of gunpowder to a monk named Constantine Anelzen, 
‘who was a chemist of some celebrity in his time. Others 
assert, with much probability, that it was discoyered by 
Bartholdus Schwartz, about the year 1320. 
_ The Venetians are said to have used gunpowder du- 
ring a war with the Genoese, in the year 1330. In 
1346, cannon and gunpowder were used at the battle 
‘of Cressy ; and about the same time at the siege of Ca~ 
Long before any of these periods, gunpowder is said 
to have been discovered by Roger eons: ‘Ina work 
written by him in 1280, he:points out the composition 
of gunpowder ; and was ‘so much aware of ‘its impor- 
tance, as to recommend its explosive powers as the means 
of destroying armies. 
» The Chinese, and probably other nations of the East, 
-with whom most of the arts have originated, to 
‘have been acquainted with a variety of these explosive 
compounds long before they were known: to Europe. 
It: almost iteponaitcy that, in countries where 
nitre is found in the soil, the commonest people should 
have been ignorant of the action between carbon and 
’ -nitre. If sulphur’ were not present, still the effects 
-would be a - un - 
. The —— npowder is divided into three 
——— aremanneh na The choice and purifica- 
_.» tion of the materials; 2d, The adjustment of the pro- 
— by which a maximum of explosive power may 
ny cok mn ; and 3d, The incorporation of the mate- 
-rials, which is a mechanicalprocess not of less impor- 
tance than the other d tahini Arttizevti Y 
dof Inthe choice of nitre, no rule is so important as the 
ing the form and size of the crystals. It is necessary first to ex- 
» »amine whether the nitre affords any foreign matter dif- 
ferent from nitric acid and potash.’ It sometimes contains 
nitrate or muriate of lime, magnesia, and perhaps muri- 
ate of potash. First dissolve a small portion of the ni- 
tre, and filtre the solution. Toa little of this, add a 
few drops of a solution of sulphate of silver. If a blu- 
ish white precipitate falls down, which turns darker co- 
-loured by exposure to the light, then the nitre contains 
-muriatie acid, combined with some of the bases above 
imentioned; namely, lime, magnesia, ——_ and pro- 
-bably soda. Take another portion of the solution of 
/nitre, and drop into it a solution of oxalate of ammonia. 
If a white ipitate falls down, it shows the — 
eof lime... To 2 third portion of the solution add a little 
“pure animonia, then if'any precipitate is found the nitre 
. contains magnesia, 
|. In particular experiments, the tests above mentioned 
-might be used to separate the foreign matter; but for 
general use, this would be too expensive ; and the only 
“ icable method of purifying nitre, is by frequent so- 
_ lution, evaporation, and careful crystallization... When 
the crystals are transparent, clear, and well formed into 
-dlistinct prisms, the nitre may be looked upon as pure. 
Its well to test it after every fresh crystallization, to 
Joo VOL. X, PART IL)! j 
: ‘ GUNPOWDER. 
585 
know when ‘it may ‘be relied upon. If nitre should Gunpowder. 
contain any alkaline sulphate, the test for this substance —v—— 
will be a solution of nitrate of barytes. If a precipi- 
tate is ye pin add more of the same substance care- 
fully till no more is precipitated. By this means the 
ues the alkali becomes a nitrate, which is nitre. 
he French method of purifying nitre for the manu. French me- 
facture of gunpowder is very silaple; and has been prac- 
tised with success, The nitrate or muriate of line, or ree. 
the same acids with magnesia and even common salt, 
are more easily soluble in cold water than the nitre it- 
self ; but sea the earthy salts, which are most 
injurious, is property presents an means of 
separating them donates nitre, rer 
~ The French, for this pu , first coarsely pound 
the crude nitre, and put it into a copper, adding to it 
20 per cent. of cold rain water. The mixture is then 
stirred, and’ allowed to remain for 6 or 7 hours. The 
liquid part is now drained off, and 10 per cent. more 
water added, which, after stirring as before, is allowed 
to remain one hour, and then drained off as formerly. 
Lastly, 5 per cent. of water is to be added, and drained 
off as before, leaving the whole to drain completely. 
By this means the deliquescent salts are carried off, and 
also a portion of nitre, which may afterwards be sepa-~ 
rated for common-purposes. 
The drained mass is now to be dissolved, by adding 
to it 50 per cent. of pure water at 212°. This solution 
is next to be placed in shallow leaden vessels in a cool 
place; in order to allow the nitre to crystallize, which 
very soon takes place. During the crystallization the 
solution is an ang agitated, to prevent the crystals 
from being too large. It is an object to have the prisms 
not thicker than needles, in order to promote their 
more speedy desiccation, previous to its being reduced 
to powder, for mixing with the sulphur and charcoal. 
As the crystals are deposited, they are removed into 
baskets to drain. “They are ultimately placed in wicker 
wooden vats with double bottoms, the superior bottom 
being grimy, so as to allow the water to drain 
through into the cavity below. This nitre is deemed 
sufficiently pure for making gunpowder. ; 
The choice of the sulphur for making gunpowder, is yfethod of 
easy to those who are experienced. It should be of a choosing the 
lively yellow colour, Its specific gravity should not sulphur. 
be great. It should appear porous, but not shining. 
When a bit of it is burned upon a piece of clean glass 
or porcelain, it should leave no residuum. 
If it does not answer these characters, it should be 
melted at a low heat, and skimmed from time to time. 
If this is not sufficient, it should be sublimed at the 
lowest possible heat. The mom se which is extracted 
from pyrites, is never sufficiently pure for this purpose. 
That from Italy and Sicily, which is naturally sublimed 
by the heat of volcanoes, is the most pure. 
In the choice of charcoal, it was once deemed an ob- yf eho. of 
ject even to make use of peculiar kinds of wood; but ‘choosing the 
now any kind of wood properly charred is employed. charcvs!. 
The charcoal which is formed during the distillation of 
the pyrolignic acid, is now generally preferred. 
a pointed out the proper materials, it will now 
be necessary to shew the manner of intimately mixing 
them gether for certainly we cannot with propriety 
call gunpowder a compound. Since that sort of con- 
tiguity essential to their readily exploding, depends 
upon mechanical and not chemical union, it will not be 
wondered that gunpowder should differ so much in its 
qualities even with the best proportions. All the ex- 
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