THE FOWLING- PIECE. 



preceding, is by means of water, which is compressed 

 (if I may be allowed the expression) in the barrel, 

 in such a manner, as to find its way through any de- 

 fects imperceptible to the eye. Any person in the 

 least acquainted with the nature of this fluid will 

 easily perceive that this method of proving by water 

 must be very powerful ; and, in my estimation, it is 

 excellent j the only doubt which can possibly be 

 entertained as to its superiority arises from the idea, 

 that as compressed water acts in so different a man- 

 ner from the explosion of gun-powder, it is not, 

 therefore, so well calculated to ascertain the neces- 

 sary quality of the barrel ; as, to urge this idea still 

 further, it might be said, that* though it resisted a 

 great pressure of water, it might, nevertheless, burst 

 on the explosion of the quantity of gun- powder neces- 

 sary for a satisfactory prooi ; and that consequently 

 water-proof is not well adapted for guu-barrels. 

 However, this is mere supposition ; and I most as- 

 suredly should prefer this kind of proof to any other. 

 \t the same time, 1 should be quite satisfied with 

 Tower-proof, supposing the barrel to be stubs twisted, 

 and properly finished. Inferior barrels I shall cer- 

 tainly never recommend : they might stand the proof 

 perhaps, and yet burst shortly afterwards ; at all 

 event*, a barrel made of good metal must certainly 

 be less dangerous than one manufactured of bad. 

 Soldiers' muskets, it might be observed, are made of 

 inferior metal granted; but then they are made 



