GUNPOWDER. 



when this cannot be had, the heat of the fire, regu- 

 lated to the same degree, may be employed ; and, for 

 this end, a heated pewter-plate is as good as any 

 thing; because pewter retains so moderate a heat, 

 that there can be little danger of spoiling the powder 

 by producing the consequences above mentioned. I 

 need hardly remark that too much care cannot be 

 taken in drying gunpowder. 



It may also be observed, that damp powder pro- 

 duces a remarkable foulness in the gun after firing, 

 much beyond what arises from an equal quantity of 

 dry powder ; and this appears to arise from a dimi- 

 nution of the activity of the fire in the explosion. 

 Unless the sportsman is very particular indeed in the 

 mode of keeping his powder, I would recommend him 

 to air it, and the flask, prior to going out in the morn- 

 ing. Flasks made of copper or tin, are far superior 

 for keeping powder in to those made of leather, on 

 account of the latter being much more liable to im- 

 bibe moisture. 



This article, so very essential to the sportsman, Is 

 perhaps arrived at its utmost perfection. From the 

 result of considerable experimental practice, I have 

 no hesitation in pronouncing the gunpowder manu- 

 factured by Mr. W. G. Harvey, of Battle, in Sussex, 

 as decidedly superior to any other I have been able to 

 obtain. It is true, I have met with powder nearly as 

 strong, when newly made, but which, upon a trifling 

 but equal exposure to the atmosphere, lost much 

 more of its strength. Good powder should fire 



K 5 



