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large Atlas of the South Sea, a fine work on bad paper. Mr. de 
Wallenstein had translated an astronomical work from the Spa¬ 
nish into English; 'he had also an English copy of the illustra- 
trations of Gothe’s Faust laid open. With General Bernard I 
conversed for a long while on the science of military engineer- 
ing. He told me he had served at the defence of two for¬ 
tresses, and obtained the experience, that there can be no 
strong defence, without having covered works on the front 
of attack. Respecting coast batteries, he was of opinion that 
the best were those which had at least an elevation of thirty 
feet above the surface of the water, in order that the re¬ 
bounding shots coming from ships should not attain the 
breastwork. He considered the establishments for military in¬ 
struction in this country susceptible of great improvements. He 
had proposed to establish a military exercise school, to which 
should be alternately sent battalions of infantry, and companies 
of artillery; this proposition has not been adopted. The gene¬ 
ral said also a great deal about the importance of Anvers, and 
gave me many interesting explanations of Napoleon’s designs in 
fortifying that place. Finally, the conversation turned on’the bat¬ 
tle of Waterloo, at which the General had been present as aid to 
the Emperor. Tears came into the eyes of this gallant man, 
while speaking of his former master. 
On the last day of my stay in Washington, I took a ride with 
Messrs. Huygens, and Mr. de Bresson; we went to the marine 
barracks, where, by order of the secretary of war, experiments 
with Hall’s muskets were to be made. Mr. Hall, who is inspec¬ 
tor of the gun manufactory at Harper’s Ferry, was present him¬ 
self. 
Experiments were made on the celerity of firing; Mr. Hall 
fired with his gun, and the sergeant major of the marines with 
an ordinary infantry musket. The last could make but four 
shots in a minute; whilst Mr. Hall made six. He has also ap¬ 
plied his invention to ordinary infantry muskets and rifles, and 
caused them to be constructed at Harper’s Fdrry. They cost 
the government eighteen dollars a piece. An essential improve¬ 
ment would be to introduce percussion fire-locks. Moreover 
these arms can only be given into the hands of very well exer¬ 
cised men. The government intends to arm the left wing com- 
panies with them. For the. riflemen or light infantry, this gun 
seems to be very well suited. I expressed a desire that Mr. Hall 
would make such a gun for me; but he replied, that being in the 
service of the government, he was not allowed to make any 
without particular permission of the secretary of war. The few 
marines in quarters were paraded under the command of a Lieu 
tenant, and I was received with music and presented arms. 
