300 
THE BROME FAMILY. 
Graecus j 1 2 wliicli again was only a slightly improved proportion of t le 
same ingredients in the “ Greek Fire ” (gunpowder) of the Ancient i. 3 
In fact, the identity of the ingredients of the “ Greek Fire ” of 
Greek Fire G , , Byzantium with the gunpowder of mediaeval Europe, 
of of 1520 . the Greek names given to the weapons by the 
Saltpetre^ ... 4 uncultured Flemish artificers (involving profound 
Charcoal ? ’ l philosophical and psychological significations), and 
(Paigrave) (Grose the size. calibre (15 to 19 inches), and finish, of the 
Vol. I., p. 398). great cannon of fourteenth century manufacture, 3 
which could not have grown up, like a mushroom, in one night, con¬ 
firm the dictum that in the 14th century “ the Weapons of the Titans 
were placed in the hands of children.^ 4 
* * * & 
“ Who, by one proof and another, 
“ Learn't to know tlieir powers 
# * 
“ Of Bombard, Gun, according to its frame 
“ Or single Cannon this, or double name ; 
“ Which split or shiver steel and stone outright, 5 
“And where the Bullet.. passes makes a road. 
* * * * & 
“ Down to the Sword, 6 restore thy weapons bright 
“ Sad soldier to the forge, a useless load, 
“ And gun or Carbine on thy shoulder lay; 
“ Who, without these, I wot, shall touch no pay.” 
Count Ariosto anno 1516. 
But revenons a nos moutons ! 
In 1702. Charles Brome served under Major Borgard 7 with the 
1 “ The Master-Gunners of England,” (“ Proceedings,” E.A.I, Vol. XIV. No. 3), p. 13, Note 
4. Neither Bacon nor Schwartz “invented” gunpowder: both Monks doubtless alike “dis¬ 
covered ” the prescription from the Marcus or Mamus Graecus parchment. It is remarkable 
that the Freemasons also trace their Charters and knowledge of the mysteries of nature and 
science to the ancient parchments of “Mamus or Namus Graecus,” who brought science into 
modern Europe, anno 1000, vide “History of Freemasonry,” (Gould) Vol. I., pp. 97, 248., Vol 
II. p. 248. 
The French, who were artillery scientists, while the English were mere mechanicians also call 
Marcus G-raecus their “first father,” vide Le Blond’s Traits d’Ariillerie, p. 4 (translatedin 1762, 
copy of which, in excellent condition, is in possession of Capt. W. Weston, 3rd Kent Artillery, Wool¬ 
wich). Le Blond (p. 4) gives the title of the treatise of Marcus Graecus as Liber ignium. 
2 We are indebted to that prince of antiquarians, Sir Francis Paigrave, for this discovery, vide 
preface to his “Merchant and Friar.” See also “Our Engines of War,” by Col. H. J. White- 
Jervis, E.A., M.P., pp. 8, 9. 
3 “Proceedings,” B.A.I., Vol. IV., No. 1. 
4 “ The Master-Gunner of England,” p. 11. 
5 The Orlando Furioso, of Count Ariosto, anno 1516, stanzas XXI. et seq. 
6 This forecast of the diminishing value of Cavalry (the sword) was prophetic, for since introduc¬ 
tion of gunpowder arms, “the Cavalry have not won a battle, though they may have lost one.” 
Luke of Wellington, vide “ Proceedings ” R.A.I., Vol. VI. No. 12, p. 436, Note 1. 
Yet, by a singular anachorism, the sivord is the sole survivor in modern armies of the weapons 
of the ancients. 
7 General Borgard attained the age of 92 years, and died at Woolwich on 7th February, 1751. 
He had lived to see Charles Brome a Captain commanding a company, and Charles Brome’s son 
a Captain R.A. and A.D.C. to the Master-General of the Ordnance. 
