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while in the meantime experiments are carried out with a view to 
perfect the manufacture of bronze by alloying it with phosphorus or 
iron, or by casting it after some new method, so as to meet the question 
of the supply of guns for India. 
For the present however the best guns we can make are muzzle- 
loaders built up of wrought-iron and steel, and, assuming that this is 
to be the construction of our future field guns, what data have we for 
determining the weight of projectile to be thrown, the consequent 
weight and calibre of the gun, and the weight of draught and total 
equipment, having due regard to that first essential “mobility” And 
first, as regards the weight of the projectile; this, it would appear, 
taken together with the number of rounds which it is considered 
necessary to carry, should regulate the whole equipment. Now it will 
probably be allowed that the heavier the projectile the better, provided 
it can be thrown with a sufficient velocity without injury to the gun 
and carriage, and also, that a sufficient number of them can be carried 
in the limber and wagon to prevent the possibility of the supply failing 
in action. This statement scarcely admits of question, but, in case any 
person should entertain doubts on the subject, it is only necessary to 
point out that the advantages of weight of metal have been so apparent 
that, in every war which has taken place during this century, and which 
has lasted a sufficient time to enable a new gun to be introduced, the 
calibre of the guns in use at the termination of hostilities has been 
greater than that of the guns taken into the field at the commencement. 
For instance; the artillery at the beginning of the Peninsular War were 
armed with 6-pr. guns of 6 cwt. and 5 J-inch howitzers of 4f cwt., while 
at the end they, had 9-pr. guns of 13^ cwt., and a few years afterwards, 
acting on the experience of this campaign, the 12-pr. and 24-pr. 
howitzers, of 6 and 12J cwt., were introduced; the latter, with the 
9-pr. of 13J cwt., being the heaviest pieces with which our field batteries 
have ever been armed. 
Again in the Crimea the siege train consisted at first of 24-prs., 
32-prs., and 8-inch guns, which were gradually reinforced with 10-inch 
guns and 68-prs., as the value of the heavier natures became more and 
more apparent. The important part played by the two 18-prs. in the 
defeat of the Russians at Inkermann is matter of history, and, if 
Dr. Russell's report is to be believed, the fallen Emperor himself 
attributed the overthrow of his artillery at the battle of Sedan to the 
greater “ range, precision, and weight ” of the Prussian guns, alluding 
no doubt to their field battery guns throwing 15 lb. projectiles. I 
think we may safely say then that the heavier the projectile we can 
throw the better, with the provisos before stated. 
Now what limits this weight ? It is limited; 
1st. By the weight of the gun necessary to fire with perfect safety a 
charge sufficient to give the shot the required velocity, 
2nd. By the total weight which can be allowed to the equipment. 
And 3rdly. By the number of rounds considered absolutely neces¬ 
sary to be taken into action with the gun. 
These limitations are so intimately connected with and dependent 
