Show of ef the foli following owing description of the tee nature and amel of gunpowder by an able chemist dr ure will prove interesting this explosive substance consists of an intimate mixture in determinate proportions of charcoal and sulphur and is better in proportion everything eisz else b being eing J equal to the quality of these ingredients the nitre ditre in particular ought to ta be perfectly refined by successive and fin finally y from adhering water by proper drying or b by y fusion in iro birott A pots at a regular heat nothing can surpass in these respects the nitre ditre prepared in the government powder mills at waltham abbey it is tested b by y adding to itu ite solution in distilled water nitrate of silver with which it occasions no perceptible opalescence th the sulphur ought also to be of the firt finest quality and purified by skimming or even sublimation if at all necessary essav the charcoal should be newly made it should burn without having any sensible resil residuum num be dry sonorous light and easily pulverized the charcoal for gunpowder is made either of alder willow or dogwood the latter being preferred winch which are cut into lengths and ignited ignited by iron cylinders it deserves I 1 deserves notice that the proportion of powder used for the several pieces of ordnance by the navy aa has been reduced one third in consequence of the increased strength of the composition into ehm this cylinder char charcoal eoal enters compared with that manufactured formerly |