1st. The whole charge takes effect on the enemy at any distance. By the present mode of firing, the greatest part of the charge disperses as soon as it leaves the muzzle of the gun, and cannot be directed.
2nd. Grape, or case shot, may be fired with effect equally close and collected, to any distance within the range of the piece; and the artillery need not advance within musket shot of the enemy, to make use of this kind of fire with its full effect, and are not so subject to have their guns charged either by cavalry or infantry.
3d. It requires less precision and exactness, to point a piece of ordnance charged with spherical case shot than with round shot; because case shot is a wide and dispersed fire, and the difficulty in elevation consequently less.
4th. Its comparative destruction with that of round shot will be, generally, as the number of the shot within the shells to one; that is to say, a three pounder, twenty-two to one in its favour; a six pounder, fifty to one, &c.; in which calculation is not enumerated any effect from the splinters of the shell.
5th. Small balls cannot be projected to very considerable distances, unless enclosed in heavy spherical cases, which, from their form and weight, are not much influenced by the resistance of the air, or diverted from their direction.
6th. The explosion of the shell makes no change in the direction of the shot within; they consequently complete the shell's track, or curve, which has sometimes been observed to be 400 yards.
7th. From the unevenness of the ground, such as hillocks, banks, fallow fields, &c. all shot which graze, most commonly lodge: whereas, by using this shell, the whole charge will be carried over these irregularities, and reach the object with its full contents of balls.
Sec. XXXVIII. Of the Fire-Rain, according to Casimir Siemienowicz.
The composition, which produces fire-rain, which we purpose to notice in this place, is taken from the "Artis Magnæ Artilleriæ" of Casimir Siemienowicz. He seems, however, to have taken it from a German author.
The fire rain is an incendiary fire-work, and calculated, like other incendiaries, for firing the houses of a besieged place or city, which are covered with shingles, laths, stubble, or reeds. Besides several other compositions, designated by artificers, that of fire-rain was so called from its supposed resemblance to a shower of rain.