NOTE.
This invention, which is evidently more a matter of curiosity than of real utility, is no doubt effected upon the principle of an ebbing and flowing spring; the throwing in of the ball, by causing a commensurate rise of the water, fills a syphon, and sets the water-work in motion, but as the effect of this would cease after the two vessels attained an equilibrium, the machine must be assisted by a moving power attached to one or both of the vessels, as the Marquis merely says, that it may be performed "without the help of any man within sight or hearing."
No. LVIII.
How to make a pistol to discharge a dozen times with one loading, and without so much as once new priming requisite; or to change it out of one hand into the other, or stop one's horse.
NOTE.
An attentive examination of this and the subsequent articles has suggested what appears an improvement of considerable importance in the principle of modern fire-arms. The expense attendant on the manufacture of double barrelled guns, and the inconvenience which arises from their additional weight, have hitherto prevented their coming into general use, though their utility in the field is very generally allowed. An economical gun uniting all the advantages of the one, with the lightness and portability of the other, must therefore be considered as a desideratum of the first importance. To effect this, a common gun barrel must be pierced with the required number of touchholes, at a sufficient distance to allow of an equal number of charges. A detonating magazine gunlock may then be made to slide on the lower part of the barrel, with a parallel ratchet and click to fix precisely opposite the touchhole to be inflamed. The gun must then be loaded by a graduated ramrod, the powder of each charge being brought opposite its proper touchhole. After the first discharge, the cock must be moved back one tooth of the ratchet, and this motion continued till the whole are exploded, each hole being covered successively by a plate attached to the lock.
No. 60 is evidently performed by filling a cylindrical flask, made the same size as the barrel, with the required number of charges and afterwards forcing the whole of them into the barrel.
Nos. 61 and 67 may be performed by filling a flask previously made to fit the breech of the musket, and forcing forward each successive charge by a screw or lever, in the same manner as the charging is effected in a magazine air-gun.
No. LIX.
Another way, as fast and effectual, but more proper for carabines.
Vide Article LVIII.