THE ARMSTRONG GUN.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 210, 25 October 1859, Page 3

THE ARMSTRONG GUN.

"A few days ago," says the Athenamm, " we saw the range and accuracy of the new Armstrong gun tested in a way which demands a note. Cooling ourselves on the Essex coast, near the artillery practising ground we are asked to see the firing, and while this goes slowly and solemnly on, one of the party spies a flock of geese far out to sea. «There, they light on yon sandbank.' up go -a dozen glasses. Yes there they flutter in the sun grey and white, mere specks in the blue sea air Load the gun—load at the breech—poise —touch—-bang! Boat off there to the sands! A signal tells the tale. The shot has struck the swarm—a life is taken from the flight —and this at six miles seven furlongs from the mouth of the gun! A shot as well aimed from Primrose-hill should hit the. ball on Greenwich Observatory ; or if fired from Richmond park, should bring down a rider in Rotten-row. Here is a fact worth the attention of those Austrian engineers who have just come to London to study our new artillery, and learn how to defend Verona against the Frank." [The above wild goose story is the subject of a letter addressed by Sir W? Armstrong to the Times :—" Who made the wonderful shot that brought down a wild goose at the distance of six miles and seven furlongs ? This is a question that meets me everywhere and, though disagreeable to spoil a marvellous story, I am obliged to answer— Nobody. A wild goose certainly was shot by a shell from one of my guns at a distance somewhat short of half a mile; and, although half a mile is not to be regarded as the limit ot safe distance for a goose to stand at, yet I am bound to say that six miles and seven furlongs is a range which as yet has only been reached with the long bow."] On the 20th of July, a workman, named James Matthews, performed the intrepid feat of ascending to the summit of the cathedral spire at Salisbury, tor the purpose of oiling the vane, which is at an altitude of 504 feet from, the ground. The feat was witnessed by a large number of persons, and was accomplished by means, of small iron handles which are.firmly fixed to the exterior of the spire. Before descending, he mounted the cross above the. vane, and at that dizzy height stood upright upon iv