UNDECAYABLE PROPERTIES OF GUN-POWDER.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 794, 28 March 1871, Page 3

UNDECAYABLE PROPERTIES OF GUN-POWDER.

In a late copy of the " Ohan Times" we find recorded particulars of the discovery of gun-powder preserved in a rock for 150 years. It says :—" A Very remarkable instance of the undecayable nature of gunpowder has lately been brought to light in the slate quarries in the western part of Ariryleshire, Scotland. Ou the estate of Eallaclmllish there are two veins of skate, the west one having been the first opened, but for upwards of 100 J ears had ceased being worked. Mr Pitcairu, the present lessee of the quarries, began the old quarry again a lew years ago, and not long since the men came upon an old bore with a woollen rag in its mouth. The workmen being interested in every fragment of antique remains, carefully tearched the bore, and found it contained blasting powder, which, when brought out and exposed to dryness, took fire like any othor powder. It has since been ascertained that the part of the quarrv where these remains were found had not been worked for the last 150 years."

, A gentleman who follows the profession of school teaching, gave out one nionnngasa reading lesson to his first class that portion of " The Merchant of vemce" in which the" pound of flesh" scene occurs. The reading finished, he asked the class what Shylock meant when •Avn.;" My decdsu p ou ™y head " « ell, ? aid the tallest boy, V I don't Wi<W, unless it means he carried his Papers in his hat." An Ecclesiastical Mitrailleuse—A ■Minor canon.