The Express.
London, England, 1855-07-03 00:00:00

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND IMPROVE.
RENT OF FIREARMS AT MANCHESTER.

It was mentioned in the Daily News memeral
months ego that the governmest had given a large contrast
ior bayoute and ramrods to Mr. French Prestos) spindle
maker, of Manchester, who hes machines capable of
oat great members In a short space of time, whilst at Biro
=Joshes', it is known, they are made by hand, end alto-
gether by a mash slower proem. It ham long been a matter
also of notoriety that most et the eminent engineers and
'asthenia's, of Manchester and its neighbourhood had re-
ceived inducement. fres government to tarn their attention
to the improvement and inamthetare of fire-erns@ and en-
gines of 'infraction ; bat, u their lips were sealed, few or
co perticulan of the works they are sagaged epee have
been made public. The Maaeltestsr Ometthan, spanking on
this subject, says
"It is with known that the maaufacteee of ireums of all
descriptive', has long been in a very simatiefutory Nara in
this somstry, owing mainly to the dishathraticia of the
Birmiaghant mannfacturers to avail themselves . of any of
those 'mechanical inventions ea largely resorted to by the
mussfectiteen of the United States. At the pram, time,
when the Birmingham gunsmiths are pertaining nearly
all their work by the hands of skilled and digressive work-
men, Col. Colt's revolving pistols and rifles are male at his
establishment la Ludas with greater perfection almost
entirely by self acting meads* attended by women gad
boys. The government, aware of this great difference, have
resolved to timid their establishment at Enfield, se as to
be able to tern out 100,000 Millie rides per annum, and
have entrusted the Suing up of the elegises and mill-
wright work to Messrs. Fair bairn and Sons, of Manchester,
whilst, as Is already generally known, they have employed
Mr. Joseph Whitworth to make (in oonjanction, we believe,
with Mr. Wadley Richard", the eminent Loudon gunsmith)
a series of very elaborate experiments on the bat form and
most cadent WAIL of sonstruction of military rifles.
These exprtrimenu are now proceeding In a very satisfac-
tory manner, is the building which has been erected for
that purpose In Embolus; and we have no doubt that
some very important improvements in the construction of
this mut important mopes will result from them. In
addition to these things, Messrs. Sharp, Stewart, and Co.,
of the Atlas Works, have contrasted to make some mortars li
of large she. Meson. Platt, Brothers, and Co., of Oldham',
after having oompleted some masbinsry for the more
veriest meaufaetere of 14111111111 tat shells, are now engaged,
as are also we believe, Mmes. Benjamin -sad
Si., of Batoit—in the outing of shot and shells. Moms.
I William Higgins sad Be., of Salford, are also engaged in
casting shells, and particularly Shrappell Oahe of a new
and improved sonstrution. Of the plane of Me. Namnyth,
of Parirroh, for erastraring wrought-iron gene of ems-
mous calibre and power, the pablie have already heard a
good deal ; and we believe that Mr. Niumyth is now pro-
ceedisig is his novel undertaking, though, very properly,
but little is allowed to transpire se to his progress. Alto-
gether, therefore, it will be seen that Manchester and its
neighb .srboad are ereatributieg largely to the means sod
uplieues for earryieg on war with effect; and we trust
that their contributions will have a fell share in conquering
that pease which we are mash more likely to obtain from
one owe swum in arms *ea host the moderation of the
genies goveanneat"

TBZ MUMMY or OLNAMENTAL ART AT MARL.
sozoooz Novas.—The ambers suesdiag, te., diaries
Um month of hos won se Mew.: 11,1111 penes ea tlms
publis da" al ewe* tree; posesia es illseaW
=semi Woes/ is sesisei ths pessiat
es ssiebire sleselei ste *INS 081 Nis*.