The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-31 00:00:00

Trial of Rifles at Woolwich,

A premium of £lOO was some time since offered
by the National Rifle Association to gunmakers and
others, for " the most efficient and serviceable
breech-loading rifle," and yesterday having been
fixed upon as the day on which the competition
should take place, the locality being the Govern-
ment practice range at Woolwich Arsenal, many
gentlemen connected with the association, or inte-
rested in the subject, assembled at the range. The
principal conditions were that the minimum bore of
each rifle should be .450, and that it should take the
gauge plug provided by the council from muzzle to
breech. The minimum length of the barrel was
fixed at 2ft. 9in., and Mt. 3in. as maximum, but
makers were at liberty to choose their own form and
material. The pull of the trigger was fixed at a
minimum of 61b. ; and the weight at full
stocked, with metal ramrods and military sights.
Mechanically-fitting ramrods were prohibited. The
cartridges were to contain their own means of igni-
tion, and it was also intimated that, as far as pos-
sible, cartridges should not occupy greater space in
bulk than the present Enfield ammunition.
Yesterday only three rifles complying with these
conditions were produced ; one by Mr. Henry, one
by Mr. Westley Richards, and a third, by Mr.
Joslyn, an American. A Mount Storm rifle, one by
Mr. Daws, and another by a German maker were
withdrawn, or at least were not competed with.

The weather was as unfavourable for accurate
shooting as could possibly be conceived, for the wind
blew half a gale across the marsh ; but as the gun-
makers did not object to compete under the circum-
stances, of course no opposition was 'offered by the
representatives of the National Rifle Association.
The force of the wind was, however, so great
that on firing the first trial shots (five being allowed
to each competitor), the bullets hit the wrong target,
although the rifles were laid with great accuracy,
and were fired from fixed mechanical rests. Shoot-
ing began about noon, and by the conditions which
regulated the trials 20 rounds were fired from each
rifle at 800 yards as a test of accuracy, and after-
wards 100 from the shoulder as fast as the rifle could
be loaded and discharged. The tests were repeated
until each competitor had fired 60 rounds for accu-
racy and 300 rounds for rapidity.
The Joslyn rifle is .510 in bore, and takes a charge
of 70 grains of powder. It has seven grooves, with
one turn in 3ft. The bullet is 480 grains in weight.
In the trial of this rifle for accuracy of firing, the
first 20 shots all fell short, and did not reach the
target, probably from a want of proper elevation.
Of the second 20 10 hit, but were all to the left and
high. In the third round the whole of the 20 were
hits, but were widely scattered about. In the trials
for rapid firing, the first 100 rounds were fired in 9
min. 7 sec., the second 100 in 8 min., and the third
in 7 min. 20 sec.—a gradual diminution of time
attributable to the man who fired becoming more
and more accustomed to the weapon. It is to be
remarked in favour of this rifle that there was no
missfire throughout the 360 rounds. The powder
and ball are contained in a copper tube, the ignit-
ing medium being at the end, and on being struck
by the hammer the explosion ensues. The copper
tube is prevented from entering the rifle by a rim at
the base, and is withdrawn previous to reloading.
The Westley Richards rifle has a bore of .450,
and is fired with 70 grains of powder. The 60 shots
for accuracy were well aimed, and in each case there
was a good diagram. The first 100 shots for rapi-
dity were fired in 11 min. 43 sec., and there were
two misses. The second 100 rounds occupied 12
min. 28 sec., with three missfires and one broken
cartridge. The third 100 rounds occupied 15 min.
35 Sec., with 14 misses, which accounts for the long

PRICE 4d.
STAMPED sd.

time occupied, as the charge had to be withdrawn
by the ramrod in each instance. The cartridges are
of paper, and, of course, are discharged with the
ball.

The Henry rifle has a bore of -577, the largest of
the three, and takes the Enfield bullet. The charge
of powder is 72 grains. The diagram of the target
did not show such accuracy as that taken after the
60 rounds from the Westley Richards rifle, but the
smaller bore of the latter gives it an obvious advan-
tage. In testing for rapidity of firing, 106 shots
were fired in the first round (6 more than required),
and the time occupied was 8 min. 57 sec., with
three misses. In the second round the time was
7 min. 15 sec., with no miss ; and in the third,
8 min. 15 sec., without a single missfire. The cart-
ridges for this rifle are contained in a stout paper
tube, having a metal end, in the centre of which is
the igniting principle, enclosed in a small copper
case, which is struck by the hammer. 'The tube is
withdrawn by the action of the lock in preparing to
reload.

Such are the general results of the competition,
but the decision of the council cannot be arrived at
until the diagrams have been fully prepared. It is
probable, however, that a decision will be published
to-morrow.

One of the rules by which the competition was
regulated was as follows : " The mere figure of
merit shall not necessarily entitle a competitor to
the prize, which will be awarded by the council to
such rifle as shall, in their opinion, combine accu-
racy with other elements of efficiency, so as to be
of the greatest merit and • utility for military it

poses. Should no rifle be found to attain the stan-
dard which, in the opinion of the council, is neces-
sary for efficiency and serviceableness as a military
rifle, the prize will not be awarded."

The Irish International Exhibition,

(From the Tt MRS Correspondent.)

The machinery department of the Exhibition
occupies the extreme right of the building, and is
divided into the "at rest" and "in motion" courts,
in neither of which are the arrangements as com-
plete as could be desired, some English and Scotch
machinists being late in fulfilling their agreements.
A few weeks may elapse before the machines now
in course of erection are fitted up. Althougha large
space was devoted to machinery it was found not at
all equal to the requirements of exhibitors, and, in
consequence, all the agricultural and horticultural
implements are exhibited on the premises of the
Royal Dublin Society in Kildare-street. These com-
prise a numerous and interesting collection, but
they excite comparatively little attention, partly in
consequence of their isolation from the Exhibition
itself. The "in motion" court presents the most
attractive featureS. Ikis for the most part connected
with cotton, linen, and woollen manufactures, and
is generally of the most improved kind. Immedi-
ately within the left entrance the workmen are still
busy erecting the large pumping engine for supply-
ing the building with water, working the fountains
in the gardens, and sending hot air through the flues.
The work is still very backward. The engine is be-
ing erected by Messrs. Easton, Amos, and Co., of
London, and will be worked by Messrs. Grendon
and Co., of Balbriggan. One of the great wants of
this country in connection with the extension of
manufactures—namely, cheap fuel, is sought to be
provided for by a firm who exhibit their models
here. 11Ir. John Hackworth, of Darlington, whose
name is well known in connection with locomotives,
exhibits a high-pressure horizontal engine, with
models of the sections, the peculiar property of
which is to expand the steam on a principle of its
own, and thus acquire greater power at a decreased
consumption of fuel. Mr. Jas. C. Kay, of Bury, Lan-
cashire, also exhibits, in the next section, a horizon-
tal condensing steam engine, in which the same re-
sult is sought to be obtained. It works with patent
safety valves, and the result is greater durability and
freedom from accidents, economy in fuel, and a re-
dtiction in the amount of labdur- required to keep
the engines in working condition from the smaller
liability to friction. These improvements are obtained
by the patented valves, which are adapted to any
construction of engine, whether beam, horizontal, or
vertical, or with high or low pressure or steam. En-
gines possessing desiderata such as these will receive
the attention they deserve from all manufacturers
using steam power. The woollen manufacture of
Ireland is represented by Messrs. F. and R. Scott,
of Island-buidge Mills, who exhibit a perfect set of
improved carding machines at work, constructed by
Mr. J. Tatham, of Rochdale. All the processes
undergone by wool, from its raw state until it passes
out of th© weaver's hands, are here illustrated prac-
tically, and attract much attention, a considerable
space being allotted to the firm, which carries on a
large export trade in connexion with the manufac-
ture of this texture.

The linen goods, the staple commodity of Ulster,
next demand attention. There are several machines
exhibited in connexion with its manufacture. Messrs.
Robert Hay and Sons (late Mr. Wm. Dargan), of
Chapelizod Mills, in the vicinity of this city, have a
complete set of machines for the preparing and
spinning of flax, in full work, the preparing ma-
chines being supplied by MeSsrs. Fairbairn, of
Leeds, and Farmer and Broughton, of Salford ; the
spinning machines being manufactured by Messrs.
Boyd and Co., of Belfast. Though the Ulster spin-
ners have sent in largo quantities of linen goods for
exhibition, there are but few machines exhibited
by them. Mr. W. Friedlander, of Londonderry,
and Messrs. Rowan and Sons, of Belfast, have sent
in rival scutching machines, the respective merits of
which will be tested, probably, in the course of the
summer. They are made by Messrs. Dobson and
Barlow, of Bolton, and Messrs. Rowan. Last year,
at the exhibition of Irish manufactures, a trial match
took place between five scutching machines by diffe-
rent makers ; but the result was unsatisfactory, the
Ulster men appointed as umpires deciding that none
of them met all the requirements of the growers.
This year the trial will be made on somewhat diffe.
rent terms, and is looked forward to with much in-
terest, the agriculturists of the south and west of
Ireland, who are endeavouring to extend the growth
of flax, being anxious to secure the best machine.
A large space has been very judiciously allotted
to the improved cotton machines exhibited and
worked by Messrs. Dobson and Barlow, of Bolton,
and which form an interesting feature in this depart-
ment. Several newly patented improvements are
here shown, for the first time, to the public. By a
new arrangement in the self-acting mule afar better
quality of yarn is produced. This firm exhibit their
" patent improved cotton gin," which turns out very
considerably more work with much less labour than
the ordinary gins. It is adapted for long or short
stapled cotton, and constructed so as to suit parti-
cularly the fibre grown in India. It is expected that
an important trial will be made during the summer
with the cotton gins with a view to ascertain the
best fitted for the Indian growers, the experiment to
take place under Government superintendence. The
object sought for is a machine that will best clear
the cotton of India of seed and waste matter before
exportation, and thus lower the cost of transit as
much as possible in order to enable Indian cultiva-
tors to compete with growers nearer home.
The other machines include a very miscellaneous
collection. Mr. Sturgeon, of Leeds, exhibits a
patent steam-hammer with a self-acting and self-
adjusting valve motion and embracing several im-
provements. The hammer itself weighs 1 cwt., but
strikes a blow equal to 21 tons. Mr. 'William D.
Grimshaw, of Mitcham, has among other articles
an " improved atmospheric hammer," simple in its
contrivance, and cheap, and completely under the
control of the worker as to speed and weight of
blow. It is worked at a considerably less consump-
tion of power than the ordinary steam-hammer.
Mr. Robinson, of Bridgewater, has a neat and effec-
tive cask-cleaner, capable of thoroughly cleansing

two barrels in a short apace of time A model of a
cask-cleaner, equal to the cleansing of ten barrels, is
exhibited by Messrs. Davison and Schamel, of Lon-
don, who also show a patent thermonterion or im-
peller of heated air. Messrs. Pim, Brothers and
Co., of Dublin, have a silk winding machine at
work. The only manufacturer of linen checks in
Ireland, Mr. S. S. Moss, of Balbriggan, has a power-
loom at work, and a number of looms of 4 some-
what similar description are worked by the Green-
m o t Spinning Co tupan y, havin g been manufactured
by Messrs. Dugdale and Sons, of Blackburn. A
novel self-acting machine, constructed by Messrs.
Southell and Heap, of Staleybride, for securing
the soles and paling and glazing the heels of boots
and shoes, is worked by Messrs. M'Dowell and Son,
of this city, who have purchased it. It works with
rapidity and success, and is regarded with much
interest. " Sketchley's universal joiner," worked
by Messrs. Beardwood and Son, and the wood-
working machines shown by Noble and Collier, and
Charles Powis and Co., of London, possess many
commendable features. Letterpress and lithograph
printing is represented by two firms, the Official
Printing Company of Dublin, and Messrs.
Hughes and Kimber, the latter firm working
Huguet's patent French lithographic gripper. All
the machines used are small and neat, adapted to
general work, but possessing no very remarkable
features. Messrs. Smythe and Co., of Balbriggan,
have two stocking-weaving machines at work—
hosiery, a trade for which Balbriggan has acquired
no little fame. The machines are an old and an
improved one, illustrating the advances made in this
manufacture. The new machine weaves two, while
the old only produces one stocking at a time. They
were manufactured by Messrs. S. and J. Ward, of
Nottingham. Messrs. Edmundson and Co., of
Capel-street, Dublin, exhibit an interesting lot of
novel machinery, including Lenoir's Gas Engine,'
with a new motive power, in which gas and a galvanic
battery are the chief agents. They have also their
portable apparatus for the manufacture of gas in
isolated buildings,_ and Handcock's Butter Puri-

fier,' for restoring butter preserved with salt to its
original freshness. The latter is simple, and appears
to effect its object without much difficulty. Messrs.
Courtney and Stephens, of Dublin, exhibit a large
and powerful punching machine, specimens of rail-
way materials, and a large slide valve pump and
engine, which work very successfully.
In the Machinery (at rest) Court are a large num-
ber of specimens of railway materials in various
stages of manufacture, shown by a number of exhi-
bitors. Fried Krupp, of Essen, Rhenish Prussia,
has a very interesting collection of cast-steel rails,
plates, and wheels, and two rifled cannon, one of
which is of large calibre. The toughness of one of
the rails has been tested by having it completely
doubled over twice without snapping. The
Rotheram .Ironworks Company, Yorkshire, have
also sent railway wheels, tires, and axles ;
and improved permanent ways are exhibited by
Mr. G. E. Dering, of Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The
Dublin and Wicklow Railway Company exhibit
a very fine locomotive manufactured by Messrs.
Neilson and Co., of Glasgow. All the railway
materials seem excellent.

Messrs. William Muir and Co., of Glasgow, ex-
hibit foot lathes, slotting machines, and an im-
proved driller, and D. and J. Greig several admira-
ble machines in connexion with printing and book-
binding. One stand in this court deserves notice,
that of Mr. W. H. Ward, of New York, who ex-
hibits several neat models of inventions in con-
nection with railways and steamboats that have
recently been the subject of some discussion. They
include a patent safety saloon and air-spring car-
riage, supplied with hand and self-acting brakes,
ventilators, and alarm-bell arrangements, contrived
on an ingenious plan. Ward's system of fog and
flag signals at sea are illustrated, and appear fea-
sible. The same exhibitor shows a patent bullet
machine, " capable of delivering 60,000 bullets per
hour of any serviceable pattern." Models of a
simple and effective railway turn-table and of a
shell moulding machine are also exhibited, and
attract considerable notice. Some of these inven-
tions have already had substantial recognition of
their merits, and all deserve consideration.

The most remarkable works of art from Rome
and Italy have been already noticed in their places
in the general collections of statues and pictures.
There are many other things in the Roman and
Italian Courts that will arrest and repay the atten-.
tion_of the visitor by the pleasure and instruction
which the examination of them will impart.
Cardinal Antonelli has sent a cameo, in white
pietra dura on a dark ground, representing St.
George and the Dragon, by Lanzy. From the
Government establishment of chromo-lithography
we have chromo-lithographic reproductions of the
early Christian monuments, with plates of the
universal history of the Church, and a reliquary
executed in 1864 from the design of Commendatori
Poletti. Earnesto Pieret exhibits a collection of
cameos, intaglios, &c., by Girometti Martini and
other eminent artists, contained in three frames.
The Minister of Finance and Treasurer-General of
his Holiness has sent a portfolio containing 68 proofs
of the best engravings, executed by the chief Roman
engravers, after the most celebrated paintings of
the great masters ; seventeen proofs of outline en-
gravings from paintings in the chapel of Pope
Nicholas V., with several other collections, among
which is a volume containing 45 engravings in out-
line of the most admired fragments of Greek, Roman,
and 15th century sculpture. There is also in this
department an album containing portraits of all the
Popes, from St. Peter to the present Pontiff, from
the basilica of St. Paul's, beyond the walls ; also the
flowers of antique sculpture album, containing
55 photographs, with descriptions by Commenda-
tori, with several minor collections. The Secretary
of the building of St. Peter's sends some of the
mosaic works of the Vatican. There is a large mosaic
picture of St. Peter, after the original by Guido ;
also a representation of the Madonna ; a statuette
representing Nydnia, the blind girl of Ponapei ; a
small mosaic picture of the Roman Forum, another
of the Pantheon, and a third of the Temple of Vesta.
The Kingdom of Italy bears a very distinguished
part in the Exhibition. She has furnished no less
than 80 statues, from 40 of her best artists. It is
needless to add that the names of Lombardi, Ben-
zoni, Jacometti, Giacomo, Salvatori, Galletti, and
a dozen more Italian names, belong to Italy, though
their productioni are exhibited in the Roman de-
partment; so that the whole of the Central Court
may be regarded as an illustration of Italian genius,
which still leads Europe in the fine arts. The statue
of " the Reading Girl," by Professor Kugeri, of
Milan, is the admiration of every visitor. Pan-
diani's " Camilla," gg the Governess," by Rigamonti,
Nymph
hnigng to "Vanity 'soithree th,eT:tycher," " the
"—are ad-
mirably executed, the marble being of the most
" Spring" is a very fine
Verdi
skill, and Cocchi's
scpoestcliymdenescorif pttilomen.
professor's
Young Michael Angelo carving the Head of a
Faun," his first work, is considered a masterpiece in
statuary. Among the Italian contributions there is
some deficiency in oil and watercolour painting, but
I am assured that about ninety pictures, both of the
old and modern painters, are expected in a few days.
There are, however, some gems of the old masters.
There is a fine collection of bronzes, coins, and
medals, exhibited by Signor Joet, a gentleman from
del l' Amelia, who spent a large fortune and
many years of his life in forming a museum, such
as is seldom possessed by a private individual, and
which is a credit to the country to which the exhi-
bitor belongs.
In the lower part of the Italian Court the splen-
did mosaics, both in marble and wood, from Flo-
rence, attract the attention of every visitor. Signor
Bazzanti's tables in pietra dura are jewels that can-
not be easily surpassed. Fortuna's ebony cabinet,
inlaid with ivory, with a copy of the " Dance of
Cupids," painted by Albano ; Gargiulo's inlaid
mosaic table in wood, Gatti's inlaid furniture, Mon-
teneri's mosaics in wood, and Severia's ebony table
and ebony cabinet inlaid with ivory, representing
Middle-age costumes, are all highly-finished works,
showing to what a degree'of perfection this art has
been carried in Italy. Boni's frames, chimney-
pieces, statues, busts, and ornaments deserve par-
ticular attention. The Royal Mining Institution of
Italy exhibits a collection of minerals, among
which there is sonic gold from the Valley of Aosta.
The Minister of Public Instruction has sent a col-
lection of educational books, forming a complete set,
from the primary instruction to the highest branches
of literature and science.