The Sun.
London, England, 1842-10-25 00:00:00

BEESWING•

We have been to Messrs. A.H. Bailey and Co., the
publishers, for the purpose of viewing the picture of
this mare, in their possession, painted by Mr. Her-
ring, sen., whose talents as an animal painter, and
more especially of race-horses, has been so long be-
fore the public, that any observation from us would
only be telling an hundred-times told tale. We have
only the pleasing task to speak of what we have now
seen. It strikes us to be very evident that Mr. Her-
ring, in this picture, has exerted his skill to the ut-
most to produce, not only a faithful portrait of this
extraordinary mare, but to finish such a picture as
perhaps is scarcely to be equalled in this country ;
the symmetry of the mare is most faithfully delineated,
and the condition is wonderful ; the satin-like effect
of the skin is perfect, and, to use a racing phrase, she
looks on the canvas fit to run for a man's life.

It is to be:regretted that the noble-minded owner of
this mare should have been so suddenly taken off the
stage of human life, when he was so conspicuous a
member. He was at all times an honour to the Turf,
and always run to win ; he has been heard to say
that the mare did not belong to him, but to the people
ofNorthumberland. How delighted would he have been
to have seen this portrait of his favourite ? We fancy
we see him, and hear him also—for the sight of this
picture would have been sufficient to have drawn from
him an excellent and amusing speech of at least an
hour long—we have often heard him at Doncaster and
other places speak in the most humorous manner when
asked if his mare run on the morrow. He would get
up and assure the public that he was at all times anx-
ious to produce sport ; and that at all times, if his
horses were fit, they were sure to start.
There is a very good anecdote told of him and Mr.
Robert Johnson. When Mr. Orde told him he had
been persuaded to send the mare to Goodwood, Bob,
in his dry way, observed--" I sant gang wi' her, thoo
may gang thysen ; thoo had better let Sooth cum
North to be beat wi' us, than gang there to be beat by
them."

EXPERIMENTS AT WOOLWICH.

At half-past one o'clock yesterday, Colonel R. J. J.
Lacy, Colonel G. Turner, C. 8., Major Strangways,
Captain Palliser, Captain Grant, and a number of
officers of the Royal Artillery, assembled in the
marshes to witness experiments with a new descrip-
tion of brass gun, invented by Captain Grant, of the
Royal Artillery.
This handsome piece of ordnance has been con-
structed on a different principle from any hitherto
used, and the result of the six rounds fired to-day have
shown that it is admirably adapted for field-service.
From the diameter of the bore being four inches and
one-sixteenth of an inch, the gun has been denomi-
nated a light 9-pounder. It is so well-proportioned,
however, that it weighs only 10 cwt. lqr. 81b., while
the other 9-pounder guns at present in use weigh 131
cwt., at least, on the average. This is an advantage of
some consideration, and will effect a great saving in
metal, valued at 1831. per ton. But the most import.
ant saving will be attained when used in exercise, and
•in .field warfare, as there is a difference of fully four
cwt. less in favour of Captain Grant's brass gun and
carriage; three-and-a-half cwt. nearly on the gun,
one-half cwt. on the carriage and limber, and 341bs.
less weight of powder when supplied with' 48 rounds
of shot and ammunition.
The firing took place. yesterday from a range of
1400 yards, and the first shot was fired at an eleva-
" tion of 3 degrees, and the recoil was 8 feet 9 inches,
about the usual distance. The second shot was fired
at an elevation of 3-,1-3 degrees, and the recoil was then
only 7 feet 9 inches. None of the remaining shots
exceeded in recoil 8 feet 2 inches, and number four only
recoiled 7 feet 2 inches, while the whole of the balls,
with one exception, reached the target, the other hav-
ing fallen about 100 yards short, probably Owing to
the taking of the elevation. The saving in powder by
Captain Grant's invention will be very considerable,
being 111 b. on each time it is fired, his charges being
•)-I .1 lbs and the present charge 31bs. for guns of the
4
same calibre. It was thought by many that the in-
vention would be most likely to fail from too great
recoil, but Captain Grant has so proportioned the
metal, and with such correct judgment, that no fears
are now entertained in that respect ; and from the
elegance of the model, lightness, and at the same time
ample strength of the carriage, it is likely to be in-
troduced into the service, and will be far easier of
draught for the horses.

ADELAIDE GALLERY.—An apparatus was exni
bited at the Adelaide Gallery last evening, for pre-H
venting chimneys taking fire, and also for preventing
the accumulation of soot. The apparatus is extremely
simple, consisting of a case containing a number of
sheets of wire gauze, which is introduced into the
chimney a little above the fire. It is the invention of
Dr. Atkins, one of the lecturers at the institution.
This apparatus is similar in principle to the Davy
lamp, as no flame can pass through the box, and as
the sheets of wire gauze have a cooling tendency, all
the carbon which may ascend is stopped by the box,_
and the soot thus prevented from accumulating in the
chimney. We understand the cost of this apparatus
does not exceed ss.