New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-19
VISIT TO A PONDER MAGAZINE.

The precautions in visiting powder magazines in
Europe are greater than in this country, where the
free and equal rights democracy would hardly sub
NIT 10 such red rules there enforced IL would
b. considered quite condescens.on enough the part
of an An ercsn sovereign" particularly one Of the
Yorng America school, to throw away Lighted cigar
He youli have to do something than ;ha, before
gratifying his curiosity with sight of the stores of
powder in some of the foressses the other side Of
the water. Yet, with rigid Observance of " the
rules established and printed, perhaps century ago,
danger Of being blown up is not always avoided.
friend tells us an anecdote Illustrative of the fact that
old rules are not always applicable TO q new state
Of things lie visited Q large fortress 10 the
northern part of Holland, and beiog the
of an old soldier and en- artist, in pursuit of OBJ
jects of interest TO sketch with his pencil he per
mitted to look into the powdermaga where more
than hundred thousand pounds Of powder were
stored The strong stone building fenced around
with strong wall, outside of which little ante
room, where the applicant for admission entered and
raped upon the wooden door with wooden knocker,
when little wicket opened npon its wooden hinges,
and the keeper showed bis visage and demanded his
pass This being all right, he was directed TO pull Of
bis boots on the further side Of the room the wooden
floor of which was kept free from all possible sign of
dirt. Then, after brushing his stockings and dusting
all his garments he was furnished pair of cloth slip
psr and then put through the ofquestons that
were tied up with red tape" at the war.ofice in
the time OF bis great grandfather.
"Do you smoke ? Then leave your pipe and to-
bscco, and your flint and steel and tiRder"
Each OF these articles hsd to be deposited separate,
so as to BE- the flint and steel should not by any
charm get together, although hundred fact from the
powder and behind two thick stone walls. Happily
our friend had none Of these inlammabe articles.
Have you any knife, key or article of steel'" He
had and was required to lay them away carefully in
separate places
Have you any gold, silver copper coins r For
tunaely, although travelling artist, he had some of
these needful accompaniments OF traveller. He was
required to show what he had, and make special
deposit, without retaining single red.
"H.ve You any other piece of metal air., glass or
mineral of any kind about you Eso you mnst leave
that behind.
Having gone through with all Z" the formalities,"
the door opened upon ts noseless wooden hinges and
the safe visitor permitted to enter the court
yard, which was crossed upon q path Of anti-frcton
material to the wooden door of the magazine, which
he entered and walked up and down with noiseless
tread between the long of powder casks, piled
Tier tier, in quantity sufficient to destroy many
lives and much property the late great explosion
at Havana.
You are very particular" ssd the visitor to the
keeper, 'to avoid all possible chance Of accident"
We simply obey the rrles, he replied
How those rules do need amending and adopting to
the present age Of the world thought friend just at
that moment, as he drew his handkerchief from his
pocket and applied it to his face more to hide any
change of countenance than for any other purpose
at the same time hastily declaring himself fully sats
fed with what he had seen, and expressing wish to
retire, and, without wasting time making decided
movement toward the door, Here" thought he
" under the rules, they have dvested me Of every
harmless copper, lest might careessy drop upon
the floor and ignite a grain Of loose powder. They
have questioned me, as they did old Dutch burgo-
master hundred years ago. about my habit smoking
SO as TO take away my fin. and steel. They have
ordered ne TO diyest my pockets Of all metallic
substances lest by some possible mschsnce some of
them should ignite. l wonder they did not inquire
whether 'ssltpeter will explode. Fortunately they
allowed me TO retain my cambrc handkerchief, and in
feeling in my pocket for that | have discovered the
box Of friction matches that TO light my cigars
think will retire, resume my coppers and my keys
my watch and finger rings, put my boots, aud give
the customary coins TO the Attendant and go away
quite satisfied that have conformed 10 all the rules
and have visited a powder magazine with box Of
friction matches in my pocket 1t is oil right; but
thank Heaven am now on the outside Of the outer
wall"