Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-26

and printed, perhaps a century ago, danger Of
being blown up is not always avoided. Afriend
tells us an anecdote illustrative of the fact that
old rules are not always applicable 10 A new
state Of things He visited large fortress in
tho northern part of Holland, and being the
son of an old soldier aud an artist, in pursui {
OF objects Of interest to sketch with his pencil,
ne was permitted to look into the powder mag
azine, where more than o hundred thousand
pounds of porder we're stored. The strong
stone building was fenced around with a strong
wall outside of which was q little ante room,
where the applicant for admission en- tered and
raped upon the wooden door with wooden
knocker, when little wicket opened upon its
wooden hinges, and the keeper showed bis Wis
age and demanded his pass. This being all
right he was directed to pull off his 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
busting Of his garments, he was furnished pair
OF cloth slippers, and then put through the
course of questions that were tied up with
!" red tape" at the 8. war-ofice" in the time of
his great-grsndfather. E.. -l..--|-a - -
. : Do you smoke! Then leave your pipe and
tobacco, and your flint, and steel and tinder..''
Each OF these articles had to be deposited
separate, SO as to be sure the flint and steel
should not by any charm get together, al
though hundred feet from the powder, and
behind two thick stone walls. Happily our
friend had none Of these inhammable artieIes
Have you any knife, key, or article of
steer lie had, and was required to lay
them away carefully in separate places.
& Have you any gold, silver or copper coin ,''
fortunately, although a travelling artist, he
had some Of these needful accom- paniments of
traveller He was required to show what he
had, and make special deposit, without re.
tanning single red.
Lave you any other piece of metal, fiint.
glass or mineral of any kind about you? If
50 you must leave that behind" ..r
Having gone through with all "the formal
ities, I" the door opened upon its noiseless wood
en- hinges, and the '.safe visitor" was permitted
to enter the courtyard, which was crossed upon
path OF anti-frictien material to the wooden
door OF the magazine, which he entered and
walked up and down with noiseless tread be-
tween the long rows Of powder casks, piled tier
on tier, IN quantity sufficient to destroy as
many lives and as much property as the late
great explosion at Havana.
ou are very particular" said the visitor
to the keeper, 50 to avoid all possible chance of
aecident?'' E..ar.- :
We simply obey the rules" he replied.
How these rules do need amending and
adopting to the present age Of the world,
thought our friend just at that moment as he
drew bis handkerchief from his pocket and ap-
Piled II to his face, more to hide any change of
countensnce than for any other purpose, at the
same time hastily declaring himself fully sat
isfed 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 diVested me Of every harmless copper,
lest might carelessly drop one upon the door
and ignite grain of loose powder They have
Questioned me, as they did an old Dutch bur
gomaster hundred years ago, about my habit
OF smoking, 50 as to take away my flint and
steel. They have ordered me to diyest my
pockets OF all metallic substances, lest by some
possible nlischance some Of them should ignite.
/ wonder they did not inquire whether salt
petre will explode Fortunately they allowed
me TO retain my cambria handkerchief and in
feeling in my pocket for that have discovered
the box Of friction matches that l use TO light
my cigars. l think 1 will retire, resume nv
coppers and my keys, my watch and finger
rings, put on my boots, and give the customary
coins to the attendants, and go away quite sat.
ished that have conformed to ali the rules
and have visited powder magazine with. a
box Of friction matches in my pocket Ii is
all right, but thank Heaven | am now on the
outside OF the outer wall.