New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-11-30
risIt q ] powder a1agazlne.

The precautions in visiting powder magazines in
Europe are greater than in this country where the
@ free and equal rights Of democracy would hardly
submit to such rigid rules as are there enforced 1t
woad be considered quite cOudescension enough on
ahe part OF an American sovereign" particularly
enc of the Young America school, to throw away
lighted cigar. He would have to do something more
shan that before gratifying his curiosity with sigh
Of the stores OF powder in some Of the ortresses o.
she other side Of the water. Yet, with a rigid OBJ
Bergance of g the rules, established and printed per
haps century ago, danger of being blown up is no
always avoided. friend tells as an anecdote illus
tatiye OF the fact that Old rules are not always appli
cable TO new state of things He visited large
fortress in the northern part Of Holland, and being
Abe son Of an old soldier and artist Id pursuit o.
objects OF interest to sketch with his pencil he was
permitted to look into the powder magazine, Whers
more than hundred thousand poanda Of powder
were stored.
The strong stone building was fenced around Will
strong wall outside Of which was little ante-room
where the applicant for admssionentered and raped
upon the wooden door with a wooden kaocker, Wher
little wicket opened upon its wooden hinges, and
8he Keeper showed his vsage and demanded his pass
This being all right, be was directed TO pull Off his
boots on The further side Of the room, the wooden
loor OF which was kept free from all possible sign 81
dirt Then after brushing his stockings and busting
ali his garments he was furnished pair Of cIotf
slippers and then put through the course Of questions
that were tied up with .sred tape Of the 'swarofcei
i'd the time Of his great-grandiather.
Do You smoke Then leave your pipe and to
bacco and your flint, and steel and tinderp
E4chof these articles had to be deposited separate
30 as to he sure the flint andAfes should not by any
charm get together although hundred feet from
The powder, and behind two thick stone walls. Hap
py our friend had none Of these infammabe articles
Have you any knife, key or article Of steel '
He had, ana was required to lay them away carefully
in separate places,
+" Have you any gold, silver Or copper coins !
Fortunately although travelling artist. be bad some
Of these needful accompaniments Of traveller. Ht
vas required to show what he had, and make spe
cial deposit, without retaining single red.
Have YOU any other piece Of metal, flint, glass OF
miHagal Of any kind about yon2 If so, you mus
haze that behind.
Having gone through with all the formaIities I
the door opened upon its n0iseless wooden hinges
and the " safe visitor was permitted to enter tht
courtyard. which was crossed upOn a path Of anti
friction material to the wooden door Of the magazine
Rhieh he entered and walked up and down witt
n0issiess tread between the long rows Of powder
casks, piled tier on tier, in quantity to destroy as
many lives and as mach property as the late great
plosion at Havana.
You are very particular said the visitor to the
Keeper to avoid all possible chance of accident? 2
I'VE simply obey the rule" be replied.
How those rules do need amending and adopting To
the present age OF the world thought our friend lust
at that moment as he drew his handkerchief from
his pocket ana applied it b his face more to hide any
change Of countenanoe than for any other purpose
Of the same time hastily declaring himself fully salts
lied with what ne had seen, and expressing wish TO
retire. aud without wasting time, making decided
movement toward the door. 'sHere,n thought he,
aunder the rules, they have Invested me 81 every
harmless copper lest might carelessly drop one upon
the floor and igute grain Of loose powder. They
have questioned me, as they did an old Dutch burgo
master hundred years ago about my habit Of amols.
ing so as TO take awaymy flint and steel They have
ordered me to diyest my pockets Of all metallic sub
stances lest BY some possible mschance some OF them
should ignite. ! wonder they did not inquire whether
slatUefnr will eFpIAlpl 7nrtun oil
70 retain my cambria handkerchief ana ia feeling
in my pocket for that haye discovered the hex of
frittion matches that use to light my cigars.
think will retire, resume my 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 satisfied that have CONFIRMED to oil the
Eules and have visited powder magazine with box
Of friction matches in my pocket. 1t is all right but
shank Heaven | am NOW on the outside of the outer
vail" IN. 7. Tribune.