The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-22
TIE EiaHrsgN CHRISTIAN CENruRnR, BY The Rev.
Janes White. Annie ton A. On

The merits Of this work, and The fAver with which Z
was received on It's nrs appearance In Great Britain
have induced the Messrs. Appleton 10 republican here
We on with truth that have read few books with
more interest and lid aside few with more regret
The ARrLIxRIsrs MANUAL. Complied from yari-
GUS sources, and adapt d to the Service of the
qpned states; Iinst ated by cngravingA By
John Gibbon, First LII uIenant, Fourth Artillery,
United States Army Van Nos:rand, No. 1872
Broadway. London: Trubner & Co. $780,
The theory and practice Of the science Of artillery have
wHhm the past few years. become subject OF The utmost
importance to our country. Since 1880 the leading mill
y monArchies Of Europe have bean devotng the lost
assduous attention 10 the expansion and deveopcment Of
this powerful of attack and defence No labor has
been thought too great expense too heavy. no detail
too trng in the pursuit OF this all important end and -
soon point has been gained they have pushed on
with unweared industry and patient perseverance, both
In calculation and experiment, until they have finally
brought this arm OF service extraordinary pitch OF
perfection Meanwhile this side OF the water, although
some few Of our officers TO their credit be spoksn)
have laborod diligently to keep up with, even surpass
their European brethren, yet the vast Of intel
Hgcrt and thinking populauon-those upon whom we
ust Of necessity rely in the hour Of needare utterly
and profoundly ignorant Of the first and most
simple principles upon which the theory and practice
artillery based. Should either Of the powerful
maritime nations throw upon our extended seaboard
(brstpg though be with forresses and guns) heavily
armed and well manned eetof war steamers, we should,
beyond question, be almost entirely at their morcy,
not that We are unprovided with the materials no
cessary to be used in Defence but simply from sheer
ignorance OF the in which those materials
made and 70 be applied TO their proper purposes.
And this want OF knowledge Is in part to be attributed
the lack OF proper books OF instruction There has been
nothing placed within reach Of the community between
the simple manual snd mechanical mAnGuvres of the
heavy gnn, and the profound and abstruse works Of
Thiroux and Gribeauval there latter demanding
sumption OF time and mathematical knowledge which
persons general unable to give 10 such subject
is with great pleasure therefore. that welcome the
appearance Of work those subjects, entitled
1.-THE ArtiIerists Manual" by Captain John Gibbon,
highly scientific merorious officer OF artillery in
regular service.
Captain Gibbon Ii graduate Of the Military Academy
West Point and after service OF several years Me
artillery ordered to that institution in tho capacity Of
Constructor OF Artillery which portion he filled with emf
nent satisfaction to his superior officers While thus
Pied and having free access 70 the valuable library At tho
academy, In which collected all the latest and best
works upon the different branches Of military science he
conceived the idea Of compiling from the various
under his control work which should convey, IN plain
and ineligible language all the details necessary give
complete understanding Of this important subject and
yet absruse TO be beyond tho comprehension Of
those of citizen soldiers who feel disposed to devote
little time and attention to military subjects This
just medium, We think Captain Gibbon has attained
with eminent degree Of success. His work,
an octave volume Of 500 pages, in large clear type
appears to be well adapted to supply just what
has been heretofore needed to fill tho gap
between the r:mple manual and the abstruse de-
monsrations Of the 'science Of gunnery" contains
fourteen chapters and appendix OF statistical tables
mainly taken from the United States Ordnance Manual
In bis rst chapter the author gives full description OF
gunpow der it's ingredients, manufacture, method OF
servaon and characteristics, explaining clearly ignition
and combustion and closing with description Of the
rous machines for testing the strength Of powder
and determining "initia velocites." Many valuable
hints arc given relation TO the storage and Transports
ton OF powder, and its restoration aer has become
unserviccable few pages likewise devoted to the
subject of gun cotton which article at time Threatened
N supcrsedc powder. This brings US 10 tho second
chapter In which the author explains tho different
kinds of ORDINANCES in general use, their forms, method
Of casting and "tnspecion for SERVICE" and the
modes Of spikng or rendering them unservioeable.
In the third chapter the proper shape 70 DO given
to heavy guns is fully discussed, also the
construction OF the gun carriages and plements
There large Of practical knowledge contained
in these opening chapters could be easily acquired
and which when once learned would be Of great utility in
the hour Of need
The author then proceeds 70 investigate the subject Of
"rnng both for small and for guns Of heavy cali
bre discussing the theory OF the emotion Of proctes
snd describing the Armstrong and Cavad guns He next
takes UP artillery procces, giving detailed information
in regard the different kinds Of proectles, their manu.
facturc proof and inspection, and method Of pro-
seryaton The 5th chapter Is devoted to "arery mate
ral including the different gun carriages for 1ed siege
and service, describing also tho sng Cart for
moving heavy guns from point TO point, and the "gn,
which is usco in mounting and di@mountins them It
ncudee, Also description Of the iron gun carriages
which have lately been tested with such success and tho
improved Columbia carriage, revolving pntle under
the centre the middle Having thus described
the various weapons tools and materials which the art
lerist Ia called upon use tie author proceeds the
"theory and practice OF fire." In other words, TO des
cripon Of the actual mode Of making his weapons avAi
BILE for attack or defence Az this Is clearly and plainly
laid down in chapters and g. This subject includes the
details Ia relation 10 charges" the "messure of dis
tanoes" sighting aud the cheating OF shot,, together
with some practical information to the preaching Of
wall, by siege artillery
The 9th chapter contains full descriptions Of the various
improved fuses used for exploding Shells together with
the results of number Of experiments made with view
to determine the certainty and accuracy Of the several
kinds most in favor with military men.
Tho different implements for pointing and loading are
described in the 10th chapter The next subdivision s
devoted entirely 70 the subject OF Ammunition Full
,xpansou is given in relation TO tho various kinds Of
cartridges, shot and shells and also OF the OF
preparing them for This subject also ncudes tho
several descriptions Of primers, portres, rockets and
such fireworks as are used in military service.
The 18th chapter 10 devoted entirely to "eld artillery,
and gives valuable information in relation artl
cry horses the method Of crba-king and discmbarkng
them, and their ON the march.
Chapter Is contains details in relation to the attack aud
defence Of fcrasatons also surveys
aud description OF the Of laying throw
ing the several kinds or batteries including mortar
and preaching batteries.