ON Thursday last week a modification of the American Gatling Gun, called
the "British Mitrailleuse," was tried for the first time at Woolwich.
The following is a description of this benevolent machine:--
"It consists of ten barrels hooped together and revolving in the
centre, and fitted into a carriage like that of an ordinary
field-gun, which, at a short distance, it greatly resembles. The
barrels and cartridges are similar to those of the Henry-Martini
rifle--in diameter .45 in.; the cartridge-cases being of brass,
and bottle-necked."
Tremendous, however, as may be the execution which this weapon is
capable of doing among a flock of soldiers, authorities are of opinion
that, "like small arms generally, it must give way to rifled ordnance."
On its trial:--
"Indeed, most of the Royal Artillery Officers present seemed to
think that the machine-gun can never stand against Artillery,
even if its delicate machinery did not become disarranged by
mere musket-shot."
So that a comparison is suggested to those who read, that when the
"British Mitrailleuse" is made ready and placed in position--
"A handle like that of a street-organ, and fixed at the side of
the trail, is then turned at any degree of rapidity required,
and the barrels load and fire until the supply of cartridges is
exhausted, which takes about five minutes under favourable
conditions."
One is led to compare the British Mitrailleuse with the Italian Grinding
Organ, and to question if the latter be not, of the two, the more
offensive instrument.
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=Corrigendum.=
THE antiquity of the Athanasian Creed being now shown to be a myth, the
date being that of CHARLEMAGNE, would it not be well, before the Prayer
Book is finally revised, that the correction should be made? For it will
take many a year to abolish the belief that St. Athanasius drew up the
document, especially as divers theologians think nothing of some four
hundred and fifty years of what they imagine to have been the Dark Ages.
"Commonly (but absurdly) called the Creed of St. Athanasius" is a line
that, in a century or so, might have an effect upon the less
un-intelligent.
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