FIRE-ARMS may lie defined as vessels—of whatever form—used iu the propulsion of :shot, shell, or bullets, to a greater or less distance, by the action of gunpowder exploded within them. They have played so great a part in the world's story, that their inven tion, development, and science deserve careful analysis. At a more advanced period, an obvious division of the subject into cannon, mortars, and small-arms presents itself; but in the infancy of the invention, and amid the obscurity enshrouding it, we can only seek to inquire into the origin of fire-arms generally.
The invention of gunpowder bears so directly upon the gradual introduction of fire arms, that it will be well to consider the two discoveries concurrently. The widely prevalent notion that gunpowder was the invention of friar Bacon, and that cannon were first used by Edward III. of England, must be at once discarded. It is certain that gunpowder differed in no conspicuous degree from the Glvek fire of the Byzantine emperors, nor from the terrestrial thunder of China and India, where it had been known for many centuries before the chivalry of Europe began to fail beneath its leveling power.
" Niter," says sir George Staunton, " is the natural and daily produce of China and India; and there, accordingly, the knowledge of gunpowder seems to be coeval with that of the most distant historic events." The earlier Arab historians call saltpeter " Chinese snow" and " Chinese salt;" and the most ancient records of China itself show that, when they were written, fire-works were well known several hundred years before the Christian era. From these and other circumstances, it is indubitable that gunpow der was used by the Chinese as an explosive compound in prehistoric times; when they first discovered or applied its power as a propellant, is less easily determined. There is an account of a bamboo tube being used, from which the " impetuous dart" was hurled a distance of 100 ft.; this was at a very early period, but it is difficult to say precisely when. It is recorded, however, that in 618 n.c., during•the Taint-off dynasty, a cannon
was employed, bearing' the inscription: " I' hurl death to the traitor, and extermination to the rebel." This must almost necessarily have been of metal. We have also curious evidence in regard to the armament of the great wall; for capt. Parish, who accompa nied lord Macartney's mission, reported that "the soles of the embrasures were pierced with small holes, similar to those used in Europe for the reception of the swivels of wall-pieces. The holes appear to be part of the original construction of the wall, and it seems difficult to assign to them any other purpose than that of resistance to the recoil of fire-arms." If this surmise be correct, the use of jingalls would be carried back to three centuries at least before the Christian era. Stone mortars, throwing missiles of 12 lbs. to a distance of 300 paces, are particularly mentioned as having been employed in 757 A.D. by Thang's army; and in 1232 A.D. it is incontestable that the Chinese besieged in CaIfong-fou used cannon against their-Mongol enemies. Thus, the Chinese must be allowed to have established their claim to an early practical knowledge of gunpowder and its effects.
It seems likely, however, that the principles of fire-arms reached Europe from India rather than China, and that country has equal, if not superior, claims to the first acquaintance with the art. The ancient Sanscrit writings appear to point very plainly to the operation of some primitive sort of cannon, when, in recording the wars of the Egyptian Hercules in India, it is stated that the sages remained unconcerned spectators of the attack on their stronghold, till an assault was attempted, when they repulsed it with whirlwinds and thunders, hurling destruction on the invaders; and a Greek his torian of Alexander's campaign testifies that the Hindus had the means of discharging flames and missiles on their enemies from a distance.