TREATISE

O N

GUN-POWDER.

FIRST PART.

Of the Properties of Gun-powder.

The properties and effects of Gun-powder can only be ascer-tained by the means of Fire: let us, therefore, in the firjlplace, examine the nature of Fire itself ; according to thedo£lrine os those philosophers, who, by the closes investi-gation of its effects, have endeavoured to explore its prin-ciples and causes.

CHAP. l.

Of Fire.

^H E celebrated Herman Boerhaave, whose opi-nions have been adopted by the most eminent chemists,could only, after a long series of experiments, discover afew of the properties from which fire has derived its severaldenominations; according to the various modifications underwhich it presents itself to our senses.

I. Pure fire is called fire, solar matter, light and heat:under this idea it is conceived to be a substance essentiallyfluid, composed of particles very subtle, and continually agi-

A rated.