ugh the butt, and conducted to the point
desired. The method of inserting the percussion caps is perfectly easy;
pressing a little button or nut at the bottom of the butt causes a plate
to open, when two spiral wire-springs must be taken out, as also a
moveable tube, from the interior of the gun, and the latter filled with
percussion caps, which must be poured into fixed tubes which communicate
with the anvil; they may contain from 40 to 50 each; when this number is
introduced replace the spiral wire-springs which press the percussion
caps exactly, regularly and successively as they are needed to the point
desired, then fasten in the springs with the little hook attached for
that purpose, lastly replace the moveable tube and shut the plate at the
bottom of the butt. This process is executed in a far shorter time than
it can be described. The _immense_ advantage of this invention may not
appear at the first view; but when it is considered how much more rapid
may be the fire of an army in consequence of the time gained, which
would be occupied in priming, the power it will give them over an enemy
must be evident, and there is no doubt but that in a very short time
they will be universally adopted. All such of my countrymen who come to
Paris I would recommend to call on M. Martin; he will give them every
possible explanation on the subject in the most obliging manner, and
also give them practical evidence of the manner in which it operates.

However deficient the French were until a very few years since in almost
every thing which relates to mechanics, yet in some articles they have
now made such rapid strides, that it becomes a question whether they
will not surpass us, if we do not exert the same energy in the spirit of
improvement with which they have been recently actuated. Formerly the
inferiority of French pianos to ours was most evident, and perhaps,
generally speaking, I should still say it was the case, but there are a
few manufacturers, the tone of whose instruments is superb; of such a
description are those of M. Soufleto. It is really surprising how he has
been enabled, in a small upright piano, to produce the force and depth
of tone which he has found the means of uniting in comparatively so
small a volume, the bass having absolutely the power and roundness of an
organ; but that part of an instrument which most frequently fails, is
that which is composed of the additional keys or the highest notes,
which are ap