A very considerable variation is found in the proportions of the ingredients of the powder of different nations and different manufactories. The powder made in England, is the same for cannon as for small arms, the difference being only in the size of the grains; but in France, it appears, that there were formerly six different sorts manufactured; namely, the strong and the weak cannon powder, the strong and the weak musquet powder, and the strong and the weak pistol powder. The following are the proportions in each, though the reason of this nicety of distinction is not very obvious. For the strong cannon powder, the nitre, sulphur, and charcoal were in the proportions of 100 of the first, 25 of the second, and 25 of the third: for the weak cannon powder, 100, 20, and 24: for the strong musket powder, 100, 18, and 20; for the weak, 100, 15, and 18: for the strong pistol powder, 100, 12, and 15; for the weak, 100, 10, and 18. The Chinese powder appears, by the analysis of Mr. Napier, to be nearly in the proportions of 100 of nitre, 18 of charcoal, and 11 of sulphur. This powder, which was procured from Canton, was large-grained, not very strong, but hard, well coloured, and in very good preservation. The following proportions are _now_ used in France, for the manufacture of gunpowder for war, for hunting, and for mining. For war. For the chase. For mining. Saltpetre, 75.0 78 65. Charcoal, 12.5 12 15. Sulphur, 12.5 10 20. After having made choice of the materials, the nitre being pulverized, is passed through a brass sieve; the sulphur is pulverized by means of a muller, or other contrivance, and also sifted in a bolter; the quantities are then weighed, as well as the charcoal. The mixing of these substances is performed in a series of mortars, hollowed out of a strong piece of oak wood; and by the aid of pestles or stampers, which are set in motion by machinery and water power, the mixture is thoroughly made. The end of the stampers is usually covered with, and sometimes made of, brass, and the mortars are also, in some powder mills, lined with brass. The mill has generally two rows of mortars and stampers, of ten each. The nitre, sulphur, and charcoal, in proper proportions, are put into each mortar. The charcoal is first introduced into the mortar, being sometimes previously pulverized; then wetted with water, and the pounding is continued for thirty minutes. The nitre and the sulphur are then added, and the whole is stirred with the hand. More water is then added; it is again stirred, and the operation of pounding is continued. The object of adding the water is to prevent the so called volatilization of the ingredients, and to give the mixture the consistency of paste, and at the same time to prevent the explosion of the powder; a circumstance, which must be always guarded against.