CHAP. XXIII.
To extinguish a wax Candle at eighty or a hundred Paces distance, by firing a Gun loaded with Ball, and to be certain of not missing, however unskilful may be the Marksman.
This experiment may be easily tried in the country, and even in town, in a garden that is rather large: the best marksman may be challenged, and undoubtedly worsted.
Load a gun with a common charge of powder, and a leaden ball. Your opponent will do the same on his side; then let him fire first, that you may see him miss his aim, as it is very difficult at such a distance to put out a candle.
After having rallied him on his pretended skill, you will fire in your turn, and will extinguish the candle, to the great astonishment of the spectators, who saw you load your gun in the common way with powder and ball, but did not perceive that your ball was pierced through and through in the form of a cross, as is represented by the figure that follows:
The whole magic of this experiment consists in this pierced ball, by which the elasticity of the air that drives it acquires a divergent force, by passing through the holes of the ball, and produces this surprising effect.