Geschichte der Explosivstoffe The Manufacture of Explosives

Abstract

THE first part of the first of these two works is a most curious compilation drawn from all sources, of historical matter connected with the manufacture and different uses of explosives. The author appears to have spared no trouble in hunting up old documents and engravings illustrating the different engines of war, which have depended on villainous saltpetre for part, at least, of their destructive attributes. These engravings are extremely quaint, and give one a good idea of the state of mediæval art as applied to printing; that shown on pp. 288–289 (“Verteidigung eines Engpasses mit Landtorpedos”) depicts a most theatrical ambuscade in which the “special artist” has surpassed himself, and the enemy thoroughly deserve the destruction which has overtaken them. Naturally most of the text is German, but there is also a large amount of French and Latin intermixed, here and there, with a little Greek and Arabic, or even Chinese, and one can only regret that the exigencies of modern life prevent most people from acquiring even a very superficial knowledge of the numerous and varied tongues with which the gifted author appears to possess so great a familiarity.

Geschichte der Explosivstoffe.

Von S. J. von Romocki. Two parts, pp. 394 and 324. (Berlin: Robert Oppenheim, 1895, 1896.)

The Manufacture of Explosives.

By Oscar Guttmann Two volumes, pp. 348 and 444. (London: Whittaker and Co., 1895.)