It is a common opinion amongst a great many Gunners , that any peece of Ordnance lyeth point blank that is truely brought to the marke , whether the said Marke be ascending or descending , the peece laid truely against the said Marke without any length giuen to reach it : but I say , that there is but one precise point blanke , that is , when the peece is so laid that the line issuing from the centre of the hollow cilinder of the peece cutteth the centre of the marke ; and if it were or might bee extended forth right , would cut directly the true horizon : or a point blanke or leuell line is that which by supposition extendeth it selfe from the centre of the peece thorough the centre of the marke vnto the true horizon , for there can be but one precise streight line or point blank , as the Gunners tearme it , which must be that visuall or supposed line , whose ends are both of equall height . Or a direct straight line is that which when a perpendicular line falleth thereon , diuideth it into equall angles , as is taught in Ewclid and other bookes of Geometry . The easiest and truest way to know when your peece lyeth point blanke , is by putting your rule into the peece mouth , hauing a Gunners quadrant or square thereon , and coyning your peece so , that the plummet may cut or fall on the line that makes the right angle from the centre where it hangs ( called the leuell line ) that peece then lyeth point blanke : all other lines visuall being extended to any marke that is eyther higher or lower than the eye , are not to be termed streight lines .

If the marke which you are to shoot at be in a streight line with the concaue of the peece , and not without the point blanke or leuell range of the peece , it is an easie matter to strike diuerse markes standing in the said line , by making the visuall line so much lower , as is betweene the true visuall line and the center of the cilinder of the peece , being the line in which the bullet flieth : & if the marke be far without point blanke , it is possible to strike two markes standing in the visuall line , both in the place where the bullet first cutteth the said visuall line , and so rangeth aboue it into the ayre in his straight motion ( which will not be farre from the peece ) & in that place where the bullet in the end of his range declining , cutteth the said visuall line againe in his crooked or bending motion , which must of necessitie be eyther at or very neere to the marke .

If the marke you meane to shoot at be not far without the leuell range of the peece , and something higher than point blanke , then must you so lay the peece , that the visuall lyne aymed by the superficies of the mettals of the peece ( not disparting the said peece ) may cut the mark : and if at the first shot the bullet light short or ouer , you may easily amend the second by adding or abating the length giuen ; but if the marke be vnder point blank , and not far without the leuell range of the peece , then set vp your disparture in the mids of the superficies of the mettall at the mouth of the peece , and working as is said by experimenting one shot , it is an easie matter to make a perfect shot the second time : & if you shoot at the said marke not disparting your peece , then must you lay the peece short of the mark , that the visual line passing by the metals of the peece touch a prety distance vnder the mark

All marks or obiects distant from your peece which you are to shoot at , are in a threefold proportion to be considered of ; as either the same is iust point blanke , which is in one respect only to be considered of , or it is higher or lower than point blanke , which is to be considered of in diuers respects , according to the distance and number of degrees the same is at , eyther in ascent or descent .

Any two or mo peeces of like or contrary proportion at point blanke discharged , euery peece hauing her due loading with powder , & with a bullet fit for each peece , & the leuel ranges of the said peeces noted , that of those peeces whose leuell range is furthest , will still out shoot the other at any grade of the randon , giuing to euerie of the said peeces , the self like loading in powder & bullet .

Any two peeces differing in proportion , & the difference of their leuell ranges known , may so be loaden , as they shall both range one like distance of ground at one like randon : and the vtmost range of any peece knowne at any degree of randon , by abating the proportion of her powder , it is possible in two or three shoots , to shoot any part of the same randon that you will assigne .

Two peeces in all respects equall saue length , mounted one like degree of randon , and loaden with one like weight in contrary powder , and with one like bullet , that peece that is loaden with the best powder , will still out-range the other , although that other be the longer : but if there be but little difference betwixt the force of the powders , this proportion will not hold at euerie grade of the randon .

To charge any peece of Ordnance Gunner-like , set your boudge or barrell on the wind hand of the peece , & causing one of your assistants to hold the same aslope , thrust your ladle into the same , filling it full of powder , causing your fellow that holds the boudge to strike the same with a ruler ; two of those ladles is the common charge of that peece . And fixing your thomb iust vnder the staffe of the ladle , thrust the same home to the chamber of the peece where the powder lyeth , turning the ladle so as your thomb be directly aboue the staffe , and in so doing , the powder will fall or turn out of the Iadle cleanly ; then drawing out the said ladle with the rampion on the other end of the staffe , thrust home the powder with 2. or 3. strokes , causing your assistant to hold his thomb close on the touch-hole of the peece , then taking a close round wad of hay , tow , vntwisted rope , or such like , thrust in the same with your rammer-staffe close to the pouder ; & after put in the bullet close to the wad : & if your peece be eleuated at any degree of the randon to reach the mark , it is needlesse to put in any wad after the bullet , for it will rather hinder than helpe the same : but if the peece mouth be any whit embased , then it behoueth to put in a wad close to the bullet , to holde the bullet in his right place : & the speciall point belonging to a Gunner in charging of any great peece , is to loade the same standing sidewise of the peece , and not directly before her mouth ; for it sometimes happeneth , that a peece hauing flawes or hony-combs within her , being often discharged together , doth for a season keepe some sparkes of fire in the said holes , so that thrusting home the ladle with the powder , to loade the peece standing directly before the mouth of the peece , it taketh fire and killeth the Gunner and such as are directly before the mouth of the peece , as happened in Anno 1573. at the siege of Edenborough Castle , to two experienced Gunners , who if they had stood sidewise to the peece , might haue escaped that danger .

If you charge your peece with a cartredge , & hauing put the same home to the breech , with the end of your rammer staffe , put after the same a good wad , and after that the bullet , as afore is taught , not forgetting to thrust the case of the cartredge thorow with your priming yron in the touch-hole of the peece , that the priming powder may be sure to take hold and to fire the same . Some vse to put a Tampion of wood in next to the cartredge , and then the bullet and wad ; and some vse to cut that part of the cartredge away that lyeth next to the touch-hole : but howsoeuer you cut the same in charging any peece with a cartredge , it behoueth you to prime the cartredge through with a skrewed or wreathed priming yron made sharpe at the end , and then putting in your priming powder , you shall be sure not to faile of your purpose .

In giuing fire to any great peece of Ordnance , as Cannon , Culuering , or such like , it is requisite that the Gunner thereto appointed , first see that the peece be well primed , laying a little powder about the touch-hole as a traine , and then to be nimble in giuing fire , which as soone as hee espyeth to flame , hee ought with quicknesse to retire back three or foure yards out of the danger of the reuerse of the wheeles and carriage of the peece : for oftentimes it happeneth that the wheele or axel-tree doth breake , and spoyle the Gunner that giueth fire , not hauing agilitie to moue himselfe from the danger of the same : yea , I did see a Gunner slaine with the reuerse of the wheele of a Culuering , which crushed his leg and thigh in peeces , who if hee had had a care , and nimblenesse withall , might haue escaped that misfortune . Also if the priming powder bee dankish , or the cole of the match not cleere , the Gunner cannot speedily giue fire , and therefore behoueth to foresee it : or if he hold the lintstocke in which his fired match is tyed , long ouer the touch-hole , the violence of the flame issuing thereout is able to spoyle him , or some thereabout , by throwing the lintstocke or staffe which he giues fire with out of his hand . I haue seene the lintstock and match blowne out of the Gunners hand more than fourescore yards from the peece , by the violent blast of the fire issuing out at the touch-hole of the peece , in giuing fire to the same . And it is to be noted , that the wider the touch-hole of the peece is , the greater flame doth issue out thereat , which causeth the peece to worke lesse effect than shee would , hauing a lesser touch-hole .

Any peece of Ordnance truely disparted , shooting at any mark in a streight line from the centre of the hollow concaue of the peece , and within point blanke , shall strike so much vnder the centre of the said marke ( being laid iust against the midst of the said marke ) as the visual distance is from the top of the said disparture to the concaue or cilinder of the peece .

To make a perfect shot at any marke , whether the same be at point blanke , or at any degree ascending or descending , coyne your peece so that the centre of your eye in ayming lye close to the superficies of the middle part of the mettall at the breech : and if the marke be at point blanke , and the peece truely disparted , and the visuall line so aymed ( passing by the top of the said disparture ) cut the centre of the marke , then shall the bullet light so much vnder the centre of the marke as is betweene the concaue of the peece and the top of the disparture , if the winde alter not the bullet in his motion . And if the marke bee further than the peece will reach with her mettals , then must you eleuate the peece mouth so many degrees as will reach the same , first laying the peece straight against the said Marke : and whether the marke be point blanke , aboue point blanke , or vnder point blanke , if you fixe your eye in ayming aboue the leuell sight at the breech , the visual line passing by the extreme or top of the leuell sight at the mouth of the peece , will cut vnder the mark , and will cut or diuide the supposed line in which the bullet flyeth before it come to the marke ; which bullet will light aboue the marke : or fixing your eye lower than you ought at the breech , the visual line extending it selfe , will cut aboue the marke , and neuer touch the line in which the bullet flyeth .

Any peece of Ordnance made hote with often shooting , being cooled with water , or vineger , or other liquor , and presently after recharged againe , will not conuey the bullet so farre , as suffering the mettall to coole of it self . And any peece discharged diuerse times & not sponged and cleansed , the said peece will not doe such effect as being sponged euery time presently after she is discharged .

If the Trunions of any great peece of Ordnance , as Cannon or Culuering , be placed too neere the mouth , then the peece will be so weightie at the breech , that shee will require the ayde of two or three Gunners to raise vp the same with leauers , that she may be brought to her marke ; therefore to raise the same with one mans strength , so farre as another may coyne the peece to shoote at any marke assigned , lay some small coyne or peece of timber cut wedgwise , on the side of the stocke or carriage of the peece , that may reach in height within 2. or 3. inches of the lowest part of the mettall of the breech of the peece , and putting in your leauer or handspike as neare the end of the breech as you can , between the said peece of timber & the mettall of the peece , you may raise the peece at your pleasure , so as another may coyne the same to lay her to any marke assigned : & the longer your leauer is , and the least part of the end therof that you put vnder the peece , the more weight a great deale you shall raise vp . Also by thrusting a strong leuer into the mouth of the peece , weighing the same downe at the furthest end thereof , you shall weigh or raise vp a great weight ; and the longer the leauer is , the more weight shall you counterpoise .

If being in seruice , you are like to leese your Ordinance , and would rather breake or burst the same in peeces than the enemie should haue aduantage thereof , you may easily burst any peece with her common charge of powder , or with lesse powder than her common charge , as thus : after you haue put home your powder , make a close wadde as hard as euer you can thrust in after the same , and then take an iron bullet half an inch or more lower than the diameter of the concaue of the peece , and put the same home close to the sayd wad , and vnder the said bullet driue in a wedge or taper peece of iron of fourteene or sixteene inches in length , made smooth and small at the one end , and great at the other , almost the height of the bullet , and giuing fire with a traine , the bullet will runne vpon the same wedge , and hauing no passage by reason the sayd wedge doth stop the way thereof , the peece perforce must breake in peeces : or you may burst any peece with her common charge in pouder at any part thereof , in thrusting her mouth into water to that part you would haue broken , & giuing fire by some traine , the peece wil burst at that part without the superficies of the water . The like may be done as some hold opinion in thrusting the peece mouth into a hole made three or foure foot deep into the earth , ramming the earth close about the same , so as no ayre may passe out at the peece mouth : or laying the peece vpon the ground vpon some pieces of timber laid vnder the forepart and hinder part thereof , and making a hollow place vnder the mids thereof , make therein a good fire , and with a paire of bellowes make the peece thorough hote , and with a sledge or great hammer striking the peece in the mids , the middle part of the peece lying hollow , you may easily break the same .

If you would foretell whether any peece of Ordnance will shoote short or ouer anie marke appointed , standing on any side of and from the same peece , and not beholding the visuall line how the peece is layd to the marke , by hauing tried and seene the fall of the bullet , the first shot is an easie matter to shew whether the said peece shall shoot short or ouer any other time , being loaden euery time alike ( as thus : ) before the peece bee discharged the first time , set vp a Iaueling , Halbard , or anie streight staffe , directly before the mouth of the peece , and on the same make a priuie marke hard by the vpper or highest part of the mettall , and when the peece is brought to the same platforme againe , and laid to her marke , and hath her length giuen her to reach the mark , before the Gunner giue fire , set vp the staffe againe in the same place , or cause another to set the same vp , and if the highest part of the mettall at the peece mouth be eleuate aboue the said marke on the staffe ( which you may espy a prettie distance from the peece ) then the said peece will out-shoot the first shot : but if the vpper part of the mettall at the mouth be vnder the said marke on the staffe , then the peece will shoot short of the other short , being loaden with one like quantitie of powder and bullet .

If you would annoy the enemie , and can come to serue vnder them without suspicion , and would poison their Ordnance , or anie peece thereof , so as the same should not readily be made to shoot , watch a fit time , and poure a little hote oyle thorough a small tunnell into the touch-hole of the peece , the peece mouth a little imbased ; or raising her mouth a little , powre in a little water or other liquor thereat , the which will soake thorow the wad into the powder , so as the same will not fire , or else cloying vp the touch-hole with nayles driuen to the head , you may for a season hinder the same from shooting , to the great anoyance of the enemy , and furtherance of your friends , they hauing some priuie warning thereof : the chiefe and readiest way if a peece be poisoned , is , to draw the same , or if the touch-hole be cloyed vp , is to make a traine in at the peece mouth to the chamber where her loading lyeth , and so recharging her , it will blow out the same , or else it must perforce be drilled out .

The Platforme whereon your Ordnance is planted in seruice , ought to bee stored with strong woodden plankes of timber , or paued with broad smooth stones , layed close together , no higher in one place than in another , but flat and plaine on the superficies thereof , for the wheeles and carriage to make their reuers vpon : for if the platforme bee not made , the wheeles in often reuersing will so sinke into the ground , that the peeces without great trouble and more strength of men , will not be brought to their right platforme againe ; especially after moist weather , the ground being wet before : and the peece shall sometimes shoot amisse , by reason the one wheele will sometimes sinke deeper than the other . The platforme behinde the carriage would bee made a little higher than before ; so shall the Gunners with more ease a great deale bring the peece to her true platforme after she is reuersed .

If you would see whether the peece you are to serue with be cleane without flawes , hony combs , or crackes , then turning her mouth towards the sun , being vnloaden , with a looking-glasse you may cast the beame of the sunne into the concaue of the peece : or if the funne doe not shine , with a lighted candle put on the end of a clouen stick you may also see the same : but if you feare that shee hath some cracke , blow her with a quarter or halfe of her loading in powder , and presently stop her mouth with some cloth or other thing , that no smoake issue out , causing another to doe the like at the touchhole : and if there be any crack in the peece , the smoake will issue out threat . Also you may perceiue if a peece be without cracke or flawes , in striking vpon the same with some iron toole ; & if the peece be without crack , shee will haue a cleere and sharp sound being vnloaden , otherwise she will haue a harsh or dull sound .

Any Gunner skilfull and experienced in the Art , may dispart any great peece seuen seuerall wayes , but the readiest and easiest way is to thrust your priming yron into the touch hole of the peece , downe to the lowest part of the concaue of the peece , and with your knife make a marke on the said priming yron , iust with the height of the vtmost part or highest part of the mettall there . Then draw out the same priming yron , setting the same vpright at the mouth of the peece , so as the lowest end of the said priming yron touch the lowest part of the concaue there also , & hard by the vpper part of the mettall at the mouth of the peece with your knife make another marke on the said priming iron , the distance betweene those two markes is the true disparture of that peece .

To anie one or moe peeces of Ordnance of like length and height , that shooteth one quantitie of one like powder and bullet , may be made a precise table of randons : but a thing vnpossible to make one perfect table of randons to seurall peeces of contrarie length and height , discharged with one like or vnlike powder and bullet , although diuerse authors haue affirmed the same may be done , and haue giuen out rules thereof : for the variable length of the peeces , the differing weights of the bullets , and the sundry forces of diuers kindes of powder , must and will alter in each of these cases .

By experimenting diuerse shots out of anie one or moe peeces of Ordnance , of like length and height , discharged with one quantitie of one like powder and bullet , I could artificially describe how to make an instrument , which set vpon the breech of the peece , the visuall line thereof should shew what length the said peece requireth to reach any marke within the vtmost randon of the said peece , as also should shew the number of degrees the said peece is eleuated at , and how farre the said peece would conuey her bullet at any degree of the randon , or what distance any mark is different from the peece , and how much higher or lower the said marke is than the point blanke of the said peece , the said peece loaden at euery time with one like quantitie of one like powder , wad and bullet , and of like temper : but forasmuch as the same will not hold in all peeces of contrary length & height , neither in any one peece of Ordnance discharged with her due loading of diuerse kindes of powder , it were a thing not conuenient to shew the reasons therof , for that the same requireth a long discourse , and would be to no great purpose , vnlesse the same might be a generall rule for all peeces , of what length and height soeuer .

You may discharge any peece of Ordnance by the beame of the sunne a pretty distance from the same , the sunne bright shining , and the day cleere and hote , in taking a broad bright bason ; setting the same so on the side of the carriage of the peece against the touch-hole , that it may strike the reflex of the sunne beame backe vpon a traine of fine powder layde vpon and about the touch-hole of the peece , in the midst whereof lay a little fine lint dipped in molten brimstone , and on the same a crystall stone : and standing thirty or forty yards from the same ( or further , if you thinke good ) by the ayde of three or foure glasses well steeled , you may cast the beame of the sunne directly against the centre of the bason , which will so multiply the heate , that it will presently fire the traine , and so discharge the peece . Or you may giue fire to any peece of Ordnance with a burning glasse ; but then you must be neere to the peece , which will be perillous , for feare of the reuerse of the wheele , except you make a traine , and so drawing the beame of the sunne into a point like a pin head through the center of the glasse , you shall so multiply the heate , that it will presently giue fire to the peece . I reade that Archimedes by his skill in Geometry and in the Art Perspectiue , did from off the wals of Siracusa ( the Citie being besieged by the Romanes ) fire their Nauie riding in the roade without , onely by the ayde of glasses ; as also diuerse of our owne countrey-men by the aide of glasses haue experimented many notable and strange conclusions , to their euerlasting fame .

You may also with a quart or pottle of any liquor , as wine , water , ale , or beere , discharge any peece of Ordnance , in putting into the touch-hole of the peece the end of a peece of match of a yard or fiue quarters long , well soaked in moulten brimstone , the peece being well primed : and setting or making fast to the side of the carriage of the peece , any little halfe firkin or woodden vessell that will hold a gallon or pottle of liquor , filling the same halfe full of lymestone new burnt and vnquenched , & take the lightest & whitest stones you can finde ( for those are best burnt : ) then take three or foure of those stones , and beate the same into fine powder , and mixe with three or foure handfuls of the same , as much powder and brimstone beaten verie fine , laying the same amids the vessell vpon the stones , rowling the other end of the match in that receipt , and then fill vp the vessell with other like stones , powring vpon the same as much liquor aforesaid as would fill halfe the tub : the which will melt the stones into dust , and drink vp all the liquor , and with the heat therof will presently fire the brimstone , which kindling the match , will discharge the peece : and if you make the said liquor seething hote , and poure it into the vessell , it will so worke therein , that if the vessell be not all the better girded , it will burst it in peeces .

If in seruice , or at any other time , you haue occasion to shoot diuers shots in one or mo peeces , the day being verie windie , so that it bloweth away the priming powder laid about the touch-hole of the peece , to preuent that inconuenience , if you take a little tough clay , working the same wel in your hand , and laying the same vpon the mettall of the peece on the windie side , in maner of ½ a circle , one or two inches from the touch-hole , about one inch height , it wil hinder the wind from blowing the priming powder away , so that you may giue fire at pleasure .

Any peece of Ordnance being discharged in the night , the report or roare thereof will be heard further than if shee had been discharged in the day , the weather of like calmnesse : & the report wil sound further down the winde than against the same , and further on the sea than on the land , the ayre quiet and the sea calme . Also if you make a hole in the ground fiue or six inches deep , and lay your eare close thereto , you shall heare the report of any peece of Ordnance discharged from farre more perfectly than standing or walking : by experience , it hath beene often tryed , that the sound of the Canons discharged at the siege of diuerse Holds , hath bin heard verie neere fortie miles .

Some Gunners hold opinion , that the reuerse of anie peece of Ordnance discharged , is not before the fire be cleane expulsed out of the concaue of the peece into the open aire : but therin they erre ; for experience sheweth that the peece and carriage beginneth to recoyle in that moment , assoone as euer the powder fired within the peece , beginneth to thrust it selfe out , the violent expulsiue motion whereof striuing forward , causeth the peece to recoyle , but the rore or report of the peece discharged , is not before the fire be expulsed out of the peece . Also some hold opinion , that the force of the fire departing from the peece , causeth the mettall to quiuer or shake : and to assure themselues , they haue for tryall clapt to the bottome of a glasse a little quantitie of wax or pitch , and filling the glasse with water , set the same vpon the highest part of the mettall , about the middle of the peece ; and because the same hath broken in shiuers or fallen , they thinke their opinion is strong . But my opinion is contrary ; for if the mettal of the peece at her discharge doe any whit quiuer or shake , the peece would eyther burst in shiuers or rent it selfe : for I hold that it is the very ayre or violent blast proceeding from the fire , eyther out of the mouth of the peece , or touchhole , or both , and withall the sudden reuerse of the peece , that doth cause the thing so set vpon the vpper face of the mettall , to burst or fall off : and for the better triall hereof , I asked the opinion of a souldier , who for a trespasse committed was enioyned to ride the Canon , who confidently affirmed , he could perceiue no quiuering of the mettall of the peece , but that the ayre which issued out of the mouth and touch-hole of the peece did somewhat astonish and shake him .