DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6094#0330
SICILY AND MALTA. 307
abundantly capable of setting fire to every
combustible substance.—This experiment
might be easily made by means of a bat-
talion of men, arming each with a looking-
glass instead of a firelock; and setting up
a board at two or three hundred yards
distance for them to fire at. I suppose it
would take a considerable time before they
were expert at this exercise; but, by prac-
tice, I have no doubt that they might all
be brought to hit the mark instantaneoussy
at the word of command ; like the lark-
catchers in some countries, who are so
dexterous at this manoeuvre, that with a
small mirrour they throw the rays of light
on the lark, let her be ever so high in the
air; which, by a kind of fascination, brings
down the poor animal to the snare.
You may laugh at all this ; but I don't
think it is impossible that a looking-glass
may one day be thought as necessary an
implement for a soldier as at present it is
X 2 for
abundantly capable of setting fire to every
combustible substance.—This experiment
might be easily made by means of a bat-
talion of men, arming each with a looking-
glass instead of a firelock; and setting up
a board at two or three hundred yards
distance for them to fire at. I suppose it
would take a considerable time before they
were expert at this exercise; but, by prac-
tice, I have no doubt that they might all
be brought to hit the mark instantaneoussy
at the word of command ; like the lark-
catchers in some countries, who are so
dexterous at this manoeuvre, that with a
small mirrour they throw the rays of light
on the lark, let her be ever so high in the
air; which, by a kind of fascination, brings
down the poor animal to the snare.
You may laugh at all this ; but I don't
think it is impossible that a looking-glass
may one day be thought as necessary an
implement for a soldier as at present it is
X 2 for