The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

ITS SOURCE AND ITS TPIBUTARIES.
ticular notice. A stone shop has been erected and furnished with
the best machinery and very superior mechanical skill, devoted to
experiments in the improvement of fire-arms. This business is under
the supervision of Capt. J. V. Meigs, a Tennesseean, and one of the
most remarkable inventors of this prolific age. Heretofore it has
been the most difficult study and problem with inventors to accelerate mechanical motion so as to approximate to the rapidity of the
ignition of gunpowder, and with what success is well known. Capt.
Mleigs has, however, adopted a different policy. I-e has first increased the rapidity of ignition to the extreme bound of perfect safety
by delivering the blow at the point most likely to produce instantaneous and complete combustion of the whole charge, and then, by his
marvellous skill at mechanical combination, adjusted the speed of the
explosive motion of the lock properly to meet the demand for rapidity
of discharge, and its terribly fatal efficiency is exhibited by the possibility of the astonishing rapidity of fifty shots in nineteen seconds,
still preserving its strength, durability, cheapness, effectiveness, and
comfort in handling. Compared with this arm the famous needle
gun is but a cross-bow; and, paradoxical as it may appear, this
weapon of destruction must prove a life-preserver, as any struggle
of arms, after the adoption of this gun; must be short, sharp, and
decisive. Capt. Meigs has invented two guns, one new and the other
an alteration, both of which have received the approbation of military
committees and gentlemen, as well as gold medals and other awards
for superiority. In the perfection of this arm it was found that ordinary ammunition was unsafe, improperly made, and inefficient; and
to remove this difficulty he invented new cartridges, which combine
every desirable quality; and for their manufacture, and all other
kinds of fixed ammunition, the United States Cartridge Company
was established. Charles K. Farmer, Esq., formerly of the Springfield (MAlass.) Armory, is superintendent. Capt. Meigs has also
brought out other important inventions; indeed, the fertility of his
genius seems inexhaustible. Original minds, discoverers, and inventors have always been honored and esteemed; and, while these distinctions await Capt. Meigs, it is but just to remark that his genial
qualities, his fund of generosity and humor, and all the elements of
a distinguished and high-toned gentleman, mark him as eminently
entitled to the consideration of his fellow-countrymen.
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