a military engine for throwing balls, &c. by the help of GUNPOWDER.

The invention of brass cannon is by Laneey ascribed to J. Owen: he says, that they were first known in England in the year 1535; but yet acknowledges, that, in 1346, there were four pieces of cannon in the English army at the battle of Cressy, and that these were the first that were known in France. And Mezeray relates, that king Edward, by five or six pieces

Vol. III.

of cannon, struck terror into the French army, it being the first time they had seen any of these thundering machines. The Germans carry the invention farther back, and attribute it to Albertus Magnus, a Dominican monk, about the year 1250. Voitius rejects all these opinions, and finds cannon in China almost 1700 years ago. According to him, they were mounted by the emperor Kitey in the year of Christ 85.

For the casting of cannon, see FOUNDERY. For their different parts, proportions, management, operation, and effects, see GUNNERY.

with letter-founders and printers, the name of the largest size of letters they use.