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

The invention of brass cannon is by Laney ascribed to J. Owen: he says, that they were first known in England in the year 1535; but yet acknowledges, that, in 1340, there were four pieces of cannon in the English army at the battle of Crécy, and that these were the first that were known in France. And Mercier relates, that king Edward, by five or six pieces of cannon, struck terror into the French army, it being the first time they had seen any of these thundering machines; though others affirm that cannon were known also in France at the same time; but that the French kings, in their hurry to attack the English, and in confidence of victory, left all his cannon behind him as useless incumbrances (See ARTILLERY). The Germans carry the invention farther back, and attribute it to Albertus Magnus, a Dominican monk, about the year 1250. Voltaire rejects all these opinions, and finds cannon in China almost 1700 years ago. According to him, they were mounted by the emperor Kitay in the year of Christ 85. For further particulars of their history, &c. see GUN and GUNNERY.

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

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