21 JANUARY 1860, Page 8

Some months since [September 10 and November 12 1859] we

re- ported the improvement made by Mr. Hobbs's new piece of ordnance, and its success under the trials to which it had been subject. Heretofore these trials have been obtained by means of private assistance, and they have been so far successful as to challenge a consideration of the subject by the proper public department. The distinguishing characteristic of Mr. Hobbs's plan is the very handy and manageable character of his arm. A piece of ordnance of his make can be raised or lowered, converted to a variety of purposes, taken to pieces, and removed with the ease of an ordinary piece of domestic furniture ; and if it can stand trial in the ordinary use of artillery it is a complete invention. Of course we express no opinion upon it ; we only remark that, after the private trials which it has received, with such reports upon its success, we may assume that before long it will be put in some more public and authenticated way of test.