THE ORIGIN OF THE BOMB.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 7, 18 September 1906, Page 2

THE ORIGIN OF THE BOMB.

The bomb as a weapon of assassination celebrated its century in December, 1904, the first W these infernal machines being aiffied at Napoleon, then First Consul, when on his way to the opera, on December 24, 1804. Between the first and the second bomb an interval of 35 years occurred, the second being made of 24 gun-barrels, fastened together like a faggot, and fired at Louis Philippe, by the notorious Fieschi, from a window on the Boulevard du Temple, during the course of the festivities held to celebrate the revolution of July. About fifty persons were killed, but neither the’ king nor any, of his sons, who were riding with him, was included among the victims. The third case took place on January 14, 1858, when Orsini threw three bombs at the carriage in which Napoleon 111. and the Empress Eugenie were being driven to the opera. One of their horses was killed, and 156 persons were more or less injured, but the Emperor and Empress were themselves unscathed. As in the case of the attack upon the first Napoleon, indiscriminate arrests were made, two thousand persons suspected of hostility to the dynasty being locked up, and 400 of them sent to Cayenne or New Caledonia. It will be seen that, although the bomb has acclimatised itself in Russia, it began its career in the land of liberty, equality. and fraternity.