Pots des Brins.
3. Pots des Brins.
These are large paper cylinders, filled with powder, Stars, Sparks, &c. They are generally made of paste-board, and about four diameters long; they should be choaked at one end like common cases. They are generally exhibited in numbers, fixed on a plank of some kind, in the following manner: on the under side of your plank, make as many grooves as you intend to have rows of pots, then at a little distance from each other, and exactly over the grooves, fix as many pegs, about three fourths or one diameter high; then through the centre of each peg bore a hole down to the groove at bottom, and on every peg fix and glue a pot, the mouth of which must fit tight on the peg; then through all the holes run a quick-match, one end of which must go into the pot, and the other into the groove, which must have a match laid in it from end to end, and covered with paper, so that when lighted at one end it may discharge the whole almost instantaneously. In each pot put about one ounce of mealed and corn powder; then in some put Stars, and in others Rain, Snakes, Serpents, Crackers, Sparks, &c. When they are loaded, secure their mouths by putting paper over each.
When fired in considerable numbers, these Pots des Brins, from their affording so great a variety of fires, produce a most pleasing exhibition.