The iron sand is moistened with a little spirits of wine, and then mixed with the charcoal and saltpetre, which have been previously incorporated in another mortar.
Simple Stars or Fireballs. These are generally used in combination with other arrangements, &c., and the composition of which they are made, consists of—saltpetre,
16 parts; sulphur, 8 parts; fine gunpowder, 3 parts.
These materials are mixed with gum and as little spirits of wine as will suffice to make a very stiff paste. This paste is cut up into small squares, which are rolled up into balls on a board covered with gunpowder.
The gunpowder, which adheres, serves for the purpose of firing them. When perfectly dry, they are ready for use.
Gerbes. These fireworks display themselves as luminous jets of fire somewhat resembling a water spout. Previously to putting in the brilliant composition, put two scoops of first firing or preparatory fire, for which the following will suit, in cases not larger than 1⁄4 lb. size:—16 oz. meal powder, 6 oz. saltpetre, 3 oz. sulphur, 3 oz. fine coal. It is important to see that the interior of the cases are quite smooth and free from wrinkles.
Gold Rain. The larger rockets are filled with this material, which consists of small squares made in the same way as the simple stars. It is composed as follows:—
| Ordinary. | Chinese. | Composition for immediate use. | ||||
| Saltpetre | parts | 16 | 4 | Saltpetre | parts | 4 |
| Sulphur | ” | 8 | 2 | Sulphur | ” | 2 |
| Fine charcoal | ” | 2 | 4 | Fine small coals | ” | 1 |
| Pine soot | ” | 2 | — | Fine gunpowder | ” | 8 |
| Meal powder | ” | 4 | 16 | Coarse cast iron | ” | 4 |
A portion of the cotton is softened in linseed oil and the materials prepared in a mortar with water.
Roman Candles. These are made somewhat like gerbes and filled with the same materials, the only difference being that stars are placed between the different layers of substances. The materials must not be too tightly rammed down or the stars will be destroyed.