A Manual of Pyrotechny; or, A Familiar System of Recreative Fire-works

by G. W. Mortimer

Strung Stars.

Strung Stars.—To make these cut some thin paper into pieces of about an inch and a half square, then on each piece lay equal quantities of dry star composition, nearly as much as the paper will contain, then twist up the paper as light as possible, when done rub some flower paste on your hand and roll the star between them, then set them in some warm place to dry; the stars being thus prepared, get some flax or fine tow, and roll a little over each star, then paste the band and roll them as before, after which set them again to dry; which when that is quite effected, with a piercer make a hole through the middle of each, and thread them on a cotton quick-match, long enough to contain 10 or 12 stars three or four inches distance; by joining sundry lengths of match we may string any number of stars we choose.

Tailed Stars.

Tailed Stars.—Or, as they are sometimes called cometic-stars, from their sending out a great number of sparks, which represent a tail similar to that of comet; there are two kinds which bear the above name, which are those that are rolled, and those that are driven; when rolled they must be moistened with a liquor made of half a pint of spirit of wine, and half a gill of thin size, (vellum or any other that is fine,) of which as much as will bring the composition to a consistency proper for rolling into balls; when that is done, sift mealed powder over them and set them to dry.

Driven Stars.

Driven Stars.—For these, the liquid used for moistening the composition must be spirit of wine, with a little camphor dissolved in it, and but a very small quantity of it, as for Driven Stars the composition does not require to be wet; cases containing one or two ounces are best for this purpose, which must be made of some very thin paper.

The composition being damped with the spirit of wine and camphor as above, they are to be filled and rammed moderately hard, taking care that the case be not broken or the paper drove down on the inside; as a protection to them, while filling and ramming, it will be best to procure several moulds fitted to their exterior diameter. These moulds may be of tin, or any kind of wood, of dimensions suited to Stars from 8 drams to 4 ounces; when they are filled, their cases must be made considerably lighter, which is effected by unrolling the paper within three or four rounds of the charge, which is to be cut off, and the loose edge made fast with a little paste, and afterwards set by for two or three days to dry; when they have attained sufficient dryness they must be cut into lengths proportionate to their weights, which will be nearly as follows: from quarter to half-ounce cases, their lengths may be five or six eighths of an inch; from half to one ounce cases, their lengths may be one inch; if two ounces, one inch and a quarter; from 3 to 4 ounces one inch and a half long: of the smaller pieces, one end must be dipped into melted wax in a manner to cover the composition, the other end must be sprinkled with mealed powder wetted with spirit of wine. Of the larger pieces both ends must be primed with mealed powder wetted as before.

Stars made after the above manner are used almost exclusively for Air Balloons, and are driven in cases to secure them from the force of the composition with which the Balloons are filled, therefore their application to Rockets, and other small articles, is quite incompatible with their nature.

Rolled Stars.

Rolled Stars.—These are so called chiefly from the operation employed in their manufacture. Their dimensions are from half an inch to one inch diameter. In the composition care must be taken that the ingredients are well mixed, and previous to its being made up, it must be wetted with the following liquid sufficient to convert it into paste; spirit of wine one quart, in which dissolve one fourth of an ounce of Isinglass. Too much of the composition must not be prepared at once, one pound will be sufficient for an ordinary number of Stars, for if a greater quantity is wetted the spirit will be liable to evaporate, and leave the composition dry and unfit for the purpose, before it can be all rolled up. To make the stars of uniform dimensions, I have found the following method most eligible, and of least trouble; when the composition is properly moistened, roll it with a smooth round stick on any flat even surface, as stone or wood, till its thickness is about half an inch, then divide it accurately into squares, of dimensions suitable to the desired magnitude of the Stars; there are other methods for regulating the size of the Stars, but this I have found most practicable which will justify me in recommending it. Having rolled up the portion of prepared composition as directed, shake them in some meal powder while they are damp, and set them in some warm place to dry, which will be effected in two or three days; but if wanted immediately they may be quickly dried, in an earthen pan over a slow fire, or in an oven of moderate temperature; when the Stars are perfectly prepared they must be preserved in some small box for use, for if exposed to the air they will grow weak, and produce but few of those effects which at other times render them so beautiful.