It is a pleasing exhibition of this kind of fire-works, to arrange them in such manner that when arrived at the extremity of the line, they may communicate fire to some other piece, properly arranged at the end of the line, which in this case should not be so long as before, that the runner may rest a moment before it returns, the better to ensure the communication.
To render the runners more agreeable, they are made (of light wood or tin) in the form of different animals, such as Serpents, Dragons, Mercuries, Ships, &c. When thus arranged they are very entertaining, especially when filled with various compositions, such as golden rain, fires of different colours, serpents, port-fires, &c.
The dragons may be made to discharge serpents from their mouths, and two of them arranged on one line, so as to meet each other in the middle, and there appear to contend, till the second case takes fire, when they will run back to the extremity of the line, and then return again with great violence, and produce much amusement both to the operator and spectator.
In the same manner two ships may be represented to contend, and (by filling them well with serpents) be made to pour their broad-sides at each other: or, if they are placed on two separate lines, at a small distance from each other, they may be caused to pass each other in opposite directions; in both cases they will produce a very pleasing appearance.
When the represented animals are made to meet in the middle, the line should be of much greater length, or they will rush together with too great a force.
Revolving Courantines.
9. REVOLVING COURANTINES.
These, while they fly along the line in a straight direction, are, by a simple application of another Rocket, caused to revolve, or turn round at the same time. This rotatory motion is easily effected, by fixing to the cases another Rocket, which must be placed in a transversal direction; the aperture of which, instead of being at the bottom, like those on the cylinder, must be made in the side, near one of the ends. This transversal Rocket must be filled with a very slow charge, or it will be consumed long before those are upon the cylinder; when several changes in the runners are intended, two should be fixed in the transversal direction; their diameters should be small, in proportion to their lengths.
The Courantines may be made to revolve by other means equally simple and effective. Prepare and fill a case the same as those for Catherine Wheels, and wind and tie it nicely round the Courantine; this, when lighted with the first case, will cause it to revolve in a very pleasing manner.
When the Courantines do not revolve, they may be made to carry on the upper side a Jet of Fire, or any other ornament which the operator may devize; taking care to suspend, by means of wire, a small weight to the under side, which will keep it always in an erect position.