Sec. V. Of other Compositions for Fire-rain, in Chinese fire.
The composition of Chinese fire, which we will have occasion to mention more fully hereafter, is calculated to exhibit a more brilliant fire, with a steady and uniform effect. It is used principally on the French stage, in large operas. It is charged and used, in all respects, like the preceding.
Composition of Chinese Fire.
| Saltpetre, | 8 | ounces |
| Meal powder, | 16 | |
| Sulphur, | 4 | |
| Charcoal, | 2 | |
| Powdered cast iron, | 10 |
The elegance of the flame, produced by this mixture, depends entirely upon the effect, which cast iron possesses; and, by its combination with charcoal, sulphur, meal powder, and nitre, while an oxide of iron results from the combustion, we have, likewise, other products, arising from the decomposition of the nitre, and the union of carbon and sulphur respectively with a part of the oxygen of the nitric acid of the nitre. The gunpowder decomposes itself by reason of the nature of its own composition; but the sulphur, charcoal, and iron, decompose the nitric acid of the nitre, in the act of combustion. So that, to produce the effect, an additional quantity of nitre to that which is in the gunpowder, is required in this preparation.
Sec. VI. Of Thunderbolts. (Foudres F.)
The thunderbolts are charged in cases of two-thirds of an inch in diameter, in the same manner as cases for wheels and rockets. They are primed, whitened, well pasted, and left to dry. Some preliminary operations are required in their exhibition, as the use of the piercer, the tying of one end of the case, which is to descend first from the top of the theatre, &c. A port-fire is used for setting them off.
Composition of Thunderbolts.
| Meal powder, | 6 | ounces. | |
| Saltpetre, | 6 | —— | |
| Sulphur, | 3 | —— | |
| Antimony, | 4 | drachms.[24] |
Sec. VII. Of Dragons and other Monsters.