We observed, that these vases were much in use at the public feasts and ceremonies of the Athenians, Romans, and Egyptians.
Composition for the Vases.
| Storax, | 4 | oz. |
| Benzoin, | 4 | — |
| Frankincense, | 4 | — |
| Camphor, | 2 | — |
| Gum Juniper, | 1 | — |
| Charcoal of the willow, | 1 | — |
These substances are pulverized, and intimately mixed, and oil of juniper is added. The mixture is put in an earthen vessel, having a cotton, similar to a wick, supported by means of a wire. Among the ancients, the earthen vessels were afterwards placed in sculptured, or otherwise ornamented vases. By using stone-ware vessels, and mixing the composition with the spirit or oil of turpentine, the combustion will be more rapid, and the flame more enlarged.
Sec. III. Remarks on Spontaneous Accension.
The spontaneous accension of spirit of turpentine by the addition of nitric acid, might furnish also a means of preparing a scented fire extemporaneously; by putting into the vessel, previously to the spirit of turpentine, the composition above mentioned. See [Nitric Acid], in the article [Nitre.]
An extemporaneous fire may also be prepared, by placing, on the scented mixture, the following composition, namely, chlorate, or hyperoxymuriate, of potassa and sugar, and touching the mixture with a glass rod dipped in sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol. The fire will then communicate to the other materials. See [Chlorate of Potassa] and the article on [Pyrophori.]
Camphor, which imparts an agreeable odour, may be readily inflamed in this manner, and the experiment even be made on snow or ice. See [Camphor.]
Sec. IV. Of Torches, and Odoriferous Flambeaux.