Sec. XIV. Of Rains in General, for Sky-Rockets, &c.
The following compositions are also used in the formation of fire-rain;
| Gold rain, | 1. | Saltpetre, | 1 | lb. |
| Meal powder, | 4 | oz. | ||
| Sulphur, | 4 | — | ||
| Brass filings, | 1 | — | ||
| Sawdust, | 2¼ | — | ||
| Pulverized glass, | ¾ | — | ||
| 2. | Meal powder, | 12 | oz. | |
| Saltpetre, | 2 | — | ||
| Charcoal, | 4 | — | ||
| 3. | Saltpetre, | 8 | oz. | |
| Sulphur, | 2 | — | ||
| Glass dust, | 1 | — | ||
| Antimony, | ¾ | — | ||
| Brass filings, | ¼ | — | ||
| Sawdust, | 1½ | — | ||
| Silver-rain. | 1. | Saltpetre, | 4 | oz. |
| Sulphur, | 2 | — | ||
| Meal-powder, | 2 | — | ||
| Antimony, | 2 | — | ||
| Sal prunelle, | ½ | — | ||
| 2. | Saltpetre, | ½ | lb. | |
| Sulphur, | 2 | oz. | ||
| Charcoal, | 4 | — | ||
| 3. | Saltpetre, | 1 | lb. | |
| Sulphur, | ¼ | — | ||
| Antimony, | 6 | oz. | ||
| 4. | Saltpetre, | 4 | oz. | |
| Sulphur, | 1 | — | ||
| Powder, | 2 | — | ||
| Steel dust, | ¾ | — | ||
| For Calibers above two-thirds of an inch. | ||||
| 5. | Meal-powder, | 16 | parts. | |
| Saltpetre, | 1 | —— | ||
| Sulphur, | 1 | —— | ||
| Steel filings, | 4½ | —— | ||
Sec. XV. Of Rain-Falls, and Stars, double and single.
The cases which contain the gold and silver rain composition, are pinched close at one end. If they are rolled dry, four or five rounds of paper will be sufficient; but, if they are pasted, three rounds will be strong enough. The thin sort of cartridge paper is best for those small cases, which, in rolling, must not have the inside edge turned down, as in other cases, for a double edge would be too thick for so small a caliber. The moulds for rain falls should be made of brass, and turned very smooth in the inside; or the cases, being very thin, would tear in coming out. The charge must be driven in light, and the better the case fits the mould, the more driving it will bear. These moulds have no nipple, but are made flat. It is necessary to have a funnel made of thin tin, to fit on the top of the case, by the help of which, they may be filled very fast. For single rain-falls for four ounce rockets, let the diameter of the former or roller be two-sixteenths of an inch, and the length of the case two inches; for eight-ounce rockets, four-sixteenths, and two diameters of the rocket long; for two-pound rockets, five-sixteenths, and three and a half inches long; for four-pound rockets, six-sixteenths, and four and a half inches long; and for six pounders, seven-sixteenths, in diameter, and five inches long.
There are two kinds of double rain-falls described: some appear first like a star, and then as rain; and some appear first as rain, and then like a star. These different appearances may be produced in the following manner: When stars are to be formed first, the cases must be filled within half an inch of the top, with rain composition, and the remainder with star composition; but when it is intended that the rain should be first, we must drive the case half an inch with star composition, and the rest with rain. By this method, they may make many changes of fire; for in large rockets, they may be made to burn first as stars, then as rain, and again as stars; or, they may first show rain, then stars, and finish with a report. When they are thus managed, cut open the first rammed end, after they are filled and bounced, at which place they are to be primed. The star composition for this purpose, must be a little stronger than that for rolled stars.
Sec. XVI. Of Substances which show in Sparks.
There are many substances, which show in sparks, when rammed in choaked cases. The set colours are produced by regular charges. Other charges are called compound and brilliant. Set colours, produced by sparks, are divided into four sorts, which are denominated, the white, black, gray, and red. The charges, to produce these several effects, are composed of various ingredients. Thus, meal-powder and charcoal compose the black charges; saltpetre, sulphur, and charcoal, the white; meal powder, saltpetre, sulphur, and charcoal, the gray; and saltpetre, charcoal, and sawdust, the red.
With respect to compound and brilliant charges, the former is composed of many ingredients; such as meal-powder, saltpetre, sulphur, charcoal, sawdust, sea-coal, antimony, glass-dust, brass-dust, steel dust, cast-iron, tanner's dust, &c. or any thing that will yield sparks; all which must be managed with discretion, or judgment. Brilliant charges, on the contrary, are composed of meal-powder, saltpetre, sulphur, and steel-filings, or of meal-powder and steel-filings only, and sometimes of Chinese fire.
Sec. XVII. Of Italian Roses, or Fixed Stars.