A shower of fire may be connected with this representation, by using cases of one-third of an inch in diameter, charged with any of the following compositions. These cases should be two inches and a half in length. They must not be choaked, it being sufficient to twist the end of the cartridge. The effect of these cases is to fill the surrounding air with an undulating fire. The compositions are similar to those already noticed; viz. for Chinese Fire, take gunpowder one pound, sulphur two ounces, pulverized cast-iron of No. 1. five ounces; for ancient fire, meal-powder one pound, charcoal two ounces; and for brilliant fire, meal-powder one pound, and iron filings four ounces. Sparks are also sometimes employed. These are made in the usual manner.
Besides the common mode of forming sparks, as they differ from stars only in their size and duration, (being formed into small balls about the size of peas), they may be made by the following method: Take sawdust of fir, poplar, &c. and boil it in water, in which saltpetre has been dissolved. When the water has boiled some time, it is to be poured off, that the sawdust may remain in the vessel. When nearly dry, spread it out on a table, and sprinkle it with sulphur, sifted through a very fine sieve, to which may be added a little meal-powder.
If it be required to accompany the exhibition with bearded rockets, (fusées chevelues of the French), so called from the circumstance, that, when they fall, they make small undulations in the air like frizzled hair, we may form them in the following manner: Fill the barrels of some goose-quills with the composition of sky-rockets, and place upon the mouth of each a little moist gunpowder, both to keep in the composition, and to serve as a match. If a flying-rocket be then loaded with these quills, they will produce, at the end, a beautiful shower of fire.
Sec. XXVI. Of the Representation of Flat Stars, with a large Body of Fire.
A star of five points, about two feet from point to point, is to be made, and, in its centre, is placed a turning sun, composed of three cases, and altogether not more than six or eight inches in diameter. To this star five branches are fixed, each of which is three feet in length; and, to the extremity of each, are attached seven cases, with their mouths outwards, and inclining about thirty-five degrees. One case is then attached lengthwise, and forms the very extremity of each projection. On each leg or branch, nearer, however, the centre of the star, must be three cases, fixed in an hexangular form. The border of the large star is decorated with Italian or fixed stars. The fire is communicated to the star by means of a leader, then to the sun and the cases on the branches.
Sec. XXVII. Of the Single, Double, and Triple Table Wheel.
We have spoken of an arrangement of fire-works, which moves a wheel on a circular board. That contrivance is similar to the one we now purpose to describe.
The table-wheel is a kind of girandole, which turns circularly on a round table, by having its axis connected with a perpendicular pin, fixed in the table; so that its motion is vertical, while it moves in a circular position round the table.
The table, as well as the wheel, may be of any size, according to fancy. Eight or nine cases are usually attached to the fell of the wheel, and in the direction of the fell. These cases turn it with great velocity. The centre of the wheel may be decorated with lances, or illuminating port-fires. When double or treble wheels are to be arranged on the same table, this is done by having the iron so lengthened, as to extend over the table, and receive another wheel of the same size; and by using a contrivance of iron, having three projections, at equal distances apart, and turning in the same manner on a pivot, or pin, fixed in the centre of the table, three wheels may be put in motion at the same time. When two wheels are employed, we may decorate one with blue lances, and the other with yellow. When three wheels form the same piece, it is usual to illuminate them, severally, with white, blue, and yellow lances. The wheels of coloured fire augment the beauty of the exhibition. In the centre of the table, may be placed a pyramid, decorated in the usual manner. Spiral wheels, globes, &c. may be attached, if so required.
Sec. XXVIII. Of Decorations, Transparencies, and Illuminations.