Sec. VI. Of Odoriferous Water Balloons.

Odoriferous works are generally fixed in rooms, and, when speaking of scented fire, we noticed such compositions as would communicate an agreeable odour to the air. Water balloons are made in the same manner as air balloons, but very thin of paper, and in diameter 13/4 inches, with a vent, 1/2 an inch in diameter. The shells being made, and quite dry, are filled with odoriferous composition, which must be rammed in tight. These balloons are fired at the vent, and put into a bowl of water.

Water rockets may also be made of any of the following compositions, with a little alteration to make them weaker or stronger.

1.Saltpetre,2oz.
Sulphur,—
Camphor,½—
Yellow Amber,½—
Charcoal dust,¾—
Flowers of benzoin,¼—
2.Saltpetre,2oz.
Sulphur,½—
Antimony,½—
Amber,½—
Cedar-raspings,¼—
Oil of roses,10drops.
Oil of bergamot,40drops.
3.Saltpetre,12oz.
Meal-powder,3—
Frankincense,1—
Myrrh,½—
Camphor,½—
Charcoal,3—
Oil of Spike,a small quantity.
4. Saltpetre,4oz.
Sulphur,1—
Sawdust of Juniper,½—
Sawdust of Cypress,1—
Camphor,¼—
Myrrh,¼—
Dried rosemary,¼—
Cortex elaterii,½—

Sec. VII. Of Water Balloons.

Having made some thin paper shells, fill some with the composition for water balloons, and some after this manner: Having made the vent of the shells pretty large, fill them almost full with water-rockets, marrons, squibs, &c. Then put in some blowing powder, sufficient to burst the shells, and afterwards fix in the vent a water-rocket, long enough to reach the bottom of the shell, and its neck to project a little out of the vent. This rocket must be opened at the end, to fire the powder in the shell, which will burst the shell, and disperse the small rockets, &c. in the water. When the large rocket is well secured in the vent of the shell, take a cork float with a hole in its middle, which fits over the head of the rocket, and fasten it to the shell. This float must be large enough to keep the balloon above water.

Composition for Water-Balloons.

1.Saltpetre,4lbs.
Sulphur,2—
Meal-powder,2—
Antimony,4oz.
Sawdust,4—
Glass-dust,1¼—
2.Saltpetre,9lbs.
Sulphur,3—
Meal-powder,6—
Rosin,12oz.
Antimony,8—
The following composition is given for Water-Globes.
Grain, or Corn-powder,1lb.
Saltpetre,32—
Sulphur,8—
Scraped ivory,1oz.
Sawdust (previously soaked in saltpetre and dried)8lbs.

Sec. VIII. Of Water Squibs.