Another.
| Pitch, | 6 | parts. |
| Turpentine, | 6 | —— |
| Venice turpentine, | 1 | —— |
Torches or flambeaux may also be made without the central piece of wood.
Torches ought to have the quality of burning, let the weather be what it may. The following method of making them is also recommended.
Take four large cotton matches, three or four feet long, boil them in saltpetre, and arrange them round a pine stick; after which cover them with priming powder and sulphur, made into a thin paste with brandy. When dry, cover the matches with the following composition; viz. 2 lbs. of yellow wax, as much white pitch, 12 oz. sulphur, 6 oz. camphor, and 4 oz. of turpentine: melt the whole together.
Powder bags are little sacks, that contain four pounds of powder.
They are of great use in besieged places. They are cast by the hand, set fire wherever they fall, and very much intimidate troops making an assault. They are made with good coarse cloth. Their width and size are not determined. It is sufficient that they can be easily thrown. The sides only are sewed up. In charging them, we begin by tying one end with strong packthread. Then turn it inside out, so that the ligature may be within, and fill it with powder, ramming it down with a cartridge form, proportioned to the bag, until it is full. Then put in the fuse, the large end inwards, and tie the bag tight. Afterwards the outside is covered with tar, or pitch.
Sec. XII. Of the Powder Barrel.