49. We have now, in the course of our pyrotechnic investigations,
arrived at a point where it becomes necessary to know something more
than we have already learned about _coloured fires_. I have spoken
hitherto only of those coloured compositions which are employed in the
manufacture of rocket and Roman-candle stars. These compositions must
for the most part be confined in their use to that purpose, because they
are, in almost all cases, far too rapid in their combustion for the
purposes of which I am now about to speak.
I now proceed to treat of Lances, white and coloured, for making up
devices, such as names, crests, mottoes, wreaths, &c., &c.
Now, there are a great many formulæ given for compositions employed to
decorate other fireworks, or to form designs of any kind in white or
coloured fire, with which it may be advisable for my readers to be
acquainted, in order that they may have the opportunity of selecting for
themselves, and of providing themselves with, a colour of that
particular shade and character which is best adapted for the working out
of the design determined upon.
In the first place I will speak of those fireworks which are properly
called “lances.” These are small cases, generally made about
three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, that is round a piece of glass
or brass rod or tube of that size (tubes are always best for these small
formers). The cases are about two or two and a-half inches long, with
one end pinched or turned in. Two rounds of thin demy or double crown
white paper, pasted, will give sufficient thickness and substance for
the case. The cases, when dry, are to be filled with either of the
following compositions by means of the funnel and wire apparatus
illustrated at figs. 34 and 35:—