To make Crackers.
Cut some cartridge paper, into pieces, three inches and a half broad,
and one foot long; one edge of each of these pieces, fold down
lengthwise about three quarters of an inch broad; then fold the double
edge down a quarter of an inch, and turn the single edge back half
over the double fold; then open it, and lay all along the channel
which is formed, by the folding of the paper, some meal powder, then
fold it over and over, till all the paper is doubled up, rubbing it
down every turn; this being done, bend it backwards and forwards, two
inches and a half, or thereabouts, at a time, as often as the paper
will allow; then hold all these folds flat and close, and with a small
pinching cord, give one turn round the middle of the cracker, and
pinch it close, then bind it with pack-thread, as tight as you can
then in the place where it was pinched, prime one end of it, and cap
it with touch paper. When these crackers are fired they will give a
report, at every turn of the paper: if you would have a great number
of bounces, you must cut the paper longer, or join them after they are
made; but if they are made very long before they are pinched, you must
have a piece of wood, with a groove in it, deep enough to let in half
the cracker, this will hold it straight, while it is pinching. Fig.
36. represents a cracker compleat.
Of Single Reports.
Cases for reports are generally rolled on one and two ounce formers,
and are seldom made larger, but on particular occasions; they are made
from two, to four inches long, and very thick of paper; having rolled
a case, pinch one end quite close, and drive it down, then fill the
case with corn powder, only leaving room to pinch it at top, but
before you pinch it, put in a piece of paper at top of the powder:
Reports are fired, by a vent, bored in the middle, or at one end, just
as required.
Of Marrons.
Formers for marrons, are from three quarters of an inch, to one and a
half diameter; cut the paper for the cases, twice the diameter of the
former broad, and long enough to go three times round; when you have
rolled a case, paste down the edge, and tie one end close, then with
the former drive it down to take away the wrinkles and make it flat at
bottom, then fill the case with corn powder one diameter and a quarter
high, and fold down the rest of the case tight on the powder; the
marron being thus made, wax some strong pack-thread, with shoemakers
wax; this thread wind up in a ball, then unwind two, or three yards of
it, and that part which is near the ball, make fast to a hook; then
take a marron, and stand as far from the hook as the pack-thread will
reach, and wind it lengthwise round marron, as close as you can, till
it will hold no more that way; then turn it, and wind the pack-thread
on the short way, then lengthwise again, and so on till the paper is
all covered; then make fast the end of the pack-thread, and beat down
both ends of the marron, to bring it in shape. The method of firing
marrons, is by making a hole at one end with an awl and putting in a
piece of quick-match, then take a piece of strong paper, in which wrap
up the marron, with two leaders, which must be put down to the vent,
and the paper tied tight round them with small twine; these leaders
are bent on each side, and their loose ends tied to other marrons, and
are nailed in the middle to the rail of the stand, as may be seen by
Fig. 37. The use of winding the pack-thread in a ball, is, that you
may let it out as you want it, according to the quantity, the marron
may require; and that it may not be tied in knots, which would spoil
the marron.
Of Marron Batteries.
Those batteries, if well managed, will keep time to a march, or a slow
piece of musick. Marron batteries are made of several stands, with a
number of cross rails, for the marrons, which are regulated by
leaders, by cutting them of different lengths, and nailing them tight,
or loose, according to the time of the musick. In marron batteries you
must use the large and small sort of marrons, and the nails for the
pipes, must have flat heads.
Of Line Rockets.
Line rockets are made and drove in the same manner as sky rockets, but
have no heads, and the cases must be cut close to the clay; they are
sometmies made with six, or seven changes, but in general not more
than four, or five; the method of managing those rockets, is as
follows; first have a piece of light wood, the length of one of the
rockets, turned round about two inches and a half diameter, with a
hole through the middle lengthwise, large enough for the line to go
easily through; if you design four changes, have four grooves cut in
the swivel, one opposite the other, to lay the rockets in.
The mouths of the rockets being rubbed with wet meal powder, lay them
in the grooves, head to tail, and tie them fast; from the tail of the
first rocket, carry a leader to the mouth of the second, and from the
second to the third, and so on to as many as there are on the swivel,
making every leader very secure, but in fixing these pipes take care,
that the quick-match does not enter the bores of the rockets; the
rockets being fixed on the swivel, and ready to be fired, have a line
of a hundred yards in length, stretched and fixed up tight, at any
height from the ground, but be sure to place it horizontal; this
length of line will do for rockets of half a pound, but if larger, the
line must be longer, before you put up the line, put one end of it
through the swivel, and when you fire the line rocket, let the mouth
of that rocket which you fire first, face that end of the line where
you stand, then the first rocket will carry the rest to the other end
of the line, and the second will bring them back again, and so they
will run out and in according to the number of rockets: at each end of
the line, there must be a piece of flat wood, for the rocket to strike
against, or its force would cut the line. Let the line be well soaped,
and the hole in the swivel very smooth.
Of the different Decorations for Line Rockets.
To line rockets may be fixed many sorts of things, such as flying
dragons, mercuries, ships, &c. Or they may be made to run on the line
like a wheel, which is done in this manner; have a flat swivel, made
very exact, and on it, tie two rockets obliquely, one on each side,
which will make it turn round all the way it goes, and form a circle
of fire; the charge for these rockets, should be a little weaker than
common; if you would shew two dragons fighting, get two swivels made
square, and on each tie three rockets together, on the under side;
then have two flying dragons made of tin, and fix one of them on the
top of each swivel, so as to stand upright; in the mouth of each
dragon put a small case of common fire, and another at the end of the
tail; you may put two or three port fires of a strong charge, on one
side of their bodies, in order to shew them. This being done put them
on the line, one at each end; but let there be a swivel in the middle,
of the line, to keep the dragons from striking together; before you
fire the rockets light the cases on the dragons, and if care be taken
in firing both at the same time, they will meet in the middle of the
line, and seem to fight. Then they will run back, and return again,
with great violence, which will have a very pleasing effect. The line
for these rockets must be very long, or they will strike too hard
together.
Of Chinese Flyers.
Cases for flyers, may be made of different sizes, from one to eight
ounces; they must be made thick of paper, and eight interior diameters
long; they are rolled in the same manner as tourbillons, with a
straight pasted edge, and pinched close at one end; the method of
filling them is thus; the case being put in a mould, whose cylinder,
or foot, must be flat at top, without a nipple; fill it within half a
diameter of the middle, then ram in half a diameter of clay, and on
that as much composition as before, on which drive half a diameter of
clay, then pinch the case close, and drive it down flat; after this is
done, bore a hole, exactly through the center of the clay in the
middle, then in the opposite sides at both ends make a vent, and in
that side you intend to fire first make a small hole to the
composition near the clay in the middle, from which carry a quick
match covered with a single paper, to the vent at the other end; then
when the charge is burnt on one side, it will, by means of the quick
match communicate to the charge in the other, (which may be of a
different sort). The flyers being thus made, put an iron pin, that
must be fixed in the work on which they are to be fired, and on which
they are to run; through the hole in the middle, on the end of this
pin, must be a nut to keep the flyer from running off. If you would
have them turn back again after they are burnt; make both the vents at
the ends on the same side, which will alter its course, the contrary
way.
Of Table Rockets.
Table rockets are designed merely to shew the truth of driving, and
the judgment of a fireworker, they having no other effect, when fired,
than spinning round in the same place, where they begin; till they are
burnt out, and shewing nothing more than an horizontal circle of fire.
The method of making these sort of rockets, is as follows: Have a cone
turned out of hard wood, two inches and a half diameter, and as much
in height; round the base of it draw a line, on this line fix four
spokes, two inches in length each, so as to stand one opposite the
other; then fill four nine inch one pound cases, with any strong
composition, within two inches of the top, these cases are made like
tourbillons, and must be rammed with the greatest exactness.
Your rockets being filled, fix their open ends on the short spokes,
then in the side of each case bore a hole near the clay; all these
holes, or vents, must be made in such a manner, that the fire of each
case may act the same way; from these vents carry leaders to the top
of the cone, and tie them together. When you would fire the rockets
set them on a smooth table, and light the leaders in the middle, and
all the cases will fire together (See fig. 38.) and spin on the point
of the cone.
These rockets may be made to rise like tourbillons, by making the
cases shorter, and boring four holes in the under side of each at
equal distances from one another: this being done they are called
double tourbillons.
Note, all the vents in the under side of the cases must be lighted at
once; and the sharp point of the cone cut off, at which place make it
spherical.
To make Wheels and other Works incombustible.
It being necessary, when your works are new, to paint them of some
dark colour; therefore, if instead of which, you make use of the
following composition, it will give them a good colour, and in a great
measure prevent their taking fire so soon, as if painted. Take
brick-dust, coal ashes, and iron filings, of each an equal quantity,
and mix them together, with a double size, made hot. With this wash
over your works, and when dry wash them over again; this will preserve
the wood greatly against fire. Let the brick-dust, and ashes, be beat
to a fine powder.
Of Single Vertical Wheels.
There are different sorts of vertical wheels, some having their fells
of a circular form, others of an hexagon, octagon, or decagon form, or
any number of sides, according to the length of the cases, you design
for the wheel: your spokes being fixed in the nave, nail slips of tin,
with their edges turned up, so as to form grooves for the cases to ly
in, from the end of one spoke to another; then tie your cases in the
grooves, head to tail, in the same manner as those on the horizontal
water wheel, so that the cases successively taking fire from one
another, will keep the wheel in an equal rotation. Two of these wheels
are very often fired together, one on each side of a building, and
both lighted at the same time, and all the cases filled alike, to make
them keep time together, which they will do if made by the following
directions. In all the cases of both wheels, except the first, on each
wheel, drive two, or three ladles full of slow fire, in any part of
the cases, but be carefull to ram the same quantity in each case, and
in the end of one of the cases, on each wheel, you may ram one ladle
full of dead fire composition, which must be very lightly drove; you
may also make many changes of fire, by this method.
Let the hole in the nave of the wheel be lined with brass, and made to
turn on a smooth iron spindle. On the end of this spindle let there be
a nut, to screw off and on; when you have put the wheel on the
spindle, screw on the nut, which will keep the wheel from flying off.
Let the mouth of the first case be a little raised. See fig. 39.
Vertical wheels are made from ten inches to three feet diameter, and
the size of the cases must differ accordingly; four ounce cases, will
do for wheels, of fourteen, or sixteen inches diameter, which is the
proportion generally used. The best wood for wheels of all sorts, is a
light, and dry beech.
Of Horizontal Wheels.
Horizontal wheels are best when their fells are made circular; in the
middle of the top of the nave, must be a pintle, turned out of the
same piece as the nave, two inches long, and equal in diameter to the
bore of one of the cases of the wheel; there must be a hole bored up
the center of the nave, within half an inch of the top of the pintle;
the wheel being made, nail at the end of each spoke (of which there
should be six or eight) a piece of wood, with a groove cut in it to
receive the case. These pieces fix in such a manner, that half the
cases may incline upwards, and half downwards, and that when they are
tied on, their heads and tails may come very near together; from the
tail of one case, to the mouth of the other carry a leader, which
secure with pasted paper. Besides these pipes, it will be necessary,
to put a little meal powder inside the pasted paper, in order to blow
off the pipe, that there may be no obstruction to the fire, from the
cases. By means of these pipes, the cases, will successively take,
burning one upwards, and the other downwards. On the pintle, fix a
case of the same sort as those on the wheel; this case must be fired
by a leader, from the mouth of the last case on the wheel, which case
must play downwards: instead of a common case in the middle, you may
put a case of Chinese fire, long enough, to burn as long as two or
three of the cases on the wheel.
[Illustration: PLATE. 3]
Horizontal wheels are often fired two at a time, and made to keep
time, like vertical wheels, only they are made without any slow or
dead fire; ten or twelve inches will be enough for the diameter of
wheels, with six spokes. Fig. 40. represents a wheel on fire, with the
first case burning.
Of Spirali Wheels.
Spirali wheels are nothing more than double horizontal wheels, and are
thus made: The nave must be about six inches long, and somewhat
thicker than the single sort; instead of the pintle at top, there must
be a hole for the case to be fixed in; there must also be two sets of
spokes, one set near the top of the nave, and the other near the
bottom. At the end of each spoke cut a groove, wherein you tie the
cases, there being no fell; the spokes should not be more than three
inches and a half in length each from the nave, so that the wheel may
not be more than eight or nine inches diameter; the cases are placed
in such a manner, that those at top play down, and those at bottom to
play up, but let the third or fourth case play horizontally. The case
in the middle may begin with any of the others, you please; six spokes
will be enough for each set, so that the wheel may consist of twelve
cases, besides that on the top: the cases for these sort of wheels
need not be more than six inches in length each.
Of Plural Wheels.
Plural wheels are made to turn horizontally, and to consist of three
sets of spokes, placed in the following manner, six at top, six at
bottom, and four in the middle, which must be a little shorter than
the rest; let the diameter of the wheel be ten inches; the cases must
be tied on the ends of the spokes, in grooves cut on purpose, or in
pieces of wood, nailed on the ends of the spokes, with grooves cut in
them as usual; in cloathing these wheels, make the upper set of cases
play obliquely downwards, and them at bottom obliquely upwards, and
them in the middle horizontally. In placing the leaders, you must
order it so that the cases may burn thus: viz. first up, then down,
then horizontal, and so on with the rest, but another change may be
made, by driving in the end of the eighth case, two, or three ladles
full of slow fire, to burn till the wheel has stopped its course; then
let the other cases be fixed the contrary way, which will make the
wheel run back again: for the case at top, you may put a small gerbe;
and let the cases on the spokes be short, and filled with a strong
brilliant charge.
Of the Illuminated Spiral Wheel.
First have a circular horizontal wheel made two feet diameter, with a
hole quite through the nave; then take three thin pieces of deal,
three feet in length each, and three quarters of an inch in breadth
each; one end of each of these pieces, nail to the fell of the wheel,
at an equal distance from one another, and the other ends nail to a
block with a hole in its bottom, which must be perpendicular, with
that in the block of the wheel, but not so large. The wheel being thus
made, have a hoop planed down very thin and flat, then nail one end of
it to the fell of the wheel, and wind it round the three sticks in a
spiral line, from the wheel to the block at top; on the top of this
block fix a case of Chinese fire; on the wheel you may place any
number of cases, which must incline downwards and burn two at a time.
If the wheel should consist of ten cases, you may let the
illuminations and Chinese fire begin with the second cases; the
spindle for this wheel must be a little longer than the cone, and made
very smooth at top, on which the upper block is to turn, and the whole
weight of the wheel to rest, see fig. 41.
Of the Double Spiral Wheel.
For this wheel, the block, or nave, must be as long as the height of
the worms, or spiral lines, but must be made very thin, and as light
as possible. In this block must be fixed several spokes, which must
diminish in length, from the wheel to the top, so as not to exceed the
surface of a cone of the same height. To the ends of these spokes nail
the worms, which must cross each other several times; these worms
cloath with illuminations, the same as those on the single wheels, but
the horizontal wheel, you may cloath as you like. At top of the worm,
place a case of spur-fire, or an amber light, see fig. 42. This figure
is shewn without leaders, to prevent a confusion of lines.
Of Ballóón Wheels.
Ballóón wheels are made to turn horizontally, they must be made two
feet diameter, without any spokes, and very strong, with any number of
sides. On the top of a wheel range and fix tin pots, three inches
diameter and seven inches in height each, as many of these as there
are cases on the wheel; near the bottom of each pot, make a small
vent, into each of these vents carry a leader from the tail of each
case; some of the pots load with stars, and some with serpents,
crackers, &c. As the wheels turn, the pots will successively be fired,
and throw into the air a great variety of fires.
Of Fruiloni Wheels.
First have a nave made nine inches in length, and three in diameter,
near the bottom of this nave fix eight spokes, with a hole in the end
of each large enough to receive a two, or four ounce case. Each of
these spokes may be fourteen inches in length from the block; near the
top of this block, fix eight more, of the same sort of spokes, exactly
over the others, but not so long by two inches; as this wheel is to
run horizontally, all the cases in the spokes, at top, must play
obliquely upwards, and all them in the spokes at bottom obliquely
downwards. This being done, have a small horizontal wheel made with
eight spokes, each five inches in length from the block; on the top of
this wheel, place a case of brilliant fire; all the cases on this
wheel must play in an oblique direction downwards, and burn two at a
time, and those on the large wheel, four at a time, that is, two of
those in the top set of spokes, and two of them in the bottom set of
spokes.
The four first cases on the large wheel, and the two first on the
small wheel, must be fired at the same time, and the brilliant fire at
top, at the beginning of the last cases. The cases of the wheels may
be filled with a grey charge; when these wheels are compleated, you
must have a strong iron spindle, made four feet six in length, and
fixed perpendicular on the top of a stand; on this put the large
wheel, whose nave must have a hole quite through from the bottom to
the top. This hole must be large enough to turn easy round the bottom
of the spindle, at which place there must be a shoulder, to keep the
wheel from touching the stand; at the top of the spindle, put the
small wheel, and join it to a large one with a leader, in order to
fire them both together.
Of Port fires for Illuminations.
These sort of port fires, have their cases made very thin of paper,
and rolled on formers, from two to five eighths of an inch diameter,
and are made from two, to six inches in length; they are pinched close
at one end, and left open at the other; when you fill them, put in but
a little composition at a time, and ram it in lightly, so as not to
break the case. Three or four rounds of paper, with the last round
pasted, will be strong enough for these sort of cases.
Of Common port fires.
Common port fires are intended purposely to fire the works, their fire
being very slow, and the heat of the flame so intense, that, if
applyed to rockets, leaders, &c., it will fire them immediately. Port
fires may be made of any length, but are seldom made more than twenty
one inches in length; the interior diameter of port fire moulds,
should be ten sixteenths of an inch, and the diameter of the former,
half an inch. The cases must be rolled wet with paste, and one end of
them pinched, or folded down. The moulds should be made of brass, and
to take in two pieces lengthwise; then when the case is in the two
sides, they are held together by brass rings, or hoops, which are made
to fit over the outside. The bore of the mould must not be made quite
through, so that there will be no occasion for a foot. Those port
fires when used, are held in copper sockets, fixed on the end of a
long stick; these sockets are made like port crayons, only with a
screw, instead of a ring.
Of Cascades of Fire.
Cascades are made of any size, but one made according to the
dimensions of that shewn in plate 4. fig. 43. will be large enough for
eight ounce cases. Let the distance from A to B, be three feet; from B
to C, two feet six inches; and from C D, two feet; and let the cross
piece, at A, be four feet in length; then from each end of this piece,
draw a line to D; then make the other cross pieces of such a length as
to come within those lines. The top piece D, may be of any length so
as to hold the cases, at a little distance from one another, all the
cross pieces are fixed horizontally, and supported by brackets; the
bottom cross piece should be about one foot six inches broad in the
middle, the second one foot, the third nine inches, and the top piece
four inches; the cases may be made of any length, but must be filled
with a brilliant charge; on the edges of the cross pieces must be
nailed bits of wood, with a groove cut in each piece, large enough,
for a case to lie in, These bits of wood are fixed so as to incline
downwards, and that the fire from one teer of cases may play over the
other; all the cases being tied fast on, carry leaders from one to the
other, and let there be a pipe, hang from the mouth of one of the
cases, covered at the end with a single paper, which you burn to fire
the cascade.
Of the Fire-Tree.
To make a fire-tree, as shewn by fig. 44. you must first have a piece
of wood six feet in length, and three inches square, then at E, nine
inches from the top, make a hole in the front, and in each side, or
instead of holes you may fix short pegs, to fit the inside of the
cases. At F, nine inches from E, fix three more pegs; at G, one foot
nine inches from F, fix three pegs; at H, nine inches from G, at I,
nine inches from H, fix three pegs, inclining downwards, but all the
other pegs, must incline upwards, in order that the cases may have the
same inclination as you see in the figure; then at top place a four
inch mortar, loaded with stars, rains, or crackers. In the middle of
this mortar, place a case filled with any sort of charge, but let it
be fired with the other cases: a brilliant charge will do for all the
cases, but the mortar may be made of any diameter, and the tree of any
size, and on it any number of cases, provided they are placed in the
manner described.
Of Chinese Fountains.
To make a Chinese fountain, you must have a perpendicular piece of
wood, seven feet in length, and two inches and a half square. Sixteen
inches from the top; fix on the front, a cross piece, one inch thick,
and two and a half broad, with the broad side upwards; below this, fix
three more pieces, of the same width and thickness, at sixteen inches
distance from each other; let the bottom rail be five feet in length,
and the others of such a length, as to allow the fire pumps to stand
in the middle of the intervals of each other. The pyramid being thus
made, fix in the holes made in the bottom rail, five fire pumps, at
equal distances; on the second rail place four pumps; on the third,
three; on the fourth, two; and on the top of the post, one; but place
them all to incline a little forwards, that when they throw out the
stars, they may not strike against the cross rails; having fixed your
fire pumps, cloath them with leaders, so that they may all be fired
together, see fig. 45.
Of Illuminated Globes with Horizontal Wheels.
The hoops for these sort of globes, may be made of wood, tin, or iron
wire, about two feet diameter; for a single globe take two hoops, and
fasten them together, one within the other at right angles; then have
a horizontal wheel made, whose diameter must be a little wider than
the globe, and its nave six inches long, on the top of which the globe
is fixed, so as to stand three or four inches from the wheel; on this
wheel you may put any number of cases, fill’d with what charge you
like, but let two of them burn at a time; they may be placed
horizontally or to incline downwards just as you chuse. Now when the
wheel is cloathed, fix on the hoops as many illuminations as will
stand within two inches and a half of one another; these you fasten on
the hoops, with small iron binding wire, and when they are all on, put
on your pipes of communication, which must be so managed, as to light
them all with the second or third case on the wheel; the spindle on
which the globe is to run must go through the block of the wheel, up
to the inside of the top of the globe, where must be fix’d a bit of
brass or iron, with a hole in it to receive the point of the spindle,
on which the whole weight of the wheel is to bear, as is shewn by fig.
46. which represents a globe on its spindle. By this method may be
made a crown, which is done by having the hoops bent in the form of a
crown. Sometimes globes and crowns, are ordered so as to stand still,
and the wheel only to turn round; but when you would have the globe or
crown to stand still, and the wheel to run by itself, the block of the
wheel must not be so long, nor the spindle any longer than to just
raise the globe a little above the wheel; and the wheel cases, and the
illumination must begin together.
Of the Dodecaedron.
This piece is called a dodecaedron, because it nearly represents a
twelve sided figure, and is made thus. First have a ball turned out of
some hard wood, fourteen inches diameter, when done, divide its
surface into fourteen equal parts, from which bore holes, one inch and
a half diameter, perpendicular to the center, so that they may all
meet exactly in the middle; then let there be turned in the inside of
each hole a female screw, and to all the holes but one, must be made a
round spoke, five feet in length, with four inches of the screw at one
end, to fit the holes; then in the screw end of all the spokes, bore a
hole, five inches up, which must be bored slanting, so as to come out
at one side, a little above the screw; from which cut a small groove
along the spoke, within six inches of the other end, where you make
another hole through to the other side of the spoke; in this end fix a
spindle, on which put a small wheel, of three, or four sides, each
side six or seven inches in length; these sides must have grooves cut
in them large enough to receive a two or four ounce case; when these
wheels are cloathed, put them on the spindles, and at the end of each
spindle, put a nut to keep the wheel from falling off; the wheels
being thus fixed, carry a pipe from the mouth of the first case on
each wheel, through the hole in the side of the spoke, and from thence
along the groove and through the other hole, so as to hang out at the
screw end, about an inch. The spokes being all prepared in this
manner, you must have a post, on which you intend to fire the work,
with an iron screw in the top of it, to fit one of the holes, in the
ball; on this screw fix the ball, then in the top hole of the ball,
put a little meal powder, and some loose quick match; then screw in
all the spokes, and in one side of the ball bore a hole, in which put
a leader, and secure it at the end, and your work will be ready to be
fired. By this leader the powder and match in the center is fired,
which will light the match at the ends of the spokes, all at once,
whereby all the wheels will be lighted at one and the same time; there
may be an addition to this piece, by fixing a small globe, on each
wheel, or one on the top wheel only. A grey charge will be proper for
the wheel cases.
Of the Yew Tree of Brilliant Fire.
A yew tree of fire is represented by fig. 47. as it appears when
burning; first, let A be an upright piece of wood, four feet in
length, two inches broad and one thick; at top of this piece, on the
flat side, fix a hoop, fourteen inches diameter, and round its edge
and front place illuminations, and in the center a five pointed star;
then at E, which is one foot and a half from the edge of the hoop,
place two cases of brilliant fire, one on each side; these cases
should be one foot in length each; below these, fix two more cases of
the same size, and at such a distance that their mouths may almost
meet them at top; then, close to the ends of these cases, fix two more
of the same sort of cases; these must stand parallel to them at E. The
cases being thus fixed, cloath them with leaders; so that they, with
the illuminations and star at top, may all take fire together.
Of Stars with Points for Regulated Pieces, &c.
These sort of stars are made of different sizes, according to the work
for which they are intended; they are made with cases, from one ounce
to one pound, but in general are made with four ounce cases, four or
five inches in length; the cases must be rolled with paste, and twice
as thick of paper as a rocket of the same bore. Having rolled a case,
pinch one end of it quite close, then drive in half a diameter of
clay, and when the case is dry, fill it with composition, two or three
inches, according to the length of the cases, with which it is to
burn; at top of the charge drive some clay; for, as the ends of these
cases are seldom punched, they would be liable to take fire. Having
filled a case, divide the circumference of it at the pinched end close
to the clay into five equal parts; then bore five holes with a gimblet
about the size of the neck of a common four ounce case into the
composition; from one hole to the other, carry a quick match, and
secure it with paper; this paper must be put on in the manner of that
on the ends of wheel cases, so that the hollow part, which projects
from the end of the case, may serve to receive a leader from any other
work, in order to give fire to the points of the star. These sort of
stars may be made with any number of points.
Of the Fixed Sun with a Transparent Face.
To make a sun of the best sort, there should be two rows of cases, as
in fig. 48, which will shew a double glory, and make the rays strong
and full; the frame or sun wheel, must be made after the following
manner; have a circular flat nave made very strong, twelve inches
diameter; to this fix six strong flat spokes, A, B, C, D, E, F. On the
front of these fix a circular fell, five feet diameter. Within which
fix another fell, the length of one of the sun cases less in diameter;
within this fix a third fell, whose diameter must be less than the
second, by the length of one case and one third; the wheel being made,
divide the fells into as many equal parts as you would have cases
(which may be done from twenty four, to forty four;) at each division,
fix a flat iron staple; these staples must be made to fit the cases,
so as to hold them fast on the wheel; let the staples be so placed,
that one row of cases may lay in the middle of the intervals of the
other.
In the center of the block of the sun, drive a spindle, on which put a
small hexagon wheel, whose cases must be filled with the same charge,
as the cases of the sun; two cases of this wheel must burn at a time,
and begin with them on the fells; having fixed on all the cases, carry
pipes of communication from one to the other, as you see in the
figure, and from one side of the sun to the wheel in the middle, and
from thence to the other side of the sun. These leaders will hold the
wheel steady while the sun is fixing up, and will also be a sure
method of lighting both cases of the wheel together. A sun thus made
is called a brilliant sun, because the wood work is entirely covered
with fire from the wheel in the middle, so that there appears nothing
but sparks of brilliant fire; but if you would have a transparent face
in the center, you must have one made of paste board, of any size; the
method of making a face is, by cutting out the eyes, nose, and mouth,
for the sparks of the wheel to appear through; but, instead of this
sort of face, you may have one painted on oiled paper, or Persian
silk, strained tight on a hoop, which hoop must be supported by three
or four pieces of wire, at six inches distance from the wheel in the
center, so that the light of it may illuminate the face; by this
method you may have in the front of a sun Vivat rex, cut in paste
board, or Apollo painted on silk, but for a small collection of
fire-works, a sun with a single glory, and a wheel in front, will be
most suitable. Half pound cases, filled ten inches with composition,
will be a good size for a sun of five feet diameter; but if larger,
the cases must be greater in proportion.
Of three Vertical Wheels Illuminated, which turn on their own Naves
upon a Horizontal Table.
A plan of this is shewn by fig. 49. Let D be a deal table three feet
six inches diameter; this table must be fixed horizontally on the top
of a post; on the top of this post must be a perpendicular iron
spindle, which must come through the center of the table; then let A,
B, C, be three spokes joined to a triangular flat piece of wood, in
the middle of which make a hole to fit easily over the spindle; let E,
F, G, be pieces of wood, four or five inches in length each, and two
inches square, fixed on the under sides of the spokes; in these pieces
make holes lengthwise to receive the thin part of the blocks of the
wheels, which when in, are prevented from coming out by a small iron
pin being run through the end of each; K, L, M, are three vertical
octagon wheels, eighteen inches diameter each; the blocks of these
wheels must be long enough for three or four inches to rest on the
table, round which part drive a number of sharp points of wire, which
must not project out of the blocks more than one sixteenth of an inch;
the use of these points is, that when the blocks run round, they will
stick in the table, and help the wheels forward; if the naves be made
of strong wood, one inch will be enough for the diameter of the thin
part, which should be made to turn easy in the holes in the pieces E,
F, G. On the front of the wheels, make four or five circles of strong
wire, or flat hoops, and tie on them as many illuminations as they
will hold at two inches from one another; instead of circles, you may
make spiral lines cloathed with illuminations at the same distance
from one another, as those on the hoops: when illuminations are fixed
on a spiral line in the front of a wheel, they must be placed a little
on the slant, the contrary way that the wheel runs: the cases for
these wheels may be filled with any coloured charge, but must burn
only one at a time.
The wheels being thus prepared, you must have a globe, crown, or
spiral wheel, to put on the spindle in the middle of the table; this
spindle should be just long enough to raise the wheel of the globe,
crown, or spiral wheel, so high that its fire may play over the three
vertical wheels; by this means, their fires will not be confused, nor
will the wheels receive any damage from the fire of each other; in
cloathing this work, let the leaders be so managed, that all the
wheels may light together, and the illuminations after two cases of
each wheel are burnt.
Of the Illuminated Chandelier.
Illuminated works are much admired by the Italians, and indeed are a
great addition to a collection of works; for in a grand exhibition an
illuminated piece should be fired after every two, or three wheels, or
fixed pieces of common and brilliant fires, and likewise illuminated
works may be made cheap, quick, and easy.
To make an illuminated chandelier, you must first have one made of
thin wood; see fig. 50. The chandelier being made, bore in the front
of the branches, and in the body, and also in the crown at top, as
many holes for illuminations as they will contain, at three inches
distance from each other; in these holes put illuminations filled with
white, blue, or brilliant charge; having fixed in the port fires,
cloath them with leaders so that the chandelier and crown may light
together. The small circles on this figure represent the mouths of the
illuminations, which must project straight from the front.
Of the Illuminated Yew Tree.
First have a tree made of wood, such as is shewn by fig. 51. The
middle piece or stem, on which the branches are fixed, must be eight
feet six inches in height; at the bottom of this piece draw a line, at
right angles, two feet six inches in length at each side; then from L,
which is one foot six inches from the bottom, draw a line on each side
to C and D; these lines will give the length of the two first
branches. Then put on the two top branches parallel to them at bottom;
let the length of each of these branches be one foot from the stem;
from the ends of these two branches, draw a line to C and D; then fix
on five more branches at an equal distance from each other, and their
length will be determined by the lines A C and E D; when the branches
are fixed, place illuminating port fires on the top of each, as many
as you chuse: behind the top of the stem fasten a gerbe, or white
fountain, which must be fired at the beginning of the illuminations on
the tree.
Of Flaming Stars with Brilliant Wheels.
To make a flaming star, you must first have made a circular piece of
strong wood, about one inch thick and two feet diameter; round this
block fix eight points, two feet six inches in length each; four of
these points must be straight, and four flaming; these points being
joined on very strong and even with the surface of the block, nail tin
or paste board on their edges, from the block to the end of each,
where they must be joined; this tin must project in front eight
inches, and be joined where they meet at the block; round the front of
the block fix four pieces of thick iron wire, eight inches in length
each, equally distant from each other; this being done, cut a piece of
paste board round two feet diameter, and draw on it a star, as may be
seen in fig. 52. This star cut out, and on the back of it paste oiled
paper, then paint each point half red, and half yellow, lengthwise;
but the body of the star must be left open, wherein must run a
brilliant wheel, which is made as follows: Have a light block turned
nine inches long; at each end of it, fix six spokes, at the end of
each spoke put a two ounce case of brilliant fire; the length of these
cases must be in proportion to the wheel, and the diameter of the
wheel when the cases are on must be a little less than the diameter of
the body of the small star; the cases on the spokes in front must have
their mouths incline outwards, and them on the inside spokes must be
placed so as to form a vertical circle of fire. When you place your
leaders, carry the first pipe from the tail of one of the cases in
front to the mouth of one of the inside cases, and from the tail of
that to another in front, and so on to all the cases; your wheel being
made, put it on a spindle, exactly in the center of the star; this
spindle must have a shoulder at bottom, to keep the wheel at a little
distance from the block. This wheel must be kept on the spindle by a
nut at the end; having fixed on the wheel, fasten the transparent star
to the four pieces of wire; then when you fire the wheel, you will
first see nothing more than a common horizontal wheel; but when the
first case is burnt out, it will fire one of the vertical cases, which
will shew the transparent star, and fill the large flames and points
with fire; then it will again appear like a common wheel, and so on
for twelve changes.
Of Touch Paper for Capping of Serpents, Crackers, &c.
Dissolve, in some spirits of wine or vinegar, a little salt petre,
then take some purple or blue paper, and wet it with the above liquor,
and when dry it will be fit for use; when you paste this paper, on any
of your works, take care that the paste does not touch that part which
is to burn. The method of using this paper is by cutting it into
slips, long enough to go once round the mouth of a serpent, cracker,
&c. When you paste on these slips, leave a little above the mouth of
the case not pasted; then prime the case with meal powder, and twist
the paper to a point.
[Illustration: PLATE 4]
Of a Projected Regulated Piece of Nine Mutations.
A regulated piece, if well executed, is as curious a work as any in
fireworks; for it consists of fixed and moveable pieces on one
spindle, representing various sorts of figures, which take fire
successively one from another, without any assistance after lighting
the first mutation; but, for the better explanation of this piece, I
shall give a full description of the method of communicating the fire
from one mutation to the other, with a figure of each as they stand on
the spindle. Regulated pieces are made of many sorts, and of any
number of mutations, from two to nine, which is the greatest number I
ever knew a piece to consist of, except one of my own making, which
was composed of fifteen mutations, all different fires, and figures.
But, as an explanation of so large a piece would be very difficult to
comprehend, I shall omit it, leaving so many changes to those who have
made a great progress in this art, and only teach the manner of making
a piece of nine mutations, as shewn in Plate V, fig. 53. As it will be
necessary that every mutation should be separately explained, I will
first give the name of each, with the colour of fire, and size of the
case belonging to it: after which shall proceed, with the proportion
of each mutation, together with the nature of the spindle, and manner
of placing the leaders.