Head of a great one, filled only with dry Powder, but indifferently
rammed, and on the ends of them holes being prick'd through, place any
of the sorts of Stars, or a mixture, as your fancy leads you; and when
the small Rockets go off like Thunder in the Air, the Stars will take
fire, so that the Noise will seem to the Spectators as if it proceeded
from them, because they will be seen on fire before the Sound of the
Reports can be heard.
_To make Paste-board Mortars for Balloons._
These stately Prospects of Fire are to be carried into the Air by the
force of Powder, by the help of Mortars; and therefore the making of the
Mortars are in the first place to be considered.
Take a Rowler of Wood, about 12 Inches Diameter, and three Foot and a
half in Length, wet strong Paste-board, and rowl upon it as close as may
be, glewing the Paste-board between each Rowling; then being about five
Inches thick, bind over it strong pitch'd Rope, though indifferent
small: Then choak the Breech of it, which must be beyond the length of
the Rowler, with a strong Cord; pitch or glue it over that the Powder
may not force its vent that way, and so when the Mortar is well dry'd,
draw out the Rowler, and make it as even as can be; bore a Touch-hole
two Inches from the Breech, that it may enter into the hollow of the
Mortar, and set it by for use.
_To make Balloons, the rarity of Fire-works._
Take strong Paper, or Paste-board, rowl it on a 12 Inch Rowler, near as
thick as 'tis long, then with a strong small Cord choke it at one end
only, leaving a Port-fire, which is a place to put in a Quill of
Wild-fire, that will last till being shot out of the Mortar it comes to
its height; then next to that put on an Ounce and a half of loose
Powder, and place in it as many small Rockets and Stars as it will hold;
so choak up the other end quite. You may also put into it little quills
of Wild-fire, then being closed up, only a Port-fire remaining, which
made of a Quill of Wild-fire, as is said, or Stopple, to make which in
the close of this Head I shall Instruct you, Charge the Mortar, being
set Sloaping upwards with half a Pound of corn Powder, and it will by
giving fire at the priming holes, send the Balloon up into the Air a
prodigeous height, and when it comes to the dry Powder, that will break
the Balloon; and then the Stars and Rockets in it taking fire, will
scatter abroad in various curious Figures delightful to the Spectators;
and as they are Cunningly placed, they will represent Crowns, Cyphers,
Characters, Dates of the Year, _&c._
_The Airy or flying Saucisson, How to make it._
This curious Fire-work must be made in the Composition matter for
filling mostly of corned Powder, putting before it when you fill the
Cartoush or Case as much fine sifted Powder and Charcole as composed for
the Rocket, will carry it to its height; leave a hole for the Port-fire
in the choaking as big as a Goose-Quill will enter filling it with
Dust-Powder and Charcole, and so close up the open end, by turning in
the Paper or Paste-board corner-wise, either glewing or waxing it down.
_Paste-board Guns to cast the Saucissons into the Air, How to make
them._
To make these kind of Guns, Take a Rowler, some what less than for the
Balloon, Rowel on it your Paste-board, and cord it over with strong
Packthread, making their Touch-holes at the bottom, because they must be
placed upright on a Plank or Board in a Row fixed into the Plank or
Board in holes cut proportionable to them, and lashed fast to Staples
above and beneath with strong Cords, and being charged with a quarter of
a Pound of Powder, fire by Match or otherways, given to the Touch-hole
underneath the Plank, when the Saucisson is lightly put in with the Neck
or Port-fire downward, so that it may touch the Powder; and this will
serve for Use a considerable time.
_Saucissons for the Earth or Water, To make them._
Make your Cartoushes or Cases about 9 Inches long, and an Inch in the
Diameter of the Calliber, by Rowling Paper or thin Paste-board on a
woodden Rowler; choak the ends only, leaving at one end a passage to
thrust in a Goose-Quill filled with Dust-Powder and Charcole well mixed,
at a Port-fire, Glue them over, or use small Cord glued or pitched to
strengthen the Case that it burst not unseasonably by the force of the
Composition, with which you must fill them when you have choaked; only
at the Port-fire end, the Composition being about 2 Inches, the same as
the former, the rest corned Powder, having primed and fixed them on a
Plank in a Row about a foot distance, lay a train of Stouple, and they
will fire gradually, flying about on the Earth or the Water, according
as you place them, giving reports like a Volley of Muskets.
This Stouple is useful for Trains; and Port-fire is no more than
Cotton-wool well dressed in water and Gun-powder dryed in the Sun, or in
a clean Swept warm Oven, that it may come somewhat near Tinder, but more
swift and fiercer in its fire when it has Taken.
_Fire-Boxes, To make them._
Take a great Cartoush or Case made, as for the Balloon, croud it full of
small Rockets or Serpents, with the choaked part downward, prime them
with Stouple or Wild-fire; fix it firm on a Pole, make a priming Hole in
the side towards the lower end, and run in a Quill of fine beaten
Powder, and they will fly out (the upper end being left open) one by one
as swift as may, or if you scatter loose Powder they will fly out
several together with a prodigeous Noise, and breaking, imitating a deal
of Thunder.
_Firey Lances, How to make them._
These are usually for running on the Water making there a very pleasant
Pass-time: Their cartoush or Cases are made like the small Rocket, with
thin Paste-board glued and rowled up on a wooden Rowler about 9 Inches
long: If you would have it carry a long fiery Tail on the Water, the
Composition must be 2 Ounces of Charcole, half a Pound of Brimstone,
half a Pound of Powder, and half a Pound of Salt-peter, or
proportionable for so many as you make, bruised finely and Sifted; but
if you would have it burn bright like a Torch, put only four Ounces of
Powder to the fore-named quantity of Brimstone and Salt-peter, without
any Charcole-dust, tying to each Line a Rod in the same nature as to
the Sky-Rocket; but not of that largeness; and they will float about a
long time, making a strange shew in a dark Night, their ends being so
placed on a frame when you give fire, that they may leap out of them
selves one, two, or three, at a time, or as you design them, by putting
more or less Stouple for Port-fires; scatter a very small quantity of
loose Powder underneath.
_To make the appearance of Trees and Fountains of Fire._
This is done by placing many little Rockets on the Head of a great one,
by passing their slender Rods through its large Cartoush; and if they
take fire whilst the Rocket is vigorously Ascending, they will spring up
like Branches or fiery Trees; but if they go off just as the Rocket is
spent, and Descending, they will appear like a Fountain of Fire.
_Girondels or Fire-wheels, How to make them._
Take a Wheel of light Wood, like the circle of a Spinning-wheel, on
which the Band is placed; tie small Rockets round it in the nature of a
Band, so fast that they cannot fly off, and so Head to Tail, that the
first fired when it bursts may give fire to the next, whose force will
carry the Wheel (which must be placed on a strong Pin in the Axeltree)
round so fast that although but one Rocket go off at a time, it will
seem all on fire, and so continue whilst all are gradually Spent; and
this especially at the Angles of great Fire-works are very Ornamental.
_Ground-Rockets, and the best way of Making Serpents._
The Mould of the Ground-Rocket may be made in all particulars like that
for the Sky-Rocket, but less in Length and Circumference, six, seven, or
eight Inches being a warrantable Length; rowl on the Cartoush or Case to
a moderate thickness; choak it at one end, fill it, the Broach being in
as the Sky-rocket; with this composition.
Put but an ounce of Charcole to a Pound of Powder, and about half an
Ounce of Salt-peter; beat, mingle and sift them finely; put in about a
quarter of an ounce between every Raming till it is full with in an Inch
with corned Powder, Lightly Raming it, leaving only so much room as may
choak it at that end, cutting then off what hangs over, and leaving it
with a picked end; being thus finished, prime it with a little wet
Powder, and lay it a drying till you dispose of it for your pass-time.
The Serpent is a kind of a small Rocket; To make them therefore well,
make a Case of strong white Paper, about six Inches and a half, the
Rowler being about the thickness of a small Arrow, it must have a Head
and a Broach proportionable, being Rowled up hard, past the Edg that
turns over; choak it with a strong Pack-thread, and fill it with a
Composition of six ounces of Powder to one of Charcole, both beaten
finely, sifted and well mingled; put in a little and little at time in,
and every time you put any in, Ram it down hard till within an Inch
full; then put in corned Powder, press it down gently, and with the end
of your Rammer force down the end that stands a little above; so that it
may cover the Powder, and then Seal it down with Wax; prime with
Dust-Powder, and a little Flower of Brimstone, and with your Match
having a good Coal on it, give fire as you see occasion.
_Fiery Globes or Comets, to make them._
Take half a Pound of Powder, two onces of Brimstone, an ounce of
Salt-peter, bruise these Grosly, and wet them; Aqua-Vitæ and Oyl of
Petrolum, that they may be moulded like a Paste, that so they may be
made up into Balls, as big as ordinary Wash-Balls; then dry them very
hard, and wrap them up in Cerecloaths made of Brimstone, Rosin, and
Turpentine, in which make a little whole, and prime with Wild-fire: Put
the Ball then into a Sling, and the Wild-fire being Touched, throw it up
as high as you can into the Air, and when the body of the Ball fires, it
will appear to the Beholders like a fiery Globe, with a Stream or Blaze,
like as if a Comet or Blazing Star were Ascending or Descending,
according to its height or Declination,
_To try the goodness of Powder, that you may know its strength._
Observe whether it be well dryed and corned, which you have taken notice
of, and approved; lay a few Corns scattered on a sheet of white Paper,
and fire them; when if they leave a black and sooty mark behind them,
with a noisom smell, and sindg the Paper, then is that Powder gross and
earthy, and will fail your Expectation, if you use it in your
Fire-works: But if in the sprinkling and firing there appear few or no
marks, or those of a clear bluish Colour, then it is airy and light,
well made, full of fire, and fit for Service; half a Pound of it having
more strength than a Pound of the other.
And thus Reader, have I given you an Insight into the making Fire-works,
_&c._ Such as are very pleasing, and now used on occasions in all
Christian Countries, in making which, by a little you may soon be
perfect.
_St._ George _and the_ Dragon _fighting_ &c. _Also Mermaids, Whales_,
&c.
Form your Figures of Paste-board, Strengthen'd with Wicker, small Sticks
within pasted to the Board to keep it hollow, tight, and bearing out;
and place a hollow Trunk in the Body for a large Line to pass through,
and likewise for a smaller to draw them too, and from each other, that
they may the better seem in Combats, which must be fattened at the
_Dragons_ Breast, and let one end of the Cord be tied, which must pass
through the Body of St. _George_, turning about a Pully at the other
end, and fastning it to his Back, and tye another at his Breast, which
must pass through the Body of the _Dragon_, or a Trunk at his Back; and
so returning about a Pully at that end, it must be drawn streight, and
fastened to the _Dragons_ Tail; so that as you turn that Wheel, they
will run furiously at each other, and as you please you may make them
retreat and meet again, Soaping the Line to make them slip the easier;
at the _Dragons_ Tail, in his Mouth and Eyes you must fix Serpents, or
small Rockets, which being fired at their setting out, will cause a
dreadful sight in a dark Night.
Thus a Mermaid, or a Whale, may be made to float on the Water, but then
the Figure must be fixed on a convenient piece of Board, with two fire
Wheels fixed on an Axle, run through the poised part of the Body, by the
force of which it moves in a swift Line in the Water; the Wheels must
have little Rockets or Serpents tyed round them, as the Girondel before
mentioned.
_A Fire-Drake on a Line._
Having made the Figure of Paste-board to the proper Form of a Dragon
with Paste-board and Wicker, as has been taught before, make a hollow
Trunk through the Body of it for a great Line to pass through, and
fasten small Lines to draw it too and from you at the breast and Tail of
the Drake; put into the Eyes, Mouth and Tail of it Rockets so fixed,
that they cannot fly out, as you may put Wild-fire Rowled up hard and
long in Paper: Then fire that in the Eyes and Mouth first, and draw it
with Pullies from one end of the Line to the other; then that in the
Tail, and draw it back, and it will seem as retreating from danger, with
fire coming out of the Belly of it.
_A Burning Castle and Dragon on the Water._
Make the Dragon of Paste-board and Wicker, as before; The bottom of the
Castle of Light Wood, and the work of Paste-board with Paper, Turrets
and Battlements of a foot height, in the Portal of the Castle fasten a
Line that it may come level with the Water and therefore some part of
the Castle must be under Water; this Line must be fastened to the other
side of the Water, or in the Water, if it be broad, and admit not the
former on a Pole or Stake knocked down, and pass in a hollow Trunk
through the Belly of a Dragon, that being in the Castle, may upon firing
the Rockets, placed advantageously in the Tail, Eyes and Mouth, come out
of the Castle and move on the Line; to meet which, you may at the other
end of the Line, in the same manner, prepare a Neptune in a Chariot, or
riding on a Sea-horse, with a burning Trident, or a Whale with a Rocket
or Wild-fire in his Mouth; which if it ly low, by spouting out, will
make the Water fly about, as if it spouted Fire and Water out of its
Mouth; then by a Train fire, some little Paste-board Guns in the Castle,
which if the Composition of the Train be made of Wild-fire, or Stouple,
will go off by degrees, and coming to a Train of Brimstone, Rosin and
Powder, make the whole frame expire in a terrible blaze.
_A Wheel of Fire-works to run backwards and forwards on the Ground._
Procure a pair of Wheels, being of Light Wood, like that of a Spinning
Wheel, fasten them on an Axel-tree, and place Rockets round them, as
bands are fastened round a Wheel, and so primed at Tail and Head, that
when one Expires the other may take fire, half of them placed with their
Heads and Tails the contrary way to the first: So that when the first
are spent, and the Wheels have run on plain Ground a great way, the
other firing will turn them again, and bring them to the place where
they first set out.
_A Fire that will burn in the Water, or Water-ball._
Sow up a Case of Canvas, like that of a Foot-ball, but lesser, pitch or
glue it over: Then take one Pound of Powder, eight ounces of Roch-alom,
four ounces of live Sulphur, two ounces of Camphire, Linseed-oyl, and
that of Petrolum, each an Ounce and half, an ounce of Oyl of Spike, with
two ounces of Colophonium bruis'd and well mixed together, and stuff the
Ball hard with it, with a Stick pitch or glue it over again, binding it
with Marline on Pitch, on that leave two Vents or Port-fires, set it on
fire, trundle it on the Water, and it will burn under it.
_The exactest Military Discipline for the Exercise of_ Foot _and_ Horse,
_as in Use at this day, at Home and Abroad, in all the Words of
Command_, &c.
To be well disciplin'd and train'd up in Military Affairs, has been the
study and pride of all Warlike Nations, whereby they have acquired to
themselves Fame and Riches, by being able to defend themselves against
Invaders, and gain Conquests Abroad; but above all other, for many
hundred Years past the _English_ have excelled in this, being much
helped by their natural Courage. But since I only at this time intended
to write to the Learner, to train him up in his Exercise, by which means
his own Industry and Experience may lead him forth to greater matters. I
shall not enumerate the many brave Men, who from mean Conditions have
rais'd themselves by Arms, to the highest pitch of Honour and
Preferment; but shew our Youth what they are to do and observe in their
first Training, as to the Words of Command, to order their Arms in their
various Postures with Dexterity. And first of Foot Exercise, I shall
speak of the _Pike_, because it is the most Ancient, to Train which,
many, who are now great Commanders, have taken it as an Honour.
_The Exercise of the_ Pike_, by word of Command,_ &c.
1. =Pikes take: Advance your Pikes.=
To do this, as the first thing required, move in a direct Line with your
_Pike_ upward, with your Left-hand near your Side, your Right-hand
almost as high as you can reach, keeping your Left by a Depression, as
low as you can, your Fingers being strait out; and so raise the _Pike_
till the Butt-end come to your Hand, then place it between your Breast
and Shoulder, keeping the Butt-end close, that it may be the more steady
and upright.
2. =To the Front.=
To do this, put your Left-hand on your _Pike_, even with the Top of your
Shoulder, keeping your Fingers strait, and bring your _Pike_ right
before you with a swift Motion; drawing your Right-heel into your
Left-instep, and so keep the _Pike_ strait.
3. =Charge.=
Here you must fall back with your Right-leg, placing the Heel of your
Left foot against the middle of your Right, and bring down your _Pike_
with a quick Motion, support it with your Left-Elbow, and charge Breast
high; and upon yielding your Body forward, bend your Left-knee to fix
your self firmer, holding the Butt end of your _Pike_ in the Palm of
your Right-hand, your Left-Toe pointing in a Line with the Spear of the
_Pike_, your Feet set at a moderate distance: Then bring it down
somewhat beneath your Breast, be cautious of clattering, and when it is
charged, close it to your Breast.
4. =To the Right four times.=
Here turn your Left-toe to the Right, then make your Left-heel come up
to your Right-instep with a sudden Motion, Recovering your _Pike_ strait
before you, and having turn'd, fall back with your Right-leg, and Charge
as before.
5. =To the Right about.=
Now by turning your Left-toe, bring it to the Right about, bringing up
your Right-heel; your _Pike_ being recovered, Charge with much
swiftness.
6. =As you were.=
To do this, by turning to the _Left about_, bring up your Left toe; so
bringing your _Pike_ recovered, observe that your Left hand be never
higher than your Mouth, your Feet placed in order, and when turn'd, you
must fall back with your Right-leg and Charge, bringing your _Pike_
strait up without any clattering.
7. =To the Left four times.=
8. =To the Left about.=
9. =As you were.=
10. =Advance your Pike.=
These must be done, as has been shewed in the Right, only making your
Observation of Eight Left Motions, &c. And the better to do this, bring
your Right-heel to your Left-instep; your _Pike_ being before you, fall
out with your Right-foot, and so bring your _Pike_ to your Right-Thigh.
11. =Shoulder your Pike.=
Here extend your Fingers on the Left-hand, and lay it on the _Pike_
level with your Shoulder; make your Right-heel come up even with your
Left-instep, your _Pike_ right before you, fall back with your
Right-leg, and as far as may be put back your Right-arm, keeping your
_Pike_ about half a Foot from your Side, your Eye fixed on the Spear
directly to the Rear, your _Pike_ sloped: Then forsake it with your
Left-hand, and bring in your Right-leg, laying your _Pike_ on your
Right-Shoulder, closing your Elbow to your Body, the Butt of your _Pike_
being about half a Foot from the Ground, in the middle of the distance.
12. =Charge to the Front.=
In doing this, fall back with your Right-leg, keeping as much as may be
your Arm back, and the Spear exactly to the Rear, sloaping the _Pike_ to
the same height as Shouldering; then bring with your Left-hand the
Butt-end backwards, turning the Head with your Right; so quit it with
that Hand, then taking hold on the Butt-end, Charge Breast high, keeping
the Palm of your Hand open against the Butt-end, your Left-Elbow under
the _Pike_, and your Left-toe in Line with the Spear; and when you
Charge it must be directly forward, your Left-heel being just against
the middle of your Right.
13. =Shoulder as you were.=
Here raise your _Pike_ with both Hands, so quit it with the Right, and
with the Left turn the Head backwards, the Spear even with the Rear; so
with your Right-hand seize it again as high as you can reach with
little straining, and stand with it from your Body aslope; bring up your
Right-leg, and then forsake your _Pike_ with your Left-hand, and lay it
on your Shoulder, ever keeping the Spear in a direct Point to the Rear,
not crossing your Fellows.
14. =Charge to the Right.=
In this Case fall back with your Right-Arm and Leg, the Spear being kept
in the Rear sloping at the height of Shouldering; then turn your
Left-Toe to the Right, suffering the Right to fall behind the Left-foot;
so that the middle of your Right-foot may be over against your
Left-heel; then bring up your _Pike_ in this Action, and turn backwards
the Butt-end by your Right-side; then pressing it in your Right palm,
Charge.
15. =Shoulder as you were.=
Make your Left-toe come to the Left, and the middle of your Right-foot
come also against your Left-heel, with your _Pike_ up; and then turn the
Head to the Right, (that is) directly to the Rear, doing it at one
Motion: So take hold of your _Pike_ with your Right-hand, and keep it
sloped with both Hands a little distance from your Body; as in
Shouldering, at what time bring up your Right-leg, and lay your _Pike_
on your Shoulder.
16. =Charge to the Right about.=
In this Case give back with your Hand and Leg, then stand with your
_Pike_ a little distant from your Side, and turning your Left-toe to the
Right about, bring the Butt end of your _Pike_ to the Right-side,
falling back with your Right-leg and Charge, keeping the Spear all the
while to the Rear a Shouldering height; and when you are to Face to the
Right about, level your _Pike_ and Charge.
17. =As you were.=
In this, turn your Left-toe to the Left about, advancing your Right-foot
a moderate Step, that the middle of it may stand against your Left-heel;
then with your Left-hand bring the Butt-end by your Left-side, taking
notice the Spear be exactly with the Rear a Shouldering height; then lay
on your Right-hand as high as you can easily reach, and stand with it in
Form; after which, bring up your Right-leg, and Shoulder.
18. =Charge to the Left.=
Here fall back with your Left-arm and Leg, as in the former Chargings:
Turn the Left-toe and the Butt-end of your _Pike_ with your Left-hand to
the Right, after which, bring up your Left-leg, and Charge.
19. =As you were.=
Raise the Spear with both your Hands, turn the Left-toe to the Right,
and so fall back with your Left-leg and Arm, keeping your _Pike_ from
your Side, the Spear to the Rear; then bring up your Left-leg, and
Shoulder.
20. =Charge to the Left about.=
Here fall with your Arm and Leg back, bringing the _Pike_ over your Head
with both your Hands, the Spear directly to the Rear at a Shouldering
height: Turn your Left-toe to the Left about, then bring up your
Right-toe, that the middle may come with your Left-heel, and Charge.
21. =Port.=
Observe here, as in Charging in the Front; being wary that you sink not
the Spear of your _Pike_, rest it between the Thumb and Fore-finger,
keeping your Elbow close to your side.
22. =Comport.=
As far as may be bring your Left-hand backward, at the same time
stretching out the Right, make thereupon a step forward with the
Right-foot, grasping fast the _Pike_ as high as you can reach with the
Right-hand, not tossing the Spear too high; then forsake it with your
Left-hand, and bring back your Right-leg even with your Left; then close
it to your Side, keeping the Spear the height of your Head.
23. =Charge to the front.=
Here extend your Right-arm, advancing at the same time your Right-leg,
drawing back your Left-hand as far as may be; and bringing your _Pike_
forward, give a step back with your Right-leg, and take hold of the Butt
with your Right-hand; then Charge; and in all Chargings observe it be
done Breast high.
24. =Fire.=