Chapter X
OF THE MANNER OF FIXING AND ARRANGING FIRE-WORKS IN GENERAL FOR EXHIBITION.
Having already treated of the formation of various kinds of fire-works, we come now to consider their arrangement in fixed and moveable pieces.
It is obvious, that the order of arrangement, the manner of disposing the work, or establishing pieces for exhibition, may be greatly varied according to taste and fancy. The great variety of fixed and moveable pieces, consisting of suns, moons, stars, &c. which may be either made permanent, or to revolve on, or round a centre; or of wheels, double, single, or treble, either moving round other wheels, or by themselves in a vertical or horizontal order, together with the arrangement of fire-pots, and coloured lights, the management of rockets, the formation of aerial stars, serpents, tourbillons, &c. and the imitation of cascades, girandoles, and water-falls, all depend on the taste and fancy of the artist.
It is our intention, therefore, in the different sections of this chapter, to give the order and arrangement of pieces, as adopted in Europe, and particularly in France; so that the manner of fixing any one piece, or combination of pieces, to produce effects of different kinds, may be seen at one view. The moveable pieces are generally made of wheel-work, the wheel always turning upon an axle, which may pass entirely through and be kept on by a nut or pin. They should revolve without much friction, and, for this reason, the spindle should be of metal, and oiled or greased. Black lead, along with tallow, will diminish the friction very considerably. As to the formation of the wheel, whether it be solid, or formed of spokes and a band or hoop, or made with several concentric bands, placed at given distances apart, &c. the observations on this head will be found under the respective articles, and, generally, on all other pieces for exhibition.
We purpose, in a subsequent chapter, to notice particularly the works, made in and on water, usually denominated aquatic fire-works; as their arrangement, in many respects, differs from those on the land. Aquatic works furnish a variety, both in character and effect, and, therefore, are calculated to produce, in conjunction with land works, a brilliant spectacle. Of this, we have an instance, mentioned in the introduction to this part of our work, in the splendid exhibition at the Pont Neuf in Paris.
Sec. I. Of the Composition of Wheel-Cases, standing and fixed.
It may not be improper, before noticing the arrangement of wheel-cases, to give in this place the compositions, which are used for charging them, reserving, however, the notice of some preparations, when we treat of such works, in which they are particularly employed.
Wheel-cases from two ounces to four pounds.
1. Meal-powder, 2 lbs. Saltpetre, 4 oz. Iron-filings, 7 --
2. Meal-powder, 2 lbs. Saltpetre, 12 oz. Sulphur, 4 -- Steel-dust, 3 --
3. Meal-powder, 4 lbs. Saltpetre, 1 -- Sulphur, 8 oz. Charcoal, 4½ --
4. Meal-powder, 8 oz. Saltpetre, 4 -- Sawdust, 1½ -- Sea-coal, ¾ --
5. Meal powder, 1 lb. 4 oz. Sulphur, 4 -- 10 dr. Saltpetre, 8 -- Glass-dust, 2½ --
6. Meal-powder, 12 oz. Charcoal, 1 -- Sawdust, ½ --
7. Saltpetre, 1 lb. 9 oz. Sulphur, 4 -- Charcoal, 4½ --
8. Meal-powder, 2 lbs. Saltpetre, 1 -- Sulphur, ½ -- Sea-coal, 2 oz.
9. Saltpetre, 2 lbs. Sulphur, 1 -- Meal-powder, 4 -- Glass-dust, 4 oz.
10. Meal-powder, 1 lb. Saltpetre, 2 oz. Steel-dust, 3½ --
11. Meal-powder, 2 lbs. Steel-dust 2½ oz. Beat iron, 2½ --
12. Saltpetre, 2 lbs. 13 oz. Sulphur 8 -- Charcoal, 4 --
Slow fire for wheels.
1. Saltpetre, 4 oz. Sulphur, 2 -- Meal-powder, 1½ --
2. Saltpetre, 4 oz. Sulphur, 1 -- Antimony, 1 -- 6 dr.
3. Saltpetre 4½ oz. Sulphur, 1 -- Meal-powder, 1½ --
Dead fire for wheels.
1. Saltpetre, 1¼ oz. Sulphur, ¼ -- Lapis calaminaris, (prepared calamine,) ¼ -- Antimony, 2 dr.
Standing, or fixed cases.
1. Meal-powder, 4 lbs. Saltpetre, 2 lbs. Sulphur and charcoal, (together,) 1 --
2. Meal-powder, 2 lbs. Saltpetre, 1 -- Steel-dust, 8 oz.
3. Meal-powder, 1 lb. 4 oz. Charcoal, 4 oz.
4. Meal-powder, 1 lb. Steel-dust, 4 oz.
5. Meal-powder, 2½ lbs. Sulphur, 4 oz. Seacoal, 6 --
6. Meal-powder, 3 lbs. Charcoal, 5 oz. Sawdust, 1½ --
Sun cases.
1. Meal-powder, 8½ lbs. Saltpetre, 1 -- 2 oz. Steel-dust, 2 -- 10 -- Sulphur, 4 --
2. Meal-powder, 3 lbs. Saltpetre, 6 oz. Steel-dust, 7½ --
Crowns or globes.
1. Saltpetre, 6 oz. Sulphur, 2 lbs. Antimony, 4 oz. Camphor, 2 --
This view of the compositions used in fixed and turning pieces, exhibits the various compounds which have been employed, and, therefore, may be relied upon. Notwithstanding they are considered the standard formulæ; yet we must observe, that in some, particularly in the turning sun, with variations, changes are required, in order to produce a variety in the effect. This is accomplished, by making, in the first place, a particular composition, and mixing a given quantity of it with meal-powder, which forms the second change. Of this second composition, combined in a given proportion, with meal-powder, we form a third change; and, in like manner, we employ the third along with more powder, to form a fourth, and the fourth to form a fifth. The particular manner of making these changes will be described in a future section.
Sec. II. Of Single, Vertical, Horizontal, Spiral, and other wheels.
Of the different kinds of vertical wheels, we may mention, that some have their fells of a circular form, others, in the form of a hexagon, octagon, or of a figure of a greater number of sides, according to the length of the cases designed for the wheels. The spokes being fixed in the nave, nail slips of tin, with their edges turned up, so as to form grooves for the cases to lie in, from the end of one spoke to another. Then tie the 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 to 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. This may be accomplished in the following manner. In all the cases of both wheels, except the first, and on each wheel, drive two or three ladles full of slow fire, in any part of the cases, but be careful to ram the same quantity in each case; and in the end of one of the cases on each wheel, one ladle full of dead-fire composition, which must be very lightly driven. Many charges of fire may be made by the same method.
The hole in the nave of the wheel may 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 we have placed 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.
Vertical wheels are made from ten inches, to three feet in diameter, and the size of the cases must vary accordingly. Four-ounce cases will be sufficient for wheels of fourteen or sixteen inches in diameter, which is the proportion generally used. The best wood for wheels of all kinds, is the light and dry beech.
Horizontal wheels are more perfect, 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 centre of the nave, within half an inch of the top of the pintle. 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. Fix these pieces 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, or extremities, may come very near together. From the tail of one case to the mouth of the other, carry a leader, which is necessary to be secured with pasted paper. Besides these pipes, a little meal-powder must be placed in the inside of the pasted paper, 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 fire, 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, we may put a case of Chinese fire, sufficiently long to burn a given time, or as long as two or three cases on the wheel.
Horizontal wheels are often fired two at a time, and made to keep time, like vertical wheels, only they are prepared without any slow or dead-fire. Ten or twelve inches will be sufficient for the diameter of wheels with six spokes.
With respect to spiral wheels, we may remark, that they are only double horizontal wheels, made in the following manner: The nave must be thicker than that of the single sort; and, instead of the pintle at top, a hole is usually made for the case to be fixed in. There are two sets of spokes, one set put near the top of the nave, and the other, near the bottom. At the end of each spoke, cut a groove, in which the cases are to be tied, there being no fell. The spokes should not be more than three and a half inches long from the nave, so that the wheel may not be more than eight or nine inches in diameter. The cases are placed in such a manner, that those at top play down, and those at the bottom play up; but let the third or fourth case burn horizontally. The case in the middle may begin with any of the others. Six spokes will be sufficient for each set; so that the wheel may consist of twelve cases, besides that on the top; the cases six inches each.
Plural wheels are different from the former. They are made to turn horizontally, and consist of three sets of spokes, placed 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 clothing these wheels, make the upper set of cases play obliquely downwards, the bottom set obliquely upwards, and the middle set, horizontally. In placing the leaders, we must so arrange them, as that the case may turn thus: namely, first up, then down, then horizontally, 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 stopt 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, we may put a small gerbe, and the cases on the spokes may be short, and filled with the strong brilliant charge.
For forming the illuminated spiral wheel, we must proceed thus: First have a circular horizontal wheel, made two feet in diameter, with a hole quite through the nave; then take three thin pieces of light board, three feet long each, and three-fourths of an inch broad. One end of each of these pieces, nail to the fell of the wheel, at an equal distance from one another; and the other end, nail to a block with a hole in its bottom, which must be perpendicular to that in the block of the wheel, but not so large. Plane a hoop down very thin and flat, and nail one end of it to the end of the wheel, and wind it round 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 may be placed any number of cases, which must incline downwards, and burn two at a time. If the wheel should consist of ten cases, we 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.
For making the double spiral wheel, the block, or nave, must be as long as the height of the worms, or spiral lines; but must be very thin, and as light as possible. In this block fix 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 clothe with the same illuminations as those on the single wheels, but the horizontal wheel may be clothed according to fancy. At the top of the worm, place a case of slow fire, or an amber light.
Balloon wheels turn horizontally. They are usually made two feet in diameter without any spokes, and very strong, with any number of sides. On the top of the wheel, range and fix in pots of three inches in diameter, and seven inches high each, as many as there are cases on the wheel. Near the bottom of each pot, make a small vent; and into each of these vents, carry a leader from the tail of each case. Some of the pots may be charged with stars and some with serpents, crackers, &c. As the wheels turn, the pots will be fired in succession, and throw into the air a great variety of fires.
Fruiloni wheels are made with a nave, nine inches long, and three inches in diameter. Near the bottom of this nave, fix eight spokes with a hole in the end of each, sufficiently large to receive a two or four-ounce case. Each of these spokes may be fourteen inches long from the block. Near the top of this block, fix three more of the same 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, must play obliquely upwards, and all those in the spokes at bottom, obliquely downwards. This being accomplished, have a small horizontal wheel, made with eight spokes, each five inches long 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; i. e. two of those on the top set of spokes, and two of those in the bottom set of spokes.
The four first cases on the large wheel, and the two first on the small, must be fired at the same time, and the brilliant fire at the top, at the beginning of the last cases. The cases of the wheels may be filled with a gray charge. When these wheels are completed, we must have a strong iron spindle, four feet six inches long; and fixed perpendicularly on the top of a stand. On this, we 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 that they may be fired both together.
Pin wheels, as they are called, are formed by rolling some paper into pipes of about fourteen inches in length. The paper should be thin, and rolled of three thicknesses. When they are thoroughly dried, procure a tin tube, twelve inches long, to fit easy into the pipes. At one end of this tube, fix a small conical cup, which cone is called a funnel; then bend one end of one of the pipes, and put the funnel in at the other, as far as it will reach, and fill the cup with composition. Draw out the funnel gently, shaking it up and down, and it will fill the pipe, as it comes out. Having filled some pipes, procure some small blocks, about one inch in diameter and half an inch thick. Round one of these blocks, wind and paste a pipe, and to the end of this pipe, join another, which must be done by twisting the end of one pipe to a point, and putting it into the end of the other with a little paste. In this manner, join four or five pipes, winding them one upon another, so as to form a spiral line. Having wound on the pipes, paste two strips of paper across them to hold them together. The pipes must also be pasted together.
The other method of making these wheels is described thus: wind on the pipes without paste, and stick them together with sealing wax at every half turn; so that, when they are fired, the end will fall loose, every time the fire passes the wax, by which means the circle of fire will be considerably increased.
The formers for these pipes are made from 1-1/2 to 4/16ths of an inch in diameter. They may be fired on a large pin, and held in the hand with safety.
Composition for Pin-Wheels.
Meal-powder, 8 oz. Saltpetre, 2 -- Sulphur, 1 -- Steel-filings, or the powder of cast-iron, ¼ --
The ingredients are to be well mixed, and dry. The mixture need not be very fine, or it will adhere to the funnel.
Sec. III. Of Revolving Suns.
From what has been said in the preceding section, it is obvious, that revolving or turning suns may be formed, or any piece put in motion, in the manner already described. The most common mode of forming a sun, is to attach to three naves, which proceed from a hub, that revolves on a spindle, from three to six cases, placing them in such a way, that they may be fired successively. The jets, or spouts, proceeding from the cases, constitute the rays, the sun being in the centre, which revolves with the cases on an axis. The arrangement of these cases should be such, as that the six (as that number is usually employed,) might form the perimeter.
The cases may be charged with one, or with different compositions, given in the following table. They are attached in such a way, that the head of the first is nearly in contact with the ray of the second, and that to the third, &c. When the first case is finishing, it must, therefore, communicate fire to the second, that to the third, and so on in succession. These cases must be attached firmly by wire; and leaders are used to communicate the fire, as in other works. The end must be enclosed in the neck of the first case, and the other end in that of the second, &c. They are secured in their respective positions, by tying them securely to the cases.
With respect to the composition employed, it may be varied according to pleasure. In most instances, however, the ordinary sun-composition is used; but, in other instances, this is varied according to circumstances. Morel has adopted the following composition for a sun of six cases, the cases being eight-twelfths of an inch in diameter. These cases are mounted on the arms of the sun in the same manner as before described.
Composition for a sun with variations, the cases of which are eight-twelfths of an inch in caliber.
No. 1, first change,
Saltpetre, 16 oz. Sulphur, 6 -- Meal-powder, 3 --
No. 2, second change,
Composition No. 1, 2 oz. Meal-powder, 2 --
No. 3, third change,
Composition No. 2, 1 oz. Meal-powder, 1 --
No. 4, fourth change,
Composition No. 3, 1 oz. Meal-powder, 1 --
No. 5, fifth change,
Composition No. 4, 1 oz. Meal-powder, 1 --
No. 6, sixth change,
Meal-powder alone, for two changes.
It appears evident, that the changes thus produced are owing to the diminution of the quantity of saltpetre and sulphur, or, in other words, to the increase of the quantity of powder; and that the fourth change must contain but a small quantity of each, whilst the sixth or last change contains none, except that which is in the composition of the powder. The effect, therefore, must be proportionate; for, it must be apparent, that this diminution of nitre and sulphur, and the increase of powder, must render each charge more explosive, or, in other words, the combustion more instantaneous, and that this effect characterizes each of the changes in succession, is a result which necessarily follows.
The instructions given by Morel for employing these changes, in the charging of cases, are thus: We take the above composition for the third case of the sun. The first case is of common fire; the second of silver rain; the third of two charges of common fire, and afterwards a charge of No. 1, the second two charges of No. 2, the third three charges of No. 3, the fourth four charges of No. 4, the fifth four charges of No. 5, and two charges of No. 6. The fourth case is composed of brilliant fire; the fifth the same as the third, and the sixth of large or grand jessamine.
We may merely remark, that the sun must be supported very firmly, and that it ceases to revolve at the fourth, fifth, and sixth numbers.
Sec. IV. Of Fixed Suns.
Fixed suns are so called, because they remain stationary, and exhibit the appearance of a sun with innumerable rays. A fixed sun is formed by putting eight or more strips of board across each other, so that each arm may proceed from a common centre, in which a sun is painted on silk. To the extremities of these arms are attached, to each one in succession, a case of brilliant fire, which, by means of bodies fixed in the usual manner, go off together. The two arms below, forming right angles with each other, are longer than the rest; so is also the upper and vertical arm. This, however, depends upon fancy. The cases are tied to these arms; and, after the leaders are fixed from the mouth of one case to that of the other, they terminate at the bottom and hang below the vertical arm. Fire is first communicated to the hanging match.
Fixed suns are usually employed as a decoration for other works. They are sometimes sixty feet in diameter, and variously decorated. They are commonly, however, ten feet. The fire extends a considerable distance, sometimes, it is said, to the distance of thirty feet; but this must depend on the size of the cases.
Sec. V. Of Fixed Suns with Transparent Faces.
Fixed suns may be made with transparent faces in the following manner: Two rows of cases must be fixed in radii from the face of the sun, the sun being in the centre; and these cases, being placed alternately one above the other, and preserving the same distance all round, present what is called a double glory, and make the rays strong and full. The frame or sun-wheel is made thus: Have a circular flat nave, made very strong, 12 inches in diameter, and fix six strong flat spokes, proceeding from the circle that contains the sun's face to the extremity of the wheel, and also two other hoops, placed between it and the sun. To these, and the external wheel, the cases are tied. When the cases are tied on, leaders are attached from the upper to the under cases. The front of these spokes supports a circular fell, five feet in diameter. Within this is another fell, smaller in diameter by the length of one of the sun cases; and within this also is a third fell, whose diameter must be less than the second by the length of one case and one third. The fells are divided into as many equal parts as we employ cases, which may be from twenty-four to forty-four. At each division, fix a flat iron staple. These staples must be made to fix the cases and hold them fast on the wheel. The staples must be so placed, that one row of cases may lie in the middle of the intervals of the other. There is a spindle in the centre of the block of the sun, to which a small hexagonal wheel is put. The cases of this wheel must be filled with the same charge as the cases of the sun. Two cases must burn at a time, and begin with them on the fells. The pipes of communication are to be carried from one to the other, and from one side of the sun to the wheel in the middle, and from thence to the other side of the sun. They will hold the wheel steady, when the sun is fixing up.
A sun thus made is called a brilliant sun, as there appears nothing but sparks of brilliant fire, the wood-work being covered with fire from the wheel in the middle. A transparent face is usually made with pasteboard, by cutting out the eyes, nose, and mouth, for the sparks of the wheel to appear through. A face may be painted on oiled paper, or Persian silk, put over a hoop, and supported by three or four pieces of wire at six inches distance from the wheel in the centre. The silk may be painted according to fancy.
As to the size of cases for a sun of five feet in diameter, half-pound cases, filled ten inches with composition, is considered a good proportion.
Sec. VI. Of the Rose-Piece and Sun.
This exhibition may be made in such a manner as to produce a pleasing effect. A rose-piece may be used for a mutation, or change of a regulated piece, or fixed by itself. It makes the best appearance, when made large. If its exterior diameter be six feet, it will be a good size. Let the exterior fell be made of wood, and supported by four wooden spokes. All the other parts, on which the illuminations are fixed, must be made of strong iron-wire. On the exterior fell, place as many half pound cases of brilliant charge, as will be sufficient; but the more, the greater will be the effect, for the nearer the cases are placed, the stronger will be the rays of the sun. The illuminations should be placed within three inches of each other. They must all be fired together, and burn some time before the sun is lighted, which may be done by carrying a leader from the middle of one of the illuminations to the mouth of one of the sun cases.
_Sec. VII. Of the Manner of changing a Horizontal to a Vertical Wheel, and representing a Sun in front._
In order to produce this change, the wheel for this purpose should be about three feet in diameter, and its fell circular, on which tie sixteen half-pound cases, filled with brilliant charge. Two of these cases must burn at a time. On each end of the nave is to be a tin barrel of the same construction as those on the regulated piece. We must then have a stand, made of any height, about three or four inches square, and saw off from the top a piece two feet long. This piece is then to be joined again, at the place where it was cut, with a hinge on one side, so that it may lift up and down in the front of the stand. Then fix on the top of the bottom part of the stand, on each side, a bracket, which must project, at right angles with the stand, one foot from the front, for the short piece to rest on. These brackets are to be placed a little above the joint of the post, so that, when the upper stand falls, it may lie between them at right angles with the bottom stand; which may be done by fixing a piece of wood one foot long between the brackets, and even with the top of the bottom stand. Then, as the brackets rise above the bottom stand, they will form a channel for the short post to lie in, and keep it steady without straining the hinge. On the side of the short post, opposite the hinge, nail a piece of wood of such a length, that, when the post is perpendicular, it may reach about one and a half feet down the long post; to which, being tied, it will hold the short stand upright. The stand being thus prepared, in the top of it, fix a spindle ten inches long. On this spindle put the wheel; then fix on a brilliant sun, with a single glory. The diameter of this sun must be six inches less than that of the wheel. When we fire this piece, attention must be paid to light the wheel first, and let it run horizontally till four cases are consumed. Then, from the end of the fourth case, carry a leader into the tin barrel that turns over the end of the stand. This leader must be met by another, brought through the top of the post, from a case filled with a strong port-fire charge, and tied to the bottom post, with its mouth facing the pack thread, which holds up the stand; so that, when this case is lighted it will burn the pack thread and let the wheel fall forward, by which means it will become vertical. Then from the last case of the wheel, carry a leader into the barrel, next the sun, which will begin as soon as the wheel is burnt out.
Sec. VIII. Of Caprices and Fire-Wands.
Caprices are so called from the particular motion they assume, and are regulated according to the order and manner of their firing.
A perpendicular shaft, or post, is first provided, in which are placed two sets of spokes at some distance from each other. At the extremities of these spokes, joints are made, on which the cases are fixed. These cases communicate with each other by leaders. The first which takes fire, discharges upwards; the second, vertically; the third, horizontally; and the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh, go off at the same time; viz. the fourth, upwards; the fifth, vertically, a little inclined; the sixth, horizontally; and the seventh, vertically. The match of communication is fixed by a port-fire.
The arrangement of this piece, to produce the effect, depends on the construction of the wood work.
The great falling caprice differs from the foregoing in the following particular, that it separates itself in the midst of its fire into three parts. It is formed of three wheels, which appear as one; but at a certain time after the fire is communicated, they separate and occupy certain positions.
Mercury's Wand, as it is called, is formed by placing, across each other, two pieces of wood, and at the extremity of each four lances parallel to each other, and one obliquely. These lances of illumination must be connected by leaders. Circular bands are attached to the extremity of each leg, which terminates in the centre, and the wings or legs move in opposite directions. The double crescents, thus formed, produce, in turning, a variety of figures.
Sec. IX. Of Palm and other Trees.
The representation of trees is considered an elegant fire-work. Palm trees are shown by fixing an upright piece, which serves as a trunk, and attaching to it a number of pieces, resembling in effect the branches of a tree. The extremities or branches are decorated with gerbes, and sometimes with marrons, arranged in such a manner that they may go off together.
For Yew trees, cases of brilliant fire, jessamine, or Chinese are used. In making this representation, the upright piece is usually four feet in length, two inches in breadth, and one inch thick. At the top we fix, on the flat side, a hoop fourteen inches in diameter, and round its edge and front, place illuminations, and in its centre a five-pointed star. At a foot and a half from the edge of the hoop, two cases of brilliant fire are usually placed, one on each side. These cases should be one foot long each. Below these are usually fixed two more cases, at such a distance that their mouths may almost meet those at top. Two other cases are sometimes added, which ought to be parallel with the last. The cases are then clothed with leaders, so that they, with the illuminations and stars at top, may all take fire together.
Fire trees may be formed by placing cases at an angle of 45 degrees, inclining upwards from the trunk, and at certain distances from each other. The two last cases may incline downwards. Cases may also be placed on the trunk itself, so that the whole will resemble a body of fire. Fire trees are commonly made about six feet long and three inches in diameter. The cases are generally fixed to pegs. At the top of the tree, a four-inch mortar is fixed, which is loaded with stars, rains, or crackers. In the middle of this mortar, we may place a case filled with any sort of charge, which must be fired with the other cases. Brilliant fire is generally employed. The fire is communicated, as in other works, by means of leaders, which are fired at the bottom.
There is also another exhibition often made with the so called illuminated yew-tree. The middle piece or stem on which the branches are placed, is generally eight feet six inches high. The branches all incline downward, and shorten as they go up. The number of branches on each side is six, and their length is determined according to judgment. When the branches are fixed, place illuminating port-fires on the top of each, as many as are required. Behind the top of the stem, fasten a gerbe or fountain of Chinese fire, which must be fired at the beginning of the illuminations on the tree.
Fires are often made to intersect each other, which has a good effect. For this purpose a perpendicular post is provided, of any thickness, so that it is sufficiently strong to hold the cases. There are two pieces of wood which go across the post, two feet six inches apart and two feet in length. On the end of each of these pieces there is usually a five-pointed star. Six stars are mostly employed. Pegs are fixed to the post in such a way that two of them incline upwards and two downwards, both forming an angle of ninety degrees, or forty-five degrees with the post. To these pegs are fixed half pound cases of brilliant fire. All the cases and stars must be fired at once. It is obvious that by this arrangement of the cases, the fires must cross, and thus by intersecting each other afford a greater variety.
Sec. X. Of the Pyramid of Flower Pots.
This piece is formed by attaching to a post, ten or twelve feet high, and placed perpendicularly in the ground, four rails or pieces, two feet apart, which must diminish in length, so as to represent a pyramid. The bottom rail must be six feet long. On the bottom rail fix five paper mortars, each three and a half inches in diameter. Let one be opposite the post, and the other four equally distant on each side. Load these mortars with serpents, crackers, stars, &c. In the centre of each mortar fix a case of spur-fire. On the second rail fix four mortars so as to stand exactly in the middle of the intervals of those on the bottom rail. On the third rail, place three mortars, on the fourth, two; and on the top of the post, one. All the mortars must incline a little forwards, that they may easily discharge; and the spur-fire rammed exactly alike, that the mortars may all be fired at the same time. The pipes of communication being prepared, carry them from one spur-fire to the other.
Sec. XI. Of the Dodecaedron.
The piece, required in forming a twelve sided figure, is prepared in the following manner: A ball must be turned out of solid wood, fourteen inches in diameter, and its surface is to be divided into fourteen equal parts. In each division bore holes of a half inch in diameter, perpendicular to the centre, so that they may all meet in the middle. In the inside of each hole, let there be turned a female screw. To all the holes but one must be made a round spoke, five feet long, with four inches of the screw at one end to fit the holes. 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 these holes cut a small groove along the spoke, within six inches of the other end, where another hole through to the other side of the spoke is made. To this end fix a spindle, on which put a small wheel of three or four sides, each side six or seven inches long; these sides must have grooves cut in them, large enough to receive a two or four-ounce case. When these wheels are clothed put them on the spindles, and at the end of each spindle attach 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, a post must be provided on which the piece is to be fired, having an iron screw in the top of it to fit one of the holes in the ball. On the screw attach the ball and then in the top hole of the ball put a little meal-powder, and some loose quick-match. After this, 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. By this leader the powder and match in the centre are fired, which will light the match at the end of the spokes all at once, and by which all the wheels will be lighted at 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. Gray charge may be used for the wheel cases.
Sec. XII. Of Cascades of Fire.
Cascades of fire may be made of any size, and with cases from a half pound to a pound, or more. Half pound cases are usually the size employed. Cascades may be made either fixed, or turning. The former are an assemblage of pieces of wood, furnished with cases charged with Chinese fire, and placed one above the other. The distance may be more or less; sometimes from eight to fifteen feet. The latter, or turning cascades, are constructed about four feet in diameter. The wheel is made to turn on a pivot, and is put in motion by attaching to it, in the usual manner, cases of white fire. These play horizontally. The cases of Chinese fire, which play downwards, are fixed to the wheel, or to another wheel below this, or above it, according to fancy, and are placed with their mouths downwards. Sometimes in fact they play upwards, and for that purpose are made to incline outwards. In the centre, there is a case or two of brilliant fire.
It is obvious, that this arrangement not only gives a motion to the wheel, and to the cases of Chinese fire, but produces in effect a circular sheet, which falls like a cascade.
By having an upright piece, stuck in the ground, on which are fixed three or more horizontal wheels, or segments of a circle, made permanent, and at about three feet from each other, diminishing, however, as they go up, and also in their diameter, a frame will be formed capable of holding a great number of cases. The first segment may be four feet in diameter. The top pieces may be of any length, so as to hold the cases at a little distance from each other. All the cross pieces are to be fixed horizontally, and supported by brackets. The bottom cross piece, or segment, 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. Bits of wood ought to be nailed on the edges of the cross pieces, having a groove cut in each piece, and sufficiently large for a case to lie in. These bits of wood are fixed, so as to incline downwards, and that the fire from one tier of cases may play over the other. Leaders are carried from one to the other, as before mentioned. Let there be a pipe, hung from the mouth of one of these cases, covered at the end with a single paper, which is burnt to fire the cascade. Nine cases generally form the first tier; seven, the second, four, the third; and three, the last. These cases play downwards, except the three at top, one of which is vertical and the other two inclining at an angle of about forty-five degrees. The arrangement may be varied at pleasure. The only thing to be attended to is, to fix the cases in such a way, that the fire which proceeds from them may pass over the tier immediately underneath, that the effect may be general and uniform. Chinese fire may be used, as in the former instance.
Sec. XIII. Of Chinese Fountains, and Parasols.
The manner of constructing the wood work of a Chinese fountain is as follows: Procure a perpendicular piece of wood, seven feet long, and two and a half inches square. At sixteen inches from the top, fix on the front a cross piece, one inch thick, and two and a half inches broad; with the broad side up. Below this, fix three more pieces of the same width and thickness, at sixteen inches from each other. Let the bottom rail be five feet long, 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. Place them all, however, to incline a little forward, so that when they throw out the stars, they may not strike against the cross rails. The fire-pumps are to be clothed with leaders, in order that they may all be fired together.
Cases for Fire-pumps are made in the same manner as those for tourbillons. See Fire-pump, and also Fire-pots of various kinds.
The effect of these cases depends entirely on the star-composition. Stars, previously moulded, are introduced into them along with meal-powder.
Parasols are also formed with Chinese fire. A horizontal wheel is provided, and its circumference is clothed with eight or ten cases of that fire. These cases may be five-sixths of an inch in diameter, and, when inflamed, should throw their fire horizontally. The fire, in this instance, is made to resemble a sheaf; but the ordinary composition is generally used. The cases, however, should play horizontally. To make the wheel turn on its pivot, two cases of white fire are attached to it. The parasol, produced by the fire, is from twenty-five to thirty feet in diameter. It is formed in consequence of the fire coming in contact, and producing a concave sheet in its fall, resembling a parasol when extended.
Sec. XIV. Of Wings or Cross Fire.
Nearly similar to one of the pieces described, that of the representation of a tree, is the cross-fire, or wings, a name given to it, because it resembles the sails, or wings of a windmill.
In forming this piece, two sticks, eight feet in length, are provided, and through the centre of each, a square hole is made, to receive a piece of iron of the same size, through which is a hole to admit a pivot.
When these sticks are put together, there must be a sufficient distance between them to prevent their rubbing each other. Five cases, charged with the composition of brilliant fire, are fixed to each extremity, proceeding towards the centre, at a short distance apart, and making in all twenty cases. Four of these cases are placed at each end, nearly horizontally, resembling the rounds of a ladder, the sticks being nearly vertical; and the one nearest the centre is placed almost vertically, or rather obliquely. The cases, being connected with leaders, when fired, turn with the sticks in an opposite direction to each other.
When three wheels are each furnished with two rounds of white and coloured fire, and are so arranged, that the periphery of each should pass over in succession at the distance of ninety degrees of the perimeter, this piece is then called by the whimsical name of the love-knot.
Sec. XV. Of Galleries of Fire, and Batteries of Roman and Mosaic Candles.
Galleries of fire are formed by attaching, to long strips of wood, at convenient distances from each other, cases of Chinese fire, which go off together. At the end of each case, is put a marron, which, when the case is burnt, ends with an explosion.
To form batteries with marrons, in connection with Roman candles, they are tied at two feet distance from each other, on long sticks, leaders being attached. These batteries, like the fire gallery, usually accompany other fire-works.
We may here remark, that thunder is imitated by marrons, which are fixed in the same way two feet apart. To produce the effect, and increase the report, it is necessary to use them of different sizes, from a quarter of an inch to three inches caliber. They should be preceded by flashes of lightning, which is imitated either with powdered rosin, or lycopodium, in the manner described in our chapter on Theatrical Fire-Works.
Sec. XVI. Of Girandoles, and their Modifications.
Girandoles, for the purpose here noticed, are nothing more than wheels which turn on a pivot. They are made of light wood, with a rim similar to that of a sieve, and are clothed with cases. Two cases are fired at a time, which burn in an opposite direction.
Girandoles may be made to imitate a parasol, by placing, horizontally, cases charged with the blue-fire composition, or with that of the Chinese fire. Cascades may be formed, by arranging them vertically, horizontally, and some at an angle of ten or fifteen degrees from the horizon. The bunch of flowers is represented by using, at the same time, cases of 10/12ths, 11/12ths, and one inch, charged with Chinese composition, as given in the table for calibers of that diameter. See Chinese Fire. Crackers are formed by attaching Roman candles and Mosaic simples, and the sheaf is shown by fixing in the centre some empty cases, on which are strung small rockets, which are fired by the last case.
There are different modes of varying the effect of the girandole. They may imitate the fire-rain, by employing cases charged with that composition, which is given in the chapter on Theatrical Fire-Works.
Sec. XVII. Of Cracking Caprices.
For this piece, a circular table is formed about twenty inches in diameter, and one inch and a quarter thick. There is a hole made in the centre, which is furnished with a pivot.
Twelve inches from the circumference, and at equal distances, eight holes are to be bored, to receive the same number of pots, of two inches caliber; and, in the immediate vicinity of the centre hole, which receives the pivot, four more are made, for four other pots.
Eight arms, three inches long, project from the table at equal distances, on which is fastened a hoop one inch in width. The fire-pots are now put in the different apertures, which are made sometimes to screw in; and the frame, of which we have spoken, is furnished with cases of brilliant fire.
It is necessary that this piece should go off at three fires; but the order of firing may be varied according to circumstances.
Sec. XVIII. Of the Projected Regulated Piece of Nine Mutations.
A regulated piece, if well executed, is considered as curious in its effect as any other in pyrotechny. It consists of fixed and moveable pieces on one spindle, representing various figures, which take fire successively one upon another, without any assistance after lighting the first mutation.
I. Names of the mutations, with the colour of fire, and size of the case, belonging to each.
First Mutation.--This is a hexagon vertical wheel, illuminated in front with small port-fires, tied on the spokes. This wheel must be clothed with two-ounce cases, filled with black charge. The length of these cases is determined by the size of the wheel, but each must burn singly.
Second Mutation.--This is a fixed piece, called a golden glory, by reason of the cases being filled with spur fire. The cases must stand perpendicular to the block, on which they are fixed, so that, when burning, they may represent a glory of fire. This mutation is generally composed of five, or seven two-ounce cases.
Third Mutation.--This is moveable, and is only an octagon vertical wheel, clothed with four-ounce cases, filled with brilliant charge. Two of these cases must burn at a time. In this wheel, we may make changes of fire.
Fourth Mutation.--This is a fixed sun of brilliant fire, consisting of twelve four-ounce cases. The necks of these cases must be a little larger than those of four-ounce wheel cases. In this mutation, may be made a change of fire, by filling the cases half with brilliant charge, and half with gray.
Fifth Mutation.--This is a fixed piece called the porcupine quills. This piece consists of twelve spokes, standing perpendicular to the block in which they are fixed. On each of these spokes, near the end, must be placed a four-ounce case of brilliant fire. All these cases must incline either to the right or left, so that they may all play one way.
Sixth Mutation.--This is a standing piece called the cross fire. This mutation consists of eight spokes fixed in a block. Near the end of each of the spokes, must be tied two four-ounce cases of white charge, one across the other; so that the fires from the cases on one spoke may intersect the fire from the cases on the other.
Seventh Mutation.--This is a fixed wheel with two circular fells, on which are placed sixteen eight-ounce cases of brilliant fire, in the form of a star. This piece is called a fixed star of wild fire.
Eighth Mutation.--This is a beautiful piece, called a brilliant star piece. It consists of six spokes, which are strengthened by two fells of a hexagon form, at some distance from each other. At the end of each spoke, in the front, is fixed a brilliant star of five points; and on each side of every star is placed a four-ounce case of black or gray charge. These cases must be placed with their mouths sidewise, so that their fires may cross each other.
Ninth Mutation.--This is a wheel piece. It is composed of six long spokes, with a hexagon vertical wheel at the end of each. These wheels run on spindles in front of the spokes. All the wheels are lighted together. Two-ounce cases will be sufficient for these wheels, and may be filled with any coloured charge.
II. With respect to the proportion of these mutations, with the method of conveying the fire from one to the other, and the distance they stand from each other on the spindle, the following general remarks will be sufficient.
The first mutation must be a hexagon vertical wheel fourteen inches in diameter. On one side of the block, whose diameter is two and one-fourth inches, is fixed a tin barrel. This barrel must be a little less in diameter than the nave. Let the length of the barrel, and block be six inches. Having fixed the cases on the wheel, carry a leader, from the tail of the last case, into the tin barrel, through a hole, made on purpose, two inches from the block. At the end of this leader, let there be about one inch, or two, of loose match; but be careful to secure the hole, in which the pipe is put, to prevent any sparks falling in, which would light the second mutation before its time, and confuse the whole.
The second mutation is thus made. Have a nave, turned two and a half inches in diameter, and three long; then let half an inch of that end, which faces the first wheel, be turned, so as to fit easy into the tin barrel of the first mutation, which must turn round it without touching. On the other end of the block, fix a tin barrel No. 2. This barrel must be six inches long, and only half an inch of it to fit on the block. Round the nave, fix five spokes, one inch and a half long each. The diameter of the spokes must be equal to a two-ounce former. On these spokes, put five seven-inch two-ounce cases of spur-fire, and carry leaders from the mouth of one to the other, that they may all light together. Then, from the mouth of one of these cases, carry a leader through a hole bored slantwise in the nave, from between the spokes to the front of the block, near the spindle hole. The end of this leader must project out of the hole into the barrel of the first mutation; so that, when the pipe, which comes from the end of the last case on the first wheel, flashes, it may take fire and light the second mutation. To communicate the fire to the third mutation, bore a hole near the bottom of one of the five cases to the composition; and from thence carry a leader into a hole, made in the middle of the barrel. This hole must be covered with pasted paper.
The third mutation may be either an octagon or hexagon wheel, twenty inches in diameter. Let the nave be three and a quarter inches in diameter, and three and a half in length. One and a half inches of the front of the nave must be made to fit in the barrel No. 2. On the other end of the block, fix a tin barrel No. 3. This barrel must be six and a half inches in length, one inch of which must fit over the block. The cases of this wheel must burn two at a time, and, from the mouths of the two first cases, carry a leader through holes in the nave, into the barrel of the second mutation, after the usual manner. But besides these leaders, let a pipe go across the wheel from one of the first cases to the other. Then, from the tail of one of the last cases, carry a pipe into a hole in the middle of the barrel No. 3: at the end of this pipe, let there be some loose quick match.
Fourth and Fifth Mutations.--Their naves are made of one piece, which, from the barrel of the fourth, to the commencement of the sixth, is fourteen inches. The block of the fourth is four inches in diameter, having ten or twelve short spokes, on which are fixed eleven inch eight-ounce cases. The front of this block must fit easy in the barrel of the third wheel. Clothe the cases, so that they may all light together; and let a pipe be carried through a hole in the block into the barrel No. 3, in order to receive the fire from the leader, brought from the last case on the wheel. The nave of the fifth mutation must be four and a half inches in diameter, and furnished with ten or twelve spokes, eighteen inches in length each. These spokes must stand seven inches distant from the spokes of the fourth mutation, and, at the end of each spoke, tie a four-ounce case as No. 5. All these cases are to be lighted together, by a leader brought from the end of one of the cases on No. 4.
Sixth and Seventh Mutations.--The blocks of these two mutations are turned out of one piece of wood, whose length from the barrel of the fifth wheel, to the block of the eighth wheel, is fifteen inches. The block of the sixth wheel is five inches in diameter, having eight spokes, each two feet four inches long. At the end of each spoke, tie two four-ounce cases, as in No. 6. All these cases must be fired at the same time, by a pipe brought from the end of one of the cases on the fifth mutation. Let the distance between the spokes of the sixth, and those in the fifth mutation, be seven inches. The nave of the seventh mutation must be five and a half inches in diameter, and furnished with eight spokes. On the front of them, two circular fells, one of four feet eight inches in diameter, and the other, three feet eleven inches, are to be fixed. On these fells, tie sixteen eight-ounce cases, or pound cases, as in No. 7, and carry leaders from one to the other, so that they may be fired at the same time. This mutation must be fired by a leader, brought from the tail of one of the cases on the sixth mutation.
Eighth and Ninth Mutations.--The blocks of these may be turned out of one piece, whose length from the barrel of the seventh mutation to the block of the ninth, must be twelve inches. The block of the eighth, six inches in diameter, must contain six spokes, each three feet in length, and strengthened by an hexagon fell, within three or four inches of the ends of the spokes. Close to the end of each spoke, in the front, fix a five-pointed brilliant star, and seven inches below each star, attach two ten-inch eight-ounce cases, so that the upper ends of the cases may rest on the fells, and their ends on the spokes. Each of these cases must be placed parallel to the opposite fell.
Ninth Mutation.--The block of the ninth mutation is seven inches in diameter, and holds six spokes, six feet long each, with holes and grooves for leaders, as those in the dodecaedron. At the end of each spoke in the front, fix a spindle for a hexagon vertical wheel, ten inches in diameter, as in No. 9. When these wheels are on, carry a leader from each into the block, so that they may all meet. Then lead a pipe from the end of one of the cases of the eighth mutation, through a hole bored in the block of the ninth, to meet the leaders from the vertical wheels, in order that they may be fired together.
Having thus given a brief description of this complicated work, the performance of which depends so much on the accuracy of its parts, we will now add a few remarks respecting the formation of spindles.
For the larger pieces, the spindles should be made very strong and exact. The instructions on this head are, that for a piece of nine mutations, let the spindle be, at the large end, one inch in diameter, and continue that thickness as far as the seventh mutation, and from thence to the fifth, let its diameter be three-quarters of an inch. The other proportions, then, are, from the fourth to the second, half an inch; and from the second to the end, three-eighths of an inch. At the small end must be a nut, to keep on the first wheel, and at the thick end, a large nut; so that the screw part of the spindle being put through a post, and a nut screwed on tight, the spindle will be held fast and steady. The wheels, however, ought to run easy and without sticking. The fixed pieces are made on different blocks, and the leaders must be joined, after they are fixed on the spindle. The best method of preventing the fixed mutations from moving on the spindle, is to bore a hole a little larger than the diameter of the spindle; and, at each end of the block, over the hole, fasten a piece of brass, with a square hole in it to fit the spindle.
Similar to this piece of nine mutations is the Pièce Pyrique of the French, which consists of a great variety of fixed and moving pieces, that are fired alternately, but in regular succession. This piece we purpose to describe in the following section.
Sec. XIX. Of the Pyric or Fire-Piece.
This, we have remarked, is a combination of pieces, calculated, like the one we have described, to produce a variety of fires, variously arranged and distributed.
The pyric piece commonly commences with a turning sun. This sun consists of three cases, fixed to three arms proceeding from the centre. They are attached by means of a string, and have leaders which go from one to the other of the cases. See Sun. This sun communicates its fire to a fixed sun, formed of eight or nine strips of board, crossing each other, or as many spokes from a hub, to which are attached, lengthwise, as many cases, whose mouths are made to communicate fire by means of leaders; so that each case presents the appearance we have before described. Then follows a wheel consisting of two or more concentric circles, and round which are placed eight cases, with their mouths inclining a little upwards. These cases are generally charged with brilliant fire. They communicate with each other in the usual manner, and afterwards with a fixed star, placed on a stick, proceeding from the horizontal axis. This star is made of two cases, charged with Chinese fire, with their mouths upwards, and forming, with each other, an angle of forty-five degrees. This fire is then communicated to another wheel, and from that to one, on which, at certain distances, are fixed six smaller wheels, furnished with six cases each; so that the whole are put in motion at one time, the fire being communicated at the same period. The appearance of these smaller wheels, as the cases may be charged with the coloured fire-composition, is such as to exhibit the motion of a screw; which, however, depends on the structure of the wheel. The fire from this may then communicate to other wheels of the same kind, to cases of brilliant fire, to marrons and the like, differently arranged according to fancy. Cylinders of copper or tin, called barrels by some, are used in the arrangement, in the manner already described. In fact, the remarks we have before made on the regulated piece of nine mutations, the manner of forming as well as of executing it, will apply to the Pyric-piece.
Sec. XX. Of Sundry Illuminated Figures.
There are various illuminated pieces, some of which we purpose to notice in this section.
The illuminated pyramid, with Archimedean screws, a globe, and vertical sun, may be exhibited in the following manner: Let a pyramid be made twenty-one feet in height, and the height of the pedestal six feet, and breadth nine feet, having a space between the rails of six inches. They must be made as thin as possible, and in all put port-fires at intervals of four inches. The Archimedean screws are placed on the pedestal. They are nothing more than double spiral wheels, on which the cases are placed, but horizontally instead of obliquely. The vertical sun, placed four feet below the top of the pyramid, may consist of twelve rays. The globe on the top may be made in proportion to the pyramid. The leaders must be prepared and arranged in such a manner, that all the illuminating port-fires, or lances, screws, globe, and sun may take fire together.
Transparent stars with illuminated rays are formed, by making a strong circular block or body for the star, two feet in diameter, and attaching to it illuminated rays. In the centre of the front of the body, fix a spindle, on which put a double triangular wheel, six inches in diameter, clothed with two-ounce cases of brilliant charge. The cases on this wheel must burn only one at a time.
Round the edge of the body, nail a hoop made of thin wood or tin, which must project in front six or seven inches. In this hoop, cut three or four holes to let out the smoke from the wheel. The star may be cut out of strong pasteboard or tin in the following manner: Cut a round piece of pasteboard, two feet in diameter, on which draw a star, and cut it out. Over the vacancy, paste Persian silk, and paint the letters yellow; and also four of the rays yellow, and four red. This transparent star is to be fixed to the wooden hoop by a screw, to take off and on. The illuminated rays are made of thin wood, with tin sockets, fixed on their sides, within four inches of each other. In these rockets, put the illuminating port-fires, or lances; and behind the point of each ray, attach a half pound case of gray, black, or Chinese fire. The illuminated rays are to be lighted at the same time as the triangular wheel, or after it is burnt out. This may be done by a tin barrel, in the manner described in the regulated piece. Into this barrel, carry a leader from the illuminated rays, through the back of the star, which must be met by another leader, brought from the tail of the last case on the wheel.
The regulated illuminated spiral piece, with a projected star wheel, also illuminated, is made by procuring a block, eight inches in diameter, and putting in six iron spokes, which serve for spindles for the spiral wheels. These wheels are made one and a half feet in diameter, and three feet in height. The spindles must be of sufficient length to keep the wheels four or five inches from one another. At the end of each spindle, put a screw nut. On these spindles, the wheels, that hang downwards, are to run. On the spindles, which stand upwards, must be a shoulder, for the blocks of the wheels to run on. The projected star wheel turns on the same spindle on which the large block is fixed. This spindle must be long enough to admit the star-wheel to project a little before the spiral wheels. The exterior diameter of the star wheel is five feet five inches. On this wheel, three circles of iron wire are to be fixed, to which attach either port, or other illuminating fires. On the block, place a transparent star, or a large five-pointed brilliant star. The cases on this wheel may burn four at once. The cases on the spiral wheels must be placed parallel to their fells and burn two at a time.
In order to make a figure-piece, with five-pointed stars, illuminated, all that is necessary is to have a vertical wheel about one foot in diameter, and furnished with six four-ounce cases of different coloured charge, which must burn double. On the frame of the figure piece, fix five-pointed brilliant or blue stars, rammed four inches with composition. Let the space between each star be eight inches, and, at each point, fix a gerbe or case of Chinese fire. The gerbe, stars, and wheel are to be lighted at the same time.
The illuminated star wheel may be formed by procuring a fell about four feet in diameter, and placing, within this fell, three circles of iron wire, one smaller than the other, so that the diameter of the least may be about ten inches. Place the port, or other fires on these fells, with their mouths inclining outwards, and the port-fires on the points of the star, with their mouths projecting in front. The exterior fell must be clothed with four-ounce cases of gray charge. They must burn four at a time and be lighted at the same time with the illuminations.
The illuminated regulating piece as it is called, consists of flat wooden spokes, each five feet long, and at the end of each, a vertical wheel, ten inches diameter, and clothed with six four-ounce cases of brilliant fire. These cases burn one at a time. On two of the spokes of each wheel, two port-fires are attached, which must be lighted with the first case of the wheel. On each spoke, behind the wheels, place six cases of the same size with those on the wheels. These cases must be tied across the spokes with their mouths in one direction, and be made to take fire in succession.
The diameter of the large wheel must be two and a half feet, and its fell made of wood, which is to be fixed to the large spokes. Twenty-four cases of the same kind are fixed on this wheel, and burn four at a time. On the circles of iron-wire, already mentioned, illuminating port-fires are attached. The star-points on the large spokes may be made of thin ash-hoops. The diameter of these points, close to the centre wheel, is usually eleven inches. On these, port-fires are placed, three and a half inches distant from each other.
The illuminated double cone-wheel is nothing more than a double cone, formed of a number of hoops, and supported by three or four pieces of wood, in the manner of the spiral wheels. The wheel to which the cones are attached, base to base, is two feet six inches in diameter, and the height of each cone is three feet six inches. Port-fires, or lances, are tied to each of the hoops, in a horizontal direction, with their mouths outwards. The cases are eight-ounce, and play horizontally, two at a time. The spindle for this piece must rise three feet above the point of the cone at top; so that its length will be ten feet four inches from the top of the post, in which it is fixed, allowing four inches for the thickness of the block of the wheel. The whole weight of the wheel and cones must be made to bear on a shoulder in the spindle, on which the block of the wheel is to turn. On the top of the spindle, fix a sun, composed of sixteen four-ounce cases of brilliant fire. These cases must be stuck into a block, six inches in diameter. In the front of this sun, put a circular vertical wheel, sixteen inches in diameter. On the front of this wheel, form a spiral with wire, to which attach illuminations in the usual manner. This wheel is to be fired, when the cones are burnt out, which may be done as before described. The sun must not be fired, until the vertical wheel is burnt out. Three vertical wheels illuminated, which turn on their own naves upon a horizontal table, is a piece readily formed. It consists in having a table, three feet in diameter fixed horizontally on the top of a post, with three wheels that turn round on it. There are three spokes, joined to a triangular flat piece of wood, in the middle of which, a hole is made to fit easily over a spindle placed in the centre of the table. There are three pieces of wood four or five inches long, and two inches square, fixed on the under sides of the spokes. In these pieces, holes are made lengthwise, to receive the thin parts of the blocks of the wheels, which, when in, are prevented from coming out by a small iron pin that runs through the end of each. The three vertical octagon wheels, each eighteen inches in diameter, have blocks sufficiently long, for three or four inches to rest on the table. Round these a number of sharp points of wire are driven, (which must not project out of the blocks more than 1/16th of an inch), and the clothing is affixed in the usual manner. The use of the points is this, that, when the blocks turn round, they will stick in the table and assist in giving a uniform motion to the wheel. On the front of the wheels, make four or five circles of strong wire, or flat hoops, and tie, on these circles, as many illuminations, as they will hold, at two inches from each other. Spiral lines may be made instead of circles. When illuminations are fixed in a spiral line, in the front of a wheel, they ought to be placed on the slant. The cases for these wheels may be filled with any coloured charge, but must burn only one at a time. A globe, or spiral wheel may be put on the spindle, so that its fire may play over the vertical wheels. The wheels must be lighted at the same time, and the illuminations, after two cases of each wheel are consumed.
The vertical scroll wheel is formed by taking a block of a moderate size, and fixing in it four flat spokes, and, on them, a flat circular fell of wood. Round the front of this fell, port-fires are placed; and on the front of the spokes a scroll is formed either with a hoop or strong iron-wire. On this scroll, tie cases of brilliant fire in proportion to the wheel, head to tail. When the first case near the fell is lighted, the fire is communicated in succession. The grand volute, with a projected wheel in front, is made in the following manner: Two hoops are formed of strong iron wire, one of six feet in diameter, and the other of four feet two inches. These hoops must be joined to scrolls, formed according to fancy, of the same kind of wire. On these, tie, with iron wire, as many illuminating port-fires, as they will carry, at two inches distance. Prepare then a circular wheel of four spokes, three feet six inches in diameter, and, on its fell, tie as many four-ounce cases, head to tail, as will complete the circle, only allowing a sufficient distance between the cases, that the fire may pass free. On each spoke, fix a four-ounce case, about three inches from the fell of the wheel. These cases are to burn one at a time, and the first of them to begin with those on the fell, of which four are to burn at a time. On the front of the wheel, form a spiral line with strong wire, on which tie port-fires, with their mouths to face the same way as the cases on the wheel. All these port-fires must be fired with the second cases on the wheel.
The spokes of the wheel must be formed of wood, and made to screw into a block in the centre, and each spoke should be four feet six inches in length. In the top of each, fix a spindle, and, in each spindle, put a spiral wheel of eight spokes. The blocks of these wheels must have a hole at top for the centre cases, and the spindle must be furnished with nuts, screwed on their ends, which should fit in the holes at the top of the blocks. The cases of these wheels are to burn double; and the method of firing them, is by carrying a leader from each down the spokes into the block in the centre, as in the dodecaedron; but the centre cases of each wheel must begin with the two last cases as usual. The large circular wheel in front ought to have a tin barrel on its block; into which a pipe must be carried from one of the second cases on the wheel. This pipe, being met by another from the large block, in which the eight spokes are screwed, will fire all the spiral wheels, and the illuminating port-fires at the same time. The cases of the projected wheel may be filled with a white charge, and those of the spiral wheels with a gray.
Sec. XXI. Of the Spiral or Endless Screw, and Waved Fire.
This piece is formed in the same manner as the single and double cones; and, in fact, is the same as the Archimedean screw, which we have already described. The serpentine form which characterizes the spiral piece, is given to it by the particular arrangement of the lances of illumination. The cone receives its motion from the cases of white-fire; the fire of which is communicated by leaders to the cases of port-fire, or lances of illumination. They must burn the same length of time.
The waved fire is produced by having two wheels of a similar size, turning in a contrary direction on the same axis, and furnished with cases, which are inclined about 45 degrees from the level of the table. These wheels carry four cases each, and burn at the same time. They have been made to carry forty-eight cases, and furnished, at their centres, with lances, bent in a particular manner, so as to represent the motion of serpents.
Sec. XXII. Of the Decoration of Wheels.
Wheels, we have seen, may be made of different dimensions, according to the purpose to which they are applied. The most common are three or four feet in diameter, with a nave of hard wood, and spokes of light wood. They are sometimes surmounted with a fell, and frequently by several concentric hoops, placed at different distances from each other.
Wheels, in general, are furnished with cases, and various decorations. Some have two, three, four, and more fires; but, if they are finished too much, the weight they thus acquire would retard the velocity of the wheel. Their centres may be finished in several ways; as, for instance, by attaching, to the inner fells or circles, cases filled with white lance-composition, placed at the distance of two inches from each other, or alternately, white, blue, and yellow, or Chinese gerbes, or cases of blue fire. We may also attach small turning suns, the axes of which being placed upon the spokes. They may also be made to resemble a mirror, by furnishing all the spokes with white lances; and for the last fire, we may attach four cases to the centre, or in its vicinity, placed in such a manner, that their fire may issue from the interior of the wheel. To this, we may add, two other cases, which may cross the former. Leaders are fixed, and they are lighted at the same time.
Automatons with all their joints, or articulations, have been added to exhibitions of this kind, and with particular effect. They are clothed with cases after the usual manner.
Sec. XXIII. Of Globes, with their Various Decorations.
The first we purpose to treat of are the illuminated globes with horizontal wheels.
The hoops for these globes may be made of wood, tin, or iron wire, about two feet in diameter. For a single globe, take two hoops and tie 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 may be put any number of cases, filled with any of the ordinary charges, as the white fire composition. Two of these cases must burn at a time. They may be placed horizontally, or inclining downwards. When the wheel is clothed, fix on the hoops as many illuminations as will stand, within two and a half inches of each other, which are fastened on the hoops with small iron wire. Attach the pipes of communication, and arrange them so as to carry the fire to all at the same time, with the exception of one or two, which are to receive their fire for the last. The spindle, on which the globe is to turn, must go through the block of the wheel up to the inside of the top of the globe; at this place must be fixed 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. When the globe is to be stationary and the wheel to run by itself, the block of the wheel must not be so long, or the spindle any longer than to raise the globe a little above the wheel.
We may remark, that, while the cases of white fire composition give to the piece a rotary motion, those of the lance or illuminating port-fire produce the effect, which characterizes in particular this fire-work.
With respect to fire globes, there are two kinds; namely, one with projected cases, and the other with concealed cases. If we have a globe made of wood, of any diameter, and divide its surface into twenty-four equal parts, and bore a perpendicular hole in each of these divisions to the centre, we may then represent this piece in the following manner: In every hole, except one, put a case filled with brilliant or any other charge, and let the mouths of the cases be even with the surface of the globe. Then cut in the globe a groove from the mouth of one case to that of another for leaders, which must be carried from case to case, so that they may all be fired together. The globe is then covered with a single paper and painted.
Fire globes with projected cases are made in the following way: Prepare a globe with fourteen holes, and fix in every hole except one, a case, and let each case project from the globe two-thirds of its length. Then clothe all the cases with leaders. It must be supported by a spindle made to fit the hole in which there is no case.
The bursting-globe is nothing more than a globe prepared in a particular way. It turns on a pivot, and is made by uniting four segments. These segments or parts are fixed to hinges, which open on the inside, and, when brought together, are kept in their place by a match which goes round the globe. The globe, it is to be observed, is furnished in the inside with several steel springs, which, unless the globe itself were tied, would force it open. When the match is burnt, this effect follows and the globe separates into four parts. It is furnished with lances and cases in the same manner as those already described. The last effect is that we have noticed.
Globes, which leap or roll on the ground, may be formed by procuring a wooden globe, furnished with a cylinder; and, having loaded it with the composition hereafter mentioned, introduce into it four or more petards loaded with grain powder to their orifices, which must be well stopped with paper or tow. If a globe prepared in this manner be fired by means of a match at the mouth of the cylinder, it will leap about as it burns on a smooth horizontal plane, according as the petards are set on fire. The petards may be affixed to the exterior surface of the globes, which they will cause to roll and leap as they catch fire.
Composition.
Grained powder, 1 lb. Saltpetre, 32 -- Sulphur, 8 -- Scraped ivory, 1 oz. Sawdust, (boiled in saltpetre and dried,) 8 lbs.
Sec. XXIV. Of the Representation of the Moon and Stars.
The moon and stars are represented in the following manner: Make a wheel eighteen inches in diameter, by fixing eight or more spokes in the nave; and then adapt a fell to it. To the fell fasten eight cases of the black or gray composition, and let the fire communicate from one to the other. These cases give motion to the wheel. Furnish the spokes of this wheel with cases charged with the white lance composition. Make now a crescent of iron and attach it to the spokes, or a little before the spokes of the wheel. In order to fix stars to this piece, eight strips of wood, seven feet in length, are made to cross each other at equal distances, and nailed to each other in the middle; so that when this frame is put behind and secured to the moon-piece, its arms will extend some distance beyond the perimeter of the wheel. These projections are furnished with five-pointed stars, eight inches apart, and there is usually in all thirty-two. They are made to communicate with each other by means of the cotton match, as before described. The light of the lances renders the moon very apparent, and the fixed stars resemble those in the firmament. The representation of the moon and seven stars may be performed by procuring a smooth, circular board, six feet in diameter. Out of the middle of it cut a circular piece twelve or fourteen inches in diameter, and cover the hole formed with Persian silk, on which is to be painted a moon's face. Also cut out of the board stars of four or five inches in diameter. These stars are cut out with five points and covered with oiled silk. On the front of the large circular board draw a seven-pointed star, as large as the circle will admit, and on the lines which form this star, make several perforations, in which six-pointed stars are to be fixed. A wheel of brilliant fire is placed behind the moon, which renders the moon and stars transparent. They will disappear when the wheel is burnt out; but then in consequence of the communication of the fire to the large star in front, which is formed of pointed stars, the appearance of this star succeeds, and finishes the piece.
A large fixed star may be made thus. To each extremity of the pieces of wood, arranged so as to cross each other, attach two cases of the black charge. Their fire must communicate. Near these cases, on each arm, place a turning sun of three cases. These five suns are fixed at the same time, and when they cease, the cases commence. These cases form the star.
The representation of flaming stars, with brilliant wheels, is made in the following manner. After procuring a circular piece of wood, about one inch thick, and two feet in diameter, fix round it eight points, each two feet and a half long, four of which must be straight and four waved, or flaming. These points being joined on very strong, and even with the surface of the wood, nail tin or pasteboard on their edges, from the wood to the end of each, where they must be joined. This tin is to project in front eight inches, and be joined where they meet at the block. Round the front of the wood, fix four pieces of thick iron wire, eight inches long each, equally distant from each other. Cut a piece of pasteboard round, two feet in diameter, and draw on it a star; then cut out this star, and on the back of it, place oiled paper. Paint half red and half yellow, lengthwise. The body of the star must be left open in which must be seen a brilliant wheel. This wheel is formed by having a block turned nine inches long, and fixing in it six spokes. At the end of each spoke, put a two-ounce case of brilliant fire. The length of these cases is made in proportion to the wheel, and the diameter of the wheel, when the cases are on, must be less than the diameter of the body of the small star. The cases on the spokes in front must have their mouths inclined outwards, and those on the inside spokes, placed so as to form a vertical circle of fire.
Carry the first leader, 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 in the same order to all of them. Put on a spindle in the centre of the star. This spindle must be furnished with a shoulder at bottom, to keep the wheel at a little distance from the block, which is kept on the spindle by a nut at the end. Having fixed on the wheel, fasten the transparent star to four pieces of wire. When fired, a common horizontal wheel will only be seen; but when the first case is burnt out, it will fire one of the vertical cases, which will show the transparent star and fill the large flames and points with fire. It will then appear like a common wheel, and represent the same appearance for twelve changes.
With respect to the formation of stars for regulated pieces, we may remark, that they are made of different sizes according to the work for which they are intended. They are prepared with cases from one ounce to one pound; but, in general, with four-ounce cases, four or five inches long. The cases should be rolled with paste, and twice as thick of paper as a rocket of the same caliber. Having rolled a case, let one end of it be pinched quite close; then drive in half a diameter of clay, and, when dry, fill it with composition to two or three inches of the length of the case. At the top of the charge, drive some clay; as the ends of these cases, being seldom pinched, would be likely to take fire. Divide the case, when filled, 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 another, carry a quick match, and secure it with paper, in the same manner as 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, to give fire to the points of the stars. These stars may be made with any number of points.
Sec. XXV. Of the Representation of Sundry Figures in Fire.
Animals and various figures may be represented in fire by the following method: Take sulphur, reduced to a very fine powder, and, having formed it into a paste with starch, cover the figure of the thing to be represented, with this mixture, having first coated it with clay to prevent it from being burnt. After the figure is covered with paste, it must be sprinkled, while moist, with gunpowder; and, when the whole is perfectly dry, arrange about it several small matches, that the fire may be speedily communicated to it on all sides. In this way, all sorts of garlands, festoons, and other ornaments may be imitated by fire of different colours.
A shower of fire may be connected with this representation, by using cases of one-third of an inch in diameter, charged with any of the following compositions. These cases should be two inches and a half in length. They must not be choaked, it being sufficient to twist the end of the cartridge. The effect of these cases is to fill the surrounding air with an undulating fire. The compositions are similar to those already noticed; viz. for Chinese Fire, take gunpowder one pound, sulphur two ounces, pulverized cast-iron of No. 1. five ounces; for ancient fire, meal-powder one pound, charcoal two ounces; and for brilliant fire, meal-powder one pound, and iron filings four ounces. Sparks are also sometimes employed. These are made in the usual manner.
Besides the common mode of forming sparks, as they differ from stars only in their size and duration, (being formed into small balls about the size of peas), they may be made by the following method: Take sawdust of fir, poplar, &c. and boil it in water, in which saltpetre has been dissolved. When the water has boiled some time, it is to be poured off, that the sawdust may remain in the vessel. When nearly dry, spread it out on a table, and sprinkle it with sulphur, sifted through a very fine sieve, to which may be added a little meal-powder.
If it be required to accompany the exhibition with bearded rockets, (fusées chevelues of the French), so called from the circumstance, that, when they fall, they make small undulations in the air like frizzled hair, we may form them in the following manner: Fill the barrels of some goose-quills with the composition of sky-rockets, and place upon the mouth of each a little moist gunpowder, both to keep in the composition, and to serve as a match. If a flying-rocket be then loaded with these quills, they will produce, at the end, a beautiful shower of fire.
Sec. XXVI. Of the Representation of Flat Stars, with a large Body of Fire.
A star of five points, about two feet from point to point, is to be made, and, in its centre, is placed a turning sun, composed of three cases, and altogether not more than six or eight inches in diameter. To this star five branches are fixed, each of which is three feet in length; and, to the extremity of each, are attached seven cases, with their mouths outwards, and inclining about thirty-five degrees. One case is then attached lengthwise, and forms the very extremity of each projection. On each leg or branch, nearer, however, the centre of the star, must be three cases, fixed in an hexangular form. The border of the large star is decorated with Italian or fixed stars. The fire is communicated to the star by means of a leader, then to the sun and the cases on the branches.
Sec. XXVII. Of the Single, Double, and Triple Table Wheel.
We have spoken of an arrangement of fire-works, which moves a wheel on a circular board. That contrivance is similar to the one we now purpose to describe.
The table-wheel is a kind of girandole, which turns circularly on a round table, by having its axis connected with a perpendicular pin, fixed in the table; so that its motion is vertical, while it moves in a circular position round the table.
The table, as well as the wheel, may be of any size, according to fancy. Eight or nine cases are usually attached to the fell of the wheel, and in the direction of the fell. These cases turn it with great velocity. The centre of the wheel may be decorated with lances, or illuminating port-fires. When double or treble wheels are to be arranged on the same table, this is done by having the iron so lengthened, as to extend over the table, and receive another wheel of the same size; and by using a contrivance of iron, having three projections, at equal distances apart, and turning in the same manner on a pivot, or pin, fixed in the centre of the table, three wheels may be put in motion at the same time. When two wheels are employed, we may decorate one with blue lances, and the other with yellow. When three wheels form the same piece, it is usual to illuminate them, severally, with white, blue, and yellow lances. The wheels of coloured fire augment the beauty of the exhibition. In the centre of the table, may be placed a pyramid, decorated in the usual manner. Spiral wheels, globes, &c. may be attached, if so required.
Sec. XXVIII. Of Decorations, Transparencies, and Illuminations.
Cut-work, as it is called, is often employed in decorations. Various figures, letters, garlands, &c. may be represented. This may also be accomplished in tambour-work. Several methods have been used to produce the same effect. Cut-work, made in pasteboard, and the pasteboard blackened and suspended in a frame, will, by the aid of lights placed behind it, exhibit the design very perfectly. A figure of a sun cut out of pasteboard, either fixed or made to revolve in the manner before described, and illuminated by fixed lights or revolving cases, is considered to be the best mode of forming such pieces. In all instances, the more brilliant the fire, the more perfect is the representation. Tambour decorations are variously arranged; and, frequently, in the termination of an exhibition, six or more are shown at once, and sometimes with cascades, and turning suns.
In the place of cut-work, painted transparencies, made with fine colours, and on Florence Taffeta, are usually employed. Transparent paintings however, are not preferred by some, as the effect, it is said, is not so perfect as when cut-work is employed. Morel gives a preference to the latter.
Transparencies may be formed with silk, or fine linen, and even with paper, if previously prepared, by means of the spirit of turpentine. The colours are painted in turpentine, and transparent varnish is then applied.
Transparent screens may be prepared, by spreading white wax, dissolved in spirits of turpentine, over thin muslin. A screen, thus prepared, will roll up without injury. A clearer screen may be produced, by having the muslin stretched upon a rectangular frame, and prepared with turpentine instead of wax.
In the Œuvres de Diderot, t. xv, p. 349, are observations respecting transparencies, and the manner of preparing them. The process described is nothing more than we have noticed. It consists in using the oil of turpentine, and sometimes a solution of wax in turpentine. The colours are prepared mostly with turpentine. Canada balsam, thinned by the addition of the spirit, is also employed. Moveable transparencies were exhibited with great effect in Paris. Transparent figures were made to move continually in every direction, which had a singular appearance. Artificial fire-works were very accurately imitated, by producing a variety of movements with different pieces of transparencies, variously coloured. The sun, moon, and stars, revolving wheels, &c. composed a part of this exhibition.
With respect to decorations in white and coloured lances, we may observe, that artificial fire-works are usually terminated by some decoration, which corresponds with the subject. For this purpose, triumphal arches, fronts of palaces, colonades, rocks, &c. are formed, and represented in wood-work. These are usually clothed, and painted in water-colours. From the rocks, water is made to issue, forming cascades, and a number of figures are put in motion. The jets of water are terminated by jets of Chinese fire, or brilliant fire-rain.
The furniture, or decorations, may be various, either with white or coloured lances of illumination, hung four inches apart, and attached to different parts of the figure, or building. If it is in front of a temple, the columns are ornamented with emblems, &c. the fire-work being thus arranged: viz. blue lances are attached to the columns, white lances to their entablature, and to the emblems, yellow lights. This however, depends on taste.
Decorations are also made with matches; but this mode is not preferred, because so much smoke is thereby produced.
Figures, cut in paper, are illuminated in the manner before described. But for this purpose, muslin is first stretched on a frame, and its sides are covered with two or three thicknesses of paper, which are pasted on. It is then blackened. After tracing the design, or the subject of the illumination, and cutting it out with exactness, the frame is put in a case, sufficiently deep to contain a number of lights.
Illuminations, as an expression, of public feeling for some event or memorable occasion, are by no means a recent thing. Various modes have been adopted to render such exhibitions more elegant, as well as more expressive. Hence, with the usual display of lights, arranged according to taste and fancy, transparencies, decorations, such as we have described, &c. have been more or less customary.
We mentioned, in the first part of our work, something in relation to the antiquity of illuminations; but, as this subject may be interesting, we deem the following brief remarks not irrelevant.
Beckman assures us, (History of Inventions), that the origin of illuminations is very ancient. The feasts, or holy-days were celebrated in the days of antiquity, in various ways, among which, that with lamps was very common in Egypt. It was called the feast of the lamps, (Fête des Lampes), and the inhabitants of some cities in Egypt were obliged to illuminate, with a great number of lamps, placed before their houses. Herodotus (lib. ii, chap. 62), remarks, that, at a particular festival of the Egyptians, lamps were placed before all the houses throughout the country, and kept burning the whole night. During the festum encæniorum, the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple, which, according to common opinion, was celebrated in December, and continued eight days, a number of lamps were lighted before each of their houses. Such illuminations were used, also, in Greece and Rome, and were called Lampadaria. An infinite number of lamps were burnt in honour of Minerva, Vulcan, Prometheus, Bacchus, &c. On the last occasion, the illumination was called Lamptericæ. It seems that the lighting of streets had not been adopted at that period.[25] At Rome, the forum was lighted, when games were exhibited in the night-time; and Caligula, on a like occasion, caused the whole city to be lighted. As Cicero was returning home late at night, after Cataline's conspiracy had been defeated, lamps and torches were lighted in all the streets, in honour of that great orator. The emperor Constantine caused the whole city of Constantinople to be illuminated with lamps and wax candles on Easter-eve. The first christians often illuminated their houses on idolatrous festivals, in a more elegant manner than the heathens. This was dictated by policy. The houses of the ancients were illuminated on birth-days, by suspending lamps from chains.
For illuminations at the present day, tallow is chiefly used. It is clarified, for the making of candles, by means of alum. M. Olaine in 1710 presented to the academy of sciences an apparatus for the manufacture of candles. The bougie economique of the French is described in the Journal de Paris for 1782. The outline of the process for preparing them is as follows: Take eight parts of suet, and melt it with one quart of water; and after straining it, and returning it to the same boiler, add the same quantity of water, in which was dissolved half an ounce of saltpetre, as much sal ammoniac, and one ounce of alum. The boiling is continued to evaporate the water. The wick is made of cotton or flax, and rolled in a solution of camphor in petroleum, and afterwards covered in the usual manner with the above composition.
In using tallow generally, quicklime is recommended to be added to it in fusion. When the quicklime subsides, it is poured off. Another mode recommended is to melt the tallow with vinegar, and to add to it a decoction of rosemary, sage, laurel, and a small quantity of turmeric; the whole being boiled until the water is evaporated. This communicates, it is said, an agreeable odour, and a yellow colour. Different modes of preparing tallow for candles have been used. See sal ammoniac. With respect to ancient lamps, some account of them has been published in the Antiquities, by Montfaucon and by Passeri; and the Journal des Savants 1682 and 1685 mentions the two lamps of Boyle and Sturmius, and some account of the celebrated lamp of Callimacus in the temple of Minerva. On the formation of lamps, and the purification of oil, sundry patents have been granted both in France and England. The argand lamp for burning its own smoke, which it effects by a glass cylinder placed over the flame, is one of the best improvements of the kind. The principle of these lamps is the same, although variously modified in shape and structure. For chemical purposes, an iron cylinder is substituted for glass. A lamp, for the burning of tar and turpentine, with steam, has lately been invented by Mr. Morey, (see Silliman's Journal Vol. II.) Mr. E. Clarke obtained a patent for a lamp calculated to burn tallow; the principle of which is, that by the heat of the flame, the caloric is conducted to the tallow by means of a piece of iron, which is heated by it, and the tallow melts as it is wanted. This lamp may be economically used, when common lamp oil is scarce and high in price. A lamp is described in the Repository of Arts, to burn tallow.
As a wick, besides cotton, several substances have been recommended. The filaments of amianthus, for instance, while they perform the office of a wick, are incombustible. The Journal de Verdun for 1748, announced incombustible wick by sieur Lespar. Touch wood, the tussilago sarfara, and the verbascum tapsus of Linnæus, are also recommended. In 1783, Leger announced, in the Journal de la Blancherie, that he had invented a match which would burn without smoke and odour.
Lamps have been furnished with fixed and moveable mirrors, to throw the light forward by reflection. The reverberatory lamps, revolving lights for light houses, &c. are of this kind. Many patents have been obtained for such contrivances, which we have not room to notice.
The inflammable air lamp for the table, described in the Dictionnaire de l'Industrie, is nothing more than a spirit of wine lamp, and used in lieu of hot bricks, or vessels filled with boiling water for the warming of dishes, &c. In 1780, M. Ehrman, in his Description et usage de quelques lampes à air inflammable, describes a chafing dish with inflammable air, invented by Nevet, which operates by the combustion of hydrogen gas.[26]
Fixed illuminations are more brilliant and more magnificent; as the lights are more numerous, as well as more diversified. Wax, spermaceti, or tallow candles, or oil burnt in tin lamps, or in glass cups suspended by wire, are all used for the purpose. If the wick be dipped in spirit of turpentine, it will take fire instantaneously. It is unnecessary to make any remarks as to the arrangement of lights.
Large dishes containing melted tallow, and a wick proportionally thick and suspended by means of a simple contrivance of tin, are recommended for the same purpose. Coloured lights afford a variety. The appearance of coloured flame may be produced by burning the oil in coloured glasses, so disposed as to let the light pass through the glass, or by placing lamps behind bottles filled with coloured water.[27]
The coloured glasses which are sold in Paris for the purpose, are formed with facets on the outside, which not only produce the appearance of coloured flame, but also, according to the number of facets, the refraction and reflection of the light. Arches, pyramids, obelisks, &c. are lighted up in this manner.
The Pont Neuf, and the Seine in 1739, were illuminated at the time of the splendid exhibition of fire-works. It is unnecessary, however, to particularize on this head. We all remember the splendid illuminations in all our cities during the late war, which were indeed a true expression of our national and individual feeling. Illuminations, in this country, before that time were very rare; none we think since the peace of 1783, and the union under the federal compact.
Phosphuret of lime, of the size of peas, thrown into water, will afford, at short intervals, a brilliant flame of fire; for the phosphuretted hydrogen gas thus produced has the property of inflaming spontaneously in atmospheric air. Alcohol, containing sundry salts in solution, will give a flame of various colours, according to the salt it holds in solution. See Alcohol.
Illuminated works are much admired by the Italians, and particularly the Illuminated chandelier, which is considered a great addition to a collection of works. An illuminated chandelier is formed of thin wood with arms extending on each side. Holes are bored in the front of the branches and in the body, and also in the eagle (if it be added,) at top, and distant from each other about three inches. In these holes, we put illuminations, filled with white, blue and brilliant charge. Having fixed in the port-fires, they must be clothed with leaders, so that the chandelier and eagle may light together.
We may also observe, that, for the speedy lighting of a number of lamps, at one and the same time, quick-match enclosed in paper tubes has been used. This quick-match is sometimes made to communicate its fire to a sulphur match, prepared by dipping strands of cotton in melted sulphur, and from this to the lamp. Several methods are recommended for this purpose; one of which consists in dipping cotton wick in the oil of spike, and arranging it along the wicks of the different lamps, so that when inflamed the fire may pass rapidly from one lamp to another. In 1772, M. Renault, a Parisian, announced in the public papers, that he possessed a secret, by which he could light 2000 lamps in five minutes, by means of a match of communication.
We have some experiments and observations on coloured flame, by Mr. Morey, in his essay on heat and light, in the second volume of Silliman's Journal of Science and Arts, p. 120. The experiments are curious, and worthy of remark. If water, he observes, be put into one cylinder, and made to boil, and the steam be led to the bottom of another included cylinder, containing spirits of turpentine, the steam, when let out under a moderate pressure, carries off with it a sufficient quantity of the spirit to burn with a pleasant white flame, free from smoke; but if the pressure be increased, the flame will become in part or wholly blue. "Here," he adds, "as in many other experiments, I have noticed, that different coloured flames may be produced from the same materials--are the products of combustion different?" He further observes, that "if the steam of water, containing a small proportion of the vapour of rosin, be driven against iron, at or below a red heat, it burns with a pleasant blue flame, which will be extended some way back into the column of the vapour, intermixed with innumerable sparks of very white flame, evidently particles of the rosin. If the vapours, when the proportion of the rosin is very small, are made to pass between two plates of iron, at or near a red heat, they can be inflamed on the opposite sides of the plates, and will then, sometimes, burn with an entirely blue flame, although the vapour can not be inflamed, without the intervention of the plates." He states other experiments, made with tallow and steam, producing a blue flame. The blue colour seems to be owing to the pressure made use of; for, in his second communication, (page 122, of the same volume), he mentions white flame being produced by the vapour of water; and when it is in a sufficient quantity, there is no smoke. If too great, combustion ceases. Speaking of the colour of the flame, produced by mixed vapours, (of the combustible and water), such as blue, blue and white, white and intense white, he adds, that they may be imitated, at pleasure, with the patent lamp stove, by burning tar, pitch pine, or mineral coal and water. Newly made charcoal will take up about three times its weight of water. "Sand, ashes, or fine clay," he observes, "answers well for mixing with the tar, &c. If the latter be made into a paste with equal parts of spirit of turpentine and water, and cold lumps of it, of a conical form, be placed on a table, and a flame applied, the vapours burn without smoke for a short time, &c. If enclosed in a tin cylinder, and the vapour be made to issue through small holes at the top, placed as before stated, or on a plate over a chafing dish of coals, it burns with a very bright light, free from smoke. If the cylinder be tight at the top and the vapour be led from the inside at the top, down and through the bottom, and there be made to issue in an oblique direction, and from a number of small openings, it will burn with a beautiful flame and supports and regulates, very accurately, its own evaporation. The oblique direction carries the heat, in part, beyond the cylinder, when the evaporation is too great.
"Every effect may be produced in consuming the smoke, and giving an intense white flame, by using a certain proportion of water, intimately blended or mixed with these vapours, that can be from an access of oxygen furnished, by creating a very strong current of air, with a high flue." The description of Morey's lamp stove, may be seen in the same work. The steam, he observes, may be furnished by a small tin boiler, and directed to or near the bottom of the tar. An intense white flame free from smoke, may be thus produced from tar, rosin, rough turpentine or the spirit, alcohol, oil, fat, tallow, mineral coal, pitch pine wood, and the knots, birch bark, and pumpkin, sun-flower, flax, and other seeds. With regard to pine wood, he adds, it is the easiest managed, evaporates at a lower temperature, consumes a greater proportion of water in its combustion, contains the water within itself, and gives a brighter light than common candles or lamps, and without smoke. The more volatile parts are evaporated at a temperature below that of boiling water, and burn well with three parts of the vapour of water; the flame then, however, is nearly blue. Observations on the application of this mode of producing light and heat, may be seen in Silliman, p. 131, &c. It appears, that Gay-Lussac (Annales de Chimie, for June, 1819,) has commented on Mr. Morey's plan.
Professor Hare (Silliman's Journal, vol. 2d, p. 172) also observes, that the flame of hydrogen gas is rendered luminous, like that of oil, by adding a small quantity of oil of turpentine to the usual mixture for generating this gas; and that the addition of 1/17 of the same fluid to alcohol, will give it the property of burning with a highly luminous flame; and there is a certain point in the proportions, at which the mixture burns without smoke, like a gas light. In the first instance, he observes, when the ingredients are at the proper temperature, the light is greater than that produced by carburetted hydrogen gas. Speaking of this application of spirits, the professor judiciously adds: "It might be serviceable to morals, if the value of this article could be enhanced by a new mode of consumption." We find, also, that the effect of vapour on flame has been noticed by Dr. Dana, in the same Journal, vol. 1, p. 40; by which it appears, that when a jet of steam is made to pass into a charcoal fire, the vividness of the combustion is increased, and also the low attenuated flame of the coal; that it prevents the smoke of a common oil lamp, and makes the flame brighter; that the flame of spirit of turpentine, which is usually dull and reddish, is rendered bright, and no smoke is formed; or when the vapour of both are made to issue together from the same orifice, and inflamed, no smoke appears; that a jet of steam, thrown into the flame of a spirit of wine lamp, or into flames which evolve no smoke or carbonaceous matter, produces the same effect as a current of air; but that, in all flames which evolve smoke, steam produces an increased brightness and a more perfect combustion. Dr. Dana further suggests, that steam might be introduced into the flames of street lamps, which might be so contrived as to keep water boiling, to produce the steam, and thereby cause a more perfect combustion, and a greater quantity of light from the same materials.
Count Rumford has shown, that the quantity of light, emitted by a given portion of inflammable matter in combustion, is proportional, in some high ratio, to the elevation of temperature; and that a lamp, having many wicks near each other, so as mutually to increase their heat, burns with infinitely more brilliancy than the Argand lamps in common use. To measure the proportional intensities of two or more lights; place them a few inches asunder, and at the distance of a few feet or yards from a screen of white paper, or a white wall. On holding a small card near the wall two shadows will be projected on it, the darker one by the interception of the brighter light, and the lighter shadow, by the interception of the duller light. Bring the fainter light nearer to the card, or remove the brighter one further from it, till both shadows acquire the same intensity. Measure now the distances of the two lights, from the wall or screen, square them, and you have the ratio of illumination. Thus, if an Argand flame and a candle, stand at the distances of 10 feet and 4 feet, respectively, when their shadows are equally deep, we have 10^2 and 4^2, or 100 and 16, or 6-1/4 and 1, for their relative quantities of light.
The author of the Dictionnaire de l'Industrie, vol. iii, p. 365, in treating on the subject of illumination, mentions different modes of illuminating, both with and without transparencies. We know that various mixtures will produce different coloured flame. Thus, arsenic will burn with a beautiful white flame in oxygen gas; iron and steel will burn also, affording a brilliant light; phosphorus and charcoal with a white, and sulphur with a beautiful blue flame; zinc with a green colour, &c.
Again, we know that a mixture of nitrate of strontia and charcoal will burn with a rose coloured flame; one part of boracic acid, and three of charcoal, with a green flame; one of nitrate of barytes, and four of charcoal, with a yellow flame; and equal parts of nitrate of lime and charcoal powder, with an orange flame. We also know, that cotton dipt in oil of turpentine, or ardent spirit, rosin, camphor, &c. will burn extremely vivid and beautiful.
The author, whom we have just quoted, gives some remarks on the various coloured flames, that may interest the reader.
Felt (Feutre, Fr.) he remarks, if put in the fire, will give most beautiful colours, a golden yellow and a brilliant blue. And this, he adds, may be proved by throwing pieces of old hats into the fire; for these colours depend on the substances used in dying the hat. He further remarks, that green oak wood gives a yellow flame, and alcohol with sedative salt, (boracic acid), a blue, and that, by uniting the flame of both, the product, as to colour, will be a green.
The flame of alcohol is changed of various colours, according to the salt it holds in solution. Of this circumstance, Schatt was apprised, when he gave some formula many years ago, on the manner of forming coloured flame. Reaumur remarked also, the different colours which some metals assume, when submitted to the action of heat, which is known now to be the effect of oxidizement.
As respects the phenomena with felt, we are told, that, if we throw into the fire the cuttings of hats, we will perceive at first a white flame, and then in succession a blue, green, and violet colour; all which, our author observes, proceeds from the verdigris and other substances, employed in the composition of the dye stuff. There is one fact, which he has asserted, which may probably be explained on the materiality of light, so far as regards the formation of colour, (not considering, however, the theory of Bancroft, given in his Philosophy of Permanent Colours, or the more philosophical one of Dr. Samuel Conover, of Philadelphia, in the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society), and this fact is, that the flame carries the colour to the object which it illuminates, and that the object itself actually partakes of the colour, in order to produce any particular appearance. That colours, as visible to the eye, are all formed in the solar light, and their appearance depends upon the absorption of some of the rays of light, and the reflection of others, is a doctrine which followed the discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton. We have not room to notice this subject, however interesting it may be in a philosophical point of view.
There can be no doubt, that the art of colouring flame was known for a long time. We are told, that the philosopher Anaxilaus even pretended, that, by putting ink with the oil of a lamp, or the liquor of the cuttle fish, the faces of the bystanders will appear black by the light of this lamp! Sulphur has the effect of rendering the visage pale and cadaverous. Other persons, as Simon Sethe, advanced an opinion, that, if we moisten the wick of a lamp with ink, or in a mixture of the rust of copper, and having lighted the wick, and placed other lights around it, the faces will appear, some black, and some of a brass colour. Others, such as Cardan, say, that, by making a mixture of wine and salt, and then reducing it two-thirds by evaporation, the flame, which the wine will then give, will make the living put on a cadaverous appearance, if they remain in one posture. Malina also observes, that, by burning a piece of woollen cloth well soaked in a solution of salt in vinegar, the visage will appear frightful by the light of the flame. But the process of J. B. Porta is not less worthy of note. If good old wine, he observes, be put into a bowl with a handful of salt, and set on live coals, but not in the flame, and as soon as it begins to boil, is set on fire, (the other lights in the room being extinguished), the figure of each person will appear so hideous, as to produce a mutual dread. The author of the Dictionnaire de l'Industrie, iii, p. 433, observes, that he has repeated this experiment, sometimes with brandy, and at other times with alcohol, with perfect success.
A cadaverous appearance is said to be given, by mixing common salt with alcohol, in which some saffron had been infused. When set on fire, and the other lights extinguished, the effect, we are told, is very striking.
The so called miraculous luminaries, are nothing else than solar phosphori, which are very numerous. Their effect is to emit light in the dark, but not heat. Almost every thing in nature possesses this property in a greater or less degree, which depends on the absorption and subsequent transmission of light. The eyes of various animals have this property; cats and owls in particular. Snow possesses it in a considerable degree. Putrid animal matter, fish, for example, rotten wood, &c. partake also of this property.
It may not be improper to notice, in a general way, some of the substances, which are denominated solar phosphori. The Bolognian phosphorus is the calcined baroselenite, (sulphate of barytes), which, when exposed a few minutes to the light, shines when taken into the dark like burning coals. In water it emits the same light. This property, as is the case with all other solar phosphori, it loses gradually; but by heating it again, imbibes light. Canton's phosphorus is calcined oyster shells. It is used in the same manner. Baldwin's phosphorus is fused nitrate of lime. Various saline and other bodies, as diamonds and precious gems, possess the same property. Expressed oils and animal fats, when heated to 450°, become phosphorescent.
Hanzelet (Traité des Feux d'Artifice) remarks, that a stone may be made to give light by water, if prepared in the following manner. Take quicklime, tutty, and saltpetre, of each one part; reduce them to powder, and expose them to the action of heat. On the addition of water, light is said to be given out.
When quicklime is mixed with essential oil, and brought in contact with water, spontaneous combustion is said to take place.
Fluor or Derbyshire spar, (fluate of lime), when pulverized and heated to 212° Fahr., and then removed to the dark, is very luminous. If writing be made on a copper or iron plate, with thin mucilage or white of egg, and powdered fluor spar, sprinkled on it; when the plate is removed to a gentle coal fire, the delineated objects will become luminous, and opaque again when the plate becomes cold. The lapis lazuli has the same effect.
The phosphoric substances, which become luminous by attrition or percussion, are numerous. Homberg's phosphorus, which is nothing more than calcined muriate of lime, is of this character. When struck it emits light. Without either light or fire, a number of bodies will give out light. Flints, and other siliceous stones, struck against one another, appear luminous in the dark. Various other minerals have the same property. Wedgwood (Phil. Trans. 179,) Coates (Nich. Jour. 1799,) Westrumb (Crell's Chem. Annals, 1784,) have written on this subject; to which enumeration we may add the interesting remarks of Dr. Hulme, (Phil. Trans. 1800,) and the observations of Cabarris, in his Memoir, read before the National Institute.
It may be sufficient to remark, that the shell-fish called pholas; the meduca phosphorea, and other molluscsæ; several insects of the species fulgora, or lantern-fly; the lampyris, or glowworm; the scolopendra electrica; the cancer fulgens; the medullary substance of the human brain, &c. are all phosphorescent.
M. Dessaignes (Bulletin de la Société Philomatique, Octobre, 1810) made a number of experiments on solid, liquid, and aeriform bodies, relative to the disengagement of light by compression. Among other conclusions, he adds, that water is the cause of the spontaneous phosphorescence of bodies, such as quicklime, Canton's phosphorus, dry muriate of lime, &c. all which, when brought in contact with water, emit light, which he attributes to the consolidation of that fluid. The absorption of moisture, and its subsequent consolidation, may, in some instances, give rise to luminous appearances.
The lapis solaris, Bolognian stone, or the present sulphate of barytes, was discovered in 1602, by Casciorolus, a shoemaker of Bologna. He came to Scipio Begatello, who at that time was particularly known by his attachment to the art of gold-making, and showed him this stone, under the mystical name of lapis solaris, on account of its attracting the golden light of the sun, and its boasted fitness for converting the semi-metals into gold, the sol of the alchemists!
Dr. Brewster (Edinburgh Philosophical Journal) made a number of experiments on the colour and intensity of light, evolved by different minerals, by which it appears, that the yellow sulphate of barytes gives a pale light, while fluate of lime, a blue and green light. Cellini (Treatise on Jewelry, published near the beginning of the 16th century) was the first who observed the phosphorescence of minerals; it does not appear that he knew of the Bolognian stone. Grimshire (Nicholson's Journal, 8vo. vols. 15, 16, 19,) made a number of experiments on the emission of light by bodies, when subjected to the electrical influence; and, when thus treated, sulphate of barytes gave a brilliant green light.
The cawk of the miners, as it is also a sulphate of barytes, phosphoresces when previously exposed to heat.
There are two water fountains, both set in motion by the action of heat on confined air, which, as it expands, forces the water from an under vessel in jets. The first is called the illuminated fountain, and plays when the candles are lighted, stopping when they are extinguished. The other is a fountain, which acts on the same principle, but by the heat of the sun. The effect of the first is more or less considerable according to the pressure of the air upon the water, and consequently, to the degree of rarefaction which the air undergoes.
The chemical illumination of some writers, by using oil of vitriol, iron filings, and water, and inflaming the vapour as it proceeds from a bottle, is nothing else than the inflammation of hydrogen gas. The "white vapours," which they describe, is the gas in question.
Having noticed the use of candles and lamps for illumination, we purpose, in concluding this article, to give the result of some experiments on the relative intensities of light, and duration of different candles, made by Dr. Ure, which we extract from his Dictionary of Chemistry.
----------+----------+---------+----------+---------+---------+--------- Number | Duration | Weight | Consump. | Propor- | Economy | Candles in a | of a | in | per hour:| tion of| of |equal one pound. | candle. | grains. | grains. | light. | light. | argand. ----------+----------+---------+----------+---------+---------+--------- 10 mould | 5 h. 9 m.| 682 | 132 | 12¼ | 68 | 5.7 10 dipped | 4 36 | 672 | 150 | 13 | 65½ | 5.25 8 mould | 6 31 | 856 | 132 | 10½ | 59½ | 6.6 6 do. | 7 2½ | 1160 | 163 | 14⅔ | 66 | 5.0 4 do. | 9 36 | 1787 | 186 | 20¼ | 80 | 3.5 Argand | | | | | | Oil Flame | | | 512 | 69.4 | 100 | ----------+----------+---------+----------+---------+---------+---------
The doctor remarks, that 1/8th of a gallon of good seal-oil, weighs 6010 gr. or 13 and 1/10th oz. avoirdupois, and lasts, in a bright argand lamp, 11 hours 44 minutes. The weight of oil it consumes per hour, is equal to four times the weight of tallow in candles, 8 to the pound, and three and one-seventh times the weight of tallow in candles, 6 to the pound. But its light being equal to that of 5 of the latter candles, it appears, from the above table, that 2 lbs. weight of oil, in an argand, are equivalent, in illuminating power, to three pounds of tallow candles. The larger the flames in the above candles the greater the economy of light.[28]
Sec. XXIX. Of Imitative Fire-Works.
Imitative fire-works are nearly of the same character as the transparencies and illuminations mentioned in the last section; but, as this subject may be interesting to some of our readers, we thought proper for that reason to appropriate a section to its consideration.
Imitative fire-works are formed in the following manner: Take a paper that is blacked on both sides, or instead of black, let it be coloured on each side with a deep blue, which will be still better for such as are to be seen through transparent papers. It must be of a proper size for the figure intended to be exhibited. In this paper, cut with a pen-knife several spaces, and with a piercer make a great number of holes, rather long than round, and at no regular distance from each other.
To represent revolving pyramids and globes, the paper must be cut through with a pen-knife, and the space cut out between each spiral should be three or four times as wide as the spirals themselves. They must be so cut, that the pyramid or globe may appear to turn on its axis. The columns that are represented in pieces of architecture, or in jets of fire, must be cut in the same manner as if they are to be represented as turning on their axis.
In like manner may be exhibited a great variety of ornaments, cyphers, and medallions, which, when properly coloured, cannot fail of producing a most pleasing effect. There should not be a very great diversity of colours, as that would not produce the most agreeable appearance.
When these pieces are drawn upon a large scale, the architecture or ornaments may be shaded; and to represent different shades, pieces of coloured paper must be pasted over each other, which will produce an effect that would not be expected from transparent paintings. Five or six pieces of paper, pasted over each other, will be sufficient to represent the strongest shades. To give these pieces the different motions they require, we must first consider the nature of each piece: if, for example, we have cut out the figure of the sun, or of a star, we must construct a wire wheel of the same diameter with those pieces. Over this wheel a very thin paper is to be pasted, on which is drawn with black ink the spiral figure. The wheel thus prepared, is to be placed behind the sun or star, in such a manner that its axis may be exactly opposite the centre of either of those figures. This wheel may be turned by any contrivance.
Now, the wheel being placed directly behind the sun, for example, and very near to it, is to be turned regularly round and strongly illuminated by candles placed behind it. The lines that form the spiral will then appear through the spaces cut from the sun, to proceed from its centre to its circumference; and will resemble sparks of fire that incessantly succeed each other. The same effect will be produced by the star, or by any other figure, where the fire is not to appear as proceeding from the circumference to the centre.
These two pieces, as well as those that follow, may be of any size, provided we observe the proportion between the parts of the figure and the spiral, which must be wider in large figures than in small. If the sun, for example, have from six to twelve inches diameter, the width of the strokes that form the spiral need not be more than one-twentieth part of an inch, and the spaces between them that form the transparent parts, about two-tenths of an inch. If the sun be two feet in diameter, the strokes should be one-eighth of an inch, and the space between, one quarter of an inch; and if the figure be six feet in diameter, the strokes should be one-fourth of an inch, and the spaces, five-twelfths of an inch. These pieces have a pleasing effect, when represented of a small size; but the deception is more striking when they are of larger dimensions.
It will be proper to place these pieces, when of a small size, in a box quite close on every side, that none of the light may be diffused in the chamber; for which purpose it will be convenient to have a tin door behind the box, to which the candlesticks may be soldered, and the candles more easily lighted.
The several figures cut out should be placed in frames, that they may be put alternately in a groove in the forepart of the box, or there may be two grooves, that the second piece may be put in before the first is taken out.
The wheel must be carefully concealed from the eye of the spectator. Where there is an opportunity of representing these artificial fires by a hole in the partition, they will doubtless have a much more striking effect, as the spectator cannot then conjecture by what means they are produced.
It is easy to conceive, that, by extending this method, wheels may be constructed with three or four spirals, to which may be given different directions. It is manifest, also, that, on the same principle, a great variety of transparent figures may be contrived, which may be all placed before the same spiral lines.
In representing cascades of fire, it is necessary to observe, that, in cutting out the cascades, care must be taken to preserve a natural inequality in the parts cut out; for if to save time, all the holes are made with the same pointed tool, the uniformity of the parts will produce a disagreeable effect.
To produce the apparent motion of these cascades, instead of drawing a spiral, a slip of strong paper is to be provided, in which there must be made a great number of holes near each other, and made with pointed tools of different dimensions.
At each end of the paper, a part, of the same size with the cascade, must be left uncut; and towards those parts the holes must be made a greater distance from each other.
When the cascade that is cut out is placed before the scroll of paper just mentioned, and it is entirely wound upon the roller, the part of the paper that is then between, being quite opaque, no part of the cascade will be visible; but, as the wheel is turned gently and regularly round, the transparent part of the paper will give to the cascade the appearance of fire that descends in the same direction; and the illusion will be so strong, as to appear as a real cascade of fire.
XI. OF AQUATIC FIRE-WORKS
Fire-works, which are exhibited on water, have a very pleasing effect. Water rockets, in particular, are much admired.
Sec. I. Of Water Rockets.
Water rockets are generally small, from four ounces to two pounds. When large, they are difficult to be kept above water without a cork float. When this is used, it is tied to the neck of the case. They will not dive as well with as without floats.
The cases for water rockets are made in the same proportion as for sky-rockets, but the paper is thicker. For those which are driven solid, put in at first a ladle full of slow-fire, and then two of the proper charge, and on that, one or two ladles of sinking charge; then the proper charge, then the sinking charge again; and so on till the case is filled within three diameters. Then drive on the composition one ladleful of clay, through which make a small hole to the charge. Fill the case within half a diameter with corn powder, on which turn down two or three rounds of the case in the inside; then pinch and tie the end very tight. Having thus filled the rockets, dip their ends in melted rosin or sealing wax, or secure them with grease. When they are fired, six or eight may be thrown in at once; but if they are all to swim or sink at the same time, they must all have an equal quantity of composition and be fired together.
In the rockets which burn in the water, there must be a considerable variation in the construction of the mould, and also in the materials of which they are composed. The composition should consist of three materials mixed together, viz. three ounces of meal-powder, one pound of saltpetre, and eight ounces of sulphur. If the rocket is to appear on the water with a beautiful tail, the composition must consist of eight ounces of gunpowder, one pound of saltpetre, eight ounces of sulphur, and two ounces of charcoal. When the composition has been prepared according to these proportions, and the rocket been filled, apply a saucisson to the end of it, and having covered the rocket with wax, pitch, &c. as before mentioned, attach it to a small rod of white willow, about two feet in length, that the rocket may conveniently float. Cork may be used, as we observed, for the same purpose. A certain quantity of meal-powder, without any mixture, put at certain distances, must be used, if it is required that these rockets should plunge down and again rise up.
Sec. II. Of Pipes of Communication.
The pipes of communication which are used under water, must be made of thick paper, and when dry covered with drying oil, which must then be thoroughly dried. In oiling them leave about one and a half inches dry for joints; as the parts would not adhere where the oil was applied. The whole, however, is completely oiled after the leaders are joined, and the paste dry. These pipes will remain under water for some time without injury.
Sec. III. Of Horizontal Wheels for Water.
An octagon wheel is to be provided, made of flat boards eighteen inches in diameter, so that the length of each size will be near seven inches. In all the sides, cut a groove for the cases to lie in. Procure a wooden bowl without a handle, and on the top nail the wheel; then take four eight-ounce cases, filled with a proper charge, each about six inches in length. When the wheel is to be clothed with these cases, get some whitish-brown paper, and cut it into slips of four or five inches broad, and seven or eight long. These slips being pasted all over on one side, take one of the cases, and roll one of the slips of paper about one and a half inches on its end, so that there will remain about two and a half inches of the paper hollow from the end of the case. This case is to be tied on one of the sides of the wheel, near the corners of which holes must be bored, through which the pack thread is put to tie the cases. Having tied on the first case at the neck and end, put a little meal-powder in the hollow paper; then paste a slip of paper on the end of another case, the head of which put into the hollow paper of the first, allowing a sufficient distance from the tail of one to the head of the other for the pasted paper to bend without tearing. The second case is to be tied on in the same manner as the first, and so on with the rest except the last, which must be closed at the end; unless it is to communicate to any thing on the top of the wheel, such as fire-pumps, or brilliant fires, fixed in holes cut in the wheel, provided they be not too heavy for the bowl.
Before the cases are tied on, the upper part of all their ends except the last should be cut shelving, that the fire from one may play over the other, without being obstructed by the case. Wheel cases have no clay driven in their ends, nor are they pinched, but always left open; only the last, or those which are not to lead fire, which must be well secured.
Sec. IV. Of Water Mines.
A bowl and wheel, as above described, are necessary for this exhibition; but with this difference that in the wheel there must be a hole large enough to receive the mine. These mines are tin pots, with strong bottoms, and a little more than two diameters in length. The mine must be fixed in the hole in the wheel, with its bottom resting on the bowl; then loaded with serpents, crackers, stars, small water rockets, &c. in the same manner as pots of aigrettes; but in the centre fix a case of Chinese fire, or a small gerbe, which must be lighted at the beginning of the last case on the wheel. These wheels are to be clothed as usual.
Sec. V. Of Fire Globes for the Water.
Bowls for water globes must be very large, and the wheels on them of a decagon form. On each side of the wheels, nail a piece of wood four inches long; and on the outside of each, cut a groove, wide enough to receive about one-fourth of the thickness of a four-ounce case. These pieces of wood must be nailed in the middle of each face of the wheel, and fixed in an oblique direction; so that the fire from the cases may incline upwards. The wheel being thus prepared, tie in each groove a four-ounce case, filled with a gray charge. Then carry a leader from the tail of one case to the mouth of another.
Globes for these cases are made of two tin hoops, with thin edges outwards, fixed one within the other, at right angles. The diameter of these hoops must be somewhat less than that of the wheel. Having made a globe, drive in the centre of the wheel, an iron spindle, which must stand perpendicular, and be in length four or six inches more than the diameter of the globe.
The spindle serves as an axis, on which the globe is fixed, which, when done, must stand four or six inches from the wheel. Round, on one side of each hoop, must be soldered small bits of tin, two and a half inches distant from each other. These pieces must be two inches in length each, and only fastened at one end, the other ends being left loose, on which to turn round the small port-fires, to hold them on: These port-fires must be made of such a length, as will last out the cases on the wheel. There need not be any port-fires at the bottom of the globe, within four inches of the spindle; for, if there were, they would have no effect, but only burn the wheel. All the port-fire must be placed perpendicular from the centre of the globe, with their mouths outwards; and must all be clothed with leaders, so as all to take fire with the second case of the wheel; which cases must burn two at a time opposite to each other. When two cases of a wheel begin together, two will end together; therefore the two opposite end cases must have their ends pinched, and secured from fire. The method of firing such wheels is, by carrying a leader from the mouth of one of the first cases to that of the other; which leader, being burnt through the middle, will give fire to both at the same time.
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 1-3/4 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, 2 oz. Sulphur, -- Camphor, ½ -- Yellow Amber, ½ -- Charcoal dust, ¾ -- Flowers of benzoin, ¼ --
2. Saltpetre, 2 oz. Sulphur, ½ -- Antimony, ½ -- Amber, ½ -- Cedar-raspings, ¼ -- Oil of roses, 10 drops. Oil of bergamot, 40 drops.
3. Saltpetre, 12 oz. Meal-powder, 3 -- Frankincense, 1 -- Myrrh, ½ -- Camphor, ½ -- Charcoal, 3 -- Oil of Spike, a small quantity.
4. Saltpetre, 4 oz. 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, 4 lbs. Sulphur, 2 -- Meal-powder, 2 -- Antimony, 4 oz. Sawdust, 4 -- Glass-dust, 1¼ --
2. Saltpetre, 9 lbs. Sulphur, 3 -- Meal-powder, 6 -- Rosin, 12 oz. Antimony, 8 --
The following composition is given for Water-Globes.
Grain, or Corn-powder, 1 lb. Saltpetre, 32 -- Sulphur, 8 -- Scraped ivory, 1 oz. Sawdust (previously soaked in saltpetre and dried) 8 lbs.
Sec. VIII. Of Water Squibs.
These are generally made of one-ounce serpent cases, seven or eight inches long filled two-thirds with charge, and the remainder bounced. The common method of firing them is this: Take a water-wheel, with a tin mortar in its centre, which load with squibs after the usual method; but the powder in the mortar must be no more than will throw the squibs out easily into the water. The cases may be placed on the wheel, either obliquely or horizontally, and on the top of the wheel, round the mortar, fix two cases of brilliant fire perpendicularly to the wheel. These cases must be fired at the beginning of the last case of the wheel, and the mortar at the conclusion of the same.
Sec. IX. Of the Water Fire-Fountain.
A float made of wood, three feet in diameter is to be provided. In the middle, a perpendicular post, four feet high and two inches wide must be inserted. Three circular wheels, made of thin wood, but without spokes, are fixed round this post. The largest of these wheels must be placed within two or three inches of the float, and must be nearly of the same diameter. The second must be 2 feet 2 inches in diameter, and fixed at the distance of two feet from the first. The third wheel must be 1 foot 4 inches in diameter, and fixed within six inches of the top of the post.
The wheels being arranged, take 18 four or eight-ounce cases of brilliant fire, and place them round the first wheel, with their mouths outwards, and inclining downwards. On the second wheel, place thirteen cases of the same, and in the same manner as those on the first. On the third, place eight more of these cases, in the same manner as before, and on the top of the post, fix a gerbe. Then clothe all the cases with leaders, so that they and the gerbe may take fire at the same time. The float should be tried first in the water, to see if the fountain stands upright.
Sec. X. Of Swans and Ducks, to discharge Rockets in Water.
This experiment may be made, by forming swans, or ducks of paper, leaving a cavity within. They are to be filled with small water-rockets, with some blowing powder to throw them out. Having made and painted some swans, fix them on floats. Then in the place where their eyes should be, bore holes two inches deep, inclining downwards, and wide enough to receive a small port-fire. The port-fire case for this purpose must be made of brass, two inches long, and filled with a slow bright charge. In the middle of one of these cases, make a little hole. Then put the port-fire in the eye-hole of the swan, leaving about half an inch to project out, and in the other eye, put another port-fire, with a hole made in it. Then, in the neck of the swan, within two inches of one of its eyes, bore a hole slantwise, to meet that in the port-fire. In this hole, put a leader, and carry it to a water-rocket, that must be fixed upon its tail, with its mouth upwards. On the top of the head, place 2 one-ounce cases, four inches long each, driven with brilliant fire. One of these cases must incline forwards, and the other backwards. They must be lighted at the same time as the water-rocket; to do which, bore a hole between them in the top of the swan's head, down to the hole in the port fire, to which carry a leader. If the swan is filled with rockets, they must be fired by a pipe from the end of the water-rocket, under the tail. When the swan is put in the water, the two eyes are to be lighted.
Sec. XI. Of Discharging Rockets under Water.
Stands must be made as usual, only the rails must be placed flat instead of edgewise, and have holes in them for the rocket sticks to go through; for if they were hung upon hooks, the motion of the water would throw them off. The stands being made, if the pond is deep enough, sink them at the sides so deep, that, when the rockets are in, their heads may just appear above the surface of the water. To the mouth of each rocket fix a leader, which must be put through the hole with the stick. Then a little above the water must be a board, supported by the stand, and placed along one side of the rockets; and the ends of the leaders are to be turned up through holes made in this board, exactly opposite the rockets. By this means, they may be fired singly, or at once. Rockets may be fired by this method in the middle of a pond, by a Neptune, a swan, or a water-wheel.
A rocket, which is fired in the water, and, after burning there half the time of its duration, mounts into the air with great velocity, may be thus constructed. Take a sky-rocket, furnished with a rod, and, by means of a little glue, attach it to a water-rocket, but only at the middle, in such a manner, that the latter will have its neck uppermost. Adjust to their extremity, a small tube, to communicate fire from the one to the other, and cover both with a coating of wax, pitch, &c. that they may not be damaged by the water. Then attach to the sky-rocket, after it has been thus cemented to the aquatic rocket, a rod, and, by means of a string, support a musket bullet, made fast to the rod by means of a needle or piece of iron. When these arrangements have been made, set fire to the match after the rocket is in the water, and, when the composition is in part consumed, the fire will be communicated through the small tube to the other rocket. The latter will then rise and leave the other, which will not be able to follow it, on account of the weight adhering to it.
Sec. XII. Of the Representation of Neptune in his Chariot.
This representation is performed by procuring a figure made of wood, or wicker wood, of the proper size, and supporting it on a float, on which must be two horses' heads and necks, so as to appear swimming. For the wheels of the chariot, there must be two vertical wheels of black fire, and, on Neptune's head, a horizontal wheel of brilliant fire, with all its cases to play upwards. When this wheel is made, cover it with paper, or pasteboard, cut and painted like Neptune's coronet; then let the trident be made without prongs; but, instead of them, fix three cases of a very weak gray charge, and on each horse's head, put an eight ounce case of brilliant fire, and on the mouth of each, fix a short case of the same diameter, filled with the white flame composition, sufficient to last out all the cases on the wheels. These short cases must be open at bottom, that they may light the brilliant fires. For the horses' eyes, put small port-fires, and, in each nostril, put a small case, filled half with gray charge, and the rest with port-fire composition.
If Neptune is to give fire to any building on the water; at his first setting out, the wheels of the chariot and that on his head, with the white flames on the horses' heads, and the port-fires in their eyes and nostrils, must be all lighted at once. Then, from the bottom of the white flames, carry a leader to the trident. As the figure is to advance by the help of a block and cord, it must be so managed as to prevent its turning about, till the brilliant fires on the horses and the trident begin. For it is by the fire from the horses (which plays almost upright,) that the building, or work is lighted, which must be thus prepared. From the mouth of the case, which is to be first fired, hang some loose quick-match, to receive the fire from the horses. When Neptune is only to be shown by himself, without setting fire to any other of the works; let the white flames on the horses be very short, and not to last longer than one case of each wheel; and let two cases of each wheel burn at a time.
Sec. XIII. Of the Representation of a Sea-Fight with Small Ships, and the Preparation of a Fire-Ship.
Having procured a number of small ships of two or three feet in length, prepare a number of small reports, which are to serve for guns. Of these, range as many as you please on each side of the upper decks. Then, at the head and stern of each ship, fix a two-ounce case, eight inches long, filled with slow port-fire composition; but take care to place it in such a manner, that the fire may fall in the water, and not burn the rigging. In these cases, bore holes, at unequal distances from one another; but make as many in each case as half the number of reports; so that one case may fire the guns on one side, and the other, those on the opposite. The method of firing the guns is by carrying a leader from the holes in the cases to the reports on the decks. These leaders must be made small, and care must also be taken in calculating the burning of the slow-fire in the regulating cases, that more than two guns be fired at a time. To give a broadside, let the leader be carried to a cracker, placed on the outside of the ship; which cracker must be tied loose, or the reports will be too slow. In all the ships, put artificial guns at the port-holes.
Having filled, and bored holes in, two port-fires for regulating the guns in one ship, make all the rest exactly the same. Then, when the engagement has commenced, light one ship first, and set it a sailing; and so on with the rest, sending them out singly, which will make them fire regularly, at different times, without confusion; for the time between the firing of each gun will be equal to that of lighting the slow-fires.
The fire-ship may be of any size. To prepare a ship for this purpose, make a port-fire, equal in size to those in the other ships, and place it at the stern. In any port, place a large port-fire, filled with very strong composition, and painted in imitation of a gun, and let them all be fired at once by a leader from the slow fire, within two or three diameters of its bottom. All along both sides, on the top of the upper deck, lay star-composition, about half an inch thick and one broad, which must be wetted with thin size, then primed with meal-powder, and secured from fire by pasting paper over it. In the place, where this composition is laid, some little tacks, with flat heads, are to be driven, to secure it fast to the deck. This must be fired just after the sham guns, and, when burning, will show a flame all round the ship. At the head, take up the decks, and put in a tin mortar, loaded with crackers, which mortar must be fired by a pipe from the end of the slow fire. The firing of the mortar will sink the ship, and make a pretty conclusion.
Having prepared all the ships for fighting, we shall next proceed with the management of them when on the water.
At one end of the pond, under the surface of the water, fix two running blocks, at the distance the ships are to fight apart, and at the other end of the pond, opposite to each of these blocks, under water, fix a double block. On the land, by each of the double blocks, place two small windlasses. Round one of them, turn one end of a small cord, the other end of which is to be put through one of the blocks. Then carry it through the single one at the opposite end of the pond, and bring it back through the double block again, and round the other windlass. To this cord, near the double block, tie as many small strings, as half the number of ships, at the distance required. These strings, however, should not be more than two feet each. Make fast the loose end of each to a ship, just under the bowsprit, but if tied to the keel, or too near the water, it will overset the ship. Half the ships being thus prepared, near the other double block, fix two more windlasses, to which fasten a cord, and to it, tie the other half of the ships as above. When the ships are fired, turn that windlass which draws them out, and so on with the rest, till they are all out in the middle of the pond. Then by turning the other windlass, they will be drawn back again; by which method, they may be made to change sides, and tack about backwards and forwards at pleasure.
For the fire-ship, fix the blocks and windlass between the others; so that, when she sails out, she will be between the other ships. She must not advance, however, till the guns at her ports take fire.
In the exhibition of water fire-works, it is obvious, from the observations we have made, and the different pieces prepared for that purpose, that such exhibitions may be varied, and even new pieces got up.
XII. OF THE ARRANGEMENT OF FIRE-WORKS FOR EXHIBITION
Jones (Fire-works, 8vo. 1776) observes, among other remarks, that nothing adds more to the appearance of fire-works, than placing them properly; though the management of them chiefly depends on the judgment of the maker. When water-works are to be exhibited, divide them into several sets, and fire one set after every fifth or sixth change of land and air works. Observe this rule in firing a double set of works; always to begin with sky-rockets; then two moveable pieces; then two fixed pieces, and so on; ending with a large flight of rockets, or a marron battery. If a single collection, fire a fixed piece after every wheel or two, and occasionally some air and water works.
The rules, adopted in the arrangement of fire-works for exhibition, are the following: If they are a double set, place one wheel of a sort on each side of the building; and, next to each of them, towards the centre, place a fixed piece; then wheels and so on, leaving a sufficient distance between them, for the fire to play from one, without burning the other. Having fixed some of the works in front, place the rest behind them, in the centre of the intervals. The largest piece, which is generally a regulated or transparent piece, must be placed in the centre of the building; and behind it a sun, which must always stand above all the other works. A little before the building, or stands, place the large gerbes; and, at the back of the works, fix your marron batteries, pots des aigrettes, pots des bins, pots des saucissons, air balloons, and flights of rockets. The rocket-stands may be fixed behind, or any where else, so as not to be in the way of the works.
Single collections are fired on stands, which stands are made in the same manner as theodolite stands; only the top part must be long or short, according to circumstances. These stands may be fixed up without much trouble. The following is the order of firing works, viz:
1. Two signal } 2. Sky } 3. Two honorary } Rockets. 4. Four caduceus } 5. } { Vertical } 6. } Two { Spiral } Wheels, illuminated. 7. } { Transparent stars. 8. A line of rockets of five changes. 9. Four tourbillons. 10. } { Horizontal wheels. 11. } { Air-balloons, illuminated. 12. } Two { Chinese fountains. 13. } { Regulating pieces, of four mutations each. 14. } { Pots des aigrettes. 15. Three large gerbes. 16. A flight of rockets. 17. } { Balloon wheels. 18. } Two { Cascades of brilliant fire. 19. Twelve sky-rockets. 20. } { Illuminated yew trees. 21. } Two { Air balloons of serpents, and two compound. 22. Four tourbillons. 23. } { Fruiloni wheels. 24. } Two { Illuminated globes with horizontal wheels. 25. One pot des saucissons. 26. Two plural wheels. 27. Marron battery. 28. Two chandeliers, illuminated. 29. Range of Pots des brins. 30. Twelve sky-rockets. 31. Two yew-trees of fire. 32. Nests of serpents. 33. Two double cones, illuminated. 34. Regulating piece of seven mutations, viz. 1. Vertical wheel, illuminated. 2. Golden glory. 3. Octagon vertical wheel. 4. Porcupine's quills. 5. Cross fires. 6. Star piece with brilliant rays. 7. Six vertical wheels. 35. Brilliant sun. 36. Large flight of rockets.
According to the arrangement, and execution of fire-works for exhibition, as given by Morel (Traité Practique des Feux d'Artifice, p. 131,) the following order is observed:
1. A salvo of artillery. 2. Six dozen rockets of honour, discharged two at a time from each side of the decoration. 3. Twelve Bengal lights, distributed in such a manner, as to light all parts of the decoration. 4. Two batteries of ordnance, (fire-pots.) 5. Four regulated cases, each consisting of two dozen rockets of an inch caliber, forming the mosaique at the elevation of five hundred feet. 6. Eight turning suns, with the caliber of five-sixths of an inch. 7. Four caprices (detonating.) 8. Two balloons of golden rain, and two in stars. 9. The pyric piece, complete. 10. Twelve tourbillons, or table rockets. 11. Four girandoles; two mosaic, and two of Roman candles. 12. A large sphere. 13. Six balloons; three in golden rain, and three in stars. 14. Twenty-four honorary rockets, fired four at a time. 15. A large illuminating cut-work, with a device, accompanied with two Chinese parasols, and two wheels of coloured fire. 16. Four falling caprices. 17. Twelve balloons of stars, preceded by six dozen honorary rockets, fired twelve at a time. 18. The undulating fire, accompanied with eight wings, four on each side. 19. A battery of two hundred mosaics, and as many Roman candles, with marrons and fire-pots. 20. Illumination of the decoration, with four mosaic tourbillons, followed by two cases, containing two hundred rockets each; and a salvo of artillery, which announces the departure of the girande, composed of a thousand rockets, in golden rain.
I. OBSERVATIONS IN GENERAL
Laboratory-works comprehend all the operations of the workshop, connected with this branch of pyrotechny. The tools and instruments required for the laboratory, as well as the substances employed in the different preparations, we have already described.
Having noticed the origin of gunpowder, in the first part of our work, the following remarks in relation to that subject, namely, the history, of cannon, may be interesting.
For some time after the invention of artillery, gunpowder was of a weaker composition than that at present used, or than that described by Marcus Græcus. The first pieces of artillery were rough and very inconvenient, being usually framed of several pieces of iron bars, fitted together lengthwise, and hooped with rings. These guns were first employed in throwing stone shot of a prodigious weight, in imitation of the ancient machines, to which they succeeded, and were of an enormous bore. When Constantinople was besieged by Mahomet II. in the year 1453, the walls were battered with stone bullets, and some of the pieces were of 1200 lbs. caliber; but they could not be fired more than four times in twenty-four hours, and sometimes were burst by the first charge.
As mathematical knowledge increased in Europe, that of mechanics gradually advanced, and enabled artists, by making brass cannon of a much smaller bore for iron bullets, and capable of bearing a much greater charge of strong powder in proportion to their calibers, to produce a very material and important change in the construction and fabric of those original pieces. Guicciardin (History, &c. 1st book) informs us, that, about 114 years after the first use made of those unwieldy pieces by the Venetians, in their war against the Genoese in 1380, the French were able to procure, for the invasion of Italy, a great number of brass cannon, mounted on carriages, drawn by horses. He then enumerates the advantages which these pieces possessed, and particularly that they could be pointed with incredible quickness and expedition, in comparison with those formerly made use of in Italy. But, as our limits will not permit us to notice all the circumstances in connection with these pieces, it is sufficient to remark, that this change in the formation of artillery has as yet undergone no material alteration; if we except the introduction of carronades, first suggested by general Melville, and of Columbiads, by the late Mr. Barlow.
Glenie (History of Gunnery, 1776) appears to have been the first, who gave the theory of projectiles in vacuo by plain geometry, or by means of the square and rhombus, with a method of reducing projections on inclined planes, whether elevated or depressed below the horizontal plane, to those which are made on the horizon. The experiments, and observations, of Mr. Robins, on the subject of gunpowder, &c. may be seen in the article on gunpowder.
Besides the formation of cannon, by uniting iron bars together, and strengthening them by hoops, (one or two of which were made in Philadelphia in 1776, by a Mr. Wheeler, of a superior kind,) others were made of thin sheets of iron, rolled up together and hooped; and on emergencies, they were made of leather, with plates of iron or copper. Stone balls were used, and a small quantity of powder. In the 13th century, cannon were used in a sea fight, between the king of Tunis and the Moorish king of Seville. The Venetians used cannon at the siege of Claudia Jessa, now called Chioggia, in 1366, which were brought thither by two Germans, with some powder and leaden balls; as likewise in their wars with the Genoese in 1379. At the battle of Cressy, in 1346, Edward III made use of cannon. They were also employed in the seige of Calais, in 1347. Pieces of ordnance were made use of by the Turks, at the siege of Constantinople, then in possession of the Christians, in 1394, or in that of 1452, that threw a weight of 1006 lbs. Louis XII had one cast at Tours, of the same size. One of those cannon was taken at the seige of Dieu, in 1546, by Don John de Castra, and is in the castle of St. Juliao de Barra, 10 miles from Lisbon. Its length is 20 feet 7 inches, diameter at the centre, 6 feet 3 inches, and it discharges a ball of 1000 lbs. It has neither dolphins, rings, nor buttons, is of a curious kind of metal, and has a large Indostan inscription upon it, by which it appears it was cast in 1400. The mortars at the Dardanelles are represented to throw shells, or ball of an immense size and weight.
Some do not consider cannon an European invention; because it is asserted, that authentic documents exist of their use in China, many centuries before they were thought of in Europe. If they say, the testimony of the Chinese themselves is not sufficient on this point, the fact of their great wall being furnished with embrasures, fitted in such a manner for cannon, leaves no doubt of their having been in use at the time of its erection. To this, an additional argument may be added, from their very ancient game of chess, in which pieces have been used from remote antiquity, designating engines of war, whose power was derived from gunpowder. Mr. Irvin, (Trans. Royal Irish Academy,) in his paper on the Chinese Game of Chess, proves, that gunpowder was in common use in China, 371 years after Confucius, or 161 years before Christ; and Du Halde has long since given documents to show, that the Chinese wall was in existence 200 years before the commencement of the Christian era; and consequently, for the reason before stated, the use of cannon must have been of at least equal antiquity. The Asiatic Researches contain some remarks to the same point. There is a strong probability then, that the invention of guns was of a much more remote date. It is not impossible, however, that the same thing may have been invented by different persons, in various parts of the world.
We mentioned, that it is much more probable, that the use of gunpowder in war was derived ultimately from the Chinese, notwithstanding the generally received opinion, that the Greek fire was the progenitor of its discovery; or that Bacon, or Schwartz, an obscure monk, has claims to the invention. The mode in which the use of gunpowder in war might have passed from China to Europe, is the most probable and simple imaginable. Zingis Khan is known to have conquered the five northern provinces of China, about the year 1234. He must have known the common use of gunpowder at that period, as it had been known in China 1400 years before. In the Chinese annals of the Moguls, by Yuen, as translated by Pére Gaubil, it is particularly stated, that the use of cannon and mortars was familiar in the wars and sieges of Zingis against the Chinese, both by them and him, in attack and defence. It is most probable, that he used gunpowder in his wars against Mahomet, Sultan of Carisme, whose dominions extended from the Persian Gulf, to the borders of India and of Turkistan. It is known, that he had a body of Chinese engineers in his army, who, of course, must have been acquainted with the use of gunpowder.
The conquests of Zingis would thus have spread the knowledge of gunpowder, &c. over the western part of Asia; and the Europeans, in their crusades, may have had frequent opportunities of becoming acquainted with it. It was just after this time, that it became known, and was used in the European wars.
Sir Francis Bacon (Moral and Political Essays,) observes, that "ordnance was known in the city of Oxydraces, in India, and was that which the Macedonians called 'thunder, lightning, and magic;' and it is well known, that the use of ordnance had been common in China above two thousand years."
Beckman, (History of Inventions, iii, p. 434,) in his essay on the origin of guns and gun-locks, has given, at some length, the history of guns. All we can add here, is, that the first portable fire-arms were discharged by means of a match, which, in the course of time, was fastened to a cock, and afterwards a fire stone and steel plate were used. This fire stone was not a flint, but a compact pyrites, or marcasite, (sulphuret of iron), which was distinguished by that name. On each new improvement, the piece received a new name; as, büchse, haken büchse, arquebuse, &c. After explaining the origin of these names, he adds, that the large pieces were conveyed on carriages, called karrenbüchse, but soon after also canna, cannon. Pistols are mentioned by Beilay, in 1544, in the time of Francis I; and under Henry II, the German horsemen were called pistoliers. The name is derived from Pistoia, in Tuscany; because they were there first made. Muskets received their name from the Latin muschetus, which signifies a male sparrow-hawk. They were first used at the seige of Rhege, in the year 1521. They were known in France in the time of Francis I. Brantome, however, asserts, that they were first introduced by the Duke of Alva, in 1567, and used in the Netherlands. He also says, that they were made general in France by M. de Strozzi, under Charles XI. The lock was invented in Germany, in the city of Nuremberg, in 1517; it is uncertain whether it is the present lock. In the arsenal at Hanover, there are many ancient pieces. The oldest had on the barrel, the figure of a hen with a musket in its mouth; because it is said they were made at Henneberg.
There are three species of cannon, the gun, the howitzer, and the mortar. The gun is the longest piece of artillery, employed at the present day: the culverins, dragons, &c. as they were formerly called, had calibers twice, and even three times as long as those now used. Guns were originally called bombards, and were eight calibers in length. The term pieriers, from pierre, a stone, were given to some guns, because they were employed in throwing rough stones. The carronades, derived from the river Carron, in Scotland, where they were originally made, is a short gun, with a bore about eight diameters of the shot in length. The howitzer is a species of mortar, but longer, and used to throw a hollow projectile, called a howitz, which acts at first as a ricochet ball. The mortar is the shortest species of cannon, and is used to throw bombs or shells. A stone mortar is used in sieges, to throw stones upon an enemy. Besides these descriptions of guns, there is another division, to which General Lallemand (Treatise on Artillery, vol. 1, p. 20,) has given the name of demi-guns, under which he ranks the harquebus on a swivel, the rampart gun, and the repeating gun, or musket, of the Americans.
He observes, that the harquebus nearly resembles the amusette of Marshal Saxe, has a barrel like that of a musket, and carries a ball weighing half a pound or more; that the rampart gun, or wall piece, is a large musket, that was anciently much used in the defence of fortresses, having a barrel of 5-1/2 or 6 feet long, and a ball from 10 to 14 to the pound; and that the repeating musket is a gun, consisting of 7 barrels, all of which discharges 32 rounds in succession, making 224 in all. With respect to this gun, the effect of which we have witnessed, not only in the discharge of thirty-two rounds from a single gun, but the combined effect of seven or more barrels, the General observes, that the diameter of the bore is three-fourths of an inch, and the weight seventy pounds. It is placed, like the rampart guns, upon a wooden frame, and has a handle at the breech to point by. As to its use, he adds:--it may be advantageously employed in the defence of places at the moment of assault; it may be useful in the field, to defend parts of a line of battle, or entrenchments, with few troops, and yet astonish the enemy by a warm fire, when he ventures to approach. Its discharge does not last a minute. It may be of great service in the tops of ships of war.
The inventor is a Mr. Chambers, of Pennsylvania. We witnessed its effect, when the President of the United States visited the navy yard in Philadelphia, where the inventor manufactured them; and also at Bush-hill, in the neighbourhood of that city. Having examined their construction, and also the shot it may be sufficient to remark, that the lead is cylindrical, one end being flat, and the other conical, and of such a size as to fit the caliber of the musket; that these rounds are pierced with a hole in the centre, which is charged with fuse composition; and, after a charge of powder, one of these cylinders is put in; then a charge, then a cylinder, &c. up to 32. The lock is placed opposite the last charge, so that when the first load is discharged, the fire communicates successively through the cylinders.
A repeating gun has been invented by a gentleman of New York. I have seen no description of it. The Marquis of Worcester, in his Century of Inventions, in the 58th to the 64th invention, hints at a similar contrivance; as for instance, (Inven. 58th,) "How to make a pistol to discharge a dozen times with one loading, and without so much as one new priming requisite, or to change it out of one hand into the other, or stop one's horse."
We may add, that, in 1764, M. Bouillet and Sons presented, to the Academy of Sciences, at Paris, a musket of their invention, which was lighter than the common kind, and had the property of firing twenty-four times in succession, charging and priming itself by a single circular movement of the musket upon an axis, fixed for that purpose. In the file of the French Gazette, for 1786, article Linberg, there is an account of an invention of the baron De Walskohl. It is the same, it would appear from the description, as the repeating musket. Being once charged, it will fire thirty-six times in succession. The experiments made with it were satisfactory.
Many patents have been secured in this country, and in England and France, for improvements on the musket and rifle; but, in order to accommodate short-sighted persons, M. Regnier's invention appears to be the first which consists in an optic glass fixed in the butt, enabling persons of that description to shoot with accuracy. This invention is given in the Journal de la Blancherie for 1779, p. 194.
In 1771, Moret, an armourer, announced a new constructed pistol, which would charge itself, &c. and in 1793, M. Gass presented to the military committee of France, a pistol of a new construction, calculated to fire several ball in succession. The Journal des Inventions et Découv. i, p. 121, speaking of this invention, adds, that the means employed depended entirely on the construction of the ball, which, instead of round, was a cylinder, pierced in its length. This small canal is filled with meal-powder, and serves as the match of communication to the charges. This contrivance is much the same as the one we have described.[29]
Mr. Misson (Travels through Germany and Italy,) says, that in the arsenal at Venice, there is an engine which will light five hundred matches at once, and some very curious arms of ancient make, among which is a small trunk, with six little guns, which Carrara, the last lord of Padua, who was famous for his inhumanity, sent as a present to a lady; and was so contrived, that, upon opening of the trunk, the guns all fired at once, and killed her!
With respect to the invention of the various incendiary machines, we may observe generally, (as we purpose to notice them in their respective places), that Greek fire was employed in different ways, and was considered a destructive composition; that rain-fire, bombs, lances, matches, fire-balls and carcasses, torches, powder sacks, petards, &c. were all employed in more modern times for the same purpose; and, lastly, that the fougette of the Asiatics, called Indian rockets, the Congreve rocket, the incendiary bomb of the French, and the floating rocket carcass, are embraced under the same head, and are all used for similar purposes in war. These, and other subjects, belonging to military fire-works, we purpose to mention in this, and the following chapters.
Sec. I. Of Cartridges.
Cartridges are cases of paper, parchment, or flannel, fitted to the caliber of the piece, and holding exactly its proper charge. Strong paper is always used for musket and pistol cartridges, and the French musket-ball-cartridges are capped with flannel or coarse cotton. For heavy guns, they are made of thick, and as the English call it, of cured paper, with flannel bottoms. Those for field ordnance are all made of flannel, and their size suited to the bore, or chamber of pieces, for which they are intended. The ball cartridges, for wall pieces, muskets, carbines, and pistols, are made of whitish-brown paper, on formers of wood. A sheet of paper will make six for wall pieces, twelve for muskets, sixteen for carbines, and twenty-four for pistols. The quantity of powder they contain respectively is, for wall pieces ten drachms, musket six, carbine four, and pistol three drachms.
Blank cartridges, for pistols, carbines, and muskets, are made of blue paper, to preserve a distinction between ball and blank, and to prevent the possibility of accidents, from the ball cartridges being mixed with the blank.
The charge for muskets is commonly half the weight of the ball. The balls for musketry are eighteen to the pound; and one pound of powder is sufficient for thirty-six cartridges.[30] Forty cartridges may be used to the pound, but forty-five would be too weak. The paper, necessary to form cartridges, should be well sized and not too thick. It is made for the purpose, under the name of cartridge paper, and should be of such a size as to cut to advantage. It is usually fourteen inches in length, and sixteen in breadth. A sheet will form twelve cartridges, but on account of wastage, it makes only ten. Half a sheet is employed as a wrapper for every ten cartridges, and one and a half sheets are used for ten and their wrapper. Six quires will make 1000 cartridges, and 31 reams, 100,000. Five ounces of packthread are necessary for binding 1000 cartridges, and 31 lbs. for 100,000.
Musket cartridges are made in the following manner. Long tables are provided, and, at certain distances, excavations, or holes are made, larger than the diameter of the ball, and one-third of its diameter in depth. These holes are designed for rounding the folds upon the ball. It is necessary first to be provided with formers to roll the cartridges upon, and measures to fill them with. These formers are made of hard and dry wood, seven inches, or seven and a half inches in length, and six-tenths of an inch in diameter, one-twelfth of an inch less than the diameter of the caliber. One end is rounded so as not to hurt the hand; the other is hollow, to receive one-third of the ball. The measures are in the form of the frustrum of a cone, open above. They are made of sheet-tin, and should contain one-fortieth part of a pound of powder, (one-forty-ninth according to the Strasburgh directions), or, when heaped, one thirty-sixth part of a pound. The height of these measures is one inch and a quarter; their diameter at the large end one inch and one-twelfth, and at the smaller end, three-quarters of an inch. In every squad of ten men, six are employed to roll the cartridges, two to fill them, and two to pack them. Each squad may make 10,000, but commonly 8,000, in a day.
To cut the paper for musket cartridges, we begin by folding the sheet in three parts widthwise; then each third part into two, again into three, and again into two, by a diagonal line which takes from 2.2 inches of a superior angle on the left, to 2.2 of the opposite inferior angle at the right; so that every sheet of paper will cut, without loss, into twelve parts, and every part will be 5.68 inches in height, 4.53 in width at one end, and 2.2 at the other end. According to Bigot, however, each trapezoid thus formed is 5-1/3 inches in length, 4-1/4 in width at one end, and 2-1/4 at the other end. The paper is cut by a person detailed for the purpose.
The person who rolls the cartridges, having spread the cut paper upon a table, takes the form with one hand, and the ball in the other, which he puts into the hollow of the form; after which, he rolls the paper round the ball and the form, so that there remains sufficient beyond the ball, to fold over in small folds; then he rolls the form surrounded with the paper, and having rounded the folds upon the ball, in a small hole made for that purpose in the table, he withdraws the form, and passes the cartridge to the man who is to fill it. He puts in the charge with a small tin measure, folds the paper over upon the powder as close as possible, and passes it on to him who is to make the packages. The packer takes ten in his hand, and arranges them on a sheet of paper folded in two, the balls half on one side and half on the other; and having wrapped them in the paper, he folds over the two ends, and ties the packets crosswise over the middle, and lengthwise.
Musket cartridges cannot be too tightly rolled upon the form; and to ascertain their accuracy, they must be calibered before they are loaded; that is, they must be put into the end of a musket. He who fills them, should make a charge complete in every cartridge, and not load one more than another, but always pour a full measure into every one. The packer should tie the cartridges, and round them as much as possible, without tearing the paper. He should take care that all the packets are of the same length; so that they may be placed in the partitions of the ammunition chest, which are all of one determined length, and will not therefore contain them, if made too long.
Cannon cartouches should be well arranged in the ammunition chests, and well stowed with tow, that they may be carried without danger of injury from the road. The tow is pressed down in small quantities, by a little wooden spatula, and cannot be pressed too hard; for the more the chests are stuffed with tow, the better the ammunition will be preserved.
Musket cartridges are placed in the ammunition chests in different arrangements, the height of which is proportioned to that of the cartridge. There are three stories in height in each chest, for musket cartridges; and between each a small separation, to prevent them from injuring each other. The number of cartridges contained in an ammunition wagon is proportioned to the kind of wagon in use, and to the quantity necessary for the service. The common load of ammunition wagons does not exceed thirteen hundred weight, if it is meant to take the benefit of forced marches. In every ammunition wagon for cannon cartouches, there are cartouches with ball, grape-shot, quick-match, and port-fires, staffs for port-fires, priming wires and match-rope--so that every wagon contains all kinds of ammunition relative to its caliber. In an ammunition wagon filled with musket cartridges, a certain number of flints are contained, to be distributed to the troops from the same chest whence they receive their ammunition.
We might here speak of the load of every ammunition wagon; but this subject more particularly belongs to artillery and its suite, than to fire-works.
Cartridges, used in sieges, &c. are made of paper bags, of the calibers of the different pieces, and of a sufficient length to contain the requisite quantity of powder. The paper should be large and strong.
The handle of each of the formers should have such a length and size, as to render them convenient to hold in the hand. Care must be taken to pierce a small hole in the middle, through the whole length of the form, by which the air might enter to the cartouches, and cause the form to be more easily drawn out, after the cartridge is made.
Pasted cartridges are formed in the usual manner upon a former; and when five-sixths of the paper are rolled, the remaining portion is pasted with a paste made of flour and glue, mixed together. The bottom is pasted over in the same manner. When the cartridge is drawn off the former, it is placed to dry in the sun, or near a stove.
With regard to the cost of cartridges in France, it appears, that a pound of packthread costs twelve sous, and workmen receive from fifteen to twenty sous per thousand for their labour. The whole expense of 100,000 would be, for paper, 105 livres; for packthread, 18 livres, 15 sous; for making 100 livres; total 223 livres, 15 sous. Bigot has furnished us with the following estimate:
For 31 reams of paper, at 4 fr. 50 c. the ream, is 140 fr. 60 c. For 31¼ lbs. of packthread at 80 centimes, 24 Labour, 1 fr. per thousand, 100 Five days work, for the cutter, 5 ------------- Total. 269 fr. 60 c.
One hundred thousand cartridges, for which the above is a calculation, require also
Bullets of lead, 5556 lbs. Powder, 2500 lbs.
Sec. II. Of Cannon Cartridges.
The gargousse of the French, in artillery, is a sack or bag of paper, or parchment, destined to enclose the load of a cannon. When it is made of serge, it is then called a pouch, (sachet); and, when united with the ball, it receives the name of ball-cartridge.
Bigot remarks, that these cartridges have been substituted for the dangerous and unsafe use of the spoon, or ladle, (lanternes, Fr.[31]), by means of which the load was carried to the bottom of the piece. They are paper bags or sacks, of the caliber of the gun. The loading is much more expeditious, and less danger is to be apprehended. It requires only, that the piece should be well sponged, and the priming to communicate with the load.
For the construction of these cases, coarse gray paper, and sufficiently strong, is used; and they should be well pasted. The paper, which is used with advantage, and commonly employed, is 23 inches in length, and 28 inches in breadth. It serves for all calibers, and even proof charges, which are stronger than the ordinary loads. The paper is cut of such a size as to leave from 1-1/4 inches, to 1-1/2 inches, on the roller, and a sufficiency to cover the lower extremity. One of the sides, as well as the side which is cut, is pasted. The paper is rolled upon the former, or roller, and is straightened, so that the hand may be passed over the pasted part, and the paper tightened. The bottom of the bag is placed upon the roller, and, in folding it, the bag is tied above that part of the paper, which is pasted. The bag is then dried, by placing it on one end upon a table, and exposing it to the air.
The rollers should be bored in their axis, so that, in drawing them out, they may come out easy, and without injuring the bag. This hole admits the external air, and prevents the formation of a vacuum in a degree, when the roller is suddenly withdrawn. The bottoms (culots,) are cut of the same diameter as the roller. The paste is made of flour and glue.
The table given by Bigot, p. 28, relative to the dimensions of sacks or cartridges, for cannon, embraces the following particulars: The diameter of the former, or roller for a 24 pr. is 5-1/6 inches: for a 16, 4-1/2; for a 12, 4; for an 8, 3-1/2; for a 6, 3-1/6; and for a four pounder 2-3/4 of an inch: the circumference of the cartridge for a 24 pr. is 17-2/3 inches; for a 16, 15-3/12ths; for a 12, 13-1/3; for an 8, 12-11/12; for a 6, 6-1/2; for a 4, 9-2/3ds inches. The height of the roller for a 24 pr. is 18 inches; for a 16, 15; for a 12, 14; for an 8, 13; for a 6, 12-1/2, and for a 4, 12. The height of the paper, including the circumference, for a 24 pr. is 17-2/3 inches; for a 16, 14; for a 12, 14; for an 8, 11; for a 6, 10-1/2; for a 4, 10. The height, which covers the cartridge, is for a 24 pr. 1-5/10 inches; for a 16, 1-3/12; for a 12, 1-1/12; for an 8, 11/12; for a 6, 10/12; and for a 4, 9/12. The bottom (culot,) for a 24 pr. is 1-2/12th inches; for a 16, 1; for a 12, 10/12; for an 8, 2/3ds; for a 6, 7/12; and for a 4, 1/2 inch. The height of the charge for a 24 pr. is 11-1/6 for a 16, 8-1/2; for a 12, 8-1/6; for an 8, 7-1/3; for a 6, 6-9/11; and for a 4, 6-2/12ths inches. The height of the paper, for the charges of exercise, is for a 24 pr. 10 inches; for a 16, 9; for a 12, 8; for an 8, 7; for a 6, 6-1/2; and for a 4, 6 inches.
In the table of the proportions of the charge, for different calibers, given by Ruggieri, (Pyrotechnie Militaire, p. 197,) besides the weight of the ball, and the height of the sack, the weight of the charge is given in pounds, and ounces, which is thus stated by him: for a 4 pr. 1 lb. 8 oz; an 8 pr. 2 lbs. 8 oz; a 12 pr. 4 lbs. 8 oz; a 16 pr. 5 lbs; and a 24 pr. 8 lbs.
Cannon Cartouches are composed of a bag of serge, and a shoe or base, in which the ball was fixed by means of a tin cross, nailed to the shoe or base. The bag should be as large as the shoe, and long enough to contain the requisite quantity of powder. The shoe is a little less in diameter than the ball, so that the tin and the bag put upon it, do not increase its size beyond that of the ball. The shoe is flat on one side, and hollow on the other. The hollow part should be a spherical concavity, about one-third of the diameter of the ball. At a small distance from the bottom of the shoe, a groove is made sufficiently deep to contain the packthread, with which it is fastened to the bag.
In the construction of cannon cartouches, the ball must first be fixed to the base by means of two tin bands in the form of a cross, and nailed with two small nails at the bottom and sides of the base. These bands for sixteen and twelve pounders, are at least .44 decimal parts of an inch in width, and 15 inches long. Those for eight and four pounders, are .355 decimal parts of an inch in width, and 11.72 inches in length.
The ball being fixed on this base, it is put into a bag filled with powder, and the bag tied above to the base. Then a bit of parchment soaked in water, of from two to four inches in width, and of sufficient length to go round the cartouch, is placed round the bag, half on the shoe and half on the powder. Then tie it with a string passing in the groove, at about .27 parts of an inch below the base; so that the cartouch is tied in three different places--the two first above in the groove of the shoe, serves to hold the bag and it strongly together; the third below, is to prevent the powder from rising and slipping between the bag and the shoe. The band is placed on the part where the greatest friction is, to preserve the bag from being torn.
The cartouch thus made, is to be calibered by trying it with the piece for which it is intended, into which it must enter with ease. This cannot be too strongly recommended. It is of all things the most essential, and the only way of ascertaining the goodness of ammunition.
A workshop of twelve workmen is divided into four classes. The first class consists of two men who put the ball into the shoe; the second of two others who fill the bag with powder; the third, two others who press the powder into the bag; and the remaining six are employed in tying the bags to the shoes, two to each.
These twelve workmen can, in one day of twelve hours, make two hundred and forty cartouches, of sixteen or twelve pounders, or 320 of eight or four pounders.
Table relative to the Cartouch, or Pouch.
------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------ For | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 |Light Troops ------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------ Height, without | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. the folds. | 11 | 10 | 9½ | 9 | 6 Circumference, | | | | | without the folds.| 12-7/12 | 10-9/12 | 9¾ | 8½ | 5-3/12 Diameter of | | | | | the base, without | | | | | the folds. | 4 | 3-5/12 | 3-1/12 | 2-9/12 | 1-8/12 ------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------
To make grape shot, we must have a bag of ticking, in which the small balls are arranged; also a shoe, to which not only the bag which contains the ball is attached, but also the serge filled with powder.
The shoe is made of the same wood with the ball cartridges, and of the following dimensions, viz. The sixteen pounder should have 4.97 inches diameter; the twelve pounders, 4.35; the eight pounders, 3.82; and the four pounders, 3.1 inches diameter. Those of the caliber of sixteen and twelve, should be 1.6 inches in thickness, with a groove in the middle of .44 parts of an inch in depth, and the same in width; the eight and four pounders have but 1.07 inch in thickness, with a groove in the middle of .36 parts of an inch in depth and width. Every shoe or base, has a pin in its centre, the size of which is in proportion to the vacancy left by the small balls of iron arranged about it. The height is in proportion to the different layers of ball.--In general thirty-six balls are put into one grape shot, of whatever caliber it be; that is to say, six heights of six each. The balls should be proportioned to the caliber, so that the six balls on the base should exactly fill the circumference of it. The pin in the middle of the base is exactly the size of the ball and seven times its diameter in height. At the top of the pin a groove is made to tie the threads, the width of which is one-third, and the depth, one-fourth of its diameter.
The bag in which the small balls are arranged, layer upon layer, should be of good strong ticking closely woven. It is of the size of the shot, and 2.13 inches in length above the top of the pin. It is strongly fastened at the bottom in the groove of the base with strong pack-thread. There must be 3-1/2 fathom of strong pack-thread trebled, to tie the grape of the caliber of sixteen and twelve pounders, and three fathom only for one of eight and four.
Grape shot may be corded in the same manner as the carcase is corded; with this difference, instead of eight turns, taking only six. The best and strongest method of tying the thread in grape-shot, is in the net-work form--one person holding, and another tying it.
In a work-shop where ten men are employed, eight are employed to wind the thread round, and two to attach the bag to the base or shoe, or to arrange the small balls on the shoe, round the pin. Such a work-shop, in a day of ten hours, can complete 120 grape-shot of the largest caliber, and as many as 140 of eight or four pounders might be made.
The grape shot composed of 36 iron balls, weigh, without their charge of powder, as follows:
lb. oz. For a caliber of 16 21 10 For do. of 12 16 3⅕ For do. of 8 10 12⅘ For do. of 4 6 3⅓
The diameters of the small balls for grape shot, of which six exactly fill the circumference, are as follows:
For 16 pounders, 1.66 inch. For 8 pounders, 1.31 inch. For 12 do. 1.5 do. For 4 do. 0.16 do.
M. Bigot has given the following Table relative to Cartouches, and their Balls.
------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------ Calibers. | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 |Light Troops ------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------ | lbs. oz.| lbs. oz.| lbs. oz.| lbs. oz.| lbs. oz. Charge of powder.| 4 0 | 2 ½ | 2 0 | 1 ½ | 0 17 Weight of the | | | | | cartouch and ball.| 16 11 | 11 2 | 8 ½ | 5 12 | 2 1 Height of the | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. | Inches. charge of powder. | 8-3/12 | 6-9/12 | 6-3/12 | 6-1/12 | 5-1/12 Total height | | | | | of the cartouch. | 13½ | 11½ | 10-8/12 | 9-11/12 | 7-8/12 ------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------------
II. OF MATCHES
Matches, in artillery, are a kind of rope made of flax, hemp, or cotton slightly twisted, and prepared to retain fire for the use of artillery, mines, fire-works, &c. Bigot, (Traité d'Artifice de Guerre, p. 64,) has considered this subject under three heads; namely, of match-rope, priming fuses or tubes, and quick-match. We purpose, therefore, in the following sections, to treat the subject in this order.
Sec. I. Of Slow Match.
Slow-match may be prepared by different processes. When hemp or tow is spun on the wheel like cord, but very slack, and made into three twists and then covered with tow, so that the twists do not appear, and then boiled in the lees of old wine, a slow-match will be formed which burns very gradually; but slow-match is commonly made after the following method: The rope for this match is made of flax, or of soft well-beaten hemp, thoroughly cleansed from the harder fibres, and the strands are loosely spun. Three strands are sufficient, which should not, when formed into rope, exceed one inch and two-thirds in thickness. It should not be shortened in twisting more than one-fifth, or one-fourth at most, in order to be firm without being hard.
The ley or lixivium in which the rope is soaked, is composed of wood ashes and quick lime; and every hundred pounds of match require fifty pounds of the former, and twenty-five pounds of the latter. They are boiled for fifteen hours and are taken out of the tub, piled in heaps and covered with tow, in which situation they are left to ferment. Some recommend, in order to improve them, immersing them two or three times in a nitrous solution, composed of four pounds of saltpetre in a sufficient quantity of water, to every one hundred pounds of match.
The match is afterwards polished by rubbing it along a hair rope, which removes all extraneous fibres that would spread fire too rapidly. Twisting the rope strongly before it is polished, is said to be a good plan.
Matches are finally dried in the sun, and rolled into pieces of twenty yards each, (weighing about two and a half pounds); then made up into barrels or boxes, each of which contains about twenty of these pieces. Match of a good quality burns uniformly at the rate of five inches per hour, and its coal terminates in a point that resists pressure. Match rope may be formed by boiling the rope in water, containing three pounds of wood ashes, one pound of quicklime, two pounds of the liquor of horse-dung, and one pound of saltpetre.
In the small work, called The Bombardier and Pocket Gunner, there are three formulæ given for slow-match: The first consists in soaking light twisted rope in strong ley for three days. It burns three feet in six hours. The second or No. 2, as made at Gibraltar, by immersing blue paper in a solution of eight ounces of nitre in a gallon of water. The No. 3, by soaking rope in a solution of three-fourths of an ounce of sugar of lead in a pint of rain-water, using a larger quantity in the same proportion, according to the rope.
The use of the acetate or sugar of lead for the formation of match-rope, was recommended by a French officer in 1782; and since that time has been used in France both with and without saltpetre. The tinder-wood, if soaked alternately in solutions of saltpetre and sugar of lead, will form a very good match.
M. Rothelet (Archives des Découvertes, v, p. 239) has given some new observations on the use of acetate of lead for the preparation of combustible match-rope. He mentions the use of liquid acetate of lead, which may either be a solution of the oxide of lead in distilled vinegar, or a solution of sugar of lead in water. Rope, he adds, may be made very inflammable, by soaking it well in the liquid acetate, and drying it thoroughly. See also the Bulletin de Pharmacie, September, 1812.
Matches may be made very expeditiously by employing sugar of lead in the following manner: Put a quantity of rain or river water in a kettle over the fire, and when it boils, throw in sugar of lead in the proportion of three-fourths of an ounce to a pound of water. Remove the kettle when the sugar of lead is all dissolved, and immerse the cord or rope in the solution for ten minutes, and then take it out and dry it in the air. If cold water is used, the rope must remain longer in the solution. Rope of every description, old or new, or that made of the linden bark, and damaged match, may be submitted to the same process, previously boiling them in common water to remove their old coating. One pound of solution is required for each pound of cord.[32]
Ruggeri (Pyrotechnie Militaire, p. 185,) has a similar process. The salt of saturn there recommended, is the same as sugar of lead.
When matches have been made by contract, we may determine their quality by examining their interior, to see if they are not mixed with old matches, or pieces of dirty hemp. They should be sufficiently closed without being either too hard or too loose. The lixivium should penetrate to their centre; the difference of colour will indicate the contrary. They should be well dried and partake neither of mould nor rottenness, which are easily ascertained by the colour and smell. To be good, the match when lighted should preserve the fire, and burn uniformly without interruption in moist weather, so that a piece of five inches in length shall last at least one hour.
In 1808, there appeared in our papers an article on the subject of artillery rods, of which the following is a copy. We re-published it in the Aurora, of Philadelphia, in the same year, with comments. Instead of the acetate, nitrate of lead is used.
M. Cadet, of Paris, has invented artillery rods to supersede the matches in common use. They may be made of birch, elm, poplar, or of the linden tree. They are saturated with nitrate of lead and undergo two ebullitions in spirit of turpentine. They then burn very well and are not extinguished by the air. A metre of each will last an hour and a half, while the common matches burn only seven minutes. General Gassendi has made a calculation, which proves, that matches, which now cost the French government twenty-thousand livres, will not cost more than fifteen hundred, if made on M. C's new principle.
One pound of rope-match, such as is used in the military academy of Segovia, lasts nearly thirty-five hours, and rather more provided it be damp. In that state it is generally surcharged with from six to seven per cent. of moisture. In short it would be better to dry the rods in an oven, before they are saturated with the nitrate as well as afterwards. The following table shows the difference of duration between the matches made of rope and the new invented rods; and the quantity of nitrate, each wood absorbs per quintal, is specified in the last column.
Woods. Durat. per 25 lbs. lbs. French Cord-match 850 4 Linden, 2400 10 Pine, 2400 42 Cedar, 2400 42 Elm, 2430 19 Oak, 2200 18 Green oak, 1400 18 Walnut, 1400 7 Poplar, 1400 37 Willow, 2400 30
Hence we find that the poplar, pine, cedar and willow, exclude themselves when compared with the linden tree; since they absorb three or four times more nitrate than the latter, without burning longer.
The linden unites the advantages of economy and duration, since it absorbs only a tenth of its weight. The common oak, elm, walnut and green oak, occupy but the second rank. We may remark also, that the hardest woods are not of the greatest duration; for a rod made of green oak, which is much harder than the common oak, supports combustion only eight hours, while the latter will burn for twelve hours. Half a kilogramme of nitrate of lead will saturate forty-five metres of elm, seventeen of birch; twenty-one of poplar, and twelve of the linden tree. The woods were cut in parallelepipeds and boiled in a fish-pan.
MM. Carnot, Guyton Morveau, and Deyeux, were appointed to examine this invention, who reported favorably. An extract of their report may be seen in the Archives des Découvertes, v, p. 240.
Born also recommends for the same purpose, nitrate of lead, and used in the same manner. Proust, it appears, repeated the experiments of Born, and came to the same conclusion;--that it was an expeditious, and, on a large scale, an economical process for making matches. Proust, however, used hazle wood. He observes that the solution must be strong; that when cold it requires three days immersion in the fluid, and when boiling, only one and a half hours. He also found that nitrate of copper may be substituted for either the acetate or nitrate of lead.
Sec. II. Of Priming Tubes.
Priming tubes, (fusées d'amorce) serve to communicate fire to the powder in a cannon. They were formerly made of tin, but in consequence of the inconvenience of rusting they were laid aside. James (Military Dictionary, p. 416) remarks, that, owing to this defect in the tin, a colonel Harding had invented a pewter tube in lieu of tin tubes. Tubes are used in quick firing. When made of tin their diameter is two-tenths of an inch, being just sufficient to enter into the vent of the piece. They are about six inches long. Through this tube is drawn a quick-match, the cap being primed with meal powder moistened with spirits of wine. To prevent the mealed powder from falling out by carriage, a cap of paper or flannel, steeped in spirits of wine, is tied over it.
They are composed of two distinct parts, the cravat which contains the priming, and the tube that enters into the touch hole. Small pieces of well dried reeds or of quills, a little less than the size of the vent of the piece, are preferred. They are made thus. The reeds are cut into pieces three inches in length, square at one end and diagonally at the other, and are passed through a caliber two and one-third lines in diameter, (the diameter of the vent being two and one-fourth lines;) they are then rubbed clean in the inside by passing a small file several times through them, that removes the inner skin. Having prepared the reeds, they are filled, and also quills, or other cases, with the composition hereafter mentioned, made sufficiently thin to enter them. This may be done with the most facility by placing the cases side by side, with the square end up, in a tin or wooden box five inches deep; the composition is put into this, and made to descend into the cases, by knocking the box on the table. When they are full, they are taken out of the box, wiped clean, and laid to dry in the sun or in a warm room; before the composition is entirely dry, a knitting needle is passed from one end to the other, in order that the fire may reach the bore of the piece more rapidly. The match of communication (etoupille) is then fixed. This is done by cutting a notch on each side of the reed, near the end that is cut square, to which two strands of a match, two and a half inches long, are tied with a fibre of hemp.
The tubes are tied up in packets of ten each, to facilitate their distribution in service.
The reeds, or other cases, may also be filled in the following way, viz: Take twine made of the strands of cotton thread, and cut into pieces ten inches long; fold each of these into two lengths, and pass them through the reed from one end to the other by means of a loop of very fine thread. The two inches are covered with some of the composition made thick.
Composition of Priming Tubes.
Parts of, Meal-powder, Saltpetre, Sulphur, Charcoal. Usual composition, 12 8 2 3 Very quick, 4 1 0 0 Particular } 0 13 3½ 4½ composition, } 0 4 ½ ½
The composition is to be moistened with a solution of camphor, &c. in brandy. To every pint add one ounce of gum arabic, and half an ounce of camphor. Gum water retards the combustion of the match.
Fifteen pounds of this composition will make ten thousand tubes.
M. Cadet, (Archives des Découvertes, i, p. 412) has connected with the match a preparation of chlorate of potassa, which is inflamed by sulphuric acid.
We have already spoken of the use of chlorate, formerly called hyper-oxymuriate, of potassa, in this way. See chlorate of potassa.
M. Cadet's invention is as follows: In a glass tube or tube of elder, is enclosed a match covered with a mixture of chlorate of potassa and sulphur; above which is fixed a small glass bulb containing sulphuric acid. This bulb has a small stem of glass similar to that of the candle cracker, to stick it by into the composition. This match is placed above the vent or touch hole, and retained there by a socket of lead. A spring, to which a small hammer is attached, is fixed to the gun, and is extended and kept in that position by a hook or bolt. When this is pushed, the spring is unhooked, and by recovering itself gives a blow with the hammer which breaks the glass ball, and the acid falls directly on the composition. This is then inflamed and the fire is communicated to the match, and from the match to the gunpowder.
A small portion of sugar mixed with the chlorate of potassa and sulphur, will ensure the composition to inflame with more certainty; although M. Cadet mentions only the hyper-oxymuriate and sulphur. If some of this composition, after the priming fuse is charged, be put in the cup of the fuse, a drop of sulphuric acid will inflame the fuse.
Sec. III. Of Quick Matches.
The etoupille of the French is the same as quick match, which is used to communicate fire in particular in military works, to priming tubes and other fuses. We have noticed in a former article the preparation of the matches of communication used in Fire-works, and the mode of forming leaders for the purpose of conveying fire to the different parts of a fixed or moveable piece. It will be sufficient, therefore, to notice the preparation of what is usually called quick match. These matches are made, according to Bigot, of five strands of fine cotton thread, soaked twenty-four hours in strong vinegar, and sometimes in brandy. They are then put, for twelve hours at least, in a liquid paste, made of meal gunpowder, and spirits, in which gum arabic and camphor are dissolved, in proportions to be given hereafter. To make them imbibe this completely, they are pressed with a pallet knife. They are then taken out and drawn gently between the fingers to discharge the excess, spread upon a table, and when half dry, dusted with meal-powder. The match is rolled by hand to make it round, hung upon a frame, furnished with pins, to dry, and afterwards cut into lengths of two and a half feet and tied up in bundles.
Materials necessary to make ten thousand Priming Tubes.
Cotton thread, 5 lbs. Meal-powder, 3 -- Vinegar, 5 quarts. Brandy, or other spirits, 3 ---- Gum arabic, 3 ounces. Camphor, 1½ ----
When matches are required to communicate fire slowly, sulphur and beeswax, or rosin are added to meal-powder, in proportion to the degree of slowness required. The cotton, in this case, must have been soaked in water instead of spirits.
Cotton, 1 lb. 12 ounces. Saltpetre, 1 -- 8 ---- Spirits of wine, 2 quarts. Water, 2 ---- Isinglass, 3 gills. Meal-powder, 10 lbs.
The cotton is then taken out and laid in a trough, where some meal-powder, moistened with alcohol, is thoroughly wrought into it. This done, the cotton, being in strands, is taken out separately, and drawn through meal-powder and hung upon a line to dry.
If worsted in the place of cotton is employed, the proportions then are,
Worsted, 10 ounces. Meal-powder, 10 pounds. Alcohol, (spirits of wine,) 3 pints. Vinegar, (white wine,) 3 ----
In the preparation of quick match, the following method is sometimes pursued; viz. soak the cotton well in a hot solution of saltpetre; then remove it and lay it in a trough with some mealed powder, moistened with spirits of wine, which is to be worked in by the hand. It is afterwards drawn through meal-powder, and dried upon a line or reel.
III. OF PORT FIRES
Port fires (lances à feu) are a species of fuse of a slow composition, designed for different purposes, and particularly for guns, when they are to fire rapidly. The paper, is first rolled in cases. The rod or mandril should be of hard wood, 16 or 18 inches long, and 5-1/2 lines in diameter. Two brass rods to load them, one of 17 inches in length, the other of only 8, are required. A wooden rammer, with a heavy head, may be used. A small funnel with a spout 5-1/2 lines in diameter, and a ladle to lift the composition, are also required. The instructions of M. Bigot for the formation of Port-fire are that the paper must be cut in bands, 3-1/2 to four inches wide, and 15 inches long, and six strips of this paper are to be arranged on a level table, one above the other in such a way, that each strip extends about half an inch beyond the next below it, and pasting the projecting parts of it; that the wooden rod is then placed upon the upper strip, near the side, and the paper is rolled several times round it; pressing it at the same time, and shutting the case, thus formed, at one end, by bending the paper up 3 or 4 lines on the rod, and striking it on the table to flatten it; that the rod is then removed, and the case is dried, which is afterwards filled by introducing the composition through the funnel, and ramming it as fast as it falls down; which is done by alternately raising and lowering the copper rod, without drawing it entirely out; that in charging, care must be taken to beat it uniformly, with such a force, that the paper may not be torn, and the composition equally solid throughout; that when the composition is within an inch of the end of the paper case, a tow match is put over it, of 1-1/2 inches in circumference, the two ends of which project from the paper case, and are covered with priming paste; and finally, that the port-fire is finished, by pasting upon its end a small bit of paper, which is torn off, when the match is to be used.
Port-fires are tied up in a sheet of paper, in parcels of ten.
Composition of Port-fires.
---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+------ | Meal | Salt- | | | KINDS OF PORT-FIRE. | powder.| petre.|Sulphur.|Charcoal.|Rosin. ---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+------ To last 12 min. moistened }| 10 | 12 | 6 | | with linseed oil. }| | | | | ---- 10 do--do | | 19½ | 7¼ | ½ | ---- 7 do--commonly used. | | 19½ | 8 | ½ | ½ ---------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+------
The articles are pulverized, and mixed by passing them through fine sieves at least twice. After the addition of linseed oil, the composition is again mixed with the hand. If too much oil be added, the port-fire will not keep. Fourteen pounds of composition, and 2-1/2 reams of paper, are required for 100 port-fires.
Port-fires are usually 16-1/2 inches, and seldom more than 21 inches in length. The paper cases must be rolled, wet with paste. The distinction, made between what is called the wet, and dry port-fire, is, that, in the former, linseed oil is used, and, in the latter, the composition is mixed dry. Dry port-fire, according to the British formula, is composed of saltpetre 4 parts, sulphur 1, meal-powder 2, and antimony 1.
The following formulæ for port fire are given in the Pyrotechny of the Encyclopedia Britannica.
1. Saltpetre 12 oz. Sulphur 4 -- Meal-powder 2 -- 2. Saltpetre 8 oz. Sulphur 4 -- Meal-powder 2 -- 3. Saltpetre 1 lb. 2 oz. Meal-powder 1½ lbs. Sulphur 10 oz. 4. Meal-powder 6 oz. Saltpetre 2 lbs. 2 -- Sulphur 10 -- 5. Saltpetre 1 lb. 4 oz. Meal-powder 4 -- Sulphur 5 -- Sawdust 8 -- 6. Saltpetre 8 oz. Sulphur 2 -- Meal-powder 2 --
Illuminating port-fires, used in fire-works for exhibition, &c. have been noticed heretofore.
The composition of the charge for fire-lances (port-fire,) is thus given by Ruggeri;
Substances. Proportions. Saltpetre 16 parts. Sulphur 8 ---- Powdered antimony or powdered pitcoal 4 ----
Mixed, and passed three times through a sieve.