Varieties the cross rails. Having fixed your fire-pumps, clothe of Con- them with leaders, so that they may all be fired togetruction. ther. See fig. 45.

III

ontal -heels.

Of illuminated Globes with horizontal Wheels.-The Juminat- hoops for these globes may be made of wood, tin, or globes iron wire, about two feet in diameter. For a single ith hori globe, take two hoops, and tie them together, one within the other, at right angles; then have a horizon tal wheel made, whose diameter must be a little wider than the globe, and its nave six inches long; on the top of which the globe is fixed, so as to stand three or four inches from the wheel: on this wheel you may put any number of cases, filled with what charge you please; but let two of them burn at a time: they may be placed horizontally, or to incline downwards, just as you choose. Now, when the wheel is clothed, fix on the hoops as many illuminations as will stand within two inches and a half of each other: fasten these on the hoops with small iron binding wire; and when they are all on, put on the pipes of communication, which must be so managed as to light them all with the second or third case on the wheel. The spindle on which the globe is to run must go through the block of the wheel, up to the inside of the top of the globe; where must be 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, as in fig. 46. which represents a globe on its spindle. By this method may be made a crown, which is done by having the hoops bent in the form of a crown. Sometimes globes and crowns are managed so as to stand still, and the wheel only to turn round; but when you would have the globe or crown to stand still, and the wheel to run by itself, the block of the wheel must not be so long, nor the spindle any longer than just to raise the globe a little above the wheels; and the wheel cases and illumination must be gin together.

1

112

odecahe

on.

The Dodecahedron.-So called because it nearly represents a twelve-sided figure, is made thus: First have a ball turned out of some hard wood, 14 inches diameter divide its surface into 14 equal parts, from which bore holes one inch and a half diameter, perpendicular to the centre, so that they may all meet in the middle: then let there be turned in the inside of each hole a female screw; and to all the holes but one must be made a round spoke five feet long, with four inches of the screw at one end to fit the holes; then in the screw-end of all the spokes bore a hole, five inches up, which must be bored slanting, so as to come out at one side, a little above the screw; from which cut a small groove along the spoke, within six inches of the other end, where make another hole through to the other side of the spoke. In this end fix a spindle, on which put a small wheel of three or four sides, each side six or seven inches 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 put a nut to keep the wheel from falling off. The wheels being thus fixed, carry a pipe from the mouth of the first case on each wheel, through the hole in the side of the spoke, and from thence along the groove, and through the other hole, so as to hang out at the screw-end about an inch. The spokes being all prepared in this manner, you must have a post, on which you intend to fire the work, with an

struction.

iron screw in the top of it, to fit one of the holes in Varieties the ball on the screw fix the ball; then in the top of Conhole of the ball put a little meal-powder, and some loose quick-match then screw in all the spokes; and in one side of the ball bore a hole, in which put a leader, and secure it at the end; and the work will be ready to be fired. By the leader the powder and match in the centre is fired, which will light the match at the ends of the spokes all at once, whereby all the wheels will be lighted at once. There may be an addition to this piece, by fixing a small globe on each wheel, or one on the top wheel only. A gray charge will be pro-" per for the wheel cases.

fire.

113

The Yew Tree of Brilliant Fire is represented by Yew tree fig. 47. as it appears when burning. First, let A be of brilliant an upright piece of wood, four feet long, two inches broad, and one thick at top of the piece, on the flat side, fix a hoop 14 inches diameter; and round its edge and front place illuminations, and in the centre a fivepointed star; then at E, which is one foot and a half from the edge of the hoop, place two cases of brilliant fire, one on each side; these cases should be one foot long each: below these fix two more cases of the same size, and at such a distance that their mouths may almost meet them at top: then close to the ends of these fix two more of the same cases; they must stand parallel to them at E. The cases being thus fixed, clothe them with leaders; so that they, with the illuminations and stars at top, may all take fire together.

114

Stars with Points for regulated Pieces, &c.-These Stars with stars are made of different sizes, according to the work points. for which they are intended; they are made with cases from one ounce to one pound, but in general with fourounce cases, four or five inches long: the case must be rolled with paste, and twice as thick as that of a rocket of the same bore. Having rolled a case, pinch one end of it quite close then drive in half a diameter of clay; and when the case is dry, fill it with composition two or three inches to the length of the cases with which it is to burn: at top of the charge drive some clay; as the ends of these cases are seldom pinched, they would be liable to take fire. Having filled a case, divide the circumference of it at the pinched end close to the clay into five equal parts; then bore five holes with a gimblet about the size of the neck of a common four-ounce case, into the composition: from one hole to the other carry a quick-match, and secure it with paper this paper must be put on in the manner of that on the end 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.

face.

115

Fixed Sun with a transparent Face.-To make a sun Fixed sun of the best kind, there should be two rows of cases, as in with a fig. 48. which will show a double glory, and make the transparent rays strong and full. The frame or sun-wheel, must be made thus: Have a circular flat nave made very strong, 12 inches diameter: to this fix six strong flat spokes, A, B, C, D, E, F. On the front of these fix a circular fell, five feet diameter; within which fix another fell, the length of one of the sun-cases less in diameter; within this fix a third fell, whose diameter must be less than the second by the length of one case and one-third. The wheel being made, divide the fells into so many equal

parts

struction.

Varieties parts as there are to be cases (which may be done from of Con- 24 to 44): at each division fix a flat iron staple; these staples must be made to fit the cases, to hold them fast on the wheel; let the staples be so placed, that one row of cases may lie in the middle of the intervals of the other.

116

Three ver

illumina

ted.

In the centre of the block of the sun drive a spindle, on which put a small hexagonal wheel, whose cases must be filled with the same charge as the cases of the sun: two cases of this wheel must burn at a time, and begin with them on the fells. Having fixed on all the cases, carry pipes of communication from one to the other, as you see in the figure, and from one side of the sun to the wheel in the middle, and from thence to the other side of the sun. These leaders will hold the wheel steady while the sun is fixing up, and will also be a sure method of lighting both cases of the wheel together. A sun thus made is called a brilliant sun, because the wood work is entirely covered with fire from the wheel in the middle, so that there appears nothing but sparks of brilliant fire: but if you would have a transparent face in the centre, you must have one made of pasteboard of any size. The method of making a face is, by cutting out the eyes, nose, and mouth for the sparks of the wheel to appear through; but instead of this face, you may have one painted on oiled paper, or Persian silk, strained tight on a hoop; which hoop must be supported by three or four pieces of wire at six inches distance from the wheel in the centre, so that the light of it may illuminate the face. By this method may be shown in the front of a sun, VIVAT REX, cut in pasteboard, or Apollo painted on silk; but, for a small collection, a sun with a single glory, and a wheel in front, will be most suitable. Half pound cases, filled ten inches with composition, will be a good size for a sun of five feet diameter; but if larger, the cases must be greater in proportion.

Three Vertical Wheels illuminated, which turn on their tical wheels own Naves upon a horizontal Table.-A plan of this is shown by fig. 49. Let D be a fir table three feet in diameter: this table must be fixed horizontally on the top of a post; on this post must be a perpendicular iron spindle, which must come through the centre of the table: then let A, B, C, be three spokes joined to a triangular flat piece of wood, in the middle of which make a hole to fit easily over the spindle: let E, F, G, be pieces of wood, four or five inches long each, and two inches square, fixed on the under sides of the spokes; in these pieces make holes lengthwise to receive the thin part of the blocks of the wheels, which, when in, are prevented from coming out by a small iron pin being run through the end of each. K, L, M, are three vertical octagonal wheels, 18 inches diameter each: the blocks of these wheels must be long enough for three or four inches to rest on the table; round which part drive a number of sharp points of wire, which must not project out of the blocks more than 1-16th of an inch: the use of these points is, that, when the blocks run round, they will stick in the table, and help the wheels forward: if the naves are made of strong wood, one inch will be enough for the diameter of the thin part, which should be made to turn easily in the holes of the pieces E, F, G. On the front of the wheels make four or five circles of strong wire, or flat hoops, and tie on them as many illuminations as they will hold at two inches distant from

each other: instead of circles, you may make spiral Varieties lines, clothed with illuminations, at the same distance of Confrom each other as those on the hoops. When illumi- struction. nations are fixed on a spiral line in the front of a wheel, they must be placed a little on the slant, the contrary way from that in which the wheel runs; the cases for these wheels may be filled with any coloured charge, but must burn only one at a time.

The wheels being thus prepared, you must have a globe, crown, or spiral wheel, to put on the spindle in the middle of the table: this spindle should be just long enough to raise the wheel of the globe, crown, or spiral wheel, so high that its fire may play over the three vertical wheels: by this means their fires will not be confused, nor will the wheels receive any damage from the fire of each other. In clothing this work, let the leaders be so managed, that all the wheels may light together, and the illuminations after two cases of each wheel are burned.

117

Illuminated works are much admired by the Italians, Illuminated and indeed are a great addition to a collection of works; chandeer. in a grand exhibition an illuminated piece should be fired after every two or three wheels, or fixed pieces of common and brilliant fires; and likewise illuminated works may be made cheap, quick, and easy.

To make an illuminated chandelier, you must first have one made of thin wood (see fig. 50.). The chandelier being made, bole in the front of the branches, and in the body, and also in the crown at top, as many holes for illuminations as they will contain at three inches distance from each other: in these holes put illuminations filled with white, blue, or brilliant charge. Having fixed in the port-fires, clothe them with leaders. so that the chandelier and crown may light together The small circles on this figure represent the mouths of the illuminations, which must project straight from the front.

118

stars with

wheels.

Fig. 51.

To make a flaming star with brilliant wheels, you must Flaming first have made a circular piece of strong wood about one brilliant inch thick and two feet diameter ? round this block fix eight points, two feet six inches long each; four of these points must be straight and four flaming: these points being joined on very strong, and even with the surface of the block, nail tin or pasteboard on their edges, from the block to the end of each, where they must be joined; this tin must project in front eight inches, and be joined where they meet at the block; round the front of the block fix four pieces of thick iron wire, eight inches long each, equally distant from each other: this being done, cut a piece of pasteboard round, two feet diameter, and draw on it a star, as may be seen in fig. 51. Cut; out this star, and on the back of it paste oiled paper; then paint cach point half red and half yellow, lengthwise; but the body of the star must be left open, wherein must run a brilliant wheel, made thus: Have a light block turned nine inches long; at each end of it fix six spokes; at the end of each spoke put a two ounce case of brilliant fire the length of these cases must be in proportion to the wheel, and the diameter of the wheel when the cases are on must be a little less than the diameter of the body of the small star: the cases on the spokes in front must have their mouths incline outwards, and those on the inside spokes must be placed so as to form a vertical circle of fire. When you place the leaders, carry the first pipe from the tail of one of the

cases

Varieties cases in front to the mouth of one of the inside cases, of Con- and from the tail of that to another in front, and so on struction. to all the cases. The wheel being made, put it on a

spindle, in the centre of the star; this spindle must have a shoulder at bottom, to keep the wheel at a little distance from the block. The wheel must be kept on the spindle by a nut at the end; having fixed on the wheel, fasten the transparent star to the four pieces of wire : when you fire it, you will only see a common horizontal wheel; 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; then it will again appear like a common wheel, and so on for 12 charges.

119 Projected A regulated piece, if well executed, is as curious as regulated any in fire-works: it consists of fixed and moveable piece with pieces on one spindle, representing various figures, mutations. which take fire successively one from another, without any assistance after lighting the first mutation. See fig. 53:

Fig. 53.

Plate CCCCLV.

I. Names of the mutations, with the colour of fire and size of the case belonging to each.

First mutation is a hexagon vertical wheel, illuminated in front with small portfires 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 must burn singly.

Second mutation 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 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 you may make changes of fire.

Fourth mutation is a fixed sun of brilliant fire, consisting of 12 four ounce cases; the necks of these cases must be a little larger than those of four ounce wheelcases. In this mutation may be made a change of fire, by filling the cases half with brilliant charge, and balf with gray.

Fifth mutation is a fixed piece, called the porcupine's quills. This piece consists of 12 spokes, standing perpendicular to the block on which they are fixed; on each of those 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 is a standing piece, called the crossfire. This mutation consists of eight spokes fixed in a block; near the end of each of those 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 may intersect the fire from the cases on the other.

Seventh mutation is a fixed wheel, with two circular fells, on which are placed 16 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 VOL. XVII. Part II.

:

each side of every star is placed a four ounce case of Varieties black or gray charge; these cases must be placed with of Contheir mouths sidewise, so that their fires may cross each struction. other.

Ninth mutation is a wheel-piece. This is composed of six long spokes, with a hexagon vertical wheel at the end of each these wheels run on spindles in the front of the spokes; all the wheels are lighted together: two ounce cases will do for these wheels, and may be filled with any coloured charge.

II. Proportions of the mutations, with the method of conveying the fire from one to the other, and the distance at which they stand one from the other on the spindle.

First mutation must be a hexagon vertical wheel, 14 inches diameter; on one side of the block, whose diameter is two inches and a quarter, is fixed a tin barrel A (see fig. 53. N° 1.). 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 take care to secure well the hole wherein the pipe is put, to prevent any sparks falling in, which would light the second mutation before its time, and confuse the whole.

On

Second mutation is thus made: Have a nave turned two inches and a half 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 B, 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. these spokes put five seven inch two ounce cases of spurfire, and carry leaders from the mouth of one to the other, that they may all light together. Then from the mouth of one of the 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 B: this hole must be covered with pasted paper.

Third mutation may be either an octagon or hexagon wheel, 20 inches diameter; let the nave be three inches and a quarter diameter, and three and a half in length; one inch and a half of the front of the nave must be made to fit in the barrel B. On the other end of the block fix a tin barrel C, N° 3. This barrel must be six inches and a half 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 first two 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 the first case to the other; then from the tail of one of 4 B the

Varieties the last cases carry a pipe into a hole in the middle of of Con- the barrel C: at the end of this pipe let there be some struction loose quick-match.

Fourth and fifth mutations.-These may be described under one head, as their naves are made of one piece, which from E to F is 14 inches; E, a block four inches diameter, with 10 or 12 short spokes, on which are fixed 11 inch eight ounce cases: let the front of this block be made to fit easily in the barrel C, and 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 C, in order to receive the fire from the leader brought from the last case on the wheel. G is the nave of the 5th mutation; whose diameter must be four inches and a half in this nave fix 10 or 12 spokes, one foot and a half in length each; these spokes must stand seven inches distant from the spokes of the 4th mutation; and at the end of each spoke tie a four ounce case, as N° 5. All these cases are to be lighted together, by a leader brought from the end of one of the cases on No 4. Let F and H be of the same piece of wood as E and G, but as much thinner as possible, to make the work light.

Sixth and seventh mutations.-The blocks of these two mutations are turned out of one piece of wood, whose length from F to P is 15 inches. L, a block five inches diameter, in which are fixed eight spokes, each two feet four inches long; at the end of each spoke tie two four ounce cases, as in N° 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 5th mutation. Let the distance between the spokes at L, and those in the 5th mutation, be seven inches.. M, the nave of the 7th mutation, whose diameter must be five inches and a half: in this nave fix eight spokes, and on the front of them two circular fells, one of four feet eight inches diameter, and one of three feet 11 diameter; on these fells tie 16 eight ounce or pound cases, as in N° 7. and carry leaders from one to the other, so that they may be all fired together. This mutation must be fired by a leader brought from the tail of one of the cases on the 6th mutation.

Eighth and ninth mutations.-The blocks of these may be turned out of one piece, whose length from P to D must be 12 inches. O, the block of the 8th mutation, which must be six inches diameter; and in it must be fixed six spokes, each three feet in length, strengthened by a 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; then seven inches below each star tie two 10 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 (see N° 8.) NNN, &c. are the cases, and kkk, &c. the stars.

The 9th mutation is thus made: Let D be a block seven inches diameter. In this block must be screwed six spokes, six feet long each, with holes and grooves for leaders, as those in the dodecahedron; at the end of each spoke, in the front, fix a spindle for a hexagon vertical wheel, 10 inches diameter, as in N° 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 8th mutation, through a hole bored in the block D, to meet the leaders from the vertical wheels, so that they may all be fired together.

The spindles for larger pieces are required to be

made very strong, and exact as possible; for a piece of Varieties nine mutations, let the spindle be at the large end one of Coninch diameter, and continue that thickness as far as the struction. 7th mutation; and thence to the 5th, let its diameter be three-fourths of an inch; from the fifth to the fourth, five-eighths of an inch; 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 must be a large nut, as shown by the figure; 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: but you are to observe, that that part of the spindle on which the moveable pieces are to run, be made long enough for the wheels to run easy without sticking, the fixed pieces being made on different blocks, 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 make that part of the spindle which goes through them square; but as it would be difficult to make square holes through such long blocks as are sometimes required, it will be best to make them thus: Bore a bole 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.

120

To make a horizontal wheel change to a vertical wheel Horizontal with a sun in front.-The sudden change of this piece changed to is a vertical very pleasing; and gives great surprise to those who wheel. are not acquainted with the contrivance. A wheel for this purpose should be about three feet diameter, and its fell circular on which tie 16 half pound cases filled with brilliant charge: two of these cases must burn at a time and on each end of the nave must be a tin barrel of the same construction as those on the regulated piece. The wheel being completed, prepare the post or stand thus: First have a stand made of any height, about three or four inches square; then saw off from the top a piece two feet long; this piece join 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; and these brackets must project at right angles with the stand, one foot from the front, for the short piece to rest on. These brackets must 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, 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 foot and a half 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 10 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 you fire this piece, 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

17

試

Varieties of the post, from a case filled with a strong port-fire of Con charge, and tied to the bottom post, with its mouth struction. facing the packthread which holds up the stand; so that

121

Grand il

volute.

Fig. 54.

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.

Grand volute illuminated with a projected wheel in luminated front.First have two hoops made of strong iron wire, one of six feet diameter, and one of four feet two inches; these hoops must be joined to scrolls A, A, A, &c. as in fig. 54. These scrolls must be made of the same sort of wire as the hoops; on these scrolls tie, with ironbinding wire, as many illuminating port-fires as they will hold, at two inches distance; clothe these port-fires with leaders, so that they may all take fire together. Then let C be a circular wheel of four spokes, three feet six inches 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; which may be done by cutting the upper part of the end of each case a little shelving 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; so that the wheel will last no longer than one-fourth of the cases on the fell, which in number should be 16 or

122

Joon and

20.

On the front of the wheel form a spiral line with strong wire, on which tie port fires, placing them on a slant, 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 of the wheel. Let D, D, D, &c. be spokes of wood, all made to screw into a block in the centre; each of these spokes may be in length about four feet six inches; in the top of each fix a spindle, and on each spindle put a spiral wheel of eight spokes, such as E, E, E, &c. The blocks of these wheels must have a hole at top for the centre case, and the spindle must have nuts screwed on their ends; which nuts should fit in the holes at top of the blocks, so that all the wheels must be put on before you fix in the centre cases: as some of these wheels, from their situation, will not bear on the nut, it will be necessary to have smooth shoulders made on the spindles for the blocks to run on. 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 dodecahedron, but the centre case of each wheel must begin with the two last cases as usual. It is to be observed, that the large circular wheel in front must 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 charge.

Let fig. 55. be a smooth circular board six feet diaeven stars. meter: out of the middle of it cut a circular piece 12 ig. 55or 14 inches diameter; and over the vacancy put white Persian silk, on which paint a moon's face: then let I, I, I, &c. be stars, each four or five inches diameter, cut out with five points, and covered with oiled silk; on

the front of the large circular board draw a seven point- Varieties ed star as large as the circle will allow; then on the lines of Conwhich form this star bore holes, wherein fix pointed stars. struction. When this case is to be fired, it must be fixed upon the front of a post, on a spindle, with a wheel of brilliant fire behind the face of the moon; so that while the wheel burns, the moon and stars will appear transparent; and when the wheel has burnt out, they will disappear, and the large star in front, which is formed of pointed stars, will begin, being lighted by a pipe of communication from the last case of the vertical wheel, behind the moon; this pipe must be managed in the same manner as those in regulated pieces.

123

illumina

Fig. 56.

Double cone-wheel illuminated.-This piece is repre- Double sented by fig. 56. Let A be a strong decagonal or ten- cone wheel sided wheel, two feet six inches diameter; then on each ted. side of it fix a cone B and C : these cones are to consist of a number of hoops, supported by three or four pieces of wood, in the manner of the spiral wi.eels. Let the height of each cone be three feet six inches; and on all the hoops tie port-fires horizontally, with their mouths outwards, and clothe the wheel with eight-ounce cases, all to play horizontally, two at a time: the cones may be fired with the first or second cases. The spindle for this piece must go through both the cones, and rise three feet above the point of the cone at top; so that its length will be 10 feet four inches from the top of the post H, 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 bear on a shoulder in the spindle, on which the block of the wheel must turn.— Near the top of the spindle must be a hole in the front, into which screw a small spindle, after the cones are on: then on this small spindle fix a sun D, composed of sixteen nine inch four-ounce cases of brilliant fire; which cases must not be placed on a fell, but only stuck into a block of six inches diameter: then in the front of this sun must be a circular vertical wheel, 16 inches diameter; on the front of this wheel form with iron-wire a spiral line, and clothe it with illuminations after the usual method. As this wheel is not to be fired till the cones are burnt out, the method of firing it is this: Let the hole in the block, at the top of the uppermost cone, be a little larger than the spindle which passes through it. Then, from the first case of the vertical wheel before the sun, carry a leader down the side of the spindle to the top of the block of the horizontal wheel, on which must be a tin barrel: then this leader being met by another brought from the end of the last case of the horizontal wheel, will give fire to the vertical wheel as soon as the cones are extinguished: but the sun D must not be fired till the vertical wheel is quite burned out.

124

Cases for fire pumps are made as those for tourbil- Fire pumps. lons; only they are pasted, instead of being rolled dry. Having rolled and dried the cases, fill them: first put in a little meal-powder, and then a star; on which ram lightly a ladleful or two of composition, then a little meal-powder, and on that a star, then again composition; and so on till the cases are filled. Stars for fire pumps should not be round; but must be made either square, or flat and circular, with a hole through the middle: the quantity of powder for throwing the stars must increase near the top of the case; for, if much powder be put at the bottom, it will burst the case. The stars must differ in size in this manner: Let the star which is 4 B 2 put