m 



CHINESE FIRE-WOR&S* 



the calculi which are there formed, and are of a pceuliar na- 

 ture ; {he oleaginous and animal fubftances ; and that parti- 

 cular matter, differing from all others hitherto known; wilt not 

 fail to excite a lively intereft, and are the fubject of feveral 

 other Papers which I purpofe fliortly to bring before the 

 public. 



XIV. 



Quotation from Sir G eoroe Staunton's Einbajfy, containing a 

 Defcription of Fire Works unknown in Europe. Propofed by a 

 Correjpondent with a View to obtain Explanation of the Means 

 by which they were produced. 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 

 SIR, 



J- prefume to think it will accord with the general aim of your Introduction* 

 excellent collection to infert the following quotation ; and t 

 indulge the hope that your compliance with my requeft for 

 that purpofe may produce an explanation from fome of your 

 ingenious correfpondents. 



I am Sir, 



Your conftant reader, 



P. M. 



After the ballets, Fire- works were played off; and even Remarkable 



fire- works of 

 the Chuiefo, 



in the day-time had a ftriking effect. Some of the contrivances fiiewori 



were new to the Englifh fpeelators. Out of a large box, among 

 other inffgnces, lifted up to a confiderable height, and the 

 bottom falling out as if it were by accident, came down a 

 multitude of paper lanterns, folded flat as they iffued from the 

 box, but unfolding themfelves from one another by degrees. 

 As each lantern affumed a regular form, a light was fuddenly 

 perceived of a beautifully coloured flame, burning brightly 

 Within it; leaving doubtful by what delufion of the fight thofe 

 lanterns appeared, or by what property of combuftible mate- 

 rials they became thus lighted, without any communication 

 from the outride to produce the flame within. This devolution 

 and developement were feveral times repeated, with a difference 

 Vol. XII — December, 1805. T of 



