Dr. Cuthush on the Chinese Fire, &c. 139 
‘Another mode consists in mixing sulphur with starch into a 
paste with water, and covering the figure with the mixture, 
observing previously to coat it with clay or plaster. While 
moist, the coat of sulphur and starch is sprinkled over with 
gun powder. When dry, matches are arranged about it, so 
that the fire may speedily communicate on allsides. Gar- 
lands, festoons, and other ornaments may be represented in 
_ this manner, using such compositions as produce differently 
coloured fires. In connection with this, cases of one third 
of an inch in diameter and two and a half inches in length, 
may be employed, charging them with different composi- 
tions. These would produce an undulatirg fire. he 
led hair, which terminate in a sbower of fire. These are 
made of quills filled with the usual rocket-composition, and 
primed with a little moist gun powder, both to keep int 
composition, and serve as a match. It is to be observed, 
however, that a rocket charged in the usual manner, and 
loaded in its cap or head, which is conical, in the same way 
as with stars, serpents, crackers, &c. would so disperse 
them, on the termination of its flight, as to produce in the 
atmosphere the appearance we have mentioned. —_ ra, 
It has been supposed, that some of the ceremonies the 
ancients, such as the feast of the lamps, /amp ta lamp- 
lericee, &c. were exhibitions of the same character, in which 
however lamps were used. But such feasts or tions 
appear to have been con 
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