PYROTECHNY. 



ryrotech- t { lat j lave a py ram jtl a l f orm . It is also used to imitate 

 ^_ y ' ^_. the Prince of Wales's crest. When this latter effect is 

 PLATE to ^ e produced, it must be attached behind a transpa- 

 CCCCLXXIJI. rency properly painted to imitate the coronet and the 

 Fig. 6. inscription, and this must be strongly illuminated with 



blue lights placed behind it. Care must be taken that 

 the mouths of the cases may be so placed, as that 

 the feathers may spring from the proper point, and at 

 a right distance from each other. They must also be 

 inclined forward from the perpendicular, that the fires 

 may turn over at the top of their ascent towards the 

 spectators. Three cases produce the three feathers, 

 and these must be of brilliant fire, and of considerable 

 size. But the feather may be made richer and fuller, 

 by placing in it three or four of a smaller size. If also 

 it is desired that it should be very durable, it may be 

 made to last for double the time, or even much more, 

 by placing a succession of similar cases behind each 

 other, and so managing the leaders as to light one set 

 when the other expires. The same rule may also be 

 applied to all other fixed figures of whatever nature ; 

 which is often of great use, as they may be required to 

 keep time with other fireworks of longer duration. 



The ostrich feather may also be used without the co- 

 ronet ; in which case it may be provided with a small 

 wheel, or a bright light at the point where the feathers 

 spring. 



The Tree. 



This is the name generally applied to all those com- 

 binations of fireworks which throw out fires from each 

 side of a perpendicular ; and there are different ways 

 of disposing the cases for this purpose. The simplest 

 Fig- 7. method is to dispose the cases upon a perpendicular 

 post, in a parallel manner on both sides, so that when 

 placed they may resemble the feathers upon an arrow. 

 The angle with the perpendicular may be about 30 de- 

 grees, so that the fires will diverge at 60, but the 

 artist may vary that angle according to his pleasure. 

 The perpendicular should also be terminated by as 

 many cases as will render the whole figure uniform at 

 the top when burning. 



This disposition may be agreeably varied in two 

 ways or more. Thus, instead of fastening the cases on 

 a straight post in a parallel manner, and having all the 

 mouths at the same distances crosswise from the top 

 to the bottom, they may be placed upon two posts in- 

 clined at a small angle, so as to make an acute triangle. 

 Or else this position may be reversed, and the broad- 

 est side of the triangle may be upwards, so that the 

 tree will appear to spread at the top. In this latter 

 way also, the cases below may be more widely apart 

 than those above ; and as the interval at the top must 

 also be filled with cases, the tree will appear fuller or 

 more bushy above than below. 



In the next place, the cases, instead of being placed 

 at equal distances upon the perpendicular, may be ar- 

 ranged in pairs, so that each alternate interval may be 

 twice as wide as the next. Or else the direction of the 

 I'ig. 13. fireworks may be entirely reversed, so as to throw their 

 fires downwards instead of upwards ; or they may be 

 placed horizontally. They may still further be varied, 

 by causing a certain number to play upwards, and the 

 remainder downwards, the middle one on each side 

 being horizontal ; and this contrivance may also be fur- 

 ther varied in two ways, that is, by causing the bottom 

 Fig. 12. division to play downwards, and the top one upwards, 

 or the reverse. Although in description these do not 



seem to differ much, the effects are very dissimilar. It Pyrotech- 

 is also a great advantage that so many varieties of form, 

 where variety is so much wanted, can be attained with 

 so little trouble. 



The last method ofdisposingthis kind of fire which we 

 shall notice, is where the fires of two cases cross, or start 

 from one point. The cases for this purpose are arrang- 

 ed like the teeth of a saw on each side of the perpendi- 

 cular, and so that every two neighbouring mouths are Fig. 8, 11. 

 together, the effect of which is easily understood. 



All these varieties of the tree may be modified in 

 various ways, by the addition of blue lights, or of small 

 wheels, or of pointed stars ; but it is scarcely necessary, 

 after the preceding remarks, to give directions about 

 matters so obvious. 



Pointed Stars. 



As this is one of the combinations of fixed cases, Pointed 

 which is perpetually wanted in compound fireworks, it *> tars - 

 must now be described. It is necessary, to insure re- 

 gularity in these, that they should be made in proper 

 patterns, or stands of wood or metal, all regularly cut 

 to one size and disposition of angles. The reason for 

 this care is, that it is generally necessary that a great 

 number should burn together, and when they are not 

 equal the effect is unpleasant. The cases for them may 

 be from an inch and a half to two inches in length, and 

 from a quarter of an inch to three-eighths in diameter, 

 and they must all be driven with the greatest care, so 

 as to burn exactly the same length of time. The com- 

 position may be white or blue, and will be found in 

 the table. The wooden frame in which they are to 

 be fastened, must have grooves for their reception, and 

 may be furnished with five or six of these, exactly geo- 

 metrical. The five-pointed star is most commonly 

 used ; but that with six points is rather more orna- 

 mental. There must be a hole in the frame, to admit 

 of the star being nailed to any place where it may be 

 required ; and the artist should always be provided 

 with a great number of them ready made, as they are 

 always wanted, and will keep for ever. The common 

 leader of the whole is fixed round them ready for use, 

 having one loose end by which it may be fastened to any 

 general leader ; and in fixing the cases upon the frame, 

 care must be taken that their mouths are sufficiently 

 near to each other to produce the effect of a star in 

 burning. 



Where small stars only are required, they may be 

 made with single cases. The case for this purpose 

 must be from an inch upwards in diameter, and of si- 

 milar lengths ; and upon it must be marked by a com- 

 pass at proper distances the requisite number of points, 

 whether five or six. As many holes must then be 

 bored into the composition, and a leader so disposed as 

 to light the whole at once. These cases should be very 

 thick, to prevent the holes from enlarging during the 

 burning, which would spoil the effect, and if the paper 

 be well soaked in alum water, and the paste made with 

 alum, it will stand any fire without enlarging the ori- 

 fices. 



Of Suns and Stars. 



These may be formed in a great variety of ways, so Of suns 

 that we must be content with describing and repre- and stars. 

 senting a few only of the most remarkable. The frame 

 work necessary for these must consist of wheels, hav- 

 ing concentric hoops upon the spokes, for the greater 

 facility of attaching the cases. 



