PYROTECHNY. 



263 



g. 18. 



A simple star is easily produced by six or more cases 

 radiating from a centre. If the mouths of these are 

 placed outwards, the centre must be filled by means 

 of a wheel, or some other object ; but if it is required 

 that the star should be complete without addition, the 

 mouths of the cases must be inwards, taking care at the 

 same time that all the fires may spring clear of each 

 other. A better star may be formed, by placing six 

 blue lights in short cases alternately, with as many 

 brilliant ones in long cases, so that they may form two 

 s together, of different colours and of different di- 

 ameters. This may be further varied by the introduc- 

 tion of a central light. 



Stars more complicated may be made in many dif- 

 ferent ways. Thus twelve large cases, or more, may 

 be placed on the circle, so as to look outwards ; while 

 the same number, or six, of a much smaller size, may 

 be placed on the same circle, either alternately, or at 

 the same points, with their mouths fixed to the circum- 

 ference, and looking inwards. Thus on firing a dou- 

 ble star will be formed, one in the centre of the other. 

 Or else the mouths of the central or inner star may also 

 be collected in the centre, so as to throw their fires 

 outwards in the intervals of. the larger star. 



When this arrangement becomes more extensive, it 

 forms what is called a sun. To construct this, twelve 

 or twenty, or more cases, are fixed like rays out- 

 wards, so as to occupy the circumference of a large 

 wheel. On an inner circle, and in the intervals of the 

 first, are fixed the same number of cases of a smaller 

 size; and if the artist thinks proper, a third circle 

 may be arranged in the same manner, either of the 

 same fires or of some other kind. If all these are 

 fired at once, an immense blaze of circular fire is pro- 

 duced. But as in all such fireworks, it is better to 

 begin gently and to end with more brilliancy, the 

 leaders may be so managed that the three circles shall 

 light only in succession ; the cases being so timed as 

 to duration, that they may at any rate end together, 

 however they may begin. 



Such is a simple brilliant sun ; but it admits of be- 

 ing varied in many ways, by the introduction of white 

 and blue lights. Supposing a sun of large diameter, 

 constructed of one circle of brilliant fire, concentric 

 circles of small lights, to the amount of two or three, 

 may be placed upon the inner hoops of the frame, and 

 the centre may at the same time be occupied by a 

 large light, or by a pointed star, or by a small wheel. 



Otherwise the small lights may be disposed upon 

 the spokes of the frame, in radiating lines, the centre 

 being occupied in a similar manner. 



A very beautiful figure of this kind is made in a 

 differen^ way. For this purpose, twelve or more 

 spokes of the frame must be prolonged to the distance 

 of two or three, or more feet from the centre, in 

 which a single light or a wheel, or a pointed star, 

 may also be placed. These are to be covered at three 

 or four inches apart, with small blue lights, so as to 

 form long radii diverging from the centre. Interme- 

 diately between these are to be placed cases of bril- 

 liant fire, with their mouths so situated as to form a 

 circle considerably within the extremity of the rays of 

 light, so that on firing, a ray of spots, and one of 

 brilliant fire, may be placed alternately. It is easy to 

 see that this kind of complicated sun may be varied in 

 many other ways, but it is unnecessary to describe 

 any more of them, as any artist may vary them with- 

 out end, since there is no limit to this kind of fire- 

 works but the ex pence. 



Suns of this kind are sometimes used with trans- 



parencies, representing the face of the un. But the FjrnHeeh. 

 of these i> vulgar and bad, at the paintings ^ y '. 

 must necessarily be in a barbarous taste ; to that they 

 are far better avoided. 



Cascadet. 



These are commonly used to terminate othw fire- Caseidef. 

 works in complicated arrangements, as, from the im- 

 mense quantity of fire which they display, it is not 

 easy to introduce any thing after them with effect. 

 The frame for this purpose may be made of a pyrami- 

 dal form, with cross bars for the attachment of the 

 fireworks, and with as many tiers of these as the artist Y\g if), 

 may choose. They are then to be disposed in succes- 

 sive rows, and in alternating order, with their mouths 

 downwards. 



But the effect of a cascade is much better represent- 

 ed by a somewhat more complicated construction. 

 The frame for this purpose must be so formed, that 

 every tier for the attachment of the cases may form a^F g. 30. 

 curve outwards, so that the whole becomes part of a* 

 cone. In this case the rockets are also fastened upon 

 the tiers, in such a manner as to be parallel to the 

 sides of the cone, so ao even to be further projected out- 

 wards towards the spectator?. Thus the whole mass of 

 fire assumes a more round and solid form ; and as the 

 sparks descend they also form curves, so as to pro- 

 duce a much richer effect. It is also not unusual to 

 terminate such a cascade by the addition of a gerbe, or 

 an ostrich feather at the top. If any lights are intro- 

 duced into it, its character as a cascade is destroyed, as 

 it is indeed in a great measure by the addition la:t 

 named. 



Fountains. 



The common gerbe makes a fountain on the small Fountain*, 

 scale, but when a greater display is wanted it must be 

 produced by compounding many cases together. For p g . 21, 

 this purpose a frame of wood must be provided, in the 

 form of a hollow cone, with hoops for the attachment 

 of the cases. The angle of this cone may vary from 

 60 degrees upwards, according as it is wi&hed that the 

 fire should spread more or less. The cases may then 

 be disposed either inside or outside of it with their 

 mouths at equal distances, so as to throw, when fired, 

 an equal shower of fire all round. A finish should be 

 given to this fountain in the centre, by means of a 

 large blue or white light. 



If such a cone were caused to fire downwards, in- 

 stead of upwards, it would form a cascade somewhat 

 different from that first described ; or else two cones 

 may be placed together in opposite directions. Such 

 a fire as this requires, however, to be elevated very 

 high, that its full effect may be displayed; so that it 

 is only adapted to the centres of great displays, where 

 it may succeed, in a piece of architecture, to other fires 

 of a move moderate effect. 



The Yetv Tree. 



We use this name, and describe this firework, be- The yew 

 cause it is mentioned in all the books on this subject, tree. 

 It is extremely simple to construct ; nor is there any 

 thing very particular in its effect. It consists mere- Fig. 2?. 

 ly of a number of cases or gerbes, arranged in suc- 

 cessive stages; and in an alternate order, in the form of 

 a pyramid, and the effect of it is easily understood. It 

 admits of being varied with advantage, by placing rows 

 of single lights along the supports of the cases, or by 

 adding a pointed star to the bottom of each case. 



