PI.AI i: 



i xxiu 

 Fig- 27. 



FI.ATK 

 CCCCLXXIII 



Hg. 28. 



PYROT 



.H-u-i-ii- tion of wheels with stars and brilliant cases, which is 

 also iiitiMidrd to allow three changes. The stars are 

 first lighted, then the wheels, and lastly the case*. 

 On one of the arms, which is prolonged tor that pur- 

 pose, lights are placed, by adopting which plan a dis- 

 tinct firework is produced ; and if this be used, all the 

 lights and stars must be fired at the same time ; and 

 the others as before, in succession. 



Plate CCCCLXXIII. Fig. 2?. This is intended to 

 represent one of numerous modes that might have been 

 given, of forming a single mutable column, which may 

 conveniently be exhibited alone, or may form a centre 

 for other smaller works. All the lines of the pillar, the 

 capital, and the pedestal, are formed by lights ; and two 

 large lights, with an intermediate star or not, may be 

 used for the volutes of the capital. In this way the pillar 

 is first lighted. The first mutation consists in lighting a 

 wheel upon the pedestal, and the last in firing the fixed 

 cases on its angles, and the fountain upon its summit. 



Plate CCCCLXXIII. Fig. 28. We shall terminate 

 this section, which might have been indefinitely pro- 

 longed, by a plan for a simple colonnade, which also 

 performs three mutations. It explains itself without 

 assistance. The lights are succeeded by the wheels, 

 and these by the cases at the summit ; and single cases 

 are here used for the purpose of producing a piece of 

 light appearance. In all these mutations, care must 

 be taken that the lights may continue till every thing 

 else is burnt out. These are, of course, measured to 

 burn the whole wheel, and somewhat more ; while the 

 lighting of the last case of the wheel gives the signal 

 to the artist to apply the fire to the last mutation, for 

 which there must be always a separate leader. The 

 wheels are lighted from a hole made in some case of 

 light, which is near at hand; the time of which has 

 been previously so calculated that all which remains 

 unburnt from that point may exactly equal the whole 

 wheel in duration. Thus the artist will have no fur- 

 ther trouble during the burning than to watch the time 

 when the last case of the wheel takes fire. 



Mutation Pieces. 



Mutation It is a necessary system in all fireworks, to produce 

 pieces. successive changes, and particularly on the large scale, 

 when it is intended to continue an exhibition for some 

 hours perhaps. On a small scale, it is also required ; 

 but in such cases, the changes are commonly limited to 

 three or four, as they are generally all accomplished 

 within the course of a quarter of an hour. The books 

 contain many projects of this kind, even on the small 

 scale : while they also pretend to perform ten or twelve 

 mutations in one piece, and that, not only in a fixed but 

 in a moving one. We have no hesitation in saying, 

 that this is impossible, and that many of the drawings 

 which have been given for this purpose cannot be exe- 

 cuted. It is not possible to unite so many discordant 

 parts, which are all to move, in any manner, so that 

 they shall act properly. The weight becomes as un- 

 manageable as the complication ; so that the parts are 

 brought to a state of rest, or else they confuse each 

 other in the effect, or lastly, some of them take fire be- 

 fore their time, from the difficulty of keeping so many 

 leaders safe and separate. Besides, it must be recol- 

 lected that no wheel will set fire to any thing else ; so 

 that whenever a firework of this kind comes into the 

 series of changes, the operator must be always on the 

 watch, not only to light a fresh leader, but to take care 

 that he does not mistake one for another. 



Nor is there any advantage in thus combining pieces 



E C H N Y. 269 



together in this intricate manner, as all that is gained P/roudu 

 by it, even when it succeeds, is to exhibit a fresh piece nj. 

 in the same place ; whereas the effect is as good if it ^s*' 

 be done at one side, or above, or below, which it may 

 easily be on a separate framework, and with a di.tinct 

 arrangement of leaders. We therefore dissuade our 

 readers from these attempts, and recommend them to 

 limit their mutations for moving fireworks, to two or 

 three, and for the smaller kinds of fixed ones to three 

 or four, or at most five. 



As we have now, under the preceding heads, shown 

 how the pieces for which we have given plans may be 

 fixed, either all at once or according to an order of two, 

 or three, or more successions, we shall pot here give 

 any further drawings of that nature, as it would re- 

 quire more plates than are compatible with the neces- 

 sary extent of this article. On reconsidering the designs 

 that have been given, an artist will see that there is 

 scarcely one of them that will not admit of two or three 

 changes more than we have represented, but which we 

 omitted, that we might not encumber and confuse the 

 drawings. We do not, therefore, think it necessary to 

 give any more of these for that purpose, but shall con- 

 tent ourselves with giving two sets of drawings, one 

 of merely ornamental fires, and the other of architectu- 

 ral constructions, as specimens of what may be done in 

 this way. 



The drawings, indeed, so far explain themselves, PLATE 

 that scarcely any other remarks are necessary beyond CCCCLXXT. 

 those which we have already made. But we must ob- '** *" 

 serve respecting the first, that although we have given 

 twelve changes for a circular figure, all the fires requir- 

 ed for them cannot be attached to one frame, for want 

 of room. These are rather intended as specimens of 

 what may be done in this way, than as a recommenda- 

 tion to be followed. The artist may select any four or 

 six, according to his taste ; and he will even find these 

 abundantly difficult to manage on one frame. If the 

 whole should, however, be required to appear in the 

 same place, separate frames should be provided, and so 

 adapted that the front one may easily be removed, to 

 expose that behind it. 



The six mutations that are given for the architectu- Pig. 21 

 ral plan, may easily be effected on one building ; be- * 6> 

 cause there is always plenty of room in a frame of this 

 kind. We might even have introduced more, but we 

 thought it unnecessary. 



We have here also introduced a simple form of 

 Greek design ; but any of the designs formerly given 

 may be treated in the same manner, and even with 

 more variety. 



We need, lastly, only remark, that each successive 

 drawing, in both these exam pies, represents a fresh mu- 

 tation ; and that, in executing and disposing them, a 

 judicious artist will take care that they should always 

 increase in brilliancy till the last. 



We shall, therefore, dismiss this part of our subject 

 without further description, trusting that the drawing* 

 will sufficiently explain themselves. 



Of Aquatic Fireworks. 



We do not think it necessary to make a separate head Of aquatic 

 for this article, as is commonly done; since, for the firework*, 

 most part, these differ in no respect from fireworks 

 burnt on the land. 



We have already treated particularly of the common 

 water rocket ; and have also, under the different heads 

 of wheels and exploding pots, shown how they may be 



