306 Dr. Cutbush on the Greek Fire. 



The fire stone of the French, an incendiary -preparation, is 

 in some respects analagous 5 it is used either in bombs along 

 with powder, or made into carcasses in the usual manner. The 

 Moors were in possession of the secret for preparing the 

 Greek fire in 1432, according to the testimony ofBrocquire. 

 Bertrandon de la Brocquire was in Palestine in 1432 as 

 councellor to the duke of Burgundy. He was present at 

 Barrat during one of the Moorish celebrations: "It began," 

 he remarks, " in the evening at sunset. Numerous compa- 

 nies scattered here and there were singing, and uttering loud 

 cries. While this was passing, the cannon of the castle 

 were fired, and the people of the town launched into the air, 

 * bein haut el bein loin, une maniere de feu plus gros /allot 

 queje veisse oncques allunie.^ They told me they made use 

 of such at sea, to set fire to the sails of an enemy's vessel. It 

 seems to me that it is a thing easy to be made, and at a little 

 expense, it may be equally well employed to burn a camp 

 or a thatched village, or in an engagement with cavalry to 

 frighten their horses. Curious to know its composition, I 

 sent the servant of my host to the person who made this 

 fire, and requested him to teach me his method. He re- 

 turned for answer, that he dared not, for that he should run 

 great danger were it known; but there is nothing a man will 

 not do for money, I oiFered him a ducat, which quieted his 

 fears, and he taught me all he knew, and even gave me the 

 moulds in wood, with the other ingredients, which I have 

 brought to France." 



Although La Brocquire may have brought the secret to 

 Europe, yet it does not appear to have been used, nor has it 

 been promulgated. We may infer here, that as moulds were 

 used, it is very probable that the solid ingredients were first 

 melted together, and cast in moulds previously to their solu- 

 tion in some inflammable oil, which in all probabihty was 

 naptha; or that the composition was used in a solid state, as 

 in some of the modern incendiary fire works. But the for- 

 mer inference is more probable. 



Whatever idea we may entertain of the effect of the Greek 

 fire, or of compositions having a similar character, we may 

 justly conclude, that the present gun powder possesses ma- 

 ny superior advantages ; and in fact some authors are of 

 opinion, among whom we may mention the celebrated 

 French Pyrotechenist, Ruggeri, that the accounts we have 



