138 Dr. Cutbush on the Chinese Fire ^ ^c. 



composition by charcoal, Sic. were not investigated ; and 

 he infers, as the only certain mention of salt-petre is to be 

 found in the manuscript containing directions for preparing 

 gun powder, that our salt-petre Was not known to the an- 

 cients. The knowledge of gun powder, however, produced 

 a new era in pyrotechny. 



The fire works of the ancients consisted for the principal 

 part of illuminations, and the use of some particular compo- 

 sitions, in which certain oils, as naptha, were employed. 

 Alexander the Great, witnessed some experiments with 

 naptha at Ecbatana. 



Sundry tricks, by fire, were performed by the ancient 

 jugglers. Had the work of Celsus, which he wrote against 

 the Magi, been preserved, it is highly probable we should 

 have been in possession of a variety of fatts, connected with 

 their rites and ceremonies. Of their rites, whether reli- 

 gious or otherwise, they appear to have made use of fire 

 under some particular form. 



The representation of figures injire, still practised by the 

 Chinese, was common with the ancients. When Henry H. 

 entered Rheims, there was an exhibition of that kind, itl 

 honor of his entre. 



The ancients, however, had two descriptions of fire 

 works ; one of which they set off by hand, and threw among 

 the people, and some were merely illuminations. Of this 

 description were cardons, stars, and fireballs. A writer of 

 antiquity observes, in speaking of these exhibitions, that 

 " he has seen a great many of these artificial machines, but 

 to speak the truth, few which have succeeded, and it is com- 

 monly after acclamations of joy, the spectacle is finished by 

 the destruction of some, and the woundingof a great number.** 



The other description of fire works was calculated for 

 theatrical exhibitions, which consisted of illuminations, 

 transparencies, various figures of man and beast clothed 

 with fire, &;c. The art of representing figures in fire, seems 

 to have been the most perfect. The figure according to 

 modern art, is first covered with clay, or stucco (plaster,) 

 to prevent the action of the fire, and then decorated with a 

 multitude of small cases charged with sundry compositions" 

 that produce, if so required, variously coloured fires. These 

 cases are so connected by means of quick match, as to com- 

 jmunicate their fire to each other, in succession or otherwise* 



