The six mutations that are given for the architectu ral plan, (Figs 21-26,) may easily be effected on one building ; because 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 examples, 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 drawings will sufficiently explain themselves.
Of ?Iquatic Fireworks.
used on water, by means of proper floats. It only re mains, therefore, to add a few words respecting those transparent figures for the water, which are recommend• ed in the books of pyrotechny.
In this manner it has been attempted to represent water fowl, ships, and other more complicated figures ; such as chariots with tritons and dolphins, and similar heathen devices. Such figures as this are, however, rather the business of the artist who constructs machi nery for the theatres ; and we shall, therefore, forbear to give any directions concerning them. They do not admit of much fire ; and, generally speaking, their ef fects are very poor, when compared with the trouble and expense with which they are attended. An artist will, at any rate, find no difficulty in arranging in them such fireworks as they are of bearing : and it must also be left to his own judgment to place the communi cations in such a manner as shall best insure their pro per performance.
In terminating this part of the subject, although somewhat out of place, we shall also point out the faci lity with which a paper kite may be converted into a firework. by disposing lights upon it, and setting these on fire when it is in the air, by means of a line rocket on its string. But a strong breeze of wind is necessary for this purpose, while it is also only applicable to ob jects of private amusement.
The Chinese Drum.
This very entertaining and delicate firework is pecu 1,iar to the Chinese, and is described in terms of no small admiration, and of something like wonder, in Sir George Staunton's narrative. No account of its construction has yet been published, and as we have both dissected and imitated it, we are able to gratify the curiosity both of our readers and of the pyrotechnists. It will be ne
cessary to consult the plate on this subject, as the de scription could not be rendered intelligible without that assistance.
Plate CCCCLXXV. Fig. 31. In its external appear ance, this machine resembles a drum, or a cylindrical bandbox, and is generally ornamented with paintings of various kinds, so as to give it a pleasing appearance. 'hen it is to be fired, it is suspended from a proper stand, at a height of 12 or 15 feet, by means of a loop at the top, and is fired by means of a match at the lower end. Immediately there drops out below a transparent piece, accompanied by a fit ework of some kind, which, after it is burnt out, falls to the ground, and is succeeded by another object, but of a different nature, and so on in succession, until the whole is expended. The number or succession of these mutations may be unlimited, as it is quite as easy to insure the proper burning of a hundred as of two; but it is generally confined to ten or twelve.
These objects consist of castles, ships, lanterns, or other devices, which vary according to the fancy of the artist, and which we must leave, in a great measure, to the discretion of our own pyrotechnists, as we can only describe enough of them to convey an idea of the general principle. The effects are easily apprehended. If it be a lantern, fur example, that first conies down, it is painted in transparency, with figures of- men or animals, or with fruit or flowers, or with architectural patterns, or with any other objects according to the fancy of the operator. The colouring may also be va ried ; so that if there are two or more lanterns employ ed in one drum, they may be as different from each other as possible. They may in the same way vary in shape, so as to represent cylinders, or globes, or cones, or pyramids, or other figures, so as to produce an infi nite variety. At the moment that such a lantern, if that be the object, falls down, it is illuminated within by means of a speckle, or illumination light ; and as the colours of these may be varied, so the appearances of the firework are. There may further be two lights of different colours, the one to succeed the other, so that the varieties, of which the lantern alone is susceptible, are very great, even in its simplest form.