But it may also be further modified, by introcfucing fires of different kinds round its lower margin, such as small gerbes, or spur lights, or crackers, or serpents, or wheels. These are managed further in various ways, so as to lire in different successions ; all of these being regulated by the general methods which we shall pre sently describe. In these several ways then, and by variously combining them, the number of appearances that the lantern may display is such, as, in the hands of an ingenious artist, to produce as much variety as can be desired.
Supposing now that this first figure, consisting thus of a lantern, is expended, as soon as it falls to the ground, perhaps two ships descend from the drum. These may also he varied in many ways, as to their forms and colours, and they are so managed as to engage each other. These also are made of transparent painted pa per, properly supported, like the lantern, by a wooden framework. The guns consist of small crackers, dis posed on the gunwales ; and they may be further varied by carrying lights in the tops, or wheels at their sides or sterns, or by discharges of sky rockets, which, for this purpose, are made no longer than the smallest goose quill. The form and the smoke of our own steam boats might very appropriately be introduced in this manner. Single ships are also made use of, and then they are decorated with flags. illuminated with lights, and provided with rockets, wheels, crackers, and other emblems, of rejoicing.
The next mutation may be a castle, and this also ad mits of much variety. It may be painted and lighted in various ways, and further proviaed with any of the dif ferent fireworks already mentioned. Or two castles may be made to engage each other, or else a ship may engage with a castle ; all of these being conducted exactly on the same principles, and varied according to the taste and ingenuity of the artist. An illuminated pagoda offers another mode of mutation, as do houses, temples, and various objects which we need not enume rate. Animals may also be introduced. Thus, dragons or griffins may be caused to engage each other with fire, as may enchanters and fiery chariots ; but we need not describe more of the figures and mutations that may be introduced into this very amusing firework. We will, therefore proceed to describe the construction, as far as it can be rendered intelligible,without actually examining the machine itself.
To make the case or including cylinder, as many hoops of ash or cane are required as there are mutations intended, and one more. The diameter of these de pends on the intended size of the firework. It cannot conveniently be less than a foot and a half, and does not commonly exceed three. As it is difficult for an unpractised hand to succeed in making this machine on a small scale, it will be found convenient to adopt the larger sizes.
Supposing now that six mutations are required, the total length of the case or drum must be three feet, or somewhat more, if the diameter exceeds two feet. An inexpert artist will find it convenient to take plenty of room in this direction, to enable him the easier to pack away his mutations ; an expert Chinese will place in a depth of three inches what an English workman could not crowd into six. Seven hoops will be required for six mutations, that there may be six intervals, and are then to be framed into a cylinder, by means of three flat uprights of similar light materials. • A cross of the same description is to be made on the top of the cylinder for supporting the mutations, and for fixing the loop by which the drum is to hang when fired. Six inches or eight, if this firework is of a large size, will thus be left between each of the hoops. The whole of this framework may be fastened by means of a string covered with a little glue. The case is then ready to receive its charge, us it cannot be covered with paper till that is arranged, and all the primmgs and conductors fixed. But as we need not recur to the case again, we shall here finish its description by saying, that when the w hole of the mutations have been introduced and arranged, it is to be covered with stout cartridge paper, sufficiently strong to prevent ac cidents, all over, which may then be further covered with white paper and painted ; or otherwise orna mented in any other manner that the artist may think proper.
The mode of making the mutations or transparent pieces is as follows: and we will first take the simplest case, that of a square lantern. Two squares of light wood, but strong, are framed for the top and bottom, in a firm manner, with glue ; and these, particularly the bottom one, must have substance enough to bear the pins for supporting wheels. They are connected at the corners by strings, of the requisite length, so as to form a skeleton, and there is further a diagonal piece of wood, or a cross, as may be preferred, to be placed in the top and bottom ; the upper one to support the connecting string by which the lantern hangs, and the lower to carry the illumination lights. ' The lantern is not to be finished till all the fireworks are settled and fixed ready for firing, in the manner we shall presently describe ; after which it is to be covered with trans parent paper, painted with dark colours, or with white paper, painted in transparent colours, such as those used for window blinds. This covering must be so thin as to allow the 'anther!) to be pressed up, at least as close as the space which it is to occupy in the drum.