From this central conductor, branch off the various matches which are to light the fires. Some of these are made of quick match, as is the case for the illumina tion central lights. Where a line of crackers are to he fired as guns, they arc made of slow match, as they also are for the ,vheels, which are generally lighted towards the end of the piece. But all these are discretionary matters, about which the artist must follow his own views, and which he may arrange in any manner he thinks proper. It is only essential to remember, that all the conductors and priming must be made sure, and to take care that the main conductor continues to burn regularly.
All these things then being satisfactorily arranged, the pieces may be covered with their papers, and painted and ornamented, as was before mentioned, when the whole is ready to be packed up into the drum. To do this, four strong strings are fixed to each hoop, at right angles ; each of them having a loop at the end, so that when brought together they will meet in the centre. Thus the case may be divided into as many compart ments as there are hoops or pieces to be fired. When strings of this kind have thus been fixed to each hoop, the case is placed on the floor with its head down wards, and the first piece is packed into its proper compartment, taking care that it can be pulled out again easily without disturbing any part, and so as that it may easily resume its proper shape. This be
ing done, the loops that belong to the first, or lowest set of strings, are brought together, and tied firmly with a piece of cotton quick match, which is also con nected with the slow match of the main conductor. The same operation being performed for each piece in succession•he drum is completed and ready for cover ing with cartridge paper, as formerly mentioned. The bottom is also covered in the same manner ; but this part must be cut out by a knife before the piece is fired. It is evident that while any one piece is down and burning, the cotton match is slowly con ducting fire to the next above. When it reaches the quick match by which the strings that form each dia phragm are united, that gives way, and then another piece descends, and so on in succession to the last. We have no doubt that from these directions, an inge nious artist will find no difficulty in constructing the Chinese drum.