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PErspicuous & plain shall be the method to make all manner of Fire-workes for pleasure, (which heare I will set downe for the contentment of all curious and ingenious Artists) with∣out such a number of vnknowne dregges for mixtures, as many here∣tofore
haue prescribed more fittest for some prodigious actions, then to mingle for artificiall fireworkes; and principally for those which are in∣vented for pleasure, for these haue no need of venemous smoaks to poi∣son the spectatours, making mirth turne to mischiefe (which notwith∣standing cannot be done in an open ayre) neither haue they need of such a continuing, ardent and violent flame, as to consume Cities or habita∣tions, but onely of a gentle and plea∣sing flame to the eyes of the specta∣ctors; and thus they are divided in∣to three sorts; The first are those which ascend and mount into the ayre; The second are such as con∣sume vpon the earth; The third and last sort, are those which swim and burne in the water. Those which
worke their effects in the ayre, are ••••kewise divided into three sorts, the ••hiefest and most noble of all are the ••allouns; The second the rockets; ••nd the third are flying saucissouns, ••hose which stand fixt vpon the ••round are also distinguished into ••hree sorts; The first are the rockets ••or the ground, the second the fierie ••nces and the third saucissouns: The ••res for the water, may haue their ••iple diuision; globes or balls make ••he first, double rocket; the second, ••nd single ones the last; and to treate ••f euery one in particular, I wil begin ••ith the rockets for the ayre; and ••••rst of all describe their moulds, and ••he measures which must be obser∣••ed in making of them.
ALthough that ballou•• are absolutely th•• most noble sort of fir•• workes, yet for so muc•• as all great fireworkes are compose•• rather of rockets, then of balloun•• I thinke it conuenient, to begin th•••• second treatise with these: first of a•••• making the description of the moulds, which may bee made eith•••• of brasse or wood, the one being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good as the other for vse, if the mea••sures following be obserued; whic••
••••all be conuenient for all sorts of ••••gnesses, because they depend one∣•••• vpon the calliber or bore, and that ••eing enlarged, the other parts will ••e all enlarged also, that being dimi∣••••shed, all the rest will be diminished ••••kewise. Then to make a mould, the ••••lliber wherof shall be suppored an ••••ch of diamer, and is represented 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the figure A, then the mould ••ight to be sixe inches in length; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the breech which is represented ••y the figure C, must enter into the ••ould one inch and a halfe, and the ••och noted with O, should be three ••••ches and a halfe long, and a quar∣••••r of an inch in bignesse, and the ••••wler D, which is to rowle the ••artoush or coffins of paper vpon, ••••all be three quarters of an inch in ••••gnesse, & the rammer E, to charge
and ram the rocket, shall be some what lesse then the rowler, to the en•• that it may enter easily into the ca••••toush or coffins.
Also it shall be made hollow, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deepe as the broch is long, as dot•• appeare at P, because the rocket mu•••• be loaded, the broch being in it, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
••••r the massif marked with F, shal be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same bignesse as the charger. ••he 2. other ••owlers noted G, G, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make serpents, as shall be instru∣••••ed hereafter, and the bodkin H, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make holes through your starres, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall follow, the Lanterne I, is pro∣••er to charge the composition into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rockets. The figure noted K, is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cartoush or coffin ready to bee ••harged, and by the figure L, is re∣••resented a rocket quite made. This ••ethod prescribed may be obserued 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all sorts of moulds, for if you ••ould make one lesser, as of halfe an ••••ch, the calliber or bore, then the ••••ngth must be 3. inches, which is 6. ••alfe inches, the breech shall enter 3. ••uarters of an inch, the broch shall be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inch 3. quarters long, & the rowler ••••r the cartoush shall be half a quar∣ter
of an inch; but if you make the cal∣liber of two inches of diameter, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the mould be 12. inches in length the breech shall be 3 inches, and th•• broch 7. inches of length; and so fo•• all the other parts appertaining to th•• mould. Now followes the descript••••on and manner how to make a ro••••ket.
FOr to make the mix∣ture or composition of all middle-sized rockets, take a pound of gunpowder finely ••uised and boulted with two oun∣••••s of charcoale-dust, mingle these ••ell together, and try one rocket, ••hich if it breake, adde more char∣••••ale dust to the composition; but the rocket doe not ascend, beeing ••••eak, adde more powder dust boul∣••••d as before said; and so shall you
make your composition stronger 〈◊〉〈◊〉 weaker according to your desire; ••••∣stead of charcoale, you may put se••••coal••, saw-dust, or any other lik•• thing, so that you keepe a Medium not putting too much nor too little which thus you shall know if th•• rocket mount not, you haue adde•• too much coledust; but if it break•• you haue not put coledust enough for the charcole-dust which you p•••• into the powder dust, is onely to m••∣derate the violence of the powder and to make the rockets tayle appe•••• more beautifull; which sea-coa•••• doth as well as charchoale, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 charge the rocket with this comp••∣sition as it ought to be many rul•• are required or to be obserued; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of al that in charging the rocket, yo•• put not too much cōposition at on•••• in the cartoush or coffin; 2., that 〈◊〉〈◊〉
••e beaten with a mallet 3. or 4. good ••••rokes; and then put new composi∣••••on thereupon, beating it again with ••••lowes as before; and thus putting 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at seuerall times the quantity of ••ne or two spoonefulls, at each time ••eating it well with a mallet, and let ••ot the cartoush bee filled higher ••hen the mould, but being iust full ••hereto, then double downe halfe of ••he paper with the bodkin beating it ••as ••he composition before) & at last ••ierce 2. or 3. holes with the same ••odkin to the powder to giue fire, to ••ither stars, serpents, or faucessous, as ••hall be taught following; and these ••oles are represēted by C, let the rest of the cartoush be cut even with the mould, and thus must be made all ••orts of rockets, great or little ones. ••t is to be noted, that the compositi∣on prescribed is fit; for all sorts of
rockets, great or little, but onely it must be made weaker for great one•• then for little ones, adding more charcoale to it, for the whole secret is
thinking that the true manner of ma∣king excellent rockets, is to put ma∣ny ingredients into their compositi∣ons, wherein they haue all erred ab∣surdly; and last of all Master Norton, for absolutely the best composition is, that which is made of fewest in∣gredients; and the rockets made thereof may be kept many yeares, and good at all times.
THe mould must bee o∣therwise made then the precedent, because such violence is not requi∣red in these, as in those which moūt into the ayre, but onely of somewhat longer continuance; and therefore these measures following shall serve at all times, neuer being made bigger nor lesser, but alwaies the same for all occasions. Let the calliber behalf an inch, the diameter; and 5. or 6. inches of length; and the rowler for the car∣toush
shall be foure lines in diameter which is the third part of an inch, and the rowler to charge withall some∣what lesser to enter without spoyling the cartoush: next let not the broch be longer then 3. quarters of an inch; and the breech shall enter halfe an inch into the mould; and the cause of this great alteration is, that the rock∣ets which mount into the aire, haue need of great and violent strength; and by consequence last not long, but wee desire that those vpon the ground may dure a long while, with a gentle motion, which shall be easi∣ly performed, the rules following be∣ing obserued.
THis is the easiest compo∣sition of all others, for in this shall be nothing re∣quired, but onely Gun∣powder well beaten and boulted, so that it be as fine as flower, and then fill your rockets by little and little, well beating it into the cartoushes or coffins with a mallet, as the rockets for the ayre, and being full within an inch of the brim of the mould, double downe one quarter of the paper, or cartoush, beating or pressing it with
3. or 4. good strokes of the mallet, and then with your bodkin, pierce a hole to the composition; which done; put into the cartoush about the charge of a Pistol, of good gun∣powder, and then double down the one halfe of the cartoush, giuing a gentle blow or two with the mallet, & with a smal cord, or big line, choke the rest, and what shall rest aboue the choaking, cut it off, leauing a pi∣ked point, as appeareth by the figure E, in the 3. chapter of this Treatise; and your rocket being thus finished, and primed with a little wet pow∣der, and layd a drying, shall be ready for all occasions.
THe Serpents are to bee made eyther of the composition for rock∣ets on the ground, or of that for the ayre; for being filled with the compositi∣on fitting for the grouund; they will spreade and sparkle liuely in the ayre, but if filled with the o∣ther composition, they will fall weaving neerer together; notwith∣standing
eyther sort will shew di∣vers pleasing actions in the ayre, being made as followeth. Let the cartoush be about foure inches long and rowled vpon a rowler, some∣what bigger then a goose quill, as is represented by the precedent figure G, in the third chapter, the paper ought to goe about the rowler nine or ten times, and then choaked al∣most in the middle, yet leaving a little hole to see through, and the longest part shall be filled with the composition, but the shorter with fine grayned powder, and choaked close; also the longest end must bee halfe choaked close; as doth appeare by the figure F, chapter third but if you desire not to haue them wamble in the ayre, then let them not bee choaked after the compo∣sition,
but as doth represent the figure G, both which figures, F, G, represent Serpents quite fini∣shed.
MAny there are (specially in France) who make rock∣ets, yea and boast that they are perfect therein, who know not what golden raine is, but thinke it to be some other thing then it is; wherefore to put them out of doubt, and to teach all others who desire the knowledge thereof, I will here set downe the description and maner how to make it. Take goose quils, and cut off the hollow ends, leaving them as long as may be, as the figure K, doth demonstrate third
chap. and fill these quils with the composition of rockets for the ayre, at the last stopping euery one with a little wet powder to keepe in the dry powder, & crowning a rocket with these (as shall be taught following, chap. 12. in its true place) will shew a most glorious & pleasing raine, wch some hauing in times past seen, haue called it golden rayne for the beauty thereof, but of later times it is more commonly called golden hear: many beautifull and strange figures may be represented in the ayre, with this ma∣ner of rayne, as shall follow in the 13 chap. treating how to represent ma∣ny sorts of figures in the ayre with rockets.
ALthough that there bee many sorts of composi∣tions for stars, yet I will set downe here but two of the best; all the rest being nothing worth, but friuolous and expensiue: the fi••st and best sort, is to be made of dry powder, and the other of moy∣stened powder as followeth. For the ••••sort take 1. pound of saltpeter, halfe a pound of brimston, and a quarter of a pound of gunpowder dust, al these be∣ing plu••ri••ed & mingled together,
wrap the quantity of a nutmeg in tow in a linnen rag, or in paper, and bind it fast, as appeareth by the pre∣cedent figure H, chap 3▪ and to prime them, you must pierce them with the bodkin, and put stoupell or cot∣ten wieke dipt in powder through them (which shall be made as fol∣loweth in the 11. chap.) and to make the second sort, take 1. pound of salt∣peter, and halfe a pound of powder∣dust, and halfe a pound of brimstone all these wel pulverised and mingled together, moysten them with eyther oyle of petrole, or els wi••h fair water onely, to make a past of them, wher∣of make little balls about the bignes of a musket bullet, and whilest they are moist, rowle them in dry powder dust, then let them dry, and then may you employ them at your pleasure,
without further trouble; for the last powder in which they are rouled, doth serue for their priming. This last sort of starres doth not make so beautifull a shew in the ayre as the others, for falling downe, the flame of them takes the forme of a lampe, hauing no force to expel it like wings as the others doe, for the flame of the others blowing out of the two sides pierced, make it stretch in length, and by that meanes shew greater in the ayre.
TO make Starres, that each one shall giue a report like a Pistoll or bigger gunne, you must first make little saucissons (as I taught in the chapter following, but the saucis∣son need not to bee couered with chord) and being made and pierced, take as much of the former dry com∣position, and bind it to the end of the saucisson which is pierced, making a hole through the composition, and passe a piece of stoupell or cotten-wieke
as in the other starres; but if you take of the moyst composition, you may onely leaue the paper hol∣low at the end of the saucisson, fit∣ting to contain the quantity of com∣position required, putting a little grained powder before, and prime these starres as the others, of the same composition; these starres are very troublesome and little in vse, because that a great rocket can carry but few vp into the ayre, and by consequence worke but a small effect, and moreo∣uer they are very long in making. One may make Starres in the same manner, which ending, turne to ser∣pents and others as shall please the workeman.
IN this chapter, my intention is not to treate of the sau∣cisson which flyes into the ayre, but only of that which stands firme in great workes, or else which is applyed to rockets, which thus is made as followeth; you must haue a rowler of such bignes as you desire to haue the concauity of your saucisson, wherupon rowle as much paper as you please, and then choake
it at the one end; which done, fill it with grayned powder, & choake the ••ther end also, and cover all the sau∣••isson from the one end to the other, with small chord, as doth represent ••he figure I. chap. 3. and glue that ••ord with strong glue all ouer, and when you would make vse of these ••aucissons, pierce them at the end with your bodkin, and put into the ••ole a quill filled with fine powder dust, which shall serue for a portfire, and the other end of the quill shall passe through a board, whereupon you meane to fasten them, and shall enter into a portfire in the other side of the wood, which shall be fastned all along the wood, and so may you fasten what store you please neere together, or farre asunder, this quill is represented by the figure L, and
by this meanes one end of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fire beginning; all the whole ran•• of saucissons will giue their repor•• one after the other. But if your sa••••cisson is to be applied to a rocket, shall onely be pierced at one end, a•••• primed with a little grained powde•• and fasten it to the top of the rock•• either with paper, parchment, or an•• thing else, so that the rocket, endi•• the saucissō, may take fire; so shal yo•• not faile of your intent or designe.
TO make Stoupell, not the meanest, but the best that may be made to giue fire (which in ••per tearme is called estoupel∣••••g) to all manner of fire-workes. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cotten-wieke, and double it ••oft as shall bee needfull for your 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as if it were to estoupel your fie∣••ances; then double it eight or ten ••••es, and also for the stoupeling of
great rockets; but if it bee to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 through your starres, then 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 threds shall suffice; so hauing do•• led your cotten wieke fitting for yo•• purpose, steepe it in faire water, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then wring it betweene your han•• and take gunpowder dust, witho•••• other mixture, and steepe it in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 water, not putting too much wat•••• nor too little, but onely till it app•• like durt, and then put into it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cotten wieke, and there turning a•• winding it till it hath sufficiently 〈◊〉〈◊〉 powder in euery place and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cell, then draw it out, putting a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dry dust vpon it, & hang it a dry•• in the sunne or els-where, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being dry, you shall haue the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 excellent stoppel that may bee ma•• for your vse at al times, leaving 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all such ingredients which ignora••••
••••••••eme so highly of, as Aqua-vitae, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wine, strong lee, quick-lime, ••ger, vrine, and diuers others, for ••ich I would not lose so much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time as to repeat them, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 goe forward, and shew how to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all the parts of a rocket.
WHen the rocket is finished and taken out of th•• mould noted A, in the fi∣gure of the 3 chapter, an•• the rocket is noted with the letter •• in the same figure, then must yo•• ioyne to the end of the rocket, which is not choaked an empty cartoush 〈◊〉〈◊〉 coffin, much bigger then the rocke•• is large, which is represented by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the same figure, in this cartous•• you shall put your serpents, golde•• rayne, starres, saucissons, or othe•• things at your pleasure, but first of 〈◊〉〈◊〉
you must put in the bottome pow∣der dust; onelie enough to couer the bottome of the large cartoush; and then put the serpents with the ends downeward which are to take fire; and likewise the golden rayne in the same manner, but it is the custome to put a little powder dust amongst the stars; this cartoush being thus fil∣led, couer it with a single piece of paper, and afterward paste vpon that a picked cap made also of single pa∣per, and to make perfect your rocket you must binde a rod of such length and waight, that being bound to the rocket, it must weigh down the roc∣ket on your finger being neere to the rocket, and then stoupel your rocket, ••hat is to say, prime it with cotton-wieke, and it is thus finished either ••o fire or keepe.
This method is fit for all sorts of rockets, great ones or little ones, ex∣cept that little ones must haue the vpper cartoush no bigger then the rocket, onely to hold halfe a dozen of starres or serpents, or one saucis∣son for so much as many beeing fired together, great confusion would happen, if great rockets should bee put together, and not prepared o∣therwise.
THe first and most ra∣rest is a tree or foun∣taine, and is made put∣ting many little rock∣ets vpon one great rocket, passing all the rodes of the little ones through the large cartoush of the great rocket, and if the little rockets take fire while the great one is mounting vp, they will represent
a tree: but if they take fire when the great rocket is turning downe againe towards the ground, then they will bee like to a fountaine
most pleasing. The second figure is the golden rayne; and that is made when manie quils filled (as aforesaid) are put vpon a great roc∣ket: for certainelie all those quills taking fire will seeme like a great shower of fierie rayne to those who are vnder it, but to those who are a side of, like beautifull long haire. The third figure are Starres, which are represented putting one∣lie manie Starres vpon a great roc∣ket. The fourth are serpents which are alreadie described, but to make all these prescribed figures varie, you may tye manie little ones to∣gether by the ends, which take not fire, the quils, or serpents may bee tyed in like manner; but the thread wherewithall they are tyed, must be at least two or three inches
long, betwixt each one, and you shall see diuers sorts of figures in the ayre, changing themselues into much varietie.
THe fire-boxes are made of many rockets being put into a large cartoush the bottome whereof is couered with powder dust, and pier∣ced in the middle to passe through a port fire or stoupell, to giue fire to the rockets within the cartoush or coffin, which flying out, leaue the cartoush most commonly whole and vncracked, those boxes are onely to be cou••red with a peece of paper, that the rockets taking fire may flie out
without resistance; and the reason why they are to bee couered, is be∣cause if manie be made one neere to another, they should not take fire all at once.
THe vse of these lances is alwaies required in all great fireworkes, where∣fore here shall be descri∣bed the manner of their making. Their cartoushes are to be made as other cartoushes for rockets; onely these may be made of pastbord, and glued as they are a rowling, if it bee to make great ones, but if for little ones, then paper shall suffice, the car∣toushes being made, let them be fil∣led with the dry composition prescri∣bed
for starres in the 8. chapter of this treatise, and prime them with wet gun powder, & the lower end of the cartoush is commonly stopped with a peece of wood, to the end that they may bee nayled or stucke when they shall bee needfull, the wood being about two inches long out of the cartoush.
TAke fire & water being two e∣lements of contrary qualities, the one to the other cause the rockets which worke their effects in or vpon the water to appeare to the spectators more beautifull, and seem more rare and admirable, although that all sorts of rockets being fired, will worke their effects vpon or vn∣der the water, but this onelie is to be noted, that those which are made
for the ayre, or for the ground, haue such strength and force, that beeing once kindled and cast into the wa∣ter, they will consume themselues there, and not rise vp swimming as those which are made artificially for the water as followeth. To make good rockets for the water, the calli∣ber of the mould ought to bee one inch of diameter, and in length eight inches, the breech to enter one inch, hauing no broach; the rowler for the cartoush shall be three quarters of an inch of diameter, and the charger shal be somewhat lesser then the car∣toush being ready to bee filled as the others. Of two sorts of compositi∣on, you shall make one as followeth (if you desire to make a great fierie tayle appeare vpon the water, Then take one pound of salt-peter, halfe
a pound of powder-dust, halfe a pound of brimstone-dust, and two ounces of charcoale-dust: but if you desire to haue it to burne cleere like a candle vpon the water, then take one pound of salt-peter, halfe a pound of brimstone-dust, and three ounces of powder-dust, all these must be well mingled together, as all other compositions) and with either of these compositions, fill your cartoush, and ioyne to the vp∣per end a saucisson, and then couer it all with melted pitch, rosine, grease, or painting, to hinder the water from spoiling the paper: and to make it float and swim vpon the water, bind a rode about two foot long to it as to the others for the ayre. Now if that you desire that this Rocket
charge his actions vpon the water, swimming now vpon the water, and now vnder the water, put here and there powder dust, powre to the quantity of halfe a spoonefull as you charge it; also may you make it change colour, now red and then white fire, onely changing the com∣position in filling it, and so the indu∣strious may adde many changes and diuersities as they shall thinke fit: but if you are to make a great number for a great fireworke, then the plainest are the best, onely filling therewith the first composition; but they must be filled two or three fingers breadth with fine powder dust, to make them flye farre off, or else they must be made like rockets for the aire, and afterward charge them foure inches with composition made for water;
but to be the more certaine, it is best for those who haue great works, to make to trie one or two before they finish many, that the better they may attaine their designes, which with eie they may accomplish, if the rules prescribed be obserued; for as I think there is not one rule neglected apper∣taining to the fabrication of these fireworkes prescribed; and now I will set downe the manner how to make all sorts of ballouns and flying saucissons, which are absolutelie the beautifullest parts of fire-works for pleasure, and after them I will de∣scribe a braue fireworke for pleasure with the manner how to place, dis∣pose and range euerie peece and part thereof, to make their play in order.
A Girondell (or as some call it a fierie wheele) is often required in great or little fireworks for pleasure, and therefore I haue thought fit and ne∣cessary to set downe their descripti∣on, as well as of al other parts of fire∣workes: for according to the applica∣tion of the Girondels in a Fireworke, one may iudge of the Enginiers in∣dustrie, for being well applied, they
adorne very much a fireworke, and being ill applied they spoyle all. And to make them, you must make wheels of wood as bigge as you pretend to make Girondells, and vnto those wheeles bind fast rockets of a meane bignesse, binding the mouth of one towards the tayle of the other, and so continuing vntill you haue filled your wheele quite round, which done, couer them with paper pasted very curiously about them, that the one taking fire, they take not fire al∣together, but the mouth of one shall be left vncouered and ready primed, fit to take fire, the which ending shal giue fire backward to the next, and so one to the other, euery one his turne: there may bee bound fi∣erie Lances to these Girondells ei∣ther vpright, or neere overthwart,
which will shew diuersitie of fire the wheele turning: also there may bee added to these wheeles boxes of fire, prouided that they be artificially ap∣plyed in such manner, that they bal∣lance the wheele equally, although the proper vse of girondeles, is onely to garnish the angles of a great Fire∣worke, without much trouble, for that confusiō is too frequent in fire∣workes; and therfore it shall be expe∣dient to auoide the multitude of fire∣workes too neere compacted toge∣ther; but placing them as much di∣stant as conueniently may be admit∣ted, by which meanes you shall bee the better able to attaine your de∣signes pretended.
THe ballouns being the perfectest part of all ar∣tificiall fire-workes for delight, I thought best to set their description heere apart from the others, to the end that the learners might the better and more easier attaine to the knowledge and perfection thereof; and being that I haue already described the morter, which is represented by the figure A, following, I will onely referre the reader to the second chapter of the
first Treatise for warres, where hee he shall find sufficient instruction for the making of the instrument. But to make a Balloune shall be required a woodden rowler, which is repre∣sented by the figure B following▪ this rowler must be of such bignesse as you desire to make the inside of your balloune; vpon which rowler, let there bee rowled as many past∣bords as you shall think sufficient for strength being well glued together and choake this cartoush at the on•• end, leauing a little hole for a portfire as shall follow, and glue it in. This portfire shall be made iust like vnto •• rocket for the ground, but only tha•• the composition may be somewha•• slower; as for the ayre, and to know of what length this portfire ough•• to be, it shall not bee amisse t••
try a balloune filled with earth; then your portfire being well fastned to the balloune; place all your serpents within it, putting nothing else a∣mongst them, but onely one or two saucissons, to breake the balloune on high, when the serpents be all on fire, these saucissons must be made of the length of your serpents, and your serpents may be of the bignes of your rockets for the ground be∣fore prescribed, but not so long, and they may bee filled with the composition either for the ground, or for the ayre: but it is to bee no∣ted, that they must bee primed with the composition for the ayre, pressing verie stronglie the priming powder into the throat or gorge of the serpents, if it bee put in drie: but if that we••te, then onely with
the end of a sticke, or else with ones finger put in a little; as for other ser∣pents and the two saucissons shall haue their primings somewhat lon∣ger
may put two or three rankes in one balloune, as appears by the figure C, or one ranke of serpents, and over them many Starres; all these things being thus disposed within the car∣toush, let it be choaked at the other end; and then prime the ballouns with cotten wieke steeped in gun∣powder as the stoupel before spoken of; but this cotten must be well fast∣ned to the end of the port-fire with strong packe-thread, which done, charge the balloune in your morter, as is taught in the 6. chap. of the first Treatise; and you may shoot it when you please. This balloun is represen∣ted perfect by the figure D, but if you will fill your ballouns with stars only, another manner of proceeding shall be required; for as you put in your starres into the cartoush; let
there bee powder-dust mingled a∣mongst them here and there to giue fire to the starres, and to breake the balloune being vp in the aire. There is also another sort of ballouns to be made, but the expence of making thē is so excessiue, that few or none will be at the cost, yet the description shall now follow. In stead of serpents made of paper, you may haue them Iron about the bignes of your little finger, and one inch and a halfe of length, or two inches; and neer to the bottome there must be a double bot∣tome in the middle whereof there shall be a little hole, that one may fill the space between the two bottoms with corned powder, and the rest is to be filled with a composition some∣what slow, the diff••rence betweene those of Iron, and the former of pa∣per,
is that many Iron ones may bee laid in a lesser space; but in stead of a pastbord cartoush, there must bee had a woodden box, made by a Tur∣ner, and couered with canuas and glue; the portfire must be made also of Iron, like to a little hat, hauing in the bottom two or three little holes to giue fire to the serpents; but for the expence of one of these, there may be made halfe a dozen of the others, nay neere a dozen, wherfore I would wish no man to trouble themselues with this sort, vnlesse it be for the pleasure of some great Prince.
THe method which must be obserued in making flying saucissons, is most easie, prouided that one knoweth already the manner how to make the common sort before pre∣scribed, for the cartoushes are to bee made all alike; onely excepted that those which are for flyers, be some∣what longer then the others, they are to be charged in like maner as the o∣thers, but the corned powder being
put in, there must also be a litle pow∣der-dust put after it, and beaten with a mallet, as the rockets for the ground yet let not more then the thicknesse of a finger be of dust-powder, and then choake it almost quite together leauing onely a hole as big as a small goose-quill, to which you shall put a little wet powder-dust for priming. They may be made otherwise, as fol∣loweth, which will make a more beautifull shew; first of all, you must charge the cartoushesas the common saucissons, and then choake them as the common leauing onely a little hole to take fire at, or if the hole chance to stop quite vp, open it with a bodkin, but the saucissons being charged and choaked, there must be part of the cartoush left ouer and a∣boue that which is charged, which
part shal be filled either with powder dust, or els with composition of roc∣kets for the aire beaten wit a mallet, as before mentioned, I thinke it shall be needles to tell you that they ought to be couered with chord, being that it is sufficiently demonstrated before, it is to be noted that the saucissons which haue the powder within the choaking, doth turne wonderfully in the aire, but the other sort which haue the composition after the choa∣king, flye vp like to a rocket, almost carrying a great tayle after them but the tayle of the others sheweth but very little, they are both sorts repre∣sented by the figure E, in the 18. chapter.
HAving already treated suffi∣cintly and amply of the fa∣brication and making of the Morter, in the imitati∣on whereof most easily may bee made Canons to shoote flying Sau∣cissons very high in the aire, making them of the one or the other matter or stuffe prescribed for the Mor∣ter in the second chapter of the first Treatise, but the powder sacke needs
not, and the touch-hole ought to be in the middle of the bottome; also it shall be necessary that euery Canon haue a little breech to passe through a peece of wood, wherein they may be fastned, so that a port-fire may be layed from one to another, these are represented by the figure F, in the eighteenth chapter.
IT is a custome and vsual thing among the braue and skil∣full Painters; 1 to teach their appren∣tises how to draw limbs, or members, as the eye, the nose, the mouth, the eare, the hand, the foot, and afterward the whole bodie; and in like manner, the most
learned and famous Philosophers, beginning their schooles, teach their disciples what is materia, forma, & primatio; and afterward, totum compo∣situm; and to imitate them in this Treatie, I haue taught the one after another, all the parties required are necessary for the composing & buil∣ding of a beautifull fireworke for de∣light, hauing begun with the rockets for the ayre, afterward the rockets for the ground, the saucissons & rockets for the water, and following the bal∣louns and flying saucissons with all things belonging vnto them; and to auoyd falling into the old prouerbe (Ex omnibus aliquid, & in toto nihil: to know somthing of euery thing, and nothing perfectly) I haue here set downe after all these parts the de∣scription and manner how to assem∣ble,
build and dispose any manner of artificiall fireworke great or little: and to begin, you must first cause to be built a scaffold trianguler, square,
which shall be prepared for it, let them be made of osiers, and coue∣red with paper or canuas, and curi∣ously painted as here is represented in this figure. Mountains, buildings and many statues, all which are to be supposed, onely osiers and paper, or canuas painted, your figures or sta∣tues thus disposed vpon your scaf∣fold, round about the flore therof, shal be layed your saucissons, being alrea∣dy fastned to peeces of timber, and to the pillers of your scaffold or raile, shall be fastned your firie lan∣ces one right vpward, and the other flat along, each distant, the one from the other about halfe a foot; and vn∣der the firie lances, let there be nay∣led a ranke of boxes of fire, which shal be ranged vpon peeces of wood as the saucissons; all your fireworkes
being thus disposed, you may place in the side which is of least esteeme, your partments of rockets made like vnto square chests, or long boxes, of such bignes and length as shal be re∣quired to hold those rockets which you meane to place in each one: bu••1 these boxes must haue a false bottom full of holes for to passe euery rod of euery rocket apart, and hauing fil∣led let the boxe (which by proper name is called a partment) be coue∣red with a leafe or two of paper pa∣sted close; but to giue fire to the roc∣kets, let there be made a hole thorow the partment, through it shall passe a little peece of stoupel, or cottē wieke and giuing fire to that, all the rockets within the partment, fly out, and in the same manner shall you giue fire to all your fierie lances with a stou∣pel
going from the one to the other; and as for your girondells, you shall giue fire to them with a match, as you desire that they should play, and by this meanes all your fire-workes shall begin to play at once, except those parts which shall bee reserued without priming to be fiered by the hand, as best shall seeme to the artist or enginier, and so the industrious shall not faile to accomplish his de∣signes, obseruing all the rules prescri∣bed; which being at large laid down I will goe forward to the next chap∣ter, and there shew how to make a most pretious vnguent for all maner of burnings, as well of common fire, as of artificiall fire, if by hazard anie mischance arise,
LEt no man wonder if (hauing ended this Trea∣tise of fireworkes) I take in hand to describe a lit∣tle part of Chirurgerie, whch I con∣fesse to haue taken out of a Treatise written by Thybourel, a Chirurgion of Loraine, and hauing made expe∣rience of this vnguent diuerse times as well for burnings, as that for other accidents, I may say with bold∣nes & truth, that there was neuer the
like secret of this kind left to posteri∣tie, specially against hurts come by fire, and which leaues lesse scarres af∣ter the healing of the places woun∣ded, and therefore I haue set downe the very words which Thybourel hath written in the last chapter of his 4th. booke, intituled Recueil de plusieurs machines militaires.
Take fresh hogges grease or lard, as much as you please, and boyle it, taking off the skim vntill there arise no more skim; then set the lard three or foure nights in the ayre abroad, after which it must be washed in running water, to take away the saltish nature, and also to clense it white, then melt it, and keepe it for your vse. Bacon may serue in stead of lard.
Otherwise.
The white of an egge or fresh butter being mingled together and well beaten to an oyle are excellent.
Another sort most excellent.
Take a stone of vnslacked lime (or o∣therwise called quicke lime) and let it dis∣solue in cleere water, and when the wa∣ter is setled, powre it gently out from the lime through a linnen cloth, then put as much sallet oyle as you take water toge∣ther, and beating it all to an oyle, you shal haue a most excellent vnguent for all kind of burnings, neither of these vn∣guents haue any scarre, but are precious remedies for the afflicted
We haue seene Impostures▪ couer sores with this water alone, but obseruing su∣perstitious ceremonies, saying vaine pray∣ers, but we assure the posteritie, that the water onely is sufficient to heale wounds and s••res, onely washing them with it, and couering them with a linnen cloath wet in the same water, without any super∣stition, it doth modifie and percute, by which it doth supply nature, and doth heale sores better then our ordinary vnguents.
Thus may you see how this braue Chirurgion that set forth to the face of the world the perfection of this vnguent (which cannot be sufficient-praised) confirming by his own con∣fession, that the Chirurgions do not vse such good remedies in their shops and ordinarie operations; wherfore I haue set downe his owne words, that no man may esteeme mee
inuenter of Calumnies, against the practitioners of Chirurgery, nor any others, as many now adayes seemes to write with serpents tongues, stin∣ging vertue on euery side, against whō viperous venoms patience is the only antedote, leauing them to sweat, vexe, and torment themselues in their insatiable rage, and to end my dis∣course touching the perfection of this vnguent, I will assure all these who shall haue neede and make vse thereof, that they shall find in opera∣tion what I haue here set downe in description.