The art of gunnery. Wherein is described the true way to make all sorts of gunpowder, guu-match [sic], the art of shooting in great and small ordnance: excellent ways to take heights, depths, distances, accessible, or inaccessible, either single or divers distances at one operation: to draw the map or plot of any city, town, castle, or other fortified place. To make divers sorts of artificiall fire-works, both for war and recreation, also to cure all such wounds that are curable, which may chance to happen by gunpowder or fire-works. This treatise is composed for the help of all such gunners and others, that have charge of artillery, and are not well versed in arithmetick and geometry : all the rules and directions in this book, being framed both with and without the help of arithmetick. By Nathanael Nye mathematician, master gunner of the city of Worcester.

A TREATISE OF Artificiall FIRE-WORKS for the Wars.

CHAP. 1.

A description of the Morter-peece, and how to make one of Wood and Pastbord for a need, those of Brasse and Iron being wanting.

THe best Morter-peeces are made of the same mettall that brasse Ord∣nance are made of, and being to be made, let the measures following be obser∣ved.

If the Diameter or bore be nine inch∣es, let the morter be one foot and an halfe in length, and let the chamber in which you load your peece with powder be three inches diameter, and foure inches and a halfe deepe, the thicknesse of the mettall about the touch-hole three inches, and the upper part thereof one inch and a quarter.

How to make the Morter-peece of Wood and Pastbord.

You must get a woodden rouler of such bignesse as you desire to make the diameter of the Morter, and upon that rouler let past∣bords and canvass, with good store of mol∣ten glue, be rouled (remembring to anoint the rouler with grease, or otherwise the glue will cause that you cannot take the past∣bords off again) which done, let the canvass and pastbords dry a little while on the rou∣ler, another while off from the rouler, and when this kinde of trunk is very dry, put it on the rowler, and set it in a lathe, and cut off both ends of the trunk with a Chisell

very even, taking this out of the lathe, turn a foot thereunto, with a shoulder to put the trunk upon, and in the middle thereof make the chamber for the powder, if the peece be eight inches in the mouth, let the thicknesse of the pastbord trunke be two inches thick, and 18 inches long, the britch or foot be 10, the shoulder two inches long and two inches high, that when the trunk is put on this shoulder, and joyned with the wood, it may be just even with the same, the bore into which you put your powder must be two inches high and three deepe, plated with copper or lattin, if it be possible, as also all the face of the wood that goeth into the trunk, when you have put the trunk upon the britch of wood, naile it round a∣bout the shoulder, first making holes with a bodkin through the pastbords, and then dri∣ving in the nails upon that wood which you made to receive the pastbords or trunks on, being cut lower then the rest by two inches, the thicknesse of the trunk, because when it was put on, it might be levell with the rest of the britch, these things done, cover both wood and trunke with cord and glue a∣gain, which being well dryed will last

a long time, I have such a one of this ma∣king, wherewith I use to shoot Ballouns in∣to the aire, for my recreation.

There is a very honest man in the Market Town of Bromsgrove, named John Tilt, who can make either Morter-peeces or Ordnance, with Tin, Wire, Pastbord, and glue, of excellent durance and service, if not wronged in the charge or loading of them.

CHAP. 2.

How to fit and prepare Granadoes for the Morter-peece.

MOst commonly the shot for great Morter-peeces are one tenth part lower then the bore, because of cording them to sling into the mouth of the peece, and for feare of secret cracks, that can∣not easily be espyed, they are coated with pitch, so that being prepared, they doe but just fit the bore.

How to make Fuses.

Every Ball hath a hole, left to put in a Fuse or piece of wood just like a Faucet for a spigot, this hole must be one quarter the diameter of the woodden Fuse, which Fuse must be in length three quarters the height of the Granade, made taper, and when filled with composition driven gently in amongst the powder that is in the ball, leaving a lit∣tle of it without: the composition for this Fuse is made thus: take one pound of Pow∣der, foure ounces of Salt-peeter, and one of Brimstone, first beaten to powder, and sif∣ted in a serce severally; these ingredients being mixed together, your composition is made fit for use.

CHAP. 3.

The manner how to make Granadoes of Canvas for the Morter.

THe operation of these Granades made of canvas, is quite contrary to those already set down, these are

onely fit to fire a Town, they are not of so violent execution as the precedent yet alto∣gether as costly in the making; for the ma∣king of them fill a piece of canvass upon a round ball of wood, so big as you would have your Granadoe. Then make this compo∣sition following, four pound of Salt-peeter, two pound of Gun-powder dust, and two pound of Brimstone: all these incorporated and moystned with oile of Salt-peeter, fill your case with this compound, and cover it with cords, which done pierce the sack full of holes with a good bodkin, and in every hole place a little iron barrell, charged like a Pistoll: these must be driven into the sack up to the head, the Granadoe being thus prepa∣red, let there be made a hole about one inch deep, which shall serve to prime it with powder-dust, moystened with oyle of Pe∣troll; you may make all those barrels of old musket barrels, or of other pieces either lit∣tle or bigger, onely leave wide touch-holes, to the end the rust stop them not, so they may be preserved many years; and ready for service at all occasions.

CHAP. 4.

How to make fiery Arrows or Darts.

GEt a long shaft of wood, and joyne unto it an iron head, after the man∣ner of the figure, in the margent; and about the middle of that head make first a linnen bag, in form of an Egg, leaving open

[illustration] naval combat with arrows and grenadoes

at the end before a hole, that it may be fit∣ted with the composition following. Take one pound of Petor, half a pound of Gun-powder, and as much Brimstone in powder; all these ingredients being well mixed, and mingled with oile of Petrioll: with these fill the bag round about the arrow head: then let all be bound about with wire, and for the priming of these, dip Cotton-weeke into Gun-powder wet with water, let the Cotton be well dryed again before it be applyed. Now for the joyning of your wooden shaft to the arrow head, it ought to be done so slightly; that being fast∣ned into any thing, those may be deceived, and pull it onely away, & to hinder that one may not pluck out the head with their hands; there may be made a small hole quite tho∣row backwards, and so a man will be pre∣vented in assaying to pull it off; although it stick in his fellows clothes.

CHAH. 5.

How Granadoes are to be charged in the Morter.

THere ought to be great care taken in the loading or charging of the Mor∣ter, which must be done thus; First, wey the powder to a dram, that you put in the Chamber, and after it put a good close wad of hey (for to my knowledge and deep experience it is very uncertain shooting, you using in stead of hey, a tampion of wood) which done cut up a turff of the ground, that may fill the bottom of the bole, or bore, of the Morter, next the wad: your Granadoe being prepared, as is before taught, with a coat of pitch and chord, sling it into the mouth of the Morter, observing to have the Fuse of the Granadoe in the middle of the bore: then go to the britch, thrust up a wire into the touch-hole, to make all sure, then prime with speciall dry powder, such as you

are sure will take fire, this being the whole businesse in which your life and Motter-peece both stand in jeopardy: I will give you very sure directions to give fire.

Provide small Fuses, such as I taught you to make before for the shels, but a great deal lesse; about one quarter of an inch bore, three quarters in thicknesse, and eight inches long: fill these with good pouder dust, moystned with oyle of Salt-peeter, you must moysten it but a little, and put it in with an iron ram∣mer, try whether you like the time they con∣tinue burning, if too slow, abate oyle of Pee∣ter, if otherwise, adde it thereunto.

These being made ready, the use of them is thus: thrust the pike of your Linstock in at one end of the Fuse you mean to give fire withall, bid one of your assistants come on one side of the mouth of the peece, and give fire to your fuse, wherewith fire the Fuse in the Morter, and then with great speed give fire to the touch-hole.

These Fuses are very certain to give fire, but Match doth oft times faile.

CHAP. 6.

How to levell the Morter-peece, to make an effectuall shot at any assig∣ned mark.

YOu are to get leave of your Superi∣ours to try one, two or three shoots for practice, without breaking the shell; if you have leave fill the shell with powder, and put it out again, and wey it: fill the same shell with so many pound of earth: then take a Fuse, and at the end tye 3 ounces of powder; which put down with the Fuse into the hole amongst the earth; making such way first with the end of some staffe, that the powder be not torn from the Fuse; this being thus put in, take the square where with you measure distances, place it upon the mouth of the peece, if it be big enough, if not help it with a longer Ruler, let that side of the Instrument marked in its figure with A K, lye either upon the brim of the

Peece, if it will reach if not upon the rule, take off the Index and hang on the plum∣met, ever observing to mount your Peece above 45 degrees, then elevate the Peece at what randon you please, noting it downe; then make your shot, getting those that stand by to go and observe whether the Fuse burn all the while of the Granadoes flight; and when the three ounces of powder take fire: for hereby you may mend the Fuse, and try

[illustration] firing a grenado from a mortar

whether it will keep fire, these things ob∣served, measure that distance, and place it in your note, under the degree you mounted by, as also the weight in powder the Morter used. When you by two or three shoots, have gathered experience, both of your fuse, and of the true range of your Peece: take the distance to the Town, Fort, or other mark, you are to shoot at; then to know at what degree to mount the Morter-peece do thus, by the Rule of Proportion Reverse, as the di∣stance (when you made your tryall) is to the degrees cut, so the distance to your as∣signed mark, is to such a degree of the Cir∣cle that you must mount your Peece unto: To make more easie, I will give you an Ex∣ample.

Suppose, that you made your experimen∣tall shot at 46 degrees, and your ball ranged 320 paces, how many more degrees must you mount the Morter to shoot 280 paces: that being the distance to your assigned mark: multiply 320 by 46, and there ari∣seth 14720, which divide by 280, you shall have 52 degrees, and above half one, to which you must mount, to reach the ap∣pointed place.

Note, That if you are to play a Morter-peece along time against a Fort, you are to ceaze upon a barrell of the best powder in the Magazine, and keep it for your use; also go into some place free from fire and stir this powder, that in case one end be weaker then the other, you may mend that defect: for I do assure you, that if you change your pow∣der, you have lost all your experience, and are as new to begin again, as at the first time: also beware of using tampions, let one man constantly put in the wad, giving him charge to make the like wad, and use the same strength, so neer as hee can, which hee did before; wash every one of your shels before you coat or put the chord upon them, when you have made them clean, put a little pow∣der into one of them, and give fire to it with a match, then suddenly clap a clot of clay upon the hole; then observe diligently whe∣ther any smoke come out on the sides, if it do then that must be very carefully coated, or not used, but those that vent no smoke: you may trust to be good ones.

Another observation I will tell you of, that is, you must by the helpe of a great paire of Scales wey every shot, and make

them all even of a weight, by putting there into so many Musquet bullets as will make them even, this being done, fill that which is heaviest, (for without doubt that will con∣tein least powder) put the powder out again, and wey that powder; such a quantity, and no more, fill all your Granadoes with∣all.

CHAP. 7.

How to make Granadoes to cast with mens hands.

HAving taught how to make Grana∣does for the Morter-peece, and that in an easier and plainer way then any ever before me hath done to my knowledg: I will shew how to prepare some small Gra∣nadoes for the hand, the effects whereof are no lesse esteem then the other, chiefly in as∣saults; whether it be for the offendants or defendants; First of all fill these small shels with fine Gunpowder, then make a Fuse of

[illustration] two men making grenadoes

one pound of Gunpowder, six ounces of Salt-peeter, and one of Charcole, or if you would have them of lesse durance, you may take of the composition made for the Fuses of great Granadoes, knock the Fuse up to the head within one quarter of an inch: which is onely to finde it by in the night, stop well the rest of the hole in the Granadoe, (if any chinks are open) with soft wax: then coat

it with pitch and hurds, least it should break with the fall, and be sure when you have fi∣red the Fuse, suddenly to cast it out of your hand.

CHHP. 8.

How to make fiery Wheels, to be cast with mens hands.

BEcause every souldier wil not meddle with hand Granadoes, the using of them being somwhat dangerous, I will here teach another kinde of Fire-works which is little lesse offensive, for the making thereof, you are to use these ingredients: Take four pound of Gunpowder in dust, one pound of Charcole dust, two pound of Tar, two of Salt-peeter, and one pound of Ro∣sin; all these ingredients being well incorpo∣rated, and heat over the fire, steep tow or flax in the same, and then wrap the tow, and flax about a hoop, and then cover all this a∣gain with Gunpowder dust; and in time of

[illustration] musketeers firing through a breech in a wall

need give fire to them, & cast them amongst your enemies, this is to be observed, that the hoops ought not to be too large, but falling upon a many souldiers they may there stay and stick, and ••o make them more trouble∣some, and entangling, two of them may be tyed a-crosse one another; and then falling upon any man he cannot choose but be much astonished, with such a fearfull element, and put his company in great disorder.

CHAP. 9.

How to make and prepare a Petard.

WHosoever would make exactly a Petard, ought to cast a Morter, much like unto an Apothecaries; but a great deal deeper, if you make it to wey 36 pound, the concavity must contein six pound of powder, if you add or dimi∣nish more or lesse mettall, doe so likewise with the Calliber or bore, for the charging of this Petard, fill it onely with the best Gun-powder you can, to the brim almost, and then cover it with a round board, made fit for the purpose, and for the priming there∣of make a Potfire, or Fuse, of slow compo∣sition, of what length you please, this must be put down a hole in the middle of the co∣ver of wood, a good way into the powder, if the Peece have no touch-hole, and close waxed about that no sparke of fire should get in, and the Petard is prepared, to breake open the place you desire if it be accessible, then with the breech of the Petard, upon the ground, or some great stone, or piece

[illustration] placing a petard at a castle gate

of wood, and the mouth against the part of the door, or gate, but if the place be unacces∣sible, then make a little Cart with two, or four wheels, and so support the recoyle of the Petard, shooting off: The Petard must be made fast to a long beams end, that must go a-crosse the ditch or moat, the rest of the beam and heaviest part thereof resting upon the Wheels, able to counterpoyse the other

part thereof, together with the Petard: and it is prepared for to make a breach in a slen∣der wall, or door, or gate, unaccessible.

CHAP. 10.

Of Artificiall Fire-works for Recreation and delight.

How to make Rockets for the Aire.

I Will not teach how to make Moulds, Needles, &c. for such men as are curious in these things, let them buy Master Bate, Master Babington, or for a need Master Malthus Fire-works: that which I will one∣ly do shall be to teach to make them without Moulds, or any other thing then a rouler to roule the paper upon: for such I use to make, having all other devises that are taught by the aforesaid learned men, but make little use of them; to make Rockets my way do thus, cause a Rowler to be turned in a lathe, what thicknesse you please: onely let the rouler be 8 times the diameter therof in length, if it be

three quarters of an inch in thicknesse, the length will be three inches, roule your pa∣per hard on the rouler, till it make an inch and one quarter the whole thicknesse rouler and all, then glue the uppermost paper, and the case is made, onely choaking or contra∣cting the paper together, (within one diame∣ter of the bore of the end) except one little hole, about one quarter the Diameter of the bore thereof: to contract these cases on this manner, doe thus, wet the end about one inch in water, then put the rouler in again, and tye a great packthrid about the wet, within three quarters of an inch of the end, put another thing almost of the same diame∣ter of the rouler in at the wet end about halfe an inch, hold it there, get some other body to draw the packthrid together, you holding the rouler and rammer, one put downe to the end within one inch, and the rammer which must be a little lesse in diameter, to meet with that end within halfe an inch, in which place the contract or choaking must be, the packthrid having drawn it together, tye it fast on that place, take out the former, let it dry and it is done: when the hole is contracted together, make it so wide, as is

before taught, with a round Bodkin, which you must provide for that purpose.

[illustration] a rocket

B

A

A The mouth of the Rocket. B so far must the Bodkin be thrust up the middle. You must have a smaller Bodkin (which when your Roc∣kets are filled with com∣position, and tyed to the rod) you must thrust this Bodkin in at the mouth, straight up to the midst of the Rocket, having a care of thrusting it nee∣rer one side then the o∣ther.

CHAP. 11.

How to make the Composition for Rockets of any Size.

THese wayes which I will teach you, I take them not upon trust out of Authors to that purpose, but have experimented what I teach, and first for Rockets of one ounce, you must use onely Cannon-powder dust, being beaten in a morter and finely scarsed, which riseth very swift, making a great noyse, but carries no taile: those of most beauty in their operation are made, with putting one ounce of char∣cole dust, to eight ounces of powder, this composition will hold for Rockets of one, two, and three ounces; but for those of foure, take three ounces of charcole to one pound of Cannon-powder dust, continuing that rule, untill you come to Rockets of ten ounces, and from thence to Rockets of a pound, one pound powder dust, and foure

ounces of charcole dust: bigger then these I have no experience of.

To fill the Rockets with this composition.

Place the mouth downwards where it was choaked, and with a knife put in so much as you can of the receits, provided for that size at one time, then put down your ram∣mer, which must be longer and narrower then the former or Rouler upon which you made the cases, and with a hammer of a pound weight, give three or foure indifferent knocks, then put in more composition with your knife, untill it be full, at every time knocking the like as before, with the ram∣mer, untill the composition come within one diameter of the bore of the top, there put down a peece of pastbord, and knock it in hard, prick three or foure little holes therein, then put fine pistoll powder in almost to the top, and upon that another cap of paper, upon which put a peece of leather, that it may be tyed on the top of the Rocket, and fast glued on, then get a streight twigge, and binde it upon the Rocket with strong packthrid,

it must be no heavier, then being put upon your finger, two or three fingers breadths from the mouth of the same, it may just ballast the Rocket; then it is prepared for use.

CHAP. 12.

How to give fire to one or more Rockets.

SEt your Rockets mouth upon the edge of a••y peece of timber, battlement of a wall, top of the Gunners carriage wheele, or any dry place whatsoever, where the rod or twigge may hang perpendicular from it, then lay a train of powder that may come under the mouth thereof, give fire thereunto and you have done. But if you would fire more Rockets then one, that as one descendeth the other may ascend by degrees, make this composition following, of Roch peeter 8 ounces, Quick Brimstone 4 ounces, and fine Powder dust 2 ounces, which lay in a line from one rocket to ano∣ther, they being placed ten inches or a foot

one from another, give fire to this composi∣tion, and it will worke your desire, by cau∣sing one to mount into the aire when the o∣ther is spent, but before you place your Rockets, remember to prick them with the bodkin, as I have taught you in the tenth Chapter, at the latter end thereof.

CHAP. 13.

Divers and sundry Compositions for Stars.

A Composition for Stars of a blew colour mix∣ed with red.

• Take of Powder mealed, 8 ounces.
• Take of Salt-peeter, 4 ounces.
• Take of Quick Brimstone. 12 ounces.

Meale all these very fine, and mix them to∣gether with two ounces of Aquavitae, and halfe an ounce of oile of Spike, which let be very dry before you use it.

Another Composition which maketh a white and beautifull fire.

• Take Powder, 8 Ounces.
• Take Salt-peeter, 24 Ounces.
• Take Quick Brimstone. 12 Ounces.
• Take Camphire 1 Ounces.

Meale these Ingredients and incorporate them: Now to meale your Camphire, take a brasse pestle and morter, wet the end of the pestle in a little of the oyle of Almonds, and it will meale to powder, then keepe it close from the aire, else it will become of no use.

Another white fire which lasteth long.

• Take Powder, 4 Ounces.
• Take Salt-peeter, 16 Ounces.
• Take Brimstone, 8 Ounces.
• Take Camphire, 1 Ounces.
• Take Oile of Peeter. 2 Ounces.

Meale those that are to be mealed, and mixe. them according to the former directions

CHAP. 14.

The manner of making Stars; and to use them.

TAke litle four squar pieces of brown paper, which fill with the composi∣tion you approve of best, of the three last taught: so double it down, rouling it untill you make it round, about the big∣nesse of a nut, or bigger, according to the size of your Rocket, that you intend them for, prime them, with drawing thorow them Cotton-week, and they are prepared.

You may also make them after this man∣ner, you must have a rouler which must be as big as an ordinary arrow, which shall be to roule a length of paper about it, and with a little glue past it round; when it is dry draw out the rouler, and fill it by little and little, with a thimble: still thrusting it down, every filling of a thimble, with the rouler; which being filled cut it in short pieces, a∣bout half an inch long, then having in readi∣nesse

either hot glue, or size, mingled with red lead; dip therein one end of your short peeces, lest they take fire at both ends toge∣ther; and because that it may not so easily blow out: these being thus finished, set them to dry untill you have occasion to use them: and then putting the open end in powder on the top of the Rocket, in that place after the first pastboard; or cover, is placed in a Roc∣ket; next the composition, where I taught you before to put powder for to make a re∣port: which now you must leave out to place in these Stars; after this manner make two or three holes in that pastboard, which prime with powder-dust: and thereupon put a little Pistoll powder, to blow the Stars out, when the Rocket is spent: after the powder, put as I have said before, the open ends of these Stars, down upon that powder: when you have put them so close as they can stick one by the other, put a little small cor∣ned powder on the top of them, to run be∣tween them, and put another tyre of Stars upon that, and in like manner a third tyre upon them, till you come to the top of the Rocket-case, there put a paper over the head of it, and tye it close about the top, that

none of the powder come from under or be∣tween the Stars.

How to prepare the Cotton-week, to prime the first sort of Stars.

Take Cotton-week, such as the Chand∣lers use for Candles, double it six or seven times double; and wet it thoroughly in Salt-peeter water, or Aquavitae, wherein some Camphire hath been dissolved, or for want of either in fair water, cut it in divers pie∣ces, roule in mealed powder, dry it in the Sun, and it is done.

CHAP. 15.

How to make silver and golden Rain, and how to use them.

NOw I shew you the order of making golden Rain, which is after this manner, you must provide store of Goose-quils, which being provided, you

must cut them off so long as they are hol∣low, the composition to fill these must be made thus; two ounces of cole-dust to one pound of powder well mixed; having fil∣led many of these quils, you shall place them in the same place as I taught you to put the powder and Stars, first putting a small quantity of Pistol powder under them, to blow them out when the Rocket is spent: upon this put your quils, as many as will fill the top of the case, with the open end down∣wards, so soon as the Rocket is spent, you shall see appeare a golden showre, which by some is called golden Rain, the like way you may make silver Rain; filling the quils with the Composition for white Stars.

CHAP. 16.

How to make Fisgigs, which some call by the name of Serpents, and to use them.

YOu must provide a smal rouling pin, about one quarter of an inch in thick¦nesse, upon which roule seven or eight thicknesses of paper: fill them foure inches with powder dust, somtimes putting between the filling a little of the Composi∣tion for Rockets of 10 ounces: and at the end of foure inches choak him, fill two in∣ches more with Pistoll powder; then choak the end up: at the other end put in a little of the mixture for Stars, and choake betweene that & the composition, & you have done: put divers of these with the Starry end downwards, upon the head of a Rocket, as you did the quils, with powder to blow them out, when the Rocket is spent, they will first appeare like so many Stars, when the Stars are spent, taking hold of the pow∣der

dust; they will run wrigling to and fro like Serpents, and when that Composition is spent, they will end with every one a re∣port, which will give great content. I shall have occasion to speak of these Fisgigs in o∣ther Fire-works.

CHAP. 17.

How to make Girondels, or (as some call them) Fire Wheels.

A Fire Wheele, is often required in great Works for pleasure, and there∣fore I have thought fit and necessary, to set downe their description: as well as of all other sorts of Fire-works; First, you must make a Wheele of Wood, so big as you please to make Girondels, and unto these binde Rockets very fast of a mean bignesse, with the mouth of one towards the tayle of another, thus continuing untill you have fil∣led your Wheele quite round, which done, cover them with paper pasted very curi∣ously, that one taking fire, they may not

take fire altogether; and daube Sope upon them quite round, leaving the mouth of one of them open to give fire thereto, for the first Rocket having burned, will give fire to the next; keeping the Wheele in continuall motion, untill they be all spent: there may be bound fire Lances, to these Girondels, either upright, or neer, overthwart, which will make to appear diversity of fiery Cir∣cles; Your care must be, to place the Gi∣rondels at a convenient distance, from other Fire-Works: lest they should cause confusi∣on, and spoyle all your Work.

CHAP. 18.

How to represent divers sorts of Figures in the Aire with Rockets.

I Have taught you to make a report upon the head of a Rocket, and also to place golden or silver Haire or Rain, or Stars, or Fisgigs, which when you have divers Rockets to make for a great Fire-work, let one be with a report, the next with Stars,

another with Gold Haire, or Rain, one with Silver Haire or Rain, for standing just under the Rocket it appeareth like Rain, but being aside hand like Golden or Silver Haire: and upon the head of another Rocket place the Fisgigs, which when the Rocket is spent will first appear like so many Stars after they are ended, they will shew like Serpents wrig∣ling to and fro, and lastly, give every one his report.

To represent a Tree in the Ayre.

[illustration] launching fireworks

It is a rare thing to represent a Tree or Fountain, in the aire, which made by put∣ting many little Rockets upon one great one, passing all the rods of the little ones thorow wires, made on purpose upon the sides of the great one, or some other way, as your in∣dustry will discover, now if the little ones take fire while the great one is mounting up, they will represent a Tree, but if they take fire as the great one is descending or turn∣ing down again towards the ground; then they will be like a fountain of fire, if there be two or three little Rockets amongst others, that have no rods, they will make divers motions contrary to the rest, very pleasing.

If before you put the Fisgigs upon the head of a great Rocket, you with a small string tye them together, a foot of line be∣tween, when they are on fire in the Aire you will see very great variety of Figures, because as they wriggle to and fro, they will pull one another after them, to the spe∣culatour a great deal of content: it will be pleasant if you tye them not all together but three or four, which will in the firing of

them, be distinguished from the rest, with great variety.

CHAH. 19.

How to make Fire-lances.

THe use of these Lances is much re∣quired in all great Fire-Works, and I taught you before to use them in the Fire-Wheels, the manner of their ma∣king is thus, you must make Cartouches or cases just like the cases for Rockets: onely these for a need may be made of pastboard, and glued as they are a rouling of them, if for great ones; but it is best to make little ones of paper, the case being provided, let them be filled with the dry composition for Stars; in the thirteenth Chapter of this Book: prime them with wet Gunpowder, the lower end of the case is stopped with a piece of wood, to the end they may be nai∣led, and stuck, when, and where, they shall

be used, the wood being about three fingers breadth long, out of the Cartouch.

CHAP. 20.

How to make a Rocket, which firing it out of your hand, shall continually be in agitation, either on the earth, or in the aire.

HAving prepared a rocket with a re∣port in the head, such as I taught you first to make, tye it to a bladder, so that the end of the rocket may come to the mouth of the said bladder, and binde it over very strongly, then firing it out of your hand, cast it away from you, it matters not which way, so it wil come to the ground; there by reason of the bladder it cannot stay, but presently rebounds upwards, moving to and fro, untill all be spent: there is ano∣ther sort, and that is a small rocket, put into bladder, and so blown up round about it, and tyed about the neck thereof, which will have delightfull motions.

CHAP. 21.

The manner how to make Balloones for the Morter-peece.

FIrst, you must provide a wooden rowler, twice so long as in diameter, you must have it of such bignesse as you desire to make the inside of your Bal∣loone, upon which rouler let there be rouled so many pastbords as you shall thinke suffi∣cient for strength, being well glued together: then choak this Cartouch at the one end, leaving a little hole for a port-fire, as shall follow, and glue it in, this por-tfire shall be made just like a Rocket, of the bignesse of the hole you leave open for it, and filled with composition for Rockets of that size, not pricking it with a bodkin, as you are taught to prick other Rockets, and to know of what length this port-fire ought to be, it will not be amisse to try one Balloon filled with earth, and your port-fire fastned there∣unto:

[illustration] a mortar, along with various types of "balloones"

Now to fill the Balloon place all your Serpents within it, together with Stars, Roc∣kets and Crackers, in such a convenient man∣ner that there may be very little void room, within the Cartouch: it being thus filled, put in as much powder dust as you can that it may run every where thorow the chinks, between the Serpents, Rockets, and Stars, that they may all fire; and that the said powder dust may break the Balloon: these

things being thus disposed choak up the o∣ther end close, and charge it in the morter as I have taught you to do the canvass Gra∣nade; and you may shoot it when you please.

Such Balloons I have at this present, and doe assure the Reader, that this description is in every part proved, and practized by my self; to the knowledge of divers spectators, who have seen these experimented, I do al∣so signifie to the ingenious Reader, that it is not good to use so many ingredients (in Fire works) as the Ancient, nor so few as some Modern.

CHAP. 22.

A most pretious Unguent for any burning.

BEcause that divers men in their pra∣ctising Fire-works, one time or other chance to be burned by them, and also by the blowing up of Gunpowder ma∣ny are burned in the face, or elswhere. I will shew you such salves which I have cured my self withall, I having them out of Ma∣ster

Malthus his Fire-works, and experimen∣ted them upon my selfe to my great good when I was burned.

The Unguent.

TAke fresh Hogs-grease or Lard, as much as you please, and boyle it taking off the skin untill there arise no more skin, then set the Lard three or four nights 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 keep it for your use.

Otherwise.

THe white of an Egge, and fresh butter, being mingled together and well bea∣ten into an ointment, is excellent.

Another sort most excellent.

TAke a stone of quick Lime, and let it dissolve in cleer water, and when the water is setled, poure it gently out from the Lime, thorow a linnen cloth, then put as much sallet oile (as you take water) together, and beating it all to an oile, you shall have a most excellent Unguent for all manner of burning.

FINIS.