CHAPTER XII.

OF THE ARRANGEMENT OF FIRE-WORKS FOR EXHIBITION.

Jones (_Fire-works_, 8vo. 1776) observes, among other remarks, that nothing adds more to the appearance of fire-works, than placing them properly; though the management of them chiefly depends on the judgment of the maker. When water-works are to be exhibited, divide them into several sets, and fire one set after every fifth or sixth change of land and air works. Observe this rule in firing a double set of works; always to begin with sky-rockets; then two moveable pieces; then two fixed pieces, and so on; ending with a large flight of rockets, or a marron battery. If a single collection, fire a fixed piece after every wheel or two, and occasionally some air and water works.

The rules, adopted in the arrangement of fire-works for exhibition, are the following: If they are a double set, place one wheel of a sort on each side of the building; and, next to each of them, towards the centre, place a fixed piece; then wheels and so on, leaving a sufficient distance between them, for the fire to play from one, without burning the other. Having fixed some of the works in front, place the rest behind them, in the centre of the intervals. The largest piece, which is generally a regulated or transparent piece, must be placed in the centre of the building; and behind it a sun, which must always stand above all the other works. A little before the building, or stands, place the large gerbes; and, at the back of the works, fix your marron batteries, pots des aigrettes, pots des bins, pots des saucissons, air balloons, and flights of rockets. The rocket-stands may be fixed behind, or any where else, so as not to be in the way of the works.

Single collections are fired on stands, which stands are made in the same manner as theodolite stands; only the top part must be long or short, according to circumstances. These stands may be fixed up without much trouble. The following is the order of firing works, _viz_:

1. Two signal } 2. Sky } 3. Two honorary } Rockets. 4. Four caduceus } 5. } { Vertical } 6. } Two { Spiral } Wheels, illuminated. 7. } { Transparent stars. 8. A line of rockets of five changes. 9. Four tourbillons. 10. } { Horizontal wheels. 11. } { Air-balloons, illuminated. 12. } Two { Chinese fountains. 13. } { Regulating pieces, of four mutations each. 14. } { Pots des aigrettes. 15. Three large gerbes. 16. A flight of rockets. 17. } { Balloon wheels. 18. } Two { Cascades of brilliant fire. 19. Twelve sky-rockets. 20. } { Illuminated yew trees. 21. } Two { Air balloons of serpents, and two compound. 22. Four tourbillons. 23. } { Fruiloni wheels. 24. } Two { Illuminated globes with horizontal wheels. 25. One pot des saucissons. 26. Two plural wheels. 27. Marron battery. 28. Two chandeliers, illuminated. 29. Range of Pots des brins. 30. Twelve sky-rockets. 31. Two yew-trees of fire. 32. Nests of serpents. 33. Two double cones, illuminated. 34. Regulating piece of seven mutations, viz. 1. Vertical wheel, illuminated. 2. Golden glory. 3. Octagon vertical wheel. 4. Porcupine's quills. 5. Cross fires. 6. Star piece with brilliant rays. 7. Six vertical wheels. 35. Brilliant sun. 36. Large flight of rockets.

According to the arrangement, and execution of fire-works for exhibition, as given by Morel (_Traité Practique des Feux d'Artifice_, p. 131,) the following order is observed:

1. A salvo of artillery. 2. Six dozen rockets of honour, discharged two at a time from each side of the decoration. 3. Twelve Bengal lights, distributed in such a manner, as to light all parts of the decoration. 4. Two batteries of ordnance, (fire-pots.) 5. Four regulated cases, each consisting of two dozen rockets of an inch caliber, forming the _mosaique_ at the elevation of five hundred feet. 6. Eight turning suns, with the caliber of five-sixths of an inch. 7. Four caprices (detonating.) 8. Two balloons of golden rain, and two in stars. 9. The pyric piece, complete. 10. Twelve tourbillons, or table rockets. 11. Four girandoles; two mosaic, and two of Roman candles. 12. A large sphere. 13. Six balloons; three in golden rain, and three in stars. 14. Twenty-four honorary rockets, fired four at a time. 15. A large illuminating cut-work, with a device, accompanied with two Chinese parasols, and two wheels of coloured fire. 16. Four falling caprices. 17. Twelve balloons of stars, preceded by six dozen honorary rockets, fired twelve at a time. 18. The undulating fire, accompanied with eight _wings_, four on each side. 19. A battery of two hundred mosaics, and as many Roman candles, with marrons and fire-pots. 20. Illumination of the decoration, with four mosaic tourbillons, followed by two cases, containing two hundred rockets each; and a salvo of artillery, which announces the departure of the _girande_, composed of a thousand rockets, in golden rain.