Roman candles

are fusees which throw out very bright stars in succe ion. With the composition (as under) imbued with spirits and gum-water, small cylindric ma es are made, pierced with a hole in their centre. These bodies, when kindled and projected into the air, form the stars. There is first put into the cartridge a charge of fine gunpowder of the size of the star; above this charge a star is placed; then a charge of composition for the Roman candles. The stars , when le than 3 ⁄ 4 of an inch, consist of nitre, 16; sulphur, 7; gunpowder, 5. When larger, of nitre, 16; sulphur, 8; gunpowder, 8. Roman candles , nitre, 16; charcoal, 6; sulphur, 3. When above 3 ⁄ 4 of an inch nitre, 16; charcoal, 8; sulphur, 6. The girandes , or bouquets, are those beautiful pieces which usually conclude a fire-work exhibition; when a multitude of jets seem to emblazon the sky in every direction, cases open at top, each containing 140 sky-rockets, communicating with one another by quick-match strings planted among them. The several cases communicate with each other by conduits , whereby they take fire simultaneously, and produce a volcanic display.