A Manual of Pyrotechny; or, A Familiar System of Recreative Fire-works

The term Pyrotechny is derived from pyr and techny, the two Greek words for Fire and Art; or it is the art of employing fire for purposes of utility or pleasure. The term has been applied by some writers to the use and structure of fire-arms, and Artillery employed in the art of warfare; but in the present publication, we shall take a different view of the subject; for we can see no amusement in the motion of a bullet, which decimates so many of our fellow-creatures, nor in the action of a bomb-shell, that carries with it more dreadful devastations. We shall confine ourselves in this Work to a more pleasing application of fire, and[2] endeavour to give plain and efficient rules for the safe management of that element, and for the making, by means of gunpowder, and other inflammable substances, various compositions, agreeable to the eye, both by their form and splendor, and to describe every principal article and instrument made use of in these pleasing operations. On the other hand, our Work does not pretend to dictate an original set of rules and receipts, for those who term themselves Artists in Fire-works, whose exclusive business it is to manufacture the different articles on which it treats; to those, it is expected it will yield but little instruction; but, to the sciolistic Tyro in the Art, it is intended (as its title expresses) to be a Manual of Pyrotechny, and to treat of fire-works as objects of rational amusement; to describe in a perspicuous manner the materials and apparatus made use of in their construction; and to select such examples of their particular combinations, as are calculated rather for private diversion than public exhibition. The directions herein given (if strictly attended to) will[3] enable youth to gratify their taste for this species of recreation at a comparatively small expense, and at the same time will guard them against those accidents which often arise to the ignorant, in firing the larger works purchased from the makers; and throughout the whole it will strictly observe a principle of economy, the neglect of which has so frequently retarded the operations of genius. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 58756
Author: Mortimer, G. W.
Release Date: Jan 22, 2019
Format: eBook
Language: English

A Manual of Pyrotechny or, A Familiar System of Recreative Fire-works