blowing-powder scoops, side by side, beginning with the smallest at a, the next at b, and so on to g. Put some roman candle fuse into a large tin scoop, made to stand on a flat bottom, like fig. 12, the same, in shape, as used by tea-dealers; and, on the right-hand of it, lay the charging-fuse scoop, fig. 10. If the roman candle is to contain different-coloured stars, set seven in a row, in the order desired. When the cases are intended to be fired in threes or fours, the stars in one may be all blue, in another crimson, in another green, in another white. Fit the foot, fig. 9, in the bottom of the case, put in a scoopful of clay, insert the rammer, fig. 4, and jolt it till the clay is well compressed. The clay should fill ¹⁄₂ an inch. This being done, invert it, and shake out any little dust that may remain. Put in the little scoopful a, of F grain-powder; then lay the scoop at A. Now put in a star. As previously stated it ought to fall of its own accord; but make sure that it has reached the blowing-powder, by putting in the rammer. Having ascertained this, put in a scoop of fuse, fig. 10; lay the scoop on the left of fig. 12; insert the rammer and jolt it; put in another scoop of fuse, fig. 10; lay the scoop on the right of fig. 12; insert the rammer and jolt it, as before. Then proceed with the scoop b of grain-powder, and lay it at B, and so on, till the case is filled. The fuse on the top star is best driven in with a short solid rammer and mallet, as it is difficult to jolt the long rammer in so small a space. The last ¹⁄₈ of an inch, near the mouth of the case, should be fine meal-powder, as it binds better than the roman-candle fuse, and also blows off the leader pipe.

The blowing-powder scoops, having been laid at A, B, &c., all that is required is to turn the bowl or platter, a little round to the left, and they will come in rotation, ready for the next case. Also, by putting the scoop, fig. 10, alternately to the left and right of the scoop, fig. 12, it will always be known whether the proper quantity of fuse has been put in.

Coloured stars, from their fierceness, have a tendency to burn in the cases. This defect may be remedied by putting upon each star a small scoopful of Starting Fire, No. 1, before putting in the interval fuse; as much as will fill round the sides of the star. This composition is somewhat fiercer than would suit for the regular fuse, so catches the blowing-powder sooner.

A roman candle is well charged when the stars isochronise, or come out at equal intervals of time: they should, also, theoretically, ascend to equal heights; but, with coloured stars, this cannot be perfectly insured, as some shrink more than others in drying, and, of course, fit more loosely; some are heavier, some fiercer than others.

The interval fuse must always be driven in at twice, never at once. Each star, with its blowing-powder and fuse, occupies about an inch and a half; perhaps a trifle more.

Instead of driving in clay at the bottom, plaster of paris may be used, and then the foot, fig. 9, will not be required. Have some plaster of paris in a wide-mouthed bottle; a glass of cold water with a salt-spoon in it; and a number of pieces of paper, about 4 inches square. Put a small quantity of the plaster on one of the pieces of paper; indent the middle with the finger; put to it a little water, and work it up with a dessert-knife. Just as it gets to the consistency of mortar, and is about to set, mould it with the fingers, to the shape of a cork; push it into the end of the case; rest the case on a flat surface; insert the rammer, and give it two or three slight jolts; turn it round a few times, and withdraw it. If the plaster sticks to the end of the rammer, it shows, either that you have used the plaster too wet, or have not turned the rammer round a sufficient number of times.

No more plaster must be mixed at a time than will suffice for one case. When plaster has once set, it cannot be mixed up a second time; therefore take a fresh piece of paper, and let the knife be cleaned every time. It is advisable to have two dessert-knives, then one can be used with which to scrape the other. As much plaster should be used as will fill the case up about ¹⁄₂ an inch. They must be set by to dry; their not requiring the use of the foot will be found a great convenience.

Roman candles are usually made from ³⁄₈ to ⁶⁄₈; but ⁵⁄₈ is a very satisfactory size. If a roman candle is intended to be fired singly, twist a piece of touchpaper round the mouth. If the cases are intended to be fired in threes, fours, &c., to form a bouquet, or to be placed round a mine, jack-in-the-box, or devil-among-the-tailors, omit the touchpaper, and envelope the case in double crown, made to project an inch beyond the mouth, to receive the leader, or quickmatch.

A steel-pen inserted, nib backwards, in the end of a small paper tube, rolled round the end of a penholder, makes a neat little scoop. It may be fastened in with a little plaster of paris. A scoop may also be made with a quill.

Cracks in wooden bowls may be stopped with the same material; and, if painted over with linseed oil, after getting dry, will remain waterproof for a long time. A screw may be made to hold in brickwork, by drilling a hole in the brick, and pushing in the screw, covered with plaster.

To Make Touchpaper.

Dissolve ¹⁄₂ an ounce of nitre in ¹⁄₂ a pint of hot water. Procure some 12 lb. double crown blue; cut each sheet into four equal parts, 15 by 10. Lay them smooth upon each other, and, with a sash-tool dipped into the nitre solution, wash them over on one side, and hang them up to dry.

To Make Slowmatch.

Dissolve 1 dram of nitrate of lead in ¹⁄₂ an ounce of boiling water. Cut a sheet of blotting paper into six equal parts, and wet them on both sides, with a sash-tool, with the solution. When dry, paste a piece all over, and upon it smoothly press another piece; upon this, pasted, put a third piece; and so on, till all the six form a stiff board. Lay them under a heavy weight; and, when dry, with a sharp knife and straight-edge, cut the whole into strips ¹⁄₄ of an inch broad. Four inches will burn about a quarter of an hour. Narrow tape, boiled in the solution, makes excellent slowmatch.

To Make Quickmatch.

Put into a pan 1 lb. of grain-powder, or meal-powder; pour upon it some thin hot starch, and stir it well about, breaking all lumps, till the mixture is of the consistency of paint. Procure some lamp-cotton, such as forms the wicks of candles. It will probably consist of sixteen or twenty-four strands. Divide it carefully into lengths of eight strands. This is not so easy a task as might appear. The best way is to act the reverse of a man spinning string. Divide the end of the cotton, say of sixteen strands, into two of eight each; fasten them to two