Page:Pyrotechnics the history and art of firework making (1922).djvu/112

 colours, which, after burning some time, becomes transformed into a portrait, the lines of which are worked inconspicuously with those of the floral design, and, to use a modern term, camouflaged by its colours, the colour of the portrait being white.

The first portrait to be so shown was Lord Beaconsfield, the floral design being of primroses, and the occasion Primrose Day. This, for the first example of its kind, was very successful, and later in the year an enormous transformation picture, 200 feet long and 100 feet high, was fired at the Jubilee display, changing to portraits of Queen Victoria and members of the Royal Family.

A popular picture of this kind is the puzzle picture which transforms from a jungle scene to animals.

Another most successful changing picture was entitled "The Seasons," first produced in 1889, and revived from time to time. A rural scene changes from Spring to Summer, from Summer to Autumn, and finally to Winter. The effect is produced by varying compositions in the lances, and by employing lances of varying length, and requires very exact manipulation and supervision.

Patriotic, congratulatory, and political cartoons and devices have been exhibited in wonderful variety of design, sentiment, and language: Chinese, Persian, and Maori, to mention only three of the latter.

Living Fireworks, invented and patented by C. T. Brock and Co., in 1888, have always been a favourite feature of the Crystal Palace displays. The performer is clad in overalls of asbestos cloth, and on the side nearest to the spectators wears a light wood framework, of which the outline is "lanced" to depict the particular character to be portrayed.

The first subject dealt with was the boxing match, which has enjoyed continuous popularity up to the present day, and is possibly the most successful.