Page:Pyrotechnics the history and art of firework making (1922).djvu/117

 carried out—full-sized representations of the "Rocket" and the latest type of express engine with exact details and working parts.

An effective working device introduced as early as 1870 was a comet travelling down a wire from one of the famous towers to the ground. Later the comet was replaced by a dragon, Mother Goose, and in 1872 by a "Fiery Bicycle," a subject which seems somewhat out of place in such a position. The next development of this feature was to introduce a living man who, clad in shining armour and surrounded and illuminated by a frame of fireworks, striking an impressive attitude, slid from the summit of the tower to the terrace.

The name of this performer, no doubt in imitation of the Italian artists who on a smaller scale carried out a similar feat at Vauxhall, was given in the programme as Signor Gregorini. In private life or in the works, however, he went by the name of Bill Gregory, and it is recorded that, when on the first night he stuck half-way down and had to remain in his airy position for the remainder of the display, his remarks left no doubt as to the country of his origin.

It is characteristic of Mr. C. T. Brock that he who originated the idea was the first to try the descent. The weight of the cable was very considerable and the strain very heavy in order to keep it sufficiently taut, and doubts were expressed as to the advisability of putting such a stress on the structure, which led to the abandonment of the performance.

It would be tedious to attempt to give anything like a description of the many and varied moving and stationary devices used in the Crystal Palace displays. The descriptions in the traditional somewhat flowery language of the firework programmes would convey little without illustration. One feature generally to be found in the programme is that of the wheels. These are generally fired in a group of three in the