Page:Pyrotechnics the history and art of firework making (1922).djvu/191

 CHAPTER III

SIMPLE FIREWORKS—MINE CLASS

The next group of fireworks is what may be called the "Mine" class, and has some of its members amongst the earliest firework units.

To-day a mine consists of a quantity of small effects such as stars, crackers, squibs, etc., blown simultaneously from a case, or in display work—from a mortar. In the latter event they are made up into bags with the lifting charge below, and are known technically as "bags."

The "Mine of Serpents" and "Jack-in-the-Box" as sold in the shops consist of a rolled paper case which acts as the mortar, at the bottom of which is a lifting charge. This case has a light strawboard cover with a central hole, through which passes a case charged with a golden fountain composition, the lower end of which is not—as is generally the case—"clayed." The space round the central case is filled in with squibs or crackers. When lighted the fountain case functions in the usual way, but when finished ignites the lifting charge, which lights and blows up the contained fireworks.

A very early reference to the "Jack-in-the-Box" is by John Babington (1635). In Chapter XXXVII he says: "Another which I call Jack in a Box. The order of making this is after this manner: provide a box of plate, of what largeness you please—then putting in a quantity of corn powder or powder dust (in the bottom of the box) you shall fill it with fisgigs or serpents, leaving a case in the middle for a cane to go through to the bottom, which cane must be filled with a slow receipt, in which you shall put a quantity of champhire but no oyles,