Page:Pyrotechnics the history and art of firework making (1922).djvu/192

 in regard of the narrow passage it has to burn without any other vent." He then describes fitting the pasteboard top and concludes: "and light your cane, which will appear like a candle, and after a pretty distance of time you shall heare a sudden noyse and see all those fisgigs flying some one way, some another. This toy has given great content to the spectators."

Frézier calls mines "Pots à feu" or d'aigrettes," which, he says, were three, four, or five inches in diameter, and twelve to eighteen inches in length. When fired in batteries they were called "Pots de brins."

The smaller kind were ignited at a vent formed by choking the case, the vent—when the case was in position—pointing downward. The larger sorts were lighted from above, and were practically the same as the Jack-in-the-Box, with the difference that there was a case similar to a shell fuse instead of the central Roman candle.

Jones' description of "Pots d'aigrettes" and "Pots de brins" are similar, only that he fires the former with a Roman candle in the centre of the central mortar of a group with a lighter from it to each of the others, so that at the finish of the Roman candle the mortars are discharged simultaneously.

An elaboration of the "Jack" is the "Devil-among-the-Tailors," which is the same device surrounded by Roman candles.

The next fireworks in this class—the Roman candle—is one whose genesis presents a most interesting study. From the evidence available there seems no doubt that this firework, in spite of its name, originated in this country.

The first mention of anything resembling it is found in Babington's book. He describes what he calls "a trunck of fire which shall cast forth divers fire balls." It is one of a class, apparently in favour at this time, intended to be carried