The celebrated Polander, Casimir Siemienowicz, has nothing of any moment, if we except the incendiary fire-rain, an account of which may be seen in the fourth part of our work. His book is considered, however, the best of the whole of them. Belidor, Theodore Duturbrie, &c. have mentioned some preparations; but their works are chiefly confined to artillery. The improvement of Pyrotechny is ascribed to the Germans and Italians, and the French acknowledge, that they are indebted for a knowledge of it to the Italians. Be this as it may, it is certain, that it was known in China from time immemorial. Their acquaintance with gunpowder, before it was known in Europe, is a fact which appears to be generally admitted. For an account of the Chinese fire-works, and the origin of gunpowder in Europe, consult these articles respectively. Whatever merit we may claim in this work, as the public will be able to judge impartially, it will be seen, by referring to the different chapters and sections, that we have endeavoured to form a system, by presenting a connected view of the whole subject. Having noticed under separate heads, the particular use and application of each composition, we have added a chapter on the arrangement of fire-works for exhibition, together with the order to be observed. We may remark here, that we have enlarged in this part more perhaps than its merit or importance deserves; but, on reflection, we thought it better to embrace the whole subject, in order to form a more complete system in all its parts. After going through the fire-works for exhibition, and noticing the different formulæ, and preparations, for arrangement, with the theory of effects, we consider, in the next place, a subject of more importance, that of Military Pyrotechny. We have adopted this arrangement, more on account of obtaining a better acquaintance with ordinary fire-works, before the reader is prepared for military works, which he will understand with more facility; for all the preliminary operations precede the practical part. On this head, it will be sufficient to add, to what we have already stated, that we have given in each article, generally speaking, a variety of formulæ, with ample instructions for the preparation of each composition. The table of contents will exhibit the order in which they are treated. In noticing the substances used in fire-works, in the first part, it will be perceived, that we have noticed some of them more extensively according to their importance; as for instance, _saltpetre_. Besides the different modes of obtaining saltpetre in Europe and elsewhere, and the means employed for refining it, we mention the saltpetre caves of the western country, which furnish an abundance of this article, and which contain an almost inexhaustible supply.