The Whole Secret Laid Open, Or the Complete Art of Making the Chemical Fulminating Objects,: Such as the Lace, or Girt of Security, Fulminating Letters, Balls, Bombs, Garters, Cards, Spiders, Segars, Chairs, Drawers, Boots, Shoes, &c. &c.Anonymous
Science
The Whole Secret Laid Open, Or the Complete Art of Making the Chemical Fulminating Objects,: Such as the Lace, or Girt of Security, Fulminating Letters, Balls, Bombs, Garters, Cards, Spiders, Segars, Chairs, Drawers, Boots, Shoes, &c. &c.
Anonymous
Chemistry; Explosives; Silver compounds
The ball comprises a glass globe rather larger than a pea, having a
small aperture, into which should be put from one third to half a grain
of Brugnatelli's Fulminating Silver: a piece of paper is then to be
pasted carefully all over the ball, in order to cover the glass and
prevent the escape of the Silver.--The method of using the balls is to
throw them down smartly, or to place one under the ball of the heel and
tread hard upon it, which causes an explosion equal to a pistol and
free from danger; the latter method of using them is generally
preferred, and is assuredly the most certain.
* * * * *
A Bomb consists of the same materials as a ball, only on a larger
scale: the globe for a bomb is the size of a common nut, and the
quantity of Brugnatelli's Fulminating Silver is from one grain to one
grain and a half, according to the report wished to be produced. The
way of applying bombs is by throwing them down with violence, and it
should here be remembered that this is the less exceptionable method of
using them: they should on no occasion be used, without apprising the
bye-standers, nor must they ever be pressed on by the foot; as the
shock produced by the detonation would be rather too violent.
FULMINATING
SPIDERS.
The Spider is formed after the manner of the common spider, it has a
glass body, into which is put one third of a grain of fulminating
silver. The manner of using: being formed in every respect so as to
resemble the spider, they may be left on the ground, in closets, or on
any article of wearing apparel, from whence they will consequently soon
be dislodged, and from the natural antipathy towards this disagreeable
insect, there can be no doubt of its being soon trod upon, when, to the
no small surprise of the treader, a report equal to that of a pistol
will be produced.--Many persons apply them to Ladies' Dresses, but from
the well-known delicacy of female nerves, it were better perhaps to
abstain from this experiment. Observe, the spiders cannot be exploded
but by pressure, which is best done by the foot.
FULMINATING
CARDS & SEGARS.
The Card is of the pattern herein enclosed; it must be opened at one
end with a pen-knife, as here shewn, into which opening put one-fourth,
or one-third of a grain at most, of Fulminating Silver; the edges are
then to be pasted slightly, and closed together; a notch should also be
cut at the other end, as in the pattern. When dry it will be complete
for use. The manner of using, is to take it by the notched end, and
light the square end at the candle, when a sharp detonation
ensues.--The Card should be three quarters of an inch wide, and from
four to five inches in length. Cards thus prepared, have long sold in
Paris under the denomination of "Detonating Cards."
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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