The whole Secret laid Open Part 1

The whole Secret laid Open.

by Anonymous.

ADDRESS TO THE READER.

That Chemistry is one of the most sublime sciences is generally acknowledged; to it may be ascribed the brilliant discoveries lately made in the arts and sciences, and without whose aid the wonderful phenomena, which are the subject of the following pages, could never have been discovered. The Author has for some time observed the wonder occasioned by the introduction of the chemical _Fulminating Objects_ to the Public: they are indeed objects of wonder, and when it is considered how trifling a portion of matter it requires to produce effects so surprising, we cannot but hail that science as truly grand, which can create such rare productions, from what we daily handle, with such safety and unconcern, and without which we should be at a loss to carry on our intercourse in trade; I mean Silver, which is the basis of all the objects presented to view. I have long seen with astonishment the manufacture of these objects, and the knowledge of that manufacture confined to very few persons, and I considered that it could not but be very much wished by all who had witnessed these astonis.h.i.+ng productions, to acquire a true knowledge of how, and by what means, they were produced; I therefore examined them minutely, and having discovered their composition, I have given them to the Public in an entire and perfect form, accompanied with patterns of the most difficult, and have enlarged them by several objects of my own invention. That they will be found an innocent amus.e.m.e.nt, as well as a safeguard, need not be doubted, and also tend to exemplify the astonis.h.i.+ng powers of Chemistry, the study of which I would earnestly recommend to all who have not studied that science, and to those who have, to continue it with a steady perseverance. It is a study in itself truly sublime, it is highly conducive to morality, and tends most materially to convince every wavering or doubting mind, that the world we inhabit, and all its necessaries, its conveniences, its luxuries, and its blessings, are the work of that Divine Author

"Who sees, with equal eye, as G.o.d of all, A hero perish, or a sparrow fall."

_Pope._

Having said thus much, I can only a.s.sure my reader, that by adhering to the rules I have laid down in the following pages, they may enjoy a rational and innocent employment of time, and be able to inform learned enquirers the nature and properties of the objects of their leisure hours' amus.e.m.e.nt, and that it may inspire them with a thirst for nearer acquaintance with chemical truths, is the sincere wish of

THE AUTHOR.

_March 1, 1818._

_GENERAL_

OBSERVATIONS.

In pointing out the method of forming the Fulminating objects I have endeavoured to be as explicit as possible; and I feel a confidence that every necessary information is here contained.

The reason why I sometimes mention Fulminating Silver, and at others preface it by Brugnatelli's, is, that there are two kinds: one sold under the name of Fulminating Silver, the other called Brugnatelli's Fulminating Silver. The quant.i.ties here directed for each object must be strictly adhered to, as it is of too dangerous a nature to be increased in quant.i.ty, without the risk of accident. I must also beg great care will be observed in handling it, both before and after the objects are manufactured: with a trifling degree of caution, no accident can possibly occur; all that is required is to avoid heat and friction, as either in excess produces instant detonation. It is also necessary to guard against exploding the objects near the eyes; these precautions observed, no danger need be apprehended.

The best place to purchase the princ.i.p.al materials are the undermentioned places: for the Fulminating Silver, and Brugnatelli's Ditto, is Messrs. Acc.u.m and Garden, Old Compton-Street, London, and every other Manufacturing Chemist; the gla.s.s globes, of all sizes, are to be had of F. Pastorelli, Barometer and Thermometer Manufacturer, No.

4, Cross-Street, Hatton-Garden, London. The spiders are to be had of most gla.s.s blowers--for the cards, &c. every one is aware where to apply.

The gla.s.s composition is made as follows: take one ounce of gum arabic, and dissolve it in a quarter of a pint of water, boil it till tolerably thick, and then add as much coa.r.s.e powdered gla.s.s as will form a very thick composition.

N.B. When the gla.s.s composition cannot be conveniently obtained, gla.s.s paper may be used, pasted in the same way as directed for the composition.

COMPLETE ART, &c.

THE LACE,

_Or Girt of Security_.

The Lace or Girt is made of strong brace-web, after the manner and size of the paper pattern enclosed; the parts marked with ink are to be covered with the gla.s.s composition, to be laid on tolerably thick--say the thickness of a three s.h.i.+lling piece, and about an eighth of an inch broad in each place; let it remain until quite dry, and then sew it in like manner as the pattern, and from one to one grain and a half of Fulminating Silver to be enclosed in the part marked S; a piece of paper or silk well pasted on one side is then to be wrapped twice round in the same manner as the paper in the pattern is pinned; a strong lace-hole is then to be worked at each end--the manner of applying it is to hang it on two hooks, one on the door post, and the other on the door, taking care to place the part in such a position as to come in contact with the edge of the door, on its being opened, which will cause an immediate explosion louder than a musket. Hooks may also be placed on windows or shutters, and the Lace being hung on them will produce the same effect: a greater safeguard against midnight intruders has never been discovered.

FULMINATING

LETTERS.

The letter inclosed is a pattern of the manner in which they are put together, an examination of which will give the true idea to every attentive observer: a sheet of paper should be used doubled, and cut according to pattern; two slips of parchment must be used instead of those of paper, as enclosed in the pattern letter. The ends marked with Ink must be slightly covered with gla.s.s composition, and about an eighth of an inch wide, they must then be laid separately to dry, and when quite dry they must be sewn at one edge as shewn in the pattern, you must then put one third of a grain of Brugnatelli's Fulminating Silver in between the parts marked S, a piece of coloured paper or ribbon is then to be pasted well on one side, and wound twice round in the same way as the paper is now pinned round. The parchment slips thus prepared, must be pasted at each end for about an inch, and so fastened to the letter marked with a cross; the letter is then to be folded, and no further sealing is required.

It must here be observed, that although the pattern is in miniature, the directions here given are intended for a common size letter; all that is required to make it so, being to use longer strips of parchment, taking care that the parchment is always as long as the letter is wide. This letter may be sent to any part of the world, and on its being opened will cause a report nearly as loud as a pistol: it is consequently well adapted to prove a never-failing source of amus.e.m.e.nt.

_FULMINATING_

b.a.l.l.s & BOMBS.

The ball comprises a gla.s.s 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 gla.s.s and prevent the escape of the Silver.--The method of using the b.a.l.l.s 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 a.s.suredly 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 quant.i.ty 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 gla.s.s 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."