,the ,complete ,art  ,,of  ,,making     
,,the  ,chemical ,fulminating ,objects1 
c4 c4 c4  ,entered at ,stationers'      
,hall4     ,the whole ,secret laid      
,open1  ,,or ,,the  ,,complete ,,art    
,,of  ,,making  ,,the ,,chemical        
,,fulminating ,,objects1  ,,such ,,as   
,,the  ,lace1 or ,girt of ,security1    
,fulminating ,letters1 ,balls1 ,bombs1  
,,garters1 ,,cards1 ,,spiders1 ,,segars1
  ,chairs1 ,drawers1 ,boots1 ,shoes1 c4 
c4   ,,fourth ,,edition4  ,,london3     
,published by ,j4 ,,johnston1 #ih1      
,,cheapside1 for the ,author1 #ab1      
,king-,street1 ,portman-,square1 and    
sold by all ,booksellers4     ,,address 
,,to ,,the ,,reader4   ,that ,chemistry 
is one of the most sublime sciences is  
generally acknowledged2 to it may be    
ascribed the brilliant discoveries      
lately made in the arts and sciences1   
and without whose aid the wonderful     
phenomena1 which are the subject of the 
following pages1 could never have been  
discovered4 ,the ,author has for some   

time observed the wonder occasioned by  
the introduction of the chemical        
,fulminating ,objects to the ,public3   
they are indeed objects of wonder1 and  
when it is considered how trifling a    
portion of matter it requires to produce
 effects so surprising1 we cannot but   
hail that science as truly grand1 which 
can create such rare productions1 from  
what we daily handle1 with such safety  
and unconcern1 and without which we     
should be at a loss to carry on our     
intercourse in trade2 ,i mean ,silver1  
which is the basis of all the objects   
presented to view4 ,i have long seen    
with astonishment the manufacture of    
these objects1 and the knowledge of that
 manufacture confined to very few       
persons1 and ,i considered that it could
 not but be very much wished by all who 
had witnessed these astonishing         
productions1 to acquire a true knowledge
 of how1 and by what means1 they were   
produced2 ,i therefore examined them    
minutely1 and having discovered their   

composition1 ,i have given them to the  
,public in an entire and perfect form1  
accompanied with patterns of the most   
difficult1 and have enlarged them by    
several objects of my own invention4    
,that they will be found an innocent    
amusement1 as well as a safeguard1 need 
not be doubted1 and also tend to        
exemplify the astonishing powers of     
,chemistry1 the study of which ,i would 
earnestly recommend to all who have not 
studied that science1 and to those who  
have1 to continue it with a steady      
perseverance4 ,it is a study in itself  
truly sublime1 it is highly conducive to
 morality1 and tends most materially to 
convince every wavering or doubting     
mind1 that the world we inhabit1 and all
 its necessaries1 its conveniences1 its 
luxuries1 and its blessings1 are the    
work of that ,divine ,author      ,who  
sees1 with equal eye1 as ,god of all1   
,a hero perish1 or a sparrow fall4      
,pope4  ,having said thus much1 ,i can  
only assure my reader1 that by adhering 

to the rules ,i have laid down in the   
following pages1 they may enjoy a       
rational and innocent employment of     
time1 and be able to inform learned     
enquirers the nature and properties of  
the objects of their leisure hours'     
amusement1 and that it may inspire them 
with a thirst for nearer acquaintance   
with chemical truths1 is the sincere    
wish of  ,,the ,,author4  ,march #a1    
#ahah4     ,,general  ,,observations4   
,in pointing out the method of forming  
the ,fulminating objects ,i have        
endeavoured to be as explicit as        
possible2 and ,i feel a confidence that 
every necessary information is here     
contained4  ,the reason why ,i sometimes
 mention ,fulminating ,silver1 and at   
others preface it by ,brugnatelli's1 is1
 that there are two kinds3 one sold     
under the name of ,fulminating ,silver1 
the other called ,brugnatelli's         
,fulminating ,silver4 ,the quantities   
here directed for each object must be   
strictly adhered to1 as it is of too    

dangerous a nature to be increased in   
quantity1 without the risk of accident4 
,i must also beg great care will be     
observed in handling it1 both before and
 after the objects are manufactured3    
with a trifling degree of caution1 no   
accident can possibly occur2 all that is
 required is to avoid heat and friction1
 as either in excess produces instant   
detonation4 ,it is also necessary to    
guard against exploding the objects near
 the eyes2 these precautions observed1  
no danger need be apprehended4  ,the    
best place to purchase the principal    
materials are the undermentioned places3
 for the ,fulminating ,silver1 and      
,brugnatelli's ,ditto1 is ,messrs4      
,accum and ,garden1 ,old                
,compton-,street1 ,london1 and every    
other ,manufacturing ,chemist2 the glass
 globes1 of all sizes1 are to be had of 
,f4 ,pastorelli1 ,barometer and         
,thermometer ,manufacturer1 ,no4 #d1    
,cross-,street1 ,hatton-,garden1        
,london4 ,the spiders are to be had of  

most glass blowers--for the cards1 c4   
every one is aware where to apply4  ,the
 glass composition is made as follows3  
take one ounce of gum arabic1 and       
dissolve it in a quarter of a pint of   
water1 boil it till tolerably thick1 and
 then add as much coarse powdered glass 
as will form a very thick composition4  
,n4,b4 ,when the glass composition      
cannot be conveniently obtained1 glass  
paper may be used1 pasted in the same   
way as directed for the composition4    
,,complete ,,art1 c4     ,,the ,,lace1  
,or ,girt of ,security4   ,the ,lace or 
,girt is made of strong brace-web1 after
 the manner and size of the paper       
pattern enclosed2 the parts marked with 
ink are to be covered with the glass    
composition1 to be laid on tolerably    
thick--say the thickness of a three     
shilling piece1 and about an eighth of  
an inch broad in each place2 let it     
remain until quite dry1 and then sew it 
in like manner as the pattern1 and from 
one to one grain and a half of          

,fulminating ,silver to be enclosed in  
the part marked ,s2 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   
pinned2 a strong lace-hole is then to be
 worked at each end--the manner of      
applying it is to hang it on two hooks1 
one on the door post1 and the other on  
the door1 taking care to place the part 
in such a position as to come in contact
 with the edge of the door1 on its being
 opened1 which will cause an immediate  
explosion louder than a musket4 ,hooks  
may also be placed on windows or        
shutters1 and the ,lace being hung on   
them will produce the same effect3 a    
greater safeguard against midnight      
intruders has never been discovered4    
,,fulminating  ,,letters4   ,the letter 
inclosed is a pattern of the manner in  
which they are put together1 an         
examination of which will give the true 
idea to every attentive observer3 a     
sheet of paper should be used doubled1  

and cut according to pattern2 two slips 
of parchment must be used instead of    
those of paper1 as enclosed in the      
pattern letter4 ,the ends marked with   
,ink must be slightly covered with glass
 composition1 and about an eighth of an 
inch wide1 they must then be laid       
separately to dry1 and when quite dry   
they must be sewn at one edge as shewn  
in the pattern1 you must then put one   
third of a grain of ,brugnatelli's      
,fulminating ,silver in between the     
parts marked ,s1 a piece of coloured    
paper or ribbon is then to be pasted    
well on one side1 and wound twice round 
in the same way as the paper is now     
pinned round4 ,the parchment slips thus 
prepared1 must be pasted at each end for
 about an inch1 and so fastened to the  
letter marked with a cross2 the letter  
is then to be folded1 and no further    
sealing is required4  ,it must here be  
observed1 that although the pattern is  
in miniature1 the directions here given 
are intended for a common size letter2  

all that is required to make it so1     
being to use longer strips of parchment1
 taking care that the parchment is      
always as long as the letter is wide4   
,this letter may be sent to any part of 
the world1 and on its being opened will 
cause a report nearly as loud as a      
pistol3 it is consequently well adapted 
to prove a never-failing source of      
amusement4     ,,fulminating  ,,balls   
,,bombs4   ,the ball comprises a glass  
globe rather larger than a pea1 having a
 small aperture1 into which should be   
put from one third to half a grain of   
,brugnatelli's ,fulminating ,silver3 a  
piece of paper is then to be pasted     
carefully all over the ball1 in order to
 cover the glass and prevent the escape 
of the ,silver4--,the method of using   
the balls is to throw them down smartly1
 or to place one under the ball of the  
heel and tread hard upon it1 which      
causes an explosion equal to a pistol   
and free from danger2 the latter method 
of using them is generally preferred1   

and is assuredly the most certain4      
99       99       99       99       99  
,a ,bomb consists of the same materials 
as a ball1 only on a larger scale3 the  
globe for a bomb is the size of a common
 nut1 and the quantity of ,brugnatelli's
 ,fulminating ,silver is from one grain 
to one grain and a half1 according to   
the report wished to be produced4 ,the  
way of applying bombs is by throwing    
them down with violence1 and it should  
here be remembered that this is the less
 exceptionable method of using them3    
they should on no occasion be used1     
without apprising the bye-standers1 nor 
must they ever be pressed on by the     
foot2 as the shock produced by the      
detonation would be rather too violent4 
,,fulminating  ,,spiders4   ,the ,spider
 is formed after the manner of the      
common spider1 it has a glass body1 into
 which is put one third of a grain of   
fulminating silver4 ,the manner of      
using3 being formed in every respect so 
as to resemble the spider1 they may be  

left on the ground1 in closets1 or on   
any article of wearing apparel1 from    
whence they will consequently soon be   
dislodged1 and from the natural         
antipathy towards this disagreeable     
insect1 there can be no doubt of its    
being soon trod upon1 when1 to the no   
small surprise of the treader1 a report 
equal to that of a pistol will be       
produced4--,many persons apply them to  
,ladies' ,dresses1 but from the         
well-known delicacy of female nerves1 it
 were better perhaps to abstain from    
this experiment4 ,observe1 the spiders  
cannot be exploded but by pressure1     
which is best done by the foot4         
,,fulminating  ,,cards  ,,segars4   ,the
 ,card is of the pattern herein         
enclosed2 it must be opened at one end  
with a pen-knife1 as here shewn1 into   
which opening put one-fourth1 or        
one-third of a grain at most1 of        
,fulminating ,silver2 the edges are then
 to be pasted slightly1 and closed      
together2 a notch should also be cut at 

the other end1 as in the pattern4 ,when 
dry it will be complete for use4 ,the   
manner of using1 is to take it by the   
notched end1 and light the square end at
 the candle1 when a sharp detonation    
ensues4--,the ,card should be three     
quarters of an inch wide1 and from four 
to five inches in length4 ,cards thus   
prepared1 have long sold in ,paris under
 the denomination of ,detonating ,cards4
                   99       99       99 
99       99  ,the ,,segar is made by    
just opening the end of a common ,segar1
 7which may be had at all ,tobacconists7
 and gently placing within it one-fourth
 of a grain of ,fulminating ,silver     
between the leaves1 the end is then to  
be closed again1 and care taken to close
 it1 so as to prevent the ,powder       
falling out4 ,this1 on being set fire   
to1 causes a loud explosion1 and not a  
little disconcerts the nerves of the    
smoker2 nor does it fail to move the    
risible features of the lookers-on4     
99       99       99       99       99  

,the ,segar1 when exploded1 may be      
smoked with perfect safety4             
,fulminating ,pins4   ,take one third of
 a grain of ,brugnatelli's ,fulminating 
,silver1 and enclose in a very small    
fold of paper2 this enclose in a second 
paper1 which has been previously pasted1
 and then let it be wrapped #b or #c    
times round a common pin1 observing to  
leave the point clear4--,pins1 thus     
prepared1 may be stuck in the wick of   
the candle1 in the candle itself1 or    
thrown into the fire1 and immediately on
 their taking fire a loud explosion will
 follow4  ,observe1 not to place them   
too near any person's eyes1 least1 on an
 explosion1 the pins should be thrown   
out1 which might prove unpleasant4      
,,fulminating  ,,wax ,,tapers4   ,these 
,tapers are prepared by taking off a    
small part of the wax1 near the tip of  
the wick1 and putting one-third of a    
grain of ,fulminating ,silver in the    
wick1 then replace the wax1 and on its  
taking fire1 a loud ,detonation will be 

produced4     ,,fulminating  ,,garters4 
,the garter is formed of common tape1 or
 of the common worsted binding1 which   
should not exceed the length and breadth
 of the enclosed pattern2 the parts     
marked with ink are to be covered with  
the glass composition in the same manner
 as directed for the ,lace of ,security2
 suffer it to remain till quite dry1 and
 then sew it together as in the pattern2
 half a grain of the ,fulminating       
,silver is then to be placed between the
 parts marked ,s1 and a piece of paper  
or ribbon1 well pasted on one side1 is  
to be wrapped twice round in the same   
way as directed for the lace4 ,the      
manner of applying it is1 to take one   
end in each hand1 and by suddenly       
pulling it1 a loud report will be given1
 equal to a large pistol4--,this        
experiment may also be performed by     
offering one end to another person1 and 
requesting them to pull against you1 or 
by giving them the garter1 and desiring 
them to use it as first directed4 ,keep 

the garter below the eyes4              
,fulminating ,chairs   ,are thus        
prepared3 ,enclose half a grain of      
,brugnatelli's ,fulminating ,silver in a
 piece of glass paper1 and that should  
be again enclosed in a square piece of  
tinfoil2 this doubled in a very small   
compass may be placed immediately under 
the foot of a chair1 and the chair      
placed very lightly upon it1 or pasting 
it would be much better2 be careful to  
stand the chair down very gently3 on any
 one's setting down on a chair so       
prepared1 a loud ,detonation will       
follow4--,this experiment is            
particularly innocent1 and may be       
productive of much mirth4               
,,fulminating  ,,drawers4   ,the        
preparation for the drawers is the same 
as used for the chairs3 it should be    
pasted directly under the drawer1 or on 
the side2 if the drawer be left partly  
open1 the effect will more certainly be 
produced3 on the drawer being opened or 
shut1 a loud explosion will be caused4  

,this experiment is also perfectly      
harmless1 and as there could be no      
suspicion of the trick1 it cannot fail  
to prove the source of much amusement1  
to create great surprise1 and to cause  
many whimsical conjectures as to the    
origin of the wonderful phenomenon4     
,,fulminating  ,,snuffers4   ,one fourth
 of a grain of ,fulminating ,silver is  
to be inclosed in a small piece of      
paper1 and put inside the snuffers2 on  
the snuffers being applied to the       
candle1 a smart report will follow4 ,be 
careful to notice1 that the snuffers are
 quite cold when the paper is           
introduced1 as the heat would cause it  
to explode sooner than might be thought 
agreeable4     ,,fulminating  ,,boots   
,,shoes4   ,these are prepared by       
enclosing half a grain of ,brugnatelli's
 ,fulminating ,silver in a fold of glass
 paper1 and pasting it in the middle of 
a piece of court plaster2 if the edges  
of the court plaster are then slightly  
wet1 it will adhere1 and must be placed 

in the middle of the heel of a boot or  
shoe1 and by being pressed upon will    
detonate loudly4 ,observe1 it must be   
fastened on the outside of the heel4    
,this experiment may be easily          
accomplished1 while you are left alone1 
in any apartment where boots or shoes   
are kept1 and would cause a tolerable   
degree of astonishment to the wearer1 on
 his placing his foot to the ground4    
,,fulminating  ,,pipe ,,lights4   ,these
 lights are made by inserting one-third 
of a grain of ,fulminating ,silver1 in  
one end of a piece of hemp-stalk1 in the
 same way as directed for the ,segars4  
,a piece of stout deal shaving might be 
used1 prepared in the same manner as    
directed for the ,fulminating ,cards4   
,be careful to notice1 that1 whatever is
 used1 has some particular mark attached
 to it1 so as to point out which end is 
to be lighted4     ,,fulminating        
,,walking ,,sticks4   ,these may be made
 by inclosing half a grain of           
,brugnatelli's ,fulminating ,silver in a

 small fold of glass paper1 and putting 
it into a ferule1 which ferule may be   
placed gently on the stick2 and on its  
being applied to the ground1 a loud     
explosion will take place4              
99       99       99       99       99  
,a vast number of other ,fulminating    
objects might be prepared by the same   
means as here used1 as it must have been
 observed1 the ,silver detonates either 
by friction or heat4 ,but great         
attention must be paid to the quantity  
of ,fulminating ,silver used1 as very   
unpleasant consequences might arise from
 the use of too large a quantity2 and on
 the other hand1 no effect produced by  
too small a quantity2 but from one      
fourth to half a grain will most        
commonly be found quite sufficient for  
those purposes that require handling2   
and here again let me impress it on the 
mind1 how necessary it is to pay        
attention to the quantities ,i have here
 specified for each object3 and let me  
request that it may in no one instance  

be exceeded4   ,,finis4   ,printed by   
,t4 ,hamblin1 ,garlick ,hill1 ,thames   
,street4