Important: Safety Warning
This page contains instructions involving gunpowder or other explosive or pyrotechnic compositions. Preparing explosives as described has caused severe injuries and deaths, and is illegal in most places.
In addition, this page, written for children, describes experiments or amusements involving hazardous chemicals, electricity, or projectiles. The activities described have caused serious injuries and should not be attempted at any age without proper training, supervision, and equipment.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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How to Make Touch-Paper
Dissolve in a little spirits of wine or vinegar a little saltpetre, then take some purple or blue paper, and wet it with the above liquor and it will be fit for use. When pasting paper on any of the following works take care that the paste does not touch that part which is to burn. The method of using this paper is to cut it into slips long enough to go once round the mouth of a serpent, cracker, &c.
CASES FOR SQUIBS, FLOWER-POTS, ROCKETS, ROMAN CANDLES, ETC. Procure a hard wooden cylinder, or, if possible, one made of metal, whose diameter corresponds with that of the interior of the proposed case. Roll round it several folds of cartridge paper, and paste the edges well, so that it may be held securely. Tie it round until dry.