dipped at both ends in a kettle of melted composition. After being immersed about seven or eight inches in this preparation, and then drained, they are sprinkled over with pulverised sulphur upon a tanned hide.

FIRE-SHIPS are generally old vessels filled with combustibles, fitted with grappling irons to hook, and set fire to, the enemies ships in battle, &c. As there is nothing particular in the construction of this ship, except the apparatus by which the fire is instantly conveyed from one part to another, and thence to the enemy, it is sufficient to describe the fire-room, where these combustibles are enclosed, together with the instruments necessary to grapple the ship intended to be destroyed. The fire-room is built between decks, and limited on the afterpart by a bulkhead, L, behind the main mast, from which it extends quite forward, as represented in the diagram at the foot of this article. The train enclosed in this apartment is contained in a variety of wooden troughs, D, G, which intersect each other in different parts of the ship's length; being supported at proper distances by cross pieces and stanchions. On each side of the ship are six or seven ports, H, about eighteen inches broad and fifteen inches high; and having their lids to open downward, contrary to the usual method. Against every port is placed an iron chamber, which, at the time of firing the ship, blows out the port-lid, and opens a passage for the flame. The iron chambers are ten inches long and 3.5 in diameter. They are breeched against a piece of wood fixed across the ports, and let into another a little higher. When loaded they are almost filled with corn-powder, and have a wooden tompion well driven into their muzzles. They are primed with a small piece of quick-match thrust through their vents into the powder, with a part of it hanging out. When the ports are blown open by means of the iron chambers, the port-lids either fall downward, or are carried away by the explosion. Immediately under the main and fore shrouds is fixed a wooden funnel M; whose lower end communicates with a fire-barrel, by which the flame passing through the funnel is conducted to the shrouds. Between the funnels, which are likewise called fire-trunks, are two scuttles, or small holes in the upper deck, serving also to let out the flames. Both funnels must be stopped with plugs, and have sail-cloth or canvas nailed close over them, to prevent any accident from above to the combustibles laid below. The ports, funnels, and scuttles, not only communicate the flames to the outside and upper works of the ship and her rigging; but likewise open a passage for the inward air, confined in the fire-room, which is thereby expanded so as to force impetuously through those outlets, and prevent the blowing up of the decks, which must of necessity happen from such a sudden and violent rarefaction of the air as will then be produced. On each side of the bulk head behind is cut a hole L, of sufficient size to admit a trough of the same dimensions as the others. A trough, L, I, whose foremost end communicates with another trough within the fire-room, is laid close to this opening,

whence it extends obliquely to a sally port I, cut through the ship's side. The decks and troughs are well covered with melted resin. At the time of the firing either of the leading troughs, the flame is immediately conveyed to the opposite side of the ship, whereby both sides burn together. The spaces N, O, behind the fire-room, represent the cabins of the lieutenant and master, one of which is on the starboard, and the other on the larboard side. The captain's cabin, which is separated from these by a bulk-head, is exhibited also by P. Four of the eight fire-barrels are placed under the four fire-trunks; and the other four between them, two on each side of the fire scuttles, where they are securely cleated to the deck. The longest fire-reeds are put into the fore and aft troughs, and tied down: the shortest reeds are laid in the troughs athwart, and tied down also. The firebavins, dipped at one end, are tied fast to the troughs over the reeds, and the curtains are nailed up to the beams, in equal quantities, on each side of the fire-room. The remainder of the reeds are placed in a position nearly upright, at all the angles of every square in the fire-room, and there tied down. If any reeds are left, they are to be put round the fire-barrels, and other vacant places, and there tied fast.

The following instructions are given in the regulations for a fire-ship of 150 tons burden :

The fire-barrels are to be two feet four inches high, and one foot six inches in diameter. Each barrel must have four holes of about six inches square, cut in its sides, with a square piece of canvas nailed over each of them. They are then filled with the carcass-composition, and four plugs, of about one inch diameter and three inches long, and well greased, are thrust into the top, and then left to dry. When dry, these plugs are taken out, and the holes filled with fuse-composition, and quick-match at the top, which goes from one hole to the other; after this, the top is smeared over with mealed powder, mixed up with spirits of wine. When dry again, a sheet or two of brown paper is laid over the top, and then one of the canvas covers, which is made secure by the upper hoop of the barrel.

The composition for dipping reeds, bavins. and curtains, is

In order to produce an additional external fire, forty-four boxes are filled with the carcasscomposition, and distributed on the three masts in the following manner :-One suspended from each of the cat-heads and davits, on each side of the bow; eight slung across the bowsprit; four across each of the out-riggers abaft; two from the grapplings of each of the lower yardarms; one from the dead-eyes on each side of the three round-tops; and one from the middle of the inside of the main, fore, and mizen shrouds.

Besides the boxes, there are fire-barrels arranged as follows:-Two half barrels on the forecastle; two abaft the main-deck, and four on the main-deck; two in each round-top, placed against the masts; and four large fire barrels, under fire-trunks, to convey fire to the curtains on the shrouds. All these fire-barrels and boxes are to be fired by separate leaders of quick-match, or port-fire, in order that any part of the ship may be fired, to cover its approach by the smoke; and the remaining part instantaneously upon quitting the ship. It has been found, by experiment, that two men, with lighted port-fires, can set fire to the whole of the leaders on the deck, bowsprit, cat-heads, out-riggers, &c., in less than a minute; therefore, the risk of trusting to one main leader to the whole may be avoided. The leaders are laid in painted canvas hose, made for the purpose.

The proportion of combustible stores for a fire-ship of 150 tons, is as follows:

8 Fire-barrels, filled with composition, 12 Iron chambers, to blow open the ports. 250 Bavins, single-dipped. 24 Port-fires.

31 Priming composition barrels.
1 Quick-match ditto.

48 Dipped curtains.

150 Long reeds, single-dipped. 75 Short reeds, single-dipped. 75 Short reeds, double-dipped. 60 Hand grenades.

When ordered to prime, the captain is to take up all his reeds, one after another, and strow a little composition at the bottom of all the troughs under the reeds, and then tie them gently down again; next to strow composition upon the upper part of the reeds throughout the fireroom; and upon the composition to lay double quick-match upon all the reeds, in all the troughs: the remainder of the composition to be spread over all the fire-room. He is then to cast off all the covers of the fire-barrels, and hang the quick-match loose over their sides, and place leaders of quick-match from the reeds into the barrels, and thence into the vent of the chambers, in such a manner as to be certain of their blowing open the ports, and setting fire to the barrels. The troughs of communication from each door of the fire-room to the sallyports must be laid with a strong leader of quickmatch, four or five times double: also a crosspiece to go from the sally-port, when the ship is

fired, to the communication through the trough, laid with leaders of quick-match, that the fire may be communicated on both sides at once. What quick-match is left must be placed so that the fire may be communicated to all parts of the room at once, especially about the ports and fire-barrels. The port-fire used for firing the ship burns about twelve minutes; great care must be taken to have no powder on board when the ship is fired. Sheer-hooks are fitted so as to fasten on the yard-arms of the fire-ship, where they hook the enemy's rigging. The firegrapplings are either fixed on the yard-arms, or thrown by hand, having a chain to confine the ships together, or fasten those instruments whereever necessary. Whenever the commanding officer of a fleet displays the signal to prepare for action, the fire-ships fix their sheer-hooks, and dispose their grapplings in readiness. The battle being begun, they proceed immediately to prime, and prepare their fire-works. When they are ready for grappling, they inform the avoid being disabled by the enemy's cannon admiral thereof by a particular signal. To during a general engagement, the fire-ships continue sufficiently distant from their line-ofbattle, either to windward or leeward. They cautiously shun the openings or intervals of the line, where they would be directly exposed to the enemy's fire, from which they are covered by lying on the opposite side of their own ships. They are attentively to observe the signals of the admiral or his seconds, in order to put their designs immediately into execution. Although no ship of the line should be previously appointed to protect any fire-ship, except a few of the smallest particularly destined to this service, yet the ship before whom she passes in order to approach the enemy, should escort her thither, and assist her with an armed boat, or whatever succour may be necessary in her situation.

Among the most formidable contrivances ever used, either as a fire-ship or explosion-vessel, is that which was used to destroy the bridge of boats at the siege of Antwerp, in the year 1585; which an author of that period states to have been a ship strongly timbered, containing a vaulted arch of stone or mortar, filled with 200 barrels of gunpowder, over which were placed large stones of all forms, cannon-shot, iron chains, &c., sufficient to destroy a whole city, that were exploded by a secret fusee, contrived so as not to set fire to the charge till the vessel came in contact with the bridges, which it blew to atoms.

FIRE-WORKS. See PYROTECHNY. No person whatsoever shall make or sell squibs, rockets, serpents, &c., or cases or moulds for making such squibs; and every such offence shall be adjudged a common nuisance, and persons making or selling squibs shall forfeit £5.

Persons throwing or firing squibs, &c., or suffering them to be thrown or fired from their houses, incur a penalty of 20s. Likewise persons throwing, casting, or firing, or aiding or assisting in the throwing, casting, or firing of any squibs, rockets, serpents, or other fire-works, in or into any public street, house, or shop, river, highway, road, or passage, incur the like penalty of 20s.; and on non-payment may be committed to the house of correction.

This statute does not take from any person injured, by throwing of squibs, &c., the remedy at common law; for the party may maintain a special action on the case or trespass, &c., for recovery of full damages.

FIRING, in military affairs, is used to denote the discharge of all sorts of fire-arms against the enemy. The fire of the infantry is by a regular discharge of their firelocks, by platoons, divisions, &c.; that of the cavalry, with their carbines and pistols; and that of a place besieged, from their artillery.

Defensive fire belongs principally to infantry, when posted on heights which are to be defended by musketry. As soldiers generally present too high, and as fire is of the greatest consequence to troops that are on the defensive, the habitual mode of firing should, therefore, be rather at a low level than a high one.

On these occasions the men are generally drawn up three deep; in which case, the front rank kneeling, being the most efficacious, as being the most razing, should not be dispensed with when it can be safely and usefully employed. The present method of firing by platoons is said to have been invented by Gustavus Adolphus, and first used about 1618: the reason for this method is, that a constant fire may be always kept up. There are three different ways of platoon firing, viz. standing, advancing, and retreating. But, previous to every kind of firing, each regiment or battalion must be told off in grand divisions, subdivisions, and platoons, exclusively of the grenadiers, which form two subdivisions or four platoons of themselves. In firing standing, either by divisions or platoons, the first fire is from the division or platoon on the right; the second fire from the left; the third from the right again, and so on alternately, till the firing comes to the centre platoon, which is generally called the color platoon, and does not fire, remaining as a reserve for the colors. Firing advancing is performed in the same manner, with this addition, that before either division or platoon fires, it advances three paces forward. Firing retreating varies from either of the former methods; for, before either division or platoon fires, if they are marching from the enemy, it must go to the right about; and after firing, to the left about again, and continue the retreat as slowly and orderly as possible. In hedge-firing the men are drawn up two deep, and in that order both ranks are to fire standing.

it;

Oblique firing is either to the right and left, or from the right and left to the centre, according to the situation of the object. The Prussians have a particular contrivance for this purpose; if they are to level to the right, the rear ranks of every platoon make two quick but small paces to the left, and the body of each soldier turns one-eighth of a circle, and vice versâ. Parapetfiring depends on the nature of the parapet over which the men are to fire, and also upon that of the attack made to possess it. This method of firing is sometimes performed by single ranks stepping on the banquette and firing; each man instantly handing his arms to the centre rank of the same file, and taking his back in the room of and the centre rank giving it to the rear to load, and forwarding the arms of the rear to the front rank; by which means the front rank men can fire six or seven rounds in a minute with exactness. Parapet-firing may also be executed two deep, when the banquette is three feet broad, or in field works, where no banquettes are made. Square-firing is performed by a regiment or body of men drawn up in a hollow square, in which case each front is generally divided into four divisions or firings, and the flanks of the square, being the weakest part, are covered by four platoons of grenadiers. The first fire is from the right division of each face; the second from the left division of each face, &c., and the grenadiers make the last fire. Street-firing is practised in two ways; either by making the division or platoon that has fired to wheel by halfrank to the right and left outwards from the centre, and to march in that order by half divisions down the flanks on each side of the column, and to draw up in the rear, and go on with their priming and loading; or, to make the division or platoon, after firing, to face to the right and left outwards from the centre, and one half rank to follow the other; and, in that order, to march in one centre file down on each side of the columns into the rear, and there draw up as before.

FIRKIN, n. s. Sax. peoden, the fourth part of a vessel, i. e. of a barrel: Minsheu says, with . superabundant erudition, from Lat. ferendo, bearing, because it is a little vessel, which easily may be carried! A vessel containing nine gallons.

You heard of that wonder of the lightning and thunder,

Which made the lye so much the louder;
Now list to another, that miracle's brother,
Which was done with a firkin of powder. Denham.

Strutt's servants get such a haunt about that shop, that it will cost us many a firkin of strong beer to Arbuthnot. bring them back again.

FIRLOT, a dry measure used in ScotlandThe oat firlot contains 214th pints of that country; the wheat firlot contains about 2211 cubical inches; and the barley firlot, thirty-one standard pints. Hence, it appears, that the Scotch wheat

firlot exceeds the English bushel by thirty-three cubical inches.

FIRM, adj., v. a., & n. s.
FIRM'ITY, n. s.
FIRM'LY, adv.

Fr. ferme; Ital. firma; Lat. firmus, from Gr. Pμos, FIRM'NESS, n. s. linked, or bound, together. Compact; strong; hard; solid: hence, figuratively, constant; fixed; steady; resolute as a verb, to settle; conform; establish; fix: and, as a substantive, an establishment; or the fixed name of a mercantile house: firmity is strength; solidity; the opposite of infirmity. The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves, and they cannot be moved. Job xli. 23.

He on his card and compass firms his eye, The masters of his long experiment.

Faerie Queene. Of the death of the emperor they advertised Solyman, firming those letters with all their hands and seals.

Knolles.

God caused the wind to blow to dry up the abundant slime and mud of the earth, and make the land more firm. Raleigh. We hold firm to the works of God, and to the sense which is God's lamp. Bacon's Natural History. Both the easiness and firmness of union might be conjectured, for that both people are of the same language. Hayward. The strength and firmity of my assent must rise and fail together with the apparent credibility of the object. Chillingworth.

Love's artillery then checks
The breastworks of the firmest sex.

Nor hopes nor fears can blind.

Locke.

Walsh.

The common people of Lucca are firmly persuaded, that one Lucquese can beat five Florentines. Addison on Italy.

It would become by degrees of greater consistency and firmness, so as to resemble an habitable earth. Burnet.

In persons already possessed with notions of religion, the understanding cannot be brought to change them, but by great examination of the truth and firmness of the one, and the flaws and weakness of the other. South's Sermons. "Tis meet that noble minds keep ever with their like,

For who so firm that cannot be seduced?

Settle.

How very hard particles, which touch only in a few points, can stick together so firmly, without something which causes them to be attracted towards one another, is difficult to conceive. Newton.

That body, whose parts are most firm in themselves, and are by their peculiar shapes capable of the greatest contacts, is the most firm; and that which has parts very small, and capable of the least contact, will be most soft. Woodward.

This armed Job with firmness and fortitude.
Atterbury.

O thou, who freest me from my doubtful state,
Long lost and wildered in the maze of fate!
Be present still: oh goddess, in our aid
Proceed, and firm those omens thou hast made!

The Almighty, whose hieroglyphical characters are the uunumbered stars, sun and moon, written on these large volumes of the firmament. Raleigh.

The firmament expanse of liquid, pure,
Transparent, elemental air, diffused
In circuit, to the uttermost convex

Dryden.

Addison's Ovid.

FIRMAMENT, in the ancient astronomy, the eighth heaven or sphere; being that wherein the fixed stars were supposed to be placed. It is called the eighth, with respect to the seven heavens or spheres of the planets which it surrounds. It was supposed to have two motions; a diurnal motion, given it by the primum mobile, from east to west, about the poles of the ecliptic; and another opposite motion from west to east ; which last it finishes, according to Tycho, in 25,412 years; according to Ptolemy, in 36,000; and according to Copernicus, in 258,000; in which time the fixed stars return to the same precise points wherein they were at the beginning. This period is commonly called Plato's year, or the great year. In various places of Scripture firmament is used for the middle region of the air. Many of the ancients allowed, with the moderns, that the firmament is a fluid matter; though they, who gave it the denomination of firmament, must have taken it for a solid sub

stance.

· FIRMICUS MATERNUS (Julius), a famous writer, who composed in Latin, about A. D. 345, an excellent work in defence of Christianity, entitled De Errore Profanarum Religionum, which is printed with the notes of John Wouver. There are also attributed to him eight books of astronomy, printed by Aldus Manutius in 1501; but this work is by some supposed to have been written by another Julius Firmicus, who lived at the same time.

FIROZEABAD, or FIRUSABAD, a town of Persia, in the Province of Fars, the ruins of which extend,seventeen miles: among them are the remains of a fine temple, and of a ditch seven miles in circuit, and in some places sixtyeight paces broad. The modern Firozeabad is an inconsiderable place. Seventy miles from Bushire.

FIROZEH, a town of Hindostan, province of Delhi. Long. 75° 13′ E., lat. 29° 17′ N. As three of the Afghan emperors of Hindostan bore the title of Firoz (the victorious), a number of towns were called after them, of which many are now in ruins.

FIROZKOH, an ancient city of the province of Ghore, in Afghaunistaun, frequently mentioned in oriental history. It was situated to the north of Ghore, and was the summer residence of the sovereigns; in its vicinity was a celebrated turquoise mine.

The flighty purpose works o'erlook, Unless the deed go with it: from this moment, The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand.

Id.

condly, they are more solid and hard; thirdly, they First, metals are more durable than plants; seare wholly subterraneous; whereas plants are part above earth, and part under the earth. Bacon.

Although the king loved to employ and advance bishops because, having rich bishopricks, they carried their reward upon themselves; yet he did use to raise them by steps, that he might not lose the profit of the first-fruits, which by that course of gradation was multiplied. Id. Henry VII.

Man's first obedience.

Who first, who last Roused from the slumber.

Milton.

Id.

His first-begot, we know; and sore have felt, When his fierce thunder drove us to the deep. Id. Hail, holy light, offspring of heav'n first-born! Id. Last, with one midnight stroke, all the first-born Of Egypt must lie dead. Id. Paradise Lost. See, Father, what first-fruits on earth have sprung, From thy implanted grace in man! Milton.

A shepherd next, More meek, came with the firstlings of his flock, Choicest and best. Id. Paradise Lost. First was the world as one great cymbal made, There jarring winds to infant nature played.

Marvell.