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EX    LIBRIS      CARL   •   W   •    DREPPEHD 


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THE    FALL    OF    ICARUS  . 

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K.M'KIMMK.VI'S  AN!)  ADVKNTUlfKS 


IS   THK 


ATMOSPHKHE. 


.  : '  • 

in 


IIATTON   TURNOR, 

THE   I'llINCE  OONgOBT'f  OWN 

1MKI.K   I'.Iili.AHK. 


LONDON : 

CHAPMAN    AND    HALL,    193,    PICCADILLY. 

1866, 


•  ASTRA  CASTRA.  NUMEX  LUMEN." 

Motto  of  (lie  LINDSAYS. 


rf-,     *          *fc    **•*'*"**•          •        •        ** 
/•'•••       •    **    i          *     •*" 

•  -  •  *„•-•.'    :  :.».**-.    - 


TO 

TIIK    LADY    CAROLINE    TURNOR, 

urn 
CHRISTOPHER    TURNOR,  Esy., 

IX    ORATEFi;L    RF.MEMBKANCK    OF 

THEIR    I'AKEXTAL   CARE 

AND    AFFECTIONATE    TEACHING   OF   GOD'S    WORD, 

THIS   VOLUME    18    DEDICATED 

BY   THEIB  SON, 

<   IIIMSTOPHER   HATTON   TURNOR. 


[  OOMHT1  il  to  !><•  tin-  duly  .it  every  educated  person  closely  to  watch  and  Ktudy  tin-  time  in  which  he  liven,  and. 
an  far  as  in  him  lien,  to  add  his  humble  mite  of  individual  exertion  to  further  the  acconipli.-hinent  of  what  he 
believe.*  1'i.ivjdenec  to  have  ordained."  —  SI-KKCH  OK  mi:  I'KIV  K  (  'ox>onr,  March  2lst, 


1  1  I'.ielm  in  the  history  ..f  every  great  operation  and  in  the  course  of  every  undertaking,  to  which 

the  i  "  "|  it  'laMon*  ol"  successive  generations  <jf  nun  have  contributed  (especially  such  as  have  received  their 
inclement*  at  various  and  remote  periods  of  history),  when  it  becomes  desirable  to  pause  for  a  while,  and,  as  it 
were,  to  take  stock;  to  review  the  progress  made,  and  estimate  the  amount  of  work  done:  not  so  much  for 
eiiiiiplaeency.  :IK  for  the  purjtose  of  forming  a  judgment  of  the  efficiency  of  the  methods  resorted  to,  to  do  it  ;  and 
to  lead  im  to  inquire  how  they  may  yet  be  improved,  if  Mich  improvement  be  possible,  to  accelerate  the  furtherance 
of  the  object,  or  to  ensure  the  ultimate  perfection  of  its  attainments.  In  scientific,  no  less  than  in  material  and 
i  undertakings,  such  pauses  and  resume's  are  eminently  useful,  and  are  sometimes  forced  on  our  con- 
siderations by  a  conjuncture  of  circumstances  which  almost  of  necessity  obliges  us  to  take  a  coup  (f<ril  of  the 
wh..|e  subject,  and  make  up  our  minds,  not  only  as  to  the  validity  of  what  is  done,  but  of  the  manner  in  which  it 
has  been  done,  tin-  methods  employed,  and  the  direction  in  which  we  are  henceforth  to  proceed,  and  probability  of 
further  progress."  —  SIR  JOHN  HKIL«-IIM.. 


(      vii 


PREFACE. 


'I'm:  Author  has  endeavoured  in  the  following  pages  to  do  justice  to  the  ubiquity  and 
importance  of  .1  subject  which  must  in  some  degree  be  of  great  interest  to  all,  for  the 
medium  whii-h  forms  its  l>asis  is  the  air,  in  which  we  all  "live  and  move,  and  have  our 
being." 

Franklin  said  of  tin-  science  of  Aerostation,  "  It  is  an  infant,  but  it  icill  ///«"•.'  Tin- 
discoveries  and  inventions  relating  to  the  uses  which  have  hitherto  l>een  made  of  the 
atmosphere.  and  the  inatlieinatical  deductions  which  so  clearly  teach  us  to  hope  for 
the  practicability  of  aerial  navigation,  have  never  yet  been  described  in  a  manner  worthy  of 
the  human  life  hitherto  sacrificed  in  unavailing  attempt-,  nor  of  the  confidence,  in  ultimate 
success  with  which  those  are  now  inspired,  who  have  patiently  and  laboriously  considered 
the  ijuestion  iii  a  mathematical  and  scientific  point  of  view. 

Beyond  the  outlines  to  be  found  in  Encyclopaedias,  no  general  synopsis  of  the  Science 
of  Aerostation  has  hitherto  been  published  in  England,  except  Monck  Mason's  brief  account 
in  1836;  yet  the  numl>er  of  English  ascents  and  aeronauts  more  than  doubles  those  nf 
the  French,  who  have  had  their  experiments  recorded  by  two  historians  since  1850.  The 

nt  ace.  unit,  however,  is  not  confined  to  England  but  wherever  an  adventure  has 
or  a  courageous  attempt  has  been  made,  it  is  here  recorded. 


The  story  extends  over  eighty  years.     In  that  time  many  pamphlets,  letter-,  <  -ninax  :• 
and  caricatures  have  appeared  in  reference  to  this  important  subject.     All  the  writers  exhibit 
much  ardour,  many  show  acerbity;  their  productions  have  here  been  carefully  collated  and 
formed  into  a  summary:   if  inaccuracies  should  have  inadvertently  arisen  in  the  process,  the 
Author  will  gladly  see  them  corrected. 

Public  attention  has  been  recently  aroused  from  the  lethargy  of  "hope  deferred,"  by 
the  experiments  of  Mr.  Coxwell,  one  of  the  boldest  pioneers  of  the  science  of  aerostation  : 
especially  when,  in  the  company  of  Mr.  Glaisher,  the  eminent  Meteorologist,  he  made  an 


viii  PREFACE. 

ascent  which  was  thus  mentioned  in  a  leading  article  of  the  Times,  on  the  1 1th  of  September, 
1862  :- 

••  It  deserves  to  take  its  place  among  the  unparalleled  junctures,  and  the  critical  and  striking  moments  of 
war.  politics,  or  discovery ;" 

and  again  :— 

•'  The  courage  of  the  men  of  science  deserves  to  have  a  chapter  of  history  devoted  to  it." 

Aerostation  may,  indeed,  be  well  considered  as  a  branch  of  science,  which  displays, 
among  other  qualities,  the  largest  amount  of  physical  courage  in  its  professors. 

The  Author  has  ventured  to  add  this  contribution  to  the  History  of  Aerostation  in  the 
hope  that  his  readers  will  observe  how  much  the  subject  differs  from  other  sciences  in  the 
impossibility  of  keeping  it  concealed  from  public  observation  during  its  progress  into 
maturity,  and  of  forming  it  into  a  system  before  it  engages  popular  attention  in  an  imperfect 
state ;  and  this  would  appear  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  difficulties  with  which  it  has  to 
contend. 

The  Author  trusts  that  when  full  publicity  shall  have  been  given  to  the  comparative 
rarity  of  accidents,  and  the  causes  whence  they  have  arisen,  many  persons  may  be  induced 
to  avail  themselves  of  that  enjoyment  of  Nature  under  novel  aspects,  from  which  they 
are  now  deterred  by  the  apprehension  of  personal  danger.  Schiller  says  of  Columbus— 

With  Genius,  Nature  ever  stands  in  solemn  union  still, 
And  ever  what  the  one  foretels,  the  other  shall  fulfil. 

May  this  prove  true  of  the  assertion  that  we  shall  eventually  bring  into  useful  subjection 
all  the  atmospheric  currents,  which  for  the  present  baffle  our  attempts  to  subdue  or  control 
them !  If  any  means  should  hereafter  be  found  for  rendering  the  science  of  aerial  navigation 
practically  and  generally  useful,  how  apt  would  then  be  the  following  quotation  from 
Milton  :— 

Th'  invention  all  admir'd,  and  each,  how  he 

To  be  th'  inventor  miss'd  ;  so  easy  't  seem'd 

Once  found,  which  yet  unfound  most  would  have  thought 

Impossible ! 


NOTE. — A  discursive  chapter  has  been  added,  on  what  Sir  Bulwer  Lytton  defines  as  the  "normal  clairvoyance 
of  poets'  imagination ;"  and  it  icitt  be  found  that  it  is  a  remarkable  one,  representing  as  it  does  the  thoughts  of  so  many 
ayes  anil  countries  on  one  subject. 


WINCHESTER.  May  186o. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 

Tin    l>\\v\  OK  NAVIGATION  COMI-AHKU  WITH  THE  DAWN  OF  AEROSTATION. 

CHAPTER    II. 

AN'ABAAHX;  OK,  TIIK  -NUIIMM.  (  i  \IKVOYANCE"  OF  POETS'  IMAGINATION,  AND 

IAI-KHIMENTS  PRECEDING  1783. 

PAOK 

l'.«-tr\  ami  Science  —  Olympus  —  The  "  Kthereal  1'lain"  —  Phaeton  —  Dasdalus  and  Icarus  —  Astolpho,  the  English 
knight  —  "  The  Source  of  the  Nile  "  —  The  wizard  Ismcnc  —  Godfrey's  dream  —  Armida  —  Latin  Authors  of  tin' 
middle  ages  —  Roger  Baoon  on  flying  —  Wilkins,  Bishop  of  Chester  —  Kai  Kaios,  King  of  1'ersia  —  English  monk 
Klmerus  —  Borelli's  '  De  Motu  Aninialium  '  —  Jesuit  Father  Lana's  propositions  —  Bartholomew  Lawrence  de 

rtuguese  Friar —  Hark  Akensidc  ..          ..          ..          ..          ..          ..  4— 3ti 

CHAPTER   III. 

TIIKI'NK'I'lli  ;  OR,  MONTCOJ. FIBRES  AND  CHARLIERES,  AND  THE  Two  YEAUS  OF 

UNINTERRUPTED  SUCCESS. 

Montgollk-r  family  —  The  invention  of  Annonay,  Institution  of  the  "Derby,"  and  the  discovery  of  the  composition  of 
water  —  The  experiment  at  Paris  —  "A  paternal  Government" — Tiberius  Cavallo  —  "A  sheep,  a  cock,  and  a 
duck "— Experiments  —  "Honours  to  Montgolfier"—  TO  jrp«rotrn//ia  —  Count  Zambeccari  in  London  — First 
I'ilot-ballooD  from  Woolwich  to  Petworth  —  The  Charliere —  "Honours  to  Charles"  —  Experiments  at  Phila- 
delphia, U.8.  —  Seven  people  ascend  at  Lyons  —  The  first  pilot-balloon  across  the  Channel  — Paul  Andreani  at 
Milan  —  Jean  Pierre  Blanchard  — Ascent  of  four  ladies  —  Madame  Tliible  the  first  lady  to  ascend  in  a  fire-balloon 
-  Puke  de  Chartres — Lunardi  —  An  Italian's  view  of  English  Society  in  1784  —  Chelsea  Hospital  —  The 
Artillery  Ground  —  "  The  Prince  of  Wales  "  —  The  first  ascent  in  England  —  English  law  —  The  '  Morning 
Post '  of  S. ;  i .  1 1 ..  1784  —  The  descent  at  Ware,  in  Hertfordshire  —  Presentation  to  the  king  —  Deposition*  —  "  A 
well-known  ^-ntleman  in  the  literary  world"  —  A  voyage  of  150  miles  —  Second  aerial  voyage  in  England  — 
Ascent  from  Oxford  —  Blanchard  Jefieries  crosses  the  Channel  —  Shakespeare's  Cliff — Calais — A  momm 
erected  —  General  Remarks  ..  ..  ..  ..'  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  37—84 

CHAPTER    IV. 

TlIK   OHARLO-MoNTGOI.FlfcltE —  THE   DEATH   OF   PlLATRE   DE    ROZIER.    AND    ITS 
1.1  KKCT  —  ASC'KSTS   OF    ISTF.HKST    TILL    1800. 

iiarlo-Montjroltiere  —  Death  of  Pi  litre  de  Kozier  and  M.  Romaine — Reasoning  —  The  Eloge  —  Tcstu  de  Briasy 
in  a  thunderstorm  —  Baldwin's  Airo]»ida  —  The  appearance  of  Chester  from  a  height  of  six  miles  —  Chat-moss 
—  Edinburgh  to  Cupar  across  the  Firth  of  Forth  —  "  Knights-com|ianions  of  the  Beggar's  Benison  "  —  Kelso  — 
Glasgow  —  St  Andrew's  Churchyard —The  Officers  of  the  27th  Rcgt.  — The  Manse  of  Campsie  —  "  Dinna  ye 
think  the  world  will  soon  be  at  an  end ?"  —  Help  from  the  Bass  Rock  —'Hie  first  ascent  of  Mont  Blanc  —  The 
Parachute — Lucien  Bonajnrli-  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  8.". — 114 


x  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    V. 
REMARKABLE  ASCENTS  FROM  1800  TO  1825,  INCLUDING  NAPOLEON'S  EXTRAORDINARY  OMEN. 

PAGE 

London  to  Colchester  in  45  minutes  —  Garuerin's  descent  in  a  parachute  —  Count  Zarnbeccari  and  Dr.  Grassati  fall 
into  the  Adriatic  — Scientific  experiments  at  St.  Petersburg  —  MM.  Biot  and  Gay-Lussac  —  A  second  ascent  to 
23,000  feet  —  Napoleon's  omen  —  Vincent  Lunardi  dies  in  a  convent  near  Lisbon  —  Nocturnal  excursions  —  First 
attempt  to  cross  the  Irish  Channel  —  Falling  into  the  Sea  —  Second  attempt  successful  ..  ..  ..  115 — 128 

CHAPTER    VI. 

EEMARKABLE  ASCENTS  FROM  1825  TO  1840. 

Green's  solitary  ascents  —  In  a  thunderstorm  —  Wise's  first  voyage  in  America  —  Balloon  bursting  —  Effects  of  Echo  — 
Explosion  of  Balloon  —  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graham's  Ascents  —  London  to  Leighton  Blizzard  —  London  to  Weilburg  — 
Preparations  —  Leave  England  —  Sunset  —  Crossing  the  Sea  —  Belgium  —  Furnaces  of  Liege  —  Midnight  —  "A 
rope  mistaken  for  a  river" — A  violent  concussion  —  Sound  of  rushing  waters — The  Dawn  —  Three  sunrises  — 
A  Snowy  Landscape  —  "  Thoughts  of  Central  Asia  "  —  Descent  —  The  Duchy  of  Nassau  —  "  Himmlischer 
Schnapps"  —  Weilburg  —  Paris  —  The  Summary  —  The  Parachute  in  Siam  —  A  letter  to  the  '  Morning  Herald ' 

—  Mr.  Cooking's  experiment — Afcent  —  Fatal  descent  —  Mr.  Green's  account — •Opinions  may  still  vary  —  Indian 
Chiefs  Blackhawk  and  Keokuk  the  Prophet  —  Burning   Forests  —  An  Explosion  —  Intentional  Bursting  —  "A 
storm-scene  above  the  clouds "  —  Archimedes'  "  evpr/Ka"  —  Wise's  "  Victory  "  ..          ..  ..          ..  ..      129 — 177 

CHAPTER    VII. 

EEMARKABLE  ASCENTS  FROM  1840  TO  1864. 

First  proposition  to  cross  the  Atlantic  —  A  double  Balloon  Ascent— "The  Crutches  thrown  away  "  —  the  warmth  of 
the  Valleys  reflected  —  Experience  sometimes  at  fault  —  A  Lady's  description  —  A  wind  from  West  to  East  con- 
stantly flowing  at  the  height  of  12,000  feet  —The  widow  Montgolfier  in  good  health  at  107  years  —  An  unruffled 
temper  —  A  thunder-storm  —  Colonel  John  McClellan  of  Gettysburg  —  The  Aerial  Transit  Bill  —  Naming  the 
place  of  descent  —  A  Transatlantic  project  —  enclosed  in  a  storm-cloud  —  A  Petition  to  the  United  States  Con- 
gress—  Henry  Coxwell's  first  experiments  —  Mons.  Depuis  Delcourt,  the  Editor  of  a  Parisian  Journal  —  The 
dangers  of  a  solitary  ascent  —  The  '  Aerostatic  Magazine '  —  A  gentleman  of  83  years  ascends  —  Mr.  Green's  second 
proposal  to  cross  the  Atlantic  —  The  latest  news  from  West  Chester  —  How  to  capture  the  Castle  of  Vera  Cruz 

—  Albert  Smith's  first  ascent —  Albert  Smith's  second  ascent  and  perilous  descent  —  Mr.  Coxwell's  account  of  it  — 
A  speck  in  the  horizon  —  A  view  of  Niagara  —  A  descent  ou  Lake  Erie  —  Crossing  the  Sleswig-Holstein  Frontier  — 
210  miles  in  3  hours  10  minutes  —  From  Marseilles  to  Turin  across  the  Alps  —  The  death  of  Lieut.  Gale  — 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graham  grazing  the  Great  Exhibition  meet  with  an  accident  in  Arlington-street  —  Mr.  Coxwell 
returns  from  Germany  —  Henry  Mayhew's  ascent  — Knight's  experiments  at  Bombay  —  Mr.  Coxwell's  propositions 
before  the  Crimean  War — London  to  Tavistock,  250  miles  in  5  hours  —  The  Crystal  Palace  Company  —  Ascents 
at  Melbourne  —  The  proposition  to  explore  Australia  by  balloons  —  Meeting  of  the  British  Association  in  1862 

—  Mr.  Coxwell's  zeal  is  equalled  by  Mr.  Glaisher,  the  meteorologist,  and  memorable  ascents  follow  —  The  height 
of  seven  miles  is  attained  —  '  The  Times '  leading-article  —  Mr.  Glaisher's  eight  ascents  in  1862  —  Winchester  to 
Harrow  in  66  minutes  —  "  Coasting  in  a  balloon  "  —  Meeting  of  the  British  Association   in  18G3  —  Ascent  at 
Newcastle— Nadar's  Geant — The  Champ  de  Mars  —  Descent  near  Meaux  —  Paris  to  Hanover  —  750  miles  in 
17  hours  —  Goddard's  Montgolfiere  —  Mr.  Glaisher's  five  ascents  in  1863  —  AERIAL  NAVIGATION  IN  CHINA  : 
Ascent  at  Pekin  in  1306  —  The  Chinese  aerial  equipage   in  1860  —  Methods  for  directing  —  Knowledge  of  the 
winds  —  Atmospheric  sounding-lines  —  Observations  —  Daily  transmission  of  meteorological  observations  —  Means 
and  instruments  employed  by  the  captains  to  know  the  rapidity  of  motion  and  the  direction  taken  by  the  aerostat 

—  The  improvements  that  might  be  made  by  a  knowledge  of  electricity — Presumption  of  the  Chinese  —  The 
author's  first  voyage  —  The  aerial  terminus  of  Fou  Cheou  —  The  towing-path  —  Description  of  the  Aerostat  and 
appendages  —  The  seat  for  the  watcher — The  seats  for  travellers  —  We  take  our  seats  —  The  central  cabin  —  We 
are  weighed  and  hoisted  —  Our  tackle  is  adjusted  and  we  leave  the  station  —  Travelling  companions  —  The  pastime 
of  the  ladies  —  A  consumptive  man  —  A  commercial  traveller  —  Two  officers  of  the  Imperial  Aerial  Flotilla—  The 
projected  voyage  to  the  Pole  —  Franklin's  opinion  —  Chinese  aeronauts  forbidden  to  come  to  Europe  —  A  moment 
of  alarm  —  In  the  clouds  —  The  Striker  and  the  Marker  —  The  Chinese  method  for  maintaining  an  aerostat  at 
a  given  height  without  loss  of  gas  or  ballast,  much  the  same  as  what  Meusnier  suggested  in  1783  —  Manoeuvres 
for  descending  —  The  possibility  of  applying  steam  to  this  operation  —  Experiment  of  Gilford  in  1852  —  Our  arrival 
at  the   Nant-Chang  terminus  —  The  towing   chariots  —  The  building-yard  for   the  construction  of  Aerostats  — 

"  Bureaux  de  reuseignements"  —  Our  century      ..  ..          ..          ..          ..  ..          ..          ..  j^g, .o-g 


CONTENTS.  xi 

CHAPTER   VIII. 

\V.\i: 


MM 

I!.'Vulutiiiiiary  War  —  Formation  of  ail  aerostatic  cor;  ei  —  Aerostation  with  the  armies  of  tlio  Satubro  and 

Mouse  and  tin-  Khii..  —  A  march  from  Matiberge  to  Charlcroi  —  (/'rowing  the  Meuse,  niul  the  inarch  to  Brussels 

•i  Generals  —  The  reconnaiManoe  of  Mayence  —  The  company  made  prisoners  of  war 

at  \Vur/.liiir-  —  Fimrvr..y's  iv|>ort  to  the  Convention  —  M.  Lomct's  Mtfmoire  on  the  services  that  can  bo  rendered 
to  topography  —  The  Moscow  Aerostat  —  Pn>|usitions  during  the  Crimean  War  —  '1  ho  Italian  War  —  Solferino 
•ud  Castiglione  —  The  Austrian  Engineer  Coimnittit  —  Millions  ami  their  refutation  —The  American  war- 
balloon  equipage  —  Topographical  remarks  —  The  battle  oi  Hanover  Court  House  —  Telegraphic  communication 
from  the  Balloon  —  Mr.  Low'*  project  of  crossing  the  Atlantic  ................  270 

CHAPTER    IX. 

Mr.TH«ii.s  OK  DIRECTING  AEROSTATS:  WHAT  HAS  BEES  IX>XK,  AND  SUGGESTIONS  —  AERODYNAMICS. 

Dr.  I.inlni-r's  opinion  on  the  powers  of  steam  in  resisting  fluids  —  The  opening  of  the  Atlantic  steam  navigation,  and 
the  surmise*  to  which  it  gave  rise  —  "  How  do  eels  and  snakes  move  through  water?"  —  A  classification  of  experi- 
rn.-nU  —  Hanson's  aerial  carriage  —  The  'Westminster  Itcvicw'  —  Electro-magnetism  and  gun-cotton  —  General 
Meusnier,  an  Kti-tmtT  Officer  —  The  erroneous  calculations  of  Monck  Mason  —  "The  resistance  of  fluids  is  in 
proportion  to  their  density;"  Newton  —  There  arc  instances  when  we  must  cease  to  imitate  Nature  —  A  Tabular 
Synopsis  of  the  eleven  difficulties  to  be  overcome  —  The  "  Rapport"  on  Marey-Monge's  "  Etudes  "  —  A  copper  balloon 
—  Aepinn'tives  —  Itabinet's  opinions  —  M.  Barrel's  opinion  —  Instances  of  remarkable  rapidity  in  ascending  and 
descending  —  M.  David's  '  Solution  du  probl&me  de  la  Navigation  dans  Pair,'  1864  ..........  299—  ar.-l 

CHAPTER   X. 

1   l.KLINGS    EXPERIENCED    IN   AERIAL   TBAVELLING    IN   CALM   AND   STORM. 

The  Freshman—  The  Senses  deceived  —  Flying  off  at  a  tangent  —  The  Tornado  will  not  extinguish  a  caudle—  A 
Freshman  insensible  to  the  charms  of  his  situation  —  The  translation  —  The  unseen  most  visible  —  The  remarkable 
clearness  of  outline  —  Tranquillity  of  mind  —  The  reason  for  an  absence  of  giddiness  —  The  clouds  —  Two  strata 
of  clouds  —  Colours  and  sounds  —  The  boundless  abyss  —  Gravitation  —  Floating  on  the  sea  alone,  and  far  from 
shore,  a  sensation  similar  to  a  solitary  ascent  —  The  vibrations  of  sound  —  The  zenith  of  a  Prussian-blue  —  Tin- 
diffusion  of  light  —  "Stars  appear  in  the  day,  if  a  sufficient  height  is  attained,  as  they  do  from  the  bottom  of  a 
well"  —  Hi  fleeted  heat  from  the  clouds  —  The  line  of  perpetual  snow  —  Concave  appearance  of  the  earth  —  The 
Descent  —  Skill  required  by  the  Aeronaut  —  Mr.  Green's  success  an  instance  —  Singing  in  the  ears  —  Oxygen  — 
Song  of  the  stars  —  "  The  Contrasts  "—A  cloud-scape  —  A  parhelion  —  Falling  on  one's  legs  —  Midnight  —  Falling 
into  the  Adriatic  —  Wet  clothes  frozen  above  the  clouds  —  Picked  up  by  a  smack  —  Count  Zambeccari  ;  death  in 
18112  —  A  vision  —  A  journey  six  miles  high  —  The  sight  of  130,000  square  miles  —  "  Sand  enough  and  to  spare  *  355—  :)r'.' 

CHAPTER   XI. 

CAIU<  ATI  I:K.  AND  THE  IJnm  i  I.K  THIS  Si  \\.\t  i:  HAS  txi,Ki:<ioxE. 

a  man  laughs  he  is  not  very  merry,  but  very  proud;"  HMct.  —  Cyrano  de  Bergerac  —  Making  use  of  the 
morning  mist  —  The  beauties  of  the  lunar  country  —  A  solar  being  —  A  lunar  arrest  —  Iteturns  to  Italy  —  Dean 
.ft—  Pegasus  in  harness;  Schiller.—  A  flying  visit;  Albert  Smith.  —  Pleasure  trips  for  the  people  —  Crochets 
in  the  air  —  The  Planet  Earth  —  Pallo-mieisnis  —  No  ruffling  of  butterfly's  wings  to  put  your  faiu:i<  s  to  llight  — 
Twelve  times  the  height  of  St.  Paul's  —  The  earth  went  down  !  —  Person's  skull  —  A  friend's  chamlxT  on  tin:  second 
floor  —  Half  way  down  —  Does  Boswell  say  Johnson  was  ever  in  a  balloon  ?  —  The  penny  '  Dictator  '  —  The  science 
of  ballooning  —  A  Highlander's  knowledge  of  knee-buckles—  liaising  the  wind—  Babbage's  machine  —  Waterloo 
Bridge  —  £00,000  —  Tl  u-  statue  .,l  George  III.  —  Natural,  Moral,  and  Political  Philosophy  —  Julius  Osar  and  the 
of  London  —  "  Glorious  \  i.  t..ry  "  —  The  Jewel  Office  —  Hall  of  the  Goldsmith's  Company  —  National  Gallery 
and   Newgate  —  Dig,  dig,  dig  —  Quartz  and   silica  —  £0,000,000  —  "  But   London   showed  another  sight  "  — 


Xll 


CONTENTS. 


Drawn  in  lines  of  fire  —  A  hint  for  somebody  —  Camp  and  Cabinet  divisions  —  The  Eagle  and  Child  —  Flat  as  a 
pancake  —  A  reverie  —  Histriometer  one  degree  above  the  mediocrity  point  —  The  Puffster  —  The  public  is  the 
mainstay  —  Edgar  Poe  —  Rotterdam  —  Hans  Pfall,  the  Burgomaster  —  The  Astronomical  College  —  The  moon's 
actual  distance  from  the  earth  ;  to  be  reached  in  161  days  at  the  rate  of  60  miles  an  hour  —  Life  sustained  in  a 
vacuum  —  The  cat  eyes  the  pigeons  with  an  air  of  nonchalance  —  Should  the  kittens  suffer  in  an  equal  degree  with 
their  mother  ?  —  The  shores  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean  —  Puss  makes  a  hearty  meal  — 132,000  feet,  or  25  miles  above 
the  sea — The  ice  of  the  North  Pole  —  Taking  the  line  of  this  axis,  a  height  of  7254  miles  is  reached  — Diminution 
of  the  earth's  apparent  diameter  —  The  exact  plane  of  the  lunar  eclipse  —  The  "  Bouleversement "  —  No  time  to  be 
lost  in  lightening  the  machine  —  The  earth  appears  like  a  copper  shield  —  It  is  belted  with  tropical  and  equatorial 
zones  — •  The  Dutch  Professor  drops  his  pipe  —  The  Younger  Munchausen  —  The  Roast  Duck 


390— 438 


CHAPTER    XII. 

"  PROGRESS  " ;  OR,  REVIEW  OF  THE  PAST,  AND  THE  HOPES  FOR  THE  FUTURE. 

Confucius's  types — Time  and  space  —  Man's  progress  towards  happiness  —  The  contributions  of  the  various  nations 
that  form  our  present  Commonwealth  to  this  science  —  The  origin  of  discoveries  —  The  analogy  that  exists  in  the 
development  of  any  science ;  Astronomy  taken  as  an  instance  —  Victor  Hugo's  XXme  siecle,  Plein  Mer,  Plein  Ciel 


—  Conclusion 


439—454 


APPENDIX. 


Statistics  showing  the  comparative  rarity  of  accidents,  and  the  proportion  of  ascents  among  the  various  nations  —  The 

atmosphere,  and  a  diagram  of  the  circulation  of  the  winds  round  the  globe,  and  a  "  NUMEN  LUMEN"  ..          ..     455 — 490 


GENERAL  INDEX 
CHRONOLOGICAL  INDEX  .. 
INDEX  NOMINUM 


51  f  I 
526 

528 


THE    PIIOTOZINCOGRAPHS. 

TV  •Irtcription  of  tht  ]'I<itrt  having  lxr»  inwlvtrteiitly  omitted  in  thit  edition,  the  following  Hit  of  them,  with  the  pagtl  oppotite  to 

th-y  are  jtlaced,  may  be  in  tome  degree  a  compentation  for  the  overnight. 


I  have  to  return  my  think*  for  the  very  kind  attatanet  rendered  to  thit  toork  by  Colonel  Sir  Htnry  Jamet,  ll.i:.,  l-'.l;.\, 
•tin  /lilsfi"  '.K.,  to  whom  f  am  indebted  fur  the  luccem  of  thit  divition  of  the  book. 

No. 
1  ..          ..          ..          ..          ..          ..          ..          (Frmtitpiece.) 

i.  OK  ICARUS,  A  CAUTIOS  TO  AERONAUTS.    THO'  ICARUS  FALLS,  YET  D.EDALCS  FLIES. 
la      ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facing  page        '2 

Tin  Ai:....v  VUTS.     ps'os.  1,  la,  16,  Ic,  30a  are  from  PICARD'S  Illustrations  in  the  '  TEMPLK  OF  THE 

MUSES,'  1730  A.D.] 

Quorum  simul  alba  Nantis 
Stella  refulait, 

Defluit  saxia  agitatus  humor, 
Concidunt  vcnti,  fiigiuntqiic  nubcs, 
Et  iiiinax  (quod  sic  voluere)  ponft) 

Unda  recumbit.—  Horat.  1,  Carm.  Od.  12. 

14      .  ..  ..  Facing  page       16 

•1-iniN  HI.IITS  THE  CHIM.ERA. 

Tq*  itir  Tlfiyaaff  «iX«,  KOI  faffkbs  BeXAfpfX/ximj*. 

lc      ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ••  Facing  page       10 

1'lIAETOX  STRUCK  DOWN  BY  JUPITER'S  THUNDER. 

Intonat,  ct  dextra  libratum  fulmen  ab  aure 
Misit  in  aurigam  ;  pariterque  animftque  rotisquc 
Exuit,  et  saevis  compescuit  ignibus  igncs.  —  Ovid,  Met.  2. 
'2        ..          ..          ..          ..          ..          ..          ..  ..          ..          ..          ..  Facing  page      28 

HOMO  VOLAXS  ;  xxxixth  illustration  in  the  work,  MACHINE  Nov^,  Fausti  Verantii  Siceni  cnm 
declaratione.  Latina,  Italica,  Hispaniea,  Gallica,  et  Germanica  (Venetiis)  (Consansir,  1695,  in  MS.) 
Homme  volant  avecq  un  voile  quarro  estendu  avecq  quattre  perches  egalle  et  ayant  attache 
quattre  cords  aux  qnattres  coings,  un  horame  sans  danger  se  pourra  jetter  du  haut  d'une  tour,  ou  de 
qnelquo  aultre  lieu  eminent  :  Car  encores  quo  alheure  il  naye  pas  de  vent,  1'effort  de  celuy  qui 
tombera,  a  portera  du  vent,  qui  retiendra  la  voile,  de  peur  qu'il  ne  tombe  violement,  mais  petit  & 
petit  descende  ;  1'homme  doncq  se  doiht  mesurer  avecq  la  grandeur  de  la  voile. 

3  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facing  page      34 

BARCELONA,  1678.  It  was  copied  by  the  same  artist  and  at  the  same  time  as  the  foregoing,  but 
the  reference  having  been  lost,  the  original,  which  is  certainly  in  the  British  Museum,  cannot  now 
be  found. 

4  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facing  page       44 

IU.PRESEXTATIOS  of  the  Am  BALLOON  of  M.  MoxTGOLFiER,  in  the  FIELD  OF  MABS  near  PARIS. 

This  Balloon  of  38  feet  in  Circumference,  made  of  Taffeta  covered  with  Elastic  Gum  and  filled 
with  Inflammable  Air  drawn  from  Iron  by  means  of  Vitriolic  Acid,  rose  of  itself,  the  27th  August, 
1  783,  at  5  o'clock  in  the  evening,  in  Presence  of  more  than  300,000  People. 

5  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facing  page      56 

GENERAL  ALARM  of  the  INHABITANTS  of  Gonesse,  occasioned  by  the  Fall  of  the  -i»r  Balloon  of 
Afr.  Montgoljier. 

The  Balloon  previously  described  rose  in  heavy  rain  above  the  clouds  ;  "  It  is  presumed  that  it 
was  carried  to  the  height  of  more  than  20,000  feet,  when  it  burst  by  the  reaction  of  the  Inflammable 
Gas  upon  the  Atmospheric  Air  ;  it  fell  at  three-quarters  past  five  near  Gonesse,  10  miles  from  the 
Champ  de  Mars.  The  affrighted  inhabitants  ran  together,  and  two  Monks  having  assured  them  it 
was  the  skin  of  a  Monstrous  Animal,  they  attacked  it  with  stones,  pitch-forks,  and  flails,  the  Curate 
of  the  Village  was  obliged  to  attend  in  order  to  remove  the  fears  of  his  astonished  Parishioiien.  At 
last  they  tied  to  the  Tail  of  a  Horse  the  finest  Instrument  that  was  ever  made  for  an  Experiment  in 
Natural  Philosophy,  and  trailed  it  across  the  fields  more  than  6000  fui  t.  ' 


xiv  PHOTOZINCOGRAPHS. 

No. 
(i        ...          ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  -•  Facing  page       72 

A  MONSIEUR  DE  FAUJAS  DE  ST.  FOND,  DE  PLUSIEURS  ACADEMIES. 

Experience  Aerostatique  faite  a  Versailles  le  19  Septembre,  1783,  eu  presence  de  leurs  Majestes, 
de  la  Famille  Eoyale,  et  de  plus  de  130  mille  spectateurs,  par  Messrs,  de  Montgolfier,  avec  im  Ballon 
de  57  pieds  de  hauteur,  sur  41  de  diametre. 

Cette  superbe  machine,  a  fond  d'azur,  avec  le  chiffre  du  Eoi  et  divers  ornements  en  couleur 
d'or,  deplagoit  37,500  pieds  cubes  d'air  atmospherique,  pesant  3192  livres,  mais  la  vapeur  dont  on  la 
remplissoit,  pesant  moitie  moins  que'l'air  commun,  il  restoit  uno  rupture  dequilibre  de  159C  livres 
sur  quoi  la  machine  et  la  cage  ou  6toit  un  mouton,  un  coq  et  un  canard,  pesant  ensemble  900,  et  ce 
poid  devant  6tre  soustrait,  le  Ballon  auroit  pu  enlever  encore  696  livres.  A  une  heure  un  coup  de 
canon  annon9a  qu'on  alloit  remplir  la  machine ;  onze  minutes  apves,  un  second  coup  apprit  quelle 
etoit  pleine,  et  un  troisieme  qu'elle  alloit  partir;  elle  s'eleva  alors  majestueusement  a  une  grande 
hauteur,  a  la  surprise  des  spectateurs  et  au  bruit  des  acclamations  publics.  Elle  se  soutient  quelque 
terns  en  equilibre  et  descendit  lentement  huit  minutes  apres,  a  1700  toises  de  distance  du  point  de 
son  depart,  dans  le  bois  de  Vaucresson,  Carrefour  Marechal ;  le  mouton,  le  coq,  et  le  canard 
n'eprouverent  pas  la  plus  legere  incommodit^. 

7  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ••  Facing  page       S2 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  THE  SAMK  EXPERIMENT  IN  THE  EUROPEAN  MAGAZINE. 

8  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facing  page     104 

EXPERIENCE  DE  LA  MACHINE  AEROSTATIQUE  DE  M.  MONTGOLFIER,  AU  CHATEAU  DE  LA  MUETTE,  LE 
21  NOVEMBRE,  1783. 

Le  Giel  etoit  couvert  en  partie  de  nuages :  a  midi  8  ruin,  on  a  annonce  en  tirant  une  boe'te,  qu'on 
alloit  remplir  la  Machine;  8  min.  apres,  elle  e"toit  prete  a  partir;  M.  le  Marquis  d'Arlandes  et 
M.  Pilatre  de  Eozier  se  sont  mis  dans  la  galerie.  On  1'a  d'abord  laisse  enlever  par  forme  d'essai,  en 
la  soutenant  avec  des  cordes,  mais  s'etant  dirigee  sur  une  des  allees  du  Jardin,  elle  a  souifert  plusieurs 
d^chirures  qui  ont  ete  reparees  en  moins  de  2  heures.  A  1  heure  54  min.  elle  est  partie,  portant  les 
memes  personnes ;  etant  environ  250  pieds  de  haut,  ces  MM.  ont  salue  les  spectateurs  en  baissant  le 
chapeau.  Ce  spectacle  etait  majestueux  et  attendrissant ;  la  machine  a  monte  a  trois  mille  pieds 
environs.  Tout  Paris  a  pu  la  voir  traversant  la  Seine  et  passant  entre  1'Ecole  Militaire  et  les 
Invalides ;  les  voyageurs  voulant  borner  leur  course,  ont  laisse  descendre  la  machine,  mais  le  vent 
les  dirigeant  sur  les  maisons  de  la  rue  de  Sevres,  Faub.  St.  Germ.,  ils  se  sont  releves  pour  traverser 
Paris;  ensuite  ils  sont  descendu  tranquillement  dans  la  campagne  du  nouveau  Boulevard.  En 
25  minutes  ils  ont  parcouru  2  lieues  saus  eprouver  aucune  incommodite".  La  machine  a  70  pieds  de 
haut,  46  de  diametre,  contenant  6000  pieds  cubes;  elle  est  de  toile  de  coton  gommee;  le  poids 
qu'elle  a  enleve^  est  de  1700. 

!'        ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facing  page     116 

FRANCOIS  PILATRE  DE  EOZIER. 

President  of  the  Museum  established  at  Paris  in  1781  under  the  Patronage  of  Monsieur  and 
Madame ;  Inspector  of  the  Cabinet  of  Physick,  Chymistry,  and  Natural  History  of  Monsieur ; 
Secretary  of  the  Cabinets  of  Madame ;  Pensioner  of  the  King ;  Member  of  several  National  and 
Foreign  Academies,  and  an  honorary  Member  of  the  Thornville  or  Balloon  Club  of  London.  From 
an  Original  Picture  in  the  possession  of  Colonel  Thornton  (being  the  only  Portrait 'he  would  ever 
permit  to  be  painted)  by  whose  desire  it  is  engraved,  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  that  great  man. 
Francois  Pilatre  de  Eozier,  the  FIRST  AERONAUT,  was  born  at  Metz  on  the  30th  March,  1756.  In 
1782  he  performed  the  experiment  described  in  the  Picture  of  inspiring  and  expiring  inflammable 
air  before  the  Eoyal  Family  at  Paris,  and  repeated  the  same  experiment  in  London  on  May  27th, 
1785,  before  the  Members  of  the  Balloon  Club.  On  the  14th  of  June,  1785,  M.  Pilutre  de  Eozier, 
accompanied  by  M.  do  Eomain,  ascended  with  his  Balloon  from  Boulogne  with  an  intention  to  cross 
the  Channel  to  England.  At  an  elevation  of  3600  feet  the  inflammable  air  took  fire  and  exploded 
the  Balloqn,  which  descended  with  such  an  accelerated  velocity  as  to  crush  the  unfortunate 
adventurers. 


['H()T()/iNC()(;i;.\rns.  XT 

N 

Hi  ..  ..  Facingpage     126 

KM  viiyrt..  ili'ili.'  ii  Monsieur  Charles. 

i  'die  ui.irliiiir  r.st  i,  |  •  vant  pour  la  secondo  foin  au  milieu  do  la  1'niirio  do  Nesle, 

on  il  vfii"it  do  descend  re,  acconipagno'  de  XI.  Robert  et  en  presence  de  Mgr.  le  Due  do  ('hurtres, 
M.  le  Duo  de  FitzJames,  et  de  M.  Farer,  Gentilhomrae  Anglois.     M.  Robert  prcsente  le  Prooe*- 

il  u  signer  aux  <  'MI> •>  .lll..louville  et  de  Nesle. 
11  ..  ..  facing  page     140 

M.  Ciivi:i.i-,  l'i;oKES80R  OF  NATURAL  PHILOSOPHY. 
pj  ....  Facing  page     IbO 

Tin:  K\in:i-l:iMN'.  I.i  NAKM'S  (.;I:A\I.  AlR-BALLOOS. 
i:;  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facingpage     ITU 

Vi\.i\r    I. IN  M.I.I,  Secretary  to  the  late   Neapolitan  Ambassador,  First  AKRIAL  TKAVKI.I.KH  in 
ll..ii..r:n-y  M.-mber  of  the  Honourable  Artillery  Company  of  the  City  of  London,  and 
Kuv:il  Aii-hi-r  nf  Scotland. 
II  ......  Facing  page     1  > ! 

IA  AiROsrATiQUE  faite  a  Lyon  le  19  Janvier,  1784,  a  midi  48  minutes,  avec  tin  Ballon 

de  100  pied«  do  diunu'tre,  sur  118  :  do  haut  il  s'est  eleve  &  la  hauteur  de  1400  Toiseu,  et  a  et6  vu  de 
1  J  lifues  k  la  ronde ;  et  il  a  fait  1'admiration  de  tons  lea  spectateurs.    II  a  descendu  dans  une  prairie, 

|--ii  uluigiie  de  son  depart 

Ix>reque,  il'un  front  majcstucux 
Qu'embcllissoit  la  modtstie, 
MONTGOIJTIER  g'eleva  prts  du  g^jour  des  Dicux, 
•  II  approchoit  de  sa  patric. 

V.iyageure  Aeriens:— M.   Montgolfier,  inventeur;    M.  Pilastre  du  Rozier;  Lo  Prince  Charles, 
lil-  .lu  i'liiico  de  Ligne;  M.  le  Comte  d'Anglefort,  Lieut-Col.  d'Inf.,  Chevalier  do  S.  Louis;   M. 
le  Cotnte  de   Laurencin,  Chevalier  de  S.  Louis;  M.  le  Comte  de  Dampiere,  OfiScier  aux  Gardes 
Francais  ;  M.  Fontaine,  coopdrateur  z61e. 
1.")  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facingpage     IW 

M  v<  IIISK  AKitosTATiQUE  de  cent  vingt  pieds  de  hauteur  sur  cent  de  diamotre,  construite  a  Lyon, 
avec  uiio  .Miveloppe  formee  par  trois  papiers  entre  deux  canevas,  ot  un  filet  qui  enveloppoit  le  tonr 
et  retenoit  la  gallerie  ;  sur  la  surface  6toient  representes  diverges  alegories.  Cette  machine,  faito  sous  la 
direction  de  M.  de  Montgolfier  1'aine  en  veitu  d'une  Souscription,  s'est  elevee  le  19  Janvier,  1784,  a 
|>n\s  de  deux  mille  cinq  cent  pieds  de  hauteur;  portant  avec  elle  M.  de  Montgolfier  1'aine,  M.  Pilatre 
de  h'n/icr,  M.  Le  Prince  Charles  De  Ligne,  M.  le  Comte  de  la  Porte  d'Anglefort,  M.  le  Comte  de 
l.iiiiiciu  in,  M.  le  Comte  de  Dampiere,  et  M.  Fontaine  de  Lyon,  zele  cooperateur.  Sa  direction  fut 
verticale  et  parvint  a  sa  plus  grando  hauteur  en  13  minutes  de  terns ;  alors,  s'etant  fait  une  ddchirement 
a  1'enveloppe,  cette  machine  resta  un  instant  stationnaire,  et  descendit  ensuite  assez  promptement 
dans  une  prairie  aux  environs  de  Lyon,  sans  qu'aucun  des  nouveaux  argonautes  cut  epronvc  la 
niuindrt-  iixiMiimoditu.  Jamais  scene  ne  fut  plus  touchante  que  1'accueil  et  les  acclamations  qui  furent 
faites  aux  voyagenre,  et  surtout  les  embrassements  r&torees  du  Prince  de  Ligne  et  de  son  Fils.  Le  soir, 
a  la  t '.  .iii.'.li.-.  il  fut  jou6  une  Cantade  a  1'honneur  de  M.  de  Montgolfier,  qui  fut  couronne",  lui  et  ses 
compagnons  de  Voyage,  dans  la  Logo  de  1'Intendance ;  tous  les  habitans  de  la  Ville  de  Lyon  et  plus 
•  I-  t  rente  mille  etrangers  qui  y  violent  venus  de  toutes  parts  furent  t^moins  de  cette  belle  experience. 

This  was  an  Engraving  of  the  same  event  done  at  Paris. 

Hi  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facingpage     210 

LK  Noi-vK.vf  JKI   M.-  P.AI  I...NS  AEROSTATlgl 'i.~  A  i.'r-  V.K  i>w  ESPRITS  ^LEVfa. 

Comlnnaison. — Ce  Jeu,  comme  celui  du  Juif,  s'execute  avec  deux  dez  et  les  jettons,  du  prix  des- 
ijiiols  on  convient :  on  eu  met  chacun  huit  sur  le  No.  1,  avant  de  commencer  la  partie  ;  quo  1'on  paye 
on  .[HI-  1'un  recoil  siiivunt  li-.«.  n^K-jj  inscrites  uu  Las  de  cliaijiu-  can,  et  si  Ton  excede  le  nombre  !•'!, 
on  retrogradera  d'autunt  de  poin 


xvi  PHOTOZINCOGBAPHS. 

No. 

17 ..  ..  Facing  page    222 

COUNT  ZAMBECCARI'S  BALLOON,  1785. 

18        ..  ..  Facing  page    234 

TOUE  DE  CALAIS. 

Nouvelle  Machine  Aerostatique  construite  par  Mr.  Eomain,  par  ordre  du  Gouvernement, 
destined  a  faire  le  passage  de  France  en  Angleterre,  conjointment  avec  M'.  Pilatre  de  Eozier. 

19  ..  ..          ..  ..  ..          ..          ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facing  page    246 

BLANCHARD'S  28ra  FAHRT  zu  NURNBERG,  1787, 

20  ..          ..  ..  ..          ..          ..  ..  ..  ..  ..          ..  Facing  page    254 

LA  MINERVE,  an  advertisement  of  Robertson's. 

21  ..  ..          ..          ..          ..  ..          ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facing  page    262 

THE  ASCENT  OF  MR.  SADLER  AND  CAPTAIN  PAGET  FROM  HACKNEY,  AUGUST,  1811.     From  a  drawing 
on  the  spot. 
22 Facingpage    270 

THE  VILLAGE  OF  SEAL,  NEAR  SEVENOAKS,  KENT,  where,  on  the  23rd  August,  1825,  at  0  P.M., 
M.  P.  COMILLOT  established  the  principle  of  sailing  in  an  horizontal  direction  at  any  required  point 
of  elevation. 

23  : Facingpage    282 

THE  BATTLE  OF  FLEURUS. 

24  ..          ..  ..          ..  ..  ..  ..  ..          ..  ..  ..  Facingpage    312 

THE  FIRST  CARRIAGE  OF  THE  AERIAL  TRANSIT  COMPANY. 

25 Facingpage    362 

A  BALLOON  VIEW  OF  THE  DERBY  IN  1846. 

26  ..  ..          ..          ..  ..  .,          ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facingpage    398 

AEROSTATION  OUT  AT  ELBOWS  ;  OR,  THE  ITINERANT  AERONAUT. 

Behold  a  hero,  comely,  tall,  and  fair ! 

His  only  food  phlogisticated  air ! 

Now  on  the  wings  of  mighty  winds  he  rides ! 

Now  torn  thro'  hedges ! — dash'd  in  ocean's  tides ! 

Now  drooping  roams  about  from  town  to  town, 
Collecting  pence  t'  innate  his  poor  balloon; 
Pity  the  wight,  and  something  to  him  give, 
To  purchase  gas  to  keep  his  frame  alive. 

27  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facingpage    412 

NEW  PRINCIPLES  ;  OK,  THE  MARCH  OF  INVENTIONS  :  a  Caricature  of  1828. 

Facingpage    434 
THE  CHAMBER  OF  GENIUS. 

29  ..  ....  Facingpage    43(i 

TRYING  ENPERIMENTS. 

30  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  Facingpage     444 

THE  GROWTH  OF  SCIENCES  FROM  ADAH  AND  EVE  TO  THE  INVENTION  OF  THE  BALLOON,  1783.    [Frontis- 
piece to  the  1st  edit,  of  the  '  Encyclopedia  Britannica.'] 
..  ..  ..  ..          ..  ..  ..  Facingpage    480 

ATLAS  SUPPORTING  THE  HEAVENS  ON  HIS  SHOULDERS. 

Lajvaquc  a  parte  Medusaj 
Ipse  retro  versus  squalentia  prodidit  ora 
Quantus  erat,  mons  factus  Atlas.     .  .  . 

Et  omne 
Cum  tot  sideribus  coslum  requievit  in  illo. 

Oaiil.  Met.  4. 


I         NVl'i 


POUT  II. \  ITS. 


\ 

;',  1  ..  ..  ..  ••  Facing  page     4(>2 

I.   M.I.i  M  u-.t.'Uis  D'ARI-ASDKS.     Premier  Navigateur  Aerien. 
•_'.  J>iv  in  riiAi:n:i>,  father  of"  Louis  Philippe." 

M.  ( ;  M:M  KIN.  the  First  to  descend  in  a  Parachute.    This  sketch  was  drawn  by  Edward  Ilawke 

Locker,  on  an  aerial  voyage  in  1802. 
4.  DR.  J.'  in  American  who  accompanied  Blanchard  in  the  first  voyage  across  the  Channel. 

;;•_!  ..  ..  ..  ••  ••  ••  Facing  page     4<>2 

:..  .U  vs   PUI:I:K  Iti  \N, HARD.     The  first  Aerial  Mariner,  Citizen  of  Calais,  and  Pensioner  of  the 
Fr.-n.-h  King,  born  at  Andely  in  Normandy,  the  4th  July,  1753.     In  his  sixth  Aerial  Voyage 
h.    .-roused  the  Straits  between  Dover  and  Calais;  he  left  Dover  Castle  on  the  7th  January. 
.  at  one  o'clock  at  noon,  and  descended  at  a  quarter  before  three  at  Guignes  in  France, 
where  a  Pyramid  is  erected  to  his  honour,  and  the  place  by  the  King's  order  is  to  be  called 
"  The  Canton  of  Blanchard." 
»!.  MONS.  CHAHI.KS.     The  inventor  of  the  Gas  Balloon. 

7.  Mi:.  HAMITOX. 

8.  ROBKRT  COCKING,  who  lost  his  life  at  Lee  in  Kent,  by  descending  with  his  Parachute  from  the 

Nassau  Balloon,  24th  July,  1837. 

33        ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ••  Facing  page     I'i'J 

9.  TIBKRIUS  CAVALLO,  F.R.S.,  Author  of  the  "  History  of  Aerostation  in  1785." 
I".  Mi>.  S\..K.  the  first  English  lady  who  made  an  aerial  voyage. 

11.  CH.M-.I .1.-  CIIKKJJ  (who  made  526  ascents  without  any  serious  accident,  and  is  still  living,  aged 

84  years). 

12.  EDWARD  SPENCER  (who  made  many  ascents  with  Mr.  Green,  and  was  with  him  on  the  occasion  of 

.Mr.  Cocking's  parachute  experiment). 

.",1  Facing  page    462 

i:».  To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Chancellor,  the  Rev.  the  Vice-Chancellor,  the  Rev.  the  Proctors, 
the  Rev.  the  Heads  of  Colleges  and  Halls,  with  their  respective  Societies,  this  Engraving  of 
Mi:.  SADLER  (the  first  English  aeronaut)  is  respectfully  dedicated,  etc.,  by  James  Roberts. 
Oxford,  1785. 

14.  TIIK  i  w.i  MONI.;OI.HU:S.     Inventors  of  the  Balloon. 

I.").  .1  \\ii.^  CI.AIMIKR,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  the  meteorologist. 

16.  HENRY  COKWELL,  Esq.  (who  has  made  5110  ascents). 

::.".       Facing  page    402 

From  left  to  right 

1.  \\.\l. in:  I'ltll'KAUX,  Esq. 

2.  —  HOLMNS,  F.sq.,  R.A. 
:!.  \V.  M.  .IAMK.  Ksq. 

4.  ROBKRT  HOLLAND,  Esq.,  M.I'. 


MAWS,  Esq. 


6.  Cn.u:i.K>  (liiKi.x,  Esq. 


The  Nassau  Party  in  1636. 


(     xviii     ) 


VIGNETTES. 


The  photograph  is  from  a  sepia  drawing,  copied  from 
a  wood  engraving  executed  by  Dalziel  and  designed 
by  Mr.  John  Linton Dedication  page 


No. 


1.  Jupiter  Tonans.     Antique  Greek  gem  in  a  cabinet  at 

Turin,  original  size,  from  the  Worsley  gems  . .  Title  page 


CHAPTER  I. 
2.  The  Early  Britons' Coracle    ..      .. 


CHAPTER  II. 


3.  Sculpture        

4.  Painting 

5.  Architecture 

6.  The  Ethereal  Plain         

7.  Aurora 

8.  Astolpho  and  St.  John 

9.  Sorceries 

10.  Kai  Kaoos,  King  of  Persia 

11.  Mons.  Besnier 

12.  Jesuit  Father  Lana's  Proposition 

13.  The  Portuguese  Experiment 

14.  The  Art  of  Flying  Burlesqued  (from  an  old  print) 

CHAPTER  III. 

15.  Initial  Letter  A      

16.  "  G'a'lum  ipsum  petimus  stultitia"       

CHAPTER  IV. 

17.  Elves  and  Thistle-Down 


PAGE 
3 


o, 

6 

6 

8 

12 

18 

27 

31 

32 

34 

35 

36 


39 

84 


113 


18. 


CHAPTER  V. 
Jacob's  Dream 128 

CHAPTER  VI. 

19.  Night  Voyage  to  Nassau       146 

20.  Parachutes 159,  160 

21.  The  Coal  Strata  177 


CHAPTER  VII. 

NO.                                                                                                                       .  PA6K 

22.  Eagle  and  Eaven 188 

23.  The  Winchester  Ascent         242 

24.  Car  of  Nadar's  Balloon  ..      257 

25.  Godard's  Montgolfiere,  L'Aigle     269 

26.  The  Initial  Letter  A — boat  with  Japanese  Flag ..      ..  271 

27.  The  Chinese  Aerostat 273 

28.  The  Fish-Balloon 278 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

29.  The  Eagle  and  Child     279 

30.  French  War-Balloon,  1794   ..      281 

31.  American  War-Balloon,  1862-4 292 

32.  "I'll  put  a   girdle   round   about  the  earth  in  forty 

minutes"— exit  Puck        299 

CHAPTER  IX. 

33.  A  group  of  Experiments        310 

34..  The  interior  of  the  Nautilus-shell        333 

35.  Mons.  Nadar's  Ideas      ..      ..      341 

36.  Mons.  de  la  Landelle's  Ideas 346 

37.  M.  David's  Sailing  Aerostat 349 

38.  M.  David's  mechanically  propelled  Aerostat        . .      . .  351 

39.  M.  Dessen's  Bath   ..      354 


CHAPTER  X. 


40.  The  Flying  Fish  and  Nautili 

41.  Wild  Ducks  and  Tortoise 


382 
389 


CHAPTER  XI. 

42.  The  Morning  Dew          391 

43.  "  Obstantes  findit  nebulas  " 438 

44.  A  Footprint  of  the  Past         440 

CHAPTER  XII. 

45.  Earth,  water,  air,  fire 441 

46.  A  Glimpse  of  the  Future       453 

47.  The  Angel  and  Child 454 

48.  Pegasus  Volans       465 

APPENDIX. 

49.  Phryxus  and  Helle         477 

50.  The  Owl 478 

51.  Lux  oritur       484 


It  is  a  very  pleasing  -duty  to  acknowledge  my  obligations  for  the  designs  of  some  of  the  Vignettes  that  illustrate  this 
,  to  my  friend?,  Miss  Johns,  Captain  Archer,  60th  Rifles,  and  Charles  Fairfield,  of  P.  C.  0.  Rifle  Brigade. 
Nos.  3,  4,  5,  and  47,  are  the  well-known  designs  of  Kaulbach. 
No.  18  is  also  a  German  design,  by  Bd. 

Messrs.  Dalziel  engraved  the  larger  half,  and  the  others  were  executed  by  Mr.  Whymper,  Mr.  Pearson,  Mr.  Petherwick, 
M.  Dumont,  of  Paris. 


SlIJSCRIBERS. 


TIIK  ROYAL  LIBRARY,  WINDSOR  CASTLE. 
1  .  M.  Ill>  UtiVAI.  I1ICHNKSS  THE  DUKE  OF  CAMBRIDGE,  K.G. 


ABBOTT,  Colonel  J.,  Bengal  Ariill 

ABBOTT,  General  Sir  FREDERICK,  C.B. 

ABBOTT,  Major-General  SAUNDERS. 

ABKRCROMBY,  The  Hon.  JOBS,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own 

Rifle  Brigade. 

ALGAR,  Captain,  tiOth  Rifle* 
AMIIKILST,  EarL 

-   \ ,  Marquis  of. 
ARBITHNOT,  ARTHUR,  Esq.,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own 

Iiitlf  Brigade. 
ARCHER,  Captain  LAWRENCE. 

i.i.,  Duke  of,  K.T. 
ARKWRIOHT,  FERDINAND,  Esq. 
ATKINSON,  K,  Esq. 
ATTYE,  Miss. 
\*>  I.KSKOI:I>,  Karl  of. 


BAILLIE,  Mrs.,  E.  C.  C. 

BAIN,  Mr.,  Bookseller,  1,  Haymarket.     Two  Copies. 

BAINBRIGGE,  WILLIAM, Esq.,  Wolvesey  Palace,  Winchester. 

BARNE,  FREDERICK,  Esq. 

BEAUMONT,  Captain  FREDERICK,  Royal  Engineers. 

BERNKRS,  — ,  Esq. 

BERTRAND,  Mons.,  Nenilly. 

BI.ACKETT,  CHARLES,  Esq.,  The  Prince  Consort's   Own 

Rifle  Brigade. 

BOLTON,  Captain,  12th  Regiment 
BOOTH,  SCLATER,  Esq.,  M.I'. 
BOSWELL,  J.,  Esq.,  Royal  Horse  Guards. 
BOULTON,  W..  Esq. 
BOYLE,  GERALD,  Esq.,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own  Rifle 

Brigade. 

BOYLE,  Hon.  G.  F.,  M.I'. 
BRAIIAM,  AUGUSTUS,  Esq. 


I'.i:  VMI,  JAMES,  Esq. 

BRAND,  Mrs.     Four  Copies. 

BROOKE,  H.  L.,  Esq.,  Royal  Horse  Guards. 

BROWNLOW,  Mrs. 

BROWNLOW,  The  Earl. 

BUCKLEY,  CHARLES,  Esq.,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own  Rifle 

Brigade. 

BURNABY,  E.,  Esq.,  Royal  Horse  Guards. 
BURRELL,  WILLOUQHBY,  Esq.,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own 

Rifle  Brigade. 
BUSHE,  JOHN,  Esq.,  The  Albany. 


CALTHORPE,  Hon.  AUGUSTUS. 

CAMPBELL,  WALTER  8.,  Esq.,  The  Prince  Consort's  Owu 

Rifle  Brigade. 

CARUS,  Rev.  Canon,  Winchester. 
CARTWRIGHT,  Rev.  W.  B. 
CAVENDISH,   Lord  EDWARD,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own 

Rifle  Brigade. 
CECIL,  Lord  ADELBERT,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own  Rifl«- 

Brigade. 

CHAFMAN,  Rev.  CHARLES,  Acrise  Rectory. 
CHOLMELEY,  Sir  MONTAGUE,  Bart,,  M.P. 
CHOLMLKY,  Mrs. 
COCHRANE,  BAILLIE,  Esq.,  M.P. 
CORBET,  ARTHUR,  Esq.,  2nd  Queen's. 
CORRY,  Dr.,  Belfest. 

COXWELL,  HENRY,  Esq.,  Aeronaut.     Five  Copies. 
COKWELL,  J.  EDWARD,  Esq. 
CRAVEN,  EarL 
CURLING,  JOSEPH  J.,  Esq. 
CURZON,  Captain  GEORGE  A.,  2nd  Life  Guards. 
Cusr,  General  Hon.  Sir  EDWARD,  K.C.H. 
COST,  Hon.  ADELBERT. 

c  2 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


DARTMOUTH  Earl  of. 

DEANE,  Major,  18th  Regiment. 

DEEDES,  JOHN,  Esq. 

DESBOROUGH,  Captain,  Sunninghill. 

DICK-LAUDER,  T.  N.,  Esq.,  60th  Bines. 

DIXON,  Miss  A. 

DRUMMOND,  ANDREW,  Esq. 

BUNCOMBE,  Sir  PHILIP  PAUNCEFORT,  Bart. 

DUNDAS,  ROBERT,  Esq.,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own  Rifle 

Brigade. 
DUNDAS,  Colonel  PHILIP. 


EATON,  HENRY  W.,  Esq. 

EFFINGHAM,  Earl  of. 

EGERTON,   ALFRED,    Esq.,   The    Prince    Consort's    Own 

Rifle  Brigade. 

EGERTON,  Sir  PHILIP  GREY,  Bart.,  M.P. 
ELLIS,  E.  SHIPLEY,  Esq. 
ELLIS,  — ,  Esq. 
ELRINGTON,  Colonel,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own  Rifle 

Brigade. 

ENTWISLE,  J.,  Esq.,  Wolhays. 
EXETER,  Marquis  of,  K.G. 


FAIRFIELD,   CHARLES,  Esq.,  the    Prince  Consort's   Own 

Rifle  Brigade. 
FARNCOMB,  Colour-Serjeant,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own 

Rifle  Brigade. 
FOLEY,  Lady  EMILY. 
FORBES,  ALEXANDER,  Esq. 
FREKE,  Hon.  W.  EVA.NS. 
FROST,  Mr.  WILLIAM. 


GILMOUR,  W.  L.,  Esq.,  Melton  Mowhray. 

GLASHIER,  JAMES,  Esq.,  F.R.S. 

GLYN,  Captain  J.  P.  C.,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own  Rifle 

Brigade. 

GODDARD,  AMBROSE,  Esq.,  M.P. 
GOMM,  General  Sir  WILLIAM,  G.C.B.,  $  M. 
GRAHAM,  REGINALD,  late  Captain,  The  Prince  Consort's 

Own  Rifle  Brigade. 
GREEN,  Major  ANDREW,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own  Rifle 

Brigade. 


GREENT,  CHARLES,  Esq.,  Aeronaut. 

GREENWOOD,  Mrs. 

GREENWOOD,  Colonel. 

GREENWOOD,  Colonel  GEORGE. 

GREGORY,  Sir  GLYNNE  E.  WKI.BY,  Bart. 

GREGORY,  J.  SHERWIN,  Esq.,  Harlaxton  Manor. 

GRINFIELD,  Rev.  THOMAS,  Clifton. 

GROVEU,  C.  E.,  Esq. 

GROVER,  Lieutenant,  Royal  Engineers. 

GUMMEN,  Mdlle. 


HALLIDAY,  The  Rev.  W.  S.,  Glenthorne. 

HAMBRO,  The  Baroness. 

HARLAND,  CHARLES,  Esq. 

HARNESS,  Rev.  WILLIAM,  Kensington  Gore. 

HASTINGS,  Marquis  of. 

HATTON,  Lady  LOUISA  FINCH. 

HAWLEY,  Sir  JOSEPH,  Bart. 

HAYES,  Sir  SAMUEL,  Bart,  2nd  Life  Guards. 

HEALE,  Dr.,  Winchester. 

HERBERT,  Lady  LUCY. 

HEYSHAM,  W.  N.,  Esq. 

HILBERS,  Dr.,  Brighton. 

HILDYARD,  Rev.  JAMES,  B.D.,  Ingoldsby  Rectory. 

HILL,  P.  G.,  Esq. 

HOLAH,  H.,  Esq. 

HOLLOND,  ROBERT,  Esq.,  Cannes. 

HOLT,  VESEY,  Esq. 

HOPETOUN,  The  Earl  of. 

HOPKINS,  MANLEY,  Esq.,  Hawaiian  Consul. 

HORSFORD,  Colonel  Sir  ALFRED,  K.C.B.,  D.A.G. 


INGELOW,  W.  H.,  Esq. 
ISHAM,  Sir  CHARLES,  Bart. 


JAMES,  Colonel  Sir  HENRY,  R.E.,  F.R.S. 

JOHNS,  Rev.  C.  A.,  B.A.,  F.L.S. 

JOHNS,  Miss. 

JONES,  HELSHAM,  Captain,  Royal  Engineers. 


KN,,\.  r^.t.iiiu    r~  C.   Tl 


I'mio-   r.msort's   Own    Kill-- 


r,  Mo*l  kSDK,  l.i.-nt..  K..V.I!   Kni;iir 

LAWI  v  \\.  II.  I'-un  - )..  M.l*. 

I. KM  IK  fai'tain  TII..MA-.  i' nd  Lit'.-  Guards. 

l.l.-l  IK,  t'llAKI.I.-.    }•]-<[..    M.I'. 

LIM»AY,  I.ady  JANE. 
LOBEBY,  E.  T..  Esq. 


M     ;  iix.u.i'.  Mrs. 

M  v  i  atUM,  Mi>.  I"..  Ai.  hiiaddy  ( 'astlo. 

MA.-KK.N/IK   I.ady  Mm:. 

..  VV.  A.,  K-,..  M.I1. 

M  CM  !    K,  Ai  in   •  .  i:-i..  .'.'.'ili  K.'trt.  Madras  Infantry. 
M    DH  vi.P,  (;<-n,Tiil  Sir  J..HX.  K.t'.H.  ^. 

( '.  .loncl. 

MAI  11  AM.,  Miss  Fuu.ra. 

MAKTISO,  FRKDERICK,  Esq.,  Leamington.     7Voo  Copies. 
M  vs'MX.;,  Mrs. 
MAKKIIVM,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  late   Kifle   Brigade  and 

Coldstrvam  Guards. 
M  VKIUOTT,  Rev.  W.  B.,  Eton  College. 
\l\un  \l   v  i.  Mi. us.,  Park. 
M  v \WELL,  Hon.  M. 
Mll.Dl.ETOS,  Lady. 
Mir.ni'.:  ~i.  l.'.-v.  .1..  t'..lst.-1-w..nli. 
Mp  v  A" I  KU.  I,. ml. 
\]   UK,  Miss  HARRIET. 
MURRAY,  Miss  LOUISA. 
M   ~.UAVK.  Captain,   The   Prince   Consort's  Own   Rifle 

Brigade. 


N      \r.,  Mons.,  Aeronaut,  Paris. 

NKVILLE,  THOMAS,  Esq.,  Chilland. 

NEWDIQATE,   Major,   The   Prince   Consort's    Own   Rifle 

Brigade. 

NICHOLL,  J.  C.,  Esq.,  Merthyr  Mawr. 
NI.'IIOLL,  Mrs. 
NKHOLL,   Captain,   The    Prince    Consort's    Own    Rifle 

Brigade. 


N-l.          i  u.  K,  Esq. 

\    :  in.    lluii.  CIIM-MS  Tin'  Priii.-.    »  '..M«..I  l's  own   I,  ill. 
Brigade. 


ORPORD,  Earl  of. 

OSDOUM.  li'.-v.  Ci. IK. i.  Slainly  l(i-i-l..ry. 
OSTLEK,  WlI.l.lAM,  K»q.,  (Jralitliaiu. 


<'aptain.    The    Prince    Consort's    Own    Rifle 
Brigade.     1\oo  Copies. 


PAKKNIIAH,  Captaiu,  Grenadier 

PAKIN.ITOS,  Right  Hon.  Sir  .Ions.  Unit..  M.l'. 

PAKINGTOX,  Joux,  Esq. 

PALMERSTON,  The  Viscount.  K.'i. 

PARR,  THOMAS  ROWARTII,  Esq.,  The  l'i  in. •<•  <  '..nsi.rt's  ( i\vn 

Rifle  Brigade. 
PAYNTER,  Major  GEORO^ 
I'KXXISOTON,  Hon.  ALAS. 
PIERCK,  \\  II.I.IAM,  Esq. 
Powis,  Earl  of. 

Powis,  Countess  of.     Too  Copies. 
PROVOST  of  ETO.X,  Rev.  the. 


RIDOE,  LAURENCE,  Esq.,  Grantham. 

ROBBIXS,  General,  $  Wi. 

ROBBIXS,  Mrs. 

ROMER,  Major-General. 

ROSSE,  Earl  of,  F.R.S.,  K.P.,  ETC. 

ROTHVEX,  Lord,  The  Prince  Consort's  Own  Rifle  Brigade. 

Two  Copies. 
RUTLAND,  Duke  of. 


SAXDYS,  Rev.  W.  T.,  Burton-le-Coggles. 

SAVILE,  HKNKY,  Esq. 

SAWBRIDOE,  Miss. 

SCARBOROUGH,  Earl  of. 

SHARP,  J.  A.,  Esq. 

SI.ADK,  FELIX,  Esq. 

SLIGO,  Marquis  of. 

SMITH,  ABEL,  Esq.,  M.P. 

SMITH,  Captain  PHILIP,  Grenadier  Guard*. 


XX11 


SUBSCRIBERS. 


SMITH,  JEKVOISE,  Esq. 

SMITH,  OSWALD  A.,  Esq. 

SMITH,  WILLIAM  JAMES,  Esq.,  Conservative  Club.     Five 

Copies. 

SMYTH,  Admiral,  F.R.S.,  ETC. 
SOTHEBY,   Captain,    The    Prince    Consort's    Own    Rifle 

Brigade. 

SPENCER,  Sergeant-Major,  Royal  Engineers. 
SPICEE,  R.  W.,  Late  Captain  16th  Lancers,  Westbury. 
STANHOPE,  JAMES  BANKS,  Esq.,  M.F. 
STANLEY,  Lord,  M.P. 
STEWART,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Milbrook. 
STORKS,  Major-Gen.  Sir  HENRY,  G.C.B. 
STREATFIELD,  H.  D.,  Esq. 
SYKES,  Colonel,  M.P.,  F.R.S. 
SYKES,  CHRISTOPHER,  Esq.     Two  Copies. 


THURLOW,  Lord. 

TICIIDORNE,  Sir  ALFRED,  Bart. 

TRACY,  Hon.  C.  H. 

TRYON,  Colonel,  Southampton. 

TURNOE,  ALGERNON,  Esq.,  Ch.  Oh. 

TURNOR,  Mrs. 

TURSOR,  Mrs.  BROKE. 

TURNOR,  BROKE,  Esq. 

TURNOR,  Lady  CAROLINE.     Three  Copies. 

TURNOR,  CECIL,  Esq.     Two  Copies. 

TURNOR,  CECIL  M.,  Esq.,  R.N. 

TURNOR,  CHRISTOPHER,  Esq.     Four  Copies. 

TURNOR,  EDMUND,  Esq. 

TURNOR,  Captain  HENRY. 

TURNOR,  The  Hon.  Mrs.  HENRY. 


UHREN,  MAGNUS,  Esq. 
UXBRIDGE,  Countess  of. 
UXBRIDOE,  Earl  of.     Two  Copies. 


VIVIAN,  HUSSEY,  Esq.,  M.P. 


WARDEN  of  WINCHESTER  COLLEGE,  Rev.  the 

\VCZELE,  Count  GUROWSKI  DE. 

WEBSTER,  A.,  Esq. 

WELBY,  Rev.  GEORGE,  Barrowby. 

WELBY,  JOHN,  Esq. 

WELBY,  WILLIAM,  Esq.,  M.P. 

WESTCAR,  E.  H.  EMERSON,  Esq.,  Royal  Horse  Guards. 

WHARNCLIFFE,  Lord. 

WHICHCOTE,  Sir  THOMAS,  Bart. 

WHICHCOTE,  Major-General,  J3  WL. 

WHICHCOTE,  Rev.  CHRISTOPHER. 

WILLIAMSON,  Dowager  Lady. 

WILLIAMSON,  Sir  HEDWORTH,  Bart.,  M.P. 

WILLIAMSON,  Captain,  60th  Rifles. 

WILLIANSON,  DAVID,  Esq.,  of  Lawers. 

WILLIS,  Colonel. 

WILLSON,  Anthony,  Esq.,  Rauceby. 

WILSON,  HENRY,  Esq.,  Stowlangtoft  Hall. 

WILSON,  JAMES  HOLBERT,  Esq.,  19,  Onslow  Square. 

WINCHILSEA,  Countess  of. 

WINCHILSEA,  Earl  of.     Tliree  Copies. 

WINCHILSEA,  Dowager  Countess  of. 

WINDHAM,   Captain,   The   Prince   Consort's   Own    Rifle 

Brigade. 

WOODGATE,  Captain  FRANCIS,  2nd  Life  Guards. 
WROTTESLEY,  Captain  Hon.,  Royal  Engineers. 


(    xxiii     ) 


CORRIGENDA. 


Page   86  of  Chapter  IV.,  hemline/or  Ixiuis  Iiuoni»|wrtc,  r«i<l  I.iicien  Buona|*trte. 

7ti,  last  line  but •  .1,  >'••,  K..U-rtn  rani  Robert. 
..       89,  heading,  for  I:"/.IKK  rwd  lI'i/IKl;. 
..     1  "•'.'.  IP  ..I  r  woodcut,  for  (iamarin  read  Garncriu. 
..     U'18,  last  line  but  3,/w  KU-rleld  read  Klberfold. 
..    -.'19,  line  27,  for  Mont  Viao  nod  Monte  Visa 

..    line  .':."•,    „         „          „          ,, 

.,     •_'•_' 1,  liii.   J7,  for  tnkc.  ri>  s  /««/  trickeries. 

..     l"J7,  line  1,  "Australian,"  subsequently  callc«l  "  Australasian." 

..     Jt)9,  last  line  but  3,  for  IVAnioult  read  Amould. 

..     L'7>:.  Hi,.-  IT,  for  labiist  read  fabulist. 

„     338,  line  19,  for  dviu-ur  rrrn/  evitrr. 

„    338,  last  line  but  11,  for  duxieme  read  deuxieme. 

„    354,  last  line  but  3,  for  Aerien  read  ae*rirn. 

'91,  line  3,  for  indifferent  read  in<lifft:n-nt. 
„       „    line  3,  for  education  read  Education. 

.     lino  20,  for  chimerique  read  chime'rique. 

„     line  20, /wrdecouvert  mi</ decou vert. 
-I'-',  line  14,  for  agreable  nod  agreable. 

..     line  15,  for  melodieiue*  read  mdlodieusea. 

..     line  16,  for  generate  read  g^n^rale. 

„     line  28,  for  |*is  mid  pall. 

..     line  29,  for  notre  read  nostre. 

..     line  40,  for  veritd  read  verite*. 

„     line  40,  for  Pedana  read  p&lanU. 

„     line  42,  for  oonte  read  oompte. 

..     line  42,  for  innensez  read  insenses  or  insensez. 

..     line  43,  for  repondit  read  r^pondit 

„     last  line  but  3,  for  retirerent  read  retirerent. 

393,  line  6,  for  reverence  read  re're'rence. 

„    line  22,  for  mon  maale  a  leurs,  &c.,  read  a  leura. 

394,  line  6,  for  alleguay  read  alle^tiay. 

„     line  7,  for  deoouvrirent  read  dccouvrirent 
„     line  7,  for  me  dirent  ils  rmid  me  dirent-ils. 
..     line  13,  for  poaedoU  read  poesetlois. 
„    line  15,  for  fouroient  read  fourroient. 
,.     line  26,  for  repartis  de  read  repartia-de. 
„     line  28,  for  sifle  read  sifll^. 
„     line  28,  for  ecUt  read  esclat. 
„    line  37,  fur  g'ecriat'il  read  g'ecria-t-il. 
1 !'_',  line  12,  for  ^trangerea  read  ftrangere. 
459. — Year  1824,  for  Dupuis  Delcourt  read  Depuis-Delcourt. 

„      1825,  for  Captain  Currie  read  Curry. 
461.— Year  1836,  for  Captain  Grenow  read  Gronow. 
462.— Year  1848,  for  Liege  read  Liege. 

463. — Year  17t>3.    (Meusnicr).     Line  1,  for  Academic  read  Acadlmie. 
„        „        „  ,,  Line  2,  for  a^rostatique  read  aeVostatiquea. 

„        „        „        (M.  Pin<.;eron)i     For  aeroataliqne  read  alrostatiques. 
„       Year  1784.     (M.  de  Bcrtholon).     for  retires  read  retirer. 
„        „        „        (M.  de  Montgolficr).     For  academic  read  ecadimn: 
464.— Year  1825.     DepuU  Delcourtr,  dele  final  r. 

For  comte  rendu  read  cpmpte  rendn. 

(Jul.  Tnrgan).     For  Ilistoircs  read  Uistoire. 

(Dr.  Pierre  Moreaud).     Line  2,  for  Aerostat  read  Aerostat*. 


Year  1851. 
Tear  1863. 


i:\ri. ICANDA. 


P«ge    23.— The  M.  Rozier  here  mentioned  and  M.  Pilatre  de  Rozier,  whose   name   recurs  so  often,  were 

tliffercnt  individuals. 
„    110. — Napoleon  here  mentioned  is  Napoleon  L 


<>> 


CHAPTER   I.        ?.'AL 


TIIK  IM\  ,VK,  \TIoN  COMPARED  WITH  THE  DAWN  OF  AEROSTATION. 


See  him  from  Nature  rising  slow  to  art ! 
To  copy  instinct  then  wag  reason's  part : 
Thug  then  to  man  the  voice  of  Nature  sjinkc — 
<  iu,  from  the  creatures  thy  instructing  take : 
Learn  of  the  birds        .... 

Learn  of  the  little  Nautilus  to  sail, 

Spread  the  thin  oar,  and  catch  the  driving  gale. — POPE. 

\i  the  Bible  we  learn  that  the  directions  for  building  the  first  vessel  were  given  l>y 
God  himself.  Much  of  the  ridicule  that  Noah  had  to  bear  may  perhaps  have  arisen  from  the 
complete  novelty  of  his  attempt. 

David  in  the  cvii.  Psulm,  and  other  passages,  refers  to  this  subject;  but  as  the  Apocrypha 

*s  read.  I  will  here  give  some  verses  from  the  book  of  the  Wisdom  of  Solomon,  which 
appear  to  me  to  express  the  same  dread  of  the  water  that  we  now  have  of  the  air.  The 
inspired  author  wished  to  draw  attention  to  the  folly  of  worshipping  idols,  and,  in  comparison, 
In-  speaks  of  ships,  which  are  also  the  work  of  man's  hands,  and  by  which  he  is  much  more 
likely  to  be  saved  than  by  carved  images  :— 

<  'Imp.  liv.  1  to  5. — 1.  Again,  one  prepareth  himself  to  sail,  and  about  to  pass  through  the  raging  waves, 
i -illi-th  ujion  a  piece  of  wood  more  rotten  than  the  vessel  that  carrieth  him  : 

_'.   I'-r  v.-rily  desire  of  gain  deviseth  that,  and  the  workman  built  it  by  his  skill. 

.'..  But  thy  pr<>viil''iu-(-,  O  Father,  governeth  it :  for  them  hast  made  a  way  in  the  sea,  and  a  sale  path  in  tli> 
waves — 

-lowing  that  thou  canst  save  from  all  danger ;  yea,  though  a  man  went  to  art. 

V  v.-rtholess  thou  wonldest  not  that  the  works  of  thy  wisdom  should  be  idle,  and  therefore  do  men 
•  •  'imuit  their  lives  to  a  small  piece  of  wood,  and  passing  through  the  rough  sea  in  a  weak  vessel  are  saved. 

B 


2  ASTRA  CASTRA. 

The  classic  poets  impute  the  origin  of  navigation  to  Bacchus  or  Neptune ;  and  Pindar 
thus  speaks  of  the  '  Argo : ' — 


Naos  Apyovs'  p.rj  Tiva  \ 

Tap  aKivdvvov  Trapa  p,arp\  pevfiv 

Alwva  ir€tr(TOVT,  aXX'  ITTI  *cai  Bavmia 

$dpp.ciKov  KuXXioroi*  caf  opera? 

"AXi^ii*  evp(<r6at  avv  «XXois. 

*Es  8*  'lacaX/cop  eVel 

Kare'/3a  vavriiv  awrof, 

Ae'£aro  Traz/ra?  cVat-  • 

vf}(rats   Ifiwv.  Kat  pa  oi  • 
Mdi/ris  upvixeaat  KOI  K\a- 

jnttin  $eo7rpo7re'cov  tfpois 
ftcKre  arparov 
.  firei  8'  e'p./3oXou 
Kpfp,a<rav  aynvpas  v-jrfpflcv 


eV  71-p'vp.a  irrep 


,  Ka   TTOITOU  /e 
'A^iUTa  T'  fvfppova,  Kal 
4>iXtav  I'OOTOIO  fj.oipav. 
'Ex  vfCpeatv  8e  01  arr- 

at)(T€  fipovrus  ata-iov 
$@fyp.a'  Xa/i7rpai  8'  ^X^ 

xfs  trrtpcmas  aTroprjy 
'A/i7rvoay  8   Jjpwfs  c- 


i.   Kapv£e  8' 


avTois. 
4iH  PYTHIAN,  327th  line. 


Horace  also  says 


Great  Juno  waked  the  sweet  desire 
Which  bade  the  demigods  aspire 
With  Argo  o'er  the  deep  to  roam  ; 
That  fixed  in  his  maternal  home 
Kemote  from  peril  none  should  stay, 
And  wear  his  laggard  age  away. 
But  share  his  fellow  heroes'  toil, 
Death's  fairest  antidote,  the  spoil. 
Soon  as  to  proud  lolcos'  town 
Came  the  bright  flower  of  seamen  down, 
Jason  extoll'd  with  praises  due, 
And  number'd  all  the  valiant  crew. 
Skill'd  in  each  bird  that  cleaves  the  sky, 
And  sacred  lots  of  augury, 
Mopsus  enjoin'd  the  host  their  sail 
To  spread  before  the  favouring  gale. 
But  when  they  hang'd  upon  the  prow 
Their  anchors  o'er  the  deep  below, 
Fix'd  at  the  stern,  the  chief  displays 
His  sacred  phial's  golden  blaze. 
Invoking  heaven's  great  father  Jove, 
Who  wields  his  lightning  spear  above  ; 
Waves  that  o'er  ocean's  bosom  play, 
And  breezes'  every-varying  way, 
Calm  nights  and  days  his  prayers  implore, 
And  sweet  return,  their  wanderings  o'er. 
Propitious  thunder's  awful  sound 
Heaven's  favouring  answer  quickly  spoke, 
And  lightning's  forked  darts  around 
From  all  the  clouds  irradiate  broke. 
Elated  at  the  prosperous  sign, 
The  heroes  glow  with  joy  divine. 
The  augur  issued  his  command 

To  ply  their  oars  with  constant  force, 
Suggesting  to  the  valiant  band 

Sweet  hopes  to  cheer  them  on  their  course. 
Quick  gaining  with  the  breezy  south 
Th'  inhospitable  ocean's  mouth, 
There  to  the  god  a  shrine  they  rear, 
Who  sways  the  raging  sea's  career. 

— WHEELWRIGHT'S  Trans. 


Illi  robur  et  EBS  triplex 

Circa  pectus  erat ;  qui  fragilem  truci 

Commisit  pelago  ratem 

Primus. 


The  classic  historians  ascribe  the  discovery  to  the  Phoenicians,  or  to  the  inhabitants  of 
that  "  Ultima  Thule,  Britannica,"  whose  coracle,  like  the  one  here  represented,  is  still  to  be 
found  on  the  coast  of  Donegal. 

Each  alteration  has  progressed  with  slow  and  painful  steps*  in  this  science,  from  these 


*  Johu  Charnock,  F.S.A.,  in  his  History  of  Marine  Architecture, 
1800,  divides  the  improvements  in  this  science  into  seven  epochs  : — 
•'  The  6th  commences  with  the  invention  of  the  mariner's  compass, 
A. n.  1260,  and  continues  till  the  beginning  of  the  16th  century, 
when  the  general  introduction  and  use  of  cannon  on  board  ships, 
together  with  the  contrivance  of  port-holes,  gave  birth  to  the  7th 
and  last  epoch,  by  attaching  to  vessels  those  requisites  and  properties, 
which,  though  imperfectly  supplied  and  provided  for  in  the  begin- 
ning, have,  by  repeated  practice  and  continued  experience,  gradually 


improved  into  that  excellence,  and  almost  unimprovable  state  of 
perfection,  which  the  ships  built  at  the  present  day  are  by  some  sup- 
posed to  possess." 

In  the  Cotton  MSS.  are  the  heads  of  an  intended  publication  on 
this  subject  in  Sir  Walter  Kaleigh's  handwriting. 

For  a  declaration  of  the  impracticability  of  applying  steam  to 
marine  navigation,  see  Dr.  Larduer's  Cabinet  Cyclopaedia  '  Hydro- 
statics,' chap.  ix.  I  quote  this  in  a  future  chapter. 


•J/t£  LD 


uvcarts,    or 


Gvtor  arw 


of  *s/fari'n£rj 


(Af 


UUU- 


~  r'  -''it' II 


mi:  I»A\\N  i»r  \\YII;ATION  COMI-AIIKH  WITH  THE  DAWN  OF  AEROSTATION.      :: 
shells   iif    boats   to   the   highly-finuhed,   swift,   and   powerful   vessels  that  we   now 


V.  t  the  dilliculties  at  the  commencement  of  Aerostation  were  plainly  far  greater;  tin 
whereas  man  had  wood  at  hand  that  lloated  on  water,  he  had  to  seek  for  means  whereby  to 
rise  in  the  unseen  ocean  with  which  he  is  surrounded. 

It  took  centuries  of  e\p.  rimcnte,  assisted  by  many  accidental  discoveries,  to  find  out  tin 
properties  of  air. 

The  victory  obtained  as  yet,  has  been  only  the  power  of  visiting  the  atmosphere  ;  but  io 
master  its  currents,  and  guide  one's  self  through  them,  is  reserved  for  this  or  some  succeeding 
generation. 

We  may  hope  from  the  present  rapid  means  of  communication,  that  the  combined  lal  .....  r- 
of  many  may  effect  in  a  few  years  improvements  in  Aerostation  as  marked  as  those  which 
have  been  secured  to  marine  navigation  after  a  lapse  of  centuries. 

Our  lio|K's  are  further  strengthened  by  the  incredible  progress  made  within  a  short 
period  from  the  first  steamer  launched  on  the  Clyde,  to  our  beautiful  fleets  that  now  visit  all 
the  harbours  of  the  world. 


Tin:  CORACLE  or  THE  Braroxs. 
BIO*  6j|te  <rc  c^rtjne  TO 


i:   2 


CHAPTER   II. 

'ANABAAHN;  OR,  THE  "NORMAL  CLAIRVOYANCE  "  OF  POETS'  IMAGINATION;  AND  THE  EXPEKIMK.XTS 

PRECEDING  1783. 


Thought  suggests  experiment,  experiment  ministers  fresh  materials  to  thought. 

— SIR  HENRY  HOLLAND,  Edinburgh  licvieu: 

POETRY  AND  SCIENCE  —  OLYMPUS  — •  THE  "  ETHEREAL  PLAIN  " PHAETON D7EDALUS  AND  ICARUS  —  ASTOLI'HO,  THE  ENGLISH 

KNIGHT "  THE  SOURCE   OF  THE   NILE" THE  WIZARD  ISMENE — GODFREY'S    DREAM ARMIDA LATIN    AUTHORS    OF 

THE  MIDDLE  AGES ROGER  BACON  ON  FLYING WILKINS,  BISHOP  OF  CHESTER KAI  KAIOS,  KING  OF  PERSIA  — ENGLISH 

MONK  ELMERUS BORELLl's  '  DE  MOTU  ANIMALIUM  ' THE  JESUIT  FATHER  LANA*S  PROPOSITIONS. 

BUCKLK,  in  his  '  History  of  Civilisation,'  makes  the  following  remarks  on  the  consequences 
of  divorcing  poetry  from  science : — 

In  England,  especially,  there  is,  among  physical  inquirers,  an  avowed  determination  to  separate  philosophy 
from  poetry,  and  to  look  upon  them,  not  only  as  different,  but  as  hostile.  Among  that  class  of  thinkers,  whose 
zeal  and  ability  are  beyond  all  praise,  and  to  whom  we  owe  most  unbounded  obligations,  there  does  undoubtedly 
exist  a  very  strong  opinion,  that,  in  their  own  pursuit,  the  imagination  is  extremely  dangerous,  as  leading  to 
speculations,  of  which  the  basis  is  not  yet  assured,  and  generating  a  desire  to  catch  too  eagerly  at  distant  glimpses 
before  the  intermediate  ground  has  been  traversed.  That  the  imagination  has  this  tendency  is  undeniable.  But 
they  who  object  to  it  on  this  account,  and  who  would,  therefore,  divorce  poetry  from  philosophy,  have,  I 
apprehend,  taken  a  too  limited  view  of  the  functions  of  the  human  mind,  and  of  the  manner  in  which  truth  is 
obtained.  There  is,  in  poetry,  a  divine  and  prophetic  power,  and  an  insight  into  the  turn  and  aspect  of  things, 
which,  if  properly  used,  would  make  it  the  ally  of  science  instead  of  the  enemy.  By  the  poet,  nature  is 
contemplated  on  the  side  of  the  emotions ;  by  the  man  of  science,  on  the  side  of  the  understanding.  But  the 
emotions  are  as  much  a  part  of  us  as  the  understanding ;  they  are  as  truthful ;  they  are  as  likely  to  be  right. 
Though  their  view  is  different,  it  is  not  capricious.  They  obey  fixed  laws  ;  they  follow  an  orderly  and  uniform 
course ;  they  run  in  sequences ;  they  have  their  logic  and  method  of  inference.  Poetry,  therefore,  is  a  part 
of  philosophy,  simply  because  the  emotions  are  a  part  of  the  mind.  If  the  man  of  science  despises  their  teaching, 
so  much  the  worse  for  him.  He  has  only  half  his  weapons ;  his  arsenal  is  unfilled.  Conquests,  indeed,  he  may 
make,  because  his  native  strength  may  compensate  for  the  defects  of  his  equipment.  But  his  success  would  be 
more  complete  and  more  rapid,  if  he  were  properly  furnished  and  made  ready  for  the  battle.  And  I  cannot  but 
regard  as  the  worst  intellectual  symptom  of  this  great  country,  what  I  must  venture  to  call  the  imperfect 
education  of  physical  philosophers,  as  exhibited  both  in  their  writings  and  in  their  trains  of  thought.  This  is  the 
more  serious,  because  they,  as  a  body,  form  the  most  important  class  in  England,  whether  we  look  at  their  ability, 
or  at  the  benefits  we  have  received  from  them,  or  at  the  influence  they  are  exercising,  and  are  likely  to  exercise, 
over  the  progress  of  society.  It  cannot,  however,  be  concealed,  that  they  display  an  ignorant  respect  for 
experiments,  an  undue  love  for  minute  detail,  and  a  disposition  to  overrate  the  inventors  of  new  instruments,  and 
the  discoverers  of  new  but  almost  insignificant  facts.  Their  predecessors  of  the  seventeenth  centuiy,  by  using 
hypotheses  more  boldly,  and  by  indulging  their  imagination  more  frequently,  did  certainly  effect  greater  things,  in 
comparison  with  the  then  state  of  knowledge,  than  our  contemporaries,  with  much  superior  resources,  have  been 
able  to  achieve.  The  magnificent  generalisations  of  Newton  and  Harvey  could  never  have  been  completed  in  an 
age  absorbed  in  one  unvarying  round  of  experiments  and  observations.  We  are  in  that  predicament,  that  our 
facts  have  outstripped  our  knowledge,  and  are  now  encumbering  its  march.  The  publications  of  our  scientific 
institutions,  and  of  our  scientific  authors,  overflow  with  minute  and  countless  details,  which  perplex  the 
judgment,  and  which  no  memory  can  retain.  In  vain  do  we  demand  that  they  should  bo  generalised  and  reduced 
into  order.  Instead  of  that,  the  heap  continues  to  swell.  We  want  ideas,  and  we  get  more  facts.  \Ve  hear 
constantly  of  what  nature  is  doing,  but  we  rarely  hear  of  what  man  is  thinking.  Owing  to  the  indefatigable 
industry  of  this  and  the  preceding  century,  we  are  in  possession  of  a  huge  and  incoherent  mass  of  observations, 
which  have  been  stored  up  with  great  care,  but  which,  until  they  are  connected  by  some  presiding  idea,  will  be 


POETRY    \\l'  SCIKNVK 


in teily    nucleus.      Th  nmiing   thorn  to  account,  would  be  to  give  more  nc<>|»-  to  the 

•>rporat«  tfu  spirit  ofpottry  with  the  spirit  of  scitnce.     Hy  this  mean."  our  philosophers  would  i|oul>lc 

their  ic.-oiirci-s.  ii.-teud  of  working,  as  now,  maimed,  with  mily  lialf  their  nature-.     Tln-y  fear  the  imagination,  on 

account   of  it*   tendency  t<>  form   hasty  tin-olios.      I'.ut  surely  all   our  faculties  an-  needed    in  the  pursuit  of  truth, 

ami  we  cannot  !*•  justified  in  discrediting  any  part  of  tin-  human  mind.     And  I  can  hardly  doubt  that  one  of  the 

HMOUs  "l'\    "'  •  i"   I -"-I  "•''•  "'  ''I''   ~"'  I'  w-.. i  id  ei  t'nl   di-e.  'M  i  i>  •.  dm  in-/   th.-  seventeen  I  h   •  •  nun  \ .   Wtt  <••  ••   MM    'I.  .' 

.-.•ntiiry  was  also  the  great  age  of  English  pot-try.     The  two  mightiest  intellects  our  country  has  produced  aro 

-peare  and  Newton;   and  that   Shakspeare   should   have  preceded   Newton   was.   I  lx>li.  \.  .   n<>  casual   01 

unmeaning  event.    Shakspeare  and  the  poets  sowed  the  seed,  which  Newton  and  the  philosophers  reaped. 

This  idealism  ha-  1" .  11  furtln-r  extolled  by  the  powerful  pen  of  Schiller,  that  gave  birth 
t.i  tin-  beautiful  designs  of  Kaiilhach.  <>!'  which  the  following  are  engravings.  They  remind 
ti>  ln>w  tin-  ideas  of  uniniprcsi-ncv  and  of  aspiration  naturally  associate  themselves  with  the 
atmo0phere. 


von  dem  Thou,  dem  Stein  bescheiden  aufgcstiegen, 
Die  schopfurische  kunst,  umschlieszt  mil  stillen  Siegen 
Des  OeisU-s  unermcssnes  Reich. 
Was  in  des  Winens  Land  Entdecker  nur  ereicgen, 
Kntdecken  «c,  ersiegen  sie  fur  euch. ' 

.-,  <lii-  d.T  Denkeraufgchaufet, 
Wird  er  in  euren  Amicn  erst  gich  freun, 

•i  seine  Wi&scnschaft,  der  Schbnhett  zugereifet, 
/Cum  Kun.stwerk  wird  geadelt  scyn — 
\V.  mi  er  auf  einen  Hugel  mit  euch  steiget, 
Und  seinem  Auge  sich,  in  mildem  Abendachcin, 
Das  malerische  Thai — auf  einmal  zeigeL 
Je  rcicher  ihr  den  schncllen  Ulick  verg'-1 
Je  hohre,  schiinre  Ordnungen  der  Geist 
In  einem  Zauberbund  durchflieget, 
In  einem  schwrlgeaden  Genusz  umkrcist ; 
•li-  writer  sich  Gedauken  uud  Gcfuhle 
Dem  ii  Barmonienfpiele, 

••  icliern  Strom  il<-r  Schiinhcit  atifgethan — 
Je  schutire  (ilii-dor  aua  dem  Wfltfiiplan, 
Die  jetzt  verftiiramelt  seine  Sciiopinn;;  scliiinden, 
Sieht  er  ilii-  hnhc-n  Knrmen  dann  vollendcn, 
Je  schiinri-  Illiti  'nt, 

•ier  wird  eii<  .  r  iimschlieszet, 

•'••  IT  t  dan  Meer,  mit  ilcm  er  flii  - 

Je  Khwachcr  w  i  -  .  ksals  blinde  Maclit, 

Je  kleiniT  winl  cr  si-llist,  je  groszcr  seine  Lie-be. 


If  Art  rose  plastic  from  the  stone  and  clay, 
To  Mind  from  Matter  ever  sweeps  its  sway; 
Silent,  but  conquering  in  its  silence,  lo, 
How  o'er  the  Spiritual  World  its  triumphs  go  I 
What  in  the  Land  of  Knowledge,  wide  and  far, 
Keen  Science  tracks— for  you  discovered  arc : 
First  in  your  arms  the  wise  their  wisdom  learn — 
They  dig  the  mine  you  teach  them  to  discern  ; 
And  when  that  wisdom  ripens  to  the  flower 
And  crowning  time  of  Beauty — to  the  Power 
From  whence  it  rose,  new  stores  it  must  impart, 

ils  of  Science  swell  the  Wealth  of  Art. 
\Vhi-n  to  one  height  the  Sage  ascends  with  you, 
As  spreads  the  vale  of  matter  round  his  view 
In  the  mild  twilight  of  serene  repose ; — 

The  more  the  Artist  charms,  the  more  the  Thinker  knows. 
The  more  the  shapes,  in  intellectual  joy, 
Link'd  by  the  Genii  which  your  spells  employ, 
The  more  the  thought  with  the  emotion  blends — 
The  more  up-buoyed  by  both  the  Soul  ascends 
To  loftier  Harmonies,  and  heavcnlicr  things, 
Ami  tracks  the  stream  of  Beauty  to  its  springs. 
The  lovely  members  of  the  mighty  whole. 
Till  then  confused  and  ghapcli-ss  to  his  soul, 
Distinct  and  glorious  grow  upon  his  sight, 
The  fair  enigmas  brighten  from  the  X 
More  rich  the  Universe  his  thoughts  enclose — 
More  wide  the  Ocean  with  whose  wave  he  flows  ; 
The  wrath  of  Fate  grows  feebler  to  his  i 
As  from  <  i.  -1'-  Scheme  Chance  wanes  and  disappears ; 
And  as  each  straining  impulse  soars  above — 
How  his  pride  lessens — how  augments  bis  1 


ANABAAHN. 


PAINTING. 


Wenn  auf  des  Denkens  freigegebnen  Bahnen 
Der  Forscher  jetzt  mit  kiihnem  Gliicke  schweift 
Und,  trunken  von  siegrufenden  Paanen, 
Mit  rascber  Hand  schon  nach  der  Krone  greift ; 
Wenn  er  mit  niederm  Sb'ldnerslohne 
Den  edlen  Fiihrer  zu  entlassen  glaubt, 
Und  neben  dem  getraumten  Tbrone 
Der  Kunst  den  ersten  Sklavenplatz  erlaubt : 
Verzeiht  ihm — der  Vollendung  Krone 
Schwebt  glanzend  iiber  eurem  Haupt. 
Mit  euch,  des  Friihlings  erster  Pflanze, 
Begann  die  seelenbildende  Natur ; 
Mit  euch,  dem  freud'gen  Brntekranze, 
Sohlieszt  die  vollende  Natur. 


If  on  the  course  of  Thought,  now  barrier-free, 
Sweeps  the  glad  search  of  bold  Philosophy  ; 
And  with  self-pa:ans,  and  a  vain  renown, 
Would  claim  the  praise  and  arrogate  the  crown, 
Holding  but  as  a  soldier  hi  her  band, 
The  nobler  Art  that  did  in  truth  command  ; 
And  grants,  beneath  her  visionary  throne, 
To  Art,  her  Queen — the  slave's  first  rank  alone  ;- 
Pardon  the  vaunt ! — For  You,  Perfection  all 
Her  star-gems  weaves  in  one  bright  coronal ! 
With  you,  the  first  blooms  of  the  Spring,  began 
Awakening  Nature  in  the  Soul  of  Man ! 
With  you  fulfill'd  when  Nature  seeks  repose, 
Autumn's  exulting  harvests  ripely  close. 


So  fiihrt  ihn,  in  verborgnem  Lauf, 

Durch  immer  reinre  Formen,  reinre  Tone, 

Durch  immer  hbhre  Hbhn  und  immer  schb'nre  Schbne 

Der  Dichtung  Blumenleiter  still  hinauf — 

Zuletzt,  am  rcifen  Ziel  der  Zeiten, 

Noch  cine  gluckliche  Begeisterung, 

Des  jiingsten  Menschenalters  Dichterschwung, 

Und — in  der  Wahrheit  Arme  wird  er  gleiten. 

— SCHILLER. 


So,  scattering  blooms,  the  still  Guide,  Poetry 

Leads  him  thro'  paths,  tho'  hid,  that  mount  on  high — 

Thro'  forms  and  tones  more  pure  and  more  sublime — 

Alp  upon  Alp  of  Beauty — till  the  time 

When  what  we  long  in  Poetry  have  nurst, 

Shall  as  a  God's  swift  inspiration  burst, 

And  flash  in  glory,  on  that  youngest  day — 

One  with  the  Truth  to  which  it  wings  the  way  ! — 

— SIR  E.  BDLWER  LYTTOX. 


Not  having  been  able  to  obtain  Poetry  when  desired,  I  have  been  obliged  to  substitute  Architecture,  a  design  by  the  same  artist. 


oI.VMl'l  S. 


nn 


—  PSAI.H  xvui.  1  1  Jfebrtw  Biblr,  ver.  10  in  Englitl,  liible. 


On  Cherubim  and  Seraphim 

Full  royally  he  rode, 
Ainl  mi  tip-  wings  of  flaming  winds 

Came  flying  all  abroad. 

— PSALM  xvu:.,  Sternfiold  and  llopkinft  Metrical  Vcnion. 

Nothing   can   surpass   the  grandeur  of  this,  even  if  compared  with  other  passages  of 
inspiivd  writing.     But  let  us  descend  to  the  loftiest  fancy  of  the  classic  poets,  and 
hrar    lloiiu-r    in   one   of  his   descriptive   scenes,  that  throw  such  beauty  on   the  glowing 
of  Greece  (Iliad,  Book  V.  925th  line) :— 

To  tame  the  monster-god  Minerva  knows, 
And  oft  afflicts  his  brutal  breast  with  woes.'' 

He  said  :  Saturnia,  ardent  to  obey, 
Lash'd  her  white  steeds  along  the  aerial  way. 
Swift  down  the  steep  of  Heaven  the  chariot  rolls, 
Between  tlie  expanded  earth  and  starry  poles. 
Far  as  a  shepherd,  from  some  point  on  high, 
O'er  the  wide  main  extends  his  boundless  eye  ; 
Through  such  a  space  of  air,  with  tlmnd'rin^  suund 
At  every  leap,  the  immortal  coursers  bound  : 
Troy  now  they  reach'd,  and  touch'd  those  banks  divine 
Where  silver  Simois  and  Scamander  join. 
There  Juno  stopp'd,  and  her  fair  steeds  unloosed, 
Of  air  condensed  a  vapour  circumfused ; 
For  these,  impregnate  with  celestial  dew, 
On  Simois'  brink  ambrosial  herbage  grew. 
Thence  to  relieve  the  fainting  Argive  throng, 
Smooth  as  the  sailing  doves  they  glide  along. — 1'ori:. 


scourge,  the  ethereal  coursers  fly, 
the  smooth  char  liquid  sky. 

Heaven's  gates  spontaneous  open  to  the  powers, 
Heaven's  golden  gates,  kept  by  the  winged  Hours ; 
CommissiouM  in  alternate  watch  they  stand, 
The  sun's  bright  portals  and  the  skies  command, 
Inv«.I.  ••»  of  day, 

<  )r  tin'  dark  barrier  roll  with  ease  a\vuy. 
-iiiniliii^  hinges  ring:  on  cither  side 

unes,  pierced  with  light,  divide. 
.irint  mounts,  where  deep  in  ambient  skies, 
ised,  Olympus'  hundred  beads  arise ; 
Where  lar  n|«rt  the  Thunderer  fills  his  throne; 

all  the  gods  superior  and  alone. 
There  with  her  snowy  hand  the  queen  restrains 
The  fiery  steeds,  and  thus  to  Jove  complains ; 
•  •  •  •  • 

To  whom  assenting,  thus  the  Thunderer  said : 
"Go !  and  the  great  Minerva  be  thy  aid  ; 


Oh  that  I  could  as  smoke  arise, 

That  rolls  its  black  wreaths  through  the  air ; 
Mix  with  the  clouds,  that  o'er  the  skies 

Show  their  light  forms,  and  disappear : 
Or  like  the  dust  be  toss'd 

By  ev'ry  sportive  wind,  till  all  be  lost  1 

— jEscHVLUS,  The  Supplianft  Chona,  806th  line. 


And  again  (824th  line)  : — 


Oh  might  I  sit  sublime  in  air, 

Where  wiiii-ry  clouds  the  freezing  snows  prepare! 


iin.   in   Pindar,  who   thus   expresses  the   idea  that  pervades   the  Greek    mythology 
l  1  Irh  Olympiad,  14th  line).     It  may  be  translated  according  to  an  old  version  :— 


aXXu  ndvruv 
Ta/u'm  (pyav  tv  ovpnvta 


jxi  viStiiv  'An-oXXum  Bpovovt, 
>•  trtjiovTi  irarpbs 

Tlfiai/. 


Ever  on  the  ethereal  plain 
In  harmonious  measures  move 
The  celestial  choirs  above. 


ANABAAHN. 


B.C.  Z-22 


ETHEREAL  PLAIN. 


\afi7rpov  iTrTrod 

'Ei<$'  eiaXiox  fpxfrai  irup. 


An  Italian  painter  of  the  fifteenth  .or  sixteenth  century,  has  well  expressed  this  with 
his  pencil,  which  the  engraving  here  represents. 
Euripides,  also,  in  the  Iphigenia : — 

Oh !  might  I  travel  through  yon  lucid  road, 

Where  rolls  the  chariot  of  the  fiery  God  ; 

Might  I  through  tli'  impassive  air 

My  unwearied  course  pursue  ! 

Till,  distinguished  from  afar, 

My  dear  country  rose  to  view  : 

Then  quick  descending  from  my  airy  height, 

My  pinions  would  I  close,  and  stay  my  flight. 

Enough  having  been  given  of  the  mind  of  Greece,  let  us  turn  to  that  of  Rome,  and  take 
first  Ovid's  description  of  Phaeton  : — 


a  TI  cv  Tavpois,  1140. 


A.I..  »:;. 


THAI-TON. 


STi)|;V   nl'   ril.M'.TdN.     Ti:  \\SIATK.D  in    ALLISON. 


Intena  v.  '  ; 

.|»i,  i|iiartuii<|uu  I'hle^ou,  liinnitilntx  auras 
Klaiiiiniferis  imp  -squc  repagula  pulsant 

Qua.1  |»>st, plain  Trthys,  latoruiii  ignar.i  IH-J  • 
Keppnlit,  cl  I.i4  1. 1  cst  ilium  nsi  O'pia  muiiili  ; 
.  |«-tliluis<|iic  ]*T  iiera  niotis 
Obstanti  *  liinlunt  nebulas,  |'<-ii!ii~>|ii>-  1 

us  Eurot. 
Seil  !• 

in-.-iiui  gravitate  carebat. 
[HI  latent  ciirva-  justo  sine  |w[iilere  naves, 

-  nitnis  levitate,  feruntur ; 

•  •re  assueto  vacms  dat  in  acre  *altun, 
.titur.|tie  alte,  similisque  cat  currus  inani. 

Quod  simul  no  senscre,  ruunt,  trituiin|iie  n  •linqiiunt 
Quadrijugi  »]>atiuni,  net;  qiu>  prin  .  :rrunt. 

Ipse  i«vet ;  ncc  qua  commissas  flcctat  habenas, 
Nee  Kit,  •[ii:i  sit  it.-r :  nee,  si  sciat,  imperet  illis, 
Tuni  prinmm  radiis  gelidi  caluere  Trioncs, 

:ni8tra  tentarunt  ;e.|ii,.iv  t 
yunxjue  i>olo  IK-  |*ns, 

.'•Mis  ulli, 

lnc.iliiit,  sumxitque  in  i\as  fervoribus  iras. 
To  qu<K|iii-  iiirKiiiuu  incinorant  fugiasc,  Boote, 

rdus  eras,  et  tc  tua  plaustra  toticbant. 
I't  vero  Miiumo  despe\it  ali  .-eiheri-  terras 

.  i'  i,i;<i-  ifiiitusque  jacentes ; 
1'alluit,  et  Mibito  genua  intremuere  timore : 
Suntqiie  oculis  tenebro  jier  tantum  lumen  ol 
K:  j.iiu  ni.illi  t  .-.puis  nunquam  t«tigi8«e  pateruos  : 
Jamque  agnone  genus  Juisae  rogaudo : 

-  ilici  cii]. ims;  ita  f.-rtur,  ut  acta 
•i  I'inus  Boreo,  cui  victa  remisit 
i  suns  n'Ctor,  ijuam  Dis  votisque  reliquit. 
?  inultiim  coeli  post  tcrya  relictum  : 
Ante  oculos  plus  est ;  animo  metitur  utruiuque. 

•do,  quos  illi  fato  contingcre  non  est, 
Prospicit  occasus :  inu-rdum  respicit  01 : 
Qui.ique  agat  igiiarus,  stupet :  ct  nix  fiviia  remittit, 

c  noniina  novit  equoniin. 
Sparsa  quoque  in  vario  passim  miracula  coelo, 
Vastaniiin|Uf  vi.let  trr|>i«lus  simulacra  fcrarum. 

-•ii-i.  in  i:i-ininos  ubi  brachia  concavat  arciu 
Scorpios,  et  cauda  flexisque  utrimque  lacertis 
1'urri^ii  in  s|«itiuiu  signoram  membra  duorum. 

;  lit  T  ut  nigri  madidum  sndore  veneui 

Vuliam  ciirvata  niinitautein  cuspide  vidit ; 

<  inojis,  gelida  foniiidinc  lora  n-misit. 

•  «tquam  summin  jinn, 
Exspatiantur  equi :  nulloque  inhibente  \x-r  auras 

•  Mill,  nuat|iH'  in,; 

Hac  sine  l«v«-  ruunt :  altoque  suba-ilicp 
Incursant  sU-llig,  rapiuiit<iue  \vr  :ivia  currum. 
.ma  pi'tniit,  IIH»|U  |»T  di-cliva,  v. 

:  iurr  ItTUiitur. 
InfiTiusqui*  suis  fratrrtios  curn-rr  l.una 

•s:  ambustaque  nubila  fumant. 
itur  llaimnis  ut  c|u;r,|iio  aliissiina,  tellus, 
Fisnqne.  agit  rimas,  et  suo 
Pabnla  canescunt :  tuin  fruiidil'iis  iiritur  arbos  : 

01    sun  pr.-i'U'l  ••••_••  s  :n-ii!a  ilamiid. 
PWra  queror;  magna?  pcTt-iint  cnin  iiKrnibus  urU-x  : 


Meanwhile  the  restless  horses  neigh'd  aloud, 
Breathing  out  fire,  and  pawing  where  they  stood. 
Tcthys,  not  knowing  wliat  had  pass'd,  gave  way, 
And  all  the  waste  of  heaven  before  them  lay. 
They  spring  together  out,  and  swiftly  liear 
The  flying  youth  through  clouds  and  yielding  air; 
With  wingy  speed  outstrip  the  eastern  wind, 
And  leave  the  breezes  of  the  moon  behind. 
The  youth  was  litrht,  imr  nmld  he  till  the  seat, 
( >r  |-.i.se  the  chariot  with  its  wonted  weight : 
But  as  at  sea  the  unbalhwted  vessel  rides, 
Cast  to  and  fro,  the  sport  of  winds  and  tides. 
So  in  the  bounding  chariot,  toss'd  on  high, 
The  youth  is  hurried  headlong  through  the  sky. 
Scon  as  the  steeds  perceive  it,  they  forsake 
Their  stated  course,  and  leave  the  beaten  track. 
The  youth  was  in  a  maze,  nor  did  he  know 
Which  way  to  turn  the  reins,  or  where  to  go  ; 
Nor  would  the  horses,  had  he  known,  obey. 
Then  the  seven  stars  first  felt  Apollo's  ray, 
Ami  wish'd  to  dip  in  the  forbidden  sea. 
The  folded  serpent,  next  the  frozen  jole, 
Still" and  benumb'd  before,  began  to  roll, 
And  raged  with  inward  heat,  anil  threatenM  war, 
And  shot  a  redder  light  from  every  star ; 
Nay,  and  'tis  said,  Bootes,  too,  that  lain 
Thou  wouldst  have  fled,  though  ctimlierM  with  thy  wain. 

The  unhappy  youth  then,  bending  down  his  head, 
Saw  earth  and  ocean  far  beneath  him  spread. 
His  colour  changed,  he  startled  at  the  sight, 
And  his  eyes  darken'd  by  too  great  a  liyht. 
Now  could  he  wish  the  fiery  steeds  untried, 
His  birth  obscure,  and  his  request  denied ; 
Now  would  he  Merops  for  his  father  own. 
And  quit  his  boasted  kindred  to  the  Sun. 
So  fares  the  pilot,  when  his  ship  is  toss'd 
In  troubled  seas,  and  all  its  steerage  lost ; 
He  gives  her  to  the  winds,  and  in  despair 
Seeks  his  last  refuge  in  the  gods  and  prayer. 
What  could  he  do?  his  eyes,  if  bark  ward  cast, 
Find  a  long  path  he  had  already  pass'd ; 
If  forward,  still  a  longer  pat  h  they  find  : 
Both  he  compares,  and  measures  in  his  mind  ; 
And  sometimes  casts  an  eye  upon  the  east, 
And  sometimes  looks  upon  the  forbidden  west 
The  horses'  names  he  knows  not  in  the  fright ; 
Nor  would  he  loose  the  reins,  nor  could  he  hold  them  right 
Now  all  the  horrors  of  the  heavens  he  spies, 
And  monstrous  shadows  of  prodigious  size ; 
That,  ili  <  kM  with  stars,  lie  scattered  o'er  the  skies. 

Then-  is  a  place  above,  where  Scorpio  bent 
In  tail  and  arms  surrounds  a  vast  extent : 
In  a  wide  circuit  of  the  heavens  he  shines, 
Ami  tills  the  space  of  two  celestial  signs. 
Soon  as  the  youth  beheld  him,  vex'd  witlrheat 

-li  his  >tmj.  and  in  his  poison  sweat, 
Half  dead  with  sudden  fear,  he  dropp'd  Urn  reins  ; 

rses  felt  them  loose  upon  their  manes, 
And,  flyins  out  through  all  the  plains  I 
Han,  uncuntroll'd,  win  re'.-r  tin  ir  fury  drove  ; 
llusliM  on  the  stars,  and,  through  a  pathless  wa> 
Of  unknown  regions,  hurried  on  the  •'. 


10 


ANABAAHN. 


A.D.  43. 


Cumque  suis  totas  populis  incendia  gentes 
In  cinerom  vertunt.     Sylva;  cum  montibus  ardent : 
Ardet  Athos,  Taurusque  Cilix,  et  Tmolus,  et  (Etc : 
Et  mine  sicca,  prius  celeberrima  Ibntibus,  Ide  : 
Virgineusque  Helicon,  et  nondum  CEagrius  Hrcmos. 
Ardet  in  immensum  geminatis  ignibus  ^Etne  : 
Parnassusque  biceps,  et  Eryx,  et  Cynthus,  et  Othrys, 
Et  tandem  Rhodope  nivibus  caritura,  Mimasque, 
Dindymaque,  et  Mycale,  natusquc  ad  sacra  Cithreron. 
Nee  prosuut  Scythia;  sua  frigora  :  Caucasus  ardet, 
Ossaque  cum  Pindo,  majorque  ambobus  Olympus  : 
Aeriasque  Alpes,  et  nubifer  Apenninus. 

Tune  vero  Phaethon  cunctis  e  partibus  orbem 
Adspicit  accensum,  nee  tantos  sustinet  a;stus  : 
Ferventesque  auras,  velut  e  fornace  profunda, 
Ore  traliit,  currusque  suos  candescere  sentit. 
Et  neque  jam  eineres  ejectatamque  favillam 
Ferre  potest :  calidoque  involvitur  undique  fumo. 
Quoque  eat,  aut  ubi  sit,  picea  caligine  tectus, 
Nescit ;  et  arbitrio  volucrum  raptatur  eqnorum. 

Sanguine  turn  credunt  in  corpora  summa  vocato, 
-lEthiopum  populos  nigrum  traxisse  colorem. 
Turn  facta  est  Libye,  raptis  humoribus  jestu, 
Arida  :  turn  Nympha;  passis  fontesque,  lacusque 
Deflevere  comis.     Qurcrit  Bceotia  Dircen, 
Argos  Amymonen,  Ephyre  Pirenidas  undas. 
Nee  sortita  loco  distantes  flumina  ripas 
Tuta  manent :  mediis  Tanais  fumavit  in  undis, 
Peneosque  senex,  Teuthranteusque  Caicus, 
Et  celer  Ismenos,  cum  Phocaico  Erymantho, 
Arsurusque  iterum  Xanthus,  flavusque  Lycormas, 
Quique  recurvatis  ludit  Mreandros  in  undis  : 
Mygdoniusque  Melas,  et  Taenarius  Eurotas. 
Arsit  et  Euphrates  Babylonius,  arsit  Orontes, 
Thermodonque  citus,  Gangesque,  et  Phasis,  et  Ister. 
^Estuat  Alpheos  :  riprc  Spercheides  ardent : 
Quodque  suo  Tagus  amne  vehit,  fluit  ignibus  aurum. 
Et,  qua;  Ma?onias  celebrarant  carmine  ripas, 
Fluminea;  volucres  medio  caluere  Caystro. 
Nilus  in  extremum  fugit  perterritus  orbem, 
Occuluitque  eaput,  quod  adhuc  latet.     Ostia  septem 
Pulverulenta  vacant,  septem  sine  flumine  valles. 
Fors  eadem  Ismarios  Hebrum  cum  Strymone  siccat, 
Hesperiosque  amncs,  Rhenum,  Rhodanumque,  Padmnque, 
Cuique  t'uit  rerum  promissa  potentia,  Tibrin. 

Dissilit  omne  solum  ;  penetratque  in  Tartara  rimis 
Lumen,  et  infernum  terret  cum  conjuge  regem. 
Et  mare  contrahitur  :  siccreque  est  campus  arena;, 
Quod  modo  pontus  erat :  quosque  altum  texerat  rcquor, 
Exsistunt  montes,  et  sparsas  Cycladas  augent. 
Ima  petunt  pisces  :  nee  se  super  ajquora  curvi 
Tollere  consuetas  audent  delphines  in  auras. 
Corpora  phocarum  summo  resupina  profundo 
Exanimata  jacent.     Ipsum  quoque  Nerea  fama  est, 
Doridaque,  et  natas,  tepidis  lattiisse  sub  antris. 
Ter  Neptunus  aquis  cum  torvo  brachia  vultu 
Exserere  ausus  erat :  ter  non  tulit  aeris  sestus. 

Alma  tamen  'J'elhis,  ut  erat  circumdata  ponto,' 
Inter  aquas  pelagi,  contractosque  undiquc  fontes, 
Qui  se  condiderant  in  opacas  viscera  matris ; 
Sustulit  omniferos  collo  tenus  arida  vultus, 
Opposuitque  manum  fronti :  magnoque  tremore 
Omnia  conditions  paullum  subsedit,  et  infra, 
Quam  solet  esse,  fuit :  siccaque  ita  voce  locuta  est : 
Si  placet  hoc,  meruique,  quid  o  tua  fulmina  cessant, 


And  now  above,  and  now  below  they  flew, 
And  near  the  earth  the  burning  chariot  drew. 

The  clouds  disperse  in  fumes,  the  wond'ring  moou 
Beholds  her  brother's  steeds  beneath  her  own  : 
The  high  lands  smoke,  cleft  by  the  piercing  rays  ; 
Or,  clad  with  woods,  in  their  own  fuel  blaze. 
Next  o'er  the  plains,  where  ripen'd  harvests  grow, 
The  running  conflagration  spreads  below. 
But  these  are  trivial  ills  :  whole  cities  burn, 
And  peopled  kingdoms  into  ashes  turn. 

The  mountains  kindle  as  the  car  draws  near  ; 
Athos  and  Tmolus  red  with  fires  appear  ; 
yEagrian  Hiemus  (then  a  single  name) 
And  virgin  Helicon  increase  the  flame  : 
Taurus  and  (Etc  glare  amid  the  sky  ; 
And  Ida,  spite  of  all  her  fountains,  dry : 
Erix,  and  Othrys,  and  Citha:ron,  glow ; 
And  Hhodope,  no  longer  clothed  in  snow : 
High  Pindus,  Mimas,  and  Parnassus,  sweat ; 
And  /Etna  rages  with  redoubled  heat : 
Ev'n  Scythia,  through  her  hoary  regions  warm'd, 
In  vain  with  all  her  native  frost  was  arm'd : 
Cover'd  with  flames,  the  towering  Apennine, 
And  Caucasus,  and  proud  Olympus,  shine ; 
And  where  the  long-extended  Alps  aspire 
Now  stands  a  huge  continued  range  of  fire. 

The  astonish'd  youth,  where'er  his  eyes  could  turn, 
Beheld  the  universe  around  him  burn  : 
The  world  was  in  a  blaze  ;  nor  could  he  bear 
The  sultry  vapours  and  the  scorching  air, 
Which  from  below,  as  from  a  furnace,  flow'd : 
And  now  the  axle-tree  beneath  him  glow'd. 
Lost  in  the  whirling  clouds  that  round  him  broke, 
And  white  with  ashes,  hovering  in  the  smoke, 
He  flew  where'er  the  horses  drove,  nor  knew 
Whither  the  horses  drove,  or  where  he  flew. 

'Twas  then,  they  say,  the  swarthy  Moor  began 
To  change  his  hue,  and  blacken  in  the  sun  ; 
Then  Libya  first,  of  all  her  moisture  drain'd, 
Became  a  barren  waste,  a  wild  of  sand  ; 
The  water-nymphs  lament  their  empty  urns ; 
Boeotia,  robb'd  of  silver  Dirce,  mourns ; 
Corinth  Pyrene's  wasted  spring  bewails  ; 
And  Argos  grieves  whilst  Amymone  fails. 
The  floods  are  drain'd  from  every  distant  coast : 
Ev'n  Tanais,  though  fix'd  in  ice,  was  lost ; 
Enraged  Caicus  and  Lycormas  roar, 
And  Xanthus,  fated  to  be  burnt  once  more  : 
The  famed  Mmander,  that  unwearied  strays 
Through  mazy  windings,  smokes  in  every  maze : 
From  his  beloved  Babylon  Euphrates  flies  : 
The  big-swoln  Ganges  and  the  Danube  rise 
In  thick'uing  fumes,  and  darken  half  the  skies  : 
In  flames  Ismenos  and  the  Phasis  roll'd, 
And  Tagus,  floating  in  his  melted  gold: 
The  swans,  that  on  Cayster  often  tried 
Their  tuneful  songs,  now  sung  their  last,  and  died  : 
The  frighted  Nile  ran  off,  and  underground 
Conceal'd  his  head,  nor  can  it  yet  be  found ; 
His  seven  divided  currents  all  are  dry, 
And  where  they  roll'd  seven  gaping  trenches  lie  : 
No  more  the  Rhine  or  Rhone  their  course  maintain, 
Nor  Tiber,  of  his  promised  empire  vain. 
The  ground,  deep  cleft,  admits  the  dazzling  raj", 
And  startles  Pluto  with  the  flush  of  day : 


A. I..     I.".. 


I'llAKTON. 


11 


Sumrae  deflm  ?  lioeat  peritnne  viribus  ignis, 

i  ii'  •,  ckuiemque  auctore  levare. 
Vix  c.|iii.l.-in  f.iuces  luce  ipM  in  verbtt  resolve; 
(I'rwssorat  ora  vapor  ;)  tostos  eo  adspice  crines, 
liii|in-  .viili.  1.11:111111,  taiitum  super  ora  favillse. 
Hosne  inilii  fnu'tiis,  hunc  I'ertilitati.s  honorcm 
Otlicii<itie  refer*;  .|iic«i  a.lum-i  vulncn  aratri, 
Raatrurumqiie  fcro,  totoque  exeroeor  aiino? 
Qiunl  i--. ..ii  frimdes,  alimcntaque  niiiiii  fruges 
lliiii>:ino  generi,  vobis  quod  thura  ininistro? 
Sed  Umcn  exitium  fac  me  mcruisso  :  quid  undae, 
<t>ui.i  merait  frater?  cur  illi  tradita  sorto 
^Equora  dccrescunt,  et  ab  Kthere  longius  absuti t  ? 
Quod  si  ncc  fratris,  nee  tc  mea  gratia  tangit ; 
At  coeli  miserere  tui.    Circuuispice  utrumque ; 
Fumat  utcrque  polus  :  quos  si  vitiarvrit  ignis, 
Atria  vestra  ruent    Atlas  en  ipse  laborat, 
Vixque  suis  humeris  candentem  sustiuct  axcm. 
Si  freta,  si  term  pereunt,  ri  regia  ooeli ; 
In  chaos  antiquum  confundimur.     Rripe  flammis, 
Si  i|uid  adhuc  snperest :  et  rerum  oousule  suronue. 
Dixerat  hicc  Tellus  :  neque  cniin  tolerare  raporem 
Uterius  jiotuit,  nee  dioere  plura :  suumque 
Kettulit  os  in  se,  propioraque  manibus  antra. 

At  pater  omnipotens  superos  testatus,  et  ipt>um, 
Qui  dederat  currus,  nisi  opem  ferat,  omnia  fato 
Interitura  gravi ;  sumraam  petit  arduus  arcem, 

•olet  latis  nubcs  inducere  terris : 
Unde  movet  tonitnis,  vibrataque  fulmina  jactat. 
Sed  neque,  quas  posset  terris  inducere,  nubes 
Tune  liabuit,  nee,  quos  coclo  dimitteret,  imbres. 
Intuuat :  et  dextra  libratum  fulmen  ab  aure 
Misit  in  aurigam :  pariterque  animaque  rotisque 
Kxpulit,  et  sa'vis  compescuit  ignibus  ignes. 
Constertiantur  equi,  et  saltu  in  contraria  facto 
Colla  JM^II  exrutiunt,  abruptaque  lora  relinquunt 
Illic  frena  jaccnt,  illic  temone  rerulsus 
Axis ;  in  liac  radii  fractarum  parte  rotarum : 
Spanaque  suut  late  laceri  vestigia  currus. 
At  Phaethon,  nitilos  llamnia  populante  capillos, 
Volvitur  in  pneceps,  longoque  per  aera  tractu 

r :  nt  interdum  de  coelo  Stella  sereno, 
Etsi  non  cecidit,  potuit  cecidisse  videri. 
.Quern  procul  a  patria  di verso  maximns  orbe 
Kxcii'it  Kridanus,  spumantiaqiie  abluit  ora. 


The  teas  shrink  in,  and  to  the  sight  disclose 

.ikc.l  plains,  where  once  their  billowy  roie; 
Th.  ir  rocks  are  all  disoover'd,  and  increase 
The  number  of  the  scattcrM  Cyclade* ; 
Tlie  fish  in  shoals  about  the  bottom  creep  ;<< 
Nor  longer  dares  the  crooked  dolphin  leap: 
Gasping  for  breath  the  unshapun  Phocte  die, 
And  on  the  boiling  wave  extended  lie : 
Nereus,  and  Doris  with  her  virgin  train, 
Seek  out  the  last  recesses  of  the  main  ; 
Beneath  unfathomable  depths  they  faint, 
And  secret  in  tln-ir  gloomy  caverns  pant; 
Stern  Neptune  thrice  above  the  waves  upheld 
His  face,  and  thrice  was  by  the  flames  repell'd. 

The  Earth  at  length,  on  every  side  embraced 
With  scalding  seas,  that  floated  through  her  waist, 
When  now  she  felt  the  springs  and  rivers  come, 
And  crowd  within  the  hollow  of  her  womb, 
Uplifted  to  the  heavens  her  blasted  head, 
And  clapp'd  her  hand  upon  her  brows,  and  said 
(But  first,  impatient  of  the  sultry  heat, 
Sunk  deeper  down,  and  sought  a  cooler  seat) : — 
"If  you,  great  kings  of  gods,  my  death  approve, 
And  1  deserve  it,  let  me  die  by  Jove : 
If  I  must  perish  by  the  force  of  fire. 
Let  me  transfix'd  with  thunder-bolts  expire. 
See,  whilst  I  speak,  my  breath  the  vapours  choke 
(For  now  her  face  lay  wrapp'd  in  clouds  of  smoke), 
See  my  singed  hair,  behold  my  faded  eye, 
And  wither'd  face,  where  heaps  of  cinders  lie ! 
And  does  the  plough  for  this  my  body  tear  ? 
This  the  reward  for  all  the  fruits  I  bear, 
Tortured  with  rakes,  and  harass 'd  all  the  year  ? 
That  herbs  for  cattle  daily  I  renew, 
And  food  for  man,  and  frankincense  for  you? 
But,  grant  me  guilty,  what  has  Neptune  done  ? 
Why  are  his  waters  boiling  in  the  Sun  ? 
The  wavy  empire,  which  by  lot  was  given, 
Why  does  it  waste,  and  farther  shrink  from  heaven? 
If  I  nor  he  your  pity  can  provoke, 
See  your  own  heavens,  the  heavens  begin  to  smoke ! 
Should  once  the  sparkles  catch  those  bright  abodes, 
Destruction  seizes  on  the  heavens  and  gods ; 
Atlas  becomes  unequal  to  his  freight, 
And  almost  faints  beneath  the  glowing  weight. 
If  heaven,  and  earth,  and  sea,  together  bum, 
All  must  again  into  their  chaos  turn. 
Apply  some  speedy  cure,  prevent  our  fate, 
And  succour  Nature  ere  it  be  too  late." 
She  ceased ;  for,  choked  with  vapours  round  her  spread, 
Down  to  the  deepest  shades  she  sunk  her  head. 

Jove  call'd  to  witness  every  power  above, 
And  even  the  god,  whose  son  the  chariot  drove, 
That  what  he  acts  he  is  compell'd  to  do, 
Or  universal  ruin  must  ensue. 
Straight  he  ascends  the  high  ethereal  throne, 
From  whence  he  used  to  dart  his  thunder  down, 
From  whence  his  showers  and  storms  be  used  to  pour, 
But  now  could  meet  with  neither  storm  nor  show.  r. 
Then,  aiming  at  the  youth,  with  lifted  hand, 
Full  at  his  head  he  hurl'd  the  forky  brand 
In  dreadful  tluinderingg.     Thus  the  Almighty  Sire 
Suppn  *.s'd  the  raging  of  the  fires  with 
At  once  from  life  and  from  the  dmri..t  driven, 
The  ambitious  boy  fell  thunder-struck  from  heaven  ; 

UN1VEKS1TY  OF  CALIFORNIA 


12 


ANABAAHN. 


A.D.  43. 


The  horses  started  with  a  sudden  bound, 

And  flung  the  reins  and  chariot  to  the  ground  ; 

The  studded  harness  from  their  necks  they  broke, 

Here  fell  a  wheel,  and  there  a  silver  spoke, 

Here  were  the  beam  and  axle  torn  away, 

And  scatter'd  o'er  the  earth  the  shining  fragments  lay. 


The  breathless  Phaeton,  with  flaming  hair, 
Shot  from  the  chariot  like  a  falling  star, 
That  in  a  summer's  evening  from  the  top 
Of  heaven  drops  down,  or  seems  at  least,  to  drop, 
Till  on  the  Po  his  blasted  corpse  was  hurl'd, 
Far  from  his  country,  in  the  western  world. 


AUKOKA. 


We  may  also  refer  to  the  '  Story  of  Dsedalus  and  Icarus,'  translated  by  Croxall  :— 


In  tedious  exile  now  too  long  detain'd, 
Dfedalus  languish'd  for  his  native  land  ; 
The  sea  foreclosed  his  flight,  yet  thus  he  said  ; 
"  Though  earth  and  water  in  subjection  laid, 

0  cruel  Minos,  thy  dominion  be, 

We'll  go  through  air ;  for  sure  the  air  is  free." 
Then  to  new  arts  his  cunning  thought  applies, 
And  to  improve  the  work  of  nature  tries. 
A  row  of  quills,  in  gradual  order  placed, 
Rise  by  degrees  in  length  from  first  to  last ; 
As  on  a  cliff  the  ascending  thicket  grows ; 
Or  different  reeds  the  rural  pipe  compose  : 
Along  the  middle  runs  a  twine  of  flax, 
The  bottom  stems  are  join'd  by  pliant  wax ; 
Thus,  well  compact,  a  hollow  bending  brings 
The  fine  composure  into  real  wings. 

His  boy,  young  Icarus,  that  near  him  stood, 
Unthinking  of  his  fate,  with  smiles  pursued 
The  floating  feathers,  which  the  moving  air 
Bore  loosely  from  the  ground,  and  wafted  here  and  there  : 
Or  with  the  wax  impertinently  play'd, 
And  with  his  childish  tricks  the  great  design  delay'd — 

The  final  masterstroke  at  last  imposed, 
And  now,  the  neat  machine  completely  closed  ; 
Fitting  his  pinions  on,  a  flight  he  tries, 
And  hung  self-balanced  in  the  beaten  skies. 
Then  thus  instructs  his  child :  "  My  boy,  take  care 
To  wing  your  course  along  the  middle  air  : 
If  low,  the  surges  wet  your  flagging  plumes  ; 
If  high,  the  sun  the  melting  wax  consumes. 
Steer  between  both  :  nor  to  the  northern  skies, 
Nor  South  Orion,  turn  your  giddy  eyes, 
But  follow  me :  Let  me  before  you  lay 

1  Jules  for  the  flight,  and  mark  the  pathless  way." 
Thus  teaching,  with  a  fond  concern,  his  son, 

He  took  the  untried  wings,  and  fix'd  them  on  : 
But  fix'd  with  trembling  hands  ;  and,  as  he  speaks, 
The  tears  roll  gently  down  his  aged  cheeks ; 


Then  kiss'd,  and  in  his  arms  embraced  him  fast, 

But  knew  not  this  embrace  must  be  the  last ; 

And  mounting  upward,  as  he  wings  his  flight, 

Back  on  his  charge  he  turns  his  aching  sight ; 

As  parent  birds,  when  first  their  callow  care 

Leave  the  high  nest  to  tempt  the  liquid  air  ; 

Then  cheers  him  on,  and  oft,  with  fatal  art, 

Reminds  the  stripling  to  perform  his  part. 

These,  as  the  angler  at  the  silent  brook, 

Or  mountain  shepherd  leaning  on  his  crook, 

Or  gaping  ploughman,  from  the  vale  descries, 

They  stare,  and  view  them  with  religious  eyes, 

And  straight  conclude  them  gods  :  since  none  but  they 

Through  their  own  azure  skies  could  find  a  way. 

Now  Delos,  Paros,  on  the  left  are  seen, 

And  Samos,  favour'd  by  Jove's  haughty  queen ; 

Upon  the  right,  the  isle  Lebynthos  named, 

And  fair  Calymne  for  its  honey  famed. 

When  now  the  boy,  whose  childish  thoughts  aspire 

To  loftier  aims,  and  make  him  ramble  higher, 

Grown  wild  and  wanton,  more  embolden'd  flies 

Far  from  his  guide,  and  soars  among  the  skies  : 

The  softening  wax,  that  felt  a  nearer  sun, 

Dissolved  apace,  and  soon  began  to  run  : 

The  youth  in  vain  his  melting  pinion  shakes, 

His  feathers  gone,  no  longer  air  he  takes  : 

Oh  !  father,  father !  as  he  strove  to  cry, 

Down  to  the  sea  he  tumbled  from  on  high, 

And  found  his  fate :  yet  still  subsists  by  Fame, 

Among  those  waters  that  retain  his  name. 

The  Father,  now  no  more  a  father,  cries : 
"  Ho,  Icarus  !  where  are  you  ?  "  as  he  flies  ; 
"  Where  shall  I  seek  my  boy  ?  "  he  cries  again, 
And  saw  his  feathers  scattered  on  the  main  : 
Then  cursed  his  art;  and  funeral  rites  conferr'd, 
Naming  the  country  from  the  youth  interr'd. 

A  Partridge  from  a  neighbouring  stump  beheld 
The  Sire  his  monumental  marble  build  ; 


LD.   1171. 


ASTnl.l'iin.  Till!   IIV-USI!    KMMIT. 


L8 


with  i>eculiar  call  nml  ll'ilterim;  I 
CliirpM  joyful,  nutl  malicious  seem'd  to  - 

Iv  bird  ..I'.iil  its  kind,  anil  late 
TransformM  in  pity  to  a  feather'd  slate; 

.  whence,  O  Diwdalns!  thy  guilt  »v  dale. 
II  i  rift  r's  s.>n,  when  MOW  twrlve  years  were  pass'd, 

.  with  his  uncle,  n*  a  srholar  placed; 
Tin'  unsu*|«.iitin'.'  mother  saw  his  part*, 
And  'in'  tincst  arts. 

This  soon  ap|«ar'd  ;  fur  when  thr  spiny  I«'U.- 
In  tishes'  locks  was  by  the  stripling  known, 
utioii  thence  lie  li'.iruM  in  ilraw, 

•  teeth  in  iron,  and  made  the  grating  saw. 
IK-  w.i^  l!i.'  tiiM,  that  tri'tii  a  knob  of  brass 
Hade  two  straight  amis  with  widening  stretch  to  pass  ; 
That  while  one  stooil  upon  the  centre's  place, 
'!'!).•  oilier  round  it  drew  a  circling  space. 
Dvdalus  i  n\  ]•  •!  tins,  anil  from  ti 
Of  fair  Minerva's  •  'dm  drop; 

Feigning,  that  as  he  lean'd  u]«>n  tlie  tower. 

ss,  he  utoop'd  too  mucli,  and  tuinliled  o'er. 
The  Goddess,  who  tl  -  still  befriends, 

'  hi  this  occasion  her  assistance  lends  ; 
His  arms  with  feathers,  as  he  fell,  she  veils, 

in  the  air  a  new-made  bin!  he  sails. 


The  quickneas  of  his  genius,  once  to  fleet, 

Still  on  his  wings  remain,  and  in  his  I 

Still,  tin.'  transformM,  his  ancient  naino  he  keeps, 

And  with  low  iliuht  the  new-shorn  stubble  sweep*, 

M-S  the  lofty  trees,  and  thinks  it  best 
To  brood  in  hedgerows  o'er  its  humble  nest ; 
And  in  remembrance  of  the  former  ill, 
Avoids  the  heights  ail'!  still. 

At  length,  fatigued  with  long  laborious  flights, 
On  fair  Sicilia's  plains  the  artist  lights; 
Where  Cocalus  the  king,  that  gave  him  aid, 
Was,  for  his  kindness,  with  esteem  repaid. 
Athens  no  more  her  doleful  tribute  sent, 
That  hardship  gallant  Theseus  did  prevent ; 
Their  temples  hung  with  garlands,  they  adore 
Each  friendly  god,  but  most  Minerva's  power ; 
To  her,  to  Jove,  to  all,  their  altars  smoke, 
.  each  with  victims  and  i>crfiimcs  invoke. 

Now  talking  fame,  thro'  every  Grecian  town 
Hail  spread,  immortal  Theseus,  thy  renown  : 
From  him,  the  neighbouring  nations,  in  distress, 
In  suppliant  terms  implore  a  kind  redress. 


Thr  following  passage  I  take  from  the  'Orlando  Furioso'  of  Ariosto  (born  at  Reggio, 
\.i>.  I  171),  as  it  is  strangely  appropriate  at  this  time.  He  describes  Astolpho,  an  English 
kui^rlit,  leaving  the  island,  and  winging  his  flight  to  the  Source  of  the  Nile.  The  English 
version  is  by  William  Stewart  Rose: — 

CANTO  XXXIII. 

XCVI. 


Voglio  Astolfo  seguir,  ch'  a  sella,  e  ii  mono 
A  uso  facea  andar  di  palafreno 
L*  Ippogrilb  |KT  1'  aria  a  si  gran  corso, 
Che  1'  aquila,  e  il  falcon  vola  assai  menu. 
Poi  die  ile'  Galli  ebbe  il  paese  scorso 
Da  un  marc  all'  altro,  e  da  Firene  al  Reno, 
Tomb  verso  Ponente  alia  montagna, 
Che  separa  la  Francia  dalla  Spagna, 

XCVll. 

Passo  in  Xavarra,  ed  indi  in  Ara^oiia, 
Lasciando  a  chi  '  in  maraviglia. 

humi  a  sinistra  Taracona, 
Biscaglia  a  destra,  ed  arrivO  in  Castiiilia. 

'  .ali/.ia,  e  '1  Regno  d'  Ulisbona  ; 
Poi  volse  il  corso  a  Cordova,  i>  Siviglia : 
N.-  lascid  presso  al  mar,  rik  fra  campagna 
ritta,  che  non  vedesse  in  tutta  Spagna. 

XCVIIi. 

Vide  le  Gade,  e  la  nicta  che  pose 
Ai  primi  navi^anti  ICrculi-  invittn. 
Africa  vagar  ]>oi  si  dispose 

nte  a  i  termini  d'  Kgitto. 
••  faniose, 
I'.  \  •  i,   Kviza  appreaso  al  cammin  dritto. 

rso  Arzilla 
Sopra  '1  mar,  che  da  Spagna  dipartilla. 


Astolpho  in  his  flight  will  I  pursue, 
That  made  his  hip]wgryph  like  palfrey  flee, 
With  reins  and  sell,  so  quick  the  welkin  through  ; 
That  hawk  and  eagle  soar  a  course  less  free. 
O'er  the  wide  land  of  Gaul  the  warrior  flew, 
From  Pyrenees  to  Rhine,  from  sea  to  sea. 
He  westward  to  the  mountains  turned  aside, 
Which  France's  fertile  land  from  Spain  divide. 


To  Arragon  he  past  out  of  Navarre, 

— They  who  beheld,  sore  wondering  at  the  sight — 

Then,  leaves  ho  Tarragon  behind  him  far, 

Upon  his  left,  Biscay  upon  his  right : 

Traversed  Castile,  Gallicia,  Lisbon,  are 

Seville  and  Cordova,  with  rapid  flight; 

Kor  city  on  sea-shore,  nor  inland  plain, 

Is  unexplored  throughout  the  realm  of  Spain. 


Beneath  him  Cadiz  and  the  strait  he  spied, 
Where  whilom  good  Alcides  closed  the  way ; 
From  the  Atlantic  to  the  further  side 
Of  Egypt,  bent  o'er  Africa,  to  stray  ; 
The  famous  Balearic  isles  descried, 
And  Iviea,  that  in  his  passage  lay  ; 
Towards  Arzilla  then  lie  tnrmM  the  rein, 
Above  the  sea  and  severs  it  from 


ANABAAHN. 


A.D.  1474. 


XCIX. 

Vide  Marocco,  Feza,  Orano,  Ippona, 
Algier,  Buzea,  tutte  Citta  superbe  ; 
C'  hanno  d'  altre  Citta  tuttc  corona, 
Corona  d'  oro,  e  non  di  fronde,  6  d'  erbe. 
Verso  Biserta,  e  Tunigi  poi  sprona  : 
Vide  Capisse,  e  1'  Isola  d'  Alzerbe, 
E  Tripoli,  e  Berniche,  e  Tolomitta, 
Sin  dove  il  Nilo  in  Asia  si  tragitta. 

c. 

Tra  la  marina,  e  la;  silvosa  sehiena 

Del  fiero  Atlante  vide  ogni  contrada. 

Poi  die  le  spalle  a  i  ruonti  di  Carena ; 

E  sopra  i  Cirenei  prese  la  strada  ; 

E  traversando  i  campi  de  1"  arena 

Venne  a'  confin  di  Nubia  in  Albaiada. 

Bimase  dietro  il  Cimiter  di  Batto, 

E  '1  gran  Ternpio  d'  Amon,  ch'  oggi  e  disfatto. 

CI. 

Indi  giunse  ad  un'  altra  Tremisenne 
Che  di  Maumetto  pur  segue  lo  stilo  ; 
Poi  volse  agli  altri  Etiopi  le  penne, 
Cbe  contra  questi  son  di  la  dal  Nilo. 
A  la  Citta  di  Nubia  il  camrnin  tenne 
Tra  Dobada  e  Coalle  in  aria  a  filo. 
Questi  Cristiani  son,  quei  Saracini, 
E  stan  con  1'  arme  in  man  sempre  a'  confini. 

oil. 

Senapo  Imperator  de  la  Etiopia, 

Che  'n  luogo  tien  di  scettro  in  man  la  Croce ; 

Di  gente,  di  cittadi,  e  d'  oro  ha  copia 

Quindi  fin  la,  dove  il  mar  Rosso  ha  foce  ; 

E  serva  quasi  nostra  fede  propia, 

Che  pub  salvarlo  da  1'  esilio  atroce. 

Gli  e,  s'  io  non  piglio  errore,  in  questo  loco 

Ove  al  battesmo  loro  usano  il  foco. 

GUI. 

Dismonto  il  Duca  Astolfo  a  la  gran  Corte 
Bentro  di  Nubia,  e  visitb  il  Sendpo. 


Marocco,  Fez,  and  Oran,  looking  down, 
Hippona,  Algier,  he,  and  Bugia  told, 
Which  from  all  cities  bear  away  the  crown, 
No  palm  or  parsley  wreath,  but  crown  of  gold  ; 
Noble  Beserta  next  and  Tunis  Town 
Capys,  Alzerba's  Isle,  the  warrior  bold, 
Tripoli,  Berniche,  Ptolomitta  viewed, 
And  into  Asia's  land  the  Nile  pursued. 


'Twixt  Atlas'  shaggy  ridges  and  the  shore, 
He  viewed  each  region  in  his  spacious  round  ; 
He  turned  his  back  upon  Carena  hoar, 
And  skimmed  above  the  CyrenEean  ground  ; 
Passing  the  sandy  desert  of  the  Moor, 
In  Albajada,  reached  the  Nubian's  bound  ; 
Left  Battus'  tomb  behind  him  on  the  plain 
And  Ammon's  now  dilapidated  fane. 


To  other  Tremizen  he  posts,  where  bred 
As  well  the  people  are  in  Mahound's  style ; 
For  other  JDthiops  then  his  pinions  spread, 
Which  face  the  first,  and  lie  beyond  the  Nile  ; 
Between  Coallee  and  Dobada  sped, 
Bound  for  the  Nubian  city's  royal  pile ; 
Threading  the  two,  where,  ranged  on  either  hand, 
Moslems  and  Christians  watch,  with  arms  in  hand. 


In  ^Ethiopia's  realm  Senapus  reigns, 
Whose  sceptre  is  the  cross  ;  of  cities  brave, 
Of  men,  of  gold  possest,  and  broad  domains, 
Which  the  Bed  Sea's  extremes!  waters  lave. 
A  faith  wellnigh  like  ours  that  king  maintains, 
Which  man  from  his  primeval  doom  may  save. 
Here,  save  I  err  in  what  their  rites  require, 
The  swarthy  people  are  baptized  by  fire. 


Astolpho  lighted  in  the  spacious  court, 
Intending  on  the  Nubian  king  to  wait. 


He  continues  to  describe  the  grandeur  of  the  palace,  and  among  the  proofs  of  his  power 
is  one  that  forms  the  subject  of  the  following  stanza  :— 


cvi. 

Si  dice  che  '1  Soldan,  Bfc  de  1'  Egitto 
A  quel  Be  da  tribute,  e  sta  suggetto ; 
Perch'  e  in  poter  di  lui  dal'cammin  dritto 
Ijevare  il  Nilo,  e  dargli  altro  ricetto  ; 
E  per  questo  lasciar  subito  afflitto 
Di  fame  il  Cairo,  e  tutto  quel  distretto. 
Senapo  detto  fc  da  i  sudditi  suoi : 
Gli  diciam  Presto,  o  Preteianni  noi. 


The  soldan,  king  of  the  Egyptian  land, 
Pays  tribute  to  this  sovereign,  as  his  head, 
They  say,  as  having  Nile  at  his  command 
He  may  divert  the  stream  to  other  bed. 
Hence,  with  its  district  upon  either  hand, 
Forthwith  might  Cairo  lack  its  daily  bread. 
Senapus  him  his  Nubian  tribes  proclaim  ; 
We  Priest  and  Prester  John  the  sovereign  name. 


The  tale  is  carried  on  by  incorporating  the  classic  story  of  the  Harpies  sent  by  heaven  to 
punish  this  rich  king. 


1171. 


A>T<>U'IIO.  TIIK  KNCUSH   KM'.HT. 


15 


Tin-  following  stanzas  give  the  prophecy  and  ite  fulfilment  of  the  period  put  to  these 


pm. 

K  in  disperazion  continua  il  mease 
Uno,  che  gia  gli  avea  profet  izato, 
Che  le  sue  mense  non  sariano  opprease 
Da  la  rapina,  e  da  1'  odore  ingrato, 
Quando  venir  |-  r  1'  aria  si  vedease 
Un  Cavalier  sopra  un  cavallo  alato. 
Perch*-  ili;in|iie  impossibil  jiarea  qucsto, 
I'nvn  d'  ogni  speranza  vivea  mesto. 

CXIH. 

<  'r,  che  con  gran  stupor  vedo  la  gente 
Sopra  ogni  muro,  e  sopra  ogn'  alta  torre 
Knt  rare  il  Cavalicro,  imiuantenente 
K  r  hi  il  narrarlo  al  Re  di  Nubia  corre ; 
A  c-ni  la  profezia  ritorna  a  mcnte ; 
1-M  oM.liaixlo  per  Ictizia  torre 
La  fedel  vcrga,  con  le  mani  ionantc 
Vien  brancolando  al  Cavalier  volante. 


And  him  had  plunged  in  uttermost  despair 
One  that  to  him  erewhilo  had  prophesied 
"  The  loathsome  Harpies  should  his  daily  fare 
"  Leave  unpolluted  only,  when  astride 
"  Of  winged  horse,  arriving  through  the  air, 
"  An  armed  cavalier  should  be  descried." 
And,  for  impossible  appears  the  thing, 
Devoid  of  hope  remains  the  mournful  king. 


Now  tbat  with  wonderment  his  followers  spy 

The  English  cavalier  so  make  his  way, 

O'er  every  wall,  o'er  every  turret  high, 

Some  swiftly  to  the  king  the  news  convey. 

Who  calls  to  mind  that  ancient  prophecy, 

And  heedless  of  his  staff,  his  wonted  stay, 

Thro'  joy,  with  outstretched  arms  and  tottering  feet, 

Comes  forth,  the  flying  cavalier  to  meet. 


CIIV. 

Astolfo  nc  la  piazza  del  castello 
Con  gpaziose  rote  in  terra  scese. 

'•lie  fu  il  lie  condotto  innanzi  a  qucllo, 
Inginocchiossi,  e  le  man  giunte  stese, 
E  diase :  Angel  di  Dio,  Messia  novello, 
"  S'  io  non  inerto  perdona  a  tante  ofieae, 
"  Mini,  che  proprio  e  a  noi  peocar  sovente, 
"  A  voi  perdonar  sempre  a  chi  si  pente. 


Within  the  castle  court  Astolpho  flew, 
And  there,  with  spacious  wheels,  on  earth  descended, 
The  king,  conducted  by  his  courtly  crew, 
Before  the  warrior  knelt  with  arms  extended, 
And  cried,  "  Thou  Angel,  sent  of  God,  thou  new 
"  Messiah,  if  too  sore  I  have  offended, 
"  For  mercy,  yet,  bethink  thce,  'tis  our  bent 
"  To  sin,  and  thine  to  pardon  who  repent." 


Civil. 

•  Rispose  Astolfo  :  Ne  1'  Angel  di  Dio, 

•  Ne  son  Messia  novel,  ne  dal  Ciel  vegno ; 
4  Ma  son  mortale,  e  peocatore  anch'  io, 

'  Di  tanta  grazia,  a  me  concessa  indegno. 
'  Io  faro  ogn'  opra  accib  che  '1  mostro  rio, 
'  Per  morte  o  fuga  io  ti  leri  del  Hegno. 
'  S'  io  il  I'o,  me  non,  ma  Dio  ne  loda  solo, 
'  Che  per  tuo  aiuto  qui  mi  drizr.6  il  volo." 

CXVIIl. 

Fa'  qncsti  voti  a  Dio,  debiti  a  lui, 
A  lui  le  Chiese  edifica,  e  gli  altnri. 
Cost  parlando,  andavano  ambidui 
Verso  il  Castello  fra  i  Baron  preclari. 
II  Re  comanda  a  i  servitori  sui, 
Che  subito  il  couvito  si  prepari  ; 
S]*raiido  clie  non  debba  essergli  toll* 
La  vivanda  di  mono  a  questa  volta. 

cxix. 

Dcntro  una  ricca  sala  immantinente 
Apparecchiossi  il  convito  solenne. 
Col  Senapo  s*  assise  solamente 
11  l>uca  Astolfo,  e  la  \  ivanda  vcnne. 
Ecco  per  1'  aria  Io  strii'.or  si  scnte 
Percossa  intorno  da  I'  orribil  |«.>nne. 
Ecco  vcnir  1'  Arpie  brutte  e  nefande 
Tratte  dal  cielo  a  odor  de  le  vivande. 


"  Nor  angel," — good  Astolpho  made  reply, — 

"  Nor  new  Messiah,  I  from  heaven  descend ; 

"  No  less  a  mortal  or  a  sinner  I, 

"  To  such  high  grace  unworthy  to  pretend. 

"  To  slay  the  monsters  I  all  means  will  try, 

"  Or  drive  them  from  the  realm  which  they  offend. 

"  If  I  shall  prosper  be  thy  praises  paid, 

"  To  God  alone  who  sent  me  to  thy  aid. 


"  Offer  these  vows  to  God,  to  Him  well  due ; 

"  To  Him  thy  churches  build,  thine  altars  rear." 
Discoursing  so,  together  wend  the  two, 
'Mid  Barons  bold,  that  King  and  Cavalier. 
The  Nubian  Prince  commands  the  menial  crew 
Forthwith  to  bring  the  hospitable  cheer ; 
And  hopes  that  now  the  foul,  rapacious  band, 
Will  not  dare  snatch  the  victuals  from  his  hand. 


Forthwith  a  solemn  banquet  they  prepare 
Within  the  gorgeous  palace  of  tbe  king. 
Seated  alone  here  guest  and  sovereign  arc, 
And  the  attendant  troops  the  viands  brin;.'. 
Behold  !  a  whizzing  sound  is  beard  in  air, 
Which  echoes  with  the  beat  of  savage  \vinur. 
Behold !  the  band  of  Harpies  thither  flies, 
Lured  by  the  scent  of  victual  from  the  ski.  s. 


16 


ANABAAHN. 


A.D.  1474. 


cxx. 

Erano  sette  in  ima  schiera  ;  e  tutte 
Volto  di  donna  avean,  pallide  e  smorte, 
Per  lunga  fame  attenuate  e  asciutte, 
Orribili  a  veder,  piu  che  la  mortc. 
L'  alacce  grand!  avean,  deform!  e  bruttc  ; 
Le  man  rapaci,  e  1'  ugne  in  curve  c  torte  ; 
Grande,  e  fetido  il  ventre,  e  lunga  coda, 
Come  di  serpe,  che  s'  aggira,  e  snoda. 


All  bear  a  female  face  of  pallid  dye, 
And  seven  in  number  are  the  horrid  band ; 
Emaciated  with  hunger,  lean,  and  dry  ; 
Fouler  than  death  ;  the  pinions  they  expand, 
Kagired  and  huge  and  shapeless  to  the  eye; 
The  talon  crooked  ;  rapacious  is  the  hand  ; 
Fetid  and  large  the  paunch  ;  in  many  a  fold, 
Like  snakes  their  long  and  knotted  tails  are  rolled. 


CXXI. 

Si  sentono  venir  per  1'  aria,  e  quasi 

Si  veggon  tutte  a  un  tempo  in  sii  la  mensa 

Eapire  i  cibi,  e  riversare  i  vasi ; 

E  molta  feccia  il  ventre  lor  dispense, 

Tal  ch'  egli  e  forza  d'  atturare  i  nasi, 

Che  non  si  pub  patir  la  puzza  immensa. 

Astolfo,  come  1'  ira  lo  sospinge, 

Contra  gli  ingordi  augelli  il  ferro  stringe. 


The  fowls  are  heard  in  air  ;  then  swoops  amain  ; 
The  covey  wellnigh  in  that  instant,  rends 
The  food,  o'erturns  the  vessels,  and  a  rain 
Of  noisome  ordure  on  the  board  descends. 
To  stop  their  nostrils  king  and  duke  are  fain  ; 
Such  an  insufferable  stench  offends. 
Against  the  greedy  birds,  as  wrath  excites, 
Astolpho  with  his  brandished  faulchion  smites. 


The  three  next  stanzas  give  the  account  of  the  success  of  the  Harpies,  the  despair  of  the 
king,  and  the  resolve  of  Astolpho  to  use  his  magic  horn.  So  he  again  tempts  the  monsters,  as 
follows : — 


CXXV. 

E  cos\  in  una  loggia  s'apparecchia 

Con  altra  mensa  altra  vivanda  nuova. 

Ecco  1'  Arpie,  che  fan  1"  usanza  vecchia : 

Astolfo  il  corno  subito  ritrova. 

Gli  augelli,  che  non  han  chiusa  1'  orecchia, 

Udito  il  suon,  lion  pon  stare  a  la  prova  ; 

Ma  vanuo  in  fuga  pieni  di  paura, 

Ne  di  cibo,  ne  d'  altro  hanno  piu  cura. 

cxx  vi. 

Subito  il  Paladin  dietro  lor  sprona ; 
Volando  esce  il  destrier  fuor  de  la  loggia, 
E  col  castel  la  gran  Citta  abbandona ; 
E  per  1'  aria,  cacciando  i  mostri,  poggia. 
Astolfo  il  corno  tuttavolta  suona : 
Fuggon  1"  Arpie  verso  la  Zona  roggia 
Tanto  che  sono  a  1'  Altissimo  monte, 
Ove  il  Nilo  ha,  se  in  alcun  Inoyo  lta,fonte. 


CXXVII. 

Quasi  de  la  montagna  a  la  radice 
Entra  sotterra  una  profonda  grotta 
Che  certissima  porta  esser  si  dice 
Di  chi  k  1'  Inferno  vuol  scender  talotta. 
Quivi  s'  e  quella  turba  predatrice, 
Come  in  sicuro  albergo,  ricondotta, 
E  giu  sin  di  Cocito  in  sii  la  proda 
Scesa,  e  piu  la,  dove  quel  suon  non  oda. 

CXXVIII. 

A  1*  infernal  caliginosa  buca, 

Ch'  apre  la  strada  a  chi  abbandona  il  lume, 

F'm\  V  orribil  suon  1'  inclito  Duca, 

E  fe  raccorre  al  suo  destrier  le  piume.* 


The  tale  continues  to  describe  the  descent  of  the  English  Paladin  after  tying  up  his 
winged  steed,  the  horrors,  and  his  forced  retreat  on  account  of  the  poisonous  fumes.  He  stops 
ii]»  the  mouth  of  the  cavern,  and- 


XLVIII. 

Poi  monta  il  volatore,  e  in  aria  s'  alza 
Per  giunger  di  quel  monte  in  su  la  cima, 
Che  non  lontan  con  la  superna  balza 
Dal  cerchio  de  la  Luna  esser  si  stima. 
Tanto  c  il  desir,  che  di  veder  1'  incalza, 
Ch'  al  cielo  aspira,  e  la  terra  non  stima.  " 
De  1'  aria  piu,  e  piii  scmpre  guadagna ; 
Tanto,  ch'  al  giogo  va  de  la  montagna. 


CANTO  XXXIV. 


Then  backed  the  griffin-horse,  and  soared  a  flight 
Whereby  to  reach  the  mountain  tops  he  schemes ; 
Which  little  distant,  with  its  haughty  height, 
From  the  moon's  circle  good  Astolpho  deems ; 
And  such  desire  to  see  it  warms  the  knight, 
That  he  aspires  to  heaven,  nor  ease  esteems. 
Through  air  so  more  and  more  the  warrior  strains, 
That  he  at  last  the  mountain-summit  gains. 


*  I  omit  the  English  in  these  and  some  of  the  following  stanzas,  where  I  think  the  translation  falls  far  short  of  the  original. 


-the" 


L  M  V .  C  l- 
C  L  L 1 1-  C  K  U  I 


r  ri 


A. I..    1171. 


ASTOI.IMIO.  TllK  KNCI.ISII   KXHMIT. 


17 


A   glowing    description    of   beautiful    scenery    follows,   and   of  the    gorgeous    palace, 

win -re — 


1,1V. 

N<1  luoente  veatibulo  <li  quclU 

Felice  caaa  un  Veccliio  al  Dun  oocom, 

manto  ha  rosso,  e  bianca  la  gonnella, 
( 'I,.-  1'  un  ;>u5  al  latte,  e  1'  altro  al  minio  opporre. 
I  oriui  lia  bianchi,  e  biaiica  la  maacclla 

ia  barba,  che  al  petto  diaoorre; 
Ed  e  si  venrrahile  nel  vise, 
Che  un  degli  clotti  par  del  Paradiao. 


LVlll. 

Qnel  tanto  al  Redentor  cam  Giovanni 
Per  cui  '1  sermone  tra  i  fratelli  usci'o, 
Che  oon  dovca  per  morte  finir  gli  anni : 
SI  che  fu  causa,  che  '1  Figliuol  di  Dio 
A  Piatro  disse :  Perche  pur  t'  affanni, 
S*  io  vo'  che  coal  aspetti  il  venir  mio  ? 
Benched  non  disae :  Egli  non  de'  moriro  ; 
Si  vede  pur,  che  coal  voile  dire. 


LV. 

Costui  con  lirta  faocia  al  Paladino, 
Che  rivcrcnte  era  d'arcion  diaoeso, 
Dine:  0  Baron,  che  per  voW  <livim> 
Sei  nel  terreatre  Paradiao  aaoeao. 
Come  che  ne  la  cnusa  del  camroino, 
M-  il  fin  del  tuu  deair  da  to  aia  inteao ; 
Pur  credi  che  non  wnza  alto  misteriu 
Venuto  sei  dall'  artico  emisperio. 


LIX. 

Quivi  fu  asaunto,  e  trovb  compagnla, 
Che  prima  Enoch,  il  I'ntriarca,  v'  era : 
Eravi  inaieme  il  gran  1'rofcta  Ella, 
Che  non  ban  vista  aucor  1'  ultima  fera, 
E  fuor  dell'  aria  peatilente  e  ria 
85  goderan  1'  etema  Prima vera 
Fin  che  dian  aegno  le  Angeliche  tube, 
Che  torni  Criato  in  su  la  bianca  nube. 


I.VII. 


Continuando  il  Vecchio  i  detti  auoi 
Fece  maravigliare  il  Duca  oasai 
Quando,  scoprendo  il  nome  suo,  gli  diaae 
Baser  colui,  che  1'  Evangelic  scrisse ; 


IX. 

Con  accoglicnza  grata  il  Cavaliero 
Fu  dai  Santi  alloggiato  in  una  stanza  : 
Fu  provviato  in  un'  altra  al  suo  destriero 
Di  buona  biada  cbe  gli  fu  a  bastanza. 
De'  frutti  a  lui  del  Paradiso  diem, 
Di  tal  sapor,  che  a  suo  giudicio,  sanza 
Scusa  non  sono  i  duo  primi  Parent), 
Se  per  quei  fur  ai  poco  ubbidienti. 


The  following  stanzas  are  the  conversations  that  ensue,  in  the  course  of  which  St.  John 
informs  the  English  cavalier  that  he  has  a  mission  to  perform  in  recovering  Orlando's  wits, 
.mil  thus  concludes: — 


LXVII. 

"  ( ili  e  ver  che  ti  bisogna  altro  viaggio 
"  Far  meco,  e  tutta  abbandonar  la  Terra, 
"  Nel  cerchio  della  Luna  a  menar  t'  aggio, 
!•  i  pianeti  a  noi  piu  prossima  erra ; 
"  I'erche  la  medicina,  che  pud  saggio 
It-re  Orlando,  la  dentro  ai  serra. 
"  Come  la  Luna  questa  nottc  aia 
"  Sopra  noi  giunta,  ci  porremo  in  via." 


CANTO  XXXIV. 


"  Tia  true  to  journey  further  ye  will  need, 
1  And  wholly  must  you  leave  this  nether  sphere  ; 
'  To  the  moon's  circle  you  I  have  to  lead, 
'  Of  all  the  planets  to  our  world  moat  near. 
'  Because  the  medicine,  that  is  fit  to  apeed 
'  Insane  Orlando's  cure,  is  treasured  li> 
'  This  night  will  we  away,  when  overhead 
'  Her  downward  rays  the  silver  moon  shall  shed." 


LXVIII. 

Di  questo,  e  d'altre  cose  fu  diffuse 
II  parlar  dell'  Apostolo  quel  giorno. 
Ma  poi  clie  '1  S<ji  g'ebbe  nel  mar  rinchiuao, 
E  sopra  lor  levO  la  Luna  il  corno ; 
t'n  carro  apiarecchiossi,  ch'  era  ad  uao 
1 1'  amlar  scorrendo  per  quei  Cieli  intorno : 
Wuol  gia  nclle  montagne  di  Giudea 
Da'morUili  occhi  Eli'a  levato  avca. 


In  talk  the  bleated  apostle  is  diffuse 
On  this  and  that,  until  the  day  is  worn  ; 
But  when  the  sun  is  sunk  i'  the  salt-sea  ooze, 
And  overhead  the  moon  uplifts  her  horn, 
A  chariot  is  jirepared,  crewhile  in  use 
To  scour  the  heavens,  wherein  of  old  was  borne 
From  Jewry's  misty  mountains  to  the  sky 
Sainted  Elias,  rapt  from  mortal  eye. 


18 


ANABAAHN. 


A.D.  1474. 


ASTOLl'HO  AND  ST.  JOHN. 


LXIX. 

Quattro  destrier  via  piu  che  fiammi  rossi, 
Al  giogo  il  santo  Evangelista  aggiunse  ; 
E  poi  che  con  Astolfo  rassettossi, 
E  prese  il  freno,  in  verso  il  Ciel  li  punse. 
Ruotando  il  carro  per  1'  aria  levossi, 
E  tosto  in  mezzo  il  fuoco  eterno  giunse ; 
Che  '1  Vecchio  fe  miracoloramente, 
Che,  mentre  lo  passar,  non  era  ardente. 


Four  goodly  coursers  next,  and  redder  far 
Than  flame,  to  that  fair  chariot  yokes  the  sire  ; 
Who,  when  the  knight  and  he  well  seated  are, 
Collects  the  reins ;  and  heavenward  they  aspire. 
In  airy  circles  swiftly  rose  the  car, 
And  reached  the  region  of  eternal  fire  ; 
Whose  heat  the  saint  by  miracle  suspends, 
While  through  the  parted  air  the  pair  ascends. 


LXX. 

Tutta  la  Sfera  varcano  del  foco, 
Ed  indi  vanno  al  Regno  della  Luna. 
Veggon  per  la  piii  parte  esser  quel  loco, 
Come  un  acciar,  che  non  ha  macchia  alcuua  ; 
E  lo  trovano  uguale,  o  minor  poco 
Di  cio,  ch'  in  questo  globo  si  ragnna, 
In  questo  ultimo  globo  della  Terra, 
Mettendo  il  mar  che  la  circouda  e  ferra. 


The  chariot,  towering,  threads  the  fiery  sphere, 
And  rises  thence  into  the  lunar  reign. 
This,  in  its  larger  part  they  find  as  clear 
As  polished  steel,  when  undefiled  by  stain ; 
And  such  it  seems,  or  little  else,  when  near, 
As  what  the  limits  of  our  earth  contain : 
Such  as  our  earth,  the  last  of  globes  below, 
Including  seas,  which  round  about  it  flow. 


LXXI. 

Quivi  cbbe  Astolfo  doppia  maraviglia ; 
Che  quel  paese  appresso  era  si  grandc, 
II  quale  a  un  picciol  tondo  rassimiglia 
A  noi  che  lo  miriam  da  queste  bande  ; 
E  clic  aguzzar  conviengli  ambe  le  ciglia, 
S'  indi  la  Terra,  e  '1  mar,  ch'  intorno  spande, 
Discerner  vuol ;  che  non  avendo  luce, 
L'immagin  lor  poco  alta  si  conduce. 


Here  doubly  waxed  the  paladin's  surprise, 

To  see  that  place  so  large,  when  viewed  at  hand ; 

Resembling  but  a  little  hoop  in  size, 

When  from  the  globe  surveyed  whereon  we  stand, 

And  that  he  both  his  eyes  behoved  to  strain, 

If  he  would  view  Earth's  circling  seas  and  land  ; 

In  that,  by  reason  of  the  lack  of  light, 

Their  images  attained  to  little  height- 


A.M.    1171 


TIII:  ><>n;t  i:  or  TIM:  NILE 


19 


i.\\n. 

Altri  titiini,  attri  lughi.altre  campagne 
Sono  la  su,  cho  noli  son  qul  tra  n»i  : 
Altri  piani,  altn-  valli,  aim-  muiitagne, 

.  hannoi  Ca-stcl 

Con  caae,  lU'lli  q«;ii  inai  lo  piil  iiiagne 
Nun  viilo  il  1'ulailin  prima,  ni-  ; 
"iii>  iiiupli',  c  solitaric  solve, 
ugnor  caci 


LXXlll. 

Non  stettc  il  Duca  a  ricercare  il  tutto ; 
Chi  Ik  uon  era  asceso  a  quello  eflri  i<  >. 
Dall'  Apontolo  san to  fu  condutto 
In  mi  vallon  fra  due  montagne  si: 
Ove  mirabilmrnte  era  rulntto 
Cid,  chu  si  perdo  o  per  nostro  difetto, 
0  prr  col  pa  di  teni|»>,  o  di  fortuna. 
Cid,  che  si  perde  qui,  Ik  si  raguna. 


The  M;m/.;is  following  tlirsc  describe  many  wondrous  scenes,  and,  in  the  87th,  his  own 
is  realised  : — 

La  piil  capace,  e  plena  ampolla  ov'  era 
II  aeuno  che  solea  far  savio  il  t'ontc, 
Astolfo  tolle ;  e  non  e  si  leggiera, 
Come  Htimb,  con  1'  altrc  essendo  a  monte. 
Prima  die  '1  Paladin  da  quella  Sfcra 
Plena  di  luce  alle  piu  basse  smontc, 
Menato  fu  dall'  Apostolo  santo 
In  un  Palagio,  ov'  era  uu  tiunio  a  canto. 


CANTO  XXXVIII. 


nor. 

Sceao  era  Astolfo  dal  giro  lucente 
Alia  maggiorc  altezza  della  Terra, 
Con  la  felice  ampolla  che  la  i 
Dovea  aanare  al  gran  Mastro  di  guerra. 

•i>;i  quivi  di  virtii  eccellente 
Mostra  Giovanni  al  Duca  d'  Inghilterm. 
COD  ewa  vuol  ch'  al  suo  ritonio  tocchi 
II  Re  di  Nubia,  e  gli  risani  gli  occhi ; 

XXV. 

Accid  per  quest!,  e  per  li  primi  nicrti 

gli  dia,  con  che  Biserta  assaglia ; 
E,  come  poi  quei  popoli  incsi*Tti 
Arnii,  ed  acconci  ad  uso  di  battaglia, 
E  senza  danno  passi  pei  dencrti  ' 
Ove  1'  arena  gli  uomini  abbarbaglia ; 
A  punto  a  punto  1' online  che  tegna, 
Tutto  il  Vecchio  sajitissimo  gl'  insegna. 


IXVL 


Poi  lo  fe  rimontar  su  quello  A  la  to, 
Che  di  Ruggicro,  e  fu  prima  d'  Atlante. 
II  Paladin  lascio,  liceuziato 
Da  San  Giovanni,  le  contrade  sante  ; 
E,  secondando  il  Nilo  a  lato  a  lato, 
Tosto  i  Nubi  apparir  si  vide  innante ; 
E,  nella  Terra,  che  del  Rcgno  fe  capo, 
Scese  dall'  aria,  e  ritrovd  il  Scnapo. 

rxvii. 

Molto  fu  il  gaudio,  e  molta  fu  la  gioja, 
Che  porto  o  quel  Signer  nel  suo  ritorno ; 
Che  ben  si  ricordava  della  noja, 
Che  gli  avea  tolta  dell*  Arpie  d'  intomo. 
Ma  poi  che  la  grossezza  gli  discuoja 
Di  quell'  umor,  che  gia  gli  tolse  il  giorno, 
E  che  gli  rcnde  la  vista  di  prima, 
L'  adora  e  cole,  e  come  un  Dio  sublima. 


Astolpho  again  used  his  steed  on  several  occasions,  and  wrought  many  wonders,  but, 

my  ijUotaticiTis  ;nv  :ihv;nly  long  enough. 


T ASSO.— BORN  AT  SORRENTO,  A.D.  1544.    Translation,  by  Edward  Fairfax,  A.D.  1600,  and  by  J.  Wiffen. 


XIV. 

All  bianclii  vesfi,  ch'  han  d'  or  le  cimc, 
Inlatiraliiliiii-iiti'  BgUl 

i  vcnti  c  Ic  nubi,  c  va  sublime 
Sovra  la  torra  c  ,-i.vni  il  mar  con  queste  : 
Cosl  vcstito,  imlirizzossi  all'ime 
Parti  del  mondo  il  Mfssaggier  celeste  : 
Pria  sul  Libano  montc  ei  si  ritenne, 
K  »i  librfl  suit' adi-guate  ]<-nnc. 


CANTO  I. 

THE  AKGBL  GABRIEL. 


Of  silver  wings  he  took  a  shining  pair, 
Fringed  with  gold,  unwearied,  nimble,  swift ; 
With  these  he  parts  the  winds,  the  clouds,  the  air, 
And  over  seas  and  earth  himself  doth  lift. 
Thus  clad,  he  cute  the  spheres  and  circles  fair, 
And  the  pure  skies  with  sacred  featlifrs  clift : 
On  Lebanon  at  first  his  foot  he  set 
And  shook  his  wings  with  rory  May-dews  wet 

D    2 


20 


ANABAAHN. 


A.  a  1544. 


The  wizard  Ismene  conveys  the  Soldan  from  the  battlefield  to  Jerusalem  by  the  means 
described  in  the  following  stanzas  : — 


XV. 

E  sovra  un  carro  suo,  che  non  lontano 
Quinci  attendea,  col  fier  Nicendo  ei  siede : 
Le  briglie  allenta,  e  con  maestra  naano 
Ambo  i  corsieri  alternamente  fiede. 
Quei  vanno  si  che  '1  polveroso  piano 
Non  ritien  della  rota  orma  o  del  piede : 
Fumar  gli  vedi  ed  anelar  nel  corso, 
E  tutto  biancheggiar  di  spuma  il  morso. 


CANTO  X. 


His  magic  car  stood  ready  at  command, 

They  mount ;  the  Stranger,  shunning  all  delay, 

Shook  the  rich  reins,  and  with  a  master's  hand 

Lashed  the  black  steeds,  that,  ramping,  scoured  away 

So  swift,  that  not  the  sands  a  trace  betray 

Of  hoof  or  wheel ;  they  vanish  as  they  come, 

Proudly  precipitant,  and  snort,  and  neigh, 

Paw  the  parched  soil,  and,  ardent  for  their  home, 

Champ  their  resplendent  bits  all  white  with  fleecy  foam. 


XVI. 

Meraviglie  dir6 :  s'  aduna  e  stringe 
L'  aer  d'  intorno  in  nuvolo  raccolto, 
Si  che  '1  gran  carro  ne  ricopre  e  cinge, 
Ma  non  appar  la  nube  o  poco  o  nolto  ; 
Ne  sasso  che  mural  macchina  spinge, 
Penetreria  per  lo  chiuso  e  folto  : 
Ben  veder  ponuo  i  duo  dal  cavo  seno 
La  nebbia  intorno,  e  fnori  il  ciel  sereno. 


Away !  away !  and  still  as  fast  and  far 
They  fly,  the  air  to  clouds  condensing  rolled 
In  heaps  around,  and  draped  th"  enchanted  car, 
Yet  not  a  wreath  could  human  eye  behold  ; 
Nor  stone  nor  rock  (surprising  to  be  told,) 
Hurled  from  the  most  magnificent  machine, 
Might  of  its  crapelike  volume  pierce  the  fold  ! 
Yet  by  the  two  within  were  all  things  seen — 
The  clouds,  air,  earth,  and  sky,  all  rosily  serene. 


XVII. 

Stupido  il  cavalier  le  ciglia  inarca, 
Ed  increspa  la  fronte,  e  mira  fiso 
La  nube  e  '1  carro  cb'  ogni  intoppo  varca 
Veloce  si,  che  di  valar  gli  e  avviso. 
L'  altro  che  di  stupor  1'  anima  carca 
Gli  scorge  all'  atto  dell'  immobil  viso, 
Gli  rompe  quel  silenzio,  e  lui  rappella ; 
Ond'  ei  si  scote,  e  poi  cosi  favella : 


With  wrinkling  forehead  and  arched  brow,  the  knight 

On  cloud  and  car  gazed  stupidly  intent, — 

Its  wheels  seemed  wings,  and  its  career  a  flight, 

So  swift  and  soundless  on  its  way  it  went 

O'er  the  smooth  soil ;  the  Sag;e  plenipotent, 

Who  saw  his  raptured  spirit  stand  aghast 

At  the  sublime  and  mystical  portent, 

From  his  abstraction  roused  him  ;  voice  at  last 

Came  to  his  lips,  from  which  these  eager  questions  passed. 


XXV. 

Cosi  gir  ragionando,  insin  che  furo 
La  've  presso  vedean  le  tende  alzarse  : 
Che  spettacolo  fu  crudele  e  duro  ! 
E  in  quante  forme  ivi  la  morte  apparse  ! 
Si  fe'  negli  occhi  allor  torbido  e  scuro, 
E  di  doglia  il  soldano  il  volto  sparse. 
Ahi  con  quanta  dispregio  ivi  le  degne 
Mird  giacer  sue  gia  tevnute  insegne ! 


Thus  commune  they ;  and  now  the  plain  they  pass, 

Near  which  their  domes  the  white  pavilions  rear ; 

There  what  a  cruel  sight  was  seen !  alas, 

In  what  unnumbered  shapes  did  death  appear ! 

To  Solyman's  stern  eyes  a  troubled  tear 

Of  grief  and  passion  rose  at  the  survey, 

And  filled  his  face  with  gloom ;  afar  and  near, 

In  what  wild  havoc,  how  insulted,  lay 

His  arms  and  ensigns,  feared,  so  feared  of  yesterday  ! 


XXVI. 

E  scorrer  lieti  i  Franchi,  e  i  petti  e  i  volti 
Spesso  calcar  de'  suoi  pill  noti  amici ; 
E  con  fasto  superbo  agl'  inscpolti 
L'  arme  spogliare  e  gli  abiti  infelici ; 
Molti  onorare  in  lunga  pom  pa  accolti 
Gli  amati  corpi  degli  estremi  uffici : 
Altri  soppor  le  fiamme,  e  '1  volgo  misto 
D'  Arabi  e  Turchi,  a  un  foco  arder  fe  visto. 


He  saw  the  Franks  in  carnival  o'erspread 

The  field,  oft  trampling  on  the  faces  pale 

Of  his  slain  friends,  as  from  th'  unburied  dead 

They  tore  the  gorgeous  vests  and  shirts  of  mail, 

With  rude  insulting  taunts  :  down  the  far  vale, 

In  long,  long  order,  many  a  funeral  quire 

Was  seen  attending  with  the  voice  of  wail 

Bodies  beloved,  whilst  some  brought  careless  fire, 

And  Turks  and  Arabs  heaped  in  one  commingling  pyre. 


TIN-:  \\I/AI;D  ISM  KM-:. 


\\VII. 

.N  ,U1  profi'iido,  o'l  ferro  intae 
1  carro  UncioMi,  e  correr  voile ; 
Ma  il  vccchio  incantatore  •  M  il  ritnMu 
S'jridando,  c  r.illpiu'i  1'  impeto  folle; 
•i..  rlu-  iii  imov.i  <>i  rimuDtaue, 
Driz/.iN  il  suo  oorao  al  piu  sublime  colle. 
Cod  alquanto  n*  andaro,  main  ch'  a  tcrgo 
Lasciar  do'  Frauchi  il  militaro  albergo. 


He  deeply  ligbed,  In-  dn-w  his  sword  in  rage, 
And  from  hi*  sent  leaped,  eager  iu  their  blood 
T  avenge  the  insult ;  but  tin-  Archimage 
HU  mad  resolve  inflexibly  withstood; 
And,  curbing  by  rebuke  hi*  hiricms  mood, 
Made  him  perforce  renume  the  neat  resigned ; 
Then  to  tin-  l.'iiiest  hills  his  course  pursued, 
Uaflling  the  rival  pinions  of  the  wind, 
Until  the  hostile  tents  in  distance  Hank  behind. 


XXVIII. 

Smontaro  allor  dal  carro,  e  quel  refute 
Sparve,  e  presono  a  piedi  insieme  il  calle, 
Kella  aolita  nube  occultaraenti-, 
Discendendo  a  sinistra  in  una  vallc, 
Sin  che  giuuwru  la  dove  al  ponente 
L'  alto  montc  Sion  volge  le  upalle. 


Alighting  then,  the  chariot  disappeared, 

And  side  by  side  on  foot  the  travellers  went; 

Still  curtained  in  the  cloud,  their  course  they  steered 

Down  a  deep  vale  of  difficult  descent, 

Till  they  arrived  where  to  the  Occident 

Sublime  Mount  Sinn  turned  its  shoulders  wide, 

In  rocks  and  cliffs  fantastically  rent. 


CANTO  XIV. 


HI. 

Da  quest*  or  quel  ch'  al  pio  Buglion  discende, 
L'  all  dorate  inverse  lui  distende. 


This  dream  to  pious  Godfrey  now  descends, 

And  o'er  his  placid  face  its  radiant  wings  extends. 


IV. 

Nulla  mai  vision  nel  sonno  offeree 
Altrui  si  vaghe  immagini  o  si  belle, 
Come  ora  questa  a  lui,  la  qual  gli  aperse 
I  secreti  del  cielo  e  dellc  stelle  : 
( hide,  siccome  entro  uuo  spe^lio,  ei  scene 
Cib  che  lassuso  %  verameute  in  elle : 
1'areagli  esser  traalato  in  un  sereno 
Candido,  e  d'  auree  liamine  adorno  e  pieno. 


Such  semblances,  such  shapes,  such  portraits  fair, 
Diil  never  yet  in  dream  or  sleep  appear, 
For  all  the  forms  in  sea,  in  earth,  or  air, 
The  signs  in  heav'n,  the  stars  in  every  sphere, 
All  what  was  wondrous,  uncouth,  strange  and  rare, 
All  in  that  vision  well  presented  were. 
His  dream  had  placed  him  in  a  crystal  wide, 
Beset  with  golden  fires,  top,  bottom,  side. 


V. 

E  mentre  ammira  in  quell'  ecceUo  loco 
L'ampiezza,  i  moti,  i  lunii  e  1'  armonia, 
Eoco  cinto  di  rai,  cinto  di  foco, 
Un  cavaliero  incontra  a  lui  venia, 
K  'n  snono  allato  a  cui  sarebbe  roco 
Qual  pill  dolce  e  qnajxgin,  parlar  1'  udia  : 
Goffredo,  or  non  m*  accogli,  e  non  ragione 
Al  fulo  amico?  or  non  conosci  Ugone? 

VI. 

_-li  rispondea :  quel  novo  aspetto 
Che  par  d'  un  sol  mimbilmente  adorno, 
Dall'antica  notizia  il  inio  intelletto 
SvUto  ha  si,  che  tardi  a  lui  ritomo. 
Gli  stendea  poi  con  dolce  amico  afletto 
Tre  flatc  le  braccLi  al  collo  intomo 
K  in-  tiate  invan  cinta  1'immago 
Fuggia,  qual  leve  sogno  od  aer  vago. 


VII. 

Sorridea  quegli  e,  non  gia,  come  credi, 
Dicea,  son  cinto  di  terrcna  veste : 
Semplice  forma,  e  nuilo  spirto  veili 
Qui,  cittadin  della  citta  celeste. 


Here,  as  the  moving  spheres,  the  vast  blue  sky, 

Tim  lights,  and  the  rich  music  he  admires, 

I/o,  to  his  side  a  winged  knight  draws  nigh, 

With  sunbeams  crowned,  and  circum fused  with  fires! 

And  in  a  voice  to  which  the  clearest  choirs 

And  perfect  marriage  of  sweet  sounds  below, 

Would  be  but  discord,  said,  "  Canst  thou  bestow 

No  smile,  or  dost  thou  not  thy  once-loved  Hugo  know  ? ' 


To  which  the  Duke  replied  ;  "  That  aspect  new, 

Which  like  the  glowing  sun  so  brightly  shjnes, 

Has  dazzled  so  mine  intellectual  view, 

That  it  can  ill  recall  its  ancient  lines : " 

And  saying  this,  to  greet  him  he  inclines; 

Thrice  with  a  fond  affectionate  embrace 

Around  his  neck  his  loving  arms  he  twines ; 

And  thrice  th'  encircled  form  and  radiant  face 

Fly  like  the  summer  cloud,  or  shade  the  sunbeams  cha«c. 


Prince  Hugo  smiled ;  "  And  think  not,  as  of  old," 
He  said,  "  that  earthly  robes  ray  limbs  invest ; 
My  naked  spirit  here  dost  thou  behold, 
A  simple  shape;  I  dwell,  a  clnrions  -nest, 
In  tliis  th'  illumined  City  of  the  Blest : 


ANABAAHN. 


A.D.  1544. 


IX. 

Ma,  perche  piu  lo  tuo  desir  s'  avvivc 
Nell'  amor  di  quassii,  piu  fiso  or  mira 
Questi  lucidi  alberghi  e  queste  vive 
Piarnme,  che  mente  eterna  informa  e  gira  ; 
E  in  angeliche  tempre  odi  le  dive 
Sirene,  e  '1  suon  di  lor  celeste  lira. 
China  poi  disse,  e  gli  additb  la  terra 
Gli  occhi  a  cib  che  quel  globo  ultimo  serra. 


X. 

Quanto  e  vil  la  cagion  ch'  alia  virtude 
Umana  e  colaggiil  preuiio  e  contrasto ! 
In  die  picciolo  ccrchio,  e  fra  che  nude 
Solitudini  e  stretto  il  vostro  fasto ! 
Lei,  come  isola,  il  mare  intorno  chiude ; 
E  lui  ch'  or  ocean  chiamate,  or  vasto, 
Nulla  eguale  a  tai  nomi  ha  in  se  di  magno ; 
Ma  fc  bassa  palude  e  breve  stagno. 


XI. 

Cos!  1'  un  disae  ;  a  1'  altro  ingiuso  ilumi 
Volse,  quasi  sdegnando,  e  ne  sorrise ; 
Che  vide  un  punto  sol  mar,  terre,  e  fiumi, 
Che  qui  paion  distinti  in  tante  guise ; 
Ed  ammirb  che  pur  all'  ombre,  ai  fumi. 
La  nostra  folle  umanita  s'  affise, 
Servo  imperio  cercando  e  muta  fama, 
Ne  miri  il  ciel  ch'  a  se  n'  invita  e  chiama. 


"  But  now  look  round  more  fixedly  ;  behold — 
To  quicken  for  the  skies  thy  pure  desires, 
Those  lucid  walls  and  starry  orbs  of  gold, 
Which,  whirling  round,  th'  Eternal  Mind  inspires  ! 
Observe  the  beauty  of  those  siren  choirs 
Of  seraphs  ;  hear  the  angelical  sweet  strains, 
In  concord  sung  to  their  celestial  lyres  ; 
Next  view,"  he  said,  and  pointed  to  the  plains 
Of  earth,  "  below,  what  yon  terrestrial  globe  contains." 

"  Think  of  your  earthly  titles  and  designs  ; 
With  what  a  vile  reward  is  virtue  crowned  ! 
Mark  what  a  little  ring  your  pride  confines ! 
What  naked  deserts  your  vain  glories  bound  ! 
Earth  like  an  island  the  blue  sea  flows  round. 
Now  called  the  Mighty  Deep  from  coast  to  coast, 
Now,  the  vast  Ocean  ;  to  that  pompous  sound 
Nought  corresponds,  to  authorise  such  a  boast— 
'Tis  but  a  shallow  pool,  a  narrow  marsh  at  most." 


The  Spirit  said  :  and  he  his  sight  let  fall 
On  earth,  and  smiled  with  a  serene  disdain ; 
Shrunk  to  a  point,  seas,  streams,  and  mountains  tall 
He  sees,  remote,  but  here  distinguished  plain; 
And  much  he  wondered  that  weak  man  should  strain 
At  shades  and  mists  that  swim  before  his  eyes, 
And  chase  those  radiant  bubbles  of  the  brain — 
Capricious  Fame,  and  Power,  that,  followed,  flies, 
Nor  heeds  th'  inviting  voice  that  calls  him  to  the  skies. 


Tasso  thus  describes  the  flight  of  Armida  from  Western  Europe  to  Assyria,  through 
stormy  skies,  in  her  aerial  wain  : — 


LXIX. 

Ella  sul  carro  suo,  che  presto  aveva, 

S'  asside  e,  come  ha  in  uso,  al  ciel  si  leva. 


CANTO  XVI. 


Her  chariot  nigh 
She  as  is  usual  mounts,  and  fast  away  doth  fly. 


LXX. 

Calca  le  nubi,  e  tratta  1'  aure  a  volo, 
Cinta  di  nembi  e  turbini  sonori : 
Passa  i  lidi  soggetti  all'  altro  polo, 
E  le  terre  d'  ignoti  abitatori ; 
Passa  d'  Alcide  i  termini,  ne  '1  suolo 
Appressa  degli  Esperii,  o  quel  de'  Mori ; 
Ma  su  i  mari  sospeso  il  corso  tiene, 
Infin  che  ai  lidi  di  Soria  perviene. 

LXXI. 

Quinci  a  Damasco  non  s'  in  via,  ma  schiva 
II  gia  si  caro  dclla  patria  aspetto, 
E  drizza  il  carro  all'  infeconda  riva, 
Ov'  e  tra  1'  onde  il  suo  castello  eretto. 
Qui  giunta,  i  scrvi  e  le  donzelle  priva 
Di  sua  presenza,  e  sceglie  ermo  ricetto, 
E  fra  vari  pensier  duhbia  s'  aggira  : 
Ma  tosto  cede  la  vergogna  all'  ira. 


The  clouds  she  cleaves,  and  round  her  doth  enroll 

Thunders  and  tempests,  lightnings,  wave,  and  wind ; 

The  regions  subject  to  the  southern  pole, 

And  all  their  unknown  natives  left  behind, 

Calpe  she  crossed ;  nor,  in  her  fretful  mind, 

Stooped  to  the  Spaniard,  or  the  Moor,  but  o'er 

The  Midland  Sea  her  winged  car  inclined  ; 

Nor  to  the  right,  nor  to  the  left  hand  bore, 

Till  in  mid  air  she  reached  the  known  Assvrian  shore. 


Not  now  to  fair  Damascus  does  she  post, 
But  shuns  the  aspect  of  her  once  dear  land, 
And  guides  her  chariot  to  the  Dead  Sea  coast, 
Where  the  strongholds  of  the  Enchantress  stand. 
Alighting  here,  she  from  her  duteous  band 
Of  damsels  and  of  pages  hides  her  face, 
And,  wandering  lonely  on  the  sea-beat  strand, 
Where  in  sad  thoughts  a  thousand  doubts  she  cast, 
Till  grief  and  shame,  to  wrath  gave  place  at  last. 


i.vriN  AITIIIIKS  nr  Tin-:  Mii'hi.i:  A<;KS. 


I  miiiplrtf  tliis  chapter  \\itli  several  curious  extracts  from  old  writers,  bearing  more  or 

less  on  tin-  sulijrct  of  Aerostation.     They  are  cited  by  M.  Rozier  in  his  'Dissertation  sur  le« 

\  Irs  Aiiririi>'  ((iciicv.i,  1784).     The  first  relates  to  the  automaton  Dove  niatlc  l>y 

An-livtas  nf  Tarriitmu  (400  to  345  B.C.),  which  is  thus  noticed  by  Aulus  Gellius,  in   liis 

•  A ttii-  Ni.irlii-.' 

M .my  account*  of  this  sort  appear  to  have  been  given  in  the  name  of  Democritus  by  ignorant  men,  who 
sheltcie.l  themselves  under  the  nink  and  authority  of  others.  Hut  that  wliii-h  Aivhytas  the  I'ythagorean  in 
related  to  have  invented  and  perfected  is  not  lew*  marvellous,  though  it  appears  less  absurd ;  for  many  nit 
eminence  amon^  tip-  <ii.-ek>.  and  I'avorinus  the  pbflnoplw,  a  most  vigilant  searcher  into  antiquity,  have,  in  a 
•tvc  manner,  assured  us  that  the  model  of  a  Dove  or  Pigeon  formed  in  wood  by  Archytas,  was  so 
eontrived,  as  by  a  certain  mechanical  art  and  power  to  fly :  so  nicely  was  it  balanced  by  weights,  and  put  in 
motion  liy  hidden  and  enclosed  air. 

Iloraiv  (•<),!<•*'  I.  28)  refers  to  his  performances,  especially  his  experiments  with  the 

>pln-iv : — 


Te,  mans  et  terra;  numeroquc  ca  rent  is  arena*, 

Meinorem  cohibent,  Archyta. 
I'ulveria  cxigui,  )>n>n'  Inns  [arva  Matinum 

Minerva.     Nee  quidquam  tibi  prodest 
Aerias  tentasse  duinus,  animoque  rotundum 

lY'rcurrisse  polum,  moriluro. 

HOKAIK,  <',,rin.  I.  28. 


Archytas  I  thou  sage,  who  measured  the  Earth  and  the  Sea ; 
and  did  count  the  grains  of  sand  that  arc  infinite  in  number, 
now  that  you  lie  extended  near  the  Matiuian  shore,  covered  only 
with  a  small  quantity  of  dust,  is  it  of  any  service  to  you,  who 
wrrt  so  soon  to  die,  that  you  penetrated  into  the  broad  hc;i 
and  by  a  vast  and  comprehensive  understanding,  extended  your 
views  from  one  Pole  to  the  other  ? 


('l;iu<li:m,    in    his   '  Epigrams,'    makes    Jove    speak    as    follows,    of    the    Sphere    of 
Archimedes : — 


Jupiter  in  \arvo  cum  cerncret  a-thera  vitro 

Risit,  et  ad  superos  talia  dicta  dedit. 
Huccine  mortalis  progressa  jxttentia  euro  ? 

Jam  meus  in  fragili  luditur  orbe  labor. 
Jura  poli,  rerumque  fidem,  legesque  Deorum, 

Ecce  Syracusius  transtulit  arte  senex. 
Inclusus  variis  famulatur  spiritus  astris 

Kt  vivum  ccrtis  motibus  urget  opus. 
Percnrrit  proprium  mentitus  signifer  annum 

Kt  simulata  novo  Cynthia  mense  redit, 
Jamque  suum  volvens,  audax  industria  mundum 

••t,  et  humaiiA  gidera  mentc 
Quid  falso  insontem  tonitru  Salmonea  iniror  ? 

JSmula  naturae  pan'a  repcrta  nianus. 


When  in  a  narrow  glass  Jove  saw  the  skies, 
He  smiled,  and  thus  to  gods  expressed  surprise  : 
"  See,  how  man's  talents  imitate  our  ways ; 
"  My  heavenly  work  a  fragile  globe  displays : 
"  An  aged  Syracusan,  by  his  skill, 
"  Arranges  poles,  laws,  harmony,  at  will, 
"  To  stars,  a  secret  spring  gives  motion  true  : 
"  The  parts  with  steadiness  their  path  pursue ; 
"  A  zodiac,  framed  by  hand,  receives  the  Sun. 
"  Which  through  the  year,  proceeds  his  course  to  run ; 
"  And  Cynthia,  feigned,  is  seen  each  month  to  trace 
"  The  orbit  o'er,  and  again  show  her  face. 
"  Audacious  art,  the  world  with  pleasure,  rolls: 
"  The  human  mind  celestial  orbs  controls. 
"  Why,  at  Salmoneus'  thunder,  wonder  feel  ? 
"  All  Nature's  plan,  those  fingers  can  reveal." 


Many  authors  have  endeavoured  to  throw  a  light  on  the  mechanism  of  this  wonderful 
civ;  and  perhaps  the  best  explanation  is  that  due  to  Cardan,  as  given  by  Grasper  Sclmtt 
or  Sohottus,  in  liis  k  .\f:iiri:i  1'iiiversalis':  — 


Cardan  considered  it  probable,  in  his  statement  of  the  matter  of  the  Sphere,  that  it  was  not  put  in  motion 
by  the  application  of  weights,  but  by  rarefied  enclosed  air.  "  For,"  he  says,  "weights  could  with  difficulty  be 
enclosed,  and  when  enclosed  could  not  maintain  perpetual  motion,  and  would  disfigure  the  works  ;  while  external 
wheels  in  motion  on  one  side  only  would  communicate  an  objectionable  power  to  the  glass.  Therefore  it  was  a 
much  easier  t;i>k  f..r  Archi-nedes  to  set  them  in  motion  by  rarefied  air,  especially  ;us  in  this  case  he  had  to  give 
only  one  motion  to  the  wheels,  when  place.  1  iir»und  the  same  centre,  a«  Callippus  and  Kudoxus  had  done;  but 
the  Earth  itself,  a  small  sphere,  he  kept  going  by  complex  motion  in  media,  by  soni'-  unexplained  means." 


24  ANABAAHN. 

Cardan  has  the  following  remarks  on  the  Pigeon,  in  his  '  Variarum  Rerum,'  book  xii. 
chap.  58  : — 

It  has  been  questioned  whether  a  wooden  pigeon  could  be  made  such  as  we  have  stated  elsewhere,  on  the 
authority  of  Gellius.  to  have  been  fabricated  by  Archytas  of  Tarentum,  which  would  be  able,  without  external 
movement,  to  take  flight,  and  when  it  rested  remain  immovable.  Now  we  have  seen  images  and  statues  moving 
011  tables  impelled  by  concealed  wheels,  and  also  a  bird  so  constructed  flying ;  but  not  with  motive  power  of  its 
own.  Consequently  we  can  with  difficulty  conceive  that  any  sort  of  an  Automaton  can  be  made  with  power  to 
raise  itself,  for  the  chains  which  contribute  its  motive  power  must  be  solidly  and  substantially  constructed,  and 
therefore  too  heavy  to  be  impelled  by  their  own  force.  But  we  see  no  reason  why  such  construction  should  not 
be  put  in  motion  particularly  by  a  favourable  breeze,  when  the  size  of  the  wings  is  considered  and  the  impulsion 
of  the  wheels  which  move  them.  The  light  construction  of  the  body  would  contribute  to  this  result,  as  would 
likewise  the  largeness  of  the  wings  and  the  strength  of  the  wheels,  aided  by  the  wind,  and  of  which  geese  and  the 
heavier  birds  intuitively  avail  themselves ;  and  it  is  probable  that  this  pigeon  would  take  its  flight  in  a  certain 
fashion,  but  with  a  wavering  power,  as  lamps  do.  Thus  it  would  occasionally  mount  upwards  spontaneously,  flutter 
its  wings,  then  leave  oif  suddenly,  and  fall,  the  motive  power  being  unequal  to  the  weight. 

Lauretus  Laurus  enlarged  on  the  subject.  He  is  also  quoted  by  Schottus  in  his  '  Magia 
Universalis '  :— 

The  shells  of  hen-eggs,  if  properly  filled  and  well  secured  against  the  penetration  of  the  air,  and  exposed  to 
solar  rays,  will  ascend  to  the  skies,  and  sometimes  suffer  a  natural  change.  And  if  the  eggs  of  the  larger 
description  of  swans,  or  leather  balls,  stitched  with  fine  thongs,  bo  filled  with  nitre,  the  purest  sulphur, 
quicksilver,  or  kindred  materials,  which  rarefy  by  their  caloric  energy,  and  if  they  externally  resemble  pigeons, 
they  will  easily  be  mistaken  for  flying  animals.  If  we  should  desire  to  give  aerial  motion  to  a  wooden  and 
ponderous  machine  we  must  apply  fire.  Should  there  be  any  apprehension  of  the  pigeon  being  burned,  it  can  be 
covered  over  with  some  incombustible  coating,  and  tubes  of  tin  introduced,  so  that  the  fire  may  be  kept  alight  in 
its  bosom  without  injury  to  it.  To  prevent  the  crackling  of  the  flames  and  the  emission  of  the  sparks,  the 
gunpowder  may  be  deprived  of  force  by  the  mixture  of  ochre  and  butter.  An  artificial  throat  may  be  formed  to 
change  the  crackling  of  the  flames  into  an  imitation  of  the  cooing  of  a  pigeon,  somewhat  after  the  manner  (too 
unfortunately  for  himself)  practised  by  Perillus  in  the  formation  of  his  bull.  And  thus  a  contrivance  could  be 
adopted  which  escaped  the  ingenuity  of  Archytas,  and  the  want  of  which  was  the  cause  why  his  pigeon  was 
unable  to  rise  again  when  once  it  descended  to  the  ground.  Tubes  could  have  been  easily  constructed  to  ascend 
one  after  the  other  at  convenient  intervals,  so  that  the  pigeon  would  apparently  be  endued  with  life. 

The  Jesuit  Schottus,  already  mentioned,  has  collected  the  ideas  of  many  authors  who  had 
written  on  Nature's  miracles.  He  throws  great  light  on  the  production  and  use  of  gas,  in 
his  '  Magia  Universalis.' 

Mendoza  (in  '  Viridario,'  lib.  iii.  probl.  47)  discusses  a  problem  which  previous  writers  had  touched  on.  For 
having  demonstrated  the  fact  that  fire  is  more  subtile,  rare,  and  of  less  gravity  than  air,  it  follows  as  a  corollary 
from  these  premisses  that  it  collects  the  air  when  contiguous  to  the  fire. 

In  support  of  this  opinion  Mendoza  asserts  that,  should  a  vessel  bo  raised  above  the  convex  superficies  of  the 
air,  it  may  be  sustained  in  that  air  and  propelled  with  oars,  if  there  be  not  another  counteracting  force. 

We  find  by  experience  that  substances  of  greater  gravity  than  water  will,  when  filled  with  air,  float  in  that 
element,  and  which  if  not  so  filled  would  immediately  sink.  This  may  be  seen  in  the  case  of  a  skin,  or  in  that  of 
any  brass  or  iron  vessel  which  when  filled  with  air  is  sustained  on  the  surface  of  the  water  and  not  submerged, 
although  its  specific  gravity  is  much  greater  than  that  of  water. 

Kelying  on  this  experience  Mendoza  thus  completes  the  argument.  "  Any  brass  vessel  full  of  air,  which 
otherwise  would  sink,  is  sustained  011  the  surface  of  the  water  though  naturally  of  much  greater  specific  gravity, 
consequently  a  wooden  ship,  or  one  of  any  other  material,  placed  on  the  summit  of  an  aerial  superficies  and  filled 
with  elementary  fire,  will  be  sustained  in  that  position  till  the  gravity  of  the  vessel  becomes  greater  than  the 
sustaining  power  of  the  fire  it  contains.  Nor  is  the  nature  of  fire  sufficiently  unruly  to  ignite  and  consume 
the  timber,  for  the  fire  has  not  sufficient  inherent  energy  to  burn;  as  those  philosophers  have  ingeniously  proved, 
who  agree  in  placing  fire  in  the  hollow  of  the  moon." 


A.M.  1190.  I.  \T1N  AlTIInKS  or   Illi:  MIDDLE  AGES.  25 

In  Mich  terms  has  this  matter  been  treated  by  Mcndoza  (died  lii-ii),  nor  is  there  any  improbability  involved 
in  his  view,  whether  tin-  clement  of  fire  be  placed  above  tin-  air,  or  what  is  still  more  credible,  the  ether — that  in 
tin;  purest  air.  Although  uny  wood,  iron,  copper,  lead,  and  such  like  metals  are  weightier  than  an  equal  volume 
of  water,  ami  for  that  reason  will  sink  in  water  when  there  placed  alone,  yet  if  fabricated  into  hollow  shapes,  and 
fillfil  with  our  impure  and  heavy  air  they  swim  upon  waters  and  are  adapted  to  the  construction  of  ships,  and  are 
sustained  1'v  «;itei-  without  danger  of  immersion  ;  thus  although  these  bodies  are  of  greater  specific  gravity  than 
our  iiir.  nevertheless,  when  shaped  into  a  boat  and  filled  with  that  very  light  material,  they  can  float  in  the  air, 
anil  are  suitable  materials  for  the  construction  of  small  ships,  because  the  entire  work  composed  of  the  little  ship 
and  the  ether  can  bo  made  lighter  than  an  equal  volume  of  our  impure  air.  even  in  the  highest  region. 

Alln-itus  Magnus  (born  about  A.D.  1190),  at  the  end  of  his  work  '  De  Mirabilibus 
N;itur:i>,'  says  :— 

Take  one  pound  of  sulphur,  two  pounds  of  willow-carbon,  six  pounds  of  rock-salt  ground  very  fine  in  it 
unable  ninitar.  1'lace,  when  you  please,  in  a  covering  made  of  flying  papyrus  to  produce  thunder.  The  covering 
in  nfiler  tn  ascend  and  float  away  should  be  long,  graceful,  well  filled  with  this  fine  powder;  but  to  produce 
thunder,  the  covering  should  be  short,  thick,  and  half  full. 

Tliis  ivivipt  is  to  be  found  in  the  'Secrets  of  Decker,'  liv.  iii.,  under  the  title  of 
Flying  Fire.  Magic  was  the  guise  of  the  dark  ages  for  the  progress  made  by  a  fe\\  in 
rlirmi>tr\ .  The  following  is  :m  inst:in<-.-,  hum  KVmigius,  in  his  '  Daemonolatria,'  cap.  25  :— 

There  is  no  doubt  the  following  will  bo  considered  incredible  by  all,  and  perhaps  ridiculous  by  many  ;  yet  I 
can  aver  that  two  hundred  persons  testified  to  its  truth,  who,  when  1  held  the  office  of  Duumvir,  wore  condemned 
by  mo  for  arson,  and  thus  atoned  their  crime  of  sorcery.  On  stated  and  regular  days  they  assembled  in  a  crowd 
on  the  bank  of  some  lake  or  river,  secluded  from  the  observation  of  passers-by,  and  there  they  were  in  the  habit  of 
lashing  the  water  with  a  wand  received  from  a  demon,  till  such  time  as  vapours  and  mista  were  produced  in  large 
quantities,  and  with  these  they  were  wont  to  soar  on  high.  The  exhalations  thus  provoked  condensed  themselves 
into  thick  and  darkling  clouds,  agitated  and  swept  the  heavens,  assisted  in  their  atmospheric  war  by  the  evil  spirits 
whom  they  wrapped  in  their  folds,  and  at  length  in  a  hailstorm  smote  the  earth  in  their  fury. 

Salome  and  Dominica  Zabella  add,  that  before  they  thus  agitated  the  water  they  were  in  the  practice  of 
throwing  into  it  an  earthen  pot,  in  which,  a  little  previous,  a  demon  had  been  enclosed,  without  the  knowledge 
of  the  lookers  on,  or  some  stones  of  such  size  as  they  wished  the  hail  to  be. 

Decker  Maygeth  states  that  he  and  his  confederates  in  crime  used  to  receive  candles  from  a  demon  of  an 
azure  colour,  and  sail  with  them  some  distance  from  the  margin  of  Lake  Fonterssgrube,  hold  the  light  downwards, 
and  let  them  drop  freely  into  the  water ;  that  after  that  they  scattered  and  spread  some  medicinal  powder  over  the 
surface,  that  they  then  with  black  rods  bestowed  on  them  by  his  demon  most  vehemently  lashed  the  waters, 
accompanying  the  action  with  a  repetition  of  incantations  calculated  to  produce  the  desired  results.  When  all  this 
had  been  done,  the  sky  became  overcast  with  clouds,  and  discharged  torrents  of  rain  and  hail  on  those  localities 
which  they  pointed  out.  The  mode  practised  to  excite  the  clouds  was  not  confined  to  the  middle  ages.  Pausanias 
tells  us  it  prevailed'  for  many  ages  in  Arcadia,  and  was  practised  on  Mount  Lycam  in  that  country.  In  that 
country,  he  says,  was  a  fountain  named  Agno,  naturally  so  admirable  that  the  art  of  divination  was  there  cultivated 
in  a  very  curious  manner,  the  water  being  gently  moved  with  a  branch  of  an  oak,  in  a  short  time  there  arose  from 
it  a  vapour  like  a  small  cloud,  which,  soon  expanding  and  embracing  others,  discharged  heavy  showers.  This 
incantation,  therefore,  is  not  an  invention  of  modern  ages.  It  is  not  the  invention  of  old  hags,  whose  mental 
powers  were  depraved  by  demons,  or  perverted  by  visions  or  dreams,  it  was  practised  by  men  of  keen  intellects, 
and  acute  investigation,  who  minutely  observed,  critically  examined,  and  deliberately  adopted  their  convictions. 

Barbelina  Ilayal  adds,  that  tubs  turned  upside  down  were  propelled  through  the  air  by  sorcerers,  assisted 
by  demons,  and  hovered  for  some  short  time  over  the  spots  which  had  been  doomed  to  calamity,  and  at  length 
shattered  into  stones  and  flames,  inflicted  sudden  injury,  and  crushed  every  impediment. 

A  l-o  Delrio,  in  his  '  Disquisit.  Magic.,'  lib.  ii.  quaest.  11  and  12  : — 

Marcus  th.  V,  i,.  tna  M  ,;  ii  Polo)  in  his  travels  in  Asia  relates,  that  the  Tartars  are  able,  through  the  arts 
of  demons,  to  excite  storms  and  fojrs  when  and  where  they  please,  and  that  on  one  occasion,  when  entrapped  by 
robbers,  by  biich  means,  he  effected  his  escape  with  difficulty.  Hiatouus  also  (Hist.  Sarmatice)  relates  that  the  army 

1 


26  ANABAAHN. 

of  the  Tartars  being  in  a  battle  and  forced  to  break  the  line,  was  rallied  by  their  standard-bearer,  who  happened 
to  be  a  magician,  and  who  involved  the  enemy  in  profound  darkness  by  his  incantations. 

Magicians  can,  by  the  agency  of  certain  minerals,  produce  meteorological  results,  which,  though  seeming  to 
be  miraculous,  are,  nevertheless,  natural.  Such  as  a  mixture  in  mountain  caverns  of  alum  and  nitre,  which, 
becoming  ignited,  emit  a  sudden  cloud,  which,  on  penetrating  to  the  middle  region  of  the  atmosphere,  is  then 
dissolved  into  rain.* 

There  are  many  instances  quoted,  and  worthy  of  credit,  of  the  praise  of  victory  having  been  often  deservedly 
assigned  to  men.  Ollerus  by  magic  art  became  a  distinguished  warrior  amongst  the  Swedes,  and  was  looked  upon 
as  a  divinity,  if  we  credit  Saxo  Grammaticus,  who  thus  writes  of  Oddo,  the  Danish  pirate.  Without  a  ship, 
wandering  o'er  the  ocean,  he  often  defeated  hostile  fleets  by  rousing  by  his  charms  the  fury  of  the  elements  against 
those  enemies  of  the  merchant  and  agriculturist. 

Of  the  remarkable  victory  of  the  Tartars  over  the  Poles,  Cromerus  writes  in  the  following  words : — "  In  the 
year  1240  of  the  Christian  era,  the  Poles  gave  battle  to  the  Tartars  near  Legnica,  broke  their  lines  by  their 
impetuous  charge,  and  drove  them  to  flight,  pressing  closely  on  their  rear.  In  the  outmost  rank  of  the  Tartar 
host,  amidst  the  other  standards,  was  an  ensign  remarkable  for  the  display  of  the  figure  and  crest  of  the  bearer. 
On  the  staff  of  the  ensign  was  the  figure,  terrific  and  black,  of  a  human  head  with  shaggy  beard.  This  ensign, 
when  vehemently  shaken  by  the  bearer,  exhaled  a  smoke  and  cloud,  very  thick  and  foul ;  and  this  cloud  not  only 
shrouded  the  barbarians  from  the  vision  of  the  Poles,  but  it  also  plagued  them  with  their  sickening  odour." 

It  has  also  happened  that  clever  men  have  employed  the  marvellous  to  escape  from  a 
critical  situation,  by  imposing  on  the  people.  The  following  instances  are  from  Kircher,  in 
his  '  Artis  Magnaa  Lucis  et  Umbras': — 

I  know  that  many  of  our  fathers  have  been  rescued  from  the  most  imminent  dangers  amongst  the  barbarians 
of  India  by  such  inventions.  These  were  cast  into  prisons,  and  whilst  they  continued  ignorant  of  any  means  of 
effecting  their  liberation,  some  one,  more  cunning  than  the  rest,  invented  an  extraordinary  machine,  and  then 
threatened  the  barbarians,  unless  they  liberated  his  companions,  that  they  would  behold  in  a  short  time  some 
extraordinary  portents,  and  experience  the  visible  anger  of  the  Gods.  The  barbarians  laughed  at  the  threat.  He 
then  had  constructed  a  dragon  of  the  most  volatile  paper,  and  in  this  he  enclosed  a  mixture  of  sulphur,  pitch,  wax, 
and  so  artistically  prepared  all  his  materials,  that,  when  ignited,  it  would  illumine  the  machine,  and  exhibit  the 
following  legend  in  their  vernacular  idiom,  The  Anger  of  God.  The  body  being  formed  and  the  ingredients 
prepared,  he  then  affixed  a  long  tail,  and  committed  the  machine  to  the  heavens,  and,  favoured  by  the  wind,  it 
soared  aloft  towards  the  clouds.  The  spectacle  of  the  dragon,  so  brilliantly  lit,  was  terrific.  The  barbarians, 
beholding  the  unusual  motion  of  the  apparition,  were  smitten  with  the  greatest  astonishment,  and  now,  remem- 
bering the  threatened  anger  of  the  Deity  and  the  words  of  the  father,  they  were  in  fear  of  expiating  the  punishment 
he  had  prognosticated  for  them.  Therefore,  without  delay,  they  threw  open  the  gates,  they  suffered  their  prisoners 
to  go  forth  in  peace  and  enjoy  their  freedom.  In  the  mean  time  the  fire  seized  on  the  machine  and  set  it  in  a  blaze, 
and  with  an  explosion,  which  was  interpreted  as  an  expiring  declaration  of  satisfaction,  it,  apparently  of  its  own 
accord,  vanished  from  sight,  as  if  it  had  accomplished  its  supernatural  mission.  Thus  the  fathers,  through  the 
apprehension  which  this  natural  manifestation  inspired,  obtained  that  which  could  not  be  purchased  with  a  large 
amount  of  gold. 

Froissart  tells  us  that,  A.D.  1383,  the  Count  of  Bourgogne,  wishing  to  capture  a 
citadel  near  Naples,  a  magician  came  to  one  of  the  chiefs  of  his  army,  and  promised  to  take  it 
by  means  of  a  cloud,  that  would  serve  as  a  bridge,  on  which  his  soldiers  could  stand  and 
descend  to  the  summit  of  the  walls;  and  that  the  besieged  would  be  so  alarmed,  that  they 
would  surrender  at  discretion.  He  talked  in  such  a  strange  way  that  he  was  looked  upon  as 
a  man  possessed  by  the  devil ;  and  when  the  particulars  were  detailed  to  the  Count,  he  ordered 
him  to  be  put  to  death. 

*  Note  by  Rozier.  "  Par  la  raison  quo  lo  sec  attire  I'lnimide  ct  qu'tme  semblable  nuee  composee  do  parties  eliaudes  et  rarefie'es,  doit 
uttircr  a  elle  toute  1'humidite  de  1'air  environnant  et  que  bientot  gonflee  et  eommo  engrossee  par  Ics  courans  d'air  qui  viennent  se  Jeter  dans 
elle,  elle  se  condense,  et  aequicrt  une  pcsanteur  qui  doit  la  forcer  de  retombcr." 


LATIN   AlTllnKS  <•!'  Till:   MIPHI.K  AUKS. 


In  t\\u  liistorifs  1>\  .Irf  !••  Mini-tiv  ;iinl  !>.•  r,i|nni;i.  of  tin-  t«i\vn  .if  Lyi>n>.  tin- 
:ii-.'>i!!iit   i-  irivt-n  :  — 

tin-  <-n.l  i.l'  I  'Imrlemagne's  reign,  certain  persons  who  lived  near  Mount    I'ilatr   in   S\vit/<-rland. 


by  what  incuns  pretended  sorcerers  tmvrlli.l  through  tin-  air,  resolved  to  try  the  experiment,  and 
•  •.iiii)..  ll.-il  some  poor  people  to  ascend  in  an  aerostal.  This  descended  in  the  town  «.!'  l.\..n.-,  uh.  i.-  they  wen- 
iinmi-iliiitcly  hurrii-il  I.,  )>ris<.n.  :md  (lie  mob  desired  their  death  as  sorcerers.  The  Judges  condemned  them  to  be 
Imniiil:  but  thr  i:ii-lioj»  Agobard  suspended  the  exi'i'iitimi,  and  sent  for  them  to  his  palace,  that  la-  might 
i|ii.-Mi,,n  tlii'in.  They  iin.-wi  in!,  ••  (  hi'ils  .s..nt  ilu  JKIVM  iiu'-nif.  ipie  des  pereonnes  do  consideration  les  out  force's 
•  -.iiduiiu.  k'ur  ).!..  in.  ll.  nit  qu'il.s  vi  rn.ii-nt  ili-s  choses  mcrveilleuses  ;  et  qu'ilw  sont  veritablemont 
deacendn  par  1'air."  Agobard,  tlumgh  he  could  not  believe  this  fact,  gave  credence  to  their  innocence,  and  allowed 
tin  -in  to  escape.  On  this  occasion  he  wrote  a  work  on  the  superstition  of  the  time,  in  which  he  demonstrated  I/if 
impossibility  of  rising  in  //«•  uir  ;  that  it  is  on  error  to  believe  in  the  power  of  magic;  and  that  it  lias  its  existence  in 

tin    iTriinlity  Mil.-ly  of  the  peoplr. 

It  wan  during  tin-  ]HHitilit.'iite  »f  15<uiiface  VIII.  that  the  miracle  of  Loretto  occurred.  The  house  inhabited 
by  the  Virgin  immediately  after  her  conception,  had  been  converted,  on  the  death  of  the  Holy  Family,  into  a 
chapel,  ami  St.  Luke  had  presented  to  it  an  image,  carved  by  his  own  hands,  still  known  as  our  Lady  of  Loretto. 

angels,  chancing  to  be  at  Nazareth  when  the  Saracen  conquerors  approached,  fearing  that  the  sacred  relic 
mijrlit  tall  into  their  possession,  took  the  house  bodily  in  their  hands,  and,  carrying  it  through  the  air,  after  several 
h  ilt>.  fin  ill  v  ile]>.»ited  it  at  Loretto,  in  Italy.—  DBA  PEH'S  Intellectual  Development  of  Europe. 


A.  A  v 

B.  A  spirit  TVMd  by  UK  Wit, -h 

C.  A  Knar  railing  hi*  Imp*. 


SOBCi 

Is  t  wurK-ks  ^rim,  an'  witlic-r'il  hags 
Tell  liow  wi'  you,  on  ra<;wet<l  nags, 
They  skitn  the  inuirs  an'  dizzy  crags 

\Vi'  wicked  speed 
And  in  kirk-yards  renew  their  leagues 

Oure  howkit  dead. —  1 


D.  A  Kurr  King. 

E.  A    Witch    ri<l.  . 

thiough  th. 
T.  An  Induuitetl  Cutlc. 


t        I '  •  . 


K    2 


28  ANABAAHN.  A.D.  1214. 

We  come  next  to  an  eminent  Englishman,  Roger  Bacon  (born  at  Ilchester,  1214),  who, 
for  his  genius  and  ability,  was  styled  the  "  Admirable  Doctor."  He  is  the  first  to  whom  we 
are  indebted  for  an  approximation  to  the  true  principles  of  Aerostation.  We  here  borrow  the 
words  of  Wise  (the  American  historian  of  Aerostation)  :— 

He  wrote  upon  various  subjects,  and  displayed  in  all  a  great  power  of  imagination,  with  an  equal  degree  of 
enterprise.  The  knowledge  he  possessed,  and  the  theories  he  laid  down,  appear  the  more  remarkable,  because  we 
have,  within  the  last  hundred  years,  realised  several  of  his  most  magnificent  schemes.  Like  Franklin,  his  ideas 
and  knowledge  were  three  or  four  centuries  ahead  of  the  age  he  lived  in.  The  art  of  sailing  in  the  air,  or,  at 
least,  the  principle  by  which  it  is  accomplished,  seems  to  have  been  so  well  understood  by  him,  that  we  may 
safely  ascribe  to  him  the  discovery  of  its  main  principle  (atmospheric  buoyancy),  which  we  shall  presently 
perceive. 

In  one  of  his  works,*  he  descants,  in  glowing  language,  on  the  possibility  of  constructing  engines  of 
immense  size  and  power,  that  could  traverse  the  land  and  the  water  with  great  speed,  and  carry  with  them 
persons  and  merchandise.  He  then  goes  on  to  describe  a  plan  of  navigating  the  air.  He  assumes  that  the 
atmosphere  is  a  material  of  some  consistency,  capable  of  bearing  upon  its  surface  vessels,  like  ships  are  borne  upon 
the  surface  of  the  water.  He  next  describes  the  construction  of  his  aerial  machine,  "  which,"  he  says,  "  must  be 
a  large  hollow  globe  of  copper,  or  other  suitable  metal,  wrought  extremely  thin,  in  order  to  have  it  as  light  as 
possible.  It  must  then,"  he  says,  "be  filled  with  'ethereal  air  or  liquid  fire,'  and  then  launched  from  some 
elevated  point  into  the  atmosphere,  where  it  will  float  like  a  vessel  on  water."  It  cannot  be  ascertained,  from  the 
writings  of  Eoger  Bacon,  that  he  ever  realised  any  of  his  grand  projects  of  flying,  by  actual  experiment ;  but,  in 
concluding  his  treatise  upon  this  branch,  he  expresses  himself  thus  :  "  There  is  certainly  a  flying  instrument, 
not  that  I  ever  knew  a  man  that  had  it,  but  I  am  particularly  acquainted  with  the  ingeuious  person  who 
contrived  it." 

After  expressing  himself  so  confidently  upon  the  "  hollow  globe  "  method,  ho  thinks,  "  There  may  be  made 
some  flying  instrument,  so  that  a  man  sitting  in  the  middle  of  the  instrument,  and  turning  some  mechanism,  may 
put  in  motion  some  artificial  wings  which  may  beat  the  air  like  a  bird  flying." 

To  these  descriptions  of  Bacon,  some  of  our  modem  writers  have  adverted  with  greater  zeal  than  judgment, 
to  prove  that  the  art  of  flying  by  human  contrivances  was  known  to  the  ancients,  or,  at  least,  anterior  to  the 
discovery  of  the  Montgolfiers.  They  contend  that  Eoger  Bacon  was  well  acquainted  with  the  properties  of  the 
atmosphere.  Some  very  learned  disquisitions  have  been  written  to  prove  that  his  ethereal  air  and  liquid  fire  were 
the  same  as  our  rarefied  air  and  hydrogen  gas. 

With  all  due  deference  to  the  brilliant  genius  and  far-reaching  intellect  of  Eoger  Bacon,  it  must  still  be 
evident  from  his  own  writings  that  he  did  not  fully  understand  the  principle  of  atmospheric  pressure,  or  he 
would  not  have  thought  it  necessary  to  get  his  "  hollow  globe "  on  the  surface  of  the  atmosphere.  As  to  his 
having  some  knowledge  of  the  consistency  of  the  air  as  an  elastic  fluid,  that  will  not  be  denied,  for,  at  that  period, 
the  attention  of  the  learned  began  to  be  directed  to  the  science  of  pneumatics  ;  but  we  have  no  authenticated 
writings  to  show  that  they  had  a  knowledge  of  the  various  and  distinct  gases. 

The  discovery  of  the  art  of  making  gunpowder  has  been  attributed  to  Eoger  Bacon,  and  history  makes  it 
evident  that  he  accomplished  astonishing  things  in  his  day,  for  we  read  that  he  was  accused  of  holding 
communion  with  the  devil,  and  that  the  perusal  of  his  writings  was  interdicted  by  an  order  of  Nicolas  IV., 
and  the  Doctor  placed  under  personal  restraint,  where  the  emanations  of  his  brilliant  mind  could  only  enlighten 
the  emperor  and  his  courtiers.  Soon  after  Bacon's  time,  projects  were  instituted  to  train  up  children  from 
their  infancy  in  the  exercise  of  flying  with  artificial  wings,  which  seemed  to  have  been  the  favourite  plan 
of  the  flying  philosophers  and  artists  of  that  day.  If  we  credit  the  accounts  of  some  of  their  experiments, 
it  would  seem  that  considerable  progress  was  made  in  that  way.  The  individuals  who  used  the  wings  could 
skim  over  the  surface  of  the  earth  with  a  great  deal  of  ease  and  celerity.  This  was  accomplished  by  the 
combined  faculties  of  running  and  flying.  It  is  stated  that,  by  an  alternately  continued  motion  of  the  wings 
against  the  air,  and  the  feet  against  the  ground,  they  were  enabled  to  move  along  'with  a  striding  motion, 
and  with  incredible  speed. 

'  Notes  and  Queries'  of  September  5,  1864,  contains  the  following  interesting  answer  to  a 


*  '  EpistolfB  Fiatris  liogeri  Bcconis,  dc  Secretis  operibus  Artis  et  Naturaj,  et  dc  Nullitate  Magia;.'     Paris,  1542. 


,lh,*t,l*TI,l 

1864 


\l,   t/.t,. 


r,  .vi  \':  u 
j-  r,~\jr  c 


L»  !':<>:.  ROGER  BACON  ON  FLYING.  29 

.jiicrv,  tin-  -ul»!:iii<v  i.f  which  is  <rivrii   in  the  extract  of  the  letter  of  1607,  that  had  been 

iv.  1  to  :— 

The  passage,  supposed  to  relate  to  a  discovery  of  aerostation  as  early  as  1607,  is  very  short,  and  for  the  sake 

•  !'  i  loarnen  may  be  here  repeated  :  — 

S..pt.  27.  1607. 

"  The  greatest  nowes  of  this  ouuntrie  is  of  an  ingenious  fellow,  that  in  Barkcshire  sailed  or  went  over  a  high 
!v  in  a  boat,  all  of  his  owno  making  ;  and,  without  other  help  linn  himself  in  her,  conveyed  her  above  twenty 
miles  by  land  over  hills  and  dales  to  the  river,  and  so  down  to  London." 


in  1606  the  celebrated  Peirescius  (Nicolas  Uande  Fabri  de  Peiresc)  came  with  the  French  Ambassador 
_;land,  was  graciously  received  by  King  James,  and  having  gone  to  Oxford,  and  visited  Camden,  Sir  Robert 
1  ii.  Sir  Henry  Saville,  and  other  literary  men,  went  over  to  Holland.  While  there  he  travelled  to  Scoveling 
for  the  purpose  of  seeing  a  sailing  chariot  lately  made  under  the  direction  of  the  celebrated  mathematician  and 
iii'  rliaiiist  Simon  Stcviuus.  Peireecius  was  much  struck  with  the  invention,  and,  according  to  Gassendus  ('  Vita 
IViiv-kii,'  lib.  ii.),  he  used  to  describe  the  astonishment  with  which  he  was  hurried  along,  driven  by  a  rapid  wind, 
which  was  yet  not  perceived  by  those  in  the  chariot,  for  they  went  as  fast  as  the  wind  itself. 

"Commemorare  wilt-bat  stuporein  quo  correptus  fuerat,  cum  vonto  translatus  citatissimo  non  persentiscero 
tamen,  ncinpe  tarn  citus  er.it  quam  ventus." 

!'.  irescius  describes  the  sailing  chariot  as  going  from  Sceveling  to  Putten,  about  forty-two  English  miles,  in 
two  hours.  Another  contemporaneous  writer,  Walceins,  describes  the  carriage  as  carrying  six  or  ten  persons  a 
di>tun<T  of  twenty  or  thirty  (i,-nn<in  miles  in  a  few  hours,  with  far  greater  speed  than  the  swiftest  ship  on  the  sea, 
being  completely  under  the  easy  command  of  the  man  at  the  helm. 

It  is  known  that  Peirescius  was  obliged,  by  family  affairs,  to  return  to  Paris  in  September  1606;  and  thus 
the  striking  invention,  or  possibly  application  of  a  kind  of  locomotive  used  before  in  China,  and  oven  in  Spain, 
would  be  made  known  to  his  literary  and  scientific  friends  in  France  and  in  England. 

Grotius  celebrated  the  ingenuity  of  Stevinus  in  two  epigrams.    The  fifth  epigram  contained  in  bin  '  1'oemata' 

is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Impoeuit  plaustro  vectantem  carbasa  navim  ? 

An  potitiH  navi  subdidit  ille  rotas? 
Scandit  aquas  navis  :  currus  ruit  acre  prono  : 
Et  merito  dicas,  '  Hie  rolat,  ilia  natat.'  " 

In  his  fifteenth  epigram  he  pays  a  graceful  and  elegant  tribute  to  Stevinus,  after  the  Roman  fashion,  a 
reference  being  made,  in  the  second  line,  to  the  celestial  constellation,  Argo  Navis  :  — 

"  Ventivolum  Tiphyi  dcduxit  in  aequora  navim  : 

Jupiter  in  Stellas  artheriamque  domum  : 
In  terrestre  soluin  virtus  Stcvinia  :  nam  nee, 
Tipby,  tuum  fuerat,  nee  Jovis  istud  opus." 

The  success  of  the  experiment  in  Holland  at  least  aa  early  as  September  1606,  was  likely  to  produce 
imitators  in  England  as  early  as  September  1607  ;  and  "the  ingenious  fellow  in  Barkeshire  "  appears  to  have  been 
one.  He  conveyed  "  a  boat  all  of  his  owne  making,"  "  above  twenty  miles  by  land,  over  hills  and  dales,"  —  upon 
one  of  which  hills  he  might  well  be  over,  or  above,  "  a  high  steeple  "  in  a  dale  —  and  so  arriving  at  the  river, 
might  proceed  to  London  by  water  in  his  boat,  detached  from  its  temporary  wheels. 

That  it  is  possible  for  a  wheeled  carriage  driven  by  sails,  to  pass  over  uneven  ground,  was  experimentally 
proved  about  the  year  1820,  when  such  a  carriage  travelled  along  the  turnpike-road  from  Great  Chesterford  to 
Newmarket,  a  distance  of  about  fifteen  miles,  over  some  considerable  hills,  at  the  rate,  it  is  said,  of  about  thirteen 
miles  an  hour.     The  writer  of  this  reply  saw  Unit  sailing  carriage  in  motion  on  Newmarket  Heath.     It  was  cutter- 
rigged.   with  a  fore-and-aft  mainsail  and   triangular  fore-sail.      It  carried  several   persons;    worked  easily  to 
win'lua'.l.  .....  iiing  up  to  the  wind  and  tacking  as  readily  as  a  boat  on  the  water  ;  and  its  speed  was  Uien  such  a* 

to  keep  a  horse  at  a  moderate  canter  in  order  to  accompany  it 

It  would  thus  appear  that  the  alxjve  passage  has  probably  no  reference  to  aerostation.  If  such  a  discovery 
bad  been  made  at  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century,  it  never  could  have  been  lost.  We  should  have 
found  allusions  to  it  in  Up.  \\ilkinsV  '  Discourse  concerning  the  I'osKibility  of  a  Passage  to  the  World  in  the 
Moon,'  1638.  and  in  his  •  Mathematical  Magic,"  1048.  Yet,  while  that  daring  and  most  original  thinker  dcM-i-il.es 


30  ANABAAHN.  A.D.  1660-70. 

at  length  Stevinus's  sailing  chariot,  and  discusses  several  means  by  which  flight  might  be  effected  mechanically, 
he  makes  no  mention  of  a  balloon,  or  any  similar  means  of  rising  in  the  air.  He  does  not  appear  to  be  acquainted 
even  with  the  theoretical  notion  of  his  contemporary,  the  Jesuit  Lana,  who  proposed  to  exhaust  hollow  balls 
of  metal,  and  thus  to  render  them  specifically  lighter  than  the  atmosphere,  forgetful  that  such  balls  would  be 
crushed  by  the  enormous  pressure  of  the  external  air,  unsupported  by  a  fluid  within. 

Wilkins,  Bishop  of  Chester,  who  died  in  1672,  had  read  many  of  the  foregoing 
quotations,  and  wrote  a  work  named  '  Daedalus ;  or,  Mechanical  Motions,'  in  which  he 
embodies  the  sentiments  and  principles  of  Roger  Bacon  on  this  subject,  giving,  however, 
quainter  illustrations,  to  show  that  the  atmosphere  is  navigable.  Man  now  erred  by  attempts 
to  imitate  the  flight  of  birds,  and  from  a  lack  of  empirical  knowledge  with  regard  to  the  laws 
of  heat  and  gases,  which  remained  an  enigma  till  revealed  by  the  experiments  of  Priestley  and 
Cavendish,  about  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century.  We  may  here  notice,  that  "  in  tracing 
the  progress  of  knowledge  in  relation  to  atmospheric  buoyancy,  it  exhibits  to  the  mind  a  very  striking 
exemplification  of  the  nearness  with  which  we  may  approach  to  the  desired  object  of  our  pursuits,  and 
yet,  for  the  want  of  knowing  correctly  the  application  of  a  trifling  part  of  it,  how  long  we  may 
be  baffled  in  perfecting  our  schemes"  * 

Bishop  Wilkins  thus  succinctly  speaks  of  the  several  ways  by  which  "  flying  hath  been  or 
may  be  attempted  "  : — 

"  1st.  By  spirits  or  angels. 
2nd.  By  the  help  of  fowls. 

3rd.  By  wings  fastened  immediately  to  the  body. 
4th.  By  flying  chariots." 

This  appears  much  the  order  in  which  we  read  of  them  in  history. 

"  By  spirits  and  angels."  Instances  occur  in  the  Bible ;  and,  if  we  could  believe 
spiritualists,  this  is  again  revived. 

"  By  the  help  of  fowls."  As  related  in  Persian  and  other  Oriental  tales ;  of  which  the 
following  is  a  good  sample,  from  a  manuscript  in  the  British  Museum  : — 

'  Translation  of  the  relation  of  the  Aerial  Voyage  of  Kai  Kaoos,  King  of  Persia,  the 
Cyaxares  of  the  Greeks,  from  the  Persian  of  Ferodosee,  the  Shah-Nameh,  or  King-Book, 
written  in  the  tenth  century.' 

"  To  the  king  it  became  a  matter  of  great  concern  how  he  might  be  enabled  to  ascend 
"  the  heavens,  without  wings ;  and  for  that  purpose  he  consulted  the  astrologers,  who 
"  presently  suggested  a  way  in  which  his  desires  might  be  successfully  accomplished. 

"  They  contrived  to  rob  an  Eagle's  nest  of  its  young,  which  they  reared  with  great  care, 
"  supplying  them  with  invigorating  food. 

"  A  Frame  of  Aloes-wood  was  then  prepared  and  at  each  of  the  four  corners  was  fixed 
"  perpendicularly  a  javelin,  surmounted  on  the  point  with  the  flesh  of  a  goat.  At  each  corner 
"  again  one  of  the  eagles  was  bound,  and  in  the  middle  the  king  was  seated  with  a  goblet  of 
"  wine  before  him.  AS  soon  as  the  eagles  became  hungry  they  endeavoured  to  get  at 
"  the  goat's  flesh  upon  the  javelins,  and  by  flapping  their  wings,  and  flying  upwards 


WISE,  'History  of  Aeronautics.' 


IIITII  i  'I:M-M:Y. 


KAI   KAODS,  K1N<;  ()F  I'KKSIA. 


31 


tlu-v  ijiiiekly  rai.-ed  tin-  tlm-ne  from  the  ground.  Hunger  still  pressing  on  them,  and  -till 
distant  from  tlicir  prey,  tln-y  ascended  higher  and  higher  in  the  clduds,  conveying  the 
king  tin  l.eyoml  his  own  country.  But  after  a  long  and  fruitless  exertion  their 
stivnirtli  failed  tin-in.  :nnl  unal)le  to  ke.-p  tln-ir  way  the  whole  fabric  came  tuml.ling  down 
from  tin-  sky,  :nid  fell  upon  a  dreary  solitude  in  the  kingdom  of  Chin  : — where  Kai  Ka....- 
was  l.-t't  a  pn-y  to  huntrer,  alone,  and  in  utter  despair." 


KAI  KAOOS,  TITE  PERSIAS  Kixo. 

Tli«  tales  of  the  Roc  in  the  'Arabian  Nights,'  and  also  the  wondrous  Ganzas,  an- 
familiar  to  us,  and,  only  a  century  ago,  were  still  believed  in  England.* 

Automata  were  then  devised,  and  tin  human  mind  speculated  for  centuries  on  "fastening 
wings  to  tli«  l.i >dy  "  ;  or  even,  like  Archytas  in  the  fourth  century  before  the  Christian  ern,  in 
making  a  dovi-.  Two  or  three  instances  will  suffice. 


•  Cordon  and  Sfoligrr  doc  unnnimniuly  nffirm.  tlmt  there  ig  ft 
l.inl  amongst  the  Indian*  of  to  great  a  bigncaae,  that  hu  beak  is 
"ft.  n  med  U>  make  a  (heath  or  «-nl>benl  for  a  mrortl.  And  Arotta 
.  I'.iwl  in  l\m  mlliil  <'<mii>rr*,  whii-h  will  of  thrmselreB 
kill  and  <«t  up  a  wl.<>!.>  cwlf  nt  a  tinu •.  N"..r  i-  tlu-n-  uiiy  niuon 
why  any  ittlii-r  l»«ly  may  not  be  iiip|«irt<-d  nnd  mrri.  d  ITI  tin- air, 
it  i-hniild  a.«  much  exceed  the  quantity  »f  these  fowl  an  tin  y 


do  the  quantity  of  a  flie.  Mnrriu  I'olus  meotioni  a  fowl  in  Mail.-i- 
gaacar  which  ho  caU  a  ICiick.  tho  featherx  of  whole  wing*  nrv  1'2 
paces,  or  threescore,  foot  long,  wliirh  run  with  as  mucli  own  *«.p  up 
an  cli'pliant  an  our  kite*  do  a  mouse.  If  thin  relation  wi-m  anything 
.•n.lil.lr.  it  niii;ht  serve  aa  an  abundant  pr<»f  for  tin-  pn  «-nt  ., 
\VHKIV-.  Hi-l...p  of  Chester, 


32  ANABAAHN.  A.D.  1042. 

'Tis  related  of  a  certain  English  monk  (Elmerus)  in  the  reign  of  the  Confessor,  that  he 
did  by  such  wings  fly  from  a  tower  above  a  furlong ;  and  so  another  from  St.  Mark's  steeple 
at  Venice  ;  and  Busbeqiiius  speaks  of  a  Turk  at  Constantinople  who  attempted  something  this 
way.  Burton  (in  his '  Anatomy  of  Melancholy '),  mentioning  this  quotation,  doth  believe  that 
some  new-fangled  wit  ('tis  his  cynical  phrase)  will  some  time  or  other  find  out  this  art.  In  the 
beginning  of  the  tenth  century  an  Italian  adventurer  visited  Scotland,  during  the  reign  of 
James  IV.,  and,  being  a  man  of  some  address,  and  at  the  same  time  a  pretender  to  alchemy, 
he  contrived  to  insinuate  himself  into  the  favour  of  that  gay  and  needy  prince,  by  holding  out 
hopes  of  augmenting  his  scanty  treasury  by  the  acquisition  of  the  philosopher's  stone. 

He  was  collated  by  royal  favour  to  the  abbey  of  Tungland  (or  Tongland),  in  Galloway ; 
but,  not  having  succeeded  in  creating  artificial  riches,  he  resolved,  in  the  height  of  his 
enthusiasm,  at  once  to  gratify  and  astonish  the  courtiers  by  the  display  of  a  feat  still  more 
extraordinary. 

Having  constructed  a  set  of  ample  wings,  composed  of  various  plumage,  he  undertook  to 
fly  through  the  air  from  the  walls  of  Stirling  Castle  to  France.  This  experiment  he  had 
actually  the  folly  and  hardihood  to  try,  but  soon  came  to  the  ground,  and  broke  his  thigh-bone 
by  the  violence  of  the  fall.  For  this  unlucky  failure,  however,  the  abbot  had  the  dexterity  to 
draw  a  very  plausible  excuse  from  the  wretched  sophistry  termed  science,  in  that  age. 

"  My  wings,"  said  the  artful  Italian,  "  were  composed  of  various  feathers.  "Among  them 
"  were  the  feathers  of  dunghill  fowls,  and,  by  a  certain  sympathy,  were  attracted  to  the 
';  dunghill ;  whereas  had  my  wings  been  composed  of  eagles'  alone,  the  same  sympathy  would 
"  have  attracted  them  to  the  region  of  the  air." 

Like  attempts  were  made  at  Tubingen  and  Vienna;  and,  in  the  reign  of  Louis  XIV.,  the 
noble  terrace  of  St.  Germain  en  Laye  witnessed  the  rope-dancer  Allard's  endeavour  to  fly 
across  the  Seine  to  Vesinet ;  but,  falling  at  the  bottom  of  the  wall,  he  broke  a  limb. 

Eoger  Bacon.  Lauretus  Laurus,  Schottus,  Cardan  (already  quoted),  and  Scaliger,  gave 
countenance  to  such  experiments ;  and  it  was  not  till  Borelli  published  his  celebrated  work, 
'  De  Motu  Animalium,'  in  1670,  showing  by  accurate  calculations  the  prodigious  force 
which  the  pectoral  muscles  of  birds  must  exert  and  maintain,  that  these  projects  were 
abandoned,  except  by  a  few.  The  most  remarkable  of  these  attempts  appeared  in  the 
'  Journal  des  Savans,'  12th  September,  1678,  when  a  Mons.  Besnier,  of  the  province  of  Maine, 
tried  the  experiment,  represented  in  the  following  woodcut  :— 


M.  BESNIEH. 


v.,,.  ir-D.  Till:  .IKSUI    I'ATIIKU  ULNA'S  PROPOSITIONS.  88 

"  Ces  ailes  sont  chacnne  un  chassis  oblong  de  taffetas,  attachees  h  chaquc  bout  dc  deux 
batons  que  1'nn  aju>tait  snr  les  epanles.  Ces  chasses  se  pliaient  du  haut  en  bas  comme 
dcs  liattant  -If  \olris  liri-< •>.  ( 'oux  de  devant  etaient  rcmucs  par  les  mains,  et  ceux  de  derricre 
p:ir  les  pieds.  en  tirant  cliaenn  uiu'  ficelle  qui  leur  etait  attachce." 

The  inventor  di<l  nut  pivtend  that  he  could  rise  from  the  earth,  or  sustain  himself  lonj^  in 
the  air  with  them,  from  the  inability  to  give  his  apparatus  the  required  power  and  rapidity  ; 
luit  he  availed  himself  of  their  aid  in  progressively  raising  himself  from  one  height  to  another 
until  IK-  reached  the  top  of  a  house,  from  the  roof  of  which  he  passed  over  the  neighbouring 
houses.  By  thus  leaving  an  elevated  position,  he  could  cross  a  river  of  considerable  breadth, 
or  anv  other  obstacle.  His  first  pair  of  wings  were  purchased  by  a  Mr.  Baldwin,  of  Guibre, 
who,  it  is  said,  used  them  with  remarkable  success.  And  finally  Blanchard,  of  whom  we  shall 
hear  more  hereafter,  wrote  thus  to  the  'Journal  de  Paris:' — "  Je  rends  done,  11  1'occasion  de 
sa  premiere  ascen>ion  en  ballon  au  Champ-de-Mars,  le  2  Mars,  1784,  un  hommage  pur  et 
sincere  a  riiamortel  Montgolfier,  sans  le  secours  duquel  j'avoue  que  le  mecanisme  de  mes  ailes 
ne  in'aiirait  peiit-etre  jamais  servi  qu"a  agiter  un  element  indocile  qui  m'aurait  obstineraent 
sur  la  tcrre  comme  le  lourd  autruche,  moi,  qui  comptais  disputer  ii  1'aigle  le  cheinin 
des  nn< 

We  again  quote  from  Mr.  Wise: — 

The  philosophers,  from  Bacon's  time  down  to  the  discovery  of  the  true  nature  of  atmospheric  pressure,  as 
illustrated  by  the  Torricellian  tube,  and  air-pump,  in  their  speculations  upon  aerial  navigation,  all  had  an  opinion 
that  the  atmosphere  had  a  defined  limit  or  border,  not  very  high  above  the  earth,  upon  which  the  aerial  vessel 
must  necessarily  be  placed  in  order  to  have  it  buoyed  up  by  the  air  underneath,  like  the  water  under  a  ship. 
Reasoning  from  their  knowledge  of  hydrostatics,  they  took  it  for  granted  that  the  atmosphere  was  a  vast  ocean  of 
air  surrounding  our  globe,  upon  the  outer  border  of  which  rested  another  ethereal  ocean  of  a  much  rarer  kind, 
separate  and  distinct  as  the  air  rests  upon  the  water.  Still  they  approached  nearer,  in  each  succeeding  generation, 
to  an  attainment  of  navigating  the  air.  Judging,  then,  from  the  scanty  knowledge  they  possessed  of  pneumatics, 
iind  indeed  of  all  the  sciences,  they  are  entitled  to  a  great  deal  of  credit,  in  regard  to  the  art  of  aerial  navigation, 
as  also  to  other  important  subjects.  It  does  seem  that,  if  the  progressive  individuals  of  our  generation  were  to 
apply  themselves  with  the  same  earnestness  to  this  subject  now,  that  those  did  before  us  whom  wo  have  made 
reference  to,  it  would  not  be  long  before  we  should  see  air  travelling  as  much  preferred  and  in  advance  of 
steamboat  and  railroad  travelling,  as  the  latter  are  now  in  advance  of  the  old-fashioned  stage-coach  and  schooner 
method.  In  the  course  of  our  history,  we  shall  see  that  the  discovery  by  the  Montgolfiers  created  a  spirit  for  its 
advancement  so  far  beyond  a  legitimate  end,  that  wo  may  ascribe  to  it  much  of  the  apathy  that  has  followed 
it.  At  the  present  time,  there  is,  however,  a  new  and  sober  determination  growing  up  again  in  the  way 
<if  improving  this  neglected  art. 

The  great  interest  that  was  manifested  in  the  seventeenth  century  from  the  numerous  experiments  that  were 

going  on  in  every  civilised  part  of  the  world,  brought  into  the  field  many  able  writers  on  this  subject,  which  soon 

il  the  knowledge  and  history  of  the  past,  and  created  a  fresh  stimulus  to  the  investigation  of  all  subjects 

that  had  any  l»  m-  relation  to,  the  improvement  of  aerial  navigation.     Hypothetical  narrations  had  now 

to  give  way  to  the  more  solid  principles  that  naturally  suggested  themselves  under  such  a  state  of  improvement. 

Mathematical  demonstration  was  resorted  to  as  the  only  sure  guide  to  direct  the  progress  of  the  arts,  and  thus  the 

veil  .if  m\  -;rry  could  no  longer  cover  the  vague  pretensions  of  monopolised  learning.     The  researches  of  alchemy 

:  United   many  valuable   discoveries    towards   strengthening  the   rational   philosophy   of  the    ilnv. 

And  fii'iu  about  this  period  we  date   the   beginning  of  the  most   important  and  useful  improvements   in   the 

operations  of  mankind. 

:<;is  I  .ana,  a  .Jesuit,  and  a  very  judicious  writer,  deduced  from  the  new  discoveries  the  real  nature  and 
prest.ii:'  i if  the  utmiispheie.  and  is  the  first  who  established  a  theory  verified  by  mathematical  accuracy,  and 
clearness  of  perception,  which  pi, iced  him  far  in  advance  of  his  predecessors  in  the  science  of  aerial  navi^ntinn. 
He  veiy  tinly  inferred  that  a  vessel  e.\haii.-ted  r,f  air  would  weigh  less  than  when  full  of  that  fluid,  lie  also 
in  his  problem--  that  the  capacity  of  globular  vessels  increases  much  faster  than  their  surf.io  s.  For 


ANABAAHN. 


A.D.  1670. 


example,  two  globular  vessels,  one  of  ten  feet  diameter,  and  another  of  twenty  feet  diameter ;  the  first  will  have  a 
capacity  of  523  cubic  feet  and  a  fraction  over,  while  the  other  will  have  4189  cubic  feet.  The  surface  of  the 
larger  is  four  times  that  of  the  smaller,  while  its  capacity,  or  contents,  is  eight  times  as  great.  This  is  a  very 
important  consideration  in  the  construction  of  balloons.  Thus,  a  balloon  that  would  carry  one  person,  would 
weigh  one  hundred  pounds,  which  is  about  the  weight  of  such  a  one,  and  would  cost  between  40/.  and  50/. ;  one 
capable  of  carrying  two  persons  would  not  cost  more  than  between  601.  and  101.,  and  would  not  weigh  more  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  Now,  a  balloon  of  the  power  first  mentioned  would  be  about  twenty  feet  in 
diameter,  which,  when  filled  with  ordinary  hydrogen  gas,  would  have  an  ascending  power  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds,  while  one  of  five  times  its  diameter,  being  one  hundred  feet,  would  have  an  ascending  power  of  thirty-two 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds,  which  would  be  capable  of  carrying  one  hundred  and  sixty-six 
men,  independent  of  its  own  weight  and  necessary  appendages. 

Lana  proposed  to  prepare  four  hollow  globes  of  copper,  each  twenty  feet  in  diameter,  and  so  thin,  that  they 
would  weigh  less  than  an  equal  bulk  of  atmosphere,  when  they  were  exhausted  of  air.  To  these  globes  he 
designed  fastening  a  boat,  in  which  the  aeronaut  and  his  appendages  were  to  be  stationed,  for  the  purpose 
of  directing  the  machine.  Although  the  idea  laid  down  here  involves  the  same  principles  by  which  aeronautics  are 
practised  at  the  present  day,  still,  several  obstacles  present  themselves  which  must  have  rendered  his  plan 
impracticable.  The  copper,  of  which  the  balloons  were  to  have  been  made,  must  necessarily  have  been  so  thin,  to 
make  the  vessels  light  enough,  that  they  would  not  have  been  strong  enough  to  resist  the  external  pressure  of  the 
atmosphere  when  they  were  exhausted. 

The  barometer,  by  which  the  pressure  of  the  atmosphere  is  ascertained,  was  discovered  in  1643.  The 
weight  of  the  air,  as  shown  by  the  Torricellian  tube,  being  about  fifteen  pounds  to  every  square  inch  of  surface, 
was  no  doubt  the  stimulus  to  Lana's  proposition  of  the  copper  globes.  His  work,  entitled  '  Prodrome  dell'  Arte 
Maestra  Brecia,'  in  which  he  describes  his  machine,  appeared  in  1670,  while  the  air-pump  was  not  invented, 
or  at  least  its  invention  not  made  known,  until  the  year  1672.  The  great  pressure  of  the  air,  as  shown  by  the 
barometer,  without  a  knowledge  of  its  specific  gravity,  would  very  naturally  induce  a  belief  that  it  possessed 
a  much  greater  weight  than  it  really  has,  which  is  one  and  two-tenth  ounces  to  the  cubic  foot.  Had  Lana  known 
the  exact  pressure  and  specific  gravity  of  the  air,  his  mathematical  knowledge  would  have  at  once  convinced  him 
of  the  impracticability  of  his  machinery. 


JESUIT  FATHER  LANA'S  PROPOSITION. 


A  letter  dated  Lisbon,  the  10th  of  February,  was  published  soon  after  in  some  of  the  scientific  journals 
of  Paris,  containing  with  it  the  copy  of  an  address  presented  to  the  King  of  Portugal,  in  the  year  1709,  by 


1'k.J,.  t,»™.,ruf,luTj ,,l I/if  tkr/n,/H.;    <•///->,;,   It/ft,;    .W/////////>/,/,/  ,„„/.•,  //.    .nt,.-i;,il.;i.l.-mr  ,*<'„/*" Hllrl*t,a,H  .*,.,.:'/:'/.    /•/•/.*<.'//»' '/'.-''J  XV.    /  .'.'  •    .,   /1,,-rrlnf 

IRCA 


,\'i  v  u 
r.~i  j  r 


\.n.  i:on.     BARTHOLOMEW  I.AIKKM'E  DE  GU8MAN,  THE  PORTUGUEH    I  i;i  M,1. 

a  friar  called  Rarth"l..m>  \v  l.atir.-nee  d.-  (iuMimn.  In  this  the  jK'titinner  represents  himself  as  having  invented  u 
flying  ma.  hine,  capable  of  carrying  passengers,  and  navigating  through  tho  air  very  swiftly.  He  also  requests  the 
privilege  of  being  tho  sole  possessor  of  the  invention,  desiring  a  prohibition  against  all  and  every  person  from 
ooostructing  a  similar  machine  under  a  severe  penalty.  Upon  this  tho  king  issued  the  following  order  in 

his  favour: — 

"  Agreeably  to  the  advice  of  my  council,  I  order  the  pain  of  death  against  the  transgressor.  And,  in  order 
:••  i-nconrage  the  suppliant  to  apply  himself  with  zeal  towards  improving  the  machine  which  is  capable  of 
immuring  the  effects  mentioned  by  him,  I  also  grant  him  the  first  IVofessorshi]!  nf  Mathematics  in  my  University 
•  •I"  ( '"iinbr.t.  liinl  tho  first  vacancy  in  my  College  of  Barcelona,  with  tho  annual  pension  of  600,000  reis  during 
his  lift-. 

••  The  17th  day  of  April,  1709." 

It  is  said  notwithstanding  that,  through  the  influence  of  the  Inquisition,  he  was  thrown 
into  prison. 

Father  (ialien,  of  Avignon,  published  a  work  called  '  L'Art  de  Naviguer  dans  les  Airs 
in  17 ">;">,  when  the  force  of  general  superstition,  that  still  imputed  all  flights  in  the  air  to 
demons  or  magicians,  obliged  him  to  qualify  it  with  the  additional  title  of  '  Amusement 
Physique  et  Geometri«iue.*  It  contained  a  wild  scheme  of  ascending  mountains,  and  enclosing 
the  light  ethereal  air  found  at  such  altitudes,  in  constructions  of  canvas  or  cotton;  while  the 
maehiiie  lie  had  the  boldness  to  project  and  minutely  describe,  was  about  ten  times  the  size  of 
Noah's  ark,  and  could  have  lifted  the  whole  town  of  Avignon,  where  he  resided. 


Till:    PORTCODESF.   EXPKRIMCNT. 


Till:  FLIGHT  OF  IM.\<;  I\  ATI'  >N. 


The  hiRh-born  soul 

Disdains  to  rest  her  heaven-asjiirin.:  wing 
Heneath  its  native  quarry.     Tired  of  earth 
And  this  <!iurn:. 
ThrouL'h  fi<  Ms  of  air :  pursues  the  flying  storm ; 


Rides  on  the  volleyed  lightning  through  the  heavens ; 
Or,  yoked  with  whirlwinds  and  tho  northern  blast, 
iw  the  long  tract  of  day.     Tlien  high  she  soars 
The  blue  profound,  and  hovering  round  the  sun, 
Iteholda  him  pouring  the  redundant  stream 

F    '-' 


ANABAAHN. 


A.D.  1744. 


Of  light ;  beholds  his  unrelenting  sway 
Bend  the  reluctant  planets  to  absolve 
The  fated  rounds  of  Time.     Thence  far  effused 
She  darts  her  swiftness  up  the  long  career 
Of  devious  comets  ;  through  its  burning  signs 
Exulting  measures  the  perennial  wheel 
Of  Nature,  and  looks  back  on  all  the  stars, 
Whose  blended  light,  as  with  a  milky  zone, 
Invests  the  orient.    'Now  amazed  she  views 
The  empyreal  waste,  where  happy  spirits  hold, 
Beyond  this  concave  heaven,  their  calm  abode  ; 
And  fields  of  radiance,  whose  unfading  light 
Has  travelled  the  profound  six  thousand  years, 
Nor  yet  arrives  in  sight  of  mortal  things. 
Even  on  the  barriers  of  the  world  untired, 


She  meditates  the  eternal  depth  below  ; 

Till,  half  recoiling,  down  the  headlong  steep 

She  plunges  ;  soon  o'erwhelmed  and  swallowed  up 

In  that  immense  of  being.     There  her  hopes 

Best  at  the  fated  goal.     For  from  the  birth 

Of  mortal  man,  the  sovereign  Maker  said, 

That  not  in  humble  nor  in  brief  delight, 

Not  in  the  fading  echoes  of  renown, 

Power's  purple  robes,  nor  Pleasure's  flowery  lap, 

The  soul  should  find  enjoyment ;  but  from  these, 

Turning  disdainful  to  an  equal  good, 

Through  all  the  ascent  of  things  enlarge  her  view, 

Till  every  bound  at  length  should  disappear, 

And  infinite  perfection  close  the  scene. 

— MARK  AKENSIIIK.  1744. 


THE  ART  OF  FLYING  BUKLESQUED. 


CHAPTER   III. 

1783-5. 

rnEPNE*HS;  OR.  MOXTGOLFIERES  AND  CHARLIKKK.s.  AND  THE  TWO  YEARS  OF  UNINTERRUPTED  SUCCESS. 


MontRolfior  nous  n|i[irit  fc  creor  1111  nuage. 
Son  gfnic  6tonnanl,  nilgai  hnrdi  que  sage, 
Sons  un  immense  voile  rnlcnnnnt  la  vapcur 
Par  ta  ca|«citc  lii-truit  la  pcsanU'iir. 
Notre  aiidaco,  bicntfit,  en  saura  faire  usage, 
Now  soumcttrons  de  1'air  le  mobile  element, 
Et  des  champ*  azures  le  pe'rilleux  voyage 
Ne  nous  paraltra  plus  qu'un  simple  amusement. 


Ill)     \I"\I'.<>1.KIER    FAMILY THK    INVENTION    AT    ANNONAY — THE  INSTITUTION    OF    THE    "DERBY,"  AND   THE   DISCOVERY    OK 

IIIK   (IMPOSITION  OK  WATKK  —  THE  EXPERIMENT  AT  PARIS "  A    PATERNAL   GOVERNMENT" TIBERIUS   CAVALIX) "A 

SHEEP,  A  COCK,  AND  A  DUCK  " — "  EXPERIMENTS"  —  "  HONOURS  TO  MONTGOI.FIER  "  —  TO  nPHTOnTHMA  —  COUNT  ZAMIIET- 
CARI  IN  LONDON — WOOLWICH  TO  PETWORTH  —  THE  CHARL1SRE  —  "  HONOURS  TO  CHARLES  "  —  EXPERIMENTS  AT  MIILA- 
I'KI.PHI.V,  U.S.  —  SEVEN  PEOPLE  ASCEND  AT  LYONS — THK  FIRST  PILOT  BALLOON  ACROSS  THE  CHANNEL  —  PAUL  ANIHil  \M 
AT  MILAN  —  JEAN-PIERRE  BLANCHARD  —  THE  ASCENT  OF  FOUR  LADIES  —  MADAME  TIIIHI.K,  THE  FIRST  LADY  TO  ASCEND  IX 
A  1  IKE-BALLOON  —  Dl'KK  Hi:  rHARTRES  —  LUNARDI  —  AN  ITAU\s's  VIEW  OF  ENGLISH  SOCIETY — CHELSEA  HOSPITAL  — 
THK  ARTILLERY  GROUND "THE  PRINCE  OF  WALES  "  —  THK  FIRST  ASCENT  IN  ENGLAND "ENGLISH  LAW  "  1111 

'MORNING  POST'OFSEPT.  16-rn,  1784  —  THE  DESCHNT  AT  WARE,  IN  HERTFORDSHIRE  —  PRESENTATION  TO  THE  KING  — 

DEPOSITIONS A  WELL  -KNOWN  GENTLEMAN  IN  THE  LITERARY  WORLD A  VOYAGE  OF  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  MILES 

SECOND   AERIAL  VOYAGE   IN   ENGLAND ASCENT   FROM  OXFORD BLANCHARD   JEFFERIES   CROSSES  THE  CHANNEL  — 

SHAKSPEARE'S  CUFF — CALAIS  —  A  MONUMENT  ERECTED  —  GENERAL  REMARKS. 

THK  inventors  of  the  aerostat  will  be  for  ever  remembered.  Their  family  history  is  also 
of  much  interest.  The  Montgolfiers  were  natives  of  the  small  town  of  Ambert,  in  Auvergne. 
At  the  close  of  the  last  century  there  was  still  seen  on  the  slope  of  the  hill  that  overhangs  the 
t<>\vn  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  residence  of  the  Montgolfier  family;  and  they  either  gave  their 
name  to,  or  took  it  from,  the  surrounding  country,  as  may  be  noticed  in  the  old  map  by 
Tassini. 

The  oldest  paper  manufactories  in  France  were  established  at  Thiers  and  Ambert.  The 
invention  of  this  manufacture  dates  from  a  remote  epoch;  for  in  the  time  of  St.  Louis,  the 
I  M  dally  Damascus,  supplied  the  world  with  paper.  St.  Louis  mentions  this  in  his 
lettt-rs  to  Joinville.  Paper  was  then  ma«le  from  cotton,  and  was  called  "  Carta  Damascena." 

There  exist  in  the  archives  of  the  province  of  Auvergne,  acts  that  speak  of  a  paper 
manufactory  at  Ambert,  in  1386.  To  its  citizens  belongs  the  glory — more  especially  to 
OIK-  M..iii^i,lfuT  (whose  name  signifies  the  Master  of  the  Mountain) — of  introducing  thiv 
manufacture  into  France,  on  their  return  from  the  sixth,  and  last  Crusade,  when,  according 
to  historians,  a  great  number  of  "  Auvergnats  "  were  made  prisoners  of  war.  During  that 


38  TIIEPNE<f>H2. 

long  captivity  they  had  become  acquainted  with  the  manufactories  of  Damascus.  Soon  after 
setting  up  the  mills  in  their  native  town,  they  found  rags  were  as  good  for  the  purpose  as  the 
new  cotton  exclusively  used  in  the  East. 

From  the  annals  of  Ambert,  it  appears  that  a  Montgolfier  was  the  "  barege,"  or  mayor, 
of  that  town  in  1440. 

Paper  at  this  time  was  only  used  for  writing ;  but  the  invention  of  cards,  in  the  reign  of 
Charles  VI.,  increased  its  consumption. 

Michel  Montaigne  speaks  of  this  manufacture  when  passing  through  Thiers  on  his  return 
from  Italy,  "  II  y  a  autant  de  fac.ons  a  cela,  dit-il,  qu'a  une  autre  bonne  besogne ;  les  cartes  ne 
se  vendent  qu'un  sou  les  communes,  et  les  fines  deux."  Later,  when  printing  (that  triumph 
of  written  thought)  was  discovered,  the  manufactories  of  Auvergne  found  a  new  demand  for 
their  products,  and  flourished  accordingly. 

In  1533,  when  Luther  and  Calvin  preached,  a  great  number  of  "  Auvergnats,"  and 
among  others  Montgolfier,  ardently  embraced  the  reformed  religion.  The  Montgolfier  of  this 
generation  was  one  of  the  most  zealous  Protestants,  and,  at  his  own  expense,  he  sent  to 
Geneva  for  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  His  zeal  brought  on  himself  and  his  family  a  rigorous 
persecution.  After  the  Massacre  of  St.  Bartholomew  (1572)  his  goods  were  confiscated,  his 
paper  manufactories  destroyed,  and  he  was  obliged  to  fly.  Montgolfier,  with  his  family,  took 
refuge  in  the  mountains  near  Lyons,  where  he  again  introduced  the  manufacture  of  paper. 

Towards  the  end  of  the  seventeenth  century  there  lived  at  Vidalon,  near  Annonay,  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountains  of  Vivarais,  a  wealthy  owner  of  a  number  of  windmills,  named 
Antoine  Schelle.  He  had  two  daughters.  Jean  Montgolfier,  paper  manufacturer,  of 
St.  Didier  sur  Beaujeu,  asked  them  in  marriage  for  his  two  sons,  Michel  and  Eaymond. 
This  double  union  was  celebrated  in  January,  1693.  The  windmills  were  transformed  into 
paper  manufactories,  and,  under  the  direction  of  the  brothers  Montgolfier,  these  establishments 
became  important,  and  at  length  attained  the  rank  of  a  royal  manufactory.  In  consequence 
of  these  marriages  the  greater  part  of  the  Montgolfier  family  came  and  lived  at  Annonay. 
Raymond  Montgolfier  had  a  large  family,  and  among  them  Pierre  Montgolfier,  who  was  the 
father  of  the  inventors  of  the  Aerostat.  He  had  already  received  many  tokens  of  approbation 
from  Louis  XYI.  when  the  brilliant  discovery  of  his  sons — to  be  mentioned  presently — 
crowned  his  happiness. 

The  poet  Boissy  d' Anglas  says  of  him  :— 

La  gloire  I'etivironne,  et  ses  cheveux  blanchis 
S'embellissent  encore  des  lauriers  de  ses  fils. 

The  following  letter-patent,  which  in  chronological  order  should  come  in  a  little  later, 
here  shows  the  estimation  in  which  the  family  was  held  : — 

Lettres-patentes  donnees  par  le  Roi  Louis  XVI6-  du  nom,  au  Sieur  Pierre  Montgolfier,  Decembre  1783  : 

Louis,  by  the  grace  of  God  King  of  France  and  of  Navarre,  to  all  present  and  to  come,  greeting  : 
The  aerostatic  machines  invented  by  the  two  brothers,  the  Sires  Etienno-Jacques  and  Joseph-Michel 
Montgolfier,  have  become  so  celebrated,  the  experiment  made  before  us  on  the  19th  of  September  by  the  said 
Etienne-Jacques  Montgolfier,  and  those  that  have  followed,  have  had  such  success,  that  we  have  no  doubt  but  that 
this  invention  will  cause  a  memorable  epoch  in  physical  history ;  we  hope  also  that  it  will  furnish  new  means 
to  increase  the  power  of  man,  or  at  least  to  extend  his  knowledge. 


v.i'.  IT-.". 


Till:  Mn\T.;n|. TIKI;   I  . \M1I.V 


l'i  T>u.iilf<l  tliat  ..IP-  <>f  "in  .In.  i'  duties  is  to  encourage  persons  who  cultivate  the  sciences,  and  to  show  the 

-  i>f  niir  good  wishes  to  those  who  succeed  in  enriching  thorn  by  happy  discoveries,  Wo  have  thought  that  this 
ought  inniv  especially  to  draw  our  atteutinn  to  tint  two  enlightened  naturalists  who  share  the  glory  of  the  discovery. 

U  I  have  leanit  that  the  Sire  "  Pierre  Montgolfier,"  their  lather,  i«  of  an  ancient  and  honourable  family,  and 
that  having  received  from  hi*  ancestors  a  paper  manufactory  situated  at  Annonay,  in  Vivarais,  he  has  rendered  it 
l>y  his  care  and  intelligence  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  kingdom,  so  that  300  people  are  there  employed. 
We  are  also  informed  that  the  said  Sire  "  Pierre  Montgolfier  "  was  the  first  to  make  Vellum  Paper,  and  that  in  17HO 
the  State>  of  Languedoc,  wishing  to  imitate  the  Dutch  manufacture,  intrusted  to  him  the  commission,  by  which  he 
gave  so  much  satisfaction,  that  many  manufacturers  copied  his  productions.  These  circumstances  relating  to  the 
Sire  "  Pierre  Montgolfier"  are  sufficient  to  place  him  among  those  largo  manufacturers  who  by  their  zeal,  their 
activity,  and  their  talents,  can  hope  to  receive  the  most  flattering  and  distinguished  honour  we  are  able  to  accord- 
that  of  being  raised  to  the  rights  and  prerogatives  of  the  nobility.  But  what  has  caused  us  to  bestow  it  at  once  on 
the  She  ••  Pierre  Montgolfier"  is,  that  it  may  be  (both)  a  reward  worthy  of  the  labours  of  the  father  and  of  the 
beautiful  discovery  of  aerostatic  machines,  entirely  owing  to  the  knowledge  and  researches  of  his  two  sons. 

For  these  causes,  by  our  especial  grace,  full  power,  and  royal  authority,  we  have  ennobled,  and  by  these 
presents  signed  by  our  hand  do  ennoble  the  said  Sire  "  Pierre  Montgolfier,"  and  we  have  honoured  and  do 
honour  him  with  the  title  of  Squire;  and  we  wibh  and  it  pleases  us  that  he  be  enrolled  and  addressed,  as  wo  have 
enrolled  and  addressed  him.  Noble,  at  all  times,  together  with  his  children  and  descendants,  male  and  female,  born 
and  to  be  born  in  legitimate  marriage;  that  they  may  like  him  at  all  times  and  in  all  places  be  ranked  as  squires, 
and  Ixj  enabled  to  arrive  at  all  degrees  of  chivalry  and  other  dignities,  titles,  and  qualities,  reserved  for  our 
nobility,  that  they  shall  be  inscribed  in  the  list  of  squires,  and  that  they  shall  enjoy  all  rights,  privileges,  and 
prerogative-,  that  are  reserved  to  them. 

(Signed)        Louis. 
Par  le  Boi. 

LE  BARON  DE  BRETKUIL.* 


shout  of  joy  rang  through  Europe,  and  reached  the  ear  of 
the  aged  Eulerf  on  the  banks  of  the  Neva,  who,  between 
attacks  of  vertigo,  which  were  soon  to  carry  him  from  this 
scene  to  a  better,  dictated  to  his  sons  the  calculations  he 
IKK!  made  on  Aerostatical  Globes.  It  is  said  he  ceased  to 
calculate  and  live  at  the  same  instant. 

The  cause  of  so  great  enthusiasm  had  better  be  given 
in  the  accurate  description  that  immediately  circulated  among 
the  peoples : — 

On  Thursday,  5th  June,  1783,  the  States  of  Vivarais  being  assembled 
at  Annonay  (36  miles  from  Lyons),  Messrs.  Montgolfier  invited  them  to 
see  their  new  aerostatic  experiment. 

Imagine  the  surprise  of  the  Deputies  and  spectators  on  seeing  in 
the  public  square  a  ball,  110  feet  in  circumference,  attached  at  its  base  to  a  wooden  frame  of  16  feet  surface. 
This  enormous  bag,  with  frame,  weighed  300  Ibs.,  and  could  contain  22,000  feet  of  vapour. 


*  Depui*  Deloonrt's  •  Hi-:,  ii.  d'AcrostaU.' 

,  -.it   ll.il.    I.Mh  April.  17(17;  Frofewor  of 

M.itlieinatica:  Mi-mU  r  of  th.    In.|- ri:.l  Ar:nl.  in\  of  St.  I'etenborg; 
Aneieiit  lhWt.,r  of  the  K,.y:,l  A.™ I.  my  MI  It.  iliti  :    I-MJ.S..  :u, 
n-|«imlin^  M>  nil"  r  of  tlie  Itoyal  A.ii.l.  my  ..t  r'nuiec  ;  the  inn! 
many  work  -  r.-et  say»:— "  Kulcr  wag  one 

of  thoHc  men  whose  gi-niu*  was  equally  capable  of  the  greatest  efforts 
and  of  the  moat  continued  labour;  whu  multipli- -1  hi-  productions 


beyond  what  might  hare  been  expected  from  human  strength,  and 
who,  notwithstanding,  was  original  in  .n.-h  :  u !..—  In -:u\  was  always 

•  1.  mid   his  mind  always  calm.     The  nature  ..f  l.i-  punraits, 
l.y  vuihdmwiiii;  him  from    the  world,  preserved  that  wmpli. 
nuimii  r-  tor  which  he  wus  originally  indebted  to  hi-  .-liaiart.  r  and 

•.u  ;  mid  1 mployed  none  of  thoac  mean*  to  wliirh  men 

I  merit  have  •mftimt*  recourse  in  order  !••  •  im- 

•  of  their  di*»p>.  : 


40  THEPNE^HS.  A.D.  1783. 

Imagine  the  general  astonishment  when  the  inventors  announced  that,  as  soon  as  it  should  be  filled  with  gas 
(which  they  had  a  simple  means  of  making),  it  would  rise  of  itself  to  the  clouds.  One  must  here  remark  that, 
notwithstanding  the  general  confidence  in  the  knowledge  and  wisdom  of  Messrs.  Montgolfier,  such  an  experiment 
appeared  so  incredible  to  those  who  were  present,  that  all  doubted  of  its  success. 

But  Messrs.  Montgolfier  taking  it  in  hand,  proceed  to  make  the  vapours,  which  gradually  swell  it  out  till  it 
assumes  a  beautiful  form.  Strong  arms  are  now  required  to  retain  it ;  at  a  given  signal  it  is  loosed,  rises  with 
rapidity,  and  in  ten  minutes  attains  a  height  of  6000  feet;  it  proceeds  7668  feet  in  a  horizontal  direction,  and 
gently  falls  to  the  ground. 

Just  as  the  Omnipotent,  who  turns 

The  system  of  a  world's  concerns, 

From  mere  minutiae  can  educe 

Events  of  the  most  important  use  ; 

But  who  can  tell  how  vast  the  plan, 

Which  this  day's  incident  began  ? 

The  effect  of  this  letter  in  England  was  to  cause  a  display  of  jealousy  at  which  we  might 
now  blush,  if  we  do  not  remember  that  the  sagacious  and  convincing  views  of  Adam  Smith  on 
Political  Economy  had  only  just  been  published,  and  had  not  yet  had  time  to  circulate ;  for, 
though  we  were  obliged  to  admit  a  discovery  had  been  made  in  France,  yet  the  periodicals 
argued  that  all  the  experiments  that  had  led  to  it  were  made  in  England.  Many  were  the 
caricatures  which  appeared,  as  will  be  noticed  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 

Brisson,  in  his  '  Dictionnaire  Baisonne  de  Physique,'  says,  "  Je  ne  fais  que  repe'ter,  ce 
que  le  citoyen  Montgolfier  m'a  affirme  lui  meme  lorsqu'il  est  venu  a  Paris  annoncer  sa 
decouverte,  la  citoyenne  Montgolfier,  ayant  place  un  jupon  sur  un  de  ses  paniers  d'osier  a 
claire-voie  dont  les  femmes  font  usage  pour  secher  leur  linge,  le  jupon  fut  eleve  jusqu'au 
plancher.  C'est  de  ce  fait  que  sont  partis  les  citoyens  Montgolfier." 

In  a  discourse  at  the  Academy  of  Lyons,  Montgolfier  says  that  a  French  copy  of  Priestley's 
'  Experiments  relating  to  the  Different  Kinds  of  Air '  came  in  his  way,  and  was  to  him  like 
light  in  darkness ;  as  from  that  moment  he  conceived  the  possibility  of  navigating  the  air,  but, 
after  some  experiments  in  gas,  he  again  tried  smoke  and  hot  air.  This  year,  1783,  is  not  only 
memorable  for  this  invention  of  the  Montgolfiers,  but  also  for  the  institution  of  the  "  Derby," 
and  for  the  still  more  important  discovery  that  Buckle,  in  his  '  History  of  Civilisation,'  thus 
relates : — 

The  only  discovery  made  by  Watt,  was  that  of  the  composition  of  water.  Though  his  claims  are  disputed  by 
the  friends  of  Cavendish,  it  would  appear  that  he  was  the  first  who  ascertained  that  water,  instead  of  being  an 
element,  is  a  compound  of  two  gases.  This  discovery  was  a  considerable  step  in  the  history  of  chemical  analysis, 
but  it  neither  involved  nor  suggested  any  new  law  of  nature,  and  has,  therefore,  no  claim  to  mark  an  epoch  in  the 
history  of  the  human  mind.  There  is,  however,  one  circumstance  connected  with  it  which  is  too  characteristic  to 
be  passed  over  in  silence.  The  discovery  was  made  in  1783,  by  Watt,  the  Scotchman,  and  by  Cavendish,  the 
Englishman,  neither  of  whom  seems  to  have  been  aware  of  what  the  other  was  doing.  But  between  the  two  there 
was  this  difference, — Watt,  for  several  years  previously,  had  been  speculating  on  the  subject  of  water  in  connexion 
with  air,  and  having,  by  Black's  law  of  latent  heat,  associated  them  together,  he  was  prepared  to  believe  that  one 
is  convertible  into  tho  other.  The  idea  of  an  intimate  analogy  between  the  two  bodies  having  once  entered  his 
mind,  gradually  ripened  ;  and  when  he  at  last  completed  the  discovery,  it  was  merely  by  reasoning  from  data  which 
others  possessed  besides  himself.  Instead  of  bringing  to  light  new  facts,  he  drew  new  conclusions  from  former 
ideas.  Cavendish,  011  the  other  hand,  obtained  his  result  by  the  method  natural  to  an  Englishman.  He  did  not 
venture  to  draw  a  fresh  inference,  until  he  had  first  ascertained  some  fresh  facts.  Indeed,  his  discovery  was  so 
completely  an  induction  from  his  own  experience,  that  he  omitted  to  take  into  consideration  the  theory  of  latent 
heat,  from  which  Watt  had  reasoned,  and  where  that  eminent  Scotchman  had  found  the  premisses  of  his  argument. 


•j:;i:i.  AI-QUST,  A.D.  1783.  TUT.  r.Xl'KKIMENT  AT  PAHIS.  41 

I'.-. tli  uf  these  great  inquirers  arrived  at  truth,  but  each  accomplished  his  journey  by  a  different  path.  And  this 
antithesis  U  accurately  expressed  by  one  of  the  most  celebrated  of  living  chemists,  who,  in  his  remarks  on  thu 
composition  of  water,  truly  says,  that  while  Cavendish  established  the  facts,  Watt  established  the  idea. 

In  Paris  this  intelligence  caused  a  meeting  of  savans,  who,  by  the  advice  of  Mons.  Faujas 
de  Saint  Fond,  started  a  public  subscription  for  defraying  the  expense  of  making  inflammable 
gas  (hydrogen),  the  materials  of  which  were  expensive :  1000  Ibs.  of  iron  filings  and  498  Ibs. 
of  sulphuric  acid  were  consumed  to  fill  a  globular  bag  of  varnished  silk,  which,  for  the  first 
time,  was  designated  a  Ballon;  or  Balloon,  as  we  call  it,  meaning  a  great  ball. 

The  filling  commenced  on  the  23rd  of  August,  in  the  Place  des  Victoires.  Bulletins  were 
published  daily  of  its  progress,  but,  as  the  crowd  was  found  to  be  immense,  it  was  moved  on 
tin-  ni.irht  <>f  tin  'Jtlth  to  the  Champ  de  Mars,  a  distance  of  two  miles.  It  was  done  secretly, 
and  in  the  dark,  to  avoid  a  mob. 

A  description  by  an  eye-witness  is  as  follows : — "  No  more  wonderful  scene  could  be 
imagined  th:m  the  Balloon  being  thus  conveyed,  preceded  by  lighted  torches,  surrounded  by  a 
'  corti •-•(•.'  ;tnd  escorted  by  a  detachment  of  foot  and  horse  guards ;  the  nocturnal  march,  the 
form  aud  capacity  of  the  body,  carried  with  so  much  precaution ;  the  silence  that  reigned, 
tin-  unseasonable  hour,  all  tended  to  give  a  singularity  and  mystery  truly  imposing  to  all  those 
who  were  unacquainted  with  the  cause.  The  cab-drivers  on  the  road  were  so  astonished  that 
tin  v  were  impelled  to  stop  their  carriages,  and  to  kneel  humbly,  hat  in  hand,  whilst  the 
procession  was  passing." 

In  the  morning  the  Champ  de  Mars  was  lined  with  troops,  every  house  to  its  very  top, 
and  every  avenue  was  crowded  with  anxious  spectators.  The  discharge  of  a  cannon  at  5  P.M. 
was  the  signal  for  ascent,  and  the  globe  rose,  to  the  great  surprise  of  the  spectators,  to  a 
height  of  3123  feet  in  two  minutes,  where  it  entered  the  clouds.  The  heavy  rain  which 
descended  as  it  rose  did  not  impede,  and  tended  to  increase  surprise.  The  idea  that  a  body 
leaving  the  earth  was  travelling  in  space  was  so  sublime ;  and  appeared  to  differ  so  greatly 
from  ordinary  laws,  that  all  the  spectators  were  overwhelmed  with  enthusiasm.  The 
satisfaction  was  so  great  that,  ladies  in  the  latest  fashions  allowed  themselves  to  be  drenched 
with  rain,  to  avoid  losing  sight  of  the  globe  for  an  instant. 

The  Balloon,  after  remaining  in  the  atmosphere  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  fell  in  a  field 
near  Gonesse,  a  village  fifteen  miles  from  the  Champ  de  Mars.  The  descent  was  imputed  to  a 
tear  in  the  silk. 

The  effect  on  the  inhabitants  of  this  village  well  illustrates  that  the  human  character  with 
an  unawakened  intellect  is  the  same  in  all  countries  and  ages  : — 

"  For  on  first  sight  it  is  supposed  by  many  to  have  come  from  another  world ;  many  fly  ; 
"  others,  more  sensible,  think  it  a  monstrous  bird.  After  it  has  alighted,  there  is  yet  motion 
•'  in  it  from  the  gas  it  still  contains.  A  small  crowd  gains  courage  from  numbers,  and  for  an 
"  hour  approaches  by  gradual  steps,  hoping  meanwhile  the  monster  will  take  flight.  At 
••  length  one  bolder  than  the  rest  takes  his  gun,  stalks  carefully  to  within  shot,  fires,  witnesses 
"  the  monster  shrink,  gives  a  shout  of  triumph,  and  the  crowd  rushes  in  with  flails  and 
"  pitchforks.  One  tears  what  lie  thinks  to  be  the  skin,  and  causes  a  poisonous  stench ;  again 
••  all  retire.  Shame,  no  doubt,  now  urges  them  on,  and  they  tie  the  cause  of  alarm  to  a 
"  horse's  tail,  who  gallops  across  the  country,  tearing  it  to  shreds." 

G 


42 


TIIEPNE4>H2. 


A.D.  1783. 


A  similar  tale  has  lately  been  told  me  as  having  occurred  in  Persia,  where  a  fire  balloon 
was  let  off  by  some  French  visitors  to  the  Shah's  palace  at  Teheran,  when  it  alighted.  No 
less  than  three  shots  were  fired  at  it  when  on  the  ground,  before  any  one  would  venture 
nearer. 

It  is  no  wonder,  then,  that  the  paternal  government  of  France  deemed  it  necessary 
to  publish  the  following  "  avertissement "  to  the  public  :— 

Paris,  27th  August,  1783. 

"  Avertissement  an  peuple  "  on  the  ascent  of  balloons  or  globes  in  the  air.  The  one  in  question  has  been  raised 
in  Paris  this  said  day,  27th  August,  1783,  at  5  P.M.,  in  the  Champ  de  Mars. 

A  discovery  has  been  made,  which  the  Government  deems  it  right  to  make  known,  so  that  alarm  be  not 
occasioned  to  the  people. 

On  calculating  the  different  weights  of  inflammable  and  common  air,  it  has  been  found  that  a  balloon  filled 
with  inflammable  air  will  rise  towards  heaven  till  it  is  in  equilibrium  with  the  surrounding  air ;  which  may  not 
happen  till  it  has  attained  a  great  height. 

The  first  experiment  was  made  at  Annonay,  in  Vivarais,  by  MM.  Montgolfier,  the  inventors;  a  globe 
formed  of  canvas  and  paper,  105  feet  in  circumference,  filled  with  inflammable  air,  reached  an  uncalculated 
height. 

The  same  experiment  has  just  been  renewed  at  Paris  (27th  August,  5  P.M.)  in  presence  of  a  great  crowd. 
A  globe  of  taffetas,  covered  by  elastic  gum,  36  feet  in  circumference,  has  risen  from  the  Champ  de  Mars,  and  been 
lost  to  view  in  the  clouds,  being  borne  in  a  north-easterly  direction ;  one  cannot  foresee  where  it  will  descend. 

It  is  proposed  to  repeat  these  experiments  on  a  larger  scale.  Any  one  who  shall  see  in  the  sky  such  a  globe 
(which  resembles  "  la  lune  obscurcie  "),  should  be  aware  that,  far  from  being  an  alarming  phenomenon,  it  is  only 
a  machine,  made  of  taffetas,  or  light  canvas  covered  with  paper,  that  cannot  possibly  cause  any  harm,  and  which 
will  some  day  prove  serviceable  to  the  wants  of  society. 

Read  and  approved,  3rd  September,  1783.     DE  SAUVIGNY. 
Permission  for  printing.  LENOIR. 

Balloons  made  of  paper  and  goldbeater's-skin  were  now  sent  up  by  amateurs  from 
all  places  which  this  intelligence  reached;  and  in  September  another  important  step  was 
made,  an  account  of  which,  and  of  the  ascents  which  followed  during  the  next  two  years,  I 
take  from  the  quaint  but  graphic  '  History  of  Aerostation  '  by  Tiberius  Cavallo. 

Tiberius  Cavallo  was  an  electrician  and  natural  philosopher,  born  at  Naples,  1749.  He 
came  to  England  in  1771,  where  he  devoted  his  time  to  science  and  literature  till  his  death,  in 
1809.  In  Old  St.  Pancras  churchyard  we  may  read  the  following  inscription  :— 


Beneath  are  deposited  the  Remains 

of  TIBERIUS  CAVALLO  ; 
Son  of  a  Neapolitan  physician, 

Who  dedicated  his  life 
To  the  attainment  and  improvement 

of  science, 

Fixed  his  residence  in  this 
country,  as  the  chief  seat  of  free  inquiry, 

Distinguished, 

By  many  useful  writings 

and  ingenious  inventions, 

In  various  tranches  of 


Natural  Philosophy, 

and  no  less 

The  independence  of  his  principles, 
The  gentleness  of  his  manners, 

and  the  innocence  of  his  life. 

Unenvied,  beloved,  and  admired, 

By  a  meritorious  circle  of  friends, 

Who  justly  appreciated  in  him, 

Those  solid, 

But  unostentatious  qualities 

That  contribute,  most  essentially, 

To  the  happiness  of  mankind. 


A.I,.  I  i:\IT.KIMr.NTS. 


EXTRACT  FROM  CAVALLO'S  HISTORY  OF  AEROSTATION. 
Montgoljur'i  Experiment  at  Versailles. 

On  the   r.Mh  Se|>tenil>er,  the  King,  Queen,  the  Court,  and  innumerable  people  of  every  rank  and  age, 
at  Versailles,  Montgolfier  being  present  to  explain  every  particular.     About  one  o'clock  the  fire  was 
l.  in  consequence  of  which  the  machine  began  to  swell,  acquired  a  convex  form,  soon  stretched  itself  on 
every  side,  and  in  eleven  minutes'  time,  the  cords  being  cut,  it  ascended,  together  with  a  wicker  cage,  which  wan 
•..•d  to  it  1'v  a  rope.     In  this  cage  they  had  put  a  sheep,  a  cock,  and  a  duck,  which  were  the  first  animal*  that 
ever  ascended  into  the  atmosphere  with  an  aerostatic  machine,    \\hon  the  machine  went  up,  its  power  of  ascension, 
•  r  levity.  was  696  pounds,  allowing  for  the  cage  and  animals. 

The  machine  raised  itself  to  the  height  of  about  1440  feet;  and  being  carried  by  the  wind,  it  fell  gradually 
in  the  wood  of  Vaucresson,  at  the  distance  of  10,200  feet  from  Versailles,  after  remaining  in  the  atmosphere  only 


Two  gamekeepers,  who  were  accidentally  in  the  wood,  saw  the  machine  fall  very  gently,  so  that  it  just  bent 
the  branches  of  the  trees  upon  which  it  alighted.  The  long  rope  to  which  the  cage  was  fastened,  striking  against 
the  wood,  was  broken,  and  the  cage  came  to  the  ground  without  hurting  in  the  least  the  animals  that  were  in  it, 
so  that  the  sheep  was  even  found  feeding.  The  cock,  indeed,  had  its  right  wing  somewhat  hurt  ;  but  this  was  the 
consequence  of  a  kick  it  had  received  from  the  sheep,  at  least  half  an  hour  before,  in  presence  of  at  least  ten 

Aerottatic  Experiments  in  wliich  Men  first  ventured  to  atoend  into  the  Atmosphere  vith  an  Aerostatic  Machine.  —  The 
ling  part  of  this  history  has  shown  the  rapid  progress  of  the  subject,  and  has  sufficiently  demonstrated  by 
experiments,  that  little  or  no  danger  is  to  be  apprehended  for  a  man  who  ascends  with  such  a  machine  into  the 
atmosphere.  The  steadiness  of  the  aerostat  whilst  in  the  air,  its  gradual  and  gentle  descent,  the  safety  of  the 
animals  that  were  sent  up  with  it  in  the  last-mentioned  experiment,  and  every  other  observation  that  could  be 
deduced  from  all  the  experiments  hitherto  made  in  this  new  field  of  enquiry,  seem  more  than  sufficient  to  expel 
any  fear  for  such  an  enterprise  ;  but  as  no  man  had  yet  ventured  in  it,  and  as  most  of  the  attempts  of  flying,  or  of 
lin£  into  the  atmosphere,  on  the  most  plausible  schemes,  had  from  time  immemorial  destroyed  tho  reputation 
or  the  lives  of  the  adventurers,  we  may  easily  imagine  and  forgive  tho  hesitation  that  men  might  express,  of  going 
uji  with  one  of  those  machines:  and  history  will  probably  record,  to  the  remotest  posterity,  the  name  of  M.  Pilatn- 
do  Rozier,  who  had  the  courage  of  first  venturing  to  ascend  into  the  atmosphere  with  a  machine,  which,  a  few 
years  hence,  tho  most  timid  woman  will  perhaps  not  hesitate  to  trust  herself  to. 

The  king,  aware  of  the  difficulties,  ordered  that  two  men  under  sentence  of  death  should 
be  sent  up  ;  but  Pilatre  de  Rozier  was  indignant,  saying,  "  Eh  quoi  !  de  vils  criminels 
auraieiit  les  premiers  la  gloire  de  s'elever  dans  les  airs  !  Non,  non,  cela  ne  sera  point."  He 
>tir>  up  ill--  i-itv  in  his  behalf,  and  the  king  at  length  yields  to  the  earnest  entreaties  of  the 
d'Arlandes,  who  said  that  he  would  accompany  him. 


Scarce  ten  months  had  elapsed  since  M.  Montgolficr  made  his  first  aerostatic  experiment,  when  M.  Filatro 
de  Ilozier  puMicly  offered  himself  to  be  the  first  adventurer  in  the  newly-invented  aerial  machine. 

[Yet  who  but  he  undaunted  could  explore 

A  world  of  waves,  a  sea  without  a  shore, 

Trackless  and  vast  and  wild  as  that  reveal'd, 

When  round  the  ark  the  birds  of  tempest  wheel'd  ; 

When  all  was  still  in  the  destroying  hour,  — 

No  sign  of  man  !  no  vestige  of  his  power  !  —  Roc  EM.] 

Hi-  offi-r  was  accejittd;  his  courage  remained  undaunted;  and  on  the  15th  of  October,  1783,  he  actually 
ascended  into  the  atmosphere,  to  the  astonishment  of  a  gazing  multitude.  The  following  are  the  particulars  of  this 
experiment. 

o  2 


44  THEPNE^HS.  A.D.  1783. 

The  accident  which  happened  to  the  aerostatic  machine  at  Versailles,  and  its  imperfect  construction,  induced 
M.  Montgolfier  to  construct  another  machine,  of  a  larger  size  and  more  solid.  With  this  intent,  sufficient  time 
was  allowed  for  the  work  to  be  properly  done  ;  and  by  the  10th  of  October  the  aerostat  was  completed,  in  a  garden 
in  the  Fauxbourg  St.  Antoine.  It  had  an  oval  shape,  its  diameter  being  about  48  feet,  and  its  height  about  74. 
The  outside  was  elegantly  painted  and  decorated  with  the  signs  of  the  zodiac,  with  cyphers  of  the  king's  name, 
fleurs-de-lys,  &c.  The  aperture  or  lower  part  of  the  machine  had  a  wicker  gallery  about  three  feet  broad,  with  a 
balustrade  both  within  and  without,  about  three  feet  high.  The  inner  diameter  of  this  gallery,  and  of  the  aperture 
of  the  machine,  the  neck  of  which  passed  through  it,  was  near  16  feet.  In  the  middle  of  this  aperture  an  iron 
grate,  or  brazier,  was  supported  by  chains,  which  came  down  from  the  sides  of  the  machine.  In  this  construction, 
when  the  machine  was  up  in  the  air,  with  a  fire  lighted  in  the  grate,  it  was  easy  for  a  person  who  stood  in  the 
gallery,  and  had  fuel  with  him,  to  keep  up  the  fire  in  the  mouth  of  the  machine,  by  throwing  the  fuel  on  the  grate 
through  port-holes  made  in  the  neck  of  the  machine.  By  this  means  it  was  expected,  as  indeed  it  was  found 
agreeable  to  experience,  that  the  machine  might  have  been  kept  up  as  long  as  the  person  in  its  gallery  thought 
proper,  or  whilst  he  had  fuel  to  supply  the  fire  with.  The  weight  of  this  aerostat  was  upwards  of  1600 
pounds. 

On  Wednesday,  the  15th  of  October,  this  memorable  experiment  was  performed.  The  fire  being  lighted,  and 
the  machine  inflated,  M.  Pilatre  de  Rozier  placed  himself  in  the  gallery,  and,  after  a  few  trials  close  to  the  ground, 
he  desired  to  ascend  to  a  great  height ;  the  machine  was  accordingly  permitted  to  rise,  and  it  ascended  as  high  as 
the  ropes,  which  were  purposely  placed  to  detain  it,  would  allow,  which  was  about  84  feet  from  the  ground.  There 
M.  de  Eozier  kept  the  machine  afloat  during  four  minutes  and  twenty -five  seconds,  by  throwing  straw  and  wool 
into  the  grate  to  keep  up  the  fire  :  then  the  machine  descended  exceedingly  gently  ;  and  such  was  its  tendency  to 
ascend,  that,  after  touching  the  ground,  the  moment  M.  de  Eozier  came  out  of  the  gallery,  it  rebounded  up  again 
to  a  considerable  height.  The  intrepid  adventurer,  returning  from  the  sky,  assured  his  friends  and  the  multitude, 
which  had  gazed  on  him  with  admiration,  with  wonder,  and  with  fear,  that  he  had  not  experienced  the  least 
inconvenience,  either  in  going  up,  in  remaining  there,  or  in  descending :  no  giddiness,  no  incommoding  motion,  no 
shock  whatever.  He  received  the  compliments  due  to  his  courage  and  activity ;  having  shown  to  the  world  the 
accomplishment  of  what  had  been  for  ages  desired  and  attempted  in  vain. 

On  the  17th,  M.  Pilatre  de  Eozier  repeated  the  experiment  with  nearly  the  same  success  as  he  had  two  days 
before.  The  machine  was  elevated  to  about  the  same  height,  being  still  detained  by  ropes ;  but  the  wind  being 
strong,  it  did  not  sustain  itself  so  well,  and  consequently  did  not  afford  so  fine  a  spectacle  to  the  concourse  of 
people,  which  at  this  time  was  much  greater  than  at  the  preceding  experiment. 

On  the  Sunday  following,  which  was  the  19th,  the  weather  proving  favourable,  M.  Montgolfier  employed  his 
machine  to  make  the  following  experiments. — At  half  after  four  o'clock,  the  machine  was  filled  in  five  minutes' 
time;  then  M.  Pilatre  de  Eozier  placed  himself  in  the  gallery,  a  counterpoise  of  100  pounds  being  put  in  the 
opposite  side  of  it,  to  preserve  the  balance.  The  size  of  the  gallery  had  now  been  diminished.  The  machine  was 
permitted  to  ascend  to  the  height  of  about  210  feet,  where  it  remained  during  six  minutes,  not  having  any  fire  in 
the  grate ;  and  then  it  descended  very  gently. 

Soon  after,  everything  remaining  as  before,  except  that  now  a  fire  was  put  into  the  grate,  the  machine  was 
permitted  to  ascend  to  about  262  feet  height,  where  it  remained  stationary  during  eight  minutes  and  a  half.  On 
pulling  it  down,  a  gust  of  wind  carried  it  over  some  large  trees  of  an  adjoining  garden,  where  it  would  have  been 
in  great  danger,  had  not  M.  de  Eozier,  with  great  presence  of  mind  and  address,  increased  the  fire  by  throwing 
some  straw  upon  it;  by  which  means  the  machine  was  extricated  from  so  dangerous  a  situation,  and  rose 
majestically,  amongst  the  acclamations  of  the  spectators,  to  the  situation  in  which  it  stood  before.  On  descending, 
M.  de  Eozier  threw  some  straw  upon  the  fire,  which  made  the  machine  ascend  once  more,  and  then  it  descended 
to  the  ground. 

This  experiment  showed  that  the  aerostat  may  be  made  to  ascend  and  descend  at  the  pleasure  of  those  who 
are  in  it ;  to  effect  which,  they  have  nothing  more  to  do  than  to  increase  or  diminish  the  fire  in  the  grate :  which 
was  an  important  point  in  the  subject  of  aerostation. 

After  this,  the  machine  was  raised  again  with  two  persons  in  its  gallery,  M.  Pilatre  de  Eozier,  and  M. 
Girond  de  Villette;  the  latter  of  whom  was  therefore  the  second  aerostatic  adventurer.  The  machine  ascended  to 
the  height  of  about  330  feet,  where  it  remained  perfectly  steady  for  at  least  nine  minutes ;  hovering  over  Paris,  in 


A. ...  1788,  HONOURS  TO  MONTGOLFIER  I :. 

sight  of  its  iiiini. Tons  inhabitants,  many  of  whom  could  plainly  distinguish,  through  telescopes,  the  aerostatic 
adventurers,  ond  especially  M.  do  Kozior,  who  was  busy  in  managing  the  fire. 

The  machine  1><  ing  come  down,  the  Marquis  d'Arlandes,  major  of  infantry,  took  the  place  of  M.  Villette, 
and  the  aerostat  was  lot  up  once  more.  This  last  experiment  was  attended  with  nearly  the  same  success  as  the 
preceding :  and  they  all  proved  and  confirmed  that  the  persons  who  ascended  with  the  machine  did  not  suffer 
the  least  inmnvcnii  n<  .• :  which  was  owing  to  the  gradual  and  gentle  descent  or  ascent  of  the  machine,  and  to  its 
steadiness  or  equilibrium  whilst  it  remained  in  the  atmosphere. 

If  wo  consider  for  a  moment  the  sensation  which  these  first  aerial  adventurers  must  have  felt  in  their  exalted 
situation,  we  can  hardly  prevent  an  unusual  sublime  idea  in  ourselves.  Imagine  a  man  elevated  to  such  an  height, 
into  an  immense  space,  by  means  altogether  new,  viewing  under  his  feet,  like  a  map,  a  vast  tract  of  country,  with 
one  of  the  greatest  towns  existing,  the  streets  and  environs  of  which  were  crowded  with  spectators,  attentive  to 
him  alone,  and  all  expressing,  in  every  possible  manner,  their  amazement  and  their  anxiety.  Reflect  on  the 
prospect,  the  encomiums,  and  the  consequences;  then  see  if  your  mind  remains  in  a  state  of  quiet  indifference. 

An  instructive  observation  may  bo  derived  from  those  experiments,  which  is,  that  when  an  aerostatic  machine 
is  kept  confined  by  ropes,  especially  at  a  considerable  height  above  the  ground,  the  wind  blowing  on  it,  must  drive 
it  in  its  own  horizontal  direction ;  so  that  the  cords  which  hold  the  machine  must  make  an  angle  with  the  horizon, 
which  is  greater  when  the  wind  is  stronger,  and  contrary  wise  ;  in  consequence  of  which  the  machine  must  be  much 
fatigued;  it  being  acted  on  by  three  forces,  in  three  different  directions;  namely,  its  power  of  ascension,  the 
confinement  of  the  ropes,  which  is  opposite  to  the  first,  and  the  action  of  the  wind,  which  is  across  the  other  two. 
It  is  therefore  infinitely  more  safe  to  abandon  the  machine  entirely  to  the  air,  because  then  it  stands  perfectly 
balanced,  and  therefore  is  not  at  all  fatigued. 

In  consequence  of  the  report  of  the  foregoing  experiments,  signed  by  the  Commissaries  of  the  Academy  of 
Sciences,  that  learned  and  respectable  body  ordered,  1st,  That  the  said  report  should  be  printed  and  published ; 
ami  '-'mlly,  That  the  annual  prize  of  600  livres,  according  to  the  establishment  of  an  anonymous  citizen,  be  given 
t<.  M  M.  Montgolfier,  for  the  year  1783. 

The  account  of  a  subsequent  testimony  to  the  importance  of  their  discovery  will  not, 
I  think,  be  here  out  of  place,  as  in  the  year  1801  an  obelisk  was  erected  opposite  the  College 
of  Annonay,  on  the  spot  from  whence  the  first  balloon  rose,  bearing  this  inscription  : — 

"  Aux  deux  Frferes  Montgolfier — Leurs  concitoyens  reconnaissants." 

This  obelisk  was  voted  in  1783,  but  was  not  inaugurated  till  1801,  by  the  prefect 
of  Ardeche,  who  records  it  in  these  words  : — 

This  day  (16  prairial  an  IX.  de  la  Re'publique  francaise)  we,  Charles  Ambroise  Caffarelli,  prefect  of  the 
department  of  Ardeche,  finding  ourselves  whilst  on  circuit  at  Annonay  accompanied  by  the  citizen  Larivoire  La 
Tourette,  sub-prefect  of  the  first  arrondissemcnt. 

The  citizens  of  this  "  Commune  "  have  expressed  their  desire  to  see  erected  the  marble  pyramid  that  citizens 
of  Annonay  had  executed  to  commemorate  the  art  of  traversing  the  atmosphere,  discovered  by  the  two  Mont- 
golfiers,  the  first  experiment  having  been  made  at  Annonay,  in  presence  of  the  former  States  of  Vivarais,  the  5th  of  June, 
1783  (vieux  style),  a  monument  which  was  not  finished  till  1791,  and  which  events  have  prevented  erecting  in  the 
public  place ;  the  results  already  known  from  this  astonishing  discovery,  which  much  contributed  to  the  victory  at 
Fleurus,  and  those  that  may  still  be  expected,  are  of  such  importance,  that  the  citizens  of  Annonay  must  long  to  see 
the  monument  erected  as  a  witness  to  their  love  for  the  Arts,  and  their  esteem  for  the  Montgolfiers. 

Touched  by  the  sentiments  that  animate  the  inhabitants  of  Annonay,  and  considering  the  most  honourable 
attribute  of  the  rank  to  which  we  have  been  raised  is  that  of  encouraging  the  arts,  and  to  render  to  the  genius  of 
discovery  a  striking  testimony  of  the  value  the  Government  attaches  to  those  who  unite  utility  with  fame — 

We  order  that — The  Pyramid  shall  forthwith  be  erected  on  the  spot  where  the  first  experiment  was  made,  on  the 
oth  of  June,  178't.  The  first  stone  of  this  obelisk  shall  bo  laid  to-day,  16  prairial,  corresponding  to  the  5th  of  June. 

It  was  duly  laid  among  the  acclamations  of  thousands,  who  cried,  "  Vive  la  R«5publique ! 


A.D.  1783. 

The  experiments  hitherto  made,  especially  those  of  the  19th  of  October,  having  prepared  the  way  for  a  fair 
aerial  navigation,  the  attempt  was  fixed  for  the  20th  of  November,  1783,  everything  being  prepared  for  it  at  La 
Muette,  a  royal  palace  in  the  Bois  de  Boulogne.  Notwithstanding  that  no  advertisement  relative  to  the  experiment 
had  been  mentioned  in  the  public  papers,  a  vast  multitude  assembled  in  the  garden  at  La  Muette  on  the  morning 
of  the  above-mentioned  day.  The  necessary  operations  were  begun ;  but  the  rain  and  the  wind,  which  came  on 
suddenly,  obliged  M.  Montgolfier  to  defer  the  performance  of  the  experiment  to  the  following  day,  provided  the 
weather  proved  more  favourable. 

Accordingly,  on  the  21st,  the  wind,  which  blew  at  intervals,  and  the  appearance  of  large  clouds,  threatened 
a  second  disappointment ;  notwithstanding  which,  everything  being  got  in  readiness,  the  machine  was  filled  in  a 
few  minutes'  time,  and  M.  de  Kozier,  together  with  the  Marquis  d'Arlandes,  placed  themselves  in  the  gallery 
one  on  one  side  of  it,  and  the  other  on  the  opposite,  in  order  to  preserve  the  equilibrium.  But  as  M.  Montgolfier 
intended  to  make  some  preliminary  experiments  relative  to  the  power  of  ascension  of  the  machine,  &c.,  the  aerostat 
was  kept  confined  by  ropes,  in  consequence  of  which  the  wind  agitated  it  violently,  and  at  last  forced  it  to  the 
ground,  which  damaged  and  tore  it  in  several  places ;  and  it  would  have  been  entirely  burned  had  not  timely 
assistance  prevented  it.  Notwithstanding  this  disagreeable  accident,  by  an  extraordinary  exertion  of  the  workmen 
the  aerostat  was  replaced  on  the  scaffold,  and  was  repaired  in  less  than  two  hours.  They  then  filled  it  again,  put 
into  the  gallery  the  necessary  fuel,  and  the  two  intended  travellers  entered  the  gallery  with  courage  and  eagerness. 
The  whole  weight  of  the  machine,  travellers  and  all,  was  between  1600  and  1700  pounds. 

The  aerostat  left  the  ground  at  fifty-four  minutes  past  one  o'clock,  passed  safely  over  some  high  trees,  and 
ascended  calmly  and  majestically  into  the  atmosphere.  The  aeronauts  having  reached  the  altitude  of  about 
280  feet,  took  off  their  hats  and  saluted  the  surprised  multitude.  They  then  rose  too  high  to  be  distinguished,  so 
that  the  machine  itself  was  scarce  perceivable.  When  they  rose,  the  wind  was  very  nearly  north-west,  and  it  is 
said  that  the  machine,  in  rising,  made  half  a  turn  round  its  own  axis.  The  wind  drove  them  horizontally  over  the 
Kiver  Seine,  and  over  Paris.  They  passed  between  the  Hotel  des  Invalides  and  the  Ecole  Militaire  and  approached  Sa/nt- 
Sulpke  ;  but,  as  they  were  rather  low,  the  fire  was  increased  in  order  to  clear  the  houses,  and  in  rising  higher  they 
met  with  a  current  of  air  which  carried  them  southward.  They  passed  the  Boulevard  ;  and  at  last,  seeing  that  the 
object  of  the  experiment  was  fully  answered,  the  fire  was  no  longer  supplied  with  fuel,  and  the  machine  descended 
very  gently  in  a  field  beyond  the  new  Boulevard,  about  9000  yards  distant  from  the  palace  of  La  Muette,  which 
distance  they  ran  in  between  twenty  and  twenty-five  minutes'  time.  The  Marquis  d'Arlandes  stepped  out  of  the 
gallery  the  moment  it  touched  the  ground ;  but  the  machine  collapsing  immediately  after,  M.  de  Rozier,  who  stood 
on  the  side  opposite  to  the  wind,  was  covered  by  the  canvas,  from  which  dangerous  situation,  however,  he  soon 
extricated  himself.  Otherwise  they  had  suffered  no  inconvenience  whatever. 

When  they  came  down,  about  two-thirds  of  the  fuel  was  still  remaining  in  the  gallery ;  so  that  they  might 
have  kept  themselves  up  a  much  longer  time.  The  machine  was  soon  folded  up,  and,  being  put  on  a  cart,  was  sent 
to  the  place  where  it  had  been  originally  constructed,  in  the  Fauxbourg  St.  Antoine. 

Thus  far  has  been  collected  from  the  accounts  given  by  various  spectators,  and  especially  from  the  affidavit 
of  the  experiment,  which  was  signed  by  the  Dukes  of  Polignac  and  de  Guines,  Counts  de  Polastron  and  de 
Vaudreuil,  Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin,  and  MM.  Faujas  de  Saint-Fond,  Delisle,  and  Leroy,  of  the  Academy  of 
Sciences.  But,  as  the  transactions  of  the  aeronauts  during  their  voyage  can  only  be  learned  from  themselves, 
and  as  those  circumstances  seem  to  be  peculiarly  useful  and  instructive,  I  shall  subjoin  the  translation  of  part  of  a 
letter,  written  by  the  Marquis  d'Arlandes  to  M.  Faujas  de  Saint-Fond,  on  this  subject. 

"  At  this  time  M.  Pilatre  said,  You  do  nothing,  and  we  shall  not  mount.  Pardon  me,  I  replied. — I  threw  a  truss 
of  straw  upon  the  fire,  stirring  it  a  little  at  the  same  time,  and  then  quickly  turned  my  face  back  again ;  but  I 
could  no  longer  see  La  Muette.  Astonished,  I  gave  a  look  to  the  direction  of  the  river.  .  .  .  M.  Pilatre  then  said, 
See,  there  is  the  river,  and  observe  that  we  descend.  "Well,  then,  my  friend,  let  us  increase  the  fire ;  and  we  worked  away. 
But  instead  of  crossing  the  river,  as  our  direction  seemed  to  indicate,  which  carried  us  over  the  house  of  the 
Juvalides,  we  passed  along  the  island  of  Cygnes,  re-entered  over  the  principal  bed  of  the  river,  and  advanced  up  it 
as  far  as  the  gate  de  la  Conference.  I  said  to  my  intrepid  companion,  See,  tltere  is  the  river,  &c.  I  stirred  the  fire,  and 
took  with  the  fork  a  truss  of  straw,  which,  from  being  too  tight,  did  not  take  fire  very  easily.  I  lifted  and  shook 
it  in  the  middle  of  the  flame.  The  next  moment  I  felt  as  if  I  were  lifted  up  from  under  the  arms,  and  said  to  my 
companion,  Now  we  mount,  &c.  At  the  same  time  I  heard  a  noise  towards  the  top  of  the  machine,  as  if  it  were  going 


To 

ux  i  i"  iirinoiiTHMA.  IT 

to  IIIIIM  .  I  l.M.ked,  Imt  did  not  see  anything.     However,  as  I  was  looking  up,  I  felt  a  shock,  which  was  the  <mh 
,,ne  1  ,>d.     The  direction  of  the  moti  .n  was  from  the  upper  jwrt  downwards.     I  said  then,  What  are  you 

doing  /  Are  you  dancing  f — /  di-n't  stir,  said  he.  &>  much  the  better,  replied  I,  it  Li  then  a  new  current,  vliirh,  1  /•»/*•,  mil 
push  us  over  the  river.  In  fact,  I  turned  myself  in  order  to  see  where  we  were,  and  1  found  myself  betw. 
MMaire  and  let  Invalides,  beyond  which  place  we  had  already  gone  about  2500  feet.  M.  1'ilatro  said,  at  the  same 
time,  II'.  ,ire  on  the  plain.  Yes,  said  I,  and  W  advance.  Work  on,  said  he.  I  then  heard  another  noise  in  the  machine. 
which  appeared  to  be  the  effect  of  a  rope  breaking.  This  fresh  admonition  made  me  examine  attentively  the 
interior  ..f  our  habitation.  I  saw  that  the  part  of  the  machine,  which  was  turned  towards  the  south,  was  full  of 
romul  holes,  maiiv  of  which  were  of  a  considerable  size.  I  then  said,  We  must  descend,  and  at  the  same  time  I  took 
the  .-{Hinge  and  easily  extinguished  the  fire,  which  was  round  some  holes  that  I  could  reach;  but  leaning  on  the 
lower  part  of  the  linen,  to  observe  whether  it  adhered  firmly  to  the  surrounding  circle,  I  found  that  the  linen  was 
1  from  it,  on  which  I  repeated,  that  it  was  necessary  to  descend.  My  companion  said,  We  are  over 
.  Never  mind  that,  said  I,  but  look  if  there  appears  any  danger  for  you  on  your  side — are  you  safe'f  He  said  Yes.  I 
examined  my  side,  and  found  that  there  was  no  danger  to  bo  apprehended.  Farther,  I  wetted  with  the  sponge 
those  cords  which  were  within  my  reach.  They  all  resisted,  except  two,  which  gave  way.  I  then  said,  We  »/»;// 
pass  over  Pari*.  In  doing  this,  we  approached  the  tope  of  the  houses  very  sensibly  ;  wo  increased  the  fire,  and  rose 
with  the  greatest  ease.  I  looked  below  me,  and  perfectly  discovered  the  Mission  Etranger.  It  seemed  as  if  we  were 
going  towards  .Sji;i/-£V;«cc,  which  I  could  perceive  through  the  aperture  of  our  machine.  On  rising,  a  current  of 
air  made  us  leave  this  direction,  and  carried  us  towards  the  south.  I  saw  on  my  left  a  sort  of  forest,  which  I  took 
to  be  the  Luxembourg;  we  passed  over  the  Boulevard,  and  I  then  said,  Let  vn  note  descend.  The  fire  was  nearly 
extinguished  ;  but  the  intrepid  M.  Pilatrc,  who  never  loses  his  presence  of  mind,  and  who  went  forward,  imagining 
that  we  were  going  against  the  mills  that  are  between  Petite  Gentilly  and  the  lioulevard,  admonished  me.  I 
tht.-w  a  bundle  of  straw  on  the  fire,  and  shaking  it  in  order  to  inflame  it  more  easily,  we  rose,  and  a  new  current 
carried  us  a  little  towards  our  left.  M.  Kozier  said  again.  Take  care  of  the  mills :  but  as  I  was  looking  through  the 
aji-'i  tiire  of  the  machine.  I  could  observe  more  accurately  that  we  could  not  meet  with  them,  and  said,  We  are  there. 
The  moment  after,  I  observed  that  we  went  over  a  piece  of  water,  which  I  took  for  the  river,  but  after  landing,  I 
recollected  that  it  was  the  piece  of  water,  &c.  The  moment  we  touched  the  ground,  I  raised  myself  up  in  the 
gallery,  and  perceived  the  upper  part  of  the  machine  to  press  very  gently  on  my  head,  I  pushed  it  back,  and 
jum{>ed  out  of  the  gallery,  and  on  turning  myself  towards  the  machine,  expected  to  find  it  distended,  but  was 
surprised  to  find  it  perfectly  emptied,  and  quite  flattened,"  etc. 

Account  of  the  first  Aerostatic  Experiment  made  in  England. — It  is  somewhat  remarkable,  that  more  than  five 
months  had  elapsed,  since  M.  Montgolfier  made  his  first  public  aerostatic  experiment  at  Annonay,  the  news  of 
which,  as  well  as  of  his  subsequent  experiments,  was  rapidly  and  universally  spread,  and  yet  no  experiment  of  the 
kind  had  been  made  out  of  France,  at  least  none  is  authentically  recorded.  In  this  island,  where  the  improvements 
of  arts  and  sciences  find  their  nursery,  and  many  their  birth,  no  aerostatic  machine  was  seen  before  the  month  of 

:ulier.  ITs.'J.     It  was,  perhaps,  owing  to  a  persuasion  that  this  new  field  of  experiment  was  in  the  hands  of 

us  fully  capable  to  improve  it  in  France ;  and  consequently  that  it  would  be  useless  to  lose  time,  trouble,  and 
expense,  about  experiments,  which  others  were  actually  making  elsewhere.  At  least,  the  curiosity  of  the  learned 
might  have  been  satisfied  with  an  experiment  in  small ;  but  it  often  happens  in  a  nation,  that  a  sort  of  stupor 
prevents  even  the  most  necessary  and  easy  exertions,  in  particular  cases,  for  which  omission,  a  short  time  after,  no 
person  can  assign  any  plausible  reason.  However,  it  must  be  confessed,  that  the  news  of  the  first  aerostatic 

•  iments  was  far  from  giving  any  exact  account  of  the  practical  part,  or  of  the  principles  themselves. 

!.•  •  this  be  as  it  may,  the  matter  of  fact  is,  that  the  first  aerostatic  experiment  was  shown  in  London  in  the 
month  of  November,  1783.  Count  Zambeccari,  an  ingenious  Italian,  who  happened  to  be  in  London,  made  a 
K-illiKin  of  oil-silk,  which  was  ten  feet  in  diameter,  and  weighed  eleven  pounds.  It  was  gilt,  both  in  order  to  render 
it  more  beautiful,  and  more  impermeable  to  the  inflammable  air  (hydrogen).  This  balloon  was  publicly  shown  for 
several  days  in  London  ;  and  at  lost,  on  the  25th  of  the  above-mentioned  month,  three-quarters  of  it  were  filled  with 
inflammable  air ;  a  direction,  for  any  person  who  should  afterwards  find  it,  inclosed  in  a  tin-box,  was  fastened  to  it. 
and,  in  the  presence  of  many  thousand  spectators,  it  was  launched  from  the  Artillery  Ground,  at  one  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon. 


48  TIIEPNE<J>H2.  A.U.  1783. 

Two  hours  and  a  half  after,  viz.,  at  half-past  three  o'clock,  this  balloon  was  found  at  Graffam,  near  Petworth, 
in  Sussex,  forty-eight  miles  distant  from  London ;  so  that  it  went  at  the  rate  of  near  twenty  miles  an  hour.  A  rent 
found  in  it,  which  was  certainly  the  consequence  of  the  rarefaction  of  the  inflammable  air,  when  the  balloon  came 
into  a  much  lighter  part  of  the  atmosphere,  must  have  been  the  occasion  of  its  descent. 

We  must  now  return  to  the  aerostatic  experiments  made  in  France,  and  must  defer  describing  those  made  in 
England  till  the  order  of  time  renders  it  necessary. 

Account  of  the  first  Aerial  Voyage  made  with  an  inflammable-air  (hydrogen')  Balloon.- — The  success  of  the  experiment 
with  the  inflammable-air  balloon,  made  in  the  Champ  de  Mars,  and  the  other  experiments  made  after  that,  with 
M.  Montgolfier's  aerostat,  naturally  suggested  the  idea  of  attempting  a  voyage  in  an  inflammable-air  balloon; 
every  consideration,  excepting  the  dearness  of  the  inflammable  air,  seeming  to  give  the  preference  to  the 
inflammable-air  balloon,  as  a  vehicle  for  an  aerial  voyage. 

The  plan  for  such  a  voyage,  and  every  necessary  calculation,  being  made,  the  balloon  was  constructed  by 
the  Roberts,  two  brothers,  very  intelligent  in  mechanics.  Their  project  was  first  announced  to  the  public 
in  the  '  Journal  de  Paris '  of  the  19th  of  November,  1783  ;  and  a  subscription  was  opened  in  order  to  defray  the 
expenses,  which,  as  it  was  calculated,  would  amount  to  about  ten  thousand  livres. 

As  soon  as  the  balloon  was  finished  it  was  inflated  with  common  air,  and  was  publicly  shown  in  one  of  the 
great  chambers  of  the  Tuileries  till  the  26th,  on  which  day  it  was  suspended  to  a  rope  stretched  between  two  trees 
before  the  Tuileries. 

This  balloon  was  made  of  gores  of  silk,  covered  with  a  varnish,  said  to  be  a  solution  of  elastic  gum  (caoutchouc). 
Its  form  was  spherical,  measuring  twenty-seven  feet  and  a  half  in  diameter.  A  net  went  over  the  upper  hemisphere, 
and  was  fastened  to  a  hoop  that  went  round  the  middle  of  the  balloon,  and  was  therefore  called  its  equator.  To 
this  equator  was  suspended,  by  means  of  ropes,  a  sort  of  car,  or  rather  a  boat,  which  swung  a  few  feet  below  the 
balloon.  In  order  to  prevent  the  bursting  of  the  machine,  by  the  expansion  of  the  inflammable  air,  a  valve  was 
made  in  it,  which,  by  pulling  a  string,  was  opened  to  let  out  some  of  the  inflammable  air.  There  was  likewise  a 
long  silken  pipe,  through  which  the  balloon  was  filled.  The  boat,  made  of  basket-work,  was  covered  with  painted 
linen,  and  was  beautifully  ornamented.  Its  length  was  near  eight  feet,  its  breadth  four,  and  its  depth  three  and 
a  half.  It  weighed  130  pounds. 

This  famous  experiment  was  performed  on  Monday,  the  1st  of  December,  1783.  The  Tuileries,  the  Pont 
Royal,  every  house,  and  every  adjacent  place,  were  crowded  with  spectators.  A  numerous  guard  of  soldiers 
preserved  order,  and  protected  the  operation.  Mathematical  persons,  with  proper  instruments,  were  conveniently 
stationed  for  the  purpose  of  calculating  the  height,  rate  of  going,  and  other  particulars  concerning  the  balloon. 
Signals  were  given  by  the  firing  of  a  cannon,  waving  of  pendants,  &c.  A  small  balloon  of  six  feet  in  diameter  was 
launched  by  M.  Montgolfier,  which  served  to  show  the  direction  of  the  wind,  and  likewise  to  amuse  the  people. 
The  boat  was  then  attached  to  the  balloon  ;  M.  Charles  and  one  of  the  Eoberts  seated  themselves  in  it,  with  proper 
instruments,  plenty  of  provisions,  clothing,  and  the  ballast,  consisting  of  sand-bags ;  and  at  three-quarters  after  one 
o'clock  the  machine  left  the  ground,  and  ascended  with  a  moderately  accelerated  course.  The  astonished  spectators 
stood  silent. 

It  may  be  said  of  this  ascent  that  Charles  completely  created  the  "  appareil "  of 
aerostation ;  for  in  reality  he  thought  of  the  valve  for  allowing  the  escape  of  gas  to  cause 
a  slow  and  gradual  descent  of  the  aerostat,  the  car  for  the  voyagers  to  sit  in,  the  number 
of  ropes  to  support  it,  the  ballast  to  regulate,  and  the  barometer  to  measure  ascent  and 
descent;  and  also  the  varnish  that  renders  the  silk  impermeable,  and  prevents  the  loss  of 
gas.  For  this,  his  first  ascent,  Charles  created  all  these  ingenious  contrivances ;  since  then 
nothing  has  been  changed,  little  has  been  added.  He  gave  his  name  to  the  Charlieres, 
or  gas  balloons. 

When  the  balloon  had  reached  the  altitude  of  about  six  hundred  yards,  the  two  aerial  navigators  indicated 
their  safety  by  frequently  waving  two  pendants,  though  they  themselves  could  not  be  distinguished  from  the 


A.H.  IT-::.  Tin:  ni.vr  rii.\i;i.ii':i;i:.  49 

Around.  Tho  spectators  were  by  tliis  time  awakened  from  their  astonishment ;  enthusiasm  took  the  place  of 
silence,  and  nothing  but  expressions  of  praise  and  applause  were  by  every  mouth  annexed  to  the  names  of  Charles 
and  ].'••! 

Soon  after  their  aseent,  they  remained  stationary  for  a  short  time;  then  they  went  horizontally  in  the 
direetion  \  \ . \\ .  They  crossed  the  Seine,  and  passed  over  several  towns  and  villages,  to  the  great  astonishment 
<>f  the  iuli  iliitanN.  who  did  not  expect,  and  perhaps  had  never  heard  of,  this  new  sort  of  experiments.  This 
•  I.  lirioiiH  voyage  lasted  one  hour  and  three-quarters.  At  last  they  descended  in  a  field  near  Ncslt,  a  small  town, 
about  twenty-seven  miles  distant  from  Paris,  it  being  then  three-quarters  past  three  o'clock ;  so  that  they  had  gone 
at  i  lif  rate  of  about  fifteen  miles  per  hour,  without  feeling  the  least  inconvenience;  and  the  balloon  underwent 
no  other  alt- •i.ition,  than  what  was  occasioned  by  the  dilatation  and  contraction  of  the  inflammable  air,  according 
to  the  \iei-Mtn.l.  s  of  heat  and  cold. 

A  short  time  nfter  their  descent,  they  were  overtaken  by  the  Dukes  de  Chartres  and  do  Fitz-James,  who 
had  rode  after  the  balloon,  ami  did  them  the  honour  to  add  their  names  to  the  certificate  of  their  descent,  which 
had  been  already  drawn  up  and  signed  by  other  persons,  who  had  arrived  sooner. 

The  balloon  still  containing  a  considerable  quantity  of  inflammable  air,  M.  Charles  determined  to  ascend 
once  more.  M.  Hubert  then  got  out  of  the  boat,  which  lightened  the  balloon  of  130  pounds.  This  weight 
tiny  intruded  to  supply  with  ballast;  but  not  finding  any  conveniency  to  take  up  any  earth  or  stones  very 
readily,  and  the  sun  being  near  setting,  M.  Charles,  without  losing  more  time,  gave  the  signal  to  the  peasants 
who  held  down  the  machine,  to  let  go;  "And  I  sprung  up,"  says  he,  "like  a  bird.  In  twenty  minutes  I  was 
1500  toises  high ;  out  of  sight  of  all  terrestrial  objects.  I  had  taken  the  necessary  precautions  against  the 

•  !<>n  <>t°  the  globe,  and  prepared  to  make  the  observations  which  I  had  promised  myself.  In  order  to  observe 
the  barometer  and  thermometer,  placed  at  the  end  of  the  car,  without  altering  the  centre  of  gravity,  I  knelt 
down  in  the  middle,  stretching  forward  my  body  and  one  leg,  holding  my  watch  and  paper  in  my  left  hand,  and 
my  pen  and  the  string  of  the  valve  in  my  right,  waiting  for  the  event.  Tho  globe,  which,  at  my  setting  out, 
was  rather  flaccid,  swelled  insensibly.  The  air  escaped  in  great  quantities  at  the  silken  tube.  I  drew  the  valve 
from  time  to  time,  to  give  it  two  vents ;  and  I  continued  to  ascend,  still  losing  air,  which  issued  out  hissing,  and 
became  visible,  like  a  warm  vapour  in  a  cold  atmosphere.  The  reason  of  this  phenomenon  is  obvious.  On  earth, 
the  thermometer  was  47',  or  15'  above  freezing  point;  after  ten  minutes'  ascent  it  was  only  21°,  or  11°  below. 
The  inflammable  air  had  not  had  time  to  recover  the  equilibrium  of  its  temperature.  Ite  elastic  equilibrium 
being  quicker  than  that  of  the  heat,  there  must  escape  a  greater  quantity  than  that,  which  the  external  dilatation 
of  the  air  could  determine  by  its  least  pressure.  For  myself,  though  exposed  to  the  open  air,  I  passed  in  ten 
minutes  from  the  warmth  of  spring  to  the  cold  of  winter:  a  sharp  dry  cold,  but  not  too  much  to  bo  borne. 
I  declare  that,  in  the  first  moment,  I  felt  nothing  disagreeable  in  the  sudden  change.  When  the  barometer 
ceased  to  fall,  I  marked  exactly  18  inches  10  lines  (20-01  in.  English),  the  mercury  suffering  no  sensible 
oscillation.  From  this  I  deduce  a  height  of  1524  toises  (3100  yards),  or  thereabouts,  till  I  can  be  more  exact  in 
my  calculation.  In  a  few  minutes  more,  my  fingers  were  benumbed  by  the  cold,  so  that  I  could  not  hold  my  pen. 
I  was  now  stationary  as  to  the  rising  and  falling,  and  moved  only  in  an  horizontal  direction.  I  rose  up  in  the 
middle  of  the  car  to  contemplate  the  scene  around  me.  At  my  setting  out  the  sun  was  set  on  the  valleys ;  he  soon 
rose  for  me  alone,  who  was  the  only  luminous  body  in  the  horizon,  and  all  the  rest  of  nature  in  shade ;  he, 
however,  presently  disappeared,  and  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him  set  twice  in  the  same  day.  I  beheld,  for 
a  few  seconds,  the  circumambient  air  and  the  vapours  rising  from  the  valleys  and  rivers.  The  clouds  seemed  to 
ri.-e  from  the  earth  and  collect  one  upon  the  other,  still  preserving  their  usual  form,  only  their  colour  was  grey 
and  monotonous  from  the  want  of  light  in  the  atmosphere.  The  moon  alone  enlightened  them,  and  showed  me 
that  I  was  tacking  about  twice ;  and  I  observed  certain  currents  that  brought  mo  back  again.  I  had  several 
sensible  deviations;  and  observed,  with  surprise,  the  effects  of  the  wind,  and  saw  the  streamers  of  my  banners 
point  upwards  This  jihenomenon  was  not  the  effect  of  the  ascent  or  descent,  for  I  then  moved  horizontally.  At 
that  b  onceived,  perhaps  a  little  too  nastily,  the  idea  of  being  able  to  steer  one's  course.  In  the  midst  of 

my  transport  I  felt  a  violent  pain  in  inv  right  ear  and  jaw,  which  I  ascribed  to  the  dilatation  of  the  air  in  the 
cellular  eonstnietion  of  those  organs,  as  much  as  to  the  cold  of  the  external  air.  •  I  was  in  a  waistcoat  and 
bareheaded .  I  immediately  put  on  a  woollen  cap,  yet  the  pain  did  not  go  off  but  as  I  gradually  de-n  nded. 
For  seven  or  eight  minutes  I  had  ceased  to  ascend;  the  condensation  of  the  internal  inflammable  air  rather  made 

II 


50  TIIEPNE<I>H2.  JANUARY  TTII,  1784. 

me  descend.  I  now  recollected  my  promise  to  return  in  half  an  hour,  and,  pulling  the  string  of  the  valve,  I  came 
down.  The  globe  was  now  so  much  emptied,  that  it  appeared  only  an  half  globe.  I  perceived  a  fine  ploughed 
field  near  the  wood  of  Tour  du  Lay,  and  hastened  my  descent.  When  I  was  between  twenty  and  thirty  toises 
from  the  earth  I  threw  out  hastily  two  or  three  pounds  of  ballast,  and  became  for  a  moment  stationary,  till  I 
descended  gently  in  the  field,  above  a  league  from  the  place  whence  I  set  out.  The  frequent  deviations  and 
turnings  about  make  me  imagine  that  this  voyage  was  near  three  leagues,  and  I  was  gone  about  thirty-three 
minutes.  Such  is  the  certainty  of  the  combinations  of  our  aerostatic  machine,  that  I  might  have  kept  in  the  air 
at  least  for  twenty-four  hours  longer." 

For  this  exploit  he  received  from  the  king  a  pension  of  200J.,  who  also  ordered  his  name 
to  be  inscribed  on  the  Montgolfier  medal;  but  it  was  a  case  in  which  we*  may  repeat  the 
saying  of  the  great  Conde : — "  II  cut  du  courage  ce  jour-la,"  as  he  never  ascended  again, 
having  sworn,  it  is  said,  not  to  do  so  when  Kobert  left  the  car ;  and  he  ascended  alone  with 
the  swiftness  of  an  arrow. 

We  will  pass  over  many  accounts  of  minor  interest,  and  insert  one  which  could  not  reach 
our  narrator  in  those  steamless  days.  Experiments  had  been  made  at  Philadelphia,  U.S.,  as 
to  the  adoption  of  gas  for  balloons,  almost  simultaneously  with  its  adoption  in  France ;  a 
remarkable  coincidence,  frequently  noticed  in  the  history  of  discovery  and  invention.  For,  on 
the  arrival  of  the  news  of  P.  de  Rozier  and  Marquis  d' Arlandes  exploit,  Messrs.  Eittenhouse 
and  Hopkins,  members  of  the  Philosophical  Academy  of  that  city,  instituted  a  series  of 
experiments,  which  resulted  in  the  construction  of  a  machine  with  forty-seven  small  hydrogen 
balloons  attached  to  a  car,  or  cage  (as  they  called  it).  After  some  preliminary  trials  of 
animals,  and  one  man  let  up  to  a  certain  height,  and  pulled  down  by  ropes,  Mr.  James 
Wilcox,  a  carpenter,  ascended  free  (28th  December,  1783).  Perceiving  himself  rapidly 
approaching  the  Schuykell  River,  and  apprehensive  of  falling  into  it,  he  took  the  necessary 
steps  to  occasion  his  descent,  and,  according  to  his  instructions,  made  incisions  in  three 
balloons ;  but  this  proving  ineffective,  he  cut  three  more,  and  then  five,  nearly  all  at  the  same 
time.  This  caused  so  violent  a  descent  that  he  dislocated  his  wrist.  Such  was  the  first 
experiment  in  the  New  World. 

On  the  7th  of  January,  1784,  the  pieces  which  were  to  form  the  largest  aerostatic  machine  hitherto  launched 
were  brought  out  of  Lyons  into  one  of  the  suburbs,  called  Les  Brotteaux,  and  the  two  following  days  were  employed 
to  join  those  pieces  together.  In  the  morning  of  the  10th  they  made  the  first  essay.  The  fire  was  lighted,  and  in 
twenty  minutes  the  machine  was  perfectly  inflated,  and  in  this  state  the  cords  which  were  to  hold  the  gallery  were 
begun  to  be  fixed.  On  the  12th  they  inflated  the  machine  again  in  order  to  fix  more  of  the  ropes  for  the  gallery  ; 
and,  in  short,  they  worked  incessantly  till  the  19th  to  fix  the  ropes,  to  attempt  the  aerial  voyage,  and  to  repair  the 
rents  and  other  damages  which  the  machine  continually  received  from  being  often  inflated  and  from  the  injuries  of 
the  weather ;  for  the  rain,  the  snow,  the  frost,  and  almost  all  the  elements,  seemed  angry  with  this  unfortunate 
machine,  which,  being  constructed  of  bad  materials,  was  little  able  to  sustain  those  injuries.  Nevertheless,  in  various 
trials  it  had  shown  its  surprising  power ;  and  once,  on  putting  a  bundle  of  straw,  upon  which  spirit  of  wine  had 
been  sprinkled,  on  the  fire,  the  sudden  flame  occasioned  such  a  rarefaction,  that  the  machine,  notwithstanding  the 
efforts  of  fifty  persons  who  were  employed  to  hold  it,  rose  three  feet  from  the  ground,  and  went  to  the  distance 
of  fifteen  feet. 

At  last,  on  the  19th,  the  weather  was  pretty  clear  with  very  little  wind,  the  sun  showing  itself  at  intervals. 
The  thermometer  stood  at  45°.  Everything  was  got  ready  for  the  experiment,  and  a  prodigious  crowd  of  spectators 


'  Revue  des  Deux  Mondes,'  1852. 


FntKi  \KY  -J-jxi..  I7M.      THK  F1KSI'  I'll.oT-HA  !.!.<  •<  >.\   ACROSS  THE  CHANNEL.  61 


assembled  about  the  place ;  but  as  the  machine  had  be«n  wet,  and  in  the  night  it  had  frozen  very  hard,  it 
necessary  to  thaw  the  i«  l,\-  degrees,  which  was  effected  by  making  several  small  fires  under  the  scaffold  ;  but 
this  naturally  took  up  .1  considerable  time,  so  that  the  experiment  could  not  be  begun  before  noon.  The  fire  wan 
now  li-ht.,1.  ami  tin-  in  u  liino  soon  began  to  swell,  assuming  the  best  form  that  could  be  wished;  but  the 
spectators.  \vh<>  had  been  often  ilisappointed,  showed  at  this  time  a  great  deal  of  anxiety,  their  minds  seeming  to 
Hue  i  ni  hope  and  fear.  In  seventeen  minutes  the  machine  was  filled,  and  was  ready  to  ascend;  the 

intended  nix  passengers  took  their  places  in  the  gallery,  and  nothing  was  wanting  but  the  signal  of  departure 
tv.iii  M.  .1  I;  .-!•!.  I'.nt  tliis  gentleman,  considering  the  indifferent  condition  of  the  machine,  that  hod  greatly 
suffercil  in  tin-  preceding  trials,  was  of  opinion  that  the  experiment  would  certainly  fail  if  more  than  three  person,, 
ascended  with  it :  his  remonstrances  were  of  no  effect,  for  none  of  the  adventurers  would  leave  his  place  on  any 
account  whatever.  Upon  this,  the  interposition  of  M.  lo  Flesselles,  the  intendant,  was  requested;  but  his 
authority  could  not  prevail  on  them  to  cast  lots.  At  last,  their  obstinacy  being  unconquerable,  the  signal  of 
departure  was  given,  with  reluctance  and  with  fear,  and  the  ropes  were  cut  off.  A  very  remarkable  instance 
ofenthusi  r  than  courage,  happened  at  this  instant  The  machine  was  not  raised  above  a  foot  or  two 

from  tin-  .n.'mi'l,  \\  h.  u  a  seventh  person,  one  M.  Fontaine,  jumped  into  the  gallery,  which  occasioned  a  sudden 

--i  •!!  of  tho  machine ;  but,  by  increasing  the  fire  in  the  grate,  the  whole  ascended  majestically  and  with 
moderate  rapidity,  i  >n  meeting  with  the  wind,  it  was  turned  from  the  east,  instantly,  towards  the  west;  but  it 

*ards  proceeded  east-south-east,  ascending  at  the  same  time  till  it  was  at  least  a  thousand  yards  high.  The 
need  on  the  spectators  by  this  spectacle  is  described  as  the  most  extraordinary  that  was  ever  occasioned 
by  any  production  of  human  invention.  It  was  a  mixture  of  the  strangest  nature.  Vociferations  of  joy,  shrieks 
of  fear,  expressions  of  applause,  the  sound  of  martial  instruments,  and  the  discharge  of  mortars,  produced  an 
effect  more  easily  imagined  than  described.  Some  of  the  people  fell  on  their  knees,  and  others  elevated  their 
suppliant  hands  to  the  heavens;  some  women  fainted,  and  many  wept:  but  the  confident  travellers,  without 
showing  the  least  appearance  of  fear,  were  continually  waving  their  hats  out  of  the  gallery.  The  wind  shifted 
again,  but  it  was  very  feeble,  so  that  the  machine  stood  almost  stationary  for  about  four  minutes. 

I  nfoitunately,  about  this  time,  which  was  near  fifteen  minutes  after  the  ascent,  a  rent  was  made  in  the  machine, 
which  occasioned  its  descent ;  and  when  it  came  within  about  six  hundred  feet  of  tho  ground  it  descended  with 
a  MTV  great  celerity.  It  is  said  that  not  less  than  sixty  thousand  people,  besides  the  Marechaussee,  ran  to  the 
spot,  with  tho  greatest  apprehension  for  the  lives  of  those  adventurous  aerial  travellers.  They  were  immediately 

•1  out  of  tho  gallery,  and  luckily  none  of  them  hod  received  any  hurt,  except  M.  Montgolfier  an  insignificant 
scratch.  The  machine  was  torn  in  several  places,  besides  a  vertical  rent  of  upwards  of  fifty  feet  in  length ; 
which  shows  very  clearly  how  little  danger  is  to  be  apprehended  from  the  use  of  those  machines,  especially  when 
they  are  properly  constructed  and  judiciously  managed. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  seven  travellers :  M.  Joseph  Montgojfier,  M.  Pilatre  de  Rozier,  Count 
de  Laurencin,  Count  de  Dampierre,  Prince  Charles  de  Ligne,  Count  de  Laport  d'Anglefort,  and  M.  Fontaine. 

Arrostalic  Experiments  made  in  February  and  March,  1784. — The  first  balloon  that  crossed  the  English  Channel 

was  launched  from  Sandwich  in  Kent,  on  Friday,  the  22nd  of  February,  1784.     It  was  an  inflammable-air  balloon, 

:uet  in  diameter,  which  was  let  loose  at  half-past  twelve  o'clock,  in  the  presence  of  a  great  many  spectators. 

The  liallo.in  rose  rapidly,  and  was  carried  over  the  sea  by  the  wind,  which  was  west  by  north  ;  so  that  the  direction 

of  (he  balloon  was  east  by  south.     It  was  found,  at  three  o'clock  of  the  same  day,  in  a  field  near  WarneUm.  in 

li  Flanders,  nine  miles  from  Lisle,  by  a  boy,  who  carried  it  to  Monsieur  Betrayle,  at  Warneton ;  and,  there 
being  a  tieki-t  on  tho  balloon,  in  which  it  was  requested  that  an  account  of  the  time  when,  and  place  where,  the 
said  balloon  should  Iw  found,  might  bo  sent  to  William  Boys,  Esq.,  at  Sandwich,  such  request  was  politely 
complied  with.  The  straight  distance  between  Sandwich  and  Wameton  is  seventy-four  miles  and  a  half,  so  that 
this  Killoon  went  at  the  rate  of  above  thirty  miles  an  hour. 

Tin-  •  'hevalier  Paul  Amln  ani.  of  Milan,  was  the  first  person  in  Italy  who  had  an  aerostatic  machine  ma 
his  own  e\  [  the  purpose  of  making  an  aerial  voyage,  in  which  attempt  he  actually  succeeded  on  the  2.1th 

'••ruary.  1  7*4.  The  project  was  entirely  his  own,  but  for  the  practical  execution  of  the  work  he  employed  the 
brothen  An^u-tin  and  Charles  (ierli,  persons  of  a  mechanical  genius. 

maehino  was  spherical,  of  about  sixty-eight  feet  in  diameter,  made  of  linen,  lined  with  line  paper.      In 

II    2 


52  TIIEPNE*H2.  A.D.  1784. 

the  inside,  towards  the  middle  of  the  machine,  there  was  a  wooden  zone  or  hoop ;  and  another  hoop,  of  fourteen 
feet  in  diameter,  was  round  its  aperture.  On  the  top  of  the  machine  there  was  a  sort  of  hat,  or  round  piece  of 
wood,  strengthened  with  an  iron  hoop,  from  which  ropes  proceeded,  which  went  down  along  the  seams  of  the 
machine,  and  were  lastly  fastened  to  the  hoop  of  the  aperture.  Other  smaller  cords  were  fastened  to  the  linen, 
and,  crossing  the  larger  ropes,  made  a  sort  of  network.  Some  short  wooden  arms,  which  proceeded  from  the  hoop 
of  the  aperture,  held  the  fireplace  or  copper  brazier,  of  about  six  feet  and  a  half  in  diameter.  Cords  proceeding 
from  the  same  hoop  held  a  circular  basket,  which  stood  under  the  brazier  at  a  moderate  distance  from  it,  so  that 
the  persons  in  it  might  easily  supply  the  fire  with  fuel  and  at  the  same  time  were  not  incommoded  by  the  heat. 

The  machine,  being  constructed,  was  secretly  transported  to  a  seat  of  the  Chevalier,  called  Moncucco,  which 
is  eight  miles  distant  from  the  town.  Two  ineffectual  trials  were  made  :  each  time  the  machine  was  perfectly 
inflated  in  fifteen  minutes,  but  it  did  not  lift  up  the  annexed  weight  from  the  ground.  However,  on  the  25th,  at 
about  noon,  the  fire  under  the  machine  was  lighted  ;  it  was  supplied  at  first  with  very  dry  wood,  and  afterwards 
with  a  composition  of  bituminous  substances.  The  machine  now  made  evident  endeavours  to  rise,  and,  it  being 
imagined  that  giving  more  freedom  to  the  air  under  it  would  increase  its  power,  the  Chevalier  judiciously  ordered 
those  who  held  the  ropes  to  let  the  machine  rise  a  little,  which  was  attended  with  the  desired  effect.  The 
machine  instantly  manifested  it  had  acquired  an  increase  of  power,  in  consequence  of  which  the  Chevalier  and  the 
two  brothers  Gerli  put  themselves  into  the  gallery  or  circular  basket ;  the  ropes  were  let  loose,  and  the  machine, 
with  the  three  adventurers,  immediately  ascended,  with  a  slow  and  almost  horizontal  motion,  directing  itself 
towards  the  building,  to  avoid  which  the  fire  was  increased,  and  then  the  machine  ascended  with  rapidity  to  a  great 
height,  so  that  it  was  seen  from  the  city,  which  was  eight  miles  off.  At  this  height  they  met  with  a  current  of 
air  which  seemed  to  drive  the  machine  towards  the  adjoining  mountains ;  but  as  this  was  not  an  eligible  direction, 
and  as  the  fuel  was  almost  exhausted,  they  thought  proper  to  descend ;  and  accordingly,  the  fire  being  diminished, 
the  machine  gradually  descended.  In  coming  down  the  aerostat  was  going  directly  over  a  large  tree,  but  by  a 
proper  management  of  the  fire  it  just  cleared  the  tree ;  after  which  the  people  that  had  run  to  its  assistance 
laid  hold  of  the  ropes  that  were  swinging  down  and  conducted  the  machine  to  a  safe  place,  where  the  intrepid 
travellers  alighted  without  the  least  inconvenience.  In  consequence  of  the  loss  of  this  weight  the  machine 
acquired  such  power  that  it  required  the  assistance  of  many  persons  to  detain  it.  The  machine  being  thus  capable 
of  keeping  itself  swelled,  they  availed  themselves  of  its  condition,  and  carried  it,  in  that  inflated  state,  over  trees 
and  other  obstructions,  to  the  place  where  it  had  been  filled,  which  was  not  above  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant. 
The  machine  remained  in  the  atmosphere  for  about  twenty  minutes.  It  is  remarkable  that  this  machine, 
notwithstanding  the  various  trials  it  had  undergone,  had  not  suffered  the  least  damage.  Its  upper  part  especially, 
like  that  of  the  machine  used  in  the  experiment  at  Versailles  and  that  also  at  La  Muette,  was  neither  scorched  nor 
in  any  other  manner  affected  by  the  fire,  which  is  a  circumstance  deserving  of  notice,  particularly  because  it  has 
been  commonly  said  that  the  upper  part  of  those  machines  would  be  always  burned  or  scorched. 

On  the  19th  of  February  an  inflammable-air  balloon  of  five  feet  in  diameter  was  launched  from  Queen's 
College,  at  Oxford.  It  was  of  a  spherical  form,  made  of  varnished  Persian  silk,  and  it  seems  that  this  was  the  first 
balloon  seen  in  that  town. 

The  next  aerial  voyage  we  are  to  describe  was  made  by  one  who,  as  will  appear  from  the  sequel  of  this 
history,  has  performed  a  greater  number  of  these  excursions  than  any  other  person  previous  to  February,  1785,  and 
is  the  first  who  crossed  the  English  Channel  with  an  aerostatic  machine.  This  ingenious  Frenchman,  M.  Jean- 
Pierre  Blanchard,  had,  for  several  years  before  M.  Montgolfier's  discovery,  busied  himself  in  attempts  to  fly  by 
mechanical  means  ;  but  it  appears,  from  a  passage  in  a  letter  of  his  to  the  editors  of  the  '  Journal  de  Paris,'  that  he 
never  succeeded  in  this  undertaking  :*  but,  as  soon  as  the  discovery  of  the  aerostatic  machine  was  made,  he 
immediately  resolved  to  use  one  of  those  machines  for  the  lifting  power,  and  to  add  the  wings  of  his  former  scheme 
for  directing  his  course  through  the  air. 

After  a  great  deal  of  contrivance,  and  some  calculation,  M.  Blanchard  at  last  constructed  an  inflammable-air 
balloon  of  twenty-seven  feet  in  diameter,  with  a  boat  made  and  suspended  nearly  in  the  same  manner  as  that  of 
Charles  and  Eobert,  only  he  added  two  wings  and  a  rudder  (gouvernail)  to  his  boat.  He  had  likewise  a  sort  of  large 

*  "  Je  rends  done  un  hommage  pur  ct  sincere  a  I'immortel  Montgolfier,  sans  le  secours  duquel  j'avoue  que  le  me'eanisme  de  mes  ailes  ne 
m'auroit  pout-ctre  jamais  servi  qu'ii  agiter  un  element  indocile  qui  m'auroit  obetine'ment  repousse'  vers  la  terre  comme  le  lourd  autruche,  moi 
qui  cotnptois  disputer  a  1'aigle  le  chemin  des  nues." 


A.I..  I7M  JEAX-1'IKKKE  BLAXCHAHD.  53 

uinlin -lla  spread  horizontally  IM-IW.-.-H  tl,,    Lalloon  and  the  boat,  which,  in  case  the  balloon  should  bunt,  would 

,-ln-i'k   till-  fill. 

\\  iili  tliis  balloon  M.  Blanchard  made  his  first  aerial  voyage  on  the  2nd  of  March,  1784.  As  the  incidents  of 
this  voyage  are  of  a  very  strange  and  romantic  nature,  I  think  that  a  particular  account  of  them  will  not  be 
HIM.  e,-|,:.il,;.-  to  the  reader.'  The  balloon,  with  the  rest  of  the  machinery  and  apparatus  for  filling  it,  was  carried 
t..  tin-  i  'hiiu]i  .!••  Mars,  the  place  from  whence  the  first  inflammable-air  balloon  had  been  launched;  and,  as  usual 
nn  similar  ocra-sions,  an  immense  number  of  people  assembled  about  the  place.  The  machine  being  filled, 
M.  I'.l  ni'-li  (••!  and  a  Benedictine  Friar  seated  themselves  in  the  boat;  the  ropes  were  cut  off,  and  they  ascended, 
lint  nut  higher  than  about  fifteen  foot  from  the  ground.  Then  the  Iwlloon  being  leaky,  and  the  weight  in  the  boat 
nit  her  too  great,  the  whole  fell  very  rapidly,  and  on  touching  the  ground  the  boat  received  an  unpleasant  shock, 
in  consequence  of  which  the  Friar  was  persuaded  to  abandon  his  seat  But  the  intrepid  M.  Blanchard  was  not  at 
all  intimidated  by  the  accident;  he  immediately  repaired  the  little  damage  the  apparatus  had  received  from  the 
fall,  and  was  going  to  ascend  again  by  himself;  but,  just  as  he  was  setting  off*,  a  young  gentleman  forced  his  way 
through  the  crowd,  jumped  into  the  boat,  and,  without  any  right  or  reason,  insisted  upon  going  up  with 
M.  1  Hunt-hard. 

Tliis  youth  (from  the  Military  Academy)  was  for  some  time  believed  to  be  Napoleon 
IJiimiaparte ;  l>ut,  on  a  more  careful  inquiry,  his  name  was  found  to  be  Dupont  de  Chambon. 
Napoleon  also  i-ontnulictcii  this  in  conversation  with  Las  Cases  at  St.  Helena. 

y  expostulation  or  remonstrance  of  M.  Blanchard,  and  of  many  persons  of  the  first  rank  who  were 
present,  was  ineffectual  to  persuade  the  young  gentleman  to  give  up  this  desperate  attempt.  His  answer  was,  that 
he  was  provided  with  the  King's  licence;  and,  on  being  desired  to  show  it,  he  presented  his  sword,  with  which,  it 
is  said,  he  wounded  M .  Blanchard  on  the  wrist.  At  last,  the  Marquis  de  Conflans,  at  the  risk  of  his  life,  pulled 
the  young  enthusiast  out  of  the  boat,  and,  delivering  him  to  the  guards,  ordered  them  to  confine  him.  This  strange 
contest  being  over,  M.  Blanchard  alone,  without  fear  or  hesitation,  ascended  with  his  balloon  very  rapidly  into  the 
atmosphere ;  but,  notwithstanding  his  endeavours,  the  wings  and  rudder  of  the  boat  seemed  to  have  no  effect,  and 
the  wind  drove-  the  balloon  in  its  direction.  It  crossed  the  river,  and  went  over  Passy ;  but  M.  Blanchard  found 
a  perfect  calm,  so  that  it  remained  stationary  for  about  fourteen  minutes.  Then  he  crossed  the  river  a  second 
time,  and  in  this  passage  the  clouds  appeared  under  his  feet.  He  now  felt  the  heat  of  the  sun's  rays,  which  was 
rather  strong,  and  stood  stationary  again  for  about  fifteen  minutes,  the  balloon  being  at  the  same  time  agitated  by 
two  opposite  currents  of  air,  on  which  he  threw  four  pounds  of  ballast  out  of  the  boat,  and,  ascending  higher,  met 
with  that  current  of  air  in  which  he  had  gone  at  first,  and  which  carried  him  very  rapidly  again  across  the  river. 

he  was  obliged  to  throw  out  more  ballast,  by  which  means  the  voyage  was  prolonged  as  far  as  the  plain  of 
Billancourt,  near  Sevres,  where  he  descended  at  thirty-five  minutes  past  one  o'clock,  after  having  been  in  the 
atmosphere  an  hour  and  a  quarter,  during  which  time  he  had  experienced  heat,  cold,  hunger,  and  an  excessive 
drowsiness.  On  his  return  to  earth  he  was  welcomed  by  many  thousands  of  people,  who  had  watched  his  progress 
all  the  way. 

On  the  13th  of  March  the  Chevalier  Andreani,  and  two  other  persons,  ascended  a  second  time  into  the 
atmosphere  with  a  rarefied-air  machine,  from  the  same  place  where  he  had  performed  his  first  experiment  The 
machine  attained  to  the  height  of  5200  feet,  and  travelled  to  the  distance  of  seven  miles. 

1 1  was  about  this  time  that  M.  Argand,  an  ingenious  gentleman  of  Geneva,  being  in  England,  had  the  honour 
of  exhibiting  the  aerostatic  experiment,  with  an  inflammable-air  balloon  of  about  thirty  inches  in  diameter,  in  the 
presence  of  the  King,  Queen,  and  royal  family  at  Windsor. 

:•  tin-  month  of  February  balloons  of  both  kinds,  but  especially  filled  with  rarefied  air,  became  very 
common  in  Kngland  as  well  as  in  other  parts  of  Europe.  In  London,  during  the  spring,  the  summer,  and  the 
autumn,  paper  balloons,  raised  by  means  of  spirit  of  wine,  and  generally  from  three  to  five  feet  in  diameter,  were 
seen  flying  by  night  as  well  as  by  day.  All  ranks  of  people  seem  to  have  found  pleasure  in  such  kind  of 
experiments;  and  so  much  had  the  subject  engaged  general  attention,  that,  both  in  earnest  and  in  jes;.  the  epithet 
of  Ixillorjn  was  annexed  to  articles  of  dress,  of  house-furniture,  of  instruments,  &c.  Thus,  one  commonly  heard  of 
balloon  hat«,  balloon  colours,  balloon  coaches,  and  such  like  empty  phrase*. 


54  TnEPNE*HS.  A.D.  1784. 

Aerostatic  Experiments  made  in  the  Months  of  May,  June,  and  July,  1784. — At  Paris,  on  the  20th  of  May, 
M.  Montgolfier  made  a  private  experiment  with  an  aerostatic  machine  of  seventy-four  feet  in  height  and  seventy- 
two  in  diameter,  with  which  four  ladies  ascended  in  the  atmosphere.  This  machine  was  raised  from  the  Faubourg 
Saint  Antoine,  and  was  elevated  above  the  highest  buildings  of  Paris,  where  it  remained  confined  by  ropes  for  a 
considerable  time.  Those  courageous  ladies  were — 

Mmes.  La  Marquise  de  MONTALEMBERT  ; 
La  Comtesse  do  MONTALEMBERT  ; 
La  Comtesse  de  PODENAS  ; 
Mile.  De  LAGAEDE  ;  accompagnees  de 
MM.  Le  Marquis  de  MONTALEMBERT  et 
Artaud  de  BELLEVUE. 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  May  the  following  remarkable  accident  happened  at  Dijon ;  it  is  related  by  the 
ingenious  M.  de  Morveau.  A  balloon,  intended  to  be  filled  with  inflammable  air,  being  completed,  was,  by  way  of 
trial,  filled  with  common  air,  and  in  this  state  was  kept  in  the  open  air.  Now  it  was  observed,  and  indeed 
a  similar  observation  had  been  made  before,  that  the  air  within  the  balloon  was  much  hotter  than  the  circumambient 
air :  the  thermometer  in  the  former  stood  at  120°,  whereas  in  the  latter,  and  when  the  sun  shone  upon  it,  the 
thermometer  stood  at  84°.  This  showed  a  considerable  degree  of  rarefaction  within  the  balloon,  and,  consequently, 
it  was  suspected  that  by  means  of  this  rarefaction  alone— especially  if  it  were  to  increase  a  little — the  balloon 
might  ascend.  On  the  30th,  about  noon,  the  wind,  being  rather  strong,  agitated  the  balloon  so  that  two  men 
were  employed  to  take  care  of  it ;  but,  notwithstanding  their  endeavours,  the  balloon  escaped  from  its  confinement, 
and  lifting  up  about  sixty-five  pounds  weight  of  cords,  equatorial  circle,  &c.,  rose  several  feet  high,  and,  passing 
over  several  houses,  went  to  the  distance  of  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  where  it  was  at  length  properly 
secured. 

At  Lyons,  on  the  4th  of  June,  in  the  presence  of  the  King  of  Sweden,  two  persons,  namely,  M.  Fleurand  and 
Madame  Thible,  ascended  with  an  aerostatic  machine  called  Le  Gustave,  which  was  seventy  feet  in  diameter.  They 
went  to  the  distance  of  about  two  miles  in  forty-five  minutes.  The  greatest  altitude  reached  in  this  excursion  is 
estimated  at  about  8500  feet.  This  experiment  will  probably  be  long  remembered,  since  it  was  the  first  time  that 
a  woman  made  an  aerial  voyage. 

On  the  23rd  of  June  a  large  aerostat,  on  the  principle  of  rarefied  air,  was  elevated  at  Versailles,  in  the 
presence  of  the  royal  family  and  the  King  of  Sweden,  who  travelled  under  the  name  of  Count  Haga.  The  height 
of  this  machine  was  ninety-one  feet  and  a  half,  and  its  diameter  seventy-nine.  M.  Pilatre  de  Eozier  and  M.  Prouts 
ascended  with  it.  The  machine  was  filled  in  thirty-five  minutes,  and  it  left  the  ground  at  forty-five  minutes  after 
four  o'clock.  In  three-quarters  of  an  hour  it  went  to  the  distance  of  thirty-six  miles,  when  it  safely  descended  in 
a  field,  which,  having  no  name,  was,  by  order  of  the  Prince  de  Conde,  called  Pilatre  de  Eozier,  in  honour  of  that 
celebrated  first  aerial  traveller,  who  had  likewise  gone  with  this  machine,  and  to  whom,  after  this  experiment,  the 
King  was  pleased  to  grant  a  pension  of  two  thousand  livres. 

On  the  15th  of  July  the  Duke  de  Chartres,  the  two  brothers  Robert,  and  another  person,  ascended  with  an 
inflammable-air  balloon  from  the  Park  of  St.  Cloud  at  fifty-two  minutes  past  seven  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  This 
balloon  was  of  an  oblong  form,  measuring  fifty-five  feet  and  a  half  in  length  and  thirty-four  in  diameter.  It 
ascended  with  its  greatest  extension  neai-ly  horizontal ;  and,  after  remaining  in  the  atmosphere  about  forty-five 
minutes,  it  descended  at  a  little  distance  from  whence  it  had  ascended,  and  at  about  thirty  feet  distance  from 
the  Lake  do  la  Garenne,  in  the  Park  of  Meudon.  But  the  incidents  that  happened  in  this  aerial  excursion  deserve 
to  be  particularly  described,  as  nothing  like  it  had  happened  before  to  any  of  the  aerial  travellers.  This  machine 
contained  an  interior  smaller  balloon,  filled  with  common  air ;  by  which  means,  according  to  a  scheme  hereafter  to 
be  mentioned,  the  machine  was  to  be  made  to  ascend  or  descend  without  any  loss  of  inflammable  air  or  ballast. 
The  boat  was  furnished  with  a  helm  and  oars,  intended  to  guide  it,  &c. 

On  the  level  of  the  sea  the  barometer  stood  at  30-25  inches ;  and  at  the  place  of  departure  it  stood  at  30-12. 
Thiee  minutes  after  its  ascending  the  balloon  was  lost  in  the  clouds,  and  the  aerial  voyagers  lost  sight  of  the  earth,  being 
involved  in  a  dense  vapour.  Here  an  unusual  agitation  of  the  air,  somewhat  like  a  whirlwind,  in  a  moment  turned 
the  machine  three  times  from  the  right  to  the  left.  The  violent  shocks  which  they  suffered  prevented  their  using 
any  of  the  means  prepared  for  the  direction  of  the  balloon ;  and  they  even  tore  away  the  silk  stuff  of  which  the 


A.M.  L784  THK  I'l  KK  1>F.  HI  AKTKKS. 

helm  \\us  nude.  Never,  said  they,  a  more  dreadful  scene  presented  itself  to  any  cyo  than  that  in  whieh  they  wore 
inv,.|\.,l.  An  unbounded  ocean  of  shapeless  clouds  rulled  one  upon  another  beneath,  and  scumod  to  forbid  their 
i.  mi  n  to  tin-  e  irth.  which  was  still  invisible.  Theagitation  of  the  balloon  became  greater  every  moment.  They 

•  •ut  tin-  •  •-  nU  whi.-h  held  the  interior  balloon,  which  consequently  !•  11  on  the  bottom  of  the  external  one,  just 
ii|".n  tin-  :i|-  nun-  of  tli.-  tube,  which  went  down  into  the  boat,  and  stopped  it  up.    At  this  time  the  thermometer 
showed  a  little  above  44°.     A  gust  of  wind  from  below  drove  the  balloon  upwards,  to  the  extremity  of  the  vapour, 
\\ii.  :,   the  :i|>]iearanco  of  the  sun  showed  them  the  existence  of  nature  ;  but  now  both  the  heat  of  tho  sun  and  the 
diinini.-lied  density  of  the  atmosphere  occasioned  such  a  dilatation  of  the  inflammable  air  that  tho  bursting  of 
tlic  lull.M'ii  \\:is  apprehended;  to  avoid  which,  they  introduced  a  stick  through  tho  tube  that  proceeded  fn>n> 
tin-  halloon,  and  endeavoured  to  remove  from  its  aperture  tho  inner  balloon  which  closed  it;  but  the  dilatation  of 
the  inflammable  air  pushed  tho  inner  balloon  so  violently  against  the  aperture  of  the  tube  that  ever}*  endeavour 

•ual.     During  this  time  they  still  continued  to  ascend,  until  the  mercury  in  the  barometer  stood  not 
higher  tli.-in  '_'  \-:\t>  inches,  which  showed  their  height  above  the  surface  of  the  earth  to  be  about  5100  feet.     In  these 

•  Ire. iilful  e ire u instances  they  thought  it  necessary  to  make  a  hole  in  tho  balloon,  in  order  to  give  an  exit  to  the 
inflammable  air ;  and  the  Duke  de  Chartres  took  himself  one  of  the  banners,  and  made  two  holes  in  the  balloon, 
«  liieh  tore  open  between  seven  and  eight  feet.     They  then  descended  very  rapidly,  seeing  at  first  no  object  either 
on  earth  or  in  the  heavens  ;  but  a  moment  after  they  discovered  tho  fields,  and  were  descending  straight  into  a  lake, 
win-rein  they  would  inevitably  have  fallen,   had  they  not  quickly  thrown  overboard  about  sixty  pounds  weight 
of  ballast,  which  occasioned  their  coming  down  at  about  thirty  feet  beyond  the  edge  of  the  lake.     Notwithstanding 
this  rapid  descent,  occasioned  by  the  great  quantity  of  gas  which  escaped  out  of  the  two  rents  in  the  balloon,  none 
<>f  the  four  adventurers  was  hurt ;  and  it  is  very  remarkable,  that  out  of  six  glass  bottles  full  of  liquor  that  were 
Minjdy  luid  down  in  the  boat  only  one  was  found  broken. 

On  the  18th  of  July  M.  Blanchard  made  his  third  aerial  voyage,  with  the  same  inflammable-air  balloon 
from  l.'oii.-n.  Ho  was  accompanied  by  one  M.  Boby;  and  in  the  account  of  the  voyage  ho  says,  that  when  they 

led  there  were  210  pounds  of  ballast,  besides  their  weight,  in  tho  boat.  In  this  voyage  M.  Blanchard 
had  a  barometer  and  a  thermometer,  the  former  of  which  on  the  ground  stood  at  30-1  inches,  and  the  latter  at  45°. 
The  wind  was  north-west.  They  set  off  at  a  quarter  past  fivo  o'clock  in  tho  afternoon  from  the  barracks  of  Kouen, 
and  in  seven  minutes'  time  the  barometer  fell  4-76  inches,  and  the  thermometer  40°.  During  the  voyage,  M. 
1>1. niehard  says,  that  by  agitating  the  wings  of  his  boat  he  often  ascended,  descended,  went  side-way,  and  even,  in 
some  measure,  against  the  wind  ;  but  ono  of  the  certificates  says,  that,  previous  to  the  final  descent,  M.  Blanchard, 
in  order  to  gratify  the  spectators,  descended  and  reascended  three  times  at  pleasure,  by  means  of  the  wings.  I  lowever, 
this  might  have  been  occasioned  by  merely  rebounding  on  the  earth,  or  by  letting  out  alternately  some  ballast  and 
some  inflammable  air ;  which  seems  rather  likely  to  have  been  the  case,  since,  in  the  voyages  which  M.  Blanchard 
afterwards  made  in  England,  with  the  same  balloon,  the  wings  of  his  boat  in  spite  of  his  endeavours  seemed  to 
produce  no  particular  effect 

At  half  on  hour  past  seven  they  descended  safely  in  the  plain  of  Puissanval,  near  Grandcour,  which  is  forty- 
five  miles  distant  from  Rouen,  110  pounds  weight  of  ballast  still  remaining  in  the  boat. 

One  of  the  certificates,  signed  by  many  persons,  testifies,  that  for  this  experiment  the  balloon  was  filled  by 
M.  Vallet  in  the  remarkable  short  time  of  one  hour  and  a  half.  The  last  certificate  that  is  annexed  to  the  account 
of  this  voyage  says,  that  the  balloon  remained  full  all  the  night,  and  that  on  the  following  day,  having  anchored  it 
1'V  means  of  ropes,  which  permitted  it  to  ascend  only  to  about  eighty  feet,  divers  ladies  ascended  successively  with 
it ;  and  they  found  tho  experiment  far  from  being  dangerous  or  displeasing. 

The  balloon  was  at  last  evacuated  of  its  gas ;  to  effect  which  not  only  the  valve  was  opened,  but  a  great 
ajHTtiiro  was  made  towards  tho  inferior  part  of  the  balloon,  which  was  laid  on  its  side  and  pressed;  and  yet  more 
than  an  hour  was  required  to  empty  it ;  from  whence  may  be  concluded,  that  if  a  rent  of  three  feet  should  be  made 
in  such  a  balloon,  whilst  in  the  atmosphere,  tho  loss  of  inflammable  air  would  not  be  sufficient  to  occasion  a  danger- 
ous fill. 

l';ivallo  now  •rivi  s  an  account  of  Lunardi's,  as  the  first  aerial  voyage  in  this  country  : 
Imt  I  prefer  inserting  Lunanli's  own  letters,  as  they  are  lively,  and  depict  London  society  of 
tli:it  day.  This  priority,  moreover,  was  owing  to  the  slowness  of  intelligence;  for  in  th«- 
Public  ledger  of  August  IGth  (1784),  we  n  ad  that,  on  August  9th. 


56  TI1EPNE<&H2.  A.D.  1784. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  launch  a  fire-balloon  from  the  Comely  Gardens,  Edinburgh ;  but  just  as  it  had 
been  filled,  and  Mr.  Tytler  was  about  to  take  his  seat  in  the  basket,  one  of  those  unlucky  accidents,  which  hitherto 
have  never  failed  to  attend  every  proposed  exhibition  of  this  aerial  machine,  took  place.  The  consequence  was  a 
relinquishment  of  the  project  for  the  present. 

However,  on  August  27th,  the  following  letter  was  written  to  and  inserted  in  the 
London  Chronicle : — 

Edinburgh,  August  27,  1784. 

Mr.  Tytler  has  made  several  improvements  upon  his  fire-balloon.  The  reason  of  its  failure  formerly  was 
its  being  made  of  porous  linen,  through  which  the  air  made  its  escape.  To  remedy  this  defect  Mr.  Tytler  has  got 
it  covered  with  a  varnish  to  retain  the  inflammable  air  after  the  balloon  is  filled. 

Early  this  morning  this  bold  adventurer  took  his  first  aerial  flight.  The  balloon  being  filled  at  Comely 
Garden  he  seated  himself  in  the  basket,  and  the  ropes  being  cut  he  ascended  very  high,  and  descended  quite 
gradually  on  the  road  to  Eestalrig,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  place  where  he  rose,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  those 
spectators  who  were  present.  Mr.  Tytler  went  up  without  the  furnace  this  morning ;  when  that  is  added  he  will 
be  able  to  feed  the  balloon  with  inflammable  air,  and  continue  his  aerial  excursions  as  long  as  he  chooses. 

Mr.  Tytler  is   now  in  high  spirits,  and  in  his  turn  laughs  at  those  infidels  who  ridiculed  his  scheme  as 
visionary  and  impracticable.     Mr.  Tytler  is  the  first  person  in  Great  Britain  who  has  navigated  the  air. 

It  is  remarkable  that  the  'Gentleman's  Magazine'  (vol.  liv.  part  ii.  pp.  709  and  711) 
should  accurately  chronicle  both  ascents,  and  yet  speak  afterwards  of  Lunardi's  as  the  first, 
when  the  dates  speak  to  the  contrary. 

To  Tytler,  therefore,  belongs  the  title  of  the  first  Aeronaut  in  Great  Britain ;  and,  with 
the  exception  of  Mr.  Smeath,  in  1837,  he  was  also  the  first,  and  the  only,  one,  to  use  a 
Montgolfiere  in  this  country. 


I  will  now  give  Vincent  Lunardi's  account  of  his  '  First  Aerial  Voyage  in  England ' 
(1784),  published  in  a  series  of  letters  to  his  guardian,  Chevalier  Compagni.  Lunardi 
was  secretary  to  the  Neapolitan  ambassador,  Prince  Caramanico,  to  which  circumstance 
his  presence  in  England  was  at  this  time  due.  His  letters  were  written  in  a  flush  of 
excitement;  or,  as  he  says,  "  under  the  impressions  of  the  various  events  that  affected 
the  understanding." 

LETTER  I. 

MY   HONOURED  FRIEND, —  London,  July  15,  1784. 

The  innumerable  instances  of  kindness  I  have  received  from  you,  and  the  respectful  affection  it  has 
impressed  on  my  mind,  have  insensibly  led  me  into  the  habit  of  giving  all  my  interesting  thoughts  and  actions 
some  reference  to  you,  and  making  your  opinion  and  satisfaction  necessary  to  my  happiness. 

You  are  well  apprised  of  the  general  effect  which  the  attempts  to  perform  aerial  voyages  in  Fi  ance,  have  had 
in  Europe ;  but  you  may  not  know  that  the  philosophers  in  England  have  attended  to  them  with  a  silence,  and 
apparent  indifference,  not  easily  to  be  accounted  for. 

These  two  nations  emulate  each  other  in  all  circumstances.  And  the  progress  and  advantage  of 
manufactures  arc  not  watched  on  either  side  with  greater  anxiety  and  jealousy,  than  a  discovery  in  science,  or  an 
improvement  in  fine  arts.  This  has  the  happiest  effect,  as  it  is  accompanied  with  a  liberality  and  candour  that  do 
honour  to  human  nature. 

The  first  rumours  of  aerial  voyages  were  so  swollen  by  the  breath  of  fame,  and  the  imaginary  advantages  to 
attend  them,  so  rapidly  and  plausibly  multiplied,  that  the  genius  of  English  philosophy,  which,  since  the  days  of 
Newton,  has  borne  the  palm  of  science,  clouded  her  brows  with  a  kind  of  sullenness,  and  perhaps  feared  for 
a  moment  the  ascendancy  of  her  sister. 


• 


. 


i 


A.I..  1TM.  CHELSEA  IIMSI'IT.M..  57 

Tin'  glory  of  a  discovery  is  iiulivi>ihlo  as  the  atoms  of  Epicurus;  and  in  respect  to  aerostation,  it  remain*, 

and  iini-t  remain  «iih  Frnnce.     It  is  supposed,  and  I  speak  it  on  better  authority  than  rumour,  that  Dome  of  the 

most  ;t!t.  :.'i\.-  and  penetrating  observers  in  England  meditate  such  improvements  of  Aerostatic  IM!.  .>n-.  ami  MK  h 

m-iiles  of  applying  tin-in  to  use,  as  may  give  them  an  equal  claim  to  glory  with  their  philosophical  rivals  in 

I'.nt  tliis  has  not  hitherto  been  attended  with  any  remarkable  effects. 

will  possibly  wonder,  that  in  such  circumstances,  at  my  age,  with  the  numerous  engagements  and 
occupations  of  my  office,  not  yet  distinguished  in  the  records  of  Kcience,  and  but  littlo  known  in  a  country 
so  enlightened  as  England,  I  should  have  the  ambition  to  bo  the  first  man  who  \i>it.  .1  IN  atmosphere. 

I  have  already  acquainted  you  with  the  project  of  our  friend  Zambeccari,  and  the  reason  of  its  failure.  Little 
(lisi|'p.>iiitiuetits  and  errors  are  often  the  moans  of  instruction.  I  proceeded  in  a  different  method,  and  conceived 
the  design  of  interesting  generosity  and  humanity,  in  the  patronage  of  an  experiment  of  some  hazard,  particularly 
in  the  hands  of  a  foreign-  r. 

lie  distance  of  two  miles  from  this  metropolis  stands  a  monument  of  liberal  and  prudent  charity,  first 
suggested  (as  it  is  Raid)  to  Charles  II.  by  a  licentious  woman.  It  is  the  hospital  of  military  invalids  at  Chelsea; 
an  object  of  national  attention  ;  and  managed  with  a  respect  to  the  intentions  of  the  successive  princes  who  have 
patronised  it,  and  to  the  health  and  comfort  of  the  meritorious  veterans  who  inhabit  it,  which  are  not  common  in 
national  institutions. 

This  building  consists  of  three  sides  of  a  spacious  quadrangle :  a  garden  sloping  before  it  to  the  shore  of  the 
Thames;  the  vale  extensive  and  fertile,  and  bounded  by  hills  gently  rising,  highly  cultivated,  and  beautifully 
marked  with  villas,  churches,  and  villages,  all  indicating  the  opulence  and  felicity  of  the  inhabitants. 

This  I  have  ii\.  -1  upon,  in  my  mind,  as  a  picturesque  and  propitious  spot;  and  I  wish,  as  it  were  from  the 
altar  of  humanity,  to  ascend  the  skies. 

I  have,  therefore,  addressed  the  following  request  to  Sir  George  Howard,  governor  of  the  hospital : — 

••  Mr.  Lunardi  has  the  honour  to  acquaint  Sir  George  Howard,  that  he  intends  to  construct  an  Air  lialloon. 
in  which  he  will  ascend  for  the  purpose  of  making  some  interesting  experiments.  But  previous  to  his  engaging  in 
so  expensive  an  undertaking,  ho  wishes  to  bo  assured  of  a  place  for  launching  it,  to  which  none  but  subscribers 
can  be  admitted.  If  Sir  George  Howard  will  indulge  him  with  his  permission  to  launch  it  from  Chelsea  gardens, 
Mr.. Lunardi  proposes  to  devote  whatever  may  exceed  the  expense  of  the  undertaking  to  be  divided  among  the 
invalids  of  the  hospital.  Mr.  Lunardi  requests  the  favour  of  an  answer  from  Sir  George  Howard." 

The  King  of  England  is  distinguished  for  an  attention  to  the  minutest  variations  in  the  state  of  science  or  the 
arts,  as  ho  is  for  an  unblemished  character,  and  the  most  scrupulous  practice  of  all  moral  and  religious  obligations. 
The  innumerable  concerns  of  an  empire,  to  which  extent  and  unwieldiness  alone  have  been  an  inconvenience, 
do  not  prevent  his  personal  notice  of  any  remarkable  character,  or  his  correct  examination  of  any  scientific  event. 

He  has  had  the  condescension  to  attend  to  the  first  probable  intimations  of  a  successful  experiment  with 
balloons,  and  the  governor,  with  Mis  Majesty's  approbation,  has  granted  my  request 

1  know  your  friendly  and  parental  bosom  will  have  some  emotions  at  the  opening  of  a  design,  by  a  youth 
whom  you  have  so  long  cherished  and  loved,  which  leads  to  glory  through  some  uncertainty  and  some  danger. 
But  my  resolution  is  taken,  and  you  know,  within  the  bounds  of  life,  nothing  can  shake  it. 

When  I  write  to  you,  though  at  such  a  distance,  I  discharge  a  duty.  It  seems  to  have  the  effect  of 
my  usual  methods  of  consulting  you.  I  obtain  my  own  approbation,  and  collect  firmness  and  resolution,  where 
perhaps  I  had  my  difficulties  and  doubts,  and  I  take  you  with  me  in  everything  I  do.  This  habit  is  favourable  to 
my  sluml  «•]•>.  which  I  find  to  be  a  little  interrupted  by  the  magnitude  of  my  design.  I  will  therefore  avail  myself  of 
its  influence. 

Good  night,  my  dearest  and  best  friend,  communicate  my  intelligence  to  my  sisters,  &c.,  and  believe  me  to 
remain  your  obliged  and  affectionate 

VINCENT  LcNAp.ru. 

LETTER  II. 

MY  DEAR  FRIKNP. 

London,  August  •_',  I ,  >  I . 

I  know  your  anxiety  to  learn  the  progress  of  my  undertaking. 

Neither  my  fortune  nor  m\  i  o  n<  my  have  ever  allowed  me  to  be  in  affluence  ;  I  therefore  enter  on  any  business 
requiring  cxpen.-e  with  some  disadvantage.  In  Italy  I  should  have  sought  the  patronage  and  generosity  of  my 

I 


58  TLTEPNE<&H2.  A.U.  1784. 

Sovereign,  or  of  some  liberal  and  opulent  nobleman,  to  enable  me  to  sustain  the  expense  of  my  present  undertaking. 
Here  wealth  is  more  equally  diffused;  and  by  any  contrivance  that  can  gratify  the  curiosity  of  the  people,  sums  of 
money  are  immediately  collected,  without  the  anxiety  and  mortification  of  petitioning  the  great.  This  has,  in  some 
measure,  banished  patronage  from  England  ;  but  ingenious  men  are  perhaps  the  better  rewarded,  and  are  not  ren- 
dered slaves  to  the  purposes  and  caprices  of  patrons.  Hence  are  innumerable  exhibitions,  which  are  always  open  in 
London,  and  which  are  means  of  circulation,  convenience,  information,  and  utility,  almost  unknown  in  every  other 
country. 

To  proceed  in  my  design  I  have  been  obliged  to  adopt  this  custom.  You  will  not  be  offended  that  a  secretary 
to  an  embassy  exhibits  his  balloon,  when  you  know  that  the  first  artists  in  the  nation,  under  the  immediate 
protection  of  the  King,  and  incorporated  into  an  academy,  exhibit  their  pictures  yearly,  and  that  the  price  of 
admission  is  one  shilling.  This  expedient  adds  two  or  three  thousand  a  year  to  the  income  of  the  Academy,  and  is 
neither  an  inconvenience  nor  a  dishonour,  where  the  diffusion  of  wealth  through  the  lowest  ranks  renders  the  whole 
nation  the  general  patron  of  useful  designs. 

In  the  centre  of  London,  and  in  a  street  called  the  Strand,  because  it  runs  by  the  edge  of  the  Thames,  there 
is  a  large  room  constructed  for  the  exhibition  of  pictures,  by  the  first  society  formed  in  England  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  painting  and  sculpture. 

Italians  viewed  this  society,  and  every  other  of  a  similar  kind,  as  the  Europeans  do  the  establishment  of 
manufactories  in  America.  The  English  had  been  accustomed  to  send  their  youth  to  Italy  to  learn  just  so  much 
of  the  fine  arts  as  would  enable  them  to  purchase  and  imitate  its  productions.  At  this  time  there  are  names  in 
England  which  are  equal  in  reputation  to  any  in  the  world.  This,  however,  is  greatly  owing  to  the  patronage 
afforded  by  His  Majesty,  who  has  instituted  an  academy  for  sculpture  and  painting,  and  who  is  himself  the  best 
judge  in  his  dominions  of  the  productions  of  his  artists. 

The  institution  of  the  Academy  gradually  weakened  and  destroyed  the  Society,  and  their  room  has  since 
been  fitted  up  for  a  species  of  entertainment  which  no  country  ever  produced  but  England ;  that  is,  a  debate  on 
political  subjects,  continued  at  random  by  any  man  who  would  pay  for  his  admission,  and  speak  so  as  to  amuse  the 
assembly.  In  reference  to  this  entertainment,  it  was  called  the  Lyceum ;  and  in  that  Lyceum  I  exhibit  my 
balloon. 

As  the  minutest  step  I  take  is  interesting  to  you,  I  shall  send  you  some  of  my  proposals  and  advertisements 
just  as  they  appear. 

"  ADVERTISEMENT. 

"  I  take  the  liberty  to  acquaint  that  I  have  undertaken  the  construction  of  a  globe  of  thirty-two 

feet  in  diameter,  with  which  I  intend  to  ascend,  as  soon  as  completed,  to  make  the  most  interesting  experiments, 
especially  that  of  going  many  miles  before  the  wind,  and  keeping  the  globe  constantly  not  higher  than  a  gun-shot, 
previous  to  my  constructing  the  great  machine  for  direction. 

"  Being  already  involved  in  great  expenses  attending  the  construction  of  so  large  a  globe,  made  with  the  best 
oiled  silk, — the  filling  it  with  inflammable  air,  the  machinery  for  the  experiments,  &c., — I  am  obliged  to  solicit  the 
assistance  of  the  liberal  promoters  of  ingenuity,  in  an  undertaking  of  so  curious  a  nature.  By  the  improvements  I 
flatter  myself  to  have  invented,  I  hope  to  render  the  discovery  of  great  public  utility ;  and  presume  to  request  you 
will  have  the  goodness  to  honour  me  with  your  support  and  subscription ;  as  approbation  of  my  scheme 

may  have  weight  with  others,  and  induce  them  to  conceive  the  practicability  of  it. 

"  The  gallery,  oars,  and  wings  are  already  made,  and  to  be  seen  at  the  Lyceum,  Exeter-Change,  Strand,  where 
the  balloon  is  now  constructing,  and  will  be  finished  in  about  a  fortnight :  with  which,  when  completed,  I  intend 
to  set  off  from  Chelsea  Hospital  Garden,  having  already  obtained  His  Majesty's  patronage,  and  Sir  George  Howard's 
permission. 

"Subscriptions  are  taken  in  at  Mr.  Debrett's,  Bookseller,  opposite  Burlington-house,  Piccadilly ;  Mr.  Booker, 
Stationer,  No.  56,  New  Bond-street ;  Mr.  Barnes,  Engraver,  Coventry-street,  Haymarket ;  Mr.  Adams,  Mathe- 
matician to  His  Majesty,  No.  60,  Fleet-street ;  and  also  at  Messrs.  Nairne  and  Blunt,  Mathematical  and  Philosophical 
Instrument-makers,  No.  20,  Comhill,  opposite  the  Koyal  Exchange.  Which  Mr.  Lunardi  will  give  his 
receipt  for. 

"The  guinea  subscribers  will  be  admitted  into  Chelsea  Hospital  Garden,  and  have  a  chair  near  the  globe  the 
day  of  ascending,  and  may  view  the  construction  at  the  Lyceum  four  different  times. 


A.I..  ITM.  >n;  .insi:i-il  BANKS  ;,-i 

"  A  half  guinea  subscriber  will  likewise  be  admitted  into  the  Garden  on  the  above  day,  and  also  be  accom- 
modated with  a  seat  on  bunches,  next  to  the  chair*,  and  admitted  twice  to  see  the  construction  of  the  machine." 

The  prolmliilit y  that  my  design  would  be  executed  produced,  what  hardly  any  recommendatory  letters  or 
Other  Common  means  of  introduction  will  do  in  England,  I  mean  an  a<  quaixttaBM  with  persons  of  merit  and 
consequence.  England  is  open  to  all  the  world,  either  in  war  or  peace ;  and  a  man  of  talents,  whether  liberal  or 

.nil-,  ••.linn it  fail  of  support  and  encouragement  in  proportion  to  his  merit.  But  it  would  be  wholly  usolea*  to 
lirin^  tn  l.i.iL.l  .ii  such  letters  i.f  i.  commendation  as  would  in  any  city  on  the  continent  enable  a  man  to  run  through 
almost  all  ili«-  houses  in  it.  lit  r.-  the  prodigious  resort  of  strangers  has  nearly  destroyed  that  indiscriminate 
specif*  of  h.i-pitiility  which  prevails  on  the  continent;  and  whirh,  while  it  may  be  agreeable  to  those  who  travel  to 
get  riil  "f  time,  has  not  sufVu-icnt  utility  to  atone  for  its  inconvenience.  But  when  once  a  circumstance  in  the 
situation  or  •  haracter  of  a  stranger  has  attracted  the  notice  of  an  Englishman,  and  he  has  declared  himself  his 

tor  and  t'li.  nd,  it  is  worth  a  thousand  of  the  civilities  of  general  hospitality;  a  reliance  may  be  had  on  its 
and  tin'  friendship  is  permanent  in  duration  as  it  is  slow  in  growth. 

Sir  .I.-,  ph  Hanks  is  among  the  first  persons  who  have  taken  notice  of  my  design  ;  and  he  has  honoured  my 
subscription  with  his  name.  The  reputation  he  has  acquired  as  the  first  botanic  collector  in  the  world;  as  the 
friend  and  companion  of  Captain  Cook,  in  one  of  his  voyages  round  the  globe  ;  as  the  President  of  the  Royal 

•  v.  and  the  general  patron  of  knowledge  and  merit,  renders  any  account  of  him  to  you  unnecessary. 

uLsci  iptiun,  however,  comes  in  but  slowly ;  nor  has  the  balloon,  though  larger,  constructed  of  better 
materials  and  on  betti-r  principles  than  an}-  that  has  yet  appeared  in  England,  excited  the  curiosity  I  expected. 
This  is  partly  owing  to  some  ridiculous  exhibitions  of  the  kind  which  have  been  had  at  the  same  place,  and  which 
have  diffused  a  disposition  to  incredulity  and  suspicion. 

M\  balloon  is  composed  of  oiled  silks,  of  which  five  hundred  and  twenty  yards  are  inserted  in  alternate 
strij>es  of  blue  and  red,  which  give  it  a  very  lively  and  pleasing  appearance.  Its  form  is  spherical.  The  horizontal 
dimension  of  it  is  thirty-three  feet;  its  circumference  one  hundred  and  two.  It  is  kept  suspended,  and  at  present 
is  filled  with  common  air  only,  which  I  inject  with  bellows,  through  tubes  of  oiled  silk  that  pass  through  its  sides. 
More  than  two-thirds  of  the  globe  are  covered  with  a  strong  net,  from  which  depend  forty-five  cords,  forming 
equal  sections  on  its  lower  part,  and  uniting  at  the  bottom.  These  will  be  fastened  to  a  circular  frame,  that  forms 
the  upper  part  of  the  vehicle  in  which  I  mean  to  perform  my  Aerial  Voyage.  It  will  be  furnished,  likewise, 
with  wings  and  oars;  the  use  of  the  former  is  to  excite  air  when  the  globe  is  becalmed,  and  thereby  to  move  it 
horizontally;  they  have  the  form  of  large  rackets,  and  are  covered  with  loose  flounces  of  oiled  silk.  The  oars, 
which  differ  from  the  wings  only  in  size,  will  be  worked  with  a  vertical  motion,  and  are  intended  to  effect  a 
depression  of  the  machine  ;  by  which  I  hope  to  be  enabled  either  to  check  its  ascension,  or  to  descend  without  the 
necessity  of  letting  out  the  inflammable  air. 

I  exhibit  these,  not  only  as  matters  of  curiosity  to  persons  who  have  not  seen  or  understood  the  French 

in.  nts,  but  to  point  out  to  those  who  have  the  peculiar  object  of  my  enterprise.     For  I  have  the  ambition  to 

be  the  first  not  only  to  visit  the  English  atmosphere,  but  to  ascertain  the  practicability  of  rendering  the  balloon 

stationary,  or  descending  at  pleasure  by  means  of  oars,  acting  vertically,  and  superseding  the  use  and  necessity  of 

valves.     In  this  only  circumstance  I  aim  to  deviate  into  originality  from  the  splendid  and  successful  track  of  the 

:n-h  philosophers. 

Th. -re  arc  two  methods  of  filling  a  balloon  for  ascension  ;  and  it  is  remarkable,  that  the  method  first  discovered 
and  executed  by  >!•  --  M  ntgolfier,  is  the  most  hazardous  and  difficult  to  apply  to  use.  It  is  effected,  as  a  chimney 
is  heated,  by  a  common  fire  ;  and  a  balloon  of  this  kind  is  a  moving  chimney,  closed  at  the  top,  made  of  light 
materials,  and  raised  by  the  elasticity  which  is  always  given  to  air  by  fire. 

This  requires  a  constant  application  of  fire  to  the  contents  of  the  balloon,  which  is  a  difficult  operation  ;  and 
ihe  least  error  in  the  application  ma}1  be  the  occasion  of  consuming  the  apparatus  and  endangering  the  lives  of  those 
who  trust  to  it 

1  h  ivo  chosen  inflammable  rather  than  elastic  air  for  my  guide.     It  is  a  substance  produced  by  the  action  of 
vitriolic  acid  on  m.  •  •ni-m.-ials,  and  is  similar  to  that  vapour  (carburettcd  hydrogen)  which  takes  firt-  in 

minoH,  and  carries  terror  and  destruction  wherever  it  approaches.     This  you  will  say  is  changing  one   hazai 
instrument  for  another;  but  the  chances  of  setting  fire  to  the  elastic  balloon,  or  of  not  applying  the  heat  so 
equally  as  to  answer  the  purposes  of  ascension,  are  numerous;  those  of  exploding  an  inflammable  balloon  arise 

I    I' 


GO  TnEPNE<X>H2.  A.D.  1784. 

only  from  thunder-clouds ;  and,  if  proper  attention  be  paid  to  the  weather,  they  are  not  numerous  or  difficult 
to  be  avoided.  Besides,  inflammable  air  being  seven  times  lighter  than  atmospherical  air,  and  rarefied  air  not  more 
than  three  times  lighter,  the  machine  must  of  course  be  proportionably  larger  in  the  use  of  the  latter  than  in  that  of 
the  former. 

My  design  to  use  inflammable  air  has  been  the  occasion  of  my  acquaintance  with  Dr.  George  Fordyce,  a 
physician  of  eminence,  a  lecturer  in  chemistry,  and  probably  the  first  chemist  in  the  island.  I  consider  this  as 
a  very  fortunate  circumstance;  for,  besides  the  improvement  and  satisfaction  I  derive  from  his  friendship,  he  has 
offered  in  the  kindest  manner  to  fill  the  balloon  in  a  method  which  is  an  improvement  on  that  of  the  French 
philosophers,  as  he  contrives  the  tubes  for  conveying  the  inflammable  so  as  to  prevent  the  admission  of  any 
atmospheric  air.  He  is  also  of  opinion,  that  air  produced  by  the  vitriolic  acid  and  zinc  alone  is  the  lightest  of  any 
that  has  been  yet  used. 

But,  in  the  leading  incidents  of  this  era  of  my  life,  I  must  reckon  among  the  happiest  my  introduction  to 
Mr.  Biggin,  a  young  gentleman  distinguished  by  his  birth,  education,  and  fortune  ;  of  improved  and  elegant  accom- 
plishments, a  strong  lover  of  science,  and  of  a  liberal  and  affectionate  heart.  This  young  gentleman,  in  the  first 
days  of  our  acquaintance,  expressed  a  wish  to  accompany  me  in  my  ascent.  And  as  the  regions  1  intended  to  visit 
are  unknown,  and  Mr.  Biggin's  talents  so  useful  and  engaging,  I  have  accepted  his  offer.  The  voyage  will,  by 
this  circumstance,  be  rendered  more  interesting ;  we  shall  direct  our  particular  attention  to  different  objects ;  and, 
in  any  of  those  incidents  which  novelty  may  render  astonishing,  we  shall  communicate  and  multiply  our  joy,  or 
lessen  and  remove  our  apprehensions.  j  am  &c_ 

VINCENT  LUNARDI. 
LETTER  HI. 

MY  DEAR  FMEKD,  London,  August  18,  1784. 

The  events  of  this  extraordinary  island  are  as  variable  as  its  climate.  You  here  experience  the  extremes  of 
elevation  and  dejection,  as  you  do  of  heat  and  cold  in  a  shorter  time,  and  in  a  greater  number  of  occurrences,  than 
in  any  country  I  know  in  the  world.  When  I  wrote  you  last,  everything  relative  to  my  undertaking  wore  a 
favourable  and  pleasing  appearance :  I  am  at  this  moment  overwhelmed  with  anxiety,  vexation,  and  despair. 

On  advertising  my  intention  to  go  up  with  my  balloon,  it  was  natural  to  suppose  that  any  latent  ambition  of 
the  same  kind  would  show  itself,  and  perhaps  spring  forward  to  seize  the  applause  attending  the  execution  of  such 
an  enterprise.  I  do  not  say  that  this  would  not  have  disappointed  me,  but  it  would  not  have  left  me  in  any 
situation  of  distress  like  the  present. 

A  Frenchman,  whose  name  is  Moret,  and  who  may  possibly  have  assisted  at  some  trials  at  Paris  to  launch 
balloons  in  the  manner  of  Montgolfier,  advertised  as  it  were  in  competition  with  me ;  and  fixed  on  a  day  for 
ascending  with  his  balloon,  previous  to  that  on  which  I  had  the  permission  of  Sir  George  Howard  to  make  my 
excursion  from  Chelsea  Hospital. 

To  hasten  my  own  undertaking  would  have  been  entering  into  a  ridiculous  race  with  Moret ;  and  if  I  had 
been  inclined  to  such  a  measure  it  was  probable  that  the  day  appointed  for  me  would  not  have  been  changed 
without  a  better  reason  than  could  have  been  assigned  from  the  competition.  I  therefore  waited,  with  as  much 
patience  as  I  could  command,  the  event  of  Moret's  experiment ;  imagining,  however,  it  would  fail,  from  a  view  of 
the  balloon  ;  bvit  having  no  apprehension  of  such  consequences  as  might  involve  my  disappointment  or  my  ruin. 

On  the  llth  of  August  his  advertisements  assembled  a  company  of  three  or  four  hundred  persons  in  a  Garden 
at  Chelsea ;  and,  unfortunately  for  me,  at  a  small  distance  from  the  Hospital  where  I  was  permitted  to  exhibit.  The 
gardens  and  fields  around  1he  place  were  crowded  with  fifty  or  sixty  thousand  people,  not  so  much  from  economy 
as  incredulity  and  suspicion  of  the  undertaking.  That  was  greatly  owing  to  his  manner  of  anticipating  my  design, 
which  threw  on  him  and  me,  undeservingly,  the  imputation  of  imposture. 

From  one  to  four  o'clock  the  company  waited  with  patience  the  filling  and  ascension  of  the  balloon  ;  and 
when  every  effort  was  seen  to  fail,  and  the  balloon  sank  into  the  fire  which  expanded  it,  the  mob  rushed  in,  tore  it 
in  a  thousand  pieces,  robbed  many  of  the  company,  levelled  with  the  ground  all  the  fences  of  the  place  and  neigh- 
bourhood, and  spread  desolation  and  terror  through  the  whole  district. 

I  saw  into  many  of  the  consequences  which  would  affect  my  own  undertaking.  Though  the  people  of  England 
are  comparatively  well-informed  and  enlightened,  yet  the  multitude  in  all  nations  is  nearly  alike.  The  misfortune 
of  Moret  was  attributed  to  imposture ;  and  a  suspicion  of  a  similar  nature  was  extended  to  me.  I  felt  all  the 


A.I).  17>l.  I.rNAKDl'S  PISAITnlYIMIAT.  61 

iniin.  <li:r.-  ii:.'"ii\.  ni.  lu-i'N  of  guilt,  us  you  will  sco  by  the  following  copies  of  letters ;  though  nothing  could  bo 
t'.nili.  i-  I'].. in  my  tin  nights  than  any  intention  to  be  concerned  in  an  ini]....-ii  inn  : — 

-  Sin.  "  Chel*»  Hcupital,  Auguit  14. 17M. 

"  It  hnving  been  represented  to  the  governor  of  this  place,  that  a  riot  was  oooasioned  by  an  attempt  to  raise 

-  Kill.  ..ii  in  iliis  ncighbourluxMl  on  Wednesday  last,  I  have  his  orders  to  acquaint  you  that  it  is  impossible  he 

can,  on  any  OOIIMI!.  r.ui.ui,  >ul.j.  .-i  this  College  to  the  insults  of  a  mob;  and  at  the  same  timo  ho  directs  me  to  «ay 

how  disagreeable  it  is  to  him  to  refuse  his  consent,  but  that  his  determination  ia  unalterably  fixed.     I  have  the 

honour  to  be.  Sir,  &c., 

"  \\  M.    BtTLKELET." 

On  the  receipt  of  this  letter  I  waited  on  Major  Bulkeloy,  and,  describing  the  hardship  of  being  involved  in 
the  consequences  of  the  faults  or  misfortunes  of  another,  I  prevailed  on  him  to  represent  my  situation  to  the 
governor.  In  consequence  of  which  I  received  tlii.s  final  resolution  of  Sir  George  Howard : — 

"  Ghclica  College,  August  17,  1784. 

••  I  have  this  moment  received  a  letter  from  Sir  George  Howard,  in  answer  to  one  I  wrote  to  him  on  Monday 
last,  after  I  had  the  honour  of  seeing  you,  and  he  desires  me  to  acquaint  you  that  ho  must  again  repeat  the 
impossibility  <>f  his  convent  ing  to  the  exhibition  of  your  Air  Balloon  in  any  place  belonging  to  Chelsea  College  ; 
his  duty  absolutely  forbid."  it,  and  no  consideration  shall  make  him  do  it  after  wltat  happened  last  week.  That  he 
•v  snrry  you  should  meet  with  any  disappointment,  but  that  nothing  shall  mako  him  do  what  he  cannot 
ju-iify,  and  that,  at  all  events,  it  cannot  take  place  at  Chelsea  College,  and,  therefore,  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary 
y..ii  sir  ii1..  1  1. ok  out  for  some  other  place,  and  give  notice  of  it  in  the  public  papers. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sir,  Ac., 

"  \V.  BULKELEY." 

I  am  now  Mink  into  the  utmost  depth  of  distress.  Though  I  may  be  said  to  have  no  reputation  to  lose  in 
a  kingdom  where  I  am  scarcely  known,  I  yet  experience  the  most  poignant  mortification  at  seeing  my  hopes 
destroyed,  and  myself,  in  the  slightest  degree,  suspected  of  anything  inconsistent  with  honour,  and  an  ardent  love 
of  scien.-i-. 

You  will  say  it  is  an  imputation  on  the  character  of  an  enlightened  kingdom  to  prejudge  an  experiment 
which  has  not  been  made,  especially  as  I  propose  to  do  only  what  has  been  proved  to  be  practicable  in  France. 
I  have  already  told  you  that  everything  respecting  Air  Balloons  has  been  admitted  here  with  reluctance ;  the 
pompous  accounts  of  French  voyages  are  credited,  after  making  large  allowances  for  Gallic  vanity;  and  all 
hypotheses  respecting  a  certain  and  useful  application  of  the  discovery  are  considered  as  romantic  visions.  This 
prepossession,  however,  does  not  prevent  philosophers  and  men  of  letters  here  from  discerning  the  practicability  of 
everything  that  has  been  effected  in  France.  But  they  arc  not  much  more  numerous  in  this  than  in  other  nations ; 
they  do  not  always  regulate  the  opinions  of  tho  people,  and,  in  this  case,  they  ore  not  very  desirous  of  undeceiving 
them.  The  national  prejudice  of  the  English  against  France  is  suffered  to  have  its  full  effect  on  a  subject  from 
which  the  literati  of  Kngland  expect  to  derive  but  little  honour;  an  unsuccessful  attempt  has  been  made  by  u 
!•>•  n.-liiiiiin  ;  and  my  name  being  that  of  a  foreigner,  a  very  excusable  ignorance  in  the  people  may  place  me  among 
the  adventurers  of  that  nation,  which  are  said  to  have  sometimes  distinguished  themselves  here  by  ingenious 
impositions. 

I  am  apprehensive,  therefore,  I  must  relinquish  my  undertaking,  after  an  expense  which  my  circumstances 
can  ill  bear,  and  when  the  satisfaction  and  glory  of  accomplishing  it  are  just  within  my  reach. 

Ailii.-u,  my  di-ar  friend,  I  regret  the  necessity  of  leaving  on  your  mind  the  melancholy  impressions  which  this 
letter  must  make.  You  may  depend  on  it  I  shall  conduct  myself  in  every  event  with  a  proper  recollection  of  your 
solicitude  and  regard  for  me.  For  I  shall  ever  remain 

Most  sincerely  yours, 

NI    I.I   N  AKI'l. 


62  TnEPNE*HS.  A.D.  1784. 


LETTEE  IV. 

MY  HONOURED  FRIEND,  London,  September  14,  1784. 

I  still  have  hopes :  for  what  philosophers  dare  not  attempt,  the  ladies  easily  accomplish.  They  can  smile 
into  acquiescence  that  uncouth  monster, — public  prejudice ;  and  they  regulate  the  opinions  and  manners  of  a  nation 
at  pleasure. 

My  perseverance  amidst  the  difficulties  and  supposed  dangers  which  surround  me,  in  consequence  of  the 
failure  of  Moret,  has  given  me  an  air  of  heroism  which  you  know  interests  the  fair  sex.  The  Lyceum,  therefore, 
is  crowded  with  company,  and  particularly  ladies,  who  take  for  granted  I  am  to  ascend  ;  many  of  them  wish  I  were 
not  engaged  to  Mr.  Biggin,  that  they  might  accompany  me ;  and  with  that  bewitching  air  of  sincerity  which  is 
almost  peculiar  to  the  women  of  this  country,  and  which  I  think  more  difficult  to  resist  than  the  coquetry  of  my 
own,  they  express  a  tender  concern  for  my  safety,  which  fixes  my  determination  :  and  I  will  ascend,  if  I  do  it  from 
the  street. 

I  have  a  prospect  of  being  accommodated  with  an  inclosed  piece  of  ground,  which  is  appropriated  for  the 
exercise  of  a  body  of  armed  citizens,  viz.,  the  Honourable  Artillery  Company.  This  corps  is  composed  of  all 
the  officers  of  the  six  regiments  of  the  London  Militia,  and  other  gentlemen  to  the  amount  of  five  hundred.  It  is 
a  collection,  or  assemblage  of  officers,  all  independent,  in  officers'  uniforms,  who,  in  case  of  emergency,  might 
exercise  in  a  month  twenty  thousand  men.  His  Eoyal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales  is  Captain-General,  and  Sir 
Watkin  Lewis,  one  of  the  representatives  in  Parliament  for  the  city  of  London,  is  their  colonel.  To  this  gentleman 
I  have  made  application,  and  the  Eev.  Mr.  Kirwan,  chaplain  to  the  embassy,  whose  friendship  upon  this,  and 
every  other  occasion,  I  shall  ever  remember  with  gratitude,  did  me  the  honour  to  wait  upon  him,  and  represented 
the  consequence  of  my  disappointment  of  Chelsea  Garden,  and  the  very  great  expenses  1  have  been  at ;  and  that, 
unless  the  Honourable  Artillery  Company  would  take  me  under  their  protection,  1  could  get  no  proper  place  for 
the  experiment,  from  the  apprehension  of  riots  and  disturbances.  Sir  Watkin  heard  his  representation  with 
candour,  and  after  inquiring  into  the  principles  on  which  my  balloon  was  constructed,  the  reasons  of  the  failure  of 
Monsieur  do  Moret,  and  attending  to  every  information  on  the  subject  which  could  be  given  by  Doctor  Fordyce, 
Mr.  Biggin,  and  me,  he  promised  to  lay  my  application  before  the  Court  of  Assistants  of  the  Artillery  Company. 

The  honourable  mention  he  was  pleased  to  make  of  me,  and  of  my  endeavours  to  promote  science  by  executing 
the  experiment,— the  support  he  gave  my  application,  and  the  liberality  with  which  he  acted,  and  which  distinguish 
his  character, — demand  my  warmest  thanks.  You  would  be  astonished  at  the  apprehensions  and  prejudices  excited 
even  in  this  respectable  body,  by  the  failure  of  De  Moret.  In  vain  did  Sir  Watkin  recommend  to  them  to  exercise 
their  own  judgment ;  a  violent  debate  took  place  ;  and  the  concession  was  carried  only  by  his  casting  vote.  I  had 
been  led  by  policy  as  well  as  inclination  to  connect  charity  with  the  other  motives,  which  might  induce  the 
English  to  favour  my  enterprise.  I  engaged  to  give  a  hundred  guineas  to  the  family  of  the  late  Sir  Bernard 
Turner,  as  an  inducement  to  the  Court  of  Assistants  to  grant  me  the  Artillery  Ground  to  receive  my  company, 
and  to  launch  my  machine.  Another  Court  was  called,  which  was  necessary  to  confirm  the  proceediugs  of  the 
former  ;  that  was  numerously  attended,  and  the  proposal  again  carried  by  the  casting  vote  of  Sir  \\atkin  Lewis. 

In  consequence  of  this  grant  from  the  Honourable  Artillery  Company,  I  published  the  following 
advertisement : — 

"  GRAND  AIR-BALLOON,  WITH  WHICH  MR.  LUNARDI  AND  AN  ENGLISH  GENTLEMAN  ARE  TO  ASCEND  INTO  THE  ATMOSPHERE. 

"  MR.  LUNARDI  is  extremely  happy  to  have  it  in  his  power  to  inform  the  public  that,  in  consequence  of  an  application 
made  to  the  Honourable  Artillery  Company,  they  have  been  so  kind  as  to  accommodate  him  with  the  use  of  their 
ground,  for  the  purpose  of  executing  the  experiment  ho  has  undertaken,  with  this  condition  annexed,  that  he  shall 
pay  one  hundred  guineas,  to  be  added  to  the  subscription  for  the  children  of  the  late  Sir  Bernard  Turner.  The 
very  laudable  and  benevolent  motive  which  influenced  the  Honourable  Company  to  make  this  demand,  was  of  itself 
sufficiently  operative  on  the  feelings  to  remove  every  objection  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Lunurdi  to  a  proposal  that  flowed 
from  the  impulse  of  philanthropy  and  the  cause  of  humanity.  Mr.  Lunardi  wishes  to  testify  his  gratitude  in  the 
warmest  manner  to  the  public,  and  will  feel  a  pleasure  inexpressible  in  being  able,  by  their  means,  to  contribute 
to  the  relief  of  distress,  and  in  particular  that  of  the  family  of  so  respectable  an  individual  as  Sir  Bernard  Turner. 
He  desires  to  return  his  sincere  thanks  to  the  Honourable  Artillery  Company  for  the  great  civility  he  has  received 


A.I..  i:.< i.  TIIK  AIMII.I  i:i;v  CKOUND. 

tV,.ni  them,  and  particularly  for  the  favour  of  resolving  to  appear  under  arms,  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  order 
ami  regularity  on  the  day  ,-fhi>  balloon  bein*  launched.  II,-  ha>  the  highest  sense  of  tho  honour  they  int.  n.l  him. 
and  tho  additional  satisfaction  of  acquainting  tin-  public  that  tho  three  avenues  leading  to  and  from  the  Ground,  as 
well  as  tli.-  outside  of  the  gates,  will  be  guarded  by  the  sergeants  of  tin-  t  'itv  Militia  and  tho  peace-officers,  in  order 
t.)  render  tin-  access  to  th,-  Artillery  I  i round  easy  and  convenient  to  his  subscribers,  and  to  all  others  who  may  be 
favour  him  with  their  presence  on  that  day,  which  is  determined  to  bo  Wednesday,  tho  1 5th  instant,  between 
twehe  and  on.'  o'clock,  it"  tho  weather  permits. 

Mr.  Lunardi  is  desirous  to  prevent  confusion,  he  has  determined  that  no  money  shall  be  taken  at  tin- 
gates  of  tin-  Artillery  <  i  round,  or  any  person  admitted  without  ticket*,  which  are  now  issuing  at  the  office  adjoining 
to  tin-  /.-,••  rum  at  one  guinea,  half-a-guinea,  and  five  shillings. 

••  Tickets,  which  have  already  been  delivered  for  Chelsea  Hospital  Garden,  will  admit  the  bearers  into  the 
Artillery  <!  round." 

is  time  upwards  of  twenty  thousand  persons  had  attended  the  exhibition  of  the  balloon  and  apparatus 
at  th--  Lyceum;  and  I  had  no  doubt  the  proprietor  of  the  room,  who  had  received  the  money,  and  who  hod  made 
such  a  bargain  that  tho  pecuniary  advantage  was  to  be  his,  and  the  hazard  and  loss  to  bo  mine,  would 
inniK  uable  me  to  fulfil  my  agreement  with  the  Artillery  Company,  and  remove  tho  balloon  and 

apparatus  to  the  Ground,     lint  1  was  mistaken.     There  are  men  like  sharks,  who,  by  devouring,  seem  only  to  be 
reii'i  •  iaMe  :  and  those  men  are  not  peculiar  to  tho  Jewish  nation. 

If  there  were  not  a  probability  that  these  letters  may  appear  in  England,  I  would  lay  open  the  whole  of  this 

i.  and  the  character  of  the  man  with  whom  I  unfortunately  became  connected.     But  though  the  Knglihh 

boast  of  tl  f  the  press,  they  enjoy  it  with  such  exceptions  as  are  difficult  to  be  understood  by  a  stranger. 

liidi-i-<l  it  is  nut  understood  by  themselves,  for  they  are  ever  debating  the  subject.    One  of  the  exceptions  to  the 

writing  and  speaking,  and  which  nearly  annihilates  it,  is,  that  truth  constitutes,  or  is  at  least  aii 

:i  of  a  libel.     Satirists,  therefore,  in  this  country  are  strictly  confined  to  falsehood;  and  in  this  it  is  v<-i y 

!«•  they  may  yield  obedience  to  a  learned  judge's  opinion  of  the  law.  It  is  possible,  however,  that  this 
1  lawyer  [Lord  Mansfield?],  being  at  the  head  of  the  King's  Bench,  may  only  aim  to  wrest  from  the  press 
tho  adjudication  and  punishment  of  every  species  of  delinquency ;  and  that  he  considers  reciprocal  defamation  and 
injury  in  the  public  papers  like  duelling,  an  appeal  from  the  laws  to  the  passions  of  individuals.  Be  this  as  it  may, 
I  shall  .-IT  •  >n  the  best  side,  if  I  err  at  all,  by  avoiding  expressions  of  resentment  against  a  character  too  insignificant 
for  public  notice,  and  too  fixed  in  its  habits  to  be  amended  by  reprehension.  It  will  bo  sufficient  to  say  that  he 
attempted  to  take  cruel  advantages  of  my  situation,  and  proposed  such  conditions  of  assistance  as  I  must  have  been 
insane  to  accept. 

\\  hat  to  do  in  these  circumstances  I  was  at  a  loss  to  imagine.  Fatigue,  agitation  of  mind,  and  that  kind  of 
shame  which  attends  a  breach  of  promise,  however  involuntary,  induced  me  to  send  an  apology  to  the  committee 
of  tho  Artillery  Company,  instead  of  waiting  on  them  myself.  Conceiving  this  an  attempt  to  deceive  them,  they 
rescinded  their  former  resolution  respecting  the  appearance  of  the  men  under  arms,  and  ordered  tho  materials  for 
fixing  and  preparing  the  balloon  which  had  been  sent  to  be  thrown  out,  unless  I  paid  tho  hundred  guineas  the 
morning,  and  found  securities  in  five  hundred  pounds  to  indemnify  the  Artillery  Company  for  any  injury  that 
might  be  done  to  the  premises. 

Difficulties  generate  difficulties.  The  man  at  the  Lyceum,  apprised  of  the  resolutions  of  the  Artillery 
I  '<  niipany,  locked  up  my  balloon  and  apparatus,  and  declared  they  should  never  be  removed  until  I  consigned  to 
him  a  moiety  of  all  the  possible  advantages  which  my  present  and  future  enterprises  of  a  similar  kind  might 
produce.  Moderate  oppression  might  have  ruined  me.  Enormous  injustice  rouses  and  interests  the  generous  and 
huma  case  was  soon  known ;  I  was  enabled  to  send  the  money ;  Sir  Watkin  Lewis  and  .Mr.  Kirwan  were 

kind  enough  to  become  securities  to  the  Artillery  Company.     The  magistrates  of  the  police  took  mo  under  their 
protection,  warranted  mo  in  forcibly  wresting  my  balloon  out  of  the  Lyceum,  and  also  protected  me  in  • 
it  to  the  Artillery  Uronml  on  Tuesday,  the  14th,  under  a  guard,  which  was  ordered  by  Sir  Sampson  Wright  ami 
William  Addington,  Esq.,  in  a  manner  that  did  honour  to  their  personal  as  well  as  official  characters. 

.Id  me — I  was  going  to  say — but  I  should  bo  extremely  sorry  if  you  were  to  see  me,  exhausted  with 
fatigue,  anxiety,  and  distress,  at  tin.-  •  <  undertaking  that  requires  my  being  collected,  cool,  and  easy  in 

mind.     The  difficulties  thrown  in  my  way  have  postponed  all  my  preparations;  and  indi.-j>oged  and  exhausted  as  I 


64  TIIEPNE<J>H2.  A.D.  1784. 

am,  I  cannot  avoid  paying  such  attention  to  the  operations  of  this  night  as  will  allow  me  but  little  sleep.  Doctor 
Fordyce  is  applying  his  ingenious  apparatus  to  fill  the  balloon.  The  process  is  admirable,  though  slow ;  but,  1 
hope  by  attending  to  it  all  night,  1  shall  keep  my  appointment  witli  the  public  to-morrow. 

Adieu,  my  honoured  and  respectable  friend;  my  health  and  spirits  are  injured  by  a  series  of  unfortunate  and 

cruel  incidents,  but  if  I  succeed  I  shall  be  abundantly  rewarded.     I  am,  &c.,  yours, 

VINCENT  LUNAEDJ. 

LETTER  V. 

MY  DEAR  FlUEND,  London,  Wednesday,  15. 

The  auspicious  morning  is  arrived,  and  I  will  write  the  occurrences  of  it  as  they  arise,  lest  any  of  those 
supposed  impossibilities  overtake  me  which  have  lately  haunted  my  designs.  I  have  no  apprehension  but  of  the 
populace,  which  is  here,  as  it  is  everywhere,  an  impetuous,  impatient,  and  cruel  tyrant.  A  disappointment  is  an 
ofi'ence,  whatever  be  the  occasion  ;  and  offenders,  in  every  degree,  are  punished  with  the  same  species  of  injustice. 
The  practicability  of  the  experiment,  though  perfectly  known  to  philosophers  and  men  of  letters,  is  not  believed  by 
the  populace ;  and  I  have  their  prejudices  to  remove,  at  the  risk  of  that  resentment  and  violence  which  Sir  George 
Howard  did  not  choose  to  encounter,  even  at  the  head  of  the  veterans  of  the  British  army ;  which  have  made  the 
Artillery  Company  doubt,  hesitate,  resolve,  and  re-resolve;  and  which  will  prevent  those  who  would  wish  to 
encourage  me  from  entering  the  ground. 

Twelve  o'Clock. — The  view  from  the  upper  apartments  of  the  Artillery  House,  into  which  I  sometimes  retire, 
is  striking  and  extraordinary,  and  serves  to  animate  my  imagination  for  scenes  more  extensive  and  picturesque 
which  I  shall  soon  survey. 

The  fear  of  the  populace,  in  case  of  a  disappointment,  has,  as  I  expected,  prevented  my  having  much  company 
in  the  Artillery  Ground.  But  the  windows  and  roofs  of  the  surrounding  houses,  scaffoldings  of  various  forms  and 
contrivances,  are  crowded  with  well-dressed  people,  and  form  a  singular,  and  to  me  very  interesting  spectacle. 
They  have  viewed  for  hours,  with  fixed  and  silent  attention,  the  bustle  around  the  apparatus,  and  the  gradual 
expansion  of  the  balloon.  On  my  left,  in  a  square,  or  rather  parallelogram,  the  largest  I  know  in  Europe,  a  part 
of  the  populace  of  this  immense  place  is  collected  into  one  compressed  and  impenetrable  mass.  The  whole  would 
suggest  to  a  tyrant  the  idea  of  a  pavement  of  human  heads ;  but  I  conceive  the  risk  of  going  up  in  my  balloon 
trifling,  compared  with  that  of  attempting  to  walk  on  the  living  surface  I  now  contemplate.  One  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  countenances  have  all  one  direction  ;  but  I  have  reason  to  be  anxious  not  to  disappoint  such  a  multitude, 
every  one  of  which  has  been  wedged  in  a  painful  situation  the  whole  morning.  You  will  think  me  whimsical, 
perhaps,  in  fixing  my  imagination  at  this  time  on  a  public  institution  of  any  kind.  The  principal  area  which 
contains  the  populace  is  bounded  by  an  extensive  and  noble  building,  devoted  to  the  most  compassionate  and 
affecting  of  all  the  offices  of  benevolence.  It  is  a  retreat  for  the  insane  who  are  not  judged  incurable,  and  it  is 
called  Bedlam.  The  arrangement,  extent,  and  wholesomeness  of  the  apartments,  the  assiduity  and  care  of  the 
governors,  physicians,  and  apothecaries,  and  the  uuabating  liberality  with  which  it  is  supported,  render  it  an 
object  of  universal  respect.  The  figures  of  Frenzy  and  Melancholy  at  its  gate  are  celebrated  throughout  Europe, 
and  are  deemed  barely  inferior  to  the  admired  productions  of  Greek  sculpture.  "Which  of  these  allegorical  beings 
the  people  have  assigned  as  my  patron  I  have  not  learned.  I  suppose  they  may  be  divided  ;  but  they  agree  in  the 
propriety  of  making  my  attempt  near  Bedlam,  as  the  event,  in  their  opinion,  will  render  it  necessary  to  convey 
me  there.  How  happy  should  I  be  if  some  kind  spirit  would  instruct  me  to  emulate  Astolpho  *  on  his  flying  horse, 
and  to  explore  those  regions  where  the  straying  wits  of  mortals  betake  themselves!  But  this  is  not  a  time  for  even 
benevolent  reveries,  and  I  indulge  them  in  any  degree  to  repel  unwelcome  apprehensions. 

Half  after  One. — The  time  fixed  for  my  departure  is  elapsed,  but  the  balloon  is  not  sufficiently  filled  for  the 
purpose.  The  populace  have  given  some  intimations  of  impatience,  and  I  may  yet  be  pro-judged  before  I  make 
my  attempt.  The  presence  of  the  Prince  of  Wales,  and  the  obvious  satisfaction  with  which  he  views  the  progress 
of  the  preparations,  may  remove  the  suspicion  of  deceit,  and  restrain  the  impetuosity  of  the  people.  The 
condescending  affability  of  the  Prince,  and  the  interest  he  deigns  to  express,  by  repeated  wishes  for  the  safety  of 


*  Vide  Ariostu's  '  Orlando  Furioso,'  where  the  Knglish  knight  is  snid  to  have  mounted  to  the  moon,  to  bring  back  the  wits  of  Orlando. 
Query,  Are  not  the  fables  of  flying  horses,  dragons,  &c.,  presumptions  that  the  principle  of  air-balloons  is  not  a  modern  discovery?  (See 
p.  11-14  of  this  work.) 


A.I..  17>I.  THK   I'IMMT.  OF  \\.\l.  IX 

Mr.  l',i  —  m  ami  mo,  are  pleasing  alleviations  of  my  present  anxi.  -ty.  His  Royal  Highness  remains  near  the 
i|.|'i:.i-ii-.  without  p.  in-  i..  ill.-  eompany  in  the  house.  Those  who  attend  liini  pay  their  court,  and  I  dare  say 
-s  their  real  sentiments  by  anxieties  for  his  safety.  They  apprehend  dangers  from  the  apparatus  and  frmu 
tumult*  :  his  l.'..\.il  Highness  apprehends  none,  for  ho  is  really  better  informed,  asks  question*  with  more  judgment. 
ami  .liie.t-  hi-  emio-ity  in  u  better  manner  than  is  usual  to  persons  of  his  high  rank  and  his  early  years.  II. 
seems  now  and  then  to  express  his  wishes  for  our  safety,  as  if  not  destitute  of  doubt.  Indeod  the  whole  company 
\iew  11-  with  a  kind  of  regret,  as  devoted  persons,  whose  return  is  at  least  problematical.  This  is  pleasing  to  MH 
only  as  it  is  a  proof  of  polite  humanity.  \\  •  are  not  under  the  slightest  apprehensions  of  danger  when  once 
.-miiinitt.il  to  the  balloon.  I  must  own  the  concern  betrayed  by  the  looks  of  my  friends,  though  I  know  it  to  be 
without  reason,  has  a  considerable  effect  on  me.  Prince  Caramanico,  my  kind  patron  and  benefactor,  is  evidently 
under  some  apprehension;  and  I  shall  remember,  my  whole  life,  this  unequivocal  proof  of  his  friendship.  As  those 
wh.>  interest  themselves  in  my  fate  bid  me  adieu  in  the  most  expressive,  though  silent  manner,  I  thus  take  my 
leave  of  you.  Whatever  Incomes  of  me,  I  know  this  testimony  of  my  respectful  regard  will  be  affectionately 
leo  i\.  .1  l.y  yi  11.  .V;,.  •:.  i:i\  ii  BQmd  t'n>  1..1.  I  w  .il  MM  lodl  my  1.  -;t.  i  OB  my  i.  :urn. 


Friday  Evening,  24th  September. 

I  w  -I-  this  morning  to  have  been  presented  to  the  King,  but  the  anxiety  and  fatigue  1  had  endured  exhausted 
my  -tii  n-th  and  spirits  in  such  a  manner  as  to  occasion  a  violent  fit  of  sickness,  which  confined  me  to  my  bed, 
and  deprived  me  of  the  honour  and  satisfaction  I  had  promised  myself  on  the  occasion. 

This  is  the.  tii-t  moment  since  my  excursion  I  have  been  able  to  take  up  my  pen  with  the  probability  of 

i;  you  an  account  of  it,  and  I  am  determined  the  post  shall  not  go  out  this  evening  without  it. 

A  little  before  two  o'clock  on  Wednesday,  Mr.  Higgin  and  myself  were  prepared  for  our  expedition.  His 
atti-nti.in  was  all-tied  to  the  philosophical  experiments  and  observations,  mine  to  the  conduct  of  the  machine  and 
the  UNO  iif  the  vertical  oars  in  depressing  the  balloon  at  pleasure. 

Tiie  impatience  of  the  multitude  made  it  unadvisable  to  proceed  in  filling  the  balloon,  so  as  to  give  it  the 
force  it  was  intended  to  have.  On  balancing  that  force  with  weights,  it  was  supposed  incapable  of  taking  us  up. 
\\ht-u  the  gallery  was  annexed,  and  Mr.  Biggin  and  I  got  into  it,  the  matter  was  beyond  doubt;  and  whether 
.Mr.  I'iggin  felt  the  most  regret  in  relinquishing  his  design,  or  I  in  being  deprived  of  his  company,  it  may  be 
difficult  to  determine.  But  we  were  before  a  tribunal  where  an  instantaneous  decision  was  necessary;  for 
h.  --nation  and  delay  would  have  been  construed  into  guilt;  and  the  displeasure  impending  over  us  would  have 
been  fatal,  if  in  one  moment  he  had  not  had  the  heroism  to  relinquish,  and  I  the  resolution  to  go  alone. 

This  event  agitated  my  mind  greatly  ;  a  smaller  gallery  was  substituted  ;  and  the  whole  undertaking  being 
devolvnl  mi  me,  I  was  preparing  accordingly,  when  a  servant  brought  me  word  that  an  accident  had  befallen  the 
balloon,  \\hi.-h  would  prevent  my  intended  voyage.  I  hastened  down,  almost  deprived  of  my  senses;  and  though 
I  was  instantly  convinced  that  the  injury  was  trifling,  I  could  not  recover  the  shock  in  time  to  recollect  that  1 
should  supply  myself  with  those  instruments  for  observation  which  had  been  appointed  to  Mr.  Biggin.  I  threw 
myself  into  the  gallery,  determined  to  hazard  no  further  accidents  that  might  consign  me  and  the  balloon  to  the 
fury  of  the  populace,  which  I  saw  was  on  the  point  of  bursting.  An  affecting,  because  unpremeditated,  testimony 
of  approbation  and  interest  in  my  fate  was  here  given.  The  Prince  of  Wales  and  the  whole  surrounding  assembly, 
almost  at  one  instant,  took  off  their  hats,  hailed  my  resolution,  and  expressed  the  kindest  and  most  cordial  wishes 
for  my  safety  and  success. 

At  five  minutes  after  two  the  last  gun  was  fired,  the  cords  divided,  and  the  balloon  rose,  the  company 
returning  my  signals  of  adieu  with  the  most  unfeigned  acclamations  and  applauses.  The  effect  was  that  of  a  miracle 
on  the  multitudes  which  surrounded  the  place  ;  and  they  passed  from  incredulity  and  menace  into  the  most  extra- 
vagant expressions  of  approbation  and  joy. 

At  the  height  of  twenty  yards  the  balloon  was  a  little  depressed  by  the  wind,  which  had  a  fine  effect;  it  held 
me  over  the  ground  for  a  few  seconds,  and  seemed  to  pause  majestically  before  its  departure. 

On  discharging  a  part  of  the  ballast  it  ascended  to  the  height  of  two  hundred  yards.  As  a  multitude  lay 
before  me  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  people  who  had  not  seen  my  ascent  from  the  ground,  I  had  recourse  to 
every  stratagem  to  let  them  know  I  was  in  the  gallerv,  and  they  literally  rent  the  air  with  their  acclamations  and 
applause.  In  these  stratagems  I  devoted  my  flag  and  worked  with  my  oars,  one  of  which  was  immediately  broken. 
and  fell  from  me.  A  pigeon,  too,  escaped,  which,  with  a  dog  and  cat,  were  the  only  companions  of  uiy  excursion. 

K 


66  THEPNEcDHS.  A.D.  1784. 

When  the  thermometer  had  fallen  from  68°  to  01°  I  perceived  a  great  difference  in  the  temperature  of  the 
air.  I  became  very  cold,  and  found  it  necessary  to  take  a  few  glasses  of  wine.  I  likewise  eat  the  leg  of  a  chicken  ; 
but  my  bread  and  other  provisions  had  been  rendered  useless,  by  being  mixed  with  the  sand  which  I  carried 
as  ballast. 

When  the  thermometer  was  at  50°  the  effect  of  the  atmosphere  and  the  combination  of  circumstances  around 
produced  a  calm  delight,  which  is  inexpressible,  and  which  no  situation  on  earth  could  give.  The  stillness, 
extent,  and  magnificence  of  the  scene,  rendered  it  highly  awful.  My  horizon  seemed  a  perfect  circle ;  the  termi- 
nating line  several  hundred  miles  in  circumference.  This  I  conjectured  from  the  view  of  London,  the  extreme 
points  of  which  formed  an  angle  of  only  a  few  degrees.  It  was  so  reduced  on  the  great  scale  before  me  that  I  can 
find  no  simile  to  convey  an  idea  of  it.  I  could  distinguish  St.  Paul's  and  other  churches  from  the  houses.  I  saw 
the  streets  as  lines,  all  animated  with  beings  whom  I  knew  to  be  men  and  women,  but  which  I  should  otherwise 
have  had  a  difficulty  in  describing.  It  was  an  enormous  beehive  ;  but  the  industry  of  it  was  suspended.  All  the 
moving  mass  seemed  to  have  no  object  but  myself ;  and  the  transition  from  the  suspicion,  and,  perhaps,  contempt 
of  the  preceding  hour,  to  the  affectionate  transport,  admiration,  and  glory  of  the  present  moment,  was  not  without 
its  effect  on  my  mind.  I  recollected  the  puns*  on  my  name,  and  was  glad  to  find  myself  calm.  I  had  soared  from 
the  apprehensions  and  anxieties  of  the  Artillery  Ground,  and  felt  as  if  I  had  left  behind  me  all  the  cares  and 
passions  that  molest  mankind. 

Indeed,  the  whole  scene  before  me  filled  the  mind  with  a  sublime  pleasure,  of  which  I  never  had  a  conception. 
The  critics  imagine — for  they  seldom  speak  from  experience —that  terror  is  an  ingredient  in  every  sublime  sensation. 
It  was  not  possible  for  me  to  be  on  earth  in  a  situation  so  free  from  apprehension.  I  had  not  the  slightest  sense 
of  motion  from  the  machine ;  I  knew  not  whether  it  went  swiftly  or  slowly ;  whether  it  ascended  or  descended  ; 
whether  it  was  agitated  or  tranquil,  but  by  the  appearance  or  disappearance  of  objects  on  the  earth.  I  moved  to 
different  parts  of  the  gallery  ;  I  adjusted  the  furniture  and  apparatus ;  I  uncorked  my  bottle,  eat,  drank,  and  wrote, 
just  as  in  my  study.  The  height  had  not  the  effect  which  a  much  lesser  degree  of  it  has  near  the  earth,  that  of 
producing  giddiness.  The  broomsticks  of  the  witches,  Ariosto's  flying-horse,  and  even  Milton's  sunbeam  conveying 
the  angel  to  the  earth,  have  all  an  idea  of  effort,  difficulty,  and  restraint  which  do  not  affect  a  voyage  in  the 
balloon. 

He  was  the  first,  perhaps,  who  realised  the  beauty  of  Shelley's  chorus  :— 

Cloudless  skies  and  windless  streams, 
Silent,  liquid,  and  serene  ; 
As  the  birds  within  the  wind, 
As  the  fish  within  the  wave, 
As  the  thoughts  of  man's  own  mind 
Float  through  all  above  the  grave, 
We  make  these  our  liquid  lair, 
Voyaging  clondlike  and  unpent 
Through  the  boundless  element. 

Thus  tranquil,  and  thus  situated,  how  shall  I  describe  to  you  a  view  such  as  the  ancients  supposed  Jupiter 
to  have  of  the  earth,  and  to  copy  which  there  are  no  terms  in  any  language?  The  gradual  diminution  of  objects, 
and  the  masses  of  light  and  shade,  are  intelligible  in  oblique  and  common  prospects.  But  here  everything  wore 
a  new  appearance,  and  had  a  new  effect.  The  face  of  the  country  had  a  mild  and  permanent  verdure,  to  which 
Italy  is  a  stranger.  The  variety  of  cultivation,  and  the  accuracy  with  which  property  is  divided,  give  the  idea 
ever  present  to  a  stranger  in  England  of  good  civil  laws  and  an  equitable  administration  :  the  rivers  meandering  ; 
the  sea  glistening  with  the  rays  of  the  sun ;  the  immense  district  beneath  mo  spotted  with  cities,  towns,  villages, 
and  houses,  pouring  out  their  inhabitants  to  hail  my  appearance  :  you  will  allow  me  some  merit  at  not  having  been 
exceedingly  intoxicated  with  my  situation. 

To  prolong  the  enjoyment  of  it,  and  to  try  the  effect  of  my  only  oar,  I  kept  myself  in  the  same  parallel 
respecting  the  earth  for  nearly  half  an  hour.  But  the  exercise  having  fatigued,  and  the  experiment  having  satisfied 
me,  I  laid  aside  my  oar,  and  again  had  recourse  to  my  bottle  :  this  I  emptied  to  the  health  of  my  friends  and 


In  some  of  the  papers,  witticisms  appeared  on  the  affinity  of  Lunatic  and  Lunardi. 


A....  I7M.  Till:   DESCKNT  NK.VK  \\.\\i\:.  IN    II  F.lMTi  »|;|>SI1I  I.T..  67 

benefactors  in  tin-  lower  \vnrM.     All  my  affections  wore  alive,  in  a  manner  not  easily  to  be  conceived;  and  you 
may  bo  assured  th.it  the  sentiment  which  seemed  to  me  most  congenial  to  that  happy  .sit nation  was  gratitude  and 

Iship.  I  will  in.t  refer  to  any  softer  passion.  1  sat  down  and  wrote  four  pages  of  Jcmiltory  observations, 
ami,  ]'ii;!iiir_-  tin  in  to  a  napkin,  committed  them'  to  the  mild  winds  of  the  region,  to  be  convoyed  to  my  honoured 
fiieinl  an. I  patron.  l'i  inre  Caramanico. 

During  this  business  I  had  ascended  rapidly;  for,  on  hearing  the  report  of  a  gun  fired  in  the  Artillery 
Ground,  I  was  induced  to  examine  the  thermometer,  and  f..un.l  it  had  fallen  to  32°.  The  balloon  was  so  much 
inflated  as  to  astmme  the  form  of  an  oblong  splu-roM.  tin-  sh.u-te>t  diameter  of  which  was  in  a  line  with  mo,  though 
I  li  i<l  ascended  with  it  in  the  shape  of  an  inverted  cone,  and  wanting  nearly  ono-third  of  its  full  complement  of 
air.  Having  no  valve,  I  conl.l  mily  open  the  neck  of  the  balloon,  thinking  it  barely  possible  that  the  strong 
.••iii  iii  might  force  out  some  of  the  inflammable  air.  The  condensed  vapour  around  its  nock  was  frozen, 
though  I  found  no  inconvenience  from  the  cold.  The  earth  at  this  point  appeared  like  a  boundless  plain,  whose 
surface  had  variegated  shades,  but  on  which  no  object  could  be  accurately  distinguished. 

I  iii.  n  !M.|  t  ••course  to  the  utmost  use  of  my  single  oar ;  by  hard  and  persevering  labour  I  brought  myself 
within  three  hundred  yards  of  the  earth,  and,  moving  horizontally,  spoke  through  my  trumpet  to  some  country 
people,  from  whom  I  heard  a  confused  noise  in  reply. 

At  half  after  three  o'clock  I  descended  in  a  corn-field,  on  the  common  of  South  Minims,  Hertfordshire, 
where  I  lumli-il  iliccat.*  The  poor  animal  had  been  sensibly  affected  by  the  cold  during  the  greatest  part  of  the 
voyage.  Here  I  might  have  terminated  my  excursion  with  satisfaction  and  honour  to  myself ;  for,  though  I  was 
not  destitute  of  ambition  to  be  the  first  to  ascend  the  English  atmosphere,  my  great  object  was  to  ascertain  the 
effect  of  oars  acting  vertically  on  the  air.  I  had  lost  one  of  my  oars,  but  by  the  use  of  the  other  I  had  brought 
myself  down,  and  was  perfectly  convinced  my  invention  would  answer.  This,  though  a  single,  was  an  important 
object ;  and  my  satisfaction  was  very  great  in  having  proved  its  utility.  The  fatigues  and  anxiety  I  have  endured 
might  have  induced  me  to  be  content  with  what  I  had  done,  and  the  people  about  me  were  very  ready  to  assist  at 
my  disembarkation ;  but  my  affections  were  afloat,  and  in  unison  with  the  whole  country,  whose  transport  and 
admiration  seemed  boundless.  I  bid  them  therefore  keep  clear,  and  I  would  gratify  them  by  ascending  directly  in 
their  view. 

My  general  course  to  this  place  was  something  more  than  one  point  to  the  westward  of  the  north.  A  gentle- 
man on  horseback  approached  me,  but  I  could  not  speak  to  him,  being  intent  on  my  re-ascension,  which  I  effected, 
after  moving  horizontally  about  forty  yards.  As  I  ascended  one  of  the  balustrades  of  the  gallery  gave  way,  but 
the  circumstance  excited  no  apprehension  of  danger.  I  threw  out  the  remainder  of  my  ballast  and  provisions,  and 
again  resumed  my  pen.  My  ascension  was  so  rapid  that  before  I  had  written  half  a  page  the  thermometer  had 
fallen  to  29°.  The  drops  of  water  that  had  adhered  to  the  neck  of  the  balloon  wore  become  like  crystals.  At  this 
point  of  elevation,  which  was  the  highest  I  attained,  I  finished  my  letter,  and  fastening  it  with  a  corkscrew  to  jnj* 
handkerchief,  threw  it  down.  I  likewise  threw  down  the  plates,  knives,  and  forks,  the  little  sand  that  remained, 
and  an  empty  bottle,  which  took  some  time  in  disappearing.  I  now  wrote  the  last  of  my  despatches  from  the 
clouds,  which  1  fixed  to  a  leathern  belt,  and  sent  towards  the  earth.  It  was  visible  to  mo  on  its  passage  for 
several  minutes,  but  I  was  myself  insensible  of  motion  from  the  machine  itself  during  the  whole  voyage.  The 
earth  appeared  as  before,  like  an  extensive  plain,  with  the  same  variegated  surface,  but  the  objects  rather  less 
distinguishable.  The  clouds  to  the  eastward  rolled  beneath  me  in  masses  immensely  larger  than  the  waves  of  the 
ocean.  I  therefore  did  not  mistake  them  for  the  sea.  Contrasted  with  the  effects  of  the  sun  on  the  earth  and 
water  beneath,  they  gave  a  grandeur  to  the  whole  scene  which  no  fancy  can  describe.  I  again  betook  myself  to 
my  oar,  in  order  to  descend,  and  by  the  hard  labour  of  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  I  accomplished  my  design,  when 
my  strength  was  nearly  exhausted.  My  principal  care  was  to  avoid  a  violent  concussion  at  landing,  and  in  this 
my  good  fortune  was  my  friend. 

At  twenty  minutes  past  four  I  descended  in  a  spacious  meadow,  in  the  parish  of  Standon,  near  Ware,  in 
Hertfordshire.  Some  labourers  were  at  work  in  it.  I  requested  their  assistance;  they  exclaimed  they  would 
have  nothing  to  do  with  one  who  came  in  the  Devil's  house,  or  on  the  Devil's  horse  (I  conld  not  distinguish  which 
of  the  phrases  they  used),  and  no  entreaties  could  prevail  on  them  to  approach  me.  I  at  last  owed  my  deliverance 


•  Attraction*  of  particular  circumstance*  in  this  Kit. -r  Imvc  been  received  iince  it  WAS  written,  which  the  rvader  may  aeo  annexed,  in 
the  manner  of  an  Appendix. 

K    2 


(58  TIIEPNE<I>H2.  A.D.  1784. 

to  the  spirit  and  generosity  of  a  female.  A  young  woman,  who  was  likewise  in  the  field,  took  hold  of  a  cord  which 
I  had  thrown  out,  and,  calling  to  the  men,  they  yielded  that  assistance  to  her  request  which  they  had  refused  to 
mine.  A  crowd  of  people  from  the  neighbourhood  soon  assembled,  who  very  obligingly  assisted  me  to  disembark. 
General  Smith  was  the  first  gentleman  who  overtook  me.  I  am  much  indebted  to  his  politeness  ;  he  kindly  assisted 
in  securing  the  balloon,  having  followed  me  on  horseback  from  London,  as  did  several  other  gentlemen,  amongst 
whom  were  Mr.  Crane,  Captain  Connor,  and  Mr.  Wright.  The  inflammable  air  was  let  out  by  an  incision,  and 
produced  a  most  offensive  stench,  which  is  said  to  have  affected  the  atmosphere  of  the  neighbourhood.  The 
apparatus  was  committed  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Hollingsworth,  who  obligingly  offered  his  service.  I  then  proceeded 
with  General  Smith,  and  several  other  gentlemen,  to  the  Bull  Inn  at  Ware.  On  my  arrival  I  had  the  honour  to  be 
introduced  to  William  Baker,  Esq.,  Member  for  Hertford  in  the  last  parliament.  This  gentleman  conducted  me  to 
his  seat  at  Bayfordbury,  and  entertained  me  with  a  kind  of  hospitality  and  politeness  which  I  shall  ever  remember 
with  gratitude,  and  which  has  impressed  on  my  mind  a  proper  idea  of  that  frank  liberality  and  sincere  beneficence 
which  are  the  characteristics  of  English  gentlemen. 

The  general  course  of  the  second  part  of  my  voyage,  by  which  I  was  led  into  Hertfordshire,  was  three 
points  to  the  eastward  of  the  north  from  the  Artillery  Ground,  and  about  four  points  to  the  eastward  of  the  north 
from  the  place  where  I  first  descended. 

This  is  the  general  account  of  my  excursion.  I  shall  take  a  few  days  to  recover  my  strength,  and  whatever 
particulars  occur  to  me  I  shall  send  you. 

VINCENT  LUNARDI. 

LETTER  VI. 
MY  DEAR  FRIEND, 

I  should  at  this  time  have  as  much  difficulty  in  describing  the  effect  of  my  success  on  the  whole  English 
nation  as  I  had  in  conveying  to  you  an  idea  of  the  apprehension  and  distress  I  felt  lest  any  untoward  circumstances 
should  prevent  or  defeat  my  undertaki  ng. 

The  interest  which  the  spectators  took  in  my  voyage  was  so  great  that  the  things  I  threw  down  were  divided 
and  preserved,  as  our  people  would  relics  of  the  most  celebrated  saints.  And  a  gentlewoman,  mistaking  the  oar 
for  my  person,  was  so  affected  with  my  supposed  destruction  that  she  died  in  a  few  days.  This  circumstance  being 
mentioned  on  Saturday,  when  I  had  the  honour  of  dining  with  the  Judges,  Lord  Mayor,  Recorder,  and  Sheriffs  of 
London,  I  was  very  politely  requested  by  one  of  the  Judges  not  to  be  concerned  at  the  involuntary  loss  I  had 
occasioned ;  that  I  had  certainly  saved  the  life  of  a  young  man  who  might  possibly  be  reformed,  and  be  to  the 
public  a  compensation  for  the  death  of  the  lady;  for  the  jury  was  deliberating  on  the  fate  of  a  criminal  whom,  after 
the  utmost  allowance  for  some  favourable  circumstances,  they  must  have  condemned,  when  the  balloon  appeared, 
and  a  general  inattention  and  confusion  ensued.  The  jury  was  perplexed  with  considerations  on  the  case,  which 
their  curiosity  would  not  suffer  them  to  weigh ;  and  being  under  a  necessity  to  determine  before  they  departed, 
they  took  the  favourable  side,  and  acquitted  the  criminal  immediately,  on  which  the  court  was  adjourned  to  indulge 
itself  in  observing  so  novel  a  spectacle. 

I  mention  these  things,  as  they  may  prepare  you  for  the  reception  I  was  honoured  with  on  my  return  to 
London.  No  voyager  from  the  most  interesting  and  extensive  discoveries,  no  conqueror  from  the  most  important 
victories  was  ever  inquired  for  with  more  solicitude,  or  welcomed  with  greater  joy.  The  house  of  Prince  Caramanico 
had  been  besieged  by  multitudes,  early  and  late,  to  have  some  account  of  my  safety,  or  to  applaud  my  return. 

You  may  suppose  when  I  came  to  town  I  hastened  to  Caramanico,  who  received  mo  with  every  mark  of 
affection  and  condescending  friendship. 

Here  circumstances  of  gratulation  and  joy  crowded  on  me  every  hour.  I  was  flattered  by  learning  that  while 
I  hovered  over  London  His  Majesty  was  in  conference  with  his  principal  Ministers.  On  being  informed  that  I  was 
passing,  the  King  said,  "  We  may  resume  our  deliberations  on  the  subject  before  us  at  pleasure  ;  but  we  may  never 
see  poor  Lunardi  again."  The  conference  broke  up,  and  His  Majesty,  attended  by  Mr.  Pitt  and  other  great  officers 
of  state,  viewed  me  through  telescopes  while  I  remained  in  their  horizon. 

I  had  received  insults  which  I  thought  cruel  by  persons  whose  houses  overlooked  the  ground,  who  erected 
scaffolds  and  let  out  their  rooms,  so  as  to  deprive  me  of  a  chance  of  having  my  expenses  defrayed.  I  was  no  sooner 
returned  but  some  of  these  people  hastened  to  atone  for  their  misapprehensions  of  me.  They  had  considered  and 
treated  me  as  an  impostor.  My  ascension,  as  a  charm,  dissipated  their  ill  opinion,  and  gave  them  an  enthusiasm 


ux  IT-I.  -THK  MOI;NIN<;  TOST'  or  -rrn:Mr,i:i:  ICTH,  IT>I.  M 

in  my  i  i\..ur.  I  am  offered  tli<>  houses  and  scaffoldings  for  my  own  tiro,  if  I  choose  to  exhibit  again.  These things 
show  the  iiii]xirtain  :  ~>  in  all  undertakings  which  are  not  thoroughly  understood  by  the  multitude.  I  am 

iiitfiHliuvil  not  niily  into  piivate  families,  but  into  public  institutions,  with  tho  most  advantageous  and  flattering 
distinctions.  The  civilities  of  tho  Lord  Mayor,  tho  Judges,  and  other  magistrates,  led  me  into  the  Courts  of  Law; 
and,  though  I  had  made  them  objects  of  curiosity,  I  had  never  attended  trials  in  circumstances  so  favourable  to  infor- 
mation. Kvery  precaution  \vhieh  tho  wisdom  of  man  can  devise  seems  to  be  taken  here  to  administer  equal  justice 

en  all  contending  parties.  The  judges  are  appointed  by  the  king,  but  rendered  independent  by  an  ample 
pm\  i,ii,n  for  their  support,  and  by  the  tenure  of  their  places,  which  is  during  good  behaviour,  and  a  proper  dis- 
charge of  their  duty.  But  the  peculiar  happiness  of  English  jurisprudence  is  the  appointment  of  juries  from  tho 
neighbourhood  of  every  offender  to  adjudge  his  particular  case.  The  hint  is  taken  from  tho  appointment  of  judges 
in  the  courts  of  the  Pnetors  in  the  Roman  republic;  but  those  judges  were  chosen  wholly  from  tho  citizens  of 
Rome.  In  Kn- l.ind  every  dispute  is  decided  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  neighbourhood,  who  ore  obliged  to  attend 
the  parties  to  the  assizes,  because  the}*  alone  are  capable  of  determining  the  nature  of  their  actions,  from  a  know- 
ledge of  their  circumstances  and  characters.  It  is  extraordinary  that  Rome,  who  gave  the  first  hints  of  this  ad- 
mirable mode  of  trial,  should  be  insensible  to  its  advantages,  and  perhaps  ignorant  of  its  existence. 

My  fame  has  not  been  sparingly  diffused  by  the  newspapers,  which  in  England  are  tho  barometers  of  public 
opinion  ;  often  erroneous,  as  other  instruments  are,  in  their  particular  informations,  but  yielding  tho  best  that  can 
be  obtained.  Vc.n  will  imagine  the  importance  of  these  vehicles  of  knowledge,  when  you  learn  that  in  London 
alone  there  are  printed  no  less  than  a  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  papers  weekly,  which,  by  a  stamp  on  each  paper, 
and  a  duty  on  advertisements,  bring  into  the  treasury  of  the  nation  upwards  of  eighty  thousand  pounds  a  year. 
They  are  to  tho  English  constitution  what  the  censors  were  to  that  of  ancient  Rome.  Ministers  of  State  are  checked 
and  kept  in  awe  by  them;  and  they  freely,  and  often  judiciously,  expose  the  pretensions  of  those  who  would  harass 
government,  merely  to  be  taken  into  its  service.  But  tho  principal  reason  of  their  extensive  circulation  is  the 
information  and  entertainment  they  afford  an  opulent  people,  who  have  leisure  and  inclination  to  interest  them- 
selves in  all  public  occurrences.  On  this  account  the  conductors  of  newspapers  seize  every  opportunity  of  convey- 
ing the  earliest  information  of  all  the  events  that  take  place  in  the  kingdom ;  and  though  they  must  be  often  mis- 
taken, yet  the  dexterity  with  which  they  trace  all  sources  of  intelligence  is  such  that  they  are  generally  right 

I  have  reason  to  thank  the  managers  of  all  tho  papers  for  their  candour  and  partiality  to  mo.  I  send  you  an 
account  from  one  of  them,  written  and  published  within  a  few  hours  after  my  descent,  founded  only  on  immediate 
observation  and  conjecture.  You  will  thereby  form  your  opinion  of  the  attention  and  industry  employed  in  these 
prints  on  all  similar,  and  indeed  on  all  interesting  occasions,  and  you  may  amuse  yourself  by  comparing  their  con- 
jectures with  facts. 

"FROM  'THE  MORS'IXO  POST,'  THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  16TH,  1784. — LlJXARDl's  AERIAL  EXCURSION. 

"  To  combat  the  prejudices  of  a  nation,  and  the  incredulity  of  mankind,  especially  when  deterred  by  examples  of 
resentment  in  consequence  of  deception  or  misfortune,  when  awed  by  the  danger  incurred  in  experiment  and  the 
uncertainty  of  success  in  the  project,  must  certainly  require  the  greatest  effort  of  human  resolution.  Whilst  we 
are  recollecting  the  occasion,  which  collected  one-tenth  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  metropolis  within  tho  optical 
powers  of  an  individual,  we  t^nnot  help  indulging  ourselves  in  these  eccentric  reflections.  The  aerial  voyage, 
which  has  long  been  proposed  by  Mr.  Lunardi,  was  appointed  for  yesterday,  and  perhaps  the  English  nation  never 
witnessed  upon  any  occasion  whatever  such  a  number  of  persons  collected  together  and  so  Irftily  displayed  as  were 
to  be  seen  in  the  environs  of  Moorfields;  not  a  plain  or  an  eminence,  a  window  or  a  roof,  a  chimney  or  a  steeple, 
within  the  view  of  Hedlam,  but  were  prodigiously  thronged.  About  half-past  one  o'clock  the  Prince  of  \Vah-s 
arrived  in  the  Artillery  (inmnd.  and  after  receiving  the  salutations  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  Artillery,  though  not 
it  la  militairr  but  en  obeistance  cajxt-pie,  his  Royal  Highness  having  expressed  a  wish  to  dispense  with  military  atten- 
tions, he  \iewed  the  apparatus  of  the  balloon  and  retired  to  the  Armoury  House,  which  was  occupied  by 
persons  who  had  liberally  paid  the  adventurer  for  their  admission.  We  were  sorry  indeed  to  observe  tliat  such 
general  advantages  had  been  taken  by  the  neighbourhood  of  farming  their  windows,  and  for  benefits  which  were 
due  only  to  the  novelty  and  spirit  of  the  enterprise.  About  a  quarter  before  two  o'clock  the  balloon  was  suffi- 
ciently filled  and  closed,  and  the  gallery  and  other  apparatus  prepared  to  be  suspended ;  but  on  Mr.  Lunardi  and 


70  TIIEPNE<DH2.  A.D.  1784. 

his  intended  companion,  whom  wo  understand  to  he  Mr.  Biggin,  a  young  gentleman  of  fortune  and  enterprise, 
having  taken  their  situations,  and  finding  that  the  machine  was  tmequal  to  their  weight,  it  was  determined  that 
Mr.  Lunardi  should  ascend  alone.     A  cannon  having  been  fired  as  a  preparatory  signal,  Mr.  Lunardi,  having 
embraced  his  friends,  and  all  matters  being  adjusted,  a  second  cannon  was  fired  as  the  signal  of  ascension.     In- 
sensible must  that  heart  be  which  did  not  feel  itself  anxious  and  interested  at  that  moment  for  the  fate  of  him, 
who  intrepidly  stepped  into  his  seat,  and,  Phaeton-like,  seized  the  reins  which  were  to  guide  the  chariot  of  the  sun. 
About  five  minutes  after  two  o'clock  the  machine  was  launched ;  and  as  if  dreading  the  course  it  had  to  run,  and 
unwilling  to  proceed,  after  having  mounted  about  twelve  yards,  it  reclined  to  its  native  earth;  but  roused  by 
ambition  and  the  spirit  of  philosophical  researches,  Mr.  Lunardi  rebuked  its  fear,  and  gave  its  swiftness  to  its  airy 
flight.     He  took  his  seat  in  the  gallery  with  great  composure  and  confidence  on  the  balloon's  being  launched  ;  but 
finding  himself  too  equally  poised,  he  readily  discharged  part  of  his  ballast,  which  consisted  of  small  bags  of  white 
dry  sand,  and  by  that  means  relieved  his  weight  and  caused  a  regular  and  most  beautiful  ascension.     After  he  had 
cleared  the  buildings,  subject  to  the  direction  of  the  easterly  wind,  he  saluted  the  populace  with  great  elegance  and 
gallantry  by  waving  a  blue  flag,  which  he  had  taken  for  the  purpose,  and  seemingly  bidding  them  a  friendly  adieu. 
The  gallery  was  formed  of  an  upright  four  feet  square,  and  netted  with  a  strong  cord,  about  breast  high,  but  quite 
open  at  the  top.     After  this  salutation,  for  the  space  of  five  minutes  he  dropt  his  flag  with  an  air  of  security,  and 
having  seated  himself,  took  to  his  oars ;  but  as  we  since  learn,  finding  they  compressed  the  wind  too  much,  he 
disengaged  one,  which  was  taken  up  about  Smithfield  :  at  that  time  his  friends  were  alarmed  for  the  consequence. 
Steering  at  this  moment  due  west,  he  suddenly  tacked  towards  the  north,  and  with  little  variations,  according 
to  the  altitude  he  obtained,  till  he  seemed  by  degrees  to  establish  that  direction,  his  progress  seemed  exceedingly 
elevated  and  swift,  although  the  balloon  appeared  under  masterly  management.     We  viewed  this  object,  never- 
theless, distinctly  for  one  hour  and  twenty  minutes,  with  a  mixture  of  anxiety  and  delight,  not  unalloyed,  however, 
by  a  friendly  dread  for  the  ultimate  effect,  until  we  were  this  moment  relieved  by  the  following  intelligence  from 
very  good  authority,  viz.,  that  Mr.  Lunardi  lowered  himself  towards  the  earth  near  Barnet,  but  not  approving  the 
situation  and  finding  he  had  the  command  of  his  machine,  he  discharged  a  part  of  his  ballast  and  pursued  his  course 
until  he  arrived  over  Collier's-hill,  five  miles  beyond  Ware,  in  Hertfordshire,  at  twenty-five  minutes  past  four 
o'clock ;  there  he  alighted,  and  was  received  by  the  neighbourhood  with  testimonies  of  admiration.*     He  afterwards 
returned  to  town,  where  no  doubt  his  friends  and  every  true  lover  of  courage  and  merit  will  receive  him  with 
friendship  and  respect.     His  companions  in  this  adventurous  voyage  were  a  dog  and  cat ;  the  latter  was  destroyed, 
and  the  dog  was  almost  spent  by  the  severity  of  climates  through  which  they  passed.     Mr.  Lunardi  himself  was,  of 
course,  affected  by  the  change  of  elements,  as  may  be  readily  conceived  by  those  who  are  told  that  icicles  were 
hanging  on  his  clothes. 

Such  were  the  incidents  of  yesterday,  and  we  heartily  wish  that  the  effects  may  be  valuable  to  the  projector. 
Every  Englishman  should  feel  an  emulation  to  reward  him ;  for  uncertain  as  the  good  to  be  derived  from  such  an 
excursion  may  be  thought,  yet  it  becomes  the  nobleness  of  our  nature  to  encourage  them.  Discoveries  beyond  the 
reach  of  human  comprehension  at  present  may  by  perseverance  be  accomplished.  Emulation  and  industry  are  a 
debt  which  is  due  to  posterity,  and  he  who  shrinks  from  innovation  is  not  his  country's  friend.  Encouragement  is 
the  spur  to  emulation,  and  emulation  the  parent  frequently  of  excellence ;  let  Mr.  Lunardi,  therefore,  be  rescued 
by  a  generous  public  out  of  the  hands  of  a  villain,  who  has  emphatically  been  described  as  being  industrious  only 
in  matters  wherein  honest  men  would  be  ashamed,  but  to  whom  Mr.  Lunardi  has  been  a  dupe  in  this  undertaking 
and  injured  instead  of  being  benefited  by  the  danger  he  has  encountered." 

On  the  Sunday  immediately  after  my  return  I  had  the  honour  of  waiting  on  Sir  James  Wright,  who  had  been 
politely  solicitous  to  give  me  testimonies  of  his  approbation.  Ho  had  the  goodness  to  represent  to  His  Majesty 


"  The  vulgar  and  the  great 

Equally  happy  now,  with  freedom  share 
The  common  joy.     The  shepherd-boy  forgets 
His  bleating  care ;  the  labouring  hind  lets  fall 
His  grain  unsown ;  in  transport  lost,  he  robs 
Th'  expecting  furrow,  and  in  wild  amaze 
The  gazing  village  point  their  eyes  to  heaven. 


A.n. 


IM;I>I:\  i  ATION  m  mi;  KIN,,  71 


that  I  \\-i.slu  •.!  to  lay  an  account  of  my  voyage  at  Ilia  Majesty's  foot,  wlio  appointed  Friday  fur  my  attendance  at 
St.  James's. 

On  Wednesday  Sir  James  Wright  took  me  to  court  The  drawing-room  was  very  crowded,  it  being  the 
anniversary  of  tin-  Kind's  Coronation.  I  was  surrouiul.il  with  tin-  ministers  of  state  and  the  nobility,  when  the 
Pun.  ••  of  \\  .<!•  -  entered  the  drawing-room.  My  penou  was  pointed  out  to  him  by  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  State, 
mi  which  IP-  .-aid  in  tin-  liv.lv  ami  familiar  manner  which  i-  peculiar  l<>  him.  "  <  >  .Mr.  I.unanli,  I  am  very  glad  to 
As  a  proof  of  the  attention  of  this  amiable  Prince,  I  must  let  you  know  he  did  mo  the  hon..ur  t.. 
scn.l  his  i;.[.i.  :  •  •.  to  say  he  observed  at  my  ascension  I  hud  not  a  watch  describing  seconds  of  time,  as  I  was  under 
a  necessity  of  borrowing  ouo  fr.iin  Mr.  Anbcrt,  who  has  since  honoured  mo  with  his  friendly  attention,  and  that 
hi.-  i;..yal  Highness  had  ordered  his  watchmaker  to  take  my  directions  for  such  a  one  as  might  bo  useful  to  me 
another  time.  <  >n  m.  •ntioiiing  this  circumstance  to  Prince  Caramanico,  he  immediately  said  I  might  want  such  a 
watch  Wfore  that  whii  h  was  ordered  by  the  Prince  of  Wales  could  be  ready,  and  taking  out  his  own,  presented  it 
t<>  in.-  in  tin-  km.  I.  M  manner  imaginable. 

The  rumour  that  1  had  sunk  a  considerable  sum  of  money  by  the  adventure  was  soon  circulated,  and  sub- 
.-.  -ripti  ..ns  have  been  opened  in  several  parte  of  London  for  my  advantage;  but  with  what  effect  I  must  not  yet 
presume  to  judge. 

But  you  will  wonder,  perhaps,  that  I  should  think  it  necessary  on  this  occasion  to  become  an  author. 
Spurious  accounts  and  misrepresentations  of  my  excursion,  have  been  published  by  booksellers  of  some  considera- 
tion here.  They  have  been  reprehended  freely  and  perhaps  severely  by  my  publisher,  who  is  very  warm  and 
zealous  for  my  interest,  and  who  suggested  to  me  the  plan  of  revising  and  publishing  my  letters  to  you,  as  necessary 
to  the  reputation  of  my  undertaking,  and  likely  to  bo  conducive  to  my  advantage.  Ho  is  a  man  of  spirit  and 
judgment  in  his  profession,  whose  name  is  already  familiar  to  you  and  all  the  world  by  his  complete  and  beautiful 
•n  of  the  English  poets.  1  have  yielded  to  his  advice,  and  entertain  the  fullest  confidence  that  under  his 
direction  my  enterprise  will  not  bo  dishonoured.  Ho  is  now  soliciting  the  attention  of  the  public  towards  a  new 
edit  i..n  of  Shak-pearo's  works,  which,  by  the  elegance  of  the  specimen  ho  has  produced,  promises  to  render  an 
author,  whose  genius  is  here  deemed  only  short  of  inspiration,  celebrated  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  not  exempting 
ili  <>-.•  where  his  native  language  is  not  understood.  Permit  me,  as  a  mark  of  gratitude,  to  recommend  that  work, 
in  its  infant  state,  to  your  protection  and  encouragement.  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  entering  your  name  as  a 
subscril>cr,  and  hope  soon  to  have  the  pleasure  of  adding  many  more  by  your  means. 

Most  of  my  time  is  now  taken  np  with  the  exhibition  of  the  balloon,  and  indeed  of  myself;  for  the  principal 
curio-it  \  is  to  see  me,  at  the  Pantheon,  which  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  splendid  rooms  in  Europe.  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  imagine  anything  more  pleasing  than  the  solicitude  which  multitudes  of  beautiful  women  express  concerning 
dangers  that  are  past,  and  the  heroism  of  others  who  wish  to  accompany  me  in  my  second  tour.  I  receive  the 
compliments  and  congratulations  of  two  or  three  thousand  persons  in  a  day.  You  must  not  wonder  if  I  conceive 
an  opinion  of  my  own  consequence  and  become  vain.  I  have  been  made  an  honorary  member  of  the  Artillery 
Company,  in  whose  uniform  I  accompanied  Sir  James  Wright  this  morning,  to  lay  before  His  Majesty  a  short 
account  of  my  excursion. 

I  was  received  in  the  most  gracious  manner.  The  King  took  my  account,  talked  to  me  about  five  minutes  on 
the  subject  of  aerostation,  permitted  the  usual  honour  of  kissing  his  hand,  and  I  took  my  leave. 

1  have  led  you,  my  dear  friend,  through  my  apprehensions,  difficulties,  and  anxieties,  to  the  completion  of 
almost  all  my  wishes  respecting  the  first  attempt  I  made  to  place  myself  on  the  records  of  fame. 

It  has  been  no  small  assistance  to  me  that  I  have  ever  wished  not  to  dishonour  your  care,  advice,  and 
friendship  ;  and  it  heightens  every  gratification  that  I  can  always  subjoin 

I  am  your  sincere  and  affectionate  friend, 

Yiv  !         MSIH. 

Having  wrote  several  letters,  while  on  my  excursion  in  the  atmosphere,  I  had  several  inducements  to  employ 
myself  in  that  manner.  It  proved  the  astonishing  evenness  and  smoothness  of  the  motion  ;  and,  l.y  throwing  down 
any  information  of  myself,  there  was  a  chance  of  its  falling  into  the  hands  of  my  friends,  and  relieving  tin  -ir  an\i.  ty 
concerning  my  safety,  and  the  state  of  my  spirits  and  mind. 

I  threw  down  several  to  the  same  effect  with  the  following,  one  of  which  was  very  obligingly  convey.  -d  t.. 


72  TIIEPNE<DH2.  A.D.  1784. 

me  by Carimajor,  Esq.,  who  found  it,  not  very  far  from  the  milestone  on  Northaw  Common,  while  out  a 

shooting.     I  have  collated  my  own  copies,  written  with  a  pencil ;  and  the  following  letter  is  inserted,  as  an  addi- 
tional proof  of  the  felicity  with  which  I  performed  the  whole  voyage  : — 

Addressed  to  any  Person  or  Persons  who  may  pick  up  this  Letter. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND  OR  FRIENDS, 

The  anxiety  which  my  acquaintance  showed  at  my  departure  makes  it  necessary  to  assure  them  that  my 
situation  is,  at  this  moment,  the  happiest  of  my  life.  The  relief  of  my  mind,  and  the  accomplishment  of  my 
purpose,  which  I  now  see  is  practicable  in  all  respects,  concur  with  the  temperature  of  the  air  and  the  magnificence 
of  prospect  to  sooth  and  gratify  my  mind  with  the  highest  delight.  The  thermometer  is  at  50°,  and  I  will  keep 
myself  in  this  station  till  three  o'clock ;  I  shall  then  ascend  higher,  to  try  the  effect  of  a  different  aerial  climate, 
as  well  as  to  put  my  oar  to  a  fair  trial. 

I  beg  the  person  or  persons  who  may  take  up  this  letter  to  take  notice  of  the  time  and  place,  and  to  convey 
either  the  letter  or  the  contents  of  it  to  my  kind  friend  and  patron,  Prince  Caramanico,  No.  56,  in  New  Bond- 
street,  to  Sir  Joseph  Banks,  Soho-square,  or  to  Doctor  Fordyce,  Essex-street,  to  whom  I  have  many  and  great 
obligations,  and  who  may  have  the  goodness  to  be  concerned,  if  they  should  soon  learn  I  am  cheerful  and  well. 

I  am  particularly  anxious  that  the  earliest  information  of  me  should  be  given  to  George  Biggin,  Esq.,  Essex- 
street,  the  loss  of  whose  company  is  the  only  abatement  of  my  present  joy ;  but  I  hope  for  that  pleasure  another 
time. 

My  desire  to  convey  some  news  of  me  is  from  an  opinion  that  my  descent  may  not  be  effected  immediately, 
or  within  the  distance  of  forty  or  fifty  miles.  In  that  case  I  might  not  be  able  to  convey  them  any  letter  or 
message  in  time  to  save  them  uneasiness  on  my  account.  It  is  now  exactly  three  o'clock,  the  air  has  a  mildness 
and  sweetness  I  never  experienced,  and  the  view  before  me  is  heavenly.  Happy  England !  I  see  reasons  to  hail 

thy  peculiar  felicity ! 

Farewell, 

VINCENT  LUNARDI. 

To  VINCENT  LUNARDI,  ESQ. 

SlR)  Bayford,  near  Hertford,  September  18,  1784. 

I  send  you  this  by  my  servant,  that  I  may  learn  from  yourself  what  I  am  extremely  anxious  to  hear,  that 
your  health  has  not  suffered  by  your  late  fatigues,  that  your  balloon  arrived  in  London  without  injury,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  acquaint  you  with  the  further  steps  I  have  taken  in  your  business. 

Yesterday  morning  I  made  to  the  very  spot  where  your  balloon  in  its  passage  touched  the  ground,  and  where 
your  cat  was  landed;  and  with  the  assistance  of  several  people  who  were  witnesses,  particularly  of  a  person  whom 
you  may  recollect  to  have  been  near  the  balloon  at  the  time  on  horseback,  and  of  the  very  girl  who  picked  up  the 
cat,  have  ascertained  the  place  with  a  sufficient  precision.  They  pointed  out  the  part  also  where  your  grapple 
dragged,  and  mentioned  some  other  circumstances,  the  most  of  which  I  propose  to  collect  into  a  formal  deposition, 
and  shall  attend  them  again  to-day  to  obtain  their  more  solemn  confirmation  of  the  facts. 

Yesterday,  at  my  request,  five  of  the  harvest-men,  mentioned  in  the  deposition  of  Elizabeth  Brett  (which  you 
have  with  you)  attended  me  here,  and  have  in  the  same  formal  mode  deposed  to  the  time,  manner,  and  place  of 
your  last  descent,  and  to  the  fact  of  their  coming  to  the  assistance  of  Elizabeth  Brett,  as  stated  by  her.  This 
deposition  shall  accompany  the  other,  which  I  am  to  take  to-day,  and  you  will  make  such  use  of  them  as  you  may 
find  necessary.  I  cannot,  however,  avoid  saying  that  admiration  and  astonishment  seem  so  thoroughly  to  have 
taken  possession  of  all  ranks  of  people  instead  of  that  incredulity  which  your  friend,  Mr.  Sheldon,  apprehended, 
that  these  supplemental  proofs  are  hardly  required.  If  finally  they  should,  however,  be  thought  requisite,  it  will 
give  mo  particular  pleasure  in  having  procured  them.  Whatever  you  may  bo  advised  by  your  friends  in  London 
to  give  to  the  public  will,  I  have  no  doubt,  be  well  considered :  it  cannot  be  detailed  in  terms  too  plain  and 
simple.  You  must  bo  sensible  that  the  fafons  de  purler  here  and  in  France  arc  extremely  different,  and  that  truth 
has  never  received  advantage  from  unnecessary  ornament.  You  will  recollect,  too,  that  the  account  will  be  read 
by  thousands,  who  were  not  witnesses  of  the  facts.  You  will  make  such  use  of  the  subjoined  memorandum  as  you 
think  necessary. 


u> 
oo 


A.I..  1781  i'i:rn>iTH»\s.  78 

\  our  ;_"  in T.il  course  from  the  spot  of  your  departure,  in  the  Artillery  Ground,  1o  that  of  your  first  de-scent, 
was  something  more  than  ono  point  on  the  compass  to  the  westward  of  the  north,  ami  the  general  ooune  of  your 
second  voyage  was  three  pointa  on  the  compass  to  the  eastward  of  the  north  fnnn  tin-  jil.i.-.-  .,('  \  ,.ur  first  departure, 
or  something  mure  than  four  points  on  the  compaas  to  the  eastward  of  the  north  from  the  place  of  your  first  descent: 
observe,  I  speak  of  v.-m  ••  -rul  course,  with  a  reference  to  the  best  maps  which  1  have  1>y  me.  \\hat  deviations 
<>r  tmvoraes  you  might  make  from  time  to  time  in  both  voyages,  as  you  certainly  must  have  made  many,  you  will 
best  judge.  As  a  proof  of  this,  you  will  recollect  that  the  field  in  which  the  last  letter  with  the  belt  annexed  was 
found,  lies  about  one  mile  and  a  half  to  the  eastward,  being  a  point  to  the  south  of  the  spot  whore  you  finally 
landed :  if,  therefore,  the  belt  and  letter  dropped  in  anything  like  a  perpendicular  direction,  the  course  you  took 
after  the  dropping  of  this  letter  must  have  been  weat,  with  a  point  to  the  north.  I  mention  this  by  the  by  for 
your  consideration. 

With  respect  to  the  identical  spots  on  which  you  made  the  two  descents,  you  may  wish  to  know  the  literal  fact. 

That  where  you  made  your  first  descent,  that  is,  where  your  gallery  came  to  the  ground,  and  where  or  near 
to  \vliii-li  \<>u  put  out  the  cat,  is  a  large  ploughed  field  belonging  to  John  Hunter,  Esq.,  of  Gtibhins,  in  the  county 
•  •t  Hertford.  The  field  itself  is  part  of  the  lately  enclosed  common  of  North  Minims,  in  the  manor  of  the  Duke  of 
Leeds.  The  field  is  about  half  a  mile  to  the  eastward  of  the  sixteen-mile  stone,  on  the  road  leading  from  London 
to  Hatfield,  and  adjoining  to  the  road  leading  from  the  said  turnpike-road  to  the  northward  on  the  left.  The  par- 
tirular  spot  in  the  field  is  on  the  east  side,  very  near  to  the  boundary-line  between  the  manors  of  Xorthaw  and 
Noi  tli  Mi  nuns.  For  the  present  a  common  hedgestake  only  marks  the  spot;  but  with  your  leave  a,nd  the  permission 
of  Mi.  Hunter  I  propose  to  erect  a  stone  there,  with  a  suitable  inscription  to  record  the  fact,  as  I  shall  likewise  do 
on  the  spot  of  your  last  descent,  if,  as  I  have  no  doubt,  I  can  obtain  permission  of  the  proprietor.  It  is  remarkable 
that  the  field  where  you  made  your  first  descent  is  called  Italy,  from  the  circumstance  which  attended  the  late 
enclosure  of  a  largo  quantity  of  roots,  rubbish,  &c.,  having  been  collected  there,  and  having  continued  burning  for 
many  days.  The  common  people  having  beard  of  a  burning  mountain  in  Italy,  gave  the  field  that  name.  You 
hardly  conceived,  when  you  dropped,  that  you  was  so  near  to  anything  that  had  connexion  with  Naples. 

The  place  of  your  final  descent  is  imperfectly  described  in  Elizabeth  Brett's  deposition,  but  is  in  fact,  as  there 
stated,  in  the  parish  of  Standon,  about  half  a  mile  to  the  northward  of  the  twenty-four  mile  stone,  on  the  road  that 
leads  from  London  to  Cambridge,  through  Ware  and  I'uckeridge. 

If  you  wish  to  have  any  further  conversation  with  me  on  these  matters,  I  can  come  to  London  conveniently 
after  Wednesday  next,  and  will  attend  you  with  pleasure,  if  you  give  me  notice. 

The  enclosed  scraps  of  paper  were  found  in  the  field  where  you  first  descended,  near  the  part  where  your 
grapple  took  up  the  corn.  Whether  you  threw  them  from  the  balloon  you  will  recollect. 

I  have  no  tidings  of  the  two  first  letters ;  probably  to-day  I  may  hear  something  of  them,  as  I  shall  moot  many 

persons  assembled  from  different  parts  of  the  country. 

Adieu.    Mont  sincerely  yours, 

W.  BiKhit. 

DEPOSITION- 

The  voluntary  Declaration  and  Deposition  on  Oath  O/NATHANIKL  WHITBREAD,  of  Swanky  Bar,  farmer,  in  tlie 
Parish  of  North  J/i'mms,  in  the  County  of  Hertford,  Yeoman. 

This  deponent,  on  his  oath,  saith,  that  being  on  Wednesday  the  15th  day  of  September  instant,  between  the 
hours  of  three  and  four  in  the  afternoon,  in  a  certain  field  called  Etna,  in  the  parish  of  North  Minims  aforesaid,  he 

ived  a  large  machine  sailing  in  the  air  near  the  place  where  he  was  on  horseback;  that  the  machine 
continuing  to  approach  the  earth,  the  part  of  it  in  which  this  deponent  perceived  a  gentleman  standing  came  to 
the  ground,  and  dragged  a  short  way  on  the  ground  in  a  slanting  direction ;  that  the  time  when  the  machine 
thii*  toii.-h'-'l  the  earth  was,  as  near  as  this  deponent  could  judge,  about  a  quarter  before  four  in  the  afternoon. 
That  this  deponent  being  on  horseback,  and  his  horse  restive,  he  could  not  approach  nearer  to  the  machine  than 
about  four  poles;  but  that  lie  could  plainly  perceive  therein  a  gentleman  dressed  in  light-coloured  clothes,  holding 
in  his  hand  a  trumpet,  whieh  hail  the  appearance  of  silver  or  bright  tin.  That  by  this  time  several  harvest-men 
coming  up  from  the  other  part  of  the  lie-Id,  to  the  number  of  twelve  men  and  thirteen  women,  this  <le]«>nent  called 
to  them  to  endeavour  to  stop  the  machine,  which  the  men  attempted;  but  the  gentleman  in  the  m.i.  liine  deMring 

L 


74  TIIEPNE4>H2.  A.D.  1784. 

them  to  desist,  and  the  machine  moving  with  considerable  rapidity,  and  clearing  the  earth,  went  off  in  a  north 
direction,  and  continued  in  sight  at  a  very  great  height  for  near  an  hour  afterwards.  And  this  deponent  further 
saith,  that  the  part  of  the  machine  in  which  the  gentleman  stood  did  not  actually  touch  the  ground  for  more  than 
half  a  minute,  during  which  time  the  gentleman  threw  out  a  parcel  of  what  appeared  to  this  deponent  as  dry  sand. 
That,  after  the  machine  had  ascended  again  from  the  earth,  this  deponent  perceived  a  grapple  with  four  hooks, 
which  hung  from  the  bottom  of  the  machine,  dragging  along  the  ground,  which  carried  up  with  it  into  the  air  a  small 
parcel  of  loose  oats,  which  the  women  were  raking  in  the  field.  And  this  deponent  further,  on  his  oath,  saith,  that 
when  the  machine  had  risen  clear  from  the  ground  about  twenty  yards,  the  gentleman  spoke  to  this  deponent  and 
the  rest  of  the  people  with  his  trumpet,  wishing  them  good-by,  and  saying  that  he  should  soon  go  out  of  sight. 
And  this  deponent  further,  on  his  oath  saith,  that  the  machine  in  which  the  gentleman  came  down  to  the  earth 
appeared  to  consist  of  two  distinct  parts,  connected  together  by  ropes  :  namely,  that  in  which  the  gentleman 
appeared  to  be,  a  stage  boarded  at  the  bottom  and  covered  with  netting  and  ropes  on  the  sides,  about  four  feet  and 
a  half  high ;  arid  the  other  part  of  the  machine  appeared  in  the  shape  of  an  urn,  about  thirty  feet  high,  and  of  the 

same  diameter,  made  of  canvas,  like  oilskin,  with  green,  red,  and  yellow  stripes. 

NATHANIEL  WHITBREAD. 
Sworn  before  me,  this  20th  day  of  September,  1784,  WILLIAM  BAKER. 

The  voluntary  Declaration  and  Depositions  on  Oath  of  WILLIAM  HARPER,  of  the  Parish  of  Hatfield,  in  ilie  County  of  Hertford, 
Labourer,  and  of  MARY  BCTTERFIELD,  of  the  Parish  of  North  Mimms,  in  the  County  of  Hertford,  Spinster. 

This  deponent,  William  Harper,  on  his  oath  saith,  that  as  he  was  mowing  oats  in  a  certain  field  called  Etna, 
in  the  parish  of  North  Mimms,  in  the  county  of  Hertford,  on  Wednesday,  the  1 5th  of  this  instant  September, 
between  three  and  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  in  company  with  Thomas  Blackwell,  Thomas  Moore,  John 
Kichardson,  and  several  others,  he  perceived  a  large  machine  hovering  in  the  air  and  gradually  approaching  the 
ground  near  the  boundary-line  of  the  manors  of  Northaw  and  North  Mimms ;  that  on  his  approaching  the  machine, 
in  company  of  the  persons  aforementioned,  the  machine,  which  had  then  passed  the  said  boundary-line,  touched 
the  earth  in  the  said  field  called  Etna.  And  this  deponent,  being  then  at  the  distance  of  four  or  five  poles  from 
the  same,  plainly  perceived  a  gentleman  in  the  lower  part  of  the  said  machine,  dressed  in  light-coloured  clothes 
and  a  cocked  hat,  who,  on  the  machine  touching  the  ground,  threw  out  a  parcel  of  dust  or  white  sand  ;  that 
immediately  the  machine  mounted  again  into  the  air,  and  went  off  in  a  north  direction ;  that  while  the  machine 
continued  touching  the  ground,  Mr.  Nathaniel  Whitbread,  who  was  likewise  present  on  horseback,  desired  this 
deponent  and  the  rest  who  were  present  to  stop  the  said  machine,  which  some  of  them,  and  in  particular  Thomas 
Blackwell,  attempted  to  do ;  but  the  gentleman  desiring  them  not  to  stop  the  machine,  they  desisted.  And  this 
deponent,  Mary  Butterfield,  on  her  oath  saith,  that  she  was  raking  oats  in  the  said  field  called  Etna,  on  Wednesday 
the  15th  of  September  instant,  between  three  and  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  in  company  with  Mary  Crawley, 
Sarah  Day,  and  others,  and  perceived  a  large  machine  hovering  over  Northaw  Common,  and  approaching  the  earth 
in  the  field  whore  this  deponent  was  at  work,  which  at  length  it  touched  in  the  said  field  called  Etna ;  and  during 
the  time  that  it  so  touched  the  ground  a  kitten,  which  was  in  the  lower  part  of  the  said  machine,  came  out  on  the 
field,  which  this  deponent  picked  up,  and  soon  afterwards  sold  to  a  gentleman  who  came  up  to  the  hedge-side, 
inquiring  after  the  machine,  which  he  called  an  air-balloon.  That  this  deponent  plainly  perceived  a  gentleman  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  machine,  dressed  in  light-coloured  clothes,  who,  on  the  machine  ascending  again,  spoke 
through  his  trumpet,  and  wished  them  good-by.  And  these  deponents,  William  Harper  and  Mary  Butterfield, 
severally,  on  their  oaths,  say  that  the  machine  which  came  down  to  the  earth  appeared  to  consist  of  two  parts 
connected  together  :  namely,  that  'in  which  the  gentleman  was  appeared  to  be  a  framework  of  wood  and  netting,  from 
which  there  stuck  out  a  sort  of  wing ;  and  the  other  part  of  the  machine  appeared  in  the  shape  of  a  large  pear  with 
the  stalk  downwards,  and  Appeared  to  be  made  of  silk  or  canvas,  in  stripes  of  green  and  red.  And  this  deponent, 
Mary  Butterfield,  further,  on  her  oath,  saith,  that  when  the  machine  was  ascending  from  the  ground,  she,  this 
deponent,  perceived  an  anchor  or  grapple  drag  along  the  ground,  which  took  with  it  a  small  parcel  of  the  oats  from 
the  field  where  they  were  raking. 

his  her 

WILLIAM  ^    HARPER.        MARY  !*!    BUTTERFIELIJ. 

mark.  mark. 

Sworn  before  me  this  20th  day  of  September,  1784. 


A.I..  I7si.         -A  GENTLEMAN  WELL  KNOW*   LN  THE  UTERABl    \\oKI. 1>."  75 

The  voluntary  Declaration  and  Dejmtition  on  Oath  r/  KI.I/.AIIKIII  BRKTT,  Spinster,  Servant  to  Mr.  Tin>\(  \-  UKAH,  r'armer, 

in  the  Parish  of  Standon,  in  At  Cou,,/,/  of  11,-ris. 

This  deponent,  on  her  oath,  with,  that  on  Wednesday  the  15th  day  of  September  instant,  between  four  :nnl 
ii\.    .  •  •  !   •  k  iti  tlif  afternoon,  she,  this  deponent,  In-in^  then  at  work  in  her  master's  hrowhouso,  hoard  an  uncommon 
I.>M.)  n-i-. .  whirli,  mi  :iit.  ii.liiiir  to  it,  sho  conceived  to  be  the  sound  of  men  singing  as  they  returned  Ci..in 

t-1 .     Tli.i!  u | ion  going  to  the  door  of  th.-  liousu  she  perceived  a  strange  large  body  in  tho  air,  itml,  on 

i^  it  in  a  moadow-ficld  near  the  house,  called  Long  M-  a.l.  >he  perceived  a  man  in  it;  that  tho  ponton  in 
tin-  machine,  which  -In-  know  not  what  to  make  of,  but  \\  hi.-li  tin-  person  in  it  called  an  air-balloon,  called  to  her 
•  •   It  •!<!   of  tin-  i"i"-,  wl.ii  h   she  did  accordingly;   that  John    Mills  and  George  1'hillips,  labonreni  with  said 
Mr.  Thomas  liead,  came  up  soon  after,  and,  being  likewise  requested  to  assist  in  holding  tho  rope,  both  made  their 
-••a,  one  of  them,  George  ]'hilli]»,  saying  he  was  too  short,  and  .lolm  Mills  Kuying  that  he  did  not  like  it ;  that 
this  deponent  ii.ntinui-d  t..  hnld  the  rope  till  some  other  liarvest-men  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Kobinson,  of  High  Crow, 
came  up,  by  whose  assistance  the  machine  was  held  down  till  the  person  got  out  of  the  machine.     And  this 
.••iit  further,  i<ii  her  oath,  saith,  that  tho  person  now  present  and  shown  to  her  by  William  Baker,  Esq.,  the 
ju-tico  of  peace  before  whom  this  deposition  is  taken,  as  Mr.  Vincent  l.unardi,  and  in  her  presence  declares  himself 
to  be  Mr.  \  in. .  nt  l.un.ii .li.  waa  the  person  who  called  to  mo  from  the  machine,  as  above  stated,  and  who  descended 

Tom  in  tin   said  field  called  Long  Meadow. 

her 

KI.IZA  m:  ni  t*J   BRETT. 
mark. 

Sworn  before  me  this  ItJth  da}-  of  September,  1784,  at  Bayford  Bury,  in  the  county  of  Hertford,  aforesaid. 

The  voluntary  Declaration  and  Depositions  on  Oath  (f  JONAS  LANKIOS,  JOHN  CHIVEN,  JAIIES  CRAMPLAN,  EDWARD  BEXTLKY, 
\\  ii .1.1  \M  W  u.i.ER,  severally  made  this  17th  day  of  September,  1784,  before  WILLIAM  BAKKK,  Esq.,  one  of  His 
Majetty's  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Hertford. 

The  said  deponent*,  on  their  oath,  severally  declare,  that  on  the  loth  of  this  instant,  September,  between  four 
and  !i  •  k  in  the  afternoon,  being  then  at  work,  some  of  them  in  the  harvest-fields  and  others  in  the  farmyard 

•  ssrs.  Benjamin  Robinson  and  James  Snow,  in  the  parish  of  Standon,  in  the  county  of  Hertford,  they  saw  a 
large  and  uncommon  machine  hovering  in  the  air,  which  they  severally  followed  till  it  arrived  at  a  certain  mead, 
called  Long  Mead,  in  the  occupation  of  Thomas  Read,  yeoman,  of  Stnndon  aforesaid,  where  the  same  touched  the 
ground;  and  on  their  severally  arriving  at  the  same  place  they  found  Elizabeth  Brett,  spinster,  maid-servant  with 
'I'll'  .mas  Read  aforesaid,  holding  a  rope  which  was  fixed  to  the  said  machine ;  that  on  their  severally  approaching 
the  said  machine  they  perceived  a  gentleman  in  one  part  of  it,  who  desired  them  to  assist  Elizabeth  Brett,  the 
servant,  who  waa  then  holding  the  rope,  which  they  did  accordingly  ;  that  by  this  assistance  the  machine  being 
stopped,  the  gentleman  who  was  in  it  came  out,  and  to  these  deponents  declared  that  he  had  set  out  from  the 
Artilleiy  Ground  in  London,  a  little  before  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  said  day,  in  the  machine,  and  had 
travelled  through  the  air  to  the  place  where  they  found  him. 

Sworn  before  me  this  1 7th  day  of  September,  1 784,  at  Bay  ford  Bury,  in  the  county  of  Hertford. 

A  gentleman  wi-11  known  in  the  literary  world  having  sent  Mr.  Lnnanli  the  following  epistle  as  a  compliment 
to  his  p-niu-  and  enterjii-isinjr  >j)ii-it,  Mr.  Lunardi's  friends  have  strongly  expressed  their  wishes  to  have  it  annexed 
to  thow.-  letters,  and  the  author  has  obligingly  given  permission  to  have  it  printed  with  them. 

AN   Kl'ISTLE  TO  SIG.  VINCENZO  LUNARDI. 

Excuft-  it,  KM  Youth,  if  a  stranger  slmnM  Ami.l  two  Inindntl  thousand  good  people  awemi 

To  address  thus  lour  I/ii/li»ffs  a>  Ki;  •  at  the  Air,  Who  felt  for  your  fame,  for  your  safety  too  trembled  ; 

F.T  I  was  a  witness,  a  charmed  one,  I  own,  Whilst  you,  a  tnic  HEBO,  of  notliirm  afraid 

When  yon  sprung  to  the  skies,  and  ascended  your  throne  Took  leave  of  the  world,  and  mankind,  undimmy'd ; 

L   2 


A.D.  1784. 


Dctermin'd  to  bid  every  danger  defiance 

For  the  noblest  of  conquests,  the  conquest  of  SCIENCE. 

When  you  bid  us  adieu,  and  first  quitted  the  earth, 
To  what  varied  sentiments  gave  you  quick  birth  ? 
Each  ruind  was  brim  full  of  unnumber'd  strange  notions, 
Each  eye  all  attention,  to  watch  all  your  motions. 
The  multitude  scarcely  believ'd  that  a  man 
With  his  senses  about  him  could  form  such  a  plan, 
And  thought  that  as  BEDLAM  was  so  very  nigh 
You  had  better  been  there,  than  turned  loose  in  the  sky  ! 
But  when  they  perceiv'd  you  rose  higher  and  higher, 
O'ertop'd  every  building,  each  church,  and  each  spire, 
They  extoll'd  with  one  voice  your  superlative  merit, 
Who  could  hazard  your  life  with  so  dauntless  a  spirit, 
With  benevolent  wishes  each  bosom  now  burns, 
And  Awe  and  Amaze-merit  both  fill  it  by  turns. — 
"  Where's  he  going  ?  "  cries  one, — "  Why  he  shrinks  from  out- 
sight  ! 

"  And  where's  this  poor  fellow  to  quarter  to-night? 
"If  he  soars  at  this  rate  in  his  silken  balloon, 
"  He'll  surely  by  Sunset  be  up  with  the  Moon  !  " 
Whilst  "  God  save  his  Soul,"  was  the  prayer  of  most, 
As  they  took  it  for  granted  your  Body  was  lost — 
The  lovers  of  science  who  best  of  all  knew 
How  much  might  be  hop'd  from  a  Genius  like  you, 
In  silence  pursu'd  you,  unwilling  to  speak, 
For  the  tear  of  anxiety  stole  down  their  cheek. — 
In  their  own  way  of  thinking,  all  felt,  and  all  reason'd, 
Greedy  ALDERMEN  judg'd  that  your  flight  was  ill  season'd, 
That  you'd  better  have  taken  a  good  dinner  first, 
Nor  have  pinch 'd  your  poor  stomach  by  hunger,  or  thirst. 
In  perfect  indiff'rence  the  BEAU  yawn'd  a  blessing, 
And  fear'd  before  night  that  your  hair  would  want  dressing  : 
But  the  LADIES,  all  zeal,  sent  their  wishes  in  air, 
For  a  man  of  such  spirit  is  ever  their  care ! 
ATTORNEYS  were  puzzled  how  now  they  could  sue  you, 
UNDERWRITERS  what  premium  they'd  now  take  to  Do  you, 
Whilst  the  sallow-faced  JEW  of  his  Moneys  so  fond 
Thank'd  Moses,  he  never  had  taken  your  Bond. 

Amid  these  sensations  which  mov'd  us  below 

Through  the  realms  of  pure  Ether  triumphant  you  go, 

A  course  which  no  mortal  had  here  before  dar*d  ; 

For  You,  was  the  risk,  and  the  glory  prepar'd  ; 

Though  depriv'd  of  that  FRIEND  who  had  urg'd  the  fond  claim 

To  partake  all  your  dangers,  and  share  in  your  fame, 

From  all  human  aid  though  cut  off,  and  alone, 

When  mounting  thus  singly,  you  still  greater  shone  1 — 

Ah  !  tell  me  LUNAKDI,— hereafter  you  may  ! 
What  new  scenes  of  wonder  your  flight  must  display  ? 


How  awful  the  feel,  when  through  new  regions  gliding, 
Through  currents  untried,  and  from  cloud  to  cloud  sliding  ? 
With  what  new  ideas  your  mind  must  o'erflow! 
With  what  new  sensations  your  bosom  must  glow ! — 
How  little,  how  trifling,  must  then  in  your  eyes 
Have  seem'd  what  below  we  look  up  to,  and  prize ! 
No  more  than  a  molehill,  the  TOWER'S  old  walls, 
A  Hop-pole  the  MONUMENT, — -Bandbox,  ST.  PAUL'S. 

The  vast  host  of  people  you  quitted  so  lately, 

Which  spread  to  each  present  a  scene  the  most  stately, 

To  one  who  so  distant  on  all  of  us  gazes 

Must  look  like  a  meadow  embroider'd  with  daisies  ; 

Nay,  e'en  this  GREAT  CITY  we  all  hold  so  dear 

As  a  HONEY-COMB  only  to  you  would  appear, 

All  its  SHIPPING  mere  spots,  though  its  bulwark  and  pride, 

The  BANK  and  the  TREASURY  hardly  descried, 

The  abodes  of  the  Great  not  discern'd  e'en  with  winking, 

And  the  THAMES  but  a  basin  for  lap-dogs  to  drink  in. — 

'Tis  the  points  whence  we  view  things  which  fix,  or  create 

Our  imperfect  conceptions  of  Little,  or  Great ! 

An  adventurous  stripling,  so  sweet  OVID  sings, 
Had  the  boldness  to  soar  once  on  two  mighty  wings, 
Unguided  by  judgment,  and  wand'ring  too  high, 
He  met  his  just  fate,  and  was  plung'd  from  the  sky, 
And  all  that  the  world  from  this  tale  have  been  able 
To  learn,  was,  it  gave  false  Ambition  a  fable. — 
But  from  flights  such  as  yours  we've  reason  to  hope 
Philosophy  one  day  may  gain  wider  scope, 
The  secrets  of  nature  are  slowly  reveal'd, 
Though  much  is  discover'd,  far  more  is  concealed. 
A  spirit  like  yours  can  assist  best  the  cause 
And  more  clearly  illustrate  her  motions  and  laws  ; 
But  should  not  to  you  the  great  lot  be  assigned 
To  establish  new  doctrines  of  air  or  of  wind, 
Should  future  Adventurers  still  further  rove, 
And  pursuing  your  course,  your  discov'ries  improve, 
Yet  know,  GALLANT  YOUTH,  that  to  none  but  to  You 
Will  in  ENGLAND  the  praise,  and  the  triumph  be  due, 
In  the  FIRST  bold  attempt  so  intrepid  who  shone, 
And  show'd  by  Example  how  much  could  be  done. 
Our  country  will  gratefully  boast  of  your  name, 
And  LUNARDI  be  plac'd  on  the  bright  scroll  of  fame, 
With  the  warmest  acclaims  of  the  PUBLIC  applauded, 
By  PHILOSOPHERS  lov'd — By  the  MUSE  too  recorded  ! — 

Amidst  all  these  honours,  a  stranger  who  fir'd 
By  what  he  beheld,  what  yourself  have  inspir'd, 
Round  your  temples  while  this  little  tribute  he  wreaths, 
Thus  with  zeal  his  fond  wishes  prophetic  he  breathes, 
Long  enjoy  Th'  AERIAL  THRONE  you  now  sit  on  ! 
And  live,  ah !  long  live, — The  COLUMBUS  of  BRITAIN  ! 


We  again  take  up  the  Cavallo  narrative  of  these  early  experiments ;  he  says,  that, 

On  the  19th  of  September,  at  Paris,  the  balloon  was  filled,  in  three  hours'  time,  by  M.  Vallett;  the  two 
MM.  Koberts  and  M.  Collin  Hullin  entered  into  the  boat,  and,  with  the  addition  of  four  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  of  ballast,  they  were  perfectly  balanced.  At  noon  they  threw  out  twenty- four  pounds  of  ballast,  in 
consequence  of  which  they  began  to  rise  very  gently.  At  that  time  the  mercury  in  the  barometer,  on  the  level  of 
the  sea,  stood  at  29'6  inches,  and  the  thermometer  stood  a  little  above  77°.  Soon  after,  they  threw  out  eight 
pounds  of  ballast,  in  order  to  avoid  going  against  some  trees ;  in  consequence  of  which  they  rose  to  1400  feet.  At 
this  elevation,  perceiving  some  stormy  clouds  near  the  horizon,  they  went  up  and  down,  endeavouring  to  find  some 


A.I..  L784.  A  VOYAGE  OF  ONK  II1NDRED  AND  Firn    MII.HS.  77 

:it  ..f  air  which  might  cany  them  out  of  tho  way  of  tho  storm ;  but  from  600  feet  height  to  4200  the  current 
of  air  \\.is  cpiite  unit'.. mi.  Having  lont  one  of  the  earn,  they  suppressed  another  on  the  opposite  hide  of  the  boat, 
and  by  working  with  tho  remaining  three  found  that  they  accelerated  their  courae.  •  \V.-  t ravelled,"  says  their 
account,  ••  at  i lie  rate  of  twenty-four  feet  per  second,  and  tho  manoauvrini;  ..f  th.  oars  helped  us  about  a  third."  At 
fi>rty  minutes  pant  three  o'clock  they  heard  a  thunderclap,  and  three  minutes  after  they  heard  another,  much 
lomli  i  .  at  this  time  tho  thermometer  from  77°  came  down  to  .Mi''.  This  sudden  cold,  occasioned  by  tho  approach 
of  tin-  stormy  clouds,  condensed  tho  inflammable  air  and  made  the  balloon  descend  very  low;  henoo  they  wore 
..l.li-.-d  t»  throw  .,111  forty  pounds  of  ballast.  They  had  the  curiosity  to  examine  the  degree  of  heat  within  the 
balloon,  and,  introducing  a  thermometer  into  one  of  the  appendices,  tho  quicksilver  rose  immediately  to  104°, 
wlicr.-.i-  tli.-  external  thermometer  stood  at  about  63°.  Tho  barometer  stood  at  23-94  inches.  In  this  region  of 
the  a'mos|,hero  they  were  so  becalmed  that  tho  machine  did  not  go  even  two  feet  a  minute;  and,  availing 
themselves  of  that  ojijHirtunity  to  try  tho  power  of  their  oars,  they  worked  them  for  about  thirty-five  minutes,  and, 
by  observing  the  shadow  of  tho  machine  on  tho  ground,  they  found  that  they  had  described  an  elliptical  track,  the 
smallest  diameter  of  which  was  about  6000  feet. 

'I'll.-  lest  of  this  voyage  being  very  interesting  is  best  described  in  their  own  words : — "  We  perceived  below 
us  some  clouds  that  ran  very  rapidly  from  south  to  north.  We  descended  to  the  level  of  those  clouds,  in  order  to 
follow  that  current,  the  direction  of  which  was  changed  since  onr  departure.  The  close  of  daylight  being  near,  we 
determined  to  follow  that  current  for  forty  minutes  only ;  increasing  onr  velocity  by  the  use  of  our  oars,  we 
endeavoured  to  deviate  from  tho  direction  of  the  current,  but  we  could  not  obtain  a  deviation  greater  than 
--  ilogrees  towards  the  east.  The  length  of  our  route,  during  about  one  hour  and  a  quarter,  was  2100  feet. 
Willing  to  try  whether  the  wind  nearer  the  earth  was  strong,  we  descended  to  the  height  of  three  hundred  feet, 
where  we  met  an  exceedingly  rapid  current.  At  some  distance  from  Arras  we  perceived  a  wood,  over  which  we 
did  not  hesitate  to  pass,  though  there  was  hardly  any  daylight  upon  the  earth ;  and  in  twenty  minutes'  time 
we  came  near  Arras,  on  the  plain  of  Beuvry,  distant  nearly  three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  Bethnne,  in  Artois.  As 

ulil  not  distinguish  amongst  the  shadows  the  body  of  an  old  mill,  upon  which  we  were  going  to  descend,  we 

•  •!  it  by  the  help  of  our  oars,  and  descended  amidst  a  numerous  assembly  of  inhabitants." 

\\  hen  they  ilescended,  which  was  at  forty  minutes  past  six  o'clock,  there  were  above  two  hundred  pounds' 
weight  of  ballast  still  remaining  in  the  boat.  The  way  they  had  travelled  was  about  fifty  leagues,  or  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles.  The  account  of  this  voyage  is  concluded  with  the  following  remarks  : — "  Those  experiments  show 
that,  far  from  going  against  the  wind,  as  is  said  by  some  persons  to  be  possible,  in  a  certain  manner,  and  seme 
aeronauts  pretend  to  have  actually  done  it,  we  have  only  obtained,  by  means  of  two  oars,  a  deviation  of  22".  It  is, 

ver.  certain  that,  if  we  could  have  used  our  four  oare,  we  might  have  deviated  about  40°  from  the  direction  of 
the  wind;  and  a«  our  machine  would  have  been  capable  of  carrying  seven  persons,  it  would  have  been  easy  for 
five  persons  to  have  gone,  and  to  have  put  in  action  eight  oars,  by  which  means  a  deviation  of  about  80°  might 

oeen  obtained. 

••  \Ve  have  already  observed,  that  if  we  did  not  deviate  more  than  22°,  it  was  because  the  wind  carried  us  at 
the  rate  of  twenty-four  miles  an  hour.  And  it  is  natural  to  judge,  that  if  the  wind  had  been  twice  as  strong  as  it 

we  should  not  have  deviated  more  than  half  what  we  actually  did ;  and,  on  the  contrary,  if  the  wind  had 
been  only  half  as  strong,  our  deviation  would  have  been  proportionably  greater." 

Aerottiitk  Experiments  made  in  the  remainder  of  the  Year  1 784. — The  second  aerial  voyage  made  in  England  was 
'tned  by  M.  lUanchard,  and  Mr.  Sheldon,  Professor  of  Anatomy  to  the  Royal  Academy,  who  is  therefore  tho 
first  Kn^lishman  that  ascended  with  an  aerostatic  machine.     This  experiment  was  performed  at  Little  Chelsea, 
about  two  miles  distant  from  London,  on  tho  16th  of  October. 

\V.  l,:ivi-  ;ihv:idy  shown  by  the  mention  of  Mr.  Tytler,  that  our  narrator's  information 
on  this  point  is  not  correct.  Mr.  Monck  Mason,  also,  in  his  careful  researches  in  1836, 
•  lisriivi-re«l  that  Mr.  S;nllrr  had  ascended  from  Oxford,  on  the  12th  of  October  in  this 

At  nine  minutes  past  twelve  o'clock  the  balloon  ascended,  but,  after  a  few  feet  elevation,  it  returned  again 
to  the  ground ;  it  hit  likewise  against  an  adjoining  wall,  and,  in  short,  the  boat  was  loaded  with  too  much  weight. 


78  THEPNE^HS.  A.U.  1784 

This  obliged  the  two  gentlemen  to  throw  out  several  things  that  were  of  no  immediate  use ;  in  consequence 
of  which  the  machine  at  last  rose  with  great  velocity  almost  perpendicularly,  and  took  a  course  nearly  south-west. 
The  weather  being  hazy,  it  went  soon  out  of  sight ;  but  as  long  as  it  remained  in  view  it  appeared  to  go  in  one 
invariable  direction.  The  balloon,  unable  to  sustain  long  the  weight  of  two  persons,  began  to  descend  after 
having  been  up  about  half  an  hour.  As  the  barometer  was  out  of  order,  in  consequence  of  an  accidental  blow, 
M.  Blanchard  used  an  ingenious  and  at  the  same  time  easy  method  of  observing  whether  the  balloon  was 
ascending  or  descending.  It  was  merely  to  put  a  ribbon  out  of  the  boat,  which,  being  impelled  upwards  by  the 
air,  showed  that  they  were  descending.  Small  downy  feathers  might  answer  this  purpose  still  better.  The 
throwing  down  a  bottle  prolonged  their  descent ;  but  at  last  the  machine  alighted  in  a  meadow  near  the  village  of 
Sunbury,  in  Middlesex,  which  is  about  fourteen  miles  distant  from  London  ;  it  being  then  fifty  minutes  past 
twelve  o'clock.  There  Mr.  Sheldon  came  out  of  the  boat ;  and  M.  Blanchard,  after  taking  a  quantity  of  ballast 
nearly  equivalent  to  the  weight  of  Mr.  Sheldon,  which  employed  near  thirty  minutes,  reascended  alone  and 
continued  the  voyage. 

In  this  second  ascension  M.  Blanchard's  account  says  that  he  was  carried  at  first  by  a  north-east  current, 
and  soon  after,  meeting  with  another  current,  he  was  carried  east-south-east  of  Sunbury ;  but  finding  the  balloon 
too  much  distended,  he  opened  the  valve  at  the  top  of  it,  and  descended  again  into  the  north-east  current,  it  being 
then  just  twenty-six  minutes  past  one.  Tour  minutes  after  he  entered  into  a  thick  fog,  in  which  he  remained  five 
minutes.  This  fog  occasioned  the  balloon  to  contract  considerably.  At  thirty-eight  minutes  past  one,  the  heat  of 
the  sun  became  excessive,  in  consequence  of  which  the  globe  was  again  distended.  In  the  course  of  this  voyage 
M.  Blanchard  says  that  he  went  so  high  as  to  experience  great  difficulty  in  breathing.  lie  likewise  relates 
a  curious  circumstance,  which  is,  that  a  pigeon  which  had  been  taken  in  the  boat,  being  affrighted  by  the  bursting 
of  a  bladder  full  of  air,  flew  away,  labouring  very  hard  with  its  wings  in  order  to  sustain  itself  in  the  rarefied  air 
of  that  elevated  region  of  the  atmosphere.  The  poor  animal  wandered  about  for  a  good  while,  but  at  last,  finding 
no  other  place  to  stand  upon,  returned  to  the  boat  and  rested  on  one  side  of  it. 

At  fifty-eight  minutes  past  one,  the  cold  being  intolerable,  M.  Blanchard  descended  a  considerable  deal 
lower,  so  as  to  distinguish  men  and  hear  their  noise  on  the  earth.  Some  time  after  he  again  ascended  higher, 
then  was  becalmed  for  a  short  time ;  and  thus,  after  several  such-like  vicissitudes,  he  came  in  sight  of  the  sea,  the 
approach  to  which  at  last  determined  him  to  put  an  end  to  the  voj'age ;  and  accordingly  he  descended,  at  half-an- 
hour  after  four,  in  a  plain  which  lay  in  the  vicinity  of  Eomsey  in  Hampshire,  about  seventy-five  miles  distant 
from  London. 

It  was  related  in  the  newspapers  that  at  Oxford,  on  the  4th  of  October,  one  Mr.  Sadler  ascended  with  a 
rarefied-air  balloon;  but,  after  strict  inquiry,  it  was  found  that  nobody  saw  him  either  ascend  or  descend. 
However,  on  the  12th  of  the  following  month  he  really  ascended,  with  an  inflammable-air  balloon,  from  the  Physic 
Garden  at  Oxford,  in  the  presence  of  surprising  numbers  of  people  of  all  ranks.  The  balloon  being  sufficiently 
filled  by  a  little  before  one  o'clock,  Mr.  Sadler  placed  himself  in  the  boat,  which  was  fastened  by  ropes  to  the  net 
that  went  over  the  balloon.  Then  the  machine,  being  abandoned  to  the  air,  ascended  with  such  velocity  that  in 
three  minutes'  time  it  was  hid  in  the  clouds,  but  a  few  moments  after  became  visible  again ;  and  thus  it  appeared 
and  disappeared  three  or  four  times,  seeming  always  to  ascend,  and  at  the  same  time  moving  with  great  rapidity 
in  the  direction  of  the  wind,  which  blew  rather  hard  from  the  south-west.  In  this  voyage  Mr.  Sadler  crossed 
Otmoor,  Thame,  and  other  places ;  but  an  aperture  made  in  the  balloon,  almost  as  soon  as  it  was  launched, 
exhausting  the  inflammable  air  very  fast,  obliged  him  to  throw  out  successively  all  his  ballast,  provisions, 
instruments,  &c.,  and  at  last  forced  him  to  descend  at  Hartwell,  near  Aylesbury,  which  is  about  fourteen  miles 
distant  from  Oxford  ;  which  length  he  travelled  in  seventeen  minutes ;  so  that  he  went  at  the  rate  of  near  fifty 
miles  an  hour.  He  found  himself  exceedingly  wet  in  passing  through  the  heavy  clouds,  and  in  descending  had 
the  misfortune  of  being  entangled  in  a  tree,  afterward  swept  the  ground  and  rebounded  to  a  considerable  distance, 
but  at  last  alighted  safe. 

It  is  said  that  Mr.  Sadler  was  the  sole  projector,  architect,  workman,  and  chemist  in  this  experiment. 

On  the  30th  of  November  M.  Blanchard  made  his  fifth  aerial  voyage  in  his  old  balloon,  being  his  second 
voyage  in  London.  He  was  accompanied  by  Dr.  J.  Jeffries,  a  physician,  and  native  of  America,  and  ascended 
from  the  Rhedarium,  in  Park-street,  Grosvenor-square,  at  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  M.  Blanchard  was 
now  furnished  with  wings  or  oars,  which  he  worked  very  fast,  but  their  action  seemed  to  produce  no  effect  on  the 
course  of  the  machine.  His  direction  being  about  east  by  south,  he  passed  over  London  ;  but  the  weather  being 


.IAN.  7  ni.  1785.  HI.  \  M 'HARD  AND  JKI-TKIKS  ('ROSS  Till:  rllANNT.I..  7!» 

vory  hazy,  the  machine  did  not  show  so  fine  a  spectacle  u  oonld  have  I., -en  «  M..-.1.  It  does  not  apjn-ar  that  either 
of  the  two  travellers  made  any  particular  philosophical  observation,  though  they  were  provided  with  several 
instruments.  They  descended,  near  the  Thames,  in  the  parish  of  Stum-,  in  Kent,  at  the  distance  of  twenty-one 

111:1'  -    I':. .!N    London. 

Aerostatic  Rrperimenti  madt  in  the  beginning  of  the  Ytar  1785. — On  the  4th  of  January,  178.">,  Mr.  Harper 
ascended  with  an  inflammable-air  balloon  from  Birmingham.  The  weather  was  very  rainy,  hazy,  and  foggy,  and 
the  barometer  stood  at  28-4  ;  the  thermometer  stood  at  40°.  At  about  a  quarter  before  one  o'clock  ho  ascended,  in 
presence  of  an  immense  multitude  of  spectators  and  amidst  a  very  hard  ruin,  which  increased  to  an  uncommon 
for  M\  minute*  after  ;  but  in  four  minutes  more  the  aerial  adventurer  got  above  the  clouds  and  enjoyed  the 
vivifying  influence  of  the  sun  and  a  purer  air. 

At  about  two  o'clock  Mr.  llarp.-r  descended  at  Millstone  Green,  near  Newcastle,  in  Staffordshire,  about  fifty 
miles  distant  from  Birmingham.  In  this  voyage  the  thermometer  never  came  lower  than  28°,  and  Mr.  Harper 
experienced  no  other  inconvenience  than  what  might  be  expected  to  arise  from  the  changes  of  wet  and  cold, 

t  a  temporary  deafness. 

\\  ••  come  now  to  the  account  of  a  voyage  which  deserves  to  be  long  remembered.  It  is  nothing  less  thiin 
the  crossing  of  the  English  Channel  in  an  aerostatic  machine.  The  same  balloon  which  had  carried  the  enterprising 
XI.  rdanehard  five  times  through  the  air  served  for  this  remarkable  experiment 

On  Friday,  January  the  7th,  being  a  fine  clear  morning,  after  a  very  frosty  night,  and  the  wind  about  north- 
north-west,  but  hardly  pen •cptiMe,  M.  Blanchard,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Jeffries,  departed  in  the  old  balloon  from 
.'.ireetinj;  their  course  for  the  French  coast  The  balloon  was  begun  to  be  filled  at  about  ten  o'clock, 
and,  whilst  the  operation  was  going  on,  two  small  balloons  were  launched  in  order  to  explore  the  direction  of  tin- 
wind  The  apparatus  was  placed  at  about  fourteen  feet  distance  from  the  perpendicular  cliff;  and  at  three- 
quarters  after  twelve  o'clock,  the  boat  being  attached  to  the  net  which  went  over  the  balloon,  several  necessaries, 
and  some  bags  of  sand  for  ballast,  were  put  in  it  The  balloon  and  boat  with  the  two  adventurers,  now  stood 
within  two  feet  of  the  brink  of  the  cliff, — that  identical  precipice  so  finely  described  by  Shakspeare  : — 

How  fearful 

And  dizzy  'tis,  to  cast  one's  eyes  to  low  1 
The  crows  and  choughs,  that  wing  the  midway  air, 
Show  scarce  so  gross  as  beetles.     Halfway  down 
Hangs  one  that  gathers  samphire;  dreadful  trade! 
Mcthiiik*  he  seems  no  bigger  than  liin  head. 
The  fishermen,  that  walk  upon  the  beach, 
Ai'jicar  like  mice;  and  yon  tall  anchoring  bark, 
Piminish'd  to  her  cock  ;  her  cock,  a  buoy 
Almost  too  small  for  night    The  murmuring  (urge, 
That  mi  the  unnumber'd  idle  pebbles  chafes, 
Cannot  be  heard  so  high.— Ill  look  no  more  ; 
Lest  my  brain  turn,  and  the  deficient  sight 
Topple  down  headlong. 

At  on,-  o'clock  the  intrepid  Blanchard  desired  the  boat  to  be  pushed  off;  but  the  weight  being  too  great  for 
the  power  of  the  balloon,  they  were  obliged  to  throw  out  a  considerable  quantity  of  ballast,  in  consequ.  n, , 
of  whieh  they  at  last  rose  gently  and  majestically,  though  making  very  little  way,  with  only  three  sacks  of 
ballast,  of  ten  pounds  each.  At  a  quarter  after  one  o'clock  the  barometer,  which  on  the  cliff  stood  at  29'7,  was 
fallen  to  'jT  ;,  ami  the  weather  proved  fine  and  warm.  Dr.  Jeffries,  in  a  letter  to  Sir  Joseph  Banks,  Bart,  P.K.S., 
•  ibes  with  rapture  tin-  prospect  which  at  this  time  was  before  their  eyes.  The  country  to  the  back  of  Dover, 

•  tieix-d  with  towns  and  villages,  of  which  they  could  count  thirty-seven,  made  a  beautiful  appearance.  On 
the  otlu-r  side,  the  breakers  on  the  Goodwin  Sands  appeared  formidable.  They  passed  over  several  vessels,  and 
•  •nj"v.  .1  a  view  perhaps  more  exK-ndi-d  and  diversified  than  any  that  was  ever  beheld  by  mortal  eye.  The  balloon 
was  much  distended,  and  at  fifty  minutes  past  one  o'clock  it  was  descending,  in  consequence  of  whieh  they  w,  ,, 
obliged  to  throw  out  one  sack  and  a  half  of  ballast,  in  order  to  rise  again.  They  were  now  om-thiid  of  th<  «a\ 
from  Hover,  and  had  lost  distinct  sight  of  the  Castle.  A  short  time  after,  seeing  that  the,  balloon  was  descending 

t'.ist.  all  the  ballast  was  thrown  out;  but  that  not  being  sufficient  to  lighten  the  l...af.  a  pan-el  of  Itooks  was 
next  thrown  overboard,  when  they  rose  again,  being  at  about  midway  between  tin-  Knglish  and  French  coasts. 


80  TnEPNE*H2.  A.D.  1785. 

At  a  quarter  past  two  o'clock  the  rising  of  the  mercury  in  the  barometer  showed  that  the  balloon  was  again 
descending,  which  obliged  them  to  throw  away  the  remaining  books.  At  twenty-five  minutes  after  two  they  were 
at  about  three-fourths  of  the  way,  and  an  enchanting  view  of  the  French  coast  appeared  before  their  eyes  ;  but  the 
lower  pole  of  the  balloon  was  collapsed,  in  consequence  of  the  loss  or  condensation,  of  the  inflammable  air, 
the  machine  was  descending,  and  they,  Tantalus  like,  were  uncertain  whether  they  should  ever  reach  the  beautiful 
land.  Provisions  for  eating,  the  wings  of  the  boat,  and  several  other  articles,  were  successively  thrown  into  the 
sea.  "  We  threw  away,"  says  Dr.  Jeffries,  "  our  only  bottle,  which  in  its  descent  cast  out  a  steam  like  smoke,  with 
a  rushing  noise ;  and  when  it  struck  the  water  we  heard  and  felt  the  shock  very  perceptibly  on  our  car  and 
balloon."  Anchors,  cords,  &c.,  were  thrown  out  next,  but  the  balloon  still  approaching  the  sea,  they  began 
to  strip,  cast  away  their  clothes,  and  fastened  themselves  to  certain  slings  which  proceeded  from  the  hoop  to 
which  the  boat  was  fastened,  intending  to  cut  the  boat  away  for  a  last  resource ;  but  they  had  the  satisfaction 
to  find  that  they  were  rising,  their  distance  from  the  Trench  shore  was  about  four  miles,  and  they  were  approaching 
it  very  fast.  Fear  was  now  vanishing  apace  ;  the  French  land  showed  itself  every  moment  more  beautiful,  more 
extended,  and  more  distinct;  Calais,  and  above  twenty  other  towns  and  villages,  were  clearly  distinguished. 
Their  actual  situation,  with  the  idea  of  their  being  the  two  first  persons  who  crossed  the  Channel  in  such  an 
unusual  vehicle,  made  them  little  sensible  of  the  want  of  their  clothes ;  and  I  doubt  not  but  the  sympathising 
reader  will  feel  an  unusual  sensation  of  admiration  and  joy  in  imagining  their  situation.  Exactly  at  three  o'clock 
they  passed  over  the  high  grounds  about  midway  between  Cape  Blanc  Nez  and  Calais ;  and  it  is  remarkable  that 
the  balloon  at  this  time  rose  very  fast,  so  that  it  made  a  magnificent  arch.  The  balloon  rose  higher  than  it  had  ever 
done  in  any  other  part  of  the  voyage,  and,  the  wind  increasing,  varied  a  little  its  direction.  The  two  adventurers 
now  threw  away  their  cork  jackets,  which  they  had  taken  for  safety,  and  of  which  they  were  no  longer  in  want. 
At  last  they  descended  as  low  as  the  tops  of  the  trees  in  the  Forest  of  Guines,  and  Dr.  Jeifries,  laying  hold  of  a 
branch  of  one  of  the  trees,  stopped  their  progress.  The  valve  of  the  balloon  was  opened,  in  consequence  of  which 
the  inflammable  air  got  out  with  a  loud  rushing  noise ;  and  some  minutes  after  they  came  safely  to  the  ground 
between  some  trees  which  were  just  open  enough  to  admit  them,  after  having  accomplished  an  enterprise  which 
will  perhaps  be  recorded  to  the  remotest  posterity. 

About  half  an  hour  after  they  were  overtaken  by  some  horsemen,  &c.,  who  had  followed  the  balloon,  and  who 
showed  every  possible  attention  to  the  fortunate  aeronauts. 

The  next  day  a  magnificent  feast,  made  at  Calais,  solemnised  the  event.  The  freedom  of  the  city  was 
presented  to  M.  Blanchard  in  a  gold  box,  and  the  Police  of  Calais  wrote  to  the  Ministry  to  have  the  balloon 
purchased  and  deposited,  as  a  memorial  of  the  experiment,  in  the  church  of  Calais,  and  also  design  to  erect  a 
marble  monument  on  the  spot  where  the  intrepid  adventurers  descended. 

Some  days  after  M.  Blanchard  received  an  order  to  appear  before  the  King ;  and  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Sheldon, 
the  companion  of  his  fourth  aerial  voyage,  he  mentions  that  His  Majesty  was  pleased  to  grant  him  a  gift  of  12,000 
livres,  and  a  pension  of  1200  livres  a  year. 

The  most  remarkable  circumstance  in  the  account  of  this  voyage  is  that  of  the  bottle,  the  striking  of  which 
on  the  water  occasioned  some  agitation  on  the  boat  and  balloon.  This  deserves  to  be  carefully  repeated,  at  another 
opportunity,  before  we  attempt  an  explanation  of  the  phenomenon. 

The  balloon  approaching  the  sea  very  fast,  or,  which  is  the  same  thing,  going  veiy  low  whilst  over  the  sea, 
and  rising  very  high  when  it  got  over  land,  has  been  by  several  persons  attributed  to  a  pretended  attractive  power 
of  the  sea- water ;  but  if  the  various  circumstances  which  concur  in  this  experiment  be  duly  considered,  there 
seems  to  be  no  reason  to  admit  so  strange  a  supposition.  It  should  be  recollected  that  in  the  two  preceding 
voyages,  made  with  the  same  machine,  it  was  found  that  the  balloon  could  not  support  two  men  long  in  the 
atmosphere ;  it  should  therefore  occasion  no  wonder  if  in  the  last  .voyage  it  showed  the  same  weakness  of  power. 
As  for  its  rising  higher  just  when  it  got  over  the  land,  that  may  be  easily  accounted  for :  in  the  first  place,  the  two 
travellers  threw  out  their  clothes  just  about  that  time  ;  secondly,  in  consequence  of  the  wind's  then  increasing  the 
balloon  travelled  at  a  much  greater  rate  than  it  had  done  whilst  over  the  sea,  which  increase  of  velocity  lessened  its 
tendency  to  descend  ;  besides  which,  the  vicissitudes  of  heat  and  cold  may  produce  a  very  considerable  eifect ;  for, 
if  we  suppose  that  the  air  over  the  land  was  colder  than  that  over  the  sea,  the  balloon,  coming  from  the  latter  into 
the  former,  continued  to  be  hotter  than  the  circumambient  air  for  some  time  after,  and  consequently  it  was 
comparatively  much  lighter  when  in  the  cold  air  over  the  land  than  when  in  the  hotter  air  over  the  sea ;  hence  it 
floated  easier  in  the  former  than  in  the  latter  case. 


A. i..  i :>.">. 


'.I:\KK\I.  I;I:MAI;KS. 


|« -nples  diviscH  ]iour  I'empiro  del  mcrg 
t  ipi'mi  :iiij..iiril'liui  en  I'raiirliissniit  lea  uirs. 
e  liiriunr  ill-  1'uiiioii  lil 

-  le  Men  de  la  r 


\    monument    was   raised  on  the  spot    when-    M.   Mlanchard  ali-rhted,  with   the   following 
inscription  : — 

sovi  I.E  RBONB  DB  LOOM  MI.  Traversa  le  premier  lei  tin 

M  i»'  i  \\\v,  Au-<leMui  dtt  Paa-de-Calaia, 

Jcan-1'ierrc  Ilium-hard  d' -                          -inamlii',  diicendit  a  trnis  hciini  troii  quarts 
Ac.                            i  <  ;••:)'.  rii-s.  A  n  :lais,                                         Dans  le  lieu  mtnw  oil  \et  habitant*  do  Guine* 

1'ariit  .In                 It  Douvrei  Ont  tievt  cettc  colonne 

I  '.ma  uu  aerostat,  A  la  gloire  den  deux  voyageun. 
:  I  Janvier  ;i  line  lieiire  nn  quart; 

And  tlie.se  verses,  record  the  feelings  awakened  hy  this  inrident  : 

Autant  que  le  Franpiia,  1'Anglais  fut  intrt'piilc  : 
Tout  lei  deux  ont  plane  jusqu'nu  plus  haut  dc*  air* ; 
Tons  le*  deux,  *aun  naviro,  ont  traverse'  les  men. 
Mai*  la  France  a  produit  1'inventeur  et  le  guide. 

/•«/  llemarks  on  the  prectding  History  (ly  Cavatio). — The  art  of  navigating  throughthe  air,  sought  after  from 

time  imnii  nioiial,  has  K-eii  discovered  and  so  far  improved  within  these  two  years  that  above  forty  different  persons 

peit'oimed  ihe  experiment,  and  not  a  single  instance  is  known  of  any  person  having  lost  his  life  in  the 

attempt  :  and,  excepting  two  or  three,  who  have  been  hurt  in  consequence  of  accidents— owing,  not  to  tho  principle 

of  the  invention,  1ml   rather  to  the  want  of  proper  judgment — all  have  unanimously  testified  the  safety,  ease,  and 

v  of  the  expei  iincnt ;  and  it  is  very  remarkable  that  no  man  or  woman  who  ascended  into  the  atmosphere  by 

this  new-invented  means,  experienced  any  sickness  or  giddiness,  such  as  is  generally  tho  consequence  at  first 

a^  hi-h  Imildin^s,  or  of  going  in  a  boat  on  water.    It  is  justly  questioned  whether  the  first  forty 

MS  who  t> listed  themselves  to  the  sea  in  boats  escaped  so  safe. 

The  method,  far  from  being  complicated  or  troublesome,  is  perhaps  as  simple  as  might  have  been  wished  by 
the  warmest  imagination;  and  so  easy  for  the  aeronaut  that  he  has  absolutely  much  less  trouble  with  his  machine 
than  a  sailor  with  a  ship  in  the  most  favourable  circumstances.  With  a  moderate  wind  the  aerial  navigators  havo 
often  -ion.  at  the  rate  ..f  Let  ween  forty  and  fifty  miles  an  hour,  but  very  commonly  at  the  rate  of  thirty  miles,  and  that 
without  any  a^itati-.n  and  without  feeling  the  wind  ;  for,  in  fact;  the  wind  goes  with  them,  and  therefore  they  are 
lively  in  a  calm  and  without  uneasiness.  Compare  this  mode  of  travelling  with  any  other  known  method  of 

iieii  judge  of  the  merit  and  importance  of  the  discovery. 

Ign. .  •.  iosity,  and  often  the  supercilious  wisdom  of  the  splenetic,  ask  whether  it  is  possible  to  bring 

this  <:  to  IK-  (.f  any  use ;  and  the  want  of  a  decisive  answer,  which  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  any  man  to 

.  makes  such  generally  decide 'against  air-balloons  ;  endeavouring  to  depreciate  them  still  further  by 

the  ridiculous  idea  of  emptiness,  which  has  been  often  allegorically  expressed  by  the  words  aerial,  full  of  air,  empty 

balls,  and  bags  full  of  trind.     Some  persons  often  wonder  that  air-balloons  should  engross  the  public  attention,  that 

they  aie  !»-.-,, me  the  object  of  scientific  societies,  and  havo  acquired  tho  patronage  of  tho  great  and  learned.    They 

should  first  consider  how  much  human  attention,  human  life,  human  labour,  human  peace  and  tranquillity,  have 

-siil,  disturbed,  and  checked  by  unmeaning  words  and  ideal  powers;  perhaps  they  would  then  allow 

some  attention  to  be  bestowed  upon  one  of  the  greatest  discoveries  of  human  industry. 

The  principal  objection  started  against  aerostation  is,  that  those  machines  cannot  bo  guided  against  the 
wind,  or  in  .  \.  i  v  direction  at  pleasure;  and  the  enemies  of  innovations  would  set  aside  even  the  idea  of  air- 
balloons,  i  after  their  discovery,  the  subject  has  not  b6en  so  far  improved  as  to  steer  them  in 
any  diii-dion  •                  r.     I'mt.  as  the  advantages  and  merit  of  an  invention  may  be  comprehended  by  comparison 
r  t!. an  by  other  means,  it   should  }„•   considered,   that  vessels  on  water  cannot  be  guided  against  the  wind, 
within   many  derives  of  the  contrary  direction  ;  and   indeed,   if  the   lee-way  of  a  vessel  going  close  to 
•vind  !«•   taken   into  account,   it  will  bo  found  that,  in  reality,  a  vessel  at  sea  can  hardly  bo  guided  in  a 
r  than  a  rijrht  angle  to  the  point  of  tho  wind :  for  instance,  with  a  northerly  wind,  a  vessel  cannot 
n  al«ove  northward  of  east,  or  northward  of  west.     Now,  an  aerostatic  machine  has 
'  ir  as  twenty-two  decree*   from  tho  direction  of  the  wind,  by  the  use  of  oars,  which 

were  neither  all  the  oars  that  could  have  In  ,  n  u~ed  nor  of  tho  most  advantageous  construction  ;  so  that  there  is 
grea'  ,ty  that  an  improved  construction  and  proper  management  may  enable  an  aerostatic  machine  to  go 

across  the  wind,  if  not  Mill  :  the  point  from  whence  it  blow.s. 


82  THEPNE^HS.  A.D.  1785. 

An  aeronaut,  in  the  atmosphere,  has  two  advantages  which  are  very  considerable ;  first,  that  if  the  wind 
does  not  prove  favourable,  he  may  descend,  provided  he  is  overland ;  and  secondly,  as  currents  of  air,  going  in 
different  directions,  have  been  very  often  observed  at  the  same  time  in  the  atmosphere,  the  aeronaut  may,  by 
ascending  or  descending  into  a  higher  or  lower  region,  go  with  that  current  which  is  proper  for  him.  Indeed, 
it  is  not  known  that  those  different  currents  always  exist;  but  it  is  not  unlikely  that  they,  as  has  been  the  case 
with  the  currents  of  various  seas,  may  be  better  ascertained  by  future  experience  and  investigation  ;  and  we  have 
now  in  our  power  the  means  of  examining  them  at  any  time.  The  reader  should  here  observe  that  the  above- 
mentioned  means  of  directing  aerostatic  machines  are  not  schemes  of  theoretical  projectors,  but  the  produce  of 
experience,  and  in  great  measure  confirmed  by  many  instances  in  the  preceding  history. 

The  incomparably  greater  velocity  of  an  aerostatic  machine,  and  its  very  seldom  or  never  losing  time  by 
being  becalmed,*  are  likewise  two  advantages,  which  aerostation  has  above  navigation.  But  as  my  object  is  to 
inform  those  who  wish  to  know  what  has  been  done  in  this  subject,  and  not  to  persuade  the  unwilling,  I  shall 
conclude  this  chapter,  and  the  First  Part  of  my  work,  with  a  summary  recapitulation  of  the  most  interesting 
particulars  that  have  been  ascertained,  in  order  to  exhibit  to  the  mind  of  the  reader  a  comprehensive  view  of  the 
subject  in  a  few  lines. 

Two  substances  having  been  discovered  to  be  specifically  much  lighter  than  common  air, — namely, 
inflammable  air  and  common  air  when  heated, — large  bags  have  been  formed  which  would  contain  so  great  a 
quantity  of  these  substances,  as  that  the  excess  of  weight  of  a  body  of  common  air  above  that  of  an  equal  bulk 
of  hot  or  inflammable  air  might  be  greater  than  the  weight  of  the  bag,  or  at  least  equal  to  it ;  those  bags,  therefore, 
thus  filled,  being  lighter  than  an  equal  bulk  of  the  circumambient  air,  float  in  it,  and  are  driven  by  the  wind ;  and 
for  the  same  reason,  a  piece  of  wood  in  a  river  floats  upon  the  water,  and  proceeds  with  the  stream. 

As  air  will  not  long  remain  hotter  than  the  surrounding  medium,  those  bags  or  balloons,  which  are  filled 
with  hot  air,  must  contain  a  fire  capable  of  keeping  the  air  sufficiently  hot ;  by  which  means  they  may  continue 
to  float  for  an  indefinite  time ;  otherwise,  in  a  very  short  time,  the  air  in  them  cools,  and  they  fall.  The  other 
balloons,  which  contain  inflammable  air,  continue  to  float  as  long  as  a  sufficient  quantity  of  that  fluid  remains 
in  them;  so  that  they  would  float  for  ever,  if  the  envelope  did  not  permit  any  inflammable  air  to  escape  through 
its  pores. 

It  is  mathematically  true,  that  the  ascensional  power  of  balloons,  or  their  excess  of  levity  above  an  equal 
bulk  of  common  air,  increases  incomparably  faster  than  the  proportion  of  their  diameters  :  for  instance,  if  an 
air-balloon  of  a  certain  diameter  can  lift  up  into  the  atmosphere  a  weight  of  ten  pounds,  another  balloon  of  twice 
that  diameter  (everything  else,  as  the  thickness  of  the  stuff,  &c.,  remaining  the  same)  will  lift  up  more  than 
eighty  pounds ;  and  a  balloon  of  three  times  that  diameter  will  lift  up  more  than  270  pounds'  weight.  Upon 
this  principle,  balloons  have  been  made  of  such  a  size  as  would  carty  up  any  required  weight ;  in  various  parts 
of  the  world  men  have  ascended  with  them,  and  have  safely  travelled  through  the  air  at  the  rate  even  of  about 
fifty  miles  an  hour. 

Wherever  those  experiments  have  been  made,  persons  of  every  rank  have  gazed  with  the  greatest  anxiety, 
and  have  shown  unequivocal  marks  of  astonishment  and  satisfaction ;  the  aeronauts,  returning  from  their  aerial 
excursions,  have  been  generally  received  with  the  greatest  applause,  have  been  carried  in  triumph  ;  medals  have 
been  struck,  and  plates  engraven,  in  commemoration  of  the  persons  who  have  most  distinguished  themselves  in 
such  performances,  or  of  their  particular  experiments ;  premiums  and  pensions  have  been  granted  them  by 
learned  societies,  and  by  many  great  persons,  especially  by  the  court  of  France,  whose  patronage  and  generosity,  in 
this  respect,  must  be  ever  acknowledged  and  praised  by  all  impartial  and  discerning  people.  Thus  mankind, 
by  these  acts  of  admiration,  of  satisfaction  and  generosity,  has  shown  and  confirmed  its  approbation  of  the 
discovery.  The  vicissitudes  of  human  affairs  may  at  times  retard  or  accelerate  the  use  and  improvement  of 
aerostatic  machines,  but  the  interest  and  curiosity  of  man  will  doubtless  for  ever  retain  the  knowledge  of  the 
subject — a  subject  infantile  indeed,  but  endowed  with  manly  features. 

It  has  been  often  discussed  whether  the  preference  should  be  given  to  the  inflammable-air  machines  or  to 
those  raised  by  means  of  hot  air.  Each  of  them  has  its  peculiar  advantages  and  disadvantages  ;  a  just  consideration 
of  which  seems  to  decide  in  favour  of  those  with  inflammable  air.  The  principal  comparative  advantages  of 
the  rarefied-air  balloons  are — their  being  filled  with  little  or  no  expense — their  not  requiring  to  be  made  of  so 


*  An  instance  of  an  aerostatic  machine  remaining  in  the  atmosphere  stationary  for  want  of  wind,  has  happened  very  seldom,  and  then 
it  has  never  lasted  above  a  few  minutes.     And  everybody  knows  that,  in  the  calmest  weather,  the  clouds  always  appear  to  he  in  motion. 


2 

I  " 


I 


I 


^ 


• 


A.I).  1785.  GENERAL  REMARKS 


-.-\\,-  materials  -and  tli.'  C'.inl.iiMil.l.  s-  necessary  to  fill  tln-m  being  found  almost  everywhere;  so  that  when 
tho  provision  of  fuel  is  exhausted,  the  aeronaut  may  descend  and  rvrrmt  hi*  fuel  in  order  t«»  proceed  on  his 

voyage.      Hut  ill.  'ii  the\   ma-!  !•••    l.i:^.-r  linn  :!.•    "'h.  i   »..it  of   Utllooiis.  in  ..id.  r  I.,  t.ik.-  up  tin-  same  «.  i-lit  .    and 

the  presence  of  a  In.  is  a  continual  trouble,  and  a  continual  danger:  in  fact,  amongst  tho  many  aerial  voyages 
made  aii.  I  attempted  with  such  machines,  very  fuw  have  succeeded  without  some  inconvenience  of  one  sort  or 
other;  \vh.-reas  tho  aerial  excursions  made  with  inflammable-air  machines  have  all  answered  exceedingly  «••!!, 
ami  in  lint  few  instances  ha\.-  the  machines  been  damaged,  and  then  very  inconsiderably.  —  Hut,  on  tho  other 
han.l.  tin'  inflammable-air  balloon  must  be  made  of  a  substance  impermeable  to  the  subtile  gas  ;  tho  gas  itself 
cannot  be  produced  without  a  considerable  expense;  and  it  is  not  easy  to  find  the  materials  and  apparatus 
necessary  for  the  production  of  it  in  every  place.  Nevertheless,  an  inflammable-air  balloon  of  thirty  feet  in 
diameter,  according  to  tho  present  state  of  knowledge,  may  be  made  so  tight  as  to  be  capable  of  keeping  two 
persons,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of  ballast,  up  in  tho  air  for  above  twenty-four  hours,  if  properly  managed; 
and  possiUv  one  man  might  bo  supported  by  the  same  machine  for  three  days:  and  it  is  very  probable  that  the 
stuff  fur  these  balloons  may  be  so  far  improved  as  to  be  quite  impermeable  to  tho  inflammable  air,  or  nearly  to; 
in  which  case,  the  machine,  once  filled,  would  continue  to  float  for  a  vast  while.  At  Paris  they  have  already 
attained  to  a  great  degree  of  perfection  in  this  point  ;  and  small  balloons  have  been  kept  floating  in  a  room  for 
many  weeks  without  losing  any  considerable  quantity  of  their  levity  :  but  the  method  of  preparing  tho  stuff  is  still 
k.-pt  secret  However,  there  seems  to  be  no  great  difficulty  in  making  small  balloons  so  very  tight;  the  difficulty 
is  in  tho  large  ones  ;  because,  in  a  large  machine,  the  weight  of  the  stuff  itself,  tho  weight  and  stress  of  ropes 
and  boat,  tho  folding  it  up,  &c.,  may  easily  crack  or  scrape  off  the  varnish  in  some  place  or  other,  which  is  not 
the  case  with  small  balloons. 

As  for  the  dearness  of  'the  inflammable  air,  it  must  be  observed,  that  divers  experiments  and  observations 
show  that  a  method  of  obtaining  it  incomparably  cheaper  is  not  for  from  being  ascertained  ;  and  indeed  there 
are  several  manufactories  in  which  abundance  of  inflammable  air  is  daily  produced,  and  lost  for  want  of  duo 
attention,  or  of  vessels  proper  to  confine  it  ;  but,  as  its  utility  becomes  known,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  moans 
will  be  contrived  to  preserve  it,  wherever  it  may  be  abundantly  produced  ;  so  that  we  may  shortly  expect  to 
see  repositories  of  inflammable  air,  where  one  may  go  to  fill  a  balloon  for  a  certain  sum. 

In  regard  to  philosophical  observations,  derived  from  the  new  subject  of  aerostation,  there  havo  been  very 
few  made;  the  novelty  of  the  discovery,  and  of  the  prospect  enjoyed  from  the  gallery  of  an  aerostatic  machine, 
has  generally  distracted  the  attention  of  the  aeronauts  ;  and  besides,  many,  if  not  the  greatest  number  of  the 
aerial  voyages,  though  said  to  be  purposely  made  for  tho  improvement  of  science,  were  performed  by  persons 
absolutely  incapable  of  accomplishing  this  purpose,  and  who,  in  reality,  had  either  pecuniary  profit  alone  in 
view,  or  were  stimulated  to  go  up  with  a  balloon  for  the  sake  of  the  prospect,  and  the  vanity  of  adding  their  name- 
to  the  list  of  aerial  adventurers. 

The  agreeable  stillness  and  tranquillity  experienced  up  in  the  atmosphere  has  been  a  general  observation.  — 
Some  machines  have  ascended  to  a  great  height,  even  as  far  as  two  miles  ;  they  have  generally  penetrated  through 
fogs  and  clouds,  and  have  enjoyed  the  vivifying  heat  of  the  sun,  whilst  tho  earth  beneath  was  actually  covered  by 
dense  clouds  that  poured  abundance  of  rain.  —  In  ascending  very  high,  the  aeronauts  have  often  experienced  a 
pain  in  their  ears,  arising  from  the  air,  within  a  certain  cavity  of  those  organs,  being  not  of  the  same  density 
as  the  external  air  ;  but  that  pain  generally  went  off  soon  after.  —  There  is  one  experiment  recorded,  in  which  the 
air  of  a  high  region,  being  brought  down  and  examined  by  means  of  nitrous  air,  was  found  to  be  purer  than 
tho  air  below.  —  The  temperature  of  tho  upper  regions  is  much  colder  than  that  of  the  air  near  the  earth  ;  the 
thermometer,  in  some  aerostatic  machines,  having  descended  many  degrees  below  tho  freezing  point  of  water, 
whereas  on  the  earth,  at  the  same  time,  it  stood  considerably  higher  than  that  degree.  —  The  electricity  brought 
down  by  strings,  fastened  to  balloons  floating  in  the  atmosphere,  proves  nothing  more  than  what  was  known 
before,  and  had  been  ascertained  by  other  means,  viz.  the  existence  of  a  continual  electricity,  of  the  positive  kind, 
in  a  clear  atmosphere. 

Having  just  mentioned  tho  electricity  of  the  atmosphere,  it  will  be  proper  to  take  notice  of  a  sort  of  danger 
justly  suspected  to  attend  the  inflammable-air  balloons,  and  which  arises  from  this  principle.  It  is,  that  a  stroke 
of  lightning,  or  the  smallest  electric  spark,  happening  near  the  balloon,  might  set  fire  to  the  inflammable-air 
and  destroy  the  marhine  and  the  adventurers.  —  But  several  considerations  seem  to  render  this  apprehension  of 
no  great  weight,  though  they  do  not  entirely  remove  it,  according  to  the  present  state  of  knowledge.  First,  this 
accident  never  actually  happened,  though  inflammable-air  balloons  have  been  up  in  every  season  of  the  year, 

ii  2 


84 


THEPNE^HS. 


A.D.  1785. 


and  at  the  very  time  when  thunder  was  actually  heard :  secondly,  in  •  case  of  danger,  the  aeronauts  may  easily 
come  down  to  the  earth,  or. ascend  above  the  clouds,  viz.  above  the  region  of  thunder-storms :  thirdly,  the  balloon, 
made  of  materials  that  are  not  conductors  of  electricity,  is  not  likely  to  receive  a  stroke  of  lightning,  especially  as 
it  stands  insulated  ;  for  it  is  a  maxim  pretty  well  established  by  electricians,  that  the  lightning,  in  coming  to  the 
earth,  does  not  strike  any  intermediate  body,  except  that  body  can  assist  its  passage  ;  thus,  a  house  that  contains 
a  great  deal  of  metal,  and  is  situated  upon  ground  that  is  a  good  conductor  of  electricity,  especially  if  near  a  river, 
is  more  likely  to  be  struck  by  the  lightning  than  a  house  which  stands  upon  dry  and  hardly-conducting  ground. 
This  has  been  confirmed  by  many  instances.  It  may  be  said  that  a  stroke  of  lightning  may  strike  the  balloon  in 
passing  from  one  cloud  to  another ;  but  the  same  reasons  which  show  that  the  balloon  is  not  likely  to  be  affected 
in  the  former  case  are  applicable  to  the  latter  :  however,  at  present,  it  seems  impossible  to  give  a  proper  decisive 
answer  relative  to  this  point ;  and  nothing  but  experience  can  show  how  far  the  aeronaut  may  be  in  danger  of  the 
lightning.  Lastly,  it  may  be  observed,  in  regard  to  this  circumstance,  that  inflammable  air  by  itself,  viz.  unmixed 
with  a  certain  quantity  of  common  air,  will  not  burn,  and  consequently,  even  if  a  spark  of  electricity  was  to 
pass  through  the  balloon,  it  would  not  set  fire  to  the  inflammable  air,  except  a  hole  was  to  be  made  in  the 
envelope ;  in  that  case  the  inflammable  air  coming  out  of  the  hole,  would  mix  with  the  common  air,  and  might 
easily  be  inflamed  by  electricity. 

In  the  course  of  the  preceding  history  I  have  scarcely  mentioned  a  word  relative  to  the  numberless  schemes 
that  have  been  proposed  for  directing  the  aerostatic  machines.  The  projects  of  this  sort  have  been  numerous 
indeed,  but  hardly  ever  had  the  appearance  of  probability.  Some  imagined  that  an  aerostatic  machine  might  be 
guided  by  means  of  sails,  like  a  vessel  at  sea,  forgetting  that  there  is  no  wind  with  respect  to  an  aerostatic 
machine  ;  for  it  goes  with  the  wind,  and  therefore  is  respectively  in  a  calm ;  in  which  case  the  sails  cannot  act. 
Others  would  direct  it  from  the  wind  by  the  action  of  a  steam-engine  or  eolipile :  and  others  again  by  means 
of  gunpowder  fired  out  of  a  tube,  in  a  direction  contrary,  or  inclined  to  the  wind.  But,  without  troubling  the 
reader  any  further  with  such  chimerical  schemes,  it  must  be  acknowledged  that  there  have  been  a  few  projects 
for  this  purpose  which  are  far  from  being  groundless,  and  consequently  deserving  of  notice. 


Beautiful  cloud  !  with  folds  so  soft  and  fair, 

Swimming  in  the  pure  quiet  air  ! 
Thy  fleeces  bathed  in  sunlight,  while  below 

Thy  shadow  o'er  the  vale  moves  slow : 
Where,  midst  their  labour,  pause  the  reaper  train 

As  cool  it  comes  along  the  grain. 
Beautiful  cloud !  I  would  I  were  with  thee 

In  thy  calm  way  o'er  land  and  sea : 
To  rest  on  thy  unrolling  skirts,  and  look 

On  Earth  as  on  an  open  book ; 
On  streams  that  tie  her  realms  with  silver  bands, 

And  the  long  ways  that  seem  her  lands  ; 


And  hear  her  humming  cities,  and  the  sound 

Of  the  great  ocean  breaking  round. 
Ay — I  would  sail  upon  thy  air-borne  car 

To  blooming  regions  distant  far, 
To  where  the  sun  of  Andalusia  shines 

On  his  own  olive-groves  and  vines, 
Or  the  soft  lights  of  Italy's  bright  sky 

In  smiles  upon  her  ruins  lie. 
But  I  would  woo  the  winds  to  let  us  rest 

O'er  Greece  long  fettered  and  oppressed. — BRYANT. 


-'M  II'SUM  PETIMUS  STULT1T1A.- 


CIIA  1'TKK    IV. 


TIIK  rllAl;l.n-M"V!<."I.KlKUE  —  TIIK  UKATII  i»K  PII.ATRE  DE  ROZIEK,  AXD  ITS  EFFECT  —  ASCENTS 

OF  INTKUKST  Til.  I.  1800. 


To  sec  sad  sights  moves  more  than  hear  them  told  ; 

For  tlu-n  the  I've  inti-rprcts  to  the  ear 

The  heavy  motion  that  it  ilnth  M\->\<\ ; 

When  every  part  a  i*rt  of  woe  doth  bear, 

Tia  but  a  part  of  sorrow  that  we  hear. 

Deep  sounds  make  lesser  noise  than  shallow  fords ; 

And  sorrow  ebbs,  being  blown  with  winds  of  words. — SIIAKSPEARE. 


IHf    <  llu:U>-M.iM'.'.|  nii:K  —  TIIK    DEATHS  OF   P1LATRE   DE   ROZ1ER   AND   11.    ROMAIXE  —  REASONING  —  THE    LETTER    Til    III! 

•l.illiNU.   I'K    PAKIs'-     TIIK   KI/X5E  —  TE8TU  —  BRISSY  IN  A  THUNDERSTORM  —  BALDWIN'S  AEIIOI'IDA  —  THE  APPEA1:  \  V.  I 

HKM'KR    FROM    A    HKI.ilir    OF    SIX    MILES  —  CHAT-MOSS  —  EDINBURGH   TO    COPAB    ACROSS  THE    FIRTH   OF    FORTH  — 

••   KM'.  IIP    ro.MI'ANIoNs    OK    TIIK     HEOGAR's    BENISON  "  -  KEL8O  -  GLASGOW  -  ST.    ANDREW'S    "CHURCHYARD"-       NIK 

nmi-KUS    OK    TIIK   27TH    REGIMENT  —  "MANSE  OF  CAMPSIE  "  -  "  DINNA    YE   THINK    THE   WORLD   WILL  SOON    BE  AT   AN 

"—"HELP    KllOM     THE    'BASS    ROCK'"  —  "THE    FIRST    ASCENT    OF    MONT    BLANC  "  —  THE    PARACHUTE—  l.«  n  I- 

WON  APARTE. 


CAVALI.O  ends  his  history  —  luckily  for  the  remarks  he  makes  —  in  January,  1785. 
H;nl  In-  iK-lavt-il  till  .lime,  his  last  tale  would  have  been  a  melancholy  one;  for  on  the  15th 
of  that  month  the  shout  of  joy,  that  had  re-echoed  over  Europe  during  two  years,  was  rolled 
hark  1>\-  a  wail  of  dismay  :it  the  appalling  accident  that  happened  to  MM.  Pilatre  de  Rozier 


Public  opinion  from  that  time  stigmatised  as  foolhardy,  all  further  attempts  to  navigate 
tin-  clouds;  and  this  opinion  has  been  strengthened  by  the  number  of  inexperienced 
adventurers,  who,  for  the  sake  of  gain  or  popular  applause,  have  run  needless  risks. 

HITI-  an   the  accounts  of  eyewitnesses;  and  we  may  now  calmly  judge  of  the  correct  n<-» 

•  it'  sucli  an  opinion  :  — 

This  th>t  :inil  K.M.  -t  of  aeronauts  desired  to  crown  his  sucoeaaea  by  the  passage  of  the  Channel,  but  trivial 
.ml  ••Miitnrv  winds  delayed  his  start  for  seven  months.  Meanwhile  Blanchard  had  crossed  from  England. 
Tin-  many  taunts  lie  wa*  Miliji-rt.  •.!  t.>  in  consequence  of  continued  postponements  galled  his  youthful  spirit;  and  on 
ili>-  l">t)i  .linn-  he  starUnl  at  7  P.M.,  with  Mons.  Romainc,  under  unfavourable  circumstances;  his  last  tie  to  earth 
having  l»vn  tin-  hand  nl'  tin-  .Manpiis  d<-  Maisonfort,  to  whom  ho  had  refused  a  seat  in  his  car,  in  spite  of  hi* 
••arn  .:id  who  n-inainiil  t.  .  write  an  account  of  the  melancholy  death  of  his  friend,  and  to  deliv> 

i-l'»]iirnt  i-ul'ipuin  nvi-r  liiin  at  tin-  A'-a.l.  m\   ni'  Si-i.-iioflB. 

Thi-iiximl.s  .-!'  i.i.]il,-  watched  thoir  flight  with  peculiar  anxiety,  for  another  stop  would  have  been 
gainrd  in  the  iniprovciiic-nt  of  the  aerostat,  should  thu  Clnirl.>-Moiitgolui-ru  succeed.  The  advocates  of  the  Mont- 


86  ASTEA  CASTHA.  JUNE,  1785. 

golfiere  had  now  had  two  years'  controversy  with  those  who  thought  the  Charliere  the  best ;  and  it  was  the 
ambition  of  Pilatre  de  Eozier  to  combine  the  two  in  this  bold  attempt. 

About  thirty  minutes  only  had  elapsed  since  they  had  left  the  earth ;  the  S.E.  current  that  earned  them  out 
to  sea  had  changed  to  S.W.,  that  again  brought  them  inland ;  when  a  cry  arose  from  those  thousands  of  spectators, 
maybe  more  swift  and  sudden  than  any  that  ever  emanated  from  so  large  a  multitude ;  for  at  the  same  instant  all 
beheld  the  machine  in  flames;  and  after  many  swift,  wave-like  motions,  it  fell  a  shapeless  mass  upon  the 
ground,  on  reaching  which  the  unfortunate  occupants  were  found  dead.  Nothing  more  remained  for  them  but  a 
funeral ;  and  the  following  inscription  was  placed  on  their  tomb : —  . 

Passants,  plaigncz  leur  sort,  et  priez  Dieu  pour  1e  repos  de  leurs  amcs — 

L'estime,  la  doulcur, 
Et  ramitie",  leur  ont  eleve 
Ce  monument,  en  l'anne"e 

1786. 

Ardens  amis  des  arts  et  de  la  ve'rite', 
Au  printemps  de  ses  jours  par  un  noble  courage 
Le  premier  dans  les  airs  il  s'ouvrit  un  passage 
Et  pent  au  chemin  d'immortalitd, 
Le  matin  dans  les  airs  comble'  de  la  gloire 
Le  soir  ne  reste  d'eux  que  la  me'moire 
Montrant  de  1'homme  au  meme  instant 
Et  la  grandeur,  et  le  ne"ant. 

Ill-tidings  fly  rapidly ;  a  bad  impression  was  made  ;  and  it  was  in  vain  that  the  writer  of  the 
following  able  letter  to  the  '  Journal  de  Paris,'  endeavoured  to  combat  this  misconception  : — 

One  cannot  doubtless  too  much  regret  the  death  of  an  amiable  young  man,  full  of  love  to  science  and  victim 
to  his  zeal  and  courage ;  but  wherefore  throw  upon  this  invention  all  the  blame  of  some  false  combinations  or 
neglect  in  the  construction  (of  the  machine),  or  perhaps  some  unforeseen  circumstances  ? 

There  has  never  been  an  invention  useful  to  mankind  that  has  not  cost  human  blood ;  we  need  not  look  far 
for  examples. 

Will  the  immortal  Franklin  reproach  himself  for  having  announced  to  mankind  the  identity  of  lightning 
with  electric  fluid,  because  two  physicians  have  been  victims  to  this  discovery  ? 

How  many  thousands  have  died  from  emetics,  or  the  crushing  of  stone,  and  must  we  on  this  account  forbid 
the  remedy  or  the  operation  ? 

Let  us  remember  the  time  when  a  balloon  first  rose  from  the  Champ  de  Mars,  and  was  lost  in  the  clouds  in 
the  midst  of  Paris,  astounded  at  this  physical  prodigy,  as  if  a  miracle  had  interrupted  the  laws  of  nature. 
Imagination  did  not  even  dare  to  fancy  a  human  being  attached  to  such  a  vehicle ;  and  those  who  ventured  to 
suggest  experiments  with  those  under  sentence  of  death  appeared  to  propose  something  diabolical. 

At  this  timid  period,  a  young  man,  of  an  agreeable  and  taking  figure,  and  of  a  gentle  and  happy  character, 
loved  by  all  who  knew  him,  having  every  reason  to  love  life,  volunteered  to  try  the  experiment  which  hardly 
any  one  had  yet  the  courage  to  think  of.  Every  one  said  he  was  a  fool ;  but  when  he  had  descended  from  the 
clouds  after  crossing  Paris,  all  were  ready  to  look  upon  him  as  a  being  of  another  world. 

Hardly  had  the  novelty  been  repeated  four  or  five  times  than  the  public  wished  to  despise  it,  and  spoke  of  it 
as  children's  play,  that  required  no  courage. 

The  fearful  death  of  Pilatre  de  Eozier  has  re-awakened  original  fears,  and  again  it  is  said  that  experiments 
should  be  abandoned  after  proving  so  fatal  to  the  man  who  first  made  the  attempt. 

The  public  is  again  ready  to  condemn  as  a  fool  him  whom  they  had  just  admired  as  the  hero  of  the  sciences. 
Thus  is  the  tide  of  public  opinion  carried  between  contempt  and  admiration. 

There  is  something  surprising  in  these  experiments,  which  are  so  alarming  to  the  imagination;  it  is,  that 
more  than  a  hundred  have  been  made  without  a  single  accident.  From  this  one  would  conclude  that  the  dangers 
are  not  so  great,  when  these  have  all  been  trials  and  experiments. 

Such  is  the  lot  of  mankind,  that  the  most  happy  revolutions,  the  most  useful  discoveries,  cost  sacrifices. 
Navigation,  again,  costs  mankind  thousands  of  victims ;  and  navigation  is  useful  to  man. 

Aerostats,  it  is  true,  are  uncertain,  till  a  way  has  been  discovered  for  directing  them ;  and  this  is  a  problem 


A.M.!  REASONING— THE  ELOGE,  87 


\et    t..   I-    solved.       \Vli..  will   dare  say  tho  problem   in   insoluble,   or  that  its  impossibility  has  already 

.I.-,-].; 

I  re«]"-ct  tin  authority  of  men  «>f  science,  and  I  know  their  value;  BUT  SCIENCE  OXLY  COMBINES  AND  COMPARI* 
KN..U  \  ii,  RESULTS  CANNOT  GO  BEYnM>  ii  ANi  MOI;K  iiM\  ITS  coMPAHi -o\-  \M'  <  uMiuv  vrioNS.  GENIUK 

\M-.ll\vi     I.I-  "\  III  NKW  FORCES;    >  -IK-    WHAT   18   ACTUALLY  .  llvvi:    \\|.   ..IMI-   I  \  I  KND  THE  LIMITS 

ot    i^.-ir;;  •  1:1  Ml.  -D  TO  SPEAK,  NKW  POSSIBILITIES. 

n  ili"  discovery  of  Moutgolficr,  Science  had  announced  tho  impossibility  of  man  ever  rising  in  tin-  air. 
ami   it   hud  reason,  f»r  it  could  only  combine  and  compare  known  forces.     Montgolfier  appears,  and  at  Aniionay 

-  a  ii.  \\  t'. •!  ve.  .in.l  nuiii  floats  in  the  air :  should  it  be,  at  a  time  when  this  discovery  has  extended  the  limits  of 
possibility  to  a  prodigious  extent,  that  any  one  should  presume  to  say  that  it  is  impossible  to  extend  tin-in  \.i 
forth 

Thi-  di-co\.r\  has  accustomed  us  to  prodigies,  and  reason  has  a  right  to  expect  now  ones;  everything 
|irniiiisi-.s  that  tin-  reign  "t  I.»ui-  \\  1.  will  yet  add  this  glory  to  tho  glory  of  tho  first  discovery. 

lnitv|i],l  ami  pei-sev.  ring  men  exhaust  combinations  in  their  numerous  experiments,  and  chance,  so  to  speak, 
is  searched  in  all  ways. 

us,  at  tin-  NIMH-  tiin,-.  will  \\.ii.-li   nature  in  all  directions;  and  a  single  observation  or  a  single  idea  may 
perhaps  lx.«  worth  a  thousand  experim. 

The  t'<>lli>\vin<r  i*  tin-  Kloge  pronounced  at  the  Academy  of  Sciences: — 

Tut:  ELOOE  ON  PILATRE  DE  ROZIKR,  DY  TIIK  MARQUIS  DE  MAISONFORT. 

A  P.-IM.M  must  possess  well-known  talent.-,  and  an  established  n-putat  ion,  to  venture  to  speak  in  praise  of  a  man 
whose  <i«>l  intrepidity  ami  a<-tivr  knowledge  intercut  all  generous  hearts.  I  do  not  estimate  my  own  powers,  but 
.inly  listen  to  the  dictates  of  my  heart.  I  conceive,  that  without  being  eloquent,  we  may  dare  all  things  when 
warmly  affected. 

•  ••••••*•*•»• 

Hereafter,  mi  seeing  his  name  consecrated  by  glory,  t  will  say,  if  his  last  expressions  of  affection  were 
I-  -t. -u .  -1  on  me,  I  am  the  first  to  strew  some  flowers  on  his  grave. 

He  was  born  March,  1  T.'.T  ;  tin-  city  of  Mctz  gave  him  birth,  but  to  Paris  ho  dedicated  his  talents. 

Almost  unknown  in  his  own  country  (which  he  left  early  in  life),  tho  city  where  he  was  born  knew  him  only 
1'V  those  rays  of  glory  which  ho  spread  over  it;  and  although  his  fellow-citizens  have  a  right  to  bo  proud  of  his 
birth,  it  remain.-  "iily  lor  us  to  lament  his  death. 

I  sh.ill  not  touch  upon  the  family  of  I'ihUro  do  Rozier.  Lot  it  suffice  us  to  know  that  he  was  born  of  virtuous 
ami  honest  ]tiv  nt-.  I'.il.-e  jiriile  is  always  founded  in  mediocrity. 

The  Icarm-il.  the  artist,  and  the  poet  are  tho  children  of  their  own  creation,  and  the  eminent  man  belongs  to 

claws  of  citizens.  The  great  disadvantage  of  poverty  is,  that  it  deprives  us  of  a  generous  and  distinguished 
education.  A  rich  man.  without  talents,  is  the  more  blameablc,  as  ho  has  had  in  his  power  all  tho  means  of 
olitaininjx  tln-m.  Thus,  a  man  without  fortune,  like  Piliitrc  do  Kozicr,  has  so  much  tho  more  right  to  our  esteem; 
because  he  has  v.m.|ui-h.  •!  many  obstacles  to  merit  it  Ho  was  but  a  mere  boy  when  ho  was  employed  in  the 
military  h.-].ital  :  tin-  stmly  of  anatomy  interested,  without  fixing  him  to  it  An  attraction,  which  ho  could  not 

li-'l  him  to  physics  ami  chemistry,  and  ho  soon  gave  himself  up  (if  I  may  so  express  myself),  to  that  happy 
enthusiasm  which  elevates  great  men  to  the  place  they  ought  to  filL 

At  the  age  of  svv.-nt.-cn,  without  support,  without  assured  resources,  ho  came  to  this  capital,  allured  by  a 
desire  of  instruction.  He  thought,  with  reason,  that  Paris  was  the  centre  of  all  learning,  and  seeking  out  of  his 
misfortums  new  exertions.  ]u.  determined  to  attempt  all  things  in  order  to  extend  his  knowledge. 

Tip-  lalmratorii-s  of  two  alile  chemists  of  that  city  were  successively  the  ports  where  his  youth  t'.,und  shelter 
during  hi-  first  storms  of  life.  Ituniiing  always  with  equal  ardour  to  attain  his  end,  difficulties  disappeared  1»  Ion- 
ium, and  his  daily  employment*  could  not  retard  cither  his  Labours  or  his  progress.  Ho  found  in  pharmacy  the  first 
dement),  of  that  science  to  which  his  genius  called  him. 

If  its  theory  had  previously  seduced  him,  what  charm  did  he  not  find  in  wholly  giving  ln'inn-lf  up  to  tho 
.-xp.-rim.-nts  ..f  physics  and  chemistry  ?  II,-  attended  all  tho  courses,  heard  all  the  lectures,  read  with  avidity  all 


SS  ASTRA  CASTUA.  A.D.  1785. 

the  books.  Intelligent,  tractable,  and  studious,  he  marched  with  the  strides  of  a  giant  in  this  newly-discovered 
career.  Nature  had  bestowed  on  Pilatre  do  Eozier  all  the  gifts  that  form  the  natural  philosopher  and  the  chemist. 
Laborious,  daring,  who  possessed,  more  than  he,  the  love  of  that  glory  which  makes  us  undertake ;  that  patience 
which  makes  us  execute  ;  and  that  courage  which  makes  us  succeed  ? 

*»**»*****»** 

In  1 780  the  city  of  Eheims  wanted  an  enlightened  person,  capable  of  all  things  within  himself,  and  of  giving 
a  public  course  of  interesting  and  instructive  chemistry.  M.  Sage  was  requested  to  name  a  professor ;  he  chose  one 
from  among  his  own  pupils,  and  Pilatre  flies  to  give  lectures  at  an  age  that  few  begin  to  receive  them  with 
advantage.  That  zeal  which  first  brought  him  to  Paris  soon  carried  him  back  again.  Insatiable  of  knowledge, 
Pilatre,  tired  with  teaching,  hastened  to  return  to  his  own  studies. 

Commerce,  for  a  time,  caught  his  attention;  but,  compelled  by  a  passion  stronger  than  interest,  he  yielded, 
and  returned  to  physics  and  chemistry. 

Happy  then,  for  the  first  time,  to  find  himself  placed  at  once  under  the  eye  of  a  Prince  (Monsieur,  the  King's 
brother),  protector  of  the  sciences  he  honoured,  and  a  friend  to  the  arts  he  cultivated,  he  soon  merited  his  regard 
and  his  favours.  To  this  invaluable  good  fortune  he  had  that  of  serving  a  generous  and  sensible  Princess,  an 
enlightened  judge  of  talents,  and  well  knowing  how  to  profit  by  them  herself,  and  how  to  value  them  in  others. 
He  had  the  honour  to  explain  to  both,  the  interesting  phenomena  of  physics  and  chemistry.  It  was  at  this  period, 
gentlemen,  that  reflecting  on  the  infinite  difficulties  that  must  be  overcome,  he  resolved  to  spare  much  troiible  to 
those  whom  a  love  of  the  arts  and  sciences  should  induce  to  follow  him  in  this  immense  career.  Great  ideas  are 
readily  generated  near  great  princes.  Like  the  God  of  day,  which  spreads  around  him  flames  of  light,  they  impress 
a  character  of  sublimity  on  all  that  surround  them.  Pilatre  do  Eozier  purposed  to  reunite  in  one  and  the  same 
centre  what  his  genius  alone  knew  so  well  to  comprehend,  and,  collecting  all  the  scattered  parts,  to  create  a  place 
which  might  draw  the  whole  to  a  focus.  This  vast  project  a  man,  born  without  support,  dared  to  conceive  and  execute. 

What  obstacles  must  he  encounter  \  What  patience  must  he  oppose  to  the  intrigues  of  malice  I  Then  it  was 
that  he  frequently  exclaimed,  with  that  sweetness  that  always  characterised  him,  "  The  world  is  just  in  the  end  ; 
but  it  begins  always  by  opposing  the  good  we  would  do  it."  Thus  answering,  by  successes,  to  doubts, — by  the 
evidence  of  things,  to  the  inutility  of  words,  he  succeeded.  Monsieur  approved  his  projects ;  the  museum  was 
formed,  and  we  soon  saw  natural  history,  chemistry,  anatomy,  and  mathematics  united  and  ranged  under  the  name 
of  the  Muses. 

It  was  at  this  time,  gentlemen,  that  for  the  honour  of  human  nature,  one  man  dared  to  resolve  the  problem  of 
all  ages.  By  the  laws  of  gravity,  every  heavy  body  appeared  to  have  a  direct  tendency  to  the  earth  ;  but  Monsieur 
de  Montgolfier  calculated  and  compelled  the  same  laws  to  produce  a  contrary  effect,  and  in  the  end  he  broke  the 
chain  of  gravity.  Thus  truth  came  in  aid  to  fable,  and  that  which  the  imagination  of  poets  invented,  the  genius  of 
one  man  realised. 

A  person  must  have  courage,  gentlemen,  to  combat  and  to  attempt  that  which  prejudices  had  declared  to  be 
impossible  !  What  thorns  are  planted  in  the  paths  of  the  learned  by  that  same  public  they  attempt  to  instruct  and 
enlighten !  Men,  extreme  in  all  things,  are  always  lavish  of  praise  or  censure,  and  we  have  frequently  seen  them 
leave  genius  combating  with  mediocrity. 

In  the  month  of  July,  1783,  Monsieur  de  Montgolfier,  already  announced  to  Paris  by  his  fame,  arrived  there  to 
evince  this  discovery.  A  globe  was  elevated  to  the  eyes  of  the  astonishing  capital,  and  the  field  of  Mars  became  for 
aerostation  the  first  field  of  triumph.  Then  it  was,  that  delivering  himself  to  that  enthusiasm  which  inspires  great 
things  to  souls  formed  to  perceive  and  appreciate  them,  Pilatre  de  Eozier  dared  to  solicit  that  which  no  person  had 
ever  ventured  to  foresee.  The  idea  of  a  man  in  the  middle  region  of  the  air,  trusting  his  existence  to  feeble  and 
weak  substances,  froze  all  hearts ;  his  alone  remained  unshaken. 

He  solicited  the  place,  which  was  for  a  long  time  through  humanity  refused  him,  and  he  requested  that,  as  a 
favour,  which  a  beneficent  King  trembled  to  substitute  as  a  most  dreadful  punishment.  Think  not,  that  the  desire 
of  glory  alone  could  stifle  in  him  that  attention  which  attaches  us  to  this  life.  It  is  to  the  public  good  that  such 
prodigies  belong,  that  alone  can  carry  iis  above  the  terrors  and  common  prejudices.  And,  if  we  have  sometimes  seen 
people  seek  death  in  hope  of  acquiring  an  immortal  name,  it  is  more  noble  to  brave  it  with  design  to  make 
<  purselves  useful.  Let  me  here  consecrate  what  ho  has  so  often  said  to  me,  "  We  have  lived  long  enough  when  we 
have  added  something  to  humanity." 


\.i..  1 7>.\  Tin:  KI.IH.I:  <»\  rii..\n;i:  m:  I;O/II;K.  HI 

Aft.  r  iii.inv  MI,-., -ssful  i  ssay.  Moiisi.  in  d.  :ier  consented  to  tho  repeated  wishes  of  Pilutro  do  Kozier, 

:llld    till'  I  •IMJiil-r  of  air  Uvallle  till-  patrimony   ill'  lll:ill. 

Tliei.-  existed  tw..  methods,  Imtli  i>erhaps  equally  da  nge  runs,  liut  attaining  ono  and  tho  same  end.  though  by 
contrary  processes.  A  choioo  must  be  made,  and  tin-  inventor  seem- d  t..  -ivi-  a  il.-i-i.l.  d  preference  tn  tin-;  inoic 
simple,  in..-,-  ready,  nniiv  saving,  this  method  announced  a  more  real  utility,  and  advantage!  within  every  one's 

!"•" 

;  this  time  aerostation  was  divided  intn  two  parties.  M.  Ch.-irles  sustained  with  success  the  im-thod  lie 
adopted,  and  Paris  saw  the  most  celebrated  artists  balancing  between  the  Air  P.alloonN  and  tho  Mont^olticrs. 
Always  happy  when  a  noble  emulation  is  the  only  sentinn  nt  that  divides  two  rivals!  Happy  when  they  know  hoa 
to  set  a  due  value  nil.  tn  calculate  their  power,  and  to  merit  their  esteem  ;  especially  to  have  the  commendalile  pride 
•  .I'll,  -pi-iii:;  envy. .  .f  braving  the  prejudices  of  the  moment,  and  of  adopting  posterity  only  for  judge,  alone  competent 
to  pronounce  its  ii  n-vi.-aMe  decree* 

Tho  u'lst  nf  N..M  inU-r,  six  months  after  tin-  discovery  made  by  Monsieur  do  Montgolfier,  two  adventurous 
mortals  aband d  themselves  to  all  the  risks  of  an  element  till  then  unknown. 

Pihitre  ile  1,'o^ier  and  Monsieur  tin-  Manpiis  d'Arlandes  participated  a  triumph,  so  much  the  more  flattering, 

as  it  Wati  without  example. 

•  •••••••••••• 

To  pass  from  Franco  into  England,  through  the  region  of  the  air,  required  new  audacity.  This  idea  i.s  hinted 
to  Piliitre  do  Rozier;  he  adopts  it,  and  we  soon  see  him  on  tho  coast  waiting  for  the  decrees  of  fate,  and  one  of  tho 
three  only  winds  that  could  IK-  favourable  to  him. 

P.I. mi-haul !  tin-  happy  Hlanchard  arrives  at  Dover,  forming  tho  same  design  on  tho  opposite  coast;  fortune 
smiles  on  him.  and  the  wind,  more  favourable,  brings  him  triumphantly  into  his  native  country. 

Incapable  of  feeling  the  stin^  of  envy,  as  just  as  generous,  1'ilatro  wait*  for  him  nt  lioulogne,  crowns  him  with 
his  own  hand,  and  goes  with  him  to  Paris  without  fearing  to  increase  his  triumph.  Not  imagining  that  he  himself 
had  done  anything,  he  sees  the  success  of  another,  and  wishes  to  excel  him.  Encouraged  by  the  most  powerful 
motives,  he  sets  out ;  but  not  without  a  most  painful  presage.  f 

•  •••••••••••• 

I  will  not  tell  you  that,  during  six  months,  he  passed  his  time  in  tho  most  frightful  uncertainty!  The  days 
in  getting  ready  his  machine — the  nights,  in  consulting  tho  winds!  Thrice  he  filled  it;  three  times  he  was  seated 
in  tin-  gallery,  where  I  have  seen  him  lying  down  broken-hearted;  and  three  times  the  inconstant  winds  rejected 
his  vows  and  destroyed  his  hopes! 

•  •••••••••••* 

To  draw  greater  advantages  out  of  the  system  of  aerostation,  1'ilatre  had  resolved  to  unite  them  ;—  such  was 
his  p  nius  and  character.  I  will  not  defend  what  he  i.s  accused  of.  either  as  to  rashness  or  imprudence,  nor  lost!  in 
dismissing  a  time,  which  ought  to  be  employed  in  f^  ling.  Let  us  leave  it  to  persons  less  affected  to  defend  tho  cause 
of  a  truly  afflicting  and  deplorable  misfortune.  Let  us  rather  call  to  mind  his  last  moments ;  for  they  will  never  bo 
iililiteraicd  from  my  remembrance.  I  saw  him  restless,  melancholy,  the  whole  night  consulting  the  winds,  and 
dreading  their  inconstancy.  In  vain  I  implored  him  to  take  some  repose ;  be  answered  mo,  "  There  is  no  more  rest 
for  me ;  I  must  si  I  off.  I  must  cross  that  sea,  although  it  swallows  me  up.  It  is  the  only  gato  that  remains  to  me, 
in  order  to  r.  -turn  to  my  friends."  I  pressed  him  to  take  some  sleep;  ho  refused,— aks !  he.  unfortunate,  ktu-w  not 
that  death  was  tin-  sleep  that  awaited  him. 

;d  him  say,  showing  me  England,  "  My  fortune,  my  glory,  and  my  life  an-  all  on  that  side  ! " 

It  is  with  the  most  heartfelt  emotion  that  I  recall,  gentlemen,  the  moment  when  his  generous  friendship 
saved  my  life!  lie  clasped  me  in  his  arms,  and,  trying  to  shake  my  constancy,  he  attempted  to  fri-lit.  n  me  with 
the  danger  ho  foresaw,  and  feared  for  me,  whilst  he  dared  it  himself.  "  No,"  says  he  to  im -.  "  It  in  not  a  certain 
wind— it  is  not  a  sure  experiment!"  I  yielded!  So  true  it  is  that  circumstances  will  sometimes  take  an 
ascendancy,  which  we  can  neither  conquer  nor  define.  At  hist  the  fatal  moment  approaches — the  fire  is  lights! 
my  hands  alone  still  keep  my  friends  to  the  earth.  They  escape  me!  They  fly  upwards!  They  ascend  with 
majesty!  Mv.y.-  f.-ll,.ws  tin  m.  and  I  breathe  with  difficulty.  All  my  Senses  are  suspend,  d  :  I.  most  unfortunate. 

still  .nvy  them!     Already  thirty  minutes  are  ,l,|,s,d  in  this  violent  agitation. 1  hear  shrieks  all  around  me; 

horror  envinms  me:    it   hath  already  laid   hold  of  my  heart!     A   rapid  motion  accelerates  and  brin-s  Kick   the 

\ 


90  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1785. 

machine  to  the  earth.     I  see  it — but  in  an  instant  it  disappears  from  my  sight — it  is  over — no  more  hope  remains 

for  me ! 

************* 

[A  few  minutes  after  their  ascension,  the  translator  of  this  Eulogium  spoko  to  the  Marquis,  who  seemed  much 
afflicted,  and  answered  with  his  handkerchief  to  his  eyes.  As  soon  as  the  Marquis  perceived  the  accident,  he 
mounted  his  horse  and  was  the  first  from  Boulogne  to  witness  the  cruel  fate  of  his  beloved  friend.] 

It  has  pierced  my  soul !     Since  there  are  degrees  of  grief  which  we  may  feel,  but  can  never  express. 

No  radiant  pearl  which  crested  fortune  wears, 

No  gem  that,  twinkling,  hangs  from  beauty's  ears, 

Not  the  bright  stars  which  night's  blue  arch  adorn, 

Nor  rising  suns  that  gild  the  vernal  morn, 

Shine  with  such  lustre  as  the  tear  that  breaks 

l''or  others'  woe  down  virtue's  manly  cheeks. — DARWIN. 

I  conclude  saying, — Would  you  prolong  his  glory?  would  you  honour  his  ashes?  Then  encourage  and  give  splendour 
to  a  Museum  which  was  of  his  creating. 

May  the  Belles  Lettres  which  are  there  united  add,  if  it  be  possible,  new  lustre  to  it;  and  that  from  this 
enchanting  union  may  there  spring  up  an  establishment  worthy  to  bear  the  name  of  "  Temple  of  the  Muses."  * 

Calmly  reviewing  the  melancholy  incident  that  called  forth  these  eloquent  expressions  of 
sorrow,  we  may  now,  perhaps,  wonder  that  such  a  dangerous  essay  could  ever  have  been  made 
even  hy  such  an  adventurous  experimenter ;  but,  far  from  concluding  that  all  future  attempts 
should  be  abandoned,  we  ought  with  greater  energy  to  carry  out  such  trials  as  have  been 
found  to  be  safe,  and  have  a  reasonable  probability  of  success. 

On  the  18th  of  June,  1786,  the  following  remarkable  experiment  was  made  by 
Testu-Brissy.  These  are  his  own  words  : — 

Having  been  engaged  since  the  commencement  of  aerostation  in  discovering  a  method  for  making  taffetas 
impermeable,  I  succeeded,  and  made  an  aerostat  seventeen  feet  in  diameter,  in  which  I  left  the  Gardens  of  the 
Luxembourg  in  the  presence  of  Count  Nullenburg  and  a  large  concourse,  at  4.51  P.M.,  with  the  ascensional  power 
of  five  pounds. 

Having  acquired  more  lightness  on  account  of  the  heat  drying  the  net,  which  had  been  wet  by  the  morning's 
rain,  /  descended  by  the  aid  of  my  oars  in  the  Plain  of  Montmorency  to  obtain  more  ballast.  Curiosity  made  people  run 
from  all  parts  and  surround  me.  The  proprietor  of  the  field,  supported  by  some  vineyard-keepers,  wished  to  make 
me  pay  for  the  damage  done ;  and  when  I  objected,  he  broke  my  oars  and  took  my  coat. 

I  bade  farewell  to  such  inhospitality,  and  again  descended  at  6.45,  P.M.,  near  the  Abbey  of  Bozaument,  following 
the  river  Oise.  At  8  P.M.,  I  put  foot  on  ground,  to  get  rid  of  my  broken  oars,  and  take  in  more  ballast.  Some 
sportsmen  informed  me  that  I  was  halfway  between  Ecouen  and  Wariville.  On  leaving  I  rose  above  some  electric 
clouds,  to  a  height  of  three  hundred  toises.  The  thermometer  was  5°  below  freezing  point.  The  car  was  covered 
with  icicles,  and  I  had  to  throw  out  the  snow  and  ice  that  encumbered  me. 

Night  coming  on,  I  lowered,  and  found  myself  in  the  midst  of  clouds,  which  were  sending  forth  vivid  flashes  of 
lightning  and  loud  thunder,  and  perceived  that  clouds  attracted  or  repelled  me  according  to  the  amount  of  their 
electricity.  A  flag  which  carried  the  arms  of  France  in  gold  sparkled  with  light.  According  to  my  elevation,  by 
means  of  an  electric  needle,  I  could  discover  whether  the  current  was  positive  or  negative. 

I  remained  more  than  three  hours  in  this  storm-cloud,  and  the  only  damage  eifected  was  the  loss  of  gilt  on  the 
flag,  which  was  perforated  with  holes  by  the  force  of  natural  electricity.  I  may  here  observe  that  the  thunder  did 
me  less  harm  than  the  peasants  of  Montmorency. 

A  calm  succeeded,  and  I  remained  stationary,  making  the  most  of  my  time  by  talcing  refreshment.     Finding 


*  A  monument  is  intended  to  be  erected  upon  the  spot  where  they  met  with  their  disaster,  and  the  following  epitaph  designed  for 
de  Rozier. 

Victime  avoue'  de  la  rigueur  du  sort 

Le  cheiniu  de  1'lionneur  t'a  conduit  a  la  mort. 


A.,,.  i  I:\I.II\VIYS  \ii;np.\n>\.  MI 

the  Imllaat  wax  running  short.  1  des.-en.led.  :,t  :;.-T.  V.M..  in  tin-  village  of  < 'imii>rein.  wh.  re  I  WM  well  received  by 
tin-  Cure.  T.-tu-r.iix-v  ,i,M>.  further,  tliat  in  liis  flight  of  eleven  h.mrx  lie  made  other  •  \\~  liiii.nt-.  xomo  of  wlneli 
he  thought  would  lead  1..  the  dise,,very  ..f  the  method  .if  gliding  balloons:  l.ut  he  would  m  it  talk  of  them  till  he  had 
iiiin|ilet>  d  his  trials. 

\  Eew  months  lat.-r  Te-tu-r.ri-.-y  a-ceiid.-d  mi  horseback,  without  eitlii-r  tying  tin-  horse  to 
tli.'  cm.  ••!•  perceiving  in  tin-  noble  animal  the  least  fear.  This  experiment  was  to  prove 
whether  his  assertion  was  true  with  regard  to  large  animals,  that  their  blood,  being 
apparently  less  fluid  than  man's,  would  yet  flow  from  the  nose  at  a  much  lower  elevation; 
ami  thi>  was  found  to  I*-  the  case. 

Tin-  '  Airopaida'  (with  illustrations)  ap])oared  in  1786,  giving  the  accounts  of  experiments 
mad*.'  at  ( 'li.--t.T.  in  Septemlx-r,  ITsj.  l.y  Tlioiu..s  Baldwin,  Esq.,  A.M.  The  style,  as  may  be 
imagined,  now  appears  .piaint  ;  and,  for  amusement,  I  will  note  some  peculiarities,  which  will 
assist  us  in  f. inning  an  opinion  of  how  much  the  manner  of  thinking  lias  changed  since  that 
period. 

He  regrets,  in  his  introduction,  that  the  many  aerial  voyages  preceding  his  should  not 
have  Urn  recorded  ;  and  he  now  undertakes  to  explain  to  the  "  bulk  of  mankind,  which  are 
by  far  tin-  greater  nuiiilter."  what  they  had  not  yet  experienced.  He  also  writes  his  narrative 
for  the  "  (leiierality.  and  not  for  the  Curious  and  Philosophic  only." 

II.-  ri.-.  -s  from  the  ('a -tie-yard  at  1.40,  with  a  levity  of  20  Ibs.,  liberated  by  Mr.  Lunardi, 
amid-t  acclamations,  mixed  with  tears  of  delight  and  apprehension,  the  misgivings  of 
humanity,  &c. 

1  !••  compared  the  appearance  of  that  city  to  a  coloured  map,  its  blueness  contrasting  with 
the  redness  of  the  Dee.  "  The  blue  is  owing  to  the  stones  called  slates,"  then  unknown  in 
the  south  of  Knglaud.  The  concave  appearance  of  the  earth,  the  beautiful  iris  surrounding  the 
shadows  i.n  the  clouds,  next  attract  his  attention,  but  their  description  I  will  leave  to 
another. 

lie  takes  out   his  note-book  and  pencil,  "  but  a  tear  of  pure  delight  flashes  in  his  eye!  of 

pure,  ex.|iiisite  delight  and  rapture,"  &c The  imagination  was  more  than  gratified,  it 

\\a-  overwhelmed. 

The  report  of  a  cannon  awakes  him  from  this  reverie,  and  informs  him  that  he  is  becoming 
invisible  to  those  on  earth.  Looking  at  his  watch,  he  finds  it  2.10£  P.M.  By  an  after 
comparison,  he  found  that  it  took  thirty  seconds  to  reach  him;  and,  from  this,  he  calculates  the 
height  as  (^  miles.  A  shout  two  minutes  later  reaches  his  ear,  and  informs  him  that  he  is  no 
longer  in  sight. 

Observing  the  Welsh  coast  he  commences  to  descend,  and  perceives  that  the  under 
eiurent  is  from  the  sea.  On  entering  it  the  gas  contracts;  he  descends  rapidly,  and  swiftly 
write-,  ••  N.I  nun-.-  remarks,  mind  ship."  By  throwing  out  ballast,  he  touches  the  ground  so 
lightly  that  his  wai.-h  and  thermometer,  lying  on  the  seat,  are  not  displaced.  He  finds 
the  hour  to  IK'  :;.'Js,  and  jh,-  distance  from  Chester  twelve  miles. 

Two  miimt.-s  later  he  again  rises,  31  Ibs.  lighter,  and  the  sea-breeze  at  starting  earner- 
him  over  Asht.ni  Hall.  He  compares  his  rapidity  to  that  of  a  skyrocket,  and  reaches 
a  greater  altitude  than  on  his  piwioiis  a-e.-nt  ;  and  thus  does  he  give  vent  to  his  feelings:— 
'•  I-'.-r  a  while  detached,  far  d.-taehed  from  earth,  and  all  terrestrial  thoughts:  rapt  in  the 

N    1' 


92  ASTRA  CASTE  A.  AJX  1785. 

mild  azure  of  the  ethereal  regions;  suspended  in  the  centre  of  a  vast  and  almost  endless 
concave  ;  come  as  a  mere  visitor  from  another  planet ;  surrounded  with  the  stupendous  works 
of  nature,  yet  above  them :  the  glorious  sun  except,  which  enlivened  all,  and  shone  with  pure 
celestial  lustre.  A  peaceful  serenity  of  mind  succeeded ;  an  enviable  Ei-pom.  an  idea  of  which 
it  is  not  in  the  power  of  language  to  convey  or  describe."  * 

He  remarks  as  curious  that  the  thermometer  is  at  60°,  and  warmer  than  the  sea-breeze. 
He  also  breathes  freely,  nor  did  the  pulse  quicken.  Bladders  filled  with  air,  attached  to  the 
car,  in  case  of  a  descent  in  the  sea,  crackle  and  look  like  bursting.  He  tries  experiments  with 
the  valve,  and  alternately  rises  and  falls.  The  country  people  said  that  he  appeared  to 
be  "  quivering  and  warping  in  the  air." 

He  suggests  balloon  geography,  in  which  maps  should  be  drawn  with  a  camera-obscura, 
aided  by  a  micrometer  applied  to  the  underside  of  the  transparent  glass ;  and  notices  the 
predilection  balloons  have  for  becoming  stationary,  even  in  a  strong  gale,  over  channels  and 
rivers. 

At  3.47  he  could  not  recognise  the  country.  He  sees  through  the  clouds  what  appears 
two  red  handkerchiefs,  surrounded  by  a  green  border.  It  excites  his  curiosity ;  he  descends 
into  the  smaller,  with  a  uniformly  retarded  motion,  and  alights  as  "  the  down  of  a  thistle  " 
at  3.54  P.M.  The  country  people  come  wading  to  him  ankle-deep,  and  inform  him  he  is  in 
Rixton-moss,  twenty-five  miles  from  Chester ;  the  other,  of  handkerchief  appearance,  being 
the  famous  Chat-moss.  Till  sunset  he  amused  the  country  people  with  rides  in  the  balloon, 
conducted  by  a  rope,  along  the  turnpike.  From  his  own  observation  he  makes  the  following 
remark : — "  It  is  from  frequent  experiment  only  that  diminution  of  objects  presupposes 
distance." 

The  Pindaric  Lunardi,  whom  I  have  already  quoted,  in  a  second  series  of  letters  to 
his  guardian,  describes,  with  all  the  liveliness  of  youth,  and  the  warmth  of  an  Italian 
imagination,  his  aerial  voyages  in  Scotland,  in  the  month  of  October  of  this  year. 

His  first  flight  was  on  the  5th  of  October,"  from  Heriot's  Gardens,  Edinburgh.  Rising 
at  3.45  P.M.,  he  says: — "  The  city  of  Glasgow  I  could  plainly  distinguish,  also  the  town  of 
Paisley,  and  both  shores  of  the  Forth ;  but  my  intention  was  now  diverted  by  finding  myself 
immediately  over  the  Firth  of  Forth,  at  an  altitude  of  2000  feet.  I  descended  within  500  feet 
of  the  water,  to  inform  the  boats  that  it  was  needless  to  follow  me ;  then,  rising  to  the  clouds, 
found  the  upper  current  was  in  an  opposite  direction.  The  northern  coast,  trending  away  in 
the  distance,  was  now  one  of  the  most  remarkable  objects  in  view.  At  4.20  P.M.  I  descended 
at  Ceres,  after  a  voyage  of  forty-six  miles,  thirty-six  being  over  water,  and  was  conveyed  in 
triumph  to  the  town  of  Cupar,"  where  he  received  an  address  from  the  club  of  gentlemen 
Golfers. 

The  Rev.  J.  Arnot,  of  Ceres,  thus  describes  the  descent  he  had  witnessed  : — ;i  Yesterday 
afternoon,  the  sky  being  clear,  and  a  breeze  from  S.S.W..  whilst  overlooking  the  stacking  of 
some  corn,  a  boy  who  was  standing  by  me  took  notice  of  what  he  thought  was  a  hawk. 


Meditation  here 

Mar  think  down  horns  to  moment*.     Here  the  heart 
May  give  a  useful  lesson  to  the  head. 
And  learning  wiser  grow  without  his  books.— Cowra. 


A.D.  ;  KM-. Hi-  COMPANIONS  OF  Tin:  BBQOABB  in  M 

I  l.>«>ked,  and  perceived  a  globe  nearly  six  inches  in  diameter.  I  knew  Mr.  Lunanli  was  to 
ascend  from  Edinburgh,  so  I  immediately  gave  information  that  this  was  his  balloon.  It  wan 
thei  it  1. in  the  balloon  descended  below  the  clouds,  and,  as  it  drew  near  the  earth, 

appeared  to  sail  along  with  a  kind  of  awful  grandeur  and  majesty.  At  4.20  P.M.  anchor  was 
cast,  and  we  ran  up  to  give  assistance.  Mr.  L.  told  me  the  barometer  had  stood  at  IS-]  J,  the 

rnometer  below  freezing-point'* 

On  his  return  to  Edinburgh  he  was  made  a  burgess  and  guild-brother  of  the  city ;  also  a. 
member  of  a  merry  society  callttl  "  Knights  Companions  of  the  Beggar's  Benison."     The 

.ving  is  the  diploma : — 

"  JAJOB  LCHSDAIXZ,  Prases. 


-  By  the  supeiemiuenUy  tmimVeBt  and  sopermtively  benevolent  Sr  James  Lumadaine  of  Innergellie.  Sovereign 
at  the  most  Ancient  and  mart  [[•'••lit  Order  of  the  Beggar's  Beniaon  and  Merryland,  in  the  thirteenth  year  of  hi* 
guanliuuhip.  and  in  that  of  the  Order  5785. 

-  flaring  nothing  more  Mncerclr  at  heart  than  the  happineas  and   prosperity  of  oar  beloved  subjects,  the 
inhabitant*  of  oar  celebrated  territories  of  Merryland,  and  the  encouraging  of  trade,  manufacture*,  and  agriculture 
in  that  rfrffjaffW  culonj:   and  where*,  we  are  fully  satisfied  that  Vincent  Lunardi,  armiytnm  taraM.  ha*  all 

'  of  inclination  a*  well  a*  sufficient  abflitiea,  and  other  necesamrv  q"«lifr^itk^it.  far  promoting  theae  noble  and 
and  willing  that  such  bold  adnatturei*  shoold  have  all  suitable  encouragement ;  we  do  hereby 
create,  admit,  and  metre  him  a  Knight  Companion  of  the  mart  ancient  and  puissant  Order  of  the  Beggar'* 
1  Merryland.  by  the  name,  stile,  and  title  of  Sir  Vincent  Lunardi,  to  be  used  and  enjoyed  by  him  in  all 
,  with  oar  foil  powers  and  prirfleges  of  ingress,  egress,  and  regress,  from  and  to  and  to  and  from  all  the 
harbour*,  havens,  nuts,  and  commodious  inlets  npon  the  coasts  of  oar  said  extensive  territories  at  his  pleasure,  and 
that  without  payment  of  toll,  custom,  or  any  other  taxes  or  impositions  whatsoever. 

-  Done  at  the  Beggar's  Benison  Chambers  of  Anstrnther,  npon  this  tenth  day  of  the  month,  known  to  the 
vulgar  by  the  name  of  October.  ~  \Vitneat,  I  the  Recorder, 

-  P.   rLEXHXLEtTB.   D.R." 


'?  SKCOM>  ^KKIKS  OP  LETTERS. 

LETTER  I. 

MT  mono  Fran,  KAo,  <k««  ».  ITSS. 

I  did  not  propose  to  write  again  till  I  had  ascended  from  Kelao ;  bat  time  tempts  me  with  a  few  leisure 
,  and  I  am  thoroughly  convinced  that  I  cannot  employ  them  better  than  in  corresponding  with  my  worthy 


now  been  four  days  here,  three  of  which  I  hare  passed  in  preparing  for  my  aerial  voyage;  and  everything 
being  in  readiness  met  night,  I  went  this  morning,  in  high  spirit*,  to  amnse  myself  at  the  raoe-groand. 

The  weather  was  fine,  and  the  concourse  of  people  very  considrrahl* ;  the  box  was  crowded  with  the  most 
raspccUblu  company ;  bat  the  number  of  ladies  was  less  than  I  expected. 

The  noes  afforded  me  much  entertainment ;  for  though  bat  few  horses  entered,  they  were  very  swift,  and  the 
-. :  •-    -. 

My  attention,  huweiei.  was  more  strongly  fixed  npon  a  match  botneeti  the  Duke  of  Hamilton  and  Robert 
Band.  Esq.,  both  of  whom  rode  their  own  horses.  Xerer  did  I  behold  a  more  admirable  spectacle !  If  y  ideas  rolling 
back  through  the  wide  channel  of  history,  reverted  to  the  Grecian  States  in  the  meridian  of  their  glory.  Methooght 
I  saw  two  heroes  contending  far  the  prise  in  the  Olympic  Games!  Starting  from  the  barrier,  they  ei  immi <1  lightly 
over  the  plain,  hailed  by  an  uuiieiml  bunt  of  applause.  Equally  rapid  the  two  cumseis  moved  as  if  both  • 
snhnstfd  and  directed  by  the  same  spirit.  Expectation  fixed  the  crowd  a  while  in  silence ;  but  soon  the  i 
began  to  rise:  at  first,  gentle  as  the  sound*  from  a  well-regulated  hire  of  bees,  they  seemed  but  to  float  on  the 
wind :  by  degrees  the  noises  increased ;  and  now  the  snoots  of  admiration  and  encouragement,  the  load  articulation* 


94  ASTRA  CASTBA.  A.D.  1785. 

of  hope,  the  exclamations  of  joy,  clamours  of  suspense  rent  the  very  air!  A  few  moments  were  likely  to  determine 
the  victory ;  the  Duke  and  his  antagonist  exerted  their  utmost  efforts ;  their  horses  flew,  and  scarce  appeared  to  touch 
the  earth.  Every  eye  was  fixed  upon  them,  and  every  heart  panted  as  agitated  in  favour  of  one  or  the  other  of  these 
eager  competitors.  The  goal  was  in  view ;  they  darted  forward  with  the  velocity  of  lightning,  and  both  reached  it 
at  the  same  instant,  without  the  least  perceptible  difference  !  The  race  was  still  undecided ;  the  palm  of  glory  was 
not  yet  awarded.  They  started  again ;  again  the  same  applause,  the  same  emotions,  took  place ;  every  one  was 
anxious  to  see  the  termination  of  a  contest  so  nobly  pursued :  once  more  they  touched  the  goal  at  Mossa,  and  now 
only  differed  by  the  breast  of  one  of  the  animals. 

I  cannot  express  the  pleasure  I  took  in  this  sight ;  more  especially  as  it  was  to  me  quite  new  and  surprising ; 
as  you  know,  in  Italy,  people  of  rank  never  show  themselves  to  the  public  in  such  a  conspicuous  manner.  Frankly 
speaking,  I  own  I  highly  approve  this  custom,  because  it  must,  in  a  short  time,  cause  the  gentlemen  of  distinction  to 
excel  in  horsemanship. 

The  races  here  are  supported  by  subscription.  The  gentlemen  bring  ladies  along  with  them ;  they  all  dine 
together ;  after  which  the  latter  retire  to  dress,  and  are  the  first  to  enter  the  ball-room,  whither  they  are  soon 
followed  by  the  gentlemen.  It  is  not  uncommon,  in  this  small  country-town,  to  find  in  the  evening  a  most  brilliant 
and  numerous  assembly. 

The  happiness  I  here  enjoy  does  not  proceed  merely  from  the  civilities  and  attentions  hourly  shown  me,  but 
from  the  many  opportunities  of  observing  manners  and  customs  calculated  to  preserve  the  peace  and  welfare, 
and  heighten  the  pleasures  of  a  social  and  deserving  people.  There  is  but  one  reflection  to  damp  my  joys, — you  are 

not  here  to  share  them  with  the  too  fortunate 

VINCENT  LUNARW. 

P.S. — My  next  shall,  I  hope,  give  you  the  particulars  of  my  aerial  journey,  of  which  you  need  be  under  no 
apprehension,  as  this  is  an  inland  town. 

LETTER  II. 

MY   DEAR   GUARDIAN,  Edinburgh. 

On  my  return  to  Kelso,  I  instantly  wrote  down  the  particulars  of  my  voyage,  intending  to  transmit  them  to 
you  without  loss  of  time  ;  I  was,  however,  prevented  by  the  impatience  of  the  people  there,  who  handed  them  from 
one  to  another,  till  at  last  they  got  into  the  public  newspaper.  That  I  may  gratify  my  wishes,  therefore,  in  making 
known  to  you  the  circumstances  of  my  journey  as  speedily  as  possible,  I  shall,  without  ceremony,  insert  what 
appeared  in  the  Kelso  paper,  which  you  may  credit  as  every  way  authentic  : — 

"  KELSO. — Last  Friday  being  the  day  appointed  for  Mr.  Lunardi  to  ascend  from  the  churchyard  here,  about 
eleven  o'clock  forenoon  two  cannon  wore  fired,  to  give  notice  that  he  had  begun  to  fill  the  balloon,  the  process  of 
which  succeeded  to  admiration.  At  half-past  twelve  two  guns  were  fired  as  a  signal  that  the  balloon  could  support 
itself.  At  one  o'clock  other  two  guns  were  fired,  as  a  signal  for  the  attendance  of  the  ladies  and  gentlemen,  as  his 
departure  was  approaching.  A  quarter  before  two  o'clock,  the  balloon  being  sufficiently  inflated,  he  attached  the  car 
to  it,  and  put  therein  a  basket  full  of  provision,  four  bags  of  dry  sand  for  ballast,  a  grapple,  several  small  ropes,  a 
barometer,  thermometer,  compass,  quadrant,  &c.  He  then  got  into  the  car  himself,  and  ordered  the  balloon  to  bo 
carried  into  the  middle  of  the  churchyard ;  and  giving  the  signal  for  two  guns  to  be  fired,  he  rose  perpendicularly 
from  thence,  at  two  o'clock  precisely,  in  a  grand  and  most  majestic  manner.  Immediately  on  the  rising  of  the 
balloon,  Mr.  Lunardi  stood  up  in  the  car,  took  off  his  hat,  and  bowed  to  the  spectators.  At  a  greater  height  he 
threw  out  his  flag,  which  is  forty-eight  square  feet,  and  was  fastened  to  the  car  by  a  cord  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  in  length.  About  ten  minutes  past  two  he  entered  a  thin  cloud,  which  pretty  much  obscured  the  balloon ;  but 
he  soon  came  out  of  it.  At  twenty-one  minutes  past  two  he  entered  another  cloud,  in  which  we  lost  sight  of  him 
about  four  minutes,  but  the  flag  was  still  discernible  below  the  cloud.  When  he  again  became  visible,  he  was  seen 
going  below  all  the  clouds  horizontally  to  the  east.  About  fifty  minutes  past  two  he  was  lost  to  the  naked  eye, 
though  several  with  glasses  say  they  saw  him  longer. 

"  To  those  who  were  not  present,  it  is  impossible  to  give  any  idea  of  the  beauty  and  grandeur  of  the  spectacle, 
which  could  only  be  exceeded  by  the  cool  and  intrepid  manner  in  which  the  adventurer  conducted  himself:  and 
indeed  he  appeared  more  at  his  case  than  the  greater  part  of  his  spectators.  The  multitude  assembled  was  very 
great,  but  had  the  day  of  his  ascension  been  generally  known  in  the  country,  we  doubt  much  if  the  churchyard, 


.v.i,.  i  KELflO— EDINBUBGB      i;i..\s<;o\v. 

largo  an  it  is.  could  liavo  contained  .ill  that  would  have  Urn  assembled  on  the  occasion.     So  anxious  were  nil  ranks 
t..  I*-  present,  th.ii,  although  it  was  ni.uk.  t  da\.  MI. .si  ,,f  the  shops  wore  shut  by  ono  o'clock. 

••  Tin'  Killoon.  whi.h  contained  aUmt  live  hundred  yards  <>f  tall'ita  silk,  was  shaped  liki-  a  jx-ur,  thirty-three 
feet  high,  and  twenty-three  in  diamet.  r.  with  a  netting  o\vr  it.  ami  Mri]icd  with  ilirt'.-n-nt  ...l..uis.  Tin- car  had  a 
|nttom  of  thin  board,  with  a  small  netting  n.iind  it,  uriiaiin-iiti-il  at  tin-  tup  with  pink  silk,  fringed  with  gold  lace. 
\l  I. mi. u. li  was  dressed  in 

•  Mr.  l.nnarvli  has  favoured  IIH  with  tin-  following  JMI  ti.  nl.n-  .•!'  his  voyage,  which  is  the  second  that  has  been 
|N.rf'iriin-<l  in  S-i.tlaml  : 

••  \s  soon  08  ho  got  up,  ho  could  plainly  perceive  the  Boa,  and  that  his  course  was  towards  it  Twenty  minutes 
.ill.  r  his  M  .  mling  with  his  balloon  he  got  into  u  <-l<nnl.  and  lost  sight  of  the  earth;  ho  might  have  gone  through  it 
.y  tin-  high,  r  region,  when-  there  is  always  a  fine  clear  sky,  but  thought  proper  to  kwp  himself  down,  to  give 
pleasure  t.'  tin-  spectators.  At  twenty  five  minutes  past  two  ho  was  only  four  thousand  feet  above  the  (surface  of  the 
earth :  lie  then,  observing  the  sea  to  be  about  ten  miles  fnn-i  him.  Ix-gan  to  ascend  higher,  and  when  at  the  height 
thousand  r, ,  t.  the  west  wind  above  was  stronger  than  below.  He  went  through  the  cloud,  and  for  two 
minutes  observed  the  clearness  of  the  sky  above,  and  the  thickness  of  the  clouds  b.  n.-atli ;  his  intention  was  to  go 
in  search  of  another  current  of  air,  Imt  having  no  signahi  above  for  it,  and  being  so  near  the  sea,  he  thought  JH-UJHT 
to  come  in  sight  of  the  earth  again,  which  ho  effected  in  throe  minutes.  At  throe  o'clock  precisely  he  was  no  higher 
than  tine.-  thousand  feet  from  the  surface  of  the  earth,  and  went  Imri/.i .ntally  at  that  height  for  five  minutes;  he 
then  Infill  to  descend,  as  In-  tlioii^ht  the  sea  to  be  no  more  than  n  mile  from  him.  At  twenty  minutes  after  three 
he  anchored  at  li.-l.lin^ton  Mo.,r,  about  four  miles  north-cast  of  \\.N.1,  r.  where  several  country  people  were  collected, 
Imt  they  were  afraid  to  approach  him.  lie  called  to  them,  and  after  repeated  entreaties  they  at  length  came  up  to 
him,  Mr.  Lunardi  then  iin|iiired  how  far  he  was  from  the  sea,  and  they  told  him  four  miles.  II.  r.  Mr.  Strother 
Anrriim,  who  had  followed  him  on  horselsick  for  two  miles,  came  up  and  shook  hands  with  him.  lie  desired  M\  ..t' 

•  iintry  people  to  draw  him  with  the  ropes  to  Berwick,  but  after  having  carried  him  two  miles,  the  wind  blowing 
fresher,  and  in  an  opposite  direction,  the  men  were  not  able  to  hold  the  balloon.     lie  came  down  in  a  field  at 

noor,  where  he  emptied  the  balloon,  with  the  assistance  of  the  people  who  were  coming  from  every  quarter. 
U  1,.  n  Mr.  l.unaidi  alighted  ho  had  sixty  pounds  of  ballast  remaining,  which  made  him  regret  much  his  not  being 
alile  t..  |. '.--..  d  farther  on  account  of  the  sea  being  so  near. 

I'.n^st  ili--  p.  ..pi.-  who  came  to  congratulate  his  safe  descent,  Mr.  Lunardi  took  much  notice  of  the  tu.. 
Miss  Halls  of  Thornton,  Mi.su  Wilkie  of  Doddington,  and  Miss  Car  of  Newcastle,  He  gave-much  praise  to  Mr. 
i;ii-hard  Thump-on  of  I'.an  moor,  who,  after  giving  Mr.  Lunardi  every  assistance  in  his  power,  ordered  the  balloon 
to  IN-  carried  to  his  h..iise,  and  politely  insisted  on  Mr.  Lunardi  accepting  of  his  horse  home.  Mr.  Lunardi  spent  the 
night  at  Mr.  Thompson's  house,  where  ho  was  entertained  in  the  most  hospitable  manner,  and  after  breakfast  set  off 
f.>r  Ki-l.so.  when-  he  arrived  on  Saturday  at  one  o'clock  afternoon.  He  was  met  upon  the  bridge  by  a  great  number 
of  the  townspeople,  ;md  rotlo  in  triumph  to  the  Cross  Keys  Inn,  with  his  flag  displayed  on  the  top  of  the  chaise,  tin- 
l»-lls  ringing,  drums  beating,  and  the  people  huzzaing,  to  welcome  him  on  his  arrival. 

•  dn  Saturday  he  diiuil  with   Sir  James  Douglas,  and  supped  with   the  gentlemen  of  the  Caledonian  Hunt. 

-  inday  he  was  entertained  by  Sir  James  Pringlo,  at  Stitchill;  on  Monday  by  I. ..id    Home,  at  Hirse!;  and  on 
1 1\  i .yi-iiing  by  our  ancient  Lodge  of  Freemasons,  of  which  he  was  admitted  a  member.     On  Tuesday,  about 

noun,  lie  set  oil' for  l.dinlmrgh. 

•  Mr.  I. unardi's  course  was  due  oast  (till  the  end,  when  he  was  carried  a  little  to  the  south),  continued  an 
hour  and  twenty  minutes,  IMY,  11,-d  twenty-five  miles;  his  highest  elevation,  when  above  all  the  clouds,  was  seven 
thousand  >•  v.  n  hnnd.'ed   : 

Al>  .ut  two  hours  ago  I  reached  Edinburgh,  in  good  health,  and  could  not  permit  the  post  to  depart  without 
acquainting  y..u  with  the  whole  transaction.  In  my  lodging  I  found  several  l.-tters;  in  particular  two  from  the 
most  respectable  people  in  Glasgow,  inviting  me  thither;  I  must  therefore  pay  a  visit  to  that  city  as  soon  as 
possible  ;  and  I  lio]K-,  in  a  few  days,  to  write  you  from  thence,  and  ostmrc  you  once  more  how  much  I  am  and 

shall  lie,  your  obliged  and  giatcful 

V.  LUXAKUI. 


96  ASTRA  CASTE  A.  A.U.  1785. 

LETTER  III. 

MY  DEARKST  FRIKNP,  Glasgow. 

I  am  already  as  well  known  in  this  city  as  if  I  had  resided  in  it  some  months.  About  seven  o'clock  in  the 
evening  I  arrived  here,  and  was  immediately  favoured  with  the  visits  of  several  gentlemen  who  had  been  witnesses 
to  my  ascent  from  Edinburgh.  As  I  passed  through  the  streets  in  the  morning,  a  thousand  eyes  were  fixed  upon 
me ;  and  if  I  remained  in  view  for  any  considerable  space,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  windows  filled  with  eager 
beholders. 

My  first  visit  was  to  the  chief  magistrate,  who  received  me  with  the  greatest  civility,  and  seems  a  mighty 
honest,  worthy,  and  well-meaning  gentleman.  I  lodge  at  the  Tontine  Hotel,  adjoining  to  which  is  the  most 
elegant  coifee-room  I  have  seen  in  Europe.  The  city  of  Glasgow  is  in  general  very  neat ;  the  streets  broad,  well- 
paved,  and  intersecting  each  other  at  right  angles,  give  it  a  far  more  regular  appearance  than  the  metropolis.  The 
people  apply  themselves  with  unceasing  industry  to  commerce  and  manufactures,  which  are  carried  to  such  an 
extent  as  to  make  Glasgow  justly  reckoned  the  richest  city  in  Scotland.  I  could  not  help  also  remarking  the  great 
friendship  and  hospitality  which  subsists  in  this  part  of  Caledonia ;  the  inhabitants  not  only  visit  each  other 
frequently  at  their  own  houses,  but  each  shop  has  such  a  communication  with  its  neighbour  that  every  commercial 
transaction  is  presently  known  through  the  whole  city ;  and  hence  any  merchant  is  able  to  direct  one  with  certainty 
where  to  find  a  piece  of  goods,  though  he  may  not  have  it  in  his  own  shop. 

A  few  days  after  my  arrival  I  became  acquainted  with  one  Mr.  Ingram,  who  seems  very  much  interested  in 
my  behalf,  and  by  him  I  was  introduced  to  Mr.  French,  a  merchant  of  this  place,  uncommonly  popular  for  his 
generosity  and  openness  of  heart.  He  was  formerly  Provost  of  the  city,  and  though  another  is  now  invested  with 
that  dignity,  he  still  retains  the  title  of  Provost  French. 

The  University  of  Glasgow  is  one  of  the  most  complete  that  can  be  imagined,  well  calculated  for  diffusing 
every  branch  of  science,  and  they  have  an  excellent  Observatory,  charmingly  situated  in  their  extensive  garden. 

As  this  garden  seemed  to  me  the  most  eligible  place  for  my  ascent,  I  applied  to  the  Professors  for  it ;  but  they 
in  a  polite  manner  declined  granting  my  request,  on  account  of  many  young  trees  which  might  be  injured  by  the 
concourse  of  people.  I  was  therefore  advised  to  open  a  subscription  for  defraying  the  expense ;  which  accordingly 
was  done  three  days  since,  but  it  goes  on  slowly. 

I  have  had  many  rambles  through  the  city,  but  can  find  no  place  that  will  answer  my  purpose.  I  do  not  like 
to  run  the  hazard  of  losing  a  considerable  sum ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  I  am  treated  with  so  much  cordiality  and 
civility,  that  I  know  not  how  to  resolve,  so  as  at  once  to  clear  my  heart  and  head  from  any  disgraceful  reflections ; 
but  I  am  fully  bent  to  acquaint  you  in  my  next  with  the  final  determination  of  your 

VINCENT  LUNAEDI. 

LETTER  IV. 

My   HONOURED  FRIEND,  Glasgow,  November  22,  1785. 

Everything  is  settled  and  ready  for  my  excursion ;  and,  if  the  weather  proves  favourable,  I  shall  go  up 
to-morrow. 

The  day  after  my  last  was  written,  I  went  to  St.  Andrew's  Churchyard,  which  indeed  may  be  overlooked  in 
every  part,  but  the  avenues  are  remarkably  well  fenced,  for  which  reason  I  thought  it  would  be  convenient  for  all 
those  who  had  purchased  tickets.  I  instantly  applied  to  the  magistrates,  who  very  readily  allowed  me  the  use  of 
it;  in  consequence  of  which  I  advertised  that,  without  waiting  for  the  subscription,  I  intended  certainly  to  ascend 
on  Wednesday,  trusting  that  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  Glasgow  would  not  permit  me  to  be  a  loser  by  my 
ascension.  And  indeed,  I  am  already  convinced  that  will  not  be  the  case,  as  I  have  been  informed  that,  if  the 
money  arising  from  the  exhibition  shall  prove  deficient,  they  will  immediately  make  up  what  is  vf  anting ;  and  I 
know  that  in  the  course  of  this  day  tickets  to  the  amount  of  fifty  guineas  have  been  disposed  of. 

By  the  desire  of  many  principal  inhabitants,  I  have  exhibited  my  balloon  in  the  Old  Church  choir,  where  it 
was  no  sooner  inflated  than  such  a  crowd  of  people  assembled  as  I  do  not  ever  remember  to  have  seen  in  a  place  of 
the  kind  before ;  so  that,  one  way  or  other,  money  enough  will  most  probably  be  collected. 

I  have  also  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  in  consequence  of  an  application  to  Colonel  Ferguson,  Commander 
of  the  27th  Regiment,  accompanied  with  a  card  from  the  magistracy,  I  shall  be  attended  by  a  good  number  of 
soldiers ;  and  during  the  process  of  filling  the  balloon  the  band  of  the  regiment  will  entertain  the  company  with 
martial  music. 


s.i,.  1785. 


\M'i;i:\\>  mt  i;rih  \i;i>. 


'.'7 


,11   my  letter*  y.m   will  find  that  my  »\>\ri<*  have  in  general  been  rained  and  depraved 
aliiniiit.lv.     Nu tiling.  however,  has  been  able  to  conquer  my  resolution  ;  and  I  have  so  often  iihown  mywlf  «"| 

. .-,  that  I  think  she  is  by  thin  time  tired  of  persecuting  me :  therefore  I  subscribe  myself, as  cool,  collected. 
an.l  ha|,].y  as  c\ ,  i .  Your  sincere  friend, 

\  .   LUNARDI. 

i.i:m:u  v. 

GlMgow.  November  25.  1785. 

SuccesB  has  overpaid  my  expectations!  I  am  returned  to  the  caresses  of  my  surrounding  friends;  and,  in 
token  nf  gratitude,  shall  make  a  second  ascension  on  Monday  m-xt  You  will  imagine  that  I  ought  now  to  bu 
sufficiently  acquainted  with  tin-  air.  and  perhaps  call  this  rage  for  flying  mere  madness ;  but  give  me  leave  to  urge  a 
childhood  i>r.Nif,  that  what. -v.  r  .mr  ideas  may  be  in  th.-  bud.  they  shoot  into  habit,  grow  as  wo  grow,  and  with  .mi 
s..uls  ,\|Miid.  till  thev  become  al*».lutely  iimiititutional.  \\hcn  quite  a  schoolboy  I  used  to  look  with  contempt 
the .  r. ,  i-ing  worm,  or  shard-borne  beetle;  while  my  eye*  were  fixed  with  rapture  and  admiration  II|MUI  the 
l.i-  and  gild.-d  drag,  .n -fly.  I  was  not  fond  of  quadrupeds;  the  tricks  and  gambols  of  the  playful  squirrel,  or 
th.  t V.. lie.-,, .in.-  caresses  of  the  spaniel,  afforded  me  little  or  no  amusement.  Hut  birds  were  my  delight!  I  could 
li-t.  ii  t..  their  songs  with  inexpressible  pleasure,  and  with  the  most  eager  attention  survey  their  rapid  flight 
through  tli,-  air :  they  were  object*  of  my  love  and  envy.  Is  it  then  to  be  wondered  that  I  court  their  company 
and  emulate  their  modi-  of  living  ?• 

1'n  \i,,u.s  to  tin-  detail  of  my  very  successful  expedition,  I  nhall  insert  a  paragraph  from  the  newspaper,  the 
]iiil,li.-sh.  r  of  which  must  be  a  person  who  understands  something  of  Aerostation,  as  he  describes  my  apparatus  better 
than  any  other  writer  that  has  attempted  the  subject. 

"  Ax   A  i  int.sTic  ACCOUNT  OK  MB.  LUXARDI'S  AKIUAI,  EXCURSION  FROM  ST.  ANDREW'S  CHURCHYARD,  GLASGOW,  ox 
\\U.\KM.AY,  THE  23Ri>  ISSTAST.     (Extracted  from  the  '  Glasgow  Advertiser,"  November  28th,  1785.) 

"On  Wednesday  last  Mr.  I.unardi  fulfilled  his  promise  in  ascending  in  his  aerial  car  from  this  city.     He  came 

to  the  place  appointed  at  eleven  o'clock  forenoon,  in  company  with  the  officers  of  the  27th  Kcgimcnt.  pivn-dcd  l>v 

the  musical  band,  and  followed  l,y  all  the  soldiers  under  arms.     After  they  had  taken  their  stations  at  proper  places, 

everything  was  got  ready  for  beginning  the  operation  about  twelve.     The  balloon  was  suspended  at  the  east  end  of 

inin-h,  l>y  a  rope  stretched  between  the  top  of  the  church  and  the  ground  at  some  distance.     Three 

large  casks  with  iron  hoops  were  sunk  to  some  depth  in  the  ground,  for  the  purpose  of  containing  the  oil  of 
vitriol  and  iron  necessary  for  the  oj>cration.  These  casks  were  furnished  with  large  tin  tubes,  which,  passing 
through  a  large  vessel  of  water  to  cool  the  vapour,  united  into  one,  round  which  the  mouth  of  the  balloon  wan  tied. 

>rds  of  a  ton  weight  of  iron  shavings  were  divided  among  the  casks,  and  five  or  six  tons  of  water  along  with 
them.  A  largo  tub  lined  with  lead  in  the  under  jmrt,  with  a  hole  in  the  bottom,  was  used  an  a  funnel.  This  hole 
was  closely  stopped  up  with  a  stick,  until  the  i|imntity  of  oil  of  vitriol  destined  for  each  cank  was  put  into  it,  when. 
I'v  j.iilling  out  the  Mi.k.  the  whole  .[iiantity  rushed  in  at  once.  There  were  sixteen  large  bottles  of  oil  of  vitriol 
used,  in  all  containing  upwards  of  2000  pounds.  On  mixing  such  a  quantity  of  heterogeneous  substances  togeth.  i . 
a  tumult,  effervescence,  and  heat  were  instantly  generated  to  such  a  degree  as  cannot  be  conceived  by  those  who 
have  not  been  eyewitnesses  of  similar  operations.  The  vapour  instantly  issued  out  with  great  velocity,  and 
ascending  in  the  Imlloon,  Ix-gaii  to  swell  it  first  at  the  top,  so  that  it  became  quite  round  and  full  there,  while  (lie  undei 
part  remain,  d  quite  flaccid.  By  degrees  the  swelling  proceeded  downwards,  and  the  net  with  which  the  balloon 
was  covered  began  to  embrace  it  closely.  About  half  an  hour  after  twelve  it  was  inflated  sufficiently  to  carry  it* 
own  weight,  so  that  the  rope  by  which  it  was  suspended  became  no  longer  necessary,  and  was  therefore  taken 


W.  l..vitl  to  wnt.  1.  the  rwallow  >wimmiug  high. 
In  tin-  I'rinlit  uzurv  of  tin-  vaulted  cky. 
Or  g«Z4-  «|«.ii  tin-  rl.rn.ls,  whose  eolour'd  pride 
WM  mUtcr  .1  Uiiuly  ..'.  r  tin-  ».  Ikin  wide. 
And  tinc.'.l  will.  MI,  I,  vuri.-ty  .,f  shade, 
To  thechann'd  soul  miMim<  -i  tli,.ui;l,t.-  i>-i,. 
In  the»c  wluU  form*  romantic  .li.l  wi-  trace. 
While  Fancy  1«1  u.  o'er  the  realm*  of  space ; 


Now  we  eapied  the  Thunderer  in  his  car. 
Leading  the  embattled  Hvraphim  to  war, 
Ti  •  n  xtately  towers  descried,  tuhlimcly  high, 
In  ( ...tlin-  grandeur  frowning  on  tlie  nky; 

Or  law,  wide  atretching  o'er  the  azure  height 
A  ri.lj:.-  of  ^liii-u-r.i  in  mural  white. 
Hugely  terrific. 

KIIIKK  WHITE. 


98  ASTRA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1785. 

away.  The  wind  struck  one  side  of  it  considerably,  which  rendering  the  operation  of  filling  somewhat  difficult, 
it  was  pulled  down  by  means  of  the  net  and  cords  affixed  to  it,  as  close  to  the  ground  as  possible,  which  removed 
that  difficulty.  It  was  kept  in  this  position  till  about  half  an  hour  after  one;  and  though  the  smell  indicated  some 
loss  of  inflammable  air,  yet,  considering  the  large  scale  on  which  the  operation  was  conducted,  we  cannot  help 
thinking  that  the  chemical  part  was  performed  with  great  dexterity. 

"  As  the  balloon  now  began  to  pull  very  strongly  upwards,  it  was  no  longer  confined,  but  gradually  suffered 
to  rise  to  its  full  length,  when  it  appeared  of  a  beautiful  oval  shape,  but  still  somewhat  flaccid  in  the  under  part. 
The  car  being  now  appended,  Mr.  Lunardi  took  his  place,  dressed  in  his  regimentals,  amidst  the  anxious 
expectations  of  the  spectators.  At  a  quarter  before  two  the  balloon,  now  floating  with  Mr.  Lunardi  in  it,  was 
conducted  to  some  distance  from  the  church,  in  order  to  give  a  more  full  view  of  his  ascent.  It  was  then  let  go, 
and  began  to  rise  somewhat  slowly ;  but  Mr.  Lunardi  soon  quickened  it  by  throwing  out  a  sand-bag,  and  as  its 
ascending  power  was  not  yet  answerable  to  his  wishes,  he  in  a  few  minutes  threw  out  another,  and  after  that  a 
third.  Thus  the  balloon  rose  with  great  rapidity,  to  the  admiration  of  every  one  who  saw  it,  and  being  impelled 
by  a  brisk  gale,  flew  also  with  immense  velocity  in  a  S.E.  direction  as  it  ascended;  and  during  this  ascent 
Mr.  Lunardi  gradually  lowered  his  flag  to  a  considerable  distance  from  the  balloon,  which  occasioned  no  little 
uneasiness  among  the  spectators,  many  of  whom  imagined  that  the  car  was  getting  loose  and  falling  away.  In 
about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  our  adventurous  hero  was  lost  in  a  cloud,  to  the  great  concern  of  the  spectators,  and 
though  a  glimpse  or  two  of  the  balloon  were  afterward!  obtained,  it  was  impossible  to  view  it  distinctly  for  any 
length  of  time.  He  was  seen  passing  over  Hamilton  at  two  o'clock,  so  that  he  must  have  been  flying  at  the  rate  of 
forty  miles  an  hour.  The  magistrates,  in  testimony  of  their  esteem  for  Mr.  Lunardi,  ordered  the  bells  to  be  set 
a-ringing ;  and  in  about  ten  minutes  after  he  was  seen  passing  over  Lanark.  In  the  course  of  his  journey,  it  is  said, 
he  met  with  a  southerly  current,  along  with  which  he  was  carried  for  about  twelve  minutes,  but  afterwards 
returned  into  his  former  course. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  astonishment  and  admiration  which  Mr.  Lunardi's  ascent  occasioned  in  this 
place.  Indeed,  the  sight  of  the  balloon,  with  Mr.  Lunardi  ascending  along  with  it,  was  majestic  and  beautiful 
beyond  description.  To  this,  indeed,  the  gracefulness  and  genteel  air  of  his  person,  with  his  easy  intrepidity  in  the 
moment  of  ascent,  contributed  not  a  little.  The  most  majestic  part  of  the  scene,  indeed,  was  only  visible  to  those 
in  the  churchyard,  being  in  a  great  measure  lost  by  the  rest  of  the  spectators  who  did  not  purchase  tickets.  The 
concourse  of  people  was  amazing.  The  Green,  the  tops  of  the  houses,  and  all  places  where  the  sight  could  be  had 
for  nothing,  were  immensely  crowded.  Many  were  amazingly  affected.  Some  shed  tears,  and  some  fainted ;  while 
others  insisted  that  he  was  in  compact  with  the  Devil,  and  ought  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  man  reprobated  by  the 
Almighty. 

"  During  the  whole  time  that  the  balloon  was  filling,  Baillie  Brown  attended,  in  the  absence  of  the  Lord 
Provost,  and  showed  the  greatest  attention  to  Mr.  Lunardi ;  and  invited  the  principal  persons,  who  were  strangers, 
to  dine  with  him  in  the  Tontine,  among  whom  was  the  Earl  of  Loudoun ;  and  an  Assembly  was  held  in  the 
evening. 

"  While  the  balloon  was  filling,  the  company  were  entertained  by  the  musical  band  of  the  27th  Regiment,  just 
now  quartered  here,  who  played  a  quick  march  as  he  went  up.  It  is  computed  that  there  were  upwards  of  100,000 
spectators  assembled  on  this  occasion,  among  whom  were  the  greatest  number  of  ladies  ever  seen  in  Glasgow, 
who  were  all  very  much  interested  in  Mr.  Lunardi's  safety.  As  no  accounts  of  his  landing  arrived  on  Thursday, 
many  people  began  to  fear  some  fatal  accident,  but  their  apprehensions  were  happily  dispelled  on  Friday  by  the 
following  letter  to  Colonel  Ferguson  : — 

"  '  SlR,  "  Edinburgh,  Friday  Morning,  11  o'clock. 

"  '  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  at  forty-two  minutes  after  three  o'clock  on  Wednesday  evening,  I 
touched  the  ground  upon  high  hills,  where,  the  wind  being  very  fresh,  the  cable  gave  way,  and  I  lost  the  great 
anchor  and  flag ;  the  balloon  being  then  lighter,  ascended  to  a  considerable  height,  and  entirely  lost  sight  of  the 
earth.  At  fifty-five  minutes  after  three  I  finally  descended  about  two  miles  to  the  east  of  Alemoor,  on  the  water  of 
Ale,  in  Selkirkshire,  and  luckily  met  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chisholm,  who  were  riding  on  the  mountains  in  their  way 
home  from  a  visit ;  and  the  lady  took  my  place  (being  lighter)  in  the  balloon,  and  went  three  miles  in  it. 

"  '  Yesterday  I  was  entertained  by  the  gentlemen  of  Ha  wick,  and  the  magistracy  presented  me  with  the  freedom 
of  the  town. 


A.D.I  THE  OFFICERS  OF  TlIK  --'Tin   UK' .IMKNT.  M 

••  •  This  in. .mini;  I  reached  Edinburgh,  and  to-morrow,  at  twelve  o'clock  at  noon,  I  hope  I  shall  have  the 
h..n..tir  t..  return  YOU,  rivd  wet,  my  sincere  thanks,  as  1  do  \vith  my  \«\\.  t'..r  all  v.mr  kindness.  I  have  the  honour 

'"    K  "'  VlXCKNT    LUXARI.1.' 

A. .  ..i. ling  to  his  promise  in  this  Liter.  Mr.  Lunardi  arrived  with  his  balloon  in  this  city,  about  half  an  hour 
iilVr  twelve  ..',  l.K-k  ..11  Saturday,  ami  was  entertained  at  dinner  by  the  prin.ip.il  merchants,  and  yesterday  by  the 
..tlir.  rs  i.f  tin-  'JTtli  hVgiim-nt." 

At  fivi-  minutes  before  two  !.\  my  watch  I  parted  from  the  ground,  but  could  not  judge  of  the  ascending 
power  i.f    tli.-   balloon,  by  reason  of  its  waving  with  the  wind,  which  was  pretty  high.     Ik-ing  thi-i 
a]i|iri-henidve  of  its  again  descending  to  the  ground,  I  threw  out  two  bags  of  sand  in  the  very  churchyanl  ;  after 
wlii.-h  I  ascended  with  groat  velocity,  and  nalut.-d  tlie  very  respectable  and  brilliant  company  whom  I  had  li-ft.  and 
tin-  multitude  ,,f  -i-ectators  who  were  assembled  all  round,  by  lowering  my  flag  about  sixty  feet  from  the  bottom  ,,f 

.  !!•  •  \ .     It  was  now  exactly  two  o'clock,  when  I  entered  a  very  thick  but  small  cloud  ;  on  which  I  pulled  tin 
valve  in  order  to  descend  !••!•.«  it.  l.ut  the  ascending  power  was  too  great,  80  that  I  continued  to  rise  for  some  time 
_    r. 

On  my  coming  again  in  sight  of  Glasgow,  I  found  the  compass  had  shifted  T4f>  the  wind  being  N.W.  I  now 
passed  through  higher  clouds,  and  at  five  minutes  after  two  saw  Hamilton,  about  two  miles  distant  The  balloon 
had  u..w  I..M  ii>  rising  i».w.i.  tin-  ran  ti.  -at  ion  of  the  uir  having  expelled  a  groat  quantity  out  of  it.  I  could  see 
Lanark  very  well,  but  it  was  soon  intercepted  by  a  small  and  thick  cloud.  Finding  myself  descending,  I  threw  out 
half  a  bag  of  sand  ;  but  that  proving  iiiMifli.-i. -nt,  I  threw  down  the  whole,  on  which  the  balloon  stood  motionless  for 
about  two  minutes  and  then  began  to  ascend  at  a  good  rate,  I  entered  a  thick  cloud  about  three-quarters  of  a  mil. 

:idii-ular.  wh.-n  I  could  neither  see  heaven  nor  earth,  being  in  short  involved  in  an  ocean  of  clouds,  which  about 
a  mil.-  al«>ve  me  I  jierceived  were  of  different  and  biiautiful  colours. 

\Vlu-n  involved  in  these  clouds  I  dined,  and  having  emptied  one  bottle  of  its  contents  by  making  a  hole  in  it« 
hide,  as  I  could  not  uncork  it,  I  threw  it  down  altogether,  and  heard  it  whistle  as  it  descended  for  thirty-five 
seconds.  The  wind  was  now  duo  south  by  the  compass,  and,  being  extremely  fatigued  and  sleepy,  having  scam- 
rested  three  hours  the  preceding  night,  I  lay  down  in  the  bottom  of  the  gallery.  That  I  might  not,  however,  incur 
any  danger  by  sleeping  in  this  extraordinary  situation,  I  fastened  a  small  steelyard  to  a  piece  of  rope,  and  this  to  the 
ne< -k  i.f  the  UilliN.n,  so  that  it  was  suspended  about  a  foot  distance  from  my  face.  The  balloon  was  at  this  time 
keeping  itself  quite  full  by  tin-  ran  fa.tion  of  air;  and  I  was  sure  that  when  it  began  to  descend  it  must  become 

1,  and  consequently  longer,  so  that  the  steelyard  would  hit  my  face  and  awake  me.  AVithout  the  least 
apprehension,  therefore,  I  fell  asleep  and  enjoyed  a  comfortable  nap  for  about  twenty  minutes,  when  the  hook  of  the 
steelyard  got  hold  of  my  chin,  and  I  got  up  at  once.  I  could  now  see  the  earth  quite  plain,  and  a  serpentine  river 
beneath  me.  1  had  no  map.  and  the  balloon  was  turning  u]x.n  its  axis,  so  that  I  could  form  no  judgment  of  my 
situation  :  but  turning  upon  my  right  I  could  perceive  that  the  river  below  me  was  the  Forth.  It  was  then  twelve 
minuti-s  aft.r  three  when  I  threw  out  half  a  bag  of  sand  to  keep  me  in  a  horizontal  direction,  and  afterwards  tried 
:  on  tin-  other  side  of  tin-  river;  but  I  saw  with  surprise  that  the  balloon  was  again  approaching  to  the 
river,  when  I  dropped  my  pocket-book,  and  which  appears  to  mo  has  fallen  about  a  mile  to  the  north  of  the  Forth. 
Tin-  Utlloon  quickly  crossed  the  river  again,  on  which  I  threw  away  the  remainder  of  the  bag,  but  still  the  balloon 
rose  but  very  little,  and  was  involved  in  thick  clouds  on  my  coming  to  the  S.E. 

At  twenty-five  minutes  after  three  the  earth  began  to  appear,  and  I  found  I  was  over  huge  hills,  which  I 
judged  t'.  \*-  ill.-  Highlands.  I'.eing  now  descending  very  quick,  I  threw  down  the  rest  of  my  ballast,  and  rose  to  a 
considerable  h.  ij.t.  l>ut  still  in  sight  of  the  earth.  At  thirty-eight  minutes  after  three  I  was  again  descending,  and 
saw  the  tops  of  the  hills  passing  very  quick,  by  which  I  judged  that  the  wind  was  very  high.  I  intended  to  come 
d'.wn  U-twivt  some  of  these  hills,  as  I  could  not  see  the  end  of  them,  and  sleep  then-  all  night;  and  with  this  view 
let  I.H.N.-  the  big  anchor  alxmt  sixty  t'. .  t  from  the  gallery,  and  liegan  to  descend.  AM  soon  as  the  anchor  got  hold  of 
the  ground  the  cable  gave  way,  and  the  aiieln.r  remaining  in  the  ground,  as  well  as  the  flag,  &&,  in  all  about 
eighteen  jN.unds  weight,  the  balloon  rose  again  with  great  rapidity  ;  and  when  almve  all  the  clouds  I  could  perceive 
that  they  had  the  very  same  sliajx'  of  the  hills  lielow.  The  water  generated  by  the  intlammable  air  came  down 
convert,  d  into  icicles.  I  passed  horizontally  through  the  clouds  for  about  eight  minutes:  when  I  came  in  sight  of 
the  heathy  hills  again,  I  heard  a  voice  call,  "Lunardi,  come  down."  quite  plain,  and  I  knew  not  who  it  was.  1 

o  2 


100  ASTEA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1785. 

saw  at  a  distance  sheep  feeding,  but  could  not  see  a  human  being,  and  I  was  greatly  surprised  to  hear  my  name 
pronounced  by  any  shepherd  that  might  have  been  there  with  his  sheep ;  and  1  could  perceive  no  house,  nor  even 
huts  in  the  neighbourhood.  I  called  aloud  several  times  through  the  hill,  and  after  one-third  of  a  minute  or 
nineteen  seconds  I  could  hear  the  echo  of  my  words  returned  as  loud  as  they  were  pronounced ;  but  /  never  had 
repeated  "  Lunardi  come  down,"  though  I  heard  these  words  several  times  repeated,  on  which  I  answered  through 
the  trumpet,  "  Hallo !  hallo !  "  with  a  great  voice.  I  heard  the  words,  "  Lunardi,  hallo  !  "  repeated ;  and  being  now 
quite  free  from  any  interruption  from  clouds,  I  could  see  distinctly  some  people  on  horseback.  At  last  I 
endeavoured  to  hasten  my  descent  betwixt  two  hills  where  the  balloon  might  be  sheltered  from  the  high  wind ; 
and,  indeed,  I  came  down  as  light  as  a  feather.  Two  trembling  shepherds  came  to  me,  an  old  man  and  a  boy, 
whom  I  encouraged  by  calling  to  them,  "  My  dear  friends,  come  hither."  They  crossed  the  water  and  came  up  to 
me,  and  I  gave  them  some  sponge-bread  that  remained  of  my  provisions ;  then  a  gentleman  came,  asking  how  I  did, 
and  at  what  time  I  set  off  from  Glasgow ;  after  a  proper  answer,  I  reached  him  with  the  balloon,  and  he  mentioned 
the  circumstances  of  meeting  me  as  he  was  coming  from  a  visit  with  his  wife. 

1  asked  the  lady  if  she  would  get  into  the  balloon,  who  hardly  had  pronounced,  "  I  will,"  when  she  got  into 
the  gallery,  and  I  went  out  desiring  the  shepherds  to  hold  the  ropes ;  I  got  upon  her  horse,  and  in  company  with 
her  husband  we  followed  her.  After  three  good  miles'  riding,  I  saw  that  the  balloon  was  very  much  waved ;  and 
the  shepherds  carried  by  it  at  a  great  rate,  so  that  I  thought  proper  to  call  the  lady  down,  and  it  was  with  great 
difficulty  and  fatigue  all  of  us  together  could  succeed  in  emptying  the  balloon,  which  I  committed  to  the  shepherds' 
care,  and  went  along  with  the  gentleman  and  lady.  At  seven  o'clock  we  arrived  at  their  houses  at  Stretches,  where 
I  was  very  well  entertained.  1  had  a  comfortable  sleep,  and  next  morning  after  breakfast  the  gentleman  in  whose 
house  I  was  took  me  to  Hawick,  where  I  was  received  by  the  gentlemen  and  the  magistrates,  who  very  generously 
invited  me  to  dinner  with  them,  and  presented  me  •with  the  freedom  of  the  town ;  soon  after  dinner,  I  got  into  a 
postchaise,  travelled  all  night,  and  reached  Edinburgh  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  I  wrote  a  letter  to  you 
with  two  enclosed,  and  despatched  by  an  express  to  Glasgow,  as  I  knew  they  would  have  been  in  anxiety.  My 
course  was  S.E.,  then  N.,  and  then  S.E. ;  the  whole  of  my  journey,  110  miles.-  The  descent  and  place  will  be  better 
described  by  the  gentleman  with  whom  I  was  so  fortunate  as  to  meet : — 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  GILBERT  CHISHOLM,  ESQ.,  STRETCHES,  TO  A  FRIEND  is  GLASGOW,  NOVEMBER  23RD. 

"  Yesterday  afternoon,  about  half  an  hour  after  three,  as  I  was  returning  with  Mrs.  Chisholm  from  a  visit  to 
Sir  James  Nasmyth  of  Posso,  Bart.,  my  servant  called  out  to  me  to  observe  a  paper  kite  of  most  surprising  magnitude 
and  height.  Turning  my  eyes  to  the  place  where  the  boy  pointed,  I  perceived  a  body  flying  among  the  clouds 
which  sometimes  intercepted  it  from  my  sight.  As  it  came  near  the  ground  I  perceived  it  assume  an  oblong  oval 
shape,  somewhat  like  a  sugar  mould ;  but  as  I  could  perceive  no  string  to  hold  it,  nor  any  tail  appended,  I  was 
convinced  that  it  could  be  no  kite,  which  indeed  its  extraordinary  height  had  convinced  me  of  before.  As  I  knew 
that  Mr.  Lunardi  was  in  the  country,  and  intended  a  voyage  from  Glasgow  this  day,  I  began  to  suspect  this  must 
be  his  balloon,  though  I  was  yet  unable  to  distinguish  his  car,  and  could  scarce  allow  myself  to  think  that  he  could 
be  at  such  a  distance  from  that  city.  As  it  still  came  nearer,  however,  I  was  at  last  convinced  that  it  could  be  no 
other ;  and  in  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour  after  I  first  saw  him,  he  was  got  so  near  that  I  began  to  call  out  to  him, 
'  Mr.  Lunardi  come  down,  come  down ! '  This  invitation  I  gave  him  the  more  earnestly,  because  if  he  had  still  gone 
on,  he  must  have  alighted  in  a  very  inconvenient  place  on  account  of  the  high  wind.  After  repeated  calls  I  had 
the  good  fortune  to  hear  that  he  answered  me  through  his  speaking  trumpet,  though  1  could  not  distinctly  hear 
what  he  said.  At  five  minutes  before  four  he  alighted  in  a  place  very  near  the  water  of  Ale,  and  so  screened  from 
the  wind  that  the  balloon  stood  quite  upright,  without  inclining  either  to  one  side  or  another.  Two  shepherds  who 
kept  their  sheep  on  the  hill-side  were  so  much  astonished  at  the  descent  of  the  balloon  with  a  human  creature 
appended  to  it,  that  it  was  with  difficult}'  I  could  persuade  them  that  Mr.  Lunardi  was  not  some  devil  who  would 
destroy  them.  At  last  by  my  earnest  persuasion  they  ran  down  the  hill,  and,  with  some  signs  of  fear,  came  up  to 
Mr.  Lunardi.  My  horse  was  so  much  frightened  that  I  could  scarce  come  within  a  gunshot,  but  Mrs.  Chisholm, 
who  rode  a  more  peaceable  beast,  was  allowed  to  come  much  nearer.  The  shepherds  at  my  desire  conveyed  the 
balloon,  and  Mr.  Lunardi  along  with  it,  over  the  water  which  separated  us,  which  they  effected  with  the  greatest 
ease,  the  balloon  yet  rising  from  the  ground  with  the  slightest  touch.  After  receiving  our  hearty  congratulations, 
Mr.  Lunardi  asked  Mrs.  Chisholm  if  she  would  take  his  place  in  the  aerial  car,  to  which  she  replied  by  jumping 


v.,,.  1  T1IK  -J7TH   UKCIMKM.  1": 

into  it.  She  willingly  would  have  had  tho  balloon  Bet  at  liberty,  but,  an  the  wind  was  very  high,  Mr.  Lunardi 
judijiil  tliii  t..  IK-  iin]iro]>er;  tor,  us  Mm.  ( 'lii.-liohu  is  eonM.li-nil.lv  lighter,  she  must  have  ascended  to  a  great  height, 
ami  U-eii  iiinvi-yed  to  several  miles'  distance.  Tho  air,  therefore,  wan  held  near  tho  ground  by  tho  two  shepherds. 
In  tliis  in  inn.  i  she  was  carried  for  .il-.ut  three  miles,  while  die  hills  sheltered  us  from  die  wind ;  but  then  it 
became  so  viod-nt.  mid  die  balloon  waved  so  much,  tluit  she  was  obliged  to  alight  After  this  wo  assisted  M 
I.unanli  in  eni|.t\  ing  his  balloon,  which  was  not  accomplished  without  great  difficulty  on  account  of  the  high  win. I 
At't.-r  having  tin-  |>lvM8uro  of  Mr.  I. im. mil's  company  for  die  night,  I  had  die  honour  of  introducing  him  diis  day  to 
tin.  magistrate*  of  Hawiek,  who,  after  having  entertained  him  at  dinner,  presented  him  with  tin-  fn..l..m  of  the 
city.  Mr-.  ( 'hi-holm  is  much  pleased  with  lu-r  aerial  journey,  and  still  wishes  that  she  had  been  set  at  liberty.  A- 
tl..-  report  of  Mr.  Lunanli's  landing  has  already  spread  to  a  considerable  distance,  our  market  of  Hawick  has 

uncommonly  thmnged  by  multitudes  of  country  people  who  have  come  to  town  in  hopes  of  seeing  thin  m  rial 
her..." 

1  -hall  not  have  occasion  to  write  to  you  again  till  I  have  taken  my  second  flight  from  this  place,  as  I  cannot 
-ii].|«iMe  that  any  accident  will  impede  my  enterprise,  die  apparatus  remaining  as  I  left  it  This  evening  I  intend 
to  ad  vert  isc  my  pocket-book,  with  two  guineas  reward  to  any  person  who  may  have  found  it ;  die  original  value  is 
no  more  than  twelve  shillings,  and  it  contains  nothing  but  a  paper  of  calculations  and  two  letters,  with  my 
diivtion.  one  nC  which  is  your  last,  dated  26di  October.  My  wishes  are  only  to  ascertain  tho  place  where  it  was 

follll.l. 

iiorrow  I  shall  vi-.it  1'aisley,  where  some  beautiful  manufactures  are  carried  on.  It  is  very  astonishing 
that  in  France  ami  Italy,  where  such  a  quantity  of  silk  is  produced,  this  branch  of  business  should  not  be  carried 
into  the  same  degree  of  perfection  as  here!  On  Sunday  I  propose  to  return,  and  Monday  is  die  day  fixed  fur  my 
ascension  ;  soon  after  which,  if  no  unlucky  accident  intervenes,  you  shall  again  hear  from 

Your  affectionate  and  respectful 

V.  LUNABDI. 

LETTER  VL 

MY  IVKB  HONOURED   Fill  END.  GlMgOW. 

With  additional  pleasure  I  once  more  take  up  my  pen  to  inform  you  of  another  aerial  voyage.  Happiness  is 
doubly  dear  when  thus  communicated  to  a  friend!  What  numberless  blessings  has  die  Art  of  Writing  diffused! 
IIo\v  many  remarkable  events  has  it  perpetuated  !  How  many  nations  has  it  taught  to  imitate  the  virtues  of  their 
ancestors!  Without  this,  the  dearest  friends,  when  separated  by  distant  countries,  would  be  as  dead  to  each  other. 
By  means  of  this  noble  discovery,  wo  communicate  our  inmost  thoughts  to,  and  receive  die  kind  sentiments  of  those 
we  lovo  and  esteem,  while  intervening  oceans  roll  their  rude  waves  in  vain  ;  but  let  me  not,  while  I  praise,  misuse 
the  Messing,  by  wasting  time  in  idle  reflections,  wliich  I  am  convinced  will  not  be  half  so  interesting  to  your  heart 
as  the  following  particulars  of  my  late  journey  : — 

The  auspicious  morning  being  arrived,  everything  was  ready  by  ten  o'clock  for ,  beginning  the  operation. 
Exactly  at  eleven  I  was  honoured  with  tho  attendance  of  die  27th  Regiment,  as  on  tho  former  occasion,  to  support 
tho  civil  power  in  keeping  tho  peace  and  preserving  regularity  ;  though,  thanks  to  God,  no  riot  or  disturbance  ever 
happened  at  any  of  my  experiments,  the  people  being  universally  acquainted  with  my  upright  principles,  and 
'•oiivineiil  i.t'  my  intention  to  fulfil  my  promise  in  the  most  ample  manner. 

My  two  small  casks,  containing  one-half  of  the  ingredients  for  filling  tho  balloon  wore  instandy  set  to  work  ; 
but  an,  at  half  an  hour  after  eleven,  there  were  but  very  few  people  assembled,  I  was  advised  by  several  respectable 
friends  not  to  g«  on  with  the  other  until  a  greater  number  of  spectators  should  arrive.  The  operation  therefore 
w.-nt  on  but  slowly,  hut  at  tw.-lve  I  ordered  tho  large  cask  to  be  set  to  work;  by  which  means  the  balloon  was 
inflated  by  half  an  hour  atVr  oin-. 

I  hiring  this  process  I  could  not  help  paying  very  particular  attention  to  die  different  currents  of  wind,  which 
indeed  did  alarm  me  very  much.  On  this  account  I  was  obliged  to  decline  die  taking  with  mo  a  young  gentleman 
of  this  jilaee,  only  tw.lv,  years  of  age,  but  of  undaunted  spirit,  and  who  might  have  been  a  very  agreeable 
companion  to  me,  hail  tin-  w.-ather  K-eii  mild;  but  the  voyage  at  diis  time  was  very  dangerous,  as  I  myself  \.  i  \ 
soon  experienced.  For  the  same  reason  I  was  obliged  with  regret  to  refuse  the  request  of  Captain  Barns  of  the 
L'Tth  Krgiinciit.  who  had  several  times  i-mn-stly  expressed  to  me  hit)  desire  of  taking  an  aerial  voyage,  and  at 


'/;;•';   : 

.  v  s  V:'..- 

10**:  ASTEA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1785. 

time  wished  to  have  gone  in  my  place.     The  answer  I  gave  him  at  present,  however,  was,  that  "  I  would  not,  on 
this  day,  send  tip  any  friend  of  mine  for  all  the  gold  in  the  world." 

The  wind  in  the  lower  regions  had  all  this  time  been  shifting  almost  every  five  minutes ;  and,  in  the  space 
of  an  hour,  had  gone  round  three-fourths  of  the  compass.  The  currents  above  were  evidently  W.  and  S.W., 
and  E.  and  S.E.  To  avoid  any  danger  from  the  church,  I  ordered  the  balloon  to  be  carried  to  the  end  of  the 
railing,  and  there  I  fastened  the  gallery  to  it.  The  wind  was  high,  and  tossed  the  balloon  excessively  :  however  I 
got  into  it,  having  all  the  instruments  and  provisions  I  wanted,  there  already.  I  desired  several  officious  gentlemen 
to  let  it  go ;  but  you  cannot  conceive,  my  dear  friend,  the  attachment  of  everybody  here  to  me,  how  earnestly  they 
wished  to  be  near  me,  and  offer  me  their  services  in  the  moment  of  ascension.  I  got  up,  however,  about  fifty  feet 
from  the  ground,  when  the  rope  I  had  left  loose  for  my  servant  to  give  me  the  rising  power  I  wanted,  when  cleared 
of  my  friends  below  (which  however  proved  impossible)  entangled  a  gentleman,  who,  I  since  understand,  is  a 
minister ;  and,  with  the  greatest  concern,  I  saw  him  dragged  for  a  considerable  way  along  the  ground,  till  the  rope 
was  cut  by  my  servant. 

It  was  now  near  forty  minutes  after  one  o'clock,  and  my  ascent  was  not  very  rapid,  as  I  could  see  the  people 
below  for  six  minutes.  This  time  I  employed  in  securing  the  gallery  to  the  balloon  better  than  it  had  been  done 
below ;  waving  the  flag,  saluting  the  public.  Soon  after  I  lost  sight  of  Glasgow.  The  wind  below  was  S.E., 
and  I  took  my  course  to  N.W.,  so  that  I  was  kept  in  view  by  everybody.  At  forty-eight  minutes  after  one,  I  was 
obliged  to  secure  the  compass  and  watch,  and  take  hold  of  the  upper  hoop  with  both  my  hands,  as  the  gallery  was 
not  only  waving,  but  all  to  one  side.  The  balloon  being  pressed  by  two  contrary  winds  turned  on  its  axis  at  least 
twelve  times  in  ten  seconds,  and  jumped  up  to  a  great  height.  It  was  now  quite  full,  the  inflammable  air  escaping 
very  fast  from  the  neck,  and  I  opened  the  valve  besides,  when  all  at  once  it  fell  down  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile  and 
there  became  stationary ;  it  was  now  two-thirds  full,  and  the  silk  below  sticking  together,  and  driven  with  the 
violence  of  the  wind,  made  a  terrible  and  hideous  noise,  keeping  the  valve  constantly  open,  so  that  I  could  hear  the 
inflammable  air  whistle  in  escaping. 

At  fifty-two  minutes  after  one  o'clock  the  balloon  was  prodigiously  inclined  to  one  side,  and  the  gallery  almost 
overturned,  so  that  I  was  exceedingly  alarmed,  being  obliged  to  hold  the  upper  hoop,  where  the  not  terminated,  fast 
with  both  my  hands.  I  then  found  myself  attacked  by  two  contrary  winds ;  the  balloon  turned  with  great  velocity 
upon  its  axis,  and  jumped  up  about  one  hundred  feet ;  then  began  to  descend  with  such  rapidity  that  I  could  see 
the  clouds  below  approached  me  very  fast,  and  some  passing  very  rapidly.  \\  hen  the  gallery  began  to  keep  itself 
steady  again,  I  endeavoured  to  put  out  both  my  anchors ;  the  smallest  fastened  to  a  very  long  rope,  and  the  biggest 
to  a  shorter  one :  I  threw  down  two  bottles  I  had  full  of  water,  and  all  the  ballast  at  once,  which  did  indeed  check 
the  rapidity  of  my  descent,  but  could  not  give  the  balloon  levity  enough  to  rise  again ;  the  small  anchor  got  hold 
of  the  earth,  as  well  as  the  large  one ;  I  then  suspended  myself  to  the  upper  part  of  the  gallery,  letting  the  bottom 
of  it  receive  the  blow  from  the  earth,  which  broke  it  in  two  parts.^nd  I  got  a  very  violent  shock,  but  happily  am  not 
hurt.  It  was  just  two  o'clock  when  I  descended.  In  the  place  where  I  alighted  there  was  but  very  little  wind, 
and  the  balloon  stood  perpendicular.  Both  the  anchors  having  got  hold  of  the  ground,  I  could  have  come  out  of  the 
car  and  done  everything  myself  without  any  assistance ;  but  I  was  immediately  surrounded  by  a  great  many,  who 
were  all  very  ready  to  offer  me  their  services,-  and  did  as  much  as  was  in  their  power  to  assist  me,  and  take  care  even 
of  the  smallest  thing. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Lapslcy,  the  minister  of  the  parish  in  which  I  descended,  was  the  first  gentleman  who  reached 
me,  and  he  very  politely  sent  his  servant  to  take  care  of  the  balloon,  &c.,  and  expressed  his  joy  in  having  acci- 
dentally met  with  such  an  extraordinary  piece  of  good  fortune  in  meeting  me.  AN  hile  I  was  going  towards  his 
house,  accompanied  by  the  whole  multitude  of  people  collected  on  that  spot,  we  saw  at  a  distance  a  gentleman 
advancing  very  fast :  this  was  Sir  Alexander  Stirling ;  who  invited  me  and  the  minister  to  his  house,  where  we 
were  well  entertained.  But  it  is  beyond  the  power  of  my  pen  to  paint  to  you  the  happiness  of  this  old  gentleman  in 
having  me  at  his  house,  in  such  an  extraordinary  way,  and  his  expressions  on  the  occasion. 

Mr.  Lapsley  agreeably  amused  me  while  at  dinner  with  a  conversation  upon  aerostatic  experiments.  He 
seems  to  be  a  very  intelligent  gentleman,  and  has  written  a  letter  to  a  friend  of  his  in  Glasgow,  a  copy  of  which  I 
enclose  for  your  inspection,  and  which  will  enable  you  to  form  some  judgment  of  his  sensibility. 

At  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  a  chaise  being  read}',  I  took  leave  of  Sir  Alexander,  and  was  accompanied  by 
Mr.  Lapsley  to  Glasgow.  I  went  immediately  to  the  play,  where  I  was  received  with  great  applause. 


A.,,.]  MANSE  OF  CAMPHI  103 

This  a  iv  I  was  entertained  .it  tho  Saracen's  Head  with  a  very  splendid  dinner  by  Provost  French,  Mr.  Ingram, 
and  several  ,.f  the  bent  citi/.cns,  whore  I  was  presented  with  tin-  diploma,  and  made  Knight  of  the  Cape.  Indeed,  I 
am  \vrv  much  oareaaed  through  all  Scotland :  then-fore,  if  I  be  attached  to  this  nation,  you  cannot  think  it  any 
wonder. 

1  !.  ,-k..n  it  a  vi TV  fortunate  circumstance  that  in  this  descent,  aa  well  as  a  former  one,  I  should  meet  with  a 
minister,  young,  f.nsiblo,  and  accomplished ;  such  is  Mr.  Lapsley.  I  shall  transcribe  a  letter  from  him  to  one  of  his 
frit-mis:  his  attention  to  the  various  occurrences  being  more  exact  than  what  I  could  possibly  pay,  it  has  enabled 
him  to  observe,  recollect,  and  mark  down  the  most  minuti-  circumstances. 

COPY  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  THE  REV.  JAMES  LAPSLEY  TO  A  FKII.M.  IN  ULASQOW. 

..  I  )KAI.   sn:.  "  Muue  of  Campeie,  Deo.  «. 

••  Although  you  ami  my  friends  in  Glasgow  have  had  the  advantage  in  seeing  Mr.  Lunardi  ascend  twice  into 
tin-  atmosphere.  I  will  nut  sutler  \<m  now  to  boast  too  much  of  your  good  fortune,  for  ho  has  done  me  the  honour  of 
laying  ine  a  visit  in  my  own  parish.  I  saw  him  descend  from  his  car,  and  was  pleased  with  the  remarks  of  the 
villagers  upon  his  descent  The  people  of  Campsie  were  too  bold  to  bo  afraid  of  him  :  and  they  are  above  disguising 
what  their  f. .  lin-_'s  load  them  to  express. 

••  Yesterday  afternoon,  whilst  I  was  walking  through  my  parish,  visiting  the  sick,  and  rather  inclined  to  be 
(tensive  frum  retl.-cting  upon  the  scenes  of  distress  to  which  I  had  been  witness,  my  attention  was  suddenly  arrested 
by  a  confused  humming  noise,  which  seemed  all  at  once  to  spring  out  of  the  earth  towards  the  south  ;  but  as  my 
view  frum  that  quarter  was  intercepted  by  a  clump  of  trees,  I  walked  on,  and  for  two  minutes  I  had  it  not  in  my 
power  to  inc[iiiro  from  what  cause  it  proceeded. 

••  An  old  woman  at  that  moment  joined  me,  hearing  the  noise  at  the  same  time,  took  some  pains  to  convince 
me  that  it  was  the  buzz  of  those  spirits  and  elves  who  before  Christmas  Eve  hold  their  meetings  in  sequestered  tl.i  I.  -. 
lamenting  their  lust  jmwer. 

•  \  »u  will  easily  l«-lii-vo  that  such  a  wayward  fancy  was  not  then  agreeable  to  my  present  humour.  I  left 
her  aiul  hastened  to  a  rising  ground,  when  I  now  heard  distinctly  several  people  shouting  aloud,  '  Yonder  he  comes ! ' 
Turning  round  I  In-held  the  balloon  sailing  majestically  almost  over  my  head.  Mr.  Lunardi  was  then  standing  in 
bin  ear  ami  waving  his  banner.  1 1  is  distance  from  the  earth  seemed  to  be  about  400  yards.  The  people  were  coming 
from  all  quarters:  their  acclamations  were  every  moment  waxing  louder  and  louder,  and  the  farmers,  in  imitation 
"f  Mr.  <  hishulm,  were  shouting  vehemently,  'Lunardi,  come  down!'  And  I,  along  with  the  rest,  invited  him  i« 
descend. 

"  I  am  rather  inclined,  however,  to  think  that  he  did  not  hear  me,  owing  to  the  whistling  of  the  wind,  it  l«-ing 
very  violent  during  the  whole  of  his  excursion.     However,  as  ho  had  resolved  not  to  go  far,  wo  were  indulged  in  i  <u  r 
request;  for,  exactly  at  two  o'clock,  he  descended  at  Easter  Mockroft,  on  the  banks  of  the  Glassart  on  the  ist.it. 
uf  Sir  Archibald  Edmonstone,  of  Dunreath,  in  the  parish  of  Campsie,  nine  English  miles  and  a  half  N.N.I-:.  ..f 
Glasgow. 

••\Mn-ii  I  saw  the  balloon  first,  which  was  about  two  minutes  and  a  half  before  two  o'clock,  it  appeared  to  be 
very  much  agitated,  turning  round  its  axis,  while  it  was  floating  through  clouds  of  air,  and  the  day  being  hazy,  it 

••1.  .1  very  much  in  appearance  the  full  moon,  seen  through  a  darkened  glass  labouring  in  an  eclipse.     Some- 
•  it  appear..!  of  an  ash,  sometimes  of  a  copper  colour ;  sometimes  even  darker,  owing  to  the  different  shades 

••  d  from  the  Campsie  Fells.  About  half  a  minute,  however,  before  he  alighted,  the  sun  came  out  behind  a 
<-li  iud  and  shone  directly  upon  the  balloon  :  every  colour  became  distinctly  seen,  the  various  stripes  of  the  flag  became 
vivid,  his  regimentals  and  the  d.vorations  of  the  car  affording  a  varied  and  most  beautiful  spectacle,  according  to 
tin-  (.lay  of  tin  different  rays  of  the  sun,  and  as  my  view  on  the  north  was  bounded  by  the  Campsie  Fells,  whose 
tops  were  then  covered  with  blue  mist,  the  balloon  appeared,  as  it  were,  to  come  out  of  the  mist  and  descend  in  a 
sunbeam. 

"As  the  balloon  was  perfectly  une\|iectcd  by  me,  and  as  at  the  very  first  it  appeared  in  all  its  grandeur.  I 
coiif.  s>.  wiihuut  h.  sitati..  u.  tint  the  ].l.  -asiire  I  had  in  teeing  it  sailing  il,]-.,!ig!i  lii.  .  1.  .11. 1-.  and  deKHndmg  hi  OO1 
sequestered  vale,  was  a  pleasure  mixed  with  some  degree  of  pain.  I  lalxmrcd,  as  it  were,  under  the  grandeur  of  the 

-.  and  strove  to  compare  it  to  something  I  had  seen  :  but  I  failed.     However,  a  young  gentleman  happ. -ning  to 


104  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1785. 

come  up  to  me  at  that  moment,  whose  imagination  was  not  so  overpowered,  asked  me  if  I  thought  it  did  not  resemble 
the  description  given  by  Milton : 

Nigh  at  hand 

Hung  high  with  diamonds  flaming,  and  with  gold  : 

Thither  came  Uriel,  gliding  through  th'even 

On  a  sunbeam,  swift,  as  a  shooting  star 

In  autumn  thwarts  the  night. 

I  told  the  gentleman  that  this  description  was  but  a  conceit  in  Milton ;  not  ill-pleased,  however,  to  find  that  we  had 
got  some  likeness,  though  fanciful,  to  compare  it  to. 

"  As  he  had  descended  to  within  half  a  mile  of  where  I  stood,  I  immediately  hastened  to  welcome  Mr.  Lunardi, 
and  to  give  him  all  the  assistance  in  my  power.  The  whole  country  seemed  to  be  alive,  running  to  him  with  the 
same  kind  intention ;  and  I  perceived  with  pleasure  that  curiosity  was  a  principle  not  confined  alone  to  the  breasts 
of  the  higher  born  and  better  educated  class  of  men ;  for,  in  passing  a  little  cottage,  I  heard  a  weaver  expressing  the 
most  vehement  desire  to  see  this  great  sight,  and  crying  to  his  wife  to  '  take  care  of  the  bairns.'  I  believe,  however, 
that  she  at  this  time  forgot  that  ever  she  had  promised  him  obedience,  and  set  out,  repeating  his  commands  to  the 
servant,  who  in  her  turn  exclaimed  with  rage  that '  she  wondered  what  people  imagined  servants  were  made  of. 
Let  those  who  got  bairns  take  care  of  them ;  for,  by  her  faith,  she  would  both  see  and  touch  Lunardi  with  the  best  of 
them ; '  and  threw  the  child  from  her.  Perhaps  upon  another  occasion  we  might  have  taken  time  to  tell  her  that 
she  expressed  herself  too  strongly ;  but  yesterday  everything  was  her  friend. 

"  During  my  going  from  the  rising  ground  where  I  first  saw  it  to  the  vale  where  it  alighted,  I  sometimes  lost 
sight  of  the  car,  by  the  gentle  swells  which  intervened,  but  never  lost  sight  of  the  balloon ;  and  as  it  was  suspended 
some  yards  from  the  ground,  betwixt  the  darkness  of  the  day  and  the  blue  mist  of  the  mountains,  under  whose  shade 
it  was,  it  had  the  appearance  of  an  object  arising  out  of  the  sea,  resembling  the  sun  when  he  makes  his  first  appear- 
ance in  a  spring  morning  out  of  a  thick  fog.  Before  I  arrived  it  assumed  a  new  shape — that  of  a  pear,  or  inverted 
cone.  Mr.  Lunardi  then  standing  in  his  car,  about  four  feet  from  the  ground,  some  people  assisting  him  to  get  out 
and  others  holding  the  rope  in  order  to  prevent  him  from  being  dragged  along  by  the  strength  of  the'  balloon,  which 
was  hovering  above  him. 

"  It  was  about  six  minutes  after  two  when  I  got  up.  More  than  forty  people  were  before  me.  A  multi- 
tude now  assembled  from  every  quarter.  The  shepherd  forsook  his  flock,  the  farmer  left  his  plough,  and  the  traveller 
his  journey,  so  that  in  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  there  were  many  hundreds  gazing  with  astonishment  at  the 
daring  adventurer.  Everybody  was  pleased,  and  everybody  wished  to  lend  their  aid.  Mr.  Lunardi  hardly  had 
occasion  to  ask  for  assistance,  nor  I  to  encourage  them  to  give  it.  At  half  an  hour  after  two  the  balloon  was  emptied, 
and  the  netting,  basket,  and  other  apparatus  packed  up  and  all  ready  to  march  off  the  field. 

"  Persons  from  different  parishes  now  wished  each  to  have  the  honour  of  his  going  to  their  particular  village ; 
however,  as  I  had  asked  him  to  do  me  the  favour  of  taking  some  refreshment  at  the  Manse  of  Campsie,  my 
parishioners  were  not  then  to  be  gainsaid ;  and  in  a  sort  of  triumph  we  began  our  journey,  when  Sir  Alexander 
Stirling,  of  Glorat,  one  of  my  principal  heritors,  came  running  up,  welcoming  Mr.  Lunardi  and  insisting  on  his 
going  to  Glorat,  which  invitation  we  accepted  of  as  being  nearer  than  the  Manse,  and  we  set  out  for  that  gentle- 
man's house  in  the  following  order: — 

"  A  little  pretty  boy  carrying  the  banner ;  next  came  Mr.  Lunardi  dressed  in  his  regimentals,  attended  by  the 
Baronet  and  myself.  We  were  followed  by  a  stout  fellow  carrying  the  anchor,  then  by  four  youths  supporting  the 
car,  and  then  by  six  stout  men  bearing  the  balloon,  escorted  by  a  vast  number  of  people  of  all  denominations.  We 
had  not,  indeed,  the  ringing  of  bells,  but  we  were  cheered  by  the  hearty  acclamations  and  repeated  huzzas  of  many 
hundreds  of  the  villagers  expressing  their  joy  at  the  unexpected  visit. 

"  In  going  to  the  Baronet's  we  had  to  cross  over  the  bridge  of  Glassart,  where  about  thirty  young  blooming 
lasses  had  ranged  themselves  on  each  side  to  have  a  sight  of  this  comely  adventurer.  All  of  them  appeared  well 
pleased.  There  was  one,  however,  not  the  least  lovely  of  the  number,  whose  sensibility  led  her  to  express  herself 
more  strongly  than  the  rest :  '  How  pretty  he  is !  I  wish  I  had  been  with  him.'  Mr.  Lunardi  was  too  attentive  to 
let  slip  an  opportunity  to  say  a  civil  thing  to  our  fair  countrywoman ;  he  patted  her  cheek,  whispering,  '  My  angel, 
and  so  do  I.'  Whatever  things  this  young  woman  may  be  disposed  to  forget,  I  will  engage  for  it  she  will  never 
forget  the  looks  she  received  from  her  companions  at  that  instant,  nor  the  sensations  she  felt  when  her  cheek  was 
pressed  by  the  hand  of  this  bold  Italian. 


- 


I8G4 


Inl  .  \irH. 


-n  .-" 

•  jr  c 


\.i>.  17-v..       «  D1NNA  VK  THINK  THK  WOULD  WILL  SOON  BE  AT  AN  END?"  105 

••  \\'e  ha<l  iiuw  arrivi-il  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  tho  house  of  Glorat:  we  stopped  at  a  little  hamlet, 
pointing  out  sonic  prospects  to  our  new  visitor,  when  I  perceived  an  old  woman,  whoso  frailties  would  not  permit 
IP  i  t"  run  with  tli.-  niMltitii.il>,  eagerly  looking  at  him.  She  first  examined  his  flag,  then  she  touched  his  clothes 
and  his  body,  and  having  heard  him  speak,  rubbing  her  eyes,  she  said,  '  I  am  sure  there  is  nae  G luminary  hero ;  but 
nh  !  Sirs,  it's  a  fair  jiity  he  should  bo  a  Papist*  She  was  immediately  checked  by  an  old  grey-headed  man,  who  in 
the  pride  of  bin  heart  exclaimed, '  Be  he  1'upint,  or  bo  he  Pagan,  fair  fa'  him,  tho'  a'  tho  kirk  were  here,  and  Lord 
George  at  their  head,  I  would  drink  his  health;  and  here's  to  him.'  Then  addressing  himself  to  me,  '  Oh!  Sir,  I 
am  an  auld  man,  I  am  auldcr  than  the  Union ;  I  have  seen  mony  things,  but  the  like  of  this  I  never  saw.  I  have 
seen  Marr's  year,  and  the  Highlandmen's  raid ;  and  about  twelve  yean  syne  I  gaed  o'er  by  yonder  (pointing  to  the 
canal)  to  see  ships  sailing  thro'  dry  land ;  but  the  like  of  this  I  never  saw.  Dinna  ye  think  the  world  will  soon  be 
at  an  • 

••  We  arrived  at  Glorat  at  three  o'clock,  where  we  dined,  and  having  drank  a  few  glasses  of  wine  and  coffee,  a 
post-chaise  was  got ;  and,  as  I  was  obliged  to  come  to  Glasgow  that  night  upon  business,  I  begged  to  accompany  him. 
\\ .  set  din  from  Glorat  at  half  an  hour  after  six,  and  arrived  in  Glasgow  a  little  before  eight.  Mr.  Lunardi  alighted 
at  the  Tontine  amidst  the  huzzas  of  a  Vast  concourse  of  people,  who  had  assembled  anxious  to  express  their  joy  at 
his  arrival. 

"  Having  promised  his  friends  before  he  set  out  in  his  aerial  excursion  that  ho  would  certainly,  if  possible,  bo 
at  the  play  that  night,  he  immediately,  therefore,  got  dressed,  went  to  the  house  about  nine,  and  was  again  received 
I  > v  tho  acclamations  of  the  young,  the  gay,  and  the  fair. 

-  I'.S. — As  I  was  obliged  to  leave  the  town  without  seeing  you,  I  took  the  liberty  of  writing  to  you  my 
observations  on  his  descent,  and  the  varied  sentiments  of  curiosity  and  surprise  which  the  spectators  expressed. 
IVrhaps  it  may  contribute  to  your  amusement  in  an  idle  hour." 

To-morrow  morning,  about  four  o'clock,  I  shall  set  out  for  Edinburgh,  where  I  know  they  are  all  in  expecta- 
tion of  seeing  a  second  excursion ;  and,  if  possible,  I  mean  to  ascend  from  Heriot's  Garden  on  Monday,  the 
19th  instant 

Adieu!  my  honoured  friend.     Give  my  best  love  to  my  dear  sisters,  and  believe  me  to  be,  with  the  most 

sincere  affection,  „,    . 

Truly  yours, 

V.  LUXARDI. 
LETTER  VIL 

Mr  DEAREST  FRIK.M.,  Edinburgh,  December  11,  1785. 

At  eleven  o'clock  this  forenoon  I  reached  Edinburgh,  where,  with  other  letters,  1  found  two  of  yours,  one 
dated  the  2nd  and  the  other  the  7th  November.  I  am  truly  sensible  of  the  many  obligations  you  have  heaped  upon 
our  family :  we  all  look  upon  you  as  a  second  father,  and  give  me  leave  to  pay  my  most  grateful  thanks  for  the 
kind  part  you  have  taken  in  my  sister  Margaret's  behalf.  I  know  she  would  look  upon  your  advice  as  that  of  an 
indulgent  parent ;  but  let  me  earnestly  entreat  that  you  will  not  in  any  degree  bias  her  inclinations.  In  an  affair 
of  such  moment  she  cannot  be  too  cautious ;  and  I  fear  her  prospects  of  happiness  would  be  sadly  clouded  should 
she  marry  a  gentleman  whose  advanced  years  must  render  him  an  unfit  companion  for  a  girl  of  three-and-twenty. 
Their  tempers,  their  dispositions,  must  be  widely  different  1  Age  can  ill  accord  with  the  lively  sallies  of  youth,  or 
youth  accommodate  itself  to  the  gravity  of  age.  I  am  proud  to  acknowledge  the  honour  this  match  might  reflect  on 
our  family  ;  but,  as  Margaret  declares  she  will  act  according  to  my  advice,  I  beg  you  will  tell  her  that,  as  a  brother 
and  a  friend,  I  think  that  wealth,  titles,  and  grandeur  would  be  poor,  very  poor  compensations,  for  the  sacrifice  of 
her  affections. 

In  y»ur  M-tt.nd  li-tt.-r  I  found  enclosed  one  of  introduction  to  your  old  respectable  friend;  but  I  am  extremely 
sorry  to  acquaint  y..n  that  his  death  was  announced  in  an  Edinburgh  paper  of  the  16th  November. 

I  propose  to  ascend  on  Monday,  the  19th  instant,  with  two  balloons,  the  common  one  and  another  of  ten  feet 
diami-t.  r,  whii-h  is  already  mad. -,  under  my  direction,  by  the  girls  of  the  Merchant's  Hospital..  It  is  to  be  560  feet 
higher  than  that  by  which  I  am  supported,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  different  currents  of  air. 

The  same  girls  are  also  constructing  another  balloon,  which,  though  without  any  valve,  is  so  <xmtriv<-d  a«  imt 
to  burst  when  the  ran  t'.i.-tinn  <,f  the  air  takes  place,  even  though  it  should  asci-nd  with  100  Ibs.  of  rising  power.  It 

P 


106  ASTEA  CASTBA.  A.D.  1785. 

is  composed  of  100  yards  of  fine  Persian  silk,  in  stripes  of  pink,  green,  straw-colour,  and  white,  and  is  designed  as  a 
model  of  a  large  one  wkicli  I  mean  to  construct  for  a  long  journey. 

Till  I  return  from  my  next  flight,  once  more  adieu,  and  believe  me  to  be 

Sincerely  yours, 

V.  LUNAKDI. 
LETTER  VIII. 

MY  REVERED  GUARDIAN,  Edinburgh,  December  24,  1785. 

My  last  letter  acquainted  you  that  I  proposed  ascending  with  two  balloons — an  experiment  which,  however 
interesting,  I  had  not  the  good  fortune  to  try. 

The  morning  was  tolerably  favourable,  but  as  tlie  day  advanced  it  became  thick  and  foggy,  attended  with 
small  rain.  Sensible  that  under  these  circumstances  I  could  not  be  visible  for  more  than  two  or  three  minutes,  and 
that  it  must  be  very  inconvenient  for  the  ladies  to  remain  in  an  unsheltered  place  like  that  from  which  I  was  to 
ascend,  after  some  deliberation,  I  resolved  to  delay  the  experiment  to  some  more  favourable  day.  At  this  time  I 
obtained  a  promise  from  his  Excellency  General  Mackay  that  a  gun  should  be  fired  from  the  Castle  at  ten  o'clock  in 
the  morning  of  that  day,  as  a  certain  signal  to  the  public ;  on  which  I  ordered  handbills  to  be  distributed  signifying 
my  intentions. 

In  the  afternoon  I  attempted  to  fill  the  small  balloon  with  a  new  apparatus  of  my  own  invention,  which  suc- 
ceeded beyond  expectation.  All  this  time  my  large  machine  was  kept  inflated  with  atmospheric  air  at  the  Register 
Office,  where  a  vast  concourse  of  people  assembled,  and  some  gentlemen,  friends  to  my  undertaking,  stayed  to  learn 
the  opinions  of  the  people  in  general  respecting  my  conduct.  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that  all  the  ladies  approved 
it,  and  only  a  very  few  gentlemen  expressed  their  dissatisfaction ;  yet  even  this  mark  of  disapprobation,  trifling  as 
it  was,  when  reported  to  me  wrung  my  very  heart,  and  I  determined,  if  the  weather  proved  tolerable,  nothing  should 
prevent  my  utmost  efforts  being  exerted  to  ascend  the  day  following. 

On  Tuesday,  about  seven  o'clock,  I  arose,  and  perceiving  it  to  be  a  fine  morning,  without  noticing  the  direction 
of  the  wind,  I  ordered  my  servants  to  carry  everything  necessary  for  my  experiment  to  Heriot's  Garden,  and  wrote 
a  note  to  the  Governor  of  the  Castle,  begging  to  be  favoured  with  the  attendance  of  the  military  and  the  firing  of 
a  gun,  as  had  been  promised.  Lord  Elphinstone  seemed  greatly  surprised  at  receiving  such  a  card,  as  the  wind  was 
too  much  from  the  west,  and  therefore  very  obligingly  sent  me  word  that  he  was  ready  to  do  everything  in  his 
power  for  my  service,  but  thought  the  undertaking  too  dangerous.  My  resolution,  however,'  was  unalterable,  and 
'his  Lordship  at  last  did  me  the  honour  to  acquiesce  in  my  wishes;  on  which  I  went  to  the  Garden  and  prepared  for 
my  ascension. 

A  little  after  eleven  o'clock  I  began  to  fill  the  balloon  with  half  the  apparatus,  and  in  ten  minutes  it  could 
support  itself ;  but  at  this  time  there  was  not  much  company  assembled.  They  said  the  gun  was  scarcely  heard, 
and,  as  the  wind  still  continued  westerly,  people  of  sense  could  not  imagine  that  I  meant  to  venture.  I  now  sent 
to  General  Mackay,  requesting  the  favour  that  another  gun  might  be  fired :  this  his  Excellency  readily  granted  ; 
after  which,  the  flag  being  hoisted  on  Heriot's  Hospital,  I  set  the  remainder  of  the  apparatus  to  work,  and  the 
number  of  spectators  increased  very  fast. 

During  the  process  I  secured  several  bladders  and  pieces  of  cork  round  the  car.  The  general  question  being, 
"  Whether  I  really  intended  to  go  up  ?  "  I  made  answer  that  it  was  impossible  to  prevent  my  dropping  into  the 
sea,  but  I  was  confident  some  boat  would  arrive  in  time  to  my  assistance. 

Dressed  in  the  uniform  of  the  Scots  Royal  Archers,  five  minutes  before  one  o'clock  I  rose  majestically,  though 
not  with  so  great  a  degree  of  velocity  as  the  former  time.  The  wind  was  south-west.  After  saluting  the  spectators, 
I  fastened  some  of  the  strings  which  had  been  left  loose,  and  began  to  untwist  the  rope  of  the  little  anchor.  In 
three  minutes  from  the  time  of  leaving  the  ground  I  perceived  myself  perpendicularly  over  the  Forth. 

Exactly  at  one  o'clock  the  balloon  turned  thrice  round  upon  its  axis,  and  was  completely  full ;  the  barometer 
at  21  in.,  the  thermometer  at  38°,  wind  south-west  by  west,  and  I  was  moving  very  slowly,  with  the  most  delightful 
scenery  beneath  me. 

Half  after  one  the  balloon  continued  much  in  the  same  state,  and  the  barometer  had  only  fallen  two-tenths. 
I  was  going  horizontally  to  the  north-east,  and  saw  a  boat  rowing  towards  Musselburgh.  I  threw  down  a  piece  of 
cake  about  half  a  pound  weight,  but  do  not  know  whether  it  fell  into  the  boat. 

Fifty  minutes  after  one  the  wind  was  due  west,  and  I  therefore  resolved  to  attempt  landing  011  the  point  of 


A.M.  1785.  HELP  FROM  THE  BASS  HOCK.  107 

Archer  Ficl.l.     For  this  purpose  1  let  go  my  small  anchor  about  six  hundred  feet  below  my  car,  and  began  t<> 
descend:   but.  fimlinir  tli.it  1  rain.'  cl..wu  with  ton  niin-li   rapidity,  and  hud   no  ballast  nor  the  large  anchor,  I  shut 
;1\v  and  threw  down  a  bottle  full  of  water,  when  aKmt  .  om  tin-  ground;  by  which  moans  I  pawed 

i.vi-r  the  i>oint  of  land  and  came  again  upon  the  water.  At  this  elevation  tin-  thermometer  fell  to  31°.  I  fastened 
my  uniform  great-coat,  my  hat,  and  some  other  things  to  tin-  upper  luxip,  that  they  might  not  be  injured  by  my 
tailing  into  the  sea. 

At  the  minutes  after  two  I  touched  the  surface  of  the  water,  not  fartlu-r  than  a  mill-  and  a  half  from  the  rocks 
of  Fidru  and  I^anib;  but  as  the  wind  was  pretty  strong,  and  the  balloon  acted  like  a  large  sail  upon  my  basket,  I 
m.ide  way  very  fust,  the  water  dashing  against  me  and  sparkling  like  silver.  I  turned  round,  and  could  see  no 
boat  whatever;  nut.  when  about  two  miles  and  a  half  from  the  south  shore,  could  distinguish  three  ships,  under 
.vail,  mar  Aiistruthcr  or  Kilivnny,  and  therefore  was  under  no  a ppi  >  h.  unions,  as  my  course  was  towards  them  and 
the  i.slaml  of  May. 

The  balloon  was  much  agitat«l  by  the  wind  and  sometimes  turned  round,  so  that  I  was  frequently  tossed  into 
the  water  as  high  as  my  breast  When  about  five  miles  from  North  Berwick  I  perceived  a  black  spot,  apj>earing 
and  disappearing  according  to  the  rising  and  falling  of  the  waves,  directing  ita  course  from  the  Baas.  On  paying 
more  attention,  I  saw  plainly  that  it  was  a  boat;  but,  as  I  was  going  with  great  rapidity,  I  quickly  passed  their 
parallel,  and  then,  as  they  had  gained  the  wind,  and  made  use  of  their  sails  as  well  as  oars,  1  assured  myself  they 
would  quickly  reach  me,  and  began  to  wave  the  flag  as  a  signal  that  I  had  seen  them. 

'Hi.  n<-.irer  1  approached  the  ocean  the  wind  grew  brisker,  and  I  began  to  be  in  doubt  whether  to  cut  away 
the  Kill^.n  or  not  :  but.  after  mature  deliberation,  I  resolved  to  keep  it;  for,  as  darkness  now  began  to  draw  ni^li, 
I  should  have  been  too  small  an  object  without  it  to  be  viewed  at  any  distance,  being  at  this  time  breast-high  in 
the  water. 

As  soon  as  the  boat  came  up  I  threw  out  a  strong  rope,  desiring  the  fishermen  to  make  it  fast ;  but  the 
moment  I  got  on  board  they  let  it  go,  and  the  balloon  was  instantaneously  out  of  sight!  And  now  my  situation 
was  not  the  most  comfortable  :  heavy  with  remaining  so  long  in  the  water,  my  hands  lacerated  with  clinging  to  the 
hoop,  and  every  limb  wearied,  I  sat  down,  as  well  as  I  was  able,  in  a  boat  full  of  fish,  while  the  sharpness  of  the  air 
.-.,], nil'iited  not  a  little  to  heighten  my  distress. 

A  King's  boat  soon  came  up,  and  the  gentlemen  very  politely  invited  me  on  board ;  but  I  was  obliged  to 
•  !•  •  line  this  polite  offer,  that  I  might  show  my  gratitude  to  the  people  who  had  taken  me  up.  1  landed  on  Archer 
Field  aKiut  five  o'clock,  where  I  found  Mr.  Xisbet's  servant  waiting  to  conduct  me  to  his  master's  house.  I  ran 
thither  as  fast  as  possible,  in  order  to  make  my  blood  circulate  more  freely,  for  the  cold  had  been  so  intense  as  t<i 
freeze  my  clothes. 

Mr.  Nisbet  was  gone  to  North  Berwick,  and  his  cliarming  lady  had  prepared  for  my  arrival  as  if  she  had  been 
sensible  that  I  should  land  near  their  house. 

When  Mr.  Nisliet  returned,  he  could  not  refrain  from  personally  assisting  me  to  change  my  dress,  when,  being 
unite  refreshed,  I  went  down  to  dinner  and  paid  my  compliments  to  the  elegant  Mrs.  Nisbet.  The  British  women 
wli"  fill  tin  higher  ranks  of  life  may,  I  think,  bo  pronounced  the  handsomest  in  Europe  ;  but  the  case  is 
different  with  the  lower  class.  This  contrast  is  very  striking  in  Scotland,  where  the  country  girls  and  those  in 
la  Matioiis  continually  go  barefooted,  which  practice  is  also  common  in  our  own  country;  yet  the  Italian 
peasantry,  with  equal  strength,  enjoy  a  far  superior  freshness  of  complexion.  The  reason  of  this  I  take  to  bo 
that  the  S-oteh  women  are  often  obliged  to  walk  in  the  wet,  their  streets  and  lanes  being  seldom  free  from  that 
inoonvenieiiee.  while  ours  tread  a  drier  earth,  and  for  any  occasional  damp  have  wooden  shoes. 

•  <1  with  my  hospitable  landlord  most  part  of  the  evening:  he  is  a  most  ingenious  gentleman  and  has 
resided  Kevt-ml  years  in  Italy.  ( )nr  acquaintance  first  commenced  at  Kelso;  where,  while  others  were  dancing, 
\vu  had  a  long  conversation  relative  to  Koine.  Naples.  &c.  Though  at  that  timel  entertained  the  highest  opinion  of 
his  understanding,  yet,  as  I  had  not  then  the  pleasure  of  knowing  his  name,  it  was  some  hours  before  1  could 
recollect  where  or  when  1  had  enjoyed  his  company,  though  both  his  person  and  manner  were  so  strongly  impressed 
on  my  memory  as  to  appear  jK-rft-etly  familiar. 

I  arose  at  nine  the  next  morning  and  went  to  breakfast :  after  which  Mr.  Nisbet  obliged  me  with  a  sight  of 
his  garden,  which  may  rival  the  im.st  elegant  in  Italy.     Though  now  the  depth  of  winter,  the  well  Mnn-d  hothouses 
with  all  the  beauties  of  contrasted  seasons  and  of  various  climes;  but  in  the  summer,  when  spring  has 

I-    '_' 


108 


ASTEA  CASTKA. 


A.D.  1785. 


poured  out  his  vast  profusion,  and  the  simple  charms  of  Nature  aid  and  are  aided  by  the  elegancies  of  art,  what  a 
terrestrial  paradise  must  this  be !  I  shall  be  strongly  tempted  to  pay  it  a  visit,  and,  with  the  friendly,  hospitable 
owner,  stroll  through,  these  regions  of  pleasure. 

These  haunts  where  the  Muses  delighted  might  rove, 
And  Nature,  all  lovely,  would  teach  us  to  love; 
Where  blasts  from  the  North  might  forget  to  be  rude; 
And  care  on  our  joys  should  not  dare  to  intrude. 

At  twelve  o'clock  Sir  David  Kinloch,  with  his  son  and  daughter,  accompanied  by  Major  Mackay,  came  and 
invited  me  to  his  house,  where  I  spent  a  very  happy  afternoon,  and  in  the  morning  set  off  with  Major  Mackay  for 
Edinburgh,  where  I  found  the  generous  inhabitants  had  opened  a  subscription  to  enable  me  to  make  another 
balloon ;  but,  as  I  am  confident  mine  will  be  found,  I  propose,  with  the  most  grateful  thanks,  to  decline  this 
obligation ;  those  already  conferred  upon  me  are  sufficient  to  lay  a  weight  upon  the  feeling  heart. 

Before  my  arrival  in  Scotland  several  attempts  had  been  made  to  launch  a  large  fire-balloon,  but  all  without 
success.  The  poor  man  who  should  have  gone  up,  how  I  commiserate  his  situation  !  Judge  of  his  sensibility  and 
misfortunes  by  the  enclosed  papers.  Do  not  wrong  me  so  much  as  to  suppose  that  I  have  been  contented  with 
sitting  down  idly  to  drop  the  unavailing  tear  over  them.  I  have  seen  the  man;  I  have  offered  the  voice  of 
consolation  to  alleviate  his  distresses,  and  dictates  of  humanity  have  been  obeyed  as  far  as  lay  in  my  power.  Alas, 
how  circumscribed  that  power !  It  is  only  upon  occasions  like  these  that  I  lament  its  narrow  bounds.  Adieu  ! 
approve  and  join  the  prayer  that  the  unfortunate  may  ever  find  a  sympathising  friend  in 

Your  cordially  affectionate 

VINCENT  LUNARDI. 


TO  ME.  LUNARDI,  ON  HIS  SUCCESSFUL  AEEIAL  VOYAGES  FEOM  EDINBURGH,  KELSO, 

AND  GLASGOW.    BY  J.  TYTLER. 


ETHEREAL  trav'ller,  welcome  from  the  skies ! 
Welcome  to  earth,  to  feast  our  longing  eyes ! 
Ouce  more  we,  trembling,  for  thine  absence  mourn'd  ; 
Once  more  we  bless  thee  from  high  Heav'n  return'd. 
Bodotria  greets  thee  from  his  utmost  bounds, 
From  Glotta's  banks  incessant  praise  resounds  ; 
The  winding  Avon  views  thee  in  the  sky, 
T  enhance  thy  fame  the  tinkling  murmurs  fly. 
Applauses  loud  the  lofty  forests  fill ; 
Admiring  echoes  ring  from  hill  to  hill. 
With  gen'rous  warmth  each  honest  bosom  glows, 
Each  honest  heart,  exulting,  praise  bestows. 
Fair  Tweed  beholds  thee  gliding  o'er  his  plains ; 
Thy  name  resounds  from  all  his  tuneful  swains  ; 
Thy  rising  honours  Fame's  loud  trumpet  spreads 
Where  Grampian  mountains  rear  their  lofty  heads  ; 
Beyond  the  space  of  old  distain'd  with  gore, 
Where  dreadful  Rome  her  arms  unconquer'd  bore  ; 
Where,  mourning,  o'er  th'  ensanguin'd  slippery  field, 
Sad  Scotia  wept  her  bravest  heroes  kill'd. 
Ev'n  frozen  Thule  shall  thy  fame  proclaim, 
From  all  her  barren  rocks  resound  thy  name  ! 

But  say,  what  Pow'r,  0  fav'rite  of  the  sky, 
(Though  on  ethereal  pinions  taught  to  fly,) 
To  thy  bold  breast  such  dauntless  courage  gave, 
When  far  below  appear'd  the  wat'ry  grave  ; 
When  tow'ring  through  vast  heaven's  tremendous  height, 
The  Sea's  grim  horrors  first  appall'd  thy  sight ; 
When  slow  descending  from  the  distant  skies 
The  boundless  Ocean  claim'd  thee  for  his  prize  ? 


Or  who  could  guide  thee  o'er  the  vast  profound, 
Where  blust'ring  winds  from  dashing  waves  resound, 
Untouch'd,  unhurt,  again  to  earth  restore, 
And  safely  lead  thee  to  glad  Scotia's  shore  ? 
'Twas  He  whose  Pow'r  the  stormy  clouds  can  bind, 
Who  guides  the  tempest  and  directs  the  wind  ; 
'Twas  He  who  led  thee  through  the  trackless  air, 
And,  though  thou  saw'st  not,  He  was  surely  there. 
Th'  aerial  stream  sent  by  His  high  command 
Restor'd  thee  safely  to  the  joyful  land. 
Superior  praise  to  thee  His  pow'r  consigu'd, 
On  thee  bestow'd  thy  matchless  strength  of  mind  ; 
To  distant  ages  gave  thy  deathless  fame ; 
To  future  bards  He  gave  Lunardi's  name. 

But  how  shall  I  to  sing  thy  praise  aspire  ? 
What  Muse  shall  fill  me  with  poetic  fire  ? 
Shall  I  address  the  fabled  pow'rs  above, 
And  boast  that  Phoebus  will  my  vows  approve  ? 
No,  let  me  to  some  distant  region  fly, 
If  such  there  be,  beneath  another  sky  ; 
Go,  court  the  horrors  of  wild  Zembla's  coast, 
Or,  in  the  dark  Cimmerian  Regions  lost, 
In  abject  exile  hide  my  wretched  head, 
Or  fly  for  refuge  to  the  silent  dead  ! 
'  On  me,  alas !  the  adverse  heav'ns  have  lour'd, 
Relentless  fortune  hath  her  vengeance  pour'd  ; 
Scarce  rais'd  from  earth,  and  but  to  sink  more  low, 
And  more  severe  to  feel  the  fatal  blow, 
The  Whirlwind,  or  black  Eurus  stops  my  way, 
Or  angry  Zephyrus  commands  my  stay ; 


A.I).  1785. 


TYTI.KK'S  .\  58  TO  LUNAKIM. 


Id!) 


Confusion,  Discord,  all  my  ways  oppose, 

frienilt  misguided  prove  my  greatest  foe*. 
Yet  though  I  mourn  my  favVite  wishes  crost, 
•  n-s,  l.y  F.Ttune  or  Misconduct  Intt, 
.n.staitt  mind  o'er  e*ch  mischance  prevails, 
My  feeble  pow'r  yet  advene  fete  assails ; 
Once  more  I  try  on  wings  of  wind  to  rise. 
Like  you  to  ride  in  triumph  through  the  skies; 
1  try  in  vain  ;— the  bellowing  thunder  roan, 
The  gathering  tempest  scowls  along  the  shores ; 

<•  Notus  urge*  on  his  furious  course, 
And  sweeps  along  with  stern  resistless  force. 
Lost  are  my  wishes,  lost  is  all  my  care, 
And  all  my  projects  flutter  in  the  air.* 
ProscribM,  despis'd,  ah,  whither  shall  I  turn  ? 
In  silent  solitude  for  ever  mourn  ? 
Or  shall  my  hand,  urg'd  on  by  black  despair, 
In  mi'iist'rons  <niilt  at  once  efface  my  care? 
With  my  own  blood  seal  ruin  and  disgrace, 
Ainl  brave  the  great  Creator  to  his  face? 

Forbid  it  Ileav'u  !  let  Fortune  rather  shed 

•i  prance  on  my  head ; 
A  wretched  object  let  me  rather  lie 
To  ev'ry  miscreant  as  he  passes  by ; 
In  ilull  Oblivion  let  me  rather  sleep, 
As  vile,  unnotic'd,  useless  insects  creep  ; 

icb  insulting  ever  wound, 
•m'.i  shaft*  of  malice  fly  around, 
In  wretched  darkness  be  my  poor  abode, 
By  men  abandon'd,  and  oppos'd  by  God  I 


I'.ut  while  in  hopeless  exile  thus  I  mourn, 
My  mind  with  desperate  gloomy  passions  torn, 
I  see  theo  graceful  and  majestic  rise, 
Mount  on  the  winds,  and  triumph  in  the  skies; 
Till  envious  clouds  conceal  thee  from  our  view, 
And  eager  Vision  can  no  more  pursue. 
At  once  Ambition  points  to  Fame  the  way, 
Dissolving  clouds  of  cold  Despair  decay  ; 
Celestial  Hope  again  her  influence  show'n, 
Again  my  soul  calls  forth  her  latent  pow'n. 
To  follow  thee  my  inmost  bosom  burn*, 
Tumultuous  thought*  possess  the  mind  by  turns ; 
Unconquer'd  yet,  with  thee  my  fancy  flies, 
My  soul  aspiring  yet  explores  the  skies. 
Impatient  now  I  long  the  ground  to  spurn, 
Like  thee  to  rise,  in  fiery  chariot  borne ; 
To  leave  the  earth,  to  leave  the  clouds  behind, 
To  mount  on  pinions  of  the  rapi.l  \vin<l ; 
Beyond  the  reach  of  vulgar  ken  to  soar, 
Beyond  the  space  where  blust'ring  tempests  roar, 
To  see  bright  Phoebus  pour  unsullied  day, 
While  through  wide  heav'n  he  darts  his  cloudless  ray  ; 
To  see  the  splendours  of  the  Moon  arise, 
And  all  the  glories  of  the  spangled  skies. 
Not  as  through  Vapour's  medium  dull  we  view, 
The  clouded  concave  of  Ethereal  blue ; 
Hut  as  from  .Etna,  or  the  Alpine  Hills, 
Th'  exalted  mind  the  glorious  prospect  fills  ; 
Where  Galaxy  in  purest  flame  appears, 
And  wond'rous  glories  clothe  the  shining  stars ; 


•  To  understand  these  lines  relating  to  my  own  misfortunes,  it  is 
necessary  to  give  a  short  history  of  the  Edinburgh  Fire-Balloon. 
The  machini ,  from  its  size,  was  certainly  capable  of  performing 
everything  expected  from  it,  provided  a  sheltered  place  for  raising 
it  e,,uU  have  been  obtained,  and  a  proper  degree  of  heat  iippl  •  <1. 
The  former,  however,  could  not  be  had.  The  place  where  it  was 
drat  raised  was  exposed  to  the  west  wind,  which  blew  so  strongly 
during  the  first  week  of  August  (the  week  of  the  Leith  Races)  tliat 
it  i-.. n I.I  not  be  inflated  until  the  Friday  evening,  when  the  gallery 
took  fire,  and  some  of  the  chains  suspending  the  stove  broke,  which 
prevented  any  further  attempt  at  that  time.  An  interval  of  calm 
intervened  on  the  Saturday  evening,  which  was  made  use  of  to 
inflate  the  balloon.  The  gallery  was  in  little  better  condition  than 
the  preceding  evening;  nevertheless  I  was  about  to  step  into  it, 
when  a  sadden  gust  of  whirlwind,  common  in  this  country  in  un- 
settled showery  weather,  expelled  the  rarefied  air  out  of  the  balloon, 
and  otherwise  so  much  damaged  it,  that  no  further  utt<  mpU  could 
be  made  that  night.  By  continual  pulling  and  tearing  about,  at- 
tempting to  innate  it  when  it  was  evidently  impossible,  and  other 
injudicious  proceedings  (for  which  I  do  not  think  myself  accountable, 
because  I  was  not  at  liberty),  the  paper  with  which  the  balloon  was 
lined  hiid  l>eeii  HO  much  damaged,  that  I  now  thought  proper  to 
take  it  out  altogether.  and  cover  the  eloth  with  home  kind  of  varnish, 
« In.  h  iiii^ht  !••  less  apt  to  receive  damage:  from  rough  usage.  This 
was  done  :  l.ut  as  u  pro)"  r  e.  Mipo.-ition  could  in  4  be  afforded,  the 
balloon,  thoutrh  capalil,-  of  making  one  or  two  experiments,  was  yet 
f:ir  from  In-ini:  al.le  to  endure  the  fatigue  it  had  to  undergo.  Th.  !•• 
win  now  no  gallery,  and  the  stove  with  which  it  was  to  be  heated, 
U  hit;  \cry  little  short  of  three  hundred  pounds  w.  ii.'ht,  was  inea- 
l«bli-  of  being  taken  up;  or,  at  any  rate,  without  a  irallery  no  stove 
could  be  Uiken.  I  now  came  to  the  resolution  of  suffering  myself  to 
be  |Ti>j.--i..l  into  the  air  by  inflating  the  balloon  to  the  utmost,  and 
_•  appended  to  it  without  any  furnace,  like  a  log  or  piece  of  bal- 
last You  will  easily  see  that  this  was  the  n-nolution  of  a  madman, 
and  which  n.'lhins  l.ut  my  desperate  situation  .-..u.d  .  v  use.  A  fire- 
balloou  in  this  situation  is  a  men-  projectile,  und  nm-t  undoubtedly 


come  to  the  ground  with  the  same  velocity  that  it  ascends  from  it, 
unless  the  person  has  a  considerable  quantity  of  ballast  to  bniik  hi- 
fall  u  he  descends  by  throwing  it  out.  Of  this  it  were  easy  to  give 
a  demonstration,  if  necessary;  but  it  is  not  worth  while,  as  you  will 
at  first  perceive  it  to  be  true.  Having,  therefore,  obtained  one  tin. 
and  favourable  morning,  the  balloon,  new  varnished,  and  very  tight, 
was  exposed  to  a  very  strong  heat  for  near  an  hour.  It  was  inflate  I 
to  such  a  degree,  that  I  am  persuaded  its  power  of  ascension  nuiM 
have  been  upwards  of  half  a  tun,  as  a  number  of  |>eople  could  with 
great  difficulty  keep  it  near  the  ground.  With  this  monstrous  power 
I  suffered  myself  to  be  projected  upwards,  seated  in  one  of  the  small 
buxkcN  in  which  earthenware  is  carried,  without  ballast,  or  inde.-d 
without  thinking  of  any.  The  balloon  set  off  from  the  ground  with 
the  swiftness  of  an  arrow,  but  could  not  ascend  more  tlian  a  few  feet, 
when  it  was  stopped  by  a  rope  belonging  to  the  mast  which  held  it 
up  during  the  time  of  inflation.  This  broke  its  force  very  con- 
siderably ;  and  even  when  freed  from  this,  it  flew  with  such  rapidity 
that  several  of  the  spectators,  terrified  at  the  unusual  sight,  endea- 
voured to  drag  it  downwards  till  the  rope  was  forced  from  their 
liands.  Thus  my  career  was  stopped,  and  I  arose  only  a  very  small 
way,  some  say  three  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  others  five  hundred.  For 
my  own  part,  I  had  scarce  time  to  taste  the  pleasures  of  an  aerial 
journey ;  and  during  the  little  time  I  was  in  the  air,  I  amused  myself 
with  looking  at  the  spectators  running  about  in  confusion  below. 
My  reception  from  the  ground  was  much  more  rude  tluin  I  expected, 
and  though  insufficient  to  hurt,  was  enough  to  warn  me  to  pruv.  d 
no  more  in  this  way.  However,  by  particular  desire,  I  did  t..U 
another  leap  of  the  same  kind  a  few  days  after,  but  with  much  i 
million ;  for  I  would  not  now  suffer  the  balloon  to  be  HO  much  inrluti-d. 
and  desired  my  assistants  to  break  iu  power  as  I  ascend,  d.  1h.it  I 
might  only  paas  over  the  adjacent  trees  and  house* 
power  of  the  balloon  was  very  great,  so  that  it  overturned  five  or  -iv 
people  who  attempted  to  stop  it;  and,  ind.-<-d.  from  ti..  -  t  A,.  .  \j,.  ii- 
ments,  I  am  indii,i*l  t..  1..  li.  ve.  tlmt  the  |«iwer  of  large  flrr-bnll 
i*  much  iy,  at.  r  than  is  commonly  sup|N*ol.  and  tlmt  tl 
theories  concerning  them  are  erroneous. 


110 


ASTRA  CASTEA. 


A.n.  1785. 


The  moons  of  Jove,  without  a  tube  to  view, 

And  endless  beauties  of  the  heav'ns  pursue ; 

See  Northern  Lights  in  flashing  glory  rise, 

And  paint  their  colours  of  a  thousand  dyes ; 

To  view  bright  meteors  like  the  Sun  appear, 

And  stream  their  glories  through  the  empyreal  air; 

To  try  the  strong  electric  Ether's  pow'r, 

T"  explore  the  sources  of  the  gladd'ning  show'r ; 

Through  treasures  of  the  direful  hail  to  fly, 

And  view  the  dread  artillery  of  the  sky; 

Laugh  at  the  labours  of  the  sons  of  care, 

And  see  them  move  like  atoms  as  they  are. 

Transporting  thought !  I'll  yet  with  Fate  contend, 
Nor  shall  my  hope  to  dire  misfortune  bend  ; 


Let  lying  Slander  trumpet  through  the  crowd, 
Accursed  Hate  proclaim  each  fault  aloud, 
Detraction,  Malice,  and  blue  Envy  burn, 
And  each  misfortune  to  misconduct  turn  ; 
My  mind  unmov'd  fair  Science  shall  pursue ; 
My  hopes,  my  wishes,  ever  follow  you  ; 
Each  error  past,  Experience  shall  correct, 
And  careful  Prudence  every  step  direct ; 
Till  rais'd  from  earth,  I  to  the  skies  aspire, 
Conducted  safely  by  devouring  fire  ; 
To  future  ages  then  consign  my  name, 
And  stand  thy  Brother  in  Records  of  Fame. 


On  the  Continent,  during  the  following  years,  Blanchard  ascended  from  Brussels,  Berlin, 
Douai,  Hamburg,  Liege,  Valenciennes,  Nancy,  Strasburg,  Nuremberg,  Basle,  Mulhouse,  Metz, 
and  Warsaw.  It  is  worth  notice  that  Alpine  and  other  mountain  ascents  were  unattempted 
till  aerostation  had  given  a  stimulus  to  the  exploration  of  the  higher  regions  of  our 
atmosphere;  and  it  was  not  till  the  7th  August,  1786,  that  MM.  Jacques  Balmat  and 
Paccard,  were  the  first  to  reach  the  summit  of  Mont  Blanc.  Their  steps  were  followed  the 
next  year  by  Professor  de  Saussure  and  Colonel  Beaufoy.  The  French  revolution  now  caused 
further  experiments  to  cease  ;  and,  before  it  had  subsided,  aerostation,  far  from  furthering  the 
peaceable  and  intimate  association  of  nations,  that  at  its  invention  was  anticipated,  was  now 
employed  as  an  accessory  of  warfare,  and  a  military  aerostatic  corps  was  formed  in  1793, 
which  proved  of  use,  as  will  be  hereafter  told,  at  the  battle  of  Fleurus. 

Napoleon  also  used  balloons  for  impressing  on  the  Arabs  the  superiority  of  European  arts 
over  those  of  African. 

As  far  back  as  1785  Blanchard  had  made  a  parachute,  to  which  a  dog  had  been  attached, 
and  taken  upward  by  a  whirlwind :  when  again  on  a  level  with  the  car  he  recognised 
his  master,  and  commenced  barking ;  but,  being  raised  a  second  time,  he  did  not  reach 
the  ground  in  safety  till  some  minutes  after  his  master.  Yet  Garnerin  seems  to  be 
"  1'inventeur  brevete'  du  parachute,"  as  appears  from  the  following  Republican  permissive  :— 

DEPARTEMENT  DE  LA  SEINE. 
L' Administration  central  du  Department,  au  Citoyen  Garnerin,  Rue  Dominique,  pres  celle  du  Bac. 

( 'iTOYEN  Paris,  2  Vendemiaire,  an  VIII.  de  la  Ee'publique  Franqaise,  une  et  indivisible. 

We  have  received  your  letter  of  the  4th,  in  which  you  demand  the  act  of  declaration  herewith  given.  Having 
formed  the  design  of  taking  an  aerial  voyage  for  the  discovery  of  atmospheric  currents,  and  other  observations 
useful  to  science,  you  propose  to  enter  within  the  states  of  the  King  of  Prussia,  should  the  wind  convey  you  to  the 
north  or  east ;  or  into  those  of  the  King  of  Spain,  should  you  be  conducted  to  the  south. 

We  give  you  this  declaration,  and  we  desire  that  no  obstacle  should  impede  you  from  obtaining  the  ends  in 
view.  However,  should  contrary  winds  convey  you  into  states  inimical  to  France,  we  should  like  to  believe  that 
you  will  there  receive  that  succour  and  protection  that  General  Buonaparte  gave  in  Egypt  to  an  English  naturalist 
who  was  travelling  in  that  country  to  make  useful  discoveries  :  for  the  men  who  cultivate  the  arts  and  sciences  labour 
for  the  good  of  all  nations,  and  ought  therefore  to  receive  special  protection. 

We  wish  you  to  observe,  however,  that  in  thus  authorising  you  to  make  this  experiment  we  only  have  in  view 
the  progress  of  science,  and  therefore  you  must  have  no  other  aim ;  the  wonderful  success  that  has  attended  your 


A.U.  i::i7.  I;.M;M:KIN,  mi:  INVI:NT«»IJ  OF  TIM:  PARACHUTE.  IN 

pnvinii-  voyages,  ami  ymir  descent*  in  parachute*,  of  w  hi.  1  1  y..u  gave  the  first  example,  xhnuld  not  mak<-  vu 
i  tin'  |.i  a.!,  ii-  <•  ili.it  in  all  oo  nog  should  regulate  your  .-.,!,.  In,  -i. 
..-VI-,  (.-iti/.i-n.  that  our  wishes  accompany  your  ..m.-riiriae. 

"Salutetfrat.-niit,," 

LEOOUTECLZ.        A.  SAUZAY.        SABATIER. 

A  few  \\eck-  later  he  received  the  following  answer  from  "  le  Ministro  de  1'Interieur":— 


Pkifa,  91  Fructkltir,  An  VIII.  (1801)  do  la  Republique  Fnnptte.  une  et  in.livii.iH.. 

offer  me.  Citizen,  to  assist  with  your  aerostatic  experiments  the  embellishment  of  the  F£te  of  1st 
Vend^miaire.     I  accept  your  offer,  but  these  cxi»Tiiu>  nt«  should  bo  limited  to  the  following  :— 
1st.  Two  pilot  balloons,  to  show  the  direct  ii  >n  >.f  tho  wind. 

_'n.l.  A  gilt  balloon  to  reflect  the  rays  of  tho  sun,  and  which  will  appear  like  a  large  star. 
3rd.  Your  aso-nt  mid  drwvnt  in  a  jmmcliute. 
l-'i  ,r  these  three  experiments  you  will  receive  1  5,000  franc*. 

I  f  niv  offer  suits  you,  I  authorise  you  to  commence  at  once  all  that  is  necessary  for  the  success  of  the  undertaking. 

LUCIEN  BUONAPARTE. 

M.  liepui.-  iK-lcourt  says  :  — 

••  .M.  .1.  Garnerin  had  been  sent  by  the  Government  in  1793  as  a  Special  Commissioner 
to  the  Army  of  the  North,  and  was  made  prisoner  on  outpost  duty  at  Marchiennes.  He  was 
incarcerated  many  months  in  the  fortress  of  Bude,  in  Hungary,  where  he  directed  his 
thoughts  to  aerostation. 

"  «  The  love  of  liberty,'  said  he  in  the  programme  of  his  first  descent  in  a  parachute, 
'  so  natural  to  a  prisoner,  gave  rise  to  many  projects  to  release  myself  from  the  rigorous 
detention.  To  surprise  the  vigilance  of  the  sentries,  pierce  walls  ten  feet  thick,  throw  myself 
from  the  rampartwithout  being  injured,  were  schemes  that  afforded  recreation. 

"  '  Blam-hanl's  idea  of  presenting  large  surfaces  to  the  air  to  increase  its  resistance,  and 
the  known  acceleration  of  movement  in  all  falling  bodies,  appeared  to  me  only  to  require  a 
careful  mathematical  comparison  to  be  employed  with  certain  success.  I  applied  myself  to 
the  problem.  After  deciding  on  the  size  of  a  parachute  for  descending  from  a  rampart  or  a 
precipice,  by  natural  sequence  I  devised  the  size  and  form  of  a  parachute  for  a  descent  of 
nil  thousand  feet  by  an  aeronaut.'  ' 

Delalande  the  astronomer  gives  the  following  account  of  the  first  experiment  :— 

"  At  5  P.M.  on  the  22nd  October,  1797  (1"  Brumaire,  An  VI.),  the  citizen  Garnerin  rose 
from  the  park  of  Monceau,  a  solemn  silence  pervaded  the  multitude;  excitement  and 
uneasiness  was  depicted  in  every  countenance.  When  he  had  reached  an  altitude  of  more 
than  (iOOO  feet,  he  cut  the  cord  that  attached  him  to  the  aerostat,  which  ascended  till  it 
exploded,  whilst  the  parachute  with  the  citizen  Garnerin  descended  rapidly.  The  oscillations 
it  uii'lfi-wi-nt  drew  forth  a  cry  from  the  spectators,  and  many  women  fainted.  However,  the 
citixeii  Carnerin  descended  on  the  plain  of  Monceau,  got  on  horseback  immediately,  and 
returned  to  the  park,  in  the  midst  of  a  crowd  who  loudly  testified  their  approbation  of  the 
talent  ami  courage  of  the  young  aeronaut.  In  fact,  the  citi/.en  Garnerin  is  the  first  who  has 


112 


ASTRA  CASTKA. 


A.D.  1797. 


ventured  to  try  this  hazardous  experiment.  He  conceived  the  project  in  the  fortress  of  Bude, 
in  Hungary,  where  he  was  kept  a  long  time  as  a  state  prisoner  after  the  fierce  combat  of 
Marchiennes  in  1793.  I  announced  this  success  to  the  National  Institute,  and  was  heard 
with  the  utmost  attention." 


CAN  Y  TYLWYTH  TEG ;  OK,  THE  FAIKIES'  SONG. 


FROM  grassy  blades,  and  fenny  shades, 

My  happy  comrades  hie  ; 
Now  day  declines,  bright  Hesper  shines, 

And  night  invades  the  sky. 
From  noonday  pranks,  and  thymy  banks, 

To  Dolyd's  dome  repair, 
For  ours  the  joy  that  cannot  cloy, 

And  mortals  cannot  share. 

The  light-latched  door,  the  well-swept  floor, 

The  hearth  so  trim  and  neat, 
The  blaze  so  clear,  the  water  near, 

The  pleasant  circling  seat, 
With  proper  care  your  needs  prepare, 

Your  tuneful  tabors  bring  ; 
And  day  shall  haste  to  tinge  the  east, 

Ere  we  shall  cease  to  sing. 

But  first  I'll  creep  where  mortals  sleep, 

And  form  the  blissful  dream  ; 
I'll  hover  near  the  maiden  dear, 

That  keeps  the  hearth  so  clean  ; 


I'll  show  her  when  that  best  of  men, 

So  rich  in  manly  charms, 
Her  Einiou,  in  vest  of  blue, 

Shall  bless  her  longing  arms. 

Your  little  sheaves  or  primrose  leaves, 

Your  acorns,  berries,  spread  ; 
Let  kernels  sweet  increase  the  treat, 

And  flowers  their  fragrance  shed ; 
And  when  'tis  o'er,  we'll  crowd  the  floor, 

In  jocund  pairs  advance, 
No  voice  be  mute,  and  eaeh  shrill  .flute, 

Shall  cheer  the  mazy  dance. 

When  morning  breaks,  and  man  awakes, 

From  sleep's  restoring  hours, 
The  flocks,  the  field,  his  house  we  yield, 

To  his  more  active  powers. 
While  clad  in  green,  unheard,  unseen, 

On  sunny  banks  we'll  play, 
And  give  to  man  his  little  span, 

His  empire  of  the  day. — OLD  SONG. 


EOBIN  GOODFELLOW. 


MORE  swift  than  lightning  can  I  fly 

About  this  aery  welkin  soone, 
And  in  a  minute's  space  descry 

Each  thing  that's  done  below  the  moone ; 

There's  not  a  hag 

Or  ghost  shall  wag, 
Or  cry, — "  Ware  goblin !  "  where  I  go  ; 

But  Robin  I 

Their  feates  shall  spye, 
And  send  them  home  with  Ho  !  ho !  ho 

Whene'er  such  wanderers  I  meete, 

As  from  their  night  sports  they  trudge  home 
With  counterfeiting  voice  I  greete, 
And  call  on  them  with  me  to  roame 

Through  woodes,  through  lakes, 

Through  bogges,  through  brakes  ; 
Or  else  unseene  with  them  1  go, 

All  in  the  nicke, 

To  play  some  tricke, 
And  frolicke  it  with  Ho!  ho!  ho  ! 


Sometimes  I  meete  them  like  a  man ; 

Sometimes  an  ox,  sometimes  a  hound ; 
And  to  a  horse  I  turn  me  can, 

And  trip  and  trot  about  them  round  ; 

But  if  to  ride 

My  backe  they  stride, 
More  swifte  than  winde  away  I  go, 

O'er  hedge  and  lands, 

Through  pools  and  ponds, 
I  whirry,  laughing  Ho !  ho !  ho ! 

When  lads  and  lasses  merry  be, 

With  possets  and  rich  juncates  fine, 
Qnseene  of  all  the  companie, 
I  eat  their  cakes  and  sip  their  wine. 

And  to  make  sport, 

I  puff  and  snort, 
And  out  the  candle  I  do  blow ; 

And  maids  I  kiss, 

They  shrieke — Who's  this  ? 
I  answer  nought  but  Ho !  ho !  ho ! 


CIKCI  MI-ISO  I'I:M'I:I;\I  IN  AI:UK." 


1 13 


.v  an<l  then,  tli.-  nuM»  to  please, 
•ui.luinht  I  i-anl  up  their  wool; 
And  while  they  slcepe  and  take  their  ease, 
With  wheel  to  threads  their  tlax  I  pull. 

1  '^riiid  .it  mill 

Their  malt  up  ittill, 
I  dress  their  hemp  and  spin  their  tow  ; 

If  any  walke, 

And  would  roe  Ulke, 
I  wend  me  laughing  Ho !  ho !  ho ! 


/•'.i i.     Over  hill,  over  dale, 

Thorough  bush,  thorough  brier, 
Over  |«rk,  over  pale, 

Thorough  Bood,  thorough  fire, 
I  do  wander  everywhere, 
Swifter  than  the  rooonei  sphere ; 
And  I  serve  the  (airy  queen, 
To  dew  her  orbs  upon  the  green : 


Oft  fairy  elves, 

Whose  uiMni'.'ht  revels  by  a  forest  side, 
Or  fountain,  some  belated  peasant  sees, 
i  >r  .Ireams  he  sees,  while  o'erhead  the  moon 


\\  hen  iiii-n  tlo  traps  and  engine*  set 

In  loopholes,  where  the  vermines  creep-, 
Who  from  thrir  lields  nnd  houses  get 
Their  ducks  and  geese,  and  lamlw  and  shor]»  I 
I  spye  the  gin 
And  enter  in, 

And  seenio  a  vermine  taken  so ; 
Hut  wlicu  they  thenro 
Approach  me  nearc, 
I  leapeout,  laughing  Uol  ho!  ho!— Rr.s  .1 


The  cowslips  tall  her  pensioners  be; 

In  their  gold  coaU  spoU  you  see; 

Those  bo  rubies,  fairy  favours, 

In  those  freckles  live  their  savours: 
1  must  go  seek  some  dew-drops  here, 
Ami  hang  :i  [H-arl  on  every  cowslip's  ear. 
Farewell,  thou  lol>  of  spirit*,  I'll  lw  gone  ; 
Our  queen  and  all  our  elves  come  here  mum. 
Midtummer  Sight'*  I 


Sits  arbitress,  and  nearer  to  the  earth 

Wheels  her  pale  course,  they  on  their  mirth  and  dane.- 

Intent,  with  jocund  music  charm  his  car ; 

At  once  with  joy  and  fear  his  heart  relwunds. 


AM'    "I'll!  I 


114 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


In  days  of  old,  when  Arthur  fill'd  the  throne, 
Whose  acts  and  fame  to  foreign  lands  were  blown, 
The  king  of  elves  and  little  fairy  queen 
Gamboll'd  on  heaths,  and  danced  on  every  green ; 
And  where  the  jolly  troop  had  led  the  round, 
The  grass  unbidden  rose,  and  mark'd  the  ground  ; 
Nor  darkling  did  they  dance, — the  silver  light 
Of  Phcebe  served  to  guide  their  steps  aright, 
And,  with  their  tripping  pleased,  prolong'd  the  night. 


Her  beams  they  follow'd  where  at  first  she  play'd, 
Not  longer  than  she  shed  her  horns  they  stay'd : 
From  thence  with  airy  flight  to  distant  parts  convey'd. 
Above  the  rest  our  Britain  held  they  dear, 
More  solemnly  they  kept  their  sabbaths  here, 
And  made  more  spacious  rings,  and  revell'd  half  the  year. 
I  speak  of  ancient  times,  for  now  the  swain, 
Returning  late,  may  pass  the  woods  in  vain, 
And  never  hope  to  see  the  nightly  train. 

DRYDEN. 


They  are  flown, 

Beautiful  fictions  of  our  fathers,  wove 
In  Superstition's  web  when  Time  was  young, 
And  fondly  loved  and  cherish'd — they  are  flown, 
Before  the  wand  of  Science !     Hills  and  vales, 
Mountains  and  moors  of  Devon,  ye  have  lost 
The  enchantments,  the  delights,  the  visions  all,     . 
The  elfin  visions  that  so  bless'd  the  sight 
In  the  old  days  romantic.     Naught  is  heard 
Now,  in  the  leafy  world,  but  earthly  strains — 
Voices,  yet  sweet,  of  breeze,  and  bird,  and  brook, 
And  waterfall ;  the  day  is  silent  else, 
And  night  is  strangely  mute !  the  hymnings  high — 
And  immortal  music,  men  of  ancient  times 
Heard,  ravish'd  oft,  are  flown !     O  ye  have  lost 
Mountains,  and  moors,  and  meads,  the  radiant  throngs 
That  dwelt  in  your  green  solitudes,  and  fill'd 
The  air,  the  fields,  with  beauty,  and  with  joy 


Intense — with  a  rich  mystery  that  awed 
The  mind,  and  flung  around  a  thousand  hearths 
Divinest  tales,  that  through  the  enchanted  year 
Found  passionate  listeners ! 

The  very  streams 

Brighten'd  with  visitings  of  these  so  sweet 
Ethereal  creatures !     They  were  seen  to  rise 
From  the  charm 'd  waters,  which  still  brighter  grew 
As  the  pomp  pass'd  to  land,  until  the  eye 
Scarce  bore  the  unearthly  glory.     Where  they  trod, 
Young  flowers,  but  not  of  this  world's  growth,  arose, 
And  fragrance,  as  of  amaranthine  bowers, 
Floated  upon  the  breeze.     And  mortal  eyes 
Look'd  on  their  revels  all  the  luscious  night ; 
And,  unrcproved,  upon  their  ravishing  forms 
Gazed  wistfully,  as  in  the  dance  they  moved 
Voluptuous,  to  the  thrilling  touch  of  harp 
Elysian.  CARRINGTON. 


Eye  hath  not  seen  it,  my  gentle  boy ; 
Ear  hath  not  heard  its  deep  song  of  joy  ; 
Dreams  cannot  picture  a  world  so  fair  ; 
Sorrow  and  death  may  not  enter  there  ; 
Time  doth  not  breathe  on  its  fadeless  bloom  ; 
For  beyond  the  clouds,  and  beyond  the  tomb  ; — 
It  is  there,  it  is  there,  my  child. 

MRS.  HEMANS. 

The  joys  of  heaven  are  without  example,  above  experience,  and  beyond  imagination ;  for  which  the  whole  creation  wants 
comparison ;  we,  an  apprehension,  and  even  the  Word  of  God,  a  revelation. — NORRIS. 

The  song 

Of  heaven  is  ever  new ;  for  daily,  thus, 
And  nightly,  new  discoveries  are  made 
Of  God's  unbounded  wisdom,  power,  and  love, 
Which  give  the  understanding  larger  room, 
And  swell  the  hymn  with  ever-growing  praise. 

I'OLLOK. 


CHAPTER   V. 

KKM AIIKAW.E  ASCENTS  FROM  1800  TO  1823  —  NAPOLEON'S  EXTRAORDINARY  OMEN. 


Hoch  Ubent  ntedern  Erdcnlcbcn  Above  this  nether  world  shall  she 

Soil  nie  ii.  Mim-lsielt,  In  heaven's  azure  vault  appear, 

Die  Nachbarin  de>  Donncr's,  schweben  The  neighbour  of  the  thunder  be, 

Und  grenrcn  an  die  Btemenwelt.  And  border  on  the  starry  spin  -r<: 

SCHILLEB,  Song  of  the  /I-  II. 

'  COLCHESTER  FN  FORTY-FIVE  MINUTES  —  OARNERIN's  DESCENT  IN  A  PARACHUTE  —  COUNT  ZAMBECCARI  AND  DK. 
GRA88ATI  FALL  INTO  THE  ADRIATIC  —  SCIENTIFIC  EXPERIMENTS  AT  ST.  PETERSBURG  —  MM.  BIOT  AND  OAT  LUS8AC  — 
A  SECOND  A8CENT  TO  23,000  FEET  —  KAPOLEON*S  OMEX  —  VINCENT  LUNARDI  DIES  IN  A  CONVENT  NEAR  LIHIfV 

UR810H8—  FIRST  ATTEMPT  TO  CROSS  THE  IRISH  CHANNEL  —  FALLING   INTO  THE  SEA  —  SECOND  ATM  Ml  I 
SUCCESSFUL. 


I-J.  —  .MMXS.  GARNERIN  came  to  England  in  1802,  and  made  many  successful  voyages;  our 
'  for  rapidity,  on  28th  of  June,  when  he  ascended  with  Captain  Snowden,  E.N., 
from  Chelsea  Gardens,  and  came  down  near  Colchester,  in  forty-five  minutes. 

The  excitement  this  ascent  caused  is  shown  by  the  following  statement:  —  "Not  only 
\\tiv  Chelsea  Gardens  crowded,  and  the  river  covered  with  boats,  but  even  the  great  road 
fmm  Buckingham  Gate  was  absolutely  impassable,  and  the  carriages  formed  an  unbroken 
chain  from  the  turnpike  to  Ranelagh  Gat>-." 

The  balloon  passed  immediately  over  Duke  Street,  and  kept  a  line  between  the  river  on 
one  side,  and  the  Strand,  Fleet  Street,  Ludgate  Hill,  and  St.  Paul's  Churchyard  on  the  other. 
No  balloon  had  ever  passed  so  directly  over  the  metropolis,  or  had  ever  been  gazed  on  by  so 
many  spectators.  Mons.  Garnerin  wrote  to  London  as  follows:  —  "I  take  the  earliest 
opportunity  of  informing  you  that,  after  a  very  pleasant  journey,  but  after  the  most 
dangerous  descent  I  ever  made,  on  account  of  the  boisterous  weather,  and  the  vicinity  of  the 
sea,  we  alighted  at  the  distance  of  four  miles  from  this  place,  and  sixty  from  Ranelagh. 
\\  "-•  were  only  three-quarters  of  an  hour  on  the  way.  To-night  I  intend  to  be  in  London, 
v.-ith  the  balloon,  which  is  torn  to  pieces.  We  ourselves  are  all  over  bruises." 

On  the  5th  July,  Mons.  Garnerin  ascended  from  Marylebone,  and  descended  at 
Chingford,  a  distance  of  seventeen  miles,  in  fifteen  minutes,  and  attained  also  during  this 
interval  a  heijrht  of  7800  fc<  t. 

On  the  'Jl.-t  S.  jitnuber,  after  having  made  many  ascents  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  IM 
tiii  il  an  experiment  with  a  parachute,  and  ascended  from  St.  George's  Parade,  North  Audley 
Street. 

I  will  give  extracts  from  his  own  account,  which  appeared  in  the  '  Annual  Visitor':— 

.....  I  had  reached  a  height  of  10,000  feet,  and  measured  with  my  eye  the  vast  space  that  separated  me 

R 


116  ASTRA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1802. 

from  the  rest  of  the  human  race.  I  felt  my  courage  confirmed  by  the  certainty  that  my  combinations  were  just.  I 
then  took  out  my  knife,  and  with  a  hand  firm,  from  a  conscience  void  of  reproach,  and  which  had  never  been  lifted  against  any 
one  but  in,  the  field  of  victory,  I  cut  the  cord.  My  balloon  rose,  and  I  felt  myself  precipitated  with  a  velocity  which 
was  checked  by  the  sudden  unfolding  of  my  parachute.  I  saw  that  all  my  calculations  were  just,  and  my  mind 
remained  calm  and  serene.  I  endeavoured  to  modulate  my  gravitation,  and  the  oscillation  that  I  experienced 
increased  in  proportion  to  my  approach  to  the  breezes  that  blow  in  the  middle  regions.  Nearly  ten  minutes  had 
elapsed,  and  I  felt  the  more  tune  I  took  in  descending  the  safer  I  should  reach  the  ground.  At  length  I  perceived 
thousands  of  people,  some  on  horseback,  were  following  and  encouraging  me.  After  one  bound  I  quitted  the 
parachute  without  accident.  I  was  instantly  seized  and  carried  in  triumph;  but  sickness  had  been  produced  by  the 
rocking,  which  always  had  this  eifect  on  me,  so  I  obtained  permission  for  a  few  minutes'  repose,  and  then  got  on  a 
horse.  Among  the  horsemen  I  saw  the  Duke  of  York  and  Lord  Stanhope.  Among  the  congratulations  I  had  the 
honour  of  receiving  I  was  ntuch  flattered  by  that  of  Sir  Sidney  Smith,  who  came  to  me  with  General  Douglas,  "  on 
purpose,"  as  he  said,  "  to  shake  hands  with  a  brave  man."  This  compliment  is  of  the  greatest  value  from  the  mouth 
of  one  of  the  bravest  soldiers  in  Europe.  I  can  now  answer  the  fallacious  query  of  a  correspondent  to  one  of  the 
public  papers,  who  asks  "  Whether  I  did  not  play  an  infamous  part  in  the  French  Revolution  ? "  There  are  in 
France  but  two — my  brother  and  myself — of  the  name  of  Garnerin,  and  we  have  played  no  other  part  than  that 
which  honour  may  avow  in  all  countries,  and  at  all  times.  It  was  upon  her  frontiers,  and  in  the  bosoin  of  her 
armies,  that  we  endeavoured  to  be  useful  to  our  country.  I  might  refer,  in  England,  to  incontestable  evidence 
relative  to  my  conduct.  I  am  sure  H.R.H.  the  Duke  of  York  would  be  disposed  to  do  me  the  justice  I  deserve,  if 
he  recollects  the  action  of  Marchiennes,  on  the  night  of  31st  October,  1793,  in  which  I  had  the  honour  of  disputing) 
with  a  handful  of  men,  that  post,  after  it  had  been  surprised  by  a  strong  detachment  of  his  army.  The  action  was 
extremely  bloody,  and  terminated  in  a  surrender,  which  made  me  H.E.H.'s  prisoner,  and  occasioned  me  thirty-one 
months'  imprisonment  in  Austria. 

1803. — Count  Zambeccari,  Dr.  Grassati,  of  Rome,  and  Sr-  Andreoli,  of  Ancona,  ascended  in  a 
Montgolfiere  from  Bologna,  on  the  7th  October,  1803,  at  midnight ;  the  inflation  not  having 
been  completed  before  that  time,  and  the  populace  being  too  impatient  for  the  experiment,  to 
wait  till  morning.  They  took  up  with  them  lanterns,  and  other  things  necessary  for 
observing  the  instruments  at  night.  The  balloon  rose  with  a  most  surprising  velocity,  and 
soon  reached  such  a  height  that  their  fingers  were  almost  frozen  by  the  cold,  when  both 
Zambeccari  and  Grassati  fell  into  a  state  of  deep  sleep.  Andreoli  retained  the  use  of 
his  senses.  About  2  A.M.  the  balloon  began  to  descend.  When  they  came-to  they  found 
themselves  falling  into  the  Adriatic.  The  lantern  had  gone  out,  and  was  with  much  difficulty 
lighted.  They  fell  into  the  water,  and  were  drenched.  To  avoid  greater  harm  they  threw 
out  ballast,  and  rose  through  three  strata  of  clouds,  and  their  clothes  were  covered  with  rime. 
In  this  situation  they  were  deaf,  and  unable  to  hear  each  other  speak.  About  3  A.M.  the 
balloon  again  descended,  and  bounded  in  and  out  of  the  sea  till  8  A.M.  When  on  the  coast  of 
Istria,  one  Antonio  Bazol  picked  them  up  in  his  ship.  The  balloon,  left  to  itself,  ascended  to 
an  amazing  elevation,  and  fell  in  some  part  of  Turkey.  The  height  they  attained  was 
conjectured  to  exceed  five  miles.  Bulletins  of  their  health  were  published  daily  at  Venice  and 
Bologna.  Count  Zambeccari,  who  had  suffered  most,  lost  the  fingers  from  one  hand. 

1804. — In  the  summer  of  1804,  M.  Robertson  ascended  from  St.  Petersburg,  and 
the  following  is  the  account  of  his  companion,  Sacharof.  The  object  of  this  voyage  was  to 
ascertain  the  physical  state  of  the  atmosphere,  as  the  Academy  were  of  opinion  that  results 
differing  from  those  of  De  Luc,  Saussure,  and  Humboldt,  on  the  summit  of  mountains, 
would  be  obtained  : — 

Our  Charliere  rose  slowly  at  7.15  P.M.  from  the  garden  of  the  1st  Corps  of  Cadets ;  the  wind  was  north-east. 


FRANCOIS  PII.ATRE  DE  ROZIER. 


~  r,  .  •'  [  i'  u 
r  \  \r,  r  o  -  \  J  r  z 


A. ...  l  MM.  BIOT  AND  GAY  LUSSAC.  117 

The  ilirt-nn.v  of  the  atmosphere  when  over  the  Neva  caused  us  to  descend;  throwing  out  balhut,  we  again 
ascended.  At  8.4A  P.M.  wo  had  a  beautiful  view  of  tho  Newski  Islands  and  the  whole  course  of  the  river 
Y.I  in.  -Ham  .ska.  I'.y  9.20  P.M.  our  barometer  had  fallen  from  thirty  to  twenty-three  inches.  I  threw  out  at  thin 
altitude  a  canary  and  a  dove;  the  former  fell  with  pi.-<-ipitati..n,  and  the  latter  sailed  down  to  the  village 
iiuin.  .li.it,  ly  Mow  us.  \Vo  now  threw  out  all  our  ballast,  a  spare  greatcoat,  and  the  remains  of  Kiipper,  so  as  to 
.•nuH,  u*  in  rixi-  higher.  About  9.30  P.M.  the  baroni.  t.  r  f.  11  to  twenty-two  inches.  At  thin  height,  w,.  saw  lialf 
the  mm ;  on  account  of  the  fog  we  could  not  say  whether  the  othur  half  was  hid  by  the  horizon  or  by  a  cloud, 
iin,  nt>  were  here  made.  My  pulse  and  breathing  were  the  same  as  on  the  earth,  tho  former  eighty-two  and 
the  latter  twenty-two  per  minute.  There  were  white  clouds  at  a  great  height  over  us;  though  the  sky  was  clear 
we  could  observe  no  stars.  I  proposed  to  continue  our  voyage  till  sunrise,  that  wo  might  enjoy  that  glorious  sight, 
nut  Mr.  Itobertson  could  not  accede  to  my  proposal,  on  account  of  our  ignorance  of  the  country  and  our  want  of 
ImlliiM.  I  took  out  a  speaking-trumpet,  and  directed  the  sound  downwards ;  after  ten  seconds  I  heard  an  echo ; 
this  was  repeated,  but  I  was  unable  to  look  at  the  barometer,  as  it  was  already  j»cked  up.  Wo  descended  rapidly, 
luit  when  our  bundle  touched  the  earth  we  perceived  a  slight  inclination  to  rise.  As  the  wind  was  strong  we 
dragged  it  along,  and  the  shaking  this  occasioned  caused  most  of  the  instruments  to  be  spoilt  At  10.46  P.M.  we 
If  ft  tho  car  on  the  estate  of  Counsellor  Deniidof,  and  were  assisted  by  his  boors  and  servants. 

1804. — I  give  Mr.  Wise's  account  of  the  scientific  experiments  made  in  August  and 
September  of  this  year : — 

AERIAL  VOYAGE  OF  GAT  LUSSAC  AND  BIOT  —  THEIR  EXPERIMENTS. —  SEOOXD  Aacorr  or  LUSSAC  —  BIB  EXPERIMENTS. 

After  tho  capitulation  of  Cairo,  the  balloon  which  had  been  sent  to  Egypt  was  returned  to  Paris,  after  the 
h  army  had  returned  from  tho  African  deserts.  Two  young  and  ardent  French  philosophers.  MM.  I'.ii.t  and 
Gay  LUBHOC,  proposed  to  undertake  an  aerial  excursion,  in  order  to  examine  tho  magnetic  force  at  great  elevations, 
ami  to  explore  tho  constitution  of  the  higher  atmosphere  and  its  electrical  properties.  For  such  a  philosophical 
prise  they  were  eminently  qualified,  having  been  educated  together  at  tho  Polytechnic  School  of  Paris,  and 
both  of  them  deeply  versed  in  mathematics ;  the  former  indulging  in  a  wide  range  of  study,  and  the  latter 
concentrating  his  efforts  more  on  chemistry,  and  its  application  to  the  arts.  Their  offer  to  (iovemment  was 
seconded  l>v  lierthollet  and  Laplace;  and  the  celebrated  chemist  Chaptal,  then  Minister  of  the  Interior,  gave  it  his 
patronage  and  warm  support.  The  war-balloon  which  had  once  been  in  Egypt  was  now  given  to  the  custody  of 
l'>i"t  and  Gay  Lusmc ;  and  the  same  artist  who  constructed  it  was,  at  the  public  expense,  ordered  to  refit  and 
prepare  it,  under  their  direction.  Besides  the  usual  provision  of  barometers,  thermometers,  hygrometers,  and 
electrometers,  they  had  two  compasses  and  a  dipping  needle,  with  another  fine  needle,  carefully  magnetised,  and 
suspended  by  a  very  delicate  silk  thread,  for  ascertaining  by  its  vibrations  the  force  of  magnetic  attraction.  To 
examine  the  electricity  of  the  different  strata  of  tho  atmosphere  they  carried  several  metallic  wires,  from  sixty  to 
three  hundred  feet  in  length,  and  a  small  electrophorus  feebly  charged.  For  galvanic  experiments,  they  had 
procured  a  few  discs  of  zinc  and  copper,  with  some  frogs,  to  which  they  added  some  insects  and  birds.  It  was  also 
intended  to  bring  down  a  portion  of  air  from  the  higher  regions,  to  bo  subjected  to  a  chemical  analysis,  and  for  thin 
purpose  a  flask,  carefully  exhausted,  and  fitted  with  a  stopcock,  had  been  prepared  for  them. 

The  balloon  was  placed  in  the  garden  of  the  Conservatoire  des  Artt,ar  Repository  of  Models,  formerly  the  Convent 
of  St.  Martin  ;  and  no  pains  were  spared  by  Col.  Coutelle  in  providing  whatever  might  contribute  to  the  greater 
v  and  convenience  of  the  experimental  voyagers.  Everything  being  now  ready  for  their  ascent,  these 
:> tii rous  philosophers,  in  tho  presence  of  a  few  friends,  embarked  in  the  car  at  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
•J:',rd  of  August,  1804.  The  barometer  was  then  at  :HM3  inches,  the  thermometer  at  61°  on  Fahrenheit's  scale,  and 
Sanssure's  hygrometer  pointed  at  80'8°,  or  very  nearly  the  limit  of  absolute  humidity.  They  rose  with  a  slow  and 
imposing  motion.  Their  feelings  were  at  first  absorbed  in  the  novelty  and  magnificence  of  the  spectacle  -\vhi.-li 
opened  before  them;  and  their  ears  were  saluted  with  the  buzz  of  distant  gratulations,  sent  up  from  the 
admiring  spectators.  In  a  few  minutes  they  entered  the  region  of  (lie  clouds,  which  seemed  like  a  thin  fog,  and 
gave  them  a  slight  sensation  of  humidity.  The  balloon  had  now  become  quite  inflated,  and  they  were  obliged  to 
let  part  of  the  gas  escape  by  opening  tho  upper  valve;  at  the  same  time  they  threw  out  some  ballast,  to  gain  a 
greater  elevation.  They  now  hhot  up  through  the  range  of  clouds,  and  reached  an  altitude  of  about  f>500  English 

R    2 


118  ASTEA  CASTBA.  A.D.  1804. 

feet.  These  clouds,  viewed  from  above,  had  the  ordinary  whitish  appearance ;  they  all  occupied  the  same  height, 
only  their  upper  surface  seemed  marked  with  gentle  swells  and  undulations,  exactly  resembling  the  aspect  of  a  wide 
plain  covered  with  snow. 

MM.  Biot  and  Gay  Lussac  now  begun  their  experimental  operations.  The  magnetic  needle  was  attracted,  as 
usual,  by  iron ;  but  they  found  it  impossible  at  this  time  to  determine  with  accuracy  its  rate  of  oscillation,  owing 
to  a  slow  rotary  motion  with  which  the  balloon  was  affected.  In  the  mean  while,  therefore,  they  made  other 
observations.  A  voltaic  pile,  consisting  of  twenty  pairs  of  plates,  exhibited  all  its  ordinary  effects,  gave  the  pungent 
taste,  excited  the  nervous  commotion,  and  occasioned  the  decomposition  of  water.  By  rejecting  some  more  ballast 
they  had  attained  tho  altitude  of  8940  feet,  but  afterwards  settled  to  that  of  8600  feet.  At  this  great  elevation  the 
animals  which  they  carried  with  them  appeared  to  suffer  from  the  rarity  of  the  air.  They  let  off  a  violet  bee,  which 
flew  away  swiftly,  making  a  humming  noise.  The  thermometer  had  fallen  to  56°  Fahrenheit,  yet  they  felt  no  cold  ; 
they  were,  on  the  contrary,  scorched  by  the  sun's  rays,*  and  were  obliged  to  lay  aside  their  gloves.  Both  of  them 
had  their  pulses  much  accelerated ;  that  of  Biot,  which  generally  beat  seventy-six  times  in  a  minute,  was  raised  to 
one  hundred  and  eleven ;  while  the  pulse  of  his  friend,  Gay  Lussac,  a  man  of  a  less  robust  frame,  was  heightened 
from  sixty  to  eighty  beats  in  the  minute.  Notwithstanding  their  quickened  pulsation,  however,  they  experienced 
no  sort  of  uneasiness,  nor  any  difficulty  in  breathing. 

What  perplexed  them  most  was  the  difficulty  of  observing  the  oscillations  of  a  delicately-suspended  magnetic 
needle.  But  they  soon  remarked,  on  looking  attentively  down  upon  the  surface  of  the  conglomerated  clouds,  that 
the  balloon  slowly  revolved,  first  in  one  direction,  and  then  returned  the  contraiy  way.  Between  the  opposite 
motions  there  intervened  short  pauses  of  rest,  which  it  was  necessary  for  them  to  seize.  Watching,  therefore,  the 
moments  of  quiescence,  they  set  the  needle  to  vibrate,  but  were  unable  to  count  more  than  five,  or,  very  rarely,  ten 
oscillations.  A  number  of  trials,  made  between  the  altitudes  of  9500  and  13,000  feet,  gave  7"  for  the  mean  length 
of  an  oscillation,  while,  at  the  surface  of  the  earth,  it  required  7  j-V"  to  perform  each  oscillation.  A  difference  so  very 
minute  as  the  hundred  and  fortieth  part  could  only  be  imputed  to  the  imperfection  of  the  experiment ;  and  it  was 
hence  fairly  concluded  that  the  force  of  magnetic  attraction  had  in  no  degree  diminished  at  tho  greatest  elevation 
which  they  could  reach.  The  direction  of  this  force,  too,  seemed,  from  the  concurring  circumstances,  to  have 
continued  the  same ;  though  they  could  not  depend  on  observations  made  in  their  vacillating  car  with  so  delicate  an 
instrument  as  the  dipping  needle. 

At  the  altitude  of  11,000  feet  they  liberated  a  green  linnet,  which  flew  away  directly;  but,  soon  feeling  itself 
abandoned  in  the  midst  of  an  unknown  ocean  it  returned  and  settled  on  the  stays  of  the  balloon.  Then,  mustering 
fresh  courage,  it  took  a  second  flight,  and  dashed  downwards  to  the  earth,  describing  a  tortuous  yet  almost 
perpendicular  track.  A  pigeon,  which  they  let  off  under  similar  circumstances,  afforded  a  more  curious  spectacle. 
Placed  on  the  edge  of  the  car,  it  rested  a  while,  measuring,  as  it  were,  the  breadth  of  that  unexplored  sea  which  it 
designed  to  traverse ;  now,  launching  into  the  abyss,  it  fluttered  irregularly,  and  seemed  at  first  to  try  its  wings  on 
the  thin  element,  till,  after  a  few  strokes,  it  gained  more  confidence,  and  whirling  in  largo  circles  or  spirals,  like  the 
birds  of  prey,  it  precipitated  itself  towards  the  mass  of  extended  clouds,  where  it  was  lost  from  sight. 

It  was  difficult,  in  those  lofty  and  rather  humid  regions,  to  make  electrical  observations ;  and  the  attention  of 
the  scientific  navigators  was,  besides,  occupied  chiefly  by  their  magnetical  experiments.  However,  they  let  down 
from  the  car  an  insulated  metallic  wire  of  about  250  feet  in  length,  and  ascertained,  by  means  of  the  electrophorus, 
that  the  upper  end  indicated  resinous  or  negative  electricity.  This  experiment  was  several  times  repeated,  and  it 
seemed  to  corroborate  fully  the  previous  observations  of  Saussuro  and  Volta  relative  to  the  increase  of  electricity 
met  with  in  ascending  the  atmosphere. 

The  diminution  of  temperature  in  tho  higher  regions  was  found  less  than  what  it  generally  is  at  the  same 
altitude  on  mountains,  f  The  hygrometer,  or  rather  hygroscope,  of  Saussure  advanced  regularly  towards  dryncss, 
in  proportion  to  the  altitude  which  they  attained.  At  the  elevation  of  13,000  feet  it  had  changed  from  80-8°  to  30°. 
But  still  the  conclusion  that  the  air  of  the  higher  strata  is  drier  than  that  of  the  lower,  we  are  inclined  to  consider 
as  fallacious.  In  fact,  the  indications  of  the  hygroscope  depend  on  the  relative  attraction  for  humidity  possessed  by 
the  substance  employed,  and  the  medium  in  which  it  is  immersed.  But  air  has  its  disposition  to  retain  moisture 


*  I  have  always  found  the  sun  oppressive  when  sailing  over  dense  strata  of  clouds,  which  is  caused  by  reflection.     This  was  the  case  in 
this  instance. 

t  This  want  of  diminution  was  caused  bv  the  reflection  of  the  sun  from  the  cloud  stratum  below  them. 


LD.1804.  GAY  LUSSAC*S  SECOND  ASCENT.  11H 

.ilu.ivs  .inu'iin  nted  by  rarefaction,  and  consequently  such  alteration  alone  must  materially  affect  the  hygroMOpe. 
Tin'  niily  accurate  instrument  for  aacertaining  the  condition  of  air  with  respect  to  drynoss  is  founded  on  a  property 
.  •:'  ,  \  i)...i  iii..i,.  I'.ni  we  shall  afterwards  have  occasion  to  refer  to  thi-. 

'Hi.  ballast  now  being  almost  expended,  it  was  resolved  to  descend.  The  aeronauts,  therefore,  pulled  the 
MJ.]«T  valve  ami  allowed  |..nt  of  the  hydrogen  gas  to  escape.  They  dropped  gradually,  and  when  they  came  to 
tli.-  height  <•(  -l"i ii i  feet  they  met  the  stratum  .if  clouds,  extending  hori/oiitally,  but  with  a  surface  lieaved  in  gentle 
-.\\ells.  \\  heii  they  ivaclu-d  the  ground  no  people  were  near  them  to  stop  the  balloon,  which  dragged  them  in  the 
car  to  some  distance  along  the  fields.  From  this  awkward  and  even  dangerous  situation  they  could  not  extricate 
tin-in- -l\.  s  without  discharging  a  great  quantity  of  gas,  and  therefore  gave  up  the  idea  of  sending  Gay  Lussae  up 
alone  to  explore  the  highest  regions.  It  has  been  rep.. it.  .1  tint  his  companion  Biot,  though  a  man  of  udivity  and 
not  deficient  in  ]"  rsonal  courage,  WBB  so  much  overpowered  by  the  alarms  of  their  descent  as  to  lose  for  the  time  the 
.nt  ire  possession  of  himself.  The  place  where  they  alighted,  at  half-past  one  o'clock,  after  three  houre  and  a  half 
sjient  in  the  midst  of  the  atmosphere,  was  near  the  village  •  •!'  M.-i  ivillc.  in  tho  department  of  tho  Loiret,  and  iiU.nt 
fifty  mill-  !'i..m  Paris. 

ml  ]>hil<Mophcraof  Paris  now  desired  that  Gay  Lussac  should  mount  a  second  time  and  repeat  the  different 
observations  at  the  greatest  elevation  he  could  attain.  Experience  had  instructed  him  to  reduce  his  apparatus,  and 
t..  adapt  it  letter  to  the  actual  circumstances.  As  he  could  only  count  tho  vibrations  of  the  magnetic  needle  during 
the  vi  rv  short  intervals  which  occurred  between  the  contrary  rotations  of  the  balloon,  ho  preferred  one  about  .six 
inches  in  length,  which,  therefore,  oscillated  more  quickly.  Tho  dipping  needle  was  magnetised  and  adjusted  l.y 
the  iiiirciii"'i-  M  '  ..ul. null.  To  protect  the  thermometer  from  the  direct  action  of  the  sun,  it  was  enclosed  within 

•  mccntric  cylinders  of  pasteboard  covered  with  gilt  paper.     The  hygrometers,  constructed  by  Kicher's  mode, 
with  four  hairs,  were  sheltered  nearly  in  the  same  way.     The  two  glass  flasks,  intended  to  bring  down  air  from  the 
holiest  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  had  been  exhausted,  till  the  mercurial  gauge  stood  at  the  twenty-fifth  part  of  an 
inch,  and  their  stopcocks  were  so  perfectly  fitted  that,  after  the  lapse  of  eight  days,  they  still  preserved  tho  vacuum. 

articles,  with  two  barometers,  were  the  principal  instruments  which  Gay  Lussae  took  with  him.  The  skill 
ami  ii  of  the  artist  had  been  exerted  in  further  precautions  for  the  safety  of  the  balloon. 

V   f.  .rty  minutes  after  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  loth  of  September,  1804,  the  scientific  voyager 

•  Ul.  as  licfore.  from  tho  garden  of  tho  Repository  of  Models.     The  barometer  then  stood  at  :;u-<;u  Knglish 
imh.s.  tin-  thermometer  at  82°  Fahr.,  and  the  hygrometer  at  57i°.     The  sky  was  unclouded,  but  misty.     Scarcely 
had  the  observer  reached  the  height  of  3000  feet  when  he  observed  spread  below  him,  over  the  whole  extent  of  tin 
atmosphere,  a  thin  vapour,  which  rendered,  the  distant  objects  very  indistinct.     Having  gained  an  altitude  of 

feet  lie  »et  his  needle  to  vibrate,  and  found  it  to  perform  twenty  oscillations  in  83",  though  it  had  taken  H  i 
to  make  the  same  number  at  the  surface  of  the  earth.  At  the  height  of  12,680  foot  he  discovered  the  variation  of  the 
compass  to  be  precisely  the  same  as  below ;  but  with  all  the  pains  he  could  take  ho  was  unablo  to  determine  with 
sufficient  (vrtainty  the  dip  of  the  needle.  Gay  Lussac  continued  to  prosecute  his  other  experiments  with  the  same 
diligence,  and  with  greater  success.  At  the  altitude  of  14,480  feet  he  found  that  a  key,  held  in  the  magnetic  direc- 
tion, repelled  with  its  lower  end  and  attracted  with  its  upper  end  the  north  pole  of  a  needle  of  a  small  compass. 
This  observation  was  repeated,  and  with  equal  success,  at, the  vast  height  of  20,150  feet — a  clear  proof  that  the 
magnet  ism  of  the  earth  exerts  its  influence  at  remote  distances.  He  made  not  fewer  than  fifteen  trials  at  different 
altitudes  with  the  oscillations  of  his  finely-suspended  needle.  It  used  generally  to  vibrate  twenty  or  thirty  times. 
The  mean  result  gives  4  L"J"  for  each  oscillation,  while  it  is  4-216"  at  the  surface  of  the  earth — an  apparent  dif- 
ference so  extremely  small  as  to  be  fairly  neglected. 

I  hiring  the  whole  of  this  gradual  ascent  he  noticed,  at  short  intervals,  the  state  of  the  barometer,  the  thernio- 
inetcr.  and  the  hydrometer,  of  these  observations,  amounting  in  all  to  twenty-one,  he  has  given  a  tabular  view. 
\Ve  regret,  however,  that  In-  has  neglected  to  mark  tho  times  at  which  they  were  made,  since  the  results  appear  to 

i-.n  Toy  materially  modified  l>y  the  progress  of  the  day.  It  would  likewise  have  been  desirable  to  have  com- 
].ii-  .1  them  with  a  register  noted  every  half-hour  at  the  Observatory.  From  the  surface  of  tho  earth  to  tho  height 
of  l.'.l-.'i  feet  the  tem|K-iature  of  the  atmosphere  decreased  regularly  from  82'  to  47'3:i  by  Fahrenheit's  scale:  hut 
afterwards  it  increased  again  and  reached  to  .V;-f.  at  tip-  altitude  of  14,000  feet;  evidently  owing  to  the  inllin  nee 
of  the  warm  currents  of  air  which,  as  the  day  advanced,  rose  continually  from  the  heated  ground.  From  that  jioint 
the  ti  mjicratiire  diminish*  d.  with  only  slight  deviations  from  a  jn'rlect  regularity.  At  the  height  of  I  -  i  the 


120  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1804. 

thermometer  subsided  to  32-9°,  on  the  verge  of  congelation ;  but  it  sunk  to  14-9°  at  the  enormous  altitude  of 
22,912  feet  above  Paris,  or  23,040  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  the  utmost  limit  of  the  balloon's  ascent. 

From  these  observations  no  conclusive  inference,  we  think,  can  be  drawn  respecting  the  mean  gradation  of 
cold  which  is  maintained  in  the  higher  regions  of  the  atmosphere ;  for,  as  we  have  already  remarked,  the  several 
strata  are,  during  the  day,  kept  considerably  above  their  permanent  temperature  by  the  hot  currents  raised  from  the 
surface  through  the  action  of  the  sun's  rays.  If  we  adopt  the  formula  given  by  Professor  Leslie  at  the  end  of  his 
'  Elements  of  Geometry,'  which  was  the  result  of  some  accurate  and  combined  researches,  the  diminution  of  tem- 
perature corresponding  to  the  first  part  of  the  ascent,  or  12,125  feet,  ought  to  have  been  40°  Fahr.  It  was  actually 
34-7°,  and  would,  no  doubt,  have  reached  to  40°,  if  the  progressive  heating  of  the  surface,  during  the  interval  of 
time,  were  taken  into  the  account.  In  the  next  portion  of  the  voyage,  from  the  altitude  of  14,000  to  that  of 
18,636  feet,  or  the  breadth  of  4636  feet,  the  decrement  of  temperature,  according  to  the  formula,  should  have  been 
only  16i°,  instead  of  20-7°,  which  was  really  marked — a  proof  that  the  diurnal  heat  from  below  had  not  yet  produced 
its  full  effect  at  such  a  great  height.  In  the  last  portion  of  the  balloon's  ascent,  from  18,636  feet  to  22,912,  a  range 
of  4276  feet,  the  decrease  of  heat  ought  to  have  been  15^°,  and  it  was  actually  18°;  owing,  most  probably,  to  the 
same  cause,  or  the  feebler  influence  which  warm  currents  of  air  from  the  surface  exert  at  those  vast  elevations. 
Taking  the  entire  range  of  the  ascent,  or  22,912  feet,  the  diminution  of  temperature,  according  to  the  same  formula, 
would  be  for  the  graduation  of  temperature  in  ascending  the  atmosphere  85-4°.  The  decrease  actually  observed 
would  be  67-1°,  which  might  be  raised  to  80°,  if  we  admit  the  very  probable  supposition  that  the  surface  of  the 
earth  had  become  heated  from  82°  to  94-9°  during  the  interval  between  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  near  three 
in  the  afternoon,  when  the  balloon  floated  at  its  greatest  elevation. 

After  making  fair  allowances  therefore,  on  account  of  the  operation  of  deranging  causes,  the  results  obtained 
by  Guy  Lussac,  for  the  gradation  of  temperature  in  the  atmosphere,  appear,  on  the  whole,  to  agree  very  nearly  with 
those  derived  from  the  formula  which  theory,  guided  by  delicate  experiments,  had  before  assigned.  This  gradation  is 
evidently  not  uniform,  as  some  philosophers  have  assumed,  but  proceeds  with  augmented  rapidity  in  the  more  elevated 
regions.  The  same  conclusion  results  from  a  careful  inspection  of  the  facts  which  have  been  stated  by  other  observers. 

The  hygrometers,  during  the  ascent  of  the  balloon,  held  a  progress  not  quite  so  regular,  but  tending  obviously 
towards  dryness.  At  the  height  of  9950  feet  they  had  changed  from  57-5°  to  62°;  from  which  they  continued 
afterwards  to  decline,  till  they  came  to  mark  27-5°  at  the  altitude  of  15,190  feet.  From  this  inferior  limit  the  hygro- 
meters advanced  again,  yet  with  some  fluctuations,  to  35-1°,  which  they  indicated  at  the  height  of  18,460  feet. 
Above  this  altitude  the  variation  was  slight,  though  rather  inclining  to  humidity.  There  can  exist  no  doubt,  how- 
ever, that,  allowing  for  the  influence  of  the  prevailing  cold,  the  higher  strata  of  the  atmosphere  must  be  generally 
drier  than  the  lower,  or  capable  of  retaining,  at  the  same  temperature,  a  larger  share  of  moisture. 

At  the  altitude  of  21,460  feet  Gay  Lussac  opened  one  of  his  exhausted  flasks,  and,  at  that  of  21,790  feet,  the 
other.  The  air  rushed  into  them  through  the  narrow  aperture  with  a  whistling  noise.  He  still  rose  higher ;  but, 
at  eleven  minutes  past  three  o'clock,  he  had  attained  the  utmost  limit  of  his  ascent,  and  was  then  22,912  feet  above 
Paris,  or  23,040  feet  (being  more  than  four  miles  and  a  quarter)  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The  air  was  now  more 
than  twice  as  thin  as  ordinary,  the  barometer  having  sunk  to  12-95  inches.  From  that  tremendous  altitude, 
1600  feet  higher  than  the  summit  of  the  Andes,  more  elevated  than  the  loftiest  pinnacle  of  our  globe  (the  Himalayas), 
and  far  above  the  height  to  which  any  mortal  had  ever  soared,  the  aerial  navigator  might  have  indulged  the  feelings 
of  triumphant  enthusiasm.  But  the  philosopher,  in  perfect  security,  was  more  intent  on  calmly  pursuing  his  observa- 
tions. During  his  former  ascent  he  saw  the  fleecy  clouds  spread  out  below  him,  while  the  canopy  of  heaven  seemed 
of  the  deepest  azure,  more  intense  than  Prussian  blue.  This  time,  however,  he  perceived  no  clouds  gathered  near  the 
surface,  but  remarked  a  range  of  them,  stretching  at  a  very  considerable  height  over  his  head ;  the  atmosphere, 
too,  wanted  transparency,  and  had  a  dull,  misty  appearance.  The  different  aspect  of  the  sky  was  probably  owing  to 
the  direction  of  the  wind,  which  blew  from  the  north-west  in  his  first  voyage,  but  in  his  second  from  the  south-east. 

While  occupied  with  experiments  at  this  enormous  elevation,  he  began,  though  warmly  clad,  to  suffer  from 
excessive  cold,  and  his  hands,  by  continual  exposure,  grew  benumbed.  He  felt  likewise  a  difficulty  in  breathing, 
and  his  pulse  and  respiration  were  much  quickened.  His  throat  became  parched  from  inhaling  the  dry  attenuated 
air,  so  that  he  could  hardly  swallow  a  morsel  of  bread ;  but  he  experienced  no  other  direct  inconvenience  from  his 
situation.  He  had  indeed  been  affected,  through  the  whole  of  the  day,  with  a  slight  headache,  brought  on  by  the 
preceding  fatigues  and  want  of  sleep ;  but  though  it  continued  without  abatement,  it  was  not  increased  by  his  ascent. 


A.I..  1804. 


s  ON  TIII:  rsi:  or  I-.AI.I.OONS. 


121 


The  balloon  was  now  completely  distended,  and  not  more  than  S3  Ibs.  of  ballast  remained  :  it  began  to  drop, 
and  Gay  Lunao,  therefore,  only  sought  to  regulate  its  descent  It  subsided  very  gently,  at  the  rate  of  about  a  mile 
in  ei^ht  minutes:  ami  after  the  lapse  of  about  thirty-four  minutes,  or  at  throe-quarters  after  three  o'clock,  the  anchor 
torn-hod  the  ground  and  instantly  secured  the  oar.  The  voyager  alighted  with  great  ease  near  the  hamlet  of  St. 

<  i. .iii^iii.  ,,!... -tr  >:\t.-.  n  miles  from  Rouen.  The  inhabitants  flocked  around  him,  offering  him  assistance,  and  eager 
to  gratify  tlu-ir  curiosity. 

As  •....ii  as  h.    iv. i.  I,.  .1   I'.nU  li,.  |,  ,-.(.  n.  .1  t..  tli.-  laU.ratory  of  tip-  l'..|yt.  -.•lnii.-  S.-h.-.l.  with  hi>  tl.i-1;-.  .-..nt. lining 

air  of  the  higher  regions,  and  proceeded  to  analyse  it  in  the  presence  of  Thonard  and  Grosset  Opened  under  water, 
tin.  liquid  rushed  into  thorn,  and  apparently  half  filled  their  capacity.  The  transported  air  was  found,  by  a  very 
.lli. MI.-  Analysis,  to  contain  exactly  the  same  proportions  as  that  collected  near  the  surface  of  the  earth,  every 
1000  parts  huMin^  '1\:<  of  oxygen.  From  concurring  observations,  therefore,  we  may  conclude  that  the  atmosphere 
is  essentially  the  same  in  all  situations. 

Tin-  ascents  performed  by  MM.  Hiot  and  Gay  Lussac  are  memorable,  as  being  the  first  over  undertaken  solely 
t'.  T  objects  of  science.  It  is  impossible  not  to  admire  the  intrepid  coolness  with  which  they  conducted  those  experi- 
iiienK  o]N-ratiii;4.  while  they  floated  in  the  highest  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  with  the  same  composure  and  precision 
as  if  they  had  1~  •  n  .|ni.-tly  seated  in  their  cabinet  at  Paris.  Their  observations  on  the  force  of  terrestrial  magnetism 
show,  most  conclusively,  its  deep  source  and  wide  extension.  The  identity  of  the  constitution  of  the  atmosphere  to 
a  vast  altitude  was  likewise  ascertained.  The  facts  noted  by  Gay  Lussac,  relative  to  the  state  of  the  thermometer 
at  dill'i-n-nt  heights,  appear  generally  to  confirm  the  law  which  theory  assigns  for  the  gradation  of  temperature  in 
the  iitiii..-|.h.  iv  :  l.nt  many  interesting  points  wore  left  untouched  by  this  philosopher.  We  are  sorry  that  he  had 
not  carried  with  him  the  eyanometr,  whi.-li  enabled  Sanssure  to  determine  the  colour  of  the  sky  on  the  summits  of 
tin-  Swiss  mountains;  still  more  do  wo  regret  that  he  was  not  provided  with  an  hygrometer  and  a  photometer,  of 
Leslie's  construction.  These  delicate  instruments  could  not  have  failed,  in  his  hands,  to  furnish  important  data  for 
discovering  the  relative  dryness  and  transparency  of  the  different  strata  of  air.  It  would  have  been  extremely 
interesting,  at  such  a  tremendous  height,  to  have  measured  with  accuracy  the  feeble  light  reflected  from  the  azure 
canopy  of  heaven,  and  the  intense  force  of  the  sun's  direct  rays,  and  hence  to  have  determined  what  portion  of  them 
is  absorbed  in  their  passage  through  the  lower  and  denser  atmosphere. 

SUGGESTIONS  ox  THE  USE  OF  BALLOONS  soos  AFTER  THEIR  DISCOVERY. 

Balloons  have  at  different  times  been  thought  capable  of  useful  application.  It  has  been  even  proposed  to  employ 
their  ]N.wer  of  ascension  as  a  mechanical  force.  This  might  be  rendered  efficient,  it  was  believed,  to  raise  water 
from  mines,  or  to  transport  obelisks  and  place  them  on  great  elevations.  We  can  easily  imagine  situations  where  a 
balloon  could  be  used  with  advantage ;  such  as  to  raise,  without  any  scaffolding,  a  cross  or  a  vane  to  the  top  of  a  high 
spin- ;  but  the  power  would  then  be  purchased  at  a  very  disproportionate  expense.  It  would  require  four  and  a 
half  IN  .uii. Is  of  iron,  or  six  of  zinc,  with  equal  quantities  of  sulphuric  acid,  to  yield  hydrogen  gas  sufficient  to  raise 
up  the  weight  of  a  pound.  Balloons  have  rendered  important  service  in  reconnoitring  the  face  of  a  country  and 
communicating  military  signals ;  and  it  is  rather  surprising  that  a  system  which  promised  such  obvious  advantages 
has  not  been  carried  much  farther. 

But  to  a  skilful  and  judicious  application  of  balloons  we  may  yet  look  for  a  most  essential  improvement  of  the 
infant  -.  i.-nce  of  meteorology.  Confined  to  the  surface  of  this  globe,  we  have  no  direct  intimation  of  what  passes  in 
tin-  lofty  regions  of  the  atmosphere.  All  the  changes  of  weather,  which  appear  so  capricious  and  perplexing,  pro- 
ceed, no  doubt,  from  the  combination  of  a  very  few  simple  causes.  Were  the  philosopher  to  penetrate  beyond  the 
seat  of  the  clouds,  examine  the  circumstances  of  their  formation,  and  mark  the  prevailing  currents,  he  would  pro- 
bably remove,  in  part,  the  veil  that  conceals  those  mighty  operations.  It  would  be  quite  practicable,  we  conceive, 
to  reach  an  elevation  <>(  seven  miles,  where  the  air  would  bo  four  times  more  attenuated  than  ordinary.  A  silk 
balloon  of  forty  feet  diameter,  it'  properly  constructed,  might  be  sufficient  for  that  enormous  ascent,  though  not  more 
than  one-fourth  filled  with  hydrogen  gas.  The  voyager  would  not,  we  presume,  suffer  any  serious  inconvenience 
frum  I.reaUiini;  the  thin  air ;  •  the  animal  frame  adapts  itself  with  wonderful  facility  to  external  circumstances. 


*  II.'  would  niffer  from  a  diminution  of  atmospheric  presmre.  At 
the  surface  of  the  earth  an  ordinary  tized  man  sustains  an  ntino- 
ipberic  pressure  of  over  25,000  pound*,  while  ut  tlm  height 


miles  li.- «..uM  have  but  C500  pound*.    From  what  I  have  .  \,- 
rienced  at  three  and  a  quarter  milea  high,  I  would  nif>pc«u  very  seri- 
ous conaequencea  would  ensue  at  the  immittiiio  height  of  teven  uiilm. 


122  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1804. 

Perhaps  the  quickened  pulse  and  short  respiration  which  some  travellers  have  experienced  on  the  summits  of  lofty 
mountains  should  be  attributed  chiefly  to  the  suddenness  of  their  transition  and  the  severity  of  the  cold.  The 
people  of  Quito  live  comfortably  9560  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea;  and  the  shepherds  of  the  hamlet  of  Anti- 
sana,  the  highest  inhabited  spot  in  the  known  world,  who  breathe,  at  an  elevation  of  13,500  feet,  air  that  has  only 
three-fifths  of  the  usual  density,  are  nowise  deficient  in  health  or  vigour.  But  the  intenseness  of  the  cold  is, 
probably,  what  the  resolute  observer  would  have  most  to  dread,  at  the  height  of  seven  miles.  This  decrease  of 
temperature,  perhaps  equal  to  148°,  might  extend  below  the  point  at  which  mercury  freezes;  yet  several  circum- 
stances tend  to  mitigate  such  extreme  cold,  and  proper  clothing  might  enable  an  experimenter  for  a  short  time  to 
resist  its  effects. 

Much  could  be  done,  however,  without  risk  or  material  expense.  Balloons  from  fifteen  to  thirty  feet  in 
diameter,  and  carrying  register  thermometers  and  barometers,  might  bo  capable  of  ascending  alone  to  altitudes 
between  eight  and  twelve  miles.  Despatched  from  the  centres  of  the  great  continents,  they  would  not  only  determine 
the  extreme  gradations  of  cold,  but  indicate  by  their  flight  the  direction  of  the  regular  and  periodic  winds,  which 
doubtless  obtain  in  the  highest  regions  of  the  atmosphere. 

But  we  will  not  enlarge.  In  some  happier  times  such  experiments  may  be  performed  with  the  zealous  con- 
currence of  different  Governments,  when  nations  shall  at  least  become  satisfied  with  cultivating  the  art  of  peace 
instead  of  war. 

1804. — Zambeccari's  experiments  in  a  Montgolfiere,  in  October,  I  will  leave  to  my 
Tenth  Chapter,  where  the  greatest  suffering  shall  be  contrasted  with  the  greatest  enjoyment ; 
it  was  made,  like  his  previous  ascents,  from  Bologna. 

NAPOLEON'S  CORONATION  BALLOON. 

Las  Cases,  in  his  '  Private  Life  of  Napoleon  at  St.  Helena '  (vol.  iii.  part  2,  p.  313),  says 
of  him,  "  He  mentioned,  as  a  sort  of  prodigy,  the  circumstance  of  the  balloon  which 
ascended  at  his  coronation  having  fallen,  in  the  space  of  a  few  hours,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Rome." 

Coming  from  Sai'dis,  on  our  foremost  ensign, 
Two  mighty  eagles  fell,  and  there  they  perch'd, 
Gorging  and  feeding  from  our  soldiers'  hands. 
This  morning  they  are  fled  away,  and  gone  ; 
And  in  their  stead,  do  ravens,  crows,  and  kites 
Fly  o'er  our  heads,  and  downward  look  on  us, 
As  we  were  sickly  prey :  their  shadows  seem 
A  canopy  most  fatal,  under  which 
Our  army  lies,  ready  to  give  up  the  ghost. 

SHAKSPEAEE. 

This  remarkable  incident  well  illustrates  the  fatalism  of  Napoleon's  character.  The  man 
of  destiny  believes  in  the  destiny  of  man ;  he  relies  solely  on  his  star ;  and,  from  the  height 
of  his  station,  the  newly  elect,  consecrated  Emperor  and  King,  by  a  Pope,  sees  an  evil  omen 
in  a  fortuitous  circumstance,  insignificant  for  any  other  but  himself.  The  account  is  as 
follows : — 

It  was  at  this  time  that  the  form  "  Salut  et  fraternite,"  as  well  as  the  republic  "  une 
et  indivisible,"  disappear;  and  the  Minister  of  the  Interior,  S.  E.  M.  de  Champagny,  now 
writes  to  Mons.  Garnerin,  "  aerostier  des  fetes  publiques,"  in  the  following  tone :-  - 

I  send  you,  sir,  a  copy  of  the  programme  of  the  rejoicings  which  are  to  take  place  at  the  coronation  of  His 
Majesty  the  Emperor.  I  look  to  that  zeal  and  activity  you  have  already  displayed  for  the  prompt  execution  of  the 
necessary  preparations. 

Your  estimate  of  the  cost  has  been  placed  before  me,  and  I  hope  that  you  will  bo  able  to  economise,  as 
the  Government  has  decided  on  not  spending  more  than  23,500  francs  on  your  account. 

CHAMPAGNY. 


A.I..  1806.        «Oori;i»NNT.Mi:\T  DE  L'EMPEREUR  NAPOLEON  PAH  S.S.  PIE  VII."  123 

At  1  I  I-.M.,  nn  tin'  HUli  December,  Garnerin  allowed  his  "colossal  machine"  to  rise  fr»m 
tin-  scpiare  in  front  cf  N.'.tn-  Dame.  "  One  sees  it  rise  slowly  and  majestically.  Not  less  ilian 
3000  lights  :i,M  to  ite  beauty.  It  is,  indr,  !.  a  lino  siirht;  but  who  could  then  guess  the 
diivetion  it  would  take,  or  the  sensation  it  would  cause?"  However,  on  the  following  mom,* 
at  break  of  day,  some  of  tin1  inhabitants  of  Rome  see  at  the  horizon  a  brilliant  globe  coming 
t«i\vards  their  city.  It  is  soon  over  St.  Peter's  and  the  Vatican;  descends,  rises  again, 
somewhat  torn  ;  keeps  near  the  ground,  and  tails  into  Lake  Bracciano. 

II'  iv  its  pursuers  first  lain  from  whence  it  had  come;  for,  on  drawing  it  from  the  water, 
they  ivad  in  Lrilt  letters  on  its  vast  circumference,  "  Paris,  25  Frimaire,  An  XIII.,  Couronm- 
ment  <]<•  I'l-lmpei-eiir  Napoleon  par  S.S.  Pie  VII." 

For  distance  and  rapidity  this  flight  would  always  have  been  remarkable;  but,  considering 
tin-  day  on  which  it  took  place,  it  appears  almost  miraculous.  A  circumstance  in  addition. 
v«-ry  trifling  in  it-ell',  liocame  of  great  importance  in  the  eyes  of  Napoleon.  A  political  turn, 
would  any  one  believe  it?  was  given  to  the  voyage  of  a  "ballon  perdu."  The  balloon,  on  its 
course  near  the  ground,  left  part  of  its  crown  on  an  angle  of  the  tomb  of  Nero.  The  Italian 
papers,  not  being  under  such  rigorous  censure  as  those  of  France,  innocently  related  the 
coincidence  ;  some,  however,  added  malicious  remarks,  injurious  to  the  Emperor. 

This  came  at  length  to  the  ear  of  the  master,  some  one  even  speaking  of  it  at  one  of  his 
le\ve>.  Napoleon  showed  his  displeasure,  and  ordered  that  no  further  remark  should  be  made 
about  (iainerin's  balloon. 

Napoleon  had  formerly  applauded  the  courage  of  Coutelle,  chief  of  the  aerostatic  corps, 
and  appreciated  its  importance  for'  the  engineer  department.  He  had  also,  when  in  Egypt, 
ordered  Conte  to  send  up  balloons,  to  show  the  Arabs  the  superiority  of  European  arts  over 
those  of  old  and  degenerate  Egypt.  From  the  coronation,  then,  of  Napoleon,  dates  his 
antipathy  to  aerostation.  The  military  aerostatic  school  of  Meudon  was  abandoned,  and  the 
results  of  experiments  lost.  Who  knows  but  that  this  might  not  have  caused  him  to  turn 
a  deaf  ear  to  Fulton,  when  he  came  to  the  camp  at  Boulogne,  offering  to  apply  steam  to 
navigation  ?  Little  causes  often  engender  great  effects.  Garnerin  ceased  to  be  employed  by 
Government,  and  to  Madame  Blanchard  was  confided  the  ascents  at  fetes.  Thus  the  birth  of 
the  King  of  Rome,  on  the  20th  of  March,  1811,  was  announced  by  bulletins  scattered  from 
a  balloon  that  rose  under  the  direction  of  Madame  Blanchard;  whilst  Garnerin,  in  his  notes, 
remarks  on  the  poorness  of  this  affair,  and  sighs  that  it  had  not  been  intrusted  to  him,  who 
had  made  flights  from  Paris  to  Aix-la-Chapelle  and  Mont  Tonuerre,  beside  spending  nights 
in  the  I'o-om  of  the  clouds."  Garnerin,  moreover,  offered  to  cross  the  sea,  and  announce  to 
"  La  perfide  Albion"  the  birth  of  the  royal  child. f 

The  coronation  balloon  was  suspended  in  a  corridor  of  the  Vatican,  where  it  remained 
till  1H1 4,  with  an  inscription  and  date,  but  omitting  any  reference  to  Nero's  tomb. 

In  180G  the  death  of  Vincent  Lunardi  is  thus  briefly  chronicled  by  the  '  Gentleman's 
Maira/.ine': — 

July  31. — Died  in  the  convent  of  Barbadinas  at  Liubon,  of  a  dedim-.  Mr.  Vincent  Lunardi,  the  <vli-lir:itnl 
aeronaut. 

•  In  tli.    Oiaric*  of  a-Laily  of  Quality  (p.  78)  it  u  siid  to  be  26  boon  :  further  particulars  on  thin  moat  angular  incident  wnuM  I. 
!  itr>  m.'ly  inu-n  - 

t  Extract  from  Depuig  Delcourt'a  '  Manual  ^'Aerostation.' 

S 


124  ASTEA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1807. 

In  the  same  year  Carlo  Brioschi,  astronomer  royal  at  Naples,  in  company  with  Andreani, 
the  first  Italian  aeronaut,  attempted  to  rise  from  Naples  to  a  greater  height  than  Gay  Lussac 
reached.  From  the  expansion  of  the  gas  in  the  rare  atmosphere  their  balloon  burst ;  but  its 
fragments  checked  the  velocity  of  the  descent,  and  they  fell  to  the  ground,  with  no  immediate 
material  injury.  Brioschi,  however,  contracted  a  disease,  from  which  he  suffered  till  his 
death  in  1833. 

1807. — The  nocturnal  aerial  excursions  of  M.  Garnerin  in  this  year  must  be  ranked 
among  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  adventurous. 

Mr.  Wise  gives  the  following  concise  account  of  these  adventures : — 

At  eleven  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  August,  he  ascended  from  Tivoli,  at  Paris,  under  the  Russian 
flag,  as  a  token  of  the  peace  that  subsisted  between  France  and  Russia.  His  balloon  •was  illuminated  by  twenty 
lamps :  and  to  obviate  all  danger  of  communication  between  these  and  the  hydrogen  gas  which  it  might  be 
necessary  to  discharge  in  the  course  of  the  voyage,  the  nearest  of  the  lamps  was  fourteen  feet  distant  from  the 
balloon,  and  conductors  were  provided  to  carry  the  gas  away  in  an  opposite  direction.  After  his  ascent,  rockets, 
which  had  been  let  off  from  Tivoli,  seemed  to  him  scarcely  to  rise  above  the  earth,  and  Paris,  with  all  its  lamps, 
appeared  like  a  plain  studded  with  luminous  spots.  In  forty  minutes  he  found  himself  at  an  elevation  of  13,200 
feet,  when,  in  consequence  of  the  dilatation  of  the  balloon,  he  was  under  the  necessity  of  discharging  part  of  the 
inflammable  air.  About  twelve  o'clock,  when  3600  feet  from  the  earth,  he  heard  the  barking  of  dogs ;  about  two 
he  saw  several  meteors  flying  around,  but  none  of  them  so  near  as  to  create  apprehension.  At  half-past  three 
he  beheld  the  sun  emerging  in  brilliant  majesty  above  an  ocean  of  clouds ;  and  the  gas  in  the  balloon  being  thereby 
expanded,  it  soon  rose  15,000  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  earth,  where  he  felt  the  cold  exceedingly  intense.  In 
seven  hours  and  a  half  from  his  departure  M.  Garnerin  descended  near  Loges,  forty-five  leagues  distant  from  Paris. 

This  same  intrepid  aeronaut  undertook  a  second  nocturnal  voyage  on  the  21st  of  September,  1807,  in  the 
course  of  which  he  was  exposed  to  the  most  imminent  danger.  M.  Garnerin,  prognosticating  an  approaching  storm 
from  the  state  of  the  atmosphere,  refused  to  be  accompanied  by  M.  de  Chassenton,  who  earnestly  requested  it.  He 
ascended,  therefore,  alone  from  Tivoli,  at  ten  o'clock,  and  was  carried  up  with  unexampled  rapidity  to  an  immense 
height  above  the  clouds.  The  balloon  was  then  dilated  to  an  alarming  degree,  and  M.  Garnerin,  having  been 
prevented  by  the  turbulence  of  the  mob,  before  his  ascent,  from  regulating  those  parts  of  the  apparatus  which  were 
meant  to  conduct  the  gas  away  from  the  lamps  on  its  escape,  was  totally  incapable  of  managing  the  balloon.  He 
had  no  alternative  left,  therefore,  than  with  one  hand  to  make  an  opening,  two  feet  in  diameter,  through  which  the 
inflammable  air  was  discharged  in  great  quantities,  and  with  the  other  to  extinguish  as  many  of  the  lamps  as  he 
could  possibly  reach.  The  aeronaut  was  now  without  a  regulating  valve,  and  the  balloon,  subject  to  every  caprice 
of  the  whirlwind,  was  tossed  about  from  current  to  current.  When  the  storm  impelled  him  downwards,  he  was 
forced  to  throw  out  his  ballast  to  restore  the  ascending  tendency ;  and  at  last,  every  resource  being  exhausted,  no 
expedient  was  left  him  to  provide  against  future  emergencies.  In  this  forlorn  condition  the  balloon  rose  through 
thick  clouds,  and  afterwards  sunk ;  and  the  car,  having  struck  against  the  ground  with  a  violent  impulse,  rebounded 
from  it  to  a  considerable  altitude.  The  fury  of  the  storm  dashed  him  against  the  mountains,  and,  after  many  rude 
agitations  and  severe  shocks,  he  was  reduced  to  a  state  of  temporary  insensibility.  On  recovering  from  his  perilous 
situation  he  reached  Mont  Tonnerre  in  a  storm  of  thunder.  A  very  short  period  after  this  his  anchor  hooked  in  a 
tree,  and  in  nine  hours  and  a  half,  after  a  voyage  which  had  nearly  proved  fatal  to  him,  he  landed  at  the  distance  of 
three  hundred  miles  from  Paris. 

1809. — Blanchard  died,  after  making  sixty-six  ascents. 

1811.— On  October  7  of  this  year  Mr.  Sadler,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Burchani,  ascended 
at  Birmingham  at  2.20  P.M.,  and  by  4  P.M.  had  made  a  rapid  flight  of  112  miles.  The 
direction  was  at  first  north-east;  they  could  at  one  glance  behold  Lichfield,  Coventry, 
Tamworth,  and  Atherstone.  When  approaching  Leicester  they  perceived  the  wind  was 
carrying  them  due  east,  to  Market  Deeping.  Near  this  they  attained  their  greatest  elevation 


.  W  W/./,/,,,,,  XV.  / V5-.V.1V ////,.,/„/• 

i  v .  c  i- 

1864 


r  f  r 


JJfS 


l.D.   I  ML'. 


I'llfST  ATTIiMi'l     in  CKOSS  Till:   IKISII   rllANM'.!.. 


128 


•nun  wh.'iiee  they  saw  the  towns  of  IVterl'orou^li.  Stamford.  \Vi-k  ;teli,  (Vow land, 
iVe.  IViveivinof  tho  lower  current  was  toward  the  iiortli,  Mr.  Sadler  descended,  and  alighted 
near  I  >i>st  i  m. 

1*12. — The  first  attempt  to  cross  tin-  Irish  Channel  was  made  by  Mr.  Sadler,  who,  on  the 
l>t  ( ). 'toiler,  I*r_',  asreiiilfd  from  the  lawn  of  IJelvedero  House,  Dulilin,  in  presence  of  a 
•Treat  multitude.  iveei\  inLr  ln's  Hair  from  the  Duchess  of  Richmond,  and  the  military  liamU 
playing.  In  the  account  published  the  following  poetical  description  is  quoted  from  Darwin  :— 


— Now  ICM  and  less — and  now  a  speck  is  seen  ; 

And  now  tin-  lleetini;  nick  obtrudes  lie!. 

The  calm  philosopher  in  ether  sails, 

Views  broader  stars  and  breathes  in  purer  piles, 

Sees  like  a  map  in  many  a  waving  line, 

Hound  Earth's  blue  plains  her  lucid  waters  sliinc ; 

See*  at  his  feet  the  forky  li^htnin^i  glow, 

And  hears  innocuous  thunders  roar  below. 


!  i  !»•  shoreless  air  the  intrepid  Gaul, 
nrli'd  the  vast  concave  of  his  buoyant  ball. 
Journeying  on  high,  the  silken  castle  i- 
Bright  as  a  nietiiir  tlirough  the  aztnv  tides; 
O'er  towns,  and  towers,  and  temples  wins  its  way, 
Or  mounts  sublime,  and  jiilds  the  vault  of  day. 

:t  with  upturn'tl  eyes  unhrcaihing  crowds, 
Pursue  the  floating  wonder  to  the  clouds ; 

Iliish'd  with  transport,  or  U-nninh'd  with  fear, 
Watch  as  it  rises  the  diminish'd  sphere. 

His  own  account  says: — 

From  my  elevated  situation  I  was  enabled  to  overlook  tho  ridges  of  the  Wicklow  Hills  and  bring  within  the 
iif  vision  tho  distant  ocean.  Tho  country  to  tho  south  and  west  of  Dublin,  interspersed  with  villages  ami 
<•iiltiv.it.il  firlils;  the  amphitheatre  of  hills;  tho  broad  expanse  of  ocean;  the  bay;  tho  small  breakers  beating 
..ii  tin-  islands  ami  the  rocky  shore  ;  tho  sails  of  vessels  glancing  in  the  sun  ;  all  combined  presented  a  prospect  which 

may  contemplate  but  words  can  give  no  adequate  idea  of/  and  to  onjoy  which  was  in  itself  a  reward  for  any 
hazard  that  might  attend  my  undertaking.  When  immediately  over  Ireland's  Eye,  I  perceived  that  a  rent  made  at 
starting  was  extending ;  to  reach  which  I  was  obliged  to  tie  ropes  across  tho  lower  part  of  tho  netting  to  form  a  sort 
.•I'  ladder,  and  with  my  neckcloth  I  succeeded  in  closing  this  orifice.  I  then  entered  tho  upper  current,  and  wax 
rarrinl  1'V  it  in  tho  manner  the  annexed  map  more  clearly  demonstrates.  On  again  entering  the  lower  one  I  watt 
carried  to  the  southern  shore  of  the  Isle  of  Man,  and  in  a  few  minutes  more  could  have  been  in  Cumberland,  had  I  in  it 
desired  to  alight  in  the  vicinity  nf  Liverpool.  Having  full  confidence  in  the  power  I  possessed,  from  the  quantity 
of  gas  and  ballast,  I  ascen.li-il  t..  the  upper  current,  and,  when  carried  by  it  to  tho  north-west  of  Holyhead.  I  jn.1^.  d 
this  to  bo  a  oonveni.  nt  angle  for  making  for  the  coast  of  Lancashire.  I  descended  into  tho  lower  current.  ].a*sc.| 
south  of  the  Skerry  Lighthouse  and  across  tho  Isle  of  Angleaea.  At  4.30  PJI.  I  was  abreast  of  the  Great  OrmeV 
Head,  and  by  aid  of  my  glass  could  see  tho  Bidston  Lighthouse,  beyond  which  I  wished  to  alight;  but  in  this  I  \va- 
disappointed ;  for,  as  tho  evening  closed,  tho  wind  shifted  to  the  southward,  and  I  was  driven  in  a  short  time  out  of 
sight  of  land.  In  this  situation  I  hovered  about,  endeavouring  to  find  a  favourable  current ;  but  as  it  was  now 
.">.:;n  P.M.,  I  determined  at  once  to  descend,— a  resolution  in  which  I  was  confirmed  by  observing  five  vessels  li-atmi: 


•  Tsot  Srarr  or  BEACTT. 

Tin-  Spirit  of  Iltuuty  unfurls  her  light 
And  win  .  Is  In  r  .v,«rge  in  a  joyous  flight ! 
I  know  lii-r  tnii-k  through  the  balmy  air. 
By  tho  blossoms  that  elu-t-  r  ami  whiten  then- 
She  i.e..  i  •'!,-  mountains  green. 

And  p. -in-  the  vail,  y  with  rrystal  sheen. 

At  morn  I  know  whore  she  rest^l  at  nipht, 
!•'•  r  the  rases  are  gushing  with  il.-wy  .li'Iight; 
Tii.  n  she  mounts  again,  an.l  armn.!  li.  r  flings 
A  sliowrr  .if  liu'lit  fr..m  In  r  purple  w 
Till  the  -pint  i*  .Inink  with  the  music  on  high. 
That  siluntly  tills  it  with  ecstasy ! 

At  norm  she  hies  to  a  cool  retreat, 
Where  bowering  elms  over  waters  i 


She  dimples  the  ware,  where  the  green  leaves  dip, 
That  smiles,  as  it  curls,  like  a  maiden's  lip. 
When  her  tremulous  bosom  would  hide,  in  vain, 
From  her  lover,  the  nopo  that  she  loves  again. 

At  eve  she  hangs  o'er  the  western  sky 
Dark  clouds  for  a  glorious  canopy ; 
And  round  the  skirts  of  each  sweeping  fold. 
She  paints  a  border  of  crimson  and  gold, 
Wh.  n  the  lingering  sunbeams  love  to  stay, 
Where  their  god  in  his  glory  has  passed  away. 

She  hovers  around  us  at  twilight  boor, 
When  her  presence  is  felt  with  the  deepest  power : 
She  mellows  the  landscape,  and  crowd*  the  stream 
With  shadows  that  Hit  like  a  fairy  dream; 
Still  wh-vliiis  her  flight  through  tho  gladsome  air. 
Tho  Spirit  of  Beauty  is  everywhere.  -B.  DIWB. 

I    "J 


126  ASTKA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1812. 

down  the  Channel ;  and  entertaining  the  confident  hope  that  I  should  meet  with  that  prompt  assistance  which  my 
circumstances  would  require,  I  opened  the  valve,  and  in  a  few  minutes  was  precipitated  into  the  sea  about  a  mile 
astern  of  them ;  but,  to  my  great  mortification,  I  found  that  the  vessels  continued  their  course.  Thus  deserted,  I 
was  constrained  to  reascend,  and,  throwing  out  some  ballast,  the  balloon  sprung  upwards,  and  I  again  attained 
an  elevated  station  to  look  out  for  some  more  friendly  aid. 

At  the  time  I  descended  the  sun  was  near  setting.  Already  the  shadows  of  evening  had  cast  a  dusky  hue 
over  the  face  of  the  ocean,  and  a  crimson  glow  purpled  the  tops  of  the  waves,  as  heaving  in  the  evening  breeze  they 
died  away  in  distance  or  broke  in  foam  against  the  sides  of  the  vessels ;  and  before  I  rose  from  the  sea  the  orb  had 
sunk  below  the  horizon,  leaving  only  the  twilight  glimmer  to  light  the  vast  expanse  around  me.  How  great, 
therefore,  was  my  astonishment,  and  how  incapable  is  expression  to  convey  an  adequate  idea  of  my  feelings,  when, 
rising  to  the  upper  region  of  the  air,  the  sun,  whose  parting  beams  I  had  already  witnessed,  again  burst  on  my 
view,  and  encompassed  me  with  the  full  blaze  of  day.  Beneath  me  hung  the  shadows  of  evening,  whilst  the  clear 
beams  of  the  sun  glittered  on  the  floating  vehicle  which  bore  me  along  rapidly  before  the  wind. 

It  was  a  considerable  time  before  I  again  observed  any  prospect  of  assistance ;  and  as  the  tcmporaiy  day  which 
I  then  enjoyed  was  fast  declining,  and  beneath  me  the  evening,  thickening  into  shade,  would  soon  obscure  the  view, 
L  descended  lower ;  and  it  was  with  much  pleasure  I  discovered  a  vessel,  which  by  signals  gave  me  to  understand 
she  intended,  on  my  descending,  to  afford  mo  aid.  I,  at  the  same  time,  observed  two  others  to  leeward,  one  of  which 
tacked  and  hoisted  the  Manx  colours.  I  at  once  formed  my  resolution  to  come  down  without  delay,  it  being  then 
near  six  o'clock;  and  accordingly  permitting  a  part  of  the  gas  to  escape,  I  fell  between  the  two  vessels  last 
mentioned,  the  first  that  had  attracted  my  attention  being  too  distant  to  afford  me  any  assistance. 

As  the  car  touched  the  sea,  the  wind,  which  had  risen  with  the  evening,  acting  on  the  balloon,  swept  it  along 
with  so  much  velocity  that  the  vessel  astern,  notwithstanding  every  exertion,  was  unable  to  come  up  with  it ;  my 
sole  dependence  was  now  therefore  placed  on  the  vessel  which  still  remained  ahead,  and  in  order  to  impede  as  much 
as  possible  the  progress  of  the  balloon,  I  cast  out  the  grappling-iron  ;  and  at  length  taking  off  the  greater  part  of  my 
clothes  I  tied  them  to  it  and  sunk  them,  in  the  hopes  that  the  increased  resistance  in  the  water  might  tend  to 
retard  the  rapid  motion  with  which  I  was  dragged  along  through  the  sea,  now  agitated  by  the  increasing  breeze, 
which  swelled  almost  into  a  gale.  This,  however,  had  but  little  effect,  and  I  found  myself  reluctantly  compelled  to 
weaken  the  buoyancy  of  the  balloon  by  reducing  the  quantity  of  gas  ;  I  accordingly  opened  the  valve,  and  the  car 
immediately  sunk,  being  left  to  its  own  power,  and  incapable  of  floating  with  the  quantity  of  ballast,  the  greater 
part  of  which  remained  unexpended.  In  this  perilous  situation  I  supported  myself  for  a  short  time  by  hanging  to 
the  cane  hoop ;  but,  as  the  balloon  resting  partly  on  the  water  still  presented  a  considerable  object  on  which  the 
wind  acted  with  full  force,  impelling  it  forward  with  great  rapidity,  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  clinging  to  the 
netting  as  a  last  resource,  and  in  this  situation  was  frequently  plunged  under  water  by  the  rolling  of  the  balloon, 
being  able  with  difficulty  to  keep  my  head  at  intervals  so  long  above  the  surface  as  to  prevent  suffocation ;  but  even 
thus  circumstanced  I  did  not  lose  the  recollection  that,  however  dangerous  the  clinging  to  the  balloon,  it  was  still  on 
it  my  ultimate  safety  must  depend,  and  that  to  preserve  the  power  of  the  gas  was  an  object  of  the  first  importance. 
I  therefore  passed  the  valve-cord  (which  I  still  firmly  held)  around  my  arm,  so  as  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  losing 
it,  should  weakness  compel  me  to  relax  my  hold  of  the  netting, — an  event  which  was  now  fast  approaching,  as  my 
strength  was  completely  exhausted,  and  under  the  apprehension  of  which  I  took  the  precaution  of  passing  the 
meshes  of  the  net  once  or  twice  round  my  head,  and  in  this  state  encountered  the  danger  of  drowning  from 
the  rolling  of  the  balloon. 

Immersed  in  the  waves  and  entirely  exhausted,  it  was  but  at  intervals  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  vessel,  and 
when  this  occurred  I  was  too  faint  to  make  my  voice  be  heard  so  as  to  direct  the  necessary  operations  for  securing 
my  safety.  I,  however,  observed  that  the  sailors  seemed  fearful  of  coming  too  near,  lest  the  balloon  should  get 
entangled  with  their  rigging,  and,  availing  myself  of  the  first  moment  of  temporary  strength,  I  called  to  them,  as 
loud  as  my  feeble  state  admitted  of,  to  run  the  bowspirit  of  the  vessel  through  the  balloon.  Fortunately,  my 
directions  were  heard  and  instantly  obeyed,  the  greater  part  of  the  gas  was  immediately  expelled,  and  the  violent 
motion  of  the  balloon  subdued ;  a  rope  was  then  thrown  out  for  me  to  seize  on.  which  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  do 
while  under  water,  and  rather  instinctively  than  otherwise  to  coil  round  my  arm  at  the  moment  when  every  other 
hold  giving  way  I  should,  under  other  circumstances,  most  probably  have  sunk  to  rise  no  more.  After  being 
dragged  through  the  waves  for  a  length  of  way,  I  was  at  last  got  on  board  with  much  difficulty,  after  having  been 
in  the  water  for  at  least  half  an  hour,  being  quite  exhausted,  nearly  insensible,  and  almost  lifeless, — a  state  in  which 


A.I..  1817,  SECOND  ATTEMPT  SUCCESSFI  I  127 

:.!.••!   !'••!•   a   coii.-id.  Table   time.     The  balloon  and  car  wore  next  secured,   the  latter  particularly   with 

1.  r.il'le    liiUmr,    in   consequence  of   the    quantity  of   ballast   that    remained:    a  fact  wliirh,   added    tu  the 

iine\]>cnded  gas,  convinces  me  that  I  possessed  sufficient  |>ower  to  have  remained  in  the  air  for  a  very  long  period 

with  i-.-i.--  and  safety,  and  to  have  accomplished  at  onoe  the  passage  of  the  Channel  hod  not  ray  ardent  desire 

!••  i.  | *»1  operated  as  a  counteracting  principle. 

At  tli.'  time  <.f  my  second  descent  a  circumstance  took  place,  in  itself  of  a  trifling  nature,  but  which  for 

-iil-iiitv  deserves  to  bo  mention,  ,1.     As  the  oar  touched  the  water  I  was  surrounded  by  a  multitude  of  small 

id>.  which  boldly  approached  the  balloon  and  attended  its  rapid  course,  as  impelled  by  the  wind  it  skimmed 

»|. 'ii^  the  waves.     I  imagined  they  had  been  attracted  to  the  car  by  the  fragments  of  cake  and  bread  which 

fell  u]N>n  the  water  ;  and  in  thin  supposition  I  was  speedily  confirmed.  l\>r,  growing  bolder  by  degrees,  they  at  length 

rushed  iijHin  me  in  a  crowd,  and  actually  carried  off  the  remnant  of  provisions  which  remained  floating  on  the 

water.     On  mentioning  the  .  ii.  umstance  to  the  sailors,  I  was  informed  that  the  birds  were  of  the  species  designated 

by  nautiral  men  "  Mother  Cary's  Chick. 

Tln«  vessel  on  board  of  which  I  was  taken  I  found  to  be  the  "Victory,"  a  herring-fisher,  from  Douglas,  in  flu- 
Isle  of  Man,  commanded  by  John  Lee,  and  bound  tor  Liverpool,  to  which  port  our  course  was  accordingly  directed, 
and  when-  wo  arrived  in  safety  at  a  very  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  2nd  of  October.  In  this  city  I  had  over 
experienced  the  most  kind  and  flattering  attention,  nor  did  the  same  warm  feeling  fail  to  exhibit  itself  on  the 
present  occasion.  Already  had  the  news  of  my  arrival  reached  the  inhabitants,  and.  notwithstanding  the  early 
hour,  a  crowd  of  anxious  spectators  had  assembled  to  greet  my  landing.  Wet  and  exhausted,  I  found  myself 
unequal  tor  the  moment  to  meet  their  congratulations,  and  accordingly  went  on  board  the  "Princess"  of  sixty-four 
guns,  when-  I  was  received  by  Lieutenant  lioche  with  the  most  polite  attention,  obtaining  dry  clothes  and  every 
accommodation  which  my  situation  required. 

On  the  evening  of  the  3rd  of  October  I  arrived  at  TTolyhead,  and  embarking  on  board  the  packet  for  Dublin, 
was,  in  the  forenoon  <  f  the  4th,  after  a  tempestuous  and  dangerous  voyage,  driven  into  Skerries,  sixteen  miles  from 
that  city,  to  which  place  I  immediately  set  out,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day  was  again  restored  to  my  family 
and  to  those  friends  whose  anxious  and  affectionate  wishes  had  attended  my  aerial  journey. 

Tig  nut  in  mortals  to  command  success ; 

But  we  11  do  more,  Sempronius — we  '11  deserve  it. — ADDISOX. 

1817.— Mr.Windham  Sadler,  with  the  intention  of  carrying  out  what  his  father  had 
already  attempted,  ascended  from  the  Portobello  Barracks,  Dublin,  at  1.20  P.M.,  on  the 
L'Uiid  of  June,  having  received  his  flag  from  Lady  Jane  Loftus.  The  wind  was  W.S.W., 
and  lie  intended  to  effect  the  passage  with  the  utmost  rapidity;  yet,  after  passing 
through  a  cloud,  he  rose  unwittingly  to  an  altitude  of  2£  miles.  The  current  there  was  not 
the  same,  for,  on  descending  through  a  snow-shower,  he  found  himself  over  the  Hill  of 
Hnwth.  Having  now  entered  the  current  that  was  favourable,  his  chief  care  was  to  keep  the 
balloon  in  it;  and  this  he  effected  by  the  counteracting  powers  of  gas  and  ballast.  By  this 
iiit-ans  his  nnnsc  was  a  direct  line  across  the  Irish  Channel.  "  ....  I  enjoyed  at  a  glance 
the  opposite  shores  of  Ireland  and  Wales,  with  the  entire  circumference  of  the  Isle  of  Man. 
A  lleet  of  twenty-one  vessels,  among  the  many  single  ships,  formed  a  striking  object."  He 
noticed  also  the  shadow  of  the  balloon  on  the  water,  and  the  beautiful  colour  given  to  the  sea 
l>y  the  setting  sun.  At  6.45  he  alighted  a  mile  south  of  Holyhead.  The  evening  was 
nely  calm,  and  the  balloon,  when  anchored,  remained  at  twelve  feet  from  the  ground, 
motionless.  II,  -.Ms.  with  some  pride,  that  he  was  the  first  aeronaut  who  had  successfully 
accomplished  the  paoaov  of  tin-  Irish  Channel. 

•  -*:r  (icorge  C'avley  proposed  a  public  subscription  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  how 
tar  the  principle  of  balloons,  supporting  heavy  burdens  in  the  air,  may  be  made  useful  as  a 
medium  of  c<>nveya: 


128 


ASTRA  C ASTRA. 


A.U.  1817. 


"  When  the  subscription  amounted  to  1000/.,  he  suggested  that  an  Annual  Committee  of 
seven  members  should  be  appointed,  and  that  no  experiments  should  be  undertaken  but  by 
order  of  this  Committee,  with  the  advice  of  such  engineers  as  they  chose  to  consult. 

"  Towards  the  attainment  of  this  object  he  himself  offered  501.,  but  did  not  wish  any  one 
disposed  to  forward  it  to  subscribe  on  a  larger  scale,  as  he  conceived  that  a  greater  amount 
might  be  most  probably  obtained  in  smaller  sums. 

"  We  suppose,  from  no  further  mention  of  the  subject,  that  Sir  George's  project  fell 
to  the  ground." — Gentleman's  Magazine,  1817. 


JACOB'S  DREAM. 


THE  sun  was  sinking  on  the  mountain-zone 
That  guards  thy  vales  of  beauty,  Palestine ! 
And  lovely  from  the  desert  rose  the  moon, 
Yet  lingering  on  the  horizon's  purple  line, 
Like  a  pure  spirit  o'er  its  earthly  shrine. 
Up  Padan-Aran's  height,  abrupt  and  bare, 
A  pilgrim  toiled,  and  oft  on  day's  decline 
Looked  pale,  then  paused  for  eve's  delicious  air, 
The  summit  gained,  he  knelt,  and  breathed  his  evening 
prayer. 

He  spread  his  cloak  and  slumbered — darkness  fell 
Upon  the  twilight  hills  :  a  sudden  sound 
Of  silver  trumpets  o'er  him  seemed  to  swell ; 
Clouds  heavy  with  the  tempest  gathered  round  ; 
Yet  was  the  whirlwind  in  its  caverns  bound  ; 
Still  deeper  rolled  the  darkness  from  on  high, 
Gigantic  volume  upon  volume  wound, 
Above,  a  pillar  shooting  to  the  sky, 
Below,  a  mighty  sea,  that  spread  incessantly. 


Voices  are  heard — a  choir  of  golden  strings, 
Low  winds  whose  breath  is  loaded  with  the  rose ; 
Then  chariot-wheels — the  nearer  rush  of  wings ; 
Pale  lightning  round  the  dark  pavilion  glows, 
It  thunders — the  resplendent  gates  unclose  ; 
Far  as  the  eye  can  glance,  on  height  o'er  height, 
Rise  fiery  waving  wings,  and  star-crowned  brows, 
Millions  on  millions,  brighter  and  more  bright, 
Till  all  is  lost  in  one  supreme,  unmingled  light. 

But,  two  beside  the  sleeping  pilgrim  stand, 
Like  cherub-kings,  with  lifted  mighty  plume, 
Fixed,  sun-bright  eyes,  and  looks  of  high  command  ; 
They  tell  the  patriarch  of  his  glorious  doom  ; 
Father  of  countless  myriads  that  shall  come  ; 
Sweeping  the  land  like  billows  of  the  sea, 
Bright  as  the  stars  of  heaven  from  twilight's  gloom, 
Till  He  is  given  whom  angels  long  to  see, 
And  Israel's  splendid  line  is  crowned  with  Deity. 

CROI.Y. 


JACOB'S  DREAM. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


KKMAKKAlil.l      \S(   EXTS    KltMM    Ivr,  Tl> 


Atone,  on  •  wide,  wide,  sea, 

So  lonely  'twas,  that  God  himself 

Scarce  seemed  there  to  be. — COLEUIIX-.K. 


GREEN'S  SOLITARY  ASCENTS  —  is  A  rin  NPKIUSTORM  —  WISE'S  FIRST  VOYAGE  is  AMMEICA  —  BAI.UNIN  BURSTING  —  EFFECTS 

Or    ECHO  —  EXPLOSION    OF    BALLOON  —  MR.    AMD   MRS.   ORAHAM's   ASCENTS  —  LONDON    To    I.EIUII  KIN    BUZZARD  —  LONDON 
TO   WEILBURG  —  PREPARATIONS  —  LEAVE    ENGLAND  —  SUNSET  —  CROSSING    THE   SEA  —  BELGIUM  —  FURNACES   OF    LIEGE 

—  MIDNIGHT  —  "A    ROPE    MIMAkKN     TOR    A    RIVER"  —  "A   VIOLENT    CONCUSSION"  —  "SOUXH   OK     ItrsillNO    WATERS" 

N         "  IIIl:M     -I  MUSES"  —  "A   SNOWY    LANDSCAPE"  —  "THOUGHTS  OF  CENTRAL  ASIA  "  —  DESCENT  —  THE 
I'  'II  V  OF  NASSAU  —  "  HlMMI.l*  mil  M  IINAPPS"  —  WEILIIURO  —  PARIS  —  "  THE  SUMMARY  "          Mil:  PARACHUTE  IN  SIAM 

—  "A    LETTER    TO    THE  'MORNING     HERALD  '"  —MR.    COCKINO's    EXPERIMENT  —  THE    ASCENT  —  THE   FATAL    DESCENT 

—  MR.  GREEN'S  ACCOUNT  —  "OPINIONS  MAY  STILL  VARY"      i  \i  KHIMENTS  IN  AMERICA  —  INDIAN  CHIEFS  BLACK  HAWK 

AM.  hKoM'K  THE  PROPHET  —  BURNING  FORESTS  —  "  AN  EXPLOSION  "  —  INTENTIONAL  BURSTING  —  "STORM   SCENE  ABOVE 

IIIK  i  i.uuos"  —  ARCHIMEDES'  ETPHKA,  WISE'S  VICTORY. 


'Jli.  —  IN   June.   Ivjii,  Mr.  Green  ascended  alone  from  Boston,  in  the  presence  of  20,000 
I  »  -i  >].lr.  :unl  thus  describes  one  of  the  many  solitary  and  successful  voyages  he  accomplished. 

......  The  balloon  sailing  duo  west  passed  between  Swincshead  and  Heckington,  in  a  direct  line  for 

(intntham.  when  immediately  over  Sir  John  Thorold's  park  ;  Boston  resembled  a  muss  of  rubbish  covering  about 
•  .in-  aere:  on  descending  I  .-iit.-ivd  another  current  that  carried  me  towards  Newark,  ami  I  alighted  at  the  seat  of 
T  I!.  \\  .  Iliy.  Esq.,  near  Hotteeford.  The  barometer  showed  my  greatest  altitude  to  liave  been  2i  miles. 

In  -July  of  this  yc:ir  In-  made  a  night  ascent. 

At  1  ".].-,  J..M.  I  ascended  from  the  Yauxhall  Gardens.  We  kept  the  line  of  tlie  Thames.  Notwithstanding  the 
eli'ii.!  :  tin'  atmosphere,  and  being  deprived  of  the  light  of  the  moon,  I  could  distinctly  see  the  earth. 

In  Ilatt.rxa  ;tnd  \\andsworth,  where  the  wheat  was  ready  for  cutting,  it  appeared  like  sheet*  spread  on  the 
ground  :  the  ploii^lu-d  Lmd  was  darker,  and  the  trees  and  houses  quite  black;  bridges  with  gas-lights  appeared  like 

•  •I  l.nii].>  nstin^  on  the  water:  Rattersea  and  I'utney.  without  them,  like  dark  planks.'  By  aid  of  iJavy's 
Mil'.-ty  lamp  I  n.uld  i.lrM-rx-i-  the  Isirom.  t«-r.  and.  to  prevent  a  higher  ascent  than  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  we 
i.  liiuc.nd  ;  a  horse-patrol  was  the  only  IXTNUI  on  the  spot,  but  on  account  of  the  dead  calm  further 
assistance  was  n»t  n-<]u: 

Look  ii|»Mi  the  ni-ilit  : 
As  water  doe*  a  sponge,  no  tin  muonlight 
Kills  tin'  voiil,  hollow,  iinivi-txil  air. 

Wli:it  rii]nivilii>nd  heaven  in  lair, 

Win  thiT  tli.  moon,  iiitu  ln-r  eluunber  gone, 
•li-.-lit  t"  it;.  L-i'l.lim  sum,  or  wan 
(  'in,  1«  with  ,liiniin-li'.|  \iwia  the  azure  sleep; 
(lr  uh<-th<T  rl.iiuls  Kiil  ..'.  r  the  inverse  deep, 

,<,,].  rinir  Malt, 

-  nish  llip'iiu-li  <hi  in.  .liin  tiT»l  fust. 
All  I  :ul  n.  .  \,  i\   hinil      Mil  1  11  •, 


130  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1827. 

1827. — Mr.  Charles  Green  made  his  sixty-ninth  ascent  from  Newberry,  in  Berkshire, 
under  very  discouraging  circumstances.  He  was  accompanied  by  Mr.  H.  Simmons,  a 
gentleman  of  Reading,  who  was  deaf  and  dumb.  The  following  particulars  of  this 
tempestuous  voyage  are  given  by  Mr.  Green  :— 

The  morning  was  very  squally,  yet  a  great  number  of  visitants  had  assembled  on  the  ground  before  2  P.M.  ;  at 
which  hour  a  tremendous  storm  of  hail,  rain,  and  thunder  occurred,  the  wind  at  the  time  blowing  such  a  hurricane 
that  the  balloon  could  scarcely  be  kept  down,  although  loaded  with  two  tons'  weight  of  iron,  and  held  by  the 
restraining  strength  of  one  hundred  men. 

Between  4  and  5  P.M.  the  clouds  dispersed ;  but  the  wind  continued  to  rage  with  unabated  fury  the  whole  of 
the  evening.  At  6  P.M.  I  stepped  into  the  car  with  Mr.  Simmons,  and  gave  the  word  "  Away ! "  The  moment  the 
machine  was  disencumbered  of  its  weights,  it  was  torn  by  the  violence  of  the  wind  from  the  assistants,  bounded  off 
with  the  velocity  of  lightning  in  a  south-easterly  direction,  and,  in  a  very  short  space  of  time  attained  an  elevation 
of  two  miles.  At  this  altitude  we  perceived  two  immense  bodies  of  clouds  operated  on  by  contrary  currents  of  air, 
until  at  length  they  became  united ;  and  at  that  moment  my  ears  were  assailed  by  the  most  awful  and  long- 
continued  peal  of  thunder  I  ever  hoard.  These  clouds  were  a  full  mile  beneath  us ;  but  perceiving  other  strata 
floating  at  the  same  elevation  in  which  we  were  sailing,  which,  from  their  appearance,  I  judged  to  be  highly 
charged  with  electricity,  I  considered  it  prudent  to  discharge  twenty  pounds  of  ballast,  and  we  rose  half  a  mile 
above  our  former  elevation,  where  I  considered  we  were  perfectly  safe  and  beyond  their  influence.  I  observed 
amongst  other  phenomena  that,  at  every  discharge  of  thunder,  all  the  detached  pillars  of  clouds  within  the  distance 
of  a  mile  round  became  attracted,  and  appeared  to  concentrate  their  force  towards  the  first  body  of  clouds  alluded 
to,  leaving  the  atmosphere  clear  and  calm  beneath  and  around  us. 

With  very  trifling  variations  we  continued  the  same  course  until  7.15  P.M.,  when  we  descended  to  within  five 
hundred  feet  of  the  earth ;  but  perceiving  from  the  disttirbed  surface  of  the  rivers  and  lakes  that  a  strong  wind 
existed  near  the  earth,  we  again  ascended  and  continued  our  course  till  7.30  P.M.,  when  a  final  descent  was  safely 
effected  in  a  meadow-field  in  the  parish  of  Crawley,  in  Surrey,  situated  between  Guildford  and  Horsham,  and 
fifty-eight  miles  from  Xewbury.  This  stormy  voyage  was  performed  in  one  hour  and  a  half. 

MR.  WISE'S  ASCENTS  IN  AMERICA. 

1835. — Wise,  the  most  practical  of  American  aeronauts,  has  left  us  a  lucid  history  of 
Aerostation,  published  at  Philadelphia  in  1850 ;  from  which  I  take  the  following  account 
of  his  own  experiments.  His  first  ascent,  from  Philadelphia,  is  thus  described  :— 

On  2nd  May,  the  balloon  being  filled,  I  ordered  them  to  let  go,  and  before  I  could  fairly  say  "  Good-by, 
gentlemen,"  the  aerial  ship  was  speeding  me  rapidly  above  the  reach  of  obstructions.  Now  followed  a  scene  worthy 
the  pen  of  a  poet.  The  first  second  or  two  of  the  balloon's  ascent  caused  a  stillness  in  the  immense  mass  of  people 
below  that  seemed  as  though  they  were  fixed  immovably  to  the  spot,  when  all  of  a  sudden  the  very  air  began  to 
reverberate  with  the  shouts  that  followed.  The  multitude  appeared  to  be  as  much  rejoiced  at  the  result  as  I 
possibly  could  be  myself ;  and  I  must  confess  it  was  one  of  the  happiest  moments  I  ever  experienced  in  my  life ;  for, 
but  a  few  minutes  before,  from  the  circumstances  attendant,  the  success  of  the  experiment  for  the  time  seemed  to 
rest  upon  a  very  doubtful  contingency — that  of  getting  back  to  the  inflating  apparatus.  Up,  up  I  soared,  almost 
perpendicularly,  to  the  distance  of  several  thousand  feet,  when  a  gentle  breeze  wafted  the  machine  in  a  south- 
westerly direction — the  balloon  still  rising — until  it  reached  a  point  at  the  intersection  of  Market-street  and  the 
Schuylkil  Eiver,  which  is  about  one  mile  and  a  half  from  where  it  started.  Here  it  became  stationary,  or  nearly  so, 
and  just  at  a  point  where  the  balloon  had  reached  an  altitude  equal  to  its  ascensive  power,  where  was  also  a  point 
of  two  currents  of  air  traversing  each  other ;  the  one  from  the  north-east,  which  wafted  the  machine  thither,  was 
here  traversed  above  it  by  a  current  from  the  west. 

Having  now  lost  sight  of  the  great  throng  of  people  that  surrounded  me  at  starting,  and  standing  over  a  large 
city,  at  least  a  mile  above  it,  solitary  and  alone,  with  a  low  melancholy  murmuring  noise  rising  up  from  it ;  the 
balloon  slowly  writhing  and  twisting,  as  it  were,  between  two  contending  currents,  causing  a  fluttering  breeze 
around  me,  while  I  was  standing  in  the  car  without  hat,  coat,  or  boots,  looking  around,  below,  above,  and  in  every 
direction,  strange  emotions  pervaded  my  mind.  Grandeur  had  ever  been  a  delightful  theme  to  me,  but  this  was 
more  than  grandeur.  All  the  higher  faculties  of  the  human  mind  bocame  gradually  aroused;  I  was  gently 


A.,,,  i  -AMKIMCAN  EXPEBIMENTa"  i::i 


fr.ua  i  in  -ignit'ie.  nt  dream.  casting  my  eyes  upon  a  scene  of  reality  that  .appeared  fur  more  grand  imd 

tin-lit  than  the  dream  itx.lt';  strange  feelings  were  passing  through  my  tain.l  ;  1  felt  oompoacd  in  Iwdy,  Imt 
then-  was  an  indescriKible  commotion  agitating  tin-  inin-r  man,  ami  it  was  some  time  licforc  I  reasoned  the  soul  ami 
l>ody  int..  their  natural  M.I'.  ..f  .  .|iiililn  inin.*  Although  the  atmosphere  at  this  height  was  mid,  the  perspiration 
n«.w  Ix-gan  to  roll  from  niy  forehead  in  largo  drops.  By  a  comparison  of  the  previous  few  hours  with  the  present 
positi,,n  then  occupied.  I  Ixramo  enal>le,l  (,i  ],M>k  ami  reflect  in  a  more  natural  spirit  ;  but  still,  the  vastneas, 
grandeur.  and  snlilimitv  ..f  the  scene  around  mo  kept  in.-  in  a  mood  far  different  from  what  I  had  ever  1» 

i.  ne.-d.  Th.-  mind  appeared  to  exjiand  it^.  It'  .-..mm.-iiMinit.  ly  with  the  magnitude  of  the  scene  that  surrounded 
it.  II.  r.-  was  an  immenHo  (innnninity  nf  human  In-iugs  swarming  underneath  my  feet,  sending  up  a  humming  1m// 
frmn  their  a].|vir.  ntly  e..n.l.  used  cells:  there,  the  ample  folds  of  the  I  )e  la  ware  were  rolling  themselves  into  the 
In  MM  n-<  in  tained  clouds  i  if  the  distant  hori/.m  ;  above  mo  stood  the  huge  distended  balloon,  swelled,  an  it  were,  in 
]mm|i.ius  pride  of  its  exalted  |>oMtion.  tl.  mt  ing  like  an  imlejicndent  sphere,  with  its  single  inhabitant,  in  the  great 
ethereal  ocean  of  the  univerHO.  It  was  a  t»ml  inspiring  s-.-nc.  and  one  that  will  never  !»•  erased  from  my  mind 
as  loi  Till  live. 

The  Kill,  mil  was  retain.  -d  in  the  edily  it  had  reached  for  several  minutes,  and  until  it  was  lightened  sufficiently 
to  ri-  it,  which  w;is  done  by  cutting  off  and  throwing  overboard  a  heavy  flower-wreath  which  had  Itecn 

twined  around  the  car.  These  llowers,  as  they  foil  from  the  car,  were  taken  for  birds  by  those  who  watched  the 
•••KM  of  the  Kill.  -.11  with  telescopes,  as  I  was  afterwards  informed.  Besides  this,  the  car  was  hanging  so  near 
the  Kill,  K.n.  that  I  was  enabled  to  detach  tin-  tin  tul>e  which  was  in  the  neck  of  it,  and  which,  in  this  instance,  was 
ntBMBMBlfy  heavy;  but.  as  the  di.-]Ni>al  of  the  wreath  had  lightened  the  machine  sutVicieiitly  to  enable  it  to  rise 
al».M-  the  i-ddy.  I  did  n..t  throw  it  overboard  at  that  point,  and  upon  consideration  found  it  would  not  l»e  safe  to 
do  so  until  I  should  get  over  a  place  where  no  human  1  icings  would  bo  endangered  by  its  descent  After  the  balloon 
had  risen  above  the  lower  current,  and  the  eddy  which  invariably  exists  between  two  currents,  it  took  off  in  a 
direction  eastward,  nearly  on  a  line  with  Arch-street  This  I  was  enabled  to  toll  by  the  map-like  appearance  of  the 
city,  the  market-houses  la-inn  in  the  next  street  south  of  it,  which  made  a  good  mark  to  distinguish  the  streets  by. 
As  I  passed  slowly  over  the  city,  its  murmuring  noise  rose  up  in  modulations  of  variable  intensity,  giving  it  a 
melancholy  musical  effect,  in  some  measure  resembling  the  sound  of  an  .Kolian  hnrp.  The  current  from  the  west 
Ix-ing  very  gentle,  it  r.  .piin  d  full  twelve  minutes  to  carry  the  machine  from  the  Schuylkil  to  the  Delaware,  during 
which  time  I  feasted  my  eyes  upon  the  panoramic  scenery  of  the  city  and  its  precincts,  occasionally  running  the  eve 
along  the  serjientine  folds  ..f  the  Delaware  to  where  it  was  lost  in  the  clouds  which  skirted  the  horizon  all  round. 
The  Schuylkil  scvined  of  ton  little  interest,  when  viewed  from  that  height  in  comparison  with  its  larger  neighbour. 

\Vhen  I  reached  the  Delaware  I  threw  overboard  the  neck-pipe  of  the  balloon,  which  made  a  rushing  sou  ml  in 
itedescent  until  it  splashed  into  the  water,  which  1  heard  distinctly,  although  I  was  over  a  mile  above  its  surface.  As 
I  crossed  the  Delaware,  the  view  up  and  down  for  a  distance  of  twenty  or  thirty  miles  each  way  was  picturesque 
and  grand  beyond  conception,  and  yet  more  natural  in  appearance  than  land  scenery.  This  effect  of  the  river 
scenery  caused  a  degree  of  composure  in  my  mind,  which,  until  now,  had  been  strained  far  beyond  a  normal 
condition,  that  enabled  me  to  investigate  and  observe  in  a  more  ratiocinative  manner.  Before  this,  amazement  wax 
the  only  resultant  of  all  observation  on  this  magnificent  planisphere.  Although  the  boate  and  ships  on  the  river 
looked  very  diminutive,  still  the  scene  had  the  miniature  appearance  of  a  natural  reality.  This  was  not  the  ease  in 
taking  a  grind  and  gener.il  view  over  the  whole  visible  plain  beneath  ;  for,  in  such  an  observation,  a  regularity  and 
exactness  developed  itself  in  the  scene,  which  gave  it  more  of  an  artificial  than  a  natural  aspect  A  perfectly 
formed  circle  cn.-omjiaswd  the  visible  planisphere  beneath,  or  rather  the  concavo-sphere  it  might  now  be  called,  for 
I  had  attain.  -d  a  height  from  wliich  the  surface  of  the  earth  assumed  a  regularly  hollowed,  or  concave  appearance, 


*  O  Nature  !  by  impanion'd  heart*  alone 

Thy  p-iniiiie  dmrms  :ir>-  f.  It.     The  vulgar  mind 

Bees  but  the  shadow  of  a  j».«.  r  uiiknnwn: 

Thy  1'iflior  brauticg  Ixttm  not  to  tin-  blin.l 

An.l  M-iitmnl  throng,  to  grovelling  hope*  resign'.l  : 

Kin  they  who  high  nn.l  l»ii\  tl...ni;lit-  iiupire, 

A.|..r.-  tin-.,  in  rcliwtiiil  K\nT\  slirin.-.l, 
In  that  diviner  l';iii. ,  \\i..  i.   |,,\, •'„  pure  fire 
Burns  bright,  uii.l  •_•••!. ins  tunes  his  loud  immortal  lyre. — PRDTOLC. 


132  ASTRA  CAST11A.  A.D. 

an  optical  delusion  which  increases  as  you  recede  from  it.  At  the  greatest  elevation  1  .attained,  which  was  about  a 
mile  and  a  half,  the  appearance  of  the  world  around  me  assumed  a  shape  or  form  like  that  which  is  made  by  placing 
two  watch  crystals  together  by  their  edges,  the  balloon  apparently  in  the  central  cavity  all  the  time  of  its  flight  at 
that  elevation ;  the  river  each  way,  cut  off  at  the  intersection  of  the  upper  and  lower  concavo-spheres.  At  one  time 
this  crevice,  if  I  may  so  term  it,  was  apparently  filled  in  with  clouds  all  around,  while  at  the  close  of  the  voyage  the 
visible  horizon  was  clear  of  them,  which  gave  it,  as  I  before  stated,  a  very  artificial  appearance.  I  could  not  help 
thinking  at  the  time  that,  had  the  Eoman  Inquisition  which  made  Vincent  Galileo  recant  his  doctrine  of  the 
rotundity  of  the  earth,  in  favour  of  the  planisphoric  theory,  occupied  my  position,  they  would  have  insisted  to  his 
swearing  that  our  earth  was  hollowed  or  concave  on  its  outer  surface,  instead  of  flat,  as  they  made  the  philosopher 
swear  it  was. 

After  1  had  crossed  the  Delaware  and  reached  a  point  five  or  six  miles  on  the  Jersey  side  of  it,  I  made 
preparations  to  descend,  as  I  discovered  the  balloon  was  now  gradually  sinking  from  the  loss  of  gas  through  its 
imperfection,  which  made  me  feel  as  sorrowful  as  Adam  when  he  was  expelled  from  the  garden  of  Eden.  After 
being  in  the  upper  regions  of  the  atmosphere  one  hour  and  a  quarter,  I  made  a  safe  descent  near  Haddonfield, 
a  village  about  nine  miles  distant  from  Philadelphia,  and  returned  home  that  evening,  where  I  received  the 
congratulations  of  many  friends. 

Now  that  I  had  really  enjoyed  the  pleasures  of  an  aerial  voyage, — viewed  the  earth  from  a  point  in  space 
which  was  isolated  and  unobstructed ;  feasted  my  eyes  upon  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  richest  scenes  that 
mortal  man  could  imagine ;  and  had  acquitted  myself  in  an  experiment  publicly  announced  in  a  creditable  manner, — 
it  might  have  been  supposed  that  my  desires  and  ambition  in  this  matter  had  been  fully  satisfied.  But  such  was 
not  the  case.  I  had  now  visited  the  shrine  of  intellectual  grandeur,  and  its  attractions  were  seductive.  I  had 
dreamed  a  magnificent  dream,  which,  1  felt  convinced,  could  bo  realised.  Such  were  my  reflections  when  recurring 
to  this  event.  Although  many  of  my  friends  desired  me,  in  the  most  persuasive  manner,  to  give  up  the  idea  of 
repeating  the  experiment,  looking  upon  it  as  an  extremely  dangerous  business,  I  resolved  in  my  own  mind  to  pursue 
it  as  long  as  it  afforded  me  the  same  enjoyment  which  I  experienced  in  my  first  essay.  Besides,  I  formed  an  opinion 
that  aerial  navigation  was  destined  to  move  with  the  progressive  order  of  the  day ;  and  I  felt  that  a  duty  devolved 
upon  me  not  to  let  it  sleep  for  the  want  of  active  investigation,  however  slow  its  improvement  might  be.  Such 
considerations  induced  me  to  go  on;  and  on  I  did  go,  as  the  sequel  will  show,  for  fifteen  years  already,  with,  at 
least,  well-founded  hopes  of  its  approaching  general  usefulness,  if  not  with  considerable  improvement  in  the  way  of 
having  simplified  the  art,  so  as  to  bring  it  within  the  reach  of  experimenters  at  a  reasonable  cost  and  a  certainty  of 
success  that  must  ere  long  give  it  a  valuable  feature. 

Another  ascent  was  made  in  July,  from  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania,  when  the  weather  was 
extremely  w;irm. 

There  were  (he  says)  defects  in  the  rigging  of  the  balloon  which  developed  themselves  in  the  high  and  rarefied 
regions  of  the  atmosphere,  that  placed  me  for  a  while  in  a  very  perilous  situation. 

At  3  o'clock  P.M.  I  left  the  earth  with  a  breeze  from  the  north-west.  In  a  few  minutes  after,  a  panoramic 
view  of  innumerable  villages,  with  the  broad  dazzling  sheet  of  water  of  the  Susquehanna,  was  unfolded  to  the 
view.  1  crossed  the  Reading  and  Harrisburg  turnpike  at  the  first  gate  below  the  town,  and  although  I  staiied  off 
with  an  ascending  power  that  raised  me  more  swiftly  than  was  the  horizontal  velocity  of  the  wind,  I  was  induced 
to  part  with  a  bag  of  sand  of  about  six  pounds'  weight,  as  a  proffer  to  the  toll-gate  keeper,  who  very  humorously 
hailed  me  to  pay  toll  as  the  balloon  passed  over  his  gate.  This  caused  the  balloon  to  rise  with  amazing  rapidity 
rushing  up  through  the  strong  horizontal  wind,  which  was  blowing  with  a  speed  of  at  least  thirty  miles  per  hour, 
and  giving  the  occasion  much  the  appearance  and  spirit  of  that  in  which  a  fiery  charger  is  dashing  along  in  mettled 
pride,  heeding  no  restraint.  This  soon  brought  mo  in  contact  with  a  thick  hazy  mist,  which  was  entered  and  in  a  few 
moments  passed.  Above  this  were  a  clear  sky  and  brilliant  sunshine  ;  but  it  was  now  so  cold  that  my  hands  became 
numb,  and  a  painful  earache  seized  me.  The  balloon  was  still  ascending  rapidly,  and  my  next  impulse  was  to 
discharge  gas  and  descend  into  a  more  congenial  climate ;  but  in  this  I  was  foiled,  and  up  boomed  the  buoyant  courser 
with  unabated  career.  The  cord  by  which  the  valve  was  worked  was  sufficiently  strong  to  perform  that  office,  but 
no  allowance  was  made  in  its  appropriation  to  unforeseen  necessities — such  as  slight  entanglements  with  other 


s.n.  L886.  i:\l-l.MSiJiN  OF   llli:  i:.\|.i.<  K  >Y  !:;:; 

nig  int.  i  folds  ..f  the  flaccid  part  of  the  balloon — which  Lit  tor  liability  occurred  on 
this  .«vasi,in.  and  ili  |n  ivi'il  in.'  ..('  tho  use  of  tliat  all  iin]xirtunt  regulator. 

„..!  I'.ii -aUive  tin'  mist,  ami  imt  less  than  three  miles  above  the  earth,  in  n  • 

ln\inir  IN-.-II  within  twi  -nty  tiv.-  minutes  tian-f  m»l   t'mni  a  warmth  of '.it  ,  whirh  tin-  thermometer  indicated  when 

I  li-t't  tin-  earth, — the  world  below  scam  1\  visible  t'ic.m  the  intervening  discoloured  stratum  of  air;   my  ears  l>u/./ing 

like  a  1»  r -hive,  whieh  I'm-  a  while  I  t.mk  to  bo  a  MmtotioB  of  the  ;£is  in  tho  balloon  endeavouring  to  escape  through 

its  tightly  .li-:  vel.ijM-;  tho  valvo-ropo  broken  olV  inside  tho   machine;  the  aerial  ship  still  bounding  and 

tint;  upwards, — I  felt  a  degree  of  excitement  that  can  If  U-tter  imaginod  than  dcscribod. 

All  this  difficulty  arose  from  a  want  of  practical  knowledge  in  tho  art  which  must  be  acquired  in  thin,  as  in 

•li.-r  1'ii-i'i •  -s  U-f.iro  we  can  avoid  consequences  arising  from  such  detieiency.     In  the  first  place,  tho  valvo- 

ri.|»-  was  too  fmil  in  this  machine  :  instead  of  a  Kiil.-Mnti.il  cord  (cod-fish  lino  1  find  tho  boat),  this  was  only  common 

I  he  car  was  also  rigged  too  near  the  balloon  ;  this  may  have  been  observed  already  by  the  intelligent 

reader,  where  it  is  m.-nti.  ii.-.l  in  the  account  of  the  first  voyage,  that  the  car  was  so  near  tho  balloon  that  1  u.i- 

enabled  to  untie  the  neek-pi|f   in  the  lower  orifice  of  it     On  this  occasion  I  had  it  hanging  at  least  three  feet 

lower  from  tin-  Indium  than  la-fore:  lint  when  I  got  to  a  height  in  the  atmosphere  where  tho  gas  sustained  but  half 

tli.   pn-ssure  it  did  at  the  time  of  leaving  the  earth,  it  naturally  dilated  accordingly,  and  all  the  part  of  tho  balloon 

wa»  tlaceid  when  it  started  was  now  required  for  its  increase  of  bulk.     For  this  increase  the  spaoo  within  the 

...r.1-  aii.l  network  l«-tweeti  the  eipiator  of  tho  balloon  and  tho  concentrating  hoop  above  my  head,  to  which  tho  car 

was  ).  A.US  insufficient.     Having  no  way  to  let  off  gas, — even  the  lower  orifice  of  the  balloon  containing  tho 

!>i]f.  whieh  answers  for  a  safety-valve  when  properly  rigged,  was  doubled  up  between  tho  concentrating  hoop 

iitnl  the  lower  Mf  of  the  Kill. KIII.  whieh  was  now  swollen  to  its  utmost  tension, — I  endeavoured  to  reach  the  lower 

f  tin-  Killoon  with  a  knife,  but,  by  straddling  across  with  my  feet  in  the  open-work  of  tho  basket,  it  could  not 

..'bed  by  at  least  two  feet.     From  the  hissing  noise  of  the  gas  which  was  making  its  way  through  tin-  small 

channels  of  the  compressed  neck  of  the  balloon,  I  knew  that  something  must  give  way  soon.     As  I  did  not  know 

at  that  tini.-  that  so  large  a  surface  of  fabric  as  is  contained  in  a  machine  of  that  size  would  inevitably  meet  with 

friction  •  iiinitrh.  in  falling  through  the  atmosphere,  to  bring  it  to  a  velocity  where  an  acceleration  must  cease,  and 

fin'  at  a  jxiiiit  whan  its  speed  will  not  cause  serious  consequences  from  contact  with  the  earth,  I  was  apprehensive 

that  it  M  ."•'  I*'  my  last  voyage. 

In  another  moment  a  report  like  that  of  suddenly  bursting  an  inflated  paper-bag,  such  as  boys  frequently 
amuse  themselves  with,  informed  me  that  the  balloon  had  rent;  and,  at  the  same  time,  some  of  tho  cords — two  of 
them — separated  from  the  concent  rat  in:;  hoop;  and  that  side  of  the  balloon  at  which  this  took  place-  as  quickly 
bulged  out,  and  immediately  tho  atmosphere  round  tho  machine  got  filled  with  a  whitish  filmy  vapour.  This  was 
the  consequence  of  a  mixture  of  warm  hydrogen  with  cold  atmosphere.  The  hydrogen  in  a  balloon  is  always 
warmer  than  the  Mirrounding  air.  when  the  sun  is  shining  on  its  globular  surface.  The  e\]>l..>i..n  was  caused  by 
the  neck-pi)>c  !»•  ing  pressed  between  the  concentrating  hoop  and  the  lower  surface  of  the  balloon,  and  this  pipe 
being  tin, and  pressing  also  against  two  of  the  net-cords  which  were  brought  to  an  angle  by  being  forced  out  a  little 
by  the  muzzle  of  it,  caused  them  to  break  at  the  same  time.  Although  the  breaking  of  two  cords  next  to  each  other 
out  of  the  twenty-four — which  was  the  number  in  this  machine— did  not  seem  to  endanger  my  situation  much, 
Inn  se,  in.  .1  rather  to  have  relieved  me  to  some  extent  from  tho  very  precarious  condition  in  which  I  had  been  a  few 
moments  previously,  it  still  destroyed  that  mathematical  strength  existing  in  its  complete  state,  which  made  me 
feel  anxious  to  return  to  terra  Jirma.  I  looked  at  my  watch,  and  found  the  time  to  be  five  minutes  past  four. 

t  the  explosion  of  the  lower  part  of  tho  balloon,  it  commenced  a  tolerably  rapid  descent,  and  as  tho 
atmospher.  had  got  considerably  clearer  than  it  had  been  when  I  started,  I  could  more  easily  distinguish  the  face  of 
the  country  l.-ne.ith.  On  observation  I  found  the  balloon  was  gradually  descending  on  the  village  of  NVomelsdorf. 
1  a  salute  from  a  volley  of  musketry,  by  a  company  of  volunteers  who  were  celebrating  the  National 
K.-pnlilie.m  birthday  at  that  place.  Although  I  had  determined  to  let  the  balh.oii  sink  to  the  ground  as  soon  as  it 
possibly  would  from  its  own  gravitation  occasioned  by  tho  loss  of  the  gas  through  tho  rent,  for  I  had  no  control  of 
th.  \al\e.  this  salute  of  firing  and  shouting  insjiin  d  me  to  rise  again  ;  and  accordingly  papers  and  ballast  were 
thrown  overboard.  MifhVieiit  to  send  the  machine  up  at  least  two  miles  high.  No  sooner  \\.i-  thi-  h.  i^ht  attain..!, 
than  it  ajrain  romm.nod  to  ,1,  >, ,  n.l  v,  i y  gradually,  which  brought  me  to  the  earth  about  four  miles  w»-s 
Readin.£.  Here  an  incident  ocenrn-d  which  was  as  amusing  to  me  as  it  was  terrifying  to  the  individual  who  was  a 
party  thereto.  IV ing  likely  to  descend  in  a  cluster  of  trees.  I  threw  out  some  ballast  to  cross  them — at  the  samo 

T    2 


134  ASTKA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1835. 

time  the  grappling-hooks  took  hold  in  a  branch  of  one  of  the  trees,  which  was  broken  off  and  dragged  along.  At 
this  moment  I  perceived  a  countryman  mounting  the  top  rail  of  a  worm-fence  about  a  hundred  paces  ahead  of  the 
balloon,  to  which  point  the  wind  was  driving  it.  I  hailed  him  to  assist,  for  the  balloon  was  floating  the  length  of 
the  grapple-rope  above  and  dragging  the  limb  of  the  tree  along  below.  He  looked  in  every  direction  but  upwards, 
and  in  another  moment  the  limb  and  grapple  came  square  up  against  the  panel  of  fence  upon  which  he  was  sitting, 
and  threw  it  down,  pitching  the  man  head  foremost  into  the  meadow  before  him,  from  which  he  sprang  terror- 
stricken,  if  fleetness  of  foot  is  any  evidence  of  such  feeling,  for  he  was  soon  out  of  sight,  leaving  me  to  manage  the 
best  way  I  could,  which  was  by  being  driven  up  against  a  wood.  Here  I  got  the  assistance  of  two  women  who 
had  been  working  in  the  hay-field,  and  who  promptly  came  to  my  assistance  when  I  called  them,  although  they 
were  much  excited,  having  never  seen  such  a  contrivance  before,  as  they  informed  me.  Had  it  not  been  for  these 
Amazonian  ladies,  I  should  inevitably  have  gotten  into  the  wood,  for  a  brisk  gale  was  just  passing  over  at  the 
time. 

Thus  ended  a  voyage,  after  having  been  in  the  atmosphere  one  hour  and  a  half,  full  of  interest,  excitement, 
and  a  great  deal  of  instruction.  So  far  were  these  difficulties  from  discouraging  me,  that  they,  upon  the  other 
hand,  dictated  me  to  go  on  and  perfect  the  deficiencies  in  my  apparatus. 

On  the  1st  October  he  made  an  ascent  from  Lancaster,  and  thus  describes  it  :— 

In  about  two  minutes  after  I  entered  the  cloud  stratum,  the  balloon  emerged  from  the  top.  Just  as  it  was 
penetrating  the  upper  surface  of  the  stratum,  I  found  the  cloudy  vapour  quite  warm,  and  immediately,  on  emerging 
from  it,  this  warmth  was  increased  to  a  degree  of  temperature  above  that  of  comfortable  feeling.  A  pungently 
stinging  sensation  was  also  produced  upon  those  parts  of  ray  person  which  were  exposed  to  the  sun's  rays.  This  I 
attributed  to  the  hydrogen,  which  was  let  off  while  passing  through  the  clouds,  some  of  which  hung  to  me  in 
passing  through  it.  Having  started  with  considerable  ascensive  power,  and  having  nearly  one  hundred  pounds  of 
ballast  in  the  car,  a  considerable  quantity  of  gas  was  discharged  while  passing  through  the  clouds,  which  was 
intended  to  counteract,  in  a  measure,  the  increased  ascending  velocity  the  balloon  would  attain,  as  soon  as  she  would 
get  under  the  direct  influence  of  the  sun's  rays,  above  the  stratum.  Notwithstanding  this  precaution,  as  soon  as  the 
barrier  was  passed,  the  balloon,  in  a  few  moments  after,  sped  up  at  a  furious  rate,  until  it  reached  a  height  at  which 
the  barometer  stood  at  19  inches,  and  the  clouds  appeared  at  an  immense  depth  below  me.  Not  experiencing 
much  warmth  by  the  reflection  of  heat  from  the  clouds  at  this  distance  above  them,  and  the  balloon,  now  moving  in 
an  angular  direction  to  that  of  the  clouds,  their  upper  surface  lit  up  in  a  brilliant  white  light,  gave  it  the  appearance 
of  a  vast  circular  ocean  of  snow,  rolling  along  in  a  wavelike  motion,  in  the  most  majestic  grandeur,  and  the  cold 
frosty  state  of  the  atmosphere,  from  which  it  was  beheld,  rendered  this  snow  scene  most  impressive. 

1  next  discharged  gas  until  the  barometer  stood  at  23  inches.  At  this  height,  it  being  but  a  short 
distance  above  the  cloud  surface,  I  found  the  temperature  very  congenial,  and  continued  the  rest  of  the  voyage, 
varying  by  barometer  from  23  to  22  inches.  In  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  balloon  above  the  clouds,  which 
occupied  twenty  minutes,  it  described  a  spiral  circle ;  and,  on  coming  near  to  the  surface  of  the  clouds,  I  recog- 
nised a  familiar  tune  of  martial  music,  which  I  afterwards  learned  was  the  very  tune  played  by  the  musicians 
of  the  city  battalion  of  volunteers,  who  on  this  occasion  formed  a  cordon  around  the  ascension  ground,  they  being 
invited  to  attend  and  participate  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  spectacle.  An  opening  in  the  clouds  which  occurred  for  a 
moment  also  developed  to  me  a  watercourse  below,  which  I  took  for  the  Conestogo.  My  course  now  lay,  as  near  as 
I  could  judge,  towards  the  south ;  but,  in  order  to  be  more  certain  concerning  my  whereabouts  and  direction, 
discharged  gas  and  darted  down  through  the  clouds ;  but  when  below  them,  the  country  appeared  so  rough  with 
forest  hills,  and  the  space  between  the  hills  and  the  lower  cloud  surface  so  shallow,  I  quickly  threw  out  some 
ballast,  which  sent  me  up  again  partly  into  the  clouds.  Hearing  a  cowbell  and  the  sounds  of  a  wood-chopper's 
axe,  I  hailed  in  the  following  manner:  "Halloo!"  to  which  I  heard  the  reply,  "Halloo!"  I  next  inquired, 
"How  far  is  this  from  Lancaster?"  which  in  a  few  moments  was  returned  by  "  How  far  is  thin  from  Lancaster?" 
Believing  this  to  come  in  response  as  an  inquiry  to  know  whether  I  wished  to  learn  that  fact,  "  the  distance 
to  Lancaster,"  I  repeated  it  again  in  veiy  measured  accent.  This  was  again  responded  to  in  like  measured 
accent,  apparently  to  my  mind  with  an  intent  of  mockery.  Being  in  the  clouds,  and  not  able  to  see  things  either 
above  or  below,  I  felt  somewhat  nettled  at  such  clownish  display  of  wit ;  and  in  a  very  audible  tone  of  voice,  while 
the  foregoing  was  still  reverberating  on  my  ear,  sung  out,  "  You  are  a  fool ! "  which  in  a  very  few  seconds  was 


A.I,.  I  KKFECTS  OF  ECHO.  I.'T, 

in   tin   equally  distinct    ;unl  measuud  tone  of.  "  You  art  a  foot!  "  when  it    smlili-nly  ll;i-ln  <1  upon   my  mind 

tliat  it  was  tit.  echo  i.f  my  own  voice,  which  opinion  was  ratified  by  the  dying  reverberations  of  "You  are  a  f.«.l." 

«hi.  h  had  M' >w  become  as  numerous  as  though  n  whole  regiment  had  caught  the  watchword  and  were  pimring  it  in 

ijnii-k  sucCTiwion   through   tin-  whole   line.     Involuntarily    I   exclaimed  to  myself,   "  Fi>»l.  d.  sure  enough."     Being 

lined  t.i  timl  out  my  whereabouts,  I  let  off  sufficient  gaa  to  get  below  the  clouds,  when  I  olnerved  through  a 

!.u*  ii  littlt-  clearing  iii  which  was  a  cottage,  and  before  it  a  num.  His  face  was  turned  upwards,  apparently 
drawn  in  that  dircvtioii  l.y  the  dialogue  1  li.el  witli  myself,  ami  which  no  doubt  he  had  heard.  1  ini|iiin-il  of  him 
win -ther  lie  saw  in.-,  for  I  was  then  .standing  up  in  tho  car  and  waving  a  flag  to  draw  his  attention.  He  answered, 
•Yet;  who  are  you?"  I  i.  pli.il,  ••  An  .-ing,  -1  of  light."  Ipm  which  he  cried  out  "Is  your  name  Wise?"  To  thin 
I  nqionded.  "  Yes;  how  far  is  thi-  1'i.iin  Lancaster?"  To  which  he  answered,  "Sixteen  miles."  Upon  which  I  bid 
him  -  ( ...-1  l.\.  ."  threw  out  some  ballast  and  went  up  through  tho  clouds  again.  As  I  was  panning  up  I  heard  him 
•ay,  "  God  bless  you,  man." 

.iig  now  become  interested  in  this  singular  phenomenon  of  echo,  I  continued  making  experiments  in  it.     1 

foniiil  when  sailing  some  hundred  feet  above  tho  cloud  stratum,  that  the  echoing  sound  was  short,  not  near  so 

sonorous   ,,r   musical  to  the   ear  as  win  n   in  the  clouds  or  immediately  beneath  them.     Still  I  could  hear  the 

•ions  until  they  became  H.  n.l.  •!  into  mere  undulatory  sounds,     \\ln-n  at  a  considerable  elevation  above 

the  el 1>.  one  or  two  thousand  feet,  I  could  discern  no  echo,  and  tho  report  of  a  rifle  was  short  and  sharp;  so  also 

tin-  sound  c.f  a  1.11,  and  the  chopping  of  an  axe.  From  these  experiments,  I  think  one  loud  clap  of  thunder 
when  a  dense  stratum  of  clouds  is  extended  over  a  great  portion  of  surface,  is  sufficient  to  cause  that  long 
continued  rumbling  thunder  which  we  often  hear,  one  echo  inducing  another,  until  by  multiplication  they  become 
so  numerous  as  to  blend  into  a  mere  rumbling  vibration  in  which  it  is  neutralised  and  lost,  as  are  the  waves  which 
are  caused  by  throwing  a  stone  into  water. 

The  wind  just  al«pve  the  cloud  region  appeared  to  be  vibrating  from  various  points  of  tho  compass,  causing  the 
balloon  to  describe  a  kind  of  zigzag  course  in  a  southerly  direction,  necessarily  making  tho  progress  in  that  direction 
somewhat  slow  for  aerial  travelling. 

Knowing  my  course  would  carry  me  on  to  tho  bay  shore,  and  having  been  aloft  nearly  two  hours,  it  was 

•it  that  I  must  be  nearing  the  Chesapeake,  unless  the  balloon  was  making  a  different  course  from  that  of  her 
first  sixteen  miles.  Con.vquciitly  another  gradual  descent  through  the  cloud  stratum,  which  was  still  very  dense, 
was  made,  which  brought  tho  machine  over  Conewingo  Falls  in  tho  Susquehanna  River.  The  roaring  noise  as  it 
met  my  •  ars.  while  yet  in  the  clouds,  gave  me  some  foreboding  that  I  had  reached  the  bay  shore,  taking  the  noise 
of  the  falls  for  that  of  the  bay  surf.  .My  anxiety  was  relieved  from  this,  and  increased  in  another  quarter;  for,  in 
coming  through  the  clouds,  the  falls  were  immediately  underneath  me,  the  balloon  descending  very  rapidly,  and  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river  lined  with  highlands  and  trees,  and  it  was  not  until  a  great  quantity  of  ballast  wax 
discharged  that  the  balloon  overcame  the  obstacles.  I  hailed  some  individuals  living  at  the  falls,  who  invited  me 

-ocnd  and  partake  of  their  hospitality,  which,  however,  the  position  I  was  placed  in  compelled  me  to  decline. 

•  •I  made  this  reoonnoissance,  the  sun  was  near  the  hori/on  above  the  clouds,  and  when  my  vessel  got  below 
them  I  found   the  earth  shrouded  in  a  gloomy  twilight     The  Chesapeake  lay  some  miles  to  the  south,  and  the 
direction  tho  balloon  was  making  would  carry  it  along  its  western  border.     The  large  quantity  of  ballast  discharged 
in  i  Tossing  the  falls,  caused  the  balloon  to  rise  to  a  great  height  above  the  clouds,  bringing,  as  it  were,  the  sun  above 
the  hoii/.on  also,  which  but  a  few  minutes  before  was  sinking  behind  a  bank  of  clouds,  and  had  now  become  elevated 
twelve  to  fifteen  degrees.     This  phenomenon  interested  me  more  than  it  deceived  me,  but  was  still  the  cause  of 
keeping  me  aloft  until  it  had  got  dark  U-low,  which  circumstance  cost  me  my  balloon  and  a  most  terrific  accident 

jig  now,  tit  even  that  height,  that  the  day-god  was  fast  sinking  in  the  cloud  horizon,  I  commenced  a 
gradual  descent,  and  lieforc  I  reached  the  upjicr  surface  of  the  clouds  the  sun  was  lost  behind  their  western  bound. 
Tin-  descent  through  this  vaulted  ceiling  of  tho  earth  was  dark  and  gloomy  in  the  extreme.  A  deathly  silence. 
ei|iial!c<l  only  by  the  !m]>eiictraUe  darkne.ss  that  surrounded  me  on  all  sides,  made  the  descent  awful,  and  yet  grand 
and  imposing.  As  soon  as  the  clouds  were  el.  and,  a  few  scattered  lights  were  visible,  which  apprised  mo  that 

-  coming  on  land,  and   in  a   few  moments  after   I    felt  my  drag-rope,  which   was  four    hundred   feet   long. 
glide  gently  over   tree-tops,  and  in  a  few  moments  more  I  felt^by  its  motion,  that   it  was  dragging  apparently 

smooth  ground;  and.  hearing  tit  tin-  same  time  human  voices  not  far  off,  the  grapple-iron  was  immediately 
thrown  out,  which  as  quickly  brought  up  the  vessel  near  a  fence.  Having  hallooed  considerably  while  descending 
from  the  dor.ds  to  the  earth,  ami  hearing  no  response.  I  next  betook  myself  to  loading  my  car  with  stones  which 


13(i  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1836. 

were  within  my  reach.  Having  accomplished  this  in  a  manner  sufficient  to  keep  the  balloon  anchored  by  the  car  in 
case  the  grapple-iron  should  slip  its  hold,  I  commenced  hallooing  again,  which  was  immediately  answered  by  a 
coloured  man,  as  I  judged  from  his  dialect.  He  cried,  "  Where  are  you  ?  "  I  answered,  "  Here,  with  a  balloon." 
He  replied,  "  I  know  dat."  This  surprised  me,  and  I  cried  out,  "  How  do  you  know  it  ?  "  He  answered,  "  I  smell 
de  balloon."  This  surprised  me  still  more ;  but  ho  having  in  the  mean  time  come  up  to  me,  informed  me,  upon 
inquiry,  that  ho  had  helped  to  fill  a  balloon  at  Baltimore  the  fall  previous ;  and  that  as  soon  as  I  told  him  I  was 
there  with  a  balloon,  ho  concluded  I  had  come  from  Baltimore  with  one,  having  no  doubt  of  what  I  told  him, 
because  he  smelled  the  hydrogen.  Uneducated  man  as  he  was,  I  found  him  one  of  remarkably  quick  perceptive 
faculties,  and  just  such  an  one  as  an  aeronaut  is  glad  to  meet  with  on  his  descent.  He  informed  me  that  I  had 
landed  between  Belle-Air  and  Port  Deposite,  on  the  plantation  of  Mr.  Stump,  in  Harford  county,  Md.  By  his 
assistance  the  balloon  was  moored  near  the  house  of  Mr.  Stump,  when  we  roused  the  family,  they  having  retired  to 
bed  at  an  early  hour.  Here  we  found  plenty  of  assistance,  Mr.  Stump  giving  me  a  very  cordial  reception,  at  the 
same  tune  ordering  his  coloured  men  to  render  me  all  the  assistance  necessary.  As  it  was  drizzling,  and  the  grass 
was  wet,  I  determined  to  discharge  the  gas  from  the  upper  valve  of  the  balloon,  and  thus  be  enabled  to  fold  the 
whole  machine  into  the  car  beneath  it,  as  it  gradually  collapsed.  This  process  being  necessarily  slow,  and  the 
atmosphere  very  humid,  it  became  impregnated  with  the  hydrogen  for  some  distance  around  the  balloon.  Being 
some  distance  from  the  house,  and  having  a  lantern  standing  at  least  fifty  feet  from  the  balloon,  I  apprehended  no 
danger  from  the  escaping  gas.  Things  went  on  in  this  way  until  the  balloon  was  emptied  to  within  a  thousand 
cubic  feet  of  gas,  her  upper  end  being  now  drawn  down,  and  one  of  the  men  with  his  hand  pressing  open  the  upper 
valve,  while  I  was  standing  at  the  other  end  carefully  folding  the  loose  silk  into  the  car.  \Yhile  thus  engaged, 
Mr.  Stump  standing  about  thirty  feet  behind  me,  and  some  half-dozen  more  persons  near  and  round  the  machine, 
cither  the  lantern,  or  some  other  light  which  had  in  the  mean  time  been  brought  to  the  scene,  ignited  the  explosive 
mixed  atmosphere  that  was  hovering  around  the  balloon,  making  a  report  like  a  park  of  artillery,  throwing  me 
violently  back  at  least  ten  feet  from  the  place  I  was  standing,  setting  fire  to  the  clothes  of  some,  and  severely 
scorching  the  faces  and  hands  of  others,  and  even  Mr.  Stump  did  not  entirely  escape  the  eifects  of  it,  although  a 
considerable  distance  from  the  machine. 

I  quickly  sprang  upon  my  feet  again,  and  jumped  on  to  the  remainder  of  the  balloon  which  was  burning  in 
the  car,  and  which  was  thus  extinguished  by  tramping  it  out — the  gas  that  had  by  the  sudden  explosion  been 
liberated  from  the  balloon,  in  the  mean  time  rose  rapidly  into  the  air  "  like  a  consuming  fire,"  with  a  rushing  noise, 
until,  at  a  considerable  height,  it  was  totally  consumed  like  a  dying  meteor. 

There  I  stood  in  deep  reverie,  scarcely  able  to  realise  the  events  of  the  last  few  hours,  with  feelings  like  a 
person  awakening  from  a  dream,  in  which  all  the  magnificence — sublimity — solemnity— terror — consciousness  of 
approaching  death,  that  the  human  mind  is  capable  of  conceiving,  agitating  my  thoughts.  For,  at  the  moment 
of  the  explosion,  the  death-pang  flitted  through  my  mind.  In  a  few  moments  I  was  aroused  from  my  fixed  position 
by  an  agonising  pain  through  my  whole  body,  which  soon  concentrated  itself  in  my  hands  and  face.  I  felt  as  though 
the  very  heart's  blood  was  oozing  through  the  skin,  and  I  was  soon  made  sensible  that  I  was  wofully  scorched  in  those 
parts — the  watery  fluid  of  the  system  was  oozing  out  in  profuse  drops,  and  some  of  the  poor  negroes  had  fared  no 
better  than  myself  in  this  respect,  which  their  agonising  screams  too  plainly  told.  Mr.  Stump,  who  was  more  of  a 
spectator  than  an  immediate  sufferer  in  this  terrific  aifair,  being  a  very  considerate  gentleman  of  advanced  years, 
came  up  to  me  and  desired  me  to  accompany  him  to  the  dwelling,  for,  by  this  time,  I  had  become  almost 
blind 

Medical  assistance  was  obtained,  but  it  was  some  time  before  he  recovered. 

ASCENTS  OF  MR.  AND  MRS.  GRAHAM. 

1836. — Mr.  Graham  bad  commenced  experiments  in  aerostation  in  1823,  and  Mrs, 
Graham  in  1824.  I  cannot  find  anything  very  remarkable  to  record  of  them  during  this 
long  period,  except  the  extreme  boldness  of  the  latter  in  ascending  frequently  alone,  and  on 
one  occasion  with  another  lady  (Mrs.  Cheese);  but  in  this  year  she  met  with  a  serious 
accident  when  descending  from  a  high  flight  with  the  Duke  of  Brunswick.  This  did 


s 


4 
I 


I 

j 


A. I..   IS3li. 


MI;.  AM-  MI;S.  i. 


.\si  I:\TS. 


137 


nut,    however.    uet,-r    li.-r    iVoin   resuming    her  experiments. 

nt.>  a  po.-i  thus  wrote :  — 


Of     ulic     ut      Mr-. 


Lo,  while  sublimely  borne  upon  the  pale, 
( >ur  fate  to  watchful  Providence  consign 'd, 

i ''.  r  tlie  blue  ether's  wide  expanse  we  tail. 

And  leave  for  brighter  realms  the  world  behiuil  : 

•J. 
As,  far  beyond  the  glance  of  mortal  eye, 

While  i;eiitl«  zephyrs  waft  our  floating  car. 
Wo  urge  our  fearleai  voyage  to  the  iky, 

And  trace  the  mystic  wooden  of  the  air. 

3. 

A  mighty  region  all  around  us  grows, 
No  human  skill  may  its  confines  explore; 

The  Pow'r  that  fram'd,  alone  its  limits  knows, 
Where  time,  and  space,  and  nature  are  no  more. 

4. 

Here  while  our  silken  sphere  serenely  glides, 
iistant  earth  fades  in  the  awful  vast ; 
We  gaze  admiring  o'er  the  aerial  tic  I.-, 
And  the  last  vestige  of  the  world  is  past. 


Beneath  us  far  the  floating  clouds  appear 
In  heaps  on  heaps  of  misty  vapours  roll'd, 

Like  distant  mountains  rising  on  the  air, 
And  all  the  boundless  horizon  unfold. 

6. 
As  if  Omnipotence  had  form'd  a  veil, 

When  erring  man  forgot  His  sacred  reign  ; 
That  might  from  sight  of  Ileav'n  a  world  conceal, 

Where  oft  His  bounteous  gifts  are  giv'n  in  rain. 


7. 


Ami  as  we  gate  we  own  that  Power  supreme 
Who  thro'  the  realms  of  air  our  course  protects, 

•v  His  mandate  <Ii<l  thrir  winders  frame, 
Ami  Nature's  latent  mysteries  directs. 

8. 
Xo  bold  presumption  now  impels  our  tlitzlit, 

:  while  these  mysteries  wo  woiilil  explore, 
Where  scenes  celestial  open  on  our  ci-ht, 
\\  •  l>end  iu  rcv'rencc,  and  His  name  adore 

9. 

Whose  wisdom  gave  them  lx'i:ii,  :md  whose 
Still  watchful  o'er  the  creatures  of  His  word, 

Ixxiks  down  in  mercy  from  His  throne  on  high, 
And  suppliant  nature  owns  th'  Almighty  Ixrnl. 

10. 
Oh,  might  we  still  thro'  this  bright  region  soar! 

lint  this  eternal  Providence  denies; 
Thus  far  we  can  —  His  will  |«-rmils  no  more, 

And  we  reluctantly  forsake  the  skies. 

11. 
But  still,  this  much  to  Graham's  bo|ics  is  giv'n. 

Xo  aerial  voyagers  could  venture  more  ; 
And  still  our  fate,  the  care  of  fav'rini:  Henv'n, 

We  reach  in  safety  the  terrestrial  sh. 


Tin's  yfnr  also  Mr.  Monck  Mason  made  an  ascent  from  Vauxhall,  which  is  thus 

in  a  letter — 

To  THE  EDITOR  OF  '  THE  TIMES.' 

SIR,  October  I- 

!'•  rhaps  I  ought  to  apologise  to  you  and  your  readers  for  so  soon  troubling  them  upon  the  Dame  subject,  mid 
vhich.  fmin  the  frequency  wherewith  it  has  been  treated  of  late,  may  very  reasonably  be  considered  as  alum*! 
exhausted.  The  great  variety,  however,  of  the  aspects  under  which  Nature  exhibits  hcrsc-lf  in  such  situations.  and 
th'-  noveltv  of  the  manner  in  which  even  her  most  ordinary  features  are  displayed  to  those  who  avail  themsclvi •*  of 
such  a  mode  of  examining  them,  will  at  all  times  leave  room  even  for  the  most  superficial  observer  to  make  -nut 
remarks  which  have  escaped  the  comments  of  former  aeronauts,  and  to  note  some  pcciiliaiiti.  s  which  distinguish 
each  successive  ascent  from  all  those  which  have  preceded  it.  Scientific  experiments  are,  of  course,  out  of  the 
question  in  an  ancent  which  has  not  been  conducted  with  an  especial  view  to  such  end*,  and  when-  the  el.  v.ition 
.itt.iin.il  i  which  is,  in  fact,  tin-  clii.-f  grounds  for  its  employment  in  such  purposes)  was  not  calculated  to  admit  of 
anv  lievond  those  of  the-  most  uMial  an.l  commonplace  description.  So  manifold,  however,  arc  tin-  ..|> -rations  of 
Nature,  and  so  replete  with  interest  even  the  most  insignificant  of  her  works,  that  no  two  ascents  can  ever  !«•  said 
to  be  so  perfectly  alike  that  something  may  not  remain  to  be  told  to  interest  the  £,  n. ml  n-adi-r.  .nnl  cv-uw  tli. 
recurrence  of  a  >ul'ji-ct  which  must  yd.  for  a  long  periinl,  continue  to  !«•  claased  anion^  the  must  Mrikinv 
novelties  ..f  an  < -nt'  q>rising  age. 

A-    twenty-tive  minutes  to  four  our  balloon  and   car,  containing  nine  persons,   rose   majestically  from    tli<- 
Around,   and,   assuming  at   the  first   a   southwesterly  direction,  rapidly   t  ravers. -d    flic   .\tr.niiiy   of  the    (i,-.  work 


138  ASTRA  CASTEA.  OCTOBER,  1836. 

gallery,  immediately  and  closely  sweeping  over  the  heads  of  the  persons  who  had  collected  there  for  the  purpose  of 
witnessing  the  ascent.  As  Boon,  however,  as  she  had  reached  a  slight  elevation  her  ascensive  power  quickly 
prevailed,  and  in  a  few  seconds  she  was  involved  in  the  clouds  which  impended  at  a  slight  distance  above  the 
surface  of  the  earth. 

Although  the  day  might  be  considered  as  generally  unfavourable  to  aeronautical  display,  yet  was  it  not. 
without  its  advantages,  especially  to  those  whose  previous  experience  in  such  scenes  had  been  confined  to  a  clear 
atmosphere  or  an  unclouded  sky.  The  vast  extent  of  vapour  which  canopied  the  earth  and  ultimately  excluded  that 
object  from  our  view,  if  in  one  point  it  was  calculated  to  detract  from  the  beauty  of  our  prospect,  by  depriving  us  of 
one  great  and  usual  source  of  admiration,  in  another  contributed  to  the  interest  and  majesty  of  the  scene  by  the 
novel  aspect  imder  which  it  presented  the  altered  face  of  nature  to  our  senses. 

Scarcely  had  we  quitted  the  earth  before  the  clouds,  which  had  previously  overhung  us,  began  to  envelop  us 
on  all  sides  and  gradually  to  exclude  the  fading  prospect  from  our  sight.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to  convey  an 
adequate  idea  of  the  effect  produced  by  this  apparently  trivial  occurrence.  Unconscious  of  our  own  motion  from 
any  direct  impression  upon  our  own  feelings,  the  whole  world  appeared  to  be  in  the  act  of  receding  from  us  into  the 
dim  vista  of  infinite  space ;  while  the  vapoury  curtain,  like  similar  phenomena  represented  on  the  stage,  seemed  to 
congregate  on  all  sides  and  cover  the  retreating  masses  from  our  view.  The  trees,  the  buildings,  the  spectators  and 
their  crowded  equipages,  and  finally,  the  earth  itself,  at  first  distinctly  seen,  gradually  became  obscured  by  the 
thickening  mist,  and  growing  whiter  in  their  forms,  and  fainter  in  their  outlines,  soon  faded  away  "  like  the  baseless 
fabric  of  a  vision,"  leaving  us,  to  all  appearance,  stationary  in  the  cloud  that  still  continued  to  involve  us  in  its 
watery  folds.  To  heighten  the  interest  and  maintain  the  illusion  of  the  scene,  the  shouts  and  voices  of  the  multitude 
whom  we  had  left  behind  us,  cheering  the  ascent,  continued  to  assail  us  (long  after  the  interposing  clouds  had 
effectually  concealed  them  from  our  eyes)  in  accents  which  every  moment  became  fainter  and  fainter,  till  they  were 
finally  lost  in  the  increasing  distance. 

Through  this  dense  body  of  vapour,  which  may  be  said  to  have  commenced  at  an  altitude  of  about  1000  feet, 
we  were  borne  upwards  to  perhaps  an  equal  distance,  when  the  increasing  light  warned  us  of  our  approach  to  its 
superior  limits,  and  shortly  after  the  sun  and  we  rising  together,  a  scene  of  splendour  and  magnificence  suddenly 
burst  upon  our  view,  which  it  would  be  vain  to  expect  to  render  intelligible  by  any  mode  of  description  within  our 
power :  pursuing  the  illusion  which  the  previous  events  had  been  so  strongly  calculated  to  create,  the  impression 
upon  our  senses  was  that  of  entering  upon  a  new  world  to  which  we  had  hitherto  been  strangers,  and  in  which  not 
a  vestige  could  be  perceived  to  remind  us  of  that  we  had  left,  except  the  last  faint  echo  of  the  voices  which  still 
dimly  reached  us,  as  if  out  of  some  interminable  abyss  into  which  they  were  fast  retreating. 

Above  us,  not  a  single  cloud  appeared  to  disfigure  the  clear  blue  sky,  in  which  the  sun  on  one  side,  and  the 
moon  in  her  first  quarter  upon  the  other,  reigned  in  undisturbed  tranquillity.  Beneath  us  in  every  direction,  as 
far  as  the  eye  could  trace,  and  doubtless  much  farther,  the  whole  plane  of  vision  was  one  extended  ocean  of  foam, 
broken  into  a  thousand  fantastic  forms;  here  swelling  into  mountains,  then  sinking  into  lengthened  fosses,  or 
exhibiting  the  appearance  of  vast  whirlpools ;  with  such  a  perfect  mimicry  of  the  real  forms  of  nature,  that,  were 
it  not  for  a  previous  acquaintance  with  the  general  character  of  the  country  below  us,  we  should  frequently 
have  been  tempted  to  assert  without  hesitation  the  existence  of  mountainous  islands  penetrating  through  the  clouds 
and  stretching  in  protracted  ranges  along  the  distant  verge  of  our  horizon. 

In  the  centre  of  this  hemisphere,  and  at  an  elevation  of  about  3000  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  clouds, 
we  continued  to  float  in  solitary  magnificence,  attended  only  at  first  by  our  counterpart — a  vast  image  of  the  balloon 
itself  with  all  its  paraphernalia  distinctly  thrown  by  the  sun  upon  the  opposite  masses  of  vapour,  until  we  had 
risen  so  high  that  even  that,  outreaching  the  material  basis  of  its  support,  at  length  deserted  us ;  nor  did  we  again 
perceive  it  until,  preparatory  to  our  final  descent,  we  had  sunk  to  a  proper  elevation  to  admit  of  its  reappearance. 

Not  the  least  striking  feature  of  ours  and  similar  situations  is  the  total  absence  of  all  perceptible  motion,  as 
well  as  of  the  sound  which  in  ordinary  cases  is  ever  found  to  accompany  it.  Silence  and  tranquillity  appear  to  hold 
equal  and  undisputed  sway  throughout  these  airy  regions.  No  matter  what  may  be  the  convulsions  to  which  the 
atmosphere  is  subjected,  nor  how  violent  its  effects  in  sound  and  motion  upon  the  agitated  surface  of  the  earth,  not 
the  slightest  sensation  of  either  can  be  detected  by  the  individual  who  is  floating  in  its  currents.  The  most  violent 
storm,  the  most  outrageous  hurricane,  pass  equally  unheeded  and  untl-lt ;  and  it  is  only  by  observing  the  retreating 
forms  of  the  stable  world  beneath  that  any  certain  indication  can  be  obtained  as  to  the  amount  or  violence  of  the 


A..,,  i-  i.n\iM.\  m  I.I:K;III-ON  ur/./AKi'.  i:tn 

motion  t-i  which  thf  individual  is  actually  subjected.     This,  however,  was  a  resource  of  which  wo  were  unable  to 
.1  ourselves,  totally  excluded  as  we  were  from  all  view  of  the  earth,  »r  any  fixed  point  connected  with  it. 

i  >ini'  ami  only  once,  for  a  few  moments  preparatory  to  our  final  descent,  iliil  we  obtain  a  transitory  gliraptie  of 
tin-  we. i  M  beneath  ua.  I'IKHI  approaching  tlio  upper  Hiirfiiou  of  the  vapoury  strata,  which  we  have  described  an 

linir  in  every  direction  around,  a  jiurtial  owning  in  the  clouds  discovered  to  us  for  an  mutant  a  portion  of  the 
e.irth.  ap|*iiring  11*  if  dimly  soon  through  a  vast,  ]iirtori:il  tube,  rapidly  receding  lx>hind  us,  variegated  with  furrowx 
and  intersected  with  roads  running  in  all  directions  ;  the  whole  reduced  to  a  scale  of  almost  graphic  minuteness. 
.11. .1  fn>m  tin-  fleecy  vapour  that  still  partially  obscured  it.  impressing  the  beholder  with  the  idea  of  a  vision  of 
enchantment,  whirh  some  Km. IK  genius  had.  fur  an  instant,  consented  to  disclose.  Scarcely  hod  we  time  to  Himtch 
a  hasty  gluiuv  ere  we  hiid  passed  over  tin-  spot,  and  the  eloiubi  uniting  gradually  concealed  it  from  our  view. 

After  continuing  for  a  short  space  further,  in  the  vain  hope  of  being  again  favoured  with  a  similar  prospect. 
the  approach  of  night  made  it  desirable  that  wo  should  prepare  for  our  return  to  earth,  which  we  proceeded  to 
accomplish  accordingly. 

It  is  in  the  inaiiagi  incut  of  the  descent  under  circumstances  similar  to  those  which  characterised  the  present 
occasion  that  the  utmost  skill  of  the  aeronaut  is  principally  displayed.  The  low  position  of  the  clouds,  resting 
almoM  u]Min  the  earth  itself,  precludes  the  possibility  of  observing  the  nature  of  the  ground  until  it  would,  without 
the  e\i  reioe  of  the  greatest  judgment,  bo  impossible  to  avoid  completing  the  descent,  however  unfavourable  tin 
country  might  eventually  prove-  for  Mich  a  purpose.  To  all  this  detail,  however,  Mr.  Green  proved  himself  jierfcctly 
coiu]ietcMt ;  the  balloon  gradually  d. •»••  -ndi  d  into  tlio  cloudy  region  below  us,  and  became  involved  for  a  minute  or 
two  iii  oUeinity  ere  we  perceived  ourselves  slowly  emerging  over  a  large  tract  of  ploughed  hind  particularly 
well  adapted  to  our  design.  Scarcely  had  another  minute  elapsed  before  the  grapnel  reached  the  ground,  on  which 

j  tinned  to  drag  with  some  resistance  for  a  short  space  until  it  took  a  firmer  hold  of  the  soil;  when  two 
gcntlenii-n  (,.ne  of  them  Mr.  CumU-rlege.  tho  clergyman  of  the  neighbouring  district),  who  were  riding  with  some 
ladies,  perceiving  our  situation,  leaped  from  their  horses,  and  with  a  zeal  which  merited  our  thanks  lent  their  aid  to 
secure  the  grapnel  more-  firmly.  More  persons  shortly  after  arriving,  the  balloon  was  finally  brought  to  the  earth. 
and  we  effected  our  landing  in  a  common  called  Billington  Fields,  in  the  parish  of  Leighton  Buzzard,  about 
t\\..  mile>  K  \oiid  tliat  town  and  about  forty-eight  from  the  Gardens  at  Vauxhall ;  having  employed  about  an  hour 
and  three-quarters  in  the  voyage,  upon  a  nearly  uniform  course  of  north-west  by  north,  and  at  a  nearly  uniform 
elevation  of  al>. .ut  .'iixK)  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

M.  M. 

We  come  next  to  the  flight 

FROM  LONDOX  TO  WEILBURO  IN  THK  (TREAT  NASSAU  BALLOON. 

Mr.  M.  Mason  gives  the  following  account  in  his  '  History  of  Aerostation  '  (1837),  of  lln- 
must  remarkable  trip  that  has  to  this  day  been  effected : — 

Mr.  l.'i.U-rt  Hollond,  a  gentleman  who  had  long  cultivated  a  practical  acquaintance  with  the  art  of 
aerostation,  resolved  to  afford  an  opportunity  for  a  full  display  and  unequivocal  determination  of  the  merits  of  these 
disc,  i\-i  ii,  -s.  l.y  undertaking,  at  his  own  expense,  to  fit  out  an  expedition,  under  the  guidance  of  Mr  Green  (in  which 

is  so  kind  as  to  include  me),  for  the  purpose  and  with  the  intention  of  starting  from  London  and  proceeding 
(in  whatever  direction  the  winds  at  tho  time  prevailing  might  happen  to  convey  us)  to  such  a  distance  as  would 
suttice  to  answer  the  .uds  for  which  the  voyage  was  especially  designed.  In  order  to  give  the  fullest  effect  to  such 
an  undertaking  it  was  necessary  to  be  provided  with  a  balloon  of  size  and  structure  superior  to  those  employed 
upon  ordinary  occasions.  Arrangement?,  wen'  accordingly  entered  into  with  Messrs.  Gye  and  Hughes,  the 
pioprit  tors  of  \aii.\hall  (iardens.  for  tho  Use  of  their  large  balloon,  which  they  readily  conceded,*  at  the  same  time 
placing  their  premises  at  our  disposal  for  tho  purposes  of  the  ascent  This  balloon  had  been  but  recently  built  for 
them  1>y  Mr.  <  lie-en,  and  combined  in  its  construction  all  that  the  art  and  e\]>erience  of  the  first  aeronaut  of  th- 
ii>uld  contribute  to  its  perfection.  In  shape  it  somewhat  res. ml.le*  a  ]»-ar;  its  upright  or  polar  diameter  e\c.  ediir.- 


•  It  i»  1.11:  prietnnt  to  xUite  tl.Mt  n<>  ]  .'-iiniiuy  conAtlcmtion  wu  required  (cr  the  lue  of  the  balloon,  which,  together 

with  '.In-  Mvouiiu  jilaliou  of  their  premiwa,  ww  ui-.tinit.  u-ly  t.  n.K  rud  upon  thr  OCCUHOD. 

I 


140  ASTRA  CASTEA.  NOVEMBER,  1830. 

the  transverse  or  equatorial  by  about  one-sixth ;  a  form  and  proportion  admitted  to  be  at  the  same  time  most 
consistent  with  elegance  of  appearance,  and  most  adapted  to  the  wants  and  circumstances  of  aerostation.  The  silk 
of  which  it  is  formed  is  of  the  very  best  quality,  spun,  wove,  and  dyed  expressly  for  the  purpose ;  the  utmost 
breadth  of  the  gores,  which  are  alternately  white  and  crimson,  is  about  forty-four  inches ;  down  the  centre  of 
each,  and  worked  in  the  original  fabric,  runs  a  band  or  ridge  of  extra  thickness,  calculated  to  give  additional 
strength  to  the  texture  of  the  material,  and  to  arrest  the  progress  of  any  rent  or  damage  which  might  accidentally 
occur.  The  height  of  this  enormous  vessel  is  upwards  of  sixty  feet ;  its  breadth  about  fifty.  When  fully  distended 
it  is  capable  of  containing  rather  more  than  85,000  cubic  feet  of  gas,  and  under  ordinary  circumstances  is  competent 
to  raise  about  4000  pounds,  including  its  own  weight  and  that  of  its  accessories,  which  alone  may  be  reckoned  at 
about  one-fourth. 

The  car  which  appertains  to  this  balloon  is  in  proper  keeping  with  its  gigantic  mate.  It  is  composed  of 
wicker-work,  in  the  form  of  an  oval,  about  nine  feet  in  length  and  four  in  breadth.  It  is  siispended  by  ten  ropes 
to  a  hoop  of  six  feet  in  diameter,  and  in  thickness  a  like  number  of  inches,  formed  of  two  circles  of  ash,  one  within 
the  other,  forcibly  bent  by  steam,  and  retained  in  their  position  as  well  as  strengthened  by  a  triple  tier  of  cable, 
which  is  enclosed  between  them.  At  either  end  of  the  car  are  two  seats,  fully  capable  of  accommodating  three 
persons  each ;  while  across  it  in  the  middle,  and  somewhat  raised,  is  extended  a  bench  about  a  foot  in  width,  which, 
besides  aiding  to  preserve  the  form  of  the  vehicle  against  its  own  weight  or  other  external  pressure,  serves  as 
a  frame  to  stipport  a  windlass  intended  for  the  purpose  of  raising  or  lowering  the  guide-rope  whenever  it  may  be 
required.  In  addition  to  these  conveniences,  the  entire  bottom  of  the  car  was  on  the  present  occasion  fitted  with  a 
cushion,  intended  to  be  used  as  a  bed  in  case  adverse  circumstances,  by  keeping  us  at  sea  or  otherwise,  should  have 
compelled  us  to  prolong  the  duration  of  our  voyage  to  such  an  extent  as  to  make  it  necessary  to  repose. 

All  the  preliminary  arrangements  being  now  completed,  after  several  unavoidable  delays,  occasioned  chiefly 
by  the  weather,  the  day  of  departure  was  fixed  for  Monday,  Kovember  7th,  1836,  and  the  process  of  inflation  having 
been  commenced  at  an  early  hour,  everything  was  got  ready  for  starting  by  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day.  As  it  had  been  resolved  for  special  reasons  that  the  ascent  should  not  be  made  public,  very  few  persons  were 
present  on  the  occasion  within  the  precincts  of  the  gardens.  Outside,  however,  it  was  far  different.  Attracted  by 
the  prospect  of  the  balloon  during  the  process  of  its  inflation  (no  pains  having  been  taken  to  conceal  it  from  public 
view),  a  large  concourse  of  persons  had  been  assembling  since  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  and  by  the  time  that 
all  was  completed  the  multitude  had  already  amounted  to  several  thousands.  So  anxious,  indeed,  did  they  appear 
to  witness  the  proceedings  that  serious  apprehensions  began  to  be  entertained  towards  the  conclusion,  lest  the 
fences  and  palisades  which  enclosed  the  gardens  might  finally  give  way  beneath  the  unwonted  pressure  of  the 
numbers  with  which  they  were  literally  crowded. 

The  appearance  which  the  balloon  exhibited  previous  to  the  ascent  was,  in  truth,  no  less  interesting  than 
strange.  Provisions,  which  had  been  calculated  for  a  fortnight's  consumption  in  case  of  emergency  ;  ballast  to  the 
amount  of  upwards  of  a  ton  in  weight,  disposed  in  bags  of  different  sizes,  duly  registered  and  marked,  together  with 
an  unusual  supply  of  cordage,  implements,  and  other  accessories  to  an  aerial  excursion,  occupied  the  bottom  of  the 
car;  while  all  around  the  hoop  and  elsewhere  hung  cloaks,  carpet-bags,  barrels  of  wood  and  copper,  speaking- 
trumpets,  barometers,  telescopes,  lamps,  wine-jars,  and  spirit-flasks,  with  many  other  articles  designed  to  serve  the 
purposes  of  a  voyage  to  regions  where,  once  forgotten,  nothing  could  be  again  supplied. 

Amongst  the  various  contrivances  which  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  case  had  led  us  to  adopt  was  a 
machine  for  warming  coffee  and  other  liquors,  in  which  the  heat  developed  in  the  process  of  slaking  quicklime  was 
made  to  supersede  the  necessity  of  actual  fire.  This  machine  was  found  to  answer  the  purpose  perfectly  well, 
although  the  dangers  which  it  was  intended  to  obviate  are  really  not  such  as  to  require  the  aid  of  similar 
precaiitions.  "NY  ith  that  degree  of  prudence  and  attention  which  can  at  all  times  be  commanded,  no  absolute  peril 
need  be  apprehended  from  the  employment  of  fire  under  proper  restrictions.  During  the  whole  night  we  had 
a  lamp  burning  constantly,  nor  did  we  at  any  time  suffer  anxiety  on  account  of  its  presence,  or  perceive  any  occasion 
even  temporarily  to  desire  its  extinction. 

To  provide  against  the  inconveniences  which  we  might  have  experienced  subsequent  to  our  descent  in 
continuing  our  journey  through  a  foreign  country,  we  likewise  took  the  precaution  to  furnish  ourselves  with 
passports  directed  to  all  parts  of  the  Continent,  specifying  the  peculiar  nature  of  our  voyage,  and  entitling  us 
to  exemption  from  the  usual  formalities  of  office. 

Finally,  we  were  also  charged  with  a  letter  to  His  Majesty  the  King  of  Holland,  from  Mr.  May,  His  Majesty's 


LONDON  T<»  WKII.r.l  EW.  111 

il    in   l...ii.l,.ii.  \vhii-li  1,11,1    was  ]nit   into  tho   pout-office  at  r,,l,|.  m/.  on  the  evening  of  the  day 
•aooefding  niir  ili  i 

Thus  pnparad,  and  ,lulv  accoutred,  at   Imlf-puM   ,,n,-  , •',!<"  k  tin-  Kill, «<i\  was  dismissed  l'i-  "iind.  ami 

rising  gently  uinl,  r  the  influence  of  a  moderate  breemo  bore  speedily  away  towards  tin-  s.mtli  .  .i-t  i M\,  t-n:-  in  ln-i 
i-ourw-  tin-  cultiv.it<<d  jilains  of  Kent,  and  ]»u*<ing  in  succeanon  nearly  over  tin-  towns  nf  Kltham.  l!r,>inlrv.  l',",t«cr»y, 
ami  iitln TM,  whose  variegated  outlines  beautifully  diversified  tho  rich  landMcapo  that  lay  ln-m-nth  UK.  Tho  weather 
was  uncommonly  tin,-  tor  tho  time  of  year;  a  few  light  clouds  alone  floated  in  tin-  sky,  and  at  least  on  us.  I'M  I 
ax  onmiin-iit.il.  served  to  indicate  the  existence  of  different  currents  at  ditli  n  -nt  altitudes:  an  information  ofwhii-h. 
it  will  I--  -  .  n  lii>reafter,  we  were  enabled  to  avail  ourselves  with  much  ,  ll'eet. 

Continuing  in  a  south-easterly  direction,  at  forty-eight  minutes  past  twof  wo  crossed  tin-  Midway,  at  tin- 
distance  of  almut  six  miles  to  the  west  of  liochestcr,  and  in  little  more  than  an  hour  after  J  were  in  (tight  of  tin-  eit\ 
of  Canterbury,  tin-  lofty  towers  of  it*  cathedral  bearing  distant  about  two  miles,  in  an  eastcrl}'  direction.  In  honour 
of  tin-  mayor  and  inhabitants  of  that  city,  under  whose  patronage  our  celebrated  pilot  hud  twice  before  iiKccndfd, 
d  a  small  parachute  containing  a  letter  addressed  to  tho  mayor,  and  couched  in  siu-h  t.-rms  as  our  hurrii-d 
passage  would  p.-imit  us  t,,  inditaf 

In  ,i  fi-w  minutes  nft. T  I  we  obtained  our  first  view  of  the  sea,  brightening  under  the  last  rays  of  a  netting 
sun.  and  occupying  the  extreme  verge  of  tho  horizon,  in  the  direction  in  which  wo  were  now  rapidly  advancing. 

1  luring  tin-  l.itti-r  ]*-ri"d  of  this  part  of  our  voyage  the  balloon,  perhaps  owing  to  the  condensation  occasioned 
I'v  tin-  approaching  shades  of  evening,  had  been  gradually  diminishing  her  altitude,  and  for  some  time  past  hail 
continued  so  near  tho  earth  as  to  permit  us,  without  much  exertion,  to  carry  on  a  conversation  with  mich  of 
the  inhabitants  as  happened  to  be  in  our  immediate  vicinity.  So  close,  indeed,  were  we  at  one  time  as  to  be  a  Me 
distinctly  to  observe  a  covey  of  partridges,  which  cither  our  approach  or  some  other  equally  dreaded  apparition  had 
di-!'  d-jjed  (V.-hi  their  resting-place,  and  sent  to  seek  a  refuge  on  the  borders  of  a  wood  which  lay  adjacent.  A  whole 
colony  «f  rooks,  alarmed,  no  doubt,  by  our  formidable  appearance,  rose  likewise  in  dismay,  and  after  rending  the  air 
tor  miles  round  with  their  cries  and  vainly  trying  tho  protection  of  the  neighbouring  woods,  finally  di(*|>ersed, 
•  ing  themselves  in  every  direction  over  the  surface  of  the  earth  beneath. 

l'erhii|iN  then'  is  no  situation  conceivable  from  which  tho  beauties  of  nature  are  seen  to  greater  advant;u 
with  mor,-  singular  effect  than  that  wherein  the  spectator  is  placed,  when,  seated  in  a  balloon,  he  happens  by 
circumstances  to  be  brought  into  closer  approximation  with  the  earth  beneath.  The  increased  distinctness  of  the 
different  objects,  the  n.ivi-1  as]x-«-t  under  which  a  vertical  examination  presents  them  to  the  view,  the  isolated 
position  occupied  by  tin-  Ill-holder,  and  above  all  tho  exquisite  motion  which,  however  undixtinguishable  from  it« 
absolute  effects  upon  tho  person,  exhibits  to  tho  eye  the  ever-varying  charms  of  rapid  flight,  are  all  cfl'ects 
':  vablo  under  n»  other  circumstances — and  even  denied  to  the  aeronaut  himself  when  occupying  a  higher  range 
and  indulging  in  a  more  extensive  survey.  It  is  not,  in  fact,  the  superior  elevation  and  vast  extent  of  prospect  that 
under  any  circumstances  constitute  the  real  charms  of  such  exhibitions,  or  contribute  most  to  their  enjoyment;  and 
it'  we  take  tin-  trouble  carefully  to  examine  tho  impressions  which  such  scenes  under  such  circumstances  are  wont  t,, 
inspire,  we  shall  find  that,  to  whatever  class  they  may  at  first  appear  to  be  referable,  they  are  not  nearly  so  much  the 


•  of  tli,    -In,    arrivnl  of  thi.<  letter,  and  Hia  Majorty'i  gmcioui  t  The  registry  of  the  time*  and  distance*,  an  alio  of  the  dini-liuu 

r..v|,ii..n  of  it,  «,-  re.-,  iv,--!  the  followim;  testimony  in  a  letter  from  ofourcouraeby  the  compoM,  during  the  voyage,  was  the  particular 

Mi    Mi.  -i;.-rtli  ait,  r  »,  r,  a.-liiil  I'urU:—  province  of  Mr.  I|,,llon,l,  to  wbocc  Journal  Uie  author  U  indeMiil 

SM.                                                              Ixin-lon   Xornnber  28    1836.  'or  n"    information  on   theao  poinU,  a*  well   ai   for   many  inure 

tr,,,,,  ih-  a mt«  i,,  the  n. •« '-,«,,. -n,  that  you  and  ™]™"c  ^"^"^  whiA  will  be  found  intenperaed 

•-.-:,!-   liav,    .,rr,-..-l  at    I'.m-.   1    !.-<•  no  liin,    in  having  tho  j 
«atwf:,  ,,,ki,,u-  y.m  I  !y  for  the  ran-  tak,-,,  of  the 


letter  I  t...k  <!,.    lil.-rtv    .f  imn..-.!,,,-  t,,  vol,r  kin-ln,-^,  f,.r  lh,-  ,,,,r-  5  °f  t"edU°  ""'1"  °f  '  "'  ''""''  "  We"  " 


po»  of  l«u,,«  it  fi.r.nnl.,1  t  ,  ,1,,  K,,,.M,t  il,,  H.RUC:  it  nhed 

tin-  li'tl,  ..f  X..v,  -ml.  r.  tl,r,,,,,.|,  the  poetoffioe  at 

.Mi,.!  .„   r.,,  ,iinK  a 

v,  >„„«  a*  a  balloon. 

The  Kini:  him  writti-n  a  iiii-iiii>niii<liini  nn  the  li  It-  r  "  I-  It  oinfully 
.'  «i«hini.'   t-  k-.  ,,  it  ,,-  .-,   r,  in,  i.il.r.m,-,-  .,f  this.  ,,- 


extraordinary  omirr<-nci-.     I  ointrr.itiilut'-  \,.u  ami  y,>ur  i  ,,ni|>:iiiinii4 
un  tho  meoeMof  yi,ur  rntiTpri,w,  ami  n-innin  with  (,-n-iit  re-janl.  Sir. 
•  iii,.-t  nlit.lii  nt.  huiulile  si-rviint, 

.1    W.  MM 


we  raucnUy  addrel  to  the  Mayor  of  Dov.  r.  «, 


h«Te.«ince  ****  ^""'^  •  "'""-''  "'"  othe«.  which  we  duchuged 
mean*  at   diff-r'  '"    l--""  "    '""   vojge,  w. 


believe  never  reached  the  hand*  for  whirli  tin  \ 
Jl  Fifteen  minutes  pout  four. 


142 


ASTRA  CASTKA. 


NOVEMBER,  1836. 


offspring  of  pleasure  as  of  surprise— of  real  critical  delight  as  of  that  sort  of  gratification  which  is  indebted  to  wonder 
and  astonishment  for  its  principal  effect.  To  this  conclusion  I  have  been  chiefly  led  by  a  consideration  of  the  very 
beautiful  appearance  which  the  country  presented,  as  under  the  influence  of  a  gradual  depression  we  slowly 
approached  the  ground,  and  for  some  time  continued  to  skim  along  its  surface  at  the  slight  elevation  of  a  few 
hundred  feet.  The  various  objects,  which,  seen  from  on  high,  appeared  like  mimic  representations  of  an  ideal 
world,  now  gradually  developed  themselves,  and  assumed  the  character  and  aspect  of  reality.  The  forests  and 
parks,  no  longer  an  indefinite  mass  of  something  green,  opened  at  our  approach,  separating  into  individual  trees,  the 
leaves  and  branches  of  which  seemed  almost  within  our  grasp  as  we  hurried  over  them.  The  houses,  roads, 
enclosures,  canals,  and  other  minuter  indications  of  civilised  society,  before  scarcely  appreciable,  now  also  began  to 
display  themselves  in  their  true  colours,  adding  the  charms  of  particular  interest  to  that  which  was  otherwise 
but  imposing  from  its  general  effect ;  while  the  most  interesting  features  of  all,  the  living  forms  of  nature,  till  now 
altogether  invisible,  began  to  mingle  in  the  scene,  and  gave  life  and  expression  to  what  was  otherwise  at  best  but 
an  inanimate  though  brilliant  landscape. 

About  this  time  the  first  opportunity  occurred  of  showing  how  far  it  is  possible  for  the  skilful  and  experienced 
aeronaut  to  influence  the  course  of  his  aerial  vessel  by  availing  himself  of  the  advantages  which  circumstances 
frequently  place  at  his  disposal.  Shortly  after  we  had  lost  sight  of  the  city  of  Canterbury  a  considerable  deviation 
appeared  to  have  taken  place  in  the  direction  of  our  route.  Instead  of  pursuing  our  former  lino  of  south  by  east, 
which  was  that  of  the  upper  current,  by  means  of  which  we  had  hitherto  advanced,  it  became  apparent  that  we 
were  now  rapidly  bearing  away  upon  one  which  tended  considerably  to  the  northward,  and  which,  had  we  continued 
to  remain  within  the  limits  of  its  influence,  would  have  shortly  brought  us  to  sea  in  the  direction  of  the  North 
Foreland.  As  it  had  all  along  been  an  object  to  proceed  as  near  to  Paris  as  circumstances  would  permit,*  we 
resolved  to  recover  as  soon  as  possible  the  advantages  which  a  superior  current  had  hitherto  afforded  us :  and 
accordingly  rose  to  resume  a  station  upon  our  previous  level.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  beauty  of  this  manoeuvre, 
or  the  success  with  which  the  balloon  acknowledged  the  influence  of  her  former  associate.  Scarcely  had  the 
superfluous  burden  been  discharged  proportioned  to  the  effect  required,  when  slowly  she  arose,  and  sweeping 
majestically  round  the  horizon,  obedient  to  the  double  impulse  of  her  increasing  elevation  and  the  gradual  change  of 
current,  brought  us  successively  in  sight  of  all  those  objects  which  we  had  shortly  before  left  retiring  behind  us, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  placed  us  almost  vertically  over  the  Castle  of  Dover,  in  the  exact  line  for  crossing  the  straits 

between  that  town  and  Calais,  where  it  is  confined  within  its  narrowest  limits,  f 

<• 

Up  to  the  present  moment  nothing  had  appeared  calculated  to  confer  particular  distinction  upon  our 
enterprise,  or  to  awaken  the  impression  that  what  we  had  undertaken  differed  in  any  respect  from  the  usual  class 
of  such  excursions.  The  case,  however,  was  now  shortly  to  be  changed ;  a  new  and  untried  element  was  about  to 
enter  upon  the  scene,  producing  new  relations  and  requiring  the  exercise  of  new  resources.  The  knowledge  that 
whenever  we  might  feel  inclined  it  was  in  our  power  to  terminate  our  voyage  by  descent  (which  gives  such  a  sense 
of  security  to  all  excursions  over  land)  was  about  to  yield  to  the  conviction  that,  no  matter  how  urgent  the  desire, 
how  imperious  the  necessity,  that  expedient  would  in  future  be  withheld  from  us  until  it  had  pleased  Providence  to 
convey  us  to  new  regions,  and  afford  us  once  more  the  circumstances  of  a  solid  resting-place.  "When  or  where  that 
might  be,  was  a  question  as  doubtful  as  the  winds  by  which  alone  it  could  be  determined :  nor  was  it  the  smallest 
of  the  many  charms  peculiar  to  our  situation,  that  it  was,  and  must  for  some  time  remain,  a  matter  of  the  most 
complete  incertitude  what  portion  of  the  globe  was  next  destined  to  receive  us.  Confident,  however,  in  our  own 
resources,  I  may  safely  assert  that  it  was  to  us  a  matter  of  the  most  perfect  indifference  in  what  manner  that 
uncertainty  should  be  decided :  and  I  feel  convinced  that  I  but  speak  the  sentiments  of  the  whole  party  when  I 
declare  that  not  a  single  particle  of  anxiety  as  to  our  own  personal  safety  for  a  moment  disturbed  the  ardent  desire 
we  all  felt  to  push  to  a  creditable  bearing  the  enterprise  in  which  we  were  embarked. 

It  was  forty-eight  minutes  past  four  when  the  first  line  of  waves  breaking  on  the  beach  appeared  beneath  us, 


*  Tlio  proprietors  of  the  balloon  having  contemplated  making  an 
ascent  from  Paris,  and  Mr.  Ilollond  having  undertaken  to  transfer 
the  balloon  thither,  it  became  a  consideration  with  us  not  to 
increase  our  distance  from  that  capital  more  than  was  consistent 
with  the  main  object  of  the  expedition. 

•(•  To  the  circumstances  of  this  transaction,  the  apparent  retarda- 
tion of  our  course  by  the  circnitousness  of  the  route,  the  length  of 
time  we  consequently  remained  in  sight,  and,  above  all,  the  recti- 


linear direction  of  our  approach,  is  undoubtedly  to  be  attributed  the 
observatiou  contained  in  the  newspapers,  that  the  progress  of  the 
balloon  did  not  exceed  the  rate  of  four  or  five  miles  an  hour :  an 
assertion  which  a  slight  consideration  of  the  time  we  had  left 
London,  and  the  distance  we  had  accomplished,  would  have  been 
sullicicnt  to  disprove.  According  to  the  above  method  of  calcula- 
tion, the  mean  rate  of  our  course,  up  to  the  time  referred  to,  was 
somewhat  more  than  twenty-five  miles  an  hour. 


C|{nsslN<;  Till:  SEA.  I  I:: 

.mil  we  mi-Jit  l«e  s.iid  i..  !:i\.    f.iirly  quitted   the  shores  of  our  native  soil.  ;nnl  entiled  ii|»n  tin-  liit hi >rto  dreaded 

-.-  <>f  till-  86*. 

It  would  l>c  impossible  not  to  have  1«  in  struck  with  tin-  grandeur  of  the  prophet  at  this  particular  iiiciiin-nt  ol 
..in  voyage:  tin-  more  e-|.  cully  as  the  approaching  shade*  of  night  ivnd.  n  d  it  ;i  niiitti-r  of  certainty  that  it  Would 
I.-  tin'  List  in  which  earth  would  form  u  prominent  feature  that  we  might  expect  to  enjoy  for  a  considerable  lapse  of 
time.  r.ehind  u~.  the  whole  line  df  Knglish  ei-ast.  it*  white  cliffs  melting  into  obscurity,  appaied  s|>arkling  witli 
tin  scattcre.l  lights,  whii-li  even-  moment  augmented,  and  among  which  tli<-  UgbthoQH  of  Dover  fonned  a 
conspicuous  feature,  and  for  a  long  time  served  as  a  beacon  whorewitli  to  calculate  tin-  direction  of  our  course.  On 
cither  side  1»  low  us  the  interminable  ocean  spread  its  complies ted  tis>u.-  of  waves  without  interruption  or 
curtailment,  cwpt  what  arose  from  tin-  im|>cndmg  darkness  and  the  limited  extent  of  our  own  perceptions. 
Slightly  agitat«-d  l>y  a  win<l  unfc-lt  liy  us.  it.-,  jiliant  surface  glintriifd  faintly  as  it  rose  and  fell,  catching  for 
an  in-t.mt  l'\  tin-  niinni-ntary  dhliijuity  "f  its  parts  the  few  rays  of  light  that  Mill  lingered  above  the  horizon,  and 
|c»,in£  thriii  again  as  tin  y  tiirnrd  tln-ir  <>]>]Mising  outlines  towards  a  darker  quarter.  <  In  the-  opixwite  mde  a  dense 

r  of  t  loii.U  ii>ing  fmin  the  cut-all  like  a  solid  wall,  fantastically  suriiioiinteil.  thuiuglKPUt  its  whole  length,  with 

a  gigantic  representation  of  parapete  and  turrets,  batteries  and  bastions,  and  other  features  of  mural  fortification. 

ix  if  designed  to  bar  our  further  progress,  and  completely  olwtructed  all  view  of  the  shon-s  towanls  which 

we  were  now  rapidly  drawing  nigh.      I'jioii  the  glittering  plain  which  thus  lay  stretched  before  us  a  few  straggling 

vessels,  sol n.    of  which   had  already  begun  to  mount   their  lights,  alone  appeared,  issuing  from  bcnutth  the  dark 

mantle  of  clouds  that  rested,  as  it  wcie.  up..n  the  very  bosom  of  the  deep.     In  a  few  minutes  after,  we  had  entered 

within  its  dusky  limits.*  and  for  a  while  lo-caini-  involved  in  the  double  obscurity  of  the  Mirrounding  vapours  and  of 

i.l'ul  ,i|.|.!oi,'h  of  night.     Not  a  sound  now  reached  our  ears;  the  beating  of  the  waves  upon  the  British 

<  had  already  died  away  in  silence,  and  from  the  ordinary  effects  of  terrestrial  agitation  our  present  position 

had  rti'cctu.illy  excluded 

I  scarcely  know  whether  it  is  an  observation  worthy  of  being  committed  to  ]>a]icr,  but  the  sea,  unless  per/m/a 
under  circumstances  of  the  most  extraordinary  agitation,  does  not  in  itself  appear  to  be  the  parent  of  the  slightest 
sound.  ruo].].,^d  by  any  material  obstacle,  an  awful  stillness  seems  to  reign  over  its  motions.  Nor  do  I  think 
that  even  under  •;. •>/  circumstances,  no  matter  how  violent,  can  any  considerable  disturUince  arise  from  the  conflict 
of  its  own  opposing  members.  The  impossibility  of  ever  having  been  placed  in  a  situation  to  bring  this  fact  under 
tin.  m  Censes,  is  no  doubt  the  reason  why  it  has  never  before  liven  noticed.  On  the  shore  or  in  tin- 

sea,  no  one  has  ever  been  present,  independent  of  that  material  Kiipjxirt,  the  absence  of  which  is  necessary  to  (lie 
success  of  the  experiment  ;  it  is  in  the  Inlloon  alone,  suspended  in  clastic  ether,  that  such  a  phenomenon  could 
either  havi  I...  n  verifii-d  or  observe. 1. 

•rding  as  we  pn«-erded.  the  lower  strata  of  the  vapoury  bed  in  which  we  rested  would  slowly  appear 
to  dissolve,  and,  ojiening  liciicath  us,  occasionally  reveal  a  partial  glimpse  of  the  sea,  now  rapidly  beginning  to 
assume  the  sable  livery  of  night.  Across  the  field  of  view  which  thus  became  exposed  a  solitary  ship  might  now 
and  then  be  seen  to  pass,  entering  on  one  side  like  the  spectral  representation  in  some  magic  lantern,  and,  having 
s]~  .1  its  course,  silently  disappearing  on  the  other.  Wreaths  of  mist  shortly  after  intervening,  the  whole  would  be 
swept  from  our  view,  leaving  us  once  more  enveloped  in  the  dark  folds  of  the  prevailing  vapours. 

In  this  situation  we  prepared  to  avail  ourselves  of  those  contrivances,  the  merits  of  which,  as  I  have  already 

1.  it  was  one  of  the  main  object*  of  our  expedition  to  ascertain;  and  consequently,  to  provide  against  the 

increase  ,.f  weight   proceeding  from  the  humidity  of  the  atmosphere,  naturally  to  be  expected  on  the  approach 

of  night,  we  iiimmeiici  d  lowering  the  guide-rope,  with  the  floating  ballast  attached,  which  we  had  provided  for  the 

occasion. 

Scarcely,  however,  had  we  completed  our  design,  and  were  patiently  awaiting  the  depression  we  had 
anticipated,  ere  the  faint  sound  of  the  waves  beating  against  the  shore  again  returned  upon  our  ears,  and  awakened 

•  N.iw  <lnrk  and  d.-.  |«  tlie  ui^-lit  Ix-tfiiui  to  fall, 
A  shade  intmenw,  mink  in  tli.  .|ii<  nrliing  gloom: 
Magnificent  ami  vast  arv  heaven  and  (iirtli : 
Order  oiiifi.iin.li  .1  h. •«,  all  Uiuity  vnid  : 

j.-ti"ii  l<«t.  mill  piy  vari.  \\ 
I  in.-  universal  l.lc.l  :  Mii-h  tin-  fair  |»>».  t 
nfli-.'lil  to  kindle  unili-r.ut.-  tl.. •  wlml.-.     TH.,-. 


144  ASTRA  CASTBA.  NOVEMBER,  1836. 

our  attention.  The  first  impression  which  this  event  was  calculated  to  convey  was  that  the  wind  had  changed,  and 
that  we  were  in  the  act  of  returning  to  the  shores  we  had  so  shortly  before  abandoned.  A  glance  or  two,  however, 
served  to  show  us  the  fallacy  of  this  impression ;  the  well-known  lights  of  Calais  and  of  the  neighbouring  shores 
were  already  glittering  beneath  us;  the  barrier  of  clouds  which  I  have  before  mentioned  as  starting  up  so 
abruptly  in  our  path  as  abruptly  terminated ;  and  the  whole  adjacent  coast  of  France,  variegated  with  lights,  and 
life  with  all  the  nocturnal  signs  of  population,  burst  at  once  upon  our  view.  We  had,  in  fact,  crossed  the  sea ;  and 
in  the  short  space  of  about  one  hour  from  the  time  we  had  quitted  the  shores  of  England  were  floating  tranquilly, 
though  rapidly,  above  those  of  our  Gallic  neighbour. 

It  was  exactly  fifty  minutes  past  five  when  we  had  thoroughly  completed  this  trajet ;  the  point  at  which  we 
first  crossed  the  French  shore  bearing  distant  about  two  miles  to  the  westward  of  the  main  body  of  the  lights  of 
Calais,  our  altitude  at  the  time  being  somewhat  about  3000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ocean.  As  it  was  now 
perfectly  dark  we  lowered  a  Bengal  light,  at  the  end  of  a  long  cord,  in  order  to  signify  our  presence  to  the 
inhabitants  below;  shortly  after  we  had  the  satisfaction  to  hear  the  beating  of  drums,  but  whether  on  our 
account,  or  merely  in  performance  of  the  usual  routine  of  military  duty,  we  were  not  at  the  time  exactly  able  to 
determine. 

Before  dismissing  the  sea,  a  word  or  two  seems  required  to  counteract  a  vague  and  incorrect  impression 
regarding  its  peculiar  influence  upon  the  buoyancy  of  the  balloon,  arising  from  the  difficulties  experienced  by 
Messrs.  Blanchard  and  Jeffries  in  their  passage  of  the  same  straits  in  the  year  1785,  and  the  apparently 
unaccountable  removal  of  these  difficulties  as  soon  as  they  had  reached  the  opposite  coast.  So  many,  however,  are 
the  circumstances  within  the  range  of  aeronautical  experience  to  which,  without  intruding  upon  the  marvellous  or 
calling  new  affinities  into  existence,  these  effects  can  be  satisfactorily  attributed,  that  the  actual  difficulty  lies 
in  ascertaining  to  which  of  them  they  are  most  likely  to  have  owed  their  origin.  Of  these  the  increase  of  weight 
by  the  deposition  of  humidity  on  the  surface  of  the  balloon,  occasioned  by  the  colder  atmosphere  through  which  the 
first  part  of  their  journey  had  to  be  pursued,  and  the  subsequent  evaporation  of  the  same  by  the  rise  of  temperature 
to  which  they  necessarily  became  subjected  as  soon  as  they  came  within  the  calorific  influence  of  the  land,  is  in 
itself  quite  sufficient  to  explain  the  difference  that  existed  in  the  buoyancy  of  the  balloon  during  the  different  stages 
of  its  progress.  Even  in  the  absence  of  any  humidity  whereby  the  actual  weight  of  the  balloon  could  have  been 
increased,  the  mere  diminution  of  temperature,  by  condensing  its  gaseous  contents,  and  their  subsequent  rarefaction 
by  the  altered  temperature  they  were  sure  to  encounter  when  they  reached  the  opposite  coast,  is  more  than  enough 
to  account  for  even  much  greater  effects  than  those  to  which  it  is  here  intended  to  apply.  As  far  as  we  were 
concerned,  certainly  no  such  uncommon  impression  was  observable,  nor  did  we  experience  any  diminution  of 
ascensive  power  in  our  transit  across  the  sea  beyond  what  we  should  have  expected  under  similar  circumstances 
over  a  similar  extent  of  land. 

Having  thus  completed  what  may  be  termed  the  first  stage  in  our  eventful  voyage,  we  set  about  making  such 
preparations  as  the  altered  circumstances  of  the  case  rendered  advisable.  For  this  purpose  the  copper  vessels  which 
had  been  intended  to  be  used  at  sea  if  required,  but  which  our  rapid  passage  over  that  element  had  left  us  no 
opportunity  of  exercising,  were  again  raised  and  withdrawn,  and  a  simple  guide-rope  of  aboiit  a  thousand  feet  in 
length  substituted  in  their  stead.  Our  lamp  also  was  lighted,  and  so  disposed  as  that  in  case  of  any  appearance  of 
danger,  which,  however,  we  neither  anticipated  nor  experienced,  it  could  be  lowered  instantly  to  a  considerable 
distance  from  the  car.*  These  arrangements  being  over,  and  nothing  for  the  present  appearing  to  demand  our 
particular  attention,  we  gladly  availed  ourselves  of  the  opportunity  to  allay  the  cravings  of  an  appetite  which  the 
incessant  occupation  of  the  previous  day  had  hitherto  prevented  us  from  regarding.  To  this  effect  much  preparation 
was  not  required.  The  bench,  which  we  have  before  described  as  forming  the  central  division  of  the  car,  served  us 
most  conveniently  as  a  table,  and  was  quickly  spread  with  the  good  things  which  had  been  abundantly  provided  to 
cheer  our  solitary  flight.  Cold  meats  of  various  kinds,  beef,  ham,  fowl,  and  tongues,  together  with  bread  and  biscuits, 


*  Beyond  the  risk  attendant  upon  the  use  of  fire  under  ordinary 
circumstances,  there  is  but  one  situation  peculiar  to  aerostation  in 
which  any  particular  danger  is  to  be  apprehended,  or  any  particular 
precautions  are  necessary  to  be  adopted  :  I  mean  when  the  balloon, 
in  consequence  of  its  elevation  in  the  atmosphere,  has  become  so 
much  distended  as  to  occasion  the  partial  liberation  of  its  contents. 
In  such  cases,  which  we  experienced  not  unfrequently  during  the 


night,  all  that  is  required  is  merely  to  lower  the  lamp,  by  means  of  a      the  destruction  of  the  machine. 


cord,  to  such  a  distance  from  the  car  as  to  place  it  beyond  the  reach 
of  the  gas  issuing  from  the  neck  of  the  balloon.  If  it  should  be 
necessary  to  discharge  gas  from  the  valve,  before  this  is  accomplished 
care  should  be  had  to  do  so  by  degrees,  not  all  at  once  ;  as  the  balloon, 
being  at  such  moments  always  in  the  act  of  rising,  would  shortly 
enter  into  the  atmosphere  of  gas  thus  created  around  it,  which,  if 
sufficiently  impregnated,  would  ignite  and  most  probably  occasion 


Ni.\  i  MI:I:I:.  I 


M!lt.\K;|IT. 


II.-. 


iiinl  a  (In.  admixture  of  win,    and  ,,th,  r  li,|iiors.»  f..rmed  tho  bases  of  a  repeat  which  might   in  truth  have 

acceptable  to  much  iiimv  fastidious  palates  than  own,  especially  tem|>cred  us  they  were  by  tin:  rigorous  discipline 

of..  tu,l\e  li,  .iii>-  fast,  ami  ii  pt, .]  H  ,]  t  ionatc  amount  nf  limlily  exertion.     Aowrfinfljr,  with  many  a  joke,  touching 

"ivoiir  and  •-..•.(//«/  iiieritti  of  our  several  viands,  which,  however  agreeable  under  the  circumstances,  will 

not  liear  repeating  ln-ri-.  we  contrived  to  do  ample  Justin-  to  the  good  cheer,  not  forgetting,  amid  tho  festivities  of 

•  •ne.  to  ill-ink  it  cordial  houlth  to  the  memory  of  those  whom  we  hail  left  in  uncertainty  U-liind  us.      With  iin 

•ny.  howe\er.  which  hail  in  it  .somewhat  ]>cciiliar,  the  IN.UCS  ami  other  fragments,  instead  of  being  thrown  OM-I. 

were  carefully  collected,  in  order  to  be  employed  Ii,r  Udlast  when.'ver  occasion  might  require.     We  also  took  the 

opportunity  of  proving  the  efficacy  of  our  newly  invented  machine  for  heating  coffee,  and  found  it  answer  the 

pur] KIM-  fully  as  well  as  we  had  eX[>ccted. 

The  night  having  now  completely  closed  in,  and  no  prospect  of  any  assistance  from  tho  moon  to  facilitate  our 
reseaiehe-.it  w.i-  only  I  iv  DMUI  of  tin-  li-'ht-  w hi,  li.  ,  ilh.  r  -injy  Of  in  HMNHQ  a|.|».|i..l  -pi.  ..iding  in  ,\.,\ 
ilireetioii,  that  we  could  hope  to  take  any  account  of  the  nature  of  the  country  we  were  traversing,  or  form  any 
opinion  of  the  towns  or  villages  whii-li  were  continually  becoming  subjected  to  our  view. 

The  scene  itN-lf  uas  one  which  exceeds  description.  The  whole  plane  of  the  earth's  surface  for  many  and 
around,  as  far  and  farther  than  the  eye  distinctly  could  embrace,  seemed  absolutely  teeming  with  the 
scatter.-.!  tin.-  of  a  watchful  insulation,  ami  exhibited  a  starry  spectacle  below  that  almost  rivalled  in  brilliancy 
the  remoter  lu-nv  of  the  concave  firmament  above.  Incessantly,  during  tho  earlier  portion  of  tho  night,  ere  the 
vigilant  inhaliit. nits  hail  finally  retired  to  rest,  large  sources  of  light,  signifying  tho  presence  of  some  more  extensive 
community,  would  ap|»-ar  just  looming  above  tho  distant  horizon  in  the  direction  in  which  wo  were  advancing. 
Ix-aring  at  first  n»  faint  resemblance  to  the  effect  produced  by  some  vast  conflagration,  when  seen  from  such  a 
-  in  ]».  clinic  the  minute  investigation  of  its  details.  By  degrees,  as  we  drew  nigh,  this  confused  mass  of 
illumination  would  ap|«-ar  to  increase  in  intensity,  extending  itself  over  a  larger  portion  of  tho  earth,  and  assuming 
a  distin,  t.  i  I'. .mi  and  a  more  imposing  appearance,  until  at  length,  having  attained  a  position  from  whence  we 
could  more  immediately  din  ct  our  view,  it  would  gradually  resolve  itself  into  its  parts,  and  shooting  out  into  streets, 
or  spreading  into  wjuares,  present  us  with  the  most  perfect  model  of  a  town,  diminished  only  in  size,  according  to 
tin  ,1,  vation  from  which  we  happened  at  the  time  to  observe  it. 

It  would  1"-  very  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  toconvey  to  the  minds  of  the  uninitiated  any  adequate  idea  of  the 
stii]- ml. .us  ,.(!'•  ct  which  such  an  exhibition,  under  all  its  concomitant  peculiarities,  was  calculated  to  create.  That 
we  were,  by  such  a  mode  of  conveyance,  amid  the  vast  solitude  of  the  skies,  in  tho  dead  of  night,  unknown  and 
unnoticed,  secretly  and  silently  reviewing  kingdoms,  exploring  territories,  and  surveying  cities,  in  such  rapid 
succession  as  scarcely  to  atVonl  time  for  criticism  or  conjecture,  was  in  itself  a  consideration  sufficient  to  give 
KiiMimity  to  far  less  interesting  scenes  than  those  which  formed  the  subject  of  our  present  contemplations.  If  to 
this  !••  added  tho  uncertainty  that  from  henceforward  began  to  pervade  tho  whole  of  our  course — an  uncertainty 
that  every  moment  increased  as  wo  proceeded  deeper  into  the  shades  of  night,  and  became  further  removed  from 
those  landmarks  to  which  we  might  have  referred  in  aid  of  our  conjectures,  clothing  everything  with  the  dark 
mantle  of  mystery,  and  leaving  us  in  doubt,  more  perplexing  even  than  ignorance,  as  to  where  we  were,  whither  we 
proceeding,  and  what  were  the  objects  that  so  much  attracted  our  attention — some  faint  idea  may  be  formed 
of  the  peculiarity  of  our  situation  and  of  the  impressions  to  which  it  naturally  gave  rise. 

In  this  manner,  and   under  the  influence  of  these  sentiments,  did  wo  traverse  with  rapid  strides  a  large  and 
-ting  jiiirtioii  of  the  Kur..i»an  continent,  embracing   within  our  horizon   an  immense   succession  of  towns 
and  village-,  wh.  !•••!'  those  which  occurred   during  the  earlier  part  of  the  night  the  presence  of  their  artificial 
illumination  alone  enable,!  Ms  t,,  distinguish. 

Among  the.-.'  latt.r.  one  in  particular,  Iwth  from  its  own  superior  attractions,  the  length  of  time  it  continue*  1 
within  our  view,  ami  the  uninterrupted  pn>s]>ect  which  our  position  directly  above  it  enabled  us  to  command, 
<-iptr.  ,  t  tent  ion.  and  elicited  must,  nit  expressions  of  admiration  and  surprise.  Situated  in  the  centre  of  a 

district  which  actually  ap]x-an-d  to  bla/.e  with   tin-   innumerable  fires  wherewith  it  was  studded  in  every  direction 
to  tLe  full  extent  of  all  our  visible  hoii/on.  it  s.  -  m<  d  to  oiler  in  it.-.  If.  and  at  one  glance,  an  epitome  of  all  those 


.,!  .neli  lovcn  of  good  rhuT  a*  may  in  future  lie 

temptc.1  to  I.P.VI.  the  pleamiivii  of  aiTOBtatinn,  it  may  !,.    :l,  w.  11  t,. 

obwrri-  that  it  is  nnt  all  liquor*  tliat  run  !-   .-.nivi-ni.  iitly  ,  rnpl.iM  .1 

upnn  Koch  accMioa§.    Champagne,  far  inatanc, .  ami  i-ul,.l  |..n.  r. 

.  soda-water,  and  all  thoac  which  are  gtmnilly  termed  "up  in 


bottle,"  II..H,  v,  r  nnomnloiu  it  may  appear,  arc  by  no  metal  adn|,t.  •! 
for  aerial  t  xiur>i,iii«:  their  imtimil  U-mli-m-y  t.  •  A'jlng  being  to  min-h 
aooderated  l.y  the  diimnMu-d  preMurc  which  a  the  conaM|U<  i, 
tin  ir  ,1,  uitii.ii.  that  they  invariuhly  fly  of  altogether  almort  at  aoon 
u  they  have  ijuitu^l  the  gruund. 


146 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


NOVEMBER,  1836. 


charms  which  we  had  previously  been  observing  in  detail.  The  perfect  correctness  with  which  every  line  of  street 
was  marked  out  by  its  particular  lino  of  fires ;  the  forms  and  positions  of  the  more  important  features  of  the  city, 
the  theatres  and  squares,  the  markets,  and  public  buildings,  indicated  by  the  presence  of  the  larger  and  more 
irregular  accumulation  of  lights,  added  to  the  faint  murmur  of  a  busy  population  still  actively  engaged  in  the 
pursuits  of  pleasure  or  the  avocations  of  gain,  all  together  combined  to  form  a  picture  which  for  singularity  and 


NIGHT  VOVAGB  TO  NASSAU. 

effect  certainly  could  never  have  been  conceived.  This  was  the  city  of  Liege,  remarkable  from  the  extensive 
ironworks  which,  abounding  in  its  neighbourhood,  occasioned  the  peculiar  appearance  already  described,  and  at 
the  time  led  to  that  conjecture  concerning  its  identity,  the  truth  of  which  a  subsequent  inquiry  enabled  us  to 
confirm. 

Almost  immediately  after  we  had  passed  the  main  body  of  the  buildings,  and  before  we  had  got  quite  clear 
of  the  outlets  of  the  town,  an  accident  deprived  us  of  the  use  of  our  machine  for  heating  coffee,  just  at  the  time,  too, 
when,  from  the  increasing  rigour  of  the  night,  its  services  were  likely  to  prove  most  particularly  acceptable. 
Previous  to  our  arrival  in  the  neighbourhood  of  so  extensive  an  assemblage  of  buildings,  we  had  thought  it  advisable 
to  suspend 'the  action  of  the  guide-rope,  by  removing  to  such  an  elevation  as  would  dissolve  its  connexion  with  the 
earth,  and  carry  it  clear  of  the  houses.*  In  this  manner  we  had  crossed  the  city,  and  were  about  to  enter  on  the 


*  It  will  very  naturally  be  observed  that,  having  once  submitted 
to  interrupt  the  action  of  the  guide-rope  at  u  time  when  the  original 
equilibrium  of  the  balloon  is  under  the  influence  of  its  greatest 
disturbance  (as,  for  instance,  during  the  course  of  the  night),  by 
dissolving  even  for  a  moment  its  connexion  with  the  earth  (which 
is  only  to  be  effected  by  a  rejection  of  ballast  equal  to  the  weight 
of  rope  upon  the  ground),  all  the  advantages  which  hod  been  pre- 
viously obtained  by  the  use  of  it  are  forfeited  at  once,  and  the 
aeronaut  placed  in  exactly  the  same  circumstances  as  if  he  had  pro- 
ceeded so  far  without  the  aid  of  such  an  instrument  at  all.  This 
observation  is  essentially  correct ;  nor  would  we  have  resorted  to 
such  an  expedient  had  the  economy  of  our  resources  to  their  utmost 
been  a  matter  of  much  importance  to  us  at  the  time.  Such,  how- 
ever, was  not  exactly  the  case.  The  sea,  against  which  the  guide- 
rope  was  especially  intended  to  provide,  had  long  since  been  passed, 


and  no  chance  of  its  recurrence  in  the  least  probable.  The  chief 
object  which  we  now  felt  in  its  continuance  was  the  further  trial  and 
proof  of  the  practicability  of  its  employment,  which,  however,  was 
not  so  imperative  as  to  prevent  us  from  suspending  its  action  when- 
ever occasion  seemed  to  require  it.  It  must  not,  however,  be  thought 
that  these  occasions  resulted  from  any  deficiency  on  the  part  of  the 
guide-rope,  or  that  we  should  have  been  compelled  to  discontinue 
the  use  of  it  at  any  time,  had  particular  reasons  appeared  fur  adopting 
an  opposite  line  of  proceeding.  Where  the  alternative  was  a  matter 
of  no  moment  to  us.  we  considered  it  best  to  observe  that  hue  of 
conduct  which  we  conceived  to  be  attended  with  the  least  possible 
inconvenience  to  others,  and  thus  in  the  present  instance  avoided 
coming  in  collision  with  a  town  which  showed  even  at  that  late  hour 
of  the  night  such  striking  symptoms  of  activity  and  occupation. 


!>::>;.  rrUNACESOFI.il  147 

.  when  a  slight  t.  i  •!•  n.  y  t..  .1.  pretwion  made  it  neowwary  to  discharge  a  small  quantity  of  InlLiKt  in  order 
t<>  maintain  our  .  1.  vati.>n  until  wo  had  arrived  at  a  place  where  wo  could  once  more  conveniently  romimo  the  mo 
of  tin-  ^ir  For  tins  pur]H*M-.  Mr.  (Jreen,  licing  desirous  tn  employ  tho  liino  which  had  already  boon  lined  in 

tin-  ri  eehvr  i if  tin-  machine,  preparatory  to  its  being  charged  afntJi,  and  having  with  that  intent  opened  it  over  the 
.-id-  of  tin-  ear.  unfortunately  let  it  slip  from  liis  hand.  l>.-privcd  of  tho  most  essential  part  of  our  apparatus, 
tin-  lime  whii-h  was  intended  to  mipply  it,  and  c.f  which  wo  had  a  considerable  store,  became  of  no  uso  except  for  tho 
jm !]>•••..•*  i.f  1-allast  to  which  account  wo  were  subsequently  glad  to  convert  it  To  dispose  of  tho  barrel  in  which 

:  1. .  n  contained  was  u  subject  of  more  serious  consideration.!!*  size  and  weight  rendering  it  rather  a  dangerous 
e\l~  .11.  m  I..  •_'•  -t  rid  of  it  by  tho  ordinary  method  »f  discharge.  This  difficulty,  however,  we  contrived  to  overcome  by 
attach  in<;  it  t»  a  small  para*  -liutc.  which  served  in  some  degree  to  moderate  itsdewvnt.  in  which  guise  it  was  accordingly 
committed  1. 1  tho  earth,  where,  I  have  no  doubt,  its  appearance  the  following  morning  within  tho  private  precincts  of 
some  geiitli  man'*  enclosure  gave  occasion  to  many  a  surmise  as  to  tho  how  or  tho  wherefore  of  its  unexpected  arrival. 

Having  now  cleared  the  town,  and  once  more  entered  upon  tho  fiery  district  in  which  it  was  embosomed,  wo 
M  -urn.  •!  the  use  of  the  guide-rope.,  which,  ns  I  have  just  said,  on  our  approach  to  so  considerable  a  community 
we  had  been  t.  m]...rai  ily  iniluccd  to  suspend.  This  operation  brought  us  once  more  to  a  nearer  contact  with  the 
earth,  ami  enabled  us  clearly  to  distinguish  tho  voices  of  many  persons  whom,  notwithstanding  tho  lateness  of  the 
hniir.  v.  .-.•njei  tured  to  be  Rtill  at  work,  or  else  congregated  in  tho  neighbourhood  of  somo  of  tho  numerous 
manufactories  \\lii.-h  illuminated  the  subjacent  country.  Desirous  to  attract  their  attention,  and  to  enjoy,  in  idea 
at  least,  the  surprise  with  which  so  novel  an  apparition  was  well  calculated  to  inspire  them,  wo  lighted  and  lowered 

ral  liuht  nearly  over  their  heads,  at  tho  same  time  addressing  a  few  words  to  them  through  tho  speaking- 
tnimi«-t.  alternately  in  the  French  and  German  languages,  one  or  other  of  which  we  thought  it  most  probable  they 
would  understand.  Tho  effect  produced  upon  them  by  such  an  unwonted  occurrence  was  no  doubt  extreme,  as  wo 
could  readily  perceive  l>y  tho  confusion  which  appeared  to  reign  among  them,  the  hurried  tone  and  elevated 

—ion*  which  immediately  succeeded  this  unexpected  declaration  of  our  presence.      What  they  thought  of  us, 

• . . T.  we  had  no  means  exactly  to  determine  ;  that  they  were  dismayed  and  perplexed  to  a  considerable  degree 
is  neither  to  Ixj  doubted  nor  wondered  at;  for  in  fact,  such  an  appearance,  and  at  such  a  juncture  of  time, 
place,  and  circumstances,  might  have  struck  terror  into  bolder  hearts  and  wiser  heads  than  those  of  tho  honest 

ii-  who  formed  our  audience  upon  this  occasion.     Catching  alone  the  rays  of  light  that  proceeded  from  the 

artificial  firework  that  was  suspended  d,.-e  U-ncath  us,  tho  balloon,  the  only  part  of  tho  machine  visible  to  them, 

ispect  of  a  huge  ball  of  lire,  slowly  and  steadily  traversing  tho  sky,  at  such  a  distance  as  to  preclude 

tin-  ]...-- il.ility  of  its  being  mistaken  for  any  of  the  ordinary  productions  of  nature,  a  suspicion  which,  even  if  it  had 

1.  the  terms  and  tone  of  our  address  must  speedily  have  tended  to  efface.     We  did  not,  however,  long  remain 

<y  their  confusion;  a  consideration  of  our  own  convenience  more  than  of  theirs  inducing  us  to  give  them 

rather  a  sudden  conge.     Amongst  tho  other  sounds  which  issued  from  this  Cyclopean  region  were  some  which, 

betokening  tho  presence  of  a  steam-engine  at  work  immediately  before  us,  suggested   the  propriety  of  raising 

Ives  to  such  a  height  as  to  place  the  guide-rope  beyond  the  chance  of  becoming  entangled  in  some  of  tho 
machinery.  '!'••  add  therefore  to  their  confusion,  while  lost  in  astonishment  and  drawn  together  by  their  mutual 
fears  they  stood  no  doubt  looking  up  to  tho  object  of  their  terrors,  a  large  shower  of  sand  came  tumbling  down 
upon  their  heads,  and  the  tail  of  tho  guide-rope  at  tho  same  moment  passing  right  in  the  midst  of  them  could  not 
fail  to  raise  their  perplexity  to  tho  highest  pitch.  Shortly  after,  the  light  expiring,  we  were  lost  to  their  view  in  the 
darkness  of  the  sky  and  the  increasing  elevation  of  our  ascent  This  was  the  last  spectacle  of  tho  kind  which  we 
were  at  present  destined  to  enjoy.  Scarcely  had  we  passed  the  confines  of  tho  fiery  region  that  had  been  tho  scene 
of  our  late  exploit  ero  an  unbroken  oliscurity,  more  profound  than  any  wo  had  yet  experienced,  involved  us  in  its 
folds,  and  effectually  excluded  every  terrestrial  object  from  our  view. 

It  was  now  jkist  midnight,  and  the  world  and  its  inhabitants  had  finally  committed  themselves  to  repose. 
F.very  li^lit  was  extinguished,  and  every  sound  hushed  into  silence;  even  the  cheerful  tones  of  the  vigilant  watch- 
dog, which  had  fritpiently  contributed  to  enliven  our  course  during  tho  previous  portion  of  tho  night  had  now 
ceased ;  and  darkness  and  tranquillity  reigned  paramount  over  tho  whole  adjacent  surface  of  the  globe." 

•   Alxivc  tin-  nii-t,  :il.uVi-  tlir  cloud. 
Al-ivi-  tl.e  ilarkneiwniHl  tin-  tlmn.ler, 
\Vliil.  rnnriii;;  wilil  an.!  luinl, 

:n  uliinra  a  wnrlil  of  Aw  !>-r. 

And  there  U  nilvnce  oVr  tin-  tlmii'l.  r.— HOIV.S.IX 


148 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


NOVEMBER,  183G. 


From  this  period  of  our  voyage  until  the  dawning  of  the  following  day  the  record  of  our  adventures  becomes 
tinged  with  the  obscurity  of  night.  The  face  of  nature  completely  excluded  from  our  view,  except  when 
circumstances  occasionally  brought  us  into  nearer  contact  with  the  earth,  all  our  observations  during  the  above 
period  are  necessarily  confined  to  a  register  of  incidents  and  sensations  mingled  with  vague  conjectures,  and  clouded 
with  the  mystery  wherewith  darkness  and  uncertainty  were  destined  to  involve  so  large  a  portion  of  the  remainder 
of  our  expedition.  The  moon,  to  which  we  might  have  looked  up  for  companionship  and  assistance,  had  she  been 
present,  was  nowhere  to  be  seen.  The  sky,  at  all  times  darker  when  viewed  from  an  elevation  than  it  appears  to 
those  inhabiting  the  lower  regions  of  the  earth,  seemed  almost  black  with  the  intensity  of  night ;  while,  by  contrast, 
no  doubt,  and  the  absence  of  intervening  vapours,  the  stars,  redoubled  in  their  lustre,  shono  like  sparks  of  the 
whitest  silver  scattered  upon  the  jetty  dome  around  us.  Occasionally  faint  flashes  of  lightning,  proceeding  chiefly 
from  the  northern  hemisphere,  would  for  an  instant  illuminate  the  horizon,  and  after  disclosing  a  transient  prospect 
of  the  adjacent  country,  suddenly  subside,  leaving  us  involved  in  more  than  our  original  obscurity. 

Nothing,  in  fact,  could  exceed  the  density  of  night  which  prevailed  during  this  particular  period  of  the 
voyage.*  Not  a  single  object  of  terrestrial  nature  could  anywhere  be  distinguished ;  an  unfathomable  abyss  of 
"  darkness  visible  "  seemed  to  encompass  us  on  every  side ;  and  as  we  looked  forward  into  its  black  obscurity  in  the 
direction  in  which  we  were  proceeding,  we  could  scarcely  avoid  the  impression  that  we  were  cleaving  our  way 
through  an  interminable  mass  of  black  marble  in  which  we  were  embedded,  and  which,  solid  a  few  inches  before 
us,  seemed  to  soften  as  we  approached,  in  order  to  admit  us  still  farther  within  the  precincts  of  its  cold  and  dusky 
enclosure.  Even  the  lights  which  at  times  we  lowered  from  the  car,  instead  of  dispelling  only  tended  to  augment 
the  intensity  of  the  surrounding  darkness,  and  as  they  descended  deeper  into  its  frozen  bosom,  appeared  absolutely 
to  melt  their  way  onward  by  means  of  the  heat  which  they  generated  in  their  course. 

Independent  of  the  real  obscurity  of  the  night,  a  combination  of  two  circumstances,  peculiar  to  our  situation, 
contributed  to  occasion  the  extraordinary  impression  of  darkness  which  we  have  here  feebly  attempted  to  describe  : 
in  the  first  place,  the  total  absence  of  all  material  objects  capable  of  reflecting  the  scattered  rays  of  light  which 
might  happen  to  exist  in  the  surrounding  atmosphere ;  and  secondly  (a  natural  consequence  of  the  former),  the 
power  of  availing  ourselves  of  our  own  light,  without  dispelling  or  diminishing  the  darkness  it  was  otherwise 
calculated  to  display.  To  the  former  of  these  were  we  indebted  for  the  positive  obscurity  of  the  locality  in  which  we 
found  ourselves;  to  the  second  we  owe  the  means  of  appreciating  it  by  the  contrast  it  enabled  us  to  establish.  It 
is  evident  that  these  two  circumstances  can  never  be  made  to  exist  in  combination,  except  in  a  situation  and  under 
advantages  exactly  similar  to  ours.  However  it  might  be  possible,  by  the  most  perfect  exclusion  of  light,  to  effect 
an  artificial  obscurity  capable  of  rivalling  that  to  which  we  were  naturally  exposed,  any  attempt  to  avail  oneself  of 
the  aid  of  light  to  establish  the  contrast  upon  which  the  real  strength  of  the  impression  depends,  must  at  once  subvert 
the  position  and  nullify  the  effect  it  was  purposely  designed  to  enhance. 

It  was  now  that  the  advantages  of  the  guide-rope  began  to  make  themselves  particularly  appreciable,  in  the 
indications  it  afforded  of  the  changes  that  were  continually  occurring  in  the  level  of  the  subjacent  soil,  giving  us 
infallible  warning  of  our  approach  to  ground,  the  superior  elevation  of  which  might  otherwise  have  occasioned 
us  considerable  inconvenience.  To  such  an  extent  did  these  alterations  at  times  proceed,  that  frequently  a 
difference  in  the  altitude  of  the  barometric  column  would  manifest  a  change  of  several  thousand  feet  in  the  level 
of  the  balloon's  course,  while  the  gnide-rope  continuing  to  trail  upon  the  ground,  would  indicate  an  uniform  distance 
from  its  surface  of  somewhat  less  than  its  own  extreme  dimensions.  Several  times,  under  the  influence  of  these 
changes,  did  we  arrive  f  so  near  the  earth  as  to  be  enabled  to  distinguish,  imperfectly,  it  is  true,  some  of  its  most 
prominent  features ;  and,  as  the  intensity  of  the  darkness  yielded  to  our  approach,  obtain  some  faint  idea  of  the 


*  One  sun  by  day,  by  night  ten  thousand  shine 
And  light  us  deep  into  the  Deity  ! 
How  boundless  in  magnificence  and  might! 
Oh,  what  a  confluence  of  ethereal  fires 
From  urns  unnumber'd,  down  the  steep  of  heaven 
Streams  to  a  point,  and  centres  in  my  sight ! — YOUNG. 

t  To  prevent  misconstruction,  the  reader  is  requested  to  observe 
that  the  expression  here  used  docs  not  of  necessity  imply  that  any 
change  had  taken  place  in  the  level  of  the  balloon's  course  to  occa- 
sion its  casual  interference  with  the  earth — the  changes  whereby 
such  a  result  became  possible  being  entirely  attributable  to  the 


latter.  And  yet  the  phrase  is  perfectly  correct,  inasmuch  as  the 
action  by  which  it  was  effected  was  inherent  in  the  former,  which  in 
the  course  of  its  onward  progress  became  sensible  of  these  changes, 
and  did,  strictly  speaking,  arrive  in  contiguity  with  the  surface  of 
the  earth,  though  without  any  alteration  in  the  level  at  which  it  was 
proceeding.  I  have  been  induced  to  enter  into  this  explanation 
from  observing  that  a  misconstruction  of  the  kind  alluded  to  Las 
already  been  put  upon  the  above  phrase  by  the  commentator  upon 
the  first  edition  of  this  little  narrative  in  one  of  the  daily  journals, 
and  an  inference  drawn  therefrom  prejudicial  to  the  efficacy  of  the 
guide-rope  by  which  these  supposed  depressions,  it  is  alleged,  should 
have  been  counteracted. 


\  linn:  MI>T\KI:\  mi;  A  i!ivi:u. 


It!. 


.iintry  which  lay  K  ncatli  us.     At  th.-e  tim< •>  we  appeared  to  be  traversing  largo  tracts  of  country 
.1  with  Miow.  diversified  with  forests,  and  intcrwoted  occasionally  with  rivers,  of  which  tin-  M 
in  tin-  earlier  part  i.f  the  night,  nml  tin-  Hhino  towards  the  coin  IUM..H.  constituted,  as  wo  afterwards  learned,  the 
p!in.  ipil  tli  i.f  i .in-  admiration  ami  of  our  conjectures.     Nothing  could  bo  more  interesting  than  the 

£lim|we«  which  the*-  myst.  rii.us  approximations  would  occasionally  |-  unit  na  to  enjoy.     Slowly  descending,  as 
!in-«l  tn  us.  fr..m  a   region  when-  darkness  formed   t\i>-  only  Kiilijcct   of  our  contemplations,  at  first  some  faint 
hallucination  i  Imt  whether  uf  earth  or  air  wo  could  but  doubtfully  determine),  would  appear  invading  the  obscurity 
<.f  the  sable  vault  immediately  beneath  us.  and  giving  us  the  first  notification  of  our  approach  to  something  that 
1  a  f  .nn  and  acknowledged  the  laws  of  the  material  world.     Gradually,  as  we  drew  nigh,  these  mystci  i..u* 
appearances  would  inneuhibl y  .  \t.  n.l  themselves  in  space,  strengthening  in  their  outlines,  and  becoming  more  definite 
in  tlu-ir  fi.nn.  with  an  effect  which,  to  render  it  iimrt-  intelligible,  we  can  only  compare  to  that  produced  while 
looking  through  a  telescope  during  the  process  of  its  adjustment,  the  confused  and  shadowy  features  of  some  distant 

|,r,  ,„],.,•.,.,.    ],,   ,,].      I..    ].  ,,,    ~1,.\\  U     li:!"U_ll    .   \.   !  \     U  1  .1' !  1 1  i.  •!  I    '    .     '1  i-t  i  1 1.   1  In   -..    ,    ..      |  1 ,,      |  ,,,,]„   |     |l  .   11-    !»•   .l!     |i   1  r_: I  1 1    .  '1 .1.1  i  In  ••  \ 

j    this   indefinite  plain,  maintain^!  in  our  level  by  the  agency  of  our  faithful  regulator,  the  guide-rope,  we 

would  continue  to  glide  fur  a  considerable  time,  until  some  equally  unexpected  depression  in  the  surface  of  the 

ild   gradually  abstract  it   fn.m   i.ur    view,  and   slowly  reversing  all    the   impressions   wo   had   before 

.I  in  our  approach,  once  more  consign  us  to  the  opuquo  obscurity  that  reigned  throughout  the  upper 

regions  of  tin-  air. 

An  instance  of  the  cxtraord^  lusions  to  which  the  vague  and  indistinct  nature  of  these  repreeentatioiiN 

would  occasionally  lead  us  will  serve  to  give  some  idi-a  of  the  doubt  and  uncertainty  that,  even  at  the  best, 
prevaili-d  over  all  our  observations  and  conjectures  during  this  most  interesting  portion  of  our  voyage.  For  some 
tinii-  Kn-k  our  attention  had  been  particularly  directed  to  an  appearance  which,  in  the  absence  of  any  grounds  for 
•napectinjr  the  contrary,  we  very  naturally  concluded  to  proceed  from  some  object  or  other  on  the  surface  of  the 
earth  below.  Seen  through  the  thick  gloom  of  the  night,  and  extended  alono  in  the  black  space  that  wrapped  every 

object  from  our  view,  it  K.n-  the  aspect  of  a  long  narrow  avenue  of  fi-eblc  light,  starting  off  in  a  straight  line 
towards  the  horizon,  from  some  point  or  source  at  some  distance  underneath  us.  \Yhat  it  could  be,  we  fruitlessly 
endeavoured  to  determine.  For  a  river,  its  extreme  length  and  regularity  united  forbid  us  to  assume  it ;  while  the 
dimensions  it  must  have  had  to  enable  it  to  present  so  important  an  appearance  at  the  elevation  we  then  occupied. 
equally  precluded  the  possibility  of  its  being  either  a  canal  or  a  road,  the  only  other  objects  to  which  we  could  with 
legree  of  probability  refer  it  In  vain  we  looked  forward  out  of  the  car  into  the  deep  intensity  of  the 
surrounding  night,  concentrating  all  our  powers  of  vision  to  the  one  spot  that  we  might  catch  some  clearer  view  to 

nine  our  conjectures;  in  vain  we  racked  our  imagination,  in  the  absence  of  the  requisite  visual  testimony, 
to  devise  what  it  could  be,  that,  amid  such  unbroken  obscurity,  contrived  to  make  itself  alono  distinguishable. 
The  more  we  looked,  the  more  we  doubted ;  the  more  we  reflected,  the  more  uncertain  appeared  the  result  of  our 
speculations ;  nor  was  it  till  after  a  considerable  lapse  of  time,  induced  by  observing  its  long-continued  presence  in 
the  same  position,  that  we  became  finally  aware  that  it  was  only  one  of  the  stay-ropes*  attached  to  the  summit  of 
tin  Uilloon.  which,  hanging  down  along  the  outside  at  a  distance  of  five-and-twenty  feet  from  the  car,  and  being, 
in  fact,  the  only  material  object  within  our  ken,  had  partially  caught  the  rays  of  light  from  our  lamp,  and  returned 
them  to  >is  under  the  aspect  and  impression  we  have  above  endeavoured  to  describe.1)' 

In  the  midst  of  this  intense  obscurity  an  incident  occurred  which,  for  the  effect  it  is  calculated  to  produce 
ujnin  the  minds  of  those  who  experience  it  for  the  first  time,  and  in  ignorance  of  its  cause,  merits  particularly  to  be 
noticed. 

It  was  about  half-past  three  in  tin-  morning,  when  the  balloon,  having  gained  a  sudden  accession  of  power, 


•  Two  long  end*  of  moderate  dimeiuianf,  externally  attached 
to  the  frame  of  tl»  UJ.JM  r  vnlve,  and  uwd  to  ttUndy  the  podtion  of 
the  ballnon  during  tin-  inlliilion,  ai  well  ai  after  the  deteent,  durini; 
the  prooex  »f  emptying  i!.i  pin,  to  |nvv<  nt  In  r  fn.m  rolling  on  the 
ground.  Thme  rope*,  win  n  tin-  KtlU.u  >-  lull,  will  extend  to  «me 
feet  below  the  ear,  and  at  a  distance  of  half  the  diameter  of  the 
•pbere  on  either  tide  of  the  mn< 

t  If  anr  one  will  cmlpnvnur  U>  imagine  Minx  If  looking  partly 
fonrard  and  partly  downward  fmm   tl..    Himmit  "f  »  li.lty  t 
vliin  theobarar-  •   i«  at  it*  highest,  and  hi-holding  a  line 

partially  illuminated  of  the  real  dimetaiomof  wl.icli  lie  i.-  i^uomnt  , 


vertically  •upended  at  a  dutance  of  some  yard*  before  him.  be  will 
be  able  to  form  a  pretty  correct  eatimaU-  of  the  circumstance*  under 
which  the  above  erroneoui  conviction  wa*  produced.  lie  will  then 
perceive  the  impossibility  of  determining,  by  the  mere  aid  of  the 
•enan,  the  quection  of  the  real  dutance  and  position  of  tin'  ..l.j.  <•(. 
and  will  be  enabled  to  appreciate  the  error  by  mean*  of  which  tl.. 
judgment  was  induced  to  refer  the  appearance  afforded  by  a  vertical 
rope  a  lew  feet  off,  Ike  pmenrr  <>/  irhirl,  it  did  »<>/  unlid^il-,  u>  that 
of  some  object  on  the  horizontal  plane  of  tin-  earth  whirh  it  teat  eat- 
da»tlf  erpeetny  to  atetmntrr. 

\   '2 


150 


ASTEA  CASTRA. 


NOVEMBER,  1836. 


owing  to  a  discharge  of  ballast,  which  had  taken  place  a  few  minutes  before,  while  navigating  too  near  the  earth  to 
be  considered  perfectly  safe  in  a  country  with  the  main  features  of  which  wo  were  totally  unacquainted,  began 
to  rise  with  considerable  rapidity,  and  ere  wo  had  taken  the  customary  means  to  check  her  ascent,  had  already 
attained  an  elevation  of  upwards  of  twelve  thousand  feet.  At  this  moment,  while  all  around  is  impenetrable 
darkness  and  stillness  most  profound,  an  unusual  explosion  issues  from  the  machine  above,  followed  instantaneously, 
by  a  violent  rustling  of  the  silk,  and  all  the  signs  which  may  be  supposed  to  accompany  the  bursting  of  the  balloon, 
in  a  region  where  nothing  but  itself  exists  to  give  occasion  to  such  awful  and  unnatural  disturbance.  In  the  same 
instant,  the  car,  as  if  suddenly  detached  from  its  hold,  becomes  subjected  to  a  violent  concussion,  and  appears  at 
once  to  be  in  the  act  of  sinking,  with  all  its  contents,  into  the  dark  abyss  below.  A  second  and  a  third  explosion 
follow  in  quick  succession,  accompanied  by  a  recurrence  of  the  same  astounding  effects,  leaving  not  a  doubt  upon 
the  mind  of  the  unconscious  voyager  of  the  fate  which  nothing  now  appears  capable  of  averting.  In  a  moment  after 
all  is  tranquil  and  secure ;  the  balloon  has  recovered  her  usual  form  and  stillness,  and  nothing  appears  to  designate 
the  unnatural  agitation  to  which  she  has  been  so  lately  and  unaccountably  subjected. 

The  occurrence  of  this  phenomenon,  however  strange  it  may  appear,  is,  nevertheless,  sxtsceptiblo  of  the 
simplest  solution,  and  consists  in  the  tendency  to  expansion  from  removal  of  pressure  which  the  balloon 
experiences  in  rising  from  a  low  to  a  higher  position  in  the  atmosphere,  and  the  resistance  to  this  expansion 
occasioned  by  the  tenacious  adhesion  of  the  silk  in  the  folds  which  the  comparatively  collapsed  state  of  the  balloon 
had  previously  allowed  it  to  assume.  When  the  ascent  and  consequent  expansion  take  place  slowly,  sufficient  time 
is  given  to  the  included  gas  gradually  to  overcome  this  resistance,  and  the  balloon  is  enabled  to  accommodate  itself  to 
the  growing  dilatation  of  its  contents  during  the  progress  of  its  elevation.  When,  however,  on  the  other  hand,  as 
in  the  case  especially  before  us,  the  rapidity  of  the  ascent  is  such  as  to  anticipate  the  gradual  adaptation  of  the 
balloon  to  the  expansive  tendency  of  its  contents,  the  entire  extrication  of  the  folds  of  the  silk  will  not  take  place 
until  the  internal  pressure  of  the  included  gas  has  reached  a  considerable  amount,  when,  suddenly  that  extrication  is 
accomplished,  attended  by  those  effects  which  wo  have  already  attempted  to  describe.  The  impression  of  the 
descent  of  the  car  in  the  above  description  is  evidently  a  false  one — on  the  contrary,  elevated  by  the  longitudinal 
curtailment  of  the  balloon  in  the  sudden  recovery  of  its  pristine  form  and  breadth,  the  car,  so  far  from  sinking, 
actually  springs  up ;  it  is  the  unexpectedness  of  such  a  movement,  and  its  apparent  inconsistency  with  the  laws 
of  gravitation,  that  occasions  the  delusion,  the  reality  of  which  the  collateral  circumstances  essentially  tend  to 
confirm,* 

The  cold,  particularly  during  this  part  of  the  night,  was  undoubtedly  intense,  as  could  be  perceived  not  less 
from  the  indications  of  the  thermometer  (ranging  variously  from  within  a  few  degrees  below  to  the  point  of 
congelation)  than  from  the  effects  which  it  produced  upon  the  different  liquors  wherewith  we  were  provided.  The 
water,  coffee,  and,  of  course,  the  oil  in  our  several  vessels  were  completely  frozen;  and  it  was  only  by  the 
actual  application  of  the  heat  of  the  lamp  that  we  were  enabled  to  procure  a  sufficiency  of  the  latter  to  supply  our 
wants  during  the  long  term  of  darkness  to  which  we  were  about  to  be  subjected. 

Of  the  advantages  which  in  these  circumstances  we  had  expected  to  reap  from  the  use  of  our  machine  for 
heating  liquors,  we  had,  as  I  have  before  observed,  been  for  some  time  deprived  by  the  loss  of  a  most  material  part 
of  the  apparatus.  In  this  dilemma  we  had  tried  several  shifts  for  supplying  the  deficiency,  but  unfortunately 
without  effect.  Abandoning,  therefore,  the  attempt,  we  at  first  became  reduced  to  the  disagreeable  alternative  of 
drinking  our  coffee  in  a  state  almost  approaching  to  congelation,  and  finally,  as  it  became  more  thoroughly  frozen, 
found  ourselves  compelled  to  relinquish  the  use  of  it  altogether. 

Strange,  however,  as  it  may  appear,  while  all  around  bore  such  unequivocal  testimony  to  the  severity  of  the 
cold,  the  effects  produced  upon  our  persons,  undefended  as  they  were  by  any  extraordinary  precautions,  were  by  no 
means  commensurate  to  the  cause,  nor  such  as  even  under  ordinary  circumstances  we  might  fairly  have  expected  to 
encounter. 

The  reason  to  which  may  be  attributed  this  unusual  exemption  from  the  consequences  of  a  low  temperature, 


*  In  the  former  editions  of  this  narrative  I  had  attributed  the  de- 
tention of  the  silk  in  its  corrugated  (?i  form  entirely  to  the  agency  of 
the  fro.st  upon  the  network  of  the  halloon,  previously  saturated  with 
moisture  during  its  protracted  sojourn  at  a  lower  elevation.  Having, 
however,  since  learned  from  Mr.  Green  that  lie  has  frequently  expe- 
rienced the  like  effects  from  a  rapid  ascent  without  the  intervention 


of  such  a  cause,  I  am  glad  to  have  the  opportunity  of  generalising 
the  explanation  I  had  given  of  the  above  phenomenon,  and  of  assign- 
ing to  the  frost,  in  the  case  alluded  to,  its  proper  place  as  merely 
contributing  to  enhance  the  effect  by  the  addditional  resistance •  it 
offered  to  the  gradual  dilatation  of  the  balloon. 


ft-/ 


1864 


-  fi   .'/  I  KU 

•jr 


1-  THE  DAWN.  I.M 

i.s  tlir  absence  of  all  current  of  air, — the  natural  result  of  our  situation  and  one  of  tho  peculiar  characteristic* 
i>f  acri.il  navigation. 

cm -li  H  ( •iivumstance  i«  fully  adequate  to  the  result  ascribed  to  it,  ample  testimony  is  afforded  in  th. 
accounts  recently  given  to  tin-  ].uMi.-  <>l°  tho  transactions  ,<(  tho  groat  polar  navigators,  Captains  Parry,  Hack.  and 
others,  in  pursuit  i,f  tlir  discovery  of  tho  north-western  passage,  wherein  many  instances  arc  related  of  persons 
uinli-r  similar  circumstances  not  only  bearing,  but  even  enjoying,  a  reduction  of  temperature  many  degrees  inferior 
t..  that  in  which  wo  were  placed.  Indeed,  from  what  wo  are  there  given  to  understand,  tho  degree  to  whieli  the 
human  frame  is  capable  of  being  refrigerated  without  experiencing  pain  or  inconvenience  appears  to  bo  almost 
cntir.lv  regulated  by  tho  concomitant  amount  of  atmospheric  motion.  In  tho  absence  of  that  motion,  there  seems 
to  bo  no  limit  in  nature  to  tho  extent  to  which  this  reduction  may  bo  carried :  tho  personages  in  tho  above  expeditions 
frequently  finding  themselves  exposed  to  a  temperature  303  below  zero  (or  62°  below  tho  freezing-point  of  Fahrenheit- 
with. .ut  cv.'ii  being  conscious  of  anything  extraordinary  in  their  situation  until  somo  change  in  tho  state  of 
ili'  surrounding  atmosphere  occurred  to  call  it  to  their  senses. 

As  tho  night  drew  on  to  a  close  tho  appearance  of  tho  firmament  became  subjected  to  a  gradual  change. 
The  stars,  insensibly  assuming  a  more  natural  lustre,  began  by  slow  degrees  to  "  pale  their  ineffectual  fires,"  while 
tJii-ir  li^ht,  which,  bound  as  it  were  by  tho  prevailing  obscurity,  had  hitherto  appeared  concentrated  and  confined, 
each  to  it*  own  particular  disc,  gradually  became  more  diffuse,  and,  illuminating  tho  celestial  hemisphere,  tomk-d 
continually  to  diminish  that  intense  brilliancy  which,  as  we  before  observed,  had  characterised  the  aspect  of 
tho  sky  during  tho  crisis  of  tho  preceding  night  Among  those,  tho  morning  star  for  a  long  time  shone  conspicuous, 
occupying  tho  very  centre  of  our  eastern  horizon,  and  creating  around  a  halo  so  unwonted  as  almost  to  persuade  us 
into  the  belief  of  a  premature  approach  of  day.  Large  masses  of  fleecy  clouds  now  began  to  bo  imperfectly 
distinguished,  pervading  the  lower  regions  of  tho  atmosphere,  and  for  a  while  leaving  us  in  doubt  whether  they 
were  not  a  continuation  of  those  snowy  districts  which  we  so  frequently  had  occasion  to  remark. 

l'i  .in  out  of  this  mass  of  vapours  more  than  once  during  tho  night  our  cars  had  been  assailed  with  Hounds 
bearing  so  strong  a  resemblance  to  tho  rushing  of  waters  in  enormous  volumes,  or  tho  boating  of  tho  waves  upon 
some  extensive  line  of  coast,  that  it  required  all  our  powers  of  reasoning,  aided  by  tho  certain,  knowledge  wo  had  of 
tho  direction  wo  were  pursuing,  to  remove  tho  conviction  that  wo  were  approaching  the  precincts  of  tho  sea,  and, 
transportal  l>y  the  winds,  were  either  thrown  bock  upon  tho  shores  of  the  German  Ocean,  or  about  to  enter  upon 
tho  remoter  limits  of  tho  Baltic. 

1 1  would  be  endless  to  enumerate  all  tho  conjectures  to  which  this  phenomenon  gave  rise,  or  the  various 
manners  by  which  wo  endeavoured  to  explain  its  occurrence.  Among  them  those  which  seemed  to  obtain  the 
greatest  credit  were  that  the  sounds  proceeded  from  some  vast  forest  agitated  by  the  winds;  some  rapid  river 
rushing  impetuously  over  a  broken  and  precipitous  channel ;  or  finally,  that  tho  misty  vapours  themselves,  by  the 
mutual  action  of  their  watery  particles,  or  their  precipitated  deposition  upon  tho  irregular  surface  of  tho  earth 
beneath,  had  occasioned  the  murmurs,  which,  multiplied  throughout  so  largo  a  space,  camo  to  our  oars  in  the 
formidable  accents  to  which  wo  have  above  alluded. 

According  as  the  day  drew  nigh  these  appearances  vanished,  with  much  of  tho  doubts  to  which  they  had 
given  rise.  Instead  of  tho  unbroken  outline  of  tho  sea,  an  irregular  surface  of  cultivated  country  began  feebly  t«. 
display  itself,  in  tho  midst  of  which  tho  majestic  river  wo  had  noticed  for  some  time  back  appeared  dividing  tin 
prospect,  and  losing  itself  in  opposite  directions  amid  the  vapours  that  still  clung  to  the  summits  of  the  hills, 
or  settled  in  tho  valleys  that  lay  between  them.  Across  this  river  we  now  directed  our  course,  and  shortly  after 
lost  sight  of  it  entirely  Ix'hind  the  gently-swelling  eminences  by  which  it  was  bordered  on  both  sides. 

Tin-  dawn,  which  fnr  some  time  back  had  been  continually  augmenting,  had  now  become  fully  established  in 
the  upper  regions  i.f  the  atiuo.phere,  although  ite  influence  as  yet  was  but  slightly  exerted  upon  tho  humMei 
districts  of  tho  subjacent  earth.  All  tho  celestial  bodies  hod  now  entirely  disappeared ;  even  tho  morning  star, 
which  so  long  tho  subject  of  our  admiration  hod  continued  with  waning  energy  to  contest  the  empire  of  the  sky, 
had  now  retired,  and  we  began  earnestly  to  look  forward  to  the  arrival  of  tho  groat  luminary  that  was  soon  t<  i 
supply  their  place. 

Al.nit  ten  minutes  past  fnv  one  of  those  casual  aberrations  occurred,  to  which  we  have  already  alluded,  when 
the  balloon  rising  rapidly  wo  became  suddenly  transported  to  an  elevation  of  about  12,000  feet  This  was  th. 
highest  point  we  attained  throughout  tho  wholo  voyage,  and  tho  effect  was,  in  truth,  equally  pre-eminent  with  the 
occasion  by  which  it  was  produced.  If  we  only  reflect  that  our  position  at  this  altitude  was  such  as  to  have 


152 


ASTBA  CASTRA. 


NOVEMBER,  1836. 


enabled  us  to  behold  objects  at  a  distance  of  above  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  on  every  side  of  us,  had  those 
objects  been  sufficiently  great  or  sufficiently  striking  to  fix  the  attention,  some  faint  idea  may  be  had  of  the 
immensity  of  prospect  which  at  that  moment  became  subjected  to  our  view.  We  shall  then  bo  seen  occupying  the 
centre  of  a  circle,  whose  diameter,  extending  to  above  three  hundred  miles  in  length,  afforded  us  an  horizon,  the 
circumference  of  which  exceeding  an  equal  number  of  leagues,  comprised  within  its  circuit  an  expanse  of  visible 
surface  little  short  of  seventj'-one  thousand  square  miles.  In  the  enjoyment  of  this  stupendous  landscape  we 
continued  for  above  an  hour,  occasionally  descending  a  few  hundred  feet,  and  again  rising  to  resume  our  station 
upon  our  former  level. 

In  one  of  these  latter  movements,  which  took  place  at  about  a  quarter  past  six,*  the  balloon  having  nearly 
recovered  its  highest  elevation  suddenly  brought  us  in  full  view  of  the  sun,  and  for  the  first  time  gladdened  with 
the  assurance  of  a  speedy  return  of  day. 

Powerful,  indeed,  must  be  the  pen  which  could  hope  to  do  justice  to  a  scene  like  that  which  here  presented 
itself  to  our  view.  The  enormous  extent  of  the  prospect;  the  boundless  variety  it  embraced;  the  unequalled 
grandeur  of  the  objects  it  displayed ;  the  singular  novelty  of  the  manner  under  which  they  were  beheld ;  and 
the  striking  contrast  they  afforded  to  that  situation  and  those  scenes  to  which  we  had  so  long  and  so  lately  been 
confined,  are  effects  and  circumstances  which  no  description  is  capable  of  representing  in  the  light  in  which  they 
ought  to  be  placed  in  order  to  be  duly  appreciated.!  Better  far  to  leave  it  to  a  fertile  imagination  to  fill  in 
the  faint  outlines  of  a  rough  and  unfinished  sketch,  than  by  a  lame  and  imperfect  colouring  run  the  risk  of  marring 
a  prospect  which,  for  grandeur  and  magnificence,  has  certainly  no  parallel  in  all  the  vast  and  inexhaustible 
treasures  of  nature. 

This  splendid  spectacle,  however,  we  were  not  long  destined  to  enjoy ;  a  rapid  descent,  which  shortly  after 
ensued,  for  a  while  concealing  it  from  our  view,  and  once  more  consigning  us  to  the  shades  of  night,  which 
still  continued  to  reign  unbroken  throughout  the  lower  region  of  the  air. 

Again  we  rose  within  the  reach  of  this  delightful  prospect,  and  again  did  we  lose  sight  of  it  amid  the  vapours 
and  obscurity  that  accompanied  our  descent;  nor  was  it  till  we  had  three  times  made  the  sun  rise,  and  twice 
beheld  it  set,  that  we  could  fairly  consider  it  established  above  the  horizon  and  daylight  complete  upon  the  plane  of 
the  earth  beneath  us. 

From  this  time  forward  all  our  observation  was  principally  directed  to  the  nature  of  the  country  and  its 
adaptation  to  the  descent  which  we  had  now  resolved  to  effect  the  first  fitting  opportunity.  To  this  step  the 
uncertainty  in  which  we  necessarily  were  with  respect  to  the  exact  position  we  occupied,  owing  to  our  ignorance  of 
the  distance  we  had  come,  especially  determined  us.  For  a  long  time  past  the  appearance  of  the  country,  so  unlike 
any  with  which  we  were  acquainted,  had  led  us  to  entertain  serious  doubts  as  to  whether  we  had  not  already  passed 
the  limits  of  that  part  of  Europe  where  we  might  expect  to  find  the  accommodation  and  conveniences  which  our 
own  comfort  and  the  safety  of  the  balloon  imperatively  demanded.  This  opinion  the  large  tracts  of  snow  over 
which  we  had  passed  during  the  latter  part  of  the  night,  bearing  a  strong  resemblance  to  all  we  had  hitherto 
pictured  to  ourselves  of  the  boundless  plains  of  Poland,  or  the  barren  and  inhospitable  steppes  of  Russia, 
considerably  tended  to  confirm  ;|  and  as  the  region  we  were  immediately  approaching  seemed  to  offer  advantages 
which,  under  these  circumstances,  we  could  not  always  hope  to  command,  we  resolved  not  to  lose  the  occasion  it  so 
opportunely  appeared  to  have  afforded  us. 


*  The  time  referred  to  here  and  elsewhere  throughout  this  nar- 
rative is  that  of  Greenwich.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  voyage,  a 
variation  amounting  to  about  thirty-four  minutes  was  found  to  exist 
between  the  times  indicated  at  its  two  extremes  ;  the  chronometers 
of  Weilburg  being  so  much  in  advance  of  those  of  London.  This 
variation  was  occasioned  by  the  easterly  direction  of  our  course,  and 
the  difference  of  longitude. 

t  Yonder  comes  the  powerful  king  of  day, 
Rejoicing  in  the  East.     The  lessening  cloud, 
The  kindling  azure,  and  the  mountain's  brow, 
Illumined  with  fluid  gold,  his  near  approach 
Betoken  glad.     Lo  !  now,  apparent  all, 
Aslant  the  dew-bright  earth  and  colour 'd  air, 
He  looks  in  boundless  majesty  abroad, 
And  sheds  the  shining  day,  that  burnish'd  plays 
On  rocks,  and  hills,  and  towers,  and  wandering  streams, 


High  gleaming  from  afar.     Prime  chcerer,  light ! 

Of  all  material  beings  first  and  best ! 

Efflux  divine  !  Nature's  resplendent  robe  ! 

Without  whose  vesting  beauty  all  were  wrapt 

In  unessential  gloom  ;  and  thou,  O  sun  ! 

Soul  of  surrounding  worlds !  in  whom  best  seen 

Shines  out  thy  Maker. — THOMSON. 

t  This  presumption  will  not  appear  so  extravagant  when  we  con- 
sider the  enormous  rapidity  with  which  the  course  of  the  balloon  is 
liable  to  be  affected,  and  the  impossibility  of  obtaining  any  indica- 
tion as  to  its  amount  during  the  long  period  of  darkness  which  we 
had  just  encountered.  Had  we  continued  to  pursue  the  greatest  rate 
of  motion  at  which  the  balloon  has  been  known  to  be  impelled  in 
these  latitudes,  we  should,  ere  the  period  of  our  descent,  have  ac- 
complished a  distance  of  above  two  thousand  miles. 


N..VKMHKI:.  1.S36.  THE  DUCHY  OF  NASSAU.  I.V! 

As  Boon  as  wo  had  como  to  this  determination  all  preparations  were  speedily  commenced  for  the  descent ;  the 
iruido-ropo  was  hauled  in  (an  operation  of  much  labour,  owing  to  the  bad  construction  and  imperfect  action  of 
the  windlass),  the  grapnel  and  cable  lowered,  and  everything  got  ready  that  wo  might  be  ublo  to  avail  ourselves  of 
1)1.'  tii -I  ami  fittest  opportunity  that  might  occur.  To  this  intent,  likewise,  we  quitted  our  exalt,,!  station,  ami 
-o>i_;ht  a  more  humble  uud  appropriate  level, along  which  we  continued  to  range  for  some  time  and  to  a  coii.-M'  i.il>l. 
distance;  the  yet  early  hour  «(  the  day  deterring  us  from  completing  the  deseeiit,  in  the  fear  of  not  obtaining  that 
ready  assistance  from  the  inhabitants  wKirh  it  ix  always  the  main  object  of  the  aeronaut,  if  possible,  to  secure. 

As  the  mists  of  the  night  began  to  clear  away  from  the  surface  of  the  soil  wo  were  delighted  to  per 
a  country  intersected  with  roads,  dotted  with  villages,  and  >  nli\.  n.-,l  with  all  the  signs  of  an  abundant  anil 
industrious  population.  The  snowy  covering  which  so  lately  chilled  us  with  its  forbidding  aspect  had  now 
disappeared,  except  a  few  patches  which  still  lingered  in  the  crevices,  or  lay  spread  within  the  sheltered  recesses  of 
t)i<4  numerous  hills  by  which  the  surrounding  neighbourhood  was  particularly  distinguished.  On  the  summit  ,  •!' 
one  of  these  an  isolated  edifice  of  considerable  magnitude  and  venerable  antiquity  appeared,  just  breaking  through 
tin'  vapours  that  yet  partially  concealed  the  morning  landscape.  Seated  upon  the  very  point  of  tin-  einin,-n.  ••  It 
seemed  like  som.-  .in.  i.  nt  Kironial  castle,  overlooking  the  prospect  and  extending  its  protection  to  a  cluster  -  i 
humHer  dwellings  that  straggled  around  its  base.  One  or  two  towns,  likewise,  of  superior  pretensions  were 
distinctly  to  be  seen;  giving  promise  of  accommodation  and  advantages  which,  in  our  present  emergencies  and 
un.ler  our  present  convictions,  were  not  to  be  neglected.  Accordingly,  having  pitched  upon  the  spot  most  proper  l'..r 
the  pur].. «e,  the  valve  was  opened  and  wo  commenced  our  descent 

The  place  so  selected  was  a  small  grassy  vale,  of  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  breadth,  embosomed  in  hill*. 
whose  sides  and  summits  were  completely  enveloped  with  trees.  Beyond  this,  on  the  opposite  side,  lay  another 
valley  of  the  same  description  ;  the  only  one  visible  for  many  miles,  where  we  could  conveniently  efl'ect  our  landing  : 
.in  endless  succession  of  forest  scenery  completing  the  landscape  in  the  direction  in  which  wo  should  have  had  to 
|U-.«-ei-d.  Int..  the  former  of  th.  -•  w.  n..u  |.iv.-i|.it..t,  -.1  our  il.-e.-nl.  with  the  d.-M-n  of  ali^hlin-.  if  |.,-sil.|,-.  in  f  I,, 
en-litre,  elear  of  the-  woods  that  enclosed  it  on  all  sides.  In  these  hopes  we  were,  however,  disappointed:  the  wind 
suddenly  increasing  as  we  approached  the  ground,  so  much  accelerated  the  onward  course  of  the  balloon,  that  before 
the  grapnel  could  take  effectual  hold  of  the  soil  we  had  passed  the  middle  of  the  valley,  and,  sweeping  rapidly  over 
the  ground,  were  borne  close  against  the  wooded  declivity  that  flanked  its  eastern  termination.  To  discharge  u 
sufficiency  of  ballast  to  raise  the  balloon,  and  carry  her  clear  of  the  impending  danger,  was  the  natural  remedy.  An 
unexpected  obstacle  to  this  operation  here  again  presented  itself;  the  sand  which  forms  the  ballast,  frozen  during 
the  night  into  a  solid  block  of  stone,  refused  to  quit  the  bag  in  the  proportion  required,  and  no  time  remained  to 
search  for  one  more  suited  to  the  occasion.  Not  a  moment  was,  in  fact,  to  be  lost;  the  valley  was  passed,  and  the 
branches  of  the  trees  that  clothed  the  opposing  precipice  were  already  within  a  few  feet  of  the  balloon  ;  the  grapnel 
continued  to  drag,  and  no  chance  appeared  of  arresting  her  progress  onward.  In  this  emergency  one  alternative 
alone  remained,  and  the  sack  itself,  with  all  its  contents,  to  the  amount  of  fifty-six  pounds  in  weight,  were  at  once 
consigned  to  the  earth.  In  a  moment  the  balloon,  lightened  of  so  large  a  portion  of  her  burden,  had  sprung  ii|> 
above  a  thousand  feet,  and  clearing  the  mountain  at  a  bound,  was  soon  in  rapid  progress  to  the  realms  above.  To 
counteract  the  consequence  of  this  sudden  accession  of  power,  and  avoid  being  carried  beyond  the  reach  of  the  second 
valley,  which  we  have  already  described  as  the  only  other  available  spot  for  our  descent,  the  valve  was  again 
opened,  and  issue  given  to  a  large  quantity  of  gas ;  sufficient,  as  was  calculated,  to  check  the  course  of  the  balloon  in 
time  to  enable  us  to  attain  the  point  to  which  all  our  views  were  now  directed. 

\  •  onil  time,  however,  we  were  doomed  to  bo  di.sappointed.  \o  sooner  had  we  completed  this  manoeuvre, 
than  by  another  caprice  of  nature,  the  wind  suddenly  abating,  we  found  ourselves  at  once  becalmed  and  rapidly 
descending  into  the  bosom  of  the  woods  that  capped  the  summit  and  clothed  the  sides  of  the  intervening  eminences. 
From  this  dilemma  we  were  only  relieved  by  the  timely  discharge  of  a  further  portion  of  our  weight;  not,  howev.  i. 
before  the  accelerated  descent  of  the  balloon  had  brought  us  within  a  cable's  length  of  the  ground,*  and  almost  in 
contact  with  the  UJ.JH  r  surface  of  th,.  w,.*!.  Here,  for  a  few  moments,  we  continued  to  hover;  the  grapnel 
struggling  with  the  topmost  branch, -s  of  the  trees,  and  grasping  and  relinquishing  its  hold  according  to  the  varying 
impulse  of  the  slight  wind  that  prevail,  ,1  at  our  elevation. 


*  The  length  of  tin-  raMi-  to  which  tlio  gnipnd  u  attached  is  about  on.-  hundred  and  twenty  f.-et. 


154  ASTEA  CASTRA.  NOVEMBEU,  183C. 

While  in  this  situation,  we  perceived,  standing  in  a  path  in  the  wood,  two  females,  the  first  inhabitants  we 
had  noticed,  lost  in  astonishment  and  seemingly  petrified  with  gazing  upon  so  astounding  an  apparition.  It  was  in 
vain  we  addressed  them  with  a  speaking-trumpet,  in  the  hopes  of  procuring  the  assistance  of  some  of  the  male 
population,  which  we  conjectured  could  not  bo  far  off;  the  sound  of  our  voices,  proceeding  from  such  an  altitude, 
and  invested  with  such  an  unearthly  character,  only  augmented  their  astonishment,  and  added  to  their  fears ;  they 
fled  incontinently,  and  without  waiting  further  parley  sought  the  shelter  of  the  neighbouring  coverts. 

After  continuing  for  a  few  minutes  longer  in  these  straits,  we  at  length  reached  the  confines  of  the  wood  ; 
when,  resolving  not  to  be  again  baffled  in  our  designs  by  the  treacherous  inconstancy  of  the  wind,  the  valve  was 
opened  to  its  fullest  dimensions,  and  the  grapnel  taking  hold  shortly  after,  we  came  to  the  ground  with  considerable 
though  by  no  means  disagreeable  rapidity.* 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  Mr.  Green,  for  his  excellent  conduct  throughout  the  whole  of  this 
intricate  pilotage.  It  is  not  by  reading  a  mere  description  of  the  difficulties  encountered,  and  the  manner  by  which 
they  were  counteracted,  that  a  correct  judgment  can  be  formed  upon  the  merits  of  such  a  case  as  this ;  a  further 
consideration  is  necessary — the  knowledge  that  these  difficulties  did  not  proceed  from  the  same  source  as  the 
remedies  by  which  they  were  defeated.  In  this  light  it  is  that  the  conduct  of  our  celebrated  captain  has  a  right  to 
be  criticised;  the  impediments  were  those  of  uncontrollable  nature— the  victory,  and  the  means  employed  to  secure 
it,  were  all  his  own. 

As  soon  as  the  descent  was  completed,  and  the  power  of  the  balloon  sufficiently  crippled  to  permit  one  of  the 
party  to  quit  the  car,  the  inhabitants,  who  had  hitherto  stood  aloof,  regarding  our  manoeuvres  from  behind  the  trees, 
began  to  flock  in  from  all  quarters ;  eyeing,  at  first,  our  movements  with  considerable  suspicion,  and  not  seldom 
looking  up  in  the  direction  from  which  we  had  just  alighted,  in  the  expectation,  no  doubt,  of  witnessing  a  repetition 
of  this,  to  them,  inexplicable  phenomenon. 

A  few  words  in  German,  however,  served  to  dissipate  their  fears,  and  secure  their  services.  The  first 
question,  "  "Where  are  we  ?  "  was  speedily  answered,  "  In  the  Duchy  of  Nassau,  about  two  leagues  from  the  town  of 
Weilburg."  The  second  was  theirs,  "  Where  do  you  come  from  ? "  "  From  London,  which  we  left  yesterday 
evening."  Their  astonishment  at  this  declaration  may  bo  easily  conceived.  The  fact,  however,  was  not  to  be 
disputed.  What  they  had  seen  was  to  the  full  as  marvellous  as  anything  we  might  choose  to  relate,  and  certainly 
enough  to  entitle  us  to  consideration  and  command  respect. 

At  all  events,  whether  from  above  or  below,  we  were  evidently  strangers ;  a  circumstance  of  itself  sufficient  at 
all  times  to  have  engaged  the  sympathy  and  assistance  of  an  artless  and  hospitable  people,  but  which,  coupled  as  it 
was,  in  our  case,  with  the  possibility  of  one  or  other  of  the  two  preceding  alternatives,  brought  us  in  for  no 
small  amount  of  homely  deference  and  attention. 

To  these  kindly  feelings  we  endeavoured  to  contribute  by  every  means  in  our  power.  Our  stock  of  biscuits, 
wine,  and  brandy  quickly  disappeared,  with  a  relish  which  the  novelty  of  the  journey  they  had  so  lately  performed, 
tended,  no  doubt,  considerably  to  augment.  The  brandy,  in  particular,  so  much  stronger  than  any  they  had  ever 
before  essayed,  attracted  their  special  admiration  ;  and  as  they,  each  in  succession,  drank  off  their  allowance,  they 
seemed  by  the  exclamation  of  "  Himmlischer  Schnapps  "  (celestial  dram),  which  accompanied  every  draught,  as  well 
as  by  the  upward  directions  of  their  eyes,  to  denote  the  quarter  from  which  they  now  became  fully  convinced  .a 
beverage  so  delicious  could  alone  have  proceeded. 

With  all  the  willingness,  however,  which  they  displayed  in  their  endeavours  to  assist  us,  it  required  no  little 
management,  and  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  peculiar  habits  and  propensities  of  the  animal,  to  turn  their  services 
to  a  proper  account.  In  the  first  place,  the  operation  of  emptying  the  balloon,  at  all  times  sufficiently  tedious,  was 
rendered  more  so  in  the  present  instance  from  the  quantity  of  frozen  moisture  it  had  imbibed  in  the  course  of  the 
night,  and  which  we  were  desirous  to  get  rid  of  by  a  little  exposure  to  the  sun  before  we  had  completely  enclosed 
it.  Now  Germans,  proverbially  indolent,  require  no  small  degree  of  excitement  to  keep  their  attention  and  their 
services  engaged  to  any  continued  pursuit.  The  slightest  relaxation,  therefore,  on  our  part,  was  sure  to  be  attended 
with  a  corresponding  relaxation  upon  theirs,  and  in  the  event  of  our  taxing  their  patience  too  severely  there  was  no 
small  probability  that  they  would  slacken  in  their  efforts,  and  getting  tired  of  seeing  nothing  done,  eventually 
abandon  us  to  our  resources.  On  the  other  hand,  to  occupy  their  attention  by  a  liberal  distribution  of  "  Schnapps  " 


*  It  was  half-past  seven  o'clock  when  this  occurrence  took  place,  and  our  descent  could  be  fairly  said  to  be  completed.     The  duration 
(if  our  voyage  may  therefore  be  calculated  at  exactly  eighteen  hours. 


NH\  I  Mltri:.   i 


WKii.r.i  i:>.. 


163 


•iilv  alternative   that  remaii  <*   iu>t  without    it*  (.articular   iii.t.nv,  ni.  n<«.     Gerni.r 

without   ]ii|ii-s  in   th.ii    |v..k.  ts.  and    never    tliink   of  eating   or   drinking   without    concluding  the'    o|H-ration   l.y 
aUtractmg  tin'  said    ].i|>cs  and  indulging  in  a  frii-wlly  funiigatinn  ;  in   which  case,  besides  incurring   the  risk  of 

combustion  I' i  NI  many  fireworks  in  exercise  .it  mi.-.-,  we  should  havi-  hail  to  calculate  II|MHI  the  certain  li»w  of  one 

h.tnd  to  each  individual,  and  the  other  .1.  |ni\.  d  of  half  it*  energy,  when  two,  well  applied,  were  scarcely  enough  for 
tin-  ]>ur]»>sf.      Into  this  erior  we  had   fallen  at  first  ;    tl.  was  Unit  half  of  our  ellieient   loir. - 

already  laid  up  smoking,  and  it  was  only  liy  a   timely  withdrawal  of  the  supplies  tliat  wo  were  enabled  to  oouiinand 
-  of  the  remainder. 

\Vith  all  tln-.sfdr.iwli.ieks.  it  was  nearly  twelve  oVWk  l«-fore  the  wliole  of  our  operations  were  ooni-lnded  and 
tin-  lullooii.  with  all  its  accompanying  a].)iaratus,  Kiifely  adjusted  in  the  bottom  of  the  car.  Our  next  stop  was  to 
procure  a  cart  and  horses  to  convey  it  to  Weilhurg,  the  nearest  place  where  wo  could  expect  to  meet  with  the 
aoooiiiiu»l.iti. .11  which  the  circumstance*  of  the  case  rendered  dctiirable.  For  thin,  as  then.-  was  but  one  in  the 
neighU.iirhood  for  many  mile.s  around  suitable  to  the  purpose,  wo  were  compelled  to  submit  to  a  further  delay  of 
aU.ut  an  hour  and  a  half.  In  the  mean  time  we  had  some  difficulty  in  inducing  our  kind  and  able  coadjutors  to 

•  of  any  remuneration  for  the  timely  assistance  they  had  afforded  us;  nor  was  it  until  wo  had  evinced  liy  our 
jN'i-M -M-ranee  a  determination  not  to  bo  refused,  that  wo  finally  succeeded  in  persuading  them  to  come  to  some 
definite  arrangement  among  themselves  as  to  what  amount  of  OOB^WMation  should  1*-  bestowed,  and  in  what 
manner  it  should  Iw  distributed.  Accordingly,  as  the  magnitude  ,,f  tlieir  numbeni  precluded  the  possibility  of 

ding  our  liounty  to  all,  fourteen  were  selected  out  of  those  who  hud  taken  a  most  pruminent  part  on  the 
occasion,  and  the  sum  of  half  a  franc  each,  equal  to  about  fivej>enoo  English,  stated  as  the  full  amount  of  their 
expectations.  This  sum,  with  more  liberality  than  prudence,  as  appeared  in  the  sequel,  was  immediately  doubled, 
when  a  scene  occurred  to  which  no  description  is  capable  of  communicating  the  entire  effect  Scarcely  had  this 
unexpected  extension  of  our  bounty  been  announced  to  the  fourteen  fortunate  individuals  who  were  to  participate 
in  it,  ere  as  many  unwashed  beards,  black  and  brown,  white,  yellow,  red,  and  grey,  were  simultaneously  and 
unceremoniously  thrust  forward  fur  the  purpose  of  signifying  their  gratitude  by  effecting  a  salute,  in  a  stylo  which, 
in  our  country  at  least,  is  usually  considered  one  of  the  peculiar  privileges  of  the  gentler  sex.  To  refuse  the  proffered 

sy  might  have  been  construed  into  an  affront,  and  we  were  absolutely  in  the  very  act  of  being  subjected  to 

this  agreeable  ordeal,  when  the  seasonable  arrival  of  the  long-expected  vehicle  saved  us  from  the  full  infliction  of 

the  direful  (M-nalty.     <  Kvrjoyed  at  our  timely  deliverance,  all  hands  were  summoned  to  assist  in  loading  the  waggon, 

and  having  mounted  thcrc<>n  ouix-lves,  we  quitted  this,  to  us,  ever  memorable  spot,*  and  attended  by  an  amazing 

•arse  of  persons  of  every  rank,  age,  and  sex,  set  out  for  \Veilburg,  which  a  few  hours  enabled  us  to  attain. 

The  fame  of  our  adventure  had,  however,  already  preceded  us.  On  our  approach  we  found  ourselves  greeted 
with  acclamations,  and  a  ready  welcome  and  honourable  attentions  awaited  our  arrival.  All  the  resources  of  the 
town  weie  immediately  placed  at  our  disposal;  the  use  of  the  archducal  manege  was  tendered  for  the  occupation  of 
the  Kdlooii ;  and  sentries,  more  indeed  as  a  guard  of  honour  than  of  protection,  stationed  at  the  doors  and  avenues 
leading  to  the  place  of  its  reception. 

then  wo  resolved  to  remain  until  our  future  movements  should  be  determined  by  the  return  of  the 

•i  we  had  despatched  to  Paris  immediately  upon  our  descent  In  the  mean  time,  favoured  by  the  peculiar 
advantages  of  the  building,  we  availed  ourselves  of  this  delay  to  open  and  innate  the  balloon,  as  well  for  the 
purpose  of  drying  and  examining  it  as  to  make  some  return  fof  the  obligations  we  were  under,  by  contributing  to 
gratify  the  curiosity  of  our  hospitable  entertainers.  It  would  be  scarcely  credible  were  I  to  relate  the  interest 
wherewith  the  inhabitant*  seemed  to  regard  this,  to  them,  novel  exhibition;  the  numbers  that  poured  in  to  witness 
it  from  all  quarters,  C >r  many  a  league  around,  or  the  grateful  acknowledgment*  with  which  they  never  ceased  to 
whelm  us  during  tin.-  fortnight  it  continued  open  to  public  inspection. 

Nothing  in  fact  could  surpass  the  courtesy  and  attention  that  we  experienced  from  this  simple-hearted  and 
hospitable  community,  during  the  wlfMo  period  of  our  residence  at  Weilburg.  Every  one  seemed  to  vie  with  each 
other  in  conferring  favour  and  contributing  to  our  entertainment  Balk,  dinners,  concerts,  and  other  amusements 


•  The  exact  spot  whr-r.-  the  event  t.n,k  plan-  wa»  in  a  field  adja- 
cent to  a  mill,  known  l.y  the  iiatm-  of  Dilllmiixc-n.  >ituat.-il  in  the 
T«lley  of  Klln-ni.  in  the  i-..mimme  .•:  ls< .„.  alxmt  tw.. 

leagne*  ftwm  the  town  of  Wi-ilbtug;  already,  l.y  u  ruri..us  coinci- 


, imtid  in  the  ammlii  of  m  notation  an  tin-  plin-e  wlj.  : 

eel.-l.r.lti  i\   M.  Hlaliclmrd  I  IV.  et.  il    his   Ltndilil.',  alter  Ull  Unvelll  whirli 

he  made  at  Francfort  in  the  year  IT*:. 


156  ASTKA  CASTBA.  NOVEMBER,  1836. 

were  given  without  intermission  ;  poems  were  composed  in  honour  of  our  adventure,  and  the  congratulations  of  the 
city  presented  to  us  by  a  deputation  of  the  principal  citizens,  headed  by  their  chief  civil  officer,  in  the  form  of  a 
document  duly  signed  and  sealed  by  the  competent  authorities. 

Among  the  festive  recreations  to  which  our  unexpected  arrival  at  Weilburg  gave  rise,  we  must  not  omit  to 
mention  the  ceremony  of  christening  the  balloon,  which  took  place  the  day  previous  to  our  departure,  the  Baron  do 
Bibra,  Grand  Maitre  des  Eaux  et  Forets,  and  the  Colonel  Baron  do  Preen,  being  the  godfathers ;  the  Baroness  de 
Bibra  and  the  Baroness  do  Dungern,  the  godmothers,  on  the  occasion.  The  balloon  having  been  distended  with  air 
to  the  greatest  size  the  dimensions  of  the  place  would  admit,  eight  young  ladies,  in  company  with  Mr.  Green, 
entered  within  the  gigantic  sphere,  and  the  name  of  "  The  Great  Balloon  of  Nassau  "  having  been  bestowed  by  one 
of  their  number,  Mdlle.  Theresa,  the  lovely  and  amiable  daughter  of  the  Baron  de  Bibra,  accompanied  by  a  copious 
libation  of  wine,  the  ceremony  was  concluded  with  a  collation,  consisting  of  the  remains  of  our  stock  of  provisions, 
which  had  been  unconsumed  at  the  time  of  our  descent. 

One  other  act  of  honourable  attention  yet  remains  to  be  recorded.  On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  the  last 
we  had  to  enjoy  in  the  society  of  this  courteous  and  hospitable  population,  it  was  resolved  to  signalise  the  occasion 
of  our  visit,  and  the  agreeable  intercourse  to  which  it  had  given  rise,  by  some  more  flattering  display  of  favour 
than  any  we  had  yet  experienced.  A  grand  festival  was  consequently  held  in  the  principal  chambers  of  the  chief 
inn,  which  had  been  tastefully  decorated  for  the  purpose,  and  at  which  all  the  first  personages  of  the  town  were 
assembled  to  meet  us.  After  the  dinner,  or  rather  the  supper  had  been  concluded,  and  the  mutual  goodwill  of  the 
parties  established  by  a  general  interchange  of  glasses,  occasion  was  taken  to  pronounce  a  short  discourse  in  Latin 
verse,*  composed  by  M.  Friedemann,  Principal  of  the  Academic  Gymnasium,  in  which  a  comparison  is  instituted 
between  our  late  enterprise  and  others  of  a  similar  nature ;  at  the  conclusion  of  which  a  crown  of  laurels  was  placed 
upon  the  head  of  Mr.  Green,  and  his  health  with  that  of  his  companions  proposed  and  drunk  amid  general  and 
repeated  acclamations. 

From  such  an  universal  display  of  hospitality  and  kindness  it  would  bo  difficult  to  single  out  any  to  whom  in 
particular  our  thanks  are  due ;  among  those,  however.,  whose  station  and  circumstances  entitle  them  to  especial 
notice,  were  the  Baron  de  Bibra,  Grand  Maitre  des  Eaux  et  Forets ;  the  Baron  de  Dungern,  Grand  Ecuyer  de  son 
Altesse,  pensionne  ;  the  Colonel  Baron  de  Preen,  and  their  respective  ladies ;  M.  Hutschsteiner,  Premier  Conseiller 
de  Medecin ;  M.  Giesse,  Premier  Conseiller  de  Justice ;  M.  Friedemann,  Superior  of  the  University,  and  M. 
Barbieux,  likewise  attached  to  the  same  establishment ;  together  with  a  variety  of  others,  the  mere  repetition  of 
whose  names  would  prove  but  a  little  recompense  for  the  kindness  we  received  at  their  hands. 

Through  the  Baron  de  Bibra,  likewise,  we  took  the  opportunity  to  present  to  His  Highness  the  Duke  of 
Nassau  the  flagsj  which  accompanied  the  expedition,  as  a  slight  token  of  the  hospitable  reception  we  had  experienced 
in  his  territories,  with  a  request  that  th.ey  should  be  preserved,  in  commemoration  of  the  occurrence,  among  the 
archives  of  the  Ducal  Palace  at  Weilburg,  where  they  now  lie  alongside  of  that  which  half  a  century  before 
M.  Blanchard  deposited  in  like  manner,  to  perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  a  like  event. 

On  the  following  morning,  November  20th,  at  an  early  hour,  we  took  leave  of  Weilburg  and  its  hospitable 
inhabitants,  and  set  out  for  Coblentz  on  our  way  to  Paris,  whither  it  was  now  determined  we  should  proceed.  At 
Coblentz,  where  we  arrived  late  the  same  evening,  it  was  our  intention  to  purchase  a  carriage,  and,  having  stripped 
it  of  its  body,  place  the  car  containing  the  balloon  and  other  accessories  upon  the  springs,  and  in  that  guise,  availing 
ourselves  of  the  same  conveyance,  continue  our  journey  by  post. 

This,  with  some  difficulty  and  the  delay  of  a  couple  of  days,  we  at  length  accomplished,  and  by  a  proper 
adjustment  of  the  contents,  fixing  a  temporary  seat  athwart,  and  protecting  the  whole  with  a  covering  of  oil-cloth, 
constructed,  as  we  considered  (how  correctly  will  appear  in  the  sequel),  a  very  convenient  retreat  for  the 
accommodation  of  such  of  the  party  as  should  be  destined  to  enjoy  it.  Here  also  we  parted  from  our  companion 
Mr.  Hollond,  whose  business  requiring  his  immediate  return  to  England,  I  gladly  undertook  to  accompany  the 
balloon  to  Paris. 


*  See  Appendix  G.,  No.  1. 

t  Besides  the  usual  national  insignia,  these  flags  displayed  a 
series  of  allegorical  representations  descriptive  of  the  rise  and  pro- 
gress of  aerostation.  Independent,  however,  of  any  merit  which 
they  might  possess  from  their  execution  or  design,  there  was  one 
circumstance  in  their  history  which  rendered  them  invaluable  in 


the  eyes  of  the  aeronaut ;  they  had  already  performed  two  hundred 
and  twenty-one  voyages  in  the  air,  having  been  the  constant  com- 
panions of  Mr.  Green's  excursions  ever  since  his  fifth  ascent,  wherein 
he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  balloon,  and  all  it  contained,  in  the 
sea  off  Beechy  Head. 


MIIKI:.  I  Till    -I  MM  kBT,  157 

.11  ,.ur  arrangements  being  at  length  oonipletod,  early  mi  tin-  morning  of  the  24th.  Mr.  Green 
mill  :  iin  .--t  ..MI.  intending  to  continue  our  journey  night  ami  ilay  until  we  arrived  at  its  conclusion.     A 

-  i.f  misfortunes,  how.  \.  i.  :ip[KMirn  to  have  awaited  us  from  the  wry  outset.  Tho  weather  which  hail  hith-  it., 
l-f  n  particularly  line,  considering  tin-  time  of  year,  suddenly  and  completely  broke  up,  and  tum-utH  of  rain, 
•oooni|>aiiicd  by  powerful  an. I  piercing  winds,  iifthcn-d  in  the  nuiniing  of  our  departure.  Its  effects  were  NOOII  but 
t...  ]M  iveptiblc  u|x.n  our  hastily. •'•n.-tructi-d  ii|ui]>iigc.  In  tin-  first  place  our  waterproof  covering,  but  ill  deserving 
tin-  name,  tunuil  out  no  l.-tt.-r  than  it  should  U- ;  in  short,  anything  but  waterproof.  Prepared  merely  with 
•  •..nun.. n  si,;,  instead  ..t  varnish,  tlio  first  half  hour's  exposure  to  the  rain  completely  divested  it  of  every  particle  of 
dressing,  and  discovering  a  in.  iv  groundwork  of  canvass  nearly  as  porous  as  netting,  loft  us  almost  wholly 
uii|iroti  .t.d  t..  "  abide  the  ]>clting  of  the  pitilt  ,ss  storm."  ( iuM.s  of  wind  at  every  step  likewise  ]  mured  in  from  all 
quarters,  shaking  our  frail  t.  m m.-nt  to  its  inmost  t  •.  and  threatening  every  minute  to  deprive  us  (if  the 

nominal  protection  of  the    little  covering  which   the  rain  had  left  us.     To  complete  tho  comforts  of  our  situation, 
scarcely  had  we  quiiti-d  the  town  ere  our  seat,  which  had  been  too  slightly  constructed  for  the  roads  wo  were  about 
i'l.leiily  gave  way  beneath  us,  precipitately  consigning  us  to  the  bottom  of  the  car,  where  wo  lay  for 
some  time  |.erdue  among  the  various  articles  with  which  that  part  of  the  conveyance  was  plentifully  In-stow.  .1. 

t  was  vain  to  think  of  trying  to  remedy  these  diaastcrs  in  the  country  where  we  then  were,  our  only 
alternative  was  to  push  forward  as  fast  as  we  coul.l.  until  wo  should  arrive  at  some  place  where  we  might  obtain 
materials  to  iv|iair  our  shattered  vehicle.  It  was  not,  however,  till  the  conclusion  of  the  second,  or  rather  the 
morning  of  the  third  day.  that  wo  were  able  to  accomplish  this.  At  tin-  village  of  Thionville,  where  wo  had  been 
1  by  the  inclemency  of  the  weather  to  pass  the  preceding  night,  we  at  length  procured  a  quantity  of  common 
Mri]»il  hollaml.  the  ..nly  stuff  we  could  find  suited  to  the  purpose.  With  thix  we  completely  covered  in  the  whole 
machine,  and  having  caused  it  to  bo  stitched  down  on  all  sides,  except  a  small  opening  in  front,  whereby  to  creep  in 
and  out.  extended  ourselves  at  full  length  upon  some  clean  straw,  which  nerved  to  separate  us  from  the  balloon  and 
other  articles  lieneath,  and  in  that  condition  prosecuted  our  journey;  to  the  no  small  delight  and  astonishment  of  all 
the  little  Iwys  and  girta  that,  at  every  stage  we  came  to,  and  every  village  wo  passed,  flocked  in  numbers  to  greet 
M-  :  mm -h  cditi.  d  no  doul.t  by  the  spectacle  wo  afforded  them,  though  sadly  at  a  loss  to  comprehend  how  a  basket  so 
heavy  that  four  horses  were  scarcely  sufficient  to  draw  it,  should  have  been  able  to  convey  us  through  the  air  to 
such  a  distance.  Jn  this  manner,  "lieu!  quantum  mutatus  ab  illo,"  wo  continued  our  route  to  the  French 

IN. I  is,  sorrowfully  contrasting  our  present  with  our  late  conveyance,  and  indulging  in  many  a  comparison 
lie  i  ween  the  comforts  of  aerial  and  terrestrial  travelling,  much,  it  must  be  confessed,  to  the  advantage  of  the 
former. 

After  journeying  in  this  way  for  six  long  days  and  longer  nights,  we  at  length  reached  Paris,  where  new 
honours  and  a  hospitable  entertainment  awaititl  our  arrival.* 

Thus  ended  an  expedition  which,  whether  we  regard  the  extent  of  country  it  passed  over,  the  time  wherein  it 
was  pcrformiil,  or  the  result  of  the  experiment  for  the  sake  of  which  it  was  undertaken,  may  fairly  claim  to  be 
con-ideied  among  the  most  interesting  and  important  which  have  hitherto  proceeded  from  the  same  source. 

Mg  from  I.ondun,  and  traversing  tho  sea,  which  mere  accident  alone  prcventi-d  from  forming  a  more  important 

8  in  our  route,  in  the  short  space  of  eighteen  hours  we  performed  a  voyage  which,  including  only  those 
de\  iati.'iis  we  liave  since  been  enabled  to  ascertain,  rather  exceeds  than  falls  short  of  an  extent  of  five  hundred 
I'.riti-h  miles. 

It  would  be  endless,  as  well  as  useless,  to  enumerate  all  the  places  of  name  or  notoriety,  which  a  subsequent 
examination  of  the  map.  aided  by  the  reports  of  our  appearance  at  different  stations  by  the  way,  showed  us  to  have 
i  ither  passed  over  or  approached  at  some  period  or  other  during  this  extraordinary  peregrination.  A  considerable 
]»rtioii  of  five  kingdom.-,  England.  France,  Belgium,  Prussian  (iermany,  and  tho  Duchy  of  Nassau;  a  long 

-ion  ,,f  cities,  including  London,  Uochester,  Canterbury,  Dover,  Calais,  Cassel,  Yprea,  Courtray,  Lille, 
i  hidt  narde.  Toiiinay.  Ath.  Brussels,  with  the  renowned  fields  of  Waterloo  and  Jemmapcs,  Xamur,  Liege,  Spa, 
Malm.'dy.  Cobli  nt/.  and  a  whole  host  of  intermediate  villages  of  minor  note,  were  all  brought  within  the  compass 


*  Ar  ifi.r  t. -tii.r  M.iiMl.le  tlj.tin.-tii'ti  \vliii-li  -  Acn.l.'mic  lie   I'liulii-trie  Knim;uisi-."  fur  hi-  in^.-iiiuii-  <li-<-..v.  n 

tin    viirimi.-  •!. I  ..tli.r  bodie* in  tb*t  city  conferred   ii|«.n  of  tlir  ^ui.l.  -r..p.  .  witli  tlir  iiriii.-iple.-  nf  which  tin  vi-x|-n-»«.il  tliein- 

11,  in  r,  -|»-.-t  ..f  "iir  nii.l.Ttakiiii;.  I  n.ii-t  n.,t  fi.riM  t..  iii,-iili..n  tin-  x-lv.-,  |.-rf.-.-tly  Niti.fliil. 
ini.l.il  wliii-li  wubettow.  .1  ii|...:,  >|i.  i,r.  .i,   In  tlir  s,»-i,  \\  ,• 

v   '2 


158  ASTEA  CASTEA.  JULY,  1837. 

of  an  horizon  which  our  superior  elevation,  and  the  various  aberrations  we  experienced,  enabled  us  to  extend 
far  beyond  what  might  be  expected  from  a  mere  consideration  of  the  line  connecting  the  two  extremities  of  our 
route. 

To  all  this  there  was  but  one  drawback,  in  the  time  of  year  in  which  the  experiment  was  conducted,  and 
which,  by  curtailing  our  daylight,  devoted  to  the  obscurity  of  night  so  largo  and  interesting  a  portion  of  the 
expedition.  Over  this,  however,  we  had  no  control ;  the  constant  occupation  of  the  balloon  for  the  purposes  of 
public  exhibition  during  the  summer  months,  left  no  chance  of  its  being  procurable  at  a  better  season  of  the  year, 
especially  for  a  project  such  as  ours,  the  determination  of  which  as  to  time  and  distance  was  a  matter  of  complete 
uncertainty.  The  excursion  must  therefore  have  been  undertaken  as  it  was,  or  altogether  abandoned ;  of  these 
alternatives  Mr.  Hollond  unhesitatingly  preferred  the  former. 

Ere  concluding  this  hasty  narrative,  a  word  or  two  is  required  concerning  the  success  of  that  experiment 
which  formed  the  main  feature,  as  well  as  the  chief  object  of  the  expedition.  That  object  I  have  already  stated  to 
have  been  the  verification,  by  proper  trial,  of  the  power  of  the  guide-rope  in  determining  the  course  of  the  balloon 
within  certain  restrictions,  and  the  feasibility  of  its  employment  under  every  aspect  of  circumstances,  to  such  an 
extent  as  to  render  it  a  valuable  and  efficient  instrument  in  the  hands  of  the  practical  aeronaut.  In  both  these 
respects  I  have  no  hesitation  in  declaring  the  success  of  the  experiment  to  have  been  complete,  and  the  discovery 
itself  one,  the  entire  result  of  which,  on  the  future  progress  of  the  art,  it  would  be  impossible  at  present  to 
anticipate.  With  such  an  instrument  as  this,  there  now  seems  to  be  no  limit  to  the  powers  of  aerostation ;  no 
bounds  to  the  sphere  of  action.  All  the  theoretical  objections  which  a  hasty  consideration  of  the  means  might 
otherwise  have  suggested,  experiment  has  already  proved  to  be  erroneous ;  and,  perhaps,  the  best  illustration  that 
can  be  afforded  of  the  powerful  influence  which  this  discovery  is  capable  of  exerting  in  favour  of  the  art  is,  that 
under  its  auspices  and  with  all  other  advantages  to  the  extent  we  enjoyed  them  on  the  late  occasion,  I  should  not 
feel  the  slightest  diffidence  in  committing  myself  to  the  conduct  of  the  winds,  with  the  intention  of  continuing  my 
voyage  until  I  had  completed  in  my  course  the  circuit  of  the  world  itself. 


MR.  COOKING'S  FATAL  PARACHUTE  DESCENT. 

1837. — In  August,  1814,  Mr.  Cocking  gave  a  lecture  on  the  true  form  of  the  parachute, 
before  the  City  Philosophical  Society,  which  was  so  well  received  that  he  was  requested  to 
repeat  it  before  the  Society  of  Arts,  who,  as  a  proof  of  their  approbation,  awarded  him 
a  medal.  Twenty-three  years  had  now  elapsed,  when,  being  doubtless  incited  by  the 
success  of  the  Nassau  flight,  he  made  earnest  entreaties  to  be  taken  up  with  his  parachute ; 
and,  by  his  importunity  and  self-confidence,  he  at  length  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  consent 
of  Mr.  Green,  Mr.  Hughes,  and  Mr.  Gye,  to  this  arrangement,  which  ended  so  unhappily  for 
himself. 

The  following  letter  of  Mr.  Monck  Mason  discusses  the  whole  subject  in  a  public  paper 
on  the  day  preceding  the  ascent  — 

To  THE  EDITOR  OF  '  THE  MORNING  HERALD.' 
SIR, 

In  consideration  of  the  forthcoming  experiment,  which  I  see  announced  for  to-morrow,  perhaps  the  following 
observations  upon  the  subject  of  the  parachute  in  general,  and  the  merits  of  the  two  different  systems  which 
are  now  about  to  be  practically  illustrated,  in  particular,  may  not  be  thought  unworthy  of  notice. 

The  principle  of  the  parachute  is  so  extremely  simple  that  the  idea  must  no  doubt  have  occurred  to  many 
persons,  of  whom  history,  however,  has  failed  to  preserve  a  record.  Even  in  the  distant  and  half-civilised  regions 
of  Siam,  Father  Loubere,  in  his  curious  account  of  that  country,  published  nearly  two  centuries  since,  makes 
mention  of  one  who  was  wont  exceedingly  to  divert  the  Court  by  his  exploits  in  descending  from  great  heights 
through  the  aid  of  such  an  instrument ;  a  practice  which  we  have  reason  to  believe  was  not  confined  to  that  alone 


.1.  n.  |.>::7.  Till:  l'AKA<  III    I  I  K.!» 


of  all  tin-  .-oiiMtries  of  ih.-  K..M.     In  llur.-!*'.  however,  m.  notice  appears  of  any  attempt  to  employ  the  parachute  as 

j.iiiLst  it  t...  rapid  dewvnt  through  tin-  atmosphere,  till   tin-  year  178:1,  when  a  gentleman  of  tin-  name 

N    -111:111.!  first    praetiealh  demoiisti.,t.-d   it.-,  eftieiciiey,  by  letting  himself  ,l,i\vn  t'i..in   the  windows  of  a  high 

house  at   Lynns.  ,.f  wlii,  -h  ,-ity  li.-  was  a  native.      The  vi,-ws  ..!'   M.   I..-  \.'Hiiali(l  with  regard  t..  its  employment  «•  -i<  . 

limited.  mill  ,1..  n..t  iip|n-iir  to  have  •  \t.-n.l.-.l  furihi-r  than  its  a,l»|ition  fut  a  means  of  eaoape  from  fire; 

nor  Wits  it  till  some  time  after.  that  the  ingenious  and  speculative  r.laiu-h.n.1  lii'st   r..n.  -.  i\.  .1  the  idea  of  applying  it 

as  an  ailjunrt  t..  tin-  tin  -n  ni-w  and  interesting  art  of  aerostation.     This  design  he  endeavoured  tn  put  int..  ,-\.  .-ntion 

in   an  usiviit   \\hirh  he  executed  at  Hasle,  in  the  year  1793,  having  previously  satisfied  himself  ()f  its  security  by 

letting  down  dugs  and  other  animals  from  various  heights  in  tho  course  of  several  aerial  evulsions  undertaken  from 

•m.;.  I.  isle,  and  other  plae.-s,  during  the  several  preceding  years.     In  attempting  to  n-|>eat  the  exju-rimeiit 

upon   himself,  however,  h.    \\.,s   |,  »  f.,rtuiiatc  ;  owing  to  MUne    mismanagement,  hit)   iimehinery  hfled  in   it*  pftWt, 

and,  eoming  to  the  ground  with  too  great  rapidity,  his  leg  was  broken  in  tin-  fall. 


M.    (JAKNAISIN'X    I'AIIACIIL'TK. 

\ndre-Jacque8  Garnerin,  who  next  followed  in  the  career  of  the  parachute,  is  due  the  merit,  such  as  it  in, 
of  having  been  the  first  who  ever  successfully  descended  from  a  balloon  by  tho  aid  of  that  machine.  This  he 
accomplished  in  an  ascent  from  Paris,  on  the  22nd  of  October,  1797  (see  p.  11 1),  in  tho  presence  of  the  Court  of 
France,  and  of  an  immense  concourse  of  people,  who  had  assembled  to  witness  the  adventurous  experiment.  At  the 
•  ..f  about  2000  feet  the  act  of  separation  was  effected,  and  the  balloon  and  parachute  immediately  started  off  in 
opposite  direetiona,  The  former,  however,  was  soon  lost  sight  of,  all  eyes  being  involuntarily  directed  towards  the 
descending  mam,  and  all  interest  centred  in  the  individual  it  contained.  For  a  few  seconds  tho  consummation  of 
his  fate  seemed  to  be  altogether  inevitable,  the  parachute  obstinately  retaining  the  collapsed  position  in  which  it 
had  originally  ascended.  All  of  a  sudden,  however,  it  burst  into  its  proper  shape,  and  the  downward  progress  of 
the  adventurer  appeared  at  once  to  have  been  arrested.  Tho  fears  of  the  spectators  now  began  to  assume  another 
aspect:  the  moment  the  i>araehute  had  expanded,  the  car  of  the  aeronaut,  which  was  suspended  about  twenty  feet 
U-low  it,  shot  nut  on  one  side  with  an  imjMjtiLs  that  almost  brought  it  upon  a  level  with  the  rest  of  the  apparatus, 
and  for  an  instant  seemed  to  threaten  the  subversion  of  the  whole.  Recovering  itself,  however,  by  its  force  of 
gravitation,  it  soon  re-descended,  and  swinging  round  to  the  opposite  corner,  commenced  a  series  of  violent 
id-illations,  which  for  a  considerable  time  seemed  to  render  the  issue  of  the  experiment  a  matter  of  mm  h 
umi-rtaiiity.  As  he  approached  the  earth,  however,  these  gradually  became  fainter,  and  although  they  i 
entirely  disappeared,  soon  ceased  to  excite  tho  immediate  apprehension  of  his  friends.  At  length,  in  about  twelve 
minutes,  he  reni-lu-d  the  ground,  and  was  released  from  the  parachute,  without  having  experienced  other  injury 
than  a  fi-ehle  sh.N-k  at  the  instant  of  collision,  and  a  slight  nausea  which  shortly  after  su]H-rvem  .1,  oeeasi..ne.! 
xuppoM-d.  by  the  unsteady  nature  of  the  movement  to  which  lie  was  stilijeet.il  in  t! 

Shortly  after  this,  (iariierin  proceeded  to  England,  when;  he  made  his  third  essay,  in  an  awxnt  from  North 
Audley  Street,  on  tin-  '.'1st   ,,f  S-pteml.T.  lsi._>.  U-ing   the  only  one  of  the  kind   hitherto  ever  exhibited  in  this 


160 


ASTKA  CASTEA. 


JULY.  1837. 


country.  Since  that  period  the  parachute  has  frequently  been  made  use  of,  both  by  himself  and  others,  in  various 
parts  of  the  continent,  always,  however,  for  the  purposes  of  public  exhibition ;  nor,  indeed,  am  I  aware  of  any 
iiistance,  except  one,  in  which  any  absolute  advantage  has  ever  accrued  from  its  employment :  I  allude  to  the  case 
of  Jordaki  Kuparento,  a  Polish  aeronaut,  who,  on  the  24th  of  July,  1 804,  ascended  from  Warsaw  in  a  Montgolfiere, 
or  fire-balloon.  When  at  a  considerable  altitude  in  the  sky,  his  balloon  became  ignited  ;  being  provided,  however, 
with  a  parachute,  he  was  enabled  to  descend  in  safety. 

The  principle  upon  which  all  these  parachutes  were  constructed  is  the  same,  and  consists  simply  of  a  flattened 
dome  of  silk  or  linen,  from  twenty-four  to  twenty-eight  feet  in  diameter.  From  the  outer  margin  all  around,  at 
.stated  intervals,  proceed  a  large  number  of  cords,  in  length  about  the  diameter  of  the  dome  itself,  which  being 
collected  together  in  one  point,  and  made  fast  to  another  of  superior  dimensions,  attached  to  the  apex  of  the 
machine,  serve  to  maintain  it  in  its  form  when  expanded  in  the  progress  of  the  descent.  To  this  centre  curd 
likewise,  at  a  distance  below  the  point  of  junction,  varying  according  to  the  fancy  of  the  aeronaut,  is  fixed  the  car 
or  basket  in  which  he  is  seated,  and  the  whole  suspended  to  the  network  of  the  balloon,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be 
capable  of  being  detached  in  an  instant,  at  the  will  of  the  individual,  by  cutting  the  rope  with  a  knife,  or,  still  better, 
by  pulling  a  string  communicating  with  a  sort  of  trigger  or  pivot  by  which  it  is  made  fast  above. 

In  the  choice  of  the  form  of  the  parachute  its  original  inventors  were  chiefly  guided  by  the  desire  to  obtain 
the  greatest  atmospheric  resistance  consistent  with  a  given  extent  of  surface ;  and  although  the  form  they  did  adopt 
may  not  be  that  which  answers  exactly  to  this  description,  yet  it  falls  short  of  it  so  little  as  to  more  than  compensate 
the  deficiency  by  the  other  advantages  which  it  aifords. 

Two  objectionable  circumstances,  however,  are  generally  found  to  attend  the  employment  of  the  parachute 
as  here  described,  namely,  the  length  of  time  which  is  wont  to  elapse  before  it  becomes  sufficiently  expanded 
to  arrest  the  fall  of  the  individual,  and  the  violent  oscillatory  movement  which  almost  invariably  accompanies  the 
descent. 

In  order  to  obviate  these  deficiencies  a  variety  of  plans  were  proposed  at  different  times,  amongst  which  is 
that  now  shortly  to  be  tried,  and  for  which  I  perceive  the  proprietors  of  Vauxhall  Gardens  claim  the  merit  of 
originality.  The  idea,  however,  is  a  very  old  and  a  very  common  one,  although,  from  certain  inherent  deficiencies, 


MB.  COOKING'S  PAUACIILTTK. 

the  practical  cultivators  of  the  art  have  declined  adopting  it.  It  was  published  in  1'aris  nearly  forty  years  ago, 
revived  in  England  by  Sir  George  Cayley,  and  communicated  by  him,  with  other  interesting  notices  upon  aerostation, 
if  I  mistake  not,  to  the  twenty-fourth  volume  of  '  Nicholson's  Journal.'  It  was  subsequently  more  fully  developed 
and  improved  by  Mr.  Kerr,  by  whom  it  was  in  several  experiments  practically  and  publicly  illustrated,  and  is 
finally  detailed  in  the  '  Encyclopaedia  Edinensis,'  at  the  conclusion  of  the  article  headed  "  Aeronautics." 

The  principle  of  the  plan  alluded  to  is  simply  an  inversion  of  the  preceding  ones,  in  which  the  surface  of 
least  resistance  is  made  to  descend  foremost,  and  so  contrived  as  at  all  times  to  remain  in  a  state  of  expansion.  The 
precise  form  of  that  which  is  now  announced  for  experiment  is  an  inverted  cone,  somewhat  flattened,  to  the  apex  of 
which  is  attached  the  car  of  the  adventurer.  The  chief  objects  of  this  arrangement  I  have  already  stated  to  be  the 


'HE,    ENTERPUIZ1NG    LUNAHBIS   GBAND  AIR  fiALLOOK, 


l  Mlutrrt/,.    .«,/,.-ritll,l4,: 

1864 


"  C>    .  7  I  V  I' 

/•  t  K  r  n  ~  r  j  f  s 


.In.v.  1837. 


Ml;. 


.  ti..n  of  the  iM-illatory  ni..ti,.ii.  and  tho  iiisuranco  of  tho  speedy  action  of  tin-  machine  after  its  detachment  :  !•• 
tin-  former  of  thc*«-.  it*  siiiiju.  wax  intended  to  conduce  ;  to  tin-  i  "f  ]N-rmaiu-nt  expansion.     And  vi-t.  in 

>,£  t..  ..tivi.it.'  tin-  irregularities  in  question  by  any  nioditinttion  in  the  f.iiiu  of  tho  parachute,  a  great  error  ha* 
been  committed,  which  nothing  but  an  ignorance  of  tlu-ir  real  cause  could  <-v.  r  Inv,-  occaNioned.  lndi-«-d.  th.-. 
oMcillations  sii-m  very  much  to  have  puzzled  the  aeronautical  world.  Imth  ln-ro  and  elsewhere,  and  yet  the  ground* 
U]M.II  \vhirh  they  are  accountable  are  extremely  simple.  Kntiivly  in.le]>eii.leiit  of  tin-  I'onn,  the  alierratioiiK  in 
.|u--']..n  an-  in.  i.  ly  the  consequence  of  a  first  irregularity  impressed  upon  tin-  machine  1>y  the  unequal  expansion 
..)'  it-  ]MI  t>.  In  the  act  ..f  o]N-ning,  it  is  next  to  impossible  that  all  tho  gores  of  tho  capacious  dome  should  in  th. 
same  moment  attain  the  same  degree  of  elevation  ;  the  side  which  in  first  opened  to  its  full  extent  iv,-,-i\ ,  -  t  he  first 
imprcKMon  of  resistance;  the  machine  is  thrown  out  of  its  equipoise;  the  irregularity  which  it  first  assumes  becomes 
quickly  transferred  to  the  other  side  by  the  gravitation  of  tho  appended  weight,  and  a  reciprocal  inteivhan 

-  thus  becomes  established,  which  the  atmosphere  possesses  but  too  little  consistence  speedily  to  mil«lue.  Any 
attempt  to  correct  these  derangements  by  a  modification  of  tho  form  of  tho  parachute  is  extremely  futile;  l>ut  to 
endeavour  to  do  so  in  the  way  proposed  is  worse  than  futile:  it  is  really  to  sacrifice  the  very  principles  of  the 
machine  to  the  attainment  of  an  end  to  which  the  condition  in  question  does  in  no  way  conduce,  lly  a  comxe  <,) 
calculation  founded  n|«m  the  admitted  axioms  of  dynamics  (all  of  which  are,  in  tact,  tho  results  of  actual 
iment),  we  learn  that  the  resistance  upon  the  base  of  a  cone  (supposing  it  a  plane  suilai-.-  i  is  to  that  UJKUI  it- 
iic  pn-M-ntutioii  in  tho  proportion  of  unity  to  the  sine-squared  of  half  tho  vertical  angle.* 
Supjwsing  tho  apex  of  the  cone  to  be  an  angle  of  120  degrees  (from  which,  I  have  heard,  it  is  not  tar 


•  'I'll.-  f.. II.. win-  investigation  of  tho  comparative  resistance  of 
fluids  to  bodie*  of  different  forms,  i»  by  my  friend  W.  C.  Ottley, 
Fi How  of  Coin*  College,  Cambridge,  and  will  not  be  exa- 
IIIMI.  .1  u  ithoiit  interest,  especially,  considering  the  disastrous  event, 
tin-  proUtlilt-  occurrence  of  which  it  was  originally  undertaken  t» 
(.lii.-i.lutu: — 

1 1  i-  usual  to  calculate  the  resistance  of  fluids  on  bodies  in 
in.. ti. .11  up. .11  tin.  hypothesis  of  the  particles  of  fluid  li-aviug  tlie 
surface  of  the  body  without  impediment  immediately  after  impact. 
i- .  vi.U-ntly  incorrect  in  practice,  iuosmuch  as  the 
parti. -I.  -  .if  ..ir  r.  ilcctcd  from  tlie  surface  must  more  or  less  iuter- 
i.  !.-  with  those  in  progress  towards  it.  It  will  be  easily  conceived 
that  tin-  .  ii.  •  T  matt  be  the  greatest  when  the  surface  on  which  the 
air  impinges  is  concave,  and  that  consequently  it  must  generate  a 
kind  of  compression  in  tlie  concavity,  which  inn*!  much  increase  the 
whole  effect  of  tlie  resisting  fluid.  The  increase  of  resistance 
.iri*ing  from  this  cause  will  diminish  gradually  as  tlie  concavity 
diminishes,  and  will  still  be  considerable  when  the  surface  is  a 
plane ;  but  whenever  it  become*  convex,  the  effect  arising  from  this 
source  becomes  inappreciably  small,  from  the  facility  with  which 
the  particles  glide  off  after  impact  These  observations  apply  to 
tii..i  part  of  the  effect  which  is  disregarded  in  the  mathematical 
calculations  of  the  resistance  of  fluids;  but  it  will  be  presently 
shown  that  even  apart  from  these  considerations,  tlie  resistance  of 
tin-  air  ii|>on  a  convex  surface  is  considerably  less  than  that  upon  a 
I.!..-.-  I  .  the  mathematical  reader  tliis  will  be  at  once  apparent ; 
t'.ir  tin  in.-tnirtion  of  others,  however,  it  may  be  as  well  to  observe, 
tlmt  in  the  rii.-.-  nf  tin-  plane  the  impact  is  direct,  and  consequently 
tli.-  whole  m. .mi mum  of  the  particles  of  air  is  exerted  in  resisting 
the  advance  of  the  l«idy ;  whereas,  in  the  case  of  the  convex  surface  of 
a  cone,  the  impart  In-in^  oblique,  only  a  certain  portion  of  that  force 
become*  effective  in  opjxwinn  it*  progress  through  the  atmosphere. 

It  is  true  tliiit  the  effect  of  th.  friction  of  tlie  air  against  the 
.-onvi-x  Mirfiuv  of  tin-  cone  would  in  some  measure  tend  to  increase 
this  rcsistHti.-c.und  that  thi-  eff.-ct  in  a  cone  with  u  very  acute  angle 
misrhl  con-idi  ral.ly  modify  the  required  calculation  ;  hut  in  the  case 
of  a  cone  whose  vertical  angle  is  «UUM-  this  effect  may  safely  be 
di-n  ir.rd.-J,  as  more  than  counteracted  by  the  rircumstanoes  just 
alluded  to. 

I'.,.-..  dinK  to  calculate  the  difference  between  the  resistance  on 
the  convi  x  MirfiM-c  of  a  cone  and  on  its  base,  we  shall  find  it  con- 
«id.-r:iMt-:  and  if.  beside*,  we  lak.-  into  account  the  effort  of  t!.. 
t.  rt.  r.  i,.-.  of  the  reflected  with  th.-  impm-in-  |«,r-  :r,  we 

shall  see  how  much  there  is  in  favour  of  •  parachute. 


Let  PQ  represent  the  force  of  a  particle  of  nir  impinging  "I""1  ""' 
surface  of  the  cone  AIT.  in  th.- .In,  .-lion  of  its  motion.     Then  dravN 


1-1:  at  right  angles  to  the  surface  of  the  cone,  i|it  at  right  anglcx  l<. 
PR,  and  RS  perpendicular  to  pq. 

Then  tlie  effective  resolved  part  of  the  force  ",P  on  tlie  surface  of 
the  cone  =  i-it  =  IM  sine  IKIP  =  IV  sine  i-.\o  =  iii  «inc  0;  and  the  part  of 
this  force  resolved  in  tin-  direction  of  the  motion  of  the  cone,  and 
therefore  effective  in  resisting  its  advance,  will  be  represented  I  . 
i-s  -  i-ii  sine  pas  =  PQ  sine  *0,  sine  PR  =  IM  sine  * . 

Now,  observing  that  the  compactness  of  the.  impinging  piirti.-l.  - 
of  fluid  on  any  given  portion  of  a  surface  will  be  proportion;.  1  to  I  In 
sine  of  the  angle  of  inclination   .sine  0;,  and  putting  p  to  r.  p 
the  direct  resistance  of  tlie  air  on  a  unit  of  surface,  and  </S  to  n -j.i. 
sent  an  elementary  portion  of  the  surface  of  the  cone,  we  have  ,t<: 
=princ*OdB;  and  if  y-ax  be  the  equation  to  tin-  line  M-,  and  • 
the  length  of  tho  line,  we  have  d»  =  2  n  y  di  =  2  n  y  sec.  9  .// 

.  • .  iln  =  p  sine  f  2  n  y  sec  9dx  =  2n  p  sine  -0  //<'./ 
.  • .  integrating  K  =  n  f  sine  '0  if. 

N.IW  the  resistance  on  the  base  of  tlie  mne  =  />  multiplied  into  the 
surface  of  the  base,  because  tlie  impact  is  direct ;  .  • .  R  =  p  n>/- . 
Henet  Ot»  rautmee  on  the  ntrfaoe  of  Ute  tone  it  to  the  rttitia,,, 
the  bate  at  line  *  }  angle  of  the  cone  it  to  unity. 

Thus,  if  tlie  vertical  angle  of  the  cone  were  90",  then  i  I 
45°;  now  sine  45 ^^/j;  .-.   *•!„.•«  450  =  J;  .'.  tlie  rexi-' 
tlie  tnse  of  such  a  cone  is  doul.l.  •  llmt  on  th.  \  .ain, -ui. 

posing  tho  vertical  angle  of  the  cone  to  be  l'20  :  then  >  :,n-.-l. 
60°;  now  sine  WTzy/j;  ...  Hi,ie  3oo°  =  J:  .-.  the  resistance  on 
the  base  would  in  thi-  case  be  to  tl.nt  upon  the  surface  as  <  :  :i. 


1(52 


ASTRA  CASTEA. 


JULY,  1837- 


removed),  this  proportion.'it  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  the  note  below,  would  stand  in  numbers  exactly  as  4  is 
to  3 ;  thus  indicating  a  loss  of  one  quarter  of  the  effect  which  would  have  been  afforded  by  an  horizontal  area  equal 
in  extent  to  its  base.  Assuming,  therefore,  the  superficial  contents  of  this  latter  to  be  908  square  feet  (as  would 
be  the  case  were  its  radius  1 7  feet,  than  which,  however,  it  is  something  less),  the  power  of  the  parachute  in 
question  to  retard  the  fall  of  the  individual  would  only  be  equal  to  that  of  a  circular  plane  whose  surface  was  081 
square  feet. 

The  terminal  velocity  of  such  a  parachute,  or  the  rate  at  which  it  would  reach  the  ground,  is  easily  computed. 
From  the  experiments  of  Ferguson,  House,  Smeaton,  and  others,  on  the  accuracy  of  which  the  greatest  reliance  may 
be  placed,  we  learn  that  the  force  exerted  by  the  atmosphere  in  motion  at  the  rate  of  one  mile  per  hour,  against  a 
plane  at  right  angles  to  the  direction  of  its  course,  is  in  the  ratio  of  •  005  of  a  pound  avoirdupois  for  each  square  foot 
of  surface ;  which  force  we  are  further  aware  increases  directly  as  the  squares  of  the  velocities  under  which  it  is 
exercised.  It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  observe,  that  whether  the  atmosphere  impinge  upon  the  surface  or  the 
surface  upon  the  atmosphere,  the  effect,  as  far  as  the  question  of  resistance  is  concerned,  is  precisely  the  same. 

Now,  the  weight  of  the  above  apparatus,  inclusive  of  the  individual  himself,  cannot,  I  am  convinced,  be  safely 
computed  at  less  than  500  pounds.  I  am  aware  that  in  the  public  announcements  the  weight  of  the  parachute  is 
stated  to  be  but  223  pounds.*  From  the  little  acquaintance,  however,  which  I  have  had  with  such  experiments,  I 
am  perfectly  satisfied  that  no  machine  of  the  alleged  dimensions  could  be  constructed,  with  the  slightest  regard  to 
stability,  in  which  the  weight  was  under  350  pounds ;  and  if  to  this  we  add  150  pounds  for  the  individual  himself, 
his  ballast,  and  other  equipments,  I  have  no  doubt  we  shall  rather  fall  short  of  than  exceed  the  reality.  Upon  this 
supposition,  therefore,  and  assuming,  as  above  calculated,  a  plane  of  681  square  feet  to  be  equivalent  to  the 
parachute  in  question,  we  shall  find  a  force  of  '703  of  a  pound  exerted  upon  every  square  foot;  indicating, 
according  to  the  scale  before  laid  down,  a  rate  of  motion  of  about  twelve  miles  an  hour,  or  nearly  eighteen  feet  in 
a  second.f 

To  those  who  are  not  in  the  habit  of  forming  an  estimate  of  consequences  upon  data  of  the  above  nature,  it 
will  serve  to  give  some  notion  of  the  force  developed  in  such  a  proceeding,  merely  to  suggest  the  consideration  of 
the  shock  they  would  receive  were  they  to  be  launched  unprotectedly  against  a  solid  wall  from  the  top  of  a  vehicle 
travelling  continuously  at  the  rate  of  twelve  miles  an  hour. 

Nor  is  this  a  result  peculiar  to  the  above  alone  of  all  parachutes  upon  the  same  construction,  or  one  which  any 
arrangement  of  its  condition  with  regard  to  weight  and  size  could  ever  enable  it  to  avoid.  Owing  to  the  perverse 
nature  of  the  principle  upon  which  it  is  contrived  (all  the  forces  which  it  encounters  in  its  employment  acting  in 
direct  opposition  to  the  maintenance  of  its  proper  form),  a  degree  of  strength  becomes  necessary  in  its  construction 
totally  incompatible  with  the  requisition  of  weight  essential  to  the  proper  regulation  of  its  descent.  This  is  an 
inconsistency  which  it  is  impossible  to  reconcile  by  any  means  within  our  power.  There  is  a  certain  limit  in  nature 
to  the  strength  of  materials,  compared  with  their  weight,  which  all  the  art  of  man  can  neither  alter  nor  extend. 
In  some  cases  this  limit  is  very  speedily  attained ;  and  I  think  it  would  not  be  difficult  to  prove  that  in  this 
particular  instance  it  falls  far  short  of  what  would  be  necessary  to  answer  the  purposes  in  view. 

With  such  an  obstacle  to  contend  with,  I  have  no  hesitation  in  declaring  that  no  parachute  can  ever  be 
constructed  upon  the  principle  in  question  that  shall  be  capable  of  retarding  the  fall  of  man  within  the  restrictions 
of  speed  necessary  for  his  final  preservation.  No  argument  in  contravention  of  this  position,  drawn  from  a  consi- 
deration of  experiments  upon  a  smaller  scale,  is  at  all  admissible.  In  comparative  experiments  of  this  nature  there 
are  certain  elements  which  cannot  be  made  to  keep  pace  with  the  rest,  and  which,  remaining  always  the  same, 
utterly  invalidate  any  analog}'  which  it  might  be  thought  proper  to  institute  between  them.  So  long  as  the  service 
required  of  them  falls  within  a  certain  limit,  there  is  no  doubt  of  the  success  of  their  employment ;  the  moment  it 
passes  that  limit,  one  or  other  of  these  fixed  principles  begins  to  give  way ;  nor  can  its  place  be  either  dispensed 


*  Some  idea  may  be  had  of  the  loose  manner  in  which  a  transac- 
tion, involving  no  less  than  the  life  of  a  man,  was  conducted,  wlien 
we  observe  that  in  the  public  announcement,  from  which  alone  the 
world  could  derive  any  information  on  the  subject,  the  weight  of  the 
entire  apparatus,  including  that  of  the  individual  himself,  was  stated 
to  be  but  393  pounds ;  whereas,  from  the  evidence  taken  before  the 
coroner,  in  the  inquest  upon  the  body  of  the  unfortunate  victim,  as 
will  be  seen  further  on,  it  was  made  apparent  that,  after  deducting 
170  pounds  (which,  it  seems,  was  the  weight  of  Mr.  Cocking),  there 


still  remained  413  pounds  to  be  laid  to  the  account  of  the  apparatus 
alone  ;  very  nearly  twice  as  much  as  that  at  which  it  was  originally 
computed. 

t  The  calculations,  according  to  the  formula  of  Dr.  Hutton,  which 
here  followed  in  the  original,  give  a  result  so  nearly  coinciding  with 
that  above  stated,  that  we  have  thought  it  unnecessary  to  repeat 
them  here.  The  terminal  velocity,  as  computed  upon  these  grounds, 
would  have  been  19T'5  feet  in  a  second ;  somewhat  greater  than  that 
deduced  by  the  above. 


JOIT,  1887,  MONCK  M.\M>y>  I  i:i  in;  n»  -TIM:  M<»I;MM;  III:I;AU>.' 

with  nr  supplied  by  any  im-dili'-ation  nf  tho  rest    ()n  the  contrary,  any  attempt  to  resort  to  mich a  remedy  only 
tends  t..  multiply  tin-  forces  by  which  that  fixed  principle  il-  H'  i-  really  subdued. 

If  tlii-  i.s  triii-  in  caws  where  the  modifications  alluded  to  are  not  neoMwrily  more  than  arc  require*!  fur  tin- 
•  M.I  I..  whi.-li  tli.  \  an-  sought  to  bo  applied,  on,  for  instance,  when-  an  increase  in  the  i|imntity  (if  inuterinl  in  merely 
made  tn  Mipplv  a  deticii  ncv  in  its  strength,  it  is  doubly  Inn-  where  tin  ir  introduction  alisolutelv  gives  i 
ofaoUMlUMH  by  which  a  further  increase  in  tlicir  amount  IK  iiujM-nitively  required.  Tho  manner  in  whieh  tliii- 
operate.,  iii  t lie  present  CMC  will  appear  the  more  readily  wln-n  we  consider  that  all  tho  modifications  in  question, 
involving  tin-  incroase  of  weight  for  the  papaM  Of  •tnogtli.  an-  referable  to  the  great  hoop  or  upjvr  fnimework  of 
the  iiiiichiiK-  tending  directly  to  tho  derangement  of  its  cqiii|Niim,  and  calling  for  the  further  addition  of  weight  in 
anotln-r  i|narter.  win  -iv  it  not  only  conduce*  nothing  towards  strength  (the  want  of  which  it  wa«  originally 
intriKluced  to  supply),  but  actually  operates  to  create  a  still  further  demand  for  it  on  its  own  account,  necessitating 
the  introduction  of  a  further  weight,  and  thus  establishing  a  reciprocal  alternation  ..('  cause  and  effoct,  under  the 
o]M-rution  of  \vlncli  tho  very  deficiencies  themselves  are  augmented  by  the  moans  whereby  it  is  sought  to  repair 
them.  Them  arc  objections  affecting  the  principles  of  the  parachute  in  question,  from  which  those  upon  the  old 

•uction  are  entirely  free.  In  them  the  direction  of  the  forces  develii|>cd  in  the  descent  in  exactly  the  inimt 
f.iv.iuralile  it  is  possible  to  conceive,  both  as  regards  tho  retention  of  tho  form,  and  tho  maintenance  of  the 
i  >|iiilibriuni  ;  rendering  unnecessary  all  accessions  of  weight,  save  what  are  required  for  strength  alone,  and 
reducing  even  those  to  the  smallest  possible  amount  consistent  with  the  actual  cohesion  of  the  parts.  In  the  former, 
on  tin-  contrary,  the  tendency  of  all  them  is  exactly  tho  reverse;  directly  opposed  to  the  maintenance  of  tho  form, 
the  limn-  they  ii.ntriliiitc  to  the  retardation  of  the  descent,  tho  more  they  operate  towards  the  destruction  of  the 
machine  :  while  tln-ir  chiefest  force  being  exerted  upon  the  outer  edges  of  the  superior  surface,  should  the  slightest 
inequality  take  place  in  their  action,  by  which  one  side  becomes  operated  upon  more  strongly  than  another,  every- 
thing will  favour  the  derangement  of  tin-  ei]iii]>oise,  which  nothing  remains  to  check  but  tho  disposition  of  the 
weight.-  themselves.  Tn  the  present  instance,  this  disposition  is  the  most  unfavourable  to  the  exercise  of  such  a 
restraint  that  it  is  possible  to  imagine.  The  parachute  is  stated  to  weigh  223  pounds;  Mr.  Cocking  177.  It 
requires  Init  little  judgment  to  foresee  how  precarious  must  be  the  equipoise  of  a  machine  so  constructed  and  so 
disjM.scd.  liven  tho  advantage  which  the  removal  of  the  centre  of  gravity  (which  ought  to  be  within  the 
individual  himself)  would  confer  has  hero  been  neglected;  placed  in  the  very  apex  of  the  cone,  the  slightest 
inclination  will  bo  enough  to  throw  his  weight  into  tho  body  of  the  parachute,  and  favour  its  descent  in  any  way 
which  tin-  deranging  circumstances  may  incline  it  to  assume. 

\\ith  regard,  therefore,  to  the  employment  of  the  parachute  in  question,  or,  indeed,  of  any  other  that  may  be 
ei.iistructcd  upon  the  same  principle,  I  have  no  hesitation  in  predicting  that  one  of  two  events  must  inevitably  take 
place,  according  to  the  special  nature  of  the  defect  which  may  happen  to  be  predominant :  .  iiln-r  it  will  come  to 
tin-  ground  with  a  degree  of  force  we  have  before  shown  to  be  incompatible  with  tho  final  preservation  of  tin 
individual,  or.  should  it  be  attempted  to  make  it  sufficiently  light  to  resist  this  conclusion,  it  must  give  way  beneath 
tlie  undue  exercise  of  the  forces  it  will  necessarily  develop  in  the  descent 

Besides  these  essential  objections  to  the  projected  parachute,  there  are  others  of  minor  importance,  chiefly 
regarding  its  practical  application,  but  which,  all  taken  together,  militate  greatly  against  the  prospect  of  its  adoption 
as  a  convenient  mode  of  regulating  a  descent  Among  these,  I  shall  only  mention  the  difficulty  in  the  first  instance 
of  attaching  it  to  the  balloon,  especially  if  the  wind  should  happen  to  be  at  all  high,  and  the  great  opposition  which 
it  must  necessarily  offer  to  the  ascent  owing  to  the  permanent  state  of  expansion  upon  the  principle  of  which  it  is 
constructed. 

All  these  disad vantages,  the  necessary  consequences  of  its  shape,  are  incurred  for  the  sole  purpose  of  avoiding 
a  defect  which  does  not  dejH'nd  upon  the  shape  at  all,  and  which  would  have  been  equally  avoided  by  applying  the 
principle  of  ]>ermanent  expansion  to  tho  usual  parachute,  or  even  without  any  further  alteration  than  by  merely 
im -rinsing  the  interval  1»  tw.en  the  point  of  suspension  of  the  individual  and  the  piano  of  tho  resisting  snr 
This  would  not.  it  is  true,  diminish  the  extent  of  his  deviation  from  the  perpendicular;  but  by  transferring  it  to 
a  greater  distancc.it  would  diminish  the  angle  of  oscillation  which  it  subtends,  and  obviate  almost  entirely  it* 
influence  upon  tin-  parachute  itself. 

More  might  be  said  on  the  subject  but  that  the  inutility  of  the  invention  does  not  excuse  a  further  trespass. 

M.  M. 


164  ASTRA  CASTEA.  JULY,  1837. 

The  newspaper  account  of  the  fatal  result  of  Mr.  Cooking's  parachute  descent  is  as 
follows : — 

We  regret  to  have  to  state  that  the  experiment  of  the  descent  of  the  parachute  has  terminated  fatally  to 
Mr.  Cocking.  In  consequence  of  the  announcement  that  he  was  to  ascend  in  his  parachute  suspended  to  the  great 
Nassau  balloon,  a  great  number  of  persons,  amongst  whom  were  many  of  the  first  nobility  of  the  country, 
assembled  in  the  Gardens  to  witness  the  experiment.  Without  the  Gardens,  upon  Vauxhall  Bridge,  and  upon 
Millbank,  the  crowd  was  immense.  Thousands  of  persons  filled  all  the  streets  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Vauxhall, 
and  a  joyous  crowd  swarmed  on  every  eminence  and  open  spot  that  commanded  a  fair  view  of  the  horizon.  The 
Thames  was  literally  covered  with  boats,  and  presented  an  appearance  of  the  most  magnificent  description.  The 
time  fixed  for  the  ascent  of  the  aeronauts  was  five  o'clock ;  but  on  our  entering  the  Gardens  at  that  hour  we  found 
that  the  process  of  inflation  of  Mr.  Green's  Nassau  balloon  was  not  yet  completed.  This  afforded  us  an  opportunity 
of  inspecting  the  parachute  in  which  Mr.  Cocking  contemplated  his  awful  descent,  and  we  had  some  conversation 
with  the  unfortunate  gentleman  on  the  principle  of  his  contrivance,  and  the  altitude  at  which  he  proposed  to  sever 
his  connexion  with  the  balloon  of  Mr.  Green.  Mr.  Cocking,  who  was  a  gentlemanly  man,  short  in  stature  and 
somewhat  stout,  and  apparently  of  the  age  of  fifty-two  or  fifty-three,  gave  the  most  obliging  answers  to  our  queries, 
and  explained  that  his  parachute  was  constructed  on  a  totally  different  plan  from  that  of  M.  Garnerin.  The  latter 
he  described  as  of  the  form  of  an  umbrella,  closed  at  the  moment  of  descent,  but  expanded  by  the  atmosphere  as  it 
approached  the  earth,  and  forming  a  sort  of  canopy  over  the  aeronaut.  His  parachute,  on  the  contrary,  was  in  the 
form  of  an  umbrella  reversed,  the  cavity  containing  the  air  being  uppermost,  with  the  view,  he  said,  of  preventing 
the  oscillation  which  proved  so  disastrous  to  M.  Garnerin.  As  the  parachute  stood  upon  the  ground,  we  were 
unable  to  see  very  exactly  the  place  to  be  occupied  by  the  aeronaut ;  but  shortly  afterwards  it  was  raised  to  an 
altitude  of  about  four  feet,  when  we  perceived  a  circular  orifice  of  about  a  yard  in  diameter,  to  which  a  basket  or 
car  was  attached  by  several  cords.  Mr.  Cocking  expressed  by  words  the  utmost  confidence  in  the  result  of  his 
experiment ;  but  it  appeared  to  us  that  it  was  a  confidence  which  he  did  not  feel.  His  restless  looks  and  nervousness 
of  manner  seemed  to  belie  the  bravery  of  his  speech ;  and  we  thought  more  than  once  that  his  mind  was  ill  at  ease, 
and  that  he  would  willingly  have  postponed  the  attempt  until  a  less  hazardous  trial  had  assured  him  of  its  safety. 
When  questioned  as  to  the  danger,  he  remarked  that  none  existed  for  him,  and  that  the  greatest  peril,  if  any,  would 
attend  the  balloon  of  the  Messrs.  Green  when  suddenly  relieved  from  the  weight  of  himself  and  the  parachute  (abotit 
five  hundred  weight).  Notwithstanding  the  confidence  of  this  assertion,  an  uneasy  twinkle  in  his  eye  convinced  us 
that  he  was  not  so  sure  of  this  as  he  appeared  to  be. 

The  time  which  had  elapsed  since  an  attempt  to  descend  by  a  parachute,  and  more  particularly  the  novel 
construction  of  that  which  was  exhibited,  added  to  the  perilous  nature  of  the  feat  intended  to  be  achieved,  had 
combined  to  cause  an  unusual  excitement  in  the  public  mind.  Curiosity,  however,  induced  all  assembled  to  bear 
the  delay  which  occurred  with  great  goodhumour,  and  to  attribute  it  to  the  right  cause,  which,  in  justice  to 
Messrs.  Hughes  and  Gye,  the  respectable  proprietors  of  the  Gardens,  we  feel  it  our  duty  to  state  was  a  laudable 
anxiety — First,  That  Mr.  Cocking  should  not  ascend,  if  he  felt  in  the  least  degree  doubtful  as  to  his  success ;  and, 
secondly,  that  if  he  did,  every  possible  precaution  should  be  taken,  himself  (Mr.  Cocking)  superintending,  that  no 
defect  or  oversight  in  any  of  the  minutise  should  endanger  his  safety.  So  averse  were  they  to  be  considered  as 
urging  him  to  the  attempt,  that  at  the  last  moment,  and  even  for  several  days  previously,  they  had  not  only 
endeavoured  to  dissuade  him,  but  actually,  when  the  preparations  were  concluded,  offered  to  make  an  apology 
to  the  company,  return  the  money  paid  at  the  doors,  and  take  upon  themselves  all  the  consequences  which  might 
arise  from  the  disappointment.  Mr.  F.  Gye,  who  was  particularly  anxious  in  his  attention  to  all  the  arrangements 
of  the  experiment,  and  who  is  entitled  to  every  praise  for  the  manner  in  which  ho  exerted  himself  to  prevent  the 
possibility  of  accident,  advised  Mr.  Cocking,  if  he  felt  the  least  timidity,  to  relinquish  his  attempt.  Mr.  Cocking, 
however,  professed  himself  most  anxious  to  carry  his  announcement  into  execution ;  and  after  thanking  Mr.  Gye  for 
his  kindness  and  solicitude,  professed  himself  most  eager  to  ascend. 

Towards  six  o'clock  Mr.  Green  and  Mr.  Spencer,  the  solicitor,  entered  their  balloon,  which  was  allowed  to 
ascend  to  an  altitude  of  about  forty  feet,  that  the  parachute  might  be  brought  directly  under  it  and  securely  fixed. 
It  was  seven  o'clock  before  all  the  preparations  were  completed,  at  which  time  the  whole  apparatus  was  distinctly 
visible  to  every  one  in  the  Gardens.  Considerable  impatience  had  been  manifested  at  the  long  delay  which  had 
taken  place,  but,  as  the  position  of  the  parachute  became  more  clearly  defined,  a  general  clapping  of  hands  expressed 


J.I.Y.  i-  Tin:  FATAL  nix  I:M.  n;5 

tin-  j..y  i.f  tlif  miiltiiii.li-.  Another  lialf  li.mr  passed  away,  during  which  time  Mr.  Cocking  was  engaged  in  oarnoal 
-II  with  several  i if  his  friends.  Th,-  Kind  <if  tin-  Surrey  Yeomanry  suddenly  struck  up  the  National 
Anthem,  which  U-ing  considered  the-  signal  for  the  cords  to  be  loosened,  a  loud  huzza  proceeded  from  the  Gardens, 
and  was  re-echoed  by  tin-  impatient  mob  outaide.  At  this  moment  a  tube  or  pipe  of  linen  was  lowered  by  the 
Messrs.  Green  fr»m  tin-  e.n-  .,f  th.-ir  balloon  through  the  orifice  in  the  parachute,  and  past  the  basket  in  which 
Mi.  i  '.irking  was  to  sit  This,  we  soon  discovered,  VMS  f..r  tin-  <-.  inv.-vance  of  the  lulliist  it  is  found  necessary 
tu  discharge  on  the  asceut  of  a  balloon,  and  which,  if  it  had  licen  thrown  out  in  the  usual  manner,  would  have 
lodged  in  tin-  parachute.  All  the  preparations  having  been  completed,  Mr.  Cocking  (having  previously  stripped  off 
his  coat  as  too  cumbersome,  and  put  on  a  light  jacket)  stepped  into  the  car  amid  the  acclamations  of  the  company. 
of  hi-  fi  i.  i.d-  offci-i  (1  him  a  glut*  of  wiiif,  whi.-h  he  drank,  and  having  shaken  them  all  cordially  by  the  hand, 
little  knowing  that  it  would  be  for  the  last  time,  the  cords  were  loosened,  and  the  balloon  and  its  attendant 
parachute  mounted  into  the  heavens  amid  the  renewed  cheering  of  the  crowd.  The  early  part  of  the  afternoon  had 
been  remarkably  fine  and  clear,  but  about  this  time  (half-past  seven)  the  sky  hud  Ix-como  somewhat  overcast,  and  a 

1. !-../••    1,  ,.1    -|>!iiti_r    ii|i.       V'   a|'|-i>  iii  n-i.'ii-    h.iwevi-r.  were    i  lit.  I  t.iin.  d.  and    tin-    ••••••in-   at    that    iin'iin-lil   wasa-iM\ 

and  i -hii'iful  .1-  it  is  possible  to  imagine.  Above  was  the  majestic  balloon,  sailing  rapidly  aloft,  its  inmates  waving 
their  flags  in  triumph;  below  was  the  gaily-dressed  multitude,  mixing  their  acclamations  with  the  music  of  the 
Kind,  and  i  -la]>]iing  their  hands  to  the  adventurous  voyagers,  little  dreaming  that  the  death-hour  of  the  principal 
actor  in  the  scene  was  rapidly  approaching.  The  balloon,  with  the  parachute,  were  visible  for  several  minutes, 
passing  directly  nver  the  Thames,  and  apparently  taking  the  direction  of  Bayswater  and  Acton.  Shortly  afterwards 
tin  y  appeared  to  enter  a  cloud,  and  became  lost  to  sight  The  company  began  to  separate,  and,  mingling  with  the 
•  ...«  .1-  i  oiigregated  around  and  in  every  avenue  leading  to  the  Gardens,  formed  a  tableau  vivant  of  high  life  and  low 
lift-  in  not  iintViijui-ntly  imiiMiig  juxtaposition.  All,  nevertheless,  seemed  hieing  homewards,  impressed  with 
dill',  i-i  nt  notions  of  the  result;  but  the  prevailing  opinion,  particularly  amongst  the  humbler  classes,  appeared  to 
be  that  some  accident  or  misfortune  would  occur.  We  grieve  at  being  compelled  to  turn  from  this  scene  of 
amusement  and  mirth,  and  record  the  disastrous  conclusion, 

Mr.  K.  I  nderwood,  of  Regent-street,  followed  on  horseback  in  the  direction  taken  by  the  balloon,  to  witness, 
if  possible,  the  descent  of  the  parachute,  and  from  that  gentleman  we  have  learned  the  melancholy  details  which 
follow.  Mr.  Underwood  was  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Blackheath  when  he  saw  the  Messrs.  Green  sever  the  cord 
which  attached  the  parachute  to  their  car.  The  parachute,  thus  left  to  itself,  descended  with  the  utmost  rapidity, 
and  swayed  IV. .in  side  to  side  in  the  most  fearful  manner.  Mr.  Underwood  immediately  anticipated  the  worst  In 
a  !•  u  seennds.  the  dreadful  oscillations  still  continuing,  the  basket  which  contained  the  unfortunate  aeronaut  broke 
away  from  the  parachute,  and  Mr.  Cocking  was  precipitated  to  the  earth  from  a  height  of  several  hundred  feet. 
Mr.  I  nd.-rwood  immediately  spurred  his  horse,  and  arrived  in  a  field  near  Lee,  where  several  labourers  had  picked 
uji  the  jiaraehute.  They  would  not  believe  that  a  man  had  fallen  with  it,  but  on  Mr.  Underwood's  explanations, 
and  an  ..tier  of  five  guineas  to  whoever  should  find  the  body  of  Mr.  Cocking,  they  commenced  a  diligent  search. 
After  traversing  four  fields  they  heard  groans  proceeding  from  a  field  called  Burnt  Ash,  near  Lee,  and  on  going  in 
that  direction  they  found  the  unfortunate  Air.  Cocking  literally  dashed  to  pieces!  and  just  as  they  were  loosening 
•  he  breathed  his  List  in  their  arms.  He  was  speedily  conveyed  to  the  Tiger's  Head  Inn,  where  four 
medical  gentlemen  attended.  Their  services  were,  however,  needless. 

A  writer  in  a  morning  paper  says : — "  I  was  looking  at  the  balloon  with  the  parachute  as  it  drifted  steadily 
before  a  gentle  wind  and  rose  very  slowly.  After  it  was  first  pointed  out  to  me,  the  parachute  seemed  to  float 
without  any  oscillation,  and  to  hang  perpendicularly  under  the  balloon.  Shortly  afterwards  the  balloon  itself  was 
slightly  agitated,  and  was  inclined  considerably  more  to  one  side  than  when  I  first  saw  it,  and  the  parachute  did  not 
a]i]K-ar  to  hang  so  perpendicularly  as  at  first  While  I  was  referring  this  to  the  balloon  rising  perhaps  into  a 
-tratum  of  air  with  a  somewhat  greater  velocity  than  the  one  it  was  leaving,  the  balloon  and  parachute  adjusted 
t hems. •! v.s  into  their  first  jMisition.  and  floated  with  as  steady  and  as  gentle  a  motion  as  before.  In  an  instant 
afterwards  1  observed  tip-  Killi.in  shooting  upwards  with  great  velocity,  and  the  parachute,  which  had  been 
suddenly  separated  from  it.  falling  with  great  rapidity.  I  lost  sight  of  the  balloon,  and  my  eye  was  fixed  on  the 
parachute.  Knowing  the  use  and  object  of  a  parachute,  I  was  struck  with  the  great  velocity  of  its  descent  from  the 
instant  of  its  lil* -ration.  The  sky  was  serene;  the  beams  of  the  setting  sun  fell  on  the  parachute,  and  every  part 

:i  tiii.-tly  visible  ;  the  bree/.e  in  the  region   in  which  it  was  descending  was  so  gentle  as  scarcely  to  exert  any 

z  2 


166  ASTKA  CASTKA.  JULY,  1837. 

perceptible  influence  in  turning  it  from  its  perpendicular  direction ;  and  where  I  stood,  perhaps  about  six  hundred 
yards  from  where  it  alighted,  the  air  did  not  move  the  leaves  of  an  elm-tree.  For  a  few  moments  the  parachute 
descended  so  beautifully,  and  preserved  its  position  so  steadily,  notwithstanding  its  fearful  motion,  that  I  thought  it 
would  reach  the  ground  in  safety ;  and  I  felt  relieved  from  an  intense  momentary  excitement,  from  an  apprehension 
flashing  across  my  mind,  that  perhaps  some  human  being  was  perilling  life  itself  in  the  experiment.  Being 
ignorant  of  the  real  form  of  the  parachute,  I  speak  of  it  as  it  appeared  from  a  distance.  To  my  eye  it  had  a  round 
flattish  shape,  and  at  this  moment  it  seemed  to  lean  a  little  to  one  side  :  it  was  not  horizontal.  It  remained  for  a 
moment  or  two  in  this  position,  all  the  while  it  was  descending  rapidly.  It  then  fell,  as  it  were,  to  the  opposite 
side,  but  with  a  quicker  motion  than  when  it  first  lost  its  horizontal  position.  It  now  oscillated  several  times 
quickly.  A  sort  of  flapping  motion  was  then  perceptible,  and  the  parachute  appeared  lessened  in  diameter.  It 
then  apparently  turned  over,  and  at  this  moment  something  fell  out  of  it  at  a  great  height,  which,  for  the  instant  I 
could  keep  it  in  sight,  did  not  fall  much  faster  than  the  parachute.  The  parachute  again  turned  over,  and,  to  me 
and  some  others  standing  near,  it  disappeared  for  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  and  in  the  succeeding  instant  it  was  seen 
to  have  changed  its  flattish  circular  form  to  that  of  a  long  body,  like  an  umbrella  partially  opened,  or  more  correctly, 
perhaps,  to  a  balloon  very  much  collapsed,  and  descending  with  a  great  velocity.  Some  trees  intervening  prevented 
my  further  observation.  I  made  my  way  through  the  fields  in  the  direction  in  which  I  had  seen  it  felling,  and  as  I 
reached  a  spot  at  a  little  distance  from  where  it  fell  I  saw  the  lifeless  body  of  the  unfortunate  gentleman  placed  on  a 
hurdle,  to  be  conveyed  by  some  farm  labourers  to  an  inn  at  Lee." 

MR.  GREEN'S  ACCOUNT. 

"  In  consequence  of  the  sad  and  fatal  catastrophe  which  has  befallen  the  late  Mr.  Cocking,  I  feel  myself  called 
upon  to  communicate  to  the  public  the  whole  of  the  particulars  of  my  ascent  with  the  Vauxhall  balloon,  taking  up 
with  me  Mr.  Cocking  in  his  parachute.  The  inflation  commenced  about  twelve,  under  the  able  direction  of 
Mr.  Hutchinson,  the  engineer  to  the  London  Gas  Company,  and  was  completed  by  five  o'clock.  Prior  to  the 
parachute  being  attached  to  the  balloon,  I  caused  a  trial  to  be  made  with  a  view  of  ascertaining  whether  the 
buoyancy  of  the  latter  was  sufficient  to  carry  up  the  former  with  safety.  The  result  of  this  trial  was,  after  some 
arrangements  with  respect  to  the  ballast — of  which  I  was  compelled  to  give  out  about  six  hundred  and  fifty  pounds 
in  weight — had  been  effected,  satisfactory.  The  abandonment  of  this  large  quantity  of  ballast  I  found  to  be 
absolutely  requisite  in  order  with  safety  to  commence  the  ascent.  The  balloon  was  then  allowed  gently  to  rise  a 
sufficient  height  to  be  conveyed  over  the  parachute  ;  but  in  consequence  of  the  great  and  unavoidable  delay  which 
was  necessarily  caused  in  affixing  the  two  machines,  the  gas  in  the  former  became  very  considerably  condensed,  from 
a  reduction  of  its  temperature.  It  thereupon  became  a  matter  of  compulsion  that  1  should  get  rid  of  one  hundred 
pounds  more  of  ballast,  which  I  emptied  out  of  a  bag  through  a  tube,  constructed  of  canvas  and  about  fifty  feet  in 
length.  The  object  in  having  this  tube  was,  that  any  ballast  I  might  deem  it  advisable  to  throw  out  during  our 
voyage  should  take  such  a  course  as  would  entirely  clear  the  broadest  expanse  of  the  parachute. 

The  connexion  between  the  balloon  and  parachute  was  at  length  completed  by  the  rope  of  the  latter  being  made 
fast  to  the  liberating  iron  by  which  Mr.  Cocking  was  to  free  himself  from  the  balloon.  It  is  but  justice  to  myself  that 
I  should  here  state  that  I  had  on  several  occasions  expressed  my  determination  not  to  liberate  the  parachute  from  the 
balloon,  upon  the  ground,  setting  aside  my  other  considerations,  that  I  might  select  a  moment  for  the  severance  when 
Mr.  Cocking  was  not  altogether  prepared  or  ready  for  his  descent,  and  therefore  if  any  accident  were  to  accrue  to  him, 
that  I,  of  course,  should  be  regarded  as  the  responsible  party,  and  the  one  to  whom  blame  would  naturally  attach. 
Mr.  F.  Gye,  everything  being  in  readiness,  about  twenty-five  minutes  to  eight  o'clock,  gave  the  signal  for  the  whole 
of  the  apparatus  to  bo  released  from  its  trammels,  and  we  instantly  rose  very  steadily,  taking  an  easterly  course. 
Mr.  Cocking  had  always  ardently  desired  that  we  should  ascend  to  an  elevation  of  8000  feet,  about  a  mile  and  a 
quarter,  at  which  height  he  proposed  to  detach  himself  from  the  balloon,  and  to  commence  his  descent.  Finding, 
therefore,  that  our  upward  progress  was  veiy  slow,  I  requested  Mr.  Spencer  to  discharge  some  more  ballast,  and  he 
accordingly  threw  the  contents  of  a  bag  weighing  twenty  pounds  through  the  tube  already  named.  This  proving 
of  little  avail,  I  directed  a  second  and  then  a  third  bagful  to  be  got  rid  of  by  the  same  means.  At  this  period  we 
were  floating  nearly  over  the  Surrey  Zoological  Gardens,  at  an  elevation  of  about  2000  feet.  It  was  at  this 
moment  that  a  portion  of  the  lower  end  of  the  ballast-tube  became  detached,  a  circumstance  which  was  caused  by 


JTOT,M  MR  GUI:I:YS  ACCOUNT.  H;T 


tin-  i.-nisional  swiii-ring  to  and  fro  of  the  parachute.  This  accident  led  to  the  inconvenience  which  I  had  foranen 
•me  days  1-  !'••!'•  ill--  .1-  •  ni.  .ui'l  w  hi'  h  led  to  the  adoption  ,.f  the  tuU-.  and  of  ill  it  of  rendering  it  i-xtrc-nn  ly  dilVicult 
fur  us  tn  dis.  harp-  tin-  ballast  without  it-,  falling  into  tli.-  parachute.  <  >ur  inaliility  to  do  thin,  an  wo  were  then 
sitiiat-d.  I  •  •  •  mmimioated  to  Mr.  Cocking,  adding  tlmt.  under  tin-  circumstai  .....  s-,  it  was  ini|«»ssilile  for  UM  to  rims  any 
higher  unless  we  were  to  utt<-ni|>t  to  throw  the  ballast  in  bag*  beyond  tin-  outer  spread  of  hw  machine—  a  oourae  of 
dni-e  \\  hi,  h  we  considered  to  be  attended  with  much  danger  to  any  persons  who  might  chance  to  be  beneath  — 
I.  ut  that  «.  would.  if  he  wished  it,  make  the  experiment  M  aoon  aa  we  had  clean*!  tho  houses.  Mr.  Cocking 
n-pliiil.  •  \  •  iv  w.  II  .it  is  of  no  consequence,  if  you  think  I  have  time  to  rise  aa  high  an  I  want,  and  to  descend 
>•  dark.'  I  remarked,  'I  think  you  have,  and  you  will  then  also  have  a  more  open  country  for  the  dement.' 
\\  .-  now  coiitinn.-d  to  glide  along,  guidi  il  l>y  the  pleasure  of  tin-  wind,  at  ncurly  tho  same  elevation,  until  we  hud 
cleared  all  the  Liuldn,--  I  hiring  this  time  Mr.  SjN-noer  and  myself  were  busily  engaged  in  dividing  our  ballast 
into  small  parcels,  so  that  we  might  bo  able  to  throw  tin  m  over  without  injury  to  the  parachute.  AH  noon  an  we 
found  that  we  had  arrived  over  the  fields,  and  presuming  that  no  danger  could  arise  from  the  falling  of  the  balloHt, 
we  ,|iiirkly  began  to  relieve  onraelvei  of  that  essential  commodity.  In  doing  thi-.  our  anxiety  respecting  any  of  it 
l-Lin^  in  the  parachute  was  niueh  relieved  by  finding  that  that  miu-hinu  continually  swung  beckwanbi  and 
forward*,  evidently  occasioned  by  the  o|»  r.iti..n  of  the  current*  through  which  wo  passed,  no  that  wo  were  enabled, 
without  any  difficulty.  to  cant  away  the  bags  without  damage  to  the  vehicle  immediately  below  UK.  \Ve  continued 
to  discharge  ballast  until  we  had  lewm-d  our  (|iiantity  liy  fifty  |-.unds.  in  addition  to  that  already  sent  over.  The 
Uillixii  now  began  to  rise,  and  boon  i  m-  red  a  tier  of  clouds,  when  we  loot  sight  of  tho  earth.  So  great,  however. 
was  the  resistance  offered  by  the  parachute  to  this  denser  atmosphere,  that  wo  were  again  obliged,  in  order  to  attain 
tho  elevation  Mr.  Cm-king  pressed  for  (that  gentleman  considering  that  tho  greater  tho  distance  ho  had  to  fall  the 
greater  would  be  the  atmospheric  pressure  under  tho  parachute,  and,  therefore,  tho  easier  bin  descent),  to  rid 
ourt*  -ir  hundred  pounds  more  ballast,  and  oven  then  we  only  arrived  at  tho  height  of  5000  foot,  which  is  a 

tritle  le-*  than  a  mile.     \Ve  were  still  :1000  foot  lower  than  Mr.  Cooking's  desired  elevation.    Whilst  these  operationn 

lining  on  Mr.  SjH-nivr  and  myself  held  a  conversation  with  our  appended  neighbour  and  friend,  which  wan 
entirely  routined  to  the  progress  we  were  making  upwards,  Mr.  Cocking  manifesting  much  anxiety  and  wishing  to 
be  infonmd  how  we  were  rising,  requesting  to  know  when  every  additional  elevation  of  five  hundred  feet  wax 
accomplished.  As  aoon  as  we  had  attained  the  height  of  ,'AMO  feet  I  told  him  that  it  would  bo  impossible  for  IIH  to 
p  t  up  as  hiiih  aa  he  desired  in  surlicicnt  time  for  him  to  descend  by  the  light  of  day.  Upon  this  Mr.  Cocking  said. 
1  Then  I  shall  very  soon  leave  you  ;  l.ut  tell  me  whereabouts  I  am.'  Mr.  Spencer,  who  had  a  few  minutes  before 
caught  a  glimpse  of  th<-  .  .u;h.  an~v%>  i.  d.  •  \\.-  appear  to  be  on  a  level  with  Greenwich.'  1  then  asked  him  if  In- 
felt  hinist  -If  i|tiito  comfortable,  and  whether  ho  found  that  the  practical  trial  bore  out  the  calculations  he  had  made. 
Mr.  Cocking  replied,  'Yes;  1  never  felt  more  comfortable  or  more  delighted  in  my  life.'  Shortly  afterwards 
Mr.  (  '<•  king  said,  '  Well,  now  I  think  I  shall  leave  you.'  I  answered,  'I  wish  you  a  very  good  night  and  a  safe 
descent,  if  you  are  determined  to  make  it,  and  not  to  use  the  tackle.'  I  should  here  observe,  that  with  an  anxiety 
to  prevent  any  accident  arising  in  the  event  of  the  violence  of  the  wind  rendering  it  impossible  for  a  descent  to  be 
.ptitl,  an  apparatus  had  been  constructed,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  F.  Gye,  to  afford  us  the  facility  of 
•sauting  Mr.  <  '<»  king  to  haul  himself  up  into  the  car  of  the  balloon,  and  that  this  is  tho  tackle  to  which  I  thus 
alluded.  Mr.  Corking  to  this  ipu-stion  made  no  other  reply  than  'Good  night,  Spencer  ;  good  night,  Green.'  At 
this  instant  I  desired  Mr.  Sp.-nr.-r  to  take  fast  hold  of  the  ropes,  and,  like  myself,  to  crouch  down  in  the  car.  In 
conac<}uence  of  U-ing  coin|»  lied  to  keep  hold  of  the  valve-line,  of  course  I  had  but  one  hand  which  was  available  for 

iqxwes  of  safety.  With  that  hand,  fortunately,  in  the  perilous  situation  into  which  we  were  speedily  thrown, 
I  was  able  to  maintain  my  |n*ition.  Scarcely  were  those  words  uttered  before  we  felt  a  slight  jerk  upon  tho 
litx-niting  iron,  lint  quickly  dix-.,v.  n  d,  from  not  having  changed  our  elevation,  that  Mr.  Cocking  had  tailed  in  bin 
attempt  to  frii-  him.s.  If.  Another  l>ut  more  powerful  jerk  ensued,  and  in  an  instant  the  balloon  shot  upwards  with 
tin-  vel.«-ity  of  a  skyrocket.  The  effect  upon  us  at  this  moment  is  almost  beyond  description.  The  immense 
machine  which  suspended  u>  U-twe.-ii  -heaven  mid  earth,'  whilst  it  appeared  to  be  forced  upwards  with  terrific 
violence  and  rapidity  through  unknown  and  imtravclled  regions,  amidst  the  bowlings  of  a  fearful  hurricane,  rolled 
about  as  though  revelling  in  a  freedom  for  which  it  had  long  struggled,  but  of  which  until  tlmt  moment  it  had  been 
k.pt  in  utter  ipionince.  It  at  length,  as  if  somewhat  fatigued  by  its  exertions,  gradually  assumed  tin-  tuotioi 
snake  working  its  way  with  astonishing  Kpc.-d  towards  a  given  object.  During  thin  frightful  operation  the  gas 


168  ASTRA  CASTRA.  JULY,  1837. 

was  rushing  in  torrents  from  the  upper  and  lower  valves,  but  more  particularly  from  the  latter,  as  the  density  of 
the  atmosphere  through  which  we  were  forcing  our  progress  pressed  so  heavily  on  the  valve  at  the  top  of  the  balloon 
as  to  admit  of  comparatively  but  a  small  escape  by  the  aperture.  At  this  juncture,  had  it  not  been  for  the 
application  to  our  mouths  of  two  pipes  leading  into  an  air-bag  with  which  we  had  furnished  ourselves  previous  to 
.starting,  we  must  within  a  minute  have  been  suffocated,  and  so,  but  by  different  means,  have  shared  the  melancholy 
fate  of  our  friend.  This  bag  was  formed  of  silk,  sufficiently  capacious  to  contain  one  hundred  gallons  of  atmospheric 
air.  Prior  to  our  ascent  the  bag  was  inflated,  with  the  assistance  of  a  pair  of  bellows,  with  fifty  gallons  of  air,  so 
allowing  for  any  expansion  which  might  be  produced  in  the  upper  regions.  Into  one  end  of  this  bag  were 
introduced  two  flexible  tubes,  and  the  moment  we  felt  ourselves  to  bo  going  up  in  the  manner  just  described, 
Mr.  Spencer,  as  well  as  myself,  placed  either  of  them  in  our  mouths.  By  this  simple  contrivance  we  preserved 
ourselves  from  instantaneous  suffocation, — a  result  which  must  have  ensued  from  the  apparently  endless  volume  of 
gas  with  which  the  car  was  enveloped.  The  gas,  notwithstanding  all  our  precautions,  from  the  violence  of  its 
operation  on  the  human  frame,  almost  immediately  deprived  us  of  sight,  and  we  were  both,  as  far  as  our  visionary 
powers  were  concerned,  in  a  state  of  total  darkness  for  four  or  five  minutes. 

"  As  soon  as  we  had  partially  regained  the  use  of  our  eyes,  and  had  somewhat  recovered  from  the  effects  of 
the  awful  scene  into  which,  from  the  circumstances,  we  had  been  plunged,  our  first  attention  was  directed  to  the 
barometer.  I  soon  discovered  that  my  powers  had  not  sufficiently  returned  to  enable  me  to  see  the  mercury,  but 
Mr.  Spencer  found  that  it  stood  at  lb-20,  giving  an  elevation  of  23,384  feet,  or  about  four  miles  and  a  quarter.  I 
do  not  conceive,  from  the  length  of  time  1  had  been  liberating  the  gas,  that  this  was  anything  like  our  greatest 
altitude,  for  we  were  evidently  effecting  a  rapid  descent.  This  impression  is  corroborated  by  a  rough  calculation, 
which  leads  me  to  believe,  knowing  the  customary  rate  at  which  the  gas  makes  its  escape,  taken  into  consideration  in 
conjunction  with  the  length  of  time  I  had  been  pulling  the  valve-line,  that  we  had  lost  at  least  30,000  feet  of  gas, 
or  180,000  gallons,  a  total  of  5000  feet  more  than  my  own  balloon  will  contain.  It  may  be  regarded  as  somewhat 
surprising  that  not  a  larger  quantity  had  evaporated,  especially  when  the  size  of  the  valves  is  considered,  that  at 
the  top  being  nearly  three  feet  in  diameter,  whilst  the  one  at  the  neck  of  the  balloon  is  upwards  of  two  feet.  The 
reason,  however,  is  easily  explained.  The  extreme  rapidity  with  which  we  ascended,  coupled  with  the  consequent 
pressure  of  the  atmosphere  on  the  upper  part  of  the  machine,  necessarily  prevented  much  escape  from  the  top  valve. 
The  same  cause  also  forced  an  extraordinary  emission  from  the  opening  at  the  neck,  and  I  am  decidedly  of 
opinion,  had  it  not  fortunately  happened  that  the  proprietors  permitted  this  latter  valve  to  be  increased  from  eighteen 
to  twenty-five  inches  in  diameter,  that  the  balloon  must  have  burst,  and  my^companion  as  well  as  myself  been  hurled 
headlong  into  eternity.  As  I  have  stated,  we  were  now  rapidly  on  the  descent,  having  got  rid  of  all  the  usual 
annoyance  to  which  I  have  referred ;  and  finding  that  we  were  proceeding  downwards  with  the  ordinary  calmness 
and  steadiness,  although  with  much  speed,  we  hastened  to  empty  two  vessels  of  water  which  we  had  taken  up  for 
the  purpose,  and  to  charge  them  with  the  atmospheric  air  through  which  we  were  then  descending.  Our  desire 
was  to  effect  this  object  at  our  greatest  altitude,  but,  from  the  circumstances  which  I  have  detailed,  we  were  unable 
to  accomplish  that  end,  and  when  the  vessels  were  filled  the  mercury  in  the  barometer  had  ascended  to  17'50,  or  an 
elevation  of  1 6,632  feet,  about  three  miles.  When  we  had  accomplished  this  matter,  finding  ourselves  suffering  severely 
from  cold,  we  referred  to  the  thermometer,  which  stood  at  28,  or  four  degrees  below  the  freezing-point.  We  were  at  this 
period  apparently  about  two  miles  and  a  half  above  an  immense  mountain  of  clouds,  which  presented  the  appearance  of 
impenetrable  masses  of  dark  marble,  whilst  all  around  us  was  shed  the  brilliant  rays  of  the  setting  sun.  We  continued 
to  descend  with  great  rapidity,  and  as  we  approached  the  clouds  that  velocity  considerably  increased.  At  this  time  so 
large  had  been  our  loss  of  gas,  that  the  balloon,  instead  of  presenting  to  our  sight  its  customary  rotund  and  widely- 
expanded  form,  now  merely  looked  like  a  comparatively  small  parachute  or  half  dome,  without  any  aperture  in  its 
centre.  We  had  parted  with  at  least  one-third  of  our  gas,  and  were  as  far  beneath  the  balloon  itself  as  fifty  or 
sixty  feet.  Recollecting  the  late  hour  at  which  we  quitted  Vauxhall,  I  now  began  to  be  anxious  about  the  time, 
and,  on  applying  to  Mr.  Spencer,  ascertained  that  it  wanted  not  more  than  a  quarter  to  nine  o'clock.  From  this  1 
was  aware,  notwithstanding  in  our  then  position  we  were  blessed  with  a  magnificent  light,  that  on  emerging  below 
from  the  clouds  darkness  would  have  assumed  her  sable  hue  over  the  earth,  and  that  we  should  have  much  difficult}-, 
therefore,  in  ascertaining  the  nature  and  character  of  the  country,  supposing  us  to  be  over  the  land,  on  which  we 
must  effect  our  final  descent.  I  consequently  became  extremely  anxious  to  make  our  way  through  the  clouds 
as  quickly  as  possible  ;  which  having  done,  we  proceeded  until  we  had  reached  within  some  three  hundred  feet  of  the 


SKi-iTMiir.i:.  1  "OPINIONS   MAY   STII.I.   \  AUY."  H',!i 


•Alien  we  found  it   r^iuisite,  from  unr  in:iliility  t..  ascertain  tho  nature  of  the  ground,  tho  whole  ouuntr\ 

thf  appearance  of  thick  woods,  to  oast  out  every  article  of  ballaMt  and  moveablo  matters,  even  t. 

-  .-unl  empty  Kill.i-t  )..i-^-.  ill   order  to  prevent    UK  from  coining   ill  contact  with  what  WIIH  KUpjNiHcd  to  be  tm-K. 

..illini;  "tit  for  some  time,  and  hanging  .nit  iln-^ni|iin-l.  wi-  li.-iinl  voices  in  reply,  and  the  parties  speedily  druw  UM 

to  a  safe  place  of  landing,  which  proved  to  be  clow  to  tho  village  of  Offhaiu,  near  Town  Mailing,  seven  miles  wwrt 

of  Miii'Utoiie.  .iii.l  i«.  nt\  .  i;iht  frum  London.      The  Killoon  wan  packed,  and  convoyed  in  a  cart  to  Town  Mailing. 

whcr.-  we  u.  re   most    huspital.lv  treated.  .in.  I  provided  with   beds   by  tin-  l!i-v.  Mr.  Moin-y,  who,   singular  to  n-l.it.  . 

•tied  in.,  that   In.  IH  the  ten  of  Major  Money,  tho  aeronaut,  who,  on  the  23rd  of  July,  1780,  amended  from 

i<  li.  .-UK!  t.  11  into  the  no*  twenty  miles  off  LowestofE     At  half-paMt  ten  o'clock  this  morning  we  .|uut.  .1  Town 

Mailing,  and  it  wa»  not  until  our  arrival  at  Wrotham,  at  which  place  I  in<iuin-.l  whether  they  had  hoard  wh.i. 

M:    '    •  king  h.i.l  descended,  that  I  became  aoqnainteil  with  the  unexpected  and  melancholy  result  of  his  experiment. 

I  trust  it  is  m-edleai  forme  to  say  how  deeply  the  filling*  of  Mr.  Spencer  and  myself  were  harrowed  up  by  the  sad 

intelligent!-  thus  .-onvejed  to  us.     It  is  only  due  to  the  lat--  Mr.  CiH-king  I  should  add,  that  throughout  tho  whole 

of  our  voyage,  up  to  the  moment  when  he  released  himself  from  the  balloon,  he  displayed  tho  greatest  courage  and 

fortitude  ;  and  tin-  expression  ,,f  liis  features,  and  the  light  and  joyous,  although  earnest,  way  in  which  ho  made  his 

""I  .-unversed  with  us,  manifested  his  great  satisfaction  that  at  length  a  theory  to  which  ho  had  .1.  \,.i.  .1 

the  last  twenty-five  years  of  his  life  was  about  to  be  triumphantly  put  to  the  tost     We  were  up  aKiut  <>ne  hour  and 

•y  minutes.     Individually,  my  opinion  was,  that,  having  withstood  the  difficulties  and  severe  pressure  of  tli. 

atmosphere  in  its  ascent,  Mr.  Cooking's  parachute  would  accomplish  its  descent  with  perfect  safety." 

In  rrfrrence  to  this  unhappy  event,  Mr.  Wise,  of  America,  several  years  after,  expresseK 

himself  thus  :  — 

Looking  at  this  contrivance  with  an  unprejudiced  eye,  it  struck  me  as  remarkably  ingenious,  embracing  in.n. 
l>ut  true  principles,  adaptive  t..  the  end  for  which  it  was  intended;  and  so  confirmed  was  I  in  this  conclusion  (and 
.mi  y.  t  .  that  I  wniilil  not  havo  hesitated  to  repeat  tho  experiment  with  a  similar  machine,  with  no  other  alteration 
than  a  tough  wooden  h.-.p  in  tho  top  of  it  instead  of  a  tin  one,  as  was  in  his  machine.  I  ventured  this  opinion  in 
a  Philadelphia  newspaper  at  the  time,  and  promised  to  demonstrate  its  truth,  before  tho  summer  should  pass  by.  l.\ 
in.  nt  with  a  true  nn«lel  of  this  new  invention  in  letting  down,  from  a  great  height,  a  living  animal 
<>n  the  l>th  September  I  ascended  from  Philadelphia  with  both  a  Ganicrin  ami  (  'ocking  parachute  attached. 
In  the  fanner  I  had  placed  a  dog,  and  in  tin-  latter  a  cat  The  concave  parachute  was  first  dropped,  which  in  two 
seconds  afterwards  commenced  to  oscillate  with  great  violence,  to  which  the  dog,  its  occupant  gave  the  most  ample 
testimony  by  a  yelp,  corresponding  to  each  vibration,  as  far  as  I  could  hear  him.  Seeing  it  safely  in  the  hands  ,.)' 
•one  individuals  1.  1,.w.  the  convex  parachute  was  next  put  to  the  test  I  made  particular  preparations  to  watch 
•.ole  dtwtvnt.  with  a  spy-glass  for  the  occasion.  \\  hen  it  was  dropped  it  oscillated  a  little  for  a  few  moment... 
and  then  commenced  describing  spiral  circles  of  perhaps  a  hundred  feet  diameter  (this  is  a  mere  guess  calculation. 
however),  the  parachute  all  the  while  revolving  on  its  own  vertical  axis,  which  motion  was  in  the  same  direction 
as  it*  spiral  motion  :  and  thus  it  continued  gyrating  with  a  double  motion,  but  apparently  very  smoothly  and  grace- 
fully. until  it  reached  the  top  of  a  dwelling  in  Eleventh-street  where  it  lodged  safely,  and  was  taken  in  from  the 
dormer  window. 

Mr.  \\  i-<  :i<lds  that,  <  v.  u  with  the  defect  in  the  upper  hoop,  that  caused  his  parachut*- 
.  M  .  '  .-kin";  wouM  have  descended  without  very  serious  consequences,  by  the 
trim.  m  <.f  this  vnst  surf-tee  tlm>iio-h  the  atmosphere  in  a  collapsed  state,  had  he  not  lost  his 
presence  of  min-l.  which  <MU-.(  ,1  him  to  receive  the  shock  all  at  once. 

I  conehi.le  this  chapter  with  n  relation  of  some  other  ascents  made  in  America,  by  the 
>auie  experience,!  aeronaut.  The  first  took  place  in  the  presence  of  certain  delegations  of 
Indian  trills  who  were  in  Philadelphia. 

In  October.  1837,  every  arrangement  being  completed,  the  Indians,  with  the  celebrated  chief*,  Black  Hawk. 


170  ASTRA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1837. 

and  Keokuk  the  Prophet,  and  Black  Hawk's  son  at  their  head,  and  the  Florida  soldiers,  together  with  a  numerous 
company  of  invited  guests,  being  assembled  for  the  occasion,  at  a  few  minutes  after  one  o'clock,  preparations  for  a 
start  were  made.  Just  at  this  moment  the  chief  Keokuk,  -with  the  characteristic  sagacity  of  the  red  man,  requested 
me,  through  his  interpreter,  to  allow  him  to  make  an  examination  of  the  whole  machinery  and  apparatus.  To  this 
f  cheerfully  assented,  offering  at  the  same  time  to  give  him  such  explanations  as  he  desired.  It  was  evident  from 
the  manner  of  his  procedure  that  he  had  some  doubts  as  to  the  fairness  and  reality  of  what  was  to  be  done,  appa- 
rently thinking  that  it  was  a  sort  of  a  juggle  to  be  played  upon  them  by  a  "  pale-faced  medicine  man."  Everything 
in  the  car  was  observed  and  scrutinised  by  him  with  a  keenness  that  would  have  done  credit  to  a  philosopher. 
(Indeed,  I  looked  upon  him  as  a  great  natural  philosopher.)  A  large  brass  speaking-trumpet  that  lay  in  my  car 
elicited  from  him  particular  inquiry.  Having  just  before  told  him  that  I  would  sail  above  the  clouds,  he  asked  me 
whom  I  intended  to  talk  to  there  with  this  instrument.  I  told  him  it  was  intended  to  talk  down,  not  Tip.  He  also 
inquired  the  particular  use  of  the  grappling-iron  and  the  philosophical  instruments  contained  in  the  car ;  the  use  of 
the  latter  he  could  not  satisfactorily  comprehend.  He  next  asked  permission  to  make  a  test  of  the  upward  power  of 
the  balloon,  which  was  promptly  granted  him ;  several  of  the  cords  by  which  the  machine  was  held  down  were 
brought  together  and  placed  in  his  hands.  Upon  these  he  gradually  brought  his  weight,  at  the  same  time  scruti- 
nising the  others  that  were  fast  to  weights,  whereupon  he  nodded  assent  and  belief  in  its  powers,  and  at  once 
acknowledged  an  abandonment  of  his  scepticism  upon  the  affair.  Black  Hawk,  who  until  then  had  maintained  a 
sullen  silence  and  apparent  unconcern  of  the  whole  affair,  called  me  to  him  and  informed  me  that  this  affair  was  very 
'nteresting  to  his  companions,  but  that  he  had  seen  such  things  before.  This  was  the  truth ;  for  some  years  before 
he  witnessed,  in  company  with  General  Jackson,  who  was  then  President  of  the  United  States,  an  ascension  from 
the  Battery  in  New  York.  The  Prophet  and  young  Black  Hawk  listened  and  observed  very  attentively  to  all  that 
passed,  but  made  no  inquiries,  being  apparently  satisfied  with  what  they  heard. 

This  investigation  being  got  through  with,  I  shook  hands,  as  a  farewell,  with  the  chiefs,  and  started  off.  At 
the  moment  of  detaching  the  balloon  the  Indians  all  simultaneously  sprang  on  their  feet  and  gave  a  wave  of  the 
hand,  with  a  faint  but  shrill  shriek,  which  I  took  as  a  parting  salute,  and  responded  to  it  in  a  similar  manner  as 
nearly  as  I  could. 

I  noticed  on  this  occasion,  while  crossing  the  Delaware  River  at  the  height  of  a  mile,  that  the  water  appeared 
much  more  transparent  when  viewed  from  that  height  than  when  viewed  from  a  boat,  or  from  its  banks.  And  so 
remarkable  was  this  phenomenon  that,  notwithstanding  the  muddled  condition  of  that  river  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
place  where  it  was  crossed,  I  could  trace  the  geological  structure  of  its  bottom  for  some  distance  above  and  below 
the  point  of  crossing.  After  I  had  crossed  the  river,  the  balloon  moving  south  of  east,  sufficient  ballast  was  dis- 
charged to  raise  her  9000  feet  high,  when  her  course  became  due  east,  with  a  speed  so  moderate,  that  it  was  only  by 
the  change  of  topographical  scenery  that  I  could  discern  her  onward  progress.  The  day  was  a  remarkably  pleasant 
one  for  the  lateness  of  the  season,  and  at  this  immense  height  the  thermometer  ranged  at  42°.  It  must,  how- 
ever, be  observed,  that  the  thermometer  was  not  screened  from  the  reflected  heat  of  the  sun  by  the  balloon,  which 
I  afterwards  discovered  made  a  great  difference  in  the  indications  of  this  instrument  when  carried  aloft. 

I  enjoyed  a  range  of  vision  from  ninety  to  one  hundred  miles  in  diameter.  Seeing  that  Philadelphia  was  now 
verging  into  the  western  horizon,  and  that  Mount  Holly  and  Vincent  Town  were  passing  beneath  me  in  the  same 
direction,  and  knowing  that  towards  the  east  scarcely  anything  but  forest  and  sea  could  now  be  expected,  I  com- 
menced a  rapid  descent  at  half-past  three  o'clock,  some  distance  to  the  east  of  Vincent  Town.  The  first  thing  that 
obstructed  me  in  this  design  was  the  contact  of  a  whirlwind,  which  enveloped  the  whole  machine  in  a  cloud  of  dust, 
sand,  and  dry  vegetable  matter.  This  so  tossed  about  the  aerial  ship  that  I  was  obliged  to  take  refuge  in  the  bottom  of 
the  car,  the  better  to  maintain  my  centre  of  gravity.  After  being  thus  swung  about  for  a  minute  or  two,  and  carried 
up  and  south-eastward  for  a  considerable  distance  for  so  short  a  time,  the  whirlwind  dispersed,  and  the  balloon  began 
to  descend  again.  Having  before  this  seen  clouds  of  smoke  ascending  from  the  pines  to  the  south-east  of  me,  which 
I  then  took  for  collieries,  I  now  found  it  to  be  the  pines  on  fire,  and  the  balloon  fast  descending  right  into  it. 
Knowing  the  consequences  of  such  a  catastrophe  from  sad  experience,  the  ballast  yet  remaining  in  the  car  was 
quickly  disposed  of.  Finding  this  not  to  check  the  balloon  sufficiently  from  falling  into  the  fiery  desert  below,  the 
speaking-trumpet  and  air-bottles  had  to  follow,  which  fortunately  enabled  me  to  cross  the  conflagration.  The 
balloon  now  rose  again  to  the  elevation  of  3000  feet,  and  rapidly  traversed  the  pines  towards  Barnegat  Bay,  and  for 
a  moment  I  thought  of  continuing  the  voyage  to  the  beach ;  but  when  the  heaving  ocean  showed  itself  in  the  eastern 


A.D.  1  \N    I. X PLOSION  171 

horizon,  sw.  Him  ii>  boaom,  as  it  were,  up  into  the  blue,  vaulted  heaven,  it  looked  to  mo  like  too  much  rink  fur  the 

lik.  ly  to  be  gained  by  a  landing  on  the  beach  mud.     t'oimequrntly  I  determined  to  make  a  descent  in 

tin-  j'ines.  wliirh  was  accomplished  at  half-past  four  o'clock.     The  descent  was  made  with  considerable  force  ;  but 

tin-  trees  were  so  close  to  each  other  that  the  balloon  did  ii"t  slide  down  between  until  .-In-  was  half  disrhurp-d  »l 

i-.     Having  before  my  descent  kept  an  eye  to  the  necessity  of  finding  my  way  out  of  the  fcnciw,  1  rolled  up 

the  Uilloon,  stowed  it  in  the  car,  and  then  struck  to  tin-  north  lor  a  road  I  had  observed,  which  I  soon  reached.     I 

al-o  met  some  huiit.-iin  n,  who  assisted  me  in  carrying  the  machinery  to  Burr's  Saw-mill,  which  is  thirty-eight  miles 

fri'in  ('^linden  and  about  forty  from  where  I  started. 

1838. — The  next  ascent  was  at  Easton,  Pennsylvania. 

Tims  ].r.  ]un  d.  and  tin-  1 1th  of  August,  the  day  for  the  ascension,  being  at  hand,  nothing  remained  but  to  go 
on  with  the  cxjicrinient.  The  day  was  fine  in  tin-  morning,  but  at  noon  the  heavens  indicated  an  approaching 
thunderstorm,  which,  by  ton  minutes  before  two  o'clock,  passed  over  with  no  other  injury  than  the  wetting  of  the 
network  of  the  balloon  and  the  dispersal  of  a  portion  of  the  audience,  who,  for  a  brief  space  of  time,  were  driven 
to  places  of  shelter. 

At  a  few  minutes  before  two  o'clock  the  balloon  was  detached  from  terra-firma.  I  had  with  me  two  para- 
chutes containing  animals— one  a  cat,  the  other  a  dog ;  and  as  the  balloon  approached  a  dense  body  of  black  thunder- 
clouds, some  vivid  flashes  of  lightning,  accompanied  by  violent  peak  of  thunder,  greeted  my  upward  passage. 
This  gave  the  first  part  of  my  voyage  a  terrific,  but  grand  and  imposing  appearance.  It  seemed  to  me  as  though 
heaven's  artillery  were  celebrating  the  occasion  as  a  progress  of  the  new-born  science,  and  it  inspired  mo  with  n 
determination  to  try  the  new  experiment  of  atmospheric  resistance  as  a  means  of  safe  descent  in  the  event  of  explo- 
sion of  the  balloon  at  great  heights.  As  soon  as  an  altitude  of  about  2000  feet  was  attained,  the  conical  parachute, 
with  its  occupant  (this  was  one  on  Cocking's  plan),  was  detached,  which  landed  in  safety  near  Lafayette  College, 
at  the  head  of  the  town.  Soon  after  this  the  balloon  attained  an  altitude  of  about  4000  feet,  at  which  point  the 
oiled-silk  parachute,  with  its  occupant,  was  detached.  This  was  to  foreshadow  the  effect  of  the  experiment  of 
exploding  the  balloon,  and  was  so  contrived  as  to  have  an  apparent  disadvantage  compared  with  that  of  the  large 
machine.  This  small  one  was  nothing  more  than  a  balloon  in  a  collapsed  state.  When  thrown  overboard  it  fell 
some  distance  before  it  expanded  completely,  and  after  it  had  expanded  it  fell  with  a  very  irregular  vibratory  motion, 
which  was  not  the  case  with  the  other  one.  Upon  this  I  concluded,  however,  that  the  experiment  would  not  be 
hazardous,  if  not  disagreeable.  I  was  also  assured,  from  my  experience,  that  a  balloon  in  a  flaccid  state,  or  only 
partly  so,  would  invert,  that  is,  the  lower  part  cave  into  the  upper  part,  and  assume  a  hemispherical  shape  in  a  rapid 
descent 

When  an  altitude  of  about  13,000  feet  was  attained,  the  balloon  became  fearfully  expanded— to  its  utmost 
tension,  and,  having  but  an  inch-diameter  tube  in  the  neck,  the  gas  began  to  issue  through  this  orifice  with  con-  • 
siderable  noise.  I  would  here  observe,  however,  that  any  slight  sound,  occurring  in  so  perfectly  quiet  a  place  as  is 
that  of  a  balloon  a  mile  or  two  above  the  earth,  makes  apparently  a  great  noise.  At  this  period  of  the  voyage  it  was 
evident  that,  unless  gas  were  speedily  let  off,  the  balloon  must  burst  from  expansion ;  for  she  was  still  rising,  and  the 
•>ive  cord,  being  tied  rather  short,  had  also  become  tense,  and  must  evidently  be  tending  towards  a  rupture  at 
the  jioints  where  it  passed  through  the  balloon. 

At  this  critical  moment  I  became  somewhat  excited,  and  as  I  looked  over  the  side  of  my  car  I  observed  the 
sparkling  coruscations  of  lightning  springing  from  cloud  to  cloud  a  mile  beneath  me,  as  the  thunderstorm  was 
passing  its  last  remnants  below.  The  storm  was  moving  from  S.W.  to  N.E.  and  the  balloon  was  sailing  from  N'.\V. 
to  S.E,  passing  New  Village  and  Asbury,  and  I  could  now  see  the  earth  in  that  direction.  I  took  out  ray  watch, 
noted  on  my  log-book  the  time—  twenty  minutes  past  two — and  as  1  was  about  returning  it  to  my  pocket,  thinking 
at  the  time  whether  it  were  not  best  to  relieve  the  explosion  rope,  discharge  ballast,  and  abandon,  for  the  present, 
the  idea  of  this  experiment,  th*  balloon  exuded/  Although  my  confidence  in  the  success  of  the  contrivance  never  lor 
a  moment  f»r.-«>k  me,  I  must  admit  that  it  was  a  moment  of  awful  suspense.  The  gas  rushed  from  the  rupture  in 
the  top  of  the  balloon  with  a  tempestuous  noise,  and  in  less  than  ten  seconds  not  a  particle  of  hydrogen  remained  in 
it.  The  descent  at  first  was  rapid,  and  accompanied  with  a  fearfully  moaning  noise,  caused  by  the  air  rushing 
through  the  network  and  the  gas  escaping  above.  In  another  moment  I  felt  a  slight  shock.  Looking  M\>  to  .-..• 
what  caused  it,  I  discovered  that  the  balloon  was  canting  over,  being  nicely  doubled  in,  the  lower  half  into  the 

•2    v 


172  ASTRA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1838. 

upper ;  it  had  fallen,  condensing  the  column  of  air  upon  which  it  was  falling,  until  it  had  arrived  at  a  point  where 
it  was  so  dense  that  the  force  of  the  whole  weight  pressing  down  on  it  was  arrested,  which  caused  the  parachute  to 
tilt  over.  The  weight  of  the  car,  however,  countervailed  the  tilting  tendency,  giving  it  an  oscillating  motion,  which 
it  retained  until  it  reached  the  earth.  The  velocities  of  these  zigzag  descents  were  marked  by  corresponding  notes 
of  the  wind  as  it  whistled  through  the  rigging  of  the  balloon.  On  reaching  the  point  where  the  lower  current  of  air 
traversed  the  upper,  another  and  more  violent  shock  than  the  first  was  the  result.  From  this  point  the  oscillations 
became  more  severe,  each  one  causing  a  sensation  in  me  similar  to  that  which  a  person  experiences  when  dreaming 
that  he  is  falling. 

The  wind  from  the  S.W.  drifted  the  machine  several  miles  in  its  direction  before  it  fell  to  the  earth.  As  I 
neared  terra  firma,  all  the  ballast  was  thrown  overboard ;  but  when  I  struck,  it  was  with  a  violent  concussion,  for 
the  machine  was  just  then  at  its  maximum  velocity  of  descent.  The  car  struck  the  earth  obliquely,  and  I  was 
thrown  about  ten  feet  forward  from  it.  The  balloon  had  fallen  alongside  of  me,  and  so  complete  was  the  collapse 
where  the  lower  part  had  doubled  into  the  upper,  that  it  was  with  difficulty  separated  again.  The  car  had  turned 
bottom  upwards,  and  there  I  stood  congratulating  myself  on  the  result  of  this  exciting  experiment — the  perspiration 
rolling  down  my  forehead  in  profusion,  for  the  atmosphere  below  felt  oppressive.  The  landing  was  made  on  the 
farm  of  Mr.  Elijah  Warne,  about  ten  miles  from  Easton.  Before  many  minutes  had  elapsed  after  this  descent,  I  had 
resolved  to  repeat  the  experiment  in  Philadelphia  at  the  first  opportunity . 

On  my  return  to  Easton,  the  day  after  the  ascension  I  received  the  following  letter : — 

"  ME.  WISE,  Master  of  the  Aerial :  "  New  Village,  August  llth,  1838. 

"  I  hereby  certify  that  my  first  sight  of  your  air-ship  was  north  of  Henry  Snyder's ;  it  then  apparently  passed 
not  far  from  William  Kinney's,  then  directly  between  the  inhabitants  of  New  Village  and  the  sun.  We  saw  the 
gas  rushing  from  the  balloon  like  the  steam  from  a  boiler ;  it  created  between  us  and  the  sun  the  colours  of  a 
rainbow,  and  it  was  some  time  before  we  got  a  second  sight,  when  you  appeared  to  be  lowering.  As  the  size  of  the 
balloon  became  larger,  we  could  discover  a  black  spot  underneath,  about  twenty  feet.  I  pursued  on  foot  until  I  saw 

you  alight  near  Thomas  Thatcher's. 

"  From  your  most  affectionate,  but  not  acquainted  Friend, 

"  N.B.— And  others."  "  WILLIAM  SHARPS. 

From  this  it  appears  that  spectators  on  the  earth  could  not  see  the  balloon  at  the  time  it  was  falling  during 
the  collapse.  Its  descent  for  the  first  few  seconds  must  have  been  faster  than  at  any  other  period  of  its  fall,  and 
during  that  time  it  affected  me  more,  too,  for  the  sensation  caused  a  dimness  of  sight,  and  1  closed  my  eyes 
momentarily  from  the  effect. 

First  Ascent  from  Allentown  : — 

On  the  8th  of  September,  1838,  I  made  an  ascension  from  Allentown,  Pa.  I  had  resolved,  after  this  one 
was  accomplished,  to  go  to  Philadelphia  and  repeat  the  experiment  of  exploding  the  balloon  at  a  great  height 
in  the  air.  The  Allentown  ascension  was  a  very  complete  one.  The  following  extract  from  the  journal,  always 
kept  during  my  ascensions,  embraces  the  most  interesting  features  connected  with  that  trip  : — 

The  balloon  was  now  perfectly  stationary  over  the  outskirt  of  the  town.  I  next  concluded  on  starting  a  fresh 
interest  to  the  spectators  below.  Having  all  the  ballast  bags  filled  with  dust,  several  of  them  were  emptied  over- 
board, which  for  a  moment  enveloped  the  balloon  in  an  artificial  cloud,  which  presented  a  very  interesting  pheno- 
menon to  tha  lookers-on.  This  sent  the  balloon  up  about  two  thousand  feet  more,  approaching  at  the  same  time  a 
solitary  cloud.  As  I  passed  the  angle  of  reflection  of  this  cloud  a  very  sensible  heat  was  felt,  showing  clouds  to  be 
good  reflectors  of  heat,  as  they  are  of  light.  When  the  balloon  got  in  proximity  to  the  cloud  it  became  somewhat 
agitated,  making  rotations  one  way,  then  another ;  at  the  same  time  the  cloud  apparently  receded  from  the  balloon, 
as  by  repulsion.  Here  several  more  bags  of  dust  were  discharged,  which  clung  much  more  to  the  balloon  than  did 
the  former ;  even  the  heavier  particles  were  now  attracted  to  the  surface  of  it  and  remained  there  some  moments. 
When  the  machine  had  risen  considerably  above  this  point  the  dust  fell  from  it  in  a  cloud.  This  was  a  very 
interesting  part  of  the  voyage,  and  convinced  me  that  the  sciences  of  electricity  and  meteorology  would  be  much 
improved  by  the  aid  of  balloons. 


I 


i- 

o 


iMKvnoNAi.  BOT8HNG  IT- 

II  .iving  arriv.il  at  Philadelphia  in  tin-  month  of  ScptemN  r.  inim-  .lint.  -ly  following  my  experiment*  at  Kaston 
and  All.-ntown,  I   .  ..iiMilt.  .1   iwveral  scientific  p-nilcim-n   ii]»n   my    intention   to  announce  that    I  wi.nl.l   in..; 
ascension,  ami  explode  the  balloon  when  over  a  mikt  high.     Although  they  clitl  not  worn  to  doubt  the  philosophy  <-\ 
atniiwph.  ri.-  i.-Kutance,  nor  the  theory  of  converting  the  balloon  into  a  parachute,  Htill,  they  most  earnestly  u".  p 
to  dissuade  mo  fnmi  my  intentions,  on  they  coiit.iil.-n-l  it  a  risk  of  lif.-.     Could  they  have  pentiaded  mo  with  lialf 
tin-  philosophy  against  it  that  I  ln.l  .-..nt.  inj.lat.-l  fur  it.  it  \\..n|.l  never  have  boon  attempted  by  me. 

n_r  i-oiivinood  that  all  was  right,  an  announcement  was  mad*'  that  nuch  an  experiment  would  be  mail.-  .>n 
tin  IM  of  October,  1838,  fn.m  tli.'  .-orn.  r  <>f  Seventh  and  Call"  whi  11  Strcete.  The  day  wan  a  remarkably  tin.-  "in. 
an.l  tin-  Uilloon  moved  in  five  different  directions  during  her  flight  The  editorial  notices  of  five  principal  newn 

of  I'hila.lclphia  will  be  first  given,  before  I  shall  give  my  own  account  of  it. 


Int.  "Mr.  \\  iso  ascended  yesterday  afternoon,  at  half-put  four  o'clock,  with  his  balloon.  The  sky  was 
l-.-rt.vtly  dear,  and  the  balloon  passed  slowly  to  the  north-went;  in  about  twenty  minute*  the  rich  blue  of  the 
bteven-  was  marked  will  i  ihiii  tilni\  u  Int..  u  l,i,  !,  «.,..  il,,  ;_•..>,  >.MJ,  in-  fi  ,  ,m  iln-  |..|.  of  th.-  Kill.".!:.  Atti\. 
o'clot'k,  ami  tor  half  an  hour,  wo  watched,  at  a  dihtanoe  from  the  city,  the  balloon  for  to  the  west,  which  rosemUed 
some  large  planet  pouring  out  a  flood  of  light  This  was  caused  by  the  rays  of  the  sun.  The  reflection  wan 
exceedingly  brilliant,  and  the  whole  balloon  seemed  a  ball  of  fire,  while  the  hoop  in  the  centre  looked  like  a  dark 
belt  (it  had  no  h.«"|>  in  tin-  centre).  This  was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  sights  wo  have  ever  seen  of  the  kind." 

Jnd.  "  Mr.  Wise  yesterday  afternoon,  as  per  notice,  made  an  ascension  in  his  parachute  balloon,  in  the 
haiidt.oine.st  i»*«iblo  stylo.  There  was  scarcely  a  breath  of  air  stirring,  and  he  rose  almost  J»TJN  ndi.-nlarly  to  a 
great  In  ijrht.  and  was  out  of  vi.  w  at  tin-  writing  of  this  paragraph,  having  been  up  about  an  li.mr.  He  went  up 
without  any  difficulty  —  how  ho  gets  down  we'll  tell  to-morrow." 

3rd.  ••  Mr.  \\  iso,  the  aeronaut,  made  a  successful  ascension  on  Monday.  The  balloon  passed  over  the 
Schuylkill.  ami  Mr.  \\iso  eventually  descended,  according  to  hi*  promise,  by  letting  off  the  gas  gradually  at  an 

me  height  :  by  moans  of  a  cord  and  pulley  ho  converted  the  balloon  into  a  parachute,  and  thus  camo  down.  It 
was  a  most  fearful  undertaking,  and  was  anticipated  by  competent  scientific  authority  as  calculated  to  carry  with  it 
destruction  of  lit'.-." 

•Jtli.  -  Mr.  Wise  made,  yesterday  afternoon,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  ascensions  that  Philadelphia  ever 
witnessed.  About  half-past  four  he  left  '  old  mother  earth,'  and  like  an  arrow  from  a  well-strung  bow,  reached  tin- 
welkin,  cheered  in  his  upward  flight  by  the  shouta  of  the  dense  mass  which  filled  the  neighbouring  streets.  At  nix 
o'clock  he  was  yet  in  sight,  there  being  no  breeze,  and  apparently  in  the  stata  quo  of  ten  minutes  after  his  dejmrtun-. 
The  explosion  which  was  to  make  a  parachute  of  his  aerial  vessel  did  not  take  place,  owing,  wo  suppose,  to  the  fact 
that  ho  could  not  get  beyond  the  precincts  of  dangerous  obstructions  to  such  a  daring  attempt  At  one  time  the 
appearance  of  the  balloon  was  beautiful:  the  gas  issuing  from  it  seemed  like  smoke,  and  the  sun  shining  uj-.n 
the  lower  part  of  the  balloon,  which  was  considerably  depressed,  and  exhibited  a  tremulous  motion,  gave  it  ilp 
appearance  of  being  on  fire.  We  did  not  learn  where  ho  descended." 

6th.  "  Mr.  Wise's  ascension  yesterday  afternoon  from  the  enclosure,  corner  of  Seventh  and  Callowhill  Street*, 
was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  we  ever  saw.  We  did  not  witness  the  process  of  inflation,  as  at  the  time  of  our 
.  lit.  ring  the  enclosure,  half-past  four  o'clock,  the  pipes  communicating  the  gas  to  the  balloon  had  been  withdrawn, 
and  the  aeronaut  having  entered  the  car,  was  arranging  his  cords  and  other  fixtures.  This  was  speedily 
accomplished,  and  at  twenty-two  minutes  before  five  o'clock,  the  cord  which  confined  the  voyager  to  the  earth  waa 
cut  by  Mr.  \\  ise,  and  Lidding  the  assembled  thousands  '  good-bye,'  he  soared  aloft  almost  perpendicularly,  though 
bearing  a  little  south  for  some  twenty  minutes;  after  which,  at  a  height  of  some  several  thousand  feet,  a  different 
.urn  nt  of  air  wafted  him  to  the  north,  until  he  was  brought  to  a  position  almost  directly  perpendicular  to  the  place 
of  starting.  At  this  altitude  he  encountered  another  current  of  air,  by  which  he  was  rapidly  carried  in  a  we*st-l»v- 
north  direction  for  several  minutes,  when  a  small  cloud  of  gas  was  suddenly  discovered  to  have  issued  from  th. 
balloon,  and  soon  after  another  of  about  the  same  quantity  ;  after  which  the  object  of  attention  seemed  gradually  to 
descend  fora  short  time,  until  it  had  arrived  at  an  atmosphere  of  sunVi.  nt  .1.  nxity  to  exactly  weigh  it  It  now 
pur.-ued  th.  .v.  n  t.-nour  of  its  way  in  a  direct  course,  W.N.W.,  until  nearly  out  of  sight  from  the  enclosure,  when,  at 
about  half-past  five  o'clock,  the  balloon  seemed  suddenly  converted  into  a  parachute,  and  commenced  a  rapid  descent 
\\  •  «..!•  ii-  •!  it>  .!•  ft  nt  with  a  spyglass,  until  BO  low  that  the  buildingx  hid  it  from  our  view,  say  at  an  angle  of 
some  ten  or  twelve  degrees  from  the  horizon.  We  know  not  at  what  distance  from  the  starting-point  the  descent 

2  A   2 


174  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1838. 

was  made,  but  should  judge  it  to  have  been  several  miles.     We  hope,  at  least,  that  the  intrepid  voyager  reached  the 
earth  in  safety,  though  we  had  some  fears  from  the  apparent  rapidity  of  his  descent" 

Such  were  the  notices  of  some  of  the  public  journals  of  the  day.  They  all  but  one  agree  as  to  the  conversion 
of  the  balloon  into  a  parachute,  and  that  one  saw  it  at  the  time  it  was  forming  into  such  a  shape,  when  he  perceived 
the  depression  in  its  lower  part.  In  this  last  arrangement  I  had  a  pulley  fixed  into  the  valve  disc,  on  the  inside  of 
the  balloon,  through  which  a  cord  passed,  whoso  one  end  was  fastened  to  the  lower  part  of  the  balloon,  by  which 
that  part  might  bo  drawn  up  into  the  upper  as  the  gas  rushed  from  the  top.  I  found  this  part  of  the  contrivance 
utterly  useless.  When  the  balloon  was  exploded,  the  lower  part  did  not  immediately  invert,  as  in  the  former 
experiment  of  this  nature,  for  on  this  occasion  it  burst  open  from  top  to  bottom,  and  caved  in  sidewise.  I  was,  at 
the  first  discovery  of  this,  somewhat  alarmed,  fearing  that  it  might  come  down  with  a  continually  accelerated  velocity, 
from  which  anxiety  I  was,  however,  soon  relieved.  It  caught  the  wind  like  the  mainsail  of  a  ship,  and  slid  down 
upon  the  atmosphere,  in  a  spiral  course,  with  a  uniform  velocity.  The  descent  was  made  a  mile  or  two  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Schuylkill,  and  not  less  than  several  hundred  persons  had  followed  from  the  city,  and  were  on  the 
ground  where  and  when  it  was  made.  The  concussion  was  not  near  so  violent  as  the  apparent  rapidity  of 
the  descent  would  seem  to  have  warranted,  and  was  not  harder  than  that  which  would  follow  the  jumping  from  an 
elevation  of  ten  feot  to  the  ground. 

As  the  machine  was  descending,  the  lower  part,  one-third  the  length  of  the  whole  balloon,  hung  loosely  in  the 
network,  swinging  to  and  fro,  and  occasionally  pressed  upwards  slightly  by  the  current  of  air.  The  resistance 
of  the  machine  against  the  atmosphere  acted  on  the  principle  of  the  inclined  plane,  sliding  obliquely  down  over  it, 
describing  spiral  circles,  until  it  struck  the  earth. 

Since  this  experiment,  balloons  have  exploded  while  aeronauts  have  been  aloft  with  them,  and  in  no  instance 
have  their  persons  been  seriously  injured ;  but  every  newspaper  and  periodical  account  set  them  down  as 
miraculous  escapes.  And  the  miracle  is  always  in  the  height  from  which  the  machine  falls  to  the  earth,  the 
resistance  that  the  atmosphere  must  present  to  it  being  never  hardly  taken  into  account.  We  might  as  well  call  the 
descent  of  the  flying-squirrel  from  the  high  forest-tree  to  the  earth,  without  sustaining  any  bodily  injury,  a  miracle ; 
for  its  surface,  compared  to  its  weight,  is  not  in  a  greater  ratio  than  is  the  weight  of  a  man  compared  to  the  surface  of 
a  common-sized  balloon,  whatever  shape  the  latter  can  assume. 

This  is  a  principle  in  aeronautics  which  has  never  yet  been  duly  considered,  although  a  very  ingenious 
mathematical  deduction  upon  the  descent  of  parachutes  has  been  given  in  this  work.  Meteorological  and 
astronomical  deductions  are  yet  much  to  be  facilitated  by  the  science  and  practice  of  aeronautics.  There  are  things 
in  its  philosophy  that  men  have  not  yet  dreamed  of.  There  are  sublimities  in  its  practice  that  the  world  has  not 
yet  been  fully  prepared  to  realise.  . 

Although  the  principle  of  atmospheric  resistance  is  a  self-evident  thing,  and  its  application  to  a  safe  descent 
from  great  heights  has  been  demonstrated,  there  are  yet  very  few  persons  who  are  willing  to  believe  it  so  well 
established  as  to  entitle  it  to  be  practised  with  impunity. 

1839. — Second  Ascent  from  Allentown  :  — 

In  the  spring  of  1839  I  was  invited  to  make  another  ascension  from  Allentown,  Pa.,  which  was  readily 
accepted.  The  ascension  was  made  on  the  27th  of  April,  at  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  following 
extracts  from  the  log-book  of  the  trip  will  be  found  interesting : — -At  twenty-five  minutes  past  two  o'clock  my  vessel 
stood  over  the  town  of  Bethlehem,  and  had  also  reached  the  clouds,  and  the  course  changing  from  E.  to  S.S.E.,  the 
thermometer  standing  at  30°.  This  temperature  felt  unpleasantly  cold ;  my  ears  began  to  ache  violently,  accom- 
panied by  a  crackling,  noisy  sensation  ;  my  nose  began  to  bleed,  and  I  felt  very  much  distressed  for  a  few  minutes. 
The  balloon  became  rapidly  distended,  and  highly  electrified,  and  an  open  sack  of  sand  lying  in  the  car  showed 
strong  electrical  effects  by  a  portion  of  it  being  drawn  up  against  the  balloon,  from  which  it  would  drop  down 
again,  keeping  up  this  motion  for  over  a  minute.  When  the  balloon  left  the  earth  the  gas  in  it  was  of  a  milky 
colour,  but  now,  when  it  had  risen  to  a  height  where  the  machine  had  become  fully  distended  l>y  diminution  of 
atmospheric  pressure,  so  that  I  could  look  in  through  the  nock  of  it,  the  gas  had  become  perfectly  transparent. 
While  this  change  of  colour  in  the  gas  was  going  on,  it  gave  out  water,  which  dropped  freely  from  the  lower  orifice 
of  the  balloon,  and  it  also  emitted  a  strong  sulphurous  odour.  Some  powerful  electrical  effect  must  have  produced 


A.n.  i  STORM-SCENE  ABOVE  THE  CLOUDS.  175 

these  phenomena,  and    I   nlwiivN   found  strong  electrical   effects  when   puring   from   one  currant  of  Air  into 

•liT. 

<  in  this  oocMion  the  wind  was  very  strong  when  I  descended,  which  was  forty-two  mile*  from  Allen  town  ; 
.iii.l  having  tin-  explosive  apparatus  in  the  balloon,  and  failing  in  the  first  landing  to  gut  a  hold  with  the  grappling- 
iron.  I  found  it  very  convenient  to  explode  the  machine  the  aeoond  time  it  touched  the  earth. 

( in  my  return  t<>  All. ntown,  the  citizens  of  that  place  expressed  a  desire  to  have  a  third  ascension.  This  was 
made  on  tho  last  Saturday  of  May,  1839;  and  as  it  was  attended  by  circumstances  for  a  while  placing  my  life  in 
jeopardy,  as  well  as  bringing  into  on  a  mode  of  causing  tho  balloon  to  descend  which  would  aoem  paradoxical,  an 

•:i  of  it  will  be  hare  given.    At  the  time  it  happened  no  particular  account  of  tho  circumstances  alluded  to 

-iv.-n  in  the  papers  relating  tho  voyage,  for  tho  reason  that  I  was  fearful  it  might  incncue  tho  belief  that 
Uill'N.ning  was  extremely  dangerous. 

half-past  two  o'clock  in  the  afterrfoon,  everything  being  in  readiness  to  detach  tho  balloon  from  the 

ing  apparatus  and  prepare  for  the  ascent,  and  just  at  the  time  this  was  all  accomplished,  and  nothing  more 
remained  to  be  done  but  to  draw  the  valve-cord  out  of  tho  nock  of  tho  balloon,  whore  it  generally  remains  during 
th>>  inflation,  a  gentleman  IV. m  tho  South  was  introduced  to  me,  who  commenced  a  conversation,  which  drew  my 
attention  fr.nn  tin-  i  :i  of  the  valve-rope;  and  while  conversing  with  him,  I  being  in  tho  car  at  the  time,  the 

balloon  was  let  up  the  length  of  the  restraining  rope,  where,  aftor  a  few  minutes  of  adjustment  of  things  in  the  car, 
I  M<1  him  and  all  others  a  good-bye,  and  cut  off  tho  rope.  The  luwt  fibre  of  the  cord  which  held  mo  to  the  earth  hud 
scarcely  been  severed,  before  tho  thought  flashed  on  my  mind  that  tho  valve-rope  had  not  been  secured.  But  it  was 
too  la  to  now  to  remedy  the  m  intake— the  balloon  was  mounting  rapidly.  For  a  moment  I  began  to  despond,  and  I 
would  have  given  everything  possessed  by  mo  in  the  world  to  bo  down  on  tho  earth  but  one  minute.  It  was  an 
int.  iiMely  painful  moment;  but  I  rallied  my  spirits  quickly,  took  off  my  hat  and  swung  it  around,  which  WOH 
vrously  respond* -d  t.>  from  below. 

1  had  with  mo  a  parachute  containing  an  animal,  and,  knowing  that  tho  disposal  of  this  would  send  mo  higher 
fnmi  the  earth,  I  at  first  felt  an  inclination  not  to  part  with  it;  but  upon  reflection  of  its  being  announced  to  be 
done,  and  the  people  of  course  waiting  for  its  descent,  it  was  at  once  thrown  overboard.  I  watched  its  progress  until 
it  reached  die  earth,  when  it  was  picked  up  by  some  men, — and  oh,  how  I  wished  myself  there,  toot  However, 
having  over  a  hundred  miles  between  me  and  tho  Atlantic  Ocean,  I  felt  hopes  that  something  might  bo  done  in  the 
interval  that  w..nld  onaUe  me  to  get  down.  My  first  observation  in  view  of  this  was  to  ascertain  the  velocity  of 
the  balloon  in  her  eastward  course.  This  was  found  to  bo  about  fifty  miles  per  hour,  and  convinced  mo  that  the 
Atlantic  was  likely  to  bo  reached  before  tho  ascending  power  would  give  out,  so  as  to  let  me  down.  I  could  n»t 
persuade  myself  that  the  balloon  was  in  a  bad  enough  condition  to  meet  such  a  hope,  for  it  had  just  undergone  a 
thorough  repair,  and  was  in  good  condition, — a  quality,  in  this  instance,  not  very  desirable.  While  thus  meditating 
ii|..n  tin-  best  means  of  effecting  a  descent,  I  found  that  already  a  groat  portion  of  Jersey  had  been  traversed,  as 
I'riiKvton  was  not  far  a-head  of  me,  Tho  current  of  wind  below,  just  in  tho  cloud  region,  was  moving  from  tho 
south-west,  and  tho  one  tho  balloon  was  sailing  in  was  from  tho  north-west  To  the  north  the  atmosphere  was 
clear;  to  the  south  it  was  charged  with  clouds.  Tho  lower  current  was  carrying  in  it  a  thunder-gust,  whi.li 
presented  a  beautiful  phenomenon.  As  I  was  over  a  mile  above  it,  and  four  or  five  miles  off,  it  gave  me  an 
<i]i|»>rtunitY  i.i  MTutinizc  its  operations  sidewise  and  above.  The  storm  and  tho  balloon  wore  also  moving  towards 
the  same  point,  so  that  I  was  continually  nearing  it,  but  so  high  above  it  that  no  danger  was  to  be  apprehended 
fr»m  it.-  effects.  The  rain  was  pouring  down  from  it,  and  made  a  noise  like  a  mill-dam.  The  clouds  were  rolling 

and  .i_'i;i.-t  i.i.'li  other;  the  lightning  flashing  in  zigzag  flashes  through  them  as  long  as  their  side-view  was 
•]-  n  to  my  sight  Presently,  it  was  all  overcast  below  me,  tho  thunder  rattling  like  small-arms  without  any  of  th.- 
rolling  rev.-rU-rations  that  are  heard  below.  The  most  splendid  part  of  this  scene  appeared  just  where  the  storm 
was  passing  Bom.- d.-n.-e  cloud*  that  w.-re  moving  in  the  ii|>i»-r  current,  that  had  recently  made  their  appearance. 
Several  tim.f  the  -urta.-.-  .if  th.-  I..W.T  stratum  swelled  ii|>  suddenly  like  a  boiling  caldron,  which  was  imm.^liai.  Iv 
f..llnw.-d  l>y  the  m.*t  William  ebullition  of  uparkling  coruscations.  Twice  it  swelled  up,  or  rather  shot  up,  like  an 
immense  pyramid,  which  was  also  quickly  followed  by  an  evolution  of  promiscuous  flashes,  and  then  <|uiekly 
disappeared  again,  as  though  it  had  dissolved.  It  was  a  magnificent  sight;  but,  in  recurring  to  my  critical  -it  nation. 
its  charms  passed  from  my  mind  with  it.-  d-  jurum-  to  tin-  n..rth  of  m.-. 

As  soon  as  the  storm  had  passed  oil',  which  \\.u-  in  about  fifteen  minutes,  the  sky  became  clear  to  the  south 


176  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1839. 

and  east.  Princeton  was  some  distance  to  the  north  of  me,  and  I  was  moving  nearly  due  east.  Less  than  an  hour 
would  now  take  me  on  to  the  Atlantic ;  it  was  already  in  sight  to  the  north-east  and  the  east.  The  balloon, 
seemingly,  had  not  yet  lost  any  of  her  altitude  of  the  last  hour.  I  had  plenty  of  ballast  to  go  up,  but  no  control  of 
the  valve  to  get  down.  It  was  an  embarrassing  moment.  First,  I  looked  at  my  stock  of  provisions,  which  consisted 
of  about  a  half-pound  of  water-crackers  and  as  much  cheese,  together  with  a  bottle  of  porter,  which  was  handed  me 
by  a  friend  at  the  time  of  starting.  This  all  seemed  well  enough  to  hold  out  with,  even  to  cross  the  ocean,  for,  at 
the  rate  I  had  been  moving,  less  than  three  days  would  take  me  across.  But  the  balloon,  good  as  she  was,  it  could 
not  be  reasonably  expected  that  she  would  hold  out,  although  between  forty  and  fifty  pounds  of  ballast  wore  to  be 
depended  on.  The  neck  of  the  balloon,  as  is  usual  in  common  aerial  voyages,  was  left  open,  and  the  natural  affinity 
of  gases  for  atmosphere  must,  in  less  than  three  days,  so  deteriorate  the  hydrogen  in  it  as  to  bring  it  down.  This 
hope  now  fled.  What  was  to  be  done!  A  thousand  things  were  running  through  my  brain — even  that  of  jumping 
overboard  when  on  the  confines  of  land,  and  plunging  in  the  ocean!  Faint  hope !  it  were  worse  than  sticking  to 
the  ship. 

The  proud  and  boundless  Atlantic  was  now  distinctly  seen  swelling  its  mighty  crest  to  the  arched  roof  of 
heaven,  in  the  east,  dashing  its  angry  foam  into  the  face  of  the  clouds.  This  aroused  all  my  energy,  all  my  fertility 
of  mind.  I  had  been  endeavouring  to  split  my  little  flagstaff,  in  order  to  splice  it  and  tie  a  penknife  to  the  end  of 
it,  with  which  to  cut  the  balloon ;  but  it  would  not  answer.  My  next  effort  was  to  burst  the  balloon  by  violent 
jerking  of  the  car — the  explosive  rope  was  not  in  the  machine  now— but  this  also  failed,  and  only  went  to  show 
how  immensely  strong  a  network  and  balloon  really  were.  Now  a  new  idea  flashed  on  my  mind — /  can  get  down  by 
going  up — and  in  another  moment  one  bag  of  sand  after  the  other  went  overboard,  until  half  the  ballast  was  gone  ; 
the  balloon  was  mounting  rapidly — the  visible  horizon  was  fast  contracting — the  yawning  Atlantic  was  thus  shut 
out  of  view.  The  atmosphere  grew  extremely  cold  at  the  height  I  had  now  attained;  but  the  excitement  of  the 
occasion  kept  me  warm  enough.  The  balloon  was  now  completely  distended ;  the  gas  was  copiously  discharging 
itself  at  the  neck,  which,  having  no  tube  in  it,  was  now  open  in  a  circle  of  eighteen  inches  diameter.  As  the  gas 
mingled  with  the  outer  air  it  had  the  appearance  of  a  white  cloud.  By  violent  jerks  in  the  car,  impulsive  volumes 
were  discharged  from  the  neck,  the  balloon  still  rising.  In  ten  minutes  after  I  had  commenced  this  the  balloon  had 
attained  her  maximum  height,  and  immediately  after  began  to  sink  rapidly.  The  valve-rope  in  the  mean  time 
partly  rolled  out  of  the  neck,  so  that  I  could  reach  it  with  the  flagstaff;  my  peril  was  at  an  end,  and  I  felt  as  happy 
as  Archimedes,  when  he  cried  out,  Eureka ;  and  I  really  did  cry  out,  "  Victory  !  victory ! "  as  the  threatening 
Atlantic  came  to  view  by  the  rapid  descent.  The  immense  discharge  of  gas,  and  the  rapid  admixture  of  atmosphere 
and  hydrogen  within  the  balloon,  consequent  to  the  free  connexion  by  the  large  opening  of  the  neck,  and  a  rapid 
descent,  brought  the  machine  down  to  the  earth  fast  enough  without  the  use  of  the  valve-rope,  which  had  now 
been  brought  within  my  reach.  Although  the  peril  of  perishing  on  the  ocean  was  now  ended,  and  I  was 
almost  in  contact  with  terra  firma,  the  old  proverb  of  "  misfortunes  never  come  single-handed  "  was  yet  to  be 
realized. 

On  reaching  the  earth,  my  grappling-iron  took  effect  in  a  Jersey  farmer's  peach-orchard,  which  so  alarmed  a 
negro  who  was  ploughing  in  the  next  field  as  soon  to  infect  his  horses,  two  boys,  and  two  dogs  near  him,  and  to 
create  a  perfect  bedlam  amongst  them.  The  horses  ran  away  with  the  plough,  snuffing  the  air  like  war-steeds' — 
the  boys  screamed — the  dogs  barked— the  horses  snorted  and  reared  up  in  the  fence-corner — the  negro  lay  on 
his  back  looking  up  in  terror — the  balloon  was  surging  up  and  down,  ripping  the  grappling-iron  from  one  peach- 
tree  to  another.  And  now  the  contagion  had  spread  to  the  house  and  the  barn-yard,  the  poultry  were  in  a  clatter 
— the  .matron  of  the  domicile  standing  before  the  door  of  the  house,  clapping  her  hands  together  in  anguish  for  the 
safety  of  the  boys,  who  were  still  screaming.  The  old  man  next  made  his  appearance,  with  gun  in  hand,  and  in  a 

gruff  voice  exclaimed,  "  Where  is  it,  where  is  the  d d  thing?"     Terror  next  beset  me,  for  a  shot  from  the  old 

man's  blunderbuss  was  more  than  suspicious,  the  moment  his  eye  should  catch  the  balloon,  to  which  his  back  was 
yet  turned,  and  I  made  no  delay  in  cutting  in  twain  the  grapple-rope.  As  the  balloon  rose,  the  old  man  cried  out 
in  a  satisfactory  manner,  as  he  stood  in  a  half-stooped  position,  "  There,  there  it  goes !  "  and  I  did  go,  although  the 
country  for  two  or  three  miles  around  was  alive  to  the  descent  of  the  balloon,  with  footmen  and  horsemen  wending 
their  way  towards  it. 


A.D.    i 


.M;I»I:MI:K  PKOSEQUOH  ALIS." 


177 


KAKTH'I  children  cleave  to  earth — her  frail 

Decaying  children  dread  decay. 
Ton  wreatli  of  mint  that  leaves  the  vale, 

And  lessens  in  the  morning  ray  : 
Look,  how,  by  mountain  rivulet, 

It  lingen  at  it  upward  cree|«, 
And  cling*  to  fern  and  oopsewood  act 

Along  the  green  and  dewy  iteepa : 
Clings  to  the  fragrant  kalmia,  clings 

To  precipices  fringed  with  grass, 
Dark  maples  where  the  wood-thrush  sings, 

And  bowers  of  fragrant  sassafras. 
Yet  all  in  Tain — it  passes  still 

From  hold  to  hold,  it  cannot  stay, 
And  in  the  very  beams  that  till 

The  world  with  glory,  wastes  away, 
Till,  parting  from  the  mountain's  brow, 

It  vanishes  from  human  eye, 


THE  COAL  STRATA. 


And  that  which  sprung  of  earth  is  now 
A  portion  of  the  glorious  sky. — BRYANT. 

They  take  very  unprofitable  pains  who  endeavour  to  persuade  men  that  they  are  obliged  wholly  to  despise  this  world  and  all 
that  is  in  it,  even  whilst  they  themselves  live  here :  Ood  hath  not  taken  all  that  pains  in  forming,  framing,  furnishing,  and  adorning 
this  world,  that  they  who  were  made  by  Him  to  live  in  it,  should  despise  it ;  it  will  be  well  enough  if  they  do  not  love  it  so 
immoderately,  to  prefer  it  before  Him  who  made  it. — LOBD  CLARENDON. 


Look,  the  world  tempts  our  eye, 
And  we  would  know  it  all. 
\V.-  map  the  starry  sky, 
\\V  mine  this  earthen  ball, 

i'-i,  u.  number  the  sea-sand*. 


\Vi-  scrutinize  the  dates 
Of  long-past  human  things. 
The  bounds  of  effaced  states, 
The  lives  of  deceased  kings  : 

We  search  out  dead  men's  words,  and  works  of  dead  men's,  hands. 

ARXOLD. 


CHAPTEK   VII. 


REMARKABLE  ASCENTS  FROM  1840  TO  1863. 


Im  einsamen  Luftraum  Lo !  where  the  eagle,  his  calm  wings  unfurl'd, 

Hangt  nur  der  Adlei  undkniipft  an  das  Gewblke  die  Welt.  Lone-halting  in  the  solitary  air, 

Hoch  herauf  bis  zu  mir  tra'gt  keines  Windes  Gefieder  Knits  to  the  vault  of  heaven  this  ball— the  world  ! 

Den  verlorenen  Schall  menschlieher  Miibe  und  Lust.  And  not  a  wind  upon  its  pinion  bears 

SCHILLER.  One  breath  that  speaks  of  human  joys  and  cares. 

BULWER  LYTTON. 

FIRST  PROPOSITION  TO  CROSS  THE  ATLANTIC  A  DOUBLE  BALLOON  ASCENT  • —  "  THE  WARMTH  OF  THE  VALLEYS  REFLECTED  " 

—  EXPERIENCE  SOMETIMES  AT  FAULT A  LADY*S  DESCRIPTION A  WIND  FROM  WEST  TO  EAST  CONSTANTLY  FLOWING 

AT  THE  HEIGHT  OF  TWELVE  THOUSAND  FEET  • —  WIDOW  MONTGOLFIER  IN  GOOD  HEALTH   AT  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  SEVEN 

YEARS COLONEL  JOHN  M'CLELLAN  OF  GETTYSBURG  • —  THE  AERIAL  TRANSIT  BILL  —  NAMING  THE  PLACE  OF  DESCENT 

A  TRANSATLANTIC   PROJECT  —  A  PETITION    TO    THE  U.S.  CONGRESS  —  HENRY  COXWELL's  FIRST  EXPERIMENTS  —  MONS. 
DEPUIS  DELCOURT,  THE  EDITOR  OF  A  PARISIAN  JOURNAL  —  THE  DANGERS  OF  A  SOLITARY  ASCENT  —  THE  '  AEROSTATIC 

MAGAZINE  ' A  GENTLEMAN  OF  EIGHTY-THREE  YEARS  ASCENDS  • —  MR.  GREEN'S  SECOND  PROPOSAL  TO  CROSS  THE  ATLANTIC 

THE  LATEST  NEWS  FROM  WEST  CHESTER HOW  TO  CAPTURE  THE  CASTLE  OF  VERA  CRUZ  ALBERT  SMITH'S  FIRST 

ASCENT,  SECOND    ASCENT,    AND  PERILOUS  DESCENT A  VIEW  OF  NIAGARA A  DESCENT  ON  LAKE  ERIE CROSSING 

THE  SLESWI6- HOLSTEIN  FRONTIER — TWO  HUNDRED  AND  TEN  MILES,  THREE  HOURS  AND  TEN  MINUTES  — FROM  MAR- 
SEILLES TO  TURIN  ACROSS  THE  ALPS  —  THE  DEATH   OF  LIEUTENANT  GALE- — MR.   AND  MRS.   GRAHAM  GRAZING   THE 

GREAT  EXHIBITION,  MEET   WITH   AN  ACCIDENT    IN    ARLINGTON    STREET ME.  COXWELL  RETURNS   FROM   GERMANY 

HENRY    MAYHEW'S    ASCENT  KNIGHT'S  EXPERIMENTS  AT  BOMBAY MR.  COXWELL's   PROPOSITIONS    BEFORE  THE 

CRIMEAN  WAR TWO  HUNDRED    AND  FIFTY  MILES,  LONDON  TO  TAV1STOCK  IN  FIVE  HOURS THE  CRYSTAL  PALACE 

COMPANY THE  MEETING  OF  THE  BRITISH  ASSOCIATION MR.  COXWELL's  ZEAL  IS  EQUALLED  BY  MR.  GLAISHEE's,  THE 

METEOROLOGIST,  AND  MEMORABLE  ASCENTS  FOLLOW  — THE  HEIGHT  OF  SEVEN  MILES  IS  ATTAINED '  THE  TIMES1  LEADING 

ARTICLE MR  GLAISHER's  EIGHT  ASCENTS  IN  1862 WINCHESTER  TO  HARROW  IN  SIXTY- SIX  MINUTES "COASTING  IN 

A  BALLOON"  —  BRITISH  ASSOCIATION  ASCENT  AT  NEWCASTLE — NADAR'S  GEANT —  PARIS  TO  HANOVER  —  SEVEN  HUNDRED 

AND  FIFTY  MILES,  SEVENTEEN  HOURS GODDARD*S  MONTGOLFIERE AEEIAL  NAVIGATION  IN  CHINA ASCENT  AT  PEKIN 

1306 THE  CHINESE  AERIAL  EQUIPAGE  IN  1860  • —  METHODS  FOE  DIEECT10N KNOWLEDGE  OF  THE  WINDS ATMOSPHERIC 

SOUNDING-LINES OBSERVATIONS  —  DAILY  TRANSMISSION  OF  METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS MEANS  AND  INSTRUMENTS 

EMPLOYED  BY  THE  CAPTAINS  TO  KNOW  THE  RAPIDITY  OF  MOTION  AND  THE  DIRECTION  TAKEN  BY  THE  AEROSTAT THE 

IMPROVEMENTS  THAT  MIGHT  BE  MADE  BY  A  KNOWLEDGE  OF  ELECTRICITY- — PRESUMPTION  OF  THE  CHINESE MY  FIRST 

VOYAGE THE  AEEIAL  TERMINUS  OF  FOU  CHEOU  • —  THE  TOWING-PATH DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  AEROSTAT  AND  APPENDAGES 

—  THE  SEAT  FOR  THE  WATCHER THE  SEATS  FOR  TRAVELLERS WE  TAKE  OUR  SEATS THE  CENTRAL  CABIN  —  WE 

ARE  WEIGHED WE  ARE   HOISTED OUR  TACKLE  IS  ADJUSTED,  AND  WE  LEAVE  THE  STATION TRAVELLING   COM- 
PANIONS • —  THE  PASTIME  OF  THE  LADIES A  CONSUMPTIVE  MAN  • —  A  COMMERCIAL  TRAVELLER TWO  OFFICERS  OF  THE 

IMPERIAL  AEEIAL   FLOTILLA THE  PROJECTED  VOYAGE  TO  THE  POLE FRANKLIN'S  OPINION -^  CHINESE  AERONAUTS 

FORBIDDEN  TO  COME  TO  EUROPE A  MOMENT  OF  ALARM IN  THE  CLOUDS THE  STRIKER  AND  THE  MAEKER CHINESE 

METHOD  FOR  MAINTAINING  AN  AEROSTAT  AT  A  GIVEN  HEIGHT  WITHOUT  LOSS  OF  GAS  OE  BALLAST:   THE  SAME  WAS 
SUGGESTED  IN  FRANCE  IN  1783' — MANOEUVRES  FOE  DESCENDING- — THE  POSSIBILITY  OF  APPLYING   STEAM  TO  THIS 

OPERATION —  THE  EXPERIMENT  OF  GIFFORD  IN  1852 OUR  ARRIVAL  AT  THE  NANT-CHANG  TERMINUS THE  TOWING 

CHARIOTS THE  BUILDING-YARD  FOE  THE  CONSTRUCTION  OF  AEROSTATS FAILURE  OF  LENNOX  IN  1834 BUREAUX  DE 

RENSEIGNEMENTS OUR  CENTURY. 

j  840. — THIS  year  Mr.  Charles  Green  announced  his  readiness  to  cross  the  Atlantic,  and  thus 
expresses  himself  with  his  usual  calculation  and  forethought : — 


A.H.  1840.  1'IUST  I'Kni'nsiTION  TO  CROSS  Till-   ATLANTIC.  179 

It  having  beeu  stated  in  several  of  the  public  journals  that  I  had  given  it  as  my  opinion  that  it  would  not 
be  impossible  to  traverse  the  Atlantic  Ocean  in  a  balloon,  and  that  in  fact  I  was  actually  engaged  in  making 
arrangements  to  carry  such  a  project  into  execution,  I  liave  thought  it  advisable,  as  well  for  my  own  credit  as  for 
the  satisfaction  of  the  public,  to  whom  I  gratefully  acknowledge  myself  indebted  for  a  long  course  of  the  most 
tl.iti.  rini;  patronage,  to  offer  some  explanation  of  the  nature  of  tho  views  I  admit  myself  to  have  entertained  upon 
the  subject,  and  of  tho  grounds  upon  which  I  build  my  expectations  of  success.  \Vith  this  intent  I  shall  proceed 
to  point  out  the  I'lin.-ipal  obstacles  with  which  I  should  have  to  contend  in  the  attempt,  applying  to  each  the 
remedies  which  I  have  devised,  and  which  I  consider  adequate  to  the  occasion. 

Tin  -so  obstacles,  then  (which,  it  may  bo  as  well  to  observe,  are  no  more  peculiar  to  the  voyage  in 'question 
than  as  being  one  of  unusual  extent  and  duration),  naturally  divide  themselves  into  two  classes  ;  those,  namely, 
which  regard  the  maintenance  of  tho  power  of  tho  balloon  throughout  the  period  for  which  its  services  are  likely 
to  be  required,  and  those  which  arise  from  the  difficulty  of  securing  the  proper  direction  of  her  course. 

\\ith  respect  to  tho  first  of  these,  the  reader  is  most  probably  not  unaware  that,  apart  from  the  leakage 
of  tho  balloon  itself  (which,  however,  when  in  perfect  condition,  is  not  excessively  material),  a  variety  of 
circumstances  attend  its  progress  through  tho  air  by  which,  in  ordinary  coses,  its  power  of  sustaining  itself 
becomes  gradually  impaired,  and  ultimately,  of  course,  completely  overcome.  Of  these  ono  of  the  most  formidable 
is  tin-  ditlicnhy  of  making  the  balloon  retain  the  same  elevation  in  the  atmosphere,  and  of  avoiding  those 
fluctuation*  in  the  level  of  its  course  by  which  it  becomes  subjected  to  the  alternate  exhaustion  of  gas  by 
expansion,  and  consequent  loss  of  ballast  in  order  to  furnish  an  equivalent  diminution  of  weight.  The  extent  to 
which  this  condition  of  the  art,  exercised  in  the  usual  form,  is  capable  of  operating,  will  bo  more  readily 
iipi'ivciat.  d  when  we  observe  that,  at  an  elevation  of  three  thousand  feet,  the  density  of  the  atmosphere  is  nearly 
•  nth  less  than  at  the  immediate  surface  of  the  earth.  The  gas,  therefore,  expanding  as  it  ascends,  at  that 
alt  it  iidf  occupies  one-tenth  more  space  than  under  its  original  pressure  ;  a  balloon,  consequently,  fully  inflated  at 
its  quitting  tho  ground  must,  ere  it  attain  that  elevation,  part  with  such  a  proportion  of  its  contents ;  and  this,  too, 
without  taking  into  account  any  unfavourable  change  in  the  temperature  by  which  it  might,  and  probably  would, 
be  accompanied.  To  a  balloon  like  that  of  Vauxhall  Gardens,  containing  about  80,000  cubic  feet,  this  loss  would 
amount  to  8000  feet  Now  the  average  sustaining  power  of  carburetted  hydrogen,  or  coal  gas,  which  I  should 
employ  on  the  occasion,  is  about  thirty-six  pounds  weight  for  every  thousand  cubic  feet ;  consequently  the  loss  of 
power  experienced  in  this  slight  ascent  would  be  equal  to  288  pounds ;  much  more  than  would  be  lost  by  leakage 
from  a  good  balloon  kept  inflated  at  the  earth's  surface  in  a  week. 

Again,  at  the  approach  of  night,  upon  the  passage  through  clouds  charged  with  vapour,  or  under  tho 
influence  of  a  shower  of  rain,  a  large  quantity  of  moisture  becomes  absorbed  by  the  balloon  netting  and  other 
apparatus,  frequently  to  the  extent  of  two  or  three  hundred  weight,  requiring  an  immediate  discharge  of  ballast  to 
that  amount  to  prevent  her  being  borne  to  the  ground.  As  the  morning  approaches,  or  the  influence  of  increasing 
heat  begins  to  be  felt,  this  moisture  becomes  dissipated,  and,  there  being  no  means  of  collecting  or  recovering  the 
discharged  ballast,  the  balloon,  lightened  of  her  temporary  incumbrance,  rapidly  rises  in  the  air,  her  contents  of 
gas  expanding  in  her  course,  and  rendering  its  liberation  necessary  to  prevent  the  consequences  we  have  before 
i>  d.  These  alterations  continuing  to  operate  more  or  less  frequently  (at  least  once  in  every  twenty-four 
hours),  it  need  scarcely  be  observed,  must  very  soon  put  an  end  to  her  power,  however  originally  great,  and 
forcibly  terminate  her  progress  through  the  air. 

Such  are  the  principal  causes  which  affect  the  continuance  of  aerial  voyages  for  any  length  of  time,  and  the 
following  is  the  means  by  which  I  propose  to  neutralise  their  influence.  Across  the  hoop,  to  which,  most  readers 
know,  the  netting,  which  cover*  the  balloon  above  and  the  car  underneath  are  made  fast,  I  have  extended  a 
cylinder  or  windlass,  over  which,  and  through  a  pulley  likewise  attached  to  the  hoop  at  right  angles  to  tho 
windlass,  passes  a  rope  of  sufficient  strength,  about  two  thousand  feet  in  length,  and  being  made  fast  at  one 
:aity,  remains  suspended  in  the  air  to  the  extent  at  the  time  required.  To  the  lower  extremity  of  this  rope 
are  fastened  at  certain  int.  r\al-  a  numl»  r  ..('  small  .-tout  waterproof  canvass  bags,  the  apertures  of  which  are  kept 
open  by  means  of  small  rings  of  suitable  material,  in  such  a  manner  as,  when  drawn  through  the  water,  to  admit 
the  entrance  of  tho  fluid,  but  oppose  its  return.  Between  these,  and  likewise  as  stated  distances,  are  also 
disposed  a  number  of  small  conical  floats  of  hollow  copper,  which  are  intended  to  serve  the  purpose  of  supporting 
the  length  of  rope  when  it  reaches  the  sea  by  the  depression  of  the  balloon.  The  operation  of  this  apparatus  it  is 

•J    i: 


180  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1840. 

not  difficult  to  perceive.  As  the  balloon  descends,  under  the  influence  of  any  of  the  causes  before  mentioned,  the 
lower  portion  of  this  rope  becomes  gradually  deposited  upon  the  surface  of  the  sea,  lightening  the  balloon  of  its 
weight,  until  a  sufficiency  has  been  so  disposed  of  as  to  arrest  her  further  descent,  when  she  continues  her  course 
at  the  same,  or  a  very  slightly  varying  elevation,  until  she  acquires,  by  change  of  temperature,  sufficient  increase 
'  of  power  to  enable  her  to  recover  her  previous  station  in  the  skies.  At  this  point,  however,  another  force  comes 
into  operation.  The  small  canvass  vessels  which,  when  the  balloon  began  to  sink,  were  empty,  have  now  become 
filled,  and  being  so  much  additional  weight  effectually  prevent  her,  and  oblige  her  to  continue  her  course,  even  with 
her  whole  original  power,  at  an  altitude  little  removed  from  that  to  which  at  the  lowest  she  was  confined.  How 
long  she  would  remain  in  this  condition  would,  of  course,  depend  upon  her  own  perfection  :  with  such  a  balloon 
as  I  should  construct  for  the  occasion,  I  have  no  doubt  that  her  elevation  might  be  maintained  for  a  period  of  three 
months  should  circumstances  occur  to  require  it. 

Besides  these  advantages  accruing  from  the  use  of  this  instrument,  which  has  not  unaptly  been  termed  the 
"  guide-rope,"  and  the  efficacy  of  which  in  its  simpler  form,  even  over  the  land,  the  reader  may  possibly  recollect 
was  tested  in  the  excursion  to  Weilburg,  there  are  others  of  great  importance,  which  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to 
note  here,  although  described  in  a  previous  work  already  communicated  to  the  public.  One  of  these  is  the  means  it 
affords  the  aeronaut  of  determining  at  all  times  with  precision  the  direction  he  is  pursuing ;  a  knowledge  which 
when  out  of  sight  of  land,  or  of  some  fixed  and  definite  object,  he  could  by  no  means  otherwise  acquire.  This  it 
effects  by  the  determinate  position  it  confers  upon  the  balloon  in  its  progress  :  the  guide-rope,  retarded  in  its 
advance  by  its  motion  along  the  surface  of  the  earth  or  sea,  being  always  in  the  rear  of  the  balloon,  it  is  only 
necessaiy  to  observe  its  direction  by  the  compass,  and  that  of  the  balloon  itself  becomes  at  once  indicated. 

Another  equally  valuable  indication  afforded,  and  one  which  likewise  is  attainable  by  no  other  means,  is  the 
determination  of  the  distance  at  which  the  balloon  is  at  the  time  from  the  immediate  surface  of  the  earth  beneath, 
when  the  view  is  obstructed  by  clouds  or  impeded  by  the  shades  of  night.  The  importance  of  this  information 
(which  the  scientific  reader  will  at  once  perceive  is  entirely  different  from  that  afforded  by  the  barometer, 
regarding  only  the  elevation  above  the  level  of  some  fixed  place)  cannot  be  more  clearly  shown  than  by  reference 
to  the  nocturnal  voyage  to  Weilburg,  when,  without  such  a  means  of  estimating  our  altitude,  we  should  have 
inevitably  been  dashed  against  the  mountains  (and  from  the  rate  of  our  course,  such  a  shock  would  most  surely 
have  been  fatal)  ;  the  barometer  occasionally  indicating  an  elevation  of  3000  feet  above  the  level  of  our  original 
starting-place,  while,  owing  to  the  rise  of  the  ground  over  which  we  passed,  the  guide-rope,  though  only  1000  feet 
in  length,  was  actually  trailing  upon  the  earth. 

Having  now  explained,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  the  means  by  which  I  expect  to  be  able  to  maintain  the 
ascensive  power  of  the  balloon  throughout  a  much  longer  period  than  we  have  any  reason  to  believe  it  would  be 
required,  even  in  a  voyage  of  such  uncertain  duration,  how  to  secure  the  proper  direction  of  her  course  becomes 
the  next  object  of  our  consideration.  And  this  I  propose  to  effect  by  taking  advantage  of  the  natural  currents  of 
air  which  my  own  experience  and  the  observations  of  others — nautical  men,  skilled  in  the  navigation  of  those 
particular  seas,  and  men  of  science  whose  meteorological  studies  have  enabled  them  to  form  conclusions  upon  the 
matter — justify  me  in  expecting  to  find  sufficiently  favourable  for  my  purpose. 

These  two  sources  of  information,  namely,  my  own  experience  and  the  observations  of  others,  refer,  however, 
to  two  distinct  classes  of  currents  ;  the  former  governing  the  motion  of  the  atmosphere  in  its  higher  i  egions,  and 
the  latter  the  ordinary  course  or  courses  of  the  strata  more  immediately  contiguous  to  the  surface  of  the  earth. 

Many  speculations  having  been  started,  from  the  first  discovery  of  aerostation,  regarding  the  probable 
condition  of  that  portion  of  the  atmosphere  beyond  the  reach  of  our  ordinary  observations,  I  early  made  it  an  object 
to  note  the  influence  upon  the  course  of  my  balloon  of  the  currents  of  air  which  I  might  there  happen  to  encounter. 
The  result  of  my  observations  was  the  discovery  of  an  uniformity  in  their  direction  so  marked  as  to  leave  it  almost 
impossible  it  could  be  the  effect  of  accident,  or  otherwise  than  the  natural  and  prevalent  condition  of  the 
atmosphere  in  that  portion  of  the  ethereal  space.  Under  whatever  circumstances  I  made  my  ascent,  however 
contrary  the  direction  of  the  winds  below,  I  uniformly  found  that  at  a  certain  elevation,  varying  occasionally, 
but  always  within  10,000  feet  of  the  earth,  a  current  from  the  west,  or  rather  from  the  north  of  west,  invalidity 
prevailed ;  nor  do  I  recollect  a  single  instance  out  of  two  hundred  and  seventy-five,  the  number  of  my  existing 
aeronautical  excursions,  in  which  a  different  result  ensued.  Now,  though  I  do  not  mean  to  assert  that  such 
precisely  must  be  the  case  over  all  portions  of  the  terraqueous  globe,  yet  I  think  I  am  justified  in  considering  that 


\  ,,.  L84a  A  DOriILK  BALLOON  ASCENT.  181 

a  i .  n.liiioii  11. 1  very  dissimilar  may  characterise  the  more  elevated  regions  of  the  atmosphere  throughout  its  whole 
nit. 

With  regard   to   the   current*  more   contiguous  to  the   surface  of  the   wntli.   < -\eepting   that   zone   more 

•  tipicd  by  the  trade  winds,  much  uncertainty,  no  doubt,  exists.     That  there  are  seasons,  however, 

when  tin-  winds  are  addicted  to  blow  from  certain  quarters,  long  experience  has  distinctly  piovod  ;  and  though. 

even  at  tin-  most  regular  periods  of  thr  year,  for  any  particular  current,  exceptions  may  occur  to  vary  it*  direction. 

in  MI  lia|i|i< -ns  that  such  an  uniformity  prevail*  throughout  the  whole  body  of  the  atmosphere,  but  that 

some  part  may  bo  found  to  favour  the  particular  course  in  view. 

•ialil>-  the  aeronaut  to  avail  himself  of  such  a  combination  is  one,  not  the  least  of  the  advantages  to  I.. 

attained  by  means  of  the  guide-rope.     Having  already  shown  its  operation,  in  confining  the  course  of  the  balloon 

to  a  certain  level,  I  shall  hero  only  observe  that  the  determination  of  this  level  within  the  limits  of  the  guide-roi>c 

is  entirely  at  his  option ;  the  effect  of  the  windlass  in  curtailing  or  letting  out  the  rope  enabling  him  to  depress  or 

lie  the  liitllimii  at  his  discretion. 

;ld  the  direction  of  the  atmosphere,  however,  be  altogether  unfavourable  to  the  prosecution  of  hi* 
intended  r. .iite.  there  is  Mill  one  other  expedient  to  which  the  guide-rope  will  enable  him  to  have  recourse,  and 
which,  though  it  cannot  avail  to  stem  the  adverse  current,  will  yet  enable  him  to  neutralise  much  of  its  injurioux 

-.  Thin  is  th«-  application  of  a  strong  water-drag,  constructed  on  the  principle  of  the  umbrella  or  parachute. 
attached  to  the  lower  extremity  of  the  guide-rope,  and  raised  or  lowered  by  means  of  a  separate  communication, 
wh.  i.  K\  the  speed  of  the  balloon  may  be  considerably  checked,  and  her  course  delayed  until  a  more  favourable 
opjvortnnity  presents  itself  for  once  more  abandoning  her  to  the  full  influence  of  the  winds.  This  water-drag  being 

>ed  l>v  means  of  it.s  own  particular  cord,  and  consequently  collapsing,  may  be  kept  at  all  times  attached  to 
tlie  guide-rope  ready  for  immediate  use. 

From  the  foregoing  statement  regarding  the  prevailing  direction  of  the  winds  the  reader  will  now  perceive 
the  rca>on  why  I  should  have  fixed  upon  America  in  preference  to  England  as  the  point  from  whence  the  attempt 
shoultl  IK-  made  to  traverse  the  Atlantic  in  a  balloon.  Whether  the  means  I  have  here  described  bo  such  as  are 
calculated  to  produce  upon  his  mind  a  conviction  of  their  efficacy,  it  is  not  for  me  to  determine.  That  they  arc 
competent  in  my  estimation,  I  cannot  give  a  stronger  proof  than  by  my  readiness  to  undertake  the  excursion, 
shonl.l  there  be  found  amongst  the  wealthy  patrons  of  the  art  any  sufficiently  disposed  to  favour  the  attempt.  I 
need  scarcely  add  that,  for  this  or  any  other  undertaking  in  which  the  interests  of  science  or  the  advancement  of 
the  art  I  have  so  long  cultivated  are  concerned,  I  shall  bo  ever  ready  and  most  happy  gratuitously  to  contribute 
my  service*. 

A  double  balloon  ascent  from  Philadelphia,  in  July,  and  two  from  the  town  of 
('liiimlii-rsliurg,  in  the  course  of  this  year,  deserve  to  be  recorded  in  .Mr.  Wise's  own 
wi  >rds  :— 

\  thing  being  ready  and  the  balloon  filled,  at  half-past  twelve  o'clock,  I  proposed  to  Mr.  Paullin  that  we 
.-honld  start  and  detach  from  the  earth  at  the  same  time.  Accordingly,  the  signal  for  the  start  was  given,  upon 
which  I  cut  loose  and  ascended  500  or  600  feet  before  Mr.  Paullin's  balloon  followed.  It  seems  he  was 
apprehensive  of  the  balloons  coming  in  contact  if  started  at  the  same  moment,  an  event  which  I  had  anticipated 
also,  but  had  no  fears  of  its  consequence,  on  account  of  the  elasticity  of  such  bodies  as  balloons.  When  about  a 
mile  aK  \.-  the  earth.  Mr.  1'aullin's  balloon  approached  so  near  to  mine,  being  about  fifty  feet  below  and  twenty  or 
thirty  feet  to  the  west  of  me.  that  we  could  easily  converse  with  each  other.  At  the  start  I  was  standing  on  the 
board  which  served  me  for  a  car,  but  now  I  was  sitting  on  it  with  my  feet  hanging  down.  Mr.  1'aullin  hailed  me, 
and  saM  he  was  afraid  his  balloon  would  strike  against  my  feet  if  ho  should  suffer  it  to  rise  higher.  It  had  been 
announced  in  the  advertisement  of  the  occasion,  that  the  aeronauts  would  contest  which  should  "stand  highest  in 
the  estimation  of  the  public."  Mr.  Paullin  was  of  course  desirous  to  mount  above  me,  and  his  balloon  being  larger 
than  mine  gave  him  some  advantage  in  that  respect.  I  told  him  he  should  not  get  above  me  if  I  could  get  hold  of 
lii*  !•  •.  nnined  to  hold  it  down.  It  had  now  got  very  near  my  feet,  and  I  was  ready  to  seize  it 

with  one  hand  ;  the  other  was  required  to  steady  myself  with,  when  it  apparently  glanced  to  one  side  and  rose  up 
hy  mine  thirty  or  forty  feet  off.     As  Paullin  passed,  he  cried  out  "  Wise,  it  looks  dangerous  to  see  you  sitting  on 

2  B  2 


182  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1840. 

that  board."  I  replied,  "  Never  mind  the  danger,  I'll  be  after  you  presently."  His  balloon  now  stood  about  200 
feet  from  mine  and  a  little  above  me.  He  said,  "  What  do  you  think  of  the  sight  ?  "  I  replied,  "  It  is  a 
magnificent  one ;  do  you  see  the  Liliputians  on  the  Delaware?"  Paullin  said,  "  I  feel  a  breeze  coming."  His 
balloon  now  went  up  several  hundred  feet  above  the  height  of  mine,  and  as  I  was  intently  watching  its  motion,  I 
observed  it  suddenly  agitated,  so  much  that  Paullin  lowered  himself  in  his  car,  for  he  had  been  standing  up  until 
then.  His  balloon  shrugged  up  in  the  network,  wrinkling  it  a  little  above  where  the  network  diverges  from  the 
silk,  as  though  it  had  been  drawn  up  under  the  net ;  and  in  another  moment  it  shot  off  southward,  immediately 
over  the  Delaware,  at  a  velocity  of  a  mile  a  minute,  for  a  distance  of  five  or  six  miles  down  the  river.  This 
phenomenon  was  the  more  remarkable,  because  my  balloon  was  not  in  the  least  affected  by  it,  though  not  300  feet 
from  Paullin's.  It  could  not  have  been  a  general  layer  or  current  just  above  the  place  occupied  by  my  machine, 
as  I  threw  off  some  ballast,  and  my  vessel  rose  up  at  least  2000  feet  higher,  without  being  affected  by  it. 

This  circumstance  showed  that  a  rapid  current  of  atmosphere  existed  which  was  neither  wide  nor  deep,  as  my 
machine  was  not  far  off  in  a  horizontal  direction,  and  crossed  the  path  of  Paullin's  balloon  at  a  right  angle,  but  a 
few  hundred  feet  above  it,  without  falling  into  the  rapid  current.  This  is  a  meteorological  fact  that  is  cot  alluded 
to,  if  it  is  known  by,  the  theorists  of  that  science.  There  is  an  inseparable  connexion  between  electrical  and 
atmospherical  currents.  All  my  experience  in  passing  through  these  currents  traversing  each  other,  has  developed 
this  fact. 

While  I  remained  almost  stationary  over  the  city  for  half  an  hour  after  Paullin's  balloon  had  been  drifted  off', 
I  perceived  that  he  made  several  efforts  to  land;  but  as  often  struck  the  surface  of  the  river,  until,  by  going  up 
again  to  a  considerable  height,  he  was  drifted  some  distance  over  the  river  into  Jersey,  where  he  effected  a  dry 
landing  some  distance  below  Woodbury.  Half.an  hour  afterwards  my  descent  was  made  near  Red  Bank,  not  much 
over  half  the  distance  from  the  place  of  departure  that  Paullin's  was. 

The  two  ascents  from  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  were  in  August. 

1st. — Here  the  balloon  shifted  from  a  northerly  to  an  easterly  direction,  the  atmosphere  becoming  extremely 
cold.  At  this  time  the  scene  presented  a  sublime  appearance.  Around  and  beneath  me  the  clouds  rolled  in  majestic 
grandeur,  occasionally  rising  into  peaked  summits,  like  volcanoes,  and  then  dissolving  down  again  into  the  mass 
below.  The  valley  beneath,  where  it  could  be  seen,  presented  the  most  gorgeous  landscape  scenery  that  I  ever 
beheld.  After  rising  about  a  mile  and  a  half  above  the  clouds,  a  most  magnificent  prospect  of  the  country  on 
either  side  of  the  mountains  that  enclose  the  Cumberland  valley  presented  itself  to  my  view.  Looking  over  the 
North  Mountain,  the  eye  was  greeted  by  a  succession  of  valleys,  rising  up  out  of  the  earth  as  it  were  by  magic,  to 
the  view,  as  the  balloon  rose  higher,  beautifully  variegating  the  scene.  The  valleys  had  a  lively  colour,  and 
appeared  like  circular  pea-green  bands  laid  down  between  dark-green  plots  of  verdure — 

Like  olive  bound  with  laurels  fast, 
Whose  verdure  must  for  ever  last. 

Looking  over  the  South  Mountain,  the  scene  was  entirely  different.  Here  an  extensive  landscape  was 
presented,  circumscribed  by  rugged  and  massive  clouds,  interspersed  with  numerous  roads  which  looked  like  so 
many  white  lines  tortuously  spread  over  its  surface,  and  one  which  meandered  from  the  base  of  the  mountain 
upwards,  until  its  further  extremity  was  lost  apparently  in  the  clouds  above,  which  formed  the  horizon  of  my 
view,  giving  to  it  a  magic  appearance.  This  mountain  had  a  very  different  aspect  from  the  others  which  were  in 
view.  Its  dark  foliage,  interspersed  with  innumerable  whitish-looking  tortuous  lines,  being  roads  and  paths,  gave 
it  a  very  unique  but  beautiful  appearance.  All  this  time  I  continued  ascending  by  a  gradual  discharge  of  ballast, 
until  the  clouds  had  sunk  so  apparently  low,  as  to  hover  immediately  over  the  surface  of  the  earth.  The  cold  had 
now  become  intense,  and  yet  the  rays  of  the  sun  coming  in  contact  with  my  person,  caused  a  piercing  sensation, 
like  that  from  needle  points,  on  those,  parts  where  it  shone.  I  also  suffered  a  violent  pain  in  the  ears,  and  joints 
of  the  jaws,  followed  by  a  slight  dimness  of  sight. 

At  ten  minutes  before  four  o'clock,  I  descended  on  the  farm  of  Joshua  Kanagy.  This  old  gentleman  was  so 
crippled  with  rheumatism  that  he  was  obliged  to  walk  on  crutches,  and  on  these  he  hobbled  towards  the  place  of 
descent,  where  the  balloon  was  fastened  to  an  apple-tree  by  the  grappling-iron,  chafing  and  surging  under  a  brisk 


A.D.  1840.  THE  CRUTi  IIKs  THROWN  A  \Y.\V  !>:: 

breeze  that  was  blowing  at  the  time ;  and  the  old  gentleman  teeing  this,  and  also  observing  mo  at  the  MUIO  time  in 
ih.'  .-ir.  .in.l  thinking  that  his  assistance  was  necessary  in  the  emergency,  becoming  more  excited  every  jump  he 
made  with  his  cntt.-h.-,  until  at  length  he  became  to  impatient  from  his  slow  progress,  that  he  dashed  hi*  crutches 
.iM.i.-.  ami  nin  the  balance  of  the  distance  between  him  and  the  balloon,  with  as  much  mmblonets  as  a  hale 
young  man. 

•_'nd.  -\\  h.-n  I  n  turned  to  Chambersbnrg,  which  was  the  same  evening  of  the  day  the  ascension  was  made, 
having  land.  .1  ..nly  ul»>ut  twelve  miles  off,  the  citizens  had  already  determined  to  induce  me  to  make  a  repetition 
of  tin'  •  \i«-i  ini'  nt,  being  BO  highly  pleased  with  the  one  I  had  just  made  for  them.  This  came  off  a  few  week* 
afterwards,  the  day  appointed  for  it  bringing  with  it  ruin,  which  gave  an  entire  new  feature  to  the  voyage. 

At  twenty  minutes  after  throe  o*  clock,  the  balloon  was  freed  from  her  moorings,  and  described  a  semicin-li- 
in  her  upward  course,  making  a  half-tour  round  the  town.  The  borough  had  a  very  sombre  appearance,  caused  by 
the  dark  shadow  which  covered  the  earth — objects,  however,  were  more  distinctly  vixible  than  in  clear  weather, 
and  this  is  always  the  case  when  looking  down  upon  the  earth  from  a  balloon ;  where  the  sun  shines  on  the  earth 
there  is  more  of  a  quivering  haze  covering  it,  than  where  it  is  in  shadow.  The  scene  below  had  a  melam-h  h 
aspect — all  nature  seemed  to  be  in  a  state  of  mourning. 

re  I  passed  the  limits  of  the  borough,  a  parachute  containing  an  animal  was  dropped,  which  <leno-nil.il 
fast  and  steadily,  and  just  as  it  reached  the  earth  my  aerial  ship  entered  a  dense  black  body  of  clouds.  T.  -n 
minutes  were  consumed  in  ]>enetrating  this  dismal  ocean  of  rainy  vapour,  occasionally  meeting  with  great  chasms, 
ravines,  and  defiles,  of  different  shades  of  light  and  darkness.  When  I  emerged  from  this  ocean  of  clouds  a  new 
and  wi.inli'rfully  magnificent  scene  greeted  my  eyes.  A  faint  sunshine  shed  its  warmth  and  lustre  over  the  surface 
of  this  vast  cloud-sea.  The  balloon  rose  more  rapidly  after  it  get  above  it.  Viewing  it  from  an  elevation  above 
the  surface  I  discovered  it  to  present  the  same  shape  as  the  earth  beneath;  developing  mountains  and  vnll.  \. 
corresponding  to  those  on  the  earth's  surface.  The  profile  of  the  cloud  surface  was  more  depressed  than  that  on 
the  earth,  and  in  the  distance  of  the  cloud  valley  a  magnificent  sight  presented  itself.  Pyramids  and  castles,  rocks 
and  reefs,  icebergs  and  ships,  towers  and  domes  ;  everything  belonging  to  the  grand  and  magnificent  could  be  aeen 
in  this  distant  harbour  ;  the  half  obscured  sun  shedding  his  mellow  light  upon  it  gave  it  a  rich  and  dazzling  lustre. 
They  -.v.-re  really  "  castles  in  the  air,"  formed  of  the  clouds.  Casting  my  eyes  upwards,  I  was  astonished  in 
.ilin^  another  cloud  stratum,  far  above  the  lower  one ;  it  was  what  is  commonly  termed  a  "mackerel  sky," 
the  Min  faintly  shining  through  it.  The  balloon  seemed  to  be  stationary  ;  the  clouds  above  and  below  appeared 
to  be  quiescent ;  the  air  castles  in  the  distance  stood  to  their  places ;  silence  reigned  supreme  ;  it  was  solemnly 
sublime  ;  solitary  and  alone  in  a  mansion  of  the  skies,  my  very  soul  swelled  with  emotion  ;  I  had  no  companion  to 
pour  out  my  feelings  to.  Great  God,  what  a  scene  of  grandeur  I  Such  were  my  thoughts;  a  reverence  for  tin- 
works  of  Nature;  an  admiration  indescribable.  The  solemn  grandeur — the  very  stillness  that  surrounded  me 
seemed  to  make  a  sound  of  praise. 

This  was  a  scene  such  that  I  never  beheld  one  before  or  after  exactly  like  it  Two  perfect  layers  of  clouds, 
one  not  a  mile  above  the  earth;  the  other,  about  a  mile  higher;  and,  between  the  two,  a  clear  atmosphere,  in  the 
midst  of  which  the  balloon  stood  quietly  in  space.  It  was,  indeed,  a  strange  sight ;  a  meteorological  fact  which 
we  cannot  possibly  see  or  make  ourselves  acquainted  with,  without  soaring  above  the  surface  of  the  earth.  \Vhy  i* 
it  that  the  cloud  surface  corresponded  to  the  earth's  surface?  What  causes  two  distinct  cloud  strata,  one  a  mile- 
above  the  other,  in  the  sky  at  the  same  time  ?  The  elevated  towers  or  projections  that  appeared  in  the  dist.-in. . 
on  the  surface  of  the  lower  stratum  are  common  to  the  cumulus  cloud,  and  on  this  occasion  was  beautified 
by  the  peculiar  light  cast  through  the  upper  stratum.  But  the  distinct  regions  or  vaults  of  clouds,  and  tin- 
lower  one  presenting  in  its  upper  surface  the  same  irregularities  as  the  earth,  are  questions  for  science  \  • 
explain. 

I  remained  in  this  magnificent  heavenly  mansion  for  an  hour,  and  during  that  time  did  not  move  two  i; 
in  a  horizontal  direction,  as  it  was  perfectly  calm  and  serene.     The  day  was  of  a  murky  character ;  warm  mid 
rainy,  and  at  the  time  the  balloon  entered  the  cloud  region  it  was  raining  slightly,  otherwise  it  had  no  pcctili.u 
charart.-rii.tie.     The  lower  stratum  of  clouds  I  judged  to  have  been  from  2000  to  3000  feet  in  thickness,  as  it  tcx.k 
seven  minutes  in  passing  through.     During  the  descent,  and  while  in  the  cloud  ocean,  the  sound  of  my 
produced  a  very  distinct  echo. 

1  made  a  final  descent  about  five  miles  from  ( 'hambersburg,  at  thirty-five  minutes  post  f..ur  ..'.1 


184  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.T>.  1841; 

1841. — Tn  June.  Mr.  Wise's  log-book  has  the  following  experiment : — 

At  thirty-five  minutes  past  two  o'clock  I  lost  sight  of  Danville,  and  in  a  few  moments  afterwards  passed  into 
the  clear  sunshine  above,  in  which  the  gas  began  to  expand,  and  cause  the  balloon  to  ascend  with  increased  rapidity. 
The  Susquehanna  was  now  lost  to  my  view  by  the  intervention  of  clouds,  and  the  country  beneath  presented  one 
vast  wilderness  as  far  as"  the  eye  could  reach ;  the  atmosphere  was  extremely  cold  for  the  height  over  this  extensive 
coal  region.  The  clouds  beneath  me  were  sufficiently  broken  to  afford  me  constantly  occurring  glimpses  of  things 
below  ;  and  I  never  before  found  them  so  extremely  diversified  in  their  upper  surface.  On  this  occasion  there 
were  two  strata,  but  not  of  that  distinctive  character  which  were  met  with  in  a  former  voyage.  The  lower  bed 
was  mmulostratus,  resembling  uneven  and  rugged  precipices ;  the  upper  was  more  of  a  cirrostratus,  and  consisted 
only  of  patches  here  and  there,  but  very  high  above  the  lower  layer. 

At  forty-five  minutes  past  two  o'clock  I  crossed  the  Pottsville  road  between  the  Bear  Gap  and  Northumber- 
land road,  travelling  at  the  rate  of  about  fifty-five  miles  per  hour.  At  three  o'clock  I  crossed  Pottsville,  and  again 
brought  to  view  the  cultivated  fields  of  the  husbandman.  My  altitude  was  so  great  that  I  could  not  recognise  the 
town  until  crossing  Schuylkill  Haven,  and  coming  in  sight  of  Orwigsburg.  The  cold  atmosphere  became  so 
uncomfortable  (hat  it  impelled  me  to  descend ;  but  after  lowering  some  distance,  I  found  the  valley  in  which  it  had 
been  my  intention  to  descend  had  been  passed,  and  the  chain  of  Blue  Mountains  already  reached,  whioh  required 
me  to  seek  refuge  in  the  clouds  again. 

At  forty  minutes  past  three  o'clock  the  clouds  began  to  thicken  beneath  me,  so  that  at  intervals  I  could  only 
see  the  face  of  the  earth.  Perceiving  a  village,  which  the  balloon  was  about  crossing,  I  threw  from  the  car  a  new 
bread-basket,  which  had  been  placed  in  it  at  the  time  of  starting,  intended  to  serve  me  as  a  temporary  seat  should 
I  prolong  my  voyage.  As  it  fell  towards  the  earth  it  presented  a  beautiful  appearance  to  my  view  ;  it  had  not 
gone  far  before  it  assumed  a  rapid  rotary  motion,  bottom  downwards,  its  upper  being  the  concave  side,  looking  like 
a  beautiful  rosette  set  into  a  circular  motion  on  its  centre.  Its  descent  on  the  earth,  as  I  was  afterwards  informed, 
caused  considerable  astonishment  to  several  persons  who  saw  it  coming  down ;  they  not  knowing  anything  of  the 
balloon  above  them  at  the  time.  At  four  o'clock  I  passed  the  town  of  Beading  a  little  to  the  west  of  it.  This 
place  had  a  handsome  aspect ;  the  white  streets  crossing  at  right  angles,  and  the  beautiful  spires  and  domes,  white 
as  snow,  with  their  glittering  balls  and  vanes,  made  the  prospect  highly  interesting. 

I  found  the  atmosphere  much  colder  in  crossing  this  mountainous  region  than  it  usually  is  in  crossing  over 
a  level  and  cultivated  country  at  the  same  height.  During  this  voyage  I  observed  a  peculiar  motion  in  the  balloon, 
which  had  on  former  occasions  drawn  some  attention  from  me,  but  which  had  not  been  closely  investigated.  It 
is  this :  When  a  balloon  is  sailing  along  with  a  steady  current,  while  in  equilibrium  with  the  atmosphere,  it 
revolves  slowly  on  its  vertical  axis.  This  rotation  is  not  at  all  times  a  smoothly-continued  circulation,  but  is 
pulsatory,  like  the  notched  wheel  in  a  clock  which  is  actuated  by  the  pendulum.  At  first  I  attributed  this  motion 
to  my  breathing,  believing  the  vibration  of  the  lungs  sufficient  to  give  a  corresponding  motion  to  so  delicately 
balanced  a  thing  as  a  balloon  is  when  suspended  in  space.  I  held  my  breath  as  long  as  I  could,  and  this  was  done 
several  times ;  but  the  pulsations  of  the  balloon  were  not  interrupted  by  it ;  on  the  other  hand,  they  seemed  more 
audible  during  these  experiments.  Upon  timing  these  pulsations,  I  found  them  to  be  every  two  and  a  half  seconds, 
and  this  seemed  to  be  regular  as  far  as  my  observations  indicated.  This  left  me  at  a  loss  to  account  for  this 
motion,  as  it  seemed  not  to  be  caused  by  my  breathing,  and  did  not  correspond  to  the  beat  of  my  pulse. 

At  twenty-five  minutes  past  four  o'clock  I  descended  near  the  house  of  Mr.  Wm.  Mcllvain,  near  Morgantown, 
about  seventy  miles  from  where  I  started,  in  a  straight  line,  where  I  was  cordially  received  by  this  gentleman  and 
his  hospitable  lady. 

My  landing  here  was  caused  by  mistaking  the  Downington  turnpike-road  for  the  Pennsylvania  railway, 
which  was  some'  eight  or  ten  miles  farther  to  the  south.  During  this  voyage  I  also  distinctly  felt  the  difference  in 
temperature  in  crossing  large  valleys,  where  a  degree  of  warmth  rose  up  quite  congenial  to  one's  feelings  while  in 
a  frosty  region.  This,  I  presume,  arises  from  a  greater  quantity  of  the  sun's  rays  being  reflected  upwards  from 
a  valley  than  from  level  ground.  I  forgot  to  mention  that  the  pulsatory  motion  of  the  balloon  was  not  perceptible 
when  it  was  rising  or  falling,  and  is  only  to  be  detected  when  the  machine  sails  a  considerable  length  of  time  at 
a  great  altitude  in  a  steady,  horizontal  direction.  Fluctuations  of  the  balloon  by  rising  and  falling  from  any  cause 
soon  neutralise  this  delicate  motion. 


•: 


"  H  ll.l,*.  ,.,!  *i,-/M.<n,,v  K  t.  f  /.'*  w  />//>•/  -A«r 


1664 


•  kl  U 


!  c  t; 
•  j  r  z 


A.I..1M1.  KXl'HUIKNCK  SOMKTIMKS    \  I    FAl'LT. 

This  :nv,.unt  ff  ;i   |p.-rili.us  .1.-.-,  nt   i>  -iv.-n  to  show  that  even  the  great  experience  «•!' 
Mr.  diaii's  1  1  iv.  -ii  r.iulil  not  always  reinliT  liiia  proof  against  such  casualties:— 


On  the  occasion  of  a  f6te  at  Cremorne  House,  Chelsea,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Polish  Refugees,  Mr.  Green  and 
a  gentleman  named  Macdonnell  ascended  with  the  Nassau  balloon,  and  the  following  description  »f  the  aerial  trip 
l.y  i  gentleman  will  be  perused  with  interest:  — 

It  was  about  five  minute*  after  seven  when  Mr.  Green  (with  his  Liberator,  as  he  calls  it)  finally  let  loose  the 

ilk.-  that  U.imd  the  balloon  to  the  earth.  We  immediately  ascended  with  a  swift  and  steady  motion  til!  «- 
attained  tin.  height  of  about  1500  feet,  at  which  elevation  we  continued  to  move  with  considerable  velocity  till  we 
found  ourselves  over  the  Isle  of  Dogs,  when,  throwing  out  some  ballast,  we  row  many  hundred  feet  higher,  and 

borne  in  a  Math-easterly  direction  towards  the  centre  of  the  county  of  Kent.  Here,  at  Mr.  Green's  desire, 
I  threw  down  occasionally  several  pieces  of  paper  in  older  to  ascertain  whether  we  were  rising  or  remaining  at 
it  stationary  height.  Soon  afterwards  Mr.  Green  drew  my  attention  to  the  smoke  of  the  many  steamers  which  were 
passing  to  and  fro  K-neuthus,  and  which  was  evidently  blown  in  a  north-east  direction,  towards  the  county  of  Essex. 

•dim?ly  he   thought    that   by  descending  into  the  under-current  which  was  blowing  towards  that  county  he 

iniiiht  effect  a  descent  where  there  were  fewer  woods  and  orchards  to  obstruct  or  endanger  our  progress.    The 

justified  his  expectations  ;  for  when,  by  letting  out  more  gas,  we  had  drawn  nearer  to  the  earth,  we  found 

we  were  approaching  .the  Kssex  side  of  the  Thames.  About  two  miles  before  us  lay  a  large  extent  of 
champaign  country,  called  the  Salt  Marshes,  which  appeared  to  afford  the  requisite  facilities  for  a  safe  descent. 
Mr.  (iie.n  made  his  preparations  accordingly  by  letting  out  the  gas  from  the  upper  valve,  and  we  descended 
itwiftly  to  the  earth.  In  a  few  seconds  we  passed  over  the  Thames,  and  found  ourselves  about  two  hundred  feet 
above  the  ground  at  the  opposite  bank.  Here  Mr.  Green  cautioned  me  particularly  to  take  fast  hold  of  a  rope, 
whieh  he  had  fastened  across  the  wicker-car;  and  luckily  I  obeyed  his  instructions  to  the  letter,  for  presently  we 
i  slight  check  from  one  grappling-iron  let  down  from  the  hoop  above  to  the  distance  of  140  feet  towards  the 
earth.  A  moment  after  there  came  a  terrific  shock  ;  we  were  going  at  the  rate  of  at  least  sixty  miles  an  hour,  and 
our  anchor  caught  in  the  side  of  a  dike,  and,  owing  to  the  extreme  speed  with  which  we  were  travelling,  tore  its 
way  through  the  hoop  to  which  it  was  fastened,  and,  coming  in  contact  with  the  car  as  it  snapped,  completely 
upset  it,  so  that  1  and  Mr.  Green  were  turned  topsyturvy,  with  our  heads  towards  the  ground.  The  rope  which 
was  passed  across  the  car  alone  prevented  our  falling  out;  though  so  complete  was  the  upset,  that  most  of  the 
contents  of  the  car,  such  as  the  ballast,  &c.,  as  well  as  my  own  hat,  dropped  to  the  earth.  In  another  moment 
the  car  righted,  and  the  balloon,  thus  freed  from  every  check,  descended,  dashing  us  with  terrific  force  against 
the  ground. 

Immediately  afterwards  it  ascended,  and  again  brought  us  with  a  fearful  collision  to  the  earth.  The  wind  was 
blowing  with  violence,  and  we  were  thus  carried  along  for  upwards  of  half  a  mile,  till  at  last  we  reached  a  sort  of 
rrc-ek  or  small  river,  through  which  we  were  hurried  half-buried  in  its  waters,  to  the  opposite  bank,  over  which  we 
bounded  like  a  tennis-ball,  and,  after  a  few  moments,  found  ourselves  dragged  through  some  acres  of  marsh  and 
-  towards  a  high  mound,  which  I  confess  that  I  contemplated  with  fearful  anticipations  of  the  result  But 
onwards,  still  onwards,  the  terrible  demon  to  which  we  had  linked  ourselves  held  its  way.  Ere  long  we  were 
dashed  against  it.  and  then  carried  over  it  right  upon  a  strong  paling  that  lay  at  the  other  side  ;  but  nothing  could 
withstand  our  impetuosity,  and  we  burst  through  the  oaken  .timbers  as  though  they  were  cobwebs  —  not,  however, 
I  regret  to  state,  without  Mr.  Green  sustaining  some  very  severe  internal  injuries.  \Ve  had  now  a  level  plain 
before  us.  and  the  speed  of  the  balloon  was  beginning  to  be  arrested  by  the  great  escape  of  gas;  for  we  constantly, 
through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  our  fortune,  kept  a  tight  hand  on  the  rope  which  opened  the  upper  valve.  Here 
a  comical  sight  prevented  itself,  if  anything  can  be  reckoned  comical  to  persons  situated  as  awfully  as  we  WI-M 

were  large  herds  of  cattle  grazing  in  the  plain,  who,  when  they  perceived  the  balloon  approaching,  at  first 
formed  themselves  into  a  compact  body,  as  though  to  resist  an  invading  enemy  ;  but  on  our  nearer  approach  fled 
panic  struck  befoie  m  N.v.rwas  seen  such  an  extraordinary  chase  :  we  dragged  along  the  ground  fast,  m  .  I 
to  a  monster  that  seem,  d  to  disdain  all  human  guidance,  and  chasing  a  herd  of  cattle,  who  fled  in  terror,  with  their 
tails  in  the  air,  and  their  heads  to  th--  L'l'.und.  Kre  long  I  found  means  to  throw  myself  out  of  the  ear  without 
sustaining  any  material  injury,  and  s.-i/..-d  li  Id  of  one  of  the  ropes,  which  1  twined  round  my  left  hand,  an  I  u.e- 
apprehensive  that  the  balloon,  when  lightened  of  my  weight,  might  bear  my  fellow  advoitinei  ..n  a  second  reluctant 


186  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1841. 

visit  to  Nassau.  The  rope  out  through  my  flesh  nearly  to  the  bone ;  but  I  managed  to  hold  on  till  a  countryman 
came  to  my  aid.  Need  I  enter  into  any  more  details?  Suffice  it  to  say  that  we  found  ourselves  near  Eainham, 
in  Essex,  having  accomplished  that  distance  from  Cremorne  House,  Chelsea,  in  less  than  twenty  minutes.  The 
peasantry,  who  soon  congregated  about,  rendered  us  every  assistance  ;  and  mine  host  of  the  Phoenix,  in  Eainham, 
contributed  all  he  could  to  revive  and  recruit  Mr.  Green,  who  was  rather  seriously  indisposed,  and  is,  I  am  afraid, 
hurt  internally. 

Mr.  Green  says  of  this  voyage  :— 

Highgate,  August  18. 
Having  been  in  the  atmosphere  about  fifteen  minutes,  our  descent  took  place  at  twenty  minutes  past  seven, 

P.M.,  in  a  large  marsh  in  the  parish  of  Eainham,  in  Essex,  after  crossing  the  Thames  four  times.  The  distance,  as 
near  as  may  be,  from  Cremorne  House,  is  about  twenty  miles.  On  no  former  occasion  of  my  numerous  ascents  have 
I  ever  had  to  contend  with  so  violent  a  wind  as  raged — in  fact,  it  was  only  a  very  short  time  before  we  ascended 
that  there  was  an  abatement  of  its  force.  Notwithstanding  that  the  spot  selected  was  very  well  adapted  to  effect 
a  descent,  being  extensive,  open,  marsh  land,  I  never  experienced  so  rough  a  landing.  The  first  time  the  grapnel 
took  a  firm  hold  the  shock  was  so  violent,  in  consequence  of  the  state  of  the  weather,  that  the  hoop  to  which  it  was 
attached,  and  which  had  been  used  by  me  and  my  son  in  no  less  than  313  voyages  with  success,  broke,  depriving 
us  of  the  grapnel  and  cable,  both  of  which  had  been  left  behind  firmly  fixed  in  the  object  to  which  the  grapnel  had 
caught — a  bank.  We  were  then  dragged  about  a  mile  and  a  half  over  the  earth's  surface  in  the  space  of  three 
minutes,  by  which  time  nearly  the  whole  of  the  gas  was  expended,  in  consequence  of  our  never  abandoning  the 
care  of  the  valve-line.  We  received  several  severe  shocks  and  concussions  in  passing  over  dikes,  banks,  and  fences,  and 
a  strong  paling,  through  which  the  car  tore  its  way  by  the  velocity  of  its  motion.  This  illustrates  in  a  new  form 
that  fact  in  natural  philosophy,  that  a  comparatively  soft  body  like  our  flexible  wicker-ear,  when  in  very  rapid 
motion,  will  force  its  way  through  a  hard  one  without  itself  suffering  material  injury.  I  am  happy  to  say  we 
eventually  escaped,  but  not  without  some  severe  bruises  :  we  did,  indeed,  get  some  hard  knocks.  Had  it  not  been 
for  the  determined  courage  of  my  companion,  to  whom  I  had  the  honour  of  being  introduced  by  Lord  Dudley 
Stuart,  who  himself  made  a  voyage  with  me  on  a  former  occasion,  the  descent  must  have  been  attended  with  most 
serious  consequences.  I  understand  that  one  of  the  reports  in  circulation  is,  that  the  injuries  I  have  received  are 
of  such  a  nature  that  I  must  abandon  the  profession  of  an  aeronaut.  Permit  me  to  say  that  I  hope  to  disprove  this 
report  by  making  an  aerial  voyage  from  the  New  World  to  the  Old,  taking  advantage  of  the  prevalence  of  the 
westerly  winds,  as  soon  as  I  shall  have  constructed  the  kind  of  balloon  which  I  know  to  be  necessary  for  that 

purpose. 

CHARLES  GREEN. 

A   lady   wrote   this   letter   to    the   editor   of  the    '  Weekly    Chronicle,'   in   September, 
1841  :- 

DKAR  SIR,  September,  1841. 

Agreeably  to  your  desire,  and  not  without  considerable  reluctance,  I  sit  down  to  endeavour  to  give  an 
account  of  our  delightful  voyage,  but  deeply  regretting  that  my  power  of  pen  will  produce  but  a  feeble  portrait 
(I  am  speaking  as  a  portrait-painter)  of  all  that  was  calculated  to  command  our  admiration  of  nature  through  the 
medium  of  art,  and  of  one  so  well  adapted  to  effect  such  an  object  as  that  stupendous  machine,  the  Nassau 
balloon.  In  pursuing  my  narrative,  you  will  excuse  me  if,  as  the  gentlemen  of  the  press,  I  assume  the  privilege 
of  writing  in  the  plurality  of  persons,  by  using  the  monosyllable  we.  The  evening  was  delightfully  calm,  the 
heavens  beautifully  serene,  and  of  that  lovely  blue  which  the  Italian  masters  have  so  delighted  in  transferring 
from  their  own  sunny  skies,  speckled  over  with  numerous  light  and  fleecy  clouds,  and  scarcely  a  breath  of  wind 
stirred.  By  veterans  in  aerial  voyages  it  was  considered  that  a  more  favourable  evening  for  a  trip  could  not  have 
been  selected.  From  some  misunderstanding,  however,  the  inflation  was  but  partially  performed.  It  certainly 
robbed  the  balloon  of  a  great  portion  of  its  majestic  appearance  ;  but  whether  from  parsimony  or  for  other  reasons 
it  matters  not.  It  did  not  rob  Mr.  Green  of  his  skill,  so  that  he  could  not  bear  up  and  rise  above  the  difficulties 
thrown  in  his  way.  At  ten  minutes  past  seven  Mr.  Green  completed  the  act  of  separation  from  our  friends,  and 


A.I..  1M1.  A  LADY'S  ]>!>»  KIITIOX. 

we  embarked,  impressed  with  L.ftior  views  and  every  prospect  of  a  pleasing  voyage,  taking  a  north-easterly 

,,n,  which  niii.ni,  with  hut  link-  variation,  bore  us  throughout  It  is  utterly  iiniHmnible  for  persons  on 
tlx-ir  tii-i  adventure  to  -i\,-  expression  to  tboir  feelings.  There  is  something  awful  in  the  very  novelty  of  tin- 
situation  that,  to  a  great  degree,  paralyses  the  language  of  description,  and  yet  the  awe  may  be  considered 
imaginary  .  for  the  balloon  that  Benjamin  Franklin  recognised  as  a  boy  appears  to  have  reached  its  manhood. 

i  in  leaving  thu  gardens  we  were  somewhat  flattered  by  the  cheers  of  those  wo  left  behind  us,  and  they  changed 

in  proportion  as  we  towered  over  the  lanea  and  thoroughfares  adjoining.  The  mution  of  the  machine  was  HO 
import. -pi it.lr  that  it  seemed  not  to  us  as  if  we  were  leaving  the  gardens,  but  as  if  the  gardens  left  us.  The 

i.lush  of  observation  presented  to  us  a  something  like  a  schoolboy  map — everything  flat,  diminished  in 
dimensions,  ami  curiously  compact.  The  motion  of  heads,  and  the  turning  up  of  faces,  partly  indicating 
animal i'>n,  tint  more  especially  reminding  us  of  bas-relief  sculpture.  We  soon  triumphantly  o'ertopped  the 
orientalists  of  the  metropolis,  and  then  the  scene  changed  shades,  and  assumed  a  different  shape.  Tin-  river 
Thames  became  like  an  animated  reptile,  of  ponderous  growth,  serpentining  along,  and  seeming  to  encircle  in  it* 
coils  the  mighty  London,  the  mistress  of  the  world.  Crossing  the  river  between  the  Tower  and  Blackwall, 
und  sun-eying  the  scene  we  were  passing  from,  the  lights  sprung  up  in  rapid  succession  like  glowworms 
in  tin  twilight.  The  object*  became  more  compact,  and  the  bridges  bore  the  semblance  of  beautiful  and 
sparkling  fillets,  encircling  here  and  there  an  immense  boa-constrictor,  and  fettered,  as  it  were,  or  controlled,  by 
whit.-  and  riband-looking  roads,  the  inlets  and  outlets  of  the  great  city.  Shortly  after  this  we  attained  our 
highest  altitude— six  thousand  two  hundred  feet,  or  nearly  one  mile  and  a  quarter.  We  had  expected,  from 
what  we  had  often  heard,  that  some  difficulty  of  respiration  would  have  been  experienced;  but,  so  far  from  this, 
we  fancied  that  it  was  more  free  than  usual,  added  to  a  buoyany  of  feeling  perfectly  delicious;  and,  instead  of  the 
cold  usually  resulting  from  a  great  elevation  and  a  rarefied  atmosphere,  the  heat  was  unusually  oppressive.  \V>- 

l*ssed  over  the  forest  of  Epping.  We  now  commenced  rapidly  to  descend,  till  within  two  thousand  thru- 
hundred  feet  of  the  earth,  as  indicated  by  the  barometer.  For  the  first  time  we  became  sensible  of  the  motion  of 
the  balloon,  our  gradual  approach  to  objects,  enabled  us,  by  comparison,  to  form  a  judgment  of  the  swiftness 
of  our  course. 

The  most  sublime  object  that  accompanied  us  throughout  our  trip,  when  night  had  set  in,  was  the  moon 
and  its  effects  on  the  scene  beneath.  The  reflection  of  the  moonbeams  upon  the  river — now  bursting  upon  the 

n,  now  coquet  tidily  disappearing — leaving  this  in  darkness,  and  suddenly  presenting  the  same  appearance 
in  a  thousand  different  quarters — rescuing  solitary  scraps  or  sheets  of  water  from  obscurity,  rather  as  if  it  were 
artificially  produced,  than  the  mere  result  of  accident.  As  an  artist,  I  was  delighted  with  the  light  and  shade  of 
the  scene ;  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  objects  attracting  our  attention,  from  its  uniqueness  of  character,  was 
the  moon's  reflection  on  the  ball,  and  the  mighty  shadow  of  the  latter  upon  the  earth.  Although  at  the  great 
elevation  at  which  we  then  were,  we  were  much  surprised  to  find  with  what  exceeding  and  clear  distinctness  we 
could  hear  the  voices  and  distinguish  the  words  of  these  who,  attracted  by  the  novelty  of  the  object,  were 
assembled  beneath ;  the  conversation,  mundane  and  celestial,  if  not  very  edifying,  was  at  least  highly  amusing. 

Mr.  Green  now  became  anxious  to  descend — but  finding,  from  information  afforded  by  the  good  folks  below, 
that  the  ground  was  not  well  adapted  for  his  purpose,  we  rose  considerably,  but  still  in  the  same  direction,  until 
we  found  a  fitter  spot,  as  well  as  the  obscurity  enabled  Mr.  Green  to  judge,  being  without  the  guide-line.  Our  car 
company  had  been  so  exceedingly  pleasant,  that  it  was  not  without  regret  we  heard  of  his  intention  to  descend. 
Capt.  Cm  iy.  who  is  a  veteran  aeronaut,  this  being  his  thirty-third  ascent,  delighted  the  company  with  the 

i  rite  ballad  of  "  The  jolly  young  waterman,"  with  many  other  little  flashes  of  amusement,  which  he  called 
sty-larking.  We  had  "  nectar  and  ambrosia  "  in  abundance.  Now  to  the  descent.  Mr.  Green's  anxiety  suspended 
all  these  pleasing  pastimes — and,  having  arrived  at  a  place  that  he  thought  would  be  suitable,  he  encountered  a 
difficulty  from  the  sudden  springing  up  of  a  ground  breeze.  The  grappling-iron  was  thrown  out,  but,  from  the 
nature  of  the  surface,  n  hold  could  not  be  retained,  until  after  two  or  three  attempts,  when,  with  the  assistance  of 
the  country  people,  the-  iron  was  properly  planted,  and  we  owed  especial  thanks  to  sundry  little  urchins,  who 
bounded  over  hedge  an.l  ditch  to  our  assistance.  \\'e  were  sorry  to  find  the  balloon  considerably  injured  from 
having  been  a  short  time  entangled  in  the  embraces  of  a  solitary  ash-tree.  Our  descent  was,  however,  effected 
scatheless,  barring  sundry  liiimps  and  thumps,  which  however  formed  but  a  slight  alloy  to  the  pleasure  of  our  trip. 
The  gentlemen  of  the  party  then  assisted  us  to  alight,  precisely  at  twenty  minutes  to  nine,  having  been  in  the  air 

2  c 


188 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


A.D.  1841. 


exactly  an  hour  and  ton  minutes.  We  were  now  on  terra  firma  at  Knavestock,  near  Brentwood,  in  Essex,  twenty- 
three  miles  from  Vauxhall.  We  were  kindly  invited  to  the  house  of  Mr.  J.  Crouchman,  by  his  good  lady,  who 
was  attracted  to  the  ground ;  and  to  her  kindness,  and  the  efficient  services  of  her  husband,  we  were  much  indebted. 
Finding  we  were  in  a  part  of  the  country  abounding  in  cross  roads,  and  the  cattle  being  engaged  in  the  harvest, 
it  was  three  hours  before  a  conveyance  for  the  balloon  could  be  obtained.  A  very  unpleasant  incident  occurred 
after  landing,  some  one  having  abstracted  the  ornamental  drapery  of  the  car ;  but,  through  the  vigilance  of  the 
police,  a  fine  young  fellow  was  presented  to  us  manacled  as  the  thief.  Mr.  Green  had  previously  handsomely 
rewarded  him,  to  share  with  his  fellows.  It  was  our  own  opinion  that  the  poor  fellow  did  not  wish  so  much  to 
take  it  for  its  value,  as  to  obtain  a  relic. 

Then  comes  the  price  of  pleasure.  There  were  Mrs.  Green  and  myself,  Dr.  Locock,  Captain  Curry, 
Mr.  Dally,  a  gentleman  whose  name  we  did  not  learn,  and  Mr.  Green,  driven  to  our  wit's  end.  We  called  a 
council  of  expediency.  We  found  ourselves  six  miles  from  any  posthouse.  The  gentlemen  were  capable  of 
walking  six  miles ;  this  was,  however,  rather  too  great  a  distance  for  two  ladies,  and,  by  direction,  we  sought 
shelter  at  a  house  a  mile  and  a  half  distant,  where,  we  regret  to  say — through  a  female  oracle,  we  suppose  the 
landlady  —  admission  was  refused  the  party,  benighted  as  we  were ;  showing  not  only  a  want  of  common 
courtesy,  but  a  complete  lack  of  humanity,  and  more  especially  to  those  of  her  own  sex.  Baffled  in  this  reason- 


EAGLE AND  RAVEN. 

He  clasps  the  crag  with  hooked  hands, 
Close  to  the  sun  in  lonely  lands  ; 
Ring'd  with  the  azure  world  he  stands, 
The  wrinkled  sea  beneath  him  crawls  ; 
He  watches  from  his  mountain  walls, 
And  like  a  thunderbolt  he  falls. — TENNYSOX. 


A.H.  1843.  AN  iTMOSPHERIO  CURRENT  FROM  WBBPTTO  LAST  CONSTANTLY  FLOWING.  189 

able  :i[.].i-;il,  we  i.  traced  our  steps  to  the  hospitable  cottage  of  Mr.  Alexander  Doddington,  a  few  minute*'  walk. 
whose  wliuli-  family  vie<l  with  each  other  in  mini.-.!,  ring  to  our  wishes.  One  of  his  sons  was  immediately 
despatched  <m  horseback  to  funiish  us  with  such  stores  as  he  was  himself  deficient  in.  Our  .  \.  nil'nl  career  was 
tinii-h.-.l  in  cnnir.it  before  a  blazing  firo,  lighted  for  our  especial  benefit,  and  every  other  accommodation  waa  at 
our  service.  It  is  pleasing  to  contrast  the  warm-hearted  kindness  of  this  worthy  family  with  the  unfeeling 
brutality  nf  tin-  i>ther.  A  postchaiso  was  obtained  shortly  afterwards,  and  wo  reached  town  in  the  morning, 
between  nine  ami  ten  n'clock,  delighted  with  our  excursion,  nothing  the  worse  for  an  adventure  or  two,  and 
looking  forward  wiili  inuc-h  pleasure  to  our  next  trip  to  the  Isle  of  "  Sty."  I  have,  &c. 

JOANNA  FORREST. 

Tli.  in  \v>|.:i]..  i-  in  Niivinl'i-r,  gave  the  following  account  of  the  widow  of  Montgolfier:  — 
••  This  lady,  who  has  now  iv.-iclx-.l  tin  very  advanced  age  of  107  years,  lately  visited  the  town 
i«f  Trifl,  in  tin-  Dr|.:irtiuriit  of  Seine  et  Oise,  for  the  sake  of  seeing  the  fine  bridge  erected  by 
In  r  t\\n  grandsons,  tin-  MM.  Si-pun.  She  was  accompinifl  \<y  some  of  the  first  people  of  the 
t.«\\ii.  She  mu'lt-  tin-  tour  on  foot,  and  seemingly  with  the  greatest  ease  possible." 

1  •<  12.  This  year  Mr.  Wise  made  an  ascent  from  Lewistown,  Pa.,  in  April ;  and  another 
from  (n-tty.-l'ur":.  in  Septemlx-r.  He  says:— 

After  rising  to  a  considerable  altitude  symptoms  of  excited  electricity  were  powerfully  exhibited  by  the 

:i\o  force  of  the  upper  part  of  the  balloon  as  it  passed  slowly  through  the  eddy  between  the  upper  and 
r  currents  of  air.  Rising  above  this  point  by  a  circuitous  ascent,  the  country  for  many  miles  round  became 
visible.  The  borough  of  Lewistown  represented  a  figure  like  the  letter  V.  \\hile  still  ascending,  mountain  after 
valley,  and  valley  after  mountain  sprung  up  out  of  the  body  of  the  earth  as  by  magic.  The  sublime  workmanship 
of  Him  that  made  the  heavens  and  the  earth  burst  upon  the  vision  with  amazing  grandeur,  and  smiling  nature, 
clad  in  lu-r  vernal  garb,  looked  up  toward  heaven  with  a  pleasing  countenance.  For  an  hour  or  more  new  and 
beautiful  scenes  were  continually  developing  themselves.  The  mountains  appeared  to  range  in  astonishingly 
exact  parallel  semicircles,  alternated  by  the  gayer-coloured  valleys  between  them. 

The  Juniata  Kiver,  meandering  through  the  mountains,  added  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  scene ;  and  ray 
attention  was  particularly  drawn  to  that  portion  of  the  river  which  passes  through  the  narrows  just  below 
Lewistown.  The  probability  of  the  impression  which  has  obtained  with  many  persons,  that  the  river  has,  by  a 
sapping,  percolating  process,  worked  ite  way  through  the  mountain,  is  entirely  destroyed  when  the  place  is  viewed 
from  the  point  where  I  passed  it.  From  there  it  has  the  appearance  of  an  original  formation  coeval  with  the 
earth's  adaptation  to  watercourses  ;  and,  were  it  otherwise,  it  might  have  worked  its  way  through  some  distance 
above  by  a  shorter  and  apparently  easier  route,  or  continued  seven  or  eight  miles  further  in  the  upper  valley  to 
where  it  blends  with  the  one  on  the  other  side,  into  which  the  river  runs. 

A  calm  and  deliberate  contemplation  of  the  workmanship  of  the  earth,,  when  viewed  from  a  high,  isolated 
position,  bringing  it  in  view  as  a  whole,  leads  the  mind  to  very  different  suppositions  and  conclusions  to  what  it 
wi  mid  arrive  at  when  viewing  it  from  its  own  surface.  It  may  be  properly  illustrated  by  the  comparison  of 
looking  at  a  rivulet,  or  the  great  river  that  rises  from  a  number  of  them ;  or  in  viewing  a  single  house,  or  the 
whole  city.  The  earth,  viewed  from  a  great  height,  assumes  a  regularity  of  order,  skill,  and  arrangement,  which 
cannot  fail  to  strike  the  mind  of  an  observer  with  force  and  admiration. 

In  May  following  I  made  an  ascension  from  Bellefonte,  Pa.  The  last  paragraph  of  the  log-book  of  that 
voyage  say* :  I  have  at  present  in  use  a  black  balloon,  which  creates  a  congenial  atmosphere  around  itself  in  the 
cold  upper  regions  of  the  air  from  the  radiating  superiority  of  that  colour  over  a  lighter  one.  It  is  now  beyond 
a  doubt  in  my  mind  established,  that  a  current  from  vest  to  east  in  the  atmosphere  it  constantly  in  motion  within  the  height 
of  12,000  feet  above  the  ocean.  Nearly  all  my  trips  are  strong  proofs  of  this. 

\\hile  I  was  remaining  at  Wilkesbarrc,  a  very  flattering  invitation  from  Messrs.  Glossbrenner  and  Mon is. 
of  \ork,  I'n.,  who  were  then  on  a  visit  to  the  Wyoming  Valley,  was  tendered  me  to  come  to  their  borough  ami 
make  an  ascension,  which  I  cheerfully  accepted.     The  late  Mr.  Mills,  a  very  successful  aeronaut,  had  made  a 
satisfactory  ascension  from  York  the  summer  previous,  and  died  there  while  making  preparations  for  a  second. 

2   C   2 


190  ASTEA  CASTE  A.  A.D.  1842. 

A  Mr.  Parker,  who  professed  to  be  an  aeronaut,  volunteered  to  make  the  ascension  which  Mr.  Mills  had 
made  preparations  for,  but  he  failed  in  getting  up  with  the  balloon ;  and  shortly  afterwards  tried  and  failed  again, 
which  exasperated  the  populace  to  such  a  degree  that  it  became  necessary  for  Mr.  Parker's  safety  to  put  him  in 
the  hands  of  the  sheriff  of  the  county.  This  double  failure  had  a  tendency  to  make  the  people  of  that  county 
rather  suspiciously  inclined  towards  balloon  experiments.  Many  of  the  country  people  believed  it  to  be  a  plotting 
humbug  in  order  to  delude  them  into  the  town ;  others  doubted  the  sincerity  of  balloonists'  intentions  of  going  up, 
looking  at  it  as  a  dangerous  business.  These  circumstances  made  it  a  delicate  matter  for  me,  in  case  I  should  be 
so  unfortunate  as  to  fail  in  getting  up ;  and  although  I  had  now  acquired  a  reputation  as  a  "  successful  aeronaut," 
it  only  made  it  worse  for  me,  in  the  event  of  any  accident  that  might  foil  me  in  making  the  ascension  according  to 
announcement.  The  balloon  which  I  had  then  in  use  was  not  throughout  of  strong  material,  being  made  of  black 
silk,  a  part  of  which  being  of  a  different  texture  from  the  other,  was  very  mellow.  However,  an  ascension  was 
determined  on,  let  the  consequences  be  what  they  would.  The  last  Saturday  in  August,  1842,  was  appointed 
for  the  experiment ;  and  as  it  was  one  fraught  with  interest  on  various  accounts,  a  detailed  description  of  it  will  be 
interesting. 

As  fate  would  have  it,  the  day  turned  out  with  boisterous  and  stormy  weather.  The  atmosphere  was 
continually  charged  with  black  thunder-clouds,  and  incessant  squalls  of  wind  alternated  the  strong  gale  from  the 
west  which  blew  all  day.  The  people,  no  way  daunted  from  the  last  summer's  failures,  poured  into  town  in  a 
continuous  stream.  Twelve  o'clock  came,  the  time  for  commencing  the  inflation,  but  it  brought  no  hopes  of 
success  in  case  it  should  be  attempted.  The  people  began  to  gather  round  the  enclosed  arena,  which  occupied  a 
large  open  common  on  the  outskirt  of  the  town,  and  frequent  and  determined  were  the  threats  from  their  lips 
of  what  would  be  done  in  case  they  should  be  "  humbugged  again."  As  the  time  passed  on,  my  friends  also 
became  uneasy,  they  thinking  I  was  rather  timid.  Thus  things  went  on  until  near  two  o'clock,  the  time  announced 
for  starting  on  the  voyage,  and  things  were  coming  to  a  crisis ;  already  from  eight  to  ten  thousand  persons  had 
assembled  on  the  common,  and  more  than  threat  had  already  commenced  to  develop  itself  in  some  angry 
countenances.  The  last  consolatory  words  from  my  particular  friends  were,  "  You  are  in  danger  of  violence." 
I  had  remonstrated  against  their  advice  of  going  on,  as  I  contended  that  a  failure  would  be  more  fatal  to  all 
concerned  than  a  postponement  to  a  better  day.  But  they  told  me  a  postponement  was  out  of  the  question  under 
the  circumstances.  Now,  as  I  had  no  confidence  in  the  strength  of  my  balloon  holding  out  under  such  squalls. 
and  as  a  postponement  would  not  be  tolerated,  I  determined  to  reason  with  the  people,  and  at  once  went  to  the 
outside  of  the  arena,  mounted  a  table,  beckoned  the  immense  crowd  to  listen  to  me  for  a  minute,  which,  after  one 
very  refractory  individual  had  been  quieted,  was  granted. 

I  made  a  brief  statement  of  facts  and  circumstances,  as  connected  with  the  occasion,  and  mentioned  to  them 
that  God  made  the  weather,  while  I  professed  only  to  make  ascensions,  and  then  put  the  question  to  them  whether 
I  should  go  on  under  the  circumstances,  or  postpone  it  to  a  better  day,  with  the  proviso,  however,  that  they 
would  buy  tickets  under  the  risk  of  a  failure,  and  that  they  were  not  to  mob  me,  nor  suffer  me  to  be  mobbed,  nor 
ask  their  money  back  if  I  should  fail  on  account  of  the  weather.  It  was  unanimously  agreed  that  I  should  go  on, 
with  a  loud  promise,  "  We  will  stand  by  you  through  thick  and  thin."  Just  at  this  moment  a  gentleman  stepped 
up.  who  I  learned  was  Doctor  Xess,  and  in  a  proper  and  terse  manner  substantiated  my  explanations. 

In  another  moment  the  gas  retorts  were  in  active  operation,  as  no  time  was  to  be  lost  in  getting  the  balloon 
inflated.  This  process  had  not  gone  on  long  before  every  one  present  began  to  realise  the  truth  of  my  remarks. 

The  balloon  stood  the  blast,  and  at  four  o'clock  was  sufficiently  inflated  to  prepare  her  for  the  flight.  As  the 
inflation  and  start  are  sensibly  and  graphically  described  by  the  '  York  Gazette,'  its  article  relative  to  this  occasion 
may  be  properly  quoted : — "  Mr.  John  \\ise,  the  celebrated  American  aeronaut,  made  from  an  enclosure  at  this 
place  on  Saturday  last,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  balloon  ascensions  ever  witnessed  in  Pennsylvania,  or  probably  in 
the  Union.  An  immense  crowd  was  assembled  to  witness  the  ascension ;  the  number  is  variously  estimated  at 
from  six  to  ten  thousand  persons. 

"  There  was  quite  a  strong  breeze  early  in  the  morning,  and  it  continued  to  blow  up  to,  and  beyond  the  hour 
at  which  the  inflation  was  to  have  commenced.  This  occasioned  some  delay,  as  it  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  inflate 
a  balloon  in  a  strong  wind,  and  in  four  cases  out  of  five  when  it  is  attempted  the  balloon  is  torn  during  the  process. 
At  about  two  o'clock,  though  the  wind  had  not  entirely  ceased,  Mr.  Wise,  anxious  to  gratify  the  thousands  who 
had  assembled,  many  of  them  from  a  considerable  distance,  to  witness  an  ascension,  determined,  at  the  risk  of 


A.D.  l-r.'.  A  THUNDERSTORM.  -191 

destroying  hi*  new  and  costly  balloon,  to  commence  the  inflation.     Then  the  danger  became  evident  to  all;  for 
the  wind  was  very  slight,  yet  as  soon  as  the  balloon  had  been  swelled  by  the  gas  to  a  height  of  six  or 

IV. -t,  so  as  to  present  any  surface  to  the  wind,  it  became  as  fractious  as  a  drunken  Mohawk.  Mr.  Wise  fmin.1 
it  necessary  to  have  the  assistance  of  about  a  dozen  of  his  friends,  who  were  all  kept  quite  busy  in  preventing  it 
fp  .in  tearing  itself  to  pieces. 

"  The  excellent  preparatory  arrangements,  however,  of  Mr.  Wise,  and  his  unruffled  temper  and  systematic 
method  of  conducting  the  process,  overcame  all  the  difficulties ;  and  at  about  four  o'clock  ho  attached  his  car  to  its 
i.-ri  il  M.-f.l.  entered  it  as  coolly  as  though  about  to  seat  himself  for  a  ride  upon  an  '  ambling  pad  pony,'  and  was 
launched,  amid  the  cheers  and  shouts  of  congregated  thousands,  into  the  air. 

••  lie  cleared  the  enclosure  by  about  ten  feet,  and  sank  a  few  feet  immediately  on  the  outside;  but  by 
throwing  out  a  portion  of  his  ballast  he  was  enabled  to  rise  sufficiently  as  ho  moved  off  beautifully  in  an  easterly 
direction.  lie  seemed,  to  those  who  saw  him  from  the  point  at  which  he  started,  to  rise  as  he  receded,  keeping  on 
in  one  direction  until  lost  to  their  view  behind  a  cloud  about  five  miles  distant. 

••  \Yo  never  saw  a  more  gratified  multitude  than  were  assembled  on  this  occasion.  All  seemed  delighted, 
and  to  be  at  a  loss  for  words  to  express  their  admiration  of  the  sight  presented  by  the  daring  aeronaut  as  he  replied 
from  his  seemingly  perilous  height  by  a  graceful  wave  of  his  hat  to  the  cheers  that  continued  to  greet  him  as  long 
as  his  features  could  be  distinguished." 

Narrative  of  the  Journal : — 

At  fifteen  minutes  past  four  o'clock  the  aerial  ship,  United  States,  was  released  from  her  moorings  under  a 
heavy  blow  from  the  south-west,  gliding  swiftly  near  the  surface  of  the  earth  until  her  ascending  power  was 

used  by  a  discharge  of  about  forty  pounds  of  ballast :  when  at  a  distance  of  several  miles  from  the  common 
the  ascent  became  very  rapid.  At  eight  minutes  after  the  start  I  passed  through  some  filmy  clouds,  going  nearly 
parallel  with  the  railroad  all  the  time,  and  in  a  few  minutes  overtook  the  locomotive,  which  had  started  about 
fifteen  minutes  before  the  balloon  did.  At  4.30  I  commenced  penetrating  a  dense  stratum  of  clouds,  after  having 
enjoyed  a  magnificent  view  of  the  country  for  thirty  miles  round,  bringing  into  view  over  fifty  towns  and  villages, 
innumerable  streams  of  water,  with  the  beautiful  Susquehanna  in  their  midst.  On  entering  the  clouds  the 
atmosphere  grew  cold ;  but  after  passing  through  the  lower  stratum,  and  getting  into  the  shadow  of  cloud-patches 
far  above  the  lower  layer,  the  cold  became  so  intense  as  to  convert  my  breath  freely  into  hoar-frost.  I  did  not 
MiffiT  much  from  this  cold  atmosphere,  as  the  excitement  of  the  day  had  supplied  me  with  a  fervour  that  lasted 
through  the  whole  voyage ;  and  it  would  be  a  senseless  being  indeed  that  could  pass  through  such  scenes  without 
excitement.  While  passing  through  the  clouds,  the  balloon  rising  at  a  furious  rate,  I  attempted  to  open  the 
valve  to  discharge  gas,  but  was  prevented  by  the  lower  part  of  the  balloon  having  so  closely  taken  the  valve-rope 
into  a  fold,  it  being  flaccid,  that  it  became  impossible  to  work  the  rope  through.  This  would  of  course  become 
relieved  by  the  expansion  of  the  gas,  which  would  unfold  it  as  it  would  rise  into  a  rarer  region  of  the  atmosphere ; 
but  as  the  balloon  was  mounting  so  rapidly,  and  the  air  quite  cold  enough  already,  I  was  determined  to  arrest  its 
upward  progress  by  a  violent  tug  of  the  valve-rope,  which  succeeded  in  releasing  it,  and  bringing  with  it  a  strip 
of  the  balloon  five  feet  long  and  seven  inches  wide  at  one  end,  tapering  to  a  point  at  the  other.  This  piece  came 
clear  out  of  the  balloon  and  dropped  down  by  the  car,  so  near  that  I  reached  for  it  as  it  fell  past.  Being  from  the 
lower  side  of  the  balloon,  it  would  cause  no  serious  consequence*,  unless  in  case  of  a  rapid  descent  it  might  by  the 
rush  of  air  against  it  cause  it  to  slit  upwards,  and  open  the  whole  side  of  the  balloon,  an  accident  which  would  not 
endanger  my  life.  After  having  risen  some  distance  above  the  clouds  into  a  clear  sunshine  the  temperature 
became  more  congenial,  and  a  most  brilliant  cloud-scene  lay  beneath  me  ;  a  spacious,  snow-white  concavity,  with 
here  and  there  a  pyramidical  projsction  jutting  from  the  common  surface.  To  the  south-east  a  violent  ebullition 
in  the  cloud-ocean  indicated  the  formation  of  a  thunderstorm,  which  soon  developed  itself  in  uprising  cloud- 
columns  discharging  electric  flashes  and  mutiny  thunder.  The  shadow  of  the  balloon  was  visible  on  the  surface 
of  the  clouds  below,  and,  after  getting  so  high  that  it  became  completely  distended,  I  discharged  gas  from  the  valve, 
while  it  was  at  the  same  time  copiously  discharging  from  the  hole  which  had  been  made  in  tearing  out  the  piece 
witli  the  valve -rope.  The  gas  escaping  from  the  rent  below  assumed  a  white,  milky  colour.  Looking  down  upon 
the  clouds  at  this  time  a  most  beautiful  phenomenon  presented  itself,  like  that  on  the  disc  of  a  camera-obscura. 
Around  the  dark  shadow  of  the  balloon  there  appeared  a  bright  blue  ring ;  and  on  the  outside  of  this  ring, 
surrounding  it,  there  blazed  out  a  brilliant  halo  of  fiery  red.  This  splendid  imago  increased  and  dimim.-h.  d  in 


192  ASTEA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1842. 

size  as  the  balloon  was  lowered  or  elevated  above  the  cloud-stratum.  I  gazed  on  it  until  my  eyes  became  dazzled 
and  painfully  affected  by  its  brilliancy,  and  I  could  not  refrain  from  ejaculating  over  the  transcendent  privilege  of 
viewing  such  celestial  grandeur ;  for  at  this  time  a  combination  of  scenes  and  circumstances,  never  before  witnessed 
at  one  time,  conspired  to  make  the  scene  grand  beyond  the  power  of  description. 

When  my  aerial  ship  had  passed  over  the  thunderstorm,  and  got  some  distance  ahead  of  it,  I  gradually 
descended,  reaching  the  cloud-ocean  in  five  or  six  minutes ;  and  when  in  this  cold,  misty  sea  my  feelings  became 
painfully  depressed ;  the  transition  from  so  beautiful  a  haven  assisted  in  no  small  degree  in  producing  the  gloomy 
and  morbid  sensations  that  followed.  I  really  felt  like  an  expelled  intruder,  who  had  been  driven  from  a 
usurpation.  As  soon  as  I  got  through  this  gloomy  abode  of  the  clouds,  and  in  view  of  as  beautiful  a  prospect  as 
the  eye  ever  gazed  on,  the  fertile  landscape  of  Lancaster  county,  my  spirits  became  somewhat  revived  ;  besides, 
I  was  now  viewing  the  place  of  my  birth,  the  town,  the  street,  the  pleasure-grounds  of  my  youthful  days,  dreams, 
enchantments,  realities,  doubts,  all  seemed  to  have  held  their  sway  within  the  last  hour.  Such  voyages  are  strange 
and  exciting  things. 

After  sailing  over  the  city  of  Lancaster  my  course  was  parallel  with  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  down  which 
a  locomotive  was  plying  with  a  train  of  cars,  which  was  soon  overtaken  and  passed,  showing  that  steam  cannot 
compete  with  balloon  speed,  when  they  both  move  in  the  same  direction.  At  thirteen  minutes  past  five  o'clock 
I  landed  on  the  farm  of  \Vm.  Hiester,  Esq.,  near  the  village  of  Newholland,  about  thirty-nine  miles  from  the 
starting-point,  being  at  the  rate  of  fifty  miles  per  hour  in  the  horizontal  direction. 

When  I  returned  to  York  the  citizens  had  already  contributed  an  amount  considerably  over  and  above  the 
sum  demanded  by  me  as  an  inducement  to  make  a  balloon  ascension,  for  another  balloon  voyage  from  their  place. 

This  ascension  took  place  on  the  20th  of  August  following,  on  which  occasion  the  day  turned  out  to  be  of 
fine  clear  weather,  and  a  very  calm  atmosphere.  The  '  York  Gazette,'  in  noticing  this  voyage,  indulges  in  the 
following  remarks : — "  We  considered  his  thirty-sixth  ascension  the  ne  plus  ultra  in  grandeur,  but  it  was  far  exceeded 
by  the  last.  Mr.  Wise,  on  this  occasion,  was  favoured  by  almost  a  perfect  calm ;  and  having  cut  his  cord,  ho 
ascended  almost  perpendicularly  to  a  height  of  four  or  five  thousand  feet.  He  receded  from  the  spectators  so 
slowly  that  they  could  distinguish  his  features  for  about  three  minutes,  and  his  form  five  or  six  minutes,  after  his 
departure.  In  all  this  time  he  was  receiving  and  gracefully  acknowledging  the  reiterated  and  thundering  peals 
of  applause  from  delighted  thoiisands.  Wre  never  witnessed  a  crowd  so  completely  carried  away  by  their  feeling 
of  unmixed  gratification.  They  did  not  seem  to  be  able  to  find  words  commensurate  with  their  enjoyment ;  but 
every  moment  shouts,  spontaneous  and  simultaneous,  would  be  sent  up  to  the  car  of  the  aeronaut  from  countless 
throats,  and  the  calm  and  collected  occupant  of  the  apparently  frail  vessel  could  be  seen,  with  his  head  uncovered, 
returning  the  salutations  as  they  reached  him,  from  a  height  so  tremendous  that  his  form  appeared  to  be  reduced 
to  the  proportions  only  heard  of  in  fairy  tales. 

"  It  is  safe  to  predict,  that  not  one  of  all  the  vast  crowd  assembled  on  Saturday  will  ever  again  witness  on 
earth  a  spectacle  so  unutterably  grand  and  sublime  as  that  presented  by  Mr.  Wise  in  leaving  the  earth  on  his 
thirty-seventh  aerial  voyage." 

In  lieu  of  the  account  from  my  log-book,  the  above  has  been  quoted.  The  voyage  being  over  nearly  the 
same  course  as  the  one  preceding  it,  and  nothing  of  a  new  character  having  occurred  in  its  progress,  it  would 
consist  of  a  mere  repetition  of  what  has  been  said. 

In  September  of  1842  I  made  an  ascension  from  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  of  which  the  following  account 
was  written  at  the  time.  During  the  preparatory  arrangements  for  my  thirty-eighth  aerial  voyage,  made  from 
Gettysburg  on  the  10th  inst.,  it  was  suggested  by  Professor  Jacobs,  of  Pennsylvania  College,  in  company  with 
several  other  scientific  gentlemen,  to  make  some  experiments  upon  the  spiral  ascent  of  the  small  balloons  that 
were  to  be  sent  off  as  pilots.  Having  noticed  that  they  revolved  on  their  vertical  axes  when  ascending,  in  a 
direction  opposite  to  that  of  the  revolutions  of  the  hands  of  a  clock  lying  with  its  face  upwards,  Professor  Jacobs 
proposed  that  the  remaining  two  pilots  should  be  started  with  a  rotary  motion,  opposite  to  that  which  they 
assumed  when  let  off  uninfluenced.  Accordingly,  they  were  started  with  considerable  impetus  in  that  way  ;  but 
that  motion  subsided  in  a  very  short  time  ;  and  the  other,  or  contrary  motion,  took  effect,  and  continued  as  long 
as  they  could  be  seen,  which  was  until  they  passed  into  the  clouds.  The  large  balloon  also  revolved  in  the  same 
way  on  this  occasion  ;  and  in  pursuing  these  experiments,  by  throwing  down  when  above  the  clouds  substances 
of  different  kinds  and  shapes,  they  all  fell  with  the  same  rotary  motion.  The  atmosphere  at  the  time  of  starting 


A.M.  1842  -  "i.nNKL  JOHN  Mt'l.KM.AN,  OF  GETTYSBURG.  \'M 

mt  my  \-o\  a  ::e.  twelve  minutes  before  four  o'clock,  wan  perfectly  calm,  and  the  upper  heaven  was  completely  parti- 

1  off  IV..iii  the  earth  by  a  thin  layer  of  clouds.  The  height  from  the  earth  to  the  clouds  was  3900  feet  by  mea- 
sure  nt.  The  atmosphere  became  slightly  colder  as  I  ascended  higher  until  entering  the  clouds,  where  it  was 

'.vhut  wanner  than  just  beneath  tin  in  ;  and  \vhcn  entirely  above  them  the  sun's  rays  had  a  powerful  effect 
ii|».n  inv  l....|\-  .ii, .1  ii]Min  the  balloon,  as  its  accelerated  upward  motion  quickly  told. 

'I  In-  phenoim -non  of  refracted  light,  which  "had  so  much  interested  me  on  a  former  voyage,  made  its  appear- 
ance again  upon  tin-  thin  layer  of  clouds  beneath,  and  my  particular  attention  was  now  directed  to  its  operation. 
'!!.••  ;iarMion  was  this  time  more  perfectly  formed  in  regular  prismatic  rings,  the  cloud-stratum  being  thin  on 
which  it  was  refracted,  and  consequently  did  not  reflect  so  much  dazzling  light  as  before,  when  it  was  thicker.  It 
appeared  too  on  this  occasion  that  the  cause  assigned  to  ito  production  on  a  former  voyage  was  not  altogether 
essential,  being  a  profuse  escape  of  gas,  as  on  this  it  originated  from  the  mere  diffusion  of  gas  round  the  balloon. 

iir  being  very  calm,  suffered  the  balloon  to  remain  a  longer  time  in  the  same  spot,  and  consequently  a  rarer 
and  more  rcfi.i.  •  :\  medium  would  be  formed  around  it,  enhanced  by  the  radiating  power  of  its  colour  (black). 

The  shadow  of  the  balloon  was  well  defined  on  the  clouds,  and  the  prismatic  colours  forming  rings  around 
it  were  brilliant ;  there  appeared  also  another,  but  dim  shadow,  immediately  opposite  the  main  one,  much  narrower 
and  fainter;  and  they  each  crossed  or  rather  laid  on  the  prismatic  rings,  reaching  from  near  the  centre  to  some 
distance  over  the  outer  ring. 

-mailer  shadow  was  continually  expanding  and  contracting,  sometimes  getting  nearly  as  white  as  the 
main  one,  and  tip  n  contracting  into  a  mere  line  again,  resembling  in  its  action  the  waving  motion  of  the  aurora 
boreal i>.  Tlii-  motion  I  thought  might  have  been  caused  by  the  different  degrees  of  thickness  of  the  cloud-stratum 
on  which  it  won  formed  ;  as  also  the  difference  of  distance  between  the  balloon  and  the  surface  on  which  it  acted, 
as  the  clouds  were  moving  along,  while  the  air-ship  was  apparently  becalmed  ;  thin  would  continually  change  the 

•ion  of  space  between  the  object  and  its  shadow,  as  it  would  the  density  of  the  substance  that  formed  it* 
screen.  The  parhelion  and  shadows  varied  in  size  as  the  balloon  ascended  or  descended,  which  I  caused  it  to  do 
several  times  to  a  degree  of  not  less  than  six  to  eight  hundred  feet.  What  appeared  most  remarkable  to  me  was 
the  appearance  of  this  phenomenon  after  the  balloon  had  descended  between  the  clouds  and  the  earth.  \Vhile 
coming  down  over  an  open  space  in  the  clouds  I  noticed  the  parhelion  disappear  in  it,  and  in  another  moment 
discovered  it  on  the  green  surface  below,  being  a  wood,  not  with  its  regular  rings,  but  in  a  red  fiery  halo,  blending 
all  the  colours  in  it ;  and  when  it  passed  from  the  wood  it  was  Mill  perceptible  on  the  green  .fields,  but  more 
diffuse  than  when  on  the  wood.  When  I  got  below  the  cloud-stratum  the  balloon  moved  slowly  in  a  horizontal 
direction,  at  the  rate  of  about  a  mile  in  eight  minutes ;  and  whenever  it  would  pass  an  opening  in  the  clouds,  so 
that  it  fell  in  the  sun's  rays,  the  fiery  halo  made  its  appearance  at  the  corresponding  point  on  the  surface  of  tho 
earth.  The  appearance  of  the  phenomenon  on  the  earth's  surface  was  much  like  the  reflected  glare  in  the  sky  of  n 
night  during  a  conflagration. 

1  luring  tho  early  part  of  the  voyage  there  appeared  a  magnificent  sight  in  the  west.  No  clouds  being  in 
that  direction,  at  a  point  some  miles  off  a  portion  of  the  mountain-region  was  receiving  a  flood  of  light  from  the 
sun.  which  gave  it  a  peculiar  lustre,  such  as  I  had  never  seen  before,  though  it  has  often  happened  that  the  sun 
was  shining  only  in  spots  upon  the  earth,  which  were  visible  to  me.  While  in  the  clouds  I  noticed  them  to  have 
a  more  milky-looking  aspect  than  is  usually  the  case;  and  it  was  noticed  by  the  spectators  below,  who  informed 
me  of  it  afterwards;  and  they  further  remarked  that  "  tho  balloon  looked  white"  the  moment  of  its  submersion  in 
the  clouds,  until  it  vanished  from  their  sight.  After  1  had  been  above  the  clouds  for  more  than  half  an  hour  I  came 
down  once  so  low  that  the  spectators  from  the  town  saw  it  for  a  moment;  and  they  informed  me  that  it  was  not 
fir  from  the  point  where  it  had  entered  them  at  the  start,  making  it  evident  that  the  balloon  was  almost  totally 
becalmed  while  ul»ove  the  cloud-stratum.  It  was  a  peculiar  state  of  the  atmosphere  throughout. 

r  remaining  in  the  atmosphere  eight  minutes  less  than  one  hour,  the  greatest  part  of  the  time  above  the 
clouds,  I  come  down  to  tti-r-ijin,,,i,  two-and-a-half  miles  from  the  point  where  1  had  started. 

These  interesting  facts  were  observed  and  noted  with  as  much  precision  and  deliberation  as  if  they  had  I 
observed  from  my  private  chamber;  and  they  were  submitted  to  my  friend,  Professor  Jacobs,  who  had  been  with 
me  during  the  inflation,  engaged  in  observing  the  experiments  made  before  the  start;  and  it  was  he  that  took  tip 
altitude  of  the  clouds. 

The  people  of  tlcttysljtirg  were  so  rnnch  pleased  and  interested  with  this  ascension  that  they  determined  to 


194  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1842. 

have  the  experiment  repeated  in  a  few  weeks  afterwards.  In  the  mean  time,  by  their  particular  request,  I 
entertained  them  with  a  public  lecture  on  the  subject  of  aeronautics,  in  the  court-house.  Touching  strongly  upon 
the  simplicity  of  the  science  during  this  lecture,  and  portraying  the  magnificent  grandeur  of  its  developments  to 
the  practitioner  of  aeronautics,  it  inspired  some  of  the  hearers  with  an  indescribable  desire  of  its  enjoyment ;  but 
only  one  of  them  was  willing  to  believe  implicitly  what  I  had  said  of  its  non-danger,  as  practised  by  me.  This 
individual  was  Colonel  John  M'Clellan,  of  Gettysburg.  On  the* following  day  he  made  me  a  proposition  to  take 
him  along  with  me  on  the  contemplated  voyage  to  be  made  in  a  few  days  from  that  place.  The  time  being  too  short 
to  make  the  extra  arrangements  necessary  to  carry  another  individual  besides  myself,  I  mentioned  it  to  the  Colonel, 
and  at  the  same  time  informed  him  that  if  he  did  not  wish  to  wait  for  another  opportunity  he  might  take  my  place 
on  the  Saturday  following  for  half  the  price  of  what  I  had  asked  to  take  him  with  me,  which  would  make  it  but  fifty 
dollars  instead  of  a  hundred.  He  answered  that  he  thought  he  would  take  me  up  at  that.  I  did  not  believe,  how- 
ever, that  he  would  go  by  himself,  inasmuch  as  we  had  already  spoken  of  making  it  suit  to  take  him  up  at  Emmets- 
burgh.  When  the  day  came  for  the  ascension  the  Colonel  made  his  appearance  about  half  an  hour  before  the  time 
announced  for  starting  ;  gave  me  the  fifty  dollars,  security  for  the  safe  return  of  the  balloon,  and  took  some  hasty 
instructions  for  the  management  of  the  machine  while  aloft,  and  also  to  effect  a  systematic  descent.  These  were  as 
promptly  given  him  ;  and  after  this  no  persuasion,  neither  from  his  brothers  and  sisters  nor  from  me,  would  induce 
him  to  relinquish  his  desire  for  the  present ;  and  so  I  sent  him  up,  confident  that  he  would  come  down  safe  if  he 
did  not  give  up  the  ship  ;  and  my  last  injunction  to  him  was,  "  Stick  to  the  ship."  He  went  up  in  gallant  style, 
throwing  out  ballast  until  he  mounted  to  an  altitude  of  about  two  miles,  and  then  passed  out  of  sight.  He  went 
about  twenty-five  miles,  landing  a  few  miles  west  of  York,  Pa.,  and  was  from  thence  escorted  into  York  by  some 
dozen  acquaintances,  who  saw  the  balloon  descending,  and  finding  with  it,  to  their  great  astonishment,  Colonel 
John  M'Clellan,  of  Gettysburg,  instead  of  the  individual  with  whom  they  had  an  understanding  to  meet,  if  he 
would  come  down  near  York.  Indeed,  I  regretted  that  I  had  to  forego  the  pleasure  of  paying  my  York  friends  a 
visit  via  the  clouds,  when  I  saw  the  favourableness  of  the  breeze  and  the  pertinacity  of  the  Colonel's  intentions. 

When  arrived  at  York,  and  surrounded  by  a  host  of  friends,  the  Colonel  was  requested  to  give  a  detailed 
verbal  description  of  his  adventure,  which  he  did,  and  with  a  great  deal  of  accuracy,  showing,  that  before  he  com- 
menced coming  down  he  had  been  a  deliberate  observer.  Mr.  Glossbrenner,  editor  of  the  '  York  Gazette,'  being 
present,  took  notes  and  made  a  publication  of  it  in  his  next  paper.  It  is  written  with  some  humour,  but  neverthe- 
less with  a  graphicness  and  accuracy  in  regard  to  the  appearance  of  things  that  could  only  come  through  the  sug- 
gestions of  an  actual  observer.  This  description  has  already  become  an  historical  fact,  and  is  as  follows : — 

"  BAI  LOONING  EXTRAORDINARY. 

"  A  daring  feat  was  accomplished  on  Saturday  last  by  a  citizen  of  our  neighbouring  town  of  Gettysburg.  Mr. 
John  Wise,  the  American  aeronaut,  par  excellence,  had  announced  his  intention  to  make  his  thirty-ninth  balloon 
ascension  on  that  day,  from  an  enclosure  in  Gettysburg,  and,  with  his  usual  punctuality,  was  ready  on  the  day  and 
hour  promised.  His  balloon  was  inflated  ;  his  ballast,  grappling-iron,  &c.,  duly  stowed,  and  he  was  about  to  step 
into  the  basket.  At  that  moment  Mr.  John  M'Clellan,  a  young  gentleman  of  Gettysburg,  inquired  of  Mr.  Wise 
whether  it  would  not  be  possible  for  two  persons  to  ascend  with  the  power  then  in  the  balloon.  On  receiving  a 
negative  reply,  Mr.  M'Clellan  seemed  much  disappointed  ;  said  he  was  determined  to  have  a  ride,  and  inquired  the 
price  at  which  Mr.  Wise  would  permit  him  to  make  the  voyage  alone.  '  One  hundred  dollars,  sir,'  said  Mr.  Wise, 
who  did  not  appear  to  consider  the  inquirer  to  be  in  earnest.  '  I  will  give  you  fifty  dollars  ! '  '  Agreed — fork 
over  ! '  The  joke  was  '  carried  on,'  and  the  cream  of  it  was  soon  transferred  to  the  pocket  of  the  aeronaut,  and  his 
substitute  was  snugly  seated  in  the  car,  vociferating  his  direction  to  '  cut  loose  ! '  Mr.  Wise  thought  that  matters 
had  now  gone  far  enough,  and  requested  his  customer  to  get  out,  as  the  time  had  arrived  at  which  he  had  promised 
to  be  off.  But  he  refused  to  do  so,  and  insisted  that  he  had  regularly  hired  and  paid  for  a  passage  '  in  this  boat,' 
and  go  he  would.  As  Barney  O'Keardon  said  to  the  man  in  the  moon,  when  the  latter  respectable  personage  told 
him  to  '  lave  his  hould,' — '  the  more  he  bid  him  the  more  he  wouldn't ! ' 

"  Mr.  Wise  then  let  up  the  balloon  a  short  distance  by  a  rope,  thinking  probably  that  as  there  was  consider- 
able wind,  and  the  air-horse  consequently  turbulent,  that  his  substitute  would  have  his  courage  cooled,  and  '  give 
in  ;'  but  this  was  no  go  ;  and  thinking  that  he  had  as  good  a  start  as  ever  he  would  have,  Mr.  M'Clellan  cut  the  rope, 
and  was  off!  After  he  found  that  it  was  the  determination  of  Mr.  M'Clellan  to  go,  Mr.  Wise  had  but  time  to  give 


A.I..  isi:i.  Tin:  ••  \I:KIAI.  TIIANSIT  r.ii.i.." 


few  h.i-t\  and  imp.-:!'.-et  instructions  in  regard  to  the  management  of  the  balloon,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the 
ilu  in'.'  ah  •  'mint  had  ascended  to  a  height  of  about  two  miles.  Here  he  struck  a  current  of  air  which  bore 

•ly  toward>  York.  !!<•  says  tlmt  the  earth  receded  from  him  very  rapidly  after  he  had  thrown  a  bag  or  two 
of  sand  upon  it  :  that  Gettysburg  passed  off  towards  Hagcntown,  and  that  he  saw  Carlisle,  Hanover,  Abbottetowu, 
nd  r.erlin  .strolling  about;  and  that  «x>n  after,  just  ahead  of  him,  he  saw  old  York  coming  full  tilt  up 
tin-  tiirn|.iki-  t"«  uil-  him,  apparently  taking  an  afternoon  walk  to  Gettysburg.  Having  determined  to  stop  at 
Y»rk,  ami  fearing,  from  the  remarkable  speed  at  which  our  usually  staid  and  sober  town  was  travelling,  that  she 
would  soon  IHIXS  nndfT  Aw  lalloon,  and  give  him  the  slip,  ho  pulled  the  string  attached  to  the  safety-valve,  in  order 
to  l,i  off  a  portion  of  gas.  This  valve  is  DO  constructed  that  when  a  rope  attached  to  it  is  pulled  the  valve  opens 
to  tli  .  and  again  closes  by  the  force  of  a  spring  when  the  rope  is  let  go.  Unfortunately,  however,  the 

inexperienced  aeronaut  pulled  too  violently  at  the  valve-rope,  tore  the  valve-door  completely  off  its  hinges,  and 
lnoii^Lt  it  down  into  tin-  <-ar.  When  this  occurred  he  was  more  than  a  mile  high,  and  he  immediately,  and  with 
fearful  lability  descended,  or  rather/e//,  to  the  earth.  When  the  valve-door  came  off,  the  gas,  of  course,  escaped 
rapidly,  but  the  balloon  caught  sufficient  air  to  form  a  parachute,  by  which  the  full  was  moderated  ;  and  we  are 
happy  to  say  that  the  voyager  reached  the  earth  about  five  miles  from  York  entirely  uninjured.  He  says  that  as 
soon  as  the  valve-door  came  down  upon  him  ho  know  that  something  had  '  broke  loose;'  and  just  then  remember- 
ini:  that  Mr.  Wise  liad  told  him  to  be  on  his  guard  when  he  descended,  and  throw  out  his  grappling-iron,  he  wa« 
i  ring  to  get  at  it  among  the  numerous  things  in  the  basket,  '  when  the  earth  bounced  up  against  the  bottom  of 
the-  .-ar!' 

••  \\  Ian  first  seen  from  York,  the  balloon  was  about  thirteen  miles  off,  nearly  due  west.  It  appeared  to  be 
.rectly  toward  our  town,  until  the  valve  was  pulled  and  it  had  fallen  considerably.  As  it  fell  it 
seenii'l  •  •  tin<l  a  current  that  bore  it  rapidly  toward  the  north.  The  spot  at  which  it  landed  is  about  north-west 
oi'  our  borough. 

••  The  escape  of  the  gas  was  distinctly  seen  from  York  ;  and  as  the  balloon  neared  the  earth  it  had  lost  its 
rotundity,  and  appeared  to  the  gazers  here  to  come  down  heavily,  like  a  wet  sheet." 

This  was  another  proof  of  the  efficacy  of  atmospheric  resistance  in  bringing  large  surfaces  falling  through  it 
down  with  a  moderate  velocity. 

184.'5.  —  This  year  is  noted  for  the  greatest  attempt  hitherto  made  to  construct  an  Aerial 
Ship,  <>f  which  .Mr.  Henson,  a  civil  en^im  •<  T,  was  the  designer.  It  became  so  popular  that,  on 
tin-  motion  of  Mr.  Hot-buck,  the  "Aerial  Transit  Bill"  wa«  read  a  first  time  in  March. 
A  trial,  hovxwer,  soon  showed  its  defects.  I  leave  its  description  to  the  Chapter  "  On  the 
Method  of  Guiding  Aerostats." 

Mr.  Phillips,  also  an  engineer,  published  a  circular,  called  "  Aerodiphros,"  in  which  a 
company  was  proposed  for  carrying  "aerial  navigation"  into  practical  effect.  At  the  Royal 
Adi  laiili  (lalli-ry  also  was  shown  an  ellipsoidal  balloon,  to  be  propelled  by  the  Archimedean 
w.  d'-Minied  I'y  Monk  Mason. 

Mr.  Wi-i-'s  a>ecnts  in  America  are  related  by  him  as  follows:  — 

The  ascension  from  Carlisle  was  announced  to  come  off  the  third  Saturday  in  May,  1843.  It  turned  out  to  be 
a  very  interesting  one,  as  I  had  promised  my  friends  in  Lancaster  city  to  visit  them  via  the  atmospheric  current  that 
always  lt<,  ,'nst  in  the  higher  regions  of  the  air. 

l.'ev.  Mr.  Thorn,  of  Carlisle,  a  p-ntleinan  of  the  highest  integrity,  and  well-trained  scientific  mind  took  u 
lively  interest  in  the  exj>ciiiiicnt.  and  is  the  author  of  the  following  eloquent  description  of  the  first  balloon 
ascension  maile  from  that  place:  — 

halliM.n  ascension  advertised  by  Mr.  Wise,  the  celebrated  aeronaut  of  forty  aerostations,  took  pla< 
this  Wough  on  Saturday  last.     The  day  was  preceded  by  clouds  and  gusts  of  wind  followed  by  rain,  accompanied 
with   the  ni">t  vivid  nVh.->  ,,f  lightning  and   heaviest   peals  of  thunder  with  which  we   have  been  visited  fora 
•ii  of  a  time;  and  indeed,  so  marked,  acconlini;  to  human  calculation,  was  the  appearance  of  a  continuance  of 

2    D 


196  ASTRA  CASTE  A.  A.D.  1843. 

such  weather,  so  subversive  to  successful  exhibitions  of  tliis  kind,  that  many  persons  imagined  the  feat  would  be 
abandoned  or  deferred.  At  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  however,  the  clouds  began  to  disperse,  and  the 
sun,  that  bright  orb  of  day,  displayed  his  Creator's  power,  by  dispelling  the  mists  and  density  of  the  atmosphere 
in  which  we  had  been  enveloped,  and  substituted  in  its  stead  the  most  clear  and  effulgent  sky  we  ever  beheld. 
At  ten  o'clock,  hundreds  of  persons  from  various  parts  of  the  adjoining  country,  began  to  rush  into  our  town,  and 
to  collect  in  various  groups  in  our  principal  streets,  which,  together  with  the  appearance  and  drill  of  Captain 
Washington's  superior  company  of  U.S.  mounted  Artillery  with  their  cannon  and  accoutrements,  gave  an  enlivening 
and  imposing  scene  to  our  borough.  Soon  after  twelve  o'clock  the  process  of  inflation  of  the  balloon  was 
commenced ;  at  two  o'clock,  preparatory  arrangements  were  made  by  Mr.  Wise  for  his  ascent,  which,  in  half  an 
hour,  were  ready.  Previous  to  it,  however,  he  with  great  politeness  came  forward,  and  in  a  very  respectful 
manner,  gave  an  invitation  to  the  ladies  composing  the  assemblage  within  the  enclosure  to  approach  within  the 
limits  prescribed  for  them,  that  they  might  have  a  more  clear  and  distinct  view  of  the  interesting  scene  they  had 
convened  to  witness — which  they  accepted.  He  then  proceeded  to  an  interchange  of  salutations  with  the  friends 
and  acquaintances  he  observed  around  him — bade  Mrs.  Wise  and  his  son,  a  promising  lad  of  six  years  of  age,  an 
affectionate  farewell ;  but  with  the  entire  confidence  that  the  separation  would  be  temporary — an  absence  of  a  few 
hours  only.  After  which,  making  a  general  obeisance  to  all  around,  he  stepped  into  what  appeared  to  us  a  little 
brittle  and  insecure  basket,  with  a  fearless,  unfaltering,  and  dignified  mien.  He  then  examined  with  composure 
the  various  articles  which  had  been  deposited  therein,  apparently  with  a  view  to  adjust  their  balance,  and  to 
ascertain  whether  anything  which  might  be  required  on  his  voyage  had  by  any  omission  been  left  behind. 
Perceiving,  to  use  a  familiar  phrase,  '  that  all  was  right,'  and  that  the  most  intense  interest  was  depicted  on  the 
countenance  of  every  beholder,  he  gradually,  but  beautifully  and  majestically,  ascended,  amid  the  cheers,  plaudits, 
and  acclamations  of  the  surrounding  multitude,  and  the  transporting'  strains  of  a  fine  band  of  music,  discoursing 
an  inspiring  tune.  Thus  did  the  successful  aerial  navigator  depart  from  the  scenes  of  terra  firma,  to  indulge 
from  his  cloud-skirt  height  in  fancy's  visions  on  the  baseless  fabrics  '  of  the  world's  ideal,'  and  of  the  skies 
unknown. 

"  The  balloon  arose,  diverging  but  little  from  the  direct  line  with  which  it  set  out ;  and  the  aeronaut  continued 
several  hundred  yards  above  the  spectators  for  a  considerable  time,  waving  his  hat  in  recognition  of  the  cheers 
which  were  complimenting  him  from  below.  The  atmosphere  calm  and  the  sky  serene,  he  remained  in  sight 
nearly  an  hour ;  some  viewing  him  with  telescopes,  while  he  could  no  longer  be  seen  with  the  naked  eye.  The 
following  memorandum,  being  a  description  of  the  voyage,  and  written  by  Mr.  W7ise  during  his  voyage,  will 
doubtless  be  read  with  absorbing  interest  by  every  one.  An  incident  related  by  him,  relative  to  his  descent  at 
Lancaster,  tends  to  increase  the  confidence  that  is  already  reposed  in  him  as  a  scientific  aeronaut,  and  of  the 
management  and  direction  he  is  capable  of  giving  to  his  balloon.  He  had  informed  his  friends  and  acquaintances  at 
Lancaster  that  it  was  his  intention  to  land  there  on  this  occasion,  as  it  lay  east  from  Carlisle — a  direction,  he  says,  he 
can  always  attain — and  visit  his  domicile.  The  citizens,  being  thus  apprised  of  his  design,  were  awaiting  his  arrival, 
and  when  he  came  within  a  distance  of  being  heard,  they  called  aloud  to  him  and  said,  '  Wise,  you  have  redeemed 
your  pledge  ! ' 

"  Such  being  the  favourable  circumstances  under  which  this  experiment  was  made  and  ended,  permit  me 
to  observe,  that  the  remark  is  occasionally  made  in  opposition  to  the  science  of  aeronautics,  that  inventions  of  this 
kind  are  not  to  be  encouraged  or  witnessed,  because,  through  the  perversion  of  men,  they  occasionally  lead  to 
vain  and  pernicious  amusements.  Admitting  this  to  be  the  case,  is  this  a  reason  why  it  should  be  decried  and 
condemned  any  more  than  many  other  useful  arts  ?  But  the  objection  usually,  if  not  invariably,  arises  from  persons 
of  narrow  minds  and  contracted  views,  relative  to  the  progress  of  the  human  mind  in  the  enlightening  and 
renovation  of  mankind.  Air  balloons  are  destined  ere  long  to  be  brought  to  such  a  state  of  perfection,  and  bo 
made  capable  of  raising  and  carrying  so  much  weight,  as  to  be  applied  to  highly  useful  and  important  purposes. 
Let  encouragement  be  given  to  these  experiments ;  let '  the  sou]  of  fire,  the  invention  ever  new,'  the  '  lively  cheer  of 
vigour  born,'  and  the  incitement  to  continual  exertion,  both  mental  and  bodily,  by  the  emulation  of  ingenious  men, 
be  patronized  sufficient  to  enable  them  to  conduct  their  operations  on  an  extensive  scale,  and  time  and  experience 
will  make  them  subservient  to  numerous  philosophical  uses,  and  bring  to  light  many  things  which  pass  in  the 
atmosphere ;  such  as  the  formation  of  rain,  of  thunderstorms,  of  vapours,  hail,  snow,  comets,  meteors  in  general ; 
and  which,  for  the  want  of  a  method  of  ascending  into  it,  cannot  be  known  with  precision. 


Uxl84a  BALLOONING  vertui  "Mil. I. i:i;i>.M."  197 

••  Tli.  v  in  iy  tend  also  to  the  general  improvement  and  amelioration  of  mankind,  in  effecting  the  design*  of  a 
benefi'  •  HI  l'r..\i.l-neo  to  a  lout  and  mined  world.  Is  it  not  possible,  nay,  is  it  not  probable,  that  ore  long,  if 
.  iu.lu. vim  n:s  !»•  li.-M  out  to  the  promoters  of  this  science,  a  contrivance  or  means  of  conducting  expeditions 
the  atmosphere  in  a  horizontal  direction  will  be  discovered,  by  making  these  machine*  subject  to  the 
hrlm  of  tho  m-roniiut  ?  And  if  so,  may  they  not  be  converted  to  purposes  of  mercy;  by  exploring  countries 
hitherto  inaccessible;  bringing  together  parts  of  the  earth  which  are  now  estranged  to  each  other,  and  spreading 
knowledge  to  all  mankind?  Many  are  the  good  and  sensible  men,  who  are  of  the  opinion  that  every  part  of  the 
h  li'italile  globe  must  yet  bo  explored,  and  it*  inhabitants  visited  with  tint  salvation  of  God.  And  who  knows,  but 
that  by  balloons  this  may  be  effected  ?  Who  will  have  the  presumption  to  say  that  such  a  consummation  will 
utter  be  realized  ?  And  if  rtalisnl,  will  it  not  present  a  literal  fulfilment  of  *  Angels  flying  through  the  midst  of 
tin-  (aerial)  heavens,  having  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach  to  them  that  dwell  upon  the  earth,  and  to  every 
kindred  and  nation '  ? 

"  To  these  high  and  beneficent  purposes  we  may  add  the  gratification  of  curiosity  and  pleasure,  as  a  very 

..nt  to  an  encouragement  to  the  practice  of  the  art,  in  which,  with  any  tolerable  degree  of  caution 

ami  int'..i mution,  there  appears  very  little  of  real  danger.     Wo  have  heard  from  Mr.  Wise,  and  all  who  have  tried 

\|K  riment  testify  to  the  same,  that  the  beauty  and  grandeur  of  the  prospect  afforded  by  an  aerial  excursion 
cannot  bo  exceeded,  much  less  described.  Nor  do  aeronauts  ever  experience  the  least  of  that  giddiness  consequent 

looking  from  great  heights  connected  with  the  earth ;  nor  have  they  any  of  that  sickness  arising  from  the 
motion  ..fa  vessel  at  sea.  Many  have  been  carried  by  balloons  at  the  rate  of  thirty,  forty,  and  fifty  miles  per  hour, 
without  foiling  tho  least  im  nv.  ni,.uce  or  even  agitation  of  the  wind,  for  the  reason  that  tho  machine  moves 
with  th<-  wind  and  its  velocity." 

The  following  is  an  extract  of  tho  most  important  part  of  the  journal  kept  on  the  occasion : — Left  the  earth 
at  t  wo  o'clock  thirty-five  minutes ;  the  lower  current  of  wind  from  south-west  moving  moderately.  At  three 

!>.  I  passed  on  the  south  side  of  Mechanicsburg,  at  an  altitude  of  about  a  mile,  and  still  ascending.  When  at 
a  considerable  height  above  tho  clouds,  another  current  blowing  from  north-west  was  encountered.  This  gave  mo 
an  opportunity  of  making  north  or  south  latitude  while  pursuing  my  voyage  eastward,  as  the  occasion  requiied, 
by  sailing  with  one  or  the  other  of  these  currents.  While  nearing  the  Susquelianna  River  a  magnificent  view  was 
opened  :  York,  Carlisle,  Harrisburg,  and  even  Lancaster,  wore  embraced  in  this  grand  panoramic  view,  with  all 
it*  innumerable  villages  and  variety  of  splendid  scenery.  Upon  its  beauty  I  will  not  attempt  to  descant;  it  must 
be  witnessed  to  be  appreciated.  Although  the  Creator  has  allowed  mo  to  enjoy  this  sublime  privilege,  he  has  not 
endowed  my  humble  capacity  with  language  adequate  to  express  its  grandeur.  In  viewing  this  scene  of  earthly 
glory,  I  was  forcibly  struck  with  the  idea,  that  we  are  not  of  near  so  much  importance  in  the  eyes  of  Deity  as 
man  presumes  himself  to  be ;  and  not  more  so  to  tho  Creator  than  the  minutest  animalcule  is  to  man.  And  now, 
in  reference  to  the  puerile  fanaticism  of  "  Millerism,"  I  would  remark  that  the  world,  clothed  in  her  verdant 
summer  garb,  looked  so  young  and  so  beautiful,  and  so  far  from  having  the  slightest  appearance  of  decay,  or  an 
intention  of  committing  suicide  by  elementary  self-destruction,  that  she  reminded  me  of  a  gay  and  blooming 
maiden  just  emerging  from  tho  days  of  her  innocence  into  sober  womanhood.  If  any  of  the  deluded  followers  of 
Miller  doubt  this,  let  them  go  aloft  of  a  fine  summer's  day,  and  view  the  earth,  and  if  they  then  don't  abandon  thi-ir 
nonsensical  views,  nor  feel  ashamed  of  their  narrow-minded  conceptions  of  the  goodness  and  greatness  of  the 
1  •  •!-.  they  inii.-t  indeed  be  weak  in  the  spirit  as  well  an  in  the  flesh. 

[The  Miller  fanaticism  was  raging  at  that  time  in  the  neighbourhood.] 

tuM  o'clock  twenty  minutes,  I  passed  over  a  vast  body  of  clouds,  which  reflected  a  powerful  heat  against 
the  balloon,  causing  it  to  rise  to  a  great  height  while  in  the  field  of  reflected  rays,  and,  therefore,  obscuring  from 
my  vii-w  Han  i-lmrg,  and  to  the  south,  as  far  as  York,  the  whole  of  the  country.  The  current  below,  however, 
being  nearly  at  right  angles  in  its  direction  to  that  above,  consequently,  soon  cleared  the  space  beneath  me.  My 
course  now  lay  down  the  west  side  of  the  river.  Seeing  the  necessity  of  making  more  south  latitude  in  order  to 
reach  my  port,  until  a  point  was  reached  nearly  over  the  mouth  of  Codorus  Creek,  I  soon  after  descended  into  th>- 
I..WIT  current,  coming  from  the  south-west,  by  which  I  could  reach  a  point  near  the  city -of  Lancaster,  which  w;i* 
now  in  full  view.  This  took  me  over  the  town  of  Marietta  a  little  after  four  o'clock,  and  almost  in  a  direct  line  for 
Lancaster.  At  fifteen  minutes  l.ef  ,iv  fiveo'clock  I  reached  a  point  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  city  bOBBOl 
where  I  came  down.  Seeing  the  people  rushing  out  of  the  city,  a-foot  and  a-horse,  old  and  young,  great  and  small. 

2  D  2 


198  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1843. 

rich  and  poor,  intermingled  with  strains  of  music  and  the  ringing  of  bells,  I  was  soon  encircled  by  my  fellow-citizens 
of  Lancaster,  into  whose  custody  1  most  cheerfully  submitted  myself,  and  will  now  let  the  balance  of  this  interesting 
experiment  be  detailed  by  my  old  and  esteemed  friend,  John  W.  Forney,  Esq.,  of  the  '  Lancaster  Intelligencer  and 
Journal,"  who  was  an  eye-witness  of  the  scene. 

BEAUTIFUL  AND  INTERESTING  SPECTACLE. 

"  About  a  quarter  before  four  o'clock  on  Saturday  last,  a  black  speck,  no  bigger  than  a  man's  hand,  was  seen  a 
little  north-west  of  this  city.  Some  pronounced  it  one  of  Miller's  '  signs ' — some  declared  it  to  be  a  new  and 
unrecorded  phenomenon — and  while  all  were  thus  arguing  as  to  its  character  the  speck  grew  larger  and  larger, 
until,  at  last,  the  impression  began  to  prevail  that  it  was  no  less  a  personage  than  the  great  aeronaut,  our 
townsman,  Wise,  who  had  started  that  afternoon  from  Carlisle,  a  distance  of  some  fifty-four  miles  by  railroad ;  and, 
with  a  precision  equal  to  that  of  the  recent  discoverer  of  aerial  navigation  in  England,  he  had  directed  his  chariot 
with  such  admirable  generalship  through  the  regions  of  space,  as  to  hang  suspended,  a  little  more  than  two  hours 
after  his  departure  from  Carlisle,  over  his  native  city  !  The  day  was  one  in  which  all  the  clearness  and  moderation  of 
May  were  combined,  and  the  whole  of  the  town  had  an  opportunity  to  enjoy  the  rare  and  interesting  sight.  As  the 
aeronaut  gradually  approached  our  ancient  city — his  balloon  slowly  increasing  its  dimensions — every  man,  woman, 
and  child  was  out  to  watch  its  movements.  At  last,  after  having  hung  for  nearly  an  hour  in  full  view,  he  calmly 
and  gracefully  descended  in  his  chariot  of  the  clouds  a  short  distance  south-west  of  the  city,  where  he  was 
followed  by  crowds  of  horse  and  footmen. 

"  Supposing  all  to  be  over,  the  curious  spectators  retired  ;  when,  about  five  o'clock,  the  whole  town  was  again 
astir  to  witness  the  aeronaut's  triumphal  entry  into  his  native  city.  This  was  a  singularly  novel  and  interesting 
sight.  Standing  in  the  car  of  his  balloon,  the  huge  globe  above  still  distended,  almost  touching  the  sides  of 
the  houses,  and  apparently  eager  for  flight,  he  sailed  through  the  streets  at  a  slight  elevation  from  the  ground ; 
his  airy  chariot  drawn,  or  rather  guided,  by  a  number  of  young  men  and  boys  who  had  attached  themselves  to  the 
rope  which  led  from  his  car.  In  this  way,  with  hat  in  had,  and  amid  the  cheers  of  his  fellow-citizens,  Mr.  Wise 
passed  through  West  King  Street,  and  halted  in  Centre  Square,  immediately  fronting  North  Queen  Street.  Here 
he  was  again  greeted  with  the  cheers  of  the  people  ;  but  the  sport  was  not  yet  over.  After  a  rest  of  about  fifteen 
minutes  it  soon  became  evident  that  Mr.  Wise  was  about  to  attempt  an  ascension  from  Centre  Square  ! — a  rather 
contracted  area,  by  the  way,  and  too  much  walled  ia  with  houses,  we  should  suppose,  to  make  a  balloon  ascent 
either  safe  or  pleasant.  But  Mr.  Wise  is  not  one  of  your  holiday  soldiers — his  whole  demeanour  on  Saturday 
proved  him  to  be  cool,  collected,  and  intrepid,  even  to  a  fault.  Having  divested  himself  of  nearly  all  his  clothing 
but  his  pantaloons,  even  to  his  shoes,  and  detached  the  car  from  the  balloon  (the  gas  having  been  expended  so 
much  as  to  render  the  balloon  incapable  of  carrying  a  heavy  load),  Mr.  Wise  took  his  seat  on  a  narrow  board 
attached  to  the  cords  of  the  balloon,  and  giving  the  signal  to  '  let  go,'  away  he  shot  like  an  arrow  from  a  well- 
strung  bow,  and  nearly  in  a  straight  line,  leaving  behind  him  hundreds  who  were  amazed  at  the  singular  boldness 
of  the  daring  feat.  He  ascended,  we  should  suppose,  nearly  a  mile,  and  was  fast  fading  from  sight,  when  he  began 
to  descend,  and  actually  alighted  about  two  squares  from  the  place  of  starting !  This  unparalleled  performance 
was  accomplished  with  great  ease  and  rapidity,  and  proves  Mr.  Wise  to  be  an  able  and  experienced  aeronaut." 

After  my  Carlisle  ascension  I  again  appealed  to  my  friends  for  their  assistance  to  enable  me  to  carry  out  the 
Transatlantic  project,  but  got  no  further  with  them  than  a  promise  to  promote  my  petition,  which  I  had  determined 
to  lay  before  the  next  Congress.  Believing  that  something  would  certainly  come  out  of  that,  and  always  looking 
ahead  in  matters  of  this  kind,  I  deemed  it  advisable  to  make  a  sort  of  a  world's  proclamation  of  the  contemplated 
enterprise,  which  was  done  for  the  following  reasons.  Although  I  believed,  and  do  still,  that  the  solar  current 
which  I  have  invariably  found  above,  blows  clear  around  the  earth,  still  a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  might  subject 
the  navigators  to  local  currents  and  storms,  and  at  best  to  all  the  omissions,  imperfections,  and  unforeseen 
necessities  attendant  upon  all  first  trials  of  this  nature  ;  consequently,  there  should  be  a  general  knowledge  abroad, 
before  the  experiment  would  be  made,  so  that  in  case  of  the  balloon  giving  out  from  any  cause  while  over  the 
ocean,  any  ship  at  sea,  being  in  sight  of  it,  should  come  to  its  assistance. 

I  prepared  the  proclamation,  and  handed  it  to  Mr.  Forney,  of  the  '  Lancaster  Intelligencer,'  who  prefaced  it 
with  his  own  remarks ;  and  a  number  of  speculative  commentaries  were  written  by  other  persons  concerning  it  as 


AI>.  i  \  TRANSATLANTIC  PROJECT.  I1'1' 

it  pawed  tlin.n-li  the  newspapers.     Some  of  these  will  be  related;  and  it  will  be  observed  how  difficult  it  is.  in 

looking  at  n« -w  project*,  to  separate  the  ideal  from  the  .    i'  nu  i  .1-  of  the  cose.     However,  the  proclamation  has  gone 
forth  in  tin-  world,  and  ;  ;  it  will  follow,  just  as  certain  as  steam  followed  homo-power. 

AERIAL  VOYAGE  ACROSS  FEE  OCEAN. 

••  Tin-  following  announcement  of  Mr.  Wise,  the  distinguished  aeronaut,  is  one  that  cannot  fail  to  excite 
jiulilic  attention  in  a  very  great  degree.  Though  the  scheme  may  look  somewhat  Quixotic,  we  have  no 
doubt  Mr.  \\ise  possesses  the  nerve  to  attempt,  and,  we  believe,  has  the  ability  to  carry  it  out.  Our  Vw 
Voik  friends,  :h.  LI-:.,  must  not  be  astonished  to  see  our  intelligent  and  scientific  aeronaut  arrive  in  their  city 

\ear  with  his  -large  balloon,'  and  take  his  departure  thence  for  the  regions  of  the  Old  World.  Would  it  not 
create  a  stir  that  would  far  exceed  the  reception  of  a  hundred  Presidents,  though  every  man  were  a  Tyler  ?  And 
then  what  a  sensation  ho  would  produce  in  Kngland,  us,  co-ning  along  the  Channel,  he  made  preparations  to  settle 
•  i  .un  his  aerial  chariot  in  the  heart  of  the  great  London  World;  or,  mitring  this,  suppose  him  dropping  in  ii]»  n 

•i-iiehiueii  at  Paris,  or  Calais,  or  IWdeaux;  or,  going  further  still,  suppose  him  wafted  into  ( 'oii.stantiii'>]ile. 

d.t-hing  down  unceremoniously,  and  without  notice,  to  the  Sublime  Porte!     Why,  our  townsman  would  become 

more  justly  renowned  tlian  di.l  t  a). tain  lions  in  his  voyago  to  the  North  Pale,  or  Lewis  and  Clarke  in  steering  up 

i  :-sissi|,|,i.  or  the  ambitious  searcher  after  the  still  mysterious  source  of  the  Nile !    [Not  at  all ;  for  it  is  too 

easy  a  thing  to  accumpli.-h.  | 

••  .Mr.  Wise  speaks  for  himself,  however,  in  a  tone  of  easy  confidence  that  will  surprise  no  one  who  knows  his 
ige  and  resolution :  " — 

••  .1.  \S .  I  :  -.[.--  •  You  will  confer  a  favour  to  the  enterprise  in  contemplation  by  giving  the  following 

proclamation  publicity  for  general  notice  to  the  civilized  world. 

To   ALL   PUBLISHERS  OF   N  KWM'APKIts  OX   THE  GLOBE. 

"  LanrasU'r,  June,  1843. 

it  is  my  intention  to  make  a  trip  across  the  Atlantic  Ocean  with  a  balloon,  in  the  summer  of  1844,  and 

as  die  d.  sei  nt   or  landing  of  balloons,  in  my  experience,  has  almost  universally  created  unnecessary  alanir and 

•ion  to  the  people  near  by,  I  therefore  give  this  general  notice  to  the  seafaring  community  of  all  cliim  i 

that  >h»uld  they,  .luring  any  time  henceforth,  chance  to  be  in  the  vicinity  of  a  balloon,  either  on  the  ocean  or  in 

the  atmosphere,  they  need  not  be  under  any  fearful  apprehensions,  but  endeavour  to  give  aid  to  its  adventurers. 

"  It  must  not  be  inferred  from  this  that  its  success  is  considered  improbable,  but  merely  to  be  prepared  for 
all  emergencies. 

"Having,  from  a  long  experience  in  aeronautics,  been  convinced  that  a  constant  and  regular  current  <•(' 
air  is  blowing  at  all  times  //MOT  wvt  to  east  with  a  velocity  of  from  twenty  to  forty,  and  even  sixty  miles  per  Innti-, 
according  to  its  height  from  the  earth  ;  and  having  discovered  a  composition  which  renders  silk  or  muslin 
iiujH  -rvi.ms  to  hydrogen  gas,  so  that  a  balloon  may  be  kept  afloat  for  many  weeks,  1  feel  confident,  with  these 
advantages,  that  a  trip  across  the  Atlantic  will  not  be  attended  with  as  much  real  danger  as  by  the  common  mode 
of  transition. 

••  The  balloon  is  to  be  one  hundred  feet  in  diameter,  which  will  give  it  a  net  ascending  power  of  twenty 
th«n*and  pounds — being  amply  sufficient  to  make  everything  safe  and  comfortable.  A  seaworthy  boat  is  to  be 

t'.ir  the  car.  which  is  to  be  depended  on  in  case  the  balloon  should  fail  to  accomplish  the  voyage.  The  bout 
is  also  calculated  on  in  case  the  regular  current  of  wind  should  be  diverted  from  its  course  by  the  influence  of  the 
ocean,  or  through  other  causes.  The  crew  to  consist  of  three  persons — viz.,  an  aeronaut,  a  sea-navigator,  and  a 
>•  i<  -untie  landsman. 

••  Tin  !•  l'..re,  the  people  of  Europe,  Africa,  Asia,  and  all  other  parts,  on  the  ocean  or  elsewhere,  who  ha\. 
r  seen  a  balloon,  will  bear  in  mind  that  it  is  a  large  globe  made  of  cloth,  ensconced  in  a  network,  with  a  .-1..-]. 

nu'  underneath  it,  containing  the  latest  news  from  the  United  States,  and  crew  of  the  world's  obedi.  Bt 
servant." 

announcement  was  generally  published  throughout  tin-  I'nion,  and  throughout  civili/.cd   Kunipe;  and 
although  its  substance  has  n.  n  accomplished,  its  postponement  is  attributable  to  a  single  cause  -want  ..1 


'^00  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1843. 

pecuniary  means  to  do  it  right.  If  Congress  will  not  give  the  small  appropriation  necessary — ten  or  fifteen  thousand 
dollars— to  give  it  effect  (I  will  not  say  to  make  an  attempt,  because  its  consummation  is  as  certain  as  that  a 
sail-ship  can  do  it),  our  wealthy  merchants  of  Philadelphia  and  New  York  cities  should  take  it  in  hand,  since  it 
would  enhance  their  facilities  so  much. 

The  following  is  another  among  the  many  commentaries  that  were  elicited  by  the  announcement,  and, 
although  it  breathes  a  progressive  and  well-tempered  spirit,  it  is  nevertheless  strongly  tinctured  with  that 
inseparable  sentiment  so  common  to  human  nature,  which  undervalues  projects  that  emanate  from  persons  whom 
it  is  intimately  acquainted  with,  and  who  have  never  yet  accomplished  great  undertakings.  However,  1he  article 
contains  so  much  good  sound  sense  along  with  its  humour  and  irony,  that  I  will  cheerfully  bear  the  latter  in 
consideration  of  the  former,  and  publish  it  for  what  it  is  worth. 

BALLOONINQ  EXTRAORDINARY. 

"  That  daring  and  (as  the  phrase  goes)  intrepid  aeronaut,  Mr.  John  Wise,  of  Lancaster,  has  issued  a  formal 
proclamation  to  the  world,  announcing  that  in  the  summer  of  1844  he  contemplates  making  a  balloon  voyage  across 
the  Atlantic,  having  from  long  experience  in  aeronautics  become  persuaded  that  such  a  mode  of  transition  is  not 
only  feasible,  but  attended  with  fewer  risks  than  those  in  ordinary  use.  He  deems  this  timely  notice  due  to  the 
seafaring  community,  who,  in  looking  aloft,  may  chance  to  descry  him  in  the  clouds,  and  who  might  otherwise  be 
induced  to  class  his  '  coming '  among  the  many  mysterious  '  signs  and  wonders '  of  the  age. 

"  But,  pray,  why  should  not  a  trip  across  the  Atlantic,  in  one  of  these  silken  cloud-coaches,  be  entirely 
practicable  ?  To  us,  it  is  true,  the  project  may  look  like  the  effervescence  of  a  disordered  intellect,  and  we  may 
decry  the  undertaking  as  part  and  parcel  of  the  impossible ;  but  how  many  years  is  it  since  the  man  who  first 
threatened  to  cross  the  ocean  in  a  simple  steam-carriage,  with  no  sails,  but  a  kettle  filled  with  boiling  water,  was 
laughed  at  as  a  creature  fit  only  for  the  friendly  ministrations  of  the  keeper  of  a  mad-house  ?  A  shaved  head  and  a 
strait-waistcoat  were  the  promised  rewards  of  the  original  projector  of  that  most  noble  enterprise.  And  yet  the 
foaming  billows  of  the  great  deep  are  at  this  day  hourly  plied  by  the  rushing  steamship,  bounding  and  puffing  reck- 
lessly along,  as  though  it  were  itself  the  victim  of  the  madness  ascribed  to  its  projector ;  but  landing,  nevertheless,  its 
precious  freight  unharmed  upon  the  distant  shores.  Now,  if  such  stupendous  and  astonishing  results  have  been 
realised,  what  may  not  man,  under  the  irresistible  dominion  of  the  great  master-spirit  of  the  age,  Progress,  what 
may  he  not  accomplish?  If  the  one  event  has  been  taken  out  of  the  narrow  bounds  which  encircle  the  diminished 
catalogue  of  impossibilities,  and  has  only,  like  the  rising  and  setting  of  the  sun,  ceased  to  astonish  because  of  its 
familiarity,  why  may  not  the  exercise  of  human  effort  also  consummate  the  other  ?  And  then,  after  Mr.  \Vise  shall 
once  have  successfully  pioneered  the  perilous  pathway,  and  demonstrated  that  fewer  lives  are  lost  by  travelling  in 
balloons  than  by  steam  and  canvass,  why  should  it  not  ultimately  become  the  universal  means  of  locomotion  ? 
Why  not,  under  the  guidance  of  skilful  and  experienced  air-navigators,  also  adapt  balloons  to  the  uses  of  commerce, 
as  a  means  of  import  and  export  ?  If  men,  women,  and  children  can  be  suspended  for  weeks  over  land  and  sea, 
in  vessels  of  silk  upheld  by  gas,  and  ultimately  reach  in  safety  their  places  of  destination,  why  not  also  thus  convey 
the  chosen  product  of  every  land  and  clime  ?  Why  not  balloon  a  load  of  cotton  at  Charleston,  and  in  a  few  days 
receive  the  vessel  '  bock  agen,'  freighted  with  British  cloths  or  a  cargo  of  teas  from  the  '  Celestial  Empire.'  And 
then,  too,  such  a  '  reform '  would  spare  to  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  benefactor,  Uncle  Sam,  the  necessity  of 
maintaining  at  such  a  heavy  expense  the  Navy,  there  being  no  longer  any  use  for  ships  and  the  like,  although  it 
might  in  turn  almost  subject  him  to  the  almost  constant  tricks  of  smugglers,  owing  to  the  uncertainty  of  the 
landing-places.  If,  therefore,  wo  have  not  ourselves  been  all  this  time  engaged  in  building  '  air-castles,'  Mr.  Wise 
may  yet  be  destined  to  soar  above  the  fame  of  such  common  men  as  Eobert  Fulton  and  Oliver  Evans." 

Another  writer  says :  "  We  publish  below  an  announcement  of  the  enterprising  and  intrepid  aerial  voyager, 
Mr.  Wise,  proclaiming  his  intention  of  crossing  the  Atlantic  in  a  balloon  !  We  are  not  prepared  to  express  an 
opinion  as  to  the  feasibility  of  this  project,  but  we  do  not  doubt  that  Mr.  W.  is  ready  to  attempt  it." 

Such  were  some  of  the  numerous  commentaries  and  opinions  upon  this  contemplated  expedition,  which  is 
yet  to  give  the  art  an  impulse  that  will  waken  it  to  its  real  merits.  The  following  letter,  received  by  due  course 
of  mail,  post-marked  "Newcastle,  Delaware,  June  28th,"  shows  that  there  were  not  wanting  proper  persons 
necessary  to  fit  out  the  expedition  under  skilful  management : — 


A.D.  is  I.:  i:\CLOSED  IN  A  STORM-CLOUD.  201 

;\I,.    \VI-K  .  riiilndclphU,  Jane  27th,  1843. 

ing  by  tho  newspapers  that  you  meditate  an  attempt  to  cross  the  Atlantic  Ocean  in  a  bnll»,m 
year,  and  that  it  is  your  intention  to  have  with  you  a  scientific  person  and  a  navigator,  and  as  we  heartily 
int..  tin-  >i>uit  of  your  cnterjirise,  and  at  the  same  time  place  every  confidence  in  your  ability  to  complete 
i  liu  undertaking,  we  cheerfully  offer  yon  our  services  in  the  latter  capacity  (that  is,  as  navigators'). 

If  you  chnuld  conclude  on  accepting  of  our  company,  we  are  in  hopes  you  will  inform  us  at  as  early  a  period 
as  possible,  so  that  wo  may  signify  our  wishes  to,  and  obtain  the  necessary  permission  from  tho  Navy  Department. 

.  respectfully,  your  obedient  servants, 

ARCH.  M'RAK, 
SILAS  BUST, 
Passed  Midshipmen,  U.S.  Navy. 

On  my  return  to  Carlisle  it  was  determined  that  I  should  be  requested  to  repeat  the  experiment,  as  tho  finst 
had  only  < -nhanced  the  desire  for  a  second  in  those  that  witnessed  it;  and  many  people  from  the  surrounding 
.  uiintry  who  had  not  seen  it  were  now  very  anxious  for  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  such  an  achievement. 
Consequently  the  17th  of  June  was  appointed  for  the  occasion. 

One  of  the  newspapers  prefaced  tho  narrative  of  this  voyage  in  the  following  terms :  "  Our  own  thought* 
were  a  good  deal  bent  toward  Hunker  Hill  on  Satin. lay,  but  nevertheless  we  had  on  tho  same  day  in  our  own  town 
a  spectacle  of  an  elevated  character,  and  of  a  thrilling  and  exciting  interest  As  upon  tho  former  occasion,  Mr.  Wise'* 

lirst  ascension  with  his  balloon  drew  together  an  immense  concourse  of  the  '  beauty  and  chivalry '  of 
» 'iinilierland  and  Perry  counties.  It  is  not  necessary  to  say  more  than  that  it  went  off  with  tho  greatest  eclat,  and 
seeme<l  to  have  given  tho  highest  gratification  to  all  who  witnessed  it. 

••  \\c  are  iiuli-htfil  t<>  Mr.  Wise  for  the  narrative  of  his  aerial  voyage,  which  is  subjoined.  It  will  bo  seen 
that  ho  encountered  insuperable  difficulties,  and  not  a  little  danger,  which  brought  him  back  to  earth  again  after 
a  trip  of  a  few  miles.  Mr.  Wise  is  to  be  congratulated  on  his  safe  and  fortunate  escape  from  the  dangers  of  that 
•  long,  low,  black'  cloud,  which  from  his  description  one  might  judge  to  be  the  very  dominions  of  the  evil  '  prince 
<>f  tho  powers  of  the  air.'  The  narrative  possesses  much  interest." 

NARRATIVE. 

According  to  announcement,  I  started  on  Saturday  last  on  my  forty-first  aerial  excursion,  from  the  Centre 
Square  of  Carlisle,  at  precisely  fifteen  minutes  past  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  it  being  the  17th  of  Juno,  IM:I. 
A  slight  breeze  from  the  west  wafted  me  a  short  distance  in  its  direction  horizontally,  after  which  the  ascent 
became  nearly  perpendicular  until  the  height  attained  was  about  2500  feet,  when  tho  balloon  moved  off  towards 
the  east  with  a  velocity  much  greater  than  that  of  its  ascent  The  first  thing  that  drew  my  attention  was  the 
immense  ocean  of  heads  that  was  presented  in  the  square  below.  There  appeared  to  be  infinitely  more  people  "ii 
the  immediate  ground  than  was  usually  the  case;  and  the  whole  scene  was  rendered  highly  animated  and  imposing 
by  tho  fine  appearance  of  the  military,  and  their  repeated  salutes  of  thundering  artillery  at  the  departure  of  tho 
"  Comet."  \\hen  I  had  reached  a  point  about  two  miles  east  of  the  town,  there  appeared,  a  little  distance  beyond 
and  above  me,  a  huge  black  cloud.  Seeing  that  tho  horizontal  velocity  of  the  balloon  would  carry  it  underneath 
and  K-yond  the  cloud,  rising  slowly  as  it  did,  and  being  desirous  to  gratify  the  spectators  with  tho  novelty  of 
seeing  a  balloon  pass  through  a  cloud,  preparations  were  at  onco  made  to  effect  it  by  throwing  out  some  ballast 
as  eoon  as  its  border  should  bo  reached.  Harrisburg  was  now  distinctly  in  view,  and  tho  balloon  moving  directly 
f..r  it  ;  I  was  hesitating,  with  the  bag  of  ballast  in  my  hand,  whether  I  should  throw  it  out  for  tho  purpose 

ned,  or  continue  straight  on  as  I  was  then  going,  to  the  place  just  mentioned.  At  thin  time  I  had  reached 
a  point  uinlernruth  the  el. mil,  which  was  expanding,  and  immediately  felt  an  agitation  in  tho  machinery,  and  presently 
an  upward  tendency  i.f  tin-  balloon,  which  also  commenced  to  rotate  rapidly  on  its  vertical  axis.  I  might  n..\v 
have  discharged  gas,  and  probably  passed  underneath  it;  but,  thinking  that  it  would  soon  be  penetrated,  and  tin  i. 
might  be  passed  above,  as  it  appeared  not  to  be  moving  along  itself,  I  made  no  hesitation  in  letting  the  balloon  go 
on  its  own  way.  This  part  of  tho  feat,  however,  I  had  reason  to  regret  soon  afterwards ;  although  at  the  present 
time  it  gives  more  real  pleasure  in  contemplating  its  terrific  grandeur  and  reality,  than  anything  that  has  ever 
transpired  in  my  aerial  adventures.  The  details  that  shall  here  be  given  of  this  terrible  scene  may  be  n  li«-,l  <,n. 


202  ASTEA  CASTEA.  A.IX  1843. 

as  I  was  sufficiently  composed  to  appreciate  its  grandeur  and  observe  its  physical  operations.  The  cloud,  to  the 
best  of  my  judgment,  covered  an  area  of  from  four  to  six  miles  in  diameter ;  it  appeared  of  a  circular  form  as  I 
I  entered  it,  considerably  depressed  in  its  lower  surface,  presenting  a  great  concavity  towards  the  earth,  with  its 
lower  edges  very  ragged,  and  falling  downwards  with  an  agitated  motion ;  and  it  was  of  a  dark  smoke  colour. 
Just  before  entering  this  cloud,  I  noticed,  at  some  distance  off,  a  storm-cloud,  from  which  there  was  apparently  a 
heavy  rain  descending.  The  first  sensations  that  I  experienced  when  entering  this  cloud  were  extremely 
unpleasant.  A'  suffocating  sensation  immediately  ensued,  which  was  shortly  followed  by  a  sickness  at  the 
stomach,  arising  from  the  gyrating,  swinging  motion  of  my  car,  causing  me  to  vomit  several  times  in  quick 
succession  most  violently,  which,  however,  soon  abated  and  gave  way  to  sensations  that  were  truly  calculated  to 
neutralise  more  violent  symptoms  than  a  momentary  squeamishness.  The  cold  had  now  become  intense,  and 
everything  around  me  of  a  fibrous  nature  became  thickly  covered  with  hoar  frost — my  whiskers  jutting  out  with 
it  far  beyond  my  face,  and  the  cords  running  up  from  my  car  looking  like  glass  rods,  these  being  glazed  with  ice 
and  snow,  and  hail  was  indiscriminately  pelting  all  around  me.  The  cloud  at  this  point,  which  I  presumed  to  be 
about  the  midst  of  it  from  the  terrible  ebullition  going  on,  had  not  that  black  appearance  I  observed  on  entering 
it,  but  was  of  a  light  milky  colour,  and  so  dense  just  at  this  time  that  I  could  hardly  see  the  balloon,  which  was 
sixteen  feet  above  the  car.  From  the  intensity  of  the  cold  in  this  cloud  I  supposed  that  the  gas  would  rapidly 
condense,  and  the  balloon  consequently  descend  and  take  me  out  of  it.  In  this,  however,  I  was  doomed  to 
disappointment,  for  I  soon  found  myself  whirling  upward  with  a  fearful  rapidity,  the  balloon  gyrating,  and  the 
car  describing  a  large  circle  in  the  cloud.  A  noise  resembling  the  rushing  of  a  thousand  mill-dams,  intermingled 
with  a  dismal  moaning  sound  of  wind,  surrounded  me  in  this  terrible  flight.  Whether  this  noise  was  occasioned 
by  the  hail  and  snow  which  were  so  fearfully  pelting  the  balloon,  I  am  unable  to  tell,  as  the  moaning  sound  must 
evidently  have  had  another  source.  I  was  in  hopes,  when  being  hurled  rapidly  upward,  that  I  should  escape  from 
the  top  of  the  cloud ;  but,  as  in  the  former  expectations  of  an  opposite  release  from  this  terrible  place,  disappoint- 
ment was  again  my  lot,  and  the  congenial  sunshine  invariably  above,  which  had  already  been  anticipated  by  its 
faint  glimmer  through  the  top  of  the  clouds,  soon  vanished  with  a  violent  downward  surge  of  the  balloon,  as  it 
appeared  to  me,  of  some  hundred  feet.  This  only  subsided  to  be  hurled  upward  again,  when,  having  attained  its 
maximum,  it  would  again  sink  down  with  a  swinging  and  fearful  velocity,  to  be  carried  up  again  and  let  fall,  which 
happened  eight  or  ten  times — all  this  time  the  storm  raging  with  unabated  fuiy,  while  the  discharge  of  ballast 
would  not  let  me  out  at  the  top  of  the  cloud,  nor  the  discharge  of  gas  out  of  the  bottom  of  it,  though  I  had 
expended  at  least  thirty  pounds  of  the  former  in  the  first  attempt,  and  not  less  than  a  thousand  cubic  feet  of  the 
latter ;  for  the  balloon  had  also  become  perforated  with  holes  by  the  icicles  that  were  formed  where  the  melted 
snow  ran  on  the  cords  at  the  point  where  they  diverged  from  the  balloon,  and  would,  by  the  surging  and  swinging 
motion,  pierce  it  through. 

I  experienced  all  this  time  an  almost  irresistible  inclination  to  sleep,  notwithstanding  a  nauseating  feeling 
of  the  stomach,  causing  me  to  vomit  several  times,  and  the  terrible  predicament  I  was  placed  in,  until  after  eating 
some  snow  and  hail  mixed,  of  which  a  considerable  quantity  had  lodged  on  some  canvass  and  paper  lying  in  the 
bottom  of  the  car.  After  this  I  felt  somewhat  easier  in  mind  and  in  body  (for  it  is  no  use  to  say  that  I  cannot  be 
agitated  and  alarmed),  and  I  grasped  a  firm  hold  of  the  sides  of  the  car,  determined  to  abide  the  result  with  as 
much  composure  and  observation  as  the  nature  of  the  case  would  admit ;  for  I  felt  satisfied  it  could  not  last  much 
longer,  seeing  that  the  balloon  had  become  very  much  weakened  by  a  great  loss  of  gas.  Once  I  saw  the  earth 
through  a  chasm  in  the  cloud,  but  was  hurled  up  once  more  after  that,  when,  to  my  great  joy,  I  fell  clear  out  of  it, 
after  having  been  belched  up  and  swallowed  down  repeatedly  by  this  huge  and  terrific  monster  of  the  air,  for  a 
space  of  twenty  minutes,  which  seemed  like  an  age,  for  I  thought  my  watch  had  been  stopped  while  in  it,  till 
a  comparison  of  it  with  another  afterward  proved  the  contrary.  I  landed  in  the  midst  of  a  pouring  rain,  on  the 
farm  of  Mr.  Goodyear,  five  miles  from  Carlisle,  in  a  fallow-field,  where  the  dashing  rain  bespattered  me  with  mud 
from  head  to  foot,  as  I  stood  in  my  car  looking  up  at  the  fearful  element  which  had  just  disgorged  me. 

The  density  of  this  cloud  did  not  appear  alike  all  through  it,  as  I  could  at  times  see  the  balloon  very  distinctly 
above  me,  also,  occasionally,  pieces  of  paper,  and  whole  newspapers,  of  which  a  considerable  quantity  were  blown 
out  of  my  car.  I  also  noticed  a  violent  convolutionary  motion  or  action  of  tho  vapour  of  the  cloud  going  on, 
and  a  promiscuous  scattering  of  the  hail  and  snow,  as  though  it  were  projected  from  every  point  of  the  compass. 

Such  is  the  history  of  this  short  but  magnificent  trip  ;  and  I  can  assure  my  readers,  that  when  I  again  meet 


A.I..  i  A   PETITION  TO  THE  UNITED  STATI>  «  <  >\<  ;i;KSS. 

cloud.s  ,.f  this  , •[,.,! ,„  i,  r  i  which    I  shall  name  the  "cloud  nf  tiTr.ir"i,  1  will  endeavour  with  all  ray  skill  to  avoid 
th-  in. 

r  this  account  had  been  published,  and  found  iU  way  into  the  newspapers,  I  received  the  following  letter 

from  IWosor  l^i'.v.  at  Washington  City,  which  was  promptly  answered  : — 

..  1  )KU:  >  "  Wa»liinKton  City,  July  Sth.  1843. 

"  I  was  much  interested  with  the  account  you  gave  in  the  public  papers  of  your  balloon  ascension,  on  the 
17th  of  Lust  iiicnith,  from  Carlisle. 

••  \  ..ii  will  confer  a  great  favour  on  me  if  you  will  answer  the  following  questions:  \Vastheroany  rain  or  hail 

at  tie  surface  of  the  earth  under  the  cloud  which  you  Did  you  descend  through  Iho  base  or  lower  part 

of  tin-  .  !..ii.l.  ..r  did  \oii  get  out  of  the  (loud  and  descend  in  the  clear  air?     Was  the  cloud  into  which  you  ascended 

-.tinlcd  l>y  dear  sky,  or  was  the  whole  sky  covered  with  clouds?    Have  you  any  reason  to  think  there  was  an 

upiuovin^  current  of  air  guing  up  into  the  base  of  the  cloud,  and  Continuing  in  the  cloud  itself,  or  did  the  velocity 

:  motion  ;  rrespond  with  tin-  buoyant  power  of  the  balloon?     What  was  the  caunjofyour 

ling  and  descending  eight  or  ten  times,  and  how  did  you  judge  that  this  ascending  and  descending  really 

uccunvd  ':      I  lad  you  a  barometer?     Do  you  suppose  the  cloud  was  colder  than  it  was  on  the  outside  of  the  cloud 

at  the  Mime  height  ?     Or  not  so  cold  ?    Are  you  sure  your  balloon  was  torn  by  the  hail  ?     Or  might  not  you  have 

ascend,  d  much  hr.rh.-r  by  a  very  rapid  motion  than  you  supposed,  and  your  gas  have  escaped  by  expansion  through 

u  of  the  Uilloon? 

••  If  there  was  a  strong  current  of  air  under  the  cloud  and  in  the  cloud  upwards,  might  you  not  in  the  time 
have  gone  so  high  as  to  diminish  the  pressure  on  your  body  so  rapidly  that  part  of  the  noise  which  you  heard  was 
the  ringing  of  your  ears  ?    And  might  not  the  sickness  have  been  from  the  same  cause? 
"  If  you  find  time  to  answer  any  of  these  questions,  I  shall  bo  much  obliged  to  you. 

"  Yours,  very  respectfully, 

"  JAMES  1'.  Esnr." 

When  Congress  bad  assembled  at  Washington,  the  following  petition  was  submitted  to  their  consideration ; 
and  when  we  take  in  view  the  small  amount  (15,000  dollars)  it  would  have  taken  to  prepare  the  experimental 
outfit,  backed  as  it  was  by  competent  authority,  it  seems  little  encouragement  is  to  be  expected  from  that  quarter, 
in  any  new  enterprise,  no  matter  how  plausible,  unless  it  carries  with  it  some  partisan  force  and  object,  calculated 
t...  promote  aspiring  and  factious  individual  interests  in  some  political  fortune. 

To  Tin:  CoxunEss  OF  THE  UHITED  STATES. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Senate  and  Home  of  Rejiresentatives  of  tite  United  Mates  of  America  in  Congrtss  astemUed : — 

The  j»-:itiiiii  of  the  subscriber,  citizen  of  Lancaster,  Pa.,  most  respectfully  showeth,  that,  from  an  experience 
of  a  number  of  years  in  the  practice  of  aeronautics  by  the  subscriber,  it  has  been  fully  demonstrated  that  there 
-  in  the  atmosphere  a  constant  current  of  wind,  moving  from  west  to  east,  with  a  velocity  of  from  twenty, 
forty,  and  ev.-n  sixty  miles  per  hour,  according  to  its  height  from  the  earth. 

This  current  is  moving  in  thut  direction,  while  the  local  currents  may  be,  and  are,  moving  in  various  other 
directions.  This  ai>ttr,i,-<i  current  is  governed  by  a  great  general  cause,  blowing  at  all  times,  making  it  feasible  to 
travel  the  globe  in  that  direction  by  aerial  machinery  with  great  facility. 

^  ..iir  petitioner  would  further  state  that  the  art  of  making  aeronautic  machines  has  been  so  far  improved  that 
they  may  be  kept  afloat  fur  any  reasonable  length  of  time,  even  for  years,  and  as  long  as  a  ship  can  be  made  to 
endure  the  sea  for  common  purposes. 

The  main  object  of  your  petitioner  is,  to  bring  into  useful  requisition,  for  the  purposes  of  speedy  and  safe 
transition  of  persons  and  merchandise,  that  great  natural  and  unoccupied  element,  the  atmosphere. 

r  petitioner  doM  not  pretend  to  have  discovered  or  solved  any  great,  newfangled  problem;  but  would 
most  earnestly  press  upon  your  consideration  known  facts,  which  must  be  explored  before  any  great  l>enefits  can  be 
derived  therefrom. 

From  the  improved  sintc  to  which  aeronautic  machinery  can  bo  perfected,  and  the  advantages  continually 
at  hand  from  the  local  currents  of  air,  it  is  even  now  feasible  to  travel  eastward  with  a  velocity  that  will  circuiu 
navigate  the  globe  in  from  thirty  to  forty  days,  with  an  ability  to  vary  from  a  straight  course  thirty  or  forty 

•2   K 


20-i  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1844. 

degrees  from  the  latitude  of  departure,  which  would  enable  us  to  leave  despatches  in  Europe  and  China,  and 
return  by  way  of  Oregon  Territory  to  Washington  City. 

This  has  been  demonstrated  by  experiments  made  by  your  petitioner,  in  reaching  points  sixty  and  ninety 
miles  distant  from  the  place  of  departure,  with  a  precision  not  surpassed  by  ship-sailing,  aided  by  the  local  currents 
in  varying  from  the  great  eastward  current. 

From  these  considerations,  your  petitioner  is  induced  to  ask  your  honourable  bodies  to  make  a  naval 
appropriation  to  carry  this  project  into  practical  operation;  its  practicability  having  already  received  the 
confidence  of  scientific  men,  and  an  earnest  and  voluntary  offer  by  several  officers  of  our  navy  to  accompany  the 
first  experimental  adventure. 

Your  petitioner,  therefore,  prays  you  to  make  an  appropriation  for  an  outfit  to  this  effect,  viz. :  The 
construction  of  an  aerostat  of  100  feet  in  diameter,  of  substantial  domestic  cotton  drilling;  a  sea-boat  capable  of 
enduring  the  ocean,  for  a  car,  and  so  constructed  that  the  masts  and  rigging  may  bo  stowed  away,  ready  for 
erection  into  sea-service  at  any  time  that  emergency  might  require.  The  sea-boat  to  be  of  10,000  or  12,000  pounds 
weight ;  an  aerostat  of  100  feet  diameter,  having  an  ascending  power  of  over  25,000,  which  will  be  sufficient 
to  carry  the  outfit  and  crew. 

Should  this  meet  with  your  Congressional  approbation,  your  petitioner  will  readily  submit  a  plan  in  detail, 
and  will  cheerfully  superintend  the  construction  of  the  machinery  at  his  own  expense,  asking  nothing  more  than 
the  command  or  directorship  of  the  first  experimental  aerial  voyage  round  the  globe. 

The  whole  cost  of  the  experiment  will  not  be  more  than  a  fraction  of  that  of  the  late  "  Exploring  Expedition ;  " 
and  promises,  at  least,  greater  results. 

For  a  favourable  decision  of  your  honourable  bodies,  your  petitioner  feels  in  duty  bound  to  pray. 

Lancaster  City,  Dec.  20,  1843.  JoHX  ^ISE- 

This  petition  was  received,  read,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Naval  Affairs,  where  it  sleeps,  soon  to  be 
awakened  up  again  by  the  unconquerable  force  of  human  destiny. 

1844. — Depuis  Delcourt,  an  editor  of  a  Parisian  journal,  having  made  his  first  ascent  in 
1824,  zealously  pursued  his  experiments  till  1850,  when  he  published  the  best  history  of  the 
subject  that  has  yet  been  written.  He  proposed  to  attempt  an  experiment  this  year  with  a 
large  copper  balloon,  but  never  got  beyond  its  construction.  The  necessary  calculations  were, 
I  think,  made  by  Mons.  Marey  Monge.  This  year  also  saw  the  first  ascent  of  Mr.  Coxwell, 
under  the  name  of  "  Mr.  Wells,"  to  prevent  anxiety  among  his  relatives.  He  is  the  son  of 
the  late  Captain  Coxwell,  R.N.,  and  was  born  near  Eochester,  2nd  March,  1819;  received 
his  elementary  education  at  Chatham,  and  was  intended  for  the  army ;  but,  being  disappointed 
of  his  commission,  at  the  desire  of  his  mother  he  became  a  surgeon-dentist.  Finding  his  atten- 
tion strongly  attracted  to  aerostation,  he  thenceforth  gave  his  whole  mind  to  the  subject. 

The  'Register'  newspaper  of  Hollidaysburg,  Pa.,  thus  records  an  ascent  by  the 
indefatigable  Ameiican  aeronaut,  Mr.  Wise,  in  May  of  this  year : — 

"  The  ascension  of  Mr.  Wise,  in  his  new  and  beautiful  balloon  '  Vesperus,'  took  place  on  Saturday  last 
according  to  notice  given.  The  day  was  entirely  too  stormy  for  an  undertaking  of  the  kind,  and,  in  the  opinion  of 
every  reasonable  man,  would  have  justified  Mr.  Wise  in  postponing  the  adventure  ;  but,  trusting  in  the  excellence 
of  his  vessel  and  his  skill  as  an  aeronaut,  he  determined  to  make  good  his  appointment  and  to  satisfy  every 
individual  of  his  numerous  audience.  He  accordingly,  after  a  most  laborious  and  oftentimes  discouraging  effort, 
succeeded  in  sufficiently  inflating  his  balloon,  and  getting  ready  for  the  voyage,  and  at  the  hour  appointed  cut 
loose. 

"  The  ascent,  although  evidently  hazardous,  from  the  rupture  in  the  network  by  which  he  was  attached  to 
the  balloon,  and  from  the  unsteady  and  squally  state  of  the  atmosphere,  was  sublime  beyond  description.  When 
the  cord  was  cut,  he  rose  slowly  from  the  arena,  barely  clearing  the  top  of  the  enclosure,  and  taking  a  northern 


A.I..  i-i i.  -Tin:  vi>ri:i;i  BL" 

•  i.  i!  1..-  swept  acn>s>  tin-  town,  jiitit  escaping  the  house-tops;  but,  discharging  a  couple  of  neks  of  ballast,  he 
soon  iii'.nnt,  d  lii^li  in:..  the  a<  i i;il  i,  .;t  .n-  i..  mingle  with,  as  we  supposed,  the  leas  angry  elements abore.  Hut  in 
this  i  i..i-,  long  before  the  '  Vesperns '  was  out  of  night,  she  was  observed  to  bo  rooking  strangely, 

as  if  tin-  element*  were  no  more  friendly  with  her  in  )  •  .1   |«-iti..n   than  when  bound  to  earth.     The 

account  subjoined,  by  Mr.  Wise,  gives  a  full  history  of  this  part  of  the  ad\  •  ntm .-. 

••  TIio  .,-,!,•  of  a  balloon  is  a  spectacle  that  to  be  realised  must  be  witnessed.     No  description  can  convey  a 

just  idea  of  its  sublimity  and  beauty,  as,  like  some  creature  of  life,  it  smoothly  and  silently,  and  steadily  mounts 

i!|.«.i:.i-.  •••..••      •-  golden  sides  glitteiing  in  the  rays  of  the  sun,  and  its  tiny  basket  and  well-arranged  cordage 

•  ••.itli.     And  then  as  thr  intrepid  aeronaut  waves  his  luit  at  a  fearful  altitude  and  sends 

down  a  faint  response  to  the  l»u<]  huzzas  below,  and  every  breast  heaves  deeply  with  the  conflicting  emotions  of 
admiratio:  :.i|uth\.  and  desire  for  like  adventure,  a  thrill  runs  through  the  soul  that  no  description  can 

produce,  however  inn-  and  vivid. 

••  \\e  need  only  add  hen-,  as  the  i-vidence  will  be  given  again,  that  .Mr.  NViso's  conduct  on  the  occasion  was 
highly  satisfactory  to  all  concerned,  and  most  greatly  increase  his  reputation  as  an  aeronaut ;  for  we  venture  to 
say  no  otln  r  individual  ever  atti -nipt,  d  an  ascension  under  like  unfavourable  circumstances. 

•  At  alx.ut  eijjht  o'clock  in  the  evening  we  heard  of  his  return,  and,  repairing  to  the  U.  S.  Hotel,  we  found 
Mr.  \\  U.-,  somewhat  di.-ht  .nt.  n.-d  al-.iit  the  loss  of  his  balloon,  and  looking  rather  worse  for  the  trip — his  outer 
man  having  suffered  considerably  from  his  adventure  among  the  branches  of  the  tree  on  which  he  lodged." 

MR.  ,IU:AMVK. 

The  process  of  inflation  was  commenced  at  eleven  o'clock  A.M.,  nnder  very  disparaging  circumstances,  as  the 
had  combined  from  all  points  of  the  compass  to  a  general  and  boisterous  storm.  Nothing,  in  short,  but 
the  most  indefatigable  energy  and  perseverance  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Downy  and  Mr.  Woods,  who  had  taken  a  most 
important  charge  under  their  hands,  that  of  keeping  the  "  Vesperns"  to  her  place,  could  have  enabled  me  to  have 
made  an  ascension  under  such  a  war  of  the  elements.  During  the  process  of  inflation  in  the  beginning,  the 
reaction  of  the  gas  from  the  balloon,  caused  by  a  sudden  flaw  of  wind,  blew  off  the  gasometer,  which  was  soon 
replaced  by  my  energetic  friend  Mr.  II inkle,  and  the  inflation  resumed,  but  under  so  much  violence  of  the 
apparently  frantic  gamboling  of  the  "  Vesperus,"  surging  to  and  fro  the  persons  who  were  holding  on  to  it,  that 
I  began  to  fear  of  their  ability  to  endure  the  rough  usage  they  were  labouring  under  all  the  time,  sometimes  being 
partly  raised  up  and  then  dashed  to  the  ground,  as  by  a  maddened  steed.  However,  after  getting  the  assurance  of 
those  gentlemen  that  they  would  hold  on,  to  use  their  own  words,  "  to  the  last  ribbon,"  I  retained  my  confidence 
in  accompl inning  the  ascension,  until  I  received  the  heart-sickening  information  from  my  friends  that  the  network 
waa  fast  giving  way  about  the  top  of  the  balloon.  I  now  began  to  give  up  hopes  of  getting  up,  and  even  feared 
that  the  balloon  would  break  through  her  trammels  and  escape;  but  Providence  sent  a  gleam  of  sunshine,  with  a 
short  abatement  of  the  storm,  during  which  time  a  good  supply  of  gas  was  worked  into  the  "  Vesperus,"  sufficient 
for  a  long  voyage. 

At  precisely  three  minutes  past  two  o'clock,  I  mounted  the  car,  and  having  ballasted  the  vessel  while  it  was 
restrained  by  a  cord,  feeling,  as  I  supposed,  the  rupture  in  the  network  increasing  at  every  surge,  which  by  this 
tini.-  had  got  so  large,  that  a  bulb  as  big  as  a  hogshead  was  protruding  through  it,  my  preparations  were  speedily 
oomph-ted.  Knowing  now  that  time  was  precious,  I  cut  the  rope  and  gave  my  friends  below  a  parting  salute, 
which  was  heartily  responded  to  by  a  thousand  voices. 

u  .-n  afloat,  1  began  to  congratulate  myself  upon  the  victory  that  was  gained  over  such  formidable  obstacles 
below,  and  felt  a  composure  that  the  network  would  stand  it  safely  now,  as  the  balloon  was  free  in  the  air. 
took  a  northerly  direction,  ascending  rapidly  all  the  while,  until  an  altitude  of  about  a  mile  was  attained,  where  a 
•.t  jisile  was  encountered  which  made  the  balloon  surge  off  in  an  easterly  direction,  swinging  the  car  to  and 
fr...  and  making  the  netwmk  crack  at  every  surge,  which  alarmed  me  about  ra\  personal  safety.  Looking  over 
the  edp-  of  my  ear  at  th-  imiif  n-e  depth  to  the  surface  of  the  earth,  my  heart  began  to  sicken  at  the  idea  of  falling 
that  immense  distance  with  nothing  but  the  network  and  car  to  rely  on;  and  my  sensations  were  rendered  still 
m..r.  glc«.my  by  the  lowering  appearance  of  the  heavens  in  every  direction,  as  around  and  beneath  the  clouds 
could  be  seen  discharging  torrents  of  rain  and  wind,  with,  a*  I  siippo>. -d.  the  moral  certainty  of  the  balloon's 

2   i 


200  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1844. 

escaping  from  the  network  in  a  very  few  more  surges.  I  could  see  the  valleys  west  of  the  Alleghany  Mountain, 
on  which  the  sun  was  shedding  its  beams  of  light  and  life. 

I  looked  up  at  the  balloon,  and  it  appeared  to  nie  that  the  car  was  receding  from  it  gradually,  by  the  giving 
way  of  the  network,  and  at  this  crisis  an  expedient  flashed  across  my  mind — the  valve-rope  would  bear  the  weight 
of  a  hundred  pounds,  and  the  top  of  the  balloon  was  equally  strong — -my  weight  was  thrown  upon  it  at  once. 
This  necessarily  opened  the  valve  to  its  full  extent,  and  must  soon  bring  the  machine  down  to  the  ground.  The 
velocity  of  the  wind  was  about  fifty  or  sixty  miles  per  hour,  and,  between  this  and  a  rapid  descent,  terra  fa-ma 
was  reached  about  sixteen  miles  east  of  Hollidaysburg.  As  soon  as  practicable  an  anchor  was  thrown  out,  which 
grappled  in  a  fence  and  capsized  it,  when  the  machine  bounded  across  the  field,  where  it  caught  in  the  next  fence, 
but  broke  it,  carrying  with  it  a  fence-rail,  causing  the  car  to  bound  and  rebound  from  the  earth  and  dashing 
headlong  into  a  very  rugged  piece  of  mountain  woodland.  At  this  juncture  I  clasped  several  of  the  net  cords  in 
my  one  arm  and  made  a  spring  overboard  for  a  fence  that  was  intercepting  my  path,  and  unfortunately  for  me,  at 
the  same  time  the  rail  was  loosened  from  the  anchor,  when  the  balloon  rose  with  a  sudden  bound — my  body 
outside  of  the  car — one  foot  fast  in  the  rigging,  and  my  arm  clasping  several  of  the  net  cords.  My  right  hand  was 
still  free,  with  which  I  quickly  grasped  the  valve-rope  which  had  been  tied  to  the  rim  of  the  car,  and  secured  it 
in  my  teeth,  holding  the  valve  open,  when  in  another  moment  I  found  myself  dashed  into  the  top  of  a  high  tree, 
where  I  quickly  grasped  the  limbs,  still  clasping  the  cords  in  my  left  arm.  This  brought  the  balloon  to  for  a 
moment,  when  with  my  right  hand  a  hitch  round  one  of  the  limbs  was  taken  with  the  anchor-rope.  This  was 
followed  by  a  squall  of  wind  which  warned  me  to  release  my  arm-hold  of  the  cords,  one  foot  still  in  the  car,  when, 
to  my  utmost  dismay,  I  found  my  foot  tangled  in  the  rigging.  There  I  was,  holding  on  to  the  top  of  the  tree  with 
a  death  grip — head  down  and  feet  up,  the  balloon  surging  and  drawing  the  top  of  the  tree  which  I  was  holding  to 
in  the  direction  of  the  squall,  only  abating  momentarily  for  a  more  violent  surge  ;  and  I  could  no  longer  keep  the 
valve  open  with  my  teeth,  the  rope  had  become  too  long,  and  I  could  not  take  a  shorter  hold,  in  the  dilemma, 
without  incurring  another  risk — that  of  letting  one  hand  loose  from  the  tree-top ;  but  things  were  growing 
desperate,  and  I  made  a  violent  but  successful  effort  to  loose  my  foot,  at  the  same  time  grasped  the  valve-rope  in 
my  hand,  and  in  another  moment  a  terrible  crash  indicated  the  balloon  was  off — having  broken  the  anchor-rope, 
and  jerked  through  my  hand  the  valve-cord,  burning  it  as  though  a  hot  wire  had  passed  through  it.  and  I  left 
hanging  in  the  top  forks  of  the  tree  where  I  had  fallen. 

As  soon  as  I  had  recovered  a  reasoning  position,  I  looked  upward  and  just  saw  the  balloon  dashing  furiously 
off  and  upward  into  a  dense  black  cloud,  some  distance  to  the  north-east.  In  referring  to  my  machinery,  I  found 
that  I  had  taken  unnecessary  alarm ;  the  cracking  noise  of  th«  network  must  have  arisen  from  the  surging  motion 
of  the  balloon,  for  the  network  had  gone  through  double  the  force  since  landing,  and  not  torn  off  yet,  proving  that 
it  was  all-sufficient  to  have  borne  its  load  to  its  destination  ;  which  greatly  enhanced  my  chagrin,  since  the  wind 
and  weather  were  so  favourable  to  have  reached  Philadelphia  before  dark.  I  began  to  reproach  myself  with 
unnecessary  fear,  until  I  saw  my  hat,  map,  newspapers,  canvass,  handkerchief,  &c.,  scattered  about  below,  when  I 
began  to  think  it  might  have  been  worse,  though  I  should  never  see  the  "  Vesperus  "  again. 

After  soliloquizing  in  the  tree-top  a  while  upon  the  day's  adventure,  I  thought  it  time  to  come  down,  for  I 
was  near  a  hundred  feet  from  the  ground,  leaving  part  of  the  anchor-rope  dangling  in  its  top,  as  a  port  of  entry  for 
the  next  aerial  traveller  who  may  chance  to  land  there. 

Within  a  few  weeks  afterwards  I  learned  that  the  "  Vesperus  "  had  landed,  the  same  day  of  her  departure 
from  Hollidaysburgh,  at  half-past  six  o'clock,  on  Mr.  Van  Valkenburg's  field  in  the  Catskill  Mountains  in  the  Stato 
of  New  York.  I  repaired  thither  and  recovered  the  balloon.  The  persons  in  the  neighbourhood  were  much 
astonished  at  its  arrival,  and  it  was  under  considerable  apprehension  they  were  induced  to  examine  it.  Mr.  Van 
Valkenburg's  son  was  out  in  the  field  ploughing  round  the  hemlock -stumps  when  the  balloon  was  coming  down, 
and  upon  seeing  it  in  the  air  thought  it  was  an  immense  bird  of  prey  pouncing  down  upon  him,  which  alarmed  him 
to  such  a  degree  that  after  he  had. fled  to  the  house  he  was  affected  with  violent  spasms. — The  balloon  was  suffered 
to  roll  and  toss  about  the  hemlock-stumps  for  some  time  before  it  was  secured.  The  next  wonder  to  the  persons 
that  secured  it  was,  the  newspapers  that  had  remained  in  the  car,  they  bearing  the  date  of  the  day  on  which  they 
found  it,  and  Hollidaysburg  was  a  place  they  know  nothing  of,  until  they  looked  over  their  geographies ;  and  then 
its  being  several  hundred  miles  off  over  the  mountains  and  rivers,  puzzled  them  still  more.  The  balloon  was  cut 
in  six  sections  when  I  got  it,  Mr.  Van  Valkenburg  informing  me  that  an  individual  who  had  come  along  that  way, 


A.I..  IM.VJ;.  LATE81   NEWS  FROM  WEST  CHESTER  207 

and  who  professed  to  bo  well  informed  in  Mieh  matter,  cut  it  up  in  that  manner  for  them.     Tho  shrubbery  which 

hut  IM---II  twined  around  tin-  ear  Iwt'oro  it  started,  had  tunml  -ntiivly  Hark,  .-ho\\  in^  that    it  had   Ken  in   .1  high 

Tlio  balloon  had  no  doubt   burst  from  tho  cxpaniiioii  of  the  gas,  which  cauhcd  it  to  come 

down   So   - 

re  I  took  it  away,  nil  these  wonderment*  of  the  people  were  explained  to  them,  aixl  they  cxproMod  a 

1:1 1  .1'  •  ':•  -'. !•    In  liavc     in  exhibit!    U  of  N   '•.    i  ii  •*  •  1  kni'l  in  tin  ii    i»  i'j.lct'"U:  l><  <  •  !.      Ti.U  in  <•  h  u.    Wtt    Bztd  Op    >_  i  n 
and  after  making  a  number  of  trips  with  it,  two  from  the  city  of  Columbia  in  South  ('aiolina,  1  «>ld  it  to  a 
gentleman  of  that  State. 

.Mi  Co.xwell  having  !ni\v  come  forward  publicly,  turned  the  energies  of  his  mind 
to  this  scienc.-,  and,  with  rhaniri.  i Utir  industry,  started  'The  Balloon  or  Aerostatic-  Ma^a/.ine,' 
to  elicit  opinions  and  suggestions  from  any  one,  as  well  as  to  communicate  his  own.  His 
ondertakffig  nn-t  with  tin-  ftpprobation  and  encouragement  of  the  press,  and  his  journal 
appi-aml  occasionally  till  lv 

In  an  ascent  th  Mr.  Charles  (Iiv.-n's  fatln-r,  a  gentleman  eighty-three;  years  of  age, 

was  one  of  the  party. 

I  MI'..  -Mr.  (Jr.  «-M  made  his  second  proposal  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  The  following  an- 
the  notes  of  an  ascent  from  Mr.  Wi>.-'.-  log-book  in  this  year: — 

AEBUL  LOO-BOOK  OF  Firry-FoDKTH  ATMOSPIIERJC  VOYAGE.    BALLOOX  "  BOUGH  AND  KtuDt." 

Wort  Cluxtcr.  Pa.,  Augiut  8th,  1848. 

Four  o'clock  fifteen  minutes,  started  witli  a  southerly  breeze,  at  the  rate  of  twenty-five  miles  per  hour. 

1  ir  o'clock  twenty  minutes,  atmosphere  to  tho  south  and  east  perfectly  clear.  Can  see  Philadelphia  an 
liistiin'tly  now  as  it  has  been  seen  at  oth.-i  tinu •.-  \vh,  n  not  inoro  than  three  miles  off.  The  rain  in  that  direction 
has  cleared  the  atmosphere.  See  some  sails  on  the  Delaware — sun  shining  against  them  gives  them  a  golden  hue 
—vessels  as  .listinot  to  iny  view  as  though  1  were  on  tho  river  bank.  Four  o'clock  thirty-five  minutes,  rumbling 
t'ltii:  fur  north.  Four  o'clock  forty-five  minutes,  crossed  Pennsylvania  railroad. 

[It  may  be  here  observed  tliat  the  balloon  was  sailing  toward*  the  north-east,  and  a  thundcrgust  wa«  moving 
from  tli.'  iiortli-w.-st.  alxnit  fifty  or  sixty  miles  to  the  north-west  of  me — thus  moving  at  right  angles  with  each 
other,  and  the  remarkable  result  of  tho  balloon  meeting  the  storm  at  the  point  of  intersection.] 

i'Ksk,  lost  *\£\n  of  West  Chester.  Came  down  now  within  good  speaking  distance  of  the  earth,  and 
HO  low  tli.it  the  Delaware  vanished  from  view.  Thunder  pealing  louder  now,  but  no  lightning  pern-ptililc. 
Talking  to  the  people  below  as  I  passed  along.  Dogs  barking  at  the  balloon,  and  poultry  dismayed  in  the  barn- 
yards, keeping  an  alarming  clatter.  Distributing  newspapers  to  persons  below,  who  run  and  pick  them  up. 
Balloon  moving  rapidly.  A  man  on  horseback  in  hot  pursuit  "  Come  on,  come  on,  I'll  give  you  the  latest  news 
from  \\<.-st  r  heater."  Several  papers  were  dropped  now.  There,  he  grasps  atone  from  hia  horse.  "  Have  you 
got  it?  "  "  Yes,  fir,"  "  Good-bye,  sir,"  said  J.  "  Come  down,"  says  he. 

o'clock  ten  minutes,  crossed  Schuylkill  above  Norristown— threw  out  ballast  and  ascended  very  high. 
Can  see  all  around  to  a  great  distance.  Phoenixville,  a  little  up  tho  river.  Going  too  much  east  to  reach  Heading, 
i  'oiue  down  again  to  within  good  speaking  distance  of  tho  earth. 

Five  o'clock  twenty  minutes,  near  the  Trappe,  and  over  the  Reading  and  Philadelphia  pike.     Invifci 
from  aU  around  me  to  '•  come  down  ;  "  threw  over  some  newspapers  to  the  people— inquired  if  I  could  get  supper 
tnere-  JO"  «••""  •"     To  cap  the  climax,  ono  of  them  sang  out—"  Come  down,  and  J  unil  give  you.  a 

Hunk  yon,  sii  enough  ;  I  believe  I'll  go  a  little  further." 

Five  o'clock  thirty -fiv,-  minutes,  thundergust  approaching  the  track  of  tho  balloon.  Low  enough  to  hear  th. 
wind  nistlin-  in  the  trees.  A  great  many  persons  following  tho  balloon.  Some  give  up  the  chase ;  others  htrik. 
in  with  fresh  vigour. 

Fiv-  ,.YU  k  forty  five  minutes,  moving  parallel  with  the  Norristown  and  Sumanytown  road.  Storm  and 
balloon  converging  to  tho  same  point— vivid  flashes  of  lightning  were  now  occasionally  to  be  seen  in  the  north. 


208  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1846. 

Five  o'clock  fifty-five  minutes,  a  man  on  a  black  horse  in  hot  pursuit  up  the  road — horse's  head  and  tail  in  a 
straight  line.  The  race  is  beautiful  and  exciting.  He  is  losing  ground  every  jump.  Now  he  holds  up  a  mile 
behind. 

Six  o'clock,  and  moving  over  a  thick  wood.  Here  I  ceased  taking  notes — the  car  was  near  the  tree-tops — 
thick  woods  underneath,  and  a  roaring  thunderstorm  just  ahead.  Already  its  commotion  was  acting  on  the 
balloon,  and  it  would  not  do  to  seek  shelter  among  the  trees  below,  and  yet  the  alternative  was  to  do  that  or  sail 
right  into  the  teeth  of  the  storm,  for  there  was  not  ballast  enough  left  to  ensure  an  ascent  above  it  before  getting 
into  its  midst.  Indeed,  it  required  all  my  ballast  to  keep  above  the  tree-tops  until  the  woods  were  passed,  and 
this  brought  me  right  into  the  thundergust.  A  number  of  persons  were  following  me  from  the  woods  afoot,  but 
they  could  not  keep  pace  with  the  balloon,  falling  back  three-quarters  in  the  mile.  As  soon  as  a  clear  spot  was 
attained  the  anchor  was  thrown  out,  and  the  moment  it  struck  the  ground  a  vivid  flash  of  lightning  hurled  the 
balloon  against  a  tall  oak-tree.  What  appeared  to  me  remarkable  in  this  was  the  absence  of  a  report,  but  the  fire 
flashed  from  my  car  and  flag,  the  latter  hurled  out  of  the  basket  where  it  had  been  stuck  in  the  wicker-work. 
This  flash  reminded  me  of  the  sparks  that  fly  off  from  a  piece  of  white-hot  iron  just  taken  from  the  forge  on  the 
anvil,  and  struck  with  the  blacksmith's  hammer ;  and  the  noise  was  very  similar  to  that  also.  Just  at  this 
moment  a  young  man  was  running  to  my  assistance,  intending  to  catch  hold  of  a  drag-rope  which  I  had  thrown 
out  and  requested  him  to  take  and  make  a  hitch  to  a  tree  with,  of  which  there  were  plenty  around.  But  the  flash 
brought  him  up  suddenly,  and  made  him  stand  aghast,  and  immediately  retire.  The  balloon  was  now  tangled  in 
the  oak-tree,  and  the  smoke  I  had  observed  at  the  time  of  the  flash,  which,  with  the  sulphurous  smell,  had  alarmed 
me,  was  the  gas  issuing  from  the  breaks  it  received  against  the  scragg}'  branches  of  the  tree.  Fortunate  it  was, 
that  there  was  no  escape  of  gas  at  the  time  of  the  electrical  flash,  or  an  explosion  might,  and  would,  in  all 
probability,  have  been  the  result. 

The  persons  who  had  followed  me  from  the  woods,  now  came  up,  and  before  we  could  roll  up  the  balloon, 
the  gas  having  escaped  readily  from  the  breaches  in  it,  we  were  enveloped  in  a  terrible  storm  of  thunder, 
lightning,  and  pouring  rain. 

When  I  returned  to  West  Chester,  arrangements  were  made  for  another  ascension  from  that  place,  on  the 
24th  of  the  same  month,  but  nothing  of  importance  was  elicited  in  its  adventure. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  following  September  I  made  an  ascension  from  the  city  of  Utica,  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  having  received  an  invitation  from  there.  It  was  the  first  ascension  ever  made  from  Utica.  The  '  Daily 
Gazette  '  of  that  place  spoke  of  it  in  the  following  terms :  "  All  who  witnessed  this  ascension,  agree  to  its  being 
one  of  the  most  beautiful,  interesting,  and  sublime  sights  that  can  be  seen.  Its  peculiar  attractiveness,  however, 
cannot  be  described.  There  is  something  in  the  rise  of  any  inanimate  body  in  the  air,  that  always  singularly 
interests  us ;  witness  the  kite  and  ordinary  paper  balloon.  The  philosophy  of  this  feeling  we  do  not  profess  to 
understand ;  perhaps  it  is  the  satisfaction  of  overcoming  the  usual  course  of  nature.  Be  that  as  it  may,  this 
feeling  is  immeasurably  heightened  on  beholding  a  body  of  the  size  of  Mr.  Wise's  balloon,  some  twenty  feet  in 
diameter,  cleaving  its  way  through  the  air  to  the  skies.  Even  without  the  additional  interest  of  a  person  ascending 
with  it,  the  ascension  of  so  large  a  body  would  at  any  time  fix  the  attention  of  a  whole  population  for  hours.  But 
when  there  is  connected  with  it  the  idea  of  a  human  being  carried  by  its  resistless  power  thousands  of  feet  into 
mid-air,  and  suspended  over  the  earth  at  this  dizzy  height,  with  nothing  but  a  slender  willow  basket  between  him 
and  inevitable  destruction,  the  excitement  and  interest  become  almost  painful  by  their  intensity.  No  one  will 
forget  the  sight  till  his  dying  day. 

"  The  ascension  of  Mr.  Wise  was  an  unusually  beautiful  one.  He  rose  from  the  garden  at  an  angle,  moving 
off  north-westwardly,  and  at  the  same  time  rapidly  ascending,  so  that  before  he  had  passed  the  city  limits  he  was 
greatly  above  our  highest  steeples.  Having  gone  perhaps  a  couple  of  miles  in  that  direction,  continually  increasing 
his  distance  from  the  earth,  the  balloon,  taken  by  another  current  of  air,  was  borne:  more  northwardly,  and  for  a 
short  time  seemed  bound  for  Trenton  Falls,  till  an  eastwardly  current  took  it  and  passed  it,  hovering  over  the 
Deerfield  hills,  in  review  of  the  city.  In  less  than  thirty  minutes  this  great  fabric,  which  had  gone  out  of  the 
garden  with  such  a  rush,  having  gradually  diminished  to  a  mere  speck  against  the  clouds,  went  down  out  of  sight 
beyond  the  hills. 

"  Mr.  Wise  says  that,  immediately  on  rising,  the  whole  country  around  was  visible  to  him ;  the  villages,  the 
streams  of  water,  the  fields  and  forests  ;  the  whole  appearing  as  if  scattered  upon  a  vast  plain,  and  like  an  immense 


A.,,  i*|(i.  HOW  TO  r.\rni;i:  Tin:  <  .\>n.i:  nr  \T:I;A  cur/.  209 

-.udeii  of  inde.M -i  iliable  beauty.     He  was  so  much  elated  by  tho  richness  and  beauty  of  the  prospect,  that  ho  could 

in-,'  out  with  enthusiasm,  '  Hurrah  for  old  Oneida!'     His  field  of  vi.-i \tciided  about  thirty  miles 

each  way.    The  south  was  everywhere  full  of  the  evidence*  of  a  fertile  and  thickly-settled  country,  the  distant 
(•earing  like  dots  on  the  surrounding  verdure,  tho  roads  traceable  for  miles  like  yellow  threads,  the 

in  a  thoii-and  places  flashing  in  the  sunlight.    To  use  his  own  expression,  'If  the  felicity  of  heaven  w 

i-.niijiaralile  t<>  tlie  pleasurable  enjoyment  experienced  when  thus  viewing  the  earth  beneath  one.it  is  worth  a 

lifetime'*  d, -\otion  t  .1  it.s  attainment"    Ho  says  that  he  was  surprised  at  the  appearance  of  Uticu,  which  from  his 

ground-view  ho  had  taken  to  be  a  very  regular  place,  but  from  his  elevation,  it  was  tho  most  singular  place  ho  had 

-een.     The  streets  wore  a  perfect  marl,  the  plan  of  tho  city  exhibiting  entire  irregularity  and  its  boundaries 

tiling  several  sharp  points.    To  the  u.  >i  lie  oould  see  part  of  a  lake  (Oneida),  and  along  tho  north  ca.-t,  for  an 

immense  extent,   lay  an  unbroken  wilderness  ('  .Mm  I'.rown's  tract').     Tho  fear  of  getting  into  this  region,  and 

thus  unal.le  to  fulfil  his  engagement  at  the  Garden,  at  eight  o'clock  the  same  evening,  kept  him  from  going 
abo\  -ids,  which  ho  reached  at  one  portion  of  his  vovage. 

••  The  course  of  his  voyage  he  describes  aa  being  something  liko  tho  letter  S.  \Vhon  ho  appeared  to  us 
sailing  along  this  side  of  the  summit  of  the  Deerfield  hills,  he  was,  in  fact,  three  or  four  miles  the  other  side,  and 
the  descent  wo  witnessed  was  made  at  about  that  distance  beyond  tho  top  of  the  hill  where  ho  appeared  to  land. 
Hi-  liLl,.  -t  point  was  made  as  he  was  coming  from  the  north,  eastward  towards  the  railroad.  Ho  then  attained  a 
:  about  five  thousand  feet,  or  nearly  a  mile.  As  he  passed  along  he  could  hear  tho  shouts  from  tho 
farmhouses  below,  l.iit  could  not  di*iingiii*h  persona.  At  the  easternmost  point  of  his  trip,  seeing  a  village 
-in  i,  with  a  convenient  steeple  for  him  to  descend  upon,  ho  discharged  some  of  the  gas  and  commenced 
descending,  but,  as  !><•  thought  probable,  he  came  again  into  the  westerly  current  of  air  which  he  took  on  first 
ascending,  and  \<y  which  he  was  carried  three  or  four  miles,  at  the  height  of  a  few  hundred  feet  only  from  the 
earth.  In  this  way  he  passed  over  a  largo  forest,  and  coming  to  a  suitable  field,  he  throw  out  his  lino  and  drew 
his  balloon  towards  the  ground,  and  finally  catching  hold  of  a  stake  in  the  fence,  made  fast,  forty-fivo  minutes 
from  the  time  he  left  the  Garden,  ten  miles  from  the  city.  Ho  employed  a  couple  of  men  to  tow  him  bick  to  I'tica, 
intending  to  make  hi*  first  landing  in  the  City  Garden,  but  a  stonu  coming  on  when  ho  had  got  within  sight  of  the 
town,  he  discharged  the  gas  and  packed  up  his  balloon." 

In  two  weeks,  another  ascension  was  made  from  Utica  with  about  the  same  success  and  details. 

Our  Government  1*  ing  now  at  war  with  the  Mexican  nation,  and  hostility  between  ihc  two  countries 
growing  stronger  eveiy  day,  it  was  determined  by  our  War  Department  that  the  formidable  Castle  of  San  Juan  de 
I'Hoa  should  lie  reduced.  Various  projects  were  under  consultation  at  Washington  designed  to  such  an  end,  upon 
which  I  thought  it  proper  to  submit  the  following  to  our  government: — 

Easy  Method  of  Capturing  the  Cattle  of  Vera  Cruz. 

The  present  condition  of  the  way  with  Mexico  will  require  our  forces  to  reduce  Vera  Cruz.  And  it  is 
acknowledged  on  all  sides  to  be  an  extraordinarily  well  fortified  point  of  defence,  almost  impregnable  to  the 
common  mode  of  warfare,  and  at  best  cannot  be  taken  in  that  way  without  a  great  sacrifice  of  life  and  ammunition. 
I  will  therefore  suggest  a  plan  to  our  War  Department,  which  will  render  tho  capture  of  the  Castle  of  San  Juan 
de  Ulloa  as  feasible  and  easy  as  the  launching  of  a  frigate. 

Although  the  plan  I  shall  propose  may  seem  novel  to  many,  still  a  brief  detail  of  it,  I  think,  will  satisfy  the 
most  incredulous  of  its  efficiency.  In  the  first  place,  it  will  require  a  balloon  of  common  twilled  muslin,  of  about 
a  hundred  feet  in  diameter.  This  machine,  properly  coated  with  varnish,  will  retain  its  buoyancy  for  many  days 
..i  weeks.  It  will  be  capable,  when  inflated,  to  raise  over  30,000  pounds.  Say  20,000  independent  of  it*  own 
weight,  network,  car,  and  cable.  It  can  be  inflated  in  a  day,  or  less  time  if  necessary.  The  process  of  inflation 
may  be  accomplished  on  land,  or  on  board  a  man-of-war  at  sea,  as  circumstances  may  require.  The  car  to  be 
laden  with  perrussioncd  bombshells  and  torpedoes  to  the  amount  of  18,000  pounds,  which  will  leave  two 
thousand  pounds  for  ballast  and  men.  Thus  it  will  be  ready  to  be  placed  in  a  position  for  deadly  action,  in  a  very 
short  time.  The  cable  by  which  it  is  to  be  manoauvred  may  be  at  least  five  miles  long,  so  that  tho  balloon  at  a 
mile  of  elevation  would  leave  the  vessel,  or  land  position,  which  act  as  the  retaining  point,  out  of  the  reach  of  the 
castle  guns,  and  under  the  cover  of  our  own  batteries.  The  man-of-war  balloon  hovering  a  mile  above  the 
like  a  cloud  of  destruction,  would  be  entirely  out  of  danger  of  tho  enemy's  guns,  since  they  could  not  be  made  to 


210  ASTRA  CASTBA.  A.D.  1846. 

boar  on  an  object  immediately  above  them.  The  position  of  the  balloon  as  to  height,  and  distance  from  the 
retaining  point,  could  be  maintained  by  keeping  a  proper  eye  to  its  ballasting.  As  it  would  become  lightened  by 
the  discharging  of  shells  and  torpedoes,  an  adequate  quantity  of  gas  can  also  be  discharged. 

If  a  gun  from  the  castle  could  bo  ever  made  to  bear  upon  the  war  balloon,  it  would  soon  bo  silenced  by  the 
rapidity,  precision,  and  certainty  with  which  the  deadly  missiles  could  be  showered  down  upon  them. 

With  this  aerial  war-ship  hanging  a  mile  above  the  fort,  supplied  with  a  thousand  percussioned  bombshells, 
the  Castle  of  Vera  Cruz  could  be  taken  without  the  loss  of  a  single  life  to  our  army,  and  at  an  expense  that  would 
be  comparatively  nothing  to  what  it  will  be  to  take  it  by  the  common  mode  of  attack. 

Through  the  medium  of  your  journal  I  woiild  most  respectfully  suggest  this  plan  to  our  Government,  and 
will  tender  my  services  for  its  construction,  and  when  constructed,  will,  if  necessary,  most  cheerfully  undertake  its 

directorship  into  actual  service,  at  a  moment's  warning.  ,, 

lours,  respectfully, 

Lancaster,  Oct.  22nd,  1846.  JOHX  WlSE. 

The  proposition  drew  out  a  great  many  opinions  and  commentaries  upon  the  plan,  one  of  which  we  will 
state,  taken  from  the  '  Philadelphia  Public  Ledger.'  "  The  public  have  been  amused  by  the  many  comments 
upon  Mr.  Wise's  plan  of  taking  San  Juan  de  Ulloa  by  balloons,  lading  them  with  men  and  explosive  bombs,  raise 
them  over  the  devoted  castle,  and  let  the  bombs  fall  upon  it  and  blow  up  by  concussion.  This  new  method  of 
besieging  a  fortress  has  been  discussed  in  every  vein  of  seriousness,  wit,  or  contumely,  as  the  idea  seemed  feasible, 
funny,  or  absurd  to  various  minds.  At  a  recent  party  in  Frankfort,  Ky.,  the  subject  became  a  topic  of  conversation. 
After  a  number  of  persons  had  said  their  say,  pro  and  con,  a  distinguished  wit — an  ex -governor  of  the  State — was 
called  upon  for  his  views  touching  the  same.  With  great  dignity  he  pronounced  the  plan  an  admirable  one,  and 
the  inventor  a  man  of  military  genius ;  but,  he  added,  '  I  think  it  will  be  a  very  troublesome  matter  to  enlist 
volunteers  for  that  service.'  " 

Soon  after  this,  the  following  note  was  addressed  to  the  War  Department : — 

Ex-Governor  Marcy,  Secretary  of  War  of  the  United  States. 
Sm,  Lancaster,  Deo.  10th,  184G. 

You  have  no  doubt  seen,  and  perhaps  somewhat  considered  over  the  plan  and  proposition  I  suggested 
through  the  public  prints,  for  the  reduction  of  the  Castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa  by  balloon.  Were  it  not  for  the 
incredulity  and  prejudice  that  invariably  meet  new  ideas  and  projects,  I  should  from  the  commencement  have 
submitted  it  to  the  War  Department,  for  scrutiny.  But  believing  that  it  would  best  be  tested  by  "  public  opinion  " 
in  bringing  out  serious  objections  to  its  feasibility,  I  chose  the  course  of  having  it  first  analysed  in  the  popular 
crucible.  By  this  course  I  should  be  enabled  to  discover,  what  in  my  first  conceptions  of  the  plan  might  have 
been  overlooked,  and  thereby  save  myself  the  trouble  of  further  urging  its  merits  towards  action,  as  also  any  formal 
application  for  its  consideration  by  the  War  Department. 

So  far  from  any  well-founded  objections  having  as  yet  been  urged  against  its  practicableness,  I  have  some  of 
the  best  minds  in  the  country  to  sustain  the  project.  And  upon  a  mature  and  deliberate  review  of  the  whole 
subject,  in  its  minutest  details,  I  write  to  you  with  a  most  unwavering  conviction  of  not  only  its  practicability, 
but  my  ability  to  give  it  the  desired  effect.  It  will  be  unnecessary  for  me  at  present  to  enter  into  any  detailed 
account  of  the  necessary  requisites  to  its  consummation  ;  but  I  will  state,  that  the  cost  of  outfit,  independent  of  the 
war  projectiles,  would  bo  but  a  trifling  matter,  compared  with  the  magnitude  of  the  work  it  would  be  capable  of 
accomplishing.  As  to  the  objections  that  may  or  can  be  urged  against  its  feasibility,  I  am  ready  to  rebut  them  with 
mathematical  and  philosphical  demonstrations.  Should  the  War  Department  desire  to  have  further  explanations 
of  its  character,  or  to  have  any  objections  to  its  practicability  refuted,  they  will  be  explained  and  met  by  mo  upon 
the  first  intimation  of  such  a  request.  The  novelty,  or  chimericalness  of  its  character,  will,  I  trust,  have  but  little 
weight  upon  the  minds  of  the  intellect  composing  our  Government  in  deterring  them  from  a  fair  and  impartial 
scrutiny  of  a  subject  so  pregnant  with  national  welfare. 

It  has  been  hinted  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  get  men  that  would  act  in  such  an  enterprise. — This  belief  is 
as  unfounded  as  any  other  I  have  yet  urged  against  it.  It  would  require  but  nine  assistants  in  the  bomb-car,  and 
that  number  I  will  guarantee  to  secure  from  our  own  city. 

With  an  earnest  solicitude  for  its  early  consideration,  I  remain  your  fellow  citizen, 

JOHN  W-ISE. 


,-*^s* 


\  ^f.  _  * 


////.    (hl 


'"/  "/•//  .*»««.  AV.  /  /.'  >  V,  //,/YV**: 


A.I..  IM7.  ALBERT  SMITH'S  rn>r  ASCENT.  211 

I -IT. — AlluTt  Smitli  ofiv.-s  two  graphic  accounts  of  liis  ;isn-nts  tliis  ycicr.     Tlio  first  is 

•  lati-.l  . I iily  ."i  ; — 

Tli-  \.  teran  aeronaut,  Mr.  Green,  made  ono  of  the  beat  ascents,  in  his  Nassau  Balloon,  that  has  been 
witeMMd  fur  nomc  years;  taking  with  him  no  lew  than  ten  companions  for  a  journey  through  those  paths  of  air 
with  whi.-h  ho  only  may  be  presumed  to  be  intimately  acquainted. 

The  evening  was  very  fine.  There  was  scarcely  any  wind;  and  what  there  was,  blow,  in  tho  general 
towards  the  east;  but  this  was  hardly  perc<  |>tiU. .  the  leaves  on  the  trees  being  perfectly  still.  A  vast 
number  of  spectators  surrounded  the  Gardens;  and  the  grounds  themselves  wore  crowded  by  holiday-makers,  as 
much  in  .  \| . .  lation  of  witnesi>ing  the  ascent,  as  to  enjoy  the  beautiful  foliage  and  freshness  of  Cremornc.  \\  itliin 
tin-  ring  we  observed  Lord  Adolphus  Fitzclarence,  Mrs.  Milner  Gibson  and  party,  Sir  George  Wombwell,  ('apt. 
T\  i  whitt,  Mr.  Henry  Vill.  K.i.-,  \c. :  and  many  popular  ttrtutes  of  the  day,  including  Mdlle.  Carlotta  Grim',  Mdlle. 
IVtit  Stepliaii.  M.  I'errot,  Mr.  T.  I1.  Cooke.  Mr.  I'.uxton,  and  others. 

-oven  o'clock  the  travellers  took  their  places  in  high  niirth,  tho  car  being  occupied  by  Mr.  Ibbetson,  .Mr. 

Ison  (nf  the  Garrick  Club),  Mr.  .Shirley  l!r..oks,  Mr.  Drew,  Mr.  Morris  Power,  and  Mr.  Green  himself;  whilst, 
"»  ti.  ihe  netting,  some  four  or  five  feet  above  them,  were  perched  Mr.  Albert  Smith  ;  Mr.  .Mm  Lee — a 

gentleman  well  known  in  tho  theatrical  circles;  Mr.  1'.  Thompson,  of  Guy'*  Hospital:  Mr.  Spenser — who 
accompanied  Mi*.  Green  when  poor  Cocking  l«»t  his  life,  and  who  now  liad  the  command  of  tho  "  butterfly-valve." 
which  1  il>un>toa  the  gas;  and  it  friend.  Everything  being  pronounced  "all  right,"  the  word  was  given  to  "cast 

•  •iV."  ami  the  Balloon  rose.     We  will  now  adopt  the  account  of  a  traveller  on  the  occasion  : — 

"  The  first  sensation  experienced  was  not  that  we  were  rising,  but  that  the  balloon  remained  fixed,  whilst 
all  tho  world  below  was  rapidly  falling  away,  until  the  cheers  with  which  they  greeted  our  departure  grow  fainter, 
and  the  cheerers  themselves  began  to  look  like  the  inmates  of  many  sixpenny  Noah's  arks  grouped  upon  a  billiard- 
table— or  perhaps,  rather,  the  distinguished  company  who  are  assembled  round  the  model  Indian  palace  in  tho 
I'ul.lie  Dining-room  at  Hampton  Court.  Then  they  grew  smaller  and  smaller,  and  we  thought  of  tho  Colosseum 
view  ;  until  at  last  the  coup  (fail  got  too  grand  in  its  diminutiveness  to  liken  to  anything. 

"  There  was  but  one  idea,  at  the  same  time,  dominant  in  the  minds  of  everybody.  Was  it  possible  that  the 
Miiall  specks  who  moved  along  the  thread-like  scratches  that  wo  knew  were  streets,  or  scuffled  about  on  carriages, 

•  •videiitly  from  the  mews  of  the  industrious  fleas,  were  fellow-creatures?     Why,  our  hats  would  have  held  millions, 
and  an  emmet  .  ,.uld  have  walked  amongst  them  like  a  Megatherium!     Wo  never  felt  so  humiliated  as  when   «.• 
were  forced  to  admit  that  we  were  of  them — that  we  had  appeared  in  tho  same  contemptible  light  to  other  aerial 
travellers  hundreds  of  times  before. 

"  No  one,  who  has  not  seen  London  from  a  balloon,  can  form  the  weakest  notion  of  its  vast  extent — its 
interminable  suburbs,  stretching  on  and  on,  in  all  directions— its  large  enclosed  fields,  and  gardens,  and  pleasure- 
grounds,  where  none  were  supposed  to  exist,  by  ordinary  passengers.  And  mont  strange  is  the  roar  of  the  eit\ . 
as  it  comes  surging  into  the  welkin,  as  though  tho  whole  metropolis  cheered  you  with  one  voice.  You  would 
imagine  that  mighty  crowds  below  were  huzzaing  you  on  your  way :  and  yet  none  beyond  the  ordinary  passengers 
are  to  be  been.  The  noise  is  as  inexplicable  as  the  murmur  in  the  air  at  hot  summer  noontide. 

"  You  are  not  conscious  of  any  motion ;  neither,  going  with  the  wind,  do  you  perceive  its  slightest  breath  ; 
and  the  only  way  by  which  we  could  tell  we  were  moving  was  by  throwing  bits  of  paper  out.  The  neck  of  tin- 
balloon,  however,  collapses  when  it  is  sinking ;  and  it  is  always  open,  to  allow  the  escape  of  the  gas,  which 
expands  on  reaching  a  more  rarefied  atmonphcre — otherwise  it  would  burst 

"The  new  Houses  of  Parliament  presented  very  interesting  objects — the  entire  pile  having  tho  appearance 
of  a  delicate  card-board  model.  The  steamers  on  the  river  made,  also,  a  very  beautiful  effect,  leaving  two  long 
wings  (if  we  may  so  call  them)  of  foam  behind  them,  similar  to  the  trains  of  a  table  rocket — those  fireworks  which 
riM  like  liinls.  without  sticks;  and  the  rowing-boats  looked  like  caraway-seeds. 

"  The  balloon  did  not  take  a  perfectly  straight  direction,  but  changed  its  line  according  to  the  currents.    Our 

-e  was  over  Chelsea,  the  Penitentiary.  St.  George's  Field-,  S.mthwark,  Hotherhithc,  the  Isle  of  Dogs,  Black  wall. 

I'laiwtow,  then  Hearing  Woolwich,  going  northwards  slightly  to  Barking  Levels  and  Dagenham  Marsh,  again 

keeping  over  the  river,  and  finally  descending  on  Wellington  Level,  near  Rainham,  in  Essex,  opposite  Krith — 

having  crossed  and  recrossed  the  Thames  several  times. 

•'  It  was  curious  to  see  the  four  railways—  the  Blackwall,  Greenwich,  Brighton,  and  Eastern  Counties— all  at 

'_'  I 


212  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1847. 

once,  with  the  specks  of  trains  moving  along  them  in  both  directions.  As  we  passed  Blackvvall,  the  murmur  of 
London  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  until  a  deep  and  almost  awful  silence  reigned.  We  were  then  5200  feet  high. 
The  rich  ground  about  the  river  Lee,  with  the  Limehouse  Cut;  the  Park  at  Greenwich,  the  grounds  and  woods  of 
Charlton,  and  the  vast  expanse  of  the  Essex  marshes,  all  formed  pleasing  objects.  We  had  not  eyes  enough  to 
look  about  us,  nor  tongues  sufficient  to  call  each  other's  attention  to  fresh  points  of  interest.  Here  we  had  some 
champagne — which  appears  to  be  an  indispensable  adjunct  to  a  balloon  voyage — and  then,  whilst  crossing  the 
river,  threw  down  the  empty  bottles.  Their  disappearance,  far  below  us,  had  an  odd  effect. 

"  The  view  of  the  country  is  not  so  interesting  as  that  of  the  metropolis.  Those  who  know  the  prospect 
from  the  top  of  the  Rigi,  in  Switzerland,  have  seen  a  much  finer  bird's-eye  panorama  than  can  be  got  from  a 
balloon.  It  has  simply  a  map-like  appearance — very  like  what  the  view  would  be  coloured,  which  was  the  frontis- 
piece to  Tombleson's  Rhine. 

"  A  spot  having  been  selected  to  descend  upon,  Mr.  Green  threw  out  the  grapnel — a  tolerably  substantial 
affair — and  we  were  ordered  to  '  hold  tight.'  It  was  as  well  that  we  did  so  ;  for  every  time  the  iron  catches  in  the 
ground  the  balloon  is  pulled  up  suddenly,  with  a  shock  that  would  soon  send  anybody  from  his  seat — a  jerk  like 
that  which  occurs  when  fresh  carriages  are  brought  up  to  a  rail  way- train,  but  more  violent.  At  last  it  held  firm, 
and  then  the  car  touched  the  ground,  with  a  bump  that  somewhat  disconcerted  the  passengers,  as  the  occupants  of 
the  hoop,  at  the  same  time,  came  down  upon  their  heads.  But  some  labourers  appeared  from  an  adjacent  farm, 
and,  holding  on,  we  were  soon  enabled  to  get  comfortably  out,  and  stand  once  more  upon  the  ground — which 
belonged  to  Mr.  Blewitt,  of  Rainham. 

"  The  strangest  feeling  of  all,  after  our  imperceptible  journey,  was  to  find  ourselves  on  the  Essex  marshes, 
with  the  shouts  of  Cremorne  still  ringing  in  our  ears.  We  assisted  to  pack  up  the  balloon,  which  goes  into  the  car 
as  a  travelling-case,  and  then  the  question  arose  as  to  the  means  of  return  to  London — for  the  marshes  are  not 
places  where  you  can  call  a  cab  or  wait  for  a  train.  We  had  to  walk  on  to  Rainham — a  good  three  miles — and 
there  at  the  inn  we  found  an  omnibus  and  three  horses. 

"  We  could  see  that  the  rustic  inhabitants  scarcely  looked  upon  us  as  mortals.  They  regarded  us  with  open 
eyes  and  mouths,  and  appeared  disinclined  to  believe  in  the  proffered  hospitality  of  beer,  which  we  offered  them. 
But  after  a  time  their  misgivings  vanished,  and  we  formed  a  merry  party  until  the  horses  were  put  to — which,  at 
Rainham,  is  a  process  occupying  three-quarters  of  an  hour.  At  length,  engaging  a  cart  for  the  balloon,  we  started 
off  for  London,  and  arrived  safely  again  at  the  West-end  about  one  o'clock. 

"  From  the  delight  we  all  experienced,  we  counsel  everybody  to  go  up  in  the  balloon,  and  enjoy  the 
journey — which  they  are  sure  to  do — as  much  as  we  did.  In  spite  of  the  apparent  frightful  fragility  of  cane  and 
network,  nothing  can,  in  reality,  be  more  secure.  Mr.  Green  is  a  steady,  cool-headed  gentleman :  the  stories  of 
pressure  on  the  ears,  intense  cold,  and  the  danger  of  coming  down,  are  all  fictions,  invented  by  those  who  must 
make  '  adventures '  out  of  everything  that  befalls  them ;  and  the  sensation  is  one  of  the  most  novel  that  can  be 
experienced,  and,  at  the  same  time,  deliciously  agreeable.  Indeed,  we  almost  wanted  a  few  perils  to  give  a  little 
excitement  to  the  trip  ;  and  have  some  notion,  if  possible,  of  going  up  the  next  time  at  midnight,  with  fireworks, 
in  a  thunderstorm,  throwing  away  all  the  ballast,  fastening  down  the  valve,  and  seeing  where  the  wind  will 
send  us." 

Albert  Smith's  account  of  his  second  trip,  in  Mr.  Gypson's  balloon,  and  its  perilous 
descent,  is  thus  given  : — 

Since  the  loth  of  October,  1  783,  when  the  daring  Marquis  d'Arlandes  and  M.  Pilatre  de  Rosier  first  trusted 
themselves  to  a  fire-balloon,  there  have  been  few  ascents  made  which  terminated  in  so  nearly  fatal  a  manner  as 
that  from  Vauxhall  Gardens  on  Tuesday  night.  Setting  aside  the  hapless  attempt  of  the  latter  aeronaut  and  his 
companion,  M.  Remain,  whose  balloon  caught  fire  at  an  elevation  of  3000  feet,  and  who  were  dashed  to  earth,  and 
killed  on  the  rabbit-warren  at  Wimereux,  near  Boulogne,  (he  adventure  which  comes  nearest  to  the  one  on 
Tuesday  night  was  that  of  Signor  Carlo  Brioschi,  the  Astronomer  Royal  at  Naples,  and  the  Italian  aeronaut,  Signer 
Andreani.  Trying  to  rise  higher  than  M.  Gay-Lussac  had  done  a  year  or  two  before,  they  got  into  an  atmosphere 
so  rarefied  that  the  balloon  burst.  The  remnants  checked  the  velocity  of  the  descent ;  but  Brioschi  was  so  injured 
that  it  ultimately  brought  him  to  his  grave. 

When  I  stated,  half  in  joke,  a  fortnight  ago,  in  the  account  of  a  trip  in  the  Nassau  Balloon,  written  for  the 


vi,.  1847,  .\i.m:in  >Minr>  an  ONE  \-r.\i  218 

•  111  \   w.,,1  tint,  for  further  excitement,  I  would  next  ascend  at  midnight,  with  fireworks,  without  ballast, 

.111,1  ili.-  \al\e  dosed.  I   littl.'  thought  how  soon  three  of  these  conditions  w.,nl.l  ho  realised— the  fourth  being 

,1  .,ut  in  an  i  ntir.lv  opposite  manner.     Anxious  to  see  a  view  of  London  by  night  from  a  groat  height,  I 

.•.ith  Mr.  (iypwm  for  a  seat  in  hi*  car;  and,  finding  tliat  Mr.  \Viir.l.-ll,  the  proprietor  of  Vuuxhall,  had 

ti\.-,l  tin-  evening  t',,r  Tuesday  last.  I  went  t<>  tin-  Hardens  iilniiit  eleven  o'clock.     Tin-  night  was  uncommonly  close 

Miid  snltiy.  :ind  .scarcely  a  breath  of  wind  was  Mining ;  whiit  there  was  blow  lightly  fmm  tho  south-east  j  and  the 

lightning  was  repeatedly  flashing  about  the  skies,  preluding  the  thimdenitorm  with  which,  our  readers  may 

leinenihcr.  the  metropolis  wan  visited  mi  the  rv.-niiig  in  question. 

I  found  that  two  gentlemen,  besides  the  owner  of  the  balloon,  were  to  be  my  companions— Mr.  Coxwell  and  Mr. 
1'ri.lmoie.     The  hallo,  n  it-.  If  was  a  very  fim-  machine — not  so  large  as  the  Nassau,  hut  higher,  1  should  conceive, 
than  any  of  th.  others  used  for  single  ascents.     It  had  lifted  seven  people  from  tho  ground  just  before  I  got  there, 
and  appeared  in  every  way  calculated  to  make  a  good  ascent. 

fireworks — the  frame  of  which  resembled  a  very  large  skeleton  drum — were  to  bo  hung  some  thirty  or 

I.,  low  it,  and  fired  from  the  car  by  a  fusee — a  most  dangerous  method,  by  tho  way,  as  the  neck  of  the 

halloou  is  I. MI  a  few  feet  overhead.     I  must  confess  that  the  pn Dilutions  gave  mo  some  uneasiness;  there  was  too 

niiicli  confusion — too  much  noise — too  many  suggesting  and  interfering  all  at  once ;  altogether  different  to  the 

tranquil  ami  collected  manner  in  which  .Mr.  (ireen  had  taken  us  up  a  week  or  two  before. 

At  hist,  however,  everything  was  pronounced  ready  to  start     \Ve  took  in  some  "stores"  for  the  trip,  as,  had 

II  ,|iiitc  .lark,  it  was  the  intention  of  .Mr.  <;\p.-,n  to  have  remained  up  all  night;  and  with  six  or  eight  bags 
of  sand  for  ballast,  gave  the  command  to  "  let  go."    The  baud  played  "Off  she  goes!"  tho  View  of  Venice  waa 
lighted  up  with  MIL-  tin- :  the  people  huzzaed,  and  tho  balloon  rose  with  extreme  velocity,  shooting  straight  up  at 

but  turning  round  as  it  ascended.     Tho  first  attempt  to  light  the  match  of  the  fin-works  failed  :  but  it  caught 

!y  at  tho  second,  and  then  they  began  to  shoot  out  cascades  of  coloured  fires,  which  had  a  very  beautiful 
effect,  .in.l  must  have  looked  exceedingly  imposing  from  the  Gardens,  as  they  tinged  the  air  round  us. 

It  is  impossible  to  form  the  feeblest  idea  of  what  the  appearance  of  London  is,  soon  by  night,  from  the 
elevation  we  had  now  attained — as  nearly  as  could  bo  judged  from  the  apparent  breadth  of  the  liver  at  the  bridges, 
al>out  four  thousand  feet.  In  the  obscurity  all  traces  of  houses  or  enclosures  are  lost  sight  of.  I  can  compare  it 

•iiing  eNc  than  floating  over  a  dark  blue  and  boundless  sea,  spangled  with  hundreds  of  thousands  of  stars. 
These  stars  were  the  lamps.  We  could  see  them  stretching  over  the  river  at  the  bridges,  edging  its  hanks,  forming 
squares  and  long  parallel  lines  of  light  in  the  streets,  and  solitary  sparks — further  and  further  apart,  until  they 
were  altogether  lost  in  the  suburbs.  The  effect  was  too  bewildering — too  novel  and  extraoidinary  to  allow  any  of 
us  oven  to  speak  ;  we  could  only  gaze  on  them  in  rapt  and  deep  attention. 

The  fireworks  had  commenced  at  Vauxlmll,  and  we  saw  the  blaze  of  light  about  the  gardens  very  distinctly. 
as  well  as  the  explosions  of  the  rockets;  and  a  flash  of  lightning  now  and  then  illuminated  tho  entile  panorama, 
but  too  transitorily  to  catch  any  of  its  features.  Above  us  the  sky  was  deeply  blue,  studded  with  innumerable 
stars;  in  fact,  above,  below,  and  around,  we  appeared  sailing  through  a  galaxy  of  twinkling  point*  of  light, 
incalculable  and  interminable.  The  impression  made  on  my  mind  in  these  few  minutes  will  never  be  effaced ; 
neither  will  the  scene  by  which  it  was  so  speedily  followed. 

\\e  wen-  still  going  up,  higher  and  higher,  until  the  gentlemen  assured  us  we  had  attained  the  height  of 
7000  feet — nearly  a  mile  and  a  quarter  perpendicular — when  Mr.  Coxwell,  who  had  charge  of  the  valve  line, 
and  was  sitting  ou  the  hoop  of  the  netting  above  us,  informed  Mr.  Gypson  that  the  balloon  was  getting  very  tense, 
from  the  extreme  rarefaction  of  the  external  air  at  the  elevation  we  hod  attained.  An  order  was  immediately  given 
for  him  to  "  ease  lu-r,"  by  allowing  some  of  the  gas  to  escape  by  the  top  valve.  It  may  be  necessary  to  explain 
that  the  top  of  a  balloon  is  furnished  with  what  is  termed  a  "butterfly  valve" — a  eirculart  d»ul>lc-flap  trap, 
opening  duwnuards  hy  a  cord  which  passes  through  the  interior  of  the  balloon,  and  closing  again  with  a  spring 
when  sufficient  gas  has  escaped,  which  it  readily  does  by  reason  of  its  buoyancy.  Mr.  Coxwell  pulled  this  line, 
and  immediately  afterwards  we  heard  a  noicc.  similar  to.  hut  not  so  loud  as,  the  escape  of  spare  steam  in  u 
locomotive:  and  the  l..w-  f  the  balloon  collapse, 1  rapidly,  and  appeared  to  fly  up  into  the  upper  portion 

Mr.  Cypson  cried  out  inim.  diatcly,  "Good  heavens!  what  has  gone?"  lo  which  Mr.  <  oxwell  answered,  "  Th. 
valve  is  gone!  we  are  all  dead  men!"  or  words  to  that  effect;  and  that  same  instant  the  balloon  began  to  fall 
with  appalling  velocity ;  the  immense  mass  of  loose  silk,  surging  and  rustling  frightfully  over  our  heads,  as  it 

2    K    'I 


214  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  J847. 

flapped  to  and  fro,  like  the  sails  of  a  ship  when  tacking,  between  the  network  and  cords  by  which  our  car  was 
slung,  retreating  up  away  from  us  more  and  more  into  the  head  of  the  balloon. 

Two  of  our  party  directly  gave  way  to  exclamations  of  extreme  terror,  in  the  midst  of  which  the  suggestion 
was  made  to  throw  everything  over  that  might  ease  the  balloon.  I  had  two  sandbags  in  my  lap,  which  were  cast 
away  directly,  and  Mr.  Coxwell  lowered  himself  from  the  hoop  into  the  car,  when  we  all  began  to  hunt  about 
amongst  our  feet  for  whatever  we  could  find.  There  were  several  bags  of  ballast,  and  some  bottles  of  wine  or 
brandy,  and  these  were  instantaneously  thrown  away ;  but  no  effect  was  perceptible.  The  wind  still  appeared  to 
be  rushing  up  past  us  at  a  fearful  rate;  and,  to  add  to  the  horror  of  these  few  moments,  we  came  amidst  the 
expiring  discharge  of  the  fireworks,  which  floated  on  the  air ;  so  that  little  bits  of  exploded  cases  and  touch-paper, 
still  incandescent,  attached  themselves  to  the  cordage  of  the  balloon,  and  were  blown  into  sparks.  The  lightning, 
which  so  shortly  merged  into  the  storm  of  Tuesday  night,  was  playing  about  us  uninterruptedly — it  had  done  so 
during  our  ascent — and  the  whole  machine  soon  began  to  oscillate  frightfully.  I  afterwards  gave  a  rude  sketch  of 
our  position  at  this  time  to  one  of  the  gentlemen  connected  with  the  artistic  department  of  this  paper,  and  he  has 
reproduced  it  in  a  graphic  and  faithful  manner  in  tho  accompanying  engraving.*  I  presume  we  must  have  been  at 
this  period  upwards  of  a  mile  from  the  earth ;  but  the  only  way  I  had  of  judging,  was  by  comparing  the 
boundaries  of  familiar  localities  with  what  I  had  before  seen  when  up  with  Mr.  Green. 

"  What  were  your  feelings  at  this  moment  ?  "  is  a  question  that  I  was  asked  scores  of  times  on  Wednesday 
by  friends  who  called  to  hear  about  the  accident ;  and  my  readers  also  may  wish  to  know.  After  the  first  start, 
then,  when  the  valve  gave  way,  I  felt  collected  and  tranquil,  to  a  degree  almost  preternatural;  but  every 
impression,  of  the  most  trivial  kind,  appeared  to  be  made  with  tenfold  intensity.  I  have  still  the  appearance  of 
the  lights  on  the  earth  before  my  eyes,  almost  as  vividly  as  when  I  was  looking  at  them — as  though  their  forms 
had  been  so  forcibly  impressed  on  the  retina  that  they  were  retained  there.  I  could  see  the  fireworks  still  going 
on  at  Vauxhall,  and  I  looked  after  the  river,  in  a  wild  hope  that  we  might  fall  into  it,  when  there  would  still  be 
the  chance  of  a  swim  for  life.  But  this,  as  we  shall  afterwards  see,  must  have  terminated  fatally. 

How  long  we  were  in  descending  I  have  not  the  slightest  idea;  but  two  minutes  must  have  been  the  outside. 
At  one  position  I  threw  away  an  envelope  from  my  pocket,  to  judge,  in  a  vague  manner,  of  our  speed  ;  and  the  rapidity 
with  which  we  left  it  floating  behind  proved  that  our  velocity  was  frightful.  The  parallelograms  of  light,  too, 
formed  by  the  squares,  got  visibly  larger  and  larger,  like  an  image  in  a  phantasmagoria ;  and  the  oscillation  of 
the  balloon  did  not  appear  to  be  so  violent,  although  the  car  was  still  swinging.  I  attribute  our  preservation 
alone  to  the  fact  of  the  upper  netting  of  the  balloon  having  kept  firm,  preserving  the  empty  silk  in  an  umbrella 
shape,  which  acted  as  a  parachute.  We  now  saw  the  houses,  the  roofs  of  which  appeared  advancing  to  meet  us; 
and  the  next  instant,  as  we  dashed  by  their  summits,  the  words  "  Hold  hard ! "  burst  simultaneously  from  all  the 
party.  Calculating  the  distance  as  closely  as  possible,  as  the  car  took  the  ground  on  a  slant,  I  caught  hold  of 
the  hoop,  and  jumped  towards  it,  thus  breaking  the  first  shock,  which,  it  need  scarcely  be  said,  was  very 
violent. 

We  were  all  directly  thrown  out  of  the  car,  along  the  ground,  and  amidst  the  cordage  and  silk  of  the  balloon, 
part  of  which,  I  think,  had  caught  upon  a  scaffold  pole ;  but  it  appeared  to  be  entirely  emptied  of  its  gas.  We 
were  so  entangled  in  the  netting,  having  got  our  arms,  heads,  and  legs  into  the  meshes,  that  at  first  we  could  not 
move ;  and  I  then  saw  that  a  fall  in  the  Thames  would  have  ended  in  certain  death.  There  was  a  large  crowd  of 
people  immediately  about  us,  and  they  assisted  us  out  of  our  embarrassment,  testifying  in  a  very  hearty  and 
impulsive  manner,  their  joy  at  our  extraordinary  escape.  For,  incomprehensible  as  it  now  appears  to  me,  nobody 
was  seriously  hurt.  Torn  clothes,  crushed  hats,  and  a  few  grazes  and  bruises,  were  all  the  evils  that  resulted  from 
a  descent  of  a  mile,  without  gas.  We  found  we  were  in  one  of  the  new  streets — a  very  small  thoroughfare — • 
between  the  Vauxhall  and  Bolgrave  roads,  and  not  above  a  mile  from  the  Gardens,  if  so  much.  As  my  brother 
and  a  great  number  of  friends  were  still  there,  I  was  anxious  to  get  back  before  any  other  account  of  the  occurrence 
reached  them ;  and  tny  three  fellow-travellers  having  the  police  to  aid  them  in  packing  up  the  balloon,  I  availed 
myself  of  a  cab,  kindly  placed  at  my  disposal  by  a  gentleman  who  drove  up  at  the  moment,  and  drove  quickly  back 
to  Vauxhall,  where  I  met  a  friend  at  the  gate  in  great  alarm,  having  just  heard  that  the  balloon  had  fallen,  and 
that  we  were  (of  course)  all  dashed  to  pieces.  Mr.  Gypson  and  the  other  gentlemen  soon  after  arrived,  with  the 


*  See  '  Illustrated  London  News.' 


A.I,.  i*i7.  Tin;  I'F.mi.nrs  I»KSI-I:NT. 


balloon;  ami  th»  cheering  that  greeted  the  return  of  tho  party  thus  providentially  rescued,  wan  far  more  hearty 
linn  that  whi.  h  hud  accompanied  the  ascent. 

Atul  now  a  lew  words  in  conclusion  to  aeronauU  in  general,  as  well  as  the  proprietors  of  alfrtsco  places  of 
amusement.  I  hope  that  no  more  night  ascents  will  be  permitted.  Nothing  is  gained  by  thorn.  If  tho  great 

linn  i*  tin'  view  of  tho  fireworks  in  tho  air,  they  could  be  sent  up  by  themselves,  with  a  pilot  biilloon,  and 
present  an  equally  brilliant  effect  —  possibly  a  superior  one.  Should  they  still  bo  persisted  in,  some  frightful 

nt,  ami  succeeding  inquest,  will  certainly  stop  them,  by  authority. 

The  question  put  t<>  us  by  Mr.  \Vanldl,  just  before  the  ascent,  which  was,  "Gentlemen,  do  you  go  up  by 
your  own  free  will,  and  have  you  confidence  in  the  arrangements?"  almost  inclines  one  to  believe  that  some 
danger  —  it  might  have  been  but  slight  —  was  apprehended.  I  speak  perfectly  disinterestedly.  Tho  accounts 
hitherto  furni.-hi.-tl  of  tin-  night  ascents  have  usually  been  given  by  tho  aeronaut*  themselves  to  tho  reporters;  and, 
therefore,  tho  real  risk  of  the  venture  has  never  been  made  known. 

And  I  would  recommend  Mr.  Gypson  to  have  his  balloon  thoroughly  examined  by  competent  persons  before 

•  in  l>ts  another  ascent.     He  stated,  on  his  return,  that  the  state  of  the  atmosphere  affecting  tho  gas,  produced 

inn.  h  inil"i'  -e.  n  inconvenience;  but  something  must  have  been  mechanically  wrong  in  the  arrangement  of  the 

valve,  or  tho  mere  pulling  of  tho  lino  would  not  have  led  to  a  catastrophe  so  nearly  terminating  in  the  loss  of 

f.nir  lives. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  Mr.  Coxwell  has  published  an  excellent  statement  of  tho  manner  in  which  the 
accident  occurred.  He  says  that  tho  balloon  burst  before  the  valve-lino  was  touched,  the  valve  being  found 
unmoved  upon  subsequently  examining  tho  balloon  ;  and  it  is  also  ascertained  that  ho  remained  on  tho  hoop  until 
the  concussion.  In  other  respects,  his  account  agrees  with  tho  above  ;  the  first  impression  of  all  the  parties  being 

that  the  valve  itself  had  gone. 

ALBERT  SMITH. 

Mr.  (  'cxudl's  account  is  as  follows  :  — 

Various  rumours,  in  addition  to  conflicting  written  statements,  having  boon  circulated  as  to  the  cause  and 
result  of  the  precipitate  descent  of  Mr.  Gypson's  balloon  on  Tuesday  evening,  near  tho  Belgravo-road,  Pimlico,  an 
explanation  of  tho  circumstances  of  the  mishap  may  probably  prove  interesting.  After  rising  from  tho  Gardens 
with  an  ascending  power  calculated  to  ensure  a  clear  start,  and  to  give  full  effect  to  the  firoworks,  which  were 
suspended  by  means  of  a  line  from  the  hoop,  the  balloon  took  a  course  at  first  across  the  river,  in  the  direction  of 
the  new  Houses  of  Parliament.  A  few  seconds  had  scarcely  elapsed,  before  the  first  whiz  and  flash  indicated  the 
combustion  of  the  pyrotechnics. 

•  •  •  •  *  •  •  .        • 

For  an  hour  and  a  half  before  we  started  the  lightning  was  incessant,  which  elicited  from  our  friends  and 
several  of  the  spectators  apprehensions  for  our  safety  ;  and  no  sooner  had  the  fireworks  been  discharged  than  a 
vivid  flash  occurred,  and  for  the  moment  it  appeared  as  if  the  heavens  were  on  fire,  and  that  our  destruction  was 
tin.  Tho  appearance  of  the  regions  above  was  awfully  grand.  Tho  expansion  that  succeeded  was 
immense,  and  we  all  were  convinced  that  the  gas  was  escaping  from  the  neck.  Mr.  Gypson  immediately  took  the 
valve-line,  with  a  view  of  relieving  the  upper  part  of  tho  balloon.  That  operation  was  unfortunately  delayed  a 
few  seconds  too  long  ;  for,  notwithstanding  that  tho  lower  valve  was  fully  open,  the  silk  sustained  a  fracture,  which 
occasioned  us  to  drop  and  hang  a  considerable  distance  under  tho  balloon.  The  responsible,  and,  indeed,  critical 
position  I  filled,  provoked  the  charge  of  my  having  done  something  that  was  uncalled  for;  and  in  consequent  •  <,f 
its  being  groundless  I  state  thus  much.  In  an  instant  the  ballast  was  discharged,  and  tho  line  connecting  the 
lower  valve  to  the  hoop  immediately  cut.  The  silk  then  formed,  as  it  were,  into  a  spacious  and  perfect  parachute, 
and  we  descended  with  gyrations  indicative  of  rapidity  and  also  danger.  Presently  myriads  of  the  gaslights 
which  shono  so  brilliantly  but  a  moment  before,  appeared  to  be  rising  to  us,  and  instantly  the  car  and  the  grouml 
came  into  fearful  collision.  The  spot  where  we  descended  was  close  to  some  unfinished  houses  and  building 
materials  in  tho  Bclgrave-road,  Pimlico,  about  a  mile  from  the  Gardens.  Our  course  having  been  semicircular, 
providentially  we  all  escaped  without  injury,  and  the  balloon  is  but  slightly  damaged.  I  have  no  hesitation 
in  .-tating  that  had  the  valve  lx.cn  opened  sooner  the  accident  would  not  have  happened. 


216  ASTRA  CASTE  A.  A.D.  1847. 

On  the  24th  July,  Mr.  Wise  made  an  ascension  from  Auburn,  in  New  York  State.  He 
says  :— 

Auburn  is  a  flourishing  and  beautiful  town,  situated  about  twenty-five  miles  west  and  a  little  south  of  Syracuse, 
making  it  a  favourable  point  to  reach  Syracuse  from,  by  the  upper  current  which  always  blows  from  west  to  east. 
It  was  a  magnificent  voyage,  and  the  main  part  of  the  journal  is  worth  a  perusal  here,  to  wit : — Up,  up  I  soared, 
almost  perpendicularly,  until  an  altitude  of  at  least  a  mile  and  a  half  was  reached,  when  I  began  to  look  around 
me,  and  then,  great  God ! — yes,  I  made  the  exclamation  again  as  I  was  sitting  with  my  pencil  and  log-book  in 
hand,  riveted  to  the  sight — great  God  !  what  a  scene  of  grandeur !  Oft  have  I  enjoyed  and  revelled  in  the  intel- 
lectual indulgences  of  nature's  luxuries.  Many,  many  beautiful  and  magnificent  scenes  have  I  witnessed,  but 
this  surpasses  all.  Such  were  my  involuntary  exclamations.  I  looked  around  again  and  again,  still  the  reality 
seemed  like  a  splendid  dream — an  enchantment — it  was  too  rich  a  scene  to  be  deprived  of  by  a  short  trip.  After 
I  had  viewed  and  reviewed  the  vast  panoramic  plain,  and  wondered  at  and  admired  the  handiwork  of  the  Cre- 
ator— its  amplitude  and  order,  I  would  try  to  settle  my  mind  down  to  a  cool  and  descriptive  standard,  but 
admiration  and  amazement  had  enchained  my  thoughts  alone  for  nearly  one  hour,  and  ejaculations  flowed  over  the 
glorious  spectacle  beneath  me.  The  vastness  of  the  scene,  extending  nearly  a  hundred  miles  each  way  (the  atmo- 
sphere was  very  transparent),  beautifully  interspersed  with  lakes ;  the  innumerable  villages,  many  of  them  glitter- 
ing with  silvery  domes  and  spires ;  the  tiny  and  tastefully  decorated  prison-house  at  Auburn ;  the  thousands  of 
variegated  grass-plats  ;  the  golden  tinge  of  the  waving  grain-fields ;  the  glossy  surfaces  of  the  lakes  dazzling  in 
the  sunbeams  ;  the  lights  and  shadows  over  the  general  surface  caused  by  a  partly  clouded  sky ;  the  huge  preci- 
pices of  clouds  lying  to  the  east  and  partly  beneath  me  ;  the  wide  mirror-like  surface  of  Lake  Ontario,  with  its 
fringed  southern  border ;  the  cities  in  the  evanescent  distance  decorated  with  brilliant  specks,  with  a  thousand 
other  things,  so  completely  absorbed  my  mind  that  when  I  looked  at  my  watch  I  found  that  I  had  been  aloft  one 
hour  and  ten  minutes. 

Looking  up  at  the  balloon,  I  found  her  discharging  gas  at  the  safety-valve.  Although  but  half-filled  when 
she  left  the  garden  at  Auburn,  the  immense  machine  was  now  full  and  distended  to  the  utmost  tension,  showing 
that  my  altitude  was  over  two  miles.  A  cluster  of  detached  clouds  was  hanging  between  me  and  Syracuse,  some 
distance  off.  Here  I  took  another  observation  of  the  lakes,  and  counted  thirteen  in  view — Lake  Ontario  looked 
like  an  immense  sea,  its  northern  boundary  lost  in  the  distant  heavens.  After  being  aloft  one  hour  and  a  half  I 
found  myself  crossing  Onondaga  Lake,  having  northed  too  much  for  Syracuse,  and  making  direct  for  Liverpool, 
a  village  five  or  six  miles  above  the  latter  place,  near  which  I  made  a  landing,  breaking  the  Oswego  telegraph 
wires  with  the  grappling-iron. 

The  balance  of  the  account  is  best  told  by  the  '  Syracuse  Journal.' 

A  SPECK  IN  THE  HORIZON. 

"  When  Mr.  Wise  had  determined  upon  making  an  ascension  from  Auburn  on  Saturday  he  assured  several  of 
his  Syracuse  friends  that  should  the  weather  prove  favourable  he  would  endeavour  to  pay  them  a  flying  visit,  and 
possibly  take  tea  with  them  on  Saturday  evening.  This  was  thought  a  very  good  joke. 

"  A  few  minutes  before  five  o'clock  Saturday  afternoon,  as  a  number  of  the  more  credulous  were  on  the  '  look 
out,'  they  thought  they  espied  something  far  at  the  south-west  that  might  be  a  balloon.  It  was  no  bigger  than  a 
man's  hand,  to  be  sure,  but  it  moved  '  like  a  thing  of  life '  through  the  vast  expanse,  guiding  itself  majestically 
like  some  proud  '  Lord  of  the  boundless  realm,'  and  gradually  increasing  in  size  as  it  approached.  Ere  long  all 
doubt  was  at  an  end.  The  balloon  and  its  voyager  were  now  fairly  in  view.  It  was  a  glorious,  a  beautiful  sight ! 
and  thousands  in  all  directions  were  wrapped  up  in  its  admiration.  The  course  of  the  balloon  was  to  the  north- 
east, and  it  passed  directly  over  Geddes,  thence  over  Onondaga  Lake  to  Salina,  when  Mr.  Wise  began  to  descend. 
In  lowering  his  ship  a  sub-current  of  air  carried  him  towards  Liverpool ;  and  at  thirty-five  minutes  past  five  o'clock 
he  landed  on  Mr.  Waterbury's  farm,  about  six  miles  from  this  village.  There  he  was  soon  met  by  numerous 
friends,  in  carriages,  from  Syracuse,  who  had  followed  his  course. 

"  In  making  his  descension,  Mr.  Wise  still  kept  the  balloon  inflated,  and  soon  made  his  appearance  in  our 
streets,  seated  comfortably  in  his  car,  ready  for  another  trip  to  the  '  ether  blue.'  A  farmer's  waggon  piloted  the 
aeronaut  and  his  apparatus  through  Salina-street  to  the  Syracuse  House.  Heie,  as  may  readily  be  supposed,  a 


A.I..  1847.  DESCKM    OH    I.AKI!  KIJIi:.  -JI7 

largo  crowd  gathered.  Mr.  Wise  was  evidently  much  pleased  with  the  success  of  his  journey,  and  the  welcome 
ho  ha<l  n-e.-ived.  To  gratify  curiosity,  and  at  the  request  of  niuny,  he  prepared  and  made  an  ascension  from  tin- 
.. IK 'ii  .-[-aee  iii  front  of  the  Syracuse  House  about  seven-and-a-half,  amid  the  shouts  of  the  crowd.  Ho  travel].  .1  a 
short  distance  west,  landing  somowhcro  in  the  vicinity  of  Geddos.  At  half-past  eight  o'clock  he  re-turn 

UM>,  and  nHleeined  the  promise  to  take  tea  with  his  friends." 

My  next  ascension  was  made  from  Buffalo,  and  the  first  successful  one  that  had  ever  been  made  from  that 
place.  ;i>  1  was  informed. 

AERIAL  LOO-BOOK  OF  SIXTY-SECOND  VOYAGE. 

Memoranda.  Bllffillo  City  Morril>  Qardeni  July  81it>  1M7 

Four  P.M.  j.i.-cisely,  started  with  aerial  ship  •  Rough  and  Ready,'  under  ballast  and  brisk  gale  from  the  S.S.\\ .. 

wind  in  \  in-  .it  the  rate  of  a  mile  per  minute.     Started  with  considerable  ascending  power;  but  the  current  wax 

•li.it  in  order  to  make  a  more  perpendicular  rise  thirty  pounds  of  ballast  were  thrown  overboard,  which 

having  lightened  the  vessel,  and  a  strong  gale  blowing  against  it  as  it  rose,  caused  it  to  pitch  and  gyrate  with  a 

motion,  which  turned  the  balloon  about  one-third  round  in  the  network,  and  made  the  valve  parti  v 

unmanageable. 

My  first  observation  was  the  place  I  had  left,  which  was  five  minutes  afterwards.  The  city,  although 
covering  much  territory,  seemed  compressed  into  an  area  of  a  hundred  miles  square.  Lake  Erie  appeared  tapci.  : 
•  •tV  t<>  a  narrow  ragged  pond  on  its  eastern  extremity  ;  then  it  diverged  into  two  narrow  silvery  threads,  which 
••.•unit.  .1  .i-iain  around  a  small'green  plat.  Upon  reflection  I  concluded  this  must  be  the  Grand  Island,  and  immediately 
my  attention  was  drawn  to  a  search  for  Niagara  Falls,  as  I  heard  a  slightly  rushing  noise  of  waterfall.  My  «-y 
noon  rested  upon  it ;  and  after  scanning  it  for  a  few  moments  I  involuntarily  cried  out,  "  Is  that  the  Falls?  "  Ami 
no  won '  1« T,  t  r  it  looked  like  a  cascade,  such  as  we  see  in  pleasure-gardens.  I  was  disappointed;  for  my  iniml 
had  been  bent  upon  a  soliloquy  on  Niagara's  raging  grandeur,  but  it  was  a  bubble  ;  it  looked  too  small. 

Tbe  scenery  of  the  great  panorama  surrounding  it  could  only  absorb  my  mind.  The  little  frothy  bubble  had 
too  much  the  appearance  of  a  foaming  glass  of  London  brown  stout ;  and  it  was  insufficient  of  itself  to  excite  an 
Mi-. i  tayond  that.  It  looks  like  a  little  humbug  when  viewed  from  the  clouds.  The  scenery  around  was  not  10 

ng  as  that  presented  around  Auburn,  and  Syracuse,  and  Utica.     Here  the  country  appeared  dry  when  viewed 

from  Lake  Erie.    A  vast  plain  well  wooded,  with  few  roads  and  less  villages,  it  was  altogether  of  a  barren  cant. 

I  made  a  landing  at  \Yilliainsville,  and  was  within  a  few  feet  of  grappling  into  their  church-steeple,  which 
might  have  caused  serious  consequences  to  it,  at  the  rate  the  balloon  was  moving,  had  it  caught  into  it.  This  is 
distant  from  Buffalo  twelve  miles. 

The  Buffalo  '  Express '  says  of  this  experiment : — "  The  ascension  was  made  under  disadvantageous  circum- 
stances ;  but  so  perfect  and  so  beautiful  was  it  as  to  settle  in  the  minds  of  the  people  of  Buffalo — a  Urge  concourse 
of  whom  honoured  the  occasion  with  their  presence  on  the  outside  of  the  Garden — the  fact  that  this  aeronaut  never 

A  week  after  this  another  ascension  was  made  from  this  place. 

AERIAL  LOO-BOOK  OF  SIXTY-THIRD  VOYAGE. 

Huffulo  City.  Augnit  Cth,  1  s  1 7 

Lett  M..ni>'  Garden  at  precisely  six  minutes  past  four  o'clock  with  the  aerial  ship  'Rough  and  Ready.' 
\\ind  from  the  north.  Walloon  rising  slowly.  Threw  over  some  ballast — men,  women,  and  children  scrambling 
out  of  the  "ay.  A  •  -  nl  U-eam.-  more  rapid.  Rising,  and  moving  along  parallel  with  Main-street — a  little  M 
it.  As  I  rose,  the  current  bore  for  the  lake;  began  to  feel  chilly  upon  the  thoughts  of  a  ducking.  One  mile  out 
on  the  lake,  threw  ,,ut  more  ballast  to  reach  the  great  eastward  current  Got  up  a  mile  and  struck  a  current  at 
the  rate  of  twenty  miles  per  hour  up  the  lake.  This  won't  do;  I  shall  get  out  ten  or  twelve  miles  before  I  can 
reach  it,  and  then  probably  be  blown  into  Canada,  where  I  should  stand  a  chance  of  arrest  for  contraband.  Opened 
valve  and  came  down  within  speaking  distance,  just  over  a  brig  going  into  Buffalo.  "  Ahoy !  what  vessel  ?  " 
"Brig  Eureka,  Captain  Burnell."  "Will  you  lower  a  boat,  Captain,  if  I  come  down?"  "Certainly,  sir,' 
answered  Captain  I'.urnell.  "  The,,  I'll  be  down  presently."  Came  down  with  all  despatch— the  brig  laid  to,  l.ut 
I  got  astern  of  her  several  mil,  s  l,ef,,re  her  boat  was  lowered,  and  by  that  time  my  car  struck  the  wa 

The  balloon  first  rebounded  and  glanced  over  the  water  in  a  ricochet  manner,  until  Miftieicnt  gas  was  <li- 


218  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1848. 

charged  to  sink  the  car  some  depth  in  the  water.  This  retarded  its  progress  up  the  lake,  and  1  found  the  yawl, 
sent  from  the  brig,  was  gaining  on  me.  In  a  half-hour  longer  the  boat  was  alongside,  and  took  me  in  tow.  The 
gas  was  soon  all  discharged  :  and  in  another  half-hour  I  was  safely  aboard  of  the  brig  '  Eureka,'  in  company  with 
the  generous  Captain  Burnell,  who  took  me  into  port  that  evening. 

The  Buffalo  '  Daily  Courier  '  made  the  following  notice  of  the  ascension  : — "  Yesterday  afternoon,  according 
to  previous  announcement,  Mr.  Wise  made  his  sixty-third  ascension  from  Morris'  Garden,  corner  of  Main  and 
Tupper  streets.  Great  interest  was  evinced  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  city  to  see  it.  All  sorts, 
sizes,  and  conditions  of  people  were  assembled  to  witness  his  flight.  We  were  glad  to  see  a  good  number  on  the 
inside  of  the  Garden.  The  outside,  and  indeed  the  adjacent  streets  and  lanes,  were  filled  with  carriages,  and  a  mass 
of  human  beings,  all  anxious  to  see  what  they  could.  After  there  had  been  several  pioneer  balloons  sent  up,  and 
the  curiosity  of  such  as  chose  to  examine  the  principal  one  had  been  satisfied,  Mr.  Wise  prepared  himself  in  the 
car  for  his  lofty  voyage.  About  four  o'clock,  after  some  preliminary  trials,  he  gave  the  word,  '  Let  go,'  and  amid 
the  cheers  and  hurrahs  of  the  enthusiastic  assemblage,  he  floated  off  most  grandly.  The  ease  and  self-possession 
which  he  evinced,  the  confident  air  he  assumed,  showed  to  our  mind  conclusively  that  he  was  master  of  his  pro- 
fession. After  he  was  up  he  went  immediately  over  the  city,  in  the  direction  of  the  lake,  thus  affording  an 
excellent  view  of  the  ascension  to  the  thousands  on  the  housetops,  etc." 

Ascensions  were  made  from  Eochester  and  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  the  same  summer;  both  of  these  trips  were  of 
short  duration,  owing  to  the  proximity  of  the  lakes.  In  the  account  of  the  one  from  Eochester,  the  following,  in 
relation  to  sounds,  occurs  : — There  is  but  one  point  of  peculiarity  in  the  circumstances  of  my  voyage  made  on 
Saturday  the  14th  of  August,  which  is  worthy  of  particular  notice.  I  have  always  noticed  that  certain  sounds, 
produced  at  the  surface  of  the  earth,  have  a  remarkably  peculiar  effect  upon  the  ear  of  the  aeronaut  when  imme- 
diately over  them.  Waterfalls  are  of  this  kind  in  their  noise.  Even  a  common  mill-dam  produces  a  wonderful 
noise  to  one's  ears  when  a  mile  above  it.  The  Genesee  Falls  made  a  noise  to  my  ears,  when  above  them  over  a 
mile,  a  hundred  times  louder  than  did  Niagara  when  I  stood  upon  its  brink. 

I  noticed  the  same  peculiarity,  particularly  in  the  returning  echo  of  my  own  voice,  when  over  Lake  Erie. 
There,  the  sounds  of  voice  from  the  persons  on  board  the  brig  '  Eureka '  were  remarkably  clear  and  distinct  to  my 
ears  when  immediately  over  them,  but  still  not  so  much  so  as  was  the  echo-soivnd  of  my  own  words.  This  appeared 
even  louder  than  the  original  utterance,  and  the  enunciation  quite  as  distinct.  In  the  case  of  the  words  spoken 
from  the  brig  they  became  fainter,  and  very  indistinct,  after  I  got  at  an  angular  position  from  them.  From  this 
it  appears  that  the  occasional  sounds  which  greet  my  ears  so  distinctly  when  sailing  along  at  great  heights  must 
arise  from  points  immediately  underneath  me.  The  same  peculiarity  holds  good  in  vision.  Immediately  below 
one,  objects  appear  very  distinct  but  very  diminished  from  their  real  size,  while  at  a  great  angular  distance  they 
appear  diffused. 

In  my  voyage  from  Auburn  there  appeared  a  very  striking  phenomenon  regarding  vision.  I  noticed  in  the 
account  of  it  the  lucidness  of  the  atmosphere.  But  there  appeared  also  a  looming  up  of  objects  in  the  distance. 
Lake  Erie,  which  was  over  a  hundred  miles  off,  seemed  elevated  ten  or  twelve  degrees  above  the  horizon,  and  yet 
composed  part  of  the  visible  horizon. 

Sound  and  vision  are  propagated  distinctly  in  perpendicular  lines  from  the  earth's  surface  ;• — when  heard  and 
viewed  in  angular  directions  the  resulting  effects  are  diffused  in  both  cases.  This  I  have  also  noticed  in  the  music 
when  ascending.  The  tune  played  by  a  band  of  music  as  I  ascended  perpendicularly  above  them  was  distinct  and 
clear ;  and  when  moving  off  in  a  rapid  horizontal  direction,  it  became  very  diffuse  in  a  short  distance.  The  firing 
of  cannon,  when  it  is  done  immediately  underneath  the  balloon,  agitates  it  violently,  often  with  considerable 
depression  in  its  lower  side ;  but  when  the  firing  is  at  an  angular  distance,  though  much  nearer  than  the  perpendi- 
cular position  just  mentioned,  it  is  not  near  so  perceptible. 

1848. — Mr.  Coxwell  went  to  the  Continent,  and  ascended  from  Brussels,  Antwerp, 
arid  Eberfeld.  At  Berlin  he  showed  the  use  of  shells  for  destructive  purposes.  At  forty  feet 
below  the  car  a  wicker  battery  was  slung ;  to  this  he  descended  by  a  rope  ladder,  dis- 
charged grenades,  or  petards,  and  then  reascended  to  his  companions.  I  much  regret  that 
he  should  not  have  favoured  me  with  fuller  details  of  these  experiments  from  the  accounts  in 


A.K  IM:I.  I  I  COM  MARSEILLES  TO  TURIN  ACROSS  THE  ALP&  219 

tin-  (iernian  papers,  l>iit  his  many  engagements  will  not  now  permit  him  to  do  so.  Among 
tin-  narratives  he  gave  me  vivd  voce  was  one  of  crossing  the  Sleswig-Holstein  frontier  in  this 
year,  when  he  was  shot  at  by  the  German  sentries,  who  took  him  for  a  Danish  spy.  On 
another  occasion  ho  went  from  Berlin  in  tin.-  direction  of  Dantzic,  a  distance  of  170  miles,  in 
three  hours  and  ten  minutes. 

lie  aseeinleil  also  from  Vienna,  Prague,  Breslau,  Leipsic,  Hamburg,  and  nearly  all  the 
chief  towns  of  Germany,  and  did  not  return  to  England  till  1852. 

1849. — The  passage  of  the  Alps  was  effected  this  year  by  M.  Arban,  in  a  balloon  excursion 
from  Marseilles  to  Turin,  a  distance  of  400  miles,  in  eight  hours.  M.  Arban  gives  this  account 
of  it  :— 

"  I  ascended  from  the  Chateau  de  Fleurs  on  Sunday  evening,  the  2nd  instant,  at  half-past  six.  At  eight  I  was 
UVIT  the  wood  at  Esteret,  where  I  ascertained  I  was  at  the  height  of  4000  metres.  The  temperature  of  the  air  was 
cold,  but  dry ;  my  Centigrade  thermometer  marked  four  degrees  below  zero.  The  wind  was  south-west,  and  sent 
mo  over  Nice.  For  nearly  two  hours  I  was  surrounded  by  very  dense  clouds ;  my  cloak  no  longer  sufficed  to  keep 
mo  warm ;  I  suffered  much  from  cold  feet  I  nevertheless  determined  to  proceed  and  traverse  the  Alps,  from 
which  1  knew  I  was  not  far  distant. 

"  My  provision  of  ballast  was  enough  to  raise  me  above  the  highest  peaks.  The  cold  gradually  increased ; 
the  wind  became  steady ;  and  the  moon  lighted  me  like  the  sun.  I  was  at  the  foot  of  the  Alps ;  the  snows,  cas- 
cades, rivers,  all  were  sparkling ;  the  ravines  and  rocks  produced  masses  of  darkness  which  served  as  shadows  to 
the  gigantic  picture.  The  wind  now  interrupted  the  regularity  of  my  course ;  I  was  occasionally  obliged  to  ascend, 
in  order  to  pass  over  the  peaks.  I  reached  the  summit  of  the  Alps  at  eleven  o'clock ;  and  as  the  horizon  became 
clear,  and  my  course  regular,  I  began  to  think  of  supping.  I  was  now  at  an  elevation  of  4600  metres.  It  was 
indispensably  necessary  for  me  to  pursue  my  journey  and  reach  Piedmont.  Chaos  only  was  under  me;  and  to 
alight  in  these  regions  was  impossible.  After  supper  I  threw  my  empty  bottle  into  the  snow  beneath,  where 
possibly  some  adventurous  traveller  will  one  day  find  it,  and  will  be  led  to  conclude  that  another  before  him  had 
explored  the  same  desert  regions. 

half-past  one  in  the  morning  I  was  over  Mont  Yiso,  which  I  knew,  having  explored  it  in  my  first 
journey  to  Piedmont.  There  the  Durance  and  the  I'o  take  their  source.  I  reconnoitred  their  position,  and  dis- 
covered the  magnificent  plains  of  the  mountain.  Before  this  certainty  a  singular  optical  delusion,  occasioned  by 
the  shining  of  the  moon  upon  the  snow,  made  me  at  first  think  myself  over  the  open  sea.  But  as  the  south-west 
wind  had  not  ceased  to  blow,  I  was  convinced  by  this  fact,  as  well  as  by  others  I  had  noticed,  that  I  could  not 
be  over  the  sea.  The  stars  confirmed  the  accuracy  of  my  compass ;  and  the  appearance  of  Mont  Blanc  satisfied  me 
that  I  must  bo  approaching  Turin.  Mont  Blanc  to  my  left,  on  a  level  with  the  top  of  which  I  was,  being  far  above 
the  clouds,  resembled  an  immense  block  of  crystal,  sparkling  with  a  thousand  fires. 

"  At  a  quarter  to  three  Mont  Viso,  which  was  behind  me,  proved  to  me  that  I  was  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Turin.  I  determined  to  alight,  which  I  did  without  much  difficulty,  having  ballast  enough  to  go  much  farther. 
I  alighted  near  a  largo  farmyard,  where  I  was  surrounded  by  several  watchdogs,  from  whose  caresses  I  was  pro- 
tected liy  my  cloak.  Their  barking  awakened  the  peasants,  who  were  more  surprised  than  frightened  at  seeing 
me.  They  admitted  me  to  their  house ;  informed  me  that  it  was  half-past  two,  and  that  I  was  in  the  village  of  1'ion 
Kortc,  ii.  i!  Suibini.  six  kilometres  from  Turin.  I  passed  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  the  farmhouse;  and  in  the 
morning  the  peasants  accompanied  me  to  the  mayor,  who  delivered  mo  a  certificate,  attesting  my  arrival,  <fec. 
After  packing  up  my  balloon  and  car,  I  set  out  for  Turin,  where  I  arrived  at  nine  in  the  morning." 

In  this  voyage  the  aeronaut  sailed  from  west  to  east,  from  Marseilles  to  Nice,  a  distance  of  about  a  hundred 
miles.  Crossing  the  mountains  at  a  point  where  the  Cottian  Alps  meet  and  form  an  angle  with  the  Maritime  Alps, 
he  was  swept  along  their  eastern  side  in  nearly  a  northern  direction.  Had  he  ascended  higher  ho  would  no  doubt 
have  been  carried  towards  Genoa. 

1850. — Mr.    P>ell   atu-iiiptod  an   improvement   in  the   form   of  the  balloon,  which   he 

2  o 


220  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1851. 

endeavoured  to  propel  by  means  of  screws  and  fans.  Mr.  Poitevin  attracted  150,000  people 
in  Paris,  to  look  at  an  exhibition  of  himself  ascending  on  horseback.  Mr.  Gale  met  with  his 
death  at  Bordeaux  during  an  ascent ;  for,  as  was  sometimes  the  case  with  him,  intoxicating 
liquors  robbed  him  of  the  full  use  of  his  faculties,  which  are  more  than  ever  essential  on  such 
extraordinary  occasions. 

1851. — An  accident  that  befell  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graham,  attracted  particular  attention,  from 
occurring  in  the  metropolis.  After  grazing  the  Great  Exhibition  building,  the  balloon  did 
some  damage  to  Colonel  North's  house.  The  following  is  Mrs.  Graham's  account,  whilst  still 
suffering  from  the  eifects  of  the  ascent : — 

S(B)  Walworth,  June  17,  1851. 

May  I  beg  to  forward  you  as  correct  an  account  as  possible  respecting  the  ascent  of  the  balloon  from  the 
Hippodrome  yesterday  ?  It  is  well  known  that  the  wind  blew  almost  a  hurricane  at  times  during  the  day ;  so 
much  so  that,  whilst  the  inflation  was  proceeding,  upwards  of  thirty  men,  who  were  holding  on,  were  constantly 
blown  to  various  parts  of  the  circle  by  the  power  of  the  wind  on  the  balloon.  At  such  times  it  is  totally 
impossible  to  ascertain  the  buoyant  power  at  the  time  of  starting  by  the  usual  method  of  weighing.  AMien  we 
arose  the  wind  carried  us  against  a  high  mast  or  pole  in  the  ground,  before  we  had  time  to  cast  out  ballast,  and  a 
long  rent  was  caused  in  the  upper  part  of  the  balloon.  We  cast  out  sand  to  clear  the  trees  in  Kensington  Gardens, 
and  finding  ourselves  approaching  the  Crystal  Palace,  we  gradually  discharged  the  ballast  with  our  hands,  so 
that  no  great  weight  should  fall  in  any  one  spot.  We  succeeded  in  quite  clearing  it,  and  then  made  for  a  descent 
in  the  park,  which  we  effected  on  the  grass,  and  threw  out  the  long  line  of  our  safety-bag  (without  anything 
being  attached)  to  some  men  who  were  running.  Two  of  them  caught  this  line,  and  held  on  for  some  time,  but 
being  dragged  along  by  the  force  of  the  wind  they  let  go,  and  we  directly  rebounded,  the  wind  carrying  us  on  to 
a  house  in  Arlington  Street,  and  from  thence  to  one  in  Park  Place,  where  the  car  rested  between  a  stack  of 
chimneys  and  a  roof,  where  we  remained  until  some  policemen  of  the  C  division  and  some  gentlemen's  servants 
came  to  our  assistance,  and  aided  us  with  ladders  to  descend  through  a  trap-door,  when  two  eminent  medical 
gentlemen  of  the  neighbourhood  promptly  attended,  and  rendered  us  the  most  kindly  aid  professionally  at  such  a 
trying  moment.  Allow  me  to  add  that  the  grapnel-iron  we  never  let  from  the  car,  as  can  be  proved  by  those 
who  assisted  us  on  the  roof,  it  never  having  been  untied  from  the  side  of  the  car,  as  we  were  too  anxious  to 
prevent  any  accident  occurring  to  the  men  who  were  running  after  us.  Neither  did  we  touch  any  part  of  the 
Crystal  Palace.  With  regard  to  any  accidents  that  have  occurred  to  myself  in  my  numerous  ascents,  I  have  only 
confidently  to  declare  that  I  have  met  with  no  more  than  the  most  experienced  aeronaut  of  the  day — all  being 

liable  to  mischances,  particularly  on  such  a  boisterous  day  as  yesterday. 

M.  GRAHAM. 

1852.— Mr.  Coxwell  returned  to  England,  where  he  met  with  a  hearty  welcome. 
A  scientific  balloon  ascent  was  made  this  year  by  Mr.  John  Welsh,  of  the  Kew  Observatory. 
Henry  Mayhew  gives  the  following  account  of  his  experience  of  an  ascent : — 

"  Is  THE  CLOUDS;"  OR,  SOME  ACCOUNT  OF  A  BALLOON'  TRIP  WITH  MK.  GREEN. 

I  am  naturally  a  coward— constitutionally  and  habitually  timid — I  do  not  hesitate  to  confess  it.  The 
literary  temperament  and  sedentary  pursuits  are,  I  believe,  seldom  associated  with  physical  courage.  Fear,  or 
the  ideal  presence  of  prospective  injury,  is  necessarily  an  act  of  the  imagination ;  and  the  sense  of  danger, 
therefore,  closely  connected  with  a  sense  of  the  beautiful  and  the  aesthetic  faculties  in  general.  Your  human 
bulldogs  are  mostly  deficient  in  mental  refinement,  and  perhaps  if  there  be  no  class  of  characters  more  fancyless 
than  the  rest  of  the  world,  they  are  those  who  are  said  to  belong  to  the  "fancy"  My  creed  is  that  all  imaginative 
men  are  cowards  ;  and  that  I  am  one  I  have  at  least  moral  courage  and  honesty  enough  to  acknowledge. 

Then  why  go  up  in  a  balloon  ? 


LA  1853.  IIKNKV    M  \VIII.\\  -    \M  i:.\T.  -'-I 

why?    These  are  times  when  men's  principles  of  action  are  rare  to  be  canvaMed  ;  »o,  to  proven!  the 
imputation  of  any  I',!-.  m,,tive.s,  1  will  make  a  clean  breast  of  it,  and  confess  that  it  wan  merely  "  idle  curio-ity." 
!  !  i. ills  it.  that  took  me  into  tin-  air. 

1  had  seen  tin-  ^reat  metropolis  under  almost  every  aspect.  I  had  dived  into  holes  and  corners  hidden  from 
the  honest  ami  well  t. >-•!<>  iHirti..n  ,,f  the  Cockney  community.  I  had  visited  Jacob's  Island  (the  plague-«pot)  in 
tli,  height  (if  tin-  ch.dera.  win  n,  to  inhale  the  very  air  of  the  place  was  almost  to  breathe  the  breath  of  death. 
I  li  i,l  sought  out  the  haunts  of  beggars  and  thieves,  and  passed  hours  communing  with  them  as  to  their  histories, 
hal.it.-.  natures,  and  impulses.  I  had  teen  the  world  of  London  below  the  surface,  as  it  were,  and  I  had  a  craving 
plate  it  far  above  it — to  behold  tin-  immense  maw  of  vice  and  avarice  and  cunning,  of  noble  aspirations 
mitl  humble  heroism,  blent  into  one  black  spot;  to  take,  as  it  were,  an  angel's  view  of  that  huge  city  where, 
•ps,  there  is  more  virtue  and  more  iniquity,  more  wealth  and  more  want  huddled  together  in  one  vast  heap 
than  in  any  other  part  of  the  earth  ;  to  look  down  upon  the  strange,  incongruous  clump  of  palaces  and  workhouses; 
,  hi nmcys  and  church  steeples,  of  banks  and  prisons,  of  docks  and  hospitals,  of  parka  and  squares,  of 
-  and  alleys — to  look  down  upon  these  as  the  birds  of  the  air  look  down  upon  them,  and  see  the  whole 
dwindle  into  a  heap  of  rul>lii>h  mi  the  green  sward,  a  human  anthill,  as  it  were  ;  to  hear  the  hubbub  of  the 
restless  sea  of  life  be-low,  and  hear  it  like  the  ocean  in  a  shell,  whispering  to  you  of  the  incessant  struggling*!  and 
,-i;  ilium's  of  the  distant  tide — to  swing  in  the  air  far  above  all  the  petty  jealousies  and  heartburnings,  and  small 
ambitions  and  \ain  parade*,  and  feel  for  once  tranquil  as  a  babe  in  a  cot— that  you  were  hardly  of  the  earth,  earthy  ; 
and  to  find,  as  you  drink  in  the  pure  thin  air  above  you,  the  blood  dancing  and  tingling  joyously  through  your 
veins,  and  your  whole  spirit  becoming  etherealised  as,  Jacob-like,  yon  mounted  the  aerial  ladder,  and  beheld  the 
world  beneath  you  fade  and  fade  from  your  sight  like  a  mirage  in  the  desert;  to  feel  yourself  really,  as  you  had 
ideally  in  your  dicams,  floating  through  the  endless  realms  of  bpace,  sailing  among  the  stare  free  OR  "  the  lark  at 
heaven's  gate  :  "  and  to  enjoy  for  a  brief  half-hour  at  least  a  foretaste  of  that  elysian  destiny  which  is  the  hope  of 
all.  To  see,  to  think,  and  to  feel  thus  was  surely  worth  some  little  risk,  and  this  it  was  that  led  me  to  peril  my 
bones  in  the  car  of  a  balloon. 

It  is  true  that  the  aerial  bulls  and  ponies  of  late  had  taken  nearly  all  poetry  from  the  skies,  reducing  the 
ancient  myths  to  the  mere  stage  trikceries  of  an  ethereal  Astley's ;  true  that  the  depraved  rage  for  excitement — 
that  species  of  mental  dram-drinking  which  ever  demands  some  brutal  stimulant — had  given  a  most  vulgar, 
prosaic  character  to  a  voyage  which,  when  stripped  of  its  peril,  is  perhaps  one  of  the  purest  and  most  dignified 
delights  that  the  mind  is  capable  of  enjoying;  still,  quickened  with  a  love  of  my  own  art,  and  heedless  of  any 
-illy  injmtations  of  rivalry  with  quadrupeds  and  mountebanks,  I  gladly  availed  myself  of  a  seat  in  the  car  which 
Mr.  Green  had  set  aside  for  me. 

At  about  a  quarter  to  seven  o'clock,  six  of  us  and  the  "  veteran  aeronaut"  took  our  places  in  the  largo  deep 
wicker-work  basket  of  a  car  attached  to  the  Itoyal  Nassau  Balloon,  while  two  gentlemen  were  seated  immediately 
above  onr  heads,  with  their  backs  resting  against  the  netting  and  their  legs  stretched  across  the  hoop  to  which 
the  cords  of  the  network  are  fastened,  and  from  which  depends  the  car.  There  were  altogether  nine  of  us — a 
complete  set  of  human  pins  for  the  air  to  play  at  skittles  with — and  the  majority,  myself  among  the  number,  no 
sylphs  in  weight.  Above  us  reeled  the  great  gas-bag  like  a  monster  peg-top,  and  all  around  the  car  were  groups 
of  men  holding  to  the  sides  of  the  basket,  while  the  huge  iron  weights  were  handed  out  and  replaced  by  largo 
squabby  bags  of  sand. 

In  the  course  of  about  ten  minutes  all  the  arrangements  for  starting  were  complete;  the  grapnel,  looking 
like  a  bundle  of  largo  iron  fish-hooks,  welded  together,  was  hanging  over  the  side  of  the  car.  The  guide-rope, 
longer  than  St.  Paul's  is  high,  and  done  up  in  a  canvas  bag,  with  only  the  end  hanging  out,  was  dangling  beside 
the  grapnel,  and  wo  were  raised  some  fifty  feet  in  the  air  to  try  the  ascensivo  power  of  the  machine  that  was  to 
bear  ns  through  the  clouds.  Then,  having  been  duly  dragged  down,  the  signal  was  at  length  given  to  fire  the 
cannons,  and  Mr.  t  liven  loosening  the  only  rope  that  bound  us  to  the  Gardens,  we  shot  into  the  air— or  rather 
the  earth  seemed  to  sink  suddenly  down,  as  if  the  spot  of  ground,  with  all  the  spectators  on  it,  and  on  which  wo 
ourselves  had  been  lately  standing,  had  been  constituted  ,'ii  the  same  principle  as  the  Adelphi  stage,  and  admitted 
•  d  at  a  moment's  notice.  The  last  thing  that  I  remember  to  have  seen  distinctly  was  the  flash  of 
the  guns,  and  instantaneously  tin  B  da  multitude  of  upturned  faces  in  tip  -  l>elow,  the  greater  part 

with  their  months  wide  01*11,  and  a  cfci-aux^Je-frue  of  hands  extended  above  them,  all  signalling  farewell  to  us. 

2  a  2 


ASTRA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1852. 

Then,  as  we  swept  rapidly  above  the  trees,  I  could  see  the  roadway  immediately  outside  the  Gardens,  stuck  all 
over  with  rows  of  tiny  people,  looking  like  so  many  black  pins  on  a  cushion,  and  the  hubbub  of  the  voices  below 
was  like  the  sound  of  a  distant  school  let  loose. 

And  here  began  that  peculiar  panoramic  effect  which  is  the  distinguishing  feature  of  a  view  from  a  balloon, 
and  which  arises  from  the  utter  absence  of  all  sense  of  motion  in  the  machine  itself.  The  earth  appeared  literally 
to  consist  of  a  long  series  of  scenes,  which  were  being  continually  drawn  along  under  you,  as  if  it  were  a  diorama 
beheld  flat  upon  the  ground,  and  gave  one  almost  the  notion  that  the  world  was  an  endless  landscape  stretched 
upon  rollers,  which  some  invisible  sprites  were  revolving  for  your  especial  enjoyment. 

Then,  as  we  struck  towards  the  fields  of  Surrey,  and  I  looked  over  the  edge  of  the  car  in  which  I  was 
standing,  holding  on  tight  to  the  thick  rope  descending  from  the  hoop  above,  and  with  the  rim  of  the  wicker-work 
reaching  up  to  my  breast,  the  sight  was  the  most  exquisite  delight  I  ever  experienced.  The  houses  below  looked 
like  the  tiny  wooden  things  out  of  a  child's  box  of  toys,  and  the  streets  like  ruts.  To  peer  straight  down  gave  you 
an  awful  sense  of  the  height  to  which  the  balloon  had  already  risen,  and  yet  there  was  no  idea  of  danger,  for  the 
mind  was  too  much  occupied  with  the  grandeur  and  novelty  of  the  scene  all  around  to  feel  the  least  alarm.  As 
the  balloon  kept  on  ascending,  the  lines  of  buildings  grew  smaller  and  smaller,  till  in  a  few  minutes  the  projections 
seemed  very  much  like  the  prominences  on  the  little  coloured  plaster-models  of  countries.  Then  we  could  see 
the  gas-lights  along  the  different  lines  of  road  start  into  light  one  after  another  all  over  the  earth,  and  presently 
the  ground  seemed  to  be  covered  with  little  miniature  illumination  lamps,  such  as  may  be  seen  resting  on  the 
grass  at  the  edge  of  the  gravel  walks  in  suburban  gardens  of  amusement.  The  river  we  could  see  winding  far 
away,  undulating,  as  it  streamed  along,  like  a  man-of-war's  pennant,  and  glittering  here  and  there  in  the  dusk  like 
grey  steel.  All  round  the  horizon  were  thick  slate-coloured  clouds,  edged  with  the  orange-red  of  the  departed  sun  ; 
and  with  the  tops  of  these  we  seemed  to  be  on  a  level.  So  deep  was  the  dusk  in  the  distance,  that  it  was  difficult 
to  tell  where  the  earth  ended  and  the  sky  began ;  and  in  trying  to  make  out  the  objects  afar  off,  it  seemed  to  be  as 
if  you  were  looking  through  so  much  crape.  The  roads  below  were  now  like  narrow  light-brown  ribbons,  and  the 
bridges  across  the  Thames  almost  like  planks  ;  while  the  tiny  black  barges,  as  they  floated  up  the  river,  appeared 
no  bigger  than  insects.  The  large  green  fields  had  dwindled  down  to  about  the  size  of  kettle-holders,  and  the 
hedges  were  like  strips  of  chenille. 

When  we  were  about  a  mile  above  the  ground  some  of  us  threw  pieces  of  paper  into  the  grey  air,  and  these, 
as  we  rose  and  left  them  below,  fluttered  about  like  butterflies  as  they  fell.  Then  some  of  the  more  noisy  of  the 
crew  struck  a  song ;  while  I  heard  a  dyspeptic  gentleman  immediately  behind  me,  as  I  was  kneeling  down  (for 
there  was  but  one  seat),  and  stretching  my  head  over  the  side  of  the  car,  contemplating  the  world  of  wonder 
below,  confess  to  feeling  a  little  nervous ;  saying  that  he  was  a  man  of  natural  moral  courage,  but  his  body  overcame 
it,  as  he  was  subject  to  fits  of  indigestion,  and  as  a  preventive  to  extreme  nervousness  had  taken  nothing  but 
vegetables  for  dinner  that  day.  And  I  must  confess  myself  that,  poised  up  high  in  the  air,  as  we  were,  with  but 
a  few  slender  cords  to  support  us,  I  could  not  help  thinking  of  the  awful  havoc  there  would  be  if  the  twigs  of  the 
wicker  car  were  to  break  and  the  bottom  give  way. 

On  what  sharp  church-steeple,  thought  I,  should  I  be  spitted  ?  and  as  I  looked  down  the  beauty  of  the  scene 
once  more  took  all  sense  of  fear  from  my  mind,  for  the  earth  now  appeared  concave  with  the  height,  and  seemed 
like  a  huge  black  bowl — as  if  it  were  the  sky  of  the  nether  regions.  The  lights  of  the  villages  scattered  over  the 
scene  were  like  clusters  of  glowworms,  from  the  midst  of  which  you  could  here  and  there  distinguish  the  crimson 
speck  of  some  railway-lamp. 

"  There,  I've  thrown  over  a  letter,  directed  to  my  house,"  said  one  of  the  passengers,  "  telling  'em  we're  all 
safe  up  here  " — and  as  I  stretched  over  the  car  I  saw  the  little  white  fluttering  thing  go  zigzagging  down  the  air 
while  we  still  mounted  the  sky. 

Then  some  of  the  passengers,  who  had  supplied  themselves  with  an  extraordinary  stock  of  courage  previous 
to  starting,  by  means  of  sundry  bottles  of  "  sparkling  champagne,"  which  had  the  effect  of  making  them  more 
noisy  than  agreeable  in  such  a  situation,  must  needs  begin  quarrelling  with  a  rose-water  Captain  in  the  hoop,  as  to 
whether  they  belonged  to  the  "  Snobocracy  "  or  the  "  Nobocracy,"  and  at  one  time  their  words  were  literally 
so  high  that,  could  the  pair  have  got  to  close  quarters,  the  dispute  would  certainly  have  assumed  a  more  serious 
character ;  for,  jammed  tight  together  as  we  were  in  the  car,  the  least  attempt  at  violence  would  certainly  have 
ended  in  discharging  the  whole  human  cargo  into  the  railway-station  below.  But  as  it  was,  it  certainly  did 


Mfe 


LI. li  Hill, 


IDHJiniit 


. 


* 


Co  I' NT  ZAMBECCARTl   It.M.l.oON. 

•  w,ufnAatr  tnkai  up  Hiin/'rir./J^//-.  /// 
//>////  Tt-t>.-ti/i,un  /','t/ff  Kim,.'  but  /nit  hfi\ui4j  tifiif 

hltufit  f,  i  ,/f(  ,>ut  .•aSifr  ///,;>•  //  it.t, ;  -/,,/fd  wifJi  Sirfa/it'iiri/ arti/  the  (  bit/// 
and detrotdft/ r,f,tr  Hvrs/nuti  HI  Jjy/fvu \--:6MitfJ tfisfiuU. in  «'///•  J/,>nr,  .lla/vh  yt'.' 


A.P.  1852.  lir.NKY   MAYIIKWS  ASCKNT.  223 

appear  most  ludicrous  that  two  rational  beings  must  choose  that  place  of  all  others  for  engaging  in  some  paltry 
squabble  as  to  the  vulgar  division  of  tho  human  family  into  "  Nobs  "  and  "  Suobe." 

Silence,  however,  was  soon  restored  by  Mr.  Green  reminding  tho  disputants  that  wo  were  descending  at  a 
rapid  rate,  and  it  was  time  they  began  to  look  out  for  their  safety. 

Tho  dyspeptic  passenger,  who  during  the  dispute  had  evidently  been  suffering  from  another  attack  of 
nervousness,  was  at  length  terrified  beyond  human  endurance  by  the  gentleman  who  was  rather  the  worse  for 
champagne  indulging  in  oven  warmer  language  than  ho  had  yet  given  vent  to. 

in.  r.  y  siik.'  .lon't  swear  up  here,  my  good  man ! "  shivered  out  the  poor  invalid.    "  Wait  till  you  got  down 
below,  if  you  must  swear.    We  are  always  in  the  hands  of  IVovidenoe ;  but,  up  hero,  it  strikes  mo  that  our  lives  are 

literally  liiiirjjiujj  1-y  a  thread." 

Tho  collapsing  of  tho  bottom  part  of  tho  balloon,  to  which  Mr.  Green  here  drew  our  attention  as  evidence  of 
the  rate  at  which  wo  were  descending,  soon  restored  ordor,  and  made  every  ono  anxious  to  attend  to  tho  directions 
nf  the  aeri'irmt.  We  could  now  hear  the  sounds  of  "  Ah  bal-loon! "  again  rising  from  the  ground  and  following  in 
onr  wake,  telling  us  that  at  the  small  villages  on  our  way  tho  people  were  anxiously  looking  for  our  descent  A 
bag  of  ballast  was  intrusted  to  one  of  the  passengers  to  let  fall  at  a  given  signal,  while  Green  himself  stood  with 
j-rapnel  ready  to  loose  immediately  he  came  to  a  fitting  spot.  Presently  the  signal  for  tho  descent  of  tho  ballast 
wan  given,  and  as  it  dropped  it  was  curious  to  watch  it  fall ;  the  earth  had  seemed  almost  at  our  feet  as  the  car 

..ver  the  fields  hut  so  long  wai  tho  heavy  bag  in  getting  to  tho  ground  that,  as  tho  eye  watched  it  fall  and 
full,  the  ininil  wan  fill.il  with  amazement  at  the  height  the  balloon  still  was  in  the  air.  Suddenly  tho  sound  as  of 
a  ;:MII  anii"iin.i-d  that  the  bag  had  struck  the  soil,  and  then  we  were  told  all  to  sit  low  down  in  tho  car  and  hold 
last.  Scarcely  had  we  obeyed  tho  orders  given  than  tho  car  was  suddenly  and  fiercely  jerked  half  round,  and  all 
within  it  thrown  one  on  top  of  another;  immediately  after  this,  bump  went  tho  bottom  of  tho  car  on  the  ground, 
giving  us  so  violent  a  shake  that  it  seemed  as  if  every  limb  in  tho  body  had  been  simultaneously  dislocated.  Now 
the  balloon  j.it.-h.-.l  on  to  its  side,  and  lay  on  the  ground  struggling  with  tho  wind,  and  rolling  about,  heaving  like  a 
huge  whale  in  the  agonies  of  death. 

"  For  Heaven's  sake!  hold  last,"  shouted  Mr.  Green,  aa  wo  were  dashed  up  and  down  in  tho  car,  all  rolling 
one  on  tho  other,  with  each  fresh  lurch  of  tho  giant  machine  stretched  on  the  ground  before  us,  and  from  which  we 
could  hear  the  gas  roaring  from  tho  valve,  like  tho  blast  of  a  furnace. 

••  Si*  -till,  all  of  you,  I  say!"  roared  our  pilot,  as  ho  saw  some  one  endeavouring  to  leave  tho  car. 

Again  we  were  pitched  ri^ht  on  end,  and  tho  bottom  of  tho  car  shifted  into  a  ditch,  the  water  of  which 
bubbled  up  through  the  wicker-work  of  tho  car ;  and  I,  unlucky  wight,  who  was  seated  in  that  part  to  which  tho 
concussions  were  mostly  confined,  soon  began  to  feel  that  I  was  quietly  silting  in  a  pool  of  water. 

To  move,  however,  was  evidently  to  peril  not  only  one's  own  life,  but  that  of  all  tho  other  passengers,  but  still 
no  one  came  to  us ;  for  we  bad  fallen  in  a  swamp,  which  we  afterwards  found  out  was  Pirbright  Common,  situate 
some  half-dozen  miles  from  Guildford. 

Presently,  however,  to  our  great  delight,  some  hundred  drab-smocked  countrymen  appeared,  almost  as  if  by 
magic,  around  the  edges  of  the  car ;  for  some  little  time  they  were  afraid  to  touch,  but  at  last  they  got  a  firm  hold 
of  it,  and  we  were  ono  after  another  extricated  from  our  seats. 

To  toll  the  remainder  of  tho  adventure  would  bo  tame  and  dull :  suffice  it,  after  some  two  hours'  labour,  the 
aerial  machine,  car,  grapnels,  and  all,  was  rolled  and  packed  up  in  a  cart,  and  thus  transported,  an  hour  after 
midnight,  to  Guildford ;  the  voyagers  journeying  to  the  same  town  in  a  tilted  cart,  delighted  with  their  trip,  and 
listening  to  tho  many  curious  adventures  of  the  veteran  aeronaut  who  had  successfully  piloted  them  and  some 
hundred  others  through  the  air ;  and  who,  now  that  tho  responsibility  of  their  lives  rested  no  longer  in  his  hands, 
seemed  a  thoroughly  different  man  :  lieforc  he  was  taciturn,  and  almost  irritable  when  spoken  to ;  and  now  he  was 
garrulous,  and  delighting  all  with  his  intelligence,  his  enterprise,  his  enthusiasm,  and  his  courtesy.  Indeed,  long 
shall  we  all  remember  the  pleasant  night  we  passed  with  the  old  ethereal  pilot  on  his  oOUth  ascent  with  the  Royal 
Nassau  Balloon. 

1853. — In  this  year  Mr.  Knight  made  an  ascent,  and  tried  experiments,  at  Bombay. 
1854. — A   pamphlet    appeared,   containing    an    imaginary   conversation    between    an 
aeronaut  and  a  general,  written  with  much  spirit  and  humour,  by  .Mr.  Cuxwcll,  who  hoped 


224  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1857. 

that  balloons  might  be  used  in  the  Crimea.      Several  of  his  letters  appeared  also  in  the 
'  Times.' 

1857. — On  Monday,  June  15,  Mr.  Coxwell  made  an  extraordinary  balloon  voyage  of 
250  miles  in  five  hours. 

This  extraordinary  voyage,  which  is  perhaps  unprecedented  for  speed  and  distance  combined,  commenced 
from  the  Pavilion  Gardens,  North  Woolwich,  and  terminated  about  three  miles  beyond  Tavistock,  in  Devonshire, 
just  on  the  borders  of  Cornwall.  A  day  ascent  was  announced  from  these  beautiful  gardens,  but  the  strong  wind 
which  blew  prevented  the  inflation  until  a  late  hour.  Mr.  Coxwell,  sooner  than  allow  the  visitors  to  be 
disappointed,  volunteered  to  make  a  night  ascent ;  and  at  half-past  eleven  o'clock  the  aeronaut  took  his  seat  in 
the  car,  and  invited  Mr.  J.  Allan,  of  Wellclose  Square,  and  Mr.  Youens  of  Poplar,  to  accompany  him.  The  balloon 
at  this  moment  presented  a  magnificent  spectacle,  as  it  was  surrounded  by  coloured  fires ;  and  it  immediately 
afterwards  took  flight  amidst  huzzas  and  a  salvo  of  garden  artillery.  The  voyagers  traversed  the  southern  portion 
of  the  metropolis,  and  the  view  of  London  by  night  was  most  wonderful  and  beautiful,  and  by  means  of  the  gas- 
lights every  bridge  and  main  street  could  be  traced.  They  crossed  directly  over  Eichmond,  where  the  aeronauts 
came  to  a  consultation  on  the  propriety  of  a  descent,  but  agreed  to  make  a  night  of  it.  At  twelve  the  aeronauts 
were  over  Windsor,  where  they  drank  the  health  of  Her  Majesty  and  sung  "  God  save  the  Queen,"  in  the  most 
novel  and  exciting  situation  it  is  possible  to  imagine. 

About  one  A.M.,  the  famous  aerial  captain  instituted  as  careful  a  survey  as  possible  of  the  country  beneath. 
The  moon,  which  had  now  risen,  assisted  the  search.  The  well-known  sound  of  the  waves  on  the  sea-shore  soon 
caught  the  aeronautic  ear ;  but  Mr.  Coxwell  expressed  a  belief  that  althorjgh  the  balloon  was  approaching  the 
coast,  it  was  only  in  a  skirting  direction — -and  such  appeared  to  bo  the  fact,  as  it  was  afterwards  ascertained  that 
they  were  over  Hampshire.  As  daylight  broke,  the  calculations  were  found  to  be  correct,  the  intrepid  party 
finding  themselves  hugging  the  coast,  and  going  along  at  considerable  speed.  The  river  Exe  was  crossed  over 
Htarcross  Station,  between  Exeter  and  Exmouth,  when  the  sun  just  appeared,  and  the  voyagers  simultaneously 
exclaimed,  "  See  '  the  rosy  morn  tips  the  hills  with  gold,' "  as  in  appearance  it  did  ;  it  was  beautiful  in  the  extreme, 
and  never  to  bo  forgotten.  Dartmoor  was  traversed,  when  Mr.  Coxwell  determined  to  avail  himself  of  the  shelter 
afforded  by  the  hills,  and  descended  in  a  valley,  about  three  miles  from  Tavistock,  where  a  suitable  meadow 
presented  a  good  landing-place. 

It  was  some  time  before  the  particulars  of  the  journey  obtained  credence.  At  Sidmouth  the  alarm-bell  was 
rung  by  the  night  watchman ;  but  before  the  inhabitants  were  astir  the  balloon  was  out  of  sight,  and  the  man 
laughed  at,  until  the  Devonshire  papers  were  published  with  an  account  of  the  voyage.  At  Newton  Abbot  the 
balloon  was  declared  to  be  the  comet ;  but  the  railway-guard  stopped  the  panic,  by  declaring  the  aerial  visitor  to 
be  Mr.  Coxwell's  balloon.  The  aeronauts  walked  to  Tavistock,  and  put  up  at  the  Queen's  Hotel,  where  they  had 
some  difficulty  in  persuading  the  worthy  host,  Mr.  Northway,  that  they  were  in  London  the  night  before. 
After  partaking  of  a  hearty  breakfast,  the  balloon  was  brought  into  the  town,  amidst  the  cheers  and  congratulations 
of  the  major  part  of  the  inhabitants. 

EXPLORATION  OF  AUSTRALIA  BY  BALLOONS. 

1858. — The  following  letter  appeared  in  the  '  Times '  of  January  23  : — 

SIR, 

A  short  time  since  a  paragraph  appeared  in  '  The  Tunes,'  to  the  effect  that  it  was  "  gravely  proposed  in 
Victoria  to  explore  the  interior  of  that  country  through  the  agency  of  balloons." 

As  I  am  the  aeronautic  designer  and  constructor  of  the  balloons  which  were  ordered  in  this  country  by  the 
Honourable  George  Coppin  for  use  in  Australia,  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  state  how  far  the  rumour  of  an 
aerial  voyage  is  correct,  and  in  what  way  a  survey  is  contemplated  of  apparently  so  hazardous  a  nature. 

Firstly.  The  balloons  which  are  now  at  Melbourne  were  never  built  for  the  purpose  of  scientific  experiment 
or  exploration,  but  simply  for  public  amusement.  The  aeronauts,  however,  who  went  out  in  accordance  with  my 
recommendation,  were  particularly  requested  to  make  frequent  meteorological  observations,  both  in  the  higher 
region  and  lower  currents,  especially  with  a  view  of  observing  how  far  it  is  likely  a  balloon  would  be  influenced 


A.D.  1858.  Mi;.  m.\\\  i:i.!>  ri;t  >]'oHTK>N>. 

by  inliiinl  and  return  breezes.  Mr.  ('.  II.  Brown,  a  gentleman  of  acute  observation,  assisted  by  Mr.  Dean,  are 
n<>\v  nuking  the  necesxai  v  iii'iuiiies,  and  from  the  accounts  already  received,  there  appears  to  be  good  grounds  for 
believing  tli.it  certain  i. 'liable  current*  will  facilitate  the  undertaking.  As  a  matter  of  course,  expressly  built 
machines,  of  ample  dimensions,  will  !»•  requisite,  together  with  every  conceivable  appliance,  to  afford  a  retun. 
journey  by  a  diametrically  opposite  wind  to  that  embraced  at  the  outset.  The  party  will  also  be  provided  with 
mi  improved  ami  gigantic  fire-balloon,  in  a  collapsed  state,  which  can  be  inflated  in  the  most  desolate  interior 
locality  without  gas;  a  reserve  expedient,  which,  in  the  event  of  injury  or  exhaustion  to  the  parent  machine,  will 
provide  the  means  for  a  second  trip. 

1  am  a!-,  maturing  a  totally  novel  apparatus,  calculated  to  regulate  the  altitude  of  the  exploring  balloon,  mi 
as  to  avoid  tin-  continual  loss  of  gas  and  power  resulting  from  extreme  variations  in  tho  atmosphere;  and  1  trust 
that  this  contrivance  will  bring  tho  aerial  vehicle  under  a  larger  amount  of  mechanical  control,  and  thereby  prove 
•>  in  advance  towards  real  utility. 

The  expedition  will  IHJ  provided  with  a  photographic  apparatus  to  stamp,  with  truthful  and  indelible  outlines, 
a  series  of  bird's-eye  views,  the  indisputable  correctness  of  which  will  bo  invaluable,  with  written  records  of 
passing  scenes.  Viewing  calmly  the  danger  likely  to  accompany  such  an  attempt,  I  do  not  think  it  can  fairly  bo 
pronounced  greater  than  that  which  attends  an  Arctic  voyage,  or  any  other  which  originates  from  a  desire  to  attain 
ti-eful  knowledge  by  intrepidity  and  ]>er8onal  risk. 

This  may  l>e  the  language  of  enthusiasm,  for  which  the  more  sober  portion  of  mankind  feel  no  sympathy  and 
i.igemcnt.     The  voyage,  however,  will  not  depend  upon  the  public  voice  to  order  tho  liberating  iron 

pulled,  but  upon  the  inspiriting  motive-power  resulting  from  careful  calculations,  in  which  the  odds,  coupled 
with  the  promised  advantages,  are  in  favour  of  the  trial. 

I  remain,  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

T..tu.nluun.J»n  MI.SBT  Coxwm.i.. 

(from  the  'Aerostatic  Magazine.') 

The  following  is  a  brief  outline  of  my  plan,  which  is,  no  doubt,  susceptible  of  improvement.  Operation  the 
first  must  be  the  building  of  a  large  shed,  somewhat  resembling  tho  covering  to  the  ships  in  our  dock-yard*, 
where  the  balloons  could  be  constructed,  inflated,  and  protected  from  the  weather.  I  would  prefer  two  distinct 
balloons  to  one  leviathan  air-ship,  as,  to  a  certain  extent,  tho  balloons  might  be  made  serviceable,  the  one  to  the 
other,  and  in  the  event  of  an  imperfection  or  rupture  in  one,  the  other  might  be  resorted  to ;  and  this  would  be 
rendered  practicable,  as  the  two  would  be  connected  by  a  spar,  although  distinct  in  their  position  and  floatage. 
The  size  of  these  balloons  I  estimate  at  100  feet  in  diameter,  which  would  give,  calculating  for  the  globular 

.  a  surface  of  31,416  square  feet  each  balloon,  and  a  capacity  of  523,590  cubic  feet.  Thus  do  these  few  figures 
clearly  show  the  advantage  of  ample  dimensions,  as  the  yards  of  silk  required  are  infinitely  less  in  proportion  to 
the  capacity,  than  is  the  case  with  ordinary-sized  balloons,  because  tho  surfaces  of  spheres  are  as  the  squares  of 
the  diameter,  whilst  the  contents  are  as  the  cube*.  Over  two-thirds  of  the  exploring  balloons,  outside  and  free 
from  tho  netting,  I  would  employ  a  hood  or  overcoat  of  silk,  so  as  to  keep  off  rain  or  humidity  from  the  gas-bag 
itself,  tho  effects  of  moisture  producing  disagreeable  consequences,  both  to  the  voyagers  and  to  the  balloon.  As 
the  power  of  tolerably  good-burning  gas  of  the  specified  quantity  would  raise  more  than  40,0.00  pounds  weight, 
the  machines  could  take  every  available  requisite,  with  four  persons  in  each  car,  and  two  horses  in  separate  cars 
slung  underneath.  If  pure  hydrogen  were  used,  the  power  would  be  greatly  increased ;  but,  all  things  considered, 
I  should  prefer  coal-gas  generated  expressly,  at  a  specific  gravity  of  about  350. 

It  would  be  well  to  have  the  cars  waterproof,  something  after  tho  fashion  of  a  seaport-car  I  invented  some 
years  since,  which  was  eo  constructed  to  act  as  a  lifeboat  in  case  of  being  driven  out  to  sea. 

Supposing  tho  balloons  to  bo  fully  equipped,  and  the  wind  in  the  desired  point,  two  courses  would  be  open 
to  the  commanding  aeronaut ;  either  a  bold,  reckless  dotdi  for  the  interior,  leaving  it  to  chance,  or  a  return  breeze, 
to  get  back ;  or  else  a  mode  of  procedure  based  upon  reasonable  inferences,  by  which  the  course  of  the  balloon 
oould  be  traced,  and  by  which  tho  aerial  party  could  steer  their  way  back.  This  latter  is  the  plan  I  should 
advise,  "discretion  being  the  U-tter  part  of  valour." 

After  inflating  the  balloons,  it  would  be  advisable  to  connect  them  by  means  of  a  wooden  or  iron  rod,  say 
150  feet  across,  made  in  pieces  like  a  fishing-rod.  Hopes  on  cither  side  would  form  an  additional  security,  and 


226  ASTKA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1858. 

a  special  foot-rope  would  prove  instrumental  for  a  personal  transfer,  if  needed,  in  the  manner  seamen  travel  the 
yards  on  board  a  man-of-war. 

Secondly.  Trail-ropes,  to  restrict  the  altitude  to  about  500  feet,  not  being  objectionable  in  an  uninhabited 
country,  would  prove  immensely  serviceable.  Indeed,  without  some  means  of  confining  the  balloon  to  a  limited 
altitude,  either  by  machinery  to  cause  a  succession  of  ascents  and  descents,  or  by  trail-ropes,  the  horizontal  course 
of  the  balloons  would  be  limited,  probably,  to  twenty-four  hours'  duration  ;  the  variation,  both  in  temperature  and 
in  atmospheric  pressure  on  the  surface  of  the  balloons,  would  otherwise  occasion  a  continued  exhaustion  of  gas ; 
whereas,  by  connecting  the  machine  with  the  earth's  surface,  the  loss  of  power  and  increase  of  weight  at  night, 
or  during  rain,  would  be  counterbalanced  by  an  increased  deposit  of  rope  to  drag ;  and  subsequent  expansion  by 
heat  would  restore  the  balance,  leaving  it  to  disposable  power  or  ballast  to  settle  the  difference. 

Thirdly.  The  most  important  provision  of  all  remains  to  be  considered,  viz.,  how  to  leave  behind,  from  the 
very  place  of  starting,  sure  indication  of  the  course  pursued,  so  that  the  aerial  party  might  steer  homeward  by, 
in  case  they  could  keep  afloat  no  longer,  or  a  searching  party  might  be  directed  by,  if  called  upon  to  look  for  the 
aeronautic  expedition. 

It  appears  to  me  that  the  simplest  and  most  effectual  way  to  accomplish  this  would  be  as  follows  : — 

To  be  provided  with  an  abundant  stock  of  paper  messengers  containing  the  printed  words,  "  The  Balloon 
Way."  At  stated  intervals  of  time,  say  every  half-minute,  it  would  be  the  duty  of  the  Watch  to  cast  out  these 
bills,  which  would  soon  reach  the  ground,  and  would  serve  as  a  clue  to  the  course  taken.  Then,  again,  at  spaces 
of  about  ten  or  twenty  miles,  a  flag  and  staff  might  be  let  down  with  a  waterproof  bag  of  corn  and  provisions  near 
the  pointed  extremity,  which  would  cause  it  to  fall  straight  and  enter  the  soil ;  the  flag  would  prove  a  landmark, 
and  the  provisions  might  accommodate  either  horses  or  wayfarers  out  or  home. 

By  taking  ballast  of  corn  and  hay,  besides  sand,  and  discharging  it  in  bags,  the  balloon  would  be  relieved 
when  requisite,  and  numerous  places  of  refreshment  established,  with  signposts  to  denote  them. 

As  the  country  is  described  to  us  as  "  thickly  wooded,  and  abounding  with  good  natural  pasturage,"  the 
aeronauts  could  plant  their  landmarks  on  high  open  ground,  and  as  an  india-rubber  covering  would  shield  the 
provisions  from  rain,  so  would  it,  perhaps,  from  the  interference  of  animals  in  search  of  food.  A  wire  cage  would 
be  a  useful  addition. 

In  the  pioneer  trip  it  would  be  advisable  not  to  penetrate  too  far,  but  rather  to  return  with  good  tidings,  and 
photographic  views. 

As  we  are  led  to  suspect  the  existence  of  plains  and  open  localities,  the  balloons  could  be  brought  up 
and  moored  if  desirable,  until  the  wind  chopped  round,  as  indicated  by  the  compass,  for  the  homeward 
voyage. 

The  immense  capacity  of  balloons  one  hundred  feet  in  diameter,  just  constructed  of  thick  new  silk,  would 
enable  the  aeronauts  to  anchor  them  in  shady  spots  without  experiencing,  any  considerable  loss  of  power.  I  am 
at  the  present  time  giving  attention  to  a  contrivance  to  supersede,  in  some  measure,  the  use  of  the  trail-ropes,  or, 
at  any  rate,  to  prevent  any  unpleasant  results  in  case  of  these  ropes  breaking.  The  possibility  of  suddenly 
parting  with  a  great  weight,  calls  for  counteracting  machinery,  and  I  trust  I  have  hit  upon  a  plan  by  which  the 
upward  flight  of  the  balloons  would  be  checked. 

If  the  worst  happened,  the  horses  must  be  mounted  and  baited  occasionally  at  the  sign  of  the  flagstaff. 
The  bills  would  point  out  the  route. 

Here,  then,  is  a  short  sketch,  in  which  the  probable  dangers  and  emergencies  are  considered  and 
provided  against. 

BALLOONING    IN   AUSTKALIA. 
(From  the  'Aerostatic  Magazine') 

This  year  will  ever  be  memorable  in  Melbourne  and  Sydney  for  the  first  introduction  of  ballooning  by 
Messrs.  Brown  and  Dean,  the  Aeronauts  from  London.  The  Honourable  George  Coppiu  conceived  the  idea  of 
attracting  public  attention  to  them  at  Cremorno  Gardens,  and  a  goodly  number  of  ascents,  both  by  day  and  by 
night,  have  taken  place  with  great  eclat.  The  following  accounts  from  Australian  papers  will  bo  read  with 
interest : — 

"  We  have  to  acknowledge  our  obligations  to  the  aeronauts  for  the  following  narrative  of  last  night's  voyage 


A.I,,  i  r.vi.i  DOMING  IN   iUSTRAL]  \ 


in  tin-  .in  .     •  •  lui  .tscent  yesterday  evening  from  (  'n  moim-  Caidi-ns  \vitli  tin-  ••  An-imlian  "  Balloon,  was  the  most 

i.-ide,  and  terminated  in  a  manner  m-\.i   l.:-i.-  jn-i-i.mi.lMi.il  |.\  .ii.\  .1.  i.  I...MV     \\.-iiKccnded 

with  a  considerable-  apparatus  of  -  Mispcndid  from  the  car,  which  the  calm  state 

V.I  us  to  display  over  the   heads  of  our  patrons  in  Crcmonie.      \\i-  linvi-ri-d  over  the  garden- 

:  1.-  It-iijiih  i>f  tiiin-.  ami  thi-ii  moved  off  towards  the  Botanical  GardenH,  over  which  we  were  at 

•y  three  minutes  pa.st  ten.     After  following  for  some  tinn-  tin-  meandering*  of  tin-  river  Yarra,  we  met  with 

.1  .1.  .  i'li  -.1  i  -iiiTi-nt  which  carried  us  over  li'ichmond  1'addoek,  Imt  nt  a-vcry  K!OW  rate.     T\MI  •••  w,-  descend)  d,  and 

i>eil  with  the  people  helow,  who  were  very  pressing  in  their  solicitations  f.«r  us  to  descend;  but,  as  there 

were  great  numbers  of  them,  we  were  afraid  the  balloon  would  IHJ  injured,  and  resolved  to  continue  our  course, 

to  as  to  descend  mi  the  ..ppo-it.-  side  i.f  tin-  ]  -omcwhcre  near  Battam's  Swamp.     Our  greatest  allitudo  was 

al«.iit  it  mile  iind  a  half.     At  that  height  the  air  was  quite  warm,  and  we  were  obliged  to  lay  aside  our  greatcoats. 

•  1.  |-..siti..n  .  f  m.-i-tui.-  on  tin-  liitlloon  and  netting  was  BO  great  as  to  oblige  us  almost  continually  to 

throw  out  ballast     The  booming  of  the  fn.w..ik  ut  (  'rcmnrne  was  distinctly  luaid  by  us.  and  the 

•  ik-  pre-i-nt.  d  one  of  the  grandest  sights  imaginable.     The  moon  shone  so  bright  that  wo  could  see  our 

i  ..n  linns  and  watch,  and  even  read  a  newspaper  we  had  with  us  an  well  as  at  noonday.     After  passing  over  the 

i.iil\\.i\  x  _.-ui  and  came  down  gently  near  the  gasworks  at  Battam's  Swamp,  among  a  large  crowd  ;  but  as 

some  person*  in  the  crowd  behaved  rather  rudely.  I  :.  .king  some  of  the  apparatus  and  shaking  the  car  violently. 

•  .ut  ballast,  and   ti.  u  eiidcavoiiied    to   n-tain  the  balloon,  which   reasccnded  to  an  elevation  of 

1500  feet.     In  iea>.  ending,  a  current  brought  tin  back  over  the  railway,  and  we  finally  came  down  at  five  minutes 

past  eleven,  between  Emerald  Hill  and  the  railway.     The  balloon  was  immediately  Mirrounded  by  hundreds  of 

f  whom  seemed  determined  to  have  ns  conveyed  to  Emerald  Hill,  contrary  to  our  desire.     A 

•  in.  ui  in  the  crowd  called  out  with  a  loud  voice,  'Gentlemen,  remember  Collingwood  —  don't  disgrace  Km.  nl.1 

Hill.'     This  had  the  effect  we  desired,  and  when  our  wish  to  return  to  C'remorne  Gardens  was  made  known  four 

!>  and  some,  other  parties  towed  the  inflated  balloon,  with  us  treated  in  the  car,  over  Prince's  Bridge,  along  the 

h'iehmond  and  I'unt  Koads,  through  Swan  Street  and  I'ltinmne  Sti.-et,  and  deposited  us  at  twelve  o'clock  on  the 

identical  t-pot  from  whence  we  bad  ascended  amidst  immense  cheering."—  '  Melbourne  Evening  Mail,'  Man-It  30, 

The  Balloon  Ascent  in  the  Domain. 

large  and  splendid  balloon  which,  under  the  name  of  "  the  Australasian."  has  already  made  numerous 

ssfol  ascents  in  Melbourne,  rose,  with  Messrs.  Brown  and  Dean  in  it«  car,  from  the  Cricket  Ground  in  the 

;  Domain,  yeM-  .moon,  at  five  o'clock.     A  very  large  concourse  of  people  —  amounting  to  upwards  of 

7000  persons,  attracted  by  the  great  novelty  of  the  thing—  were  present  on  the  occasion,  and  hailed  the  entire 

success  of  the  undertaking  with  shouts  of  pleasure  and  approbation.     The  weather  had  been  during  the  day  of  a 

somewhat  uni>ro]>itious  character,  and  the  wind  (which  blew  pretty  smartly  from  the  southward)  was  considered 

by  many  to  be  in  every  way  unfavourable  to  the  enterprise.     In  spite,  however,  of  every  sinister  prediction,  the 

fh-t  balloon  ascent  in  New  South  Wales  was  happily  accomplished. 

tedious  and  difficult  process  of  inflation  took  place  in  an  open  space  nearly  opposite  the  Government 

iiffi.es,  not  far  from  the  gate  of  the  Inner  Domain.     It  was  skilfully  managed  with  gas  laid  on  from  one  of  the 

mains  of  liV-  Au-tiiilian  Gaslight  Company,  and  commenced  at  about  two  o'clock,  in  the  presence  of  numerous 

>t.  is.     After  having  been  continued  for  about  two  hours,  during  which  the  enormous  monster  absorbed 

•'•,000  and  40,000  feet  of  gas,  the  "  Australasian,"  beginning  to  oscillate  somewhat  considerably  from  the 

in-  wind.  wan  carefully  escorted  by  a  numerous  and  eager  number  of  volunteers  to  the  arena  prepared 

for  the  display  of  its  powers.     To  avoid  the  difficulties  inseparable  from  the  road,  the  balloon  was  brought  by  a 

short  cut  across  the  western  corner  of  the  Government  I'addock,  about  one  hundred  yards  below  >ii    b'ichard 

I'.ourke's  Statue,  into  tl  -  n.  where  it  was  temporarily  moored  safely  enough  a  few  minutes  after  four 

o'clock.     About  a  half-hour  afterwards  a  salute  of  four  guns,  fired  from  a  six-pounder  by  some  of  the  corps  of 

ilery,  aim.  ui.i  .  -d  the  arrival  of  his  Excellency  the  Governor-General  and  suite,  who  were  roiidin  -t<  •! 

to  a  handsome  iv-d  with  flags,  and  standing  within  the  spacious  enclosure.     Some  apprehension  waa 

now  i  \<  it.  .1   .n    ac.  ..nut    of  the    wind,    and,    although    held   down    and  kept   steady  as   far  as  possible,   the 

••  Australasian"  swayed  about  a  good  deal.     Mis   Kxcelh  ncy  himself  left  the  tent  provided  for  him,  ami.  having 

honoured  the  balloon  with  a  clot*  and  personal  inspiction,  concurred  in  the  opinion  of  some  other  persons  of 

•1    II 


228  ASTRA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1801. 

high  scientific  attainments,  that  the  inflation  was  quite  sufficient.  After  a  short  delay,  everything  was  promptly 
cast  oft',  and  the  balloon  at  once  rose  steadily  and  majestically  from  the  spot  amidst  loud  and  general  cheering. 
Although  the  wind  was  rather  strong,  not  the  slightest  oscillation  was  perceptible.  The  aeronauts  responded  to 
the  greetings  of  the  crowd  by  waving  their  caps,  throwing  out  bills,  &c.,  becoming  rapidly  less  and  less  distinctly 
visible  as  the  balloon  took  a  northerly  direction.  Having  reached  a  considerable  altitude,  the  balloon  crossed  the 
harbour ;  and,  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  minutes,  was  observed  to  be  slowly  descending  near  the  gulley,  Neutral 
Bay,  a  short  distance  from  Mr.  Severn's  residence. — '  Sydney  Morning  Herald'  Dec.  14,  1853. 

1859. — The  Crystal  Palace  Company  engaged  Mr.  Coxwell's  services  for  ascents  from 
their  gardens. 

1861. — Depuis  Delcourt  thus  wrote  to  Dr.  Pierre  Moreaud,  to  encourage  him  in  the 
successful  experiments  he  was  making  with  regard  to  the  application  of  steam  to  captive 
balloons : — 

SlR,  Paris,  March  2nd,  18G1. 

I  thank  you  for  writing,  and  I  urge  you  to  carry  out  your  project  of  publishing  a  resume,  or  rather  an 
exposition  of  your  system. 

Whilst  waiting  for  the  successful  issue  of  aeronautics,  when  the  fields  of  air  will  be  traversed  with  freedom, 
you  may  demonstrate  what  can  be  actually  done  with  aerostation  even  in  its  present  state. 

Your  method  of  directing  captive  aerostats  appears  to  be  without  a  flaw;  that  is  something!  Their  con- 
struction will  assist  general  locomotion. 

By  experiments  made  on  a  larger  scale  than  those  already  attempted  you  will  force  the  savans  not  yet 
convinced  to  come  and  discuss  the  subject  with  you.  Let  the  public  also  have  knowledge  of  it :  capitalists  will 
appreciate  the  resources  of  your  system  ;  and  when  the  day  shall  have  arrived  for  the  final  experiment  they  will 
not  fail  to  supply  you  with  the  funds. 

The  idea  expressed  sixty  years  ago  by  Thilorier  will  at  length  be  put  in  practice.  His  reasoning  was  just ; 
but  at  that  time  they  had  neither  steam,  electric  telegraph,  nor  many  of  the  other  resources  of  which  you  intend 
to  make  so  judicious  a  use.  The  means  of  application  and  the  realisation  incontestably  belong  to  you. 

As  to  me,  Sir,  who  for  many  years  have  sacrificed  much  to  the  art  of  aerostation,  I  shall  be  happy  if  my 
personal  assistance  can  be  of  use  in  the  work  you  have  so  courageously  undertaken. 

The  best  commencement,  as  I  have  already  told  you,  will  be  to  make  the  first  regular  transport  by  the  aerial 
line  from  Paris  to  St.  Cloud.  Napoleon  III.  likes  great  undertakings,  and  protects  them  as  an  enlightened  man 
and  powerful  monarch,  as  soon  as  they  are  brought  to  his  knowledge. 

Your  idea,  in  thus  rendering  homage  to  him,  would  be  placed  to  a  certain  extent  under  his  patronage. 

Publish  your  book,  Sir,  and  by  this  means  aid  the  spread  and  development  of  the  aerostatic  question. 

Accept  at  all  times  my  devoted  services. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

DEPUIS  DELCOURT. 

1862. — At  the  meeting  of  the  British  Association,  a  Committee  was  formed  for  the 
purpose  of  determining  the  temperature  and  hygrometric  condition  of  the  air  at  different 
elevations  above  the  earth's  surface.  It  consisted  of— 

Colonel  Sykes.  Lord  Wrottesley.  Dr.  Robinson. 

Professor  Airy  Sir  J.  Herschel.  Mr.  Gassiot. 

Sir  D.  Brewster.  Dr.  Lloyd.  Mr.  Glaisher. 

Admiral  Fitzroy.  Dr.  Lee.  Dr.  Tyndall. 

Mr.  Fairbairn.  Dr.  W.  A.  Miller. 

They  secured  the  services  of  Mr.  Coxwell ;  but,  not  having  sufficient  funds  for  the 
construction  of  a  balloon  of  a  suitable  size,  this  aeronaut,  with  true  professional  zeal  and 


A.M.  i  i:\TK.\rr  n:o\i  urn  nsii  vssoriATiovs  m:r<WT. 

liU-nilitv.  declared    hi-   readiness  to  construct  tin-    required  machine   entirely  from   bis  <P\VII 
It  was  completed  by  June;  ;unl  thru  commenced  thr  scientific  ascents  of  .Messrs. 
(ihii.-her  ami  ('"\\vrll.  which  liavr  become  so  memorable.     Tin-  following  is  Mr.  Glaisher's 
nut,  |iulilishr.l  1-y  tin-  rdjiiest  uf  thr  Committee,  I'm-  thr  ei^ht   ascents  in  1802,  extracted 
t'ruiii  thr  •  Urjiurt  nf  thr  I?riti-h  Association.'    There  is  in  addition  a  mass  of  figures,  of  which 
iily  those  for  the  highest  ascent,  on  September  ;"»,  1'roin  Wolverhampton,  when   these 
aeronauts  attained  the  unprecedented  <•!.  \ation  of  seven  miles. 


f  J.  OBJECTS  or  THK  i:\i-i  IUMKM-. 
The  primary  object*  were— 

iiiii,.iti.-ii  ..!  tin-  temperature  of  the  air,  and  its  hj  grometrical  states,  at  different  elevations,  as  high 
M  |.  -    i/. 

The  Mamdary  objects  wen  — 

To  detc-imine  the  temperature  of  the  dew-point  by  Darnell's  dew-point  hygrometer,  by  Itcgnault's  condenhiiij; 
r,  and  by  dry-  and  wet-bulb  thermometers  an  ordinarily  used,  as  well  an  when  under  the  influence  of  thu 
aspirator  ;  HO  th.it  .  le  volumes  of  air  were  made  to  puss  over  both  their  bulbs,  at  different  clevatioiiH,  as 

1.  iji  as  possible,  but  particularly  up  to  those  heights  where  man  may  be  resident,  or  where  troops  may  be  located, 
as  in  tin-  h;_i.  lands  and  plains  in  India,  with  the  view  of  ascertaining  what  confidence  may  be  }>li<  id  in  the  use  of 
thr  dry-  mid  wet-lmlb  thrrmumeters  at  thm>e  elevations,  by  com]iarison  with  the  results  as  found  from  them,  and 
with  those  found  directly  by  Daniell's  and  Itegnault's  hygrometers,  and  to  compare  the  results  as  found  from  the 

•  •meters  together. 

To  compare  the  readings  of  an  aneroid  barometer  with  those  uf  a  mercurial  barometer  up  to  5  miles. 
To  determine  the  electrical  state  of  the  air. 

determine  the  oxygenic  condition  of  the  atmosphere  by  means  of  ozone  papers. 
To  determine  the  time  of  vibration  of  a  magnet  on  the  earth,  and  at  different  distances  from  it. 

•llei  t  itir  at  different  elevations. 
To  note  the  height  and  kind  of  cloud*,  their  density  and  thickness. 

•tniiio  the  rate  and  direction  of  diffeient  currents  in  the  atmosphere,  if  possible. 
To  make  obnervations  on  sound. 
To  note  tttmosplMrioftJ  phenomena  in  general,  and  to  make  general  observations. 

Instruments  and  Apparatus. 

The  instruments  used  were  mercurial  and  aneroid  barometers  ;  dry-  and  wet-bulb  thermometers  ;  Daniell's 
ill  u  point  hygrometer  ;  Regnault's  condemning  hygrometer  ;  maximum  and  minimum  theimometers  ;  a  magnet  fur 
horizontal  vibration  ;  hermetically  sealed  glass  tubes  from  which  air  had  been  exhausted;  ozone  papers;  and  an 
electrometer  lent  by  Prof.  W.  Thomson  of  Gtagow. 

liaromftent.  —  The  mercurial  barometer  employed  in  all  the  accents  was  a  Gay-Lnesac's  siphon  barometer  by 
Mr  I'.  Ai.li.  .  and  is  one  of  those  used  by  Mr.  Welsh  in  the  year  1852  in  his  experiments.  The  inner  diameter  of 
its  tube  is  n-i':,  im-h.  The  graduations  were  made  on  a  brass  scale,  from  its  middle  point  upwards  and  downwards  ; 
each  divifiii'ti  was  alniiit  "-n.'i  inch  in  length,  representing  twice  that  value,  so  that  an  observation  of  either  tin- 
lower  or  ujipi  •  :  tin-  in.-irtiry  would  give  the  approximate  length  of  the  column  of  mercury. 

readings  of  the  upper  i  ml  were  alone  taken,  and  the  corrections  applicable  to  this  end  have  been  applied 

to  all  nli-i-M:itionS. 

barometer  was  furni*hfd  with  its  own  thermometer,  whose  bulb  was  immersed  in  a  tube  of  mercury  of 
the  same  diameter  RH  that  uf  tip  Kii-ir. 

'lliih  in.stnni.  -lines  read  more  than  20'  in  excess  of  that  of  the  sensitive  air-thermometer. 

The  aneroid  barom  mail,  l.y  Messrs.  Negretti  and  Zambra  ;  one  was  graduated  to  i:t  inches,  and  the 

..thcr  to  .'i  incht*—  tin-  l.-itti  -i  instrument  ha\  in-:  I"  •  n  UM  (1  in  the  ascents  on  August  18  and  [September  5,  and  the 
former  on  July  17.  In  I  a  difl'eienee  of  reading  between  the  aneroid  and  mercurial  barometers  on 

•J  n  2 


230  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  18G2. 

July  17  (and  as  both  instruments  were  broken,  it  was  impossible  to  say  which  was  in  error),  and  as  the  correctness 
of  the  siphon  barometer  at  low  readings  is  dependent  upon  the  evenness  of  the  tube,  another  barometer  was  used 
in  addition  on  September  5,  made  by  and  at  the  suggestion  of  Messrs.  Negretti  and  Zambra,  as  follows  : — 

A  tube  6  feet  in  length  was  filled  with  mercury  and  boiled  throughout  its  whole  length  ;  a  glass  cistern  was 
blown  on  the  bottom  of  the  tube,  and  bont  upwards  in  the  form  of  a  siphon ;  a  stopcock  was  placed  between  the 
tube  and  cistern,  and  whilst  the  mercury  filled  the  entire  tube,  a  mark  was  made  on  the  cistern,  at  the  level  of  the 
mercury  in  it,  for  zero ;  the  stopcock  was  then  gradually  opened,  and  the  mercury  allowed  to  descend  one  or  more 
inches.  The  rise  which  consequently  took  place  in  the  cistern  was  carefully  marked  on  the  same  side  as  "  0  " 
(zero) ;  the  stopcock  was  again  opened  and  the  same  operation  was  repeated  until  30  inches  of  mercury  had  left 
the  upper  part  of  the  tube,  and  the  successive  levels  of  the  mercury  in  the  cistern  had  been  accurately  marked. 

In  finally  making  the  barometer,  the  upper  portion  only  of  the  tube  was  used ;  the  cistern  which  had  been  at 
the  end  of  the  lower  portion  was  removed  and  joined  on  the  upper ;  and  in  graduating  the  scale  of  the  barometer, 
the  rise  which  took  place  in  the  cistern  at  every  inch  was  deducted,  and  the  scale  reduced  in  its  entire  length,  by 
the  exact  amount  of  the  rise  of  the  mercury  in  the  cistern.  This  instrument  was  therefore  probably  as  accurate  at 
low  readings  as  at  high. 

'Dry-  and  Wet-Bulb  Thermometers. — Two  pairs  of  dry-  and  wet-bulb  thermometers  were  employed ;  one  pair  as 
ordinarily  used,  their  bulbs  being  protected  from  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun  by  a  double  highly-polished  silver  shade, 
in  the  form  of  a  frustrum  of  a  coue,  open  at  top  and  bottom.  A  cistern  was  fixed  near  to  them,  from  which  water 
was  conveyed  to  the  wet-bulb  thermometer. 

The  bulbs  of  the  second  pair  of  dry-  and  wet-bulb  thermometers  were  enclosed  in  two  silver  tubes  placed 
side  by  side,  and  connected  together  by  a  cross  tube  joining  their  upper  ends,  and  over  both  were  placed  double 
shades  as  in  the  other  pair  of  thermometers.  In  the  left-hand  tube  was  placed  the  dry-bulb,  and  in  the  right-hand 
tube  the  wet-bulb  thermometer.  Towards  the  lower  end  of  the  left-hand  tube  there  was  an  opening ;  l>y  means 
of  the  aspirator  a  current  of  air  was  drawn  in  at  this  aperture,  then  passed  the  dry -bulb  in  its  upward  passage 
into  the  small  horizontal  tube,  and  from  thence  into  the  right-hand  tube,  passing  downwards  over  the  wet-bulb, 
and  away  by  a  flexible  tube  into  the  aspirator.  These  instruments  were  made  by  Messrs.  Negretti  and  Zambra. 

Regnaulfs  Condensing  Hygrometer. — This  instrument  was  made  with  two  thermometers,  as  described  by  liegnault 
in  the  '  Annuaire  Meteorologique  de  la  France'  for  1849,  page  221,  excepting  that  it  was  furnished  with  silver-gilt 
cups.  The  scale  was  of  ivory,  and  the  two  thermometers  were  fixed  in  their  cups  by  means  of  cork,  for  ready 
packing  up.  The  instrument  was  made  by  Messrs.  Negretti  and  Zambra. 

Daniell's  Hygrometer  was  of  the  usual  construction,  by  Messrs.  Negretti  and  Zambra. 

Exhausted  Tubes  for  collecting  Air. — These  tubes  were  partly  constructed  by  Messrs.  Negretti  and  Zambra,  and 
partly  by  Mr.  Casella. 

The  thermometers  employed  in  the  observations  were  exceedingly  sensitive  ;  the  bulbs  were  long  and  cylin- 
drical, being  about  fths  of  an  inch  in  length,  -^tli  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  The  graduations,  extended  to  minus  40°, 
were  all  on  ivory  scales.  These  thermometers,  on  being  removed  from  a  room  heated  20°  above  that  of  an  adjoin- 
ing apartment,  acquired  the  temperature  within  half  a  degree  in  about  10  or  12  seconds;  but  in  passing  from  a 
heated  apartment  to  one  of  a  lower  temperature,  it  took  more  than  double  the  time  to  approximate  to  within  half 
a  degree  of  the  latter.  They  were  so  sensitive  that  scarcely  any  correction  is  required  to  be  applied  to  them  on 
account  of  sluggishness ;  and  this  was  found  to  be  the  case  by  the  very  near  agreement  in  the  temperatures  at  the 
same  height  in  the  ascending  and  descending  curves,  in  those  cases  where  there  was  reason  to  believe  that  there 
had  been  no  change  of  temperature  at  the  same  height,  within  the  interval  between  the  two  series  of  observations. 

§  2.  OBSERVING  ARRANGEMENTS. 

One  end  of  the  car  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Coxwell;  near  the  other,  in  front  of  myself,  was  placed  a  board  or 
table,  the  extremities  of  which  rested  on  the  sides  of  the  car;  upon  this  board  were  placed  suitable  framework  to 
carry  the  several  thermometers,  hygrometers,  magnet,  aneroid  barometer,  &c. ;  a  perforation  through  it  admitted 
the  lower  branch  of  the  mercurial  barometer  to  descend  below,  leaving  the  upper  branch  at  a  .convenient  height 
for  observing.  A  watch  was  set  to  Greenwich  time,  and  placed  directly  opposite  to  myself.  The  central  space  of 
the  table  was  occupied  by  my  note-book.  The  aspirator  was  fixed  underneath  the  centre  of  the  board,  so  as  to  be 
conveniently  workable  by  either  my  feet  or  hands.  Holes  were  cut  in  the  board  to  admit  the  passage  of  the  flexible" 


A.I..  I  MR  GLAIS!  II  :i;s  ACCOUNT.  -j:!| 

liicli  passed  to  Itcpiaul-  .  and  the  other  tn  the  place  of  the  dry-  and  wet-bulb  tin-mi.. 

1  to,  both  the  tabes  being  furnish.  1  with 


•inntaiirft  of  tin  Aurrnts,  and  (!tn»ral  OlaervatioM. 

The  accents.  were  all  made  1  swell's  largo  balloon,—  three  fr..m  \\olveihampton,  four  from  tli<-  Crystal 

Palace,  Sydcnham.  and  one  fr..m  Mill  Hill,   near  ll.ii<l..ii,   where  the  ball.M.n  had  fallen  the  evening  previous,  and 
••eeii  anch  .it  .1  during  tin-  night. 

Ascent  from  Wulverhanifiton,  July  17.  —  The  balloon  was  inflated  at  tin-  Stafford  I;  iks,   \\olvi-ilminp- 

t.iii.  \vi'li  rail.  in,  tied  gas,  most  carefully  pi«  p.in-d  by  tin    I  \li.  Thomas  1'ioiid,  and  fic<|uently  kept  u  long 

time  f.i  ••  nir  use,  ti  •   the  <iu.s  t  'onipanv  having  most  liberal  ly,  to  their  great  inconvenience,   placed  a 

gason  >ir  dis]M>sal  fur  as  long  a  time  u  we  needed  it.     To  tin-  I>irecturs  of  the  <  '..mpany  ami  to  Mr.  I'mud 

.•in  best  thinks  art'  due  :   t'..i  ..n  all  occasions  they  sh.  .wed  tin-  utniust   anxiety  to  eonti  ibute  to  the  success  of  tin- 
:it.s.  in  which  Mr.  Joseph  Walker,  Mr.  Joseph  <  'oo|«  r,  ami  Mr.  1'roiul  took  great  intei- 

weather  previously  had  been  bad  fora  long  time,  and  the  ascent  had  IHHMI  ik-layi-il  s,  ..,,,•  ,l.,y>  in  i-onae- 
H'lriice:  the  wind  wan  still  Mowing  utron^ly  from  tin-  wost  ;  and  oonHiili-ntlilc  ilitiiculty  wa-,  .  \|"-i-ietir«Ml   in   tin- 
rangementa,  an<l  n»  in-ti  um.  >,-  waa  placed  in  ita  position  before  starting.     Tin-  a-.  ml  i....k  ]>lucu  at 
v.M.  ;  at  once  the  balloon  waa  quiencent.     A  height  of  3800  feet  was  reached  before  an  obaervation  could 
be  taken  ;  at  4000  fot-t  clouds  were  entered,  which  wore  left  at  8000  feet.     The  teni|>eraturo  of  the  air  fell  I. 
and  a  ..I  been  pamed  before  all  the  inatrumcnU  wen:  in  working  order.    Tin-  -k  \ 

wan  then  ;.  be  of  a  <1.  rlmut  a  clou«l  of  any  kind  II|MMI  it.-  MHI 

..•  t.-iii|H-nitiin-  of  the  air  was  .r>9\  and  dew-point  55°  ;  at  4000  feet  it  was  4'>  .  dew  ]>.iu,- 
li-scemled  to  20°  at  10,000  feet,  dew-point  1'J  ',  and  then  there  won  no  variation  of  temperature  butwn-n  thin 
height  and  13,000  feet.     During  the  time  of  passing  through  this  KJIUCO,  both  Mr.  <  'ox  well  ami  myself  put  on  addi- 
clotltin^.  feeling  cei  tain  that  we  ghould  cx|x-i  ienci-  a  terajJcrature  Iwlow  zero  before  we  reached  .">  mile*  hi^h  : 
but  to  my  Mii-prix-.  at  the  height  of  1  ."i,;>00  feet,  the  tein|K.-rature,  a«  shown  by  all  the  sensitivn  instruments,  was  HI'  , 
;  and  at  each  successive  reading,  up  to  l'.>,"  .....  feet,  the  temperature  increased,  and  was  here  ut  •!'_'  . 
dew-j  \\  e  had  both  thrown  ofTall  extra  clothing,    \\ithin  two  minutes  nfti-r  this  time,  when  we  had  fallen 

somewhat,   tin'  tein|ieratuie  a^.iin  l«'^an  to  decrease  with  extraordinary  rapidity,  and  waa   16°  or  27"  less  than  it 
waa  2(-  minut'  at  this  lime  a  height  of  ,">  miles  had  !•  i  at  .il.  .ut  11  A.M. 

When  the  )>alloon  had  attained  u  height  of  4  miles  I  wi.-hed  to  descend  for  one  or  two  miles,  and  then  i., 
nMcrnd  :  bfit  Mr.  ('••xwell.  who  had  1«  ••  n  watching  its  progress  with  reference  to  the  clouds  below,  felt  certain 
that  wo  were  too  near  the  \Va*h  ;  pnideiico,  then-fire,  caused  IIH  to  abandon  the  attempt. 

<  iiu-  descent  l>egan  a  little  after  11  A.M.,  Mr.  C'oxwell  expei  iem-ing  considerable  uneasiness  at  our  too  'I—. 

vicinity  t..  ii  .    \\  ,-h  :  we  came  down  quickly,  passing  from  a  height  of  16,300  feet  to  one  of  12,400  feet  betw  •  n 

1  1  h.  .:-  in.  and  1  1  h.  :t'.i  m.  :  dipping  into  a  dense  cloud  at  this  elevation,  which  proved  to  be  no  less  than  KIMMI  i.  ,-i 

in  iliickness.  and  whilst  passing  through  this  the  bqlltHin  was  invisible  from  the  car.     Mr.  i  'ox  well  had  reserved  a 

large  amount  of  billast,  which  he  di-ch.-irged  as  ijuii-kly  i~  p  ~-ibl.-  to  chi-ek  the  rapidity  of  the  descent;  but  not- 

with-  ill  his  exert  ions,  as  we  collected   weight  by  the  condensation  of  that   immense  amount  of  vap-nn 

thn.ugh  whii-h  we  were  pus-ing,  t  lie  descent  wia  necessarily  very  rapid,  and  we  came  to  the  earth  with  a  vi-rv  c.in- 

..  whii-h  bi-.iki-  nearly  all  the  instruments.     All  the  sand  was  discharged  when  we  were  at  a 

•  inn  :  the  [umnmt  we  had  at  our  disposal  at  the  height  of  5  miles  waa  fully  '>"<)  11.-.  :  this  seemed  to 

re  than  ample,  and.  when  .  om  pared  with  tint  retained  by  Gay-Lussac,  viz.  :W  Ibs.,  and  by  Rush  and  I  '•<•  •  n. 

wh.n  the  birometer  reading  was  1  1  inches,  vi/.   TH  llxi.,  seemed  indeed  to  be  more  than  we  could  possibly  need,  yet 

it  p-  insufficient. 

desi-ent  t.Mik  place  at  Tjingham.  nearOakhnm  in  Rutlandshire,  in  a  meadow  near  the  residence  of  Air.  1."  i  , 
r,  fr..m  whom  we  reci-ived  the  utmost  attention. 

A  table  was  fixed   to  the  side  of  the  ear.   partly   within  and   partly 

without.     'Hie  in-tnim.  •  d  on  a  framework,   fixed  to  the  part  of  the  table  outside.  HO  a*  to  \»    1-  \..n.l 

the  influence  of  tin  .(.-  car:  nn   n  tte-bo  (If,  watch,  and  aneroid  barometer  rested  on  tin-  inner  part  of 

The  air  was  in  gentle  motion  from  the  -,,inli  west,  en:il>ling  tin-  instruments  to  !••   made  i-advt..r  • 
vati,.n  I.  -f.,re  starting:  and  a-   Ih    4"m.  i-.v.  the  ballo.,ti  ].  fi  lie   earth. 


232  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1802. 

The  temperature  declined  instantly.  Observations  were  taken  every  minute  or  half-minute  from  the  time  of 
ascent  to  as  near  as  possible  the  time  of  descent. 

The  readings  of  one  barometer  were  kindly  made  by  Mr.  W.  F.  Ingelow  ;  and  he  also  assisted  me  in  observing 
the  first  appearance  of  dew  on  the  hygrometer. 

A  height  of  7000  feet  was  reached  at  about  6  o'clock  ;  and  the  descent  began  about  a  quarter  past  6  :  it  was 
rather  rapid,  but  quite  under  control,  and  we  reached  the  earth  at  the  village  of  Singlewell,  near  Gravescnd,  at 
6  h.  30  m. 

Ascent  from  Wdverhampton,  August  18. — The  weather  on  this  day  was  favourable  :  there  was  but  little  wind, 
and  that  blowing  from  the  N.E.  By  noon  the  balloon  was  nearly  inflated  ;  and  as  it  merely  swayed  in  a  light  wind, 
all  the  instruments  were  fixed  before  starting ;  and  at  1  h.  2  m.  08  s.  P.M.  Mr.  Coxwell  pulled  the  spring-catch.  For 
a  moment  the  balloon  remained  motionless,  and  then  rose  steadily,  almost  perpendicularly :  this  ascent  was  all 
that  could  be  desired.  In  about  10  minutes  we  passed  through  a  fine  cumulus  cloud,  and  then  emerged  into  a 
clear  space  with  a  beautiful  blue  sky  dotted  over  with  cirrus  clouds  above.  When  at  the  height  of  nearly  12,000 
feet,  with  the  temperature  of  38°,  or  30°  less  than  on  the  ground,  and  dew-point  26°,  Mr.  Coxwell  discharged  gas, 
and  we  descended  to  a  little  above  oOOO  feet  at  1  h.  48  m. ;  a  very  gradual  descent  then  took  place  till  2h.  30m., 
when  a  height  of  about  24,000  feet  was  obtained ;  and  here  a  consultation  took  place  as  to  the  prudence  of  dis- 
charging more  ballast  or  retaining  it,  so  as  to  ensure  a  safe  descent :  ultimately  it  was  determined  not  to  go  higher, 
as  some  clouds,  whose  thickness  we  conld  not  tell,  had  to  be  passed  through.  The  descent  began  soon  after,  and 
we  reached  the  earth  a  little  after  3  o'clock  at  Solihull,  about  7  miles  from  Birmingham. 

Ascent  from  t/ie  Crystal  Palace,  August  20.- — The  air  was  almost  calm,  the  instruments  were  all  fixed  before 
starting,  and  the  balloon  left  the  Crystal  Palace  at  6  h.  2G  m.  P.M.,  the  temperature  at  the  time  being  66°,  dew-point 
54°.  By  6  h.  35  m.  we  were  half  a  mile  high,  the  temperature  being  56°.  At  0  h.  37  m.  the  height  of  three-quar- 
ters of  a  mile  was  attained,  and  the  air  was  so  tranquil  that  we  were  still  over  the  Palace.  At  6h.  43  m.,  when 
at  the  height  of  nearly  a  mile,  a  thick  mist  or  thin  cloud  was  entered,  the  earth  being  just  visible.  The  tempera- 
ture at  this  time  was  40°,  dew-point  46°  :  this  elevation  and  temperature  were  maintained  for  about  five  minutes, 
and  we  then  descended  200  or  300  feet.  Kennington  Oval  was  in  sight.  At  7  h.  9  m.  St.  Mark's  Church,  Kenning- 
ton,  was  exactly  underneath  us.  We  were  now  about  a  mile  in  height,  with  a  temperature  of  48°,  and  dew-point 
46° ;  the  hum  of  London  was  heard,  and  there  was  scarcely  a  breath  of  air  stirring. 

A  descent  was  gradually  made  to  1200  feet  by  7  h.  20  m. ;  the  lamps  were  being  lighted  over  London,  the 
hum  of  London  greatly  increasing  in  depth.  At  this  time  shoiiting  was  heard  of  people  below  who  saw  the 
balloon  :  a  height  of  between  1500  and  2500  feet  was  maintained  till  7  h.  40  m.,  (he  temperature  varying  from  57° 
to  54°,  and  dew-point  about  47°.  The  river  appeared  dull,  but  the  bridges  that  spanned  it,  as  well  as  street  after 
street  as  lighted  up,  and  the  miles  of  lights,  sometimes  in  straight  lines,  sometimes  winding  like  a  serpent,  or  in 
some  places  forming  a  constellation  at  some  place  of  amusement,  constituted  a  truly  remarkable  scene,  associated 
as  this  appearance  was  with  the  deep  sound,  or  rather  roar  yf  the  traffic  of  the  metropolis. 

For  a  considerable  time  Kennington  Oval  and  Millbank  Penitentiary  were  in  sight,  and  it  seemed  as  though 
we  could  not  get  away  from  them.  At  7  h.  30  m.  Mr.  Coxwell  determined  to  ascend  above  the  clouds.  We  were 
then  about  2500  feet  high,  and  the  temperature  was  53°,  dew-point  40°.  At  7h.  42  m.  a  height  of  3500  feet 
was  attained,  the  temperature  being  51°.  At  7  h.  47  in.  a  height  of  one  mile  had  been  reached,  and  the  temperature 
was  45°,  dew-point  42°.  It  was  very  dark  below,  but  there  was  a  clear  sky  above,  and  a  beautiful  glearn  of  light 
appeared.  We  still  ascended  till  the  clouds  were  below  us,  tinged  and  coloured  with  a  rich  red  :  the  temperature 
had  now  fallen  to  43°;  we  were  soon  enveloped  in  a  fog  again.  At  7h.  52m.  the  striking  of  a  clock  and  the 
tolling  of  a  bell  were  heard.  It  was  quite  dark  below;  but  the  sun  tinged  the  tops  of  the  clouds.  At  8  h.  5  m.  we 
were  quite  above  the  clouds,  and  it  became  light  again  ;  the  hum  of  London  gradually  died  away.  By  this  time 
the  temperature  had  increased  to  55°,  the  barometer  reading  23  inches,  corresponding  to  a  height  of  7400  feet. 
After  this  we  descended,  and  it  became  too  dark  to  read  the  instruments.  London  again  was  seen,  very  different, 
indeed,  in  its  appearance  from  when  we  could  pick  out  every  square,  street,  bridge,  &c.  by  its  lights ;  now,  as  seen 
through  the  mist,  it  had  the  appearance  of  a  large  conflagration  of  enormous  extent :  and  the  sky  was  lit  up  for 
miles  around.  After  a  time  the  lowing  of  cattle  was  heard,  and  we  seemed  to  have  left  London,  so  Mr.  Coxwell 
determined  to  pass  through  the  clouds  and  examine  the  country  beneath.  Wo  passed  from  the  comparative  light 
above  to  the  darkness  beneath,  rapidly  becoming  darker,  and  found  ourselves  some  little  distance  from  London, 


A....  i  vw  i:\r  n;«»M  MII.I.  mi  i 

and  sh..i  th-  ai't.-i-w ,  1  tli-  ground,  «>  gently  that  we  were  scarcely  aware  of  the  contact,  in  tho  centre  of 

i  li.'ld  at  Mill  Mill,  il-.ut  ono  mile  aud  a  half  from  1 1.  n  I..M,  and  it  was  resolved  to  Anchor  the  b»lloon  fur  tho  night, 
with  tii.  \ ..  A  ..f  unking  an  early  morning  ascent. 

Ascent  fi-um  Mitt  //ill,  near  /  Jl.  -By  half-pant  4  A.M.  tho  instruments  were  replaced,  and  the 

•  •at th  was  again  left.     It  was  a  dull,  warm,  cl.mdy  morning,  still  rut  he  r  dusk,  the  sky  overcast  with  cirrostratus 

•  •I.. iid.      I  •     •   :uj..  r.itiiro  waa  nearly  an  high  as  til  ,  and  .lew -point  .'.'.<  .     There  were  in  the  car,  beside*  Mr.  Cox- 
wi-ll  and  mxM'lf,  Captain  IVii-U.d,  ,.f  the  ronimiight  Rangers,  Mr.  lii^.-low,  and  my  sou. 

\\  I  at  first  rose  very  slowly  ;  at  4  h.  :!s  ni.  we  were  1000  foot  high,  and  the  temperature  was  58°,  dow-p..int 

\     )  h.  41  m.  there  was  a  break  in  tin-  clouds  to  the  cant,  and  a  beautiful  lino  of  light  with  i;old  and  silver 

tints.     II.  i.-  and  there  the  morning  mist  wan  sweeping.     At  4  h.  M  m.  tho  temperature  was  60°,  and  dew-]».int 

scud  was  bulow  us.  and  the  clmnl  nf  night  was  in  a  transition  state  into  cumulus,  or  tlu<  eloud  of  day,  at  tho 
same  level  as  we  were,  viz.  alnni;  •  black  clt.iids  were  above,  and  wist  waa  creeping  along  tho  ground. 

At  )  h.  .".."i  m.  we  were  above  a  mile  high;  the  temperature  wax  43-1,  dew-point  4:t  ;  we  wore  just  entering  cloud. 

..  .".7  in.  we  were  in  rl.nl.  .surrounded  by  white  mist;  the  te.mpor.ism..  ..f  tho  air  and  the  dew-point  were 
alike.  \  i/.  '.  ' .'  .  The  light  rapidly  increased,  and  gradually  wo  emerged  from  the  dense  cloud  into  u  basin  sur- 
1'v  immense  black  mountains  of  cloud  rising  fur  above  us;  shortly  afterwards  we  were  looking  into  dei-p 
of  grand  proportion,  bounded  with  beautiful  curved  linoH.  Tho  sky  immediately  overhead  was  blue,  dotted 
with  cirrus  .  ',  u.l>. 

As  we  ascended,  the  tops  of  the  mountain-like  clouds  became  silvery  and  golden.  At  5  h.  1  m.  we  wore  1<'\  <•! 
with  them,  .in.1  the  -un  ap]>cared,  flooding  with  golden  light  all  the  space  we  could  see  for  m.mv  degrees,  lioth 
ii_'ht  and  I.-t't.  tinting  with  orange  and  silver  all  the  remaining  space  around  us.  It  was  a  glorious  sight!  At  .'.  h. 
in  in.  a  height  «>f  SOOO  feet  had  been  attained,  and  the  temperature  had  increased  from  38i°  in  the  cloud  to  1 1  . 
We  still  ascended,  rather  more  quickly,  as  the  sun's  rays  fell  upon  the  balloon,  each  instant  opening  to  us  ravines 

:ulrrt'ul  i-\t« nt.  .ui. I  {.resenting  to  onr  view  a  mighty  sea  of  clouds.  Here  arose  shining  masses  of  cloud  in 
mountain-chains,  some  rising  perpendicularly  from  tho  plain,  dark  on  one  side,  and  silvery  and  bright  on  tho  other, 
with  .summits  of  dinting  whiteness;  some  were  of  a  pyramidal  form,  and  a  largo  jxutinn  undulatory  or  wavy,  in 
some  places  subsiding  into  hollows,  and  in  one  place  having  tho  appearance  of  a  huge  lake;  on  the  extremity  of 
tin1  1:  >wy  peaks  bounded  tho  view,  resembling  Alpine  ranges.  Nor  w.ts  the  scene  wanting  in  light  mid 

shade :  each  large  mass  of  cloud  cast  a  shadow,  and  this  circumstance,  added  to  the  very  many  tints,  formed  a 
beautiful  scene.  At  5h.  16m.  we  were  nearly  two  miles  high,  the  temperature  was  32°,  and  dew-point  1U°  ;  tho  air 
was  therefore  dry.  At  .">  h.  18ra.  we  were  above  two  miles  in  height ;  the  temperature  was  31°,  and  dew-point  10°. 
;  m.  we  were  something  less  than  three  miles  high :  the  temperature  was  2:»°,  and  dew-point  — 15°,  and 
it  decreased  to  —19°  by  .1  h.  :'.4  m.  This  elevation  was  maintained  for  half  an  hour,  during  which  time  the  tempo 
raturc  in.  i,  a.-.  ,1  :,  or  6°  as  the  sun's  altitude  increased.  Shortly  after  6  o'clock  it  was  determined  to  descend  ;  the 
tenip.-ra!ur.-.  which  had  been  as  high  as  27°  had  fallen  to  23°.  At6h,  13m.,  at  the  height  of  2f  miles,  we  heard  a 
train.  At  6h.  20m.  we  were  two  miles  high,  and  the  temperature  had  increased  to  39',  and  dew-point  to  193  :  at 
thir.  •  iced  the  loud  ticking  of  a  watch.  Captain  Percival  said  he  could  not  hear  it ;  ho  was  seated  and  I 

was  standing :  and  some  experiments  were  made,  when  it  was  found  that  when  the  ear  was  at  the  same  level  as 

/.•h  no  sound  was  heard,  but  it  was  remarkably  distinct  on  the  ear  being  situated  abovi   it. 

i:e  height  of  two  miles  the  barking  of  a  dog  waa  heard ;  the  temperature  at  this  time  (0  h.  24  m.)  was  4;t  \ 

ami  d'-w-j..  .111'  lo    lower.     The  shadow  of  the  balloon,  with  an  encircling  oval  of  prismatic  colours,  was  here  very 

.:kalile;  and  it  increased  in  dimensions  and  vividness  of  colour  till  we  entered  a  cloud  at  6  h.   29  m.     The 

use  of  ten  i  whieh  had  been  in  progress  during  the  descent,  was  immediately  checked,  and  on  emerging 

from  the  cloud  ;  m.  the  t.  ni|.erature  was  4:t°.  dew-point  38°.     The  earth  was  now  in  sight,  without  a  ray  of 

sunlight  falling  ujH.n  it.  The  temperature  gradually  increased  to  50°,  and  dew-point  to  50°  at  1000  feet  in  height, 
and  62'  on  reaching  the  ground,  ;LS  gently  as  on  the  preceding  evening,  at  Dunton  Lodge,  near  Biggleswade,  on 
the  estate  of  Lord  I'.n.wnl.m.  where  we  received  every  attention  and  assistance  from  his  agent,  Mr.  Paulger. 

Atcentfrom  the  Cryntal  /  'ember  1.— The  wind  on  this  day  blew  from  the  I  I.N.I-:.,  the  sky  was  almost 

covered  with  cirrostratus  i  loud,  l.ut  the-  horizon  was  moderately  clear.     The  ascent  took  place  at  4  h.  40m.  P.M.  ; 
the  temperature  was  64';  the  balloon  rose  to  the  height  of  half  a  mile  in  4  minutes,  the  tenii»crature  decreasii 
Jl°,  and  dew-point  to  4.T.     At  this  time  the  whole  of  the  river  Thames,  from  its  month  to  beyond  IJi.-hmond.  was 


234  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  18C2. 

in  sight.  At  5h.  31m.,  when  wo  were  about  4000  feet  high,  clouds  were  observed  forming  and  following  the 
whole  course  of  the  Thames,  from  the  Kore  up  to  the  higher  parts,  and  extending  but  little  beyond  its  sides  :  the 
clouds  were  parallel  to  the  river,  following  all  its  windings  and  bendings.  The  Astronomer  Royal  has  often  seen 
this  phenomenon  over  the  part  of  the  river  commanded  by  the  Eoyal  Observatory ;  but  it  was  scarcely  expected  that 
clouds  throughout  its  whole  course  would  have  formed  so  simultaneously  and  uniformly.  On  referring  to  the  state 
of  the  tide,  it  was  found  to  be  just  high-water  at  London  Bridge  about  this  time,  connecting  the  foimation  with 
the  warm  water  from  the  sea.  After  5  h.  40  m.  we  were  higher  than  all  clouds  near  us,  excepting  the  uniform 
stratus  cloud  above  us,  which  we  never  approached  ;  and  it  was  noted  that  the  upper  surface  of  the  lower  clouds 
was  bluish  white,  the  middle  portion  the  pure  white  of  the  cumulus,  and  the  lowest  a  blackish  white,  and  from 
which  rain  was  falling,  and,  as  we  afterwards  learned,  had  been  falling  all  the  afternoon.  AVe  descended  to  1300 
feet  nearly,  but  were  still  above  the  clouds :  we  then  rose  to  3000  feet,  and  rain  fell  upon  the  balloon  from  the 
upper  stratum  of  cloud,  and  no  difference  of  temperature  from  54°  was  observed  in  the  stratum  between  1300  feet 
and  3000  feet,  although  a  short  time  before,  in  passing  downwards  through  this  distance,  the  temperature  had 
increased  from  48°  to  54°.  The  falling  rain  equalised  the  temperature.  The  balloon  began  to  descend  after 
this,  and  fell  at  6  h.  15  m.,  near  Woking  in  Surrey.  The  evening  looked  so  unpromising,  and  rain  was  still  falling, 
that  it  was  thought  unadvisable  to  fasten  the  balloon  for  the  night,  and  attempt  a  high  morning  ascent,  as  was 
contemplated.  In  this  ascent  the  observations  of  the  barometers  and  Daniell's  hygrometer  were  made  by  Mr.  J. 
MacDonald,  Assistant  Sectetary  to  the  British  Meteorological  Society. 

Ascent  from  Wolverhampton,  September  5. — This  ascent  had  been  delayed,  owing  to  the  unfavourable  state  of 
the  weather.  It  commenced  at  1  h.  3  m.  P.M.  ;  the  temperature  of  the  air  was  59°,  and  the  dew-point  50°  :  at  the 
height  of  one  mile  it  was  41°,  dew-point  38°  ;  and  shortly  afterwards  we  entered  a  cloud  of  about  1100  feet  in 
thickness,  in  which  the  temperature  of  the  air  fell  to  36i°,  the  dew-poiiit  being  the  same;  thus  indicating  that 
the  air  was  here  saturated  with  moisture,  On  emerging  from  the  cloud  at  1  h.  17  m.  we  came  upon  a  flood  of 
strong  sunlight,  with  a  beautiful  blue  sky,  without  a  cloud  above  us,  and  a  magnificent  sea  of  cloud  below,  its 
surface  being  varied  with  endless  hills,  hillocks,  mountain-chains,  and  many  snow-white  masses  rising  from  it.  I 
hero  tried  to  take  a  view  with  the  camera,  but  we  were  rising  with  too  great  rapidity,  and  going  round  and  round 
too  quickly  to  enable  me  to  do  so ;  the  flood  of  light,  however,  was  so  great  that  all  I  should  have  needed  would 
have  been  a  momentary  exposure,  as  Dr.  Hill  Norris  had  kindly  furnished  me  with  extremely  sensitive  dry  plates 
for  the  purpose.  We  reached  two  miles  in  height  at  1  h.  21  m. ;  the  temperature  had  fallen  to  the  freezing-point, 
and  the  dew-point  to  26°.  \Ve  were  three  miles  high  at  1  h.  28  m.,  with  a  temperature  of  18°,  and  dew-point  13°  ; 
at  1  h.  39  m.  we  had  reached  four  miles,  and  the  temperature  was  8°,  and  dew-point  —15°;  in  ten  minutes 
more  we  had  reached  the  fifth  mile,  and  the  temperature  had  passed  below  zero,  and  then  read  —  2°,  and  at  this 
point  no  dew  was  observed  on  Kegnault's  hygrometer  when  cooled  down  to  —  30°  ;  but  a  dew-point  obtained  from 
the  readings  of  dry  and  wet  gave  —30°. 

Up  to  this  time  I  had  taken  observations  with  comfort.  1  had  experienced  no  difficulty  in  breathing, 
whilst  Mr.  Coxwell,  in  consequence  of  the  necessary  exertions  he  had  to  make,  had  breathed  with  difficulty 
for  some  time.  At  1  h.  51m.  the  barometer  reading  was  11-05  inches,  but  which  requires  a  subtractive 
correction  of  0'25  inch,  as  found  by  comparison  with  Lord  Wrottesley's  standard  barometer  just  before 
starting.  I  afterwards  read  the  dry  thermometer  as  -5°:  this  must  have  been  about  1  h.  52m.,  or  later. 
I  could  not  see  the  column  of  mercury  in  the  wet-bulb  thermometer,  nor  afterwards  the  hands  of  the  watch, 
nor  the  fine  divisions  on  any  instrument.  I  asked  Mr.  Coxwell  to  help  me  to  read  the  instruments,  as  I  experi- 
enced a  difficulty  in  seeing.  In  consequence,  however,  of  the  rotatory  motion  of  the  balloon,  which  had  continued 
without  ceasing  since  the  earth  had  been  left,  the  valve-line  had  become  twisted,  and  he  had  to  leave  the  car  and 
mount  into  the  ring  above  to  adjust  it.  At  this  time  I  looked  at  the  barometer,  and  found  it  to  be  10  inches,  still 
decreasing  fast;  its  true  reading,  therefore,  was  9f  inches,  implying  a  height  of  29,000  feet.  Shortly  afterwards 
I  laid  my  arm  upon  the  table,  possessed  of  its  full  vigour,  and  on  being  desirous  of  using  it,  I  found  it  powerless  ; 
it  must  have  lost  its  power  momentarily.  I  tried  to  move  the  other  arm,  and  found  it  powerless  also.  I  then 
tried  to  shake  myself,  and  succeeded  in  shaking  my  body.  1  seemed  to  have  no  limbs.  I  then  looked  at  the 
barometer ;  and  whilst  doing  so  my  head  fell  on  my  left  shoulder.  I  struggled  and  shook  my  body  again,  but 
could  not  move  my  arms.  1  got  my  head  upright,  but  for  an  instant  only,  when  it  fell  on  my  right  shoulder,  and 
then  I  fell  backwards,  my  back  resting  against  the  side  of  the  car,  and  my  head  on  its  edge;  in  this  position  my 


>«ir  .*/v/"  '<4 

1864 


r  r  i'  r  r,  -  i  j  r 


A.,,,  i  nrn;iiT  01  BEYEB  MILES  ATTAINED.  -£\:> 

eyes  wer..  dim-ted  towards  .Mr.  <  '..xwell  in  the  ring.  When  I  shook  my  body  I  seemed  to  have  full  power  over 
the  muscles  of  the  bock,  and  eonsidorablo  power  over  those  of  the  neck,  but  none  over  eitlior  my  arms  or  my  legs; 
in  I'.i.-i  I  M  in.  .1  to  I..IM-  none.  As  in  tin-  ease  »f  tho  arms,  all  muscular  power  was  lost,  in  an  instant  from  my 
back  and  nock.  1  dimly  saw  Mr.  (Joxwell  in  tho  ring,  and  endeavoured  to  speak,  but  could  not;  when  in  un 
instant  intense  black  darkness  came,  the  optic  nerve  finally  lost  power  suddenly.  I  was  still  conscious,  with  as 
:u-ti\v  a  brain  as  at  tho  present  moment  whilst  writing  this.  I  thought  I  had  been  seized  with  asphyxia,  and  tliat 
I  should  f\]..  ri.  n.«'  no  more,  as  death  would  come,  unless  we  speedily  descended  :  other  thoughts  were  actively 
enterini:  my  mind,  when  I  suddenly  became  unconscious  as  in  going  to  sleep.  I  cannot  tell  anything  of  tho  sense 
of  hearing;  the  perfect  stillness  and  silence  of  the  regions  six  miles  from  tho  earth  (and  at  tin-  time  we  were 
between  six  and  seven  miles  high)  is  such  that  no  sound  reaches  the  ear. 

Mv  last  observation  was  made  at  1  h.  54m.  at  29,000  feet  I  suppose  two  or  three  minutes  fully  were 
iM-eupied  lictw. ••  11  my  eyes  becoming  insensible  to  seeing  fine  divisions  and  1  h.  54  m.,  and  then  that  two  or  three 
minutes  more  passed  till  I  was  insensible;  therefore  I  think  this  took  place  at  about  1  h.  50m.  or  1  h.  J7  m. 
Whilst  |... \\.-ile.ss  I  heard  the  words,  "temperature"  and  "observation;"  and  I  knew  Mr.  t'oxwell  was  in  the 
car  s]>eaking  to  me,  and  endeavouring  to  arouse  me ;  therefore  consciousness  and  hearing  had  returned.  I  then 
heard  him  speak  more  emphatically ;  but  I  could  not  see,  speak,  or  move.  I  heard  him  again  say,  "  Do  TRY — NOW 

Th«-n  I  saw  tho  instruments  dimly,  then  Mr.  Coxwell,  and  very  shortly  saw  clearly.  I  rose  in  my  seat  and 
looked  round,  as  though  waking  from  sleep,  though  not  refreshed  by  sleep,  and  said  to  Mr.  Coxwell,  "  I  have  been 
insensible  ;"  he  said,  "  You  have  ;  and  I,  too,  very  nearly."  I  then  drew  up  my  legs,  which  had  been  extended 
before  me.  and  took  a  pencil  in  my  hand  to  begin  observations.  Mr.  Coxwell  told  mo  that  he  hod  lost  the  use  of 
his  hands,  which  were  black,  and  I  poured  brandy  over  them. 

I  resumed  my  observations  at  2h.  7m.,  recording  tho  barometer  reading  at  11-53  inches,  and  temperature 
—  2°.  I  suppose  that  three  or  four  minutes  were  occupied  from  the  time  of  my  hearing  the  words  "  temperature  " 
and  "  observation  "  till  I  began  to  observe  ;  if  so,  then  returning  consciousness  came  at  2  h.  4  m.,  and  this  gives 
seven  minutes  for  total  insensibility.  I  found  the  water  in  the  vessel  supplying  the  wet-bulb  thermometer,  which 
I  had  by  frequent  disturbances  kept  from  freezing,  was  one  solid  mass  of  ice ;  and  it  did  not  all  melt  until  after  we 
had  been  on  the  ground  some  time. 

M ; .  (,'oxwell  told  me  that  whilst  in  the  ring  he  felt  it  piercingly  cold  ;  that  hoar-frost  was  all  round  the  neck 
of  the  balloon.  On  attempting  to  leave  the  ring  he  found  his  hands  frozen,  and  he  had  to  place  his  arms  on  th<> 
rin^  ami  drop  down ;  that  he  thought  for  a  moment  I  had  laid  back  to  rest  myself;  that  he  spoke  to  me  without 
eliciting  a  reply;  that  he  then  noticed  my  legs  projected  and  my  arms  hung  down  by  my  side ;  that  my  counte- 
nance was  serene  and  placid,  without  the  earnestness  and  anxiety  he  had  noticed  before  going  into  the  ring,  and 
tli. -n  it  struck  him  I  was  insensible.  He  wished  to  approach  me,  but  could  not,  and  be  felt  insensibility  coming 
over  himself;  that  he  became  anxious  to  open  the  valve,  but  in  consequence  of  having  lost  the  use  of  his  hands  he 
could  not,  and  ultimately  did  so  by  seizing  the  cord  with  his  tenth  and  dipping  his  head  two  or  three  times  until 
the  balloon  took  a  decided  turn  downwards.  This  act  is  quite  characteristic  of  Mr.  Coxwoll.  I  have  never  yet  seen 
him  without  a  ready  means  of  meeting  every  difficulty,  as  it  has  arisen,  with  a  cool  self-possession  that  has  always 
left  my  mind  perfectly  easy,  and  given  me  every  confidence  in  his  judgment  in  the  management  of  so  large  a 
balloon. 

N.I  inconvenience  followed  the  insensibility  ;  and  when  we  dropped  it  was  in  a  country  where  no  conveyance 
of  any  kind  could  be  obtained,  so  that  I  had  to  walk  between  seven  and  eight  miles. 

The  descent  was  at  first  very  rapid :  we  passed  downwards  three  miles  in  nine  minutes ;  the  balloon's  career 
was  then  checked,  ami  we  finally  descended  in  the  centre  of  a  large  grass-field  belonging  to  Mr  Kersall,  at  ( 'old 
\\  •  ston,  seven-and-a-half  miles  from  Ludlow. 

I  have  already  said  that  my  lost  observation  was  made  at  a  height  of  29,000  feet;  at  this  time  (1  h.  54  m.) 
we  were  ascending  at  the  rate  of  1000  feet  per  minute  ;  and  when  I  resumed  observations  we  were  descending  at 
the  rate  of  L'IMM)  feet  per  minute.  These  two  positions  must  be  connected,  taking  into  account  the  interval  of  time 
between,  viz.  13  minutes,  and  on  those  considerations  the  balloon  must  have  attained  the  altitude  of  36,000  or 
37,000  feet.  Again,  a  very  .Idi.-atc  minimum  thermometer  read  —  12°,  and  this  would  give  a  height  of  :57,000 
feet.  Mr.  Coxwell,  on  coming  from  the  ring,  noticed  that  the  centre  of  the  aneroid  barometer,  its  l.lue  hand,  and 
a  rope  attached  to  the  car,  were  all  in  the  same  straight  line,  and  this  gave  a  reading  of  7  inches,  and  leads  to  the 
same  result.  Therefore  tin-,  independent  means  all  lead  to  about  the  same  elevation,  viz.  fully  Seven  Milet. 

2    I 


236 


ASTRA  CASTEA. 


A.D.  1862. 


In  this  ascent  six  pigeons  were  taken  up.  One  was  thrown  out  at  the  height  of  three  miles,  when  it 
extended  its  wings  and  dropped  as  a  piece  of  paper;  a  second,  at  four  miles,  flew  vigorously  round  and  round, 
apparently  taking  a  dip  each  time ;  a  third  was  thrown  out  between  four  and  five  miles,  and  it  fell  downwards  as 
a  stone.  A  fourth  was  thrown  out  at  four  miles  on  descending.  It  flew  in  a  circle,  and  shortly  alighted  on  the 
top  of  the  balloon.  The  two  remaining  pigeons  were  brought  down  to  the  ground.  One  was  found  to  be  dead  ; 
and  the  other,  a  "  carrier,"  was  still  living,  but  would  not  leave  the  hand  when  I  attempted  to  throw  it  off,  till 
after  a  quarter  of  an  hour  it  began  to  peck  a  piece  of  ribbon  which  encircled  its  neck,  and  was  then  jerked  off  the 
finger,  and  flew  with  some  vigour  towards  Wolverhampton.  One  of  the  pigeons  returned  to  Wolverhampton  on 
Sunday  the  7th,  and  is  the  only  one  that  has  been  heard  of. 

Ascent  from  the  Crystal  Palace,  September  8. — The  sky  was  for  the  most  part  obscured  by  clouds;  the  ascent 
took  place  at  4h.  47m.  28s.  r.M.,  the  temperature  on  the  ground  being  67°;  at  4h.  52m.  we  were  half  a  mile  high, 
with  a  temperature  of  59°,  and  dew-point  54°;  at  4  h.  55  m.  we  reached  the  clouds,  with  a  temperature  of  5l£°, 
dew-point  49°,  at  the  height  of  4300  feet;  we  rose  to  4800  feet,  were  still  in  the  cloud,  and  then  fell,  passing  out 
of  the  cloud  downwards  at  5  h.  1  m.,  with  a  temperature  of  49°,  and  dew-point  46° ;  we  descended  to  3300  feet  by 
5  h.  7m.,  where  the  temperature  was  52°,  dew-point  50°  ;  we  then  ascended  and  again  reached  the  cloud  at  a  little 
over  4200  feet,  and  with  the  same  temperature  as  before,  viz.  51  J° ;  we  passed  out  of  the  cloud  at  a  little  over  4500 
feet,  into  a  basin,  with  blue  sky  above,  and  the  sun  shone  beautifully  ;  the  balloon  rose  quickly,  and  the  temperature 
increased  from  51°  on  leaving  the  cloud  to  57°  at  a  mile  in  height,  and  to  59°  and  dew-point  40°  at  5400  feet ;  we 
then  descended,  met  with  the  cloud  again  at  5  h.  25m.,  at  the  height  of  5000  feet  nearly,  and  experienced  a  tem- 
perature of  51°,  dew-point  45°,  whilst  passing  through  it ;  we  left  the  cloud  at  4400  feet  high,  and  the  temperature 
rose  from  51°  to  61°,  dew-point  to  59°,  at  the  height  of  800  feet,  and  to  62°  at  the  height  of  700  feet,  where  we 
were  at  5  h.  55  m. ;  at  this  time  we  were  crossing  the  river  Thames,  near  to  Gravesend,  and  we  passed  from  bank 
to  bank  in  121  seconds  ;  we  then  rose  to  nearly  half  a  mile,  and  passed  Tilbury  Fort  at  the  distance  of 
2  miles ;  and  with  a  telescope  I  examined  the  Fort,  and  could  have  drawn  its  plan  and  counted  any  guns  within  it. 
We  fell  at  about  4  miles  from  the  Fort  at  6  h.  10  m.  P.M. 

In  this  ascent  Mr.  W.  C.  Kash,  of  the  Magnetical  and  Meteorological  Department  of  the  Eoyal  Observatory, 
Greenwich,  took  the  observations  of  the  barometer  and  Daniell's  hygrometer. 


TABLE  I.— METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  MADE  IN  THE  BALLOON  ASCENT  KKOM  WOLVEKHAMPTON,  SEPT.  5,  1862. 


Siphon  Barometer. 

Dry  and  Wet  Thermometers  (free). 

Xegretti 

Dry  and  Wet  Thermometers 
(aspirated). 

Hygrometers. 

ferences  to 
Notes. 

Time. 

Aneroid 
Baro- 
meter, 
No.  1. 

Height 
above 
Sea-leveL 

and 
Zatnbra's 
Gridiron 
Thermo- 
meter. 

Reading 
corrected 
and 
reduced  to 

Att. 
Therm. 

Dry. 

Wet. 

Diff. 

Dew- 
point. 

Dry. 

Wet. 

Din. 

Dew- 
point. 

Daniell's 
Dew- 
point. 

Reg- 

nauli  5 

point. 

a 

32°  Fahr. 

H.    M.     S. 

inches. 

o 

inches. 

feet. 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

0 

o 

1     5  30  P.M. 

28-57 

58-0 

28-60 

1,290 

(1) 

1    5  50 

.  . 

56-5 

52-5 

4-0 

47-9 

1     6    0 

28-38 

57:0 

28-35 

1  ,'480 

55-5 

51-1 

4-4 

46-9 

1  10    0 

26-19 

55-0 

26-20 

3,660 

45-5 

43-5 

2-0 

41-2 

46-0 

43-8 

2-2 

41-3 

42-0 

1  11     0 

25-82 

4,116 

44-2 

42-5 

1-7 

40-4 

44:2 

1  11  30 

25-491 

54:0 

25-62 

4,388 

43-3 

41-5 

1-8 

39-3 

38-5 

1  12     0 

24-9!)4 

53-0 

4,920 

42-0 

40:5 

15 

38:7 

1  12  30 

24-894 

5,011 

41-0 

39-8 

1-2 

38-3 

40-7 

1  13     0 

24-30 

24-45 

5,675 

39-5 

38-2 

1-3 

36-5 

38-0 

(2) 

1  13  30 

24-25 

52:0 

5,722 

38-0 

37-2 

0-8 

36-1 

(3) 

1  14     0 

1  14  30 

23-70 

23-90 

6,330 

36-5 

30-5 

0-0 

36-5 

36-5 

(5) 

1  16     0 

23-35 

50-0 

23-40 

6,729 

(6) 

1  16  30 

36-3 

36-3 

o-o 

36-3 

36-0 

1  17     0 

23-20 

50:0 

6,914 

.. 

36-0 

36-0 

o-o 

36-0 

t  t 

35-5 

(7) 

1  17  20 

38-2 

36-1 

2-i 

33:  3 

39:5 

(8) 

1  17  40 

22-'  658 

49-0 

22;71 

7,575 

39-0 

35-2 

3-8 

30-2 

40-0 

(9) 

1  21    0 

20-717 

46-0 

20-60 

9,926 

33-5 

31-1 

2-4 

26-6 

32-1 

(10) 

1  22     0 

20-070 

45-0 

20-17 

10,770 

31-1 

30-5 

0-6 

28-9 

31-2 

•• 

•• 

•• 

•• 

•• 

25-0 

(1)  Misty.  (2)  In  cloud,  wholly  obscured.  (3)  Lighter.  (4)  Much  lighter,  still  in  cloud. 

(5)  Gun  heard.  (6)  Dense  cloud.  (7)  Out  of  cloud. 

(8)  Tried  Camera  upon  beautiful  clouds— failed  ;  the  balloon  was  spirating  and  ascending  too  quickly.  (9)  Deep  blue  sky. 

(10)  The  ice  not  properly  formed  on  Wet-bulb  thermometer. 


Tin-:  nii;m>r  \s(  r.xr  ON  m-:mi:n. 


287 


Tun  I     I         M     I  TOROLOOICAI,  OBSERVATIONS   MADE  IN    TIIK   15.U.I.'*>N    A  SCENT   Ot  SEPT.    5TH. 


Ttm». 

Ophoa  BuvwMr. 

v  -  i 
Btru- 

KS 

]'    .   • 
.'- 

-  .     • 

Dry  and  W«t  TbnMwMn  (&«•). 

XltTTUi 

Zainbr.'. 

...       ;     . 

i     m 

Dry  ud  Wet  ThOTMMtan 
(uplnud). 

".'-"  '••'••• 

and 

•    !  .       1 

3f>  Kmbr. 

Alt. 

1        • 

Dijr. 

W««. 

DIC 

Dew- 
potoL 

Dry. 

WM. 

DUE 

DMT. 
poOL 

DM  n 

DM 
potou 

A 

DC*. 

potDU 

1 
1 

an 

i 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 
(8) 

(») 
(10) 
11 
11 

(13) 

'I 

a 

16) 

IT 

H.     H.    I" 
'-'I 

j  ;    o  .  , 

27     0  ,, 
27  : 
-'*     0  ,, 
-'•<  30   ,, 
-'••     0  ,. 
-.-.i  •-!"   .. 
30    0  ., 

- 

L8-7I7 

17-  i.:l 

1,;  ,:-,; 

te'otf 

O 

42-0 

S8:0 
M  1 

32:0 

Inch**. 

18  -10 
16:90 

ir.-'ia 

i:.  -j 

I9.S68 
13,715 

15.184 
15,510 

!•:  .VJ.i 

0 

25:5 

n  j 

17-2 

n;:5 

16-5 

0 

25-'o 
M  •' 

23-0 

19:0 
17-0 

o 
0:5 

0 

Jj'.l 

M'fl 

18-0 
17-9 

17-8 
16-2 

24-5 

17-0 
17-0 

23-0 

24-0 
13-2 

1-5 
3-8 

14-5 
-15-7 

o 

o 
25-0 

10-5 
-5-5 

-15-0 

-15-0 
-20-0 

(no  dew. 
\-30-0 

30  15  ., 
30  30  , 

•• 

•• 

•• 

•• 

16-0 

13-1 

2-9 

-  9-2 

•••-    0  .. 
::t     0  ., 

15-38 

30-0 

17,590 

15-0 

12    1 

2-9 

-10-3 

15-5 

35    0  .. 
36    0  .. 

<>    .. 

••-  111  ,. 

::: 

14-651 

:i  •:,,: 

28-0 
27:0 

14-90 
14-80 

•  • 

IMM 
19,068 
19,008 

15-0 

ii:i 

3;9 

-is"-  1 

15-6 
15-8 

15-5 

11-3 

4-2 

-21-1 

-  8-0 

-10-0 

-  9-0 

«>  ,, 
10  ,. 

n  M  ,. 

:!•>     n 

ii  M 

14-80 
14-40 

i  i.'n 

14-5 

10-2 

4-3 

-13-0 

14-2 

10-5 

3-7 

-18-1 

38  10  .. 
38  20  ,. 
::-  -'  •  .  . 
88  :w  ,. 
38  35  ., 
38  40  ,. 
38  50  ,, 

14-947 
13:947 

30:5 

14-28 
14-00 

1  ,  •„:  , 

n.ua 

1  .;  J 

10-0 

3-2 

-14-8 

12-9 

8-0 
8-5 
9-2 

39    0  .. 

40     n 

13-76 

•• 

•• 

20,393 

8-0 

4-5 

3-5 

-22-7 

40  15  ,, 
40  30  ,, 

•• 

•• 

10-2 

8-1 

2-1 

-  8-2 

11-0 

9-5 

7-8 

1-7 

-  5-3 

11  20  ,. 
11   30   ,, 

13-35 

26-0 

•• 

21.182 

41  40  ,. 
41  50  ,, 

4-5 

7-8 

4-5 

2-8 

-17-3 

11     0  ,, 

!.'•    0 

12-754 

•• 

22.380 

8-1 

4-2 

3-9 

-26-0 

48    0  .. 
50    0  ,. 
51    0  ,. 
53  ±   .. 
270,, 
280.. 
2    8  30  ,. 
2    8  45  .. 
290., 
•  :W  ,. 

to  ,. 

•1  M    0  ., 
-'11     0  ,. 
•-•   12  30  ,, 

11-954 
11-254 
10-803 
9-753 

14  -354 

1  J    .V.I 

13-154 
14-054 
16-374 

17-074 

17-71 

25-0 
26:0 

11-53 
12-80 

16-45 

15.889 

0,000 

25,318 
13.081 

22,054 
21.650 
20,  HIM 
16.015 
14,938 

14,012 

0-0 
-5:0 
-2-0 

17-0 
22-5 

-4-0 

ii:o 

15-8 

4-0 

6-0 
6-7 

-35-2 

-34:7 
-27-0 

-  2-0 
-  5-0 

-  2-0 

+  2-0 
11-0 

18-0 

23-2 
24-5 

24-8 

18-0 

6-8 

-19-6 

2   14     0   ,, 
2    11  .10   ,, 

18-05 

•• 

13,520 

•• 

•• 

•• 

2  15    0   .. 
2  if.    0  ., 
2  !•:  M  .. 
•_•  I.;  211  ., 
-'  !•'•  50  ,, 
J   IT  30  ,, 
2  18    0  .. 

18-455 

10  -"753 

20-688 

21    131 

27:o 

19  -10 
19-90 
W23 

20-65 
21-55 

12,900 
12.250 
11.150 
10.780 
10.070 
9.370 

26-5 

31-1 
33-0 

18-2 

23-1 
25-0 

8-3 

8-0 
8-0 

-22-4 

+  2-5 
9-3 

31-1 

1     r.irth  viable  in  patcbe*.  (2)  The  Wct-l>ulb  read*  oorrecUy.  (3)  Ozone  :  Hoffiit  2  ;  Moffnt  2  ;  Schi'mU  in  n. 

I    Mr.  i'..\».ll  penb  for  breatb.  .        (5)  Blcrcnry  of  Daniell's  hygrometer  invisible. 

(6)  Oane :  M..:f,i  :; :  M  .|E.t  acoond  paper  3;  Scb^nbcin  1.  (7)  Sand  oat  (8)  Aspirator  difficult  to  work. 

•IK  :  MnfTit  4.  lo    S^-  witli  ditlit-ulty.  (11)  Experienced  a  difficulty  in  tvnding  the  imttruiii' ntr. 

1.    A-pir.itnr  tnmbleaome.  I::    Sand  out.  11    Ixwt  myself ;  ooald  not  BOO  to  reod  the  inntnimento. 

i;,    1 1/ .•:,.     M..lTat  .1:  Moflat  second  paper  5:  S,-I..,T,1.  in  2.  |.;    Wind  east.  (17)  Gun  beard. 

•_'   I    -2 


238 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


A.D.  1862. 


TABLE  I. — METEOROLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS  MADE  IN  THE  BALLOON  ASCENT  OF  SEPT.  OTH. 


2 

Time. 

Siphon  Barometer 

Aneroid 
Baro- 
meter, 
No.  1. 

Height 
above 
Sca-leveL 

Dry  and  Wet  Thermometers  (fret) 

Negretti 
and 
Zambra's 
Gridiron 
Thermo- 
meter. 

l>ry  and  Wet  Thermometers 
(aspirated). 

Hygrometers. 

Reading 
corrected 
and 
reduced  to 
32°  Fahr. 

Alt. 
Therm 

Dry. 

Wet, 

Diff. 

Dew- 
point. 

Dry. 

Wet. 

Ditr. 

Dew- 
point. 

Daniell's 
Dew- 
point. 

Reg- 

nault's, 
Dew 
point. 

(i) 

(2; 

(3) 
(*) 

(5) 
(6) 

(7) 

H.    M.    S. 

2  19     OP.M 
2  19  30  ,, 
2  20     0   ,  , 
2  20  20 
2  20  30  ,, 

inches. 
21-845 
22-  041 

o 

31-0 
33:0 

inches. 
21-90 

feet. 
8,530 
8,  ',310 

34-2 
35-2 

o 
25-9 

27-0 

o 
8-3 

8-2 

0 

11-3 
13-9 

o 
35-2 

O 

o 

o 

o 

o 
14-0 

o 

20-0 
27-0 
37-5 

2  20  40  ,  , 
2  21  30 
2  22     0  ,  , 

22-241 

33-0 

22-20 

8,090 

40-1 
42-2 

29-2 
31-0 

11-9 
11-2 

15-2 

17-3 

40-0 

2  22  10   ,, 

2  23  20  ,  , 
2  23  30  ,  , 

22-637 

35-0 

22-76 

7-625 

42-0 

40-0 
40-0 

41-5 
45-5 

47-1 

44-1 

3-0 

40-7 

29-5 

2  23  50  ,  , 
2  24     0  ,, 
2  25     0  ,, 
2  26    0  ,  , 
2  26  10  ,  , 
2  26  15  ,  ; 
2  27     0  ,  , 
2  29     0  ,  , 

22-932 
23-028 
23-326 
23-473 

37-0 
39-0 
40-0 
41-5 

23-20 
23-00 

7,260 
7,150 
6,810 
6,640 

42-0 

42-0 
45-2 

34:2 

11-3 

21  :  5 

2  29  30 
2  30  30  ,  , 

24-512 

46-0 

5,500 

49-2 

36-0 

13-2 

21-8 

2  31     0  ,  , 
2  31  30 

•• 

•• 

•• 

•• 

49-0 
49-2 

50-5 
51-1 

35:0 
36:0 
37-0 

14-2 
14;5 
14-1 

19:7 
20:8 
22-3 

47-0 
48-0 

2  32     0   ,  , 
2  32  30 
2  33     0   ,: 
2  33  30 
2  36     0  ,  , 

25-401 
25-'  800 

50-0 
50:0 

25-55 

4,521 
4,'ilO 

2  38    0   ,  , 
2  38  10  ,  , 

26-399 

50-0 

26-35 

3,484 

53-0 

45-0 

8-0 

37-0 

51-5 
53-0 

54-0 
57-5 

53-5 

2  38  20  ,  , 
2  39    0  ,  , 
2  39  20  ,  , 
2  39  40  ,  , 
360,, 

27-598 

50-0 

28-10 
29-02 

2,260 

54-0 
57-2 

48-0 
52-8 

6-0 

4-4 

42-1 
48-8 

(1)  Sand  out.  (2)  Wet-bulb  seems  to  be  free  from  ice. 

(3)  After  this  observation  I  pressed  the  bulb  of  Wet  thermometer  between  my  thumb  and  finger,  for  the  purpose  of  melting  any  ice 
remaining  on  it,  or  on  the  connecting-thread.  (4)  Ozone  :  Moffaf  s  test  6. 

(5)  Wet-bulb  seems  to  be  correct ;  it  has  decreased  from  the  reading  I  drove  it  to  by  the  action  of  the  heat  of  my  thumb  and  finger. 

(6)  I  do  not  think  Aspirated  Wet-bulb  is  correct.  (7)  Ozone  :  Mofiat's  paper  7. 


TABLE  II. — SHOWING  THE  ADOPTED  BEADING  OF  THE  BAROMETER,  CALCULATED  HEIGHT  ABOVE  THE  SEA,  TEMPERATURE  OF 
THE  AIR,  AND  TEMPERATURE  OF  THE  DEW-POINT  IN  THE  SEVENTH  BALLOON  ASCENT  FROM  WOLVERHAMPTON.  (See  p.  234.) 

September  5. 


Time  of 
Observation. 
PJI. 

Reading  of  the 
Barometer 
reduced  to 
32°  F. 

Height  above 
the  level  of  the 
Sea. 

Temperature 
of  the  Air. 

Temperature 
of  the 
Dew-point. 

Time  of 
Observation. 

P.M. 

Reading  of  the 
Barometer 
reduced  to 
32°  F. 

Height  above 
the  level  of  the 
Sea. 

Temperature 
of  the  Air. 

Temperature 
of  the 
Dew-point. 

H.      M.      8. 

inches. 

feet. 

o 

o 

11.   M.       H. 

inches. 

feet. 

o 

0 

000 

490 

59-5 

48-4 

14  30 

23-70 

6,330 

36-5 

36-5 

1     5     0 

29"  17 

720 

59-0 

50-5 

16     0 

23-36 

6,729 

5  20 

28-97 

909 

57-2 

50-1 

16  30 

(6,821) 

36-1 

36-1 

5  50 

(1,340) 

56-5 

47-9 

17     0 

23-21 

6,914 

36-0 

35-7 

6     0 

28  '-38 

1,480 

55-5 

40-9 

17  20 

(7,245) 

33-3 

10     0 

26-19 

3,660 

45-5 

41-5 

17  40 

22-66 

7,575 

39-5 

30-2 

11     0 

4,116 

44-2 

40-4 

21     0 

20-72 

9,926 

32-1 

26-6 

11  30 

25-49 

4,388 

43-3 

38-9 

22     0 

20-07 

10,770 

31-2 

26-9 

12     0 

24-99 

4,920 

42-0 

38-7 

24     0 

18-73 

12,568 

26-5 

19-7 

12  30 

24-89 

5,011 

40-9 

38-3 

25  30 

17-93 

(13,875) 

25-5 

22-3 

13     0 

24-30 

5,675 

39-5 

36-5 

26     0 

(14,312) 

23-2 

13  30 

24-25 

5,722 

38-0 

36-1 

27     0 

16:94 

15,184 

| 

A. I.. 


mi:  IIK;IU:ST  vsi  i.vr  ON  i;i:mi;i> 


TU-.M.  II. — SHOWING  THE  ADOPTED  READING  or  THE  BAROMETER  OF  SEPT.  5ra 


TIM  Of 
ObMTHlta. 

Mb 

*£**?*         Hrt^trtOTt 

J5™    *.i«irf«fc. 

n»F. 

%ST 

T-ysr 

•       !•      ' 

Tb»tof 

,:-....  ,-    • 
KB, 

BMth^of  tbt 

•."•  nil 

3ff. 

ll«fckl  (boT. 

Iht  1ml  of  UM 

ta. 

•  •'..  5 

Dnr^oM. 

«.».«. 

Mi. 

o                      a 

«.«.«. 

.      . 

e 

a 

1  47  30 

(15. 

1-7 

10    0 

t  • 

(14.706) 

22-5 

28    0 

16-63             15.510 

18-0 

11    0 

17-71 

14,012 

28  80 

(16,015) 

17-9 

14     0 

1-  ...; 

13,520            .1  •:. 

•     I 

16-05 

17-9 

1!    H 

.. 

(13,210)           24  -8 

2920 

(1«.640) 

17-8 

10-5 

15    0 

18-46 

12.900 

0-0 

so   n 

.. 

(16.875) 

16-2 

16    0 

,  . 

12,250 

26-5 

:;..  ;:, 

ff 

(16,965) 

16-0 

!•:  M 

20-65 

10,070 

31-1 

8030 

.. 

(17.045) 

16-0 

19    0 

(8,800) 

M»| 

S3    0 

15-40 

17,590 

15-5 

!•.•  n 

21:85 

8.530 

34    0 

.. 

(18,  ISO) 

.. 

-  5-5 

20    0 

.  . 

(8.400; 

35-2 

37    0 

14-55 

19,068 

15-6 

-21-1 

20  20 

•j-j  ..i 

8.310 

37  JO 

.. 

(19,290) 

15-8 

-  8-0 

20  40 

•jj-ji 

8,090 

40-1 

15-2 

38    0 

,, 

(19.735) 

14-2 

22    0 

.. 

(7.860) 

42-2 

17-3 

88  10 

.. 

(19,847) 

TJ   :• 

23  20 

•-•-••'  l 

7.625 

40-0 

20-0 

88 

14*05 

19.960 

2350 

22-93 

r.sn        40-0 

38  25 

13-95 

20.126 

24    0 

23-08 

7.150 

88  50 

w,m 

8-0 

-  5-0 

25    0 

••M 

6.810 

42-0 

89    0 

13-76 

_•..,:,.; 

8-5 

26    0 

•J.:   17 

6.640 

40    0 

.. 

-'.:.:.: 

:•  _• 

-  9-0 

26  10 

.. 

(6,590} 

40  15 

.. 

•J.'Nl- 

.. 

-15-0 

H    !.'• 

.. 

(6.560) 

45-2 

21-5 

40  30 

,,,.„,; 

11-0 

29    0 

.  . 

5,655) 

45-5 

27-0 

41  20 

13:35 

21.182 

.  . 

-15-0 

29  30 

24-51 

5,500 

47-0 

21-8 

41  50 
44    0 

(21.407) 
22.380 

4-5 

30  30 
81  30 

(5.110) 

(4.720) 

47-1 
49-2 

35-1 
19-7 

48    0 

•,  m 

0-0 

-30-0 

32    0 

25-40 

4.521 

48-0 

50    0 

11-25 

25.382 

-   -J  -.. 

no  dew 

32  30 

.. 

(4.315) 

50-5 

20-8 

51    0 

1 

26,350 

33    0 

25-80 

4.11(1 

53  ± 
270 

9-75 

29,000 
25.318 

-  5-0 
-  2-0 

S3  30 
36    0 

(4.050) 

(3.735) 

51-1 

22-3 
37-5 

-  M 

12:55 

+  2-0 

38    0 

••,    „, 

B.4M 

52-2 

87-0 

845 

13-15 

21,650 

11-0 

39    0 

27-60 

2.260 

9    0 

14-05 

20,018 

17-0 

39  20 

.. 

54-0 

42-1 

9  30 

]•    :;: 

16,015 

18-0 

360 

.. 

on  the  grand 

•M 

48-8 

9  40 

17-07 

14.938 

The  reading  of  Regnanlt's  hygrometer  at  Ih.  45m  was  reduced  to  -  30°,  without  any  deposition  of  moisture ;  the  temperature  of  the 
dew-point  wat  therefore  at  a  lower  degree.  At  Ih.  48m.  the  temperature  of  the  dew-point,  ai  determined  by  the  Dry-  and  Wet-bulb 
thermometers,  wat  —  35°,  at  ihown  below. 

From  the  general  agreement  of  the  result*  at  obwrred  by  Begnanlt'i  hygrometer  and  thote  of  the  dew-point  ai  found  by  the  Dry-  and 
Wet-bulb  thermometer*,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  temperature  of  the  dew-point  at  height*  exceeding  30,000  feet  mutt  hare  been 
a*  low  at  -  50°. 

Mr.  Glaisher's  general  remarks  and  conclusions,  as  derived  from  the  eight  balloon  ascents 
here  recorded  by  him  in  the  Association  Reports,  are  too  important  to  be  omitted : — 

These  eight  ascents  have  led  me  to  conclude,  firstly,  that  it  was  necessary  to  employ  a  balloon  containing 
nearly  90,000  cubic  feet  of  gas ;  and  that  it  was  impossible  to  get  BO  high  as  six  miles,  even  with  a  balloon  of  this 
magnitude,  unless  carbnretted  hydrogen,  varying  in  specific  gravity  from  370  to  330,  had  been  supplied  for  the 
purpose. 

It  is  true  that  these  statements  are  rather  conflicting  when  compared  with  the  statements  made  by  one  or  two 
early  travellers,  who  professed  to  have  reached  some  miles  in  height  with  small  balloons.  But  if  we  recollect  that 
at  3}  miles  high  a  volume  of  gas  will  double  its  bulk,  we  have  at  once  a  ready  means  of  determining  how  high  a 
balloon  can  go  ;  and  in  order  to  reach  an  elevation  of  six  or  seven  miles  it  is  obvious  that  one-third  of  the  capacity 
of  the  balloon  should  be  able  to  support  the  entire  weight  of  the  balloon,  inclusive  of  sufficient  ballast  for  the 
descent. 

The  amount  of  ballast  taken  up  affords  another  clue  as  to  the  power  of  reaching  great  heights.  Gay-Lussao's 
ballast,  as  before  mentioned,  was  reduced  to  33  Ibs.  Rush  and  Green,  when  their  barometers,  as  stated  by  them> 
stood  at  1 1  inches,  had  only  70  Ibs.  left,  and  this  was  considered  a  sufficient  playing-power.  We  found  that  it  was 
desirable  to  reserve  five  or  six  hundred  pounds  ;  and  although  we  could  have  gone  higher  by  saving  less,  still  on 
every  occasion  it  was  evident  that  a  large  amount  of  ballast  was  indispensable  to  regulate  the  descent  and  select  a 
favourable  spot  for  landing. 


240  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1862. 

Secondly,  it  was  manifest  throughout  our  various  journej's  that  excessive  altitude  and  extended  range  as  to 
distance  are  quite  incompatible.  The  reading  of  the  instruments  establishes  this;  and  it  has  been  pointed  out 
what  a  short  time  the  balloon  held  its  highest  place,  and  how  reluctantly  it  appeared  to  linger  even  at  a  somewhat 
less  elevation.  This  was  not  owing  to  any  leakage  or  imperfection  in  the  balloon  itself,  for  its  efficiency  has  been 
well  tested ;  and  it  remained  intact  a  whole  night  without  the  least  perceptible  loss  of  gas. 

It  has  been  stated  by  an  aeronaut  of  experience  that  strong  opposing  upper  currents  have  been  heard  to  pro- 
duce an  audible  contention,  and  to  sound  like  the  "roaring  of  a  hurricane."  Now,  the  only  deviation  we  experienced 
from  the  most  perfect  stillness  was  a  slight  whirring  noise  in  the  netting,  and  this  only  when  the  balloon  was 
rising  with  great  rapidity,  and  a  slight  flapping  on  descending,  when  the  balloon  is  in  a  collapsed  state. 

I  may  also  state  that  the  too  readily  accepted  theory  as  to  the  prevalence  of  a  settled  west  or  north-west  wind 
was  not  confirmed  in  our  trips.  Nor  was  the  appearance  of  the  upper  surface  of  the  clouds  such  as  to  establish 
the  theory  that  the  clouds  assume  a  counterpart  of  the  earth's  surface  below,  and  rise  or  fall  like  hills  or  dales. 

Perhaps  the  most  important  conclusions  which  can  be  drawn  from  the  experiments  at  present  are  : — 

1.  That  the  temperature  of  the  air  does  not  decrease  uniformly  with  increase  of  elevation  above  the  earth's 

surface,  and  consequently  the  theory  of  a  decline  of  temperature  of  1°  in  every  300  feet  must  be 
abandoned.  In  some  cases,  with  a  clear  sky,  the  decline  of  1°  has  taken  place  within  100  feet  of  the 
earth ;  and  for  a  like  decrease  of  temperature  it  is  necessary  to  pass  through  more  than  1000  feet  at 
heights  exceeding  five  miles. 

The  determination  of  the  decrease  of  temperature  with  elevation,  and  its  law,  is  most  important; 
and  the  balloon  is  the  only  means  by  which  this  element  can  be  determined ;  but  very  many  more 
experiments  are,  however,  necessary. 

2.  That  the  humidity  of  the  air  decreases  with  height  in  a  wonderfully  decreasing  ratio,  till  at  heights 

exceeding  five  miles  the  amount  of  aqueous  vapour  in  the  atmosphere  is  very  small  indeed. 

3.  That  an  aneroid  barometer  read  correctly  to  the  first  place,  and  probably  to  the  second  place  of  deci- 

mals, to  a  pressure  as  low  as  seven  inches. 

4.  That  dry-  and  wet-bulb  thermometers  can  be  used  effectively  up  to  any  heights  on  the  earth's  surface 

where  man  can  be  located. 

5.  That  the  balloon  affords  a  means  of  solving  with  advantage  many  delicate  questions  in  physics  ;  and, 

6.  That  the  observations  can  be  made  with  tolerable  safety  to  the  observer ;  and  therefore  that  the  balloon 

may  be  used  as  a  philosophical  agent  in  many  investigations. 

The  ascents  which  are  most  worthy  to  be  compared  to  these  in  point  of  interest,  are  the 
ascents  of  MM.  Biot  and  Gray-Lussac,  made  in  1804,  for  the  purpose  of  scientific  experiment, 
already  given  in  this  work.  In  reference  to  the  eventful  ascent  of  Mr.  Glaisher  and  his 
companion,  the  following  remarks  are  extracted  from  the  '  Times  ':— 

SCIENTIFIC  BALLOON  ASCENT. 
(Leading  Article  from  the  '  Times,'  Sept.  11,  1862. 

Poetry  has  described  some  famous  descents,  and  the  facilis  descensus  Avertii  comes  back  with  a  familiar  school 
twang  to  us.  These  dips  into  the  subterranean  world  do  not,  indeed,  belong  to  the  region  of  historical  truth,  nor 
do  they  even  profess  to  have  been  made  for  scientific  purposes ;  yet,  perhaps,  they  symbolise  a  certain  spirit  of 
discovery  appropriate  to  those  ages.  The  two  chief  adventurers  into  those  parts,  the  two  epic  heroes,  were  great 
travellers, — the  explorers  of  their  day.  Science  has  just  now,  however,  surpassed  all  the  fancy  of  poets.  We  have 
just  had  an  ascent  such  as  the  world  has  never  heard  of  or  dreamed  of.  Two  men  have  been  nearer  by  some  miles 
to  the  moon  and  stars  than  all  the  race  of  man  before  them.  It  is  true  they  do  not  bring  back  a  very  glowing 
report  of  their  approach  to  the  region  of  the  empyrean,  yet  their  voyage  upwards  is  not  without  poetical  features. 
On  reaching  the  clouds  they  find  themselves  among  strange  phenomena.  They  cut  through  a  dense  mass  of 
moisture  2000  feet  in  thickness,  after  which  the  scene  changes,  they  are  received  out  of  the  thick  fog  into  the  clear 
blue  vault  of  a  liquid  sky,  and  see  the  landscape  of  clouds  beneath  them.  Mr.  Glaisher  attempts  a  photograph  of 
the  beautiful  scene,  but  the  rapidity  of  the  flight  defeats  the  process,  and  as  the  car  mounts  upwards  the  paper 


A.I..  I  I  r.MMMJ  AKTICLE  OF  TIIK  -TIMKS.'  -.Ml 

refuses  to  receive  the  constantly  vanishing  impression  from  below.     They  now   reach  a  fearful  altitude,  v 

the  tinhapp}  victims  t,f  nil  experiments — cannot  lly.  and  where,  at  last,  the  rarity  of  the  air  is  too  great 
lor  the  physical  stun -tun  ,,f  man,  and  one  of  the  explorers  faint*  and  becomes  unconscious.  Yet  such  in  the 
determination  of  men  when  they  are  in  the  act  of  expciimcntizing,  and  at  the  very  climax  of  their  feat,  that  they 
will  not  spoil  it  l.y  a  check  so  long  as  progress  is  possible ;  on  they  will  go,  and  grndge  forestalling  their  vertex 
I iy  a  foot.  f,,r  every  foot  is  so  much  gain  and  no  much  triumph.  For  ten  whole  minutes  Mr.  r,,\\\,ll  ..-..nded 
alone,— or  rather  worse  than  alone,  with  his  companion  insensible  before  his  eyes,  in  a  region  six  miles  diMunt 
li.  ni  the  earth.  That  is  a  -very  extraordinary  ten  minutes  if  we  think  of  it,  that  solitary  command  without  a  rival, 
of  tin1  lioundless  regions  of  space,  when,  for  once,  to  be  "  alone  in  the  world  "  was  not  a  metaphor,  and  one  head 
was  working  in  the  infinite  void.  It  deserves  to  take  its  place  among  the  unparalleled  junctures  and  the  critical 
an-!  striking  moments  of  war,  politics,  or  discovery.  But  the  feat  was  almost  too  audacious,  and  was  carried  on 
to  th.  ge  of  fate.  Mr.  Coxwell  was  only  just  in  time  to  take  the  step  which  was  necessary  for  a  return  to 

the  lower  world;  another  minute  and  he  would  have  been  stretched  by  the  side  of  his  companion,  and  a  car, 
containing  two  human  bodies,  would  have  been  mounting  to  worlds  unknown,  and  encountering  aerial  storms  and 
shipwrecks  so  removed  from  all  our  sublunar}1  experience  that  we  can  hardly  form  the  faintest  image  of  the  reality. 
We  know  enough  of  the  geography  of  the  heavens  to  know  that  it  would  not  have  been  even  dathed  upon  the 
bleak  shore  of  a  planet,  or  found  a  resting  place  upon  some  Ararat  in  the  moon.  But  Mr.  Coxwell's  mouth 
pel  formed  the  task  which  his  paralysed  hands  were  unequal  to,  and  the  release  of  the  gas  procured  u  descent,  and 
gave  u  safe  termination  to  the  most  audacious  aerial  feat  ever  performed. 

The  courage  of  men  of  science  deserves  to  have  a  chapter  of  history  devoted  to  it.  It  has  been  observed 
that  coin-ago  is  a  very  capricious  and  inconsistent  virtue,  and  we  all  of  us  know  the  old  anecdote  of  the  gallant 
m  of  a  hundred  battles  who  durst  not  snuff  out  a  candle  with  his  fingers.  Courage  is  a  thing  of  habit,  and 
sometimes  it  fails  altogether  immediately  it  is  out  of  the  field  of  its  habit.  Your  bold  rider  is  one  who  has  begun 
young  and  becomes  a  sort  of  Centaur,  only  with  the  convenience  of  dropping  off  the  animal  part  of  his  figure 
when  he  chooses;  his  whole  body,  with  its  muscles  and  sinews,  has  accommodated  itself  to  the  back  of  a  horse, 
and  acquired  an  intuitive  and  unconscious  balance.  But  take  him  off  his  horse  and,  unless  he  has  the  principle  of 
courage  within  him,  ho  is  an  ordinary  mortal,  aad  no  more  likes  breaking  his  neck  than  a  quiet  humdrum  citizen. 

A  soldier  is  accustomed  to  courage  in  company  with  gallant  fellows  around  him  ;  but  that  makes  an  immense 
difference.  Company  is  both  inspiring  and  relieving ;  it  divests  courage  of  its  horrors  and  gloom.  It  is  therefore 
much  easier  to  be  bold  in  company.  But  send  your  bristling  warrior  a  nocturnal  walk  along  a  lane,  and  he  sees 
ghosts  peeping  from  behind  haystacks,  and  hears  supernatural  voices  in  every  gust  of  air.  The  feats  of  a  man  of 
science  give  you  a  better  guarantee  for  real  courage  because  they  are  solitary,  deliberate,  calm,  and  passive.  It  is 
tme  he  has  his  enthusiasm  which  helps  him,  and  he  has  his  field  of  courage  to  which  he  has  accustomed  himself. 
But  everj-  new  venture,  every  fresh  essay  upon  this  field  is  a  solitary  effort  and  impulse  to  him.  He  has  to  fight 
alone  and  by  himself  against  the  fnintness  of  nature,  without  men  shouting  or  flags  flying,  or  trumpets  clanging 
around  him.  He  faces  the  invisible  forces  of  nature,  the  gas  that  explodes  or  the  poison  that  penetrates,  with  the 
countenance  of  a  student  and  philosopher,  and  is  at  the  disadvantage  of  having  to  be  fully  conscious  and  self- 
possessed,  instead  of  having  the  aid  of  the  swing  and  impetus  of  passion.  The  cool  feats  of  our  scientific  men  are 
known  to  us  all— snch  as  that  of  Sir  Humphry  Davy  inhaling  a  particular  gas,  with  an  accurate  report  every 
minute  or  two  of  its  successive  effects  upon  his  brain  and  senses-  The  aerial  voyage  just  performed  by  Mr.  Coxwell 
and  Mr.  Glaisher  deseives  to  rank  with  the  greatest  feats  of  experimentalizers,  discoverers,  and  travellers.  It  is 
true  thcM-  gentlemen  h.iv.  not  brought  down  a  very  comfortable  or  inspiring  report  of  the  upper  world  into  which 
they  ha\v  penetrated.  >  i,  n. .  and  poetry  are  unhappily  rather  at  variance  upon  the  subject  of  the  air  and  sky. 

Poetiy  points  upwards  to  the  sky  with  glowing  rapture  as  the  scene  of  brightness  and  glory,  and  a  residence 
there  figures  as  the  leward  of  heroism  and  greatness.  I  '.\  <  i  \  thing  is  happy  and  splendid  that  is  connected  with  tin- 
sky.  But  science  penetrates  with  its  material  eye  into  these  vast  upper  spaces,  and  simply  reports  a  great  difficulty 
of  breathing  there,  that  the  Mo,  d  stagnates,  the  limbs  become  benumbed,  the  senses  evaporate,  and  nature  faints  in 
unconsciousness.  The  very  liiids  will  not  fly  in  that  sky  which  is  their  poetical  home.  The  distinction  is  that 
poetry  looks  up  to  the  sky  from  U-low,  and  science  examines  and  feels  it  on  a  level.  The  sky  is  the  emblem  of 
poetry — the  fact  of  science.  Both  aspects  of  it  are  ,  ,|iially  true,  but  the  point  of  view  from  which  they  are  taken 
is  quite  different.  But,  though  our  recent  explorers  of  the  sky  do  not  add  to  its  brilliancy  as  a  picture,  they  have 


242 


ASTKA  CASTKA. 


A.D.  1862. 


furnished  one  more  striking  and  impressive  scene  to  the  history  of  science.  They  have  shown  what  enthusiasm 
science  can  inspire  and  what  courage  it  can  give.  If  the  man,  as  the  poet  says,  had  need  of  "  triple  steel  about 
his  breast "  who  first  launched  a  boat  into  the  sea,  certainly  those  had  no  less  need  of  it  who  first  floated  in  the 
air  six  miles  above  the  surface  of  the  earth. 


When  science  from  creation's  face 
Enchantment's  veil  withdraws, 

What  lovely  visions  yield  their  place 
To  cold  material  laws. 

CAMPBELL. 


On  the  14th  October,  a  pleasant  party  ascended  from  Winchester  Barracks.     To  each  of 
the  members  the  idea  that  Schiller  has  so  well  expressed  might  be  applied : — 


Wie  sprang,  von  kiihuem  Muth  befliigelt, 
BeglUckt  in  seines  Traumes  Walm, 
Von  keiner  Sorge  noch  gezugelt, 
Der  Jungling  in  des  Lebens  Bahn  ! 
Bis  an  des  Aethers  bleichste  Sterne 
Erhob  ihn  der  Entwiirfe  Flug ; 
Nichts  war  so  lioch  und  nichts  so  feme, 
Wohin  ihr  Fliigel  ihn  nicht  trug. 

DIE  IDEALE. 


Light,  as  by  valour  wing'd  for  air, 

On  life  illumed  by  morning  beams, 
Sprang  youth,  as  yet  uncurb'd  by  care, 

And  blest  in  error's  happy  dreams  (?)  : 
Up  to  the  ether's  faintest  star, 

Did  wild  design  adventurous  soar — 
Oh,  nought  too  high,  and  nought  too  far 

For  those  strong  pinions  to  explore. 

SIR  BULWKR  LYTTOX. 


THE  WINCHESTER  ASCENT. 

Two  of  the  party  wrote  the  following  accounts  :— 

70  MILES  IN  60  MINUTES. 
To   the   Editor   of  the  '  Times: 

A  most  successful  aerial  journey  has  this  day  been  accomplished  from  Winchester  to  Harrow,  travelling  at 
the  rate  of  a  mile  a  minute. 

Colonel  M'Donald  and  six  officers  of  the  Bine  Depot  Battalion  accompanied  Mr.  Coxwell  in  his  mammoth 
balloon.  Before  this  could  be  realised  great  anxiety  had  been  felt  by  all  concerned,  the  distance  from  the 
gasometer  being  half  a  mile  and  the  last  hundred  yards  of  piping  having  to  be  laid  above  ground  through  the 
passages  to  the  inner  quadrangle.  As  the  pipe  was  only  four  inches  in  diameter,  the  filling  had  to  commence  at 
nine  o'clock  on  Monday  morning.  The  weather  was  tempestuous,  and  strong  equinoctial  gales  blowing  from  the 
south-west,  bringing  heavy  clouds  with  rain  almost  precluded  any  hope  of  our  aerial  voyage  being  either  pleasant 


A.,,.  !>.;•_'.  II.K.HT  riniM  \\IM  iii:sii:i;  m  IIAI;I;<>\\ 


ihc  /.•ul  <.f  Mi.  Timicy,  the  gu  manager,  who  spared  no  labour  in  providing  the  90,000  cubic 

!   -a-     linary  task— imd  nU>  to  M : .  0  \  well's  knowledge  of  tin-  .  hangoableness  of  the  weather,  the 

enterprise  was  not  alun.l.'ii.  «1.  All  the  arrangements  made  with  calculation  and  forethought  by  Colonel  M'Donald 
—fiilU  , •, .in].l. -t.  '1  :  cvciy  preparation  for  tin-  coii\cnicncc  of  sp.  ctators  had  been  made;  and  the  an<-i«-nt 
I'.il ... •••  of  (  'hai-les  1 1.  assumed  the  appearance  of  a  Human  amphitheatre.  It  was  hoped  that  a  large  sutn  of  money 
\\,,ul,l  have  been  thus  collected  forthe  Lancashire  Distress  Fund,  Imt  on  this  point  wo  wore  somewhat  disappointed, 
as  aomo  thousands  preferred  to  keep  their  shillings  in  their  pockets  and  enjoy  a  surreptitious  \  ir\\  li.iin  a  distance. 
Still,  owing  to  frequent  squalls,  it  was  iindccidt  <l  at  three  o'clock  whether  tho  ascent  should  IK-  made  this  day 
or  postponed.  A  Urge  crowd  was,  as  usual,  clamorous,  and  foolishly  careless  of  any  risk,  but  it  would  have  had 
no  .-licet  in  induein..;  Mr.  t  'oxw.-ll  to  ••  proceed"  had  not  the  sun  come  out  and  the  heavy  clouds  dispersed.  Then 
he  d.-eideil,  and  the  soldiers,  obeying  his  signals  with  military  exactness,  drew  tho  balloon  to  tho  windward  side 
of  the  square  ;  and  at  five  minutes  past  four  let  go  the  rope,  when  we  instantly  rose  in  a  majestic  manner — clearing 
the  coiner  we  had  so  much  feared  by  l.'ai  feet  to  a  height  of  two  miles.  By  passing  over  the  Grange  (Lord 
Ashl.urton'si  eight  minutes  later  we  per.-.  i\.  .1  that  we  were  going  at  the  rate  of  a  mile  a  minute.  Tho  white  and 
broken  clouds  were  on  this  occasion  between  three  and  four  miles  from  the  earth.  Our  direction  was  E.N.K.  \Ve 
h  t  <  'amp  two  miles  to  the  8.K.,  Virginia  Water  a  milo  to  the  N.\V..  and  with  great  pleasure  recognised 
the  friendly  shelter  of  Harrow-hill  for  a  quit-t  descent.  This,  however,  we  passed  by  arnile,  and  landed  in  a  grass- 
tiehl  1  Mi.  Henry  Mill.  Merc,  in  the  gentlest  manner  possible,  the  grappling  iron  anchored  us  in  the 

centre  of  the  field,  and,  thanks  to  Mr.  ('oxwell's  judgment,  without  the  slightest  concussion.  With  the  hearty 
goodwill  of  the  villagers,  and  the  obliging  assistance  of  -Mr.  Mill,  we  packed  up  and  carried  our  balloon  to  the 
railway  station.  It  was  :,.\.">  o'clock  when  we  descended,  and  the  distance  we  had  travelled  in  one  hour  and  ten 
minutes  exceeded  seventy  miles.  As  we  reached  the  ground  Mr.  Coxwell  was  kind  enough  to  show  us  the  manner 
in  which  he  performed  the  almost  incredible  feat  of  opening  tho  valve  with  his  teeth  when  seven  miles  above  the 

earth  (see  p.  234  i  • 

C.  F.  T. 
iMidon,  Oct.  11. 

Mr.  Coxwell  having  stated  to  me  that  our  flight  in  his  balloon  from  Winchester  to  Harrow,  on  Tuesday  last, 
was  one  of  the  most  successful  and  interesting  which  have  been  made,  I  am  disposed  to  offer  a  few  additional 
observations  to  those  of  your  previous  correspondent. 

Me  made  a  slight  mistake  as  regards  the  time  in  which  the  journey  was  performed,  the  distance  being  got 
over  in  one  hour  and  six  minutes — four  minutes  less  than  he  computed. 

It  being  necessary  to  move  upwards  with  great  velocity,  an  additional  interest  attached  to  the  ascent.  The 
moment  tho  roj>e  was  loosed  by  our  guide,  we  felt  first  a  gentle  movement,  then  a  bound  into  space,  almost  a 
-ition  of  the  ••  tianslation"  of  good  men  of  old.  It  is  hardly  possible  to  describe  how  this  movement 
outstripped  thought.  A  fleeting  vision  passed  the  mind,  of  friends  near  becoming  instantly  distant,  amid  the 
waving  of  handkerchiefs,  the  strains  of  music,  and  the  cheers  of  the  crowd  ;  we  wore  high  in  air,  however,  before 
we  could  return  these  salutations. 

At  this  period  our  velocity  could  not  have  been  less  than  at  the  rate  of  three  miles  a  minute,  our  course 
describing  a  parabolic  curve,  tho  balloon  being  moved  by  two  forces — upwards  by  the  dense  masses  of  the  lower 
air,  and  northwards  by  the  wind.  This  pace  gradually  lessened  till  we  reached  our  extreme  altitude,  upwards  of 
two  miles,  when  we  took  the  more  moderate  rate  of  about  seventy  miles  an  hour,  and  travelled  at  the  same 

•ion  until  almost  over  Cheit.-ey,  when  we  descended,  in  a  parabola  of  less  inflection,  upon  Staines.  This 
descent  was  of  great  velocity,  although  the  only  effect  felt  by  the  aeronauts  was  the  rotation  of  the  balloon  slowly. 

was  rapidly  cheeked  by  the  delivery  of  a  sandbag,  when  for  some  time  we  preserved  an  altitude  of  about  900 

-ui'M -i|u, -utly  it  bi-eaine  necessary  to  ascend  to  1000  feet  to  clear  Harrow-hill  with  the  grapnel,  which  hung 
100  feet  below  us,  and  was  a  scale  by  which  we  could  estimate  height ;  and  our  altitude  was  now  gradually 
lessened  until  the  descent  was  accomplished. 

It  was  interesting  to  note  the  .litter,  nee  of  the  aerial  currents.  Until  we  passed  over  Staines,  rippled  waters 
were  obseivable,  and  we  anticipated  a  rough  descent  ;  near  there,  however,  some  smoke  was  seen  to  blow  towards 

•  '1  :.-i»t.-I  .,f  (V.lon,!   M.-U.nuM.  M:ij,.r  N.  w,li-at. .  C.   Itnmnbottom,  W.  M.   llnri.-ll.  C.  K.mli,  1.1.  II.  Tumor.  >(  tli<-  1'rince 

Contorts  Own  1M1.   Kri-mle.  and  J.  S.  Algar  ..I  ii.,  i:ml,  i;ul,  ~. 

"2    K 


244 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


A.D.  1863. 


the  west,  although  our  direction  was  northerly,  indicating  a  lower  and  different  current  of  wind.  After  our 
descent  upon  Staines  we  noticed  our  pace  was  diminished,  and  that  we  were  probably  moving  at  the  rate  of  about 
thirty-five  miles  an  hour,  which  pace  appeared  uniform  until  half  a  minute  before  touching  .ground,  under  the 
shelter  of  Harrow-hill. 

London  was  to  be  seen,  a  great  bank  of  fog,  with  buildings  in  its  outskirts,  which  we  left  on  our  right. 

I  ought  not  to  forget  to  mention  a  very  brilliant  effect  produced  by  the  sun  striking  on  a  cloud  over  the  Isle 
of  Wight.  The  cloud  shone  with  an  intensity  equal  to  electric  light.  Nor  should  I  forget  our  passage  over  the 
familiar  scene  of  much  military  pomp  in  which  we  had  figured — the  great  dust  plain  and  hideous  huts  of  Aldershot. 
There  a  solitary  bugle  call  was  detected  by  the  sharp  ears  of  our  helmsman,  who  pointed  out  the  value  of  balloons 
in  military  reconnaissance.  Although  at  the  height  of  two  miles,  any  manoeuvres  upon  the  dust  plain  could  have 
been  easily  seen.  Even  troops  secreted  behind  the  Eeservoir,1  or  in  the  hollows  of  Caesar's  Camp,  would  have  been 

unable  to  hide  from  the  searching  eye  of  the  aerostatic  observer. 

A.  M. 

A    Winchester   poet   takes   advantage   of  the    occasion   to   refresh    the   mind   by    apt 

comparisons : — 

ON  THE  ASCENT  OF  A  BALLOON. 


Tis  well  for  man  that  his  aspiring  mind 

Should  limits  to  his  boundless  wishes  find ; 

The  loftiest  angels  fell  for  lack  of  this, 

And  changed  for  endless  woe  their  seats  of  bliss. 

With  genius  all  expansive,  and  a  skill 

Prompt  to  perform  wh'ate'er  may  be  his  will ; 

And  more  than  all,  a  heart  to  do,  and  dare 

His  duty,  or  his  pleasure,  careless  where, 

Wliat  would  his  restless,  tow'ring  spirit  stay, 

Uncheck'd  by  laws  'twere  death  to  disobey  ? 

He  threads  the  bottom  of  the  briny  deep, 

He  climbs  up  snow-clad  summits  drear  and  steep 

And  midst  the  icebergs  of  the  Esquimaux 

Steers  with  a  fearless  helm  his  fragile  prow  ; 

Nor  yet  to  roam  on  earth  and  sea  content, 

Up  to  the  clouds  he  ventures  an  ascent ; 

And  thus  determined,  lo!  the  means  at  hand 

For  this  new  voyage,  which  his  bold  thought  hns  plaun'd. 

Behold  yon  silken  web  so  finely  spun, 

Tho'  worms  prepar'd  the  skeins  that  thro'  it  run  ; 

With  wondrous  life  inspir'J,  aloft  it  rears 

Its  form,  as  buoyant  as  the  starry  spheres, 

And  like  a  courser  fretting  at  the  rein  ' 

That  serves  awhile  its  spirit  to  restrain, 

See  how  above  those  weights,  that  bid  it  stny, 

It  heaves,  and  rolls,  and  strives  to  soar  away. 

At  length  the  word  is  giv'n,  and  with  a  bound 

It  surges  up,  and  giaceful  leaves  the  ground. 

Then  upward,  upward,  with  majestic  flight 

It  soon  ascends  beyond  the  reach  of  sight, 

View'd  and  admir'd  by  twice  ten  thousand  eyes 

That  eager  watch'd  its  blending  with  the  skies. 


But  in  that  soaring  globe  the  muse  would  see 

An  emblem  of  a  glorious  immortality ; 

Tho'  now  careering  on,  ere  launching  forth, 

It  seem'd  a  cumbrous  mass  upon  the  earth. 

Lifeless  it  lay,  as  tho'  unfit  to  rise, 

And  sail  in  triumph  thro'  the  lofty  skies. 

Thus  fallen  man  is  seen  laid  dead,  and  down, 

Beneath  a  load  of  trespass  all  his  own. 

But  when  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God 

Breathes  in,  ar.d  fills  with  life  that  mortal  clod — 

No  longer  dead,  it  moves,  and  straight  begins 

To  rise  above  the  burden  of  its  sins. 

It  sees  the  blood  from  Jesu's  side  that  flow'd, 

And  reads  all  cancell'd  there  the  debt  it  ow'd. 

And  as  those  weights  that  hung  upon  the  net 

Did  still  forbid  its  upward  soaring  yet, 

Until  the  signal,  iull  of  deep  suspense, 

Was  given  to  bid  the  voyagers  mount  from  hence ; 

Thus  humbled  still  with  many  a  weight  within 

Th'  imprisou'd  soul  laments  its  state  of  sin, 

Yet  by  the  power  of  prayer  and  faith  made  strong 

It  learns  to  bear  and  lift  itself  along  ; — 

Lab'ring  with  constant  struggles  to  be  clear 

From  all  those  trammels  that  detain  it  here ; 

Till  the  last  hour  of  life — and  then  are  seen 

Those  deep  librations,  faith  and  sight  between, 

When  fully  conscious  of  its  near  release — 

With  trembling  hope  and  joy,  and  deep-felt  peace, 

Freed  from  each  earthly  tie,  each  sin  forgiv'n, 

It  soars  sublimely  to  its  blood-bought  Heav'n — 

Whilst  weeping  friends  look  on,  and  praise  the  Lord 

For  His  abounding  grace  and  faithful  word. — J.  C.  P. 


1863. — Mr.  Glaisher  continues  to  make  many  interesting  and  useful  scientific  experiments 
with  regard  to  the  atmosphere,  hy  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Coxwell.  Jn  one  of  these  pleasant 
excursions,  on  the  llth  July,  the  author  accompanied  them,  and  the  following  is  the  account  :— 

COASTING  IN  A  BALLOON. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  '  Times.'  Chichester,  July  12,  1S63. 

On  a  former  occasion  you  did  me  the  honour  to  insert  an  account  of  a  balloon  trip  till  then  the  most  rapid 
on  record ;  and  I  now  hope  that  you  may  again  find  room  in  the  valuable  space  of  your  journal  for  an  account  of  a 


\.i..  IN;::.  C0.\>ll.\«;  IN  A  1JALLOON. 


made  \,  st,  id.i\  1'v  Mr.  (iluitdier  and  Mr.  Coxwoll,  in  which,  by  their  kind  permission,  another  gentleman  and 
myself  were  allowed  to  join. 

Having  j.ie\  i,,ii.sly  obtained  the  knowledge,  from  observation  of  the  clouds  and  a  paper-pilot,  that  the  lower 
.mi,  'iii  was  flowing  almost  due  west,  while  the  upper  was  from  north  to  south,  we  rose  quietly  from  the  Crystal 
I'alaee  at  -l.-lii  r.M. 

Mr.  Glaisher,  with  a  variety  of  instruments  surrounding  him,  commenced  at  once  his  observations,  which  I 
hope  may  bo  published.  Tho  lower  current  carried  us  towards  London,  and  we  almost  hoped  to  back  Eton  with 
our  cheers,  but  unfortunately  we  reached  the  upper  current,  and  were  carried  slowly  past  Croydon,  where  we 
observed  tents,  and  a  large  concourse.  We  passed  immediately  over  a  beautiful  park  near  Epsom,  which  Mr. 
(  ,  l.iishei  photognpbed.  We  crossed  the  South-Eastern  Railway,  between  Duckland  and  lieigate  Town.  Hero  the 
rail,  following  the  curves  of  the  chalk-hills  and  Bletchworth,  drew  attention.  Between  this  and  Ilortiham  wo 
attained  our  greatest  elevation,  not  much  over  a  mile,  as  we  wished  to  go  distance,  not  height,  hoping  to  cross  the 
Channel  ;  but  the  sluggishness  of  the  atmosphere  disappointed  us.  After  once  enjoying  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the 
fields  contracting,  we  allowed  them  to  expand,  and  remained  at  a  lower  altitude.  Passing  immediately  over 
Horshain,  Mr.  (ilai.sher  took  another  photograph.  We  saw  the  sea,  and  from  the  inlet  perceived  that  wo  were  going 
straight  !',,r  New  Shoreham. 

"  The  sea  looks  tempting,"  we  all  exclaimed  ;  but,  alas  !  it  is  seven  o'clock,  and  our  pace  not  rapid,  so  this 
must  be  postponed. 

Mr.  (  '..\\vel!  drops  us  into  the  lower  current,  and  we  coast  about  five  miles  from  the  shore,  at  not  more  than 
1500  feet,  and  sometimes  only  600  feet  from  the  ground.  Nothing  could  be  more  enjoyable.  Villagers  shouting 
to  us  to  come  down,  and  occasionally  answering  our  questions  ;  the  cheery  cries  of  children  ;  sheep  flocking  on  the 
Downs,  not  knowing  which  way  to  go  ;  geese  cackling  and  scuttling  off  to  the  farms,  other  birds  remaining  in 
trees  ;  while  a  pack  of  hounds  was  in  the  wildest  excitement  within  their  kennels,  trying  to  get  out.  We  passed 
immediately  over  the  parks  of  Arundel  and  Dale,  hearing  the  pheasants  crowing  as  they  went  to  roost. 

Mr.  (  'oxwell  thought  at  this  time  <,f  mo-Miii;  the  S.di  nt.  and  landing  in  the  l>le  ,.f  \\  'jjjht  ;  1'iii  tin-  wind 
getting  a  little  more  southerly,  and  knowing  the  inconvenience  of  the  country  near  Portsmouth  for  landing  when 
dark,  we  took  advantage  of  an  open  piece  of  grass  near  the  house  at  Goodwood,  and  descended  soon  after  8  P.M. 

Mr.  Coxwoll,  after  throwing  a  rope  to  a  cricketer,  landed  us  so  gently  that  we  could  not  have  crushed  a 
daisy.  We  were  afterwards  drawn  by  a  rope  to  the  front  of  the  house,  for  the  benefit  of  a  few  gazers.  I  had  hoped 
that  Mr.  Coxwell  would  here  tether  his  balloon  and  continue  our  journey  next  day  ;  but  it  was  Sunday,  and  so 
he  resolved  to  pack  it  up  ;  otherwise,  the  upper  current  being  again  north,  our  wishes  might  this  day  have  been 
happily  accomplished. 

Our  thanks  are  due  to  Captain  Valentine,  and  other  good  people  there  assembled,  for  the  assistance  they  gave 

us  in  packing  up. 

C.  H.  T. 

MR.  GLAISHEK'S  TWELFTH  BALLOON  ASCENT. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  •  7Im«.'  BUckhe.tli.  July  14,  1863. 

This  ascent  was  intended  to  have  combined  both  extreme  height  and  distance,  and  almost  until  the  time  of 
leaving  the  earth  there  seemed  to  be  a  promise  that  both  purposes  in  these  respects  could  be  realised.  As  the 
direction  of  the  wind  was  almost  due  east,  the  paths  of  the  pilot-balloons  were  such  as  to  indicate  that  our  course 
would  have  been  towards  Devonshire. 

The  bky  was  nearly  covered  with  cirrus  and  cirro-stratus  clouds,  and  the  air  was  in  very  gentle  motion.  The 
earth  was  left  at  4h.  55m.,  the  Iwilloon  moving  towards  the  west  till  4h.  "/Jim.,  when,  in  a  moment,  we  came 
under  the  influence  of  a  north  wind,  and  moved  almost  due  south.  At  this  time  the  balloon  was  2400ft  high. 
At  Mi.  I'.MU.  we  were  nearly  over  Caterham,  where  a  large  number  of  persons  was  collected  celebrating  some 
festival.  At  :,  h.  .'.lira,  wo  were  near  Epsom  Downs;  at  5h.  49m.  near  lieigate;  at  Ch.  3!»  m.  over  Horsham;  at 
7h.  14m.  within  five  or  six  miles  of  I'.righton.  Up  to  this  time  we  had  frequently  consulted  together,  with  the 
view  of  ascending  higher,  but  it  did  not  seem  prudent  to  attempt  extreme  elevations,  as  we  were  moving  so 
directly  towards  the  sea,  and  therefore  we  kept  low,  with  the  prospect  of  crossing  the  Channel  to  France,  and  then 
ascending  to  four  or  five  miles;  but  on  approaching  the  Channel  the  circumstances  did  not  promise  success;  we 

•2  K  2 


246  ASTEA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1863. 

therefore  abandoned  the  attempt.  On  descending  when  at  the  height  of  about  2400  ft.  we  again  fell  in  with  an 
east  wind,  being  exactly  at  the  same  elevation  as  we  lost  it  at  five  o'clock.  After  this  time  we  were  compelled  to 
keep  at  a  low  elevation,  and  moved  very  nearly  parallel  to  the  coast,  at  the  rate  of  about  fifteen  miles  per  hour,  at 
elevations  varying  from  1000  ft.  to  2000  ft.,  till  at  8  h.  35  m.  we  were  over  Goodwood  Park,  the  seat  of  the 
Duke  of  Richmond,  where  Mr.  Coxwell  determined  to  descend,  and  managed  the  balloon  so  that  finally  it  had  to 
be  pulled  down,  and  we  were  not  aware  when  the  car  touched  the  earth. 

The  temperature  at  the  time  of  leaving  at  the  Royal  Observatory,  Greenwich,  was  75i  deg. ;  at  the  Crystal 
Palace  it  was  74  deg. ;  in  the  balloon  it  declined  to  59  deg.  by  5  h.  4  m.  at  the  height  of  3COO  ft.  We  then  entered 
a  warm  current,  the  temperature  increasing  to  61-5  deg.,  then  decreased  to  60  deg.  at  the  height  of  4300  ft.  We 
determined  to  descend  to  repeat  these  observations,  and  found  all  temperatures  down  to  3000  ft.  nearly  5  deg. 
higher  than  at  the  same  heights  on  ascending.  We  then  turned  to  ascend  at  5  h.  35  m.,  and  the  temperature 
decreased  gradually,  agreeing  with  those  at  the  same  elevations  as  last  taken,  and  continued  to  a  height  of 
6200  ft.  at  6h.  28m.,  where  the  temperature  was  52i  deg.;  we  continued  at  this  elevation  with  very  slight 
variations  for  half  an  hour,  during  which  time  the  temperature  fell  from  1  deg.  to  2  deg. 

At  7h.  we  were  nearing  the  coast,  and  we  descended  to  900  ft.  by  7h.  20m.,  the  temperature  gradually  and 
constantly  increasing  to  65-J  deg.  From  this  time  we  were  moving  westward,  almost  parallel  to  the  coast,  and 
were  compelled  to  keep  below  2000  ft.  to  avoid  approaching  the  sea ;  and  the  temperature  at  these  elevations 
varied  from  63  deg.  to  65  deg.,  and  was  68J  deg.  at  Goodwood  at  8  h.  50  m.,  about  ten  minutes  after  we  had 
touched  the  ground.  At  this  time,  at  Greenwich,  the  temperature  was  <>4  deg. ;  at  Brighton,  as  communicated  to  me 
by  Mr.  I.  0.  N.  Rutter,  it  was  68  deg. 

On  comparing  the  successive  temperatures  at  the  same  elevations,  taken  after  5  h.  8  in.  with  those  at  Green- 
wich a  corresponding  decrease  was  shown,  but  somewhat  less  in  amount. 

At  5  h.  27  m.,  when  at  the  height  of  about  3000  ft.,  the  '  Times  '  newspaper,  folded  four  times,  fell  over  the 
car.  Its  descent  was  watched.  After  a  time  it  looked  like  a  gull.  It  reached  the  ground  at  5  h.  35  m.,  passing 
over  seven  or  eight  fields  in  its  descent. 

While  passing  from  Brighton  to  Chichester,  without  any  sense  of  motion  ourselves,  at  an  elevation  of  less 
than  2000  ft.,  over  so  beautiful  a  county,  in  all  respects  like  Devonshire,  with  its  fine  parks  of  forest-trees,  noble- 
men's mansions,  and  all  the  features  of  rural  landscape, — a  moving  panorama,  in  fact,  of  great  extent,  appearing 
in  quick  succession,  like  a  fairy  scene, — the  prospect  was  most  enjoyable ;  and  I  must  confess  it  was  with  some 
regret  that  we  were  compelled  to  conclude  this  aerial  voyage. 

The  currents  of  air  on  this  occasion  were  remarkable :  there  was  no  transition  state  from  one  to  the  other ; 
the  stratum  of  air  moving  from  the  north  must  have  been  in  contact  with  that  from  the  east.  After  nearing 
Horsham  the  north  wind  must  have  been  compounded  with  some  west ;  that  is,  at  heights  exceeding  5000  ft., 
which  was  lost  on  falling  below  this  height,  for  then  for  a  time  we  were  moving  towards  Worthing.  When  near 
the  south  coast  the  smoke  was  frequently  moving  in  a  different  direction  to  that  of  the  balloon :  at  Arundel  it  was 
moving  in  the  opposite  direction.  It  was  this  uncertain  state  of  things  which  prevented  us  from  passing  to  the  Isle 
of  Wight,  as  I  very  much  wished  to  have  some  observations  over  the  sea. 

At  the  Royal  Observatory,  Greenwich,  the  horizontal  movement  of  the  air  between  the  hours  of  five  and  nine 
was  at  a  rate  less  than  two  miles  an  hour ;  while  during  three  hours  and  three-quarters  the  balloon  had  passed 
between  60  and  70  miles. 

It  is  very  evident  that  our  instruments  on  the  earth  do  not  give  any  indication  of  the  real  velocity  of  the  air. 
A  similar  result  was  shown  last  year  in  Mr.  Coxwell's  rapid  journey  from  Winchester,  of  70  miles  in  65  minutes, 
while  the  anemometer  at  Greenwich  registered  14  miles  only;  and  every  occasion  on  which  the  actual  motion  of 
the  air  has  been  measured  by  the  balloon  it  has  been  a  multiple  of  that  determined  by  instruments.  The  difference 
between  the  two  is  so  large  that  it  seems  scarcely  to  be  accounted  for  by  the  uudulutory  nature  of  the  surface  of 
land,  and  implies  that  our  hitherto  estimated  velocities  of  the  air  are  erroneous. 

Shortly  after  we  left,  the  sky  was  overcast,  mostly  with  cirro-stratus  clouds  of  such  density  that  at  times  there 
were  faint  gleams  of  light  from  the  sun ;  but  for  the  most  part  the  sun's  place  was  only  just  discernible,  and  for 
some  time  before  sunset  there  was  no  trace  whatever  of  the  sun. 

These  clouds,  when  viewed  from  a  height  exceeding  6000  ft.,  seemed  then  to  be  as  far  above  as  they  did  when 
viewed  fiom  the  earth  :  they  must  have  been  four  miles  high  at  least.  The  atmosphere  was  thick  and  misty,  very 


CA  L&  AS<  I:\T   \\   M:\\V\M  i  i  -JIT 

were  invisible;  :nnl  the  earth,  nut  being  lighted  up  liy  llu>  Min  at  all,  wa»  dull,  the  fact  of  <-lmuU 
reaching  to  four  miles  high,  where  tko  temperature  of  the  dew-point  must  be  some  degrees  below  zero,  aa  in  th> 
preceding  ascent,  implying  the  presence  of  very  littlu  water;  yet  there  was  enough  in  both  cases  not  only  to  be 
viable,  lint  t«  e\elude  everything  beyond  them.  This  fact  is  important,  and  indicates  that  our  theory  of  vapour  mtut 

I.'    ,:,-         -,:..:     I 

\\  |  «.  :  '  * \.iiired  on  this  occasion  with  tho  company  of  Mi.  1'ivderiek  Xorrirf,  nf  the  Conservative  <  lub,  and 
I. i. -MI.  n. in:  II.  Turnor,  of  tho  Rifle  Brigade. 

'I'll.-  ].l.i.  ,•  .  t  descent  was  Goodwood  Park,  the  seat  of  the  Duko  of  itichmond  ;  and  our  best  thanks  are  dm-  t.. 
iin  Valentine  for  the  assistance  he  kindly  gave  us  in  everything — not  only  in  having  my  instruments  properly 
taken  care  of,  packing  up  the  balloon,  <ko.,  but  also  for  his  kind  hospitality. 

JAMES  GI.AIMIM:. 

An  ascent  in  Mr.  (V\\\vll's  Maiiiiimth  Balloon  was  made  on  August  31,  from  tin- 
rrirkrt  (irouml  at  Nr\\v;istlf.  during  the  Meeting  of  the  British  A^Micijitimi.  The  account  is 
<  \tracted  from  the  '  Newcastle  Daily  Chronicle':— 

This  ascent  took  place  yesterday,  and  the  popular  interest  evinced  was  decidedly  greater  than  that  excited  by 
any  other  event  connected  with  the  Association.  Everybody  could  share  tho  pleasure  uinl  excitement  produced 
1>>  a  balloon  ascent;  and  the  great  mass  of  our  townsfolk  did  share  in  it.  Tho  Mayor,  on  tin-  requisition  of  a 
niimU-r  (.four  leading  firms,  had  wisely  appointed  that  the  afternoon  should  Ixs  holden  as  a  general  holiday.  The 
consequence  was  that  all  the  positions  surrounding  tho  Cricket  Ground,  from  which  a  view  of  the  balloon  could  lie 
obtained,  were  occupied  earl}'  in  the  afternoon.  In  the  enclosure  itself,  some  hundreds  of  the  members  of  the 
P.ritish  Association  were  assembled.  The  inflation  of  the  balloon  began  about  Imlf-paKt  one  in  the  afternoon,  and 
was  not  completed  till  nearly  six  in  the  evening.  The  balloon  employed  on  this  occasion,  \ve  believe,  was 
constructed  by  Mr.  Coxwell  specially  for  scientific  ascents.  It  is  of  immense  size  and  beautiful  form,  and  require* 
'.'.">. "no  feet  of  gas  to  inflate  it.  Messrs.  Coxwell  and  Glaisher  usually  perform  their  journeys  alone ;  but  on  this 
occasion  they  were  accompanied  by  Master  G.  W.  Lee  Glaisher,  a  son  of  Mr.  Glaisher,  about  sixteen  years  of  «ge, 
Captain  llond.  Mr.  Smith,  and  Mr.  J.  Pullan,  one  of  our  reporters.  When  Mr.  Glaisher  had  arranged  his  delicate 
instrument-,  and  Mr.  Coxwell  had  adjusted  his  still  more  important  machinery,  the  aerial  monster,  amidst  the 
plaudit*  of  the  spectators,  swiftly  and  steadily  left  the  earth.  The  clouds  were  low  at  the  time,  so  that  the 
balloon  was  speedily  hidden  by  them.  As  it  rose  higher,  however,  it  was  seen  and  lost  again  repeatedly  as  a 
diminishing  object  in  the  heavens.  Glistening  in  tho  sunlight,  it  was  not  entirely  lost  to  view  for  half  an  hour 
after  it  left  the  earth.  The  ascent  was  made  so  near  to  the  coast  that  the  direction  of  the  wind  was  a  matter  of 
some  moment,  and  several  "  pilots  "  were  despatched  to  ascertain  it.  As  the  great  balloon  itself  ascended,  it  took 
a  southerly  direction,  but  diverged  slightly  to  east  as  it  got  into  higher  currents  of  air.  The  proceedings  were 
enlivened  by  the  performances  of  the  bands  of  tho  1st  Newcastle  and  the  Northumberland  Artilleiy  Volunteers, 
permitted  to  be  present  by  tho  kindness  of  the  commanding  officers.  The  balloon  was  the  "  Mammoth  "  with  which 
Mr.  Glaisher  and  Mr.  Coxwell  have  made  all  their  scientific  ascents. 

Having  described  the  balloon  as  seen  from  the  earth,  we  will  now  describe  the  earth  as  seen  from  tho  balloon. 

TIIK  VOYAGE. 

The  following  is  tho  account  of  our  own  reporter,  who  was  favoured  with  a  place  in  the  balloon  : — 
At  twelve  minutes  past  six  o'clock,  and  cheered  by  the  hurrahs  of  the  assembled  people,  we  rose  smoothly 
from  the  earth.     The  sight  of  a  thousand  up-turned  faces,  all  evincing  astonishment  and  delight,  was  a  fair  parting 
scene,  and  omened  well  for  our  evening  voyage.     The  first  glance  around  showed  that  not  only  was  tho  Cricket 
Ground  thronged  with  spectators,  but  in  the  adjacent,  streets  people  appeared  to  be  closely  packed.     The  town 
lay  below  us.  tho  streets,  squares,  towers,  spires,  and  monuments  spread  out  as  we  see  them  in  those  old  engr.-n 
grey  with  the  apje  of  centuries.     The  novelty  Of  the  situation,  however,  prevented  me  from  comprehending  at  one 
•.rlanee  the  whole  extent  of  NVwea.-tle  and  the  surrounding  district.     There  was  so  much  more  to  see  from  this 
unmterrui>ted  point  of  view,  that  the  eye  acquainted  with  even  the  widest  ranges  obtained  from  mountain 
could  not  at  once  grasp  the  clearly-defined  landscape  that  lay  beneath.     There  was  much  to  admire,  but  still 


248  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1863. 

to  confuse  the  mind,  and  before  my  thoughts  were  sufficiently  collected  to  allow  me  to  take  a  systematic  survey, 
we  were  into  a  cloud.  The  idea  of  being  so  soon  amongst  the  clouds  did  not  at  the  moment  occur  to  me,  and  my 
first  impression  was,  that  we  were  passing  through  a  -volume  of  Newcastle  smoke  purified  by  its  ascent  from  the 
chimneys  of  Tyne-side  factories.  Happily  this  filmy  shade  did  not  shut  out  our  view  entirely,  and  one  could  still 
see  the  throng  in  the  Cricket  Ground,  and  gather  a  vague  idea  of  the  town,  which,  however,  seemed  to  be  turned 
wrong  end  foremost.  People  and  terrestrial  objects,  animate  and  inanimate,  became  smaller  and  smaller;  we  were 
Brobdignagians,  sailing  over  Lilliput.  Mr.  Coxwell  having  got  now  clearly  into  his  own  favourite  element, 
having  reached  his  realms  of  space,  began  to  point  out,  like  an  agreeable  host,  the  beauties  of  his  domain.  First, 
however,  he  seemed  anxious  to  know  the  direction  in  which  the  winds  of  heaven  were  wafting  us,  and  therefore 
requested  us  to  look  out  for  the  High  Level  Bridge.  The  search  for  this  little  object  was  almost  as  hopeless  as  the 
proverbial  difficulty  connected  with  the  needle  in  the  bundle  of  hay  ;  but  having  ranged  visually  about  the  Tyne 
for  some  time,  and  somewhere  between  Newcastle  and  Shields,  our  gaze  travelled  up  to  the  Old  Bridge,  the  dry 
light  road  of  which  arrested  the  attention.  Knowing  that  on  earth  the  High  Level  was  not  far  removed  from  this, 
and  scarcely  expecting  to  find  it  turned  upside  down,  we  at  length  observed  a  black  line  of  railway  threading  its 
course  through  the  house-rows,  and  on  more  careful  inspection,  discovered  the  exact  position  of  the  High  Level. 

This  was  directly  beneath  us,  and  as  we  remained  over  it  for  several  minutes,  it  was  clear  that  we  were  not 
making  much  onward  progress.  Upward,  not  onward,  was  our  present  aim.  The  breeze  that  had  rocked  the 
"  Mammoth  "  balloon  to  and  fro  as  she  swung  at  anchor  on  the  green  in  the  Cricket  Ground,  had  been  an  under- 
current, and  we  seemed  to  have  little  chance  of  drifting  far  from  home.  Looking  up  the  Tyne  from  the  High  Level, 
the  Annie  and  Meadows  Islands  formed  useful  landmarks  that  could  not  be  mistaken,  and  that  served  to  aid  us  in 
comprehending  our  position  in  the  clouds.  But  so  different  was  the  appearance  of  the  great  factories  and  familiar 
objects  of  the  town  when  looked  down  upon,  to  that  which  they  present  when  viewed  in  the  ordinary  way,  that 
it  was  quite  impossible  to  point  out  even  Sir  William  Armstrong's  ordnance  sheds  and  yards,  although  the 
west  end  of  Newcastle  could  be  clearly  defined.  Clouds  interrupted  the  view  further  west,  but  an  opening  in  the 
light  grey  film  floating  beneath  the  balloon  gave  us  an  uninterrupted  range  eastwards. 

The  Tyne  from  Newcastle  to  Tynemouth  was  so  short  that  the  pleasant  watering-place  appeared  to  have 
become  a  close  suburb  of  Newcastle  ;  and  had  not  Mr.  Coxwell  assured  me  of  the  fact,  I  should  not  have  supposed 
the  little  town  a  stone's  throw  behind  us  to  be  the  Tynemouth  of  one's  terrestrial  airings.  The  froth  of  the  sea, 
however,  as  the  waves  broke  on  the  shore,  fringed  the  outline  of  the  coast,  and  set  the  position  of  Tynemouth 
beyond  cavil.  Fiom  this  white  border  the  sea — apparently  of  darker  blue  than  it  seems  from  land — could  be 
observed  for  a  small  space  only  before  it  was  lost  in  its  imion  with  the  horizon.  It  was  satisfactory  to  learn  that 
the  little  wind  that  did  prevail  with  us  drove  the  balloon,  at  all  events,  from  the  sea.  We  were  going  gently  south  ; 
and  on  again  turning  the  gaze  to  the  now  familiar  lines  of  the  High  Level  Bridge,  we  saw  that  we  had  crossed  the 
Tyne,  and  were  hanging  over  Gateshead,  a  town  which  does  not  improve  in  appearance  when  viewed  from  aloft. 
These  were  about  the  limits  of  our  sightseeing  for  the  present.  Sounds  reached  our  ears  distinctly,  and  until  we 
entered  the  cloud  the  cheers  of  the  people  we  had  left  were  audible  enough.  After  this  the  puffing  and  whistling  of 
steam-engines,  the  clang  of  steam  hammers,  and  a  hoarse  commingling  of  miscellaneous  noises  came  up  -from  below. 

The  easy  and  imperceptible  sailing  of  our  aerial  carriage  was  a  luxury  that  has  no  parallel  on  earth.  Perfect 
freedom  from  all  resisting  substance  gave  us  something  of  the  feeling  that  may  be  imagined  to  belong  to  a  lark 
soaring  on  the  wing  or  buoyed  motionless  in  the  air.  The  sense  of  danger  was  not  at  all  strong,  and  any  fears  that 
might  arise  were  checked  rather  than  increased  by  the  reflection  that  if  the  balloon  collapsed  or  the  ropes  broke, 
nothing  could  save  us.  'J  here  we  were,  and,  being  there,  the  only  thing  to  do  was  to  make  the  best  of  our  position. 
The  fact  of  depending  on  a  few  small  ropes  and  a  bag  of  gas,  a  mile  from  the  earth,  was  not,  however,  one  that  a 
timid  person  would  long  contemplate  with  any  great  degree  of  satisfaction.  The  only  effect  the  ascent  had  upon  me 
physically  was  a  pressure  on  the  ears  as  we  passed  through  some  of  the  denser  clouds  ;  but  this  never  approached 
to  ringing,  and  was  not  at  all  alarming  or  inconvenient.  Mr.  Coxwell  himself  experiences  a  similar  sensation  on 
some  occasions,  though  not  usually.  The  composure  of  the  aeronaut  himself  was  equalled  by  the  quiet  and  steady 
application  of  Mr.  Glaisher  to  his  apparatus.  Tho  latter  seemed  infleed  to  be  as  perfectly  at  home  as  a  chemist  in 
his  own  laboratory ;  while  his  son,  a  boy  of  sixteen,  tuok  his  notes  with  much  more  readiness  and  facility  than  I 
could  jot  down  mine.  This  was  not  the  first  ascent  of  Captain  Bond,  who  was  therefore  acquainted  with  the 
working  of  the  balloon,  and  was  both  able  and  willing  to  render  assistance.  He  and  Mr.  Smith,  who  has  made 


A.n.  1  T11E  CL()UD-S<  \H 

il  voyages,  applied  themselves,  under  Mr.  Coxwell's  diiccti..ns,  to  the  throwing  out  of  ballast  when  required  ; 
l.iii  dot  of  all  to  tho  im|x>rtant  work  of  disengaging  the  heavy  iron  grapnel  from  the  car,  and  lowering  it  to  tin- 
•:<]•.  It  then  swung  in  the  region  below  UN,  and  served,  by  its  inclination  from  the  course  taken 
by  tho  balloon,  to  indicate  the  direction  of  our  progress.  Pit  limiiuiry  duty  done,  wo  refreshed  ourselves  with 
ginger-l>eer,  and  prepared  to  ascend  higher.  Mr.  Coxwell  directed  my  attention  to  tho  descent  of  a  cork  which  he 
tlnvw  ..u!  of  tin*  car.  and  which  could  be  seen  decoendin;.;  through  tlic  space  below  UK  for  several  minutes  after  it. 
had  left  his  hand.  Scraps  of  paper  thrown  out  of  the  balloon  served  by  their  ascent  or  descent  to  show  whether 
the  balloon  itself  waa  ascending  or  descending,  and  we  frequently  had  recourse  to  these  flickering  agent*. 

'I  If  .  f  ill  seen  from  tho  height  of  a  mile  and  a  half  presented  the  appearance  of  a  vast  bowl.  Rivers  could 
be  distinguished  and  traced,  towns  and  villages  were  clearly  visible,  but  could  not  be  identified,  while  cultivati  d 
lands  were  dist  in>j;uishable  by  their  various  shades  of  colour,  from  the  yellow  hue  of  the  cornfield  to  the  brown  of 
ploughed  land  and  the  green  of  the  meadows  and  pastures.  Trees  appeared  as  low  and  stumpy  as  tho  hedgerows ; 
but  the  sombre,  solid,  and  massive  grouping  of  extensive  woods  rendered  them  easily  distinguished.  Trains  could 
be  seen  running  on  the  lines  of  railway  in  almost  all  directions ;  and  should  people  ever  travel  in  balloons,  and 
leave  locomotives  to  convey  goods  only,  they  will  assuredly  believe,  that  with  trains  following  so  closely  after  cadi 
oilier  as  they  appear  to  do  when  seen  from  above,  balloons  are  asafer  means  of  conveyance.  The  observations  1  have 
roughly  recorded  were  the  results  of  scarce  one-tenth  of  the  time  now  occupied  in  writing  them.'  Turning  the  gaze 
upward,  a  clear  blue  sky  overarched  us  ;  below,  fleecy  clouds  were  thickly  closing  in,  and  thus  shutting  out  from 
our  view  all  tern-stria!  prospects.  Having  passed  through  clouds,  the  effects  of  tho  sun  in  expanding  the  volume  of 

bt  inexpert  management  of  which  resulted  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Chambers  at  Basford,  were  clearly  illustrated. 

The  balloon  was  swollen  to  its  fullest  extent,  and  from  tho  safety-valve  at  the  mouth  of  the  neck  the  gas 
could  be  seen  rushing  out  in  a  strong  current  The  gas  thus  given  off  did  not  affect  the  voyagera  at  all.  nor 
did  Mr.  Coxwdl.  whose  face  was  almost  in  the  midst  of  it,  experience  any  ill  effects.  This  fays  a  good  deal  for 
the  present  purity  of  the  gas  of  the  Newcastle  Company.  While  tho  neck  was  open  a  look  into  the  interior  of  the. 
balloon  was  not  without  interest.  The  gas  in  it  derived  a  yellowish  hue  from  tho  colour  of  the  skin  of  the  balloon, 
and  was  so  transparent  that  the  valvular  apparatus  at  the  top  could  be  plainly  distinguished.  One  of  tin-. 
pictures  of  celestial  beauty  that  well  repay  the  risk  of  a  balloon  ascent  was  vouchsafed  to  our  party.  The  scenes 
of  earth  had  not  been  so  varied  or  extensive  as  they  frequently  arc  ;  while  the  state  of  the  at  ni' inhere  and  the  low 
situation  of  the  clouds,  tended  to  diminish  what  little  of  the  picturesque  belongs  to  the  rather  prosy  district  .  i 
Newcastle  and  its  environs.  But  the  scenes  of  the  sky  were  truly  celestial.  The  balloon  swung  in  the  centre  of 
one  vast  and  hollow  globe.  The  concave  section  beneath  us  was  composed  of  light  grey  cloud-land,  as  it  might 
be  termed,  for  the  components  of  this  substance  of  our  world  were  not  now  separate  or  in  groups,  but  united  in 
one  compact  mass  excluding  us  entirely  from  the  earth,  and  tendering  us  for  the  time  recognised  and  natural!-  d 
habitants  of  the  sky.  While  in  this  station  any  apprehensions  that  might  have  been  entertained  when  the  hard 
earth  was  in  sight  were  dissipated,  and  one  felt  as  though  the  laws  of  gravitation  were  suspended  on  our  behalf, 
and  that  in  this  world  above  all  was  rest  and  peace.  The  wool ly  floor  beneath  looked  soft  and  yielding,  and 
s.-cin-'d  siri-n-lik'-  to  n,\  :••  oa  !•.  i-  !ii ri  tti  u'1  Btl>  -!•  p--~  .md  ti:. •!  '!i.  II  j>.  M-  t>  i!  npOM. 

Above  our  heads  the  noble  roof  of  unbeclouded  sky  formed  a  vast  dome  to  this  palace  of  enchantment,  \\  hose 
gorgeous  furnishings  were  even  more  splendidly  imposing  than  was  its  wide  expanse  of  ethereal  space.  In  the  tar 
east  the  delicate  hues  of  a  fading  rainbow  streaked  the  azure  walls.  In  the  west  the  sun  fringed  with  silver  groups 
of  clouds  that  shone  like  lurid  wool.  Below  these  a  range  of  mountain-clouds,  "  the  Apennines  of  the  sky,"  rose  peak 
over  i>eak  from  the  lowlands  of  our  fairy  country  until  the  summit  of  the  highest  was  tipped  with  the  rays  of  the 

_:  sun.    Some  of  these  hills  were  of  rugged  and  rock  shape,  if  words  so  hard  can  be  justly  applied  to  form>  si, 

'  )thers  were  great  K.ld  cones,  and  some  again  were  rudely  angled  pyramids.  Fitting  that  this  glorious  view  of 
the  novel  realms  of  Nature  should  be  contemplated  with  awe  as  well  as  admiration.  Stillness,  not  indeed  opprc- 
but  grandly  imposing,  reigning  around.  No  sound  of  motion  emanated  from  the  softly-borne  balloon,  not  even  .1 
creak  of  the  car  disturbed  the  solemn  silence.  Fain  would  we  have  dwelt  long  in  such  a  gorgeous  scene  :  but  the 
weakening  rays  of  that  sun  which  gilded  our  celestial  mountain-tups  warned  us  of  the  claims  of  earth,  and  slowl\. 
as  we  descended,  the  mountains  n-i-m.-d  to  rise  above  us;  the  massy  expanse  beneath  divided  first,  then  separated 
into  fleecy  groups,  again  became  like  filmy  shades,  and  once  more  the  earth  burst  upon  our  view.  The  temp-  i.itun- 
had  varied  perceptibly.  At  the  \\>r,  an  overcoat  was  a  hot  incumbrance.  A  little  higher,  ami  in  the 


250  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1863. 

clouds,  the  air  was  chilly,  the  temperature,  Mr.  Glaisher  informed  us,  being  twenty-nine  degrees  lower  than  in  the 
Cricket  Ground  we  had  left.  No  breeze  was  felt,  but  at  one  time  the  balloon  slightly  varied  its  course,  and 
Mr.  Coxwell  was  not  inapprehensive  of  a  storm.  Steadily  we  went  down,  and  as  steadily,  when  required,  did  we 
remount  the  air.  "  Let  us  just  pop  through  these  clouds,"  says  Mr.  Coxwell.  The  sand  is  poured  from  the  bags, 
through  the  clouds  we  pop,  and  on  the  other  side  of  them  begin  to  descend.  A  castle  surrounded  by  luxuriant 
woods  and  furnished  with  spacious  gardens  and  well-kept  lawns,  is  the  first  landmark  that  gives  us  an  indication 
of  our  position.  Eavensworth  suggested  itself  to  me,  but  on  seeing  that  additions  to  the  castle  were  in  course  of 
building,  I  concluded  that  we  had  reached  Lambtoii  Park,  and  were  going  towards  Durham.  The  appearance  in 
the  distance  of  the  Cathedral  towers  of  that  city  confirmed  our  impressions,  and  on  finding  that  we  were  near  a 
line  of  railway,  a  station  was  pointed  out,  and  we  prepared  for 

THK  DESCENT. 

Leamside  Station  was  on  our  left,  and  our  grappling-iron  was  swinging  so  near  the  earth  that  Mr.  Coxwell  was 
apprehensive  lest  it  should  catch  the  telegraph-wires.  Villagers  for  miles  around  had  watched  our  flight,  and  we 
had  frequently  heard  their  cheers.  They  now  rushed  towards  the  descending  balloon  as  if  anxious  to  render 
assistance.  Mr.  Coxwell,  looking  out  for  a  favourable  position,  thought  at  first  to  pass  a  range  of  hills  right  ahead 
of  us  ;  but  finding  a  favourable  field  nearer  at  hand,  he  lowered  us  quickly,  and  warned  us  how  to  avoid  injury  by 
bumps.  In  accordance  with  his  directions  we  cowered  down  in  the  car  and,  holding  fast  the  ropes  on  each  side, 
were  ready  for  the  bumps  when  they  should  come ;  and  come  they  did.  In  avoiding  the  wires  on  the  North- 
Eastern  Railway  we  got  out  of  the  pan  into  the  fire,  as  the  phrase  goes,  and  caught  the  telegraph-wires  on  a 
waggon- way  that  had  been  quite  unobserved.  The  "  Mammoth,"  impatient  of  restraint,  swayed  her  immense  bulk  to 
and  fro,  and  dragged  most  monstrously  against  the  resistance  of  the  grapnel  on  Ihe  wires.  "  Bravo  wires  ! "  said 
one,  and  bump  went  we  against  the  ground.  Up  for  an  instant,  and  then  down  again  with  a  bump  bigger  than 
ever,  and  most  vilely  stunning  in  its  effects.  The  huge  balloon  flapped  and  tore  in  front  of  us,  and  suddenly 
carried  us  right  off  from  our  hold.  Looking  over  the  edge  of  the  car,  it  was  seen  that  she  had  torn  up  two  of  the 
telegraph-posts,  and  brought  them  over  the  hedge  iuto  the  field  of  shorn  and  sheaved  corn.  \\  orse  than  this,  an 
exclamation  from  Mr.  Smith  told  us  that  the  rope  had  broken,  and  that  the  grapnel  was  left  hanging  to  the  wire. 
Mr.  Smith  shouted  to  the  peasantry  who,  like  the  Britons  of  old  when  alarmed  at  the  appearance  of  Cajsar,  had 
congregated  on  the  adjacent  heights,  and  requested  them  to  come  to  our  assistance  and  seize  the  rope. 

They  came  down  fast  enough,  but,  not  understanding  what  was  required  of  them,  and  being  perchance  appre- 
hensive of  being  carried  off  into  the  heavens,  did  not  seize  hold  of  either  car  or  rope.  Mr.  Coxwell,  with  a  degree 
of  promptitude  and  energy  which  proved  him  to  be  equal  to  any  danger,  applied  himself  to  the  valve-rope  and  pulled 
with  might  and  main.  Nevertheless  the  balloon  had  still  power  to  drag  the  car  and  us  along  the  field  of  corn.  First 
by  slight  and  occasional  elevations,  then  by  regular  dragging,  the  car  lying  on  its  side,  and  the  monster  balloon 
tearing  along  at  an  uncomfortable  rate  ;  Mr.  Smith  taking  the  string  relieved  Mr.  Coxwell,  and  obeying  his  rapid 
orders  with  all  his  strength.  Yet  on  we  went,  the  car  creaking  and  straining  heavily,  while  we  crouched  in  it 
were  bumped,  and  knocked,  and  thumped,  and  once  or  twice  fairly  covered  up  with  sheaves.  A  thick  and  high 
thorn  fence  was  right  in  front  of  us,  and  it  seemed  likely  that  we  should  be  into  it.  Mr.  Coxwell  knew  better, 
and  through  his  generalship  and  the  activity  and  strength  of  Mr.  Smith,  aided  also  by  our  friends  of  the  country, 
who  had  at  length  seized  hold  of  the  car,  we  pulled  up  just  at  that  point  where  a  clever  hunter  would  have  risen 
at  the  fence.  The  balloon,  indeed,  was  quite  over  the  hedge,  the  car  still  on  the  right  side,  when  the  people  seizing 
the  network  helped  to  hold  her  back,  and  so  saved  us  from  a  scratching. 

Inquiries  as  to  our  whereabouts  elicited  the  intelligence  that  we  were  near  the  village  of  Pittington,  and  that 
wo  had  come  to  earth  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Newby.  The  Pittingtonians  male  and  female,  old  and  young,  gathered 
rapidly  round,  and  rendered  all  the  assistance  in  their  power.  The  Rev.  H.  Stoker,  the  vicar,  hospitably  invited 
us  to  his  manse  to  take  refreshment,  and  several  other  gentlemen  were  equally  kind.  Mr.  Newby,  on  hearing  of 
the  unexpected  descent  on  his  ground,  hastened  to  Mr.  Coxwell  and  offered  to  render  him  all  the  assistance  he 
could,  and  to  provide  a  horse  and  cart  to  carry  the  balloon  to  Leamside  Station,  a  distance  of  rather  more  than 
two  miles.  Beyond  the  shaking,  no  one  was  injured  by  this  unusually  rough  descent.  The  balloon  was  slightly 
damaged,  and  will  be  easily  repaired.  It  was  found  that  the  telegraph-wires  were  on  the  waggon-way  of  Lady 
Londonderry,  and  though  we  could  not  ascertain  that  they  were  broken,  we  fear  the  damage  may  be  considerable. 


A.I..  i  lil.AlsiiKirs  BEPOBT  TO  THE  i:i:irisn    \-xtri.\Tlo\.  •_•:.! 

i  li.nl  Mil.si,!.  .1,  Mr.  i  ',.  \  \\t-l  I.  Mi.  (ilnisher  and  the  reporter  fuiind  themselves  hatless,  and  each 
Med  home  iii  l-.iiowe.l  (.billies.     Mast.  -i  tiluir-her.  who  has  ascended  six  times,  and  thought  |».  -vimis  ascent* 
(•>  th.ir  :  i'lom  danger,  seemed  to  relish  tin'  ju<  ~  nt  Lending  as  a  stirring  change  from 

tli.-  in.  ii,.:.  my  .flu-  |.,-  The  greatest  altitude  attained  was  about  two  miles. 


':      Tli.-  liill.i\\iun-  is  tlic  |,Y|.<irt  tn  tin'  I'ritish  Association,  of  the  five  most  interesting 
ascriits  inaili-  1'V  Mi.  <  ll;ii.-lirr  iii  the  course  of  this  year:— 


were  in  principle  the  same  as  those  of  the  preceding  year,  the  only  alterations  made  being  those  necessitated  by 

tin-  use  of  new  instruments. 


Ciu.  rMsr.xxi  t.-  <u  IKK  AS.-JAIS,  AXI>  (;KXKKAL 

'1  In'  ascents  were  all  made  by  Sir.  Coxwell's  large  balloon,  as  in  the  preceding  year,  —  four  from  the  Crystal 
Palace,  Sydenham,  and  on.-  IV.,  in  \\olverton. 

Aicent  from  Ifie  Crystal  Palace,  March  31.  —  The  day  was  favourable,  the  wind  was  from  the  East,  in  gentle 
motion,  the  sky  was  blue  and  almost  cloudli  —  .  \\  ••  left  the  earth  at  4"  16"  P.M.,  and  passed  upwards  with  a  very 
nearly  i-ven  motion  to  the  height  of  19,000  feet;  continued  above  this  level  for  some  little  time,  and  then 
gradually  ascended  to  a  height  of  24,000  feet,  which  we  attained  at  5h  28",  or  in  lb  12"  after  starting.  On  opening 
tin-  \al\i-,  though  it  seemed  to  be  but  momentary,  we  descended  1J  mile  in  4  minutes;  this  rapid  descent  was 
checked  by  parting  with  sand,  and  for  half  an  hour  we  kept  very  nearly  upon  a  level,  between  l.'i.OOO  and 
16,000  feet  high;  after  this  we  gradually  and  almost  continually  declined,  and  reached  the  earth  at  Ok  26",  the 
de.-retit  having  been  accomplished  in  58  minutes. 

Tho  temperature  of  the  air  was  50"  on  the  ground,  and  the  air  was  more  nearly  in  a  normal  state  than  1  had 
ever  before  seen  it  ;  almost  every  successive  reading  of  the  thermometer  was  less  than  the  preceding  in  ascending, 
and  greater  on  descending  ;  the  departures  from  these  necessary  conditions  in  a  normal  state  were  very  small  on 
this  occasion.  Tho  temperature  was  just  zero  at  its  highest,  point,  and  4'2n  on  the  ground.  There  had,  therefore,  on 
the  earth  been  a  decline  of  8°  during  the  2h  10"  we  were  away  ;  and  if  the  numbers  on  the  same  level  be  compared, 
it  will  he  seen  that  all  those  when  descending  are  lower  than  those  ascending,  indicating  that  the  whole  mass  of 
air  was  declining  in  temperature  as  that  in  immediate  contact  with  the  earth,  though  possibly  to  a  loss  degree. 

Almost  free  as  this  day  was  from  disturbing  causes,  yet  there  existed  both  warm  and  cold  currents 
of  air. 

The  temperature  of  each  layer  of  air  was  different  according  to  its  direction  of  motion,  and  there  were 
several  different  currents  met  with.  Within  2  miles  of  the  earth  the  wind  was  East  ;  between  2  and  3  miles  high 
it  was  directly  opposite,  viz.  West  ;  about  3  miles  it  was  N.E.  ;  higher  still  it  changed  to  the  opposite,  viz.  S.W.  ; 
and  about  4  miles,  including  the  highest  point,  it  was  W. 

On  descending  at  6h  15"  we  fell  into  a  S.E.  current,  and  moved  towards  London. 

When  nearly  four  miles  high  we  traced  the  smoke  from  a  furnace-chimney  moving  towards  the  West  ;  after 
a  time  it  turned  more  towards  the  East,  then  changed  its  direction  two  or  three  times,  and  finally  followed  us  on 
our  level. 

At  the  greatest  height  the  sky  was  of  the  deepest  Prussian  blue  ;  the  streets  of  London  could  be  picked  out 
as  lines,  and  the  squares  could  easily  be  seen,  having  all  the  appearance  of  an  engineer's  plan. 

The  river  wound  like  a  serpent:  passing  the  eye  down  it,  ships  looked  like  little  boats  to  beyond  the 
Medway,  when-  they  were  lost  ;  the  white  cliffs  of  Margate  were  plainly  seen  ;  the  sea  beyond  Deal  and  Dover 
was  visible,  but  not  the  French  coast.  The  coast-line  was  seen  passing  down  the  northern  side  of  the  Thames  to 
llarwi.-h  and  up  to  Yarmouth,  with  the  sea  beyond.  Mr.  Coxwell  said  he  could  see  Ipswich.  Looking  South, 
Brighton  was  vi>il.]e,  iho  sea  beyond,  and  all  up  to  Dover;  the  North  was  obscured  by  clouds  and  mist.  The 
\\  .  -t  was  not  as  clear  as  the  East  ;  but  the  sun  shone  on  the  Thames  at  Windsor,  giving  it  the  appearance  of 
burnished  gold. 

At  Putney  the  rij.j.ling  of  the  water  at  its  edges  was  like  molten  silver,  and  all  the  country  within  these 
limits  was  map-like,  every  field  being  distinct  in  the  suburbs  of  London,  gradually  diminishing  in  size  as  the 

2  L 


252  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  18(53. 

distance  from  London  increased.     Greenwich  Park  was  visible,  the  Observatory  apparently  a  grey  speck.     We 
touched  the  ground  at  6''  30m  in  a  field  belonging  to  Mr.  G.  Browii,  Gaysthorn  Hall,  Barking  Side,  Essex. 

Ascent  from  the  Crystd  Palace,  April  18.— The'balloon  was  partially  filled  during  the  evening  of  April  17,  with 
the  view  of  starting  early  the  following  morning.  The  atmosphere  was  at  this  time  thick  and  misty ;  the  wind 
on  the  earth  was  N.E. ;  but  pilot-balloons,  on  attaining  a  moderate  elevation,  fell  into  a  north  current;  the  wind 
was  moving  at  an  estimated  velocity  of  40  miles  an  hour,  and  the  ascent  was  delayed  hour  after  hour  in  hopes  that 
the  upper  current  would  change  to  N.E. 

At  lh  P.M.,  when  the  sky  was  nearly  covered  with  clouds,  and  there  were  occasional  gleams  of  sunshine,  the 
ascent  was  decided  upon,  although  it  was  evident  it  could  not  be  one  of  long  duration,  unless  the  wind  should 
change  its  direction,  or  we  crossed  the  Channel.  Mr.  Coxwell,  however,  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  attempt  the 
latter  without  other  and  special  arrangements.  Whilst  discussing  this,  the  rope,  our  only  connecting-link  with 
the  earth,  broke,  and  at  lh  17°  we  started  very  unceremoniously,  the  balloon  taking  a  lurch  :  Mr.  Coxwell  was 
partly  jerked  over  the  side  of  the  car,  and  I  was  thrown  among  my  instruments,  and  unfortunately  both  Darnell's 
and  Eegnault's  hygrometers  were  broken.  Within  3  minutes  we  were  more  than  3000  feet  high ;  at  4000  feet 
cumulus  clouds  were  on  our  level,  and  a  thick  mist  rested  everywhere  on  the  earth.  At  I1'  20™  we  were  7000  feet 
high,  in  a  thick  mist  which  almost  amounted  to  a  fog ;  the  temperature  of  the  air  continued  at  32°  nearly,  whilst 
that  of  the  dew-point  increased  several  degrees ;  on  passing  out  of  the  cloud  these  two  temperatures  very  suddenly 
separated,  the  latter  decreasing  rapidly ;  the  sky  was  of  a  deep  blue,  without  a  cloud  on  its  surface. 

At  lh  30m  we  were  10,000  feet  high;  directly  under  us  was  a  sea  of  clouds;  the  towers  of  the  Crystal  Palace 
were  visible,  and  by  them  we  found  we  were  moving  South.  The  temperature  before  starting  was  61° ;  it  decreased 
to  32°  on  reaching  the  cloud,  and  continued  at  this  reading  whilst  iii  it,  then  suddenly  fell  to  23J-0  on  leaving  the 
cloud,  and  was  either  less  or  the  same  at  every  successive  reading  till  we  reached  the  height  of  20,000  feet,  when 
the  lowest  temperature  was  noticed. 

On  passing  above  4  miles  the  temperature  increased  to  14i°,  and  then  declined  to  12i°  at  the  highest  point,  viz. 
24,000  feet,  in  1  hour  and  13  minutes  after  starting.  When  we  were  just  4  miles  high,  on  descending,  Mr.  Coxwell 
began  to  reflect  that  possibly  we  might  have  been  moving  more  quickly  than  we  expected,  and  that  it  was  necessary  to 
descend  till  we  could  see  the  earth ;  he  opened  the  valve  rather  freely  at  2h  34™,  and  we  descended  a  mile  in  3  minutes. 
We  descended  quickly  but  less  rapidly  through  the  next  mile,  and  reached  the  clouds  at  12,000  feet  from  the  earth 
at  2h  42m.  On  breaking  through  them  at  2'1  44m — still  10,000  feet  from  the  earth — I  was  busy  with  my  instruments, 
when  I  heard  Mr.  Coxwell  exclaim,  "  What's  that  ?  " — he  had  caught  sight  of  Beachy  Head.  I  looked  over  the 
car,  and  the  sea  seemed  to  be  under  us.  Mr.  Coxwell  again  exclaimed,  "  There  is  not  a  moment  to  spare ;  we 
must  save  the  land  at  all  risks ;  leave  the  instruments."  Mr.  Coxwell  almost  hung  to  the  valve-line,  telling  me 
to  do  the  same,  and  not  to  mind  cutting  my  hand.  It  was  a  bold  decision,  and  was  boldly  carried  out. 

When  a  mile  high  the  earth  seemed  to  be  quickly  coming  up  to  us,  and  we  struck  the  ground  at  2h  48™,  at 
Newhaven,  very  near  the  sea ;  but  the  balloon,  by  the  very  free  use  of  the  valve-line,  was  so  crippled  that  it  did 
not  move  afterwards.  Nearly  all  the  instruments  were  broken ;  and,  to  my  great  regret,  three  very  delicate  and 
beautiful  thermometers,  specially  sent  to  me  for  these  observations  by  M.  A.  d'Abbadie,  were  broken. 

Ascent  from  the  North- Western  Railway  Works  at  Wolverton,  June  26. — In  this  ascent  the  Directors  of  the  North- 
Western  Eailway  provided  the  gas,  and  gave  every  facility  to  Members  of  the  Committee  of  the  British  Association 
and  their  friends  to  be  present. 

The  gasometers  at  Wolverton  are  too  small  to  hold  gas  enough  to  fill  the  balloon,  it  was  therefore  partially 
inflated  the  night  before,  and  remained  out  all  night  without  being  influenced  by  the  slightest  wind ;  the  morning 
of  the  ascent  was  also  calm  ;  the  sky  was  of  a  deep  blue,  implying  the  presence  of  but  little  vapour ;  the  atmo- 
sphere was  bright  and  clear,  and  all  circumstances  were  of  the  most  promising  kind.  The  time  of  ascent  was  fixed 
to  take  place  some  little  time  after  the  express  train  from  London  should  arrive,  or  at  a  little  after  noon  ;  and  the 
completion  of  the  filling  was  somewhat  delayed,  the  extraordinary  fineness  of  the  morning  promising  its  completion 
in  a  short  time.  Between  11  and  12  o'clock  all  these  favourable  circumstances  changed ;  the  sky  became  covered 
with  clouds,  some  of  them  of  a  stormy  character ;  the  wind  rose  and  blew  strongly,  the  balloon  lurched  a  great 
deal.  Much  difficulty  was  experienced  in  passing  the  gas  into  the  balloon,  and  sufficient  could  not  be  passed  in 
by  1  o'clock.  The  wind  was  momentarily  increasing,  and  it  became  very  desirable  to  be  away. 

The  greatest  difficulty  was  experienced  in  fixing  the  instruments,  which  would  have  been  broken  but  for 


A.n.  1  flLABHEOT  REPOHT  TO  THK  1U11T1SI1    ASSOCIATION. 

.Mr.  N  egret  ti.  who  had  conu>  from  London  to  assist  mo,  and  who  protected  tliom  even  at  the  hazard  of  being  hurt  l.y 
tin-  \ioli-nt  ..\va\iiigoftlie  lull. .on,  ami  tho  incessant  striking  of  the  car  upon  the  ground,  notwithstanding  the 
united  exertion*  of  many  men  to  hold  it. 

At  the  time  of  leaving,  the  .s]u  ing-catch  was  jammed  so  tight  by  the  pressure  of  tho  wind  that  it  would  not 
act;  and  we  were  let  free  by  tho  simultaneous  yielding  of  tin-  mm,  and  had  to  part  instantly  with  ballatit  to  avoid 
striking  adjacent  buildings. 

It  was  3™  after  lk  P.M.  when  we  left  the  earth,  with  a  strong  W.S.W.  wind.  The  temperature  was  05°.  In 
4  minutes  we  were  4000  feet  high,  and  entered  a  cl»nd  with  a  temperature  of  50°,  experiencing  a  most  painful 
feeling  of  cold,  particularly  Mr.  Coxwell,  who  at  the  moment  of  leaving  was  over-heated  from  his  groat  exertions, 
and,  owing  to  his  anxiety  about  the  change  in  the  weather,  had  left  without  any  extra  clothing.  As  on  all  previous 
occasions,  we  expected  soon  to  break  through  the  clouds  into  a  flood  of  strong  sunlight,  with  a  beautiful  blue  sky, 
without  a  cloud  above  us,  and  with  seas  of  rocky  clouds  below  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  when  we  emerged  all  looked 
dark  both  above  and  below ;  we  could  see  the  earth,  but  it  was  dark  and  dull,  and  without  colour ;  above  us  there 
were  clouds.  At  9000  feet  high  we  were  both  struck  with  a  sighing,  or  rather  moaning  of  the  trim/,  such  ax 
precedes  a  storm  :  it  was  the  first  time  that  either  Mr.  Coxwell  or  myself  had  ever  heard  such  a  sound  in  the  air. 
We  satisfied  ourselves  that  it  was  in  no  way  attributable  to  any  movement  of  the  cordage  about  tho  balloon,  but 
that  it  was  owing  to  conflicting  currents  of  air  beneath.  At  this  time  we  saw  tho  sun  very  faintly,  and  momen- 
tarily expected  its  brilliancy  to  increase ;  but  instead  of  this,  although  we  were  now  2  miles  high,  we  entered 
a  fog,  losing  entirely  tho  sight  of  the  sun ;  shortly  afterwards  fine  rain  fell  upon  us.  We  then  entered  a  dry  fog, 
passed  out  of  it  at  12,000  feet,  saw  the  sun  again  faintly  for  a  short  time,  and  then  entered  a  wetting  fog. 

At  15000  fe«t  we  were  still  in  fog,  but  it  was  not  so  wetting;  at  16,000  feet  we  entered  a  dry  fog;  at 
17,000  feet  saw  faint  gleams  of  the  sun,  and  heard  a  train.  We  were  now  about  3  miles  high ;  at  this  time  we 
were  not  in  cloud,  but  clouds  were  below  us ;  others  on  our  level  at  a  distance,  and  yet.  more  above  us.  Wo 
looked  with  astonishment  at  each  other,  and  said  as  we  were  rising  steadily,  we  surely  must  soon  pass  through 
them.  At  17,500  feet  we  were  again  enveloped  in  fog,  which  became  wetting  at  18,500  feet;  we  left  this  cloud 
below  at  19,600  feet.  At  20,000  feet  the  sun  was  just  visible.  We  were  now  approaching  4  miles  high  ;  dense 
clouds  were  still  above  us  ;  for  a  space  of  2000  to  3000  feet  we  met  with  no  fog,  but  on  passing  above  4  miles  our 
attention  was  first  attracted  to  a  dark  mass  of  cloud,  and  then  to  another  on  our  level;  both  these  clouds  had 
fringed  edges ;  they  were  both  nimbi.  Without  the  slightest  doubt  both  these  dark  clouds  were  regular  rain- 
clouds.  Whilst  looking  at  them  we  again  lost  sight  of  everything,  being  enveloped  in  fog  whilst  passing  upwards 
through  1000  feet.  At  22,000  feet  we  again  emerged,  and  were  above  clouds  on  passing  above  23,000  feet.  At 
6  minute*  to  2  o'clock  we  heard  a  railway  train  ;  the  temperature  here  was  18".  I  wished  still  to  ascend,  to  find 
the  limits  of  this  vapour;  but  Mr.  Coxwell  said,  "We  are  too  short  of  sand,  I  cannot  go  higher;  we  must  not 
even  stop  here."  I  was  therefore  most  reluctantly  compelled  to  abandon  the  wish,  and  looked  searchingly  around. 
At  this  highest  point,  in  close  proximity  to  ns,  were  rain-clouds ;  below  us  dense  fog.  I  was  again  reminded  that 
we  must  not  stop.  With  a  hasty  glance  everywhere,  above,  below,  around,  1  saw  the  sky  nearly  covered  with  dark 
clouds  of  a  stratus  character,  with  cirri  still  higher,  and  small  spaces  of  blue  sky  between  them  :  the  blue  was  not 
the  blue  of  4  or  5  miles  high,  as  I  had  always  before  seen  it,  but  a  faint  blue,  aa  seen  from  the  earth  when  the  air 
is  charged  with  moisture. 

Hastily  glancing  over  the  whole  scene,  there  were  no  extensive,  fine,  or  picturesque  views,  as  in  such 
situations  I  had  always  before  seen.  Tho  visible  area  was  limited ;  the  atmosphere  was  murky,  the  clouds  were 
confused,  and  the  aspect  everywhere  dull.  I  cannot  avoid  expressing  the  surprise  I  have  felt  at  the  extraordinary 
power  which  a  situation  like  this  calls  forth,  when  a  few  moments  only  can  be  devoted  to  note  down  all 
appearances  and  all  circumstances,  and  if  not  so  rapidly  gleaned  they  are  lost  for  ever.  Under  such  circumstances, 
every  appearance  of  the  most  trivial  kind  is  noticed  ;  the  eye  seems  to  become  keener,  the  brain  more  active,  and 
every  sense  increased  in  power  to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  case ;  and  when  we  look  back  after  the  lapse  of  time, 
it  is  wonderful  how  distinctly  at  any  moment  scenes  so  witnessed  can  be  recalled,  and  made  to  reappear  mentally 
in  all  their  details. 

\\  ,•  then  began  our  downward  journey,  wondering  whether  we  should  meet  tho  same  phenomena;  soon  «• 
were  enveloped  in  fog,  but  passed  below  it  when  at  22,000  feet,  and  saw  tho  sun  faintly.  At  20,000  feet  we  \\  •  t> 
in  a  wetting  fog,  and  passed  beneath  it  at  19,500  feet,  experiencing  great  chilliness;  fog  was  then  above  and 

2   I.    L' 


254  ASTEA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1863. 

below.  I  now  wished  to  ascend  into  the  fog  again,  to  check  the  accuracy  of  my  readings  as  to  its  temperature, 
and  the  reality  of  the  chill  we  had  felt,  so  we  reascended.  The  temperature  rose  to  its  previous  reading,  and  fell 
again  on  descending.  From  the  same  level,  for  a  thousand  feet,  we  passed  down  through  a  thick  atmosphere,  but 
not  in  cloud  or  fog.  Looking  below,  all  was  dark  and  disturbed ;  looking  upwards,  not  much  better.  At  the 
height  of  18,000  feet  we  were  again  in  fog.  At  3  miles  high  we  were  still  in  fog,  and  on  passing  just  below 
;i  miles,  rain  fell  pattering  on  the  balloon.  This  was  1  mile  higher  than  we  experienced  rain  on  the  ascent,  and 
it  was  much  heavier.  On  passing  below  14,000  we  entered  a  snow-storm,  and  for  a  space  of  nearly  5000  feet  we 
passed  through  a  beautiful  scene.  There  were  no  flakes  in  the  air ;  the  snow  was  entirely  composed  of  spiculse  of 
ice,  of  cross  spiculae  at  angles  of  60°  and  90°,  and  an  innumerable  number  of  snow-crystals,  small  in  size  but 
distinct,  and  of  well-known  forms,  easily  recognisable  as  they  fell  and  remained  on  the  coat.  This  unexpected 
circumstance  of  snow  on  a  summer  afternoon  was  all  that  was  needed  on  this  occasion  to  complete  the  experience 
of  extreme  heat  of  summer  with  the  cold  of  winter  within  the  range  of  a  few  hours.  On  passing  below  the  snow, 
which  we  did  when  about  10,000  feet  from  the  earth,  we  entered  a  murky  atmosphere,  which  continued  till  we 
reached  the  ground  ;  indeed  so  thick,  misty,  and  murky  was  the  lower  atmosphere,  that  although  we  passed 
nearly  over  Ely  Cathedral,  and  not  far  from  it,  we  were  unable  to  see  it.  When  5000  feet  high  we  were  without 
sand,  and  became  simply  a  falling  body,  checked  by  the  dexterity  of  Mr.  Coxwell  in  throwing  the  lower  part  of 
the  balloon  into  the  shape  of  a  parachute. 

The  place  of  descent  was  in  a  field  on  the  borders  of  the  counties  of  Cambridge  and  Norfolk,  20  miles  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Wash,  and  8  miles  from  Ely. 

Ascent  from  the  Crystal  Palace,  July  11. — This  ascent  was  intended  to  have  been  one  of  extreme  height;  and 
the  promise  of  success  in  this  respect  was  held  out  until  near  the  time  of  starting,  as  pilot-balloons  had  passed 
nearly  due  east,  and  indicated  that  our  course  would  have  been  towards  Devonshire  ;  but  so  doubtful  is  the  course 
a  balloon  will  take  that  no  certainty  can  be  felt  till  the  balloon  has  actually  left.  However,  on  this  occasion 
pilot-balloons,  though  at  first  moving  towards  the  west,  soon  met  with  a  north  wind,  and  went  south.  Under 
these  circumstances  the  attempt  to  ascend  five  miles  was  abandoned,  and  we  resolved  to  ascertain,  as  far  as 
possible,  the  thickness  of  the  stratum  influenced  by  the  east  wind,  to  profit  by  the  knowledge,  and  have  as  long 
a  journey  as  we  could. 

At  the  time  of  leaving  (4b  55m  P.M.),  the  sky  was  nearly  covered  with  cirrus  and  cirrostratus  clouds,  and  the 
wind  was  blowing  due  east.  In  about  4  minutes,  and  when  at  the  height  of  about  2400  feet,  the  balloon  suddenly 
changed  from  moving  towards  the  west  to  moving  due  south.  At  8  minutes  past  5  we  were  over  Croydon,  at  the 
the  height  of  4600  feet,  in  mist,  but  could  see  the  Green  Man  Hotel,  Blackheath ;  we  then  descended,  passing 
downwards  through  a  thick  atmosphere,  till,  at  5h  32m,  we  were  2200  feet  high  over  Epsom  Downs,  and  again 
within  the  influence  of  the  east  wind.  We  then  turned  to  ascend,  and  at  5h  52m  were  3000  feet  above  Eeigate ; 
here  we  could  see  Shooter's  Hill  and  the  Crystal  Palace,  by  the  two  towers  of  which  we  found  we  were  again 
within  the  influence  of  a  north  wind.  We  then  continued  to  ascend,  with  the  view  of  ascertaining  if  we  could 
pass  above  the  north  wind ;  at  6b  16™,  when  at  5400  feet,  the  wind  shifted  to  N.N.W.,  and  the  atmosphere  became 
very  thick  and  misty,  the  sun's  place  being  just  visible.  At  6h  28m  we  were  6600  feet  high,  and  the  sun  was 
wholly  obscured;  we  descended  somewhat,  but  did  not  get  below  the  mist.  At  6b  40™  we  were  6200  feet  high, 
and  directly  over  Horsham. 

We  then  ascended  to  6600  feet,  again  to  repeat  the  observations  I  had  made,  and  found  that  the  temperature 
in  the  half-hour  had  declined  2°  or  3°.  At  this  time  (6"  56"1)  cirri  and  cirrostratus  were  very  much  higher  than 
ourselves,  and  we  saw  the  coast  near  Brighton. 

A  consultation  had  been  held  while  at  this  height  with  the  view  of  crossing  over  to  France  ;  but  our  progress 
being  so  slow,  and  the  circumstances  not  promising  success,  wo  came  down  with  the  view  of  again  falling  into 
the  east  wind,  supposing  it  still  to  be  prevalent.  We  met  the  north  wind  again  at  about  5000  feet,  and  the  east 
wind  at  exactly  the  same  height,  viz.  2400  feet,  at  which  we  lost  it  on  ascending.  We  descended  to  within 
1000  feet  of  the  earth,  and  were  near  Worthing,  at  about  5  miles  from  the  coast ;  we  then  ascended  to  2700  feet — 
found  ourselves  moving  towards  the  coast,  and  within  the  influence  of  a  north  wind  ;  evidently,  therefore,  if  we 
wished  to  continue  our  journey  we  must  keep  below  2400  feet,  otherwise  we  should  be  blown  out  to  sea.  W  hen 
again  at  the  height  of  2400  we  turned  to  move  parallel  to  the  coast,  being  at  this  time  over  Arundel.  Sheep  in 
the  fields  were  evidently  very  frightened,  and  they  huddled  together.  We  now  descended  to  800  feet,  and  thus 


run  * 


|.. 


"'••• 


' 


Q 

'//e  atitx  at 


ut  .ut*   • 


'  0   ,V  I  I'  » 

r  rr  r  n  -  r  J  /• 


A.,,.  i  N  LDA1T8  «M-:ANT. 

jourm-yed  at  height*  varying  from  800  to  1600  feet — villagers  frequently  shouting  to  us  to  oome  down,  and 
now  and  then  answering  our  questions  as  to  the  locality  we  were  in.  The  cheering  cry  of  children  was  frequently 
•.  ••  other  sounds.  Geeae,  cackling  and  frightened,  scuttled  off  to  their  farms.  1'huamnta  crowed  as 
ih.  \  were  going  to  roost;  and  as  we  approached  the  end  of  our  journey,  a  pack  of  hounds  bayed  in  the  wildest 
state  i>t'  i Ai-iti-ment  nt  the  balloon. 

Thus  journeying,  all  motion  seemed  transferred  to  the  landscape  itself,  which  appeared  when  looking  one 
way  to  U  rising  and  coming  towards  us,  and  when  looking  the  other,  sinking  and  receding  from  us.  It  was 
charmingly  varied  with  parks,  mansions,  white  roads,  and,  in  fact,  all  the  constituent*  of  a  rural  scene  of  extremely 
IH  •.uitifiil  chiirai -it -r.  The  place  of  descent  was  Goodwood  Park,  the  seat  of  the  Duke  of  Richmond. 

Ascent  from  the  Cryttal  Palace,  July  21. — The  weather  on  this  day  was  bad,  the  sky  overcast  and  rainy. 
Although  in  every  respect  a  thoroughly  bad  day,  it  was  well  suited  to  investigate,  if  possible,  some  point*  con- 
ci-Hiing  the  formation  of  rain  in  the  clouds  themselves;  to  determine  why  a  much  larger  amount  of  rain  is  collected 
in  a  gauge  near  the  surface  of  the  earth  than  in  one  placed  at  an  elevation  in  the  same  locality  ;  whether  during 
rain  the  air  is  saturated  completely,  or  if  not,  to  what  extent;  to  discover  the  regulating  causes  of  a  rainfall  some- 
times occurring  in  large  drops,  at  others  in  minute  particles. 

So  long  back  as  the  years  1842  and  1843  I  made  many  experiment*  in  order  to  ascertain  why  so  great  a 
difference  in  volume  was  found  to  exist  in  the  water  collected  at  lower  stations  as  compared  with  that  collected  at 
higher.  The  experiments  which  yielded  the  best  results  were  those  in  relation  to  temperature.  I  always  found 
that  when  the  rain  was  warm,  with  respect  to  the  temperature  of  the  air  at  the  time,  no  difference  existed  in  the 
quantities  of  rain  collected  at  different  height*;  but  when  the  temperature  of  the  rain  was  lower  than  the 
temperature  of  the  air,  a  considerable  difference  always  existed.  From  this  circumstance  it  would  appear 
probable  that  the  difference  in  the  quantities  of  rain  collected  at  different  heights  is  owing  (at  least  in  part)  to  the 
great  condensation  of  the  vapour  in  the  lower  atmosphere,  through  being  in  contact  with  the  relatively  cold  rain. 

It  was  also  desirable  to  confirm,  or  otherwise,  Mr.  Green's  deductions;  this  gentleman  believing  that, 
whenever  a  fall  of  rain  happens  from  an  overcast  sky,  there  will  invariably  bo  found  to  exist  another  stratum  of 
cloud  at  a  certain  elevation  above  the  first  We  left  the  earth  at  4h  52"  P.M.,  and  in  10  seconds  had  ascended  into 
the  mist ;  in  20  seconds  to  a  level  with  the  clouds,  but  not  through  them.  At  the  height  of  1200  feet  wo  passed 
out  of  this  rain,  and  overlooked  a  range  of  surrounding  clouds,  so  dazzlingly  white  that  it  was  with  difficulty  I 
could  read  the  instruments  furnished  with  ivory  scales.  At  the  height  of  2800  feet  we  emerged  from  clouds,  and 
saw  a  stratum  of  darker  cloud  above;  we  then  descended  to  800  feet  over  the  West  India  Docks,  and  saw  rain 
falling  heavily  upon  the  earth.  None  was  falling  upon  the  balloon  ;  that  which  we  saw,  therefore,  had  its  origin 
within  800  feet  of  the  ground  ;  we  ascended  again,  and  this  time  passed  upwards  through  fog  1400  feet  in  thickness. 

•M)  feet  we  passed  out  of  cloud,  and  again  saw  the  dark  stratum  at  a  distance  above ;  clouds  obscured  the 
earth  below.  On  descending,  at  2700  feet  we  entered  a  dry  fog,  but  it  became  wetting  100  feet  lower  down. 
At'i.-r  passing  through  <>00  feet  the  clouds  became  more  and  more  wetting,  and  below  were  intensely  black.  At 
-•"  we  were  about  700  feet  high,  or  about  500  feet  above  Kpping  Forest,  and  beard  the  noise  of  the  rain 
pattering  upon  the  trees.  Again  we  ascended  to  2000  feet,  and  then  descended,  passing  into  squalls  of  rain  and 
wind  at  the  height  of  500  feet,  with  rain-drops  increasing  in  size  as  we  descended,  till  they  were  as  large  as  a 
l'oiir|>eimy'piece,  those  on  reaching  the  ground  being  of  the  same  size  as  when  we  left  it.  On  descending  we  found 
rain  had  been  falling  heavily  all  the  time  we  were  in  the  air.  [Mr.  Green's  deduction  is  therefore  confirmed  by 
this  experiment.] 

The  following  description  of  "  Le  Gre'ant"  of  M.  Nadar,  is  extracted  from  '  L'Aeronaute,' 
a  periodical  started  by  him,  to  promote  the  interests  of  aerial  navigation.  His  balloon  wu> 
for  some  time  exhibited  at  the  Crystal  Palace: — 

TIIK  GIANT  BALLOON. 

ral  persons  who  do  not  follow  from  day  to  day  the  columns  of  the  newspapers,  have  asked  me,  "  I'.nt 
why  do  you  make  a  balloon,  you  who  affirm  with  such  assurance  that  the  first  condition,  in  order  to  move  oneself 
in  the  air,  is  to  suppress  balloons,  and  that  in  order  to  contend  against  the  air,  it  is  necessary  to  be  heavier,  and 
not  lighter  than  th>-  li] 


256  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1863. 

To  these  people  I  reply,  I  have  profound  faith  that  the  screw  will  be  our  aerial  motor ;  but  I  am  ignorant  of 
what  the  experiments  of  this  first  motor  will  cost. 

I  have  no  great  merit  of  intuition  in  suspecting  that  it  will  always  be  necessary  to  commence  with  something 
— twenty  thousand  pounds  or  four  hundred  thousand  pounds  ! 

Now,  if  1  had  bethought  myself  of  going  and  holding  out  my  hand  to  the  public,  to  demand  a  small  million 
in  order  to  experiment,  to  make,  perhaps,  a  machine  that  mil  try  to  fly  in  the  air,  the  public  would  not  have  failed 
to  utter  cries  of  alarm,  and  those  who  do  not  care  to  look  on,  those  who  cannot  see,  those  who,  above  all,  hold  by 
their  sovereigns,  would  have  cried  out  in  chorus,  "  This  man  is  certainly  a  madman  !    We  were  somewhat  doubtful 
until  the  present,  but  here  he  makes  open  confession  of  it.     What !     He  has  the  coolness  to  ask  us  for  a  million  in 
order  to  .................... 

He  is  an  impertinent  fellow,  who  makes  fun  of  us  !  "  They  would  have  abused  me  with  their  tongues,  which  is 
more  economical  than  untying  the  purse-strings  ;  and  some,  in  the  greatest  hurry  not  to  put  their  hands  in  their 
pockets,  would  have  treated  me,  at  least,  as  a  thief. 

As  I  do  not  like  to  ask,  and  as  I  do  not  intend  to  allow  any  one  the  possibility  of  uot  passing  very  obliging 
judgments  on  my  account,  I  said  to  myself  that  I  would  give  myself  the  first  million,  the  first  hundred  thousand 
francs,  if  you  will,  to  my  dear  screw. 

And  as  I  had  not  this  million  precisely  under  my  hand,  I  have  resolved  to  procure  them  for  myself  by  means 
of  a  spectacle  always  irresistible.  I  shall  make  a  balloon — the  last  balloon — in  proportions  extraordinarily  gigantic, 
twenty  times  larger  than  the  largest,  which  shall  realise  that  which  has  never  been  but  a  dream  in  the  American 
journals,  which  shall  attract,,  in  France,  England,  and  America,  the  crowds  always  ready  to  run  to  witness  the 
most  insignificant  ascent.  In  order  to  add  further  to  the  interest  of  the  spectacle — which,  I  declare  beforehand, 
without  fear  of  being  belied,  shall  be  the  most  beautiful  spectacle  which  it  has  ever  been  given  to  man  to 
contemplate — I  shall  dispose  under  this  monster  balloon  a  small  balloon  (lalloneau),  destined  to  receive  and 
preserve  the  excess  of  gas  produced  by  dilatation,  instead  of  losing  this  excess,  which  has  hitherto  been  the  case, 
which  will  permit  my  balloon  to  undertake  veritable  long  voyages,  instead  of  remaining  in  the  air  two  or  three 
hours  only,  like  our  predecessors.*  I  do  not  wish  to  ask  anything  of  any  one,  nor  of  the  State  to  aid  me,  even  in 
this  question  of  general  and  also  of  such  immense  interest.  I  shall  endeavour  to  furnish  myself  the  two 
hundred  thousand  francs  necessary  for  the  construction  of  my  balloon;  and  the  said  balloon  finished,  and  by 
public  ascents  and  successive  exhibitions  at  Paris,  London,  Brussels,  Vienna,  Baden,  Berlin,  New  York,  and 
everywhere,  I  know  beforehand  that  I  shall  collect  the  first  funds  necessary  for  the  construction  of  our  first 
aeromotive. 

The  balloon  can  only  therefore  be,  and  is  only,  but  the  prologue ;  the  true  piece  is  the  aeromotive,  which 
supersedes  the  balloon. 

I  have  set  to  work  immediately,  and  after  many  difficulties  and  vexations,  which  I  have  kept  to  myself  alone 
to  this  hour,  I  have  succeeded  in  establishing  my  balloon,  in  founding  at  the  same  time  this  journal — this  indis- 
pensable Moniteur  to  the  aerial  automotive ;  and  in  laying  the  basis  of  that  which  shall  be,  perhaps,  the  greatest 
financial  operation  of  the  age. 

However,  if  I  demand  nothing  of  any  one,  I  had  about  me  brave  and  good  friends,  who,  having  at  first 
dissuaded  me,  finished  by  accepting  my  will,  although  it  was  so  absolute,  and  by  aiding  me  with  all  their  powers. 
I  wish,  I  repeat,  to  relate  all  this  when  our  more  pressing  business  shall  be  finished.  It  is  by  this  active 
intervention  of  those  about  me,  who  have  been  pleased  to  render  me  the  affection  which  I  have  for  them,  that  I 
have  been  able  to  obtain  from  the  Administration,  without  even,  so  to  speak,  having  had  to  ask  for  it,  the  place 
necessary  for  my  first  ascents. 

This  little  explanation  finished,  I  arrive  at  the  description  of  our  "  Giant." 
The  "  Giant "  is  composed — 

1.  Of  two  balloons,  one  within  the  other,  for  greater  strength,  of  white  silk  of  the  first  quality,  and 
absolutely  identical.  Each  of  these  balloons  has  118  gores  of  forty-five  metres  in  length,  which  gives  a 


*  The  first  idea  of  a  compensator  belongs  to  Louis  Godard.  I  have  limited  myself  to  making  the  practice  of  it  more  easy,  by  placing 
the  small  balloon  in  the  vertical,  winch  ho  disposed  laterally  against  the  large  balloon,  and  whose  non-automatic  management  was  hence 
less  simple. 


A.M.    I 


CONSTRUCTION  OF  THE  CAR 


267 


.  irr-iiniti  r.  IK-.-  of  ninety  metres  (one  metre  equal  to  39^  English  inches).  These  gores  are  entirely  hand-sewn, 
with  a  double  M-iiiii. 

j.  of  .,  small  biilloon,  called  comptntator,  placed  beneath  the  find  double  balloon,  to  receive  the  excess  of 
gas,  and  win. -h  gauges  only  100  metres  (3531  cubic  feet). 

Tin-  ••  <  iiant  "  can  mid  ought  to  raise  a  weight  of  90  quintals  (4£  tons). 

The  total  height  of  the,  entire  machine  attains,  if  it  does  not  exceed,  CO  metres  (196  ft.),  14  metres  (45  ft) 
l.-ss-  than  the  towers  of  N6tro  Dame. 

Its  construction  employed  20,000  metres  (22,000  yds.)  of  silk,  at  about  St.  4d.  per  yard. 

Tli-'  car  has  two  floors  (ground-floor  and  platforms).  Its  height  and  breadth  are  2  metres  20  centimetres 
t.\  4  metivs.  These  dimensions,  which  are  somewhat  rigorous  in  face  of  the  weight  the  aerostat  ought  to  carry  up, 


CAR  or  NADAR'S  BALLOON. 


h:iv.-  l.oeii  imposed  by  the  necessities  of  the  return.  The  car  had  to  be  reduced  to  the  strict  proportions  of  the 
gauge  of  a  railway,  so  as  to  be  able  to  be  transported  by  rail.  The  liand-rails  of  the  platform  fold  down  upon  it, 
in  the  return. 

It  is  eonstniet.d  of  a-h-braiiehes,  ratans,  and  osiers,  traversed  beneath  and  on  its  walls  by  twenty  cables, 
intcrlarin^  tln-ir  fabric,  which  are  attached  to  the  hoop. 

4.  It  is  i-arrird  upon  two  axles  and  four  wheels,  which  are  fitted  on  after  the  descent,  which  gives  us  every 
facility  of  returning,  supposing  a  decent  far  from  the  centres  of  population.  Canes  disposed  to  act  as  springs  are 
placed  underneath  and  round  tin-  middle  to  protect  the  car  from  concussions.  Besides  internal  buoys,  an  immense 
girdle  in  e,. inpayments,  of  inflated  india-rubber,  defends  it  against  every  possible  immersion.  The  ground-Hoi >i 
e., mains  a  cruciform  passage  and  six  divisions.  At  the  two  extremities — on  the  one  part  the  cabin  of  the  captain, 
with  a  bed  seventy-five  c< •ntinu -tres  in  breadth,  and  underneath  a  compartment  for  luggage  ;  on  the  other  a  «-abin 
for  passengers,  three  beds,  one  above  the  other,  of  sixty  centime)  i< 


258 


ASTRA.  C ASTRA. 


A.D.  1803. 


The  four  other  divisions  are  intended  for — 1,  provisions  ;   2,  a  lavatory  ;  3,  photography  ;  *  4,  printing  press. 

We  shall  take  up  with  us  Eaguenaut's  small  lithographic  press,  which  will  be  more  than  sufficient  for 
printing  off  the  abridged  account  of  our  expeditions,  to  distribute  above  localities  which  we  pass  over. 

Eegarding  this,  an  English  company  a  month  ago — our  neighbours  are  marvellous  in  not  losing  time — 
appreciating  the  bustle  which  the  sight  of  a  balloon  excites  in  every  inhabited  place,  and  judging  rightly  that 
papers  would  'never  be  better  received  and  more  greedily  read  than  those  thrown  overboard  by  us — despatched  to 
me  a  messenger,  to  propose  to  me  to  accept  in  like  manner  commercial  prospectuses.  We  shall  never  have  too 
much  money  for  the  construction  of  our  first  aeromotive.  I  have  accepted  and  made  a  contract. 

To  return  to  the  description  of  our  "  Giant."  It  is  useless  to  add  that  we  have  endeavoured  to  forget 
nothing  calculated  to  assure  the  wellbeing  and  security  of  our  excursions — provisions  of  all  sorts,  instruments 
for  scientific  observations,  games,  means  of  defence  in  case  of  descent  among  an  inhospitable  people,  and  even  to 
two  cages  of  carrying-pigeons  sent  from  Liege. 

It  only  remains  for  me  to  return  my  thanks  to  my  numerous  fellow-labourers  of  every  rank,  whose  extreme 
willingness  to  aid  me  throughout  has  alone  enabled  me  to  arrive  at  the  end  of  this  great  work  in  the  time  I 
thought  I  should  be  able  to  do  so. 


Superintendence  of  Works 

Geometrical  Draughts 

Cutting  and  Sewing 

Car  and  Wickerwork 

Hoopwork  .. 

Joinery,  Valve 

Varnish 

India-rubber  and  Bedding 

Barometers 

Optical  Instruments 

Eifles          

Decorations  and  Equipment 


MM.  Louis  &  Jules  Godard. 

MM.  Tisseron  &  Abeillon. 

Mme.  Louis  Godard,  superintendent. 

M.  Fortune. 

M.  Guillaud. 

M.  Laurain. 

M.  Leleu. 

M.  Guibal. 

MM.  Eichard  &  Breguet. 

M.  Eichebourg. 

M.  Devismes. 

M.  Godillot  (Delessert  &  Co.) 


The  firm  of  Fantin,  Thirion,  and  Daydon,  has  supplied  us  in  two  hours  with  the  required  20,000  metres  of 
silk. 

When  I  shall  have  thanked  after  these,  which  I  most  heartily  do,  the  humble  workpeople,  300  women 
and  men,  for  their  modest  and  indefatigable  day  and  night  labours  during  this  painful  month,  it  will  be 
permitted  me  to  add,  to  leave  nothing  behind,  that  the  firm  of  Potel  and  Chabot  have  kindly  presented  us 
with  all  their  products,  and  that  more  kindly  still,  if  that  is  possible,  the  Director  of  the  firm  Courmeaux  has 
already  sent  us  six  baskets  of  wine  of  the  first  quality, — and  even  Siraudin,  a  supply  of  confectionary  enough  for 
three  boarding-schools. 

I  have  finished — LET  Go  !  KADAK. 


The  first  ascent  of  Nadar's  "  Geant"  was  made  on  the  4th  October,  from  the  Champ  de 
Mars : — 

The  whole  plain  was  filled  by  spectators,  anxious  to  see  the  departure  of  the  aeronaut  and  his  companions. 
The  balloon,  when  inflated,  was  exactly  fourteen  yards  lower  than  the  tower  of  Notre  Dame. 


*  We  are  not  about  to  amuse  ourselves,  as  one  may  well  suppose, 
iu  making  portraits  in  the  air.  The  balloon  "  le  Geant "  will  be 
employed  in  various  works  of  aerostatic  photography,  for  which  I  was 
the  first  to  take  patents  in  France  and  abroad  seven  years  ago,  and 
the  results  of  which  will  be  so  valuable  for  all  planispheric,  cadastral, 
strategical,  and  other  surveys.  M.  Negretti,  the  celebrated  optician 
of  London,  has  obtained  this  year,  according  to  what  has  been  stated, 
some  beautiful  negatives,  of  which  it  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  hear, 
since  it  has  ended  in  demonstrating  experimentally  that  I  was  right. 
I  shall  only  permit  myself  to  observe  to  M.  Negretti,  that  he  deceives 


himself  in  claiming  priority.  The  dates  of  my  patents  prove  it,  on 
the  one  hand ;  and  besides,  I  have  myself  obtained,  in  spite  of  most 
detestable  materials,  results  (a  simple  positive  upon  glass,  it  is  true), 
above  the  valley  of  the  Bievre,  at  the  beginning  of  the  winter  in 
1858.  If  I  have  not  made  any  claim  against  the  assertions  contained 
in  the  two  letters  of  MM.  Simon,  of  the  Greenwich  Observatory,  and 
Negretti,  published  successively  in  the  '  Daily  Telegraph,'  it  is  only 
because  I  had  not  time.  But  I  do  not  at  all  mean  that  there  should 
be  prescription  in  that  case. 


A....  i  i  in:  «  iiAMr  m;  MAKS. 

ms.  .  .-in  h  an  unusual  event  was  calculated  to  have  its  reconlii  in  tin-  various  Kiiru]H>an  journals.  \\ . 
cannot  .|u..:.-  tin-  «  h-h-  of  tho  reports,  valuable  as  they  are  from  having  been  written  by  eyewitnesses,  and  will 
limit  ourselves  to  a  few  <>f  the  more  impurtant. 

.ignani '  \vriii-s  thus: — 

"Tho  departure  of  this  Leviathan  of  the  airy  regions  attracted  immense  crowds  to  the  Champ  do  Mars, 
yesterday  afternoon.  Considering  that  the  avenues  encircling  that  vast  space  wore  filled  to  suffocation,  so  that 
we  found  it  extremely  difficult  to  force  our  way  to  tho  open  ground  reserved  for  tickets,  and  that  all  tho  house-tops 
'I  >icd  by  spectators,  we  think  tho  number  of  persons  present  may  fairly  bo  stated  at  80,000.  Ample 
.utioiw  had  been  taken  to  prevent  disasters;  a  strong  police  force,  supported  by  a  company  of  infantry  and 
some  cavalry,  being  present  to  maintain  order.  The  balloon,  which  is  ninety  yards  in  circumference,  and  has 
•  •oiisnmi-d  upwards  of  'JO.OOO  yards  of  silk  in  its  manufacture,  was  hold  down,  while  filling,  by  about  100  men, 
itml  the  weight  of  at  least  200  sandbags.  The  car  was  of  wickerwork,  comprising  an  inner  surface  of  about 
tifty-foiir  square  feet  divided  into  three  compartments,  or  small  rooms,  surmounted  by  an  open  terrace,  to  whicli 
tin-  lalloon  was  braced.  Outside,  grapnels,  wheels,  and  fowling-pieces,  four  of  each,  besides  two  spcaking- 
truuijM  ts,  were  lashed  to  the  sides  of  the  car.  The  wheels  were  intended  to  bo  put  to  tho  car  after  alighting,  in 
oiiU-r  t..  c.  nvev  it  Kick  with  horses.  The  preliminary  operations  took  considerable  time,  putting  the  patience  of 
the  spectators  to  a  severe  trial, — a  circumstance  which  perhaps  prevented  them  from  cheering  when  the  words 
'  L&chez  t:  ••  given,  and  the  immense  machine  rose  slowly  and  majestically  into  the  air. 

••  U'o  were  rather  surprised  at  the  silt-nco  of  the  public,  considering  the  very  remarkable  feat  in  aeronautics  thus 
successfully  performed.  There  were  fifteen  persons  in  tho  car,  or  rather  cabin — M.  Nadar,  captain  ;  MM.  Marcel, 
Louis  and  Jules  Godard,  lieutenants ;  tho  Prince  de  Sayn-\N  ittgenstein,  Count  de  St  Martin,  M.  Tournachou 

ir's  brother),  MM.  Eugene  Delessert,  Thirion,  Piallat,  Robert  Mitchell,  Gabriel  Morris,  1'anl  de  St.  Victor, 
Do  Villemessant,  and  one  lady,  the  Princess  do  la  Tour  d'Auvergne.  Tho  Princess  was  taking  her  usual  drive 
to  tho  Bois  de  Boulogne,  when,  observing  an  unusual  movement  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Invalides,  and 
having  inquired  the  cause,  she  ordered  her  coachman  to  drive  to  the  Champ  de  Mars.  Having  seen  tho  balloon, 
she  expressed  a  wish  to  make  the  ascent,  and  although  Nadar  had  to  the  last  moment  refused  to  take  any  lady, 
and  even  his  own  wife,  he  could  not  resist  tho  entreaty  of  the  Princess.  On  starting,  M.  Nadar  climbed  up  the 
network  and  took  off  his  hat  to  the  spectators.  Tho  balloon  took  a  north-easterly  direction,  and  was  visible  for 
some  time.  At  the  moment  of  going  to  press,  a  communication  has  reached  us  signed  by  the  captain,  M.  Nadar, 
and  all  those  who  had  taken  places  in  tho  balloon,  stating  that  on  alighting  yesterday  evening  at  nine  o'clock,  at 
Barcy,  near  Meanx  (Seine-et-Mame),  three  severe  shocks  were  experienced,  which  hud  the  effect  of  completely 
capsizing  the  balloon,  and  inflicting  on  its  occupants  several  rather  severe  contusions. 

"  Interesting  details  of  the  ascent  of  the  Nadar  balloon,  said  to  have  been  narrated  by  Prince  Wittgenstein. 
are  given  by  the  '  France."  The  most  extraordinary  is,  that  at  half-past  eight,  when  the  balloon  attained  the 
height  of  1 500  metres,  the  aeronauts  saw  the  sun,  which  had  set  for  the  earth  below  upwards  of  two  hours  before. 
The  effect  of  the  light  upon  tho  balloon  is  described  as  something  marvellous,  and  as  having  thrown  the  travcll.  is 
into  a  sort  of  ecstasy.  Although  they  met  with  no  rain,  their  clothes  were  all  dripping  wet  from  the  mist  which 
the  v  passed  through.  The  descent  was  more  perilous  than  at  first  reported.  The  car  dragged  on  its  side  for  nearly 
a  mile,  and  the  passengers  took  refuge  in  tho  ropes,  to  which  they  clung.  Several  were  considerably  bnii 
though,  as  before  stated,  no  one  sustained  any  very  serious  injury.  Everybody  behaved  well.  Nadar,  visibly 
uneasy  about  his  fair  charge,  the  young  Princess  de  la  Tour  d'Anvergne,  was  told  by  her  to  attend  to  his  duty  us 
captain.  •  \'.\<  iv  ..no  at  his  post,'  said  she,  'I  will  keep  to  mine.'  Notwithstanding  all  the  shaking  whicli  tho 
car  underwent,  the  thirty-seven  bottles  of  wine  provided  for  the  journey  were  all  found  unbroken,  and  they  weie 
most  joyously  broached  when  the  party  got  on  terra  firma.  The  rifles,  the  crockery,  as  well  as  a  cake  and  thirtci  i, 
ices,  presented  to  Nadar  by  Siraudin,  of  the  Hue  de  la  Paix,  were  all  uninjured.  When  tho  descent  was  effi 
the  lights  and  the  speaking-trumpet*  soon  attracted  a  number  of  peasants,  who  brought  carts  and  helped  the  party 
to  the  village  of  Barcy,  where  most  of  them  passed  the  night;  but  M.  Nadar  and  the  Prince  de  Wittgenstein,  with 
two  or  three  others,  came  to  Paris  by  the  first  train  from  Meaux.  It  is  said  that  the  descent  was  resolved  upon 
in  consequence  of  tho  advice  of  the  brothers  Godard,  and  contrary  to  tho  wish  of  M.  Nadar,  who,  as  captain,  had 
maile  every  one  <>f  his  companions  sign  an  agreement  to  act  upon  his  orders,  even  though  the  vote  should  be 
unanimously  against  him.  II.-.  however,  yielded  his  opinion,  in  deference  to  that  of  these  experienced  aeronauts. 

2    M 


260  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1803. 

A  truly  extraordinary  statement   is,   that  they  fancied   the  wind    was  blowing  them  to   the  sea,  and  certain 
destruction,  whereas  they  were  going  due  east,  with  no  sea  at  all  before  them  nearer  than  the  Caspian. 

"  There  was  great  disappointment  in  the  receipts  at  the  Champ  de  Mars,  which  arc  said  to  have  realised 
only  27,000f.,  whereas  150,000f.  had  been  calculated  upon.  The  papers  say  that  the  public  broke  down  the 
barriers  and  got  in  for  nothing,  instead  of  paying  their  franc.  It  is  quite  certain  that  at  the  moment  of  the  ascent 
there  could  not  have  been  less  than  50,000  people  on  the  Champ  de  Mars,  and  on  the  terraces  and  heights  around 
there  must  have  been  four  times  that  number." 

Before  proceeding  further,  wo  may  just  quote  the  rules  laid  down  by  M.  Nadar  for  his  first  ascent. 
Circumstances  have  not  allowed  them  to  be  carried  out  to  their  full  extent.  The  rules  have  not  yet  appeared  in 
any  English  journal.  We  extract  them  from  the  '  Moniteur,'  which  published  on  the  day  after  the  ascent  a  very 
clever  article  from  the  pen  of  M.  Gustavo  Claudin. 

"1.  Every  traveller  on  board  the  '  G6ant'  must  take,  before  mounting,  knowledge  of  the  present  rules,  and 
engages  himself  upon  his  honour  to  respect  them  and  to  make  them  respected,  both  in  the  letter  and  in  the  spirit. 
He  accepts  and  will  obey  this  obligation  until  the  descent. 

"  2.  From  the  departure  to  the  return  there  shall  be  only  one  command,  that  of  the  captain.  That  command 
shall  be  absolute. 

"  3.  As  legal  penalty  cannot  be  enforced,  the  captain,  having  the  responsibility  of  the  lives  of  the  passengers 
decides  alone,  and  without  appeal,  in  all  circumstances  the  means  of  assuring  the  execution  of  his  orders  with  the 
aid  of  all  under  him.  The  captain  can,  in  certain  cases,  take  the  advice  of  the  crew,  but  his  own  authority  is 
decisive. 

"  4.  Every  passenger  declares,  at  the  time  of  ascending,  that  ho  carries  with  him  no  inflammable  materials. 

"  5.  Every  passenger  accepts,  by  his  simple  presence  on  board,  his  entire  part  and  perfect  co-operation  in 
all  manuoauvres,  and  submits  himself  to  all  the  necessities  of  the  service  ;  above  all,  to  the  command  of  the  captain. 
On  landing,  he  must  not  quit  the  balloon  without  permission  duly  acquired. 

"  6.  Silence  must  be  absolutely  observed  when  ordered  by  the  captain. 

"  7.  Victuals  and  liquors  carried  up  by  the  travellers  must  be  deposited  in  the  common  canteen,  of  which 
the  captain  alone  has  the  key,  and  who  regulates  the  distribution  thereof.  Passengers  have  no  claim  to  victuals 
and  liquors  except  when  on  board. 

"  8.  The  duration  of  the  journey  is  not  limited.  The  captain  alone  decides  the  limitation ;  the  same 
judgment  decides,  without  appeal,  the  putting  down  of  one  or  more  travellers  in  the  course  of  the  voyage. 

"  9.  All  gambling  is  expressly  prohibited. 

"  10.  It  is  absolutely  forbidden  to  any  traveller  to  throw  overboard  ballast  or  any  packet  whatever. 

"11.  No  passenger  can  carry  up  with  him  luggage  exceeding  30  Ibs.  in  weight,  and  occupying  more  space 
than  an  ordinary  travelling-bag. 

"  12.  Except  in  very  rare  cases,  of  which  the  captain  alone  shall  be  judge,  it  is  absolutely  forbidden  to  smoke 
on  board,  or  on  land  within  the  vicinity  of  the  balloon." 

Of  course,  various  opinions  have  been  expressed  by  the  English  journals  on  this  aerial  voyage.  The  interest 
in  England  was  general.  There  were  suspicions  in  the  English  mind  that  the  French  navigator  could  not  rival 
the  aeronauts  of  England.  There  were  prophecies  of  disaster.  The  ascent  was  made,  however,  but  under 
special  disadvantages,  as  many  of  the  details  of  the  project  were  new,  and  the  public  has  not  yet  been  made 
acquainted  with  all  the  ingenious  devices  of  M.  Nadar.  There  was  sympathy  for  the  aeronaut,  but  in  the 
English  journals,  which  in  matters  of  science  did  not  represent  the  English  mind  so  completely  as  in  matters  of 
politics,  adverse  judgment  has  been  given  against  many  of  them.  Sneers  and  jests  are  not  arguments. 

"  Sunt  verba  et  voces,  prsetercaque  uihil." 

We  approve,  however,  of  the  tone  in  which  the  '  Morning  Post '  writes  : — 

"  The  Champ  de  Mars  yesterday  was  occupied  by  a  crowd  of  not  less  than  100,000  persons,  of  all  classes  of 
society,  to  witness  the  ascent  of  the  largest  balloon  ever  yet  constructed,  with  the  novelty  of  a  small  square  house 
instead  of  the  ordinary  car.  The  newspapers  have  for  some  time  contained  accounts  of  the  '  Geant,'  and  scientific 
papers  have  been  read  on  the  '  Giant's '  power  to  navigate  the  air,  and  carry  a  heavier  weight  than  has  hitherto 
sailed  through  the  cloud  world.  The  public,  therefore,  were  worked  up  to  an  excited  pitch ;  and  as  the  first 


A.,,  i  PIMM  BBS  i'i:  LA  Toru  i»-.\rvi:i;i;xi-:.  -M\\ 

•  trip '  ,.f  tin-  balloon  took  place  on  Sunday,  a  most  numerous  mob  of  spectators  not  only  covered  the  immense 

(pace  nf  the  military  icvi.-w  Around,  l.nt  Ma,  k.  n.  d  tin-  house-tops,  and  crowd. •>!  <  vi-iy  :ippi..ach  to  the  Champ  de 

.  ath,  r   was  favourable,  without    tain,  the  sky  being  covered,  so  that  the  upturned  eyes  of  the 

thousand-  could  gaze  at  the  inflated  leviathan  without  inconvenience.     The  'Giant'  is  made  of  ycll»wi.-h  white 

silk,  and  present*  the  usual  graceful  form.     M.  Nadar,  the  presiding  aeronaut,  in  giving  the  statistics,  say*  that  it 

is  ninety  yard*  in  < -ir- •umferenoe,  and  consumed  20,000  metre*  of  silk.     We  are  told  that  the  larger  class  of 

_'enrrally  contain,,!  about  2500  metres  of  gas,  whilst  the  new  •  Giant'  holds  0098  metres.     The  car, 

,  I  wick  erwork,  is  a  square  construction,  on  the  roof  of  which  the  passenger  stand*,  as  on  the  deck  of  a  vessel. 

•  1  Mow  is  a  first  and  second  floor,  with  saloon,  a  compartment  for  scientific  instruments,  three  cabins  for  repose, 
ami  provibion  and  baggage  compartments.  Outside,  round  the  house,  were  grapnels,  wheels,  and  fowling-pieces, 
besides  tw,,  s| „  ^king-trumpets,  and  provisions.  The  wheels  were  intended  to  be  put  to  the  car  after  alighting, 
in  order  to  c.mvey  it  back  with  horses.  In  fact,  one  might  suppose  that  the  travellers  expected  to  descend  in 

wild  distant  land,  wh.  ^1  could   bo   obtained.     However,  all    this   'get-up'   pleased  the  French 

amazingly,  and  formed  the  subject  for  conversation  as  the  'Giant'  heaved  and  rolled  about,  and  gave  signs  of 
anxiety  to  l>c  oil.  .Military  bands  enlivened  the  crowd  until  four  o'clock,  when  MM.  Nadar  and  Godaid,  aeronaut*, 
received  the  passengers,  amongst  whom  was  a  lady  in  a  pretty  hat  and  ordinary  morning  toilette.  This  was  the 
romanti.  event  of  the  day.  The  Princess  de  la  Tour  d'Auvergne,  whilst  driving  in  the  Champs  Elyseen,  was 
suddenly  cci/cd  with  a  desire  to  take  a  sail  in  the  regions  of  air,  and  accordingly  presented  herself  as  a  passenger. 
M.  Na.lar  refused  for  some  time;  but,  of  course,  the  fair  Princess  eventually  prevailed,  as  all  clever  women  do, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  car. 

"The  travellers  on  this  extraordinaiy  occasion  ought  to  appear,  perhaps,  amongst  the  'departures'  in  the 
fashionable  columns  of  the  'Morning  Post'  We  may,  therefore,  say  that  on  Sunday  hist  the  following  nobility 
and  gentry  left  this  earth  (destiny  unknown)  : — M.  Nadar,  captain ;  MM.  Louis  and  Jules  Godard,  Marcel, 
lieutenants;  Tournachon,  Prince  de  Sayn-\Vittgenstein,  Comte  de  Saint-Martin,  Eugene  Delessert,  Thirion,  Piallat, 
Robert  Mitchell  (newspaper  reporter),  Gabriel  Morris,  Paul  de  Saint-Victor,  do  Villemessant,  and  the  Princess 
de  la  Tour  d'Auvergne.  When  fireworks  are  let  off,  and  a  balloon  leaves  the  earth,  no  matter  in  what  country. 
the  crowd  make  use  of  the  same  expressive,  wonderful  (0-o-o-c-o-o !)  All  eyes  are  upturned,  many  a  mouth 
opens,  and  a  stupid  expression  generally  possesses  the  most  intelligent  face.  All  this  took  place  as  the  '  Giant ' 
ascended  from  the  Champ  de  Mars,  and  slowly  sailed  off  in  an  easterly  direction,  growing  smaller  and  smaller, 
as  balloons  do — in  fact,  as  '  it  is  their  nature  to.'  The  crowd  then  dispersed  quietly.  There  was  no  drunkenness, 
no  swearing.  Might  not  a  Sunday  afternoon  bo  worse  spent?  It  was  in  the  year  1783  that  Moutgolfier  first 
astonished  the  Parisians  and  the  Court  of  Versailles  with  an  ascent  in  a  balloon  filled  by  hydrogen  gas. 

"  The  inflammable  nature  of  this  gas  rendered  it  a  most  dangerous  experiment,  and  it  was  not  until  the 
general  employment  of  the  ordinary  illuminating  gas  that  aeronauts  ventured  on  the  airy  voyages  which  are  now 
so  common.  Garnerin  was  the  first  person  who  made  an  aerial  voyage  in  London,  on  which  occasion  the  whole- 
population  poured  out  to  wonder  at  this  rcmaikable  event.  It  has  been  said  that  his  Majesty  George  111.  was 
holding  a  Cabinet  Council  at  St.  James's,  when  the  attention  of  his  advisers  was  directed  to  the  movements  of  a 
balloon.  1 1  is  Ma  j.  My  w  eiit  to  the  window,  observing  that  he  knew  the  people  in  Franco  often  made  themselves  fools, 
but  he  thought  his  subjects  in  England  were  wiser  than  to  attempt  or  patronise  such  hazardous  experiments.  '1  he 
brothers  Gamerin  were  the  first  who  descended  in  a  parachute.  Eliza  Garnerin,  daughter  of  the  aeronaut,  was 
the  first  female  who  ventured  to  quit  the  balloon  in  the  frail  parachute,  and  afterwards  performed  the  perilous 
experiment  no  less  than  thirty-nine  times.  It  has  been  supposed  that  the  first  time  a  balloon  was  emploj'ed 
to  assist  in  the  art  of  war  was  in  the  late  campaign  in  Italy,  when  the  Emperor  Napoleon  111.  availed  himself  of 
it  for  siirv,  ving  purposes.  His  great  uncle,  however,  considered  that  the  balloon  might  be  rendered  useful ;  and  it 
had  been  employed  at  the  1  attle  of  Fletirs  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  Pilutre  de  Kozier  attempted  to 
cross  the  Channel  in  1785,  but  he  unfortunately  had  made  use  of  hydrogen  gas,  which  took  fire,  the  balloon 
exploding,  and  he  was  dash,  d  to  the  earth  and  killed  upon  the  spot.  A  monument  has  been  erected  to  his  memory 
at  Boulogne.  The  famous  Nassau  balloon  made,  some  years  since,  a  sail  across  the  Channel,  and  was  the  wonder 
of  the  .lay,  the  aerial  voyage  lasting  many  hours.  A  journal  has  appeared  in  Paris  called  '  L'Aeionaute.'  which, 
in  future,  is  to  record  the  latest  scientific  intelligence  from  the  high  heavens.  In  fact,  tin-  •  (iiant '  promises  to 
inaugurate  a  new  era  in  the  art  of  navigating  the  air." 

•2  M  2 


262  ASTKA  CASTEA.  A.D.  18(53. 

Nadar,  on  his  return  to  Paris,  wrote  briefly  thus  : — 

"  Paris,  Oct.  5. 

"  Here,  as  briefly  as  possible,  is  the  account  which  you  asked  me  to  send.  Yesterday  evening,  at  nine 
o'clock,  the  '  Giant '  was  compelled  to  descend  near  the  Barcy  Marsh,  two  leagues  from  Meaux,  after  three  violent 
shocks,  the  last  of  which  completely  turned  everything  in  the  car  topsyturvy,  and  it  descended  on  its  side.  The 
rupture  of  our  valve-pipe  rope,  while  travelling  by  night,  forced  us  to  throw  out,  our  anchors.  One  of  the  prongs 
of  the  first  anchor  having  broken,  the  principal  anchor  fortunately  took  hold  of  the  ground.  We  were  able  to  let 
out  the  gas,  notwithstanding  the  violence  of  the  wind,  and  the  car  was  set  up  at  half-past  one  in  the  morning. 
Some  slight  contusions  and  a  concussion  of  the  knee  of  one  of  the  passengers — that  is  our  receipt  in  full.  It  is 

not  too  dear.  .„. 

"(Signed)  A.  ISADAU. 

This  short  account  was  followed  afterwards  by  a  more  detailed  statement,  which  we  give  : — 

"  Allow  me  to  add  some  explanatory  details  which  appear  to  me  to  be  necessary.  My  principal 
anxiety  was,  whether  the  double  covering  of  silk,  supported  by  the  network,  would  be  strong  enough  to  bear 
the  terrible  pressure  of  6098  metres  of  gas.  There  had  never  before  been  any  experiment  made  in  those 
proportions,  except  that  of  the  famous  '  City  of  New  York,'  which  burst  like  a  bomb  before  it  went  up.  1  do  not 
speak  of  other  secondary  difficulties  in  an  operation  of  such  considerable  proportions  and  of  such  a  novel  character. 
Those  multiplied  difficulties  prevented  us  from  starting  until  five  instead  of  four,  and  then  without  having  time 
to  attach  the  compensating  balloon,  which  would  have  required  another  hour.  For  some  of  the  spectators  it  is, 
perhaps,  well  to  add,  that  the  interest  of  the  spectacle  did  not  lose  much,  as  they  would  only  have  seen  the  balloon 
look  a  little  longer,  and  not  quite  filled.  The  compensating  balloon  is,  in  fact,  only  a  prolongation  of  the  other, 
and  would  fill  when  the  gas  in  the  larger  one  dilated.  The  name  it  bears  sufficiently  shows  the  purpose  for 
which  it  was  intended.  I  have  been  informed  that  some  of  the  spectators  calculated  on  seeing  the  balloon 
steered  ;  this  is  an  additional  proof  that  the  same  thing  cannot  be  too  often  repeated. 

"  It  nevertheless  appeared  to  me  that  all  the  journals  had  at  great  length  explained  that  the  theory  of  the 
steering  of  balloons  was  an  absurdity ;  that  to  contend  against  the  air  it  was  necessary  to  decide  on  being  like  a 
bird,  heavier,  and  not  lighter  than  the  air;  that  the  screw  appeared  to  solve  the  problem;  that,  in  order  to  make 
the  costly  experiment  of  a  first  aeromotive  in  practical  proportions,  1  had  resolved  to  procure  the  necessary 
resources,  not  by  a  public  subscription,  but  by  a  spectacle  interesting  enough  to  secure  the  desired  result ;  that  I 
had,  as  the  first  subscriber  to  the  screw  which  will  conduct  us  in  the  air,  incurred  at  my  own  risk  and  peril  the 
expense  of  this  gigantic  balloon,  which  will,  I  hope,  be  the  last ;  that  this  balloon  is  not,  therefore,  an  object,  but 
a  means ;  not  the  piece,  but  the  prologue. 

"  I  am  willing,  for  the  benefit  of  my  beloved  screw,  to  pledge  myself  to  risk  my  bones  as  many  times  as 
may  be  necessary,  but  as  to  steering  balloons,  never !  Many  persons  were  not  able  to  enter  the  ground  for 
want  of  a  sufficient  number  of  paying-places.  Those  persons  might  have  secured  tickets,  which  were  to  be 
had  two  days  before  all  over  Paris.  This  does  not  prevent  me  from  offering  them  my  excuses,  begging  their 
indulgence  for  an  unskilled  director  of  spectacles,  who  is  the  first  to  suffer  from  their  non-admission.  Some  of  the 
spectators,  I  am  told,  also  complain  that  the  reserved  enclosure  had  no  seats  provided.  I  am  not  aware  that 
chairs  were  ever  placed  in  the  Champ  de  Mars  for  any  public  exhibition,  any  more  than  at  Longchamps  or  at 
Vincennes.  I  thought  I  was  doing  a  great  deal  in  placing  2000  metres  of  seats  for  the  ladies  who  first  entered. 
The  posting-bills  and  tickets  did  not  promise  that.  In  order  to  satisfy  every  one,  I  shall  endeavour  to  have  seats 

for  the  second  ascent,  which  will  take  place  on  the  1 8th  insi. 

"  NADAR. 

Nothing  daunted  by  the  accident  already  explained,  M.  Nadar  made  another  ascent  on  the  18th  of  October. 
Again  the  ascent  was  made  from  the  Champ  de  Mars ;  the  Emperor  and  the  young  King  of  Greece  being  present. 
The  Emperor  manifested  a  special  interest  in  the  enterprise,  and  remained  on  the  ground  until  the  balloon  had 
left  terra  firma  and  soared  into  the  skies. 

The  first  news  that  reached  England  was  a  telegram  to  the  following  effect,  dated  Paris,  18  October,  6.45  P.M.  : — 

"  Monsieur  Nadar  made  a  most  successful  ascent  in  his  giant  balloon  at  five  o'clock,  from  the  Champ  de 
Mars.  The  Emperor,  the  King  of  Greece,  and  a  vast  crowd  witnessed  the  ascent.  The  Champ  de  Mars  was 
kept  by  the  military.  Nino  ladies  and  gentlemen  ascended  in  the  balloon,  but  it  first  made  a  short  ascension  with 
thirty-two  persons." 


. 


.*«,-..  KK 


A'f   I  /.'  "  '. 


1864 


kk.l 


A.I..  i-  i'\i:is  TM  iiANovr.i;  IN  Tin:  "G&NT.  M8 


excitement  of  the  Parisian  public,  of  course,  was  great,  and  all  the  representatives  of  the  French  and 
:M  i-iii  n.ils  were  present  to  witness  what  was  passing,  and  to  transmit  their  impressions  to  their  respective 
paper*.     '!'••  <jnoto  all  that  wa-  \\int.  n  to  English  and  Continental  newspapers  would  bo  superfluous.     Wo  give, 
tln-ii.  those  which  reached  London  on  the  Tuesday  following,  and  which  were  read  with  avidity  by  all 

classes  of  the  community.     \Ve  take,  to  begin  with,  the  '  Daily  Telegraph,'  who  dates  — 

"PMii,  Sunday  NiKlii. 

••  M.  N  ,.Ur  made  his  second  ascent  to-day  at  5  P.M.  I  told  you  last  time  that  all  Paris  was  present.  To-day 
I  '.n  is  must  have  invited  all  its  country  cousins  to  the  last  degree,  and  they  must  all  have  accepted  the  invitation. 
I  have  never  seen  here  so  dense  a  mass  of  people  as  were  crowded  round  the  Champ  do  Mars.  The  Emperor 
was  present  for  nearly  two  hours  before  the  balloon  started.  He  arrived  in  a  simple  open  carriage  and  four,  and 
an  aide-de-camp  in  the  carriage,  and  an  equerry  and  two  outriders  with  it.  When  he  entered  the  Champ  du 
Mars  he  ordered  the  postilions  to  walk  their  horses,  and  entered  the  ground  at  foot-pace.  Ho  was  looking  extremely 
wi-Il.  and  was  more  warmly  received  than  I  have  ever  seen  him  by  his  own  subjects.  The  Emperor  had  a  long 
conversation  with  M.  Nadar,  and  examined  everything,  from  the  car  to  the  ropes  which  held  the  machine  to  earth. 

"  The  '  trial  '  or  '  contrast  '  balloon  was  the  Godillot,  used  in  the  Italian  campaign,  and  the  Emperor  wuti-hfd 
with  a  very  natural  interest  a  sort  of  ascent  in  'leading-strings'  made  by  this  smaller  balloon,  which  rose  high 
enough  to  enable  maps  of  any  enemy's  position  to  be  taken  without  leaving  head-quarters.  Just  as  the  Emperor 
had  finished  his  inspection  arrived  the  young  King  of  the  Greeks,  and  ho  also  examined  everything,  and  oven 
entered  the  car  after  it  was  attached  to  the  globe.  Imagine  if  the  ropes  had  given  way,  and  George  I.  had  been 
wafted  to  Greece,  unattended,  in  a  balloon  !  Another  great  man  was  present  —  Meyerbeer.  After  an  experimental 
rise  of  about  100  yards,  with  twenty-seven  men  on  board,  the  '  Geant  '  returned  to  earth,  and  proceeded  to  prepare 
i"..r  the  real  start.  I  think  there  were  only  eight  firsUclass  passengers,  and,  this  time,  no  princesses.  At  o.lo  IMI. 
1  Le  Geant'  ascended,  with  a  strong  north-westerly  wind,  the  little  Godillot  fluttering  up  by  ita  side." 

It  was  only  natural,  that  after  the  balloon  had  left  the  Champ  de  Mars,  and  disappeared  in  the  shades  of 
night,  that  much  anxiety  should  be  felt  as  to  the  course  the  balloon  and  it*  living  freight  had  taken.  Of  course, 
speculation  was  rife.  Some  talked  of  England;  some  of  Belgium  ;  some  of  Moscow,  or  even  Siberia.  Inquiries 
were  made  at  the  house  of  M.  Nadar,  in  the  course  of  the  following  day,  by  parties  interested  in  his  project,  ami 
more  than  that,  in  the  safety  of  himself  and  his  friends.  The  Emperor  himself,  who  had  shown  so  much  sympathy 
ami  inti-ii-i  in  tin-  ascent,  sent  repeated  messengers  to  ascertain  whether  any  news  respecting  the  "Giant"  hail 
reached  Paris. 

The  greatest  uncertainty  existed,  and  anxiety  prevailed  until  the  afternoon  of  Monday,  when  a  telegram 
was  received  that  at  half-past  eight  on  the  previous  evening  Nadar  was  over  Compidgne,  seventy-eight  miles  from 
Paris.  He  sent  a  message  down,  "  All  goes  well,"  and  continued  his  journey  towards  the  north,  having  descended 
near  the  ground  to  speak. 

Nothing  more  was  heard  of  the  balloon  until  a  second  telegram  was  received  in  Paris,  stating  that  Nadar's 
Giant  Balloon  passed  over  Erquelines,  on  the  Belgian  frontier,  at  midnight  on  Sunday.  The  aerostat  was  moving 
not  far  from  the  ground,  and  the  customs'  officers  called  out  to  know  if  the  aerial  voyagers  had  anything  on  which 
duty  should  be  paid  !  No  attention  was  paid  to  the  question,  and  the  balloon  kept  on  its  course  towards  the 
German  frontier. 

Meanwhile  curious  Parisians  flocked  to  M.  Nadar's  home  to  ascertain  if  any  further  tidings  had  been  received. 
It  was  hoped  he  had  not  foundered  in  the  German  Ocean  ;  it  was  then  forty-eight  hours  since  this  dangerous 
navigation  had  commenced,  and  so  long  a  sojourn  in  the  clouds  was  believed  to  be  unprecedented  in  aerostatic 
annals. 

At  last  came  a  telegram  from  Bremen,  dated  the  21st:  — 

N  adar's  balloon  descended  near  Eystrup,  in  Hanover.     There  were  nine  persons  in  it,  of  whom  three  were 
seriously  and  two  slightly  injured." 

Other  telegrams  were  published  in  Paris  shortly  afterwards,  and  also  circulated  in  London,  where  the 
interest  taken  in  Nadar's  ascent  was  as  great  as  that  in  I':iris.  1  lure  follow  two  of  them  :  — 

"Pan*,  Got.  -.'1. 
'v\  -  descended  near  Nienburg,  in  Hanover,  at  noon  on  Monday.    Our  balloon  was  dragged  for  several 


264  ASTRA  C ASTRA.  A.D.  1863. 

hours,  the  anchors  having  been  broken.     St.  Felix,  my  wife,  and  I,  are  rather  seriousl}7  hurt;  the  others  are 
better.     We  owe  our  lives  to  the  courage  of  Jules  Godard.     More  detailed  news  to-morrow." 

"  Hanover,  Oct.  21. 

"  The  wounded  persons  from  M.  Nadar's  balloon  have  been  conveyed  to  this  city,  and  placed  under  the  care 
of  the  French  Legation.  The  King  of  Hanover  sent  an  aide-de-camp  to  inquire  after  their  wants.  M.  St.  Felix 
has  sustained  a  fracture  of  the  left  humerus,  besides  contusions  on  the  face.  M.  Nadar  has  both  legs  dislocated. 
Madame  Nadar  has  sustained  a  compression  of  the  thorax  and  contusions  on  the  leg." 

That  an  accident  had  happened  was  manifest  from  the  tenor  of  these  various  telegrams,  and  the  greatest 
anxiety  prevailed  to  have  a  fuller  account  of  the  voyage  of  Nadar  and  his  companions,  and  the  nature  of  the 
injuries  they  sustained.  At  this  moment  English  curiosity  was  exceeded  by  English  sympathy.  It  had  been 
stated  that  two  medical  men  had  been  summoned  from  Paris  to  attend  the  wounded,  and  that  Dr.  Richard  had 
actually  left  for  Hanover,  taking  with  him  the  young  son  of  Nadar.  Dr.  Eichard  took  the  telegraphic  despatch  to 
serve  as  a  passport.  It  was  stated  that  the  travellers  would  probably  have  all  perished  if  Jules  Godard  had  not, 
at  the  risk  of  his  life,  climbed  up  by  the  network  and  cut  a  hole  in  the  silk  with  a  hatchet,  so  as  to  allow  the  gas 
to  escape.  By  so  doing  he  stopped  the  furious  course  of  the  balloon,  which  was  making  bounds  of  from  forty  to 
fifty  yards,  with  a  violence  that  would  soon  have  knocked  the  car  to  pieces.  A  despatch  received  at  a  later  hour 
stated  that  M.  and  Madame  Nadar,  whose  injuries  are  not  so  serious  as  at  first  stated,  were  going  on  well,  as  was 
also  M.  St.  Felix. 

Details  at  last  began  to  arrive  of  the  ascent  and  descent,  although  as  yet  they  did  not  enter  much  into 
particulars.  The  '  Northern  Gazette '  of  Hanover  published  the  following  letter  : — 

"  Nienburg,  Oct.  19. 

"  At  a  quarter-past  nine  this  morning  a  large  balloon  passed  over  this  town,  coming  from  the  left  bank  of 
the  Weser,  with  the  wind  at  south-west.  The  lower  part  of  it  appeared  to  be  emptied  of  its  gas,  and  was  moving 
about  within  the  network  which  surrounded  it.  It  passed  at  a  height  very  little  above  the  houses,  and  the  persons 
who  were  visible  in  the  car  appeared  to  have  the  intention  of  descending,  for  when  the  balloon  passed  over  the 
railway  a  grapnel  was  thrown  out,  but  did  not  quite  reach  the  ground,  and  the  workmen  on  the  line  who  ran  to 
the  spot  could  not  succeed  in  laying  hold  of  it.  The  balloon  then  rose  and  went  in  the  direction  of  the  village  of 
Wcelpe,  which  is  surrounded  by  marshes.  Another  grapnel  fell  on  the  roof  of  a  small  summer-house,  but  did  not 
find  a  solid  hold,  and  tore  away  one  of  the  rafters.  The  balloon  afterwards  struck  against  the  house  of  the 
watchman  of  the  railway  station  at  Nienhof,  and  against  the  telegraphic  wires,  which  nearly  turned  it  over.  The 
car  was  dragged  along  the  ground  for  a  length  of  time,  the  persons  in  it  calling  for  assistance,  which  could  not  be 
given  to  them,  by  catching  hold  of  the  ropes  which  hung  from  the  car,  the  wind  being  too  high.  \\  hen  near 
Wcelpe  the  balloon  rose  high  enough  to  pass  over  the  trees  and  to  proceed  in  the  direction  of  the  desert  countries 
of  Lichtenmoor  and  Kolhem.  Since  that  time  no  accounts  have  been  received  of  the  unfortunate  persons  in  the 
car.  Several  ropes  fell  during  the  violent  plunges  which  it  made,  and  also  two  large  pieces  of  iron  seeming  to 
be  axle-trees,  and  a  speaking-trumpet.  Every  one  asked  where  did  the  balloon  come  from — from  Paris  or  the 
Rhine,  but  as  a  hat  was  also  found  which  had  been  purchased  on  the  Boulevard  Sebastopol  at  Paris,  the  probability 
is  that  the  aeronauts  are  Parisians." 

It  is  as  if  we  were  writing  of  some  great  battle,  so  various  and  sometimes  so  conflicting  are  the  accounts 
which  reached  us.  This  circumstance,  however,  only  proves  the  great  curiosity  which  was  everywhere  manifested 
respecting  the  balloon,  and  the  great  interest  taken  in  its  fate.  Special  reporters  were  sent  by  some  of  the  German 
papers  to  the  spot  where  the  "  Giant "  had  met  with  his  disaster.  The  editor  of  the  '  Weser  Zeitung '  went 
himself  to  Nienburg  and  published  an  account  of  the  voyage,  in  which  there  are  many  interesting  details. 

The  '  Zeitung  fur  Nord  Deutschland '  also  enters  into  many  curious  and  minute  particulars,  and  says  :• — 
"  The  unknown  aerial  travellers  evidently  wished  to  descend  at  Nienburg,  and  threw  out  an  anchor,  which 
caught  the  roof  of  the  cottage  of  M.  Kapp,  hatter,  but  not  finding  hold,  went  away  with  a  rafter.  We  do  not 
know  whether  the  rope  of  the  grapnel,  about  an  inch  in  diameter,  broke  or  was  cut  off,  as  probably  was 
the  case;  the  giapnel,  together  with  eighty  feet  of  rope,  remained  in  the  house,  and  hundreds  of  people 
flowed  in  to  see  it.  The  same  is  about  two-and-a-half  feet  high,  of  steel,  with  five  flukes,  and  weighs  sixty  pounds. 
It  can  be  screwed  together  in  six  or  seven  pieces.  A  second  and  similar  grapnel  is  to  be  seen  at  Nolle's,  the 


A.,,.  I  THK  ITXCONTROLABLE  "GEANT." 

gardcm  r.     The  balloon,  after  having  blown  over  the  high  road  to  Hanover,  tripped  against  some  telegraph  wires, 
uiul  nr.irlv  overturned.     Four  wirea  were  broken  in  consequence  of  the  shock,  and  three  telegraph-posts  torn 

d..wu." 

Other  Gorman  papers  say  that  — 

"  In  the  course  of  the  balloon  there  were  picked  up  several  pieces  of  rope,  some  bits  of  iron,  a 
speaking-trumpet,  and  a  hat,  with  the  maker's  address  in  it,  '  Boulevard  do  Sobastopol.'  The  latter  piece 
of  evidence  suggests  to  the  German  intellect  that  possibly  the  people  in  the  balloon  might  bo  Parisians." 

At  last  we  come  to  the  narrative  of  one  of  the  travellers,  M.  Eugene  Arnould,  reporter  of  the  French 
newspaper,  '  La  Nation.'  If  this  narrative  is  not,  perhaps,  strictly  correct  in  all  its  details,  as  wo  may  infer 
from  a  k-ttcr  subsequently  written  by  M.  Nadar,  it  is,  nevertheless,  so  graphic,  that  it  ought  to  find  place 

:  — 


"Ml     DUB  E..ITOR, 

You  saw  us  leave  the  Champ  de  Mars  on  Sunday.     You  were  a  witness  of  the  majestic  ascent  of 
the  '  Geant  '  rising  into  the  air  amid  the  applause  of  the  crowd.     They  cried  to  us  from  below,  '  Bon  voyage  !  ' 

•  ••••••• 

"  At  nine  o'clock  at  night  we  were  at  Erquelines  ;  we  passed  over  Malines,  and  towards  midnight  we  were 
in  Holland.  We  rose  up  very  high,  but  it  was  necessary  to  come  down  to  see  where  we  were.  Ignorant  of  that, 
our  i«»ition  was  a  critical  one.  Below,  as  far  as  wo  could  see,  were  marshes,  and  in  the  distance  wo  could  hear 
the  roar  of  the  sea.  We  threw  out  ballast,  and,  mounting  again,  soon  lost  sight  of  the  earth.  What  a  night  ! 
Nobody  slept,  as  you  may  suppose,  for  the  idea  of  falling  into  the  sea  had  nothing  pleasant  about  it,  and  it  was 
necessary  to  keep  a  look  out  in  order  to  effect,  if  necessary,  a  descent  My  compass  showed  that  we  were  going 
towards  the  east  —  that  is  to  say,  towards  Germany.  In  the  morning,  after  a  frugal  breakfast  made  in  the  clouds, 
we  redescended.  An  immense  plain  was  beneath  us;  the  villages  appeared  to  us  like  children's  toys—  rivem 
seemed  like  little  rivulets—  it  was  magical.  The  sun  shone  splendidly  over  all.  Towards  eight  o'clock  we  arrived 
near  a  great  lake  ;  there  I  found  out  our  bearings,  and  announced  that  we  wore  at  the  end  of  Holland,  near  the  sea. 

••  We  were  compelled  to  think  of  landing,  in  order  to  take  in  a  little  ballast.  Unhappily,  the  heavens  had 
made  us  forget  the  earth,  over  which  blow  a  wind  so  violent  that  in  a  few  minutes  our  anchors,  enormous  fulcrums 
of  iron,  were  broken.  The  valve  was  shut,  and  the  balloon,  which  would  carry  us  no  longer,  began  a  giddy  career. 
We  rose  from  twenty  to  thirty  metres,  and  fell  with  incredible  force.  Little  by  little  the  balloon  ceased  to  rise, 
and  the  car  fell  upon  its  side.  Then  began  a  furious,  disordered  race  ;  all  disappeared  before  us  —  trees,  thicket*, 
walls,  all  broken  or  burst  through  by  the  shock  :  it  was  frightful.  Sometimes  it  was  a  lake,  in  which  we  plunged  ; 
then  a  bog,  the  thick  mud  of  which  entered  our  mouths  and  our  eyes.  It  was  maddening,  '  Stop  !  stop  !  '  we  shouted, 
enraged  with  the  monster  who  was  dragging  us  along.  A  railway  was  before  us—  a  train  passing  ;  it  stopped  at 
our  cries,  but  we  carried  away  the  telegraphic  posts  and  wire.  An  instant  afterwards  we  perceived  in  the  distance 
a  red  house  —  I  see  it  now,  —  the  wind  bore  us  straight  for  this  house.  It  was  death  for  all,  for  wo  should  be  dashed 
to  pieces.  No  one  spoke.  Strange  to  say,  of  those  nine  persons,  one  of  whom  was  a  lady,  who  were  clinging  to 
a  slender  screen  of  osier,  for  whom  every  second  seemed  counted,  not  one  had  any  fear.  All  tongues  were  mute, 
all  faces  were  calm.  Nadar  held  his  wife,  covering  her  with  his  body.  Poor  woman  !  Every  shock  seemed  to 
break  her  to  pieces. 

••  .lules  Godard  then  tried  and  accomplished  an  act  of  sublime  heroism.  Ho  clambered  up  into  the  netting, 
the  shocks  of  which  were  so  terrible  that  three  times  he  fell  on  my  head.  At  length  he  reached  the  cord  of  the 
valve,  opened  it,  and  tin-  gas  having  a  way  of  escape  tlio  monster  ceased  to  rise,  but  it  still  shot  along  in  a  horizontal 
liin-  with  prodigious  rapidity.  Thnv  WITH  wo  squatting  down  upon  the  frail  osier  car.  'Take  care!'  we  cried, 
when  a  tree  was  in  the  way.  We  turned  from  it,  and  the  tree  was  broken  ;  but  the  balloon  was  discharging  its 
gas,  ami  it'  tiie  immense  plain  we  \\eic  CT.  t-.-ing  hud  yet  a  few  leugues,  we  were  saved,  lint  suddenly  a  forest 
appeared  in  the  horizon;  we  must  leap  out  at  whatever  risk,  for  the  car  would  be  dashed  to  pieces  at  the  iii>t 
collision  with  those  trees.  I  got  down  into  the  car,  and  raising  mytelf,  I  know  not  Low,  for  I  suffered  from  a 
wound  in  my  knees,  my  trousers  were  torn.  I  jumped,  and  made,  I  know  not  how  many  ievolmion«,  and  fell 
upon  my  head.  After  a  minute's  dizziness  I  rose.  The  car  was  then  far  off.  By  (he  aid  of  a  stick  1  di 


266  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1863. 

myself  to  the  forest,  and  having  gone  a  few  steps  I  heard  some  groans.  St.  Felix  was  stretched  on  the  soil 
frightfully  disfigured ;  his  body  was  one  wound ;  he  had  an  arm  broken,  the  chest  torn,  and  an  ankle  dislocated. 
The  car  had  disappeared.  After  crossing  a  river  I  heard  a  cry.  Nadar  was  stretched  on  the  ground  with  a 
dislocated  thigh;  his  wife  had  fallen  into  the  river.  Another  companion  was  shattered.  We  occupied  ourselves 
with  St.  Felix,  and  Nadar  and  his  wife.  In  trying  to  assist  the  latter  I  was  nearly  drowned,  for  I  fell  into  the 
water  and  sank.  They  picked  me  up  again,  and  I  found  the  bath  had  done  me  good.  By  the  assistance  of  the 
inhabitants  the  salvage  was  got  together.  Vehicles  were  brought ;  they  placed  us  upon  straw.  My  knees  bled  ; 
my  loins  and  head  seemed  to  be  like  mincemeat ;  but  I  did  not  lose  my  presence  of  mind  an  instant,  and  for  a 
second  I  felt  humiliated  at  looking  from  the  truss  of  straw  at  those  clouds  which  in  the  night  I  had  had  under  my 
feet.  It  was  in  this  way  we  reached  Rethem,  in  Hanover. 

"  In  seventeen  hours  we  had  made  nearly  250  leagues.  Our  course  infernale  had  covered  a  space  of  three 
leagues.  Now  that  it  is  over  I  have  some  shudderings.  It  does  not  signify  ;  we  have  made  a  good  journey,  and 
I  marvel  to  see  with  what  indifference  we  may  regard  the  most  frightful  death ;  for,  besides  the  prospect  of  being 
dashed  about  on  our  way,  we  had  that  of  gaining  the  sea ;  and  how  long  should  we  have  lived  then  ?  I  am  glad 
to  have  seen  this — happier  yet  at  having  to  narrate  it  to  you.  These  Germans  who  surround  us  are  brave 
people,  and  we  have  been  as  well  cared  for  as  the  resources  of  the  little  spot  will  allow. 

"P.S.— I  have  just  reached  Hanover  with  my  companions,  and  reopen  my  letter  to  tell  you  so.  The  King 
has  sent  an  aide-de-camp  to  us.  Are  we  at  the  end  of  our  reverses  ?  At  any  rate,  I  am  consoled  to  think  they 
can  no  longer  laugh  at  us  in  Paris.  We  have  kept  our  promises,  and  more." 

A  fuller  account  of  the  adventures  of  the  balloon  in  Belgium,  Holland,  and  Germany,  was  given  by  the 
same  writer  in  a  second  letter.  It  is  so  graphic  that  we  cannot  think  of  abridging  it.  Nevertheless,  perhaps 
others  of  the  travellers  might  tell  the  tale  and  the  various  incidents  in  a  different  manner  :— 

"  We  passed,  I  know  not  how  much  time,  in  contemplating  the  enchanting  scene  around  us — but  at  length 
we  all  felt  the  necessity  of  going  downwards  to  see  where  we  were.  Presently  the  balloon  came  so  near  to  the 
earth  that  we  could  readily  distinguish  the  tall  chimneys  of  a  great  many  flaming  furnaces.  '  If  we  were  to  fall 
upon  some  of  them ! '  said  Montgolfier,  anxiously.  These  furnaces  told  us  very  clearly  that  we  were  in  Belgium, 
and,  besides,  the  Flemish  songs  that  continually  reached  our  ears  left  no  doubt  upon  the  point.  Godard,  Nadar, 
all  of  us,  called  out  frequently  to  the  people  below,  'Where  are  we?'  but  we  got  no  other  answer  than  shouts  of 
laughter.  There  were  two  bells  in  the  car,  and  Yon  and  myself  rang  them  as  hard  as  we  could,  while  Nadar 
roared  through  his  speaking-trumpet.  I  had  an  opportunity  of  observing  that  the  purity  of  the  air  in  no  degree 
attenuates  the  quantity  of  false  notes  lodged  in  the  throats  of  certain  individuals.  Our  aerial  charivari  at  length 
provoked  a  corresponding  one  on  earth,  and  we  could  hear  dogs  barking,  ducks  quacking,  men  swearing,  and 
women  screaming.  All  this  had  a  droll  effect ;  but  time  went  on,  the  wind  blew  hard,  it  was  dark  night,  and 
our  balloon  drove  on  with  prodigious  rapidity,  and  we  were  not  able  to  tell  exactly  where  we  were.  I  could  not 
see  my  compass,  and  we  were  not  allowed  to  light  a  lucifer-match  under  any  pretext  whatsoever. 

"  From  the  direction  in  which  we  had  passed  over  Lille,  we  judged  that  we  must  be  going  towards  the  sea  ; 
Louis  Godard  fancied  that  he  could  see  lighthouses.  We  descended  again  to  within  150  yards  of  the  earth.  Beneath 
us  we  saw  a  flat  marshy  country,  of  sinister  aspect,  and  indicating  plainly  the  neighbourhood  of  the  coast.  Every 
one  listened  with  all  his  ears,  and  many  fancied  they  heard  the  murmurs  of  the  sea.  The  further  we  went  on  the 
more  desert  the  country  became ;  there  was  no  light  whatever ;  and  it  became  more  and  more  difficult  to  guess 
where  we  were  going.  '  I  am  entirely  out  of  my  reckoning,'  exclaimed  Louis  Godard,  '  and  my  opinion  is  that 
the  only  thing  we  have  to  do  is  to  descend  at  once.'  'What,  here  in  the  marshes?'  remonstrated  all  of  us;  'and 
suppose  we  are  driven  into  the  sea.'  The  balloon  went  driving  on  still.  '  We  cannot  descend  here,'  said  Jules 
Godard,  '  we  are  over  water.'  Two  or  three  of  us  looked  over  the  edge  of  the  car,  and  affirmed  that  we  were  not 
over  water,  but  trees.  '  It  is  water,'  Jules  Godard  persisted.  Every  one  now  looked  out  attentively,  and 
as  the  balloon  descended  a  little,  we  saw  plainly  that  there  was  no  water,  but  without  being  able  to  say  positively 
whether  there  were  trees  or  not.  At  the  moment  when  Jules  Godard  thought  he  saw  water,  Nadar  exclaimed, 
'  I  see  a  railway.'  It  turned  out  that  what  Nadar  took  for  a  railway  was  a  canal  running  towards  the  Scheldt, 
which  we  had  passed  over  a  few  minutes  before.  Hurrah  for  balloons !  They  are  the  things  to  travel  in — rivers, 
mountains,  custom-houses — all  are  passed  without  let  or  hindrance.  But  every  medal  has  its  reverse  ;  and,  if  we 
were  delighted  at  having  safely  got  over  the  Scheldt,  we  by  no  means  relished  the  prospect  of  going  on  to  the 


A.M.  !>.;::.  \i;N<  TLD'S  NARRATIVi:.  2(57 

Xuyder  Xee.  •  Shall  wo  go  down?'  asked  Louis  Ooditid.  There  was  a  moment's  pause.  We  consulted  together : 
suddenly  1  uttered  a  eiy  ••!'  joy;  the  position  nf  the  needle  of  my  COIIIIMUJK  indicated  that  (ho  balloon  had  made 
a  half  turn  to  tin-  li^ht,  nnd  was  now  going  due  east  The  aspect  of  the  stars  confirmed  this  assertion.  Forward! 
was  now  the  cry.  \Ve  throw  out  a  little  ballast,  mounted  higher,  and  started  with  new  vigour,  with  our  backs 
turned  tu  the  deprecated  Xuydor  Zee.  It  was  now  three  in  tin-  morning,  and  none  of  us  had  slept.  Just  as  we 

to  try  to  sleep  a  little,  my  diabolical  compass  showed  that  the  balloon  was  turning  back  again.  'Where 
an-  you  going  to  take  us  to?'  cried  out  Yon  tu  tin-  immense  mass  of  canvas  which  was  oscillating  above  our  heads. 
I.oui^  i  iodurd  again  proposed  to  descend  ;  but  we  said  'No!  forward,  forward!' 

Two  lumrs  sped  away;  and  at  five  o'clock  day  broke,  broad  daylight  coming  on  with  marvellous  rapidity. 
It  is  tnii-  that  wo  were  at  a  height  of  980  metres.  Novel-writer*  and  others  have  so  much  abused  descrip- 
tions of  sunrise  on  mountains  and  on  the  ocean  that  I  shall  say  little  about  this  one,  although  it  is  not  a 
i-i minion  tiling  to  see  the  horizon  on  fire  below  the  clouds.  The  finest  Venetian  paintings  could  alone  give  an  idea 
of  tin-  luxuriant  tones  of  the  heaven  that  wo  saw.  Such  dazzling  magnificence  led  me  to  wonder  that  there  is  no 

(I  of  sun-worship,  since  men  must  necessarily  have  borne  material  representation  of  the  Divinity.  It  is  true 
that  the  sun  is  not  made  in  man's  image.  Wo  now  had  beneath  us  an  immense  plain,  the  same  probably  that  we 
had  passed  over  in  the  night  There  is  nothing  more  pleasant  at  first  sight,  nor  more  monotonous,  in  the  long  run. 
th. in  the  sort  of  country  which  forms  at  least  one-third  of  Holland.  There  are  miniature  woods  the  size  of 
bouquets,  fields  admirably  cultivated  and  divided  into  little  patches  like  gardens,  rivers  with  extraordinary 
windings,  microscopic  roads,  coquettish-looking  villages,  so  white  and  so  clean,  that  I  think  the  Dutch  housewives 
must  scour  the  very  roofs  of  their  houses  every  morning.  In  the  midst  of  every  village  there  is  a  jewel  of  a 
ehiin  h  with  a  .shining  steeple.  While  riding  along  at  a  height  of  700  metres,  we  had  beneath  us  a  picture  of 
Paul  Potter's  fiftv  leagues  square.  All  at  once  the  tableaux  became  animated.  The  people  below  had  perceived 
the  balloon.  We  heard  cries  expressive  of  astonishment,  flight,  and  even  of  anger;  but  the  feeling  of  fright 
seemed  to  predominate.  Wo  distinctly  saw  women  in  their  chemises  look  hurriedly  out  of  windows  and  then 
rush  back  again.  We  saw  chubby  boys  looking  at  us,  and  blubbering  as  if  they  were  mad.  Some  men,  more 
determined  than  the  rest,  fired  off  guns  at  us.  I  saw  several  mammas  pointing  us  out  to  stubborn  babies,  with  an 
attitude  which  seemed  to  say  that  our  balloon  was  Old  Bogy.  Old  women  raised  their  hands  against  us,  and  at 
their  signal  many  ran  away,  making  the  sign  of  the  Cross.  It  is  evident  that  in  some  of  these  villages  we  were 
taken  to  be  the  devil  in  person.  On  this  point  it  is  apropos  to  cite  a  letter  communicated  to  me  which  has  been 
addressed  to  the  '  Courrier  de  Hanovre.'  I  translate  it  literally  : — 

"  '  This  morning,  at  about  six  o'clock,  we  saw  passing  over  our  heads,  at  a  prodigious  height,  an  immense  round 
form,  to  which  was  suspended  something  which  looked  like  a  square  house  of  a  red  colour.  Some  people  pretend 
to  have  seen  animated  beings  in  this  strange  machine,  and  to  have  heard  issuing  from  it  superhuman  cries.  W  hat 
think  you,  Mr.  Editor?  The  whole  country  is  in  a  state  of  alarm,  and  it  will  be  long  before  our  people  recover 
their  equanimity." 

*•  At  7  A.M.  we  crossed  over  a  lake  near  Yssel ;  the  wind  then  again  drove  us  in  a  new  direction, 
nearly  at  right  angles  with  that  which  we  were  taking  before.  In  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  balloon  got 
into  Westphalia,  near  Kenhcim,  then  we  crossed  the  great  river  Ems,  the  towns  of  liheine  and  Ibbenbnrrhen,  and 

M-d  t.>  Hanover  a  little  above  Osnabruck  ;  we  traversed,  without  deigning  to  take  notice  of  them,  a  little  chain 
of  mountains,  and  by  way,  no  doubt,  of  relaxation  after  so  long  a  journey,  went  all  round  a  lake,  which  is  called  in 
(iennaii  I  Mmini'-rsee.  We  then  got  into  a  great  plain,  through  which  runs  a  road.  At  this  time  the  balloon 

•M  alnio.st  motionless.  The  reason  of  this  was,  that  the  heat  of  the  sun  had  caused  the  gas  to  expand.  The 
thermometer  was  then  at  14^'  (about  59°  Fahr.).  Louis  Godard  was  very  uneasy  about  this  dilatation.  After  two 
or  three  oscillations,  our  aerial  courser  decided  upon  going  off  rapidly  in  an  eastern  direction,  with  about  two 
degrees  variation  towards  the  north.  This  course  would  have  taken  us  to  Hamburg  and  the  Baltic,  but  we  wi  i- 
all  so  completely  absorbed  by  the  splendour  of  the  tableau  before  us  that  we  took  little  note  of  the  change.  Our 
hippogriff  passed  over  Wagenfeld-Steyerberg,  where  there  is  a  river  which  flows  into  the  Weser.  We  came  within 
sight  of  the  great  river  and  Nienburg,  a  considerable  town  on  one  of  ita  banks.  AVo  saw  a  steamboat  going  down 
the  river  from  the  town.  The  view  here  was  charming.  A  rustling  of  the  silk  of  our  balloon  made  us  look 
upwards;  the  monster,  under  the  influence  of  the  sun,  now  very  hot,  was  palpably  swelling.  As  it  would  have 
been  supremely  ridiculous,  after  having  made  such  a  first-rate  journey,  to  have  treated  the  inhabitants  of  Nienburg 

2  x 


268  ASTEA  CA8TBA.  A.TX  1863. 

with  the  spectacle  of  seeing  us  blown  up— to  say  nothing  of  the  consequences  of  such  a  catastrophe  to  our  own 
limbs— we  resolved  to  come  down.  The  remaining  bags  of  ballast  were  got  in  order,  the  ropes  and  the  anchors 
prepared,  and  Godard  opened  the  safety-valve.  '  The  monster  is  disgorging ! '  exclaimed  Thirion.  And  the 
balloon  did  vomit  forth  its  gas  with  a  tremendous  noise,  which  may  be  compared  to  the  snoring  of  some  gigantic 
animal.  While  our  companion  made  this  observation,  we  were  descending  at  the  rate  of  two  metres  to  the  second. 
'  To  the  ropes  !  to  the  ropes  ! — hold  on  well ! '  cried  the  brothers  Godard,  who  seemed  quite  in  their  element,  '  take 
care  of  the  shock ! '  Every  one  climbed  up  to  the  ropes  which  attach  the  car  to  the  circular  handles  underneath 
the  balloon.  Madame  Nadar,  whose  sang  froid  was  truly  magnificent,  grasped  two  large  ropes  with  her  delicate 
hands.  Nadar  did  the  like,  but  at  the  same  time  put  his  arms  round  his  wife  so  as  to  protect  her  body. 

"  I  was  on  one  side  towards  the  middle  of  the  sort  of  hurdle  which  serves  as  a  balcony.  I  was  on  my  knees 
and  clinging  to  two  ropes.  Montgolfier,  Thirion,  and  Saint  Felix  were  near  me.  The  balloon  descended  so  rapidly 
that  it  gave  us  the  vertigo.  The  air,  which  we  had  left  so  calm  above,  became  a  violent  wind  as  we  neared  the 
earth.  '  We  are  going  to  throw  down  the  anchors,'  said  Godard,  'hold  tight.'  Then  the  car  struck  the  earth  with 
tremendous  violence.  I  cannot  imagine  how  it  was  that  my  arms  were  not  broken.  After  the  first  terrible  shock  the 
balloon  went  up  again,  but  the  safety-valve  was  opened — it  again  fell — and  we  suffered  a  second  shock,  if  not  more 
violent,  at  least  more  painful  to  us  than  the  first.  Up  we  went  again  ;  the  balloon  dragged  its  anchors.  Several 
times  we  thought  we  should  be  thrown  out.  '  The  anchors  are  broken,'  exclaimed  Godard.  The  balloon  beat 
the  ground  with  its  head,  like  a  kite  when  it  falls  down.  It  was  horrible.  On  we  went  towards  Nienbnrg,  at 
the  rate  of  ten  leagues  an  hour.*  Three  large  trees  were  cut  through  by  the  car,  as  clean  as  if  by  a  woodman's 
hatchet.  One  small  anchor  still  remained  to  us.  We  threw  it  down,  and  it  carried  away  the  roof  of  a  house. 

"  If  the  balloon  had  dragged  us  through  the  town  we  should,  inevitably,  have  been  cut  to  pieces.  But  fortu- 
nately it  rose  a  little,  and  then  bumped  against  the  ground  again  with  as  much  violence  as  before.  Every  one  of 
these  shocks  wrenched  our  limbs ;  to  complete  our  misfortunes  the  rope  of  the  safety-valve  got  loose  from  us,  and 
the  safety-valve  shutting  up  we  lost  all  hope  of  the  balloon  emptying  itself.  It  went  on  by  bounds  of  twenty-five, 
thirty,  and  forty  metres  from  the  earth,  and  continued  to  fall  upon  its  head.  Everything  that  stood  in  the  way  of 
the  car  was  dashed  to  pieces.  Every  minute  brought  a  new  danger,  and  what  danger !  Now  we  are  terrified  to 
think  of  it ;  but  I  declare  upon  my  honour  that  at  the  time  not  one  of  us  entertained  a  thought  of  saving  his  own 
life  at  the  expense  of  the  community.  Several  times  some  one  of  us  might  have  jumped  out,  but  then  the  balloon, 
being  lightened  of  a  considerable  weight,  would  have  ascended  to  the  great  peril  of  the  others.  Madame  Nadar 
was  supported  by  her  husband,  and  I  can  affirm  that  our  greatest  moral  suffering  was  to  see  her  frail  form  so 
terribly  knocked  about — and  yet  this  pour  woman  never  uttered  a  cry.  During  these  terrible  moments  when  all 
our  bones  were  cracking,  she  looked  at  her  husband  and  at  us  so  calmly  and  so  sweetly  that  we  would  all  willingly 
have  been  crushed  to  have  saved  her." 

We  complete  the  narrative  of  the  second  ascent  by  giving  here  Louis  Godard 's  own  account : — 

The  departure  presented  nothing  remarkable  until  Erquelines  was  reached.  If  the  balloon  did  not  attain 
any  great  elevation,  it  was  because  the  aeronauts  wished  to  avoid  all  dilatation,  in  order  to  make  a  long  voyage ; 
if  they  had  wished  to  have  produced  an  effect  upon  the  public,  they  could  have  attained  the  highest  elevation  by 
throwing  overboard  60  Ibs.  or  80  Ibs.  of  ballast. 

The  balloon  used  on  fete  days,  belonging  to  MM.  Godard  Brothers,  decked  with  flags  bearing  the  initials  of 
His  Majesty  the  Emperor,  and  the  "  Giant,"  met  four  or  five  times  in  the  air,  and  the  aeronauts  of  the  latter, 
thinking  they  were  addressing  the  inhabitants  of  a  town,  received  the  replies  of  M.  Godard,  senior,  who  directed 
the  small  balloon.  This  pursuit  did  not  cease  until  St.  Quentiii  was  reached,  where  the  latter  descended. 

The  "  Giant"  continued  its  route.  Signalised  at  Lille,  it  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  Belgium,  where  a 
fresh  current,  coming  from  the  Channel,  drove  it  over  the  marshes  of  Holland.  It  was  there  that  M.  Louis 
Godard  proposed  to  descend  to  await  the  break  of  day,  in  order  to  recognise  the  situation  and  agaiu  to  depart ;  it 
was  one  in  the  morning,  the  night  was  dark,  but  the  weather  calm. 

Unfortunately,  this  advice,  supported  by  long  experience,  was  not  listened  to.  The  "  Giant"  went  on  his 
way,  and  M.  Louis  Godard  no  longer  considered  himself  responsible  for  the  consequences  of  the  voyage. 


*  The  letter  of  M.  Louis  Godard,  given  below,  says,  iu  two  places,  that  the  balloon,  when  descending,  was  driven  by  the  wind  at 
the  rate  of  sixty  leagues  an  hour;  but  tin's  is  probably  a  misprint. 


A.I..  IM;::. 


'S  A<  (  n|  \  l. 


Tin-  UilU.oii  coa-t.d  tin-  Xtndi-r  Zee,  and  entered  Hanover.  The  sun  began  to  appear,  drying  the  netting 
ami  tlm  sides  of  the  balloon,  \vi-t  from  its  passage  through  the  clouds,  and  produced  a  dilatatiun  which  elevated  the 

ii.T..li:illt.s  to  !.">. 

At  eight  o'clock,  tlic  wind,  hi., wing  suddenly  from  the  west,  drove  the  balloon  in  a  right  line  toward*  tin- 
i.     It  was  necessary,  at  all  hazard*,  to  effect  a  descent.     This  was  a  perilous  affair,  OH  the  wind  wax 
Mowing  with  extreme  violci. 

Tin-  brothers  Godard  (Louis  and  Jules),  assisted  by  M.  Gabriel,  opened  the  valve  and  got  out  the  am  i 
lnit.  unfortunately,  the  horizontal  progress  of  the  balloon  augmented  from  second  to  second.     The  first  obstacle 
which  tin-  anchors  encountered  was  a  tree :  it  was  instantly  unrooted,  and  dragged  along  to  a  second  obstacle,  a 

.  whuse  roof  was  carried  off.  At  this  moment  the  two  cables  of  the  anchors  wore  broken  without  tin- 
voyagers  being  aware  of  it,  such  was  the  prodigious  speed  attained,  sixty  (?)  leagues  an  hour. 

seeing  the  successive  shocks  tliat  \\.-ro  about  to  ensue — the  moment  was  critical,  the  least  forgetfulm -.-s 
might  cause  death.  M.  Louis  Godard  did  not  cease  to  give  to  all  repeated  encouragement ;  the  balloon  still  went 
on  at  the  rate  of  sixty  leagues  an  hour;  through  opening  the  valve  it  had  lost  a  certain  quantity  of  gas,  and  could 
not  ascend.  To  add  to  the  difficulty,  its  inclined  position  did  not  permit  of  operating  on  the  valve,  except  on  the 
hoop, 

At  the  request  of  his  brother,  Jules  Godard  attempted  the  difficult  work  of  climbing  to  this  hoop,  and,  in 
spite  of  his  known  agility,  he  was  obliged  several  times  to  renew  the  effort.  Alone,  and  not  being  able  to  detach 
the  cord,  M.  Louis  Godard  begged  M.  Yon  to  join  his  brother  on  the  hoop.  The  two  made  themselves  master-  of 
the  rope,  which  they  passed  to  M.  Louis  Godard ;  the  latter  secured  it  firmly,  in  spite  of  the  shocks  he  received. 

A  violent  shock  shook  the  car  and  entangled  M.  de  Saint-Felix  under  it,  as  it  was  ploughing  the  ground  ; 
it  was  impossible  to  render  him  any  assistance,  notwithstanding  M.  Jules  Godard,  stimulated  by  his  brother, 
leaped  out  to  attempt  mooring  the  balloon  to  the  trees  by  means  of  the  ropes.  M.  Montgolfier,  entangled  in  the 
same  manner,  was  reseated  in  time  and  Hived  by  Louis  Godard. 

At  this  moment  MM.  Thirion  and  D'Arnoult  leaped  out  in  their  turn,  and  escaped  with  a  few  contusions. 
The  car,  dragged  along  by  the  balloon,  broke  trees  more  than  half-a-yard  in  diameter,  and  overthrew  everything 
that  opposed  it. 

M.  Louis  Godard  made  M.  Yon  leap  out  of  the  car  to  assist  Madame  Nadar,  but  a  terrible  bhock  threw  out 


L'.UGLE  "  1.1804). 


•_'    X     '-' 


270  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1864. 

MM.  Nadar,  Louis  Godard,  and  Montgolfier — the  two  first  against  the  ground,  the  third  into  the  water.  Madame 
Nadar,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  the  voyagers,  remained  the  last,  and  found  herself  squeezed  between  the  ground 
and  the  car,  which  had  fallen  upon  her.  More  than  twenty  minutes  elapsed  before  it  was  possible  to  disentangle 
her,  in  spite  of  the  most  vigorous  efforts  on  the  part  of  every  one ;  it  was  at  this  moment  the  balloon  burst,  and, 
like  a  furious  monster,  destroyed  everything  around  it. 

Immediately  afterwards  they  ran  fo  the  assistance  of  M.  de  Saint-Felix,  who  had  been  left  behind,  and  whose 
face  was  one  wound,  and  covered  with  blood  and  mire  ;  he  had  an  arm  broken,  his  chest  grazed  and  bruised. 

I  terminate  this  true  relation,  in  thanking  the  inhabitants  of  Eethem,  particularly  our  ambassador  and  the 
king's  envoye,  for  the  care  and  attention  they  showed  us. 

(Signed)  Louis  GODARD. 

M.  Nadar,  dating  from  Hanover  on  the  26th,  wrote — 

"  All  goes  on  better.  We  are  about  to  return  to  Paris  on  our  backs ;  but  in  a  far  better  state  than  eight 
days  ago. 

"  As  it  is  impossible  at  this  moment  to  write  to  all  the  journals  which  have  been  pleased  to  mention  our 
second  voyage,  with  a  sympathy  which  profoundly  affected  me,  I  shall  bo  grateful  to  them  to  reproduce  the  present 

explanation. 

"  NADAR." 

I  cannot  omit  to  insert  in  this  history  a  few  extracts  from  the  '  Oraison  Funebre '  on 
Depuis  Delcourt,  given  by  M.  Nadar  in  the  preface  to  his  '  Me  moires  du  Gre'ant.'  Though 
we  are  not  accustomed  to  such  discourses  in  our  own  country,  yet  in  this  instance  it  is  my 
desire  "  to  show  how  much  the  zeal  of  one  man  in  a  good  cause  can  effect":— 

To-day,  Sunday,  3  April,  1864,  thirty  persons  were  assembled  at  a  small  house  in  the  Eue  de  Soureine, 
Paris.  From  thence  we  proceeded  in  the  rain  to  inter  the  patriarch  of  French  aeronauts,  Jean-Baptiste  Depuis- 
Delcourt,  born  25  March,  1802.  Depuis  Delcourt  was  known  both  in  the  literary  and  the  scientific  worlds  ;  but 
the  success  he  obtained  as  a  dramatic  author  could  never  turn  him  from  aerostation,  his  ruling  passion.  He  had 
known  J.  Montgolfier  and  Charles,  and  was  present  at  the  experiments  of  Deghen,  Lennox,  Garnerin,  Robertson, 
Le  Berrier,  and  had  witnessed  the  death  of  the  unfortunate  Madame  Blanchard.  He  had  himself  made  many 
ascents,  and  been  presented  to  Louis  XVIIL,  from  whom  he  received  the  gift  of  a  beautiful  diamond. 

The  Academy  on  five  occasions  named  commissions  to  examine  the  scientific  communications  he  sent  in  to 
them  with  indefatigable  zeal. 

He  laboured  with  Arago  in  the  construction  of  the  "  electro-subtracteur,"  an  instrument  that  could  at  will 
deliver  us  from  hail,  not  only  in  its  falling  but  even  its  formation. 

In  the  Orangery  of  the  Luxembourg  he  had  made  public  experiments  with  the  aerial  screw  ;  and  among  the 
most  attentive  of  his  auditors  was  Geoffrey  Saint-Hilaire. 

He  founded  the  "  Aerostatic  and  Meteorological  Society  of  France,"  of  which  he  was  the  soul ;  and  in 
recognition  of  his  services  they  named  him  their  Perpetual  Secretary. 

Even  after  the  anathema  of  Marey  Monge  against  metallic  gasholders  he  completely  ruined  himself  by  the 
construction  of  a  copper  balloon ;  but  for  the  want  of  a  few  hundred  francs  to  supply  accessories  it  could  not  be 
used,  and  he  was  obliged  to  sell  it.  He  published  twenty  books  and  pamphlets;  among  others  the  '  Manuel  de 
1'Aerostier,'  one  of  the  best  volumes  of  the  useful  Encyclopasdia  of  Eoret. 

He  leaves  almost  finished  an  important  work,  entitled,  '  Traite  coniplet,  historique  et  pratique  des  Aerostats'  Of 
this  he  said,  "  Ce  sera  probablement  la  grande  affaire  de  ma  vie!" 

He  founded  a  Journal  of  Aerial  Navigation;  and,  full  of  fervent  faith  in  the  future  of  this  science,  he 
collected,  with  his  scanty  purse,  under  many  privations,  the  best  Aerostatic  Museum  that  exists. 

Now,  this  man,  gentle  and  brave,  modest,  laborious,  and  disinterested,  after  having  devoted  himself  to  an 
idea  that  may  have  the  grandest  practical  effect  on  the  human  race,  lived  with  resignation  and  confidence  in 
extreme  poverty,  and  died  yesterday,  leaving  his  collection  as  his  sole  legacy  to  the  aged  companion  of  the  last 
thirty  years  of  his  life. 

This  worthy  woman,  who,  with  the  faith  a  wife  has  always  iu  a  husband,  had  followed  him  everywhere, 


Ai:i!l\I.  NAVIGATION   IX  CHINA. 


•J7I 


-.lint:  t«>  the  Gospel,  and  even  beyond  the  code,  as  fur  as  the  clouds,  now  preserves  with  a  pioua  respect  the 
C..i  1 1.  11. IN  that  will  hereafter  be  well  known  as  that  of  DEPUIS  DELOOUKT. 


To  complete  this  chapter  I  here  annex  some  extracts  from  a  curious  work  entitled 
4  La  Navigation  Aerienne'  (of  which,  however,  I  do  not  guarantee  the  authenticity). 

'La  Navigation  Aerienne  en  Chin.-,  relation  d'un  Voyage  accompli  en  1860,  entiv 
Fout-cheou  et  Nant-chang,'  by  Delaville  Dedreux.  This  work,  which  appeared  in  Paris  in 
I  MI.'!,  contains  many  ideas  that  are  novel.  The  author  reminds  the  reader  of  a  book  called 
the  •  Merveilles  du  Genie  de  I'Homme,'  by  Am&le'e  de  Bast,  wherein  it  is  stated  that  Father 
Vassou,  a  missionary  at  Canton,  in  a  letter  dated  September  5,  1694,  mentions  a  balloon  that 
ascended  on  the  coronation  of  the  Emperor  Fo-kien,  in  1306.  He  found  this  recorded 
in  authentic  official  documents.  M.  Dedreux  then  states  that,  having  gone  far  into  the 
interior  of  the  Celestial  Empire,  he  thinks  it  his  duty  to  publish  what  he  there  saw;  but  not 
a  scientific  man,  he  can  give  only  an  account  of  the  facts. 


N  aerial  equipage  one  morning  coming  suddenly  in  sight 
gave  rise  to  the  following  conversation  between  the  Man 
darin  Kie  Fo,  his  protector,  and  himself. 

The  Asiatic  sarcastically  remarked  to  his  queries, 
"  Are  you  not  so  far  advanced  as  to  have  these  things  in 
Europe  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,"  answered  the  European,  "  but  they  are  of 
smaller  dimensions,  our  engineers  devote  their  attention 
chiefly  to  the  study  of  the  methods  for  destruction,  and 
you  have  seen  what  they  can  do." 

"  As  it  is  evident,"  replied  Kie  Fo,  "  that  you  do  not 
know  much  about  these  aerial  ships,  I  shall  be  glad  to 
make  a  trip  with  you." 

"  I  shall  be  delighted,  and  am  ready  to  run  all  risks." 
"  No  courage  is  required,"  continued  the  Chinaman, 
"  as  aerial  locomotion   is  the  most  agreeable   and  least 
dangerous  that  exists." 

"  Can  the  Chinese  guide  balloons  at  will?" 
"  Not  altogether,  but  it  is  seldom  that  the  captain 
does  not  follow  his  proposed  route,  and  return  within  a 
pivi'ii  period.     This  is  effected  chiefly  by  a  knowledge  of 
the  atmospheric  currents,  and  of  the  meteorological  cir- 
cumstances that  change  their  direction.    The  knowledge 
of  the  winds  is  a  science  that  is  enriched  by  daily  observu- 
.1   Umpire  possesses  a  great  number  of  observatories,  which  send  their  reports  of  the  cur 
at  ill.-  various  heights  to  the  captains  of  aerostats,  who  are  guided  accordingly." 
•    I'.ut  how  tin  you  know  the  direction  of  the  cum-nts?" 

"  By  sounding,  as  we  have  an  instrument  called  the  atmospheric  sounding-line  which  is  only  a  small  balloon 
connected  by  a  string  to  a  tower  thirty  feet  in  height,  which  contains  a  large  wheel  that  marks  the  number  of  I'.-.-t 
unrolled.  The  top  forming  n  horizontal  circle  is  divided  into  400  degrees,  the  first  corresponds  to  the  north,  Ac., 
the  direction  (,f  the  current  carries  the  string  in  a  direction  marked  by  one  of  these  lines,  and  no  mistak.-  i> 


"I  understand   that  jierfectly,  lint   how   do  you  transmit  the  intelligence  to  the  place  from  whcix  c  tin- 
aerostat  starts  ?  " 


272  ASTRA  CASTE  A.  A.D.  1860. 

"  It  is  in  this  that  the  inventive  genius  of  the  Chinese  is  shown,  for  many  are  employed  with  a  variety  of 
trumpets  that  give  different  sounds  for  each  line,  which  are  repeated  at  smaller  stations  till  it  arrives  at  the  place 
of  departure."  I  spoke  to  him  of  the  telegraph,  hut  it  was  useless. 

This  conversation  recalled  to  my  mind  what  I  had  seen  in  the  London  Exhibition  of  1851  (called  Universal, 
at  which,  however,  China  showed  nothing).  A  map  of  England  was  shown  on  which  needles  were  placed  on  all 
the  principal  ports,  and  were  arranged  each  day  according  to  telegrams ;  one  was  thereby  able  to  see  at  a  glance 
the  direction  of  the  winds  all  along  the  coast.  I  have  thought  that  such  a  map  adapted  for  Europe  would  speedily 
give  us  such  knowledge  of  atmospheric  currents  that  we  should  at  once  be  able  to  turn  balloons  to  account.  I 
observed  that  "  many  sides  of  an  irregular  polygon  must  be  described  in  an  aerial  voyage  ?  " 

"  That  is  the  case,"  replied  the  Mandarin,  "  it  seldom  happens  that  one  can  travel  in  a  straight  line.  The 
talent  of  the  captain  consists  in  finding  out  the  quickest  route ;  often  when  the  north  is  the  goal  you  may  see  him 
making  for  the  east  or  west  according  to  his  directions.  He  carries  sounding-lines  that  acquaint  him  with  the 
currents  above  and  below,  and  of  these  he  can  take  advantage." 

"  I  can  understand  the  method  for  raising  and  lowering  the  machine,  as  one  of  our  engineers  explained  it  in 
theory  seventy-five  years  ago ;  but  no  use  has  yet  been  made  of  it.  What  still  puzzles  me  is  this :  On  the  sea  a 
captain  by  the  assistance  of  the  log  and  compass  knows  the  rapidity  and  direction  of  his  route,  but  the  captain  of 
an  aerostat  cannot  make  use  of  these." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  the  compass  is  used  ;  as  long  as  the  earth  is  in  sight  it  is  not  much  required,  but  above 
the  clouds,  or  at  night,  or  in  an  unknown  country,  it  is  of  the  greatest  use." 

I  had  formed  my  opinion  from  the  works  of  Louis  Figuier,  called  '  Exposition  et  Histoire  des  principales 
Decouvertes  scientifiques  Modernes,'  who  in  his  remarks  on  balloons  says,  "  the  form  of  the  ship  enables  the 
captain  to  judge  of  the  direction  when  looking  at  the  compass,  but  in  the  air  there  is  no  line  to  guide  the  eye  of 
the  aeronaut." 

"  To  you,  your  author  may  seem  right,"  said  Kie  Fo,  "  but  he  is  wrong  in  our  view.  I  will  explain  the 
Chinese  method.  Our  oblong  aerostat  that  keeps  its  stern  to  the  current  has  an  imaginary  line  passing  from  stern 
to  prow.  Now  you  know  that  a  boat  in  a  current  without  oars  or  sails  will  turn  any  wa}-,  but  the  least  resistance 
caused  at  the  stern  will  make  it  keep  lengthwise  with  the  stream.  It  is  by  resistance  at  the  stern  that  we  keep 
the  aerostat  even  with  the  current." 

"  How  can  you  produce  this  resistance  ?  " 

"  Simply  by  the  rotation  of  a  screw  at  the  stern.     A  man  turning  a  handwheel  would  suffice." 

"  Well,  I  understand  ;  but  how  can  you  make  up  for  the  log,  for  determining  your  swiftness  ?  " 

"  By  a  hammer." 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  a  hammer  ?  " 

"  By  a  hammer  and  a  lamp — this  will  explain  it.  You  did  not  see,  this  morning,  a  single  one  but  two 
aerostats  rise ;  this  is  always  the  case.  A  complete  eqiiipage  always  consists  of  two.  They  are  connected  by  a 
silken  cable.  The  one  nearest  the  wind  turns  the  screw  that  impedes  its  march,  while  the  one  in  front,  not 
doing  this  advances  more  rapidly.  The  cable  then  takes  a  curve  which  the  experienced  eye  of  the  captain 
soon  recognises  to  be  correct.  The  two  balloons  are  300  metres  from  one  another ;  this  is  the  distance  as  you 
know  that  sound  travels  in  one  minute.  At  the  bow  of  the  second  aerostat  there  is  a  man  with  a  hammer  called 
the  'striker; '  at  the  stern  of  the  first  there  is  a  marker,  having  before  him  a  large  disc  with  divisions,  like  a 
clock  face,  with  only  one  indicator,  and  divided  in  360  degrees.  This  needle  is  put  in  motion  by  pressing  a 
button,  and  stops  directly  the  pressure  is  taken  off.  It  can  make  the  turn  in  one  second.  From  time  to  time  the 
marker  makes  a  signal  to  the  striker,  who  lets  his  hammer  fall  on  a  metal  plate,  and  instantaneously  a  burning 
lamp  is  unmasked.  The  marker,  the  instant  he  sees  this,  presses  the  spring  till  tho  sound  reaches  the  ear;  he 
removes  the  pressure  and  the  indicator  stops.  In  a  perfect  calm  this  would  be  always  one  second,  or  one  turn  of 
the  indicator,  but  if  the  aerostats  are  in  movement,  it  varies  according  to  the  rapidity  of  motion.  For  instance, 
supposing  this  to  be  thirty-six  kilometres  (twenty-seven  miles)  an  hour,  this  would  be  ten  metres  (thirty-two  feet 
six  inches)  a  second ;  and  the  indicator  would  make  a  complete  circle,  and  not  stop  till  ten  lines  beyond." 

"  I  understand ;  but  it  must  require  a  quick  man  as  marker." 

"  They  are  in  great  demand,  and  their  pay  is  high.  The  lamp  is  required  by  night,  and  also  on  account  of 
the  rapidity  with  which  light  travels.  Hold  yourself  in  readiness  to  start  to-morrow  morning." 


A.I..  I860, 


MKTlinns  rn|{  DIKIK  Tl«i\. 


2T8 


astounded  with  the  conversation,  and  at  learning  in  a  few  minute*  so  much  about  principles  that  are 
i.  ]iut«l  in-.'lui.l.'  in  Kurope,  or  at  least  very  doubtful  of  realisation,  while  in  the  Celestial  Empire  they  are  solved 
rui.l  :i|i(>li.'il  on  a  large  scale.  Yet  it  did  not  appear  to  me  that  the  art  even  hero  had  reached  it«  utmost  perfection, 

1-iit  that  tin'  appliances  i.f  Kurope  could  afford  many  improvements. 


Tin-  Mandarin  infoniis  Mons.  Dedreux  that  their  sovereign  being  the  son  of  Heaven,  is 
intalliiil.',  ami  that  of  necessity  his  ministers  partake  of  his  infallibility. 

••If.  therefore,  electricity  (mentioned  in  the  conversation  of  yesterday)  could  have  been  of  use,  it  would  have 
been  adopted.  It  is  not  likely  that  you  who  are  ignorant  of  the  first  principles  of  this  science  could  suggest  an 
improvt-mi'iit." 

"  Take,"  he  continued,  "  this  silk  dress,  well  suited  for  changes  of  temperature,  and  let  us  start." 

The  freshness  of  the  morning  was  enjoyable  whilst  we  walked  down  a  glade  through  a  wood  that  extended 
along  the  valley  and  up  the  sides  of  the  hills  on  either  side.  It  gradually  narrowed  till  we  saw  it  end  in  an 
amphitheatre  less  than  a  mile  in  circuit,  with  almost  perpendicular  sides,  evidently  altered  by  the  hand  of  man. 
Here  we  found  ten  aerostats  of  snowy  whiteness,  all  turned  in  one  direction.  Eight  glades  converged,  starlike 
thr..H-h  the  wood,  and  met  at  an  opening  whereon  were  as  many  platforms,  so  arranged  as  to  slide  down  these 
glades  by  their  own  weight  A  circular  staircase  gave  access  to  what  may  bo  called  the  ramparts  of  the 
amphitheatre. 

"  ThK"  sai.l  Kie  Fo,  after  enjoying  my  surprise,  "  is  the  starting-place.  Many  towns  have  similar  stations 
arranged  by  rules  that  the  experience  of  centuries  has  rendered  permanent.  Their  form  you  will  observe 
protects  them  from  all  winds.  Those  well  worn  slopes  are  for  the  descent  of  the  towing-machines ;  that  open 
space  is  the  landing  place ;  for  descending  pipes  convey  water  in  all  directions,  as  it  is  required  in  dry  weather.'1 
We  ascended  the  staircase  and  looked  down  the  valley.  As  two  aerostats  are  always  joined  together  we  arrived 
opposite  one,  and  saw  several  pedestrians  arriving  by  the  various  glades  (the  Chinese  word  for  the  aerial  starting- 


THE  CHINESE  AEROSTAT. 


274  ASTKA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1800. 

place  corresponds  with  our  word  terminus).  We  noticed  that  it  was  not  adapted  for  holding  more  than  five 
equipages  (that  is  ten  aerostats,  as  two  are  always  connected).  We  arrived  opposite  one  and  found  a  waiting-room 
that  opened  on  a  level  square.  (See  vignette.) 

About  the  centre  of  the  court  I  saw  a  chariot,  low  and  massive,  on  four  wheels,  bearing  a  basket  somewhat 
similar  to  the  car  of  an  European  balloon.  From  this  basket  there  ascended  four  ropes  attached  to  a  horizontal 
mast  ornamented  at  prow  and  stern  by  the  head  and  tail  of  a  dragon.  This  appeared  immovable  about  thirty  feet 
overhead.  On  examining  the  balloon  above  I  found  that  it  was  not  egg-shaped  as  I  had  thought  at  first  sight,  but 
has  a  cylinder  terminated  at  each  end  by  a  cone — it  was  attached  to  and  almost  touching  the  mast.  In  addition  to 
the  ropes  that  bound  the  mast  to  the  chariot  were  twenty  others,  attaching  the  ten  cars,  and  one  reached  to  the 
ground  from  each  car.  At  the  centre  of  the  mast  was  attached  a  car  larger  than  the  rest,  somewhat  like  a  large 
sentry-box,  which  was  quite  the  centre  of  everything,  as  a  funnel  of  glazed  silk  connected  it  with  the  aerostat. 

"  That  man  in  the  chariot,"  said  Kie  Fo,  "  is  the  watcher." 

"  What  is  he  watching?" 

"  To  see  that  the  aerostat  always  keeps  lengthwise  to  the  wind.  He  effects  this  with  the  four  cords — it  is 
thus  that  in  an  open  country,  with  a  strong  wind,  we  can  land  with  little  risk.  Kemark,  he  added,  that  the  first 
rope  descending  from  the  prow  is  almost  vertical,  it  is  the  axis  of  rotation  (or  the  stem  of  the  weathercock),  whilst 
the  fourth  rope  represents  the  hypotenuse  of  a  right-angled  triangle,  of  which  the  mast  forming  one  of  the  sides  is 
always  horizontal.  The  intermediate  ropes  are  more  especially  intended  to  prevent  the  mast  from  bending,  from 
the  ascensive  force  of  the  aerostat." 

The  captain  whistled,  and  the  cars  were  lowered,  each  containing  two  seats.  Two  men  who  managed 
the  machine  first  took  their  seats  in  the  central  car.  Two  ladies  were  then  admitted.  We  got  into  the  second 
car  from  the  prow,  the  first  being  occupied  by  the  captain  and  lieutenant,  whilst  the  car  nearest  the  stern  conveyed 
the  marker  and  his  assistant.  We  were  weighed,  as  each  car  must  carry  160  kilogrammes  (400  Ibs.),  the  difference 
is  made  up  by  water  being  earned  in  the  double  bottom  of  the  car.  The  total  weight  carried  by  the  aerostat  was 
1600  kilogrammes,  excluding  the  cars  and  tackle.  This  has  to  be  equally  distributed.  We  were  then  hoisted  and 
made  fast.  After  waiting  a  few  minutes  to  see  whether  any  one  was  coming  to  occupy  the  vacant  car,  it  was 
filled  with  water  and  hoisted  also. 

"  Our  aerostat,"  said  Kie  Fo,  "  is  the  one  that  leads,  and  carries,  therefore,  the  captain  and  marker;  whilst 
the  other  carries  the  striker  and  the  '  sondeur '  (or  the  carrier  of  the  sounding-lines)." 

"  Will  not  our  watcher  also  be  hoisted?" 

"  No,  he  always  remains  thirty  feet  below  us;  his  duty  is  to  throw  the  anchor,  and  when  the  equipage 
reaches  the  ground  he  becomes  the  towing-machine ;  he  it  is  also  who,  at  the  signal  of  the  captain,  starts  us." 

I  heard  near  my  ear  the  movement  of  a  rope,  and  saw  one  sliding  along  the  mast.  "  They  are  making  the 
tackle  fast,"  said  Kie  Fo. 

A  prolonged  whistle  from  the  rear  balloon  was  answered  by  our  captain  to  the  watcher  to  "  Let  go."  We 
ascended  rapidly  several  hundred  feet,  then  moved  in  a  horizontal  direction.  I  shall  not  endeavour  to  describe 
my  feeling. 

"  Well,"  said  Kie  Fo,  "  do  you  think  it  requires  much  courage  to  travel  in  our  aerostats?  Do  you  not  feel 
in  perfect  security  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  the  air  is  most  refreshing." 

"  All  feel  this ;  and  for  this  reason  it  is  that  those  ladies  are  enjoying  this  excursion,  being  a  more  pleasant 
airing  than  can  be  found  on  land  or  water.  We  have  here  neither  jolting,  nor  dust,  nor  sea-sickness,  no  danger 
of  founding,  nor  of  being  upset  or  impeded." 

"  The  only  danger  is  that  of  being  precipitated  to  the  ground." 

"  No,  that  danger  does  not  exist ;  what  could  cause  our  fall  ?  There  is  no  friction,  it  goes  with  the  wind. 
Being  always  full  there  is  no  risk  of  tearing.  It  is  painted  white  so  that  the  sun's  rays  should  not  affect  it. 
As  it  never  approaches  nearer  than  thirty  feet  to  the  earth  there  is  but  little  chance  of  damage ;  it  is  besides 
carefully  inspected  at  starting.  You  shall,  however,  see  them  in  process  of  building,  and  I  trust  that  you  will 
then  be  reassured." 

"  I  am  already.    Who  is  that  traveller  ?  " 


A.I..  I  1'KOJECTED  VOYAGE  TO  THE  POLE.  178 

"  A  consumptive  man  who  makes  two  journeys  a  week ;  when  he  has  strength  to  make  three  he  will  probably 
be  cured." 

•  ial  voyages  have  then  medicinal  virtues?" 

••  < Vrtainly.  nil  our  doctors  agree  on  this,  and  their  opinion  is  based  on  excellent  statistics.  The  only 
drawback  is  that  it  is  an  expensive  cure,  which  only  th««  rich  can  afford." 

••  Who  is  that  little  <lried-up  man?    Ho  has  not  the  air  of  being  here  for  his  own  amusement." 

•    II.-  U  a  commercial  traveller  of  a  large  house  that  docs  business  in  jewellery,  gold  and  silver  filigree, 

Hi:  i'ii  rice-paper,  and  other  merchandise  of  great  value  and  little  weight  Small  thin  men  are  usually 
chosen  for  this  situation,  so  that  weight  may  be  economised.  I  am  sure  that  ho  does  not  weigh  fifty  kilogrammes. 
As  there  will  not  I  am  sure  bo  a  drop  of  water  at  the  bottom  of  his  stall,  the  difference  is  made  up  by  his  wares." 

"  Who  are  the  two  in  uniform  ?  " 

"  They  are  two  officers  in  the  Aerial  Service  of  the  State,  going  most  likely  to  join  their  aerostat  at  Nant- 
i  hang.  The  distance  from  where  we  started  being  300  miles,  we  shall  arrive  about  noon  if  the  wind  in 
favourable." 

••  lla>  the  State  then  an  aerial  flotilla?" 

"  Certainly.  Scientific  research  is  the  chief  object  of  the  State  aerostats ;  the  officers  being  trained  in  schools 
for  the  purpose ;  and  it  is  a  service  much  in  vogue :  geography,  geology,  astronomy,  meteorology,  natural  history, 
and  other  sciences  have  been  enriched  by  it  There  is  not  one  of  our  mountains  that  has  not  been  explored  by 
Chinese  saoam  by  means  of  these  aerostats.  There  are  many  narratives  of  voyages  far  to  the  south,  but  their 
progress  has  been  stopped  by  the  excessive  heat  An  excursion  has  even  been  projected  to  the  Pole.  I  have 
here  a  copy  of  the  '  Fekin  Gazette '  that  contains  an  interesting  article  on  this  subject,  shall  I  read  an 
extract  ?  " 

"  I  shall  be  much  obliged." 

"  '  Among  the  travellers  who  have  endeavoured  to  reach  the  Pole,  but  have  been  stopped  by  the  ice,  have  been 
some  who  have  proposed  sledges  carrying  boats  to  cross  the  unfrozen  seas.  If  men  are  found  hardy  enough  to 
attempt  such  a  project,  would  it  not  clearly  bo  easier  to  accomplish  this  by  the  aerostat — in  order  to  reach  tin- 
point  of  the  globe  that  must  awaken  the  utmost  curiosity  from  the  novel  appearance  of  the  heavenly  bodies  and 
the  altered  relations  of  magnetism  ?  The  distance  is  not  1200  miles  to  the  Pole  and  back  in  startingfrom  the  point 
where  the  ice  stops  us ;  favourable  winds  could  conduct  us  there  and  back  in  two  days  ;  and  if  there  are  in  this 
region  horizontal  currents  (superimposed)  flowing  to  and  from  the  Pole,  where  is  the  impossibility  of  the  attempt 
that  at  first  sight  appears  chimerical  ? ' 

"  Thus  you  fee,"  said  Kie  Fo,  folding  up  the  paper,  "  that  the  idea  of  visiting  the  Pole  by  an  aerostat 
traraffle  let  esprits,  and  I  shall  not  be  surprised  if  it  is  soon  tried." 

"  Whatever  may  be  the  result,  the  nation  that  first  tries  it  would  deserve  honour ;  but  as  your  aerostat 
makes  such  long  voyages,  how  does  it  happen  that  none  of  them  come  to  Europe  ?  " 

"  Your  little  country  is  hardly  worth  the  trouble.  Barbarians  (without  any  intention  of  offending  you)  are 
not  esteemed  by  our  government,  who  are  certain  the  Chinese  would  only  import  pernicious  ideas  from  Europe. 
Aeronauts  are  therefore  forbidden,  under  penalty  of  death,  to  visit  that  small  agglomeration  of  evil-disposed  and 
fighting  men,  that  Providence  has  collected  into  a  corner  of  the  earth,  of  which  the  Celestial  Empire  occupies  the 
centre." 

"  The  Europeans,  believe  me,  are  neither  so  vicious  nor  fond  of  fighting  as  your  government  would  make  you 
1»  lieve.  If  th.v  would  allow  you  to  visit  us  and  study  our  manners,  you  would  certainly  change  your  opinion." 

"  To  speak  frankly,  I  agree  with  you,  but  I  dare  not  proclaim  it  for  fear  of  punishment ;  a  day  will  doubtless 
come  when  the  present  ideas  will  be  changed." 

"  I  trust  it  may  arrive  quickly,  for  the  benefit  of  mankind." 

Whilst  talking  in  this  way,  we  were  moving  rapidly,  as  from  the  lowness  of  our  altitude  the  country  appeared 
to  fly  along  beneath  us :  a  whistle  interrupted  our  conversation. 

"  The  captain,"  said  Kie  Fo,  "  is  ordering  le  tourneur  (fhelice,  posted  in  rear  of  the  aerostat  that  follows  us,  to 
begin  working.  Since  our  start  the  two  aerostats  have  been  at  an  intermediate  distance.  Not  having  lost  sight  of 
the  ground,  the  captain,  who  well  knows  this  country,  has  not  required  the  instruments  for  steering;  but  it 
appears  to  me  that  we  are  going  to  higher  regions  to  find  another  current.  He  will  then  require  both  the  coni].a.-s 
and  the  '  speed-marking  disc.'  You  can  just  see  from  here  the  action  of  the  screw  that  retards  the  movement 

2   O 


276  ASTRA  CASTliA.  A.D.  1860. 

of  the  second  aerostat.  The  cable  is  stretched  as  it  should  be ;  the  two  aerostats  are  now  360  metres  from  one 
another." 

All  at  once  a  prolonged  hissing  caused  me  an  instant's  alarm. 

"  Do  not  be  frightened,"  said  my  friend,  "  some  of  the  atmospheric  air  that  was  emmagasine  in  the  aerostat  has 
been  allowed  to  escape.  We  are  about  to  ascend  some  3000  feet." 

In  a  few  minutes  we  were  in  the  clouds.  The  striker  was  at  his  post  in  the  second  aerostat,  as  from  time  to 
time  I  saw  the  flame  of  the  lamp,  and  an  instant  after  heard  the  blow  of  the  hammer. 

The  marker  at  the  stern  of  our  aerostat  called  out  the  speed  indicated  by  his  disc,  and  the  lieutenant  beside 
the  captain  at  the  prow  took  note  of  the  measurement. 

The  telegraph  would  be  better,  I  thought;  but,  aloud  to  Kie  Fo :  "  We  ascend  therefore,  on  account  of  the 
escape  of  a  certain  quantity  of  atmospheric  air  enclosed  in  the  aerostat;  and  when  descent  is  necessary  the  air  is 
again  pumped  in,  I  suppose,  at  the  central  cabin." 

"  That  is  it :  but  who  has  instructed  you  in  this?" 

"  I  have  already  told  you  that  what  I  have  just  noticed  was  imagined  and  proposed  in  France  eighty  years 
ago.  It  was  even  tried ;  but,  not  succeeding,  the  experimenters  were  satirised,  and  they  took  care  not  to  risk 
their  lives  again ;  as  my  good  countrymen  often  forget  that  unhappy  mortals  only  arrive  at  success  through 
failures.  These  two  lines  of  our  immortal  fablist  apply  admirably  to  the  first  realiser  of  a  new  idea  : — 

'  II  s'y  prit  d'abord  mal,  puis  un  pen  mieux,  puis  bien, 
Puis  enfin  il  n'y  manqua  lien.'  " 

Now  our  aeronauts,  among  whom  was  a  royal  prince,  the  Duke  de  Chartres,  were  unsuccessful,  and  were 
ridiculed  instead  of  encouraged.  The  idea  they  endeavoured  to  apply  had  been  the  subject  of  a  clever  memoir 
presented  by  its  author  to  the  French  Academy,  and  was  very  favourably  received  by  that  illustrious  assembly. 

The  check  these  courageous  men  met  with  at  starting  caused  the  project  to  be  laid  aside  for  half  a  century, 
till  in  1840  the  distinguished  author  of  '  Histoire  des  principales  Decouvertes  scientifiques  Modernes  '  again  brought 
it  to  light. 

I  will  here  suspend  my  narrative  and  give  the  'Memoir  du  General  Meusnier,  Membre  de  1'Academie  des 
Sciences.' 

This  is  worthy  the  attention  of  all  who  have  time  to  devote  to  this  science  ;  but,  as  it  will 
not  interest  the  general  reader,  it  need  not  be  inserted  here.  M.  Dedreux  continues: — 

********* 

I  will  point  out  the  relation  of  the  Chinese  aerostat  to  the  foregoing  calculations  by  the  description  of  the 
aerostat  in  which  I  made  the  ascent. 

This  aerostat,  as  I  have  already  said,  was  a  cylinder  terminating  at  both  ends  in  cones,  it  was  1 6  metres  in 
diameter,  40  metres  in  length,  and  its  volume  about  7000  cubic  metres. 

In  the  interior  running  the  whole  length  of  the  aerostat  there  is  a  light  impermeable  canvas  that  divides  it 
in  two  compartments;  the  upper  for  containing  pure  gas,  and  the  lower  for  the  atmospheric  air  that  constitutes 
the  ballast.  At  starting  the  lower  compartment  is  full  of  air,  and  the  canvas  division  takes  the  form  shown  at  A, 
representing  a  transverse  section  of  the  aerostat. 


At  low  altitudes  the  canvas  separation  floats  between  the  gas  and  the  air,  as  at  13. 

At  the  highest  altitude  the  balloon  can  reach,  all  the  air  is  forced  out  bv  the  expansion  of  the  gas,  and  lie 
canvas  division  rests  on  the  exterior  covering  of  the  aerostat,  as  at  C. 


A.  ... 


MAN(KIYi;i:s  FOB  DESCENJUM..  -J77 


I   ..mil   the  c:tlrnl;itimis  which   M.  Dflnville   Dr.hvtix   .-rives  to  show  the  powers  of  tin's 

iiim-hiiir.  iin  tvlv  aililiiii:  the  conclusion: 

**•••**** 

Let  us  now  remark  to  what  height  this  aerostat  can  ii-<-.     It  lias  reached  its  greatest  altitude  when  there  in 
no  air  in  ill.   lower  compartment     The  gas  contained  at  starting  within  a  space  of  46C7  metres,  fills  at  this  height 
a  volume  of  7  ......  metres.     Its  density  is  therefore  dimishcd  one-third.  and  this  is  always  equal  to  that  of  the 

"  atmospheric  layer"  in  which  the  aerostat  is  suspended.    The  barometer  at  this  height  is  at  51  centimetres  (t«" 
thirds  of  7i.  i.     Now,  one  knows  by  calculation  confirmed  by  experiment,  that  this  height  of  the   column  of  the 
meter  corresponds  to  an  altitude  of  3000  metres,  and  "  to  this  height  our  aerostat  can  go,"  said  Kie  Fo. 


U  I  ilul  not  reach  this  height ;  but  we  remained  long  in  a  thick  mist,  and  I  was  not  sorry-at  length  to  hem 
!!:••  iMiptain  order  the  two  men  in  the  central  cabin  to  work  the  ventilator,  so  as  to  cause  descent.  This 
"  ventilator"  looked  like  a  horizontal  funnel,  two  metres  in  diameter,  that  takes  in  the  air  from  below,  and  throws 
it  into  the  aerostat  by  a  vertical  pipe  of  impermeable  canvas,  by  this  means  no  force  is  wasted.  Besides,  by  the 
position  of  the  funnel  it  causes  the  vessel  to  descend  by  sucking  in  the  circumambient  air.  Nevertheless  the 
descent  is  slow,  as  I  remarked  to  Kie  Fo,  who  answered,  "  Our  ventilator  is  only  worked  by  two  men ;  four  is  the 
complement :  in  State  aerostats  eight  men  work  it.  It  is  no  light  affair  to  pump  in  the  2333  cubic  metres  required 
to  make  an  aerostat  descend  from  a  height  of  300  metres." 
.mi-power  would  assist  you." 

"  What !  put  fire  under  an  aerostat !  Are  you  a  fool  ?  That  is  not  possible  !  " 

"  It  is,  as  I  saw  it  in  Paris,  where  an  engineer  rose  with  a  steam-engine  of  3-horse  power,  hoping  to  find  a 
method  of  direction  ;  but  not  succeeding,  he  did  not  try  a  second  time." 

Whilst  lost  in  reflection,  Kie  Fo  showed  me  in  the  distance  a  black  spot  which  was  the  terminus  of  Nant- 
chang.  In  another  half-hour  we  were  over  the  plain  for  the  towing-machines.  As  the  aerostat  kept  on  descending 
as  we  approached  I  saw  that  we  should  soon  land. 

On  the  plain  were  two  chariots  with  four  horses  similar  to  those  I  had  noticed  at  starting.  They  appeared 
to  be  waiting  for  us,  and  near  each  of  them  was  a  man  on  horseback.  The  nearest  chariot  followed  us  whilst  the 
other  kept  as  close  as  possible  to  the  second  aerostat,  no  longer  connected  to  us  by  the  cable.  When  within 
30  metres  the  watcher  allowed  a  rope  to  fall  to  the  ground ;  the  man  galloping  after  us,  seized  and  threw  it 
adroitly  on  the  chariot,  where  it  was  attached  to  a  windlass  that  two  men  began  at  once  to  turn  till  they  had 
drawn  the  car  of  the  "  watcher"  to  the  chariot.  We  were  at  our  moorings.  When  we  were  securely  attached  the 
s  drew  us  at  a  gallop  towards  the  terminus,  and  left  us  ut  the  slope,  down  which  the  chariot  ran  of  its  own 
weight.  At  the  bottom  another  relay  of  horses  awaited  us,  and  we  were  conveyed  to  the  platform  for  descent,  where 
porters  attached  the  chariot  and  successively  let  down  the  stalls.  The  second  aerostat  had  reached  at  the  same 
time  a  neighbouring  platform,  so  that  the  forty  pa&«engers  were  again  united  before  dispersing. 

1 »« i  yon  observe,"  said  Kie  Fo,  "  the  necessity  for  placing  the  terminus  in  the  centre  of  a  vast  plain,  with 
a  hard  and  level  soil  that  will  allow  horses  and  chariots  to  move  in  all  directions?" 

w  YM,  1  noticed  the  wind  did  not  take  us  direct  to  the  terminus,  and  that  if  we  had  not  been  towed  we 
should  have  passed  to  one  sidu  of  it.  You  rectify,  by  towing,  the  inexactitude  of  the  winds.  It  is  well  contrived, 
I  understand  now  the  use  of  the  ehariot  and  four  horses." 

\  "tice  also  that  they  are  heavy  and  low  to  prevent  being  upset.     When  the  wind  is  contrary  or  too  violent 
they  remain  stationary.  l"ck  the  wheels,  and  wait  till  the  weather  is  more  favourable." 

\\  •   jiasscd  the  rest  of  the  day  and  part  of  the  next  at  Nant-chang,  and  went  to  the  building-yards  where  the 
tuts  are  constructed  ;  but  their  description  would  fill  a  volume.     I  admired  with  what  economy  and  rapiditv 
these  enormous  machines  can  be  constructed,  when  all  is  provided  by  suitable  contrivances  indicated  by  long 
experience. 

I  remarked  that  in  <'hina  a  new  aerostat  rises  from  its  building-yard,  instead  of  what  has  hitherto  1»  en  tin- 
custom  in  Europe  of  dragging  a  machine  inflated,  or  half  inflated,  to  the  place  of  ascent,  much  to  its  injury  ;  as  was 
the  case  in  1834,  when  the  famous  aerial  ship,  "  L'Aigle,"  of  M.  De  Lennox,  with  the  greatest  difficulty  was  brought 
to  the  Champ  de  Mars;  where  it  arrived  almost  in  tatters— to  the  discontent  of  the  multitude,  who  tore  it  to 
pieces. 

•_'  <>  2 


278  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1860. 

To  come  from  Fout-chou  to  Nant-chang,  we  had  left  in  the  morning,  in  order  to  profit  by  the  sea-breeze  that 
reaches  far  into  the  interior ;  to  return,  therefore,  we  were  to  leave  in  the  evening  to  take  advantage  of  the  land- 
breeze. 

Whilst  waiting  for  a  repast,  Kie  Fo  took  me  into  an  office  of  the  Terminus,  where  on  a  table  I  saw  a  map, 
similar  to  the  one  I  had  seen  in  London  in  1851,  with  the  observatories  marked  by  black  circles,  on  which  were 
four  needles  superimposed  on  each  observatory :  these  showed  the  directions  of  the  wind  throughout  a  vast  tract  of 
country  at  the  respective  heights  of  2000  metres,  1500  m.,  1000  m.,  and  500  m. 

The  clerk  without  hesitation  named  the  hour  of  our  departure. 

I  shall  not  give  the  description  of  the  return  voyage,  but  M.  Delaville  Dedreux  ends 
his  hook  with  this  wish,  that  our  engineers  will  be  able  "  En  combinant  les  precedes  Chinois 
avec  les  decouvertes  modernes  de  notre  hemisphere,  ils  doteront  sans  doute  1'humanite'  d'un 
nouveau  et  puissant  moyen  d'investigation  de  diffusion  des  lumieres  et  de  civilisation. 

"  Ils  feront  de  notre  siecle  le  veritable  Grand  Siecle." 


THE  UTILITY  OF  ART. 

Two  men  I  honour,  and  no  third.  First,  the  toilworn  craftsman,  that  with  earth-made  implements  laboriously 
conquers  t!ie  earth,  and  makes  her  man's.  Venerable  to  me  is  the  hard  hand — crooked,  coarse — wherein,  notwith- 
standing, lies  a  cunning  virtue,  indefeasibly  royal,  as  of  the  the  sceptre  of  this  planet.  Venerable,  too,  is  the 
rugged  face,  all  weathertanned,  besoiled  with  its  rude  intelligence ;  for  it  is  the  face  of  a  man  living  manlike. 
Oh,  but  the  more  venerable  for  thy  rudeness,  and  even  because  we  must  pity  as  well  as  love  thee !  Hardly-entreated 
brother !  For  us  was  thy  back  so  bent ;  for  us  were  thy  straight  limbs  and  fingers  so  deformed :  thou  wert  our 
conscript  on  whom  the  lot  fell,  and  fighting  our  battles  wert  so  marred.  For  in  thee,  too,  lay  a  God-created  form, 
but  it  was  not  to  be  unfolded  ;  encrusted  it  must  stand  with  the  thick  adhesions  and  defacements  of  labour,  and 
thy  body  was  not  to  know  freedom.  Yet  toil  on,  toil  on ;  thou  art  in  thy  duty,  be  out  of  it  who  may ;  thou  toilest 
for  the  altogether  indispensable — for  daily  bread. 

A  second  man  I  honour,  and  still  more  highly  :  him  who  is  seen  toiling  for  the  spiritually  indispensable,  not 
daily  bread,  but  the  bread  of  life.  Is  not  he,  too,  in  his  duty,  endeavoiiring  towards  inward  harmony,  revealing 
this  by  act  or  by  word  through  all  his  outward  endeavours,  be  they  high  or  low  ? — highest  of  all,  when  his  outward 
and  his  inward  endeavour  are  one — when  we  can  name  him  artist;  not  earthly  craftsman  only,  but  inspired  thinker, 
who  with  heaven-made  implements  conquers  heaven  before  us!  If  the  poor  and  humble  toil  that  we  have  food,  must 
not  the  high  and  glorious  toil  for  him  in  return,  that  we  have  light,  have  guidance,  freedom,  immortality  ?  These 
two,  in  all  their  degrees,  I  honour;  all  else  is  chaff  and  dust,  which  let  the  wind  blow  whither  it  listeth. 
Unspeakably  touching  is  it,  however,  when  I  find  both  dignities  united ;  and  he  that  must  toil  outwardly  for  the 
lowest  of  man's  wants,  is  also  toiling  inwardly  for  the  highest.  Sublimer  in  this  world  know  I  nothing  than 
a  peasant  saint,  could  such  now  anywhere  be  met  with.  Such  a  one  will  take  thee  back  to  Nazareth  itself :  thou 
wilt  see  the  splendour  of  heaven  spring  forth  from  the  humblest  depths  of  earth,  like  a  light  shining  in  great 
darkness. — CAELYLE. 

All  things  are  full  of  labour  ;  man  cannot  utter  it.— ECCLES.  i.  8. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


WMMIA  1.1,00X8. 


"  YVLit.  \ .  r  is  o.mi]>licat«l,  fails  in  producing  good  re*ulu  in  warfare;  the  promoters  of  systems  forget  always  that  the  object 
«f  pri.-r.-ss  ..ii_lit  to  be  to  obtain  the  greatest  possible  effect  with  the  leant  poMible  effort  and  expense." — XATOLBON  HI.  lYtatitc 
</  Uu  Pott  and  Prtttnt  Utt  <f  Artillery. 


III!  I  1:1  v  II  KM'ol.riloN  \i:Y  WAR —  FORMATION  OF  AN  AEROSTATIC  CORPS  —  AEROSTATION  WITH  THK  AHMIKS  OF  THK  SAMIIKK 
\M>  MEUBE  AND  THK  RHINE  —  A  MARCH  FROM  MAUBERGE  TO  CRARLEROI — CROSSING  THK  MEL'SK,  ANIiTHK  MAI1.'  II  In 
BRUSSELS  —  OAI.I .  \Ml:V  OF  THE  AU8TKI  \  s  ..INITIALS  —  THE  RECONNAI"  \  V  I.  OK  M\Yi:N«;E  —  THK  iXIMPANY  MADK 

M:I.-«INKI:S  OF  WAR  AT  WUERTZBOURO  —  FOURCROY'S  REPORT  TO  THE  CONVENTION  —  M.  LOMET'S  MEMOIRK  o\  mi:  -i .i:vi<  KS 

THAT  CAN  BE  RENDERED   TO   TOPOGRAPHY  —  THE   MOSCOW   AEROSTAT  —  PROPOSITIONS    I.IIIIN.;   THE  CRIMEAN  WAR  —  THE 
ITALIAN  WAR  —  SOI.FERINO  AND  CASTIOLIONE  —  AUSTRIAN    ENGINEER  COMMITTEE  —  OBJECTION'S  AM'   IHKIK  REFUTATION 
—  AMERICAN    WAR-BALLOON    EQUIPAGE  —  TOPOGRAPHICAL  REMARKS  —  THE   BATTLE   OF    HANOVER  COURT-HOUSE  —  TELE- 
GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION  FROM  BALLOON  —  MR.  LOW'S  PROPOSITION  FOR  CROSSING  THE  ATLANTIC. 


Iv  the  early  part  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  when 
ingenuity  and  science  were  so  eagerly  called  into 
active  exercise,  the  sawns  of  the  French  Academy 
recommended  the  use  of  balloons  as  a  means  of  re- 
connaissance. Under  their  auspices  an  Aeronautic 
School  was  established  at  Meudon. 

It  was  formed  with  the  utmost  secrecy  (says  Mr.  Wise),  so  that 
the  powers  opposed  to  the  French  could  not  avail  themselves  of 
its  advantages,  until  the  first  projectors  had  already  used  it  in 
such  an  effective  manner  as  to  greatly  paralyse  them.  In  order 
to  have  it  at  once  facile  and  useful,  it  was  necessary  to  reduce  it 
to  systematic  practice.  The  management  of  the  Institution  was 
committed  to  the  most  eminent  philosophers  of  Paris.  GUM  <n 
do  Morveau,  the  celebrated  French  chemist,  and  Colonel  Coutello 
superintended  its  operations.  Fifty  young  military  students  were 
admitted  to  this  school  for  training.  A  balloon  of  thirty-two  feet 
in  diameter  was  constructed,  of  the  most  durable  materials,  as  a 
practising  machine  for  these  pupils.  Although  the  original  plan  of 

generating  hydrogen  gas  was  by  decomposing  water  with  the  aid  of  oil  of  vitriol,  and  iron  filings  and  borings, 
De  Morveau  introduced  an. .tin T  method  in  this  case.  For  this  purpose,  six  iron  cylinders  were  fixed  by  masonry  in 
-,\  ximple  kiml  of  furnace,  each  of  their  ends  projecting,  and  covered  with  an  iron  lid.  Two  sets  of  metal  tubes  were 
also  inserted  into  those  lid-.  <>ii.  f..r  e.mveving  in  the  water, and  the  other  for  carrying  off  the  gas  which  was  formed 
from  the  water.  Tin-  cylinder.-  U-ing  charged  with  iron  turnings,  and  brought  to  a  red  heat,  the  humidity  nf  the 
water  was  instantly  converted  into  steam,  whose  expanded  particles  were  soon  decomposed,  by  the  oxygen  uniting 
with  the  n-il-lmt  iron.  f< inning  an  oxide  of  iron,  while  the  hydrogen  was  thus  freed,  anil  fore.-d  out  by  its  own  pre- 
from  the  othi-r  tnlv  ;  and  finm  th.-nce  it  passed  through  a  washer  of  liiuo-water,  to  make  it  ilej«iMt  its  rarl»nii-  ai-id 
gas,  that  might  adhere  to  it.  when  it  was  p-rfectly  pure  and  ready  for  the  balloon.  I'-y  this  m.-tli.«l  th.-y  IH-.H-UM  ,1. 
at  a  very  moderate  e\|*-nsc,  a  quantity  of  gas  suflu-ient  to  inflate  a  balloon  thirty-two  feet  in  diameter,  whieh  In  .Ids 
17,000  cubic  fwt.  in  the  space  of  four  hour.-.  The  practising  balloon  was  kept  constantly  full,  so  as  to  be  at  all 


280  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1794. 

times  ready  for  exercise  ;  and,  when  not  in  use,  it  was  fastened  to  the  terrace  of  the  lodge,  in  the  open  air.  Whenever 
the  weather  was  fair  the  colonel  of  the  corps  and  a  pupil  seated  themselves  in  the  car,  when  the  machine  was 
suffered  to  rise  five  or  six  hundred  feet,  arranged  by  cord  and  windlass.  This  primary  movement  became  an  object 
of  great  interest,  from  the  advantages  it  seemed  to  possess.  Paris,  at  this  time  being  the  great  military  focus  of  the 
world,  could  by  these  means  view  with  Argus  eyes  the  movements  around  the  great  metropolis.  Telegraphic 
communication  was  greatly  facilitated  to  the  governmental  centre  by  the  aeronautic  observers.  A  balloon  was  also 
constructed  for  this  school,  which,  when  filled  with  hydrogen,  required  the  strength  of  twenty  men  to  keep  it  to  the 
earth.  It  could,  after  the  lapse  of  two  months,  without,  in  the  mean  time  replenishing  it  with  gas,  raise  into  the  air 
two  men,  with  necessary  ballast  and  all  the  instruments  of  observation.  Colonel  Coutelle  constructed  balloons . 
specially  appropriated  to  the  different  divisions  of  the  French  army,  viz.,  the  "  Entrepenant "  for  the  army  of  the 
north,  the  "  Celeste  "  for  that  of  the  Sambre  and  Meuse,  the  "  Hercule  "  for  the  army  of  the  Rhine  and  Moselle,  and 
the  "  Intrepide  "  for  the  memorable  army  of  Egypt. 

In  June,  1794,  Coutelle  ascended  in  the  war-balloon  "  Entrepenant,"  to  reconnoitre  the  hostile  army,  just  before 
the  battle  of  Fleurus,  accompanied  by  an  Adjutant  and  General.  They  rose  to  a  height  of  several  thousand  feet, 
with  their  windlass-machinery  so  arranged  that  they  could  make  it  stationary  at  any  given  altitude.  They 
mounted  twice  in  the  course  of  that  day,  and  remained  up  each  time  about  four  hours.  During  the  second  aerial 
reconnaissance,  they  were  discovered  by  the  enemy,  causing  consternation  and  surprise  within  their  lines.  A  brisk 
cannonade  upon  the  aerial  man-of-war  ship,  however,  soon  followed  ;  but  the  observers,  not  being  very  high  at  the 
time,  soon  elevated  themselves  to  a  point  at  which  they  finished  their  observations,  in  defiance  of  the  enemy's 
cannon.  They  descended  safely,  and  by  the  signals  communicated  to  General  Jourdan,  he  was  enabled  to  gain  a 
speedy  and  decisive  victory  over  the  Austrian  forces  on  the  plains  of  Fleurus. 

The  following  is  the  report  of  Colonel  Coutelle  on  military  aerostation  with  the  armies  of 
the  Sambre  and  Meuse  and  the  Rhine  (1794-5)  :— 

The  Committee  of  Public  Safety  assembled  "  a  Commission  de  Savans,"  among  whom  were  Monge  (the  inventor 
of  descriptive  geometry),  Berthollet,  Guyton  de  Morveau,  Fourcroy,  Carnot,  &c.  Guyton  proposed  to  make  the 
aerostat  useful  to  armies  as  a  means  of  observation.  This  proposition  was  accepted  by  the  Government,  on 
condition  that  sulphuric  acid  should  not  be  used,  all  sulphur  being  required  for  the  manufacture  of  gunpowder. 
The  Commission  then  suggested  the  use  of  decomposed  water. 

This  experiment,  made  by  the  celebrated  Lavoisier,  and  repeated  in  our  laboratories,  only  gave  small  results. 
An  experiment  on  a  large  scale  was  necessary,  as  twelve  or  fifteen  thousand  cubic  feet  of  gas  was  required  on  the 
shortest  notice. 

The  experiment  succeeded.  I  made  five  or  six  hundred  cubic  feet  in  presence  of  the  Commission ;  who  were 
so  satisfied,  that  I  received  the  order  next  day  to  go  with  utmost  speed  to  Mauberge,  and  propose  to  General 
Jourdan  the  employment  of  an  aerostat  for  his  army. 

I  arrived  at  Beaumont,  covered  with  mud ;  for  I  was  obliged  to  go  eighteen  miles  without  drawing  rein,  by 
such  bad  roads  that  artillery  would  have  sunk  to  the  axle-trees.  The  officer  *  to  whom  I  delivered  my  order  could 
not  understand  my  mission,  nor  the  resolution  of  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  and  still  less  an  aerostat  in  the 
middle  of  the  camp.  He  threatened  to  have  me  shot,  as  a  suspicious  character,  before  listening  to  me ;  but  ended, 
however,  by  relenting  and  complimenting  me  on  my  devotion. 

The  army  was  at  Beaumont,  eighteen  miles  from  Mauberge,  from  which  post  the  enemy  were  only  one  league, 
and  could  attack  at  any  instant.  The  General  made  me  observe  this,  and  ordered  me  to  return  and  report  it  to  the 
Committee.  I  arrived  at  Paris  after  spending  two  days  and  a  half  on  this  expedition. 

The  Commission  were  then  aware  of  the  necessity  of  some  preliminary  experiments  with  an  aerostat  fit  to  take 
up  two  people,  so  they  put  at  my  disposal  the  chateau  and  garden  of  Meudon.  Conte  assisted  me ;  after  some 
months  all  was  ready,  and  I  gave  notice  to  the  Commission  that  they  might  witness  the  first  experiment  of  a  balloon 
held  by  two  ropes. 


*  Tliis  was  Duqucsnez,  who  held  the  office  of  Commissioner  of  j 
the  Convention  with  the  Army  of  the  North,  and  whose  singular 
duty  it  was  to  "  see  that  soldiers  went  into  battle,  and  to  force  the 
generals  to  conquer  under  menace  of  the  guillotine."     Duquesnez 
was   at   dinner  when  Coutellc  arrived,   he  knew   nothing   of  the 


orders  of  the  Committee  of  Public  Safety.  "  Un  ballon ! "  said  he, 
'•  un  ballon  dans  le  camp  !  Vous  m'avez  tout  1'air  d'un  suspect,  je 
vais  commencer  par  vous  fairc  fusilier.'*  This  hot-tempered  Com- 
missioner at  length  listened  to  reason,  and  sent  Coutelle  to  General 
Jourdan. 


A. i..  !7!U. 


A  M. 


ri,'<»M  M  \n:i:iii;i:  TO  rn.\i:i.r.i:m. 


281 


\\li.n  .-..LI..I  !u  tln>  i-.ir.  the  Commission  gave  mo  directions  as  to  the  signals  and  observations  to  bo  ma- 1., 
ami  I  rose  to  tin-  limit  of  the  roj.es  i  .Vui  yards).  Being  at  the  time  about  7(JO  yards  above  the  Seine,  I  could 
I-  ito'ilv  ili-iiii-^iiisli  with  the  glass  tho  seven  lieiiils  of  th(<  river  as  far  as  Mculan.  On  descending,  I  impressed 
mi  th<- i '<iiniiiiiwiun  the  necessity  of  two  peoplo  niuking  tlie  ascent,  one  of  whom  tihould  bo  the  ebkf  dfawtiag  tbt 
op-rations.  Three  roped  arc  useless. 

\  t.  w  days  uft.-r.  th.  t  i,.\.  nun. 'tit  Committee  gazetted  me  Brevet-Cuptaiu  commanding  the  Aerostatic  <  '"i|'- 
in  tin-  Artillery-service  attached  to  the  ( '••  n.  i.il  Stall'.  I  received  at  the  same  time  orders  to  organise  a  company  ..1 
thirty  men.  in.  lu. ling  a  captain,  lieutenant,  ensign,  and  non-commissioned  officers,  the  sergeant-major  to  act  an 

|M\  in  1-1.  r.  .11  i.l  t"  ]•: I  to  \l  ml«  rp    without  .!•  l.i\. 

The  eighth  day  I  left  with  an  offie.-r.  al't.-r  giving  the  directions  to  the  few  soldiers  I  could  collect  to  start  for 

MaillHTge. 

Arrived  at  Mauborgo,  iny  fir*t  care  vnM  to  select  the  spot,  construct  the  kiln,  find  firewood,  and  arrange 
.  verything,  whilst  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  aerostat  I  had  tri.  .1  at  M.  u.loii. 

Tin-  .litV.Tent  branches  of  the  service  knew  not  how  to  regard  soldiers,  who  were  not  apparently  of  the  army, 
and  of  whose  use  they  were  ignorant  The  <  leneral  commanding  at  Maubergo  ordered  a  sortie  to  bo  made  on  the 
AiiNtriuiiK  inlreiiehe.1  within  gunshot  of  the  place.  I  asked  to  be  employed  with  my  troops  in  this  attack.  Two 
of  mine  were  severely  womnled,  and  the  ensign  shot;  we  re-entered  the  place  with  the  rank  of  soldiers  of  the  aiiuy. 
A  few  days  afterwards,  my  equipages  arrived.  I  lit  the  tire  of  the  kiln,  and  the  aerostat  was  filled  in  less  than 
fifty  hours.  I  then  rose  as  often  as  ordered  by  the  General,  with  an  officer  of  the  Staff,  to  examine  the  works  of  the 
i  n.  my.  his  position,  and  his  forces. 

\\  >•  observed  his  daily  progress,  till,  on  the  fifth  day,  a  17-pounder,  masked  in  a  ravine  within  easy  dixtan. .  . 
tin  .1  at  the  balloon  as  soon  as  it  rose  above  the  ramparts.  The  ball  passed  over  our  heads,  the  second  was  so  near  I 
thought  the  aerostat  was  perforated,  and  the  third  fell  below  us. 

When  I  gave  the  signal  to  haul'down,  my  company  did  it  with  such  vigour,  that  only  two  more  nhots  coulil 
be  fired ;  next  morning  the  piece  was  no  longer  in  position. 

Occupied  during  twenty  days  with  incessant  work,  night  and  day,  from  the  number  of  observations,  nothing 
wa«  prepared  for  carrying  such  light  and  delicate  equipage  over  ramparts  and  ditches,  and  enter  on  a  campaign  ;  yet  I 
received  an  order  at  midday  to  proceed  next  day  to  Charleroi,  a  distance  of  twenty-four  miles  by  the  road  I  should 
have  to  follow,  to  avoid  the  narrow  streets  of  the  villages. 

Experience  had  shown  me  that  it  required  both  force  and  dexterity  to  resist  the  wind  and  prepare  for  gusts. 


mr-*f^ 

FKKNCII  WAR-BAIXOOX 


ASTEA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1794. 

I  employed  the  night  in  arranging  twenty  ropes  around  the  equator  of  the  netting,  which  I  made  as  firm  as 
possible  (see  figure  on  page  281),  and  to  each  of  my  men  I  gave  a  rope,  which  he  was  to  tighten  or  loosen  according 
to  signal.  We  started  at  daybreak,  passing  close  to  the  enemy's  videttes. 

I  kept  the  balloon  at  such  a  height  that  the  cavalry  and  military  equipage  could  pass  underneath  the  car ;  my 
men  holding  the  ropes  marched  on  either  side  of  the  road. 

The  car  contained  two  ropes  for  ascension,  a  large  sailclotV  that  served  to  keep  the  balloon  on  the  ground 
during  the  night  (see  figure'),  also  to  lower  the  balloon  when  the  wind  was  too  strong ;  some  pickets,  mallets,  and 
pickaxes,  with  sacks  and  signals.  The  balloon  could  raise  in  calm  any  weight  under  five  hundred  pounds ;  so  I 
carried  in  my  car  from  ten  to  twenty  pounds  of  sand,  and  diminished  the  weight  according  to  the  wind,  or  threw 
out  if  a  gust  surprised  me.  At  Maubergo  a  gust  carried  me  on  to  the  point  of  a  church-spire  ;  but  a  bag  of  sand,  of 
the  weight  of  twenty  pounds,  thrown  quickly  out,  caiised  me  to  rise  above  it. 

After  making  a  reconnaissance  on  the  road  we  arrived  at  Charleroi  at  sunset,  I  had  time  before  dark  to 
reconnoitre  the  place  with  a  General  officer.  The  next  day  I  made  a  second  reconnaissance  in  the  plain  of  Jumet, 
and  the  following  day  the  aerostat  was  in  observation  with  a  General  officer  from  seven  to  eight  hours. 

At  3  P.M.  (the  attack  had  commenced  at  3.30  A.M.),  General  Jourdan  ordered  me  to  rise  and  observe  a  point 
he  noticed  in  his  plan ;  whilst  I  was  making  the  observation  with  an  officer  in  my  company  (there  being  no  Staff 
officer  at  the  General's  disposal),  a  battalion  passed  between  the  ropes  of  the  balloon,  and  I  heard  several  say  in 
joke  that  they  were  beating  a  retreat,  and  a  voice,  "  If  we  are  beating  a  retreat  the  balloon  •will  not  long  be  there." 

Many  Austrian  officers,  who  were  at  the  battle  of  Fleurus,  have  subsequently  assured  me  that  many  shots 
were  fired  at  the  balloon.  After  a  few  more  reconnaissances  we  followed  the  movements  of  the  army. 

Near  the  heights  of  Namur  a  gust  carried  the  balloon  against  a  tree  and  tore  it.  I  returned  to  Mauberge,  a 
distance  of  twenty-four  miles,  and  when  the  new  balloon  arrived  I  filled  it. 

After  many  more  reconnaissances  with  the  Generals  who  commanded  the  different  corps  d'armee,  we  crossed 
the  Meuse  by  boat  and  directed  our  course  to  Brussels.  Here  a  new  incident  awaited  us  at  the  gates  of  that  town  : 
a  gust  of  wind  carried  the  balloon  against  a  stack  of  wood,  and  slightly  tore  its  lower  hemisphere ;  but  little  gas 
escaped,  so  I  entered  the  Park,  and  with  a  rope  made  a  circle  which  was  respected  by  the  curious  spectators.  The 
accident  was  there  repaired,  and  I  rejoined  the  army  on  the  fourth  day.  Afterwards,  at  Borcette,  near  Aix-la- 
Chapelle,  a  sojourn  of  some  months  allowed  me  time  to  construct  a  new  kiln,  which  I  had  hardly  completed  when 
I  was  recalled  to  Paris  to  form  a  second  company,  which  I  was  ordered  to  conduct  to  the  army  of  the  Ehine,  where 
the  reconnaissances  had  the  same  success. 

The  Generals  and  officers  of  the  Austrian  army  failed  not  to  admire  this  method  of  observing  them,  which 
they  said  was  as  ingenious  as  it  was  bold ;  and  I  received  the  most  hearty  congratulations  whenever  I  was  with 
them.  "  It  is  only  Frenchmen,"  they  repeated,  "  who  are  capable  of  imagining  and  executing  such  an  enterprise ;" 
when  I  told  them  they  could  do  as  much. 

I  received  the  order  to  reconnoitre  Mayence,  and  I  posted  myself  between  our  lines  and  the  place,  within  easy 
distance  of  its  guns ;  the  wind  was  strong,  and  to  offer  more  resistance  I  rose  alone,  with  a  diminution  in  my  favour 
of  two  hundred  pounds.  I  was  at  more  than  two  hundred  and  thirty  yards  from  the  ground,  when  three  successive 
squalls  knocked  me  to  the  ground  with  such  force  that  many  of  the  bars  that  strengthened  the  bottom  of  the  car 
were  broken.  On  each  occasion  the  balloon  rose  with  such  force  and  rapidity  that  thirty-two  men  at  each  rope 
were  dragged  some  distance.  It  is  therefore  clear  that  had  the  ropes  been  fixed  to  anchors  they  would  have 
broken. 

The  enemy  did  not  fire.  A  General  and  some  of  the  Staff  came  out  of  the  town,  waving  white  handkerchiefs, 
which  I  signalled  to  our  head-quarters,  and  our  General  went  out  to  meet  them.  "\V  hen  they  met,  the  Austrian 
General  said,  "  Monsieur  le  General,  je  wus  demande  en  grace  de  fairs  descendre  ce  brave  officier;  le  vent  va  le  Jaire 
pe'rir  ;  il  nefaut  pas  qifil  soit  victime  d'un  accident  etranger  a  la  guerre  :  c'est  moi  qui  aifait  tirer  sur  lui  a  Mauberge." 

The  wind  fell.  I  was  able  to  ascend  again,  and  on  this  occasion  without  glass  I  could  count  the  cannon  on 
the  ramparts,  and  see  the  people  walking  in  the  streets.* 

The  enemy's  soldiers,  when  they  saw  some  one  observing  all  they  did,  were  discouraged  by  the  thought  that 
each  movement  was  remarked ;  our  soldiers,  on  the  other  hand,  found  new  courage  from  what  excited  both  their 
admiration  and  their  confidence.  In  our  toilsome  marches  none  of  my  corps  could  be  allowed  to  leave  the  ropes, 


*  See  note  in  Appendix  of  the  use  of  a  balloon  in  the  passage  of  the  Rappahannock,  I8G3.    An  extract  from  Colonel  Macdougall's 
'  Modem  Warfare.' 


-  ^ 


A.M.  17:'...  FOURCROY  s  KT.I'OKT  TO  THE  CONVENTION. 

>•>  it  hap|iciii-d  th.it  wi-  found  refreshments  pre]>ared  fur  \w,  nnd  frequently  tin-  li^ht   infantry  soldiers  brought 


U8 

\\  ,  u,  i,.  encamped  l«  f..rc  Mannlii-iin.  mi  the  Kinks  of  tin-  li'hinc.  \vln-n  tin'  »  o  neral  in  coiniiinnil  ordered  me 
to  crow  over  witli  a  flag  of  tnuv.  An  soon  an  the  Austrian  officer  knew  that  I  wa.s  in  rnmumiul  of  tin-  aerostat,  I 
WM  <i\.  iwln  lin.^1  with  .|ue«tions  and  compliments.  "  Momitur  fJitgenieur  Ae'rien"  said  a  sii|icrior  officer,  "to 
Aiitrichieiu  invent  honortr  let  talents  tt  la  bravoure  ;  vans  tent*  trait  f  aoec  distinction.  (Tut  moi  qui  wits  ai  aper^u  et  lignait  If 
premier,  )<rn<lnnt  la  bataille  da  Ftetirut,  au  Princt  Coburg,  dontjt  suit  Taide-tle-i-a«ip. 

I  oKservi-d  in  him  that  I  ought  not,  according  to  custom,  to  be  prohibited  from  entering  tlie  fortress,  as  I  could 
by  rising  on  tlie  other  bank  survey  the  whole.  The  General  in  command  sent  mo  leave  next  day  to  see  the  place,  if 
I  had  my  (icneraTs  consent. 

Tin-  rucking  is  troublesome,  and  increases  with  the  force  of  the  wind,  and  sometimes  prevents  the  use  of 
glasses  ;  but  I  must  remark  that  one  can  see  the  movements  of  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery  with  the  naked  eye  : 
and  at  Mauberge,  Mayence,  and  Mannheim  I  could  count  the  pieces  on  the  redoubts  and  ramparts  without  any 
meous  assistance. 

One  has  also  to  accustom  oneself  to  the  noise  the  balloon  makes  after  the  wind  has  blown  one  side  concave, 
ami  it  assumes  again  with  rapidity  its  globular  form,  from  the  ela.stii-ity  of  the  gas.  I  am  not  aware  of  any  accident 
from  thin  cause.  During  one  reconnaissance  on  the  banks  of  the  Rhine,  ague  seized  me  for  the  first  time,  follow..-.! 
by  a  violent  fev.T.  from  which  I  nearly  died  at  Frankenthal,  where  I  had  a  kiln.  My  lieutenant  took  command  of 
my  comjwny,  and  passed  the  llhinc  ;  on  the  first  night  it  wan  torn  nnd  rendered  useless.  The  aerostat  commanded 
by  Captain  Hammond  (or  No.  1  Company  of  the  Aerostatic  Corps),  that  many  shells  and  balls  could  not  compel  t«. 
descend  at  Ehrenbrcitstein,  was  riddled  by  bullets  near  Frankfort.  This  coiu|>aiiy  were  made  prison.  -rs  of  war  at 
Wurtzlmrg.  in  Franconia,  and  then  joined  the  expedition  to  Egypt 

I'.eing  obliged  to  take  sick-leave,  I  was  hardly  convalescent  when  I  returned  to  Paris.  1  was  raised  to  the 
rank  of  "  <  'hef  de  Bataillon,"  and  continued  my  duties  at  Meudon. 

All  the  movements  of  an  aerostatic  corps  should  be  done  in  silence.  The  correspondence 
is  effected  hy  signals  attached  to  the  sides  of  the  car,  and  was  devised  by  Conte,  director  of 
tin.-  aerostatic  establishment  at  Meudon  ;  the  aerial  observers  being  instructed  by  signals 
stretched  on  the  ground. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  RETORT  OF  FOUBCKOY  TO  THE  CONVENTION  NATIOKALE  (1795). 

One  of  the  discoveries  which  has  had  the  most  astonishing  effects,  and  strikes  the  imagination  by  the  position 
it  gives  to  man,  by  raising  him  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  is  the  aerostatic  machine,  which  to  the  inventor  has  only 
been  worth  a  decoration  since  become  ridiculous  l>v  your  laws,  but  tlie  discovery  of  which  has  always  received  the 
homage  of  your  words  ;  and  has  since  become  f.  >r  your  Committee  a  new  instrument  of  war,  which  our  enemies  have 
recognised  as  the  pioneer  to  victory.  The  Convention  will  learn  with  interest  that  many  savant  have  devoted 
ten  months  of  zealous  study  to  perfecting  the  art  of  aerostation,  and  to  render  it  of  easy  use  in  camps,  fortresses, 
and  even  on  the  theatre  of  war.  Their  researches  have  furnished  a  new  means  to  produce  at  little  cost,  and  with 
materials  that  are  universal,  the  light  fluid  that  expands  aerostats,  and  even  fills  those  of  the  largest  dimensions. 

Their  foresight  hits  caused  them  to  take  advantage  of  the  latest  mechanical  discoveries,  and  also  of  those 
improvements  in  manufactures  that  enable  silk  to  bo  made  at  Lyons  of  quality  hitherto  unknown,  combining 
lightness  wit  h  strength.  The  Aerostatic  Corps  lias  many  companies  ;  new  manoeuvres  for  the  regular  service  of 
these  new  instruments  of  war  have  been  devised,  and  the  Republic  possesses  at  this  time  a  new  Institution  that 
thirty  -four  ascents  have  already  compelled  our  enemies  to  admire,  without  having  yet  been  able  to  imitate, 

The  Committee  are  occupied  incessantly  with  the  necessary  measures  for  multiplying  these  precursors  to 
victory,  and  soon  all  our  armies  will  have,  complete  aerostatic  companies,  with  tents  and  rigging,  which  will  be  as 
necessary  to  them  as  parks  of  artillery.  Their  construction  is  now  being  pushed  rapidly  forward,  and  j-oung 
citi/ens  from  the  military  school  are  instructi-d  in  the  manoeuvres  necessary  for  military  aerostation.  All  will 
soon  bo  ready  to  show  tlie  enemies  of  the  South,  like  those  of  tin,-  North,  what  strength  is  given  to  Liberty  by  tho 
Genius  and  Art  of  France. 

•2   i- 


284 


ASTEA  CASTE  A. 


A.D.  1803' 


The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  '  Me'moire  '  published  in  1'An  X.  (1803),  by  M.  Lomet, 
on  the  use  of  balloons  for  topography  as  well  as  for  military  reconnaissance  : — 

Aerostats  afford  at  will,  in  presence  of  the  enemy,  one  or  many  points  of  observation,  from  whence  one  may 
reconnoitre  the  position  he  occupies,  study  his  movements,  judge  of  his  numbers,  and  perceive  the  smallest  details  in 
his  manoeuvres. 

One  may  conclude  that  these  machines  will  become  of  indispensable  use  in  war,  as  they  have  there  established 
a  method,  till  recently  unknown,  of  gathering  those  observations  that  can  instantaneously  determine  the  success  of 
the  battle,  aid  the  dispositions  for  a  vigorous  defence,  or  at  least  make  known  the  favourable  moment  for  retreat. 
To  recall  to  mind  the  use  that  can  be  drawn  from  aerostats  by  the  army,  I  need  only  mention  the  happy 
experiment  on  the  field  of  Fleurus. 

The  Committee  of  Public  Safety,  and  after  them,  the  Executive  Directory,  thought  the  use  of  aerostats  for  mili- 
tary reconnaissances  should  be  studied  and  practised  in  time  of  peace.  They  desired  also  their  employment  in  the 
construction  of  geographical  maps,  or,  at  least,  in  filling  in  the  intermediate  details  of  surface  between  points 
geometrically  determined.  Ordered  to  make  experiments  relative  to  these  various  uses,  I  give  an  account  of  the 
chief  results : — 

On  ascending,  the  aeronaut's  first  object  is  to  measure  the  angles  between  the  different  points  on  the  ground. 
This  cannot  be  done  with  the  theodolite,  on  account  of  the  motion  of  the  aerostat ;  another  instrument,  suspended 
like  a  mariner's  compass,  was  next  tried.  It  was  expected  to  measure  not  only  the  angles  from  the  centre,  but  also 
the  inclination  with  the  horizon ;  it  did  not  however  succeed,  so  the  sextant  was  tried.  This  instrument  left 
nothing  to  be  desired,  not  only  for  the  celerity,  but  also  for  the  facility  and  precision  of  the  observation ;  but  it  has 
this  drawback,  it  gives  no  indication  of  the  angles  with  the  horizon. 

In  military  reconnaissance,  however,  and  other  maps,  in  which  the  outline  of  the  surface  suffices,  simple 
observations  with  the  sextant  are  enough,  as  it  furnishes  the  means  of  easily  taking  in  a  great  extent  of  country ; 
but  it  is  not  the  same  with  observations  that  require  more  exactness,  in  which  it  is  necessary  to  know  the  inclination 
of  the  angles  from  the  horizon  as  well  as  from  the  centre. 

This  is  how  I  have  endeavoured  to  accomplish  these  requisites.  * 

The  instrument,  arranged  as  we  have  described,  has  produced  in  our  experiments  all  the  effect  that  could  be 
expected.     This  invention  is  as  simple  as  it  is  successful.  *  * 

In  conclusion,  M.  Lomet  states  that  much  experience  is  necessary,  and  that  the  art 
of  aerostation  combines  properties  as  valuable  as  they  are  undeniable  for  the  use  of  topography 
and  military  reconnaissance ;  that  its  improvement  may  cause  new  and  unthought-of  benefit 
to  other  sciences ;  and  that  it  would  also  be  impolitic  to  neglect  these  machines,  or  not  to  throw 
all  the  light  derived  from  meditation  and  experiment  upon  them. 

We  end  our  memoir  with  a  remark  on  their  military  use.  The  enemy  will  not  fail  to  oppose  to  the  creative 
industry  of  France  an  industry  of  imitation ;  they  also  will  have  their  aerostats  and  aerostatic  corps.*  The  influence 
of  this  innovation  to  war  is  of  a  kind  that  is  rapidly  developed,  and  soon  it  will  not  bo  exclusively  in  favour  of  any 
nation ;  but  the  art  of  aerostation  will  then  have  acquired  a  more  general  interest,  because  at  that  time  it  will  have 
become  one  more  element  in  the  hands  of  men  for  opposing  brute  force  with  genius  and  industry.  This  cause 
should  therefore  excite  all  the  friends  of  humanity  to  aid  its  improvement. 


Two  of  Colonel  Coutelle's  balloons  may  still  (1856)  be  seen,  the  one  in  the  Kaiserliches 
Zeughaus,  in  Vienna,  and  the  other  in  the  riding-school  at  Metz. 


*  An  instance  occurred  in  1812,  when,  on  entering  Moscow,  the 
French  soldiers  found  in  the  Castle  of  Voronzoff  a  large  aerostat, 
bearing  many  thousand  pounds  of  gunpowder,  which  was  to  have 
been  launched  upon  them.  General  Count  Philip  de  Segur  says, 
"  This  prodigious  balloon  was  constructed,  by  command  of  Alexander, 
not  far  from  Moscow,  under  the  direction  of  a  German  artificer.  The 


destination  of  this  winged  machine  was  to  hover  over  the  French 
army,  to  single  out  its  chief,  and  destroy  him  by  a  shower  of  balls 
and  fire.  Several  attempts  were  made  to  raise  it,  but  without  suc- 
cess, the  springs  by  which  the  wings  were  to  be  worked  having 
always  broken." — History  of  the  Expedition  to  Ituttla  undertaken  In/ 
the  Emperor  Napoleon. 


A.K  IM,J.  I  sKS  OF  BALLOONS  IN  MIJ.ITAKY  <  >I'|.|;  vTIONS.  285 

Many  of  the  Austrian  soldiers  at  Fleunis  said,  "How  can  we  fight  against  these 
ivpiiMieaiis,  who,  out  of  reach,  see  all  that  paMM  beneath?" 

Carlyle  has  given  a  humorous  description  of  this  scene.  "  Hangs  there  not  in  heaven'* 
vault  some  proiligy  seen  l>y  Austrian  eyes  and  Austrian  spy-gla->e-.  in  the  similitude  of 
an  enormous  wind-bag?  ....  By  Heaven!  answer  spy-glasses,  it  is  a  Montgolfu-iv,  a 
Lalloon,  and  they  are  making  signals!  Austrian  cannon  battery  barks  at  this  Montgolfi.  n  . 
harmless  as  dog  at  the  moon." 

Napoleon  did  not,  however,  give  this  branch  of  the  service  much  encouragement;  for, 
alter  making  use  of  them  in  Egypt,  he  allowed  the  Meudon  establishment  to  exist  without 
sii]i]>ort  till  ISO1.'  or  !*<>  I.  and  tla-n  abolished  it.  The  French  historian  of  aerostation 
( I»e].ui*  1».  leourt)  nays  that  he  had  an  antipathy  to  it  ever  since  the  remarkable  omen  at  his 
coronation.  An  attempt  was  made  to  recreate  this  corps  in  the  African  campaign  of  1830, 
I 'in  no  opportunity  occurred  for  its  use.  The  Austrians  are  said  to  have  employed 
reconnoitring  balloons  before  Teuice,  in  1849,  and  the  Russians  in  observing  from 

Sevastopol. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  'Royal  Engineers'  Papers,'  vol.  xii.,  New  Series, 
"  On  the  Uses  of  Balloons  in  Military  Operations,"  by  Lieut.  G.  Grover,  R.E.,  read  at 
Chatham,  23rd  April,  1862:— 

There  appears  no  reason,  however,  why  balloons  should  not  be  used  at  moderate  elevations  to  assist  recon- 
noitring officers  (by  virtually  extending  their  horizon)  in  obtaining  the  reqniml  information  concerning  the  nature 
"f  the  surrounding  country  and  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  They  need  not  necessarily  bo  within  range  of  the 
.n.  lay's  projectiles,  and  a  slight  elevation  would  probably  be  found  sufficient,  when  it  is  remembered  that  at  the 
.•dtitude  of  about  500  feet  objects  may  be  plainly  distinguished  on  a  clear  day  at  a  distance  of  twenty  miles.  This  in 
particularly  pointed  out  by  Sir  William  Ki-id,  who,  when  Governor  of  Malta  in  1855,  forwarded  to  the  War  Office  a 
l>n,]M*ial  from  a  Dr.  Ceilings,  to  use  "spy  balloons"  (as  he  called  them)  in  the  Crimea.  This  gentleman  proposed 
to  attain  an  elevation  of  9000  feet,  and  though  only  one  retaining  rope  was  allowed  for,  the  buoyancy  required  for 
this  purpose  would  necessitate  the  use  of  a  balloon  seventy  feet  in  diameter,  if  inflated  with  hydrogen  gas  having  a 
specific  gravity  one-sixth  that  of  atmospheric  air. 

Sir  William  Reid  writes,  "  As  balloons  were  successfully  used  more  than  sixty  years  back  by  a  French  army, 
they  may  perliapa  be  made  of  some  use  in  the  Crimea  just  now.  To  raise  an  observer  even  200  or  300  feet  above  a 
fortified  position  might  enable  assailants  to  form  more  correct  ideas  on  inner  intrenchments  than  when  only  viewing 
such  a  position  from  a  height  of  equal  altitude."  • 

On  the  same  day  that  the  above  letter  was  written  by  Sir  William  Reid,  a  similar  proposition  was  made  to 
the  War  I>e]iartment  by  Mr.  Shepherd,  C.E.,  who  designed  the  balloons  and  their  inflating  apparatus  used  during 
the  search  for  Sir  John  Franklin's  expedition.  He  states  that  he  "  can  fit  up  a  portable  apparatus  which  will  fill  u 
balloon  in  about  an  hour,  capable  of  taking  up  one  man  to  a  height  of  600  or  700  feet,  with  rope  to  pull  him  down 
again." 

Though  the  princi/iie  of  these  schemes  was  highly  approved  of  by  the  officers  to  whom  they  were  referred,  and 
though  similar  propositions  have  been  repeatedly  made  since  that  time,  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  mention  that  bal- 
loons have  hitherto  never  l.-en  used  for  military  purposes  in  the  British  service.  Their  absence  from  our  ti>-M 
i«|iii]nnent  is  probably  more  attributable  to  an  over-estimate  of  their  defects,  than  to  a  non-appreciation  of  th.ir 
advantage*  in  military  operations.  That  these  defects  are  less  serious  than  is  generally  supposed,  I  trust  to  bo  able 


Mi. 11,  v,  in  u  |.:ini|,lilc-t  aiMreseed  to  the  Eight 
II  :  .arable  Chiirli-s  York",  Lmiiloii,  1*03,  suys: — "There  are  few 
ini-ii.  Sir,  in  this  country  wlm  knuw  U-tU-r  than  myself  what  tue 


times  up  with  OIH-,  and  expressly  for  that  purpose.    There  i 
was  11  ilniilit  in  my  mind  ou  the  subject;  you  nee  from  them  every- 
thing you  wish  to  see." 


can  be  made  of  balloons  in  military  operations,  baring  been  three 

2  P  2 


286  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1862. 

to  demonstrate  in  a  future  portion  of  this  paper ;  but  it  is  first  proposed  to  examine  the  experience  afforded  from 
past  tests  of  the  use  of  balloons  in  actual  warfare,  so  as  to  ascertain  whether  failure  of  precedents  can  be  assigned  as 
the  reason  for  their  not  having  been  hitherto  adopted  in  the  British  service. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  revive  them  in  the  African  campaign  of  1830,  but  there  was  no  opportunity  for 
making  use  of  them.  The  Austrians  are  said  to  have  employed  reconnoitring  balloons  before  Venice  in  1849,  and 
the  Russians  in  observing  from  Sebastopol.  The  French  again  made  use  of  them  in  the  late  Italian  campaign  of 
1 859,  but  this  time  the  service  was  in  charge  of  civilian  aeronauts,  the  MM.  Godard.  Ascents  were  made  from 
Milan,  Gargonzola,  Castenedolo,  and  the  Castiglione  Hills;  and,  according  to  the  'Times'  Paris  correspondent  (in  a 
letter  dated  llth  January,  1862),  they  proved  great  failures,  as  judged  from  a  military  point  of  view.  However, 
the  '  Times '  special  correspondent  in  Italy,  Carlo  Bossoli,  thus  writes  concerning  the  balloon  reconnaissance  of  the 
Austrian  position  at  Solferino  : — "  On  the  day  before  the  battle  of  Solferino,  23rd  June,  1859,  even  with  the  best 
glass,  nothing  was  seen  at  Solferino,  which  is  ordinarily  visible  from  the  hills  near  Castiglione.  In  the  afternoon, 
however,  the  brothers  Godard  tried  from  these  hills  a  balloon  ascent  on  a  larger  scale  than  some  days  before  from 
Castenedolo.  And  on  the  Austrian  side,  where  this  ascent  was  seen,  it  is  supposed  that  their  plans  were  discovered 
by  the  Messrs.  Godard." 

The  French  reconnaissances  in  Italy  do  not  seem  to  have  effected  any  very  great  success,  apparently  in  conse- 
quence of  some  official  blunders  or  mismanagement.  M.  Prevet.  who  was  commissioned  as  the  Emperor's  mandataire 
to  organize  the  military  balloon-service  for  the  French  army  in  Italy,  applied  to  the  aeronauts  Godard  for  their 
assistance  in  the  undertaking.  Though  they  were  anxious  to  construct  a  war-balloon  especially  adapted  to  the 
requirements  of  the  service,  yet  (according  to  their  own  account)  the  mandataire,  who  wished  to  use  as  little  as 
possible  of  the  50,000  francs  with  which  he  had  been  supplied  for  the  necessary  expenses,  desired  them  to  set  out  at 
once  with  such  simple  apparatus  as  they  happened  to  have  by  them.  However,  the  experiments  they  conducted  at 
Milan  induced  the  Emperor  to  order  the  construction  of  a  regular  war-balloon,  and  in  the  mean  time  the  Montgolfiere 
in  the  aeronauts'  possession  accompanied  the  army.  It  was  this  balloon  which  made  the  ascent  from  Marshal 
M'Mahon's  head-quarters  at  Castiglione  on  the  day  before  the  battle  of  Solferino,  and  (as  the  Godards  express  it) 
the  results  were  quite  insignificant,  though  the  moral  effect  upon  the  troops  was  great.  It  is  probable  that  Marshal 
M'Mahon  would  have  been  better  pleased  with  less  moral  effect  and  more  tangible  realities ;  the  actual  war-balloon 
only  arrived  at  Solferino  when  the  articles  of  peace  were  being  signed.  This  machine  appears  to  be  well  adapted 
to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  made,  and  it  is  unfortunate  that  no  opportunity  was  afforded  for  a  practical  test  of 
its  utility  in  the  field.  It  is  made  of  silk,  holds  about  30,000  cubic  feet  of  gas,  has  buoyant  power  sufficient  to  raise 
three  men  to  an  altitude  of  from  1000  to  1200  feet,  will  retain  its  gas  for  a  whole  month,  and  photographs  have 
been  often  taken  from  it  on  a  calm  day  by  M.  Nadar.  It  can  be  inflated  in  one  hour  by  the  ordinary  illuminating 
gas  (carburetted  hydrogen)  when  near  a  town,  and  in  the  same  way  by  hydrogen  manufactured  from  a  special 
apparatus  for  field  -service.  After  being  inflated  at  Milan,  it  was  moved  to  Gorgonzola,  a  distance  of  twenty  miles, 
and  it  then  remained  for  two  days  at  the  artillery  park  without  suffering  any  perceptible  loss  of  gas.  These  details 
have  been  supplied  me  by  the  MM.  Godard  themselves,  to  whoso  courtesy  I  am  indebted  for  much  information  on 
the  subject  generally. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  points  of  consideration  with  reference  to  the  employment  of  military  balloons  is 
the  question  concerning  the  respective  merits,  for  the  purpose,  of  Montgolfieres  (smoke-balloons),  or  Charlieres  (gas- 
inflated  balloons).  The  French  reconnaissance  at  Castiglione  was  made  from  a  Montgolfiere,  as  has  been  already 
.stated,  but  the  MM.  Godard,  who  made  this  ascent,  and  have  practically  tested  both  methods,  express  a  strong 
opinion  against  this  species  of  balloon.  Without  a  cumbrous  furnace  in  the  car  it  will  remain  stationary  in  the  air 
only  for  about  five  minutes ;  and  even  then  it  is  scarcely  capable  of  sustaining  one  aeronaut,  in  consequence  of  the 
high  specific  gravity  of  the  inflating  gas.  If  it  be  freed  from  the  weight  of  a  retaining  rope,  and  consequently 
untcthered  to  the  earth,  a  reconnaissance  of  about  twenty  minutes'  duration  would  be  possible,  supposing  the  wind 
to  blow  in  a  direction  from  the  enemy.  The  least  wind  hinders  its  inflation,  which  may,  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances, be  made  in  about  twenty  minutes.  This  rapidity  of  inflation  is  unquestionably  a  strong  point  in  favour 
of  Montgolfieres ;  but  the  MM.  Godard  say  that  out  of  six  ascents  recently  advertised  to  take  place  from  the  Pro 
Catalan  at  Paris,  only  two  ultimately  succeeded.  Of  course  the  objection  on  the  score  of  low  buoyant  power  might 
be  obviated  by  increasing  the  dimensions  of  the  machine,  but  then  it  would  be  of  an  almost  impossibly  gigantic 
size.  The  Austrian  Engineer  Committee  state  that  a  Montgolfiere,  of  the  very  slightest  useful  power,  must  have  a 


A.I,,  i  TIII:  I;I:>I*LT  OF  TNI:  \r>n;i  \\  EXPERIMENTS. 

diameter  .>f  sixty  foot,  the  contents  being  upwards  of  113,000  cubic  feet*  At  the  same  time  they  consider  it 
iiitiiiit.lv  preferable  for  military  pnr|><Mwii  to  the  Charliero.  A  report  on  tho  subject  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Baron 
i:i.n.  v. .  .f  tl>.  I  in] -rial  Kngineer  Staff,  thuH  specifies  what  ho  conceives  to  be  tho  MIX  Decenary  conditions  of  the  war- 
balloon  se>-\i.v: — 1st  Tho  balloon  should  be  able  to  make  an  ascent  won  after  the  order  has  been  rood ved.  It 
would  1«  nf  little  use  in  the  field  il'  the  preparations  necessarily  occupied  half  or  even  a  whole  day.  'Jnd.  The 
ascent  should  not  bo  prevented  by  a  wind  of  average  force  (about  1  Ik  upon  the  square  foot).  A  free  a* .  m 
is  then  out  ..f  the  question,  since  tho  slightest  breeze  would  drive  tho  balloon  from  the  plan'  \\h. -re  it  is  wanted  t.. 
oliwrve.  .-.nl.  Aii  average  height  <.f  HM)  klaftcr  •  i  may  bo  assumed  as  tho  projM-r  altitude,  whii-h  is  limit.. I 

in  tho  oaae  where  tin-  Iwlloon  is  attaclu-d  to  the  ground,  by  tho  weight  of  tho  retaining  rope.  At  thin  height  u 
surface  of  ground  of  about  twelve  miles  diameter  <  forty  milcH  English)  can  bo  diHtinetly  examined  with  a  g<»>d 
field  glass.  4th.  Tho  number  of  pel-norm  making  tho  aaoent  should  be  two  at  least  Only  in  tho  company  ..f  an 
experienced  aeronaut  is  it  possible  for  an  officer  t..  make  a  reconnaissance  with  tho  proper  confidence.  Tin  r.  ;- 
iil\\.i\-  .l..ii_'.  r  ..f  a  Midden  gust  of  wind  or  a  bullet  fi  .111  the  enemy  tearing  asunder  the  ropo  tliat  retains  the 
Kill. -.n,  and  thus  changing  its  captive  state  int..  one  of  freedom  ;  one  at  least,  therefore,  of  the  persons  making  the 
ascent  should  In-  fully  capable  of  managing  a  balloon  thus  liberated.  A  trustworthy  and  experienced  aeronaut  is. 
ther.fore,  an  essential  condition  of  the  whole  undertaking.  5th.  Tho  balloon  should  bo  in  ttlegrajJuc  eommuniciiti.m 
with  tin-  •_•!••!  n  i.l.  si  nee  it  would  take  too  much  time  to  send  written  questions  and  answers  up  and  down  tho  retaining 
two  skilled  telegraphists  must  bo  employed  during  the  reconnaissance.  (5th.  Ascents  should  finally 
be  praetieal.le  at  any  given  spot,  and  as  often  as  required.  And  these  conditions,  llaron  Ebncr  considers,  would  not 
!»•  prop.-1-ly  fulfilled  by  the,  employment  of  < 'harlieros,  or  gas-inflated  balloons.  Tho  production  of  sufficient 
hydrogen  l.y  the  ui-tioii  of  sulphuric  acid  upon  zinc  or  iron  would  be  a  complicated,  unsafe,  costly,  and  dilatory 

operation,     K\eii  th nvi-yanoo  of  hydrogen  in  a  compressed  state  would  be  objectionable,  since  (if  it  were  oom- 

preesed  to  one-twentieth  its  ordinary  volume)  the  metal  casks  would  require  at  least  800  cubic  feet  of  contents,  and 
they  must  be  strong  enough  to  resist  a  pressure  of  twenty  atmospheres.  In  this  case  there  would  be  a  saving  in 
time,  but  a  very  considerable  increase  in  expense. 

.No  notice  seems  to  have  been  taken  by  the  Austrians  of  another  method  of  generating  hydrogen,  viz.,  by 
p:i--in::  M.-.iiu  i.ver  r.  d  hot  el:. n. •...,!  n  iion  tin  niir _>,  l"it  th.  y  Iiave  evidently  d.-eided.  as  far  as  thmr\  ^»~.  in 
favour  of  M  on  tgol  fierce  as  the  proper  species  of  balloon  for  military  service.  For  the  inflation,  however,  they 
propose  hot  air  in  place  of  tho  smoke  of  straw,  wool,  Ac.,  as  used  by  the  first  aeronauts.  For  the  purpose  of  heating 
the  air  they  employ  a  wrought-iron  stove,  something  after  tho  fashion  of  the  boiler  of  a  steam-engine;  into  this  the 
air  is  driven  by  ]>owciful  bellows,  and,  after  being  brought  to  the  proper  temperature  in  parallel  flues,  it  enters  the 
balloon.  To  counteract  the  refrigeration  which  evidently  would  take  place  over  the  surface  of  the  machine,  either  .1 
lamp  apparatus  must  be  carried  up  in  the  car,  or  else  an  additional  supply  of  hot  air  must  be  conveyed  to  the 
machine  by  means  of  a  flue  communicating  with  the  earth. 

The  more  then  that  we  examine  the  investigations  into  the  subject  that  have  been  conducted  by  foreign 
ofluvrn,  the  more  do  we  learn,  not  of  ichal  hat  been  done,  but  of  uhat  hat  not  been  done ;  the  more  do  wo  become 
mn\  in.vd  that  there  lias  not  been  yet  discovered  a  satisfactory  system  of  military  ballooning,  one  fit  (that  is  to  say » 
to  satisfy  all  the  evident  exigencies  of  actual  warfare. 

The  most  recent  instance  of  a  successful  balloon  ascent  for  the  purposes  of  military  reconnaissance  (oondm  t.  .1 
l.y  the  1-Y.leial  Ameri.-ans  at  Island  No.  10)  is  thus  noted  by  the  '  Times '  of  April  14,  18C2: — "A  balloon  recon- 
naissance was  made  on  the  l'7th  March  by  Professor  Steiner,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Buford  and  Captain  Maynardicr. 
which  established  the  fact  that  shells  had  been  thrown  at  too  great  a  range  to  be  sufficiently  effective  against  the 
Confederate  K-itteries.  This  defect  in  mortar-practice  has  since  been  remedied."  According  to  a  miliscqiicnt 
account,  this  balloon  was  filled  on  a  flatrbottomed  boat  and  confined  by  a  single  rope.  It  attained  an  elevation 
..f  aU.ut  ''.'"i  fe.-t.  and  the  reconnaissance  is  described  as  having  been  "  eminently  satisfactory."  I  think  it  mav  l» 
d.-du.-.-.].  th.-n.  from  the  foregoing  historical  account,  that  a  very  fair  average  of  success  has  attended  the  n.-.-  of 
reconnoitring  balloons  l.y  different  armies  during  the  hut  seventy  years. 


M  .iiiin»tli  "     IMl.-.n.    |.r.l.:il.ly    the    largest  cubic  feet  of  gas,  having  a  longitudinal  diameter  of  (JO  feet,  und  a 

Chnrl  jstructed,  in  i;;i  f,  «•!  iu  ImiKitinmiiil  .limn.  !•  r.  und  transverse  diameter  of  50  feet.     It  can  raine  4000  llM.,  iiicln.linj:  i^ 

:   in  tniosverae  diiim.  t.  r.     It  is  compnood  of  48  gore*,  cadi  own  weight  and  Hint  of  all  the  nccaawrics  ,nl>..ut  KXKt  llw.  .     TU 

4  i  in.-h.-rt  will. .  und  contains  95.000  cubic  feet  of  gal.     Mr.  Green  s  extreme  breadth  of  inch  gore  i*  44  incite*, 
celebrated  "N'Mwiu"  Balloon,  also  a  Clmrliir,'.  contain*  85,000 


288  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  18G2. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  objections  most  frequently  urged  against  such  a  practical  application  of 
them : — 

1st.  The  chance  of  their  being  struck  by  the  enemy's  projectiles,  and  caused  to  fall  suddenly  in  consequence 
of  the  escape  of  gas  through  the  holes  thus  formed  in  the  silk  bag. 

2nd.  The  size,  weight,  and  consequent  difficulty  of  transport  attendant  upon  balloons  with  sufficient  buoyant 
power  to  admit  of  their  being  attached  to  the  earth  by  guy-ropes. 

3rd.  The  difficulty  of  providing  gas  for  their  inflation  when  in  the  field. 

4th.  The  difficulty  of  attaching  to  the  army  experienced  aeronauts  for  the  purpose  of  inflating  the  balloon, 
regulating  its  ascents  and  movements  in  the  air,  and  taking  general  charge  of  it  on  service. 

5th.  The  danger  incidental  to  balloon  ascents  in  general,  even  when  undertaken  by  experienced  and  pro- 
fessional aeronauts. 

1.  In  answer  to  the  first  of  these  objections,  it  may  be  stated  that,  even  supposing  the  balloon  to  come  within 
range  of  the  enemy's  fire,  its  descent  upon  being  struck  would  not  be  efi'ected  so  instantaneously  or  completely  as  is 
generally  imagined.     When  the  great  Xassau  balloon  fell  into  the  sea  near  Sheerness,  in  1850,  sixty  rounds  of  ball- 
cartridge  had  to  be  fired  into  it  before  any  perceptible  effect  was  produced  in  its  size  by  the  escape  of  gas ;  each 
bullet  passing  right  through  the  balloon,  and  thus  forming  two  holes  in  the  bag.     If  it  were  struck  by  shot  below 
the  level  of  the  gas  (and  balloons  are  seldom  perfectly  full),  of  course  not  the  slightest  effect  would  be  produced ;  and 
jinyhow  it  is  apprehended  that,  wherever  the  hole  be  formed,  the  balloon  would  retain  sufficient  buoyant  power  to 
admit  of  an  easy  and  safe  descent  to  the  ground.     In  addition,  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  aeronauts,  if 
exposed  to  fire,  could  at  pleasure  descend  to  the  earth,  or  ascend  until  out  of  range  (as  at  Fleurus),  provided 
that   the   length   of  guy-rope   were   sufficient   for   this   purpose,    and   in   all   probability  there   would   be   few 
<  iccasions  in  a  campaign  when  it  would  be  necessary  to  reconnoitre  in  this  manner  in  exposed  positions. 

2.  The  size  of  the  balloon  depends  of  course  upon  two  conditions — the  nature  of  the  gas  with  which  it  is 
inflated,  and  the  weight  it  has  to  lift.     A  scheme  has  been  already  alluded  to  in  this  paper,  which  proposed  to 
employ  a  balloon  to  elevate  reconnoitring  officers  to  a  height  of  9000  feet.     To  support  one  retaining  rope  of  this 
length,  a  balloon  seventy  feet  in  diameter  would  be  requisite ;  but  if  (as  is  proposed  in  this  paper)  an  elevation  of 
merely  600  to  700  feet  be  considered  sufficient,  a  balloon  with  diameter  of  about  twenty-eight  feet  will  be  found 
large  enough  for  the  required  purpose,  if  filled  with  hydrogen  gas  having  specific  gravity  -166.     The  exact  manner 
ill  which  this  dimension  is  calculated  for  the  proper  ascending  power  will  be  described  afterwards ;  but,  with  refer- 
ence to  the  portability  of  the  machine,  it  may  be  remarked  that  the  whole  apparatus,  together  with  that  for  the 
generation  of  gas,  could  be  easily  conveyed  in  a  single  Field  Train  waggon. 

3.  A  specific  gravity  one-sixth  that  of  atmospheric  air  has  been  allowed  for  the  hydrogen  to  inflate  the  balloon 
(its  specific  gravity,  when  perfectly  pure,  being  about  one-fourteenth).     That  of  coal-gas,  which  is  usually  employed 
in  ordinary  balloon  ascents,  is  -4 ;  but,  notwithstanding,  its  superior  merits  for  the  purpose  are  strongly  advocated 
by  the  amateur  aeronaut,  Mr.  Monck  Mason,  in  his  '  Aeronautica,'  in  consequence  of  "  the  greater  subtlety  of  the 
particles  of  hydrogen,  and  the  stronger  affinity  which  they  exhibit  for  those  of  the  surrounding  atmosphere."  *     Its 
greater  lightness  renders  it,  however,  preferable  in  the  present  case,  and  the  method  of  producing  the  gas  in  the 
field  has  now  to  be  considered.     Undoubtedly  the  quickest  manner  of  doing  so  would  be  to  obtain  it  by  the  action 
of  dilute  sulphuric  acid  upon  zinc  or  iron,  but  the  danger  of  carrying  about  large  quantities  of  sulphuric  acid  is  so 
great,  that  another  method  is  preferable.     The  French  evolved  hydrogen  for  their  war-balloons  by  passing  steam 
over  red-hot  iron-turnings,  but  probably  an  improvement  would  be  effected  in  this  process  by  the  substitution  of 
charcoal,  at  a  very  low  degree  of  red  heat,  for  the  iron-turnings,^  the  interior  of  the  tubes  having  been  previously 

*  For,  since  the  rates  of  diffusion  of  gases  vary  inversely  as  the  |  H     53'2  vols. 

roots  of  their  densities —  Co     40'3     „ 

Therefore,  the  diffusive  power  of  coal  gas  :  diffusive  power  of 

Mr.  Bloxam,  of  King  s  College,  informs  me  that  by  passing  steam 


pure  hydrogen        :  :     V'069  :     V'45 
or  :  :        '255  :         -G7 

or  :  :  1     :       2'627 

t  The  production  of  hydrogen  in  large  quantities  by  this  process 


over  red-hot  coke  in  an  iron  tube  (whose  interior  had  been  previously 
oxidised  by  a  current  of  steam)  he  obtained  a  gas  composed  of 

H     81-6  vols. 

Co       8-4     „ 

Co,  10-0    , 


is  described  by  the  French  chemist,  M.  Deville,  in  the  '  Annales  de   !  but  even  this   gas  (before  being  purified)  would  have   a   specific 
Chirnie  et  de  Physique,'  for  January,  18(il,  but  his  gas  contained          i  gravity  almost  double  that  required  for  the  present  purpose. 


A.D. 


THE  CAUSE  OF  ACCIDENTS. 


288 


\\vll  .  .\i.li-  .1  l>y  a  current  of  steam ;  the  charcoal  presents  several  advantages,  being  easy  to  obtain  in  well-wooded 
countries,  and  rec[iiirmg  a  lower  degree  of  heat   in  order  to  prevent  the  formation  of  carbonic  oxide.     After  the 

pn.lucti f  the  gas,  it  would  have  to  be  (unified  by  lime  from  any  taint  of  carbonic  acid  ga«,  and   it   mu-t    I.. 

pro|»-rly  cooled  before  entering  the  balloon.     \Vithmit  .  \]»  rimnit,  it  i«  almost  impotwilil.-  to  form  any  definite  i.l.  .1 
..f  the  time  which  would  bo  occupied  by  this  process  in  the  production  of  gas  in  miHicient  <|iiantities,  lint  it   in 
].r..KiMf  that  two  or  three  hours  would  bo  found  enough;  and  it  is  certainly  preferable  to  the  /.inc  and  -ul 
phurie  acid  method,*  being  safer  both  in  use  ami  tiansi>ort,  und  requiring  far  less  weight  both  of  apparatus  .iml 
materials. 

4.  Fi>r  the  management  of  the  balloon  about  five  or  six  Sappers  would  probably  be  sufficient,  having  IHVH 
previously  instructed  in  all  the  practical  details  necessary  fur  the  service,  such  as  the  method  of  putting  togrthci 
the  gas-supplying  apparatus  and  inflating  the  balloon,  the  management  of  the  guy-ropes,  repairing  the  balloon  (in 
case  of  accident),  «fce.     They  should  also  make  a  few  ascents  with  some  experienced  aeronaut,  to  be  taught  the 
lu.-thud  of  using  the  valve,  ballast,  grappling-anchor,  &a,  in  case  they  had  ever  to  make  an  independent  voyage ;  but 
all  this  I.I.H  tical  knowledge  might  be  easily  acquired  in  two  or  three  weeks,  and  the  balloon  service  would  then  l» 
solely  in  military  charge. 

5.  The  accidents  that  occasionally  happen  in  balloon  ascents  are  attributable  mainly  to  the  negligence  and 
f'lly  of  the  owners.    The  envelope  or  bag  is  often,  for  the  sake  of  economy,  constructed  of  cotton  instead  of  silk,  and 
thi>  material  (not  being  very  durable  in  the  first  instance,  and  still  more  weakened  afterwards  by  the  action  of  the 
varnish  and  gas)  wears  out  after  a  few  seasons'  use,  and  the  slightest  strain  on  the  balloon  tears  open  the  stun". 
The  ropes  too  are  frequently  used  in  wet  weather,  packed  up  carelessly,  and  consequently  rot ;  the  result  being  that 
the  netting  or  grappliug-ropes,  though  sound  in  appearance  and  sufficient  for  moderate  purposes,  give  way  on  any 
extraordinary  tension,  and  the  machine  is  no  longer  under  the  aeronaut's  control.     To  some  of  these  causes  may  be 
generally  traced  the  occasional  accidents  that  occur  in  balloon  voyages;  and  as  the  ascents  are  generally  advertised 
several  weeks  beforehand,  in  order  that  the  spectators  may  not  be  disappointed,  the  aeronaut  has  to  ascend  at  the 
fixed  hour,  frequently  in  a  hurricane  of  wind,  or  under  adverse  circumstances,  which  would  deter  him  from  the 
attempt  if  he  were  in  an  independent  position. 

1 1 .  'wever,  the  percentage  of  accidents  is  excessively  low  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  balloon  ascents  made. 
It  is  conceived,  therefore,  that  careful  superintendence  and  examination  should  entirely  preclude  the  possibility  of 
any  accident  in  the  use  of  military  balloons ;  and,  as  an  instance  of  what  proper  care  and  attention  will  effect,  it 
may  be  mentioned  that  the  two  aeronauts,  Messrs.  Green  (father  and  son),  have  made  between  them  some  •.>:;" 
ascents,  in  none  of  which  have  they  met  with  any  serious  accident  or  failure. 

In  the  consideration  of  the  proper  size,  nature,  Sec.,  of  a  balloon  fit  for  reconnoitring  purposes,  the  wind  may 
be  assumed  to  exert  the  same  pressure  upon  the  balloon  as  it  would  upon  a  circle  of  similar  diameter ;  for  though 
theoretically  a  solid  sphere  presents  only  three-sevenths  of  the  resistance  to  the  air  opposed  by  its  generating 
circle,  yet  practically,  in  the  case  of  a  balloon,  there  would  not  bo  much  difference,  since  it  often  collapses  under  the 
force  of  the  wind,  and  presents  a  flattened  surface,  and  at  the  same  time  the  network  of  cordage  in  which  it  is 
•med  cat<-h<-s  the  wiadaad  iaonuwtb  ranfaamwj  o  MidonUy. 

Balloons  also  are  usually  constructed  of  a  pear  shape  (having  the  longitudinal  axis  about  one-sixth  greater 
than  the  transverse),  so  that  the  network  may  be  properly  adjusted  upon  it,  and  consequently  the  surface 
presented  to  the  action  of  the  wind  is  somewhat  larger  than  a  hemisphere.  Taking  these  points  into  consider- 
ation, the  resistance  of  a  plane  circle  twenty-eight  feet  in  diameter  may  be  allowed  for,  as  sufficiently  accurate 
t'..r  all  practical  purposes,  this  dimension  having  been  stated  in  a  former  portion  of  this  paper  as  being  suffi- 
cient for  a  lull. nn  to  fulfil  all  the  required  conditions. 


•  In  1855  Mr.  Abel,  Cliemwt  to  the  War  Department,  designed 
and  contracted  mirli  an  apparatus  to  gi-ntmte  Imlrcgen  for  balloon* 
from  tine  and  oil  ••!'  vitriol.  II,-  writes: — "Possibly  the  so-called 
water-gas  process,  of  American  origin,  might  be  modified  so  as  to 
yield  a  gaa  sufficiently  light  fur  inilatiiiK  balloons  without  the 
necessity  of  very  extensive  armns'  •m.'iits."  In  a  hit  r  memorandum 
(extracts  from  which  Sir  John  Uurgoyuc  wan  i_""»l  enough  to  com- 
municate to  me)  Mr.  Abel  says  :— "  Portable  apparatus  have  been 


constructed  within  the  last  few"  yean  for  the  production  of  nil  or 
resin  gas  for  illuminating  purposes,  and  I  have  little  doubt  tlutt 
some  similar  and  efficient  arrangement  could  bo  contrived  for 
generating  gas  suitiMf  fur  b.illo»n  inllation."  Ho  also  alludes  to 
the  perfection  of  Wheatstone's  method  of  magnetic  telegraphy  an 
being  applicable  to  Uic  communication  uf  information  from  w.ir- 
bolluona. 


290 


ASTRA  CASTBA. 


A.D.  1862. 


The  area  of  this  circle  being  61  of  square  feet,  the  following  Table  shows  the  pressure  it  would  have  to  sustain 
from  different  winds : — 


Gentle,  pleasaut  wind 

Velocity        Perpendicular  furce     I 
per  hour.            on  1  sq.  ft. 

Miles.                 Ibs.  av. 
5      -              -193 

'ressure  on  u  helicon 
28  ft.  in  diameter. 
Ibs.  av. 

75-73 

302-95 
1211-80 
2727-117 
4847-82 

Brisk  gale    

10 

..  ..       -492     ..  .. 
1-968     ..  .. 
..  ..     4-429     ..  .. 
7-873 

Very  brisk    

20 

High  wind    

30 

Very  high  wind  .  . 

40 

One-inch  round  wire-ropes  might  be  employed  with  advantage  as  guy-ropes  to  retain  the  balloon  to  the 
earth,  since  they  correspond  in  strength  to  the  2|-inch  hemp-ropes,  and  weigh  exactly  half  as  much.  The 
breaking  strain  of  this  rope  being  two  tons,  its  safe  working  power  may  bo  taken  at  half  this  weight,  or  one 
ton.* 

Consequently,"  supposing  there  to  be  two  guy-ropes,  each  550  feet  long  (to  allow  for  the  curve  and  inclination 
cawed  by  the  buoyancy  of  the  balloon  elevated  between  the  two),  as  the  weight  of  each  rope  would  be  about 
92  Ibs.,  we  have  4296  Ibs.  as  the  total  available  resisting  force f  against  the  pressure  of  the  wind  upon  both  balloon 
and  guy-ropes,  a  degree  of  strength  sufficient  to  resist  even  a  wind  blowing  at  the  rate  of  thirty  miles  an  hour.  As 
this  is  considered  the  maximum  velocity  of  wind  in  which  a  captive  balloon  can  be  safely  used  for  observation 
(in  consequence  of  the  violent  rocking  and  swaying  of  the  car),  there  can  be  little  doubt  but  that  these  guy- 
ropes  would  be  sufficiently  strong  for  their  purpose.  The  following  Table,  then,  details  the  weights  to  be 
lifted  :— 

Ibs. 

2  guy-ropes  (of  1-inch  wire-rope)  each  550  feet  long  184 

2  men  (at  11  st.) 308 

Silk  bag  of  balloon         40 

Car,  network,  &c 150 

Instruments,  &c 18 

Total  weight^ 700 

And  as  the  28-feet  balloon  may  be  considered  as  a  sphere,  for  the  gas  seldom  fills  the  lower  portion,  its 
cubical  contents  may  be  taken  at  11-494  cubic  feet;  and  if  inflated  with  hydrogen  one-sixth  the  weight  of 
the  surrounding  air,  the  ascensional  force  will  be  11-494  x  62-5  =  718  Ibs.  (as  1000  cubic  feet  of  air  weigh 
about  75  Ibs.),  and  consequently  the  balloon  would  rise  with  an  ascending  power  of  18  Ibs.  J 

The  above  calculation  of  the  suitable  size  for  a  reconnoitring-balloon  has  of  course  been  made  upon  the 
.supposition  that  hydrogen  is  obtainable  from  the  proposed  gas-apparatus  with  a  degree  of  purity  equal  to  a  specific 
gravity  of  one-sixth.  This  could  be  only  definitely  determined  by  experiments,  whose  results  might  possibly 
modify  the  above  figures,  though  not,  it  is  anticipated,  to  any  very  considerable  extent. 

The  balloon  itself  should  be  constructed  of  silk,  and  payed  over  with  an  elastic  varnish.  Cotton  is  sometimes 
used  instead  of  silk,  being  less  expensive,§  but  it  is  not  so  durable,  and  soon  wears  out  from  the  action  of  the  gas 


*  It  has  been  objected  that  this  is  too  liberal  an  estimate  of  the 
safe  working  load  of  an  iron-wire  rope,  in  proportion  to  its  breaking 
"train.  It  is  the  usual  allowance  to  make  tor  hempen  ropes,  but 
Messrs.  Newall  aud  Co.,  the  patentees  of  the  iron-wire  ropes,  allow 
only  one-sixth  in  consequence  of  the  uncertainty  attached  to  the 
working  of  iron,  which  cannot  be  relied  upon,  being  seldom  per- 
fectly homogeneous.  Fairbairn,  however,  in  treating  of  iron  girders, 
allows  as  a  safe  load  two-thirds  of  the  ultimate  breaking  weight. 

t  Since  force  =  2  (1  ton  —  92  Ibs.) 

=   2  (2240  Ibs.  -  92  Ibs.) 
=   4296  Ibs. 

t  This  ascending  power  would  be  sufficient  for  calm  weather,  but 
must  evidently  be  increased  (by  diminishing  the  weight  or  other 
means)  in  proportion  to  the  strength  of  the  wind.  For  the  pressure 
of  a  strong  wind  upon  the  balloon  would  obviously  force  the  rope  so 
much  out  of  the  perpendicular,  that  the  balloon  would  attain  a  very 


slight  elevation  without  considerable  buoyant  power  and  a  great 
length  of  rope.  Supposing  45-1  to  be  the  maximum  angle  to  be 
safely  allowed  for  the  rope's  deflection  from  the  perpendicular,  in 
this  ease  ascending  power  must  =  force  of  wind,  and  (strain  on 
rope) 2  =  2  (force  of  wind) 2.  The  guy-ropes  previously  described 
are  of  considerable  strength,  chiefly  in  order  to  resist  the  violent 
jerks  on  the  rope  caused  by  sudden  gusts  of  wind.  Since  the 
above  was  written,  an  account  has  appeared  in  the  'Times'  (of 
April  29th)  of  an  accident  happening  to  an  American  recon- 
noitring balloon,  at  Yorktown,  in  consequence  of  the  breaking  of 
the  retaining  rope.  This  shows  the  advantage  of  providing  guy- 
ropes  of  even  an  excessive  strength. 

§  A  silk  balloon  of  the  above  dimensions,  with  all  its  accessories 
complete,  would  cost  about  2501.  A  cotton  one  would  probably  not 
cost  one-third  tins  sum. 


A  i,   l  CAPT.  BEAUMONT  ON  BALLOON  RECONNAISSANCES.  291 

and  varnish.  It  entails  also  a  considerable  loss  of  ascending  power,  being  in  itself  heavier  than  -ilk.  and  requiring 
xK'Mi  d'.iiHe  thf  .|ii.-intity  of  varnish,  which  increases  its  weight;  besides,  the  nubile  nature  ..)'  hydrogen  gas  renders 
it  advisable  to  use  a  material  of  a  closer  texture  than  cotton. 

A-  the  lull. «'ii  is  t..  !«•  used  for  ni-nnnoitring,  the  colour  of  the  silk  should  be  such  as  to  render  it  invisible  at 
a  distance.  Grey  is  the  bent  fur  this  jmrjiow,  but  as  the  varnish  would  turn  it  almost  black,  it  would  In- 
advisable to  employ  a  white  silk,  ami  the  varnish  would  then  render  it  of  a  light-brown  colour.  Experiment  alone 
.an.  hiiwi-viT.  determine  ii]>.in  many  iin]xirtaiit  ]Hiint«  eonneclcd  with  the  balloon-service,  such  as — 

Istly.  The  m<*rt  desirable  arrangcmc-nt  of  the  gas-generating  apparatus,  and  the  quality  as  well  as  the  quantity 
of  gas  which  it  wcmld  evolve  in  a  given  time. 

L'n.lly.  The  best  way  of  attaching  a  balloon  to  the  earth,  ami  of  managing  the  guy-ropes. 
•  lly.  The  n-sistan.  •  ofl'ered  to  tho  wiml  by  the  captive  balloon  ami  its  retaining  ropes. 

4thly.  The  greatest  velocity  of  wind  in  \\-liieh  a  balloon  can  be  safely  retained  to  the  earth  and  conveniently 
used  for  reconnoitring. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  briefly  recapitulate  the  different  heads  nf  the  subject  upon  which  this  jiajier  has  treated. 
It  firstly  eniinieratiil  the  various  propositions  which  have  been  from  time  to  time  entertained  for  the  employment  of 
balloons  for  military  purposes ;  these  having  been  considered  and  reduced  to  one  (that  of  reconnoitring),  the  various 
in--. met*  were  deecril»-d  <>t'  their  actual  use  in  this  cajKu-ity,  and  their  employment  in  the  English  service  advocated 
on  the  Mi]i]>osition  that  they  would  bo  found  of  similar  utility  to  our  armies.*  The  most  customary  objections  to 
them  were  then  considered,  an  inquiry  made  into  the  dew-rip) ion  of  balloon  best  suited  for  the  purpose,  and  th"s. 
experiments  noticed  which  appeared  most  necessary  to  ensure  their  efficiency  and  success. 

I  now  add  a  Paper  from  the  same  volume,  "  On  Balloon  Reconnaissances  as  practised  l>v 
the  American  Army,"  by  Captain  F.  Beaumont,  B.E.,  read  at  Chatham,  14th  November, 
1862  :- 

I  have  been  asked  to  give  some  account  of  my  ballooning  experiences  in  the  States  of  America,  and  I  ill  i  s. . 
the  more  readily — firstly,  because  I  believe  that  the  art,  even  as  it  at  present  stands,  is  capable  of  being 
•v  turned  to  practical  account;  and  secondly,  because  the  practice  of  ballooning,  with  reference  to  military 
manoeuvres,  being  so  little  known,  any  remarks  on  the  subject  based  on  actual  experience  must,  from  that 
cause  alone,  be  of  some  value ;  the  nature  of  the  art,  moreover,  is  such  that,  to  form  a  just  appreciation  of  i  t  - 
applicability,  one  must  turn,  I  may  say  entirely,  to  the  results  of  experience  on  the  subject,  rather  than  to  theoretical 
considerations  connected  with  it.  Lieutenant  Grover's  paper,  which  I  have  read,  for  all  practical  purposes  exhausts 
the  theory  of  ballooning;  as,  indeed,  after  having  compared  the  specific  gravity  of  the  atmosphere  within  and 
without  the  balloon,  and  referred  the  result  to  the  work  to  be  done,  there  is  little  more  to  be  said  ;  always  bearing 
in  mind  that  to  be  on  the  safe  side  it  is  well  to  allow,  for  various  reasons,  a  considerable  excess  of  buoyancy  over 
the  weight  to  be  lifted;  the  difference  being  made  up  with  ballast  adjustable  at  pleasure.  In  the  case  of  a  free 
ascension  this  is  absolutely  necessary,  and  circumstances  may,  at  any  time,  render  it  imperative,  even  on  a  recon- 
naissance, to  cut  away  the  guys  that  hold  the  balloon  to  the  earth.  In  the  remarks  1  have  to  make  I  shall, 
therefore,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  notes  on  details,  at  the  end  of  this  paper,  confine  myself  to  an  account 
of  the  apparatus  used  by  the  Americans,  and  my  own  experiences  in  connexion  with  the  reconnaissances  I 
made. 

There  were  two  sizes  of  balloons  used:  one  of  small  size,  with  a  capacity  of  13,000  cubic  feet,  corres]H,ndiii;i 
American  *"  tn:lt  '  weiity-eijrht  feet  in  diameter,  mentioned  by  Lieutenant  Grovcr  as  suitable  for  the  general  ;mr 
Apparatus.  pggeg  of  a  reconnaissance ;  and  the  other  of  alxmt  double  this  size.  This  13,000  cubic  feet  gives  about  thirtv 

!•  the  diameter  of  the  corresponding  sphere;  and  to  fulfil  the  requirements  properly  laid  down  by  Lieutenant 
i  i  rover,  this  is  not  too  much.  In  practice  he  would  find  that  his  calculations— on  the  assumption  that  two  people 


•   It  is  due  to  Mr.Coxwoll  to  state  tli.it,  ilinnuiliout  liig  aeronautic  when  In-  invented  and  used  hU  telegraphic  waragnals,  raffloi.  nlly 

career  of  twenty  years' standing,  lie  lias  steadfaMly  a.h.,,  .i-i  ii,.  att.-,t  I..-  /.  .1   in   i!,i-  limnch  of  aerostation.     In  fail  lectures  and 

•  iii]il"\iii>  nt  .'t  lallaons  for  military  an  well  un  ~'i.  ntilic  puruoxi*.  writings  Mr.  Coxwcll  has  constantly  8[K>k'ii  <>!  at  rial  reconnaissance 

Hi-  Utters  in  the  Timet  on  ti.i-  .-ul.jvct,  and  his  ascenU  in  1854,  as  a  useful  and  practicable  operation. 

2  Q 


292 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


A.D.  1862. 


were  to  bo  lifted — would  not  allow  sufficient  buoyancy,  for  tho  following  reasons  :  No  allowance  is  made  for  ballast ; 
three  in  place  of  two  guy-ropes  should  be  used,  and  they  should  be  1000  feet  long  at  least,  as  that  is  by  no  means  an 
unnecessary  elevation  to  provide  for.  The  larger  sized  balloon  was,  however,  the  one  that  the  Americans  decidedly 
preferred ;  it  was  constructed  because  tho  power  of  the  other  was  found  to  be  insufficient,  and  was  used  exclusively 
in  place  of  the  smaller  one,  which  it  superseded.  I  myself  should  decidedly  think  the  larger  size  the  best,  for  many 
reasons :  amongst  them,  tho  extra  cost  is  not  nearly  proportional  to  the  increased  size,  nor  is  the  trouble  and  expense 
of  management ;  while  size  gives  steadiness  and  safety  when  in  the  air,  which  is  a  great  point  to  those  using  it ;  it 
is  also  frequently  desirable  to  take  up  more  than  two  persons,  which  the  smaller  one  will  only  do  (take  up  two 
persons),  when  quite  full  of  gas,  a  condition  happening  even  in  its  most  perfect  state  only  periodically,  /.  e.  after  it  has 
just  left  the  gasometer. 


AMERICAX  WAR-BALLOOH. 


Balloons. 


The  balloons  were  made  of  the  best  and  finest  description  of  silk,  double  sewn,  and  prepared  with  the  greatest 
care ;  the  summit  of  the  balloon  containing  the  gas-valve  being  made  of  either  three  or  four  folds  of 
cloth,  to  ensure  sufficient  strength  in  that  part  subject  to  the  greatest  strain.  The  varnish,  on  which  the 
success  of  the  apparatus  much  depends,  was  a  secret  of  Mr.  Low's,  the  chief  aeronaut ;  his  balloons  kept  in  their  gas 
for  a  fortnight  or  more,  and  their  doing  so  he  laid  to  the  fact  of  the  varnish  being  particularly  good ;  there  was 
always  a  small  amount  of  leakage,  still  at  the  end  of  a  fortnight  sufficient  gas  remained  in  the  balloon  to  enable  him 
to  make  an  ascent  without  its  being  replenished.  In  balloons  for  military  purposes  this  is  an  important  point,  as 
they  must  be  kept  ready  to  ascend  at  any  moment.  I  have  little  doubt,  however,  that  many  well-prepared  varnishes 
could  be  found  to  answer  the  purpose  as  well ;  the  network  covering  the  bag  was  gathered  in,  in  the  usual  manner, 
and  ended  in  a  series  of  cords  attached  to  a  ring,  hanging  about  level  with  the  tail  of  the  balloon,  and  from  this  hung 
the  wickerwork  car,  the  ring  being  about  level  with  a  person's  chest  when  standing  upright  in  the  car. 
The  string  for  working  the  valve  passed  through  the  centre  of  the  balloon,  and  coming  out  at  the  tail  was 
loosely  tied  to  the  ring,  to  which  were  fastened  the  guys,  three  in  number ;  thus  the  car,  though  swayed  about  by 
the  motion  of  the  balloon,  hung  always  nearly  vertically  beneath  it. 

The  gas  generators,  two  in  number,  were  nothing  more  than  largo  tanks  of  wood,  acid  proof  inside,  and  of 
sufficient  strength  to  resist  the  expansive  action  of  the  gas ;  they  were  provided  with  suitable  stopcocks  for 
regulating  tho  admission  of  the  gas,  and  with  manhole  covers  for  introducing  the  necessaiy  materials. 
The  gas  used  was  hydrogen,  and  indeed  for  practical  purposes,  all  things  considered,  there  is  none  other  that  is 
nearly  so  suitable ;  its  low  specific  gravity  makes  it  a  sine  qua  non  for  a  military  aeronaut,  as,  independently  of  the 
ease  with  which  it  is  produced,  when  a  balloon  is  attached  to  the  earth,  it  is  of  the  first  importance  that  it  fchould 


Generators. 


\.  i..  i  MTI,I:I.I.AN>  r.\i.  .....  \  STAFF. 


.1-  little  IVM-I.,],.  .  to  the  air  as  possible,  M  its  stability  dej>.-nds  \i|H>n  this  point.  Tin-  hydrogen  wan  general.  ••! 
liy  using  dilute  sulphuric  acid  and  iron;  an\  old  inm,  such  as  bit«  of  the  tires  of  wheels.  ..1.1  shot  broken  up,  AT.. 
was  used;  ao  that  it  was  necessary  to  provitlc  only  tin-  -ul|.huric  acid.  which  in  largo  quantities  is  cheap,  and  with 
pt"p.  i  precaution-  \.  i\  otsy  to  carry. 

The  gas  generated  pasw.1  through  a  leathern  tube  into  a  linu>  purifier.  ami  thence  in  a  similar  manner 
into  a  second,  the  action  of  tin-  lime  simply  absorbing  the  carbonic  acid  and  other  i-xtraneows  gasi- 
sending  the  hydrogen  quit.-,  or  vi-ry  nearly.  ]>un-  into  tin-  balloon.     On  leaving  the  generator  it*  teni]icra- 
tuiv  was  high.  even  the  leathern  pipe  being  so  hot  that  tin-  liand  could  hardly  bear  to  touch  it.  but  after  passing  the 
1   purifier  it  was  delivered,  barely  warm,  into  the  balloon.     The  whole  of  the  apparatus  was  so  simple  tlint 
nothing  more  remains  to  be  said  about  it. 

In  using  it,  (lie  halliini  is  unpacked  and  laid  in  well  onlereil  folds  on  a  carjH-t  spread  on  the  gronnd  to  n  • 

it  :   the   t.iil   is  then   placed  ready   for  connexion   with   the  last   purifier.  proj>crly  charged  with  lime  ami 

water,  and  the  connexion  liy  leather  pi)ies  l*-tw.  .-n  the  purifier  and  the  generator  having  lieen  establish!  d. 

the  latter  i--  charged;  care  most  be  taken  not  to  complete  the  communication  between  the  hist  purifier  and  the 

t.iil  of  the  balloon  until  a  clear  Ktream  of  hydrogen  in  obtained,  so  as  to  avoid  getting  foul  air  into  the  machine. 

I'nder  ordinary  circumstances,  in   three  hours  from  the  time  of  the  machine  being  halted,  it  can  U- 

prepared  for  an  ascent  :  but  this,  should  circumstances  require  it,  might  bo  shortened  by  employing  two 

generators,  and  making  a  suitable  alteration  in  the  purifying  arrangement.     Such  alteration,  however,  would  rarely 

be  necessary,  ss  the  l»ill.«.n.  when  inflated,  can.  unless  in  very  windy  weather,  !»•  very  readily  carried  ;  twenty  live 

or  thirty  men  lay  hold  of  cords  attached  to  the  ring,  and  march  along,  allowing  the  machine  to  rise  only  sufficiently 

to  de.ir  any  obstacle  that   there  maybe  in  the  way.     I  have  frequently  seen  it  carried  thus  without  the  least 

difficulty. 

The  balloon-staff  wit  li  M  <  'h-llan  consisted  of  one  chief  aeronaut,  whoso  exact  rank  I  could  never  quite  make  out, 

Balloon-        nllt  it  was  no*  lower  than  a  captain,  nor  higher  than  a  brigadier;  he  was  a  civilian,  and  by  profession 

an  aeronaut;  he  was  very  highly  paid,  the  same  as  a  brigadier;  and  as  the  military  rank,  I  believe  in. 

America,  is  in  some  way  attached  to,  and  determined  by,  the  pay  received,  I  fancy  Professor  Low  must  have  been  a 

brigadier  ;  at  any  rate  he  was  a  very  clever  man,  and  indefatigable  in  carrying  out  his  work.     By  night  or  day, 

whenever  the  weather  gave  a  chance  of  seeing  anything,  ho  was  up,  engaged  on  his  observations  ;  under  him  was  a 

captain  of  infantry,  who  had  been  instructed  previously  at  \Vest   Point  (the  American  VNoolwich)  in  the  art  of 

Ixillooning.     The  captain  commanded  the  men,  some  fifty  in  number,  attached  to  the  machine,  and  superintended 

generally  every  arrangement  in  connexion  with  its  inflation  and  use;  ho  was  also  responsible  for  its  transport,  and 

that  a  due  supply  of  materials  was  kept  ready.     The  captain  never  went  up  himself;  indeed  he  informed  me  that 

he  liked  the  work  below  best,  and  confined  himself  entirely  to   it.     Under  the  captain  were  a  proportion  of 

non-commissioned  officers,  who  knew  more  or  less  of  the  management  of  it,  and  the  men,  who,  besides  having  a  sort 

of  reverential  awe  of  the  machine,  knew  nothing  whatever  about  it.     Either  one  or  two  sentries  were  always  on 

guard  detailed  from  the  captain's  party,  who  had  the  strictest  orders  to  allow  no  unauthorised  person  to  approach. 

Each  regenerator  required  four  horses  to  draw  it,  and  each  balloon,  with  the  tools,  Ac.,  four  horses.     The 

sulphuric  acid  it  is  essential  to  keep  in  a  carriage  to  itself,  but  two  horses  will  draw  a  sufficient  quantity 

of  concentrated  acid  to  last  for  a  long  time.     The  undermentioned  is  a  resume  of  the  balloon-corps  and 

apparatus  with  General  M'Clellan's  army  :  — 

BAI-LOON-COBPS. 

1  Chief  aeronaut,  1 

1  Captain,  assistant  do.,  >  Requiring  2  instructed  men. 
50  NoD-Commissioned  Officers  and  Privates,  J 

APPARATUS. 

2  f  u-ntratora,  drawn  by  4  horses  each. 

2  Balloons  „          4  horses  each  (including  tools,  spare  ropes,  &c.). 

1  Acid-cart          „          2  hones. 

Whether  the  acid-cart  was  considered  as  part  of  the  equipment  of  the  balloon,  or  whether  it  was  put  into  the 
first  waggon  that  came  to  hand,  I  cannot  with  certainty  say  ;  but,  of  course,  in  a  well-organ  ised  apjmrutus  one 

2   y    "J 


294  ASTRA  CASTEA. 

would  bo  necessary.  When  the  machine  is  inflated  it  is  kept  to  the  ground  by  a  series  of  sand-bags,  which  are 
hooked  on  to  the  network,  so  that  they  can  be  disengaged  at  a  moment's  notice ;  thus  confined,  with  the  sentry  to 
guard  it,  the  machine  remains  unhurt  in  any  weather  short  of  a  very  violent  wind-storm,  in  which  case  it  should  be 
hauled  down  altogether. 

When  it  is  required  for  an  ascent,  the  captain  and  some  thirty  of  his  men  get  round  the  balloon,  and  carry  it 
Application  to  *^e  aPP°inted  place.  The  weight  to  be  lifted  having  been  put  into  the  car,  the  ballast  is  so  adapted 
of  Appa-  that,  including  a  couple  of  bags  of  sand,  which  it  is  not  safe  to  go  up  without,  there  should  be  a  buoyancy 

of,  say,  twenty  or  thirty  pounds ;  the  three  guy-ropes  having  been  attached,  the  men  leave  go  of  the 
car  together  and  seize  the  ropes,  one  of  which  is  led  through  a  snatch-block  attached  to  a  tree,  or  some  securely 
fixed  object ;  the  ropes  are  then  paid  out,  and  the  machine  rises  to  the  required  height ;  the  motion  of  the  guy-ropes 
is  regulated  by  the  aeronaut  through  the  captain  on  the  ground.  Of  course  on  the  proper  manipulation  of  the 
ropes,  the  convenience  and  safety  of  the  aeronaut  depends.  I  have  been  somewhat  lengthy  in  the  details  of 
the  working,  but  I  have  done  so  for  the  reason  I  have  stated  at  starting,  viz.,  that  of  the  actual  practice  of  balloon 
reconnoitring,  little  is,  I  believe,  known.  I  will  now  say  a  few  words  on  the  application  of  the  apparatus,  and  the 
results  obtained  from  it. 

At  the  time  I  joined  M'Clellan's  army  it  was  encamped  on  the  Pamunkey  River,  one  march  below  the  now 
Remaikson  celel>rate(l  White  House ;  it  was  pushing  its  way  slowly  up  the  Peninsula,  driving  the  Confederates 
icsults  before  it.  The  character  of  this  part  of  Virginia  is  much  the  same  as  that  of  most  parts  of  the  agricultural 

districts  of  our  own  country,  except  that  it  is  somewhat  more  undulating,  and  not  nearly  so  hio-hly 
cultivated,  including  woodland ;  perhaps  not  half  the  land  is  under  cultivation ;  thus  the  character  generally  of  the 
country  is  such  as  to  render  all  reconnaissances,  though  the  more  desirable,  very  difficult  to  make.  My  first 
acquaintance  with  the  balloon  was  made  during  the  advance  of  the  army  ;  I  had  ridden  forward  from  the  main 
body,  and  joined  General  Stoneman's  command,  then  occupying,  for  the  first  time,  the  west  bank  of  the 
<  'hickahominy  River.  I  found  the  balloon  snugly  ensconced  in  a  hollow,  protected  from  view  by  the  hill  in  front, 
from  the  top  of  which  a  convenient  position  for  an  ascent  was  gained ;  the  Professor's  tent  and  those  of  the  rest  of 
the  balloon-corps  were  scattered  round,  forming  a  small  distinct  encampment.  I  received  from  them  great 
civility,  and  was  afforded  every  opportunity  for  obtaining  the  information  I  desired.  It  may  be  thought  somewhat 
odd  that  such  a  thing  as  a  balloon  should  accompany  the  advance  of  an  army,  but  there  appeared  to  be  no  difficulty 
in  its  doing  so,  and,  of  course,  it  was  more  likely  to  bo  of  use  there  than  further  to  the  rear.  It  was  employed  in 
making  continual  ascents,  and  a  daily  report  was  sent  by  the  principal  aeronaut  to  M'Clellan,  detailing  the  result 
of  his  observations ;  of  course  in  the  event  of  anything  very  unusual  being  noticed  a  special  report  was  made.  The 
observer,  by  continual  ascents,  and  by  noting  very  exactly  each  time  the  position  and  features  of  the  country  below 
him,  soon  knows  it,  as  it  were,  by  heart,  and  a  glance  is  sufficient  to  assure  him  that  no  change  has  taken  place  in 
the  occupation  of  the  country. 

The  balloon  never  got  more  than  about  a  mile  nearer  to  Richmond  than  when  I  first  saw  it ;  it  may  therefore 

be  interesting  to  describe  generally  the  position  of  the  army,  and  to  state  what  the  balloon  did,  and  what 
l>hical  it  did  not  do.  At  that  point  the  Chickahominy  runs  within  about  seven  miles  of  Richmond  ;  its  nearest 

point  is  four  miles  and  a  quarter,  at  the  village  of  Mechanicsville.  It  is  in  dry  weather  a  sluggish 
stream,  fordable  at  almost  any  place ;  but  in  wet  weather  it  requires  bridging,  and  sometimes,  overflowing  its 
banks,  converts  the  valley  in  which  it  runs  into  a  swamp  a  mile  wide.  High  wooded  ground  borders  the  valley  on 
either  side,  one  of  which  was  occupied  by  the  Confederate  army,  with  Richmond  in  its  rear,  it  having  retreated 
across  the  Chickahominy  in  front  of  M'Clellan's  advance-guard;  and  the  other  bank  by  the  main  body  of  the 
Federals,  who,  with  an  army  of  one  hundred  thousand  men,  were  extended  over  a  front  some  twelve  miles  in 
extent,  about  the  centre  of  which  the  balloon  was  stationed.  So  near  to  Richmond,  the  wished-for  goal,  it  may  be 
well  believed  that  the  results  of  the  balloon  ascents  were  looked  for  anxiously.  From  them  were  obtained  the  first 
glimpses  of  the  Confederate  capital,  the  capture  of  which,  it  was  hoped,  would  virtually  put  an  end  to  the  war. 
Independently  though  of  curiosity,  most  anxious  inquiries  were  made  from  the  observers  in  the  balloon,  as  to  the 
difficulties  that  lay  on  the  road  to  Richmond.  Were  there  any  fortifications  round  the  place?  Where  were  the 
camps,  and  for  how  many  men  ?  Were  there  any  troops  in  movement  near  the  present  position  ?  and  many  other 
questions  of  equal  importance.  Now  these  questions  were  difficult  to  answer  ;  and  even  from  the  balloon  many  of 
them  could  only  be  replied  to  with  more  or  less  uncertainty.  From  the  balloon  to  the  (,'hickuhominy,  as  the  crow 


A.  i..  i  ><;•_».  Tin;  r.ATn.i:  or  IIANOVKI;  ronn-HOUSE.  29.r> 

was  aK.ut  t«,,  mil.  ,  .  tli,  nee  on  to  Richmond.  eight  more.  At  the  altitude  of  one  thousand  fevt  in  tint 
w.  -.iilier  an  el).  ,ge  of  vision  of  ten  mill*  could  be  got;  tints  the  ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  Kirhniond 

•  •oiil.l  1.  .-..  n  :  tli.it  i-  to  Hay,  housed,  and  the  general  occupation  of  the  land  lierame  known.  Richmond  itself  wan 
ili-tim  -fly  seen.  iiinl  tin-  three  camps  of  the  Confederates  could  bo  distinguished  surrounding  the  place. 

l.i-.king  cl..s.-r  tin-  wooded  nature  of  tin-  muntry  prevented  the  possibility  of  Haying  whether  it  were  occupied 

,.,  liy  tr,».|vs  ,,r  not,  Imt  it  could  bo  confidently  asserted  that  no  large  body  was  in  motion.  In  the  same  way, 
on  Beeing  the  oini]>*  round  tin-  place  one  could  form  a  very  rough  estimate  of  the  numlx-r  of  men  they 

for,  but  it  was  im]>oHsible  to  say  win  tli.  T  th.-iv  were  men  in  tlu-in  or  not  Karthworks,  even  at  a  distance  of 
right  milrs.  i-oiild  Iv  seen.  lnit  their  diameter  uo  far  off  could  not  ]«•  distinctly  .-ttited,  though  one  could  with 
certainty  Hay  win  tli,  T  they  were  of  tin-  nature  of  (i,-l,l  ,,r  permanent  works.  The  pickets  of  the  enemy  could  1» 
made  out  unite  distinctly,  with  supports  in  rear,  thrown  forward  to  the  banks  of  the  stream.  The  country,  from  its 
thickly  wooded  character,  WHH  pe.  •uliarly  unfitted  for  Kil  loon  -reconnaissances;  had  it  been  a  pbiin  like  LoniKmly. 
the  |  noil  ion  of  any  consider.,  1,1,-  K«ly  ,.f  troops  would  have  been  known  :  as  it  was,  it  was  only  possible  to  say  that 
they  were  not  in  in.  .tion  :  thin  could  be  confidently  asserted,  as,  though  they  might  remain  hid  in  the  woods  while 
v.  in  numbing  they  must,  at  some  time  or  other,  come  into  open  ground  and  be  seen. 

During  the  battle  of  Hanover  (  'ourt-hous.-.  which  was  the  first  engagement  of  importance  before  Richmond,  1 
rr  happened  to  be  din-  to  tin-  Kill.  .in  when  the  heavy  firing  begun.  The  wind  was  rather  high,  but  I  «.i- 


Court-         anxious  to  sev,  if  jiossible,  what  was  going  on,  and  I  went  up  with  the  father  of  the  aeronaut    The  balloon 
was,  however,  tdiort  of  gas,  and,  as  the  wind  was  high,  we  were  obliged  to  come  down.    I  then  went  up  by 


the  diniiiii.-hed  weight  giving  increased  steadiness,  but  it  was  not  considered  safe  to  go  higher  than  five 
hundred  feet  on  account  of  the  unsettled  state  of  the  weather.  The  Killoui  was  very  unsteady,  so  much  so  tliat  it 
\\  .1-  ditVicult  to  fix  my  sight  on  any  particular  object;  at  that  altitude  I  could  see  nothing  of  the  fight.  It  turn«d  out 
afterwards  that  the  distance  was,  I  think,  over  twelve  miles,  which  from  one  thousand  feet,  and  on  a  clear  day 
would  in  a  country  of  that  nature  have  rendered  the  action  invisible;  liad  the  weather,  however,  been  such  as  to 
have  allowed  the  balloon  to  remain  at  its  usual  altitude  the  position  of  the  engagement,  from  the  smoke  created. 
could  have  been  shown  :  and  it  could  have  been  said  that  no  retreat  had  reached  within  a  certain  distance  of  tho 
point  of  observation.  It  is  quite  possible,  too,  that  with  an  altitude  of  two  thousand  feet  the  action  might  have 
been  indistinctly  seen.  e\.  n  at  the  distance  of  twelve  miles. 

At  York  Town,  where  the  Federals  were  attacking  the  line  of  works  thrown  across  the  Peninsula,  bct«'  •  i 
the  York  and  James  Rivers,  the  balloon  was  used  continually.     I  was  not  there  during  the  siege,  but 
1  did  not  hear  that  it  was  there  attended  with  any  particular  benefit;  as,  though  the  works  could   IN- 
overlooked,  irrespective  of  the  indefinite  feeling  of  satisfaction  in  being  able  to  do  this,  no  direct  good  actually 
accrued.     This  might  have  been  imagined,  as  the  prolongations  of  the  various  faces  of  the  fortifications  were  known 
from  the  ground,  and  any  movement  in  front  of  the  works  could,  of  course,  be  similarly  made  out     In  the  cat-. 
siege,  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  a  balloon-reconnaissance  would  be  of  less  value  than  in  almost  any  other  case 
whore  a  reconnaissance  can  be  required  ;  but  even  here,  if  useless,  it  is  at  any  rate  also  harmless.     I  once  saw  the 
fire  of  artillery  directed  from  the  balloon;  this  became  necessary,  as  it  was  only  in  this  way  that  the  picket,  which 

it   w.  is  ileMi.,1   i,,  ,lj.|.  ,.]-...  .,.••].  ||,.    „.  ,  n        ||,  .n,  v.  !.   I    HBBOl    -.ivth,;    I    t]i-.':_;!i;    th.     til.     ••!'..  it  il  !.  i  \    u  .1  -  <  .t'  !n'i.  ii 

effect  against  the  unseen  object;  not  that  this  was  the  fault  of  the  balloon,  for,  had  it  not  told  the  artillerists  whieh 
way  the  shots  were  falling,  their  fire  would  have  been  more  useless  still. 

During  the  first  two  days  of  the  heavy  fighting  by  the  left  of  the  army  before  Richmond,  which  ended  in 
Telegraphic  its  retreat  from  the  Peninsula,  a  telegraph  was  taken  up  in  the  car,  and  the  wire  being  placed  in  connexion 
wifl'  tno  l'ne  '"  N'a.-hington,  telegraphic  communications  were  literally  sent  direct  from  the  balloon 
above  the  field  of  Kittle,  to  the  government  In  place  of  this  the  wires  should  have  gone  to  the 
Commandcr-in-<  hiefs  tent.  or.  indeed,  anywhere  K-ttrr  than  to  Washington,  where  the  sole  report  of  the  state  of 
affairs  should  have  K  en  r,e,  iv,  d  fi,,m  no  one  but  the  officer  in  command  of  the  army.  If  balloons  or  telegraphs  are 
to  be  tinned  into  means  for  dividing  authority,  every  true  soldier  will  look  iijx.ii  them  as  evils  hardly  unmitigated  : 
iiiit  this  with  us  need  not  be  the  case,  for,  as  military  machines,  they  would  be  solely  under  the  control  of  the 
(  '..niinander-in-l  hief. 

General   Barnard,   the   Commanding   Engineer  with    M-Clellaii.  of  whom   1   particularly  asked   the  i|iiesti..i,. 
that   he  considered  a  balloon-apparatus  as  decidedly  a  desirable  thing  to  have  with  an  army;  but  at  the  wnue 


296  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  18G2. 

time  it  was  one  of  the  first  incumbrances  that,  if  obliged  to  part  with  anything,  he  should  leave  behind.  I  myself 
Opinion  on  think  that  it  is  a  thing  which,  if  properly  organised  and  worked,  may  be  occasionally  of  considerable 
advantage,  and  occasions  might  occur  when  the  absence  of  such  information  as  the  balloon  gives  an 
opportunity  of  obtaining,  would  be  very  bitterly  felt.  The  observer  from  the  balloon  might,  and  most  probably 
would,  often  enough,  have  nothing  to  report  that  the  General  did  not  know ;  but  the  time,  on  the  other  hand,  might 
come  when  his  report  would  contain  facts,  or  satisfactorily  confirm  other  information  received,  of  snch  a  nature  that 
it  would  be  invaluable.  Nothing  ought  either  to  be  accepted  or  condemned  by  its  utility  alone,  but  rather  by  its 
utility  as  compared  with  the  cost  of  obtaining  it.  Now,  of  the  utility  under  certain  circumstances  of  overlooking  a 
tract  of  country  from  a  height  of  one  thousand  or  two  thousand  feet,  if  necessary,  there  can  be  little  doubt ;  at  the 
same  time  the  cost  of  being  able  to  do  so  is  so  trifling  that  it  would  appear  unwise  to  neglect  the  necessary  steps  to 
secure  the  advantage. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  mention  that  the  Mr.  Low  referred  to  previously,  is  a  man  celebrated  in  America 
as  a  very  daring  aeronaut.  He  has  performed  the  quickest  journey  on  record,  going  by  balloon  from  New 
York  (I  think  it  was)  to  near  New  Orleans,  at  an  average  rate  of  something  like  fifty  or  sixty  miles 
an  hour. 

Ho  is  now  building,  and  he  told  me  he  had  very  nearly  completed,  at  Philadelphia,  an  aerial  ship,  with  which 

he  intends  to  attempt  the  passage  of  the  Atlantic.     From  the  earnest  way  in  which  he  spoke,  I  felt  con- 
Aerial  sh'p.      . 

vinccd  that  he  intended  to  try  to  carry  out  his  scheme.     His  appointment  to  the  army,  and  the  distracted 

state  of  the  country,  obliged  him  to  put  it  off  for  a  while.  If  the  Atlantic  is  ever  crossed  in  a  balloon,  it  will  be  the 
greatest  feat  by  far  in  the  shape  of  ballooning  ever  done,  and  may  open  a  new  era  in  the  art.  The  theory  that  he 
goes  upon  appears  to  be  correct,  but  he  is  a  bold  man  who  risks  his  life  on  an  unsubstantiated  idea.  Mr.  Low's  ship 
is  capable  of  taking  up  some  ten  or  twelve  persons,  with  provisions  for  a  considerable  time.  It  will  be  provided  with 
all  necessary  apparatus,  including  a  lifeboat,  in  case  of  his  being  obliged  to  change  his  element  of  support.  The 
main  part  of  his  invention  consists  in  a  mechanical  means  of  altering  his  elevation  at  pleasure,  without  an 
expenditure  of  ballast  or  gas ;  thus  allowing  him  to  remain  an  unlimited  time  in  the  air.  If  he  is  able  to  do  this, 
and  the  apparatus  holds  together,  I  do  not  see  how  he  can  help  making  a  wonderful  voyage  somewhere,  whether 
across  the  Atlantic,  or  not,  is  another  thing ;  nor  do  I  think  the  venture  would  be  so  hazardous  as  I  daresay  most 
persons  would  consider  it  to  be. 

Mr.  Low's  theory  respecting  the  direction  he  is  likely  to  take  appears  correct;  he,  in  common,  I  believe, 
Theory  of  with  other  aeronauts,  has  noticed  that  at  various  altitudes  there  are  currents  of  air  running  in  various 
currents.  directions.  This  is  only  probable,  as  a  current  in  a  fluid  in  one  direction  induces  a  compensating  one  in 
another.  He  proposes,  therefore,  to  rise  through  successive  currents  of  the  atmosphere,  as  it  were,  until  he  finds 
one  setting  the  way  in  which  he  wishes  to  go.  These  theories  are  somewhat  visionary,  and  decidedly  apart  from 
the  present  question. 

I  shall  conclude  with  a  few  remarks  on  the  apparatus  I  would  recommend  for  experimental  purposes. 
Though  for  actual  use  I  think  the  larger  sized  balloon  the  best,  a  capacity  of  thirteen  thousand 
proposed  S  cubic  feet  would  give  sufficient  buoyancy  for  experiment.  I  would  alter,  however,  the  shape  of  the 
envelope,  as  the  one  commonly  used  is  the  worst  that  could  be  devised  for  the  purpose.  In  the  case  of  a 
free  ascent,  shape  matters  little,  as  the  machine  must  go  with  the  wind ;  but  when  the  balloon  is  anchored,  it  is  of 
paramount  importance  to  present  the  least  possible  surface  to  the  action  of  the  air.  I  would  therefore  give  to  the 
balloon  a  cylindrical  form,  and  to  the  car  a  boat  shape ;  and  I  believe  that  with  the  decreased  resistance  offered, 
such  stability  might  be  obtained  as  to  allow  of  ascents  being  made  in  weather  that,  with  the  old  shape,  would 
preclude  their  being  thought  of.  I  would  also  have  the  whole  of  the  network  and  the  guys  of  silk,  for  the  sake  of 
lightness.  Comparatively  speaking,  the  first  cost  would  be  unimportant,  and  with  care  they  would  last  a  long 
time ;  while,  if  it  were  thought  desirable,  common  cord  might  be  used  for  ordinary  ascents,  and  the  silk  ones  brought 
out  only  in  case  of  great  altitude  being  required.  A  very  thin  wire  would  enable  telegraphic  communications  to  be 
kept  up,  if  necessary,  with  the  ground,  and  an  alphabetical  instrument  would  place  the  means  of  doing  so  within 
anybody's  reach.  The  cost  of  an  apparatus,  perfect  in  every  respect,  would  be  about  five  hundred  pounds,  and  one 
for  experimental  purposes  might  be  got  up  for  much  less.  The  officer  in  charge  of  it  would  require  to  have 
practical  experience ;  but  his  assistants  might  be  men  taken  from  the  ranks,  and  a  few  hours  would  make  them 
sufficiently  acquainted  with  their  duties. 


-".  1  i:\lT.KIMr.NT  OF  ORDNANCE  SELECT  COMJIITTEE.  297 


management  of  a  balloon  would  seem  to  be  a  simple  operation,  and  in  perfectly  culm  weather,  wli.-u 
everything  goes  well,  BO  it  is;  but   to  ft-el  confident   under  adverse,  circumstances,  and  to  know  exact  ly 
\\li.it  to  do,  and  how  to  do  it  when  ditVu-iiltioa  arise.,  can  be  tin-  result  only  of  experience.     It  haw  U-en 
Mipi>o.s,tl  tliiit  tin-  .-waxing  mi  -tion  of  a  Killoon  when  tied  to  the  earth  would  occasion  a  nausea  in  Home  people  akin 
to  •oarockneas  ;  I  do  not  think  thi-  would  be  the  case  (with  me  it  certainly  wa.s  not  so);  an,  if  the  motion  were  HO 
would  in  all  probability  overcome  any  other  feeling,  and  at    the  same   time   under  Mich   circiimstancos  it 
would  IN-  uroloaa  to  think  of  observing. 

I  hojK>  that  the  ca]»abilitics  of  Killooiis  for  military  reconnaissances  may  receive  a  fair  test  with  properly 
prepaii-d  should  it  }*•  suddenly  required  to  use  them,  it  is  quite  possible  that  want  of  practice  would 

turn  what  .-hoiild  have  U-cii  a  .-ucce.-s  int,,  a  t'ailuie.  and  the  faults  of  the  executive  would  l>e  borne  by  tlie  system. 
1  am  conlideiit  myself.  that  under  certain  circumstances,  balloons  would  !><•  found  useful  ;  and  no  one  could  suy  after 
all.  m.  He  against  them  than  that,  like  the  tiftli  wln-el  to  the  couch,  they  were  uscleaa. 

Simv  writing  the  above  Paper,  an  e\|«  linu-nt  has  been  carried  out  under  the  direction  of  the  Ordimiu  •••  S.  I.  <  i 
t'ommitte.  .  a  )>rief  account  of  which  is  siilijoin.il.  Should  tin-  matter  bo  proceeded  with  1  shall  lie  glad,  on  the 
oomph-lion  of  the  cx|«  rimc-nts.  to  furnish  a  coni]ilete  account  of  them. 

i  in  the  i|UcMion  being  brought  In-fore  the  Committee,  the  points  they  wished  to  establish  were,  first,  that  the 
iblc   to  overlook  a    tract    of  country  fiom   a   great    elevation   really  conveyed  the  advantages  it  was 

-.  -iit.il  to  do;  and  secondly,  that  there  was  nothing  in   the  abstract  situation  which   made  it  impracticable  to 
in  the  car  of  a  balloon. 

With  this  object  only  in  view,  an  ordinary  balloon  inflated  with  coal-gas  would  suffice;  for,  though  unfitted 
for  the  purposes  of  a  reconnaissance,  still  by  chousing  a  calm  day  it  could  bo  used.  Arrangements  were  therefore 
made  for  the  hire  of  one  of  Mr.  Coxwell's  balloons,  the  necessary  guy-ropes,  gas,  &c.,  being  provided  Im- 

minent. Aldershot  was  the  place  appointed  for  the  ascent,  as  the  gasworks  happened  to  bo  convenient  h 
situated,  and,  lieing  a  camp,  there  would  lie  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  the  concurrence  of  the  military. 

The  authorities  at  the  lloi-s.-  i  iuanls  sent  down  orders  to  Aldershot  that  on  a  suitable  day  for  the  ascent  the 
triN,|is  should  lie  marched  out  in  different  directions,  so  that  the  value  of  the  balloon  as  a  point  of  observation,  could 
lie  practically  determined. 

The  first  time  appointed  proved  a  failure,  owing  to  the  boisterous  state  of  the  weather,  and  the  experiment 
u.i>  put  otl  till  the  i:(th  of  July.  A  field  day,  however,  for  the  Prince  of  Wales  being  fixed  for  the  day  after,  the 
ascent  took  place  on  Tuesday  the  14th.  This  so  far  modified  the  experiment,  that  no  observations  could  bo  made 
on  tn«i]>s  at  the  extreme  distance  at  which  it  was  anticipated  they  would  bo  visible  from  the  balloon. 

The  inflation  was  completed  Ijefore  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  as  the  ropes  and  men  being  new  to  their 
tasks,  it  was  considered  advisable  that  a  few  preliminary  ascents  should  be  made.  Mr.  Coxwell  had  been  no  higher 
than  about  six  hundred  feet  in  a  partial  ascent;  so  that,  except  myself,  no  one  had  before  been  to  the  height  of  one 
thnUKind  feet,  which  it  was  now  proposed  to  attain;  and,  in  a  matter  where  any  accident  would  in  all  probabilitv 
carry  with  it  serious  consequences,  it  was  proper  to  take  every  precaution.  After  inflation  the  balloon  was  carried 
to  Thorn  Hill,  some  three  hundred  yards  from  the  gasworks,  where  the  ascents  were  made.  Three  guy-ropes  were 
used,  one  of  which,  stronger  than  the  other  two,  was  {Kissed  through  a  snatchblock  fixed  to  the  ground.  The  rojics 

niaiim  d  by  a  ]ui  ty  of  engineers  entirely  new  to  the  work.  No  difficulty  was  experienced  in  either  raising  or 
lowering  the  lialloon,  the  latter  operation  being  done  in  about  fifteen  minutes  from  the  height  of  one  thousand  feet. 
II"  -  vation  reached  was  one  thousand  two  hundred  feet,  and  varied  from  that  to  one  thousand  feet,  the 

Uilloon  remaining  for  upwards  of  an  hour  and  a  half  hovering  over  the  camp.     It  was  raised  and  lowered  at 

are,  to  enable  the  observers  to  be  changed,  and  made  some  eight  or  ten  ascents  before  it  finally  left  the  ground 
for  its  free  flight. 

As  to  the  practical  results  obtained,  the  whole  apparatus  being  unsuited  for  a  war-balloon,  the  experiment 
afforded  no  criterion  of  the  difliculty,  or  otherwise,  of  inflation  on  active  service,  where  the  gasometer  would  have 
to  )»•  i-arried,  or,  indeed,  of  the  amount  of  stability  a  captive  balloon  might  be  capable  of  attaining.  It  was  shown. 
however,  that  the  ti-an-].,.,t  of  a  balloon  wh.-n  filled  was  simple,  and  that  it  could  be  easily  raised  and  !.,« 
A  tract  of  country  alt..p-th.-r  unseen  from  the  ground  In-low  was  brotight  under  observation,  and  the  mov.iii.nt--  ..| 
troops  on  tin-  top  ,,t  '(  Vsar's  c;im,,.  oth.  rwi~.  ,,ut  of  sight,  \\vre  clearly  discernible.  From  the  top  of  Thorn  Hill. 


298  ASTBA  CASTHA.  A.n.  1864. 

the  range  of  hills  known  as  the  Hog  Edge,  of  which  Csesar's  Camp  is  a  part  or  adjunct,  bounded  the  horizon  on  that 
side  at  a  distance  of  somewhat  less  than  two  miles.  From  the  elevation  of  one  thousand  feet,  such  a  boundary  no 
longer  existed,  the  slopes  of  the  opposite  sides  of  the  hills  even  being  visible ;  in  fact,  an  effective  horizon  of  twenty 
miles'  diameter  was  obtained — that  is,  no  large  movements  of  troops  could  take  place  within  a  radius  of  ten  miles 
without  being  seen. 

The  day  of  the  ascent  was  very  still,  exceptionably  so ;  and  how  far  it  may  be  possible  to  overcome  the 
difficulties  which  arise  when  the  air  is  in  motion,  can  only  be  determined  by  experiment. 

My  own  idea,  however,  is,  that  with  a  properly  constructed  apparatus,  balloon-reconnaissances  may  be  made 
in  a  wind  moving  at  any  rate  up  to  twenty  miles  per  hour.  The  higher  the  wind,  the  less  would,  of  course,  be  the 
altitude  attained.  However,  a  height  of  even  two  hundred  feet  is  more  than  that  of  the  spires  of  most  churches — 
points  of  observation  eagerly  sought  for  when  on  the  march  in  an  enemy's  country. 

It  would  appear,  therefore,  that,  under  certain  circumstances,  the  balloon  affords  means  to  an  army  of  carrying 
with  it  a  lofty  point  of  observation ;  and,  so  far  as  the  experiment  went,  it  bears  out  the  opinion  I  expressed  on  the 
matter  in  the  paper  to  which  this  is  an  addendum. 

With  reference  to  the  general  subject  of  ballooning,  I  believe  that  some  useful  results  might  be  obtained  by 
photography  applied  from  a  balloon.  A  series  of  panoramic  views  might  be  taken  by  moving  the  machine  along, 
which  would  be  sufficiently  intelligible  to  enable  a  draughtsman  to  make  a  sketch  from,  and  which  would  have 
been  taken  far  more  rapidly  than  any  survey  on  the  ground  could  have  been  executed.  This,  however,  is  somewhat 
M  matter  of  speculation ;  but  I  hope,  should  an  experimental  reconnoitring  apparatus  be  got  up,  to  be  able  to  make 
some  experiments  in  the  matter. 

The  '  St.  James's  Magazine '  has  an  amusing  article  "  On  Three  Months  with  the 
Balloons  in  America,"  giving  an  account  of  how  General  Fitz-John  Porter,  when  appointed 
to  command  the  siege  of  York  Town,  was  carried  alone,  and  in  a  helpless  plight  (owing  to 
an  accident),  above  his  army;  the  balloon,  luckily,  descended  within  his  own  lines. 

A  very  able  article  "  On  the  Defence  of  England  against  Invasion,"  by  Lieutenant 
Steinmetz,  of  the  Queen's  Own  Light  Infantry,  in  '  Colburn's  Magazine'  for  December,  1864, 
states: — "  Nor  should  the  service  of  aerostatics  be  beneath  our  attention.  In  spite  of  the 
opinions  recently  expressed  as  to  the  inutility  of  the  contrivance,  we  contend  that  balloons 
can  be  made  serviceable  for  reconnoitring  purposes  by  a  skilful  eye  and  ready  pencil,  as 
demonstrated  by  Baron  Keveroni  de  Saint  Cyr,  in  his  curious  work  before  mentioned.  A  few 
hundred  yards  of  elevation  will  be  sufficient  for  all  occasions,  and  the  appliances  of  art  can 
render  the  ascent  safe  and  secure  at  pleasure." 

Were  half  the  power  that  fills  the  world  with  terror, 

Were  half  the  wealth  bestow'd  on  camps  and  courts, 
Given  to  redeem  the  human  mind  from  error 

There  were  no  need  of  arsenals  and  forts. 
The  warrior's  name  would  be  a  name  abhorr'd, 

And  every  nation  that  should  lift  again 
Its  hand  against  a  brother,  on  its  forehead 

Should  wear  for  evermore  the  curse  of  Cain. 

LONGFELLOW. 

If  Europe  should  ever  be  ruined,  it  will  be  by  its  warriors. 

MONTESQUIEU. 

FROM  WHENCE  COME  WARS  AND  FIGHTINGS  AMONG  YOU? 

JAMES  iv.  1. 

THEY  HAVE  BLOWN  THE  TBUMPET,  BUT  NONE  GOETH  TO  THE  BATTLE.* 

EZEK.  vii.  14. 


See  '  The  l)ny  after  Armageddon, '  a  poem  of  Horatius  Bonur,  U.D. 


ClI  Al'TKI!    IX- 


METHODS  OF  DIBECTIXG  AEROSTATS:  WHAT  HAS  IlKKN   IIITIIKIITO  DONE.  WITH  SUGGEST!' 

FOB,  Ft  ii  KI:  i.xn.ia.Mii.vrs. 


"  If  we  reason  by  induction,  we  arrive  at  one  conclusion ;  if  we  reason  by  deduction,  we  arrive  at  another.  Tliis  diflVrrnce  in 
the  results  is  always  a  proof  that  the  sul.jix-t  in  which  tin-  dilTcr. nee  exists  is  not  yet  capable  of  scientific  treatment,  and  that  some 
preliminary  difficulties  have  to  be  removed  before  it  can  pass  from  the  empirical  stage  into  the  scientific  one." — BUCKLE'S  JJitlory  uf 


DR.  LAKDNER'S  OPINION  OF  STEAM-NAVIGATION —  THE  ATLANTIC  STEAM-NAVIGATION —  THE  FUTURE  ANTICIPATED—  now  i«> 

EELS  AND  SNAKES   MOVE    III). II  WVTEB? —  A  CLASSIFICATION  OF  EXPERIMENTS —  HANSON'S   AEKIAL  CARRIAGE  —  THE 

•  \U.-IMI\- Hi:  liKVll  W'ON  AERIAL  NAVIGATION  —  ELECTRO-MAOSET1SM  AND  GUN-COTTON  —  HEDGING—  Till  n  Ix'RUM  — 
MEUSNlli:,  \N  I  V.IMI.l:  OKHCKU —  THE  ERRONEOUS  CALCULATIONS  OF  MONCK  MASON  —  "THE  RESISTANCE  OP  FLUIDS  IS 
IN  PROPORTION  TO  THEIR  DENSITY  "  (NEWTON)  —  THE  HELM  —  THE  CENTRE  OF  GRAVITY  —  THERE  ARE  INSTANCES  IN 
WHICH  WE  MUST  CEASE  TO  IMITATE  NATURE  —  A  TABULAR  SYNOPSIS  OP  THE  KI.KVKN  DIFFICULTIES  TO  BE  OVERCOME  — 

MAREY  MONGE'S  '  ETUDES' — A  COPPER  BALLOON  —  AEROMOTIVES  —  THE  OPINIONS  AND  IDEAS  OF  NADAH,  BAiiiNEr,  AND 

BARRAU 

As  an  example  of  the  manner  in  which  scientific  men  may 
sometimes  err  in  their  calculations,  I  will,  preparatory  to 
pointing  out  the  errors  of  Mr.  Monck  Mason,  who  has  hitherto 
been  the  most  generally  accepted  authority  in  England  on 
aerostation,  cite  a  proverbial  instance  in  the  case  of  Dr.  Lardner, 
the  author  of  the  well  known  Cyclopaedia.  The  following 
extract  appears  in  his  '  Treatise  on  Hydrostatics,'  edition  of 
1836,  where  he  boldly  asserts  the  impracticability  of  steam- 
navigation*  : — 

The  resistance  arising  from  the  quantity  of  fluid  displaced  by  tin- 
moving  body  may,  therefore,  be  always  greatly  diminished,  and  in  Home 
oases  rendered  almost  insignificant,  by  a  proper  adaptation  of  its  shape.  The 
accumulated  resistance  arising  from  the  increased  speed  of  motion  is,  however,  an  impediment  which  no  art  can 
remove.  The  fact  that  the  resistance  of  a  liquid  to  a  body  moving  in  it  increases  in  a  prodigiously  rapid  proportion 
in  respect  of  the  increase  of  velocity  is  one  which  seta  an  impassable  limit  to  the  expedition  of  transport  by  vessels 
moving  on  the  surface  of  water.  This  property  has  long  been  well  known,  but  it  has  received  greatly  increased 
importance  from  the  recent  improvements  in  the  application  of  steam.  If  a  certain  power  be  required  to  imjx-1  n 
vessel  at  the  rate  of  five  miles  an  hour,  it  might,  at  first  view,  bo  thought  that  double  that  power  would  cause  it  to 
move  at  the  rate  of  ten  miles  an  hour ;  but,  from  what  has  been  already  proved,  it  will  be  perceived  that  !'•  nil- 
times  the  power  is  necessary  to  produce  this  effect  In  like  manner,  to  cause  the  vessel  to  move  at  the  i 
lift.  I-TI  mill*  an  hour,  or  to  give  it  three  times  its  original  speed,  nine  times  the  original  power  is  necessary.  Thus 
it  follow*  tluit  tin-  f.\]»  iielitiire  of  the  moving  principle,  whether  it  be  the  power  of  a  steam-cngiin-  or  the  strength 
of  animals,  increases  in  a  much  larger  ratio  than  the  increase  of  useful  effect.  If  a  boat  on  a  canal  be  carried  thn-<- 
miles  an  hour  by  the  strength  »f  two  horses,  to  carry  it  tux  miles  an  hour  would  require  four  times  that  numl- 
eight  horses.  Thus  ilmM,-  tin-  work  would  be  executed  at  four  times  the  expense. 


*  In  1706  the  Earl  Stanhope  himself  |.|.-L'.  .1   the  gum  of  9000?.  for  the  success  of  some  experiments  in  steam-navigation.     Sec 
correspondence  between  him  and  the  Lords  of  the  Admiralty.  «iv.  n  iti  Lord  Stanhope's  '  Life  of  Pitt.'  vol.  ii.  p.  397. 

2    R 


300  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1838. 

These  considerations  place  in  a  conspicuous  point  of  view  the  advantages  which  transport  by  steam-engines  on 
railroads  possesses  over  the  means  of  carriage  furnished  by  inland  navigation.  The  moving  power  has  in  each  case 
to  overcome  the  inertia  of  the  load ;  but  the  resistance  on  the  road,  instead  of  increasing,  as  in  the  canal,  in  a  faster 
proportion  than  the  velocity,  does  not  increase  at  all.  The  friction  of  a  carriage  on  a  railroad  moving  sixty  miles 
an  hour  would  not  bo  greater  than  if  it  moved  but  one  mile  an  hour  ;  while  the  resistance  in  a  river  or  canal,  were 
such  a  motion  possible,  would  bo  multiplied  3600  times.  In  propelling  a  carriage  on  a  level  railroad  the  expenditure 
of  power  will  not  be  in  a  greater  ratio  than  that  of  the  increase  of  speed  or  of  useful  effect,  entailing  an 
enormously  increased  consumption  of  the  moving  principle. 

But  we  have  here  supposed  that  the  same  means  may  be  resorted  to  for  propelling  boats  on  a  canal  and 
carriages  on  a  railroad.  It  does  not,  however,  appear  hitherto  that  this  is  practicable.  Impediments  to  the  use  of 
steam  on  canals  have  hitherto,  except  in  rare  instances,  impeded  its  application  on  them ;  and  we  are  forced 
to  resort  to  animal  power  to  propel  the  boats.  We  have  here  another  immense  disadvantage  to  encounter.  The 
expenditure  of  animal  strength  takes  place  in  a  far  greater  proportion  than  the  increase  of  speed.  Thus,  if  a  horse 
of  a  certain  strength  is  barely  able  to  transport  a  given  load  ten  miles  a  day  for  a  continuance,  two  horses  of  the 
same  strength  will  be  altogether  insufficient  to  transport  the  same  load  twenty  miles  a  day.  To  accomplish  that,  a 
much  greater  number  of  similar  horses  would  be  requisite.  If  a  still  greater  speed  be  attempted,  the  number  of 
horses  necessary  to  accomplish  it  would  be  increased  in  a  prodigiously  rapid  proportion.  This  will  be  evident  if  the 
extreme  case  be  considered,  viz.,  that  there  is  a  limit  of  speed  which  the  horses  under  no  circumstances  can  exceed. 

The  astonishment  which  has  been  excited  in  the  public  mind  by  the  extraordinary  results  recently  exhibited 
in  propelling  heavy  carriages  by  steam-engines  on  railroads  will  subside  if  these  circumstances  be  duly  considered. 
The  moving  power  and  the  resistance  are  naturally  compared  with  other  moving  powers  and  resistances  to  which 
our  minds  have  been  familiar.  To  the  power  of  a  steam-engine  there  is,  in  fact,  no  practical  limit,  the  size  of  the 
machine  and  the  strength  of  the  materials  excepted.  This  is  compared  with  agents  to  whose  powers  Nature  has  not 
only  imposed  a  limit,  but  a  narrow  one.  The  strength  of  animals  is  circumscribed,  and  their  power  of  speed  more 
so.  Again,  the  resistance  arising  from  friction  on  a  road  may  be  diminished  by  art  without  any  assignable  limit, 
nor  does  it  sustain  the  least  increase  to  whatever  extent  the  speed  of  the  motion  may  be  augmented ;  on  the 
contrary,  the  motion  of  a  vessel  through  a  canal  has  to  encounter  a  resistance  by  increase  of  speed,  which  soon 
attains  an  amount  which  would  defy  even  the  force  of  steam  itself,  were  it  applicable,  to  overcome  it  with  any  useful 
effect. 

As  there  is  some  analogy  between  the  opening  of  the  Atlantic  steam-navigation  and  the 
future  we  anticipate  for  aerostation,  I  will  here  give  extracts  from  an  article  in  the  '  Quarterly 
Review'  of  October,  1838,  which  is  an  adieu  to  the  American  "Liners,"  and  a  prospective 
view  of  the  benefits  that  would  arise  from  steam-navigation  : — - 

The  effect  of  this  achievement  is  by  no  means  easily  to  be  described  or  foreseen.  Even  the  Americans,  with 
all  their  reputation  as  a  self-possessed  and  considering  people,  have  displayed  unwonted  raptures  and  antics  on 
occasion  of  the  first  arrival  of  the  "  Sirius  "  and  "  Great  \Vestern  "  at  New  York — quite  as  much  so  as  our  Bristol 
neighbours  on  their  return ;  and  we  are  not  sure  that  either  party  is  to  be  blamed  for  it.  We  are  not  sure  that  the 
former  are  far  out  of  their  "  reckoning  "  when  they  speak  of  this  as  a  new  epoch  in  the  history  of  the  world.  \\  e 
can  enter  into  the  feeling  of  the  myriads  who  crowded  the  wharfs  at  New  York  when  the  English  boats  were  hourly 
expected — when,  finally,  after  days  of  almost  breathless  watching  (which,  to  fearful  spirits,  might  well  have  afforded 
some  pretext  for  disbelieving  the  new  scheme — some  excuse  for  casting  even  ridicule  on  it  after  all),  at  length,  on 
the  morning  of  St.  George's  Day,  the  doubts,  the  fears,  the  scorn,  were  alike  destined  to  be  removed  for  ever  from 
the  mind  of  every  living  creature  (even,  we  dare  say — but  let  us  say  it  with  due  deference — from  that  of  Dr.  Lardner 
himself)  :  for  now  appears  a  long  dim  train  of  distant  smoke,  in  a  somewhat  unaccustomed  direction ; — it  rises  and 
lowers  presently,  like  a  genius  in  the  'Arabian  Nights,'  portending  something  prodigious; — by-and-by,  the  blade 
prow  of  a  huge  steamboat  dashes  round  the  point  of  some  green  island  in  that  beautiful  harbour — 

"  Against  the  wind,  against  the  tide, 
Steadying  with  upright  keel." 

It  was  worth  something  to  be  a  passenger  in  one  of  these  fortunate  boats  at  this  moment.     We  have  before  ns  the 


Ln.ll  l.\i;i'M.i;s  OPINION  OP  STEAM-NAVIGATION.  .101 

journal  kept  l.y  i.n>-  of  tin-  fiv<mn-«l  f<-w  on  board  the  "Great  Western."  From  tin-  time  of  crowing  tho  bar  of  the 
hail. .111,  all  hrr  "  ]x)lc«"  wore  set  aloft,  and  flags  gaily  streaming  at  each, — the  foreign  ensign  at  the  gaff,  ami  ut 
ill.  I'....  a  combination  -I'  tho  Hriti-.li  and  American, — and  "at  3  P.M.  (tho  narrative  continues)  we  paired  the 

svs,  o]M-ning  tin-  l'iv  ..('  Ni-w  York,  sails  all  furled,  and  the  engines  at  tin-it-  topmost  speed.  Tin-  city  n>|xMed 
in  tin'  distance— scarcely  discernible.  As  wo  proceeded,  an  exciting  scene  awaited  us;  coming  abreast  of  llradlow's 
Maud,  we  were  saluted  l>y  the  fort  with  twenty -MX  guns  (the  numlicr  of  the  States); — we  wen-  taking  a  festive 
glass  on  deck.  The  health  of  the  British  Queen  had  just  been  proposed — the  toast  drunk— and,  amid  the  eh.  .T> 
that  followed,  the  arm  was  just  raised  to  consummate  the  naming,  when  the  fort  opened  its  fire.  Tin-  effect  was 
clivtri.  -:tl : — down  came  the  colours,  and  a  burst  of  exultation  arose,  in  the  mi. 1st  of  which  the  President's  health  wax 
proposed.  The  city  now  grew  distinct:  masts,  buildings,  spires,  trees,  streets  were  discerned ;— the  v\  hail's 
appeared  black  with  myriads  of  tho  population  hurrying  down, at  tho  signal  of  the  telegraph,  to  evi-i  \  |«.int  of  view. 
Ami  then  came  shoals  of  boats — tho  whole  harbour  covered  with  them; — and  now  the  new-comer  reaches  the 
'Sirius,'  lying  at  anchor  in  North  Uiver,  gay  with  flowing  streamers,  and  literally  crammed  with  spectators — her 
decks,  paddle-boxes,  rigging,  mast-head  high.  We  passed  round  her,  giving  and  receiving  three  hearty  cheers ; — 
then  turned  towards  the  Battery.  Here  myriads  again  were  cnlleet.  .1 ;—  boats  crowded  round  us  in  countless  n.n 
fusion  ; — flags  were  flying,  guns  firing,  and  bolls  ringing.  The  vast  multitude  set  up  a  shout— a  long,  enthusiastic 
cheer — echoed  from  point  to  point,  and  from  boat  to  boat,  till  it  seemed  as  though  they  never  would  have  dona" 

So  mueh  for  the  tirwt  transports  :  we  cannot  doubt  that  time, experience,  and  reflection  will  confirm  tho  general 
estimate  of  the  importance  of  this  achievement,  which,  wo  may  say,  is  now  barely  beginning  to  lie  made,  and  that 
ehii-tly  in  a  mere  mercantile  and  immediate  view.  This  view  itself,  however,  it  must  bo  allowed — waiving  for  the 
present  all  further  projections  into  futurity — is  sufficiently  exciting,  especially  to  tho  Americans,  who  in  many 
respects  have  more  to  gain  by  the  now  arrangement  than  ourselves.  Tho  intelligence  from  the  Old  World,  for 
example,  must  of  necessity  bo  of  more  general,  various,  and  lively  interest  to  them,  than  that  of  the  New  World  to 
us.  Tho  balance  of  resources,  indeed,  is  immensely  in  our  favour.  Not  only  does  America  occupy  the  western 
hemisphere  by  herself,  while  all  the  other  continents  are  pitched  against  her  in  OH  re,  but  on  that  side  civilisation 
has  yet  made  so  little  progress,  things  are  so  literally  »ew,  that  tho  "  United  States  of  America"  might  with  some 
plausibility  assume  to  bo  "  America  "  at  large,  according  to  the  complimentary  phraseology  usual  amongst  us.  The 
feeling  with  which  we  (unless  on  extraordinary  occasions)  watch  for  news  from  America  is  exceedingly  different 
from  that  with  whieh  foreign  tidings  are  awaited  by  the  people  of  the  United  States,  whoso  situation,  nationally,  in 
this  respect,  may  be  almost  compared  with  that  of  an  individual  exiled — as  poor  Crusoe  says,  "  out  of  society's  reach." 
i  it"  the  interest  toe  have  in  tlum,  indeed,  too  much  can  hardly  bo  said.  The  great  effort  employed  in  this  steam 
achievement  itself,  and  the  extraordinary  sensation  which  the  issue  of  it  has  excited,  sufficiently  proclaim  a  just 
appieciation  of  the  vast  commercial  importance,  at  least  to  us,  of  the  movement  in  qucHtion. 

Whether  the  greater  despatch  of  news  now  about  to  bo  effected  by  tho  Atlantic  steamboats  will  essentially 
modify  this  state  of  things,  may  admit  of  some  debate.  Should  it  bo  carried  very  much  farther  than  wo  at  present 
witness  or  anticipate,  the  result  is  clear  enough — 'In  Americans  would  become  European*.  We  remember  certain 
ominous  hints  of  Dr.  Lardner's  on  this  head.  "Philosophy,"  lie  nays,  in  his  book  on  the  steam-engine,  "already 
directs  her  finger  at  sources  of  inexhaustible  power  in  the  phenomena  of  electricity  and  magnetism,  and  many  causes 
combine  to  justify  the  expectation  that  we  are  on  tho  eve  of  mechanical  discoveries  still  greater  than  any  which  have  yet 
appeared ;  and  that  the  steam-engine  itself,  with  the  gigantic  powers  conferred  upon  it  by  the  immortal  Watt,  will 
dwindle  into  insignificance  in  comparison  with  the  hidden  poteen  of  nature  still  to  be  revealed;  and  that  tho  day  will 
come  win  n  that  machine,  which  is  now  extending  the  blessings  of  civilisation  to  the  most  remote  skirts  of  tho  globe, 
will  i -ease  to  have  existence  except  in  the  page  of  history." 

This  is  liHiking  f.ir  ahead,  especially  for  one  who  has  disputed  till  this  moment  the  practicability  of  what  was 
accomplish.  .1  twenty  years  since  (as  we  shall  show)— the  passage  of  the  Atlantic  by  steam.  But  great  men  have 
made  great  mistak.  s  1-1", .K-  this:  and  we  are  not  sure  but  the  learned  Doctor  may  be  in  this  passage  making 
amends  f..r  l»-ing  thu-  c.-iught  napping,  by  avowing  at  the  same  time,  as  in  the  paragraph  just  <|iiot.  il.  h..w  wide 
awake  he  can  be  when  occasion  requires, — going  ahead  of  tho  age  on  one  tack  as  much  as  he  was  drifted  In-hind  it 
on  the  other.  At  all  events,  these  mysterious  predictions  maybe  fulfilled.  Let  us  disbelieve  nothing.  All  preo 
generations  have  missed  it  l.y  disl* -lie\ -ing. 

Steam— to  cay  nothing  of  ••  electricity  or  magnetii-in  "— is  no  respecter  of  romance.     It  reduces  things  to  an 

'1    K   2 


302  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1838. 

appalling  regularity.  The  British  and  American  Steam  Company,  who  have  just  launched  at  Blackwall  a  ship 
thirty-  eight  feet  longer  than  any  in  Her  Majesty's  navy,  with  accommodations  (as  they  advertise)  for  500  passengers, 
notify  to  us,  moreover,  that  next  year  they  mean  to  have  boats  like  this  running  on  either  side  the  1st  and  16th  of 
every  month.  This  is  but  one  company — one  which  has  not  yet  moved,  we  believe  ; — for  we  understand  the  "  Sirius  " 
to  have  been  sent  out  by  another,  and  the  "  Great  Western,"  it  is  well  known,  belongs  to  Bristol.  Both  these,  un- 
doubtedly, intend  to  keep  the  field,  and  to  meet  all  competition  with  spirit.  Bristol  is  said  to  have  already  invested 
a  million  sterling,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  renowned  old  city  of  Cabot,  though  dozing  a  little  of  late 
years  over  a  sort  of  aldermanic  repletion,  yet  possesses  the  means,  and  we  dare  say  the  spirit,  which  more  than  four 
centuries  since  sent  out  merchant-ships  of  the  burthen  of  900  tons.  Glasgow,  too,  will  no  doubt  bestir  herself. 
And,  above  all,  we  must  leave  room  for  Liverpool :  the  sole  marvel  is  that  Liverpool  has  waited  so  long — a  secret 
only  to  be  explained  by  the  extent  of  the  interest  there  invested  in  the  American  "  Liners."  We  see  that  a  company 
is  now  started  at  that  port,  who  announce  immediate  operations.  At  New  York  again — where  the  same  remark 
just  made  of  Liverpool  applies — even  during  the  short  stay  of  the  first  steamboats,  a  scheme  was  started  of  a  joint- 
stock  of  a  million  and  a  half  of  dollars,  in  which,  by  the  way,  it  was  stated  the  Bristol  Company  (with  a  liberal 
view  to  the  interest  of  that  port)  would  participate  to  the  extent  of  about  one-sixth. 

We  were  speaking,  however,  of  the  first  sensation  the  achievement  has  produced,  and  which,  we  venture  to 
predict,  will,  at  some  future  day,  be  a  matter  of  no  little  historical  curiosity.  The  New  York  editors  seem  scarcely 
able  to  contain  themselves.  "  Side  by  side  at  last  with  the  Old  World,"  says  one.  "  Now  then  for  the  Coronation," 
cry  half-a-dozen  more.  And  then  the  files  of  European  Journals  unrolled !  Fifteen  days  from  Bristol — sixteen  from 
London — eighteen  from  Paris — less  than  a  month  from  Constantinople — from  Bombay  itself  only  between  sixty  and 
seventy  days !  A  Norfolk  (Virginia)  editor  remarks  that  they  are  now  as  near  England  as  they  were  the  greater 
part  of  last  winter  to  Detroit ;  and  a  Bostonian,  we  suppose,  might  say  much  the  same  as  to  New  Orleans.  A  revo- 
lution this,  indeed,  such  as  the  world  rarely  sees  even  in  our  changeful  age; — a  revolution  thoroughly  overturning 
the  old  systems  of  most  of  the  business  world  at  least — yet  effected,  as  it  were,  instantaneously,  and  without  the  loss 
of  a  drop  of  blood.  The  Americans  themselves,  not  more  in  the  transports  of  their  exultation  over  the  first  thought 
of  the  effects  of  it,  than  in  their  admiration  of  the  thing  itself  and  of  the  style  in  which  it  was  carried  through, 
seem  to  have  been  too  much  otherwise  excited  to  feel  their  wonted  chagrin  at  appearing  to  be  ever  taken  by  surprise 
in  matters  of  practical  adventure.  Nay,  cherishing,  we  do  believe,  the  honour  of  their  fatherland  next  to  that  of 
their  own  (for  we  have  often  noticed  that,  although  Jonathan  gives  us  a  gruff,  grumbling,  family  growl  of  a  lecture 
now  and  then — partly,  perhaps,  to  prove  himself  our  descendant — lie  is  never  easy  in  seeing  it  done  by  anybody  else), 
they  "  quite  forgot  their  sorrow  in  their  pride."  No  wonder  they  have  done  so ;  no  wonder  that  a  hundred  thousand 
New  Yorkers  turned  out  on  the  7th  of  May  to  behold  the  departure  of  the  "  Great  Western  "  on  her  first  voyage  home- 
ward, and  to  cheer  the  brave  ship  on  her  way ;  no  wonder,  again,  that  when,  at  the  end  of  a  fortnight,  she  hoisted 
the  British  colours  in  King's  Eoad,  the  burghers  of  old  Bristol,  roused  at  length  from  their  Kip  Van  Winkle  nap 
of  half  a  century,  broke  out  with  firing  cannons,  and  raising  flags,  and  bell-ringing,  and  vehement  eating  of  turtle ! 

Here,  at  length  was  an  "  electric  effect "  in  England  —a  sensation  number  two,  at  the  least.  One  of  the  pass- 
engers in  this  ship  brought  over  a  splendid  bouquet  of  American  flowers,  which  he  was  able  to  present  to  the  lady  of 
.Mr.  Manager  Claxton — it  seems  almost  as  fresh  as  if  the  dew  were  still  on  the  leaves ;  and  again  at  the  jubilant  dinner 
of  the  burghers  on  the  24th,  specimens  of  flax  and  cotton  yarn  were  exhibited,  manufactured  in  the  new  Bristol 
factory  (a  sign  of  the  times  that  too),  which  had  only  been  shipped  in  the  raw  state,  in  America,  on  the  seventeenth 
or  eighteenth  day  before.  Some  one  has  predicted  that,  presently,  we  shall  have  Covent  Garden  market  stocked  by 
the  other  continent.  As  to  the  floral  department,  there  may  bo  something  in  it,  for  aught  wo  know,  and  indeed  in 
some  others  too;  for  if  the  "Liners"  could  bring  the  Duke  a  present  of  fresh  forest  venison  from  his  western  admirers, 
we  certainly  get  a  clear  vision  hero  of  divers  good  things  yet  to  come.  We  say  nothing,  however,  even  of  Yankee 
ice,  dropped  at  sunrise,  in  dog-days,  upon  every  door-step  in  London  as  in  Boston — not  one  word  ;  nil  admiran,  we 
repeat,  is  our  motto  ;  "  keep  cool,"  that  is — ice  or  no  ice — dog-days  and  all. 

Biit,  transports  and  jesting  aside,  let  us  summarily  consider  a  few  of  the  more  obvious  consequences  of  some 
moment  which  may  be  expected  to  spring  immediately  from  the  achievement  of  which  we  have  spoken :  to  some 
of  them  wo  have  already  made  a  hasty  allusion. 

The  improvement  of  the  instrument  itself  by  which  this  work  has  been  done  may  be  counted  on,  perhaps,  as 
the  first.  Without  being  over-sanguine  on  the  subject,  it  is  reasonable  to  bear  in  mind  that,  while  sailing-vessels 


.n.  i  TIII:  •(jr.MHT.i.'i.y  I;I:VM:\V  AND  THE  FUTTKI:.  881 


li.iv.  I.  .  ii  iii  e\i>;.  no  .in.1  I-  •  n  nion  or  Ic  "  nuJcfal  pngfl  •--  .1-  -i-  •  im-  n~  •  t'..M.  dniia|  ili..>is.in.U  .  ,t  \.  .,:-.  \v,  u  , 
.-till  iii  tin-  infancy  of  MI-.HH  navigation.  It  is  only  lliirty  years  sine*!  Fulton  ascended  tin-  Hudson  with  IMK  Ixiut. 
In  isln  there  was  no  Mich  thing  in  all  England  ;  and  so  late  as  1820  there  were  but  thirty  live-.  The  most  important 
improvements  also  have  been  very  recently  introduced;  and,  without  particularising  these,  it  is  Huflirirnt.  to  my  tlmt 
the'  Ic.irnid  I»r.  Mionysius  l.aidncrV  miscalculations  on  this  subject  of  Atlantic  navigation  luivt<  evidently  l«-cn 
caused  l.\  almost  wholly  overlooking  those  same  improvements  even  BO  far  as  some  past  yean  are  coixvni^l  {  and  a 

.n  MI.  li  a  progress  as  this  agent  is  making  is  not  a  matter  to  be  overlooked),  or  regarding  them  too  much  an 
mere  speculations,  not  likely,  or  not  yet  fully  proved,  to  be  capable  of  great  practical  effects  (as  they  have  already 
been);  while,  as  relates  to  what  may  yet  be  established,  though  now  it  is  but  expei-inn  ntal.  or  what  may  be  dis- 
covered, of  which  uow  nobody  dreams,  the  calculations  in  i|iic.stiuu  Iwve  apparently  left  no  leeway  for  the  ingenuity 
of  ciiir  successors,  or  even  our  contemporaries.  It  was  taken  for  granted  that  all  had  been  done  which  could  lie  done 
—  that  there  were  not  even  any  "  hidden  powert  "  hereafter  to  be  brought  to  bear  upon  steam-navigation,  us  well  an 
iijicin  c.ihc  r  things,  and  to  supersede  steam  itself  altngctht  .  I  l.<w  grand  a  mistake  this  was  wo  need  not  say  ;  let 
ns  beware  of  ita  being  made  again.  Indeed,  there  is  little  danger  of  it,  since  scarcely  a  week  now  passes  without 
tin-  appearance  of  some  new  scheme.  We  have  a  case  in  point  before  us  as  we  write,  in  the  account  given  by  the 
daily  papers  of  a  model-boat,  lately  constructed  on  the  plan  of  doing  away  with  the  use  of  paddle-boxes  —  a  most 
ciiiiilinni.s.  c-lnin-y.  ami  uncouth  .i|.|»  ndage  to  the  vessel,  as  everybody  knows  —  by  what  is  called  a  patent  propeller. 

\\.i\Y-  Condi  users,  again,  will  have  a  fair  trial  on  the  route.  It  is  well  known  that  lie  claims  with  these  to 
in.  ;•  Hi  til-  s|.  .  '1  Ott  !••  it  "ii.  lit'tli.  .1!  UMti  I"  \  ••:.•!  it-  .  .,|..|.  It\  u  it),  OOBBOI  in.i.-i,in.  iv  ;  .m.l  «.  see  tli.il  .1  »|M'I.  k 
>ilver  boat,  on  the  plan  of  M  r.  I  Ic  iward,  is  going  out  to  America  from  Liverpool  for  a  trial.  \Vo  do  not  say  wliat  faith 
we  have  in  these  schemes,  or  many  others  that  might  bo  named  :  we  mention  them  as  illustrations  of  the  restless, 
miiti-iving.  venturing  spirit  of  the  times,  especially  in  this  almost  new  department  of  action,  excitement,  keen  com- 
ix-tit ion.  and  high  hope.  It  cannot  bo  doubted,  wo  think,  that  the  passage  of  the  Atlantic  by  steam  will,  even  in 
the  coming  ten  years,  be  brought  to  a  state  of  (so  to  speak)  artistical  luxury  and  perfection  of  which  those  who 
have  started  the  enterprise  themselves  little  think.  The  characteristic  spirit  of  the  two  great  nations  chiefly 
interested  is  now  fairly  roused  to  a  generous  emulation,  as  it  never  was  roused  before;  and  all  that  science,  skill. 
enterprise,  patriotism,  genius,  or  a  love  of  money,  or  a  love  of  distinction,  can  accomplish  in  such  communities,  on  a 
subject  nutter  offering  almost  unparalleled  temptation  and  stimulus  to  them  all,  we  shall  now  bo  sure  to  have. 

The  extension  of  steam-navigation  to  other  new,  vast,  and  most  important  regions  of  the  globe,  where  it  has 
been  hitherto  unknown,  with  corresponding  influences  wherever  it  is  introduced,  is  a  sequel,  and  an  early  one,  to 
the  ].;.-.  nt  an<l  fast-coming  state  of  things  on  the  Atlantic;  as  much  so  as  is  the  continued  improvement  of  this 
medium  ..f  trans|»rtaticiti—  the  one  follows,  as  of  course,  from  the  other.  Steam-navigation  will  bo  extended  became 
it  will  I...  improved  :  it  will  be  hereafter,  in  other  words,  as  it  has  been  heretofore.  Ten  years  ago,  or  five  years,  or 
two.  the  notion  of  navigating  the  Atlantic  by  steam,  as  a  permanent,  practical,  profitable  thing—  as  a  trade,  we 
mean  —  had  never  entered  the  public  mind,  if  it  had  that  of  individuals.  And  there  was  good  reason  for  it  :  Fulton's 
boat  would  have  cut  but  a  sorry  figure  steering  for  Bristol  instead  of  Albany  ;  and  some  of  the  much  more  modern, 
Inn  now  i|iiitc  obsolete  craft,  employed  within  four  years  by  the  Admiralty,  and  upon  whose  performances  demon 
st  rations  of  the  impracticability  of  the  Atlantic  scheme  have  been  more  or  less  based  —  these  craft  might  have  • 
little  lictter  than  Fulton's  had  they  rashly  attempted  what,  by  better  vessels,  has  now  been  attained. 

1  mlced,  setting  aside  improvements,  supposing  us  to  stop  short  where  we  now  are—  just  ready  to  begin,  that  is  — 
nothing  could  prevent  the  extension  of  the  plan,  as  it  stands  all  over  the  waters  of  the  globe,  to  an  indefinite  and  now 
almost  incredible  extent.  It  requires  no  gift  of  prophecy  to  see  that  such,  speedily,  will  be  one  of  the  effects  of  the 
i  point  gained  within  the  last  three  months.  The  mere  announcement  of  that  scheme  was  sufficient  almost  for  this. 
Fie  .m  the  date  of  that  anin  nincement,  and  of  the  excitement,  discussion,  speculation,  and  ambition  which  it  awakened, 
it  mattered  comparatively  little  to  the  world  at  large  whether  the  Atlantic  project  itself  was  executed  at  once  or 
not.  The  movement,  at  all  events,  was  begun.  The  grand  idea  of  the  rtvolution  had  entered  into  the  public  mind  and 
taken  deep  hold  of  it.  and  created  a  thirst  for  execution  which  nothing  but  execution  could  satisfy,  or  can.  As 

rs  have  tunnel  out.  undoubtedly,  the  public  conception  and  determination  are  immensely  confirmed.  The 
idlest  reader  of  even  tin-  daily  journals  cannot  fail  to  see  this.  The  community  teems  with  projects  for  the  extension 
of  steam  commerce  and  trade,  in  all  directions.  Some  of  these  must  be  crude  and  shallow,  for  various  reasons  :  such 
is  the  necessary  fruit  of  a  sudd,  n  excitement.  I'ut  the  excitement  will  soon  sul-side.  while  the  inducement  and  the 


304  ASTEA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1838. 

opportunities  will  remain,  and  become  daily  more  and  more  urgent  and  distinct.  This  revolution  is  one  of  all  others 
that  "  cannot  go  backwards."  It  must  advance  with  an  energy,  kindred,  in  the  moral  world,  to  that  of  the  physical 
power  itself  on  which  it  is  founded — an  energy  to  which  history  aifords  no  parallel.  It  is  scarcely  too  much,  we 
believe,  to  say  that  the  whole  race  of  man  is  destined  to  see  and  feel  the  phenomena  and  the  influence  of  its  all- 
conquering  progress  from  clime  to  clime. 

So  much  for  the  improvement  and  extension  of  this  instrumentality  itself.  And  now,  what  of  its  use  ? — to 
what  purposes  will  it  be  available? — what  changes  will  it  work  in  existing  arrangements  other  than  its  own?  Here 
we  come  to  questions  of  some  "  pith  and  moment."  We  cannot  go  into  them  in  an  article  like  this  with  any  pretence 
of  an  adequate  discussion,  even  could  it  be  expected  to  be  in  the  power  or  the  expectation  of  any  party,  in  the  present 
stage  of  such  an  enterprise,  to  do  justice  to  the  theme.  Let  us  glance,  however,  at  a  few  points,  rather  in  the  way 
of  illustrating  the  impracticability  of  the  subject  than  of  fairly  discussing  it. 

As  regards,  then,  what  may  be  called  the  mere  mercantile  interests  concerned — and  chiefly  the  immediate  (not 
prospective)  ones  — between  the  two  countries,  particularly,  which  seem  to  have  taken  up  the  enterprise  in  good 
earnest.  These,  of  course,  will  experience  in  this,  as  in  every  department,  its  first  and  greatest  effects.  To  a  vast 
extent  steam-vessels  will  take  the  place  of  sailing-vessels,  and  that  at  once.  This  is  not  a  case,  be  it  understood,  in 
which  most  people  can  do  as  they  please.  A  gentleman,  taking  a  honey-moon  excursion  with  his  bride,  may  possibly 
prefer  some  other  conveyance  to  a  stage-coach,  or  even  a  railroad,  and  he  may  even  be  allowed  to  humour  himself 
in  his  fancy ;  but  not  so  the  merchant,  his  agents,  his  letters,  or  many  of  his  goods.  What  one  does  must  be  done 
by  all.  The  whole  of  the  mercantile  world  (with  scarcely  noticeable  exceptions)  will  from  this  moment  adopt  the 
new  conveyance,  so  far  as  accommodation  is  provided  for  them ;  their  entire  correspondence  must  go  the  same  way. 
The  "  Great  Western,"  on  her  first  trip,  has  brought  home  twenty  thousand  letters — perhaps  three  times  as  many  as 
any  sailing-packet  on  the  same  route  ever  carried. 

The  reason  of  this  transfer  in  each  case  is  too  obvious  for  explanation ;  but  it  may  not  be  known  to  all  our 
readers  to  what  a  degree  the  uncertainty  as  well  as  the  length  of  a  sailing-voyage  to  New  York,  as  compared  with  a 
atea-nvid  one,  is  an  argument  for  this  new  arrangement,  and  a  proof  of  the  necessity  of  its  universal  adoption.  From 
the  very  high  and  well-deserved  reputation  of  the  "  Liners  " — the  most  perfect  conveyance  of  the  kind  and  the 
greatest  advance  in  merchant  navigation  ever  known  up  to  the  spring  of  1838 — it  is  perhaps  a  common  impression, 
that  a  passage  between  France  or  England  and  the  United  States  in  one  of  these  superb  vessels  might  be  counted 
on  as  much  for  a  tolerably  well -settled  period  of  time,  as  for  the  comforts  and  luxuries  to  bo  enjoyed  in  the  course 
of  it,  or  for  the  nautical  management.  The  fact  is  entirely  otherwise,  as  every  man  in  the  business  well  knows. 
Some  seasons  are  more  unfavourable  in  this  respect  than  others ;  and  the  winter  months  are  none  of  the  best,  we 
allow.  Neither  is  the  return- voyage  so  uncertain  or  so  long,  we  should  remark,  as  the  voyage  out :  it  is  notorious 
that  the  "  Liners  "  have  always  had  smaller  fare  coming  than  going,  in  about  the  proportion  of  twenty-eight  guineas 
to  thirty-five,  and  that  even  the  steamboats  (without  so  much  reason  for  it)  have  thus  far  continued  the  custom.  But 
to  take  a  case  at  hand  :  during  the  last  winter — at  the  very  time  when  we  were  continually  getting  "  late  "  American 
intelligence  by  unusually  short  and  quite  regular  passages — the  corresponding  packets  going  westward  were  en- 
countering the  full  face  of  the  same  winds  and  currents  by  which  those  coming  eastward  were  propelled.  All  the 
"  Liners  "  which  left  the  three  European  packet-ports  during  six  weeks  were  baffled  and  beat  about  in  such  a  manner, 
that  at  one  time  about  eighteen  of  them  were  due  at  New  York ;  and  thirty  out  of  fifty  belonging  to  that  port  were 
then  supposed  to  be  on  the  ocean,  working  their  way  home.  The  average  length  of  this  passage  is  about  thirty-two 
days.  One  of  the  Liverpool  ships,  which  sailed  January  4,  was  spoken,  fifty-five  days  out,  in  long.  43°— some  1000 
miles  from  her  destination ;  the  others  were  fifty,  sixty,  or  even  seventy  days  on  the  voyage.  That  this  is  no  fault 
of  the  packets,  we  need  not  say ;  in  fact,  how  they  make  headway  at  all  is  the  wonder.  Consider,  for  instance,  this 
paragraph,  which  we  take  from  a  New  York  journal  of  the  period  referred  to : — 

"  We  have  been  shown  a  chart  on  which  the  track  of  the  '  Cambridge '  was  pricked  off,  coming  from  Liverpool, 
and  it  is  a  matter  of  some  astonishment  how  the  ship  has  reached  port  at  all.  She  sailed  from  Liverpool  on  the 
10th  January,  and  on  the  29th  was  in  the  longitude  of  138°.  From  that  day  till  the  27th  February  she  encountered 
continued  westerly  winds,  sometimes  blowing  a  severe  gale ;  and  for  the  last  seventeen  days  she  made  but  about 
500  miles  of  westing.  During  that  time  she  crossed  the  Gulf-stream  three  times,  was  for  sixteen  days  to  the  south- 
ward and  eastward  of  Sable  Island,  and  a  part  of  the  time  could  make  no  better  than  a  S.S.E.  course.  The  distance 
between  Liverpool  and  this  port  is  about  3080  miles,  but  the  '  Cambridge '  has,  on  this  passage,  sailed  upwards  of 


A.I..  1  \ll.\NTir  STKAM-NAYKJATION. 

ved  one  of  the  stanohert  TOMt  1  n  which  ever  breasted  the  ocean  wave.    A  copy  of  the  track  i  w  hich 
lnok.s  very  much  like  ..  -pid.  r'>  urln  may  !«•  s4i>n,"  &O. 

}•'•  w  sailing-ships,  i!"  .my.  we  |in-.siiiiii-,  would  have  done  to  well  under  these  eireumstanoes  U  a  "  Lin-  i. "  \\  • 
red,  alh.ut  this  v.  rv  ]H-riod,  in  the  chip-lints,  that  a  vowel  from  Demerara,  bound  for  Halifax,  was  blown  int.. 
LiverjKiil  (  M:u  vh  L'"th),  having  b«fn  Javen  out  of  her  count  tht  entire  breadth  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean  !  It  is  MTV  seldom  we 
hear  of  a  ••  I.iin-r"  returning  into  port  without  making  her  voyage,  but  with  other  vessels  it  in  of  common  occui i 
uii  this  route.  Ships  are  out  sometimes  six  weeks,  and  even  more,  trying  to  make  headway  westward,  and  obliged 
to  come  back  and  begin  again  after  all.  It  is  not  many  years  since  a  Belfast  craft,  txmnd  for  New  llrunswick. 
rrtimn-d  t..  ]«>rt,  at  the  end  of  two  months'  voyage,  after  having  got  within  100  miles  of  her  destination ! 

Mere.  again,  is  a  striking  illustration  from  one  of  our  provincial  journals,  referring  to  the  last  winter : — 

••  \Vo  cannot  more  clearly  show  the  uncertainty  of  passages  across  the  Atlantic  than  by  stating  that  the 
•ustant'  frigate  left  Cork  on  the  6th  January,  and  returned  to  Plymouth  on  the  24th  February,  having  been  t" 
Halifax  in  that  time — forty  -nine  days ;  at  the  same  ppriu«l  the  'Samson,'  New  York  packet,  which  left  Portsmouth 
on  the  5th  January,  was  sixty-two  days  getting  to  New  York  ;  and  the  '  President,'  which  left  on  the  12th  .lanuan  . 
was  fifty-seven  days  in  reaching  that  capital ;  some  days,  therefore,  must  elapse  before  wo  may  expect  the  return  of 
the  •  l'ii|iie  '  frigate,  which  left  ( 'ork  on  the  23rd  January,  as  she  may  have  been  upwards  of  sixty  days  making  her 
outward  passage,  and  may  also  bo  detained  by  severe  weather  in  Halifax  harbour." 

Some  readers,  little  versed  in  currents  of  wind  or  water,  and  other  contingencies  incidental  to  the  navigation 
of  this  route — some  of  them  quite  peculiar  to  it— might  be  ready  to  infer  from  this  statement  tin-  reverse  of  what 
we  have  just  said.  Hut  much  more  striking  cases  of  the  same  kind  have  often  occurred  ;  as,  for  example,  where  the 
difference  between  two  packets  of  leaving  the  same  port  in  the  evening  of  one  day,  or  the  morning  of  the  next  one, 
has  caused  quite  as  great  a  diversity  as  any  mentioned  above  in  the  length  of  the  voyage.  Two  ships  may  oven 
sail  at  the  same  moment  from  New  York,  and  one  shall  presently — in  the  Gulf-stream  or  elsewhere — fall  into  some 
flaw  of  wind  or  straggling  current,  the  effect  of  which  shall  be  that  the  far  better  sailer  of  the  two  reaches  Liverpool 
a  week  in  the  rear  of  her  rival.  \Ve  do  not  say  this  is  usual,  but  that  there  is  such  a  liability.  As  for  the  general 
uncertainty  of  the  length  of  the  voyage,  that  is  notorious. 

In  die  ordinary  •passenger-ships  (commonly  called  "transient"  vessels)  as  well  as  other  merchant-craft,  going 
westward  particularly,  while  now  and  then  a  fortunate  one  may  beat  even  the  "  Liners "  (as  has  been  done  this 
season),  paasages  of  even  distressing  length  may  occur,  far  beyond  anything  of  the  sort  which  has  ever  happened  to 
them.  In  February,  1837,  the  British  ship  "  Diamond  "  arrived  at  New  York  from  Liverpool,  having  been  out  hundred 
days  from  port  to  port.  There  were  one  hundred  and  eighty  passengers,  of  whom  seventeen  died,  not  from  any  dis- 
order, but  from  mere  starvation.  The  principal  suffering  was  among  the  steerage  passengers,  the  crew  having  !••  •  i, 
put  upon  allowance  and  supplied  to  the  last  with  food,  though  in  small  quantities.  The  description  of  the  ap]><  .u 
ance  of  these  poor  wretches  on  their  arrival,  given  by  an  eyewitness,  is  heartrending — our  informant  himself  had 
lived  nine  days  on  potato- peelings  soaked  in  his  scanty  allowance  of  water.  For  any  ordinary  voyage  the  supplies 
in  this  case  were  abundant.  Some,  who  had  extra  quantities,  sold  out,  it  seems,  "to  their  leas  provident  fellow 
passengers,  first  at  moderate  rates,  but,  as  the  scarcity  more  fully  developed  itself,  at  enhanced  prices,  until  finally 
half  a  sovereign  was  asked  for  a  pint  of  meal.  Before  the  arrival  of  the  vessel  a  sovereign  has  been  offered  and 
refused  for  a  potato,  as  it  was  roasting  before  the  fire." 

Once  more :  the  bark  "  Ellen,"  from  Leghorn,  with  a  cargo  valued  at  a  hundred  thousand  dollars,  after  a 
I-  n  Ions  voyage  of  one  hundred  and  three  days— her  crew  having  subsisted  for  fifteen  days  on  maccaroni  and  sweet 
oil— arrived  within  three  or  four  miles  of  Sandy  Hook  on  the  1st  of  January  last,  and  hoi-ted  signals.  "  Aftei 
waiting  four  hour*,  in  live  fathoms  water,  and  finding  no  pilot,  she  was  obliged  to  stand  off  to  sea;  and  in  conse- 
queiice  of  the  storm  which  came  on,  with  the  disabled  state  of  the  crew,  she  was  the  sport  of  the  winds,  in  the  s. 
state  of  the  weather,  without  fuel,  and  short  of  provisions,  for  an  entire  month!"  Such  is  the  general  mir,  rtainu 
together  with  the  contingent  hard-hips,  which  belong  to  the  old  mode  of  navigating  the  Atlantic.  Nor  have  we 
alluded  to  a  tithe  of  them  :  this  last  account,  for  instance,  shows  plainly  the  delay  and  damage  which  may  follow  from 
the  failure  of  pilotage  at  a  particular  place  or  time;  which  failure,  for  various  reasons,  must  happen  sometimes  with 
these  vessels,  though  it  scarcely  ever  could,  or  w..iild  be  of  much  moment  if  it  did,  if  steam  were  used.  Before  coming 
to  pilotage,  too,  it  often  occurs,  even  with  the  ••  Liners,"  that  great  difficulty  is  experienced  in  making  port,  owing  to 
the  necessity  j»  rhaps  of  changing  directions  in  order  to  get  in,  or  to  a  sudden  shift  of  wind,  or  a  calm,  forsooth! 


306  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1838. 

Packets  have  arrived  off  Cape  Clear  from  New  York  in  ten  or  twelve  days,  and  then  been  nearly  or  quite  as  much  more 
in  making  Liverpool — and  the  same  as  to  Havre — all  this  time,  to  say  nothing  of  the  delectable  situation  of  the 
passengers  as  far  as  comfort  goes,  the  whole  floating  correspondence  of  the  two  great  commercial  communities  con- 
cerned— it  may  be  at  a  period  of  most  critical  importance — bobbing  up  and  down,  and  off  and  on,  almost  within 
sight  of  the  shore.  It  reminds  us  of  a  remark  made  the  other  day,  at  the  opening  of  the  Great  Western  Kailroad  to 
Maidenhead :  a  gentleman  present  said  that  within  twenty  years  he  remembered  waiting  for  twenty-two  nvtils  at  one 
time  from  Holyhead,  a  distance  of  some  sixty  miles  from  his  own  town  !  The  unfortunate  breaking-up  of  the  groat  American 
merchants  in  London,  last  year,  was  immediately  brought  on  by  delays  of  packets,  by  which  largo  remittances  had 
been  made  to  them,  and  which  were  hourly  looked  for  during  the  prevalence  of  extraordinary  east  winds  for  something 
like  two  months.  It  seems  really  incredible,  indeed,  looking  back  now  on  what  has  been  suffered  in  this  way,  that 
the  remedy  for  it  should  have  been  so  long  postponed.  That  the  remedy  will  be  heartily  used,  now  that  we  have 
it,  no  man  in  his  senses  can  doubt. 

How  far  this  must  be  done  at  once  between  ourselves  and  the  Americans,  we  have  shown  in  some  detail. 
Almost  all  mercantile  travel  and  correspondence  must  be  transferred  at  once.  All  light,  rich,  and  seasonable  mer- 
chandise must  speedily  go  in  the  same  way :  it  will  never  do  for  one  man's  silks,  as  the  fashionable  season  comes  on, 
to  be  sixty  days  on  the  voyage,  while  his  neighbour's  are  fourteen ;  neither  will  it  do  to  buy  long  in  anticipation  of 
the  market.  As  to  travel  and  business  not  mercantile,  these,  like  the  heavy  articles  of  commerce,  will  linger,  more 
or  less,  for  some  time,  with  the  "  Liners  "  and  other  sailing-craft.  Some  people,  on  sea  as  well  as  land,  are  shy  of 
your  newfangled  steam  things  to  this  day,  and  would  rather  stick  by  even  a  two-horse  coach,  a  French  diligence,  a 
Mississippi  ark,  or  a  Newcastle  coal-sloop,  than  trust  themselves  to  the  tender  mercies  of  this  second  "  infernal 
machine  "  in  any  of  its  shapes,  especially  for  the  awful  distance  of  three  thousand  miles.  We  respect  the  caution  of 
this  class,  but  they  will  gradually  disappear,  and  so  will  those  who  profess  to  prefer  a  longer  passage,  and  abhor  doing 
things  in  a  hurry,  as  much  as  if  they  were  on  half-pay.  In  fact,  there  will  remain,  speedily,  no  opportunity  for  the 
indulgence  of  these  fears,  whims,  or  tastes.  We  shall  have  to  do,  like  the  merchants,  what  everybody  else  does. 

To  be  sure,  accidents  will  occur ! — more  or  less  these  are  to  be  expected,  as  things  are  at  present.  By-and-by 
we  trust — among  our  "improvements" — this  liability  will  be  very  essentially  lessened;  meanwhile,  however,  we 
anticipate  some  trouble.  The  competition  will  soon  be  of  the  keenest  description ;  the  race-ground  is  most  luxurious ; 
the  prize  tempting ;  and  even  passengers  themselves  too  often  enter  so  much  into  these  feelings  as  to  become  greatly 
chargeable  with  the  blame  which  is  commonly  laid  on  others.  We  confess  we  are  alluding  to  the  case  of  the 
Americans  rather  than  to  our  own;  and  we  hesitate  the  less  to  acknowledge  it  as  we  consider  that  their  own 
interest,  evsn  more  than  ours,  in  the  steam- navigation  of  the  Atlantic,  is  likely  to  be  affected  by  what  we  must  take 
leave  to  call  the  abominable  and  disgraceful  recklessness  in  the  management  of  this  kind  of  vessels,  which  prevails 
to  such  an  appalling  extent  among  them.  We  are  aware  that  it  is  not  a  universal,  a  national  trait,  as  some  late 
writers  have  asserted  broadly.  The  New  England  and  New  York  boats  rarely  meet  with  an  accident,  though  they 
adopt  the  high-pressure  system  like  the  others,  and  run  at  the  greatest  rate  of  speed  which  is  known ;  neither  is  the 
community  at  large  either  of  the  South  or  West  directly  blamable. 

The  horrid  disasters  we  hear  of  every  few  months  or  oftener — peculiar  to  the  United  States,  and  to  this  part 
of  them  in  their  awful  extent,  and  by  which  it  is  estimated  at  least  a  thousand  Uvts  a  year  are  lost— these  are  almost 
always  caused  immediately  by  gross  misconduct  on  the  part  of  a  few  persons  in  authority,  who,  for  the  sake  of  a  race 
with  a  rival,  or  with  some  other  pretext  equally  cogent,  run  the  most  imminent  hazards  without  the  slightest  hesitation. 
We  have  seen  accounts  of  these  races  on  the  Western  rivers  for  a  distance  of  a  hundred  miles  or  more — much  of  the 
time  neck  and  neck — the  whole  ship's  company  on  either  side  meanwhile  desperately  engaged,  and  wrought  up  to  the 
highest  pitch  of  excitement  in  the  murderous  struggle.  In  this  way  the  "  Ben  Shersod  "  got  a-fire  on  the  Mississippi, 
two  years  ago,  when  hundreds  of  passengers  perished  ;  and  such  is  the  secret  of  most  of  the  "  accidents  "  which,  in  nine 
cases  out  of  ten,  are  no  accidents  at  all,  but  ought  to  be  criminally  visited  by  the  law  of  the  land  as  much  as  murder 
in  any  retail  shape.  We  have  heard  an  American  friend  of  ours  allege  that  no  countryman  of  his  would  hesitate 
running  the  risk  of  his  life  for  the  sake  of  getting — anywhere — half  an  hour  before — anybody  else.  Matthews,  we 
remember,  made  it  apparent,  in  his  way,  that  the  Yankees  do  everything  in  "  twenty  minutes."  These  are  caricatures 
of  course — the  one  no  more  than  the  other ;  but  both,  we  fear,  are  too  well  based  on  fact.  The  Americans  carry 
their  energy  a  little  too  far ;  they  retain  too  much  still  of  the  wild  impetuosity  of  youth  ;  they  want  a  new  infusion 
of  old  John's  steady  and  regular  blood.  We  like  not  such  driving  fashions — such  helter-skelter  haste,  in  steamboats 
especially — on  Atlantic  voyages  least  of  all.  Congress  we  sec  has  the  matter  in  hand,  and  we  trust  it  will  be  with 


A.I,,  i  TIM:  . \Ti..\NTi'    -n:\M-\\vn.\Tinx.  m 

effect  :  ami  mean  while — as  oven  legislation  (twntviaHy  in  that  country)  will  not  do  every  thing  without  public  n|iiiiii>n 
— as  the  manager*  and  masters  of  steamboats,  wh<>  have  vct\  often  Iwen  set  on.  and  always  tolerated,  may  al* 
awed  by  that  public  t.>  whom  they  owe  their  character  and  their  bread—  we  earnestly  hope  that  the  general 
may  make  itself  heard,  and  trust  tluit  arrangementa  of  the  most  solid  and  effective  n.itur.-  may  I.   |u..ni|itly  ;n|..|.ti-.l. 

'I'lius  much  for  a  plain  hint,  which,  we  an'  sun-.  must  }*•  taken  in  gcxxl  pirt ;  fur,  when  we  hoar,  liy  a  single 
arrival,  of  one  hundred  ami  seventy  human  lyings  destroyed  in  one  boat,  and  one  hundred  an.l  twenty  in  another. 
it  i-  high  tiiif  for  all  parties  who  have  to  do  and  deal  with  such  a  catastrophe-working  (•(immunity,  am)  arc  likelv 
to  liavc  miicli  mart,  to  Kpeak  out.  And  yet,  we  were  going  on  to  say,  when  thin  hint  occurred  to  us,  that,  accident* 
or  no  accident*,  nothing  ii])|>un<iitly  can  stand  in  the  way  of  the  complete  triumph  of  the  new  dynasty  of  the  seas. 
Even  granting — which  God  forbid ! — that  these  disasters  are  to  be  regularly  continued  on  board  the  boats  from  t In- 
ane side-  just  as  regularly  as  if.  like  friction  in  machinery,  they  were  an  indispensable  incident  to  the  navigation — 
Mill,  we  Knglish  can  patronise  British  boats  which  do  not  blow  up  three  hundred  people  every  three  mouth*,  while 
tin-  Americans,  on  the  other  hand,  can,  if  they  so  choose,  go  on  being  blown  up  just  us  before.  If  the}'  have  more 
accidents,  so  they  have  leas  fear.  "Practice  makes  perfect"  "  There 'is  nothing  like  taking  things  coolly" — even 
hot  water,  or  steam.  And,  as  this  is  their  system  at  home,  so  may  it  bo  abroad.  As  they  art-  the  great  steaming 
|x -oplc  of  the  age,  surely  this  trifle  of  merely  crossing  three  thousand  miles  over  sea,  instead  of  running  about  as  far 
up  a  river,  will  never  alarm  them.* 

(  if.  ..in-.-.  those  111  iguilic.  nt  -  Liners."  of  whi.-h  w,  h.ive  s].,k.-n  res],  -el  fully  so  often  i  f,,r  we  know  them  u  ,  11  .. 
will  speedily  "foil  from  their  high  estate."  Thinking  of  the  proud  part  they  have  played  now  for  some  twenty 
years — of  the  great  reputation  they  had  fairly  gained— of  the  eminent  commercial  services  they  have  rendered  during 
far  the  most  im]x>rtant  jH-riod  of  our  connexion  with  the  United  States — we  cannot  see  them  thus  made,  as  it  were. 
instantaneously  obsolete,  without  almost  such  a  sensation  of  regret  as  might  be  due  to  living  creatures — old.  faithful. 
sensitive  servants— dishonoured,  mortified,  and  basely  set  aside !  We  have  in  mind  now  sundry  dry  paragraphs  .  if 
a  line  and  a  half,  which  have  appeared  in  the  daily  papers  of  late,  much  like  this : —  . 

"Two  packets,  the  'North  American'  and  'Siddons,'  have  arrived  at  Liverpool,  bringing  old  dates  from  New 
York!" 

Presently  they  will  cease  to  be  named  at  alL  And  look  at  the  "  Great  Western,"  the  inhuman  monster,  on  her  first 
three  days  out,  overhauling  a  brave  old  "  Liner" — seven  days  from  Liverpool — with  the  black  ball,  "the  badge  of  all 
her  trilio."  in  her  fore-topsail,  under  top-gallant  sails,  careering  and  plunging  to  a  lively  foam  and  a  fair  wind.  Hut 
all  would  not  do  as  once  it  might  have  done.  We  quote  again  from  the  '  Passenger's  Journal ' : — "  This  new-comer 
is  none  of  your  old  sort.  See  how  she  comes  vapouring  up,  flapping  her  huge  wheels  like  an  eagle's  wings,  and 
snorting,  as  it  were,  with  tin-  thought  of  victory  and  the  sight  of  game.  She  comes  on  apace.  All  her  colours  are 
strung  out.  The  ship  is  almost  caught.  but  sin-  leaps  ahead  and  escapes  once  more.  The  steamer,  with  a  dignified 
air  of  conscious  supremacy,  disdaining  pursuit,  wheels  round  windward,  and  passes  the  'Liner'  on  the  other  side, 
witli  '  three  hearty  cheers.'  Then  dashing  ahead,  as  if  satisfied,  she  hauls  in  her  toggery,  and  presses  her  helm  hard 
a-starboard,  and  the  'Liner' — the  brave  old  'Liner'  — is  no  more  seen.  Her  owners  will  scarcely  know  her  when 
she  reaches  port  at  hist.  She  brings  no  news.  She  will  soon  bear  no  letters — no  specie.  Nobody  will  watch  fi  >r 
her,  nor  speak  of  her.  Alas !  her  day  is  gone  by.  Who  can  think  of  her  sufferings  without  a  sigh  ?  " 

I'.'it  the  steamers  will  have  not  merely  all  that  is  worth  having  (to  them)  of  the  business  of  the  "  Lin- 
their  effect  on  the  amount  of  business  must  be  considered.  On  this  point  our  notions,  at  present,  must  be  vague  ;  Imt 
it  is  easy  to  foretell  that  the  usual  operation  of  increased  facilities  in  the  locomotion  of  persons  and  the  transactions 
of  trade  will  !«•  felt  in  this  case,  and  that  most  remarkably.  We  have  seen  that  a  few  millions  of  passengers  yearly 
go  up  or  down  the  Thames,  since  steamboats  have  plied  on  it :  the  travelling  by  the  first  boat  established  between 
Kdinhurgh  and  London  was  greater,  it  is  said,  than  that  by  all  other  conveyances  together,  during  even  the  first 
year.  Mr.  IWtcr  states  that  it  has  almost  invariably  happened,  where  railroads  for  passengers  have  been  opened. 
that  "  the  amount  of  travelling  between  the  extremities  of  the  line  has  been  quadrupled"  The  income  from  this  source  has 
enabled  the  I.iver]M«il  and  Manchester  ( 'ompany  to  meet  many  extraordinary  expenses  and  still  regularly  divide 
10  per  cent  on  the  capital,  although  the  cost  of  construction  was  more  than  double  the  sum  first  allowed  for  it  So 


•  A  rtcamboat  Mnmded  the  Muninppi  and  Ohio  a  few  weeks  rince,— «UUtn  hundred  or  wvi-ntoen  hundred  miles  in  six  day*  and 
seventeen  boon, — a*  we  learn  from  a  gentleman  then  on  the  »po(. 

2    8 


308  ASTRA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1838. 

we  believe  it  will  be,  and  much  more,  between  America  and  Europe.  We  shall  associate  with  each  other  as  in 
neighbouring  counties.  Our  tourists  will  visit  Niagara  in  swarms,  as  they  now  do  Loch  Lomond.  People  will  travel 
who  never  did  before :  it  will  be  literally  easier,  and  take  less  time,  as  some  one  has  said,  to  travel  than  to  stay  at 
home. 

A  word  of  explanation  on  one  historical  point  of  some  interest — which  it  is  well  should  be  settled  in  season — -and 
we  have  done.  We  have  alluded  to  the/ac<  that  the  late  passage  of  the  Atlantic  by  steam  was  by  no  means  the  first 
achievement  of  the  kind.  When  we  have  spoken  of  the  success  of  these  new  boats  in  strong  terms,  it  has  not  been 
with  the  thought  of  encouraging  such  an  impression ;  and  we  certainly  do  not  think  it  of  the  least  moment,  so  far 
as  British  honour  is  concerned,  that  such  an  impression  should  prevail.  All  admit  that  the  mere  fact  of  a  solitary 
steam-vessel  crossing  the  ocean  some  twenty  years  ago — whether  by  steam,  or  by  sails,  or  both,  and  with  whatever 
purpose  in  view — is  of  little  importance  as  compared  with  the  undertaking  and  the  establishment  of  such  an  enter- 
prise, in  such  a  manner  as  to  make  it  the  grand  regular  medium  of  communication,  and  the  growing  source  of 
immense  results,  never  before  dreamed  of,  between  America  and  Europe.  This  is  the  credit  claimed  in  the  present 
instance  by  British  courage,  energy,  and  skill.  This  the  Americans  allow  us ;  and  they  may  afford  to  do  it.  They 
have  themselves,  even  in  the  same  field,  done  enough  to  content  ambition.  They  have  taken  up  this  scheme,  in  its 
present  stage,  with  their  usual  spirit,  and  without  a  moment's  hesitation  or  delay.  Unseasonable  circumstances  in 
their  pecuniary  situation,  more  perhaps  than  anything  else,  may  have  prevented  them  from  snatching  this  last  honour 
from  British  hands.  The  conception  itself  was  no  new,  crude,  chimerical  notion  to  them. 

They  have  been  too  much  accustomed  to  steam-movements  on  a  grand  scale  to  be  taken  by  surprise  with  this. 
Not  only  did  Fitch,  of  Philadelphia,  half  a  century  ago,  predict,  with  perfect  confidence,  the  establishment  of  Atlantic 
steam-navigation,  but  performances  of  substantially  much  the  same  character,  as  regards  risk,  have  for  many  years 
been  actually  going  on  before  the  eyes  of  the  American  public  (as,  indeed,  to  some  extent  also  of  ours).  A  few 
months  since  we  noticed  this  paragraph  in  a  New  York  journal : — 

"  The  British  steamer  '  Sir  Lionel  Smith,'  for  which  so  much  anxiety  has  been  felt,  reached  this  port  yesterday, 
in  fifteen  days  from  St.  Thomas." 

Along  the  extensive  coasts  and  up  the  vast  rivers  of  the  United  States  the  nature  of  their  steam-operations  is  well 
known.  At  New  Orleans  they  were  talking,  a  year  or  two  since  (as  well  as  at  New  York),  of  establishing  this  con- 
nexion with  Europe  by  steam,  and  the  project  seemed  to  have  been  abandoned  merely  on  account  of  the  "  crisis."  A 
British  passage  across  was  made  last  winter  by  the  "  City  of  Kingston,"  intended  for  a  Jamaica  and  Carthagena  mail- 
packet,  we  think.  She,  too,  was  much  talked  of  as  the  first  which  had  crossed.  It  seems,  however,  that  she  put  in 
at  Madeira  on  her  way.  It  is  also  well  ascertained  that  three  steam- vessels,  at  least,  had  crossed — all  the  way — 
before  her.  Two  of  these  were  the  "  Royal  William,"  built  at  Quebec,  for  the  trade  between  that  port  and  Halifax, 
which  was  sold  some  years  ago  to  the  crown  of  Portugal  for  12,OOOZ.  (and  which  we  ourselves  happened  to  see  in 
Boston  harbour,  five  or  six  years  ago,  wh'en  just  arrived  from  Liverpool  via  Halifax),  and  the  "  Cape  Breton,"  which 
was  built  at  Greenock  or  Glasgow,  and  sent  out  to  Pictou  for  the  use  of  a  mining  company.  But  the  vessel  to  which 
the  honour  of  first  crossing,  such  as  it  is,  must  doubtless  be  awarded,  was  the  "  Savannah,"  thus  alluded  to  in  the 
'Times'  of  May  11,  1819:— 

"  Great  Experiment. — A  new  steam-vessel,  of  300  tons,  has  been  built  at  New  York,  for  the  express  purpose  of 
carrying  passengers  across  the  Atlantic.  She  is  to  come  to  Liverpool  direct !  " 

And  she  did  reach  Liverpool,  accordingly,  on  the  20th  of  June — coming,  moreover,  direct  from  Savannah  in  twenty- 
six  days.  We  have  seen  it  stated  that  this  vessel  used  her  steam  only  when  she  failed  to  make  four  knots  the  hour 
by  sailing ;  but  these  particulars,  as  we  said  before,  are  hardly  worthy  of  notice.  After  a  somewhat  enthusiastic 
reception  at  Liverpool,  she  proceeded  to  Stockholm,  where  Bernadotte  went  on  board  and  made  the  captain  sundry 
presents,  significant  of  his  royal  gratification.  The  Emperor  of  Itussia  visited  her  also  at  Cronstadt  and  gave  his 
host  a  silver  tea-kettle,  which  he  retains,  as  a  trophy  of  his  adventure,  to  this  day. 

To  these,  we  believe,  might  be  added  the  "  Curacoa,"  which  is  said  to  have  gone  over  direct  from  Holland  to 
Surinam,  in  1828,  making  the  voyage  from  off  Dover  in  twenty-four  days. 

And  this,  as  far  as  we  know,  is  the  whole  history  of  Atlantic  steam-navigation.  Its  history,  a  hundred  years 
hence,  will  be  more  worth  telling,  though  perhaps  it  may  contain  nothing  more  interesting  to  the  men  of  those  times 
than  the  early  experiments  of  which  we  have  now  finished  an  humble  sketch. 


A  i.  1788  i  >  HIO.  PROPOSITIONS  FOR  GUIDING  BALLOONS.  BOO 


With  minds  thus  prepared  let  us  come  to  the  question  of  aerial  navigation  after 
n..  tier  of  wliiit  has  been  tried.     We  will  present  the  difficulties  in  a  tabular  form,  wherein 
we  shall  find  that  they  may  be  all  included  under  eleven  heads. 

The  experiments  of  Blanchard,  of  Guy  ton  de  Morveau,  and  other  aeronauts,  prove  that 
oars  can  only  slightly  affect  a  l>alloon  in  a  perfect  calm.  The  celebrated  Monge,  the  inventor 
of  descriptive  geometry,  and  Member  of  the  French  Academy,  in  1783,  proposed  a  method  of 
directing  acm-tats.  As  many  as  twenty-five  spherical  balloons  were  to  be  attached  to  each 
other,  like  beads  in  a  necklace,  so  that  they  could  either  lie  in  a  straight  line,  or  bend  in  all 
directions.  Two  aeronauts  might  be  attached  in  a  car  to  each,  and  receive  their  orders 
by  signals  from  the  captain  for  ascending  and  descending.  He  supposed  that  in  this  manner 
the  movement  of  a  serpent  in  the  water  would  be  imitated  ;  but  this  singular  project  was  never 
put  into  execution. 

General  Meusnier,  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  French  Engineers,  has  given  the  best 
calculations  that  have  yet  been  made  towards  the  progress  of  aerostation,  in  a  work  published 
in  17v">  ;  hut  his  figures  were  neglected  till  Mons.  Marey  Monge  embodied  them  in  his  able 
work  in  1817 

He  proposed  a  spherical  balloon  of  ordinary  dimensions,  with  an  exterior  cover,  to 
contain  compressed  air.  By  means  of  a  pump  he  was  to  fill  or  empty  this,  thereby  rising 
or  falling  without  valve  or  ballast.  As  to  horizontal  movements,  Meusnier  trusted  to 
atmospheric  currents,  and  therefore  devised  such  a  plan  as  would  enable  the  aeronaut  to 
move  from  one  current  to  the  other.  It  was  by  means  of  cross  sails  like  a  windmill,  which 
could  be  contracted  and  expanded  with  all  the  power  the  aeronauts  possessed,  and  with  this 
he  calculated  on  obtaining  a  movement  of  three  miles  an  hour. 

The  'Times,'  in  the  spring  of  1840,  thus  chronicles  the  success  of  one  of  Mr.  Charle* 
Green's  models  at  the  Polytechnic  Institution  :— 

A  miniature  balloon,  of  about  three  feet  diameter,  was  filled  with  common  coal-gas.  To  this  were  attached 
the  hoop,  netting,  and  ear,  and  in  the  car  a  small  piece  of  spring  mechanism  was  placed,  to  giro  motion  to  the  fans. 
The  balloon  was  then  balanced  :  that  is,  a  sufficient  weight  was  placed  in  the  car  to  keep  it  suspended  in  the  air,  with- 
out the  capacity  to  rise  or  inclination  to  sink.  Mr.  Green  then  touched  a  stop  in  the  mechanism,  which  immediately 
communicated  a  rapid  rotary  motion  to  the  fans,  whereupon  the  machine  rose  steadily  to  the  ceiling,  from  which  it 
continued  to  rebound  until  the  clockwork  had  run  out  Deprived  of  this  assistance,  it  immediately  fell  The 
-4.-  of  this  experiment  was  then  performed.  The  balloon  was  first  raised  into  the  air,  and  then  balanced.  A 
similar  motion  was  imparted  to  the  fans,  the  action  of  which  in  this  case  was,  however,  reversed,  and  the  balloon 
was  imnifiliiitely  pulled  down  to  the  ground  by  their  forces.  A  more  interesting  effect  still  was  then  exhibited. 
Tin-  balloon,  with  the  guide-rope  attached  to  it,  was  balanced  as  before,  the  guide-rope  having  a  small  brass  weight 
fixed  to  tin;  end  of  it.  The  fans  were  then  removed  from  under  the  car,  and  placed  sideways  upon  it,  by  which  th.  it 
action  became  vertical.  Upon  motion  being  communicated,  the  balloon  floated  in  a  horizontal  line,  dragging  the 
guide-rope  after  it  with  the  weight  trailing  along  the  floor,  and  continued  to  do  so  until  the  mechanism  ceased, 
when  it  iniinrdiately  became  stationary  again.  These  experiments  were  frequently  repeated  with  complete  success. 
Mr.  Green  states,  that  by  these  simple  means  a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  may  be  performed,  in  three  or  four 
days,  as  easily  as  one  from  Yuuxhall  Gardens  to  Nassau. 

"  The  vast  number,"  says  M.  Depuis  Delcourt,  "  of  propositions  for  guiding  balloons  may 
be  thus  classified  :  — 

"1st.  The  reaction  of  heated  air  on  -the  atmosphere  by  the  means  of  valves  on  the  sides  of  a  M  outgo): 

"  2nd.  Chemico-physical  agents,  and  agents  purely  mechanical,  for  Charlieree. 

"  3rd.  By  towing-macliines,  —  a  method  thought  of  by  Thilorier,  which  is  susceptible  of  receiving  in  certain 
instances  important  and  useful  application.  These  different  methods  may  be  subdivided  into  fourteen  classes  :  — 

2  8  2 


310 


ASTRA  CASTEA. 


A.D.  1783  TO  1840. 


CLASSIFICATION  OF  THE  VARIOUS  METHODS  PROPOSED  FOR  THE  DIRECTION  OF  AEROSTATS. 

CHARLIEBES. 


MONTGOLFIERES. 

Chemico-physical  Agents. 

Mechanical  Agents. 

1.  Openings  for  heated 
air. 

2.  Reaction  on  the  at- 
mosphere. 

3.  Compressed  air  or  gas. 

"Eohpyli,     or|T[rm.       or 
4.  Steam        .  .       direct      jet  >     ...   ," 
pumps. 

["Simple  fusees. 
Composite  fusees. 
5.  Gunpowder  ^Cannon. 
|"  Mortier  a  recul." 
(Shells. 

6.  Inclined  planes. 
7.  Groved  surfaces. 
8.  Archimedean  screw. 
9.  Sails. 
10.  Reversed  parachute. 
11.  Oars. 
12.  Wing-like  win-'  Is. 
13.  Blasts  of  wind. 

Trained  and  harnessed  birds. 
Atmospheric  currents. 
14.  Towing-machiues. 

"  Some  of  these  will  not  stand  the  slightest  investigation,  and  others  are  repeated  with  so  many  modifications 
that  it  is  difficult  to  form  an  opinion  of  their  merits.  Patents  are  frequently  taken  for  nearly  the  same  invention, 
inventors  having  neglected  to  remark  what  has  already  been  done." 

The  engravings  herewith  given  will  suffice  for  samples  of  some  of  the  attempts  already 
made,  and  need  no  further  explanation. 


THE  GROUP  OF  EXPERIMENTS. 


No.  1. — A  Flying  Globe  made  by  an  engineer  named  Blainville.  It 
is  not  explained  how  these  wings  were  to  be  used ;  but  it  gives  the  idea 
of  weighting  and  lightening  a  balloon  with  air  by  means  of  a  pump. 

No.  2— 18  July,  1784,  Abbe'  Molan's  Montgolfiere.  A  lateral 
opening  from  which  it  was  expected  the  heated  air  would  rush  and 
force  the  balloon  in  the  opposite  direction.  The  machine  catching 
tire,  the  experiment  was  not  made. 

No.  3. — A  balloon  with  a  reversed  parachute  by  Mr.  Henin.  This 
parachute  was  to  slacken  the  ascent  of  the  balloon,  and  allow  the 
action  of  the  wind  on  the  sails,  thereby  guiding  it  at  pleasure. 

No.  4.— Sir  George  Cayley's  Navigable  Balloon,  1810. 

No.  5. — Samson's  Aerostat  furnished  with  fins  made  of  feathers ; 
but,  like  Julien's,  a  motive  power  is  required. 


No.  6.— 

No.  7. — The  Aerial  Ship  "  1'Aigle,"  of  Mr.  Lennox.  It  proved  a 
failure  in  the  Champs  de  Mars,  August,  1834. 

No.  8.— Systeme  Pctin,  1850. 

No.  9. —  Julieu's  Aerostat.  This  aerostat,  made  in  a  model,  25  feet 
in  length,  succeeded  in  the  experiment  made  at  the  Hippodrome  at 
Paris,  and  went  against  the  wind.  Its  movement  was  by  clockwork 
suspended  below.  This  invention  deserves  encouragement.  , 

No.  10. — November,  1851,  Aerial  scheme  of  Mr.  Hellc  not  yet 
tried ;  consisting  of  a  combination  of  sails  and  screws  moved  by  the 
strength  of  two  men. 


BENSON'S  AERIAL  CARRIAGE.  ::il 

M.  Dcjiuis  Dclctiiirt  says  :— 

••  /:.,"•-.  i.  c.  aerostats  of  spherical  form,  CM  ntvtr  bt  guided,  as  it  in  only  possible  for  them  to  turn  on  tin  ir 
own  pivots.     Tli.  ir  progress  in  by  fiU  and  start*,  swaying  backwards  and  forwards. 

uidable  aerostat  can  bo  made,  but  then  it  iihould  bo  ship-like,  with  wood  and  metal  in  iU  construction. 
inviilving  a  serious  attempt,  for  which  money  is  required.  The  value  of  one  iron-clad,  if  spent  on  a  proper  course 
..!  ,  \|>criiiieii!s,  mi-lit  have  decided  the  form  and  construction  of  a  serviceable  aerostat,  and  the  stake  to  bo  won  is 
far  greater  than  the  cost  would  bo." 

The   most  complete   aerostat  of  this  description   hitherto   tried  was  Henson's  Aerial 
,  which  is  thus  briefly  described  by  Mr.  Wise  :  — 


M.-inv  i-Tsons  were  sanguine  in  the  belief  that  his  machine  was  destined  to  perfect  the  art  of  aerial  navigation. 
ami  it  was  seriously  contemplated  to  build  one  after  his  model,  with  which  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  Indeed,  it  was 
\v.  11  calculated  to  inspire  such  a  belief  in  the  mere  theoretical  mind;  but  to  the  practical  man  it  at  once  occurs, 
\Yliat  is  to  keep  it  from  tilting  over  in  losing  its  balance  by  a  flaw  of  wind,  or  any  other  casualty,  and  thus  tumbling 
to  the  ground,  admitting  that  it  could  raise  itself  up  and  move  forward  ? 

Tin'  princi|>al  fmturo  of  the  invention  is  the  very  great  expanse  of  its  sustaining  planes,  which  are  larger,  in 
projiortion  to  the  weight  it  has  to  carry,  than  those  of  many  birds;  but  if  they  had  been  still  greater,  they  would 
not  have  sufficed  of  themselves  to  sustain  their  own  weight,  to  say  nothing  of  their  machinery  and  cargo;  sun-ly. 
tin  nigh  sli  i\vly.  t  hey  would  have  come  to  the  ground.  The  machine  advances  with  its  front  edge  a  little  raised  ;  the  effect 
i  >f  whii-h  is  to  present  its  under  surface  to  the  air  over  which  it  is  passing,  the  resistance  of  which,  acting  on  it  like 
a  Btnmg  wind  on  the  sails  of  a  windmill,  prevents  the  descent  of  the  machine  and  its  burden.  The  sustaining  of 
the  whole,  theref  ire,  depends  upon  the  speed  at  which  it  is  travelling  through  the  air,  and  the  angle  at  which  it« 
mid'  r  .-url'.iee  impinges  on  the  air  in  its  front;  and  this  is  exactly  the  principle  by  which  birds  are  upheld  in  their 
flight  with  but  slight  motion  of  their  wings,  and  often  with  none. 

Hut  tin  n  this  result,  after  the  start,  depends  entirely  on  keeping  up  the  speed,  and  there  remains  beyond  that 
the  still  more  formidable  difficulty  of  first  obtaining  that  speed.  All  former  attempts  of  this  kind  have  failed. 
because  no  engine  existed  that  was  at  once  light  enough  and  powerful  enough  to  lift  even  it.-  own  weight  tlm-ugh 
the  air  with  the  necessary  rapidity.  Mr.  Benson  lias  removed  this  difficulty  partly,  by  inventing  a  steam-engine  of 
•in-  lightness  and  efficiency,  and  ]uirtly  by  another  and  very  singular  device,  which  requires  particular  notice. 
The  machine,  fully  prepared  for  flight,  is  started  from  the  top  of  an  inclined  plane,  in  descending  which  it 
attains  a  velocity  necessary  to  sustain  it  in  its  further  progress.  That  velocity  would  be  gradually  disiroyd  by 
the  resistance  of  the  air  to  the  forward  flight;  it  is,  therefore,  the  office  of  tho  steam-engine  and  the  vanes  it 
actuates  simply  to  repair  the  loss  of  velocity  ;  it  is  made,  therefore,  only  of  tho  power  and  weight  necessary  for  that 
small  effect  Here,  we  apprehend,  is  the  chief,  but  not  the  only  merit  and  originality  of  .Mr.  \\<  -n-in's  invention  : 
and  to  this  happy  thought  we  shall  probably  bo  indebted  for  the  first  successful  attempt  to  traverse  at  will  another 
domain  of  nature. 

The  editor  of  '  Newton's  Journal  of  Arts  and  Sciences,'  speaks  of  it  thus:  "Tho  apparatus  consists  of  a  car, 
containing  tho  goods,  passengers,  engine,  fuel,  (fee.,  to  which  a  rectangular  frame,  made  of  wood  or  bamboo-cane.  and 
covered  with  canvass  or  oiled  silk,  is  attached.  This  frame  extends  on  either  side  of  the  car,  in  a  similar  manner  to 
the  oiitstreteln  d  wings  of  a  bird;  but,  with  this  difference,  that  tho  frame  is  immovable.  Behind  the  wings  are 
two  vertical  fan  win-.  -Is,  furnished  with  oblique  vanes,  which  are  intended  to  propel  the  apparatus  through  the  air. 
These  wheels  receive  motion,  through  bands  and  pulleys,  from  a  steam  or  other  engine  contained  in  the  car.  To  an 
axis  at  the  stern  of  the  car  a  triangular  frame  is  attached,  resembling  the  tail  of  a  bird,  which  is  also  covered  with 
canvass  or  oil.  d  silk.  This  may  be  expanded  or  contracted  at  pleasure,  and  is  moved  up  and  down  for  the  purpose 
of  causing  the  machine  to  ascend  or  descend.  Beneath  the  tail  is  a  rudder  for  directing  tho  course  of  tho  machine 
to  the  right  or  to  the  left;  and,  to  facilitate  the  steering,  a  sail  is  stretched  between  two  masts  which  rise 
from  the  car. 

Tho  amount  of  canvass  or  oiled  silk  necessary  for  buoying  up   tho  machine  is  stated  to  be  equal  to  ..... 
square  foot  fur  each  half-pound  weight,  tin-  whole  apparatus  weighing  about  3000  Ibs.,  and  the  area  of  M: 
spread  out  to  support  it  4500  square  feet  in  tho  two  wings,  and  1505  in  tho  tail,  making  altogether  6000  square 


312  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1845. 

feet.  The  engine  is  proposed  to  be  of  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  horse-power.  It  is  stated  in  the  specification 
that,  on  launching  the  machine  into  the  air,  an  elevated  situation  must  be  selected,  and  the  machine  allowed  to  run 
some  distance  down  an  inclined  plane,  for  which  purpose  vertical  wheels  are  attached  to  the  bottom  of  the  car 
or  boat.  When  the  machine  has  thus  acquired  a  momentum,  the  rotary  fan- wheels  are  put  in  motion  to  raise  it  into 
the  air  and  propel  it ;  the  rudder  appended  to  the  car  is  then  used  for  regulating  its  course. 

"  The  photozincograph  of  this  machine  represents  the  aerial  steamer  flying.  The  bat-like  wing,  or  sail,  is  the  tail, 
which  turns  on  joints,  answering  the  same  purposes  as  the  tail  of  a  bird,  and  can  be  depressed,  elevated,  contracted, 
or  expanded,  at  the  will  of  the  commander.  The  car,  containing  the  steam-engine,  cargo,  conductors,  and  passengers, 
in  suitable  compartments,  is  represented  by  windows,  and  three  wheels  upon  which  the  carriage  can  run  on 
land.  Aerial  goes  foremost,  and  is  a  little  raised :  to  the  middle  of  the  other  is  jointed  the  tail.  The  carriage  is 
two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  by  thirty,  and  the  tail  is  fifty  feet  long.  The  rainbow-like  circular  wheels  are  the 
propellers,  answering  to  the  wheels  of  a  steamboat,  and  acting  upon  the  air  after  the  manner  of  a  windmill.  The 
car  is  seen  at  one  side,  owing  to  the  difficulty  of  representing  it  in  an  engraving  underneath  the  surface  of  the 
carriage,  where  it  is  located,  between  and  below  the  propelling  wheels." 

This  invention  drew  the  attention  and  commendation  of  the  scientific  both  of  Europe  and  America.  It 
certainly  comes  nearer  to  the  construction  and  consequent  physical  action  of  the  bird  than  any  that  has  ever 
preceded  it.  It,  moreover,  embraces  all  the  most  rational  conceptions  and  fine  mechanical  contrivances,  without 
the  inefficient  incumbrances,  of  all  other  flying  machines  that  have  ever  been  brought  before  the  public.  "VVc 
might  go  on  and  multiply  the  description  of  plans  and  models  that  have  been  suggested  of  late  years ;  but  as  the 
ones  we  have  here  given  seem  to  embrace  every  valuable  discovered  feature  of  mechanism,  it  seems  useless  to  waste 
time  in  their  further  investigation. 

The  propulsion  of  the  spheroidal  balloon  by  steam  or  any  other  power,  applied  to  the  windmill-like  paddle- 
wheel,  was  first  shown  by  a  working  model,  put  in  motion  by  a  clock-spring,  by  Charles  Green,  of  England,  one  of 
the  most  experienced  aeronauts  in  the  world,  before  the  Society  of  Arts  of  London,  ten  or  twelve  years  ago.  By 
reference  to  the  London  papers  of  that  period  a  description  will  be  found  concerning  it. 

I  here  annex  an  article  on  the  same  subject  from  the  'Westminster  Review':— 

The  problem  of  aerial  navigation  is,  of  course,  not  completely  resolved  by  the  invention  of  a  machine 
or  apparatus  capable  of  sustaining  the  human  body  in  the  air.  It  is  necessary  to  discover,  likewise,  the  means  of 
guiding  or  propelling  such  a  machine  in  any  direction.  It  would,  perhaps,  at  first  sight  appear  probable  that,  if 
means  of  floating  in  the  air  be  discovered,  a  method  of  propulsion  could  be  readily  found  ;  yet  it  has  proved  in  practice 
a  far  more  difficult  attempt  than  had,  at  first,  been  imagined ;  and  the  numerous  schemes  for  effecting  this  object 
have  all  proved  abortive,  or  been  attended  with  success  so  insignificant  as  not  to  warrant  the  further  prosecution  of 
them.  The  balloon  invented,  the  art  of  guiding  or  propelling  it  appears  thus  to  be  almost  as  far  from  our  grasp, 
and  as  distant  of  attainment,  as  ever. 

Since  the  invention  of  the  gas-balloon  by  M.  Charles,  of  Paris,  but  few  improvements  of  importance  have  been 
made  in  it ;  and,  as  might  be  foreseen  from  the  original  simplicity  of  the  invention,  what  improvements  have  been 
made  are  not  improvements  in  the  principle,  but  in  minor  matters  of  detail.  The  most  important  improvement 
since  introduced  is  one  effected  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century  by  Mr.  Green,  well  known  for  the  many 
successful  public  ascents  which  he  has  since  made.  This  improvement  consists  in  the  use  of  coal-gas  instead 
of  pure  hydrogen,  which  latter  gas  was  employed  in  the  ascents  of  M.  Charles,  and  the  subsequent  ones  of  Lunardi, 
Gamerin,  and  other  aeronauts. 

One  of  the  principal  advantages  arising  from  the  employment  of  coal-gas  is  economy,  the  saving  of  expense 
being  very  great ;  at  the  same  time,  from  the  greater  density  of  the  gas,  its  use  entails  this  disadvantage — that  the 
1  >;tlloon  is  required  to  be  of  somewhat  larger  dimensions  than  when  pure  hydrogen  is  employed  for  inflation.  The 
original  expense  of  construction  is  thus  increased,  but  the  disadvantage  of  the  greater  cost  and  size  of  the  balloon  is 
more  than  counterbalanced  by  the  economy  and  convenience  attending  the  use  of  coal-gas ;  and,  what  is  of  great 
importance,  if  balloons  are  eventually  to  become  of  practical  utility,  the  period  which  a  balloon  retains  its  ascending 
power  is  considerably  prolonged,  when  coal-gas  is  substituted  for  pure  hydrogen. 

Since  the  introduction  of  the  use  of  coal-gas  in  aeronautics,  but  few,  or  rather,  perhaps,  we  oiight  to  say,  no 
improvements  in  the  construction  of  balloons  have  been  made;  minor  improvements  have  indeed  been -made  in  the 


c 


I  3 


A.U.  is  I:,.  Till!     \\IMMINSTKI!  IJKVIKW  ON   AKKIAI,  NAVK  JATIOX.  ::i:: 

1'iirtii  and  arrangements  of  some  parts  of  the  machine,  or  apparatus  connected  with  it,  MI,  h  us  tin-  ingenious  iin-ili-«l 
..I   lil.-i.itin^  tlu>  lull. >.. n  employed   i  .-II,  \\li.iin  we  have  already  mentioned;  but  these  are  all  hini|.l. 

c..iitrivaiices  nf  ili-tail,  which  in  no  respect  alter  tin-  jirini'i]ili-  of  the  machine. 

\\nli  tin-  invention  ..f  tin-  balloon  wo  had  then  obtained  the  means  nf  floating  in  the  air,  and  acquired 
possession  of  a  r..nti  ivano-  I'. .r  this  purpose;  which,  except  its  inability  to  Mi]i]Hirt  very  great  weights,  l.-ft  but  little 
to  bo  desired,  when  oonMdi-ri-d  a*  .1.  -tin-  .1  m.  i.  l\  t.i  Kit]i|>ort  tin-  hum  in  body  in  the  air  and  to  move  fn-«  Iv  with 
ih-  wind.  I'.ut  tin-  <-ui]il. .vnp-iit  of  such  a  contrivance  can  scarcely  bo  called  aerial  navigation,  and,  in  fact,  only 
half  the  work  had  been  done :  the  Hhip  for  navigating  the  air  had  been  invented  ;  the  art  of  Moiling  in  .si  ill  nnkn.  >\vn. 
\\  .wn  scarcely  consider  ourm-lves  to  have  succeeded  in  discovering  tlio  art  of  aerial  navigation  until  the  aeronaut 
has  at  his  command  the  means  of  varying  the  elevation  of  the  ball<x>n  above  the  earth,  and  of  causing  it  to  move  in 
any  hoii/,,ntal  .lii.--tic.ti  at  will.  Two  inethodH  of  effecting  this  naturally  suggest  themselves;  indeed,  the  art  ..f 
aerial  navigation  may  be  considered  (as  that  of  ocean  navigation  now  generally  is)  as  divided  into  two  great  ami 
iliMinet  liranches:  the  one,  comprising  the  manner  of  directing  the  machine  by  the  agency  of  the  wind  itoelf  in  any 
•  i.  in.  either  e,  .incident  with  or  different  from  that  of  the  wind  ;  the  other,  the  employment  of  artificial  means  of 
I--  I -i.l-i-. n.  such  it*  ].r.  .]H-ll,-is  ilrivi-n  by  steam-engines,  or  machinery  of  a  similar  nature.  Of  the  attainment  of  a 
-.illy  iiM-fnl  method  of  propelling  balloons  by  the  motive  power  of  steam  we  fear  there  is  little  h,.|»-:  ami 
were  tin-  attention  of  projectors  directed  to  a  method  of  sailing  balloons,  ruther  than  pro|H-lliiig  them,  it  in  probable 
Home  ii.-eful  ]iructical  progress  might  soon  bo  made  in  the  art  of  aerial  navigation.  Attempts  ut  guiding  balloons 
imhtxl  been  made,  but,  being  ill  directed,  have  always  failed  ;  ami,  in  fact,  the  application  of  the  steam-engine 
t<>  loeoinotion  not  having  been  made  at  the  time  of  the  invention  of  balloons,  all  the  early  attempts  at  guiding 
balloons  or  increasing  tln-ir  K]M  ed  were  directed  by  the  analogy,  real  or  supposed,  of  a  balloon  and  a  sailing-vessel. 

The  supposed  identity  of  the  two  cases  led  immediately  to  the  trial  of  sails  and  rudders  applied  to  balloons  ;  the 
I-\]M  rinientalists  not  perceiving  the  considerable  and  important  difference  existing  between  the  two— a  balloon  an. I 
a  ship — appear  to  have  fancied  that  the  two  cases  differed  merely  in  that  of  tin-  balloon  floating  in  a  medium  of  far 
less  density  than  water.  The  similarity  of  the  two  oases  is,  however,  apparent  rather  than  real.  In  the  eagerness 
of  the  attempt,  it  was  entirely  overlooked  that  whilst  the  balloon,  entirely  surrounded  by  and  immersed  in  the  tluiil 
which  Mijijic.rt.s  it.  moves  necessarily  at  the  same  rate  as  the  current  of  air  in  which  it  happens  to  be,  a  vessel  floating 
on  the  surface  of  the  water  is  impelled  by  the  force  of  the  air,  which,  moving  at  a  much  greater  velocity  than  anv 
current,  cither  in  the  river  or  tin-  ocean,  has,  notwithstanding  its  much  less  density,  sufficient  power  to  give  motion 
to  the  vessel.  Sails  and  rudders,  then,  when  applied  to  balloons,  were  found  useless ;  the  first  did  not  increase  the 
speed  of  the  balloon,  the  second  had  no  effect  in  guiding  it  Sails  were,  of  course,  useless,  since  there  was  no  w  in.  I 
to  fill  them — a  balloon  moving  as  fast  as  the  wind ;  and  for  the  same  reason,  there  being  no  current,  the  rudder  had 
no  action  on  the  direction  of  the  motion. 

The  more  recent  attempts  made  of  late  years  have  almost  invariably  been  founded  on  schemes  for  proj>elling 
balloons ;  and,  in  a  great  number  of  these,  the  employment  of  the  steam-engine  is  a  princijial  feature.  The  object i< m* 
to  the  employment  of  this  motive  power,  even  if  it  should  be  found  possible  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  force  of  steam 
for  this  purpose,  would  probably  prove  of  such  force  as  to  prevent  its  introduction  to  any  extent  It  may,  no 
doubt,  lie  urged  that,  in  a  medium  of  so  small  a  density  as  air,  the  actual  force  required  to  propel  a  balloon  would  lie 
-mall,  and  that  this  being  the  case,  the  size  and  weight  of  the  machinery  necessary  to  impel  a  balloon  ntx-d  in.t 
be  very  considerable ;  and  that,  therefore,  it  would  bo  found  possible  to  construct  balloons  of  sufficient  size  and 
•Sing  j lower  to  carry  the  necessary  machine.  But,  were  it  even  so,  the  necessity  there  would  be  of  eith.-i 
relinquishing  the  use  of  the  profiler  after  a  very  short  period,  or  of  descending  to  obtain  supplies  of  fuel  ami  v 
would  U-  found  to  render  its  practical  application  of  but  little  value.  If  it  be  also  remembered  that  to  workasteam- 
engine  it  requires  not  only  an  engine  and  boiler,  but  a  heavy  weight  of  water  and  fuel,  even  if  the  engine  work  but 
for  a  very  short  time,  and  also  engine-men  and  stokers  to  work  the  machinery  and  feed  the  fires,  the  uselessness  of 
the  attempt  is  so  evident  as  to  render  numerical  calculations  unnecessary  for  exposing  its  fallacy.  The  lightest 
form  of  marine  steam-engine  in  HM- weighs  al>ont  thirteen  hundredweight  ]n-r  horse-power ;  and  when  to  this  we 
add  the  weight  of  fuel  and  water  contained  in  the  boiler,  and  that  of  the  men  necessary  for  attending  the  macliin.  -  \ . 
we  arrive  at  a  sum  total  for  the  weight  whatever  horse-jiower  we  may  assume  as  necessary,  entirely  beyond  the  ]K.\\.  > 
of  any  balloon  to  support  For,  though  we  may  imagine  a  balloon  of  such  vast  dimensions  as  to  IK-  alile  to  Mijijiort 
such  a  weight,  yet  the  construct  i..n  of  such  a  balloon  would  be  difficult,  and  its  inflation  almost  impose  Me. 

I'.ut.  hereafter,  one  means  of  obtaining  motive  power  may  be  discovered  which  will  enable  UH  to  dispense 


314  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1845. 

with  the  cumbersome  appendage  of  a  steam-boiler,  and  the  weight  of  fuel  and  water  necessary  for  it.  Electro- 
magnetism  may,  perhaps,  stand  us  here  in  good  stead ;  but,  at  the  present  moment,  the  recently  discevered 
gun-cotton  offers,  perhaps,  the  best  hopes  of  success.  The  enormous  force  of  this  substance,  compared  with  its 
weight  and  the  space  it  occupies,  the  abolition  of  the  boiler  and  all  fuel  which  it  will  effect,  and  the  fact  of  no 
water,  either  for  feed  or  condensation  being  required,  are  advantages  which  make  us  look  forward  to  a  trial 
of  gun-cotton  as  offering  a  prospect  of  greater  success  than  has  hitherto  attended  attempts  at  balloon  propulsion. 
Gun-cotton  might  be  tried,  probably  with  some  effect,  on  the  recoil  principle  of  the  rocket  and  the  fumific  impeller 
of  Mr.  Gordon,  as  well  as  with  machinery  similar  to  the  ordinary  steam-engine,  such  as  has  recently  been  patented 
by  Mr.  Talbot.  The  force  of  steam  not  being  in  this  case  applicable  as  a  propelling  power,  if  that  of  gun-cotton 
should  not  be  found  available,  we  must  seek  in  another  direction  for  a  motive  power,  which,  with  a  small  weight, 
gives  an  intense  force.  The  great  object  of  the  inventor  will  evidently  be  to  get  rid  of  a  heavy  incumbrance,  such 
as  a  steam-boiler,  and  to  confine  his  machine  within  the  most  narrow  limits  possible  as  to  space  and  weight.  The 
use  of  gun-cotton  in  lieu  of  steam,  would  certainly  reduce  the  size  and  weight  of  the  machinery,  as  far  as  wo  can 
reasonably  hope  to  reduce  it.  Our  propelling  machinery  would  then,  in  short,  be  a  steam-engine  working  without 
water,  without  a  boiler,  and  with  but  a  very  small  weight  of  fuel ;  but,  until  this  substance  has  been  successfully 
applied  as  a  motive  power,  its  application  to  ballooning  must,  of  course,  be  mere  conjecture. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  if  a  motive  power  fit  for  the  purpose  could  be  found,  some  form  of  propeller 
would  soon  be  invented  capable  of  applying  this  power,  with  good  effect,  in  the  propulsion  of  balloons.  The 
numerous  experiments  which  have  been  made  during  the  last  few  years  with  submerged  propellers  applied  to 
steam-vessels,  make  it  certain  that  a  similar  form  of  propeller  might  be  used  for  balloons  with  a  fair  chance  of 
a  successful  result,  if  only  a  moderate  velocity  be  required.  We  have  ourselves  seen  a  model  balloon  furnished  with 
a  screw-propeller,  worked  by  clockwork,  perform  in  a  satisfactory  manner  in  a  small  room,  the  air  being  still.  The 
employment  of  a  propelling  power  applied  to  the  car  of  a  balloon  would,  however,  experience  a  difficulty  of  a 
peculiar  nature,  which  presents  itself  in  all  balloon  experiments :  this  is  a  constant,  though  slow,  rotation  of 
a  balloon  round  its  vertical  axis.  The  use  of  the  guide-rope,  which  we  shall  presently  describe,  almost,  if  not 
entirely,  destroys  the  tendency  to  rotation ;  but  one  effect  of  the  guide-rope  is  to  retard  the  motion  of  the  balloon, 
while  the  object  of  the  employment  of  a  propelling  force  is,  of  course,  to  increase  the  velocity  of  the  balloon,  so  that 
the  cotemporaneous  employment  of  the  propelling  force  and  the  guide-rope  is  scarcely  feasible ;  but  until,  by  some 
alteration  in  the  form  of  balloons,  or  by  the  application  of  some  mechanical  contrivance  destined  to  that  effect,  the 
tendency  of  a  balloon  to  rotate  round  its  vertical  axis  be  destroyed,  the  application  of  propelling  machinery  to 
balloons  can  be  followed  but  by  little  or  no  useful  effect. 

The  want  of  success  attending  the  early  attempts  at  guiding  balloons  appears  to  have  deterred  adventurers 
from  repeating  these  experiments  or  devising  new  methods  for  effecting  this  object ;  and,  since  the  beginning  of  the 
present  century,  nothing  of  practical  utility  has  been  tried.  However,  Mr.  C.  Green,  whom  we  have  already  had 
occasion  to  mention,  has  broached  an  idea  which  appears  to  be  in  the  right  direction,  and  which  will  possibly,  when 
modified,  be  found  to  be  feasible.  Mr.  Green  having  remarked,  during  his  numerous  balloon- voyages,  that  at 
various  heights  above  the  earth  he  met  with  currents  of  air  which  earned  him  in  a  direction  different  from  that  in 
which  the  wind  was  blowing  at  the  time  of  starting,  conceived  the  idea,  if  it  be  possible  to  keep  a  balloon  at  a 
constant  elevation  above  the  surface  of  the  earth,  that  advantage  might  be  taken  of  this  circumstance ;  for,  by 
increasing  or  diminishing  the  altitude  of  the  balloon,  a  current  of  air  might  be  found  to  carry  the  aeronaut  in  any 
direction  he  might  desire.  It  has,  indeed,  been  long  known  that  the  wind,  observed  at  the  surface  of  the  earth, 
does  not  blow  in  the  same  direction  with  the  current  of  air  moving  at  some  distance  from  the  earth.  This 
phenomenon  occurs  not  only  in  our  latitudes,  but  also  in  the  regions  of  the  trade- winds ;  and  several  observers, 
amongst  them  Sir  James  Boss,  in  his  recent  voyage,  have  noticed,  when  in  the  trades,  small  clouds  moving  at  a 
considerable  height  above  the  sea  in  a  direction  contrary  to  that  of  the  trade-winds.  It  is  obvious  that  if  it  bo  true 
that,  at  some  height  or  other  above  the  earth,  we  may  find  a  wind  blowing  in  any  given  direction,  and  supposing 
we  can  cause  the  balloon  to  remain  invariably  at  the  same  height,  we  might  be  enabled  to  move  a  balloon  in  any 
direction  merely  by  ascending  or  descending  until  a  current  of  air  having  the  required  direction  is  met  with. 

Various  methods  of  causing  the  balloon  to  remain  at  an  invariable  height  may,  doubtless,  be  supposed ;  but 
the  one  actually  in  use,  namely,  that  of  discharging  gas  or  ballast  according  as  it  may  be  necessary  to  check  a 
tendency  of  the  balloon  to  rise  or  fall,  is  of  very  limited  application,  for  the  quantity  of  ballast  and  gas  which  can 
be  employed  in  this  manner  is  very  small.  The  power  of  varying  the  elevation,  or  remaining  at  the  same  height, 


A.I..  is  i.-,.  KEl'i:i\<:. 


)»  pvatly  cxt.  n.l.-d  by  the  nso  of  condensed  or  liquefied  gas;  a  small  receiver  containing  li<iuid  coal-gas 
niiirht  !«•  taken  up  in  tin-  <-ir,  ami.  K-ing  connected  with  the  balloon  by  a  tulx>  and  stopcock,  tho  aeronaut  would  be 
able.  by  tin-  siiiijilc  opening  of  tho  stopcock,  to  permit  tho  entrance  into  tho  ballixm  of  a  largo  quantity  of  gas. 

••would  iin.l..iil>te<Uy  be  a  few  practical  difficulties  in  its  application,  but  untie  such  as  could  not  bo  readily 
overcome  ;  but  the  danger  attending  the  use  of  gas  in  thin  form  is  but  slight,  liquefied  gas  having  been  in  common 
use  for  some  yean  past  for  lighting  apartments  and  railway  carriages  in  France, 

M-.  <!reon,  however,  proposes  Mr.  Baldwin's  method,  which  is  very  different  from  tho  above.  He  supposes 
the  aeronaut  furnished  with  a  ropo  of  sufficient  length  to  reach  from  tho  balloon,  when  hi  the  desired  current  of  air, 
to  the  earth:  one  portion  of  tho  rope  resting  on  and  trailing  along  tho  surface  of  the  earth  or  sea,  as  the  case 
may  IN  ,  while  (lie  ..tber  end  is  attached  to  tho  balloon  or  car.  If  the  balloon,  from  tho  effects  of  tho  sun's  rays  on  it, 
riw  to  a  greater  elevation,  a  corresponding  length  of  rope  will  be  rained  off  tho  surface  of  the  ground  and  supported 
in  the  air  :  and  in  the  same  way,  if  tho  balloon  sink,  an  additional  length  of  rope  will  bo  plunged  in  tho  water  or 
drag  along  tho  earth.  The  result  will  be  that,  in  tho  one  case,  the  same  effect  will  bo  produced  as  if  an  additional 
quantity  of  ballast  were  added  to,  or  a  small  volume  of  gas  allowed  to  escape  from,  tho  balloon  ;  in  the  other,  the 
effect  will  be  similar  to  that  of  the  discharge  of  ballast  from  tho  balloon.  It  is  evident  that  by  this  contrivance  the 
balloon  will  remain  at  nearly  the  same  height  from  the  ground,  the  effect  of  any  expansion  or  contnieti..n 
of  the  gas  created  by  increase  or  decrease  of  the  temperature  of  the  surrounding  air  being  counteracted  by  the 

i  imi  in  the  weight  which  tho  balloon  has  to  support,  and  that  without  any  loss  of  either  Imllaat  or  gas.  This 
nieth.  -1.  however,  could  scarcely  be  practicable  except  at  sea,  on  account  of  tho  damage  and  difficulty  its  employment 
would  occasion  by  the  entanglement  of  tho  rope  in  trees  and  buildings  ;  but  at  sea  no  difficulty  arising  from  these 
circumstances  could  be  experienced,  and  tho  experiment  is  certainly  well  worth  a  trial.  At  great  elevations  above 
the  earth  tho  weight  of  the  rope  would  also  become  so  considerable  as  to  require  for  its  support  a  large  portion  of 
the  ascending  power  of  any  balloon. 

One  thing  is  clear,  that  the  friction  of  the  rope  on  the  earth  or  in  the  water  would  occasion  a  degree  of 
resistance  sufficient  to  retard  in  some  degree  the  speed  of  tho  balloon  ;  and  this  would  lead  us  to  hope  that,  this  plan 
being  adopted,  it  would  be  found  possible  to  guide  or  steer  balloons.  We  have  already  observed  that,  to  guide  or 
steer  balloons,  it  will  be  necessary  to  find  out  some  method  of  creating  a  relative  velocity  between  the  balloon  and 
th.  wind  which  impels  it;  or,  in  other  words,  we  must  arrange  matters  so  that  the  balloon  move  either  slower  or 
more  rapidly  than  tho  wind.  Now  this  is  effected  by  the  proposed  guide-rope  of  Mr.  Green  ;  and  we  may  observe 
that  sailors  are  sometimes  compelled  to  resort  to  a  similar  artifice  in  order  to  obtain  steerage-way  on  a  vessel 

This  artifice  in  navigation  is  termed  '  kedging,"  and  is  employed  when  vessels  are  floating  down  streams  or 
rivers  when  there  is  no  wind.  Under  such  circumstances,  a  vessel  would  be  in  constant  danger  of  being  run  on 
shore,  unless  steerage-way  could  be  got  on  the  vessel.  This  is  effected  in  the  following  manner  :  —  It  is  well  known 
that  an  anchor  holds  the  ground  more  or  less  firmly,  according  as  its  distance  from  tho  vessel  is  greater  or  less  ; 
and,  when  the  anchor  is  immediately  under  the  ship's  bow,  it  has  very  little  or  no  hold.  Now,  supposing  a  vessel 
be  in  a  tideway  with  no  sails  set,  to  obtain  steerage-way  the  anchor  is  allowed  to  trail  along  the  ground  under  the 
bows  of  tho  vessel,  the  cable  being  hove  down  until  nearly  vertical  ;  and  tho  resistance  thus  opposed  to  the  motion 
of  the  vessel  through  tho  water  is  sufficiently  great  to  enable  the  vessel  to  be  steered.  The  artifice  above  briefly 
dcscrib-  d  evidently  bears  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  guide-rope  of  Mr.  Green,  and  we  think  that  an  attempt  at 
steering  balloons,  made  in  conjunction  with  the  use  of  the  guide-rope,  would  be  successful.  Of  course,  some  practical 
difficulties  would  be  found  to  exist,  and  the  form  and  arrangement  of  the  steering  apparatus  would  be  a  subject  for 
great  consideration.  Some  difficulty  would  also  be  met  with  from  the  rotation  of  the  balloon  on  its  vertical  axis. 

At  sea,  where  this  idea  holds  out  great  hopes  of  success,  the  lower  end  of  the  guide-rope  should  be  attached 
to  a  small  boat  or  float,  which  would  increase  the  resistance  and  give  additional  steerage-way. 

difti.  -ulties  of  steering  balloons  would  then  bo  found,  we  think,  to  be  far  from  insuperable.  The 
rotation  of  a  balloon  about  its  vertical  axis  would  likewise  be  found  a  considerable  obstacle  to  the  use  of  any 
propelling  power,  since  the  rotary  motion  of  the  balloon  would  cause  tho  direction  of  the  propelling  force  to  change 
at  each  instant.  A  balloon  al\\  .v-  rotates  in  this  manner;  but  its  rotation  is  slow,  and  the  fact  is  not  at  once 
perceptible,  and  only  :q>i>an  nt  on  regarding  fixedly  an  object—  such  as  a  cloud  —  at  some  distance  from  the  spectator, 


*  Mr.  Cnxwell  considers  the  ow  of  tin-  giii.le-mpe  on  tlie  earth  highly  objectionable  and  clangcroiw,  unlit*  it  be  used  at  the  moment  of 
descent,  when  it  offers  many  advantage*.    On  the  water  it  would  j.r.ivi-  invaluable. 

2    T 


316 


ASTEA  CASTEA. 


A.D.  1837. 


when  the  position  of  the  observer  is  soon  found  to  change.    It  is  possible  that,  were  a  form  other  than  the  spherical 
one  usually  adopted  given  to  a  balloon,  this  motion  of  rotation  might  be  very  much  diminished,  if  not  altogether  • 
avoided. 

THE  FULCRUM. 

Meusnier*  has  treated  this  question  in  a  masterly  manner;  and  in  one  of  his  essays  has 
analysed  the  point  d'appui  in  the  air.  Ignorance  of  this  principle  has  caused  many 
mistakes.  He  easily  shows  how  little  permanent  equilibrium  there  can  be  in  the  atmosphere 
for  a  silken  globe,  which  in  respect  to  it  is  no  more  than  a  soap-bubble.  It  is  otherwise  with 
aerostatic  machines,  solid,  strongly  built,  and  possessing  a  power  of  resistance  and  motion. 

A  point  d'appui  does  exist  in  the  air ;  the  bird  has  no  other  for  rising  and  maintaining 
itself  in  the  atmosphere.  The  descent  of  a  parachute  is  checked,  because  it  finds  in  the  air 
the  force  of  resistance,  which  is  the  true  point  d'appui.  The  fish  floats  like  an  aerostat,  by  its 
specific  lightness.  Though  the  rivers  and  seas  have  their  currents,  yet  the  fish,  by  its  form 
and  locomotive  powers,  can  overcome  them ;  and  it  has  been  taken  as  a  model  in  the  machines 
of  Scott,  Pauly  of  Geneva,  and  Mr.  Egg,  &c. 

Mr.  Monck  Mason,  the  able  and  zealous  writer,  whose  description  of  the  balloon-voyage 
from  London  to  Weilburg  we  have  already  quoted,  printed  in  an  appendix  to  that  account 
the  following  "  Observations,"  which  have  formed  the  basis  of  the  articles  on  aerostation  in 
several  of  our  encyclopaedias. 

Steam-navigation  has  already  shown  us  that  the  figures  of  scientific  men  are  not  always 
to  be  depended  upon  ;  and  in  this  instance  their  errors  have  been  so  clearly  demonstrated  by 
M.  Marey  Monge  (a  nephew  of  the  inventor  of  descriptive  geometry),  in  a  work  published 
in  Paris,  in  1847,  "  that  all  who  run  may  read  "  that  the  practicability  of  aerial  navigation 
is  now  demonstrated  by  mathematics. 

OBSEEVATIONS  UPON  THE  MECHANICAL  DIRECTION  OF  THE  BALLOON. 

To  display  in  its  proper  colours  the  long-contested  question  of  aerial  navigation,  and  enable  the  general  reader 
to  form  an  opinion  for  himself  as  to  the  probability  or  improbability  of  the  accomplishment  of  that  most  interesting, 
and  indeed  important  of  all  mechanical  desiderata,  is  the  object  we  have  proposed  to  ourselves  in  the  following 
investigation.  In  the  execution  of  this  design  we  have  felt  it  necessary  to  abandon  the  attractive  but  irregular 
paths  of  description  for  the  more  tame  and  tedious  avenues  of  systematic  reasoning.  But  the  truth  is,  the  inquiry 
itself  properly  admits  of  no  other  mode  of  treatment.  The  case  of  a  balloon  artificially  propelled  through  the  air, 
is  one  essentially  involving  the  elements  of  the  pneumatical  and  mechanical  sciences,  and  can  only  be  satisfactorily 
argued  as  to  its  practicability,  upon  the  basis  of  strict  mathematical  induction.  Any  attempt  to  dispose  of  it 
without  these  aids,  however  it  may  servo  to  amuse,  must  notoriously  fail  in  the  only  object  for  which  its  services 
are  required ;  namely,  to  determine  the  expectations  of  the  curious,  and  direct  the  efforts  of  such  among  them  as  may 
yet  feel  inclined  to  indulge  in  the  attempt  to  accomplish  it. 

The  recondite  nature  of  the  principles  upon  which  it  is  based  does  not,  however,  by  any  means  involve  the 


*  General  Meusnier  was  adistinguished  officer  of  Engineers,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Academy  of  Paris,  and  author  of  many  works.  He  had 
spent  ten  years  at  Cherbourg  in  the  study  of  Aerostation,  when  in 
1793  the  war  called  him  to  the  Rhine,  and  he  was  killed  by  a 
bullet  at  the  siege  of  Mayeuce.  At  his  death  "  Les  Prussiens  saisis 
d'admiration  et  de  respect,  cesserent  leur  feu,  pour  dormer  aux 
FraiiQais  le  temps  d'elever  la  tombe  de  leur  ge'neral  dans  un  des 
bastions  de  la  ville.  '  Je  perds  un  ennemi  qui  m'a  fait  bieu  du 
mal,'  s'e'cria  Fre'de'rie-Guillaume ;  '  mais  la  France  perd  un  grand 
homme.'"  (M.  de  Lamartine  'Histoire  des  Girondins.')  His 
papers  remained  at  Cherbourg  till  Mongc  collected  and  forwarded 


them  to  the  Minister  of  War.  They  were  afterwards  sent  from 
Paris  to  the  school  of  Metz,  where  they  may  still  be  seen.  A 
portfolio  of  designs,  an  explanatory  pamphlet,  and  the  Memoir  read 
at  the  Academy  of  Sciences  in  1783,  are  the  only  important  works 
of  his  on  aeronautics  now  existing.  Among  the  designs  is  the 
outline  with  minute  measurements  of  a  magnificent  ellipsoidal 
aerostat,  the  longer  axis  being  87  metres,  and  the  shorter  43  metres. 
It  was  designed  to  carry  thirty  men,  with  provisions  for  sixty  days. 

M.  Marey  Monge  in  his  '  Etudes  sur  1'Aerostatiou '  thought  that 
he  could  not  aid  the  Science  of  Aerostation  better  than  by  publish- 
ing these  designs. 


A.D.  1  ERRONEOUS  CALCULATIONS  OF  MONCK  MASON.  .".17 

necessity  for  a  liko  abstrusenora  in  the  conduct  of  the  inquiry  they  arc  designed  to  support;  nor,  indeed,  would 
Mi.-h  it  o.m  lu-ion  have  accorded  with  the  purposes  we  have  in  view.  They  are  not  the  learned  but  the  unlcan..  •! 

in  l.il..u,-  an'  int.  !..!••!  :••  enlighten.  To  those  who  are  themselves  versed  in  the  sciences  that  bear  upon  t la- 
case,  the  foil.. wing  observations  (with  the  exception  of  a  few  remarks  which  a  practical  acquaintance  with  the  art 
has  specially  enabled  us  to  supply)  can  possibly  present  nothing  new  ;  nothing,  in  short,  with  which  they  are  not 
better  acquainted,  un«l  of  \vhirh  they  are  not  bettor  able  to  judge  than  ourselves.  It  is  to  the  general  reader  alone 
that  we  addrew  ourselves,  who,  with  equal  capability  of  drawing  conclusions,  may  haply  bo  devoid  of  a  proper 
knowledge  of  the  grounds  whereupon  to  construct  them. 

\\  iih  this  view  we  have  studiously  endeavoured  to  avoid  the  employment  of  all  such  terms  of  art  as  are  not 
in  use  in  common  parlance,  and  otherwise  to  adopt  a  stylo  and  method  as  familiar  and  concise  as  is  consistent  with 
the  clear  exposition  of  the  subject  we  have  taken  upon  us  to  illustrate.  In  accordance  with  those  principles,  our 
intentions  in  the  following  investigation  are  to  ascertain  and  define — 

I.    The  obstacles  which  interfere  with  the  active  progress  of  the  balloon. 
II.     The  mechanical  moans  required  to  surmount  them. 

III.  The  natural  power  by  which  those  means  are  to  bo  put  in  operation ;  and 

I V.  To  point  out  certain  regulations  and  restrictions  by  which  they  must  bo  governed  in  their  application  in 
order  to  be  really  available  for  the  purposes  for  which  they  are  designed. 

By  this  method  of  proceeding,  one  important  conclusion  at  any  rate  we  shall  have  established ;  namely,  what 
are  the  means  by  which  aloM  the  direction  of  the  balloon  can  ever  be  accomplished.  Under  what  particular  form 
these  means  may  be  applied,  or  whether  indeed  their  application  is  within  the  reach  of  those  powers  which 
Providence  has  placed  at  our  disposal,  wo  leave  entirely  to  the  judgment  and  ingenuity  of  the  reader  himself  to 

.line. 

(I-  ) 

The  moment  a  balloon  has  cast  off  its  last  hold  upon  the  solid  earth  and  been  received  into  the  bosom  of 
the  air,  it  becomes  at  once,  and,  in  the  absence  of  all  foreign  interference,  completely  subservient  to  the  same 
i  inimlses  and  affected  by  the  same  impressions  as  those  which  govern  the  disposition  of  that  element  itself.  To  the 
actual  amount  of  these,  the  varied  and  inordinate  rate  of  the  atmospheric  currents,  is  to  be  attributed  the  whole  of 
the  difficulty  that  involves  the  question  of  aerostatic  guidance.  The  mere  tenuity  of  the  medium,  the  want  of  a 
consistency  sufficient  to  afford  grounds  for  the  establishment  of  a  proper  point  cTappui,  or  fulcrum  for  the  application 
of  the  requisite  forces  (which  by  most  persons  is  inconsiderately  regarded  as  the  great  obstacle  to  success),  however 
it  may  avail  to  enhance  the  difficulties  of  pure  mechanical  flight,  is  literally  of  no  importance  whatever  as  regards 
the  artificial  propulsion  of  the  balloon.  The  cases  in  this  respect  are  entirely  dissimilar.  In  the  one,  a  force  (the 
attraction)  has  to  bo  overcome  by  another  (the  resistance  of  the  atmosphere),  with  which  it  has  no  connexion,  and 
which,  therefore,  there  is  no  reason  to  suppose  necessarily  competent  to  the  charge.  In  the  other,  the  forces  to  be 
overcome  and  the  means  of  overcoming  them  are  the  same, — namely,  the  resistance  of  the  atmosphere ;  in  proportion 
as  the  grounds  of  propulsion  are  feeble,  the  opposition  against  which  they  have  to  contend,  and  by  which  they  un- 
regulated in  their  amount,  are  feeble  also. 

\Vi-re  it  not,  therefore,  for  the  rate  of  the  medium  and  the  obligations  it  imposes  upon  the  conduct  of  the 
operation,  nothing  would  be  simpler  nor  more  certain  than  the  mechanical  direction  of  the  balloon.  Action 
and  reaction  being  invariably  equal,  any  exertion  of  the  proper  means,  no  matter  how  slight,  must  inevitably 
produce  a  determinate  advance  in  its  position;  and  that,  without  any  regard  to  the  direction  of  the  medium 
in  which  it  is  conveyed.*  It  is  true  that  where  the  disproportion  between  the  resisting  powers  of  the  means 


*  In  considering  the  case  of  a  body  advancing  through  the  air, 
undi-r  the  exercise  of  means  of  pr..|.nl.-i<>n  iuln  r.  nt  in  it>.  1C,  the 
reader  will  bear  in  mind  that  neither  the  rate  nor  direction  of  the 
mrdium  in  which  it  is  conveyed  in  any  wuy  affects  it.-  niniiiti.m.  nr 


impetuous  current,  in  likely  to  be  a  Tory  different  one  from  that  of 
the  same  body  calmly  exercising  the  tame  force  with  the  advantage 
of  the  wind  to  second  it*  exertions.  The  distinction,  however,  to 
far  as  the  condition  of  the  body  is  if'tin -nml.  is  a  false  one. 


occasion*  it  to  suffer  any  sort  <>f  \.  -I.  n.-.-  1..  \.m.l  what,  with  the  Differing  in  this  respect  fr.>m  other  locomotive  machines,  all  the 

same  exertions  on  its  part,  it  would  <  \:  it  to  seek  to  force*  by  which  it  is  operated  upon  are  determined  by  its  i>« 

advance  tcilk  instead  of  againtl  it.   The  i.|.  a  of  a  vast  and  cumbrous  ertious  alone,  proportioned  to  the  rate  and  opposed  to  the  direction 

machine  struggling  to  maintain  iUelf  in  the  teeth  of  a  rude  and  which  they  seek  to  establish. 

2x2 


318  ASTEA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1837. 

of  propulsion  and  those  of  the  machine  whose  movement  was  to  be  the  result  of  their  operation  was  extremely 
great,  its  actual  progress  would  be  extremely  small;  some,  however,  little  as  it  might  be,  would  positively  be 
realised,  and  the  only  question  would  be  how  far  the  advantages  obtained  were  worth  the  exertions  employed  to 
secure  them. 

With  an  independent  motion,  however,  in  the  medium  of  its  conveyance,  the  guidance  of  the  balloon  to  any 
extent  is  by  no  means  a  necessary  consequence  of  any  exertion  of  forces  with  which  it  might  be  possible  to  invest 
it ;  and  this  it  is  which  constitutes  the  great  difficulty  by  which  aerial  navigation  is  beset,  and  by  which  it  is  so 
unfavourably  distinguished  from  almost  all  other  known  modes  of  transport.  If  a  steam-engine,  for  instance,  should 
be  competent  to  propel  a  carriage  even  at  the  slight  rate  of  only  a  mile  an  hour,  still  the  means  employed  might  be 
considered  as  successful  to  that  extent  at  least,  and  the  machine,  though  comparatively  inefficient,  yet,  as  far  as  it 
went,  available  to  purposes  suited  to  its  power.  Such,  however,  is  by  no  means  the  case  with  the  balloon ;  the 
progress  conferred  upon  it  by  foreign  forces,  be  it  ever  so  great,  can  never  be  set  down  as  so  much  gained,  nor  can 
the  means  of  its  propulsion  be  considered  as  successful  to  any  extent  that  are  not  so  to  a  given  one.  Acting  in  and 
under  the  influence  of  a  medium,  itself  endowed  with  rapid  motion,  a  very  considerable  degree  of  velocity  might  be 
acquired  by  the  balloon  without  any  actual  gain  at  all ;  and,  were  we  to  take  extreme  cases,  the  greatest  rate  of 
motion  ever  enjoyed  by  any  terrestrial  object  might  bo  conferred  upon  it,  and  yet  so  far  from  advancing  it  might  be 
absolutely  a  loser  in  point  of  space  from  where  it  was  ere  it  commenced  its  career.  Before  the  balloon,  therefore,  can 
make  sure  of  obtaining  any  advantage  whatever  from  the  exercise  of  its  means  of  propulsion,  it  must  be  able  at  all 
events  to  command  a  rate  of  motion  superior  to  that  of  the  medium  in  which  it  is  conveyed. 

The  movements  of  the  atmosphere,  with  which  alone  we  have  here  any  concern,  are,  as  we  all  know,  a  most 
variable  quantity,  comprising  within  their  limits  almost  every  degree  of  velocity  with  which  we  have  any  practical 
acquaintance,  and  pervading  (so  far  as  we  have  any  right  to  conclude)  all  those  regions  which,  from  their  proximity 
to  the  earth,  constitute  the  proper  sphere  of  the  balloon. 

I  am  aware  that  an  opinion  is  very  prevalent  among  aeronauts,  and  which  is  also  favoured  by  some 
meteorologists  of  distinction  (especially  those  of  Germany  and  France),  that  all  these  changes  are  confined  to  the 
lower  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  and  that  beyond  a  certain  elevation,  a  state  of  perfect,  or  at  least  comparative, 
tranquillity  may  be  looked  upon  as  the  natural  condition  of  the  ethereal  space.  To  what  to  ascribe  the  origin  of 
this  opinion  I  am  totally  at  a  loss  to  conceive,  unless  indeed  it  may  be  to  that  innate  disposition  in  men  to  believe 
what  they  desire  to  be  true,  and  to  adopt,  without  questioning,  whatever  appears  to  favour  their  particular 
predilection.  The  supposition,  however,  is  by  no  means  borne  out  by  facts  :  on  the  contrary,  many  instances  might 
be  adduced  from  the  registered  annals  of  the  art,  in  which  considerable  excitement  has  been  found  to  prevail  in  the 
upper  regions  of  the  atmosphere;  at  a  time,  too,  when,  comparatively  speaking,  no  motion  whatever  could  be 
perceived  in  the  portions  adjacent  to  the  surface  of  the  earth.  In  one  of  the  two  ascents  which  Signer  Lunardi 
executed  from  Heriot's  Hospital  Grounds,  at  Edinburgh,  notwithstanding  a  state  of  perfect  tranquillity  uniformly 
prevailed  below,  the  rate  of  the  balloon's  course  at  the  greatest  altitude  to  which  he  arrived  exceeded  seventy  miles 
an  hour  [see  p.  106  of  this  work].  On  the  28th  of  April,  1802,  Captain  Sowden,  in  company  with  M.  Garnerin, 
ascended  from  the  Eanelagh  Gardens,  near  London,  and  after  continuing  at  a  very  considerable  elevation,  in  three- 
quarters  of  an  hour  descended  near  Colchester,  a  distance  of  sixty  miles ;  having  thus  accomplished  a  rate  of  motion 
equal  to  eighty  miles  an  hour,  although  scarcely  any  could  be  perceived  at  the  immediate  surface  of  the  earth  [see 
p.  115].  A  still  more  striking  proof  of  the  existence  of  rapid  atmospheric  currents  at  excessive  elevations,  and  one 
which  appears  to  be  decisive  on  the  subject,  is  afforded  in  the  second  ascent  of  M.  Gay-Lussac  froin  Paris,  in  which 
a  very  considerable  rate  of  motion  was  accomplished,  although  the  whole  of  the  voyage,  with  the  necessary  exception 
of  the  ascent  and  descent,  was  conducted  at  an  altitude  bordering  upon  twenty-three  thousand  feet,  the  greatest  to 
which  any  balloon  has  hitherto  been  known  to  arrive  [see  p.  120].  It  is  unnecessary  to  multiply  examples 
to  disprove  the  truth  of  a  general  rule ;  enough  has  already  been  adduced  to  determine  the  fact  that,  at  the  greatest 
elevation  ever  attained  by  man,  very  considerable  atmospheric  currents  have  been  proved  to  exist.  What  may  be 
the  case  at  a  still  higher  elevation  we  must  leave  to  future  experience  to  determine ;  in  the  mean  time  wo  must 
continue  to  regard  the  atmosphere  as  we  have  found  it;  and,  in  our  treatment  of  the  question  before  us,  consider 
the  aerial  vehicle  as  liable  to  the  influence  of  those  forces  which  have  hitherto  proved  superior  to  all  the  efforts  by 
which  it  has  been  attempted  to  subdue  them. 

These  forces  then  are,  as  I  have  said  before,  of  a  very  variable  disposition,  embracing  within  their  limits 


A.I).  is:t7.    -NO  NOTICE  TAKEN  or  Till:  I'inT.Kr.NT  DENSITY  OF  THE  TWO  FLUIDS."   319 


almost  < 'very  .1.  _-r.  ••  .  i'  m-ii-n  with  which  we  are  practically  acquainted,  from  a  state  of  perfect  quiescence  to  the 
enormous  r.iti-  <>!'  one  hundred  miles  an  hour.  Such  a  rate  of  motion,  it  is  true,  is  very  uncommon;  and,  in  our 
climate  at  least,  of  such  rare  occurrence  that  it  could  not  bo  imputed  as  a  valid  objection  to  any  plan  f»r  the 
guidance  of  the  balloon,  that  it  was  not  calculated  to  meet  so  extreme  a  case  as  that  which  wo  have  here  speciti>  •! 
Tli.  average  rate  of  the  wind  in  these  climates  (which  wo  have  chiefly  in  view  in  the  following  treatise),  may  be 
said  to  be  about  twenty-five  miles  an  hour.  This  we  are  enabled  to  determine,  not  from  the  observations  of  tin- 
meteorologist  alone,  but  (what  is  more  to  the  point,  because  founded  upon  experience  in  a  part  of  the  atmosphere 
with  whi.-h  wo  have  more  especially  to  do),  from  a  consideration  of  the  average  rate  of  Mr.  Green's  aerial 
excursions,  deduced  from  a  series  of  two  hundred  and  forty-nine  voyages,  executed  generally  in  the  most  favourable 
;,  U  of  the  Yi-:ir.  I-' mm  this  we  learn  that  twenty-five  miles  an  hour*is  the  moan  rate  at  which  a  body  floating 
in  the  atmosphere  may  be  expected  to  be  transported ;  and  with  resources  to  that  extent  would  it  bo  necessary  to 

\-  ided,  were  the  average  amount  of  the  obstacles  to  be  taken  as  the  measure  of  the  means  to  bo  employed  in 
surmounting  tin  in. 

Hut  the  average  amount  of  the  antagonist  forces,  however  it  might  be  deemed  a  sufficient  gauge  in  the  case  of 
other  locomotive  machinery,  could  by  no  means  either  prudently  or  properly  bo  admitted  as  an  adequate  allowance 
in  that  of  the  aerial  conveyance.  The  powers  by  which  the  progress  of  the  balloon  is  liable  to  bo  affected  are  so 
vast,  that  were  she  only  provided  with  the  means  of  resistance  upon  so  limited  a  scale,  the  deficiency  in  extreme 
nanrti  would  involve  consequences  far  beyond  what  the  exercise  of  her  own  resources  could  ever  enable  her  to 
retrieve.  No  argument  can  bo  drawn  from  a  consideration  of  what  would  bo  reckoned  sufficient,  in  other  cases  (in 
marine  navigation  1'.  >r  instance),  to  sanction  the  admission  of  the  some  scale  whereon  to  measure  the  means  required 
t".  >r  the  guidance  of  the  balloon.  The  extreme  rate  of  a  current  at  sea,  never,  I  believe,  reaches  ten  miles  an  hour  ;  f 
that  of  the  atmosphere  in  motion,  I  have  before  observed,  occasionally  amounts  to  one  hundred  miles  in  the  same 
time.  The  actual  consequences,  therefore,  to  a  ship  furnished  with  means  equivalent  to  half  of  wliat  she  might 
have  to  encounter,  would  bo  but  trifling  compared  to  what  a  balloon  would  suffer  in  a  similar  emergency  and 
similarly  provided  to  meet  it.  Each,  it  is  true,  would  lose  but  one  half  of  her  way ;  but  the  half  of  her  way  lost  to 
th<-  -hip  would  be  only  equal  to  five  miles  an  hour,  and  the  result  but  the  retardation  of  a  few  days  at  the  utmost  in 
the  date  of  her  arrival  at  her  destined  port  The  loss  of  half  her  way  to  the  balloon  would  amount  to  fifty  miles  an 
hour,  and  the  probable  result  would  be  that  she  would  have  reached  the  antipodes  ere  any  circumstances  might 

occurred  to  favour  the  recovery  of  her  course.} 

r'mm  the  consequences  of  an  inadequacy  to  contend  with  superior  forces,  the  balloon  again  has  none  of  those 
shifts  to  relievo  her,  such  as  oblique  sailing,  tacking,  or  even  temporarily  suspending  her  progress,  to  which  the 
mariner  can  resort  in  similar  cases,  and  which  enable  him  to  put  up  with  a  comparatively  inferior  power.  If  tin- 
force  which  opposes  the  balloon  she  is  unable  to  subdue  by  direct  opposition,  she  must  be  content  at  once  to  submit 
to  the  consequences  of  defeat.  This  is  the  moro  necessary  to  be  insisted  upon,  because  1  have  generally  found 
persons  resort  to  such  arguments,  in  order  to  bolster  up  a  feeble  scheme  of  aerial  navigation ;  flattering  themselves 
that,  although  they  might  not  be  able  to  accomplish  a  progressive  motion  in  direct  opposition  to  a  powerful  current, 
tii-  y  would  be  able  to  take  an  angle  and  traverse  it  obliquely,  as  a  ship  tacks  against  a  wind;  or,  should  that 
fail,  come  to  an  anchor,  and  thus  remain  neuter  during  the  predominance  of  the  powers  they  are  unable  to  contend 
with. 

The  expedients,  however,  to  which  they  advert  are  totally  inadmissible,  and,  with  regard  to  the  former, 
absurd.  Tacking,  as  practised  at  sea,  is  an  operation  requiring  the  presence  of  two  independent  media,  and  may  bo 
defined,  the  taking  advantage  of  one  of  them  (the  water)  to  secure  a  direction  for  the  exercise  of  the  force  obtained 
through  the  intervention  of  the  other  (the  air);  such  a  resource  is  as  inefficient  with  the  aid  of  one  medium  only, 
as  the  action  of  the  male  screw  would  be  without  the  female,  or  the  lever  without  its  fulcrum.  If  a  balloon  cannot 


•  The   total  distance  which    Mr.  Green  accomplished    in  tho 
come  of  bii  flnt  200  aerial  exrurnioiui,  a  very  accurate  computa- 
tion enable*  him  to  fix  at  6000  mil.-* :  and  the  time  consumed  in 
the  performance  nt  -In  lit.ur-.     Tin   fc  inner  of  theae  two  qua:/ 
divi.li-d  by  the  latter  give*  the  i|in>ii.-ut  iilmve  mention.  .1. 

t  The  current!  procecdin:;  from  the  action  of  tin-  ti.l.-s,  which 
occasioually  accompluh  a  much  higher  rate  of  motion,  are  not,  nor 


should  they  be,  hero  taken  into  account ;  inasmuch  ax,  from  their 
very  nature,  alternating  rocceMively  in  two  oppoaite  direction*,  they 
invariably  neutralise  their  own  influence  every  twelve  hour*,  and 
cannot  really  be  Bid  to  have  any  effect  upon  the  course  of  a 
YMMl  whose  voyage  i*  intended  to  endure  for  moro  than  half  the 
above  period. 
I  See  Koto  A,  by  M.  Mougc,  at  end  of  this  paper  (page  332). 


320 


ASTKA  CASTEA. 


A.D.  1837. 


make  head  against  a  current  of  air  in  direct  opposition  to  its  course,  it  only  aggravates  the  mischief  by  any  attempt 
to  meet  it  obliquely.*  f 

With  regard  to  the  other  expedient  alluded  to,  namely,  the  temporary  discontinuanee  of  the  course  of  the 
balloon  whenever  the  condition  of  the  atmosphere  should  happen  to  exceed  its  powers  of  resistance,  the  idea  is 
replete  with  practical  impossibilities.  The  moment  a  balloon  is  inflated,  the  worse  the  weather  the  more  urgent  is 
the  necessity  for  her  immediate  departure ;  every  moment  she  delays  teems  with  risk,  and  should  the  forces  in 
question  be  excessive  (which,  indeed,  is  the  very  contingency  contemplated  in  our  argument),  the  only  chance  of 
her  security  is  in  the  air.  These  are  objections  which  the  inexperienced  reader  cannot  be  expected  to  appreciate, 
but  which  all  those  who  have  any  practical  acquaintance  with  the  details  of  the  art  will  be  ready  at  once  to  admit. 
If  they  are  conclusive  against  the  possibility  of  adopting  the  step  here  alluded  to,  with  a  balloon  of  the  ordinary 
simple  principle  and  advantageous  construction,  how  much  more  so  must  they  be  when  applied  to  one  fitted  up 
with  the  vast  and  cumbrous  apparatus  required  for  its  propulsion,  increasing  the  liability  to  damage  exactly  in  the 
ratio  of  the  inability  to  resist  it.  The  expedient,  in  short,  is  one  which  never  could  be  resorted  to  except  when  it 
was  unnecessary,  and  never  could  be  necessary  except  when  it  was  impracticable. 

The  extreme  rate  of  motion  with  which  it  may  fairly  and  reasonably  expect  to  have  to  contend,  must, 
therefore,  be  had  in  view  in  all  schemes  which  propose  to  render  the  balloon  a  certain  and  serviceable  mode  of 
transport,  and  at  any  rate  as  much  of  it  provided  against  as  shall  leave  a  deficiency  within  the  reach  of  her  own 
resources  to  repair. 

From  a  consideration  of  all  the  bearings  of  the  case,  and  desirous  as  much  as  possible  to  favour  the  hopes  of 
an  aerial  navigation,  I  am  bound  to  say  that  unless  the  balloon  can  command  a  rate  of  motion  equal  to  thirty  or 
thirty-five  miles  an  hour,  it  cannot  claim  to  be  considered  as  a  mode  of  transport  applicable  to  useful  purposes,  or  on 
a  par  in  point  of  advantages  with  any  of  those  whose  services  it  might  be  expected  to  supersede. 

Now  all  this  velocity,  it  is  evident,  cannot  be  accomplished  without  the  development  of  a  certain  force  of 
resistance,  which  is  in  fact  the  very  measure  of  the  difficulty  we  have  hitherto  been  labouring  to  ascertain.  This 
resistance  is  chiefly  of  two  kinds ;  the  one,  the  direct  impact  of  the  atmosphere, — the  other,  the  friction  occasioned 
by  the  action  of  its  particles  along  the  surface  of  the  opposing  body ;  both  of  which  are  determinable  as  to  their 
amounts  by  a  consideration  of  the  form  of  the  object  and  the  rate  at  which  it  is  impelled. 

1.  The  former  of  these,  the  direct  impact  of  the  atmosphere,  is  by  far  the  more  serious  obstacle  of  the  two,  and 
that  against  which  the  efforts  of  the  aerial  engineer  have  hitherto  been  almost  exclusively  directed.  In  a  previous 
page  [see  p.  161  of  this  work],  we  have  taken  some  pains  to  point  out  in  what  manner  and  to  what  extent  the  form 
of  the  body  is  capable  of  modifying  this  force,  and  have  within  certain  limits  established  a  rule  by  which  to 
determine  the  comparative  amounts  of  atmospheric  resistance  upon  bodies  opposing  plane  and  conical  surfaces  to  its 
action.  To  avoid,  therefore,  entering  anew  upon  the  same  ground  we  shall  only  observe  generally,  that  from  one- 
half  to  one-third  less  opposition  is  realised  by  a  hemisphere,  or  cone  of  equal  altitude  with  its  base,  in  passing 
through  the  air,  than  would  be  experienced  by  a  plane  surface  equal  in  extent  to  its  largest  section,  taken  at  right 
angles  to  the  direction  of  its  course.  The  conditions  of  this  latter  force  (I  mean,  of  the  resistance  afforded  by  the 
atmosphere  to  the  impact  of  a  plane  surface),  have  already  been  pretty  accurately  investigated,  and  its  amount, 
corresponding  to  the  rate  of  the  medium,  determined  by  experiments  ingeniously  devised  and  carefully  instituted, 


*  The  examination  of  the  following  Diagram  will  render  this  con- 
clusion more  apparent  :— 


Suppose  a  body  freely  suspended  in  the  air  and  capable  of  accom- 
plishing a  rate  of  motion  equal  to  ten  miles  an  hour,  were  to  set  out 
from  tUe  point  A,  with  the  intention  of  proceeding  in  the  direction 


of  A  B,  against  a  wind  moving  at  the  rate  of  twenty  miles  an  hour ; 
by  the  time  it  had  attained  tlie  point  B  in  the  body  of  the  atmosphere, 
that  point  itself  would  have  been  transferred  with  the  progress  of  the 
medium  to  a  spot  corresponding  to  C  upon  the  surface  of  the  earth ; 
the  course  of  the  body  would  be  represented  by  the  line  A  C,  and 
the  loss  of  way  would  be  equal  to  the  difference  between  the  two 
rates.  Were  the  body,  with  a  view  to  avoid  the  direct  opposition  of 
the  air,  to  take  an  angle  and  seek  to  advance  in  the  direction  A  D, 
by  the  time  it  had  reached  the  point  D  in  the  body  of  the  medium, 
that  point  would  have  been  transferred  to  E  on  the  surface  of  the 
earth ;  the  course  of  the  body  now  would  be  indicated  by  the  line 
A  E,  and  the  station  it  had  acquired  would  be  further  removed  by 
the  distance  e  E  from  the  point  B,  which  it  had  first  aimed  at,  than 
if  it  had  proceeded  thither  in  direct  opposition  to  the  wind. 

t  See  Note  B,  by  M.  Marcy  Monge,  at  the  end  of  this  paper  (p.  333). 


A.  P. 


ERRONEOUS  CALCULATIONS  OF  MONCK  MASON. 


11  ili-green  of  the  scale,  from  one  to  one  hundred  miles  an  hour.  It  is  scarcely  Decennary  to  observe,  that 
\vti.  ill.  r  ill.-  iiii]..u-t  be  effected  by  the  motion  of  the  body  or  simply  that  of  the  medium,  the  remit,  no  far  as 
concerns  the  amount  of  force  produced,  will  be  the  same  ;  and  that,  consequently,  the  pressure  of  the  atmosphere,  as 
ili-|.l;iyi-<!  in  tin-  phenomena  of  the  winds,  may  bo  taken  as  a  correct  measure  of  the  resistance  which,  at  the  same 

i  he  balloon  would  occasion  for  itself,  were  it  alone  to  be  endowed  with  motion.  For  the  benefit  of  those  who 
may  fivl  inclined  to  enter  more  at  large  into  the  calculations  connected  with  the  subject,  a  specification  of  this  force, 
as  deterinin.il  )<\  the  i-\|>.-nim«nt«  of  Messrs.  Rouse  and  Smeaton,  has  been  subjoined  below.* 

i  this  TaMc  it  will  be  seen,  that  for  every  square  foot  of  jJane  surface  called  into  action  at  the  rate  of  one 
mile  an  hour,  the  atmosphere  exerts  a  resistance  equal  to  five-thousandths  of  a  pound  avoirdupois;  a  force  which  i>- 
fnMiiil  to  increase  accordingly  with  the  squares  of  the  velocities  under  which  it  is  exercised.  To  give  some  idea  of 
what  this  force  would  bo  in  practice,  let  us  assume  the  oase  of  a  balloon  of  known  dimensions;  that,  for  instance, 
1.  l..n^iii'_'  i..  the  managers  of  Vauxhall  Gardens,  with  which  the  public  are  no  doubt  by  this  time  pretty  well 
acquainted.  This  balloon  is  a  spheroid  of  about  sixty  feet  in  height  and  fifty  in  breath ;  in  computing  its  powers  of 
resistance,  however,  we  shall  not  much  err  if  we  regard  it  as  a  sphere,  whoso  diameter  is  equal  to  the  mean  of  these 
two  quantities.  Upon  this  hypothesis,  tin  n,  the  plane  of  its  largest  section  would  contain  about  2372  square  feet, 
tin-  resistance  upon  whieh,  however,  owing  to  its  particular  form  would,  as  wo  have  before  observed,  bo  only 
equivalent  to  that  upon  a  plane  two- thirds  its  dimensions,  or  about  1581  square  foot  Multiplying  this  sum  by  the 
amount  in  the  subjoined  Table  corresponding  to  any  degree  of  velocity,  wo  shall  have  at  once,  and  with  very 
considerable  accuracy,  the  amount  of  the  whole  force  by  which  its  progress  at  that  rate  is  affected ;  or,  in  other 
words,  the  resistance  it  would  offer  to  the  atmosphere,  or  the  atmosphere  to  it,  were  either  to  be  arrayed  against  the 
dthi-r  in  motion  at  the  rate  in  question.  Thus,  at  the  rate  of  thirty-five  miles  an  hour,  which  wo  have  already 
agreed  to  consider  essential  to  the  successful  progress  of  the  balloon,  the  opposition  experienced  would  be 
1581  X  0-027  =  9528  pounds  avoirdupois,  or  upwards  of  four  tons  and  a  quarter. 

The  proportion  between  the  force  here  computed,  and  the  buoyant  power  of  the  balloon  might,  it  is  true,  be 
considerably  reduced,  by  the  adoption  of  another  form  for  the  containing  vessel,  which  should  afford  a  less  direct 
resistance  to  the  impact  of  the  atmosphere ;  such  a  modification  as  indeed  would  be  necessary  to  render  it 
manageable  under  any  circumstances.  Were,  for  instance,  the  contents  of  the  sphere  in  question  thrown  into  an 
envelope  of  the  form  of  a  cylinder  capped  at  the  extremity  with  cones,  or  an  ellipsoid  in  length  four  times  the 
diameter  of  its  transverse  section,  we  should  have  a  vessel  equal  in  buoyancy  to  the  former  (omitting  the  difference 
in  the  weights  of  their  respective  coverings),  presenting  an  active  resisting  surface  of  only  one-half  the  amount. 

here,  however,  where  the  arrangement  of  the  parts  is,  I  believe,  the  most  favourable  to  the  reduction  of  the 
force  in  question  which  it  is  possible  to  imagine  consistent  with  the  other  exigencies  of  the  case,  the  resistance  to 
its  progress  at  the  rate  required  would  be  equal  to  4764  pounds. 

2.  To  counterbalance  in  some  degree  the  advantages,  which,  it  is  evident,  here  accrue  from  the  adoption  of  a 
form  less  favourable  to  the  direct  impact  of  the  atmosphere,  another  force  remains  to  be  considered  in  the  friction 
which  is  engendered  between  the  surface  of  the  body  and  the  particles  of  the  medium  in  which  it  moves.  The 
introduction  of  this  force  is,  in  fact,  the  necessary  consequence  of  the  arrangements  by  which  the  other  is  sought  to 
be  avoided.  Friction  being  the  resistance  exerted  by  the  passage  of  particles  over  and  along  a  given  surface,  in 
contradistinction  to  that  occasioned  by  their  impulse  against  it,  must  evidently  increase  in  proportion  as  the  facilities 


TABLE,  showing  the  perpendicular  force  of  the  wind  nnder  different  vilncities,  in  pounds  avoirdupois,  on  each  square  foot  of  plane 

surface,  computed  from  experiments  of  MEHBBS.  Bocsm  and  SMEATON. 


Mlta 
fa  Ham. 

rmmre 
pa-Foot. 

MUM 

per  lluur. 

IT?  wore 
per  Foot 

SCilm 
per  Hour. 

PraBon 
per  FooL 

HIV* 
per  Hoar. 

)  ••  . 

per  Foot. 

1 

•005 

8 

•315 

35 

G-027 

70 

24-100 

•> 

•tan 

9 

-.... 

40 

7-878 

75 

•J7-G46 

3 

•044 

10 

•  r.'j 

45 

:.•;...•: 

80 

:!1-4!X) 

4 

15 

1-107 

50 

12-300 

85 

35-550 

5 

•MS 

20 

55 

14   - 

90 

39-850 

fl 

•178 

25 

:;-nr:, 

,:,i 

17-71:. 

95 

44-401 

7 

••JI-J 

30 

l-l-j:' 

05 

20-7:u 

100 

.'00 

The  terms  of  the  scale  answering  to  the  rate  of  the  win. I  at  70,  75, 85,  90,  and  95  miles  an  hour,  which  hare  hitherto 

.>niitt«l.  are  lien-  Mip].li.  .1. 


322  ASTEA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1837. 

for  the  latter  operation  become  lessened  by  the  particular  construction  of  the  opposing  surfaces.  If  an  open  umbrella 
be  held  point  foremost  towards  the  wind,  almost  the  whole  of  the  force  directed  against  it  will  be  that  of  impact ;  if 
it  be  now  gradually  closed  without  altering  its  direction,  the  force  of  impact  will  become  converted  by  degrees  into 
that  of  friction,  and  will  give  place  to  the  latter  almost  entirely  when  the  collapsion  has  become  complete.  In 
bodies,  therefore,  where  the  force  of  impact  is  paramount,  that  of  friction  is  at  a  minimum,  and  vice  versa ;  in  the 
intervening  stages,  alone,  it  is  that  both  act  in  conjunction.  The  former  of  these  being  the  more  serious  obstacle  of 
the  two,  it  evidently  becomes  the  interest  of  the  aerial  navigator  to  construct  his  vessel  in  such  a  manner  as  shall 
leave  him  as  much  as  possible  the  latter  alone  to  contend  with ;  hence,  the  more  perfect  the  scheme  for  the 
propulsion  of  the  balloon,  the  greater  will  be  the  share  of  the  opposition  to  its  progress,  arising  from  the  source  in 
question. 

To  the  reader  not  versed  in  the  physical  sciences  it  may  perhaps  seem  strange  that  a  resistance  of  such 
importance  as  to  merit  the  consideration  we  have  bestowed  upon  it,  should  be  capable  of  being  generated  by  the 
attrition  of  the  particles  of  an  elastic  fluid  of  such  slight  consistency  as  that  of  the  medium  of  the  aerial  conveyance. 
The  influence,  however,  of  atmospheric  friction  on  the  motion  of  bodies  adapted  to  experience  it,  is  unquestionably 
very  considerable,  and  often  productive  of  effects  in  cases  where  it  escapes  notice.  It  is  this  that,  in  conjunction 
with  the  attraction  of  gravitation,  determines  the  course  of  the  arrow  shot  from  the  bow,  or  the  spear  launched  from 
the  hand,  which,  from  the  minute  and  almost  insensible  impact  they  are  calculated  to  experience,  would  otherwise 
be  almost  without  a  limit.  To  what  extent  it  would  operate  in  retarding  the  progress  of  the  balloon — how  much 
would  have  to  be  added  upon  that  score  to  the  opposition  arising  from  the  direct  impact  of  the  atmosphere — can 
only  be  ascertained  by  actual  experiment  in  each  particular  instance.  The  purpose  of  our  present  observations  is 
merely  to  point  out  the  existence  of  such  a  force,  and  explain  in  what  manner  it  affects  the  question  of  aerial 
navigation  by  the  limitation  it  imposes  upon  the  unconditional  reduction  of  the  obstacles  upon  which  its  chief 
difficulty  depends. 

(  n.  ) 

To  enable  the  balloon  to  maintain  its  course  in  the  teeth  of  the  opposition  we  have  just  been  endeavouring  to 
compute — or,  more  properly,  to  command  a  rate  of  motion  whereof  the  opposition  in  question  is  the  index  as  well  as 
the  result — it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  it  should  be  provided  with  the  means  of  creating  a  reaction  in  the 
surrounding  atmosphere  equivalent  to  the  resistance  it  will  have  to  encounter  in  its  employment :  without  a  reaction 
there  can  be  no  propulsion ;  and,  unless  the  forces  developed  in  the  proceeding  be  commensurate  with  those  by 
which  the  balloon  itself  is  liable  to  be  affected  at  the  rate  required,  they  will  not  avail  to  establish  a  progressive 
motion  independent  of  that  of  the  medium  in  which  they  are  exercised. 

There  are,  I  am  aware,  other  means  of  investing  matter  with  motion  besides  that  which  proceeds  from  a 
reaction  in  the  medium  of  conveyance ;  namely,  by  a  resistance  generated  inherently  and  determined  in  a  given 
direction  by  the  particular  construction  of  the  parts.  Such,  in  fact,  is  the  force  by  which  the  ascent  of  the  sky- 
rocket, the  transmission  of  the  cannon-ball,  the  operation  of  the  piston  and  cylinder,  and,  lastly,  the  impetuous 
discharge  of  gas  or  steam,  however  different  may  be  the  natural  pmcer  by  which  they  are  first  called  into  action,  are 
all  accomplished.  The  incompatibility,  however,  of  the  principles  upon  which  they  all  act,  with  the  other  essential 
conditions  of  the  case,  as  will  be  seen  farther  on,  will,  I  think,  be  sufficient  to  excuse  the  rejection  of  all  such  means 
from  our  consideration,  and  sanction  the  limitation  within  which  we  have  confined  the  prospects  of  aerial  navi- 
gation to  the  simple  establishment  of  a  reaction  in  the  medium  in  which  it  is  to  be  conducted. 

We  have  already  seen  how  completely  all  atmospheric  resistance  is  absent  from  the  natural  career  of  the 
balloon  ;  how  entirely  the  motions  of  the  two  bodies  coincide  when  unimpeded  by  the  interference  of  any  foreign 
agents.  From  this  it  will  be  evident  that  no  simple  disposition  of  the  parts,  in  the  form  of  sails  or  otherwise, 
however  effective  they  may  be  in  marine  navigation,  can  be  of  the  slightest  avail  in  the  present  question.  With 
nothing  to  act  upon  them  different  from  what  acts  upon  all  the  rest  of  Ihe  body  besides,  they  can  be  considered  in 
no  other  light  than  as  merely  so  many  variations  in  the  form  of  the  aerial  machine,  and  can  be  of  no  more  service 
in  determining  its  progress  than  oars,  simply  resting  in  the  water  without  exercise,  woufd  be  in  affecting  the  course 
of  a  boat,  as  it  drifted  upon  the  bosom  of  the  waves. 

The  reaction  in  question  can  therefore,  it  is  evident,  proceed  from  no  passive  arrangement  of  the  parts,  but 
must  be  actively  engendered  by  the  exercise  of  a  force  distinct  from  any  to  which  the  simple  progress  of  the  body 
itself  is  capable  of  giving  rise.  To  this  effect  a  certain  extent  of  surface  must  be  arrayed  in  motion  so  as  to  impinge 


A. i..  !  ERRONEOUS  CALCULATIONS  <>K  MONCK  MASON.  ::•.':'. 

ii]-. ii  tin-  .i.lj.ii-.-nt  strata  of  the  surrounding  medium,  and  in  the  oppo«ition  it  cneoimters,  establish,  as  it  wen,  a 
fulcrum  fur  the  leverage  by  which  the  machine  is  to  be  substantially  propelled.     I'mler  whatever  form  the  ingenuity 

or  .  ipii. i'  man  may  induce  him  to  order  hia  devices — whether  in  the  guise  of  oars,  wings,  or  paddles,  designed  to 

-i.'ii,  rotation,  or  by  continuous  impression,  as  exemplified  by  tho  involutions  of  tin- 

-pii.il  sail  or  vanes  formed  after  tho  fashion  of  tho  screw — all  resolve  themselves  into  this  one  principle;  namely, 
ill.   impact  at  a  certain  rate,  of  a  certain  extent  of  surface  against  a  resisting  medium. 

In  the  (vnM rurtii >n  of  this  force,  therefore,  two  elementary  principles  present  themselves  for  consideration; 
n.-uiiely,  the  ttafact  and  the  motion  conferred  upon  it  To  a  certain  extent  these  two  principles  are  vicarious  of  each 
i  it  In  -r.  and  may  be  indifferently  employed  to  produce  the  same  results.  For  instance,  if  a  machine,  by  the  operation 
i  if  n  irivi  11  amount  of  surface,  at  a  given  rate,  is  able  to  communicate  a  certain  speed,  the  amount  of  this  speed  will  be 
equally  ;  i  fleeted  by  an  alteration  in  the  dimensions  of  the  surfaces  in  question,  or  in  the  rate  at  which  they  are  made 
tn  1. 1"  MI.-.  To  a  certain  extent  alone,  however,  thin  is  true;  for  independently  of  the  necessity  there  is  for  a 
certain  amount  of  each,  no  multiplication  of  the  size  of  the  surfaces  could  ever  enable  them  to  impel  the  body  at 
a  rate  ••(  motion  greater  tlian  that  which  they  were  themselves  at  the  time  endowed.  Thus  a  body  impelled  by 
iv \-i living  planes,  as  in  a  paddle-wheel,  striking  the  air  at  tho  rate  of  ton  miles  an  hour,  could 
by  no  amplification  of  the  dimensions  of  the  surfaces  be  enabled  to  realise  a  rate  of  motion  exceeding  ten  miles  an 
hour ;  inasmuch  as  tho  moment  it  had  attained  that  rate  of  motion,  all  reaction  between  the  surfaces  and  tho  air 
would  cease  ;  or  if  continued  beyond  that  rate,  would  bo  transferred  from  the  back  to  the  front  of  tho  impelling 
surface,  and  operate  to  rctaid  instead  of  advancing  the  body  to  which  it  was  attached. 

I'.ut  though  a  limit  is  thus  imposed  upon  the  extent  to  which  an  augmentation  in  size  may  bo  made  to  supply 
a  il>  t'u-ii  in  v  in  the  rate  of  the  impelling  agents,  no  such  limitation  exists  in  theory  to  the  extent  to  which  an 
a  no  in  the  rate  of  impact  may  be  made  to  compensate  for  an  abridgment  in  their  dimensions;  the  smallest 
amount  of  surface  being  capable  of  realising  any  amount  of  resistance  providing  tho  rate  of  its  impressions  bo 
accelerated  in  proportion  to  the  demand.  Before,  therefore,  we  can  come  to  any  definite  conclusion  with  respect  to 
the  size  of  the  agents  of  the  propulsion  of  tho  balloon,  it  will  be  necessary  that  wo  investigate  and  determine  the 
conditions  by  which  the  rate  of  their  impact  is  governed.  Should  it  appear  from  such  an  investigation  that  this 
rate  is  not  more  than  it  may  fairly  be  expected  to  accomplish,  it  will  then  be  open  for  consideration  whether  a  still 
further  increase  may  not  be  made  subservient  to  a  reduction  in  the  size  of  the  impelling  planes.  If,  however,  on 
the  other  hand  (as,  indeed,  I  fear  will  bo  found  to  be  the  more  probable  conclusion  of  the  two),  the  velocity 
required  for  tin-  fulfilment  of  the  obligations  alluded  to  be  as  much  or  more  than  is  capable  of  being  attained  in 
praetiee.  then  will  the  condition*  of  size  and  rate  assigned  upon  such  grounds  be  the  lowest  in  conformity  with 
which  the  successful  guidance  of  the  balloon  can  be  accomplished. 

1.  With  regard  to  the  motion  of  the  impelling  surfaces,  therefore,  one  important  point  is  already  established  ; 
namely,  that  whatever  may  be  their  actual  condition  as  to  size,  number,  or  powers  of  resistance,  tho  rate  of  their 
impact  must  not  be  less,  at  all  events,  than  that  required  as  the  final  result  of  their  operation ;  in  other  words,  than 
the  rate  assigned  to  the  balloon  itself.  Admitting  the  correctness  of  the  conclusion  to  which  we  have  arrived  in  the 
preceding  section  respecting  tho  rate  of  the  balloon,  this  obligation  alone  tends  at  once  to  fix  upon  the  agents  of 
the  propulsion  a  velocity  of  action  amounting  to  between  thirty  and  thirty-five  miles  an  hour. 

In  proceeding,  however,  to  accomplish  this  rate  of  motion  by  the  exercise  of  the  mechanical  means  we  have 
In-fore  laid  down  as  essential  to  the  purpose,  another  force  becomes  developed,  tending  to  impair  their  efficiency  and 
imperatively  calling  for  a  further  accession  to  the  velocity  with,  which  they  are  required  to  act  This  force,  wlii.h 
is  precisely  analogous  to  the  "  back-water,"  observed  at  sea  in  the  case  of  vessels  impelled  by  steam,  proceeds  from 
a  condition  induced  in  the  atmosphere  by  the  action  of  the  impelling  surfaces  themselves,  whereby  the  adjacent 
portions  bra  mi  d.tiimiuid  in  a  continuous  stream,  mainly  opposed  to  the  course  of  the  machine,  and  with  a 
velocity  proportioned  to  the  scale  upon  which  the  operation  has  been  conducted. 

I  In-  explanation  of  this  process  is  extremely  simple,  although  the  circumstances  by  which  it  is  attended  are  so 
i -i  implicated  as  to  baffle  any  attempt  to  calculate  the  precise  amount  of  the  obstruction.  In  the  atmosphere,  as  in  all 
other  fluids,  clastic  or  non-elastic,  a  certain  uniformity  of  condition  necessarily  obtains.  \\  In  in  \er  this  unifi.rmiu 
happens  to  be  disturbed,  cither  by  natural  causes  or  the  interference  of  foreign  agents  (as  in  the  present  case,  by  the 
rapid  aetnm  of  Urge  resisting  planes),  a  general  tendency  is  immediately  manifested  in  all  the  neighbouring  parts 
to  rush  in  and  restore  the  equilibrium;  in  tho  course  of  which  all  the  same  symptoms  arc  evolved,  and  the  same 


324 


ASTEA  CASTEA. 


A.D.  1837. 


effects  produced  as  would  attend  the  exposure  to  a  natural  current  of  air.  The  consequences  of  this  disturbance 
upon  the  progress  of  the  balloon  are  too  apparent  to  need  explanation,  although  the  extent  to  which  it  would  be 
necessary  to  increase  the  speed  of  the  impelling  surfaces,  in  order  to  counteract  its  influence,  and  enable  them  to 
realise  the  required  momentum,  would  not  be  possible  without  actual  experiment  precisely  to  ascertain.  From  a 
critical  consideration  of  the  several  circumstances  of  the  case,  however,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  conclude  that  an 
augmentation  of  at  least  thirty  per  cent,  in  the  rate  of  the  impelling  agents  would  not  be  more  than  enough  to 
compensate  for  the  disadvantages  under  which  they  labour  upon  this  account,  and  place  the  machine,  as  far  as 
regards  the  efficiency  of  its  means,  upon  a  par  with  what  it  would  be  were  no  such  obstruction  the  natural 
consequence  of  its  exertions.  Thus  assuming  the  accomplishment  of  a  rate  of  motion  equal  to  thirty-five  miles  an 
hour  to  be  essential  to  the  successful  progress  of  the  balloon,  the  surfaces  by  which  that  result  is  to  be  realised  must 
impinge  upon  the  atmosphere  with  a  velocity  of  not  less  than  fifty  miles  an  hour. 

To  the  sufficiency  of  this  estimate,  however,  another  consideration  is  necessary ;  namely,  that  this  impact  be 
maintained  at  the  rate  appointed  throughout  the  whole  period  of  the  operation :  in  other  words,  that  no  interval  or 
intermission  be  allowed  to  take  place  in  the  action  by  which  it  is  generated,  whereby  the  velocity  be  less  at  any 
one  period  than  what  is  understood  to  be  essential  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  progress  required.  The  necessity 
for  this  stipulation  will  appear  the  more  readily  when  we  consider  that  the  resistance  experienced  by  the  balloon  is 
liable  to  no  such  periodical  suspension  ;  but,  such  as  it  is,  may  be  generally  considered  as  incessant  in  its  operation, 
at  the  rate  for  the  time  presumed.  Whenever,  therefore,  any  cessation  or  abatement  is  allowed  to  take  place  in  the 
action  of  the  impelling  agents,  a  temporary  ascendancy  is  conferred  upon  the  opposing  forces,  and  a  corresponding 
reduction  occasioned  in  the  progress  of  the  machine.  To  obviate  this  deficiency  and  secure  a  given  amount  of 
velocity  in  all  schemes  in  which  the  agents  of  the  propulsion  operate  by  reiterated  percussion  (as  exemplified  in  the 
case  of  wings  or  oars),  a  further  accession  must  be  made  to  the  rate  at  which  they  are  required  to  act,  proportioned 
to  the  interval  allowed  to  elapse  between  the  periods  of  absolute  impact  and  to  the  difference  which  that  interval  is 
calculated  to  produce  in  the  momentum  of  the  body,  already  considered  to  be  fixed  at  the  lowest  which  the  exigencies 
of  the  case  will  permit. 

2.  When  a  body  is  set  in  motion  by  the  exercise  of  its  agents  of  propulsion,  whatever  may  be  the  proportion 
the  resisting  surface  of  the  one  bears  to  that  of  the  other,  or  the  difference  between  the  rates  at  which  their  impres- 
sions are  effected,  the  amount  of  resistance  experienced  by  each  will  be  invariably  the  same.  Thus,  if  an  individual 
seated  in  the  car  of  a  balloon  operate  upon  the  adjacent  atmosphere  simply  by  means  of  a  lady's  fan,  a  rate  of  motion, 
however  insensible,  will  be  inevitably  induced  in  the  former  sufficient  to  generate  an  amount  of  resistance  exactly 
equal  to  that  exerted  against  the  surface  of  the  latter ;  the  only  difference  being,  that  in  the  one  case  it  is  concen- 
trated upon  a  smaller,  while  on  the  other  it  is  diffused  over  a  larger,  extent  of  surface,  and  thus  by  the  infinite 
participation  of  its  effects  escapes  detection.  From  this  (which  is,  in  fact,  but  a  deduction  from  the  well-known 
maxim  of  the  equality  of  forces  in  action  and  reaction),  it  follows  that  to  enable  the  impelling  agents  to  bring  up 
the  balloon  to  a  given  rate  of  motion  they  must  be  competent  to  the  production  of  the  same  amount  of  resistance  as 
the  opposing  surface  or  surfaces  of  the  balloon  itself,  in  progress  at  the  rate  required. 

This  result,  as  we  have  before  had  occasion  to  observe,  might  (circumstances  permitting)  be  attained  equally 
by  a  modification  of  the  superfices  themselves,  or  of  the  rate  at  which  their  operations  are  conducted.  From  what 
has,  however,  been  established  in  the  preceding  section,  I  think  it  will  be  readily  conceded  that,  admitting  even  the 
possibility  of  the  accomplishment  of  the  velocity  there  assigned  to  them,  we  should  not  be  justified  in  looking  to  that 
quarter  for  any  further  augmentation  by  which  to  enable  us  to  dispense  with  any  portion  of  the  dimensions  of  the 
propelling  agents  which  at  that  rate  would  be  necessary  to  the  generation  of  the  required  resistance.  Now,  the  rate 
in  question  being  equal,  or  rather  equivalent  to  that  of  the  balloon,*  and  an  equal  amount  of  resistance  being  required 
as  the  result  of  the  operation,  it  follows  that  the  surfaces  of  the  agents  by  which  that  result  is  to  be  obtained  must 
be  equal  in  extent  or  equivalent  to  those  of  the  balloon  itself. 


*  It  is  true  that  we  have  assigned  a  much  higher  rate  of  motion 
to  the  mechanical  agents  of  the  propulsion  than  that  specified  as 
the  terminal  velocity  of  the  balloon  itself ;  the  cause  of  this  dis- 
tinction, however,  being  the  reduction  in  the  resisting  faculty  of 
the  medium  of  the  propulsion,  occasioned  by  the  natural  and 


necessary  condition  induced  in  it  by  the  process  itself,  in  the 
benefits  of  which  reduction  the  object  to  be  propelled  does  not 
participate,  the  rates,  however  different,  must  be  looked  upon  as  the 
same;  being,  in  fact,  only  equal  to  the  production  of  the  same 
amounts  of  resistance. 


A.I..  !  i:iil;oN-EOUS  CALCULATIONS  OF  MONCK  MASON. 

In  il. '.  i milling,  however,  the  UM  of  a  surface,*  by  which  a  given  amount  of  resistance  is  to  be  generated  at  a 
ui\.  u  r.it.-  of  ni..ii..n,  regard  nuwt  bo  had  to  tho/orm  and  structure  of  the  parts  by  which  the  impact  in  question  i» 
I  l>.i!  this  head  we  have  already  had  "fn^""  to  comment  rather  largely  on  another  occasion, 
ami  niorv  -lightly  in  the  first  section  of  the  present  treatise.  From  what  has  been  there  stated,  it  appears  that 
in  .Tt-ittiiu;  an  ini]iri>.».i<iii  u]ion  the  atmosphere,  a  plane  (and,  a  fortiori,  A  concave)  surface,  has  an  advantage  over 
one  of  a  convex  or  conical  construction,  varying  according  to  circumstances  from  one-half  to  one-third  of  tl>.-  win  ill- 
amount  To  that  extent,  therefore  (wore  there  no  other  obstruction  to  the  progress  of  the  balloon  tlum  that  arising 
fri'iu  tin-  ilinct  impact  of  the  air),  might  we  expect  to  bo  able  to  reduce  the  proportion  between  the  superficial 
.liiii-n-ii.il-  •-!'  tin-  ini|»-lling  agents  and  that  of  the  balloon,  in  favour  of  the  former.  From  the  nature  of  tin-  pi.. 
coeding,  however — the  complicated  construction  and  extended  late  nil  surfaces  of  the  balloon,  modified  us  it  would 
have  to  be  to  suit  tin-  purposes  of  aerial  navigation — a  considerable  amount  of  resistance,  consisting  both  of  friction 
.iii.l  iin|'.i.  i.  winilil  1-  .l.-vi loped  beyond  what  a  calculation  founded  upon  a  consideration  of  the  shape  and  area  of  ite 
greatest  opposing  section  would  lead  us  to  infer.  To  meet  these  accruing  demands  an  augmentation  would  Itave  to 
be,made  in  the  ivhitiv.-  ilim.-nsions  of  the  impelling  agents,  which  would  remain  to  be  determined  by  a  reference  to 
the  jKirti.'iil.u-  condition*  of  the  case  and  the  aptitude  of  the  parts  to  perform  the  functions  allotted  to  them.  IV. 
Burning,  h..«.  \.  i.  that  as  far  as  the/omu  of  the  parts  are  concerned,  every  opportunity  would  bo  taken  to  turn  th.-m 
t<>  tho  best  account— that  the  surfaces  designed  to  effectuate  the  resistance  and  those  whose  object  it  is  to  evade  it 
would  bo  oonstructi-d  in  tin-  manner  most  favourable  to  tho  interests  of  each — wo  may  set  it  down  as  conclusive  that 
from  two-thirds  to  three-fourths  the  actual  size  of  the  Litter  would  be  necessary  to  enable  tho  former  to  generate  by 
th.-ir  iinjkn-t  an  equal  quantity  of  resistance. 

In  adilition.  lmw.-v.-r,  to  the  resistance  occasioned  by  tho  simple  progress  of  tho  balloon,  there  is  anoth.  r 
x-tion  which  claims  to  be  provided  against  by  a  further  extension  of  the  proportions  assigned  in  favour  of  the 
surfaces  of  the  impelling  agents.  This  obstruction  arises  from  tho  necessary  opposition  experienced  by  the  parts  of 
the  latt.-r  in  the  act  of  recovering  their  positions,  preparatory  to  tho  repetition  of  tho  stroke  by  which  the  propulsion 
of  the  balloon  is  accomplished.  Thus,  for  instance,  supposing  the  machinery  employed  for  tho  purpose  to  partake  of 
th.  n. it'ii.  of  the  paddles  of  the  steam-vessel,  rotating  upon  an  axis,  while  one  portion  of  the  apparatus  is  impinging 
upon  tho  atmosphere  in  a  direction  favourable  to  the  end  in  view,  another  is  inevitably  impinging  in  a  direction 
v-ly  of/posiU,  and  with  an  .•IV.vtiv.-  velocity  exceeding  that  of  tho  former  by  a  quantity  equal  to  twice  tho  actual 
rate  of  tho  balloon  at  the  time.|  This  is  a  conclusion  which  can  never  bo  entirely  avoided.  No  matter  how 
ingeniously  drvisrd  or  how  jH-rfi-ctly  constructed,  a  certain  amount  of  surface  must  ever  be  presented  to  tho  action 
of  the  atmosphere  in  the  manner  above  mentioned,  and  operate  more  or  less  to  detract  from  tho  value  of  the  forces 
which  it  is  able  to  command.  How  much  it  would  be  necessary  to  extend  tho  dimensions  of  tho  impelling  agents  to 
count.  iM't  tin-  effects  arising  from  this  obstruction,  experiment  alone  could  accurately  enable  us  to  ascertain.  As  a 
conclusion,  however,  which  though  not  expressly  deduciblc  from  actual  calculation  is  fully  warranted  by  a  con- 
sideration of  the  case  in  all  its  bearings,  it  may  be  laid  down  that,  in  order  to  overcome  the  resistance  occasioned  by 
this  in  conjunction  with  other  obstructions  of  minor  importance  (but  which  in  our  general  view  of  the  subject  it  i- 
not  necessary  at  present  to  particularise),  the  area  of  the  impelling  planes  should  at  least  be  equal  in  extent  to  that 
of  tho  perpendicular  opposing  surface  of  tho  whole  machine  itself.  Thus,  for  instance,  in  the  case  of  tho  Vauxhall 
balloon.  1  -  !•  .it-  quoted,  in  order  that  tho  impelling  agents  might  be  able  to  confer  upon  it  the  rate  of  motion  specified 


*  The  wi*  of  a  surface  in  nlitmu  to  its  powen  of  resistance,  which 
u  tin-  KIM-  in  wlii.-li  it  i«  here  mxxl,  in  a  plane  equal  to  the  mm  of 
the  projcctioua  of  all  the  part*  by  wliirli  tin:  progress  of  the  body  is 
i:, ,]••!•  .1.  i.ikt  11  at  right  angle*  to  the  line  of  its  propulsion.  When 
the  form  of  the  body  is  simple,  tliin  plane  resolves  itself  into  a 
section  of  tin;  body  at  its  point  of  greatest  luU-ral  i-xU-uMun,  or 
mich  ai  its  shadow  would  appear  upon  a  plane  airfare  directly 
In-hind  it.  In  both'.:*  of  a  more  complex  construction  the  size  of  the 
plane  in  question  is  not  no  easily  .1.  t. -num. -.1.  AH  parU  which 

jlilnurinj;  ones,  however  they  may  be  covered 

..then,  receive  to  a  certain  rxt. -nt  the  impact 
of  the  air,  ;.vl  inii-t  1-  .-..n-i.i.  r.  .1  in  tin  .-stimate  of  the  surface 
contetnpUU.il  in  the  above  d«-tiniti..n.  Tli.-  .-ir.-iiiii.-t.in. •<.-»  by  which 
the  resistance  of  the  part*  so  disposed  in  governed — namely,  tin  ir 

2  u  2 


r.  I;. live  magnitude*  and  positions,  the  degree  of  shelter  they  obtain, 
and  the  state  of  the  medium  when  it  hat  reached  them — are  too 
vague  to  permit  ui  to  assign  any  general  rule  but  that  of  experi- 
ment, whereby  to  determine  the  exact  share  they  may  have  in  the 
operation,  and  how  much  should  bo  added  upon  that  score  to  the  sue 
of  the  surfaces  by  which  they  are  to  be  matched. 

t  The  medium  virtually  receding  as  the  body  advances,  the 
amount  of  its  velocity  ( =  thu  rate  of  the  balloon  will  have  to  be 
deducted  from  that  of  all  bodies  proceeding  in  the  some  direction 
and  supendded  to  that  of  those  proceeding  in  a  contrary  one.  The 
sum  of  these  two  quantities  ( =  twice  the  rate  of  the  balloon),  cou- 
stitutcs  tlu-r.  ii.r.  .  th.  difference  between  the  atefof  impact  of  the 
parts  of  the  machine  proceeding  in  opposite  directions. 


326 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


A.D.  1837. 


as  essential  to  the  success  of  the  operation,  they  must  present  to  the  continuous  action  of  the  air  an  extent  of  plane 
surface  equal,  at  the  least,  to  sixteen  hundred  square  feet. 

In  assigning  this  proportion  to  the  dimensions  of  the  resisting  surfaces,  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  much  of 
its  sufficiency  will  depend  upon  the  condition  with  regard  to  continuity  or  compactness  of  the  parts  by  which  the 
impression  of  resistance  is  effected.  A  given  extent  of  surface,  distributed  into  several  portions,  is  by  no  means  pro- 
ductive of  the  same  amount  of  resistance  as  if  it  had  been  disposed  in  one  uniform  plane  ;  neither  is  one  whose 
contents  bear  a  smaller  proportion  to  the  line  that  bounds  them  equivalent  to  one  of  the  same  dimensions  within  the 
smallest  amount  of  margin  by  which  it  was  possible  to  be  enclosed.  How  far  again  this  circumstance  would  operate 
to  affect  the  proportion  in  question,  in  the  absence  of  actual  experiment,  can  only  be  conjectured.  Eegarding,  how- 
ever, the  essential  conditions  of  the  case,  such  as  we  know  they  must  be  —  the  uniform  bulk  of  the  balloon,  and  the 
necessary  disjunction  of  the  parts  by  means  of  which  it  is  to  be  impelled  —  there  will  be,  no  doubt,  something  to  add 
on  this  score  to  the  allotted  dimensions  of  the  latter,  which,  for  the  present,  we  shall  only  consider  as  contributing  to 
support  the  necessity  for  observing  the  proportions  we  have  before  laid  down. 


To  put  all  this  machinery  in  motion,  and  confer,  as  it  were,  animation  upon  the  lifeless  mass,  a  certain 
natural  power  is  required,  the  amount  and  conditions  of  which  it  becomes  our  next  duty  to  investigate.  If  rapid 
motion,  independent  of  great  force,  or  great  force  apart  from  rapid  motion,  were  all  that  was  sought  to  be  established 
in  the  agents  of  the  propulsion,  but  little  difficulty  would  exist  in  appointing  the  means  by  which  it  was  to  bo  accom- 
plished. By  a  proper  combination  of  machinery,  the  smallest  conceivable  amount  of  force  beyond  what  is  necessary 
to  overcome  the  inert  resistance  of  the  parts  themselves,  may  be  so  multiplied  in  its  efficiency  as  to  be  made  to 
conduce  to  results  in  either  extremes  limited  only  by  the  nature  of  the  materials  upon  which  it  has  to  act.  A  single 
individual  exercising  a  force  equal  to  one  hundred  pounds  only,  by  the  intervention  of  a  system  of  six  wheels,  the 
circumferences  of  each  bearing  to  those  of  their  axles  the  ratio  of  ten  to  one,  might  be  made  to  raise  a  weight  of  a 
hundred  million  of  pounds,  or  nearly  forty-five  thousand  tons  ;  while,  by  reversing  the  action  of  the  apparatus,  a 
rate  of  motion  would  be  communicated  from  one  extremity  of  the  machinery  to  the  other,  a  million  of  times  greater 
than  that  of  the  power  itself  by  which  it  was  generated.*  It  is  only  where  both  are  required  to  be  included  in  the 
same  operation  —  where  the  resistance  and  the  rate,  as  in  the  present  instance,  are  both  terms  of  the  same  propo- 
sition —  that  any  limitation  exists  with  regard  to  the  results,  or  any  obligation  is  imposed  upon  the  means  by  which 
they  are  to  be  attained. 

To  those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  principles  of  the  sciences  concerned  in  the  case,  this  conclusion  will  be 
at  once  apparent  :  for  the  benefit  of  others  it  may  be  as  well  to  observe  that,  as  it  is  only  by  the  sacrifice  of  one  or 
other  of  the  constituent  principles  of  the  momentum  they  are  required  to  communicate  (either  the  velocity  or  the 
quantity  of  matter)  that  the  mechanical  powers  operate  in  varying  the  result  of  the  original  impression,  whenever 
a  limit  is  assigned  to  the  extent  to  which  either  of  these  principles  may  be  reduced,  a  limit  is  likewise  assigned  to 
the  advantages  the  mechanical  powers  can  confer,  which  draw  their  influence  exclusively  from  its  reduction. 

To  apply  these  observations  to  the  present  question,  we  have  already  seen  that  in  order  to  impel  the  Vauxhall 
balloon,  through  the  air  at  a  rate  of  thirty-five  miles  an  hour,  a  rate  of  motion  in  the  agents  of  the  propulsion  equal 
to  fifty  miles  an  hour  is  required,  generating  a  resistance  equivalent  to  the  weight  of  nine  thousand  five  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  pounds,  or  nearly  four  tons  and  a  quarter.  If,  instead  of  this  double  obligation,  it  had  been  simply 
required  to  effectuate  a  resistance  equal  even  to  one  thousand  tons,  or  a  velocity  of  action  amounting  to  as  many 
miles  an  hour,  the  object  might  easily  be  accomplished  (barring  the  imperfections  of  art)  by  the  well-directed  efforts 


*  Supposing  the  absolute  radii  of  the  wheels  to  have  been 
ten  inches,  and  those  of  the  axles  oue  inch,  then  multiplying  the 
former  successively  into  each  other,  we  shall  have  10"  =  1,000,000 
as  the  value  of  the  leverage  in  favour  of  the  power,  and  one  (the 
product  of  the  continued  multiplication  of  the  axles),  that  in  favour 
of  the  vseiglii.  Taking  then,  as  above,  100  pounds  to  be  the  power 
of  the  individual,  we  have  1  :  1,000,000  :  :  100  :  100,000,000,  or 
somewhat  more  than  44,642  tons,  the  weight  he  would  be  able  to 
sustain.  The  velocity,  however,  being  decreased  in  proportion  to 
the  augmentation  of  the  weight,  as  much  as  the  latter  exceeds  the 


amount  of  the  original  impression,  so  much  will  the  rate  it  moves 
at  fall  short  of  that  of  the  generating  force.  In  the  present  case  this 
is  a  million-fold ;  consequently,  such  will  be  the  difference  between 
the  rate  of  a  point  in  the  circumference  of  the  first  wheel  and  that 
of  one  in  the  circumference  of  the  last  axle.  Supposing,  then,  the 
influence  of  the  power  be  suspended  or  removed,  the  weight,  in  its 
preponderance  reversing  the  action  of  the  machinery,  would  com- 
municate to  the  locus  of  the  former  a  velocity  a  million-fold  greater 
than  that  with  which  it  was,  itself,  at  the  time  endowed. 


A. ...  1837.  I:I:I;M\I:<HTS  CALCULATIONS  OF  MONCK  MASON.  327 

of  a  M!i_'l.-  individual.  AH  it  in,  however,  no  such  conclusion  is  necessary;  tho  mechanical  multiplication  of  the 
original  impression  l,y  tho  sacrifice  of  tho  antagonist  principles  has  already  been  determined  by  tho  appointment  ..I 
their  limits;  nil  further  accession*  can  only  be  obtained  by  an  actual  augmentation  of  it-,  anioiint.  Should  the 
prowmie.  therefore,  which  it  may  bo  conv.  ni.-nt  or  possible  to  command,  fall  short  of  four  tons  and  a  quarter,  it  must 
l»  ..fsuch  a  nature  as  to  develop  itself  with  a  rapidity  exceeding  fifty  milt*  an  hour  \>y  an  amount  equivalent  to  the 
differ.  -n« ••• :  mi  tht-  i.ih.T  hand,  should  tho  rate  of  its  generation  be  loss  than  fifty  miles  an  hour,  it  must  exceed  four 
tons  and  ;i  quarter  l>y  ii  quantity  sufficient  ti>  compensate  the  deficiency. 

With  th.-Ho  facts  in  vi.-w,  very  little  consideration  is  required  to  determine  tho  impossibility  of  offecting  the 
•jui.laiiiv  or  propulsion  of  the  Uilloon,  to  any  beneficial  extent,  by  a  force  originating  in  tho  exercise  of  human 
_ih.  This,  indeed,  ia  a  conclusion  which  might  have  be«n  arrived  at  without  any  such  elaborate  computation, 
liv  simply  reasoning  upon  grounds  deduced  from  observation  and  experience;  and,  indeed,  the  wonder  is,  that  with 
ao  many  ami  sueh  pal|«alile  ti-stiinonies  of  the  inadequacy  of  the  powers  in  question,  any  one  should  ever  liavo  con- 
teinplated  thi  ir  employment.  »r  contrived  plans,  with  no  more  sufficient  means  to  accomplish  their  execution.  Every 
one  «  ho  has  ever  been  presentat  the  ascent  or  descent  of  a  balloon,  must  have  been  struck  with  the  display  of  human 

\\  hi.  h  the  occasion  is  calculated  to  call  forth  ;  tho  number  of  men  employed  in  tho  operation,  and  (lie  e\. -rtions 
they  arc  compelled  to  make,  at  times  even  when  the  action  of  the  atmosphere  is  so  slight  as  otherwise  would  have 
enapcd  their  notice.  If  so  many  persons,  with  all  the  advantages  of  a  solid  resting-place,  and  an  unyielding  medium 
for  the  dii'-et  tniiisinissioii  of  their  strength,  can  scarcely  avail  to  maintain  it  in  ita  placo,  how  utterly  inefficient 
must  they  be  when  transferred  to  an  unstable  fulcrum,  and  having  to  apply  their  force  through  the  intervention  of 
tho  body  its.  If  whose  motion  it  is  their  object  to  control? 

I'.ut  the  inadequacy  of  human  strength  to  accomplish  the  guidance  of  the  balloon  is  capable  of  a  still  more 
accurate  determination.  According  to  the  observations  of  Professor  1'luyfair,  Kmerson,  and  others,  who  have  s]>ccially 
investigated  the  subject,  a  man  of  the  ordinary  powers,  working  at  a  wheel,  is  competent  to  raise  a  weight  of  thirty 
pounds,  through  a  space  of  three  feet  and  a  half  in  a  second  of  time,  supposing  him  to  continue  his  exertions  for 
a  period  of  ton  hours  a  day.  \Vheii  the  velocity,  however,  with  which  ho  is  expected  to  operate  is  increased,  tho 
amount  of  resistance  against  which  he  can  contend  must  be  proportionately  diminished ;  and,  at  the  rate  ascribed  to 
the  agents  of  aerial  propulsion  (namely,  fifty  miles  an  hour,  or  seventy-three  feet  in  a  second),  could  only  be  esti- 
mated at  about  one  pound  and  a  half;  •  that  is.  presuming  him  capable,  at  tho  rate  in  question,  of  overcoming  the 

ilia  and  friction  of  the  machinery  with  which  ho  would  have  to  contend. 

I'.y  the  sulistitutioii,  however,  of  his  legs  instead  of  his  arms,  a  higher  degree  of  power  might  undoubtedly 
be  obtained,  and  which  might  bo  still  further  increased  were  he  accommodated  with  such  an  apparatus  above  his 
shoulders  as  would  enable  him  to  add  some  amount  of  muscular  reaction  downwards  to  that  accruing  from  the  sole 
exercise  of  his  bodily  weight  By  this  means,  at  tho  ordinary  rate  of  walking  (which  may  be  roughly  assumed  at 
three  miles  an  hour.t  or  somewhat  more  than  four  feet  in  a  second),  a  man  might,  for  a  considerable  length  of  time. 
•  a  force  equivalent  to  his  whole  weight,  or  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds;  which,  reduced  in  proportion 
to  the  increase  in  the  rate  (namely,  from  four  to  seventy-three  feet  in  a  second,  or  about  eightecn-fold),  would  give 
a  result  of  eight  pounds  nearly  as  tho  available  extent  of  each  individual's  exertions. 

The  exercise  of  muscular  strength,  however,  no  matter  how  lightly  it  may  be  taxed,  being  limited  in  it* 
duration,  while  the  estimate  upon  which  its  amount  has  been  determined  is  founded  upon  tho  supposition  of  its 
uninterrupted  continuance,  it  would  be  necessary  to  be  provided  with  such  an  amount  in  reserve  as  would  suffice  to 
maintain  the  same  quantity  of  power  in  constant  operation.  Admitting,  therefore,  that  a  man  could  continue  to  work 
at  the  rate  ascriVd  to  him  for  one-half  of  his  time,  a  double  supply  of  men,  at  the  least,  would  bo  absolutely 
requisite,  whereby  the  amount  assignable  to  each  individual  would  in  effect  be  reduced  to  only  four  jiounds— a 
quantity  ln-aring  so  small  a  proportion  to  tho  weight  as  to  hold  out  no  prospect  of  its  ever  being  available  in  the 
practice  of  an  art,  the  main  condition  of  which  is  tho  attainment  of  extreme  specific  lightness.  To  illustrate  this 
conclusion  by  reference  to  a  particular  case,  wo  have  already  seen  that  the  resistance  experienced  by  the  Vauxhall 


*  Seventy-thn*-  feet  in  a  aecond  thi-  rate  required  being  twenty- 
one  time*  greater  than  that  oontiiiu.  .1  in  tin-  ]n..|..-iii..n  ii|..n  wliirli 
onr  estimate  in  founded,  ti  .  wiiirl.t  wliirli  could  be  rained  will  be 
but  a  iinr-aiui-lirrntirth  part  of  that  referred  to  in  tin-  siunc  proposi- 
tion. Tl.irty.  dividi-d  by  t-.v  ivei  Yery  nearly  tin-  i|iiotient 
we  have  abore  deduo-l. 


t  A  man  may  walk  at  the  rate  of  four  mile*  an  hour,  bat  I  doubt 
if  he  could  exerciw  hi*  legs  in  the  modn  wliiHi  would  1m  required 
in  turning  a  wheel,  with  the  aoroe  freedom  and  at  the  mate  rate  aa 
if  he  had  merely  a  progranvc  motion  to  avcotn|>li»li. 


328 


ASTRA  CASTEA. 


A.D.  1837. 


balloon  in  passing  through  the  air  at  the  rate  of  thirty-five  miles  an  hour  would  be  equal  to  nine  thousand  five 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  pounds,  or  about  two  thousand  four  hundred  times  the  amount  of  that  ascribed  to  each 
individual ;  consequently  to  effect  its  propulsion  consistent  with  the  obligations  we  have  already  considered  to  be 
essential  to  the  accomplishment  of  any  beneficial  result  would  require  a  force  of  two  thousand  four  hundred  men,  or 
about  two  hundred  times  as  many  as  her  whole  ascensive  power  would  be  competent  to  support ;  and  that,  too> 
making  no  allowance  whatever  for  the  weight  of  the  machinery  by  which  they  would  have  to  operate. 

It  is  true,  by  the  adoption  of  another  form,  a  balloon  requiring  no  more  propulsive  power  than  that  we  have 
made  the  subject  of  the  preceding  calculation,  might  be  constructed  capable  of  supporting  four  times  the  weight : 
even  here,  however,  all  that  would  be  effected  would  be  an  increase  to  that  extent  in  the  efficiency  of  the  cargo, 
which  would  still  remain  about  fifty  times  as  great  as  she  would  be  able  to  support, 

Kor  is  this  a  conclusion  which  could  be  avoided  by  reducing  the  size  of  the  balloon,  in  the  hopes  of  attaining  a 
point  in  which  the  forces  opposing  and  those  opposed  would  be  more  on  a  par.  On  the  contrary,  the  resistance 
varying  as  the  squares  while  the  buoyant  power  follows  the  ratio  of  the  cubes  of  the  diameter,  any  attempt  to  diminish 
the  scale  of  the  experiment  but  tends  to  magnify  the  disproportion  between  the  difficulties  and  the  means  whereby 
they  are  to  be  encountered ;  an  elliptical  balloon  of  nine  feet  radius,  equivalent  only  to  a  charge  of  two  men  (the 
smallest  number  consistent  with  what  we  have  before  stated  to  be  necessary  for  the  due  continuance  of  the  impres- 
sion), developing  at  the  rate  in  question  a  resistance  of  one  thousand  and  twenty-four  pounds,  and  consequently 
requiring  an  amount  of  human  power  at  the  value  we  have  assigned  to  it,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  times  as 
great  as  it  is  capable  of  raising.  For  the  satisfaction  of  those  who  might  expect  a  more  favourable  result,  by 
enlarging  the  dimensions  of  the  balloon,  we  have  subjoined  a  calculation  from  which  they  will  perceive  that,  in 
accordance  with  the  obligations  before  laid  down,  the  smallest  number  of  men  that  could  propel  a  balloon  sufficient 
to  support  them  would  be  about  three  millions  three  hundred  and  thirty-five  thousand,  and  the  smallest  balloon  that 
could  carry  men  sufficient  to  propel  her  at  the  rate  in  question  would  be  equivalent  in  its  contents  to  a  sphere  of 
about  three  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty -three  feet  in  diameter.* 

In  default  of  human  strength,  the  mind  naturally  reverts  to  the  great  agent  of  modern  invention,  the  wonder- 
working power  of  steam.  Independently,  however,  of  the  inconvenience  and  danger  necessarily  attendant  upon  the 
employment  of  a  power  requiring  the  aid  of  fire,  there  is  one  essential  objection  to  steam  which  must  for  ever 
preclude  the  possibility  of  its  adoption  as  an  agent  in  the  propulsion  of  the  balloon ;  I  mean  the  continual  toss  of 
weight  from  the  consumption  of  fuel  and  the  conversion  of  water  into  vapour,  which  more  or  less  must  ever  attend  its 
employment.  The  force  of  this  objection  will  at  once  appear,  when  we  consider  that  it  is  by  the  preservation  of  the 
equilibrium  between  her  contents  of  gas  and  ballast  she  maintains  her  position  in  the  air.  Whenever  that  equili- 


*  The  following  is  a  general  formula  for  calculating  the  direct 
resistance  upon  all  balloons,  partaking  of  the  nature  of  a  sphere, 
cone,  cylinder,  or  ellipsis  : — Square  the  radius  of  the  largest  section 
perpendicular  to  the  horizontal  axis  of  the  machine,  and  multiply 
by  3' 1416  ;  this  gives  the  number  of  square  feet  in  a  circular  plane 
equivalent  to  the  said  section.  Of  this,  two-thirds  only  are  to  be 
considered  as  forming  the  real  amount  of  the  resisting  plane  (the 
actual  resistance  being  upon  an  average  diminished  one-third,  on 
account  of  the  particular  form  of  the  opposing  surface) ;  which 
multiply  by  the  sura  answering  to  the  rate  of  the  wind  in  the  table 
of  atmospheric  resistance,  and  the  product  will  be  the  amount  of 
direct  resistance  in  pounds  avoirdupois.  Divide  this  sum  by  the 
number  of  pounds  which,  at  the  rate  assigned  to  the  agents  of 
the  propulsion,  shall  be  found  equivalent  to  each  man's  muscular 
strength,  and  double  the  quotient  will  represent  the  number  of  men 
required  to  effectuate  the  same  amount  of  resistance  at  the  same  rate, 
supposing  one  change  of  men  sufficient  to  perpetuate  the  operation. 

By  this  mode  of  computation  may  be  tested  the  conclusion  we 
have  arrived  at  in  the  text.  As  the  buoyant  power  of  the  balloon 
follows  the  ratio  of  the  cubes,  while  the  superficies,  and  con- 
sequently the  resistance,  varies  as  the  squares  of  the  diameters,  it 
follows  that  any  alteration  in  the  size  of  the  balloon  must  affect 
the  former  more  than  the  latter ;  if  a  balloon,  therefore,  is  capable 
of  carrying  exactly  the  quantity  of  human  power  equivalent  to  the 
resistance  she  develops,  she  must  be  the  smallest  that  ean  be  con- 
structed with  such  a  result;  inasmuch  as  any  further  reduction  in 
her  size  would  diminish  her  buoyancy  more  than  her  resistance, 


and  she  would  then  require  more  force  to  her  propulsion  than  she 
would  be  able  to  carry.  Now,  considering  a  balloon  of  fifty  feet  in 
diameter,  when  properly  inflated,  to  be  sufficient  to  raise  a  weight 
equivalent  to  twelve  men,  by  referring  to  the  proportion  between 
the  cubes  of  their  diameters,  we  shall  find  that  one  of  throe 
thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty-three  feet,  quoted  in  the  text, 
would  be  barely  competent  to  a  charge  of  3,335,20-1  men.  By 
throwing  the  gaseous  contents,  however,  into  a  more  elongated 
form,  it  would  be  possible,  as  we  before  observed,  to  reduce  the 
resistance  without  affecting  the  buoyancy.  Such  a  vessel  would  be 
a  cylinder,  capped  with  cones,  or  an  ellipsoid,  whose  transverse  axis 
was  two  thousand  and  fifty  feet,  and  length  equal  to  four  times  its 
diameter.  The  resistance  occasioned  by  the  direct  impact  of  such 
a  body  in  progress  through  the  atmosphere  at  the  rate  of  thirty-five 
miles  an  hour  would,  accordingly  (as  will  be  seen  by  reference  to 
the  preceding  formula),  be  equal  to  13.337,160,354  pounds,  and 
3,334,290,  the  number  of  men  by  which  an  equal  amount  of  force 
could  be  generated ;  each  man's  quotum  being  eight  pounds,  as 
above  assigned,  and  a  double  allowance  of  men  being  required  to 
admit  of  the  operation  being  carried  on  without  interruption.  The 
difference  (amounting  to  nine  hundred  and  fourteen)  between  the 
number  of  men  equivalent  to  her  resistance  and  that  equivalent  to 
her  buoyancy,  as  here  displayed  in  favour  of  the  latter,  however 
less,  would  certainly  not  be  more  than  enough  to  compensate  for 
the  weight  and  resistance  of  the  machinery,  the  friction  of  the 
atmosphere,  and  other  circumstances,  more  or  less  influential, 
which  have  not  been  included  ill  the  above  calculation. 


AD.  1  KUKOXEOUS  CALCULATIONS  OF  MONCK  MASON.  .'529 


i>  ili-turUxl  l.y  the  abstraction  of  a  part  of  either  of  them  resource*  a  sacrifice  of  a  proportionate  amount  of 
tin  ..tin  r  becomes  absolutely  necessary  in  order  to  restore  it;  a  proceeding,  it  is  naroely  necessary  to  remark,  by 
which  1«  T  whole  efficiency  must  aooner  or  later  become  destroyed.  This  objection  equally  applies  toall  those  powers 
which  are  ol.taim*!  l>y  in.  an>  of  .  h.  niitiil  deoompoHition,  the  rapid  generation  of  gases  by  explosion,  OTBbMMit,  or 
otherwise  the  very  efficiency  of  which  is,  in  fact,  only  commensurate  with  the  loss  of  weight  by  which  they  are 
accompanied  ;  nor  am  I  aware,  of  any  principle  whatever  applicable  to  the  purposes  in  question,  unless,  indeed,  it  may 
lie  th.it  i.f  .  1.  et  re-magnetism,  concerning  which,  however,  our  information  is  yet  too  limited  to  allow  us  to  speak 
mnic  ileciil.  illv. 

(IV.) 

Possessed  of  these,  the  mechanical  agents  of  the  propulsion,  together  with  a  power  Hiifti<-i<-iit  to  invest  them 
with  iiintinn  at  thu  rate  and  uml.T  the  «le\,  li.|nin  nt  of  pressure  before  calculated,  the  aerial  engineer  must  not 
conclude  that  the  question  of  the  guidance  of  the  balloon  has  been  completely  solved,  and  that  nothing  remain*  to 
intcrfeie  with  its  immediate  adoption  as  a  mode  of  transport  applicable  to  the  ordinary  purposes  of  life. 

In.l.  I-  .ii.l.-nt  of  the  (lifliculty  that  must  ever  attend  the  reduction  to  practice  of  rules  involving  the  nicest  points 
in  rational  and  practical  mechanics,  the  most  rigorous  economy  of  power,  and  an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  strength 
•  if  materials.  with  the  best  method  of  employing  them,  there  are  certain  restrictions  regarding  their  application, 
failing  o-mpliamv  with  which  the  best-devised  schemes  for  the  propulsion  of  the  balloon  must  prove  utterly  ineffi- 
cacious, or  at  least  successful  to  so  small  an  extent  as  to  remain  still  as  inapplicable  as  ever  to  the  purposes  for  win.  h 
they  are  required. 

The  lii-t  .,f  these  regards  the  form  of  the  aerial  vessel.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  observe,  that  before  any 
scheme  for  its  guidance  be  attempted,  the  balloon  itself  must  be  of  such  a  form  as  will  admit  of  its  being  guided.  It 
mn-t  have  a  line  of  least  resistance,  and  this  lino  must  be  that  in  the  direction  in  which  it  advances.  This  involves, 
likewise,  the  consideration  of  a  rudder,  or  some  other  corresponding  apparatus,  by  means  of  which  its  propulsive 
energies  may  be  directed  into  a  determined  channel.  In  short,  it  must  have  a  head  and  a  tail,  as  well  as  a  body, 
and  be  capable  of  assuming  and  maintaining  a  fixed  position  during  its  forced  progress  through  the  air.  Such  a 
form,  for  instance,  would  be  that  of  an  ellipsoid,  as  before  observed,  or  a  cylinder  terminated  by  coiiew,  like  that 
recently  exhibited  to  the  public  by  Count  Lennox,  under  the  name  of  the  Aerial  Ship,  and  of  which  representations 
are  to  be  found  in  old  prints  of  aerostation,  illustrative  of  previous  projects  for  the  guidance  of  the  balloon. 

In  the  second  place,  it  must  be  so  contrived  tlwt  when  subjected  to  the  action  of  a  strong  current  of  air,  the 
balloon  shall  not,  in  the  change  of  position  it  will  be  inevitably  forced  to  adopt,  interfere  with  the  action  of  the 
machinery  by  which  it  is  impelled.  In  regard  of  this,  as  indeed  of  all  the  other  rules,  consideration  must  be  had, 
not  to  the  actual  shape  and  position  of  the  balloon,  but  to  that  which  it  will  have  assumed  when  acting  under  the 
influence  of  the  opposing  forces. 

Thirdly,  it  follows  from  this,  as  a  matter  of  course,  that  the  same  strength  of  materials  which  is  found 
sufficient  for  an  ordinary  balloon  would  by  no  means  suffice  for  one  the  nature  of  whose  employment  infers  the 
exposure  to  excessive  and  unwonted  opposition.* 

Fourthly,  the  whole  must  be  so  constructed  as  not  to  suffer  from  the  shocks  to  which  it  will  be  unavoidably 
subjected  whenever  it  comes  into  contact  with  the  ground,  owing  to  the  impossibility  of  making  the  attachment  to 
the  earth  with  that  degree  of  firmness  and  certainty  which  is  necessary  to  ensure  the  safety  of  the  balloon  and 
place  it  umler  the  immediate  control  of  the  aeronaut  And  this,  it  strikes  me,  is  one  of  (if  not  actually)  the 
most  important  of  the  practical  restrictions  in  question,  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  most  difficult  to  bo  complied  with 
consistently  with  the  other  essential  features  of  the  case.  For  what,  after  all,  can  be  the  merit  of  any  machinery 
that  is  lialil--,  nay,  almost  certain,  to  be  rendered  valueless  whenever  it  may  happen  to  be  employed,  except  uii'l.-r 
such  a  favourable  juncture  of  circumstances  as  is  not  to  be  counted  upon  in  the  practice  of  an  art  carried 
on  under  the  auspices  of  proverbially  the  most  fickle  power  in  nature?  And  yet  I  must  confess  I  do  not  see 


•  Of  the  necessity  for  this  provision  the  French  projector*  seem 
fully  wniihle,  when  they  advert  to  the  pnwihility  of  forming  the 
Lull. «.n  iti--lf  of  miliil  mat.  rialK,  and  gravely  look  forward  to 


would  be  urn-Iras  to  waste  words ;  I  should  only  like  to  know,  when 
formed,  how  it  is  to  be  inflated,  and  when  inflated  bow  it  is  to  be 
emptie<! :  for  it  in  not  to  bo  forgotten  that  before  it  can  be  inflated 

the  tone  when  wood,  copper,  iron,  anil  the  other  in^r..li.  nU  of  j  it  must  first  be  emptied,  while,  at  thu  mine  time,  onre  it  i»  tilli*!. 
terrestrial  and  marine  architecture,  nhall  be  put  in  n-<|ui.-ition  to  nothing  can  be  abstracted  from  it  without  tin-  introduction  of  an 
supply  a  more  substantial  vehicle  for  the  occupation  of  tl>.-  imply  equivalent.  This  latter  consideration  would,  I  rather  inspect,  leave 
regions  of  the  iky.  Upon  the  practicability  of  such  schemes,  it  |  the  office  of  the  valve  somewhat  in  the  nature  of  a  sinecure. 


380 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


A.D.  1837. 


any  means  of  avoiding  this  conclusion  by  any  structure  of  machinery  that  shall  be  in  accordance  with  the  rules  we 
have  before  laid  down  for  its  regulation.  The  great  extent  of  surface,  and  the  lightness  which  ought  to  be  its 
primaiy  characteristic,  are  qualities  equally  calculated  to  aggravate  the  effects  of  the  opposing  forces,  as  incompatible 
with  the  requisitions  of  strength  by  which  alone  they  could  be  successfully  resisted  ;  and,  indeed,  it  is  difficult  to 
conceive  any  structure  or  arrangement  of  machinery  suitable  to  the  purpose,  that  shall  either  be  beyond  the  reach 
of  the  violence  to  be  apprehended,  or  sufficiently  strong  to  avoid  suffering  essential  detriment  from  it  whenever 
it  occurs.* 

Fifthly,  the  agents  of  the  propulsion  must  be  made  to  operate  directly  upon  the  body  of  the  balloon  itself,  and 
not,  as  in  every  scheme  heretofore  projected,  upon  the  car  which  is  attached  to  it.f  In  the  fulfilment  of  this 
condition  a  great  difficulty  presents  itself  in  the  different  nature  of  the  materials  which  will  have  to  be  employed 
in  the  construction  of  the  balloon  and  of  its  machinery ;  the  flexible  quality  of  the  one,  the  solid  unyielding  nature 
of  the  other,  and  the  certain  danger  to  the  former  when  united  firmly  to  the  latter  under  exposure  to  forces  such  as 
may  be  expected  to  accompany  the  operation  of  aerial  propulsion. 

Sixthly,  the  construction  of  the  machinery  must  be  such  that  an  injury  to  one  part  shall  not  necessarily 
impede  or  prevent  the  action  of  the  rest,  or  be  attended  with  consequences  involving  the  security  of  the  balloon. 

And  lastly,  though  not  least,  the  whole  must  be  so  contrived  as  to  maintain  its  equilibrium  under  all  the 
variations  of  force  to  which  it  will  be  inevitably  subjected  in  its  progress. 


These,  then,  constitute  the  principal  obligations  which  the  nature  of  the  proceeding  has  imposed  upon  the 
guidance  of  the  balloon.  From  a  consideration  of  what  has  been  discussed  in  the  preceding  sections,  the  ingenious 
reader  will,  no  doubt,  have  observed  that  the  main  obstacles  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  object  in  view  are,  first, 
the  construction  of  surfaces  of  the  proper  degree  of  lightness,  and  of  sufficient  size  and  strength  united,  to  enable 
them  at  once  to  effectuate  and  withstand  the  pressure  they  are  required  to  afford ;  secondly,  the  adaptation  of  a  power 
competent  to  invest  them  with  the  proper  motion ;  and  thirdly,  the  arrangement  of  the  whole  machine  in 
accordance  with  the  principles  laid  down  in  the  latter  section. 

A  fourth  obligation,  however,  of  equal,  if  not  superior,  importance  to  any,  yet  remains  to  be  commented  upon ; 
namely,  the  regulation  of  the  motive  agents  in  such  a  manner  as  to  ensure  by  their  impact  the  resistance  which  has 
been  assigned  to  their  operation.  The  difficulty  of  complying  with  this  requisition  is  one  proceeding  from  the 
elastic  nature  of  the  medium,  whereby  its  equilibrium  of  density  becomes  more  easily  disturbed,  and  a  state  of 
rarefaction  induced  in  the  portions  contiguous  to  the  surfaces  in  question,  to  the  manifest  deterioration  of  the 
resistance  they  are  expected  to  create.  This  will  be  better  understood  when  we  consider  that  upon  the  rapid 
passage  of  the  surfaces  in  question  a  large  portion  of  the  adjacent  atmosphere  is  swept  away  in  the  direction  of  their 
impact,  leaving  throughout  their  whole  course  a  medium  more  or  less  rarefied  in  proportion  to  the  rapidity  with 
which  they  operate.  To  this  result  both  the  rate  and  size  of  the  moving  planes  essentially  contribute ;  and  there 
is  no  doubt  that  long  before  either  of  these  conditions  were  fulfilled  to  the  extent  assigned  in  the  estimate  of 
their  respective  quantities,  a  considerable  approximation  to  a  vacuum  would  have  been  formed  in  the  locus  of  their 


*  The  disregard  of  this  particular  constitutes  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  characteristics  of  all  the  aerial  projectors  with  whom  I 
have  ever  communicated.  Treating  the  balloon  merely  as  a  manne- 
quin, to  try  an  schemes  of  propulbiou,  they  entirely  neglect  to  con- 
sider the  condition  it  will  be  placed  in  when  it  comes  to  be  exposed 
to  the  influence  of  the  forces  it  will  have  developed  in  its  career. 
Hence  the  inefficacy  and  absurdity  of  most  of  their  contrivances 
whenever  any  attempt  has  been  made  to  reduce  them  to  practice. 
One  of  the  adjuncts  to  the  original  plan  of  Count  Lennox's  air-ship 
was,  I  remember,  a  set  of  small  wheels  fastened  beneath  the  car  (or 
rather  the  canoe),  to  the  frame  of  which  the  motive  agents  were  to 
be  appended,  in  order  to  enable  it  to  glide  on  the  earth  after  the 
descent,  and  avoid  the  consequences  of  a  too  sudden  interruption  to 
its  flight !  Imagine  a  piece  of  machinery  sixty  feet  broad  and  one 
hundred  and  eighty  long,  bearing  a  charge  of  more  than  ten  tons, 
aud  furnished  with  wings  projecting  some  forty  feet  or  more  on 
either  side,  gliding  over  the  country  upon  castors,  under  the 
influence  of  a  wind  moving  at  the  rate  of  thirty  or  forty  miles  an 
hour,  attached,  for  steadiness,  to  a  vessel  of  still  more  preposterous 


dimensions,  floating  overhead  and  exposing  to  the  action  of  the 
wind  an  extent  of  surface  equivalent  to  upwards  of  twenty  thousand 
square  feet !  Indeed  the  speculative  Frenchman  seems  to  have 
entertained  a  strange  notion  of  the  nature  of  the  element  with  which 
he  was  about  to  contend,  when,  in  reply  to  the  suggestion  of  a 
gentleman  concerning  the  security  of  his  machinery  in  the  descent, 
he  observed  that  it  would  he  easy  to  obviate  all  danger  upon  that 
score  by  coining  down  under  the  lee  of  some  building  or  high  wall, 
by  which  he  would  at  all  times  be  sure  of  being  properly  sheltered 
from  the  wind ! — an  ingenious  expedient,  as  Mr.  Green  slily  observed, 
which  might  be  considerably  improved  upon  by  the  addition  to  his 
cargo  of  a  ready-made  north-watt,  suited  to  all  cases  of  emergency ; 
upon  the  principle,  no  doubt,  of  the  universal  finger-post  which  the 
Irishman  sagaciously  proposed  to  the  celebrated  African  traveller, 
Captain  Clapperton,  as  a  ready  means  of  solving  his  doubts  whenever 
he  should  happen  to  have  the  misfortune  of  losing  his  way  in  the 
deserts ! 

•f  See  Note  C,  by  M.  Monge,  at  end  of  this  paper,  p.  334. 


A.D.  1  1  i;K<»N'EOUS  CALCULATIONS  OF  MnNVK  MASON. 

operations  !•  •|uirinir  more  or  1cm  time  to  fill  ii|>.  in  proportion  to  the  extent  of  space  it  had  effected.  Now,  should 
it  hup{ien  tint  the  planes  in  question  bo  compelled  to  reiterate  their  percussion  within  the  sphere  of  thin  dintm-bance 
•  •!•••  thu  atmosphere  has  had  time  to  recover  from  its  effects,  a  drawback  to  their  efficiency  will  be  occasioned  which 
ii<>  increase  of  rate  or  dimension  will  enable  thorn  entirely  to  overcome. 

Upon  the  whole  review  of  the  case,  then,  it  must  be  avowed  that  the  propulsion  of  the  balloon  to  tin-  .  xt< nt 
we  have  imposed  upon  it  is  beset  with  difficulties  of  no  ordinary  description.  It  is  true  that  these  difficulties  eonniMt 
not  so  much  in  the  quality  as  in  the  quantity  of  what  is  sought  to  be  done — in  the  tuiturr  of  the  operation,  as  in  tin- 
extent  to  which  it  is  requisite  that  it  should  be  accomplished.  Hence  the  possibility  of  effecting  in  a  minor  degree 
that  to  which  considerations  of  paramount  importance  have  induced  us  to  assign  a  more  extended  limit.  Apart 
from  .itli.-r  considerations,  the  question  of  the  guidance  of  the  balloon  is  a  more  expression,  conveying  no  definite 
idea  and  affording  no  certain  grounds  for  investigation.  As  a  mere  abstract  fact,  there  is  no  doubt  the  balloon  can 
be  guided  :  it  i.s  only  in  reference  to  the  particulars  of  the  case  that  any  question  can  arise  upon  the  matter.  When. 

•••[••.  any  person  says  that  he  has  discovered  the  means  of  guiding  the  balloon,  his  assertion  literally  amounts 
to  nothing,  unless,  at  the  same  time,  it  be  coupled  with  a  specification  of  the  rate  and  conditions  under  which  he  is 
able  i  Should  these  bo  found  to  correspond  with  what  has  been  stated  in  the  preceding  sections,  then,  ami 

not  otherwise,  will  the  que*ii»u  <>f  an  aerial  navigation,  applicable  to  useful  purposes,  have  been  duly  and 
satisfactorily  determined.  This,  however,  is  a  consummation  which  I  fear  there  is  but  little  prospect  of  our  ever 
being  able  to  attain.  The  deficiency  of  power  and  the  limitation  assigned  by  nature  to  the  strength  of  material- 
form  u  Kirricr  which  all  our  efforts  seem  incapable  of  enabling  us  to  surmount;  and.  indi-cd,  when  we  consider  th«; 
nature  and  amount  of  the  forces  required  to  the  propulsion  of  the  balloon,  it  becomes  a  mutter  of  question  whether 
the  same  exertions  would  not  be  sufficient  to  enable  us  to  dispense  with  its  services  altogether,  and  transport 
ourselves  through  the  air  by  the  simple  exercise  of  wings  alone.* 

The  reader  must  not  bo  misled  by  those  insidious  analogies  by  which  unreflecting  persons  are  wont  to  be 
£iiidc<l  in  their  sentiments  upon  matters  of  this  description;  nor  conclude  that,  because  a  ship  sails,  a  fish  swims, or 
a  bird  flies,  it  is  equally  consistent  with  the  laws  of  nature  that  a  man  should  be  able  to  direct  his  course  through 
the  atmosphere  by  the  aid  of  a  balloon.  Ample  reasons  will  bo  found  in  the  circumstances  of  each  to  invalidate 
these  analogies  and  disprove  any  dependence  which  might  be  conceived  to  exist  between  them.  The  ship  commands 
•  >urse  over  the  bosom  of  the  ocean,  not  from  the  simple  fact  alone  of  her  possessing  two  elements  endowed  with 
ilitl'.-r.  nt  rates  and  inclinations  of  motion  (for  such  a  reason  would  exclude  the  steam-vessel  from  our  argument, 
which  secures  her  progress  by  the  instrumentality  of  one  alone),  but  also  from  the  striking  superiority  in  the 
density  of  that  (the  water)  to  which  she  resorts  for  her  propulsion  over  that  (the  air)  in  which  so  large  a  proportion 
of  her  moss  is  destined  to  move  ;f  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  general  condition  of  the  former,  as  far  as  itn 
progressive  motion  is  concerned,  is  such  as  to  require  but  a  comparatively  moderate  share  of  power  to  enable 
her  to  contend  with  it  Of  these,  the  latter  is  an  advantage  equally  enjoyed  by  the  finny  inhabitants  of  thu 
deep ;  and  though  it  is  true  the  former  (namely,  a  difference  of  density  in  favour  of  the  medium  of  propulsion)  does 
not  characterise  their  condition  any  more  than  it  does  that  of  the  balloon,  yet  the  want  of  it  is  more  than  com- 
pensated by  the  possession  of  a  specific  gravity,  so  nearly  on  a  par  with  that  of  the  element  in  which  they  move, 
that  little  or  no  accession  of  bulk  is  required  to  enable  them  to  support  themselves  that  does  not  likewise  contribute 
to  the  enhancement  of  the  strength  by  which  they  direct  their  motions.  The  example  of  the  bird,  it  is  true. 
appears  at  first  sight  to  be  more  to  the  point :  possessed  as  it  is  of  a  specific  gravity  scarcely  more  favourable  to  its 
support  than  our  own ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  medium  of  its  evolutions  being  the  same  as  that  of  the  balloon, 


*  The  reader  may  not  perhaps  be  aware  that  the  bold  idea  of  by  which  he  icenii  to  hare  been  deprived  of  the  power  of  o.n- 

hunian  flight  hag  once  to  a  certain  extent  been  actually  rraluni,  tinuing  hi*  exertions;  when.hu  wings  coating  to  act  in  the  manner 

uml  tlmt  mi.-  iinliviiliuil.  aliiumt  within  tin-  memory  of  man,  ha*  necessary  for  his  support,  he  sunk  to  the  ground  and  was  pro- 

been  known  to  raise  and  conduct  himself  tli rough  tin-  nir  liv  tin-  cipituted  against  one  of  the  floating  mat-Ilium  belonging  to  the 

agency  of  wings  alone.    The  instance  alluded  to  is  that  of  the  I'MriMun  luiuidn-iws,  which  line  the  arches  of  the  Pont  Royale  on 

M;ir>|                      .ii.-ville,   wh"    in    tin-   year    ITI'J,   Recording  to  a  the  side  of  tin-  river  opposite  to  tliat  from  which  he  hnd  taken  hi« 

notification  »lii.-!i  li.-  had  made  to  that  effect,  rose  in  thu  sight  of  departure,  wli.nl>)  i..-   l<  g  was  broke  and  uth>  • 

the  aBsembUil  multitude  of  1'iirin.  from  liix  own  residence  on  the  intlirtnl  upon  his  |x  rson. 
Quai  da  Thi'ntint.  am!  din  <-t.  ,1  liis  course  across  the  Seine  toward*  I       f  A  reference  to  the  operation  of  the  motive  agents  will  >•!,»« 

r.l.-ni  of  tli.-  Tuilerics,  whither  he  hml  -                       intention  tlmt   the   very  n-verne  "f  thi.i  in  the  relative  cou.lition  of  ti. 

of  proceeding.     At   !ir-i    he  U|>|K  ;ir.  .1  to  advance  with  t-.l.  r..l.l.  ilium    nf  propulsion  and  that  of  opposition,    in   the  cuito   of   the 

steadiness  ami  facility  :  when  about  halfway  ,,\,  r,  ]„,»>  v.-r,  wnm  -  balloon, 
thing  occurred  which  hasuo.r  I.,  en   thoroughly  compnlu  •ndi  il 

•J     X 


332  ASTEA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1837. 

the  same  impediments  remain  to  be  encountered  by  them  both.  The  analogy,  however,  although  certainly  more- 
specious  than  the  preceding,  is  by  no  means  more  conclusive.  For  both  these  emergencies  Nature  has  supplied 
a  remedy ;  for  the  former,  in  the  endowment  of  immense  muscular  strength  ;  for  the  latter,  in  the  actual  smallness 
of  their  dimensions.  Possessed  of  a  power  sufficient  of  itself  to  overcome  the  attraction  of  gravitation,  the  efficiency 
of  the  animal  is  ever  dependent  upon  its  bulk,  and  consequently  at  all  times  proportioned  to  the  resistance  it  has  to 
contend  with ;  while  from  the  positive  smallness  of  its  size,  not  only  does  the  structure  of  its  organs  easily  fall  within 
the  limits  assigned  by  Nature  to  the  strength  of  the  appropriate  materials  *  (in  consequence  of  which  it  is  enabled 
to  surmount  a  great  portion  of  the  forces  arrayed  against  it,  and  at  all  events  avoid  incurring  damage  from  the 
remainder),  but  likewise  through  the  facility  with  which  it  can  secure  a  retreat,  it  is  enabled  without  prejudice  to 
dispense  with  the  possession  of  powers  superior  to  what  at  times  it  may  have  occasion  to  encounter :  confined 
to  minute  dimensions,  the  bird  that  is  unable  to  match  with  the  wind  can  at  every  turn  find  a  refuge  from  its 
influence,  and  is  consequently  perfect  with  half  the  comparative  amount  of  force  which  would  be  necessary  to  the 
success  and  security  of  the  balloon.  Thus,  to  sum  up :  a  density  in  the  opposing  medium  inferior  to  that  of  the 
medium  of  propulsion ;  a  specific  gravity  but  slightly  removed  from  that  of  the  element  in  which  they  move, 
together  with  comparatively  trifling  forces  to  contend  with ;  and  lastly,  a  size  that  arms  them  against  injury 
and  puts  security  at  all  times  within  their  reach.  These  are  advantages  more  or  less  enjoyed  by  all  objects 
affecting  fluid  media  which  are  denied  by  Nature  to  man  in  his  endeavours  to  navigate  the  atmosphere,  and 
completely  destroy  whatever  analogy  might  be  thought  to  exist  between  them. 

"  But,"  it  may  be  asked,  "  supposing  us  unable  to  accomplish  all  that  has  been  stated  to  be  necessary  to  the 
perfect  government  of  the  sky,  why  may  not  an  aerial  navigation  be  made  applicable  to  useful  purposes  in  a  less 
degree  ?  And  why  must  we  abandon  all  hopes  of  advantage  from  the  practice  of  an  art  because  we  are  unable  to 
bring  it  to  a  higher  degree  of  perfection  ? "  Simply  because,  in  reducing  the  rate  (upon  which  hinge  all  the 
essential  difficulties  of  the  case),  we  sacrifice  altogether  that  condition  by  which  the  character  of  an  art  applicable  to 
useful  purposes  is  essentially  distinguished,  namely,  the  certain  prospect  of  success.  It  is  not  that  the  object  would 
be  accomplished  with  less  speed,  less  safety,  or  to  a  less  extent ;  but  that  in  adapting  our  resources  to  a  scale 
of  opposition  inferior  to  what  we  may  have  to  encounter  we  forego  the  certainty  of  ever  accomplishing  it  at  all.  For 
all  purposes,  where  this  condition  is  a  matter  of  indifference,  an  aerial  navigation  might,  no  doubt,  be  established  ; 
but  as  it  is  this  "  regard  to  the  result "  that,  as  I  take  it,  constitutes  the  main  difference  between  affairs  of  business 
and  affairs  of  pleasure,  still  would  the  latter  alone  have  all  the  benefit  of  our  exertions. 

M.  Marey  Monge  points  out,  in  the  four  notes  below,  the  chief  errors  of  the  preceding 
calculations,  which,  being  in  principle  incorrect,  make  the  whole  erroneous. 

Note  A  (p.  319),  by  M.  Mange. — Newton  demonstrated  the  law  "  That  the  resistance  of  fluids  was  in  proportion 
to  their  density."  To  speak,  therefore,  of  the  rate  of  motion  of  two  fluids  (water  and  air),  without  taking  notice  of 
their  density,  is  to  say  nothing  relative  to  the  force  necessary  to  resist  them. 

In  fact,  supposing  1  cubic  metre  of  sea- water  having  the  velocity  of  16  kilometres  an  hour,  and  1  cubic  metre 
of  air  having  the  velocity  of  160  kilometres  an  hour,  let  us  see  what  force  will  be  required  to  resist  these  two  cubic 
metres.  Let  1  be  the  weight  of  a  cubic  metre  of  air ;  that  of  a  cubic  metre  of  salt-water  will  be  804 ;  and  the 
force  necessary  to  resist  the  fluids  shall  be  equal  and  contrary  to  the  movement  in  each :  that  is  to  say,  for  air, 
1  X  160  =  160,  and  for  water  804  X  16  =  12864 ;  or  : :  1  :  80.  Hence  it  will  be  80  times  easier  to  resist,  with  an  equal 
volume,  the  highest  winds  than  the  strongest  waves  ;  or  else,  in  the  air,  a  surface  80  times  larger  than  another  in  the  sea 


*  Even  if  a  man  were  endowed  with  the  same   proportion  of  I   not  because  they  are  heavier  in  proportion  to  the  density  of  the 


muscular  strength  as  a  bird,  with  the  same  natural  organisation  to 
enable  him  to  apply  it,  he  could  not,  for  the  reason  here  mentioned, 
ever  turn  it  to  the  same  account ;  inasmuch  as,  with  all  his  powers 
to  lly,  he  coukl  never  procure  material  that  would  admit  of  suffi- 
cient extension  to  construct  the  organs  of  his  flight.  Hence,  man, 
though  he  may  succeed  to  a  certain  extent,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
Marquis  of  Bacqueville,  will  never  be  able  to  dispute  with  the 
feathered  tribes  the  empire  of  the  sky ;  not  because  he  could  not 
exercise  his  wings,  but  because  he  could  not  make  them.  Of  the 
limitation  thus  imposed  by  Nature,  the  strongest  and  most  striking 
examples  are  afforded  in  the  works  of  Nature  herself :  when  the 
birds  of  her  creation  exceed  a  certain  size  they  do  not  fly.  It  is 


medium,  and  therefore  want  the  requisite  degree  of  muscular 
strength  ;  for  that  is  in  many  eases,  and  could  in  all,  be  supplied 
by  Nature  without  any  infraction  of  her  existing  laws  :  it  is  because 
Providence  has  not  thought  proper  to  create  a  material  adequate  to 
the  construction  of  their  organs.  The  emu,  the  cassowary,  the  dodo, 
the  ostrich,  are  birds  in  all  but  the  possession  of  wings ;  may  we 
not  conclude  that,  if  the  materials  for  their  construction  had  already 
existed,  Nature  would  not  have  left  the  noblest  specimens  of  her 
work  imperfect  ?  And,  can  man  hope  to  succeed,  where  Nature  has 
declared  her  inability  to  prevail  ? 

See  Note  D,  by  M.  Monge,  at  the  end  of  this  paper,  i«ge  334. 


A.M.  IM:.  Tin.  BHB1  \NCE  OF  n.rms. 

\\ill  1.-  ,.|ii.ill\  aUo  to  resist  tho  highest  winds  as  the  other  to  result  the  strongest  wave*.  This  ooncluwon  i- 
..pi-  '  .  M. 'iick  Mason's.  But  let  us  further  remark — 

i.-i.  Tint  the  aerostat  can  always,  in  case  of  high  winds,  change  its  altitude,  and  can  find  a  layer  of  air 
calm  ..i  111. in-  f.ix.'iiral'le.  Mr.  Monck  Mawm  has  lost  right  of  this  when  ho  says,  "a  balloon  might  roach  the 
antipodes  trt  any  circvmstancet  might  have  occurred  to  favour  the  recovery  of  her  course." 

•Ju.l.  A  wind  that  moves  160  kilometre*  an  hour  is  a  hurricane  that  levels  buildings ;  whilst  in  fact  the 
i.  !-.iiaut  has  only  to  deal  with  wind  that  moves  at  an  average  rate  of  40  kilometres  an  hour.  According  to 
the  aUivi-  i".  irmula,  we  shall  find  that  the  rate  of  movement  of  a  cubic  metro  will  bo,  for  the  air,  1  x  40  —  40;  an.l 

it.  r.  804  X  16=  12864  or  ::  1  :  ::i'l-i;.  II,  -ne«  an  aerostat  with  a  section  surface  :'.!' I •('•  times  larger  than  tho 
section  of  an  ocean-steamer  would  nut  require  more  power  to  move  against  an  atmospheric  cunvnt  ..!'  I" 
kilometres  the  hour  than  is  required  by  a  steamer  to  overcome  waves  moving  16  kilometres  tho  hour. 

:  >).  lii  M.  Monge.— What,  then,  is  the  motive  principle  in  a  steamer  without  sails?  It  can  tack 
and  stoer  without  tin-  help  of  the  wind.  Let  us  recapitulate  in  a  few  words  tho  elementary  principle  of  navigation. 
th.it  for  navigating,  tacking,  tto. — in  a  word,  that  the  power  of  the  helm  should  bo  felt — two  elements  are 
necessary:  water  and  the  moving  power.  It  matt.  r>  little  whothor  the  latter  comes  from  without,  as  the  wind,  or 
from  within,  as  is  the  case  with  steam,  for  the  holm  to  take  effect;  so  long  as  it  puts  tho  ship  in  motion  it  is  all 
that  is  required.  Nothing  is  easier  to  verify.  Take  a  boat  with  two  rowers,  hold  the  rudder  in  your  hand  ;  if  the 
rowers  do  not  pull,  yon  move  with  tho  current  and  it  is  useless  to  steer;  but,  as  soon  as  they  pull,  you  can  give  it 
ili.-  din-cti.iii  you  wish.  Honce,  "  the  Mm  canonly  be  effective  when  the  motive  power  is  in  action."  (A  note  states  that  the 
writer  is  mindful  of  a  long  helm,  used  on  rivers,  which  ho  shows  to  depend  on  other  principles.)  Now  this  principle 
is  applicable  to  an  aerostat  provided  with  a  helm  and  carrying  a  motive  power  (steam  or  any  other).  Hence, 
I'M  using  the  motive  power  and  the  helm  at  the  same  time  an  aerostat  can  be  guided,  and  this  upsets  the  objection  -jivm 
above. 


ISMIIIOR  or  TIIK  NAUTILUS. 

In  acquiring  the  camerated  structure  of  the  shell,  the  embryo  Nautilus  gains  the  power  of  rising  from  the 
bottom,  and  the  requisite  conditions  for  swimming  ;  by  the  exhalation  of  some  light  gas  into  the  deserted  chambers,  it 
attaches  to  its  otherwise  too  heavy  body  a  contrivance  for  ascending  in  its  atmosphere,  as  we  ascend  in  ours  by  the  aid 
of  a  balloon.  I'»ut  tin-  Nautilus,  superior  to  the  human  aeronaut,  combines  with  tho  power  of  elevating  and  suspending 
itself  in  the  aqueous  medium,  that  of  opposing  its  currents,  and  propelling  itself  at  will  in  any  direction.  It  possesses 
the  latti-r  essential  iidjmu-t  to  the  utility  of  the  balloon  as  a  locomotive  organ,  by  virtue  of  tho  muscular  funnel, 
through  wliich  it  eject*  into  tho  surrounding  water,  doubtless  with  force,  the  respiratory  currents. 

It  appears  that  the  proportion  of  air  -chambers  to  the  dwelling-chamber  of  the  Nautilus  and  its  contents  is  sur-li 
as  to  render  it  of  nearly  the  same  specific  gravity  as  tho  surrounding  water.  The  siphon,  which  traverses  the  air- 
chambers,  communicates  with  tin-  jn-riisirdium,  and  is  most  probably  filled  with  fluid  from  that  cavity.  It  certainly 
conducts  small  blood-vessels,  which  are  essential  to  the  vitality  of  the  chambered  part  of  the  shell. — OWKS'S  Memoir 
on  the  Pearly  Nautilus. 

'1    \    '1 


334 


ASTEA  CASTRA. 


A.D.  1847. 


Note  C  (j>.  330),  by  M.  Monge.—Ko;  it  will  pass  through  the  centre  of  gravity  of  the  whole  machine.  This 
will  probably  be  found  below  the  gasholder,  on  account  of  the  weight  of  the  car  and  its  contents ;  and  this  position 
of  the  centre  of  gravity  below  "  the  body  of  the  balloon  itself"  will  be  very  favourable  to  the  agency  of  an  axle 
and  to  the  uniform  movement  of  the  whole,  because  it  will  be  put  in  motion  from  the  centre  of  gravity. 

Note  D  (p.  332),  by  M.  Mortgf. — Wo  must  not  forget  that  there  is  no  analogy  between  birds  and  aerostats. 
Whilst  the  latter  are  supported  by  enclosed  gas,  the  former  require  wings  to  sustain  as  well  as  move  themselves 

along.     Besides,  there  are  instances  in  which  wo  must  cease  to  imitate  Nature We  may  venture  to 

assert  that  neither  opinions  lased  on  calculation,  nor  the  laws  of  Nature,  indicate  the  impossibility  of  aerial  propulsion.  The  marine 
navigation  had  difficulties  as  great  in  its  youth ;  and,  far  from  renouncing  the  hope  of  overcoming  the  obstacles  to 
aerial  navigation,  let  us  rather  remember  the  ancient  adage,  "  Labor  improbus  omnia  vincit." 


It  is  with  the  greatest  pleasure  that  we  now  come  to  the  valuable  '  Etudes  sur 
FAe'rostation,'  by  Mons.  Marey  Monge,  published  in  1847 ;  and  to  his  careful  calculations 
would  I  refer  any  one  who  desires  a  deeper  insight  into  this  science.  We  have  already  given 
his  corrections  of  Monck  Mason's  observations ;  suffice  it  here  to  insert  his  synopsis  of  the 
difficulties  to  be  overcome,  and  an  abstract  of  the  book  from  the  "  rapport "  made  of  it  in 
1849,  to  the  "Societe  d'Encouragement  pour  1'Industrie  Nationale." 

He  approaches  the  sciences  by  saying  aerostation  is  divided  into  two  parts  : — 

1st.  Aerostation  as  it  now  is,  in  the  infancy  of  the  art,  may  serve  for  scientific  and 
military  observations,  for  aerial  voyages  without  direction,  for  public  fetes,  for  lightning- 
conductors  and  hail-preservers. 

2nd.  Aerostation,  as  it  will  be,  which  constitutes  aeronautics,  that  is,  aerostation  taken  in 
the  largest  acceptance  of  the  word ; — in  the  hypothesis  of  an  aerial  navigation,  capable  of 
rendering  the  same  services  as  marine  navigation. 

The  first  is  far  yet  from  being  a  safe  and  certain  means,  notwithstanding  the  numerous 
experiments  already  made,  and  requires  many  improvements. 

The  second  is  hardly  broached  in  theory,  and  in  practice  has  to  be  created. 


M.  Monge's  synopsis  of  the  difficulties  to  aerial  navigation,  showing  what  conditions 
must  be  fulfilled,  and  the  researches  it  is  necessary  to  make,  is  as  follows  :— 


THE  CONDITIONS  TO  FULFIL. 


OBSERVATIONS. 


RESEARCHES  TO  MAKE. 


let  Condition. 
What  the  gas-holder  is  to  contain. 


We  are  decided  on  the  nature  of  the  gas,  it 
is  hydrogen. 


Kind  a  process  of  making  it  more  cheaply 
than  by  sulphate  of  zinc  or  of  iron. 

See  if  it  cannot  be  obtained  more  quickly  and 
economically  by  the  decomposition  of  water  by 
some  untried  way. 


2nd  Condition. 

Of  the  material  used  for  constructing 
the  gas-holder. 


Silk,  cotton  and  skins  are  substances  in- 
sufficient to  make  it  impermeable.  Metals  are 
a  great  expense,  as  they  must  be  of  such  thin- 
ness as  to  allow  of  sheets  overlaying  each  other. 

Anyhow,  it  appears  indispensable  to  employ 
material  less  flexible  and  more  resisting  than 
what  is  used  at  present. 


Consider  pasteboard,  composed  of  many  sheets 
of  paper  carefully  joined  and  varnished,  so  as 
to  make  it  proof  against  the  escape  of  the 
hydrogen. 


A....  1847. 


81  N  <>l  SIS  OF  DIFFICULTIES  TO  RE  OVERCOME. 


Tin  r..M'in"S-  i,.  ni  IM 


(  >K-I  n  aaem 


TO  HAKK. 


::,  I  ,:     i,i 
Oftheformofthega».hoWer. 


4tt  Condition. 

The  aerostat  must  hnvi-  some  inU-nml 

pmaure,  so  that  it  should   not  be  in- 

•1  by  the  resistance  of  the  air,  when 

.11  navigate  in  mill  atnrapberr,  or 

to  rwrint  the  wind  when  it  shall  be  captive 

or  »l  am  li,.r. 


The  directing  and  the  management  of  a 
captive  aerostat  iW««ml«  a  trngthi'nH  f»nu; 
with  pnwtuv  from  the  inlerinr;  the  onurtrue- 
tion  of  an  aerostat  of  large  dimensions  would 

r.  .(inrv  BcYlinilrn-oniiirul  nurbce. 


liml.  I  u  r\  linilm-cooioal  aerostat  and  tin. I  ..ui 
the  junt  |ini|»irtiun  U-twivn  tin-  gmil.  r  ..i,.l  tin- 
HiiialliT  axii.  Mmnnier  proposes  that  the  git-ater 


axil  ihould  be  two  or  three  time*  that  »t  Hi. 
•mailer  axi*,-mlglit  it  U-  four  time.? 


Thii  eoodition  U  indispensable,  and  appoan 
throne  most dlacnaaed;  it  i*  perhaps  the  shoal 
of  aerial  navigation.  The  pressure  ought  to 
be  Terr  little,  lea  than  0-<Ktt-  in  large  ae- 


Try  tin-  ryliiiilnMxwical  ai-mitat  prOTided 
with  tin-  two  condensers  that  I  haro  propoaed. 
Ki»l  out  the  law*  of  the  redstonc*  of  the  air  by 
.  \l-mn.  nN  uiadv  with  a  view  to  aon«tati>ni. 

W  ..iild  nnt  the  renutarnv  of  the  air  aiiKin*  »'- 
ing  tin'  internal  preMOre  (wlii.-li  miirlit  to  be 
Terr  litlk-  •  bunt  the  aeroiUt?  or  would  it  not 
limit  itiipctd? 


The  aerostat  ought    to    ascend 
descend  without  loss  of  gas. 


Of  all  methods  hitherto  propoaed  none  are 
periBCtlT  good  or  wifflriently  energetic  :  it  will 
be  necrmary  to  UK  KTeral  KiniulUncouily,  rix. 
the  addition  of  a  Montgolfiere,  the  two  cot- 
ifaMBTi,  the  guide-rope,  mechanical  meani. 
•cmn.  "  rouea  k  paletln.*  and  the  Tariation  of 
the  arnvuphciki  temperature. 


Try  the  addition  of  a  Montgolfii-n>,  the  two 
nmiictiirni  and  the  mechanical  agrnti,  ai  the 
meant  of  amrnt  and  docent  without  loai  of 


fi/A  Condition. 

The    aeroitat  ought  to  be 
with  a  motire  power  nffioient  for  it  to 
progrm.  by  mean*  of  it*  own  locomotive 


N  •  have  abown  that  the  adaption  of  •team- 
engine*  to  large  aerortaU  U  not  impovible. 


A*  soon  a*  aerostaU  of  large  dimetuioni  an- 
comtrucUtl,  it  will  be  necenary  to  try  •team- 
engine*  and  other  appliance*  for  motive-power. 


The  aenatat  ought  to  hare  a  helm. 


It  U  probable  that  a  movcable  weight  in  the 
r  axil  of  the  aerostat  will  curtail  the  me 
of  the  helm  to  a  vertical  oscillation  similar  to 
it*  me  in  ahipa. 


Make  trial  of  the  propoaed  model,  or  any 
other. 


80t  GmdMom. 

The  aerootat  mint  have  nothing  to 
fcar  from  strong  wind,  when  it  w  captive 
or  at  anchor. 


TnU  condition  U  of  vital  importance  to  ae- 
rostation. Everything  tend*  to  the  belief  that 
thu  can  be  effected  by  mataining-cord*. 


Make  trial  of  the  propoaed  model,  or  any 
other. 


9<A  Condition. 

The  aerostat  of  Urge  dimennom 
be  of  a  ample  construction. 


The  adoption  of  a  gaa-holder  with  little 
flexibility  neeeaaitate*  the  building  of  the  ae- 
rostat without  folding  (a  framework  in  not 
poarible). 

The  nirlaee  extended  in  a 
would  permit  of  ita  conatrartion. 


Try  to  build  a  cylindro-conical  aerostat  with 
it*  lurbce  extended  horizontally. 


10th  Condition. 

The  aerial  navigation  ought  to  ofter 
advantage*  beyond  those  of  the  various 
mean*  of  locomotion  hitherto  need. 

Example*  of  some  of  ita  applications. 


The  danger*  will  not  be  greater  than  on  the 
•ea,  the  apeed  will  be  that  of  the  wind ;  all 
place*  will  enjoy  the  advantage*  of  the  present 
seaports.  Lading  and  unlading  will  be  very  easy. 

Ita  appliance  to  adenee,  to  war,  and  to  the 
hail  dispener  (paragrele).  i*  a  subject  full  of 


Try  the  aerostat. 


lltt  Condition. 

To  indicate  the  order  that  nlmnld  be 
observed  in  future  experiment*,  and  the 
ways  and  means  of  meeting  the  ex- 

i-  m  -. 


Aerostatic  experimenta  made  for  the  object 
•  •f  improving  the  science  can  only  be  under- 
taken by  goremmenta,  or  a  society  of  rich 
capitalists. 


To  construct  a  cylindro-conical  aerostat  in 
pasU-bnard  10  metres  in  diameter,  and  40  metres 
in  length. 

Afterwards  another  20  metre*  in  diameter, 
and  80  metres  in  length,  4c. 


336  ASTRA  CASTEA.  A.D.  1849. 

From  what  precedes,  we  may,  I  think,  draw  the  following  conclusions  :• — 

1st.  If  the  possibility  of  aerial  navigation  is  not  shown  by  experiment,  neither  is  its 
impossibility  demonstrated  by  mathematics.  This  impossibility,  or  rather  the  great  difficulty, 
will  come  from  the  resistance  of  the  air  (see  fourth  condition),  which,  acting  on  the  interior 
pressure,  might  burst  the  aerostat  when  it  is  propelled  at  a  rapid  rate. 

2nd.  Aerostation  will  not  be  useful  nor  important  to  mankind  unless  a  material  for  the 
gas-holder,  both  impermeable  to  the  gas,  and  unalterable  to  the  resistance  of  the  air,  can  be 
found,  and  large  dimensions  (such  as  100  metres  in  diameter)  be  available. 

3rd.  An  experiment  on  a  large  scale  is  necessary,  and  is  worth  more  than  figures,  to 
decide  this  question  in  a  satisfactory  manner. 


The  following  are  extracts  from  this  work  : — 

It  appears  from  the  calculations  we  have  just  given,  that  to  deny  the  possibility  of  aerial  navigation,  is  to 
deny  the  law  of  Newton  (the  resistance  of  fluids  is  in  proportion  to  their  density),  also  to  deny  steam-navigation  on 
water.  It  is,  therefore,  to  deny  two  facts  equally  demonstrated,  which  is  doubly  absurd.  Aerial  navigation  is 
therefore  a  possibility  demonstrated  by  calculation. 

********** 

Again : — 

From  this  we  learn  that  before  completing  the  science  of  "  Aerial  Navigation,"  several  millions  must  be 
expended.  It  is  evident  that  this  sacrifice  is  beyond  the  means  of  private  individuals;  and,  as  it  is  a  question  for 
mankind,  because  it  confers  on  society  a  new  means  of  locomotion,  more  powerful,  more  rapid,  and  at  the  same  time 
more  economical  than  any  other,  it  is  therefore  to  be  desired  that  one  or  several  Governments,  or  else  a  Company 
with  a  large  capital,  should  make  experiments  on  a  systematic  plan,  and  not,  as  heretofore,  to  waste  time  and  money 
in  experiments  without  a  system. 

It  would  be  still  better  if  an  EUROPEAN  AERONAUTIC  SOCIETY,  composed  of  representatives  of  all  nations,  were 
formed. 

The  Society  could  vote  an  annual  sum  to  be  expended,  and  discuss  the  projects  to  be  put  in  execution,  giving 
thereby  encouragement  to  those  that  advance  the  science  with  slow  but  sure  steps. 

The  following  is  the  Report  of  this  work : — 

KAPPORT  FAIT  PAR  M.  ALCAN,  AU  NOM  DU  COMIT^  DBS  ARTS  MECANIQUES,  SUR  UN  OUVRAGE  INTITULE  '  ETUDES 

SUE  L'AEROSTATION,'  PAR  M.  EDMOND  MAREY-MONGE. 
MESSIEURS, 

La  fin  du  dernier  siecle,  si  feconde  en  decouvertes  importantes,  n'en  produisit  ancune  qui  eut  autant  de 
retentissement  que  celle  des  aerostats.  Avant  1783,  epoquo  des  experiences  etonnantcs  des  frcres  Montgolfier,  on 
disait  que  la  nature  avait  refuse  a  I'homme  lafacultede  s'e'leoer  dans  les  airs,  comme  on  repetait,  un  peu  plus  d'un  siecle 
auparavant,  qu'elle  avait  horreur  du  vide  ;  et  qui  sait  si  les  esperances  de  Montgolfier,  confiees  a  1'avance,  n'eussent  £te 
considerees  comme  chimiSriques  par  les  illustres  savants  eux-memes,  qui  se  sent  servis  plus  tard,  dans  1'iuteret  de  la 
science,  de  sa  memorable  decouverte  ?  Aussi  I'enthousiasine  caus^  a  la  vue  des  premieres  montgolfieres  fut-il  aussi 
grand  et  aussi  general  que  le  doute,  pour  ne  pas  dire  plus,  avait  <5t6  universel. 

Tous  les  rangs  de  la  soci^te"  celebrerent  la  victoire  scientifique  de  Montgolfier,  et  ce  serait  le  cas  de  dire,  si  nous 
ne  craignions  de  faire  un  jeu  de  mots,  qu'elle  fut  vraiment  portee  aux  nues.  Get  accueil  fait  a  une  invention  est  a 
signaler  dans  1'histoire  des  decouvertes,  qui  n'a  souvent,  pour  1'apparition  des  plus  fecondes,  que  dedain  et 
indifference  a  enregistrer.  Ce  triomphe,  peut-etre  unique  dans  les  annales  de  la  science,  n'aveugla  cependant  pas 
Montgolfier  sur  la  valeur  de  ses  resultats  :  "  Nous  avons  un  instrument  do  plus,  dit-il,  il  faut  maintenant  savoir  s'en 


\.i>.  \^\'.>.  •  I: AlTnKT  ON  MAREY  MONGER  'ETUDES.'  ::::: 

•ervir."  Lea  soixanto-quatre  annees  ecoulees  depuis  oea  parole*  en  ont  demontr<  la  vt'rit/-,  puisquo,  aujourd'hui 
encore,  on  eet  a  so  demand, -r  .  ••  (,in.-  faiit-il  attondre  do  I'aeroatation  ?  ( Vtto  magnifique  ddeouvert<>,  unr  d<*  plu- 
glorieuaea  de  l't*piit  Immain.  .1.. it-olio  renter  sterile?  La  navigation  ae'rienne  est-ello  one  ••hiinoro  on  in-i 

T.-ll.-N  .-.nt.  .11  rtV.  t.  1,-M  (|iicHtioiiH  quo  s'c«t  pos&ai  M.  E.  Marty-Mange,  et  qui  ont  donnt)  naiManoe  an  li\n 
int.TeNsaiit  id. nt  noue  avons  a  vous  rendro  compto  mi.-,  in.  t.  m.  nt. 

•••Mr  a  divise  aon  travail  en  troia  parties:    la  premiere,  compronant  les  iKventt  conditions  dt  la  navigation 
Of'ritnne  ;   la  aeoonde,  la  construction  <fun  ballon  tn  cuter*  ;  et  la  t  roisiemo,  du  note*  compleinentnires  qui  st  rattachtnt  aux 

M.  Monge  diatingne  dans  la  navigation  aenenne :    1°  Yaerodation  aotueBe,  on  I'en&noo  de  1'urt,  qni  cut   loin 

•  d'.'-tiv  un  iustnimcnt  docile  nans  imperfection,  et  dont  I'uaage  eat  restraint  aux  observations  scicntifiquea  et 
niilituires,  aux  voyages  aerions  aans  direction,  aux  IV-tos  publiquea,  aux  paratonuerres,  paragrelea,  etc. ;  2°  Yafrottation 
A  venir,  dont  la  throne  eat  &  print-  ebauchoe,  qui  laiaae  tout  a  faire  en  pratique,  et  qui  devrait,  tin  jmir.  r.-ndro  Ic 
ni.'-mr  service  quc  la  marine.     11  y  a,  pour  lee  deux  caa,  dea  considerations  principalea  et  commune*,  a  IVtudo 
il. --.|ii.  IN  -  r.ni:.  ii  -  •  -•  \\\  i.   .i\.  •  •  M-in.      I.,  i  .1,1.  mi  il.-  I'.i.  i.^t.tt.  .-..ti  .  iiv.  l..|.j» .  .^.i  II.MII,'.  |i  >  ni.ivi  us  .|i   I.  .liii_-.  i 

•  •te  success! venu-iit  soumia  a  aea  recherohoa.     11  passe  on  revue,  oomme  contonu,  1'air  chaud,  la  vapeur,  1'uir 

•  it  rhydrogene;  il  di'in.'titrc  l.i  .-H|..-I  i..!-it»>  de  1'emploi  de  oe  gaz  aur  lea  autres  moyena,  et  qu'il  no  laisserait 
Iilu-*  rii-n  i  desirer,  si  Ton  parvenait  a  tirrr  un  mcillriir  j«;irti  doa  sulfates  do  for  et  de  zinc  \<r«\< nant  de  aa 
prt-parutinii.  mi  K!  Ton  j«mv;iit  1'nlitciiir  par  une  decomposition  plus  prompte  do  1'eau.     La  chimie  ne  saurait  laiaaer 

c  i  tii-  i|iu«tion  pratique  sans  solution. 

dea  ae'roatata,  qui,  oomme  le  fait  romarquer  1'auteur,  doit  Ctre  completemont  impermeable, 
iimltrnil.il-  :ni\  ii.t.  n.|.,'rios  dea  •BJ«rm«i  et  d'une  oertaine  tvnacit^,  est  une  des  parties  laissant  lo  pin-  fi  ilt'sin-r. 
i|ii"ii|iii-  des  plus  esacntiellea.  Un  aerostat  a  enveloppo  d^fectueuae  e^quivaudrait,  en  eflet,  a  une  barque  qui  in 
tirinlruit  paa  a  1'eau,  et  oependant  aucune  matiere  des  trois  rt-gnes  n'offre  toutee  lea  conditions  propros  a  uno  bonne 
<  iiM-loppr.  Aussi  M.  Monge  fait-il  remarqutr  quo  los  premiers  jxu,  en  aerostation,  aont  arr6tea  par  cette  difnVulte  que 
\\  \i-ri.-nce  seule  pent  trancher. 

En  abonlant  I'etude  de  la  direction,  M.  Mange  commence  a  faire  justice  de  1'idee  trop  gem'Talpment  odmiae, 
.jii'il  n'y  a  pas  de  point  d'appui  dans  1'air,  et  que  1'on  ne  pout  aller  centre  le  vent.  Sea  arguments  wont  bases  stir 
des  i  M  mples  pratiques  fournis  par  quolques  tentatives  heurcusea  do  direction,  sur  une  comparaison  ingoniouso  et 
vmii-  fiitro  les  analogies  et  lea  differences  qu'offrent  la  navigation  maritime  et  cello  aerionno,  enfin  sur  dos 
demonstrations  gdomutriqueH  et  des  calculs  potdtifk  Cependant,  en  admottant  qne  les  couches  atmosphdriquoa  aient 
une  resistance  auffisante  pour  fournir  des  points  d'appni,  1'auteur  no  manque  paa  de  signaler  leur  faiblc  densitct,  qui 
eat  de  804  moindre  que  celle  de  1'eau :  les  surfaces  qni  v  sont  plongecs,  compareea  a  cellos  immergdes  dans  l'<  .ui, 
doivent  done  augmcnter  dans  le  memo  rapport ;  et,  pour  demontrer  que  les  poids  resultant  dea  grandea  surfaces 
relatives  ne  aont  pas  un  obstacle  dans  I'uerostation,  il  rapjK'lle,  d'aprcs  NevAon,  que  la  resistance  des  fluides  -est 
proportionnelie  an  carre  des  diametres  et  des  vitesses.  Or  la  force  aacensionnelle  d'un  ballon,  croissant  comme  son  <-nl.. . 
pourrait  prendre  une  valour  telle,  qu'elle  aouleverait  un  poids  quelconque,  et  enlevcrait,  par  consequent,  un  nmti-nr 
il<  .nt  on  so  servirait  pour  diriger  1'aerostat,  one  foia  qu'il  serai  t  arrive  dans  la  region  la  plus  convenable  du  vent 

On  i  bins  le  livre,  dea  calculs  tres-clairs  et  tres- precis  a  oe  sujet     Sans  admcttre  preciseiuciit  qu'un 

aerostat  pniase  aller  coutre  un  vent  quelconque,  1'auteur  penae  qu'a  1'aide  d'une  force  suffisantc  il  pourrait  so  diriger 
i-i.ntrc  un  nun-ant  li'jrcr,  comme  un  bateau  marche  centre  le  cours  d'une  riviere.  II  va  plus  loin :  "II  n'est  pan 
abtmrde,  dit-il.  d'adim  ttrela  possibility  d'un  aerostat  colossal,  j»iitnir  d'uno  machine  tellement  puissante,  qu'elle  soit 
capal'li-  il<-  vaiin-rt- 1  ••  .1.  -  \.  nt«  forts,  et  qui,  semblablo  a  nos  enormes  paquebota  transatlantiques de  5  a  600 

chevaiix.  p.mir.iit  t'l  NUI  hoiirc  fixoo  (sjins  s'iuquioter  de  la  force  ni  de  la  direction  du  vent), avec  une  vitesso  minimi 
a  la  rfinoiiti-,  p-inr  aller  gagner  di-s  i  ..nches  supdrieures,  oil  le  calme  et  les  vents  favorables  lui  permettraient  dc 
usage  <!'•  tout.-  l.i  poiajian  des  mai-hines."  On  voit  quo  1'auteur  ne  reserve  aux  motcurs  qu'un  rdle  secondaire  dans 
la  navigation  ai'-i  i.-nin-.  lls  M-iaii-nt  d.  -tines  a  etre  remorques,  pour  ainsi  dire,  pour  ne  aervir  que  connm 
gouvoruails a  certains  moments.  (A-tt<-  auppoaition,  qu'uno  partie  de  la  quantitd  d'action.  dont  il  faut  i-ir>-  -i  .-iv.in- 
surtmit  dans  la  rir<-.ui-tani-i-  d.int  il  .-'.i-it.  -<-ru  abtjorb^o  par  lo  poids  considerable  d'un  moteur,  ne  devant  wrvir  i|in- 

par  int.-nnittcn,. .  i,.-  p.-ut  Mti.-t'air mplrt.  nn-nt  les  idees  mecaniquea.     La  realisation  d'un  moteur  puissant. 

un  failiK'  |«.iiU.  )»  ut  donnt-r  lii.  n  plus  d'. •spi-iances,  et  n'est  pas  plus  hardie  quo  1'emploi  de  cos  ballons  gigantcaqiica, 
nii-iix.     ha  ditlicnlti'  d.-  la  i-ivation  d'un  moteur  semblable  vi.-nt  d'ailli-urs  s'amoindrir, 


338  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1849. 

reflechit  que  la  question  de  la  depense  est  secondaire  dans  la  solution  du  probleme ;  car  cette  depense  serait 
largement  compensee  par  I'e'conomie  a  faire  sur  la  construction  de  la  voie  qui  se  trouve  tout  etablio  avec  la  meme 
perfection  autour  de  tous  les  points  du  globe. 

Apres  avoir  fait  comprendre  toute  la  portee  de  son  sujet,  1'auteur  revient  en  detail  sur  les  differentes  parties 
essentielles,  telles  que  la.  forme  la  plus  convenable  a  adopter  pour  les  grands  aerostats  destines  a  la  navigation  a  tous 
vents ;  la  pression  interieure  qu'il  nefaudra  pas  depasser  ;  les  principaux  moyens  usites  pour  monter  et  descendre  sans  perdre 
de  gaz.  Notre  cadre  ne  nous  permettant  pas  de  suivre  les  developpements  de  tous  ces  points,  nous  nous  bornerons  a 
relater  quelques-uns  des  re'sultats  consigned. 

Comme  la  pression  interieure  d'un  aerostat  doit  etre  tres-faible  pour  ne  pas  dechirer  1'enveloppe,  1'auteur 
demontre  que  la  forme  la  plus  convenable  a  adopter  est  la  surface  developpable  cylindro-conique,  qui  peut  se  prater 
a  1'action  de  compresseurs  sans  exposer  I'^toffe  a  une  rupture,  propriety  que  n'a  pas  1'enveloppe  a  double  courbure, 
qui  est,  par  consequent,  exposee  a  des  plis  nuisibles,  lorsque  la  pression  sur  certains  points  varie,  comme  cela  arrive 
frequeinment. 

Si  Ton  parvenait  a  faire  un  usage  frequent  des  aerostats  a  grandes  dimensions,  tout  le  monde  comprend  qu'on 
ne  pourrait  employer,  pour  monter  et  redescendre,  des  moyens  dont  on  se  sert  dans  les  ascensions  qui  n'ont  qu'un 
but  de  curiosite,  consistant  dans  une  perte  de  gaz  qu'on  laisse  echapper  par  la  partie  inferieure  du  ballon  lorsqu'on 
veut  monter,  et  par  celle  supe'rieure  pour  pouvoir  descendre.  Ces  pertes,  dans  un  grand  ballon,  et  pour  un  trajet 
d'une  longueur  sensible,  diminueraient  bientot  son  action,  et  pourraient  le  mettre  hors  de  service ;  aussi  a-t-on 
propose  diverses  dispositions  pour  eviteur  ces  facheux  degagements  du  fluide.  L'auteur,  apres  les  avoir  passees  en 
revue,  remarque  qu'aucune,  en  particulier,  ne  peut  agir  avec  1'energie  de  la  perte  de  gaz,  et  qu'il  faudrait,  dans  1'etat 
actuel  de  1'art  aerostatique,  avoir  recours  a  leur  emploi  simultane,  qui,  malheureusement,  est  loin  d'avoir  la  simplicity 
desirable.  Mais,  en  attendant  les  nombreuses  modifications  que  reclame  1'art  de  la  navigation  ae'rienne,  dans 
1'acception  la  plus  large  du  mot,  M.  Monge  s'occupe  des  perfectionnements  que  necessitent  encore  les  aerostats  destines 
aux  observations  scientifiques ;  il  recherche  les  moyens  de  construire  des  ballons  captifs,  de  fagon  a  pouvoir  les 
elever  et  les  maintenir  dans  les  airs  au  milieu  de  la  tempete,  ce  que  Ton  n'a  pu  obtenir  jusqu'ici.  II  propose,  en 
consequence,  une  construction  de  ballons  de  forme  allonge'e,  et,  pour  qu'ils  ne  soient  ni  redresses  verticalement  ni 
abattus  par  un  coup  de  vent,  il  combine  un  systeme  d'amarre  aussi  simple  qu'ingenieux.  En  un  certain  point  de  la 
corde  de  1'ancre  qui  maintient  le  ballon  dans  une  position  horizontale,  il  fixe  une  poulie  sur  laquelle  passe  aussi  une 
corde  ou  soustendante,  dont  une  des  extremites  est  fixee  au-dessous  et  a  1'arriere  du  ballon,  et  1'autre  a  1'interieur  de 
la  nacelle.  L'action  du  vent,  en  agissant  a  1'arriere  du  ballon,  operera  comme  sur  un  cerf-volant  et  le  fera  remonter. 
L'inspection  de  la  figure  tracee  dans  les  planches  du  livre  suffit  pour  se  rendre  compte  de  cet  effet.  M.  Transon,  dans 
un  travail  remarquable,  addresse  a  la  Societe  philomathique,  avait  deja  propose,  dans  le  meme  but,  1'accouplement 
du  cerf-volant  au  ballon.  Mais  la  premiere  idee  que  le  cerf-volant  pourrait  un  jour  etre  destine  a  un  role  moins 
futile  que  celui  auquel  il  sert  est  due  a  Euler  fils,  qui  publia,  a  ce  sujet,  de  savantes  recherches  dans  les  Me'moires  de 
I'Acade'mie  de  Berlin  de  1765. 

L'application  de  la  belle  idee  de  M.  Arago  sur  les  aerostats  paratonnerres  et  paragreles  dependant  d'une  bonne 
enveloppe  et  d'un  moyen  de  maintenir  les  ballons  centre  le  vent,  nous  n'avons  pu  passer  sous  silence  les  recherches* 
a  ce  sujet,  car  la  realisation  de  ces  paragreles  serait,  a  elle  seule,  une  compensation  aux  nombreux  sacrifices  faits  pour 
1'aerostation  depuis  1'apparition  des  montgolfieres. 

Par  la  publication  de  la  duxieme  partie  de  son  livre,  M.  Monge  donne  uno  preuve  rare  de  son  amour  pour  le 
progres.  Cette  partie  est  consacre'e  aux  details  de  construction  d'un  ballon  en  cuivre  que  1'auteur  a  fait  faire,  et 
qu'il  recommande  de  ne  pas  renouveler  a  cause  de  son  peu  do  succes,  les  metaux,  sous  une  faible  £paisseur,  presentant 
trop  peu  de  resistance,  et  leur  emploi  entrainant  a  une  grande  depense.  On  doit  done  savoir  gre"  a  M.  Monge  de 
chercher  a  eviter  a  d'autres  des  essais  dans  une  direction  pouvant  entrainer  a  de  nombreux  frais  en  pure  perte. 

Enfin  la  troisieine  partie  de  1'ouvrage  contient  des  recherches  et  des  notes  historiques  interessantes,  des 
formules  sur  1'aerostation,  des  Tables  diverses  necessaircs  a  1'aeronaute,  une  etude  sur  1'accouplement  des  cerfs- 
volants  aux  ballons ;  des  observations  sur  les  poissons,  les  oiseaux,  les  insectes  ailes,  dans  leur  rapport  avec  les 
aerostats,  etc.  On  voit  que  1'auteur  n'a  rien  neglige  pour  rendre  la  publication  aussi  complete  que  possible ;  aussi 
pout-on  la  consideYer  comme  un  veritable  traite  elementaire  sur  1'aerostation,  pouvant  etre  consulte  avec  fruit  par 
toutes  les  personnes  que  cette  grande  question  interesse.  Elles  se  convaincront  que,  si  le  probleme  de  la  navigation 
aerieime  offre  encore  des  diificultes  enormes,  les  conditions,  du  moins,  en  sont  nettement  posees,  et,  ne  presentant  pas 


A.I..  1M-...  Ai:i;nM(»ll\  !  -  888 

11'imp.is.siliilitc  al«s.ilue.    Idir  s.ilutinti   nc  d"it    plus  etre  qti'uno  question  de  temps.      II   nons  c*t  done  ]H-nniii  do 
ooOKTvi-r  i •!!••"!•••  IVspi.ir  quf  s<-ml>l.iient  ivnf,-rmer  le-,  pai  mkliii,  i|iii  a  dit,  a  1'apparition  den  montgolfteres, 

"e'cst  1'.  iifnit  i|ni  vit-Mi  dc  naitre."  Kn  •  Hct,  en  voyaut  avoc  quello  activit*',  a  notro  dpoquo  oaracte'risee  oependant 
par  sea  recherches  positives,  on  recommence  a  s'occuper  d'aerostation,  do  porfoctionncmcnts  pratique*,  on  cut  port*"  a 
cruin-  .|M.  1.-  t.  mi"  •!••  <•  it.-  < •nlaiioe  n'ost  pas  trt-n  uloignu,  ct  quo,  si  la  reunite  uoinpK>to  do  la  navigation  iit-rit  nin- 
n'est  pa*  reserve*  a  notre  tempo,  il  pourrait  lui  etro  donno  do  la  perfect  iomnT  miuWmmeiit  pour  lui  fain>  n  i,.h. 
1'i.  nt.'.t  .Uii  services  signaled;  mais,  oouuno  lo  fait  observer  M.  Momje,  lo  suoocs  do  teln  projets  no  pout  Otre  hate 
i|u'.iveo  le  secoursdes  gouvernements  et  d'une  awooiatiou  do  capitalistes.  Remarquons,  a  notro  tour.  qm-  dcs  tntvnux 
i\  quo  los  Ktiides  sur  FAerottation  ne  pcuvi-nt  quo  oontribuer  a  oot  heuroux  conooiire.  Cos  etudoa  nous  ont 
.!••!..•  jdiru  aiuwi  utik«  qii'int^reaaantea,  et  dignea,  tant  par  lour  nature  quo  par  la  iiiauiore  dont  elloa  wnit  pr^sent^ea, 
dii  IP iin  ilhwtre  quo  porte  1'autciir. 

\  utre  i-omitu  dee  arts  mdoaniqnos  vous  propose,  en  consequence,  do  tvinoignor  votre  Batisfaction  d  M.  Monge, 
•  n  li-  ii-ini-n -iaut  de  sa communication,  et  d'iusuror  le  present  Happurt  dans  le  Hullftin. 

if)  ALCAN,  Rapporteur. 
A|<i>inuvu  en  seance,  le  20  Juin,  1849. 

\\"i-  iiiny  >iiin  up  by  saying,  tlio  weight  of  the  air  is  the  only  base  of  aerostatic  movcuu-nt, 
ami  this  wri^lit  is  not  far  from  being  invariable.  MODS.  Xadar  <\],i esses  this  still  more 
l»il»lly  in  18(J.'J  in  the  following  formula: — 

•  contend  against  the  air,  one  must  be  specifically  heavier  ttuii  the  air. 
All  that  is  not  absurd  is  possible ; 
All  that  ii  ponible  may  be  accompli:-: 

He  tln-n  i^oes  on  to  say  :— 

That  whi.-h  tor  tho  last  eighty  years  has  prevented  the  possibility  of  directing  tho  course  of  balloons,  w  tin 
balloon  itself:  in  nther  terms,  it  is  sheer  folly  to  endeavour  to  struggle  against  tho  air,  when  one  is  lighter  than  the 
air.  'I'.,  tin-  ]»-n,  levior  vento,  if  the  physicist  may  use  the  words  of  tho  poet,  it  is  all  very  well  to  adjust  and  adopt 
all  the  various  systems,  however  ingenious  they  may  be — riggings,  poddies,  wings,  fins,  wheels,  rudders,  oars,  helms, 
nails,  and  countersails — but  it  will  never  bo  able  to  prevent  tho  wind  from  sweeping  away  tho  whole  concern. 

A  ball,  "'ii  which  presents  to  the  action  of  tho  atmosphere  a  volume  of  from  600  to  1200  cubic  metres  (2'J.on.i 

'•00  cubic  feet)  of  a  gas  from  ton  to  fifteen  times  lighter  than  air,  is  by  its  very  nature  smitten  with  inca- 
parity  to  struggle  against  the  slightest  current,  no  matter  what  may  be  the  resisting  motive  force  which  may  !•• 
imparted  to  it     Both  by  its  constitution  and  by  the  medium  which  drives  it  hither  and  thither  at  the  jil«-asnr<-  ..!' 
the  wind,  it  can  never  become  a  vessel :  it  is  a  buoy,  and  remains  a  l>u<  >y. 

The  simplest  mathematical  demonstration  will  invfraguldy  show,  not  merely  tho  helplessness  of  tho  balloon 
against  the  pressure  of  tho  win.l.  Imt  that  it  is  a  positive  nuisance,  so  far  as  regards  aerial  navigation.  Given,  on 
inn-  h:iinl.  tho  actual  weight  which  each  cubic  metre  of  gas  is  capable  of  lifting,  together  with  the  cubic  contents  of 
yniir  balloon,  and  on  the  other  the  minimum  pressure  which  the  wind  must  exercise,  calculate  the  difference,  and 
thru  draw  yniir  own  conclusions. 

In  shun,  it  is  necessary  to  bear  in  mind  that  whatever  be  the  form  which  you  give  to  your  aerostat— be  it 
splu-rii-al.  conical,  cylindrical,  or  a  piano  surface — make  of  it  if  yon  please  a  bullet-shaped  body  or  a  fish-shaped — 
h.iwi'v.  r  y«.n  nriy  distribute  the  ascensional  power  in  one,  two,  or  four  spheres — in  a  word,  with  whatsoever  equip- 
ment you  may  pn.vide  it — y.ni  will  never  succeed  in  making  1  =  20,  let  us  say;  and  balloons  will  never  be  other 
than  pods  are  to  a  baby's  head. 

•  ••••••••• 

I  ii.  tii-t  thin^  which  it  is  necessary  to  understand  and  to  affirm  is,  that  those  partial  successes,  obtained  in 
the  absence  of  the  adversary — in  other  words,  during  a  dead  calm,  in  an  enclosed  space — have  proved  nothing,  since 

it  is  .-imply  impossible  they  could  prove  anything. 

A.  ii.il  Im-iiinntiiiii  iiuiM  In-  prnvud  sub  tole,  sub  Jove,  in  tho  open  air,  and  has  nothing  to  do  with  fishi*.  ii"r 
chamber  aeronauts.  Yet  it  is  ..wing  to  their  indefatigable  pereev  failure  that  we  arc  indebted  for  the 

establishment  of  a  theory  hemi-forth   certain,  since   it  emanates   fr..m   them-.  1.  ,    aipl  al.-.lut.  ly   by  a 

•_'    Y 


340  ASTKA  CASTEA.  A.D.  18G3. 

We  must,  therefore,  reverse  the  proposition  itself,  and  formulate  thus  the  new  axiom :  "  In  order  to  contend 
against  the  air,  we  must  be  specifically  heavier  than  the  air." 

Just  as  the  bird  is  heavier  than  the  air  in  which  it  moves,  so  man  must  obtain  from  the  air  itself  his  support. 
In  order  to  command  the  air,  instead  of  being  at  its  mercy,  he  must  support  himself  upon  the  air,  and  no  longer 
serve  as  support  to  the  air. 

In  short,  in  aerial  locomotion,  as  in  everything  else,  we  can  only  rest  upon  that  which  resists. 

The  air  itself  amply  furnishes  us  with  this  resistance — the  same  atmosphere  which  overturns  walls,  tears  up 
by  the  root  trees  a  century  old,  and  enables  the  ship  to  traverse  the  most  impetuous  current. 

According  to  the  common  sense  of  things — for  things  have  their  common  sense — according  to  physical  laws, 
not  less  positive  than  moral  laws,  all  the  power  of  the  air  (supposed  to  be  irresistible  yesterday,  when  we  could  not 
stand  before  it), — all  this  power  ceases  to  exist  before  the  double  law  of  dynamics  and  the  gravity  of  bodies,  and  by 
this  law  it  will  come  into  our  possession. 

********** 

This  is  not  new,  for  in  1768  Paucton,  the  engineer,  predicted  for  the  screw  its  future  importance  in  aerial 
locomotion.  All  we  have  to  do  is  to  give  practical  application  to  recognised  phenomena.  And,  however  alarming 
may  be  the  simple  appearance  of  an  innovation,  in  France  especially,  it  is  our  duty  to  hold  fast  to  it,  since  if  the 
majorities  of  to-morrow  are  merely  the  minority  of  yesterday,  the  paradox  of  yesterday  is  also  the  truth  of  to- 
morrow. 

The  progress  of  mankind  is  sympathetic,  and  I  here  cite  a  few  instances  of  men  who  had  already  arrived  at  the 
same  conclusion  as  myself.  I  received,  about  ten  years  ago,  the  first  visit  of  M.  Moreau,  of  the  Society  of  Dramatic 
Writers,  a  simple  theorist  in  aerostatics,  but  of  a  free  and  searching  mind,  who  communicated  to  me  the  solution  of  this 

problem.    M.  Lazbereau,  inventor  of  a  motive  power  by  expanded  air,  M.  M ,  engineer,  son  of  a  late  celebrated 

deputy,  had  arrived,  by  observation  alone  and  by  simple  logic,  at  the  same  solution.  I  also  mention  M.  de  1'onton 
d'Amecourt,  inventor  of  the  ae'ronef,  and  M.  de  la  Landelle,  whose  efforts  for  the  last  three  years  have  borne  upon 
the  practical  demonstration  of  this  system,  and  to  whose  kindness  we  owe  the  communication  of  a  series  of  helicopteric 
models,  rising  by  themselves  into  the  air,  and  carrying  graduated  weights. 

If  obstacles  which  I  am  ignorant  of,  personal  difficulties,  have  hitherto  prevented  the  idea  from  being  carried 
into  execution,  the  moment  has  now  arrived  for  its  realisation. 

The  first  necessity,  then,  for  aerial  autoinotion,  is  to  disembarrass  oneself  of  every  kind  of  aerostat.  That  which 
aerostation  refuses  we  must  demand  of  dynamics  and  statics. 

It  is  the  screw  which  is  to  carry  us  through  the  air  —it  is  the  screw  which  penetrates  the  air  as  a  gimlet  does 
wood,  the  one  carrying  with  it  its  motive  power,  the  other  its  handle. 

Eveiy  one  has  seen  the  toy  called  the  spiralifer.  It  consists  of  four  small  flat  fans,  or  rather  spirals  of  paper, 
edged  with  wire,  and  attached  at  equal  distances  to  a  central  spindle  of  light  wood.  This  spindle  is  inserted  into  a 
hollow  tube,  with  a  rotary  movement,  upon  an  immoveable  axle,  which  is  held  by  the  left  hand.  A  string  passed 
round  the  spindle,  and  quickly  pulled  by  the  right  hand,  impresses  upon  it  a  rotary  movement  sufficient  to  enable 
this  miniature  screw  to  detach  itself  and  rise  several  yards  high  in  air,  whence  it  descends  so  soon  as  the  force 
imparted  to  it  has  exhausted  itself. 

Let  us  now  imagine  spirals  of  a  material  and  an  extent  sufficient  to  support  any  motive  power  whatever — 
steam,  ether,  compressed  air,  or  the  like — that  this  motive  power  has  the  permanence  of  forces  employed  in  ordinary 
industrial  pursuits;  and  it  is  plain  that  by  regulating  at  will,  as  the  driver  does  the  locomotive,  you  can  rise, 
descend,  or  remain  motionless  in  space,  according  to  the  number  of  revolutions  which  you  cause  your  screw  to 
make. 

But  there  is  nothing  like  the  testimony  of  the  eyes.  The  demonstration  has  been  established  in  the  most 
conclusive  manner  by  the  various  models  of  MM.  Ponton  d'Amecourt  and  de  la  Landelle — the  one  a  man  of  the 
world,  the  other  a  man  of  letters — neither  of  whom  are  mechanics,  and  who  have  secured  the  services  of  two  most 
skilled  workmen,  MM.  L.  Joseph,  of  Arras,  and  J.  Richard. 

These  systems,  different  from  the  spiralifer,  but  more  advanced  than  it,  that  they  carry  with  them  their 
motive  power,  testify  abundantly,  despite  the  dictum  of  Lalande,  to  the  evident  possibility  of  the  ascent  of  bodies 
specifically  heavier  than  the  atmosphere  itself. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  dwell  upon  the  inevitable  imperfection,  yet  so  encouraging,  of  these  trial  engines,  con- 


A. i..  : 


M.  X  A  UAH'S  JDKAS. 


stnu-t.d  under  tin-  worst  conditions  in  every  jmint  of  view,  ;unl  which  arc  purely  in  embryo.     Suppose  them  en 
out   tn  ]« -ife. -lion,  ami.  tn  iln  this,  omtidc  tliem  to  proper  workshops  and  mechanics — let  a  committoo  of  competent 
;r.-ntl-  t  tin'  il.'t.ii!-  -and  if  this  wore  done,  I  think  the  most  sceptical  mind  would  ooase  to  liavo  any  ,l..iil.i- 

as  to  tin-  ]"'~.-il.ilit\  ..t'.i.  ii.il  automotion. 

I  wish.  a.s  far  as  possible,  to  meet  beforehand  every  objection,  so  earnestly  do  I  desire  that  all  should  slum-  my 

..wn  .-.invidious.     I  .-.up]***-,  thru,  admitting  that,  after  all,  practioo  too  often  give*  tlio  lio  to  theory,  win n   will 

l.iMlv  maintain  that.  <m  a  larger  Male — that  in,  on  a  scale  oommcnsurato  with  tlio  proportioiuj  of  the  subj.vt     tin 
•une  result.-  will  nut  be  obtained. 

Tin-  iiiiswi-r  is  easy.  It  is,  on  the  contrary,  the  amplificati.ni  ..f  weight  and  form  upon  which  w.-  ili-jn-nd  f.n 
Bucce««;  and.  in  fact,  if  <mr  iirim-iplc  in  once  admitted — if  our  nmtivi  J..W.T  X.  ropreaenting,  let  us  say,  mi.-  Inns.- 
l-,u,  r.  dm-s  I...T  jii-uvidi-  us  with  sufficient  asccmdonal  power,  wo  have  only  one  thing  to  do — to  diniMc  tin-  puwcr  of 
uiir  \\.it.-r.  If  this  two  horse  power  bo  insufficient,  we  take  four  horses. or  eight,  since,  in  proportion  as  wo  augment 
it>  loi, . •.  wt-  dimiiii.-h  n-lativi  ly  the  weight  of  our  water.  And  it  is  very  certain  that  a  ten-horse  power  weighs 
much  liiw  than  u-n  forces  of  one  hone,  while  giving  the  same  result  Wo  therefore  diminish  our  load  in  proportion 
as  we  increase  our  I 

I  think  it  may  )«•  admin.  .1  that  the  most  difficult  point  has  been  passed,  so  soon  as  the  screw  provides  us  with 
•  •a!  ascensional  power,  capable  of  U-ing  regulated  at  will. 

'I  In-  s<  r.-w  will  iiiiiijileti-  its  work  l>y  jimviding  us  with  a  horizontal  pnipi-ller,  tho  rapidity  of  whose  rotation. 
exceeding  that  of  the  lifting  screw,  will  U-  further  increased  by  that  obtained  by  inclined  planes:  and  we  have  thus 
the  in-  .i'  'ing  the  machine. 

Let  i,s  ...nsid.  r  tin- a. -t  ion  of  the  parachute.  A  parachute  is  a  sort  of  umbrella,  in  which  tho  handle  is  ivpluewl 
at  its  (.lint  i  if  insertion  by  an  opening  intended  to  ease  tho  excess  of  air,  in  order  to  avoid  tho  strong  oscillations, 
i  hi.tly  at  the  moment  at  which  it  is  first  expanded.  Cords  stretching  symmetrically  from  divers  points  of  the  cir 
(•unit'. -ri nee,  meet  concentrically  at  the  banket  in  which  is  the  aeronaut.  Above  this  basket,  and  at  the  entrance  ot 


-? 


M.     \AI> All's 


'2  v   I' 


342  ASTRA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1863. 

the  folded  parachute,  that  is  to  say  closed  during  the  rise,  a  hoop  of  sufficient  diameter  is  intended  to  facilitate,  at 
the  moment  of  the  fall,  the  entrance  of  the  air  which,  rushing  in  under  the  pressure,  expands  the  folds  more  easily 
and  rapidly. 

Now  the  parachute,  in  which  the  weight  of  the  car  of  the  attaching  cords  and  the  wrigglings  of  the  aeronaut 
are  in  equilibrium  with  the  expansion — the  parachute,  which  seems  to  have  no  other  aim  but  to  moderate  the  shock 
in  falling — the  parachute  even,  has  been  found  capable  of  being  directed ;  and  aeronauts  who  have  practised  it,  take 
care  not  to  forget  it.  If  the  current  is  about  to  drive  the  aeronaut  over  a  place  where  the  descent  is  dangerous — 
say  a  river,  a  town,  or  a  forest — the  aeronaut  perceiving  to  his  right,  let  us  suppose,  a  piece  of  ground  suitable  for 
his  purpose,  pulls  at  the  cords  which  surround  the  right  side,  and  by  thus  imparting  a  greater  obliquity  to  his  roof 
of  silk,  glides  through  the  air,  which  it  cleaves  obliquely,  towards  the  desired  spot.  Every  descent,  in  fact,  is  deter- 
mined by  the  side  on  which  the  inclination  is  greatest. 

The  inclined  planes  disposed  on  the  platform  of  our  aerial  locomotive,  and  combined  with  the  ascensional  power 
which  it  yields,  will  furnish  to  it,  then,  independently  of  the  horizontal  screw,  an  assured  means  of  locomotion. 

It  will  be  understood  that  it  belongs  not  to  us  to  determine  at  present,  in  this  general  statement,  either  the 
mechanism  or  the  necessary  manoeuvres.  Neither  shall  we  attempt  to  fix  even  approximately  the  future  velocity  of 
aerial  locomotion.  Let  us  rather  attempt  to  calculate  the  probable  velocity  of  a  locomotive  gliding  through  the  air, 
without  the  possibility  of  running  off  the  rail,  without  any  oscillation,  without  the  least  obstacle.  Let  us  fancy  such 
locomotive  encountering  on  its  way,  in  the  midst,  one  of  those  atmospheric  currents  which  travel  at  the  rate  of  forty 
leagues  an  hour,  and  following  that  current ;  add  together  these  formidable  data,  and  your  imagination  will  recoil 
in  adding  still  further  to  these  giddy  velocities  that  of  a  machine  falling  through  an  angle  of  descent  of  from  12,000 
to  15,000  feet  in  a  series  of  gigantic  zigzags,  and  making  the  tour  of  the  globe  in  a  succession  of  fantastic  leaps. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  a  lecture  before  the  Polytechnic  Association,  and 
of  letters  to  the  '  Constitutional,'  in  1863,  on  the  use  of  the  Aerial  Screw,  by  M.  Babinet? 
'  de  1'Institut  de  France ' : — 

1.  The  common  theory  of  the  guidance  of  balloons,  properly  so  called,  is  absurd.  How  shall  we  make  balloons 
like  the  "  Flesselles,"  for  example,  which,  measuring  1 20  feet  in  diameter,  resist  and  manoeuvre  against  atmospheric 
currents  ?  The  sail  of  a  vessel  would  require  400-horse  power  to  contend  on  equal  terms  with  the  wind.  Suppose, 
which  is  impossible,  that  a  balloon  could  carry  up  with  it  a  400-horse  power,  this  great  effort  would  absolutely 
serve  no  purpose,  for  you  can  easily  see  that  under  this  pressure  your  balloon  would  be  extinguished  in  its  frail 
envelope. 

This  impossibility  was  admitted  by  every  man  of  common  sense.  M.  Nadar  has  given  himself  a  great  deal  of 
useless  trouble  in  order  to  demonstrate  it.  To  finish,  once  for  all,  with  the  impossible  guidance  of  balloons,  suppose 
all  the  horses  of  a  regiment  attached  by  a  rope  to  the  cradle  of  a  balloon,  you  would  only  obtain  for  result  seeing 
your  balloon  burst. 

It  is  quite  otherwise  that  man  should  seek  the  means  of  raising  himself,  which  means,  at  the  same  time,  guiding 
himself  in  the  air. 

I  bought  once  at  a  toy-shop  a  plaything  which  was  then  in  fashion,  called  strophe'ore  ;  this  toy  was  composed 
of  a  small  screw  (helice),  detaching  itself  from  its  support  by  rapidly  pulling  a  string  wound  round  its  spindle. 
The  helice  was  heavy  enough,  weighing  about  a  quarter  of  a  pound,  and  its  fans  were  of  a  very  thick  tin-plate.  This 
helice  did  not  fly  with  impunity ;  its  flight  was  so  violent  in  rooms  that  it  often  broke  the  looking-glass  on  the 
mantelpiece  and  hurt  the  eyes  of  the  children.  Here  you  see  one  of  these  playthings,  as  I  found  many  of  them  in 
Belgium  and  Germany,  and  whose  power  of  ascension  is  so  great,  that  I  have  seen  them  pass  over  the  cathedral  of 
Antwerp,  one  of  the  most  elevated  monuments  of  the  globe.  You  observe  that  the  air  underneath  is  exhausted, 
and  forms  a  vacuum,  in  passing  under  the  wings,  whilst  the  air  above  rushes  in.  By  this  double  effect  the  apparatus 
ascends. 

MM.  Nadar,  de  Ponton  d'Amecourt,  and  de  la  Landelle,  bring  something  better  before  us  than  this,  although 
the  wings  of  their  different  models  are  quite  rudimentary,  and  really  little  worthy  of  people  who  wish  to  show  some- 
thing to  those  who  are  shortsighted.  It  is  only  yet  the  infancy  of  the  process ;  but  it  is  so  far  good,  since  it  shows 
that  the  apparatus  mounts  into  the  air  quite  alone.  We  have  here,  gentlemen,  gained  the  first  step ;  for  this  result, 
small  as  it  is,  is  fundamental. 


A....  IM;::.  M.  N  AhAK'S  IDEAS. 

Th.  i   screw)  w  not  a  novelty;  ht'lxxs  were  made  before  they  were  called  so.     W  indmilU  arc  only 

.    tin-  wind  presses  upon    it*  wingH  and  cauw*  them  to   turn.      In   turbines,  where  you  aee  waterfalls  »f 

'•""  iin  in  >  utilised  by  a  mechanism  no  bigger  than  a  hut,  tin-  phenomena  is  tlio  same,  only  the  •wind  i-  <•  H  '•••  d  by 

rrin>  aerial  screw  prcaente  great  difficulties;  but  if  we  succeed  in  raising  by  it  u  small  weight.  v><  an  , 
to  be  able  to  raise  so  much  the  more  a  heavier  weight     Tin-  motion  being  in  proportion  to  the  capacity,  it  results 
that  a  large  machine  ia  always  more  efficacious  than  a  small  •  n. .     1  repeat,  your  he'liee,  which  without  . -\: 
motion  raises  a  mouse,  will  carry  an  elephant  ten  times  more  easily. 

These  he'lictt,  which  seem  at  first  to  serve  only  for  ascending  and  descending,  resolve,  moreover,  tin  problem  of 
it-  dii.'  ti"ii  .i- un-t  a  moderate  wind. 

rin  onoe  wagered  to  guide  herself  with  a  parachute  from  the  point  of  its  full  to  a  place  deter 

mined  iinil  remote.  By  the  combined  inclinations  which  muld  !*•  given  to  her  parachute,  she  wan  HCen,  in  fact,  \>r\ 
distinctly,  to  manojuvre  and  tend  towards  the  place  designate. 1,  and  her  wager  was  gained  almost  within  a  few 
\  i'  b 

I  have,.ft,-n  \\ntcln-d.  in  tin-  mountains,  birds  which  h»vcr.  and  I  have  distinctly  remarked  this  procedure: 
when  oiiiv  they  attain  the  maximum  of  ascension  denintl.  they  liover  and  let  themselves  iall  with  the  open  wings, 
in  |i.iracliiite  manner.  II]HIH  the  point  which  they  have  chosen.  Marshal  Ney  related  to  me  that  he  has  many  times 
observed  this  mameimv  ]>crfoniied  by  large  birds  in  the  mountains  of  Algeria. 

To  sum  «]..  it  •    that  you  have  the  means  of  transporting  yourself,  by  the  sole  fact  that  you  hav,   in 

your  possession  the  means  of  raking  yourself.  Height  alone  gives  you  direction  :  after  yon  have  obtained  elevation, 
you  have  cmployi-d  an<l  invented  a  capital  of  strength  which  yoii  have  only  to  expend  as  you  please. 

to  reach  that  which  was  to  me  the  favourite  part  of  my  article,  namely,  aerial  locomotion. 

This  \v  ill.  by  and-by,  be  alone  a  serious  article.  At  present  I  wish  to  prove  one  of  the  most  important  facts. 
Whilst  in  the  academies  they  were  speaking  with  indecision,  ami  almost  with  indifference,  of  aerial  /»:lices,  and  whilst 
children's  toys,  laiim  lied  meehanically,  were  flying  in  turning  at  considerable  heights,  three  amateurs.  MM.  Nadar 
and  do  la  Landello,  both  well  known  to  the  public,  and  M.  de  I'onton  d'Amecourt,  wore  smitten  with  a  noisy  passion 
for  aerial  navigation  by  means  of  the  helice.  They  constructed  small  machines  which  derived  their  motive  power 
from  a  spring,  and  which  raised  them,  wings  and  spring,  without  borrowing  any  impulsion  from  without.  I 
small  engines  an-,  th.  n  fore,  perfect  automaton),  and  take  their  point  of  support  on  the  air  they  traverse.  The  form 
of  the  faiis  of  the  helices  remains  to  be  studied,  as  well  as  the  nature  of  the  steam-engine  which  is  required  to  furnish 
the  motion  ;  but,  as  a  large  model  is  always  far  more  advantageous,  mechanically,  than  a  small  apparatus  of  feeble 
capacity,  we  can  sny  U.Idly,  that  if  we  have  raised  a  mouse,  we  can  far  more  easily  raise  an  elephant  It  is  a 
ijuestiun  of  money  and  mechanism,  and  not  of  science. 

\\e  ,an.  then,  guarantee  success  to  aerial  navigation  within  the  limits  of  the  possible;  that  is  to  say,  that  we 
shall  never  be  able  to  proceed  against  the  violent  winds,  which  opjxise  the  flight  of  the  most  vigorous  birds.  As  to 
the  exclusion  of  the  aerostat,  which  MM.  Nadar  and  de  la  Landelle  loudly  proscribe,  it  is  long  since  every  one  versed 
in  physics  has  declared  the  guidance  of  the  balloons  lighter  than  the  air  among  the  problems,  not  only  insoluble, 
but  which  is  absurd  even  to  put  forward.  , 

I  have  studied  much,  theoretically  and  experimentally,  the  question  of  motive  screws  in  air  and  in  water. 
There  is  re<|iiired,  at  first  a  groat  speed  of  rotation  in  the  wings;  but  we  can  put  on  a  great  numl>er.  A  spring 
would  give  a  steady  movement  to  the  fans,  and  the  steam-engine,  made  of  metal,  ought  only  to  bo  employed  in 
maintaining  the  spring  at  the  same  tension.  This  will  act  as  a  fly-wheel  to  the  motive  power.  As  to  the  required 
speed,  in  order  that  the  /,.'//.•<•  may  act  energetically  upon  the  air,  I  may  say  that  in  the  experiments  made  along  the 
line  Uisin  of  th>-  Seine.  In-low  St.  ( 'loud,  a  screw  boat  whose  worm  was  one  metre,  and  which  in  1000  revolutions, 
if  the  water  hail  not  yielded,  would  have  made  one  kilometre  (1000  metres),  made  only  200  metres  when  the  helice 
turned  slowly.  It  thus  lost  800  metres  in  1000  revolutions,  whilst,  with  a  more  rapid  movement  of  the  helice,  the 
boat  in  100  revolutions,  advanced  800  metres,  and  lost  only  200  m< 

Ilapid  movement^  have  this  advantage,  that  the  air,  obliged  to  yield  to  the  impulsion,  lias  not  time  to  escape, 

and  that  it   is  strongly  c pressed  as  upon  the  anterior  face  of  a  cannon-ball.     It  is  for  the  same  reason  that  a 

parachute  descends  slowly  ;   f,,r  in  order  to  How  out  by  the  borders,  the  air  is  cnin]>elliil  to  make  a  considerable  effort, 
at  the  exjx-nse  of  the  Ixxly  suspended  to  the  jiurachutc. 


344  ASTEA  CASTBA.  A.D.  1863. 

It  is  a  true  gliding  of  the  bird  upon  the  inclined  plane  of  its  wings,  which  transforms  the  position  of  elevation 
into  a  rapid  course  in  a  horizontal  direction.  The  small  lateral  resistance  which  the  he'lice  offers  will  here  aid 
marvellously  the  horizontal  progress,  and  the  ascension  will  transform  itself  quite  naturally  into  a  progressive 
advance. 

I  shall  conclude  in  saying,  with  M.  do  la  Landelle,  that  even  laying  aside  all  idea  of  travelling,  we  should  be 
able  (I  say  shall  be  able),  in  case  of  fire,  inundation,  shipwreck,  to  render  very  efficacious  assistance.  Pliny  .says, 
"  Deus  estjuvare  mortalem ! " — it  is  God-like  to  assist  humanity.  I  guarantee  the  canonisation  of  MM.  Nadar,  de  Ponton 
d'Amecourt,  and  de  la  Landelle. 

3.  What  now  do  we  ask  for  ?  On  what  point  is  the  insatiable  genius  of  human  progress  about  to  direct  its 
efforts?  After  my  last  article,  you  will  divine  that  I  wish  to  speak  of  aerial  locomotion  under  the  names  of  MM. 
Ponton  d'Amecourt,  de  la  Landelle,  and  Nadar.  Let  us  see  what  has  been  done,  and  what  remains  to  be  done. 

Generally  speaking,  every  question  properly  stated  is  more  than  half  resolved,  when  it  does  not  contradict 
any  of  the  four  grand  laws  of  nature — the  laws  of  mechanics,  physics,  chemistry,  and  physiology.  Now  aerial  navi- 
gation does  not  contradict  any  of  these  codes ;  it  is  therefore  possible.  MM.  Nadar,  de  la  Landelle,  and  d'Amecourt, 
have  undertaken  with  much  stir  the  solution  of  this  question — to  wit,  to  construct  a  screw  machine  which  shall  raise 
a  man  and  enable  him  to  support  himself  indefinitely  in  the  air ;  in  short,  to  enable  him  to  move  from  a  certain  point 
in  the  direction  of  and  towards  the  spot  desired.  Now  this,  I  maintain,  can  be  done  of  a  certainty. 

It  will  be  said  to  me,  Why  do  you  adopt  with  so  much  warmth  the  ideas  and  hopes  of  these  gentlemen  ? 

I  reply,  Because  they  have  been  for  a  long  time  my  own.  For  more  than  fifteen  years  I  have  preached 
aerial  navigation  by  means  of  the  screw.  I  have  conferred  about  it  with  all  our  celebrated  mechanicians,  and  if 
MM.  Ponton  d'Amecourt  and  de  la  Landelle  had  not  realised,  as  they  have  done,  automotive  apparatus  which  carry 
their  active  power  along  with  them,  I  should  consider  myself,  as  well  as  a  great  number  of  geometricians  and  natural 
philosophers,  entitled  to  claim  the  idea  of  the  air-travelling  he'lice  ;  and  more  than  that,  I  should  be  able  to  produce 
all  the  infallible  mathematical  calculations  which  guarantee  the  success  of  this  aerial  navigation.  These  calcula- 
tions are  analogous,  not  to  say  identical,  to  those  which  have  been  made  for  the  sails  of  the  windmill,  the  vanes  of  the 
turbine,  for  ventilators  and  the  maritime  screw.  For  all  these  motors  the  result  has  been  the  same  as  that  which 
the  mechanical  formulas  indicated. 

With  the  small  models  shown  to  the  public  at  a  numerous  meeting  at  M.  Nadar's,  and  by  myself  at  a  conference 
of  the  Polytechnic  Association  in  the  Amphitheatre  of  the  School  of  Medicine,  before  some  thousand  auditors,  this 
apparatus,  provided  with  springs  wound  up  to  a  moderate  pitch,  was  seen  to  raise  and  sustain  itself  in  the  air  during 
the  whole  time  of  the  action  of  the  spring.  Now,  if  a  small  steam  apparatus,  easy  to  imagine,  had  restored  to  the 
motor-spring  the  tension  which  it  loses  in  putting  the  screw  into  motion,  the  mechanism  in  question  would  have' 
been  indefinitely  raised,  sustained,  and  directed,  in  the  midst  of  the  atmosphere. 

In  a  publication  of  the  helicopteroidal  triumvirate,  these  gentlemen  observe  with  just  reason  that  a  ten-horse 
power  steam-engine  weighs  incomparably  less  than  ten  machines  of  one-horse.  It  is  said  in  fortification  that  a  small 
place  is  a  bad  place ;  it  is  still  more  true  to  say  in  mechanics  a  small  motor  is  a  bad  motor.  The  greater  part  of  the 
deceptions  which  ruin  inventors  arises  from  this,  that  they  judge  of  the  effect  of  a  machine  by  that  of  a  small  model, 
which  is  what  they  call  a  chef-d'oeuvre,  not  susceptible  of  working  on  a  large  scale.  It  is  similar  to  the  case  of  those 
who  calculate  the  produce  of  a  field  by  the  returns  of  a  crop  gathered  from  a  box  in  their  window-sill. 

Whilst  MM.  Ponton  d'Amecourt  and  de  la  Landelle  were  constructing  their  small  automotives,  M.  Nadar,  who, 
like  many  others,  had  also  thought  of  the  screw,  but  who  had  also  gained  experience  of  aerostation  and  its  insuffi- 
ciency, was  placed  in  relations  with  the  two  partisans  of  the  screw.  He  entered  with  ardour  into  the  triumvirate 
of  which  I  have  spoken,  and  became  the  efficacious  promoter  of  the  common  idea. 

Here,  then,  wo  have  between  these  gentlemen  and  myself  the  plan  adopted  to  advance  aerial  navigation  with 
certainty  by  means  of  the  screw.  A  little  model  on  an  exact  scale  will  be  constructed,  at  a  moderate  expense.  A 
small  high -pressure  steam-engine  will  be  constructed  with  a  thin  cylinder  and  light  piston,  and  its  power  will  be 
applied  to  the  motor-screw  of  the  apparatus  already  constructed,  and  will  wind  up  this  spring  continually,  restoring 
the  force  it  loses  by  its  action  on  the  double  ascensional  screw.  When  we  are  in  possession  of  an  apparatus  which 
shall  raise  itself  carrying  only  two  pounds,  we  shall  be  able  to  calculate  the  expense  of  a  machine  capable  of  raising 
a  man  or  any  weight  whatever,  and  susceptible,  with  aerial  propellers,  of  directing  itself  (with  certain  limits  of 
speed)  in  an  atmosphere  which  shall  not  be  dominated  by  a  too  violent  wind.  Let  us  observe  that  the  screw,  the 


v.i..  IM:::.  M.  r.AKKAI.'s  oi'lNlnx-.  ::i:, 

Hades..!'  which  :n-i-  nearly  hori/ontal,  givpebut  small  hold  to  the  wind,  whirh  irresistibly  carries  with  it  tin-  nidinnv 
.mplcte  helicopter.-  nf  Hiiuill  power  is  ol.taim-d,  it  will   IK-   m  affair  of  iiioiicy  to  construct  ........  !' 

greater  i-  «•  r.  iM-1  the  e\p.  IIHO  will  bo  easily  covered  by  an  association  which  will  lin.l  in  ]>nblic  cnrioaity  «r  other 
.1  i.  -1111111'  -ration  fur  the  first  outlay. 


To  tlirs,-  I  aimrx  a  jiapi-r  on  aerial  locomotion.  1>\  M.  Uarral.  a  Frendi  aeronaut,  lakm 
fr.-iii  tin-  '  I'IVSM-  Sriciitifiijui','  18G3:— 

\l»Nlv  knows  that  I  have  travelled  in  balloons;  hence  it  happens  tluit  every  year  I  am  receiving  hundreds 
i  >f  communications  nil  tin'  j  'iid  iiieo  of  aerostats.  Most  fn-i|iifiitly  1  reply  to  inventors  tliat  J  find  their  systems 
impractic.il.lc.  Tiny  take  tin-  lull.  .on  almost  just  as  it  issued  fnun  the  hands  of  the  first  aerial  traveller  —  a  huge 
,-nvi  •!..]»•  t'.'i-  .1  gas-  lighter  than  atmospheric  air.  upon  which  rente  a  net  which  carries  certain  r..p.  s  attaeheil  to  a 
strung  w<H«len  h.mp  :  to  this  lump  they  sus]K-nd.  still  l>y  i.  -pcs.  a  car,  where  they  pretend  t.i  place.  with  the  voyagers, 
the  motor  intended  to  ilireet  the  machine.  P.ut  they  fail  to  perceive  that  thin  machine  will  in  vain  develop  the 
power  ili.  y  wished,  for  it  will  work  like  a  deail  rigger,  at  the  extremity  of  ropes  which  can  transmit  nothing  to 
the  lull.  «.ii  almve.  K-eanse  ili.  y  arc  not  rigid  ;  1>  -.sides,  this  balloon  has  such  dimensions,  that  to  contend  against  the 
air  which  bears  it  would  require  immense  powers,  of  which  they  may  form  an  idea  in  reflecting  on  the  power  nf 
the  winds  on  tin-  windmill  and  nil  the  sails  nf  the  ship. 

M.-si  ti.  qiicntly.  then,  I  see  only  in  the  inventors  of  balloon-guidance  Lilliputians  susp-ndi-d  l>y  IO|H-S  round 
th-  iniddl.-.  and  pr.  i.  udin_'.  by  shaking  ili.  ins.  Ives,  to  change  the  place  of  the  hook  in  the  coiling  to  which  the  i,,|,- 
i,  ,11,  .;.,].  i'-  it  .1  diti-  r.  MI  im|.i.  •->;..  n  i~  I-I.-IM-  .  -l  npon  iny  i:iind  by  tiwM  wiio  b*gbi  i.\  ItDiag  DM  thai  khcg 
would  .':.!!-.•  the  c..nditioiis  ..('  the  construction  of  the  aerostats.  Aa  I  have  the  conviction  that  aerial  navigation  is 
t  the  n.-ar  cniii|iii  st.s  incontcstably  reserved  for  man,  I  attach  the  greatest  value  to  every  effort  made  to  combine 
a  machine  where  the  J£UN.  lighter  than  air,  shall  do  no  more  than  serve  to  diminish  the  mean  density  of  the  apparatus. 
and  where  the  motive  power  shall  1»-  able  to  exert  itself  ulteriorly  on  the  directing  organs,  without  finding  in  the 
Kiip]nirt  a  pnwi-r  out  of  pro|mrtion  t<>  the  power  which  the  traveller  shall  bo  able  to  dispose  of.  On  this  account,  the 
recent  puMicatinn.s  of  M.  Nadar,  and  the  communications  which  ho  has  been  pleased  to  make  to  me  personally,  .-..uld 
nut  luit  highly  inti-rest  me.  It  is  my  duty,  I  consider,  to  speak  out  now  that  M.  Babinet  has  approached  this  sulijcct 
in  two  protinind  and  witty  articles  such  as  he  alone  knows  how  to  write,  in  the  '  Constitutional  '  of  the  15th  and 
29th  of  A 

It  was  at  the  beginning  of  this  month  that  M.  Xadar  publicly  made  known  his  ideas  on  aerial  locomotion,  at  a 
meeting  to  which  he  had  invited  a  good  number  of  sacanx,  engineers,  writers,  and  gentlemen.  I  could  not  then  be 
present,  but  here  is  what  I  read  in  a  kind  of  Report  sent  to  the  journals  :  — 

••  M.  Nadar  presented  to  the  assembly  an  explanation  of  the  theory  for  aerial  auto-locomotion  by  the  suppres- 
sion Ik-forehand,  and  attsolutely,  of  every  aerostat,  and  by  the  employment  instead,  of  the  screw  and  inclined  planes. 
In  recognising  that  this  theory  was  not  new.  since,  in  170rt,  fifteen  years  before  the  ascent  of  the  first  .Montgnlfior, 
Paiictmi.  the  engineer,  predicted  for  the  screw  its  employment  in  aerial  navigation.  M.  Nadar  invoked  the  sympathetic 
con,  -in  -rein  -.-  -  ;'  all  to  popularise  the  idea,  and  to  facilitate  at  the  earliest  its  practical  application. 

••  M.  d.-  la  Landelle  confirmed  M.  Nadar's  explanation  in  causing  several  models  to  work,  constructed  according 
to  tin-  system  of  M.  de  Ponton  d'Amdcourt,  his  fellow-labourer.  These  helicopteres  raised  themselves  automatically, 

M^  graduated  weights,  and  superabundantly  demonstrated  the  certitude  of  the  theory." 

\\  .  must  not  take  M.  Xadar  quite  according  to  the  letter  when  he  speaks  of  the  absoliite  suppression  of  the 
balloon;  he  does  not  renounce,  evidently,  all  means  for  diminishing  the  specific  weight  of  the  apparatus  which  he 
thinks  he  is  aU<!  to  make  use  of.  In  fact,  he  has  taken  for  epigraph  to  an  article  which  we  published  in  the  '  Presse,' 
of  the  4th  <.f  August  :  —  "  In  order  to  contend  against  the  air,  it  is  necessary  to  be  specifically  heavier  than  the  air  :" 
luit  In-  had  tak.n  care  to  write  in  a  note,  ••  I  know  that  some  will  like  to  fasten  upon  the  very  letter  of  this  formula. 
whose  terms  I  have  exaggerate!  on  purpose,  and  will  feign  to  mistake  it,  which  to  me  is  indifferent." 

M.  Nadar's  fundamental  idea  is,  "  to  support  oneself  on  the  air,  and  no  longer  to  give  sup|>nrt  to  tin-  air;"  as, 
in  fact,  it  is  the  ease  in  the  common  balloon,  where  the  ascensional  power  is  only  the  difference  1«  twe,  n  the  total 
weight  nf  the  aerostat  and  a  weight  of  atmospheric  air  equal  to  that  of  a  column  of  air  filling  the  space  oct-upi.-d  b\ 
the  aerostat  To  sup]».it  ones.  It'  ,,n  tin-  air,  M.  .Nadar  proposes  the  he'lke,  animated  by  a  great  speed,  the  i 


346 


ASTKA  CASTRA. 


A.D.  1863. 


M.  Petin,  fifteen  years  ago,  proposed  inclined  planes.  M.  Babinet  has  developed  this  idea  in  his  article  in  the 
'  Constitutional,'  of  the  15th  August.  I  desire  and  ought  to  allow  the  learned  natural  philosopher  to  speak  for 
himself. 

M.  Babinet  is  completely  of  my  opinion  on  the  impossibility  of  directing  the  balloon,  with  which  we  all,  who 
have  dared  to  make  the  experiment,  were  raised  in  the  air,  contenting  ourselves  to  ascend,  and  allowing  ourselves  to 
be  carried  by  the  strata  of  air  where  our  ascensional  power  had  conducted  us. 

It  ought  to  be  said  that  the  guidance  the  screw  can  impress,  in  order  to  mount  in  such  or  such  a  direction,  is 
perfectly  demonstrated  by  M.  Babinet.  The  bird  that  flies,  is  it  not  also  a  machine  which  may  serve  for  example  ? 
Should  we  not,  in  fact,  endeavour  to  imitate  the  constitution  of  the  bird,  as  an  eminent  agriculturist  indicated  on 
the  20th  August  to  the  Central  Society  of  Agriculture,  in  citing  certain  experiments  where  he  had  obtained,  by  the 
sole  relaxing  of  springs,  a  notable  ascent  of  bodies  in  equilibrium  in  the  air  ?  In  order  to  proceed  with  success  in 
this  new  direction,  wo  ought  not  to  neglect  having  recourse  to  light  gas,  to  diminish  the  too  great  mass  of  metals,  as 
the  warm  air  of  the  bird  circulates  in  its  feathers.  But  the  screw  will  elevate  and  direct  the  aerial  ship ;  it  is  its 
essential  feature,  and  which  M.  Nadar  wishes  to  realise  with  an  ardour  worthy  of  every  encouragement. 

It  is  only  in  trying  experiments  that  we  shall  succeed  in  resolving  the  problem  laid  down  by  M.  Nadar.  The 
young  child  has  much  trouble  to  arrive  at  being  able  to  stand  upon  his  legs ;  the  grown  man  no  longer  remembers 
the  studies  of  equilibrium  to  which  he  very  often  succumbed  during  his  early  months.  Let  us  come,  then,  to  the 
aid  of  willing  inventors,  who  are  smitten  with  a  passion  for  aerial  locomotion.  We  applaud  their  next  experiments. 

There  will,  indeed,  be  much  labour  in  order  that  these  ideas  may  materialise  themselves.  Before  becoming  the 
steamboat,  which  crosses  seas  in  all  weathers,  the  first  log  of  wood  floating  on  the  water  demanded  of  the  genius  of 
mart  immense  inventive  efforts.  The  aerostat  is  little  more  than  a  frail  canoe  guided  by  savages.  But  the  man  of 
the  nineteenth  century  has  acquired  experience  enough  to  surmount  the  obstacles  which  aerial  navigation  presents, 
and  which  are  nothing  compared  with  all  1hose  which  ho  has  already  triumphed  over.  Honour,  then,  to  those  who 
are  making  search  for  aerial  navigation.  The  learned  owe  them  their  aid,  and  not  their  disdain. 


M.  DE  LA  LAXDELLK'S  IDKAS. 

"  WHEN  WE  DISCOVER,  OR  THINK  WE  DISCOVER,  ANY  FACT  IN  THE  ECONOMY  OF  NATURE  WHICH  WE  HAVE  REASON  TO 
BELIEVE  HAS  NOT  PREVIOUSLY  BEEN  OBSERVED,  LET  IT,  AT  LEAST,  BE  VERIFIED  AND  RECORDED.  No  TRUTH  IS  ALTOGETHER 
BARREN  ;  AND  EVEN  THAT  WHICH  LOOKS,  AT  FIRST  SIGHT,  THE  VERY  SIMPLEST  AND  MOST  TRIVIAL,  MAY  TURN  OUT  FRUITFUL 
IN  PRECIOUS  RESULTS." 


A.M. 


M.  DAVID'S  |'K<»hi>\l  . 


847 


Tin-  Mras  of  N":nl:ir  :m<l  tin-  arn>motivi'  party,  so  Iwldly  expressed,  liave  drawn  forth  tin- 
of  tin  1*1-  who  foresee  the  practicability  of  ^nidin^  aerostats;  and  ainon^  the   many 
pampldrts    tliat    li;i  ntly  appt-arod    in    Paris,  one   published  in   18G4,  by  M.    Da\id. 

a  Mi-mluT  iif  ill.-  A.Ttistatir  and  M.  :.  >mli)i^ical  Society,  seems  to  be  the  best.  It  is  the  result 
of  ten  y.-ais'  study.  It  U-ars  tin-  title  of*  Solution  du  Probleme  de  la  Navigation  dans  1'Air,' 
and  in  it  lie  makes  the  following  remarks: — 

Two  nlijivtiniiN  tn  this  iii-w  science  have  been  made  that  have  some  weight  and  are  worthy  of  the  trouMr  <'t' 
r.Tnt.iti.'ii.  so  I  will  hen-  nii.swi-r  I1 

'rii<>  l*t  i.l.j.  i-ii,.ii  is,  to  snppooo  that  the  ascensional  power  of  the  aerostat  am  only  bo  augmeiitnl  \>\ 
greatly  extruding  the  surface,  ami  that  the  resistance  of  the  air  against  this  surface  would  :.lu;.yw  puralyKc  thu> 
rtTurts  to  move.  It  is  said,  a  locomotive  attached  to  a  balloon  is  movement  associated  with  immobility.  It  in  like  ;i 
•team-engine  attached  to  a  cathedral  to  cause  a  change  of  locality,  Ac. 

Th"- ••  «  !<••  it  .1-. .11  iii  tlii-  \v;iy  IKIVI-  ilcitililli  •-«  in-vi-r  M  •  n  ;.n  iiilLitnl  lullm .11  mi i vi -i  1  iVmii  mir  jil.n-i-  t"  ;.i...llii-i 
by  a  rope.  One  man  can  do  this,  unless  the  wind  should  be  high.  Neither  have  they  noticed  the  rapidity  with 
whii-h  a  balloon  rises  :  for,  if  tho  resistance  of  the  air  was  considerable,  it  would  require  prodigious  force  to  gi\v  it 
this  motion ;  whilst  in  reality  tho  ascending  power  is  derived  from  deducting  some  forty  or  sixty  pounds  from  tin- 
aerostat*  This  shows  leas  locomotive  power  than  what  a  man  possesses  in  his  own  body.  Now,  the  resistance  of 


Am.i  RAPIDITY  IN  ASCEXI 

LVMAC,  Sept.  15th,  1804.—  9'40  A.M.;   Bar.  30-66  inches, 
Tin  r.  82°  K»hr. 

1  hour  i:t  minuh  •*  oMi-iuling  23,040  feet  above  the  tea, 

..r  -J-J.i'l-J  feet  above  Paris. 
At  11.3  A.M.  be  was  4}  mile*  above  the  M*. 

Mono.  GRAHAM  AJCD  BKAI-JOT,  June  17th,  1824.—  6.5  P.M.  ;  Bar. 
89-80  inches,  Ther.  66°  Falir. 


Tlier.  46° 
.  45a 
„  390 

beard  report  of  a  cannon. 
„     32° 


TM. 

At  G.  8  Bar.  was  27-40  or    2,257 

!•.!        „        25-50  „    4.235 

1C        „        23-  3  „    6,005 

.,  i:.-J'i        „        21-60  „    8,608 

lo        ,.        19-20  „  11,711 


Tin-  highert  point  nearly  2  milea  in  32  minutes. 


k,  Otm  A!t»  RrgH,  VavxhyO,  Sept.  10<A,  1838.— At  6.30  P.M. 
the  lattitm  teat  relented  with  1 12  ft*,  attending  poteer,  and  in  7  minutei 
they  had  patted  an  altitude  of  2  mile* ;  the  greatert  beight  reacbed 
wu  5  mile*  746  feet;  and  they  descended  at  Lewi*,  in  BUKX,  at 
7.45  P.M. 

DR.  ZEIZE  or  ALTOSA,  AKD  MB.  COXWELL  al  llumlmrg,  A'or.  4M, 
1849.  -  Time  of  starting,  3  P.M. 

3.  SP.M 3348  feet  abore  the  sea. 

8.10  3,628    „    over  the  Elbe. 

3.15  3,911 

3.20  4,084 

3.25  4523 

3.30  4.433 

Or  at  the  rate  of  a  mile  in  30  minute*. 

Mmns.  GREEN  ASD  WELSH,  Aug.  17/A,  1852.— Started,  3.49  P.M.  ; 
reacbed  19,510  feet  at  4.46  P.M. 


.  GREEN  AND  WELSH,  Xot.  10th,  1852.— Started,  2.21  F.M.  ; 
reacbed  22,930  feet  at  3.16  P.M. 

MESSRS.  GLAIMIKK  AND  COXWELL,  Wdverhampton,  July  nth,  1862. 
—Time  of  starting,  9.43  A.M. 

At   9.49  A JL 4,4.17  feet  above  sea-level. 

..    :>..V> 8£09 

-  1".  -1 i: 

„  10.15     „      l.;.:il-J 

„  10-30     „      la.415 

,.10.50    , 21,059 

.  11.  7    ,      25,077 

Or  nearly  5  miles  in  1  hour  24  minutes. 


OLAUIIEII   AND  OUXWELL,   Wolrerhamplon,    Aug.  18th, 
1862.— Started  at  1  hr.  2  min.  38  i.  P.M. 

At   1.  5  P.M 1.130  feet  above  aea-li  v.l 

„    1.10    »      4.138 

„    1.14 6,585 

,    1.20     „      1 1.2112 

Or  nearly  2  miles  in  18  minute*. 

MESSRS.  GLAUHEB  ASH  COXWELL,  Wdrerhampton,  Sepl.  5th,  1862. — 
The  highest  ascent  on  record ;  height  attained,  7  miles. 
Left  the  earth  at  1  hr.  3  min.  20  s.  P.M. 

At    I.OP.M. 1,480  feet  above  sea-level. 

.    1-13    „      5,675 

«    1.22    „      10.770 

„    1.38.25s. 20.1-Jil 

„    1.53  P.M 29,000 

Or  6  miles  in  47  minute*. 

The  last  mile  Mr.  Glaishcr  was  insensible,  but  self-registering 
instruments  and  Mr.  Coxwell's  observation  of  an  aneroid  standing 
at  7  inehet.  proves  that  a  height  of  37,000  feet  was  attained. 

MHBBS.  GLAIBHEB  AND  COXWELL,  Cryttal  Palace,  March  31st, 
1863.— Left  earth  at  4.16  P.M. 

At   4.18  FA 1,515  feet  above  sea-level. 

4.24  5,296 

4.35  10,047 

4.45  15,793 

5.15  20,136 

5.28  24,000 

Or  24,000  feet  in  1  hour  12  minutes. 
GI.AISHER  AND  COXWELL,  April  18(A,  1863. — Beached  the 
altittule  of -Jl.fMMl  f, ,  t  in  1  Imiir  nml  13  minutes. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  tliat  the  rapidity  of  many  other  ascents 
lias  not  been  chronicled ;  until  these  facts  were  obtained  from  Mr. 
Coxwell,  the  author  was  under  the  impression,  with  others  of  the 
party  who  shanil  the  Winchester  Experiment,  that  they  had 
the  felicity  of  moving  at  the  rate  of  3  miles  a  minute,  as  otut.  .1  in 
the  letk-r  in  the  •  Times'  (see  page  243  of  this  book).  Such  is  the 
reliance  that  can  be  placed  in  one's  own  senses  on  novel  Kituations. 

INSTANCES  or  RKMARKABLE  RAPIDITY  IN  DUKEXDIVO. 

Two  authentic  instances  will  suffice  :  the  mie  when  .Mr.  i 
told  Mr.  Glauber,  "  We  most  save  the  land,"  when  inunediuti  h 
I.\.T  lt.-i.-liy  Head.  They  descended  2  miles  in  4  minutes,  and 
alighU-d  on  that  promontory.  On  another  occasion,  when  tin 
ascent  was  from  Wolvi  rlmmpton,  they  descended  3  miles  in  9 
minutes. 


348  ASTKA  CASTRA.  A.D.  1864. 

the  air  vertically  and  horizontally  is  the  same ;  whence  it  is  clear  that  less  than  the  strength  of  a  man  will  cause 
the  supposed  fixture  to  move.  The  increase  of  surface  doubtless  augments  the  resistance ;  but  the  air  is  so 
diaphanous,  being  900  times  less  dense  than  water,  that  the  increase  is  really  insignificant.  An  aerostat  has  no 
friction,  and  the  cylindro-conical  is  the  best  form  for  movement. 

The  2nd  objection  is,  the  effect  of  the  wind  on  the  surface  of  the  balloon.  For  all  that  one  may  do,  it  has 
been  said  the  wind  will  always  carry  with  it  so  large  a  surface,  and  any  locomotive  must  be  useless. 

This  objection  is  serious.     I  have  weighed  it  in  my  mind  a  long  time,  and  I  solve  it  in  this  manner : — 

A  free  balloon  is  a  slave  to  the  winds,  following  their  slightest  caprices.     But  I  ask  the  cause. 

Is  it  the  strength  of  the  wind  that  gives  it  this  power  ?  No ;  for  the  least  wind  will  move  the  balloon 
as  well  as  the  strongest.  Its  movement  is  then  indeed  less  rapid,  but  it  is  because  the  wind  itself  moves  less 
rapidly. 

Is  it  on  account  of  the  extent  of  the  balloon's  surface  ?  We  may  again  say,  No ;  for  the  smaller  balloon  is 
influenced  equally  by  the  wind.  The  reason,  then,  for  the  dominion  of  the  wind  over  the  balloon  is  the  absence  of 
all  resistance. 

The  particles  of  air  that  surround  the  balloon  do  not  change  their  place ;  it  is,  therefore,  as  much  enclosed  as 
is  the  passenger  in  the  railway-carriage. 

The  wind  is  the  auxiliary  of  the  sailing-ship ;  wherefore  this  difference  ?  Because  the  ship  finds  in  the  water 
resistance  sufficient  in  some  degree  to  neutralise  the  wind,  and  can  therefore  tack  at  will. 

What,  then,  does  a  balloon  require,  that  it  may  be  guided  like  a  ship  ?  Only  to  create  a  resistance  that  is 
wanting  to  annihilate  the  force  of  the  wind,  and  give  it  a  counterbalancing  power. 

Within  these  limits  we  find  the  difficulties  considerably  lessened.  To  cause  it  to  disappear  entirely  there 
remains  now  only  the  demonstration  of  the  practicability  of  creating  the  resistance  that  will  counterbalance  the 
strength  of  the  wind. 

Many  methods  can  produce  this  result.     I  shall  notice  one. 

The  screw,  by  its  simplicity,  extreme  facility  of  action,  and  its  characteristic  of  acting  when  entirely 
submerged  in  a  fluid,  constitutes  assuredly  the  best  propulsive  agent  that  aerial  navigation  can  make  use  of,  both 
to  resist  the  effect  of  the  wind  and  to  cause  movement  in  a  calm  atmosphere.  Let  us  suppose  two  screws,  of  very 
large  dimensions,  placed  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  aerostat  (we  are  talking  here  of  an  elongated  form),  with 
rotary  movement  parallel  to  the  length  of  the  equipage,  capable  of  being  turned  at  will  either  way.  These  screws, 
put  in  motion,  must  necessarily  draw  the  aerostat  to  the  right  or  left,  according  to  the  direction  of  rotation  they 
receive.  This  fact  being  established,  their  use  in  effecting  the  object  proposed  now  comes  under  discussion. 

To  resist  by  their  aid  the  influence  of  the  wind  it  will  suffice  to  put  them  in  motion  either  one  way  or  the 
other,  so  that  they  might  always  work  their  way  through  the  air  in  the  direction  from  whence  the  wind  does  come. 
They  cannot  then  possibly  fail  to  furnish  the  resistance  required. 

There  is  yet  a  final  question  to  examine.  In  what  proportion  will  this  resistance  be  created  ?  Will  it  be 
sufficient  to  neutralise  the  force  of  the  wind  ? 

With  the  materials  that  aerial  navigation  can  actually  make  use  of  at  the  present  time,  we  can  answer,  Yes ; 
but  industry  is  now  devising  new  screws,  combining  extreme  lightness  with  great  strength ;  and  it  will  be  shown 
that  a  balloon  of  the  necessary  dimensions  for  effecting  a  truly  aerial  voyage,  furnished  with  these  agencies,  can 
easily  create  a  force  equal  to  and  even  superior  to  the  wind. 

Be  it  understood  that  I  am  not  here  speaking  of  a  hurricane  or  tornado,  but  of  the  ordinary  atmospheric 
currents.  In  such  a  difficulty,  what  is  best  to  be  done  is  either  to  reach  the  higher  and  calmer  regions  of  the 
atmosphere,  or  to  descend  to  the  earth  for  shelter.  I  have  here  cited  by  preference  this  method  for  obtaining 
resistance,  because  it  is  the  easiest  one  in  which  to  show  clearly  that  the  action  of  the  wind  on  a  balloon  can 
be  victoriously  overcome ;  but  I  do  not  propose  that  it  should  be  the  exclusive  means  of  future  aeronautics.  In  a 
following  section  (wherein  propulsion  by  purely  mechanical  means  is  treated  of)  I  shall  propose  a  second,  less 
energetic,  but  even  more  simple,  which,  under  certain  circumstances,  might  replace  what  we  have  just  mentioned 
with  advantage. 

"  APPAKEIL." 

Before  describing  the  combination  of  means  by  which  I  propose  to  obtain  movement  and  guidance  in  the  air 
I  ought  to  observe  that  in  aerial,  like  marine,  navigation,  two  distinct  methods  of  propulsion  exist,  viz.,  the 


A.M.    IS'!  I. 


I'.Y  SAILS. 


|.!-..|.iil-i,.ii  l.y  Kiils.  with  the  wind  M  a  motive  power,  and  the  propulsion  by  a  mechanical  agent,  such  M  the  wrew, 
t'»r  m-t.iM.  ••.  MI  iking  the  specific  gravity  of  the  air  it*  point  d'appui. 

I  u  ill  K]x>uk  lirnt  of  the  propulsion  by  sails,  and  then  of  the  means  purely  mechanical. 


BY  SAILS. 

I   ilrrive  the  ascensional  power  from  a  lutestring  gas-holder,  varnished  or  vulcanised,  of  elongated  form. 
slightly  an-hcd  in  its  upper  surface,  and  terminating  at  either  end  in  a  hemixphere  (Figs.  1  and  2,  A  A).     I  say 


I  .'..-  .  I  ...K.ii  I  - 


Kio.  1.— HORIZONTAL  SECTIOX  OF  THE  SAILIMG-AEROCTAT. 


i  .  . 


I  ,:,.    •  I  ..I-..,!  B 


FIG.  2. — VERTICAL  SECTION  or  A  SAILISO-AEBOJTAT  (THE  RIGHT  SIDE). 

lutestring,  from  its  being  the  best  tissue  for  the  purpose  hitherto  invented ;  but  there  is  reason  to  believe  that 
metallic  gas-holders  will  one  day  be  constructed. 

Inside  the  aerostat,  attached  to  the  lower  half,  I  place  a  balloon  of  much  smaller  dimensions,  whereby  ascent 
and  descent  can  be  effected  without  loss  of  either  gas  or  ballast  It  is  connected  with  a  reservoir  of  compressed 
gas,  placed  under  the  car ;  and  by  mechanical  means  this  balloon  can  either  be  filled  with  gas  or  atmospheric  air, 
according  to  the  wish  to  ascend  or  descend  (Fig.  2,  B  B). 

v  Ming  covers  the  gas-holder  (Tigs.  1  and  2,  A  A).  At  the  lower  extremities  of  this  net,  and  under  the  gas- 
holder, is  suspended  a  horizontal  wooden  framework,  which  serves  to  support  the  screws  and  the  sails  of  which  w<- 
are  going  to  speak  (Figs.  1  and  2,  ccccc  c). 

To  the  right  and  left  of  the  gas-holder  are  double-armed  screws,  which  I  shall  call  tin-  lateral  «-n-w>.  In  m 
their  position.  Their  length  should  be  about  equal  to  the  gas-holder's  diameter,  and  are  so  fixed  that  tin  ir  axix 

2  z  2 


350  AST1U  CASTKA.  A.D.  1864. 

should  bo  at  right  angles  with  the  length  of  the  gas-holder.  They  receive  their  motion  from  an  engine,  that  may 
be  worked  either  by  steam  or  expanded  air,  and  is  to  be  placed  in  the  car  (Figs.  1  and  2,  u  n). 

At  the  prow  and  stern  of  the  gas-holder  are  two  inclined  planes  of  stretched  canvass,  mounted  on  a  pivot, 
capable  of  turning  to  the  right  or  left ;  these  I  call  the  vertical  sails,  Figs.  1  and  2,  K  E. 

Under  the  gas-holder  before  and  behind  the  car  are  two  inclined  planes,  fixed  also  on  pivots,  but  only 
acting  horizontally ;  these  I  call  the  horizontal  sails,  Fig.  2,  F  F. 

Finally,  under  all,  is  the  car  for  the  passengers,  provisions,  and  the  engines  for  working  the  screws,  Fig.  2,  G  o. 
This  car  is  attached  to  the  framework  before  mentioned  by  several  uprights  of  wood  or  iron,  Fig.  2,  H  H  H  H,  and 
also  to  the  netting  that  covers  the  gas-holder,  to  prevent  all  oscillations,  and  to  consolidate  all  parts  of  the 
aerostat. 

THE  NAVIGATION  OF  A- SAILING-AEROSTAT. 

The  object  of  the  lateral  screws,  u  D,  is  to  oppose  the  currents  of  the  atmosphere  with  an  equal  force.  They 
consequently  turn  so  as  to  screw  up  against  the  wind.  Their  movement  should  lie  more  or  less  rapid,  according  to 
the  force  of  the  wind,  and  should  be  so  adjusted  as  to  cause  equilibrium. 

This  result  obtained,  the  aerostat  is  in  exactly  the  same  position  as  a  sailing-ship ;  and  what  causes  the  latter 
to  advance  is,  the  decomposition  of  the  force  of  the  wind  by  tacking.  The  analogy  is  apparent ;  for  it  will  suffice 
to  incline  the  vertical  sails,  E  K,  so  that  they  present  to  the  "  wind's  eye  "  the  most  advanced  lateral  extremities. 
(See  Fig.  1,  the  situation  of  the  sails  in  relation  to  the  wind,  represented  by  the  arrows  j  j.)  The  force  of  the 
wind  being  opposed  by  the  resistance  of  the  lateral  screws,  the  inclination  of  the  sails  will  cause  the  aerostat  to 
advance  in  the  direction  of  the  arrows  L  L  ;  that  is  to  say,  across  the  current.  From  this  we  see  that  the  lateral 
screws  are  the  soul  of  this  system.  Without  them  sails  and  all  would  be  the  slave  of  the  wind ;  with  them  the  aerostat 
resists ;  the  enemy  is  transformed  into  a  beneficent  ally,  and  the  practicability  of  sails  is  henceforth  demonstrated. 
It  is  clear  also,  from  having  vertical  sails  at  each  extremity  of  the  aerostat,  you  can  shift  the  direction  by  giving 
them  different  inclinations.  One  can  understand  also  how  it  would  be  possible  to  turn  completely  round.  I  should, 
however,  propose  that  a  helm  be  also  tried  (Fig.  2,  i) ;  tacking  can  then  be  as  easily  effected  in  the  air  as  on  the 
water. 

I  will  now  speak  of  the  uses  of  the  horizontal  sails.  They  can  cause  (but  only  during  the  movement  of  the 
aerostat)  ascent  or  descent,  without  loss  of  gas  or  ballast. 

The  inclination  of  these  sails  is  sufficient  to  do  this,  and  they  become,  as  it  were,  inclined  planes;  and  the 
aerostat,  obedient  to  the  slightest  impulse,  must  rise  or  fall  by  gentle  gradation. 

The  internal  balloon  is  necessary  to  cause  a  vertical  ascent  and  descent  when  required. 

The  simultaneous  employment  of  these  two  assistants  might  on  some  occasions  be  of  use.  The  horizontal  sail 
will,  when  experience  has  been  acquired,  diminish  the  fluctuations  caused  by  the  temperature  and  electricity  (as 
yet  so  little  understood),  and  will,  therefore,  make  the  line  of  march  as  horizontal  as  it  can  be. 

On  account  of  the  simplicity  of  the  means  of  propulsion,  I  cannot  but  foresee  that  the  pace  will  be  slow  in 
calm  weather. 

The  sailing  aerostat  seems,  therefore,  in  the  future  navigation  only  to  hold  the  place  of  sailing-ships,  being 
made  of  great  size,  and  carrying  goods,  whereof  the  delay  in  transportation  is  a  secondary  consideration.  When, 
however,  speed  is  desired,  mechanical  propulsion,  such  as  I  will  now  describe,  must  be  resorted  to. 

MECHANICAL  PROPULSION. 

The  mechanically  propelled  aerostat  is,  in  the  main,  constructed  the  same  as  the  sailing-aerostat. 
These  are  preserved  intact : 

The  gas-holder  (Figs.  3  and  4,  A  A). 

The  interior  balloon  (Figs.  4,  B  n). 

The  netting  that  covers  the  gas-holder  (Figs.  3  and  4,  A  A). 

The  fixed  framework  (Figs.  3  and  4,  c  c  c  c  c). 

The  lateral  screws  (Figs.  3  and  4,  n  n). 

The  car  with  the  engine  (Fig.  4,  G). 

Besides  these  the  new  apparatus  contains  the  following  additions : — 


MECHANICALLY  I'HOI'ELI.l.I •  AKK08TAT. 


351 


At  tin'  prow  ami  .stem  of  the  gaH-hoM.r.  in>t.a>l  «f  the  vertical  sails  of  tho  nailing-aerostat,  thure  are  two  * 
|.r-.|.  ll.-r-    :  I  I.  <>  o),  similar  in  every  point  to  the  lateral  screws,  reoeiving  their  movement,  like  them,  from 

the  .  ii-in.-  in  tin  .  ar.  I  would  draw  particular  attention  t<>  the  taryt  donentiom  of  those  aorewi:  on  account  of  the 
.  MII-III.  mobility  nf  tlif  air,  and  thu  feeblentas  of  tho  fioint  tfappui  that  it  prosenU,  nocosmtatoti  rice  tn  ..l.t.nn 
efficiency. 

Tin-.--  M-n  ws  ure  fixed  so  that  their  uxle  is  |«nillcl  to  the  length  of  the  aerostat;  they  are  then-fore  at  ri^lit 
iii-l.ji  with  tin-  lateral  aorawi. 

(hi  .  itln-r  siili-  of  the  oar  are  vertical  nails  (Fig.  4,  EE),  as  well  as  tho  horizontal  «ailn,  F;  and  at   tin 
nuliler,  i. 

THE  NAVIGATION  or  A  MECII AMCM.I.Y  I'ROPELLKD  AEROSTAT. 

In  this  >\  -t.  ni  of  Kivw-propellerH,  o  o,  their  object,  an  the  miuio  indiciites,  la  to  caiwe  the  movement  <•!   tin 
aerostat.     IM-III^;  put  in  motion  l.\  the  engine  in  thu  car,  tln-v  work  their  way  through  tho  air;  the  one  vlrawin^.  ami 


I   -     *  ,:.  i-    - 


UM  -  :  -i-  I  • 


Fio.  3. — HORIZONTAL  SECTION  or  AN  AEBMTAT  MECHANICALLY  PROPCLLKO. 


4.— VERTICAL  SECTION  OP  AS  AEROSTAT  MECHANICALLY  I-ROPELLED. 


352  ASTRA  CASTKA.  A.D.  1864. 

the  other  pushing  the  aerostat.  [I  must  here  remark  that  I  anticipate  less  result  from  the  screw-propeller  at  the 
bow,  than  I  de  from  the  one  at  the  stern,  on  account  of  the  current  of  air  that  this  screw  will  throw  on  the 
gas-holder.  If  experience  shows  its  inconvenience,  it  must  be  done  away  with.] 

Such  remarkable  successes  as  those  obtained  by  the  experiments  I  speak  of  at  the  commencement  of  this  book, 
with  such  small  models  that  the  motive  power  was  scarcely  anything,  can  leave  no  doubts  as  to  the  wonderful  results 
which  will  accrue  to  future  aeronautics  from  the  screw-propeller.  Being  adapted  to  an  aerostat  sufficiently  large  to 
carry  the  requisite  engines,  it  will  devour  space  without  effort,  and  leave  behind,  as  far  as  rapidity  is  concerned,  all 
means  of  locomotion  hitherto  known. 

It  is  the  extraordinary  power  of  the  screw  that  forms  the  basis  of  this  system,  and  will  assign  to  it  the  first 
rank  among  the  appliances  hitherto  contrived. 

Other  aids  are  made  use  of  in  the  following  ways.  The  rudder  acts  as  in  a  ship : — The  horizontal  sails,  though 
not  in  the  same  position  as  in  the  sailing  aerostat,  will  equally  cause  ascent  or  descent  without  loss  of  gas  or  ballast. 
The  lateral  screws,  as  before,  resist  the  power  of  the  wind.  The  vertical  sails  are  now  invested  with  the  same 
power.  . 

I  indicate  these  two  methods  of  arriving  at  the  same  result,  as  both  appear  to  have  advantages.  If,  in  reality, 
the  former  is  most  energetic,  the  latter  is  the  more  simple :  experience  alone  can  decide. 

The  principle  by  which  the  vertical  sails  are  invested  with  this  new  attribute  is  the  same  as  that  by  which 
the  horizontal  sails  cause  ascent  and  descent ;  it  is  that  of  the  inclined  plane.  It  is  therefore  only  when  the  aerostat 
advances  by  means  of  the  screw-propeller  that  they  can  become  effective ;  the  more  rapid  the  motion,  the  more  power 
they  possess.  It  may  here  be  as  well  to  remark,  that  to  resist  the  wind  there  is  not  required  such  opposing  force  as 
is  generally  supposed. 

This,  to  be  well  understood,  must  be  explained.  There  is  in  mechanics  a  well-known  elementary  principle 
that  may  be  thus  expressed  : 

When  a  body  is  subject  to  two  forces  that  would  drive  it  in  different  directions,  forming  between  them  an  angle  more  or  less 
open,  it  follows  neither  the  one  nor  the  other,  but  takes  an  intermediate  course.  If  the  forces  are  equal,  the  intermediate 
direction  is  just  midway.  If  unequal,  it  inclines  to  the  line  of  the  stronger  force. 

Let  us  apply  this  to  the  case  before  us.  The  body  in  question  is  the  balloon ;  the  two  forces  are,  on  the  one 
side  the  wind,  and  on  the  other  the  screw-propellers. 

Let  us  suppose  (see  Fig.  5)  a  balloon  represented  by  the 
point  A,  the  wind  blows  from  A  to  B,  and  the  screw-propellers  exer- 
cise their  motive  power  from  A  to  c. 

The  aerostat  is  then  under  two  impulses.  If  the  force  of  the 
wind  and  that  of  the  screw-propellers  are  equal,  the  aerostat  will 
evidently  have  its  line  of  march  from  A  to  D,  subdividing  the  angle 
in  equal  halves. 

If  the  force  of  the  screws  is  the  greater,  its  line  will  be  from 
A  to  E,  A  to  F,  according  to  the  superiority  of  their  power. 

We  may  see,  by  this  example,  that  in  resisting  the  wind  the 
screw-propellers  will  do  half  the  battle.  The  lateral  screws  will 
not,  therefore,  be  required  to  oppose  the  wind  with  an  equal  force, 
but  merely  to  make  up  the  difference. 

One  may  fancy,  perhaps,  that  I  am  glossing  over  the  diffi- 
•c      culties,  and  am  appealing  to  the  imagination  for  the  facts   that 
FIG.  5. — DIAGRAM  SHOWING  THE  COUNTERBALANCING     demonstrate  the  superior  force  of  the  screw  over  that  of  the  wind. 
FORCE  AND  THE  LINE  OF  MARCH  TAKEN  BY      fi       j  desire  fo  -m  ^  fact  ^  ^  fongoiag  reasoning  is   mt 

AN  AEROSTAT  IN  THE  AIR. 

based  on  abstract  theory,  but  on  experiments  made  out-of-doors,  with  small 

models,  before  the  public.     Notwithstanding  the  smallness  of  these  models  I  obtained  conclusive  results. 

What,  therefore,  may  we  not  anticipate  for  larger  aerostats,  as  size  increases  the  power  of  the  machine  so  much 
more  rapidly  than  the  resistance  of  the  air  increases  from  extension  of  surface. 

If  it  should  be  still  maintained  that  the  weak  point  of  this  system  will  be  found  from  the  feebleness  of  the 
point  d'appui  that  can  be  obtained  from  the  air,  I  will  point  to  windmills.  Their  sails  put  in  motion  large  grinders 


A.H.  is.; i. 


RESOURCES  OF  LARGE  AEROSTATS. 


and  coarse  machinery.  Great  power  is  required  for  this;  whence  is  this  derived?  From  tin-  wind  that  propels 
them  in  sti  ikiii£  on  their  inclined  surfaces.  Now,  if  the  wind  (i.«.,air  in  motion)  can  produce  this  remit  in  striking 
on  ih''  sails  of  ill.-  \\  indniill.  wliv  should  not  the  Bails,  )"it  in  motion  by  an  engine  with  the  same  power  as  the  wind, 
make  tin-in  into  screws,  by  striking  on  the  air?  In  it  not  therefore  evident  that,  if  the  power  that  moves  the  •crew* 
Hir]«ixM>M  that  of  the  wind,  the  result  of  the  labour  afforded  by  the  screws  will  also  bo  superior  to  the  force  of  the 
wind  • 


Tin.  IMMI  N-K  RESOURCES  or  LARGE  AEROSTATS,  AND  THEIR  INFLUENCE  ox  FUTURE  AERONAUTICS. 

Those  readers  who  have  had  but  little  acquaintance  with  the  abstract  sciences,  will  doubt  htw  be  led  to  treat 
as  an  illn-i..n  tin-  ini|...rt.in.-i-  uiv.  n  in  this  work  to  largo  over  small  aerostats;  for  it  will  occur  to  them  that  if  they 
liavi-  m.-ri-  a.-tvnsional  power,  and  can  carry  larger  engines,  the  resistance  they  will  meet  with  will  be  increased  ; 
that  all  tin'  conditions  will  remain  the  same,  and  greater  KjM-cd  will  not,  tln-n-fon-,  1«-  obtained. 

Tlii-  T..I-  iiinjr.  logical  in  appearance,  has  in  n-ulity  no  foundation,  as  it  rests  in  error.  I  will  demonstrate 
this  iTi-or,  and  establish  at  the  same  time  the  tnith  of  my  aswrtii>im  on  the  magnificent  resources  tliat  will  accnii-  to 
aerostation  from  tin-  use  of  large  aerostats. 

All  know  the  ascensional  power  is  owing  to  the  volume  of  the  gas,  and,  again,  the  resistance  to  be  overcome 
is  the  surface  presented  to  the  air. 

That  aiin-.il  n]Hin.  li-t  us  *•<•  if  the  conditions  remain  the  same  for  the  large  as  for  the  small  aerostats. 

That  thin  should  be  the  case,  it  would  clearly  be  necessary  that  the  proportion  between  the  volume  and  the 
surface  should  increase  proportionately. 

.  geometry  shows  us  that  volumes  are  composed  of  cube*,  and  acquire,  therefore,  when  their  dinn  -nsions  are 
augmented,  a  growth  far  superior  to  the  increase  of  their  surfaces,  which  comprises  only  the  squares. 

In  ii]i|>lying  this  to  the  question  in  hand  we  arrive  necessarily  at  this  conclusion,  that  the  increase  of  the 
ascensional  power  is  at  a  much  larger  ratio  than  the  increase  of  resistance  from  the  extension  of  surface,  and  this 
difference  becomes  more  apparent  with  the  increase  of  size. 

Tin-  i-onditioiw  are  therefore  very  far  from  remaining  the  same.  But  in  such  things  nothing  is  more  eloquent 
than  figures  ;  with  these,  therefore,  I  will  end  this  demonstration. 

SU]>]M>M-  four  cylindrical  aerostats,  and  numbered  as  follows,  with  subsequent  dimensions;  — 


Number  1 

Nllllll.T    J 

Number  3 
Number  4 


1  metre 
4  metres 

12     „ 


Length. 
5  metres. 
20      „ 
60      „ 
100 


Let  us  see  what  will  be  the  respective  dimensions  of  the  volumes  and  the  superfiocs.  On  account  of  their 
convex  form  they  offer  less  resistance  to  the  wind  than  that  of  the  pkne  surface  diameter  on  which  these 
calculations  are  based.  Let  us  take  the  lateral  surface  as  a  parallelogram  formed  by  the  length  and  height  of  tin- 
gas-holder,  and  the  front  by  the  circle  that  describes  the  circumference. 

This  will  be  the  result  in  round  numbers : — 


YOUTH  K  is  Criur  Mmtu, 

OR  AlTEXWOXAL  FlttCI 

r>  KILOGRAMME*.* 


LATUUL  SCSTACK  n  SQCUS  Mima. 


I    M    •    I 


ftttSMbM 

1',.7-J"  metre*. 
31. 400  metro. 


5  metre*,  or  J  more  than  the  cubic  metre*  r.  pre- 
senting the  volume. 

80  metre*,  or  J  (about)  of  the  number  of  the  cubic 
metre*  representing  the  volume. 

720  metre*,  or  I  of  the  number  of  the  cubic  metres 
representing  the  volume. 

2000  metre*,  or  -f,  of  the  number  of  tin-  cubir  m.  tr.* 
representing  the  volume. 


0*8  metre*,  or  J  of  the  number  of  the  cubic  metre* 

representing  the  volume. 
12-5  metre*,  or  j,  of  the  number  of  the  cubic  metre* 

representing  the  volume. 
112  metres,  or  i  of  the  number  »(  tl.>-  ,-nl.ji-  metres 

representing  the  volume. 
314  metres,  or  ,£,  of  the  number  of  the  cubic  metre* 

representing  the  volume. 


*  Each  cubic  metro  contained  in  the  gas-holder  represents  the 


force  of  about  1  kilogramme  I'J  II- 


354 


ASTEA  CASTRA. 


A.D.  1865. 


This  is  to  say,  that  with  aerostats  of  the  dimensions  just  cited  the  surfaces  opposed  to  the  air  corresponding  to 
each  kilogramme  of  ascensional  power  will  be  as  follows : — 


THE  NUMBERS. 

LATERAL  SURFACE  IN  SQUARE  METBRS. 

FRONTING  SURFACE  IN  SQUARE  METRES. 

For  Number  1,  it  will  be 
For  Number  2,  it  will  bo 
For  Number  3,  it  will  be 
For  Number  4,  it  will  be 

1-1250  metres. 
0  '  3200  metres,  or  J  (about)  of  a  square  metre. 
0'  1071  metres,  or  J                   ,, 
0.0G36  metres,  or  T's 

0  •  2000  metres,  or  J  of  a  square  metre. 
0-0500  metres,  or  j,             ,, 
0-0166  metres,  or  ^ 
0-0100  metres,  or  fa 

Do  not  these  figures  speak  for  themselves,  and  show  clearly  the  superiority  of  large  over  small  aerostats  ? 

The  reader  will  therefore  understand  the  importance  of  this  point  for  aerostation  in  general.  All  doubts 
must  give  way  before  the  simple  facts  we  have  related.  Whatever  care  is  taken  to  guard  against  thoughtless  and 
immoderate  enthusiasm,  one  cannot  but  acknowledge  the  aeronautics  just  propounded,  more  particularly  from  the 
development  of  which  it  is  susceptible,  embraces  all  the  elements  of  success. 

M.  David  says  that  a  satisfactory  trial  of  this  system  would  only  cost  2000/. 

I  have  not  yet  seen  any  mention  of  a  very  simple  locomotive  power  peculiarly  adapted  to 
aerostation,  and  suggested  to  me  by  an  inventive  farmer  named  Birt,  who  lives  at  Otterburn, 
near  Winchester.  It  is  to  construct  clockwork  machinery  that  is  set  in  motion  by  a  weight. 
The  ballast  of  the  aeronaut  or  the  cargo  of  a  ship  might  be  so  balanced  as  to  effect  this. 

M.  Arthur  Mangin,  in  his  beautiful  volume  entitled  '  L'Air  et  le  Monde  Aerien,'  1865, 
gives  his  opinion  in  favour  of  some  bird-like  machine,  and  cannot  possibly  conceive  the  suc- 
cessful direction  of  a  balloon  of  any  form  ;  as  he  maintains  "  that  a  body  must  be  always  more 
dense  than  the  medium  through  which  it  has  to  move." 


DESSEN'S  BATH. 


CHAPTER    \ 


KKKI  IM.S   l.XrKKIF.NCED  IN  AERIAL  TIC.VVKI.l.IM;   IN  r.U.M  AXD  STnUM. 


TI1K    SKIES. 


AY  !  gloriously  thou  itandest  there, 
Beautiful,  boundless  firmament ! 
That,  swelling  wide  o'er  earth  and  air, 

And  rouinl  the  horizon  Ix-nt. 
With  thy  hri'.'ht  vault,  and  sapphire  wall, 
Dost  overhang  and  circle  all. 

Far,  Tar  below  thee,  tall  old  trees 
Arise,  and  piles  built  up  of  •>!•!, 

And  hills,  whose  ancient  summits  freeze 
In  the  lii-riv  li^ht  and  cold. 

The  eagle  soars  his  utmost  height, 

Yet  far  thou  stretcbest  o'er  his  flight. 

Thou  hast  thy  frowns — with  thee  on  high 
The  storm  ban  made  bis  airy  seat, 

Beyond  that  soft  blue  curtain  lie 
His  stores  of  hail  and  sleet. 

Thence  the  consuming  lightnings  break, 

There  the  strong  hurricanes  awake. 

Yet  art  thou  prodigal  of  smiles — 

Smiles,  sweeter  than  thy  frowns  are  stern  : 
Earth  sends,  from  all  her  thousand  isles, 

A  shout  at  thy  return. 
The  glory  that  comes  down  from  thee, 
Bathes,  in  deep  joy,  the  land  and  sea. 


The  sun,  the  gorgeous  sun  is  thine. 
The  | «>in | >  that  brings  and  shuts  the  day, 

The  clouds  that  mum)  him  change  and  shine, 
The  airs  that  fan  his  way. 

Thi Mice  look  the  thoughtful  stars,  and  there 

The  meek  moon  walks  the  silent  air. 

The  sunny  Italy  may  boast 

The  beauteous  tints  that  flush  her  skit*, 
And  lovely,  round  the  Grecian  coast, 

May  thy  blue  pillars  rise. 
I  only  know  how  fair  they  stand 
Around  my  own  beloved  land. 

And  they  are  fair — a  charm  is  theirs, 

That  earth,  the  proud  green  earth,  has  not, 

With  all  the  forms,  and  hues,  and  airs, 
That  haunt  her  sweetest  spot 

We  gaze  u|x>n  thy  calm  pure  sphere. 

And  read  of  Heaven's  eternal  year. 

Oh,  when,  amid  the  throng  of  men, 
The  heart  grows  sick  of  hollow  mirth, 

How  willingly  we  turn  us  then 
Away  from  this  cold  earth, 

And  look  into  thy  azure  breast, 

For  seats  of  innocence  and  rest ! 

BBYAST. 


THE   FRESHMAN —  THE  SENSES  DECEIVED — FLYING  OFF  AT  A  TANGENT  —  "THE  TORNADO   WILL    NOT   EXTINGUISH  A  CASDI.K" 

—  "  A  FRESHMAN  INSENSIBLE  TO  THE  CHARMS  OF  HIS  SITUATION  "  —  THE  TRANSLATION  —  THE   CNSEEN    MOST   VISIBLE — 

THE  REMARKABLE  CLEARNESS   OF  OUTLINE TRANQUILLITY   OF   MIND  —  THE  REASON  FOR  AN  ABSENCE  OP  GIDDINESS  — 

THE  CLOUDS  —  TWO  STRATA   OF  CLOUDS  —  COLOURS  AND  SOUNDS  —  THE   BOUNDLESS   ABYSS  —  GRAVITATION  —  FLOATING 
ON    THE   SEA   ALONE  AND  FAR  FROM  SHORE,  A   SENSATION   SIMILAR  TO  A  SOLITARY  ASCENT  —  THE  VIBRATIONS  OF  sor.Nl. 

—  THE  ZENITH  OF  PRUSSIAN  BLUE — THE  DIFFUSION  OF  LIGHT  —  "THE  STARS  APPEAR  IN  THE  DAY  AS  THEY  DO  FROM  THE 
BOTTOM    OF    A    WELL"  —  REFLECTED     HEAT     FROM     THE    CLOUDS  —  "THE     LINK    OF    PERPETUAL    SNOW " —  "CON'   v\i 
APPEARANCE    OF    THE    EARTH "  —  THE    DESCENT  —  SKILL     REQUIRED     BY     THE    AERONAUT  —  MR.    GREEN'S    SUCCESS    AN 
INSTANCE  —  "SINCIX<;     IN    THE    EARS  "  —  OXYGEN  —  SONG     OF    THE    STARS  —  "THE    CONTRASTS*'  —  A    CLOUD8CAPE  — 

A  PARHELION  —  "FALLING  ON  ONE'S  FEET"  —  MIDNIGHT  —  FALLING  INTO  THE  ADRIATIC  SEA — WET  cum 

ABOVE  THE  CLOUDS — "PICKED  UP  BY  A  SMACK"  —  COUNT  ZAMBEOCARl's  DEATH  IN  1812  —  A  VISION  —  "A  Jot  HSKY  sl\ 
MILKS  III.;  II  "  —  "THE  SIGHT  OF  130,000  SQUARE  MILES  "  — u  SAND  ENOUGH  AND  TO  SPARE." 

1  iiKi;i\  this  chapter  by  again  citing  Mr.  Monck  Mason,  as  he  is  one  of  the  ablest  writers  on 
the  subject.  This  forms  part  of  an  appendix  to  the  description  of  his  voyage  in  the  "  Great 
Nassau  "  balloon : — 

SUMMARY  OF  THE  VARIOUS  PHENOMENA  ORSERVABLE  IN  THE  PRACTICE  OF  AEROSTATION. 

The   conveyance  through  the  atmosphere  by  means  of  the  balloon  is  a  thing  so  entirely  *ui  generis,  so 
essentially  distinct  in  all  its  bearings  from  every  other  process  with  which  we  are  acquainted,  that  no  force  of 

::  A 


356 


ASTKA  CASTRA. 


CHAP.  X 


reasoning  is  of  itself  capable  of  awakening  in  the  mind  of  an  utter  stranger  to  the  art,  any  adequate  notion  of  the 
peculiar  phenomena  which  characterise  this  novel  and  interesting  mode  of  transport.  So  devoid,  indeed,  may  it 
be  said  to  be  of  any  of  those  analogies  which  in  other  matters  serve  to  supply  the  place  of  actual  experiment  in 
determining  the  general  results  of  new  and  untried  combinations,  that  I  am  convinced  if  an  individual  were  to  set 
himself  down  with  the  intention  of  endeavouring  to  picture  in  his  imagination  the  various  circumstances  and 
impressions  which  develop  themselves  in  the  practice  of  aerostation,  with  all  the  advantages  which  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  arts  and  sciences  in  general  could  contribute  to  his  assistance,  he  would  still  arrive  but  at 
a  very  rough  and  imperfect  representation  of  Ihe  real  nature  of  the  case  in  question.  With  so  few  opportunities 
of  forming  a  more  correct  estimate  by  personal  experience,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  should  much  ignorance  be 
found  to  prevail  upon  this  head,  even  amongst  those  who  seem  at  least  to  take  the  strongest  interest  in  its  details. 

Much  of  this  obscurity,  it  is  true,  might  have  been  removed,  and  the  mysteries  of  the  art  brought  within  the 
reach  of  ordinary  inquirers,  had  the  experience  of  others  been  but  turned  to  its  proper  account,  and  rendered 
available  to  the  purposes  of  general  information. 

The  first  thing,  then,  which  strikes  the  incipient  aeronaut  in  the  outset  of  his  career  is  the  sense  of  extra- 
ordinary quiescence  which  immediately  ensues  upon  the  dismissal  of  the  machine  from  the  ground.  No  matter 
how  agitated  the  balloon  before  its  departure,  no  matter  how  violent  the  circumstances  under  which  the  ascent  is 
effected,  the  moment  the  last  hold  upon  the  solid  earth  is  cast  off,  all  is  perfect  repose  and  stillness  the  most 
profound.  The  creaking  of  the  car,  the  rustling  of  the  silk,  the  heavy  lurching  of  the  distended  sphere  swayed  to 
and  fro  by  the  breeze,  and  shifting  its  load  with  sudden  and  energetic  motion,  despite  the  efforts  of  the  individuals 
who  are  struggling  to  retain  it,  all  have  ceased  in  an  instant,  and  are  succeeded  by  a  degree  of  tranquillity  so 
intense,  as  for  a  moment  to  absorb  all  other  considerations,  and  almost  confuse  the  mind  of  the  voyager  from  the 
suddenness  of  the  change,  and  its  apparent  incompatibility  with  the  nature  of  the  enterprise  in  which  he  is 
embarked. 

Unprepared  for  such  a  result,  or  occupied  perhaps  in  other  reflections,  the  unpractised  tyro  is  seldom  in  fact 
conscious  of  the  exact  moment  of  his  departure,  and  instances  arc  not  infrequent  in  which  the  aeronaut  has 
been  so  far  deceived  by  the  unexpected  serenity  of  the  situation  as  to  have  been  transported  to  a  very  considerable 
elevation,  without  being  aware  that  the  act  of  separation  had  been  effected,  until  it  became  forced  upon  his  notice 
by  the  fast  fading  voices  of  the  assembled  populace  cheering  his  ascent.* 

Recalled  to  the  knowledge  of  his  situation,  a  sudden  and  most  natural  impulse  at  first  leads  the  aeronaut  to 
look  forward ;  nothing  however  appearing  in  the  direction  in  which  habit  has  almost  unconsciously  impelled  him 
to  direct  his  gaze,  his  eve  insensibly  assumes  a  downward  course,  and  he  becomes  at  once  assailed  with  a  mass  of 
observations  and  reflections,  among  which,  astonishment  at  the  unusual  tranquillity  that  accompanies  alterations 
so  rapid  and  so  remarkable,  is  one  of  the  most  prominent.  Without  an  effort  on  the  part  of  the  individual, 
or  apparently  on  that  of  the  machine  in  which  he  is  seated,  the  whole  face  of  nature  seems  to  be  undergoing  some 
violent  and  inexplicable  transformation.  Insensible  of  motion  from  any  direct  impression  on  himself,  and 
beholding  the  fast  retreating  forms,  the  rapidly  diminishing  size  of  all  those  objects  which  so  lately  were  by  his 
side,  an  idea,  almost  amounting  to  conviction,  involuntarily  seizes  upon  his  mind,  that  the  earth  with  all  its 
inhabitants  had,  by  some  unaccountable  effort  of  nature,  been  suddenly  precipitated  from  its  hold,  and  was  in  the 
act  of  slipping  away  from  beneath  his  feet  into  the  murky  recesses  of  some  unfathomable  abyss  below.  Everything 
in  fact  but  himself  seems  to  have  been  suddenly  endowed  with  motion,  and  in  the  confusion  of  the  moment,  the 
novelty  of  his  situation,  and  the  rapidity  of  his  ascent,  he  almost  feels  as  if,  the  usual  community  of  sentiment 
between  his  mind  and  body  having  been  dissolved,  the  former  alone  retained  the  consciousness  of  motion,  whereof 
the  latter  had  by  some  extraordinay  interference  been  suddenly  and  unaccountably  deprived. 

Although  .the  absence  of  all  the  ordinary  effects  of  motion  upon  the  human  frame  continues  to  mark  the 


*  A  remarkable  instance  of  this  occurred  to  Mr.  Charles  Green  in 
his  first  asceut,  which  took  place  on  the  occasion  of  the  coronation  of 
His  Majesty  George  IV.  Oppressed  with  the  heat  of  the  day  and  the 
t'at.i"ue  he  had  previously  encountered,  as  he  sat  in  the  car  waiting  the 
sound  of  the  gun  that  was  to  indicate  the  moment  of  his  departure,  he 
requested  his  friends  who  were  holding  the  balloon  to  allow  it  to 
raise  itself  a  little,  that  he  miglit  enjoy  the  fresh  air  above  the  heads 
of  the  crowd  that  hemmed  him  in  on  all  sides.  In  endeavouring  to 


comply  with  his  request  the  assistants  accidentally  let  the  cords  slip 
from  then- hands.  Disengaged  from  its  hold,  the  balloon  immediately 
and  rapidly  commenced  its  ascent,  without  the  slightest  knowledge 
on  the  part  of  Mr.  Green,  who  had  just  sat  down  to  repose  himself, 
and  had  actually  reached  a  considerable  elevation  ere  he  was  made 
sensible  of  the  fact  by  hearing  the  united  shouting  of  the  multitude, 
accompanied  by  the  expected  discharge  of  the  cannon,  which  almost 
miraculously  took  place  in  the  tame  instant. 


.  \.  Till:  SKNSKS  DECEIVED.  357 

.  v*  nf  tin-  aeronaut  at  all  elevations,  and  throughout  tin-  whole  of  liis  career,  the  peculiarity  of  his  situation 
in  thai  i.  -p. .  t  i-  never  so  forcibly  urged  upon  hix  notice  IIH  in  tho  commencement  of  the  ascent  (when  the  contrast 

•ii  In-  1  it.-  ..ii.l  ^resent  condition  is  freshest  in  his  mind),  and,  though  in  a  slighter  degree,  during  those 
ili -pi.  ^i.  iis  which  occasionally  take  place  in  tho  course  of  the  voyage,  \\  h.-n  the  balloon  happens  to  be  brought 
int.'  closer  contact  with  the  surface  of  the  earth  beneath. 

I  have  already  adverted  to  the  peculiarly  delightful  sensations  that  attend  upon  such  situations,  and  among 
tin-in  liavr  i.  marked  as  by  no  means  the  least  striking,  tliowe  which  arise  frum  the  consciousness  of  rapid  motion, 
unattended  l>y  those  effert.s  liy  which,  in  all  i.tluT  ciiciiutstiinces,  it  iti  ever  known  to  l>e  distinguished.  No  ],:ut. 
in  fact,  of  tin.  whole  career  of  the  aeronaut  bean  so  strong  a  resemblance  to  flight,  or  more  truly  a]>)>oars  to  realise 
the  >.  n-.iii.iiis  we  sometimes  experience  in  our  dreams,  when  elevated  in  f.mcy  to  tho  enjoyment  of  that  delicious 
•  ••  •  ::|  >•:  -n.  Here  it  is  that  the  reality  of  the  case  is  most  strongly  forced  upon  his  notice,  and  the  mind 
awakened  by  all  the  various  symptoms  of  the  rapid  progression  of  the  atmospheric  current  in  which  he  floats — the 
sounds  of  its  resistance,  issuing  as  it  were  out  of  the  very  bowels  of  tho  earth — the  agitation  of  the  tree* — 
tin/  v.i!  \  ing  tints  of  the  upper  surface  of  the  woods  and  meadows  as  they  IM ml  simultaneously  beneath  the  blast — 
the  i.ipid  retrocession  of  all  the  known  fixed  and  stable  objects  upon  the  plain  beneath — together  with  the  evcr- 
;n-.s  of  tho  scene;  all  indications  undeniable  of  the  reality  of  his  progress,  which  every  foot  he 
recedes  from  the  vicinity  of  the  earth  only  tends  to  weaken  and  impair.  Truly  conscious  of  his  motion,  lien- 
it  is  that  he  is  most  strongly  impressed  with  the  absence  of  its  ordinary  effects,  and  feels  the  novelty  and  delight 
of  a  situation  which  in  no  other  manner  can  he  ever  be  made  to  experience.  As  he  rises  this  feeling  disappears, 
and  he  ceases  to  derive  any  extraordinary  impression  from  tho  peculiarity  of  his  situation,  because,  not  being 
made  sensible  of  the  real  state  of  the  case  from  observation  and  reflection,  ho  perceives  no  reason  to  suspect  that 

i.s  motion,  and  consequently  suffers  no  peculiar  sensation  or  surprise  from  the  absence  of  its  ordinary  effects. 

That  the  body  should  thus,  in  a  manner,  be  insensible  to  the  effects  of  motion  in  a  balloon,  will  not,  perhaps, 
be  deemed  so  surprising  when  we  come  to  consider  what  are  the  means  by  which  alone  these  effects  are  in  ordinary 
cases  made  apparent  to  the  human  frame.  As  this  is  a  new  field  of  inquiry,  for  aught  that  I  am  aware  of.  the 
reader  will  excuse  our  taking  a  more  minute  review  of  it  than,  under  other  circumstances,  we  should  perhaps  feel 
our.-chvs  authorised  in  hazarding. 

In  the  pursuance  of  this  inquiry,  then,  it  is  necessary  to  be  observed,  that  the  human  body  is  composed  of 
a  variety  of  different  materials,  of  different  specific  gravities,  and  endowed  with  different  degrees  of  sensibility  to 
pressure,  or  other  diMnrbing  causes,  to  which  they  may  happen  to  be  subjected.  When  these  are  set  in  motion 
all  together,  by  one  and  the  same  impelling  force,  a  very  considerable  disarrangement  of  their  relative  positions 
must  ensue,  or  else  a  proportionably  great  resistance  to  that  duarraiigement,  where  the  parts  are  so  circumstanced 
as  not  to  be  able  to  change  their  position  in  obedience  to  the  general  impulse. 

To  make  this  clearer  by  an  example :  if  a  tray  containing  a  variety  of  different  sized  globules  of  lead  or  other 
heavy  material,  varying  in  dimensions  from  a  grain  of  sand  to  a  four-pounder,  be  placed  at  one  end  of  a  long 
table  or  board  fixed  horizontally,  and  with  a  sudden  motion  bo  made  to  slide  forward  towards  tho  other,  a  matked 
difference  will  immediately  take  place  in  their  relative  positions  from  that  in  which  they  were  placed  at  first. 
The  larger  and  heavier  balk,  unable  to  acquire  the  same  rate  of  motion,  in  the  ramo  space  of  time,  and  through 
the  medium  of  the  same  impulse,  will  immediately  fall  a  little  behind  the  others,  and  all,  more  or  less  in 
proportion  to  their  particular  rw  inertia,  suffer  a  retrocession  or  loss  of  place,  owing  to  the  suddenness  wherewith 
the  first  principles  of  motion  had  been  attempted  to  te  communicated  to  them.  Were  these  objects  so  disposed 
as  not  to  bo  able  to  display  the-  influence  of  the  sudden  acquirement  of  motion,  by  a  change  of  place  (a«  for 
:ice,  if  they  were  all  connected  together  by  elastic  ligatures,  or  imbedded  in  glutinous  strata),  the  motion 
thus  impeded  would  necessarily  resolve  itself  into  a  reaction  among  the  parts,  producing  unequal  degrees  of 
pressure,  or  communicating  unequal  shocks  (where  any  liberty  for  motion  was  allowed)  to  the  adjacent  portions 
of  the  medium  in  which  they  were  located.  Now,  this  is  exactly  the  situation  in  which  the  parts  of  the  human 
body  exist,  and  which  we  have  sought  to  represent  in  the  previous  example,  by  tho  more  familiar  illustiati.  n 
of  tho  leaden  globules.*  Prevented  by  their  structure  and  combination  from  following  the  course  tin  y  would 


•  The  nation  for  our  selecting  that  material  as  an  agent  in  tin- 

inn-tit  is  nwrvly  on  armmit  of  it*  weight,  to  avoid  ae  much  aa 

pomiUr  the  influence  of  the  resistance  of  Uie  atnxMplii-iv  in  .•!,.  .-Ki-  _• 

the  tendencies  of  tin-  diff.  r  M  follow  tl,,-  ,-.,Ur~.  p.,ini.  .1 

out  for  them  by  the  laws  of  projectiles.    In  the  application  of  the 


example  to  the  human  body  no  such  consideration  is  r..|uir  <!.  :m  nil 
the  part*  unitnl  in  one  common  man  are  by  tin  ir  imtun-  |,r<>> 
from  all   sticli   intcrf.  r  I  ii|«iii  lln-ir  i  \l.  in  .1  -mf:io- :  ;u,.| 

:'n>m   tliat  tiny  an  .  l.y  tin-  |»ciiliar  chnrm-ti  ri*UVs  of  tin-  art, 
exempt  in  the  process  of  aerostation. 

3x2 


358  ASTRA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

assume,  if  allowed  to  act  in  obedience  to  the  laws  of  motion,  all  the  motive  energy  with  which  they  have  been 
endowed  is  necessarily  resolved  into  reaction,  and  being  various  in  amount  and  variously  exerted,  produces 
a  disagreeable  pressure  or  tendency  to  disturbance  of  the  condition  in  which  the  parts  naturally  exist  when 
in  a  state  of  repose. 

To  this  disturbance,  then,  I  am  inclined  to  attribute  the  production  of  the  sense  of  motion  in  the  human 
irame,  which  may  thus  be  considered  as  merely  a  new  mode  of  operation  in  the  sense  of  feeling,  or  rather  perhaps 
of  that  sixth  sense  discovered  by  our  celebrated  physiologist  Sir  Charles  Bell,  by  means  of  which  the  mind  takes 
cognizance  of  the  relative  positions  of  the  different  parts  of  the  body  without  the  instrumentality  of  the  organs 
of  sight  or  feeling. 

Now  we  learn  by  the  laws  of  dynamics  that  all  bodies,  without  regard  to  their  specific  gravities,  move  with 
equal  velocities  under  the  same  active  impulse  in  an  unresisting  medium ;  *  the  only  difference  observable  in 
their  conduct  being  in  the  length  of  time  required  ere  their  powers  of  passive  resistance  be  overcome,  and  they 
be  brought  io  display  the  whole  result  of  the  motive  force  applied ;  as  may  be  seen  upon  reference  to  the 
experiment  which  we  have  already  adduced  in  illustration  of  the  subject ;  wherein,  after  the  first  derangement 
of  the  relative  positions  of  the  objects  on  the  tray,  occasioned  by  the  first  induction  of  motion,  no  further 
derangement  will  be  observable  so  long  as  the  rate  at  which  they  are  propelled  remains  the  same.  As  it  is  upon 
this  derangement  alone  that  depends  the  sense  of  motion,  one  point  in  the  train  of  consequences  then  becomes 
established,  namely,  that  no  sensation  will  be  awakened  in  any  individual  so  long  as  the  motion  to  which  he  is 
subjected  is  uniform. 

Again,  were  those  changes  of  motion  (to  which  we  have  above  alluded  as  being  the  only  causes  of  the 
derangements  that  awaken  the  sense  of  motion)  to  take  place  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  be  productive  of  those 
derangements,  then  would  the  epochs  of  those  changes,  like  the  others,  fail  in  being  noticed,  and  the  whole  career 
of  the  individual,  however  varied,  pass  without  the  slightest  consciousness  of  motion  on  his  part.  To  this  effect 
all  that  is  requisite  is  the  observance  of  a  certain  rate  in  the  induction  of  those  changes,  whereby  the  vires  inertias 
of  the  different  parts  are  overcome,  and  all  are  made  to  commence  their  career  of  equal  motion  at  the  same 
time.  By  a  slow  and  gradual  process  alone  this  may  be  accomplished;  for,  however  there  is  a  limit  to  the 
quickness  with  which  bodies  will  take  upon  themselves  a  given  state  of  motion,  there  is  no  such  limit  in  the 
opposite  direction ;  if  you  proceed  to  invest  two  unequal  bodies  with  equal  motions  too  rapidly,  you  will  disturb 
their  relative  positions  by  investing  the  lighter  with  the  full  amount  of  motion,  before  you  have  entirely  overcome 
the  passive  resistance  of  the  heavier ;  but  if  you  proceed  ever  so  slowly  to  the  same  end,  you  will  never  produce 
a  derangement  of  their  relative  'positions  by  investing  either  with  the  full  amount  of  motion  before  the  other. 
Accordingly,  to  resort  once  more  to  our  favourite  illustration,  if  the  tray  of  objects  above  mentioned  were  to  be 
advanced  gradually  and  with  proper  regard  to  their  several  exigencies,  the  utmost  conceivable  rate  of  motion 
might  be  obtained,  preserved,  altered,  abolished,  and  renewed  ad  infiiiitum  without  the  slightest  derangement  in 
the  relative  position  of  the  different  component  parts.  It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  add  that  were  an  individual 
placed  in  the  same  circumstances,  the  different  parts  of  his  body  would  observe  the  same  laws  and  exhibit  the 
same  result;  the  consequence  of  which  is,  that  under  such  circumstances,  the  sense  of  motion  would  not  be 
awakened  at  all,  and  the  irregular  as  the  uniform  progression  pass  equally  unheeded  and  unknown.! 


*  Although  a  vacuum  and  ao  unresisting  medium  are  not  exactly  |  interruptions.  But  the  derangements  alluded  to,  and  consequently 
the  same  tiling,  yet  as  regards  their  influence  in  the  laws  of  motion  I  the  sense  of  motion  to  which  they  give  rise,  are  not  capable  of  being 
they  may  be  considered  as  similar.  The  different  internal  parts  of  j  excited  to  a  very  high  pitch  of  energy  by  every  species  of  intermp- 


the    human  frame,  for  instance,  are  not  seated   in  vacuis  yet  the 
influence  which  the  medium  -wherein  they  are  situated  exerts  upon 


tion  which   may  occur  to  call   them  into   action.     From  the  very 
nature  of  the  construction  of  the  human  frame,  these  derangements 


them  disappears  when  fairly  in  motion,  all  the  parts  observing  the   I   of  the  parts  can  never,  without  actual  organic  lesion,  take  place  to 
same  rate,  and  therefore  affording  no  grounds  for  interference.  i   any  very  considerable  extent ;  and  consequently  the  sense  of  motion, 


t  The  adoption  of  the  preceding  theory  of  the  sense  of  motion 
will,  I  believe,  afford  a  clue  to  the  solution  of  certain  physiological 
phenomena  which  have  long  puzzled  the  world,  and  which,  although 
not  exactly  pertaining  to  the  present  subject,  yet,  as  being  corrobo- 
rative of  the  theory  by  which  it  is  sought  to  be  illustrated,  we  may 
perhaps  be  excused  for  noticing ;  I  allude  to  the  sickness  experienced 
at  sea,  in  the  exercise  of  the  swing,  in  the  revolutions  of  the  waltz, 
and  other  movements  of  a  similar  description,  and  productive  of 
similar  results.  From  what  has  been  said  above,  we  perceive  that 
the  sense  of  motion  and  its  immediate  cause,  the  derangement  of 
parts,  are  not  always  attendant  upon  actual  motion,  but  merely 
observable  in  consequence  and  during  the  continuance  of  certain 


as  we  really  find  to  be  the  case,  cannot  be  capable  of  great  intensity. 
Like  many  other  corporeal  'and  indeed  all  mental)  impressions,  how- 
ever, the  deficiency  in  intensity  of  action  may  be  amply  supplied  by 
the  protracted  continuance  of  its  effects  :  as  an  illustration  of  which 
in  analogous  cases,  I  need  only  cite  the  action  of  most  medicines — 
for  instance,  that  of  the  emetic  principle  upon  the  stomach,  which, 
unaltered  in  its  intensity,  does  not  begin  to  act  until  the  parts  have 
for  some  time  been  subjected  to  its  influence.  In  the  same  manner 
the  derangements  which  give  rise  to  the  sense  of  motion  may  be, 
and  frequently  are,  by  the  increased  dur.ition  of  their  action,  brought 
to  exhibit  very  powerful  and  impressive  consequences.  To  produce 
that  increased  duration  of  action,  it  is  necessary  that  the  sense  of 


CH.M-.  X.  PLYING  OFF  AT  A  TANGENT.  869 

v  w  this  is  exactly  the  situation  in  which  the  aeronaut  is  placed.  From  tho  moment  the  balloon  quit-  the 
^runnel  until  its  rvtuni  to  earth  again,  nothing  ever  befalls  (except  from  accidental  colliM.'ii).  «hi.  li  ran  or  doe* 
l>riHliii-t-  a  change  of  motion  sufficiently  rapid  to  awaken  tin-  pctveption  of  his  progress.  Changes,  it  is  true,  do 
•  l'»th  in  the  rate  and  direction  of  his  course.  Alterations  in  his  elevation  are  continually  taking  place  with 
more-  or  less  rapidity,  which  occasionally  require  to  he  checked  with  considerable  promptitude  by  a  liberal 
discharge  of  giia  and  ballast ;  a  few  seconds  are  frequently  sufficient  to  make  a  difference  of  some  thousand  feet  in 
the  level  of  his  course ;  yet  the  changes,  striking  as  they  may  be,  are  never  accomplished  with  that  degree  of 
impetuosity  which  is  necessary  to  awaken  a  sensation  of  their  effects.  Currents  also  of  different  velocities  and 
ilitTerent  1,,  ,.ings  are  also  constantly  encountered.  Hut  the  mutual  action  of  currents  of  air  is  never  sudden: 
their  iMnuiiK  are  not  fixed  by  certain  lines,  like  those  of  the  more  solid  substances,  nor  are  the  changes  which  may 
take  place  in  them,  even  though  conducing  to  direct  opposition,  ever  so  decidedly  marked  and  promptly  executed 

.is  t..  le  ..1  1.1  .1  MHQlb  |"  IWptlOB  ••!'  their  result-. 

Debarred,  therefore,  in  every  way  from  obtaining  a  direct  personal  feeling  of  bis  progress,  it  is  only  by  a 
comparison  with  the  phenomena  presented  by  known  fixed  objects  that  the  aeronaut  can  even  ascertain  the 
fact,  whether  lie  is  really  in  a  state  of  quiescence  or  of  motion.  This  is  an  intelligence  which  his  sensations  alone 
arc  incapable  •  f  supplying ;  it  is  to  his  judgment,  with  the  assistance  of  his  sight,  that  he  is  forced  to  look  for  the 
Miliition  of  the  question.  U'here  the  exercise  of  that  organ  is  denied  him,  as  at  night,  during  tho  prevalence  of 
fogs,  where  clouds  intercept  his  view,  or  the  uniformity  of  the  subjacent  surface  leaves  him  no  sufficiently  distinct 

t  to  refer  to,  at*  over  a  broad  expanse  of  ocean,  the  rate  of  his  progress,  nay,  its  very  existence,  is  to 
him  a  secret  not  to  be  unravelled,  except  by  the  aid  of  such  a  mechanical  connexion  with  the  earth  as  in  his 
ingenuity  he  is  able  to  devise.  Such  a  connexion  is  that  which  is  formed  by  means  of  the  guide-rope ;  and  the 
indications  it  affords  of  the  rate  and  direction  of  the  balloon,  I  consider  not  the  least  valuable  property  of  ihnt 
ingenious  instrument. 

The  next  striking  circumstance  in  tho  order  of  succession,  distinctive  of  the  present  subject,  is  the  sudden 
cessation  and  continued  absence  of  all  atmospheric  resistance,  the  presence  of  which  one  is  apt  to  consider  so 
essential  a  concomitant  of  locomotion,  especially  when  conducted  with  any  unusual  degree  of  speed.  Acting  in 
coiijuin 'tion  with  the  preceding,  the  influence  of  this  novel  characteristic  upon  the  mind  and  senses  of  the 
inexperienced  aeronaut  in  the  commencement  of  his  career  is  truly  magical ;  more  especially  if  the  state  of  the 
weather  at  the  time  be  such  as  to  afford  room  for  the  establishment  of  a  sufficient  contrast  Suddenly  subsiding 
the  instant  the  act  of  liberation  has  been  effected,  all  the  various  symptoms  of  violent  atmospheric  commotion,  bv 
which  his  previous  situation  was  so  notably  distinguished,  simultaneously  disappear;  the  heaving  of  the  balloon, 
the  sighing  of  the  wind  through  the  cordage,  the  flapping  of  the  silk  above  his  head,  tho  wonted  action  of  the 
passing  breeze  upon  his  own  person,  everything,  in  short,  which  can  bear  testimony  to  the  exertions  of 
the  element  and  the  force  by  which  it  is  with  difficulty  resisted,  at  once  becomes  completely  at  rest :  not 
a  motion  is  felt,  not  a  breath  of  wind  is  perceptible ;  the  balloon,  us  if  arrested  by  the  influence  of  some  powerful 


m<>tii>n  be  supported  by  a  course  of  interruption*,  occurring  at  fuch      the  infliction  of  certain  movements.    To  thin  supposition  all  tin 
int.  r\uls  us  will  not  allow  the  parts  to  recover  from  the  eflecta  of      phenomena  are  reconcilable.     Here  we  nee  the  reason  why  a  heavy 


.  ing  influence  before  they  have  been  subjected  to  another. 
That  this  is  the  OMB  as  regard*  alternating  motions — those,  for  in- 
stance, by  which  sea-sickness  is  produced— does  not  require  to  be 
illu.-ir.it. ••!:  tin-  int<  mipUons,  by  means  of  which  the  acnse  of 
motion  is  in:iiut.iii..  .1,  are  here  nutli.-i.  ntly  (nlpable.  With  respect 
to  rotatory  motion  however,  the  :u-ti./u  of  tli.  .1.  ranging  causes  may 
not  perhaps  bequite  w>  evident.  \  ..  rtheless,  though  more  obscure, 
tli.  \  ;!!••  Ml  !•-.-  dirid.il.  and.  if  anything,  still  more  energetic 
in  their  effects.  As  all  bodies  in  motion,  win  n  nnmllu.  nr.  .1  by  dis- 
turbing I-HUM-I-,  tend  to  pn.'..-d  in  right  lines,  the  motion  of  bodies' 
.i.nvi  yid  in  the  .iit.eti.  n  ..I"  n  rune  may  be  considered  as  really 
compounded  of  in.-es.tint  interruption  to  the  rectilinear  course  which 
the  laws  of  nature  iti.-liue  them  to  pursue.  So  far,  therefore,  from 
being  exempt  from  disturbance  by  the  ap|mr.  tit  <i|uahility  of  their 
motions,  the  parts  of  a  body  revolting  r..un.l  a  r.-ntre  are  even  Mill 
more  incessantly  liable  t"  the  den.  \  tlum  where  they  are 

absolutely  made  to  alternate,  even  » ii :  between  two  ex- 

tremes in  opposite  directions. 

To  the  protracted  duration  of  Ike  Kiue  of  m»f/...i.  thin,  I   am  in- 
.  .in.  .1  to  attribute  all  those  case*  where  ih.-ti<  •  -  :r_-  .-<.  mptoms  follow 


lurching  motion— the  heaving  of  a  ship  at  sea,  for  instance,  hut  still 

more  the  rotatory  motion    in  which  the  di-turhing  inflm-i is  not 

only  protracted,  but  incfttanlj  is  always  attended  by  greater  ili-tr.  -- 
than  a  short,  quick,  alternating  motion,  however  long  c.,ntintie<l, 
when*  the  impetus  of  the  parts  becomes  arr>  they  h.,\. 

.  \\  •  rieneed  the  full  amount  of  disturbance,  and  where,  constantly 
6  IT  -id.  of  their  natural  e., million,  they  are  m  ti  r 
either  /../.;/  or/<ir  from  the  means  of  recover;-.  We  also  see  tin 
reason  why  in  a  rotatory  movement  the  larger  the  eirele  in  wbieh 
the  parts  are  conveyed,  the  less  the  distress;  the  tangent  in  which 
;•  nd  to  fly  off  more  nearly  eoinei.ling  with  the  segment  of  the 
curve  in  which  they  are  detained.  Thus,  revolving  rapidly  on  one 
foot,  after  the  manner  of  the  pirou.  it.-,  is  .piieker  in  iinlm-iiiL- 
nausea  than  performing  the  gyration  in  a  larger  space,  to  • 
who  are  unused  to  either.  Th.  manner  also  in  which  habit  enables 
the  individual  to  withstand  the  elf.  et*  of  th.-  motions  is  also 
strongly  in  accordance  with  tin-  |.nneiples  of  the  aU.te  explana- 
tion, and  might  be  illustrated  by  many  analogies  with  other 
physical  impressions. 


360  ASTEA  CASTKA.  CHAP.  X. 

and  invisible  agent,  suddenly  assumes  an  upright  posture,  and  stands,  as  it  were,  fixed,  rigid,  and  immovable, 
while  the  mind  of  the  adventurer,  unconscious  of  all  but  the  change  itself,  becomes  struck  with  the  awful 
conviction  that  some  extraordinary  revulsion  has  just  taken  place,  whereby  the  raging  elements  have  been 
suddenly  tempered  into  tranquillity,  and  an  universal  and  unnatural  calm  induced  upon  the  previously  disturbed 
condition  of  the  mighty  powers  of  nature. 

From  this  time  forward,  until  the  conclusion  of  his  flight,  the  same  impressions  continue  to  accompany  the 
progress  of  the  aerial  voyager,  weakened  only  in  their  energy  (like,  indeed,  almost  all  those  peculiar  to  the 
practice  of  this  art)  as,  increasing  his  altitude,  he  diminishes  his  relations  with  the  earth,  and  with  them 
the  grounds  of  comparison,  whereby  alone  he  obtains  a  consciousness  of  the  real  circumstances  of  the  case,  and 
is  made  to  feel  the  absence  of  results,  which  are  in  fact  only  remarkable  when  missed,  and  only  missed  when 
particularly  expected. 

So  long  as  the  balloon  is  left  free  to  pursue  her  own  course  upon  the  same  level,  unaffected  by  any  of  those 
excessive  variations  in  her  buoyancy,  which  impress  upon  her  a  rapid  motion,  apart  from  that  of  the  current  in 
which  she  floats  (as  when  she  ascends  or  descends  at  the  commencement  or  conclusion  of  her  career,  or  by  the 
sudden  loss  of  any  serious  amount  of  gas  or  ballast  during  its  continuance),  this  state  of  things  remains 
uninterrupted,  admits  of  no  qualifications,  and  is  liable  to  no  exceptions.  Totally  independent  of  the  rate  or 
direction  of  the  current,  it  remains  equally  absolute  whether  the  actual  progress  of  the  balloon  be  one,  or  one 
hundred  miles  an  hour — whether  it  be  on  one  continued  line  or  subject  to  the  most  rapid  and  incessant  variation. 
The  greatest  storm  that  ever  racked  the  face  of  nature  is,  in  respect  of  its  influence  upon  this  condition  of 
the  balloon,  as  utterly  powerless  and  inefficient  as  the  most  unruffled  calm,  the  most  unequivocal  repose. 
To  such  an  extent  is  this  the  case,  so  truly  indeed  is  atmospheric  resistance  a  nullity  to  the  aeronaut,  that  were 
we  to  suppose  him  (by  way  of  illustration)  suddenly  transported  to  the  \Vest  Indies,  the  birthplace  and 
habitation  of  the  tornado  and  the  hurricane,  traversing  the  skies  at  a  time  when  one  of  the  wildest  and  fiercest 
was  exercising  its  utmost  powers  of  devastation,  looking  down  from  his  air-borne  car  and  beholding  houses 
levelled,  trees  uprooted,  rocks  translated  from  their  stony  beds  and  hurled  into  the  sea,  earth  and  ocean  in  mutual 
aggression  encroaching  upon  each  other's  limits,  and  all  the  various  signs  of  desolation  by  which  its  merciless 
path  is  marked,  he^might  nevertheless  hold  in  his  hand  a  lighted  taper  without  extinguishing  the  flame,  or  even 
indicating  by  its  inclination  to  one  side  or  the  other  the  direction  of  the  mighty  agent  by  which  such  awful 
ravages  had  been  created.  No  sooner,  however,  has  the  grapnel  touched  the  ground,  and  the  slightest  opposition 
been  afforded  to  the  progress  of  the  balloon,  than  all  this  seeming  tranquillity  is  at  an  end,  and  the  aeronaut 
for  the  first  time  becomes  sensible  in  his  own  person  of  the  real  influence  of  that  mighty  element,  of  whose 
presence  and  power  he  had  hitherto  been  able  to  judge  through  the  medium  of  his  sight  alone. 

The  theory,  by  means  of  which  the  non-resistance  of  the  atmosphere  in  aerial  navigation  is  accounted  for,  is 
by  no  means  so  complex  as  that  by  which  it  was  found  necessary  to  illustrate  the  previous  characteristic  pheno- 
menon of  the  absence  of  the  sense  of  motion.  Floating  in  and  by  means  of  the  action  of  the  air  itself,  no  difference 
can,  in  fact,  ever  exist  between  the  rate  of  the  machine  and  that  of  the  medium  of  its  conveyance  (after  the  first 
efforts  to  overcome  the  vis  inertia  of  the  former  have  been  successfully  exerted),  so  long  as  both  remain  at  liberty  to 
obey  the  course  dictated  by  the  laws  which  govern  the  motion  of  bodies  in  a  fluid  medium.  Strictly  observing  the 
same  reciprocal  positions  throughout  the  whole  of  their  progress,  no  retardation  or  acceleration  of  the  course  of 
the  one  beyond  that  of  the  other  exists,  whereby  a  resistance  could  be  created.  To  all  intents  and  purposes, 
therefore,  a  balloon  freely  poised  in  the  atmosphere  may  be  considered  as  absolutely  enclosed  or  imbedded  in  a  box 
of  air ;  so  completely  so,  that  (for  example)  were  it  possible  to  distinguish,  by  tinging  it  with  some  particular 
colour,  that  portion  of  the  atmosphere  immediately  surrounding  the  balloon,  and  in  that  guise  commit  her  to  the 
discretion  of  the  elements,  she  would,  apart  from  all  fluctuations  in  the  level  of  her  course,  continue  to  bear 
the  same  tinted  medium  along  with  her,  even  until  having  completed  in  her  course  the  circumference  of  the  globe, 
she  had,  the  winds  permitting,  returned  to  the  same  spot  from  which  she  had  originally  departed. 

As  a  general  rule,  however,  it  is  to  be  observed,  that  this  characteristic  discontinuance  of  atmospheric 
resistance  only  holds  good  as  regards  the  horizontal  or  passive  progress  of  the  balloon.  \Vith  respect  to  its  vertical, 
or  as  it  may  be  termed,  its  active  motion,  that  in  short  which  proceeds  from  the  exercise  of  its  own  buoyancy,  some 
deviation  from  that  state  of  perfect  atmospheric  repose  will  no  doubt  be  occasionally  discernible,  especially  when 
the  movements  alluded  to  are  accomplished  with  any  considerable  degree  of  rapidity.  Upon  the  principle  of  this 
resistance,  various  attempts  have  been  made  to  construct  instruments  to  supersede  the  barometer,  in  affording 


ClIAl'.  X. 


'  UNSI^H  KM  l-;s  or  AT.MOSPHBBIO  RESISTANCE. 


861 


indications  of  those  movcmenU,  and  of  the  rate  at  which  tln-y  an-  effected  ;  hitherto,  however,  it  must  bo  confessed 
without  any  sutisf.ictory  result.  The  generality  "f  tin-  changes  are,  in  fact,  much  too  slowly  conducted  to  afford 
grounds  for  the  Mttbluhment  of  a  resistance  sufficient  to  overcome  the  obstacles  offered  by  the  rit  inertia;  friction, 

•ive  i  "iiMnictinn,  ami  "the  thousand  natural  ills  which  art  is  heir  to,"  and  from  which  no  upocies  of  instniiin  nt. 
howi  -ver  delicate,  which  depends  on  moclianical  action  for  its  results,  is  entirely  exempt* 

l-'i-.-m  wli.it  has  been  before  stated,  tin-  futility  of  any  attempt  to  apply  this  principle  to  the  ascertainment  of 
the  horizontal  motion  of  the  balloon,  either  by  means  of  instruments  especially  constructed,  or  by  observation., 
drawn  from  the  difference  between  the  rate  of  motion  of  the  balloon  itself,  and  that  of  light  bodies  (an  tissue  paper, 
for  instance)  purposely  thrown  i>vrr.  in  placed  beyond  a  doubt.  No  such  difference,  in  fact,  occasioned  cither  by 
the  detachment  of  the  body  or  its  different  specific  gravity  at  all  exists :  where  any  such  is  perceivable,  or  thought 
to  be  perceivable,  it  may  at  once  be  laid  to  the  account  of  some  peculiarity  in  its  form,  or  otherwise  in  the  direct  i<  in 
tii-t  impressed  upon  it,  and  which,  in  the  course  it  induces  it  to  assume,  is  as  likely  to  have  acted  in  opposition  to, 
an  in  concert  with  the  direction  of  the  current  at  the  time  prevailing. 

Bound,  of  course,  by  the  same  rule,  all  clouds  occupying  the  region  of  the  same  current  in  which  the  course 
of  the  iKtllx.n  h  i]i]>e,iw  to  be  conducted,  must  over  continue  to  observe  the  same  distances  from  that  object  as  they 
hold  at  the  commencement.  It  is  true  that  internal  changes  of  form  and  position  may  at  all  times  be  discerned 
between  the  different  parts  of  the  same  vapoury  stratum,  by  any  one  who  will  take  the  trouble  to  examine  their 
progress  attentively  for  a  few  minutes.  Without,  however,  infringing  upon  the  generality  of  the  proposition  h,  i.- 
laid  down,  such  alterations  of  form  and  position  are  amply  accountable  for  on  the  score  of  temperature,  electrical 
affinity,  ami  a  \ -ariety  of  other  specific  influences ;  either  through  their  direct  effects  upon  the  forms  and  dimensions 
of  the  aqueons  masses  (and  bo  it  observed  that  a  change  in  form  is,  in  fact,  a  change  of  position  too),  or  by  reason 
of  the  variiitions  they  work  in  the  actual  densities  of  the  different  parts,  whereby  their  existing  momenta  Ix-coim- 
altered,  and  a  temporary  interruption  occasioned  in  the  equability  which  (with  such  exceptions)  characterises  their 
motion-,  as  that  of  all  other  bodies,  in  an  unresisting  medium. 

The  entrance  therefore  into  clouds,  and  the  exit  from  the  same,  can  never  take  place  without  a  change  of 
altitude  on  the  part  of  the  aeronautical  machine;  an  observation  which  may  give  some  satisfaction  to  those  who 
rate  highly  the  danger  of  coming  in  contact  with  clouds  charged  with  electric  matter,  or  entertain  a  fear  of  being 
overtaken  by  bad  weather  in  the  course  of  their  excursions. 

One  other  consequence  of  the  absence  of  atmospheric  resistance  remains  to  be  noticed  ;  I  mean  its  influence 
in  mitigating  the  effects  of  a  low  temperature  upon  the  human  frame,  and  rendering  regions  not  only  habitable  but 
even  delightful,  which,  but  for  this  modification  could  never  be  entered  without  pain  nor  endured  without  da' 
In  a  previous  narrative  I  have  already  adverted  to  this  circumstance,  and  noticed  the  beneficial  consequences  that 
resulted  to  us  from  it  during  a  night  and  a  voyage  of  otherwise  insufferable  rigour.  In  further  illustration  of  the 
effects  of  that  peculiarity  to  which  I  have  attributed  the  exemption  we  experienced  from  the  ordinary  consequences 
of  a  low  temperature,  I  have  merely  to  add  that  the  only  periods  when  the  actual  temperature  pressed  seven-ly 
upon  our  feelings  were,  when  in  ascending  or  descending  rapidly,  as  occurred  to  us  occasionally  during  the  night, 
a  motion  and  resistance  were  occasioned  in  the  air,  such  as  I  have  just  mentioned  to  be  the  only  exceptions  to 
that  general  state  of  atmospheric  stillness  which  otherwise  never  ceases  to  distinguish  the  progress  of  the  balloon 
in  her  career. 

To  return  to  the  aeronaut  whom  we  left  some  pages  back  in  the  act  of  commencing  his  ascent,  the  reader 
must  not  suppose  that  all  the  circumstances  and  impressions  which  we  have  here  detailed  as  consequent  upon  the 
change  which  the  liberation  of  the  balloon  is  calculated  to  make  in  his  situation,  or  the  same  process  of  reasoning 


*  The  I-  -t  of  tin—-  attempts  which  I  have  Ken  is  undoubtedly 
that  nf  Mr.  F.  '•  -.11  to  the  proprietor  of  the  balloon  in 

wllif  h  tin  '."ii  was  accompli-!,.  .1  ,  upon  tin:  principle  of 

an  extri'tiifly  liiiht  wln-d  adapted  with  vanes,  like  the  paddle*  of 
a  steamhnit.  an.l  enclosed  in  a  box  partly  open  at  top  and  bottom 
to  admit  tin  action  "I'  tlic  air  in  »-•••  mine;.-  or  il< -.-ccndiiig.  To  the 
above  is  attached  n  rotary  index,  serving  to  denote  by  the  velocity 
and  course  of  it*  gyration?  tin-  rat<-  ami  din vtion  of  the  machine 
in  fnuutta.  Altlimi.'li  tin-  r.  -nit  of  the  trial  to  which  it  was  gub- 
initti-d  in  our  excursion  wag  not  p«  rfectly  satisfactory,  it  is  but 
jiL-t  to  olwerve,  that  the  fault  wo*  more  attributable  to  tin-  defect* 


of  the  particular  instrument  than  to  theprincipli  -of  tin-  contm 
— its  size  being  too  limited  to  take  in  a  millini -nt  |-.it,..'i  of  tin- 
atmosphere,  while  at  the.  same  time  it  was  not  Milli.-i.  nth  pn.t- , -t.  .1 
by  the  form  of  it*  receptacle  from  tin-  inllin  in-i  <>f  tin-  i-ount.  r- 
rurrents  occasioned  by  the  motions  of  tin-  Ian.-,  r  !•.-!>  in  its 
vicinity,  win  r«-l-y  it"  action  in  the  former  caw  was  impaired,  in  tin- 
latter,  deranged.  With  a  due  con>idi  ration  of  tln-w  ii<  fn-t...  the 
result  would,  I  have  no  doubt,  liaM-  I.,  in  iimn-  tavmiruMi-,  llmiiirh 
in  \' -r  to  such  an  extent  as  to  enable  it  to  supply  tin-  place  • 

l-.il..:...  I,  r. 


362  ASTKA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

by  which  we  have  found  it  necessary  to  explain  them,  are  either  adopted  or  even  recognised  by  the  individual  at 
that  particular  epoch  of  his  voyage.  It  is  not,  indeed,  at  the  time,  certainly  not  the  first  time  of  experiencing 
them,  that  the  aeronaut  ever  becomes  awake  to  the  just  amount  of  his  feelings,  or  fully  conscious  of  the  real 
combinations  to  which  they  are  to  be  attributed.  Indeed,  to  arrive  at  the  latter  of  these  conditions,  requires 
a  course  of  analytic  examination  to  which  few  persons  have  sufficient  presence  of  mind,  or  rather  insensibility  to  the 
charms  of  their  situation  to  be  able  at  such  a  moment  to  submit;  and  even  were  they  so  inclined,  the  celerity  where- 
with the  first  operations  of  the  ascent  are  conducted,  and  the  variety  of  the  events  and  sentiments  by  which  they 
are  succeeded,  are  such  as  to  leave  no  time  for  the  consideration  of  any  one  in  particular,  unless  to  the  utter 
exclusion  of  all  the  rest.  It  is  by  the  frequent  experience  of  the  enjoyment  alone,  or  the  constant  recurrence  to  it 
in  after  times,  through  the  medium  of  the  recollection,  that  a  thorough  knowledge  is  obtained  of  all  its  various 
peculiarities,  the  effects  of  which  are  much  more  generally  experienced  in  the  mass  than  in  detail,  and,  by  most 
persons  at  least,  much  more  readily  acknowledged  than  understood. 

From  commenting,  therefore,  upon  the  state  of  his  own  feelings,  the  attention  of  the  aeronaut  is  earl}-  and 
forcibly  recalled  to  a  consideration  of  the  "  world  without  him,"  where,  indeed,  a  new  and  fertile  source  of  gratifi- 
cation awaits  him,  in  the  prospect  which  his  increasing  elevation  has  almost  unconsciously  presented  to  his  view. 
No  sooner,  in  fact,  has  he  cleared  the  highest  obstacles  in  his  immediate  vicinity,  ere  he  finds  himself,  apparently, 
in  the  midst  of  his  career,  aud  hurried  into  the  presence  of  all  those  objects  which  constitute  alike  the  study  and 
delight  of  the  aerial  voyager.  Indeed,  the  celerity  with  which  the  translation  is  accomplished,  and  the  curious 
conclusions  to  which  it  conduces  in  the  mind  of  the  beholder,  are  not  the  least  striking  circumstances  of  the 
whole  proceedings.  Springing  as  it  were  at  a  bound  out  of  the  very  bowels  of  the  earth,  scarce!}'  a  second 
elapses  ere  the  balloon,  approaching  to  all  appearance  the  very  acrn6  of  her  ascent,  has  placed  the  astonished 
beholder  in  full  view  of  the  spectacle  prepared  for  him ;  not  as  it  were  with  one  sudden  stride,  or  at  one  unvarying 
velocity,  but  seemingly  like  a  rocket  shot  from  its  frame,  that  with  decreasing  energy  continues  to  mount,  until,  at 
length,  its  utmost  force  being  spent,  it  appears  to  pause  for  an  instant  ere  it  turns  to  bend  its  downward  course 
to  earth  again. 

Such,  in  fact,  is  the  impression  which  the  circumstances  of  the  case  are  most  strongly  calculated  to  produce 
upon  his  mind,  and  from  which  nothing  but  a  perfect  knowledge  and  firm  conviction  of  the  reality  could 
effectually  preserve  him.  Without  the  sense  of  motion  to  guide  his  judgment,  the  only  opinion  he  can  form  of  his 
ascent  is  necessarily,  though  unconsciously,  drawn  from  a  hasty  consideration  of  the  changes  which  it  occasions  in 
the  aspect  of  the  scene  around  him.  Now,  as  by  the  nature  of  things,  all  these  changes  proceed  with  rapidly 
diminishing  intensity,  as  the  distance  from  the  eye  of  the  spectator  becomes  increased,*  so  under  the  same  condition 
of  removal  must  the  sentiments  of  his  progress  in  the  mind  of  the  aeronaut  become  continually  impaired,  until  at 
last  the  alterations  from  distance  having  soon  ceased  to  be  appreciable,  the  sentiment  of  his  removal,  to  the 
maintenance  of  which  they  alone  had  contributed,  become  alike  rapidly  extinct. 


*  The  linear  dimensions  of  objects  being  determined  by  the 
angle  under  which  they  are  seen,  necessarily  vary  in  the  inverse 
ratio  of  their  distances  from  the  point  of  sight.  By  the  same  rule 
it  follows,  that  the  superficial  dimensions,  upon  which  their  ap- 
parent sizes  depend,  must  vary  inversely  as  the  squares  of  the  dis- 
tances from  which  they  are  beheld.  Thus,  a  body  seen  from  any 
given  point  would  appear  four  times  as  great  as  if  seen  from  twice 
the  distance,  nine  times  greater  than  it  would  appear  from  a  dis- 
tance of  three  times  the  amount,  aud  sixteen  times  as  great  as  if 
the  eye  beheld  it  from  a  position  at  four  times  the  original  distance. 

If,  in  the  place  of  the  proportionals  here  employed  to  designate 
the  progression  of  the  apparent  decrease  at  stated  intervals,  we  were 


twenty  degrees  upon  the  second  progression ;  while  nine  being  the 
expression  of  its  visual  magnitude  at  the  height  of  four  hundred 
feet,  would  indicate  a  difference  of  only  seven  degrees  lost  during 
the  process  of  its  removal  through  a  third  interval,  equal  in  amount 
to  either  of  those  which  preceded  it.  In  such  a  series  as  this  it 
is  unnecessary  to  observe  that  an  elevation  is  very  soon  attained 
where  the  differences  occasioned  by  equal  increments  of  altitude 
become  so  minute  as  to  be  inappreciable  by  the  ordinary  exertions 
of  the  senses.  Now,  as  the  impression  of  his  ascent  in  the  mind  of 
the  aeronaut  (deprived,  as  we  have  shown  him  to  be,  by  the  peculiar 
circumstances  of  the  case,  of  all  absolute  sense  of  his  translation)  is 
entirely  founded  upon  and  regulated  by  these,  the  ocular  effects  of 


to  substitute  absolute  numbers,  and  estimate  the  dimensions  of  the    |   his  removal,  it  follows  that  all  personal  knowledge  of  his  ascent 


object  as  seen  from  a  given  altitude,  say  one  hundred  feet,  at  the 
value  of  one  hundred  and  forty-four,  were  the  eye  of  the  spectator 
removed  to  twice  the  distance,  or  to  an  elevation  of  two  hundred 
feet,  the  number  which  would  represent  its  apparent  magnitude 
would  be  but  thirty-six,  thus  showing  a  difference  of  one  hundred 
ami  eight  degrees  between  the  appearance  presented  by  the  same 
object  at  the  two  stations  in  favour  of  the  former.  Were,  however, 
the  eye  to  be  still  further  removed,  to  an  elevation  of  three  hundred 
feet  (being  an  increment  equal  to  the  previous  one),  the  measure 
of  its  appearance  would  be  sixteen,  thus  denoting  a  loss  of  only 


must  rapidly  and  progressively  become  fainter,  till  at  first  hundreds 
and  finally  thousands  of  feet  pass  unnoticed,  at  least  as  far  as  the 
eye  is  capable  of  judging  by  a  consideration  of  the  altered  aspect  of 
the  objects  it  surveys.  Hence  the  difficulty  of  ascertaining  the 
vertical  direction  of  the  balloon's  course  by  the  mere  intervention 
of  the  sight  alone,  and  the  inestimable  utility  of  the  barometer  in 
affording  indications  of  the  many  changes  which  are  constantly 
taking  place  in  the  level  of  her  progress,  and  which,  in  default  of 
such  indications,  would  otherwise  be  unobserved,  until  perhaps  too 
late  to  remedy  them  without  inconvenience. 


•• 


,t 


j 


CHAP.  \.  I;I:M\I;K  \i:i.i:  n. I:\K\KSS  OF  OUTLINE.  MB 

* 

The  case  is  one  to  which  nothing  analogous  exists  in  nature  or  can  be  created  by  the  ordinary  exertions  of 
art ;  consequently  the  effects  and  impressions  to  which  it  gives  rise  are  such  us  can  never  be  experienced  but  in 
a  liku  situation  ami  under  exactly  similar  circumstances.  In  no  other  manner  is  or  can  the  individual  be  abstracted 
IVi.iu  tin-  community  with  other  objects  of  the  same  known  appearances  whereby  to  regulate  his  judgment  and 
cniitina  his  conclusions.  The  situation  which  approaches  nearest  to  it  in  its  conditions  and  effect*  is  that  of  the 
mariner,  when  launching  into  the  broad  bosom  of  the  ocean  he  looks  back  upon  the  shores  he  is  quitting,  and 
beholds  them  gradually  disappearing  in  the  obscurity  of  his  increasing  distance.  Even  here,  however,  the  objects 
are  necessarily  so  limited,  and  the  first  steps  of  the  progression  (in  which  the  whole  of  the  effect  is  concentrated) 
comparatively  so  slow,  that  the  alterations  produced  are  too  few,  and  what  there  are  of  them  too  slight  to  afford 
grounds  for  the  institution  of  a  comparison  between  the  two  cases. 

Under  the  impressions  we  have  here  feebly  endeavoured  to  explain,  and  which  time  can  neither  obliterate 
nor  practice  entirely  overcome,  the  aeronaut  quits  the  earth  to  assume  a  station  in  the  zenith  of  his  own  horizon. 
In  a  few  seconds  all  those  capital  changes  by  which,  as  I  have  just  stated,  the  first  proceedings  of  the  ascent  are 
invariably  accompanied,  have  subsided ;  and  the  prospect  has  become  sufficiently  composed  to  admit  the  minuter 

:n]ihitioii  of  it«  eon: 

There  projected  upon  a  plane  at  right  angles  to  his  line  of  vision,  the  whole  adjacent  surface  of  the  earth  lies 
stretched  beneath  him,  affording  an  heterogeneous  display  of  matters  at  once  the  most  interesting  and  incongruous. 
Distances  which  he  wa«  used  to  regard  as  important,  contracted  to  a  span ;  objects  once  imposing  to  him  from 
their  dimensions,  dwindled  into  insignificance;  localities  which  he  never  beheld  or  expected  to  behold  at  one  and 
the  same  view,  standing  side  by  side  in  friendly  juxtaposition ;  all  the  most  striking  productions  of  art,  the 
most  interesting  varieties  of  nature,  town  and  country,  sea  and  land,  mountains  and  plains,  mixed  up  together  in 
the  one  scene,  appear  before  him  as  if  suddenly  culled  into  existence  by  the  magic  virtues  of  some  great 
enchanter's  wand. 

It  is  not,  however,  to  the  objects  alone,  magnificent  and  interesting  as  they  may  be  justly  deemed,  so  much 
as  to  the  modifications  they  undergo  from  the  unusual  manner  in  which  they  are  viewed,  that  is  mainly  attributable 
that  peculiar  effect  by  which  the  terrestrial  landscape  is  so  notably  distinguished  in  the  estimation  of  the  aerial 
admirer.  Seen,  in  the  first  place,  from  above,  everything  that  meets  his  eye  meets  it  under  a  novel  aspect,  and 
one  which  no  other  situation  can  in  like  manner  and  to  the  same  extent  enable  him  to  enjoy.  The  summits  of 
mountains,  the  tops  of  buildings,  the  upper  surfaces  of  woods,  those  parts,  in  short,  of  all  objects  which  l>y  their 
natural  or  artificial  positions  have  hitherto  been  excluded  from  his  view,  are  now  almost  the  only  ones  that  come 
within  the  scope  of  his  observations.  Indeed  I  can  hardly  conceive  a  prospect  more  interesting,  both  from  its 
novelty  and  the  exquisite  impressions  to  which  it  is  calculated  to  give  rise,  than  that  which  a  richly  wooded  and 
irregular  tract  of  country  presents  when  examined  from  the  car  of  a  balloon,  either  suspended  motionless  or  slowly 
advancing  within  a  few  yards  from  the  level  of  its  upper  surface ;  such  a  scene  and  such  a  situation,  for 
uce,  as  that  enjoyed  by  us  when  we  found  ourselves  unexpectedly  becalmed  above  the  woods,  after  our  first 
ineffectual  attempt  to  take  the  ground  at  the  termination  of  the  expedition  which  forms  the  subject  of  the 
preceding  narrative. 

The  large,  rounded  masses  of  soft,  green  foliage,  following  generally  the  character  of  the  subjacent  soil,  here 
swelling  into  mounds,  there  subsiding  into  hollows,  altogether  presenting  the  aspect  of  a  mighty  sea  of  verdure ; 
sometimes  intersected  with  roads  or  paths ;  occasionally  opening  to  expose  small  portions  of  the  groundwork, 
patches  of  mould,  or  little  recesses  of  a  more  sparing  vegetation;  flocks  of  birds  roused  from  their  engagements  by 
the  unwonted  intrusion  upon  realms,  hitherto  entirely  their  own,  flying  from  place  to  place  in  the  vain  hope  of 
escape,  first  in  n  body,  and  finally,  as  the  balloon  tops  the  agitated  community,  breaking  asunder  and  dispersing 
in  every  direction  over  the  surface  of  the  earth  ;  the  alternate  approach  and  retreat  of  the  beholder  in  connexion 
with  the  ground  below,  occasioned  by  the  superior  extancy  of  the  hills,  or  the  unusual  depression  of  the  valleys. 
introducing  to  parts  otherwise  inaccessible  by  human  means  ;  theso  and  a  thousand  other  circumstances  and  effects 
of  minor  note  and  less  availing  influence,  combine  to  forma  scene  of  enchantment  in  which  the  place  of  the  sublime 
is  amply  supplied  by  that  of  the  beautiful  and  the  picturesque.  Nor  does  it.  perhaps,  conduce  least  towards  the 
general  effect  of  such  scenes,  especially  when  viewed  from  a  superior  elevation,  that  all  the  olij. •••!>•  of  which  the\ 
are  composed  are  presented  to  the  eye  in  the  simplest  manner  possible  as  to  their  relative  positions.  None  of  the 
usual  interference  of  parts,  by  means  of  which  alone  their  different  stations  upon  the  same  horizontal  surface  become 


364  ASTRA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

assignable,  is  here  to  be  perceived  ;  nor  any  of  those  apparent  variations  in  their  dimensions  which  mainly  serve  to 
indicate  their  progressive  removal  from  the  point  of  sight,  when  situated  in  or  about  the  same  line  of  visual 
observation.  All  the  ordinary  qualifications  of  such  scenes  become,  in  fact,  annihilated,  and  the  eye  for  the  first 
time  beholds  a  picture  of  nature  on  the  vastest  scale,  both  as  to  size  and  magnificence,  in  the  construction  of  which 
none  of  the  complicated  laws  of  linear  perspective  are  at  all  involved. 

As  the  balloon  continues  to  ascend,  another  scenic  peculiarity  begins  to  display  itself  in  the  vividness  of 
contour,  the  remarkable  sharpness  of  outline  by  which  the  different  features  in  the  terrestral  prospect  are  qualified, 
and  which,  strengthening  with  the  increasing  distance,  never  forsakes  them  so  long  as  the  objects  themselves 
continue  to  be  distinguishable.  The  roads,  rivers,  canals,  streets,  buildings,  enclosures,  hedges,  furrows,  watercourses, 
and  all  the  various  characteristics  of  rural  and  artificial  scenery,  instead  of  appearing  obscured  and  rendered  more 
indistinct  by  their  remotion  from  the  point  of  sight,  seem  on  the  contrary  to  augment  in  clearness  and  decision, 
and  absolutely  gain  in  intensity  what  they  lose  in  the  magnitude  of  their  proportions. 

This  singular  property  is  attributable  to  two  circumstances,  the  union  of  which  is  another  peculiarity  of  the 
art  we  have  taken  upon  us  to  illustrate,  namely,  an  increase  of  distance  between  the  objects  and  the  spectator, 
attended  by  a  corresponding  decrease  in  the  density  of  the  medium  through  which  they  are  beheld ;  whereby  the 
minuter  features  of  the  lines  by  which  they  are  bounded  (and  on  which  the  irregularity  of  their  appearance 
depends)  are  exclusively  lost  to  view,  the  objects  themselves  remaining  as  clearly  distinguishable  as  ever.  The 
process  by  which  this  conclusion  is  attained  is  very  simply  explicable  on  the  grounds  of  the  difference  between 
the  optical  effects  of  absolute  remotion  from  the  point  of  sight,  and  those  of  mere  obscuration  upon  the  visual  condition 
of  the  material  world.  Although  the  end  to  which  they  both  conduce  may  virtually  be  the  same,  namely,  the 
exclusion  of  the  object  from  the  view,  yet  their  modes  of  operation  are  extremely  different,  and  during  their 
continuance  give  rise  to  very  different  phenomena.  The  indistinctness  which  the  increase  of  distance,  per  se, 
occasions  in  the  aspect  of  an  object,  is  the  consequence  of  its  apparent  diminution ;  while  that  which  proceeds  from 
the  obscuring  tendency  of  the  medium  through  which  it  is  beheld,  is  the  result  of  a  concealment,  more  or  less  partial, 
in  proportion  to  the  density  of  the  said  medium  or  the  quantity  of  it  which  intervenes.  By  the  former,  the  objects 
or  the  parts  of  objects  are  abstracted  from  observation  in  the  order  of  their  several  sizes,  commencing  with  the  smallest ; 
by  the  latter,  all  are  simultaneously  and  equally  affected  without  regard  to  their  dimensions.  Now  sharpness  is 
a  condition  of  the  outline  depending  entirely  upon  the  apparent  absence  of  all  parts  bearing  a  small  relative 
proportion  to  the  whole ;  that  which,  therefore,  removes  from  the  sight  such  parts  exclusively,  conduces  towards 
the  production  of  the  condition  in  question  ;  and  such  an  agent  is  distance,  taken  abstractedly. 

An  antagonist  to  this  result  under  ordinary  circumstances,  however,  exists  in  the  general  indistinctness  which 
ensues  upon  the  quantity  of  the  atmospheric  medium  in  its  greatest  density,  which  is  made  to  intervene  by  the  very 
act  of  removal ;  so  that  before  the  beholder  has  sufficiently  increased  his  distance  from  the  object  to  enable  him  to 
lose  sight  of  its  irregularities,  either  the  object  itself  has  entirely  disappeared,  or  so  forfeited  its  general  character  of 
distinctness  that  no  definite  outline  can  be  at  all  perceived.  From  the  influence  of  this  interference,  however,  the 
aeronaut  is  to  a  considerable  degree  exempt ;  looking  in  the  direction  of  the  least  atmospheric  amount,  he  not  only 
beholds  everything  through  the  smallest  possible  quantity  of  obstruction  consistent  with  his  distance,  but  keeps  con- 
stantly adding  to  his  advantages  in  respect  of  the  former,  the  more  he  continues  to  amend  his  position  in  respect  of 
the  latter.  If  the  reader  has  ever,  during  the  prevalence  of  general  fine  weather,  observed  the  aspect  of  some  distant 
line  of  mountain,  just  before  the  occurrence  of  an  unexpected  shower,  and  noticed  the  peculiar  clearness  it  appears 
on  a  sudden  to  have  assumed,  he  will  have  witnessed  a  state  of  things  similar  to,  though  much  weaker  in  their 
effects,  than  that  which  we  have  here  attempted  to  describe  ;  wherein  the  temporay  rarefaction  of  the  atmosphere 
(the  ordinary  precursor  of  rain)  acts  the  part  of  the  vertical  elevation  of  the  aeronaut  in  reducing  the  quantity  of 
intervening  medium,  and  in  paving  the  way  for  a  readier  admission  of  the  distance  to  perform  its  share  of  the 
effects  before  attributed  to  it. 

As  soon  as  the  adventurer  has  sufficiently  recovered  from  the  influence  of  these,  the  first  and  most 
predominant  impressions,  to  be  able  to  direct  his  attention  to  the  other  peculiarities  of  his  case,  he  becomes 
gradually  struck  with  the  extraordinary  degree  of  ease  wherewith  he  feels  himself  able  to  regard  his  situation,  and 
the  total  absence  of  all  those  sensations  of  giddiness  and  mental  anxiety  which  he  has  always  felt  and  conceived 
inseparable  from  positions  apparently  analogous  to  that  which  he  at  present  occupies.  Instead  of  shuddering,  as 
he  might  fairly  be  supposed  inclined,  at  the  prospect  so  unusually  placed  before  him ;  instead  of  drawing  back, 


Our.  X.  KKASOXS   mi:  AN   AKSF.Nri:  <  >F  i;|  1 »|  >I\K>S.  MO 

M  it  wore,  into  liim-  !t"  to  escape  the  full  acknowledgment  of  the  precariousness  of  his  situation,  he  is  astonished  to 
tiiul  him.srlf  intently  poring  over  the  new  leaf  in  the  book  of  nature,  which  triumphant  art  him  juot  enabled  him 
.  ami   fir   fn<m  trembling  at  its  content*,  enjoying  in  perfect  tranquillity  of  mind  the  wonder*  it   i.- 
continually  iiiifuliliiig  to  his  view. 

-  this  u  privilege  by  any  moan*  restricted  to  solitary  cases,  or  dependent  in  any  way  upon  the  physical 
or  nii-nial  i-iiii.stitiition  of  the  parties  by  whom  it  is  experienced.     All  sort*  of  persons  of  every  ago  and  M-X.  and 
with  every  imaginable  distinction  of  character  endowed— tho  bold  and  the  faint-hearted — the  strong  and  the  weak 

tin-  he.ilthy  and  tin-  infirm — equally  concur  in  acknowledging  the  exemption  ;  nor  have  I  ever  either  met  with 
or  li.-.ird  of  any  one  of  the  numbers  who  have  hitherto  made  practical  trial  of  the  fact,  that  ever  complained  of 
having  !•.  .-n  .iHlicte.1  with  the  slightest  giddiness  or  sense  of  personal  anxiety  from  their  exposure  to  a  situation 
which,  in  the  commencement  at  least,  must  have  been  equully  unusual  to  them  all. 

From  tho  earliest  ages  of  the  art,  and  even  still  (though  owing  to  its  more  extended  practice,  in  a  lew 
degree),  this  peculiar  exemption  has  ever  formed  one  of  tho  sources  from  which  the  practical  aeronaut  has  drawn 
most  largely  for  his  credit  and  estimation  in  the  eyes  of  the  unitiated  and  admiring  public.  And,  indeed,  where 
the  real  state  of  the  case  was  confined  to  the  bosoms  of  tho  few,  and  the  world  remained  in  ignorance  of  the  fact 
that  the  sit  nation  in  question  was  as  perfectly  exempt  from  all  the  causes,  as  it  is  from  the  effects  of  those 
sensations  in  apparently  similar  oases  BO  alarmingly  experienced,  it  is  no  wonder  that  men  should  vinit  with  an 
extra  degree  of  admiration  those  who  wore  supposed  exclusively  to  have  had  the  courage  to  defy  and  the  fortitude 
to  resist  the  assaults  of  feelings  which,  in  their  real  presence,  prove  superior  to  every  exertion  of  human  nature, 
and.  unless  when  conquered  by  long  habituation,  subdue  alike  the  poweiful  and  the  weak.  A  very  pardonable 
desire  to  make  the  most  of  such  a  peculiarity,  has  accordingly  induced  many  aeronauts  to  make  their  ascents  under 
circumstances  of  exposure  particularly  calculated  to  enhance  the  apparent  dangers  of  the  case  and  afford  room  for 
the  exercise  of  such  apprehensions  in  their  fullest  force,  were  they  at  all  capable  of  being  felt  in  such  situations. 
One  of  those,  a  French  aeronaut,  M.  Mosment,  was  in  the  frequent  habit  of  ascending  upon  a  simple  platform, 
entirely  devoid  of  any  defensive  apparatus  whatever — a  practice  in  which  he  has  been  followed  by  many  others, 
though  happily  fur  themselves,  without  experiencing  so  unfortunate  a  conclusion. 

•  •••  •  ••• 

Why  the  elevation  to  so  unwonted  an  excess  by  means  of  the  balloon  should  not  be  attended  with,  to  say 
the  least,  an  equal  degree  of  giddiness  to  that  experienced  when  standing  upon  an  eminence  on  the  immediate 
surface  of  the  earth  is  a  circumstance  which  has  been  much  canvassed  and  variously  accounted  for.  By 
the  majority  of  those  who  have  considered  the  matter,  this  singular  privilege  has  been  supposed  to  be  owing  to  the 
want  of  a  visible  connexion  between  the  earth  and  the  balloon,  whereby  the  eye  is  precluded  from  measuring 
mechanically,  and  the  judgment  from  painfully  criticising  the  altitude  to  which  the  individual  has  been  rained. 
That  the  want  of  a  connexion  is  the  agent  by  which  the  result  in  question  has  been  wrought,  I  have  no  doubt ;  as 
this,  in  fact,  is  the  only  characteristic  distinction  between  the  two  situations ;  but  that  the  mode  in  which  it  is  said 
to  operate  is  not  the  true  one  is  pretty  evident  from  the  fact,  that  there  are  many  situations  which  observe 
the  same  condition  of  a  want  of  visible  connexion  with  the  earth,  where  the  sensations  in  question  are 
nevertheless  found  to  prevail  with  unmitigated  severity ;  as,  for  instance,  in  standing  upon  the  summit  of  the 
monument  of  London,  from  whence  all  view  of  the  pillar  itself  is  excluded  by  the  peculiar  projection  of  the 
parapet;  while  on  the  other  hand,  situations  fraught  with  an  equal  degree  of  apparent  danger  abound,  in 
which  the  connexion  in  question  is  amply  discernible,  without  in  the  least  contributing  to  excite  a  sentiment 
of  his  danger  in  the  mind  of  the  individual  exposed  to  it ;  as,  for  example,  when  he  stands  upon  a  narrow  plank,  or 
bridge,  firmly  extended  between  two  perpendicular  eminences,  like  that  generally  known  as  the  "  Pont  du 
Diablo,"  in  Switzerland,  and  from  which  all  apprehension  of  falling  over  has  been  removed  by  the  presence 
of  a  sufficient  protection  in  the  form  of  a  balustrade,  or  breastwork.* 

From   these  examples,  then,  we  clearly  ascertain   that   the  mere  absence   of  a   visible  connexion  is  no 


•  Another  pm»f  of  ill. •  influ.-ii f  thecnmliiii ,„  ,,f  n,,.  fulcrum  in  I  there  ii  no  question  that,  however  convinced  of  its  security  by  an 

modifying  the  sensations  in  qucntkin.     The  tranquillity  i  \|»  ri. nc«l      examination  of  the  nature  of  the  material,  and  it«  construction,  the 
in  the  above  situation  u  mi-rely  owing  to  the  satisfaction  in  that      full  force  of  the  sensations  in  question  would  l>c  experienced,  in 


respect  which  the  support  of  th«-  l.ri'!:."-  at  l».th  i-ndt  i.i  ealeiil:iti<l 
to  afford.     Were  the  bridge  a  proj.  etimi  Mi|i|«>rte<l  ut  ..n.  .  1,4  only. 


despite  of  the  sense  of  protection  which  the  Iwluxtradu  is  otherwise 
competent  to  produce. 

:;  »  2 


366  ASTKA  CASTKA.  CHAP.  X. 

more  available  to  prevent,  than  its  presence  is  to  occasion,  the  production  of  the  sensations  alluded  to,  in 
circumstances  otherwise  calculated  to  encourage  or  suppress  them.  But  the  truth  is,  that  the  mental  process 
of  comparison,  to  the  want  of  which  the  aeronaut  is  supposed  to  be  indebted  for  his  especial  freedom  from 
personal  alarm,  can  have  really  little  or  nothing  to  do  with  the  condition  of  his  case  in  that  particular.  It 
is  not,  by  any  means,  in  proportion  to  his  elevation  that  the  sensations  in  question  display  themselves;  nor 
indeed  beyond  a  certain  point  does  it  seem  to  operate  at  all :  the  same  impressions  being  consequent  upon  a 
station  on  the  top  of  an  ordinary  house  of  five  stories,  and  one  upon  the  summit  of  the  cupola  of  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral,  so  far  at  least  as  the  question  of  altitude  is  concerned.  All  that  is  required  is,  that  the  distance 
be  such  as  to  satisfy  the  mind  that  vital  injury  would  accrue  from  the  fall  were  it  to  occur.  Now  that 
knowledge  it  obtains  without  the  aid  of  any  visible  communication  with  the  earth;  consequently  it  could 
never  owe  its  exemption  from  the  sensation  in  question  to  the  want  of  a  condition,  of  which  if  it  were 
present  it  would  never  have  availed  itself. 

The  process,  therefore,  by  means  of  which  the  deficiency  of  connexion  in  the  case  before  us  conduces 
to  the  admitted  result,  is  unquestionably  different,  and  the  difference  I  take  to  consist  in  the  light  in  which 
it  disposes  the  mind  to  regard  the  security  of  the  sustaining  power.  In  all  situations  in  which  grounds  of 
apprehension  exist,  and  the  apprehensions  themselves  ensue,  a  sense  of  personal  insecurity  may  be  decidedly 
affirmed  to  be  the  mainspring  of  their  existence,  the  point  upon  which  they  hinge,  and  by  which,  in  their 
continuance  and  amount,  they  are  entirely  and  involuntarily  determined.  Now  as  there  are  but  two  casualties 
by  which  the  personal  safety  of  the  individual  so  circumstanced  can  be  compromised,  namely,  the  loss  of 
his  equilibrium,  and  the  precipitation  by  his  weight  of  the  fulcrum  on  which  he  relies,  it  is  clearly  to  the 
involuntary  dread  of  one  or  other  of  these  two  events,  or  the  combined  agency  of  them  both,  that  the 
sensations  themselves  are  to  be  ascribed,  and  of  the  nature  of  which,  in  quality  and  amount,  they  may  be 
said  in  a  manner  to  partake.  Both  these  causes  of  alarm,  however,  are  perfectly  distinct,  and,  like  the 
sensations  to  which  they  give  rise,  capable  of  acting  either  separately  or  in  concert,  according  as  the  par- 
ticular circumstances  of  the  case  may  incline.  How  completely  the  exemption  from  any  grounds  of  alarm  on 
the  score  of  the  latter  of  these  (the  apprehended  instability  of  the  sustaining  power)  is  inadequate  to  save 
the  individual  from  experiencing  the  full  force  of  the  impressions  in  question,  while  his  condition  with  regard 
to  the  former  (the  insecurity  of  his  equilibrium)  is  such  as  to  give  sufficient  cause  for  their  presence,  it  is 
unnecessary  to  demonstrate,  both  because  the  position  is  sufficiently  evident  without  it,  and  also  because  the 
argument  to  which  it  tends  is  not  needed  in  the  illustration  of  the  present  question. 

That  the  security  of  the  individual,  in  respect  of  the  retention  of  his  equilibrium,  is  no  bar  to  the  prevalence  of 
the  sensations  in  their  fullest  force,  whenever  the  situation  in  other  respects  is  qualified  to  call  them  into  action,  is, 
however,  more  to  our  present  purpose,  and  though  perhaps  not  so  generally  admitted,  not  the  less  true ;  as  may  be 
proved  by  any  one  standing  upon  the  brink  of  some  parapeted  eminence,  the  whispering-gallery  of  St.  Paul's, 
or  any  other  situation  alike  precipitous  and  yet  protected  from  the  danger  of  falling  over;  or  when,  extended 
at  full  length,  he  endeavours  to  peer  over  the  edge  of  some  steep  declivity ;  all  positions  from  which  the 
possibility  of  losing  the  equilibrium  is  removed,  and  the  apprehensions  of  insecurity  completely  transferred 
from  the  individual  himself  to  the  fulcrum  upon  which  he  rests.  From  the  consideration  of  these  facts,  taken 
in  conjunction  with  the  numerous  examples  we  have  already  detailed,  wherein  even  the  ordinary  defences 
of  the  art  have  been  with  perfect  impunity  dispensed  with,  we  ascertain  one  important  point  in  the  train 
of  our  investigation,  viz.,  that  it  is  not  to  the  peculiar  construction  of  his  vehicle,  and  the  protection  it  is 
calculated  to  afford  against  the  dangers  of  falling  out,  that  is  in  any  way  to  be  ascribed  the  remarkable 
freedom  of  the  aeronaut  from  the  rigour  of  those  impressions  to  which  his  situation  in  other  respects  one  would  be 
disposed  to  imagine  above  all  others  especially  liable.  Indeed,  the  share  which  his  advantages  in  that  par- 
ticular can  have  in  determining  the  singular  tranquillity  of  his  mind  could  never  be  of  any  very  great  importance  ; 
inasmuch  as,  after  all,  the  danger  arising  from  this  quarter  is  but  of  a  minor  note,  compared  with  that 
occasioned  by  the  insecurity  of  the  sustaining  power.  The  one  is  to  a  certain  extent  dependent  upon  the 
individual  himself,  and  may  be  overcome  by  strong  exertion,  long  habit,  and  particular  constitution ;  the  other 
is  a  casualty  entirely  beyond  his  control,  against  which  no  exertion  of  his  own  is  available  to  protect,  and 
to  which  no  habitation,  however  extensive,  can  in  the  least  reconcile  or  inure  him. 

Were  there  grounds  for  apprehension,  therefore,  in  any  way  imputable  to  the  condition  of  his  sustaining 


.  TRANQUILLITY  or  MIND.  :!«;7 

v,  it  is  clear  that  the  circumstance  of  his  situation  in  other  respects  would  never  have  been  available  to  their 
suppression ;  a  satisfactory  evidence,  therefore,  that  none  such  at  all  exist.  To  what,  then,  are  we  to  ascribe 
the  singular  exception  to  the  usual  rule,  in  favour  of  tho  power  by  which  the  aeronaut  is  uphold?  or  in 
what  manner  does  the  want  of  connexion,  which  is  its  only  peculiarity,  contribute  to  the  establishment  of 
that  immunity  which  it  pre-eminently  confers  above  all  other  .situations  to  which  any  shadow  of  danger  is  at  all 
attributable  I  Sinijily  by  the  manner  in  which  it  removes  from  tho  mind  all  tho  ordinary  causes  of  ahum, 
and  disposes  it  to  admit  without  hesitation  the  assumption  of  its  complete  security. 

As  long  as  the  circumstances  upon  which  tho  fate  of  an  individual  depends,  are  such  as  to  awaken  in 
his  mind  a  doubt  of  their  competency,  a  tranquil  sufferance  of  his  condition  is  entirely  out  of  the  question.  The 
influence  of  uncertainty,  at  all  times  in  cases  of  personal  alarm,  more  painfully  insupportable  than  the  actual 
presence  of  the  thing  apprehended  itself,  is  nowhere  more  strongly  manifested  than  in  situations  of  the  nature  of 
those  at  present  under  consideration.  Tho  bare  suspicion,  that  the  fulcrum  upon  which  he  relies  is  about 
to  break  away  and  fall  from  under  him,  when  onco  rained  in  his  mind,  is  an  idea  BO  replete  with  horror  that 
nothing  short  of  absolute  conviction,  acquired  through  the  evidence  of  his  own  senses,  is  capable  of  producing 
confidence  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  bear  his  situation  with  anything  like  equanimity  or  satisfaction.  It  is  of  no 
avail  to  the  pacification  of  his  fears  that  any  one  should  remind  him  that  tho  brow  of  the  eminence  upon  which  he 
stands  in  fear  and  trembling  has  borne  tho  brunt  of  ages  and  the  weight  of  hundreds,  or  that  (lie  lofty  column 
from  l-ehind  whose  guarded  battlement  he  can  scarcely  persuade  himself  to  look  forth  is  really  secure,  and  that  its 
perpendicularity,  from  which  it  appears  to  him  to  be  in  tho  very  act  of  inclining,  is  a  condition  much  too  stable  to 
be  cancelled  by  the  weight  of  a  single  individual ;  so  long  as  his  senses  continue  to  indicate  a  possibility  of 
the  occurrence  of  what  he  dreads,  the  assurance,  nay,  tho  knowledge  of  its  improbability  is  quite  insufficient 
to  neutralise  their  evidence  and  overpower  their  suggestions.  Indeed,  the  process  of  reasoning  is  an  undertaking 
far  too  elaborate  for  the  occasion,  even  were  the  individual  disposed  to  encourage  it.  In  situations  of  such 
impending  physical  peril,  tho  mind  has  neither  time  nor  calmness  sufficient  to  enter  into  a  calculation  of  chances, 
or  to  balance  the  arguments  in  favour  of  destruction  and  those  against  it,  with  a  viow  to  being  guided  by 
tho  result.  The  consequences  of  the  conclusion  are  much  too  important,  and  if  unfavourable,  far  too  terrible,  to 
bo  weighed  for  an  instant ;  and  tho  mind  at  onco  rejects  with  horror  any  attempt  to  reconcile  it  to  a  situation 
which  allows  of  tho  chance  of  an  issue  fraught  with  such  irreparable  mischief,  and  teeming  with  distress  even 
in  the  very  thought.  From  all  these  painful  impressions  nothing  but  a  conviction  of  his  security  can  ever 
entirely  relieve  him ;  a  conviction  obtainable  only  through  the  exercise  of  his  powers  of  sight.  Any  tendency 
towards  cwuxalment  on  the  part  of  the  power  by  which  he  is  sustained,  operates  to  an  enhancement  of  his  anxiety. 
not  only  from  the  natural  impulse  of  the  mind,  which  wo  have  before  noticed,  to  magnify  the  terrors  of 
the  "unseen,"  but  also  from  a  consideration  of  the  fact  that  any  difficulty  in  the  way  of  the  inspection  is 
itself  a  proof  that  the  construction  of  the  fulcrum  is  of  a  nature  to  realise  his  worst  expectations.  The 
approximation  to  overhang  tho  base,  the  ruggedness  or  irregularity  of  the  declivity,  circumstances  on  which 
its  stability  is  principally  dependent,  are  conditions  in  fact  not  only  cognizable  to  tho  sight  alone,  but  indicative 
by  the  facility  with  which  they  are  submitted  to  its  notice,  of  the  actual  state  of  the  support  itself  in  those 
particulars. 

The  exclusion  from  his  view  may,  in  fact,  bo  taken  as  the  measure  of  the  insecurity  of  the  individual 
and  the  arbiter  of  his  fears.  In  proportion  as  the  fulcrum  approaches  a  state  in  which  actual  peril  must  be 
incurred  in  the  investigation,  the  mind  becomes  afflicted  with  the  sentiments  of  its  danger;  as  soon  as  it  has 
reached  a  point  in  which  the  precipitousness  of  it.-*  inclination  has  totally  excluded  it  from  tho  sight  of  the 
individual  standing  above,  the  stability  of  his  position  ceases  to  be  altogether  dependent  upon  its  form,  and 
becomes  a  question  of  consistency  in  the  material  of  which  it  is  constructed,  \\ith  such  a  condition  annexed,  the 
fears  of  the  individual  assume  a  darker  shade,  and,  under  the  double  influence  of  real  and  apprehended  danger, 
amount  to  a  paroxysm  of  agony  which  nothing  but  the  certainty  that  the  connexion  in  question  has  no  share  in 
his  support  can  either  obliterate  or  appease.  To  that  certainty  tho  absolute  knowledge  that  no  such  connexion 
exists  is  alone  sufficient.  It  is  not  enough  that  tho  continuity  of  the  fulcrum  be  abstracted  from  hi.-  view  :  it  must 
cease  altogether  to  exist,  and  the  mind  must  be  aware  of  it,  through  tho  intervention  of  the  senses.  In  short,  it  is 
not  the  want  <>f  a  nVi'M«  coi,nf.rion,  but  the  >  /xi7»fe  want  of  a  connexion  upon  which  the  tranquillity  of  tin-  mind 
is  entirely  dependent;  a  condition  in  which  the  aeronaut  in  his  car  is  alone  enabled  to  participate.  Relying 


368  ASTKA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

entirely  upon  another  quarter,  he  neither  sees  nor  looks  for  a  support,  the  insecurity  of  which  he  has  reason 
to  apprehend.  The  power  by  which  he  has  been  raised  is  all  that  he  has  to  look  to,  and  that  unhesitatingly  the 
mind  admits  to  be  all-sufficient  for  the  purpose.  Were  but  a  pillar  to  connect  him  with  the  earth,  or  a  rope 
to  hang  down,  of  sufficient  magnitude  to  destroy  these  impressions  by  substituting  a  suspicion  that  they  were  the 
real  means  by  which  the  equilibrium  of  the  machine  was  maintained,  giddiness  and  all  the  train  of  attendant 
symptoms  would,  I  have  no  doubt,  be  the  immediate  consequence. 

As  the  aeronaut  increases  his  distance  from  the  earth,  new  circumstances  arise  to  give  birth  to  new  relations, 
and  call  forth  new  sentiments  of  admiration  and  enjoyment.  From  regarding  the  altered  aspect  of  the  regions  he 
has  just  quitted,  his  attention  becomes  forcibly  directed  to  the  condition  and  peculiarities  of  that  into  which  he  is 
now,  for  the  first  time,  perhaps,  about  to  intrude  himself.  The  clouds  which  he  before  beheld  towering  above  his 
head,  now  begin  to  gather  around  and  beneath  him,  and,  mingling  with  the  various  features  of  the  scene,  serve  to 
diversify  and  adorn  a  prospect,  whose  chief  characteristics  are  otherwise  but  sublime  vacuity  and  unfurnished 
greatness. 

With  respect  to  the  intervention  of  these  bodies,  however,  the  particular  epochs  at  which  they  make  their 
appearance,  and  the  influence  which  they  are  capable  of  exerting  upon  the  surrounding  world,  it  is  impossible  to 
affirm  anything  with  certainty.  The  circumstances  upon  which  they  depend,  and  by  which  they  are  entirely 
modified,  the  influence  of  the  weather,  the  condition  of  the  atmosphere,  the  times  and  seasons  of  the  year, 
the  nature  of  the  country,  the  very  hours  of  the  day,  are  matters  too  indeterminate  to  allow  us  to  involve  them  in 
any  general  illustration  of  the  career  of  the  aerial  voyager.  Occasionally,  for  instance,  clouds  lie  so  low  that,  ere 
the  balloon  can  be  distinctly  ascertained  to  have  entirely  quitted  the  earth,  she  has  been  received  within 
their  limits,  and  become  entirely  enveloped  in  their  watery  folds.  Sometimes,  on  the  other  hand,  these  objects 
are  disposed  at  such  a  height,  that  the  balloon  either  never  comes  into  contact  with  them  at  all,  or  if  perchance 
she  should  have  penetrated  through  one  layer,  continues  to  behold  another,  occupying  a  still  remoter  region  of  the 
skies  above.  At  times  again,  these  variable  bodies  are  merely  partial,  affecting  but  a  small  portion  of  the  aerial 
prospect,  and  arranged  in  different  masses  at  different  levels,  or  different  stations  upon  the  same  level — a 
disposition  I  conceive  the  most  favourable  to  the  views  of  the  aeronaut,  as  affording  the  best  opportunity  for  that 
mingled  display  of  earth  and  heaven  which  constitutes  the  chiefest  source  of  his  enjoyment ;  while,  lastly,  it  will 
frequently  occur  that  the  whole  face  of  the  heavens  is  so  completely  overspread  with  clouds,  that  from  the 
moment  the  aeronaut  has  once  infringed  upon  their  limits,  until  the  actual  conclusion  of  his  career,  earth 
and  everything  that  partakes  of  it  becomes  entirely  excluded  from  his  view.  Of  this  nature  was  an  ascent  I  once 
experienced,  and  of  which  I  attempted  to  give  an  account  in  a  letter  published  in  the  '  Times '  newspaper,  October 
21,  1836.  To  this  letter  I  beg  to  refer  the  reader  as  containing  the  best  illustration  I  am  able  to  afford  of  the 
inference  of  these  bodies,  and  of  the  particular  effects  and  impressions  to  which  they  are  calculated  to  give  rise. 

From  the  great  variety  of  which  they  are  susceptible,  it  is  therefore  pretty  clear  that  very  little  can,  even 
by  the  aeronaut  himself,  be  affirmed  with  any  degree  of  certainty  as  to  the  particular  effects  which  the  cloud 
creation  is  likely  to  produce  upon  his  voyage,  before  the  actual  moment  of  its  execution.  One  piece  of  information, 
however,  of  rather  a  curious  nature,  a  previous  consideration  of  the  state  of  the  elements,  under  certain  circum- 
stances, enables  him  to  deduce ;  I  mean  with  regard  to  the  condition  of  the  firmament  above,  at  a  time  when, 
owing  to  its  complete  investiture  with  clouds,  all  view  of  that  portion  of  the  ethereal  hemisphere  is  effectually 
suspended. 

This  information  is  founded  upon  observation,  and  is  an  inference  from  the  state  of  the  weather  at  the  time 
with  respect  to  the  presence  or  absence  of  rain ;  as  far  as  it  goes  it  may  be  relied  upon  as  perfectly  established ; 
to  a  degree  of  correctness,  indeed,  that  few  meteorological  facts  are  capable  of  attaining.  To  reduce  it  to  a  general 
rule,  therefore,  it  may  be  asserted  that,  "whenever  a  fall  of  rain  should  happen  to  be  present  under  circumstances 
like  those  detailed  above  (namely,  where  the  sky  is  entirely  overcast  with  clouds),  there  will  be  invariably  found 
to  exist  another  stratum  of  the  same  bodies  at  a  certain  elevation  above  the  former;"  and  on  the  contrary, 
"  whenever,  with  the  same  apparent  condition  of  the  sky,  rain  is  altogether  or  generally  absent,  the  aeronaut,  upon 
traversing  the  canopy  immediately  above  him,  may  infallibly  calculate  upon  entering  into  an  upper  hemisphere, 
either  perfectly  cloudless,  or  so  far  destitute  of  such  bodies  as  not  much  to  interfere  with  the  general  character 
here  bestowed  upon  it."  This  observation,  which,  independent  of  its  value  in  other  respects,  is  an  addition  to  the 
stock  of  the  meteorologist  which  he  could  never  have  obtained  without  the  co-operation  of  the  aeronaut,  may  be 


rim-,  x.  Tin:  <  i"i  DS  MO 

r. -Hi 'd  MIV..H  ;  it  has  been  continued  l.y  tho  ezperienoe  of  Mr.  Green,  throughout  a  oouno  of  nearly  two  hundred 
and  fifty  ascents,  and  corroborated  by  that  of  various  other  aeronauts,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  with  whom  I  have 
••reed  upon  tho  subject*  If  the  invariable  coexistence  of  two  circumstances  can  at  all  be  received  as  a  proof 
<>f  their  rel.itii>n~lii]>  together,  as  cause  and  effect,  the  share  which  the  temperature  has  in  determining  the 
condition  of  the  clouds  with  respect  to  the  discharge  of  their  aqueous  contents  may  bo  unequivocally  inferred, 
and  the  above  phenomena,  upon  such  grounds,  easily  explained. 

To  return  from  this  digression  :  Varied  as  are  the  positions  of  the  clouds,  and  tho  forms  under  which  they 
present  themselves,  the  station  which  they  occupy  in  tho  realms  of  space  is  confined  enough,  and,  comparatively 
speaking,  but  littlo  removed  above  the  immediate  surface  of  the  earth  itself.  As  a  general  rule,  the  natural  region 
of  tin-  eloiids  may  be  stated  to  be  a  stratum  of  the  atmosphere,  lying  between  the  level  of  the  first  thousand  feet 
and  that  of  one  removed  about  ten  thousand  feet  above  it.  Not  but  that  occasionally  clouds  may  be  found  that 
trespass  very  considerably  on  both  aides  of  the  bounds  here  assigned  to  them ;  sometimes  penetrating  in  wreaths 
<>f  mist  to  the  depths  of  the  lowest  valleys,  while,  on  the  <  'her  hand,  long  after  the  aeronaut  has  passed  the  upper 
level  of  these  fancied  limits,  some  faint  indications  of  their  existence  may  still  be  seen,  partially  obscuring  the  dark 
Mne  vault  above  him;  such  excesses,  however,  are  by  no  means  frequent,  and  ma}*,  in  fact,  rather  bo  considered 
in  the  light  of  exceptions  to  a  rule  than  as  evidences  tending  to  impugn  its  general  correctness. 

It  is  certainly  not  to  any  inability  in  the  medium  itself  to  support  them  at  higher  elevations  that  is  to 
be  attributed  this  restriction  of  the  presence  of  the  cloud  creation  to  the  inferior  regions  of  the  sky ;  for  where  the 

ait.  with  all  his  solid  machinery  and  ponderous  appurtenances,  can  penetrate  and  abide,  assuredly  there  must 
be  ample  means  of  support  fur  bodies  which,  by  their  unlimited  powers  of  extension,  can  assume  almost  any 
degree  of  specific  gravity,  and,  as  it  were,  adapt  themselves  at  command  to  media  of  almost  every  imaginable 
degree  of  tenuity.  Rather  to  circumstances  connected  with  their  original  formation, — the  distance  from  the  source 
from  which  they  are  drawn,  the  want  of  that  degree  of  temperature  necessary  to  determine  their  existence 
as  vapour,  perhaps  also  certain  electrical  conditions  in  the  atmosphere  affecting  their  dispositions  to  unite  in  the 
form  of  rain  ;  to  these  and  other  circumstances,  unfavourable  to  their  generation  rather  than  to  their  support,  should 
perhaps  be  ascribed  the  confinement  of  clouds  within  such  narrow  limits,  and  the  absence  from  the  upper  regions 
of  the  sky  of  all  those  volatile  bodies  which  wo,  in  respect  of  our  own  more  humble  stations,  are  wont  to  consider 
as  the  emblems  of  ethereal  pre-eminence  and  the  types  of  all  that  in  remote,  lofty,  and  sublime. 

The  simple  circumstance  of  their  comparative  elevation,  however,  is  capable  of  exerting  but  little  influence 
upon  the  prospect  of  the  aerial  voyager,  unless,  indeed,  he  is  contented  to  confine  himself  to  the  mere  threshold 
of  the  element  he  proposes  to  survey ;  his  increasing  altitude  very  soon  places  him  in  a  situation  from  whence  all 
things  appear  equally  depressed,  and  from  which  indeed  he  could  with  difficulty  ascertain,  by  the  mere  aid  of  his 
sight,  whether  the  clouds  he  is  observing  are  really  reposing  upon  the  surface  of  the  earth  or  seated  at  an  elevation 
of  several  thousand  feet  above  it. 

Should  the  condition  of  the  sky  now  prove  to  be  of  the  nature  of  that  alluded  to, — where,  for  instance,  a 
dense  layer  of  clouds  completely  intercepts  all  view  of  the  earth,  the  aeronaut  will  probably  have  an  opportunity 
of  observing  another  phenomenon  connected  with  the  disposition  of  the  vapoury  strata, — the  beautiful  manner  in 
which,  even  when  under  the  influence  of  rapid  motion,  they  seem  to  accommodate  themselves  to  all  the  variations 
of  form  in  the  surface  of  the  adjacent  soil,  rising  with  its  prominences  and  sinking  with  its  depressions; 
displaying,  in  short,  a  "counteifeit  presentment"  of  the  country  over  whieh  they-fey,  and  enabling  the  spectator 


Two  most  remarkable  instances  confirmative  of  the  truth  of 
tliU  observation  occurred  at  the  close  of  1836.  On  W  ednewlay, 
the  12th  of  October,  an  asront  of  the  large  balloon  took  place  from 


still  further  cleTBtion;  which  accordingly  proved  to  be  the  cast. 
On  the  subsequent  occasion  of  the  aacent  of  the  same  balloon,  the 
following  Mimiiny  OrtnK  r  the  17th),  iin  exactly  similar  condition 


ih>-  Vnuxhull  Garden*,  under  the  eireiimstances  comprised  in  the    I   of  the  atmosphere,  with  respect  to  clouds,  prevailed,  unaccompanied, 
former  illustration.    The  sky  was  completely  overspread  with  clouds,      however,  with  the  slightest  appearance  of  rain.     No  sooner  hud 


and  torrents  of  ruin  fell  incessantly  during  the  whole  of  the  day. 
Upon  ()iiittin^  the  eurth  the  Ixilloon  wag  almost  immediately  enve- 
loped in  the  clouds,  through  whieh  it  mntiniiid  t.i  »..tk  iU  way 
upwards  for  a  few  second*.  Upon  emerging  at  the  other  side  of 


the  balloon  passed  the  layer  of  clouds  immediately  above  the  sur- 
faoe  of  the  earth,  than,   as  was  anticipated,  not  a  HUL-I.    rlmid  wa« 


to  be  found  in  the  firmament  l»-r»i»l  ;  an  uiiln»ki  n  expanse  of  clear 
blue  sky  everywhere  einl.raein^   the   frothy  plain  that  romp: 


use  canopy,  a  vacant  space  of  some  thousand  feet  in  breadth  intercepted  all  view  of  the  world  beneath.  '  The  elo«e  (H'.-urrence  of 

intervened,  »bove  which  lay  another  stratum  of  a  similar  for md  these  two  cases,  and  the  very  striking  c-X|x»ition  tin  y  afforded,  were, 

observing  a  similar  char  ii  .•  ruin,  however,  still  continu<il  in  fact,  the  eir. -instances  whieh   first  drew  my   attention  towards 

to  pour  from  this  second  layer  of  el.,n.U,  to  preserve  thi rr.  •  men  tho  phenomena  in  question,  ai,.l  1,  ,1  to  the  adoption  of  the  inference 

of  the  observation,  a  third  layer  should  by  right  have  existed  at  a  of  a  mutual  .1. •)» -iitk-i,  them. 


370  ASTKA  CASTEA.  CHAP.  X. 

to  form,  as  it  were,  a  sort  of  phrenological  estimate  of  the  character  and  disposition  of  the  material  world  within. 
Indeed,  I  have  heard  Mr.  Green  declare  that,  with  the  bird's-eye  knowledge  of  the  country  his  long  experience 
has  conferred  upon  him,  he  has  frequently  heen  able  to  determine  beforehand  the  district  into  which  ho  was  about 
to  descend,  at  times  when,  from  the  general  concealment  of  the  landscape,  such  information  must  have  been 
otherwise  altogether  unattainable. 

The  most  favourable  arrangement,  however,  for  the  views  of  the  aeronaut  who  feels  an  interest  and  a 
gratification  in  the  study  of  the  picturesque,  is  decidedly  that  in  which  the  clouds,  from  their  broken  and 
disconnected  nature,  spread  at  unequal  intervals  throughout  the  empty  space  of  air,  admit  occasional  glimpses  of 
the  earth  in  different  directions,  and  passing  gradually  over  its  surface,  in  succession  reveal  an  ever-varying 
prospect,  to  the  constitution  of  which  heaven  and  earth  so  equally  contribute  that  it  is  difficult  to  determine  to 
which  to  award  the  palm.  Such  scenes,  however,  are  not  for  the  pen,  scarcely  even  for  the  pencil :  for  who 
by  signs  can  hope  to  justify  a  prospect  which  is  much  less  dependent  for  its  effect  upon  the  materials  of  which  it 
is  composed  than  the  manner  in  which  they  are  examined — upon  its  own  attractions  than  sentiments  pre-existing 
in  the  mind  of  the  person  by  whom  they  are  enjoyed? 

But  see  !  the  balloon  has  already  passed  the  limits  we  have  assigned  to  these  "hoary  riders  of  the  blast," 
and  is  now  rapidly  pursuing  her  course  into  realms  hitherto  unknown  to  man,  even  on  the  summits  of  the  highest 
mountains  accessible  to  his  exertions.  Here  then  let  us  pause  for  a  moment  to  take  a  hasty  glance  at  the  nature 
and  condition  of  the  scene  around,  and  the  sentiments  and  impressions  it  is  naturally  calculated  to  produce  upon 
the  mind  of  the  aerial  beholder. 

With  less  numerous  subjects  for  the  exercise  of  his  senses,  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  these,  the  remoter 
districts  of  the  ethereal  domain,  are  by  any  means  deficient  in  grounds  for  enjoyment  even  of  the  very  highest 
order.  It  is  true  here  are  none  of  the  usual  combinations  of  form  and  colour  which  give  such  zest  and  variety  to 
the  terrestrial  landscape ;  none  of  those  delightful  sounds  which,  pervading  the  whole  habitable  world,  maintain 
the  idea  of  animation  even  in  the  veriest  desei-t ;  none  of  those  fragrant  exhalations  by  which — as  it  were,  the 
music  of  the  vegetable  world — every  tree  and  flower  gives  vent  to  its  own  particular  sentiments.  These,  it 
is  true,  there  are  none  of;  but  even  in  their  very  absence,  the  aeronaut  finds  a  source  of  gratification,  more  intense, 
at  any  rate,  if  not  more  interesting,  than  any  with  which  their  presence  could  have '  supplied  him.  Undisturbed 
by  the  interference  of  ordinary  impressions,  his  mind  more  readily  admits  the  influence  of  those  sublime  ideas  of 
extension  and  space  which,  in  virtue  of  his  exalted  station,  he  is  supremely  and  solely  calculated  to  enjoy.  Looking 
out  from  his  lofty  car  in  every  direction  save  one,  and  that,  one  from  which  similar  sentiments  never  before 
proceeded,  a  boundless  blank  encounters  his  gaze,  unbroken,  except,  perhaps,  by  bodies  whose  thin  aerial  forms 
and  fleeting  aspect  constitute  them  sole  fitting  occupants  of  such  domains.  Above  and  all  around  him  extends  a 
firmament  dyed  in  purple  of  the  intensest  hue,  and,  from  the  apparent  regularity  of  the  horizontal  plane  on  which 
it  rests,  bearing  the  resemblance  of  a  large  inverted  bowl  of  dark  blue  porcelain,  standing  upon  a  rich  mosaic  floor 
or  tesselated  pavement.  In  the  zenith  of  this  mighty  hemisphere,  floating  in  solitary  magnificence — unconnected 
with  the  material  world  by  any  visible  tie — alone — and  to  all  appearance  motionless— hangs  the  buoyant  mass  by 
which  he  is  upheld.  The  world  he  has  quitted,  and  that  towards  which  he  tends,  seems  to  his  fancy  almost 
equally  remote ;  and,  as  he  endeavours  to  scan  the  empty  vault  that  divides  him  from  the  earth,  he  involuntarily 
imbibes  a  sentiment  of  immense  vacuity,  which  no  other  situation  and  no  other  scene  is  capable  of  communicating. 
It  is  not  that  the  interval  through  which  his  eye  has  to  travel  in  reaching  the  ultimate  scope  of  its  views  is  really 
so  vast:  for  what,  after  all,  are  the  few  thousands  that  constitute  the  utmost  elevation  of  the  aeronaut,  compared 
with  the  countless  myriads  that  separate  him  from  the  nearest  visible  object  of  the  external  universe,  and  which, 
stretching  for  ever  above  his  head,  lie  ready  at  all  times  to  meet  his  eye  whenever  he  pleases  to  direct  it  thither  ? 
It  is  not,  therefore,  in  the  mere  amount  of  intervening  space  itself  that  consists  the  peculiar  force  of  his  impres,- 
ions,  but  that,  bounded  to  a  certain  extent  by  known  and  recognised  limits,  in  the  effects  produced  upon  them 
by  distance,  he  has  a  measure  for  its  magnitude  to  which  the  mind  is  enabled  to  refer.  From  such  a  resource  he 
is  entirely  precluded  who  seeks  to  fathom  with  his  eye  the  boundless  abyss  of  infinite  extension ;  no  appreciable 
object  there  appears  to  intercept  his  view,  or  regulate  his  judgment ;  he  sees  nothing,  and  seeing  nothing  can 
assuredly  form,  no  definite  conception  of  how  much  it  is  capable  of  including.  In  short,  to  form  an  estimate  of 
space  from  observations  directed  towards  the  realms  of  infinity,  requires  an  active  exertion  of  the  intellect  of  which 
all  people,  perhaps,  are  not  susceptible ;  whereas  to  the  individual  who  studies  it  thus,  as  it  were,  measured  off 


•'MAP.  X.  GRAVITATION.  371 

ti   in  ih.    mi—,  the   impression  suggests  itm-lf :   the  iiiiml  is  pattmt;  the  idea  w  presented  to  it,  and  will  not 

be  refused.     A-  to  ill.  compjir.itive  amounts,  they  signify  Lut  little  to  the  general  effect;  beyond  a  curtain  quantity 

tin'  mind  is  iiK-ajMible  of  containing,  even  if  tin-  eye  were  capable  of  convex  in:;  an  idea  of  extension.     T<i  the 

liuniiin  judgment  thus  rcstiii-ted.  tin-  i|iiiintity  which  divides  the  earth  from  the  aeronaut  at  his  greatest  elevation. 

inasmuch  us  ii  is  r,.mpieln  iisihlc.  is  fir  nn.ro  effective  tlmii  tin-  utmost  extent  ,,f  infinity  to  which  his  eye  could 

\\iili.-nt  ill.-  aid  ..1  -.11,  1,  .  \p,-diciits.     Not  ii.-tn  the  reasons  here  detailed  alone;  but  likewise  because, 

D  in  an  unwonted  direction,  un.l  ..ne  where  its  occurrence  is  generally  c..u],li.,l  with  notions  of  insecurity  and 

Loth  in.v, -liv  and  awe  combine  to  give  a  zest  to  the  sentiment,  from  which  the  extension  of  his  view  into 
another  .piaiter  is  entirely  exempted. 

riking  illnsti:iti.,n  of  the  influence  of  matter,  in  determining  the  mind  to  admit  the  full  force  of  these 
impressions,  is  afforded  in  the  contemplation  of  a  solid  body  in  the  act  of  falling  from  the  car,  while  at  a  superior 
elevation,  and  tracing  with  the  eye  its  progress  as  it  descends  towards  the  earth  . — the  silent  magnificence  of  the 
abyss  into  which  it  plunges,  the  complete  isolation  of  the  beholder,  the  apparent  infirmity  of  the  fragile  vehicle 
over  the  side  of  which  he  peers  with  impunity:  th.-n  the  sudden  force  with  which  the  body  appears  to  escape 
from  his  hand,  tut  if  violently  launched  from  a  machine,  and  the  equally  Midden  retardation  which,  after  it 
has  drop]..  •!  a  few  f.-et.  it  seems  to  have  experienced,  together  with  the  length  of  time  it  afterwards  remains  in 
si^ht.  an.]  iln-  .  ..mparative  slowness  of  tin-  changes  that  increasing  distance  operates  in  its  dimensions— -all  natural 
consequences  of  the  event  un.l.  r  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  case,  which  no  less  by  the  sympathies  they 
involve,  than  l.y  tin-  in.li.-ati.'ii--  tin  y  afford,  awaken  a  mingled  sentiment  of  sublimity  and  space  nowhere  else, 
ami  l.y  no  other  means,  to  the  like  extent  acquirable. 

Of  these  phenomena  by  which  the  fall  of  a  body  from  the  balloon  is  attended,  only  two  require  comment ; 
the  apparent  tvtai.latioii  of  itti  progress,  following  upon  so  rapid  a  commencement;  and  the  length  of  time  which, 
in  .1. -spite  of  the  onward  course  of  the  balloon,  it  continues  to  be  discernible  in  the  same  direction.  The  former  of 
these  is  an  impression  analogous  to  that  by  which  the  ascent  of  the  balloon  itself,  m  liminr,  is  accompanied,  and 
of  which  an  explanation  has  already  been  given.  It  is  unnecessary  to  do  more  here  than  to  remind  the  reader  that 

:!ect  upon  tin-  ey.  is  precisely  the  same,  whether  the  spectator  be  himself  removed  from  the  vicinity  of  the 
olject,  as  in  the  former  instance,  or  the  object  be  removed  from  the  eye  of  the  spectator,  as  in  that  at  present  under 
consideration ;  the  impression  of  unusual  rapidity,  displayed  in  the  first  full  of  the  body  from  the  car,  being,  no 
doubt,  frequently  enhanced  by  the  occurrence,  at  the  same  time,  of  a  similar  motion  in  a  contrary  direction  on  the 
part  of  the  balloon  from  which  it  is  dismissed.  The  other  phenomenon  referred  to — namely,  the  long-continued 
presence  of  the  falling  bo.ly  in  the  same  direction,  notwithstanding  the  onward  progress  of  the  balloon — is  founded 
upon  Mich  very  simple  rules  that,  to  the  scientific  reader,  no  explanation  is  requisite.  For  the  advantage  of 
others,  however,  it  may  be  as  well  to  observe  that,  by  the  immutable  laws  of  matter,  motion  once  communicated 
to  an  inanimate  body  must  ever  continue  to  influence  its  progress  in  the  original  direction  conferred  upon  it,  until 
it  has  encountered  some  other  substance  to  which  to  impart  it.  Impressed,  therefore,  with  the  motion  of 
the  balloon  at  the  time,  everything  that  quits  the  car  without  a  special  impulse  in  another  direction,  must 
continue  perpendicularly  beneath  it  until  it  reach  the  earth,  or,  mayhap,  encounter  in  its  descent  some  current  of 
air  proceeding  from  a  different  quarter,  in  the  resistance  occasioned  by  which,  its  original  motion  becomes 
gradually  dissipated  and  destroyed. 

In  the  midst  of  this  immense  vacuity,  which,  with  feeble  pen,  we  have  vainly  endeavoured  to  depict,  it  is 
not  to  be  wondered  should  a  sense  of  solitude,  to  a  degree  never  before  experienced,  form  the  predominating 
character  of  the  feelings  with  which  the  aeronaut  is,  as  it  were,  forcibly  impelled  to  regard  the  scene  around  him. 

iy  abstracted  from  all  contact  and  communion  with  the  habitable  world,  environed  and  upheld  by  an  invisible 
medium,  without  a  single  object  to  interrupt  the  drear  monotony  of  all  about  him,  nothing  can  be  more  perfect 
than  the  state  of  isolation  in  which  he  is  placed;  and,  as  he  looks  out  from  his  airy  domicile  upon  the  immense 
void  that  everywhere  surrounds  him,  and  regards  the  exiguous  spot  he  occupies  in  its  vast  enclosure,  he  is  driven 
to  acknowledge  tin-  force  of  new  impressions,  and  for  the  first  time  in  his  life  is  really,  and/<*&  alone.  To  the 
production  of  these  sensations,  no  other  situation  is  at  all  competent.  Likest  to  it,  though  still  far  removed 
from  the  compi  mi-nt  of  its  conditions,  is  that  of  a  boat  at  sea;  but  boats  never  are  at  sea,  in  the  full  sense 

of  the  word;  and  ships,  besides  the  scene  of  animation  which  they  invariably  and  inevitably  display,  have  far  too 
much  of  man  to  permit  the  existence  of  a  feeling  which  diminishes,  in  fact,  only  in  proportion  as  it  is 
participated. 

3  c 


372  ASTKA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

But  the  most  powerful  auxiliary  to  the  sense  of  solitude  peculiar  to  the  situation  of  the  aeronaut,  is  the 
extraordinary  silence  that  qualifies  the  region  of  his  new  adventure.  No  words  can,  in  truth,  sufficiently  represent 
the  remarkable  condition  of  the  skies  with  regard  to  the  absence  of  sound,  or  convey  any  just  notion  of  the  extent 
to  which  that  particular  condition  is  capable  of  affecting  the  human  organs.  Indeed,  to  describe  a  state  of  things 
depending  upon  the  negation  of  a  cause  in  such  a  manner  as  to  produce  the  idea  of  a  positive  effect,  is  at  no  time  an 
easy  task ;  when,  however,  to  the  ordinary  difficulties  arising  from  the  defects  of  language,  is  added  the  want  of 
a  proper  community  of  sentiment  between  the  parties,  little  can  be  expected  to  be  comprehended  by  a  mere 
perusal  of  phenomena  however  accurately  detailed,  and  however  correctly  accounted  for.  All,  in  fact,  that  can  be 
said  upon  the  subject  by  way  of  illustration  is,  that  here,  and  here  only,  absolute  silence  can  be  said  to  have  any 
existence  at  all.  In  every  other  situation  in  life,  on  the  summit  of  the  highest  mountain,  in  the  depth  of  the 
lowest  cavern,  in  the  desert  and  on  the  sea,  in  the  dead  of  night,  and  the  stern  repose  of  the  veriest  calm,  sound,  to 
a  certain  extent  (however  it  may  escape  our  habituated  faculties),  always  exists.  The  vicinity  of  solid  bodies,  the 
resistance  of  the  air,  the  influence  of  the  changes  of  temperature  upon  adjacent  matter, — nay,  the  very  process  of 
vegetation  itself,  are  so  many  sources  of  sound  from  which  man  is  never  entirely  free  until  the  aerial  car  has 
snatched  him  from  their  influence,  and  transported  him  to  regions  where  none  such  are  ever  to  be  found. 

Yet  is  not  the  unwonted  absence  of  the  actual  causes  of  sound  the  only  peculiarity  under  which  the  faculty 
of  hearing  is  exercised  in  the  upper  regions  of  the  atmosphere ;  for,  perhaps,  at  no  time  is  the  attention  of  the 
aeronaut  so  forcibly  impressed  with  the  singularity  of  his  situation  in  that  respect,  as  when  the  natural 
tranquillity  of  the  surrounding  medium  is  under  the  temporary  influence  of  disturbance  from  artificial  causes. 
The  contiguity  of  solid  matter  has,  in  fact,  another  task  to  perform  than  the  mere  generation  of  sound,  in  the 
modifications  to  which  it  is  incessantly  subjecting  it,  during  every  stage  of  its  continuance.  Scarcely  has  a  sound 
been  promulgated  in  ordinary  situations  than  it  is  immediately  encountered  by  a  thousand  obstacles  that  alter, 
impede,  protract,  derange,  and  qualify  its  vibrations,  and,  by  the  manner  in  which  they  interfere  with  their 
simplicity,  produce  the  same  effect  upon  their  impressions  as  the  intervention  of  the  obscurating  medium, 
already  described,  upon  the  objects  of  the  sight ;  confusing  their  outlines,  and  depriving  them  of  that  sharpness  of 
contour  and  vividness  of  character  which,  in  fact,  may  be  said  to  be  their  natural,  or  at  least  their  legitimate 
condition.  It  is  true  that  of  such  modifications  in  ordinary  circumstances  the  ear  takes  no  note.  Unconscious  of 
the  effects  of  sound  in  its  pure  and  simple  state,  it  suffers  no  particular  impression  from  the  presence  of  a  condition 
to  which  it  is  habituated,  and  from  which  it  has  never  at  any  time  been  absolutely  free  ;  nor  is  it  until  it  has  been 
transferred  to  a  situation  where  these  modifications  no  longer  exist,  that  it  becomes  aware  of  their  influence,  and 
able  to  appreciate  their  absence.  Such  is  the  advantage  which  it  enjoys  in  the  balloon,  and  such  the  restrictions 
under  which  the  sense  of  hearing  is  exercised  in  the  upper  regions  of  the  atmosphere.  There — situated  apart 
from  all  contact  or  intercourse  with  the  solid  world— no  sound  ever  reaches  the  ear  more  than  once,  or  continues 
beyond  the  natural  duration  of  its  own  primary  vibrations.  Deprived  in  a  measure  of  all  those  artificial 
asperities  by  which  it  is  usually  distinguished,  its  character  becomes  totally  altered,  and,  like  the  landscape  to  which 
we  have  before  figuratively  referred,  it  strikes  upon  the  senses  in  all  its  native  purity,  sharply,  simply,  strongly, 
and  perspicuously  delineated.  With  such  qualifications  the  casual  occurrence  of  sound  is  consequently  attended 
with  even  more  uncommon  effects  than  the  natural  stillness  of  the  surrounding  medium,  extraordinary  as  that  may  be. 
The  various  interruptions  it  occasionally  receives  from  below, — the  barking  of  dogs,  the  lowing  of  cattle, 
the  tinkling  of  the  sheep-bell,  the  exercise  of  the  different  instruments  of  the  artificer,  the  saw,  the  hammer, 
and  the  flail,  when  at  a  moderate  elevation ;  the  shot  of  the  sportsman,  the  reiterated  percussion  of  the 
fulling  and  other  mills,  the  discharge  of  artillery,  and  the  voices  of  those  beside  him,  at  a  greater  distance 
from  the  earth, — are  all  sources  of  interest  to  the  aeronaut,  which  please  no  less  by  the  associations  they  awaken, 
than  by  the  peculiar  effects  with  which  they  are  made  apparent.  Of  all  the  sounds,  however,  which  meet  the  ear  of 
the  adventurer  in  these  exalted  regions,  none  appears  to  me  to  bear  with  it  so  impressive  a  character,  or  to  be 
productive  of  such  awful  sensations,  as  that  occasioned  by  the  snapping  of  the  valve  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  balloon,  when  in  the  act  of  closing  after  some  occasional  discharge  of  gas  in  the  course  of  the  excursion.  The 
sudden  sharpness  which  it  displays,  in  common  with  the  rest,  the  unusual  direction  from  which  it  issues — 
a  direction  from  whence  no  sound  is  naturally  expected  to  proceed,  the  intimate  connexion  between  it,  the  office  it 
has  to  perform,  and  the  fate  of  the  aeronaut  by  whom  it  is  worked,  together  with  the  dram-like  intonation  which 
instantly  supervenes,  caused  by  the  extreme  tension  of  the  silken  dome,  in  the  cupola  of  which  it  is  situated,  and 
which  in  a  manner  serves,  like  a  sounding-board,  to  sustain  and  prolong  its  fleeting  impulses, — all  combine 


(  IIM-.  X.  THE  ZENITH  OF  PRUSSIAN  BLUE  ::T: 

t..  K  «t..«  ii]"> H  it  an  effect  and  a  sentiment  which  belong  to  no  other  sound,  and  are  experi<  IK ••  <1  in  no  other 
situation. 

To  tin-  enhancement  <>f  all  these  effects,  as  well,  indeed,  as  of  those  perceivable  in  the  exercise  of  all  the  other 
senses  at  immense  elevations,  the  rarefaction  of  the  air,  and  the  temperature  of  the  region,  no  doubt  likewise 
essentially  contribute  :  not  by  increasing  the  ability  of  the  medium  for  the  conveyance  of  the  impression  (for  in 
respect  of  Hound,  and,  perhaps,  of  all  but  sight,  such  conditions  are  rather  detrimental  to  its  qualification  for  such 
a  purpose),  but,  by  their  action  upon  the  organs  themselves,  producing,  as  it  were,  u  slightly  morbid  state,  which 
rentiers  them  more  susceptible  of  the  impression;  as  we  occasionally  perceive  to  be  the  case  in  some  diseases, 
where  the  irritability  ..f  the  nervous  system  attached  to  some  particular  organ  becomes  so  much  inuruased,  that 
<-in  n:ii-T.mces  which  otherwise  would  have  passed  unnoticed,  produce  not  only  powerful,  but  sometimes  even 
painful,  excitations  of  the  sense  to  which  they  are  directed.  In  the  exercise  of  the  faculties  of  hearing,  seeing, 
and  Mii.'llinir.  these  advantages  are  most  strongly  and  strikingly  experienced,  especially  the  latter,  owing  an  well 
to  the  assistance  which  the  rarefaction  of  the  air  gives  to  the  dispersion  of  the  volatile  particles  of  the  odoriferous 
essence,  as  to  the  morbid  adaptation  it  confers  upon  the  organ  to  receive  them. 

\\  nli  the  increase  of  his  elevation,  of  course,  keep  pace  all  those  phenomena  which  depend  for  their  effect 
up<m  tlie  diminished  density  of  the  surrounding  atmosphere ;  and,  as  the  aeronaut  draws  nigh  to  the  highest  point 
ascribed  to  the  ordinary  course  of  such  adventures,  they  begin  to  exhibit,  in  the  altered  characters  they  have  assumed, 
proofs  of  the  unwonted  circumstances  under  which  they  are  experienced.  In  nothing  is  this  more  strongly 
exemplified  than  in  the  appearance  of  the  firmament  itself.  The  colour  of  the  sky,  the  increasing  darkness  of 
which  we  have  already  noticed,  has  now  reached  a  pitch  of  intensity  so  great  as  scarcely  to  seem  compatible  with 
the  ethereal  consistency  of  a  mere  gaseous  accumulation,  and  almost  to  warrant  the  impression  of  an  approach 
to  something  whose  limits  are  more  substantial  and  defined.  M.  Gay  Lussac,  in  his  second  ascent  from  1'aris,  in 
which  ho  attained  an  excessive  elevation,*  represents  the  colour  of  the  sky,  especially  about  the  zenith,  as 
observed  from  the  highest  point  in  his  excursion,  to  be  on  a  par  with  the  deepest  shade  of  Prussian  blue ; 
an  observation  the  justness  of  which  will  be  felt  and  acknowledged  by  all  who  have  ever  proceeded  to  any 
distance  from  the  surface  of  the  earth. 

In  order  more  properly  to  comprehend  the  grounds  upon  which  these  alterations  are  chargeable,  it  is 
absolutely  necessary  that  some  insight  should  be  obtained  into  the  nature  of  the  appearance  of  the  firmament  in 
general,  of  which  the  phenomena  in  question  are  merely  modifications. 

That  the  aspect  which  the  heavens  present  whenever  circumstances  permit  us  to  enjoy  an  unobstructed  view 
of  them,  whether  it  be  the  azure  complexion  of  the  glowing  day,  the  sable  livery  of  night,  or  the  milder  shades  of 
twilight  grey,  by  which  the  transitions  from  the  one  to  the  other  are  invariably  distinguished,  is  not  a  condition  to 
that  effect  in  any  way  inherent  in  the  body  of  the  atmosphere  itself,  a  variety  of  arguments  satisfactorily  enable 
us  to  determine.  The  most  striking  of  these  are  deduced  from  the  following  observations : — First,  that  whenever  any 
portion  of  it  happens  to  be  separated  from  the  general  mass  above  it  by  the  intervention  of  clouds,  no  symptoms  of 
the  prevailing  tints  can  ever  be  detected  in  the  part  so  intercepted,  although  by  reason  of  its  superior  density  it 
may,  in  respect  of  actual  quantity,  equal,  if  not  exceed,  all  the  rest  of  the  medium  which  lies  beyond  it ;  and 
secondly,  that  instead  of  appearing  lighter  the  less  the  quantity  through  which  the  eye  has  to  penetrate  (as  in  the 
case  of  all  other  known  transparent  bodies,  which  possess  a  colour  of  their  own),  its  shade  continually  increases  in 
intensity  the  more  the  superincumbent  mass  is  diminished  by  the  translation  of  the  spectator  to  a  higher  position 
within  it. 

That  the  existing  appearance  is  not,  as  some  have  vainly  imagined,  a  general  contribution  raised  by  reflection 
from  the  surface  of  the  earth,  and  modified  according  to  the  particular  predominance  of  the  solar  influence,  is 


•  The  greatest  altitude  to  which  any  balloon  has  ever  beenfcitoirn 
to  ascend  [with  the  exception  of  Mean.  Coxwell  and  Glauber'* 
ascents]  is  that  aocompluhed  by  M.  Gay  Lossac  in  this  voyage, 
and  U  calculated  at  aeven  thousand  and  sixteen  French  metres,  or 
twenty-two  thousand  nine  hundred  and  seventy-seven  feet  four 
inches  above  the  level  of  the  tea  (see  p.  1 1 ,  . 

I  am  aware  that  other  aeronanU  lay  claim  to  higher  liononn ; 
M.  Blanclmnl,  for  instance,  state*  himself  upon  one  occasion  to 
hare  attained  an  elevation  of  nearly  thirty-two  thousand  feet — an 


assertion   upon  which    MM.   Margat,  Oarnerin,    Robertson,    and 
others,  his  successors  in  the  trade  of  aerostation,  hare  from  time  to 
time  considerably   improved.      For  these  pretensions,   however. 
there  is  not  the  slightest  foundation;  nor  would  it  be  a  matt 
much  difficulty  to  demonstrate  that  the  balloons  they  employed 
(with  the  dimensions  of  which  wo  are  well  acquainted)  n.iiM  not, 
oven  if  inflated  with  the  purest  hydrogen,  have  supported  ; 
simple  weights  at  much  above  one-half  the  elevuliuii  they  would 
lain  have  persuaded  us  they  attained. 

3  c  2 


374  ASTEA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

likewise  a  conclusion  which  with  equal  clearness  we  collect,  partly  from  a  consideration  of  the  fact  before  observed, 
that  when  the  communication  happens  to  be  dissolved  by  the  interposition  of  clouds,  the  character  in  question, 
whatever  it  may  happen  to  be  at  the  time,  entirely  disappears  in  the  portions  contiguous  to  the  earth,  while  neither 
in  quality  nor  intensity  is  the  slightest  alteration  perceptible  in  those  which  lie  beyond ;  and,  partly  from  the 
observation  that  in  all  countries,  under  every  variation  of  climate,  and  through  every  change  of  season,  the 
genuine  aspect  of  the  sky  is  virtually  the  same. 

Since,  then,  the  appearance  of  the  heavenly  arch  is  neither  a  quality  which  resides  in  the  substance  of  the 
atmospheric  volume  (the  only  material  obstacle  of  whose  presence  in  that  direction  we  are  aware),  nor  is  obtained 
by  the  process  of  reflexion  from  anything  which  exists  on  this  side  of  the  space  which  it  subtends,  it  is  evident 
that  no  other  way  remains  by  which  it  can  be  accounted  for  than  by  a  reference  to  the  condition  and  modification 
of  something  which  occupies  or  proceeds  from  the  interval  which  lies  beyond.  To  enable  us  to  justify  our 
conclusions  upon  this  score,  we  must  first  endeavour  to  ascertain  what  is  the  natural  aspect  of  boundless  space,  or 
what  would  be  the  appearance  of  the  mighty  vault  of  heaven  could  we  but  direct  our  gaze  into  its  vast  enclosure, 
unencumbered  by  the  presence  of  a  medium  of  refraction.  The  inquiry  is  fraught  with  awe,  no  less  than  interest. 

It  almost  seems  like  intruding  upon  the  especial  domains  of  the  Almighty  to  attempt  to  tear  the  veil  from 
the  charms  of  boundless  space,  and  expose  the  secrets  of  a  condition  of  which  our  visual  faculties  but  render  to 
our  senses  an  account  as  mysterious  and  imperfect  as  that  which  our  mental  ones  with  their  utmost  exertions  are 
able  to  convey  to  our  understandings.  To  say  that  the  heavens,  or  that  portion  of  space  beyond  the  limits  of  our 
atmosphere,  which  we  are  wont  to  honour  by  such  a  name,  possess  a  colour,  would  be,  in  truth,  to  employ  a 
misnomer.  Space — infinite  space — unfilled  with  matter,  must  really  be  devoid  of  colour;  and,  excepting  in  the 
bodies  it  contains,  must  ever  present  to  the  eye  of  him  who  views  it  in  all  its  natural  majesty,  the  terrific  aspect 
of  a  black  unfathomable  abyss.  To  confer  the  idea  of  a  colour,  or  permit  the  rays  of  light  in  any  way  to  vary 
its  appearance,  the  presence  of  a  transparent  medium  is  absolutely  requisite.  Near  the  body  of  the  earth,  and  of 
most  of  those  other  objects  with  which  astronomy  has  made  us  acquainted,  such  a  medium  obtains  in  the  atmosphere 
by  which  they  are  surrounded;  and  in  the  effects  of  this  atmosphere  upon  the  aspect  of  the  black  vault  behind,  lies 
the  only  condition  that  exists  to  vary  the  visual  presentment  of  void  and  infinite  space.  By  the  combined  exertion 
of  two  of  its  properties  this  result  is  accomplished ;  first,  by  the  diffusion  of  the  white  rays  of  light,  whereby  the 
extreme  obscurity  of  the  background  is  tempered  into  paleness,*  and  in  the  next  place  by  the  occasional 
interposition  of  a  new  colour  obtained  from  the  rays  of  light  transmitted  through  it  from  above,  whereby  the 
original  in  its  subdued  intensity  becomes  at  times  invested  with  a  colour  compounded  of  them  both. 

To  the  full  force  of  the  former  influence  much  is,  no  doubt,  contributed  by  the  presence  and  disposition  of 
solid  matter  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  field  of  view,  by  means  of  which  the  adjacent  portions  of  the  surrounding 
medium  become,  as  it  were,  charged  with  the  superfluous  rays  of  light  from  various  quarters,  tending  not  only  to 
distract  the  eye  of  the  spectator,  and  to  confuse  his  prospect,  but  also  to  reduce,  by  the  copious  admixture  of  white 
light,  the  natural  intensity  of  whatever  object  may  happen  to  be  exposed  to  it.  To  what  an  extent  the  diffusion  of 
light  so  supported  is  competent  to  produce  the  results  ascribed  to  it,  we  see  clearly  evinced  in  the  extraordinary 
effects  occasioned  by  the  temporary  suspension  of  its  influence.  No  sooner  has  any  interruption  taken  place,  either 
through  the  discontinuance  of  the  supply,  its  artificial  exclusion  from  the  field  of  view,  or  a  diminution  in  the 
capacity  of  the  medium  for  its  conveyance,  than  the  eye  immediately  reads  the  change  in  the  unwonted  darkness 
of  the  sky,  and  (when  promoted  to  a  sufficient  extent)  in  the  renewed  appearance  of  the  luminous  bodies  which  it 
infolds.  Of  this  illustrations  are  naturally  afforded  in  the  approach  and  presence  of  night— during  the 
continuance  of  a  solar  eclipse,  when  the  obscuration  has  reached  a  sufficient  magnitude,— or  still  more  remarkably 
upon  the  occasion  of  any  unwonted  rarefaction  in  the  atmosphere,  such  as  is  frequently  found  to  precede  a  sudden 


*  The  influence  of  atmospheric  irradiation  upon  the  aspect  of 
the  void  space  by  which  it  is  backed  was  first  suggested  by  the 
father  of  the  pictorial  art,  the  celebrated  Leonardo  da  Vinci,  and 
afterwards  revived  and  adopted  by  M.  de  la  Hire,  as  a  probable 
cause  of  the  azure  colour  of  the  sky.  In  support  of  this  theory  a 
variety  of  experiments  were  adduced  to  prove  that  black,  when 
beheld  through  a  white  or  colourless  medium,  always  inclines  to 


colours  in  the  proportion  in  which  they  exist  in  solar  light,  is 
always  grey:  nor  do  I  believe  that  any  other  colour  could  cvir 
result  from  their  admixture,  no  matter  the  proportions  or  the  means 
whereby  it  might  be  sought  to  unite  them.  To  what  to  attribute 
the  fallacy  of  their  conclusions  I  really  know  not,  unless  indeed  it 
might  be  owing  to  an  incorrect  estimate  of  the  colours  of  the  sub- 
stances employed  in  their  experiments,  or  the  want  of  proper  pro- 


assume  a  blue  or  azure  tint.     The  truth  of  these  deductions,  how-   j   cautions  to  avoid  the  introduction  of  colours  obtained  by  refraction 
ever,  is  more  than  doubtful.     The  proper  product  of  black  and      from  the  transparent  media  through  which  they  were  examined, 
white,  or,  in  other  words,  of  no  colour  with  a  combination  of  all 


('J1A11.   X. 


TIIK  DIFFUSION  OF  LIiiHT. 


change  from  tine  to  foul  weather;  and  artifn  ially.  and  with  equal  effect,  by  removing  In  a  distance  from  the 
Mirl.iee  (if  tin-  earth  iii  .-i  lulln  .11,  i.r  l.y  proceeding  in  the  oilier  direction  to  the  bottom  of  a  well  or  vertical  shaft. 
sufficiently  deep  to  afford  a  complete  protection  agaiiiM  tin-  inlliu  lire  of  tin-  circumambient  irradiation. 

tin-  mere  diffusion  of  light,  to  whatever  extent  it  might  bo  carried,  although  it  might  alleviate 
tin-  iiitenseness  of  colour  in  luiy  object,  could  never  avail  to  give  it  .1  nrw  olio,  or  make  that  assume  ••  tin-  front  of 
.i/.u:.  MHO,"  whose  legitimate  asp.  <  t  was  unmitigated  sable.  This  is  a  result  which  requires  the  intervention 
of  anoth..]-  pi.,pi  rty  in  the  medium;  such  a  one,  for  instance,  as  that  alluded  to,  whereby  the  rays  of  light 
ti.niMiiittcd  through  it  from  above,  are  made  to  affect  a  colour  suitable  to  the  compound  required.*  As  the 
intensity  of  this  colour,  as  well  an  that  of  the  black  vault  by  which  it  is  supported,  is  a  quality  subordinate  to 
the  influence  of  atmospheric  illumination,  \\hatcver  tends  to  the  abatement  of  that  illumination,  either  by  the 
cuitailiueiit  of  the  Mipply,  its  artificial  exclusion  from  the  field  of  view,  the  diminution  of  the  capacity  of 
the  nit-ilium  for  it.s  conveyance,  or  tl..  u  from  a  neighbourhood  where  its  natural  amount  is  increased  by 

adventitiou.-  lellexion,  tends  likewi.se  to  increase  the  intensity  of  the  sky,  and  bring  out  more  forcibly  the  natural 
obscurity  of  the  ethereal  scene.  Of  these  latter,  the  ascent  in  the  balloon  is  a  striking  illustration.  Diminishing 
at  ouce  the  density  of  the  medium,  and  tin;  amount  of  its  terrestrial  irradiation,  at  every  step  he  recedes  from  the 
Mirfaee  ..f  the  earth,  the  aeronaut  obtains  in  the  darkened  aspect  of  the  heavenly  arch  unerring  tokens  of 
his  approach  to  the  nether  limits  of  the  void  and  infinite  gulf  that  lies  beyond  him;  and,  1  have  doubt,  could  he 
l.ui  continue  his  course  until  ho  had  attained  the  outward  margin  of  the  atmosphere,  ho  would,  upon  directing  his 
view  into  the  realms  "f  \aeiiity,  behold  an  impenetrable  abyss  of  perfect  blackness,  in  which  every  visible  Miun-e 
of  light  would  stand  like  a  disk  of  solid  flame,  unaffected  by  the  vicissitudes  that,  for  one-half  the  period  of  their 
revolutions,  exclude  them  from  the  03-0  of  the  terrestrial  spectator. 

How  long  before  that  extreme  was  attained,  the  latter  part  of  this  description  would  have  been  realised. 
and  the  heavenly  bodies  revealed  to  the  naked  eye  in  broad  daylight,  I  cannot  take  upon  mo  to  determine ; 
if.  however,  the  obscuration  of  the  sky  (upon  which  the  occurrence  of  the  phenomenon  in  question  entirely 
depends),  were  to  continue  to  increase  at  the  same  rate  wo  observe  it  in  the  earliest  stages  of  the  ascent  (and  then- 
is  every  reason  to  admit  the  conclusion),  I  do  not  think  that  the  possibility  of  witnessing  such  an  occurrence  is 
entirely  beyond  the  hopes  of  tho  aeronaut  adventurous  enough  to  attempt  it,  and  provided  with  moans  com 


•  With  Uio  existence  of  such  a  property  we  were  first  made  ao- 

•  plaint.  'I  I'v  iii'  researches  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton  ;  who,  liaring  asccr- 

I    tlii-t   va|> . .iirs  win  a  ill.. .m   to  condense  and  coalesce   into 
ilr.'|>-.  lir-i  Mich  a  size  as  to  i-lirit  tin   Mn.   ray*  of  trans- 

initi-  •  .  Mini. in.-  the  azure  colour  of  the  iky 

to  a  condition  particularly  favourable   !•.   i  of  guch  a 

pro|M-rty,  which,  it  was  presumed,  existed  only  in  the  rem..t.  r 
regions  of  the  upper  air.  The  existence  of  a  vapour  at  all  time* 
nt  in  the  atmosphere,  a  circumstance  essentiul  to  the  views  of 
.11,  wo.s  huwi  vcr,  u  weak  point  in  his  tin  -ory,  which  has  in- 
duced »nlis«|in  nt  inquirers  to  look  for  some  more  permanent  .|iutlity 
in  the  same  quurU-r  IIJHIII  which  to  charge  the  occurrence  .- 
obserred  phenomenon.  Accordingly,  iifti-r  ;i  v:iri.  ty  ..f .  \\» •rimeiitii, 
a  Kr.  in-li  philiiioiphi  r.  M.  I tougner,  considered  that  he  had  solved 
th.-  ilillirnlty  I'.v  r.  !•  rrin_-  the  separation  of  tho  rays  in  question  to 
a  .lul.  r.  n.-.  in  the  momenta  of  the  different  constituents  of  solar 
li;:iit.  » In  r.  l.y  the  r.  .1  alone,  supposed  to  be  possessed  of  niperinr 
motive  i  m  r^'V.  madi-  lln-ir  way  iin.ibMrnct.-d  to  tho  MirCiee  of  tho 
.urtli.  wliile  tin-  bin.  I  of  wi  nkcr  inifietus,  unable  to 

:i<lv.incc,  ri-iiiaiii.-.l  behind  t.i  iinl.ti..  witli  their  particular  colour 
tin-  r.  in. it.  r  strata  of  the  atmospheric  lluid  l.y  which  they  i.  pi  U-cii 
absorbed.  The.--  view-  ..:'  \l.  K..ii;:n.  r,  snlli.-i, -ntly  in^eni..n<  con- 

.  ih.-   r.  .•.  !il    i-.-t.iMi.-lin..  nt  of 

tin-  theory  nf  undulation-  r.  .|iiir.  -  n-  to  int.  rpr.  t  after  iinothi-r  form. 

Aihnittiiii;  the  .  x.-ln.-iv.  pro^rcusof  certain  mys,  hut  r.  j,  rting  tlio 

i:round.i  ..t'.lilV.  r.-nt  nii.iin  nta  l.y  which  it  Wiis  timnerly  wont  to  be 

•  Apliiinid.  r.  fi  r.  n.-.   nni.-t  M..W  !.<•  had  t.i  :ui..tln-r  prineiple,  n.nm  1\. 
ill.-  rritiml  iiii.i/-  by   the  blue  rays,  instead  of 

•  Ui.lv  nf  the  utmosphi  re.  un-  n  Ibrtiil  ut  an  un^le,  ami 
winild  1»-  alto^ethi-r  .lismi>«-.l  uniiotiei  .1,  hut  that,  owin-.-  in.  doubt 
t.i  tli  iniity  of  the  npp- •  .tnioi.pheri-.  th.-y 

have  alreudy  proceeded  to  a  considerable  distance  en-  thev 


encountered  sufficient  consistency  to  determine  their  return.  For 
the  beiietlt  of  the  unlearned,  however,  we  may  as  well  observe  that 
it  matters  nought  in  tho  least  to  tin-  subject  in  hand  which  or 
whether  any  of  the  views  here  proposed  bo  the  correct  one.  It  in 
enough  for  us  that  there  is  a  property  of  the  nature  nf.rn.l  i.. 
existing  in  the  upper  strata  of  the  atmosphere ;  and  that  is  u  f...  i 
of  which  we  have  xufficicnt  proof  in  the  evidence  of  our  senses. 

Indeed,  hut  that  the  limit*  of  a  note  are  too  restricted  fur  tin-  pur- 
pose, it  would  not  be  a  difficult  matter  to  point  out  otvurreness 
which  do  not  appear  to  consist  with  any  of  the  views  here  taken  ••! 
the  subj.-'t.  For  instance,  I  do  not  see  upon  which  of  them  ground* 
can  he  explained  the  phenomenon  very  frequently  olmervabie  upon 
occasion  of  the  setting  sun)  of  the  compl.  !••  .1.  t. -nninution  of  tli.- 
bine  rays  tu  the  quarter  directly  opposite  the  seat  of  that  lumiiuin. 
leaving  the  rest  of  the  heavenly  hemisphere  comparatively  .1,  v..i,| 
of  any  such  inclination.  In  all  these  cases  the  blue,  if  nally  ob- 
tained by  the  decomposition  of  solar  light  I'M  fraruri/u,  mu-t  not  only 
have  traversed  one  radius  of  the  atmonpheric  horizon  in  company 
with  the  red,  but  afterwards  exclusively  continued  iU  count1  !• 
further  extremity  of  the  opposite  one.  Another  eir.  nuisance,  appa- 
rently incompatible  with  tin  views,  U  tin-  ex'niordiimry 
hlueness  discoverable  upon  the  occasion  of  a  sudden  run-faction  in 
the  atmosphere  :  w.  r.-  th.  Mm-  in  these  cases  merely  the  con.pl. -m. -nt 
of  the  rul,  pn  \  ii ni-l>  inti-rriipti-d  in  iU  puwagr,  its  subsequent  r 
vi -iitinii  .-huiil. 1  only  have  restored  the  whole  to  iU  primitive  cinidi- 
tion  of  a  colourless  compound. 

These  objections,  1   l)Cg  to  ..b-  r\.-.  an-  by  im  innins  inten.;. 
in. |  ii-ii   th'-  correctness  of  tlio  t!i.  ..ry  of  nniliilatioiu  as  a  system 
e\|.Ianatory  of  the  nature  and  pr"|»rti.  -  of  liL'ht  in  u-neral. 
tin-  contrary,  it  is  np-.n  tl,.-  as-iiniptioii  of  it^  »ii|.-n..riiy  -.: 
led  to  qm -t  •  WK  to  whii  h   it-,  piineipli.- 

scem  in  the  slightest  degni-  irrivi.ncilablo. 


376  ASTEA  CASTIU.  CHAP.  X. 

spending  to  the  peculiar  exigences  of  the  occasion.  Some  indeed  there  are,  who,  even  without  these  advantages, 
pretend  to  have  attained  situations  in  the  ordinary  exercise  of  the  art,  from  whence  the  existence  of  such  a 
phenomenon  could  clearly  be  discerned  :  I  should  rather,  however,  suppose  that  this  assertion  was  merely  an 
exaggeration  of  the  fact,  that  at  their  utmost  altitude  they  were  able  to  distinguish  the  presence  of  the  heavenly 
bodies  sooner  than  they  could  have  been  perceived  by  persons  situated  upon  the  actual  surface  of  the  earth ;  an 
assertion  which  in  fact  amounts  to  nothing  more  than  what  we  know  would  have  been  experienced  under 
any  circumstances  of  superior  elevation,  no  matter  how  slight.  With  every  degree  of  removal  from  the  plane  of 
the  terrestrial  horizon,  the  capacity  of  the  surrounding  medium  for  the  diffusion  of  light  becomes  diminished,  and 
the  contrast  in  favour  of  the  spectator  (which  is  the  only  cause  of  their  suppression)  being  weakened,  the  stars 
of  course  make  their  appearance  at  an  earlier  hour  than  they  would  if  that  contrast  had  to  wait  the  decline  of  day 
to  effectuate  its  abatement.  The  question  is  evidently,  therefore,  one  of  comparison,  and  is  as  easily  put  to  the 
test  by  ascending  to  the  top  of  a  hill  as  by  encroaching  upon  the  limits  of  the  sky  in  a  balloon.  If  I  mistake  not, 
something  of  the  kind  is  mentioned  by  the  elder  Saussure,  in  his  account  of  the  first  ascent  of  Mont  Blanc, 
as  having  been  observed  upon  the  summit  of  that  mountain ;  an  observation  which  has  been  repeated  in  other 
parts  of  the  globe  by  all  travellers  who  have  ever  succeeded  in  attaining  great  elevations  upon  the  surface  of  the 
earth.  That  such  a  result  could  be  produced  by  an  artificial  exclusion  of  the  light,  as  for  instance  in  the  bottom 
of  a  deep  well,  or  any  other  excavation  of  sufficient  profundity,  was  a  fact  well  known  to  the  ancients,  who, 
in  Egypt  especially,  were  in  the  habit  of  constructing  pits  on  purpose  to  aid  them  in  their  study  of  the  heavenly 
bodies ;  many  relics  of  these  subterraneous  observatories  remaining  to  the  present  day  to  bear  testimony  to  the 
industry  and  acquirements  of  those  learned  Pagans. 

In  consequence  of  the  increased  removal  from  the  vicinity  of  the  earth,  the  temperature  of  the  surrounding 
medium  has  become  considerably  reduced,  and  were  it  not  for  the  absence  of  all  atmospheric  motion  would, 
no  doubt,  be  severely  manifested  to  the  feelings  of  the  aeronaut.  At  what  particular  period  of  the  ascent,  this 
decrease  attains  a  minimum,  or  indeed  whether  such  a  result  exists  within  the  range  of  aeronautical  adventure, 
I  am  not  able  with  any  degree  of  certainty  to  state.  The  solution  of  the  question,  which  is  undoubtedly  an 
interesting  one,  depends  chiefly  upon  the  point  to  which  the  calorific  influence  of  the  earth's  radiation  extends,  and 
is  only  to  be  arrived  at  by  a  long-continued  series  of  experiments  and  observations.  Of  course,  the  results 
here,  as  elsewhere,  will  be  found  to  vary  with  the  climate,  the  season  of  the  year,  the  hour  of  the  day,  and  the 
state  of  the  atmosphere  at  the  time  prevailing.  In  one  respect  particularly,  the  latter  is  capable  of  exercising  a 
very  sensible  influence  over  the  thermometrical  condition  of  the  upper  regions ;  I  mean  where  clouds  to  any 
amount  intervene,  whereby  a  large  extent  of  reflecting  surface  becomes  presented,  and  a  very  considerable  portion 
of  the  heat  of  the  solar  rays  returned  into  the  body  of  the  atmosphere  which  lies  above.  As  this  is  an  arrangement 
of  the  sky  more  frequently  to  be  met  with  in  winter  than  in  summer,  it  follows  singularly  enough  that  the 
effects  of  a  low  temperature  are  much  less  likely  to  prove  injurious  to  the  aeronaut  in  the  exercise  of  his 
art,  during  the  more  rigorous  portions  of  the  year,  than  those  which  everywhere  else  come  under  the  denomination 
of  the  milder  and  more  serene. 

Considering,  therefore,  the  number  and  irregularity  of  these  disturbing  causes,  it  will  appear  pretty  evident 
that  no  exact  measure  of  the  temperature,  and,  consequently,  no  just  representation  of  its  effects  upon  the 
human  frame  could  be  afforded  that  would  apply  with  equal  correctness  to  all  the  circumstances  under  which  it 
might  be  tried.  In  general,  however,  where  there  are  no  clouds  to  interfere  with  the  natural  progress  of  the  sun's 
rays,  a  temperature  of  32°  Fahrenheit  may  be  expected  to  be  encountered  at  an  elevation  of  about  seven  or  eight 
thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea — that  is  to  say,  in  these  climates ;  the  region  of  eternal  frost,  or  as 
it  is  geographically  termed,  the  line  of  perpetual  snow,  entirely  depending  upon  the  latitude  of  the  place,  and 
diminishing  in  elevation  in  proportion  as  it  increases  its  distance  from  the  terrestrial  equator.  Beyond  this 
altitude  the  temperature,  as  before,  keeps  continually  decreasing,  though  with  waning  rapidity,  and  at  an  elevation 
of  twenty-two  thousand  nine  hundred  feet,  the  thermometer,  as  observed  by  M.  Gay  Lussac,  had  fallen  to  9-5°  of 
the  Centigrade  division,  or  17'1°  below  the  freezing  point  according  to  Fahrenheit. 

Supposing,  however,  the  state  of  the  temperature  to  have  been  in  any  instance  even  twice  as  low  as 
that  above  indicated,  still  there  is  much  reason  to  question  whether  at  any  time  the  sufferings  of  those  exposed  to 
it  can  have  been  so  severe  as  many  would  fain  incline  us  to  believe.  Certain  allowances  ought,  no  doubt,  to  be 
made  for  the  constitutional  peculiarities  of  different  individuals;  and  much  ambiguity  must  always  be  expected  to 


OIM-.  \.  «>\.  AYi:  A!Ti:\RAXCE  OF  THE  EABTH.  ::77 

pi. -v.iil  ulii-r.-  personal  fcclin;.;  \s  the  subject  of  discussion,  and  the  sense  itself  the  only  tost  to  which  it  can  be 
sulij. •. •!. ••!.  lint  with  all  these  admissions,  there  is  still  sufficient  evidence  in  the  experience  of  those  who  both 
naturally  and  hy  artifical  means  in  the  way  of  ex]., -linn  nts  li:ive  placed  themselves  in  circumstances  of  like 
-urc  upon  tlu>  earth,  t,,  authorise  a  doubt  that  much  inconvenience  ever  did  or  could  accrue  to  the  aeronaut, 
ul,  •.  in  thr  exercise  of  his  vocation,  may  have  penetrated  to  the  utmost  limits  his  means  in  other  respects 

would  allow  him. 

I  laving  now  attained  the  highest  point  to  which  it  is  our  intention  at  present  to  proceed,  wo  will  pause  for  an 
instant  to  take  a  cursory  glance  at  the  earth,  ere  we  prepare  to  incline  our  journey  thitherward  again.  The  land- 
scape w  hich.  for  some  time  back,  has  been  gradually  displaying  symptoms  of  decreasing  perspicuousness,  has  now 
suffered  mi  much  from  the  effects  of  distance  that  it  is  not  without  difficulty  that  any  of  its  ordinary  features 
can  be  distinguished.  Not  that  any  abatement  appears  to  have  taken  place  in  that  vividness  of  contour  which  we 
have  before  observed  to  be  the  never-failing  peculiarity  of  the  terrestrial  scene  when  viewed  from  the  car  of  the 
Kill.. ,,n  ;  but  that  the  <•)  mselves  have  now  become  no  much  reduced  in  size  that  many  of  those,  the  most 

familiar  and  charaetcri.-tir,  have  altogether  become  extinct,  and  the  rest  so  much  estranged  in  their  appearance 
aa  to  eoiitrilmte  l>ut  little  to  the  recognition  of  the  prospect  of  which  they  form  a  part. 

Amid  this  scene  of  universal  disfiguration  all  perception  of  comparative  altitudes  is  utterly  out  of  the  question. 
I, '•moved  to  such  a  distance  from  the  eye,  and  solely  submitted  to  a  vertical  examination,  the  whole  face  of  nature, 
in  fact,  appears  to  have  undergone  a  process  of  general  equalisation ;  the  houses  and  the  trees,  the  mountains  and 
the  vi -ry  i  lomls  liy  which  they  are  capped,  have  long  since  been  consigned  to  the  one  level ;  all  the  natural  irre- 
gularities of  its  surface  completely  obliterated,  and  the  character  of  the  model  entirely  superseded  by  that  of  the  ;V<m. 
It  ha>  frequently  been  inquired  of  me,  whether  under  circumstances  of  such  excessive  elevation  any  symp- 
toms of  convexity  can  ho  detected  in  the  appearance  of  the  horizontal  plane,  such  as  a  knowledge  of  the  real  form 
of  the  terrestrial  globe  might  have  authorised  us  to  expect.  When,  however,  we  consider  the  immense  dis- 
proportion which  exists  between  the  actual  diameter  of  the  earth  and  the  utmost  altitude  to  which  man  ever  did 
or  could  attain  above  its  surface,  we  shall  cease  to  look  for  such  a  result,  or  be  surprised  at  observing  the  de- 
ficiency. \\  ,-re  we  to  asume  an  elevation  of  forty-two  thousand  feet  (which  is  nearly  double  what  has  hitherto 
been  accomplished)  as  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  aeronautical  enterprise,  still,  computing  the  earth's  radius  at  four 
thousand  miles,  and  reckoning  five  thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty  feet  to  each  mile,  the  prominence  of  the 
spectator  beyond  the  surface  of  his  horizon  would  even  then  amount  but  to  the  thousandth  part  of  its  extreme 
lateral  extension  :  in  other  words,  he  would  have  only  reached  a  distance  beyond  the  plane  of  his  vision,  as  great 
an  the  thickness  of  the  smallest  letter  we  are  now  employing  (estimated  at  the  hundreth  part  of  an  inch)  would 
project  upon  the  face  of  a  globe  of  ten  inches  in  diameter.  In  short,  his  newly-acquired  position  would  no  more 
enable  him  to  discern  the  sphericity  of  the  earth  than  the  eye  of  a  beetle  would  convey  to  it  an  idea  of  the  con- 
vexity of  the  mountain  whoso  rounded  summit  it  was  slowly  labouring  to  ascend. 

In  answer  to  this,  the  reader  may  perhaps  suggest  the  well-known  phenomenon  of  a  ship  at  sea  approaching 
from  a  distance,  and  adduce  the  gradual  disclosure  of  its  parts  as  an  evidence  of  the  possibility  of  obtaining,  under 
a  favourable  conjuncture  of  circumstances,  ocular  testimony  of  the  nature  which  we  have  here  attempted  to 
disprove.  The  example,  however,  is  by  no  means  a  case  in  point  It  is  not  the  sphericity  of  the  earth  that  the 
eye  in  such  cases  observes,  but  merely  its  effects  ;  and  therein  can  no  more  be  considered  as  reading  the  convexity 
of  the  earth,  than  a  man  looking  at  his  shadow  upon  the  wall  can  be  said  to  be  observing  the  taper  which  stands 
upon  the  table  at  his  back.  Without  the  convexity  in  question,  it  is  true  the  phenomenon  observed  could  not 
have  taken  place  ;  but  neither,  on  the  other  hand,  would  the  convexity  in  question  have  been  observed  had  not  the 
said  phenomenon  ;  ->'nt  to  disclose  it. 

lint  even  if  the  conclusion  were  otherwise,  still  the  cases  are  by  no  means  analogous,  nor  could  any  argument 
be  drawn  from  the  capacity  of  the  eye  in  the  one  instance  to  sanction  the  expectation  of  a  similar  result  in  the  other. 
<  'oiiqwirative  altitude,  which  is,  in  fact,  the  only  test  of  prominence,  is  a  condition  the  knowledge  of  which  is  ouh 
arquirable  by  means  of  an  examination  conducted  at  right  angles  to  the  plane  of  extancy ;  or,  in  other  words,  by 
observing  the  profile,  more  or  less,  as  it  appears  represented  upon  the  substance  or  substances  which  may  happen  to 
be  aggregated  in  the  rear.  From  the  enjoyment  of  this  advantage  the  aeronaut,  by  his  jioMtion,  is  thoroughly  pre- 
cluded ;  all  his  views  are  necessarily  downward,  and  all  his  perceptions  of  form  confined  to  the  observation  of 
surfaces  projected  upon  the  plane  beneath  him. 


378  ASTEA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

With  all  these  considerations,  however,  the  inexperienced  reader  will,  no  doubt,  learn  with  surprise  that  the 
real  form  of  the  earth,  as  beheld  from  the  car  of  a  balloon  sufficiently  elevated  in  the  air,  is  absolutely  the  very 
reverse  of  that  which  a  first  view  of  the  case  may  have  hastily  inclined  him  to  expect.  Such,  however,  is  undoubt- 
edly the  fact.  So  far  from  following  the  course  dictated  by  the  true  conformation  of  the  earth,  and  sinking  in  pro- 
portion as  they  recede,  the  edges  of  the  terrestrial  plane  actually  assume  a  contrary  inclination,  and,  rising  as  the 
aeronaut  increases  his  altitude,  realise  in  their  progress  the  appearance  of  a  vast  bowl  or  basin  extended  on  all  sides 
around  him. 

Unexpected  as  this  phenomenon  may  at  first  sight  appear,  it  is,  nevertheless,  but  the  natural  consequence  of 
the  laws  of  refraction  acting  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  case.  Diverted  from  the  straight  course 
which  the  sight  would  at  all  times  pursue,  were  it  unobstructed  by  a  medium  of  refraction,  the  lines  under  which 
the  various  objects  are  beheld  become  gradually  inclined  upwards,  referring  the  objects  themselves  to  points  in 
their  new  positions,  at  distances  from  the  eye  of  the  spectator  equal  to  those  at  which  they  are  actually  situated. 

This  will  be  better  understood  by  a  reference  to  the 
annexed  diagram,  in  which  the  station  occupied  by 
the  aeronaut  is  represented  by  the  small  balloon ; 
the  direction  which  the  sight  would  have  travelled 
had  there  been  no  refracting  medium  by  the  dotted 
lines ;  and  that  which  in  consequence  it  is  forced 
to  assume  by  the  plain  ones.  As  the  distance  is  not 
falsified  by  the  refraction,  the  various  objects  upon 
the  terrestrial  horizon  A  B  (as  there  depicted)  will, 

in  appearance,  be  transferred  to  stations  equally  remote  from  the  eye,  and  be  found  occupying  a  curve,  C  D, 
formed  by  a  close  continuation  of  points  in  the  refracted  lines  of  vision,  equidistant  from  the  eye  with  those 
which  they  represent  upon  the  horizontal  surface  of  the  earth. 

But  it  is  now  time  to  conclude.  Too  long  already  I  fear  have  I  detained  the  young  adventurer  in  the  realms 
of  upper  air ;  more  especially  as  this  is  his  first  attempt,  and  he  must  no  doubt  feel  anxious  to  return  and  quell  the 
fears  of  his  family  and  friends  below.  We  will  therefore  pull  the  valve,  and  commence  our  descent. 

And  let  not  the  reader  suppose  that  in  this  seemingly  simple  phrase  consists  all  that  is  required  to  the  achieve- 
ment of  this  most  important  operation ;  and  that  the  aeronaut  has  nothing  to  do,  when  he  desires  to  terminate  his 
excursion,  but  to  pull  the  valve,  and  take  his  chance  for  the  result.  It  is  in  the  conduct  of  this  part  of  the  voyage 
especially  that  lies  the  great  art  of  the  practical  aeronaut,"  and  upon  which  his  own  safety  and  that  of  his 
companions  ultimately  depends.  In  choosing  the  critical  moment  of  the  descent,  and  regulating  his  forces 
accordingly,  much  judgment  and  great  skill  are  necessarily  required.  A  certain  spot,  freqiiently  at  a  consider- 
able distance,  is  to  be  attained,  which  experience  points  out  as  best  suited  to  the  purpose,  and  a  variety  of 
circumstances  acting  separately  and  in  conjunction  must  be  taken  into  account  to  ensure  a  successful  issue  in  the 
attempt. 

The  exact  rate  and  direction  of  the  machine  at  the  time,  and  the  possible  variations  in  both,  to  which  it  may  he 
subjected  by  the  currents  it  may  happen  to  encounter  in  its  progress  towards  the  earth  ;  the  amount  of  retardation  it 
is  sure  to  experience  when,  in  the  act  of  descending,  its  force  of  gravitation  begins  to  operate  ;  the  quantity  of  gas 
necessary  to  be  discharged  to  produce  such  a  course  as  will  best  correspond  with  and  satisfy  these  combined  demands, 
under  the  restrictions  of  speed  which  a  due  regard  to  the  safety  and  feelings  of  the  parties  necessarily  imposes  ;  all 
these  are  considerations  which  require  to  be  present  in  the  mind  at  once,  and  with  such  a  degree  of  command  as 
will  enable  the  aeronaut  in  an  instant  to  avail  himself  of  the  means  within  his  power  to  provide  against  the  conse- 
quences of  any  unforeseen  event  that  may  arise  to  derange  or  confound  his  previous  calculations.  The  necessary 
acquirements  for  the  perfect  management  of  the  descent  are  consequently  of  no  ordinary  nature,  nor  are  they  by 
any  means  to  be  met  with  in  ordinary  persons.  It  is  not  enough  to  entitle  a  man  to  the  appellation  of  an 
accomplished  aeronaut  that  he  shall  have  been  able  to  conclude  his  operations  without  breaking  his  neck,  dislo- 
cating his  limbs,  or  tumbling  himself  and  his  companions  out  of  the  car ;  to  that  extent  all  persons,  with  few 
exceptions,  who  have  ever  ascended  upon  their  own  responsibility,  have  shown  themselves  competent ;  and, 
indeed,  the  actual  peril  of  life  or  limb  is  so  slight  that  chance  alone  is  sufficient  of  itself  to  justify  the  presumption 
of  a  favourable  result  upon  that  score,  even  in  the  absence  of  any  interference  whatever  on  the  part  of  the  manager, 


CHAP.  x.  SKILL  Ki:<>rn;i:]>  r.v  rin:  AI:I;I>NAUT. 

.1  what  is  necessary  to  determine  the  descent  of  the  balloon.    The  mere  avoidance  of  danger  is,  the?, 
n.it  tin-  only  <  •ircuiiiHtance  that  occupies  the  attention  of  the  skilful  aeronaut;  a  variety  of  other  considerations,  of 
seoondiiry  iiniHiri:incc,  it  is  true,  likev  :  int..  his  designs.     'J'lic   perfect  convenience  and  comfort   nf  tin- 

parties,  no  less  than  their  absolute  security,  require  to  be  consulted  :  th.-y  must  neither  be  brought  to  the  earth 
with  violi -IK-.-.  jerked  ,.ut  of  tin-  car,  dragged  along  the  gioimd.  hurled  against  buildings,  nor  run  amongst  tree*; 
they  must  ui-ithi-r  be  landed  in  a  marsh  imr  in  a  quagmire,  in  tin-  middle  of  a  wood.  ,,n  the  t..|.  of  a  h.m-e.  IP  r  in 
ili,-  iiir._'ing  df  a  ship,  as  some  have  had  the  luck  to  experience  before  now,  imr  decanted  into  the  river,  as  has  also 
been  the  fat.-  of  more  than  one  adventurous  hero  whose  name  figures  in  tin-  annals  of  aerostation. 

In  the  next  place,  the   safety  ..f  the  Kill i  requires  and  engages  the  solicitude  of  the  skilful  and  prudent 

aeronaut  :   nor  can  any  descent  be  said  to  have  been  even  respectably  conducted  in  which  the  slightest  injury  has 

.  accrue  t<.  that  ino-t   ini|...itant  and  valuable  part  of  the  apparatus."     This  in  itself  involve*  a 

M.     All  places  an-  l.y  no  means  equally  adapted  for  such  purposes.     The  soil  must  be  of 

Mich  m  will  facilitate  the  attachment  of  the  ballo.  n;  it   must  not  be  eo  hard  that  the  grapnel  cannot 

eaailx  li^l,,  that,  having  entered,  it  is  unaLlc  to  retain  its  hold;  it  must  be  free  from  trees  or 

Lushes.   Ly  which  the  silk  would  be  sure  to  be  lacerated,  and  contain  a  sufficiency  of  open,  clean  sward  as  will 
the  emptying  and  folding  of  the  diMiiemLen-d  machine  as  soon  as  its  task  has  been  performed. 

Last,  though  not  least,  some  regard  must  be  had  for  the  tenants  of  the  soil  itself:  much  care  should,  there- 

be  taken  to  avoid  attempting  to  descend  in  a  place  where  the  crops  are  of  such  a  nature  as  to  suffer  from  the 

(ttOB  :  a  practice  extremely  reprehensible.  n,.t  .mly  as  being  the  means  of  inflicting  serious  injury  upon  others, 

Lut  likewise  as  tending  to  bring  disparagement  upon  the  art,  trouble  to  future  aeronauts,  and  frequently  much 

loss  and  inconvenience  to  the  parties  themselves,  from  having  their  balloon  seized  and  retained  in  compensation 

images,  which  the  possession  of  a  little  skill  would  have  enabled  them  to  avoid. 

All  these  are  considerations  which,  though  entirely  overlooked  by  ordinary  persons,  nevertheless  always 
enier  into  the  calculations  of  the  accomplished  aeronaut,  and  require  the  exercise  of  no  ordinary  qualifications. 
M.-M-  ,-\j  -  Ly  no  means  sufficient  for  their  acquirement;  for  men  may  ascend  for  hundreds  of  times,  and 

still  keep  Lungling  on  to  the  end  without  the  slightest  advantage  or  improvement;  there  must  bo  a.  power 
.••a  to  turn  it  to  account;  a  judgment  to  interpret  its  suggestions,  and  coolness  to  apply  them;  penetration  to 
embrace  all  that  is  requisite  at  a  view,  and  quickness  in  calculating  the  results;  prudence  to  avoid  danger,  and 
courage  to  confront  it :  in  short,  all  the  qualifications,  to  a  certain  extent,  by  which  the  skilful  general  is  distin- 
guished in  the  fields  of  war  ;  and  I  should  Lut  ill  acquit  myself  of  my  duty  as  an  honest  though  humble  chronicler 

station  were  I  not  to  mention  as  pre-eminent  above  all  others  in  everything  which  regards  the  practice  of 
this  d.-liglitful  art,  my  friend,  the  veteran  aeronaut,  Mr.  Charles  Green.  Other  men  there  are,  no  doubt,  in  abundance, 
who.  'i  ..IT  favourable  circumstances,  can  manage  well  enough  to  bring  their  operations  to  a  close  without  material 
injury  to  themselves  or  their  companions  ;  so  fur  I  have  already  said  that  mere  chance  will  generally  favour  the 

lit :  it  was  reserved  for  Mr.  Green  to  reduce  these  operations  into  a  fixed  and  available  system,  and  convert 
that  chance  into  a  matter  of  certainty  and  design. 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  pursue  the  details  of  the  descent  with  the  same  precision  with  which  I  have  treated 
those  of  the  earlier  stages  of  the  art.  For  the  most  part  they  will  be  found  to  be  merely  a  counterpart  of  the  pre- 
ceding, differing  only  in  the  order  of  their  occurrence,  and  would  but  weary  the  reader,  already  sufficiently  KO,  no 
doubt,  without  contributing  anything  further  to  his  stock  either  of  information  or  entertainment.  The  few  pecu- 
liarities it  possesses  are  easily  explained.  Immediately  upon  commencing  the  descent,  a  painful  impression  is 
•  -d  in  the  ears,  more  or  less  acute  according  to  the  rate  at  which  that  operation  happens  to 


•  As  a  proof  of  what  may  be  done  by  tip  f  proper  skill, 

worth  oli*  rviiifj  thnt  the  balloon  which  Mr.  Green  generally 

.•I  already  . '  • -,vo  huinln-<l  ami  lil'ty-i\    limes — 

dip  hundred  and  fevcnty  witli  Mr.  (Jr.-.n  liiin.-.!!':  .  ii-hly-thrce  in 

.  :  unit  tlin*-  time*  in  that  of  lii-  lin.ther,  Mr.  Henry 

:  notwithstanding  whirh  it  still  rvnmim  a.-t  »-rvi.-.  al.h-  as.-v.-r. 


balloon— onre  l.y  th?  |«rtini;  of  the  cable,  and  once  by  tho  actual 

fm.-nireof  the  iron  it- 11.     li   i*   nnin  ivBgnry  to  observe  wlmt  must 

li.-.ve  IN-CII  the  for fihe  wind  by  which  Min-h  powerful  (-fleets  wm 

prodiin-d.  Iloth  tlies.-  iKvidehN  .Kvnrrcd  in  plm-i  «  |«rtictilarly  un- 
firotiRihlo  to  the  manoeuvres  of  the  aeronaut,  |.<  inc  tliirkly  beset 
with  trees,  and  so  circumstanced  that  hu.l  not  tin-  projrresH  .>!  tin- 


Th.                -                             n,  tin-   unwieldy  proportion.-*  of  which  Uillooii  been  opportnnelv    arrested,   tht-y    would    I.                     d  the 

rt-nd'T   in  management  doubly  ar.lii.ni*,   him  uln-ady  m...l.   lit'.  •  'i  roust,  and  U . -n  Mown  out  to  sen.     With  the  (in-uti  st  ilifllcully.  and 

1.  r  iln-  din-.-ti.ni    of  the;  gome  accoin|.Iifli.  .1   aeronaut.  by  i                                                    -kill  iilone.  the  Uill.K.n  was  saved 

amonx  whirh   Mime   have   U-.ii   ex.'-.i'.-d    nnd.  r  .•in-iiiiintaDOes  of  I  from  drstnict ion.     And  y.  I  with  all  these  onpcs,  and  tbe  ordinary 

po-uli.ir  difficulty  und  hazard.     Twiro  i                                          I  of  casualties  d   tli.   ar:  to  i.i«.t.  tin-  filk  hay  n.-v.  r  »<>  much  un  r. 

the  use  of  the  grapnel  by  tip    \;..l.    ,-.    <.f  i],.    wind,  ami  t'op-><!  i  .  the  slighu~>t  piinctnr. . 
to  adventitious  .xj. .![•:.•-  f..r  On-  pnr|'"» 

::  i. 


380  ASTEA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

be  conducted.  I  have  said  generally,  because  much  uncertainty  exists  with  regard  to  the  liability  to  this  impres- 
sion, there  being  some  in  whom  it  is  much  more  strongly  developed  than  in  others  ;  while,  again,  a  few  there  are 
whose  physical  constitution  seems  to  exempt  them  from  its  influence  altogether.  The  cause  of  the  sensation  is 
simply  a  renewed  pressure  upon  the  orifice  of  the  Eustachian  tube,  consequent  upon  the  passage  from  a  rarer 
into  a  denser  medium,  and  is  so  far  similar  to  that  experienced  in  a  diving-bell,  although,  as  might  be  expected 
from  the  different  constitution  of  the  experiment,  not  nearly  so  strong  in  its  indications.  Indeed,  in  the  latter, 
instances  are  not  infrequent  in  which  it  has  been  pushed  to  such  an  extremity  as  to  be  attended  with  the  sensation 
of  a  violent  explosion  in  the  ear,  occasioned,  as  it  is  supposed,  by  the  sudden  bursting  open  of  the  valve  by  which 
the  orifice  of  the  tube  is  closed,  producing  considerable  pain,  nausea,  and  temporary  (and,  in  one  case  that  I  am 
acquainted  with,  even  permanent)  suspension  of  the  power  of  hearing.  This  sensation  continues  until  the  descent 
for  the  time  is  concluded,  and  the  equilibrium  between  the  external  air  and  that  confined  in  the  cavernous  pro- 
cesses of  the  ear  has  been  completely  restored.  Why  it  should  not  be  experienced  in  the  ascent  as  well  as  the 
descent  of  the  balloon  is  a  circumstance  most  probably  depending  upon  the  valvular  construction  of  the  parts 
themselves,  the  greater  facility  which  is  afforded  to  the  egress  than  the  ingress  of  the  atmospheric  fluid,  and  con- 
sequently the  minor  opposition  encountered  in  the  establishment  of  the  equilibrium  above  alluded  to. 

This,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  is  the  only  physical  impression  peculiar  to  the  descent ;  as  to  the  mental  ones,  I 
can  only  say,  to  speak  from  my  own  observation,  that  regret,  intense  regret,  at  being  forced  to  relinquish  so 
delightful  a  situation,  is  the  only  sentiment  I  have  ever  found  to  be  an  invariable  attendant  upon  the  conclusion 
of  the  aerial  voyage. 

But  we  have  now  no  time  even  for  the  indulgence  of  these  melancholy  considerations.  The  balloon  is  already 
approaching  the  earth.  The  trees,  hedges,  roads,  and  other  features  of  the  rural  landscape,  which  for  some  time 
back  have  been  growing  gradually  upon  the  eye,  have  now  resumed  their  original  distinctness,  and  appear  in 
quick  succession,  rapidly  receding  in  our  rear.  Several  persons  now  also  can  be  distinguished,  either  standing  in 
mute  astonishment,  looking  up  at  our  approach,  or  hurrying  from  all  directions  in  the  hopes  of  being  present  at 
our  descent.  At  length  the  field  we  have  been  so  long  aiming  at  appears  directly  before  us ;  the  grapnel  just 
tops  the  hedge,  and  alights  immediately  within  it.  For  a  few  seconds  it  continues  to  drag  along  the  ground  with 
a  succession  of  shocks,  the  violence  of  which  the  elastic  cable  serves  considerably  to  abate.  One,  however,  more 
forcible  than  the  rest  at  last  ensues  and  fixes  the  anchor  in  the  soil.  Eestricted  in  her  progress,  the  balloon  for 
the  first  time  becomes  sensible  of  her  captivity,  and  seems  to  concentrate  all  the  strength  she  possesses  to  effectuate 
her  liberation.  But  it  is  all  in  vain.  The  anchor  holds  ;  assistance  multiplies  in  every  direction  ;  the  people  run 
in  and  seize  the  rope ;  the  loss  of  a  little  more  gas  tames  the  gigantic  straggler,  and  she  stands  at  length  secured 
upon  the  plain. 

In  the  preceding  sketch  it  will  be  perceived  that  I  have  made  no  account  of  the  effects  of  diminished  pressure 
upon  the  physical  condition  of  the  aeronaut,  which  some  have  depicted  in  such  glowing  terms.  But  the  truth  is, 
that  were  I  to  speak  from  my  own  knowledge,  or  that  of  others  upon  whose  authority  I  might  venture  to  rely,  and 
whose  experience  on  this  score  is  more  important  than  my  own,  I  should  be  rather  inclined  to  dispute  their 
existence  altogether ;  at  least,  as  obtaining  at  any  elevation  to  which  man,  with  the  means  he  has  hitherto 
employed,  has  ever  been  capable  of  ascending.  In  this  dearth  of  actual  testimony,  all  that  remains  for  us  to 
resort  to  is  a  circumstantial  investigation  of  the  nature  of  the  proceeding  itself,  and  upon  these  grounds  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  conclusion  to  which  we  have  just  arrived  receives  the  strongest  confirmation. 

In  the  translation  to  the  upper  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  the  human  body,  as  a  natural  consequence  of 
the  diminished  density  of  the  medium,  becomes  subjected  to  the  influence  of  two  specific  changes ;  namely,  the 
remotion  of  pressure,  and  the  diminished  supply  of  oxygen  gas.  Now  the  former  of  these,  taken  abstracted!!/,  I 
conceive  to  be  an  event  of  a  most  innoxious  character,  and  of  itself,  simply,  incapable  of  producing  any  effect 
upon  the  animal  economy  whatever.  So  far,  indeed,  is  this  the  case,  that  I  question  if  any  result,  seriously 
prejudicial  to  the  organisation  of  the  individual,  would  accrue  were  he  to  be  exposed  to  the  action  of  a  perfect 
vacuum  in  the  receiver  of  an  air-pump,  providing  the  operation  were  conducted  sufficiently  slowly  to  permit  the 
gradual  escape  of  the  included  gases.  This  is  a  fact  as  easily  demonstrated  by  experiments  upon  the  inanimate  as 
the  living,  and  the  results  seem  to  justify  our  conclusion  to  the  fullest  extent.  Upon  the  lungs,  certainly,  no 
effect  whatever,  could  be  produced ;  the  air  contained  therein  is  always  at  liberty  to  escape,  nor  would 
any  consequences  ensue  from  its  total  abstraction,  so  far  as  the  simple  condition  of  the  parts  themselves  was 
concerned. 


M  \  OXY<;KN. 


\\ith  regard  to  the  diminished  supply  of  oxygen,  however,  the  cue  may  bo  different  ;  the  material  in 
question  has  a  specific  action  up..u  the  lung-,  ami  in  certain  quantities  is  absolutely  requisite  to  en  Vi.l.-  tin  m  to 

mi  the  fiineii..n*  I'nr  which  they  art'  ordained.      \\ln-n.  however,  we  consider  how  very  small  a  portion  (not 

than  the  five  hundred  and  sixtieth  part)  of  the  whole  quantity  contained  Is  consumed  at  each  respiration,* 

an<l  i  ii-LMid  tin-  facility  \\l..i.\Mth  the  organs  in  question  adapt  thcms.  -l\es  to  the  change*  to  which. 

occasionally  to  a  considerable  extent,   they  are   exposed   in   tin-  oidiiiiiry  coiiisc  of  life,  the  great  latitude  illicit 

nature  has  bestowed  upon  them  in  the  exercise  of  functions  so  essential  to  the  support  of  animation,  wo  shall 

.\e  ample  grounds  for  the  l>elief  that  no  sensible  olsti  iietjon  ever  has  or  could  hare  been  afforded  to  the 
aeronaut  by  the  impoverishment  of  the  atmospheric  medium  at  any  altitude  to  which  he  ban  ever  been  capable 
of  ascending.  These  observation*  are  of  course  only  intended  to  be  applied  to  persons  in  sound  health;  it  is 
well  known  to  what  an  extent  the  perceptions  in  this  quarter  become  sharpened  by  constitutional  delicacy  or 
local  disease.  The  circumstances  under  which  the  ascent  has  been  effected  are  likewise  capable  of  exercising 
much  influence  ii]>on  the  physical  condition  of  the  individual,  and  have  no  doubt  frequently  led  to  the  adoption 
of  an  opinion  favourable  to  the  admission  of  the  sensations  in  question  a*  natnial  consequences  of  existence  carried 
on  in  ii  highly  attenuated  atmosphere.  To  this  cause,  in  fact,  I  have  no  doubt  are  to  be  attributed  the  symptoms, 
slight  as  they  are,  which  M.  Gay  Lumao  describes  himself  as  having  experienced  in  his  second  excursion,  when 
he  had  reached  an  •  !•  \.i-:-  n  <  f  twenty  tlncc  thousand  feet;  the  greatest  [with  the  exceptions  already  named] 
attained  l.y  man.  The  only  alterations  which  at  this  altitude  ho  was  able  to  detect  in  the  exercise  of  the  functions 
of  life,  which  could  in  any  way  be  imputed  to  the  mrefaction  of  the  surrounding  medium,  was  a  slight  increase 
(amounting  altogether  to  not  more  than  one-third)  in  the  ordinary  action  of  the  heart  and  lungs:  considering 
what  he  says  concerning  the  state  of  hi.-  health  at  the  time,  suffering  from  extreme  fatigue,  deprived  of  sleep 
during  the  whole  of  the  preceding  night,  afflicted  with  a  violent  headache,  and  labouring,  no  doubt,  as  might  be 
•nably  expected,  under  much  anxiety,  not  only  on  account  of  his  own  personal  safety,  but  for  the  result 
of  an  expedition  in  which  so  much  was  at  stake,  and  from  which  so  much  had  been  anticipated,  the  only  cause  of 
wonder  is  that  the  consequences  should  have  been  so  slight  as  they  were.  Indeed  I  have  little  doubt  that  had 
it  been  tried,  they  would  have  been  found  to  have  been  fully  as  great  before  he  quitted  the  ground,  upon  his 
entering  the  car  of  the  balloon,  as  at  the  excessive  elevation  whereat  he  was  first  induced  to  observe  them. 

To  those  who  regard  the  difficulties  experienced  in  the  ascent  of  high  mountains,  the  painful  sensations  and 
distressing  symptoms  to  which  all  have  more  or  less  been  subjected  in  the  attempt  to  gain  great  elevations  upon 
the  surface  of  the  earth,  these  observations  and  the  conclusion  to  which  they  naturally  conduce,  may,  no  doubt, 
appear  surprising.  But  the  situations  referred  to  are  by  no  means  analogous:  in  the  former,  a  circumstance 
requires  to  be  taken  into  account  which  forms  no  part  of  the  phenomena  of  aerostatic  elevation;  I  allude  to  the 
excessive  muscular  action  necessarily  developed  in  the  attempt  ;  giving  rise  to  an  inordinately  increased 
circulation,  and  creating  an  equally  increased  demand  for  oxygen  gas  at  the  very  time  when  the  natural  supply. 
fiom  the  minor  density  of  the  atmosphere,  was  constantly  becoming  lessened.  That  this  is  the  real  cause  of  the 
symptoms  in  question,  no  better  proof  can  be  offered  or  required  than  the  fact  that  all  these  symptoms  entirely 
disappear  the  instant  the  exertions  have  been  discontinued  by  which  they  were  occasioned.  I  can  only  assure 
the  reader  that  at  an  elevation  in  a  balloon  of  many  thousand  feet  above  the  summit  of  Mont  Blanc,  Mr.  Green 
has  assured  me  that  not  the  slightest  personal  sensation  could  be  detected  by  him  different  from  what  he  would 

experienced  had  he  been  sitting  quietly  at  home  in  his  own  study. 

AS  to  the  inferences  which  may  have  been  drawn  from  the  consideiation  of  experiments  upon  individuals 
)>y  means  of  an  air-pump,  they  are  not  a  whit  more  admissible  as  evidence  of  the  effects  of  excessive  atmospheric 
elevation  than  the  preceding.  The  circumstances  of  the  two  situations  are  essentially  dissimilar;  nor  would 

possible  by  any  artificial  means  to  render  them  otherwise.  Either  the  diminution  of  pressure  is  merely  local, 
in  which  ease  it  is  unnecessary  to  point  out  the  distinction;  or  if  it  be  general,  then  does  it  inevitably  implicate 
elements  which  do  not  enter  into  the  constitution  of  the  experiment  conducted  in  the  open  air.  The  consumption 
of  oxygen  gas  and  the  evolution  of  carbonic  acid,  are  both  essential  results  of  the  exercise  of  the  respiratory 


tl:«*  f*|»  rimenU  of  Bf«-t         '       •  ••»,  Sir  Charlm  Hell,  t'nnn  OIII-M  vi  ntii  th  UP  one-lniixln  <lth  Ompfttitts  tlio  proceed- 

and  otl.rr  plifMuloguU,  we  leani  that  tin-  aTerage  quantity  of  ail  ini-:  :is-nmrr.-.  lr>«.  \.  r   '•'><•-.  iirl.ti.  th  IIH  tlic  nxtui  iliminutiim  j,p>- 

i-.  v.,;-..  i   in   tin-  lii!i^-«ifn  Mill-crown  man  ii  about  two  liiiinln  .1  <ln<-«l  in  tin-  i|ii»ntity  actively  rni|>l»ynl.    »•••  ..I  t.nu  .,   r.  suit  of 

ami  •  -i::lity  culm1   incht .-.  »l                       :I<HK-.  or  nne-M-vtiitli  of  tin-  half  u  riiliii-  inrli  of  nxyp n.  »r  om-five-liumln  <l-iiml-sixtii  til  |*rt 

wlinlr,  is  drawn  in  ami  .  X|»  Hi  <1  at  .  \.  ry  onliunry  rt»|>irati.m.      Of  <>f  the  actual  contcuU  of  the   lung!  conioimed    in    the  pruccH  of 

UiulutU-ramnuiit.ui'c«rdiiigtotliovir)  cart  ful  anulyiH  »  nf  Sir.  Davy,  '   respiration. 

3  n  •_' 


382 


ASTEA  CASTEA. 


( 'H.U'.  X. 


functions,  which  would  very  soon  change  the  nature  of  any  experiment  in  closed  vessels,  and  subject  the  patient 
to  consequences  from  which  he  would  otherwise  be  free. 

Upon  the  whole  review  of  the  case,  therefore,  I  have  thought  it  better  to  avoid  all  mention  of  the  results  in 
question,  than  by  their  admission  upon  dubious  testimony  render  myself  liable  to  the  charge  of  having  contributed 
to  the  perpetuation  of  error. 


NACTILI  AND  FLYING  FISH. 

ARGONAUT  A  GONDOLA. 

Madame  Power  first  observed  and  published  an  account  of  (at  Messina,  1834)  the 
function  of  the  brachial  membranes  in  maintaining  the  shell  of  this  animal  in  its  proper 
relation  to  the  body. 

A  Report  to  the  British  Association,  in  1844,  says: — 

The  fabled  office  of  the  brachial  membranes,  as  "  sails  "  to  waft  the  argonaut  along  the  surface  of  the  ocean, 
and  that  of  the  attenuated  arms,  as  "  oars  "  extending  over  the  sides  of  the  boat,  have  afforded  a  favourite  topic 
for  poetic  imagery  and  philosophical  analogy  during  many  ages ;  and  the  little  hypothetical  navigator  of  Nature's 
.ship  has  been  the  object  of  the  disquisition  of  the  naturalist  from  Aristotle  to  Cuvier,  and  of  the  song  of  the  poet 
from  Callimachus  to  Byron. 

SONG  OF  THE  STARS. 


WHEN  the  radiant  mom  of  creation  broke, 

And  the  world  in  the  smile  of  God  awoke, 

And  the  empty  realms  of  darkness  and  death 

Were  moved  through  their  depths  by  His  mighty  breath  ; 

And  orbs  of  beauty,  and  spheres  of  flame, 

From  the  void  abyss  by  myriads  came, 

In  tlie  joy  of  youth,  as  they  darted  away 

Through  the  widening  wastes  of  space  to  play, 

Their  silver  voices  in  chorus  rung, 

And  this  was  the  song  the  bright  ones  sung : 

Away,  away,  through  the  wide,  wide  sky, 
The  fair  blue  fields  that  before  us  lie : 


Each  sun  with  the  worlds  that  round  us  roll, 
Each  planet  poised  on  her  turning  pole, 
With  her  isles  of  green,  and  her  clouds  of  white, 
And  her  waters  that  lie  like  fluid  light. 

For  the  Source  of  Glory  uncovers  his  face, 
And  the  brightness  o'erflows  unbounded  space  ; 
And  we  drink,  as  we  go,  the  luminous  tides 
In  our  ruddy  air  and  our  blooming  sides  ; 
Lo,  yonder  the  living  splendours  play ! 
Away,  on  your  joyous  path,  away  ! 

Look,  look,  through  our  glittering  ranks  afar, 
In  the  infinite  azure,  star  after  star, 


Cnu-.  X. 


Till!  mNTKASTS. 


IIi'\v  thi-y  brighten  nnd  bloom  M  they  swiftly  pa*! 

•inn-  runs  o'er  each  rolling  maw, 
Aii'l  tin-  i«th  »!'  il,.  -_vntle  wimU  is  Men, 

the  small  waves  dance,  and  the  young  wood*  lean. 

And  nee  w  hen?  the  brighter  day-beams  pour, 

tl>f  rainbows  hang  in  the  sunny  show. 
Ami  the  nmni  and  the  eve,  with  their  |»inp  of  hues 
Shin  ,,Yr  the  bright  planeU  and  shed  their  dews  I 
And  'twixt  them  both,  o'er  the  teeming  ground, 
With  her  shadowy  cone,  the  night  goes  round. 

Away,  away !— in  our  blossoming  bowers, 
In  the  soft  air  wrapping  these  spheres  of  ours, 


In  the  seas  and  fountains  that  shine  with  mom, 
See,  love  is  brooding,  and  life  is  born, 
And  breathing  myriads  are  breaking  from  night, 
To  rejoice,  like  us,  in  motion  and  light. 

i :  Ii<lc  on  in  your  beauty,  ye  youthful  spheres ! 
To  weave  the  danoe  that  measure*  the  years. 
Glide  on  in  the  glory  and  gladness  sent 
To  the  farthest  wall  of  the  firmament, 
Tho  boundless  visible  smile  of  Him, 
To  the  veil  of  whose  brow  our  lumps  are  dim. 

BBYAST. 


THE  CONTRASTS. 

(  hie  is  frequently  asked,  "  What  are  the  sensations  experienced  in  a  balloon  ?"  In  replv 
to  winch  I  will  contrast  the  two  voyages  described  by  Mons.  Turgan,  in  his  excellent  manual, 
IJriirht  Si.lr  FirM,  ami  then  tin-  Dark.'  The  first  is  a  voyage  made  in  1850,  by  M<ms. 
At  5.20  P.M.  on  22nd  July,  he  left  the  Hippodrome  at  Paris,  accompanir.l  U 
Messrs.  Green  ami  Atkinson,  an«l  a  Spanish  lady,  Madame  de  Lancy: — 

....  I  had  thought  that  we  should  have  risen  with  the  rapidity  of  an  arrow,  and  expected  a  strange 
motion,  and  that  all  object*  would  run  together  into  a  fantastic  cascade.  What,  then,  was  my  surprise  to  find 
that  I  did  not  move  at  all.  The  earth  fled  from,  beneath  our  feet ;  spectators,  carriages,  and  houses  diminished 
in  our  view,  yet  kept  their  outline  sharp  and  clear,  as  if  viewed  through  a  doubly-concave  lens.  Soon  the  vast 
amphitheatre  of  tlio  Hippodrome  appeared  no  larger  than  a  saucer,  where  microscopic  objects  were  teeming  like 
ants ;  the  boulevards  hardly  six  inches  wide ;  and  an  omnibus,  one  could  perfectly  distinguish,  appeared  no  larger 
than  a  snail,  and  to  move  as  slowly. 

Mr.  Green  threw  out  some  ballast,  and  wo  rose  to  a  height  of  one  mile  and  a  half,  but  were  still  below  tint 
clouds.  The  plain  stretched  its  immense  circle  round  the  city,  which  contracted  in  proportion  to  the  enlargem.  nt 
of  the  circle;  roads,  railways,  canals,  and  rivers,  all  the  arteries  of  terrestrial  circulation  gradually  extended  th.-ir 
white  and  black  tracks.  The  Seine,  of  surpassing  beauty,  little  by  little  unrolled  its  silver  windings,  each  new 
turn  showing  we  had  added  several  hundred  feet  to  the  height  we  had  already  attained.  We  saw  its  limit  al 
at  the  horizon,  where  it  shone  in  the  sun  like  a  largo  diamond.  It  was  now  6  P.M.,  and  our  altitude  was  three 
miles.  An  increased  coldness  could  be  felt;  we  refreshed  ourselves  with  some  Bordeaux,  and  passed  a  few 
minutes  in  enjoyable  conversation,  without  further  attention  to  the  wonders  within  view. 

We  now  entered  the  clouds,  and  new  scenes  attracted  us.  The  sun's  rays  were  reflected  amidst  these 
enormous  masses  of  vapour,  and  caused  singular  mirages  far  exceeding  the  liveliest  fancj-.  A  few  minutes  later, 
and  we  beheld  the  most  beautiful  and  thrilling  spectacle  that  it  is  possible  for  man  to  contemplate;  nothing  mi 
earth  can  be  compared  to  the  sublime  magnificence  of  this  scene;  they  only  who  have  seen  the  snowy  stimniit.s 
of  the  Alps  may  form  an  infinitely  small  idea  of  it. 

In-low  and  around  us  mountains  of  indescribable  whiteness  overtopped  each  other,  and  appeared  emwded 
together,  like  a  flock  of  sheep  at  a  park-gate ;  then  all  at  once  the  ethereal  scenery  changed  ;  lakes  and  enormous 
r  reflected  brilliant  rays;  high  white  cliffs  formed  rugged  banks  and  an  horizon  of  mountain- 
yellow  like  gold.     A  We  extended  the  blue  sky  of  a  clearness  that  allowed  the  eye  •;.-  infinite  distance, 

and  lieneath,  through  sonii-  holes,  something  yellowish,  greyish,  tarnished — in  fact,  dirty.  It  is  the  earth.  The 
earth  at  this  time  ap^-aied  to  us  a  dreadful  abode — a  frightful  sink.  Tho  beating  of  our  hearts  slow  and  eni  : 
caused  more  life  to  circulate  within  us.  Distances,  colours,  appearances,  and  speed,  were  all  changed  ;  and 
1  felt  at*  if  1  had  entered  another  world.  Mr.  (Ireen  said  he  had  never  seen  anything  more  beautiful,  and 
commenced  afresh  to  empty  Itallast.  \\  o  rose  to  a  height  of  five  miles,  when  breathing  became  iiurdeiisi.ine. 
It  U-ing  now  ('<.•<'>  P.M..  and  the  sun  m-ar  the  horizon,  it  was  time  for  us  to  descend.  l»y  om-  pull  at  the  valve 
this  was  effected. 

We  were  fortunate  in  passing  through  the  cloud.-  to  see  a  parhelion  (a  doul'h:  reflection  nf  the  kiHoon  with 


384  ASTEA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

prismatic  colours),  a  rare  occurrence  even  in  aerial  voyages.  It  was  then  6.50  P.M.,  and  we  were  all  sensible  of 
the  reflected  heat  from  the  clouds.  Our  descent  was  made  with  such  rapidity  that  ballast  thrown  out  descended 
in  fine  rain  on  our  shoulders.  A  few  minutes  after,  the  bark  of  a  dog  reminded  us  of  our  approach  to  the  earth  ; 
corn-fields,  woods,  and  villages  became  again  visible  at  the  bottom  of  an  immense  yellow  bowl,  as  the  earth 
appeared  to  us.  On  what  should  we  alight?  was  now  the  question.  Would  it  be  a  church-spire  or  poplar? 
or  should  we  step  lightly  into  a  clover-field  or  lawn  ?  The  last  was  our  fate ;  and  the  descent  was  accomplished 
with  success  in  a  field  of  newly-mown  grass.  Many  country  people  had  been  running  after  us,  and  now  in  the 
excitement  of  their  capture  became  troublesome.  Their  amusement  was  extreme  at  hearing  an  unknown  tongue. 
We  were  rescued  from  these  difficulties  by  the  good  monks  of  the  College  of  Juilly,  who  insisted  on  our  coming 
into  their  establishment,  where  they  provided  us  with  an  excellent  supper,  and  lodged  us  for  the  night.  Next 
day  it  was  necessary  for  me  to  enter  again  into  ordinary  life,  with  two  new  and  sincere  wishes — one,  to  pass  the 
rest  of  my  life  on  the  vast  plains  above  the  clouds ;  the  other,  less  presumptuous  but  unfortunately  as  impossible, 
to  study  rhetoric  for  ever  in  the  magnificent  oasis  of  Juilly,  an  imposing  monument  to  the  architectural 
grandeur  of  the  middle  ages,  where  we  received,  on  descending  from  the  clouds,  such  noble  and  cordial 
hospitality. 

The  dark  side  is  presented  in  Count  Zambeccari's  ascent  from  Bologna,  in  1804:— 

A  bark  of  beauty  on* "  the  moon's  "  blue  sea, 

Winning  its  way  among  the  billowy  clouds, 

Unoared,  unpiloted,  moved  on ;  the  sky 

Was  studded  thick  with  stars,  which  glittering  stream'd 

An  intermittent  splendour  thro'  the  heavens. 

I  turned  my  glance  to  earth ;  the  mountain  winds 

Were  sleeping  in  their  caves,  and  the  wild  sea, 

With  its  innumerous  billows  melted  down 

To  one  unmoving  mass,  lay  stretch'd  beneath 

In  deep  and  tranced  slumber,  giving  back 

The  host  above,  with  all  its  dazzling  sheen, 

To  Fancy's  ken,  as  tho'  the  luminous  sky 

Had  rained  down  stars  upon  its  breast.     Suddenly 

The  scene  grew  dim :  those  living  lights  rush'd  out. — ALARIC  WATTS. 

....  Then  my  spirit  sunk!  I  thought  my  honour  was  lost!  exhausted  with  fatigue!  having  eaten  nothing 
all  day !  fever  on  my  lips !  despair  in  my  soul !  I  rose  at  midnight — without  other  hope  than  that  my  balloon, 
which  had  much  suffered  from  wear  and  tear,  would  not  carry  me  very  far. 

Andreoli  and  Grassetti  accompanied  me.  I  intended  to  remain,  if  possible,  at  the  same  level  until  it  was 
light,  but  I  soon  perceived  a  tendency  to  fall.  I  still  hoped  to  descend  without  danger  near  Bologna,  when 
of  a  sudden  we  rose  with  inconceivable  rapidity,  and  the  lamp  it  was  intended  should  be  seen  from  the  earth,  was 
extinguished ;  the  feeble  light  of  a  lantern,  however,  still  allowed  us  to  look  at  the  barometer.  The  insupportable 
cold,  together  with  no  food  for  twenty-four  hours,  caused  me  to  fall  into  a  sleep  resembling  death ;  Grassetti  was 
affected  in  the  same  way ;  Andreoli  only  remained  awake. 

»****«»» 

We  descended  slowly  through  thick  clouds,  and  when  we  were  below  them  Andreoli  heard  the  rolling 
of  the  waves.  He  told  me  this  with  alarm,  and  soon  my  own  ears  confirmed  the  truth.  I  instantly  seized  a  bag 
of  ballast,  but  before  I  could  throw  it  out  the  car  sunk  in  the  water.  During  the  first  moment  of  alarm,  we  threw 
from  us  instruments,  clothes,  money,  and  all  that  could  lighten  the  machine ;  still  we  did  not  rise,  so  we  cut  away 
such  portions  of  the  car  as  could  be  spared,  and  finally  threw  our  lamp  into  the  sea.  Thus  lightened,  we  rose 
with  such  extreme  rapidity,  that  we  could  not  hear  each  other's  voice,  even  by  hallooing.  I  felt  sick,  and 


CHAT.  X. 


A  VISION. 


880 


Orametti's  nose  bled ;  as  we  had  been  wet  to  the  skin,  we  were  now  covered  with  a  coating  of  ice.  After 
upending  half  an  hour  in  the  upper  regions,  wo  descended  slowly,  and  full  again  into  the  sea.  It  was  then  about 
4  v  \i.  Tlif  night  was  .-till  dark,  and  the  sea  tempestuous,  and  we  wore  not  in  a  situation  to  make  many 
observations.  \\  <•  remained  up  to  our  waists  in  the  water,  with  the  waves  washing  over  us.  The  balloon  being 
more  than  half  empty,  the  wind  used  it  like  a  nail.  Wo  remained  in  this  plight  during  the  long  hours  tliat 
intervened  till  dawn,  when  wo  found  ourselves  opposite  Peaaro,  about  four  miles  from  the  coast.  We  thought  we 
.should  soon  arrive  there,  when  a  land  wind  again  carried  us  out  to  sea.  The  few  fishing-boats  near  made  away 
from  us  in  alarm ;  but  a  smack  at  a  distance  recognised  our  globe  as  a  balloon,  and  came  alongside.  The  sailors 
threw  us  ropes,  by  which  means  we  reached  the  deck  perfectly  exhausted.  Our  aerostat  thus  lightened  again 
rose  in  spito  of  all  endeavours  to  restrain  it,  and  was  soon  lost  in  the  clouds.  Wo  were  conveyed  to  Pola,  where 
we  were  received  in  the  kindest  manner.  I  was,  however,  obliged  to  have  two  fingers  amputated  that  had  been 
Lit;,  n. 

Tliis  ili-tivssing  advent uiv,  occurred  on  the  8th  of  October,  1804,  and  was  caused  by  a 
i;i>h  promise  to  the  eager  spectators  at  Bologna  to  ascend  as  soon  as  the  balloon  was  filled, 
which  was  not  accomplish.'.!  till  midnight.  These  toils  and  difficulties  did  not,  however, 
d.-i-T  tin-  noble  Count  Zunbeocari  from  continuing  his  experiments,  till  he  lost  his  life  in  ;i 

M"iito;.)lticiv,  in  the  vt-;ir  1-Uli. 

THE  AIR  VOYAGE.— A  VISION. 


YE  have  heard  of  spirits  that  sail  the  air, 
Like  birds  that  float  o'er  the  mountains  bare, 
Upborne  with  pinions  of  beauty  on, 
When  the  farewell  light  of  day  is  gone, 
And  they  gladly  soar  to  the  Hue  away, 
As  to  catch  the  star's  young  travelling  ray  : 

Till  the  arch  nf  niiiht, 

Is  tremblingly  bright, 
As  if  meteors  shot  on  their  upward  flight. 

Ye  have  heard  of  spirits  that  sail  away 
To  realms  that  glisten  with  endless  day, — 
Where  the  clouds  scarce  lift  their  giant-forms, 
In  their  far  dim  march  to  the  land  of  storms ; 
Where  the  ocean  of  ether  heaves  around, 
And  silence  and  dew  alone  are  found ! 

Where  life  is  still, 

By  a  boundless  will, 
As  a  sabbath  around  some  echoless  hill ! 

uiit  1  \v:i»  borne  through  the  measureless  fields, 
Where  the  silver  muon  and  the  comet  wheels. 
With  a  glorious  thrilling  of  joy  I  went, 
And  a  tide  of  life  through  my  heart  was  sent, 
As  though  a  new  fountain  bad  burst  control, 
And  bade  its  streams  o'er  my  pulses  roll ; 

And  a  shallop  frail, 

With  a  shadowy  sail, 
Hurried  me  on  with  a  singing  gale. 

It  went  through  my  brain,  this  deep  delight, 
With  a  kindling  sense  of  sound  and  siuht ; 
And  it  seemed,  as  I  rose,  that  the  far  blue  air 
Caught  a  hue  of  glory  more  richly  rare 


Than  was  ever  revealed  to  earthly  eyes, — 
The  cold,  cold  lustre  of  uppermost  skies  1 

And  still  my  bark  went 

Through  the  firmament, 
As  a  thing  to  the  walls  of  the  universe  sent. 

When  the  sun  rolled  up  from  the  burning  sea, 
Like  a  car  of  flame  from  immensity, 
I  felt  his  beams  quiver  along  my  frame, 
When  first  o'er  the  clouds  and  stars  they  came ; 
And  the  light  dropping  orbs  I  had  slumbered  among, 
Their  dim  dewy  eyes  o'er  creation  hung, 

As  each  beautiful  ray 

Sunk  sadly  away, 
To  the  inner  home  of  the  high-blue  day  1 

Then  I  sailed  far  off  to  the  thundering  clouds, 
That  loomed  on  the  air  like  spirits  in  shrouds, 
My  vessel,  sunk  on  their  fleecy  pillow, 
Seemed  a  shadowy  bark  on  a  dreamy  billow ; 
And  I  floated  through  seas  of  visioned  things, 
Where  the  waking  breezes  point  their  wings, 

While  far  below, 

'Mid  the  lightning's  glow, 
I  heard  the  dull  sounds  of  the  tempest  go. 

Then  storm-clouds  crossed  my  glowing  track, 

And  launched  me  on  through  the  hurrying  rack, 

Till  a  new  creation  seemed  to  rise. 

In  beauty  all  over  the  opening  skies ; 

And  the  spirits  that  passed  on  the  «  inys  of  night, 

As  they  took  their  farewell  feathery  flight, 

Poured  melody  out, 

Like  the  far-off  shout 
Of  music  that  dies  on  its  airy  route ! 

G.  Mn.irs. 


The  follow  in-  (from  '  Good  Words')  is  Mr.  Glaisher's  graphic  account  of  his  journ.  y  in 
a  balloon,  six  miles  hijrh: — 


386  ASTRA  CASTBA.  CHAP.  X. 

When  it  is  intended  to  ascend  five  or  six  miles  high,  the  balloon  is  but  little  more  than  one-half  full ;  because 
gas  expands  to  double  its  bulk  at  three  and  three-quarters  miles  high,  and  to  three  times  its  bulk  at  five  or  six 
miles ;  to  fill  the  balloon  before  starting  would  therefore  be  to  waste  gas,  and  possibly  annoy  the  occupants  of  the 
car  by  its  escape  from  expansion  at  the  neck  of  the  balloon. 

The  processes  of  expansion  and  contraction  are  constantly  going  on,  and  varies  with  every  variation  in  the 
height  of  the  balloon.  On  passing  from  a  cloudy  state  of  the  sky  to  a  clear  one,  it  is  necessary  to  go  through  the 
clouds,  during  which  time  the  cordage  and  the  balloon  become  bedewed  with  moisture,  so  increasing  its  load ;  but 
on  breaking  into  bright  sunshine,  the  expansion,  from  the  sun  shining  on  the  balloon,  causes  it  to  rise  rapidly  ;  two 
agencies  being  at  work,  viz.  increase  of  heat  and  loss  of  weight  by  evaporation.  But  in  passing  from  bright  sun- 
shine into  cloud,  the  gas  becomes  contracted  by  loss  of  heat,  and  the  balloon  every  instant  absorbs  moisture  and  so 
increases  its  load ;  both  causes  combining  to  make  the  balloon  descend  with  great  rapidity. 

Moreover,  this  continual  variation  in  the  expansion  or  contraction  of  the  gas  causes  perpetual  changes  in  the 
shape  and  course  of  the  balloon,  and  so  necessitates  the  constant  attention,  skill,  and  judgment  of  the  aeronaut. 

In  the  case  of  the  extreme  high  ascents,  the  operations  were  performed  where  no  eye  but  mine  could  witness 
them. 

At  the  same  time,  a  journey  through  the  air,  reaching  to  the  height  of  five  or  six  miles,  is  of  so  rare  an 
occurrence,  the  position  so  novel,  the  phenomena  which  present  themselves  so  peculiar,  that  nothing  short  of 
personal  experience  could  give  a  correct  knowledge  of  them,  that  I  propose  to  give  a  descriptive  account 
of  a  journey  through  the  air,  blending  the  experiences  of  the  several  ascents  I  have  made  somewhat  together. 

BEFOEE  LEAVING  THE  EAKTH. 

Imagine  the  balloon  somewhat  more  than  half  inflated,  eager  for  flight,  with  only  one  link  connecting  it  with 
the  earth,  viz.  a  rope  attached  to  an  instrument  called  a  liberating  iron  or  catch. 

When  all  the  ballast,  instruments,  and  everything  else  are  placed  in  the  car,  with  the  grapnel  attached 
outside,  so  as  to  be  readily  detached,  and  these  amount  to  4000  pounds,  the  balloon  is  brought  to  a  nice  and  even 
balance,  so  that  the  addition  of  twenty  pounds  would  prevent  it  from  rising,  but  if  removed  would  give  it  the 
required  ascending  power. 

When  all  is  ready,  Mr.  Coxwell,  with  his  hand  upon  the  catch,  looks^up  at  the  sky,  and  is  apparently  staring 
at  vacancy,  but  he  is  not.  If  the  sky  be  partially  cloudy,  he  watches  till  he  is  midway  between  the  cloud  that 
has  passed  and  that  which  is  coming,  so  that  he  may  have  a  clear  sky,  and  at  least  see  the  earth  beneath,  and 
avoid,  if  possible,  passing  through  a  cloud,  though  it  may  be  cloudy  all  round ;  for  the  cloud  which  preceded  will 
always  precede,  and  that  which  follows  will  always  follow.  Nor  is  that  all ;  he  knows  that  in  every  wind, 
how  strong  soever  it  may  be,  there  are  periods  of  calms,  and  if  he  can  start  in  one  of  them  he  avoids  much 
rotatory  motion ;  so  he  awaits  for  an  opportune  moment  for  a  fair  start,  to  combine  these  two  states  together, 
if  possible. 

THE  DEPARTURE. 

When  the  sun  shines,  the  wind  lulls,  and  the  balloon  stands  proudly  erect ;  the  favourable  moment  arrives ; 
the  catch  is  pulled,  and  we  are  free.  Wre  are  free,  but  not  only  so,  we  are  in  profound  repose ;  no  matter  how 
violent  soever  the  wind  may  be,  no  matter  how  agitated  the  balloon  may  have  been  swaying  to  and  fro,  now  on 
this  side,  now  on  that,  with  sudden  and  violent  action,  notwithstanding  all  the  efforts  of  the  many  individuals  who 
were  struggling  to  hold  it ;  all  agitation  in  a  moment  ceases,  and  we  are  in  perfect  stillness,  without  any  sense  of 
motion  whatever,  and  this  continues  throughout  our  entire  flight. 

Once  away,  we  are  both  immediately  at  work ;  we  have  but  little  time  for  graceful  acknowledgments  to 
cheering  friends.  Mr.  Coxwell  proceeds  to  put  the  car  in  order,  and  accordingly  looks  to  it,  to  his  balloon,  and  to 
the  course  we  are  taking ;  and  I  must  get  my  instruments  in  order.  Without  delay,  therefore,  at  once  place  them 
in  their  situations,  adjust  them,  and  take  a  reading  as  soon  as  possible. 

In  a  few  minutes  we  are  from  1000  to  2000  feet  high;  Mr.  Coxwell  looks  intently  upwards,  to  see  how 
the  huge  folds  of  the  balloon  fill  into  the  netting.  If  we  have  started  from  a  town,  its  busy  hum  attracts 
our  attention,  and  a  glance  shows  us  the  many  upturned  faces  in  every  street,  and  the  town  itself,  which 
looks  like  an  engineer's  model  in  motion ;  and  the  now  fast  fading  cheers  of  our  assembled  friends  next  attract 
our  attention,  and  another  glance  shows  us  the  quickly  diminishing  forms  of  the  objects  we  so  recently  left. 


CUM.  V  A  .InriJXEY  SIX  MILES  UK. II.  887 

REACHING  THE  CLOUDS. 

On  approaching  tin-  clouds,  Mr.  C'oxwcll  recommend*  me  to  take  a  farewell  peep  at  the  earth ;  and,  aa  I  do 
this,  tin-  clouds  receive  us,  at  first  in  a  light  gauze  of  vapour,  and  then  in  their  chilly  embrace,  where  I  examine 
their  Mructuro,  note  the  temperature  of  the  dew-point  particularly.  Shortly  it  becomes  lighter,  the  light 
gradually  increasing,  till  it  is  succeeded  by  a  flood  of  light,  at  first  striking,  then  dazzling;  and  we  pam 
out  of  a  dense  cloud,  to  where  the  clouds  open  out  in  bold  and  fantastic  shapes,  showing  us  light  and  shade 
and  spectral  scenes,  embellished  with  prismatic  colours,  disporting  themselves  around  us  in  wild  grandeur, 
till  at  length  we  break  out  into  brilliant  sunshine,  and  the  clouds  roll  away  into  a  perfect  sea  of  vapour, 
obscuring  the  earth  entirely  ;  then  in  the  line  from  the  sun  passing  us,  we  see  the  shadow  of  the  balloon  and  car 
and  ourselves  upon  the  clouds,  very  large  and  distinct,  with  encircling  ovate  of  rainbow  tints ;  forming  altogether 
a  wonderful  scene — a  wonderful  contrast  to  that  of  their  lower  surface. 

ABOVE  THE  CLOUDS. 

When  approaching  the  height  of  three  miles,  Mr.  Coxwell  directs  my  attention  to  the  fact,  that  the  balloon 
i«  full,  and  the  gas  is  issuing  from  the  safety-valve.  He  then  directs  my  attention  to  the  fit  and  proportions  of  the 
netting.  I  find  the  gas,  which  was  before  cloudy  and  opaque,  is  clear  and  transparent,  so  that  I  can  look  right  u]> 
the  balloon,  and  see  the  meshes  of  the  network  showing  through  it ;  the  upper  valve,  with  its  springs  and  line, 
reaching  to  the  car,  and  the  geometrical  form  of  the  balloon  itself.  Nor  is  this  an  idle  examination. 

I  have  already  said,  that  in  passing  through  the  cloud  the  netting  would  gather  moisture,  augmenting  the 
weight  of  the  balloon ;  if  this  should  not  all  have  evaporated,  the  network  would  have  become  frozen,  and  be  an 
wire-rope ;  so  that,  if  the  diamond  shape  of  the  netting  when  under  tension,  and  the  form  of  the  crown  of  the 
balloon  be  not  symmetrical,  the  weight  might  not  be  equally  distributed,  and  there  would  be  danger  of  it  cutting 
the  balloon.  A  sense  of  security,  therefore,  follows  such  an  examination. 

THREE  MILES  HIGH. 

A  stream  of  gas  now  continually  issues  from  the  neck,  which  is  very  capacious,  being  fully  two  square  feet 
in  area,  which  is  always  left  open  ;  and  after  a  time  I  see  Mr.  Coxwell,  whoso  eye  has  been  continually  watching 
the  balloon,  pass  his  fingers  over  the  valve-line,  as  if  in  readiness  to  pull  the  cord.  I  look  inquiringly  ;it 
him.  He  says,  I  have  decided  to  open  the  large  upper  valve,  and  carefully  explains  why.  "  The  tension,"  he 
says,  "on  the  balloon  is  not  greater  than  it  would  bear  in  a  warm  stratum  of  air  with  safety;  but  now  that 
we  are  three  miles  up  with  a  chilled  balloon,  it  is  better  to  allow  some  to  escape  at  the  top,  as  well  as  a  good  deal 

from  the  bottom." 

FOUR  MILES  HIGH. 

We  are  now  far  beyond  the  reach  of  all  ordinary  sounds  from  the  earth.  A  sea  of  clouds  is  below  us,  HO 
dense  that  it  is  difficult  to  persuade  ourselves  that  we  have  passed  through  them.  Up  to  this  time,  little  or  no 
inconvenience  is  met  with ;  but  on  passing  above  four  miles,  much  personal  discomfort  is  experienced :  respiration 
becomes  difficult ;  the  beating  of  the  heart  at  times  is  audible ;  the  hands  and  lips  become  blue,  and  at  higher 
elevations  the  face  also ;  and  it  requires  the  exercise  of  a  strong  will  to  make  and  record  observations. 

FIVK  MILES  HIGH. 

Before  getting  to  our  highest  point,  Mr.  Coxwell  counts  the  number  of  his  sand-bags,  and  calculates  how 
much  higher  we  can  go,  with  respect  to  the  reserve  of  ballast  necessary  to  regulate  the  descent 

Then  I  feel  a  vibration  in  the  car,  and,  on  turning  round,  see  Mr.  Coxwell  in  the  act  of  lowering  down  the 
grapnel ;  then  looking  up  at  the  balloon ;  then  scanning  the  horizon,  and  weighing  apparently  in  his  mind  some 
distant  clouds,  through  which  we  arc  likely  to  pass  in  going  down. 

A  glance  suffices  to  show  that  his  mind  is  made  up  how  much  higher  it  is  prudent  to  rise,  and  how  much 
ballast  it  is  expedient  to  preserve. 

Six  MILES  HIGH. 

The  balloon  is  now  lingering,  as  it  were,  under  the  deep  blue  vault  of  space,  hesitating  whether  to 
mount  higher,  or  begin  its  descent  without  further  warning.  We  now  hold  consultation,  and  then  look 
around,  giving  silent  scope  to  those  emotions  of  the  soul  which  are  naturally  called  forth  by  such  a  wide-spread 
range  of  creation. 

:;  i. 


388  ASTRA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  X. 

Our  course  is  now  about  to  change,  but  here  I  interpose  with  "  No,  no ;  stop !  not  yet ;  let  us  remain  so 
long,  that  the  instruments  are  certain  to  take  up  their  true  readings,  so  that  no  doubt  can  rest  upon  the  observa- 
tions here.  When  I  am  satisfied,  1  will  say,  Pull." 

THE  HIGHEST  POINT. 

Then,  in  silence,  for  here  we  respire  with  difficulty,  and  talk  but  little ;  in  the  centre  of  this  immense  space  ; 
in  solitude,  without  a  single  object  to  interrupt  the  view  for  200  miles  or  more  all  round ;  abstracted  from  the 
earth ;  upheld  by  an  invisible  medium ;  our  mouths  so  dry  we  cannot  eat ;  a  white  sea  below  us ;  so  far  below, 
we  see  few,  if  any,  irregularities.  I  watch  the  instruments,  but  forcibly  impelled  again,  look  round  from 
the  centre  of  this  immense  vacuity,  whose  bounding  line  is  1500  miles,  including  an  area  of  130,000 
square  miles. 

BEGINNING  OF  THE  DESCENT. 

When  I  find  no  further  changes  are  proceeding,  I  wave  my  hand  and  say,  "  Pull."  A  deep  resonant  sound 
is  heard  overhead ;  a  second  pull  is  followed  by  a  second  report  that  rings  as  with  shrill  accompaniment  down  the 
very  sides  of  the  balloon.  It  is  the  working  of  the  valve  which  causes  a  loud  booming  noise,  as  from  a  sounding- 
board,  as  the  springs  force  the  shutters  back. 

But  this  sound  in  that  solitary  region,  amid  a  silence  so  profound  that  no  silence  on  earth  is  equal  to  it ;  a 
drum-like  sound  meeting  the  ear  from  above,  from  whence  we  usually  do  not  hear  sounds,  strikes  one  forcibly.  It 
is,  however,  one  sound  only  ;  there  is  no  reverberation,  no  reflection ;  and  this  is  characteristic  of  all  sounds  in  the 
balloon,  one  clear  sound,  continuing  during  its  own  vibrations,  then  gone  in  a  moment.  No  sound  ever  reaches  the 
ear  a  second  time.  But  though  the  sound  from  the  closing  of  the  valve  in  those  silent  regions  is  striking,  it  is 
also  cheering,  it  is  reassuring,  it  proves  all  to  be  right;  that  the  balloon  is  sound,  and  that  the  colder  regions  have 
not  frozen  tight  the  outlet  for  gas. 

ONE  OR  Two  MILES  DOWN. 

We  have  descended  a  mile  or  more,  and  our  feelings  improve  with  the  increase  of  air  and  warmth.  But 
silence  reigns  supreme.  Mr.  Coxwell  turns  his  back  upon  me,  scanning  the  distant  cloudscape,  speculating  as  to 
when  and  where  we  shall  break  through,  and  catch  sight  of  the  earth. 

APPROACHING  THE  CLOUDS  FROM  ABOVE. 

On  nearing  the  clouds  we  observe  the  counterpart  of  our  own  balloon  reflected  upon  them,  at  first  small  in 
size,  momentarily  increasing.  This  spectral  balloon  is  charming  to  look  upon,  and  presents  itself  under  a  variety 
of  aspects,  which  are  magnified  or  diminished  by  the  relative  distance  of  our  balloon  from  the  clouds,  and  by  its 
position  in  relation  to  the  sun,  which  produces  the  shadow.  At  midday  it  is  deep  down,  almost  underneath ;  but 
it  is  more  grandly  defined  towards  evening,  when  the  golden  and  ruby  tints  of  the  declining  sun  impart  a  gorgeous 
colouring  to  cloudland.  You  may  then  see  the  spectre  balloon  magnified  upon  the  distant  cloud-tops,  surrounded 
with  three  beautiful  circles  of  rainbow  tints.  Language  fails  utterly  to  describe  these  illuminated  photographs, 
which  spring  up  with  matchless  truthfulness  and  choice  decoration. 

DIPPING  INTO  THE  CLOUDS. 

Just  before  we  enter  the  clouds,  Mr.  Coxwell  having  made  all  preparations  for  the  descent,  strictly  enjoins 
me  to  be  ready  to  put  up  the  instruments,  lest,  when  we  lose  the  powerful  rays  of  the  sun,  and  absorb  the  moisture 
of  the  lower  cloiids,  we  should  approach  the  earth  with  too  great  rapidity. 

We  now  near  the  confines  of  the  clouds,  see  the  spectral  balloon  approaching  us,  nearly  as  large  as  our  own, 
and  just  then  dip  swiftly  into  the  thickest  of  them.  Wre  experience  a  decided  chill,  and  hear  the  rustling  of 
the  collapsing  balloon,  which  is  now  but  one-third  full ;  but  cannot  see  it,  so  dense  is  the  mass  of  vapour ;  one, 
two,  three,  four,  or  more  minutes  pass,  and  we  are  still  in  the  cloud :  how  thick  it  must  be,  considering  the 

rapidity  of  the  descent ! 

BELOW  THE  CLOUDS. 

Presently  we  pass  below,  and  the  earth  is  visible.  There  is  a  high  road  intersecting  green  pastures ;  a  piece 
of  water  like  polished  steel.  An  open  country  lies  before  us  ;  a  shout  comes  up  and  announces  that  we  are  seen, 
and  all  goes  well,  save  the  rapidity  of  the  descent,  caused  by  the  thick  clouds  through  which  we  have  just  passed, 
shutting  us  out  from  the  sun's  rays,  and  loading  us  with  moisture.  Mr.  Coxwell  counteracts  this  by  means  of  the 


CHAT.  X. 


SAND   i:\onill.  AND  TO  Sl'AKi: 


ballast,  ami  streams  out  one  bag.  which  appears  to  tly  up  instead  of  falling  down;  now  another,  ami  another  In- 
cuts foith.  l>ut  Mill  it  goes  up,  till  the  wayward  balloon  i«  reduced  witliin  tin  Unnid*  of  moderation.  Mr.  I'oxwcll 
•  •vultiiiijly  exclaim*.  ••  /  -,.  it  IK>u>  under  perfect  contrd,  with  land  enou-jh,  ami  to  spare." 

\  tn  liml  the  balloon  checked,  with  the  proHpect  of  an  easy  descent,  I  read  the  several  instruments  a* 
quickly  MS  I  can,  n.'ti.-inj;  at  tin-  name  time  the  landscape  below,  charming  in  its  constant  variation,  rich  with  its 
iiiiiiiinls  < if  green  foliap-.  fii-liU  •  '!' various  shades  of  green,  intersected  by  roads,  rivers,  rivulets,  <tc. ;  and  nil  tin*  is 
secn  with  a  distinctness  superior  to  that  on  the  earth;  the  line  of  sight  is  tlnoiigh  n  purer  and  less  dense 

ilium,   everything  seems  clearer,  though  smaller.     At  the  height  of  four  miles  over  Birmingham,  both  Mr. 

i'«\"ill  and  myself  distinguished  readily  tin-  New  Street  station,  and  the  several  streets  in  the  town,  with  tin- 
naked  eye.  After  descending  slowly  for  a  littk-  tinn-,  Mr.  Cn\well  selects  a  spot  for  our  descent,  distant  then 
two  or  three  miles.  The  current  near  the  earth,  which  is  often  stronger  than  the  upper,  wafts  us  merrily  in  that 
direction. 

\     M:IV;   mi.   KM:  ni. 

We  are  but  a  fi-w  hiindn-d  feet  from  the  earth,  when  Mr.  C'oxwoll  requests  me  to  put  up  the  instruments,  and 
In-  will  keep  on  that  level  till  I  am  ready.  He  throws  out  a  little  more  sand,  and  I  pack  up  the  instruments  in 
tln-ir  wadded  cases.  Mr.  Coxwell's  eye  is  on  the  balloon — the  course  it  is  taking  with  respect  to  the  inclination 
of  iU  descent  on  the  spot  where  he  has  chosen  to  land.  Shortly  he  calls  out,  "  Are  you  all  right?"  "  All  right," 
I  respond.  "  Look  out,  then,  and  hold  fast  by  the  ropes ;  the  grapnel  will  stop  us  in  the  large  meadow,  with  the 
hedge-row  in  fn>nt. 

AT  ANCHOR. 

Sure  enough  the  grapnel  catches  in  the  hedge,  and  once  again  we  are  connected  with  the  earth  by  one  link. 
The  valve-line  is  drawn,  and  a  little  gas  is  allowed  to  escape.  The  sheep,  which  have  been  watching  the  descending 
balloon,  huddle  together  and  run  away;  and  the  cattle,  becoming  very  frightened,  place  their  tails  horizontal,  and 
wildly  scamper  off  in  all  directions. 

Os  THE  EARTH. 

\  il lagers  break  through  the  hedges  on  all  sides,  and  we  are  soon  surrounded  by  au  agricultural  crowd,  some 
of  whom  take  hold  of  the  rope  attached  to  the  grapnel,  and,  as  directed,  pull  us  down,  or  hold  it  whilst  we  float  to 
the  centre  of  a  field.  The  valve  is  again  opened,  gas  is  allowed  to  escape  by  degrees,  nothing  is  allowed  to  be 
touched  till  the  reduced  buoyancy  of  the  balloon  permits  the  removal  of  the  instruments.  The  car  is  gradually 
lightened,  till  finally  we  step  out,  when  a  group  of  friends  from  among  the  gentry  draw  up  near  us ;  and  although 
some  few  may  question  whether  we  belong  to  this  planet,  or  are  just  imported  from  another,  all  doubt  on  tin- 
subject  is  soon  set  at  rest,  and  we  arc  greeted  with  a  hearty  welcome  from  all  when  we  tell  our  story, — how  that 
we  have  travelled  the  realms  of  space,  not  for  the  purposes  of  pleasure,  not  from  motives  of  curiosity,  but  for  the 
advancement  of  science  and  the  good  of  mankind. 


WIT. h    DlCKS   AND  TUKTOISK. 

I  am  eaglet  born,  and  can  drink  in 

The  sunlight  whi-n  tin-  blinkiiii;  owls  go  darkling, 
Dazzled  and  blinded  by  tin-  day. 

MlTFOBD. 


CHAPTER   XL 


CARICATURE,  AND  THE  RIDICULE  THIS  SCIENCE  HAS  UNDERGONE. 


"  Aristophanes  only  gives  expression  to  public  hatred  and  to  public  scorn,  in  ridiculing  and  misrepresenting  the  physical 
inquirers  of  his  day, — men  said  to  occupy  themselves  in 

'  Walking  on  air,  and  contemplating  the  sun.'  " 

LEWIS,  Life  of  Aristotle. 

WHEN  A  MAN  LAUGHS  HE  IS  NOT  VERY  MEEEY,  BUT  VEEY  PROUD,  HOBBES CYRANO  DE  BERGERAC "MAKING  USE  OF 

THE  MORNING  MIST  " THE  BEAUTIES  OF  THE  LUNAR  COUNTRY A  SOLAR  BEING A  LUNAR  ARREST RETURNS  TO 

ITALY DEAN   SWIFT PEGASUS    IN    HARNESS,    SCHILLER A  FLYING   VISIT,  ALBERT  SMITH PLEASURE   TRIPS    FOR 

THE  PEOPLE,  ALBERT  SMITH "CROTCHETS  IN  THE  AIR1' "THE  PLANET-EARTH*'  —  BALLOONICISMS  —  NO    RUFFLING 

OF  BUTTERFLIES'  WINGS  TO  PUT  YOUR  FANCIES  TO  FLIGHT  —  "  TWELVE  TIMES  THE  HEIGHT  OF  ST.  PAUL'S"-  — THE  EARTH 

"  WENT  DOWN  "  —  PORSON'S  SKULL A  FRIEND'S  CHAMBERS  ON  THE  SECOND   FLOOR  —  "  HALFWAY  DOWN  "  —  DOES 

BOSWELL   SAY  JOHNSON  WAS  EVER   IN   A   BALLOON THE  PENNY  DICTATOR THE  "  SCIENCE "   OF  BALLOONING  — 

A  HIGHLANDER'S  KNOWLEDGE  OF  KNEE-BUCKLES  —  RAISING  THE  WIND — "BABBAGE'S  MACHINE"  —  WATERLOO  BRIDGE  — 

£00,000 THE  STATUE  OF  GEORGE  III. NATURAL,  MORAL,  AND  POLITICAL  PHILOSOPHY  =  IFS "JULIUS  C.ESAR  AND 

THE  TOWER  OF  LONDON" — "GLORIOUS  VICTORY*' THE  JEWEL  OFFICE HALL  OF  THE  GOLDSMITHS'  COMPANY  — 

NATIONAL  GALLERY  AND  NEWGATE DIG,  DIG,  DIG QUARTZ  AND  SILICA £0,000,000 "BUT  LONDON  SHOWED 

ANOTHER  SIGHT  "-—  DRAWN  IN  LINES  OF  FIRE A  HINT  FOR  SOMEBODY CAMPS  AND  CABINETS*  DIVISIONS THE  EAGLE 

AND  CHILD FLAT  AS  A  I'ANCAKE  —  A  REVERIE HISTRIONOMETER  ONE  DEGREE  ABOVE  THE  MEDIOCRITY  POINT THE 

PUFFSTER  THE  PUBLIC  IS  THE  MAINSTAY  — •  EDGAR  POE  ROTTERDAM  —  HANS  PFAALL  THE  BURGOMASTER  — 

THE  ASTRONOMICAL  COLLEGE "  THE  MOON'S  ACTUAL  DISTANCE  FROM  THE  EARTH  " TO  BE  REACHED  IN  161  DAYS,  AT  THE 

RATE  OF  SIXTY  MILES  AN  HOUR LIFE  SUSTAINED  IN  A  VACUUM THE   CAT   EYES  THE  PIGEONS  WITH   AN  AIR  OF 

NONCHALANCE "SHOULD  THE  KITTENS  SUFFER  IN  AN  EQUAL  DEGREE  AS  THEIR  MOTHER  ?"•—"  THE  SHORES  OF  THE 

ATLANTIC  OCEAN"  —"PUSS  MAKES  A  HEARTY  MEAL"  — 132,000  FEET,  OR  TWENTY-FIVE  MILES  ABOVE  THE  SEA> — THE 

ICE  OF  THE  NORTH  POLE "ASCEND  IN  A  STRAIGHT  LINE  FROM  THE  POLE" 7254  MILES  ABOVE DIMINUTION  OF 

THE  EARTH'S  APPARENT  DIAMEPER  —  "  THE  EXACT  PLANE  OF  THE  LUNAR  ELLIPSE  "  —  THE  "  BOULEVERSEMENT  "  •  —  "  NO 

TIME  TO  BE  LOST  IN  LIGHTENING  THE  MACHINE  " "  THE  EARTH  APPEARS  LIKE  A  COl'PER  SHIELD,  BKLTED  WITH  TROPICAL 

AND  EQUATORIAL  ZONES  " "  THE  DUTCH  PROFESSOR  DROPS  HIS  PIPE." 

"  ALL  men  (says  Dunlop)  have,  more  or  less,  a  propensity  to  satire  and  ridicule.  This 
tendency  has  its  origin  in  self-love,  which  naturally  leads  us  to  indulge  in  a  belief  of  our  own 
superiority  over  the  rest  of  our  species.  It  is  in  satire  and  ridicule  that  this  feeling  receives 
its  most  frequent  gratification ;  and,  spite  of  the  objections  of  Beattie,  nothing  can,  in  many 
instances,  be  more  just  than  the  reflection  of  Addison  on  the  well-known  theory  of  Hobbes, 
that  when  a  man  laughs  he  is  not  very  merry,  but  very  proud." 

Could  a  better  laughingstock  be  found  than  aerostation,  in  which  the  failures  are  so 
obvious  ?  One  of  the  first  instances  we  meet  with  is  a  masterpiece  of  ridicule  by  Cyrano  de 
Sergerac,  who  was  born  in  Perigord  in  1620,  of  whose  amusing  works, — entitled  '  Histoire 
Comiqm  des  Estats  et  Empire  de  la  Lune;'  also  '  Les  Estats  et  Empire  du  Soleil,' — Dunlop, 
in  his  '  History  of  Fiction]  gives  this  concise  abstract:— 

I  shall  give  some  account  of  the  first  and  best  of  these  works,  as  it  is,  with  much  probability,  supposed  to 
have  influenced  Swift  in  his  adoption  of  the  same  method  of  writing,  and  has  acquired  a  high  reputation  among 
the  compositions  of  this  description. 


THAI-.  XI.  CY1!\M>  IT.  BKBGEBAC  :H»I 

Both  tho  works  of  Cyrano  were  posthumous,  and  are  in  some  parts  mutilated.  The  first  of  them,  '  De  la 
I  .HIM','  \\-ius  published  by  a  Mons.  de  Bret,  who  tells  us,  in  his  preface,  that  tho  father  of  Cyrano,  "  estoit  nn  l-nn 
\i. nx  (Jcntilliiiimiii-  a.v-i-/.  indifferent  pour  1'eduoation  de  sos  enfants."  Ho  also  informs  us,  that  the  young  m  in 
i -nti-ivd  into  the  army,  and  became  the  most  famous  duellist  of  his  age,  having  fought  more  than  a  hundred 
tiiu.->.  without  one  of  his  rencounters  having  been  in  his  own  quarrel.  Ho  was  wounded  at  the  siege  of  Arm* 
in  I'll",  and  in  consequence  of  wounds,  early  dissipation,  fatigue,  and  chagrin,  died  in  the  thirty-fifth  year  of 
hi>  age. 

The  notion  of  writing  an  account  of  an  imaginary  excursion  to  the  moon,  seems  partly  to  have  been  suggested 
\>\  tin-  .  in-umstance  of  the  lunar  world  having  become  an  object  of  curiosity  among  the  philosophers  of  tho  day. 
In  contradiction  to  the  old  opinion  of  the  peripatetics,  that  the  moon  could  not  be  a  habitable  world,  on  account 
of  its  unchangeable  nature,  Gilbert  (' Philosoph.  Magnet,'  c.  IS  and  14),  Henry  Leroy  and  Francisco  1'atri/io 

•  \l'!  i;ind  at  great  length  tho  appearances  on  which  they  founded  an   opposite  system,  while   Heveliux,   in 
his  '  Selenographia,'  and  Gassendi,  indulged  in  some  serio-comic  speculations  with  regard  to  lunar  rivers  and 
mountains. 

ll<  nee  Cyrano  conceived  the  intention  of  representing,  in  a  humorous  point  of  view,  those  chimeras  which 
some  of  his  contemporaries  had  too  gravely  treated.    To  this  he  joined  the  plan  of  ridiculing  the  pedantry,  the 
scholastic  disputations  of  tho  age,  and  that  deference  to  authority  which  was  so  long  the  bane  of  science.     The 
u  of  conveying  this  satire  in  tin-  form  of  an  imaginary  excursion  to  the  moon,  was  probably  suggested  by  tin- 
Spanish  work  uf  iViiuinico  Conzules,  of  which  a  French  translation  was  subsequently  published,  under  title  of 

•  I.' 1 1' -in in.-  dans  la  Lune,  on  le  Voyage  Chimeriqiie  fait  au  Monde  de  la   Lune,  nouvcllement  decouvert  par 
Dominique  Gonzales,  Aventurier  Espagnol,  aiitremcnt  dit  le  Courier  Volant.'     Bayle  is  mistaken  in  supposing  that 
Bergerac  was  in  any  degree  indebted  to  the  '  Voyage  to  Australasia,'  published  under  the  fictitious  name  of  Jacques 
Sadeur.      That  production  is  no   doubt  a  '  Voyage   Imaginaire,"  but  the   two  works   have   little   resemblance, 
and  Bergerac  was  dead  more  than  twenty  years  before  the  voyage  of  Sadeur  was  written  by  the  infamous  Gabriel 
de  Foigni. 

Bergerac  begins  the  relation  of  his  voyage  to  the  moon  by  an  account  of  a  conversation  which  led  him  to 
in. -dilate  on  that  luminary.  His  contemplations  ended  in  planning  some  method  to  go  thither;  and,  accordingly, 
having  filled  some  phials  with  dew,  he  fixed  them  round  his  person,  so  that  the  heat  of  the  sun,  by  attracting  th" 

•  li'w,  r.ii.-ed  him  from  earth.     Ho  lighted  in  Canada,  and  gives  us  some  astronomical  conversations  he  there  In-ld 
with  the  governor.    It  would  be  needless  to  relate  the  method  which  he  afterwards  adopted  to  journey  to  the  im»  n. 
in  a  species  of  elastic  machine  (of  which  the  construction  is  not  very  clearly  described),  or  to  detail  the  circum- 
stances which  at  length  rendered  his  flight  successful.     The  fiction  contrived  by  Bergerac  to  account  for  his  flight. 


'"'  »t  fc  '     ; 

Tin;  MouMXii  ln.\\. 


392  ASTRA  CASTEA.  CHAP.  XL 

is  much  less  happy  than  that  of  Dominico  Gonzales,  who  feigns  that  he  had  been  drawn  to  the  moon  by  ganzars — 
birds  of  passage  which  winter  in  that  luminary. 

After  a  long  ascent,  Cyrano  finds  himself  between  two  moons,  of  which  our  earth  was  the  largest,  and  at 
length  he  reaches  the  sphere  of  activity  at  the  moon,  towards  which  his  feet  then  turn.  This  does  not  happen  till 
he  is  considerably  nearer  the  moon  than  the  earth,  and  it  is  curious  that  he  uses  reasoning  on  the  occasion  not 
unlike  what  would  be  now  employed  by  a  Newtonian. — "  Car,  disois-Je  en  moy-mesme,  cette  Masse  (la  lune)  estant 
moindro  que  la  nostre,  il  faut  que  la  sphere  de  son  activite  ait  aussi  moins  d'estendiie,  et  que  par  consequent  J'aye 
senty  plus  tard  la  force  de  son  centre." 

At  the  entrance  into  the  moon,  a  hiatus  occurs  in  the  work,  of  which  there  are  several  instances  in  the  course 
of  it,  some  of  which,  perhaps,  were  owing  to  the  author  himself,  where  a  difficulty  occurred  not  easily  to  be 
surmounted,  and  others  probably  to  the  editor,  when  a  passage  presented  itself  which  was  too  free  or  indelicate. 
The  beauties  of  the  lunar  country  are  painted  with  considerable  felicity,  though  the  description  is  not  free  from  the 
affectation  which  was  common  among  French  authors  in  the  days  of  Bergerac. — "  La  le  Printemps  compose  toutes 
les  saisons;  la  les  ruisseaux  par  un  agreable  murmure  racontent  leurs  voyages  aux  cailloux;  la  mille  petits  gosiers 
emplumez  font  retentir  la  forest  au  bruit  de  leurs  melodieuses  chansons  ;  et  la  tremoussante  assemblee  de  ces  divins 
rnusiciens  est  si  generale,  qu'il  seinble  que  chaque  feuille  dans  les  bois  ait  pris  la  langue  et  la  figure  d'un  Eossignol 
— on  ne  scait  si  les  flours  agitees  par  un  doux  Zephire  courent  plutost  apres  elles-mesmes,  qu'clles  ne  fuyent  pour 
eschapper  aux  caresses  de  ce  vent  folatre." 

After  walking  half  a  league  in  a  forest  of  jessamine  and  myrtle,  Bergerac  espies  a  beautiful  and  majestic 
youth  reposing  in  the  shade.  With  this  personage,  who  had  once  been  an  inhabitant  of  our  world,  he  enters  into 
a  conversation,  of  which  we  have  only  fragments.  He  is  soon  afterwards  less  fortunate,  in  meeting  with  the 
aborigines  of  the  country,  who  are  described  as  huge  naked  men,  twelve  cubits  high,  walking  on  all  fours.  By 
these  he  is  considered  as  a  little  monster,  and  he  is  consigned  to  a  mountebank,  to  be  exhibited,  like  Gulliver,  as 
a  show — "  Ce  Basteleur  me  porta  a  son  logis,  ou  il  m'instruisit  a  faire  le  Godenot,  a  passer  les  culbutes,  a  figurer 
des  grimaces  :  et  les  apres  dinees  il  faisoit  prendre  a  la  porte  uu  certain  prix  de  ceux  qui  me  vouloient  voir.  Mais 
le  ciel  flechy  de  mes  douleurs,  et  fasche  de  voir  prophaner  le  Temple  de  son  maitre,  voulut  qu'un  jour  comme 
J'estois  attache  au  bout  d'une  corde,  avec  laquelle  le  Charlatan  me  faisoit  sauter  pour  divertir  le  monde,  J'entendis 
la  voix  d'un  homme  qui  me  demanda  en  Gree  qui  J'estois.  Je  fus  bien  estonne  d'entendre  parler  en  ce  pais-la 
comme  en  notre  monde.  II  m'interrogea  quelque  temps  ;  Je  luy  repondis,  et  luy  contay  en  suite  generalement  toute 
1'entreprise  et  le  succes  de  mon  voyage :  il  me  consola,  et  Je  me  souviens  qu'il  me  dit :  He  bien,  mon  fils,  vous 
portez  enfin  la  peine  des  foiblesses  de  vostre  monde.  II  y  a  du  vulgaire  icy  comme  la  qui  ne  peut  souffrir  la  pensee 
des  choses  ou  il  n'est  point  accoustume.  Mais  scachez  qu'on  ne  vous  traitte  qu'a  la  pareille ;  et  que  si  quelqu'un 
de  cette  terre  avoit  monte  dans  la  vostre,  avec  la  hardiesse  de  se  dire  homme,  vos  sgavans  le  feroient  estoufFer 
comme  un  monstre.  II  me  promit  en  suite  qu'il  advertiroit  la  Cour  de  mon  desastre." 

This  friendly  personage  alike  disclaimed  a  terrestrial  and  lunar  origin ;  he  informs  Bergerac  that  originally 
he  had  been  a  native  of  the  sun,  which,  being  overstocked  with  inhabitants,  occasionally  sent  out  colonies  to  the 
neighbouring  planets.  He  had,  it  seems,  been  commissioned  to  our  earth,  and  in  his  youth  had  been  known  in 
Greece  as  the  demon  of  Socrates.  In  Rome  he  had  addicted  himself  to  Brutus,  but  had  at  length  preferred  a  lunar 
to  a  terrestrial  residence,  for  which  he  assigns  various  reasons  : — "  C'est  que  les  hommes  y  sont  amateurs  de  la 
verite,  qu'on  n'y  voit  point  de  Pedans,  que  les  Philosophes  ne  se  laissent  persuader  qu'a  la  raison,  et  que  1'autho- 
rite  d'un  s£avant,  ny  le  plus  grand  nombre,  ne  Femportent  point  sur  1'opinion  d'un  bateur  en  grange,  quand  il 
raisonne  aussi  fortement.  Bref  en  ce  pais  on  ne  conte  pour  insensez  que  les  Sophistes  et  les  Orateurs.  Je  luy 
demanday  combien  de  temps  ils  vivoient ;  il  me  repondit  trois  ou  quatre  mille  ans." 

With  this  solar  being,  Bergerac  enters  into  philosophical  conversation,  and  several  very  sublime  discussions 
ensue,  which  are  fortunately  interrupted  by  his  friend  the  exhibitor.  "  II  en  estoit  la  de  son  discours,  quand  mon 
Basteleur  s'appei^eut  que  la  chambree  commen<;oit  a  s'ennuyer  de  mon  jargon  qu'ils  n'entendoient  point,  et  qu'ils 
prenoient  pour  un  grognement  non  articule  :  il  se  remit  de  plus  belle  a  tirer  ma  corde  pour  me  faire  sauter  jusques 
a  ce  que  les  spectateurs  etant  saouls  de  rire  et  d'asseurer  quo  J'avois  presque  autant  d'esprit  que  les  bestes  de  leur 
pais,  ils  se  retirorent  chacun  chez  soy." 

The  chief  inconvenience  felt  by  Cyrano,  during  the  first  period  of  his  lunar  residence,  was  the  want  of 
provisions,  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  moon  live  by  the  odour  of  savoury  viands  ;  a  mode  of  subsistence  also  attri- 
buted to  them  in  the  '  True  History  of  Lucian,'  which  evinces  our  author's  imitation  of  the  works  of  the  Grecian 


our.  \i.  CYI;\M>  i>i:ci,Ai;i:i>  TO  BK  A  IHHD. 

satirist.     Cyrano,  however,  at  last  succeeds  in  making  them  understand,  thnt  some    ing  more  substantial  than  the 
more  steam  or  exhalations  of  feasts  was  necessary  for  his  subsistence. 

At  length  ( 'vrano  was  conducted  to  court  by  tin-  friendly  demon,  when-,  after  much  reasoning,  it  wan  •  »n- 
i-l'iil.-'l  that  lie  was  the  female  of  the  queen's  little  animal,  who,  in  consequence  was  ordered  to  be  btnteetd  to 
him.  Accordingly,  in  the  midst  of  a  procession  of  monkeys  in  full  dress,  a  little  man  arrived.  "  II  m'aborda," 
says  Bergerao,  "par  un  Criado  d»  voutttra  merced ;  Jo  luy  riposte  sa  reverence  &  peu  prcs  en  mcsme-,  t,  MUCH."  This 
gentleman  was  iMuini.-,,  Gonzales,  the  Castilian,  who  had  travelled  iliiili.-r  with  the  Ganzars;  and  this  circum 
stance,  by  the  way,  is  a  proof  that  the  work  of  Gonzales  was  the  prototype  of  that  of  Cyrano,  as  his  was  evidently 

illi\!-r's  Voyage  to  Brobdignng.'  I hnninico  had  immediately  on  his  arrival  been  classed  in  the  category  <>f 
m.'iik.  \-,  as  he  happened  to  bo  clothed  in  the  Spanish  mode,  which  the  inhabitant*  of  tin-  moon  had  fixed  on  t'»i 
tic-  t'.i.-hionahlo  attire  of  their  monkeys,  as  the  most  ridiculous,  which,  after  long  meditation,  they  had  found  it 
possible  to  devise.  Cyrano  being  considered  by  the  lunar  sages  as  the  female  of  the  same  class  of  monkeys  of 
which  |i..ininico  was  the  male,  they  were  confined  together,  and  have  long  and  pretty  tiresome  discourses 
concerning  elementary  |.rin.-i|.i.-.,  the  possibility  of  a  vacuum,  and  other  investigations,  which  wore  fashionable 
•  discussion  among  philosophical  inquirers  in  the  days  of  Bergerac.  "  Voila,"  says  he,  "  les  chosen  a  peu 
pros  dont  nous  amusions  le  temps:  car  ce  petit  K-jiagnol  avoit  1'esprit  joly.  Nostro  entretien  toute  fois  n'estoit 
t{Ue  la  unit,  a  cause  quo  d.-|nii-  six  homes  du  iiiutin  jusques  an  soir,  la  grando  foulo  du  monde  qui  nous  venoit 

•:.j-ler  a  ii".-tro  logis  nous  euat  destourne' ;  Car  quolquos-uns  nous  jettoient  dos  pierres,  d'autres  des  noix, 
d'autros  de  1'herbo  :  Jl  n'estoit  bruit  quo  des  bestee  du  Roy,  on  nous  servoit  tons  les  jours  a  manger  a  nos  heurew, 
et  le  IJ.iy  et  la  reine  prenoient  eux-mesmes  assez  souvcnt  la  peine  de  me  taster  le  ventro  pour  connoistre  si  .le 
n'einplissois  point,  car  ils  bruloient  d'une  envie  extraordinaire  d'avoir  de  la  race  de  ces  petits  animaux.  Je  ne 
seals  si  ce  fut  jmur  avoir  cste  plus  attentif  quo  rnon  maslc  a  leurs  simagroe*  et  a  lours  tons,  mais  .I'appris  pi  us  tout 
quo  luy  a  entendre  Icur  langue,  ot  a  I'escorehcr  un  peu." 

The  circumstance  of  Cyrano  acquiring  some  knowledge  of  the  language  of  the  country,  instead  of  being 
favourable  to  him,  exposed  him  to  inconvenience  and  persecution,  as  some  free-thinkers  began  to  allege  that  he  was 
endued  with  ie.i>.  .n.  This  was  most  furiously  opposed  by  the  more  orthodox  and  accredited  sages,  who  maintained 
that  it  was  not  only  foolish,  but  a  most  horrid  impiety,  to  suppose  that  a  creature  which  did  not  walk  on  all-fours, 
could  IK-  possessed  of  any  species  of  mental  intelligence.  "  Nous  autres,"  argued  they,  "marchons  a  quatre  pieds, 
paroe  que  Dieu  ne  se  voulut  pas  fier  d'une  chose  si  precieuso  a  uno  nioin  ferme  awsiette,  et  il  cut  peur  qu'allant 

:i.  m  il  n'arrivast  malheur  a  I'hoiniuo,  c'est  pourqttoy  il  prit  la  peine  de  1'asseoir  sur  quatre  piliers,  afin  '|n'il 
no  put  toraber:  mais  dedaignant  de  se  mesler  de  la  construction  de  ces  deux  brutes,  il  les  abandon  n.. 
au  caprice  do  la  Nature,  laquello  no  craignant  pas  la  perte  de  si  peu  de  chose,  ne  les  appuya  que  sur  deux 
pattes." 

But  the  principal  argument  against  the  rationality  of  Cyrano  and  his  male,  and  on  which  the  lunar  sages 
particularly  piqued  themselves,  was,  that  these  animals  possessed  the  Os  Sublime,  which  the  sages  of  our  earth,  in 
their  discussions  against  quadrupeds,  rightly  consider  as  a  pledge  of  immortality:  "  Voyez  un  peu  outre  cela," 
continued  the  lunar  philosophers,  "comment  ils  (Cyrano  and  the  Spaniard)  ont  la  teste  tourneo  devers  le  <  iel 
C'est  la  discttc  ou  Dieu  les  a  mis  de  toutes  choses,  qui  1'a  scitue  de  la  sorte,  car  cetto  posture  siipliante  te'moigne 
qu'ils  se  plaignent  au  ciel  de  celuy  qui  les  a  creez,  et  qu'ils  luy  deraandent  permission  de  s'accommoder  de  nos 
restes.  Mais  nous  autres  nous  avons  la  teste  panchee  en  has  pour  contempler  les  biens  dont  nous  sommes  seigneurs, 
et  cumrae  n'y  ayant  rien  au  ciel  a  qui  notre  heureuse  condition  puisse  porter  envie." 

The  result  of  the  philosophical  conferences  concerning  Cyrano  was,  that  he  must  be  a  bird — a  discovery  on 
which  the  sages  greatly  plumed  themselves ;  he  was  accordingly  enclosed  in  a  cage,  and  entrusted  to  the  queen's 
fowler,  who  employed  himself  in  teaching  his  charge  as  we  do  linnets.  Under  this  person's  auspices,  the  progress 
of  Cyrano  was  such  that  the  disputes  concerning  hid  rationality  were  renewed,  and  the  consequence  wax,  that 
those  sages  who  defended  the  orthodox  sido  of  the  question,  having  considerably  the  worse  of  the  argument,  were 
obliged — "de  faire  publier  un  Arrest  par  lequel  on  defendoit  de  croire  que  J'eusse  de  hi  raison,  avec  un  corn- 
mandement  trcs-cxpn'-s  .'i  toutes  personnes  de  quelque  quality  qu'elles  fussent,  de  s'imaginer,  quoy  que  Je  pmwe 
fairo  de  spirituel,  que  c'otoit  1'  instinct  i|iii  me  le  faisoit  faire." 

To  those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  history  of  philosophy,  and  the  state  of  opinions  in  the  days  of  Bergerac, 
there  will  appear  considerable  merit  in  the  satire  which  has  just  been  exhibited.  The  supporters  of  the  systems  of 
Aristotle  hod  at  one  time  t  ridiculous  as  it  may  seem)  procured  ni:  Paris,  to  prevent  his  doctrines 


394  ASTRA  CASTEA.  CHAP.  XI. 

contested ;  and  some  of  his  admirers,  enraged  at  the  shock  which  Descartes,  Gassendi,  and  other  philosophers  in 
France  at  this  time  gave  to  his  opinions,  were  desirous  of  resorting  to  a  similar  expedient. 

In  spite,  however,  of  the  Lunar  Arrct.  the  controversy  grew  so  warm,  that,  as  a  last  resource,  Cyrano  was 
ordered  to  appear  before  an  assembly  of  the  states,  in  order  to  judge  of  his  rational  powers.  The  examiners 
interrogated  him  on  some  points  of  philosophy,  and  refuted  the  opinions  which  he  expressed  in  his  answers,  "  de 
sorte  que  n'y  pouvant  repondre,  J'alleguay  pour  dernier  refuge  les  principes  d'Aristote,  qui  ne  me  servirent  pas 
davantage  que  les  Sophismes,  car  en  deux  mots  ils  ra'  en  decouvrirent  la  faussete\  Cet  Aristote,  me  dirent  ils,  dont 
vous  vantez  si  fort  la  science,  acconimodoit  sans  doute  les  principes  a  sa  Philosophic,  au  lieu  d'accommoder  sa 
Philosophic  aux  principes.  Enfin  comme  ils  virent  que  Je  ne  leur  clabaudois  autre  chose,  sinon  qu'ils  n'estoient 
pas  plus  S9avans  qu' Aristote,  et  qu'on  m'avoit  defendu  de  disputer  contre  ceux  qui  nioient  les  principes;  ils  con- 
clurent  tous  d'une  commune  voix,  que  Je  n'estois  pas  un  homme,  mais  possible  quelque  espece  d'Austruche,  si 
bien  qu'on  ordonna  a  1'Oyseleur  de  me  reporter  en  cage.  J'y  passois  mon  temps  avec  assez  de  plaisir,  car  a  cause 
de  leur  langue  que  Je  possedois  correctement,  tout  la  cour  se  divertissoit  a  rne  faire  jaser.  Les  Filles  de  la  Keine 
entr'autres  fouroient  toujours  quelque  bribe  dans  mon  panier ;  et  la  plus  gentille  de  toutes  ayant  conceu  quelque 
amiti6  pour  moy,  elle  estoit  si  transported  de  joye,  lorsqu'estant  en  secret,  Je  1'entretenois  des  moeurs  et  des 
divertissemens  des  gens  de  nostre  Monde,  et  principalement  de  nos  cloches,  et  de  nos  autres  instruments  de 
musique,  qu'elle  me  protestoit  les  larmes  aux  yeux  que  si  jamais  Je  me  trouvois  en  estat  de  revoler  en  nostre 
Monde,  elle  me  suivroit  de  bon  coeur." 

This  lady  continues  to  manifest  much  attachment  to  Cyrano,  and  her  affection  reminds  us  of  the  love  of  the 
fair  Glumdalclitch  for  Gulliver  in  Brobdignag. 

At  length  his  friend,  the  demon  of  Socrates,  pi'ocures  the  deliverance  of  Cyrano,  who  now  narrowly  escapes 
being  condemned  to  death  for  impiety,  in  maintaining  that  our  earth  was  not  merely  a  moon,  but  an  inhabited 
world.  This  had  been  oppugned  with  so  much  zeal,  and  so  many  good  arguments  by  the  sages,  that  Cyrano,  in 
revenge,  asserted  that  he  had  come  to  opine  that  their  earth  was  not  an  earth  but  a  moon. — "  Mais,  me  dirent-ils 
tous,  vous  y  voyez  de  la  terre,  des  rivieres,  des  mers,  que  seroit-ce  done  tout  cela?  Vimporte,  repartis  Je, 
Aristote  asseure  que  ce  n'est  que  la  Lune  ;  et  si  vous  aviez  dit  le  contraire  dans  les  classes  ou  J'ay  fait  mes 
estudes,  on  vous  auroit  sifle.  11  se  fit  sur  cela  un  grand  eclat  de  lire,  il  ne  faut  pas  demander  si  ce  fut  de  leur 
ignorance  :  Mais  cependant  on  me  conduisit  dans  ma  cage."  In  fine,  previous  to  his  deliverance  from  this  second 
confinement,  Cyrano  was  obliged  to  make  an  Amende,  and  to  proclaim  publicly  in  the  principal  parts  of  the  city, — 
"  Peuple,  Je  vous  declare  que  cette  Lune-cy  n'est  pas  une  Lune,  mais  un  Monde,  et  que  ce  Monde  de  la  bas  n'est 
pas  un  Monde,  mais  une  Lune.  Tel  est  ce  que  le  Conseil  trouve  bon  que  vous  croyez." 

After  the  deliverance  of  Bergerac,  we  are  presented  with  a  number  of  philosophical  disquisitions  which  he 
held  with  the  demon  and  his  friends.  Among  other  topics,  the  arrival  of  a  person  of  quality,  decked  out  in 
a  particular  manner,  gives  rise  to  a  discussion,  which  has  been  seized  upon  by  Sterne : — "  Cette  coustume  me 
seinble  bien  extraordinaire,  repartis-Je,  car  en  nostre  monde  la  marque  de  noblesse  est  de  porter  une  Espee.  Mais 
1'IIoste  sans  s'emouvoir :  0  mon  petit  homme,  s'ecria-t'il,  quoy  les  grands  de  vostre  monde  sont  si  enragez  de  fair 
parade  d'un  instrument  qui  designe  un  boureau,  et  qui  n'est  forge  que  pour  nous  detruire,  enfin  1'ennemy  jure  de 
tout  ce  qui  vit ;  et  de  cacher  au  contraire  ce  sans  qui  nous  serions  au  rang  de  ce  qui  n'est  pas,  le  Promethee 
de  chaque  animal,  et  le  raparateur  infatigable  des  foiblesses  de  la  nature.  Malheureuse  contree,  ou  les  marques  de 
generation  sont  ignominieuses,  et  ou  celles  d'aneantissement  sont  honorables."  " 

At  length  Cyrano,  after  performing  a  tour  of  the  moon,  is  conducted  from  that  luminary  to  earth,  in  the  arms 
of  the  demon,  who  places  him  on  the  acclivity  of  a  hill,  and  disappears.  Some  Italian  peasants,  whom  he  meets, 
cross  themselves  in  great  terror,  but  at  length  conduct  him  to  a  village.  Here  he  is  assailed  by  a  prodigious 
barking  of  dogs,  who,  smelling  the  odour  of  the  moon,  against  which  they  were  accustomed  to  bark,  keep  up  an 
incessant  clamour.  By  walking  a  few  days  on  a  terrace  in  the  sun,  in  order  to  purify  himself  of  the  smell,  Cyrano 
forms  a  truce  with  his  canine  foes,  visits  Eome,  and  at  length  arrives  at  Marseilles. 

Such  is  the  abstract  of  the  '  Histoire  Comique  des  Estats  et  Empire  de  la  Lune,'  a  work  which,  like  all  those 
of  which  the  satire  is  in  any  degree  temporary,  has  lost  a  good  deal  of  its  first  relish.  It  is,  however,  still  worthy 


*  Tina  is  probably  intended  as  a  satire  on  a  passage  in  Cliarron's 
work  '  Sur  la  Sagesse ' :  — "  Helas !  on  choisit  les  tenebres,  on  se  cache, 
on  ne  se  livrc  qu'a  la  derobe'e  au  plaisir  de  produire  son  seinblable ; 


remplissant  1'air  de  fanfares !  II  n'est  pas  honnete  de  s'entretenir  de 
certaines  choses  .tandis  qu'on  parle  avec  orgueil  d'un  sabre  et  d'une 
pique ;  et  ce  qui  sert  a  tucr  1'homme  est  une  marque  de  noblesse — oil 


au  lieu  qu'on  le  detruit  en  plein  jour,  en  sonnant  la  trompette,  en     dore,  on  curicliit  une  epe'e,  on  s'en  pare." 


CHAP.  XI. 


n:<;.\srs  IN  IIAKNKSS. 


of  perusal,  especially  by  ilio.se  who  are  acquainted  with  the  philosophical  history  of  the  period  in  which  it  wan 

composed  :  and  th<>  interest  which  it  excites  must,  to  an  English  reader,  he  increased  by  its  having  served  in  inan\ 

ia  a  prototype  to  the  moat  popular  production  of  a  writer  BO  celebrated  as  Swift     Nor  has  it  only  directed 

tin-  ].l.m  of  the  Dean  of  St.  Patrick's  work;  since  even  in  the  summary  of  the  Lunar  Voyage  that  has  been 

!!••!,  many  points  of  resemblance  will  at  once  be  discerned  to  the  journey  to  Brobdignag.  Gulliver  is  beset, 
at  liis  first  landing  on  that  strange  country,  by  a  number  of  the  inhabitants,  who  are  of  similar  dimensions  with 
the  people  of  the  moon,  and  who  are  astonished  at  his  diminutive  stature — he  is  exhibited  as  a  sight  at  one  of  the 
principal  towns — he  amuses  the  spectators  with  various  mountebank  tricks— and  acquires  an  imperfect  knowledge 
of  the  language — afterwards  he  is  carried  to  court,  where  he  is  introduced  to  the  queen's  favourite  dwarf,  ami 
where  great  disputes  arise  concerning  the  species  to  which  he  belongs,  among  the  chief  scholars,  whose  specu- 
1  (ii..n.s  are  ridiculed  in  a  manner  extremely  similar  to  the  reasonings  of  the  lunar  sages.  The  general  turn  of  wit 
and  humour  is  besides  the  same,  and  seems  to  be  of  a  description  almost  peculiar  to  these  two  writers.  The 
Fi.  iicliman.  imlei  d,  wanted  the  advantages  of  learning  and  education  possessed  by  his  successor,  and  hence  his 
imagination  was,  perhaps,  less  guarded  and  correct ;  in  many  respects,  however,  it  is  more  agreeably  extravagant, 
and  hi-  aeiial  excursion  is  free  from  what  is  universally  known  to  be  the  chief  objection  to  the  satire  contained  in 
the  four  voyages  of  (iullhvr. 

As  Cyrano's  'Journey  to  the  Moon'  is  the  origin  of  Swift's  '  Brobdignag,'  so  the  '  Histoire  des  Estatt.  du 
Solcil '  seems  to  li.t\v  suggested  the  plan  of  the  '  Voyage  to  Laputa.'  This  second  expedition  of  Cyrano  is  much 
inferior  in  merit  to  lii.s  former  one,  but,  like  the  third  excursion  of  Gulliver,  is  in  a  great  measure  intended  to 
expose  the  vain  pursuits  of  schemers  and  projectors  in  learning  and  science. 

From  an  imitation,  probably  of  the  works  of  Bergerac,  many  of  the  'Voyages  Imaginairos,'  which  appeared  in 
France  during  the  lir»t  half  of  the  18th  century,  described  excursions  through  the  heavenly  bodies.  •  Les  Voyages 
•  !••  Milord  Ceton,'  by  Marie  Anne  de  Koumier,  is  the  account  of  an  English  nobleman,  who,  during  the  disturbance* 
of  his  own  country  in  the  time  of  ( 'romwell,  is  metamorphosed  into  a  fly,  and  in  that  shape  is  carried  by  a  friendly 
genius  through  the  moon  and  seven  planets.  The  author  accommodates  the  character  of  the  inhabitants  of 
each  star  to  the  name  it  bears  on  earth.  Venus  is  the  centre  of  amatory  indulgence,  and  Mercury  the  abode 
of  avarice  and  fraud.  By  this  means  there  is  conveyed  a  general  satire  on  different  vices ;  and  a  ridicule 
of  individuals  addicted  to  the  predominant  passion  in  the  planet  seems  also  to  have  been  occasionally 
intended. 


Bishop  Wilkins  could  not  escape,  for  a  cynic  in  1796  thus  writes,  in  ivf'.-ivnr.-  tc.  his 
'  Discovery  of  a  New  World :' — 


All  hail  to  Cestria  and  her  mitred  Lord, 
And  may  Pierian  strains  for  aye  record 
That  lawncd  Kndymion  of  a  happier  age, 
\Yho,  wild  with  rapture  and  empyric  rage, 


On  bold  aspirin)!  pinion  could  presume 
To  journey  thro'  the  vast  ethereal  gloom  ; 
Who,  tired  of  earth  and  dreams  of  gowned  rest, 
Sunk  in  the  Elysium  of  his  Cynthia's  breast. 


Schiller  gives  us  '  Pegasus  in  Harness,'  which  has  been  translated  by  Sir  Edward  Bulwc-i 
Lytton  as  follows: — 


At  Sniitlitii-M  ciiict-,  as  I\.-  licen  told. 
Or  some  such  place  where  beasts  are  sold, 
A  bard,  whose  bones  from  flesh  were  all  free, 
Put  up  for  sale  the  IUUPC'S  palfrey. 

iipjKigriff,  majestic,  neigh 'd, 
And  pranced  as  it'  in  proud  parade. 
The  crowd  gn-w  lar.-e,  the  crowd  grew  larger: 
"  In  truth,"  they  cried,  "a  splendid  charger! 
T would  suit  some  coach  of  state ! — the  king's ! 
Hut,  bless  my  soul,  wh.it  frightful  wings! 

ubt  the  brrnl  is  mighty  rare  — 
Hut  who  would  coach  il  through  the  air? 
Who'd  trust  his  neck  to  such  a  liver?" — 
In  short,  the  bard  could  find  u«  buyer. 


At  last  a  farmer  plucked  up  mettle : 
"  Let's  see  if  we  the  thing  can  settle. 
Those  useless  wings  my  man  may  lop, 
Or  tie  down  tight — I  like  a  crop ! 
T  might  draw  my  cart,  if  kept  in  bounds ; 
Come,  Friend,  111  venture  twenty  {ounds !  " 
The  hungry  bard  with  joy  consented, 
And  Hodge  bears  off  his  prize,  contented. 
The  noble  beast  is  in  the  cart ; 
Hodge  cries,  "  Gee  hup !  "  and  off  they  start. 
He  scarcely  feels  the  load  behind, 
Skirre,  scours,  and  scampers  like  the  wiud. 
The  wings  begin  for  heaven  to  itch, — 
And  now  the  cart  is  in  the  ditch  ! 

:;  i 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


CHAP.  XI. 


"  So  ho !  "  grunts  Hodge,  "  'tis  more  than  funny ! 

I've  got  a  penn'orth  for  my  money. 

To-morrow,  if  I  still  survive, 

I  have  some  score  of  folks  to  drive ; — 

As  leader  I  will  yoke  the  beast ; 

'Twill  save  me  one  good  pair  at  least. 

Choler  and  collar  wear  with  time  ; 

The  lively  rogue  is  in  his  prime." 

All's  well  at  first — till,  with  a  start, 
Off  goes  the  waggon  like  a  dart. 
Light  bounding  on,  the  fiery  steed 
Inspires  the  rest  to  equal  speed  ; 
Till,  with  tall  crest,  he  sniffs  the  heaven, 
Spurns  the  dull  road  so  smooth  and  even. 
True  the  impetuous  instinct  to, 
Field,  fen,  and  bog  he  scampers  through. 
The  frenzy  now  has  caught  the  team  ; 
The  driver  tugs,  the  travellers  scream. 
O'er  ditch,  o'er  hedge,  splash,  dash,  and  crash  on, 
Ne'er  farmer  flew  in  such  a  fashion. 
At  last,  all  battered,  bruised,  and  broken, 
(Poor  Hodge's  state  may  not  be  spoken,) 
Waggon,  and  team,  and  travellers  stop, 
Perched  on  a  mountain's  steepest  top ! 
Exceeding  sore,  and  much  perplext, 
"  I'  fegs !  "  the  fanner  cries,  "  what  next  ? 
This  helter-skelter  sport  will  never  do, 
But  break  him  in  111  yet  endeavour  to : 
Let's  see  if  work  and  starving  diet 
Can't  tame  the  monster  into  quiet ! " 

The  proof  was  made ;  and,  save  us !  if  in 
Three  days  you'd  seen  the  hippogriffin, 
You'd  scarce  the  noble  beast  have  known, 
Starved  duly  down  to  skin  and  bone. 
Cries  Hodge,  rejoiced,  "  I  have  it  now ; 
Bring  out  my  ox,  he  goes  to  plough." 
So  said,  so  done,  and  droll  the  tether, 
Wing'd  horse,  slow  ox,  at  plough  together ! 


The  unwilling  griffin  strains  his  might, 

One  last  strong  struggle  yet  for  flight ; 

In  vain,  for,  well  inured  to  labour, 

Plods  sober  on  his  heavy  neighbour, 

And  forces,  inch  by  inch,  to  creep, 

The  hoofs  that  love  the  air  to  sweep  ; 

Until,  worn  out,  the  eye  grows  dim, 

The  sinews  fail  the  foundered  limb, 

The  god-steed  droops,  the  strife  is  past, 

He  writhes  amidst  the  mire  at  last ! 

"  Accursed  brute  !  "  the  farmer  cries ; 

And,  while  he  bawls,  the  cart-whip  plies, 

"  All  toil,  it  seems,  you  think  to  shirk, 

So  fierce  to  run,  so  dull  to  work  ! 

My  twenty  pounds ! — Not  worth  a  pin  ! 

Confound  the  rogue  who  took  me  in ! " 

He  vents  his  wrath,  he  plies  his  thong, 

When,  lo !  there  gaily  comes  along, 

With  looks  of  light  and  locks  of  yellow, 

And  lute  in  hand,  a  buxom  fellow  ; 

Through  the  bright  clusters  of  his  hair 

A  golden  circlet  glistens  fair. 

"  What 's  this  ?— a  wondrous  yoke  and  pleasant ! " 

Cries  out  the  stranger  to  the  peasant. 

"  The  bird  and  ox  thus  leashed  together — 

Come,  prithee,  just  unbrace  the  tether : 

But  let  me  mount  him  for  a  minute — 

That  beast! — you'll  see  how  much  is  in  it.'1 

The  steed  released,  the  youthful  stranger 
Leaps  on  his  back,  and  smiles  at  danger ; 
Scarce  felt  that  steed  the  master's  rein, 
When  all  his  fire  returns  again  : 
He  champs  the  bit,  he  rears  on  high, 
Light  flashes  from  the  kindling  eye ; 
Changed  from  a  creature  of  the  sod, 
Behold  the  spirit  and  the  god ! 
As  sweeps  the  whirlwind,  heavenward  spring 
The  unfurled  glory  of  his  wings ; 
Before  the  eye  can  track  the  flight, 
Lost  in  the  azure  fields  of  light. 


Albert  Smith,  after  having  experienced  the  dangers  as  well  as  delights  of  ballocmiug,  as 
previously  told,  could  hardly  have  been  expected  to  refrain  from  extracting  amusement  from 
so  fertile  a  subject.  '  A  Flying  Visit'  and  '  The  Nassau  Balloon'  are  from  his  pen  :— 


THE  by-gone  September, 

As  folks  may  remember, 
At  least  if  their  memory  saves  but  an  ember, 

One  fine  afternoon, 

There  went  up  a  Balloon, 
Which  did  not  return  to  the  Earth  very  soon. 

For,  nearing  the  sky, 

At  about  a  mile  high, 

The  Aeronaut  bold  had  resolved  on  a  fly  ; 


A  FLYING  VISIT. 

So  cutting  his  string, 
In  a  Parasol  thing 
Down  he  came  in  a  field  like  a  lark  from  the  wing. 

Meanwhile,  thus  adrift, 

The  Balloon  made  a  shift 
To  rise  very  fast,  with  no  burthen  to  lift; 

It  got  very  small, 

Then  to  nothing  at  all ; 
And  then  rose  the  question  of  where  it  would  fall  ? 


The  many  curious  speculations  on  this  subject  we  must  leave  untold — 


However,  at  last, 
When  six  weeks  had  gone  past, 
Intelligence  came  of  a  plausible  cast. 


CIIM-.  XI. 


\    KM  l\i;    YIHI 


The  news  soon  spread  that  it  WM  once  again  visible. 

But  still  to  and  fro 

It  continued  to  go, 

As  if  looking  oat  for  soft  places  below  ; 


No  difficult  job, 
It  had  only  to  bob 
Slap  dash  down  at  once  on  the  heads  of  the  mob. 


l!\ i  ntiully  the  phenomenon  came  more  distinctly  in  . 

Plain  to  be  seen, 

Underneath  the  machine. 
There  dangled  a  mortal — nome  swore  it  was  Gr<  • 

Some  Mason  could  spy ; 

Others  named  Mr.  Oye; 
<  >r  Holland,  ciiii>|»-ll'd  by  the  Belgians  to  fly. 


But  all  were  at  fault ; 

l-'nmi  the  heavenly  vault 
The  felling  balloon  came  at  last  to  a  halt ; 

And  bounce !  with  the  jar 

Of  descending  «o  far, 
An  outlandish  Creature  was  thrown  from  the  car ! 


The  peroonal  description  of  the  odd  little  monster,  a  sort  of  mooncalf,  we  must  also 


Meanwhile,  with  a  sigh. 
Having  open'd  one  eye, 
•  ranker  rose  up  on  his  seat  by  and  by ; 

.  finding  his  tongue, 
Thus  he  said,  or  he  sung, 
"  .Wi  criky  bo  biggamy  kickrry  bung  '.  " 

"  Lord !  what  does  he  speak ! " 
"  It's  Dog- Latin— it's  Greek  I " 
"  It's  some  sort  of  slang  for  to  puzzle  a  Beak ! " 

*  It's  not  parly  voo," 
Cried  a  schoolboy  or  two, 

"  Nor  Hebrew  at  all,"  said  a  wandering  Jew. 

•  •  »  *  • 

Some  gness'd  it  high  Dutch, 
'  'i  hers  thought  it  had  much 

In  sound  of  the  true  Uoky-poky-ish  touch  ; 
But  none  could  be  poz, 
What  the  Dickins!  (not  Bor) 

No  mortal  could  tell  what  the  Dickins  it  was ! 

When  who  should  come  pat, 

In  a  moment  like  that. 
But  Bowring  to  see  what  the  people  were  at — 

A  Doctor  well  able, 

Without  any  fable. 
To  talk  and  translate  all  the  babble  of  Babel. 

Then  stretching  his  hand, 

As  you  see  Daniel  stand, 
In  the  Feast  of  Belsbazzar,  that  picture  so  grand ! 

Without  more  delay, 

In  the  Hamilton  way 
II'   Knglish'd  whatever  the  Elf  had  to  say. 


"  KraJc  Icraziboo  ion,. 

I'm  the  Lunatic  Man, 
Confiu'd  in  the  Moon  since  creation  began — 

•Sit  muggy  bigog, 

Whom  except  in  a  fog 
You  see  with  a  Lantern,  a  Bush,  and  a  Dog. 

"  Lang  tinny  lear, 

For  this  many  a  year, 
I've  long'd  to  drop  in  at  your  own  little  sphere, — 

Oeh,  pod-mad  aroon 

Till  one  fine  afternoon, 
I  found  that  Wind-Coach  on  the  horns  of  the  Moon. 

"  Ctah  quackery  go, 

But,  besides  you  must  know, 
I'd  heard  of  a  profiting  Prophet  below  ; 

Big  botherum  bltther, 

Who  pretended  to  gather 
Tlie  tricks  that  the  Moon  meant  to  play  with  the  weather. 

"  .So  erumut  an  crash, 

Being  shortish  of  cash, 
I  thought  I'd  a  right  to  partake  of  the  bash— 

>•'///.•  mizzle  an  imaic, 

So  I'm  come  with  a  pack 
To  sell  to  the  trade  of  My  Own  Almanack. 


"  Wept  wepton  miih  wept, 

Pray  this  Copy  accept " 

But  here  on  the  Stranger  some  Kidnappers  leapt, 

For  why  ?  a  shrewd  man 

Had  devis'd  a  sly  plan 
The  wonder  to  grab  for  a  show  Caravan. 


The  Doctor,  however,  interposed.     Among  other  reasons,  he  observed  : — 


"  You'd  best  let  him  go — 
If  you  keep  him  below, 
The  Moon  will  not  change,  and  the  tides  will  not  flow." 


So  awful  a  threat 

Took  effect  on  the  set ; 
The  fright,  tho'  was  more  than  their  Guest  could  forget ; 

So  taking  a  jump, 

In  the  car  he  came  plump, 
And  threw  all  the  ballast  right  out  in  a  lump. 

3  p  2 


398 


ASTKA  CAST.RA. 


CHAP.  XI. 


Up  soar'd  the  machine, 
With  its  yellow  and  green : 

But  still  the  pale  face  of  the  Creature  was  seen, 
Who  cried  from  the  car 
"  Dam  in  yooman  bi  gar !  " 

That  is, — "  What  a  sad  set  of  villains  you  are !  " 


Howbeit,  at  some  height, 

He  threw  down  quite  a  flight 
Of  Almanacks,  wishing  to  set  us  all  right — 

And,  thanks  to  the  boon, 

We  shall  see  very  soon 
If  Murphy  knows  most,  or  the  Man  in  the  Moon  ! 


THK  NASSAU  BALLOON. 

Keeping  in  mind  the  leading  pastimes  of  "  the  people  "  at  this  season,  we  seize  the  opportunity  of  saying 
a  few  words  about  the  balloon  trip  from.  Cremorne  Gardens  a  week  or  two  ago. 

The  popularity  of  balloons  is  something  curious.  It  comes  by  fits  and  starts,  like  a  stage  cascade,  or  an 
English  sunshine,  or  an  outcry  for  the  legitimate  drama,  or  an  exhibition  of  good  pictures,  or  an  overflow  of 
dwarfs,  and  nigger  vocalists,  and  immense  animals.  And  an  aeronaut  is  a  species  of  perennial  grub.  In  the 
winter  we  hear  nothing  of  him  :  he  hybernates  with  his  balloon,  in  the  chrysalis  state,  without  doubt,  of  dressing- 
gown  and  slippers  ;  but  no  sooner  does  the  fine  weather  arrive,  than  he  casts  his  skin,  unfolds  his  wings,  and 
is  once  more  a  creature  of  the  air,  until  he  "  shrinks  from  the  breath  of  the  first  autumn  day."  And  then  he 
disappears  as  mysteriously  as  the  flies,  or  the  pins  ;  which  we  hold  to  be  the  greatest  instances  of  spontaneous 
evaporation  known. 

Whilst  all  sorts  of  progresses  and  voyages,  by  sea  and  by  land,  have  received  every  attention  from  our 
artists,  we  must  confess  that  those  in  the  air  have  been  much  neglected,  as  to  illustrations.  They  have  been 
principally  confined  to  a  large  street  woodcut,  of  a  car  filled  with  distinguished  ladies  and  gentlemen,  with 
no  end  of  fireworks  behind  them  ;  and  an  individual  in  the  centre,  supposed  to  be  Mr.  Green,  politely  bowing 
to  the  spectators,  who,  in  kit-cat  proportions,  are  waving  their  hats  and  umbrellas,  and  shaking  their  handker- 
chiefs, and  giving  way  to  all  kinds  of  frantic  enthusiasm.  To  supply  this  void,  we  despatched  two  artists  to  the 
scene  of  the  last  balloon  ascent :  one  was  to  go  in  the  car,  and  the  other  to  remain  on  the  ground.  Some 
interesting  sketches  were  the  result.  The  first  is  entitled,  "  View  of  the  company  at  Cremorne  at  the  moment  of 
ascent,"  and  gives  a  lively  image  of  the  crowd  in  the  grounds,  in  the  midst  of  whom  might  have  been  seen  Ibrahim 
Pacha,  had  the  mob  not  hustled  him  up  so  that  he  could  not  be  made  out.  This  was  the  only  illustration  which 
our  aerial  artist  favoured  us  with,  as  he  got  so  frightened,  and  so  completely  in  the  clouds,  that  his  art  failed 
him.  Our  mundane  draughtsman  was  more  lucky.  He  first  sends  us  a  view  of  the  balloon  as  it  appeared  from 
Waterloo  Bridge,  amidst  the  cheers  of  the  boys,  who  directly  started  off  after  it,  as  vaguely  as  they  would 
have  done  after  a  fire-engine,  which  is  ever  a  reckless  pursuit,  whose  termination  may  not  be  guessed  between 
Gray's  Inn  Lane  and  Epping  Forest.  We  ourselves  were  fortunate  in  taking  a  sketch  of  the  balloon  as  it 
passed  over  our  attic  skylight,  whilst  we  were  pumping  our  brains  for  a  subject.  The  following  came  by  the 
inspiration  of  the  moment: — 

SONG. 


THE    AERIAL    ORE  EX. 


OH  !  a  daring  man  is  the  Aerial  Green, 

As  he  rises  above  the  wall 
Of  the  turfy  Cremorne,  or  for  nothing  is  seen 

From  the  road  beside  old  Vauxhall ! 
How  bleak  soe'er  the  wind  may  feel, 

Or  dark  the  night  may  keep, 
He  lights  the  match  of  his  firework  wheel, 

Though  all  below  may  sleep. 

Creeping  where  nobody  else  has  been, 
A  daring  man  is  the  Aerial  Green  ! 


Air — The  Ivy  Green. 

Since  Green  first  began  his  airy  career, 

How  many  his  rivals  have  been, 
But  none  like  himself  through  the  heavens  can  steer, 

He's  so  knowing,  although  he  is  Green. 
For  Henson  shall  go,  and  be  dimmed  his  fame, 

And  forgotten  his  Aerial  Ship, 
But  Green  shall  still  carry  out  his  name, 

And  nourish  in  every  trip. 

Creeping  up  to  realms  unseen, 

A  daring  man  is  the  Aerial  Green! 


Our  artist  took  his  next  illustration — a  very  graphic  one — from  the  balloon  as  it  appeared  disappearing. 
There  is  much  to  praise  in  his  spirited  sketch.     The  treatment  is  simple,  but  very  expressive ;  the  balloon  is 


t%ftt"*inmfintf,knj  al  tJtf  1/llbllUH'i-  .*>//!»•  I  V/r/V«>-  Stm&Oniflton  ia*lrrriu 


A  7.   Itil  Sirl/.liiiiu-*-  /'/  /'/P  *  \-i-  /tit;-.  /••!• 


1864 


CUIV.  Cl- 

C  L  L  1 1- '  C  K  U.  I 


. "  f  I'  H 

M  I'  ,r  fi  "  f  J  /•  » 


CHAP.  XI.  CBOTCIIKTS  IN  Till'    \IK.  BOB 

•  viilt-iitly  a  i>oiiit.  ami  the  drawing  ia  free  and  tinstii<li<  -il.  HJM  next  sketch  i«  of  tho  balloon  when  it  wan  out  of 
Miiht ;  ami  n  similar  one  WM  sent  us  by  our  aerial  artist — wbo  recovered  hia  presence  of  mind  a  little— of  the 
\  i. -w  from  i IK-  balloon  after  nightfall. 

\\  i  :..:-•  Bat  the  present  ounclude  our  paper ;  but  an  amateur  who  wax  amongtit  the  voyagers  has  promised 
us  his  portfolio,  to  which  wo  may  possibly  recur,  and  present  the  series  of  illustrations  complete. 


I  iimrli  n-jrivt  tliat  1  have  nut  lnvn  aMf  t«>  find  the  name  of  the  author  of  the  aiim.-ini:- 
i-ntitlril 

CROTCHETS  IN  THE  AIR. 

M  ^    HEAR  TOM,  Planet  Earth,  29th  September.  1888. 

I  have  purposely  postponed  a  reply  to  your  impatient  letter  of  the  16th  instant.  I  am  grateful  to  you  for 
your  kiml  unxi.-tics  upon  my  account,  as  evinced  by  your — "  I'.S.  1'ray  answer  this  without  the  delay  of  a  SINLI.I 
MOMENT."  (I  give  you  your  own  emphatic  markings.)  Now,  Kuppose— do  but  suppose — I  had  complied  with 
\oiir  request,  and  answered  your  letter  immediately  upon  its  arrival,  which  occurred  wiihin  only  a  couple  of  days 

my  i. nun  to  this  ]»  ii-iiik  and-paper  earth  of  ours— why,  I  tloul>t  whether  you  could  have  understood  ..m- 
sentcn«-  in  twnity  of  all  1  might  have  written  to  you;  so  inflated,  so  exalted  watt  I,  that  my  style  must 
necessarily  have  been  affected  by  my  own  feelings.  You  are  aware  of  my  detestation  of  that  barbarous  jargon 

whii-h  i>  upounded  of  Gallicisms,  and   Latinisms,  and  Italianitnns,  and  all   manner  of  ixms  (with  the  single 

exception  of  good-English-isms),  and  which  is  nick-named  tho  modern  fashionable  stylo  of  writing  :  from  all  such 
ton*  my  disgust  of  them  would  have  kept  me  clear ;  but  how  could  I  have  avoided  the  perpetration  of  a  few 
balloonicisms ?  The  moment  I  had  "pulled  tho  liberating-iron  of  my  sensations,"  I  should  inevitably  have 
"  thrown  out  every  bag  of  the  Itallast  of  judgment,"  and  abandoned  myself  without  opposition  to  "the  buoyant 
gas  of  enthusiasm."  How  should  you  have  liked  that  ?  Only  two  pages  of  it  ?— one  ?—  only  half  a  page  ?  No,  no 
Tom  ;  rely  upon  it  'tis  better  as  it  is. 

N»u  ask  me  many  quest  inns.  The  first  in  order  I  will  answer  first,  for  the  reason  that  it  is  the 
first. 

"Did  you  go  up  in  a  balloon  on  Friday,  the  fourteenth?"  I  may  reply  to  yon  in  the  words  of  Hamlet, 
I  have  been  "  nearer  to  heaven  than  when  I  saw  you  last,  by  the  altitude  of  a  chopine."  But  tho  next  time  you 
speak  of  that  particular  travelling  carriage  (the  Great  Nassau),  pray  speak  of  it  with  becoming  respect,  and  call 
it  the  balloon.  All  others,  whether  beneath  the  clouds,  within  or  above  them,  are  mere  balloon-sprouts,  chick- 
balloons,  balloon-«tt«,  in  short.  As  is  a  peach  to  a  pumpkin,  so  is  the  biggest  of  those  to  the  Great  Nassau.  You 
sit  in  a  thing  like  a  sauce-boat,  and  look  up  to  a  world  floating  above  your  head.  Methinks  I  hear  you  say — 
"Hold,  there!  Let  off  a  little  of  your  gas."  I  will;  but  not  much,  Tom.  And  now,  having  replied  to  your 
tii -M  question,  I  will,  for  the  present,  float  over — (I  beg  your  pardon,  but  I  could  not  help  that) — I  will  pass  over 
all  tli-  intermediate  ones,  and  notice  your  last.  For  this  irregularity  I  have  two  motives:  first,  to  get  rid  of 
a  perplexing  inquiry;  and  secondly,  to  let  you  understand  at  once  the  kind  of  account  of  a  balloon-trip  you 
must  expect  from  me : — nothing  about  "  Here  the  barometer  fell  to  — ,"  "  Here  the  thermometer  rose  to  — ," 
••  IK  -re  the  mercury  stood  at  — ;"  no  balloon-jargon,  but  a  plain,  surface-of-earth  description.  So,  on  to  ymir 
question. 

According  to  your  observations,  in  what  manner,  and  to  what  extent,  are  the  interests  of  science  likely 
to  be  advanced,  and  the  state  of  society  in  general,  morally  and  physically  considered  (dividing  your  answer  to  tin-- 
portion of  the  question  into  two  branches),  likely  to  be  improved  by  the  use  of  balloons  ?— and  within  what 
probable  period  ?  " 

This  question  is  framed  with  such  extraordinary  precision,  that,  to  one  who  could,  there  ought  not  to  be  the 
slightest  difficulty  in  answering  it  My  observations,  however,  having  been  confined  chiefly  to  the  looking  down 
on  the  chimney-tops,  I  am  enabled  to  reply  only,  with  anything  approaching  to  certainty,  first,  that  I  do  not 
know;  secondly,  that  I  cannot  tell  ;  and  thirdly,  that  it  is  hard  to  say.  Yet  are  there  points  upon  which  I  will 
venture  to  speak  positively.  One  (and,  perhaps,  the  most  important)  result  of  an  ascent  in  a  balloon,  in,  in 


400  ASTRA  CASTE  A.  CHAP.  XT. 

a  scientific  point  of  view,  that  you  may  be  quite  sure  of  coming  down  again — somehow ;  the  second,  affecting  the 
man  morally,  is,  that  it  must,  in  a  greater  or  a  less  degree,  elevate  his  mind — for  the  time  being ;  the  third  affects 
the  man  physically,  and  is,  that  unless  he  order  the  clouds  to  be  well  aired  for  his  reception,  he  is  very  likely 
to  get  a  touch  of  rheumatism  (as  I  have  done)  from  being  wrapped  up  in  a  damp  one.  For  any  much  more 
positive  and  useful  information  you  may  require,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  aeronauts  of  greater  experience,  and 
(to  use  a  phrase  more  popular  than  polite) I  wish  you  may  get  it.  I  now  turn  to  some  other  of  your  questions. 

"  Why  did  you  go  ?  " 

I  might  put  off  this  inquiry  by  pleading  the  laudable  ambition  of  rising  in  the  world,  but  that  I  abhor  a  pun. 
Curiosity,  then,  was  the  leading  motive,  though  not  the  only  one.  I  wanted  to  go  out  of  town  ;  and  this 
was  going  out  of  town,  or  the  deuce  is  in  it.  Then,  the  novel  mode  of  travelling !  Be  assured  there  is  nothin<* 
like  it  on  earth.  One  gets  tired  of  being  suffocated  in  coaches,  choked  with  coal-dust  in  steamboats,  rattled  and 
rumbled  on  railroads.  But,  up  yonder,  the  ineffable  stillness,  the  progressing  movement  without  the  slightest 
sensation  of  motion  !  whether  up,  down,  forward,  back,  you  seem  to  be  suspended  motionless  in  the  air,  whilst 
everything  above,  below,  and  around,  is  complaisantly  taking  the  trouble  of  moving  out  of  your  way.  The  slight, 
though  perceptible  jerk  you  experience  at  each  stroke  of  the  oars  in  a  Thames  wherry  at  Twickenham,  is  an 
electric  shock  compared  with  what  (if  I  may  so  express  it)  you  do  not  feel  in  a  balloon.  This  is  scarcely  an 
exaggeration.  As  for  Mac  Adam— I  now  consider  him  but  a  bungler  at  the  best.  By  the  by,  Tom,  I  wish  those 
pavers,  and  unpavers,  and  repavers  of  Oxford-street,  would  leave  their  eternal  wrangling,  and  just  step  up  stairs 
for  a  lesson. 

Then,  again,  another  amongst  my  motives  was  a  yearning  after  variety.  It  is  idle  to  talk  about  going  out  of 
town  for  the  sake  of  change,  Tom.  We  quit  London  and  go  to  Brighton,  or  Cheltenham,  or  Paris,  or  Vienna,  or 
Constantinople.  Houses,  houses,  houses !  We  weary  of  the  ruralities  of  Wiltshire,  and  try  Wales ;  tired  of 
Wales,  we  fly  to  Savoy,  or  to  Switzerland :  it  is  the  same  thing.  Trees,  rivers,  and  fields ;  fields,  trees,  and 
rivers !  with  here  and  there  a  hill  some  certain  number  of  feet  higher  or  lower  than  another !  Then,  everywhere, 

in  all  places,  people,  people,  people  !     And  this,  forsooth,  we  call  a  change!     You  remember  poor  Charles  , 

who  when  tired,  not  absolutely  of  people,  but  of  the  every-day  countenances  he  was  in  the  habit  of  meeting  about 
town,  went  to  Thebes  in  the  hope  of  seeing  a  variety  in  the  "  human  face  divine."  Almost  the  first  man  he 
encountered  was  his  linendraper,  who  was  employed  in  taking  the  length  of  a  fallen  column  with  a  yard 
measure.  And  what  was  his  reason  for  being  there  ?  Change.  Margate,  he  said,  had  become  vulgar,  and — which 
was  worse — Eamsgate  was  trying  to  be  genteel.  No;  believe  me,  Tom,  that,  for  a  positive  change,  there  is 
nothing  for  it  but,  instead  of  going  down  into  the  country,  to  go  up  out  of  town.  Once  above  the  clouds,  adieu 
to  houses,  trees,  fields,  rivers,  hills,  and  people.  There  might  you  be  for  a  month  with  millions  of  chances  to  one 
against  your  balloon  being  jostled  by  another  gentleman's.  And  such  independent  travelling  too  !  As  our  witty 

friend  B ,  who  made  an  ascent  some  weeks  ago,  truly  said,  "  No  turnpikes  to  pay  there."     He  might  have 

added,  no  "  What's  the  number  ?"  no  "  That  'ere  ticket  don't  clear  this  here  gate ;"  for  positively,  Tom,  there  are 
no  gates  to  clear.  The  boundless  regions  of  air  are  open  to  you ;  not  an  acre  is  enclosed  ;  and  for  ever  might  you 
float  there,  unimpeded  by  a  humane  caution  to  beware  of  spring  guns,  or  a  friendly  hint  about  prosecution 
for  trespass,  and  the  amiable  rigours  of  the  law.  Then  again,  you  escape  the  three  main  annoyances  to  which 
you  are  subjected  in  foreign  travelling  elsewhere  :  passports  are  not  required — nobody  is  there  to  ask  who  you  are, 
where  you  come  from,  or  what  you  may  please  to  want  in  the  clouds.  There  is  no  busy,  prying,  spying  police 
to  watch  your  movements,  so  that,  were  you  dishonestly  inclined,  you  might  pocket  a  handful  of  little  stars  for 
brooches  and  breast-pins,  if  you  could  but  reach  them  ;  though  let  us  hope  no  aerial  traveller  will  ever 
compromise  the  character  of  the  natives  of  the  earth  by  so  shabby  an  attempt.  And,  last  of  this  category,  there 
are  no  Custom-house  officers  to  search  your  car,  and  ask,  "  What  have  you  got  in  that  bottle  ?  "  But,  let  me  tell 
you,  there  is  one  set-off  against  these  comforts :  there  are  no  inns  in  the  whole  of  that  country ;  so  that  when 
what  we  had  "got  in  that  bottle,"  which  was  some  sherry,  was  exhausted  in  drinking  to  the  health  of  our  dear 
little  Queen,  we  could  not  get  our  bottle  replenished  for  love  or  money.  So  you  see,  Tom,  things  are  not 
absolutely  perfect  even  there. 

And  then,  the  noiselessness,  the  perfect  quiet,  which  I  have  before  alluded  to !  It  is  the  sublime  of 
stillness.  They  who  have  not  heard  it — do  not  add  this  expression  to  your  collection  of  bulls — they  who  have 
not  heard  it  (for  the  ear  is  affected  by  it)  can  form  no  idea  of  it.  -In  the  stillest  night,  on  the  quietest  spot  on 


IMAI-.  XI.  i:\LLOONICISMS. 

earth,  some  sound  is  occasionally  heard,  how  soft  or  Blight  soever  it  bo — the  ripple  of  water,  the  buzzing  of 
an  insect,  the  fall  of  a  leaf.  Hut  up  there,  you  might  fancy  yourself  living  in  an  age  antecedent  to  the  creation 
ni'  -i, Mini.  There  might  you  indulge  to  the  uttermost  in  the  luxury  of  thought,  reflection,  meditation  ;  there  revel 
in  .ill  the  delights  of  imagination,  with  not  the  ruffling  of  a  butterfly's  wing  to  put  your  fancies  to  flight. 
Ai»l,  thru,  fur  a  certain  society  of  architects  of  which  you  and  I  aro  members ! — O  Tom !  such  a  place  for  building 
castles  in  the  uir  ! 

Another  of  your  questions  (for  I  do  not  take  them  seriatim),  is,  "  How  high  did  you  go  ?  " 

Balloonically  speaking,  not  wry  high.  We  did  not  go  high  enough  to  hear  the  music  of  the  spheres;  or  to 
have  made  out  what  sort  <>f  li Hiking  fellow  was  the  man  in  the  moon,  even  had  that  chaste  lady  condescended 
to  make  herself  vi.sibli'.  Indeed,  the  old  ballooners,  who  formed  five  of  our  party  of  nine — that  is  to  say,  our 
;i'lmii.ilil.-  n  iviir.it. ir  Mr.  Green,  his  lady,  Mr.  Spencer,  and  two  of  the  Messrs.  Hughes — those  old  ballooners, 
I  say,  declared  we  went  no  height  at  all ;  and,  in  fact,  our  greatest  elevation  did  not  much  exceed  four  thousand 
>  three-quarters  of  a  mile),  or,  to  make  this  vague  statement  somewhat  more  intelligible,  only  about  twelve 
tiiu.-s  the  height  of  St.  Paul's,  measuring  to  the  top  of  the  cross.  It  was  just  high  enough,  however,  for  a  tumble 
to  have  made  us,  the  inexperienced  in  aeronautics,  feel  rather  uncomfortable — and,  perhaps,  even  the  old 
ballooners  themselves.  Moreover,  unlike  a  party  which  made  a  trip  a  few  weeks  ago,  we  hud  not  taken  the 
precaution  of  carrying  up  either  a  surgeon  or  a  coroner  in  our  company.  But  with  GKKEV  for  your  guide  (who  is 
now  nearly  in  the  two  hundred  and  seventieth  ascent  of  his  balloonical  age),  as  reasonably  almost  might  you 
ii|i]irrhi-iul  the  accident  of  being  driven  up  to  the  clouds  in  a  Paddingtou  omnibus,  as  that  he  should  let  you  down 
from  them  with  inconvenient  velocity. 

I  next  come  to  your  "three  single  "  questions  all  "  rolled  into  one." 

"  At  what  time  did  you  go  up  from  Vauxhall  Gardens  ?  how  long  did  you  remain  np  ?  and  at  what  time  did 
you  come  down  again  ?  " 

I  do  not  de.spise  you  for  talking  about  a  balloon  going  up,  for  it  is  an  error  which  you  share  in  common  with 
some  millions  of  our  fellow-creatures;  and  I,  in  the  days  of  my  ignorance,  thought  with  the  rest  of  you.  I  know 
better  now,  Tom.  The  fact  is,  we  did  not  170  up  at  all ;  but  at  about  five  minutes  past  six,  on  the  evening  of 
Friday,  the  14th.  of  September,  1838 — (you  want  "particulars,"  so  there  they  are  for  you) — at  about  that  time, 
Vauxhall  Gardens,  with  all  the  people  in  them,  went  down !  Tom — Tom — I  cannot  have  been  deceived.  I  speak 
from  the  evidence  of  my  senses,  founded  upon  repetition  of  the  fact.  Upon  each  of  the  three  or  four  experimental 
trials  of  the  powers  of  the  balloon  to  enable  the  people  to  glide  away  from  us  with  safety  to  themselves,  down 
they  all  went  about  thirty  feet ;  then,  up  they  came  again,  and  so  on.  There  we  sat  quietly  all  the  while  in  our 
wicker  buck-basket,  utterly  unconscious  of  motion;  till,  at  length,  Mr.  Green  snapping  a  little  iron,  and  thus 
lotting  loose  the  rope  by  which  the  earth  was  suspended  to  us — like  Atropos  cutting  the  connexion  between  us 
with  a  pair  of  shears — down  it  went  with  everything  on  it ;  and  your  poor,  paltry,  little  Dutch  toy  of  a  town 
(your  great  Metropolis,  as  you  insolently  call  it),  having  been  placed  on  casters  for  the  occasion — I  am  satisfied  of 
that — was  gently  rolled  away  from  under  us. 

At  once  to  satisfy  you  upon  the  two  other  points  of  your  triple  (and  pardon  me  for  adding,  your  most 
Mi:-.-i.-ntiiii-,tlly  framed)  question,  you  remained  down  during  a  little  more  than  three  hours;  when,  at  about 
a  quarter  past  nine,  our  able  conductor,  with  an  undeniable  grappling-iron — an  implement  not  made  to  take 
N  • "  for  an  answer — caught  hold  of  the  earth  by  the  nape  of  its  neck,  as  it  were,  on  Wanstead  Flats,  and 
hank-d  it  up  to  us  with  perfect  ease.  Fonr  of  our  party,  including  Mrs.  Green,  stepped  out  of  the  cradle 
and  returned  to  town.  And  here,  on  a  dark  night,  on  H  lone  heath — lone,  do  I  say  ?  No,  by  Jupiter !  it  was 
Anything  but  lonely. 

\\  ;isn't  it  the  first  Lord  Thnrlow  who  longed  for  a  day's  shooting  in  an  English  mob?  This  may  seem  an 
odd,  out-of-placo  question ;  but  it  shall  presently  be  accounted  for,  and,  I  trust,  to  your  satisfaction.  But,  now, 
to  another  of  your  iin[iii: 

"  Did  you,  when  you  were  tolerably  high,  experience  any  extraordinary  sensations?" 

N  i me  whatever,  Tom,  but  of  admiration  and  delight.  I  apprehend  that,  judging  from  the  c.niiinnii 
consequence  of  looking  down  from  a  point  considerably  elevated,  you  expect  to  be  told  that  the  sensation  ••( 

dizziness  was  amongst  the  number.  I  remember  meeting  the  younger  B ,  the  surgeon,  ju-t  ;ifter  he  had 

assisted  at  the  opening  of  Person's  skull.  "  Did  you  find  anything  extraordinary  in  it  I  "  inquired  I. — 


402  ASTftA  CASTKA.  CHAP.  XI. 

"  I  guess  what  you  expect,"  replied  he,  laughingly  :  "  We  found  a  little  water,  but  no  Greek."     Now,  run  are 
expecting  to  be  told 

How  fearful 
And  dizzy  'tis,  to  cast  one's  eyes  so  low  ! 

Not  so,  however,  from  a  balloon  at  any  height.  I  do  not  know  the  exact  elevation  of  the  Shakspeare  cliff: 
I  believe  though,  it  is  not,  by  a  great  deal,  so  high  as  the  cross  of  St.  Paul's.  I  have  lain  down  on  the  verge 
of  it  (the  cliff,  please  to  understand  me)  and  looked  over  into  the  sea  ;  but  have  been  compelled  to  withdraw  by 
an  overpowering  sensation  of  giddiness.  It  has  been  the  same  thing  when  looking  over  from  the  top  of  that  place 
in  the  Regent's  Park  (stupidly  misnamed  the  Colosseum)  which  is  considerably  lower.  Nay,  within  three  days 
after  our  ascent — (I  will,  through  the  remainder  of  this  epistle,  humour  you  in  your  delusion,  Tom) — I  was  at 
a  friend's  chambers  which  are  only  on  a  second  floor ;  and,  looking  down  from  an  open  window  into  the  garden 
(the  sill  of  the  window  being  rather  low)  I  became  giddy,  and  was  obliged  to  retire  from  it !  At  an  elevation  of 
twenty-seven  hundred  feet,  I  looked  down  upon  St.  Paul's — that  is  to  say,  from  about  eight  times  its  own  height 
— layers  of  smoke,  like  thin  clouds,  hanging  just  above  the  swell  of  the  dome,  and  not  the  slightest  inconvenience 
of  the  kind  you  expect  did  I,  or  any  of  my  travelling  companions,  suffer  from  our  exalted  position !  This  is  a 
curious  fact ;  but  a  fact  it  is  which,  I  doubt  not,  will  be  corroborated  by  every  person  who  has  made  trial  of  it. 

Now,  how  is  this  extraordinary  circumstance  to  be  accounted  for  ?  I  have  heard  it  explained  thus  : — In 
a  balloon  you  are  entirely  detached  from  the  earth :  there  are  no  intermediate  points  by  which  the  eye  can  be 
gradually  conducted  downwards  ;  so  that  the  impression  of  height  upon  the  senses,  that  impression  which  causes 
dizziness,  is  indefinite,  vague.  From  the  parapet  of  a  house,  or  from  a  column,  or  a  tall  cliff,  the  eye,  on  the 
contrary,  is  led  by  an  intervening  medium  down  to  the  base,  and  the  elevation  upon  which  you  are  placed  being 
thus  rendered  palpable,  dizziness  (to  such,  I  mean,  as  are  liable  to  that  affection)  ensues.  Amongst  the  many 
circumstances  accumulated  by  Shakspeare  to  convey  a  terrifying  notion  of  the  height  of  the  cliff  at  Dover,  which 
is  the  one  by  which  he  mainly  achieves  his  purpose  ?  It  is  not,  I  humbly  conceive,  by 

The  fishermen  that  walk  upon  the  beach, 

and  who 

Appear  like  mice ; 

nor  by 

The  tall  anchoring  bark  diminished  to  her  cock  : 

it  is  not,  indeed,  by  any  of  the  objects  which  he  describes  as  seen  in  the   extreme  distance  below.     It  is, 

I  think,  by  the 

Halfway  dmi:n 

Hangs  one  that  gathers  samphire  :  dreadful  trade  ! 
Methinks  he  seems  no  bigger  than  his  head. 

Setting  aside  the  frightful  picture  of  danger  so  powerfully  painted,  one  may  say,  by  the  words  "  hangs  one," 
and  "  dreadful  trade,"  as  having  nothing  to  do  with  the  present  question  ;  that  giddy  and  fearful  "  half  way  down  " 
it  is  which,  more  than  all  the  rest,  impresses  the  imagination ;  and  which,  as  a  means  of  comparison,  enables, 
or,  rather  forces  the  mind  to  conceive  the  awful  whole  of  the  precipice.  Now  from  a  balloon  there  is  no 
"halfway  down  :"  it  is  all  (don't  say  neck)  or  nothing ;  and  from  our  aerial  omnibus,  when  over  the  river,  we 
looked  down  upon  "  the  tall  anchoring  barks  "  (which  appeared  no  larger  than  Thames  wherries)  with  an  eye  as 
steady  as  theirs  on  board  who  might  have  been  looking  up  at  us. 

Now  do  not  from  this,  Tom,  take  it  into  your  head  that  I  am  about  to  open  shop  as  a  philosopher,  and  turn 
dealer  in  causes  and  effects  :  no  such  thing :  the  theory  I  offer  you,  right  or  wrong,  good  or  bad,  is  none  of 
my  own ;  but  as  it  is  the  best  I  have  been  able  to  procure,  I  generously  beg  your  acceptance  of  it. 

A  timely  visit !  At  this  moment,  L-chf— d  (no  mean  Shakspearian,  and  who  has  the  poet's  expounders  and 
confounders  at  his  finger  ends)  is  with  me.  He  reminds  me  that  Johnson,  in  a  note  upon  the  passage  which  I  have 
quoted,  expresses  an  opinion  at  variance  with  the  theory  I  offer  you.  Were  the  theory  my  own  I  would  defend  it 
against  him  were  he  twenty  Johnsons ;  as  it  is,  I  leave  to  its  rightful  owner  the  trouble  of  its  defence.  For  my 
own  part  I  think  the  doctor  in  the  wrong,  and,  if  I  chose,  could  set  him  down  within  the  compass  of  two  commas, 
one  semicolon,  and  a  full  stop.  What  was  Johnson,  indeed  !  He  wrote  the  lives  of  some  poets ;  a  tolerable 


(IIAI.  XI  \  HIGHLANDER'S  KNOWLEDGE  OF  KNEE-BUCKLES.  I" 

preface  or  two ;  a  few  passable  essays ;  compiled,  or  composed,  a  dictionary ;  but  was  ho  ever  up  in  a  balloon  ? 
If  lii'  wi-tv,  Iloswell  is  culpably  silent  upon  a  point  of  such  overwhelming  importance.  Time  was,  I  entertained  a 
slight  respect  for  the  leviathan  of  literature,  as  he  was  wont  to  be  called;  but  since  I  have  taken  to  read  the 
lucubrations  of  Mr.  Fee'dwell,  the  leading  criticling  of  tho  'Penny  Dictator" — for,  now-a-days,  literature  and 
science,  in  all  thuir  respective  branches,  are  made  up  and  sold  in  packets  price  only  one  penny  each— since  then,  I 
have  learnt  to  treat  the  blustering  booby  with  becoming  contempt.  As  for  Pope — pooh !  for  Addition — psha ! 
for  Swift — pish !  and  all  the  Queen-Anne's-men  tied  together  in  a  bunch — a  fico  for  them  1  They  were  tame, 
twaddling,  and  understandable ;  "  pretty  fellows  in  their  day  "  but  compared  with  the  geniuses  of  our  own,  the 

high-soaring,  deep-searching,  soul-dissecting,  heart-piercing  pets  of  the  criticlings !     Draw  what  conclusion 

you  may  please  from  the  comparison,  my  faith  in  my  '  Penny  Dictator '  and  his  pets  is  unalterable.     "  I  stand 

by  my  order;"  and 

Nul  u'aura  de  1'esprit  bora  nous  et  new  amis. 

So  now  to  proceed. 

-  Where  did  you  go?" 

\\  here  I — Set  up  your  balloon,  Tom.  For  ease  and  rapidity,  there  is  no  travelling  like  it  A  balloon  has 
performed  a  mile  in  a  minute  for  miles  together !  Only  think  of  the  conveniences  and  delights  of  that !  You  are 
nipping  your  wine  at  Windsor ;  a  sudden  fancy  seizes  you  to  go  to  the  Opera ;  you  order  your  balloon  to  be 
brought  to  your  door  at  half-past  seven ;  off  you  go,  and  before  tho  clock  strikes  eight,  there  you  are  comfortably 
install*!  in  time  for  tho  first  bar  of  the  overture  !  \Vhat  a  luxury  !  But  suppose  that,  at  the  end  of  the  half  hour, 
you  peep  through  your  netting,  and,  instead  of  finding  yourself  just  over  the  Haymarket,  you  discover  that  you 
are  fi ve-and-twenty  miles  on  the  way  to  Oxford,  or  Southampton,  or  Bristol  ?  "  Where  did  you  go  ? "  indeed  ! 
Ui  unit  wherever  our  carriage,  and  its  sworn  confederate,  the  wind,  chose  to  transport  us.  I  admit  that 
th:ii  most  experienced,  best,  and  safest  balloon-driver  in  the  world,  the  "Great  Captain  of  the  Air,"  Mr.  Green, 
has  complete  control  over  the  "  Here  we  go  up,  up,  up,  and  there  we  go  down,  down,  down ;"  but  I  believe  it  is 
not  within  the  power  of  human  ingenuity  either  to  restrain  or  oppose  the  horizontal  inclinations  of  the  con- 
federates, so  as  to  command  the  "  whereabout "  with  anything  approaching  to  certainty,  or  precision — if  at  all. 
So  much  for  one  of  tho  practical  uses  of  the  science  of  ballooning.  This  ought,  perhaps,  to  have  formed  part  of  the 
answer  to  your  concluding  question,  and  which  I  have  taken  as  the  second — but  it  matters  little. 

Now,  then,  once  more  for  the  "where?"  The  balloon,  which  rose  heavily — Now,  don't  be  impatient, 
or  angry,  Tom ;  you  shall  have  your  answer  in  a  minute  or  so :  but  if  one  may  not  digress  in  a  familiar  letter  to 
a  friend,  where  the  deuce  eke  is  digression  allowable  ? 

I  have  been  told  that  the  wicked  wag  of  one  of  the  Sunday  newspapers  said,  the  reason  of  that  was,  that  a 
certain  friend  of  yours,  who  was  in  the  car,  had  got  one  of  his  heavy  manuscripts  in  his  pocket;  but  that 
that  being  thrown  over,  the  machine  went  up  rapidly.  Pleasant,  this,  for  a  professor  of  light  literature,  eh,  Tom  ? 
Never  mind ;  hard  as  it  is,  one  must,  as  the  sailors  say ,  "  grin  and  bear  it."  I  wonder  how  poor  Thomas  AYarton 
endured  it,  who  received  the  joke  direct  at  his  head,  which  it  was  made  expressly  to  fit — (\'ide  Probationary 
Odes) — when  the  joke  was  bran  new,  upwards  of  fifty  years  ago.  Considering  the  terrible  effects  of  it  now,  at 
twentieth-hand,  the  consequences  to  him,  poor  fellow !  must  have  been  awful ! 

Once  more,  then,  to — "  Where  did  you  go  ?" 

The  balloon,  which  rose  heavily,  being  lightened  of  a  bag  of  ballast — not  bag  and  all,  Tom,  or  mercy  upon 
the  most  matter-of-fact  skull  to  be  found  in  all  the  Realms  of  Dulness  that  might  have  chanced  to  come  in 
its  way — not  excepting  even  the  cast-iron  sconce  of  a  critic  (? .')  in  a  certain  Dublin  pi  int,  who,  in  his  notice  of  a 
professed  satire  upon  the  would-be  nautical  novels  of  tho  day,  and  which  is,  for  the  purpose,  an  uninterrupted  series 
of  intentional  blunders ;  he,  poor  innocence  !  taking  the  whole  in  sober  seriousness,  gravely  complains  that 
tlii-  writer  of  the  satire  knows  no  more  about  life  at  sea  than  a  Highlander  knows  of  knee-buckles !  And  here  be 
some  of  your  leaders  of  public  opinion,  eh,  Tom  ? — But,  as  I  was  saying,  the  balloon  being  lightened  of  a  bag  of 
ballast,  it  became  a  little  more  nimble,  and,  from  the  direction  it  was  taking,  seemed  inclined  to  start  for  a 
race  with  the  Birmingham  train.  Presently,  however,  it  changed  its  mind  and  took  a  different  course.  J/inrfdid 
I  say  ?  no,  no ;  it  has  no  mind.  The  truth  must  be  told.  It  is  a  senseless,  swaggering,  inflated  creature,  which 
makes  a  figure  in  the  world,  but  is  supported  by  nothing  intrinsically  valuable  : — gas,  nought  but  gas.  It  can  do 
little  or  nothing  for  it.-olf ;  it  is  dependent  for  its  ups  and  downs  upon  the  will  or  the  caprice  of  others.  It  cannot 
get  on,  it  cannot  get  forward,  it  cannot  move  an  inch  if  left  to  its  own  merits ;  but  raise  the  trine/  for  it,  and  it  will 

3  o 


404  ASTRA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  XI. 

rise  and  rise  till,  to  the  ken  of  mortal  eye,  it  appears  no  bigger  than  a  pea  :  exactly  as  it  is  with  some  poor, 
puffed-up,  human  thing  whose  real  insignificance  is  not  discovered  till  it  is  raised  to  an  eminence  which  it 
is  unqualified  to  maintain.  And  thus,  Tom,  something  not  unuseful,  if  properly  considered,  may  be  learnt  even 
up  in  "  the  desert  air." 

But,  methinks,  I  hear  you  exclaim,  "  But  what  has  all  this  to  do  with  my  never-to-be-answered  question," 
'  Where  did  you  go  ? '" 

Well,  then  ;  we  went — Why,  bless  my  soul !  now  I  think  of  it,  I  told  you  an  hour  ago  :  we  went  all  the  way 

to  Wanstead,  the  name  of  the  precise  spot  where  we  descended  being .     Now,  I  cannot  for  the  life  of  me  help 

it ;  for  when  I  sit  down  to  scribble  a  letter  to  a  friend,  the  first  thing  that  occurs  to  me,  so  it  be  at  all 
to  the  purpose,  must  out.  You  are  a  collector  of  odd  coincidences  :  here  is  a  brace  for  you.  Benson  Hill  (who  can 
very  well  afford  to  spare  a  pleasant  anecdote),  travelling  through  I  forget  what  county,  upon  coming  to  a  sharp 
declivity  which  opened  to  his  view  a  beautiful  prospect,  hallooed  to  the  post-boy  to  tell  him  the  name  of  the  place  : 
"  Benson  Hill,  sir,"  said  the  boy.  That's  one.  The  other  night,  after  bobbing  in  and  out  of  wet  clouds  for  more 
than  an  hour  of  our  time,  we  came  down  in  the  dark,  on  a  damp,  cold,  comfortless  heath.  Upon  touching  ground, 
we  heard  shouted  by  a  hundred  voices,  "  Wanstead  Flats !  Wanstead  Flats  '.  "—the  latter  word  being  annoyingly 
well  articulated.  There's  the  other.  But,  for  a  gratifying  compliment —  !  Yesterday,  1  met  your  sister  Clara. — 
"  So  !  "  said  she,  "  you  have  been  up  in  a  balloon  ?  " — "  Yes,"  replied  I,  in  the  tone  and  manner  of  one  who  thinks 
he  has  performed  a  marvellous  exploit,  and  is  prepared  for  a  complimentary  remark  upon  it. — "  How  could  you  be 
such  a  FOOL  ! "  exclaimed  she.  And  that,  Tom,  I  swear  it  by  the  Great  Nassau  !  was  all  I  took  by  my  motion. 

Now,  again,  to  your  letter ;  and  I  promise  you  I  will  no  more  digress — unless  the  temptation  should  prove 
an  overmatch  for  my  resolution. 

"  What  did  you  see  ?  "  comes  next. 

Sights,  oh  !  such  sights  !  Gulliver  not  fabulous.  Men  and  women  six  inches  tall ;  and  in  proportion  as  we 
rose,  they  diminished — to  five,  four,  three  inches.  I  am  glad  I  am  down  again,  for  I  was  imbibing  a  very 
contemptuous  opinion  of  my  species.  I  apprehend,  however,  this  feeling  is  not  peculiar  to  balloouists,  but  that  it 
is  common  to  very  many  who  are  placed  but  a  little  above  their  fellow-creatures  :  the  height  of  a  mere  carriage- 
wheel  will  sometimes  produce  it.  Strange  !  From  an  elevation  of  not  more  than  four  thousand  feet  we  could  not 
distinguish  who  composed  the  swarms  of  moving  mites  beneath  us.  There  were  amongst  them — and  this  is 
no  wild  assumption — peers  of  the  realm,  famous  warriors,  profound  philosophers,  fine  poets,  patriot  orators  whose 
voices  are  never  raised  but  for  their  country's  good — (count  them  upon  your  fingers) — orator-patriots  who  profess 
to  be  regardless  of  their  own — (take  Babbago's  machine  :) — there  were  the  proud,  the  humble,  the  dignified,  the 
lowly,  yet,  to  us,  the  greatest  amongst  them  was  undistinguishable  from  the  rest !  Again  I  exclaim,  Strange  ! 
But  if  from  our  paltry  elevation,  borne  upwards  and  upwards  on  the  wings  of  thought,  till,  wearied  with  the 
unbounded  and  interminable  flight,  we  pause  to  reflect  that  from  height  unimaginable  those  living  atoms  are 
beheld .  "  And  thereby  hangs  a  tale,"  says  Touchstone. 

Go  up  in  a  balloon,  Tom;  when  you  come  down  again  reflect  upon  what  you  have  seen;  but,  chiefly, 
re-cogitate  the  thoughts  which  the  novelty  of  the  situation  cannot  fail  to  suggest  to  any  but  a  mind  of  mud  :  and 
if  you  find  yourself  a  harsher  philosopher  or  a  worse  man  than  you  went  up — why,  then,  I  shall  only  say  you  will 
not  have  deserved,  as  you  will  not  have  profited  by,  your  ride  in  the  region  of  birds. 

Sights  !  There  was  all  London  at  a  grasp,  made  of  baby-houses,  and  pepper-casters,  and  extinguishers,  and 
chess-men,  with,  here  and  there,  a  dish-cover — things  which  you  call  domes,  and  spires,  and  steeples.  Oh, 
the  vanity  of  man !  Then  there  were  its  squares  and  pleasant  places,  bedecked  with  gooseberry-bushes 
intersected  by  yellow  strips,  half  a  yard  wide,  in  curves  and  zigzags.  Then  there  was  the  "  broad  bosom  of  old 
Father  Thames."  Broad !  I  looked  down  upon  it  at  its  broadest,  excluding  with  my  half-closed  hand  all  other 
objects,  and  thought  what  a  blockhead  must  be  the  architect  of  Waterloo  Bridge  to  have  built  nine  arches  for  it 
when  one  would  have  spanned  it !  Presently  I  looked  at  the  bridge  and  wondered  how  the  architect  could  be  so 
stupid  as  to  build  so  small  a  bridge  for  so  wide  a  river.  Had  /  been  the  architect,  thought  I,  what  a  bridge  you 
should  have  seen  !  It  is  astonishing,  Tom,  how  wise  we  are,  and  how  much  better  we  understand  things 
even  than  they  do  whose  business  it  is  to  understand  them,  when  we  see  them  imperfectly  at  a  distance  !  Since 
my  return  amongst  you  I  have  taken  a  nearer  view  of  both  bridge  and  river,  and  think  the  architect  knows  more 
about  bridge-building  than  I  gave  him  credit  for.  That  reminded  me  that  I  have  some  few  other  trifling  matters 
to  reconsider  in  the  same  way — and  perhaps,  Tom,  so  have  you. 


CHAP.  XI.  TIIK  STATUE  OF  GEORGE  III. 

\\  passed  along  tin  I'.l.H-kfriars'  Houd  (almost  in  a  direct  line),  having  hovered  Tor  a  while  over  Bedlam. 
1  \\.-ndi-ivil  what  ili«-  Inn  .iti.  ->  thought  of  the  Bal-liinatii--.  IVrhapa  the  most  rational  among  them  were  of  opinion 
that  \vr  nil-lit  to  c -lunge  plaee.s  \Mih  the  maddest  of  their  companions. — At  ono  end  of  the  Blackf riant  Road  stood 
a  bodkin  l'"lt  ii|'ii_lit.  with  t'.iir  little  clots  of  light  about  it — they  were  just  beginning  to  light  the  town — 
and  at  tin-  1'iirtln  r  i-ml  were  two  other  bodkins,  commemorative  of  two  great  men.  Ono  could  not  but 
i.liniiv  those  two  bodkins,  they  seemed  so  admirably  adapted  to  their  purpose. 

\\  e  were  now  blown  westward,  and  saw  one  of  our  Theatres  Royal.  It  was  hardly  possible  but  to  mistake 
it  for  a  minor  thtatrt.  This  agaiu  may  have  been  the  effect  of  distance,  which,  when  near  it,  or  in  it,  would  doubtless 
be  di>|.<-ll.  d. 

And  what  is  that  with  it«  sloping,  black-slated  roof,  that  seems  no  biggor  than  a  dog-kennel?  Oh,  molan- 
i-holy  object !  it  is  a  mausoleum,  the  last  resting-place  of  so  many  departed  Fortunes  I  Enter  its  awful  portals  and 

welcomes  you  as  her  guest !  Yet  such  are  the  calenturian  fascinations  of  the  place — (forgive  mo  for  writing 
fine) — that  no  sooner  is  one  hapless  victim  ingulfed  ic  its  fatal  depllis,  than  another  and  another  and  another 
rush  eagerly  to  the  brink,  struggling  against  each  other  for  the  fearful  precedence  of  destruction.  It  is,  in  plain 

-h.  Is  n  f  At  re  tie  F  Opera  Jtalien.  Tom,  I  have  an  odd  crotchet  I  have  long  been  trying  to  be  ruined 
aiul  have  not  yet  succeeded.  Now,  the  first  time  you  see  advertised  to  be  lessee'd  "that  most  desirable  property," 
such  or  such  a  theatre — but  let  it  be  a  largo  one,  for  I  have  no  desire  to  be  ruined  by  halves,  that  I  promise  you — 
engage  it  for  we.  I  shall  be  prepared  to  stake  the  usual  sum  required  upon  tho  adventure,  namely  OO.OOO/. ;  nor 
would  I  haggle  about  an  additional  0,  or  so.  In  consequence  of  my  inexperience  in  management  I  may,  the  first 
season,  be  ruined  for  no  more  than  three  thousand,  or  four  thousand  pounds,  and  thereby  be  reduced  to  the 
necessity  of  taking  nothing  but  a  good  house  in  town  and  letting  up  my  cab.  Next  season  I  may  have  the 
misfortune  to  be  ruined  to  the  tune  of  five  thousand  or  six,  and  thus  be  inhumanly  compelled  to  add  to  my  miseries 
a  snug  box  in  tho  country  and  a  ailfche.  On  the  third  and  fourth  seasons,  ruin  increasing  to  a  degree  intolerable, 
I  shall  be  rudely  driven  out  of  my  snug  box  and  forced  to  take  refuge  in  a  handsome  villa,  with  nothing  to  console 
me  for  the  inconveniences  and  sufferings  attendant  upon  my  unhappy  change  of  condition,  but  an  additional 
equipage,  a  few  more  horses,  and  a .  Tom,  I  will  be  ruined. 

In  yonder  little  building  space  is  found  for  the  repose  of  hundreds  of  illustrious  men  who  have  conferred 
glory  upon  their  country,  and  hundreds  more  are  therein  commemorated.  It  is  Westminster  Abbey,  wherein,  as 
it  is  said,  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  BYRON  is  not  to  be  erected.  Is  there  then  no  vacant  nook  remaining  to 
receive  it?  I  know  what  you  will  reply ;  but,  after  all,  the  question  is  a  two-handled  question,  and  (I  willingly 
admit  it)  a  delicate  one.  The  right  handle— I  mean  thereby  merely  the  right-Aawfcd  handle — is  held  by 
the  Admissionisto,  the  left  by  the  Exclusion  ists.  Tho  cry  of  the  latter  is  "  Irreligion  !  Immorality!"  of  tho 
former,  "Place  for  him  whose  genius  has  added  glory  to  the  glory  of  the  poetical  reputation  of  England!" 
Heaven  forbid  that  the  last  and  most  sacred  tribute  that  a  grateful  country  can  pay  to  the  memory  of  departed 
worth,  should  ever  be  desecrated  by  its  indiscriminate  bestowal  upon  doubtful  religion  or  questionable  morality ! 
but  .  In  short,  Tom,  I  see  but  one  satisfactory  mode  of  settling  the  dispute :  give  us  an  expurgated, 

ily  edition  of  Westminster  Abbey,  in  which  not  a  name  shall  remain  that  may  not  stand  as  a  typo  of  absolute 
perfection  ;  and  ttutt,  by  silencing  the  Admissioniste,  will  at  once  put  an  end  to  the  controversy.  How  the  holiday- 
folks  might  like  this  arrangement  is  a  matter  of  minor  importance ;  but  it  is  probable  they  would  not  see  quite,  so 
many  monuments  for  their  money. 

Then  wo  saw  the  statue  of  George  the  Third,  in  Fall  Mall  East.  Why  do  people  abuse  it  so  ?  I  assure  you 
it  did  not  look  so  much  amiss : — to  be  sure,  we  could  see  nothing  of  the  pig-tail  or  tho  cocked  hat — and,  indeed, 
but  very  little  of  the  rider. 

And  the  National-  Gallery.  I  dare  say,  now,  you  fancy  one  feels  a  more  than  common  contempt  for  it  when 
viewing  it  from  so  great  a  height.  If  so,  you  never  were  more  mistaken  in  your  life :  one's  contempt  for  it  is  not 
in  the  slightest  degree  increased.  Perhaps  you  will  explain  this  circumstance  by  the  reason  that  it  has  been 
looked  tloucn  upon  from  the  first. 

And  now  we  were  carried  back  again  to  where  the  Albion  mills  are  not ;  and  thence,  across  the  river,  to  the 
Tower,  clearing  St  Paul's  in  our  flight 

A  curious  calculation  was  once  made,  having  for  its  basis  the  relative  sizes  of  the  elephant  and  the  flea : 
that  if  an  elephant  were  endued  with  the  saltatory  powers  of  its  smaller  fellow  in  tho  brute  creation,  it  could  leap 
from  Hyde-Park  corner  to  Greenwich  Hospital  at  one  bound,  clearing  St  Paul's  by  the  way  !  The  intent  of  this 

3  o  2 


406  ASTKA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  XI. 

calculation  was,  if  I  recollect  rightly,  to  show  that,  if  Nature  had  bestowed  on  the  elephant  a  portion  of  the  flea's 
facilities  for  locomotion,  how  much  more  serviceable  an  animal  it  might  be  made  than  it  actually  is.  I  have 
lately  been  reading  a  great  deal  of  Philosophy,  natural,  moral,  and  political — principally  the  last — by  which 
I  have  so  far  profited  that  my  head  is  crammed  full  with  IPS.  To  what  extent  the  world  would  be  improved 
were  all  those  doubtful  IFS  converted  into  positive  Is's,  I  will  not  venture  even  to  imagine  :  nor  will  I  presume 
to  doubt  that  if  Nature  would  adopt  the  hint  of  the  Improver  upon  the  construction  of  elephants,  and,  for  the 
future,  make  those  unwieldy  animals  more  like  fleas,  vast  advantages  therefrom  might  accrue  to  society ;  but 
I  have  a  crotchet,  that  if  fleas  were  more  like  elephants — the  consequences  to  society  would  be  exceedingly 
disagreeable.  Upon  the  whole,  therefore,  I  am  of  opinion  that  this  IF — to  say  nothing  of  some  few  others — had  better 
be  let  alone. 

St.  Paul's  !  To  be  looking  down  upon  that  stupendous  structure  from  many  times  its  own  height,  produces 
a  strange  impression  on  the  mind !  I  can  describe  or  express  it  but  in  one  way,  and  am  even  forced  to  coin 
a  word  for  the  occasion  :  it  seems  like  possMifying  an  impossibility.  Beyond  this,  one's  sensations  are  not 
definable  :  but  I  envy  not  the  dolt — if  such  a  one  there  be — who  has  accomplished  this,  or  can  at  any  time  after- 
wards reflect  upon  having  accomplished  it,  with  indifference.  Now  should  you  tease  me  for  a  month  I  can  say  no 
more  about  it ;  but  here — 

[  ] 

I  leave  a  blank,  which  you  are  at  liberty  to  get  some  one  else  to  fill  up  upon  the  subject — if  he  can.     And 

now,  Tom,  you  are  welcome  to  quiz  my  St.  Paulserism,  if  you  please. 

I  have  candidly  confessed  to  you  that  Possibilifying  is  a  word  of  my  own  coining ;  St.  Paulserism  issues  from 
the  same  illicit  manufactory.  Now,  neither  of  these  being  current,  I  cannot  compel  you  to  take  them ;  so,  if  you 
choose,  you  may  nail  them  down  as  counterfeits  upon  the  back  of  your  Dictionary,  and  prevent  their  getting  into 
circulation  to  the  detriment  of  the  lawful  English  of  the  realm.  Tom ;  if  all  words  of  the  same  stamp  put,  and 
putting,  forward,  were  to  be  treated  in  that  manner,  what  a  very  ugly  appearance  our  Johnsons  would  make  ! 
Why  do  poor  devils  sometimes  coin  base  shillings  and  sixpences  ?  It  is  because  they  are  poor  devils,  destitute  of 
real  money.  Why  do  certain  writers  interlard  their  pages  with  such  chambermaid-z'sms  as  I  have  before  alluded 
to  ?  It  is  (for  a  corresponding  reason)  because .  And  that's  another  of  my  crotchets. 

And  here  we  are  over  the  Tower.  What  would  Julius  Cassar  have  said  at  seeing  his  White  Tower,  with  its 
four  turrets,  converted  into  a  stand  of  cruets  !  And  here  we  saw  some  tiny  red  things  placed  all  in  a  row  :  they 
moved  first  one  way,  then  another;  now  they  formed  a  line,  now  a  square,  and  so  forth.  At  the  Pantheon  Bazaar 
you  may  see  exactly  a  like  toy,  which,  by  merely  pulling  a  bit  of  string,  is  made  to  perform  similar  evolutions. 
I  wonder  whether  it  be  an  expensive  toy — one  of  much  value — for  it  is  the  toy  by  which,  or  strictly  speaking, 
with  which,  national  disputes  are  settled.  This  may  appear  very  absurd ;  it  is,  nevertheless,  true,  and  I'll  tell  you 
how  the  matter  is  managed,  Tom.  Suppose  two  great  nations  squabbling  together  as  to  which  has  the  best  right 
to  a  little  bit  of  barren  rock,  lately  thrown  up  by  some  convulsion  of  Nature,  somewhere  in  the  Pacific  Ocean ; 
which  little  bit  of  rock  is  of  no  use  to  either  party,  and  to  the  possession  of  which  neither  has  the  smallest  right 
in  the  world.  Well ;  this  being  "  a  just  quarrel  upon  the  issue  of  which  depends  the  very  existence  of  this  great 
nation,"  says  one;  and  this  being  also  a  "just  quarrel  upon  the  issue  of  which  depends  the  very  existence  of  this 
great  nation,"  says  the  other  :  instead  of  settling  the  dispute  by  a  sincere  appeal  to  reason,  common  sense,  and  the 
common  principles  of  justice — for,  mind  you,  they  both,  in  the  first  instance,  make  believe  to  do  so — instead  of  that, 
they  set  about  knocking  to  pieces  each  other's  toys,  and  the  party  whose  toys,  "  by  the  aid  of  Divine  Providence," 
hold  out  the  longest,  takes  rightful  possession  of  the  little  bit  of  rock,  and  enjoys  the  invaluable  privilege 
of  blowing  a  horn  and  shouting  "  Glorious  Victory  !  "  into  the  bargain.  Now  that  is  it  exactly ;  and  if  ever  you 
and  I  should  have  the  misfortune  to  come  to  a  dispute,  we  will  each  purchase  one  of  those  toys  at  the  Pantheon 
Bazaar,  and  settle  our  misunderstanding  in  that  very  rational  manner,  Tom. 

By  the  by,  here  we  heard  the  tiny  band  play  a  small  "  God  save  the  Queen,"  in  sounds  not  quite  as  powerful  as 
those  of  an  Eolian  harp ;  and — touching  our  "  hearings," — at  seven  o'clock  we  heard  the  hours  struck  by  the  repeaters 
in  half  the  pepper-casters  and  extinguishers  of  London  ;  such  of  them  as  were  provided  with  musical  snuff-boxes, 
chiming  the  quarters. 

Just  over  the  Jewel  Office,  one  could  not  help  thinking  of  poor  Colonel  Blood,  of  crown-stealing  memory. 
Unlucky  dog !  there  were  no  balloons  in  his  days. 

Looking  down  again,  there  are  six  little  boxes,  detached  from  each  other,  all  of  which  might  be  placed  in  a 


CHAP.  XI.  NATIONAL  (JALLKRY   AND  .\K\VG ATE. 

1  i  oni.  They  are  the  warehouses  belonging  to  the  St.  Kathorine'n  Docks!  And  there  are 
hundi.'!-  "I"  "tall  anchoring  barks" — (of  which,  when  immediately  over  them,  you  HOC  neither  their  matrix 
nor  rigging,  nutliiug  but  their  white  decks)— which  appear  no  bigger  than  Thames  wherries!  Pretty  little 
things  !  \Vhen  ultm-liberaliKm  shall  have  done  its  bust  for  free  trade,  and  for  the  all-against-u*  reciprocity  system  : 
when  all  the  negroes  shall  have  been  trArte-imiiicipatod  :  when  Sambo  shall  be  Kmperur  of  Jamaica,  Alcihiudcs  King 
••!  r.irbadoes,  and  Ptolemy  Viceroy  of  Antigua;  what  appropriate,  what  commodious  things  those  diminutive 
ships  and  warehouses  will  be  for  the  purpose*  of  our  Colonies  and  Commerce!  Don't  sail  away,  little  ships 
—  you  may  ere  long  bo  wanted. 

Tlio  want  of  appropriateness— of  adaptation  to  a  purpose — is  a  greater  fault,  and  is  more  sensibly  frit, 

in  Architecture,  perhaps,  than  in  any  other Stop!  I  will  not  inflict  a  dissertation  upon  you,  but  merely  tell 

yon  what  put  this  thought  into  my  head :  it  was  looking  from  those  warehouses  to  the  new  Hall  of  the  Goldsmiths' 
<',,mpany.  Those — vast,  massive,  substantial,  standing  in  the  naked  simplicity  of  brick  and  mortar:  the  Hall  a 
palace,  in  which  ore  united  splendour  and  elegance ;  which  is  ornamented  with  all  that  the  richest  fancy,  tempered 
l.y  tin-  finest  taste,  could  suggest.  Tet  each,  in  its  way,  is  an  admirable  example  of  appropriateness — of  exaot 
adaptation  to  it*  particular  purpose.  It  is  not  a  little  extraordinary  that  two  things  so  dissimilar  should  have 
emanated  from  the  same  mind,  for  both  are  the  works  of  one  an-hitert :  and  it  may  be  a  ertod  that  Hardwick  has 
displayed  as  correct  a  taste  in  its  piles  of  plain  brick  and  mortar  as  in  his  gorgeous  palace.  Another  instance 
»f  this  rjn.ility  is  under  one's  eye  at  the  same  moment,  the  noble  Post  Office;  and  not  far  from  it,  another — 
Vulliamy's  Law  Institution  in  Chancery  Lane,  an  edifice  which  for  appropriateness,  and  for  integrity  of  design,  ix 
not  surpassed  by  any  in  London.  Contrasts,  no  less  than  comparisons,  are  odious :  I,  therefore,  will  not  say 
anything  about  the Wind  !  Wind  !  hold  hard  !  Don't  blow  us  back  again  to  the  National  Gallery. 

And  that  gloomy  stone  building  is  Newgate — a  prison  wherein  are  confined  felons  of  different  degrees  in 
crime,  from  the  petty  pilferer  to  the  deliberate  assassin.  Some  are  expiating  their  offences  by  a  temporary  loss  of 
lilxTty,  others  awaiting  their  day  of  banishment,  haply  some  the  hour  of  death.  By  Draco  !  but  this  is  intolerable  ! 
What  right  has  man  to  inflict  such  sufferings  upon  his  fellow-creatures?  How  should  you  like  to  be  caged 
for  three  months  in  a  disagreeable  room  in  Newgate  and  prevented  the  exercise  of  your  usual  avocations  ? 
1 1  'A  would  you  endure  the  being  torn  from  your  family  and  friends  and  sent  to  a  country  not  of  your  own 
choosing?  With  what  stomach  for  your  breakfast  would  you  get  out  of  your  bed  at  eight  in  the  morning  to  be 
strangled  at  nine,  in  the  open  face  of  day,  and  in  the  presence  of  thousands  of  persons  collected  together  to  glut 
their  eyes  with  the  sight  of  a  human  being  throttled  with  a  rope — for  such  is  the  fashionable  phrase — you  call  it 
the  eaitt — for  describing  the  execution  of  a  murderer:  how,  1  say,  would  you  like  that?  To  this  you  will  repl\ 
that  you  never  cut  a  purse,  ruined  a  family  by  forging  a  will,  or  murdered  a  man  in  his  sleep,  because  he  happened 
to  have  five  pounds  in  his  waistcoat  pocket  for  which  you  had  a  pressing  occasion.  I  repeat  it :  it  is  intolerable 
that  any  of  our  fellow-creatures  should  be  treated  in  a  manner  which  we  ourselves  should  not  relish.  You  are  a 
kind-hearted  fellow,  Tom ;  you  feel  acutely  for  the  unmerited  sufferings  of  your  fellow-creatures,  and  would  to  the 
utmost  of  your  power  relieve  them  :  I  will  even  go  so  far  as  to  admit  that  you  are  not  bloody-minded.  But  why 
will  you  jHjrsist  in  calling  the  new  school  of  Humanity  (of  which  I  am  an  humble  disciple)  the  "  Humanity-nm- 
uiad?"  We  require  nothing  more  than  that  then  shall  be  no  sort  of  punishment  for  any  sort  of  crime :  and  when 
through  the  exertions  of  the  popular  member  for  Dyot  Street  (who  is  to  be)  this  principle  shall  have  become  the 
law  of  the  land,  then  shall  Newgate  and  the  Millbank  Penitentiary  be  converted  into  sets  of  pleasant  and 
commodious  chambers  for  the  retirement  of  thieves,  forgers,  and  murderers,  till  the  "  affair,"  in  their  respective 
cases,  has  had  time  to  "  blow  over." 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  we  saw  a  line  of  arches,  nearly  as  large  as  those  of  a  bagatelle-table, 
extending  to  the  length  of  about  three  miles;  and  on  it  were  several  little  trunks,  seemingly  running  away  with 
each  other  :  it  was  the  Greenwich  railroad,  with  its  train  in  progress— the  prettiest  plaything  imaginable. 
I  wonder  what  is  to  become  of  all  the  horses  !  Day  by  day  is  their  utility  diminishing.  Some  time  ago,  Mr.  John 
Hull,  who  sometimes  cries  out  before  he  is  hurt,  was  in  a  prodigious  pucker  at  the  bare  idea  of  Midland  sidling  to 
France,  Russia,  and  America,  some  of  her  finest  race-horses.  Why  not  sell  the  whole  of  them,  every  beast  that 
runs,  draws,  or  carries,  donkeys  and  all,  and  make  railroads  and  steam-carriages  for  the  money  ?  It  would  bring 
those  insolent  quadrupeds  to  their  senses,  and  teach  them  that  we  can  do  without  them.  As  for  horse-racing,  that, 
even  as  things  are,  is  said  to  be  getting  a  little  out,  for  reasons,  if  for  any,  which  they  may  know  who  are  more  in 
the  secret  than  I  would  pretend  to  bo.  Yet  racing  might  still  goon  :  we  could  have  steam -carriage  races.  'lli--n 


408  ASTRA  C ASTRA.  CHAP.  XL 

would  there  be  Lord  A.'s  celebrated  Smoke-jack  beating  Colonel  B.'s  famous  Steam-away  by  the  length  of  half  a 
boiler ;  or  it  might  be  a  boiler-and-boiler  run  for  the  whole  distance ;  or  Smoke-jack  might  win  easy  by  three 
carriages.  But  this  style  of  racing  would  be  liable  to  one  serious  evil :  suppose  some  jockey — or  some  gentleman 

were  to  play  tricks  with  a  rival's  boiler— or  his  own — by  clandestinely  loosening  a  screw  or  so  ?    Now  we  know 

very  well  that,  with  live  animals  for  racing,  no  trick  ever  is,  or  ever  can  be  played. 

I  have  a  crotchet,  though,  that  should  this  railroad  and  steam  mania  continue  much  longer,  a  balloon  in  the 
air  will  be  the  only  safe  thing  to  live  in.  Like  Belvidera,  the  cry  with  everybody  is,  "I'll  dig,  dig,  dig;  "  and 
we  shall  go  on  digging  and  digging  till,  one  of  these  fine  days,  we  shall  have  the  upper  crust  of  the  earth 
breaking  in.  There'll  be  a  catastrophe  for  you  !  You  think  I  am  jesting  ?  Not  a  bit  of  it :  I  have  seldom  been 
more  serious  upon  a  grave  subject  since  I  first  set  foot  upon  this  half-scooped-out  globe  of  ours.  Conceive,  if  you 
can,  the  quantity  of  iron  already  taken,  and  daily  taking,  out  to  make  posts  of,  and  columns,  and  fences,  and  soft 
.stuffing  for  chairs  and  for  mattresses,  and  railways,  and  bridges,  and  steamboats,  and  cannon  and  shot,  and 
thousands  of  other  things  conducive  to  the  pleasure  and  benefit  of  mankind !  Then  the  millions  on  millions  of 
bushels  of  coals  !  Gilbert  Gurney's  friend,  Hull  himself,  might  cry  "  bushels  "  here  !  Why,  one-third  of  the 
world's  solid  inside  has  already  been  dug  out,  and  let  off  in  smoke. 

Thus  far  into  the  bowels  of  the  land, 
Have  we  march'd  on  without  impediment ; 

but  things  can't  go  on  in  this  way  for  ever,  Tom ;  and  the  end  of  it  will  be  as  I  have  predicted. 

Then,  as  if  the  crisis  were  not  being  brought  on  with  sufficient  rapidity  by  great  means,  it  must  be  assisted 
by  small !  There  are  your  ante-diluvian-deluge  people,  the  geologists— there  they  go  about  chipping  and  chipping  ! 
they  don't  do  much,  certainly  (I  mean  in  the  way  of  mischief),  but  every  little  helps.  Talking  of  Geology,  how 
nearly  she  has  put  poor  Botany's  nose  out  of  joint !  Every  man,  woman,  and  child  you  meet  have  hammers  and 
chisels  in  their  pockets.  But  by  Botany,  I  mean  that  science,  or  rather  that  part  of  the  science,  which  teaches 
young  ladies  to  call  some  of  the  prettiest  things  in  Nature  by  some  of  the  ugliest  of  names,  to  say  the  best 
of  them.  By  Geology,  however,  they  are  taught  to  use  such  words  only  as  quartz  and  silica,  and  the  like,  from 
which  they  cannot  derive  an  idea ;  so  that,  in  that  respect  she  is,  perhaps,  a  safer  instructress  for  them  than  her 
less  civil-spoken  sister. 

Names!  How  oddly  one  thought  leads  on  to  another !  How  would  you  name  the  present  age  ?  The  Iron  Age, 
but  that  it  lacks  novelty.  The  Age  of  Smoke — or  of  Steam  ?  No, — the  Age  of  Vapour  would  be  better,  for  not 
only  are  most  things  kept  going  by  vapour,  but  also  many  men.  They  begin  in  vapour,  they  go  on  vapouring, 
and  in  vapour  they  end.  In  common  parlance,  this  is  called  "  keeping  up  appearances."  For  instance  :  A  banker 
is  in  a  tottering  condition:  he  starts  a  new  carriage,  multiplies  his  "grand  dinners,"  and  "princely  enter- 
tainments" (as  they  are  described  by  the  newspapers),  and  common  report  adds  a  plum  to  his  vast  fortune. 
Matters  become  worse  with  him :  he  makes  it  known  that  he  is  treating  for  the  purchase  of  a  magnificent  estate ; 
he  must  now  b-ave  turned  a  million  :  and  the  "  house  "  is  besieged  by  suitors  for  the  favour  of  being  allowed 
to  place  their  money  in  the  hands  of  that  richest  and  safest  of  all  existing  bankers.  Next  morning,  the  "house" 
is  again  besieged — but  the  doors  are  closed  as  fast  as  bolts  and  bars  can  make  them.  Accounts  are  examined  : 
they  show  that  his  vast  fortune  was  from  the  beginning,  and  is  now,  0,000,000/. ;  a  dividend  is  declared  of 
five-farthings  in  the  pound,  payable  at  the  end  of  fifteen  months,  and  the  "suitors,"  thrusting  their  hands 

into  their  empty  pockets,  whisper  to  each  other — "Vapour!"  The  next  is  a  shopkeeper,  who .  But  one 

instance  may  stand  for  a  thousand.  An'  you  love  me,  Tom,  let  us  call  this  the  Age  of  Vapour. 

It  was  now  night — dark — and  we  had  seen  all  the  sights  which  daylight  could  show  us.  And  where  think 
you  we  are  now  ?  Up  amongst  the  raw  materials  of  which  are  made  hail,  rain,  and  snow — enveloped  in  the  clouds. 
It  was  a  fine  situation  for  studying  Meteorology,  and  you  may  be  sure  I  did  not  miss  the  opportunity.  I  have 
nearly  completed  a  Weather-Almanac  which  I  will  warrant  to  be  wrong  not  more  than  nineteen  times  in  every 
twenty :  so  you  see  I  have  given  Murphy  the  go-by,  and  with  something  to  spare. 

It  was  a  very  nice,  clean  cloud,  Mr.  Green  chose  for  us,  perfectly  white,  but  (as  I  believe  I  have  already  told 
you)  rather  damp.  It  was  so  beautifully  white  that  a  crotchet  took  me  that  it  must  be  the  very  material  of  which 
angels'  garments  are  made.  If  so,  and  one  had  to  choose  between  a  fleecy  cloud  and  fleecy-hosiery,  I  should 
follow  the  counsel  of  my  left  elbow,  which  at  this  moment  whispers  me  for  which  to  decide.  It  would  be 
an  insult  to  that  pure  cloud  to  think  of  a  London  fog  at  the  same  time  with  it :  even  the  cleaner  and  less 


dm-.  XI.  A   HINT  nil  I  MiMi:i:o|>y.  «'«' 

.liM.-|,ut:i)>le  sea-fog  must  keep  its  distance.  It  was  semi  -opaipio  ;  above,  beneath,  and  round  about  UK  .  and.  although 
it  diil  not  prevent  our  seeing  each  other  with  pcrfi-i-t  ilistinrtness,  it  seemed  to  bo  MI  tightly  dmwn  rnuml 
tin1  iii-ttiu^  tint  supported  the  car,  that  had  one  thrust  his  finger  throngh  the  meshes  I  fancied  In-  nmst  havi-  mad.- 
a  tiiili-  in  it.  Ha!  ha!  ha! — (That  is  how  we  uritr  a  laugh  for  tho  stage,  Tom;  and  I  have  known  art. a* 
so  correct  in  their  study,  so  scrupulous  in  the  delivery  of  their  text,  that  they  would  not  give  tho  au.i 
a  ha!  more,  or  a  ha!  loss  than  their  author  had  furnished  them  with  for  tho  purj>ose.  Care  ami  attention  in 
this  respect  are  faults,  however,  which  some  actors  I  see  are  much  loss  prone  to  commit  than  some  I  h  iv, 
seen.  But  lest  you  -liquid  imagine  it  is  this  I  was  laughing  at, — no,  no— I  will  give  you  tho  laugh  in  its  right 
place.) — Ha!  ha!  ha!  It  certainly  did  seem  very  odd  to  be  perched  up  there,  like  birds  in  a  wire-cage  with 
a  white  cambric  handkerchief  thrown  over  it,  suspended  from  the  ceiling,  unconscious  of  tin-  slightest  motion, 
midistnrlx-d  l>y  the  slightest  sound. 

Well :  after  some  time  we  descended  a  little,  leaving  our  nebulous  curtain  above  us. 

Rat  Ijonilon  showed  another  sight — ! 

I  am  awan-  that  this  is  mat-treating  a  line  of  one  of  Campbell's  finest  odes,  but  it  has  itself  mainly  to 
thank  for  it:  why  did  it  thrust  itself  so  obtrusively  and  temptingly  in  one's  way?  Moral,  for  some  young 
gentlemen,  and  here  and  there  for  a  young  lady — which  they  may  deduce  for  themselves. 

It  was  indeed  a  sight — one  which  has  rarely,  very  rarely,  been  seen  by,  or  "  within  the  memory  of,  even  tin- 
oldest  Balloonists."  Mr.  Green  himself,  in  all  his  two  hundred  and  seventy  ascents,  cannot  number  it  morn  than 
(I  think  lie  said)  four  or  five  times.  We  certainly  had  been  put  upon  short  allowance  of  daylight  for  our 
observations,  but  here  was  a  glorious  compensation  for  that  deficiency.  It  teas  quite  dark.  And  now  conceive 
yourself  looking  down  on  an  enormous  map  of  London,  with  its  suburbs  to  the  east,  north,  and  south,  as  far 
as  the  eye  could  reach,  DRAWN  is  MSIS  OF  FIRE!  For  anything  beyond  this  I  must  leave  yon  to  your  own 
powers  of  conceiving ;  for,  to  speak  frankly,  my  powers  of  describing  are  here  at  a  dead  halt. 

A  few  yearn  ago  it  was  calculated  that  in  moral  London  there  were  nearly  twice  as  many  gin-shops  as 
in  reprobate  Paris  there  were  coffee-houses,  and  half  as  many  vendors  of  physic  as  of  gin.  How  the  account 
of  Parisian  coffee-houses  may  stand  now,  I  know  not;  but — mark  tho  March  of  6'«';i-tellect ! — to  tho  disgrace 
of  our  country,  and  of  our  legislature  also,  who  if  it  possess  tho  power  of  checking  or  diminishing  the  evil 
yet  neglects  to  do  so,  gin-shops — (with  equal  regard  to  the  refined  habits  of  our  lower  and  lowest  classes,  anil  to 
the  insidious  allurements  concealed  under  pretty  and  palliative  names,  now  designated  gin-palaces) — gin-shops 
have  more  than  doubled  their  number  !  Tin-  increase  of  apothocarics'-shops  (and  they,  too,  are  many  of  them  nick- 
named "  Medical  Halls,"  "  Pharmacnpceian  Emporiums,"  and  so  forth)  seems  to  have  maintained  its  fair  proportion 
With  Gin  versus  Jenner  (leaving  Physic  to  an  equal  balance  of  kill  and  cure  at  the  year's  end)  Malthu.s  need  not 
have  been  so  violently  alarmed  about  an  overwhelming  increase  of  population. 

"  And  what  put  that  into  your  head  ?  "  you  will  ask. 

It  was  looking  down  upon  those  lines  of  fire  and  observing  the  great  number  of  little  brilliant  spots  of  light, 
blue,  green,  purple,  and  crimson,  with  which  they  were  variegated,  each  indicating  a  Temple  of  -'Esculapius ! 
\<>w  I  should  not  wonder  at  seeing,  in  the  course  of  a  month,  that  name  in  gilt  letters  over  the  door  of  some 
dirty  little  physic-shop  in  St.  Giles's. 

To  tell  you  now  of  two  m  three  pretty,  merely  pretty  things  we  saw  besides  this,  such  as  Greenwich  by  gas- 
light (though  I  don't  like  to  throw  away  such  a  sweet  alliteration)  would  be  an  anti-climax.  The  burning  map. 
therefore,  .-lull  lie  the  la-t  scene  of  my  pantomime.  What  a  hint  for  somebody  ! 

"  The  whole  to  conclude  with. 

And  has  been  in  preparation  for  many  months, 

\    grand,    novel,    and    truly   unprecedented    Exhibition, 

TOFALLY   REGARDLESS  OF   ALL    K\l'l.N-K.    AM)   AT   AJJ    IMMENSE  OUTLAY, 

1.'. -solved  to  gratify  the  public,  and  which  only  the  ample  means  of  this  Establishment  can  produce, 

A     MAI'    OF    LONDON, 

•i  an  unrivalled  scale  of  magnificence,  drawn  from  actual  measurement  by  the  first  Artists 
IN     P.  I"  l;  N  1  NG    FIHi: 


410  ASTRA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  XI. 

So  now,  Tom,  we'll  prepare  for  our  descent. 

But  our  cautious  coachman  had  taken  prudential  measures  for  this  not  very  long  after  we  had  cleared 
the  chimney-tops,  spires,  steeples,  and  such-like  impediments.  Hands  were  set  to  work — his  own  being  sufficiently 
occupied  by  the  important  care  of  the  valve-lines — first,  to  unfix  and  take  in  the  purple  covering  which,  with  its 
yellow  fringes  and  festoons,  conceals  the  white-wicker  nakedness  of  the  car,  and  gives  it  so  snug  an  appearance. 
This  being  done,  and  the  covering  folded  up  and  placed  in  a  bag  at  the  bottom  of  the  carriage,  the  next  order  was 
to  let  go  the  grapnel,  which  was  soon  dangling  at  the  end  of  a  line  of  a  hundred,  or  a  hundred-and-twenty  feet  in 
length.  Then,  the  ballast  being  arranged  so  as  to  he  conveniently  "  served  at  the  shortest  notice,"  we  were  ready 
to  descend  as  soon  as  choice  or  necessity  might  require.  And,  when  the  final  descent  was  determined  upon, 
— "  Now,"  inquired  Mr.  Green,  "how  much  ballast  have  we  got  remaining  ?  " — "  Oh,  plenty,"  replied  some  one. — 
"  That  answer  won't  do  :  how  much  ?" — "  Why,  five  or  six  bags  under  this  seat  and  four  or  five  under  the  other."- 
"  That  won't  do  :  how  many  bags  exactly,  and  what  are  their  weiyhts?"  These  questions  having  been  satisfactorily 

answered,  "  Now,  Mr. ,"  continued  Green,  "  be  ready  with  a  bag  of  ballast  on  your  side,  and  you  Mr.  

with  one  on  yc-urs ;  and  when  I  call  you  by  name — but  be  sure  you  wait  till  you  hear  your  own  name  called  ! — 
please  to  throw  out  about  four  pounds  of  ballast." — 1  give  you  these  particulars,  trifling  though  they  be,  first,  in 
justice  to  Mr.  Green,  who,  you  will  thence  gather,  is  not  the  man  to  neglect  a  chance  of  safety  even  of  the  value 
of  a  grain  of  sand ;  and  next,  as  letting  you  behind  the  scenes,  as  it  were — an  indulgence  but  seldom  accorded  to 
the  spectators  of  the  public  performance,  the  ascent. 

It  was  not,  however,  till  nearly  two  hours  after  these  preliminary  measures  had  been  completed  that 
the  descent  was  accomplished.  There  was  little  or  no  wind,  as  you  will  infer  from  the  fact  that  at  the  end 
of  a  three  hours'  ride  we  found  ourselves  no  farther  than  Wanstead.  For  nearly  half  an  hour,  the  balloon, 
having  crossed  a  serpentine  thing  about  six  yards  long  and  two  inches  broad  (the  River  Lea)  remained  almost 
stationary  over  a  lime-kiln,  near  the  junction  of  the  Eomford  and  Chelmsford  roads,  quite  high  enough,  though, 
to  escape  singeing.  In  vain  did  Mr.  Green  bob  up  and  down,  and  up  again,  in  the  hope  of  meeting  with  a 
current  that  would  carry  us  some  where,  the  further  the  better;  for  a  descent  near  London  is  never  desirable 
(and  the  less  so  at  night),  as  the  balloon  is  generally  followed  by  a  numerous  and  mischievous  rabble  from 
the  outskirts  of  the  town.  And  so  it  happened  with  iis.  But  up  or  down  it  was  the  same  thing ;  there  never 
was  known  a  worse  season  for  currents  ;  so  that,  at  each  descent,  there  was  the  eternal  lime-kiln  beneath  us, 
and  no  one  seemed  inclined  to  make  that  the  landing-point.  In  vain,  also,  did  our  captain  endeavour  to  elude 
the  pursuit  of  the  rabble  (whose  shouts  we  distinctly  heard)  by  hiding  himself  in  the  clouds :  no  sooner  did 
we  reappear  than  again  were  we  saluted  with  their  "sweet  voices."  Well;  we  could  not  remain  up  for  ever; 
so,  a  convenient  spot  for  the  purpose  being  discovered,  there  we  alighted  in  safety  and  with  perfect  ease — 
not  the  slightest  rebound  intimating  to  us  that  we  had  touched  ground.  Should  Government  ever  establish  a  line 
of  balloon-packets,  I  hope  Mr.  Green  will  be  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  best  that  may  be  put  in  com- 
mission. But  this  they  will  do  as  matter  of  course : — there  is  no  instance  upon  record  of  their  having  appointed 
to  any  post  or  employment  an  inefficient  person. 

It  was  about  a  quarter  past  nine,  and  quite  dark.  Four  of  the  party  returned  to  town  :  five  remained  to  take 
charge  of  the  balloon.  And  here  we  had  for  companions  nearly  five  hundred  of  as  pleasant  persons  as  ever 
made  odds  against  five.  They  were  composed  chiefly  of  the  veriest  rabble  that  Stepney,  Ratcliffe,  Limehouse, 
Poplar,  and  the  eastern  outskirts  of  London  could  disgorge.  "  Never  till  now  stood  I  in  such  a  presence  ! " 
These  disinterested  gentry  had  followed  us  from  their  respective  quarters  with  the  amiable  intention  of  rendering 
assistance,  as  they  said ;  but  as  their  assistance  had  not  been  required,  their  claims  for  payment  for  their 
disinterestedness  were  rejected.  Our  captain  then  ordered  all  hands  on  board — that  is,  that  we  should  resume 
our  places  in  the  car — whilst  he,  in  the  hope  of  inducing  our  kind  friends  to  leave  us,  informed  them  that 
his  intention  was  to  remain  on  the  heath  all  night,  preparatory  to  a  fresh  start  at  daylight.  To  discharge  his 
balloon  in  their  presence  he  dared  not,  for  they  would  undoubtedly  have  cut  it  to  pieces  : — not  for  the  value  of  the 
silk  and  cordage,  but  merely  as  specimens  for  their  scrap-books  and  albums  : — just  as  other  collectors  do  sometimes 
tear  prints  out  of  books  in  libraries,  public  or  private,  as  ornaments  for  their  own  portfolios.  Then  came  their 
yells,  their  savage  imprecations,  "  curses  both  loud  and  deep  ;  "  their  threats  to  destroy  the  balloon,  an  intention 
which  1  am  satisfied  was  only  not  fulfilled  from  a  difference  of  opinion  amongst  them,  touching  the  best  mode  of 
carrying  it  into  execution.  To  us  these  divisions  in  the  enemies'  camp  (or  cabinet,  if  you  will)  was  a  victory — 
for  both  in  camps  and  cabinets  divisions  tend  to  the  success  of  the  opposite  party.  At  length,  wearied  by 


'  BAT.  M.  FLAT  AS  A  l'.\N<  AKL.  Ill 


attendance  upon  us,  by  twos  and  fives  and  tens  they  dispersed  ;  till,  at  about  eleven  o'clock,  we  were 
Aiih  some  dozen  or  fifteen  men  belonging  to  the  neighbourhood,  who  were  useful  and  civil  too.     And  now 
y.'ii   MI.  iv  understand   what  it  was  that  induced  my  seemingly  outof-place  question,  touching  the  first   Lord 
Thurlow. 

l'>y  midnight  tho  balloon  was  gathered  in  and  packed  up;  and  within  half  an  hour  afterwards  wo  were 
•eated  at  a  comfortable  deal  table,  at  a  road-side  public-house  —  the  "  Eagle  and  Child  "  —  (mercy  upon  eagle,  or 
i-hilil  cither,  thut  had  happened  at  that  moment  to  full  in  the  way  of  our  hunger  !)  —  and  regaled  with  tho  best  tho 
larder  and  cellar  afforded  :  such  brcad-and-oheese  and  ale,  Tom  !  —  Tide's  most  exquisite  achievements  assisted  by 
Krind's  best  claret,  might  without  dishonour  have  dolled  <-;i]is  tn  it. 

1'id  you  ever  see  the  death,  or,  ratln  r.  tin-  killing,  of  a  balloon?  To  be  in  at  tho  death  of  tho  "Great 
Nassau  "  was  a  fine  sight,  and  an  ample  compensation  for  the  inconveniences  and  discomforts  just  preceding  it 
K'eiui-mlx-r,  the  night  was  dark!  Daylight  would  have  marred  the  effect  There  was  the  huge  monster  whii-h, 
Inn  .1  little  while  ago,  hud  flown  away  with  nine  of  us  dangling  at  its  tail,  pinned  down  to  the  ground.  Its  p.m.  I 
.ih.i  ^i.  ic.  ful  form  stood  out  in  b  .Id  relief  against  the  sombre  sky.  It  had  already  been  crippled  by  the  expulsion 
me  quantity  of  its  bivitli  ••!'  life,  but  it  was  not  a  creature  to  surrender  its  existence  at  a  blow.  Its 
<!••>;  ruction  was  a  work  of  time,  and,  as  the  work  proceeded,  it  heaved  and  panted  and  groaned,  till,  its  throes 
becoming  fainter  and  fainter,  it  finally  gave  up  the  gas  and  lay  stretched  on  the  earth  —  as  flat  as  a  pancake  !  And 
tiii-ie's  a  touch  of  tho  sublime  for  yon. 

An.l  now  that  Im^c.  swollen,  and  swaggering  creature,  which  had  lately  astonished  all  beholders,  was  folded 
up  and  placed  at  the  bottom  of  its  own  little  car,  leaving  still  room  above  it  sufficient  to  accommodate  another 
of  its  own  proportions!  Yet  in  that  there  was  nothing  to  wonder  at.  Had  it  been  self-sustained?  No  !  (ius  — 
pu/ery!  —  had  been  its  innin  Mipp»it.  Tom  ;  I  quitted  the  ground  with  a  moral  lesson  in  my  pocket;  and  it  were 
to  be  wished  that  all  travellers,  whether  by  land,  sea,  or  air,  were  as  great  gainers  by  (heir  excursions. 

I  had  nearly  overlooked  one  of  your  questions,  which  is,  whether  I  would  advise  you  to  try  a  balloon-trip. 
I  would  not  dissuade  you  from  it,  because,  with  MR.  GREKX  for  your  conductor  —  I  say  this  to  you  with  "good 
emphasis  "  and,  let  me  add,  "  sound  discretion  "  —  the  danger  of  the  adventure  is  reduced  to  the  lowest  possible 
point  ;  but  I  would  not  for  any  consideration  incur  the  responsibility  of  inducing  you  to  tempt  a  region  where, 
should  an  accident  occur  —  and  balloons  are  but  silk,  bal  lunatics  but  men  —  the  consequences,  beyond  all  human 
skill  and  prudence  to  avert  or  to  remedy,  must  be  fatal.  Now,  I  can  fancy  the  happy  state  of  indecision  in  which 
this  prudent  counsel  will  have  placed  your  mind.  But  here  is  something  positive  for  you,  just  to  give  it  an 
inclination.  Do  not  go  up  in  a  parachute,  nor  with  fireworks,  nor  with  even  the  tamest  tiger  that,  as  yet,  stands 
uuconvicted  of  having  made  minced  meat  of  a  man. 

\\  ••  till  know  the  fate  of  that  poor  simpleton,  Cocking  (see  p.  164)  ;  so  much  for  parachutes  ! 

1  was  one  of  the  thousands  who  saw  (and  I  heard  it  too)  the  destruction  of  Madame  Blanchard  (7th  July,  1819). 
On  the  evening  of  the  6th  July,  1819,  she  ascended  in  a  balloon  from  the  Tiroli  Gardens  at  Paris.  At  a  certain 
elevation  she  was  to  discharge  some  fireworks  which  were  attached  to  her  car.  From  my  own  windows  1  saw  the 
ascent  For  a  few  minutes  the  balloon  was  concealed  by  clouds.  Presently  it  reappeared,  and  there  was  seen 
a  momentary  sheet  of  flame.  There  was  a  dreadful  pause.  In  a  few  seconds,  the  poor  creature,  enveloped  and 
entangled  in  the  netting  of  her  machine,  fell  with  a  frightful  crash  upon  the  slanting  roof  of  a  house  in  the 
Hue  do  Provence  (not  a  hundred  yards  from  where  I  was  standing),  and  thence  into  the  street,  and  Madame 
Blanchard  was  taken  up  a  shattered  corpse  !  It  was  supposed  that  the  rockets  which  ought  to  have  been  made 
to  point  </'"/•„«•.//•</.<  were,  improperly  managed;  and  thus  the  catastrophe  was  accounted  for.  So  much  for  firework 
ascents  ! 

Of  tiger-ascents  the  results  are  yet  unknown,  though  they  may  easily  lie  guessed  at  in  the  event  of  an 
accident  either  above  or  below.  I  have  already  enlightened  you  with  my  opinion  as  to  the  utility  of  ballooning: 
let  that  pass  for  just  so  little  as  it  may  be  worth  ;  but  I  entertain  serious  doubts  as  to  whether  parachutes,  or 
firework  ascents  can  be  rendered  serviceable  to  science  in  any  of  its  branches  —  unless  coffin-making  be  reckoned 
i  if  tlie  number.  Tigers,  however,  have  not  yet  been  put  upon  their  trial;  so,  till  they  have,  we  will  give  them 
the  benefit  of  the  humane  maxim  of  the  English  law. 

Y.W,  of  these  three  exhibitions,  two  are  both  brutal  and  stupid;  and  the  best  that  can  be  said  of  tho 
squib-and-cracker  affair  is,  tint,  childish  as  it  is,  you  get  in  return  for  the  endangering  of  human  life,  a  pretty 

3  11 


412  ASTKA  CASTKA.  CHAP.  XL 

show  to  stare  at.  That  is  something,  certainly.  But  don't  you  be  induced  to  join  any  of  those  parties  ;  and 
should  your  brother  Dick,  who  is  now  in  the  commission  of  the  peace,  give  the  weight  of  his  sanction  to  such 
mischievous  fooleries,  even  by  winking  at  them,  he  will  deserve  to  be  degraded  from  his  trust. 

But,  to  return — to  the  subject,  and  to  town,  at  the  same  time.  The  "  Eagle  and  Child  "  being  by  no  means 
so  well  provided  with  lodging  as  with  refreshments,  only  two  of  our  party  could  be  accommodated  in  the  former 
respect ;  and  conveyances  being  nowhere  procurable  at  that  late  hour,  shortly  after  one  o'clock,  A.M.,  three  of  the 
"  intrepid  aeronauts  "  (vide  newspapers)  marched  to  London,  where  we  arrived,  as  well  as  could  be  expected,  not 
long  after  four. 

I  should  not  have  noticed  this  occurrence  but  that  it  led  to  an  extraordinary  result.  Upon  my  return  to 
town,  fatigued  by  my  walk,  I  threw  myself  into  an  easy-chair  and  fell  into — what  do  you  think  ? — a  reverie  !  Now, 
though  reveries  were  formerly  much  in  vogue  upon  occasions  like  the  present,  I  cannot  recollect  an  instance  of  an 
accident  of  the  kind  befalling  any  writer  within  the  present  century. 

Well ;  I  fell  into  a  reverie,  and  (my  head  still  full  of  the  balloon)  I  fancied  the  balloon  a  statesman,  and  its 
conductor,  Mr.  Fee'dwell,  a  hireling,  parasitical  puff-writer,  and  special  Cad  to  a  Literary  Omnibus.  Fee'dwell 
inflated  the  Statesman  with  his  puffs,  and  the  Statesman  presently  swelled  to  the  dimensions  of  a  Chatham,  a  Pitt, 
a  Fox- — all  three  in  one  ! 

Next,  a  Secretary  of  State  for  the .  But,  hold !  I  am  looking  out  for  a  pension ;  so  upon  this  subject 

not  a  word  more  even  to  you,  Tom. 

Next,  a  Poet : — Milton,  Pope,  and  Dryden — Byron,  Campbell,  and  Rogers,  were  each,  and  all  together,  his 
inferiors. 

The  balloon  then  became  a  Painter,  and,  by  the  aid  of  its  gas  diploma,  it  was  presently  swollen  into  a 
Rubens! — more  gas,  and  it  distended  to  a  Titian! — more  gas,  and  more — "And  now,"  cries  the  puffster,  "up 
with  you,  my  own-made  modern  Michael  Angelo  !  "  "  What  you  have  made  me  take  me,"  responds  the  painter- 
balloon  ;  "  but  keep  the  gas  up ;  *  for  if  you,  allow  me  to  sink  but  a  foot,  you'll  find  short  commons  at  your  next 
visit  to Street." 

Next  a  Dramatist  :  and  the  parasite  so  be-Congreve'd  and  be-Massinger'd,  so  be-Sheridan'd  and  be- 
Shakspeare'd  him,  that  I  really  thought  the  poor  balloon  must  have  burst ! 

Next,  a  Novel-writer  : — Up  we  go ;  Goldsmith  and  Sterne  are  invisible ;  Swift,  Richardson,  and  Fielding, 
dwindled  into  specks!  "Higher  still  with  me!"  cries  the  Novel-writer;  "more  gas  for  me,  my  prince  of 
parasites  !  Pence  or  pudding,  which  you  will ;  but  more  gas  for  me,  more  gas  !  " — "  Dp,  up,  up,  my  unparalleled 
balloon,"  cries  the  inflator  :  "  I'm  doing  it  for  you  :  another  puff  or  two  and  you  shall  have  left  the  whole  world 
of  novelists,  romancers,  and  essayists,  immeasurably  below  you." 

Here  methought  the  smell  of  the  gas  became  offensive,  almost  beyond  endurance,  and  I  complained  of  it  to 
Fee'dwell.  "  Excuse  the  word,"  said  I,  "but  it  stinks;  it  is  so  coarse  and  strong  that  the  stomach  of  a  dray-horse 
would  reject  it :  the  whole  town  sickens  at  it." 

Not  so  with  the  balloons  it  is  my  business  to  inflate,"  replied  he  :  "  their  stomachs  are  not  so  delicate  :  the 
stronger  it  is,  the  better  they  relish  it.  Besides,  I  do  not  pretend  to  the  refined  art  of  producing  gas  from 
myrrh,  and  frankincense,  and  aromatic  herbs,  nor  would  they  relish  it  if  I  could :  that  would  not  elevate  them 
a  tenth  part  high  enough  to  please  them.  No,  no ;  coarse  coal-gas  is  the  thing  for  our  purpose,  and  the  coarser 
the  better." 

The  next  and  last  metamorphosis  of  the  balloon  was  into  a  whole  company  of  actors ;  and  I  own  I  wished 
myself  safely  out  of  it,  for,  now,  there  was  considerable  danger  of  an  "awful  calamity."  Such  a  clamour!  such 
cries  of  "  Gas  !  gas !  more  gas !  more  !  "  that  an  explosion  seemed  to  be  inevitable.  I  expressed  my  apprehensions 
upon  the  subject. 

"  There  is  less  danger  of  such  a  catastrophe  now  than  ever,"  said  the  puffster :  "  this  balloon  will  swallow 
more  gas,  or,  in  other  words,  has  a  greater  capacity  for  distension  than  any  of  the  others  :  cram  it  as  you  will,  it 
never  thinks  itself  sufficiently  inflated." 

"  Surely,"  said  I,  "  the  machine  is  rising  very  sluggishly.     What  is  its  present  altitude  ?  " 


*  I  need  not  inform  you,  Tom,  that  the  substitution  of  the  increase  of  gas  for  the  diminishing  of  the  quantity  of  ballast  to  produce  the 
required  effect,  is  one  of  those  whimsical  blunders  to  which,  in  dreams  and  reveries,  we  are  subject. 


T&  \fc*   f  JJT    *>J 
>^ 


\ 


t. 

ii 
o 


CUM-,  xi.  Tin:  n  ri  >II;K. 

•  Iwdl  i.  ([nested  me  to  look  at  the  HisTRioxoKKrtR  which  was  hanging  within  the  netting.     I  did  HO,  ami 
I" iiinl  it  \v.iv,'i  iirj;  1» -tween  one  degree  below,  and  one  degree  above,  the  point  of  Mediocrity. 

Ay,"  saiil  1-Ve'dwfll  i  Imt  rather  muttering  these  words  to  himself  than  addressing  them  to  me),  "and, 
oonfnuiiil  it  !  at  M^tiu-nty  it  will  dangle  till  doomsday  unless  I  give  it  a  puff  or  two." 

••  How  high  am  I,  my  dear  Fee'dwell?"  cried  a  voice,  which  I  recognised  to  bo  that  of  Mr.  Horsecollar, 
a  second-rate  comic  actor. 

••I'.,  i  \\.I-H  ourselves,"  replied  the  puffster,  referring  to  the  Histrionometer,  "between  ourselves,  Mr. 
Hc.rnccollar,  you  stand  at  about  Pleasant  and  Tolerable." 

"  More  gas,  more  gas,  my  good,  kind  puffster!"  cried  Horsecollar;  at  the  same  time  thrusting  a  bundlr  of 
playhouse  orders  into  the  hand  of  the  "  good,  kind  "  person  he  was  addressing. 

'l'hi>  |. 'Ulster,  who  dared  not  for  his  life  leave  hold  of  his  valve-line,  lest  the  gas  should  escape  and  tumble 
his  whole  cargo  to  the  ground,  requested  me  to  throw  over  a  bag  of  ballast,  one  of  the  tmiullost  I  could  find. 
I  stooped  down,  and,  at  the  bottom  of  the  car,  perceived  a  small  number  of  tiny  bags,  varying  in  weight  from 
a  quarter  •  .1'  an  .  .unco  to  an  ounce,  each  labelled,  "  JUDGMENT."  I  emptied  out  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  of  this  bailout, 
and  the  balloon  shot  upwards  with  amazing  rapidity. 

"  \Vhere  am  I  now?"  continued  the  same  voice. 

••  Within  two  degrees  of  Litton,"  replied  the  puffitter,  watching  the  progress  of  the  mercury  and  reporting 
accordingly,     "  You  are  now  at  Listen  exactly — two — three — ten — twenty  degrees  above  him." 
ivo  !  "  said  Horsecollar  ;  "  but  give  me  a  little  more  gas,  my  dear  boy." 

Another  little  bag  of  ballast  was  discharged,  the  machine  continued  to  rise,  and  the  report  was 
continued : — 

"  Fifty  degrees— all  to  nothing  above  him — and  above  Fawxtt — and  ilunden—  and — and— everybody  else." 

"  More  gas,  more ! "  continued  the  cormorant. 

But  he  was  interrupted  by  other  claimants,  the  first  of  whom  was  Miss  Laura  Lcadenlegs,  a  damn. 
Something  was  whispered  about  "  a  defafrful  leetie  feet-shampeter  to  be  given  at  Twitni'm  by  Lord  Gullborough 
(who  was  greatly  interested  in  her  /*rfessional  edtfiicemunt),  and  at  which  she  would  be  permitted  to  intertloose  a 
frind:"  and  up  went  Mii-s  Leadenlegs  from  Detestable  to  within  two  degrees  of  Taglioni ! 

Then  came  Mr.  Ravenscroak  (a  pupil  just  launched  of  Mr.  Snacks',  the  singing-master).  I  didn't  hear  what 
he  said,  but  from  Passable,  up  he  was  carried  through  TempUton — Wilson — Phillips— even  to  /fu/innmark.  But,  the 
cry  was  still  for  "  gas,  more  gas !  " 

Mr.  Simper,  the  genteel,  and  lively-comedy-man,  who  stood  at  Mediocrity,  was  rapidly  raised  above  Jiiclutnl 
Jones  and  Lewis ;  and  it  is  hard  to  say  where  he  might  have  been  carried  had  he  not  been  thrust  abide  by  Mr. 
O'Shamrock,  the  Irishman  of  the  company. 

"  My  darling  boy,  my  dear  duck  of  a  fellow,  what's  my  mark  ?  "  cried  O'Shamrock. 

"  Your  true  mark,  my  dear  Shammy,  is  Vastly  Pleasant,  but " 

"  And  is  it  my  true  mark  you're  after  talking  about  ?  Up  with  me,  you  spalpane !  Have  you  forgot 
to  renumber  where  you're  engaged  to  dine  next  Sunday,  at  half-past  nine  ?  " 

The  puffster  requested  me  to  throw  over  a  whole  ounce  of  ballast,  and  another,  and  another ;  and  the 
balloon  being  lightened  of  such  a  weight  of  JUDGMENT,  rose  till  the  Iliutrionometer  indicated  ten  degrees  above 
Irish  Johnstont. 

"  Johnstone  be  d — d ! "  cried  O'Shamrock.  "  But  up  with  me,  my  Oracle  1  Don't  forget  Sunday,  my 
unparalleled  puffster ;  so  up  with  me,  and  say  what  I  am  for  tipping  an  tlegant  audience,  and  the  true  connyihures, 
a  touch  of  the  jontalt." 

Out  went  bag  after  bag,  and  at  each  rise  the  puffster  answered.  "  For  elegant  comedy  yon  are  now  at  Jones — 
and  Lewis — and  Elluton — 

"  Acet -pi  this  little  wooden  MiufF-box,  my  darling  of  the  world.  It's  ugly-looking  enough,  but  it's  the  greatest 
cttrossyty  in  all  Europe  :  it  belonged  to  St.  Patrick  himself!  If  you  doubt  it,  I'll  have  it  engraved  on  the  lid.  lor 
proof.  So  up  with  me  again,  my  critic  u  ferities." 

w  we  are  passing  John  Palmer — and  now  I   have  puffed  you   up,  even  to  Charles   Kemble.     Are  you 

iT" 

And  is  it  satisfied  you're  after  waning  ?  "  said  O'Shamrock.     "  Och  !  by  my  shillelagh  !  and  if  you  are  after 

3  H  2 


414  ASTRA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  XI. 

going  to  come  your  '  satisfied '  over  me,  so  long  as  there  is  sky -room  above  us,  hand  me  back  St.  Patrick's 
snuff-box ;  and  please  to  do  me  the  pleasure  not  to  dine  with  me  next  Sunday  at  half-past  nine,  you  niggardly 
spalpane." 

Lastly  came  Mr.  Daggerbowl,  the  tragedian.  What  was  his  standing-point  I  did  not  observe;  but  having 
discharged  sundry  of  the  little  bags,  the  Histrionometer  indicated  first,  Charles  Young,  then  JOHN  KEMBLE  ! 
I  trembled  for  our  safety,  for  this  was  a  fearful  height  to  tumble  from ! 

"  Higher,  higher !  "  cried  Daggerbowl.     "  What  am  I  now,  my  profound  ?  " 

"And  Garrick,"  responded  the  parasite,  referring  to  the  indicator. 

"  That  won't  do  for  me,  my  deep-searching  puffster :  higher,  more  gas,  higher  ! ' 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir,  up  we  go  !  " 

"  What  am  I  now,  my  widely-grasping  and  all-embracing  puffster  ?  " 

"  And  Mossop,"  replied  the  parasite  : — up  we  go  ! — And  Barry — up  we  go ! — And  Betterton.  Now  we  are  at 
Surpassing .' — now  at  Transcendant ! — now  at  Never-approached  ! — and  now  at  Unapproachalle-and-never-in-this-world-to- 
be-equalled!  Are  you  satisfied,  0  super-human,  O  Heaven-inspired  Daggerbowl  ?  " 

"  Higher,  good  puffster !     Higher  still,  dear  parasite !  "  cried  Daggerbowl. 

Here  the  whole  company  was  seized  with  the  mania  of  jealousy,  each  desiring  to  be  carried  as  high  (or, 
in  the  language  of  the  earth,  to  be  as  unsparingly  bepuffed)  as  Mr.  Daggerbowl.  Their  cries  of  "  Higher  ! 
higher  !  "  "  More  gas  for  me!"  "  And  me ! "  "  And  me  ! "  were  deafening.  But  the  last  tiny  bag  of  JUDGMENT  having 
been  exhausted,  it  was  impossible  for  the  still  willing  parasite  to  comply  with  their  demands.  Finding  he  could 
do  no  more  for  them,  from  requests  they  proceeded  to  commands,  from  commands  to  threats  :  till  at  length  the 
puffster,  provoked  by  w.hat  he  called  "their  surpassing  ingratitude,"  and  warned  of  his  own  danger  by  the 
rocking  of  his  unballasted  and  over-inflated  balloon,  drew  his  valve-line  and,  gradually  emitting  the  gas,  gently 
let  his  whole  cargo  of  Statesman,  Poet,  Dramatist,  Painter,  Novelist,  and  Player,  each  down  to  his  safe  and 
proper  level. 

And  is  it  possible,  thought  I,  that  a  high-minded  balloon,  whether  in  the  form  of  Poet  or  Player,  or  any 
other  of  a  polite  or  liberal  occupation,  can  so  degrade  itself  as  to  place  its  valve-line  in  the  hands  of  one  who, 
at  the  best,  can  give  it  but  a  temporary  elevation,  if  unmerited ;  as,  at  the  worst,  whether  in  caprice  or  malice, 
he  can  but  for  a  time  depress  it !  0  Balloon  !  there  stands  one,  your  best  reliance,  whose  name  is  PUBLIC  ;  who, 
though  he  may  be  made  for  a  while  to  stare  with  wonder  at  your  fantastic  vagaries  when  placed  too  high  in 
air,  yet  sooner  or  later  will  reflection  come  to  his  aid,  and  remind  him  that  there  you  are  supported  only  by  an 
overcharge  of  gas,  noisome  gas.  Then  will  he  seize  you  by  your  grapnel,  and,  despite  your  parasitical  inflater, 
place  you  afyour  just  point  of  elevation — neither  allowing  you  to  rise  much  above,  nor  to  sink  much  below  it. 
Renounce,  then,  0  Balloon !  manfully  and  at  once  renounce  a  support  not  less  degrading  than  insecure ;  upon 
which  relying  and  of  which  to  be  bereft,  you  will  fall,  fall,  fall,  a  thing  for  mockery  and  scorn. 

Scarcely  had  I  concluded  this  reflection,  when  MR.  PUBLIC  (with  a  smile  of  good-humoured  contempt)  just 
blowing  upon  the  balloon,  the  monstrous  bubble  burst  with  so  loud  a  report  that,  &c.  &c. 

And  now,  my  dear  Tom,  having  only  to  add  that  (with  all  proper  regard  for  the  revenue)  this  long, 
rambling  epistle  being  [not]  "  On  Her  Majesty's  Service,"  you  will  receive  it,  as  such,  under  an  official  frank. 

I  conclude  by  subscribing  myself 

One  of  your  most  sincere  friends  now  on  Earth, 

To ,  Esq.  P«. 

One  of  Edgar  Poe's  imaginative  Tales  well  deserves  a  place  in  this  chapter,  it  is  entitled— 

"  THE  UNPARALLELED  ADVENTURE  OF  HANS  PFAALL." 

With  a  heart  of  furious  fancies, 

Whereof  I  am  commander, 
With  a  burning  spear,  and  a  horse  of  air, 

To  the  wilderness  I  wander. 

Tom  o'  Bedlam's  Song. 

By  late  accounts  from  Rotterdam,  that  city  seems  to  be  in  a  high  state  of  philosophical  excitement.  Indeed, 
phenomena  have  there  occurred  of  a  nature  so  completely  unexpected,  so  entirely  novel,  so  utterly  at  variance 


i  MM    XI  EDGAR  FOR  ll. 

with  pii-.-..in-1-ivi-il  opinions,  as  to  leave  no  doubt  on  my  mind  that  long  ero  this  all  Europe  is  in  an  uproar,  all 
ph\  -].  -  in  a  fi  i  iiu-nt,  all  reason  and  astronomy  together  l>y  the  ears. 

It  .-i]i|n  -ars  that  on  the day  of (I  am  not  positive  about  the  date),  a  vast  crowd  of  people,  for 

purposes  not  specifically  mentioned,  were  assembled  in  the  great  square  of  the  Exchange  in  the  well-conditi -d 

city  "f  l;..n.  i.l'im.  The  day  was  warm — unusually  so  for  the  season — there  was  hardly  a  breath  of  air  stirring  ;  and 
tin-  miiltitmlf  were  in  no  bad  humour  at  being  now  and  then  besprinkled  with  friendly  showers  of  momentary 
duration,  tiiut  t'rll  t'li. MI  large  white  masses  of  cloud  profusely  distributed  about  the  blue  vault  of  the  firmament. 

•thrleKs,  about  noon,  a  slight  but  remarkable  agitation  became  apparent  in  the  assembly;  the  clattering  of 
ti  n  thousand  tongues  succeeded;  and,  in  an  instant  afterwards,  ten  thousand  faces  were  upturned  towards  the 
heavens,  ten  thousand  pipes  descended  simultaneously  from  the  corners  of  ten  thousand  mouths,  and  a  shout, 
which  could  lie  compared  to  nothing  but  the  roaring  of  Niagara,  resounded  long,  loudly,  and  furiously,  through 
all  ili.-  city  and  through  all  the  environs  of  Rotterdam. 

The  origin  of  this  hubbub  soon  became  sufficiently  evident.  From  behind  the  huge  bulk  of  one  of  those 
sharply-  defined  masses  of  cloud  already  mentioned,  was  seen  slowly  to  emerge  into  an  open  area  of  blue  space,  a 
queer,  heterogeneous,  but  apparently  solid  substance,  so  oddly  shaped,  so  whimsically  put  together,  as  not  to  be  in 
any  manner  comprehended,  and  never  to  be  sufficiently  admired,  by  the  host  of  sturdy  burghers  who  stood  open- 
mouthed  below.  What  could  it  be?  In  the  name  of  all  the  devils  in  Rotterdam,  what  could  it  possibly  portend? 
N  -no  knew;  no  one  could  imagine;  no  one — not  even  the  burgomaster  Mynheer  Superbus  Von  Underduk— 
i.  id  the  slightest  clue  by  which  to  unravel  the  mystery;  so,  as  nothing  more  reasonable  could  be  done,  every  one, 
to  a  man,  replaced  his  pipe  carefully  in  the  corner  of  his  mouth,  and,  maintaining  an  eye  steadily  upon  the 
pheiiiiiiifnon,  puffed,  paused,  waddled  about,  and  grunted  significantly — then  waddled  back,  grunted,  paused,  and 
finally — puffed  again. 

In  the  mean  time,  however,  lower  and  still  lower  towards  the  goodly  city,  came  the  object  of  so  much 
cm  insity,  and  the  cause  of  so  much  smoke.  In  a  very  few  minutes  it  arrived  near  enough  to  be  accurately 

m-'l.  It  appeared  to  be — yes!  it  uxu  undoubtedly  a  species  of  balloon  ;  but  surely  no  fitch  balloon  had  ever 
been  seen  in  Rotterdam  before.  For  who,  let  me  ask,  ever  heard  of  a  balloon  manufactured  entirely  of  dirty 
newspapers  ?  No  man  in  Holland,  certainly ;  yet  here,  under  the  very  noses  of  the  people,  or  rather  at  some 
distance  above  their  noses,  was  the  identical  thing  in  question,  and  composed — I  have  it  on  the  best  authority — of 
tin-  precise  material  which  no  one  had  ever  before  known  to  be  used  for  a  similar  purpose.  It  was  an  egregious 
insult  to  the  good  sense  of  the  burghers  of  Rotterdam.  As  to  the  shape  of  the  phenomenon,  it  was  oven  still 
more  reprehensible,  being  little  or  nothing  better  than  a  huge  fool's-cap  turned  upside  down.  And  this  similitude 
was  regarded  as  by  no  means  lessened,  when,  upon  nearer  inspection,  the  crowd  saw  a  large  tassel  depending  from 
its  apex,  and,  around  the  upper  rim  or  base  of  the  cone,  a  circle  of  little  instruments,  resembling  sheep-bells,  which 
kept  up  a  continual  tinkling  to  the  tune  of  Betty  Martin.  But,  still  worse,  suspended  by  blue  ribbons  to  the  end 
of  this  fantastic  machine,  there  hung,  by  way  of  car,  an  enormous  drab  beaver  hat,  with  a  brim  superlatively 
broad,  and  a  hemispherical  crown  with  a  black  band  and  a  silver  buckle.  It  is,  however,  somewhat  remarkable 
that  many  citizens  of  Rotterdam  swore  to  having  seen  the  same  hat  repeatedly  before ;  and,  indeed,  the  whole 
assembly  seemed  to  regard  it  with  eyes  of  familiarity ;  while  the  vrow  Grettel  Pfaall  upon  sight  of  it  uttered  an 
exclamation  of  joyful  surprise,  and  declared  it  to  be  the  identical  hat  of  her  good  man  himself.  Now  this  was 
a  circumstance  the  more  to  be  observed,  as  Pfaall,  with  three  companions,  had  actually  disappeared  from 
Rotterdam  about  five  years  before,  in  a  very  sudden  and  unaccountable  manner,  and  up  to  the  date  of  this 
narrative  all  attempts  at  obtaining  intelligence  concerning  them  had  failed.  To  be  sure,  some  bones,  which  were 
thought  to  be  human,  mixed  up  with  a  quantity  of  odd-looking  rubbish,  had  been  lately  discovered  in  a  retired 
situation  to  the  east  of  the  city ;  and  some  people  went  so  far  as  to  imagine  that  in  this  spot  a  foul  murder  had 
been  committed,  and  that  the  sufferers  were  in  all  probability  Hans  Pfaall  and  his  associates.  But  to  return. 

The  balloon  (for  such  no  doubt  it  was)  had  now  descended  to  within  a  hundred  feet  of  the  earth,  allowing 
the  crowd  below  a  sufficiently  distinct  view  of  the  person  of  its  occupant  This  was  in  truth  a  very  singular 
body.  He  could  not  have  been  more  than  two  feet  in  height ;  but  this  altitude,  little  as  it  was,  would  have  been 
sufficient  to  destroy  his  equilibrium,  and  tilt  him  over  the  edge  of  his  tiny  car,  but  for  the  intervention  of  a  circular 
rim  reaching  as  high  as  the  breast,  and  rigged  on  to  the  cords  of  the  balloon.  The  body  of  the  little  man  was 
more  than  proportionally  broad,  giving  to  his  entire  figure  a  rotundity  highly  absurd.  His  feet  of  course,  could 


416  ASTRA  CASTEA.  CHAP.  XI. 

not  be  seen  at  all.  His  hands  were  enormously  large.  His  hair  was  grey,  and  collected  into  a  queue  behind.  His 
nose  was  prodigiously  long,  crooked,  and  inflammatory ;  his  eyes  full,  brilliant,  and  acute ;  his  chin  and  cheeks, 
although  wrinkled  with  age,  were  broad,  puffy,  and  double  ;  but  of  ears  of  any  kind  there  was  not  a  semblance  to 
be  discovered  upon  any  portion  of  his  head.  This  odd  little  gentleman  was  dressed  in  a  loose  surtout  of  sky-blue 
satin,  with  tight  breeches  to  match,  fastened  with  silver  buckles  at  the  knees.  His  vest  was  of  some  bright 
yellow  material;  a  white  taffety  cap  was  set  jauntily  on  one  side  of  his  head;  and,  to  complete  his  equipment,  a 
blood-red  silk  handkerchief  enveloped  his  throat,  and  fell  down  in  a  dainty  manner  upon  his  bosom,  in  a  fantastic 
bow-knot  of  super-eminent  dimensions. 

Having  descended,  as  I  said  before,  to  about  one  hundred  feet  from  the  surface  of  the  earth,  the  little  old 
gentleman  was  suddenly  seized  with  a  fit  of  trepidation,  and  appeared  disinclined  to  make  any  nearer  approach  to 
terra  firma.  Throwing  out,  therefore,  a  quantity  of  sand  from  a  canvas  bag,  which  he  lifted  with  great  difficulty, 
he  became  stationary  in  an  instant.  He  then  proceeded,  in  a  hurried  and  agitated  manner,  to  extract  from 
a  side  pocket  in  his  surtout  a  large  morocco  pocket-book.  This  he  poised  suspiciously  in  his  hand ;  then  eyed  it 
with  an  air  of  extreme  surprise,  and  was  evidently  astonished  at  its  weight.  He  at  length  opened  it,  and,  drawing 
therefrom  a  huge  letter  sealed  with  red  sealingwax,  and  tied  carefully  with  red  tape,  let  it  fall  precisely  at  the 
feet  of  the  burgomaster  Superbus  Von  Underduk.  His  Excellency  stooped  to  take  it  up.  But  the  aeronaut,  still 
greatly  discomposed,  and  having  apparently  no  further  business  to  detain  him  in  Rotterdam,  began  at  this  moment 
to  make  busy  preparations  for  departure  ;  and  it  being  necessary  to  discharge  a  portion  of  ballast  to  enable  him  to 
reascend,  the  half  dozen  bags  which  he  threw  out,  one  after  another,  without  taking  the  trouble  to  empty  their 
contents,  tumbled,  every  one  of  them,  most  unfortunately,  upon  the  back  of  the  burgomaster,  and  rolled  him  over 
and  over  no  less  than  half-a-dozen  times,  in  the  face  of  every  individual  in  Eotterdam.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed, 
however,  that  the  great  Underduk  suffered  this  impertinence  on  the  part  of  the  little  old  man  to  pass  off  with 
impunity.  It  is  said,  on  the  contrary,  that  during  each  of  his  half-dozen  circumvolutions  he  emitted  no  less  than 
half  a  dozen  distinct  and  furious  whiffs  from  his  pipe,  to  which  he  held  fast  the  whole  time  with  all  his  might,  and 
to  which  he  intends  holding  fast — God  willing — until  the  day  of  his  decease. 

In  the  mean  time  the  balloon  arose  like  a  lark,  and,  soaring  far  away  above  the  city,  at  length  drifted  quietly 
behind  a  cloud  similar  to  that  from  which  it  had  so  oddly  emerged,  and  was  thus  lost  for  ever  to  the  wondering 
eyes  of  the  good  citizens  of  Rotterdam.  All  attention  was  now  directed  to  the  letter,  the  descent  of  which,  and 
the  consequences  attending  thereupon,  had  proved  so  fatally  subversive  of  both  person  and  personal  dignity  to  his 
Excellency  Von  Underduk.  That  functionary,  however,  had  not  failed,  during  his  circumgyratory  movements,  to 
bestow  a  thought  upon  the  important  object  of  securing  the  epistle,  which  was  seen,  upon  inspection,  to  have 
fallen  into  the  most  proper  hands,  being  actually  addressed  to  himself  and  Professor  Eubadub,  in  their  oificial 
capacities  of  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  Eotterdam  College  of  Astronomy.  It  was  accordingly  opened  by 
those  dignitaries  upon  the  spot,  and  found  to  contain  the  following  extraordinary,  and,  indeed,  veiy  serious 
communication : — 

To  their  Excellencies  Von  Underduk  and  Eubadub,  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  States'  College  of  Astronomers, 

in  t/te  City  of  Rotterdam. 

Your  Excellencies  may,  perhaps,  be  able  to  remember  an  humble  artisan,  by  name  Hans  Pfaall,  and 
by  occupation  a  mender  of  bellows,  who,  with  three  others,  disappeared  from  Eotterdam,  about  five  years  ago,  in 
a  manner  which  must  have  been  considered  unaccountable.  If,  however,  it  so  please  your  Excellencies,  I  the 
writer  of  this  communication,  am  the  identical  Hans  Pfaall  himself.  It  is  well  known  to  most  of  my  fellow- 
citizens  that  for  the  period  of  forty  years  I  continued  to  occupy  the  little  square  brick  building  at  the  head  of  the 
alley  called  Sauerkraut,  in  which  I  resided  at  the  time  of  my  disappearance.  My  ancestors  have  also  resided 
therein  time  out  of  mind — they,  as  well  as  myself,  steadily  following  the  respectable,  and,  indeed,  lucrative, 
profession  of  mending  of  bellows ;  for,  to  speak  the  truth,  until  of  late  years,  that  the  heads  of  all  the  people  have 
been  set  agog  with  politics,  no  better  business  than  my  own  could  an  honest  citizen  of  Eotterdam  either  desire  or 
desire.  Credit  was  good,  employment  was  never  wanting,  and  there  was  no  lack  of  either  money  or  good  will. 
But,  as  I  was  saying,  we  soon  began  to  feel  the  effects  of  liberty,  and  long  speeches,  and  radicalism,  and  all  that 
sort  of  thing.  People  who  were  formerly  the  very  best  customers  in  the  world,  had  now  not  a  moment  of  time  to 
think  of  us  at  all.  They  had  as  much  as  they  could  do  to  read  about  the  revolutions,  and  keep  up  with  the  march 


'.  XI.  HANS  ITAALL.  117 

of  intellect  ami  -Li-  >piiit  •  t  the  ago.  If  a  fire  wanted  fanning,  it  could  readily  bo  faun.  .1  \\itli  a  newspaper;  ami, 
,i-  iln-  (li.veniment  grew  weaker,  I  have  no  doubt  that  leather  and  iron  acquired  durability  in  piopoiti.m  ;  f,,r.  in 
a  very  slum  time,  there  was  not  a  pair  of  bellows  in  all  Hotterdam  that  ever  stood  in  need  ..f  a  stitch,  or  requin  .1 
tli.  i-  -lance  of  a  hammer.  This  was  a  state  of  thingii  not  to  be  endured.  I  soon  grew  as  poor  as  a  rat,  and, 
.nd  children  to  provide  for,  my  burdens  at  length  became  intolerable,  and  I  sp<  -nt  h..ur  after  limit-  in 
retle.  tiiii;  ii|...ii  tin-  most  convenient  method  of  putting  an  end  to  my  life.  Duns,  in  the  mean  time,  left  in.-  little 
leisure  for  contemplation.  My  hoiiHO  was  literally  besieged  from  morning  till  night  There  were  throe  follows  in 
(•articular,  who  worried  me  ln-yn.1  .-n.luranoe,  keeping  watch  continually  about  my  door,  and  threatening  me' 
with  tin-  law.  1'jxui  these  three  I  vowed  the  bitterest  revenge,  if  ever  1  should  be  so  happy  OM  to  get  them  within 
my  clutches ;  and  I  believe  nothing  in  the  world  but  the  pleasure  of  this  anticipation  prevented  me  from  putting 
my  plan  .if  suicide  into  immediate  execution,  by  blowing  my  brains  out  with  a  blunderbuss.  I  thought  it  l>est, 
to  dissemble  my  wrath,  and  treat  them  with  promises  and  fair  words,  until,  by  some  good  turn  of  fate,  an 

•unity  of  vengeance  should  be  afforded  me. 

One  day,  having  given  them  the  slip,  and  feeling  more  than  usually  dejected,  I  continued  for  a  long  time  to 
wander  about  the  moat  obscure  streets  without  object,  until  at  length  I  chanced  to  stumble  against  the  corner  of  a 
bookseller's  stall.  Seeing  a  chair  close  at  hand  for  the  use  of  customers,  I  threw  myself  doggedly  into  it,  and, 
hardly  knowing  why,  opened  the  pages  of  the  first  volume  which  came  within  my  reach.  It  proved  to  be  a  small 
pamphlet  treati-c  mi  Sj«-.-i dative  Astronomy,  written  either  by  Professor  Encke,  of  Berlin,  or  by  a  Frenchman  of 
somewhat  similar  name.  I  had  some  little  tincture  of  information  on  matters  of  this  nature,  and  soon  became 

and  more  absorbed  in  the  contents  of  the  book— reading  it  actually  through  twice  before  I  awoke  to  a 
recollection  of  what  was  pawing  around  me.  By  this  time  it  began  to  grow  dark,  and  I  directed  my  steps  towards 
home.  l!ut  the  treatise  (in  conjunction  with  a  discovery  in  pneumatics,  lately  communicated  to  me  as  an  important 
secret  by  a  cousin  from  Nantz)  had  made  an  indelible  impression  on  my  mind;  and,  as  I  sauntered  along  the 
dusky  streets,  I  revolved  carefully  over  in  my  memory  the  wild,  and  sometimes  unintelligible,  reasonings  of  the 
writer.  There  are  some  particular  passages  which  affected  my  imagination  in  an  extraordinary  manner.  The 
longer  I  meditated  upon  these,  the  more  intense  grew  the  interest  which  had  been  excited  within  me. 
The  limited  nature  of  my  education  in  general,  and  more  especially  my  ignorance  on  subjects  connected  with 
natural  philosophy,  so  far  from  rendering  me  diffident  of  my  own  ability  to  comprehend  what  I  had  read,  or 
inducing  me  to  mistrust  the  many  vague  notions  which  had  arisen  in  consequence,  merely  served  as  a  further 
stimulus  to  imagination;  and  I  was  vain  enough,  or,  perhaps,  reasonable  enough,  to  doubt  whether  those  crude 
ideas  which,  arising  in  ill-regulated  minds,  have  all  the  appearance,  may  not  often  in  effect  possess  all  the  force, 
the  reality,  and  other  inherent  properties  of  instinct  or  intuition. 

It  was  late  when  I  reached  home,  and  I  went  immediately  to  bed.  My  mind,  however,  was  too  much 
occupied  to  sleep,  and  I  lay  the  whole  night  buried  in  meditation.  Arising  early  in  the  morning,  I  repaired 
eagerly  to  the  bookseller's  stall,  and  laid  out  what  little  ready  money  I  possessed  in  the  purchase  of  some  volumes 
of  Mechanics  and  Practical  Astronomy.  Having  arrived  at  home  safely  with  these,  I  devoted  every  spare  moment 
to  their  perusal,  and  soon  made  such  proficiency  in  studies  of  this  nature  as  I  thought  sufficient  for  the  execution 
of  a  certain  design  with  which  either  the  devil  or  my  better  genius  had  inspired  me.  In  the  intervals  of  this 
period  I  made  every  endeavour  to  conciliate  the  three  creditors  who  had  given  me  so  much  annoyance.  In  this 
I  finally  succeeded,  partly  by  selling  enough  of  my  household  furniture  to  satisfy  a  moiety  of  their  claim,  and 
partly  by  a  promise  of  paying  the  balance  upon  completion  of  a  little  project  which  I  told  them  I  had  in  \ 
ami  fur  assistance  in  which  I  solicited  their  services.  By  these  means  (for  they  were  ignorant  men)  I  found  little 
diflieulty  in  gaining  them  over  fci  my  purpose. 

Matters  being  thus  arranged,  1  connived,  by  the  aid  of  my  wife,  ami  with  the  greatest  secrecy  and  caution. 
to  dispose  of  what  property  I  had  remaining,  and  to  borrow  in  small  sums,  under  various  pretences,  and  without 
giving  any  attention,  I  am  ashamed  to  say,  to  my  future  means  of  repayment,  no  inconsiderable  quantity  of  ready 
money.  NN  itli  the  means  thus  accruing  1  proceeded  to  procure,  at  intervals,  cambric  muslin,  v.  rv  I'm.-,  in  ).i,  .-us  of 
tw.  hi-  yai.U  each  :  twine  ;  a  lot  of  the  vainish  of  caoutchouc;  a  larpe  and  deep  basket  of  wickerwork,  made  to 
on l.r;  and  several  other  articles  necessary  in  the  construction  and  equipment  of  a  balloon  of  extraordinary 
dimensions.  This  I  directed  my  wife  to  make  up  as  soon  as  possible,  and  gave  her  all  requisite  information  as  to 
the  particular  method  of  proceeding.  In  the  mean  time-  1  worked  up  the  twine  into  network  of  snflu -i.  in 


418  ASTKA  CASTKA.  CHAP.  XI. 

dimensions,  rigged  it  with  a  hoop  and  the  necessary  cords,  and  made  purchase  of  numerous  instruments 
and  materials  for  experiment  in  the  upper  regions  of  the  upper  atmosphere.  I  then  took  opportunities 
of  conveying  by  night,  to  a  retired  situation  east  of  Rotterdam,  five  iron-bound  casks,  to  contain  about  fifty 
gallons  each,  and  one  of  a  larger  size ;  six  tin  tubes,  three  inches  in  diameter,  properly  shaped,  and  ten  feet  in 
length ;  a  quantity  of  a  particular  metallic  substance,  or  semi-metal,  which  I  shall  not  name,  and  a  dozen  demijohns  of 
a  very  common  acid.  The  gas  to  be  formed  from  these  latter  materials  is  a  gas  never  yet  generated  by  any  other 
person  than  myself,  or,  at  least  never  applied  to  any  similar  purpose.  I  can  only  venture  to  say  here,  that  it  is 
a  constituent  of  azote,  so  long  considered  irreducible,  and  that  its  density  is  about  37'4  times  less  than  that  of  hydrogen. 
It  is  tasteless,  but  not  odourless ;  bums,  when  pure,  with  a  greenish  flame,  and  instantaneously  fatal  to  animal 
life.  Its  full  secret  I  would  make  no  difficulty  in  disclosing,  but  that  it  of  right  belongs,  as  I  have  before  hinted, 
to  a  citizen  of  Nantes,  in  France,  by  whom  it  was  conditionally  communicated  to  myself.  The  same  individual 
submitted  to  me,  without  being  at  all  aware  of  my  intentions,  a  method  of  constructing  balloons  from  the 
membrane  of  a  certain  animal,  through  which  substance  any  escape  of  gas  was  nearly  an  impossibility.  I  found  it, 
however,  altogether  too  expensive,  and  was  not  sure,  upon  the  whole,  whether  cambric  muslin,  with  a  coating  of 
gum-caoutchouc,  was  not  equally  as  good.  I  mention  this  circumstance,  because  I  think  it  probable  that 
hereafter  the  individual  in  question  may  attempt  a  balloon  ascension  with  the  novel  gas  and  material  I  have 
spoken  of,  and  I  do  not  wish  to  deprive  him  of  the  honour  of  a  veiy  singular  invention. 

On  the  spot  which  I  intended  each  of  the  smaller  casks  to  occupy  respectively  during  the  inflation  of  the 
balloon,  I  privately  dug  a  small  hole ;  the  holes  forming  in  this  manner  a  circle  twenty-five  feet  in  diameter.  In 
the  centre  of  this  circle,  being  the  station  designed  for  the  large  cask,  I  also  dug  a  hole  of  greater  depth.  In  each 
of  the  five  smaller  holes  I  deposited  a  canister  containing  fifty  pounds,  and  in  the  larger  one  a  keg  holding  one 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  of  cannon-powder.  These — the  keg  and  the  canisters — I  connected  in  a  proper  manner 
with  covered  trains ;  and,  having  let  into  one  of  the  canisters  the  end  of  about  four  feet  of  slow-match,  I  covered 
up  the  hole,  and  placed  the  cask  over  it,  leaving  the  other  end  of  the  match  protruding  about  an  inch,  and  barely 
visible  beyond  the  cask.  I  then  filled  up  the  remaining  holes,  and  placed  the  barrels  over  them  in  their  destined 
situation. 

Besides  the  articles  above  enumerated,  I  conveyed  to  the  depot,  and  there  secreted,  one  of  M.  Grimm's 
improvements  upon  the  apparatus  for  condensation  of  the  atmospheric  air.  I  found  this  machine,  however,  to 
require  considerable  alteration  before  it  could  be  adapted  to  the  purposes  to  which  I  intended  making  it  applicable. 
But,  with  severe  labour  and  unremitting  perseverance,  I  at  length  met  with  entire  success  in  all  my  preparations. 
My  balloon  was  soon  completed.  It  would  contain  more  than  forty  thousand  cubic  feet  of  gas ;  would  take  me  up 
easily,  I  calculated,  with  all  my  implements,  and,  if  I  managed  rightly,  with  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  pounds 
of  ballast  into  the  bargain.  It  had  received  three  coats  of  varnish,  and  I  found  the  cambric  muslin  to  answer 
all  the  purposes  of  silk  itself,  being  quite  as  strong,  and  a  good  deal  less  expensive. 

Everything  being  now  ready,  I  exacted  from  my  wife  an  oath  of  secrecy  in  relation  to  all  my  actions  from 
the  day  of  my  first  visit  to  the  bookseller's  stall ;  and  promising,  on  my  part,  to  return  as  soon  as  circumstances 
would  permit.  I  gave  her  what  little  money  I  had  left,  and  bade  her  farewell.  Indeed,  I  had  no  fear  on  her 
account.  She  was  what  people  call  a  notable  woman,  and  could  manage  matters  in  the  world  without  my 
assistance.  I  believe,  to  tell  the  truth,  she  always  looked  upon  me  as  an  idle  body — a  mere  makeweight,  good 
for  nothing  but  building  castles  in  the  air,  and  was  rather  glad  to  get  rid  of  me.  It  was  a  dark  night  when  I 
bade  her  good-bye,  and  taking  with  me,  as  aides-de-camp,  the  three  creditors  who  had  given  me  so  much  trouble,  we 
carried  the  balloon,  with  the  car  and  accoutrements,  by  a  roundabout  way,  to  the  station  where  the  other  articles 
were  deposited.  We  there  found  them  all  unmolested,  and  I  proceeded  immediately  to  business. 

It  was  the  first  of  April.  The  night,  as  I  said  before,  was  dark ;  there  was  not  a  star  to  be  seen  ;  and  a 
drizzling  rain,  falling  at  intervals,  rendered  us  very  uncomfortable.  But  my  chief  anxiety  was  concerning  the 
balloon,  which,  in  spite  of  the  varnish  with  which  it  was  defended,  began  to  grow  rather  heavy  with  the 
moisture ;  the  powder  also  was  liable  to  damage.  I  therefore  kept  my  three  duns  working  with  great  diligence, 
pounding  down  ice  around  the  central  cask,  and  stirring  the  acid  in  the  others.  They  did  not  cease,  however, 
importuning  me  with  questions  as  to  what  I  intended  to  do  with  all  this  apparatus,  and  expressed  much 
dissatisfaction  at  the  terrible  labour  I  made  them  undergo.  They  could  not  perceive  (so  they  said)  what  good 
was  likely  to  result  from  their  getting  wet  to  the  skin,  merely  to  take  a  part  in  such  horrible  incantations.  I  began 


CII.M-.  XI.  HANS  PFAALL.  II:' 

to  got  uneasy,  and  worked  away  with  all  my  might ;  for  I  verily  believe  the  idiots  supposed  that  I  had  entered 
into  »  ."mi'  i.-t  with  the  devil,  and  that,  in  short,  what  I  was  now  doing  was  nothing  Ix-tt.-t  tli.m  it  should  be. 
I  was.  theiefor.-.  in  great  fear  of  their  leaving  me  altogether.  I  contrived,  however,  to  paeily  tin-in  by  promise*  of 
PIN  in. -nt  <•(  all  scores  in  full,  as  soon  as  I  could  bring  the  present  business  to  a  termination.  To  these  speeches 
they  gave,  of  course,  their  own  in',  i] .relation;  fancying,  no  doubt,  that  at  all  events  I  should  come  into  possession 
of  \.ist  quantities  of  ready  money;  and,  provided  I  paid  them  nil  I  owed,  and  a  trifle  more,  in  consideration  of 
tin  ir  services,  I  dare  say  they  cared  very  little  what  became  of  either  my  soul  or  my  carcass. 

In  about  four  hours  and  a  half  1  found  the  balloon  sufficiently  inflated.  I  attached  the  car,  therefore,  and 
(•in  all  my  implement*  in  it — a  telescope;  a  barometer,  with  some  important  modifications;  a  thermometer;  an 
electrometer ;  a  compass ;  a  magnetic  needle ;  a  seconds  watch ;  a  bell ;  a  speaking-trumpet,  &c.  &c.  &c. ;  also  a 
globe  of  glass,  exhausted  of  air,  and  carefully  closed  with  a  stopper ;  not  forgetting  the  condensing  apparatus, 
some  unslacked  lime,  a  stick  of  sealingwax,  a  copious  supply  of  water,  and  a  largo  quantity  of  provisions,  such  as 
pemmican,  in  which  much  nutriment  is  contained  in  comparatively  little  bulk.  1  alwo  secured  in  the  car  a  pair  of 
pigeons  and  a  cat 

It  was  now  nearly  daybreak,  and  I  thought  it  high  time  to  take  my  departure.  Dropping  a  lighted  cigar  on 
the  ground,  as  if  by  accident,  I  took  the  opportunity,  in  stooping  to  pick  it  up,  of  igniting  privately  the  piece  of 
slow-match,  the  end  of  which,  as  I  said  before,  protruded  a  little  beyond  the  lower  rim  of  one  of  the  smaller  casks. 
This  manoeuvre  was  totally  unperceived  on  the  part  of  the  three  duns;  and,  jumping  into  the  car,  I  immediately 
cut  the  single  cord  which  held  me  to  the  earth,  and  was  pleased  to  find  that  I  shot  upwards  with  inconceivable 
rapidity,  carrying  with  all  ease  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  pounds  of  leaden  ballast,  and  able  to  have  carried  up 
as  many  more.  As  I  left  the  earth,  the  barometer  stood  at  thirty  inches,  and  the  centigrade  thermometer 
at  19°. 

Scarcely,  however,  had  I  attained  the  height  of  fifty  yards  when,  roaring  and  rambling  up  after  mo  in  the 
most  tumultuous  and  terrible  manner,  came  so  dense  a  hurricane  of  fire,  and  gravel,  and  burning  wood,  and 
blazing  metal,  and  mangled  limbs,  that  my  very  heart  sunk  within  me,  and  I  fell  down  in  the  bottom  of  the  car, 
trembling  with  tenor.  Indeed,  I  now  perceived  that  I  Lad  entirely  overdone  the  business,  and  that  the  main 
consequences  of  the  shock  were  yot  to  be  experienced.  Accordingly  in  less  than  a  second,  I  felt  all  the  blood  in 
my  Inidy  rushing  to  my  temples,  and,  immediately  thereupon,  a  concussion,  which  1  shall  never  forget,  burst 
abruptlv  through  the  night,  and  seemed  to  rip  the  very  firmament  asunder.  When  I  afterwards  had  time  for 
reflection,  I  did  not.  fail  to  attribute  the  extreme  violence  of  the  explosion  as  regarded  myself,  to  its  proper  cause — 
my  situation  directly  above  it,  and  in  the  line  of  its  greatest  power.  But  at  the  time  I  thought  only  of  preserving 
my  litV.  The  balloon  at  first  collapsed,  then  furiously  expanded,  then  whirled  round  and  round  with  sickening 
velocity,  and  finally,  reeling  and  staggering  like  a  drunken  man,  hurled  mo  over  the  rim  of  the  car.  and  left  mo 
dangling,  at  a  terrific  height,  with  my  head  downward,  and  my  face  outward,  by  a  piece  of  slender  cord  about 
three  feet  in  length,  which  hung  accidentally  through  a  crevice  near  the  bottom  of  the  wickerwork,  and  in  which, 
as  I  fell,  my  left  foot  became  most  providentially  entangled.  It  is  impossible— utterly  impossible— to  form  any 
adequate  idea  of  the  horror  of  my  situation.  I  gasped  convulsively  for  breath— a  shudder  resembling  a  fit  of  the 
ague  agitated  every  nerve  and  muscle  in  my  frame — I  felt  my  eyes  starting  from  their  sockets — a  horrible  nausea 
overwhelmed  me — and  at  length  I  lost  all  consciousness  in  a  swoon. 

How  long  I  remained  in  this  state  it  is  impossible  to  say.  It  must,  however,  have  been  no  inconsiderable 
time,  for  when  I  partially  recovered  the  sense  of  existence,  I  found  the  day  breaking,  the  balloon  at  a  prodigious 
height  over  a  wilderness  of  ocean,  and  not  a  trace  of  land  to  be  discovered  far  and  wide  within  the  limits  of  the 
vast  horizon.  My  sensation*,  however,  upon  thus  recovering,  were  by  no  means  so  replete  with  agony  as  might 
have  been  anticipated.  Indeed,  there  was  much  of  madness  in  the  calm  survey  which  I  began  to  take  of  my 
situation.  I  drew  up  to  my  eyes  each  of  my  hands,  one  after  the  other,  and  wondered  what  occurrence  could  have 
given  rise  to  the  swelling  of  the  veins,  and  the  horrible  blackness  of  the  finger-nails.  I  afterwards  carefully 
examined  my  head,  shaking  it  repeatedly,  and  feeling  it  with  minute  attention,  until  I  Mieee.-d>'d  in  satisfying 
myself  that  it  was  not,  as  I  had  more  than  half  suspected,  larger  than  my  balloon.  Tin  n.  in  a  knowing  manner, 
I  felt  in  both  my  breeches-pockets,  and,  missing  therefrom  a  set  of  tablets  and  a  toothpick-case,  endeavoured  to 
account  for  their  disappearance,  and,  not  being  able  to  do  so,  felt  inexpressibly  chagrined.  It  now  oeeiirrcd  to  me 
that  1  suffered  great  uneasiness  in  the  joint  of  my  left  ankle,  and  a  dim  consciousness  of  my  situation  began  to 

::  i 


420  ASTEA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  XI. 

glimmer  through  my  mind.  But,  strange  to  say,  I  was  neither  astonished  nor  horror-stricken.  If  I  felt  any 
emotion  at  all,  it  was  a  kind  of  chuckling  satisfaction  at  the  cleverness  I  was  about  to  display  in  extricating 
myself  from  this  dilemma ;  and  never  for  a  moment  did  I  look  upon  my  ultimate  safety  as  a  question  susceptible 
of  doubt.  For  a  few  minutes  I  remained  wrapped  in  the  profoundest  meditation.  I  have  a  distinct  recollection 
of  frequently  compressing  my  lips,  putting  my  forefinger  to  the  side  of  my  nose,  and  making  use  of  other 
gesticulations  and  grimaces  common  to  men  who,  at  ease  in  their  arm-chairs,  meditate  upon  matters  of  intricacy 
or  importance.  Having,  as  I  thought,  sufficiently  collected  my  ideas,  I  now,  with  great  caution  and  deliberation, 
put  my  hands  behind  my  back,  and  unfastened  the  large  iron  buckle  which  belonged  to  the  waistband  of  my 
pantaloons.  This  buckle  had  three  teeth,  which,  being  somewhat  rusty,  turned  with  great  difficulty  on  their 
axis.  I  brought  them,  however,  after  some  trouble,  at  right  angles  to  the  body  of  the  buckle,  and  was  glad  to 
find  them  remain  firm  in  that  position.  Holding  within  my  teeth  the  instrument  thus  obtained,  I  now  proceeded 
to  untie  the  knot  of  my  cravat.  I  had  to  rest  several  times  before  I  could  accomplish  this  manoeuvre  ;  but  it  was 
at  length  accomplished.  To  one  end  of  the  cravat  I  then  made  fast  the  buckle,  and  the  other  end  I  tied,  for 
greater  security,  tightly  round  my  wrist.  Drawing  now  my  body  upwards,  with  a  prodigious  exertion  of 
muscular  force  I  succeeded,  at  the  very  first  trial,  in  throwing  the  buckle  over  the  car,  and  entangling  it,  as  I  had 
anticipated,  in  the  circular  rim  of  the  wickerwork. 

My  body  was  now  inclined  towards  the  side  of  the  car,  at  an  angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees ;  but  it  must 
not  be  understood  that  I  was  therefore  only  forty-five  degrees  below  the  perpendicular.  So  far  from  it,  I  still  lay 
nearly  level  with  the  plane  of  the  horizon  ;  for  the  change  of  situation  which  I  had  acquired  had  forced  the  bottom 
of  the  car  considerably  outward  from  my  position,  which  was  accordingly  one  of  the  most  imminent  peril.  It 
should  be  remembered,  however,  that  when  I  fell,  in  the  first  instance,  from  the  car,  if  I  had  fallen  with  my  face 
turned  towards  the  balloon,  instead  of  turned  outwardly  from  it,  as  it  actually  was — or  if,  in  the  second  place,  the 
cord  \>y  which  I  was  suspended  had  chanced  to  hang  over  the  upper  edge,  instead  of  through  a  crevice  near 
the  bottom  of  the  car — I  say  it  may  readily  be  conceived  that,  in  either  of  these  supposed  cases,  I  should  have  been 
unable  to  accomplish  even  as  much  as  I  had  now  accomplished,  and  the  disclosures  now  made  would  have 
been  utterly  lost  to  posterity.  I  had  therefore  every  reason  to  be  grateful ;  although,  in  point  of  fact,  I  was  still 
too  stupid  to  be  anything  at  all,  and  hung  for  perhaps  a  quarter  of  an  hour  in  that  extraordinary  manner,  without 
making  the  slightest  further  exertion,  and  in  a  singularly  tranquil  state  of  idiotic  enjoyment.  But  this  feeling  did 
not  fail  to  die  rapidly  away,  and  thereunto  succeeded  horror  and  dismay,  and  a  sense  of  utter  helplessness  and 
ruin.  In  fact,  the  blood  so  long  accumulating  in  the  vessels  of  my  head  and  throat,  and  which  had  hitherto 
buoyed  up  my  spirits  with  delirium,  had  now  begun  to  retire  within  their  proper  channels,  and  the  distinctness 
which  was  thus  added  to  my  perception  of  the  danger  merely  served  to  deprive  me  of  the  self-possession  and  the 
courage  to  encounter  it.  But  this  weakness  was,  luckily  for  me,  of  no  very  long  duration.  In  good  time  came  to 
my  rescue  the  spirit  of  despair,  and,  with  frantic  cries  and  struggles,  I  jerked  my  way  bodily  upwards,  till,  at 
length,  clutching  with  a  vice-like  grip  the  long-desired  rim,  I  writhed  my  person  over  it,  and  fell  headlong  and 
shuddering  within  the  car. 

It  was  not  until  some  time  afterwards  that  I  recovered  myself  sufficiently  to  attend  to  the  ordinary  cares  of 
the  balloon.  I  then,  however,  examined  it  with  attention,  and  found  it,  to  my  great  relief,  uninjured.  My 
implements  were  all  safe,  and,  fortunately,  I  had  lost  neither  ballast  nor  provisions.  Indeed,  I  had  so  well 
secured  them  in  their  places,  that  such  an  accident  was  entirely  out  of  the  question.  Looking  at  my  watch, 
I  found  it  six  o'clock.  I  was  still  rapidly  ascending,  and  the  barometer  gave  a  present  altitude  of  three  and  three- 
quarter  miles.  Immediately  beneath  me  in  the  ocean  lay  a  small  black  object,  slightly  oblong  in  shape,  seemingly 
about  the  size  of  a  domino,  and  in  every  respect  bearing  a  great  resemblance  to  one  of  those  toys.  Bringing  my 
telescope  to  bear  upon  it,  I  plainly  discerned  it  to  be  a  British  ninety-four  gun  ship,  close-hauled,  and  pitching 
heavily  in  the  sea  with  her  head  to  the  W.S.W.  Besides  this  ship,  I  saw  nothing  but  the  ocean  and  the  sky,  and 
the  sun,  which  had  long  risen. 

It  is  now  high  time  that  I  should  explain  to  your  Excellencies  the  object  of  my  voyage.  Your  Excellencies 
will  bear  in  mind  that  distressed  circumstances  in  Eotterdam  had  at  length  driven  me  to  the  resolution  of  com- 
mitting suicide.  It  was  not,  however,  that  to  life  itself  I  had  any  positive  disgust,  but  that  I  was  harassed  beyond 
endurance  by  the  adventitious  miseries  attending  my  situation.  In  this  state  of  mind,  wishing  to  live,  yet  wearied 
with  life,  the  treatise  at  the  stall  of  the  bookseller,  backed  by  the  opportune  discovery  of  my  cousin  of  Nantz, 


CIIAI-.  XI.  THK  MOON'S  MMAVT.   1  1MM  Till:  r.AIITII.  I'Jl 

opened  a  roaourco  to  my  imagination.  I  then  finally  niado  up  my  mind.  I  determined  to  depart,  jet  live — to 
the  world,  \ct  continue  to  exist — in  short,  to  drop  enigmas,  I  resolved,  let  what  would  ensue,  to  force  a 
passage,  if  I  eoiild,  to  the  moon.  Now,  lest  I  should  be  supposed  more  of  a  madman  than  1  actually  am,  I  will  detail, 
us  \\,  II  .1-  I  ma  able,  the  considerations  which  led  me  to  believe  that  an  achievement  of  this  nature,  although 
without  doubt  difficult  and  full  of  danger,  was  not  absolutely,  to  a  bold  spirit,  beyond  the  confine*  of  the  possible. 

The  moon's  actual  distance  from  the  earth  was  the  first  thing  to  be  attended  to.  Now,  the  mean  or  average 
interval  lx-t  w. •»•»  the  centra  of  the  two  planets  is  59-9643  of  the  earth's  equatorial  radii,  or  only  about  237,000  miles. 
I  say  the  mean  or  average  interval ;  but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  form  of  the  moon's  orbit  being  an 
ellipse  ot'ero -ntrii-ity  amounting  to  no  less  than  0'054S1  of  the  major  semi-axis  of  the  ellipse  itself,  and  the  earth's 
centre  being  situated  in  its  focus,  if  I  could,  in  any  manner,  contrive  to  meet  the  moon  in  its  perigee,  the  abovo- 
iii'-nti.'],ed  distance  would  be  materially  diminished.  Hut  to  say  nothing  at  present  of  this  possibility,  it  was  very 
certain  that,  at  all  events,  from  the  237,000  miles  I  would  have  to  deduct  the  radiwt  of  the  earth,  say  4000,  and  the 
radius  of  the  moon,  Kay  1080,  in  all  5080,  leaving  an  actual  interval  to  be  traversed,  under  average  circumstances,  of 
231,920  miles.  Now  this,  I  reflected,  was  no  very  extraordinary  distance.  Travelling  on  the  land  has  been 
repeatedly  accomplished  at  the  rate  of  sixty  miles  per  hour,  and,  indeed,  a  much  greater  speed  may  be  anticipated ; 
but  even  at  this  velocity,  it  would  take  mo  no  more  than  161  days  to  reach  the  surface  of  the  moon.  There  were, 
however,  many  particulars  inducing  me  to  believe  that  my  average  rate  of  travelling  might  possibly  very  much 
exceed  that  of  sixty  miles  per  hour ;  and  as  those  considerations  did  not  fail  to  make  a  deep  impression  upon  my 
mind,  I  will  mention  them  more  fully  hereafter. 

The  next  point  to  be  regarded  was  one  of  far  greater  importance.  From  indications  afforded  by  the 
barometer,  we  find  that,  in  ascensions  from  the  surface  of  the  earth,  we  have,  at  the  height  of  1000  feet,  left  below 
us  about  one- thirtieth  of  the  entire  mass  of  atmospheric  air;  that  at  10,600,  we  have  ascended  through  nearly 
one-third  ;  and  that  at  18,000,  which  is  not  far  from  the  elevation  of  Cotopaxi,  we  have  surmounted  one-half  the 
material,  or,  at  all  events,  one-half  the  ponderable  body  of  air  incumbent  upon  our  globe.  It  is  also  calculated  that 
at  an  altitude  not  exceeding  the  hundredth  part  of  the  earth's  diameter — that  is,  not  exceeding  eighty  miles — the 
rarefaction  would  be  so  excessive  that  animal  life  could  in  no  manner  bo  sustained,  and,  moreover,  that  the  most 
delicate  means  we  possess  of  ascertaining  the  presence  of  the  atmosphere  would  be  inadequate  to  assure  us  of  its 
exist  -IK  c.  1  ut  I  did  not  fail  to  perceive  that  these  latter  calculations  are  founded  altogether  on  our  experimental 
knowledge  of  the  properties  of  air,  and  the  mechanical  laws  regulating  its  dilation  and  compression,  in  what  may 
be  called,  comparatively  speaking,  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  earth  itself;  and,  at  the  same  time,  it  is  taken  for 
granted  that  animal  life  is  and  must  be  essentially  incapable  of  modification  at  any  given  unattainable  distance  from 
the  surface.  Now,  all  such  reasoning  and  from  such  data,  must  of  course  be  simply  analogical.  The  greatest 
height  ever  reached  by  man  was  that  of  25,000  feet,  attained  in  the  aeronautic  expedition  of  Messieurs  Gay-Lussac 
and  Biot  This  is  a  moderate  altitude,  even  when  compared  with  the  eighty  miles  in  question ;  and  1  could  not 
help  thinking  that  the  subject  admitted  room  for  doubt  and  great  latitude  for  speculation. 

But,  in  point  of  fact,  an  ascension  being  made  to  any  given  altitude,  the  ponderable  quantity  of  air  surmounted 
in  any  farther  ascension  is  by  no  means  in  proportion  to  the  additional  height  ascended,  as  may  be  plainly  seen 
from  what  has  been  stated  before,  but  in  a  ratio  constantly  decreasing.  It  is  therefore  evident  that,  ascend  as  high 
as  we  may,  we  cannot,  literally  speaking,  arrive  at  a  limit  beyond  which  no  atmosphere  is  to  be  found.  It  must 
exist,  I  argued ;  although  it  may  exist  in  a  state  of  infinite  rarefaction. 

On  the  other  hand,  I  was  aware  that  arguments  have  not  been  wanting  to  prove  the  existence  of  a  real  and 
definite  limit  to  the  atmosphere,  beyond  which  there  is  absolutely  no  air  whatsoever.  But  a  circumstance  which 
has  been  left  out  of  view  l>y  those  who  contend  for  such  a  limit,  seemed  to  me,  although  no  positive  refutation  of 
their  creed,  still  a  point  worthy  very  serious  investigation.  On  comparing  the  intervals  between  the  successive 
arrivals  of  Kncke's  comet  at  its  perihelion,  after  giving  credit,  in  the  most  exact  manner,  for  all  the  disturbances 
due  to  the  attractions  of  the  planets,  it  appears  that  the  periods  are  gradually  diminishing ;  that  is  to  say,  the 
major  axis  of  the  comet's  ellipse  is  growing  shorter,  in  a  slow  but  perfectly  regular  decrease.  Now,  th 
precisely  what  ou^ht  to  l>e  the  case,  if  we  suppose  a  resistance  experienced  from  the  comet  from  an  extremely 
rare  ethereal  medium  pervading  the  regions  of  its  orbit.  For  it  is  evident  that  such  a  medium  must,  in  retarding 
the  comet's  velocity,  increase  its  centripetal,  by  weakening  its  centrifugal  force.  In  other  words,  the  Min'.s 
attraction  would  be  constantly  attaining  greater  power,  and  the  comet  would  be  drawn  nearer  at  every  revolution. 

3  I  2 


422  ASTRA  CASTKA.  CHAP.  XI. 

Indeed,  there  is  no  other  way  of  accounting  for  the  variation  in  question.  But  again  :  The  real  diameter  of  the 
same  comet's  nebulosity  is  observed  to  contract  rapidly  as  it  approaches  the  sun,  and  dilate  with  equal  rapidity  in 
its  departure  towards  its  aphelion.  Was  I  not  justifiable  in  supposing,  with  M.  Valz,  that  this  apparent  conden- 
sation of  volume  has  its  origin  in  the  compression  of  the  same  ethereal  medium  I  have  spoken  of  before,  and 
which  is  dense  in  proportion  to  its  vicinity  to  the  sun  ?  The  lenticular-shaped  phenomenon,  also,  called  the 
zodiacal  light,  was  a  matter  worthy  of  attention.  This  radiance,  so  apparent  in  the  tropics,  and  which  cannot  be 
mistaken  for  any  meteoric  lustre,  extends  from  the  horizon  obliquely  upwards,  and  follows  generally  the  direction 
of  the  sun's  equator.  It  appeared  to  me  evidently  in  the  nature  of  a  rare  atmosphere  extending  from  the  sun  out- 
wards, beyond  the  orbit  of  Venus  at  least,  and  I  believed  indefinitely  further.*  Indeed,  this  medium  I  could  not 
suppose  confined  to  the  path  of  the  comet's  ellipse,  or  to  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the  sun.  It  was  easy, 
on  the  contrary,  to  imagine  it  pervading  the  entire  regions  of  our  planetary  system,  condensed  into  what  we  call 
atmosphere  at  the  planets  themselves,  and  perhaps  at  some  of  them  modified  by  considerations  purely  geological ; 
that  is  to  say,  modified  or  varied  in  its  proportions  (or  absolute  nature)  by  matters  volatilised  from  the 
respective  orbs. 

Having  adopted  this  view  of  the  subject,  I  had  little  further  hesitation.  Granting  that  on  my  passage 
I  should  meet  with  atmosphere  essentially  the  same  as  at  the  surface  of  the  earth,  I  conceived  that,  by  means  of  the 
very  ingenious  apparatus  of  M.  Grimm,  I  should  readily  be  enabled  to  condense  it  in  sufficient  quantity  for 
the  purposes  of  respiration.  This  would  remove  the  chief  obstacle  in  a  journey  to  the  moon.  I  had,  indeed, 
spent  some  money  and  great  labour  in  adapting  the  apparatus  to  the  object  intended,  and  confidently  looked 
forward  to  its  successful  application,  if  I  could  manage  to  complete  the  voyage  within  any  reasonable  period. 
This  brings  me  back  to  the  rate  at  which  it  would  be  possible  to  travel. 

It  is  true  that  balloons,  in  the  first  stage  of  their  ascensions  from  the  earth,  are  known  to  rise  with  a  velocity 
comparatively  moderate.  Now,  the  power  of  elevation  lies  altogether  in  the  superior  gravity  of  the  atmospheric 
air  compared  with  the  gas  in  the  balloon  ;  and,  at  first  sight,  it  does  not  appear  probable  that,  as  the  balloon 
acquires  altitude,  and  consequently  arrives  successively  in  atmospheric  strata  of  densities  rapidly  diminishing — I 
say,  it  does  not  appear  at  all  reasonable  that,  in  this  its  progress  upward,  the  original  velocity  should  be 
accelerated.  On  the  other  hand,  I  was  not  aware  that,  in  any  recorded  ascension,  a  diminution  had  been  proved 
to  be  apparent  in  the  absolute  rate  of  ascent ;  although  such  should  have  been  the  case,  if  on  account  of  nothing 
else,  on  account  of  the  escape  of  gas  through  balloons  ill  constructed,  and  varnished  with  no  better  material  than 
the  ordinary  varnish.  It  seemed,  therefore,  that  the  effect  of  such  escape  was  only  sufficient  to  counterbalance  the 
effect  of  the  acceleration  attained  in  the  diminishing  of  the  balloon's  distance  from  the  gravitating  centre.  I  now 
considered  that,  provided  in  my  passage  I  found  the  medium  I  had  imagined,  and  provided  it  should  prove  to  be 
essentially  what  we  denominate  atmospheric  air,  it  could  make  comparatively  little  difference  at  what  extreme  state 
of  rarefaction  I  should  discover  it — that  is  to  say,  in  regard  to  my  power  of  ascending ;  for  the  gas  in  the  balloon 
would  not  only  be  itself  subject  to  similar  rarefaction  (in  proportion  to  the  occurrence  of  which,  I  could  suffer  an 
escape  of  so  much  as  would  be  requisite  to  prevent  explosion),  but,  being  what  it  was,  would,  at  all  events,  continue 
specifically  lighter  than  any  compound  whatever  of  mere  nitrogen  and  oxygen.  Thus  there  was  a  chance — in 
fact,  there  was  a  strong  probability — that,  at  no  epoch  of  my  ascent,  I  should  reach  a  point  where  the  united  weights  of  my 
immense  balloon,  the  inconceivably  rare  gas  within  it,  the  car,  and  its  contents,  should  equal  the  weight  of  the  mass  of  the  surrounding 
atmosphere  displaced ;  and  this  will  be  readily  understood  as  the  sole  condition  upon  which  my  upward  flight  would 
be  arrested.  But,  if  this  point  were  even  attained,  I  could  dispense  with  ballast  and  other  weight  to  the  amount 
of  nearly  300  pounds.  In  the  mean  time,  the  force  of  gravitation  would  be  constantly  diminishing  in  proportion  to 
the  squares  of  the  distances,  and  so,  with  a  velocity  prodigiously  accelerating,  I  should  at  length  arrive  in  those 
distant  regions  where  the  force  of  the  earth's  attraction  would  be  superseded  by  that  of  the  moon. 

There  was  another  difficulty,  however,  which  occasioned  me  some  little  disquietude.  It  has  been  observed, 
that,  in  balloon  ascensions  to  any  considerable  height,  besides  the  pain  attending  respiration,  great  uneasiness  is 
experienced  about  the  head  and  body,  often  accompanied  with  bleeding  at  the  nose,  and  other  symptoms  of  an 
alarming  kind,  and  growing  more  and  more  inconvenient  in  proportion  to  the  altitude  attained. f  This  was 


*  The  zodiacal  light  is  probably  what  the  ancients  called  Trabes. 
Emicant  Trabes  quos  docos  vacant.     Pliny,  lib.  2,  p.  26. 

t  Since  the  original  publication  of  Hans  Pi'aall,  I  find  that  Mr. 


Green,  of  Nassau  balloon  notoriety,  and  other  late  aeronauts,  deny 
the  assertions  of  Humboldt,  in  this  respect,  and  speak  of  a  decreasing 
inconvenience — precisely  in  accordance  with  the  theory  here  urged. 


CII.M-.  XI.  LIFE  SUSTAIN  Kl>  IN  A  VACUUM.  I-'.1: 

a  reflection  ..f  :t  n:itur<-  Kotuewhat  Martling.  Was  it  not  probable  that  these  symptoms  would  increase  until 
t. •riuiimtc.l  \,y  death  itself ''.  I  finally  thought  not  Their  origin  was  to  be  looked  for  in  the  progressive  removal 
of  the  customary  atmospheric  pressure  upon  the  surface  of  the  body,  and  consequent  distcntion  of  the  superficial 
blood-vessels—not  in  any  positive  disorganisation  ..f  the  animal  system,  as  in  the  case  of  difficulty  in  breathing, 
where  the  atmospheric  density  is  chemically  insufficiutf  for  the  due  renovation  of  blood  in  a  ventricle  of  the  heart 
I  nl.  -.*  f,,r  .1,-fault  of  this  renovation,  I  could  nee  no  reason,  therefore,  why  life  could  not  be  sustained  even  in 
*  vacuum  ;  for  the  expansion  and  compression  of  chest,  commonly  called  breathing,  is  action  purely  muscular,  and 
the  cause,  not  the  e/tct,  of  respiration.  In  a  word,  I  conceived  that,  as  the  body  should  become  habituated  to  the 
want  of  atmospheric  pressure,  these  sensations  of  pain  would  gradually  diminish  ;  and,  to  endure  them  while  they 
continued,  I  relied  with  confidence  upon  the  iron  hardihood  of  my  constitution. 

Thus,  may  it  please  your  Excellencies,  I  have-  detailed  some,  though  by  no  means  all,  the  considerations 
which  led  me  to  form  the  project  of  a  lunar  voyage.  I  shall  now  proceed  to  lay  before  you  the  result  of  an 
attempt  so  apparently  audacious  in  conception,  and,  at  all  events,  so  utterly  unparalleled  in  the  annals 
of  mankind. 

I  Living  attained  the  altitude  before  mentioned— that  is  to  say,  three  miles  and  three  quarters— I  throw  out 
from  the  car  a  quantity  of  feathers,  and  found  that  I  still  ascended  with  sufficient  rapidity;  there  was,  therefore, 
no  necessity  for  discharging  any  ballast.  I  was  glad  of  this,  for  I  wished  to  retain  with  mo  as  much  weight  as 
;!.l  carry,  for  the  obvious  reason  that  I  could  not  be  positivs  either  about  the  gravitation  or  the  atmospheric 
density  of  the  moon.  I  as  yet  suffered  no  bodily  inconvenience,  breathing  with  great  freedom,  and  feeling  no 
pain  whatever  in  the  head.  The  cat  was  lying  very  demurely  upon  my  coat,  which  I  had  taken  off,  and  eyeing 
the  pigeons  with  an  air  of  nonchalance.  These  latter  being  tied  by  the  leg,  to  prevent  their  escape,  were  busily 
employed  in  picking  up  some  grains  of  rice  scattered  for  them  in  the  bottom  of  the  car. 

At  twenty  minutes  past  six  o'clock,  the  barometer  showed  an  elevation  of  26,400  feet,  or  five  miles  to  a  frac- 
tion. The  prospect  seemed  unbounded.  Indeed,  it  is  very  easily  calculated,  by  means  of  spherical  geometry,  how 
great  an  extent  of  the  earth's  area  I  beheld.  The  convex  surface  of  any  segment  of  a  sphere  is,  to  the  entire 
surface  of  the  sphere  itself,  as  the  versed  sine  of  the  segment  to  the  diameter  of  the  sphere.  Now,  in  my  case,  the 
versed  sine — that  is  to  say,  the  thickness  of  the  segment  beneath  me — was  about  equal  to  my  elevation,  or  the  eleva- 
tion  of  the  point  of  sight  above  the  surface.  "As  five  miles,  then,  to  eight  thousand,"  would; express  the 
proportion  of  the  earth's  area  seen  by  me.  In  other  words,  I  beheld  as  much  as  a  sixteen-hundredth  part  of 
the  whole  surface  of  the  globe.  The  sea  appeared  unruffled  as  a  mirror,  although,  by  means  of  the  telescope, 
I  could  perceive  it  to  be  in  a  state  of  violent  agitation.  The  ship  was  no  longer  visible,  having  drifted  away, 
apparently,  to  the  eastward.  I  now  began  to  experience,  at  intervals,  severe  pain  in  the  head,  especially  about 
the  ears— still,  however,  breathing  with  tolerable  freedom.  The  cat  and  pigeons  seemed  to  suffer  no  incon- 
venience whatever. 

At  twenty  minutes  before  seven,  the  balloon  entered  a  long  series  of  dense  cloud,  which  put  mo  to  great  trouble, 
by  damaging  my  condensing-apparatus,  and  wetting  me  to  the  skin.  This  was,  to  be  sure,  a  singular  rencontre,  for 
I  had  not  believed  it  possible  that  a  cloud  of  this  nature  could  be  sustained  at  so  great  an  elevation.  I  thought  it 
best,  however,  to  throw  out  two  five-pound  pieces  of  ballast,  reserving  still  a  weight  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-five 
pounds.  Upon  so  doing  I  soon  rose  above  the  difficulty,  and  perceived  immediately  that  I  had  obtained  a  great 
increase  in  my  rate  of  ascent.  In  a  few  seconds  after  my  leaving  the  cloud,  a  flash  of  vivid  lightning  shot  from 
one  end  of  it  to  the  other,  and  caused  it  to  kindle  up,  throughout  its  vast  extent,  like  a  mass  of  ignited  charcoal 
This,  it  must  be  remembered,  was  in  the  broad  light  of  day.  No  fancy  may  picture  the  sublimity  which  might 
have  been  exhibited  by  a  similar  phenomenon  taking  place  during  the  darkness  of  the  night.  I  Ml  itself 
might  then  have  found  a  fitting  im.ip>.  Kven  as  it  was,  my  hair  stood  on  end,  while  1  gazed  afar  down  within  the 
yawning  abysses,  letting  imagination  descend,  and  stalk  about  in  the  strange  vaulted  halls,  and  ruddy  gulfs,  and 
red  ghastly  chasms  of  the  hideous  and  unfathomable  fire.  I  had  indeed  made  a  narrow  escape.  Had  the  balloon 
remained  a  very  short  time  loii^r  within  the  cloud— that  is  to  say,  had  not  the  inconvenience-  of  getting  wot 
determined  me  to  discharge  the  ballast— my  destruction  might,  and  probably  would,  have  been  the  consequence. 
Such  perils,  although  little  consider.  ,1.  MI.  perhaps  the  greatest  which  must  be  encountered  in  balloons.  I  had  by 
this  time,  however,  attained  too  great  an  elevation  to  be  any  longer  uneasy  on  this  head. 

I  was  now  rising  rapidlv,  an.l  l.y  »  \<-n  o'cl.x-k  the  Km.m, -t. -r  indicated  an  altitude  of  no  less  than  nine  miles 


424  ASTEA  CASTEA.  CHAP.  XL 

and  a  half.  I  began  to  find  great  difficulty  in  drawing  my  breath.  My  head,  too,  was  excessively  painful ;  and, 
having  felt  for  some  time  a  moisture  about  my  cheeks,  I  at  length  discovered  it  to  be  blood,  which  was  oozing  quite 
fast  from  the  drums  of  my  ears.  My  eyes,  also,  gave  me  great  uneasiness.  Upon  passing  the  hand  over  them  they 
seemed  to  have  protruded  from  their  sockets  in  no  inconsiderable  degree ;  and  all  objects  in  the  car,  and  even  the 
balloon  itself,  appeared  distorted  to  my  vision.  These  symptoms  were  more  than  I  had  expected,  and  occasioned 
me  some  alarm.  At  this  juncture,  very  imprudently,  and  without  consideration,  I  threw  out  from  the  car  three 
five-pound  pieces  of  ballast.  The  accelerated  rate  of  ascent  thus  obtained  carried  me  too  rapidly,  and  without 
sufficient  gradation,  into  a  highly  rarefied  stratum  of  the  atmosphere,  and  the  result  had  nearly  proved  fatal  to  my 
expedition  and  to  myself.  I  was  suddenly  seized  with  a  spasm  which  lasted  for  more  than  five  minutes,  and  even 
when  this,  in  a  measure,  ceased,  I  could  catch  my  breath  only  at  long  intervals,  and  in  a  gasping  manner — bleeding 
all  the  while  copiously  at  the  nose  and  ears,  and  even  slightly  at  the  eyes.  The  pigeons,  appearing  distressed  in  the 
extreme,  struggled  to  escape,  while  the  cat  mewed  piteously,  and,  with  her  tongue  hanging  out  of  her  mouth, 
staggered  to  and  fro  in  the  car  as  if  under  the  influence  of  poison.  I  now,  too  late,  discovered  the  great  rashness  of 
which  I  had  been  guilty  in  discharging  the  ballast,  and  my  agitation  was  excessive.  I  anticipated  nothing  less 
than  death,  and  death  in  a  few  minutes.  The  physical  suffering  I  underwent  contributed  also  to  render  me  nearly 
incapable  of  making  any  exertion  for  the  preservation  of  my  life.  I  had,  indeed,  little  power  of  reflection  left,  and 
the  violence  of  the  pain  in  my  head  seemed  to  be  greatly  on  the  increase.  Thus  I  found  that  my  senses  would 
shortly  give  way  altogether,  and  I  had  already  clutched  one  of  the  valve-ropes  with  the  view  of  attempting 
a  descent,  when  the  recollection  of  the  trick  I  had  played  the  three  creditors,  and  the  possible  consequences  to 
myself  should  I  return,  operated  to  deter  me  for  the  moment.  I  lay  down  in  the  bottom  of  the  car,  and  endeavoured 
to  collect  my  faculties.  In  this  I  so  far  succeeded  as  to  determine  upon  the  experiment  of  losing  blood.  Having  no 
lancet,  however,  I  was  constrained  to  perform  the  operation  in  the  best  manner  I  was  able,  and  finally  succeeded 
in  opening  a  vein  in  my  left  arm,  with  the  blade  of  my  penknife.  The  blood  had  hardly  commenced  flowing  when 
I  experienced  a  sensible  relief,  and  by  the  time  I  had  lost  about  half  a  moderate  basinful,  most  of  the  worst  symp- 
toms had  abandoned  me  entirely.  I  nevertheless  did  not  think  it  expedient  to  attempt  getting  on  my  feet 
immediately ;  but,  having  tied  up  my  arm  as  well  as  I  could,  I  lay  still  for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  At  the 
end  of  this  time  I  arose,  and  found  myself  freer  from  absolute  pain  of  any  kind  than  I  had  been  during  the  last  hour 
and  a  quarter  of  my  ascension.  The  difficulty  of  breathing,  however,  was  diminished  in  a  very  slight  degree,  and 
I  found  that  it  would  soon  be  positively  necessary  to  make  use  of  my  condenser.  In  the  mean  time,  looking  towards 
the  cat,  who  was  again  snugly  stowed  away  upon  my  coat,  I  discovered,  to  my  infinite  surprise,  that  she  had  taken 
the  opportunity  of  my  indisposition  to  bring  into  light  a  litter  of  three  little  kittens.  This  was  an  addition  to  the 
number  of  passengers  on  my  part  altogether  unexpected ;  but  I  was  pleased  at  the  occurrence.  I  would  afford  me 
a  chance  of  bringing  to  a  kind  of  test  the  truth  of  a  surmise  which  more  than  anything  else  had  influenced  me  in 
attempting  this  ascension.  I  had  imagined  that  the  habitual  endurance  of  the  atmospheric  pressure  at  the  surface  of 
the  earth  was  the  cause,  or  nearly  so,  of  the  pain  attending  animal  existence  at  a  distance  above  the  surface. 
Should  the  kittens  be  found  to  suffer  uneasiness  in  an  equal  degree  with  their  mother,  I  must  consider  my  theory  in 
fault,  but  a  failure  to  do  so  I  should  look  upon  as  a  strong  confirmation  of  my  idea. 

By  eight  o'clock  I  had  actually  attained  an  elevation  of  seventeen  miles  above  the  surface  of  the  earth.  Thus 
it  seemed  to  me  evident  that  my  rate  of  ascent  was  not  only  on  the  increase,  but  that  the  progression  would  have 
been  apparent  in  a  slight  degree  even  had  I  not  discharged  the  ballast  which  I  did.  The  pains  in  my  head  and 
ears  returned  at  intervals  with  violence,  and  I  still  continued  to  bleed  occasionally  at  the  nose  ;  but,  upon  the 
whole,  I  suffered  much  less  than  might  have  been  expected.  I  breathed,  however,  at  every  moment  with  more 
and  more  difficulty,  and  each  exhalation  was  attended  with  a  troublesome  spasmodic  action  of  the  chest.  I  now 
unpacked  the  condensing-apparatus,  and  got  it  ready  for  immediate  use. 

The  view  of  the  earth,  at  this  period  of  my  ascension,  was  beautiful  indeed.  To  the  westward,  the  north- 
ward, and  the  southward,  as  far  as  I  could  see,  lay  a  boundless  sheet  of  apparently  unruffled  ocean,  which  every 
moment  gained  a  deeper  and  deeper  tint  of  blue.  At  a  vast  distance  to  the  eastward,  although  perfectly 
discernible,  extended  the  islands  of  Great  Britain,  the  entire  Atlantic  coasts  of  France  and  Spain,  with  a  small 
portion  of  the  northern  part  of  the  continent  of  Africa.  Of  individual  edifices  not  a  trace  could  be  discovered,  and 
the  proudest  cities  of  mankind  had  utterly  faded  away  from  the  face  of  the  earth. 

What  mainly  astonished  me,  in  the  appearance  of  things  below,  was  the  seeming  concavity  of  the  surface  of 


CHAP. XI  ITSS  MAKT.S  A  nr.AUTY  MKAI..  «•_•:, 

the  glolv.  I  had,  thoughtlessly  enough,  expected  to  see  its  real  convexity  become  evident  u  I  tucendod  j  but  a  very 
little  reflection  sufficed  to  explain  the  discrepancy.  A  line,  dropped  from  my  position  jv,  r]«  ii.licularly  to  the  earth, 
would  have  formed  tin.  perjK-ndicular  of  a  right-angled  triangle,  of  which  the  base  would  have  extended  from  the 
right  angle  to  the  horizon,  and  the  hypothenuse  from  the  horizon  to  my  position.  Hut  my  height  was  little  or 
mulling  in  comparison  with  my  prospect  In  other  words,  the  base  and  hypothenuso  of  the  supposed  triangle 
would,  in  my  cane,  have  been  so  long,  when  compared  to  the  perpendicular,  that  the  two  former  might  have  been 
regarded  as  nearly  parallel.  In  this  manner  the  horizon  of  the  aeronaut  appears  always  to  bo  upon  a  level  with  the 
oar.  Hut  as  the  point  immediately  beneath  him  seems,  and  is,  at  a  groat  distance  below  him,  it  seems,  of  course, 
also  at  a  great  distance  below  the  horizon.  Hence  the  impression  of  concavity  ;  and  this  impression  roust  remain 
until  the  elevation  shall  bear  so  great  a  proportion  to  the  prospect  that  the  apparent  parallelism  of  the  base  and 
hypotheiiiisc  disappears. 

The  pigeons  about  this  time  seeming  to  undergo  much  suffering,  I  determined  upon  giving  them  their  lil»  1 1  v. 
I  fir.-t  untied  one  of  them,  a  l>eautiful  grey-mottled  pigeon,  and  placed  him  upon  the  rim  of  the  wickerwork.  He 
appeared  extremely  uneasy,  looking  anxiously  around  him,  fluttering  his  wings,  and  making  a  loud  cooing  noise, 
but  could  not  be  persuaded  to  trust  himself  from  the  car.  I  took  him  up  at  last,  and  threw  him  to  about 
half-a-dozen  yards  from  the  balloon.  Ho  made,  however,  no  attempt  to  descend,  as  1  had  expected,  but  struggled 
with  great  vehemence  to  got  back,  uttering  at  the  same  time  very  shrill  and  piercing  cries.  Ho  at  length 
succeeded  in  regaining  his  former  station  on  the  rim,  but  had  hardly  done  so  when  his  head  dropped  upon  his 
breast,  and  he  foil  dead  within  the  car.  The  other  one  did  not  prove  so  unfortunate.  To  prevent  his  following 
the  example  of  his  companion,  and  accomplishing  a  return,  I  threw  him  downwards  with  all  my  force,  and  won 
pleased  to  find  him  continue  his  descent  with  great  velocity,  making  use  of  his  wings  with  ease,  and  in  a  perfectly 
natural  manner.  In  a  very  short  time  ho  was  out  of  sight,  and  I  have  no  doubt  he  reached  home  in  safety.  Ihics. 
who  seemed  in  a  great  measure  recovered  from  her  illness,  now  made  a  hearty  meal  of  the  dead  bird,  and  then 
went  to  sleep  with  much  apparent  satisfaction.  Her  kittens  were  quite  lively,  and  so  far  evinced  not  the  slightest 
sign  of  any  uneasiness. 

At  a  quarter  past  eight,  being  able  no  longer  to  draw  breath  without  the  most  intolerable  pain,  T  proceeded 
forthwith  to  adjust  around  the  car  the  apparatus  belonging  to  the  condenser.  This  apparatus  will  require  some 
little  explanation,  and  your  Excellencies  will  please  to  bear  in  mind  that  my  object,  in  the  first  place,  was  to 
surround  myself  and  car  entirely  with  a  barricade  against  the  highly-rarefied  atmosphere  in  which  I  was  existing, 
with  the  intention  of  introducing  within  this  barricade,  by  means  of  my  condenser,  a  quantity  of  this  same 
atmosphere  sufficiently  condensed  for  the  purposes  of  respiration.  With  this  object  in  view,  I  had  prepared  a  very 
strong,  perfectly  air-tight,  but  flexible  gum-elastic  bag.  In  this  bag,  which  was  of  sufficient  dimensions,  the  entire 
car  was  in  a  manner  placed.  That  is  to  say,  it  (the  bag)  was  drawn  over  Ihe  whole  bottom  of  the  car,  up  its  sides, 
and  so  on,  along  the  outside  of  the  ropes,  to  the  upper  rim,  or  hoop,  where  the  network  is  attached.  Having 
pulled  the  bag  up  in  this  way,  and  formed  a  complete  enclosure  on  all  sides,  and  at  bottom,  it  was  now  necessary 
to  fasten  up  its  top,  or  mouth,  by  passing  its  material  over  the  hoop  of  the  network — in  other  words,  between  the 
network  and  the  hoop.  But  if  the  network  were  separated  from  the  hoop  to  admit  this  passage,  what  was  to 
sustain  the  car  in  the  mean  time?  Now,  the  network  was  not  permanently  fastened  to  the  hoop,  but  attached  by 
a  scries  of  running  loops  or  nooses.  I  therefore  undid  only  a  few  of  these  loops  at  one  time,  leaving  the  car 
suspended  by  the  remainder.  Having  thus  inserted  a  portion  of  the  cloth  forming  the  upper  part  of  the  bag, 
I  refastened  the  loops — not  to  the  hoop,  for  that  would  have  been  impossible,  since  the  cloth  now  intervened — but 
to  a  series  of  large  buttons,  affixed  to  the  cloth  itself,  about  three  feet  below  the  mouth  of  the  bag ;  the  intervals 
between  the  buttons  having  been  made  to  correspond  to  the  intervals  between  the  loops.  This  done,  a  few  more  of 
the  loops  were  fastened  from  the  rim,  a  further  portion  of  the  cloth  introduced,  and  the  disengaged  loops  then  con- 
nected with  their  ]in.|«-r  buttons.  In  this  way  it  was  possible  to  insert  the  whole  upper  part  of  the  bag  betw. .  n 
the  network  and  the  hoop.  It  is  evident  that  the  hoop  would  now  drop  down  within  the  car,  while  the  whole 
weight  of  the  car  itnelf,  with  all  its  contents,  would  be  held  up  merely  by  the  strength  of  the  buttons.  This,  at 
first  sight,  would  seem  an  inadequate  dependence;  but  it  was  by  no  means  so,  for  the  buttons  were  not  only  very 
strong  in  themselves,  but  so  close  together  that  a  very  slight  portion  of  the  whole  weight  was  supported  by  any  one 
of  them.  Indeed,  had  the  car  and  contents  1» . n  three  times  heavier  than  they  were,  I  should  not  have  been  at  all 
uneasy.  I  now  raised  up  the  hoop  again  within  the  covering  of  gum-elastic,  and  propped  it  at  nearly  it.s  former 


426  ASTEA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  XI. 

height  hy  means  of  three  light  poles  prepared  for  the  occasion.  This  was  clone,  of  course,  to  keep  the  bag  distended 
at  the  top,  and  to  preserve  the  lower  part  of  the  network  in  its  proper  situation.  All  that  now  remained  was  to 
fasten  up  the  mouth  of  the  enclosure  ;  and  this  was  readily  accomplished  by  gathering  the  folds  of  the  material 
together,  and  twisting  them  up  very  tightly  on  the  inside  by  means  of  a  kind  of  stationary  tourniquet. 

In  the  sides  of  the  covering  thus  adjusted  round  the  car  had  been  inserted  three  circular  panes  of  thick  but 
clear  glass,  through  which  I  could  see  without  difficulty  around  me  in  every  horizontal  direction.  In  that  portion 
of  the  cloth  forming  the  bottom  was  likewise  a  fourth  window  of  the  same  kind,  and  corresponding  with  a  small 
aperture  in  the  floor  of  the  car  itself.  This  enabled  me  to  see  perpendicularly  down,  but  having  found  it  impossible 
to  place  any  similar  contrivance  overhead,  on  account  of  the  peculiar  manner  of  closing  up  the  opening  there,  and 
the  consequent  wrinkles  in  the  cloth,  I  could  expect  to  see  no  objects  situated  directly  in  my  zenith.  This,  of 
course,  was  a  matter  of  little  consequence ;  for,  had  I  even  been  able  to  place  a  window  at  top,  the  balloon  itself 
would  have  prevented  my  making  any  use  of  it. 

About  a  foot  below  one  of  the  side  windows  was  a  circular  opening  three  inches  in  diameter,  and  fitted  with 
a  brass  rim  adapted  in  its  inner  edge  to  the  windings  of  a  screw.  In  this  rim  was  screwed  the  large  tube  of  the  . 
condenser,  the  body  of  the  machine  being,  of  course,  within  the  chamber  of  gum-elastic.  Through  this  tube 
a  quantity  of  the  rare  atmosphere  circumjacent  being  drawn  by  means  of  a  vacuum  created  in  the  body  of  the 
machine,  was  thence  discharged,  in  a  state  of  condensation,  to  mingle  with  the  thin  air  already  in  the  chamber. 
This  operation,  being  repeated  several  times,  at  length  filled  the  chamber  with  atmosphere  proper  for  all  the 
purposes  of  respiration.  But,  in  so  confined  a  space,  it  would  in  a  short  time  necessarily  become  foul  and  unfit  for 
use  from  frequent  contact  with  the  lungs.  It  was  then  ejected  by  a  small  valve  at  the  bottom  of  the  car,  the  dense 
air  readily  sinking  into  the  thinner  atmosphere  below.  To  avoid  the  inconvenience  of  making  a  total  vacuum  at 
any  moment  within  the  chamber  this  purification  was  never  accomplished  all  at  once,  but  in  a  gradual  manner ; 
the  valve  being  opened  only  for  a  few  seconds,  then  closed  again,  until  one  or  two  strokes  from  the  pump  of  the 
condenser  had  supplied  the  place  of  the  atmosphere  ejected.  For  the  sake  of  experiment  I  had  put  the  cat  and 
kittens  in  a  small  basket,  and  suspended  it  outside  the  car  to  a  button  at  the  bottom,  close  to  the  valve,  through 
which  I  could  feed  them  at  any  moment  when  necessary.  I  did  this  at  some  little  risk,  and  before  closing  the 
mouth  of  the  chamber,  by  reaching  under  the  car  with  one  of  the  poles  before  mentioned,  to  which  a  hook  had  been 
attached.  As  soon  as  dense  air  was  admitted  in  the  chamber,  the  hoop  and  poles  became  unnecessary ;  the  expan- 
sion of  the  enclosed  atmosphere  powerfully  distending  the  gum-elastic. 

By  the  time  I  had  fully  completed  these  arrangements,  and  filled  the  chamber  as  explained,  it  wanted  only 
ten  minutes  of  nine  o'clock.  During  the  whole  period  of  my  being  thus  employed,  I  endured  the  most  terrible 
distress  from  difficulty  of  respiration ;  and  bitterly  did  I  repent  the  negligence,  or  rather  fool-hardiness,  of  which 
I  had  been  guilty,  in  putting  off  to  the  last  moment  a  matter  of  so  much  importance.  But,  having  at  length 
accomplished  it,  I  soon  began  to  reap  the  benefit  of  my  invention.  Once  again  I  breathed  with  perfect  freedom  and 
ease ;  and,  indeed,  -why  should  I  not  ?  I  was  also  agreeably  surprised  to  find  myself  in  a  great  measure  relieved 
from  the  violent  pains  which  had  hitherto  tormented  me.  A  slight  headache,  accompanied  with  a  sensation  of 
fulness  or  distension  about  the  wrists,  the  ankles,  and  the  throat,  was  nearly  all  of  which  I  had  now  to  complain. 
Thus  it  seemed  evident  that  a  greater  part  of  the  uneasiness  attending  the  removal  of  atmospheric  pressure  had 
actually  worn  off,  as  I  had  expected,  and  that  much  of  the  pain  endured  for  the  last  two  hours  should  have  been 
attributed  altogether  to  the  effects  of  a  deficient  respiration. 

At  twenty  minutes  before  nine  o'clock — that  is  to  say,  a  short  time  prior  to  my  closing  up  the  mouth  of  the 
chamber — the  mercury  attained  its  limits,  or  ran  down  in  the  barometer,  which,  as  I  mentioned  before,  was  one  of 
an  extended  construction.  It  then  indicated  an  altitude  on  my  part  of  132,000  feet,  or  five-and-twenty  miles;  and 
I  consequently  surveyed  at  that  time  an  extent  of  the  earth's  area  amounting  to  no  less  than  the  three-hundred* 
and-twentieth  part  of  its  entire  superficies.  At  nine  o'clock  I  had  again  lost  sight  of  land  to  the  eastward, 
but  not  before  I  became  aware  that  the  balloon  was  drifting  rapidly  to  the  N.N.W.  The  ocean  beneath  me 
still  retained  its  apparent  concavity,  although  my  view  was  often  interrupted  by  the  masses  of  cloud  which  floated 
to  and  fro. 

At  half-past  nine  I  tried  the  experiment  of  throwing  out  a  handful  of  feathers  through  the  valve.  They  did 
not  float  as  I  had  expected ;  but  dropped  down  perpendicularly,  like  a  bullet,  en  masse,  and  with  the  greatest 
velocity — being  out  of  sight  in  a  veiy  few  seconds.  I  did  not  at  first  know  what  to  make  of  this  extraordinary 


.  XI.  I.dSS  nr  CAT  AM>  KITTFAS.  I'-'T 

).li. -n.  mi.  lion  ;  nut  1.  inir  able  to  l.-lievo  that  my  rate  of  ascent  had,  of  a  midden,  mot  with  no  prodigious  an  aoccl,  i., 
ti"ii.     Hut  it  soon  occurred  to  mo  that  the  atmosphere  was  now  far  too  rare  to  sustain  even  the  feathers :  tlmt  tin  \ 
actually  t'i-11,  us  they  appeared  to  do,  with  groat  rapidity;  and  that  I  had  been  surprised  by  tho  unit<-d  velocities  of 
their  descent  and  my  own  elevation. 

By  ten  o'cl..ck  I  found  that  I  had  very  little  to  occupy  my  immediate  attention.    Affairs  went  on  swimmingly, 

a!,.)  I  U-lii-vi  d  tin-  Killoon  to  be  going  upwards  with  a  s|»-«l  iiu-rcesing  momently,  although  1  had  no  longer  any 

•  .tilling  t  he  progression  of  thu  increase.     I  suffered  no  pain  or  uneasiness  of  any  kind,  and  enjoyed 

IN  it.  r  spirits  than  I  had  at  any  period  since  my  <1>  future  from  Rotterdam  ;  busying  myself  now  in  examining  the 

..f  my  viirioii.s  apparatus  :md  now  in  regenerating  the  atmosphere  within  the  chamber.  This  latter  point 
I  di-teimined  to  atteinl  to  at  regular  intervals  "f  forty  minutes,  more  on  account  of  the  preservation  of  my  health 
than  from  so  frequent  a  renovation  being  absolutely  necessary.  In  the  mean  while  I  could  not  help  making  nntici- 
]Kit  ion*.  Fniiey  n-vi -lli-d  iii  tin-  wild  and  dreamy  regions  of  the  moon.  Imagination,  feeling  herself  for  one.- 
unshackled,  roamed  at  will  among  the  ever-changing  wonders  of  a  shadowy  and  unstable  land.  Now  tin-re  were 
hoary  and  time-hon<>iin  <1  forests,  and  craggy  precipices,  and  waterfalls  tumbling  with  a  loud  noise  into  abysses 
without  a  bottom.  Then  I  came  suddenly  into  still  noonday  solitudes,  where  no  wind  of  heaven  ever  intnided,  and 
where  vast  meadows  of  poppies,  and  slender,  lily-looking  flowers  spread  themselves  out  a  weary  distance,  all  silent 
and  motionless  for  ever.  Then  again  I  journeyed  far  down  away  into  another  country  where  it  was  all  one  dim 
and  vague  lake,  with  a  boundary-line  of  clouds.  But  fancies  such  as  these  were  not  the  sole  possessors  of  my  bruin. 
Horrors  of  a  nature  most  stern  and  most  appalling  would  too  frequently  obtrude  themselves  upon  my  mind,  and 
shake  the  innermost  depths  of  my  soul  with  the  bare  supposition  of  their  possibility.  Vet  I  would  not  suffer  my 
thoughts  for  any  length  of  time  to  dwell  upon  these  latter  speculations,  rightly  judging  the  real  and  palpable 
dangers  of  the  voyage  sufficient  for  my  undivided  attention. 

At  five  o'clock,  P.M.,  being  engaged  in  regenerating  the  atmosphere  within  the  chamber,  I  took  tliat  opportunity 
of  observing  the  cat  and  kittens  through  the  valve.  The  cat  herself  appeared  to  suffer  again  very  much,  and  1  had 
no  hesitation  in  attributing  her  uneasiness  chiefly  to  a  difficulty  in  breathing;  but  my  experiment  with  the  kittens 
had  resulted  very  strangely.  I  had  expected,  of  course,  to  see  them  betray  a  sense  of  pain,  although  in  a  lew 
degree  than  their  mother;  and  this  would  have  been  sufficient  to  confirm  my  opinion  concerning  the  habitual 
endurance  of  atmosph.  i  ie  pressure.  But  I  was  not  prepared  to  find  them,  upon  close  examination,  evidently 
enjoying  a  high  degree  of  health,  breathing  with  the  greatest  ease  and  perfect  regularity,  and  evincing  not  the 
slightest  sign  of  any  uneasiness.  I  could  only  account  for  all  this  by  extending  my  theory,  and  supposing  that  the 
highly  rarefied  atmosphere  around  might  perhaps  not  be,  as  I  had  taken  for  granted,  chemically  insuflieient  for  the 
purposes  of  life,  and  that  a  person  born  in  such  a  medium  might  possibly  bo  unaware  of  any  inconvenience  attending 
its  inhalation,  while,  upon  removal  to  the  denser  strata  near  the  earth,  he  might  endure  tortures  of  a  similar  nature 
to  those  I  had  so  lately  experienced.  It  has  since  been  to  me  a  matter  of  deep  regret  that  an  awkward  accident  at 
this  time  occasioned  me  the  loss  of  my  little  family  of  cats,  and  deprived  me  of  the  insight  into  this  matter  which  a 
continued  experiment  might  have  afforded.  In  passing  my  hand  through  the  valve,  with  a  cup  of  water  for  the  old 
puss,  the  sleeve  of  my  shirt  became  entangled  in  the  loop  which  sustained  the  basket,  and  thus  in  a  moment  loosened 
it  from  the  button.  Had  the  whole  actually  vanished  into  air.it  could  not  have  shot  from  my  sight  in  a  more 
abrupt  and  instantaneous  manner.  Positively  there  could  not  have  intervened  the  tenth  part  of  a  second  between 
the  disengagement  of  the  basket  and  its  absolute  disappearance  with  all  that  it  contained.  My  good  wishes  followed 
it  to  tin-  earth,  but  of  course  I  had  no  hope  that  either  cat  or  kittens  would  live  to  tell  the  tale. 

At  MX  o'clock  I  jn-n-eived  a  great  portion  of  the  earth's  visible  area  to  the  eastward  involved  in  thick  shadow, 
which  continued  to  advance  with  great  rapidity,  until,  at  five  minutes  before  seven,  the  whole  surface  in  view  was 
envelojx-d  in  the  darkness  of  night  It  was  not,  however,  until  long  after  this  time  that  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun 
ceased  to  illumine  the  balloon ;  and  this  circumstance,  although  of  course  fully  anticipated,  did  not  fail  to  give  me  an 
infinite  deal  of  pleasure.  It  was  evident  that,  in  the  morning,  I  should  behold  the  rising  luminary  many  hours  at 
least  before  the  citizens  of  Rotterdam,  in  spite  of  their  situation  so  much  farther  to  the  eastward, and  thus,  day  after 
day,  in  proportion  to  the  height  ascended,  would  I  enjoy  the  light  of  tho  sun  for  a  longer  and  a  longer  period.  I 
now  determined  to  keep  a  journal  of  my  passage,  reckoning  the  days  from  one  to  twenty- four  hours  continuously, 
without  taking  into  consideration  tin-  intervals  of  darkness. 

At  ten  o'clock,  feeling  sleepy,  I  determiiii  d  to  lie  down  for  the  rest  of  the  night ;  but  here  a  difficulty  presented 

3    K 


428  ASTKA  CASTKA.  CHAP.  XL 

itself,  which,  obvious  as  it  may  appear,  had  escaped  my  attention  up  to  the  very  moment  of  which  I  am  now 
speaking.  If  I  went  to  sleep  as  I  proposed,  how  could  the  atmosphere  in  the  chamber  be  regenerated  in  the  interim  ? 
To  breathe  it  for  more  than  an  hour  at  the  furthest  would  bo  a  matter  of  impossibility ;  or,  even  if  this  term  could 
be  extended  to  an  hour  and  a  quarter,  the  most  ruinous  consequences  might  ensue.  The  consideration  of  this 
dilemma  gave  me  no  little  disquietude ;  and  it  will  hardly  be  believed  that,  after  the  dangers  I  had  undergone,  I 
should  look  upon  this  business  in  so  serious  a  light  as  to  give  up  all  hope  of  accomplishing  my  ultimate  design,  and 
finally  make  up  my  mind  to  the  necessity  of  a  descent ;  but  this  hesitation  was  only  momentary-.  I  reflected  that 
man  is  the  veriest  slave  of  custom,  and  that  many  points  in  the  routine  of  his  existence  are  deemed  essentially  important 
which  are  only  so  at  all  by  his  having  rendered  them  habitual.  It  was  very  certain  that  I  could  not  do  without 
sleep  ;  but  I  might  easily  bring  myself  to  feel  no  inconvenience  from  being  awakened  at  intervals  of  an  hour  during 
the  whole  period  of  my  repose.  It  would  require  but  five  minutes  at  most  to  regenerate  the  atmosphere  in  the 
fullest  manner ;  and  the  only  real  difficulty  was  to  contrive  a  method  of  arousing  myself  at  the  proper  moment  for 
so  doing.  But  this  was  a  question  which,  I  am  willing  to  confess,  occasioned  me  no  little  trouble  in  its  solution. 
To  be  sure,  I  had  heard  of  the  student  who,  to  prevent  his  falling  asleep  over  his  books,  held  in  one  hand  a  ball  of 
copper,  the  din  of  whose  descent  into  a  basin  of  the  same  metal  on  the  floor  beside  his  chair  served  effectually  to 
startle  him  up,  if  at  any  moment  he  should  be  overcome  with  drowsiness.  My  own  case,  however,  was  very  different 
indeed,  and  left  me  no  room  for  any  similar  idea ;  for  I  did  not  wish  to  keep  awake,  but  to  be  aroused  from  slumber 
at  regular  intervals  of  time.  I  at  length  hit  upon  the  following  expedient,  which,  simple  as  it  may  seem,  was 
hailed  by  me,  at  the  moment  of  discovery,  as  an  invention  fully  equal  to  that  of  the  telescope,  the  steam-engine,  or 
the  art  of  printing  itself. 

It  is  necessary  to  premise  that  the  balloon,  at  the  elevation  now  attained,  continued  its  course  upwards  with  an 
even  and  undeviating  ascent,  and  the  car  consequently  followed  with  a  steadiness  so  perfect  that  it  would  have  been 
impossible  to  detect  in  it  the  slightest  vacillation.  This  circumstance  favoured  me  greatly  in  the  project  I  now 
determined  to  adopt.  My  supply  of  water  had  been  put  on  board  in  kegs  containing  five  gallons  each,  and  ranged 
very  securely  around  the  interior  of  the  car.  I  unfastened  one  of  these,  and  taking  two  ropes,  tied  them  tightly 
across  the  rim  of  the  wickerwork  from  one  side  to  the  other,  placing  them  about  a  foot  apart  and  parallel,  so  as  to 
form  a  kind  of  shelf,  upon  which  I  placed  the  keg,  and  steadied  it  in  a  horizontal  position.  About  eight  inches 
immediately  below  these  ropes,  and  four  feet  from  the  bottom  of  the  car,  I  fastened  another  shelf,  but  made  of  thin 
plank,  being  the  only  similar  piece  of  wood  I  had.  Upon  this  latter  shelf,  and  exactly  beneath  one  of  the  rims  of 
the  keg,  a  small  earthen  pitcher  was  deposited.  I  now  bored  a  hole  in  the  end  of  the  keg  over  the  pitcher,  and 
fitted  in  a  plug  of  soft  wood,  cut  in  a  tapering  or  conical  shape.  This  plug  I  pushed  in  or  pulled  out,  as  might 
happen,  until,  after  a  few  experiments,  it  arrived  at  that  exact  degree  of  tightness  at  which  the  water,  oozing  from 
the  hole,  and  falling  into  the  pitcher  below,  would  fill  the  latter  to  the  brim  in  the  period  of  sixty  minutes.  This,  of 
course,  was  a  matter  briefly  and  easily  ascertained,  by  noticing  the  proportion  of  the  pitcher  filled  in  any  given 
time.  Having  arranged  all  this,  the  rest  of  the  plan  is  obvious.  My  bed  was  so  contrived  upon  the  floor  of  the  car 
as  to  bring  my  head,  in  lying  down,  immediately  below  the  mouth  of  the  pitcher.  It  was  evident  that,  at  the 
expiration  of  an  hour,  the  pitcher,  getting  full,  would  be  forced  to  run  over,  and  to  run  over  at  the  mouth,  which 
was  somewhat  lower  than  the  rim.  It  was  also  evident  that  the  water,  thus  falling  from  a  height  of  more  than 
four  feet,  could  not  do  otherwise  than  fall  upon  my  face,  and  that  the  sure  consequence  would  be  to  waken  me  up 
instantaneously,  even  from  the  soundest  slumber  in  the  world. 

It  was  fully  eleven  by  the  time  I  had  completed  these  arrangements,  and  I  immediately  betook  myself  to  bed, 
with  full  confidence  in  the  efficiency  of  my  invention.  Nor  in  this  matter  was  I  disappointed.  Punctually  every 
sixty  minutes  was  I  aroused  by  my  trusty  chronometer,  when,  having  emptied  the  pitcher  into  the  bunghole  of  the 
keg,  and  performed  the  duties  of  the  condenser,  I  retired  again  to  bed.  These  regular  interruptions  to  my  slumber 
caused  me  even  less  discomfort  than  I  had  anticipated  ;  and  when  I  finally  arose  for  the  day  it  was  seven  o'clock, 
and  the  sun  had  already  attained  many  degrees  above  the  line  of  my  horizon. 

April  3rd. — I  found  the  balloon  at  an  immense  height  indeed,  and  the  earth's  convexity  had  now  become 
strikingly  manifest.  Below  me  in  the  ocean  lay  a  cluster  of  black  specks,  which  undoubtedly  were  islands.  Over- 
head, the  sky  was  of  a  jetty  black,  and  the  stars  were  brilliantly  visible ;  indeed  they  had  been  so  constantly 
since  the  first  day  of  ascent.  Far  away  to  the  northward  I  perceived  a  thin,  white,  and  exceedingly  brilliant 
line,  or  streak,  on  the  edge  of  the  horizon,  and  I  had  no  hesitation  in  supposing  it  to  be  the  southern  disc  of  the 


CUM-.  XI.  T1IK  ICE  OF  TliK  N«»|;TII  POLE.  I-':' 

ices  of  tlf  Polar  Sea.     My  curiosity  was  greatly  excited,  for  I  had  hopes  of  passing;  on  much  farther  to  the  north. 
inn!   mi^ht  possibly,  at  some  ]H  ri.»l.  find   myself  placed  direetly  above  the   l'..U'   itself.      I  now  lamented  that 
.  l.v.ition  would,  in  this  case,  prevent  my  taking  as  accurate  a  gun .  \  M-  I  ...ul.l  wish.     Much,  however, 
might  !••  Montuaed. 

Nothing  else  of  an  eMraonlinary  nature  oecurr.-il  during  the  day.  My  apparatus  all  continued  in  good  order, 
ami  the  Kill. «.n  Ktill  oMvinlcd  without  am  i. le  vacillation.  The  cold  was  intense,  and  obliged  mo  to  wrap 

up  . 'lonely  in  an  overcoat.  \\  h,-n  darkness  came  over  the  earth,  I  betook  myself  to  bed,  although  it  was  for  many 
hi.urs  afterwards  broad  daylight  all  around  my  immediate,  situation.  The  water-clock  was  punctual  in  its  duty,  and 
I  si.  | 'i  until  next  morning  soundly,  with  the  exception  of  tin-  jieriodical  interruption. 

.\l>ril  lift.— Arose  in  good  health  and  spirits,  and  was  astoniahed  at  the  singular  change  which  had  taken  place 
in  the  appearance  of  the  sea.  It  had  lost  in  a  great  measure  the  deep  tint  of  blue  it  had  hitherto  worn,  lieing  now 
of  a  greyish-white,  and  of  a  lustre  fanning  to  the  eye.  The  convexity  of  the  ocean  had  become  so  evident,  that  the 
entire  maw  of  the  distant  water  seemed  to  be  tumbling  headlong  over  the  abys*  of  tin  horizon,  and  I  found  myself 
list,  nil.-  ,.n  tiptoe  for  the  echoes  of  the  mighty  cataract  The  islands  were  no  longer  visible;  whether  they  had 
pawed  down  the  horizon  to  the  south-east,  or  whether  my  increasing  elevation  hud  Lit  them  out  of  sight,  it  is  iuipos- 
tiidle  to  say.  I  wan  incline,!,  however,  to  the  Litter  opinion.  The  rim  of  ice  to  the  northward  was  growing  IIH.P- 
ami  more  apparent.  Cold  by  no  means  so  intense.  Nothing  of  importance  occurred,  and  I  passed  the  day  in 
reading,  having  taken  care  to  supply  myself  with  books. 

'  bth.— Beheld  the  singular  phenomenon  ,,f  the  tmn  ri*mg  while  nearly  the  whole  visible  surface  of  the 
earth  contimu-d  to  be  involved  in  darkness.  In  time,  however,  the  light  spread  itself  over  all,  and  I  again  saw  tin- 
line  of  ice  to  the  northward.  It  was  now  very  distinct,  and  appeared  of  a  much  darker  hue  than  the  waters  of  the 
ocean.  I  waa  evidently  approaching  it,  and  with  great  rapidity.  Fancied  I  could  again  distinguish  a  strip  of  land 
to  the  eastward,  and  one  also  to  the  westward,  but  could  not  be  certain.  Weather  moderate.  Nothing  of  any 
consequence  happened  during  the  day.  Went  early  to  U  ,1 

April  CM. — Was  surprised  at  finding  the  rim  of  ice  at  a  very  moderate  distance,  and  an  immense  field  of  the 
same  material  stretching  away  off  to  the  horizon  in  the  north.  It  was  evident  that  if  the  balloon  held  its  present 
course  it  would  soon  arrive  above  the  Frozen  Ocean,  and  I  had  now  little  doubt  of  ultimately  seeing  the  I'ole. 
During  the  whole  of  the  day  I  continued  to  near  the  ice.  Towards  night  the  limits  of  my  horizon  very  suddenly 
and  materially  increased,  owing  undoubtedly  to  the  earth's  form  being  that  of  an  oblate  spheroid,  and  my 
arriving  above  the  flattened  regions  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Arctic  circle.  When  darkness  at  length  overtook  me,  I 
went  to  bed  in  great  anxiety,  fearing  to  pass  over  the  object  of  so  much  curiosity  when  I  should  have  no  opportunity 
of  observing  it. 

AprH  1th. — Arose  early,  and,  to  my  great  joy,  at  length  beheld  what  there  could  be  no  hesitation  in  supposing 
the  northern  Pole  itself.  It  was  there,  beyond  a  doubt,  and  immediately  beneath  my  feet;  but,  alas!  I  had  now- 
ascended  to  BO  vast  a  distance  that  nothing  could  with  accuracy  be  discerned.  Indeed,  to  judge  from  the  progression 
of  the  numbers  indicating  my  various  altitudes,  respectively,  at  different  periods,  between  six  A.M.  on  the  2nd  oi 
April,  and  twenty  minutes  before  nine  A.M.  of  the  same  day  (at  which  time  the  barometer  ran  down),  it  might  be 
fairly  inferred  that  the  balloon  had  now,  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  April  the  7th,  reached  a  height  of  not 
lew  certainly  than  7254  miles  above  the  surface  pf  the  sea.  This  elevation  may  appear  immense ;  but  the  estimate 
upon  which  it  is  calculated  gave  a  result  in  all  probability  far  inferior  to  the  truth.  At  all  events,  I  undoubtedly 
beheld  the  whole  of  the  earth's  major  diameter  ;  the  entire  northern  hemisphere  lay  beneath  me  like  a  chart  ortho- 
graphically  projected;  and  the  great  circle  of  the  equator  itself  formed  the  boundary-line  of  my  horizon.  Your 
Excellencies  may,  however,  readily  imagine  that  the  confined  regions  hitherto  unexplored  within  the  limits  of  the 
Ami,-  circle,  although  sitn.it,  ,1  directly  beneath  me,  and  therefore  seen  without  any  appearance  of  being  fore- 
shortened, were  still  in  themselves  comparatively  too  diminutive,  and  at  too  great  a  distance  from  the  point  of 
sij^ht,  to  admit  of  any  very  accurate  examination.  Nevertheless,  what  could  be  seen  was  of  a  nature  singular  and 
thwardly  from  that  bilge  rim  before  mentioned,  and  which,  with  slight  qualification,  may  be  called 
the  limit  of  human  discovery  in  these  regions,  one  unbroken,  or  nearly  unbroken,  sheet  of  ice  continues  to  ext,  inl. 
In  the  first  few  degrees  of  this  its  progress,  it«  mirfa,  •  i-  v,  ry  sensibly  Hattein-d,  farther  on  di-pn**ed  into  a  pl.ui,-, 
and  finally,  becoming  net  a  little  concave,  it  terminates,  at  the  Pole  itself,  in  a  circular  centre,  hhaq.ly  defined,  whose 
apparent  diameter  subtended  at  the  balloon  an  angle  of  about  sixty-five  seconds,  and  whose  dusky  hue,  varying  in 

3  K  2 


480  ASTRA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  XI. 

intensity,  was  at  all  times  darker  than  any  other  spot  upon  the  visible  hemisphere,  and  occasionally  deepened  into 
the  most  absolute  blackness.  Farther  than  this  little  could  be  ascertained.  Ity  twelve  o'clock  the  circular  centre 
had  materially  decreased  in  circumference,  and  by  seven  P.M.  I  lost  sight  of  it  entirely;  the  balloon  passing  over  the 
western  limb  of  the  ice,  and  floating  away  rapidly  in  the  direction  of  the  equator. 

April  8th. — Found  a  sensible  diminution  in  the  earth's  apparent  diameter,  besides  a  material  alteration  in  its 
general  colour  and  appearance.  The  whole  visible  area  partook  in  different  degrees  of  a  tint  of  pale  yellow,  and  in 
some  portions  had  acquired  a  brilliancy  even  painful  to  the  eye.  My  view  downwards  was  also  considerably 
impeded  by  the  dense  atmosphere  in  the  vicinity  of  the  surface  being  loaded  with  clouds,  between  whose  masses  I 
could  only  now  and  then  obtain  a  glimpse  of  the  earth  itself.  This  difficulty  of  direct  vision  had  troubled  me  more 
or  less  for  the  last  forty-eight  hours ;  but  my  present  enormous  elevation  brought  closer  together,  as  it  were,  the 
floating  bodies  of  vapour,  and  the  inconvenience  became,  of  course,  more  and  more  palpable  in  proportion  to  my 
ascent.  Nevertheless,  I  could  easily  perceive  that  the  balloon  now  hovered  above  the  range  of  great  lakes  in  the 
continent  of  North  America,  and  was  holding  a  course  due  south,  which  would  soon  bring  me  to  the  tropics.  This 
circumstance  did  not  fail  to  give  me  the  most  heartfelt  satisfaction,  and  I  hailed  it  as  a  happy  omen  of  ultimate 
success.  Indeed,  the  direction  I  had  hitherto  taken  had  filled  me  with  uneasiness ;  for  it  was  evident  that,  had  I 
continued  it  much  longer,  there  would  have  been  no  possibility  of  my  arriving  at  the  moon  at  all,  whose  orbit  is 
inclined  to  the  ecliptic  at  only  the  small  angle  of  5  degrees,  8  minutes,  48  seconds.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  it  was 
only  at  this  late  period  that  I  began  to  understand  the  great  error  I  had  committed  in  not  taking  my  departure  from 
earth  at  some  point  in  the  plane  of  /he  lunar  ellipse. 

April  9th. — To-day  the  earth's  diameter  was  greatly  diminished,  and  the  colour  of  the  surface  assumed  hourly  a 
deeper  tint  of  yellow.  The  balloon  kept  steadily  on  her  course  to  the  southward,  and  arrived  at  nine  P.M.  over  the 
northern  edge  of  the  Mexican  Gulf. 

April  lOth.^I  was  suddenly  aroused  from  slumber,  about  five  o'clock  this  morning,  by  a  loud,  crackling,  and 
terrific  sound,  for  which  I  could  in  no  manner  account.  It  was  of  very  brief  duration,  but,  while  it  lasted,  resembled 
nothing  in  the  world  of  which  I  had  any  previous  experience.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  I  became  excessively 
alarmed,  having,  in  the  first  instance,  attributed  the  noise  to  the  bursting  of  the  balloon.  I  examined  all  my  appa- 
ratus, however,  with  great  attention,  and  could  discover  nothing  out  of  order.  Spent  a  great  part  of  the  day  in 
meditating  upon  an  occurrence  so  extraordinary,  but  could  find  no  means  whatever  of  accounting  for  it.  Went  to 
bed  dissatisfied,  and  in  a  state  of  great  anxiety  and  agitation. 

April  llth. — Found  a  startling  diminution  in  the  apparent  diameter  of  the  earth,  and  a  considerable  increase, 
now  observable  for  the  first  time,  in  that  of  the  moon  itself,  which  wanted  only  a  few  days  of  being  full. 
It  now  required  long  and  excessive  labour  to  condense  within  the  chamber  sufficient  atmospheric  air  for  the 
sustenance  of  life. 

April  12th. — A  singular  alteration  took  place  in  regard  to  the  direction  of  the  balloon,  and,  although  fully 
anticipated,  aiforded  me  the  most  unequivocal  delight.  Having  reached,  in  its  former  course,  about  the  twentieth 
parallel  of  southern  latitude,  it  turned  off  suddenly,  at  an  acute  angle,  to  the  eastward,  and  thus  proceeded  throughout 
the  day,  keeping  nearly,  if  not  altogether,  in  the  exact  plane  of  the  lunar  ellipse.  What  was  worthy  of  remark,  a  very 
perceptible  vacillation  in  the  car  was  a  consequence  of  this  change  of  route — a  vacillation  which  prevailed,  in  a  more 
or  less  degree,  for  a  period  of  many  hours. 

April  \'6th. — Was  again  very  much  alarmed  by  a  repetition  of  the  loud  crackling  noise  which  terrified  me  on  the 
tenth.  Thought  long  upon  the  subject,  but  was  unable  to  form  any  satisfactory  conclusion.  Great  decrease  in  the 
earth's  apparent  diameter,  which  now  subtended  from  the  balloon  an  angle  of  very  little  more  than  twenty-five 
degrees.  The  moon  could  not  be  seen  at  all,  being  nearly  in  my  zenith.  I  still  continued  in  the  plane  of  the  ellipse, 
but  made  little  progress  to  the  eastward. 

April  Hth. — Extremely  rapid  decrease  in  the  diameter  of  the  earth.  To-day  1  became  strongly  impressed  with 
the  idea  that  the  balloon  was  now  actually  running  up  the  line  of  apsides  to  the  point  of  perigee — in  other  words, 
holding  the  direct  course  which  would  bring  it  immediately  to  the  moon  in  that  part  of  its  orbit  the  nearest  to  the 
earth.  The  moon  itself  was  directly  overhead,  and  consequently  hidden  from  my  view.  Great  and  long-continued 
labour  necessary  for  the  condensation  of  the  atmosphere. 

April  15th. — Not  even  the  outlines  of  continents  and  seas  could  now  be  traced  upon  the  earth  with  distinc- 
ness.  About  twelve  o'clock  I  became  aware,  for  the  third  time,  of  that  appalling  sound  which  had  astonished  me 


CIIAI-.  XI.  THE  «BOULEVi:i;sr.Mi:\ 

U-f..r.-.     It  now.  In iwever,  continued  for  »omo  moment*,  and  gathered  intensity  an  it  i-ontinu.  .1.     At  length,  wl.il.- 

htupiti.d  and   ten.  .r-stricken,  I  stood   in  e\|N-etation  uf  I  knew  not  wliut  hideous  destruction,  tin-  cur  vibrati-d  witli 

excessive  violence,  and  a  gigantic  and  flaming  man  of  some  material  whirl,   I  ,,,ul,l  n,,t  distinguish  came  with  a 

thousand  thunders,  roaring  and  booming  by  the  balloon.     When  my  fears  and  astonishment  li.ul  in  some 

suicided,  I  had  littli-  difficulty  in  supposing  it  to  bo  some  mighty  volcanic  fragment  ejected  from  tint  w..Hd 

to  which  I  was  HO  rapidly  approaching,  and,  in  all  probability,  one  of  that  singular  clam  of  sulxttanccs  occasionally 

pick,  d  up. >n  the  earth,  and  term..!  meteoric  stones  for  want  "fa  K-tt.-r  appellation. 

.Ijn-il  \<>th. — Toilay.  looking  npwardH  an  well  a8  1  could,  through  each  of  the  side  windows  alternately.  I 
In-held,  t..  my  gn-at  delight,  a  very  small  portion  of  the  moon's  disk  protruding,  as  it  were,  on  all  sides  Ivcyond  the 
hup'  eircumt'.  rcii.-e  ..1"  tin-  liallooii.  My  agitation  was  extreme,  for  I  had  now  littli-  dmilit  of  soon  reaching  tin-  mil 
of  my  JH -rilous  voyage.  Indeed,  the  lal«mr  now  required  by  the  condenser  had  increased  to  a  most  oppressive 
•  -.  and  all. .wed  me  scarcely  any  i.  spite  from  exertion.  Sleep  was  a  matter  nearly  out  of  the  question.  I 
became  quite  ill,  ami  my  fiame  tivmHed  with  cxliaiistion.  It  was  imjn>ssilil«>  that  human  nature  could  endure  this 
state  of  intense  suffering  mn<  li  longer.  During  the  now  brief  interval  of  darkness  a  meteoric  stone  again  passed  in 
my  vicinity,  and  tin-  fn-c|umcy  of  them  phenomena  began  to  occasion  me  much  apprehension. 

\1th. — This  morning  jirovi-d  an  c]M«-h  in  my  voyage.  It  will  be  remembered  that  on  the  thirteenth  tin- 
earth  sul.t.  n.leil  an  angular  breadth  of  twenty-five  degrees.  On  the  fourteenth  thin  had  greatly* diminished ;  on  the 
lift.-,  nth  a  still  more  rapid  decrease  was  observable  ;  and  on  retiring  for  the  night  of  the  sixteenth.  1  had  noticed  an 
angle  of  no  more  than  about  seven  degrees  and  fifteen  minutes.  \Yhat  therefore  must  have  been  my  amazement,  on 
awakening  from  a  brief  and  disturbed  slumber,  on  the  morning  of  this  day,  the  seventeenth,  at  finding  the  surface 
beneath  me  so  suddenly  and  wonderfully  augmented  in  volume,  as  to  subtend  no  less  than  thirty-nine  degrees  in 
apparent  angular  diameter !  I  was  thunderstruck !  No  words  can  give  any  adequate  idea  of  the  extreme,  the  absolute 
horror  and  astonishment  with  which  I  was  seized,  possessed,  and  altogether  overwhelmed.  My  knees  tottered 
beneath  me— my  teeth  chattered— my  hair  started  up  on  end.  "The  balloon,  then,  had  actually  burst!"  These 
were  the  first  tumultuous  ideas  which  hurried  through  my  mind :  "  The  balloon  had  positively  burst ! — I  was 
tailing— falling  with  the  most  impetuous,  the  most  unparalleled  velocity !  To  judge  from  the  immense  distance 
already  so  quickly  passed  over,  it  could  not  be  more  than  ton  minutes  at  furthest  before  I  should  meet  the  surface 
of  the  i-arth,  and  In-  hurled  into  annihilation ! "  But  at  length  reflection  came  to  my  relief.  I  paused — I  considered 
— and  I  began  to  doubt.  The  matter  was  impossible.  I  could  not  in  any  reason  have  so  rapidly  come  down. 
is,  although  I  was  evidently  approaching  the  surface  below  me,  it  was  with  a  speed  by  no  means  commensurate 
with  th.  vel.K-ity  I  had  at  first  conceived.  This  consideration  served  to  calm  the  perturbation  of  my  mind,  and  I 
finally  succeeded  in  regarding  the  phenomenon  in  its  proper  point  of  view.  In  fact,  amazeim-nt  must  have  fairly 
deprived  me  of  my  senses,  when  I  could  not  see  the  vast  difference  in  appearance  between  the  surface  below  me  and 
the  surface  of  my  mother  earth.  The  latter  was  indeed  over  my  head,  and  completely  hidden  by  the  balloon,  while 
the  moon — the  moon  itself  in  all  its  glory — lay  beneath  me,  and  at  my  feet. 

The  stupor  and  surprise  produced  in  my  mind  by  this  extraordinary  change  in  the  posture  of  affairs,  was 
perhaps,  after  all,  that  part  of  the  adventure  least  susceptible  of  explanation.  For  the  boultoersement  in  itself  was 
not  only  natural  and  inevitable,  but  had  been  long  actually  anticipated,  as  a  circumstance  to  bo  expected  whenever 
1  should  arrive  at  the  exact  point  of  my  voyage  where  the  attraction  of  the  planet  should  bo  superseded  by  tin- 
attraction  of  the  satellite — or,  more  precisely,  where  the  gravitation  of  the  balloon  towards  the  earth  should  be  less 
powerful  than  its  gravitation  towards  the  moon.  To  be  sure,  I  rose  from  a  sound  slumber,  with  all  my  senses  in 
confusion,  to  the  contemplation  of  a  very  startling  phenomenon,  and  one  whieh,  although  expected,  was  not  expected 
at  the  moment  The  revolution  itself  must  of  course  have  taken  place  in  an  easy  and  gradual  manner,  and  it  i^  liy 
no  means  clear  that,  had  I  even  been  awake  at  the  time  of  the  occurrence,  I  should  have  been  made  aware  of  it  by 
any  internal  evidence  of  an  inversion— that  is  to  say,  by  any  inconvenience  or  disarrangement  either  about  un- 
person or  about  my  apparatus. 

It  is  almuet  needless  to  say  that,  upon  coming  to  a  due  sense  of  my  situation,  and  emerging  from  the  t<-i  i..i 
which  had  absorbed  every  faculty  of  my  soul,  my  attention  was  in  the  first  place  wholly  directed  to  the  contemplat  N.I  i 
of  the  general  physical  appearance  of  the  moon.  It  lay  1»  n.ath  mo  like  a  chart — and  although  I  judged  it  to  be 
still  at  no  inconsiderable  distance,  the  indentures  of  its  surface  were  defined  to  my  vision  with  a  nu*t  striking  and 
altogether  unaccountable  dUtim -tm-ss.  The  entire  absence  of  ocean  or  sea,  and  indeed  of  any  lake  or  river,  or  l««ly 


432 


ASTRA  CASTEA. 


CHAP.  XI. 


of  water  whatsoever,  struck  me,  at  the  first  glance,  as  the  most  extraordinary  feature  in  its  geological  condition. 
Yet,  strange  to  say,  I  beheld  vast  level  regions  of  a  character  decidedly  alluvial,  although  by  far  the  greater  portion 
of  the  hemisphere  in  sight  was  covered  with  innumerable  volcanic  mountains,  conical  in  shape,  and  having  more  the 
appearance  of  artificial  than  of  natural  protuberances.  The  highest  among  them  does  not  exceed  three  and  three- 
quarter  miles  in  perpendicular  elevation ;  but  a  map  of  the  volcanic  districts  of  the  Campi  Phlegraii  would  afford  to 
your  Excellencies  a  better  idea  of  their  general  surface  than  any  unworthy  description  I  might  think  proper  to 
attempt.  The  greater  part  of  them  were  in  a  state  of  evident  eruption,  and  gave  me  fearfully  to  understand  their 
fury  and  their  power,  by  the  repeated  thunders  of  the  mis-called  meteoric  stones,  which  now  rushed  upwards  by  the 
balloon  with  a  frequency  more  and  more  appalling. 

April  18th. — To-day  I  found  an  enormous  increase  in  the  moon's  apparent  bulk,  and  the  evidently  accelerated 
velocity  of  my  descent  began  to  fill  me  with  alarm.  It  will  be  remembered  that,  in  the  earliest  stage  of  my  specu- 
lations upon  the  possibility  of  a  passage  to  the  moon,  the  existence  in  its  vicinity  of  an  atmosphere  dense  in 
proportion  to  the  bulk  of  the  planet  had  entered  largely  into  my  calculations ;  this,  too,  in  spite  of  many  theories  to 
the  contrary,  and,  it  may  be  added,  in  spite  of  a  general  disbelief  in  the  existence  of  any  lunar  atmosphere  at  all. 
But  in  addition  to  what  I  have  already  urged  in  regard  to  Encke's  comet,  and  the  zodiacal  light,  I  have  been 
strengthened  in  my  opinion  by  certain  observations  of  M.  Schroeter,  of  Lilienthal.  He  observed  the  moon,  when 
two  days  and  a  half  old,  in  the  evening  soon  after  sunset,  before  the  dark  part  was  visible,  and  continued  to  watch 
it  until  it  became  visible.  The  two  cusps  appeared  tapering  in  a  very  sharp  faint  prolongation,  each  exhibiting  its 
farthest  extremity  faintly  illuminated  by  the  solar  rays,  before  any  part  of  the  dark  hemisphere  was  visible.  Soon 
afterwards,  the  whole  dark  limb  became  illuminated.  This  prolongation  of  the  cusps  beyond  the  semicircle  I 
thought  must  have  arisen  from  the  refraction  of  the  sun's  rays  by  the  moon's  atmosphere.  I  computed  also  the 
height  of  the  atmosphere  (which  could  refract  light  enough  in  its  dark  hemisphere  to  produce  a  twilight  more 
luminous  than  the  light  reflected  from  the  earth  when  the  moon  is  about  32°  from  the  new)  to  be  1356  Paris  feet; 
in  this  view,  I  supposed  the  greatest  height  capable  of  refracting  the  solar  ray  to  be  5376  feet.  My  ideas  upon  this 
topic  had  also  received  confirmation  by  a  passage  in  the  eighty-second  volume  of  the  Philosophical  Transactions,  in 
which  it  is  stated  that,  at  an  occultation  of  Jupiter's  satellites,  the  third  disappeared  after  having  been  about  one  or 
two  seconds  of  time  indistinct,  and  the  fourth  became  indiscernible  near  the  limb.* 

Upon  the  resistance,  or  more  properly  upon  the  support,  of  an  atmosphere,  existing  in  the  state  of  density 
imagined,  I  had  of  course  entirely  depended  for  the  safety  of  my  ultimate  descent.  Should  I  then,  after  all,  prove 
to  have  been  mistaken,  I  had  in  consequence  nothing  better  to  expect,  as  a,  finale  to  my  adventure,  than  being  dashed 
into  atoms  against  the  rugged  surface  of  the  satellite.  And  indeed  I  had  now  every  reason  to  be  terrified.  My 
distance  from  the  moon  was  comparatively  trifling,  while  the  labour  required  by  the  condenser  was  diminished  not 
at  all,  and  I  could  discover  no  indication  whatever  of  a  decreasing  rarity  in  the  air. 

April  19th. — This  morning,  to  my  great  joy,  about  nine  o'clock — the  surface  of  the  moon  being  frightfully 
near,  and  my  apprehensions  excited  to  the  utmost — the  pump  of  my  condenser  gave  evident  tokens  of  an  alteration 
in  the  atmosphere.  By  ten  I  had  reason  to  believe  its  density  considerably  increased.  By  eleven  very  little  labour 
was  necessary  at  the  apparatus ;  and  at  twelve  o'clock,  with  some  hesitation,  I  ventured  to  unscrew  the  tourniquet, 
when,  finding  no  inconvenience  from  having  done  so,  I  finally  threw  open  the  gum-elastic  chamber,  and  unrigged  it 
from  around  the  car.  As  might  have  been  expected,  spasms  and  violent  headache  were  the  immediate  consequences 
of  an  experiment  so  precipitate  and  full  of  danger.  But  these  and  other  difficulties  attending  respiration,  as  they 
were  by  no  means  so  great  as  to  put  me  in  peril  of  my  life,  I  determined  to  endure  as  I  best  could  in  consideration  of 
my  leaving  them  behind  me  momently  in  my  approach  to  the  denser  strata  near  the  moon.  This  approach,  however, 
was  still  impetuous  in  the  extreme ;  and  it  soon  became  alarmingly  certain  that  although  I  had  probably  not  been 
deceived  in  the  expectation  of  an  atmosphere  dense  in  proportion  to  the  mass  of  the  satellite,  still  I  had  been  wrong 


*  Hevelius  writes  that  he  has  several  times  found  in  skies  per-   |   looked   for  in  something    (an   atmosphere?)    existing    about    the 


fectly  clear,  when  even  stars  of  the  sixth  and  seventh  magnitude 
were  conspicuous,  that,  at  the  same  altitude  of  the  moon,  at  the  same 
elongation  from  the  earth,  and  with  one  and  the  same  excellent 
telescope,  the  moon  and  its  maculso  did  not  appear  equally  lucid  at 
all  times.  From  the  circumstances  of  the  observation,  it  is  evident 
that  the  cause  of  this  phenomenon  is  not  either  in  our  air,  in  the 
tube,  in  the  moon,  or  in  the  eye  of  the  spectator,  but  must  be 


Cassini  frequently  observed  Saturn,  Jupiter,  and  the  fixed  stars, 
when  approaching  the  moon  to  occultation,  to  have  their  circular 
figure  changed  into  an  oval  one ;  and,  in  other  occultations,  he  found 
no  alteration  of  figure  at  all.  Hence  it  might  be  supposed  that  at 
some  times,  and  not  at  others,  there  is  a  dense  matter  encompassing 
the  moon,  wherein  the  rays  of  the  stars  are  refracted. 


Our.  xi.  TIIK  KAKTII  AIMT.AIMM;  I.IKE  A  COPPER  siiir.i.u  IBS 

in  suppiwing  this  density,  even  at  the  surface,  at  all  adequate  to  the  mipport  of  the  great  weight  contain.*!  in  th.- 
car  of  iny  balloon.  Yet  this  should  have  been  the  case,  and  in  an  equal  degree  aa  at  the  surface  of  the  earth,  the 
a.-tu.il  gravity  •  •!'  l...li.-^  :it  .  ithcr  planet  supposed  in  the  ratio  .•!  the  atmospheric  condensation.  Tlwt  it  uat  not  the 
oaae,  how.-\.r.  my  precipitous  downfall  gave  testimony  enough;  why  it  was  not  BO  can  only  !»•  .\pl.iim-d  l*y  a 
•••  those  possible  geological  disturbances  to  which  I  have  formerly  alluded.  At  all  events,  I  wan  now 
close  u|Hm  tin-  plan,  t.  and  coming  down  with  the  most  terrible  impetuosity.  I  lost  not  a  moment,  accordingly,  in 
throwing  overboard  first  my  ballast,  thru  my  water-kegs,  then  my  condonsing-apparatus  and  gum-elastic  cliaiul«-i-. 
iiinl  tinally  .-very  article  within  tlio  ntr.  ISut  it  wan  all  to  no  purpose.  I  still  full  with  horrible  rapidity,  ami  wn* 
now  not  more  than  half  a  mil.-  from  tho  surface.  Asa  last  resource,  therefor.-,  having  pit  ri.l  of  my  coat,  hat,  an<) 
boots,  I  rut  I.HWO  from  the  balloon  the  car  itsrlf,  which  was  of  no  inconsiderable  weight,  and  thus,  clinging  with  both 
hands  to  the  network.  I  h  .•!  Kir.-ly  time  to  observe  that  the  whole  country,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  was 
thickly  interspersed  with  diminutive  habitations,  ere  I  tumbled  headlong  into  tin-  very  heart  of  a  fantantieal- 
looking  city,  ami  into  tin-  niiil.lli-  of  a  vast  crowd  ..f  ugly  li'tle  people,  who  none  nf  them  uttered  a  single  syllable,  or 
gave  themselves  the  least  troiil>le  to  render  me  assistance,  but  stood,  like  a  parcel  of  idiots,  grinning  in  a  ludin-n- 
manner.  ami  eyeing  me  ami  my  Ixillmn  askant,  with  their  arms  set  a-kimbo.  I  turned  from  them  in  contempt,  ami. 
gazing  upwards  at  tho  earth  HO  lately  left,  ami  left  ]>erl!a|i.s  fir  ever.  licheld  it  like  a  huge,  dull,  copper  shield,  alxmt 
two  degrees  in  diuinet.-r.  ti\.  .1  imm.ivahly  in  the  heavens  overhead,  and  tipped  on  one  of  its  edges  with  a  crescent 
li.ii.ler  nf  i  he  most  lirilliant  gnl.l.  No  traces  of  land  or  water  could  be  discovered,  and  the  whole  was  clouded  with 
variable  spots,  and  belted  with  ti..pi.-.il  ami  equatorial  /.mes. 

Thus,  may  it  please  your  Excellencies,  after  a  series  of  great  anxieties,  unheard-of  dangers,  and  unparalleled 

.-e.i|.  •-.     |     li.,,l    ;,I    1.   H_tll.   ..II     ill.'    llim't.-elltll    da\     .  .|'   1||\     .|.   |'l!t'l>.      ti-lll     I,',  .!(.    l.l.Hll.    a!  li\.  .1     ill    sat',   ty    :i  I    the    e,  .1 ,.  •  1 1  |-l,  .|l 

of  a  voyage  niuloiiht.  dly  tlie  most  extraordinary,  and  the  most  momentous,  ever  accomplished,  undertaken  or 
ivm-.-iv.-d  by  any  denizen  of  earth.  But  my  adventures  yet  remain  to  be  related.  And,  indeed,  yon  i  K\e,  llencie* 
may  well  imagine  that,  after  a  residence  of  five  years  upon  a  planet  not  only  deeply  interesting  in  its  own  peculiar 
character,  but  rendered  doubly  so  by  its  intimate  connexion,  in  capacity  of  satellite,  with  the  world  inhabited  1>\ 
man,  I  may  have  intelligence  for  the  private  ear  of  the  States'  College  of  Astronomers  of  far  more  importance  than 
the  details,  how.  \.-r  woml.rt'ii  1.  of  the  mere  voyage  which  so  happily  concluded.  This  is,  in  fact,  the  case. 

1  have  much,  very  much,  which  it  would  give  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  communicate.  I  have  much  to  say  .>! 
the  climate  of  the  planet  ;  of  its  wonderful  alternations  of  heat  and  cold  ;  of  unmitigated  and  burning  siinxhine  foi-om- 
fortnight,  and  more  than  polar  frigidity  for  t  he  next ;  of  a  constant  transfer  of  moisture,  by  distillation  I  ike  t  hat  m  cocao, 
from  the  jmiiit  1«  neath  the  snn  to  the  point  the  farthest  from  it;  of  a  variable  zone  of  running  water;  of  the  people 
themselves;  of  their  manners,  customs,  and  political  institutions;  of  their  peculiar  physical  constructions;  of  their 
uglinos  :  of  their  want  of  cars,  those  useless  appendages  in  an  atmo-phere  so  peculiarly  modified ;  of  their  conse- 
quent ignorance  of  the  use  and  properties  of  speech;  of  their  Milwtitute  for  speech  in  a  singular  method  of  inter- 
communication :  of  tho  incompivh.-nsible  connexion  between  each  particular  individual  in  the  moon  with  Home 
l>articuliir  individual  on  the  earth — a  connexion  analogous  with,  and  depending  upon,  that  of  the  orbs  of  the  planet 
and  tho  satellite,  and  by  means  of  which  the  lives  and  destinies  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  one  are  interwoven  with 
the  !i\.  -  and  destinies  of  tho  inhabitants  of  the  other ;  and,  above  all,  if  it  so  please  your  Kv  .•llencies,  above  all,  of 
those  dark  and  hideous  mysteries  which  lie  in  the  outer  regions  of  the  moon — regions  which,  owing  to  the  almost 
miraculous  accordance  of  tho  satellite's  rotation  on  its  own  axis  with  it*  sidereal  revolution  about  the  earth,  have 
never  yet  been  turned,  and,  by  God's  mercy,  never  shall  be  turned,  to  the  scrutiny  of  the  telescopes  of  man.  All 
this,  and  more — much  more— would  I  most  willingly  detail.  ^But,  to  be  brief,  I  must  have  my  reward.  I  am 
pining  for  a  return  to  my  family  and  1o  my  home ;  and  as  tho  price  of  any  further  communications  on  my  part,  in 
<•> moderation  of  the  light  which  1  have  it  in  my  power  to  throw  upon  many  very  imjiortant  brunches  of  physical 
and  metaphysical  sci-'ii.-.-,  I  must  solicit,  through  the  influence  of  your  honourable  body,  a  pardon  for  the  crime  ..f 
which  1  have  been  guilty  in  the  death  of  the  creditors  upon  my  departure  from  Rotterdam.  This,  then,  is  th«- 
object  of  the  present  paper.  Its  bearer,  an  inhabitant  of  the  moon,  whom  I  have  prevail. -.1  upon,  and  pro|icrly 
instructed,  to  be  my  messenger  to  tho  earth,  will  await  your  Kx.vllencies'  pleasure,  and  return  to  me  with  the 
pardon  in  question,  if  it  can  in  any  manner  be  obtained. 

I  have  the  honour  to  !«•.  &<-..  your  Kxeell. -n.-i. >'  very  humble  M-ivant, 

II  \N-   I'j  \  MI. 


434  ASTEA  CASTRA.  CHAP.  XI. 

Upon  finishing  the  perusal  of  this  very  extraordinary  document,  Professor  Kubadub,  it  is  said,  dropped  his  pipe 
upon  the  ground  in  the  extremity  of  his  surprise,  and  Mynheer  Superbus  Von  Underduk,  having  taken  off  his 
spectacles,  wiped  them,  and  deposited  them  in  his  pocket,  so  far  forgot  both  himself  and  his  dignity  as  to  turn  round 
'three  times  upon  his  heel  in  the  quintessence  of  astonishment  and  admiration.  There  was  no  doubt  about  the 
matter— the  pardon  should  be  obtained.  So  at  least  swore,  with  a  round  oath,  Professor  Eubadub,  and  so  finally 
thought  the  illustrious  Von  Underduk,  as  he  took  the  arm  of  his  brother  in  science,  and,  without  saying  a  word, 
began  to  make  the  best  of  his  way  home  to  deliberate  upon  the  measures  to  be  adopted.  Having  reached  the  door, 
however,  of  the  burgomaster's  dwelling,  the  professor  ventured  to  suggest  that,  as  the  messenger  had  thought  proper 
to  disappear  (no  doubt  frightened  to  death  by  the  savage  appearance  of  the  burghers  of  Rotterdam),  the  pardon 
would  be  of  little  use,  as  no  one  but  a  man  of  the  moon  would  undertake  a  voyage  to  so  vast  a  distance.  To  the 
truth  of  this  observation  the  burgomaster  assented,  and  the  matter  was  therefore  at  an  end.  Not  so,  however, 
rumours  and  speculations.  The  letter,  having  been  published,  gave  rise  to  a  variety  of  gossip  and  opinion. 
Some  of  the  over-wise  even  made  themselves  ridiculous  by  decrying  the  whole  business  as  nothing  better 
than  a  hoax.  But  hoax,  with  these  sort  of  people,  is,  I  believe,  a  general  term  for  all  matters  above  their  compre- 
hension. For  my  part,  I  cannot  conceive  upon  what  data  they  have  founded  such  an  accusation.  Let  us  see  what 
they  say : — 

Imprimis.  That  certain  wags  in  Rotterdam  have  certain  especial  antipathies  to  certain  burgomasters  and 
astronomers. 

Secondly.  That  an  odd  little  dwarf  and  bottle-conjurer,  both  of  whose  ears,  for  some  misdemeanor,  have  been 
cut  off  close  to  his  head,  has  been  missing  for  several  days  from  the  neighbouring  city  of  Bruges. 

Thirdly.  That  the  newspapers  which  were  stuck  all  over  the  little  balloon  were  newspapers  of  Holland,  and 
therefore  could  not  have  been  made  in  the  moon.  They  were  dirty  papers — very  dirty ;  and  Gluck,  the  printer, 
would  take  his  Bible  oath  to  their  having  been  printed  in  Rotterdam. 

Fourthly.  That  Hans  Pfaall  himself,  the  drunken  villain,  and  the  three  very  idle  gentlemen  styled  his 
creditors,  were  all  seen,  no  longer  than  two  or  three  days  ago,  in  a  tippling-house  in  the  suburbs,  having  just 
returned,  with  money  in  their  pockets,  from  a  trip  beyond  the  sea. 

Lastly.  That  it  is  an  opinion  very  generally  received,  or  which  ought  to  be  generally  received,  that  the 
College  of  Astronomers  in  the  city  of  Rotterdam,  as  well  as  all  other  colleges  in  all  other  parts  of  the  world — not  to 
mention  colleges  and  astronomers  in  general — are,  to  say  the  least  of  the  matter,  not  a  whit  better,  nor  greater,  nor 
wiser  than  they  ought  to  be. 

Cornelius  O'Dowd  expressed  the  following  opinion  as  late  as  October,  1864: — 

....  Next  to  these  [members  of  the  Alpine  Club]  in  order  of  utter  uselessness  are  the  people  who  go  up  in 
balloons,  and  who  come  down  to  tell  us  of  the  temperature,  the  air-currents,  the  shapes  of  the  clouds,  and  amount 
of  atmospheric  pressure  in  a  region  where  nobody  wants  to  go,  nor  has  the  slightest  interest  to  hear  about. — 
Blackwood's  Magazine. 

By  the  kind  permission  of  Messrs.  Eoutledge  I  am  able  to  add  a  chapter  from  the 
'  Younger  Munchausen,'  a  new  work,  which  is  not  one  of  the  least  amusing  of  Mr.  Charles 
Bennett's  writings. 

When  Mr.  Coxwell  told  M.  Godard  that  Munchausen  knew  less  about  balloons  than  Nadar,  I  felt  at  once  that 
he  was  either  blinded  by  jealousy  or  shrouded  in  ignorance. 

Ballooning,  I  own,  has  presented  to  me  many  difficulties,  but  I  have  conquered  most  of  them ;  and  although 

Coxwell  has  taken  away  Mr.  Glaisher's  breath  at  a  height  of  four  miles  from  the  earth Has  he  ever  been  to 

the  Moon  ? 

I  have. 

He  has  built  a  gas  balloon.     Has  he  ever  tried  fire,  water,  Colza  oil,  petroleum,  or  chloroform  ? 

He  is  contented  with  oiled  silk.  I  should  advise  him  to  "  go  in,"  as  I  did,  for  cork,  paper,  india-rubber, 
sheet-lead,  tin  plates,  cast-iron,  or  Scotch  granite. 


\ 


tfi 


(MM.  XI.  COX  WELL  VERSUS  MUNCH  AUSEN.  I    • 

(Pray  excuse  my  feelings,  but  I  cannot  afford  to  be  misrepresented,  even  by  to  great  a  man  as  my  friend 
i  .A well.) 

I  always  look  upon  myself  as  a  born  aeronaut;  for  when  an  infant,  six  woeka  old,  my  nurse  took  mo  for  an 
airing  up  Shakspeare's  Cliff  (we  lived  at  Dover  then),  a  strong  wind  carried  me  out  of  her  arms,  and  I  was  borne 
safely  across  the  British  Channel  to  Calais,  my  ample  petticoat  forming  a  very  excellent  parachute. 

I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  I  had  much  to  do  with  the  success  of  this  feat  myself,  but  I  am  led  to  believe  that 
it  gave  a  bias  to  my  balloonaey. 

Well  can  I  remember  passing  along  the  streets  of  London  in  a  shower  of  rain,  holding  over  my  head  a  large 
gingham  gig-umbrella.  I  was  then  only  a  very  little  boy  indeed,  and  the  huge  article  was  rather  more  than  I 
could  carry.  I  was  on  the  point  of  selecting  a  convenient  area,  down  which  to  drop  it,  when  an  explosion  of  gas 
at  a  baker's  shop  filled  my  mormons  umbrella  with  hydrogen,  and  immediately  converted  it  into  a  primitive 
aerial  machine.  It  will  not  surprise  you  to  be  told  that  wo  at  once  cleared  the  houses,  with  but  little  damage  to 
tin-  -iirrounding  chimncv-jviu,  and  that  in  a  few  minutes,  firmly  grasping  the  hooked  end  of  my  singular  convex 
ance,  I  looked  down  to  see  the  metropolis  spread  itself  beneath  me  like  a  surging  map.  To  what  part  of  the  world 
I  might  have  been  carried  I  cannot  say,  but  as  it  occurred  to  my  infant  mind  that  the  shutting  up  of  the  umbrella 
would  answer  all  the  puqioses  of  a  safety-valve,  while  the  casting  off  of  my  boots  (bluchers)  would  serve  for  the 
throwing  out  of  ballast ;  I  managed  in  due  course  of  time  to  alight  on  Waterloo  Bridge,  to  the  horror  and  distract  ion 
of  the  toll-collector,  who  knew  not  how  to  demand  a  ha'penny  from  a  child  with  a  large  gingham  gig-umbrella, 
who  hod  not  passed  through  either  of  the  turnstiles. 

Still  these  were,  as  one  may  say,  but  the  accidents  of  youth  ;  it  was  at  a  somewhat  later  period  that  1  gave 
myself  up  thoroughly  to  the  study  of  aeronautics. 

And  in  this  way  it  happened : — 

Fond  of  speculating  about  the  mystery  of  gravitation,  the  question,  "  What  is  it  that  sticks  us  so  tightly  on 
to  the  earth  ':"  was  to  me  most  interesting.  Almost  the  first  book  that  I  read  was  one  in  which  I  found  an  authentic 
narrative  of  the  adventures  of  a  German  student,  who  decanted  two  ounces  of  gravitation  into  a  stoppered  bottle, 
but  inadvertently  lost  his  bottle  and  his  life  by  pulling  out  the  stopper  too  far. 

It  occurred  to  me,  on  perusal  of  these  facts,  that  if  I  had  two  ounces  of  the  essence  of  gravitation,  I  could 
travel  anywhere  that  I  pleased,  not  fearing  for  one  moment  that  Munchausen  would  come  to  grief  over  the  stopper. 

In  pursuance  of  this  desire,  I  sent  down  to  Sheffield  for  five  tons  (100  cwt.)  of  magnetic  ore,  and  procuring 
the  same  week  from  Birmingham  one  pound  (16  oz.  avoirdupois)  of  flnorite  of  cadmium,  I  crushed  these  two 
diverse  materials  in  a  steam-mill  of  my  own  invention,  and  when,  by  super-steam  heat  and  galvanic  batteries,  1 
had  developed  the  attractive  segregation  of  particles,  a  heap  was  formed,  which  assumed  conical  dimension  (45°). 
Of  course  then  it  was  but  easy  work  to  collect  the  extract  of  gravitation  in  two-ounce  vials,  and  to  secure  it  tli< 
by  means  of  glass  stoppers. 

So  far  everything  was  simple ;  but,  alas !  now  I  found  myself  in  possession  of  an  utterly  impracticable  power. 

It  was  too  good  to  be  useful. 

wonder  the  German  student  lost  his  life. 

Lven  I  could  not  control  it.  The  moment  the  stopper  was  in  the  slightest  degree  released,  off  I  flew 
from  the  earth  with  the  rapidity  of  a  discharged  bombshell,  stopping  for  nothing  less  than  a  planet  or  a  fixed  star. 

The  first  experiment  I  tried  shot  me  into  the  sun  ;  the  second,  I  shot  myself  back  again,  with  a  great  burn 
on  the  bridge  of  my  nose. 

\\hen   I  again  released  the  stopper,  it  is  true  that  I  only  reached  the  moon,  but  I  so  scratched  myself  against 
the  man's  faggots,  that  I  wonder  how  I  ever  found  sticking-plaster  enough  to  heal  my  wounds. 

Once  I  reached  the  Dog  star,  which,  by  the  by,  is  not  a  dog  at  all,  nor  much  of  a  star  either. 

Lily.  I  gut  my  uniform  in  Mich  a  frightful  mess  by  tumbling  into  tin-  .Milky  Way  about  skimming-time. 
th:it  I  put  all  my  dangerous  two-ounce  vials  on  the  top-shelf  of  my  little  corner  cupboard,  determined  to  give  this 
daring  scheme  up  for  a  bod  job. 

N  othing  can  ever  induce  me  to  use  one  of  these  bottles  again. 

But  if  I  had  so  fruitlessly  risked  my  life  over  essence  of  gravitation,  it  had  but  had  the  effect  of  settling  m\ 
mind  more  firmly  in  the  direction  of  balloons.  It  is  true  I  had  broken  my  arm,  dislocated  my  thigh,  fractured  my 
skull,  and  broken  my  neck,  in  this  series  of  experiments,  which  had  proved  too  successful  to  bo  safe;  but  as 

3    L 


436  ASTKA  CASTKA.  CHAP.  XL 

balloons,  instead  of  making  too  quickly  for  the  place  of  destination,  ordinarily  make  for  nothing  at  all  in  parti- 
cular, I  naturally  felt  that  here,  if  anywhere,  must  be  safety. 

Armed  with  this  idea,  I  at  once  purchased  twenty  thousand  yards  of  oiled  silk,  cut  the  "  gores"  from  my 
own  pattern,  set  one  hundred  and  twelve  sewing-machines  at  work  upon  the  seams,  so  that  by  the  time  I  had 
completed  my  patent  grapnel,  and  treble-action  safety-valve,  I  had  ready  for  ascent  just  simply  the  noblest  and 
best-proportioned  gas  balloon  that  has  ever  yet  been  seen  aloft.  It  was  calculated  to  hold  two  hundred  people, 
easy  of  ascent,  easy  of  descent,  but — and  this  is  the  evil  of  ordinary  ballooning — entirely  at  the  mercy  of  the 
winds.  At  first  I  tried  to  catch  favourable  currents  and  travel  with  the  wind,  but  still  I  found,  as  Coxwoll  finds 
to  this  hour,  that  any  one  of  the  breezes  that  blow  north,  south,  east,  or  west,  was  alike  my  master ;  this  was  not 
to  be  tolerated. 

I  invented  my 

PATENT  FIVE-FOLD-KECURVED-NOZZLE-BALLOON-BELLOWS, 

which  blew  up  an  opposition  breeze,  and  carried  me  along  even  in  spite  of  "  rude  Boreas." 

When  I  tell  you  that  to  this  hour  I  keep  a  small  visiting  balloon,  with  the  "  recurved  attachment,"  in  my 
back  garden  always  inflated,  you  will  at  once  understand  that  it  must  have  been  a  tolerable  success. 

Indeed  it  was  but  a  development  of  this  plan  that  led  to  the  establishment  of  my  "  self-acting  messenger 
balloon,"  now  rapidly  taking  the  place  of  the  electric  telegraph,  which  indeed  it  is  likely  to  entirely  supersede. 
By  means  of  this  wonderful  little  machine  you  may  send  messages  to  all  parts  of  the  world,  without  any  previous 
bother  about  submarine  cables  or  housetop  wires,  and  always  look  for  an  answer,  as  the  "  messenger  "  refuses  to 
return  without  a  proper  reply.  I  cannot  enter  into  all  the  details  of  this  charming  automaton,  but  will  only  men- 
tion that  its  movements  are  so  regular  as  to  give  rise  to  a  sort  of  arithmetical  quality,  which  enables  it  to  economise 
the  little  time  it  has  to  spare  in  casting  up  accounts  at  its  leisure. 

Babbage  had  no  hand  in  it  I  assure  you. 

But  talking  of  Babbage  reminds  me  that  there  is  a  phrase  in  common  use, — 

"  Castle  in  the  Air." 

Some  gentlemen  plead  guilty  to  building  them,  but  I  must  say  that  I  am  the  inventor.  Munohausen  builds 
a  better  "Castle  in  the  Air  "than  anyone  else  I  know.  I  have  drawn  a  rude  sketch  of  one;  and  you  will 
see  on  looking  at  it  that  we  get  our  gas  from  the  superincumbent  balloon :  water  we  hang  over  the  side 
in  a  butt ;  the  household  utensils  hang  over  also,  but  not  in  a  butt ;  the  man  -  cook  calls  through  his 
speaking-trumpet  earthwards  for  coals ;  the  gardener  attaches  a  hose  to  the  butt,  and  waters  the  garden ;  the 
old  man  in  the  bath  below  disports  himself,  but  not  quite  at  his  leisure,  as  his  son  comes  down  the  ladder  to  take 
his  place ;  the  larder  is — best  of  places — on  the  hoop ;  /  stand,  with  arms  behind  me,  at  the  door,  admiring  my 
own  ingenuity — and  perhaps  the  only  drawback  that  can  be  found  in  this  admirable  castle  is,  that  both  house  and 
scullery  maid  are  always  popping  their  heads  out  of  our  first-floor  window  to  see  how  the  curiously  bent  chimneys 
smoke,  as  usually  they  do.  Without  this  slight  defect  it  would  be  perfect;  as  it  is,  this  aerial  castle  has  so  well 
answered  its  purpose  that  this  year  Scarborough,  Margate,  and  C'hamouni  are  almost  deserted,  and  if  on  a  very 
bright  evening  you  cast  your  eyes  far  enoiigh,  you  will  observe  we  have  now  quite  an  aerial  city — the  fashionable 
world  no  longer  retires  to  its  watering-place  or  its  mountain,  but  quietly  ascends  to  its  castle-in-the-air — What  can 
be  pleasanter  ? 

I  might  almost  say  that  balloons  are  the  rage :  it  was  only  last  month  that  I  was  called  upon  by  the  cele- 
brated Taylor,  the  furniture  mover,  to  construct  a  balloon  capable  of  moving  house,  furniture,  front  and  back 
garden,  all  at  one  go.  The  affair  is  simple  enough  to  the  scientific  mind  :  as  houses  are  now-a-days  built  without 
foundations,  it  is  merely  a  question  of  cables  and  balloon  power,  and  there  you  are — the  house  rises  easily  enough, 
of  course  the  furniture  with  it ;  as  for  the  gardens  we  have  some  small  difficulty  with  them,  but  by  underlaying 
with  strong  timbers,  they  come  away  with  the  rest ;  we  intend  that  all  gardens  in  future  shall  rest  on  bottoms  of 
concrete,  which  will  save  us  a  great  deal  of  trouble. 

For  it  is  all  important  to  save  trouble.  I  saved  the  trouble  of  stopping,  by  making  a  balloon  with  motive 
power  so  vigorous,  that  once  started  it  could  never  be  stopped ;  and  indeed  it  would  give  me  an  opportunity  of 
claiming  the  annuity  of  ten  thousand  pounds,  waiting  so  patiently  for  the  inventor  of  perpetual  motion,  did  it  not 
iu  course  of  time  wear  itself  out,  when-I  ain  sorry  to  say  it  falls  to  pieces.  Still,  it  is  better  than  my  "  summersault 


• 


//  „„./„•//„•  . 


1864 


C  t>Llt-CkU  It. 


Our.  XI.  AN  END  TO  ARMSTRONG.  I ::7 

balloon,"  which  turns  over  and  over  like  an  aerial  harlequin,  giving  itself  a  fresh  impetus  every  turn.  It  i«  tun 
that  thin  machine  was  never  known  to  wear  out,  and  can  hardly  fall  to  pieces,  but  as  it  has  such  a  tendency  to 
produce  a  violent  "  air-tiickiiosu,"  I  have  thought  it  advisable  to  withdraw  the  patent. 

Oue  use,  however,  to  which  I  have  put  this  invention  is  worthy  of  further  note.  You  can  quite  understand 
what  a  violent  pull  would  bo  given  by  the  sudden  turning  over  of  this  machine ;  perhaps  also  you  are  aware  that 
we  have  had  this  year  a  very  hot  summer. 

\\  ell,  YOU  wish  to  know  what  connexion  the  acrobat  balloon  has  with  the  undue  heat  of  the  weather.  I  will 
tell  yon. 

One  million  of  these  tumbling  balloons  harnessed  in  the  foggy  winter  weather  to  this  earth,  sufficed  to  pull 
it  a  little  nearer  to  the  sun  ;  hence  the  hot  summer. 

So  you  see  balloons  have  been  of  some  use  one  way  and  the  other,  if  it  bo  only  to  make  grapes  grow 
in  England ;  although  I  would  not  for  a  moment  suppose  that  all  balloons  are  as  useful ;  some  are  merely 
scientific  toys. 

Such  as  my  kite  balloon,  which  could  not  be  guided  by  anything  but  the  wind,  it  being  composed  of  seven 
hundred  kites,  all  sailing  at  one  and  the  same  time,  dragging  after  them  the  car  and  its  inmates.  As  for  my  bird 
balloon,  that  never  came  down  again  after  it  went  np,  for  the  first  time  it  was  borne  in  the  air  by  a  variety  of 
strong-winged  birds,  but  as  the  birds  were  not  all  of  a  feather  they  refused  to  flock,  as  the  proverb  says  they 
should,  and  where  they  all  went  to  nobody  knows. 

The  butterfly  balloon  took  too  long  to  start,  and  v»  hen  it  was  fairly  off,  only  made  about  ten  miles  an  hour, 
so  it  was  not  of  much  use. 

The  watch-spring  balloon  was  also  of  little  avail,  because  of  the  incessant  trouble  of  winding  up  fifty 
thousand  watches, — too  much  trouble  for  any  six  people,  and  that  was  all  it  could  carry ;  still  I  must  say,  that  I 
look  upon  the  balloon  as  capable  of  superseding  steam ;  indeed,  I  take  it,  that  aerial  machines  may  at  some  future 
time  make  the  world  itself  quite  useless  for  any  but  secondary  purposes,  as  that  of  growing  silkworms  for  balloon 
construction,  and  osiers  wherewith  to  weave  the  cars; — perhaps  a  little  coal  to  distil  gas  may  be  required,  and 
always  the  earth  must  be  preserved  as  a  place  to  fall  upon. 

But  be  that  as  it  may,  one  thing  at  least  is  certain,  that  the  purposes  to  which  balloons  may  be  applied  are 
almost  innumerable. 

I  once  went  "  drag  netting  "  for  Federals  in  America.  We  "  rose  "  a  balloon  with  double  grapnels  and  wide- 
meshed  net  attached ;  hovering  over  the  enemy,  we  watched  our  opportunity,  and  threw  out  our  net  on  to  the 
97th  Massachusetts  Tiger  Cats,  capturing  the  whole  regiment.  My  recurved  bellows  blew  us  back  to  the  Confede- 
rate camp,  and  we  dragged  in,  triumphantly,  the  whole  of  our  prisoners. 

People  talk  about  disabling  iron-clad  ships  with  Sir  William  Armstrong's  900-pounder;  bnt  what  necessity 
can  there  be  for  cannon,  when,  by  plumbing  your  balloon  ten  miles  above  anything,  fort,  ship,  house,  or  palace, 
you  may  just  quietly  drop  over  the  edge  of  the  car  a  missile — an  explosive  shell — that  will  put  an  end  t.'  it 
at  once  ? 

But  among  the  purposes  to  which  balloons  may  be  turned,  there  is  none  more  useful  than  that  of  irrigation. 
You  see,  in  consequence  of  my  having  palled  the  earth  so  far  out  of  its  beaten  track,  we  have  hud  not  only  a  hot 
but  a  dry  summer ;  the  earth  has  been  parched,  cattle  dying,  crops  perishing,  while  a  few  hundred  of  my  PATHS  r 
Ai  HI  vi.  WATKR  CARS  would  have  altered  all  that  Balloon  goes  up  with  a  condensing  apparatus,  by  which  mois- 
ture is  gathered  at  a  high  elevation;  and  it  is  then  and  there  discharged  upon  the  surface  of  the  land  in  a  series 
of  gentle  showers.  By  this  means  the  sky  is  kept  clear  of  mists,  the  earth  is  benefited  by  the  showers,  and  as  it  in 
always  possible  to  discharge  the  water  after  dark,  the  man  of  business  can  go  about  without  his  umbrella ;  the 
family  can  enjoy  the  sunshine  at  the  sea-side,  while  the  fanner  has  the  means  of  forwarding  or  checking  his  crops 
ready  to  his  hand. 

Can  anything  be  better  ? 

But  I  will  not  trouble  you  any  more  with  my  stories  about  balloons ;  only,  for  the  benefit  of  my  friend 
Coxwell,  I  should  like  to  set  before  him  a  few  of  the  benefits  of  ballooning,  as  I  intend  to  carry  them  out. 

A  balloon  to  light  all  England,  by  fixing  it  at  such  an  elevation  as  to  enable  a  strong  and  piercing  light  t<> 
illuminate  the  country  round,  from  Land's  End  to  John  o'  Groat's. 

A  balloon  with  which  to  discover  new  countries,  by  passing  over  hitherto  inaccessible  barriers. 

3  L  2 


438 


ASTEA  CASTBA. 


CHAP.  XL 


A  balloon  with  a  large  reflector  and  burning-glass,  to  bring  a  little  summer  heat  round  at  Christmas  time. 

A  balloon  for  delicate  constitutions,  to  change  its  position  according  to  the  exact  climate  required. 

A  balloon  to  distribute  advertisements  all  over  the  world. 

A  balloon  for  the  Pre-Kaphaelite  artists,  by  which  they  may  travel  up  close  to  the  wonderful  effects  they  are 
so  fond  of. 

A  balloon  for  people  who  want  to  keep  out  of  the  way  ;  and 

A  detective  balloon,  by  which  the  policemen  can  look  down  other  people's  chimneys,  and  through  other 
people's  skylights,  and  so  find  out  "  all  about  it." 

I  will  not  mention  the  thousand  and  one  other  and  better  purposes  to  which  I  propose  putting  balloons,  but 
1  think  that  while  they  give  artificial  sunshine  and  artificial  rain,  house  without  property-tax,  and  travelling  with- 
out steam-engines,  perhaps  I  have  told  you  enough  for  the  present. 

At  all  events,  if  Coxwell  will  allow  me,  I  mean  to  take  Mr.  Glaisher  up  to  the  moon  in  December,  just  when 
the  "  man  "  is  getting  his  crop  in,  which  will  give  Glaisher  something  else  than  wet  bulbs,  zeros,  and  short  breath, 
to  talk  about  to  the  British  Association  when  they  meet. 


LINES  TO  A  WILD  DUCK. 


A  duck  has  been  immortalized  by  Bryant — 

A  wild  one,  too. 
Sweetly  he  hymned  the  creature  blithe  and  buoyant, 

Cleaving  the  blue. 

But  whoso  says  the  duck  through  ether  flying, 

Seen  by  the  bard, 
Equalled  the  canvas-back  before  me  lying, 

Tells  a  canard. 


Done  to  a  turn  !     The  flesh  a  dark  carnation, 

The  gravy  red. 
Four  slices  from  the  breast :  on  such  a  ration 

Gods  never  fed ! 

Bryant,  go  to !     To  say  thy  lyric  ghost  duck, 

Traced  on  the  sky, 
Was  worthy  to  be  named  with  this  fine  roast  duck, 

Is  all  my  eye  ! 


'  ODSTA.NTES  FISDIT  XKBULAS.' 


CHAPTER  XII. 


'PROGRESS;  OR,  REVIEW  OF  THE  PAST,  AM'  TIIK  HOPES  FOR  THE  FUTURE." 


"  To  everything  there  is  a  season,  and  a  time  to  every  purpose  under  the  heaven." 


EOCLESIA.STES  iii.  1. 


i-IUs's  TYPES,  TIME  AND  SPACE  —  IIAS'8  PROGRESS  TOWARDS  HAPPINESS  —  THE  CONTRIBUTIONS  OF  THE  VAKIni  -  \  \i  |,,\s 
THAT  FORM  OUR  PRESENT  COMMONWEALTH  TO  THIS  SCIENCE  —  THE  ORIGIN  OF  DISCOVERIES  —  THE  ANALOGY  THAT  EXISTS 
IN  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  ANT  SCIENCE;  ASTRONOMY  TAKES  AS  AN  INSTANCE  —  VICTOR  HUGO*8  XX"*  8I&CLE — PI.KINE  MER 
—  PLEIN  CIEL  —  COS'  1 .1  '-1"N. 


SPACE   (A   SENTENCE   FROM   CONFUCIUS). 


1. 


DBEIFACII  i»t  .Icr  Schritt  der  Zeit  : 
Zogernd  kommt  ilie  Xukunft  bergezogen, 
I'li-ilsoliin  -11  ist  das  Jetzt  entflogen, 
Ewig  still  steht  die  Vergangcnlu-it. 

2. 

Dreifach  ist  des  Raumes  Masz. 
Rastlos  fort  ohn'  Unterlasz 

f.»rt  ins  \Vcite, 

Endlue  gieszet  sich  die  Jlrtite, 
Grundlos  aenkt  die  Titfe  gich. 


Dir  pin  Ilild  sind  sic  • 

Itastlos  vorwarts  nmszt  du  streben, 
Hi-  sti-lm, 

Willst  du  die  Vollcndung  sehn  ; 

Muszt  ins  lirrir  .Hen, 

Soil  sich  dir  die  Welt  gestalten  ; 

In  die  Tii-tV  muszt  du  steigen, 

Soil  sich  dir  das  \V<  -.  n  7.<-igen. 
Nur  Miarrung  fulirt  /.inn  Xii-1, 
Xur  die  Kulle  fiil)rt  zur  Klarlit-it, 
Dnd  im  Abgrund  wohnt  die  Wahrheit. 

SCHILLER. 


Threefold  the  stride  of  Time,  from  first  to  last ! 

Loitering  slow,  the  Future  creepeth — 

Arrow-swift,  tho  Present  sweepeth — 
And  motionless  for  ever  stands  the  Past. 

2. 

A  threefold  measure  dwells  in  Space — 
Restless  Length,  with  flying  race ; 
Stretching  forward,  never  endeth, 
Ever  widenin;:,  Dreaiith  extended] ; 
Ever  groundless,  Depth  deecendeth. 

Types  in  these  thou  dost  possess ; — 
Restless,  onwards  tbou  must  press, 

Never  halt  nor  languor  know, 

To  the  Perfect  wouldst  thou  go  ;— 
Let  thy  reach  with  Rrendth  extend 
Till  the  world  it  comprehend — 
Dive  into  the  Depth  to  see 
Germ  and  root  of  all  that  be. 
Ever  onward  must  thy  soul ; — 
Tis  the  progress  gains  the  goal ; 
Ever  widen  more  its  bound  ; 
In  the  Full  the  clear  is  found, 
And  the  Truth — dwells  under  ground. 

SIB  EDWARD  BULWER  LYTTON. 


I. 


HAVING  now  reviewed  the  most  salient  points  of  all  that  has  been  accomplished  and  suggested 
with  regard  to  aerostation,  though  many  valuable  ideas  may  have  escaped  us,  let  us  now 
recall  briefly  the  general  progress  of  science,  and  the  important  results  which  we  may  now 
fairly  anticipate  for  this  branch  of  it. 

••  Man's  twofold  nature,"  says  Carlyle,  "is  reflected  in  history.  He  is  of  earth,  but  his 
tin. ughts  are  \\  itli  the  stars.  Mean  and  potty  his  wants  and  his  desires,  yet  they  serve  a  soul 
•  •xaltrd  with  .irrand,  glorious  aims,  with  immortal  longings,  with  thoughts  which  sweep  the 
heavens,  and  wander  through  eternity.  A  pigmy  standing  on  the  outward  crust  of  this  small 


440 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


CHAP.  XII. 


planet,  his  far-reaching  spirit  stretches  outwards  to  the  infinite,  and  there  alone  finds  rest. 
History  is  a  reflex  of  this  double  life.  Every  epoch  has  two  aspects,  one  calm,  broad,  and 
solemn,  looking  towards  eternity;  and  the  other  agitated,  petty,  vehement,  and  confused, 
looking  towards  time." 


TlIE    LlAS,    OK    A    FOOT-PRIST   OF   THE    PAST. 


With  what  line  or  scries,  then,  shall  we  connect  the  Pterodactyls  of  the  oolite  ?  There  is  no  motion  of  which 
that  extraordinaiy  animal  could  not  partake.  It  could  walk,  swim,  and  fly,  leap  over  great  spaces,  and  float  in  the 
air,  sustained  as  by  a  parachute ;  and  if  its  instincts  were  commensurate  with  its  powers,  it  would  stand  out  wholly 
as  an  anomaly,  having  neither  predecessor  nor  descendant. — NICHOL'S  System  of  the  World. 

Methought  I  saw 

Life  swiftly  treading  over  endless  space, 
And,  at  her  foot-print,  but  a  bygone  pace, 
The  ocean-past,  which,  with  increasing  wave, 
Swallow'd  her  steps  like  a  pursuing  grave. 

TKNXYSOX. 

George  Combe  says:— 

At  the  time  of  the  Roman  invasion,  the  inhabitants  of  Britain  lived  as  savages,  and  appeared  in  painted  skins. 
After  the  Norman  conquest,  one  part  of  the  nation  was  placed  in  the  condition  of  serfs,  condemned  to  labour  like 
beasts  of  burden,  while  the  other  devoted  itself  to  war.  The  nobles  fought  battles  during  the  day,  and  in  the  night 
probably  dreamed  of  bloodshed  and  broils.  Next  came  the  age  of  chivalry.  These  generations  severally  believed 


CIIAI-.   XII. 


MANS  |'KO<;l!KSS  TOWAIMIS   HAITIM» 


III 


their  own  i-oiiilitiiiii  tn  l>e  the  highest,  or  at  least   tin-  permanent  ami   inevitable  1"!   of  Man.      Now.  ho\\evi  r.  have 
come  tin-  ]in-M-ut  arrangement*  of  society,  in  which  millions  uf  nn-n  are  Nluit   up  in  cotton-mills  and  other  niann 
r  ten  ur  twehe  hours  a  day;  others  labour  under  ground  in  mine*;  others  plough  the  field*:  while 
thousands  i >f  higher   rank   pass  their  liven  in   frivolous   amusements.     The  elementary    principles  of  the   human 
•  •oiiKtitmioii,  Kith  Willy  and  mental,  were  the  same  in  our  ^tinted  ancestors,  nnd  in  their  ehivalrous  descendants,  ati 

they  are  in  us.  their  shopkeepin;;.  manufacturing,  and   m •y-pithcring  children.      Yet  how  different  the  external 

Of  these  several  generation-:  It',  in  the  savage  state,  the  mental  faculties  of  Man  were  in  harmon\ 
them*.  Ives  and  with  his  external  circumstances,  he  must  then  have  enjoyed  all  the  happiness  of  which  his 
nature  was  capable,  and  have  erred  when  he  ehanged  his  condition:  if  tin-  institutions  and  customs  of  the  ap' 
of  chivalry  were  calculated  to  gratify  his  whole  nature  harmoniously,  he  must  have  K-en  unhappy  as  a  savage,  and 
must  !»•  miserable  now;  if  his  present  condition  lie  the  perfection  of  his  nature,  ho  must  have  Ki-n  far  from 
enjoyment  l»th  as  a  savage  and  as  a  feudal  warrior  ;  and.  if  none  of  these  conditions  have  K-en  in  accordance  with 
his  constitution.  In-  must  still  have  his  happiness  to  seek. 

y  age,  accordingly,  has  testified  that  //  was  not  in  possession  of  contentment  .  and  the  question  present* 
itself.  If  hiinian  nature  has  received  a  definite  constitution,  ami  if  one  arrangement  of  external  ci re u instances  is 
more  suited  to  yield  it  gratification  than  another,  what  are  that  constitution  and  that  arrangement'/  No  one  among 
the  philosophers  has  succeeded  in  j^ivinjj  us  a  satisfactory  un-uer  to  these  questions.  If  \M  in  Britain  have 
not  reached  the  limits  of  attainable  perfection,  what  are  we  next  to  attempt?  Are  we  and  our  posterity  to  spin  and 
weave,  build  ships,  and  s|N-.ul.ite  in  commerce,  as  the  highest  occupations  to  which  Man  can  aspire,  and  to 
in  these  laKiurs  as  the  highest  till  the  end  of  time ';  If  not,  who  shall  pilot  u*  in  our  future  voyage  OH  the  ocean  of 
•la-f,  and  I ij  what  chart  of  philowpliy  iJiall  our  steersman  be  ijuiiied? 

The  Tiritwh  people  art-  i  1  as  a  type  of  mankind  at  large;  for  in  every  age  and  every  clime,  similar 

races  have  been  run,  with  similar  conclusions.     One  answer  may  be  returned  to  these  inquiries. 
Man  is  ap]>arently  a  progressive  being. 


EAKTII,  WATKR,  AIR,  KIMC — SOIAE  HE  THI»  RII>I>LI. 


fell  wnhii'  in  cincm  Rtcinemen  Ilnus, 

Da  lieg'  ich  verborgen  und  sctilafV  ; 

1  >och  ich  trete  hervor,  icli  eile  livraui, 

Gcfordert  mit  c-isoriier  \V:itlc. 

Erst  bin  icli  lujM-hcinhar  und  schwach  mul  klein, 

Mich  kann  drin  Atlit-ni  l>ezwingen, 

Kin  lU-geutropfen  cchon  saugt  mich  cin  ; 

Docb  mir  wachirii  im  Sit-r'e  die  Schwingen. 

Wenn  die  miichtige  Schwmtvr  sicli  zu  mir  ^I-M  Hi, 

Krnaclis*  ich  zum  furchtbarn  Gebietcr  der  Welt. 

Si  H1I.I.ER. 


In  a  Dwelling  of  (tone  I  conceal 

My  exintcnce  obscure  and  asleep ; 
But  forth  at  the  clash  of  the  steel, 

From  my  slumber  exulting  I  leap ! 
At  first,  all  too  feeble  for  M 

Tliou  hast  but  to  breathe  and  I  die; 
A  drop  would  extinguish  my  life — 

Hut  my  wings  soon  expand  to  the  sky ! 
Lot  llie  might  of  my  Sinter  *  afford 

Its  aid  to  those  win^s  when  unfurl'd, 
And  I  grow  to  a  terrible  Lord, 

Wii.ise  anger  can  ravage  the  world.f 

SlK     Kl'WAIUI    IIC1.WKK    I.I 


•  Tl, 


•    I 


442  ASTEA  CASTEA.  CHAP.  XII. 

We  might  continue ;  but  lately  there  have  been  many  popular  writers  who  have  shown 
the  analogy  between  the  growth  of  the  mind  of  a  nation,  and  that  of  a  man  from  his 
childhood  ;  and  the  wider  the  survey  both  of  centuries  and  countries  that  these  works  include, 
the  more  apparent  does  this  become.  We  can  therefore  only  venture  to  call  the  fact  to  mind 
whilst  we  make  note  of  the  chief  contributions  of  various  nations  to  this  division  of  science. 

II. 

To  FRANCE,  as  we  have  seen,  belongs  all  the  "  eclat "  of  this  branch  of  knowledge,  so 
well  suited  to  the  brilliancy,  vivacity,  and  showiness  of  her  character ;  but  let  us  accept  also 
the  judgment  of  one  of  the  ablest  of  her  writers  on  it,  when  he  speaks  of  the  ease  with  which 
she  is  disappointed : — "  Qu'il  est  malheureusement  dans  les  habitudes  de  1'esprit  fra^ais  de 
manquer  de  perseverance ;  que  souvent  il  laisse  echapper  et  passer  a  1'exterieur  les  decouvertes 
faites  chez  lui ;  et  que,  pour  les  accueillir,  il  leur  faut  en  quelque  sorte  le  bapteme  de  1'appro- 
bation  ^trangeres." 

In  ENGLAND  the  most  important  and  necessary  element  in  this  acquisition  was  made  by 
the  researches  of  Cavendish,  Black,  and  Watt,  who  discovered  the  specific  gravity  of  gases, 
and  the  decomposition  of  water. 

But  let  us  not  forget  ITALY,  as  we  owe  to  her  many  ideas.  I  will  therefore  quote 
Draper's  '  Intellectual  Development  of  Europe,'  wherein  he  speaks  justly,  -I  think,  of  the 
beautiful  peninsula  in  these  words: — 

In  this  scientific  advancement,  among  the  triumphs  of  which  we  are  living,  all  the  nations  of  Europe  have 
been  engaged.  Some,  with  a  venial  pride,  claim  for  themselves  the  glory  of  having  taken  the  lead.  But  perhaps 
each  of  them,  if  it  might  designate  the  country — alas !  not  yet  a  nation — that  would  occupy  the  succeeding  post  of 
honour,  would  inscribe  Italy  on  its  ballot.  It  was  in  Italy  that  Columbus  was  born ;  in  Venice,  destined  one  day 
to  be  restored  to  Italy,  newspapers  were  first  issued.  It  was  in  Italy  that  the  laws  of  the  descent  of  bodies  to  the 
earth  and  of  the  equilibrium  of  fluids  were  first  determined  by  Galileo.  In  the  cathedral  of  Pisa  that  illustrious 
philosopher  watched  the  swinging  of  the  chandelier,  and  observing  that  its  vibrations,  large  and  small,  were  made 
in  equal  times,  left  the  house  of  G  od,  his  prayers  unsaid,  but  the  pendulum  clock  reinvented.  To  the  Venetian 
senators  he  first  showed  the  satellites  of  Jupiter,  the  crescent  form  of  Venus,  and,  in  the  garden  of  Cardinal 
Bandini,  the  spots  upon  the  sun.  It  was  in  Italy  that  Sanctons  invented  the  thermometer ;  that  Torricelli  constructed 
the  barometer  and  demonstrated  the  pressure  of  air.  It  was  there  that  Castelli  laid  the  foundation  of  hydraulics,  and 
discovered  the  laws  of  the  flowing  of  water.  There,  too,  the  first  Christian  astronomical  observatory  was 
established ;  and  there  Stancari  counted  the  number  of  vibrations  of  a  string  emitting  musical  notes.  There 
Grimaldi  discovered  the  diffraction  of  light;  and  the  Florentine  academicians  showed  that  dark  heat  may  be 
reflected  by  mirrors  across  space.  In  our  own  times  Melloni  furnished  the  means  of  proving  that  it  may  be 
polarised.  The  first  philosophical  societies  were  the  Italian ;  the  first  botanical  garden  was  established  at  Pisa ; 
the  first  classification  of  plants  given  by  Caesalpinus.  The  first  geological  museum  was  founded  at  Verona ;  the  first 
who  cultivated  the  study  of  fossil  remains  were  Leonardo  da  Vinci  and  Tracasta.  The  great  chemical  discoveries  of 
this  century  were  made  by  instruments  which  bear  the  names  of  Galvani  and  Volta.  \Vhy  need  I  speak  of  science 
alone  ?  Who  will  dispute  with  that  illustrious  people  the  palm  of  music  and  painting,  of  statuary  and  architecture  ? 
The  dark  cloud  which  for  a  thousand  years  has  hung  over  that  beautiful  peninsula  is  fringed  with  irradiations  of 
light.  There  is  not  a  department  of  human  knowledge  from  which  Italy  has  not  extracted  glory,  no  art  that  she  has 
not  adorned. 

GKRMANY  has  aided  us  with  poetic  conceptions,  but  feebly  expressed  by  the  vignettes  that 
adorn  this  work,  and  moVe  powerfully  by  the  pen  of  Schiller,  breathing  forth  some  of  the 


(MAI.  XII.  CONTRIBUTIONS  OF  VARIOUS  NATIONS.  443 

strong >t  of  liuinan   aspirations.     They  have  also  welcomed  those  aeronauts  of  France  and 
who  have  exhibited  to  them  tin-  inijwrfect  machines  they  possess. 

AMKKICA  also  has  assisted  by  practical  observations  that  have  resulted  in  an  excellent 
volume  I'y  the  experienced  Mr.  Wise. 

This  is,  as  far  as  the  information  at  my  disposal  extends,  the  extent  of  the  outline  of  tin 
eontriltiitions  of  the  nations  that  form  our  present  Commonwealth. 

From  the  annexed  list  of  the  first  five  hundred  known  aeronauts  throughout  the  world, 
some  of  whom  have  devoted  tlu-ir  wlmlo  lives  to  the  science,  and  a  few  have  fallen  a  sacrifice 
t.t  thrir  i  \[>eriments,  we  see  how  large  is  the  majority  of  Englishmen.  This  list  was 
ran  fully  compiled  by  M.  Depuis  Delcomt  in  1824,  mucht  enlarged  by  Monck  Mason  in  1837, 
and  again  i.-\i>«-il  l>y  M.  Di-puis  IMeoiirt  in  1848,  and  is,  I  think,  nearly  correct. 

It  will  In  if,  perhaps,  be  opportune  to  notice  the  extent  of  the  development  which  the 
science  of  aerostat  ion  lias  hitherto  received,  and  the  similarity  that  exists  between  it  and 
the  progress  of  other  sciences. 

III. 

The  following  are  the  remarks  (written  about  1838)  that  commence  an  "Inquiry  into 
the  Uses  and  Taxabilities  of  the  Balloon-projected  Voyage  across  the  Atlantic": — 

It  is  an  observation  not  undeserving  the  attention  of  the  philosophical  inquirer,  how  seldom  it  has  happened 
that  the  dawn  of  discoveries  in  the  arts  and  sciences  has  been  commensurate  in  point  of  eclat  with  the  brillunev 
which  has  accompanied  their  subsequent  career  of  practical  application.  Of  the  inventions  which  have  most 
contributed  to  raise  the  standard  of  civilisation  and  the  periods  of  which  in  history  form,  as  it  were,  epochs  of 
improvement  in  the  moral  and  social  condition  of  mankind,  how  few  there  are  whose  first  announcement  has 

'••MI -iil  a  consideration  in  any  wa}' equivalent  to  the  rank  they  have  since  been  deemed  entitled  to  hold  !  while, 
on  the  other  hand,  of  those  discoveries  which  most  awakened  the  applause  of  contemporaneous  nations,  how  many 
might  1«-  i  it<  il  whose  results,  so  far  from  justifying,  seem  almost  to  mock  the  enthusiasm  which  hailed  their  original 
promulgation  '. 

Of  the  former  of  these  positions,  the  circumstances  attending  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  three  great  engines 
of  modern  supremacy  in  war,  in  literature,  and  in  commerce — gunpowder,  the  art  of  printing,  and  the  motive 
agency  of  steam,  afford  willii-i.-nt  illustration  ;  while,  in  exemplification  of  the  hitter,  we  need  only  refer  to  the  still 
more  recent  discovery  of  the  science  of  aerostation.  Greeted  with  a  universality  and  fervour  of  applause  never 
before  conceded  to  the  most  exalted  effort  of  human  ingenuity  or  enterprise,  honoured  by  royal  co-operation, 
eulogised  by  the  learned,  courted  by  the  rich,  discussed,  lauded,  and  criticised  to  the  almost  total  exclusion,  for  a 
while,  uf  t  vi-ry  other  topic  of  literary  or  public  interest,  its  reception  was  indeed  such  aa  can  only  be  excused  or 
explained  \>\  reference  to  the  feelings  of  the  world  upon  having,  as  it  conceived,  suddenly  acquired  the  solution  of  a 
problem  upon  which  it  had,  from  time  immemorial,  concentrated  its  best  energies  and  fixed  its  most  fer\i  nt 
aspirations.  How  far  these  expectations  have  been  justified  by  the  result*,  it  is  unfortunately  not  necessary 
to  inquire. 

And  yet,  notwithstanding  the  since  ascertained  exaggeration  of  these  sentiment*,  some  apology  may  be  found 
for  the  erroneous  anticipations  prevalently  entertained  upon  a  matter  apparently  fraught  with  such  interesting  and 
important  consequences.  To  determine  the  real  prospects  of  a  new  theory  is  the  province  of  the  professed 
philosopher,  and  is  frequently  only  to  be  accomplished  with  certainty  by  the  intervention  of  science  in  its  severest 
and  most  recondite  form.  The  branch  of  science  which  alone  bears  upon  the  question  of  aerial  navigation  or  the 
guidance  of  the  balloon  (the  point  towards  which  all  men's  minds  were,  at  the  outset,  incontinently  <lin  ete<l ),  was 
not  that  which,  at  tin-  time,  .Kviii.ifd  the  attention  of  the  sacans  of  France,  where,  it  is  well  known,  the  first 
successful  attempts  were  made  to  give  a  practical  illustration  of  the  art  Chemistry  and  natural  hi* t. .ry,  them*  1  \e>- 
only  in  their  infancy,  were  the  fashionable  and  almost  exclusive  studios  of  the  day ;  mathematics  and  the  physical 
sciences,  by  which  alone,  as  we  have  said,  the  forces  developed  in  the  prosecution  of  any  attempt  to  govern  tin- 

3  M 


444  ASTEA  CASTKA.  CHAP.  XII. 

movements  of  the  atmosphere,  could  be  calculated  or  ascertained,  were  so  little  pursued  that  few  were  in  a  condition 
to  pronounce  upon  the  capabilities  of  any  project  of  the  nature  alluded  to,  or  even  to  suspect  that  a  sufficient 
conclusion  could  be  arrived  at  (without  actual  experiment)  by  the  mere  force  of  a  priori  investigation.  Hence  the 
various  practical  attempts  made  to  ascertain  the  efficiency  of  schemes,  the  prospects  of  which  could  have  been 
determined  much  more  satisfactorily  (because,  independent  of  all  considerations  of  the  accuracy  or  inaccuracy  of  the 
mechanism)  by  the  process  of  mathematical  deduction. 

In  England  this  enthusiasm,  it  is  true,  never  rose  to  the  same  pitch,  and  consequently  never  experienced  the 
same  revulsion.  More  accustomed  to  weigh  consequences,  and  ever  disposed  to  doubt  almost  in  inverse  proportion 
to  the  magnitude  of  the  advantages  to  be  attained  by  success,  the  very  grounds  of  its  recommendation  to  a  less 
prudential  people,  operated  to  suspend  the  judgment  and  abate  the  expectations  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  country, 
and  it  early  became  a  fashion  in  England  to  decry  its  prospects  and  ridicule  its  pretensions,  as  much  almost  as  our 
more  mercurial  neighbours  were  disposed  to  fall  into  the  opposite  extreme. 

Such  we  know  is  the  nature  of  man,  especially  when  engaged  upon  a  matter  of  engrossing  interest,  that  no 
declaration  of  opinion  founded  upon  a  partial  development  of  the  features  of  a  case  will  ever  avail  to  produce 
conviction,  or  determine  his  efforts  or  expectations.  Where  mere  mechanical  difficulties  are  all  that  impede  success, 
no  arguments  indeed  are  likely  to  prove  satisfactory.  Difficulties  which  are  insurmountable  by  one  man  under  one 
set  of  circumstances,  might  prove  no  difficulties  to  another  differently  circumstanced  and  differently  endowed.  At 
all  events,  no  decisive  negative  can  be  imposed  upon  the  success  of  an  undertaking  to  the  accomplishment  of  which 
a  higher  degree  of  knowledge  and  more  extended  resources  are  all  that  are  required.  Indeed,  it  is  from  viewing  the 
question  of  aerial  propulsion  in  this  light — namely,  as  one  of  mere  mechanical  prowess, — that  may  be  said  to  have 
arisen  the  contrariety  of  opinion  which  has  hitherto  existed,  and  still,  in  a  less  degree,  continues  to  prevail  upon  the 
subject.  To  be  able  to  construct  wings  or  motive  organs  of  similar  effect,  and  adopt  a  power  sufficient  to  set  them 
in  motion,  either  in  the  way  practised  by  birds,  fishes,  or  by  vessels  propelled  by  steam  (or  otherwise,  as  the  fancy 
of  the  projector  may  incline),  is,  when  viewed  apart  from  any  particular  limitation,  a  feat  in  which  many  persons 
might  fail,  and  yet  one  more  skilful  than  the  rest  might  still  hope  to  succeed.  W/ien,  however,  upon  taking  into 
consideration  all  the  requisitions  of  the  case,  we  find,  by  strict  mathematical  deduction,  that,  in  order  to  effect  the  end  desired,  it  is 
necessary  that  these  wings  or  other  organs  must  be  of  a  given  capacity,  and  operate  according  to  a  given  force,  and  that  this 
capacity  and  this  force  are  such  as  neither  the  materials  we  possess,  nor  the  natural  powers  we  can  command,  are  competent  to 
create,  we  redeem  the  question  from  the  class  of  mechanical  difficulties,  and  assign  it  a  place  in  that  of  natural  impossibilities. 

Such  then  appears  to  be  the  case  with  regard  to  the  conversion  of  the  balloon  into  a  means  of  transport 
applicable  to  the  ordinary  purposes  of  life,  and  we  are  willing  here  to  express  our  acknowledgments  to  Mr.  Monck 
Mason  for  having,  in  his  work  upon  aerostation,  recently  published  by  Mr.  Westley,  exhibited  the  matter  in  that 
light.  To  transcribe  all  the  arguments  by  which  this  view  of  the  case  is  supported  would,  as  we  have  already 
stated,  exceed  the  limits  here  allotted  to  us ;  while  to  repeat  a  part  only  would  leave  the  point  as  unsatisfactory  and 
open  to  discussion  as  before.  All  we  can  here  do  is  to  refer  the  reader  to  the  work  in  question  for  the  particulars' 
and  register  the  conclusion  they  seem  calculated  to  sustain. 

We  have  put  in  italics  the  just  conclusion  to  which  a  clear  and  candid  mind  arrived  at 
after  reading  Mr.  Monck  Mason's  calculations ;  but  we  have  already  shown  how  erroneous  these 
were,  since  we  can  now  affirm  the  practicability  of  aerial  navigation  to  be  demonstrated  by  mathematical 
deduction.  [See  '  Etudes  sur  1' Aerostation,  par  M.  Marey  Monge ;'  for  extracts,  p.  336  of  this 
work.] 

Mr.  Coxwell,  after  twenty  years  devoted  to  the  study  of  this  science,  expresses  himself  as 
follows  in  a  number  of  the  'Aerostatic  Magazine'  for  1859: — 

We  who  examine  aerostation  historically,  are  not  surprised  that  quick  and  powerful  minds  should  have  been 
raised  to  high  expectation,  and  yet  doomed  to  disappointment.  But  we  should  be  quite  astonished  if,  after  all  we 
have  read  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  arts  and  sciences,  this  particular  one  should  deviate  from  the  regular  order, 
and  develop  itself  with  extraordinary  precocity ;  seeing,  as  we  do,  that  inventions  and  discoveries  generally  follow  one 
uniform  course,  and  only  yield  their  treasures,  as  do  gold-fields  their  nuggets,  after  hard  exertions  and  untiring 
efforts.  There  are,  of  course,  exceptions,  both  as  to  the  arts  and  to  gold-seeking,  but  we  find  it  the  rule  ;  and  very 


c  u  i  v  .  c  h 


CUM.  XII.     SUCCESSES  OF  ASTI;.>N<»MY  AN  ENCOURAGEMENT  TO  OTHBB  BdENCBa 

supremely  ordered  it  is.  <  *\*  •< -ially  as  it  applies  to  aerial  locomotion,  for  I  have  no  hesitation  ill  affirming  tliat 
the  advantages  likely  to  accnu>  from  unrestrained  intercourse  through  tho  atmosphere  are  BO  great  and  exalting, 
that  tin-  world  is  har.llv  \et  prepared  for  such  a  consummation.  If  astronomy,  geology,  steam-po»<  r.  . •!•  ••  tri.  itv. 
ami  nauti.-.il  s.  i.  h.-.-  cannot  boast  of  having  made  one  bound  towards  ].  rt'.-.  ti..n.  why  should  ballooning?  Wo  have 
i. iih  just  succeeded  in  making  ships  go  against  tho  wind,  and  why  should  we  despair  of  mastering  an  aerial  \.  In.  !• 
The  difficulties  to  be  surmounted  are  well  undi-rstood,  and  f.>r  a  time  baffle  ingenuity;  but  I  would  urge  renewed 
attempt*,  tor  n-ui.inli.-r,  it  is  not  eighty  years  since  tho  first  balloon  travelled  tho  air,  and  if  we  could  now  inspect  a 
specimen  of  a  boat  constructed  eighty  years  after  men  began  to  venture  on  tho  water,  depend  upon  it  wo  would 
sooner  cross  the  Atlantic-  in  tho  'Great  Eastern'  than  venture  to  Gravosend  in  the  primitive  pigmy  of  our  fore- 
father*. Rill.Minmg  as  an  art,  is,  I  am  convinced,  steadily  advancing;  and  although  tho  uninitiated  may  not 
"1.-  i  v.-  nni.'li  |.n._U'  ~-,  btOMM  ill--  in  n  Kin.  .1--  -  1 1 "I  -n  il.  in-U  , |,  \  i.,i,.  |'i,.ni  I  li<  u  in.l.  \ .  I  1  li.-  vari.  .us  a|.|.ui  !•  II.MI.  .  - 
gradually  undergo  improvement,  and  in  a  short  time,  I  have  no  doubt  that  balloons,  like  the  old  men-of-war,  will  be 
cast  aside  for  new  models ;  and  then,  just  as  tho  application  of  steam  requires  a  reconstruction  of  our  war  vessels,  so 
will  some  new  power  demand  a  similar  alteration  for  vessels  in  the  air:  so  that  if  balloons  cannot  be  managed, 
elongated  aerostats  may,  and  the  difficulties  which  appeared  insurmountable  at  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth 
century  may  be  at  hut  dispelled,  and  the  great  high-road  to  all  the  nations  of  tho  earth  (the  atmosphere)  may  be 
iled  triumphantly. 

Let  us  draw  attention  to  the  oldest  and  sublimest  of  the  sciences,  and  learn  from  tin- 
achievements  of  her  pioneers,  which  have  been  so  eloquently  recorded  by  Nichol  in  his  '  Solar 
System,'  and  other  works,  what  we  may  in  some  degree  anticipate  for  aerostation  : — 

"  1 1  is  seldom  easy  to  ascertain  why  or  how  a  new  truth  is  revealed, — that  majestic  event  usually  occurring 
when  old  systems  seem  to  have  reached  their  climax  and  acliieved  perfection.  When,  however,  the  still  small  voice 
does  come,  it  is  one  of  dread.  The  accomplished  part  of  the  world  feels  as  in  an  earthquake ;  although  tho  deserts 
may  rejoice  at  the  rising  light" 

',  Copernicus.  "  He  threw  from  him  the  weight  of  ages,  and  quietly  asked  whether  that  fundamental  tenet, 
which  asserts  that  the  earth  is  motionless,  might  not  be  false.  The  mental  effort  required,  even  to  hesitate  on  a 
]x'int  wliieh  all  mankind  had  up  to  that  moment  undoubtingly  believed,  and  which  had  now  inwoven  itself  with 
every  mode  of  thought,  was  an  achievement  for  the  loftiest  order  of  genius ;  the  question  being  put,  it  required  only 
superior  but  not  uncommon  talent,  to  follow  it  to  its  conclusions." 

Then,  a  Tycho  and  Kepler.  "  It  is  usually  assumed  as  an  axiom,  that  when  Science  desires  a  great  man  to 
accomplish  some  specific  object,  one  with  faculties  altogether  adequate  is  certain  to  appear  and  achieve  his  mission  : 
the  two  men  here  spoken  of  were,  in  this  case,  nobly  adapted  to  the  required  task,  but  each  only  to  his  own 
department  of  it.  The  genius  of  the  Dane  lay  exclusively  with  observation,  in  which  field  he  stands  beside 
Hipparchus;  while,  on  the  contrary,  Kepler  thirsted  after  analogies  and  relations.  Tycho  had  no  power  to 
theorise ;  and  when  he  attempted  it,  the  failure  was  miserable.  Kepler's  enthusiasm  made  his  whole  life  that  of  a 
theorist,  divided  betw<tn  the  pursuit  of  mystical  relations,  and  the  discovery  of  some  of  the  noblest  truths  in 
the  science  of  astronomy ; — an  enthusiasm,  however,  most  diverse  from  that  of  the  common  theorist,  who  usually 
seeks  not  after  truth  but  distinction,  and  is  pleased  no  better  with  a  great  discovery,  than  a  startling  and  noisy 
paradox :  for,  springing  from  the  finest  genius,  it  prompted  him  for  ever  to  search  out  real  relations,  and,  until  those 
relations  were  discovered,  never  to  be  at  rest  If  his  ardent  speculative,  and  often  erring  mind,  had  been  truly  in 
union,  in  the  same  person,  with  the  faculties  of  tho  calm,  observant,  and  nnphilosophical  Tycho,  it  could  not  have 
otherwise  befallen  it  than  to  be  an  instrument  of  importance  scarce  calculable  towards  the  reformation  of  all 
science :  and  the  truth  is,  the  imperfect  union  which  did  take  place — the  happy  association,  until  Tycho's  death,  of 
the  two  persons,  and  Kepler's  subsequent  and  most  pious  devotion  to  the  memory  of  his  patron  and  master — has 
produced  a  period  second  to  none  in  the  importance  of  the  truth  it  revealed,  and  which  therefore  will  always 
be  illustrious." 

Kepler   says  of  himself  after   making  the  discovery  of  the  Unity  of  Structure  in  th< 
Planetary  System : — 

....  It  is  now  eighteen  months  since  I  got  the  first  glimpse  of  light,  three  months  since  the  dawn.  • 

3  M  -2 


446 


ASTEA  CASTEA. 


20TH  CENTURY. 


few  days  since  the  unveiled  sun,  most  admirable  to  gaze  on,  burst  out  upon  me.  Nothing  holds  me  :  I  will  indulge 
in  my  sacred  fury :  I  will  triumph  over  mankind  by  the  honest  confession  that  I  have  stolen  the  golden  vases  of 
the  Egyptians,  to  build  up  a  tabernacle  for  my  God  far  away  from  the  confines  of  Egypt.  If  you  forgive  me,  I 
rejoice ;  if  you  are  angry,  I  can  bear  it ;  the  die  is  cast,  the  book  is  written,  to  be  read  either  now  or  by  posterity — 
I  care  not  which;  it  may  well  wait  a  century  for  a  reader,  as  God  has  waited  six  thousand  years  for  an 
observer ! 

The  apple  falls  to  the  ground,  and  Newton  unravels  the  mystery,  completes  the  first 
step  of  a  boundless  research,  and  acknowledges  that  he  is  "but  as  a  child,  standing  on  the  shore 
of  the  vast  and  unexplored  ocean,  and  playing  with  a  little  pebble  which  the  waters  have 

washed  to  his  feet :  "- 

SEE !  ALL  THINGS  WITH  EACH  OTHER  BLENDING — 
EACH  TO  ALL  ITS  BEING  LENDING  : 

ALL  ON  EACH  IN  TURN  DEPENDING 

HEAVENLY  MINISTERS  DESCENDING, 
AND  AGAIN  TO  HEAVEN  UP-TENDING  : 
FLOATING,  MINGLING,  INTERWEAVING, 
ElSING,  SINKING,  AND  RECEIVING 
EACH  FROM  EACH,  WHILE  EACH  IS  GIVING 

ON  TO  EACH,  AND  EACH  RELIEVING 
EACH,  THE  PAILS  OF  GOLD,  THE  LIVING 

CURRENT  THROUGH  THE  AIR  is  HEAVING 
BREATHING  BLESSINGS,  SEE  THEM  BENDING — 
BALANCED  WORLDS  FROM  CHANGE  DEFENDING  ; 
WHILE,  EVERYWHERE  DIFFUSED,  is  HARMONY  UNENDING  ! 

Do  we  not  find  encouragement  here?  Are  not  all  sciences  strengthened  by  the 
completion  of  so  beautiful  an  arch  ?  May  not  we  therefore  anticipate  for  aerostation  future 
progression  as  definitely  marked?  Or  must  it  be  with  it,  as  with  the  science  of  marine 
navigation,  that  the  donations  of  the  most  valuable  inventors  (I  had  nearly  said  discoverers) 
are  lost  among  the  thousands  of  patents  that  with  gradual  steps  have  caused  that  display  of 
skill  and  ingenuity  that  we  find  in  a  dockyard  ? 

IV. 

For  a  glimpse  of  the  future,  analogous  to  our  Second  Chapter,  I  will  quote  Victor  Hugo's 
'  Vingtieme  Siecle '  *  : — 


PLEINE  MER. 


L'abime ;  on  ne  sait  quoi  de  terrible  qui  gronde ; 
Le  vent ;  1'obscurit^  vaste  comme  le  monde  ; 
Partout  les  flots ;  partout  oil  1'oeil  peut  s'enfoncer, 
La  rafale  qu'on  voit  aller,  venir,  passer  ; 
L'onde,  linceul ;  le  ciel,  ouverture  de  tombe  ; 
Les  tfeebres  sans  1'arche  et  1'eau  sans  la  colombe ; 
Les  nuages  ayant  1'aspect  d'une  for6t. 
Un  esprit  qui  viendrait  planer  la,  ne  pourrait 
Dire,  entre  1'eau  sans  fond  et  1'espace  sans  borne, 
Lequel  est  le  plus  sombre,  et  si  cette  horreur  morne, 
Faite  de  ce'cite',  de  stupeur  et  de  bruit, 
Vient  de  I'immense  mer  ou  de  1'immense  nuit. 

L'oeil  distingue,  au  milieu  du  gouffre  ou  I'air  sanglote, 
Quelque  chose  d'informe  et  de  hideux  qui  flotte, 


Un  grand  cachalot  mort  a  carcasse  de  fer, 

On  ne  sait  quel  cadavre  a  vau-1'eau  dans  la  mer  ; 

CEuf  de  titan  dont  1'homme  aurait  fait  un  navire. 

Cela  vogue,  cela  nage,  cela  chavire  ; 

Cela  fut  un  vaisseau  ;  1'e'cume  aux  blancs  amas 

Cache  et  montre  a  grand  bruit  les  tronfons  de  sept  mats  ; 

Le  colosse,  echoud  sur  le  ventre,  fuit,  plonge, 

S'engloutit,  reparait,  se  meut  comme  le  songe ; 

Chaos  d'agres  ronipus,  de  poutres,  de  haubans ; 

Le  grand  mat  vaincu  semble  un  spectre  aux  bras  tombants 

L'onde  passe  a  travers  ce  debris ;  1'eau  s'engage 

Et  deferle  en  hurlant  le  long  du  bastingage, 

Et  tourmente  des  bouts  de  corde  a  des  crampons 

Dans  le  ruissellement  formidable  des  ponts  ; 

La  houle  dperdument  furieuse  saccage 

Aux  deux  flancs  du  vaisseau  les  cintres  d'une  cage 


*  '  La  Legende  des  Siecles.' 


I'll  Ml  ('i:\TURY. 


ri.Kixi:  MI:I;. 


117 


Oil  jadis  uue  roue  effrayante  a  toured ; 

I'eraonne ;  le  ndant,  froid,  muet,  etonu<< ; 

D'atTrcux  canons  rouilles  tendent  leun  cons  funestcs ; 

LViitre-pout  a  des  trous  oil  ae  dreaaent  lei  reatea 

De  cinq  tube*  pareils  a  des  clairon*  geanta, 

I'lrms  jadis  il'iiuc  foudre,  et  qui,  tordus,  beanta, 

l'l..yes,  dteinU,  n'ont  plus,  sur  1'eau  qui  lea  balance, 

Qu'un  noir  vumissement  de  nuit  et  da  silence  ; 

Le  flux  ct  le  retlux,  comine  avec  un  rebut, 

Denude  a  chaque  coup  IVtrare  et  1'dtambot, 

Et  dans  la  lame  on  voit  ae  ddbattre  1'ecbiue 

D'une  mysUrieuse  et  diflbrme  machiiu>. 

Cette  minsr  sous  1'eau  rfide,  fautome  obacur. 

Dea  putrefactions  fermenttnt,  a  coup  sur, 

Pans  ce  vaisseau  perdu  sous  lea  vague*  sans  nombre ; 

Dessus,  des  tourbillons  d'oiseaux  de  mer ;  dans  1'ombrc, 

Detsons,  des  millions  de  poissons  carnassiers. 

Tout  a  1'eutour,  les  Dots,  cea  liquides  aciera, 

Melent  leurs  touruoiements  monstrueux  et  livides. 

Des  espaces  deserts  sous  des  espaces  Tides. 

0  triste  mer  1  sdpulcre  oil  tout  semble  vivant ! 

Cea  deux  athletes  fails  de  Curie  et  de  Tent, 

Le  tangage  qui  bavc  et  le  roulis  qui  fume, 

Luttant  sur  ce  radeau  funebre  dans  la  brume, 

Sans  trtve,  a  chaque  instant  arrachcnt  quelque  eclat 

De  la  quille  ou  du  pont  dans  leur  noir  pugilat ; 

Par  momenta,  au  zenith  un  nuage  se  troue, 

Un  pru  de  jour  lugubre  en  tombe,  et,  sur  la  proue, 

Une  lueur,  qui  tremble  au  souffle  de  1'autan, 

Bleine,  dclaire  a  demi  ce  mot :  LEVIATHAN. 

Puis  1'apparition  se  perd  dans  1'eau  profonde ; 

Tout  I'uit. 

LeViathan ;  c'est  la  tout  le  vicu.x  monde, 
Apre  et  ddmesure  dans  sa  fanve  laidcur ; 
Leviathan,  c'est  Ik  tout  le  passe' :  grandeur, 
Horreur. 


Le  dernier  siecle  a  vn  sur  la  Tamise 
Croitre  un  monstre  a  qui  1'eau  sans  bornes  fut  promise, 
Et  qui  longtemps,  Babel  des  mere,  eut  Londre  entier 
Levant  les  yeux  dans  1'ombre  au  pied  de  son  chantier. 
Effroyable,  a  sept  mats  me  Ian  t  cinq  cheminees 
Qui  hennissaient  au  choc  dea  vagnes  effre'n&s, 
Emportant,  dans  le  bruit  des  aqnilon*  si  (Hants, 
Dix  mille  hommes,  fonnnis  dparset  dans  sea  fiance, 
Ce  Titan  se  rua,  joyeux,  dans  la  tempele ; 
Du  dome  de  Saint-Paul  son  mat  passait  le  falte  ; 
Le  sombre  esprit  humain,  debout  sur  son  tillac, 
Stupetiait  la  mer  qui  n'dtait  plus  qu'un  lac  ; 
Le  vieillard  Ocean,  qu'eflarouche  la  sonde, 

I  liquid,  a  travers  le  vcrre  de  son  oode, 
Regardait  le  vaiaseau  de  I'liomme  grossissant ; 
Ce  vaisseau  fut  sur  1'onde  un  terrible  passant ; 

Les  vagnes  rrdmissaient  de  I'avoir  sur  leurs  croupes ; 

Se*  sabords  mugissaient ;  en  guise  de  chaloupes, 

Deux  navires  pendaient  a  ses  portmanteaux  ; 

Son  annurc  etait  fnitc  avcc  tous  les  mdtaux  ; 

Un  prodigieux  cable  onrlait  sa  grande  voile  ; 

Quand  il  marchait,  fumant,  grondant,  couvert  de  toile, 

II  jetait  un  tel  rile  a  1'air  d|»uvantd 

Que  toute  1'cau  tremblait,  et  quc  Pimmensitd 
Comptait  parmi  ses  bruits  ce  grand  frisson  sonore ; 
La  nuit,  il  passait  rouge  aiusi  qu'un  mdtdore ; 


Sa  voilure,  oil  1'oreille  entendait  le  ddbat 

Dec  souffles,  subissant  ce  greement  comme  un  bit, 

Ses  hunes,  ses  grelins,  ses  palans,  ses  amurea, 

fi  talent  uue  prison  de  vents  et  de  murmures ; 

Son  ancre  avail  le  poids  d'une  tour ;  ses  parois 

VouUieut  les  flots,  trouvant  tous  les  ports  trop  dtroiti ; 

Son  ombre  humiliait  au  loin  toutes  les  proues ; 

Un  t«1egraphe  dtuit  son  porte-voix ;  ses  roues 

Forgeaient  la  sombre  mer  comme  deux  grands  marteaux ; 

Les  flots  se  le  passaicnt  comme  dea  pieVlesUux 

Oo,  calme,  ondulerait  un  triumphal  colosse ; 

L'ablme  s'abregeait  sous  sa  lourdeur  v^loce  ; 

Pas  de  lointain  pays  qui  jiour  lui  ne  fut  pres  ; 

Madere  apercevait  ses  mits ;  trois  jours  apres, 

I.'llekla  1'entrevoyait  dans  la  lueur  polaire. 

La  bataille  montait  «ur  lui  dans  sa  colere. 

La  guerre  Suit  sacree  et  sainto  en  ces  temps-la ; 

Rien  n'egalait  Nemrod  si  ce  n'est  Attila  ; 

Et  les  hommes,  depuis  les  premiers  jours  du  rnoudr, 

SenUnt  peser  sur  eux  la  misere  infecoude, 

Les  pestes,  lea  fleam  lugubres  et  railleurs, 

Cherchant  quelque  moyen  d'amoindrir  leurs  douleurs, 

Pour  dtablir  eutre  eux  de  justes  equilibrcs, 

Pour  Jtre  plus  heureux,  meilleurs,  plus  grands,  plus  libres, 

Plus  dignes  du  ciel  pur  qui  les  daigne  echiirer, 

Avaicnt  imagine'  de  s'entre-de'vorer. 

Ce  smistre  vaisseau  les  aidait  dans  leur  oeuvre. 

Lourd  comme  le  dragon,  prompt  comme  la  coulcuvrr, 

II  couvrait  IXX^an  de  ses  ailes  de  feu  ; 

La  terre  s'eflrayait  quand  sur  1'horizon  bleu 

Ram f wit  1'allongetnent  hideux  de  sa  fumeo, 

Car  cVtait  une  ville  et  c'ctait  une  annec ; 

Sea  pavois  fourmillaieut  de  mortiers  et  d'afTuts, 

Et  d'un  heYissement  dc  bataillons  confus  ; 

Ses  grappins  menacaient ;  et,  pour  les  abordages, 

On  voyait  sur  ses  ponts  des  rouleaux  de  cordages 

Monstrueux  qui  semblaient  des  boas  endonnis ; 

Invincible,  en  ces  temps  de  freres  ennemis, 

Seul,  de  toute  une  flotte  il  affrontait  I'limeute, 

Aiusi  qu'un  dl^phant  au  milieu  d'une  meute ; 

La  bordee  a  ses  pieds  fumait  comme  un  enceni, 

Sea  flancs  engloutissaient  les  boulcts  impuissanU, 

II  allait  broyant  tout  dans  ('obscure  melee, 

Et,  quand,  dpouvantable,  il  lachait  sa  volee, 

On  voyait  flamboyer  son  colossal  beauprd, 

Par  deux  mille  canons  brusquement  cmpourprd. 

II  mdprisait  1'autan,  le  flux,  1'dclair,  la  brume. 

A  son  avant  tournait,  dans  un  chaos  d'dcumc, 

Une  espcce  de  vrille  a  trouer  I'in&ni ; 

Le  Malstrb'm  s'apaisait  sous  sa  quille  aplani. 

Sa  vie  intdricnrc  dtait  un  inccndie  ; 

Flamme  au  grd  du  pilote  apaisee  ou  grandic  ; 

Dans  1'antre  d'ou  sortait  un  vaste  mouvement, 

Au  fond  d'une  fournaise  on  voyait  vaguement 

Das  Strcs  uinel>rcux  marcher  dans  des  nneea 

D'e'tiucellca,  parmi  les  braises  remuees ; 

Et  pour  ame  il  avail  dans  sa  cale  un  enfer. 

II  voguait,  roi  du  gouflre,  et  ses  vergues  de  fcr 

Ressemblaient,  sous  le  ciel  redoutable  et  sublime, 

A  des  sceptres  poses  en  travers  de  1'abtme  ; 

Ainsi  qu'on  voit  1'Etna  Ton  voyait  ce  steamer  ; 

II  dtait  la  montagne  errante  de  la  mer  ; 

Mais  les  heures,  lea  jours,  les  mois,  les  ans,  ces  codes, 

Out  passe  ;  1'Ocdan,  vaste,  entre  les  deux  moodes, 


448 


ASTEA  CASTKA. 


20™  CENTURY. 


A  rugi,  de  brouillard  et  d'orage  obscurci ; 
La  mer  a  ses  dcueils  caches,  le  temps  aussi ; 
Et  maintenant,  parrni  les  profondeurs  farouches, 
Sous  les  vautours,  qui  sont  de  1'abime  les  mouches, 
Sous  le  image,  au  gr<5  des  souffles,  dans  1'oubli 
De  1'infini,  dont  1'ombre  affreuse  est  le  repli, 
Sans  que  jamais  le  vent  autour  d'elle  s'endorme, 
Au  milieu  des  flots  noirs  roule  I'dpave  foorme! 
* 

L'ancien  monde,  1'ensemble  Strange  et  surprenant 
De  faits  sociaux,  morts  et  pourris  maintenant, 
D'ou  sortit  ce  navire  aujourd'hui  sous  l'<jcume, 
L'ancien  monde,  aussi,  lui,  plonge  dans  1'amertume, 
Avait  tous  les  fleaux  pour  vents  et  pour  typhous. 
Construction  d'airain  aux  (Stages  profonds, 
Sur  qui  le  mal,  not  vil,  crachait  sa  bave  infame, 
Plein  de  fume'e,  et  mu  par  une  hydro  de  flamme, 
La  Haine,  il  ressemb'.ait  a  ce  sombre  vaisseau. 

Le  mal  1'avait  marque"  de  son  funebre  sceau. 

Ce  monde,  enveloppe1  d'une  brume  dternelle, 

F]tait  fatal ;  1'Espoir  avait  plte  son  aile  ; 

Pas  d'unite"  ;  divorce  et  joug ;  diversity 

De  langue,  de  raison,  de  code,  de  cite  ; 

Nul  lien,  nul  faisceau ;  le  progres  solitaire, 

Comme  un  serpent  coupe1,  se  tordait  sur  la  terre, 

Sans  pouvoir  reunir  les  tronfons  de  1'effort ; 

L'esclavage,  parquant  les  peuples  pour  la  mort, 

Les  enfermait  au  fond  d'un  cirque  de  frontieres 

Ou  les  gardaient  la  Guerre  et  la  Nuit,  bestiaires ; 

L'Adam  slave  luttait  centre  1'Adam  germain  ; 

Un  genre  humain  en  France,  un  autre  genre  humain 

En  AmeYique,  un  autre  a  Londre,  un  autre  a  Rome ; 

L'homme  au  dela  d'un  pont  ne  connaissait  plus  1'homme  ; 

Les  vivants,  d'ignorance  et  de  vice  charge's, 

Se  trainaient ;  en  travers  de  tout,  les  prejuge"s  ; 


Les  superstitions  etaient  d'apres  enceintes 
Terribles  d'autant  plus  qu'elles  dtaient  plus  saintes  ; 
Quel  cre'neau  soupconneux  et  noir  qu'uu  Alcoran  ! 
Un  texte  avait  le  glaive  au  poing  comme  un  tyran  ; 
La  loi  d'un  peuple  drait  chez  1'autre  peuple  un  crime ; 
Lire  e"tait  un  fosse',  croire  (5tait  un  abime  ; 
Les  rois  Etaient  des  tours  ;  les  dieux  etaient  des  murs  ; 
Nul  moyen  de  franchir  tant  d'ohstacles  obscurs  ; 
Sitot  qu'on  voulait  croitre,  on  rencontrait  la  barre 
D'une  mode  sauvage  ou  d'un  dogme  barbare  ; 
Et,  quant  a  1'avenir,  defense  d'aller  la. 


Le  vent  de  1'infini  sur  ce  monde  souffla. 
II  a  sombre1.     Du  fond  des  cieux  inaccessibles, 
Les  vivants  de  Tether,  les  ctres  invisibles 
Confuse'ment  epars  sous  1'obscur  firmament, 
A  cette  heure,  pensifs,  regardent  fixement 
Sa  disparition  dans  la  nuit  redoutable. 
Qu'est-ce  que  le  simoun  a  fait  du  grain  de  sable  ? 
Cela  fut.     C'est  passe"!  cela  n'est  plus  ici. 


Ce  monde  est  mort.   Mais  quoi !  1'homme  est-il  mort  aussi  ? 

Cette  forme  de  lui  disparaissant,  l'a-t-elle 

Lui-meme  remportd  dans  1'enigme  e'ternelle  ? 

L'Ocean  est  de"sert.     Pas  une  voile  au  loin. 

Ce  n'est  plus  que  du  flot  que  le  flot  est  t<5moin. 

Pas  un  esquif  vivant  sur  1'onde  ou  la  mouette 

Voit  du  LeViathan  roder  la  silhouette. 

Est-ce  que  Thomme,  ainsi  qu'un  feuillage  jauni, 

S'en  est  alle  dans  1'ombre  ?  est-ce  que  c'est  fini  ? 

Seul  le  flux  et  reflux  va,  vient,  passe  et  repasse. 

Et  1'ceil,  pour  retrouver  1'homme  absent  de  1'espace, 

Eegarde  en  vain  la-bas.     Eien. 

Ilegardez  la-haut. 


PLEIN  CIEL. 


Loin  dans  les  profondeurs,  hors  des  nuits,  hors  du  flot, 

Dans  un  dcartement  de  nuages,  qui  laisse 

Voir  au-dessus  des  mers  la  ce'leste  alle"gresse, 

Un  point  vagxie  et  confus  apparait ;  dans  le  vent, 

Dans  1'espace,  ce  point  se  meut ;  il  est  vivant ; 

II  va,  descend,  remonte  ;  il  fait  ce  qu'il  veut  faire  ; 

II  approche,  il  prend  forme,  il  vient ;  c'est  une  sphere ; 

C'est  un  inexprimable  et  surprenant  vaisseau, 

Globe  comme  le  monde  et  comme  1'aigle  oiseau  ; 

C'est  un  navire  en  marche.     Ou  ?     Dans  I'e'ther  sublime  ! 

E6ve  !  on  croit  voir  planer  un  morceau  d'une  cime ; 

Le  haut  d'une  montagne  a,  sous  1'orbe  etoil<S, 

Pris  des  ailes  et  s'est  tout  a  coup  envold  ? 

Quelque  heure  immense  dtant  dans  les  destins  sonnee, 

La  nue  errante  s'est  en  vaisseau  fa?onne'e  ? 

La  Fable  apparait-elle  a  nos  yeux  de"cevants  ? 

L'antique  Eole  a-t-il  jetd  son  outre  aux  vents  ? 

De  sorte  qu'en  ce  gouffre  ou  les  orages  naissent, 

Les  vents,  subitement  dompt<?s,  la  reconnaissent ! 

Est-ce  1'aimant  qui  s'est  fait  aider  par  1'eclair 

Pour  batir  un  esquif  ce'leste  avec  de  1'air  ? 


Du  haut  des  clairs  azurs  vient-il  une  visite  ? 

Est-ce  un  transfigure*  qui  part  et  ressuscite, 

Qui  moute,  de'livre  de  la  terre,  emporte' 

Sur  un  char  volant  fait  d'extase  et  de  clarte", 

Et  se  rapproche  un  peu  par  instant,  pour  qu'on  voie, 

Du  fond  du  monde  noir,  la  fuite  de  sa  joie? 

Ce  n'est  pas  un  morceau  d'une  cime ;  ce  n'est 

Ni  1'outre  ou  tout  le  vent  de  la  Fable  tenait ; 

Ni  le  jeu  de  Feclair  ;  ce  n'est  pas  un  fantSrne 

Venu  des  profondeurs  aurorales  du  dome ; 

Ni  le  rayonnement  d'un  ange  qui  s'en  va, 

Hors  de  quelque  tombeau  be"ant,  vers  Jfliovah. 

Ni  rien  de  ce  qu'en  souge  ou  dans  la  fievre  on  nomme. 

Qu'est-ce  que  ce  navire  impossible?    C'est  1'homme. 

C'est  la  grande  reVolte  obcissante  a  Dieu ! 
La  saintc  fausse  clef  du  fatal  gouffre  bleu ! 
C'est  Isis  qui  de'chire  e"perdument  son  voile  ! 
C'est  du  mdtal,  du  bois,  du  chanvre  et  de  la  toile, 
C'est  de  la  pesanteur  d^livrfe,  et  volant ; 
C'est  la  force  alliee  a  1'homme  etincelant, 
Fiere,  arrachant  1'argile  a  sa  chaine  dternelle  ; 
C'est  la  mati&re,  heureuse,  altiere,  ayant  en  elle 


•_'<>TH  rr.vrriiY. 


PLEIN  CIEL, 


Uii 


|v  loiim-an  humain,  et  planant  a  tnven 
I/immense  6tonnemcnt  des  deux  eufin  ouverts. 

Audacc  hnmaine  !  effort  du  captif !  sainte  rage  ! 

Effractiou  enfiu  plus  forte  que  la  cage  I 

Que  faut-il  a  ret  etre,  atonic  an  large  front, 

Pour  vaincre  ce  qui  n'a  ui  fin,  ni  bord,  ui  fond, 

Pour  dompter  le  vent,  trorabe,  et  1'ecume,  avalanche  ? 

Dan*  le  del  une  toile  et  sur  mer  une  planche. 


JadU  del  quatre  vent*  la  furcur  triompliuit ; 
De  ce»  quatre  chevaux  fehappes  I'honimc  a  fait 
lage  de  ton  qnadrige ; 
i  Ions  dan*  sa  main,  ficr  oocher 

I  )ii  char  adrifii  que  Pi'thcr  voit  nuucber ; 

Miracle,  il  gouveroe  un  prodige. 

Char  niiTveillfux !  ton  nom  est  Delivmnce.     II  court. 
Pres  de  lui  le  ramier  est  lent,  le  flocon  lourd  ; 

Le  daim,  IVpervicr,  la  panthere, 
Sent  encor  la,  qu'au  loin  sou  ombre  a  deja,  fui ; 
Kt  l.i  locomotive  eat  reptile,  et,  sous  lui, 

L'hydre  de  flamnic  est  ver  de  terra. 

Uue  musique,  un  chant,  sort  de  son  tonrbillon. 
Ses  cordages  vibrants  et  remplis  d'aquilon 

Semblent,  dans  le  vide  oil  tout  sombre, 
Une  lyre  a  travers  laquelle  par  moment 
Passe  quelque  ame  en  fuite  au  fond  du  firmament 

Et  melee  anx  souffles  de  1'ombre. 

Car  1'air,  c'est  ITiymne  e"pars ;  1'air,  parmi  les  recifs 
Dw  nuages  roulant  en  groupes  convulsifs, 

millo  voix  e'touffees ; 
Les  fluides,  1'arur,  1'effluve,  1'elemont, 
Soot  toute  une  harmonic  oil  flottcnt  vagnement 
On  ne  salt  qucls  aombres  Orphees. 

Superbe,  il  plane,  avec  un  hymne  en  ses  agres  ; 
Kt  1'on  croit  voir  passer  la  strophe  dn  progres. 

II  est  la  nef,  il  est  le  phare! 

L'homme  cnfin  prend  son  sceptre  et  jette  son  baton. 
Et  Ton  voit  s'envoler  le  calcul  de  Newton 

Monte"  sur  1'ode  de  Pindare. 

Le  char  halctant  plonge  et  s'enfonce  dans  1'air, 
Dans  I'eTdouissement  impenetrable  ot  clair, 

Dans  1'e'thcr  sans  t.iclie  et  nans  ride  ; 

II  se  perd  sous  le  bleu  des  cieux  demesures  ; 
Les  esprit*  de  1'azur  contemplent  efiares 

Cet  englontissement  splendide. 

II  passe,  il  n'est  plus  la ;  qu'est-il  done  devenu  ? 
II  est  dans  1'invisible,  il  est  dans  Hnconnn ; 

II  baigne  1'homme  dans  le  songe, 
Dans  le  fait,  dans  le  rrai  profond,  dans  la  clarte, 
Dans  1'ocean  d'cn  haut  pluin  d'une  ve'ritd 

Dont  le  pritre  a  fait  un  mensonge. 

Le  jour  se  leve,  il  va ;  le  jour  g'eVanouit, 
II  va ;  fait  pour  le  jour,  il  aocepte  la  nuit. 

Voici  1'heure  des  frnx  sans  nombre  ; 
L'lieurc  oil,  vu  du  nadir,  ce  globe  seuible,  ayant 
Son  Urge  c6ne  obscur  sous  lui  se  deploy  ant, 

Une  enorme  comete  d'ombre. 


L»  brume  redoutable  emplit  au  loin  les  airs. 
Ainni  qu'au  crrfpuscule  on  voit,  le  long  des  men, 

Le  pJchenr,  vague  oomme  un  rfive, 
Trainant,  dernier  effort  d'un  long  jour  de  sueurs, 
St  nasse  oil  les  poissons  font  de  piles  lueurs, 

Aller  et  venir  sur  la  greve. 

L«  Nuit  tin  du  fond  des  gouffres  inconnus 
Son  filet  oil  luit  Mars,  oil  rayonne  Venus, 

Et,  pendant  que  les  heures  sonnent, 
Ce  filet  grandit,  montc,  emplit  le  ciel  des  soirs, 
Et  dans  ses  mailles  d'ombre  et  dans  ses  reseaux  noirx 

Les  constellations  frissonncnt. 

L'aeVoecaphe  suit  son  cheniin  ;  il  n'a  peur 
Ni  des  pieges  du  soir,  ni  de  I'acre  vapour, 

Ni  du  ciel  mornc  oil  rien  ne  bouge, 
Oil  les  eclairs,  luttant  au  fond  de  1'orabre  entre  eux, 
Ouvrent  subitement  dans  le  nuage  afTreux 

Des  cavernes  de  cuivre  rouge. 

II  tnvente  une  route  obscure  dans  les  nuits ; 
Le  silence  hideux  de  oes  lieux  inouls 

N'arrete  point  ce  globe  en  marche ; 
II  passe,  portent  1'hommc  et  1'univers  en  lui ; 
Paix  1  gloire !  et,  comme  1'eau  jadis,  1'air  aujourd'hui 

Au-dessus  de  ses  flots  voit  Parch'-. 

Le  saint  navire  court  par  le  vent  emporte* 
Avec  la  certitude  et  la  rapiditl 

Du  javelot  cherchant  la  cible ; 
Rien  n'en  tombe,  et  pourtant  il  chemine  en  scmant ; 
Sa  rondeur,  qu'on  distingue  en  haut  confus^mcnt, 

Scmble  un  ventre  d'oiseau  terrible. 

0  vogue ;  les  brouillards  sous  lui  flottent  dissous  ; 
Ses  pilotes  penches  regardent,  au-dessous 

Des  nuages  oil  1'aiicrc  tratne, 
Si,  dans  1'ombre,  oil  la  terre  avec  1'air  se  con  fond, 
Le  sommet  du  Mont-Blanc  ou  quelque  autre  bas-fond 

Ne  vient  pas  heurter  sa  carcne. 


La  vie  est  sur  le  pont  du  navire  eclatant. 

Le  rayon  Penvoya,  la  lumiere  1'attend. 

L'homme  y  fourmille,  1'homme  invincible  y  flamboie ; 

Point  d'armes ;  un  fier  bruit  de  puissance  et  de  joie ; 

Le  cri  vertigineux  de  1'exploration  ! 

11  court,  ombre,  clarte',  chimere,  vision  I 

Regardez-le  pendant  qu'il  passe,  il  va  si  vite  ! 

Comme  autour  d'un  soleil  on  systeme  gravite, 
Une  sphere  de  cuivre  e'nonne  fait  marcher 
Quatre  globes  ou  pend  un  immense  plancher ; 
Elle  respire  et  fuit  dans  les  vents  qni  la  bercent ; 
Un  large  et  blanc  hunier  horizontal,  que  percent 
Des  trappes,  se  fermant,  s'ouvrant  au  gr^  du  frein, 
Fait  un  grand  diaphragme  a  ce  poumon  d'airain  ; 
II  s'impose  a  la  nue  ainsi  qull  1'onde  un  lie'ge  ; 
La  toile  d'araignee  humaine,  un  vaste  piege 
De  cordes  et  de  ncruds,  un  cnchevetrei. 
De  soupapes  que  meut  un  cable  oh  court  1'aimant, 
Une  embuche  de  treuils,  de  cabestans,  de  moufles, 
Prend  au  passage  et  fait  travailler  tons  les  souffles  ; 


450 


ASTRA  CASTEA. 


20TH  CENTURY. 


L'esquif  plane,  encombre'  d'hommes  et  de  ballots, 

Parmi  les  arc-en-ciel,  les  azurs,  les  halos, 

Et  sa  course,  echeveau  qui  sans  fin  se  de'vide, 

A  pour  point  d'appui  1'air  et  pour  moteur  le  vide ; 

Sous  le  plancher  s'^tage  un  chaos  nSgulier 

De  ponts  flottants  que  lie  un  tremblant  escalier  ; 

Ce  navire  est  un  Louvre  errant  avec  son  faste  ; 

Un  fil  le  porte ;  il  fuit,  le'ger,  fier,  et  si  vaste, 

Si  colossal,  au  vent  du  grand  abime  clair, 

Que  le  LeViathan,  rampant  dans  1'apre  mer, 

A  1'air  de  sa  chaloupe  aux  te'nebres  tombee, 

Et  semble,  sous  le  vol  d'un  aigle,  un  8carabe"e 

Se  tordant  dans  le  not  qui  1'emporte,  tandis 

Que  Pimmense  oiseau  plane  au  fond  d'un  paradis. 

Si  1'on  pouvait  rouvrir  les  yeux  que  le  ver  ronge, 

Oh  !  ce  vaisseau,  construit  par  le  chiffre  et  le  songe, 

Eblouirait  Shakspeare  et  ravirait  Euler  ! 

II  voyage,  Delos  gigantesque  de  1'air, 

Et  rien  ne  le  repousse  et  rien  ne  le  refuse; 

Et  1'on  entend  parler  sa  grande  voix  confuse. 

Par  moments  la  tempiHe  accourt,  le  ciel  palit, 

L'autan,  bouleversant  les  flots  de  1'air,  emplit 

L'espace  d'une  e'cume  afireuse  de  nuages  ; 

Mais  qu'importe  a  1'esquif  de  la  mer  sans  rivages  ! 

Seulement,  sur  son  aile  il  se  dresse  en  marchant ; 

II  devient  formidable  a  I'abime  mechant, 

Et  dompte  en  frfmissant  la  trombe  qui  se  creuse. 

On  le  dirait  conduit  dans  1'horreur  tene"breuse 

Par  I'ame  des  Leibnitz,  des  Fultons,  des  Ke'plers  ; 

Et  1'on  croit  voir,  parmi  le  chaos  plein  d'e"clairs, 

De  detonations,  d'ombre  et  de  jets  de  soufre, 

Le  sombre  emportement  d'un  monde  dans  un  gouffrc. 


Qu'importe  le  moment !  qu'importe  la  saison ! 
La  brume  peut  cacher  dans  le  bleme  horizon 

Les  Saturnes  et  les  Mercures ; 
La  bise,  conduisant  la  pluie  aux  crins  e'pars, 
Dans  les  nuages  lourds  groudant  de  toutes  parts, 

Pent  tordre  des  hydros  obscures ; 

Qu'importe  !  il  va.     Tout  souffle  est  bon ;  simoun,  mistral ! 
La  terre  a  disparu  dans  le  puits  sideral. 

II  entre  au  mystere  nocturne  ; 
Au-dessus  de  la  grele  et  de  1'ouragan  foil, 
Laissant  le  globe  en  bas  dans  1'ombre,  on  ne  sait  ou, 

Sous  le  renversement  de  1'urne. 

Intrepide,  il  bondit  sur  les  ondes  du  vent ; 
H  se  rue,  aile  ouverte  et  la  proue  en  avant, 

II  monte,  il  monte,  il  monte  encore, 
Au  dela  de  la  zone  ou  tout  s'eVanouit, 
Comme  s'il  s'en  allait  dans  la  profonde  nuit 

A  la  poursuite  de  1'aurore ! 

Calme,  il  monte  ou  jamais  nuage  n'est  mont(S ; 
II  plane  a  la  hauteur  de  la  sdrdnite, 

Devant  la  vision  des  spheres  ; 
Elles  sont  la,  faisant  le  mystere  e'clatant, 
Chacune  feu  d'un  gouffre,  et  toutes  constatant 

Les  foigmes  par  les  lumieres. 

Andromede  e'tincclle,  Orion  resplendit ; 
L'essaim  prodigieux  des  Pldiades  grandit ; 
Sirius  ouvre  son  cratere  ; 


Arcturus,  oiseau  d'or,  scintille  dans  son  nid  ; 
Le  Scorpion  hideux  fait  cabrer  au  zenith 
Le  poitrail  bleu  du  Sagittaire. 

LWroscaphe  voit,  comme  en  face  de  lui, 
La-haut,  Alddbaran  par  Ce'phe'e  e'bloui, 

Perse'e,  escarboucle  des  cimes, 
Le  chariot  polaire  aux  flamboyants  essieux, 
Et,  plus  loin,  la  lueur  lacte"e,  6  sombres  cieux, 

La  fourmiliere  des  abimes  ! 

Vers  1'apparition  terrible  des  soleils, 

II  monte  ;  dans  1'horreur  des  espaces  vermeils, 

II  s'oriente,  ouvrant  ses  voiles  ; 
On  croirait,  dans  Tether  oil  de  loin  on  1'entend, 
Que  ce  vaisseau  puissant  et  superbe,  en  chantant, 

Part  pour  une  de  ces  e'toiles ! 

Tant  cette  nef,  rompant  tons  les  terrestres  noeuds, 
Volante,  et  franchissant  le  ciel  vertigineux, 

ESve  des  blemes  Zoroastres, 
Comme  effre'ne'e  au  souffle  insense  de  la  nuit, 
Se  jette,  plonge,  enfonce  et  tombe  et  roule  et  fuit 

Dans  le  prdcipice  des  astres  ! 


Ou  done  s'arretera  1'homme  seditieux  ? 
L'espace  voit,  d'un  oeil  par  moment  soucieux, 
L'empreinte  du  talon  de  1'homme  dans  les  nues  ; 
II  tient  I'extremite  des  choses  inconnues  ; 
II  e'pouse  I'abime  a  son  argile  uni ; 
Le  voila  maintenant  marcheur  de  1'infini. 
Ou  s'arretera-t-il,  le  puissant  reTractaire  ? 
Jusqu'a  quelle  distance  ira-t-il  de  la  terre  ? 
Jusqu'a  quelle  distance  ira-t-il  du  destin  ? 
L'^pre  Fatalitd  se  perd  dans  le  lointain  ; 
Toute  1'antique  histoire  affreuse  et  deTorm^e 
Sur  1'horizon  nouveau  fuit  comme  une  fume'e. 
Les  temps  sont  venus.     L'homme  a  pris  possession 
De  1'air,  comme  du  riot  la  grebe  et  1'alcyon. 
Devant  nos  rgves  fiers,  devant  nos  utopies 
Ayant  des  yeux  croyants  et  des  ailes  impies, 
Devant  tons  nos  efforts  pensifs  et  haletants, 
L'obscurite'  sans  fond  fermait  ses  deux  battants ; 
Le  vrai  champ  enfin  s'offre  aux  puissantes  algebres  ; 
L'homme  vainqueur,  tirant  le  verrou  des  te'nebres, 
Dddaigne  I'Oc&n,  le  vieil  infini  mort. 
La  porte  noire  cede  et  s'entre-baille.     II  sort ! 

0  profondeurs !  faut-il  encor  1'appeler  1'homme  ? 

L'homme  est  d'abord  monte"  sur  la  bete  de  somme  ; 
Puis  sur  le  chariot  que  portent  des  essieux ; 
Puis  sur  la  frele  barque  au  mat  ambitieux  ; 
Puis,  quand  il  a  fallu  vaincre  1'e'cueil,  la  lame, 
L'onde  et  1'ouragan,  1'homme  est  mont£  sur  la  flamme  ; 
A  pr&ent  1'immortel  aspire  a  Te'ternel ; 
II  moutait  sur  la  mer,  il  monte  sur  le  ciel. 

L'homme  force  le  sphinx  a  lui  tenir  la  lampe. 
Jeune,  il  jette  le  sac  du  vieil  Adam  qui  rampe, 
Et  part,  et  risque  aux  cieux,  qu'eclaire  son  flambeau, 
Un  pas  semblable  a  ceux  qu'on  fait  dans  le  tombeau  ; 
Et  peut-etre  voici  qu'enfin  la  traversee 
Effrayante,  d'un  astre  a  Tautre,  est  commence'e ! 


•_'i»ni  '  i  MI  in. 


(  11:1.. 


Sni|.-ur :  M  ponrrait-il  que  I'horame  s'e"lano4t  ? 
< >  unit  !  M  pourrait-il  que  I'lioimnc,  nncien  format, 

Quo  1'esprit  humain.  !;le, 

itit  ange,  et,  brisunt  lc  Cftrcan  qui  le  monl, 
Kut  >..u,l.iii!  ,:.•  plain-pied  avec  In  cieux  ?     I*  inert 
Va  done  dcveiiir  inutile ! 

Oh  !  franchir  1  ether !  aongc  tfpouvantable  et  beau  ! 
I>.  .tiMiT  le  promontoire  enorme  du  totnbean  1 

Qui  sait  ?    Toute  aile  est  magnanime  : 
mine  eat  aile.     PeuMtre,  d  mer\  .ur ! 

I'M  <  hristophe  Coloin b  de  I'ombre,  quelque  jour, 
I  11  (iama  du  cap  de  1'aUme, 

Un  Jason  de  1'aiur,  depuis  longtemps  parti, 
De  la  terre  oublid,  par  le  ciel  en-louti, 

Tout  a  coup,  sur  I'huinaini- 
Iteparaltra,  monte'  sur  cet  alerion, 

Kt  montrant  Sinus,  Alliotli,  Orion, 

A  jale,  dira:  J'en  arrive  I 

.liiisi,  rnmmc  on  voit  aux  voutes  dea  eelliera 
Lea  noirceurs  qu'en  rodant  tracent  lea  chandeliers 

On  pourrait,  BOO*  lea  bleua  piastres, 
Deviner  qu'un  enfant  de  la  terre  a  pane', 
A  oe  que  le  flambeau  de  1'hnmmo  aurait  laisae' 
IV-  fumee  au  plafond  dea  aitrea ! 
• 

Pai  si  loin  !  pas  si  haut !  redeacendona.     Uestong 
Llioniinc,  restons  Adam  ;  roaia  non  1'horame  a  t  Jtons, 
Mais  non  1'Adam  tombe" !     Tout  autre  rtve  alterc 
L'espece  d'ideal  qui  convicnt  a  la  terre. 
Cooteiitons-nons  du  mot :  meilleur  !  ecrit  partout. 
Oui,  1'aube  s'est  levee. 

Ob !  oe  fut  tout  a  coup 
Comme  une  eruption  de  folie  et  de  joie, 
Quand,  apres  six  mille  ana  dans  la  fatale  voie, 
DeTaite  brusquement  par  1'invisible  main, 
La  peaantenr,  lice  au  pied  du  genre  hutnain, 
Se  brisa,  oette  clialno  etait  toutea  lea  chalnea  ! 
Tout  s'envola  dans  I'hommc,  ct  lea  fureurs,  les  haines ! 
Les  chimeres,  la  force  eVanouie  enfin, 
L'ignorance  et  IVrreur,  la  misere  et  la  fnim, 
Le  droit  diviu  des  rois,  les  faux  dieux  juifs  ou  imebres, 
Le  mensonge,  le  dol,  les  brumes,  les  Unebres, 
Tomberent  dans  la  poudre  aveo  1'antique  sort, 
Comme  le  vctcment  du  bagne  dont  on  sort. 

Kt  i-Yst  ainsi  que  I'ere  annoncee  est  venue, 
Cette  ere  qu'a  traverg  les  temps,  Ipaisse  nue, 
Thalcs  apercevait  au  loin  devant  scg  yeux  ; 
Et  Platen,  lorsque,  emu,  des  spheres  dans  les  cieux 
II  ecoutait  les  chants  et  contemplait  les  danses. 

Les  fitres  inconnus  et  hons,  les  providences 
Preaentes  dans  1'azur  ou  1'ocil  ne  les  voit  pas, 
Lea  anges  qui  de  I'homme  observent  tous  lea  pas, 
Leur  tache  sainte  <5tant  de  diriger  les  Imea, 
Kt  .i'.itii-.  r,  avec  toutea  les  belles  dainmes, 
La  conscience  au  fond  des  ccrvcaux  t^ncbreux, 
Ces  amis  des  vivants,  toujours  pench^  tur  eux, 
Ont  cosse'  dc  fr^mir,  et  d'etre,  en  la  tourmente 
Et  dans  les  sombrcs  nuils,  la  voix  qui  ae  lamente. 
Voici  qu'on  voit  bleuir  1'ideale  Sion. 
lls  n'ont  plus  1'oeil  fixe  sur  1'apparition 


l>u  vainqueur,  du  soldat,  du  fauve  cbaaseur  d'hommw. 

Lea  vagues  flamboiemcnta  e'|»rs  sur  lea  Sodomes, 

Preouraeurs  du  grand  feu  ddvorant,  lea  lueura 

Que  jette  le  sourcil  tr.ui.|iii'  dea  tueurs, 

Lea  guerres,  a'arrachant  aveo  leur  griffe  immonde 

Lea  frontikres,  haillon  difforme  du  vionx  inmiili-, 

Lea  battementa  de  ooeur  dea  merea  aux  aboia, 

L'embuacade  ou  le  vol  guettant  au  fond  des  boia, 

Le  cri  de  la  chouette  et  de  la  sentini-llr, 

Lea  fleaux,  ne  aont  plus  leur  alarme  dternellc. 

Le  denil  n'est  plus  inele'  dans  tout  ce  qu'on  enteixl ; 

Leur  oreille  n'eat  plus  Umduc  a  chaque  instant 

Yen  le  grfmisaement  indignd  dc  la  tombe ; 

Ij»  moisson  rit  aux  champs  oil  r&lait  I'hecatombe  ; 

L'azur  ne  lea  vuit  plus  plviirvr  les  nouvcau-nea, 

Dana  tous  les  innocents  prcasentir  des  danmes, 

Kt  la  pitie"  n'est  plus  leur  uiii<|iu>  attitude  ; 

lls  ne  regardent  plus  la  morne  servitude 

Tresaer  sa  maille  obscure  a  1'osier  des  beroeaux. 

L'homme  aux  fers,  p^ndtr^  du  frisson  dea  roseaux, 

Eat  remplac^  par  I'homme  attendri,  fort  et  calme ; 

La  fonction  du  sceptre  est  faite  par  la  palme ; 

Voici  quVntin,  6  gloire !  exauces  dans  leur  vi-u, 

Gen  etros,  dieux  |>our  nous,  creatures  pour  1'ieu, 

Sont  hcureux,  I'liomme  est  bon,  et  aont  fiers,  I'homme  est 

juste; 

Les  eaprits  purs,  essaim  de  1'empyree  auguste, 
Devant  ce  globe  obscur  qui  dcvient  luniineiix, 
Ne  aentcnt  plus  saigner  1'amour  qu'ils  ont  en  eux  ; 
Une  clartd  paralt  dans  leur  beau  regard  sombre  ; 
Kt  1'archange  commence  k  sourire  dans  I'ombre. 
• 

Ou  va-t-il  ce  navirc  ?    11  va,  de  jour  vjtu, 
A  1'avenir  diviu  et  pur,  a  la  vcrlu, 

A  la  science  qu'on  voit  luire, 
A  la  mort  dea  fleaux,  a  1'oubli  jidnercux, 
A  1'abondance,  au  calme,  au  rire,  a  I'homme  heureux  ; 

11  va,  ce  glorieux  navire, 

Au  droit,  a  la  raison,  a  la  fraternity 
A  la  religieu»e  et  sainte  veVitd 

Sans  impostures  et  sans  voiles, 
A  1'amour,  sur  les  coeurs  serrant  son  doux  lien, 
Au  juste,  au  grand,  au  bon,  au  beau — Vous  voyez  Wen 

Qu'en  eflet  il  monte  aux  dtoiles  1 

11  porte  I'homme  k  I'homme  et  ('esprit  a  1'esprit. 
II  civilise,  0  gloire  !     11  mine,  il  fle'trit 

Tout  1'alTreux  ]ns.vS  qui  s'clTare, 
11  abolit  la  loi  de  fer,  la  loi  de  sang, 
Les  glaives,  les  carcans,  1'esclavage,  en  passant 

Dans  les  cieux  comme  une  fanfare. 

II  ratnene  au  vrai  ceux  que  le  faux  rcpouiiaa  : 
11  fait  briller  la  foi  dans  1'oeil  de  Spinosa 

Kt  1'espoir  sur  lc  front  de  Hobbe ; 
II  plane,  mssurant,  rechaufiant,  djanchant 
Sur  oe  qui  fut  lugubre  et  oe  qui  tut  mechant 

Toute  la  clcracnco  de  1'aube. 

Lea  vieux  champs  de  bataille  dtaicnt  In  dans  la  nuit ; 
II  pa  air,  et  maintenant  voila  lc  jour  qui  luit 

Sur  ces  grands  charniers  de  I'liistoire 
Ob  les  sieclcs,  penchant  letir  rril  tristc  ct  pn •) 
Venai<  •  I'.. ml  re  efTroyable  que  font 

Les  deux  ailes  de  la  victoire. 

:;  s 


452 


ASTRA  C'ASTKA. 


20TH  t'ENTURY. 


Dfirriere  lui,  Cesar  rcdevient  hotnme  ;  Eden 
S'elargit  sur  1'firebe,  e'panoui  soudain  ; 

Les  ronces  de  lys  sont  couvertes  ; 
Tout  revient,  tout  renait ;  ce  que  la  mort  courhait 
Refleurit  dans  la  vie,  et  le  bois  (hi  gibet 

Jette,  effraye\  des  branches  vertes. 

Le  image,  1'aurore  aux  candides  fraicheurs, 
L'aile  de  la  colombe,  et  toutes  les  blancheurs, 

Composent  la-haut  sa  magic  ; 
Dernere  lui,  pendant  qu'il  fuit  vers  la  clarte, 
Dans  1'antique  noirceur  de  la  Fatalite" 

Des  lueurs  de  1'enfer  rougie, 

Dans  ce  brumeux  chaos  qui  fut  le  monde  ancien, 
Oil  1'Allah  turc  s'accoude  au  sphinx  egyptien, 

Dans  la  seculaire  gelienne, 

Dans  la  Gomorrhe  infame  oil  flanibe  un  lac  funmiit, 
Dans  la  foret  du  mal  qu'eclairent  vaguement 

Les  deux  yeux  fixes  de  la  Maine, 

Tombent,  sechent,  ainsi  que  des  feuillagcs  morts, 
Et  s'en  vont  la  douleur,  le  pe'che,  le  remords, 

La  perversity  lamentable, 
Tout  1'ancien  joug,  de  rfive  et  de  crime  forge', 
Nemrod,  Aaron,  la  guerre  avec  le  prejuge, 

La  boucherie  avec  1'^table ! 

Tous  les  spoliateurs  et  tous  les  corrupteurs 

S'en  vont ;  et  les  faux  jours  sur  les  fausses  hauteurs  ; 

Et  le  taureau  d'airain  qui  beugle, 
La  hache,  le  billot,  le  bucher  devorant, 
Et  le  docteur  versant  1'erreur  a  1'ignorant, 

Vil  baton  qui  trompait  1'aveugle  ! 

Et  tous  ceux  qui  faisaient,  au  lieu  de  repentirs, 
Un  rire  au  prince  avec  les  larmes  des  martyrs, 

Et  tous  ces  flatteurs  des  dpees 
Qui  louaient  le  sultan,  le  maitre  universel, 
Et,  pour  assaisonner  1'hymne,  prenaient  du  sel 

Dans  le  sac  aux  tetes  coupees  ! 

Les  pestes,  les  forfaits,  les  cimiers  fulgurants, 
S'effacent,  et  la  route  ou  marchaient  les  tyrans, 

Belial  roi,  Dagon  ministre, 
Et  1'epine,  et  la  baie  horrible  du  chemin 
Ou  1'homme,  du  vieux  monde  et  du  vieux  vice  humaiu, 

Entend  beler  le  bouc  sinistre. 

On  voit  luire  partout  les  esprits  sideraux  ; 
On  voit  la  fin  du  monstre  et  la  fin  du  heYos, 

Et  de  1'athee  et  de  1'augure, 
La  fin  du  conqueYant,  la  fin  du  paria ; 
Et  Ton  voit  lentement  sortir  Beccaria 

De  Dracon  qui  se  transfigure. 

On  voit  1'agneau  hortir  du  dragon  fabuleux, 

La  vierge  de  1'opprobre,  et  Marie  aux  yeux  bleus 

De  la  Venus  prostitute  ; 

Le  blaspheme  devient  le  psaume  ardent  et  pur, 
L'hymne  prend,  pour  s'en  faire  autant  d'ailes  d'azur, 

Tous  les  haillons  de  la  hude. 

Tout  est  sauve  !  la  fleur,  le  printemps  aromal, 
L'eclosion  du  bien,  1'ecroulement  du  mal, 
Fetent  dans  sa  course  cnchaut6e 


Ce  beau  globe  e'claireur,  ce  grand  char  curieux, 
Qu'Empe'doclc,  du  fond  des  gouffres,  suit  des  yeux, 
Et,  du  haut  des  monts,  Prome'thee ! 

Le  jour  s'est  fait  dans  1'antre  ou  1'horreur  s'accroupit. 
En  expirant,  1'antique  univers  decrepit, 

Larve  a  la  prunellc  ternie, 
Gisant,  et  regardant  le  ciel  noir  s'e'toiler, 
A  laissd  cette  sphere  heureuse  s'envoler 

Des  levres  de  son  agonic. 


Oh !  ce  navire  fait  le  voyage  sacre  ! 

C'est  1'ascension  bleue  a  son  premier  degre  ; 

Hors  de  1'antique  et  vil  de'combre, 
Hors  de  la  pesanteur,  c'est  1'avenir  fonde  ; 
C'est  le  destin  de  1'homme  a  la  fin  evade\ 

Qui  leve  1'aucrc  et  sort  de  1'ombre  ! 

Ce  navire  la-haut  conclut  le  grand  hymen. 

II  mele  presque  a  Dieu  1'anie  du  genre  humain. 

II  voit  1'insondable,  il  y  touche ; 
11  est  le  vaste  elan  du  progres  vers  le  ciel  ; 
II  est  1'entre'e  altiere  et  sainte  du  r&l 

Dans  1'antique  ideal  farouche. 

Oh !  chacun  de  ses  pas  conquicrt  1'illirnite'  ! 
II  est  la  joie ;  il  est  la  paix  ;  1'humanite' 

A  trouv^  son  organe  immense  ; 
II  vogue,  usurpateur  sacre",  vainqueur  behi, 
Reculant  chaque  jour  plus  loin  dans  1'infini 

Le  point  sombre  ou  1'homme  commence. 

II  laboure  1'abime  :  il  ouvre  ccs  sillons 

Oil  croissaient  1'ouragan,  1'hiver,  les  tourbillons, 

Les  siffluments  et  les  hue'es  ; 
Grace  a  lui,  la  Concorde  est  la  gerbe  des  cieux  ; 
Jl  va,  fdcondateur  du  ciel  mysterieux, 

Charrue  auguste  des  nu<5es. 

II  fait  germcr  la  vie  humaine  dans  ces  champs 
Ou  Dieu  n'avait  encor  sem^  que  des  couchants 

Et  moissonn^  que  des  aurores  ; 
II  entend,  sous  son  vol  qui  fend  les  airs  sereins, 
Croitre  et  fremir  partout  les  peuples  souveraius, 

Ces  immenses  epis  sonores  ! 

Nef  magique  et  supreme  !  elle  a,  rien  qu'en  marcliant, 
Change  le  cri  terrestre  en  pur  et  joyeux  chant, 

Eajeuni  les  races  fle'tries, 
Etabli  I'ordre  vrai,  montr<!  le  chemin  sur, 
Dieu  juste  !  ct  fait  entrer  dans  1'homme  tant  d'azur 

Qu'elle  a  supprimd  les  patries  ! 

Faisant  a  1'homme  avec  le  ciel  une  citd, 
Une  pensee  avec  toutc  rimmcnsite, 

Elle  abolit  les  vieilles  regies, 
Elle  abaisse  les  monts,  elle  annule  les  tours  ; 
Splendidc,  elle  introduit  les  peuples,  marcheurs  lourds, 

Dans  la  communion  des  aigles. 

Elle  a  cette  divine  et  chaste  fonction 
De  composer  la-haut  1'unique  nation, 

A  la  fois  derniere  et  premiere, 
De  promener  1'essor  dans  le  rayonnement, 
Et  de  faire  planer,  ivre  de  firmament, 

La  libcrt^  dans  la  luiniere. 


(  i.s  i  ntv. 


i;i.\  ELATION. 


i:,:: 


A  GLDU-SE  or  THE  FUTURE. 


The  Future—  the  last  evangel,  which  has  included  all  others.  Its  cathedral  the  dome  of  immensity,  hast 
thou  aeon  it?  Coped  with  the  star  galaxies;  paved  with  the  green  mosaic  of  land  and  ocean;  and  for  ultur, 
verily,  the  star-throne  of  the  Eternal!  Its  litany  and  psalmody,  the  noble  arts,  the  heroic  work  and  sufii-ring. 
ami  trui-  heart-utterance  of  all  the  valiant  of  the  sons  of  men.  Its  choir-music,  the  ancient  winds  and  oceans, 
and  .  1,  inarticulate,  but  most  speaking  voices  of  destiny  and  history,  supernal  ever  as  of  old 

two  great  Silences  : 

Stars  silent  rest  o'er  us, 
Graves  under  us  silent. 

CABLTLE. 


V. 

Some  imagine  that  they  can  perceive  the  foretelling  of  the  great  change  which  may  be 
caused  liy  tin-  science  of  Aerostation  in  the  inspired  words  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  that  it 
is  fornhadowed  in  tin-  vision  of  Ezekiel,  or  in  the  sublime  strains  of  Isaiah:— 

-  Win.  AUK  THESE  THAT  FLY  AS  A  CLOUD,  AND  AS  DOVES  TO  THEIR  WINDOWS  ? " — Ix.  8. 

A  )•  .-.-lit  writer  has  directed  public  attention  to  the  resemblance  between  the  description 
of  the  Leviathan  in  the  Book  of  Job,  and  the  iron-plated  vessels  of  war  now  constructed  l>v 

3  x   'I 


454 


ASTRA  C ASTRA. 


CHAP.  XII. 


so  many  nations.  We  should  remember,  however,  that  the  Holy  Bible  was  not  intended  for 
the  instruction  of  man  in  the  various  sciences  ;  but  that  these  subjects  were  wisely  given  him 
for  the  exercise  of  his  intellectual  faculties,  and  the  use  of  that  reason  with  which  it  has 
pleased  the  Almighty  to  endow  the  noblest  work  of  this  Creation. 

The  Bible,  we  know,  was  the  gift  of  God,  in  His  unspeakable  love  and  mercy,  to  the 
unlearned  as  well  as  to  the  learned,  in  order  to  reveal  to  man  the  plan  of  redemption,  and 
that  which  can  alone  give  peace  and  contentment  in  his  last  hours, — the  blessed  assurance 
of  everlasting  life,  through  the  merits  and  mediation  of  his  Saviour. 

Now  safely  moored,  my  perils  o'er, 

I'll  sing,  first  in  night's  diadem, 
For  ever,  and  for  evermore, 

The  Star  !  the  Star  of  Bethlehem  ! 


ANGEL  AND  CHILD. 

Down  thither  prone  in  flight, 
He  speeds,  and  through  the  vast  ethereal  sky 
Sails  between  world  and  world  with  steady  wings : 
Now  on  the  polar  winds,  then  with  quick  fan 
Winnows  the  buxom  air. 

MILTON. 


APPENDIX. 


THE  PASSIVE  AIR  UPBORE 

THEIR  NIMBLE  TRLAD :   AS  WHEN  THE  TOTAL  KIND 
OF  BIRDS,  IN  ORDERLY  AKKAY  ON  WIXU. 
CAME  SUMMONED  OVER  EDEN  TO  RECEIVI 
Till  .IP.  NAMES  OP  THEE:   80  OVER  MANY  A  TRACT 
OF  HEAVEN  THEY  MARCHED,  AND  MANY  A  PROVINCE  WIDE, 
TENFOLD  THE  LENGTH  OF  THIS  TKRKENE. 

MILTON. 


APPENDIX. 


I. 

THK  following  roll  of  all  kii<.\\n  A.-n.naitts  was  com  |>i  In  I  l.y  l>.'|niis  Delcourt,  in  1820.  augmented  l.y  Monek 
M.i-  .11.  in  IS'.s,  ami  revised  l.y  ]>.•]. nis  Delcourt  in  liis  •  Manuel  d'Ai -rotation.'  in  1M!».  I  have  not  added 
to  it.  a-  sin. •>•  thut  year  tin-  nnnilxTs  have  increased  hy  thousands,  but  I  think  flu-  names  of  the  lirst  live 
hundred  experimenters  who  ascended  in  such  fragile  barks  as  balloons  will  prove  interesting  when  this 
x  irin-r  shall  have  attained  its  development  The  percentage  of  accidents,  and  the  characters  of  the  nations 
forming  our  present  Commonwealth,  as  shown  by  the  following  figures,  are  not  without  interest. 

The  number  given  by  Monck  Mason  is  471,  and  the  proportions  among  the  different  nations  is  as 

follows: — 

English            :ii:t  French  104  Italian*  is 

GcrmanH            17  Turks,  5  I'mtwians  ;i 

N.  American*:      :5  Hussions  2  Poles  i! 

Hungarians         2  Danes  1  Swiss  1 

Among  these  are  to  be  found  the  names  of  49  ladies— of  whom  28  are  English,  17  French,  3  Germans, 
and  1  Italian.  Out  of  several  thousand  ascents  (Green  alone  made  249,  and  other  members  of  his 
family  't'.'.'n.  only  >i<in'  lives  have  been  lost,  and  these  casualties  were  owing  to  the  following  causes: — 
I-'ive.  \i/..  MM.  Pilatre  de  Rozier,  Romain,  Olivari,  Bittorff,  and  Zambeccari,  to  the  inherent  perils  of  the 
Montiroltii'Tc;  one,  Madame  Blanchard,  to  the  fireworks  she  was  exhibiting:  the  other  three — Mr.  Harris. 
i"  iirnorain-e  of  the  art:  M.  Mosment,  to  bravado  on  a  platform;  and  Mr.  Windham  Sadler,  to  the  extreme 
roiiL'hiiess  of  the  weather. 

M.  Depuis  Delcourt  gives  504  aeronauts  down  to  tbe  year  1848,  with  ten  casualties ;  as,  to  the  list 
just  given,  is  added  the  name  of  Mr.  Cocking.  They  are  marked  *  in  the  following  list: — 

ROLL  OF  THE  FIRST  500  AERONAl  TS.  WITH  THE  DATE  AND  PLACE  OF  THEIR  FIRST 

ASCENTS. 

1 78;;.  CARNI s  (Abbe".  Profeesar  of  Philosophy.    Rhodes. 

,.        .    ,.  CHALFOUR,  architect    Bordeaux. 

AB^o-gOr,™  d  ),  Major  „,  «!„•  (JurUe  Boyale.    U  Muette,        ^^  (Due  ^  tkftermrdi  p^,  of  Q,^    g^  c,OIld 

CoixiN-If  i  u.ix.    Pan*. 
CHABL».Profe«orofN»tun,irial,w,[,l,y.     1'aru,  G,,>T.Br,  ,,E  MA«T,  LieutenanWJcner.1.     Nante* 

,.,       ,_  DAMWERBE.Comtede.Offlrer  of  the  Guard..    Lyon* 

rul  Philosophy.    Pan*.  DARBELTT,  Profe«or  of  Natural  Philosophy.    Bordeaux. 

W.LOOX  (Jam,*),  carpenter.   WuU,M,,l,m.  F.rt  a***  ,n  Amenta.        ^r^  merchlint    Nanta>. 

.  DEHGBAXciis.    Bordeaux. 

FLEURAWD,  ghip-paintcr.    Lyons. 

ADORX,  optirian.    Strasbourg.  1    \TAIXE  (C.  G. ..  merchant     Lyons. 

\M.I. i  VM    C.vali.r  Paolo  .    Milan,  25th  K<  l.runry.     F irit  lucent  GABRIEL.    Strasbourg. 

'•••ly.  Gmu    Augiistin  ,  architect.    "Milan. 

BAXZAOO  (Giuneppo).    Milan.  GERLI  (Charles  Joseph),  architect    Milan. 

BEBTBAXD  (Abbe1).  Professor  ..f  Xutnrnl  rhilr>.i>pliy.     Dijon.  GcTTO»-DE-MoB>  m  ,  i-l»-ini>l.     Dijon. 

BLAXCHABD  (J.  P.),  mechanic.    Paris.    Made  66  ascents.  1 1  V;MVLLEB  (Duni>-l  .     Vicuna. 

BOBT.  Registrar  to  the  Provincial  Parli  •       •      l;...icn  II  OIMH-MHII  (George).     Vienna. 

BorcHE,  pnint.  r.    A;  -      n.  Jgrrmug  (J.),  an  American  doctor.     1 Ion. 

BBCMUXD,  nn  r>  ham.     Marseilles.  LAFOBTE  D'ASOLEFOBT  (Comic  ,  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  Artillery. 
Bats.    Charubery.  Lyons. 


458 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


APPENDIX. 


LAUBENCIN  (Comte  de),  a  Corresponding  Member  of  the  Academy. 

Lyons. 

LOUCHET,  Professor  "  de  belles-lettres."    Ehodez. 
LIGNE  (Prince  Charles  de).     Lyons. 
LUNARDI  (V.),  Attache  to  the  Neapolitan  Embassy.     Moorfields, 

London.     15th  September.     First  ascent  in  England. 
MAITBE  (Chevalier),  in  the  French  Navy.    Chambery. 
MARET.     Marseilles. 

MONTGOLFIEH  (Joseph),  one  of  the  inventors  of  the  aerostat.    Lyons. 
MOCCHET,  Professor  of  Natural  Sciences.     Nantes. 
PIEKRE.     Strasburg. 

PROUST,  Professor  of  Chemistry.    Versailles. 
RAMBANT.    Aix. 
RAPHINE.    Brenttord. 
RIVFERRE.     Near  Paris. 
ROBERT,  mechanical  engineer.    Paris. 
Rossi  (Gaetano).    Milan. 
ROUSSEAU.    Navan. 

SADLER  (James).    Oxford,  12th  October.    Tlie  first  English  aermtaut. 
SCHMALTZ  (Michel),  Vienna. 

SHELDON,  Professor  of  Anatomy  ;  16th  October.     Chelsea. 
STUVER  (Gaspard).    Vienna. 

THTBLE  (Madame).     Lyons.     The  first  Lady  in  a  free  ascent. 
TYTLER  (James),  August  27th.     Edinburgh.      T7»e  first  in   Great 

Britain. 

VIRLY  (de),  President  of  Exchequer  Committee.     Dijon. 
*ZAMBECCARI  (Count  F.).    London. 

1785. 

ALBAN,  chemist.    Vavelle,  near  Paris. 
ARNOLD.     London. 
BALDWIN,  doctor.    Chester. 
BIGGINS.    London. 
BINN.    Halifax. 
BLAKE  (Captain).     London. 
CHAPPE  'Abbe').    Javelle. 
CROSBIE.     Dublin.     First  ascent  in  Ireland. 
CUBIERES  (Marquis  de).     Javelle. 
DAVY.    Beccles. 
DECKER.    Norwich. 
DECKER  (jun.).     Bristol. 
D'HONNINETTJM.    The  Hague. 
FrrzpATRiCK  (Colonel).    Oxford. 
FRENCH  (Lieutenant).    Chester. 
FROBISHER.    Halifax. 
HARPER.    Birmingham. 
HINES  (Miss).    Beccles. 
L'EEINARD  (Chevalier  de).     Lille. 
LOCKWOOD.    London. 
LUZARCHE  (Madame  de).    Javelle. 

MAGUIRE  (Sir  Richard).     Dublin.     Knighted  for  this  exploit. 
MONEY  (Major,  afterwards  General).     London. 
NARBONNE  (Comte  de).    Javelle. 
NEWMARCH.    Halifax. 
POOLE.    Bury-St.-Edmunds. 
POTAIN  (Dr.),  surgeon,  R.N.     Dublin. 
PUIMOUN  (Baron  de).     Javelle. 
*ROMAINE.     Boulogne. 
ROUTH  (Dr.).     Beccles. 
SADLER  (John).    Worcester. 

SAGE  (Mrs.).     London.     Tlie  first  Fnylith  Lady,  29th  June,  1782. 
SIMONET  (Madlle.).     London  (3rd  of  May),  aged  11J.     This  French 

lady  was  the  first  lady  to  ascend  in  Great  Britain. 
SIMONET  (Mdlle.),  21st  May.    London. 
TRUCHOU,  carpenter.    Javelle,  near  Paris. 
VALLET,  manufacturer  of  chemicals.     Javelle. 
VERNON  (Admiral  Sir  Edward).     London. 

WINDHAM  (Right  Hon.  W.).      Moulsey-Hurst,  Surrry.     The  first 
M.P.  to  ascend. 


1786. 

REDMAN.    London. 
SAINTE-CHOIX.    Salisbury. 
TESTU-BRISSY.    Paris. 

1788. 

TUMMERMAUS  (Mademoiselle  de).    Metz. 

1790. 

GARNERIN  (Andre"-Jacques).  Paris.  He  mnile,  50  ascents  and  was 
the  first  aeronaut  who  descended  in  a  parachute  in  1797. 

IBRAIM,  Turkish  Pacha.     Warsaw,  14th  May. 

LALLEMAND  DE  SAINTE-CROIX  (Marquis).    Paris. 

POTOSKY  (Comte  J.).     Warsaw,  14th  May. 

STERNBERG  (Comte  de  Joachim),  President  of  the  Academy. 
Prague. 

1792. 

BLANCHARD  (the  younger).    Lubeck. 
CHASOT  (Comtesse  de).    Lubeck. 

1798. 

BEAUVAIS,  Aide-de-camp.    Paris. 
GARNERIN  (Madame).    Paris. 
HENRI  (Madlle  Celestine).    Paris. 
PUOH,  chemist,  Rouen. 

1799. 

DE  LALANDE  (Je'rdme),  astronomer.    Paris. 
MAISON  (Madlle.).     Paris. 

1800. 
DERME  (Madlle.  FanchetteX    Paris. 

1801. 

BECHET.     Rennes. 
BUCKET  DU  CHATELIER.    Rennes. 
NOLEIN,  exchanger.     Paris. 
ROLLAND.     Paris. 

RUGGIERI  (Claude),  builder.     Paris. 
VARIN.    Rennes. 

1802. 

ACARD,  builder.     Paris. 
BARLY.    Constantinople. 
BROWN.     London. 
DEVIGNE.     Constantinople. 
GLASFORD.    London. 
LOCKER  (Edward  Hawke).     London. 
*OLIVARI.    Orleans. 
SNOWDEN  (Captain).    London. 

1803. 
ANDHEOLE  (Pascal),  doctor.    Bologna. 

AUBERT.       MOSCOW. 

GAERTNER  (Herr).    Berlin. 
GOSSY.     Valoynes. 
GRASSETTI,  doctor.     Bologna. 
L'HoEST,  merchant,     Hamburg. 
LUWOFF,  Russian  General.     St.  Petersburg. 
*MOSMENT.     Rouen. 
ROBERTSON  (E.  G.  R ).    Hamburgh. 
THAITEDR  (Lieutenant-Colonel).    Carlsruhe. 

1804. 

ALEXANDRE  (Mons.).'    St.  Petersburg. 

BIOT  (J.  B.).  Professor  of  Natural  Philosophy  and  Astronomy  at 
the  "  College  de  France."  Paris. 


AlTKM'IX. 


ROLL  OF  THE  FM5ST  500  AERONAUTS. 


'111  \V  II 

A  ni..        Paris. 
QAT-!  .fessur  of  Chemistry  at  the  "College  tie  Franco." 

h'irtl  tucfnl  for  meteorological  experiment! 
filAiin.      l.ynna, 
Mi.  m.  \.     Yii-nna. 

•i  the  Swiss  Artillery.     Pan*. 
T  •  .  nKsraorr  (Madame;.    Moscow. 
ZAOCHAROP.    St  Petersburg. 

1805. 

\       -us   A.  Duboorg).    Roaen. 

it-8  (W.),   Profeasor  of  Natural   Philosophy  at  the  College 
FiwI,-ri,-k-\V,llmm.  It.  rim. 
LEMEBCIE*  i  H.\  manufacturer  of  ehemicals.    Paris. 

1806. 

KM-,  stii  :•  ill       ]'••  rlii 

1807. 
•HiTTOBnr  (Herr),  mechanic,    Mannli.  iin. 

1808. 

I;     -„•-_•  •  .     M  • 
DICES  (Jacob),  clock-maker.    Vienna. 

Ki  I-AKIIST..  .l..nlarki).    Warsaw  (24th  July).    Thin  Pole's  balloon 
caught  fire,  but  he  descended  safely  in  a  Parachute. 

1809. 

Domsi  (Baron). 
HCTCHDCKN  (Mis*). 
MABCIUSELU  (Antonio).     Fetrora. 


1810. 

FIELD.    Bristol 

(i  M  i.n  -    Ili-n-  ,  iimniif.K-turerof  glazed  cloth. 
PAGET  Lieutenant  '..    Ixmdiui. 
RCICHABD  Cbarlet-Oodfrey).     Berlin. 


1811. 
BKAVFOY   H.\     London. 

VM    .!.'.    Binningham. 
COLDINO  (Herr',.    Co|n-nhaf;i->i. 
RDCRARO  (Maillle.  Willii-linim-  . 
i:  .  •  .  -.  v    M.i-linu.       \  •    •. 

(Philippo).    Floreaoe. 


I!   rli:, 


1812. 

BOSAOA  (Signer).    Bologna. 
KBASKKWII.    Hi  rr  .  i|m-u>r,  Vienna. 
MESMI:.     Vinina. 

1813. 
CAXEBOK.    GUagow. 

•SADLER  (Windham  Ixrtidon. 
TIIOMI-S-.X    Mu>  .     Londun. 


1814. 


QAWEBW  (Madllc.  Elisa;.    Paris. 

1816. 

GABSERIS  (Eugenie  .    Paru. 

l.iviviisrojt.    Dublin. 

Mn  III.LJ.T  UE  BEAUET  (Madlle.  Li*  .     I'ari-. 


1817. 

N,  mcrclinuL     Lyons, 
MAROAT.    ParU. 
l'i  Kuai-Mf«Al-  (Tlio  PriiKX'  11.  rnum  . 

1818. 

ftosowT  (Mrtdllo.  Cccilf).    Paru. 
Id  AN.  111,  X.   Mn-llli-.).    Paris. 
(.nun    (l,:,rlis.     Bordeaux. 
MAIHIAT  (Maduine).     Puns. 

MiiUllr.  .     Bordeaux. 


IV-rlin. 


1810. 


ROBES-TOON  (Eogene  . 


1821. 

FASVT  (A.),  agent    Minx-ill.  ». 

GKEXN   'Charles).      London.    Him  made  52G  ancenra  withuiit  any 
sorioiu  aerident)  '  arid  uxu  the  lirtt  lo  uw  coal  g<u.' 


1822. 

UTIIS.     Cheltenham. 
Jl  U.IEN  (Madlle.  Thi;re»e-AgUe",. 


COSDOVL  (Madnmo  Virgiuii-'  .    Seville. 
GRAHAM.    London. 
•HARRIS  (Lirutanant,  K.X.)    London. 
ROBEKTMIN  (Auguste-Dimitri  .    K-villr. 
SIMMOSBS  (H.).    Reading. 
SI-AKHIIW.    Oxford. 
\\IHII.    Bath. 

1824. 

APAMS  (J.)    Bath. 

BEACPOY  (Captain).    Islington. 

BEER.    Canterbury. 

BRAUUET  (Miss).    Warwick. 

BROOKES.    Coventry. 

CLARKE.     Wolverluunpton. 

Ci  M.i  M    It.  .      i:\.l   r. 

DOSELLT  (J.).     Bolton. 

DtiTii*-l)Kixr>i-RT,  Editor  of  a  Parisian  Paper.     Mnntj««ii.      7V.. 
founder  of  the  Aerottatie  and  Meteorological  Otm'rly  nf  1 
He  died  in  April,  1801,  and  Nadar  give*  a  touching  "  Orouon 
Funebrc"  in  the  Preface  to  the  'Meraoires  dn 

GAVDY  (Lieutenant).    Portse*. 

GRAHAM  (Mrs.).    London. 

GREGG  (The  Rev.  (;.).    Bcllast. 

GBIMSHAW.    London. 

HABKO.     Worcester. 

RICHARD  (J.  M.).    Uuntjean. 

BOMITEB.    London. 

SAI-SUERS  (R).     BrUtol. 

SLEA.    Brighton. 

ST.  Amis.    London. 

STOCK*  (Miss).    London. 

1825. 

BECKET  (Uus).    London. 
BLAI-KBI-KX  (Mias).    Preston. 
t'ui    Caplain  .     London. 
i  on  \1    1      r.  .    SeTcnoak*. 

CTBBIK  (Captain).    London. 
DAVBOH  (Miss).    Kendal. 

li.   »v 


4GO 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


APPKNUIX. 


GHEES  (George).    London. 

GREEN  (William).    Newcastle-upon-Tync:. 

GBISOLLE  (Serjeant).    Marseilles. 

HARVEY  (Colonel).    Norwich. 

JILLARD.     Bristol. 

JOLLIFPE.     Seveuoaks. 

PENNY.    London. 

RADCLIFFE  (C.).    Blackbum. 

RAMSAY.    Carlisle, 

SELIM-OGAT.    Smyrna. 

1826. 

BARHAM.    London. 
BROOKE.    Boston. 
CAVE  (W.).    London. 
CLARK.    London. 
GREEN  (George,  jun.).    London. 
GREEN  (Henry).    London. 
GRISOLLE.    Paris. 
RICHEY.     London. 
SAYWELL.    Nottingham. 
SERJEANT.    Stamford. 
SIMPSON.     Stamford. 
SPOONER  (Miss).    Bolton. 
VALE  (The  Kev.  B.).    Hanley. 
WEDGEWOOD.  Newcastle. 
WHITTAKEH.    London. 

1827. 

ASTLEY  (W.).    Ashton-under-Lyne. 

BACKHOUSE.    Ashton-under-Lyne. 

BECKET.    London. 

BROWN.    Wakefield. 

BROWN  (S.).    Pontefract. 

DAVIES(R.).    HuU. 

DAVIES  (Mrs.).    London. 

EDWARDS  (Miss  E.  P.).    London. 

Fox  (G.).    London. 

GEE.     Stockport. 

GOWARD.    Ipswich. 

GOWARD  (Jun.).    Ipswich. 

GBAFTON.    Macclesfield. 

GREEN  (Thomas).    Mansfield. 

GREEN  (James).    London. 

HILL.    Hull. 

HODGKINS.    Doncaster. 

JEFFERYS.    Birmingham. 

KENNEDY.    Gainsborough. 

LEIGH.     Warrington. 

MATTHEW  (Captain  R.N.).    Hereford. 

OLIVIER  (Madame).    New  Orleans. 

PHILLIPS  (H.  L.).    Manchester. 

SMITH  (W.).    Birmingham. 

STRAPPS  (T.  W.).    Manchester. 

WILLIAMS  (W.  H.).    London. 

1828. 

BAILEY.    Coventry. 
BAKER.    Southampton. 
BEEG.     Canterbury. 
BOUBERRY.     Coventry. 
CHAMP.     Canterbury. 
GARDINER  (W.  H.).     Lewis. 
GLOSSOP  (W.).    Sheffield. 
GREEN  (Mrs.  Henry).    Rochester. 
HEMMING.    London. 
HOLT  'vCaptain  R.).     Wigan. 
JONES.     Hereford. 
LYSTER  (Colonel).     Maidstone. 
MALCOLM.    Salford. 


ORLANDI  ^Signor).    Bologna. 
PARKINSON.    Bury. 
PEARNE  (G.).    Dover. 
PEMBERTON.    Preston. 
PICKERING.     Chichcster. 
POOLE.     Preston. 
ROBERTSON  (Mrs.).    Canterbury. 
ROLENS.    Rochester. 
SCHDLLER  (Madlle.).     Berlin. 
STEPHENSON  (W.).    Blackburn. 
VOIGT  (Herr).     Huddersiicld. 
WILLEHTON.    Boston. 
WOOD.    Wakefield. 

1829. 

BADCOCK  (Mrs.).    London. 
BLITZ.    Kidderminster. 
BROWN.     Dewsbury. 
DAINTHY.    Cambridge. 
DOBNEY.    Kidderminster. 
GREETHAM  (Lieutenant).     Portsea. 
LAWSOX.    Keighley. 
LLOYD.    Binningham. 
MARSHALL.    Derby. 
MILNES.    Cambridge. 
RICHAKDSON.    Derby. 
ROBERT  (Mdlle.  Lambertine).    Paris. 
SCOTT  (G.  W.).    Cambridge. 
SIMPSON.     Mansfield. 
WESTCOTT  (P.  T.).    London. 
WHITCHER.    Southampton. 

1830. 

ACKERS.    Cambridge. 

BASS.    Leith. 

BEAUMONT  (F.  W.).    Cambridge. 

BHUSSON.    Leeds. 

CUTTILL  (J.  B.).    Lincoln. 

DICKINSON.    Stafford. 

HOLLOND  (Robert,  afterwards  M.P.).    Cambridge. 

in  183C. 

HCLKES.  Cambridge. 
ROGER.  Kilmarnock. 
THEODORE  (Adolplius).  Havana. 

'    1831. 

BROWNE.    Manchester. 
CALLANDER  (Major).    Alloa. 
CiiAWSHAY.    Norwich. 
FOKSTER  (Dr.).     Chelmsford. 
RENNET  (Miss  E.).    Chelmsford. 
KENNET  (Miss  H.).     Chelmsford. 
MARSHALL.    Norwich. 
MILLER.    Peterborough. 
OY.STON  (Miss).     Newcastle. 
PUCKLE.    Lincoln. 
REID.     Perth. 
TURNER  (F.).    Cambridge. 
WOODHOUSE  (Dr.  J.  T.).    Cambridge. 

1832. 

ARMSTRONG.    London. 
BRAY.     Coventry. 
FOXCROFT.     Lancaster. 
GYPSON.     London. 
HILDYARD.     Lancaster. 
HOPE.     Cambridge. 
LEBEKRIER  (Dr.).    Montmartrc,  Paris. 
LEEDS.     Cambridge. 


Wetd  to  Nassau 


Al'I'KM'IX. 


ROLL  OF  Till!  F1HST  500  AERONAUTS. 


LEXXOX  (Ootnte  de),  formerly  "  chef  d'esnubon."    Montmartro. 
LEKXOX  (Madame).    Montmartn . 
MERY.    !>•• 

IL     Whitfhawn. 

rith. 

it.    Manrliestsr. 
THAWS.    Manchester. 

18 

ABBA*  (Frandsqne),  builder.    Lyons. 
MARSHAIX.    Worksop. 
WXTCOTT  .1.  II.  .    London. 


WOODS  (J.).    8tr<»>.l. 
WROTTB«LET  (J.X    London. 
YAKMOI-™  (Lord).    Paris. 

Y  <  <• 


ELUOT.    New  Orleans. 
YuBom    Sundcriand. 


I-  :! 


1835. 


BrTLEB,  surgeon.    London. 

Ci-ATuX.    New  Orleans. 

CRAVKHAT  (Jan.).    Bury  St.  Eilmnnd*. 

Di  ntrr-Sn-ABT  (Lord).    London. 

GCCHKB.    Bury  8t  Edmund*. 

HARMAS.    Uxbridge. 

UOBAST.    Lyncbburg.  Amcrio*. 

1830. 

BACK.    London. 
BARCLAY.    London. 
BRI  NX-WICK  (Duke  oT>    London. 
BTRXITT.    Londm. 
CIIEWB  (Mr*.).    London. 

'••liirquunf  .    London. 
CLABKK.    London. 
•Cocx»o.    London. 
Couxr.    London. 
Cos.    London. 
DILATICLD.    London. 
\s«(Mr«.).    London. 

I  <    •  p 

(inns  (Mn.  Cbuk*).    London. 

Gnsx  (M»  Mukn).    London. 

GRKXOW  (Optain).    Fuii. 

Gn  E...    London. 

GTB  Jim.  .    London. 

:• 

Ili-n-ii   <;.      <JJonoator. 

HODGES.    London. 

HOLLOXD  (Richard..    London. 

II  •    I  :        London. 
1  1  K-.RD  (T.).    London. 
Hi  ..HER  (W.).    Pkru. 

I>r.  .    London. 

•U-.N.    London.    Watt  to  Naatm. 
OGLE  Onptnin  .     London. 
PATRICK.    London. 
PILTJ:. 

i          \' 

BowoB(>Ir>.}.    I'aru. 
Bi'«H.    London. 

London. 

Jun.  .  Glonoecter. 
STEEL  (Thomu).  Warwick. 
TALBOT  (The  Hon.  W.  .  London. 

:  nor  'Bamneai).    London. 
WAKBrmr-  ..  Itenham. 

Wiirra  (Oaptein).    London. 
WISE.    Tanmtfrr     Arnfrica. 

\\  .  I  ,      .  : 


1887 

AI.AIW  W.  R).    London. 
ADAMI  Mm.  W.  H.  .    London. 
AUAMI  'Jan.).    London. 
ALLEN  (Otptein^,.    London. 
BAxn*  (B.  B.  .    London. 
BEAXLET  (8.).    London. 


ItoxAU. 


(Captain).    London. 
London. 
(Mi*  Anno). 
BknnDox.    Cheltenham. 
Bnax  (Johnnie).    London. 
BCTUOI  (Lord  Walter).    London. 
CAMFBEU.    London. 
CADTEOIB  (Otptein).    London. 
CARTTXTER.    KancheMer. 
CABTTAK  (Coroner  fur  Went  Kent).     I>.ml<.i,. 
CHADWICE.    Hanchedcr. 
Conn.    London. 
COFLDM  (Captain). 
CREAOR  (Lieotenant-Colonol  Sir  M.). 
CROMCH  KLIN  (J.  L.).    London. 
CrrHBEBT.    London. 
DAm»o».    London. 
DEAM  (Mui).    London. 
FIXCH.    London. 
GAXBLE.    London. 
GARXKTT.    Cheltcnliam. 
GEMITE  (Edward).    ParU. 
GREEK,  apothecary.    London. 
GREEN.    Manchester. 
GKEOORT.    Ozfoni 
GTE  -'Sen.).     London. 
HOBTON  (Optain  Wiliuot  ,.     Lnn<lon. 
Hrm.    Loixlon. 
LAXBEBT.    London. 
LEICESTER  (Captain).    London. 
LEWIS.    London. 
JEABBAD.    Cheltenham. 
JEPHSOV.    London. 
•li  i  HEX.    Pari*. 
.     London. 
LORD.    Manchester. 
MALTTTZ  (Baron).    London. 
MAXSITEU).    Manchester. 
MARK.    London. 
MOXBO  (W.).     London. 
Moss   J.X     Cheltenham. 
MCBOBATB    W.  Tuniinrliffi  .     Lead*. 
Piw   Ri(n,..r  .     Paris. 
POLHIII    CuptHiii  .     I-.in.lmi. 
POWKK    I      Ml1.     I>indon. 
BrraoLn  '.I...    London. 


RursE.    London. 

Sronx  OB  LA  SALLE.    Paris. 

SIMUX.    London. 

SLOAX.     Manchester.     The  oniy  Emglukman  eier^    Trtl.r 

•Mr  made  tut  of  a  Mantgctjitn, 
SXEATH.    Mansfield. 
SrixxET.    Cheltenham. 
TAYLOR.    London. 
THOMAS.    London. 
TOLUOIACHE  Captain).    London. 

3  o  2 


402 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


APPENDIX. 


THACKY  (H.X    Lnndon. 
VEYSEY.    Manchester. 
WARWICK.     London. 
WATSON.    London. 
WATTS.     Ijondon. 
WKIIH.     London. 
ZICHY  (Comte  de).    Paris. 


TENNYSON.     London. 


1838. 


1839. 


EuiiiiiOT,  pianoforte-manufacturer.     Paris. 
HAMPTON  (John).    London. 
LABTET.    Agcn,  France. 

1841. 

COMASCHI.    Lyons. 
DAVIDSON.     London. 
DUDLEY- WARD  (Captain).    London. 

1842. 

KERSCH.     Bordeaux. 
SCHWARTZ,  musician.    Lyons. 

1843. 

GUERIN  (J.).    Nantes. 
LARTET  (Madame).    Anch. 
VERDUN  (Commandant  des  Cuirassiers).    Mans. 


1844. 
London.    Has  made  520  ascents  down  to  the 


COXWEI.L  (Henry). 

year  1864. 

DUPAS  (Madlle.  Augustine).     Paris. 
GUILLOT  (Rosemond).    Cambray. 
MARGAT  (Madame).    Marseilles. 
PUOH  (J.  Reynolds).    Stepney. 

1845. 

BEDFORD  (Duke  of).    London. 

ISABELLE  (Madlle.).    Lille. 

MATTHEWS  (F.,  clown  at  Drury-lane).     London. 

VANSITTABT.    Chelsea. 

1846. 

D'OnossON  (Baron),  Swedish  Ambassador.    Berlin. 
LOPEZ  (Don  Manuel).     London. 


1847. 

BARLOW  (Arthur  Pratt).     London. 

BKCKMANN,  gymnast.     Bordeaux. 

BISCHOFPSHEIM.    Brussels. 

B'li.xiii)  (Madlle.  Cle'mence).     Bordeaux. 

BYRXE.     Peckham. 

COCKEHILL.    Aix-la-Chapelle. 

GALE.    London. 

GODARD  (Eugene).    Lille. 

GOULSTON.    Peckham. 

GRICE  (B.  0.).     Aix-la-Cliapelle. 

HOOLE.     London. 

JENNY  (V.).    Bordeaux. 

JOUIIDAN,  undertaker.     Paris, 

K(ENio  (The  celebrated  Herr).     London. 

LEDET.    St.  Petersburg. 

MAIGRET.     Bordeaux. 

MASSE  (Madame).     Bordeaux. 

MEYER.    Bordeaux. 

ROSSET.    Bagdad. 

SCHENEDER  (Madame  A.).     Paris. 

SMITH  (Albert).     London. 

SOPHIA  (Madlle.  B.).    Paris. 

SPURRIER  (Captain,  K.N.).     Bruxelles. 

STEFFENS  (Adolphe  de).     Aix-la-Cliapelle. 

VAN  ELEWYCH.    Bnissels. 

VAN  HEEKE  (Dr.).    Brassels. 

VIDAL  (Madlle.  Emma).    Bordeaux. 

1848. 

BEAUVOIR  (le  Vicomte  de).     Paris. 

BOUQUIE  (Armand).     Paris. 

BOUQUIE  (Ferdinand).     Paris. 

BRIGNOLA  (Madame  de).     Paris. 

CALLOO,  hotel-keeper.    Brussels. 

DELBRASINE,  merchant.    Brussels. 

EVANS  (Madlle).    Paris. 

FENCE.    Paris. 

HARRINGTON.    Paris. 

JONES  (Augustus).    Brussels. 

LAVALETTE  (De).    Paris. 

MARIA  DE  LANCY  (Madame).     Paris. 

UAASLOFF  (W.  de),  Captain  in  the  Danish  Artillery.     Liege. 

STOCKS,  English  engineer.    Liege. 

TALBOT-BAGOT  (George).    Paris. 

TBASENTER  (a  Professor  at  the  University  of  Liege.     Liege. 

VAN  DER  Doo,  Dutch  student.     Liege. 

WHARINOTON.    Brussels. 

YATES.    Liege. 


The  names  of  a  party  that  made  an  interesting  ascent  in  1786,  are  omitted  in  this  list,  as  the  only 
record  we  now  possess  does  not  give  them.  It  consisted  of  a  Persian  physician  and  two  Bostangis  of 
the  Seraglio  of  Constantinople.  They  ascended  from  a  court  of  the  palace,  in  the  presence  of  the  Sultan, 
crossed  the  sea  that  divides  the  European  from  the  Asiatic  continent,  and,  after  a  voyage  of  four  and  a  half 
hours,  descended  at  the  castle  of  Brusa,  ninety  miles  from  the  coast,  where  the  Pacha  entertained  them 
hospitably.  Upon  their  return  to  Constantinople  they  were  received  with  all  the  honours  which  an  admiring 
public  conld  bestow;  and  the  balloon  itself,  as  a  memorial  of  the  exploit,  was  ordered  by  the  Sultan  to  be 
suspended  in  the  Mosque  of  St.  Sophia,  where  it  remains  to  this  day  (1836).  This  is  the  only  instance, 
as  yet,  in  which  the  passage  from  one  quarter  of  the  globe  to  another  has  been  effected. 


MARQUIS      D'ARLANDE 


LOUIS     PHILIPPE     DUG    DE    CHARTRES 


M .   GARNERIN 


JOHN      JEFFRILS  .     M  .  D  . 


,.»»//.'/•//,./  W//////////V/'//    /</*/.•/•///.      .rn^.rlH/:  ,• 


JEAN     PIERRE    BLANCHARD 


M . CHARLES    . 


X  M 


JOHN       HAMPTON    . 


ROBERT       COCKING 


1864 


,*  I.,,*"/!  H,ld»u»  .k»,.  H>(f*  K.K, 


I  /'  [5 
I  J  f  S 


- 


'^    ' 


TIBERIUS        CAVALLO,     F.R.S. 


MR.&     SAGE 


CHARLES       GREEN  . 


EDWARD       SPENCER   . 


.V,^ 

CKIV.  ci- 

1864 


•  /  r  r; 


M?     SADLER  .       • 

THE      FIRST       ENGLISH     AERONAUT. 


JAMES       GLAISHER  .    ESQ.    F.R    S 


HENRY        COXWELL  . 


U  U  I V .  C  l- 


1864 


',    C:      .  •'   I    ('   [J 

r,~]  J  f  c 


• 


AITKNMV  IK  M  >KS  ON    AKK<  >STATI<>N. 


BOOKS-   IlITIIKIMn  ITi:i,ls||i:i>  o\  AKKo-  I  A  I  |n\. 

The  ark  which  miml  ban  fi>r  il*  refuge  wrought 
lu  floating  archive  down  the  flood*  of  timr. 

SCHUJ.KB  on  ike  Art  </  1'riuting. 

"Books  arc  faithful  repositories,  which  maybe  a  while  neglected  or  forgotten:  l.iit  when  they  are  opened 
again,  will  again  impart  their  instruction.  Memory  onoe  interrupted,  i«  not  to  be  recalled;  written  learning  i> 
a  fixed  luminary,  which,  after  tin-  cloud  that  has  hidden  it  has  pawed  away,  is  again  bright  in  it«  proper  Mat  inn. 
Tradition  is  Imt  a  meteor,  which,  if  it  onoo  falls,  cannot  be  rekindled."  —  JOHNS  rox. 


j;  HutN  1'i.AtDBBS,  'De  Art*  Volandi.'     Tubin^.T.     ll'iuo. 
1648  .  1.  -us  \ViiKiss  (Lord  Bishopof  Chester),  'Dedalus,  or  Mechanical  Motions.'   London.  8vo.   Also  •  Discovery  of  a  New  World,' 

and  other  book*. 

1G63  WORCESTER,  the  MARQUIS  or,  '  Century  of  Inventions.'     I/ondon.     24mo. 
1670  FRANCIS  LASA  (Jesuit),  '  Prodrome,  o  saggio  di  alctine  invcnzioni  nuove  prcmesDO  all'  arte  maestra.'    Brescia, 

:  IKS  (le  pere  d'Avignon),  '  TV  Art  de  Naviguer  dan*  lea  airs,  amusement  physique  et  georoe'trique.' 
177".  .1.  I'RIESTLEY,  '  Experiments  and  Observations  on  different  kinds  of  Air.1     London.    3  vola.  8vo.    TrausUted  into  French  by 

Gibelin.     Paris,  1779. 

1781  TIBERIUS  CAVALLO,  'A  Treatise  on  the  Nature  and  the  Properties  of  Air  and  other  permanently  clastic  Fluids.'  London.  4to. 
•1783  FAUJAS  DE  ST.  FOSD,  '  Description  des  experiences  de  la  Machine  Aerostatique.    Paris.'   8vo. 

1783  LIEUT.-COL.  JOLT  DE  SAINT-  VAUKB,  '  Lettre  k  Madame  la  Princeaao  de  .  .  .  k  Petersbourg  —  sur  lea  Batons.'    Ostend.    8vn. 
•1783  MBUSNIER  (attained  the  rank  of  General),  Lieut  en  premier  au  Corps  Royal  du  Genie  et  de  I'Academie  Royal  dea  Sciences. 
'  Me'mnire  siir  1'equilibre  des  Machines  alrostatique,  sur  les  difleVcns  moyensde  les  faire  inonter  et  desccndrc,  et  sjiecialenii  nt 
sur  celui  d'executer  ces  manoeuvres,  sans  Jeter  de  lest,  et  sans  perdro  d'air  inflammable,  en  mdna^eant  dans  le  ballon  ime 
capacity  particuliere,  destine*  a,  renfermer  de  Pair  atmospheVique.'    Pr&iente'  a  ['Academic  le  3  Decembre. 
1783  M.  PniOEROX,  '  L'Art  de  faire  soi  mime  les  Rations  Acrostatiqtte.'     Amsterdam. 

1783  M.  Le  COMTE  DE  BARRUEL,  '  Lettre  a  Monsieur  le  President  de  .....  '     Londres. 

1784  STEPHEN  CAI.VI,  '  A  method  of  directing  Balloons  in  which  inflammable  air  is  employed,  accompanied  with  a  description  of 

a  new  Barometer.'    Milan.    8vo. 
1784  BRUNSWICK    (FREDERICK  AUGUSTUS,   DUKE  or),    '  The   Thoughts   of  a  Cosmopolite  on   Air  Balloons,'  in  German. 

Hamburg.    8vo. 

1784  PILON  (FREDERICK),  '  Aerostation  ;  or,  the  Templar's  Stratagem.     A  Faroe.'    London.     8vo. 
1784  GALTEZ  (COMTE  DE),  '  On  the  means  of  directing  Aerostatic  Machines.'     Philos.  Trans.  Abridg.,  xv.  C.".".. 
1784  BERTHOLON  DE  (ST.  LAZARE),  '  Des  arantages  quo  la  physique  et  les  Arts  peuvcnt  retires  des  Aerostata.'    8vo. 
1784  MARTTN  (THOMAS),  <  Hints  of  important  uses  to  be  derived  from  Aerostatic  Globes.'     London.    4to. 
•1784  LUSARDI  (VINCENT),  Secretary  to  the  Neapolitan  Ambassador,  'Account  of  the  first  Aerial  Voyage  in  England,  in  a  Series 

of  Letters  to  his  Guardian.'     London.    8vo. 

1784  VIVESAIR  (MONSIEUR),  'Account  of  a  Journey  lately  ]«rformed  through  the  air  in  an  Aerostatic  Globe."    London.    8vo. 
1784  -  '  The  Air  Balloon  ;  or,  a  Treatise  on  the  Aerostatic  Globe.'    London.     Kearsley,  8va 
*1784  GERARD  (L.  J.)  '  Essai  sur  TArt  de  Vol  Ae"rien.'     Paris. 
•1784  M.  DE  MONTGOLFIER,  •  Snr  PAeVoslate,"  prononcrf  dans  line  Seance  de  ['Academic  des  Sciences,  Belles-Lettres  et  Arts  de  la 

VilK-  de  Lyons  en  Novembre,  1783.     Paris. 
•1784  A.  G.  RoztER,  '  Dissertation  sur  les  Aerostatrs.'    Geneva. 

•17-4  BOURGEOIS  (DAVID),  '  Recherches  sur  1'Art  de  voler,  depuis  la  plus  haute  Antiqait^  jusqu'a  ce  jour.'    Paris. 
1784  COUNT  DE  MILLT,  '  A  (nmphlet  on  inflammable  Air.'    It  was  reviewed  as  follows  in  England,  and  is,  I  believe,  one  of  the 
earliest  notices  of  one  of  the  most  imjiortant  uses  to  which  coal  can  be  applied  :— 

"  The  paper  on  the  production  of  inflammable  air  that  seems  to  interest  this  country  most,  is  that  which  describes 
the  method  of  extracting  it  from  pit-coal.  The  discovery,  if  it  really  be  a  discovery,  which  we  have  some  reason  to 
doubt,  was  made  by  Mr.  Thysbacrt  and  two  other  professors  of  the  University  of  Louvain;  and  the  process  is  thus, 
rather  imperfectly,  described  :  —  '  A  common  forge,  and  three  common  gun-barrels,  about  one  inch  in  bore,  were  the 
whole  of  the  apparatus;  the  breech  ends  of  two  of  the  barrels  were  constantly  kept  in  the  fire,  whilst  the  third,  being 
cooled  and  emptied,  was  loaded  about  six  inches  high  with  powdered  pit-coal,  and  the  rent  filled  with  sand.  A  t.n 
tube  conveyed  the  air  under  a  funnel,  placed  beneath  a  barrel  filled  with  water,  which  stood  upon  a  tub  likewise  filled 
with  water,  which  the  air  extracted  from  the  coal  re-placed,  after  having  traversed  it.'  Fift'-cn  ounces  of  powdered  pit- 
coal  yielded  in  about  three-quarters  of  an  hour  100  quarts  (pott)  of  air,  of  so  pure  a  quality,  that  on  trial  it  was  fmin.'. 
to  raise  a  balloon  as  rapidly  and  as  high  as  if  it  had  been  filled  with  the  usual  inflammable  air.  The  operation  is  soon 
to  be  repeated  on  a  larger  scale,  and  large  iron  retorts  are  making  for  tin-  pnrjiow. 

"  M.  Morveau,  of  Dijon,  has  produced  inflammable  air  from  potatoes  by  mere  distillation.  He  nope*  soon  to 
improve  his  method  ;  and  we  shall  probably  hear  more  of  it  in  the  next  volume  of  this  collection.* 


*  Tin-  bonlu  marked  •  are  at  the  service  of  the  |iublic  iu  the  library  of  the  Patent  Office.  S  nithnmpton  Ituihlingi.  E.C. 


464  ASTKA  CASTKA.  APPENDIX. 

*1785  BALDWIN  (THOMAS),  '  Aeropedia  ;  containing  the  Narrative  of  a  Balloon  Excursion  from  Chester.'    Chester.    8vo. 

1785  MARY  ALCOCK,  '  The  Air  Balloon  ;  or,  Flying  Mortal : '  a  Poem.     4to.     Maclcw,  London. 

1785  '  The  Balloon :  a  Satire.'     4to.     Flexney,  London. 

1785  '  The  Aerostatic  Spy ;  or,  excursion  with  an  Air  Balloon."     London  :  Symonds.     2  vols.  12mo. 

1785  LUNARDI  (VINCENT),  '  Account  of  his  second  Aerial  Voyage  from  Liverpool,'  9th  August,  1785.     London.    8vo. 
"1785  CAVALI.O  (TIBERIUS), 'History  and  Practice  of  Aerostation.'    London.     8vo. 
*1785  SOUTHERN  (JOHN),  '  Treatise  on  Aerostatic  Machines.'    Birmingham.     8vo. 

1785  Jeffries  (Dr.)  '  A  Narrative  of  two  Aerial  Voyages,  with  Meteorological  Observations  and  Remarks.     Read  before  the  Royal 
Society  in  January,  1786.'    4to. 

1785  PINGERON,  'L'Art  de  faire  soi-meme  les  Ballons.'     Amsterdam. 

1786  BALDWIN  (THOMAS),    '  Hints   on   the  improvement  of  Balloons,'  etc.     The  whole  serving  as  an   introduction  to  Aerial 

Navigation.     Chester.     8vo. 

1786  URQUHART  (GEORGE),  '  Institutes  of  Hydrostatics,  to  which  is  added  a  Philosophical  Essay  on  Air  Balloons.'    London.    8vo. 
1786  LDNARDI  (VINCENT),  'The  Account  of  five  Aerial  Voyages  in  Scotland.'     London.     1786. 
1788  HENZION,  '  Sopra  le  Machine  Aerostatique.'    Florence. 

1798  'Symposia  ;  or,  Table  Talk  in  the  month  of  September,  1734  (sic),  being  a  rhapsodical  hodgepodge,  containing  among 

other  thiugs  Balloon  intelligence  for  the  years,  1785,  1786,  1787.'    London,  Bew.     12mo. 
1803  LIEUT.-COLONEL  MONEY  (attained  the  rank  of  General), '  Treatise  on  the  use  of  Balloons  and  Field  Observations  in  Military 

Operations.'     London.     8vo. 
1803  LOMET  (A.  F.),  '  On  the  Employment  of  Aerostatic  Machines  in  the  Military  Science,  and  for  the  contraction  of  Geographical 

Plans.'     Nicholson's  Journal,  vol.  vi.  194. 

1805  LUSSAC  (GAT),  '  Account  of  an  Aerostatic  Voyage  made  by  him.'    Nicholson's  Journal,  vol.  x.  298. 
"1810  WALKER  (THOMAS),  portrait  painter,  '  The  Art  of  Flying.'    Hull. 
*1810  J.  MOSNERON,  '  Le  Ballon  Ae'rien.'    Paris. 
1814  BEAUFOY  (HENRY),  'Journal  kept  during  an  Aerial  Voyage  with  Mr.  James  Sadler,  from  Hackney,  Middlesex.'   Ann.  Philos. 

p.  282. 

1816  EDGEWORTH  (RicHARD  LOVELL),  '  On  Aerostation.'    Phil.  Mag.,  vol.  xlvii.  185. 
1816  MARMADUKE,  MAC-CAUSTIC,  '  A  Trip  from  the  Moon.'    London. 
1819  DONINI  (GIUSEPPE),  '  Saggio  Aereonautico.'     Firenze.     8vo. 

1823  DOSINI  (GIUSEPPE),  'Circolare  Areonautico  (sic)  di  Cetta  de  Castelloa  tutti  i  dotti,  e  ricchi  Nazionali,  cstranicri.' 
1825  DEI-UIS  DELCOURT,  '  Me"moire  sur  l'Ae"rostation  et  la  Direction  Aerostatique.'    Paris. 
1825  DEPUIS  DELCOURTI',  '  Comte  Rendu  de  1'expeYiencc  de  la  Flotille  AeVostatique  partie  de  Mont-Jean  le  7  Novembre,  1824, 

montee  par  MM.  Depuis  Delcourt  et  M.  Richard.'     Paris. 
•1827  GEORGE  POCOCK,  '  The  use  of  Kites  and  Buoyant  Sails.'     Bristol. 
1830  SIR  JOHN  LESLIE,  '  The  Article  on  Aerostation'  in  the  Encyclopedia  Britannica. 

*183    DEPUIS  DELCOURT,  '  Essai  sur  la  Navigation  dans  1'Air.'    Note  pre'sente  a  1'Academie  Royale  des  Sciences  de  Paris.   Paris. 
1832  T.  FORSTER,  M.B,  F.L.S,  F.R.A.S,  '  Annals  of  some  remarkable  Aerial  and  Alpine  Voyages,  including  those  of  the  author.' 

London.     8vo. 

*1838  MONCK  MASON,  '  Aeronautica."     London. 
1845  COXWELL  (HENRY)  '  Aerostatic  Magazine.' 
1845  J.  MAcSwEESY, '  Aerial  Navigation.'     12mo. 
1847  MAREY-MONGE  (Edmond).     'Etudes  sur  l'A6rostation.'     Paris.     8vo. 

1849  DEPUIS  DELCOURT,  '  Manuel   complet  d'AeVostation,  extrait   en  grande   partie  du  "  Traite1  historique   et  pratique  de   la 

Navigation  dans  1'Air,"  ouvrage  encore  incomplet,  que  je  publierai  plus  tard.' 

1850  JOHN  WISE,  '  A  System  of  Aeronautics,  comprehending  its  Earliest  Investigations.'     Philadelphia. 

1850  Louis  FIGUIER,  '  Les  Ae'rostats.'    Revue  des  Deux  Mondes. 

1851  JULIEN  TURGAN,  '  Histoires  de  la  Locomotion  Adrienne  depuis  son  origine  jusqu'a  nos  jours.' 
*1851  John  LUNTLY,  '  Air  Navigation '  (rotary).     London. 

1854  HENRY  COXWELL,  '  Balloons  for  Warfare.'     A  pamphlet. 

1855  W.  BAYI.EY,  '  Aerial  Navigation '  (perspective).     8vo. 

*1855  GEORGE  JAMES  NORMAN  :  '  AERONAUTICA  ILLUSTRATICA,  A  COMPLETE  CABINET  OF  AERIAL  ASCENTS  AND  DESCENTS,  FROM 

THE  EARLIEST  PERIODS  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME.'     10  large  Folio  vols.     London. f 
1861  H.  GUILBAULT,  '  Direction  des  Aerostats,  Systeme  Nouveau.' 
1861  Louis  FIGUIER,  '  Les  Grandes  Inventions '  (20th  Chap.).     Paris. 
1863  DR.  PIERRE  MOREAUD  (Membre  de  la  Socidte  Aerostatique  et  Mete'orologique  de  France),  '  C'hemins  Aeriens.    Application  de 

la  Vapeur  a  la  direction  des  Aerostat  Captifs.' 
1863  Article  '  Revue  des  Deux  Mondes.' 

1863  DE  LALANDELLE,  'Aviation,  on  Navigation  Aerienne.'     Paris.     8vo. 
1863  DELAVILLE-DEDREUX,  '  La  Navigation  Aerienne  en  Chine.'     Paris. 


f  The  cost  of  milking  this  collection  exceeded  300J.  It  was  twice 
sold  by  auction,  and  bought  the  second  time  for  the  library  of  the 
Patent  Office  for  '161.  The  collector  is  a  young  man  in  somewhat 


distressed  circumstances.  To  his  industry  the  author  owes  the 
greater  part  of  his  own  collection,  as  they  were  the  duplicates  that 
necessarily  accumulate  in  so  extensive  a  collection. 


AITKXMX. 


Ml!  PALS. 


i  ii  \i:\  iv.  •  !  i  N  r.     .1'    •     '•    .line  par  les  Aerostats.'     1'nri*. 
Me'moires  du  (leant,  preface  |»r  M.  linbinet.'     Paris. 
1-'  !   I.,  luvih  (Membra  de  la  Soci&tf  Aerostatique  et  M<teurologique  do  France).  'Solution  du  Probleme  de  U  Xaviga 

I 'Air  |ar  la  direction  dw  Aerostat*.' 
1-ii.".  Ain-iiru  MAS.. iv,  •  l.'Air  t-t  Le  Monde  Adrien,' Chap.  vii.    Tours. 

MKDAI.S. 


AMitn  :  she  I'.cr.ml  it  vnin  to  trust 

'lil«a  column  and  the  crumbling  bust, 
moles,  whose  shadow  stretchy  from  shore  to  shore 
Their  niins  perish'd,  and  their  place  no  more; 

.  she  now  contracts  the  vast  design, — 
And  all  her  triumphs  sink  into  a  coin. 


JOSEPH  and  STEPHEN  MOKTOOLFIBB.    Bronze. 
IT-:  I'niir  avoir  rendu  1'air  navigable.     Bronze. 
1 7-     \.\\- •nniciit  of  the  Champa  de  Mars,  August  11.    Bronze. 
1784  Ascent  from  Lyons,  January  19.    Bronze. 
17-1   r*«t>' ANDRF.ANI, first  ascent  in  Italy, 3nl  March,   IWi/e. 
17-i   Y:\,  rvr  I.i  SAUDI,  first  ascent   in  England,  l.ln 
"  Et  se  protinies  thcoria  tollit  in  astra."     Bronze. 


A  narrow  orb  each  crowded  conquest  keeps ; 
Beneath  her  [aim  here  »ad  Judca  weepa ; 
Now  scantier  limits  the  proud  nrch  confine, 
And  scarce  are  seen  the  prostrate  Nile  or  Itliim> ; 
A  small  Euphrates  through  the  piece  is  roll'd 
And  little  eagles  wave  their  wings  in  gold. 

POPE. 

1  7- '.  HI.ANCHAHD'S  fifteenth  ascent.     White  metal. 

MAUD'S  twenty-eighth  ascent.     White  metal. 
I'M!  BI.ANOHABD'S  ascent.     White  melnl. 
1803  GARKKBIM'S  ascent    Silver. 
1823  ISAAC  KABLYOMAN  SPA  Know,  Uxfoni.     Copper. 
1836  London  to  Wcilburg  in  eighteen  hours.     Silver. 


ART. 


WIIKS  from  the  sacred  garden  driven, 

Man  fled  before  his  Maker's  wrath, 
An  Angel  left  her  place  in  heaven, 

And  cross'd  the  wanderer's  sunless  path. 
Twas  Art !  sweet  Art !  New  radiance  broke, 

Where  her  light  foot  flew  o'er  the  ground  ; 
And  thus  with  seraph  voice  she  spoke, 

"  The  curse  a  blessing  shall  be  found." 

She  led  him  through  the  trackless  wild, 

Where  noontide  sunbeam  never  blazed : 
Tlic  thistle  hhrunk— the  harvest  smiled, 

And  Nature  gladdened  as  she  gazed. 
Earth's  thousand  tribes  of  living  tilings, 

At  Art's  command  to  him  are  given, 
The  village  grows,  the  city  springs, 

And  point  their  spires  of  faith  to  heaven 

He  rends  the  oak — and  bids  it  ride, 
To  guard  the  shores  its  beauty  graced ; 

He  smites  the  rock — upheaved  in  pride, 
See  towers  of  strength,  and  domes  of  taste. 


Earth's  teeming  caves  their  wealth  reveal, 
Fire  bears  his  banner  on  the  wave, 

He  bids  the  mortal  poison  heal, 
And  the  destroying  knife  to  save. 

He  plucks  the  pearls  that  stud  the  deep. 

Admiring  Beauty's  Up  to  fill ; 
He  brinks  the  stubborn  marble's  sleep, 

Rocks  disappear  before  his  skill : 
With  thoughts  that  swell  his  glowing  soul, 

He  bids  the  ore  illume  the  page, 
And  proudly  scorning  time's  control, 

Commerces  with  an  unborn  age. 

In  fields  of  air  he  writes  his  name, 

And  treads  the  chambers  of  the  sky  ; 
He  reads  the  stars,  and  grasps  the  flame 

That  quivers  in  the  realms  on  high. 
In  war  renowned,  in  peace  sublime, 

11-  moves  in  greatness  and  in  grace : 
His  power,  subduing  space  and  time, 

Links  realm  to  realm,  and  race  to  race. 


466 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


APPENDIX. 


THE  BALLOON. 


The  airy  ship  at  anchor  rides, 
Proudly  she  heaves  her  painted  sides, 

Impatient  of  delay ; 
And  now  her  silken  form  expands, 
She  springs  aloft,  she  bursts  her  bands, 

She  floats  upon  her  way. 

How  swift !  for  now  I  see  her  sail 
High  mounted  on  the  viewless  gale, 

And  speeding  up  the  sky  ; 
And  now  a  speck  in  ether  lost, 
A  moment  seen,  a  moment  lost, 

She  cheats  my  dazzled  eye. 

Bright  wonder !  thee  no  flapping  wing, 
No  labouring  oar,  no  bounding  spring, 

Urged  on  thy  fleet  career  : 
By  native  buoyancy  impelled, 
Thy  easy  flight  was  smoothly  held, 

Along  the  silent  sphere. 


No  curling  mist  at  closing  light, 
No  meteor  on  the  breast  of  night, 

No  cloud  at  breezy  dawn, 
No  leaf  adowu  the  summer  tide 
More  effortless  is  seen  to  glide, 

Or  shadow  o'er  the  lawn. 

Yet  thee,  e'en  thee,  the  destined  hour 
Shall  summon  from  thy  airy  tower 

Rapid  in  prone  descent ; 
Methinks  I  see  thee  earthward  borne 
AVith  flaccid  sides  that  droop  forlorn 

The  breath  ethereal  spent. 

Thus  daring  Fancy's  pen  sublime, 

Thus  Love's  bright  wings  are  clipped  by  Time ; 

Thus  Hope,  her  soul  elate, 
Kxhales  amid  this  grosser  air ; 
Thus  lightest  hearts  are  bowed  by  care, 

And  genius  yields  to  Fate. 

Annual  Register,  1811. 


ME.  COXWELL'S  ADDENDA. 

This  Addenda  of  amusing  anecdotes  was  kindly  sent  me  by  Mr.  Coxwell,  who  calls  it — 
AERONAUTIC  SKETCHES  FROM  AN  UNPUBLISHED  DIARY. 

In  the  beginning  of  May,  1848,  I  received  an  invitation  to  make  some  ascents  at  Brussels.  The  preliminary 
arrangements  for  the  supply  of  gas  had  been  entrusted  to  an  agent,  who  was  altogether  destitute  of  that  tact  and 
forethought  which  ensure  success  to  many  of  our  English  managers.  Contrary  to  a  previous  understanding,  I  was 
obliged  to  fill  my  balloon  at  the  gasworks,  and  to  attempt  to  remove  it  in  an  inflated  state  towards  the  Prado 
Gardens.  This  is  at  all  times  an  objectionable  process,  especially  in  windy  weather.  It  was  the  only  alternative 
as  matters  stood,  and  consequently  we  set  out  before  daylight  to  inflate  the  balloon,  with  a  view  of  getting  it 
into  the  Prado  before  the  citizens  were  astir.  Grey-eyed  morn  broke  in  with  serenity  and  promise ;  but  as  weather, 
like  friendship  and  many  other  things,  is  not  to  be  depended  upon,  we  soon  beat  to  quarters,  as  nautical  men  say, 
and  commenced  action.  The  balloon  began  to  display  its  proportions  most  satisfactorily,  and  the  lookers-on  threw 
themselves  into  various  postures  indicative  of  approbation.  "  Ah !  Monsieur  Coxvel,"  said  one  of  the  party,  stroking 
down  his  beard,  "you  ril  hav  vun,  wery  fine  day — no  mud,  no  nothing.  Your  transport  vil  not  be  difficile."  Hereupon  I 
glanced  around  the  horizon,  but  returned  the  weather-wise  gentleman  no  reply ;  ho  then  observed  my  countenance 
so  narrowly  as  to  perceive  a  slight  expression  of  discontent.  "  Vat  you  mean?"  said  he.  "  Vy  you  frown?"  The 
fact  was,  a  small,  solitary,  darklooking  cloud  had  made  its  appearance  to  westward,  and  although  at  a  considerable 
distance,  was  wending  its  way  up  with  rapidity ;  the  configuration  and  general  aspect  of  this  little  intruder  on 
the  blue  sky  foreboded  wind,  as  it  swept  along  swiftly,  anon  changing  form  and  hue,  as  if  agitated  by  sudden 
atmospheric  impulse. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  I,  "  there  is  a  strong  wind  prevailing  at  no  great  distance  from  the  earth ;  and  if  it  does 
not  extend  to  the  surface  before  the  balloon  reaches  the  Gardens,  we  may  consider  ourselves  fortunate." 

The  bystanders  protested  against  the  probability  of  this  apprehension  being  verified,  and  discussed  the  matter 
with  flourishing  action  of  the  hands  and  much  useless  verbiage.  They  would  fain,  too,  induce  me  to  enter  upon 
argument ;  but  I  rejected,  I  hope  politely,  all  invitation  of  this  sort,  and  informed  my  right-hand  man  that  the  order 
of  the  morning  must  be  smart  work,  not  words.  We  immediately  directed  our  attention,  while  the  foreigners  were 
talking,  to  secure  the  netting  to  the  hoop,  so  as  to  get  a  fair  and  equal  bearing  from  a  strong  centre,  and  had  just 
completed  this  necessary  precaution,  when  the  long  green  grass  and  verdant  foliage  around  us  bent  to  leeward  with 
a  low,  murmuring  sound ;  and  in  less  than  ten  minutes  after  Nature  had  given  her  first  gentle  but  unmistakable 
symptoms  of  an  approaching  gale,  one  fitful  gust  broke  upon  us,  creating,  as  it  acted  upon  the  half-filled  balloon, 
a  boisterous,  bellowing  sort  of  music,  which  only  loud  Boreas  is  accustomed  to  indulge  in. 

Around  the  hoop  and  in  the  car  were  placed  about  forty  half-hundred  weights,  there  stationed  in  order 
to  steady  the  restless  machine,  which  was  soon  performing  most  graceful  sweeps  over  our  heads,  to  the  no  small 


An  -KM,  ix.  A  SUDDEN  FLIGHT.  |.,7 

amus-  in.  nt  of  a  host  nt'  Inkers-oil,  who  added  to  our  numbers  in  proportion  an  activity  increased  in  the  city. 
'I'll,   ni.iiii-.  [•  ..f  tli.   .:  Helens  wax  for  a  precipitate  retreat  to  tin-  I'r.id...  l»it  as  that  was  altogether  impracticable 
until  tli.-  win.!  dropp. .1.  it  was  neoe«aiy  to  exercise  coolness  and  generalship  in  the  predicament  which  we 
pl.-ic.-d  in.     -  Vat  yon  ri7  duf"  cried  tin-  spokesman  of  the  Belgian  party,  the  mime,  who  promised  "no  n  ''tiny." 

"\\liy.  sir,"  I  replied,  "the  fact  is  1  have  t«i  contend  with  it  most  form  idiiblo  opponent,  and  I  think  I  can't  il" 
K  it.  r  than  iniitato  the  plan  pursued  by  Wellington  at  Waterloo;  that  is,  to  receive  the  attack,  and  act  purely  on 
tin-  defensive.  "  Then,  ser,  you  ril  not  go  to  the  garden*?"  ••  \-  I  replied;  "I  have  enough  to  do  to  stand  my 
ground."  Our  friend,  in  common  with  his  companions,  was  quite  ignorant  of  the  power  of  a  large  balloon  when 
Milijected  to  a  strong  wind.  He  proponed  my  advancing  in  the  very  teeth  of  it;  so  by  way  of  demonstrating  the 
difficulty  with  greater  effect  than  mere  words  could  produce,  I  gave  orders  for  an  experimental  move  forwards. 

( >iir  forces,  so  to  speak,  were  thus  divided—  twenty  burly  Belgian  mechanics  at  the  car  ;  six  to  each  guy-rope : 
about  forty  to  tu.<  strung  ropes  fastened  to  the  hoop,  with  a  view  of  pulling  the  balloon  forwards;  myself  in  the  car 
gmngdini-tions;  a  friend,  who  was  tolerably  well  up  in  French,  acting  as  interpreter;  manager,  and  the  public  garden 
MiKirdinatcs.  small  fry.  Av..  were  at  their  respective  posts,  shouting  vociferously,  and  thereby  confounding  the  second 
in  e..minand.  In  this  half  formidable,  half-comic  way,  we  were  grouped,  when  I  gave  the  word  "  J-'unrurd."  Away 
wo  dashed  fur  the  first  few  steps  right  handsomely,  when  suddenly  tla]>.  round,  up,  down,  went  the  balloon,  rolling 
her  hup'  head  to  the  very  grass  beneath,  upsetting  more  than  half  of  tho  party,  and  forcing  the  rest  into  grotesque 
or  awkward  posit  ions,  as  the  case  might  be.  One  fellow,  grasping  a  rope  more  tenaciously  than  prudent,  was 
thrown  up  as  if  tossed  by  a  bull,  whilst  all  were  driven  twice  as  far  back  as  we  had  advanced  ;  thus  proving  the 
truth  of  my  statement,  that  we  had  quite  enough  to  do  to  stand  our  ground,  without  getting  further  into 
the  scrape. 

Having  moved  sideways  towards  a  somewhat  sheltered  spot,  a  fresh  difficulty  presented  itself  in  tin 
shape  of  a  file  of  soldiers,  who  drew  up  in  close  proximity  to  the  balloon,  an  officer  advanced  and  summoned 
me  to  his  presence.  There  was  something  mighty  ominous  in  the  under-toned  conversation  betwixt  this  officer  and 
myself.  I  could  ]-  rc.ivo  that  all  parties  lent  their  ears  and  preserved  the  utmost  silence.  "  What  it  it?"  cried 
iiystanders.  For  my  own  part  I  preserved  a  cautious  silence.  My  agent,  who  knew  much  of  men 
and  manners,  took  another  view  of  the  case,  and  even  had  the  temerity  to  increase  tho  highly-wrought  curiosity, 
by  rushing  to  the  car  and  crying  out  only  these  words,  "  Watch  us."  I  could  not  but  think  that  the  request,  or 
rather  its  translation  in  Flemish  and  French,  was  addressed  with  but  ill-grace  to  persons  who  were  observing  as 
ly  as  possible  everything  that  passed.  My  agent,  who  was  now  in  the  car,  took  his  own  view  of  the  case,  and 
it  was  strange  that  "  HiiA-A  its,"  in  its  laconic  address  to  the  perceptive  faculties,  produced  more  effect  than  a  direct 
answer  to  curiosity.  \\  hilst  "  watch  us"  was  working  its  magical  influence,  we  had  removed  all  control  over  tin- 
balloon,  save  one  rope  that  was  attached  to  the  liberating-iron.  Quito  unexpectedly.  I  pulled  the  trigger,  and  up 
we  bounded,  to  the  astonishment  of  everybody  present.  A  cry  was  now  raised  that  tho  rope  had  broken,  but  tin- 
officer,  who  knew  to  the  contrary,  then  came  forward  and  explained,  as  we  afterwards  learned,  the  suddenness 
of  our  flight.  "  I  was  commissioned,"  he  said,  "to  inform  the  aeronaut  that  the  assemblage  of  persons  caused  l>\ 
this  balloon  is  disapproved  of  by  the  authorities,  during  the  present  unsettled  state  of  political  affair*.  I  requested, 
therefore,  that  as  the  balloon  could  not  be  removed  to  the  Gardens,  the  gas  should  IK-  let  out.  and  the  balloon  packed 
up."  This  .Mr.  (-o\wcll  declined  to  do,  stating  that  an  English  aeronaut  could  not  do  that;  so  ho  resolv.  d. 
notwithstanding  the  storm,  to  remove  the  balloon  his  own  way ;  and  I  think  his  tact  may  be  complimented.  Aft- -i 
this  declaration,  three  lusty  cheers  were  sent  up  by  way  of  approval ;  but  they  reached  us  faintly  as  we  glided  away 
with  great  velocity,  and  in  less  than  twenty  minutes  got  a  long  way  below  Antwerp,  where  we  made  a  rough 
landing  on  a  large  common,  and  returned  as  quickly  as  possible  to  Brussels. 

As  the  press  was  pleased  to  eulogise  this  trip  as  something  daring  and  extraordinary,  I  was  inim.  ili.it.  l\ 
solicited  to  make  another,  witli  tin-  inviting  proviso  that  the  pipes  should  be  laid  into  the  Gardens,  so  as  to  obviate 
a  similar  unpleasantness.  The  inflation  this  time  proceeded  under  diametrically  opposite  circumstances  to  those 
which  accompanied  the  first,  and  the  appearance  of  the  whole  affair  struck  me  as  affording  an  emblem  of  lit'.-  in  its 
varied  phases— one  period  cloudy  and  distracting,  at  another  mild,  sunny,  and  all  that  the  heart  desires.  Tin- 
balloon  now  stood  proudly  erect,  and  seemed  to  bask  in  the  sunshine,  occasionally  evincing  a  tendency  to  rise  in  the 
up]»-r  air.  as  if  to  escape  the  heat  below  by  seeking  the  refreshing  coolness  of  the  skies.  Two  gentlemen  presented 
themselves  as  candidates  for  aeronautic  fame,  and  I  closed  with  them  l».th.  At  tin-  appointed  hour  the  Cardi-n 
artillery  g-.ive  forth  a  miniature  peal,  and  we  set  out  for  a  calm,  delightful  journey,  hovering  over  llrusscls  until  w.- 

were    I '  f«  i  t   hi)j;h.  when  a  gentle   current  w.i  !':•  •!    us   t-.\v.i!'l-  ti,.    plain*  of  Waterloo.      It  u.,-  i,.\   tii-i  _!.]:.,-       ; 

the  Kittle-field,  and  distance  had  reduivd  its  l»nmds  to  micli  insignificant  limits,  that  I  felt  liardly  reconciled  to  tin- 
fact  that  on  that  little  cluster  of  fields,  which  looked  so  green  and  rural,  tin-  fate  of  Kurope  had  been  d<  •  id.  d  in  so 
great  and  sanguinary  a 

3  P 


468  ASTRA  CASTRA.  APPENDIX. 

I  soon  found  that  my  companions  contrasted  rather  broadly  in  tasto  and  character.     Mr. ,  or  No.  1,  was 

poetical  and  observant  of  the  beauties  of  nature,  whilst  No.  2  displayed  a  mechanical  and  mathematical  turn 
of  mind,  watching  every  action  of  mine  with  a  desire  to  understand  the  evolutions  going  forward.  "  Now,"  said 
he,  "you  have  told  me  to  mark  down  a  certain  number  of  figures;  what  do  they  all  mean?"  "The  first  row," 
I  replied,  "  indicates  our  altitude  by  barometrical  measurement ;  the  second,  the  temperature  of  the  air,  as  shown 

by  the  thermometer ;  this  the  degrees  of  dryness  or  moisture  as  indicated  by "     "  The  Lion,  by  George !  "  cried 

No.  1,  who  didn't  love  figures,  but  had  espied  the  mound  whereupon  stands  the  lion,  as  visitors  to  Waterloo  well 
know.  The  discoveiy  of  a  lion,  and  such  a  lion,  in  such  a  place,  demanded  our  immediate  respects.  No.  2  declared 
he  could  only  detect  the  mound  looking  like  a  molehill,  and  the  reported  king  of  the  forest  was  nothing  more, 
he  said,  than  a  mare's  nest.  "Should  we  not  descend  upon  a  spot  so  memorable?"  inquired  the  enthusiast,  No.  1. 
"  The  gentleman  wishes  to  fall  at  Waterloo,"  said  the  matter-of-fact  passenger.  "  For  my  part,  I  think  he's  too  late 
for  the  fair."  This  sarcasm,  softened  down  a  bit  by  an  unceremonious  interruption  on  my  part,  we  wended  our 
way  down,  and  finally  alighted  no  great  distance  from  the  fields  of  Waterloo. 


THE  BALLOOX  EACE,  1 860. 

To  the  Editor  of  '  The  Times' 
SlR,  Church-road,  Tottenham. 

As  it  was  announced  in  your  impression  of  Saturday  that  two  balloons  would  ascend  from  the  Crystal  Palace 
on  Monday,  the  22nd,  I  beg  to  supply  you  with  the  particulars  of  the  race,  in  the  event  of  an  authentic  account 
being  considered  sufficiently  interesting  for  publication. 

At  2  P.M.,  the  "  Mars"  being  then  about  two-thirds  inflated,  a  series  of  partial  ascents  took  place  from  the  Palace 
grounds.  The  breeze  was  high  for  that  experiment,  but  a  large  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  were  gratified : 
and  during  these  short  trips,  the  "  Queen,"  my  second  balloon,  was  being  filled  in  the  archery-ground. 

A  friend  of  mine  and  amateur  aeronaut,  Mr.  Allan,  had  undertaken  to  pilot  the  "  Queen ;"  and  one,  among 
several  applicants,  I  selected  to  accompany  me  in  the  car  of  the  "  Mars." 

Neither  balloon  was  much  more  than  half-full  at  starting,  but  the  "  God  of  War  "  being  the  larger  of  the  two, 
enabled  me  to  take  one  passenger,  when  the  conditions  of  the  race,  viz.,  an  equal  amount  of  ballast  and  lifting 
power,  became  fair  and  equal. 

At  4.40  the  start  took  place,  when  the  "  Queen,"  like  a  restiff  racer,  made  a  "  gibe"  for  terra  firma,  by  way  of 
testing,  it  would  seem,  the  mettle  of  the  rider.  Once  away,  however,  her  aerial  majesty  mounted  high  and  soared 
above  "  Mars,"  as  much  as  to  say,  "  You  are  the  representative  of  strife  ;  I  rise  above  such  deeds,  and  will  have  no 
companionship  with  you." 

The  cars  of  the  respective  balloons  were  red  and  blue,  but  at  5  o'clock  red,  the  highest,  appeared  to  have 
bolted  out  of  the  course,  as  we  lost  the  run  of  it  altogether.  This  circumstance  aroused  the  true  jockey  spirit  with 
us  in  the  blue  car,  and  out  streamed  fifteen  pounds  of  sand,  when  wo  sighted  red,  and  broke  the  silence  of  mid-air 
with  a  stentorian  nautical  shout,  "'Queen'  ahoy!  where  are  you  going  to?"  "Come  up  and  see,"  was  the 
defiant  reply. 

The  challenge  was  not  long  uttered  when  we  found  ourselves  at  equal  elevations,  just  4200  feet  from  the 
earth  by  accuratCj  measurement.  As  we  passed  the  "  Queen  "  we  right  loyally  doffed  our  caps  and  gave  a  cheer. 
"  Mars  "  was  now  in  the  ascendant,  and  quickened  his  pace  with  astonishing  rapidity. 

Whether  the  "  Queen  "  was  calmly  awaiting  the  natural  course  of  events,  or  resting  on  her  laurels,  we  could 
not  then  and  there  decide. 

Away  the  "  Mars "  bore — up,  up,  till  the  chill  air  and  barometer  told  of  over  9000  feet  elevation,  while 
a  survey  of  the  other  balloon — now  a  top,  apparently,  spinning  over  Greenwich — convinced  us  that  the  odds  were 
in  our  favour,  and  that  it  was  4  to  1  the  mastery  would  be  with  "  Mars." 

The  appearance  of  the  earth,  or,  as  it  appeared  to  us,  the  gigantic  map  with  a  golden  ball  passing  across  it, 
was  something  swi  generis,  and  extremely  interesting.  The  varying  position  of  the  balloons  caused  us  occasionally 
to  be  at  fault  as  to  the  direct  line  of  progression.  The  "  Queen "  seemed  to  be  performing  some  eccentric 
manoeuvres,  which  kept  us  in  full  speculation  as  to  the  real  course  she  was  pursuing.  The  Thames  was  crossed 
just  over  Greenwich,  when  the  lower  balloon  made  for  the  North  Woolwich  Gardens,  as  if  by  attraction  to  a  spot 
where  she  was  once  familiar.  But  there  was  no  rest  for  her  this  side  Barking  Creek ;  onward  she  steered,  and 
struggled  for  in  length  what  she  had  lost  in  height. 

The  shades  of  evening  having  now  set  in,  I  decided  upon  lowering,  and  finishing  the  race  at  equal  altitudes. 


AITIAI.IX.  "SKETCHES  FBOM  THE  DIABY  OF  IE   \i:i;<  >\.\rT." 

Tin-  .  v  ..f  my  f.-llow  truvi-lliT,  Mr.  !'..  Smith,  wax.  in  oliedience  to  orders,  busy  with  the  movements  of  our 

opi».  in-lit.     At   .'•-!'•  IK-  i<  i-it"l  the  "Queen"  had  Imltfd  on  a  dark  patch  of  about  two  inches  square,  whii-h 

>  a  large  fallow  lii-ld.     Wr  now  dii-idi-d  ii|xm  following  suit.     A  thii-k  autumnal  fog  waa  ruing  over 

|'-M-\  landwapi*  in  curious  and  funtaMic  forma,     Tho  moon  had  risen,  and  produced  by  !•  .n  various 

r  a  series  of  m.-'iili^ht  scenes  mu-h  as  artist*  and  the  admin-is  of  nature  lovo  to  oatch  a  glimpae  of  — 

\i.-\\-  ili.ii.  !,.i.l   1  been  master  of  the  brush,  would  have  busied  me  in  di-]iii-ting  on  canvas  instead  of  deacril'in- 


'I'h.  it  U-aiitiful  vii-w  beguiled  us  while  we  journeyed  on  to  Doddinghurst,  in  Essex,  where  wo  alighted  in  a 
meadow  at  <•.'•.  li-ing  about  twenty-five  miles  from  the  Crystal  Palace,  Th'-  "  <,iueen"  descended  four  mili-s  Hnitli- 
east  of  Harking,  ami  tin-  di-wvnt  wa.s  i-li-vi-rly  managed  by  the  amateur,  who  declared,  when  we  un-t  in  town,  that 
if  }i<-  had  had  more  gas  and  ballast  he  would  have  led  me  a  nocturnal  trip  into  Suffolk. 

I  remain,  Sir,  yours  obfdii-iitly, 

Ill  SRY    COXWI.1  I. 

A  Niairr  AMONG  THE  CLOUDS. 

In  a  communication  received  by  Mr.  \\Yl.ster,  the  Secretary  to  the  Derby  Arboretum,  the  celebrated  aeronaut. 
Mr.  II.  <'.,\wi-ll,  writes  as  follows:  —  "After  ascending  from  the  Crystal  Palace  on  Monday,  I  had  to  go  oil  to 
lUidh-y  I'.iMl.-,  whi-iv  I  made  another  trip  on  Wednesday.  I  had  a  second  interesting  voyage  the  same  nij_'lit  1>\ 
moonlight.  At't.r  l.-imliug  my  passengers  at  Tamworth,  in  Warwickshire,  I  halted  three  hours,  partook  (if  tin- 
hi»pitality  of  a  fanner,  and  started  again  at  eleven  o'clock  ;  the  moon  being  at  the  full,  and  a  fine  dcy  overhead. 
My  oliji-ct  was  to  work  the  balloon  up  to  London,  the  wind  being  fair,  and  to  enjoy  a  night  among  the  clouds, 
lii;ht.<l  up  and  beautified  us  they  were  that  truly  serene  night.  I  was  three  hours  aloft,  but  at  2  A.M.  the  wind 
i-li..|i]H  ,l  i-..iiinl  to  south-west,  and  as  it  was  not  my  intention  to  go  back  I  descended,  and  found  myself  at  lk-lliil..n. 
in  Northamptonshire,  not  far  from  Daventry." 


Seventeen  years  since,  I  made  three  ascents  from  Chclmsford,  when  each  time  the  car  was  occupied  by  a  gentle- 
man with  top-boots  and  agricultural  respectability.  A  wag  declared  that  there  was  a  wholesale  flight  of  farmers  from 
the  market-town,  and,  odd  enough  to  relate,  we  descended  close  to  the  residence  of  one  of  the  passengers,  and,  at 
the  request  of  this  landed  proprietor,  the  gas  was  retained  all  night,  so  as  to  have  another  trip  the  following 
morning.  Before  we  finally  ascended  again,  the  gentleman's  family  visited  the  "  Sylph."  and  <-a<-h  in  turn  had 
a  partial  ;i- •••  nt.  Last  of  all  came  the  eldest  daughter,  a  charming  yonng  lady  of  about  twenty.  HIT  p.uvnt  and 
his  men  held  the  rope,  and  I  afforded  her  an  aeronautic  survey  of  their  grounds.  I  shall  never  forget  the  delight 
and  enthusiasm  displayed  at  the  panoramic  view.  "This  is  exquisite  and  beautiful  in  the  extreme!"  exclaimed 
the  young  lady.  "Oh,  pray  cut  the  rope,  and  let  us  ascend  as  high  as  possible."  As  I  was  engaged  to  papa, 
I  could  not  honourably  elope  with  his  daughter,  but  this  incident  redounds  to  the  courage  of  the  gentler  sex,  and 
serves  to  show  how  different  are  the  feelings  of  aerial  voyagers  from  what  most  persons  imagine. 


I  once  made  a  night  ascent  from  Vauxhall  Gardens,  in  company  with  two  gentlemen,  and  after  discharging 
fireworks  we  came  down  near  Croydon.  It  was  a  still  night,  and  we  pulled  up  without  a  grapnel  or  the  least 
possible  shock.  Tin-  outlim-  of  a  small  farmhouse  caught  my  attention,  and  was  nearly  underneath  us.  We  could 
obeervi-.  .-tl»>.  tin-  lli.-U.-ring  of  a  candle,  as  well  as  hear  voices,  which  led  to  the  conjecture  that  tin-  pn  mises  were 
being  secured  for  the  night  "  1  think,"  said  I,  "  we  can  have  a  bit  of  fun  h.-n- ;  the  parties  evidently  don't  see  us, 
and  it's  ten  to  one  tin  y  <l<>n°t  look  up."  It  was  unusually  dark,  and  I  sung  out,  "  Yu-uph,  give  us  a  hand  h<  n-.  will 
ye?"  at  the  same  time  I  allowed  the  "Sylph"  to  drop  within  about  twi-nty  feet  of  the  ground.  A  goutv.  i-M.-rlv 
man  came  hobbling  along  towards  the  hedge,  candle  in  hand,  and  said,  "Eh,  wat  want?  Who's  tin 
"  A  I'rii  nil,"  said  I ;  "anil  I  want  to  rnti-r  your  dwelling."  "  Kh.  lad,  that  wun't  do  at  any  price.  \N  hv.  Jml  tin- 
man, where  hare  ye  ?  and  what  do  ye  want  ?  "  I  then  broke  out  in  the  following  strain : — 

Of  these  I  am  who  thy  protection  claim, 
itchful  iprite,  and  Aerial  is  my  name. 

Then  oi 1"  tin-  ^i-ntli-nn-n  commencoil  hinpnir.  "  ^''  tly  l>y  night,"  when  down  dropped  his  candle  and  <j>ii.  klv 

tl>.  1  tlu-  countryman, exclaiming,  "  Kh.  :  it  he's  como  at  last, and  no  inistakr  !      "  Who's  i.-uini  ri..| 

3  p  J 


470  ASTRA  CASTRA.  APPENDIX. 

the  bettor  half,  bounding  out  with  another  light.  "  Look  ye,  Sally,"  said  he,  pointing  to  the  dim,  dark  outline 
of  the  balloon,  "  that's  the  old  gem'man  himself,  or  else  I'm  a  Dutchman."  To  have  created  further  fright  would 
have  been  carrying  a  joke  too  far;  we  therefore  informed  the  old  pair  of  the  nature  of  the  apparition,  but 
astonishment  and  incredulity  were  so  strong  that  one  of  the  party  had  enough  to  do  to  convince  them  we  were  not 
demons  ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  balloon  was  seen,  felt,  and  smelt,  and  we  ourselves  handled,  that  the  good  people 
believed  our  story  of  a  nocturnal  journey  through  the  atmosphere. 


In  one  of  my  trips  from  the  Pavilion  Gardens,  North  Woolwich,  two  seats  were  occupied  by  a  couple  of 
gentlemen,  one  of  whom  rejoiced  in  the  Christian  name  of  Tom,  and  looked  as  if  he  lived  on  his  means ;  the  other 
was  evidently  enjoying  a  few  hours  scientific  recreation  at  the  request  of  Tom,  who  was  standing  treat,  I  rather 
guess.  Tom  was  the  elder  of  the  two,  and  they  were  both  very  nice  agreeable  companions.  The  younger 
gentleman  wore,  I  perceived,  a  side  pocket  in  his  coat,  and  I  was  rude  enough  to  notice  some  papers  therein,  which 
were  tied  round  with  red  tape.  Our  descent  took  place  not  far  from  Romford ;  and  one  person  in  particular,  having 
a  semi-military  appearance,  made  himself  officious,  and  denounced  such  visits  as  "  demded  impertinent."  He  was 
even  recommending  the  seizure  of  the  balloon,  and  the  imprisonment  of  the  intruders,  as  he  styled  us,  when  our 
friend  with  the  side  pocket  came  to  me  and  said,  "  You  shall  see  how  I'll  take  the  cropple  out  of  that  fellow's  crown  ; 
he's  the  very  man  I  want,  and  little  did  I  expect  that  your  balloon  would  place  him  at  my  disposal."  "  Sir,"  said 
Tom's  friend,  withdrawing  something  from  his  pocket,  "  allow  me,  as  one  of  the  party  you  would  like  to  send  to 
prison,  to  return  my  thanks  by  presenting  you  with  a  writ.  I  believe  that  paper  concerns  you,  and  I  hereby  hand 
it  in  before  witnesses."  The  chapfallen  bully  was  fairly  caught,  and  opportune  indeed  was  his  degradation. 


Now  for  a  "  night  in  a  field,  a  bed  in  the  car,  and  a  breakfast  at  a  farmhouse."  Many  years  since,  I  made 
a  series  of  ascents  from  the  New  Globe  Pleasure-grounds,  Mile  End  Road.  The  day  announced  for  one  of  these 
weekly  excursions  was  inauspicious,  and  the  undertaking  was  almost  postponed.  At  midday  the  clouds  lost  their 
leaden  aspect,  the  rain  ceased,  and  the  sun  broke  forth ;  consequently  I  volunteered,  although  late  to  begin,  to 
inflate  the  balloon.  The  wind  being  boisterous,  I  was  carried  away  beyond  the  customary  length  of  evening  flight, 
and  I  wandered  away  down — goodness  knows  where,  anticipating  that  the  breeze  would  go  down  with  the  sun,  and 
favour  me  with  an  easy  landing.  This  expectation  was  realised,  but  it  was  quite  dark  when  I  alighted,  and  the 
place  appeared  uncommonly  outlandish.  Being  alone  I  required  assistance,  for  which  I  sung  out  pretty  lustily ; 
but  a  full  half-hour  elapsed  and  no  one  came.  I  tried  to  let  the  gas  off,  but  was  terribly  bothered  for  want  of 
a  few  sturdy  helpmates  to  press  the  netting.  After  I  had  mastered  the  wayward  "  Sylph,"  I  resolved  to  set  out  on 
an  exploring  expedition,  and  to  obtain  aid  and  refreshment.  I  found  a  gate  close  to  a  cross-country  road,  so  placing 
a  lump  of  chalk  which  presented  itself  to  view,  opposite  the  gate  as  a  landmark,  I  struck  out,  and,  after  walking 
for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  came  to  a  farmhouse.  "  All  right  now,"  thought  I ;  "  here,  at  least,  I  can  obtain  assistance ;" 
so  away  I  bounded  over  the  gate,  when  out  sprang  a  tremendous  dog,  affording  me  only  a  hair's-breadth  escape  for 
my  rashness ;  for  I  just  cleared  the  gate,  I  can't  remember  by  what  particular  means,  when  the  faithful  creature 
snapped  with  a  furious  set  of  grinders  at  my  heels,  so  that  I  decamped,  musing  over  the  old  adago,  "  Discretion  is 
the  better  part  of  valour."  "  Now  then,"  said  I,  "  let's  try  the  other  way."  I  returned  to  the  gate  where  lay  the  piece  of 
chalk,  and  passed  by,  not  exactly  in  the  best  of  temper,  and  walked  again  fully  two  miles  before  I  came  to  a  village. 

Hearing  footsteps,  I  hastened  on,  and  met  a  workman,  returning  as  I  guessed  from  the  alehouse. 
"  Hallo,  my  man,"  I  cried,  "  you're  the  very  person  1  want ;  take  me  to  the  first  public-house,  and  I'll  give  you 
a  shilling.  The  man  stopped,  looked  at  me,  shook  his  head,  and  said,  "  No ;  I  think  you're  best  alone."  "  Alone," 
said  I ;  "  I've  had  enough  of  that,  my  lad  ;  why  I've  just  come  down  in  a  balloon."  "  Dare  say  you  have,"  said  the 
fellow,  unbelievingly.  "  Well,  what  county's  this  ? "  "  Ah !  you'd  better  larn  that  from  the  county  gaol,  where  1 
dare  say  you're  pretty  well  known."  At  this  juncture  I  hardly  knew  which  to  do,  whether  to  turn  up  my  sleeves 
and  have  a  round  turn  with  the  follow,  or  to  break  forth  in  unrestrained  laughter.  Hearing  the  measured 
step  of  a  policeman,  I  turned  from  the  civilian  to  the  official,  and  now,  thought  I,  I'm  as  good  as  housed.  "  Good 
evening,  officer;  being  a  stranger  here,  I  am  on  the  look-out  for  a  public-house."  "Yes,"  said  the  constable, 
drawing  himself  up,  "  that  I  can  guess."  "  Just  be  good  enough  to  point  one  out,"  said  I,  "  and  take  a  glass  with 
me,  for  I  have  come  from  London  in  a  balloon,  and  want  some  refreshment  and  help."  "  Ah ! "  said  he,  turning 
upon  his  heel  and  looking  round,  "  take  my  advice  and  move  on."  "  Well,"  said  I,  "  you  surely  must  be  a  gang  of 
thieves  in  this  place,  for  an  honest  man  won't  pass  muster  at  all.  However,  I'll  try  the  public-house."  After 
knocking,  a  window  was  thrown  open,  and  somebody  asked,  "  Who's  there  ?  and  wat  'e  wunt?  "  "I  am  a  stranger 


AITKM.IX.  "SKKTrllKS  n;<ni  Till:  1'IAKY  OF  AN  AERONAUT."  471 

I i  I  .»n. l.'ii.  h.iving  descended  a  Hliort  time  since  with  my  balloon."  I  could  proceed  no  further  with  my  tale,  an 

tli<'  window  was  xlanmu-d  down,  and  the  man,  indulging  in  a  hoarse  laugh,  said,  "  That't  at  yud-a-un  at  fn  ktnd 
far  tamt  time,  that  be." 

It  may  !»•  thought  that  I  am  over-narrating  this  adventure,  but  I  am  really  abiding  even  within  the  fact* — 
tli.'  reason.*  t,,r  such  strange  and  brutish  conduct  will  presently  transpir.-.  ••  Now  for  one  more  trial,"  tliought  I, 
••.mil  I  will  move  on."  an  the  policeman  advised  me.  I  thump..!  at  the  door  of  the  n>-\t  puMic,  and  rosolvttl  fur 
ono'  n.'t  I.,  trumpet  forth  the  naked  truth,  but  try  what  a  little  manoeuvring  would  da  This  landlord  had  also 
retir.d.  I'tit  he  politely  threw  up  his  window,  stating  "it  was  too  late  to  serve."  "1  shall  be  extremely  obliged 
if  y.m  will  i.  fresh  a  traveller ;  I  am  late,  I  know,  but  1  will  pay  liberally."  -  II  ell,  /  tell '«  what  you  do"  said  he,  "you 
try  thf  >if.rt  houae  lower  doun,  they  rerot  tuck  g'men  as  you,  and  an  not  tic'lar.  Now,  in  a  true  spirit  of  justice  I  should 
avow  ami  explain  just  what  I  said  and  did  at  this  irritating  period  of  my  existence.  I  would  rather  pus  it  over, 
though,  ami  merely  observe  that,  in  a  boiling  rage,  and  with  a  parched  tongue,  I  found  myself  treading  my  way 
back  from  where  I  came — that  is,  to  the  open  fields,  without  even  knowing  in  what  county  they  were  situated. 

On  reaching  my  car  I  resolved  to  make  up  a  sort  of  bed,  and  rough  it  Some  ballast-bags  served  for  a 
pillow,  and  I  closed  in  the  basket  with  the  folds  of  the  balloon,  and  thus  boasted  silken  curtains.  Stretching 
out  full  l.-i.-ih.  my  t'.-i  t  came  in  contact  with  a  small  basket,  which  up  to  this  time  I  had  forgotten.  How  I  came 
I >y  this,  and  what  it  contained,  I  must  tell  you.  Whenever  I  ascend.  .1  from  the  New  Globe  Pleasure-gardens,  it 
was  the  considerate  habit  of  Mr.  Gardner,  sen.,  to  provide  me  with  something  to  comfort  the  inner  man.  True  to 
his  invariable  practice,  he  had  slipped  in  the  little  basket,  and  never  shall  I  forget  how  acceptable  and  palatable 

its  e.  intents.  There  were  some  nice  beef  sandwiches,  a  little  brandy-and-water,  and  a  cigar-case.  Hurrah, 
said  I.  as  I  nioisti-ncd  my  tongue;  bravo,  Mr.  Gardner,  a  fri.-ml  in  need  is  a  friend  indeed.  And  then,  the  cigars — 
it'  ever  I  enjoyed  my  cigar  and  a  wee  drop  of  cold  without,  it  was  on  that  identical  night,  when,  Robinson  C'rusoo 
like.  I  lay  ensconced  in  a  strange  county,  without  even  a  man  Friday  to  assist  me.  Having  finished  my  repast,  and 
tried  in  vain  to  slumber,  I  thought  I  heard  voices,  and  sure  enough  on  removing  the  curtain  I  caught  some 
und.-rtoiied  accents  in  an  adjacent  field.  Immediately  I  sung  out,  "Here,  my  boys,  give  a  friend  a  help,  will  you?" 
but  all  I  heard  were  fast  receding  footsteps,  which  induced  me  to  come  to  the  severe  conclusion  that  some  dishonest 
people  there  certainly  were  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  that  these  were  poacher* — perhaps,  though,  I  wan  wrong, — 
at  any  rate  they  were  not  on  the  same  business  as  myself,  or  they  would  not  have  bolted.  I  then  remained  in  my 
sentry-box  until  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  I  heard  some  workmen  on  their  way  to  the  fields. 

The  balloon  and  car  had  already  attracted  them,  so  I  lay  still  until  they  were  at  hand.  On  jumping  up.  lik>- 
Jack-in-box,  the  worthies  looked  perfectly  bewildered ;  two  ran  off,  and  the  rest  were  powerless  as  to  speech. 
"  N\  hy,  lads,  it's  a  balloon,"  said  I ;  "  don't  be  frightened."  "  And  what  be  you  f"  inquired  the  bravest  of  the  lot 
••  \Yliy,  the  aeronaut,  to  be  sure;  the  party  who  goes  up."  "Ah,"  said  he, "  /  thought  you  ua'ant  a  mortal  num." 
-  I  tut  I  am  though,  feel  me,"  said  I.  "  Aro,  da'angd  if  1  come  any  doter ;"  and  immediately  a  side  movement  was 
made  for  the  gate.  After  a  deal  of  fuss  and  explanation,  I  got  to  a  farmhouse,  when  the  host  heard  my  tale,  but 
was  remarkably  distant  until  he  had  laid  hands  on  the  balloon,  and  examined  the  car.  Nobody  could  then  bo  more 
friendly  or  hospitable.  This  farmer  informed  me  that  I  was  down  in  Hampshire,  about  twenty  miles  from 
Basingstoke.  He  took  both  mo  and  my  luggage  to  the  nearest  railway  station,  and,  on  passing  through  the  village, 
we  learnt  that  it  had  been  visited  about  a  fortnight  previously  by  a  gang  of  the  swell  mob,  and  that  all  strangers 
were  looked  upon  with  suspicion  ever  since.  The  landlords  apologised  for  their  abruptness ;  but,  "  lard  love  ye, 
sir,  a  man  coming  out  of  the  clouds,  ichat  could  he  expect  on  this  here  wicked  earth  ?  " 


During  the  eventful  year  1852,  the  agriculturists  of  Essex  were  said  to  be  worked  up  to  a  high  pitch  of 
exasperation  by  the  frequent  visits  of  aeronauts,  who  not  only  spread  over  their  crops  like  a  swarm  of  loeusts.  l,m 
actually  had  the  audacity  to  bring  with  them  live  cattle,  in  the  shape  of  bulls,  calves,  and  horses  (Madame 
Poitevin's  ascents  with  animals  are  here  alluded  to).  These  predatory  incursions  were  said  to  be  of  1 V.  n.  h  origin, 
as  a  Monsieur  Winepot  or  Portwine,  or  some  such  name,  had  brought  down  into  Essex  divers  animals,  and  had 
even  on  one  occasion  tried  hard  to  upset  East  Ham  rhur.  h,  when,  in  his  Quixotic  attack,  he  thumped  away  with 
twenty-five  assistants,  and  was  only  successful  in  knocking  down  gravestones  and  maiming  liis  own  company. 
The  farmers  therefore  formed  a  club,  with  the  fierce  intention  of  spreading  man-traps,  spring  guns,  and  other 
deadly  weapons,  with  a  view  of  scaring  away  these  robbers  of  the  air,  who  broke  in  <i]»m  their  n  -tin  -m,  nt.  an.l 
indue.  (1  idle  people  to  trample  underfoot  their  best  crops.  The  club  is  said  to  have  sprung  up,  not  HO  mm-h  (V..m 
the  inventive  genius  of  the  Essex  farmers,  as  from  the  craft  and  subtlety  of  Mi-wrs.  Flint  and  St.-. -I.  tw.. 
advisers,  who  imagined  in  these  intrusions  sufficient  grounds  for  action-at-law.  Several  most  int.  i 


472  ASTKA  CASTEA.  APPENDIX. 

by  the  farmers  took  place,  not  a  hundred  miles  from  Kainham ;  and  a  winged  reporter,  a  friend  of  mine,  managed 
to  dot  down  the  heads  of  some  speeches  which  were  made  prior  to  the  breaking  up  of  the  club. 

On  the  1st  of  April  it  was  moved  by  Flint,  that  as  the  locusts  might  soon  be  expected,  the  traps  should  be 
looked  to,  and  duly  set :  seconded  by  Steel.  Mr.  Steel,  in  supporting  so  protective  a  measure,  said  he  felt  quite 
certain  that  if  proper  firmness  were  displayed  by  the  prosecutors,  the  aerial  tribes  would  be  driven  away,  and 
finally  exterminated.  He  called  upon  Mr.  Goodacre,  and  particularly  upon  Mr.  John  Bull,  to  display  firmness ; 
and  commended  Mr.  Stingingnottle  for  his  able  exertions  when  he  ran  four  miles  in  chase  of  a  balloon,  but  was 
unfortunate  enough  to  find  it  had  come  down  alone. 

Mr.  John  Bull  declined  having  anything  more  to  do  with  the  club— in  short,  he  meant  to  retire.  He  was 
free  to  confess  that  his  conscience  had  upbraided  him  ever  since  he  was  a  party  to  the  seizure  of  a  balloon,  and  to 
demand  compensation  for  the  injury  of  some  buttercups.  Gentlemen  present  very  well  knew  that  it  was  the  careless 
villagers  who  had  done  the  entire  damage.  If  one's  own  neighbours  wouldn't  respect  your  property,  much  less 
would  strangers  and  foreigners. 

The  Eev.  Mr.  Fussy,  on  the  part  of  his  parishioners,  adverted  to  the  temptation  to  go  astray  by  these 
balloons. 

Mr.  John  Bull :  "  Which  temptation  your  Eeverence  should  teach  them  to  resist,  not  encourage  them  to  fall 
into.  Having,"  continued  Mr.  Bull,  "  duly  considered  the  objects,  intentions,  and  doings  of  this  club,  he  begged  to 
withdraw,  as  it  was  unworthy  of  a  British  farmer  to  resist  that  which  fell  from  the  clouds." 

This  is  a  quaint  notice  from  my  friend,  the  winged  reporter,  and  I  really  believe  Mr.  Bull  fairly  represents 
our  English  farmers,  who  are  part  of  our  national  pillars  and  our  pride. 


During  the  autumn  of  1849  I  visited  Hamburg,  and  obtained  permission  to  ascend.  I  was  much  stnick  with 
the  extraordinary  preparations  made  by  the  authorities  for  the  preservation  of  order.  The  grounds  were  surrounded 
by  cavalry,  infantiy,  and  police,  and  the  whole  scene  was  martial  and  imposing.  I  think  it  was  my  third  voyage 
when  the  balloon  was  driven  to  and  fro  by  shifting  currents,  that  we  lost  sight  of  the  earth,  owing  to  a  tier  of 
dense  clouds,  and  came  down  rather  unexpectedly  upon  the  country  people.  Our  position  was  in  Holstein,  near 
a  village  thirty  miles  from  Hamburg ;  and  at  this  time  the  war  was  raging  betwixt  the  Holsteiners  and  Danes. 
I  had  three  passengers  in  the  car,  who  were  watching  the  fields  as  we  descended,  when  at  an  altitude  of  about 
six  hundred  feet,  pop,  pop,  bang,  bang,  bang,  went  some  guns,  the  hissing  whirl  of  the  bullets  acting  as  telltales  in 
the  air.  "  Why,  the  people  are  shooting !  "  exclaimed  one  of  the  gentlemen.  "  Nonsense !"  cried  I,  "  tliey  honour  us 
with  a  salute ;  but  Keep  your  heads  inside  the  car,  and  put  out  ballast."  This  order  obeyed,  bang  came  another  volley, 
but  none  of  us  were  hit.  "Dies  mal  is  die  luft-ballon  caput,"  cried  one  of  our  party;  "this  time  the  balloon 
is  torn."  "  Nothing  of  any  consequence,"  said  I ;  "for  you  know  it  becomes  the  captain  to  inspire  confidence,  even  if 
the  ship  is  sinking."  Certainly  a  few  shot-holes  were  observable,  like  stars,  through  the  balloon;  but  these,  in 
proportion  to  the  volume  of  gas  contained,  amounted  to  no  considerable  outlet,  and  not  sufficient  to  bring  us  down 
while  we  had  ballast  to  discharge.  A  council  of  war  was  now  held  in  the  vapoury  embraces  of  a  dark  cloud,  when 
it  was  decided  that  we  should  descend  as  quickly  as  consistent  with  safety,  shouting  as  we  approached  the  earth 
that  we  were  friends  from  Hamburg.  This  last  exploit  answered  admirably.  We  were  down  and  anchored  before 
anybody  assembled.  Our  mission  and  starting-point  duly  intimated,  and  ourselves  on  friendly  terms  with  the 
country  people.  Those  who  came  up  afterwards  freely  confessed  that,  supposing  we  were  spies  from  the  Danish 
camp,  they  deliberately  shot  at  the  balloon— a  liberty  we  deemed  it  expedient  politely  to  excuse.  This  was 
a  curious  adventure  to  tell  in  Hamburg,  and  my  companions  made  the  most  of  it. 

The  same  year  I  made  a  long  stay  at  Berlin,  ascending  frequently  from  the  far-famed  Krolls  Winter  Garden. 
Here  I  exhibited  a  plan  for  bombarding  a  fortress  with  concussion  shells.  The  apparatus  was  on  a  limited  scale 
for  public  display,  but  the  aerial  bombardment  attracted  great  attention,  and  General  Wrangel,  then  commandant 
of  the  military  forces  in  the  Prussian  capital,  signified  his  intention  of  witnessing  my  experiments.  Just  at  this 
time  the  political  horizon  bore  a  threatening  aspect,  as  we  well  remember.  Berlin  was  in  a  state  of  siege,  and  all 
out-door  amusements  were  carefully  regulated,  lest  the  masses  came  too  thickly  together  and  plotted  mischief. 
As  General  Wrangel  was  conspicuous  in  suppressing  the  revolution  of  1848,  the  people  held  him  in  disrepute ;  and 
as  he  rode  through  the  Tier  Garten,  his  carriage  was  stoned.  A  row  immediately  ensued,  and  the  military  were 
called  out  to  restore  order.  The  ascent  of  the  balloon,  however,  did  more  for  the  dispersion  of  the  mob  than  fixed 
bayonets.  The  day  following  I  was  to  have  made  another  trip,  but  early  in  the  morning.  Herr  von  Hinkeldey, 
the  President  of  the  Police,  who  has  since  fallen  in  a  duel,  sent  down  a  posse  of  constables  to  order  that  I  would 
remove  my  balloon,  as  it  attracted  riotous  people  in  the  Thier  Garten.  In  Germany,  it  is  of  no  use  resisting 
Government  officials,  so  I  politely  assented  to  their  wishes,  and  begged  they  would  permit  me  to  remove  the 


AI-IT.XI.IX.  "SKKTrilKS  ri:i»M  Till!  I  'I  .MIY  OF  AN  AERONAl  I  17:: 

••Sylph"  my  own  way.     As  t..  opening  tin-  valve  and  itarting  the  gas  into  the  uir,  tlmt  would  never  do;  to 
I  whisi>er<-d  »  friend  t..  help  me  fasten  mi  th««  oar,  and  presently  we  mounted  aloft.     Tin-  n.-\t  day  I  v 
n|»ni  II.  ir  v..n  Ilinkeld.  v.  .mil  pleaded  for  nn  t-xt<-ii-inii  "f  his  I'.ivoiu-s.  and  I  can  N]>cak  highly  as  to  his  energy  of 
character  ami  first  rat.-  reputation. 


Another  adventurous  incident  in  Germany  in  a  voyage  of  nearly  two  hundred  mil.'*,  which  I 
\\ith  gentlemen  of  tin-  name  of  llcnkel  ami  llerr  llil.l.  l.r.m.lt.  th<-  llof-nuder  or  artist  to  tin-  King  of  Pr 
\\  .  it  H  t'd  tVoiu  tin-  Selmt/eiihaus-groiin.ls  in  llcrlin.  the  wind  being  high  and  tin-  firmament  murky.  Al'U-r  we 
hail  1«  i-ii  iiji  twi-nty  minutes,  I  ]>ointed  out  tin-  Iiivcr  <  >ili-r.  "So  soon  !  "  cried  1  1  err  llil.l.lirandt.  ••  Why  we  must 
!»•  tia\.  -lling  at  i.iilway  sp  •<  d.  for  that  part  of  the  Oder  is  more  than  twenty-st-v.  n  Kiiglihh  miles  from  the  i-ity." 
Sun-  enough  [we  w.  •!•••  going  at  a  rapid  rate,  BO  I  told  tho  voyagers  they  must  make  up  tin  ir  minds  how  far 
ih.  v  \s..iilil  travel,  as  a  few  minutes  might  cost  them  an  additional  thalur  to  rido  back.  "  NYvi  r  niin.1,"  mid 
tin  -y.  "let  us  go  as  far  as  possible."  "That  is  before  dark,"  said  I,  "as  by  that  time  wo  shall  make  a  pi.  tt\ 

-ive  journey."  After  calculating,  Hinging,  joking,  gazing,  and  feasting,  we  betook  ourselves  to  tho  descent. 
lint  where-  were  wo?  that  was  a  question  which  neither  of  tho  Germans  could  answer.  We  hail  w.  n  tin-  llaltii-, 
an.l  «.  :  .•  progressing  towards  Dantzic  ;  but  tho  locality  beneath  us  was  barren  and  strange,  and  durknem,  too,  wax 
s-'ttiiii;  in  apace.  Tho  squally  weather  remaining  unchanged,  wo  experienced  a  rather  rough  landing,  Imt  still 
without  tin-  Inist  casualty.  Whilst  approaching  terrafirma,  I  observed  a  distant  light,  which  I  supposed  to  indicate 
a  ilwi-llin^.  \\  In  n  we  ha.l  emptied  tho  balloon,  we  agreed  to  walk  off  in  three  opposite  directions,  and  on  arriving 
at  a  road  to  give  a  signal.  Neither  of  us  being  fortunate  enough  to  discover  a  track,  we  all  re-turn'.  I.  \\li.-n  «. 

to  Htart  off  together  in  tho  direction  of  the  light  Two  miles'  walk  brought  us  to  a  princely  rvsi.l 
«.-  ri  .|ui-stnl  an  interview  with  the  master.  "Ho  is  a  baron,"  said  the  gate-keeper,  "and  don't  care  to 
an  people  vko  art  strangers."  "  We  are  from  the  upper  region*"  explained  Ht-rr  Hildt-brandt,  "and  have  come  by 
balloon  from  Berlin."  "  fleunre  how  you  trifle  lath  an  old  toldier!"  cried  the  keeper,  somewhat  disconcerted.  "7am 
stating  the  truth,  and  request  that  you  present  my  card."  After  parleying  for  some  time,  a  large  piece  of  M!V.  r.  I 
shrewdly  guess,  was  placed  by  the  side  of  the  card.  It  then  soon  reached  the  Baron,  who  came  forth  and  hi-anl 
our  account  of  ourselves.  What  with  our  careless  appearance  and  late  hours,  the  IJaron  dwln-licv^l  our  talc. 
'•  I'lraae  to  look  at  my  card,  Herr  Baron,"  cried  llenkel  ;  "  And  at  my  passport,"  said  I,  which  I  always  ti»k  with 
inc.  Our  papers  examined,  the  next  thing  was,  "Where  is  your  balloon,  gentlemen?"  "  It  lies  in  a  ti.  1.1  (-"in. 
half-  hour's  walk  from  here."  Further  doubts  arose;  fresh  difficulties  sprung  up;  when,  at  the  instigation  of  the 
Baron  himself,  a  band  of  work-people  was  formed  within  tho  baronial  walls,  and  away  we  started.  ..ui-.  Iv.'s  in 
advance,  and  the  stalwart  troop  in  the  rear,  ready  to  assist  us  if  our  report  were  true,  or  secure  us  if  fal.se.  When 
we  arrived  at  the  place  of  descent  it  was  quite  dark,  and  we  looked  in  vain  for  some  time  with  l..i  • 
Hildebrandt  predicted  where  it  lay;  llcnkel  guessed;  but  I  was  at  once  for  a  practical  alternative,  \\hat 
was  it?  Why,  to  nose  it,  like  hounds,  as  tho  silk  always  retains  the  powerful  odour  of  gas.  Accordingly  we 
opened  out  as  for  a  hunt,  and  my  own  practised  nasal  organ  had  the  good  fortune  to  catch  first  scent.  The  balloon 
discovered,  the  Baron  shook  hands.  And  wo  slept  at  the  hall,  and  were  feasted  like  lords. 


SCENES  FROM  THE  BALLOON  CAR  IN  THE  YEAR  1859. 

The  concluding  al  fresco  fetes  at  the  Crystal  Palace  were  accompanied  by  two  interesting  aerial 
voyages  by  Mr.  Coxwell.  The  following  is  the  aeronaut's  narrative,  extracted  from  his  1  "iary  : — 

Ballooning  has  just  been  introduced  at  the  Crystal  Palace  with  entire  success,  and  I  have  reason  to  be  proud 
that  my  representations  on  this  subject  to  the  manager  were,  after  some  little  hesitation,  acted  ii]«>n  with 
becoming  spirit. 

October  ISth,  1859. — My  first  ascent  from  the  Palace  Park  took  place  this  day.  Owing  to  the  lat. -n. •«  of  the 
season  we  had  a  hazy  afternoon,  and  there  was  nothing  very  remarkable  in  the  aspect  of  the  earth's  surface :  Imt 
ample  amends  were  made  by  witnessing  a  splendid  .  loudscapc,  which  presented  itself  above. 

I  had  three  passengers,  Mr.   I  up-low.   Mr.  .l..hn  Allan,  and  Master  BueknalL     On  first  rising  a  thick 
surrounded  the  car;  but.  at  an  altitude  of  six  hundred  feet  above  the  place  of  starting,  a  strongly  dejim-d  IP 
mass  unfolded  itself,  and  ultimately  appeared  to  be  a  widely-extended  range  of  cumuli 

In  passing  through   these  clouds   I   fornn-1   a   r..u^h   estimate  ,,f   tln-ir  thickness,  and  pn  j.ai.d   my  fellow 
voyagers  for  a  transition  at  once  sudden  and  im]>.Miig.     At  an  <l.vati..n  of  one  thousand  four  hundi. 


474  ASTEA  CASTEA.  APPENDIX. 

• 

of  light  broke  upon  us,  and  we  rose  through  the  dome  of  a  magnificent  cloud,  and  entered  upon  a  scene  of  surpassing 
grandeur.  It  was  not  a  finely-tinted  autumnal  picture,  such  as  cloudland  sometimes  oifers  when  the  declining 
sun  imparts  ruby  lustre  to  the  western  sky,  but  a  plain,  uniform  ocean  of  fleecy  clouds,  which  rolled  along  with 
the  utmost  regularity  to  a  vast  expanse,  shutting  out  all  view  of  the  earth,  and  resembling  a  sea  of  vapour  agitated 
by  a  gentle  breeze.  The  entire  upper  regions  appeared  to  be  in  a  state  of  repose ;  a  few  cirri  were  observable  high 
overhead,  but  they  had  peaceful  tails  and  a  fine-weather  contour.  A  few  lines  from  Bloomfield  occurred  to  me 
as  admirably  descriptive  of  the  view : — 

For  yet  above  these  wafted  clouds  are  seen 
(In  a  remoter  sky  still  more  serene) 
Others,  detach'd  in  ranges  through  the  air, 
Spotless  as  snow,  and  countless  as  they're  fair ; 
Scatter'd  immensely  wide  from  East  to  West, 
The  beauteous  semblance  of  a  flock  at  rest, 
These  to  the  raptur'd  mind  aloud  proclaim 
The  mighty  Shepherd's  everlasting  name. 

One  of  our  party  had  just  returned  from  Switzerland  with  vivid  recollections  of  Alpine  travels.  The  balloon 
view,  he  protested,  was  much  superior  to  mountain  scenery,  as  looked  upon  from  one  of  their  tops ;  whilst  cloud- 
land  was  superlatively  grander,  embracing  all  the  bold  and  beautiful  features,  with  the  advantage  of  being  raised 
into  the  very  midst  of  the  clouds  by  almost  fairy  means,  and  altogether  without  personal  exertion  and  inconvenience 
— two  results  which  not  unfrequently  mar  the  brightest  pleasures. 

So  exhilarated  •was  Mr.  Ingelow,  that  he  volunteered  a  song,  which  led  to  a  regular  aerial  concert,  our 
respective  voices  harmonising  tolerably  well,  or  appearing  to  do  so  in  that  silent  space  where  the  vocalists  were  at 
once  audience,  critics,  and  performers.  After  singing,  we  transacted  a  little  business  with  the  instruments  at  our 
disposal,  dotting  down  height,  temperature,  humidity,  and  all  the  facts  and  figures  enumerated  in  the  following 

table. 

******** 

Soon  after  five  o'clock  the  silence  which  reigned  around  was  wantonly  disturbed  by  Mr.  Allan,  who  essayed 
to  experimentalise  upon  the  effects  of  echo  and  the  propagation  of  sound.  He  asked  permission  to  shout,  and  it 
was  readily  granted.  First  he  hallooed  up  the  neck  or  safety-valve,  which  caused  the  distended  sphere  to  throw 
back  his  jocular  questions  with  a  shrill  tone ;  then  he  hailed  the  unseen  inhabitants  below,  albeit  we  were  far  too 
high  to  hold  intercourse,  although  it  is  astonishing  at  what  an  elevation  questions  have  been  put  and  replied  to. 
Thus  gaily  but  slowly  we  sailed  along,  until  the  shades  of  evening  stole  a  march  upon  us,  when  it  became  prudent 
to  descend.  On  approaching  the  cloud-tops,  they  assumed  their  full  and  ample  dimensions.  Here  we  lingered 
a  while  in  sportive  gambols  with  the  ornaments  of  the  sky,  observing  their  changeful  forms  and  "  airy  nothings  " 
until  they  closed  round  the  balloon,  and  left  us  to  indulge  in  expectation  as  to  what  part  of  the  country  would 
appear  to  us  after  an  absence  of  more  than  an  hour  and  a  half. 

During  the  passage  of  the  clouds,  a  railway  locomotive  greeted  us  with  its  shrill  cry  of  dismay,  and  as  it  was 
unaccompanied  by  the  rolling  sound  of  a  train  in  motion,  we  concluded  that  a  station  must  be  directly  underneath. 
The  moments  we  spent  on  the  look-out  for  the  first  glimpse  of  terra  firma  afforded  agreeable  excitement.  Two  of 
us  sounded  the  signal  of  discovery  simultaneously ;  we  had  sighted  a  meandering  piece  of  water,  which  shone 
brightly  on  the  dim  landscape.  Presently  a  sprinkle  of  gas-lamps  twinkled  forth,  and  then  we  heard  a  shouting, 
and  ascertained  that  we  were  over  a  small  town.  As  there  was  no  perceptible  under-current,  we  remained 
stationary,  or  appeared  to  do  so,  for  several  minutes.  On  interrogating  the  people  below,  who  cordially  invited  us 
down,  as  to  the  name  of  the  place,  we  learnt  it  was  Epsom. 

For  prudential  motives  a  half-bag  of  finely-sifted  sand  was  sent  down  instead  of  ourselves,  and  we  re-entered 
the  clouds  a  quarter  of  an  hour  later,  during  which  time  the  steam  whistle  was  frequently  heard ;  we  tried  our 
position  for  the  second  time,  but  there  was  no  indication  of  a  change,  and  it  was  determined  to  seek  a  ground 
breeze  by  dropping  down  within  a  few  hundred  feet  of  the  house-roofs.  Here  a  northerly  current  befriended  us, 
and  the  "  Queen  "  moved  under  its  influence  at  a  brisk  pace,  until  a  favourable  place  for  landing  presented  itself 
about  two  miles  from  Epsom,  where  we  alighted  at  six  o'clock,  it  being  then  dark. 

THE  "  QUEEN  "  IN  A  GALE. 

Tuesday,  October  25,  was  one  of  those  days  when  aeronauts  would  rather  be  within  doors  by  a  genial  fire 
than  doing  duty  in  the  crisp  air,  with  an  inch  or  two  of  snow  under  their  feet.  Such  was  the  state  of  the  ground 
during  the  commencement  of  the  inflation,  but  the  day  wore  on  tranquilly  until  about  2  o'clock,  when  the 


Ammo.    -KnvAi.  uiAiMT.i;  •  LOST,  BUT  Tin:  -QUEEN"  \\  i:\nn:i;s  TIII:  «;\I.K.    47f> 

surrounding  foliage  1»  nt   to  a  litfnl  gust,  \vliicli  camr  ii]toii  us  without  warning,  and  soon  increased  to  ft  half  gale. 
Thi-ii-  \\.is  an  ominous  l.lni-li  haze  to  windward,  too,  and  the  barometer  hud  Kin  falling  since  noon. 

r  had  I  got  my  cordage  and  network  secured,  than  it  became  evident  we  were  to  have  a  stormy 
evening.     At  lialt'-jiast  3  o'clock,  the  groat  fountains  having  begun  to  play,  I  attempted  to  move  tin-  "  i.'u.-t  n  "  (my 
balloon  i  U'1'..iv  the  central  transept,  and  although,  at  fewest,  fifty  soldiers  assisted,  it  being  the  Balaclava/.'' 
'  so  overpowering  had  the  wind  become,  that  we  were  compelled  to  come  to  a  dead  halt,  and  arrange  the  awent  from 
the  archery-ground. 

As  it  was  of  the  utmost  importance  to  get  away  as  quickly  as  possible,  I  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  thro-  or  four 
candidates  for  an  ascent,  but  at  last  agreed  to  take  one  gentleman  (Mr.  Candler)  who  would  not  be  denied  a  seat, 
notwithstanding  the  boisterous  state  of  the  day.  Admiring  his  courage,  I  ordered  him  to  "  jump  in."  .md.  directly 
the  first  lull  favoured  us,  I  pulled  the  trigger,  and  away  we  went  at  a  tremendous  pace,  bounding  pant  the  great 
north  tower,  which  stands  three  hundred  feet  over  the  place  of  starting. 

Three  minutes  had  hardly  elapsed  before  we  were  working  through  the  lower  tier  of  leaden  clouds,  whilst 
tlie  min  was  |  touring  down  in  torrents.  "  Let  her  rise,"  said  I,  in  answer  to  a  question  put  by  my  coinimninn  :  "we 
may  pui*ibly  escape  water  as  we  get  higher."  Sure  enough  we  did,  for  in  another  minute  Mr.  I'audler  drew  my 
attention  to  snow.  We  were  now  rapidly  clearing  cloud  after  cloud  of  dense  and  threatening  appearance.  At  this 
elevation  we  must  either  have  struck  into  an  opposite  current  or  entered  a  sort  of  whirlwind,  a*  the  luilloon  began 
to  rock  perceptibly,  which  is  altogether  unusual  We  could  hear,  too,  a  humming  sound  among  the  network.  At 
six  tlioiisand  feet  up  we  found  ourselves  Hailing  along  in  a  clear  area  of  about  a  mile  each  way,  with  clouds  1» -neath. 
above,  and  around  us.  This  was  a  forbidding,  wild-looking  space,  where  the  wrathful  vapour*  hovered  hard  by 
and  seemed  to  meet  for  mischief,  and  there  twist  themselves  into  strange  and  diversified  combinations. 

Directly  under  the  car  was  a  formidable  looking  ninJjia,  which  we  must  needs  penetrate  to  obtain  sight  of  the 
earth.  It  wa«  of  no  use  flinching,  and  it  was  moreover  expedient  to  curtail  our  run,  as  the  storm  increased  <-\<  \\ 
minute,  so  down  we  dipped  for  another  shower-bath,  when  the  rain  rattled,  and  new  forms  of  cloud  closed  around 
us.  ami  appeared  to  draw  the  "  Queen  "  into  a  yawning  gulf,  and  there  award  us  a  thorough  drenching. 

Still  over  head 

The  mingling  tempest  weaves  iu  gloom,  »n<l  still 
The  deluge  deepens. 

If  enongh  is  as  good  as  a  feast  of  any  one  particular  liquid,  it  is  surely  that  of  pelting  rain.  To  pet  out  of  it 
I  hastened  our  descent,  and  prepared  for  a  rough  one.  As  we  neared  the  meadows  they  all  appeared  in  full  gallop, 
and  the  motion  looked  as  if  it  was  on  their  part  instead  of  ours.  The  grapnel  made  its  first  grip  in  the  centre  of 
a  grass-field,  buried  its  prongs  in  the  wet  soil,  and  hurled  a  mass  of  clod  in  the  air,  like  a  sixty-eight  pound  shut. 
It  then  made  a  dash  at  a  thick  hedge,  but  broke  away  and  bobbed  for  the  next  Here  I  espied  a  ditch,  well  Kinked 
and  thickly  wooded  in  the  rear.  "Look  out!  shell  hold  there;  and  steady  yourself  by  the  hand-lines."  Mr.  <  andlei 
oK-yed  orders  to  the  letter,  ami  the  next  moment  we  were  full  strain  on  the  cable,  whilst  the  balloon  plunged  and 
dived  as  if  she  would  break  through  all  restraint  and  be  off  again.  This  was  the  critical  point.  To  let  out  gas,  or 
n  it,  in  case  of  a  fresh  start?  that  was  the  question  demanding  immediate  action.  Having  confidence  in  my 
tackling.  I  proceeded  to  exhaust  After  several  ineffectual  struggles,  the  "  Queen"  rolled  her  head  down  u]mn  the 
grass,  when  her  last  throes  became  fainter  and  fainter,  until  she  finally  assumed  the  pancake  form,  which  was 
c.p]ival'-nt  to  an  intimation  that  her  aerial  majesty  was  ready  to  enter  her  carriage  in  a  more  contact  ami 
undignified  state  than  she  was  in  on  quitting  the  Sydenham  Palace,  It  soon  transpired  that  we  had  dew.  ml*  d  at 
Hayes,  near  I'xbridge,  and  that  the  time  occupied  in  going  that  distance  was  about  twenty  minute*. 

Wet  and  weary,  we  made  for  the  "Adam  and  Eve,"  where  mine  host  and  his  considerate  wife  provided  us 
with  a  refreshing  cup  of  tea  and  an  ample  supply  of  dry  clothing. 

During  this  gale  the  "Royal  Charter"  was  lost,  but  the  "Queen"  happily  rode  it  out  unseat  h.  d. 


NOTKS. 

CHAP.  VIII.  p.  281.—  Colonel  MacDougall,  in  'Modern  Warfare  as  influenced  by  Modem  Artillery" 
(London,  18G4),  speaks  thus  of  the  service  rendered  to  the  Federals  by  a  Kill-ton.  in  th-  |  tin- 

Rappahannock,  by  General  Hooker.  April.  1863:  — 


....  In  another  quarter  during  this  day.  (on.  -nil  Sedgwick  having  ascertained,  by  m-an*  of  a  Lalloon 
ascent,  that  a  very  small  force  of  <  'on  f  derates  and  but  few  guns  remained  in  his  front  in  tin  Krederi<  k*burg 
position,  attacked  and  carried  the  height 

:;  q 


476  ASTRA  CASTRA.  APPENDIX. 

CHAP.  IX.  p.  299.— Lord  Stanhope,  in  his  '  Life  of  William  Pitt,'  gives  the  following  correspondence 
between  Earl  Stanhope  and  the  Lords  of  the  Admiralty  on  Steam  Navigation : — 

In  1796,  as  in  the  preceding  year,  there  were  some  experiments  in  Steam  Navigation  set  on  foot  by  Earl 
Stanhope,  and  sanctioned  by  the  Lords  of  the  Admiralty.  He  had  induced  them  to  construct  a  ship  in  the  Thames, 
and  had  signed  a  bond,  dated  June  30,  1794,  with  a  penalty  to  himself  of  9000Z.,  "to  indemnify  the" public  in 
case  the  said  ship  should  not  answer  the  purpose  of  Government."  The  subject  must  be  pwned  to  be  a  curious 
one,  as  tending  to  throw  some  light  on  the  first  steps  of  a  gigantic  change  in  the  British  navy ;  and  the  origin  of 
the  scheme  is  summed  up  as  follows  in  a  letter  which  Earl  Stanhope  addressed  to  the  Lords  of  the  Admiralty. 

"  MY  LORDS,  "  Chevening,  Dec.  22,  1795. 

"  Your  Lordships  no  doubt  are  all  of  you  informed  that  an  Ambi- Navigator  ship  (called  the  '  Kent ')  has  been 
constructed  by  Government  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  efficacy  of  the  important  plan,  invented  by  me,  of 
navigating  ships  of  the  largest  size  without  any  wind,  and  even  against  wind  and  waves ;  and  that  on  the  30th  day 
of  June  in  the  year  1794,  I  gave  a  bond  to  His  Majesty  relative  to  that  ship  and  plan.  The  steam-engine 
apparatus  constructed  under  my  direction,  and  intended  for  moving  that  vessel,  is  now  on  board  her  in  Greenland 
Dock.  For  several  months  past  I  have  been  making  detached  experiments  in  the  ship  on  various  parts  of  the 
apparatus  :  for  I  do  not  intend  to  content  myself  with  merely  producing  a  result,  but  my  series  of  experiments  is 
such  as  to  be  intended  to  establish  every  part  of  the  subject  on  clear  and  irrefragable  proofs,  and  to  ascertain 
demonstratively  what  is  the  best  possible  plan. 

"  The  subject  being  a  new  one,  the  workmen  have  had  everything  to  learn,  and  it  has  taken  more  time  to 
complete  the  work  than  was  at  first  expected.  The  tune  mentioned  in  my  bond  to  be  allowed  for  the  making  of 
the  experiments  is  nearly  expired.  I  therefore  request  your  Lordships  to  add  a  few  more  months  (such  as  eight, 
ten,  or  twelve)  for  that  purpose,  as  I  take  for  granted  that  your  Lordships  would  not  deem  it  either  proper  or 
expedient  to  stop  experiments  of  such  consequence  in  their  progress,  and  at  the  eve  of  their  conclusion. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c., 

"  STAN-HOPE." 

In  reply,  on  the  part  of  the  Board  of  Admiralty  (Dec.  28,  1795),  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Evan  Nepean,  in  a  liberal 
spirit,  granted  the  longest  period  of  extension  that  had  been  suggested,  namely,  twelve  months.  The  correspondence 
which  I  here  select  and  subjoin  took  place,  as  will  be  seen,  near  the  close  of  that  further  term. 

EARL  SPENCER  TO  EARL  STANHOPE. 

"  MY  LORD,  "  Admiralty,  Nov.  5,  179G. 

"  The  delay  which  I  alluded  to  in  my  former  letter  arose  from  some  doubt  whether  the  experiment  which  has 
already  been  made  was  sufficient  to  ascertain  the  properties  of  the  '  Kent.'  In  order,  therefore,  to  remove  any 
doubt  upon  that  subject,  the  Board  of  Admiralty  have  determined  on  trying  another  experiment  for  that  express 
purpose  ;  for  which  (if  your  Lordship  has  no  objection  to  it)  directions  will  be  immediately  given. 

"  I  have  the  honour,  &c., 

"  SPENCER." 

EARL  STANHOPE  TO  EAHL  SPENCER. 

"  MY  LOED,  "  London,  Nov.  8,  1796. 

"  The  'Kent'  is  at  present  (whatever  it  may  be  hereafter)  a  Government  vessel.  The  Board  of  Admiralty 
therefore  have  a  right,  and  will  do  right,  to  make  with  her  such  experiments  as  they  shall  deem  proper.  My 
consent  is  not  necessary,  nor  should  I  refuse  it  if  it  were. 

"  Two  things  no  doubt  your  Lordship  will  think  it  expedient  to  do.  First,  that  the  necessary  directions  may 
be  immediately  given  for  making  those  experiments  respecting  which  I  shall  not  interfere.  Secondly,  that  they 
may  be  made  within  a  short  space  of  time,  inasmuch  as  your  Lordship  must  be  sensible  that  whilst  the  vessel  is  out, 
no  adjustment  can  be  made  in  the  steam  apparatus,  in  order  to  make  the  intended  experiments  with  steam. 

"  That  subject  is  of  far  more  importance  than  the  Board  of  Admiralty  seems  to  be  aware  of. 

"  I  have  the  honour,  &c., 

"  STANHOPE." 

EARL  SPENCER  TO  EARL  STAXHOPK. 

"  MY  LORD,  "  Admiralty,  May  17,  1797. 

"  .  .  .  .  The  Report  of  the  Navy  Board  (dated  the  Cth  of  this  month),  to  which  the  Admiralty  must  pay 
some  attention,  is  positively  against  your  Lordship's  proposal  of  renewing  your  bond ;  but  I  believe  the  fairest  way 
will  be  to  transmit  to  you  a  copy  of  it,  that  your  Lordship  may  have  an  opportunity  of  explaining  some  points 
which  it  is  possible  they  may  have  misconceived. 


Al'I'KNMX. 


\\nii  I:AI;I.  >T\\imi'i:. 


177 


Yciii  may  ilf]H  nil  \i\xn\  my  not  feeling  the  most  distant   intention  of  trifling  with  yon  on  this  or  any  »tli'-i 
though  I  eei tainly  do  not  yet  see  any  reason  to  alter  tho  opinion  I  have  already  expressed,  that  the  method 
YOU  have  imagined  <>f  moving  ships,  independent  of  wind  uud  tide,  will  not   I.    found  to  answer  the  very  great 

us  vmir  Lordship  appears  t..  h.ive  formed  of  it. 

••  I  have  tli.  honour,  Ac., 

"Si 

Tlii-  i-x|K'riment«  made  \<\  the  ••  Kent  "  were  satisfactory  to  Lord  Stanhope;  not  no  to  tin-  Navy  Board.     On 
tlic  \\li.il.-  the  l.onls  of  tho  Admiralty  deemed  thin  trial  of  Steam    ^  n  to  \»-  rom-lusivi-  airainst  it.  an. I  tln-\ 

rei|iiin'«l  i .f  Lord  Stenhope  tin-  i»nalty  stipulatiil  in  his  Imnd.  Their  oorrospondeno-  with  him  from  liiht  t..  last  \\.iv 
.•on. liirtc-l  in  a  nn.st  honourable  spirit.  an<l  with  jx-rli-.-t  fainicaa  of  intention.  lint  I  think  that  we  may  .1.  .In.  . 
from  it  their  early  ilistrnst  ami  .li>ivli>h  of  tho  Bcheme  \Vo  may,  I  think,  infer  that  the  trial  w;ix  not  t'n  .  l\ 
.ie>-i-]>tiil,  1'iit  was  rather  by  Nome  extraneous  eaiise  iiii]>.^-<l  u]>..n  them.  If  so,  the  question  ariaoB,  who  imjxjhcil  it ': 
| '. >n.-iili-ring  the  politicul  hostility  of  the  projector  to  tho  Administration,  ami  his  personal  entrangenifiit  from 
Mr.  I'itt.  no  p.irty  ami  no  family  infltienoo  are  here  to  be  imagined.  No  other  alternative.  MO  far  as  I  cni. 
remains,  than  that  tho  lYime  .Minister,  when  consulted,  urged  the  trial  of  tho  wln-me  fiom  his  own  impression  of 
•  Nsilile  merits.  There  is,  tln-refore,  as  I  conceive,  a  strong  probability  that  Mr.  I'itt  wiw  tho  earliest  of  all  our 
statesmen  in  office  who  discerned,  however  dimly  in  tho  distance,  tho  coming  importance  of  steam  to  navigation, 
and  who  desired  to  bring  it  to  the  test ;  and  this  at  the  very  time  when  his  own  First  Lord  of  the  Admiralty,  in 
other  respects  a  most  judicious  administrator,  looked  down  upon  the  project  as  an  empty  dream. 


I'HRYXUS   AND   IIKIXE. 


:  Q  2 


478 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


APPENDIX. 


II. 

THE  ATMOSPHERE. 

THE  few  remarks  that  I  will  here  add  on  the  subject  of  the  Atmosphere, 
are  taken  from  the  '  Book  of  Knowledge,'  published  at  Glasgow,  showing 
the  popular  ideas  with  regard  to  the  wind,  &c.,  in  the  year  1750;  from 
the  '  History  of  the  Intellectual  Development  of  Europe,'  by  Professor 
John  William  Draper,  of  the  University  of  New  York ;  and  from  the 
well-known  and  very  beautiful  work  of  Captain  Maury,  on  the  '  Physical 
Geography  of  the  Sea,  and  its  Meteorology,'  a  book  that  cannot  too  fre- 
quently be  recommended  to  all  lovers  of  Nature. 

THE  BOOK  OF  KNOWLEDGE,  1750. 
Wind. 

Wind  is  said  to  be  an  exhalation  hot  and  dry,  engendered  in  the  bowels 
of  the  earth ;  and  being  gotten  out,  is  carried  sidelong  upon  the  face  of  the 
earth,  and  cannot  mount  upwards  above  the  middle  region  of  the  air,  which,  by  reason  of  its  coldness,  doth  beat 
it  back ;  so  as  by  much  strife,  and  by  meeting  other  exhalations  rising,  its  motion  is  forced  to  be  rather  round, 
than  right  in  its  falling ;  and  this  makes  it  a  whirl-post  or  whirlwind,  which  oftentimes  by  its  violence  carrieth 
many  things  with  it  from  place  to  place. 

Earthquakes. 

The  ancients  affirm  that  the  cause  of  earthquakes  is  plenty  of  wind  gotten  and  confined  within  the  bowels 
of  the  earth,  which  is  striving  to  break  forth. 

Thunder  and  Lightning. 

Thunder  and  lightning  is  occasioned  by  an  exhalation  hot  and  dry,  and  being  carried  up  into  the  middle 
region  of  the  air,  and  there  enclosed  into  the  body  of  a  cloud.  Now  these  two  contrarieties  being  thus  shut  or 
enclosed  into  one  place  together,  they  fall  at  variance,  whereby  the  water  and  fire  agree  not  till  they  have  broken 
through,  so  that  fire  and  water  fly  out  of  the  clouds,  the  breaking  whereof  makes  that  noise  which  we  call  thunder, 
and  the  fire  is  lightning. 

Draper  says: — 

The  intellectual  state  of  the  Mohammedan  nations  at  this  epoch  is  shown  by  the  fragments  of  the  works 
of  their  scientific  writers  that  have  descended  to  us. 

Among  such  writers  is  Alhazen,  who  lived  about  A.D.  1100.  It  appears  that  he  resided  both  in  Spain  and 
Egypt,  but  the  details  of  his  biography  are  very  confused.  Through  his  optical  works,  which  have  been  translated 

into  Latin,  he  is  best  known  in  Europe It  is  in  the  discussion  of  one  of  these  physical  problems  that  his 

scientific  greatness  truly  shines  forth.  He  is  perfectly  aware  that  the  atmosphere  decreases  in  density  with  height ; 
and  from  that  consideration  he  shows  that  a  ray  of  light,  entering  it  obliquely,  follows  a  curvilinear  path  which  is 
concave  towards  the  earth ;  and  that,  since  the  mind  refers  the  position  of  an  object  to  the  direction  in  which  the 
ray  of  light  from  it  enters  the  eye,  the  result  must  be  an  illusion  as  respects  the  starry  bodies ;  they  appear  to  us, 
to  use  the  Arabic  term,  nearer  to  the  zenith  than  they  actually  are,  and  not  in  their  true  place. 

....  With  extraordinary  acuteness,  he  applies  the  principles  with  which  ho  is  dealing  to  the  determination 
of  the  height  of  the  atmosphere,  deciding  that  its  limit  is  nearly  fifty-eight  and  a  half  miles. 

All  this  is  very  grand.  Shall  we  compare  it  with  the  contemporaneous  monk  miracles  and  monkish 
philosophy  of  Europe?  It  would  make  a  profound  impression  if  communicated  for  the  first  time  to  a 
scientific  Society  in  our  own  age.  Nor,  perhaps,  does  his  merit  end  here.  If  the  '  Book  of  the  Balance  of 
Wisdom,'  for  a  translation  of  which  we  are  indebted  to  M.  Khanikoff,  the  Russian  Consul-General  at  Tabriz, 
be  the  production  of  Alhazen,  of  which  there  seems  to  be  internal  proof,  it  offers  us  evidence  of  a  singular 
clearness  in  mechanical  conception  for  which  we  should  scarcely  have  been  prepared ;  and,  if  it  be  not  his,  at 
all  events  it  indisputably  shows  the  scientific  acquirements  of  his  age.  In  that  book  is  plainly  set  forth  the 
connexion  between  the  weight  of  the  atmosphere  and  its  increasing  density.  The  weight  of  the  atmosphere 


A.I..  1100.  M.IIA/.r.N  DISCOVERS  ATMi  ispllKIMr  I'UKssl  l;i  171 

was  therefore  understood  liel'ore  Torricelli.  Hi-  shows  that  a  Ixxly  will  wei^h  ditl'erently  in  »  ran-  and  in 
11  den-*'  atmosphere;  that  its  loss  of  weight  will  bo  greater  in  proportion  as  the  air  is  more  dense.  II- 
.•..iisiilfrs  tin-  force  with  which  plunged  ladies  will  ris.-  through  heavier  media  in  which  they  are  immersed, 
and  discusses  tin-  sul>in> -r^" -nee  »f  floating  bodies,  as  ships  upon  the  sea. 

....   Tin-  determinations  of  tlii'  cl.n-.ity  of  bodies,  as  given  l.y  Alha/.eii.  approach  \  rj  t..  ..ur  own  : 

in  tin-  ease  of  mercury  tln-v  an-  i  \i  11  more  exact  than  Home  of  those  of  the  lost  >•<  utiirv.  1  join,  as  doubtless  H!! 
natural  philosophers  will  do,  in  the  pious  pi.m-r  of  Alhazcn.  that,  in  tho  Day  of  .liulgiucnt,  tin-  All  Merciful  will 
take  Jiity  on  tin-  soul  nf  Ainu  h'.iihan,  because  he  was  tin-  first  nf  the  raou  nf  nidi  t..  i-oiistruct  a  table  nf  s|n-cifi. 
•_'M\in. -:  ami  I  "ill  add  Alha/.eii's  name  thereto,  for  ho  was  the  flint  to  trace  the  curvilinear  path  of  a  ray  of  light 
through  tin-  air 

F ri >iii  observations  i.n  tin-  twilight,  the  elasticity  of  aerial  bodies,  and  tho  condensing  action  nf  cold,  the 
The»uno-    conclusion    previously  arrived  at  by  Alhazen  was  established,   that  the  atmosphere  does  not  extend 
;  unlimitcdly  into  space.     Its  height  is  considered  to  be  about  forty -live  niili-s.     From  its  compressibility, 

tin-  greater  1*111  of  it  is  within  a  much  smaller  limit ;  were  it  of  uniform  density,  it  would  not  extend  more  than 
twenty-nine  thousand  feet.  Henco,  comparing  it  with  the  dimension*  of  the  earth,  it  in  an  insignificant  aerial 
shell,  in  thickness  not  the  eightieth  part  of  the  distance  to  tho  earth's  win  re,  and  its  immensity  altogether  an 
illusion.  It  Ix-ars  about  the  same  projwrtion  to  the  earth  that  the  down  upon  a  poach  bears  to  tho  peach  itself. 

nndatioii  for  the  mechanical  theory  of  the  atmosphere  was  laid  as  soon  as  just  idoas  respecting  liquid 
pressures,  as  formerly  taught  by  Archimedes,  were  restored,  tho  conditions  of  vortical  and  oblique  pressures 
invotipited.  the  demonstration  of  equality  of  pressures  in  all  directions  given,  and  the  proof  furnished  that  the 

of  a  liquid  on  the  bottom  of  a  vessel  may  bo  very  much  greater  than  its  weight. 

Such  of  these  conclusions  as  were  applicable  were  soon  transferred  to  tho  case  of  aerial  bodio*.  The  weight 
lu  imch*-  °^  *k°  atmosphere  was  demonstrated,  its  pressure  illustrated  and  measured ;  then  came  the  dispute  about 
nioU  rd»-  the  action  of  pumps,  and  the  overthrow  of  tho  Aristotelian  doctrine  of  tho  horror  of  a  vacuum. 
( 'nineideiitly  occurred  the  invention  of  the  barometer,  and  tho  proof  of  its  true  theory,  both  on  a  steeple 
in  Paris  and  on  a  mountain  in  Auvergno.  The  invention  of  tho  air-pump,  and  its  beautiful  illustrations  of  the  pn> 
pcrtiex  of  the  atmosphere,  extended  in  a  singular  manner  tho  taste  for  natural  philosophy. 

Thi-  nieehanics  of  the  air  was  soon  followed  by  its  chcniiMry.  From  remote  ages  it  had  been  numbered 
lu  chcmiod  among  tho  elements,  though  considered  liable  to  vitiation  or  foulness.  Tho  groat  discover}'  of  • -\\x--n  gas 
relations.  placed  its  chemical  relations  in  their  proper  position.  One  after  another  other  gases,  both  simple  and 
compound,  were  discovered.  Then  it  was  recognised  that  tho  atmosphere  is  the  common  receptacle  f..r  all  gases 
and  vapours;  and  the  problem  whether,  in  the  course  of  ages,  it  has  ever  undergone  change  in  its  constitution  arose 
for  solution. 

The  negative  determination  of  that  problem,  so  far  as  a  few  thousand  years  were  concerned,  was  necessarily 
The  auta-  followed  by  a  recognition  of  the  antagonism  of  animals  and  plants,  and  their  mutually  balancing  each 
mSuuKl  other  :  the  latter  accomplishing  their  duty  under  the  influence  of  the  sun,  though  he  is  a  hundred  millions 
pUnts.  of  miles  distant.  From  this  it  appeared  that  it  is  not  by  incessant  interventions  that  tho  sum  total  of 
animal  life  is  adjusted  to  that  of  vegetable,  but  that  in  this  respect  the  system  of  government  of  tho  world  is,  by 
the  operation  of  natural  causes  and  law,  a  conclusion  the  more  imposing  since  it  contemplates  all  living  tliinpt,  and 
inrlude<  i  ven  man  himself.  The  detail  of  these  investigations  proved  that  the  organic  substance  of  plants  is 
condensed  from  the  inorganic  air  to  which  that  of  all  animals  returns,  the  particles  running  in  ever-repeating  cycles, 
now  in  the  air,  now  in  plants,  now  in  animals,  now  in  the  air  again ;  the  impulse  of  movement  being  in  the  MIH. 
from  whom  has  come  the  force  incorporated  in  plant  tissues,  and  eventually  disengaged  in  our  fires,  shining  in  our 
flames,  oppressing  us  in  fevers,  and  surprising  us  in  Hushes. 

Organic  diMurUtnces  by  respiration  and  the  growth  of  plants  being  in  tho  lowest  stratum  of  the  air,  its 
The  winds,  nnifonnity  of  composition  would  lie  imjx*isiblo  were  it  not  for  tho  agency  of  tho  winds  and  the  diffusion 
th«r  origin  of  gases,  which  it  was  found  would  take  place  under  any  pressure.  The  winds  were  at  length  properly 

""'  referred  to  the  influence  of  the  sun,  whose  heat  warms  the  air,  causing  it  to  ascend,  while  other  portion^ 
flow  in  below.  The  explanation  of  land  and  sea  breezes  was  given,  and  in  the  trade-wind  was  found  a  proof  of  the 
rotation  of  the  earth.  At  a  later  ]«-riod  followed  the  explanation  of  monsoons  in  the  alternate  heating  and  c.M.Iin^ 
of  Asia  and  Africa  on  opposite  sides  of  tin-  line,  and  of  tornadoes,  which  are  disks  of  air  rotating  round  a  translated 
axis  with  a  diameter  of  one  hundred  or  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  the  axis  moving  in  a  curvilinear  track  with 
a  progressive  advance  of  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles  an  hour,  and  the  motions  being  in  opposite  direction*  on 
opposite  hemispheres  of  the  globe. 


480  ASTRA  CASTRA.  APPENDIX. 

The  equatorial  calms  and  trade-winds  accounted  for  on  physical  principles,  it  was  admitted  that  the  winds  of 
high  latitudes,  proverbially  uncertain  as  they  are,  depend  in  like  manner  on  definite  causes. 

With  these  palpable  movements  there  are  others  of  a  less  obvious  kind.  Through  the  air,  and  by  reason  of 
motions  in  it,  sounds  are  transmitted  to  us. 

The  Alexandrian  mathematicians  made  sound  a  favourite  study.  Modern  acoustics  arose  from  the  recognition 
Of  sounds  *kat  there  *s  nothing  issuing  from  the  sounding  body,  but  that  its  parts  are  vibrating  and  affecting  the 
their  medium  between  it  and  the  ear.  Not  only  by  the  air-pump,  but  also  by  observations  in  the  ran- 

velocity.  atmosphere  of  the  upper  regions,  it  was  shown  that  the  intensity  of  sound  depends  upon  the  density. 
On  the  top  of  a  mountain  the  report  of  a  pistol  is  no  louder  than  that  of  a  cracker  in  the  valley.  As  to  the  gradual 
propagation  of  sounds,  it  was  impossible  to  observe  fire-arms  discharged  at  a  distance  without  noticing  that  the 
flash  appears  longer  before  the  report  in  proportion  as  the  distance  is  greater.  The  Florentine  academicians 
attempted  a  determination  of  the  velocity,  and  found  it  to  be  1148  feet  in  a  second.  More  accurate  and  recent 
experiments  made  it  1089-42  feet  at  the  freezing-point  of  water ;  but  the  velocity,  though  independent  of  the 
density,  increases  with  the  temperature  at  the  rate  of  1-14  foot  for  each  degree.  For  other  media  the  rate  is 
different ;  for  water,  about  4687  feet  in  a  second,  and  in  cast-iron  about  ten-and-a-half  times  greater  than  in  air. 
All  sounds,  irrespective  of  their  note  or  intensity,  move  at  the  same  velocity,  the  medium  itself  being  motionless  in 
the  mass.  No  sound  can  pass  through  a  vacuum.  The  sudden  aerial  condensation  attending  the  propagation  of 
a  sound  gives  rise  to  a  momentary  evolution  of  heat,  which  increases  the  elasticity  of  the  air,  and  hence  the  velocity 
is  higher  than  9 1 6  feet  in  a  second,  otherwise  the  theoretical  rate. 

M.  Arthur  Maugin,  in  his  beautiful  work  entitled  'L'Air  et  le  Monde  Ae'rien'  (Tours,  1865),  so  well 
tells  the  story  of  the  discovery  of  atmospheric  pressure,  that  I  could  not  desire  it  in  better  words  :— 

The  year  1630  will  always  be  memorable  for  one  of  those  discoveries  that  begin  a  new  epoch  in  science.  Till 
that  year  no  one  believed  that  the  air  had  weight,  that  it  exercised,  like  water,  a  pressure  upon  all  bodies  immersed 
in  proportion  to  their  height  and  surface.  Archimedes,  the  father  of  hydrostatics,  was  ignorant  that  the  laws 
of  water  could  also  be  applied  to  the  air. 

In  the  seventeenth  century,  however,  many  effects  of  the  atmospheric  pressure  were  known,  and  were  applied 
in  the  construction  of  pumps,  ornamental  fountains,  &c.  But  instead  of  attributing  this  to  its  true  cause,  it  was 
explained  by  the  ancient  aphorism  "  Natura  dbhorret  a  vacua ; "  an  aphorism  that  Nature,  strange  enough,  had  never 
denied,  because  no  attempt  appears  to  have  been  made  to  force  water  by  this  means  to  a  height  exceeding  thirty- 
two  or  thirty-three  feet. 

The  Grand  Duke  of  Florence,  in  1630,  had  this  ambitious  and  princely  fancy.  Engineers  received  orders  to 
make  pumps  in  the  palace  for  raising  the  waters  to  the  upper  chambers,  that  is,  to  a  height  which  surpassed  all 
preceding  hydraulic  experiments.  The  engineers,  however,  set  to  work,  not  doubting  that  because  His  Highness 
the  Grand  Duko  wished  the  water  to  ascend,  it  would  be  sure  to  do  so.  With  all  care  the  attempt  was  made ;  if 
answered  well  so  far,  and  the  water  ascended  thirty-two  feet ;  the  pumping  way  continued,  but  the  obstinate  water 
would  not  rise  higher.  Exertions  were  increased,  but  in  vain.  The  pipes  were  examined ;  not  a  fault,  nor  the 
least  fissure  whereby  the  air  could  penetrate,  was  discovered ;  yet  the  pistons  would  no  longer  suck  up  the  liquid. 
The  astonishment  of  the  engineers  and  surprise  of  the  savans  of  Florence  exceeded  belief.  For  the  first  time  Nature 
deviated  from  the  horror  it  hitherto  expressed  of  a  vacuum. 

It  was  referred  to  the  Grand  Duke.  He  could  see  but  one  man  in  all  Italy,  and  in  all  Europe,  who  was 
capable  of  explaining  so  strange  an  overthrow  of  fundamental  principles :  this  was  Galileo.  Galileo,  taken 
unawares,  could  only  solve  the  problem  erroneously.  It  was  the  weight,  he  said,  of  the  water  that  prevented  the 
liquid  from  rising  higher.  He  should  have  said  that  this  was  but  a  lame  explanation  ;  but  it  was  necessaiy  for 
him  to  say  something ;  it  was  not  possible  for  him  to  keep  silence  in  a  question  of  Natural  Science.  The  Grand 
Duko  and  the  Florentine  engineers  were  content  with  this  reply. 

There  was  at  Rome  at  that  time  a  young  professor  of  the  Natural  Sciences  (twenty-three  years  of  age),  named 
Evangelista  Torricelli.  He  was  under  the  tuition  of  Castelli,  a  pupil  of  Galileo.  Notwithstanding  the  veneration 
he  felt  for  the  great  man  who  was  the  master  of  his  master,  Torricelli  thought  the  explanation  given  by  Galileo 
of  the  Florentine  phenomenon  to  bo  unsatisfactory  ;  he,  therefore,  endeavoured  to  discover  a  more  plausible  solution. 
On  reflection  he  was  convinced  that  the  pretended  horror  of  Nature  at  a  vacuum  was  purely  imaginary,  without 
foundation  as  without  object ;  one  of  those  empty  phrases  which  answered  many  things,  and  were  long  the  bane 
,it'  philosophy.  If,  as  Galileo  stated,  the  weight  of  the  water  prevented  it  from  rising  above  thirty-two  feet,  why 
did  it  rise  so  high  ?  For  then  the  water  ascended  in  spite  of  and  in  opposition  to  its  weight !  Is  there  not  in  this, 


///</./•  juvporfJ 


cm 


Stu  jAvu/aa 


j  r  c 


\.i-.  168  Tt>i;]ri;u.i  m>Mivi:i!s   LTM08PHERIC  PBE88UBE 

asked  Torriivlli,  s..m.  thing  unalogoua  to  wluit  is  observed  in  tin1  Imlamv  by  ..ne  K-lv  |>oi-ing  another''     Then  In- 
thought  of  tlif  air.  f.in:..tt.  n  liecauso  unseen.  which.  Vicing  a  material  Huh-un.-.-.  nm-t.  like  all  others.  have  weight. 
and  I-M  rei-c  pressure  ,,n  all  bodies  on  the  surface  of  tin-  gloW.     ••  Frmn  tliis  cause  one  might  siipi***-  that  tin- 
M.II.-I  in  tlic  imiiiii  would  cease  to  rise,  when  it  was  in  equilibrium  with  the  external  pressure  of  tin-  atmoHpli.  i- 
in.l  that  this  ]w.int  was  about  thirty  tw.  feet.  at  tin-  sea  1.  vd."     This  was  but  a  step  that  genius  alone  can  i, 
.ii-l  -ivrs  t<>  the  discoverer  a  name  that  will  last  with  all  time. 

rthcless,  to  make  so  novel  a  presumption  certain,  no  opposed  to  the  ideas  of  the  day,  Torriei-lli 
i>i|iiiriil   to   vi-rify   it   liy  a  decisive  ex]>crimeut.      If  corn-el.   the    height   of  a  column   of   liquid   to    balance  the 
atmospheric  pressure  should  be  in  inverse  j»ro]«.irti.>n  to  the  density  of  tin-  li<|uid.    Tim-  .piicksilvcr.  being  (••». 
heavier  tlian  water,  should  only  rise  to  about  twenty  .  i-ht  inches. 

Passing  from  reasoning  to  cxpcrjmeir  ill   took  a  tube  of  thirty  inches,  closed  at  one  extremity,  filled 

it    with   ineiviiry.  put    his  linger  on  tho  orifice,  tunii-d   the-    ml*-  ov.-r  in  a  Kiwi  n  containing  nieivury,  and.   th<  n 
withdraw  ing  his  linger,  kejit  the-  tnlie  in  a  vertical  po«ition. 

II.  «.i!.-hnl  the  ni.i.uiy  descend  till  it  reached  a  |K>int  where  it  ivmaiind  slatimian-,  leaving  a  vaeiium 
aliovi-  it.  Tlie  heiglit  of  the  metallic  column  was  found  to  K-  alnmt  twenty-eight  inehew.  With  such  a  result  tin 
y.iiing  natural  philosopher  must  have  been  a  great  master  of  himself  not  to  have  run  out  from  his  laboratory  int.. 
the  street-  i  if  I;,.  me.  and  cry.  like  Archimedes,  fyprjra.  The  experiment  of  Torricelli,  and  the  correct  coneliisi,,n> 
he  dr.w  fmm  it.  produced  in  the  learned  world  tho  greatest  e\rit.  -meiit.  The  partisan  of  "the  universality  of 
matter"  attacked  them  with  fury,  whilst  the  n.-w  j«rty,  whom  we  may  call  "  the  Defenders  of  the  Yaeuum,"  \\.  i> 
a  small  minority.  Pascal  was  the  chief  of  this  party  in  France,  and  with  such  a  champion  tin-  triumph  of  this 
truth  i-oiild  not  long  bo  delayed.  The  celebrated  experiment  made  on  the  I'uy-do-Dome,  after  the  instruction*  of 
1'asoil  by  his  brother-in-law.  Florin  IVrier,  and  repeated  in  Paris  by  Pascal  himnelf  on  the  tower  of  St.  .Ijicipie-  I., 
1'ioiieherie.  ..p.ned  the  eyes  of  the  blindest  and  closed  the  months  of  the  must  obxtinate.  "If  it  happens,"  cried 
Pa.-e.il.  --that  the  height  of  the  quicksilver  is  less  on  tho  top  than  at  the  bottom  of  tho  mountain,  it  necessarily 
follows  that  the  weight  and  pressure  of  the  air  are  the  sole  cause  of  the  column  of  quicksilver  being  suspended,  and 
Nature's  horror  of  a  vacuum,  because  it  is  certain  that  there  is  a  pressure  of  more  air  at  the  buttmn  of  the 
mountain  than  at  the  top  ;  and  it  is  no  use  tosay  that  nature  abhors  a  vacuum  at  the  base  of  a  mountain  more-  tluin 
at  the  summit." 

The  difference  at  the  Ihiy-de-Dome  was  three  inches,  and  at  St  Jacques*  tower  two-and-a-half  lines,  being 
in  exact  proportion  to  their  heights,  as  the  l'uy-de-D6me  u  one  thousand  metres  and  St  Jacques'  tower  i- 
fifty  metres. 

This  proof  was  therefore  decisive. 

THE  \\1M- 

i.  in. 

\K  wiii.i-,  y.  unseen  currents  of  the  air,  Tbe  wcmty  fowls  of  hcavou  makr  win;:  in  vnin, 

Softly  \v  ]  .laved  a  few  brief  hours  ago  ;  To  escape  your  wrath  ;  ye  seize  ami  dasli  them  dead, 

Ye  bore  the  murmuring  bee;  ye  tossed  the  hair  nt  the  earth  yc  drive  the  roaring  rain  ; 

t  maiden  checks,  that  took  a  fresher  glow  :  The  harvmt-fii-ld  becomes  a  river's  bed; 

Y    rolled  the  round  white  cloud  through  depths  of  blue  ;  And  torrents  tumble  from  the  hills  (round, 

Ye  shook  from  shaded  flowers  the  lingering  dew  ;  Plains  turn  to  lakes,  and  villages  are  drowned, 

the  catal|«'g  blossoms  flew,  And  wailing  voice*,  rnidst  the  tempest's  sound, 

Light  blossoms,  dropping  on  the  grass  like  snow.  Kise,  as  the  ruitliiii^  waters  swell  and  spread. 


n.  iv. 

How  are  ye  changed  !  Ye  take  the  cataract's  sound  ;  Ye  dart  upon  the  deep,  and  straight  is  heard 

Ye  take  the  whirlpool's  fury  and  iu  mi^ht  ;  A  wilder  roar,  and  men  grow  pale,  and  pray; 

The  mountain  shudders  as  ye  sweep  the  ground  ;  Ye  fling  its  floods  around  you,  as  a  bird 

The  valley  w.»«ls  lie  pnme  Ix-nwith  your  flight  Flings  oV-r  hi.i  shivering  pluim*  the  fuuntain's  spray 

The  clouds  before  you  shoot  like  eagles  past  ;  •:"•-:  mast  the  sailor  clings  ; 

The  IKIIUPS  of  men  are  rocking  in  your  blast  ;  Ye  scoop  the  ocean  to  its  briny  springs, 

Ye   i;;  :l  •   ..-.is  like  autumn  leaves,  and  r..  And  take  the  mountain  billow  on  your  wings, 

Skyward,  the  whirling  fragments  out  of  sight  And  pile  the  wreck  .if  navi.  s  round  the  buy. 

BBVA.XT. 


n.  iu  his  '  Pliysical  Geography  of  t!»-  Sea.  and  its  Meteorolmry.'  nukes,  among  other  observation-. 
the-,    r.  marks  concerning  the  atmosphere:  — 

1.  Our  planet  is  invested  with  two  great  oceans;  on.   visible,  the  other  invi-ibh-  :  one  is  underfoot,  the  othei 
The  two        (.veihoad  :  one  entirely  envelops  it.  the  other  covers  about  two-thirds  of  its  surface.     All  th  :  tin 

one  weighs  about  400  times  as  much  a-  all  the  air  of  the  other. 


4S2  ASTRA  CASTEA.  APPENDIX. 

4.  The  air  is  elastic,  and  very  unlike  water.     That  at  the  bottom  is  pressed  down  by  the  superincumbent  air 
Weieht  of     with  the  force  of  about  15  pounds  to  the  square  inch,  while  that  at  the  top  is  inconceivably  light.     If, 
the  atmo-      for  the  sake  of  explanation,  we  imagine  the  lightest  down,  in  layers  of  equal  weight  and  10  feet  thick,  to 

be  carded  into  a  pit  several  miles  deep,  we  can  readily  perceive  how  that  the  bottom  layer,  though  it 
might  have  been  10  feet  thick  when  it  first  fell,  yet  with  the  weight  of  the  accumulated  and  superincumbent  mass, 
it  might  now,  the  pit  being  full,  be  compressed  into  a  layer  of  only  a  few  inches  in  thickness,  while  the  top  layer 
of  all,  being  uncompressed,  would  be  exceedingly  light,  and  still  10  feet  thick  :  so  that  a  person  ascending  from  the 
bottom  of  the  pit  would  find  the  layers  of  equal  weight  thicker  and  thicker  until  he  reached  the  top.  So  it  is  with 
the  barometer  and  the  atmosphere  :  when  it  is  carried  up  in  the  air  through  several  strata  of  87  feet,  the  observer 
does  not  find  that  it  falls  a  tenth  of  an  inch  for  every  successive  87  feet  upward  through  which  he  may  carry  it. 
To  get  it  to  fall  a  tenth  of  an  inch,  he  must  carry  it  higher  and  higher  for  every  successive  layer. 

5.  More  than  three-fourths  of  the  entire  atmosphere  is  below  the  level  of  the  highest  mountains ;  the  other 
Three-          fourth  is  rarefied  and  expanded  in  consequence  of  the  diminished  pressure,  until  the  height  of  many 
fourths         miles  be  attained.     From  the  reflection  of  the  sun's  rays  after  he  has   set,  or  before  he  rises   above 
mountain-     the  horizon,  it  is  calculated  that  this  upper  fourth  part  must  extend  at  least  forty  or  forty-five  miles 
'"!«.  higher. 

6.  At  the  height  of  26,000  miles  from  the  earth,  the  centrifugal  force  would  counteract  gravity  ;  consequently, 
.          all  ponderable  matter  that  the  earth   carries  with  it  in  its  diurnal  revolution  must  be  within  that 

distance,  and  consequently  the  atmosphere  cannot  extend  beyond  that.  This  limit,  however,  has  been 
greatly  reduced,  for  Sir  John  Herschel  has  shown,  by  balloon  observations,*  that  at  the  height  of  80  or  90  miles 
there  is  a  vacuum  far  more  complete  than  any  which  we  can  produce  by  any  air-pump.  In  1783  a  large  meteor, 
computed  to  be  half  a  mile  in  diameter  and  fifty  miles  from  the  earth,  was  heard  to  explode.  As  sound  cannot 
travel  through  vacuum,  it  was  inferred  that  the  explosion  took  place  within  the  limits  of  the  atmosphere.  Herschel 
concludes  that  the  aerial  ocean  is  at  least  50  miles  deep. 

8.  Chemists  who  have  made  the  analysis,  tell  us  that,  out  of  100  parts  of  atmospheric  air,  90-5  consist  of 
Analysis  of  oxygen  and  nitrogen,  mixed  in  the  proportion  of  21  of  oxygen  to  79  of  nitrogen  by  volume,  and  of  23  to 
air.  77  by  weight.  The  remaining  half  of  a  part  consists  of  -05  of  carbonic  acid  and  -45  of  aqueous  vapour. 

•f   .  17.  At  the  temperature  of  60°,  the  specific  gravity  of  average  sea-water  is  l-027:',t  and  the  weight 

sea-water,     of  a  cubic  foot  is  64-003  Ibs. 

18.  With  the  barometer  at  30  in.,  and  the  thermometer  at  32°,  the  weight  of  a  cubic  foot  of  dry  atmospheric 
Ofair.  air  is  1-291  oz.,  and  its  specific  gravity  -00129.  Such  is  the  difference  in  weight  between  the  two 
elements,  the  phenomena  of  which  give  the  physical  geography  of  the  sea  its  charms. 

27.  "  The  weight  of  the  atmosphere  is  equal  to  that  of  a  solid  globe  of  lead  sixty  miles  in  diameter.     Its 
The  sea        principal  elements  are  oxygen  and  nitrogen  gases,  with  a  vast  quantity  of  water  suspended  in  them  in 
atmosphere    the  shape  of  vapour,  and  commingled  with  these  a  quantity  of  carbon  in  the  shape  of  fixed  air,  equal  to 
contrasted,    restore  from  its  mass  many  fold  the  coal  that  now  exists  in  the  world.     In  common  with  all  substances, 
the  ocean  and  the  air  are  increased  in  bulk,  and,  consequently,  diminished  in  weight,  by  heat ;  like  all  fluids,  they 
are  mobile,  tending  to  extend  themselves  equally  in  all  directions,  and  to  fill  up  depressions  wherever  vacant  space 
will  admit  them ;  hence  in  these  respects  the  resemblance  betwixt  their  movements.     Water  is  not  compressible 
or  elastic,  and  it  may  be  solidified  into  ice,  or  vaporised  into  steam  ;  the  air  is  elastic ;  it  may  be  condensed  to  any 
extent  by  pressure,  or  expanded  to  an  indefinite  degree  of  tenuity  by  pressure  being  removed  from  it ;  it  is  not 
liable  to  undergo  any  change  in  its  constitution  beyond  these,  by  any  of  the  ordinary  influences  by  which  it  is 
affected. 

28.  "  These  facts  are  few  and  simple  enough ;  let  us  see  what  results  arise  from  them  :  As  the  constant 
Influence      exposure  of  the  equatorial  regions  of  the  earth  to  the  sun  must  necessarily  there  engender  a  vast  amount 
of  the  sun.    of  heat,  and  as  his  absence  from  the  polar  regions  must  in  like  manner  promote  an  infinite  accumulation 
of  cold,  to  fit  the  entire  earth  for  a  habitation  to  similar  races  of  beings,  a  constant  interchange  and  communion 
betwixt  the  heat  of  the  one,  and  the  cold  of  the  other,  must  be  carried  on.     The  ease  and  simplicity  with  which 
this  is  effected  surpass  all  description.     The  air,  heated  near  the  equator  by  the  overpowering  influences  of  the  sun, 
is  expanded  and  lightened ;  it  ascends  into  upper  space,  leaving  a  partial  vacuum  at  the  surface  to  be  supplied 
from  the  regions  adjoining.     Two  currents  from  the  poles  toward  the  equator  are  thus  established  at  the  surface, 
while  the  sublimated  air,  diffusing  itself  by  its  mobility,  flows  in  the  upper  regions  of  space  from  the  equator 
toward  the  poles.     Two  vast  whirlpools  are  thus  established,  constantly  carrying  away  the  heat  from  the  torrid 


*  Those  of  Mr.  Welsh,  in  his  ascent  from  Kew. 

t  Maury's  '  Sailing  Directions,'  vol.  i.     Sir  John  Herschel  quotas  it  at  1-0275  for  62°. 


Tin:  T\M>  OCEAN> 

toward  the  ie\  r.-gion>.  and.  there  becoming  cold  by  contact  with  tho  ioo,  they  carry  bark  tin  n •  gt  lid  freight  1" 
refresh  the  torrid  /on,-. 

\\e  hnvo  already  mid  that  tho  atmosphere  forma  a  spherical  shell,  surrounding  tin-  earth  in  a  depth 
Hnvmof  which  is  unknown  i,,  us,  by  reuson  of  it*  growing  tenuity,  ON  it  in  released  from  the  pressure  of  n-  own 
the  «ir.  suporiiiciimliciit  iiuuw.  Its  upper  Mirfiuv  cannot  be  nearer  to  us  tlmn  fifty,  and  can  scarcely  be  IU«H 
remote  than  I'm-  hundred  miles.  It  surrounds  its  on  all  sides,  yet  we  ne  it  not  .  it  prove*  on  us  with  a  l<«d  of 
lift'  en  |«.iinds  on  every  square  inch  of  surface  of  our  bodies,  or  from  seventy  to  one  hundred  tons  on  us  in  all,  yet 
we  do  not  so  much  a*  I'.-.  I  its  weight.  S.t't.-r  tlian  the  fin. -t  down,  moro  ini]>alpablc  than  the  finest  gossamer,  it 
leave*  the  cobweb  iiiuli>tiirl«-d,  and  scarcely  stirs  the  lightest  flower  that  feeds  on  the  dew  it  supplies;  yet  it  boars 
tin-  MM  I.-  »f  nations  on  its  wings  around  the  world,  and  crushes  the  most  refractory  substances  with  its  weight. 
\\  h.  ii  in  motion,  its  force  is  nifti'-i.  nt  to  level  with  the  earth  the  most  stately  forests  and  stable  buildings,  to  mis.- 
tlif  waters  of  the  ocean  into  ridges  like  mountains,  and  dash  the  strongest  ships  to  pieces  like  toys.  It  wuriiiM  ami 
cools  by  turns  the  •  .nth  and  the  living  creatures  that  inhabit  it  It  draws  up  vapours  from  tho  sea  and  himl, 
BJ  tin-in  dissolved  in  itself  or  suspended  in  cisterns  of  clouds,  and  throws  them  down  again,  as  rain  or  <Ii-\v. 
wlu-n  they  are  required.  It  bends  the  rays  of  the  sun  from  their  path  to  give  us  tho  aurora  of  tin-  morning  ami 
twilight  of  .-v.-ning ;  it  disperses  and  refracts  their  various  tints  to  beautify  the  approach  and  the  retreat  of  tin-  oi  I. 
of  day.  lint  for  tin-  atmosphere,  sunshine  would  burst  on  us  in  a  moment  ami  fail  n.s  in  tin-  twinkling  of  an 
n  moving  us  in  an  instant  from  midnight  darkness  to  the  blaze  of  noon.  We  should  have  no  twilight  to  soften  ami 
K-autify  the  liimlsea]>c.  no  clouds  to  shade  us  from  tho  scorching  heat;  but  the  bald  earth,  as  it  revolved  on  its 
axis,  would  turn  it.s  tanned  and  weakened  front  to  tho  full  and  unmitigated  rays  of  the  lord  of  day. 

89.  "  The  atmosphere  affords  the  gas  which  vivifies  and  warms  our  frames ;  it  received  into  itself  that  which 
Itf  funo  has  been  polluted  by  use,  and  is  thrown  off  as  noxious.  It  feeds  the  flame  of  life  exactly  its  it  doe*  that 
of  the  fire.  It  is  in  both  cases  consumed,  in  both  cases  it  affords  the  food  of  consumption,  and  in  l«.tli 
QS.SW  it  becomes  combined  with  charcoal,  which  requires  it  for  combustion,  and  which  removes  it  when  combustion 
is  over.  It  is  the  girdling  encircling  air  that  makes  the  whole  world  kin.  The  carbonic  acid  with  which  to  day 
our  breathing  fills  the  air,  to-morrow  seeks  its  way  round  the  world.  The  date-trees  that  grow  round  tho  falls  of 
the  Nil-  will  drink  it  in  by  their  leaves;  the  cedars  of  Lebanon  will  take  of  it  to  add  to  their  stature ;  tho  cocoa- 
nuts  of  Tahiti  will  grow  rapidly  upon  it;  and  the  palms  and  bananas  of  Japan  will  change  it  into  flowers.  The 

ii  we  ,m-  l)ri -a thing  was  distilled  for  us  some  short  time  ago  by  the  magnolias  of  the  Susquehanna  and  the 
great  trees  that  skirt  the  Orinoco  and  the  Amazon;  tin-  giant  rhododendrons  of  the  Himalayas  contrilmted  to  it. 
and  the  roses  and  myrtles  of  Cashmere,  the  cinnamon-troe  of  Ceylon,  and  the  forest,  older  than  the  flood,  that  lion 
Imried  deep  in  the  heart  of  Africa,  fer  behind  the  Mountains  of  the  Moon,  gave  it  out  The  rain  we  see  descending 
was  thaw,  d  for  us  out  of  the  icebergs  which  have  watched  the  Polar  Star  for  ages,  or  it  came  from  snows  th.it 
rested  on  the  summits  of  the  Alps,  but  which  tho  lotus  lilies  have  soaked  up  from  the  Nile,  and  exhaled  as  va]>our 
again  into  the  ever-present  air." 

200.  There  is  no  employment  more  ennobling  to  man  and  his  intellect  than  to  trace  the  evidences  of  design 
Likened  to     and  purpose,  which  are  visible  in  many  parts  of  the  creation.     Hence,  to  the  right-minded  mariner,  ami 
a  machine.    {0  jjim  who  studies  the  physical  relations  of  earth,  sea,  and  air,  the  atmosphere  is  something  more  tlian  H 
shoreless  ocean,  at  the  bottom  of  which  he  creeps  along.     It  is  an  envelope  or  covering  for  the  distribution  of  light 
and  heat  ov.-r  the  surface  of  the  earth;    it  is  a  sewer  into  which,  with  every  breath  we  draw,  we  cast  vast 
quantities  of  dead  animal  matter;  it  is  a  laboratory  for  purification,  in  which  that  matter  is  reoom pounded,  and 
wrought  again  into  wholesome  and  healthful   shapes:  it  in  a  machim-  for  pumping  up  all  the  rivers  from  tho  sea, 
and  for  conveying  the  water  (§  191)  from  the  ocean  to  their  sources  in  the  mountains;  it  is  an  inexhaustible 
magazine,  marvellously  stored.     Upon  the  proper  working  of  this  machine  depends  the  well-being  of  . \. TV  plant 
and  animal  that  inhabits  tho  earth.     How  interesting,  then,  ought  not  the  study  of  it  to  be!     An  examination  •  I 
the  uses  which  plants  and  animals  make  of  the  air  is  sufficient  to  satisfy  any  reasoning  mind  in  the  conviction  that 
when  they  were  created,  the  necessity  of  this  adaptation  was  taken  into  account     The  connexion  !»•(«..  n  an\ 
two  parts  of  an  artificial  machine  that  work  into  each  other,  does  not  render  design  in  its  construction  more  patent 
than  is  tin-  fart  that  the  great  atmospherical  machine  of  .nir  planet  was  constructed  by  an  Architect  who  designed 
it  for  certain  purposes  ;  therefore  the  management  of  it  its  mov.-m.-nt-.  and  tho  performance  of  its  offices,  cann 

1.  ft  to  chance.     They  are,  we  may  rely  upon  it.  guided  by  lawn  that  make  all  parts,  functions,  and  movements,  of 
this  machinery  as  obedient  to  order  and  as  harmonious  as  are  the  planets  in  their  orbits. 

201.  Any  examination  into  the  economy  of  the  universe  will  be  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  well-balanced  minds 
The  air  and  of  observant  men  that  the  laws  which  govern   the  atmosphere  and  the  laws  which  govern  the  ocean 
Hove'med'bT  (§  164)  are  laws  which  were  put  in  force  by  the  Creator  when  the  foundations  of  the  earth  were  laid, 
•table  laws,   and  that  then-fore  tln-y  are  laws  of  order;  else,  why  should   the  (iulf  Stream.  f..r  iust.ine.  .  IN-  .,! 
when-  it  is,  and  running  from  the  (nilf  of  Mexico,  and  not  sonu-where  else,  and  sometimes  running  into  it  '•     \\  h\ 

:;  i: 


484 


ASTRA  CASTRA. 


APPENDIX. 


should  there  be  a  perpetual  drought  in  one  part  of  the  world,  and  continual  showers  in  another?     Or  why  should 
the  conscious  winds  ever  heed  the  voice  of  rebuke,  or  the  glad  waves  ever  "  clap  their  hands  with  joy"  ? 

202.  To  one  who  looks  abroad  to  contemplate  the  agents  of  Nature,  as  he  sees  them  at  work  upon  our  planet, 
Importance   no  expression  uttered  or  act  performed  Toy  them  is  without  meaning.     By  such  a  one,  the  wind  and  rain, 
the  works"8  tne  vapour  and  the  cloud,  the  tide,  the  current,  the  saltness,  and  depth,  and  warmth,  and  colour  of  the 
of  Nature,     gea,  the  shade  of  the  sky,  the  temperature  of  the  air,  the  tint  and  shape  of  the  clouds,  the  height  of  the 
tree  on  the  shore,  the  size  of  its  leaves,  the  brilliancy  of  its  flowers — each  and  all  may  be  regarded  as  the  exponent 
of  certain  physical  combinations,  and  therefore  as  the  expression  in  which  Nature  chooses  to  announce  her  own 
doings,  or,  if  we  please,  as  the  language  in  which  she  writes  down  or  elects  to  make  known  her  own  laws.     To 
understand  that  language  and  to  interpret  aright  those  laws  is  the  object  of  the  undertaking  which  we  now  have 
in  hand.     No  fact  gathered  from  such  a  volume  as  the  one  before  us  can  therefore  come  amiss  to  those  who  tread 
the  walks  of  inductive  philosophy ;  for,  in  the  handbook  of  Nature,  every  such  fact  is  a  syllable ;  and  it  is  by 
patiently  collecting  fact  after  fact,  and  by  joining  together  syllable  after  syllable,  that  we  may  finally  seek  to  read 
aright  from  the  great  volume  which  the  mariner  at  sea  as  well  as  the  philosopher  on  the  mountain  each  sees  spread 
out  before  him. 

203.  There  have  been  examined  at  the  Washington  Observatory  more  than  a  million  of  observations  on  the 
Materials      f°roe  an(^  direction  of  the  winds  at  sea.*      The  discussion  of  such  a  mass  of  material  has  thrown  much 
for  this        light  upon  the  circulation  of  the  atmosphere  ;  for,  as  in  the  ocean  (§  201),  so  in  the  air,  there  is  a  regular 
"  aP  el  •        system  of  circulation. 


'  BLOW,  WIND,  AND  CRACK  YOUR  CHEEKS  !    RAGE  !  BLOW  ! " 

A'm/y  Letir.  Art  III.  scene  2. 


*  Nautical  Monograph,  No.  1,  1859. 


Perhaps  Lux  Oritur  might  he  more  correct  in  this  wooileut. 


DIAGRAM     ILLUSTRATING 

THE  CIRCULATION  OF  THE  WINDS  ROUND  THE  GLOBE. 

DESIOSBD  BY  Liter.  MAURY,  LL.D,  LATE  OF  TIIK  WAIUIKOTON  OBMWTATOKT. 


Ai  there  ar*  cinnaUat  eorrenti  in  the  ooean,  to  ar*  than 
regu'ar  current,  in  the  atmotphan.    From  th.  parallel  of  about 
3UA  north  uid  loath,  n*.rlj  to  the  equator,  w.  have,  «1 
.  round  th*  earth,  two  tone,  of  perpetual  wiM 
:,»  at  tk*  oorth-eeet  trad**  on  thi.  eld*,  aad 


eoulh-eaatonthat.    With 


wiade.ru:; 
.  Bad  of  the 
">»7  Mow  ptr- 


petuall.T,  alwart  moving  in  to*  ttmt  auwetioB,  exi 

in.-,  arr  MMd  aald*  by  •  daaart  ken  and  there  to' blow  a* 

•ontoout.  or  M  F     ' 


current,  of  air  an  con.tantly  Bowinf  from  tb*  pole,  toward* 

tk*  equator,  w*  ar*  aaf>  in  aMumtng  that  Ik*  air  which  they 

keeji  in  motion  moat  ratorn  by  *OOM  akaaaal  to  Ik*  place 
'•  oame,laoed*rto.upprrth*  tradea. 

adtwoaldaooa  naaaattka  polar  th.  diurnal  motion  of  th«  earth/would,  la  eootaouenee 
I'll*  it  up  about  tk*  *qoator.  and  ~  larrtta.  tad,  a*  It  travel.  touthTtk*  earth  tupping 
rent  of  air  to  mak*  more  wind  of.  under  it,  aa  it  wen.  and  tkna  it  would  appear  u>  bV  « 


toward,  the  p.4*.  whence  it  cam.,  ia  order  to  tupplyth.  trad*.. 

.or*  not  ao,  tbw*  wind,  mold  toon  •ihauet 
region!  of  atmo>pb*r*,  and  pU«  it 
then  c*aaa  to  blow  for  tk*  want  of 
Tim  return  current,  Iherwfcr*. 


tnrnc*.  Th*  return  current  mutt  alao  move  la  tb*  direct  mn 
oppoaiu  to  that  wind  the  place  of  which  It  It  intended  to 
tupply.  Thee*  direct  aad  counter  current,  are  aku  made  to 
more  ia  a  eort  of  epiral  or  kuodromie  earn,  taming  to  th* 
wwtl  at  tkey  go  from  UM  pole,  to  tk*  equator,  aad  In  the 
oppoaiu  direction  aa  they  mov*  from  the  equator  toward  the 
pole..  Thi.  tareiag  la  eaaatd  by  the  rotation  of  tke  earth  oa 
ita  axia. 

The  earth,  wa  know,  more,  from  watt  to  aaat.  How,  if  w* 
Imagine  a  particJt  ofatmoapben  at  the  north  pole,  where  it  ii 
at  rat,  to  b*  put  in  motion  in  a  .freight  fine  toward  the 
equator,  wa  aaa  laeily  an  bow  thit  particle  of  air,  coming  from 
IhenrYjii^of  oiurad  roUlioa,  where  it  did  not  partake  of 

of  id 


of  the  atmotphtra,  at  leatt  until  It  putt  ft  over  thoe*  parallel, 
between  which  the  trade-wind*  are  alw.yt  b1 


'.-    r.   HH  .•     r    r.  .-  , 

r  thoe*  paralltb 
htowiag  oa  In. 


_      

from  tb.  aorth-eaet  and  going  toward  th*~*oalh-wett  j  iooihra 
«..r  I.,  it  would  b*  a  nortn.rul  wind. 
On  tk*  other  hand,  wa  can  p*ro*i«  now  a  lik.  partiol*  of 


notr    th.    parmllrl    of  SO". 
11.  r.«  it  m**ta,  alao  in  th. 

itiFhTpolk*tiealpar- 
• 

in.l   (oinf  north  to 

take  iti  pUc*.    About  tin i 

parilli-l  of  M''  north,  then, 

rtu-li«i    proai 

uainit  each  othrr  with  tha 
whakaaaaatoftkairmotr?* 

producing  a  calm  aad 
aa  n. vutuuUlion  of  atmoa* 

thii  accumnlmtion  la 
•  •.IT!!  kaal  i    baJaj    all 
•ure  or  th.  two  winds  from 
th*  north  and  icuth. 

Fr»m  uii.l.T  tbii  bank  of 
ealmi,  which  irainon  call 
tk*  •  bora,  latitude..'  or  tha 
•cabin  of  Cancer.'  two  iur- 
face-curr*nt«  of  wind  are 
ejected;  one  toward,  the 
equator,  ai  the  HOBTH-iiftT 
T« ini«  ;  the  other  toward* 
tk*  pol*.,  aa  the  SOCTH-WMT 

rAMIOI  W1XDI. 

The*,  windi  oome  out  at 
r,urt».oftheoalm 
r*.M..:..  »!..i  a  aai  laamtta 
the  place  of  th*  air  born* 
away  in  thii  manner  mart 
b»  lapplied,  w*  BUT  infer, 
br  downward-oiuTMlU  from 
the  itij>*rincambent  air  of 
the  calm  refion.  The  baro- 
meter in  thii  calm  region  it 
ui.l  !•>  Hand  higher  than  it 
doe.  either  to  tne  north  or 
aouth  of  it ;  furnishing  ano- 
ther proof  of  the  hankinf  up 
kere  of  th*  atmtxphrrr.  and 
praarar*  from  iti  downward 

<lnt  our  imaginarj 
partial*  of  air,  from  the 
north  a«roa>  th,.  calm  belt 
of  Cancer,  w*  now  feel  it 

i"    '••'.:     I  Ik r:%  |    :  •     . 

earth  ii)  aa  the  nortk-aaat 
•  nd:  and  a.  anek  it 
continue.,  till  it  arrive,  near 
the  equator,  where  it  meet, 
a  like  hypothetical  particle, 
which,  ttarluw  from  tha 
atmth  pol*  at  the  urn*  lime 
the  ntner  start*,!  from  th* 
north,  baa  blown  aa  th* 

K.M  TII-Il.T  T>tDI  W1«D. 

Here,  at  thi.  equatorial 
place  of  meeting,  there  ia 
another  conflict  of  wind.. 
aad  another  calm  region,  for 


trav''ll>ng,  (F)  to  the  equatorial  calm,  a*  the  aouth-eaat  trade 
•aid  ;  ken  it  aaoaadt,  travelling  thence  to  the  calm  belt  of 
Oaaaer,  a*  an  npper  counter  current  to  the  north-east  trade*. 
Here  it  aaaoaaaa  and  travel,  aa  the  touth-weat  paaaage  wind 
(HI  toward,  tke  pole. 

Of  coune,  at  the  rarface  windi  («  and  l>) 
there  moat  be 
«.    1-.  •.-.  |   ...    . 
theTnearUi.pol*a, 

and  the  ratface  eon , 

and  blow  with  greater  rapidity  at  it  approaehea  th*  polaa,  or 
eUe  a  pirt  of  it  mutt  be  aloughed  off  above,  and  to  turn  back 
before  reaching  Ik*  calm,  about  the  pole*.    The  lattrr 
badly  the  caae. 

There  are  at  leaat  two  f.ircea  ooaotrned  in  driving  the  wind 
through  it.  circuit..  The  trade  windi  an  eaoaed,  it  ii  laid,  hy 
the  iatertropical  heat  of  the  ton,  which,  expanding  th.  air, 
eeuaei  H  to  net  up  near  the  equator;  it  then  flow,  off  in  th.- 
npper  current,  north  and  tenth,  and  there  iianuh  of  air  at  tb.- 
lurface  both  from  north  and  aoulh,  to  re-tor*  the  equilibrium  . 
hence  th.  trade  windi.  The  atmotphere  baa,  however,  been 
iaveated  with  an..th.-r  property  which  increaec.  it*  mobUitv, 
and  give.  th.  heat  of  the  tun  Mill  more  power  to  put  it  in 
motion;  and  it  it  Ihia— at  boat  change,  the  atmospherical 


EQUATORIAL  CALMS  &  RAINS 


CALMS    OF   CAPRICORN. 


almmpher*  that  .tart,  from  tk*  equator,  to  tak*  Ik*  pier*  at 
tk*  other  at  the  pole,  would,  M  it  IraveU  north,  in  cunteqaeart 
ofiu  ru  fmrrH,,  be  going  toward  the  eaat  fatter  than  th*  earth. 
It  would  therefore  appear  to  beblowtagfrom  the  «.uih -.*.!. 
aad  going  toward,  th*  aortk-aaat,  and  .lactly  In  Ih*  oppoaiu 
direction  to  the  other.  Writing  tooth  for  aorta,  the  tarn* 
take.  i.lac*  between  tke  tooth  pole  aad  th*  equator. 

Such  it  the  proceat  wklek  i.  actually  going  oa  la  nature,  aad 
if  w*  tak*  th*  motion,  of  the**  two  particle!  at  the  type  of  Ih* 
motion  of  all,  we  .hall  have  an  illu.li  atlon  of  the  great  eurrrnll 
In  the  air,  tb*  equator  being  nrar  one  of  the  node.,  and  lh*r« 

BW&W,  »  eacftT  "  ""•'"••  -  •»"  "d  "  "*• 
Let  u.  now  return  to  oar  northern  particl*,  and  follow  It  in 
a  roaad  from  tb*  north  pole  aoraat  the  equator  to  the  muih 
pole,  aad  bank  again.  (8*.  Diagram).  Belting  off  from  iht 
north  polar  region.,  at  r.  Una  particle  of  air,  Indeed  of  Im  el- 
ling  on  the  lurface  all  the  way  from  the  pole  to  the  equator, 
travel,  in  the  upper  region!  of  Ike  atmotphere  (i)  till  it  geU 


a  north-rait  and  lonth-emt 
wind  cann.4  blow  at  the 
•am*  lint*  in  Ih*  aam*  j.l.i  *. 
The  two  particle,  hate  beea, 
put  in  motion  by  tk*  aam* 
Pow*r  i  they  meet  with  equal 
lore*  t  and,  therefore,  at 
their  place  of  meeting,  ar* 
•topped  in  their  coune. 
U*re,  therefore,  thrr*  it  a 
•aim  bell. 

Warmed  now  by  the  heat 
of  UM  iun,  and  pretaed  on 
each  lide  br  th*  whole  f.-r.-e 
of  the  north-eait  and  ai>nth- 
eaat  lrad*«,  lh*a«  two  hypo- 
th.tic.1  jiarti. -I.  i,  taken  a.  a 
type  of  the  whole,  eaaa*  to 
move  onward,  and  aaond. 
Thii  o|i*ratioa  la  th*  rer*rM 
of  that  which  took  pier*  at 
tk*  meeting  near  the  parallel 

Thi.   imaginary  partteU, 
tkan.  baring  eaoeodW  to  toe 
r  region,  of  tk*  aimot- 
in,  travela   tn*re 
rtotk*aoathea*t 
i  i   ,1    Ma*]     .,,r 

i  bait  of  Oaprlaora. 
particle  from  tha 
aootk  pol. ;  here  there  la  a 
deacent  aa  before :  it  then 
•owt  oa  toward  the  anuth 
pole  at  a  lurface  wind  (D) 
from  tk*  north-writ. 

Entering  UM  polar  region* 

br  ilmilar  particle,  (lowing 


awd*i  for,  aa  oar  imaginary 
partial*  approach*,  tk*  pa, 
ralleli  near  Ike  polar  aauaa 
•or*  and  monoDBqaar/,  it, 
with  all  the  reel,  la  whirled 
about  ih.poU  in  a  continued 
circular  gal.;  tnally, reach. 
mgtkeTortoi.  or  the  oaha 
plaee.  it  la  carrUd  upward 
feth*  ragioa*  of  atmoapkera 
•bora,  (r)  whenc*  at  com. 
menoaiaraia  tta  dramtt  to 
tk*  aorth  a*  an  upper  ear* 
not,  (>)  a.  far  at  tb*  calm 
ball  of  Capricorn;  her.  it 
encounter,  tt.  fallow  from 
tk*  north ;  they  atop,  d*. 
aaend,  aad  aWoataa  ear. 
fae*  comatt  i  the  one  with 
wkiok  UM  Imagtatlioli  ia 


level,  it  change,  alto  the  tpeeiac  gravity  of  the  air  acted  upon. 
If,  therefore,  tke  level  of  tke  gnat  aerial  ocean  wen  nndia- 
torbed  by  the  tun't  ray.,  and  if  the  air  ware  adapted  to  a  change 
ofapeciacgraritralme.  without  any  ehang*  la  volume/thSe 
quality  would  afto  be  tk*  toon*  of  at  leaat  two  lyitmil  of 
current,  in  tk*  air,  ria.,  an  upper  and  a  lower.  The  two  agent, 
combined,  that  which  change*  lerel  or  volume,  and  that  whk-h 
change,  apectaa  gravity-  give  at  tb*  general  currenti  under 
eoaatdcrattoa.  Hence,  we  tay  that  the  primam  mota*  of  tke 
air  la  demed  from  change  of  epeeinc  gra.ity  induced  by  tke 

.........  .     .  .         , .    .  ...,.•  r 

change  of  apecinc  gravity,  doe  to  the  expaadiag  ton*  of  tk* 
•un'.  ravi  within  the  tropiaa. 

The  peculiar  clooda  of  ike  trad*  wind,  an  (brmed  betwaea 
UM  upper  and  lower  current,  of  air.  Thcr  are  probably  formed 
of  vapour  ooadaaaed  from  tha  upper  current,  and  evaporated 
aa itdaaoaadt  by  tb*  lower  and  dry  carnal  from  th* pole*. 
It  ia  the  tame  paaaomenoa  up  then  whack  it  to  oftea  obaamd 
hen  below;  when  a  co.,1  anddry  current  ofairl 
and  wet  on*,  an  evolution  of  vapour  or  fog  enen 

W*  now  at*  th*  general  coone  of  the  •  wind  in  I 
at  we  tee  the  general  conna  of  the  water  in  a  river.  Then 
are  many  abrading  inrfaee*  and  irrrgulariliet,  which  product 
a  thouiand  eddie.  in  the  main  atream ;  yet, 


loftWwholettaotdiaturbadi 

•  I  to  wit*  the  atmoephere  aad  variable 


I    .   I 


_  _a  aBaaloB  to  Ih*  lawt  of  aatun, 
>d  IBB  III.  Bet  toea  elloaloe.  are  to  often 
da  oftk.  paeobar  aad  graeefml  drapery  wttk 
>  at  mtaaloatiy  abtkaa,  that  U 


ad  baaoty.    A*  oar  kaowledg*  of  aatara 
aaaad,  ao  ha.  oar  aaderataadiag  of  many 

IkA^B  i^*w^**v*tt        TV^  VMA^B!^  T-il-  J    tki 

oewi  aopivraa.     i  ne  namnai  cauea  law 


|_  .L_ 

m  law 


earth  "Ike  roaad  world;"  yet  for  age.  it  wa.  th*  moat 
damtiabtabereeyferCari-Mameatoiay  UM  world  ia  round  ; 
and.  anally,  aailon  rireomnavigated  tk*  gk**,  prored  tk* 
B^toberight,aadaaT*dCtu2atiaaiMoreeMa.Vframtba 
Make. 

And  a*  for  tk*  general  ryttem  of  aftaoapktrlnal  atrrauition 
which  w*  have  endaaToared  to  detcrib*.  tie  BiW.  tell.  ,t  all 
uaaBkriaaaatoaott  "The  wiad  goetk  toward  the  tooth,  and 
taraetk  about  unto  the  aorth;  H  whfcrli  ' 
aad  tk*  wiad  retumetfc 
I.  «. 


LoadoB:  Jamea  awraoldi,  174,  Strand. 


ci 

us  iiu.i-in,    tli,   .ilr  t,,  1-    \  i-'.M.  .  tli.it  we  ,-.,u!,l  HOC  these  differ.  -nt  strata  of  wind*,  ami  tin-  air  as  it   i- 

slough.  d  i  iff  t"r,,in  nin-  stratum  In  ji.in  the  other.     We  can  only  liken  the  spectacle  that  would  be  ) 

L|l  !.,.•!.'.  iiu4      eented  between  the  upj>er  and  the  lower  stratum  of  th,--c  win,U  to  the  combing  of  a  succession  of  l,>n^ 

"••"'  waves  as  they  oome  rolling  in  from  the  sea,  and  breaking  another,  II|M,II  tin-  U-ach.     Tin  y 

ihr  N|.|*r*ud     curl  o\vr  and  are  caught  up,  leaving  foam  from  their  uliit.-  ,.ip-  In-hind.  hut  nevertheleBs  stirring 

l««rr  curirni«.      up  tlu>  sell  and  mixing  up  its  watan  BO  M  to  keep  tin-la  all  aliki-. 

It'  ill.-  ..'din  ii;.  .  -  .  i  Yituiv  i,.|iiin>  a  constant  rin-iilatinn  and  continual  mixing  up  of  the  water  in  tin 
-  -a.  tii  ii  it  I  •.-.-.  .m.-  i,,-t  stagnant,  and  that  it  may  be  kept  in  a  wholesome  state  for  it-  iah.ilMtants,  and 
subserve  l>io]»-il\  tin-  various  offices  required  of  it  in  tin-  !•  m«trial  economy,  how  imirh  an,  ii-  iai|H-rati\i- 
must  they  not  In-  with  tin-  iiir?  It  in  more  liable  to  corruption  than  water;  stagnation  in  ruinous  to  it. 


It  i-  U'tli  tin-  -.  xv.-r  ami  the  laboratory  I',>r  tin-  whole  animal  and  vegetable  kingdom*.     Ceaseless  motion  has  been 

•i  to  it  ;  p,  i]»  tiul  i  ii.-tilatioii  ami   intermingling  of  its  ingmlientH  are  required  of  it.     Personal  experience 

teaches  utt  thin,  as  is  manifest  in  tin-  rmigni-i  ,1  n.  ,-.-—  iu  ,.!'  \,-ntilation  in  our  building"  —  tin-  wholesome  influence* 

•  I  fresh  air,  ami  tin'  noxious  <  |  mil  i  tics  of  ••  un  atmosphere  that  has  no  i-in-ulation."     II,  m,.  ,-•  .iiiiini.il  mixing  up  of 

(•articles  in  tin-  atin<«.]ihi-ri-  U-inj;  nx|uirt^l  of  tin-  winds   in   their  cm-nits,  is  it  poauble  for  the  human  miml  t,. 

i-oin-.-ivi-of  tin-  a]  i]  H,  in  t  incut  ••!'  "  cin-iiitM  ''  for  them  (S  '2\>'<  i  which  are  so  admirably  designed  ami  i-v|iiisit,-ly  tulupted 

•  in-  purpose  as  are  those  which  this  view  miggeeta  ? 

I'.y  ill--  in.  -I;..  n  of  tin-  clouds  iipjh-r  curn-nU  of  wind  are  discerned  in  the  sky.  They  are  arranged  in 
'I'll.-  up|*r  layers  or  strata  one  above  the  other.  The  clouds  of  each  stratum  are  carried  by  its  winds  in  a  direction 
•  and  with  a  velocity  peculiar  to  their  stratum.  How  many  of  these  superimposed  currents  of  wiml  tin-re 
btniind  ™ay  be  between  the  top  and  bottom  of  the  atmosphere  we  know  not.  As  high  up  as  the  cloud-region 
several  are  often  seen  at  the  same  time.  They  are  pinions  and  rachets  in  the  atmospherical  machinery. 
\v-  •  have  seen  (§  230)  some  of  their  uses:  let  us  examine  tln-m  more  in  detail.  Now,  as  the  tendency  of  air  in 
nioti..n  i-  (?  120)  to  move  in  arcs  of  great  circles,  and  as  all  great  circles  that  can  bo  drawn  about  the  earth  must 
cross  each  other  in  t\\o  points,  it  is  evident  that  the  particles  of  the-  atan-pln-ie  which  are  borne  along  as  wiml 
must  have  their  patks  all  in  diverging  or  converging  lines,  and  that  conHcijuently  each  wind  must  either  U-,  like  the 
tra,l.--wimls  (  §  'J'J'J  ).  drawing  down  and  sucking  in  air  from  above,  or,  like  the  counter  trades  (S  22(5),  crowding  out 
and  forcing  it  oft'  into  the  ii]i]»-r  currents. 

Thus  the  laws  of  motion,  the  force  of  gravity,  and  the  figure  of  the  earth,  all  unite  in  requiring  • 
Th»  result!    wind  that  blows  either  to  force  air  up  from  the  surface  into  the  regions  above,  or  to  draw  it  down  to  the 
earth  from  the  crystal  vaults  of  the  upper  sky.     Add  to  these  the  storm-king:  —  traversing  the  air,  he 
:..,',.    thrusts  in  the  whirlwind  or  scndx  forth  the  cyclone,  the  tornado,  aiul  tin-  hurricane  to  stir  up  and  agitate. 
to  mix  and  mingle  the  whole  in  one  homogeneous  mass.     I'.y  this  p.  i|«  tual  stirring  up,  this  continual 
agitation,  motion,  mixing,  and  circulation,  the  airy  covering  of  the  globe  is  kept  in  that  state  which  tin-  w,  II 
being  of  the  organic  world  requires.      Kvery  breath  we  draw,  every  fire  we  kimll  Mudi-  of  gram  that 

grows  or  decays,  every  blaze  that  shines  and  burns  adds  something  that  is  noxious,  or  takes  something  that  is 
healthful  away  from  the  surrounding  air.  Diligent,  therefore,  in  their  offices  must  the  agents  be  which  have  been 
:i]M...int,-il  to  maintain  the  chemical  status  of  the  atmosphere,  to  preserve  its  proportions,  to  adjust  its  ingredients. 
and  to  keep  them  in  that  state  of  admixture  best  calculated  to  fit  it  for  its  purposes. 

nil  years  ago  the  French  Academy  sent  out  bottles  and  caused  specimens  of  air  from  various  parts 
Kiferi-        of  the  world  to  be  collected  and  brought  home  to  be  analysed.     The  nicest  tests  which  the  most  skilful 
iT^n-m-h    cheini-ste  could  apply  were  incapable  of  del"  f,  the  slightest,  difference  as  to  ingredients  in  the' 

\<»\ftaj.     specimens  from  either  side  of  the  equator;  so  thorough  in  the  performance  of  their  oflice  are  these  a- 

thclcss,  there  are  a  great  many  more  demands  on  the  atmosphere  by  the  organic  world  for  pabulum  in  one 
hemisphere  than  in  the  other;  and  consequently  a  great  many  more  inequalities  for  these  agent*  to  restore  in  ,.m 
than  in  tin  ,  .th.-r.  Of  the  two.  tin  land  of  our  hemisphere  most  teems  with  life,  and  here  the  atmosphere  is  moat 
:.  Men-  tin-  hearth-tone  of  tin-  human  family  lias  been  laid.  Id  re.  with  our  fires  in  winter  and  our  crops  in 
summer,  with  our  workshops,  stuuii-engines,  and  fiery  furnaces  going  night  and  day  —  with  the  ceaseless  and 
almost  limitless  demands  which  the  animal  and  vegetal,  It-  kingdoms  are  making  upon  the  air  overhead,  we  cannot 
•  the  slightest  difference  between  atmospherical  ingredients  in  different  hemispheres  :  and  yet  notwith- 
standing tin-  i  -oni]  »  nsatioiis  and  adjustments  l»-t\v,-vn  the  two  kingdoms  of  the  organic  world,  then;  are  almost  in 
every  n.  ijil-.tirh,--!  causes  at  work  which  would  prodmv  a  difference  were  it  not  for  these  ascending  and 
descending  columns  of  air—  were  it  not  for  the  ol«-<lieiit  winds—  for  this  U-nign  syst.-m  of  circulation—  these  littl,- 
cogs  and  raeln  ts  whieh  have  ln-eii  provided  for  its  ]~-rf,-<-t  working.  The  study  of  its  mechanism  is  good  ami 
wholesome  in  its  influemt*.  and  the  contemplation  of  it  well  i-ileulii-d  to  ,  \,-itc  in  the  bosom  of  right-minded 
phii  :  he  deepest  am  :  motions. 

3  n  -1 


486  ASTEA  CASTRA.  APPENDIX. 

238.  Upon  the  proper  adjustments  of  the  dynamical  forces  which  keep  up  these  ceaseless  movements  the  life 
How  sup-     of  organic  nature  depends.     If  the  air  that  is  breathed  were  not  taken  away  and  renewed,  warm-blooded 
fresh  air  are  ^6  would  cease ;  if  carbon,  and  oxygen,  and  hydrogen,  and  water  were  not  in  due  quantities  dispensed 
brought        by  the  restless  air  to  the  flora  of  the  earth,  all  vegetation  would  perish  for  lack  of  food.     That  our  planet 
the  upper     mav  bo  liable  to  no  such  calamity,  power  has  been  given  to  the  wayward  wind,  as  it  "  bloweth  where  it 
*ky.             listeth,"  to  bring  down  from  the  pure  blue  sky  fresh  supplies  of  life-giving  air  wherever  it  is  wanted,  and 
to  catch  up  from  the  earth  wherever  it  may  be  found,  that  which  has  become  stale — to  force  it  up,  there  to  be  deflagrated 
among  the  clouds,  purified  and  renovated  by  processes  known  only  to  Him  whose  ministers  they  are.     The  slightest 
change  in  the  purity  of  the  atmosphere,  though  it  may  be  too  slight  for  recognition  by  chemical  analysis  in  the 
laboratory,  is  sure  to  be  detected  by  its  effects  upon  the  nicer  chemistry  of  the  human  system,  for  it  is  known  to  be 
productive  of  disease  and  death.     No  chemical  tests  are  sensitive  enough  to  tell  us  what  those  changes  are,  but 
experience  has  taught  us  the  necessity  of  ventilation  in  our  buildings,  of  circulation  through  our  groves.     The  cry 
in  cities  for  fresh  air  from  the  mountains  or  the  sea,  reminds  us  continually  of  the  life-giving  virtues  of  circulation. 
Experience  teaches  that  all  air  when  pent  up  and  deprived  of  circulation  becomes  impure  and  poisonous. 

239.  How  minute,  then,  pervading,  and  general,   benignant,   sure,   and   perfect  must  be  that  system  of 
Beautiful      circulation  which  invests  the  atmosphere  and  makes  "  the  whole  world  kin  "  !     In  the  system  of  vertical 
arrange-"     circulation  which  I  have  been  endeavouring  to  describe,  we  see,  as  in  a  figure,  the  lither  sky  filled  with 
nients.          crystal  vessels  full  of  life-giving  air  continually  ascending  and  descending  between  the  bottom  and  the 
top  of  the  atmospherical  ocean ;  these  buckets  are  let  down  by  invisible  hands  from  above,  and,  as  they  are  taken 
up  again,  they  carry  oif  from  the  surface,  to  be  purified  in  the  laboratory  of  the  skies,  phials  of  mephitic  vapours 
and  noxious  gases,  with  the  dank  and  deadly  air  of  marshes,  ponds,  and  rivers. 

240.  \Vhenever,  by  study  and  research,  we  succeed  in  gaining  an  insight,  though  never  so  dim,  into  any  one 
Their  influ    °^  ^ne  offices  for  which  any  particular  part  of  the  physical  machinery  of  our  planet  was  designed  by  the 
ences  upon    Great  Architect,  the  mind  is  enriched  with  the  conviction  that  it  has  comprehended  a  thought  that  was 

ie  mm  .  entertained  at  the  creation.  For  this  reason  the  beautiful  compensations  which  philosophers  have 
discovered  in  terrestrial  arrangements  are  sources  of  never-failing  wonder  and  delight.  How  often  have  we  been 
called  on  to  admire  the  benign  provision  by  which  fresh  water  is  so  constituted  that  it  expands  from  a  certain 
temperature  down  to  freezing !  We  recognise  in  the  formation  of  ice  on  the  top  instead  of  at  the  bottom  of  freezing 
water,  an  arrangement  which  subserves,  in  manifold  ways,  wise  and  beneficent  purposes.  So,  too,  when  we  discern 
in  the  upper  sky  (§  234)  currents  of  wind  arranged  in  strata  one  above  the  other,  and  running  hither  and  thither 
in  different  directions,  may  we  not  say  that  we  can  here  recognise  also  at  least  one  of  the  fore-ordained  offices  of 
these  upper  winds  ?  That  by  sending  down  fresh  air  and  taking  up  foul,  they  assist  in  maintaining  the  world  in 
that  state  in  which  it  was  made  and  for  which  it  is  designed — "  a  habitation  fit  for  man  "  ? 

Reservoirs  248 Thus  we  infer  the  existence  in  the  upper  air  of  reservoirs  for  the  heat  as  well  as  of 

in  the  sky.    chambers  for  the  cold. 

251.  We  now  see  the  general  course  of  the  "  wind  in  his  circuits,"  as  we  see  the  general  course  of  the  water 
The  wind  in  in  a  river.  There  are  many  abraiding  surfaces,  irregularities,  &c.,  wliich  produce  a  thousand  eddies  in 
his  circuits.  the  main  stream ;  yet,  nevertheless,  the  general  direction  of  the  whole  is  not  disturbed  nor  affected  by 
those  counter-currents ;  so  with  the  atmosphere  and  the  variable  winds  which  we  find  here  in  this  latitude.  Have 
I  not,  therefore,  very  good  grounds  for  the  opinion  (§  200)  that  the  "  wind  in  his  circuits,"  though  apparently  to  us 
never  so  wayward,  is  as  obedient  to  law  and  as  subservient  to  order  as  were  the  morning  stars  when  first  they 
•"'  sang  together  "  ? 

259.  Let  us  consider  this  influence.     A  cubic  foot  of  water,  being  converted  into  vapour,  occupies  the  space 
Vapour  as     of  1800  cubic  feet.*     This  vapour  is  also  lighter  than  the  1800  cubic  feet  of  air  which  it  displaces.    Thus, 
one  of  the     jf  £he  displaced  air  weigh  1000  ounces,  the  vapour  will  weigh  623  ;  consequently,  when  air  is  surcharged 
the  trade-     with  vapour,  the  atmosphere  is  bulged  out  above,  and  the  barometric  pressure  is  diminished  in  proportion 
winds.          ^o  the  volume  which  flows  off  above  in  consequence  of  this  bulging  out.    Thus,  if  we  imagine  the  air  over 
the  Atlantic  Ocean  to  be  all  in  a  state  of  rest,  and  that  suddenly  during  this  calm,  columns  of  vapour  were  to  com- 
mence rising  from  the  middle  of  this  ocean,  we  can  understand  how  the  wind  would  commence  to  flow  into  this 
central  space  from  all  around.     Xow,  if  we  imagine  no  other  disturbing  cause  to  arise,  but  suppose  the  evaporation 
from  this  central  area  to  go  on  with  ceaseless  activity,  we  can  see  that  there  would  be  a  system  of  winds  in  the 
Atlantic  as  steady,  but  perhaps  not  so  strong  as  the  trades,  yet  owing  their  existence,  nevertheless,  merely  to  the 
formation  of  aqueous  vapour.     But  this  is  not  all. 

260.  "  During  the  conversion  of  solids  into  liquids,  or  of  liquids  into  vapours,  heat  is  absorbed,  which  is  again 


*  Black  and  Watt's  Experiments  on  Heat. 


I.INEB  OF  M  \'.\I:TIC  FOI;<  i 

i  -nt  on  tln-ir  i.-iMn.len>ation."  •      In  tin-  proooaa  of  converting  one  meaaure  of  water  into  V»JH.HI 
RUck'ibw    ''"""^''  '"  "'•~'rl»-<l     i. •-..  ivnJeml  latent,  without  mining  the  temperature  of  the  vapour  in  the  leaM     t.. 

raise  the  !•  IU|H mtui.'  nf  1 i  siu-h  measure*  of  water  1°;   when  thin  vapour  is  condensed  again  into 

i .  wherever  tin-  place  of  reooiulenHatiun  may  be,  thia  heat  ia  act  free  again.     If  it  bo  Mill  I'm  th.-r  condensed,  an 
into  li.iil  ur  MIOW,  the  latent  heat  rendered  m-nsiM.    during  the  prooeaa  of  conflation  would  be  sufficient  t<> 
tin-  teiii|n-rature  (.!'  H<»  ,-iililitioiml  measures  of  water  1°. 

_'il.  In  this  heat  reml.-!.-.!  latent  liy  the  proooaaea  of  evaporation,  and  transported  hither  and  thither  l.y  Un- 
winds, reaidee  the  chief  source  of  the  dynamical  power  which  gives  them  motion.  I  n  Home  aspect*  vapour 
ported  in  *"  to  *MI>  winds  what  fuel  ia  to  the  ateam-engine :  they  carry  it  to  the  equatorial  calm  1»  It  .  there  it  rist-H, 
vapour.  entangling  th.-  air.  and  carrying  it  up  along  with  it  aa  it  goes.  As  it  ascends  it  expands ;  aa  it  expands 
it  Lcrows  cool ;  and  aa  it  does  this  its  vapour  ia  condensed,  the  latent  heat  of  which  is  thus  lilierated  ;  thia  rais.  -.  i  In  • 
t.  iii|»-ra!im-  nf  tin-  upper  air,  cau^ih-  it  to  be  rarefied  and  to  aaoond  still  higher.  This  increaaed  run-faction  call* 
fir  incrraaed  velocity  on  the  part  of  the  inpouring  trade-winds  below. 

I'liJ.  Thus  tlie  vapours  uniting  with  the  direct  solar  ray  would,  wore  there  no  counteracting  influences,  cause 

Theeff«t      the  north-cast  and  south-east  trade-winda  to  rush  in  with  equal  force.     I'.ut  there  is  on  the  polar  side  "I 

:""      the  north-cast  trade-winds  an  immense  area  of  arid  plains  for  the  heat  of  the  solar  ray  to  boat  down 

•trtA  u|~'ii 

th*  ir.i.!.-     ii]" 'ii,  also  an  area  of  immense  precipitation.     These  two  sources  of  heat  hold  back  the  north-east  trade 
winds,  aa  it  were,  and,  when  the  two  arc  united,  aa  they  are  in  India,  they  are  suftieient   not  only  t.. 
In 'lil  Kick  tin-  north-east  trade-wind,  but  to  reverse  it,  causing  the  south-west  monaoon  to  blow  for  half  the  year 
instead  of  the  north-east  trade. 

\\.-  now  begin  to  conceive  what  a  powerful  machine  the  atmosphere  must  be;  and,  though  it  is 
Powerful  apparently  so  capricious  and  wayward  in  its  movements,  here  ia  evidence  of  order  and  arrangement 
nuichinrrr.  which  \ve  must  admit,  and  proof  which  we  cannot  deny,  that  it  performs  this  might}'  office  with  regularity 
and  certainty,  and  is  therefore  as  obedient  to  a  law  aa  ia  the  steam-engine  to  the  will  of  ito  builder.  It,  too,  is  an 
engine.  The  South  Seaa  themselves,  in  all  their  vast  intortropical  extent,  are  the  boiler  for  it,  and  the  northern 
hemisphere  is  its  condenser  (§  24).  The  mechanical  power  exerted  by  the  air  and  the  sun  in  lifting  water  from 
the  earth,  in  transporting  it  from  one  place  to  another,  and  in  lotting  it  down  again,  is  inconceivably  great.  Tin- 
utilitarian  who  compares  the  water-power  that  the  Falls  of  Niagara  would  afford  if  applied  to  machinery,  in 
Mtorfdwd  at  the  number  of  figures  which  are  required  to  express  its  equivalent  in  horse-power.  Yet  what  is  the 
.  horse-power  of  the  Niagara,  falling  a  few  steps,  in  comparison  with  the  horse-power  that  i-  required  to  lift  up  as 
liiiili  as  the  clouds  and  let  down  again  all  the  water  that  ia  discharged  into  the  aea,  not  only  by  thia  river,  l.ut  l>\ 
all  the  other  rivers  and  all  the  rain  in  the  world  ?  The  calculation  lias  been  made  by  engineers,  and,  according  to 
it.  the  force  for  making  and  lifting  vapour  from  each  area  of  one  acre  that  is  included  on  the  surface  of  the  earth 
is  equal  to  the  power  of  thirty  horses. 

345.  \\  here  shall  those  who  are  disposed  to  March,  look  for  thia  other  agent  that  is  supposed  to  be  concerned 
with  the  trade-winds  in  their  easting  ?  I  cannot  say  where  it  is  to  bo  found,  but  considering  the  i  • 
discoveries  in  terrestrial  magnetism — considering  the  cloae  relations  between  many  of  its  phenomena  and 
in  the  »ir.  those  both  of  heat  and  electricity — the  question  may  be  asked  whether  some  power  capable  of  guiding 
"the  wind  in  his  circuits"  may  not  lurk  there?  Oxygen  comprises  more  than  one-fifth  part  (two-ninths)  of  the 
atmosphere,  and  Faraday  has  discovered  that  oxygen  ia  para-magnetic.  If  a  bar  of  iron  be  suspended  between 
the  poles  of  a  magnet,  it  will  arrange  itself  axially,  and  point  towards  them;  but  if,  instead  of  iron,  a  bur  nf 
l>isiiiuih  lie  used,  it  will  arrange  itself  equatorially,  and  point  in  a  direction  perpendicular  to  that  in  whi.-h  the 
iron  pointed.  To  distinguish  these  two  kinds  of  forces,  Dr.  Faraday  has  said  iron  ia  para-magnetic,  bismuth 
dia-uiagiictic.  Oxygen  and  iron  belong  to  the  same  class,  and  all  substances  in  nature  belong  to  one  or  the  otln  i 
of  the  two  classes  of  which  iron  and  bismuth  are  the  types. 

•')-)'>.  This  eminent  philosopher  has  also  shown  that  if  yon  place  a  magnetised  bar  of  iron  on  a  smooth  BUI  • 
I  in«  of       and  8'ft  fino  iron-filings  down  upon  it,  these  filings  will  arrange  themselves  in  curved  lines  ;  or,  if  the  bar 
magnetic      be  broken,  they  will  arrange  themselves.     The  earth  itself,  or  the  atmospheric  envelope  by  which  it  i- 
tonf'  surrounded,  ia  a  moat  powerful  magnet,  ami  tin-  lines  of  force  which  proceed  whether  from  its  interior, 

its  solid  shell,  or  vaporous  covering,  are  held  to  bo  just  such  lines  as  those  are  which  surround  artificial  magi; 
proceed  whence  they  may,  they  are  supposed  to  extend  through  the  atmosphere,  and  to  reach  even  to  the  plain 
spaces.     Many  eminent  men  and  profound  thinkers.  Sir  David  Brewster  among  them,  suspect  that  the  atmoKpln  n 
itself  is  the  seat  of  terrestrial  magnetism.     All  admit  that  many  of  those  agents,  both  thermal  ami  el.-etrii  .il. 


It  is  an  important  one.  ami  should  bt  n-in- 


488  ASTRA  CASTEA.  APPENDIX. 

which  play  highly  important  parts  in  the  meteorology  of  our  planet,  exercised  a  marked  influence  upon  the  magnetic- 
condition  of  the  atmosphere  also. 

347.  Now,  when,  referring  to  Dr.  Faraday's  discovery  (§  345),  and  the  magnetic  lines  of  force  as  shown 
The  ma<r-     by  the  iron-filings  (§  34(i),  we  compare  the  particles  of  oxygen  gas  to  these  minute  bits  of  ferruginous 

ices  ofthe  (^ust  ^a*  arrallg0  themselves  in  lines  and  cui  ves  about  magnets ; — when  we  reflect  that  this  great  magnet, 
oxygen  of  the  earth,  is  surrounded  by  a  para-magnetic  gas,  to  the  molecules  of  which  the  finest  atom  from  the  file 
of'the'Vots  's  ™  comparison  gross  and  ponderous  matter ;  that  the  entire  mass  of  this  air  is  equivalent  to  a  sea  of 
on  the  sun.  mercury  covering  the  earth  around  and  over  to  the  depth  of  thirty  inches,  and  that  this  very  subtile  mass  is 
in  a  state  of  unstable  equilibrium,  and  in  perpetual  commotion  by  reason  of  various  and  incessant  disturbing  causes  ; 
when  we  reflect  farther  upon  the  recent  discoveries  of  Schwabe  and  of  Sabine  concerning  the  spots  on  the  sun  and 
the  magnetic  elements  of  the  earth,  which  show  that  if  the  sun  or  its  spots  be  not  the  great  fountain  of  magnetism, 
there  is  at  least  reason  to  suspect  a  close  alliance  between  solar  and  terrestrial  magnetism ;  that  certain  well-known 
meteorological  phenomena,  as  the  aurora,  come  also  within  the  category  of  magnetic  phenomena  ;  that  the  magnetic 
poles  of  the  earth  and  the  poles  of  maximum  cold  are  at  or  near  the  same  spot ;  that  the  thermal  equator  is  not 
parallel  to  or  coincident  with  either  the  terrestrial  or  with  that  which  the  direct  solar  ray  would  indicate,  but  that 
it  follows,  and  in  its  double  curvatures  conforms  to  the  magnetic  equator;  moreover,  when  we  reflect  upon 
Barlow's  theory  and  Fox's  observations,  which  go  to  show  that  the  direction  of  metallic  veins  of  the  northern 
hemisphere,  which  generally  lie  north-east  and  south-westwardly,  must  have  been  influenced  by  the  direction 
of  the  magnetic  meridians  of  the  earth  or  air ; — finally,  I  say,  when  we  reflect  upon  magnetism  in  all  its  aspects,  we 
may  well  inquire  whether  such  a  mass  of  highly  magnetic  gas  as  that  which  surrounds  our  planet  does  not 
intervene,  by  reason  of  its  magnetism,  in  influencing  the  circulation  of  the  atmosphere  and  the  course  of 
the  winds. 

348.  This  magnetic  sea,  as  the  atmosphere  may  le  called,  is  continually  agitated ;  it  is  disturbed  in  its  movements 
The  needle    by  various   influences   which  prevent  it  from  adjusting  itself  to  any  permanent  magnetic   or  other 
urnal  varia-  dynamical  status ;  and  its  para-magnetic  properties  are  known  to  vary  with  every  change  of  pressure  or 
tions,  the      of  temperature.     The  experiments  of  Faraday  show  that  the  magnetic  force  of  the  air  changes  with 
?n  \tTraKl-    temperature  ;  that  it  is  least  near  the  equator,  and  greatest  at  the  poles  of  maximum  cold ;  that  it  varies 
ings,  and      with  the  seasons,  and  changes  night  and  day ;  nay,  the  atmosphere  has  regular  variations  in  its  electrical 
sphe^™'""     conditions  expressed  daily  at  stated  hours  of  maximum  and  minimum  tension.     Coincident  with  this,  and 
its  electrical  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  but  especially  in  sub-tropical  latitudes,  the  barometer  also  has  its  maxima  and 
hareAe       minima  readings  for  the  day.     So  also,  and  at  the  same  hours,  the  needle  attains  the  maxima  and  minima 
same  hours   of  its  diurnal  variations.     Without  other  timepiece,  the  hour  of  the  day  may  be  told  by  these  maxima 
maxima  and  an(^  minima>  eacn  group  of  which  occurs  twice  a  day  and  at  six-hour  intervals.     These  invisible  ebbings 
minima.       and  Sowings — the  diurnal  change  in  the  electrical  tension — the  diurnal  variation  of  the  needle — and 
the  diurnal  rising  and  falling  of  the  barometer — follow  each  other  as  closely  and  as  surely,  if  not  quite  as  regularly, 
as  night  the  day.    Any  cause  which  produces  changes  in  atmospheric  pressure  invariably  puts  it  in  motion,  giving 
rise  to  gentle  airs  or  furious  gales,  according  to  degree ;  and  here,  at  least,  we  have  a  relation  between  the  move- 
ments in  the  air  and  the  movements  of  the  needle  so  close  that  it  is  difficult  to  say  which  is  cause,  which  effect,  or 
whether  the  two  be  not  the  effects  of  a  common  cause. 

349.  Indeed,  such  is  the  nature  of  this  imponderable  called  magnetism,  and  such  the  suggestions  made  by 
The  ques-     Faraday's  discoveries,  that  the  question  has  been  raised  in  the  minds  of  the  most  profound  philosophers 
I    modern    °^  ^e  aSe  whether  the  various  forces  of  light,  heat,  and  gravitation,  of  chemical  affinity,  electricity,  and 
researches,     magnetism,  may  not  yet  be  all  traced  to  one  common  source.     Surety,  then,  it  cannot  be  considered  as 
unphilosophical  to  inquire  of  magnetism  for  some  of  the  anomalous  movements  that  are  observed  in  the  atmosphere. 
These  anomalies  are  many ;  they  are  not  confined  to  the  easting  of  the  trade- winds ;  they  are  to  be  found  in  the 
counter-trades  and  the  culm  belts  also.     There  is  reason  to  believe,  as  has  already  been  stated  (§  288),  that  there 
is  a  crossing  of  the  winds  at  the  calm  belts  (§  212),  and  it  was  promised  to  go  more  into  detail  concerning  the 
circumstances  which  seem  to  favour  this  belief.     Our   researches   have  enabled  us,  for  instance,  to  trace  from 
the  belt  of  calms,  near  the  tropic  of  Cancer,  which  extends  entirely  across  the  seas,  an  efflux  of  air  both  to  the  north 
and  to  the  south.     From  the  south  side  of  this  belt  the  air  flows  in  a  steady  breeze,  called  the  north-east  trade- 
winds,  towards  the  equator  (see  Plate) ;  on  the  north  side  of  it,  the  prevailing  winds  come  from  it  also,  but  they  go 
towards  the  north-east.     They  are  the  well-known  westerly  winds  which  prevail  along  the  route  from  this  country 
to  England  in  the  ratio  of  two  to  one.     But  why  should  we  suppose  a  crossing  to  take  place  here  ?     We  suppose  so 
from  those  facts  :  because  throughout  Europe — the  land  upon  which  these  westerly  winds  blow — precipitation  is  in 
excess  of  evaporation,  and  because  at  sea  they  are  going  from  a  warmer  to  a  colder  climate  ;  and  therefore  it  may 


I'HYMi'Al.   M\r|||\T.n    OP  OUB  PLANET, 

In'  iiil'.-i  i-.  .1  th.it  x  ,ime  exacts  from  them  what  we  know  she  <  MI  tin-  air  under  Mmil.it  circumstanceM,  but 

on  .-i  smaller  scale,  before  OOP  eyes,  via.,  more  precipitation  than  evaporation.  In  nth.-r  w..ids.  tin  \-  pi..Kil.l\  leave 
in  tl,.-  Atl.mtie  as  much  vapour  as  they  tak<>  \\\>  lV..iu  the  Atbinti.-.  'I'll,  n  where,  it  nmy  bo  asked,  does  the  vapour 
which  t  heite  winds  carry  along,  for  the  replenishing  of  the  whole  «xtnt-tropiml  n-^ii.ii-.  ..I"  tin- north,  come  from? 
'I'll- A-  ili'l  11  •  got  it  as  they  came  al..ng  in  tin-  U|.|«T  regions,  as  a  count.  <  current  to  tin-  n.itth-east  trade*,  union 
they  e\.i|>.. rat.d  tlio  trade-win. 1  clouds,  and  so  robbed  those  winds  of  their  vapour.  They  certainly  did  not  get 

it  t i  tin-  Mirtlii f  the  sea  in  the  calm  belt  ••!'  '  r  they  did  not  tarry  long  enough  there  to  become 

Mitin-.it. ••!  -with  moisture.  Thus  circumstances  again  pointed  to  the  south-east  trade-wind  regions  aa  the  place 
..f  Mi|.].ly.  Tliis  ([iiestion  has  been  fully  discussed  [in  Chapter  V.  ..f  •  The  Physical  Geography  «(  the  8«a'J,  «  ' 
it  has  been  «hown  they  iliil  in  it  get  it  fn.in  the  Atlantic.  Moreover,  them  researches  afforded  grounds  for  the 
supposition  that  the  air  ..f  which  the  north-east  trade-winds  are  composed,  and  which  comes  out  of  the  same 
cone  of  calms  as  do  these  south-westerly  winds,  so  far  from  being  saturated  with  vapour  at  its  exodus,  is  dry ; 
t'.ir  near  thi'ir  polar  edge,  the  north-east  trade-winds  are,  for  the  most  part,  dry  winds. 

'.  Facts  seem  to  confirm  this,  and  the  calm  belt*  «•!' '  'an. ••  -r  .m.l  <  '.ijn-i.-orn  l*>th  throw  a  flood  of  light  II|MHI 
Wet  *nd  the  subject  These  are  two  bands  of  light  airs,  calms,  and  baffling  winds,  whi.-h  extend  entirely  around 
the^lm  ^e  ***&•  The  air  flows  out  north  and  south  from  those  belts.  That  which  n.m.-s  out  on  the  equatorial 
Mu.  side  goes  to  feed  the  trades,  and  makes  a  dry  wind  ;  that  which  flows  out  on  the  polar  side  goes  to  t'< .  •! 

the  counter  -trades  (5  849),  and  is  a  rain  wind.     I  low  is  it  that  we  can  have  from  the  sa trough  or  receiver,  a* 

these  calm  belts  may  be  called,  an  efflux  of  dry  air  on  one  side  anil  of  moist  on  the  other?  Antrwer:  upon  the 
snp|><.sition  that  the  air  without  rain  comes  from  one  quarter,  that  with  rain  from  another  that,  fuming  from 
opposite  dinvtions  to  this  place  of  meeting,  where  there  is  a  crowing,  they  pass  each  other  in  thi'ir  circuits.  Th.  y 
both  meet  here  an  upjx-r  currents,  and  how  could  there  be  ft  crossing,  without  an  agent  or  influence  to  guide  them  ? 
and  why  in  the  search  should  we  not  look  to  magnetism  for  this  agent  as  well  aa  to  any  other  of  the  hidden 
iiiHuemvs  which  are  concerned  in  giving  to  the  winds  their  force  and  direction  ? 

351.  He  that  established  the  earth  "created  it  not  in  vain;  Ho  formed  it  to  be,  inhaliit.-d."  And  it  in 
Principle  presumptuous,  arrogant,  and  impious  to  attempt  the  study  of  its  machinery  IIIMUI  any  other  theory  :  it  veat 
aeooiJin<  made  to  be  inhabited.  How  could  it  bo  inhabitable  but  for  the  sending  of  the  early  mid  the  latter  rain? 

!i.al  How  can  the  rain  be  sent  except  by  the  winds?  and  how  can  the  tickle  winds  do  their  errands  unless 
machinery  they  have  a  guide  ?  Suppose  a  new  piece  of  human  mechanism  were  shown  to  one  of  us,  and  we  were 
told  the  object  of  it  was  to  measure  time;  now,  if  wo  should  seek  to  examine  it  with  the  view  to  under 
ihould  be  stand  its  construction,  would  we  not  set  out  upon  the  principle — the  theory — that  it  was  made  to  measure 
»iudi«i.  time?  By  proceeding  on  any  other  supposition  or  theory  we  should  !»•  infallibly  led  into  error.  And 
so  it  is  with  the  physical  machinery  of  the  world.  The  theory  upon  which  this  work  is  conducted  is  that  the  earth 
wit  made  for  man  ;  and  I  submit  that  no  part  of  the  machinery  by  which  it  is  maintained  in  a  condition  tit  for  him 
is  left  to  chance,  any  more  than  the  bit  of  mechanism  by  which  man  measures  time  is  h-ft  to  go  by  chance. 

356.  Notwithstanding  the  amount  of  circumstantial  evidence  that  has  already  been  brought  to  show  that  the 
Th«  ue*-  a'r  which  the  north-east  and  the  south-east  trade-winds  discharge  into  the  belt*  of  ei (tutorial  calms, 

«•     does,  in  ascending,  cross — that  from  the  southern  passing  over  into  the  northern,   and  that  from    tin- 

'  rf  northern  passing  over  into  the  southern  hemisphere  (see  diagram) — yet  some  have  implied  doubt  by 
nil-crow?  asking  the  question,  "How  are  two  such  currents  of  air  to  pass  each  other?"  And.  for  the  want 
answered.  Qj.  jjgjj^  Upnn  fhi«  point,  the  correctness  of  my  reasoning,  facts,  inferences,  and  deductions  have  l-.n 
questioned.  In  the  first  place,  it  may  be  said  in  reply,  the  belt  of  equatorial  calms  is  often  several  hundred  j,,\\,- 
across,  seldom  less  than  sixty:  whereas  the  depth  of  the  volume  of  air  that  the  trade-winds  pour  into  it  is  only 
about  three  miles,  for  that  is  supposed  to  be  about  the  height  to  which  the  trade-winds  extend.  Thus  wo  have  the 
air  passing  into  these  palms  by  an  opening  on  the  north  side  for  the  north-east  trades,  and  another  on  the  south 
for  the  south-east  trades,  having  a  cross  section  of  three  miles  vertically  to  each  opening.  It  then  escapes  by  an 
•  '[-•iiing  upward,  the  ITOSS  section  of  which  is  sixty  or  one  hundred,  or  even  three  hundred  miles.  A  very  slow 
motion  upward  there  will  carry  off  the  air  in  that  direction  as  fast  as  the  two  systems  of  trade-winds,  with  thm 
motion  of  twenty  miles  an  hour,  can  pour  it  in  ;  and  that  curd*  or  flake»  of  air  can  readily  cross  each  other  and  paw 
in  different  directions  without  interfering  the  one  with  the  other,  or  at  least  without  interfering  to  that  degree 
which  prevents,  we  all  know.  The  brown  fields  in  summer  afford  evid.ni-e  in  a  striking  manner  of  the  fact  that, 
in  nature.  Hikes.  luts,  or  curdles  of  air  do  really  move  among  each  other  without  nlr-t ruction.  That 

tremulous  motion  which  we  so  often  observe  above  stubble-fields,  barren  wastes,  or  above  any  heated  surfa 
caused  by  the  ascent  and  descent,  at  one  and  the  same  time.  ,,f  flakes  of  air  at  dift'en  nt  temjH  r.uures,  the  cool  coming 
down,  the  warm  going  up.     They  do  not  readily  commingle.  f,,r  the  astronomer  long  after  nightfall,  when  he  turns 
his  telescope  upon  the  heavens,  perceives  and  laments  the  unsteadiness  they  prodm-.   in  the  sky.     If  the  air  brought 


490  ASTKA  CASTE  A.  APPENDIX. 

v 

to  the  calm  belt  by  the  north-east  trade- winds  differ  in  temperature  (and  why  not  ?)  from  that  brought  by  the 
south-east  trades  we  have  the  authority  of  Nature  for  saying  that  the  two  currents  would  not  readily  commingle 
(§  98).  Proof  is  daily  afforded  that  they  would  not,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  air  of  each  current,  in 
streaks,  or  patches,  or  flakes,  does  thread  its  way  through  the  air  of  the  other  without  difficulty.  Therefore  we 
may  assume  it  as  a  postulate  which  Nature  concedes,  that  there  is  no  physical  difficulty  as  to  the  two  currents 
of  air,  which  come  into  those  calm  belts  from  different  directions,  crossing  over,  each  in  its  proper  direction,  without 
mingling. 

516.  One  need  not  go  to  sea  to  perceive  the  grand  work  which  the  clouds  perform  in  collecting  moisture  from 
Sub'ects  *^e  crvstal  vaults  of  the  sky,  in  sprinkling  it  upon  the  fields,  and  making  the  hills  glad  with  showers  of 
which  at  rain.  Winter  and  summer,  "  the  clouds  drop  fatness  upon  the  earth."  This  part  of  their  office  is  obvious 
themselves  *°  a^'  an<^  ^  ^°  no*  P1"0?086  *°  consider  it  now.  But  the  sailor  at  sea  observes  phenomena  and  witnesses 
for  contem-  operations  in  the  terrestrial  economy  which  tell  him  that,  in  the  beautiful  and  exquisite  adjustments  of 
plation.  ^.ne  gjgjyi  machinery  of  the  atmosphere,  the  clouds  have  other  important  offices  to  perform  besides  those 
merely  of  dispensing  showers,  of  producing  the  rains,  and  of  weaving  mantles  of  snow  for  the  protection  of  our  fields 
in  winter.  As  important  as  are  these  offices,  the  philosophical  mariner,  as  he  changes  his  sky,  is  reminded  that  the 
clouds  have  commandments  to  fulfil,  which,  though  less  obvious,  are  not  therefore  the  less  benign  in  their  influences, 
or  the  less  worthy  of  his  notice.  Ho  beholds  them  at  work  in  moderating  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  and  in 
mitigating  climates.  At  one  time  they  spread  themselves  out;  they  cover  the  earth  as  with  a  mantle;  they 
prevent  radiation  from  its  crust,  and  keep  it  warm.  At  another  time  they  interpose  between  it  and  the  sun ;  they 
screen  it  from  his  scorching  rays,  and  protect  the  tender  plants  from  his  heat,  the  land  from  the  drought ;  or,  like 
a  garment,  they  overshadow  the  sea,  defending  its  waters  from  the  intense  forces  of  evaporation.  Having  performed 
these  offices  for  one  place,  they  are  evaporated  and  given  up  to  the  sunbeam  and  the  winds  again,  to  be  borne  on 
their  wings  away  to  other  places  which  stand  in  need  of  like  offices.  Familiar  with  clouds  and  sunshine,  the  storm 
and  the  calm,  and  all  the  phenomena  which  find  expression  in  the  physical  geography  of  the  sea,  the  right-minded 
mariner,  as  he  contemplates  "the  cloud  without  rain,"  ceases  to  regard  it  as  an  empty  thing  ;  he  perceives  that  it 
performs  many  important  offices  ;  he  regards  it  as  a  great  moderator  of  heat  and  cold — as  a  "compensation"  in  the 
atmospherical  mechanism  which  makes  the  performance  perfect.  Marvellous  are  the  offices  and  wonderful  is  the 
constitution  of  the  atmosphere.  Indeed,  I  know  of  no  subject  more  fit  for  profitable  thought  on  the  part  of  the 
truth-loving,  knowledge -seeking  student,  be  he  seaman  or  landsman,  than  that  afforded  by  the  atmosphere  and 
its  offices.  Of  all  parts  of  the  physical  machinery,  of  all  the  contrivances  in  the  mechanism  of  the  universe,  the  atmosphere,  with 
its  offices  and  its  adaptations,  appears  to  me  to  be  the  most  wonderful,  sublime,  and  beautiful.  In  its  construction,  the 
grandeur  of  knowledge  is  displayed.  The  perfect  man  of  Uz,  in  a  moment  of  inspiration,  thus  bursts  forth  in 
laudation  of  this  part  of  God's  handiwork,  demanding  of  his  comforters,  "  But  where  shall  wisdom  be  found,  and 
where  is  the  place  of  understanding  ?  The  depth  saith,  It  is  not  in  me  ;  and  the  sea  saith,  It  is  not  with  me.  It 
cannot  be  gotten  for  gold,  neither  shall  silver  be  weighed  for  the  price  thereof.  No  mention  shall  be  made  of  coral 
or  of  pearls,  for  the  price  of  wisdom  is  above  rubies.  Whence,  then,  cometh  wisdom,  and  where  is  the  place  of 
understanding  ?  Destruction  and  Death  say,  We  have  heard  the  fame  thereof  with  our  ears.  God  understandeth 
the  way  thereof,  and  He  knoweth  the  place  thereof ;  for  He  looketh  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  seeth  under  the 
whole  heaven;  to  make  t/te  weight  for  the  winds;  and  He  weigheth  the  waters  by  measure.  When  He  made  a  decree 
for  the  rain,  and  a  way  for  the  lightning  of  the  thunder,  then  did  He  see  it  and  declare  it ;  He  prepared  it,  yea, 
and  searched  it  out."  *  When  the  pump-maker  came  to  ask  Galileo  to  explain  how  it  was  that  his  pump  would  not 
lift  water  higher  than  thirty-two  feet,  the  philosopher  thought,  but  was  afraid  to  say,  it  was  owing  to  "  the  weight 
of  the  winds ; "  and  though  the  fact  that  the  air  has  weight  is  here  so  distinctly  announced,  philosophers  never 
recognised  the  fact  until  within  comparatively  a  recent  period,  and  then  it  was  proclaimed  by  them  as  a  great 
discovery.  Nevertheless,  the  fact  was  set  forth  as  distinctly  in  the  Book  of  Nature  as  it  is  in  the  Book  of  Revela- 
tion ;  for  the  infant,  in  availing  itself  of  atmospherical  pressure  to  draw  milk  from  its  mother's  breast,  unconsciously 
proclaimed  it. 

*  Job  xxviii. 


T1IK  SI  -|:x|  -AM  I!  (>F  TIIIMiS  llnl'KD  FOH.-TIII-:  KVll'KM'K  OF  THINKS  NOT  SEEN. 


U  I  II  UK  SOT  YET  EXHAUSTED  THE  THOUGHTS  AND  IDEAS  SUGGESTED  TO  US  BY  THE  ATMOSPHERE  ;  BUT,  AS  THE  ORIGIN  <  •  ! 
I  II.JSK  ABOUT  TO  ENGAGE  OUR  ATTENTION  PROCEEDS  FROM  A  DIFFERENT  SOURCE,  WE  MAKE  A  DIVISION,  MOT  UNMINDFUL  OF  THK 
u:i:  vv.KMENT  OBSERVED  IN  THE  MUSEUM  OP  THE  VATICAN,  WHERE  RAPHAEL'S  TRANSFIGURATION  IS  PLACED  IN  A  SMALL  ROOM, 
vv.  V.I  A  I  THE  END  OF  A  LONG  GALLERY,  TO  KEEP  THE  MINU  rM'ISTRACTED  FROM  THIS  TRIUMPH  OF  ART. 

TlIK  CHIEF  EVENTS,  THEN,  IN  THE  SACRED  RECORD  THAT  ARE  MORE  ESPECIALLY  CONNECTED  WITH  OUR  SUBJECT,  WILL  M. 
IIKIKKI.Y  HKI  KltKKD  TO  IN  THK  FEW  PACKS  THAT  FOLLOW,  IN  THE  HUMBLE  HOPE  THAT  NONE  OF  THE  WORDS  OF  INSPIRATION,  So 
i  AKKI-Tl.l.y  wn.iHH'.  WILL  BE  HERE  MISINTERPRETED. 


i 


API-KSI.IX.  i:\n<lis  Tl;\\>l .  vTln\  I:-:: 


\  II  \\  M.M  l>  w  IP  UK  WAS  NOT:   TOR  GOD  TOOK  HIM. — Geiltois  V.  LM. 

BY    l.vllll    KXOCH  WAS   TI:vNM .\IH-     I1IAT    HE   SHOULD   NOT  8EK    MUM:     \SI>    WAS    SOF    IWND,    BBCAU6E  Ooi>    IIU- 

1 1  VNM.ATK.II  HIM  :  FOB  BKFOKK  HIS  TRANSLATION  HE  HAD  THIS  TESTIMONY,  THAT  UK  I>I.I:ASU>  GOD.— Hebrews  xi.  :>. 


The  pjifUnl  writer  of  the  '  Protoplast'  lias  included  in  the  pajwr  on  the  "First  Translation."  and  in  an 
..iitlin.-  i'..r  meditation  on  "The  Ascension,"  much  of  what  we  learn  from  the  Holy  Scriptures  on  tin-*.- 
subjtvts. 

it.  therefore,  to  take  into  consideration  these  things  in  order. 


I  :  NOCK'S  TRANSLATION. 

II.  was  not,  for  God  took  him.  My  own  impression  is,  that  he  was  Wmiffy  walking  with  the  Angel  of  tin- 
•i.mr.  just  as  Adam  walked  with  Him  in  Eden  :  and  that  the  ascending  Son  of  God  took  him  with  Him  a*  II. 
left  the  earth.  It  may  be  so,  but  this  we  knoa,  that  without  sickness,  without  decay,  without  a  moment's  juiin. 
Kno.-h  passed  away  to  dwell  "  for  ever  with  the  Lord."  Suddenly,  and  perhaps  most  unexpectedly,  ho  was  culled 
to  leave  the  sin-stained  world,  where  his  righteous  soul  had  been  vexed  from  day  to  day  by  the  unlawful  deeds  of 
men,  for  another  home,  where  sorrow  cannot  enter,  and  evil  cannot  stay.  He  did  not  see  death.  Even  the  shadow 

•  •I  iis  darkness  fell  not  upon  his  pathway,  his  sun  went  not  down  ;  but  the  light  of  life  brightened  into  the  light  of 
immortality.     Yet,  flesh  and  blood  cannot  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.     Enoch  was  changetl.     In  a  moment  hi» 
corruption  was  taken  away,  and  his  sin  was  purged;  his  carnal  body  became  a  spiritual  body;  the  forces  of  tin- 
material  ceased  to  hold  him  prisoner;  he  was  free  to  travel  onward  through  the  boundless  universe  of  <!od.     Think 

•  •f  him,  for  an  instant,  as  taking  his  wondrous  journey  to  the  eternal  throne,  bodily  carried  through  space  (that 
space  which  to  the  philosophic  mind  is  more  astonishing  than  the  worlds  of  glory  which  it  parts  and  holds  asunder), 
passing  onward  from  one  sun-star  to  another,  drawing  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  tabernacle  of  God.     No  poetic 
fancy  ever  reached  unto  the  sublimity  of  Scripture  fact.    Yet  men,  who  will  read  with  admiration  the  conceptions 
<>f  Milton  and  Dante,  see  no  beauty  in  the  thought  suggested  by  those  few  simple  words  of  the  Spirit,  "  Enoch  was 


As  Abel  was  the  first  to  enter  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  as  a  spirit  freed  from  its  mortal  prison,  Enoch  wa* 
the  first  to  dwell  there  in  a  glorified  material  form.  Thus  he  becometh  to  us  the  pledge  of  Christ's  power  to  raise 
us  unto  the  like  privilege,  and  a  seal  of  the  promise,  "  I  will  receive  you  unto  myself."  How  vividly  is  brought 
before  us  the  real  existence  of  the  Celestial  City  !  Enoch,  our  brother,  is  already  there  :  he  has  been  received  into 
its  glory,  and  will  leave  it  no  more  till  the  day  of  which  he  prophesied,  when  he  Khali  come  again  with  the  ten 
thousand  saints  of  God.  Like  Enoch,  in  his  character  and  in  his  ministry,  the  latter-da)'  saints  will  be  like  him 
also  in  their  Translation.  It  shall  be  granted  unto  them  to  escape  death.  That  thing  which  the  foolish  natural 
heart  will  ever  shrink  from,  will  not  be  one  of  their  many  trials.  Passing  through  the  dread  tribulation  of  the  last 
time.  tin  v  will  live  on  to  receive  their  Master,  and  bid  Him  welcome  to'His  earthly  kingdom. 

Suddenly  will  the  glory  of  the  advent  break  upon  them.  Long  as  they  have  expected  Jesus,  the  hour  of  1  1  i- 
coming  will  find  them  quietly  engaged  in  the  ordinary  occupations  and  labours  of  life  —  in  the  field,  in  the 
market,  in  the  exchange  —  mingling  with  the  children  of  this  world,  and  yet  bearing,  unseen,  the  angel's  seal 
upon  them. 

\Yith  what  glad  surprise  shall  they  lift  their  eyes  to  the  heavens,  and  behold  Him  for  whom  they  have 
waited,  and  watched,  and  prayed.  Glory  and  beauty  will  be  spread  around  Him,  such  as  human  thought  hait 
in  vi-r  pictured;  angels  will  be  gathered  near  Him  in  bright  array;  saints  will  follow  Him.  in  forms  of  spiritual 
perfection;  but  ujwii  Him,  and  Him  alone,  will  the  gaze  of  believers  rest.  All  else  will  be  forgotten  in  the  con- 
sciousness that  Ho  whom  they  have  so  long  loved  unseen  is  before  them  ;  that  tho  veil  In  taken  away  from  the  face 
of  the  Crucified,  the  Nazarene,  the  Man  of  sorrow  and  of  grief  ;  now  the  Triumphant,  the  Conqueror,  the  rejoicing 
Bridegroom,  —  the  ineffable  loveliness  of  His  glorified  humanity  will  arrest  their  regard  :  as  they  look  upon  Him,  all 

3  s  I' 


494  THE  SUBSTANCE  OF  THINGS  HOPED  FOR.  APPENDIX. 

corruption,  weakness,  deformity,  and  mortality  will  pass  away,  and  they  will  be  transformed  into  the  image  of  the 
heavenly  Adam.  Thus  will  they  be  prepared  to  follow  Him  in  the  regeneration  whithersoever  lie  goeth ;  and 
they  shall  never  leave  Him  more  !  Millennial  years  may  roll  away ;  the  millennial  world  may  change ;  but 
neither  the  tremendous  last  conflagration,  nor  the  end  of  time,  will  sever  them  from  Jesus.  Eternity  will  be 
spent  with  Him.  In  His  company  they  will  be  translated  to  the  true  Jerusalem, — the  incorruptible  tabernacle  of 
the  Lord. 

Perhaps  there  were  few  in  Enoch's  days  who  saw  anything  representative  in  his  life,  ministry,  and  departure 
from  amongst  them. 

Years  passed  away,  the  world  that  then  was,  perished,  and  a  new  world  arose  ;  and  God,  in  the  abounding  of 
His  mercy  towards  the  "  slow  of  heart,"  and  dull  of  understanding,  gave  a  repetition  of  the  Translation-type  in 
Elijah,  His  servant. 

There  is  something  very  beautiful  in  the  condescension  of  our  heavenly  Teacher,  who,  knowing  our 
infirmities,  and  our  forgetfuluess  of  truth,  thus  presents  it  again  and  again  to  the  mind.  Having  said  so  much 
upon  the  features  of  Enoch's  private  life  and  public  teaching,  I  will  not  dwell  on  those  of  Elijah,  except  to 
notice  the  striking  similarity  which  exists  between  the  two  men  who  were  thus  selected  to  shadow  forth  the 
changed  saints. 

Elijah's  character  is  not  described  by  the  Holy  Ghost  in  a  sentence,  as  was  that  of  Enoch.  We  are  left  to 
gather  it  for  ourselves  from  the  incidents  in  his  history ;  but  how  plainly  we  find  the  resemblance  we  might  expect 
to  be  manifested !  Elijah  walked  before  the  Lord  in  the  abiding  sense  of  his  reconciliation  to  Him ;  ho  was  the 
friend  of  his  Divine  Master ;  we  read  of  his  intimate  intercourse  and  communion  with  Him.  He  seemed  like  a 
favoured  child,  to  whom  nothing  was  refused ;  so  bold  was  he  in  the  love  which  casteth  out  fear,  that  he  asked 
and  obtained  some  of  the  most  signal  interpositions  of  God  on  his  behalf  ever  granted  to  Old  Testament  believers. 
"  He  prayed  earnestly  that  it  might  not  rain,  and  it  rained  not  on  the  earth  for  the  space  of  three  years  and  six 
months."  He  prayed  again,  "  and  the  heavens  gave  rain,  and  the  earth  brought  forth  fruit."  For  him,  and  at  his 
word,  God,  for  the  first  time  (at  least  manifestly),  raised  the  dead.  For  him,  and  in  compliance  with  his  request, 
God  twice  acknowledged  the  reality  of  his  mission  by  sending  down  celestial  fire. 

Then  how  complete  was  Elijah's  separation  from  the  world !  So  great  was  his  spirit  solitude  that  it  drew  from 
him  that  cry  of  bitterness,  "  I,  even  I  only  am  left."  He  was  also  remarkable  for  his  steady  progress  in  the  ways  of 
God.  We  read  less  of  Elijah's  backslidings  than  almost  of  any  saint's  departures  from  the  right  path.  Except  in 
the  one  instance  of  his  impatience,  when  he  sat  under  the  juniper-tree,  and  begged  to  die,  his  conduct  affords 
example  rather  than  warning.  That  he  sinned  oft  and  grievously  there  is  no  doubt,  for  he  was  a  man  of  like 
passions  with  ourselves ;  but  we  cannot  read  his  history  and  not  feel  that  day  by  day,  and  hour  by  hour,  he  gained 
in  the  race  of  life,  pressing  forward  to  the  goal  with  ever  increasing  strength.  His  dependance  on  God  is  as 
strikingly  manifested, — he  was  essentially  a  man  of  prayer.  Not  in  human  pride  and  human  strength  did  he 
command  the  barrel  of  meal  and  cruse  of  oil  to  last ;  or  the  dead  child  to  arise ;  or  the  heavenly  fire  to  descend ; 
but  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel.  As  a  servant,  he  pleaded  with  Jehovah,  while  as  a  prophet  he  pre- 
vailed in  the  sight  of  men. 

In  all  these  several  points  of  character  we  see  that  Elijah  was  made  like  unto  Enoch,  prefiguring  (even  as  he 
did  in  earlier  days)  the  elect  of  the  last  time.  The  same  similarity  exists  in  the  public  ministry  of  the  two  men. 
In  Elijah  we  see  the  same  stern,  unflinching  denunciation  of  God's  judgment,  the  same  holy  appeal  to  the  answer 
by  fire ;  and  although  we  do  not  read  of  the  expressions  made  use  of  by  him  in  declaring  the  Coming  of  the  Lord, 
we  know  that  he  was  the  herald  of  that  great  event,  for  it  is  in  allusion  to  this  fact  that  the  Spirit,  foretelling  the 
mission  of  that  latter-day  witness,  who  shall  make  straight  the  way  of  the  Lord,  chooses  the  mystic  name  of  Elijah 
as  his  title.  "  Behold,  I  will  send  you  Elijah  tho  prophet,  before  the  coming  of  the  great  and  dreadful  day  of  the 
Lord  ;  and  he  shall  turn  the  hearts  of  the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the  heart  of  the  children  to  their  fathers,  lest 
I  come  and  smite  the  earth  with  a  curse." 

Let  us,  therefore,  look  for  a  few  moments  at  Elijah's  Translation,  for  it  is  with  this  closing  triumph  for  the 
persecuted  believers  of  Earth's  vintage  days  that  we  now  have  most  to  do. 

We  find  the  account  in  2  Kings  ii.  1.  "It  came  to  pass  when  the  Lord  would  take  up  Elijah  into  heaven  by 
a  whirlwind,"  &c.  I  can  imagine  the  scoffer's  heart  saying,  "  As  if  a  whirlwind  could  lift  a  man  from  earth  to 
heaven."  Nay,  but  the  power  of  God,  who  made  the  worlds,  could  carry  Elijah  to  the  "far-off"  laud.  Tho  whirl- 
wind was  the  thing  which  Elisha  saw,  it  was  to  the  ascending  prophet  just  what  the  cloud,  which  received  Jesus 
out  of  the  sight  of  the  disciples  at  Bethany,  was  to  the  departing  Saviour.  Yet,  mark  the  beauty  of  the  type.  The 
whirlwind  immediately  preceded  the  call  of  Elijah  to  the  throne  of  God  ;  it  was  the  sign,  and  the  accompaniment  of 
that  glorious  change,  for  which  he  had  been  taught  to  look.  When  the  storm  arose  around  him,  the  man  of  God 


AITKM.IV  r.i. i.i Airs  TRANSLATION,  KM 

knew  th:it  liis  i.-d.  iM|.'ion  from  ilu>  sin  and  sorrow  of  earth  was  near  at  hand,  and  that  before  it  pawed  away  \<\- 
iinniiirtality  would  !«•  IM-^IIII. 

la  not  the  Kamo  sign  given  to  the  mint*  of  the  latt.-i  d.iy  ••  \\lu-n  \.-  shall  HOC  these  thing*  oome  to  paw, 
know  ye  tliat  tin-  kingdom  ,,f  Cod  is  ni-li."  \\lu-n  that  whirlwind  arisetli,  which  Hhall  sweep  ovei  -tin-  throne* 
and  k  iii^il  >nis  n|'  ili  is  woild,  making  tin-  whole  caith  waste  and  desolate.  I  he  suns  uf  (iml  may  lift  up  their  head*, 
and  .-.\|i.-.-t  tln-ir  promised  glory;  for  before  that  storm  IN  lulled,  they  shall  have  put  on  the  translation-form,  uiul 
tin-  eteiral  Ix-auty. 

I  w,.iild  niiiii-.-  another  rircnnuitanco  in  Klijih'h  removal  fnuii  thin  world,  "The  chariot  of  fire  and  homes 
uf  tin-."  Tin-*,,  have  generally  been  considered  a  convoy  of  angels ;  and  the  expression  in  Psalm  Ixviii.  17.  has 
licen  ((noted  in  illustration  of  this  view.  I  do  not.  however,  accept  this  interpretation,  and  rather  think  that  this 

•  is  designed  of  C,..d  to  prefigure  that  fiery  Imptism  whii-h  is  to  accompany  the  day  of  the  I I. 

through  which  the  changed  saints  shall  pass  unhurt. 

As  the  tire  injured  not  the  transformed  spiritualized  laxly  nf  the  ascending  prophet,  no  the  brimstone- ruin  of 
the  <lay  of  Christ  will  have  no  (xiwer  over  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord.  In  the  tnidst  of  it  shall  they  walk  with  the 
Form  of  the  S.n  of  Cod;  ami  their  enemies  will  acknowledge  concerning  them,  "  Not  an  hair  of  their  ln-^1  «-i- 
singed,  neither  were  their  pirmcnts  changed,  and  the  smell  of  fire  passed  not  on  them.'1 

Dm-  word  nioie.  Klijah  was  taken  up  into  Heaven.  If,  then,  a  momentary  doubt  could  ever  have  enteivil 
the  mind  as  to  the  loe.ility  of  the  translated  Enoch,  this  express  declaration  altogether  removes  it.  And  let 
this  be  the  everlasting  answer  to  the  saying  of  some,  that  the  redeemed  are  to  pass  eternity  upon  this  earth  in  u 
renovated  condition. 

In  heaven  Christ  hath  prepared  our  places  for  us,  an  1  to  the  very  innermost  sanctuary  of  our  God  shall  the 
translated  saints  have  entra- 

Yet  o«c?  again  after  Elijah's  glorification  did  Jehovah  present  to  man,  in  vitible  manifestation,  that  great  truth 
which  jx-culiarly  conu-s  before  us  for  consideration  in  this  Paper, — the  Transformation  of  those  Saints  whose  privilege 
it  will  bo  to  escape  death. 

I  must  ask  my  readers  now  to  carry  forward  their  thoughts  to  the  days  of  the  Son  of  Man,  and  to  the  vision 
of  the  "  holy  mount." 

In  the  hour  of  Christ's  Transfiguration,  He  showed  Himself  as  the  pattern  of  the  Translation-Saints,  just  us  in 
i lie  hour  of  His  return  from  the  grave,  He  showed  Himself  as  the  pattern  of  the  Resurrection-Saints.  It  is 
important  at  all  times  to  mark  the  Connexion  of  event*  in  the  life  of  Jesus;  and  it  is  especially  necessary  to  notice 
under  what  firm  instances  this  peculiar  revelation  of  His  glory  was  made.  In  the  ninth  of  Luke  (verses  18-28)  we 
read  of  a  conversation  held  between  Jesus  and  His  followers  resjHXiting  His  death  at  Jerusalem.  Wo  who  have 
never  known  Christ  after  the/«A,  cannot  imagine  the  anguish  with  which  the  conviction  smote  upon  the  hearts  of 
those  who  loved  Him,  that  they  were  so  soon  to  lose  Him.  by  a  death  of  pain  and  shame.  So  hateful  watt  the  idea 
to  Peter,  that,  as  another  Evangelist  tells  us,  he  tried  to  turn  his  Master  from  His  appointed  path,  drawing  forth 
that  severe  rebuke,  ••  c,.-t  thee  behind  me,  Satan,"  Ac. 

Kvcn  although  the  Lord  spoke  in  the  same  discourse  of  His  resurrection  from  the  dead,  and  the  glory  of  Hi.- 
•  Advent,  all  was  lost  upon  the  sorrowing  disciples,  and  the  one  thing  present  to  their  imagination  was  the 
inevitable  suR'urin^  of  their  precious  friend.  Partly  in  compassion  to  the  intensity  of  their  grief,  partly  that  they 
mi_:lit  be  the  better  witnesses  to  us  of  millennial  truths,  Christ  selected  three  of  His  servants,  to  behold  by  antici- 
pation the  future  glory  of  the  day  of  God.  It  is  written  in  the  JM!I  verse  of  the  same  chapter — "And  it  came  to 
pan  about  an  eight  days  after  those  sayings,  He  took  Peter,  and  John,  ami  -lames,  and  went  up  into  a  mountain  to 

and  as  He  prayed,  the  fashion  of  His  countenance  was  altered,  and  His  raiment  was  white  and  glistening. 
And.  IH  hold,  there  talked  with  Him  two  men,  which  were  MOM*  and  Elias,  who  appeared  in  glory,  and  spake  ,.| 
His  decease,  which  He  should  accomplish  at  Jerusalem." 

Think,  now,  what  great  truths  were  brought  before  the  disciples  in  this  heavenly  vision. 

1st.  It  set  forth  the  nature  of  that  mighty  change  which  must  pass  upon  flesh  and  blood,  before  it  can  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  fiod. 

Although  it  was  the  incorruptible  body  of  Christ  which  was  before  them,  yet  it  changed  us  they  gazed  upon 
it ;    the  marred  visage,  and  bowed  form  of  sorrow,   were  transfigured,  and   wore  another  likeness.      Matthew 
descries  the  appearance  of  glory  by  the  expression — "  His  face  did  shine  as  the  sun;"  using  almost  tin- 
words  in  which  .John  depicts  His  beauty  as  seen  in  the  Apocalyptic  vision.     (Kcv.  i.  16.)     As  it  was  with  .!• 
it  shall  lie  with  His  people  ;  the  fashion  of  their  countenances  shall  alter  in  the  day  of  their  redemption,  assin 
immortality  and  beauty  never  seen  in  this  present  state,  and  their  old-world  garments  shall  become  tin-  white 
raiment  which  is  to  endure  for  ever. 


496  THE  SUBSTANCE  OF  THINGS  HOPED  FOE.  APPENDIX. 

2ndly.  The  vision  showed  them  the  certainty  of  Christ's  future  glorification.  He  who  had  proclaimed  to 
them  His  approaching  degradation,  and  rejection  of  men,  was  for  one  brief  moment  shown  to  them,  in  the  Form 
which  He  should  hereafter  wear,  as  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords.  They  saw  Him  declared  to  be  the  Son  of 
God;  they  were  eye-witnesses  of  His  majesty;  the  voice  of  His  Heavenly  Father  proclaimed  Him  as  the  Messiah, 
and  attested  His  mission  to  the  world. 

3rdly.  This  vision  taught  the  Resurrection  of  the  Dead,  and  the  Transfiguration  of  the  Living,  in  their 
immediate  connexion  with  the  revelation  of  Christ  in  glory.  Moses  appeared  as  the  Eepresentative  of  those  who, 
though  they  be  "  dead,  yet  shall  live ;"  and  Elias  as  the  Eepresentative  of  those  who,  living  and  believing  in 
Christ,  "  shall  never  die."  The  one  Saint  was  an  earnest  of  the  resurrection ;  the  other  an  earnest  of  the  trans-  . 
formation.  Both  were  revealed  in  one  common  glory,  standing  side  by  side  with  Him,  who  is  the  Lord  of  the  Dead, 
and  the  Living,  the  Eternal  Head  of  the  Risen  and  the  Changed. 

Thus  did  Jesus  bring  suddenly  before  them  the  events  of  that  latter  day,  when  He  shall  stand  upon  the 
earth,  between  two  companies  of  the  redeemed,  those  who  have  overcome  death,  and  those  who  have  escaped 
death  through  their  union  with  Himself,  the  heavenly  Adam ;  whose  glorious  image  they  shall  both  wear  hence- 
forth for  ever. 

Now,  observe  how  this  remarkable  revelation  of  things  to  come  met  the  doubts,  and  sorrows,  and  perplexities 
of  the  disciples.  Christ  had  spoken  of  His  future  glory,  and  they  had  not  understood  His  words.  Therefore  "  He 
was  transfigured  before  them."  He  had  told  them  of  the  resurrection  from  the  dead,  and  they  had  marvelled. 
Therefore  Moses,  the  resurrection-type,  stood  before  them.  He  had  referred  to  those  who  shall  be  found  on  earth 
at  His  second  coming,  and  they  had  doubted  of  His  meaning.  Therefore  Elias,  the  translated  Prophet,  also 
appeared  as  the  transfiguration-type.  Remember,  also,  how  it  is  said— These  two  men  spake  with  Jesus  of  His 
decease,  which  He  should  accomplish  at  Jerusalem,  that  very  event  to  which  they  had  looked  forward  with  such 
agonized  feeling.  Think  you  not  that,  as  they  listened  to  that  celestial  converse,  they  learnt  the  necessity  of  their 
Master's  suffering,  and  knew  that,  were  He  to  turn  from  His  love-work,  neither  dead  Saints  could  rise,  nor  living 
Saints  be  changed,  nor  He  himself,  the  Covenant  Head  of  both,  be  glorified  ?  The  vision  passed ;  the  disciples  found 
themselves  alone  with  Jesus ;  He  was  again  to  them  the  man  of  sorrows,  the  Son  of  Mary ;  and  they  descended  the 
mountain  with  Him,  to  mingle  again  with  the  crowd  from  which  they  had  been  withdrawn.  It  is  evident,  how- 
ever, that  they  pondered  over  what  they  had  seen ;  and  it  is  very  remarkable  that  Matthew  relates  a  conversation 
which  took  place  between  them  and  their  Lord,  just  after  the  vision,  and  in  reference  to  it : — "  Jesus  charged  them, 
saying,  Tell  the  vision  to  no  man,  until  the  Son  of  man  be  risen  again  from  the  dead.  And  His  disciples  asked 
Him,  saying,  Why  then  say  the  scribes  that  Elias  must  first  come  ?  "  They  seem  to  have  connected  Elijah's  appear- 
ance on  the  mount  with  the  prophecy  of  Malachi,  without  possessing  any  clear  and  definite  ideas  on  the  subject. 
Mark  well  Christ's  answer — "  Elias  truly  shall  first  come,  and  restore  all  things.  But  I  say  unto  you,  that  Elias  is 
come  already,  and  they  knew  him  not,  but  have  done  unto  him  whatsoever  they  listed."  In  these  words  Jesus 
explains  the  nature  of  the  Elijah-type,  and  teaches  the  disciples  not  to  look  for  the  actual  presence  of  the  translated 
prophet.  As  John  the  Baptist,  coming  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elias,  preceded  His  first  advent,  so  in  like  manner 
another  shall  arise  at  the  time  of  the  end,  bearing  the  prophetic  name,  and  he,  with  his  brethren,  men  of  Elijah's 
character  and  Elijah's  ministry,  shall  prove  the  heralds  of  the  second  advent. 

As  years  rolled  on,  the  truths  taught  to  Peter,  James,  and  John,  in  the  hour  of  Apocalypse,  spent  with  Jesus 
on  the  mount,  became  better  understood ;  and  when  the  New  Testament  Church  arose,  all  the  Apostles  with  one 
voice  proclaimed  them  boldly,  clearly,  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  in  power. 

Let  us  turn,  in  conclusion,  to  the  writings  of  St.  Paul,  and  see  how  beautifully  he  touches  upon  the  theme  of 
our  consideration.  Look  first  to  1  Cor.  xv.  51 — "  We  shall  not  all  sleep,  but  we  shall  all  be  changed,  in  a  moment, 
in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  at  the  last  trump."  Think  of  that  mysterious  change,  so  instantaneous,  so  entire,  so 
abiding ;  a  change  from  sorrow  to  joy,  from  pain  to  perfection,  from  weakness  to  strength,  from  deformity  to 
beauty,  from  corruption  to  immortality  ;  a  change  which  will  fit  us  to  dwell  for  ever  with  the  Son  of  God.  Now, 
look  at  1  Thess.  iv.  15, 16 — "  We  which  are  alive,  and  remain  unto  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  shall  not  prevent  them  . 

which  are  asleep.  For  the  Lord  himself  shall  descend  from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  Archangel, 
and  with  the  trump  of  God :  and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first :  then  we  which  are  alive  and  remain  shall  be 
caught  up  together  with  them  in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air,  and  so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord." 

How  beautiful  is  the  thought,  that  the  last  act  of  Christ's  Militant  Church  on  earth  will  be  to  wait  for  their 
brethren.  Even  although  they  long  to  gather  around  their  approaching  Saviour,  they  will  pause  at  the  threshold 
of  their  happiness,  and  tarry  for  the  perfection  of  the  beloved  sleepers  in  the  dust  of  earth.  Then  shall  the  risen 
and  the  changed  ascend  together  to  meet  Him  from  whom  all  their  future  blessedness  shall  be  derived.  Then 
shall  the  Hosanna  of  the  redeemed  burst  forth  as  one  mighty  sound  from  unnumbered  voices — "  Salvation  to  our 
God  which  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb." 


AIM-KMHV  Till:  l.\>'l    DAYS  H'T 


tin  il  w.nl.     1  know  that  of  lute  years  a  strung  desire  has  been  full  by  many  (  'liri.it  ianH  to  outlive  the  *U>rm 
which  in  so  plainly  ipuli.  i  iiv  ••\>-r  \m;  and  to  be  among  the  generations  of  those  who  shall  see  the  second  appearing 

•  if  tl»-  1..  in  iv  i  liu-i.     I1,  ili.ips  ihi.-  may  be  the  caae  with  aotne  readers  of  this  Paper,  their  daily  prayer  is  that  '  ••-! 
would  ,  ..MM!  ih.  -in  \\.-i  :1.-.  i.i  ii-i-t-iM-  their  Master,  as  Hi-  t'i  :.  mis  upon  tho  earth;  tu  hail  His  approach  as  those  who 
hi\.-  «  .;•  li.-.l.  nrl  «  IT.  .1.  tor  His  coming.     I  would  aay  to  such  —  Know  ye  what  ye  auk  •  omudenxl 
u,  II   th.it  tn-iiiuiidons  tribulation  which  lies  between  yuu  and  the  glory  upon  \vlii.-h  your  thought*  are  dwelling  '*. 
\i.    you    •  '  '    i..  .h  ink  tin-  last  cup  of  bitterness,  and  to  bu  baptized  with  tho  laiit  baptism  of  suffering?    If,  in  the 

oaafidetMM  of  t'.ntli.  \«\\  answer,  ••  \Ve  are  able,"  tin  n  1.  1  me  entreat  you  to  stuily  \M-1I  the  Knoch-type.  Seek  to  be 
i-onl'..iine'l  unto  the  first  tianslated  saint,  in  y<mr  life  and  in  your  ministrv  .  Kiuluavour  to  milk  with  God,  as  he  <li<l. 
le.ming  your  whole  weight  upon  Almighty  strength.  If  for  a  moment  you  quit  your  hold  of  One  who  can  al..n«- 
sustain  the  soul  iu  the  "  hour  ,,f  temptation,"  your  feet  will  MiiuiHe.  Strive,  in  the  words  of  the  dying  Dr.  (lordoii, 
t..  ••  make  a  companion  of  (  !od."  Seek  Him  in  trivial  things,  fur  He  nuuibercth  the  grains  of  Hand  ujion  the  sea- 
;  .st-.-k  Him  in  great  things,  for  by  Him  MUDS,  and  comets,  and  planets  subsist  in  their  glory  ;  se«k  Him  in 
s,  for  He  sanctifioth  ;  nook  Him  in  sorrow,  for  He  comforteth  ;  seek  Him  in  disease,  for  He  healeth  ; 
«eek  Him  in  .-in.  f.<r  He  pardoneth  ;  seek  Him  in  every  state,  and  under  all  circumstances,  for  He  loveth  yon  at  nil 

Illlir.-. 

Let  your  mission  resemble  that  of  Enoch.  Think  of  tin-  i.  •-]><.  ii.siliility  of  God's  hvt  witnesses  in  a  lull,  n 
WM)  1.1.  You  will  have  to  bear  your  part  in  a  mightier  struggle  than  has  ever  yet  been  known  between  God's  army 
and  Satan's.  In  a  peculiar  manner,  yuu  will  have  to  wrestle  against  principalities,  against  powers,  against  the 
rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world,  against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  things.  Take  unto  yon.  il,.  n,  tli.-  whole 
armour  of  God,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil  day,  and  having  done  all  to  stand.  Fear  not  i.  .  ]».> 
phesy  that  Christ  coiueth  quickly,  while  the  world  proclaims  "  There  is  no  God."  Fear  not  to  stand  by  the  altars 
of  Baal,  and  appeal  to  the  fiery  answer  of  the  day  of  the  Lord.  Fear  not  to  tell  of  the  judgment,  and  fiery  indig- 
nation. which  shall  devour  the  adversaries.  When  the  thrones  of  earth  are  swept  away,  and  the  kingdoms  >  I  m.-n 

•  •nimble  into  dust,  look  up  to  heaven,  and  see  Jesus  at  the  right  hand  of  God.     To  Him  whose  right  it  is,  shall  the 
dominion  be  shortly  given.     Possess  your  souls  in  patience.      Watch,  but  unit.     Remember  always,  that  if  you  live, 
\  .HI  ••  live  nnto  the  Lord,"  and  if  you  die,  you  "  die  unto  the  Lord  ;"  living  or  dying,  therefore,  you  are  the  lord's. 
Neither  "death"  nor  "life"  can  separate  you  from  Jesus.     He  died  for  you,  that  whether  yon  uxtke  or  tleej>,  you 
should  live  together  with  Him. 


O 


I  ASCEND  UNTO  MY  FATHER,  AND  YOUR  FATHER;    AND  TO  MY  GOD,  AND  YOUR  GOD. St.  John  XX.  17. 

.  .  .  AND  HE  LIFTED  UP  His  HANDS,  AND  BLESSED  THEM.     AND  IT  CAME  TO  PASS,  WHILE  HE  BLESSED  THEM,  HE  WAS 

PARTED  FROM  THEM,  AND  CARRIED  UP  INTO  HEAVEN.      AND  THEY  WORSHIPPED  HlM. — St.  Luke  XXIV.  50-52. 

YE  MEN  OF  GALILEE,  WHY  STAND  YE  GAZING  UP  INTO  HEAVEN?    THIS  SAME  JESUS,  WHICH  is  TAKEN  UP  FROM  YOU 

INTO  HEAVEN,  SHALL  SO  COME  IN  LIKE  MANNER  AS  YE  HAVE  SEEN  HIM  GO  INTO  HEAVEN.— Acts  i.  11. 

I.  THE  MANNER  OF  THE  ASCENSION. 

1.  Suddenly. 

When  in  converse  with  His  followers ;  they  not  thinking  of  His  leaving  them. 

2.  Privately. 

Not  before  the  World,  but  before  a  few  believers  representing  the  true  Church. 

3.  Miraculously. 

Contrary  to  the  existing  laws  of  gravity,  &c.  An  earnest  of  the  time  when  the  resurrection  bodies  of 
the  Saints  shall  be  able  thus  to  move  from  place  to  place  independently  of  physical  laws. 

II.  THE  OBJECT  OF  THE  ASCENSION. 

1 .  To  enter  into  His  Glory. 

The  exaltation  and  triumph  are  contrasted  with  the  previous  humiliation. 

2.  To  live  in  tlie  Holy  Place  as  the  visible  witness  of  the  success  of  His  Mission. 

All  the  intelligent  Angelic  Universe  behold  Him  as  the  justified  and  accepted  Mediator.  The  spirits  of 
just  men  see  in  Him  the  Redeemer  whose  accomplished  work  has  saved  them.  God  the  Father 
having  admitted  them  to  Heaven  on  trust,  knowing  that  Christ  would  be  their  Saviour,  the  ascension 
sealed  and  confirmed  their  right  to  glory. 

;i.   To  take  His  place  as  the  Forerunner  of  His  New  Testament  Church. 
We  sit  with  Him  in  Heavenly  places. 

4.  To  commence  His  intercessory  work. 

His  presence  in  heaven  is  the  signal  for  the  casting  down  of  Satan  as  the  accuser  of  the  Brethren. 

PRACTICAL  INFERENCES. 

1 .  The  promise  of  the  return :  "  This  same  Jesus  shall  so  come  in  like  manner." 

2.  The  Holiness  of  the  Expectant  Church  a  necessity  :  "  Seeing  ye  look  for  such  things,"  &c.    Notice  :  "  The 

Lord's  last  act  was  Messing.      While  Ho  blessed  them,"  &c. 

The  High  Priest's  attitude  on  returning  from  the  Holy  Place — arms  outstretched  in  blessing.     He  comes 

to  Bless. 
i{.  The  Disciples  saw  in  the  Ascension  a  sign  of  Divinity, — "  they  worshipped  Him." 

FOR  THIS  WE  SAY  UNTO  YOU  BY  THE  WORD  OF  THE  LORD,  THAT  WE  WHICH  ARE  ALIVE,  AND  REMAIN  UNTO  THE 
COMING  OF  THE  LORD,  SHALL  NOT  PREVENT  THEM  WHICH  ARE  ASLEEP.  FOR  THE  LORD  HIMSELF  SHALL 
DESCEND  FROM  HEAVEN  WITH  A  SHOUT,  WITH  THE  VOICE  OF  THE  ARCHANGEL,  AND  WITH  THE  TRUMP  OF  GOD ; 

AND  THE  DEAD  IN  CHRIST  SHALL  RISE  FIRST  :  THEN  WE  WHICH  ARE  ALIVE  AND  REMAIN,  SHALL  BE  CAUGHT 
UP  TOGETHER  WITH  THEM  IN  THE  CLOUDS,  TO  MEET  THE  LORD  IN  THE  AIR ;  AND  SO  SHALL  WE  EVER  BE  WITH 
THE  LORD. 
WHEREFORE  COMFORT  ONE  ANOTHER  WITH  THESE  WORDS. — 1  Thess.  iv.  15-18. 


AlTEM'IV 


Tllnl  i.lll>  ANALYTICALLY  AKKANGED. 


"THOUGHTS   ANALYTICALLY    ARRANGED." 

I  here  desire  to  Hrkin»\  ledge  the  assistance  I  have  «K-ri\<-.l  imm  a  carefully  compiled  ami  analytically 
arranged  work.  \>\  Henry  Southgate,  entitled  •  Many  Thoughts  of  Many  Minds.'  From  this  valuable  store 
I  M-lert  as  a  specinu-n,  for  those  who  are  Mill  tinai-'|iiuint.-,|  with  tlio  work,  the  four  following  topics  of  great 
general  intervM.  in  which  I  add  a  few  extracts  from  other  authors,  likewise  connected  with  these  subjects.* 

Tli. -so  topics  are  The  Bihle,  God,  Christ,  and  Christianity. 

As  an  introduction  I  give  Barton's  poem  entitled 

A  POETS  NOBLEST  THEME. 


THE  works  of  man  may  yield  delight, 

And  justly  merit  praise ; 
But  though  awhile  they  charm  the  light, 

That  charm  in  time  decay*. 
The  sculptor's,  painter's,  poet's  skill, — 
The  art  of  mind's  creative  will, 

In  various  modes  may  teem ; 
But  none  of  these,  however  rare 
Or  exquisite,  can  truth  declare 

A  poet's  noblest  theme. 

The  sun,  uprising,  may  display 

His  glory  to  the  eye, 
And  hold  in  majesty  his  way 

Across  the  vaulted  sky  ; 
Then  sink  resplendent  in  the  west, 
Where  parting  clouds  his  rays  invest 

With  beauty's  softest  beam; 
Yet  not  unto  the  sun  belong 
The  charms  which  consecrate  in  song 

A  poet's  noblest  theme. 

The  moon,  with  yet  more  touching  grace, 

The  silent  night  may  cheer, 
And  shed  o'er  many  a  lonely  place 

A  charm  to  feeling  dear ; 
The  countless  stars  which  grace  her  reign, 
A  voiceless,  but  a  lovely  train, 

With  brilliant  light  may  gleam  ; 
But  she  nor  they,  though  fair  to  see, 
And  formed  for  love,  can  never  be 

A  poet's  noblest  theme. 

The  winds,  whose  mnsic  to  the  ear 

With  that  of  art  may  vie- 
Now  loud,  awakening  awe  and  fear. 

Then  soft  as  pity's  sigh ; — 
The  mighty  ocean's  ample  breast, 
Calm  or  convulsed,  in  wrath  or  rest, 

A  glorious  sight  may  seem  : 
But  neither  winds  nor  boundless  sea, 
Though  beautiful  or  grand,  can  be 

A  poet's  noblest  theme. 


The  earth,  our  own  dear  native  earth  ! 

Has  charms  all  hearts  may  <>«  u  ; 
They  cling  around  us  from  our  birth, — 

More  loved  as  longer  known  ; 
Hers  are  the  lovely  Tales,  the  wild 
And  countless  foresU,  mountains  piled 

On  high,  and  many  a  stream 
Whose  beauteous  banks  the  heart  may  love, 
Yet  none  of  these  can  truth  approve 

A  poet's  noblest  theme. 

The  virtues,  which  our  fallen  estate 

With  foolish  pride  would  claim, 
May,  in  themselves,  be  good  and  great, — 

To  us  an  empty  name. 
Truth,  justice,  mercy,  patience,  love, 
May  seem  with  man  on  earth  to  rove, 

And  yet  may  only  item ; 
To  none  of  these,  at  man'i,  dare  I 
The  title  of  my  verse  apply — 

"A  poet's  noblest  theme." 

To  GOD  alone,  whose  power  divine 

Created  all  that  live ; 
To  OOD  alone,  can  truth  assign 

This  proud  prerogative  : — 
But  bow  shall  man  attempt  Hu  praise, 
Or  dare  to  ring  in  mortal  lays 

OKKIPOTESCE  SUPBEJIK  ! 
When  seraph-choirs,  in  heaven  above, 
Proclaim  His  glory  and  His  love, 

Their  noblest,  sweetest  theme  ? 

Thanks  be  to  Ood  I    His  grace  has  shown 

How  sinful  man  on  earth 
May  join  the  songs  which  round  His  throne 

Give  endless  praises  birth  : 
HE  gave  His  Son  for  man  to  die  ! 
HE  sent  His  SPIRIT  from  on  High  ! 

To  consummate  the  scheme : 
Oh !  be  that  consummation  Meat  I 
And  let  REDEMPTION  be  confest 

A  poet's  noblest  theme. 


The 


I  have  made  are  markr<l 


::   i 


500 


THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN. 


APPENDIX. 


THE  BIBLE. 


They  had  the  Bible.     Hast  them  ever  heard 

Of  such  a  Book  ?  the  author,  God  himself ; 

The  subject,  God  and  man,  salvation,  life 

And  death — eternal  life,  eternal  death — 

Dread  words !  whose  meaning  has  no  end,  no  bounds ! 

Most  wondrous  Book  !  bright  candle  of  the  Lord  ! 

Star  of  eternity !  the  only  star 

By  which  the  bark  of  man  could  navigate 

The  sea  of  life,  and  gain  the  coast  of  bliss 

Secure  ;  th'  only  only  star  which  rose  on  Time, 

And,  on  its  dark  and  troubled  billows,  still, 

As  generation,  drifting  swiftly  by, 

Succeeded  generation,  threw  a  ray 

Of  heaven's  own  light,  and  to  the  hills  of  God, 

The  eternal  hills,  pointed  the  sinner's  eye. 

By  prophets,  seers,  and  priests,  and  sacred  bards, 

Evangelists,  apostles,  men  inspired, 

And  by  the  Holy  Ghost  anointed,  set 

Apart,  and  consecrated  to  declare 

To  Earth  the  counsels  of  the  Eternal  One — 

This  Book,  this  holiest,  this  sublimest  Book, 

Was  sent.     Heaven's  will,  Heaven's  code  of  laws  entire 

To  man,  this  Book  contained ;  defined  the  bounds 

Of  vice  and  virtue,  and  of  life  and  death  ; 

And  what  was  shadow,  what  was  substance  taught. 

Much  it  revealed  ;  important  all ;   the  least 

Worth  more  than  what  else  seemed  of  highest  worth. 

But  this  of  plainest,  most  essential  truth  : 

That  God  is  one,  eternal,  holy,  just, 

Omnipotent,  omniscient,  infinite; 

Most  wise,  most  good,  most  merciful  and  true  ; 

In  all  perfection  most  unchangeable  : 

That  man,  that  every  man  of  every  clime 

And  hue,  of  every  age  and  every  rank, 

Was  bad,  by  nature  and  by  practice  bad  ; 

In  understanding  blind,  in  will  perverse, 

In  heart  corrupt ;  in  every  thought,  and  word, 

Imagination,  passion  and  desire, 

Most  utterly  depraved  throughout,  and  ill, 

In  sight  of  Heaven,  though  less  in  sight  of  man ; 

At  enmity  with  God  his  Maker  born, 

And  by  his  very  life  an  heir  of  death  : 

That  man,  that  every  man  was,  farther,  most 

Unable  to  redeem  himself,  or  pay 

One  mite  of  his  vast  debt  to  God  ;  nay,  more 

Was  most  reluctant  and  averse  to  be 

Itedeemed,  and  sin's  most  voluntary  slave  : 

That  Jesus,  Son  of  God,  of  Mary  born 

In  Bethlehem,  and  by  Pilate  crucified 

On  Calvary,  for  man  thus  fallen  arid  lost, 

Died  ;  and,  by  death,  life  and  salvation  bought, 

And  perfect  righteousness,  for  all  who  should 

In  His  great  name  believe  :  That  He,  the  third 

In  the  eternal  Essence,  to  the  prayer 

Sincere  should  come,  should  come  as  soon  as  asked, 

Proceeding  from  the  Father  and  the  Son, 

To  give  faith  and  repentance,  such  as  God 

Accepts  ;  to  open  the  intellectual  eyes, 

Blinded  by  sin  ;  to  bend  the  stubborn  will, 


Perversely  to  the  side  of  wrong  inclined, 

To  God  and  his  commandments  just  and  good  ; 

The  wild  rebellious  passions  to  subdue, 

And  bring  them  back  to  harmony  with  heaven  : 

To  purify  the  conscience,  and  to  lead 

The  mind  into  all  truth,  and  to  adorn 

With  every  holy  ornament  of  grace, 

And  sanctify  the  whole  renewed  soul, 

Which  henceforth  might  no  more  fall  totally, 

But  persevere,  though  erring  oft,  amidst 

The  mists  of  Time,  in  piety  to  God, 

And  sacred  works  of  charity  to  men  : 

That  he  who  thus  believed,  and  practised  thus, 

Should  have  his  sins  forgiven,  however  vile ; 

Should  be  sustained  at  mid-day,  morn,  and  even  : 

By  God's  omnipotent,  eternal  grace  : 

And  in  the  evil  hour  of  sore  disease, 

Temptation,  persecution,  war,  and  death — 

For  temporal  death,  although  unstinged,  remained— 

Beneath  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty's  wings 

Should  sit  unhurt,  and  at  the  Judgment  Day 

Should  share  the  resurrection  of  the  just, 

And  reign  with  Christ  in  bliss  for  evermore  : 

That  all,  however  named,  however  great, 

Who  would  not  thus  believe,  nor  practise  thus, 

But  in  their  sins  impenitent  remained, 

Should  in  perpetual  fear  and  terror  live  ; 

Should  die  unpardoned,  unredeemed,  unsaved  ; 

And  at  the  hour  of  doom,  should  be  cast  out 

To  utter  darkness  in  the  night  of  hell, 

By  mercy  and  by  God  abandoned,  there 

To  reap  the  harvest  of  eternal  woe. 

This  did  that  Book  declare  in  obvious  phrase, 
In  most  sincere  and  honest  words,  by  God 
Himself  selected  and  arranged,  so  clear, 
So  plain,  so  perfectly  distinct,  that  none 
Who  read  with  humble  wish  to  understand, 
And  asked  the  Spirit,  given  to  all  who  asked, 
Could  miss  their  meaning,  blazed  in  heavenly  light. 

This  Book,  this  holy  Book,  on  every  line 
Marked  with  the  seal  of  high  divinity, 
On  every  leaf  bedewed  with  drops  of  love 
Divine,  and  with  the  eternal  heraldry 
And  signature  of  God  Almighty  stamped 
From  first  to  last, — this  ray  of  sacred  light, 
This  lamp,  from  off  the  everlasting  throne, 
Mercy  took  down,  and  in  the  night  of  Time 
Stood,  casting  on  the  dark  her  gracious  bow  ; 
And  evermore  beseeching  men  with  tears 
And  earnest  sighs,  to  read,  believe,  and  live. 
And  many  to  her  voice  gave  ear,  and  read, 
Believed,  obeyed  ;  and  now,  as  the  Amen, 
True,  Faithful  Witness  swore,  with  snowy  robes 
And  branchy  palms  surround  the  fount  of  life, 
And  drink  the  streams  of  immortality, 
For  ever  happy,  and  for  ever  young. 


AlTKM'lX. 


mi:  KIM  i: 


vol  ;  1ml  more  th.'  truth  of  God 
Turned  t«  a  h. ,  deceiving  and  deceived : 

with  die  accursed  iorcery  of  sin, 
'I'n  l.i-  own  «  sh  .mil  vili-  propensity 
Transforming  (till  the  morning  of  the  text. 

Hear,  while  I  I'rieily  U-ll  what  niortaU  proved, 
By  .  tlbrt  vast  of  ini^'iiuity, 
Mont  wondrous,  though  |<r rverae  and  damnable, 
1  from  the  Bible,  which,  as  thou  hast  heard, 
..uly  s|*ike  that  all  could  undentand. 
.itxl  not  leait  in  number,  argued  some 
Kiom  mil  this  Book  itself,  it  was  a  lie, 
A  fable,  framed  by  crafty  men  to  cheat 
Tlir  simple  herd,  and  muke  them  bow  the  knee 
To  kiims  and  priests.    These  in  their  wisdom  left 
'l'ln>  light  revealed,  and  turned  to  fancies  wild  ; 
Maintaining  loud,  tli.it  ruined,  helpless  man 
Needed  no  Saviour.     Others  proved  that  men 
MLi.t  liv<-  and  die  in  sin,  and  yet  be  saved, 
For  so  it  was  decreed  ;  binding  the  will, 
By  Qod  left  free,  to  unconditional, 
Unreasonable  fate.    Others  believed 
That  he  who  was  most  criminal,  debased, 
Condemned,  and  dead,  unaided  might  ascend 
The  heights  of  virtue ;  to  a  perfect  law 
(iivin^  n  lame,  halfway  obedience,  which 
My  useless  effort  only  served  to  show 
Tl>c  impotence  of  him  who  vainly  strove 
With  finite  arm  to  measure  infinite  ; 
Most  useless  effort,  when  to  justify 
In  sight  of  God  it  meant,  as  proof  of  faith 
Host  acceptable,  and  worthy  of  all  praise. 
Another  held,  and  from  the  Bible  held, 
is  infallible,  most  fallen  by  such 
uce  ;  that  none  the  Scriptures,  open  to  all. 
And  most  to  humble-hearted,  ought  to  read 
Hut  priests ;  that  all  who  ventured  to  disclaim 
His  forged  authority,  incurred  the  wrath 


1 '   I  leaven  ;  and  he  who,  in  the  Mood  of  such, 

Though  lather,  mother,  daughter,  wife,  or  ton, 

Imbrued  his  hands,  did  most  religious  work, 

Well  Ceasing  to  the  heart  of  the  Most  High. 

Others  in  outward  rite  devotion  placed  ; 

In  meats,  and  drinks,  in  robe  of  certain  shape, 

ID  bodily  abatements,  bended  knees ; 

Days,  numbers,  places,  vestment*,  words  and  name* ; 

Absurdly  in  their  hearts  imagining 

That  God,  like  men,  was  pleased  with  outward  show. 

r,  stranger  and  more  wicked  still, 
With  dark  and  dolorous  labour,  ill  applied, 
With  many  a  gripe  of  conscience,  and  with  most 
Unhealthy  and  abortive  reasoning, 
That  brought  liu  sanity  to  serious  doubt, 
'Mong  wise  and  honest  men,  maintained  that  He, 
First  Wisdom,  Great  Messiah,  Prince  of  Peace, 
The  Second  of  the  uncreated  Three, 
Was  nought  but  man,  of  earthly  origin : 
Thus  making  void  the  sacrifice  divine, 
And  leaving  guilty  men  God's  holy  law 
Still  unatoned,  to  work  them  endless  death. 

These  are  a  part ;  but  to  relate  thee  all 
The  monstrous,  unbaptised  fantasies. 
Imagination  fearfully  absurd, 
Hobgoblin  rites,  and  moonstruck  reverie*, 
Distracted  creeds,  and  visionary  dreams. 
More  bodiless  and  hideously  misshapen 
Than  ever  fancy,  at  the  noon  of  night, 
Playing  at  will,  framed  in  the  madman's  brain, 
That  from  the  Hook  of  simple  truth  were  proved— 
Were  proved,  as  foolish  men  were  wont  to  prove, 
Would  bring  my  word  in  doubt,  and  thy  belief 
Stagger,  though  here  I  sit  and  sing,  within 
The  pale  of  truth,  where  falsehood  never  crime. 

The  rest,  who  lost  the  heavenly  light  revealed, 
Not  wishing  to  retain  God  in  their  minds, 

In  darkness  wandered  on. 

Pollok. 


'  BIBLE -the  Attributes  of  the. 

Tin:  i  \u  in  HIE  LORD  is  PERFECT — CONVERTING  THE  SOUL; 

TlIK   II  -IIMONY  OF  THE  LORD  18  SURE — MAKING  WISE  THK  SIMPLE. 

TIIK  srAiriis  "K  IIIK  LORD  ARE  RIGHT — REJOICING  THE  HEART; 

TlIK  <  "MM  AXI'MKXT  OF  THE  LORD  IS  PURE KM  I'. Ill  KXIV!    I'HE  EYES. 

THE  FEAR  OF  THE  LORD  IS  CLEAN — ENDl'RIXO  FOR  I  I 

TlIK  II  I.. MINIS  i  IK   IIIK  LORD  ARE  TRUE,  AND  RIGHTEOUS  ALTOGETHER. 

M    UK  TO    BE    DEnlRED    ARE    THEY    THAN  GOLD,  YEA,  THAN    MUCH    FINE  GOLD;   SWEETER  ALSO   THAN    HONEY    AM>    IIIK 

n<  .M  \  -  i  .ji  n     MOREOVER  BY  THEM  is  THY  SERV  \  M  \\  \  i:  x  1 1  • :   A  x i .  i  v  K i KM xo  or  THEM  THERE  is  GREAT  REWARD. 

DaM. 

I    i  AS  niK  P.AIN  COMETH  DOWX,  ANI>  THE  SNOW  FROM  IIKUKN.  AND  RETI-RNETH  SOT  THITHER,  BUT  WATERETH  IIIK 

i.  AMI  MAKKTII  IF  Ti>  BRIX'i  FORTH  ASI>  III  I-.  I  HAT  I  r  MA Y  GIVE  SEED  TO  THE  *OWEB  AlfD  BREAD  TO  THE  EATER  :  So 
>ll  VI  I.  MY  W.'l-.n  ME  THAT  GOETII  H'!:tll  oUT  OF  MY  MOUTH  :  IT  SHALL  NOT  RETURN  UNTO  ME  VOID,  BUT  IT  SHALL  ACCOMPLISH 
TIU  I  Will'  II  I  III  \-l.  AND  IT  SHALL  PROSPER  IX  THE  THING  WHERETO  I  SENT  If.  luiak. 

FROM  A  CHILI'  ni"i  iiv^i  kxc\\s  mi.  ll..i\  s  KIMCKKS.  wiin  u  ARE  ABLE  TO  MAKE  THEE  WISE  ONTO  SALVATION, 
iiiK.ir.iii  >  AIIH  WHICH  is  IN  CHRIST  JEM 

Al.l.    S  IIIPTRRE  IS  iJIVI.X    IiY  iX-I'lKArii'X    "K<;<>K    VM>   IS   PROFITABLE  TOR  DOCTRISE,  FOR  REPROOF,  POR  OORRtv 
H'K  INSIKtviii.N    ix    i:i..!IIKolSXK.ss;    Ilivr    HIE    MAN   OF  (Jot)   MAY    BE   PKRFUT,  THOROUGHLY    FURNISHED  UNTO   ALL  GOOD 


THE  WORD  OF  GOD  is  WUCK  AXP  POWUUTU  SHARPER  THAN  ANY  TWO-EDOKD  SWORD,  PIERCING  EVEJ  TO  THE  DIVIMV. 

:;  T  2 


502 


THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN. 


APPENDIX. 


ASUNDER  OF  SOUL   AND  SPIRIT  AND  OF  THE  JOINTS  AND  MARROW,  AND  IS  A  D1SCERNER  OF  THE  THOUGHTS  AND  INTENTS  OF  THE 
HEART.  St.  Paid. 

FOR  ALL  FLESH  IS  AS  GRASS,  AND  ALL  THE  GLORY  OF  MAN  AS  THE  FLOWER  OF  GRASS.  THE  GRASS  WITHEEETH,  AND  THE 
FLOWER  THEREOF  FALLETH  AWAY  ;  BUT  THE  WORD  OF  THE  LORD  ENDURETH  FOR  EVER.  AND  THIS  IS  THE  WORD  WHICH  BY 
THE  GOSPEL  IS  PREACHED  UNTO  YOU.  St.  Peter. 

BIBLE— Beauty  of  the. 

I  use  the  Scriptures  not  as  an  arsenal  to  be  resorted  to  only  for  arms  and  weapons,  but  as  a  matchless  temple, 
where  I  delight  to  contemplate  the  beauty,  the  symmetry,  and  the  magnificence  of  the  structure,  and  to  increase 
my  awe  and  excite  my  devotion  to  the  Deity  there  preached  and  adored.  Boyle. 


BIBLE— Benefit  derived  from  the. 

The  sacred  page 

With  calm  attention  scan !     If  on  thy  soul, 
As  thou  dost  read,  a  ray  of  purer  light 
Break  in,  0,  check  it  not,  give  it  full  scope ! 


BIBLE — sometimes  a  Closed  Book. 

Men,  thus  at  variance  with  the  truth, 

Dream,  though  their  eyes  be  open  ;  reckless  some 

Of  error ;  others  well  aware  they  err, 

To  whom  more  guilt  and  shame  are  justly  due 

Each  the  known  track  of  sage  philosophy 

Deserts,  and  has  a  by-way  of  his  own : 

So  much  the  restless  eagerness  to  shine, 

And  love  of  singularity  prevail. 

Yet  this,  offensive  as  it  is,  provokes 

Heaven's  anger  less,  than  when  the  Book  of  God 

Is  forced  to  yield  to  man's  authority, 

Or  from  its  straightness  warp'd ;  no  reck'niny  made, 


Admitted,  it  will  break  the  clouds  which  long 
Have  dimmed  thy  sight,  and  lead  thee,  till  at  last, 
Convictions,  like  the  sun's  meridian  beams, 
Illuminate  thy  mind. 

Samuel  Hayes. 


What  blood  the  sowing  of  it  in  the  world 
Has  cost;  what  favour  for  himself  he  wins, 
Who  meekly  clings  to  it. 

Christ  said  not  to  his  first  conventicle, 

Go  forth  and  preach  impostures  to  the  world  ; 

But  gave  them  Truth  to  build  on  ;  and  the  sound 

Was  mighty  on  their  lips ;  nor  needed  they, 

Beside  the  Gospel,  other  spear  or  shield, 

To  aid  them  in  their  warfare  for  the  faith. 

Dante. 


BIBLE— the  Christian's  Bulwark. 

The  Christian  faith  has  been,  and  is  still,  very  fiercely  and  obstinately  attacked.  How  many  efforts  have 
been  and  are  still  made ;  how  many  books,  serious  and  frivolous,  able  or  silly,  have  been  and  are  spread  inces- 
santly, in  order  to  destroy  it  in  men's  minds !  Where  has  this  redoubtable  struggle  been  supported  with  the 
greatest  energy  and  success  ?  and  where  has  Christian  faith  been  best  defended  ?  There  where  the  reading  of  the 
Sacred  Books  is  a  general  and  assiduous  part  of  public  worship — there  where  it  takes  place  in  the  interior  of 
families  and  in  solitary  meditation.  It  is  the  Bible,  the  Bible  itself,  which  combats  and  triumphs  most  efiicaciously 
in  the  war  between  incredulity  and  belief.  Guizot. 


*  BIBLE — and  the  Common  People. 

It  was  wonderful  to  see  with  what  joy  this  book  of  God  was  received  not  only  among  the  learneder  sort,  but 
generally  all  England  over,  among  all  the  vulgar  and  common  people ;  and  with  what  greediness  God's  Word  was 
read,  and  what  resort  to  places  where  the  reading  of  it  was !  Everybody  that  could,  bought  the  book,  or  busily 
read  it,  or  got  others  to  read  it  to  them,  if  they  could  not  themselves.  Divers  more  elderly  people  learned 
to  read  on  purpose ;  and  even  little  boys  flocked,  among  the  rest,  to  hear  portions  of  the  Holy  Scripture  read. 

Strype. 

BIBLE— Divine  Character  of  the. 

As  a  poem,  moral  and  didactic,  it  is  a  repertory  of  divine  instincts — a  collection  of  the  deepest  intuitions  of 
truth,  beauty,  justice,  holiness — the  past,  the  present,  the  future — which,  by  their  far  vision,  the  power  by  which 
they  have  stamped  themselves  on  the  belief  and  heart,  the  hopes  and  fears,  the  days  and  nights  of  humanity ; 
their  superiority  to  aught  else  in  the  thoughts  or  words  of  man,  their  consistency  with  themselves,  their  progressive 
and  their  close-drawn  connection  with  those  marvellous  and  unshaken  facts,  are  proved  divine  in  a  sense  altogether 
peculiar  and  alone.  Gil/Ulan. 


AlM'KNMV  Till:    llllll.i:. 

•  BIBLE—  the  best  Expositor  of  the. 

•I'  TO  liivi  III  v\K-  ><n:  YOU,  MAKING  MENTION  OF  YOU  IN  MY  PRAYERS  ;  THAT  THE  GOD  OF  OUR  LORD  JOUS 
I'llKIM,  Illl  I'M  ill.  li  OF  GLORY,  MAY  GIVE  UNTO  YOU  THE  SPIRIT  OF  WISDOM  AXD  REVELATION  IN  THE  KNOWLEDGE  OF  HIM  : 
THE  EYES  OF  YOUR  UNDERSTANDING  BEING  ENUOHTENED  J  THAT  YE  MAY  KNOW  WHAT  IS  THE  HOPE  OF  HIS  CALLING,  AND 
\MIAI  Illl  i:|.  HES  OK  THE  GLORY  OF  HIS  INHERITANCE  IN  THE  SA  WHAT  IS  THE  KXCEED1NO  GREATNESS  OF  HIS 

l-ut.K  TO  US-WARD  WHO  BELIEVE,  ACCORDING  TO  THE  WORKING  OF  HIS  MIGHTY  I-"U  >  I..  will.'ll  HI  WROUGHT  IN  CHRIST,  WHEN 
III  KMMIi  HIM  I....M  THE  DEAD,  AND  SET  [HIM]  AT  HIS  OWN  RIGHT  HASH  IN  THE  HEAVENLY  [  PLACES],  FAR  ABOVE  ALL 
I'KlVir.ViHY,  AND  roWKK,  AM'  MIGHT,  AM>  DOMINION,  AND  EVERY  NAME  THAT  18  NAMED,  SOT  OM  .\  IN  Illl^  «oi;i|., 
BUT  ALSO  IN  THAT  WHICH  IS  TO  COME;  AMD  II.MII  TUT  ALL  [THINGS]  UKDEB  HIS  FEET,  AND  GAVE  HIM  [TO  BEJ  I  Ml 

in  \n  OVER  ALL  [THINGS]  TO  THE  run.,  n,  niu.  11  IN  ins  BODY,  THE  FULNESS  OF  HIM  THAT  FILLETH  ALL  IN  ALL. 

St.  Paul,  Epkaanii.  l'i--'i. 

It  is  most  plain  (writes  Luther  to  his  friend  Spalatein)  that  wo  cannot  attain  to  the  understanding  of  Scrip- 
inn-,  i-itlu-r  l.y  -study,  or  by  strength  of  intellect;  therefore,  your  first  duty  must  be  to  begin  with  prayer.  Entreat 
tliu  I.unl  to  deign  to  grant  you,  in  His  rich  mercy,  rightly  to  understand  11  in  Word.  There  is  no  other  interpreter 
>.f  id,.  \\,.r,l  of  God  but  the  Author  of  that  Word  Himself;  even  as  He  has  said,  '  They  shall  all  be  taught  of  God.' 
•  nothing  from  your  study  or  the  strength  of  your  intellect;  but  simply  put  your  trust  in  God,  and  in  the 
influ,  -IH-I-  of  His  Spirit.  ffAiMgne't  History  of  tin  Reformation,  voL  i.  p.  i'Jti. 

BIBLE     Fulness  of  the. 

It  has  God  for  its  author,  salvation  for  its  end,  and  truth,  without  any  mixture  of  error,  for  its  matter  :  —  it  is 
all  pure.  all  sincere  ;  nothing  too  much,  nothing  wanting.  Locke. 

BIBLE-Gloryofthe. 

•ry  gilds  the  sacred  page, 
Majestic  like  the  cun  ; 
It  give*  a  light  to  every  age  ; 
It  gives,  but  borrows  none. 


BIBLE—  Hope  Begotten  by  the. 

The  Bible  is  a  precious  storehouse,  and  the  Magna  Charta  of  a  Christian.  There  he  reads  of  his  heavenly 
Father's  love,  and  of  his  dying  Saviour's  legacies.  There  he  sees  a  map  of  his  travels  through  the  wilderness,  and 
a  landscape,  too,  of  Canaan.  And  when  he  climbs  on  Pisgah's  top,  and  views  the  promised  land,  his  heart  begins 
to  burn,  delighted  with  the  blessed  prospect,  and  amazed  at  the  rich  and  free  salvation.  But  a  mere  professor, 
though  a  decent  one,  looks  on  the  Bible  as  a  dull  book,  and  pcruseth  it  with  such  indifference  as  you  would  read 
the  title-deeds  belonging  to  another  man's  estate.  HerriAgt. 

BIBLE     Imperishableness  of  the. 

All.  I  I.1--11  I-  GRASS,  AXD  ALL  THE  GOODLIXESS  THEREOF  IS  AS  THE  FLOWER  OF  THE  FIELD:  THE  GRABS  WITHKRKI  II,  I  II. 
I!  own:  I  MO  III:  BECAUSE  THE  SPIRIT  OF  THE  LORD  BLOWETH  UPON  IT  :  SURELY  THE  PEOPLE  13  GRASS.  Till.  GRASS 
Wl  i  HKi-.M  II.  HIE  FLOWER  FADETH,  BUT  THE  WORD  OF  OUR  GOD  SHALL  STAND  FOR  EVER.  Isaiah. 

•  BIBLE—  the  Inditer  of  the. 

The  Inditer  of  the  Scriptures  did  know  four  things,  which  no  man  attains  to  know  ;  which  are,  the  mys- 
I  •  f  tin-  kingdom  of  glory  ;  the  perfection  of  the  laws  of  nature  ;  the  secrets  of  the  heart  of  man  ;  and  the  future 

•  •ssioii  ..fall  ages.  Lord  Bacon  (  H  '..-/>,  i.  228). 

•  BIBLE—  and  the  Invention  of  Printing. 

.  .  .  Printing,  however,  was  the  most  intellecttiai  of  all  the  arts,  and  yet  it  will  now  be  manifest  that  Intinit. 
Wisdom  was  by  no  means  in  any  haste  to  employ  it.  The  orators  of  Greece  and  Rome  had  been  allowed  to  try 
their  skill  once  more  in  improving  mankind. 

The  classics  were  permitted  to  enjoy  their  second,  and  more  splendid  triumph,  and  appeared  before  th. 
world   in   :i  richer  .In-.*  than  they  had  e\x-r  done;  and  since  the  colloquial  dial,  ct,  the  tongue  spoken  l.y  tin- 
l-i-ople,  was  not  the  language  of  what  was  called  the  I'hurch,  in  any  nation  of  Europe,  and  Latin  alone  wa*  li.-i 
language  everywhere,  then  let  that  tongue,  through  the  press,  also  enjoy  unprecedented  scope.     !-•  t   M.,   I  '..mill' 
ever  after  have  any  reason  to  complain  that  ample  justice  was  not  first  done  to  Ais  system.     Let  Arm  first  have  his 


fi04 


THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN. 


APPENDIX. 


fill  of  letters,  even  to  overflowing.  Let  him  richly  enjoy  the  first  fruits,  or  the  highest  place,  nay,  the  monopoly  of 
all  the  arts,  and  even  the  printing-press  to  boot;  and  before  the  clo.se  of  the  fifteenth  century,  let  there  be  issued 
from  the  press,  above  an  hundred  editions  of  the  LATIN  Bible,  for  such  was  the  fact :  and  throughout  Europe,  let 
there  be  hourly  spoken  still,  more  than 

"  ten  thousand  words  in  an  unknown  tongue." 

We  are  imperatively  bound  to  distinguish  between  the  oratory  of  Greece  and  Rome,  or  the  feeble 

language  of  literature,  and  the  voice  of  Jehovah  in  His  Word,  when  it  once  reached  the  ear  or  the  eye  of  our  fore- 
fathers, in  their  native  tongue ;  to  distinguish  as  carefully,  between  the  power  of  the  press,  and  the  power  of  what 
issued  from  it ;  between  printing,  however  splendid  to  the  eye,  and  what  is  printed,  when  addressed  by  the 
Almighty  to  the  heart ;  between  all  the  wisdom  of  this  world,  and  that  which  cometh  down  from  above  ;  between 
printed  books  without  exception,  and  "  the  oracles  of  God."  Anderson  (Introduction  to  the  Annals  of  the  English  Bible). 

BIBLE — Noble  Composition  of  the  Book  of  Job. 

The  Booh  of  Job. — I  call  that,  apart  from  all  theories  about  it,  one  of  the  grandest  things  ever  written  with 
pen.  One  feels,  indeed,  as  if  it  were  not  Hebrew;  such  a  noble  universality,  different  from  noble  patriotism,  or 
sectarianism,  reigns  in  it.  A  noble  book  !  all  men's  book !  It  is  our  first,  oldest  statement  of  the  never-ending 
problem,  man's  destiny,  and  God's  ways  with  him  here  in  this  earth.  And  all  in  such  free  flowing  outlines ;  grand 
in  its  sincerity,  in  its  simplicity,  in  its  epic  melody,  and  repose  of  reconcilement.  There  is  the  seeing  eye,  the 
mildly  understanding  heart.  So  true  every  way ;  time  eyesight  and  vision  for  all  things  ;  material  things  no  less 
than  spiritual :  the  horse — "  hast  Thou  clothed  his  neck  with  thunder  ?  "• — "  he  laughs  at  the  shaking  of  the  spear ! " 
Such  living  likenesses  were  never  since  drawn.  Sublime  sorrow,  sublime  reconciliation;  oldest  choral  melody 
as  of  the  heart  of  mankind ;  so  soft  and  great ;  as  the  summer  midnight,  as  the  world  with  its  seas  and  stars  ! 
There  is  nothing  written,  I  think,  in  the  Bible  or  out  of  it,  of  equal  literary  merit.  Carlyk. 

BIBLE— the  Guide  of  Life. 

It  is  a  belief  in  the  Bible,  the  fruits  of  deep  meditation,  which  has  served  me  as  the  guide  of  my  moral  and 
literary  life.  I  have  found  it  a  capital  safely  invested,  and  richly  productive  of  interest.  Goethe. 

BIBLE — Misapplication  of  the. 

Beware  of  misapplying  Scripture.  It  is  a  thing  easily  done,  but  not  so  easily  answered.  I  know  not  any 
one  gap  that  hath  let  in  more  and  more  dangerous  errors  into  the  Church  than  this, — that  men  take  the  word  of  the 
isacred  text,  fitted  to  particular  occasions,  and  to  the  condition  of  the  times  wherein  they  were  written,  and  then 
apply  them  to  themselves  and  others,  as  they  find  them,  without  due  respect  had  to  the  differences  that  may  be 
between  those  times  and  cases  and  the  present.  Bishop  Sanderson. 


BIBLE — contains  the  Mystery  of  Mysteries. 

Within  this  awful  volume  lies 
The  mystery  of  mysteries  : 
Happiest  they  of  human  race, 
To  whom  their  God  has  riven  aracc 


To  read,  to  fear,  to  hope,  to  pray, 
To  lift  the  latch,  to  force  the  way  ; 
But  better  had  they  ne'er  been  born 
Who  read  to  doubt,  or  read  to  scorn. 


Sir  Walter  Nrotl. 


'  BIBLE — Opposition  it  had  to  encounter  on  being  introduced  into  English. 

After  reading  the  histories  of  Halle,  Foxe,  Stowe,  Strype,  Burnet,  Collier,  Turner,  Lingard,  and  Soames,  as 
well  as  the  histories  of  the  translations  by  Lewis,  Herbert,  and  Dibdin,  with  the  Biblical  literature  of  Townley, 
Cotton,  and  Home,  still  no  one  can  possess  any  adequate  or  correct  idea  of  that  mighty  phalanx  of  talent,  policy, 
and  power,  so  firmly  arrayed  against  the  introduction  of  divine  truth  in  our  native  tongue  into  this  kingdom ;  and 
consequently  no  reader  has  ever  had  before  him  the  most  powerful  display,  in  comparatively  modern  times,  of  the 
irresistible  energy  of  the  Divine  Word.  Christopher  Anderson  (Preface  to  the  Annals  of  the  English  Bible). 

BIBLE —Poetry  of  the. 

The  Scripture  affords  us  a  divine  pastoral  drama  in  the  Song  of  Solomon,  consisting  of  two  persons  and  a 
.louble  chorus,  as  Origen  rightly  judges;  and  the  Apocalypse  of  St.  John  is  a  majestic  image  of  a  high  and  stately 
tni^edy,  shutting  and  intermingling  her  solemn  scenes  and  acts  with  a  seven-fold  chorus  of  hallelujahs  and  harping 
symphonies.  And  this  my  opinion,  the  grave  authority  of  Fareus,  commenting  that  book,  is  sufficient  to  confirm. 


AlTKMUX. 


TIII:  r.im.r.. 


Or.  if  occasion  shall  lead,  to  imitate  thmic  magnific  odea  and  hymn-..  «li. n  in  1'iti.lnrus  and  Callimachtu  are  in 
tilings  worthy,  Home  other*  in  their  frame  judicious,  in  tli.-ir  matter  most  an  end  faulty.      I'.iit  those  frequent 
songs,    throiijjliuiit   the  laws  and  prophet*,  beyond  all  these,  not  in  their  divine  argument  alone,  but  in  the 
\-er\  ,  !  it i,-.-il  .,rt   ,f  composition,  may  be  easily  made  appear  over  all  the  kind*  of  lyric  poesy  to  be  incomparable. 

Milton. 
BIBLE     Poetry,  Oratory,  and  Politics  of  the. 

'I'll.-!  i-  :nv  ii.i  songs  comparable  to  the  Hongs  of  /ion  ;  no  orations  equal  to  those  of  the  IVopheta ;  and  no 
polities  like  those  which  the  Sciiptnres  teach.  JW. 


BIBLE— Simplicity  of  the  plan  of  Salvation. 

i»>w  unlike  the  complex  works  of  man, 
Heaven's  easy,  artless,  unencimibcr'd  plan  ; 
NII  1:1.  r.  tricioug  grace*  to  beguile, 

•rnainvnU  to  ol.>4  the  |iile  : 
From  ostentation  as  from  weakness  free; 
It  stands  like  the  cerulean  arch  we  see, 
Majestic  in  its  own  simplicity. 


Inscribed  above  the  |x>rtal,  from  afar, 

Conspicuous  as  the  brightness  of  a  star, 

Legible  only  l>y  th--  li^lit  they  give, 

Stand  tin-  soul-<|uickeuiiig  words — lk-lieve  and  live. 


BIBLE     Sublimity  of  the. 

'I 'he re  is  not  a  book  on  earth  so/uwuraW*  to  all  the  kind,  and  all  the  sublime  affections,  or  so  unfriendly  to  hutrvl 
and  />ersecution—to  tyranny,  injustice,  and  entry  sort  of  malevolence,  as  the  GOSPEL.     It  breathes  nothing  throughout  but 

mercy,  benevolence,  and  peace Such  of  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  as  are  level  to  human  capacity,  appear  to 

be  agreeable  to  the  purest  truth  and  soundest  morality.     All  the  genius  and  learning  of  the  heathen  world,  all  the 
•  n  of  Pythagoras,  Socrates,  and  Aristotle,  had  never  been  able  to  produce  such  a  system  of  moral 
,  and  so  rational  an  account  of  Providence  and  of  man,  as  is  to  be  found  in  the  New  Testament  Beattir. 


I  have  carefully  and  regularly  perused  these  Holy  Scriptures,  and  am  of  opinion  that  the  volume,  independ- 
ent ly  of  its  divine  origin,  contains  more  sublimity,  purer  morality,  more  important  history,  and  finer 
strains  of  eloquence,  than  can  be  collected  from  all  other  books,  in  whatever  language  they  may  have  been 
writr  Sir  William  Janet. 

BIBLE     Teaching  of  the. 

Tin-  Sriur TURKS  teach  us  the  best  way  of  living,  the  nMest  tcay  of  suffering,  and  the  most  comfortable  way  ofdyiuy. 


Hani. 


Better  teaching 

The  solid  rules  of  civil  government, 
In  th'-ir  majestic,  unaffected  style, 
Than  all  the  oratory  of  Greece  and  Rome. 


In  them  is  plainest  taught,  and  easiest  learnt, 
\Vliat  makes  a  nation  happy,  and  keeps  it  so ; 
What  ruins  kingdoms,  and  lays  cities  flat  : 
These  only,  with  our  law,  best  form  s  king. 

" 

*  BIBLE— the  Translator  of  the,  to  the  People  of  God  in  England. 

I  have  here  translated,  brethren  and  sitters,  most  dtar  and  tenderly  beloved  in  Christ,  At  New  Testament,  for  your  sj» 
•••lif'/ing,  consolation  and  solace  :  Exhorting  instantly,  and  beseeching  those  that  an  better  seen  in  the  tongues  than  I,  and  that  have 
Higher  gifts  of  grace  to  interpret  the  sense  of  the  Scripture,  a*d  meaning  of  the  Spirit,  than  I,  to  consider  and  ponder  my  labour, 
•mil  thit  with  the  spirit  of  meekness.  And  if  they  perceive  in  any  places  that  I  have  not  attained  the  very  tense  of  the  tongue,  or 
mg  of  the  Scripture,  or  have  not  given  the  right  English  word,  that  they  put  to  their  hands  to  amend  it,  remembering  that  to 
i.i  their  duty  to  do.  For  tee  hate  not  received  the  gifts  of  God  for  ourselves  only,  or  for  to  hide  them  :  but  for  In  bestow  them  unto 
the  honouring  of  God  and  Chrixt,  and  eiKfyiitg  of  the  congregation,  vhich  is  the  body  of  Christ. 

The  causes  that  moved  me  to  translate,  I  thought  better  that  others  should  imagine,  than  that  I  should  rehear.it  them. 
Moreover,  I  supposed  it  superfluous;  for  who  is  so  blind  to  ash,  why  light  should  be  showed  to  them  that  walk  in  ilarknett,  where 
thfy  cannot  but  stumble,  and  where  to  stumble  is  the  danger  of  eternal  damnation  ;  either  to  dttpitefiil  that  he  could  envy  any  man 
^  /  speak  not  his  brother)  so  necessary  a  thing  ;  or  to  bedlam  mad  as  to  affirm  that  good  it  the  natural  cautt  of  evil,  and  darknea 
to  proceed  out  of  light,  and  that  lying  should  be  grounded  in  truth  and  verity ;  and  not  rather  clean  contrary,  that  light  dettroyeth 
darkness,  and  verity  reproveth  all  manner  (of)  lying. 

After  it  had  pleated  God  to  put  in  my  mind,  and  also  to  give  me  grace  to  translate  this  fore-rehearsed  (brfort-mmtiontd) 
Testament  into  our  EnyliJi  tongue,  howsoever  we  have  done  it,  J  supposed  it  very  necttsary  to  put  you  in  rememltrance  of 
ctrtainp-,,  Tyndale  (.».!>.  1 


f>0(i 


THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN. 


APPENDIX. 


BIBLE— Value  of  the. 

The  most  learned,  acute,  and  diligent  student  cannot,  in  the  longest  life,  obtain  an  entire  knowledge  of  this 
one  volume.  The  more  deeply  he  works  the  mine,  the  richer  and  more  abundant  ho  finds  the  ore ;  new  light 
continually  beams  from  this  source  of  heavenly  knowledge,  to  direct  the  conduct,  and  illustrate  the  work  of  God 
and  the  ways  of  men ;  and  he  will  at  least  leave  the  world,  confessing  that  the  more  he  studied  the  Scriptures  the 
fuller  conviction  he  had  of  his  own  ignorance,  and  oftlmr  inestimable  value.  Sir  Walter  Scott. 

GOD— Adoration  of. 

While  earthly  objects  are  exhausted  by  familiarity,  the  thought  of  God  becomes  to  the  devout  man  continually 
brighter,  richer,  vaster ;  derives  fresh  lustre  from  all  that  he  observes  of  Nature  and  Providence,  and  attracts  to 
itself  all  the  glories  of  the  universe.  The  devout  man,  especially  in  moments  of  strong  religious  sensibility,  feels 
distinctly  that  he  has  found  the  true  happiness  of  man.  He  has  found  a  Being  for  his  veneration  and  love,  whose 
character  is  inexhaustible,  who,  after  ages  shall  have  passed,  will  still  be  uncomprehended  in  the  extent  of  his 
perfections,  and  will  still  communicate  to  the  pure  mind  stronger  proofs  of  His  excellence,  and  more  intimate  signs 
of  His  approval.  Channitig. 

GOD— All  in  all. 

It  is  a  poor  philosophy  and  a  narrow  religion,  which  does  not  recognise  God  as  all  in  all.  Every  moment  of 
our  lives  we  breathe,  stand,  or  move  in  the  temple  of  the  Most  High  ;  for  the  whole  universe  is  that  temple. 
"Wherever  we  go,  the  testimony  to  His  power,  the  impress  of  His  hand,  are  there.  Ask  of  the  bright  worlds  around 
us,  as  they  roll  in  the  everlasting  harmony  of  their  circles ;  and  they  shall  tell  you  of  Him,  whose  power  launched 
them  on  their  courses.  Ask  of  the  mountains,  that  lift  their  heads  among  and  above  the  clouds ;  and  the  bleak 
summit  of  one  shall  seem  to  call  aloud  to  the  snow-clad  top  of  another,  in  proclaiming  their  testimony  to  the  Agency 
which  has  laid  their  deep  foundations.  Ask  of  ocean's  waters  ;  and  the  roar  of  their  boundless  waves  shall  chant 
from  shore  to  shore  a  hymn  of  ascription  to  that  Being,  who  hath  said,  "  Hitherto  shall  ye  come  and  no  further." 
Ask  of  the  rivers ;  and,  as  they  roll  onward  to  the  sea,  do  they  not  bear  along  their  ceaseless  tribute  to  the  ever- 
working  Energy,  which  struck  open  their  fountains  and  poured  them  down  through  the  valleys  ?  Ask  of  every 
region  of  the  earth,  from  the  burning  equator  to  the  icy  pole,  from  the  rock-bound  coast  to  the  plain  covered  with 
its  luxuriant  vegetation ;  and  you  will  find  on  them  all  the  record  of  the  Creator's  presence.  Ask  of  the 
countless  tribes  of  plants  and  animals :  and  shall  they  not  testify  to  the  action  of  the  great  Source  of  Life  ?  Yes, 
from  every  portion,  from  every  department  of  Nature,  comes  the  same  voice :  everywhere  we  hear  Thy  name, 
O  God ;  everywhere  we  see  Thy  love.  Creation,  in  all  its  length  and  breadth,  in  all  its  depth  and  height,  is  the 
manifestation  of  Thy  Spirit,  and  without  Thee  the  world  were  dark  and  dead.  The  universe  is  to  us  as  the  burning 
bush  which  the  Hebrew  leader  saw  :  God  is  ever  present  in  it,  for  it  burns  with  His  glory,  and  the  ground  on  which 
we  stand  is  always  holy. 

How  then  can  we  speak  of  that  Presence  as  peculiarly  in  the  sanctuary,  which  is  abroad  through  all  space 
and  time  ?  Francis. 


GOD— the  Fountain  of  Beatitude. 

Thou  art  the  source  and  centre  of  all  minds, 
Their  only  point  of  rest,  Eternal  Word ! 
From  Thee  departing,  they  are  lost,  and  rove 
At  random,  without  honour,  hope,  or  peace. 
For  this  is  all  that  soothes  the  life  of  man, 
His  high  endeavour,  and  his  glad  success, 


His  strength  to  suffer,  and  his  will  to  serve. 
But,  0  !  thou  bounteous  Giver  of  all  good, 
Thou  art,  of  all  Thy  gifts,  Thyself  the  crown ! 
Give  what  Thou  canst ;  without  Thee  we  are  poor, 
And  with  Thee  rich  ;  take  what  Thou  wilt  away. 


Cowper. 


GOD — An  Indian's  Conceptions  of. 

"Who  is  it  that  causeth  the  rain  to  rise  in  the  high  mountains,  and  to  empty  itself  into  the  ocean?  Who  is  it 
that  causes  to  blow  the  loud  winds  of  winter,  and  that  calms  them  again  in  the  summer  ?  Who  is  it  that  rears  up 
the  shade  of  those  lofty  forests,  and  blasts  them  with  the  quick  lightning  at  His  pleasure  ?  The  same  Being  who 
gave  to  you  a  country  on  the  other  side  of  the  waters,  and  gave  ours  to  us ;  and  by  this  title  we  will  defend  it. 

Quoted  by  Lord  Erskine. 
GOD— Confidence  in. 

How  calmly  may  we  commit  ourselves  to  the  hands  of  Him  who  bears  up  the  world — of  Him  who  has  created, 
and  who  provides  for  the  joys  even  of  insects,  as  carefully  as  if  He  were  their  father !  Richter. 


APPKNMX. 


507 


GOD-  Clemency  of. 

God  !  who  IN  tho  Father  of  spirits,  is  tho  most  tolerant  Man  I  who  is  the  first  of  animals,  is  the  most 
oppressive  —  yet  he  calls  himself  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty.  Man  become*  angry,  and  punishes  for  even-  little 

t  ;  (I...1  livurs  with  nil  the  insults  and  vices  of  man,  who  daily  and  hourly  is  employed  in  endeavouring  to 
Him.  Man  pretends  to  admire  the  benign  nature  of  tho  I  \et  when  he  see*  another  imitate  His 

<1<  money  and  good-nature,  ho  calls  him  a  fool.  So  mm  h  f.>r  man's  consistency.  Jerdan. 

GOD—  the  Creator. 

II  IU  IH  MADE  THE  EARTH  BY  II  IS  TOWER,  Hi  HATH  ESTABLISHED  THE  WORLD  BV  HlS  WISDOM,  AHD  HATH  STRETCHED 
OUT  IIIK  UK  AVESS  BY  HlS  DISCRETION.  Jtremiah. 


GOD     Decrees  of. 

For  men  to  judge  of  their  condition  by  the  decrees  of  God  which  are  hid  from  us,  and  not  by  His  word  which 
is  near  us  and  in  our  hearts,  is  as  if  a  man  wandering  in  the  wide  sea,  in  a  dark  night  when  the  heaven  is 
all  clotiikil  about,  should  yet  resolve  to  steer  his  course  by  the  stars  which  he  cannot  see,  but  only  guess 
at,  and  neglect  the  compass,  which  is  at  hand,  and  would  afford  him  a  much  better  and  more  certain  direction. 

TiOotnon. 
GOD  -Duty  to. 

I  cannot  but  take  notice  of  the  wonderful  love  of  God  to  mankind,  who,  in  order  to  encourage  obedience  to 
His  laws,  has  annexed  a  present  as  well  as  a  future  reward  to  a  good  life  ;  and  has  so  interwoven  our  duty  and 
h  >]>piness  together,  that,  while  we  are  discharging  our  obligations  to  the  one,  we  are,  at  the  same  time,  making  the 
best  provision  fur  the  other.  Mclmoth. 


GOD    Eternity  of. 

n  as  darkness,  sclf-impregned,  brings  forth 
itivc  light,  and  silence,  speech  ;  so  beams, 

Known  through  all  ages,  hope  and  help  of  man, 

One  Qod  omnific,  sole,  original, 

GOD  -in  Everything. 

One  Spirit — His 

Who  wore  the  platted  thorns  with  bleeding  brows — 
Rules  universal  nature.    Not  a  flower 
But  shows  some  touch  in  freckle,  streak,  or  stain, 
i  M'  His  unriraU'd  pencil.     He  inspires 
Tin  ir  balmy  odours,  and  imparts  their  hues, 
And  bathes  their  eyes  with  nectar,  and  includes 
In  grains  as  countless  as  the  sea-side  sands. 


Wine  wonder-working  wieldor  of  the  whole, 
Infinite,  inconceivable,  immense, 
The  midst  without  beginning,  and  the  first 
From  the  beginning,  and  of  all  Heinji  last. 

H<iilry. 

The  forms  with  which  He  sprinkles  all  the  earth, 
Happy  who  walks  with  Him ;  whom  what  be  finds 
Of  flavour  or  of  scent  in  fruit  or  flower, 
Or  what  he  views  of  beautiful  or  grand 
In  Nature,  from  the  broad  majestic  oak, 
To  the  green  blade  that  twinkles  in  the  sun, 
Prompts  with  remembrance  of  a  present  God. 

L'otcper. 


There  is  no  creature  in  the  world,  wherein  we  may  not  see  enough  to  wonder  at :  for  there  is  no  worm  of  the 
earth,  no  spire  of  grass,  no  leaf,  no  twig,  wherein  we  see  not  the  footsteps  of  a  Deity :  tho  best  visible  creature  is 
man ;  now  what  man  is  he  that  can  make  but  an  hair,  or  a  straw,  much  less  any  sensitive  creature,  so  as  no  less 
than  an  infinite  power  is  seen  in  every  object  that  presents  itself  to  our  eyes :  if,  therefore,  we  look  only  on  the 
outside  of  those  bodily  substances,  and  we  do  not  see  God  in  everything,  we  are  no  better  than  brutish  ;  make  use 
merely  of  our  sense  without  the  least  improvement  of  our  faith  or  <>ur  reason.  Contrary,  then,  to  the  opinion  of 
those  men,  who  hold  that  a  wise  man  should  admire  nothing,  I  say  that  a  truly  wise  and  good  mail  should 
admire  everything,  or  rather  that  infiniteneuR  of  wisdom  and  omnipotence  which  shows  itself  in  every  visible 
object.  Mishap  Hall. 


GOD— Existence  of. 

A n.l  can  there  be  who  doubt  there  is  a  God, 
Aii'l  li!'-  eternal ! — When  the  river  flows, 
Deny  the-  fuimtuin-hcad  who  will,  the  wave, 
That,  i-iirlin.',  murmurs  farthest  from  its  source, 
That  source  attests.    Show  me  some  well-wrought  work 
Of  matter  or  of  mind ;  though  you  produce 


No  author,  I  conclude  that  such  there  was, 

Or  this  had  never  been,  and  give  him  praise. 

And  why  should  sense  demur  ?    \Y)i<  n  th«-  poor  slave, 

Doom'd  by  some  tyrant's  hard  decree  to  starve, 

Wakes  in  his  dungeon,  on  his  rocky  bed, 

From  sleep,  then  wildly  casts  his  eyes  aruund, 

3  u 


508 


THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN. 


APPENDIX. 


As  if  in  search  of  death,  let  him  espy 

In  osier  frame  sweet  herbage  of  the  field 

To  greet  his  famish'd  lip,  and  from  the  spring, 

In  earthen  jar,  the  lucid  draught  to  cheer 

His  parching  tongue;  will  he  not  straight  exclaim 

That  some  kind  hand  hath  oped  his  prison  door, 

And  brought  this  bounty  ?    Will  he  not  invoke 


A  blessing  on  the  donor  as  he  tastes, 

And  feels  the  temperate  tide  of  health  return 

To  cool  the  heated  vessels  of  his  heart, 

And  pacify  the  fever  in  his  brain  ? 

Tell  him  'twas  chance  : — but  no  ; — you  could  not  thus 

Abuse  his  ear,  nor  wound  his  swelling  soul 

In  presence  of  the  angel  Gratitude. 

Cowper. 


GOD — Argument  for  the  Existence  of. 

There  is  no  greater,  at  least  no  more  palpable  and  convincing,  argument  of  the  existence  of  a  Deity,  than  the 
admirable  art  and  wisdom  that  discovers  itself  in  the  make  and  constitution,  the  order  and  disposition,  the  ends  and 
uses,  of  all  the  parts  and  members  of  this  stately  fabric  of  heaven  and  earth.  For  if  in  the  works  of  art,  as  for 
example  a  curious  edifice  or  machine,  counsel,  design,  and  direction  to  an  end,  appearing  in  the  whole  frame,  and 
in  all  the  several  pieces  of  it,  do  necessarily  infer  the  being  and  operation  of  some  intelligent  architect  or  engineer, 
why  shall  not  also  in  the  works  of  nature,  that  grandeur  and  magnificence,  that  excellent  contrivance  for  beauty, 
order,  use,  &c.,  which  is  observable  in  them,  wherein  they  do  as  much  transcend  the  effects  of  human  art  as 
infinite  power  and  wisdom  exceeds  finite,  infer  the  existence  and  efficiency  of  an  Omnipotent  and  All-wise  Creator  ? 

Ray. 

GOD — Nature  demonstrating  the  Existence  of. 

Little  facts  and  circumstances,  in  the  economy  of  Almighty  God,  have  irresistible  charms  for  me,  and  serve, 
like  others  more  prominent,  to  show  the  perfect  and  beautiful  manner  in  and  for  which  everything  has  been 
created.  In  contemplating  them,  what  a  delightful  lesson  may  we  not  leam  !  We  may  find  in  them  the  strongest 
testimonies  of  the  truth  of  revelation,  and  the  superintendence  of  an  all-wise  and  benevolent  Creator.  It  has  been 
well  said,  that  in  the  book  of  Nature  is  written  in  the  plainest  characters  the  existence  of  a  God  which  Revelation 
takes  for  granted  ;  of  a  God  how  full  of  contrivance !  how  fertile  in  expedients  !  how  benevolent  in  his  ends  !  At 
work  everywhere,  everywhere  too  with  equal  diligence;  leaving  nothing  incomplete;  finishing  "the  hinge  in  the 
wing  of  an  insect,"  as  perfectly  as  if  it  were  all  He  had  to  do  ;  unconfounded  by  the  multiplicity  of  objects,  undis- 
tracted  by  their  dispersion,  unwearied  by  their  incessant  demands  on  Him,  fresh  as  on  that  day  when  the  morning- 
stars  first  sang  together,  and  all  nature  shouted  for  joy.  Jesse. 

GOD — Necessity  for  the  Existence  of. 

Notwithstanding  the  consequences  which  may  justly  be  dreaded  by  sinful  and  incorrigible  beings,  it  is 
certainly  of  all  things  most  desirable  that  there  should  be  a  God.  Social  order,  and  civil  government,  with  all  the 
sublime  contemplations  of  religion,  its  dignifying  effect,  and  powerful  consolations,  clearly  depend  on  the  grand 
principle,  that  there  is  a  Being  who  made  and  who  governs  the  universe.  Such  a  Being  must  be  infinitely  worthy 
of  the  adoration  of  His  rational  creatures;  He  must  have  a  claim  on  their  implicit  obedience;  and  to  Him  they 
must  all  be  accountable.  Here  lie  the  foundations  of  human  happiness,  and  particularly  of  that  moral  excellence, 
which  even  in  this  life  approximates  the  rational  creature  to  its  highest  attainable  perfection ;  here  too  are  the 
securities,  and  the  only  effective  securities,  of  every  constitution  calculated  to  promote  the  present  or  the  future 
felicities  of  man.  Duncan. 

GOD — Creation  Glorifies. 

Every  created  thing  glorifies  God  in  its  place,  by  fulfilling  His  will,  and  the  great  purpose  of  His  providence  : 
but  man  alone  can  give  tongue  to  every  creature,  and  pronounce  for  all  a  general  doxology.  Kirby. 


GOD — Holiness  of. 

Had  not  the  covenant  of  mercy  been  infinitely  holy,  man  could  never  have  been  saved.  We  stand  in  need  of 
holiness  as  well  as  mercy.  The  grace  of  God  in  the  child  of  God  is  infinitely  more  glorifying  to  God  than  the  sun 
which  shines  by  day,  or  the  moon  and  stars  which  govern  the  night.  Holiness  raises  man  more  highly  above  his 
fellow-men,  than  reason  elevates  him  above  the  brute  creation.  The  holiness  of  God  reigns  in  hell,  and  ever  will 
reign  there :  nor  is  the  holiness  of  God  less  glorified  in  the  condemnation  of  the  wicked  than  in  the  salvation 
of  the  righteous.  The  law  which  executes  the  criminal  is  just  as  holy  as  the  law  which  declares,  "  Thou  shalt  not 
kill."  Howels. 


AIVKM.IV  i  ;<>|'.  KB 

GOD    Immutability  of. 

OK  m.ii  M\-I  THOU  UAH'  mi  t"iM.  \IION  OF  THE  EARTH:  AM.  rut  HEAVENS  ARK  THE  WORK  or  Tin  HAM*.    THICT 

-MAI.  I.    ri.KMI,    1.1  I  'I'll..  i     -II  u  I    I  \i  !  1:1  :    TEA,  ALL  OF  THEM  SHALL  WAX  OLD  LIKE  A  GARMENT:   AS  A  VESTURE  SHALT  THOU 

K  HUM.  IM.  no  \  -n  \i  i  1.  1  .  n  v\..i  i.     m  i  Tiii.r  AI;I  mi:  SAMK,  AXD  THY  YEARS  SHALL  HAVE  KO  ENP.         Mini/. 


GOD    Majesty  and  Justice  of. 

\\IIM  linli  Id  TERRIBLE  MAJESTY.  TOUCHING  TIIK  Al.Mli.lllY.  \M  •  \s\.  i  IIM-  HlM  OUT:  HE  18  EXCELLENT  IN 
IM\M:I;.  AMI  ]s  .ICU.MKNT.  AM.  IN  PLENTY  OF  JUSTICE  :  Hi  \MII  M.I  AH  1  1.  i.  Mix  H.  THEREFORE  FKAR  HlM.  JA 

GOD    Kindness  of. 

1'       -  II       HATH   SET    HIS   LOVE  UPOX   ME,   THEREFORE  WILL  I  DELIVER   HIM  :    I  WILL  SET  HIM  ON  HIGH,  BECAUSE  HE 

M  Mil    hN'.u  N    M  ,    s  SMI  .      H£  SHALL  CALL  UI«N  ME,  AND  I  WILL  ANSWER  HIM.      I  WILL  BE  WITH  HIM  IN  TROUBLE;    I   WILL 
I.H.1MK  HIM  AM.  HONOUR  HIM.      WlTH  LONG  LIFE  WILL  I  SATISFY  HIM  AND  SHEW  HIM  MY  SAI  \  \l  I»V  l>,ind. 

GOD    Living  Without 

Tin-  high  and  the  low,  tho  young  and  the  old,  the  busy  and  the  idle,  alike  shun  acquaintance  with  God,  a* 
if  Hi-  v.-rv  name  brought  uneasiness,  and  disturbed  our  comfort  and  repose.  If  wo  mention  <iod  to  the  young,  we 
too  often  seem  to  be  troubling  them  with  what  they  had  rather  forget  in  such  early  days:  while  the  aged  ili.-li!>. 
to  bo  reminded  of  their  mibforlune,  that  their  time  on  earth  is  drawing  near  to  an  end.  If  we  mention  (iod  to 
the  gay  and  happy,  we  appear  to  be  interfering  with  their  pleasure*.  If  we  mention  Him  to  the  great  and  to  the 
learned,  they  will  intimate  that  Mich  subjects  belong  rather  to  an  humbler  clans  and  station.  But  the  pour  and 
laborious,  on  their  part,  refer  us  to  those  who  have  more  information  and  more  leisure.  Thus  a  large  portion  of 
mankind,  in  all  classes,  strive  to  keep  God  out  of  their  thought*,  and  to  live,  no  far  aa  in  them  lies,  without  Him  in 
the  world.  Yes,  without  Him,  who,  as  the  Apostle  says,  it  not  far  from  any  one  of  u»  ;  for  in  Him  tee  live,  and  move, 
and  hare  our  Itfiny.  Why  should  they  act  so  strangely  and  unreasonably,  if  they  believed  that  acquaintance  with 
(Iod  would  give  them  peace.  liishofi  Sumntr. 

GOD  —  the  Creator  of  Light. 

GOD  SAID,  LET  THERE  BE  LIGHT,  AND  THERE  WAS  LIGHT.  MUM*. 

GOD  -  Love  of. 

It  is  the  nature  of  every  artificer  to  tender  and  esteem  his  own  work;  and  if  God  should  not  love  Ili- 
croature,  it  would  reflect  some  disparagement  upon  His  workmanship,  that  He  should  make  anything  that  He 
could  not  own.  God's  power  never  produces  what  His  goodness  cannot  embrace.  God  oftentimes,  in  the  same 
man,  distinguishes  between  the  sinner  and  the  creature;  aa  a  creature,  He  can  love  him,  while  M  a  sinner  He  does 
afflict  him.  *""'• 

GOD     Celestial  Love  of. 

<  Yl.-Mial  love,  with  tho  affections  of  good  and  truth,  and  the  perceptions  thence  derived,  and  at  the  same 
time  with  the  delights  of  these  affections  and  the  thoughts  thence  derived,  may  be  compared  to  a  tree  with  beau- 
tiful branches,  leaves,  and  finite  ;  the  life's  love  is  that  tree  ;  the  branches,  with  the  leaves,  are  the  affection!  of 
good  and  truth,  with  their  perceptions  ;  and  the  fruite  are  the  delights  of  the  affections,  with  their  thoughts. 

Swedttborg. 

GOD  -Universal  Love  of. 

Canst  thou  betierc  the  vast  eternal  mind 

Wat  e'er  to  Sy  rts  and  Libyan  nndi  confined  ? 

That  He  would  cbooae  this  waste,  this  barren  ground, 

To  teach  the  thin  inhabitant*  around, 

And  leave  11U  truth  in  wilds  and  dcaerU  drown'd  ? 

l!i>ux. 

3  u  2 


510 


THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN. 


APPENDIX. 


There  is  an  Eye  that  never  sleeps 
Beneath  the  wing  of  night ; 

There  is  an  Ear  that  never  shuts 
When  sink  the  beams  of  light. 

There  is  an  Arm  that  never  tires 
When  human  strength  gives  way ; 


There  is  a  Love  that  never  fails 

When  earthly  loves  decay. 
That  Eye  is  fix'd  on  seraph  throngs  ; 
That  Ear  is  fill'd  with  angels'  songs  ; 
That  Arm  upholds  the  worlds  on  high  ; 
That  Love  is  throned  beyond  the  sky. 


The  perfect  love  of  God  knoweth.  no  difference  between  the  poor  and  the  rich. 


Heber. 


Pacuvius. 


GOD — Blessedness  of  Loving. 

Unto  them  that  love  him,  God  causeth  all  things  to  work  for  the  best.  So  that  with  Him,  by  the  heavenly 
light  of  steadfast  faith,  they  see  life  even  in  death;  with  Him,  even  in  heaviness  and  sorrow,  they  fail  not 
of  joy  and  comfort;  with  Him  even  in  poverty,  affliction,  and  trouble,  they  neither  perish,  nor  are  forsaken. 

Coverdale. 
GOD— Beauty  of  the  Name  of. 

There  is  a  beauty  in  the  name  appropriated  by  the  Saxon  nations  to  the  Deity,  unequalled,  except  by  His 
most  venerated  Hebrew  appellation.  They  called  Him  "  GOD,"  which  is  literally  "  THE  GOOD."  The  same  word 
signifying  the  Deity,  and  His  most  endearing  quality.  Turner. 


GOD — Omnipotence  of. 


Who  guides  below,  and  rules  above : 

The  great  Disposer,  and  the  mighty  King : 

Than  He  none  greater,  next  Him  none, 

That  can  be,  is,  or  was  : 

Supreme,  He  singly  fills  the  throne. 

Horace. 


Power  is  that  glorious  attribute  of  God  Almighty,  which  furnishes  the  rest  of  His  perfections.  'Tis  His 
omnipotence  that  makes  His  wisdom  and  goodness  effectual,  and  succeed  to  the  length  of  His  will.  Thus,  His 
decrees  are  immutable,  and  His  counsels  stand;  this  secures  His  prerogative,  and  guards  the  sovereignty  of  His 
being;  'twas  His  power  which  made  His  ideas  fruitful,  and  struck  the  world  out  of  His  thought.  'Twas  this 
which  answered  the  model  of  the  creation,  gave  birth  to  time  and  nature,  and  brought  them  forth  at  His  first  call . 
thus,  He  spake  the  word,  and  they  were  made ;  He  commanded,  and  they  were  created.  'Tis  the  divine  power 
which  is  the  basis  of  all  things ;  which  continues  the  vigour  of  the  second  causes,  and  keeps  the  sun  and  moon  in 
repair.  This  holds  everything  constant  to  appointment,  and  true  to  the  first  plan ;  the  revolutions  of  the  seasons, 
the  support  of  animals,  the  perpetuity  of  species,  is  carried  on  and  maintained.  Without  this,  things  would  soon 
run  riot,  and  ramble  out  of  distinction ;  the  succours  of  life  would  be  cut  off,  and  nature  drop  into  decaj-.  Om- 
niscience and  goodness  without  a  correspondent  power  would  be  strangely  short  of  satisfaction  ;  to  know  everything 
without  being  able  to  supply  defects,  and  remedy  disorders,  must  prove  an  Tinpleasant  speculation ;  to  see  so  many 
noble  schemes  languish  in  the  mind  and  prove  abortive ;  to  see  the  most  consummate  wisdom,  the  most  generous 
temper,  fettered  and  disarmed,  must  be  a  grievance  ;  but  when  omnipotence  comes  into  the  notion,  the  grandeur  is 
perfect  and  the  pleasure  entire.  Jeremy  Cottier. 

GOD — Omnipresence  of. 

0  LORD,  THOU  HAST  SEARCHED  ME,  AND  KNOWN  ME.  THOU  KNOWEST  MY  DOWNSITTING  AND  MINE  UPRISING,  THOU 
UNDERSTANDEST  MY  THOUGHT  AFAR  OFF.  THOU  COMPASSEST  MY  PATH  AND  MY  LYING  DOWN,  AND  ART  ACQUAINTED  WITH  ALL 
MY  WAYS.  FOR  THERE  IS  NOT  A  WORD  IN  MY  TONGUE,  BUT  LO,  0  LORD,  THOU  KNOWEST  IT  ALTOGETHER.  WHITHER  SHALL 

I  GO  FROM  THY  SPIRIT  ?  OR  WHITHER  SHALL  I  FLEE  FROM  THY  PRESENCE  ?  IF  I  ASCEND  UP  INTO  HEAVEN,  THOU  ART  THERE  : 
IF  I  MAKE  MY  BED  IN  HELL,  BEHOLD  THOU  ART  THERE.  IF  I  TAKE  THE  WINGS  OF  THE  MORNING,  AND  DWELL  IN  THE 
UTTERMOST  PARTS  OF  THE  SEA  ;  EVEN  THERE  SHALL  THY  HAND  LEAD  ME,  AND  THY  RIGHT  HAND  SHALL  HOLD  ME.  IF  I  SAY, 

SURELY  THE  DARKNESS  SHALL  COVER  ME  ;  EVEN  THE  NIGHT  SHALL  BE  LIGHT  ABOUT  ME.  YEA,  THE  DARKNESS  HIDETH  NOT 
FROM  THEE  ;  BUT  THE  NIGHT  SHINETH  AS  THE  DAY  :  THE  DARKNESS  AND  THE  LIGHT  ARE  BOTH  ALIKE  TO  THEE.  David. 


.\ITI.\M\. 


GOD. 


.Ml 


What  can  'scape  the  eye 
Of  God,  all-teeing,  or  detain,  Hi*  heart 


M  ft 


;»  everywhere !  the  Ood  who  framed 
Mankind  to  be  one  mighty  family, 
llimnclf  our  Fatlier,  and  the  world  <mr  liomr. 


What  would  you  say,  if  wherever  yon  turned,  whatever  yon  were  doing,  whatever  thinking,  whether  in 
public  or  private.  witli  a  confidential  frii-inl.  telling  your  secrete,  or  alone  planning  them,  —  if,  I  say,  you  saw  an  eye 
•  i  inly  fixed  on  you,  from  whose  watching,  though  you  Btrove  ever  no  much,  you  could  never  escape;  and  even 
it  'you  ,-loeed  your  own  oyo  to  avoid,  you  still  fancied  that  to  get  rid  of  it  was  impossible,—  that  it  could  perceive 
y..iir  every  thought?  The  supposition  is  awful  enough.  There  it  such  an  Eye,  though  the  business  and  struggle* 
of  tin-  world  too  often  prevent  us  from  considering  tliis  awful  truth.  In  crowds  we  are  too  much  int.  i 
nipti-d.  in  the  pursuit  of  self-interest  we  are  too  much  perverted,  in  camps  we  are  struggling  for  life  and 
death.  in  courts  we  see  none  but  the  eye  of  a  human  sovereign  ;  nevertheless,  the  Divine  eye  is  always 
np..n  us,  and  when  we  K-iutt  think  of  it,  is  noting  all,  and,  whatever  wo  may  think  of  it,  will  remember  all. 


There  is  something  in  the  thought  of  being  surrounded,  even  upon  earth,  by  the  Majesty  on  high,  that  gives 
a  peculiar  elevation  and  serenity  of  soul.  To  be  assured  in  tho  loneliest  hour  of  unknown  or  neglected  HOITOW, 
ill  it  i-Yi-ry  sigh  ascends  to  the  eternal  Throne,  and  every  secret  prayer  can  be  heard  in  heaven;  to  feel  that,  in 
every  act  of  conscious  rectitude,  the  heart  can  appeal,  amidst  all  tho  contradictions  of  sinners,  to  One  who  «eet  h 
not  as  man  seeth,  produces  a  peace  which  the  world  can  never  give.  Feeling  itself,  like  Enoch  walking  with  <  ••••!. 
the  heart  perceives  a  spirituality  and  purity  in  every  joy,  a  mercy  and  a  balm  in  every  sorrow,  and,  exalted  above 
tho  intrusions  of  an  intermeddling  world,  has  its  "  conversation  in  heaven."  Alather. 

GOD  -Omniscience  of. 


Though  all  the  doors  are  sure,  and  all  our  servants 
As  sure  bound  with  their  sleeps,  yet  there  is  One 
That  wakes  above,  whose  eye  no  sleep  can  bind. 
He  sees  through  doors,  and  darkness,  and  our  thoughts ; 


And  therefore,  as  we  should  avoid  with  fear, 
T"  think  ami**  ourselves  before  His  search. 
So  should  we  be  as  carious  to  shun 
All  cause  that  others  think  not  ill  of  us. 

GOD— Presence  of. 

At  whose  sight  all  ihc  stars 
Hide  their  diminish'd  heads. 

JftZfon. 

GOD — Loving  Presence  of. 

God  is  the  light  which,  never  seen  itself,  makes  all  things  visible,  and  clothes  itself  in  colours.     Thii>> 
feels  not  its  ray,  but  thine  heart  feels  its  warmth.  Rirhttr. 


GOD—  Protection  of. 

Tin:   AN'JKL  OK  TIIK   I.nRIl  KM  AMI'KTIl   lUU'M.  ABOUT  THEM  THAI    KKAK   HlM.   ASH  LK1.I  VKP.KI  II    HUM. 


Da 


GOD— Providence  of. 

Must  not  the  conduct  of  a  parent  seem  very  unaccountable  to  a  child  when  its  inclinations  are  thwart«l  . 
when  it  is  put  to  learn  letters;  when  it  is  obliged  to  wwallow  bitter  physic;  to  part  with  what  it  likes,  and  to 
•«u  Her,  and  do,  and  see  many  things  done,  contrary  to  its  own  judgment?  Will  it  not.  therefore,  follow  from  li< 
by  a  parity  of  reason,  that  the  little  child  man,  when  it  takes  upon  itself  to  judge  of  parental  ptovidence — a  thing 
•  if  yesterday  to  criticise  the  economy  of  the  Ancient  of  Dayt — will  it  not  follow,  I  say.  that  such  a  judge  of  mu-li 
matters  must  be  apt  to  make  very  erroneous  judgments,  esteeming  those  things  in  themselves  unaccountable  wliidi 
he  cannot  account  for ;  and  concluding  of  some  things,  from  an  appearance  of  arbitrary  carriage  towards  him,  whii-h 
is  suited  to  his  infancy  and  ignorance,  that  they  are  in  themselves  capricious  or  absurd,  and  cannot  proceed  from  a 
wise,  just,  and  benevolent  ( lod?  Itrrkdey. 

GOD — Belief  in  the  Superintendence  of. 

When  any  one  acknowledges  a  moral  governor  of  the  world  ;  perceives  that  d'-im-Mi'-  and  social  relations  are 
perpetually  operating,  and  seem  intended  to  operate,  to  retain  and  direct  men  in  the  path  of  duty :  and  feels  that 


THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN.  APPENDIX. 

the  voice  of  conscience,  the  peace  of  heart  which  results  from  a  course  of  virtue,  and  the  consolations  of  devotion, 
are  ever  ready  to  assume  their  office,  as  our  guides  and  aids  in  the  conduct  of  all  our  actions ; — he  will  probably  be 
willing  to  acknowledge  also  that  the  means  of  a  moral  government  of  each  individual  are  not  wanting :  and  will 
no  longer  be  oppressed  or  disturbed  by  the  apprehension  that  the  superintendence  of  the  world  may  be  too  difficult 
for  its  Kuler,  and  that  any  of  His  subjects  and  servants  may  be  overlooked.  He  will  no  more  fear  that  the  moral 
than  that  the  physical  laws  of  God'.s  creation  should  be  forgotten  in  any  particular  case :  and  as  he  knows  that 
every  sparrow  which  falls  to  the  ground  contains  in  its  structure  innumerable  marks  of  the  Divine  care  and 
kindness,  he  will  be  persuaded  that  every  man,  however  apparently  humble  and  insignificant,  will  have  his  moral 
being  dealt  with  according  to  the  laws  of  God's  wisdom  and  love;  will  be  enlightened,  supported,  and  raised, 
if  he  use  the  appointed  means  which  God's  administration  of  the  world  of  moral  light  and  good  offers  to  his  use. 

Whewell. 
GOD — Necessity  for  the  Superintendence  of. 

Our  existence  is  dependent  on  a  succession  of  changes,  which  are  taking  place  at  every  moment  in  ourselves, 
over  which  we  have  no  power  whatever,  but  of  which,  each  one  involves  the  necessity  of  the  existence,  and  the 
superintending  power,  of  the  Deity.  The  existence  of  the  whole  material  universe  is  of  the  same  nature.  Now, 
each  of  these  changes  is,  with  infinite  skill,  adapted  to  the  relative  conditions  of  all  the  beings  whom  they  affect, 
and  they  are  subjected  to  laws,  which  are  most  evident  expressions  of  Almighty  power,  of  unsearchable  wisdom, 
and  exhaustless  goodness.  Now,  were  we  merely  intellectual  beings,  it  would  not  be  possible  for  us  to  consider 
anything  more  than  these  laws  themselves ;  but,  inasmuch  as  we  are  intellectual  and  also  moral  beings,  we  are 
capable  not  only  of  considering  the  laws,  but  also  the  attributes,  of  the  Creator  from  whom  such  laws  are  the 
emanations.  As  everything  which  we  can  know  teaches  a  lesson  concerning  God ;  if  we  connect  that  lesson  with 
everything  we  learn,  everything  will  be  resplendent  with  the  attributes  of  Deity.  By  using,  in  this  manner,  the 
knowledge  which  is  everywhere  spread  before  us,  we  shall  habitually  cultivate  a  devout  temper  of  mind.  Thus, 
"  the  heavens  will  declare  unto  us  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  firmament  will  show  His  handy  work ;"  thus,  "  day 
unto  day  will  utter  speech,  and  night  unto  night  show  forth  knowledge  of  Him."  Wayland. 

GOD — Supremacy  of. 

THINE,  0  LORD,  is  THE  GREATNESS,  AND  THE  POWER,  AND  THE  GLORY,  AND  THE  VICTORY,  AND  THE  MAJESTY  :  FOR  ALL 

THAT  IS  IN  THE  HEAVEN  AND  IN  THE  EARTH,  IS  THINE  ;  THINE  IS  THE  KINGDOM,  0  LORD,  AND  TllOU  ART  EXALTED  AS  HEAD 
ABOVE  ALL.  David. 


THOU,  EVEN  THOU,  ART  LORD  ALONE  ;  THOU  HAST  MADE  HEAVEN,  THE  HEAVEN  OF  HEAVENS  WITH  ALL  THEIR  HOST, 
THE  EARTH  AND  ALL  THINGS  THAT  ARE  THEREIN,  THE  SEAS  AND  ALL  THAT  IS  THEREIN,  AND  THOU  PRESERVEST  THEM  ALL. 

Nehemiah. 

GOD— Will  of. 

I  cannot  tell  by  what  logic  we  call  a  toad,  a  bear,  and  an  elephant,  ugly,  they  being  created  in  those 
outward  shapes  and  figures  which  best  express  the  actions  of  their  inward  forms,  and  having  past  that  general 
visitation  of  God,  who  saw  that  all  that  He  had  made  was  good,  that  is,  conformable  to  His  will,  which  abhors 
deformity,  and  is  the  rule  of  order  and  beauty.  Sir  Thomas  Brown. 

GOD— Perfection  of  the  Works  of. 

What  an  immense  workman  is  God !  in  miniature  as  well  as  in  the  great.  With  the  one  hand,  perhaps,  He 
is  making  a  ring  of  one  hundred  thousand  miles  in  diameter,  to  revolve  round  a  planet  like  Saturn,  and  with  the 
other  is  forming  a  tooth  in  the  ray  of  the  feather  of  a  humming-bird,  or  a  point  in  the  claw  of  the  foot  of  a 
microscopic  insect.  When  He  works  in  miniature,  every  thing  is  gilded,  polished,  and  perfect,  but  whatever  is 
made  by  human  art,  as  a  needle,  &c.,  when  viewed  by  a  microscope,  appears  rough,  and  coarse,  and  bungling. 

Bishop  Law. 

GOD— Worship  of. 

God  is  the  source  and  fountain  of  love,  and  which  may  be  divided  into  three  parts — the  receiving  from  Him, 
the  conforming  to  Him,  and  the  reposing  and  trusting  in  Him.  Barton. 


It  were  better  to  have  no  opinion  of  God  at  all,  than  such  an  opinion  as  is  unworthy  of  Him  ;  for  the  one  is 
unbelief,  and  the  other  is  contumely;  and  certainly  superstition  is  the  reproach  of  the  Deity.  Bacon. 


AI-I-KNI.IX.  CHRIST.  »U 

CHRIST  -Divine  Attributes  of. 

<  Ini-i  is  a  rare  jewel,  but  men  know  not  Hit  value;  a  aun  which  over  shines,  but  men  perceive  nut  His 
nor  walk  in  His  light.  Ho  is  a  garden  full  of  sweets,  a  hive  full  of  honey,  a  sun  without  a  spot,  a  star 
ever  bright,  a  fountain  over  full,  a  brook  which  ever  flow*,  a  rose  which  ever  blooms,  a  foundation  which  > 
\  i.-Ms,  a  guide  who  never  em,  a  friend  who  never  forsake*.  No  mind  can  fully  grasp  Ilia  glory  ;  His  beauty.  1 1 .  - 
worth,  His  importance,  no  tongue  can  fully  declare.  He  is  the  source  of  all  good,  the  fountain  of  every  excellency, 
tin-  mirror  of  jH-iie.-tion,  the  light  of  heaven,  tho  wonder  of  earth,  time's  masterpiece,  and  eternity's  glory;  the  sun 
of  Miss,  tin-  wa\  of  life,  and  life's  fair  way.  "  Ho  is  altogether  lovely,"  says  the  saint;  a  morning  without  rloii.U. 
a  day  without  m-_hi.  .1  i—,.  without  a  thorn ;  His  lips  drop  like  the  honeycomb,  His  eyes  beam  totiderncw.  I!  ~ 
heart  gushes  love.  Tho  Christian  is  fed  by  His  hands,  carried  in  His  heart,  supported  by  His  arm,  nursed  in 
His  IMISOIH.  gni.led  l.y  His  eye,  instructed  by  His  lips,  warmed  by  His  love;  His  wounds  are  his  lif.'.  His  smile 
the  light  of  his  path,  the  health  of  his  soul,  his  rest  and  heaven  below.  IMffrn. 


In  Him,  the  solf-existent  and  infinite  mind,  the  Christian  beholds  unceasing!)'  an  object  of  boundless 
sublimity,  grandeur,  beauty,  and  loveliness,  commanding  by  the  disclosure  of  His  character,  and  exhausting  all 
finite  admiration,  complacency,  love,  and  praise,  expanding  every  view,  refining  every  affection,  and  ennobling 
every  attribute. 


His  >\MK  MULL  BE  CALLED  WONDERFUL,  COUNSELLOR,  THE  Ml  .....  V  Col),  THB  EVERLASTING  FATIIK!:.   I  UK  Pl;lN.  I    •  <i 

PEACE.  Itaiah. 

CHRIST  -Benevolent  Character  of. 

In  the  beautiful  character  of  the  blessed  Jesus  there  was  not  a  more  striking  feature  than  a  certain  M  -u-i- 
bility,  which  disposed  Him  to  take  part  in  every  one's  affliction  to  which  he  was  a  witness,  and  to  be  ready  to 
afford  it  a  miraculous  relief.  He  was  apt  to  bo  particularly  touched  by  instances  of  domestic  distress,  in  which  the 
suffering  arises  from  those  feelings  of  friendship,  growing  out  of  natural  affection  and  habitual  endearment,  whirl. 
constitute  the  perfection  of  man  as  a  social  creature,  and  distinguish  the  society  of  the  humankind  from  the 
inline;  iv-  herdings  of  the  lower  animals.  drji. 

CHRIST    Divinity  of. 

Is   HIM  IiWKLLETII  ALL  THE  FULXES  OF  THE  GODHEAD  BODILY.  St.  I'aiil. 

CHRIST    Fidelity  to. 

\\.-  indeed  may  not  bo  called  upon  to  make  any  very  difficult  sacrifices  on  account  uf  our  religion,  or  to 
undergo  any  extremity  of  labour,  or  to  incur  any  signal  dangers  in  that  behalf.  Yet  the  faithful  <  'hristian  will 
always  find  occasions  in  which  ho  may  testify  his  fidelity  to  Christ,  by  labouring  to  instruct  the  ignorant,  and  by 
administering  assistance  and  comfort  to  his  afflicted  brethren.  And  ho  who  engages  in  these  works  and  labours  of 
love,  provided  he  engage  in  them  with  Christian  prudence  as  well  as  <  'hristian  benevolence,  is  manifesting  thereby 
a  laudable  attachment  to  Christian  faith.  Rithop  Mant. 

CHRIST-Gentleness  of.  llie  ^  of  mtn 

That  e'er  wore  earth  about  him  wai  a  sufferer, 

A  soft,  meek,  patient,  humble,  tranquil  spirit  : 

The  first  true  gentleman  that  ever  breatlic-d. 

Mhr. 
CHRIST-and  Godhead. 

The  moon,  a  softer  but  not  less  beautiful  object  than  the  sun,  it-turns  and  communicates  to  mankind  tin- 
light  of  the  sun,  in  a  gentle  and  delightful  manner,  exactly  suited  to  the  strength  of  the  human  eye  ;  an  DhUrfMM 
and  most  beautiful  emblem,  in  this  and  several  other  respects,  of  the  divine  I.Yd.-em.-r  "f  mankind  ;  who,  softening 
the  splendour  of  the  Godhead,  brings  it  to  the  eye  of  the  understanding,  in  a  manner  fitted  to  the  strength  of  the 
mind,  so  that,  without  being  overwhelmed  or  distressed,  it  can  thus  behold  "the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  th< 
glory  of  i  ;  o,l  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Chi:  •'*/. 

CHRIST     Benign  Influence  of. 

He  walked  in  Judea  eighteen  hundred  years  ago;  His  sphere  melody,  flowing  in  wild  native  tones,  took  cajitiv. 

the  ravished  souls  ..f  men,  and,  being  of  a  truth  sphere  melody,  still  flows  and  sounds,  though  now  with  thonwind-fohi 

•mpanimentfl  and  rich  symphonies,  through  all  our  hearts,  and  modulates  and  divinely  leads  them.  (  'o 


r>14  THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN.  APPENDIX. 

CHRIST— Life  of. 

I  find  the  life  of  Christ  made  up  of  two  parts  ;  a  part  1  can  sympathize  with  as  a  man,  and  a  part  on  which  i 
am  to  gaze ;  a  beam  sent  down  from  heaven  which  I  can  see  and  love,  and  another  beam  shot  into  the  infinite  that 
I  cannot  comprehend.  Barr. 

*  CHRIST — Every  instance  of  Love  to,  is  a  case  of  reconciled  affection. 

"  How  should  a  Jew,  the  particulars  of  whose  history  are  better  attested  than  that  of  any  of  his  contemporaries^ 
— how  should  he  alone,  the  son  of  a  carpenter,  give  out  all  at  once  that  he  was  God,  the  Creator  of  all  things  ? 
He  arrogates  to  himself  the  highest  adoration.  He  constructs  his  worship  with  his  own  hands,  not  with  stones  but 
with  men.  You  are  amazed  at  the  conquests  of  Alexander.  But  here  is  a  conqueror  who  appropriates  to  his  own 
advantage,  who  incorporates  with  himself,  not  a  nation,  but  the  human  race.  Wonderful !  the  human  soul  with 
all  its  faculties  becomes  blended  with  the  existence  of  Christ.  And  how  ?  By  a  prodigy  surpassing  all  other 
prodigies,  he  seeks  the  love  of  men,  the  most  difficult  thing  in  the  world  to  obtain;  he  seeks  what  a  wise  man 
would  fain  have  from  a  few  friends,  a  father  from  his  children,  a  wife  from  a  husband,  a  brother  from  a  brother, — 
in  a  word,  the  heart ;  this  he  seeks,  this  he  absolutely  requires,  and  he  gains  his  object.  Hence  I  infer  his  divinity. 
Alexander,  Csesar,  Hannibal,  Louis  XIV.,  with  all  their  genius,  failed  here.  They  conquered  the  world,  and  had 
not  a  friend. 

"  Christ  speaks,  and  at  once  generations  become  his  by  stricter,  closer  ties  than  those  of  blood,  by  the  most 
.sacred,  most  indissoluble  of  all  unions.  He  lights  up  the  flame  of  a  love  which  consumes  self-love,  which  prevails 
over  every  other  love. 

"  The  founders  of  other  religions  never  conceived  of  this  mystical  love,  which  is  the  essence  of  Christianity, 
and  is  beautifully  called  charity.  Hence  it  is  that  they  have  struck  upon  a  rock.  In  every  attempt  to 
effect  this  thing,  namely,  to  make  himself  helmed,  man  deeply  feels  his  own  impotence.  So  that  Christ's  greatest 
miracle  undoubtedly  is  the  reign  of  charity.  All  who  sincerely  believe  in  him  taste  this  wonderful,  supernatural, 
exalted  love.  The  more  I  think  of  this,  I  admire  it  the  more ;  and  it  convinces  me  absolutely  of  the  divinity  of 
Christ. 

"  I  have  inspired  multitudes  with  such  affection  for  me  that  they  would  die  for  me.  God  forbid  that  I  should 
compare  the  soldier's  enthusiasm  with  Christian  charity,  which  are  as  unlike  as  their  cause.  But,  after  all,  my 
presence  was  necessary, — the  lightning  of  my  eye,  my  voice,  a  word  from  me,  then  the  sacred  fire  was  kindled  in 
their  hearts.  I  do,  indeed,  possess  the  secret  of  this  magical  power  which  lifts  the  soul,  but  1  could  never  impart 
it  to  any  one ;  none  of  my  generals  ever  learnt  it  from  me ;  nor  have  I  the  secret  of  perpetuating  my  name  and 
love  for  me  in  the  hearts  of  men,  and  to  effect  these  things  without  physical  means. 

"  Now  that  I  am  at  St.  Helena,  now  that  I  am  alone,  chained  to  this  rock,  who  fights  and  wins  empires  fur 
me?  Where  are  any  to  share  my  misfortune,  any  to  think  of  me?  Who  bestirs  himself  for  me  in  Europe?  Who 
remains  faithful  to  me?  where  are  my  friends?  Yes,  two  or  three  of  you,  who  are  immortalized  by  this  fidelity, 
ye  share,  ye  alleviate  my  exile.  Such  is  the  fate  of  great  men.  So  it  was  with  Csesar  and  Alexander,  and  I  too 
am  forgotten ;  and  the  name  of  a  conqueror  and  an  emperor  is  a  college  theme :  our  exploits  are  tasks  given  to 
pupils  by  their  tutor,  who  sits  in  judgment  upon  us,  awarding  us  censure  or  praise.  Such  is  soon  to  be  the  fate  of 
the  great  Napoleon.  What  a  wide  abyss  between  my  deep  misery  and  the  eternal  kingdom  of  Christ,  which  is 
proclaimed,  loved,  adored,  and  which  is  extended  over  all  the  earth !  Is  this  death  ?  is  it  not  life  rather  ?  The 
death  of  Christ  is  the  death  of  a  God."  Napoleon  Bonaparte* 


*  I  insert  this  extract  as  it  is  beautifully  expressed ;  I  have,  how-  ;    effusion  of  a  soul  which  bequeaths  with  its  greatness,  its  failings,  its 
ever,  no  proofs  of  its  authenticity  beyond    the   statement   of  Mr.       truth,  and  its  repentance  to  the  world." 


Nehemiah  Adams,  D.D.,  who  gave  it  as  hero  quoted  in  a  sermon 
preached  before  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions,  September,  1855,  on  the  authority  of  Dr.  G.  de  Felice, 
Professor  in  the  Theological  Seminary  nt  ftTonfonban,  France,  in  a 
letter  to  the  '  New  York  Observer,'  April  16,  1842. 

I  would  gladly  believe  its  verity,  but  I  am  afraid  what  Lamartine 
says,  in  his  '  Histoire  de  la  Restauration,'  of  the  Captivity  of  St. 
Helena  is  too  true  : — 

"  That  monologue  of  six  years,  which  lie  addressed  to  the  world 
from  the  summit  of  his  rock,  and  the  most  trivial  words  of  which 
were  registered  by  his  courtiers  to  be  transmitted  to  his  myrmidons 
os  the  gospel  of  party,  was  nothing  more  than  a  long  diplomatic 
nnte,  void  of  good  faith,  addressed  to  his  partisans,  and  speaking  in 
turns  the  language  of  all  the  factions  that  he  wished  to  nourish  with 
his  memory,  instead  of  being  the  disiutcivi-ted,  sincere,  and  religious 


Forsyth,  in  his  '  Correspondence  of  Sir  Hudson  Lowe,'  concludes 
with  an  able  resume  of  the  character  of  Napoleon,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing words  reminds  us  of  a  trulh  that  certain  books  recently 
published  would  strive  to  ignore : — 

"  Can  we,  then,  be  so  infatuated  with  hero-worship,  so  dazzled  by 
the  splendour  of  intellectual  gifts,  as  to  allow  ourselves  to  treat 
gently  and  speak  lightly  of  this  contempt  of  veracity,  this  disdain  of 
the  first  and  simplest  requirement  of  tie  moral  law  ?  No  more  per- 
nicious lesson  can  bo  taught  than  the  doctrine  that  success,  which 
elevates  a  man  to  the  pinnacle  of  power,  absolves  him  from  tlie 
obligation  to  observe  the  imperishable  distinction  between  right  and 
wrong.  And  we  do  in  effect  teach  that  doctrine  when  we  forbear 
to  censure  in  Napoleon  Bonaparte  a  want  of  truth,  which  we  should 
condemn  in  another  as  a  meanness  and  a  disgruee.'' 


AITI:M>I\. 


•  HHIST. 


•  CHRIST—  the  Person  of. 

A      •!  \\1    WKKK  ASIoxislIKI'  AT  THEE;   BIS  TfflAOE  WAS  80  MARRED  MORE  THAN  AMY  MAN,  AMD  HIS  FORM  MORE  THAN 

Itttiah,  chap.  lii.  14. 

.     .  UK  imii  N,.  FORM  NOR  COMELINESS;  AMD  WHEN  WE  SHALL  su  HIM,  [THERE  is]  NO  BEADTY  THAT  WE  BIIOUU. 
DHEBl   HIM.      Hi   BBHBB)  UO    HJ1    B     CM    MIS.    \  It*  01   IOUOWI   UD  U  |l   mm    IRTHCBZB1. 

Isaiah,  chap.  liii.  3,  4. 

K«l:  \  T.IUI.Y  IIK  TOOK  MOT  OM  [HIM  THE  MATURE  OF]  AXOELS  ;    BUT  HE  TOOK  OM  [HIM]  THE  SKKD  OT  ABRAHAM. 

I      BO    HIM    IIK  HI.M-II.K  HUH  SI  im:il>  HUM;  TKMn  ABLE  TO  8COOOUR  THKM  Til  \  I    AIM    I  KMPTED. 

Ilelimcs,  chap.  ii.  16,  18. 
CHRIST—  always  the  Same. 

(   II  Ills  1  Till.  SAME  YESTERDAY,  TO-DAY,  AMD  FOR  EVER.  /W. 


CHRISTIAN—  Blessedness  of  being  a. 

I  have  known  what  the  enjoyments  and  advantages  of  this  life  are,  and  what  the  more  refined  pleasures  which 
learning  and  intellectual  power  can  bestow  ;  and  with  all  the  experience  that  more  than  threescore  yean  can 
jriv.-.  I,  now  on  tho  eve  of  my  departure,  declare  to  you  (and  earnestly  pray  that  you  may  hereafter  live  and  act  on 
the  rimvirti.'ii)  that  health  is  a  great  blessing  —  competence  obtained  by  honourable  industry  a  great  blessing  — 
and  a  great  blessing  it  is  to  have  kind,  faithful,  and  loving  friends  and  relatives;  but,  that  the  greatest  of  all 
blessings,  as  it  is  the  most  ennobling  of  all  privileges,  is  to  be  indeed  a  Christian.  Coleridge. 

CHRISTIAN—  not  to  be  Despised. 

However  the  world  may  affect  to  despise  the  genuine  Christian,  it  is  beyond  their  power;  they  feel  too 
sensibly  tin.-  necessity  of  attaining  that  very  state  of  feeling  and  disposition  which  is  displayed  in  such  a  character, 
:•>  i  iiu-rtuin  in  their  heart  any  mean  or  degrading  opinion  of  the  character  which  they  apparently  undervalue. 
Every  thought  which  it  wrung  from  their  conscience  by  its  unwelcome  intrusion  upon  their  contemplation,  rises  in 
judgment  against  their  indifference  —  God  has  not  permitted  them  to  despise  a  true  Christian  :  they  may  pass  him 
by  with  a  haughty  and  supercilious  coldness;  they  may  deride  him  with  a  taunting  and  sarcastic  irony;  but  the 
spirit  of  the  proudest  man  that  ever  lived  will  bend  before  tho  grandeur  of  a  Christian's  humility.  You  are  at 
once  awed,  and  you  recoil  upon  your  own  conscience  when  yon  meet  with  one  whose  feelings  are  purified  by  the 
Gospel.  The  light  of  a  (  'hristian's  soul,  when  it  shines  into  the  dark  den  of  a  worldly  heart,  startles  and  alarm* 
the  gloomy  passions  that  are  brooding  within.  Is  this  contempt?  No:  but  all  tho  virulence  which  is  excited  by 
tlio  Chri>tian  graces  can  be  resolved  into  envy,  the  feeling  of  devils  when  they  think  on  tho  pure  happiness  of 
angels  —  and,  to  complete  their  confusion,  what  is  at  that  moment  tho  feeling  in  tho  Christian's  heart  ?  Pity,  most 
unfeigned  pity  !  1  1  "•//«. 


CHRISTIAN- Gold  in  the  Ore. 

A  Christian  in  this  world  is  but  gold  in  the  ore ;  at  death,  the  pure  gold  is  melted  out  and  separated,  and  the 
dross  cast  away  and  consumed.  FlmeL 

CHRISTIAN— Proofs  of  a. 

He  that  can  apprehend  and  consider  vice  with  all  her  baits  and  seeming  pleasures,  and  yet  abstain,  and  yet 
distinguUh,  and  yet  prefer  that  which  is  truly  better,  he  is  the  true  wayfaring  Christian.  I  cannot  praise  a 
fugitive  and  cloistered  virtue  unexercised,  and  unbreathed,  that  never  sallies  out  and  sees  her  adversary,  but 
slinks  out  of  the  race  where  that  immortal  garland  is  to  be  run  for,  not  without  dust  and  heat. 


CHRISTIAN -Virtues  of  a. 

If  these  be  Christian  virtues,  1  am  a  Christian  : 
The  faith  that  can  inspin-  is  change 

Must  be  divine — and  d<>ws  with  alt  it*  God ! 
Friendship  and  constancy,  and  right  and  ] 


All  these  are  lessons  I  had  learnt  before ; 
Itnt  this  unnatural  grandeur  of  the  soul 
la  more  than  mortal,  and  outreaches  virtue* ; 
It  draws,  it  charms,  it  binds  me  to  be  Christian. 

3  \ 


/mi. 


516  THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN;  APPENDIX. 

CHRISTIAN— Wit  of  a. 

A  Christian's  wit  is  inoffensive  light, 

A  beam  that  aids,  but  never  grieves  the  sight ; 

Vig'rous  in  age  as  in  the  flush  of  youth, 

"Pis  always  active  on  the  side  of  truth  ; 

Temp'rance  and  peace  ensure  its  healthful  st:ite, 

And  make  it  brightest  at  its  latest  date. 

Cowper. 
CHRISTIANS— Nominal. 

Many  there  are  who,  while  they  bear  the  name  of  Christians,  are  totally  unacquainted  with  the  power  of  their 
divine  religion.  But  for  their  crimes  the  Gospel  is  in  no  wise  answerable.  Christianity  is  with  them  a  geogra- 
phical, not  a  descriptive,  appellation.  Faber. 

CHRISTIAN  SOLDIER— Faith  of  a. 

It  is  more  to  the  honour  of  a  Christian  soldier  by  faith  to  overcome  the  world,  than  by  a  monastical  vow 
to  retreat  from  it ;  and  more  for  the  honour  of  Christ,  to  serve  Him  in  a  city,  than  to  serve  Him  in  a  cell. 

Matthew  Henry. 

CHRISTIANITY— without  Ceremonial. 

Christianity  has  no  ceremonial.  It  has  forms,  for  forms  are  essential  to  order ;  but  it  disdains  the  folly  of 
attempting  to  reinforce  the  religion  of  the  heart  by  the  antics  of  the  mind.  Croly. 

CHRISTIANITY— Difficulties  of. 

Now  you  say,  alas  !  Christianity  is  hard  :  I  grant  it ;  but  gainful  and  happy.  I  contemn  the  difficulty,  when 
I  respect  the  advantage.  The  greatest  labours  that  have  answerable  requitals,  are  less  than  the  least  that  have 
no  regard.  Believe  me,  when  I  look  to  the  reward,  I  would  not  have  the  work  easier  It  is  a  good  Master 
whom  we  serve,  who  not  only  pays,  but  gives ;  not  after  the  proportion  of  our  earnings,  but  of  His  own  mercy. 

Bishop  Hall. 

CHRISTIANITY— Distinctions  in. 

The  main  distinction  between  real  Christianity  and  the  system  of  the  bulk  of  nominal  Christians,  chiefly 
consists  in  the  different  place  which  is  assigned  in  the  two  schemes  to  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  the  Gospel. 
These,  in  the  scheme  of  nominal  Christians,  if  admitted  at  all,  appear  but  like  the  stars  of  the  firmament  to  the 
ordinary  eye.  Those  splendid  luminaries  draw  forth,  perhaps,  occasionally,  a  transient  expression  of  admiration 
when  we  behold  their  beauty,  or  hear  of  their  distances,  magnitudes,  or  properties ;  now  and  then,  too,  we  are  led, 
perhaps,  to  muse  upon  their  possible  uses ;  but,  however  curious  as  subjects  of  speculation,  it  must,  after  all,  be 
confessed  they  twinkle  to  the  common  observer  with  a  vain  and  "  idle  "  lustre ;  and,  except  in  the  dreams  of  the 
astrologer,  have  no  influence  on  human  happiness,  or  any  concern  with  the  course  and  order  of  the  world.  But  to 
the  real  Christian,  on  the  contrary,  these  peculiar  doctrines  constitute  the  centre  to  which  he  gravitates !  the  very  sun  of  his 
system !  the  origin  of  dl  that  is  excellent  and  lovely  I  the  source  of  light,  and  life,  and  motion,  and  genial  warmth,  and  plastic 
energy !  Dim  is  the  light  of  reason,  and  cold  and  comfortless  our  state  while  left  to  her  unassisted  guidance.  Even 
the  Old  Testament  itself,  though  a  revelation  from  Heaven,  shines  but  with  feeble  and  scanty  rays.  But  the 
blessed  truths  of  the  Gospel  are  now  unveiled  to  our  eyes,  and  we  are  called  upon  to  behold  and  to  enjoy  "  the  light 
of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ,"  in  the  full  radiance  of  its  meridian  splendour. 
The  words  of  Inspiration  best  express  our  highly-favoured  state :  "  we  all,  with  open  face,  beholding  as  in  a  glass 
the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image,  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord." 

Wilberforce. 

CHRISTIANITY— Evidences  of. 

As  to  the  Christian  religion,  besides  the  strong  evidence  which  we  have  for  it,  there  is  a  balance  in  its  favour 
from  the  number  of  great  men  who  have  been  convinced  of  its  truth  after  a  serious  consideration  of  the  question. 
Grotius  was  an  acute  man,  a  lawyer,  a  man  accustomed  to  examine  evidence,  and  he  was  convinced.  Grotius  was 
not  a  recluse,  but  a  man  of  the  world,  who  certainly  had  no  bias  on  the  side  of  religion.  Sir  Isaac  Newton  set  out 
an  infidel,  and  came  to  be  a  very  firm  believer.  Johnson. 

CHRISTIANITY— Gifts  of. 

Ours  is  a  religion  jealous  in  its  demands,  but  how  infinitely  prodigal  in  its  gifts !  It  troubles  you  for  an 
hour,  it  repays  you  by  immortality.  Bulwer  Lytton. 


CHi;i>ri\\rn  517 

CHBISTIANITY-true  to  the  Heart. 

Christianity,  which  is  always  true  to  the  heart,  knows  DO  abstract  virtues,  but  virtue*  reuniting  from  our 
wants,  .in.l  useful  t»  all.  ,  .•  . 

CHBISTIANITY-Intent  of. 

Christianity  did  nut  ••din.'  from  hcavon  to  bo  the  amusement  of  an  idle  hour,  to  bo  the  food  of  mere  imagina- 
tion; t..  be  "as  a  very  lovely  song  of  one  that  hath  a  pleanant  voice,  and  playeth  well  upon  an  instrument.' 
N       it  i>  intruded  to  l>e  the  guide,  the  guardian,  the  rom]uinion  of  all  our  hours:  it  in  intended  to  be  the  food  of 
our  immortal  spirit* ;  it  is  intended  to  bo  the  serious  occupation  of  our  whole  existence.  :>»p  Jetb. 

•  CHRISTIANITY-not  the  subject  of  Mathematical  demonstration. 

1'inzy  said — "  You  do  not  know,  perhaps,  that  I  am  in  the  service  of  the  pasha,  as  professor  of  mathematics, 
and  theicfore  I  deimuid  of  you  mathematical  proofs  of  the  truths  of  Christianity."  I  said, '•  Do  you  ever  eat?" 
Fin/.y.  ••  Ws."  l>r.  W..1I1',  ••  Why  do  you  do  so?"  Finzy,  "Hunger  compels  me."  Dr.  Wolff.  ••  Can  you  prove 

tli.it  mathematically?"  !>,:   \\'<J/,  Missionary  Journal. 

CHRISTIANITY— Mission  of. 

Christ  appeared— the  career  of  Paganism  was  cheeked,  the  fate  of  Judaism  was  sealed.  A  character  and  a 
religion  were  placed  before  the  eyes  of  men  hitherto  inconceivable,  in  the  beauty  and  philosophy  of  their  nature. 
I  nliko  all  other  founders  of  a  religious  faith,  Christ  had  no  seljisJuiess,  no  desire  of  dominance  ;  and  His  system, 
unlike  all  other  systems  of  worship,  was  bloodless,  boundlessly  beneficent,  inexpressibly  pure,  and — most 
mam-lions  of  all — went  to  break  all  bonds  of  body  and  soul,  and  to  cast  down  every  temporal  and  every  spiritual 
tyranny.  William  Uvicitt. 

CHRISTIANITY— Divine  Origin  of. 

<  'In  istiaiiity  bears  all  the  marks  of  a  divine  original :  it  came  down  from  heaven,  and  it«  gracious  purpose  if) 
to  cany  us  up  thither.  Its  author  is  God ;  it  was  foretold  from  the  beginning,  by  prophecies,  which  grew  clearer 
and  brighter  OK  they  approached  the  period  of  their  accomplishment.  It  was  confirmed  by  miracles,  which 
continued  till  the  religion  they  illustrated  was  established.  It  was  ratified  by  the  blood  of  its  author;  its  doctrines 
are  pure,  sublime,  consistent;  its  precepts  just  and  holy;  its  worship  is  spiiitnal;  its  service  reasonable,  and 
rendered  practicable  by  the  offers  of  divine  aid  to  human  weakness.  It  is  sanctioned  by  the  promise  of  eternal 
happiness  to  the  faithful,  and  the  threat  of  everlasting  misery  to  the  disobedient.  It  had  no  collusion  with  power, 
I'. r  jiower  sought  to  crush  it;  it  could  not  be  in  any  league  with  the  world,  for  it  set  out  liy  declaring  itself  the 
enemy  "f  tin-  world:  it  reprobated  its  maxims,  it  showed  the  vanity  of  its  glories,  the  danger  of  its  riches,  the 
emptiness  «f  its  pleasures.  This  religion  does  not  consist  in  external  conformity  to  practices  which,  though  right 
in  themselves,  may  be  adopted  from  human  motives,  and  to  answer  secular  purposes;  it  is  not  a  religion  of  forms, 
and  modes,  and  decencies;  it  is  being  transformed  into  the  image  of  God;  it  is  being  like-minded  with  <  'hri.-t ;  it  is 
considering  Him  as  our  sanctification,  as  well  as  our  redemption;  it  is  endeavouring  to  live  to  Him  here,  that  we 
may  live  with  Him  hereafter.  Ilunnah  Afore. 

CHRISTIANITY— Perversion  of. 

It  may  !><•  well  said  of  many  who  would  be  displeased  with  you  if  you  did  not  call  them  Christians,  that  had 
ftome  of  the  ancient  heathen  sages  lived  to  the  present  day,  to  see  their  abominations  and  vices,  they  would  have 
despised  that  faith  which  produced  no  better  works. 

Alas !  how  has  the  social  spirit  of  Christianity  been  perverted  by  fools  at  one  time,  and  by  knaves  and 
bigots  at  another ;  by  the  self-tormentors  of  the  cell,  and  the  all-tormentors  of  the  conclave.  Cotton. 

CHRISTIANITY— Teaching  of. 

Christianity  forbids  no  necessary  occupations,  no  reasonable  indulgences,  no  innocent  relaxations.  It  allows 
us  to  use  the  world,  provided  w.-  do  not  abuse  it,  It  does  not  spread  before  us  a  delicious  banquet,  and  then  come 
with  a  "touch  not,  taste  not,  handle  not."  All  it  requires  is,  that  our  liberty  degenerate  not  into  liccntiousnesa, 
our  amusements  into  dissipation,  our  industry  into  incessant  toil,  our  carefulness  into  extreme  anxiety  and  endless 
solicitude.  So  far  from  forbidding  us  to  engage  in  business,  it  expressly  commands  us  not  to  be  tdi.thful  in  it,  and 
to  labour  with  our  hands  for  the  things  that  be  needful;  it  enjoins  every  one  to  abide  in  the  calling  wherein  I,. 

:;  \  'j 


518  THE  EVIDENCE  OF  THINGS  NOT  SEEN.  APPENDIX. 

was  called,  and  perform  all  the  duties  of  it.  It  even  stigmatizes  those  that  provide  not  for  their  own,  with  telling 
them  that  they  are  worse  than  infidels.  When  it  requires  us  "  to  be  temperate  in  all  things,"  it  plainly  tells  us, 
that  we  may  use  all  things  temperately;  when  it  directs  us  "  to  make  our  moderation  known  unto  all  men,"  this 
evidently  implies,  that  within  the  bounds  of  moderation  we  may  enjoy  all  the  reasonable  conveniences  and  comforts 
of  the  present  life.  Bishop  Porteus. 

CHRISTIANITY— Treatment  of. 

Servile  and  base  and  mercenary  is  the  notion  of  Christian  practice  among  the  bulk  of  nominal  Christians. 
They  give  no  more  than  they  dare  not  withhold :  they  abstain  from  nothing  but  what  they  must  not  practise. 
When  you  state  to  them  the  doubtful  quality  of  any  action,  and  the  consequent  obligation  to  desist  from  it,  they 
reply  to  you  in  the  very  spirit  of  Shylock,  "  they  cannot  find  it  in  the  bond."  In  short,  they  know  Christianity 
only  as  a  system  of  restraint.  She  is  despoiled  of  every  liberal  and  generous  principle  :  she  is  rendered  almost 
unfit  for  the  social  intercourses  of  life,  and  is  only  suited  to  the  gloomy  walls  of  a  cloister,  in  which  they  would 
confine  her.  Wilberforce. 

CHBISTIANITY— Value  of. 

We  live  in  the  midst  of  blessings,  till  we  are  utterly  insensible  of  their  greatness,  and  of  the  source  from 
which  they  flow.  We  speak  of  our  civilization,  our  arts,  our  freedom,  our  laws,  and  forget  entirely  how  large  a  share 
of  all  is  due  to  Christianity.  Blot  Christianity  out  of  the  page  of  man's  history,  and  what  would  his  laws  have  been  ? 
— what  his  civilization  ?  Christianity  is  mixed  up  with  our  very  being  and  our  daily  life,  there  is  not  a  familiar 
object  round  us  which  does  not  wear  its  mark,  not  a  being  or  a  thing  which  does  not  wear  a  different  aspect, 
because  the  light  of  Christian  hope  is  on  it,  not  a  law  which  does  not  owe  its  truth  and  gentleness  to  Christianity, 
not  a  custom  which  cannot  be  traced  in  all  its  holy  and  healthful  parts  to  the  Gospel.  Rose. 

*  CHRISTIANITY— Vitality  of. 

Waft,  waft,  ye  winds,  his  story, 

And  you,  ye  waters,  roll, 
Till,  like  a  sea  of  glory, 

It  spreads  from  pole  to  pole ; 
Till  o'er  our  ransom'd  nature 

The  Lamb  for  sinners  slain, 
Redeemer,  King,  Creator, 

In  bliss  returns  to  reign. 

Heber. 


INDEX. 


GENEKAL   INDEX. 


a 

.ents,  causes  of,  289. 
Aerial  flotilla,  Chinese,  -TV 

Aerial  Navigation — 
Among  the  ancienU  an  attribute  of  the  gods,  7 ;  voyage  of 
Cyaxares,  30;  voyage  of  Elmerus,  32;  iU  practical  advan- 
tages, 82  j  its  feasibility,  utility,  and  charms,  83 ;  its  dangers 
easy  to  bo  avoided,  84 ;  epitome  of  the  progress  of  the  art, 

precedes  Alpine  mountaineering,  110;  erroneous 
of  Monck  Mason,  316;  difficulties  in  the  way,  317 ;  move- 
ments of  the  atmosphere,  318 ;  average  rate  of  travelling, 
319;  temporary  halts,  320;  opposing  forces,  320;  atmo- 
spheric resistance,  321,  333,  347 ;  friction,  321,  348 ;  means 
suggested  to  meet  the  difficulties,  322;  natural  power  requi- 
site, 326 ;  human  strength  inadequate  to  guide  the  balloon, 
danger  of  steam-power,  328;  suggestions  for  future 
balloon-builders,  329  ;  M.  Monge's  work  on,  334 ;  synopsis 
of  difficulties,  335;  M.  Nadar's  views,  339;  M.  Hairnet's, 
344 ;  Bright  and  dark  side  of  the  picture,  383 ;  results  to  be 
anticipated,  438. 
Aerial  Ships : 

F.  Lana's,  35 ;  Honson's,  195 ;  Prof.  Low's,  296;  Count  Len- 
nox's, 329  ;  M.  David's,  349. 
.il  Transit  Bill,  195. 
Aeromotives,  339. 

Aeronauts,  celebrated :  Arban,  219;  Blanchard,  79,  et  teq.; 
Coxwell,  204,  et  ieq.;  Delcourt,  204,  et  ieq.;  Garnerin,  111, 
et  teq. ;  Gay-Lussac,  117,  et  ieq. ;  Glaisher,  231,  et  teq. ;  Godard, 
269,  et  teg. ;  Green,  129,  et  te<j. ;  Lunardi,  56,  et  teq. ;  Monck 
Mason,  137,  et  teq.;  Nadar,  257,  et  ieq.;  Sadler,  78,  et  >eq. ; 
Wise,  130. 
Aeronauts: 

Swiss  aeronauts  in  the  time  of  Charlemagne,  27. 
Rule*  to  be  observed  by  (Nadar's),  260. 
Necessary  clothing  according  to  the  Chinese,  273. 
M.  Rozier,  the  first  aeronaut,  43 ;  Charles,  49. 
Mad.  Thible,  the  first  female  aeronaut,  54. 
Aeronautic,  Euroi>ean,  Society  wanted,  336. 
Aerostatic  and  Meteorological  Society  of  France,  270. 

A  r -ta'i'-s,  1C Moagtfr  dabonto work  on,8M|  n|   n    nttln 

tlio  French  Institute  by  M.  Alcan,  336. 

AEBOSTATIOS — (Rise  and  Progress  of). 

§  1.  Australia: 

Suggestions  to  explore  the  interior,  p.  225 ;  introduction  of 
ballooning,  226;  ascents  from  Melbourne  and  Sidney,  --7. 

§  2.  China : 

The  Emperor  Fo-kiew's  balloon,  p.  271 ;  state  of  aerial  navi- 
gation in  China,  271;  oblong  aerostats,  272;  method  of 
direction,  2~'2  ;  account  of  an  ascent,  trimming  the  aero- 
stat, .71  :  il,.  M...rt.  -7!  :  the  commercial  traveller,  -7."  : 
state  aerial  flotilla,  275;  projects!  voyage  to  the  X.-rtli 
Polo,  275 ;  incidents  of  the  voyage,  275-278. 


AEB08TATIOX— (Rise  and  Progress  of). 

f  3.  France : 

Montgolfior's  first  experiment  at  Annonay,  39;  the  first 
"  Balloon,"  so  called,  41;  its  ascent  from  the  Champ  d< 
Mars,  and  fate,  41;  warning  issued  by  the  Governnn  nt, 
42 ;  Moutgolfier's  experiments  at  Versailles,  43 ;  M.  Pilatre 
de  Rozier,  the  first  aeronaut,  43;  account  of  hi«  anc.ni, 
44;  M.  de  liozier's  second  ascent;  his  account, -i'i;  the 
Marquis  d'Arlandes*  account,  46. 

The  hydrogen  balloon  of  les  frdres  Robert,  48. 

The  Charliere,  or  gas  balloon,  48;  the  voyage  of  the  first 
Charlit'To,  4'J;  experiments  at  Lyons,  50;  Rlanchard's 
suggested  improvements,  62;  first  ascent  by  ladies,  •'•!  : 
accident  at  Dijon,  54 ;  Madame  Thible  (the  first  female 
aeronaut),  54 ;  ascent  by  the  Due  de  Chartres,  54 ;  inci- 
dents of  his  journey,  55;  ascent  by  MM.  Robert  and 
Hullin,  76;  honours  paid  to  lllanchard,  80;  monument 
erected  at  Calais  in  memory  of  lilanchard's  voyage.  - 1  . 
Cavallo's  remarks,  81 ;  sad  fate  of  MM.  Pitatrc  lie  Rozier 
and  Romainc,  86;  a  common-sense  view  of  the  accident, 
86 ;  doge  on  Pilatre  de  Rozier,  87 ;  his  life  and  career,  88. 

Experiments  of  Testu-Brissy,  90 ;  his  use  of  oars,  91 ;  narra- 
tive of  his  eleven  hours'  journey,  91;  ascends  on  home- 
back,  92;  Blanchard  descends  by  means  of  a  paracliut- . 
110;  Gamcrin,  "  inventeur  brevtte"  du  parachute,  110; 
permission  accorded  by  Lucicn  Bonaparte  to  Garnerin  t» 
make  an  ascent,  111 ;  Garnerin's  escape  from  prison  by 
means  of  a  parachute,  111 ;  his  ascent  from  Monocau,  and 
descent  in  a  parachute,  111. 

Scientific  experiment*  by  Gay-Lussac  and  Biot,  117,  1 1-  : 
Giy-Lussac's  second  ascent,  119;  Napoleon's  coronation 
balloon,  123;  Garnerin's  nocturnal  voyages,  124 ;  death  »l 
Blanchard,  124;  Montgolfier's  widow,  aged  107,  189; 
Delcourt' »  copper  balloon,  204;  M.  Arban's  |*ssage  of 
the  Alps  from  Marseilles  to  Turin,  219;  M.  Poitevin's 
suggestions,  220;  death  of  M.  Gale  at  Bordeaux,  1'JI  : 
Delcourt's  chemin  de  fer  aerien,  228. 

Nadar's  '  Geant,'  description  of  the  car,  267 ;  Nadar's  assist- 
ants in  his  undertaking,  258 ;  first  ascent  of  the  '  G*ant,' 
259;  the  sun  out-paced,  successful  descent,  259;  second 
voyage  of  the  'Geant,'  the  start  (6  P.M.).  the 

Belgian  frontier  crossed  (9  P.M.),  203,  205;    Malines, 
Holland,  265-267;  accident  to  the  car,  265;  la  count 
infrrnnlr,  265 ;  descent  near  Nienburg  in  Hanover,  263, 
268 ;  heroism  of  Jules  Godard,  265 ;  the  casualty  list, 
Oraison  funebre  of  M.  Delcourt,  270. 

{4.  Germany: 

Attempts  at  Tubingen,  32;  and  at  Vienna,  32;  Mr. 
Cox  well's  ascents  from  Berlin,  A-c.,  218  ;  his  narrow 
escape  on  the  Sleswig-Holstein  frontier,  219. 

§5.  Great  Britain— (n)  England: 

First  aerostatic  experiments  by  Connt  Zambcccari,  47;  first 
pilot  balloon  sent  across  the  channel,  "<1 ;  ex]crinants  at 


520 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


AEROSTATION— (Rise  and  Progress  of). 

Oxford,  52 ;  M.  Argand's  experiments  at  Windsor,  53 
the  balloon-mania  in  London,  53. 

Vincent  Lunardi's  first  series  of  letters,  56-76  ;  preparations 
for  the  ascent,  58 ;  his  first  failure,  60 ;  riot  at  Chelsei 
Hospital,  61 ;  his  successful  ascent  from  the  Artillery 
Ground,  65  ;  his  own  account  of  his  voyage,  67  ;  account 
from  the  '  Morning  Post,'  69 ;  Lunardi's  reception  at 
Court,  71 ;  letters  and  depositions  of  eye-witnesses  of  his 
voyage,  73-75  ;  lines  addressed  to  him,  75. 
Blanchard  and  Sheldon's  experiments,  77 ;  Mr.  Sheldon 
leaves  the  balloon,  78  ;  Blanchard's  descent  near  Romsey, 
78 ;  Mr.  Sadler's  ascents  from  Oxford,  78 ;  M.  Blanchard's 
fifth  ascent,  78 ;  Mr.  Harper's  ascent  from  Birmingham, 
79  ;  Blanchard  and  Jeffries  cross  the  channel,  79  ;  account 
of  their  journey,  80  ;  Mr.  Baldwin's  account  of  his  ascents 
from  Chester,  91  ;  supposed  height  attained,  91  ;  Garne- 
rin's  visit  to  England,  115 ;  Chelsea  to  Colchester  in  45 
minutes,  115,  116. 
Mr.  Sadler's  voyage  from  Birmingham  to  Boston,  124  ;  his 
attempt  to  cross  the  Irish  channel,  125 ;  abreast  of  the 
Great  Ormes'  Head,  forced  back,  wrecked,  picked  up  at  sea, 
127 ;  Mr.  Windham  Sadler's  successful  voyage  from 
Dublin  to  Holyhead,  127  ;  Sir  George  Cayley's  project, 
128. 

Mr.  Green's  ascent  from  Boston,  129 ;  his  perilous  ascent 
from  Newhury,  130 ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graham's  ascents, 
136  ;  Mr.  Monck  Mason's  ascent,  137  ;  his  journey  from 
London  to  Leighton  Buzzard,  138. 

Voyage  of  the  Great  Nassau  Balloon,  139-158 ;  the  start 
from  London  (1.30  P.M.),  140  ;  Canterbury  (4.5  P.M.), 
letter  to  the  mayor,  141 ;  Dover  (4.45  P.M.),  142  ;  Calais 
(5.50  P.M.),  144 ;  une  nuit  a  la  belle  etoile,  145 ;  Liege 
(12  midnight),  146 ;  Dawn,  151 ;  descent  at  Weilburg, 
153  ;  fetes  in  honour  of  the  aeronauts,  156  ;  the  journey 
to  Paris,  158. 

Mr.  Cooking's  parachute,  158  ;  its  faults  and  uselessness, 
163  ;  Mr.  Cooking's  ascent,  descent,  and  frightful  death, 
165-168  ;  Mr.  Wise's  comments,  169. 

Mr.  Green's  first  proposition  to  cross  the  Atlantic,  179  ;  use 
of  the  guide-rope  and  water-drag,  ]80,  181  ;  Mr.  Green's 
narrow  escape,  London  to  Eainham  in  15  minutes,  186; 
Mrs.  Forrest,  a  lady  aeronaut,  186  ;  Mr.  Henson's  aerial 
ship,  195  ;  Mr.  Monck  Mason's  ellipsoidal  balloon,  195 ; 
Mr.  Roebuck's  Aerial  Transit  Bill,  195 ;  Mr.  Coxwell's 
first  ascent,  204  ;  Mr.  Green's  second  proposal  to  cross 
the  Atlantic,  207  ;  Albert  Smith's  account  of  his  ascent 
with  Mr.  Green,  211  ;  and  with  Mr.  Gypson,  213 ;  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Graham's  ascent  from  the  Hippodrome,  220 ; 
narrow  escape  of  the  Great  Exhibition,  a  restive  balloon 
in  the  streets  of  London,  220 ;  Mr.  H.  Mayhew's  account 
of  his    ascent,   220-223 ;    Mr.   Coxwell's    journey  from 
Woolwich  to  Cornwall  in  five  hours,  224  ;  suggestions  for 
exploring  the  interior  of  Australia,  225. 
The  British  Association  decides  on  employing  balloons,  228  ; 
the  objects  in  view,  229  ;  and  the  means  employed,  230  ; 
Mr.  Glaisher's  ascents  in  1862,  231-236  : 
1st.     17th  July  (19,500  feet  attained),  231. 
2nd.   30th  July  (  7,000  feet  attained),  232. 
3rd.   18th  Aug.  (24,000  feet  attained),  232. 
4th.    20th  Aug.  (5,000   feet   attained),  232;    sunset, 

anchor  for  the  night,  morning  start,  sunrise,  233. 
5th.    1st  Sept.  (J  mile  in  4  minutes),  233. 
6th.  5th   Sept.  (37,000   feet  attained),  234;   narrow 
escape  of  the  travellers ;  Mr.  Coxwell's  presence  of 
mind,  235. 
7th.  8th  Sept.  (5,000  feet  attained),  236  ;  385-389. 


AEROSTATION— (Rise  and  Progress  of). 

Meteorological  observations  made  during  the  ascent  of  5th 
September,  206-239 ;  Mr.  Glaisher's  remarks,  239 ;  Mr. 
Coxwell's  ascent  from  Winchester  Barracks,  242;  Win- 
chester to  Harrow,  70  miles  in  66  minutes,  243. 
Mr.  Glaisher's  ascents  in  1863,  247-251 ;  : 
1st.  31st  March  (24,000  feet  attained),  251. 
2nd.  18th  April  (24,000  feet  attained),  252  ;  drifting  out 

to  sea  ;  a  narrow  escape,  252. 
3rd.  26th  June  (23,000  feet  attained),  253 ;  caught  in  a 

gale,  lost  in  a  fog,  an  aerial  snowstorm,  254. 
4th.  llth  July  (a  coasting  voyage),  244,  254. 
5th.  21st  July  (a  wet  journey),'  255. 
6th.  31st.  Aug.  (experiments  at  Newcastle),  247. 

O)  Scotland : 

Mr.  Tytler  the  first  aeronaut  in  Great  Britain,  56;  his 
ascents  from  Edinburgh,  56 ;  Lunardi's  ascent  from 
Edinburgh. 

Lunardi's  second  series  of  letters,  93-108  : 

Lunardi  made  Knight  Companion  of  the  Beggar's  Benison, 
93 ;  his  ascent  from  Kelso,  94 ;  his  mode  of  lite  at 
Glasgow,  96  ;  his  ascent  from  Glasgow,  97;  from  Edin- 
burgh, 99  ;  curious  acoustic  phenomena,  100  ;  his  ascent 
from  Glasgow,  102 ;  is  made  knight  of  the  Cape,  103 ; 
Rev.  J.  Lapsley's  narrative,  103;  remarks  of  the  pea- 
santry, 105 ;  Lunardi  proposes  to  ascend  with  two  balloons, 
105  ;  ascent  from  Edinburgh,  106  ;  is  carried  seawards, 
106;  his  dangers,  help  from  the  Bass  Rock,  107;  balloon 
lost,  107  ;  lines  to  him  by  Mr.  Tytler,  108. 

History  of  the  Edinburgh  Fire-balloon,  109  (note). 

§6.  India: 

Mr.  Knight's  experiments  at  Bombay,  223. 
§  7.  Italy : 

Father  Lana's  air-boat,  34 ;  Chevalier  Paul  Andreani's  ex- 
periments at  Milan,  51;  Andreoli's  ascent  from  Ancona 
at  midnight,  dangers  of  the  journey,  116;  Brioschi's 
ascent  from  Naples,  124;  Znmbeccari's  ascent  from 
Bologna,  122,  384;  his  sad  fate,  385. 

§8.  Persia: 

Fate  of  Fire- balloon,  42. 

§9.  Russia: 

Robertson's  ascent  from  St.  Petersburg,  116,  117  ;  a  flying 
infernal  machine,  284  (note). 

§  10.  United  States : 

First  experiments  of  Rittenhouse  and  Hopkins,  50  ;  Wilcox's 
ascent,  50;  Mr.  Wise's  first  ascent  from  Philadelphia, 
130 ;  second  ascent,  explosion  of  the  balloon,  133 ;  third 
ascent  and  accident,  134;  ascends  in  the  presence  of 
North  American  Indians,  169;  another  explosion,  171; 
his  experiments  in  intentional  bursting,  173  ;  ascent  from 
Allentown,  caught  in  a  thunderstorm,  175 ;  blown 
towards  the  Atlantic,  perils  and  escape,  176 ;  his  double 
balloon  ascent,  181 ;  further  ascents,  182  ;  meteorological 
observations,  184 ;  continuation  of  ditto,  189  ;  Mr. 
Parker's  failures,  190 ;  Mr.  Wise's  observations  during  a 
thunderstorm,  191 ;  race  with  a  railway  train,  192 ;  re- 
peated ascents,  193,  &c.  ;  proposition  to  cross  the  Atlantic, 
199  ;  queries  by  Prof.  Espy,  203  ;  petition  to  Congress, 
203  ;  Mr.  Wise's  new  balloon,  205 ;  its  short  career, 
is  left  in  a  tree-top,  206 ;  the  voyages  of  the  "  Rough 
and  Ready,"  207  ;  is  struck  by  lightning,  208  ;  voyages 
in  zigzag,  209;  proposal  to  capture  the  castle  of  Vera 
Cruz,  209  ;  extracts  from  Mr.  Wise's  aerial  log-book, 
217 ;  his  descent  on  Lake  Erie,  217. 


'.]  SERAI  INM  \ 


521 


AEROSTATION— (Itiso  and  Progress  of). 

Isn't  balloon  staff  and  iu  operation*, 
-or    Low's    journey    from    New    York    t 

:•»  aerial  ship,  project  to  crow  the  Atlantic 

Air,  i  ,  the,  399. 

Allard,  accideu 

Al|«,  passage  of  in  a  balloon,  210. 

ss,  Mr.  Wise's  ]«-tilionto,  203. 

A»"  ^iinents,  50,  130,  169,  181,  189,  205,  291,  tt  tey. 

Ancona,  Andreoli's  ascent  from,  1  !•.. 
Annuuay,  scene  of  Montgolfior's  6r»t  experiment,  39. 


Fans,  L'l'J,  309. 

(itii.le-rope,  use  of,  143,  180,  221,  314,  315. 

Oars,  used  by  Testu-Brissy,  10 ;  by  Blanchard,  78,  309. 
' 

Screw,  use  of,  314;  Mr.  Bell's,  -Jin  ;  M.  Xadar's  motor-screw, 
ili.-  ChiiieM  screw,  275;  M.  Babinet's,  342;  M.  Pauc- 
ton's  view,  340;  M.  David's  view,  348;  the  lateral  screw, 
350. 

Spimlifer,  Xadar's,  341. 

.  3IJ. 
::it..r,  277. 

Water-drag,  use  of,  181 ;  kedging  by  means  of,  315. 
Appareil : 

M.  Charles,  48 ;  M.  David's,  348. 
Archimedes,  crystal  sphere  of,  23. 
Argo,  description  of  the  ship,  2. 
Armida,  flight  01. 

Art,  yoke- fellow  of  Science,  5 ;  utility  of,  278. 
Artillery  Ground,  Lunardi's  first  ascent  from,  65;  Zambcccari's, 

47. 
Association  (British),  adopt  ballooning,  228 ;  Committee  appointed 

to  organise  meteorological  experiments,  229 ;  object*  in  view, 

--'.I;  instruments,  229. 

Astolpho's  flight  to  the  sources  of  the  Nile,  13-19. 
Atlantic,  proposals  to  cross,  Mr.  Green's,  179,  207;  Mr.  Wise's, 

199;  Professor  Low's,  296;  Mr.  Monck  Mason's  views  as  to 

the  possibility,  443. 
Atmosphere,  considered  as  a  fulcrum,  316 ;  movement*  of,  318 ; 

Lunardi's  experiences,  318 ;  Captain  Snowden's,  318 ;  resistance 

of,  321,  333,  347. 
Atmospheric  pressure,  Lana's  theory  of,  33;  consequences  of, 

li'.l  ;  effects  of  diminished,  380. 

Australia,  suggestion  for  exploring,  225;  various  ascents  in  Mel- 
bourne and  Sydney,  227,  et  teq. 
Austrian  experiments  with  war  balloons,  287. 
Authors,  Latin,  of  the  Middle  Ages,  23. 
Automata : 

Dove  of  Archytas,  23,  24. 

(  rystal  sphere  of  Archimedes,  23. 

Elmerus*  wings,  32. 

Abbot  of  Tungland's  wings,  32. 

Allard  and  Besuier's  inventions,  32 ;  M.  de  Bacqueville's,  331. 

£ 

Babinet  (M.)  on  the  future  of  ballooning,  344. 
Balloon-builders,  hints  to  future,  329. 
Balloon-bnrstiiu  : 

(1)  Accidental.     M.  de  Cozier,  86 ;  Lunardi,  107 ;  Audreoli, 

1KJ:  Zambeccari,  122,  384;  Mr.  Wise,  133,  171. 

(2)  Intentional.    Mr.  Wise's  invention  and  experiments. 

182. 


Ballooning  (satires  on) : 

Brisson's  on  Moolgolfler'a  first  attempt,  40. 

Cyrano  de  Bergerac,  his  Voyage  to  the  M.  «</. 

on  i:i»lu.p  \Vilk,i,'»  Discovery  of  a  New  Worl.l. 

Pegasus  in  llaruew  (Schiller),  396. 

The  Flying  Visit  (Albert  Smith),  396. 

Crotchet*  in  the  Air,  399. 

Journey  of  Hans  Pfaal  (K.  A.  Poe),  414,  rl  teq. 

Conieliua  i  i'l *..«,!,  434. 

The  Younger  Munchauaen  (C.  Bennett),  434,  tt  uq. 
Balloon-maiiitt  in  London,  68. 
Balloons,  first  so  called,  41 ;  the  Montgolfiere,  48;  the  hydrogen 

balloon  of  les  Frews  Robert,  48;  the  Charliere  or  gas  balloon, 

BsJIoons:  'Le  Oustare,  54;  •  Ix-  Pilitrc  do  Cozier,' 54;  ''11,. 
Great  Nassau,'  i:t'.i ;  •  The  irnit««l  SUtes,'  191 ;  •  The  Vesperus,' 
204;  'Tlu-  Itough  and  Ready,'  207;  "The  Mammoth.'  - 
•Australasian,' 237;  ' Le Geant,' 266 ;  •L'Aigle,'269;  •  Ki.ir.- 
prenant,'2ftO;  •  Alerte,' 2HO ;  '  ller.-nl.-.'L'so;  •  liitn-pidi-.' U'M>. 

Balloons:  ellipsoidal,  1U5;  |>ilot,  61-246;  copper,  204;  oblong, 
•J7J ;  spherical,  309. 

Balloons,  various  forms  pro|>osed  for,  309,  310,  rl  *•</.,  340. 

Balloons  (War).     Vide  War-balloons. 

Ballooos,  suggestions  on  use  of,  121 ;  pressure  to  be  sustained  by, 
290;  resisting  force  necessary,  290;  precautions  to  be  adojited, 
291 ;  rotatory  motion  of,  316 ;  suggestions  for  future  builders 
of,  329 ;  resources  of  large  balloons,  3~>3. 

Banks,  Sir  Joseph,  patronises  Lunardi,  59. 

Battle  of  Flcurus,  282-286;  Hanover  Court  House,  296;  of 
Legnica,  26 ;  of  Solferino,  286. 

Beggar's  Benison,  order  of,  I 

Bennett  (C.)  the  younger  Munchauscn,  434. 

Bergerac,  Cyrano  de,  his  journey  to  the  moon,  391. 

Bombay,  experiments  at . 

BOOKS  CONNECTED  WITH  AEROSTATION  : 

1648.  Dcdalns,  or  Mechanical  Motions,  by  Bp.  Wilkins,  30. 

Discourse  on  the  possibility  of  a  Passage  to  the  Moon, 

• 

De  Motu  Animalium,  Borclli, 

17.*..*).  I/Art  de  Naviguer  dans  les  Airs,  par  le  Fere  <  • 
1781.  History  of  Aerostation,  by  Tiberius  Cavallo,  42,  84. 

1783.  (Kuvres  posthumes  du  Ctiitnl  Meusnier,  309-: 

1784.  Dissertation  sur  les  Aerostats  de*  Anciens,  par  Rosier, 

1784.  Lunardi's  Letters  to  his  Guardian,  1st  series,  66. 
L788b  Ditto  ditto  2nd  series,  93. 

1785.  Airopaida,  by  T.  Baldwin,  91. 

?      Aerodiphros,  by  Mr.  Phillips,  195. 
?      Mcrvcilk-s  du  Ge*nie  de  1'Homme,  par  M.  de  Bast,  L'71. 
1837.  History  of  Aerostation,  by  Monck  Mason, 
1845.  The  Balloon  or  Aerostatic  Magazine,  edited  by  H.  Cox- 
well,  207,  225,  444. 
1847.  Histoire  de*  Aerostats,  par  Depuis  Delcourt,  39  (note), 

111. 
1847.  Manuel  de  1'Alrostier,  par  le  MCme,  270. 

1847.  £tudes  sur  1'Aeratation,  par  M.  Marey  Mange,  309, 

316,  334,  444. 

1848.  Journal  de  la  Navigation  Aerienne,  par  Depuis  Deloourt, 

1849.  Traite-  Complet  des  Aerostats,  par  le  Meme, 
1860.  L'Aeronaute,  266. 

1860.  Hi*tory  of  Aerostation,  by  U.  Wise,  28,  33,  117,  1 

•****. 

1860.  Manuel  de  1'AerosUtion,  par  Fignier,  383. 
1862.  La  Navigation  Aerienne  en  Chine,  par  M.  Delaville- 

Dedreux,  271,  et  teq. 


522 


GENEEAL  INDEX. 


BOOKS  CONNECTED  WITH  BALLOONING  : 

1862.  Reports  of  the  British  Association,  &c.,  229,  et  seq. 

1863.  Ditto  ditto. 

1864.  Defence  of  England  against  Invasion,  by  H.  Coxwell, 

294. 

1864.  Three  months  with  the  Balloons  in  America,  298. 
1864.  Solution  du  Probleme  de  la  Navigation  dans  1'Air,  par 

M.  David,  347. 

1864.  Mdmoires  du  GeVmt,  par  Nadar,  270. 

1865.  L'Air  et  le  Monde  Ae'rien,  par  A.  Mangin,  354. 

{See  also  Appendix,  page  463, 
Buonaparte,  Lucien,  letter  to  Garnerin,  111. 


Cape,  Knights  of,  103. 

Cavallo,  Tiberius,  his  history  of  Ballooning,  43. 

Channel,   English,  crossed  by  Blanchard,   79 ;   Irish,  ditto  by 

W.  Sadler,  127. 

Chariot  sailing,  of  Stevinus,  29. 
Charlemagne,  aeronauts  in  the  time  of,  27. 
Charles,  inventor  of  the  '  appareil '  of  gas  balloons,  48. 
Charliere,  first  aerial  voyage  in,  48  ;  advantages  as  compared 

with  the  'Montgolfiere,'  286;  method  of  guiding,  309. 
Charlo-Montgolfiere,  85. 
Chartres  (Due  de),  his  ascent,  54. 
Chelsea  Hospital,  riot  at,  61. 
Chemin  de  fer  aeVien,  228. 
China,  progress  of  ballooning  in,  271 ;  state  aerial  flotilla,  275  ; 

voyage  to  the  North  Pole,  275. 
Chinese  oblong  balloons,  272  ;  notions  on  the  expansion  of  gas, 

276. 

Cirrus,  184. 

Clothing  proper  to  aeronauts  according  to  the  Chinese,  273. 
Clouds,  artificial,  172 ;  cirrus  and  cumulous,  184 ;  appearance  of, 

183,  234,  249,  253,  255,  368 ;  on  the  Thames,  234. 
Cloud-scape,  the,  249. 

Cooking  (Mr.),  his  parachute,  161  ;  fatal  descent,  165. 
Conclusions  drawn  from  Mr.  Glaisher's  experiments,  240. 
Constantinople,  experiments  at,  32. 
Consumption,  Chinese  cure  for,  275. 

Contributions  of  various  nations  to  the  science  of  ballooning,  442. 
Convention  Nationale,  Fourcroy's  report  to,  283. 
Coronation-balloon  of  Napoleon,  122. 
Cost,  estimated  of  war-balloons,  290  (note). 
Crotchets  in  the  air,  399. 
Crystal  Palace  (1851),  narrow  escape  of,  220. 
Crystal  sphere  of  Archimedes,  23. 
Cumulus,  184. 
Currents,  Mr.  Wise's  theories,  181,  314  ;  constant  within  certain 

limits,  189  ;  westerly,  196  ;  Sir  James  Ross  on  trade  winds, 

&c.,  314 ;  velocity  of,  246,  318  ;  Professor  Low's  views,  296  ; 

superior  and  inferior,  319. 
Cyrano  de  Bergerac,  journey  to  the  moon,  391. 


Daedalus,  story  of,  12. 

Daedalus  on  mechanical  motions,  by  Bp.  Wilkins,  30. 

Dawn  of  navigation,  1. 

Delcourt  (D.)  his  works  on  ballooning,  111,  270,  et  seq. ;  his 

Chemin  de  fer  ae"rien,  228  ;  Oraison  Funebre  on,  270. 
Depositions  (various)  concerning    Lunardi's    first    ascent,   73, 

et  seq. 

Descent,  difficulties  of,  378. 

Difficulties,  synopsis  of  the  principal,  345,  377,  et  seq. 
Dove  of  Archytas,  23,  24. 


Earth,  concave  appearance  of,  from  the  balloon,  378. 

Echo,  effects  of,  135. 

Effects  on   the  system  from  diminished   pressure,   380  ;   from 

diminished  supply  of  oxygen,  381. 
Egypt,  balloons  used  in,  by  Napoleon  I.,  123. 
Electro-subtraeteiir,  joint  invention  of  Arago  and  Delcourt,  270. 
Elmerus,  journey  of,  32. 

Eloge  on  Pilatre  de  Rozier,  89  ;  on  Depuis  Delcourt,  270. 
England,  ballooning  in.     See  Aerostation,  §  5. 
Epigrams  of  Grotius,  29. 
Erie,  Lake,  Mr.  Wise's  descent  on,  217. 
Erroneous  calculations  of  Monck  Mason,  317,  et  seq. 
Explosion  of  balloons,  133,  171,  195. 


Fans,  use  of,  219,  309. 

Fire-balloon,  fate  of  the  Persian,  42  ;  of  the  Edinburgh,  109 

(note). 
Flight  of  Armida,  22  ;  Astolpho,  13  ;  Daxlalus,  12  ;  Gabriel,  19  : 

Ismene,  20  ;  Phaeton,  9. 
Flying,  Bp.  Wilkins,  on  the  several  ways  of,  30. 
Flying-bridge  in  the  fourteenth  century,  26. 
Flying  fire,  25. 
Forces,  opposing,  320. 
Forecasts,  Dr.  Lardner's  erroneous,  299. 
France,  ballooning  in.    See  Aerostation,  §  3. 
Friction,  321,  348. 
Future,  a  glimpse  into,  343. 


Garnerin,  inventeur  brevetd  du  parachute,  110. 
Gas: 

Production  and  use  of,  by  Schottus,  24. 

Priestley's  discoveries,  40. 

Dangers  of  impure,  249. 

Chinese  notions  respecting,  276. 

Method  of  generating  in  American  army,  292. 

Gas-purifiers,  transport  of  materials,  293. 
Geant,  M.  Nadar's  balloon,  255 ;  its  voyage,  261,  et  seq. 
Germany,  ballooning  in.j   See  Aerostation,  §  4. 
Giddiness,  absence  of,  365. 
God,  anger  of,  26. 
Gravitation,  371. 

Great  Nassau  balloon,  voyage  of,  139,  et  seq. 
Great  Western,  voyage  of,  302. 
Grotius,  epigrams  of,  29. 
Guide-rope,  use  of,  180,  314,  315. 
Guiding,   difficulties    of,   318  ;    proposals    for,    Nadar's    motor 

screw,  256;  Chinese  methods,  273;  Chinese  rudder,  275;  M. 

Blanchard's   suggestions,  309 ;    Guyton  de   Morvt-au's,   309 ; 

M.  Monge's,  309  ;  General  Meusnier's,  309 ;  Delcourt's  epitome 

of  the  methods  proposed,  310  ;  Mr.  Green's  suggestions,  315  ; 

M.  Barral's,  345  ;  M.  David's,  347 ;  his  rudder,  352. 
Gusman,  Laurence  de,  his  propositions,  35. 


Halts,  temporary,  320. 

Hanover  Court  House,  battle  of,  295. 

Honours  paid  to  Montgolfier,  45 ;  to  Blanchard,  80  ;  to  Lunardi, 

71,  103 ;  to  the  travellers  in  the  Nassau  Balloon,  157. 
Hydrogen  balloon  constructed  by  les  freres  Robert,  48. 


I\M  \ 


InlVrnal  machine  (Ku--  ,,aU). 

Instruments  imxl  by  i  i.iv-l.u^i, ,  117;  by  Mr.  (ilaisber,  280. 
Intentional  l.nrsiiiu  -I  Iwll.nMis,  Mr.  Wise's  theories  173,rf  MO 
Ignitions  of  tlif  Mi.i.ilr  Ap-s.  : 

Irish  Channel,  Mr.  S.i.ll.-r's  iiitrmpt  to  cross,  126;  Mr.  W.  Sel- 
ler's successful  passage  of,  1.'7. 
Ismene  convey*  the  Soldan  through  the  air,  20. 
Italian  war,  use  of  balloon*  durin-. 


bdfh  .-.  BU 


Ladie*,  first  ascent  by,  in  France,  84  ;  in  England,  186. 

Una  (Francisco),  theories  of  atmospheric  procure,  33  ;  hn  air- 

boat,  35. 
Le/nica,  battle  of,  26. 

.  lurnaces  of,  147. 
Lightning  observed  by  the  travellers  in  the  Great  Nassau  balloon 

14«. 

Literature  (aerostatic),  tee  Bookt. 
Lunanli  (V.),  his  experiments  at  London,  56,  et  teq.  ;  presented 

to  the  Kij.j.  71  ;  his  experiment*  at  Edinburgh,  Glasgow,  Sec. 

93,  et  teg. 


Machinery,  applicable  to  balloons,  clockwork,   354;   birdlike, 

3.V1. 

Mayeuce  reconnoitred,  282. 
Means  for  counteracting  the   difficulties  of   ballooning,  322; 

natural  power  requisite,  326. 
Mechanically-propelled  aerostats,  351. 
Meteorological  observations,  Gay-Lnssac's,  117,  118;  Mr.  G  to- 

sher's, 236,  et  ieq.,  247,  et  itq.;  Mr.  Green's,  179,  rt  sty.; 

Lunardi's,  100  ;  Mr.  Wise's,  175,  183. 
Mention,  aeronautic  school  at,  279. 
Milan,  experiments  at,  51. 
Millerism,  197. 
Mohan,  Abbe,  his  improved  Montgolfierc,  310. 

Montgolfier  : 

Early  history  of  the  family,  37  ;  introduce  the  manufacture  of 
paper  into  France,  37  ;  embrace  the  reformed  religion,  38  ; 
their  alliances,  38  ;  letter*  patent  to  Pierre  Montgolfier  from 
tlir  King,  38  ;  voyage  of  the  first  '  Montgolfiere  '  from  Anno- 
ridiculed  by  Brisson,  40;  effect  of  Priestley's  dis- 
coveries, 40;  experiments  at  Versailles,  43;  the  brothers 
Montgolfier  construct  a  new  balloon,  44;  honours  paid  to 
them,  45  ;  obelisk  erected  to  them,  45  ;  Madame  Montgolfier 
aged  107,  189. 

Montgolfiere,  the,  39,  43,  286  ;  method  of  guiding,  309. 
Monument  erected  to  Montgolfier,  45  ;  to  Blanchard,  81. 
Moon,  journeys  to,  Cyrano  de  Bergerac,  391  ;  Hans  Pfaal,  414. 
Motion,  rotatory  of  balloons,  118,  172,  315. 
Motor-Screw,  Nadar's  suggestion,  - 
Munchauscn,  the  younger,  434. 


Xadar's  Gcant,  'jr.  7. 

Naples,  Brioschi's  ascent  from,  11M. 


Napoleon  makes  use  of  balloons  in  Egypt,  123  ;  discards  them, 

.  Coronation  balloon,  1 
Nassau  balloon,  the  famous,  139,  et  mq. 
Navigation.  dawn  of,  1  ;  Biblical  references,  1  ;  Greek,  2;  Phot- 

niciaii,  .'  :  r.i,t,»h,  8  ;  Charnock's  seven  epochs  of,  2  (•<*). 
Navigation  (steamX  Dr.  Lardner  on  its  impracticability,  209; 

prophecies  on  its  future,  300,  rt  •*?.  ;  voyage  of  the  Great 

Western,  302;  Atlantic  Steam  Navigation,  304;   steamers 

vmiu  liners,  304. 
Nautilus,  functions  of  its  sails,  ::- 

\-tc.l|i)ii.\  ili^lit  to  sources  of,  13. 
North  Pole,  projected  journey  to,  27:i. 


used  by  Tcstu-Brissy,  90;  by  Blanchard,  309. 
Obelisk  errcted  in  honour  of  Montgolfier,  46. 
Octogenarian,  ascent  of  an,  207. 
O'Dowd  (Cornelius)  on  ballooning,  434. 
Olympus,  7. 

Ordnance  Committee  institute  experiments  at  Alderahot,  297. 
i  'inline,  clearness  of,  364. 
Oxygen,  effect  of  diminished  supply,  381. 


I'arachutr : 

Mr.  Cooking's,  158,  160. 

M.  Garoerin's,  169. 

M.  le  Nonnand's,  159. 

Jordaki  Kujwrento,  160. 

M.  Nadar's.341. 

Mr.  Wise's,  196. 

Natural,  343. 
Pegasus  in  harness,  395. 
Petersburg  (St.),  ascent  from,  116. 
Pfaal,  journey  of  Hans,  414. 
Phaeton,  story  of,  9,  et  ieq. 

Phenomena: 

(1)  Acoustic.    Observed  by  Lunardl,  100;  by  Mr.  Wise,  134. 

218 ;  by  Mr.  Glaisber,  232,  253  ;  by  Mr.  Monck  Mason, 
37L'. 

(2)  Meteorological.    Lightning  observed  by  the  travellers  in  the 

great  Nassau  balloon,  148;  Mr.  Wise's  experiences,  176; 
revolution  of  the  balloon,  184 ;  appearance  of  the  clouds, 
234,  249,  253,  368;  observations  made  by  Mr.  Glaisher 
(r.th  September,  1862),  236,  et  say. ;  summary,  365 ;  ex- 
traordinary quiescence,  366. 

(8)  Optical.  Observed  by  Mr.  Wise,  191,  193;  by  Mr.  Glai- 
sher, 232,  233;  by  Mr.  Monck  Mason,  373;  by  Gay 
Lussmc,  373;  summary  of  numerous  observations,  362, 
863 ;  clearness  of  outline,  364 ;  deep  blue  of  the  zenith, 
.17.') ;  diffusion  of  white  rays,  374 ;  concave  appearance 
of  the  earth,  378. 

[*hotograi>hy,  its  use  in  connexion  with  ballooning,  298. 
Pilot-balloons  differ  in  their  course  from  larger  balloons,  249 ;  first 
sent  across  the  Channel,  61. 

Poetry: 

^schylmi,  7. 

Akenside,  35. 

Anonymous,  112,  137,  244,  395,  438,  446. 

Ariosto,  i:;. 

Amol.l,  177. 

Ben  Jonson,  113. 

Borsvy  d'Anglas,  38. 

3    Y 


524 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Poetry : 

Bryant,  84,  177,  355,  382. 

Bulwer  Lytton,  5,  178,  242,  395,  439,  441. 

Bums,  27. 

Campbell,  242. 

Carrington,  114. 

Claudian,  23. 

Coleridge,  129. 

Cowper,  92. 

Croly,  128. 

Darwin,  90,  125. 

David,  7. 

Dawes,  125. 

Dryden,  114. 
•  Euripides,  8. 

Grotius,  29. 

Hodgson,  147. 

Horace,  23. 

Hugo  (Victor),  446. 

Kirke  White,  97. 

Longfellow,  298. 

Mellen,  385. 

Milton,  113. 

Ovid,  9, 12. 

Pindar,  2,  7. 

Pollok,  114. 

Pope,  1,  7. 

Pringle,  131. 

Rogers,  43. 

Schiller,  5,  115,  242,  395,  439,  441. 

Shakspeare,  79,  85,  113,  122. 

Shelley,  66,  129. 

Smith  (Albert),  396,  398. 

Tasso,  19,  22. 

Tennyson,  188,  440. 

Thomson,  143,  152. 

Tytler,  75,  108. 

Watts,  384. 

Young,  148. 

Poetry,  forerunner  of  science,  4. 
Practical  use  of  balloons,  M.  Lomet's  views,  284. 
Precautions  necessary,  379  ;  with  war-balloons,  291. 
Pressure  to  be  sustained  by  balloons,  290 ;  effect  of  diminished 

pressure  on  the  system,  380. 

Prison,  Garnerin's  escape  from,  by  means  of  a  parachute,  111. 
Propxilsion,  by  machinery,  351 ;  by  sails,  349 ;  by  steam,  328. 
Prospects  of  aerostation,  for  military  purposes,  298 ;  according  to 

'  Westminster  Review,'  312  ;  to  '  La  Presse  Scientifique,'  345  ; 

to  M.  Babinet,  344. 
Purifiers,  portable  gas,  293. 


'  Quarterly  Review'  on  steam  navigation,  300. 


Railway-train,  race  with,  192. 

Rate  of  travelling,  average,  319  ;  rapid,  219,  224,  243. 

Rays,  diffusion  of  white,  374. 

Reconnaissances  hy  balloons,  280,  285,  291,  295,  298. 

Resistance  (atmospheric),  consequences  of,  261 ;  (material),  ne- 
cessary in  balloons,  290. 

Robert  (les  freres),  inventors  of  the  hydrogen  (inflammable  air) 
balloon,  48. 


'  Roc,'  the,  31. 

Rotatory  motion  of  balloons,  118,  172,  315. 

Rozier  (M.  Pilatre  de),  the  first  aeronaut,  43 ;  his  ascents,  44,  46 : 

his  fate,  8fi. 
Russia,  experiments  in,  116. 


Sails,  propulsion  by,  349. 

Satires  on  Aerostation,  various,  391,  et  seij. 

Schiller,  Pegasus  in  Harness,  395. 

School,  Aeronautic  at  Meudon,  279. 

Science,  its  relationship  to  the  imagination,  4;  foreshadowed  by 

poetry,  4;  yokefellow  of  art,  5;  its  progress  full  of  promise  for 

the  future  of  ballooning,  439. 
Screw,  general  use  of,  314;  Mr.  Bell's,  219;  M.  Babinet's,  342; 

M.  David's,  348 ;  lateral,  350 ;  M.  Nadar's  motor-screw,  256 : 

M.  Paucton's  views,  340. 
Sea-crossing,  80,  106,  125,  127,  143,  176. 
Sensations  experienced,  202,  355. 
Shells,  use  of,  218. 
Skill  requisite  in  an  aeronaut,  379. 
Sleswig-Holstein,  incident  of  the  war  in,  219. 
Smith  (Albert),  his  two  ascents,  211,  213  ;  '  The  Flying  Visit,' 

39fi. 

Snow-storm,  an  aerial,  254. 
Society,  European  Aeronautic,  wanted,  336. 
Soldan  (the),  carried  through  the  air,  20. 
Spiralifer  (Nadar's),  341. 
Steam,  dangers  of  applying  it  to  balloons,  328. 
Stevinus,  sailing  chariot  of,  29. 
Storm-scene  above  the  clouds,  175. 
Storm-raising,  25. 
Stropheore,  342. 
Swiss  aeronauts,  fate  of,  27. 
Synopsis  of  difficulties,  335. 


c 

Tacking,  impossibility  of,  319. 

Temperature,  118,  235,  376. 

Thames,  appearance  of,  234. 

Thunderstorms,  130,  175,  191,  208,  385. 

Tongland,  Abbot  of,  his  unsuccessful  experiments,  32. 

Tranquillity  of  mind,  356,  367. 

Trimming  the  balloon,  274. 


Venice,  experiments  at,  32. 

Ventilator  (the),  a  Chinese  invention,  277. 

Vera  Cruz,  proposal  to  capture,  209. 


War  Balloons : 

(FRANCE)  Employed  in  the  armies  of  French  Republic,  Cojoncl 
Coutelle's  experiments  at  Charlcroi,  279,  280;  Kcok- 
aeVonautique  de  Meudon,  281;  Mayence  reconnoitred,  282; 
report  of  Fourcroy  to  the  National  Convention,  283 ;  used 
by  Napoleon  in  Egypt,  110  ;  his  subsequent  neglect  of  them, 
285  ;  M.  Lomet's  me'moire  on  their  utility,  284. 

(ITALY)  Used  for  reconnaissances  by  both  French  and  Austrians 
during  the  last  Italian  war,  286,  287. 


liKNEKAL  lM»i:\. 


II  .1 


(AM)  'a  prupoMli  for  their  UK  in  the  Maxkui 

war.  2<V.);  Adoption  during  the  actual  Oil  War,  287 

•IK  advanced  and  aniwered,  288;  cauiei  of 

tail'  tv  provided  robabta  cort 

i  :  |irecmutiotM  neceamry,  291  ;  Captain  lleauroont 

mi  I'M   l'.ili..-n  reconnaiiMncM  M  prmctbed  in  the  American 

.  .'!<!.  el  *•</.;  kind  of  balloon  tued,  car,  gai  generator, 

J:L-  )itintU-rs,  iiM-thi«U  .  •('  inflation.  tran»|.>rt  of 

ganeratiDi;  materUU.  I 

hinV  r,..ll.H,n  Stall',  hnlUK.il  airj»  and 

Until-  ul   I  urt   House,  uiuatiafactory  mulU,  tcle- 

-,ii-  i  uiniiuiuication,  Heneral  Barnard'*  opinion*,  295, 


:  \MI) 

." ;  i  Hi  nn-  proi|icct«,  application  of  pliotattrapliy,  296. 
(llnwu)  A  flying  infcnial  nim-liino,  'JS4  ( 

Water-drag.  u«e  ..I.  I- 1 

•  Wedmi niter  Review  *  on  A 


..in  (,(  ,.imt).  Mink.*  tin-  Hrat   a.To»t.i 

land,  47;  liis  (-xj<-riiiieiit»  in  lUly,  1 10;  lit*  fate.  .1H. 
Xniitli.  dwp  Miie  ,.f.  ;i7.'l. 

Mr.  Wise'*  royagM  in,  209. 


.-{    Y    2 


CHKONOLOGICAL  INDEX. 


365  (?) 


A.D. 

810  ..  . 

1042  ..  . 
1230  (?) 

1306  ..  , 

1383  ..  . 

1500  ..  . 

1600  ..  , 

1607  ..  . 

1645  ..  . 

1660  ..  . 
1662(?) 

1678  ..  , 

1709  ..  . 

1742  ..  , 

1755  ..  . 

1783  . 


1784 


The  flying  throne  of  Kai  Kaoos,  King  of  Persia 

(Cyaxares) 31 

Archytas  of  Tarentum  invents  his  automaton 

dove  23 

The  crystal  sphere  of  Archimedes 23 

Swiss  aeronauts  burnt  at  Lyons       27 

Elmerus  constructs  wings        32 

Flying  fire  of  Albertus  Magnus       25 

Balloon  ascent  in  China 271 

Comte  de  Bourgogne  and  the  flying  cloud      ...  26 

Abbot  of  Tungland's  experiments 32 

Mendoza's  experiments      25 

Peirescius' sailing  chariot 29 

Francesco  Lana's  theories         30,33 

Bp.  Willdns's  Daedalus     30 

Allard's  attempt  to  fly  across  the  Seine  . .      . .  32 

M.  Besnier's  invention      32 


Bartholomeo  de  Guzman,  flying  machine       ..       35 
Flight  of  the  Marquis  de  Bacqueville     ..      ..      331 

Le  Pere  Galien's  propositions 35 

5th  June. — The  Montgolfiers  launch  their  first 

balloon  at  Annonay 39 

23rd  August. — Their  first  experiment  at  Paris        41 

27th  do. — Second  experiment 42 

19th  Sept. — Experiments  at  Versailles,  in  pre- 
sence of  the  King  and  Court      43 

loth  Oct. — First  ascent  by  M.  de  Rozier  and 

Montgolfier  from  Paris        43 

21st  Nov. — Second  ascent  by  the  same   ..      ..       46 
25th  do. — First  ascent  of  a  fire-balloon  in  Eng- 
land             47 

1st  Dec. — 'First  aerial  voyage  of  the  freres  Robert 

and  M.  Charles  in  a  Charliere 48 

28th  Dec. — Mr.  Jas.  Wilcox  ascends  from  Phila- 
delphia, U.S 50 

M.  Le  Normand's  first  parachute  used  at  Lyons     159 
M.  Monge's  method  of  directing  aerostats       ..      309 
7th  and   19th  Jan. — Experiments  by  Mont- 
golfier and  others  at  Lyons   51 

19th  Feb.— Fire-balloon  launched  at  Oxford  ..        52 
22nd  do. — Pilot  balloon  launched  at  Sandwich  ; 
crosses  the  Channel,  and  is  picked  up  at 

Lisle      51 

25th  do. — First  experiments  in  Italy  by  the 

Chevalier  Paul  Andreani       51 

2nd  March. — M.  Blanchard's  improved   aerial 

machine  tried  at  Paris         53 

13th  do. — Further  experiments  in  Italy  by  the 

Chevalier  P.  Andreani         53 

13th  do. — M.  Argand's  experiments  before  the 

King  at  Windsor         53 

2nd  May. — Ladies  ascend  for  the  first  time  at 

Paris 54 


A-D-  PAGE 

1784  ....   4th  June. — Mad .  Thible's  first  aerial  voyage ..        54 
„      ....    15th  July. — Voyage  of  the  Due  de  Chartres  ..       54 
„     ....    18th  do.— AbW  Mohan's  Montgolfiere     ..      ..     310 
„      ....    llth  Aug. — Vincent  Lunardi's  first  failure,  at 

Chelsea 60 

,,  ....  27th  do. — Mr.  Tytler's  first  experiments  at 

Edinburgh 56 

„  ....  15th  Sept. — V.  Lunardi,  successful  ascent  from 

the  Artillery  Ground,  London 65 

,,  ..  ..  19th  do. — MM.  Hobertand  Hullin,  ascent  from 

Paris 76 

„  ....  16th  Oct.— M.  Blanchard  and  Prof.  Sheldon 

ascend  from  Chelsea 77 

„  ....  12th  Nov. — Mr.  Sadler  ascends  from  Oxford..  78 

1785  ....   4th  Jan. — Mr.  Harper  ascends  from  Birmingham     79 
„      ....    7th  do. — M.  Blanchard  and  Dr.  Jeffries  cross 

the  Channel  from  Dover  to  Calais  ..  ..  80 
,,  ....  15th  June. — Fatal  accident  to  M.  Pilatre  de 

Eozier  and  M.  Romaine  85 

„  ....  ]  5th  do. — Garnerin  invents  the  parachute  ..  110 
,,  ....  Sept. — Mr.  Baldwin's  'Airopaida,'  containing 

the  account  of  his  experiments,  published  at 

Chester 91 

„  ....  Oct.,  Nov.,  and  Dec. — Lunardi's  various  ascents 

in  Scotland 93-111 

1786  ..  ..    18th  June. — Testu-Brissy's  experiments;  his 

use  of  oars 90 

1793   ....   Formation   of    a    Frencli    military  aerostatic 

corps         110 

„       .•.  ..    Blanchard's  parachute  experiments  at  Basle  ..      159 

1794-5   ..   Colonel  Coutelle's  war-balloons 280 

1797   ....   Garnerin  descends  in  a  parachute  at  Monceau  111,  159 

1801  ....   Obelisk  inaugurated  at  Annonay,  in  honour  of 

Montgolfier 45 

1802  ....   28th  June. — Garnerin  and  Capt.  Snowden  per- 

form the  journey  from  London  to  Colchester 

(60  miles)  in  45  minutes 115 

„  ....  5th  July. — Garnerin  attains  a  height  of  7800 

feet  115 

„  ....  21st  Sept. — He  rises  to  10,000  feet,  and  de- 
scends in  a  parachute 116,159 

1803  ....    7th  Oct. — Count     Zambeccari    and    Andreoli 

ascend  from  Bologna,  and  are  nearly  drowned 

in  the  Adriatic 136 

„      ..  ..    M.  Lomet's  Mdmoire  on  the  use  of  balloons  for 

topography  and  reconnaissances  published       284 

1804  ....    23rd  Aug. — Iliot  and   Gay-Lussac  commence 

their  experiments  in  Paris 117 

,,  ....  loth  Sept. — Gay-Lussac  rises  to  a  height  of 

more  than  20,000  feet 119 

,,  ....  24th  July. — Jordaki  Kuparento's  ascent  in  a 

fire-balloon  from  Warsaw,  and  descent  in  a 

parachute  160 

„  ....  Zambeccari's  experiments  at  Bologna  ..  ..  122 


rill{MMi|.m;|r.\I.    IM'I  A 


A.,,.  ,.,     , 

1804  ..  ..  Aerostatic  ichool  at  McuJon  abolished  by  Na-] 

poleon 285 

1806   ....    16th   Dec.— Na|»leon's    coronation     balloon, 

Uiiiu-h.-l  at  Paris,  falU  at  Rome        ..      ..  I'-"-' 

„      ..  ..   July  3 Int.— Vincent  Lunardi  diet  at  Lisbon  ..  U':t 

.,     ....    Andreani  and  Carlo  Bru«chi  ascend  from  Naples  124 

1SO7    ....   Ganifriii's  iincturnal  voyages 1-1 

1809  ..  ..   Blaoohard  dies,  after  having  made  sixty-six 

ascents 1^4 

1S11    ..  ..   7th  <  Vi.— Mr.  Sadler's  voyage  from  Birming- 
ham to  Boston     IJ.'i 

<    untZarabeccarik>se«hislifeinaMoiitgolfi«re  385 
1st  Oct.— Mr.  Sadler'i  unsuccessful  attempt  to 

cross  the  Irish  Channel       I'-'". 

\  '1,'iut.— Mr.  Cocking  lecture*  on  the  parachute 
1-17  -J.,,.1  June.     Mr.  Windhwn  Sadler  come*  from 

Diil.lin  to  Holyhead 127 

isi-.i   ....   Ttli  July.— Mad.  Blanchard'i  tragic  end        ..  411 

l-J!    ....   Mr.  Graham's  first  imcenU        136 

1824   ....  Mrs.  Graham's  first  ascent       

1    Inne. — Mr.  (ireen  ascends  from  Boston  ..      ..  129 

„     ....   July. — And  from  Vauxhall  Gardens       ..      ..  129 

1834   ....   Count  Lennox's  aerial  ship       329 

...   -IM!  May.— Mr.  Wisp  commences  his  series  of 

experiments  at  Philadelphia,  OJS 

....    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graham's  Toyages     %86 

18th  Oct.— Mr.  Monck  Mason's  account  of  his 

voyage  from  London  to  I<ci',;hton  Buzzard  137 
„     ....   7th   Nov.— The  voyage  of  the  great  Nassau 

balloon  from  London  to  Weilburg     ..      ..  139 

1837  ..  ..July.— Mr.  Cooking's  parachute;  his  fatal  de- 

scent    .,      166 

1887   ..  ..  Mr.  Wise  ascends  from  Philadelphia,  U.S.,  in 

tin>  presence  of  the  North  American  Indians  169 

1838  ....   Mr.  Wine's  continued  experiments 171 

,,     ....    Intentional  bursting  of  the  balloon 173 

1839  ..  ..   Mr.  Wise's  experiments  in  America        ..      ..  175 

1840  ..  ..  Mr.  Charles  Green  makes  his  first  proposition 

to  cross  the  Atlantic  in  a  balloon       ..     179,309 

,,     ..  ..   Mr.  Wise's  experiments  continued 181 

1841  ....   Mr.  C.  Green's  ascent  from  Cremome,  and  nar- 

row escape    185 

1842  ....    Mr.  Wise's  experiment*  in  America       ..      ..  189 

1843  ....    Mr.  Henson's  aerial  ship 311 

„     ....   March.— Mr.  Roebuck's  Aerial  Transit  Bill    ..  195 

Mr.  Mason's  ellipsoidal  balloon 195 

Mr.  Wise's  experiments  in  America \'.<~> 

..   His  proposal  to  cross  the  Atlantic 199 

.,     ..  ..    Petition  to  Congress 203 

1844  ....   Dcpuis  Dclcourt's  copper  balloon      204 

Mr.  Cnxwell's  first  ascent 204 

Mr.  Wise's  further  experiments        205 

..  ..    Mr.  Coxwell  publishes  the  first  number  of '  The 

Balloon  or  Aerostatic  Magazine '        ..      ..  207 

Various  improvements  suggested     313 

l-l''.   ....   Mr.  Green  makes  a  second  proposal  to  cross  the 

Atlantic        207 

Mr.  Wise's  aerial  log — his  method  of  capturing 

the  Castle  of  Vera  Cruz      209 

..  ..    :.th  July.— Allx-rt  Smith's  first  ascent  in  Mr. 

Green's  balloon  .11 


A.D. 

1847  ....   His  second  in  Mr.  Gypson's     -1  • 

Mr.  Wise's  aerial  log  (continued)     -IT 

....  M.  Hong*  publishes  hi*  •  guides  sur  1'ArfrostaUon'  384 

1848  ....  Mr.  Coxwell's  various  ascenu  on  the  Continent    '.'in 

1849  ..  ..   M.  Arban  crosses  the  Alps  from  Marseille*  to 

Turin  in  a  balloon  -T' 

„  ....  Balloons  em  [Joyed  by  Uie  A  ustrians  before  Venice  285 
„  ....  -i>ili  June.— Kapjnrt  sur  les  Ktudes  de  M. 

Marey-Monge      33<; 

1850  ....  Mr.  Bell's  suggestions  for  an  improved  aerostat    219 

.  ..  M.  IVtin's  '  Systeme '       310 

1851  ....   Mr.  and  Mis.  Graham's  narrow  escape;  a  restive 

balloon  in  the  streets  of  London --'  > 

„     ....    Nov. — Mr.  Helle'u  suggested  improvement*    ..     ::1" 

1852  ....   Mr.  Henry  Mayhvw's  ascent 

1863  ....   Mr.  Knight  ascends  from  Bombay 223 

1864  ....   Mr.  Coxwoll  suggests  the  use  of  balloons  in  the 

Crimea 

Dr.  Ceilings' spy  balloons         

1857  ....    15th  June.— Mr.  Coxwell's  journey  from  Wool- 

wich to  Cornwall,  in  five  hours —4 

1858  ..  ..   •J3rd.lau.-Mr.  Coxwell's  suggestions  for  ex- 

ploring the  interior  of  Australia        ..      ..     '-'-•"• 
,,     ..  ..   March. — Ascents  from  Melliourne  and  Sydney      1TJ7 
1869   ....   Balloons  employed  by  the  French  at  Solferino 
„     ....   Mr.  Coxwell  ascends  from  the  Crystal  Palace  .. 

1860  ....    M.  Dedreux'  voyage  from  Font-chcon  to  Nant- 

chang  (China)      L'Tl 

1861  ..  ..    Depuis   Delcourt's  project  of  a  chemin-de-fer 

aeVien •-*_'« 

1862  ..  ..   The  British  Association  decide  nn  employing 

balloons  to  make  meteorological  observations 
„     ....   Balloons  employed  by  the  Americans  during  the 

present  war 287-L".'l 

„     ....  Mr.  (jlaishor's  ascents  and  cxiierinients  : — 

„     Tuly  17th.— From  Wolvcrharopton         ..      ..     •-•::i 

, Inly  30th.— From  t  lie  Crystal  Palace     ..       ..      -'.'SI 

„      ....   Aug.  18th.— From  Wolverhampton        ..      ..     l'3'J 

Aug.  20th,  21sL— From  Crystal  Palace  ..      .. 

„     ....  Sept.  1st.— From  Crystal  Palace     L'.:.: 

„     ....   Sept  6th.— From  W.'lverlmmpton '.'34 

„     ....    14lh  Oct.— Mr.  Coxwell's  ascent  from    Win- 
chester Barracks,  70  miles  in  66  minutes..     'JCJ 

1863  ....  Mr.  Glaishcr's  ascents  and  experiments  : — 

„     ....   31st  March.— From  Crystal  Palace L'">l 

„     ..  ..    18th  April.— From  Crystal  Palace 

2f.th  June.— From  Wolverton 2f>2 

„     ....    llth  July —From  Crystal  Palace,  a  coast  in-.' 

Toyage -t 

„      ....   21st  July.—  From  Crystal  Palace -'V. 

„     ....  31st  August.— From  Newcastle       1M7 

„     ..  ..   4th  Oct.— Nadir's  first  ascent  in  '  le  Gcant,' 

from  Paris 

„     ..  ..    18th  Oct.— Nadar's  grand  voyage  from  Paris  to 

Hanover        

,,     ....   Nadar's  ideas  on  parachute*,  &c.      341 

1864  ....   'Solution  du  Probleme  de  la  Navigation  dans 

1'Air,'  par  M.  David,  published  in  Paris   ..     347 
18<;.r>   ..  ..  -I/Air  et  le  Monde  Alrien,  par  M.  Arthur 

Mangin'         

(See  alto  APPCKDIX.) 


INDEX    NO  MI  NUM. 


Abel,  Mr.,  289  (note). 

Addington,  63. 

jEschylus,  7. 

Aidie,  229. 

Airy,  Prof.,  228. 

Akenside,  35. 

Albertus  Magnus,  25. 

Alcan,  336. 

Allard,  32. 

Amecourt,  M.  Ponton  d',  340,  342,  343, 

344,  345. 

Andreani,  Chev.  Paul,  51,  53,  124. 
Audreoli,  116-384. 
Anglefort,  Corate  de  Laport  d',  51. 
Arago,  270-338. 
Arban,  219. 
Archytas,  23. 
Argand,  53. 
Ariosto,  13,  66. 
Arlandes,  Marquis  d',  46. 
Arnold,  177. 
Arnot,  Rev.  J.,  92. 
Arnould,  M.  E.,  265,  et  seq. 
Atkinson,  383. 
Aulus  Gellius,  23. 
Auvergne,  Princessede  laTourd',  259,  et  seq. 


Babinet,  342,  346. 

Bacon,  Koger,  28,  32. 

Bacqueville,  M.  de,  331. 

Baird,  93. 

Baker,  W.,  72,  73. 

Baldwin,  33. 

Baldwin,  J.,  91. 

Banks,  Sir  J.,  59,  79. 

Barnard,  General,  294. 

Barral.  345. 

Bayle,  391. 

Bazol,  A.,  116. 

Beaufoy,  347  (note). 

Beaumont,  Capt.,  391. 

Bell,  219. 

Bellevue,  M.  de,  54. 

Bennett,  C.,  434. 

Bent,  201. 

Bergerac,  Cyrano  de,  390,  ft  seq. 

Berthollet,  117-280. 

Besnier,  32. 


Biggin,  60,  65. 

Biot,  117,  &c. 

Birt,  354. 

Blainville,  310. 

Blanchard,  33,  52,  53,  55,  77,  78,  79, 

111,  124,  156,  309. 
Blanchard,  Mad.,  123,  270,  411. 
Boby,  55. 

Bonaparte,  Lucien,  111. 
Borelli,  32. 
Bossoli,  Carlo,  286. 
Bost,  A.  de,  271. 
Bouguer,  375  (note'). 
Bret,  M.  de,  391. 
Brewster,  Sir  D.,  228. 
Brioschi,  124. 
Brisson,  40. 
Brooks,  Shirley,  211. 
Brown,  C.  H.,  225,  226. 
Bryant,  84, 177,  382,  255. 
Buckle,  4,  40. 
Buford,  Col.,  287. 
Bulkeley,  61, 
Burcharn,  124. 

Burguyne,  Sir  J.,  289  (note). 
Burns,  27. 
Burton,  32. 

C 

Caffarelli,  45. 

Calvin,  38. 

Camden,  29. 

Caramanico,  Prince,  65. 

Cardan,  Jerome,  23,  24,  31  (note),  32. 

Carlyle,  278,  285,  439. 

Carnot,  286. 

Cassini,  37. 

Cavallo,  Tiberius,  42,  55,  76,  81,  85. 

Cayley,  Sir  George,  127,  160,  310. 

Chambon,  D.  de,  53. 

Champagny,  M.  de,  122. 

Chaptal,  117. 

Charles  VI.,  38. 

Charles,  48,  49,  312. 

Charnock,  2  (note). 

Chartres,  Due  de,  54,  55. 

Chassenton,  M.  de,  124. 

Cheese,  Mrs.,  136. 

Chisholm,  G.,  100. 

Claudian,  23. 

Cocking,  158,  et  aey. 


Collings,  285. 

Combe,  Geo.,  440. 

Conflans,  M.  de,  53. 
j  Connor,  Capt.,  68. 
110,  j  Conte,  123,  283,  284. 

Copernicus,  445. 

Coppin,  Hon.  G.,  224,  226. 

Cotton,  Sir  Kobt.,  29. 

Coxwell,  Mr.  H.,  204,  207,  213,  218,  220, 
223,  &c.,  229,  256,  291,  295,  347 
(note),  373  (note),  3«6,  &c.,  444. 

Coulomb,  119. 

Coutelle,  Col.,  117,  123,  280,  et  setj. 

Crane,  Wm.,  68. 

Cromcrus,  26. 

Curry,  Capt.,  187,  188. 

Cyaxares,  30. 

Cyrano  de  Bergerac,  390,  et  seq. 


Dally,  188. 

Dampierre,  Comle  de,  51. 

Darubin,  125. 

David,  7. 

David,  M.,  347,  354. 

Davidson,  211. 

Dean,  225,  et  seq. 

Decker-Maygeth,  25. 

De  Colonia,  27. 

Dedreux,  Delaville,  271. 

Deghen,  270. 

Delcourt,  Depuis,  204,  228,  270,  309,  311, 

443. 

Delessert,  Eugfee,  259,  270. 
Delisle,  46. 
Delrio,  25. 
Draper,  27,  442. 
Drew,  211. 
Dunlop,  390. 
Dupont  de  Chambon,  53. 


e 

Ebuer,  Baron,  287. 
Edmonstone,  Sir  A.,  103. 
Egg,  Mr.,  316. 
Elmerus,  32. 
Emerson,  327. 
Espy,  203. 

Euler,  39  (note),  338. 
Euripides,  8. 


Fairlttirn,  228. 

Fitzroy.  A.in,!..  . 
Fleiiran.l. 

nbrielile,  .".'.'  1. 
F..-kieii.  Kin|vr..i.  -71. 
K.>ntuii,,  .  M. 
For,h 

Forney.  I'.'1-'. 
Fom-st.  Mrs..  L'TI. 
Four. 
Franklin,  Ilcnj.,  4H,  IhT, 


339. 


Galien,  le 

Garncrin,  Madlle.,  2fil,  343. 

Garnerin,  MOM*..  1  1".  1  1  1,  li:.,  1L'.',  u:», 

1-J4.  1  :•'.'.  --'7".  :;i'J.  :118,  373  (note). 
(•ausendi,  391. 

.  lo  fraU'lli,  51. 
i.  ::'.<}. 

•.  rt*o.,2r.' 

••  0-ote),  385,  rt  «eo. 

Glftiaher.jun.,  -J49,  ette,]. 

Godar.i.  M  M..  266,  e<  sey. 

Godard,  MODS.,  268. 

Godard,  Jules,  259,  <rf  M?.,  286. 

Godard,  Louis,  259,  e<  sey. 

GonaUcs,  Don,  391. 
.on,  314. 

Graham,  Mr.,  13C.  liJO,  347  (nolt). 

Graham,  Mrs.,  136,  220. 

Grueui,  116,  384,  385. 

Green,  Mr.,  129,  130,  139,  et  *•/.,  158,  164, 
et  »eq.,  178,  185,  et  «7^  207,211,  289, 
309,  312,  313,  314,  315,  319,  347, 
;t4J  (note),  369  (/.••'•  ),  :!7'.i,  383. 

Gressu't,  1-J1. 

Grotin 

Cn.ver.  I.irut.,  2s.-|,  L".U. 

'i  nines.  Due  de,  46. 

Gusroan,  Bartb.  <: 

I'.,  Hi',  108,  361  (note). 

Gypwn,  iii::.  L'lt,  215. 


Hamilton,  Duke  (.f,  93. 

Hamin<>ml,  283. 

Hari«T.  7'.'. 

IMI.-,  310. 

Hetiin. 

Henson,  195,  311. 

Herschel,  Sir  J.,  •."_>. 

II,  v.liu-.  391. 

Hiatonus,  25. 

Hire,  M.di- la,  :!74  (note). 

Hollinc:sworth,  68. 

Hollon.1.  i:«i.  .t  teg. 

Homer,  7. 

Hopkins,  50. 


tlowiud,  Sir  Geo.,  57,  58. 

Iliillin,  76. 
Hlltlil.,Mt,    11"!. 

Huttoii,  Dr..  li;l. 


IbbeUon, -II. 
Ingrun,96. 


Jeffrie*,  Dr.,  78,  79. 

JefleMiniMn.  L'7. 
Joseph. 

Jullieii,  :;in. 


Kai  Kaoos,  :: 
Kaulhach,  5, 
Kepler,  445. 
Kerr,  160. 
Kie  Fo,  271,  ft  t*j. 
Kinloch,  Sir  U,  168. 
Kircher,  26. 
Kinvan,  r>3. 
Knight,  223. 
Ku|nrento,  160. 


Lagarde,  Madllc.  de,  54. 

UUnde,  340. 

Una,  33,  34. 

Lanc7,  Mad.  de,  383. 

Landelle,  M.  de  la,  340, 342, 343, 344, 346. 

Upboe,  117. 

Lapsky,  103. 

Lardner,  299. 

LM  Cues,  53,  122. 

LAurencin,  Comte  ,!• ,  ."il. 

Ijtoretus  Laurus,  24. 

Lazbcnau,  340. 

Le  Bcrrii-r. ! 

Lee,  228. 

Lee,Mr.  J.  I'll. 

Lennox,  Count,  270.  310.  329.  390  (note). 

•nand,  159. 
Leroy,  46. 
Lewis,  Sir  W.,  63. 
Ligne,  Prince  Charles  H.-.  :.l. 
Lloyd,  228. 
Looock,  188. 
Lanet.284. 
Loni»  XVI..::-.  39. 
Low,  IV. f.. 

LUC.M.  a.-,  in;. 

Lunwili,  .*..'>,  .'.'i.  '.i I,  11".  i •_•::.  :;c.'. 
Liuwac,  Gay,  117,  rt  vv..  318.  347  (note), 
373,376. 

I .-:••.-.  H 


m 

M  -  ,340. 

Macdonnell,  186. 

Mackin.i.,1,1..  106. 

Maisonfort,  Manjuis  .!• 

Manpn.354. 

Marorl. 

Mare..  !'.,!. 

Margat,  373  (note). 

Mason,   Monck,  77,  137,   139,  158,  195. 

},  299,  318,  333,  348,  443,  444. 
May,  140. 

May  hew,  220,  rt  fry. 
Maynardier,Ca|*.,287. 
:.n.  General,  194. 
M-IVmaM,  ( 
M'Mahon,  General 
Melli-n,  385. 

•tad  •.M.W. 

Metistiirr,  SiKt-.'Ua 

Miller. 

Milton,  GC,  113. 

Mitclwll.  : 

Mohan,  AbW,  310. 

Money,  Maj..  ,«<r> 

Mongc,  M.,  306. 

Monge,  M.  Marcy,  -•  I.  _>7'>.  .'80,  316,  319, 

332,  334,  337,  338,  444. 
Montaigne,  38. 

Montaiembert,  ComUwe  tie,  :>4. 
Montalembert,  Marquis  de,  54. 
Montaletnbert,  Marquise  de,  54. 
Montgolfier,  33,  37. 
Montgolfier,  J.,  38. 
Montgolfier.  M 
Montgolfier,  1'.,  3H. 
Monlgolfier,  It.,  38. 
Mongol  tier,  M., 
Monlgolfier,  lt»  freres,  39,  40,  43,  44,  45. 

46,  47,  4H.  .M..;,),  iMt,  ; 

tforam,  ;;;  • 

Moreaud,  228. 

Moret.60. 

Morris,  259. 

Morveau,  M.  de,  54,  279,  2»' 

Moment,  365. 

M'Kae,  201. 


Nadar,  256,  I 

Napoleon,  68,  110.  I.1- 

Nash,  286. 

Negretti,  229,  230. 

Newton,  Sir  Isaac,  375  (n-J-  > 

Ney,  343. 

Niofad,  440,  445. 

Xisbet,  107. 

Noah,  1. 

Norrb, 


O'Dowd,  forneliud,  434. 
Ottley,  1«1  (note). 
.8. 


530 


INDEX  NOMINUM. 


Parker,  190'. 
Pauoton,  340. 
Paullin,  181, 182. 
Pauly,  316. 
Peirescius,  29. 
Petin,  310. 
Phillips,  195. 
Piallat,  259. 
Pindar,  2,  7. 
Pitt,  Wm.,  68. 
Pius  VII.,  123. 
Playfair,  327. 
Podenas,  Comtesse  de,  54. 
Poe,  414. 
Poitevin,  220. 
Polignac,  Due  de,  46. 
Porter,  Genl.  F.,  298. 
Power,  Mad.,  382. 
Power,  Morris,  211.     . 
Prevet,  286. 
Pridmore,  213. 
Priestley,  40. 
Proud,  231. 
Prouts,  54. 


Rayal,  25. 

Reid,  Sir  \V.,  285. 

Remigius,  25. 

Reveroni,  de  St.  Cyr,  298. 

Richard,  340. 

Rittenhouse,  50. 

Robert,  les  freres,  48,  49,  54,  76. 

Robertson,  116, 270,  373  (note). 

Roebuck,  195. 

llomaine,  85. 

Roret,  270. 

Rouse,  321. 

Rozier,  23. 

Rozier,  Pilatre  de,  43,  et  seq.,  51,  54,  85. 

Rush,  231,  347  (note). 


Sacharof,  116. 

Sadler,  77,  78,  124,  et  seq. 

Sadler,  W.,  127. 

Saint-Hilaire,  270. 

St.  Felix,  266,  et  seq. 

St.  Fond,  M.  de,  41,  46. 

St.  Martin,  Comte  de,  259. 

Salome,  25. 

Samson,  310. 

Saussure,  116,376. 

Saville,  Sir  Henry,  29. 

Sayn- Wittgenstein,  Prince  de,  259,  et  seq. 

Scaliger,  32. 

Schiller,  5-395. 

Scholtus,  24,  ,'52. 

Scott,  316. 

Sequin,  189. 

Sheldon,  77,  78. 

Shepherd,  285. 

Simmons,  130. 

Smeath,  56. 

Smeaton,  321. 

Smith,  Adam,  40. 

Smith,  Albert,  211,  212. 

Snowden,  Capt.,  115,  318. 

Solomon,  1. 

Spencer,  167,  211. 

Steiner,  287. 

Steinmetz,  Lieut.,  298. 

Stevinus,  29. 

Sykes,  Col.,  228. 

c 

Talbot,  314. 
Tasso,  19,  22. 
Testu-Brissy,  90,  91,  92. 
Thenard,  121. 
Thible,  Mad.,  54. 
Thirion,  259,  268. 
Thorn,  195. 
Tournachon,  259. 


Transon,  338. 
Turgan,  383. 
Turnor,  243,  245. 
Tycho,  445. 
Tyndall,  228. 
Tytler,  56,  108. 


Underwood,  165. 


Vallett,  76. 
Vasson,  le  frere,  271. 
Vandreuit,  Comte  de,  46. 
Villemessant,  M.  de,  259,  et  seq. 
Vinci,  Leonardo  da,  374. 


Walccius,  29. 

Wales,  Prince  of,  62,  65. 

Welsh,  220,  347  (note). 

Wilcox,  50. 

Wilkins,  Bishop,  30,  395. 

Wise,  28,  33,  117,  130,  et  seq.,  169,  et 
seq.,  181,  189,  et  seq.,  195,  et  seq., 
204,  et  seq.,  207,  et  seq.,  216,  et  seq., 
279,  311-443. 

Wright,  Sir  Sampson,  63. 

Wrottesley,  Lord,  228. 


Yon,  268,  et  seq. 
Youens,  224. 


Zabella,  Dom.,  25. 

Zambeccari,  47,  57,  116,  122,  384,  385. 

Zambra,  229,  230. 

Zeize,  347  (note). 


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