Airopaidia: or Aërial Recreation

CHAPTER III. — ADDRESSED TO AIRONAUTS. — SIGNS TO BE OBSERVED, WHEN IN THE AIR. — 2dly. To prevent too precipitate a Fall . — SIGNS WHEREBY TO JUDGE WHETHER THE BALLOON IS RISING OR FALLING. — SIGNS OF RISING. — SIGNS OF DESCENT. — SIGNS OF PROGRESSIVE HORIZONTAL MOTION. — SIGNS OF NEW AND SUDDEN HORIZONTAL CURRENTS.

Section 13. THE following Anchor and Cable, for greater Safety and some particular Uses, are recommended as an Improvement.

A strong Iron double Grapple, moving on a Swivel, fastened to a Rope,⁠[5] half a Mile, or better a Mile long: and, if not all; a Part of which at least, at the Distance and for the Length of ten Yards from the Grapple, shoud be of Silk, as a non Conductor: also other ten Yards, at its upper End, counting from the Reel or Pulley to which the Silk shoud be tyed.

The Reel or Pulley being at least eighteen Inches in Diameter, and fixed vertically in the Center of the upper Hoop, seven Feet above the Bottom of the Car; by Means of three or four Iron Rods fastened in the Bottom of the Car, and meeting together above the Reel: the Rods so strong as to prevent the Shock which otherwise the Aironaut woud receive in alighting on the Ground.

The Reel shoud have one, or two Iron Winches or Handles, one at each End of the Reel; with moveable Handles of Wood round them. The Reel may be furnished with sudden Checks; or gradual Clamps, as in a Mil, to retard the Velocity.

14. The two Extremes to be avoided are, too lofty an Ascent: and too precipitate a Fall.

The former is to be apprehended when Balloon has swelled considerably, and strains as if ready to burst; from the Shape of an inverted Cone, or Children’s Top, changed to that of an oblate Spheroid, or Turnep.

It is therefore necessary to look up at the Balloon from Time to Time: and either open the Mouth, or as it is sometimes called the Neck, for an Instant; or draw the Valve; which is done by pulling a Cord fixed at the Top of the Machine and running thro’ it to the Hand, till the Balloon only appears full without straining.

These Operations are to be occasionally repeated during the Ascent.

If it is required to rise still higher; gradually throw out Ballast, and repeat the Operations.

The proposed Quantity of Ballast being thrown out, the Balloon will have acquired its utmost Height, and become stationary, i. e. neither rise nor fall.

The self Descent of the Balloon is only in Proportion, as the inflammable Air or Gass escapes thro’ imperceptible Holes in the Silk or Seams.

15. 1st. Tye, or compress the Mouth of the Balloon, for a Moment; which must always be opened, on observing that the Balloon is again risen to so great a Height as to strain, or be distended as above mentioned.

2d. In descending, throw out Ballast, when the Balloon is within a Quarter of a Mile of the Ground, but not before, i. e. at 26 Inches by the Barometer: and, if the Fall is precipitate, not less than 25 Pounds Averdupoise, Pound by Pound, or at once, if there should be Occasion.

3d. In Case of Accident, as the Escape of Gass; or if the Balloon be not furnished with an Equatorial Hoop; prepare to throw out all the Ballast at the above Height, but not before; as the more forcible the Fall,⁠[6] the greater the Resistance from the Air: cut away Ends of Cords; tear off Ornaments: part with Shoes, Cloaths. All which must be made loose and ready to throw out, at the Moment the Balloon begins to descend. Before the Landing, particular Care must be taken, that the Weight of the Aironaut be sustained, by grasping the Hands round the opposite Sides of the upper Hoop; so that the Feet may not touch the Bottom of the Car. The Knees shoud likewise be bent. Repeating the above, at each Rebound of the Balloon, if any; the Aironaut will alight in the gentlest Manner: and probably the Balloon may act as a Parashute or Umbrella, which alone will, at all Times, ensure an easy Descent.

16. 1. When the Aironaut perceives a Pressure upwards against the Soles of his Feet.

2. When some Objects, on the Surface of the Earth immediately below, diminish, and others disappear.

3. When an upper Cloud approaches or involves the Balloon.

4. When a lower Cloud leaves the Balloon.

5. When Rain Snow or Hail beat violently against the Top of the Balloon.

6. When Feathers, Balloon-Flag, or Ribbon seem to be drawn forcibly downwards.

7. When Objects on Earth, or among Clouds below the Balloon, rise and present themselves beyond those, which, the moment before, were thought most distant.

8. When the Balloon appears broader and shorter; also fuller at the Bottom; being more distended than at the first Ascent.

17. 1. When the Aironaut perceives the Bottom of the Car withdrawing itself from the Pressure against the Soles of his Feet.

2. When Objects on Earth, and surrounding Prospects encrease in Magnitude and Number.

3. When a lower Cloud approaches or involves the Balloon.

4. When an upper Cloud leaves the Balloon.

5. When Weather beats against the Bottom of the Car or Balloon.

6. When Feathers, Balloon-Flag, or Ribbon appear to be drawn upwards.

7. When the most distant Objects set, and disappear.

8. When the Balloon seems taller; and its lower Hemisphere less distended, tho’ continuing tight.

18. These are equivocal and deceitful.

When the Aironaut has lost Sight of the Earth by intervening Clouds; the Balloon seems at Rest, and only the lower Clouds appear to move: whereas the contrary may be true, the Clouds may rest, and only the Balloon move.

In this Case, Attention must be paid to the half Mile white Flag, whose Situation and Motion must be observed, with respect to the Balloon, and to the Earth before the Cloud intervened. If the Flag retains its Situation with Respect to the Balloon, it may be inferred that no Change in the Direction has happened: if its Situation alters, the Sun or Compass is to be observed: and an Estimate made of the new Current of Air by which the Balloon is affected: its Velocity, Sound, Temperature, &c.

19. But to acquire a Certainty of course, it will be proper to descend below the Cloud: or move by Compass, Map, and a Knowledge of the Country: or try the long Cable (Section 13.)

20. It is likewise necessary to know the Signs of Wind, or Currents of Air.

When the Feathers, Balloon-Flag, or Ribbon, compared with Sun or Compass, take a new and sudden horizontal Direction.

21. of currents from above: properly named Waves Torrents and Tide of Air.

They are very frequent, and require to be guarded against: are sometimes or long Continuance, at other Times momentary: against the first throw out Ballast at the Height of a Quarter of a Mile, but not before, or as hereafter directed: when momentary, and above that Height, Nothing is to be apprehended: the Balloon will appear broader and recover its Form.

CHAPTER IV. — PREPARATIONS FOR ASCENT.

Section 22. BEFORE half past I, Mr. Lunardi had inflated his Balloon in the finest Manner; and having, with the most obliging and spirited Attention, made such Preparations, and taken such Precautions, as he thought were necessary to ensure the Success of the Expedition; sent to inform Mr. Baldwin (who continued purposely absent, that he might not disturb or precipitate the Process; but that every Circumstance shoud be conducted with Deliberation and without Hurry) that all Things were ready for his Departure.

23. And Mr. Baldwin takes this Opportunity of returning his best Thanks to his Friends and the Public, on the Day of Ascent, for keeping the small Circle clear, by strictly adhering to the Words of the Advertisement, which declared, “that in order to prevent an interruption of the Process in the Inflation of the Balloon, no Persons were to be admitted within the circle, except those Gentlemen who politely undertook in turn to hold the Lines which detained the Balloon.”

24. It may be proper to mention that Mr. Baldwin being resolved to prevent the disagreeable Circumstances of being weighed in the Presence of Thousand spectators, at a Time when it is uncertain whether the Balloon has acquired a sufficient Degree of Levity to raise his own Weight, together with the Instruments, Provisions, Ballast, and other Articles, all which are known or easily calculated; finding some Days before, his own Weight, and having calculated the rest as under⁠[7]; he ordered his Servant, on the Day of the Excursion, to bring Lead Weights equal to the Sum total, with an overplus Weight of 10lb. for Levity of Ascent, and place them gradually in the Car, attached for that Purpose to the Balloon, soon after the Inflation began. By which Means the Gentlemen who held the Cords were quite at Ease: nor was there Occasion to tye the Lines during the Inflation, to Posts fixed in the Circumference of the Circle; nor consequently to cut them afterwards.

But it will be seen that Mr. Lunardi inflated the Balloon in a superior Manner.

25. All Things being thus prepared, Mr. Baldwin stepped into the Car: and finding, that, besides his own Weight, the Provisions, Articles, Ballast, &c. the Balloon woud support an additional Weight, and still rise with superior Levity; Mr. Lunardi put in 12lb. of additional Ballast, and guessed the encreased Levity at 10lb. more.

Additional		Ballast	12
		Levity	10
			——
			22
		Added to the	234
			——
		Make the Sum	256lb.

All which added to the Weight of the Balloon, by Information only, as follows:

The Weight of a Quantity of Air equal in Bulk to the Balloon, being secluded; and the Gass substituted in its Room.

26. The Calculation of the Weight of Articles was, as follows:

Articles.			Pounds Averd.	Ounces.
1.	Eight coloured Bladders⁠[8] (Section 13, Art. 18)		1	–	0
2.	Preparations against extreme Cold.     A Winter Dress.
	Flannel or woollen Socks		0	–	14
	Cap
	Gloves
	Drawers
	Under Stockings
	——— Waistcoat
3.	Brandy, Water, Flask, and Refreshments		1	–	8
4.	Barometer (portable)		0	–	12​1⁄2
5.	Thermometer		0	–	3
6.	Dial-Compass (a Mariner’s Compass in a double Box, will traverse better)		0	–	3​1⁄2
7.	Two white Flags, with Dutch Twine on two Reels furnished with Swivels		0	–	4
8.	Asses Skin Pocket Book, Blank Cards, Pencils, Knife and Scissars		0	–	4​1⁄2
9.	Map of Cheshire boarded, the superfluous Parts cut away		0	–	3
10.	Speaking Trumpet		0	–	8​1⁄2
11.	Mr. Lunardi’s Flag		3	–	8
12.	Basket and eight Pint Bottles labelled, one full of Brandy, another of Water		8	–	3
			—————
			20	–	0

27. The Ballast consisted of three Bags of dry Sand, and two red grit Stones, taken while in the Car, additional.

CHAPTER V. — ASCENT WITH 20lb. OF LEVITY.

Section 28.AT 40 Minutes past I, the Balloon having a Levity which not less than 20 Pounds Weight woud counterpoise, Mr. Baldwin was liberated by the Hands of Mr. Lunardi, who suffered no one to approach the Car: and he ascended, amidst Acclamations mixed with Tears of Delight and Apprehension, the Misgivings of Humanity, and other usual Sensations of Surprize, which, in a brilliant and numerous Assembly, will long continue to accompany a Spectacle so novel interesting and awful, as that of seeing a Fellow Mortal separated in a Moment from the Earth, and rushing to the Skies.

29. The Balloon well inflated, tower’d aloft in an upright and perpendicular Direction, with a quick Motion, and an accelerated Velocity.

The Aironaut having stood up, for a Minute or two, waving his Hat in the left, and saluting the Spectators with Mr. Lunardi’s coloured Flag in the right Hand; put on his Hat, and having fastened the Flag-Staff horizontally among the Lines of the Balloon, immediately betook himself to different Employments, before he woud indulge in looking over the Brink of the Car; lest the Novelty of the Prospect shoud call off his Attention from Things of Moment.

30. The Force of Ascent was, from the first, plainly palpable: the Sensation being that of a strong Pressure from the Bottom of the Car, upwards against the Soles of the Feet.

31. His first Point being to guard against a Deluge of acidulous Liquor, which, he was told, had fallen, to the Quantity of three Quarts, on the Head and Shoulders of a former Aironaut, from the Trunk or Bottom of the Balloon, which ended in a wide circular Opening of eighteen Inches Diameter; he found that when the Weight either of himself, or of the Ballast, was not exactly in the Center of the Car; the Opening of the Balloon woud, without any Trouble, hang so as to lie on the Outside of the Car: but he did not perceive more than a few Drops issue from the Mouth: which happened a few Minutes after he arose.

32. This Difficulty vanishing; he changed his erect into an inclined Posture between sitting and kneeling; sometimes with the right Knee near the Bottom and Center of the Car: and having both Hands quite free, the Balloon being subject to no sensible Motion; he reconnoitred all the Lines and Cords: coiled the Rope or Cable to which the Anchor or grappling Iron was fixed: tyed fast its proper End to the upper Hoop: observed and felt the superior Thickness of the Cord leading to the Valve: coiled it, in order that it might be free to act: placed the untyed Bag of Ballast near the Outside of the Car: also the tyed Bags at proper Distances to preserve the Equilibrium: unwrapped one of the white Flags, tyed it to the String on one of the Reels, and just threw it an Inch or two over the Side of the Car: then placed his Watch, open Knife, Scissars, Thermometer and Compass on his right Hand: the Barometer being swung above in Sight towards the left.

33. He then stood on his Feet, with a Design to look down: but his Attention was drawn to the Opening of the Balloon, which began to breathe out by Intervals a visible reddish Vapour; in Form like that which is seen at the Top of a Brewery, only that the under Surface was not jagged but smooth, altho’ wavy and uneven. The Particles which composed it were so large as to be distinctly visible: and appeared, as if endued with a very strong repelling Power, from the great and seemingly equal Distances, of about half a Quarter of an Inch, from each other.

It was observed by a scientific Spectator from below, that the Parts of the Balloon, which reflected the Sun’s Rays, appeared of a bright Copper-Colour: but the reddish Vapour issuing from its Mouth put on the Form of a lambent Flame. A similar Appearance had been observed by him, in a former Ascent of the same Balloon, the Neck or Mouth being then likewise open; and also by others, who declared they saw the Balloon on Fire.

The Change of the red into Flame-Colour, when seen at a great Distance, may it not be owing to this, that the direct Rays, being mingled with those which are intercepted between the Eye and the Object, became in Part absorbed, and in Part refracted; and therefore coud not reach the Sight?

34. This gentle Evaporation of inflammable Air, or Gass, continued: disappearing at the Distance of four and five Inches below the Opening: nor did it offend the Smell; not descending within its Influence.

35. He then looked upwards at the Balloon, and perceived that it was considerably swelled in its Dimensions: and that the Distention had raised the Bottom-Opening of the Balloon half way between the two Hoops: i. e. from his Hip to his Shoulder, as he stood upright. The Height from the Bottom of the Car (which was a thin circular Board four Feet and a half, Diameter, placed on a strong Netting, and covered with green Bays) to its Top or the lower Hoop, was three Feet; with the Netting continued round between the lower and upper Hoop.

36. He was aware that the Swelling of the Balloon, and copious Vapour then issuing from it, denoted the Moment when it began to lose its ascensional or elevating Power; and that its accelerated Motion was diminishing.

He therefore looked at his Barometer and Watch, which was 53 Minutes past I.⁠[9]; took up his Pencil, and on a Card (marked before he left the Earth, as follows:

Chester-Castle-Yard. Thursday, the 8th of Sept. 1785, I. o’Clock, Barometer 29​8⁄10, Therm: 65 in the Shade towards the North;) he wrote “Rose at 40 Minutes past I.” He then looked again at the Barometer, which continued falling for some Minutes, and fluctuating up and down within the Space of an Inch or more. It first began to rest at 23​1⁄4, and a little after at 23​1⁄2. Having looked again at his Watch, he put down “57 Minutes past I. became stationary: Barometer 23​1⁄4: Therm: still 65, sometimes lying in the Shade, and sometimes exposed to the Sun: the Balloon turning round frequently thro’ East to South.”

37. The Fluctuation of the Barometer, he imagined to arise from continued Exertions of the Gass within the Balloon, opposed by the atmospheric Air, which varying in Density and Temperature woud give an unequal Resistance to the Balloon: and both Gass and Air being elastic, the Power of Ascent would act by Intervals, and communicate its Pulsations to the Quicksilver in the Tube. His own irregular Motions in the Car would increase the Fluctuation.

38. The Compass likewise traversed backwards and forwards, pointing due North, and unaffected by the Turns of the Balloon: but was useless, as the Sun shone bright the whole Time of the Excursion.⁠[10]

39. Thing’s taking a favourable Turn, he flood up, but with Knees a little bent, more easily to conform to accidental Motions, as Sailors when they walk the Deck: and took a full Gaze before, and below him.

But what Scenes of Grandeur and Beauty!

A Tear of pure Delight flashed in his Eye! of pure and exquisite Delight and Rapture; to look down on the unexpected Change already wrought in the Works of Art and Nature, contrasted to a Span by the new perspective, diminished almost beyond the Bounds of Credibility.

Yet so far were the Objects from losing their Beauty, that each was brought up in a new Manner to the Eye, and distinguished by a Strength of Colouring, a Neatness and Elegance of Boundary, above Description charming!

The endless Variety of Objects, minute, distinct and separate, tho’ apparently on the same Plain or Level, at once linking the Eye without a Change of its Position, astonished and enchanted. Their Beauty was unparalelled. The Imagination itself was more than gratified; it was overwhelmed.

The gay Scene was Fairy-Land, and Chester Lilliput.

He tried his Voice, and shouted for Joy. His Voice was unknown to himself, shrill and feeble.

There was no Echo.

40. He then returned to an Employment which, tho’ irksome, he imagined would contribute to the Amusement and Information of Spectators below, if it coud be completed while he continued in Sight;Its Uses. as it woud furnish them with Ideas of Height and Distance, altogether new and interesting, as will be seen in their proper Place: and unwound half the Reel; the white Flag hanging out to the Length of 440 Yards or a Quarter of a Mile.

41. The circular Motion of the Balloon was communicated to the Loop in the Middle of one Side of the Lath or Reel, round which from End to End the Twine was wrapped, and by which it hung on his Finger, and pressed it to a Degree of Pain.⁠[11]

The Work was again suspended.

He coud not long withstand the Temptation of indulging his Eye with a View of the glorious and enchanting Prospect.

42. But the Beautiful among the Objects below was still more attractive than the Sublime among those around.

On looking down South by West, the Balloon often turning gently to the right and left, and giving the Aironaut an Opportunity of enjoying the circular View without a Change of Attitude; innumerable Rays of Light darted on the Eye as it glanced along the Ground: which, tho’ of a gay green Colour, appeared like an inverted Firmament glittering with Stars of the first Magnitude.

43. This splendid Appearance was owing to the Rays of the Sun reflected from certain Pits or Ponds of Water, of which there is one at least in most Fields or Inclosures throughout the County: but particularly in the low Grounds of Leach-Eye and Dodleston.

The Object that next drew his Attention, while ascending, was the Overley Turnpike-Road, which is remarkably wide, (resembling the Emilian Way across the Atrian Fens, between Bononia and Ferràra in Italy) raised over Saltney Marsh, leading to North-Wales and Holyhead: composed of Sea-Sand cast up above high Water Mark. This appeared like a narrow Foot-Path well trodden, of a white Colour, and strait as if drawn by a Line.

44. Nothing however raised his Curiosity more than the Change in Colour of the River Dee, Avon ddû, (i. e. Thee) which in the British Language signifies the black River, from the Appearance of its Waters, when seen from an Eminence running in their deep Channel between the Mountains of Wales; but which glides by Chester with a Silver Stream. This River,—Thanks to the cool Climate; not like the green Mincius of Virgil!—had now acquired the unvaried Colour of red Lead. Nor coud he discover even the Appearance of Water; but merely that of a broad red Line, twining in Meanders infinitely more serpentine than are expressed in Maps.

Whether the Change arose from the Transparency of its Waters, when seen at the Height which was apparently 7 Miles, as will be noticed hereafter, though the Barometer made it scarcely a Mile and Half, is uncertain. He was at first inclined to think, that the Rays, having suffered a double Refraction, were reflected to the Eye, from the reddish Sand which forms their Bottom, tho’, at the Depth of 7 Yards at an Average, above the Cause-Way, or artificial Cascade near Chester Bridge: or possibly the Water of Rivers when seen at a certain Distance, may act as Water composing Clouds when view’d from below, at a certain Height and Angle; reflecting only the red Rays: the rest being refracted, or absorbed.

The Colours of Objects shone more brilliant and lively at that amazing Height, than if seen on a Level with themselves.

Nor did the Eye seem to want the Aid of Glasses: as every Thing, that coud be seen at all, was seen distinct.

45.The Redness of the River Dee was curiously contrasted by a Change equally novel but more pleasing, in the Colour of the City of Chester, when seen directly from above, on a Scale not larger than the Plan of it, in Burdett’s Map.

The Town was entirely blue.

The highest Buildings had no apparent Height: their Summits were reduced to the common Level of the Ground. Nor was the Cathedral distinguished; nor any Tower or Spire discerned.

The Whole had a beautiful and rich Look; not like a Model, but a coloured Map.

The Roofs of all the Houses appeared, as if covered with Lead, in the most elegant Taste.

Strangers may wish to be informed, that in most of the Northern Counties, the Buildings are covered with blue Stones called Slates⁠[12] found in the Mountains; instead of artificial red Tiles, as in London, and the South of England.

CHAPTER VI. — BALLOON VERGING TO THE SEA.

Section 46. BEFORE a farther Description of aërial Scenes is attempted, it woud be improper not to mention a Circumstance which happened on the first Ascent of the Balloon: and too strongly called forth the tender sympathetic Feelings, by raising, in the Minds of the Spectators, alarming Apprehensions for the Safety of the Aironaut, on seeing the Balloon move gently towards the Sea.

They were however, in a great Measure, soon relieved from their Anxiety: for, by rising into another Current, he escaped the Danger: skirting the Coasts of the River Mersey; which coud not be seen from the Balloon at the Distance of little more than a League, tho’ the Sun was supposed to shine the whole Time on the Water.

The upper Current was, in Fact, rendered visible to the aërial Traveller, for more than two Hours before, and at the Time of his Ascent; by lofty Clouds of the second Stratum, flying in a safe Direction.

CHAPTER VII. — OBJECTION REMOVED.

Section 47.A Few Seconds of Time before the Balloon had attained its greatest Height; the Velocity of Ascent being every Instant retarded by the Escape of Gass thro’ the Opening;—the remarkable Stillness which prevailed in so elevated a State of the Atmosphere, apparently many Miles above all visible Vapour, far beyond the Sight of every living Creature, and where the human Voice was no longer heard from below; the larger Objects, with which the Surface of the distant Earth was covered, as Rivers Woods Inclosures, diminishing to the View, yet encreasing in their Beauty;—coud not but make a lively Impression on the Mind of the Aironaut.

The striking Contrast and Novelty of his Situation filled him with unusual and pleasing Sensations.

He had just left, for the first Time, his native Earth, where he had continued for a while the central Object to some thousand Spectators; whose Eyes, he knew, were still turned towards him; that he was still the Subject of their Conversation: yet no human Figure met his Sight; no human Sound vibrated on his Ear.

An universal Silence reigned! an empyrèan Calm! unknown to Mortals upon Earth.

The Sky was painted with a purer, and more transparent Azure. The Sun shone hot, and with a brighter Lustre. His Beams were white and sparkling: not surrounded with Haze or Vapour: but too fierce for the human Eye to look upon a second Time with Pleasure.⁠[13]

48. A Chearful Serenity filled the Breast of the Aironaut.

In an erect Posture, and with the utmost Composure he gazed around: reflecting with Wonder and Delight on a Situation, where the Beautiful and Sublime were seen united, in a Manner perfectly novel and engaging.

If it be allowed, for the Sake of Illustration, to compare great Things with small; he found himself suspended in the central Concave of an unmeasurable Crater Bowl or Bason; and considerably above the Rim or Margin, so as to peep fairly over it: for by looking straight before him, while the Balloon continued gently turning on its vertical Axis, he coud see quite round into the Blue.

The Earth was the Miniature-Picture⁠[14] painted on the Bottom of the Bowl, on the Inside. The Sides of the Bowl next the Bottom were rather obscure: as the Objects, on the Surface of the Earth not immediately under the Eye, being foreshortened, were indistinct, either on Account of their immense Distance, or by mere Accumulation of Vapours, and mixed with Haze and Cloudiness.

From thence to the Top of the Bowl, was fantastically grouped, spotted, and dash’d with Clouds dense and luminous, in the strangest and most grotesque Forms; still smaller and more numerous, as the Eye was more extended: The Rim or Margin ending, not in a fringed Border; but in a plain smooth Line; to represent the amazing Distance, at which, the upper Surfaces of Clouds in Perspective lost all their rugged mountainous and fringed Shapes; and terminated even and smooth: making a perfect horizontal Ring in the Heavens, somewhat below the Eye of the Observer. The whole formed a glorious Concave: and the Imagination was lost in the surrounding distant Azure.⁠[15]

49. Considering more attentively the Dimensions of this vast Amphitheatre; as he long continued apparently in the same Spot, and seemed to himself a mere Atom floating invariably in the Center of the empty Space; yet as a sole thinking Being there, whose Mind was bent on estimating the Extent of his View, so accurately defined by the circular Horizon of dense accumulated Vapour; and judging, as of other Distances, by the natural Eye alone; pointing downwards on Objects which were only distinguishable when immediately below it, frequently no more than the Circuit of a Mile on the Earth’s Surface, the vertical Boundary of the profound Abyss; all else being obscured by Haze, or removed from Sight by Volumes of intervening Cloud; he coud not divest himself of the Idea, but that the apparent Depth below him was at least seven Miles: three from the Earth to the upper Surface of the superior Clouds,⁠[16] and four above them.⁠[17]

50. Some may find a Difficulty in conceiving, how the whole Prospect of Clouds and Earth together coud put on a concave Appearance: both of which were in Reality convex, with Respect to the Situation of the Observer in the Car.

A familiar Illustration may help to remove the Objection.

Imagine a Person placed in the Center of a Plain, or Carpet; extended every Way beyond the Reach of the Eye. If in that Situation he was gradually elevated; the distant Parts of the Carpet woud seem to rise with him: and those Figures of the Pattern woud alone be distinguished, that lay immediately below the Eye: the more remote becoming dim and faint. The whole would put on the Form of a concave Bowl; as soon as he had risen to so great a Height, as plainly to perceive the Figures of the surrounding Pattern more and more foreshortened, in Proportion to their Distance from the Center of the Carpet.

CHAPTER VIII.

Section 51. THE Perspective of the Clouds was entirely new; and remarkable both for Beauty and Grandeur.

The lowest Bed of Vapour that first put on the Appearance of Cloud was of a pure white; in detached Fleeces; encreasing as they rose. They presently coalesced, and were aggrandized into a Sea of Cotton, but more white; and dazling: tufted here and there by the light Play of Air, and gentle Breezes in every Direction: but where undisturbed, the Whole became an extended Firmament or white Floor of thin Cloud, thro’ whose Intervals the Sun must shine with fiercer Gleam. The upper Surface was quite even: not blended with the Air above, but defined and separated with the utmost Exactness; being condensed by the Coolness, and checked in their Ascent, by the Levity of the superior Regions.

Thro’ this white Floor uprose in splendid Majesty and awful Grandeur, at great and unequal Distances, a vast Assemblage of Thunder-Clouds: each Congeries consisting of whole Acres in the densest Form.

52. Their conglomerate and fringed Tops rising, at different Distances, in circular Order, one above the other, to the Number of thirty: till they became imperceptible from their remote Situation: the Eye commanding an Extent of 102 Miles.⁠[18]

Their Form was, as if Pieces of Ordnance were discharged perpendicularly upwards into the Air: and that the Smoke had consolidated, at the Instant of Explosion, into Masses of Snow or Hail: had penetrated thro’ the upper Surface or white Floor of common Clouds, and there remained visible, and at Rest.

Some indeed had not wholly lost their Motion: continuing still to be lifted up. Others ponderous and sleepy, nodded, by mere Weight, their monstrous Heads. It seemed as if they had persisted in mounting upwards, till they coud rise no higher: their lower Parts pressing perpendicularly against the upper, which gradually swelled them out on all Sides. By partial and temporary Movements of the Air, some broad unwieldy Caps lost the vertical Direction of their Columns. The Columns likewise underwent a similar and gradual Change: rolling from their Pedestals or spiral Bases; and, at Times, assuming every organized Shape that Fancy coud suggest.

53. The imperceptibly slow yet perpetual Changes they underwent, strongly called to Remembrance, the Opinion of the great Berkeley,⁠[19] as well as of the ancient Philosophers, that AIR GIVES FORM TO THINGS: scarcely a Breath of which seemed, however, to disturb their general Order.

The Constitution of these enormous Masses was such as to reflect some of the Sun’s Rays, and to transmit others in a Variety of Colouring.

54. The Parts next the Sun were of a snowy Whiteness. Then of a bright luminous Yellow melting into a dusky Sulphur: afterwards of a Purple. The Rays being now shorn; a Degree of Opacity and Transmission took Place throu’ half the Substance of the Cloud, which seemed of a transparent Blue like the Onyx.

55. These delightful Tints must be ever eclipsed to a Spectator on the Surface of the Earth, looking upwards throu’ the gross Atmosphere that surrounds it; but highly interesting to one who is suspended in a ratified and unencumbered Medium of the etherial Regions, where the Eye darts without Resistance above Clouds, and all visible Vapour.

T. Baldwin Arm. del^t. et pinx^t.

Heath sculp^t.

Note: the Print, representing a circular View from the Balloon at its greatest Elevation, is taken from a Scene described in the above Chapter.

CHAPTER IX. — OTHER AËRIAL SCENES DESCRIBED.

Section 56. DURING the Time that the Balloon from being stationary at 23​1⁄4 (corresponding to the Height of about a Mile and a half) began to decline, which it must have done with a brisk Motion, imperceptible to the Aironaut at the Time, tho’ since recognized, on Account of the great Opening at the Bottom; he traced its Shadow over the Tops of Volumes of Clouds below. It was at first small: in Size and Shape like an Egg: but soon encreased to the Magnitude of the Sun’s Disk; and woud have made a solar Eclipse to a Spectator looking from the Cloud: still growing larger, as the Balloon descended, or Clouds arose. But his Attention was presently called to another equally novel, but more captivating Appearance; that of an Iris encircling the whole Shadow, at some Distance round it. The Colours were remarkably brilliant.

This celestial Phantom attended the Aironaut for a few Minutes: conforming, as a Vessel at Sea, to the Change of Surface; now plainly visible, now indistinct and disappearing; as it passed throu’ the luminous or shadowy Wave of Clouds apparently at Rest.

57. The Clouds, in which this Phenomenon continued, were of the superior or second Stratum in Height, as in fair Weather; rare; of a transparent Blue and purest White, alternate. At the End of four Minutes they dispersed, so as to admit an unexpected Sight of the pictured Land thro’ them, and thro’ the Place of the Balloon-Shadow; whose Form first vanishing, the Iris remained, for a few Seconds, complete, and in resplendent Beauty.

58. Írides, of the same Kind, tho’ of less vivid Colours, are seen round the Moon, in a mild Evening; as thin light Clouds move slowly under it.⁠[20]

59. The Sun shone brighter and fiercer, when the Balloon was at its greatest Height: the Heat piercing throu’ his Cloths, (which were of a dark Colour;) while the Aironaut stood with his Face from the Light.

The Mouth remaining open, it continued to descend, as appeared by the Barometer which had risen nearly to 24 Inches: at which Instant Mr. Lunardi’s coloured Flag was thrown out, for the Information of a Friend; and that Spectators below might judge what was nearly the perpendicular Height of a Mile in the Air, according to Halley’s Table.

60. The Flag was seen by the Aironaut descend for three Minutes: at which Time it became invisible. It fell, not perpendicularly; but in large Spirals, and by Jerks; darting first on one Side, then on the other. The Resistance of the Air made it act as a Parashute. The Flag was instantly pursued, and taken up in a Field one Mile distant from Chester. The Descent of the Balloon must have been retarded, being four Pounds and a half lighter.

61. The Pigeon was then taken out of the Basket of Matting: Thermometer 54; Barometer 25⁠3⁄10. It trembled much. Being turned loose, it looked frequently up at the Car; but flew downwards in cylindrical Gyrations eight or ten Yards in Diameter, according to the Turn of its Head to the right, which seemed to rest in an oblique Attitude: the Wings and Tail continuing extended as much as possible, but without Motion, during its Descent. The Bird was out of Sight in a few Minutes: but continued, as the Owner observed, full half an Hour, in the Air.

CHAPTER X.

Section 62.AT 10 Minutes and a half past II. o’Clock, the fourth or last Cannon, a Six-pounder (to announce, by preconcerted Agreement, that the Balloon began to be invisible to Spectators in Castle-Yard, Chester) was distinctly heard by the Aironaut; but had no Effect on the Balloon: did not agitate it in the least: the contrary of which was expected.

For the same Cannon, discharged the third Time at the Distance of 30 Yards from the Balloon, when it had risen a few Feet from the Ground; affected it so strongly, that the Aironaut was then only obliged to keep himself upright, by holding the Cords with his Hands.

63. At 17 Minutes past II. was heard the Sound of a Number of Voices, which it was then imagined came from Chester, as the farewel Salute after the last Cannon: but it was afterwards known that the Balloon did not become wholly invisible, till that Shout.

64. From an Observation made by a Spectator in the Castle-Yard, just half an Hour intervened between the Discharge of the third, and of the last Cannon; as therefore the Report was half a Minute, or 30 Seconds⁠[21] longer in reaching the Balloon; the Distance of the Balloon at the Time of the Report was nearly six Miles and a half.

64. The single thin white Cloud of the first or lowest Order in Height that rendered Chester invisible to the Aironaut, was observed several Minutes before, apparently to pass under the Balloon, retire from it, to approach, and expected to invelope, the blue City of Chester: which for a long Time had been kept in View, and seen obliquely, under the common Perspective, with a small Degree of Elevation above the Level of the Ground: suggesting to his Mind the curious and complete Model of Paris, exhibited some Years ago on a small Table, in many Towns of Europe.

The Cloud appeared, four Miles Distance at least from the Aironaut; below; and as if touching the City. The contrary Supposition, it seems, took Place, among the Inhabitants there: who thought, a Cloud, a Mile above them, had surrounded and inveloped the Balloon.

65. The Pepper Salt and Ginger were tasted, and found to retain their usual Pungency: contrary to what Travellers have reported to happen on the Peak of Teneriffe.

The small Hank of yellow raw Silk tyed to the upper Hoop, and hanging down from it, appeared rough, as if electric: and, tho’ drawn thro’ the Hand, continued furred as before.

66. It was now thought a proper Time to finish the original Work of unwinding the remaining Part of the half Mile of Twine: which proved equally tedious, as at the first; and took up a considerable Time. When completed, the white Flag was extended exactly half a Mile from the Car.

67. Perceiving that the Balloon was descending very briskly, by the Appearance of Cattle in the Corner of a Field;Ballast thrown out, first, one of the two solid Weights was cast down: then the other.

A Return of Sound to the Balloon, from the lighter which weighed five Pounds, was heard in 130 Countings of a Watch, which made 120 of the same full Beats in a Minute.

Before the Weight became invisible; it appeared to move a good Deal out of the Perpendicular: owing either to an under Current; or to a Deception of Sight, respecting the horizontal Motion of the Balloon in a different Direction, during the Descent of the Stone.

The other must have fallen in soft Grass, or otherwise: as it was not heard.

CHAPTER XI.

Section 68.AT 28 Minutes past II. the solid Weights before mentioned were thrown out.

At 29 Minutes the Barometer had fallen to 25 Inches.

A Handful of Feathers were sent adrift, which fell quick: demonstrating likewise the Ascent of the Balloon, a second Time: but, tho’ 12 Pounds lighter, it did not seem to regain its original Height: judging merely from this Circumstance, that no more Gass escaped visibly from the Mouth.

69. It is somewhat remarkable, that, on repeated Enquiries from unprejudiced Persons, the white Flag, when suspended from the Car above 440 Yards, appeared 4 Yards long: and when at the end of the half Mile Twine, seemed about 8 Yards long, to Spectators from below, in different Places: that sometimes it appeared before, and sometimes behind the Balloon: while to the Observer in the Car, it seemed regularly to follow the Balloon: unless when a new Motion was impressed upon the latter: at which Time the white Flag was situated almost under the Car: or when the Balloon changed its Direction; the Flag being then not always discoverable.

When seen edgewise or foreshortened; it woud appear to be nearer the Car than it really was.

70. As there was a Peculiarity attending the Situation of the half Mile Flag, which may prove of singular Use in Airostation; it ought not to be passed over in Silence.

The half Mile Flag hanging loosely from the Car; not perpendicularly under, but following it, frequently at an Angle of about 45 Degrees; shews that the Flag met a Resistance from the Air, unfelt by the Balloon: which out strip’d it, in Proportion to the greater Surface which the Balloon exposed to the Wind.

Taking also into the Account, that the Balloon remained in Equilibrio; while the Flag was subject to the Force of Gravity: which Force was restrained from Exertion, otherwise than as a Vis Inertiæ, to keep it always in a perpendicular Situation.

The Resistance of the Air, acting in an horizontal Direction against the Vis Inertiæ of the Flag, must have a Tendency to drive it back: which being ineffectual; the Flag must consequently rise; and in rising will retard the Balloon.

A Power may therefore be communicated to a Balloon, in the Direction of the Wind, which shall retard its Progress throu’ the Air: a Subject which seems capable of farther Prosecution.

CHAPTER XII.

Section 71.FROM 28 Minutes after II, till the Balloon had passed over the Forest of Delamere, and the steep Crag of Helsbye-Hill; thin light semi-transparent Vapours, which seemed to be collecting at a vast Depth below; moving slowly in all Directions; rising to great Heights, falling, melting away, and again condensing;—(the Land, one while covered with a white Veil; then caught thro’ Openings for a few Seconds; the Objects appearing more distinct and coloured, from being seen in detached Groupes and single Pictures framed and enshrined in fleecy Vapour; now again discovered by a Glance of the Eye, and then repeatedly escaping from the Sight;)—wonderfully heightened the Grandeur, Gaiety and inimitable Beauty of the ever varying Prospects.

An Illustration taken from Scenes abroad.

72. Appearances of a similar Kind are frequent in the noble and venerable Structures appropriated for divine Worship abroad: whose Walls are decorated with the finest Paintings; the Subjects solemn and engaging; suited to inspire a chearful Devotion.

While the inferior Clerics perfume the Garments of the Priests officiating and offering Incense before the high Altar; which is ornamented with full-Length Portraits in the richest Drapery, of Persons whether male or female, reputed of sound Morals and exemplary Piety; accompanied by Guardian Saints and happy Angels;—Columns of white Smoke, wafted from Silver Censers, rise to a certain Height in slow majestic Movement, before the Eyes of the kneeling Suppliants, who are instantly shut out from the enchanting View; till the Clouds dispersing, shew by Intervals, a Glympse of the celestial Prospect, and of the higher Orders of Beings, who look down with Complacency upon them; and seem actually descending throu’ Openings of the Clouds which appear at Rest.

CHAPTER XIII.

Section 73.AT 33 Minutes after II, the Balloon-Shadow was again the Center of a brilliant Iris, painted at some Distance round it on Clouds below.

74. One of the Pint-Bottles for light Air was prepared (as in Article 14, of Section 12;)Bottle filled with light Air. and dropped from the Car.

The Water it contained was poured down, to observe the Effects of Air and Light on the Drops.

The Air did not at that Height oppose a Resistance sufficient to break the Stream into small Drops. Nor did they seem to coalesce: remaining, while they continued in Sight, of the same Size; some very large, others less so; and at the same relative Distance, as when they first left the Bottle.

The Colours seemed stronger than usual.

It may be here observed that none of the Bottles were returned; tho’ found, and a Reward promised.

The Country People, as soon as they saw a Bottle; imagining it must contain some Liquor, immediately contrived to open it: by which Procedure, the Intention of the Experiment was frustrated.

The Bottles, which are dangerous Companions even without Liquor, shoud, notwithstanding, be left in the Car: at least till the Time of landing the Balloon.

75. While the Balloon was first rising; a gentle Motion of the lower Current of Air carried it immediately towards the Sea. (Section 46.)

At which Time, the Aironaut by a Glance discovered the Mouth of the River Dee, four and five Miles wide, yawning before him: the Prospect extending to the Sea, as far as the Smoke from the Lead-Works near a Place called Flint on the Welch Coast; and to Burton-Head on the Wirral Side; distant ten Miles from Chester.

He has since been informed; that the Balloon seemed to rest, for a few Minutes, in the Air: and then return slowly over Chester.

It is therefore more than probable, that as the Balloon continued to ascend; it was becalmed in a quiescent Stratum or Bed of the Atmosphere, which existed for a certain Depth or Thickness, between the lower and upper Current: and that the Direction of the Balloon was changed; the Instant it arrived within the Influence of the upper Current.

Consequently, with a proper Apparatus to ascend and descend at Will, without Loss of Gass or Ballast; the Balloon woud have remained suspended invariably at the same Height, and vertically over the same Spot of Earth: or, with propulsive Machinery; might, on the same Level, have been rowed to any Point of the Compass.

76. In passing only across Trafford Meadows, three Miles from Chester; the Balloon lost its usual progressive Motion over the Country: for more than a Quarter of an Hour, following the Course of the River Goway to the West North-West, and towards the Sea, as at Chester: turning gently backwards and forwards round its own Axis, near the Villages of Great and Little Barrow: and making Curves over the Meadows, whose Breadth at those Places was about a Mile.

The Balloon then returned into its former Direction: inclining, again, towards a Brook and Meadow near Alvanley: passed Eastward a little to the left of Manley (white) Mill: crossed the Forest of Delamere, and Crag of Helsbye, (about twice the Height of Shooter’s Hill, near London;) whose lofty Summit was apparently reduced to a common Level with the Valley made by the River Wever, and with the adjacent Sea Marsh. Nor coud it have been distinguished by a Stranger, as an Eminence.

Indeed, the Wood near Kingsley, which grows on a sloping Ground, skirting the Hill, and from the Sun, put on a dusky Hue; and the Tops of the Trees a darker Green: this Difference of Colour, conveyed the faint Resemblance of a rising Slope. A real Knowledge of the Country probably contributed to aid the Imagination in this Distinction.

Note: the Print representing a View of the Balloon over Helsbye Crag, refers to a Scene in the above Chapter.

CHAPTER XIV.

Section 77.AT 39 Minutes after II, Thermometer 60, Barometer 23​3⁄4, corresponding to the Height of a little more than a Mile.⁠[22] the Vapours dispersing, discovered the Town of Frodsham, and Bridge over the Wever distant from the Town one Mile: the Balloon still continuing at a vast Height; having risen imperceptibly from the Time that the Ballast was thrown down.

From a Conversation held the next Morning at Frodsham, with some intelligent Persons who had descried it gliding gently throu’ the Air; the Balloon appeared so extremely minùte, that it was thought impossible to be the one expected the same Day to rise at Chester with an Aironaut.

R. Newton		design et pinx.
T. Baldwin Arm.

Stothard delin.
Sharp sculps.

To use their own Expression, “it coud not have been larger than a Bladder, if they had seen it on the Ground.”Half Mile white Flag like a Feather. The same Persons observed the white Flag, like a Feather about 8 Yards Distance from the Balloon.

A second Air Bottle was thrown down.

78. The Town of Kingsley being to the East; Frodsham-Bridge half a Mile to the West; the Conflux of the Rivers Wever, and the wide Mersey falling into the Sea one Mile farther Westward; the Balloon proceeding in its usual Course over the Country in the upper Current; began to be impeded, on its vertical Approach across the Meadows to the Wever; was actually stopped; and being entangled by the River, evidently changed its former Direction: imitating, if possible, its Meanders; or at least making Gyrations in Circles of different Diameters, at the same Time turning different Ways round its Axis: describing Curves, something similar to that of the Moon round the Earth in her Orbit; or of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, as those Curves are delineated in the Prints of Long’s Astronomy:⁠[23] the Course of the River being its changeable Center.

79. It is to be observed, that if the Balloon had continued to pursue its former Course; no Danger was to be apprehended of its falling on the Sea, or on the broad Branch of the River Mersey towards Warrington.

On the contrary, it must have gone into the Heart of the adjoining County, and passed near Manchester.

It is likewise worthy of remark; that unless a Fragment of light Vapour intervened for a few Seconds; the Country immediately below the Observer was continually illuminated by the Sun’s Rays: tho’ none but the larger Objects were distinguishable at the Bottom of the profound Abyss, more than two Miles in Diameter at one View: that being the utmost Boundary of the circular Prospect below.

80. The Sea tho’ known to be near by the Dashing of its WavesCircularity of Prospect below, bounded by Vapour. upon the Shore, which were plainly heard, was totally eclipsed: as if by Haze or Vapour, which began to be accumulated only at a certain Height below the Balloon; yet in such a Manner as not to prevent the solar Rays from penetrating throu’, and shining bright upon the Water.

81. There was now sufficient Leisure to trace the incredible Variety of most beautiful Curves, into which the Stream had worked the Bed of the River Wever in a Course of Time, and in the Compass of a few Miles: an Appearance which demonstrates the Incorrectness of Maps.

Some actual Clouds presented themselves in detached Groupes over the Land: and the Land itself shone plainer throu’ the Intervals, than in Places near which no Clouds appeared.

82. On reconnoitring the scattered Town of Frodsham, which like Chester was of a light Blue; the Balloon moving by Intervals round its Axis, the Prospect seemed to open on a sudden; and the Aironaut coud discover theSight of Warrington. Town of Warrington: the Plan of which was small, neat, but of a darker Blue, inclining to Grey: the Slates⁠[24] there used being almost peculiar to the County of Lancaster.

83. From this Enlargement of the Prospect over Land, he imagined that the Balloon was either gently descending; or that it appeared throu’ the clear Intervals of actual Clouds below him.

84. He had Time however to make the following Remarks. Cattle, if grazing in the Meadows, were not distinguishable; or at least were not distinguished. It was in vain to look for Sheaves of Corn, or Hattocks on the Ground: possibly from a Sameness of Colour like the growing Stalks, and Field: or protruding but a small Degree of Elevation; tho’ the Shadow even at twelve o’Clock⁠[25] was something longer than the perpendicular Height of each Object.⁠[26] Noises of Carriages along the great public Road; especially Waggons and Carts heavily laden; (the Gratings of whose Wheels against the Stones seemed uncommonly harsh;)Pleasurable Circumstance peculiar to the Balloon. were discriminately heard, tho’ not discoverable by the Eye. Numbers of human Voices were almost continually huzzaeing: except while stationary at the first Rise; when all around was wrapt in the Sublimity of Silence; which afforded a pleasurable Contrast;—diffusing a delicious Calm.

A third Bottle of Air was thrown out.

CHAPTER XV.

Section 85.AT 4 Minutes past III, the Balloon remained vertically over the River, and over the elegant Mansion called Aston.

86. A Wind was heard below for a few Seconds: and the Air felt a little cool. Thermometer 55, or Temperate: Barometer 25​1⁄2, corresponding to the Height of near a Mile.⁠[27]

87. The Balloon continuing its eccentric Movements from Side to Side across the Meadows; yet still gliding down the River, in a North-West by North Direction, almost at right Angles to that which it before had held; consequently towards the Sea, and in a Line which continued must pass throu’ the Center of the Channel: some Step it was necessary to take, and soon. By throwing out Ballast, the Balloon woud instantly rise: but it woud probably, as before, rise into a Calm, and therefore descend nearly in the same Line: which woud merely protract the Time till the Balloon had reached the Center of the Channel: where, having no Resource, the Ballast being then expended; there might be some Risque in waiting for a Vessel, tho’ the Balloon woud not for several Hours, have lost its levitating Power, so as to have sunk with the Aironaut. To him however it immediately occurred, that there might be an under Current of Air, as usual in the Middle of the Day, blowing from Sea to Land: and, that if the Balloon was made to descend quickly into the Sea-Breeze; it might, in a few Minutes, be carried so far within the Country, as to be soon beyond the Influence of the Sea and River: and then, by throwing out some Pounds of Ballast, woud return into the upper Current, and pursue a safe Course towards Manchester; or even towards Prescot and Liverpool, if an easterly Wind prevailed above.

88. In Consequence of these Expectations; he looked downwards towards the Sea, then wholly invisible; tho’ the Murmuring of its Waves was more plainly heard.

Thick Smokes were distinguished issuing from different Places along the Marsh near the Coast: and apparently skirting the Ground, as if impelled by a brisk Wind from the Sea.

89. No Time was to be lost.

The Balloon having reached the Cascade; and continuing to move more regularly along the Course of the River, past the Bridge, and proceeded to Rock-Savage.

90. The Neck or Mouth which remained shut, by its own Pressure against the Outside of the upper Hoop, as it lay over it; was instantly brought within the Hoop, and set wide open in a perpendicular Situation.

Not more than a Couple of Minutes had elapsed before Sounds were more audible and louder.

Cattle and Corn in the Fields became visible.

91. The Observer very deliberately stooping to put down his Card and Pencil; with his left Hand grasping the Hoop of the Car, and with his Right holding a Sand-Bag, to throw over as he approached the Earth; found that the Balloon was influenced by an under Current blowing from the Sea: and marked his Progress by the half Mile white Flag; whose Stretcher having acquired a Position parallel to the Plane of the Horizon, placed the Flag in an excellent Point of View: the Balloon towing it apparently with a slow Motion, over the distant Tops of the dark-green Trees.

CHAPTER XVI. — BALLOON DESCENDING.

Section 92. NO sooner had the Balloon descended within the Influence of the Sea Breeze, than it became instantly condensed by a certain chilliness which then began to prevail.

93. This Height has since been considered as the Level of fleecy Vapour, Scud, or lowest Stratum of Clouds, in bright and warm Weather.⁠[28]

No visible Clouds were presented near the Spectator. On the contrary, they seemed to shrink back to the Distance of a Mile round the Eye; and then immediately appear above it, the Balloon continuing to descend. Nor did any circular Horizon of the Earth shew itself; till the Balloon had reached below this Level: viz. Barom. 26​1⁄2, Thermom. 55. i. e. Temperate.

Prospects were most extensive and beautiful at this Altitude: which the Barometer estimates at full half a Mile.⁠[29]

Looking again at the Barometer, scarce a Minute afterwards; it had risen to 27.

94. The Condensation by Chill and Moisture, and quick Contraction of its Dimensions acted like a Charm on the Balloon.

In a Moment; as if dropped from the Clouds, the Sea suddenly presented itself.⁠[30] It seemed near, and of a red Colour. Circular Landscapes of the distant Countries filled the Eye.

Almost the whole Extent of the Channel was a perfect Calm: and rather dazled the Sight. But from the Peninsula of Hale to that of Runcorn, and upwards, a partial Breeze from the North-West ruffled the Surface (which was there of a dark and menacing Complexion;) and seemed in its Course to have reached and influenced the Balloon: whose Descent proving more rapid than was expected; the Sand-Bag tyed up, weighing 12 Pounds, was opened, and the Sand dispersed.

95. The Aironaut continuing as before to stand upright in the Car, and having resumed his Card and Pencil; Thermometer again at 55°, on finding the Descent not sufficiently retarded, wrote swiftly, “no more remarks, mind the ship:” meaning the Balloon: and briskly stooping for the second Bag of Sand, weighing likewise 12 Pounds, dispersed it by Handfulls in the same Manner.

96. The circular Mouth of the Balloon continuing wide open, at about 18 Inches Diameter; so much cool and moist Air rushed in during the Descent; that, tho’ its Momentum or acquired Motion was retarded by Dispersion of the Ballast, it had not yet recovered an actual levity: being too near the Ground before the second Bag was discharged.

Presuming however that 24 Pounds Weight of Ballast thrown out, was sufficient to break the Fall, tho’ in a cool moist condensing Atmosphere of pure defloguisticated Air; the Event of landing was waited for.

It has been since imagined that a heavy depressing torrent of cool Air took Place from the North-West at a certain Height over the Water, and assisted the Descent of the Balloon.

97. In order to judge with what Rapidity the Balloon descended, when so low as to be within the Influence of the under Current, while the cool moist Air rushed in at the Bottom, and most probably pressed out the Gass; the following Intelligence has been communicated by a Person of Veracity.

As two credible Farmers were working, with their Servants, in the harvest; on hearing a hollow, rushing Sound in the Air, which they took to be a Whirl-wind, or distant Thunder, and which seemed every Moment to encrease and approach them; they all retreated under a large Oak. While there, they first perceived the swift Descent of the Balloon. Two, who were afraid of Thunder, then began to take Courage, boldly exclaiming they shoud never fear Thunder again, since the Falling of a Balloon coud be attended with so terrible a Noise.

CHAPTER XVII. — BALLOON STILL DESCENDING.

Section 98. THE Car, gliding over Trees in the farther Hedge-Row of a Grass Field, glanced on the Ground.

The Aironaut, being prepared for the Event, supported a Part of the Weight of his Body by his Hands, grasping the upper Hoop.

The Balloon stooping, and declining from the North-West Breeze, drew the upper Hoop out of the Perpendicular: by which Means, the Bottom of that Division of the Barometer-Frame which contained the Tube, pressed against the Bottom of the Car on the Ground, was separated from the remaining Half of the Frame, and fell on the Grass.

The Balloon, then rising with an elastic Bound, elevated the Car a few Yards, and descended to the Ground, but more gently than before: rose again; and the Aironaut perceiving that the progressive Motion of the Breeze was bringing the Balloon near a third Hedge; took up his Knife, (which lay by him ready open for Use) and cut away the remaining Half of the Barometer-Frame; threw out the Basket with the Bottles,More Ballast parted with, viz. seven Pounds. and Tunning Dish; the Speaking Trumpet; the Woollen Gloves, the remaining half Mile of Twine on the Reel.⁠[31]

The Car cleared the Hedge, and slightly for an Instant touched Ground, the third Time.

99. During these Operations; the Aironaut had observed different Persons in Motion towards him, who proved to be several Farmers and Labourers who had run themselves out of Breath to overtake the Balloon.

One asked the Aironaut, whether he intended to alight; and was answered, “Not for any Time.”

100. The Car alighted each Time so smoothly, that neither the Watch nor Thermometer that lay near each other on the green Bays at the Bottom, were displaced. Nor was the Glass Tube containing the Quicksilver, separated from the Division of the Frame in which it was originally fixed: but the whole was brought back, a few Days after, in a perfect State: except a small Hole, made in Consequence of the inverted Situation of the Mercury in Vacuo, which fell against the Top of the exhausted Tube.

The Car first landed at 28 Minutes past III, in a Field belonging to a Farm called Bellair, in the Township of Kingsley, near two Miles East by South from the Town of Frodsham, and twelve from Chester.

CHAPTER XVIII. — RE-ASCENT OF THE BALLOON.

AIROPAIDIA.

THE
SECOND PART
OF AN
AËRIAL EXCURSION

FROM CHESTER THE EIGHTH OF SEPT. 1785.

Section 101. BELLAIR-Meadow: half past III o’Clock:⁠[32] Thermom. at 55: bright Sun: few Clouds in Sight.

The Balloon being now 31 Pound lighter; taking a Direction from the Sea-Breeze into the Country, and again towards Aston-Hall⁠[33]; mounted up like a Sky-Rocket, with accelerating Velocity: its upper Parts nodding from Side to Side, as if to shake off the resisting Column of Air immediately above it.

102. There being no proper Opportunity of closing the Mouth of the Balloon on its near Approach to the Sea, or during the Swiftness of its Descent; tho’ there had been frequent Inclination to attempt it; this little but essential Work was instantly resolved upon. And the more so, as the Mouth had continued open from the first: and as Mr. Lunardi did not happen to mention this Circumstance: the Utility of which, tho’ too late to be put in Practice, had, but a few Minutes before, very plainly suggested itself. His Directions were, to open the Valve in order to descend: which woud possibly have encreased the Rapidity of Descent: and, by introducing a thorou’ Air upwards, while the Motion of the Balloon was in a contrary Direcion, might have occasioned a dangerous Rupture of the lower Parts of the Balloon, which actually took Place in a preceding Excursion.

103. The Balloon, tho’ rising quick, seemed not to be wholly disengaged from the Ground, but to have received a Check; and to lean a little out of the Perpendicular: particularly the Car, which was evidently drawn a different Way from the Balloon.

On perceiving that the half Mile white Flag, fastened to the upper Hoop of the Car, sensibly impeded the Elevation of the Machine, by trailing along the Ground, (the Balloon being yet within the Influence of the Sea-Breeze, or lower Current of Air;) the Question was, whether it woud not be imprudent to suffer the Balloon to rise near half a Mile, before the white Flag; was disentangled and free to follow it.

For as neither the Twine, nor the lower Cords of the Balloon were of Silk; the Twine having lain on the Trees or moist Ground, might become a conductor from the Earth to any Stratum of Air that had less or more than what is called its natural Quantity⁠[35] of the electric Fluid.

Adding to the above, a Wish to rise higher the second Time than the first; stooping for the Scissars, the String was cut: reserving a Remainder to tye the Neck of the Balloon; which was immediately done by gathering the Parts of the Balloon into the Hand, wrapping a Couple of Yards loosely round, and tying them on a slip or bow Knot: one End of which was purposely left hanging three Feet downwards, to untye instantly on Occasion.

This additional Levity of nearly one Pound, gave the whole Quantity of Ballast thrown over in a few Minutes, nearly 32 Pounds.

104. The intelligent Farmer who stood near the Balloon, when it alighted at Bellair, had observed it for some Time before near the Sea, and marked its Return, as coming apparently from Overton.

At first, which was more than five Minutes before it came to the Ground, it seemed to him as if it coud not have been larger than a Bladder.

He saw it reascend, first sideways, then upright; moving from the Sea.

Afterward it rose rapidly, and rather towards the Sea and Warrington, distant twelve Miles.

He watched it for a Quarter of an Hour: and caught it by Intervals, near and above a Cloud in the blue Sky, at so great a Height that it looked like a Lark: and at last: so small that the People who stood near him coud none of them regain a Sight, when they had once lost it.

105. The remaining white Flag was unfolded, and tyed to one of the Balloon-Cords attached to the upper Hoop, at a proper Distance to play freely in the Wind: and, notwithstanding all that has been said to the contrary, shewed instantaneously and plainly the corresponding Changes made by the Wind in different Directions.

And, as the Breeze was accompanied with a Sensation of Coolness against the Face of the Aironaut, looking towards that Quarter from whence the Wind came, as indicated by the Flag; (which Quarter was not in a Line with the Path of the Balloon;) the Flag must have shewn that the Change was made by the Air in its peculiar progressive Direction, and not by its Resistance or Progress in the Track of the Balloon.

106. It is probable that the Momentum of the Balloon, acquired by its centrifugal or accelerating Force upwards, might have kept it in one Direction, while it continued to rise throu’ different Currents.

CHAPTER XIX. — BALLOON STILL RE-ASCENDING.

Section 107. THE Balloon being now wholly unconfined, continued to rise with great Rapidity: crossed the Meadow in the Sea-Breeze, and remained as before, for 6 or 8 Minutes,—by Intervals gently turning on its Axis—almost wholly vertical over Aston-Hall, but rather more to the Eastward of it.

The Country still exhibited bright gay and extensive Prospects.

108. Three Sail of Vessels appeared in the Channel: and four more were sailing down the River Wever, apparently just under the Balloon, diminishing to mere Cockle-Shells, or like Boats which have no Rigging.

Shouts continued.

Corn and Cattle were visible in the Fields and Meadows.

Aston, tho’ a large and elegant Mansion, appeared like a House which Children build with Cards.

109. A Chilliness in the Air was again perceived in rising, as he imagined, to the same Height at which he felt it in descending, indicated by the Thermometer at 55°. (Sect. 92.)

He then found himself inclined to taste the Brandy and Water, ready mixed by his Order, and to eat a Biscuit: but on putting the Liquor to his Lips; thought it too strong, so drank none, nor eat any Thing.

110. The three Sail, and the Channel disappeared.

The River put on a deep red Colour, like the Dee. Its Meanders seemed to encrease; as its Width diminished to a broad Line. Its Water was lost to the Sight.

Corn and Cattle were no longer distinguishable.

The House at Aston was yet a beautiful tho’ minute Object: the Balloon moving several Times round it; as if loth to quit that and the River.

The Cascade was become a white Line: and the fine Bridge below, a yellow Straw crossing the broad red Streak.

Of the four Vessels in the Wever, not an Atom visible.

The Shouting entirely ceased.

111. The blue scattered Houses, wide public Road called Sutton-Causeway over Frodsham Marsh, the Meadows Fields and Woods, the lofty Hills, Helsbye Crag and Halton-Tower, were reduced to one common Level; and diminished to the Size and Semblance of a coloured Map, but it was the superb and finished Colouring of Nature.

112. Ceasing to look down on the smooth Lawns below, which were now of the richest and fullest Patterns, seen as throu’ the small or inverted End of a common Perspective-Glass, and spun, as it were, to a fine Thread; Pleasure and Delight, tho’ of another Kind, fill’d the Imagination of the Beholder: who, raising his Eyes on a Level with himself, so as to look straight before him; found that the Balloon had already, and almost beyond his own Belief, soared to so amazing a Height in the Atmosphere, as to raise him far above the Rim of the immense Bowl or Crater; and that it was still stealing with Rapidity upwards.

113. During the Contemplation of this magnificent Prospect, a perfect Calm took Place, and soothing Silence reigned.

And thus; for a while detached, far detached from Earth, and all terrestrial Thoughts; wrapt in the mild Azure of the etherial Regions; suspended in the Center 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 EUROIA.⁠[36] An Idea of which it is not in the Power of Language to convey, or to describe.

CHAPTER XX.

Section 114. REspiration at so great an Altitude was perfectly free and easy: forced Trials being made for Information on that Point: a Sensation of Levity seemed rather to be communicated by the Air to the Lungs: but this might be the Effect of the Imagination. It was however a curious Circumstance to find the Breath not visible; the Thermometer rising again to 60. Nor did the Pulse seem to be quicker than usual, in this elevated tho’ inactive Situation.

115. The Perspective of a vast Series of Thunder-Clouds of a sulphúreous and metallic Tinge, placing themselves in Ranks, each beyond the other, in bright and tremendous Order, and a Sort of Battle-Array, beyond Conception grand yet beautiful; coud not pass under him without Notice. The immense circular and visible Distance of the nebulous Horizon, extended now 102 Miles at the least round the Eye, as already mentioned (Sect. 52); was a grand Source of the Sublime.Fairy Landscapes striking. Nor did the contracted View of the Landscape below fail, in Turn, to regain an Attention to its indiscriminate yet pleasing Scenery.

116. On a sudden he was called back to himself.

Several of the Bladders, which were tyed round the Car, in Case the Balloon shoud alight on the Sea, and were dry on the Outside, began at the same Instant to crackle; being greatly distended by the Air within. When pressed with the Hands and Fingers, they felt extremely hard, and ready to burst.

On looking upwards at the Balloon, it appeared greatly inflated: the external Pressure of the surrounding Air being much lessened, in so elevated and rarified a State of the Atmosphere.

117. The Balloon pressed in an unusual Manner throu’ the Meshes of the Net, quite round.

118. The Shape was much altered by this Distention of the Sides: and its perpendicular Diameter shorter than before.

119. The Neck or Mouth, which was tyed, had actually risen upwards, and was then near eight Feet above the Bottom of the Car.

120. It was not known till afterwards, that Mr. Lunardi on his second aërial Voyage from Liverpool, had been obliged to cut off the lower Part of the Neck, weighing upwards of two Pounds and a half, in order to lighten his Descent near Tarporley in Cheshire; and that he had not Silk sufficient to repair the Loss.

CHAPTER XXI.

Section 121. IN vain did the Aironaut strive to reach the Neck of the Balloon, from the Car. Attempting to put his Feet on the opposite Sides of the lower Hoop, by grasping the upper with his Hands; he coud not in that Situation raise himself so high as before; nor let go his Hold with either Hand.

He then stepped down into the Car. The Agitation of which, brought within the Reach of his Hand, the loose End of the Twine (purposely tyed on a Bow or Slip Knot) that had stuck to one of the Side-Cords, and held the Center of the Neck rather out of the Perpendicular.

CHAPTER XXII. — BALLOON AT ITS GREATEST HEIGHT.

Section 122. BEing cautious how he suffered the lightest Gass to escape throu’ the Top of the Balloon, which must have happened in drawing down the String of the Valve; yet apprehending the Possibility of an immediate Rupture at its present greatest Elevation;—glancing his Eyes around to take a farewel View;—he pulled the Twine, that tyed the Neck.

123. Instant Relief was given to the Balloon: which shrunk into the Shape which it had assumed in the former Ascent, when the Gass began to issue in visible Vapour, the Neck likewise lowering itself to the Height of his Shoulders, as in Section 35.

124. On stooping he found the Time 41 Minutes after III, and the Thermometer 57.

Nor was he surprised that no visible Vapour escaped; as he had imagined that much common Air had been pressed into the Mouth of the Balloon: and which, being heavier than Gass, woud go out first.

On that Ground he was confirmed in his Resolution not to open the Valve at the top, which always emits the lightest Gass.

125. As soon however as the Neck of the Balloon reached his Shoulder, he gathered the Silk in his Hand, and held it Air-tight tho’ untyed, to prevent Evaporation of much real Gass: presuming that if any Levity remained; the Balloon woud presently rise again, and swell.

And he was pleased to find the Event answer his Expectations.

CHAPTER XXIII. — AIR WARMER ABOVE THAN BELOW.

Section 126. IT was a Matter both of Surprize and Pleasure to observe that the Thermometer had risen again to 60, when the Balloon had soared above the Sea-Breeze; as the Aironaut had expected to feel the extreme Rigour of Winter; and had made Preparations against intense Cold.

Nor did he find any Difficulty in Respiration during the Excursion; which may possibly be accounted for from the Warmth of the Air.

That the Breath⁠[37] was not visible at any one Time, and particularly while the Balloon was elevated above the under Current, might it not be owing to the uncommon dryness of the Air, which woud dissipate the Vapour at the Instant of Exposure?

127. It was remarked, some little Time before, and during the last Glance of the Prospect taken at the highest Elevation, that the House at Aston was still visible, and the dark coloured Line forming its diminutive Shadow seemed thicker in Proportion to the Plan, than when the Mansion was first seen before the Re-ascent. And it had a sensible Effect in apparently raising it above the common Level.

128. The Circuit of the Land-Abyss below was also greatly contracted: and a Haziness inclining to a dark Green seemed to cover the outward Verge round the Lawn.

The red River Wever only appeared.

The Channel and broad Branch of the River Mersey towards Warrington, had long since vanished.

The Lawn itself, which composed the Ground-View, was full of innumerable Enclosures almost close to each other; with much Wood:—dwindling to the Down View like the Pattern of a Turkey-Carpet.Pattern of an elegant Turkey-Carpet: which, according to Principles of Mahommedan Faith, tho’ wrought in gay and vivid Colours, is made to exhibit no exact⁠[38] Resemblance to the Works either of Art or Nature.

129. The Colours, of which the Ground Work was principally formed (except white; also the roughened Sea, which alone was black; and Shadows, which constantly gave a transparent violet) were four simple and primary ones, viz. red, yellow, green, and blue: all which seemed to glow, tho’ in a less Degree, like the Colours of the Prism.

This unmixed Coloration of Objects, to be seen from a vertical Situation only, to be seen without Refraction, is a new singular and pleasing Phenomenon.

130. A View, taken above the Level of the Clouds, may, from this Circumstance, without Impropriety, be called a chromatic view or the Earth: of which, the Print is an Example: delineating the Extent of the aërial Excursion; and placed at the End of the second Part, including the Re-ascent.

CHAPTER XXIV. — BALLOON ABOVE THE INFLUENCE OF WATER.

Section 131. THE Balloon pursued its former gentle Course in the upper Current of Air moving from the South West, and Aston House: and had risen above the Influence of the Waters and Sea-Breeze.

132. In Consequence of having held tight the Neck of the Balloon, the Gass within began again to expand, and the Machine became more bloated than when stationary at the first Ascent: the Bottom of the Balloon being drawn up to the Height of his Hand, when the Arm was stretched, and himself on Tip-toe.

133. Tho’ the late Descent, at the last Opening of the Balloon, had been rapid; which was known chiefly by the Want of Reaction from the Bottom of the Car against the Soles of the Feet; yet being still far above all Clouds; fearless of the Currents, Rocks, and Shoals, to which all maritime Navigation is subject; he took the Opportunity of trying the upper Valve; purposely to know the Effect. So retaining the Bottom of the Balloon in his right Hand, he drew the Valve Cord with his left.

Immediately he heard it click: which proved that it was quite open, and in good Order.

134. He tried the Valve three Times smartly, and deliberately.

The Escape of the inflammable Air or Gass was like the growling Sound made in a Mill by the Grinding of the Mill-stones, but by no Means so loud.

CHAPTER XXV. — THIRD BALLOON-IRIS

Section 135. THE successive Operations of untying the Neck, and repeated Trials of the Valve, brought the Observer so low, that he coud trace the Image of the Balloon on the upper Surface of light silvery Clouds beneath him.

136. Iris, a bright celestial Nymph, his former Attendant, deck’d in gay Attire as usual for the Bow, made her third Appearance: instantly encircling the Balloon. Nor was her Iris remained.Stay so short as before; as if to recompense the Aironaut for the lost The Earth disappeared.Sight of Earth and all terrestrial Objects, which then began to disappear.

137. In less than a Minute after the Deflation; the Neck of the Balloon continuing to be held tight in the Hand; the Balloon quickly encreased in Bulk, and soared aloft, as before.

138. It continued rising as long as the Hand coud reach to hold the Neck tight: and, on loosing it an Instant, made a rapid Descent: on Account of the Gass which escaped, and of the atmospheric Air which rushed in by the same Opening at the Bottom.

139. The alternate Play of fast and loose, was frequently and successfully repeated: the Balloon always rising till it swelled out of the Reach of the Hand: at which Time it was let go: and the Neck (as well as the Balloon) descending; was presently caught in the Hand, and made Air-tight as before.

140. These Manouvres were performed, at a Height far above the Level of all Clouds, and in Sight of Numbers of People: some of whom were at least 15 Miles distance: yet coud plainly, from an Eminence called Hoole-Mill Field, a Couple of Miles from Chester, discover the Balloon at an amazing Height, darting up and down several Times; or as they expressed themselves, “quivering and warping in the Air.”

CHAPTER XXVI. — SENSATIONS ACCOMPANYING THE BALLOON.

Section 141. THE alternate Elevation and Descent of the Balloon gave sufficient Leisure to reflect on the security and pleasure of his Situation, thus wafted on the Pinions, and merging in the Ocean of Air.

Indeed the whole Excursion was a Continued Scene of Pleasure.

The Eye and the Imagination were beyond Measure delighted.

142. If there had been any Thing to wish for, it was the living Pencil of Angelica,⁠[39] or some other celebrated Painter: in order to gratify the World with the bright Miniatures and Colouring of so much variegated Beauty.

143. As it woud be difficult, if not impossible, by mere Description, to convey an adequate Idea of the different Sensations experienced while in the Car; (for Pleasure is itself unspeakable;) yet the Fancy may possibly, without Censure, be a Moment indulged, in its Allusions to such familiar Subjects as approach nearest to them: so as not to leave the public Mind wholly in the Dark, with Respect to the above Points of natural and general Curiosity.

144. Most young People, whenever they have Opportunity, amuse themselves on the slack rope, or Swing: the Pleasure encreases in Proportion to the Loftiness of Ascent they are able to acquire.

145. In the East, where the Heat of the Climate forbids robust Exercises; the Swing is considered as a princely Diversion: and of which the Mogul himself condescends to partake. He is swung by Slaves: and thus enjoys the pure Air without Fatigue.

146. The Ascent of the Balloon is not unlike what is felt, in the ascending half of the Swing: and the Descent is attended with that agreeable Sensation known to those who sink throu’ the descending half.

147. A Diversion similar to the above is peculiar to the North of Europe, practised by the Russians, particularly the Inhabitants of Zarsko Zelo; and accompanied with a Sensation so delightful, that they seek itArtificial Declivity of waved Ice. in the open Air, amidst the utmost Severity of the Frost. It is a Sort of Boat or Car, in which they glide, for a considerable Distance, down an artificial Declivity of waved and polished Ice: being drawn up by Servants; they launch precipitately forwards, and down again as before.

148. Sledges drawn swiftly over the undulated Surface of a snowy Country, a favourite Diversion in many Parts of Germany, in Lapland, and Siberia: Skaiting on level Ice; the Motion of a Vessel on smooth Water; of a fleet Horse; also of Wheel-Carriages rolling over even Gravel, or a grassy Plain, are each a Luxury of the same Kind; and grateful to the Nerves.

149. There is yet another Amusement, which is said to be of German Extraction, still frequent in the North of England, called the vertical Flying-Coach.⁠[40]

Two Persons are required to turn the Machine (when full): which moves like the four Sails of a Windmill: a Seat being placed at the End of each Sail.

150. The Pleasure communicated to the Nerves during the Descent, is to some Constitutions so exquisite, as to be full as much as the human Frame can support: others are affected by it in a gentler Manner.

These different Diversions, flowing from the same Principle in common with the Balloon, viz. that of being carried with a gentle Motion, are one or other suited to all Ranks and Ages.

151. The Pleasure of the double Slack Ropes, when seated in the Car appended between them, is perhaps in itself superior to that of most others.

152. The vertical Flying-Coach⁠[41] compleats the Circle, of which the Slack Rope describes but the lower Half.

153. The Sensations communicated by the Motion of the Balloon, come nearest those of the vertical flying Coach, tho’ more gentle, and if possible, more pleasing.

At Sea, the most experienced Mariner is sometimes sick or giddy.

154. Nothing of the Kind happens in the Balloon: where an infinite Variety charms the Imagination.

155. The Spirits are raised by the Purity of the Air⁠[43], and rest in a chearful Composure.

156. Even when stationary above the Clouds, the Height conveys with it no Danger of falling: any more than when in a Vessel at Sea, (as off the West-India Islands, for Example) the Fish are seen gliding over the clear white rocky Bottom, at the Depth of twenty Fathom: as the Aironaut seems perfectly unconnected with the Earth, and unconcerned about it.

157. Nor does the Depth below the Clouds give an Idea of Distance. On the contrary, the smooth chequered Lawns which form the Surface of the Earth, are presented to the Eye, as on a Level with the Clouds themselves: at least come up to their undersides, and appear so much a Part of them; that the Clouds occupy the Place of Earth: and the Aironaut seems able to descend from the Car upon the Clouds, and to walk from Side to Side over the empty Space, as over a Sheet of transparent Ice, across a River, whose Depth is equal to the small but indefinite Thickness of the Clouds.

158. It is from frequent experience only that the Diminution of Objects presuppose their Distance.

CHAPTER XXVII — USEFUL CONCLUSIONS.

Section 159. IT was remarkable that, the lower Parts of the Balloon regularly adopted a similar Form at each Descent: not unlike a Ship’s Bottom; looking up, at the Head or Prow, while on the Stocks: the Neck of the Balloon forming a beautiful central Pillar; in Shape like that of a Speaking Trumpet inverted.

And hence may be derived a Piece of useful Information: as the precise Time of descending is discovered by bare Inspection of the Machine.

160. Another Conclusion seems likewise deducible from the above, that if the Balloon is so burdened, as to descend while it retains the Form of an elliptic solid;⁠[44] it will descend more rapidly, than if it contained less Gass: the Force of Descent in both Cases being supposed the same.

For if the Diminution of Gass be so great as not to fill the upper Hemisphere of the Balloon; the Resistance of the atmospheric Air below woud probably give it the Appearance of a Concave or Umbrella, which woud greatly check the Descent: viz. in Proportion to the Square of the Number of Feet of which the Surface was composed.

161. Hence also the evident Utility of an equatorial hoop for Balloons: in Preference to a Parashute, which woud be only an Incumbrance.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Section 162.AT 40 Minutes past III, when the Balloon was apparently some Miles above the Level and Summit of the Clouds; a sudden and uncommon Sound was heard for three or four Seconds only.

A Sort of hollow Wind seemed issuing from a Plain of Clouds in the North-East Quarter, greatly below the Balloon: which as suddenly ceased.

The Instant the Sound was heard; a gentle Motion was impressed on the Balloon, as if by a Hand touching it near the Top.

163. Clouds to the North-East appeared, for the first Time, in rapid Motion towards the Balloon.

They sailed directly under it: filled up the Chasm, and drew a white Veil over all terrestrial Objects.

164. It has been since imagined, that a fresh Wind descended from the South-West QuarterConjecture in the Cause of the Motion. in the upper Current, and was heard in the North-East, being ecchoed from the upper Tier of Clouds below: and that the Balloon, finding less Resistance than the range of Clouds, soon overtook and passed them: particularly as the lower Part of the white Flag vibrated only in the usual Direction.

165. The encreased progressive Motion of the Balloon was not perceived (Section 18): being considered as at Rest, and the apparent Motion referred to the Clouds.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Section 166. IN a few Minutes, a Side-Break throu’ the Clouds discovered a long ill-formed narrow Line or Ditch, something less than a Foot in Breadth, extending several Ways: and which from its Proximity to Places that were known, and coming into View; viz. the Country about Norton and Halton-Castle;A narrow Ditch the Duke of Bridgewater’s Canal. proved to be the Duke of Bridgewater’s Canal.

Suddenly came in Sight the spacious open of the Mersey above Runcorn Gap: which appeared of a A Glympse of Runcorn Gap.ruddy Colour, and very near: as if the Balloon had again felt the Influence of the River.

167. A new System, that of Balloon-Geography here suggested itself: in which the Essentials of Proportion and Bearings woud be far more accurate, than by the present Method, both for Maps and Charts, viz. To make Drawings by sight, from the Car of a Balloon with a Camera Obscura, aided by a Micrometer applied to the under Side of the transparent Glass.

The Season proper for such an aironautic Expedition, would be any calm bright Day:Air presumed to be warm with South-West Wind long continued. the Wind having blown from the South West Quarter, for some Days before, which is frequently the Case: the Air, at such Conjuncture probably remaining warm, to the Height of a Mile or more, unless in the very Midst of Winter.

168. And particularly for Charts, which in a maritime Country are most useful:Balloon Geography for Charts. as Balloons have an extraordinary Predilection to become stationary over Channels and Rivers; altho’ a very strong Gale of Wind, shoud continue the whole Time to blow in an horizontal Course directly under the Balloon.

Of which Event the Writer of this Account was an Eye-Witness,Balloon in a Calm with a strong Wind below. in the Case of Mr. Lunardi: who was detained above 20 Minutes over the broad Bend of the River Mersey, near Ince, in Cheshire, the Day he landed between Tarporley and Beeston-Castle, ascending from the New Fort at Liverpool. He quitted his Station by the Escape of Gass, and descended into the Stream of Wind, which continued as violent as before.

CHAPTER XXX.

Section 169. THE Summer Scenes of Fairy-Land below, being soon eclipsed by the quick Intervention of a Range of Clouds; the sudden Contrast of which was highly pleasing to the Imagination; a Prospect of mid winter instantaneously succeeded.

170. The Earth’s Surface throu’ an immeasurable Crater of Vapour accumulated round the Aironaut, who was suspended, and seemed fixed in the Center above it, no longer existed. And, if it will not be allowed, that a new Earth, and a new sky appeared; at least, let the Imagery and Resemblance of what was really seen, be taken from that earth, which in Fact did not appear.

A world of Clouds, greater than the one below, became, for the first Time the sole Object that engrossed the Sight. (See Section 144.)

171. The Balloon was apparently raised some Miles above the Surface of a concave shallow Plate, or Shell, or rather an immense Plain, which was in general smooth and well defined: but the dense tonìtruous Masses, rising here and there above the Rest, greatly resembled steep and rugged mountains seen in Perspective, at different Distances from 5 and 10 to at least a hundred Miles.⁠[45]

An unvaried deep cerùlean and pellucid Azure, without a Cloud above, enclosed the novel earth: whose Surface, whether Valley, Plain, or mountain in Appearance; seemed as if covered to a prodigious Depth, by successive Falls of Snow, driven and polished by the Winds and Frost, and dazzling to the Sight: the Sun still shining above all, with white, unremitting and invigorating Rays.⁠[47]

CHAPTER XXXI.

Section 172.A Thunder Cloud in most grotesque Form;—of superior Magnitude, Density, and brightness—a celestial Colouring; Aironaut lost in the blue Fields of Air, by the Intervention of Clouds below him: which prevented all farther Knowledge of his Situation, and also a Sight of the Earth itself.and whose Shade was itself a Colour of semi-transparent and transcendent Blue and Violet-Purple;—remaining for several Minutes, exactly under the Balloon, tempted the Aironaut to descend into it; and, if possible, investigate its Structure and Composition.

Blanchard, he knew, had passed throu’ many without Danger: any Fears that might otherwise have been entertained on that Head were therefore groundless: particularly as Gass, i. e. inflammable Air and the electric Fluid (supposing an electric Atmosphere had surrounded the Thunder Cloud) mutually repel each other. He however declined the Trial: among other Reasons which then offered; that the temporary and apparent Rest of both Balloon and Clouds portended his Situation to be over the Center of some Water: so that if Gass had been let out in order to descend; enough might not have remained to make Choice of a proper Place to land.

173. Some Minutes after; on the Retreat of the Clouds, or progressive Motion of the Balloon; he found himself suspended over the most enchanting Meanders of a Rivulet.

Where he coud not tell.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Section 174. HE thought himself again over the Wever.

At 47 Minutes after III, the Prospect beneath opened, just wide enough to shew, that he was suspended in the open Space over the Center of some Rivulet.

The Map of the Country which had been so carefully studied, was now consulted for the first Time, but coud not bring to his Recollection any Traces of the extraordinary Curves which then met his Eye.

They bore not the least Resemblance to any Part of the River Mersey.

No River like that below him had ever presented itself.

Its Doublings were so various and fantastic as to exceed the Limits of Credibility.

175. He was still stationary, at an immense Height, without the least Inclination to descend: having some Time before taken the Precaution to tye again the Neck of the Balloon, as soon as he had perceived it did not inflate, as at first, to any dangerous Degree.

No Towns, no Houses appeared. No public Roads were discoverable. No Voices were heard.⁠[48]

The Country beyond the Rivulet began to disclose itself: but was quite new to him at that Altitude, and seemed as if almost covered with Wood.

176. His Watch shewed the Time of the Day, and the Sun alone sufficiently indicated the Point of the Compass.

The white Flag manifested no Change in the Wind.

But whether he was near Liverpool, Wigan, or Manchester, he coud not discover.

177. He was entirely lost in the blue Fields of Air; far above the Summits of the Clouds; tho’ the Balloon was in Sight of the Earth, and of Numbers who were gazing at it.

178. The Colour of the new Rivulet was full as red, as any he had seen before.

He thought it might be an insignificant Brook, which tho’ curiously curved, was too small to be inserted in the Map.

Still he continued over it: turning and returning gently in small Curves.

179. He presently passed Northward of the Rivulet over a woody Country, in which he coud discover no Variety of Colouring either in the Ground Work or Enclosures; the whole having a dark green Cast.

An Appearance of a very distant and remote Plain then presented itself; the Size of a moderate Carpet: of a ruddy Colour; and surrounded by a green Border. Being an unusual Object it continued to engage his Attention.

180. Not far from the first, another of the same Kind, of a more dusky Cast, but less and somewhat nearer, that is more under him, then attracted his Notice.

He wished to decipher them, but in vain.

181. The Sun shone bright on both: and in a very few Minutes, the circular Prospects encreased: which was now become a regular and undeniable Signal that the Balloon had begun to descend. (Section 17.)

The latter Plain appeared, at the first, about the Size of a common Handkerchief.

The Balloon continued to descend.

182. In a Couple of Minutes, the Plain appeared intersected closely every Way, like the Coat of a ripening Melon. Descending a little lower; it seemed covered with a Net, the Meshes of which were distinct. And lower still; it extended itself greatly on all Sides: (at which Time a certain Degree of Chilliness prevailed:) and was then again mistaken, and looked upon as a dry Heath, deeply overrun with Shrubs of the same Name.

183. The Descent of the Balloon being rather quicker than was expected, or desired; it was deemed expedient to have Recourse to the last Bag of Sand, which lay open, and weighed 20 Pounds.

It was accordingly thrown out, a Handful at a Time.

But that Method not seeming sufficient to check the Descent, when at the Height of 150 or 200 Yards; all the Sand was poured out, and the Bag thrown down.

This had the desired Effect: and the Balloon continuing to descend with a Motion uniformly retarded, alighted, as the down of a Thistle, in the gentlest Manner, without any Rebound.

184. There being scarcely a Breath of Air abroad, the Aironaut made no Use of his Anchor and Cable: but continued as from the first, standing upright in the Car; which, having moved a Yard or two only along the Ground, rested in a perpendicular Situation.

The Balloon, suspended over him like a vast Umbrella, levitated vertically in the grandest Manner.

185. He was alone when he alighted: but, in a few Minutes, found himself surrounded by the Country-People, who had waded above Ancle-deep, and came running from all Parts, to see the wonder, and contribute their Assistance.

186. He landed exactly, at 7 Minutes before IV: Thermometer 59: but where he coud not tell.

The first Question was “Pray where am I?” And the Answer;—in Lancashire.

On asking the nearest Distance to a Turnpike-Road; the People said he was within two Fields of one, and offered to conduct him thither.

He accepted their Offer, and shared his Liquor among them.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Section 187. THE Balloon alighted near the Middle of a moss; called rixton-moss, a Place he had never before heard of.

It was a large Tract of unenclosed wet Land, above four Miles long and above two broad, intersected by Ditches or Water Courses, which divide the Moss into Fields of a moderate Size. The whole is surrounded by tall Forest Trees.

This was the lesser of the two dusky Plains, which appeared about the Size of a Handkerchief, and which he wished to decipher, but in vain.

188. Rixton-Moss is situated five Miles North North East of Warrington, and a little to the left of the Turnpike Road leading from thence to Manchester, and 25 from Chester.

189. He has since been informed that the other Plain, about the Size of a moderate Carpet,Chat-Moss in Lancashire. was no less a Place than chat moss, a vast Tract of barren wet Land, many Miles in Extent.

190. Curiosity tempted him to make particular Enquiry concerning the Rivulet over which he hung, admiring the Beauty of its serpentine Meanders; and, from a Description given of his Manouvres over Lymm, situated to the East of Warrington, and from a peculiar Curve, appearing in the Form of a true Lover’s Knot, when over the Gunpowder Water-Mills, he was convinced the Rivulet coud have been no other than the broad Branch of the River Mersey.

191. The aërial excursion was performed in two Hours, and a Quarter, within two Minutes.

The Distance of the Balloon-Course, if traced along the Ground, 30 Miles. Section 130.

192. In comparing the Dates at Bellair and Rixton-Moss; it is certain that the Balloon,Balloon, unknown to the Aironaut, going at the Rate of 30 Miles an Hour. excluding the Force of Ascent, must have moved forwards, during some Part of the Re-ascent, at least at the Rate of 30 Miles an Hour: tho’ the Aironaut, for the most Part, imagined he was gliding throu’ a serene Atmosphere.

Probably the progressive Motion was encreased, from the Time the unusual Sound was heard, in Section 162.

Note: The Print, representing a chromatic View above the Level of the Clouds, of the Country from Chester to Rixton-Moss, is to front the left Page, at the End of this Chapter.

CHAPTER XXXIV. — THE SEQUEL. — Rixton-Moss, Lancashire , IV. o’Clock P.M.

Section 193. THE Sequel contains an Account of several Flights made, in Presence of the Aironaut, by different Persons, during three Hours, in the Car of the Balloon, viz. from the Time he alighted, till after sunset.

T. Baldwin Arm. del. et pinx.

Angus sculp.

see Page IIII. d.

The Afternoon being fine, the Sun bright, and the Air calm; finding the Country People remarkably civilized and kind; and having dispatched a Messenger on Foot to return in a Post Chaise from Warrington; the Aironaut was resolved to gratify the Curiosity of his numerous Followers, and give the young People a Taste for Balloons, by treating them successively with an Airing.

194. Indeed it was no inconvenient Method of removing and conducting the Machine: and possibly different Positions of the Balloon might furnish a useful Hint.

Having asked aloud who chose to ride, several answered in the Affirmative. So having pitched upon a young Fellow of less Weight than himself; bid him get up, between the Cords, over the Hoop, into the Car; stand near the Middle, and hold an opposite Cord in each Hand.

He obeyed with the greatest Alacrity: and seemed to be a noisy bold Adventurer.

195. The Aironaut then got out; and having suffered the Balloon to rise; fastened the End of the Cable to central Meshes of the Net, at the Bottom of the Car: ordering the strongest and tallest Man to hold the Cable, and let it go by Degrees till the Anchor or grappling Iron alone remained in his Hand.

The Balloon now rising above the Height of the Trees, and giving the Adventurer a new and extensive Prospect of the Country; he became silent; pale; his Countenance the Picture of Distress; looking down as if for Help.

The Conductor repeatedly bid him take Courage. But, in vain.

By lowering the Car within the Height of the Trees, he seemed to recover from his Dismay.

CHAPTER XXXV.

Section 196. THE Route of the Balloon being now throu’ a flat woody Country, with tall Trees growing in the Hedge Rows; a Difficulty occurred, how to conduct the Cable, when the Balloon was above or between the Trees, without entangling: which gave the Conductor much Trouble, as he was frequently obliged to walk round a Field, the Balloon being held in the Center, before he coud espy a proper Opening.

The Procession marched slowly forward: and the young Man was carried among his Peers in Triumph through the Air, across the Turnpike-Road, into the Middle of an open Grass Field, where he descended; took a Companion less heavy, and left the Car.

This Stripling was a good Deal surprised the Instant he rose above the Trees; but ventured to look around: and appeared on the whole much delighted.

197. A great Concourse of People were now collected.

Accidental Carriages halted: joined the Cavalcade, and partook of the Diversion: the greater Part following the Balloon throu’ the open Fields adjoining the Road.

The Conductor generally preferring the beaten Track; yet suspecting the Balloon with its Adventurer in the Car, might designedly be suffered to escape, took the Precaution to have the Grapple held by nearest Relations to the Person in the Car.

198. The Gass evaporating; a smart young Fellow, who seemed ready for the Jaunt, stepped in: on which the former resigned his Place. But he was no sooner raised a few Yards above his Companions, than the florid Colour forsook his Cheeks; he trembled; bent himself double with Fright; and the Balloon was obliged to be hauled down.

199. A fond Mother then requested that her Child, a fine blooming Girl, might ascend: boasting of her Courage, and comparing it with that of the Person who had none.

The Venus smiled, and mounted her Car with great Spirit.

200. Some Ladies and Gentlemen of the Neighbourhood who had watched the Balloon, while it hung at an immense Height over Lymm, and the Gunpowder Works on the River Mersey, came, in their Evening Walk, to meet it: joined the Procession; gave the Aironaut polite Invitations to their Houses, and shewed him every possible Civility.

201. The Resistance made by the Surface of the Balloon, against the least Breath of Air moving horizontally, was frequently tried by occasionally holding the Grapple: and it was a decided Point, that the least Motion of the Air was sufficient, together with the Action of Levitation, to prevent the Person, who held the Grapple when the Cable was extended, from transporting the Balloon against the Current: nay it was with Difficulty he coud remain in the same Place: the Balloon sometimes pulling him forwards, and almost off his Feet.

202. When the Air was perfectly calm, which frequently happened while the Balloon migrated with different Passengers, as the Evening was the finest in the World, and the Country flat and woody in the Hedge-Rows; it was with Difficulty that the Conductor coud draw the Balloon after him, faster than the Rate of a moderate Walk: viz. three Miles an Hour.

CHAPTER XXXVI. — CHAPTER XXXVII. — OF THE WEATHER, IN THE VICINITY OF CHESTER, ABOUT THE TIME OF THE EXCURSION.

Section 203. THE Sun set at 34 Minutes past VI. and, tho’ it was then near that Time, the Post-Chaise was not arrived.

204. On Enquiry for a dry smooth Meadow, he was recommended to proceed a little farther, to a Place on the Road within three Miles of Warrington.

205. Having by this Time gratified the Curiosity of the Country in admitting Boys and Girls to the Age of six or seven Years, into the Car; and being arrived after Sun-set at the Place appointed, viz. Milton’s Croft-Green; he ordered the Balloon to be laid on its Side along the Ground: having removed the Car, and opened the Mouth; the inflammable Air or Gass, was soon pressed out by Means of a long Pole rolled across it by two Men, standing one at each End of the Pole: beginning at the Top or upper Valve, which was held down close to the Ground; and ending at the Mouth or Neck.

It was then rolled up, put into the Car; and the whole Apparatus placed on the Top of the Chaise which arrived the Moment wanted.

206. The Operation was completed at 53 Minutes past VI: the Conductor having accompanied the Balloon on Foot exactly three Hours.

207. The Balloon had therefore continued floating in the Air, with different Persons, in the whole, for the Space of five Hours and a Quarter.

The Conductor, promising to accept the very polite Invitation offered him by Mr. Stanton, a Gentleman who is principally concerned in the Gunpowder-Works upon the Mersey; called at his House, and partook of some Refreshments.

He then drove to Warrington, where he was met by a Person whom Curiosity had inspired to follow the Balloon on Foot from Chester, as long as he coud keep it in View.

208. Mr. Lunardi likewise with great Civility dispatched his Servant to assist the Aironaut in the Care of the Balloon; but he did not arrive in Time; not reaching Warrington till VIII. at Night: having lost Sight of the Balloon about Daresbury, four Miles from Warrington.

209. Nor was it visible to any, at least very few, of the Inhabitants of that Town, which was equally hidden from the Aironaut: who, then ignorant of his Situation, must have remained a considerable Time suspended above the Clouds; which concealed both the Town and River.

He saw Warrington but twice when above: for a short Time, at a great Distance, and a mediate Altitude.

210. The following Day he returned to Chester: was met by the Militia-Music, and ushered with loud Huzzaes into his native City.

On his safe Arrival; besides the private and sincere Congratulations of his Relations and Friends; the Bells rang: his Flags were carried in Procession, and every public Demonstration of Joy was shewn on the Occasion.

AIROPAIDIA.

OBSERVATIONS,
HINTS, and CONJECTURES,
on the
SUBJECT
of the
BALLOON and EXCURSION

FROM CHESTER THE EIGHTH OF SEPT. 1785.

Section 211. FOR more than ten Days before the Balloon-Voyage, the Wind had blown (interruptedly on Account of the Sea-Breeze) from South and South by West.

Monday the 5th of September:

A Conjunction of the Planet Mercury and the Moon, at one in the Afternoon.

Tuesday the 6th:

A violent Hurricane in the South of England, at London, Portsmouth, &c.

The same Day at Chester North-North-West, and distant from London 182 Miles; South-Breeze; Rain most of the Day. Thermometer at Noon in the Shade, 62: and 14 Divisions colder each Night, than the following Day, at an Average of five Years. Barometer, below Much Rain, viz. at 28 Inches 9⁄10ths.

Wednesday the 7th:

Violent Squalls from South and South-West, with hazy Air, till half past IV in the Afternoon. Thermom. 58; Barom. Changeable, viz. 29​1⁄2.

Thursday the 8th, which was the Day of the Excursion:

Much bright Sun. (On Enquiry) calm below till half past III in the Afternoon, then West Sea-Breeze: South-West Breeze above till half past IV. Calm bright Evening.

Also the upper Stratum of Clouds thin and white, in quick Motion, when seen from below till Noon: at which Time the Sky was almost cloudless: and, from above the upper Stratum, were seen, interspersed, Multitudes of detached Thunder-Clouds in large Masses, rising at Intervals, in the Middle of the upper Surfaces of white Clouds, and stretching above them.

Friday and Saturday moderate: South and South-West Breeze.

Sunday the 11th. The Planet Mercury stationary.

Cloudy Morn. South-West Breeze. Thermom. at 60 at Noon. Barom. above, Changeable, viz. at 29​1⁄2. Much thunder and Rain in the Afternoon.

212. Quere, Had the Thunder-Clouds on Thursday, tho’ not remarked by any from below, yet visible to a great Extent from the Balloon above them,—any Connexion with the Thunder that happened three Days after?

Answer: It appears to the Observer, that the Thunder was gradually collecting in the Air from Thursday till Sunday: and if so; will not Balloons, when more frequent, prognosticate the Weather, by Sight, better than any other known Methods?

CHAPTER XXXVIII. — ON CERTAIN APPEARANCES AT DIFFERENT ALTITUDES OF THE BALLOON.

Section 213. THE highest visible white Clouds, often seen in detached Streaks, during the finest and also in the worst Weather, (if not intercepted by lower Clouds) and which, when melting away, are known in some Counties by the common Appellation of Horse-Tails; and, suspended over Great-Britain, are frequently marbled or dappled by the Wind; putting on the Appearance of white Waves, like Sea-Sands ruffled and left by a rapid Tide;—had been disturbed, separated, and almost melted down by the Storm the Day preceding the Excursion.

Two of them only were still visible in Streaks, near the Sun’s Place, at the first Ascent. They seemed without Motion, and became afterwards invisible.

Saussure, the celebrated Professor of Philosophy at Geneva, is very exact in his Definition, Description, and Height of these Appearances: and thinks it probable, their Situation may be “at least fifteen English Miles above the Surface of the Earth.”

“Car quand je considere ces fines Pommelures, &c.” “For when I consider these delicate Dapplings, which, in a Series of fair Weather, begin to cover the azure Vault of Heaven with a white and transparent Gauze, and which portend Rain a long Time before it happens; I am led to believe they occupy a very elevated Situation in the Atmosphere” (Essais sur l’Hygrometrie, P. 271.)

It seems however that Crosbie, in his Excursion from Dublin on the 25th of January 1785, pierced throu’ and soared above these fine Webs, at the Height of 16 Inches by the Barometer in a frosty Air.

214. It has been already noted, that at a certain Height, a Kind of chilliness was perceived, not ascertainable by the Thermometer.

The Sensation was suddenly impressed four Times, in ascending and descending to and from the same Height, viz. about 26 and 27 Inches, equivalent to between 500 and 1000 Yards above the Surface of the Earth at the first Ascent.

From the Uniformity of Effect at the same Height; the Sensation may be ascribed to the same Cause, viz. the Level of the first or lower Tier of Clouds: altho’ the Aironaut did not pass throu’ any visible Cloud or Vapour, during the Excursion. See Section 93.

215. At the same Height likewise, tho’ the Observations have not been set down at large; the Appearances of the Earth and Clouds were very remarkable.

During the Ascent of the Balloon, between the Altitudes of 26 and 27 Inches; the circular Prospects of the subjàcent Earth instantly contracted, and, during the Descent, about the same Height, instantly enlarged themselves to the Eye of the Aironaut.

216. At the same Height mentioned before, the circular Prospects of the Clouds appeared on the same horizontal Plane with the Eye: tho’ at the Distance of a Mile. See Section 49.

In this Situation, the Observer endeavoured to discover the Thickness of the Stratum of Clouds: but was always baffled by a Deception of Sight worth recording.

The Strata were plainly composed of three or more Heights of Clouds, sailing at great Intervals, one above the other: all which regularly vanished, as he approached their respective Levels: as if instantly thrown into the Circumference of a Circle, whose Radius was a Mile.

During the Ascent, in passing their supposed Level, the Clouds instantly appeared far below him: and during the Descent, as far above.

217. Quere: Is it not from the same Cause, that all Vapour is generally invisible to a certain Height and Distance from the Eye?

It being incontrovertible that more Vapours rise about noon, than at any other Hour, particularly at Sea, while the Sun continues to shine; which, notwithstanding, are wholly invisible, till arrived at a certain Height?

And hence the Visibility of Vapours by mere Distance, which contains a sufficient Number of Particles to intercept and refract the Light, without Cold, Condensation, or actual Accumulation: viz. by Refrangibility of those primary Rays of Light, which Air and Vapour united are most apt to reflect or transmit.

Mons. Saussure has proved by his Horse-Hair comparàble Hygrometer, that “the Air shews Signs of greatest Humidity an Hour after Sunrise, and of least Humidity, between three and four in the Afternoon.” But the Air being then also the hottest, will dissolve or evaporate the greatest Quantity of Vapours, and raise them above the Hygrometer (which by its Heat will not retain, but on the contrary repel and dissipate them) to great Heights in the Atmosphere.

See “Essais sur l’Hygrometrie, C. 6, P. 315.”

218. In general then:

Is not the Cause of the above Deceptions, not an Absence, but a Transparency of Vapour to a certain Distance: (just as the Zenith appears cloudless, when the Air is overcast around;) beyond which Distance, the Number and relative Proximity of Particles with Respect to the Eye, is such, as to intercept the Rays of Light: when only, they put on the Colour of Air, and Form of Vapour and Cloud?

And hence the probable Reason, why no circular Horizon of the Earth’s Surface was presented during the Excursion, Section 79: and why it seldom has or can present itself to Aironauts or Mountaineers, at any considerable Height above the Region or Level of Clouds, even tho’ Clouds do not appear in the Air, either to themselves, or to Spectators below.

This Point seems capable of Illustration by Analogy, from the Impossibility of encreasing the Magnitude, and at the same Time, Distinctness of distant Objects, seen throu’ a common Telescope; on Account of the Quantity of Vapours between them and the Eye Which vapours may be magnified till the Object appears confused and obscure; and even at last become substituted in the Place of the Object, under the Form of Opacity and Cloudiness.

219. The greater the Height of the Balloon, the more contracted was the Circle of Vapour below it; and the more limited the Prospect of the Earth’s Surface below the Vapour.

220. It seemed probable that the Sun shone as bright on the Countries around the Observer, as on Objects immediately below him: which Objects coud not have been illuminated by the Sun’s Rays, darting throu’ the apparent and contracted opening under him; as the Rays which shone on the Balloon, fell beyond the Opening, obliquely on Clouds which caught the Shadow of the Balloon.

221. The extreme Rarity or Tenuity of the Vapours was evident from the progressive Course of the Balloon, which was always in the Center of a circular Opening, limiting the lower Prospects; except when the Spectator lost all Sight of the Earth, by dense, watry, intervening Clouds.

This august central Situation, always changing yet still the same, had the most striking Effect on the Senses and Imagination. Yet, however pleasing the Recollection of this glorious appearance; however strongly impressed, accurately described, or richly painted; it must fall infinitely short of the original sensation. Unity and Sameness were there contrasted with perpetual Variety: Beauty of Colouring; Minuteness, and consummate Arrangement;—with Magnificence and Splendor: actual Immensity;—with apparent Limitation:—all which were distinctly conveyed to the Mind, at the same Instant, throu’ the Intervention of the Organs of Sight: and, to complete the Scene, was added the Charm of novelty.

CHAPTER XXXIX. — CONJECTURES ON THE CAUSES OF THE CIRCULAR TRANSPARENCY TO A CERTAIN DISTANCE BELOW THE BALLOON, AND OF THE RED LIGHT FROM THE SEA AND RIVERS, WHEN SEEN ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE SUPERIOR CLOUDS.

Section 222.QUERE: As Red is the heaviest and Blue the lightest Colour; and as red Rays blended at a certain Angle with blue Rays, produce Opacity: further; as red is the predominant Colour reflected from Water, while in the Form of dense Cloud, for Instance at the Rising and Setting of the Sun; and blue the Colour always reflected from the light Medium of Air or Sky; Does not this Mixture of least and most refrangible Rays, which, when aided with the intermediate primary ones, causes a Transparency near and round the Eye of a Spectator placed either on Earth or among the Clouds; produce, at a greater Distance and different Angle, such a Degree of Opacity, as actually to give the Idea of Clouds surrounding him at a Distance?

The latter Part at least is true, that Vapour and Air, which are naturally qualified to transmit red and blue, rather than any other Light, will, at a certain Angle, when blended, produce an opacity. (See the Letter sent by Newton from Cambridge to Dr. Derham, in order to be presented to the Royal Society,—in “Miscellanea Curiosa, Vol. 1, Page 109.”)

Quere: May not the Rivers below act as a Prism; as Clouds, about Sun-set or Sun-rise, do to a Spectator on Earth, and reflect only the primary Colour red, the heaviest and least refrangible Ray?

It being also considered that Refraction cannot change the primary Colour: nor are Rays, in the Direction from below to the Zenith, refracted; tho’ seen from a rarer into a denser Medium.

Possibly, a Pencil of Rays, in coming up from the River below may be stripped or drained by the double Absorption of the Atmosphere and River, and the Colour red only, suffered to reach the Eye: “being the last to quit its Basis the Water.” (See Morgan’s Observations on the Light of Bodies, &c. &c. Phil. Trans. for the Year 1785, Part 1, Vol. 75, Chap. 91.)

CHAPTER XXXX. — ON THE EXCESSIVE DIMINUTION OF OBJECTS ON THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH, TO A SPECTATOR SITUATED ABOVE THE REGION OF CLOUD, AT THE BAROMETRIC HEIGHT OF NEAR A MILE AND HALF, PERPENDICULAR.

Section 223. THE Earth’s Surface was presented to the Eye throu’ a circular Opening as already described.

This Opening discovered a Plain, smooth and level as a Die: a Sort of shining Carpet, enriched with an endless Variety of Figures depicted without Shadow, as on a Map: what was really Shadow forming a separate Colour, and not considered at the Time, as Shadow. The Objects were distinctly marked, and perfectly known to be Miniatures of the Face of Nature.

All was Colouring: no Outline: yet each Appearance curiously defined by a striking Contrast of simple Colours, which served to distinguish the respective Boundaries with most exact Precision, and inconceivable Elegance.

Red Rivers, yellow Roads, Enclosures yellow and light green, Woods and Hedges dark green, were the only Objects clearly distinguishable, and their Colouring extremely vivid. The Sun’s Rays reflected from the Surface of the Sea, and other Waters, dazzled the Sight.

All living Creatures were invisible.

224. The Area of each Inclosure, computed to contain a certain Number of Acres, was seen from above under the Form of a Miniature Picture of a certain Magnitude or visible Extension, perpetually diminishing, as the Eye recedes to a greater Distance.

And the Case is similar, whether the Miniature be seen from above, or along the Ground.

The Miniature also lessens as the Distance encreases, according to a certain Proportion so exactly;⁠[49] That,

1. If the Distance and Magnitude of a tangible Object be known by Mensuration; a Judgment is formed, and Laws laid down, for its corresponding Miniature on the Eye.

2. If the Miniature be seen, and Distance known by Mensuration; the Mind forms a Judgment of its tangible Magnitude.

3. And lastly, if the Miniature be seen, and Magnitude of a tangible Object is known by Mensuration; the Mind makes an Effort, to the Estimation of its Distance from the Eye.

These are some, among many Modes of Comparison, by which the Mind acquires a tolerable Degree of Proficiency, in estimating Distances of familiar Objects, known from the Appearance of their respective Miniatures on the Fund or Bottom of the Eye.

And so far most Theories agree.

But such ocular Test is only true, while the Comparison is made in nearly the same Medium.

For an Object, if seen at the same Distance along the Ground, will appear less as it rises above it; and least in the Zenith; as the Sun and Moon, at Setting or Rising, appear large and oval; but at their greatest Elevation, are small and round: because being seen, when passed out of a Medium impregnated with Vapours, which in some Measure intercept the Rays of Light: for the fainter⁠[50] a distant Object appears, the greater it is apprehended to be.⁠[51]

Possibly indeed an Object at the same Distance, if brighter at one Time than another, will contract the Pupil in Proportion to its Brightness: which may have the same Effect, as if the Object had made a smaller Miniature on the Retina; and will regularly strike the Mind with an Idea of Magnitude, only equal to its corresponding Contraction; i. e. less, when the Object is bright, and greater when faint.

225. If a like Reasoning be applied to the Ascent of Balloons; and it be said that they do not rise so high as is imagined, because their Magnitude is diminished, merely from being elevated into a Portion of the Atmosphere least impregnated with Vapours; it will follow, that to a Spectator in the Balloon; known Objects on the Surface of the Earth below,—being seen from a rarer into a denser Medium, also into one which contains a great Quantity of Vapours;—shoud appear larger, than when seen along the Ground, at a Distance equal to its Height in the Balloon: all which is contrary to Matter of Fact: particularly if the Barometer gives a proper Estimate of the Height, of which there is little Doubt: a proper Allowance being made, in certain Cases, on Account of the Refraction: for, as before mentioned, (Section 44) Objects seen from the Balloon at a Mile and Half barometric Height, continued, with invariable Uniformity, to suggest the Idea of at least seven Miles.

226. By a general Comparison of Enclosures, and of separate Buildings when they coud be distinguished from the Balloon above the Region of Cloud, with the most distant Extremities, (on the horizontal Level) of Fields or Houses situated along the Sides of Hills or Mountains, at a known Distance by Miles, making Allowance for their being seen in a straight Line;—the latter seemed at least five Times larger than the former: supposing them at equal Distances.

To give an Instance. Supposing the most distant Extremities of a known Building or Enclosure, situated on the Side of a Hill or Mountain, presented a Miniature of a familiar Magnitude to the Eye of the Spectator on the Ground, at the known Distance of a Mile and Half; the same Object when seen from the Balloon at the same barometric Height, appeared full five Times less.

This Comparison was made by Memory, the Morning after the Excursion, tho’ suggested while in the Balloon, from the wonderful Minuteness of all Objects then presented to the Eye.

The Author being likewise familiarized to judge of Heights; having been on several of the chief Mountains in Europe: also, of comparative Distances, from his Situation near a large City, in a populous, enclosed Country; on a high Plain, within View of the Sea, Mountains, Hills, Enclosures, Buildings, and Objects whose Magnitude and Distances were known.

227. The Balloon itself, a Globe twenty-five Feet in Diameter, was seen in the Air on the Day of Ascent, at the Distance of 19 Miles.

228. The Reason already given, for the Solution of the famous Question concerning the apparent Magnitude of the horizontal Moon, seems no less applicable to Objects on the Earth’s Surface, when seen from the Balloon: which Diminution of Objects below confirms the Defect of Dr. Smith’s Hypothesis.

For, as they appeared extremely bright; being shone on by the Sun, and seen throu’ the Air in a perpendicular Line, containing the least possible Quantity of Vapour; the Brightness must have exceeded that of the same Objects, when seen along the Ground: and consequently the Miniatures of the former must have been less than the latter, and also their respective Distances seem greater.

CHAPTER XXXXI. — CONJECTURES ON THE CAUSES WHICH INFLUENCE THE DESCENT OF BALLOONS IN THEIR PASSAGE OVER WATER.

1.COnjectures concerning the regular Tendency of the Balloon to descend on its Approach towards water.

2. Its greatest Descent, when in the Zenith, over the Middle of Rivers.

3. Recovery and Re-ascent to the former Level, as it recedes from them.

Section 229. Article 1. On the first Ascent in the Castle-Yard, Chester, the Balloon gently moved towards the River Dee, and the Sea.

And woud probably have gone out to Sea, if the ascensive Power had not presently raised it above the Influence of the Water; into an upper Current of Air, which was visible at that Time, and for two Hours before the Ascent, by the Motion of superior Clouds in a safe Direction towards the Land.

229. 2. The Balloon was affected in passing across the River Goway, and Trafford Meadows, which are a Mile wide: first moving Westward, and again towards the Sea; making several Curves: then resting and lingering between Great and Little Barrow: as the Aironaut was well informed by Persons of Veracity, who observed it: his Attention being engaged at that Time by other Objects.

229. 3. A proportionable Effect was observed in crossing a small Brook near Alvanley.

229. 4. The River Wever and its broad Meadows above Frodsham-Bridge actually stopped the farther Progress of the Balloon: tho’ its Course was merely across the River.

The Deviation was gently tho’ invariably towards the sea: and, if not timely prevented, the Balloon must have fallen in the Middle of the Channel.

229. 5. The same Case woud have happened on the Re-ascent at Bellair; if the levitating Force had not as at first, overcome the Influence of the waters, and lifted the Balloon into the same upper Current, which continued to move in its former safe Direction.

229. 6. Different Branches of the Duke of Bridgewater’s Canal near Preston-Brook might possibly affect it in a small Degree: and, tho’ Clouds a little afterwards, secluded the Aironaut from a Sight of the Earth; yet the Balloon was known to hang, for some Time, over the Mersey near Warrington.

229. 7. The Balloon descended and alighted on the Middle of a large Tract of wet Moss Ground.

The Writer saw Sadler’s Balloon rise at Manchester, the 11th May, 1785, and descend near Blencow-Bridge, at the Conflux of two Rivers.

The above Facts give sufficient Indications of the constant Tendency which Balloons have, to descend on Water.

CHAPTER XXXXII.

Section 230. THREE Causes seem generally to concur in producing the Effect of Descent, over Water.

1. The Water itself.

2. The Air above it.

3. Change of Temperature,

Section 231. Article 1. So long as Gass escapes from the Balloon; it will be instantly and reciprocally attracted, throu’ the Crevices, by the Moisture contained in the Air, particularly over Rivers: its specific Gravity within the Balloon, woud be encreased,⁠[52] and consequently the Balloon itself rendered less buoyant:

The Gass woud, on the contrary, be repelled by electric Air: which woud lessen its Tendency to escape, throu’ the Pores of the Silk.

But it is presumed that Air-tight Balloons will be little affected by external Moisture.

231. 2. Moist Air over Water being generally cooler than over the adjacent Land, will, so long as the Gass continues at its former Temperature, assist and raise the Balloon thus moving into a denser Stratum: but no sooner is the Balloon contracted by the external Cold, than it descends into a Medium of Air, whose specific Gravity is proportionable to the contracted Bulk of the Balloon, and rests when equal to it.

231. 3. Water is also a Conductor of Electricity, tho’ a feeble one: and there is moreover a strong chemical Affinity between water, inflammable Air, Gasses, Floguiston, and Electricity.⁠[53]

231. 4. Water will therefore conduct the Gass to itself: i. e. will draw the Balloon downwards, and with accelerating Velocity; as the Attraction is stronger, the nearer the Water.

231. 5. But if the Air over the Water be warmer than that over Land; then the Balloon, moving into a warmer Medium, as over the Sea in frosty Weather, most undoubtedly descends: till the included Gass has received the additional Encrease of Temperature from that of the Air, at which Time it will have a Tendency to re-ascend, and will rest suspended in Equilibrio, as in the former Case.

The above Causes however may be considered, as trivial.

The first may be avoided by making the Balloon Air-tight: and the second easily guarded against by throwing out a little Ballast.

The only formidable one, if any, is

the depression of the atmosphere.

This it will be necessary to consider with some Degree of Attention.

CHAPTER XXXXIII.

Section 232. WHOEVER consults Antiquity,⁠[54] or is acquainted with modern Mèteorism, will ascent to the Truth of the Facts there recited, viz. That the Storms of dispersion called Prester-John, and Ox-Eye over Table Bay at the Cape of Good-Hope (not to mention those of collection, as Whirlwinds⁠[55] and Waterspouts;) descend on Sea and Land from the middle Regions of the Air, often perpendicularly downwards: and then blow violently from a Center, to all Parts of the Compass at once: a necessary Consequence of their beating forcibly upon the Land or Water.

The Ancients maintained that the Origin, of Wind was a mere Depression and Percussion from the Cold of the middle Region: and it shoud be remarked that their Observations were made on the Continent, and in warm Climates.

Now what is seen to Excess in the hottest and coldest Climates;⁠[56] most probably takes Place, in a less Degree, in temperate ones.

Therefore, on a Change of Weather, the upper Atmosphere descends: whether its Effects are Cold, as in Winter; Warmth, as in Spring; Wind or Wet; at the proper Seasons of the Year.

233. The Balloon, with which Dicker Junior ascended at Bristol, April 19, 1784, on a windy Day, proved the Truth of the Conjecture: for tho’ the Aironaut threw out most of his Ballast; yet after each Ascent and Recovery, he was repeatedly darted downwards even with the Ground.⁠[57]

234. A similar Event happened to Crosbie, in his Passage over the Sea from Dublin to England; for, tho’ he too discharged his Ballast, the Wind kept him down and even with the Water.

The Weather at that Time seems to have been an Εκνέφιας, Procella, Percussion, Squall, or Tornado, i. e. a Storm of depression, and dispersion.

235. The Eknèfiai Winds come from cool Points on each Side the North.

Bacon also observes that all boisterous Winds, as Procella, Typho, and Turbo, have the evident Direction of a Precipice, or Projection downwards, more than other Winds: they seem to rush down like a Torrent or Cascade: and are then reverberated or beat back from the Earth, in all Directions.

Stubble, Corn, or Hay in the Meadows are raised, and spread around in the Form of an extended canopy, (inverted Cone, elliptic Solid, and hyperbolic Curve.) See “Bacon’s Historia Ventorum”, Pag. 43, ad Articulum 10.⁠[58]

236. If then it be allowed to reason from that Analogy which took Place in most of the Cases already mentioned; the gentler Depression. of Balloons over Water in milder Weather, may be owing to a Cause somewhat similar, tho’ not so evidently an immediate Object of the Senses, viz. an actual tho’ invisible Descent of Air upon the Water.

237. Blanchard in his Passage over the Sea from Dover to Bologne in France, when near the Middle of the Channel, suffered an unexpected Depression, and at the same Time was nearly becalmed.

A calm also took Place on the Irish Sea: which must have prevented Crosbie from landing,—without Wings, or some propulsive Machinery, connected with the Balloon.

238. Lunardi rose from Liverpool when the Wind blew boisterously: yet was becalmed twenty Minutes over the broad Turn of the Mersey near Ince, when above the Level of the Wind: and, descending into the same Stream of Wind, was hurried along towards Beeston-Castle in Cheshire.

CHAPTER XXXXIV. — OBJECTION TO THE THEORY REMOVED.

Section 239. THE Existence of depressing Columns of Air was well known to a People more ancient than either Romans or Greeks.

240. The sultry Climate of Egypt, whose Situation is that of an extensive Meadow watered by a broad River, and enclosed by Mountains to the East and West; consequently not subject to general horizontal Currents of Air, except along the Line of its Meridian,—is the Country, wherein Columns of cool Air descending on the Water, woud be soon observed.

And they, in Fact, were almost the only People who applied the Observation to common Life: having, according to Herodotus, as well as later Writers, built lofty Structures open at the top. By which Means the cool Air rushing downwards greatly refreshed the Inhabitants.

The ancient Pantheon, at present called All Saints Church, now standing at Rome; built in the lowest Situation of a Street named the Piazza di Navona is on this Construction: and the Hint probably taken from an Egyptian Model.

241. In all inland Countries, whose Lakes are frequently surrounded by Mountains, as Bala-Pool in North-Wales; those of Westmoreland and Cumberland; the Lake of Geneva in Swisserland;—the Air rushes forcibly on the Surface of the Water in descending Torrents: this the Writer has frequently observed.⁠[59]

(In other Languages, the Words applicable to Wind on a Lake, or the Ocean, signify Descent: as, Καταβαινω, and Επικειμαι· also the Northerly or descending Wind corresponded to the Εκνὲφιας while the Southerly or ascending Wind answered to the Απογη.)

All this, which may be allowed to take Place in bad Weather, may perhaps be excepted to, in fine, and still more so, in the finest Weather.

As the slightest Change is first observable on the Surface of Water, whether on Lakes or the Ocean, the Descent of Air in the finest Weather is familiar to Mariners by the Appellation of light airs, playing in Eddies: and particularly in the variable Latitudes; i. e. between 32 and 42: to these the Writer can also witness: as well as on small and large inland Lakes, by partial Dimplings and Rufflings of the Surface.

242. It may be objected to the above Theory, that the Wind plainly blows in an horizontal Direction, as may be seen from the Motion of Clouds and Trees.

To which it may be answered, that if Clouds are not beside the Question; as it is not asserted that a single Column of Air presses from so great a Height to the Earth; (tho’ it be the Case in Squalls;) yet it is extremely difficult to determine whether Clouds move in a Direction exactly parallel to the Plane of the Horizon: and it is much more probable that they are in a perpetual Change, encreasing or melting; rising or falling, according to the Pressure and specific Gravity of the Medium in which they float; its Tendency to Moisture or Driness, Cold or Heat; also the different Combinations and Decompositions, with Respect to which, the Atmosphere is in perpetual Variation.

The Motion of Trees, if carefully attended to, seldom shew Effects of a regular horizontal Current.

And since the more powerful the Wind; the more evident and accurate may be the Observation; it will be found, that the first general Effect is an oblique Depression, succeeded by a Recovery or instant Exaltation: then a momentary Pause, or actual Retreat of the Wind; and in a few Seconds, a Return of the depressing Torrent.

But the strongest, and, at the same Time, an irrefragable Proof, is by Appeal to Men of Science in the Navy, or to skilful Pilots, who are conversant with Winds and Waves; who have weathered Storms off Cape Hatteras in Latitude 36; (where probably the Wind is perpetual;) or have made an East-India Voyage:—whether, if a Gale blew in an horizontal Direction only; the Ocean coud produce such an Inequality of Surface: or whether when the Sea runs mountains high; the tremendous Surges must not arise from the violent Action of Winds repeated at Intervals, sometimes descending perpendicularly; but oftener in forcible elastic Torrents of oblique depression, and instant Resilition?

CHAPTER XXXXV.

Section 243.INtimations of depressing Columns in moderate Weather, are the sluggish Clouds, which often make their first Appearance, and remain longest, nay almost continually, over and along great Rivers, and Chains of Mountains, both during a Calm, or from whatever Point the Wind blows.

And hence the greater Quantity, Violence, and Continuance of Wind and Rain, which then descend:⁠[60] also of the greater Purity of the Air during such Descent.

244. As, therefore, it is plain that atmospheric Air descends frequently, both in bad and fine Weather; if a Cause can be assigned so general, as to make it probable, that such depression does almost continually take Place:—tho’ at present the Effect is only evident to the Senses, by actual Experiment in the Passage of Balloons throu’ such Columns;—it will be sufficient to put Balloonists on their Guard against the Effects of such Depression.

245. In order to investigate the Theory of Depression; it may not be unacceptable, particularly to those who have not had Leisure to peruse the Experiments on Air, by Dr. Priestley, or the Collection on the same Subject by Cavallo;—just to extract a few short Quotations, on the chemical Affinities of Air and Water.

246. Article 1. “Water, as Rain, imbibes only the pure Air of the upper Regions, leaving the lighter and floguisticated Air to ascend.”⁠[61]

246. 2. Felìcè Fontana says, “Common Air receives an Encrease of Bulk and Elasticity from being shaken in Water.”⁠[62]

246. 3. Air absorbs Water, and Water absorbs Air:⁠[63] and the Absorption of Air by Water is promoted by Agitation: it also absorbs twice as much defloguisticated Air, as common Air:⁠[64] the whole Bulk of the Air absorbed being equal to one-twelfth of the Bulk of the Water: yet the Bulk of the Water seems but little encreased: the Air being contained within the Interstices of the Water.

247. The following is a pretty and an easy Experiment, to shew how the absorption of water by air takes Place, under the immediate Inspection of the Observer.

Admitting the Sun’s Light into a Room, throu’ one Window only; pour a Pint of boiling Water into a large Bason: hold the Bason, which will not be half full, next the Light, in such a Manner, that the Sun may shine on the Water and Bason; yet the Eyes be shaded by the Top of the Window Frame.

Incline the Side of the Bason towards the Light, so that the Water may rise even with the Top.

The Eye being placed just above the upper Side of the Bason, farthest from the Light; look on the Water.

You may then observe the Surface of the Water next the Light, refract the Sun’s Rays, and produce the primary Colours, particularly the red and green: which tho’ transient, continue to be seen in Succession; as Vapours rise above the Surface of the Water. Their first Ascent is plainly discoverable: remaining above its Surface, in the Form of small Dust, gently agitated, not separately but as a whole. Nor do they seem to rise into Steam, till assisted by the Action, and Contact of dry Air, which like dry Spunges, licks off and absorbs the small Dust already accumulated by the Force of the Heat from below, and then becomes visible under the Appearance of Steam, flying off in distinct hollow Vesicles.

The more still the Air of the Room, the more slowly will the Spunges of Air come in Contact with the Body of small Dust.—Besides the small Dust already mentioned; the Heat will detach solid Globules of Water; which will remain floating on the Surface of the Body of Water: till the dry Air descends and transports them with it; the Air at the same Instant dissolving the solid Globules into hollow Vesicles.

But the most extraordinary Phenomenon, and which cannot be mistaken, is, that as soon as a Spunge of Air has dipped into the Surface of Water, and received its Lading; the Vesicles continue to accumulate, till another fresh Spunge descends in a similar Form, which may be traced upon the Surface of the Water, and seen in its Shadow, or rather in Beams of Light at the Bottom of the Bason, at the Instant it has flown off with its Burden: for that Part of the Surface of the Water transmits new Rays of Light, on Removal of the Vapour carried away by the Dip and Play of Air.

248. The Removal of the Vapour, likewise exhibits a curious Appearance on the Surface of the Water: which seems as if divided into irregular Parcels detached from each other; like the reticular Daplings visible on the under Side of Clouds elevated to the highest Stratum of the Atmosphere, and there evaporating or dissolving.

249. So powerful is the Attraction between Air and Water; that, while the Steam is rising above and round the Sides of the Bason; Waves of fresh Air, by Intervals, press the exterior Parts of the Steam inwards, in order to get at the Surface by descending into the Bason.

This Operation is best discovered, when the Bason is held even. And the whole Process may be observed more distinctly, if the Bason is raised and fixed on a Frame, near the Height of the Eye of the Observer, standing upright: who will then be able to trace minutely the exact Form of the Steam, and Insinuation of the Waves of Air into the Center of each Curl, or rising Curvature: an Appearance, similar to which, may be seen in Water flowing from a small Orifice in a close Vessel; the fresh Air forcibly entering in an opposite Direction; forming a visible Cavity and Curvature in the Center of the Stream. See Halley’s Experiments on Evaporation in the open Air, and in a close Room, in Lowthorp’s Abridgement of the Phil. Trans. Vol. 2, P. 108.

Having once remarked the foregoing Process at Leisure; the same may be seen over any open Vessel of Water just warm enough to emit visible Steam: but the Air shoud be as still and calm as possible: the Steam never rising from all Parts of the Surface at once; but a depressing Spunge of Air always descends to the Surface, the Instant a Lamina of Vapour has been detached.

Such is the regular and invariable Process of Evaporation.

The same Process may be distinctly traced over the Surface of a Piece of Water or River, the Air being perfectly calm, in a gentle Frost, at Sunrise, particularly in Autumn, while the Water retains a Warmth superior to that of the Air.

250. Hence it follows that as much light⁠[65] and warm Air as is raised with the Steam by Evaporation from the Surface of any Water; so much heavy and cool Air is instantaneously, constantly, and forcibly depressed upon its Surface, in order to supply the Vacancy, restore the Equilibrium, and continue the Evaporation.⁠[66]

251. Now, besides the mutual Affinity that Water has to almost all Kinds of Air, and to Floguiston; added to its Power of Absorption; and as the sea, particularly in Summer, also rivers and damp meadows are generally cooler than the Lands and Countries bordering on them; Currents of damp cool Air press forwards to supply the Defect or Vacancy caused by Heat, Rarefaction and Elevation of dry warm Air, which is necessarily, and almost constantly rising into the Atmosphere, from heated Lands, Plains, and gentle Eminences long shone on by the Sun.

252. Consequently the pure, cool, defloguisticated Atmosphere, is almost continually descending from above; sometimes imperceptibly, often forcibly, on the Surface of the Sea, the Channels of Rivers, Meadows, and all wet Land. Which Depression acts, in Proportion to its Strength, on the Balloon; and always with a sensible Effect: for, being in Equilibrio with the Air at all stationary Heights; the least Depression of the Atmosphere makes the Balloon descend, considerably.

253. This Reasoning is, in many Cases, applicable to the Air, and consequently the Weather and Cold of Mountains.

Nor can it otherways be accounted for, why the Snow is perpetual, and the Cold so intense, on Mountains under the Equinoctial, and between the Tropics: but which admits an easy Solution on the above Hypothesis.⁠[67]

CHAPTER XXXXVI.

Section 254. THE Subject of depressing torrents requires an accurate Investigation: as it will serve to point out the proper Time of Day or Night, when an Aironaut ought so to calculate his Voyage, as to arrive over the Middle of the Channel, or Arm of the Sea, at some particular Hour: in order to wait for a Sea Breeze which may waft him to the other Side.

A Point not difficult to be ascertained.

Also, this Idea of depression, if properly considered and digested; may prove a sufficient Foundation on which to establish a new Theory of the Weather, so ill determined at present, from its aggregate Weight or Elasticity only, as indicated by the Barometer.

255. If a Conjecture may be formed on a Subject, material in itself, yet of which so little is actually known; woud not the proper Time of undertaking a Voyage over the Channel be such, that the Aironaut shoud find himself three Parts of the Way across, by nine o’Clock in the Morning?

256. In warmer Climates, where the Seasons are more regular; the Land-Breeze blows to Sea from Midnight till X. in the Morning: at which Time, the Sea-Breeze blows to Land; continues till V. or VI. in the Evening; and is succeeded by a calm, which lasts till Midnight.

Whence it follows, that during the Time of the Sea-Breeze, there is a constant Tendency towards a gulph of air, along the Middle of the Channel: the Equilibrium of which is as constantly supplied by a Depression of the upper and in general cooler Strata of Air; and therefore a dangerous Time for the Passage of Balloons.

On the contrary, during the Night, and till ten in the Morning, there is an Accumulation of Air, along the Middle of the Channel: which consequently is a proper Time to ensure a safe Passage; by the Assistance of wings, or some propulsive Machinery.

257. The Deficiency or Vacuity being supplied from the etherial Regions; it might be taken for granted, that such Ether must be considerably lighter than the adjacent common Air on an equal Level, and therefore proportionably dangerous for the Passage of Balloons.

But if it be considered that such Air, acting as a wedge, or more probably in the Form of an hyperbòlic Solid,⁠[68] to fill up the Vacuity, descends with Rapidity from a colder Atmosphere impregnated with aqueous Vapours invisible from below; and that both the Air and Vapour have reciprocal Affinities and Attractions, electric and mechanical, with the Body of Water beneath them; and are often rendered still cooler by its constant Agitation and Evaporation; also, that the Supply being immediate and cotemporary, with the double tide of air flowing from the middle over the opposite Shores;—there possibly may be little or no Difference between the aggregate or barometric Gravity of such Columns, and those which are formed by the Sea-Breeze on either Side of them: therefore the Descent of Balloons is owing, among other Causes, to an almost perpendicular actual Depression of the superincumbent Atmosphere.⁠[69]

Following up the Idea of a Sea-Breeze, blowing, at a Medium, for 20 Miles over Land; altho’ the Stratum of the lower current of Air, or Sea Breeze, may not exceed half a mile in depth, measuring from the Ground upwards; nearly equal to 26 Inches of the Barometer above, the Thermometer also above being at 55, i. e. Temperate:—yet this Observation may prove of essential Service, while the upper current of Air, i. e. the general Wind blows towards the Sea, (which will be found to take Place more frequently than is, at present, imagined;) or while the Balloon is influenced that Way; as was the Case with Sadler and his Companion when over the Nore: who, on his accidental and sudden Descent, fortunately found Safety in the sea-breeze.

Which Breeze was sought for, and made Use of by the Author, when in the Balloon, near Frodsham, in Cheshire.

For, as the Sea-Breeze is pretty general, Aironauts shoud not be too apprehensive: as they have it in their Power, by proper Management, to drop into the Breeze—for either shore: if they are provided with a Machinery to waft themselves across the intermediate depressing or accumulating mediocèanal column of air: which Space, between the two Shores, is, as before hinted, frequently becalmed.

258. Further: as the above Theory of a mediocèanal Depression seems to receive additional Confirmation from each Balloon Experiment; Lunardi descending on the 5th of October last, when near the Middle of the Bay of Edinburgh or Firth of Forth;—it may be found prudent, to keep the Balloon continually rising, till the Aironaut is one-third of the Passage over.

258. 2. For if the general Wind in the upper Current be not strong; the Aironaut may expect to be becalmed, with Respect to the horizontal Direction of the Current, the Instant he finds, by the Rise of the Barometer, that the Balloon descends; i. e. when it is acted upon by the depressing Column: in which Case, the higher he has soared, the safer: as he will have more Room and greater Latitude for Exertion by Means of the Machinery: which Machinery will be greatly aided by the Force of the descending Column or Gravity; and will act on a similar Principle with the Ferry-Boats over the River Po in Italy; which are a Sort of horizontal Pendulum. For the Aironauts will continue to descend, at the same Time that their Wings furnish the Means of a progressive Motion.

Therefore, before the Time that the Balloon has reached the Surface of the Water; they will have crossed the depressing Column; and find themselves wafted gently by the new Sea-Breeze setting in towards the opposite Shore.

259. If the Aironaut rises up to Sea with a Wind blowing from the Land on each of the opposite Sides of the Channel, and arrives above the Middle of the Channel, while the same Wind remains; it is probable that the Balloon will continue to rise higher as he proceeds towards the Middle, where the mediocèanal accumulation has for some Hours taken Place; and therefore he need not be under any Apprehension of falling: but, as before, it being probable he will also be becalmed; the Necessity of propulsive Machinery is equally urgent, in order to pass the Center of the Accumulation: after which, the Balloon will ride Home to the opposite Shore in the new Sea-Breeze, by that Time, just beginning to set in.

260. With the Assistance of propulsive Machinery, it is imagined the Aironaut may be enabled in a few Minutes to force throu’ the calm mediocèanal Accumulation, or Depression: after which, he will have little Occasion to make Use of it.

261. Sunrise is, probably, the safest Time of all, to ascend towards the Sea, with an Air-tight Balloon: arriving with the Assistance of the Wings, throu’ the calm mediocèanal Accumulation: and there waiting till the new Sea-Breeze sets in to the opposite Shore.

CHAPTER XXXXVII.

Section 259. IT may be observed here, that the two Difficulties proposed by Sauffure, are, in a great Measure, removed; in admitting the Doctrine of mediocèanal Depression, and consequent alternate Accumulation,

In a distinct Chapter, treating of the Variation of the Barometer, which he allows has Need of farther Explanation; he asks (Page 308) what Reasons can be assigned, why the East Winds, which are cold and dry, make the Barometer descend, in England and Holland: yet, the West Winds, which are moist and temperate, make it rise?

The East Winds here blow chiefly in Spring.

Now it is universally agreed, that the Sea, is sooner heated by the Sun than the Land: and on Account of the marine Acid exhaled,⁠[70] is also less cold,⁠[71] during that Season, in the same Latitude.

In Spring, therefore, the great Atlantic or Western Ocean, being less cold than England, Holland, and Eastwards; the Air pendent over the most extensive Tract of dry and cool Land in the World, rushes Westwards to supply the Equilibrium of warm light Air rising upwards, and causing a temporary mediocèanal Accumulation: which (altho’ the specific Gravity of the cold Air is greater) must produce an actual Deficiency in the aggregate Weight of the Atmosphere over England and Holland: consequently the Barometer falls.

Again: the West Winds which blow at other Seasons; if, in Winter; are not frequent, except about Noon after frosty Nights which have equalized the Air for the Transmission of vigorous Sunshine: and shoud be looked upon as (what they are really observed to be) low partial Sea-Breezes, or eddy Currents, insinuating themselves near the Surface, and setting Eastwards frequently against the upper and more general Winds; and therefore produce a temporary Accumulation.

If, in Summer; the Supply of cool Air to the heated Land, being made not only from the Northern Ocean, and lofty Mediterrànean Mountains; but also from the Atlantic Breezes; the latter, tho’ moist and temperate, must also tend towards an Accumulation of the Atmosphere over England and Holland: and therefore the Barometer rises.

CHAPTER XXXXVIII.

Section 260. BEFORE the Subject of mediocèanal Accumulation and Depression of Air, is wholly quitted; it may be well mention and compare a few Facts and Observations, which will elucidate the Doctrine; and in their Turn, receive Light from it.

261. If, in the Middle of a hot sunny Day, Vapours lighter than the Air, were to rise from the Ocean, (which they will continue to do, in hollow Vesicles or Bladders, till the Expansion breaks the Bubble, at which Time the Water woud fall to the Earth, if not drank up by the Attraction of dry Spunges of Air;) there woud be a constant Wind blowing from Land to Sea, to fill up the Chasm: but at such Time, the Land is more heated than the Sea: therefore hot Air and Vapour arise from both; and the Breeze, on the contrary, blows from Sea to Land; consequently if the Vacuities were not continually supplied from the etherial Regions, and from the Ocean, all Animals woud actually die, for Want of Air, as in a hot close Room.

Such Supply is therefore constantly made, by Depression of the Atmosphere, and Absorption of the Water.

262. What happens on a great Scale, above the Ocean, as before hinted; probably, happens on a smaller, over Channels or Arms of the Sea: and on a still smaller; over and along Rivers, Brooks, wet Meadows, and damp Grounds.

263. In the variable Latitudes on the Atlantic Ocean; cool fresh Air is supplied from above, by descending Vortices of Wind and Showers: i. e. Storms of collection.⁠[72]

264. It may be remarked, in Confirmation of the above Doctrine, that triangular or Latteen Sails are used, and more useful, in a Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by high Lands, from which the Wind suddenly descends in Squalls; than in the open Atlantic, where the Wind is more equal.

264. 2. Perhaps there cannot be a better Account of the depressing Torrent of Air, than that which Bacon has given, in describing the Motion of Wind on the Sails of Ships, in a Squall.

“All Wind acting on the Sails of a Vessel, tends to depress or sink it. Wherefore in strong Gales, they first haul down the Yards, and take in the Topsails: afterwards all the Sails: cut away the Masts: throw the Lading overboard, the Guns, &c. to lighten the Vessel, and keep her above Water.”⁠[73]

CHAPTER XXXXIX.

Section 265. WITH Respect to Mountains: on reading what Travellers have written, particularly Ullòa;⁠[74] they seem to answer the Intention of supplying cool Air to the surrounding Plains, or Continents; by Depression and Condensation: and also, if on Islands; to the Sea itself.

266. Brydone, in his Tour throu’ Sicily and Malta, in 1773;⁠[75] giving an Account of his Ascent to the Top of Etna, says, that at the Foot of the Crater, the Snow was frozen hard and solid:⁠[76] and that the Crater was so hot; it was impossible to descend into it.

Further: “that the Smoke rolled down from the Sides, like a Torrent: till of equal Gravity with the Air, when it shot off horizontally; forming a long Track, according to the Direction of the Wind: which there rose to a violent Degree: so that it was with Difficulty he coud settle the Barometer for an Observation.”

He also adds “that Clouds began to gather round the Mountain; but were dispelled by the Wind.”

Now from the foregoing Theory is it not probable to suppose, that a Torrent of Air rushed continually down from the etherial Regions, not only to supply the Fire of the Crater; but also the Vacuity caused by the perpetual Elevation of Vapours and heated Air from below: the Torrent likewise depressing into the Track with itself, the Volumes of Smoke which were seen to roll directly down the Sides of the Mountain: that this descending Torrent of Air, in its Progress, dispelled the Clouds forming round the Sides of the Mountain, by the Ascent of warm Vapours condensing, as they rose, on their Approach to the cold Mountain: the Smoke shooting horizontally, from that Height only, at which an horizontal Current of Air began to take Place? For it can hardly be imagined that the Air at the Top of Etna, found to be “electrical,” and which must have been replete with a Mixture of Floguiston, inflammable Air, Gasses, and other aërial Fluids highly rarefied, heated, dry, (and consequently lighter,) at the Instant of rising out of the glowing Cauldron, became so condensed as to fall like Water, without partaking of the Motion of a violent Wind, supposed to blow in an horizontal Direction.

267. Glas, in his Account of Teneriffe,⁠[77] reports, that the Clouds are generally half as high as the Peak, above the Sea,⁠[78] i. e. according to him, near the Height of a Mile and Half: “below which Clouds, the North Easterly Winds generally prevail: and, at the same Time, above them, we find a fresh Westerly Gale: which I believe to be the Case in every Part of the World when the trade wind blows.”

In Page 253, he says, that in ascending above the Level of the Clouds, he found the Air sharp, cold and piercing: and the Wind blew strong from South West, and West South West: so that the Wind blew towards the Mountain from three different Points at least, viz. the Trade Wind, from North East below the Clouds; just above them, from South West: and still higher, a fresh Gale, from West.

“The Air on the Top of the Pike was thin, cold, piercing; and of a dry parching Nature, like the South Easterly Winds which I have felt in the great Desert of Africa, or the Levanters in the Mediterranean: or even not unlike those dry easterly Winds which are frequent in the Northern Parts of Europe, in clear Weather, in the Months of March or April,” Page 257.

This dry Wind answers to the Eknèfiai (before mentioned) i. e. Wind descending from the clouds.

Glas further observes (Page 250) that the Clouds, in fine Weather, descend gradually towards Evening, and rest on the Woods till Morning: when they re-ascend, and remain suspended above them, till the succeeding Evening.

Here then a nocturnal Depression of the Atmosphere is obvious. But this Appearance will not prove that the Air does not descend below the Level of the Clouds: for, tho’ the Clouds descend with the Air; Vapour-Air, of which they are composed, becomes transparent both by Dissolution, in a warmer Stratum, and Proximity to the Earth, as before mentioned.

268. From the Variety of Winds experienced at different Heights, not only on Teneriffe, but in different Places; it is plain, that if Balloons can be made durable and Air-tight; they may be wasted between the Tropics by an East or West Current at Pleasure: and also throu’out the Globe; the Occasion being made, in some Respect, subservient to the Time.⁠[79]

CHAPTER L. — CORROBORATING PROOFS OF A DEPRESSION.

Sect. 268. Art. 1. THE Author is well informed, that, during an Engagement at Sea;—in ten Minutes after the Action has commenced;—tho’ it blew a Gale before; (that is, tho’ it blew violently;) the Agitation of the Air, arising from the Explosion of the great Guns, and small Arms, woud counteract the Wind, and produce a dead Calm.

268. 2. Quere: does not the new elastic Air, produced from the Nitre,⁠[80] give an instantaneous Compression and Dilatation to the incumbent atmospheric Air, round the Place of Action, while the lighter floguisticated Air passes throu’ it, raising, and affecting to its highest Limit, the whole Atmosphere. And does not the Effect of a sudden Calm, suppose the Wind to descend from above with a Kind of saltatory Motion, instantly counteracted by the new elastic Air?—For if the Wind be supposed to blow sideways or horizontally, to any considerable Height above the Water, woud not the fresh lateral Air glide away, and prevent the Continuance of the Calm?

269. When a Squall happens, or only Rain falls; Air will rush from all Sides, and from above, to supply the Vacancy of the fallen Cloud and Vapour.

The Air immediately above must fall: the lateral Air gravitating towards other Places. Hence Cold, and a bright Sky after Rain.

270. The Theory of Accumulation may account for the frequent warm Rains in Winter, and during the Night.

For the preceding diurnal Accumulation over the Sea, may circulate during the Night, at a great Altitude, to restore the Equilibrium and Loss of cold Land Air sent by a low or Ground-Wind to Sea, during the Day-Time: particularly, as the Accumulation over the Sea, during Winter, is almost continual.

271. The Wind would more frequently be perceived to descend and rebound upwards, (Trials of which might be made by holding an Umbrella, extended at right Angles with its Axis, upright in the Hand;) if the same Opportunity offered, of opposing as great a Surface to it in a perpendicular, as is every Day done, in an horizontal Direction: for in walking, the whole Height of the Body, and half its Surface, is opposed horizontally to the Wind: but the Head only, which is covered, is opposed to the perpendicular Pressure.

272. As every Circumstance in the Order of Nature is so admirably contrived that each apparent Inconvenience rectifies itself; in heavy Winds continuing to blow from a cold Point; the Construction of the Atmosphere is such, that the warm light Air from the opposite Points will necessarily rise up and flow over the cold Stratum, and by their Tendency to an Equilibrium, will produce an Air less cold, before the same Wind is exhausted.

273. On the one Hand; it is probable, that, as cold Winds are heavy; the Eknèfiai Winds are covered with frequent Waves of the Apogay, or light warm Air rolling over them, frequently from the opposite Points.

274. On the other Hand, as the Apogay Winds are naturally light and warm, it is improbable that they shoud be frequently covered with Waves of cold heavy Air, rolling over them from Eknèfiai Points.

It may therefore be reasonably concluded, that the Eknèfiai Winds, when approaching or opposed to the Apogay, shoud be considered as Ground Winds, (i. e. Winds blowing next the Surface of the Earth, tho’ they be supposed at the same Time to descend) which receive the Apogay above them: and that the Apogay being warm light and moist, (which last will have the same Effect, as if they were more elastic;)⁠[81] being also more turbulent, and endued with greater Velocity, press back the Eknèfiai from the Surface of the Earth, and upwards; and at the same Time flow above them.

By which means the Eknèfiai partake of their Qualities;—become less cold, less heavy, and less dry.⁠[82]

CHAPTER LI.

Section 275. IF then this Reasoning be allowed; aërial Travellers will not be subject, when, at a considerable Height, even in Winter, to great Degrees of Cold, supposing that the Air does not actually freeze the Waters below; and the Apogay or Southerly Winds have continued for a few Days.

On the Contrary; Aironauts may expect Cold, encreasing with their Ascent, even in Summer, tho’ warm below; supposing the Eknèfiai or Northerly Winds to have continued but for a Day before the Ascent: they may possibly, indeed by soaring higher, rise into the regular Stratum of the warm Apogay floating above them.

276. From what has been said, there seems a Degree of Probability, that the Air for a Number of Miles, above warm cultivated Plains shoud differ materially in its Temperature, from Air above Mountains, or even on a Level with their Summits.

That the former Air, in moderate Weather, shoud continue warm and rarefied: while the latter is cool and condensed.

For the same Reason the Air over the Sea, on the Hours of Accumulation; i. e. during the Night, in Summer, and frequently in Winter, shoud be found warm and rarefied: especially during a Continuance of the Apogay Winds.

277. It is likewise probable that the Atmosphere will be found respirable at much greater Heights, than is at present imagined: during the Continuance of the Eknèfiai Winds; and also, on Account of the defloguisticated Air,⁠[83] which is drier and less elastic in Proportion to its Rarity.⁠[84]

278. The Height of 10 Miles seems not too great to limit human Respiration, shoud any Attempt be made, to soar with a Balloon in a mild Atmosphere; and particularly between the Tropics.⁠[85]

But an Objection woud be found in the Size of a Balloon sufficiently capacious to contain nearly 6 Times the Bulk to which the Gass woud necessarily expand itself, at the Height of 10 Miles.

279. It seems most likely that the primary Cause that will affect the Ascent of Balloons is the Difficulty of encreasing the Dimension of the Balloon: the Second, is from the excessive Cold; if the Wind blows from any Points of the North.

Supposing the Construction of the Atmosphere to be as represented by different Authors, (which, by the Way, is scarcely credible) ten Miles will perhaps be the utmost attainable Height.

280. There is a Circumstance relative to the Motion of the Air, which has not been sufficiently attended to: and bears some Analogy with that of a Thorough Air.

This Circumstance may not improperly be called the Reception and Dispersion of Air.

In cold Climates, it is an Object of Dread: in warm ones, a most desirable Piece of Luxury.

A gentle Undulation of the Air is perceived in Peru, and other hot Climates, by Persons sitting in Arbours sheltered from the Sun.

The surrounding Air is instantly contracted by Condensation, during the Absence of the Sun’s Rays, and therefore occupies a less Space: fresh Air is received, and as instantly dispersed by Expansion towards those Parts, which are the warmest, i. e. where there is least Resistance: so that a gentle Breeze is constantly kept up, probably by a Depression from above.⁠[86]

281. Analagous to this, are those Winds which generally rise early and die away at Sunset: the nocturnal Condensation of the Air being sufficient for the reception: as Air suffers some Compression without Tumult.

To demonstrate the Changes owing also to remote and invisible Causes least suspected; Boyle somewhere speaks of an Instrument he made, which was so nicely contrived, that he coud tell, while sitting in his own Apartment, whenever any detached Cloud passed beneath the Sun’s Disk. The Principle on which it acted seems to have been that of a Reception and Dispersion of Air that took Place within the shadow proceeding from the Cloud.

282. An oblique Argument supporting the Doctrine of Depression, asserted to take Place, in fair Weather, is that Wind drys up the Moisture from the Ground more than the Sun: and that March which is the windiest, is also the most drying, tho’ not the hottest Month.

Bacon, in his Enquiry into Motions and Undulations of the Air, uses a Metaphor, which tho’ somewhat facetious, is strictly philosophical.⁠[87] “For when winds lead the dance, it woud be agreeable to know the figure.”⁠[88]

And it is probable, that they really press the Earth with a saltatory progressive undulating Motion, descending in elastic Steps of sudden Compression; and rising with quick alternate ones, of Dilatation and Expansion.

Dicker’s Balloon gave Proof of this.

283. Lastly: the chill of Air which always takes Place over water, and moist Grounds, even in the finest weather, strongly favours the Reception and Dispersion of it, to the surrounding and more heated Lands: (which can only be supplied, as before mentioned, by Torrents of fresh Air gradually descending from the etherial or middle Region of the Atmosphere;) and seems to produce the same Effect, viz. a constant Breeze, with that of the Arbor, Shade, or Shelter from the Sun: also with that of the Shadow from the Cloud passing under his Disk, which affected a complete Thermometer and Hygrometer.

284. On a Change of Weather from Frost to Thaw, the Colour of the upper Air first alters from a clear and deep, to a dull and faint Blue, or to a muddy Haze, not distinguishable into Clouds, but visible above them; a vivid Brightness still remaining, for many Hours, to about 500 Yards above the Surface of the Earth.

Or, soft warm Showers fall gently, without Wind, or any apparent Change in its Direction.

All which seem to favour the Accumulation and Descent of warm Air, by Waves of the Apogay rolling over the Eknèfiai Winds.

CHAPTER LII.

Section 285.AS the safest Hour of the Day has been already pointed out, for the Ascent of those Aironauts, who propose to cross a Channel, or Arm of the Sea, in a Balloon Air-tight or nearly so: it may not be useless to throw out a few Hints on the properest Days in each Month, for the Ascent of Balloons.

286. It will perhaps be found true, that the more frequent Winds are generated near the Surface of the Earth: but that Storms are generated from above. Cold, Heat, Drought, and Moisture produce the more frequent and diurnal Winds: but the Conjunctions and Operations of the Moon and Planets contribute to the Production of Storms and other Inequalities of the Atmosphere: more especially the Moon: at the New and Full. These Attractions first affect the superior Parts of the Atmosphere.⁠[89]

287. “We are sure in the calmest Weather, to have some Breeze at Noon, and at full Tide.” Therefore, both are improper Times for Balloons to be at Sea: the Time of low Water and Midnight woud be best in those, if equal in other Respects.

Changes of Weather as to Wind or Calm happen about the New and Full Moon.⁠[90]

288. Varieties of Tide produced by the united or divided Forces of the Sun and Moon, occasion similar Changes in the Atmosphere nearly at the same Time.

For Instance, at the Time of the New Moon or Conjunction, i. e. when the Earth, Moon, and Sun, are nearly in a Line; the Moon being between them: also at the Time of the Full Moon; i. e. when the Moon, Earth, and Sun are nearly in a Line; and the Earth between them, which is called the Opposition.⁠[91]

In the first Case, the Moon and Sun attract the Atmosphere of the Earth conjointly, or with united Force: in the second Case; the Earth being between them, they act in Opposition to each other, still nearly in the same Line.

At these Times, the spring Tides are at the highest i. e. once every Fortnight; and in the two interval Weeks are the neap or lowest Tides: for a like Reason.

Because, in the latter Case, a Line supposed to be drawn from the Moon to the Earth, and another from the Earth to the Sun, woud form nearly a right Angle: or in other Words; because the Moon and Sun woud attract the Earth at right Angles to each other, or in a lateral Direction:—the Moon woud draw one Way and the Sun another:—their Forces woud be divided.

Now it is a Fact, that the Ocean is raised considerably twice every twenty-five Hours, by the Attraction of the Moon, when she comes to the Meridian. So that the Surface of the Sea, instead of putting on the Form of a Sphere, or Globe, will be changed into an oval Figure, whose longest Diameter being produced, woud pass throu’ the Moon.

In like Manner a similar Elevation must take Place, as often as the Sun is in the Meridian; either above or below the Horizon.

Moreover, this Elevation is greatest on the New and Full Moon, because the Moon and Sun do then conspire in their Attractions: and least in the Quarters: as they will then draw different Ways; the Difference of their Actions only producing an Effect.

Lastly, the Intumescence will be of a middle Degree, at the Times between the Quarters, and New and Full Moon.

289. As in the Ocean, so in the Air above it; a Tide of Air must roll along the Atmosphere, throu’ the whole Extent of it; and rise upwards twice in about 24 Hours.

And since the Height of the Atmosphere is computed by Halley at 45 Miles, and the Depth of the Ocean at an Average, but half a Mile; the Air will more easily and quickly obey the Attraction of the Moon and Sun, than the Tide of the Ocean: and, as it revolves in a Sphere which is about 100 Times larger than that of the Ocean, the Agitation and the Velocity of its Tide, will be something greater, in Proportion to its Elasticity, and inferior Density to the Water of the Ocean.⁠[92]

290. The Weight of the Air must now be considered.

The Weight of the Atmosphere in England does not exceed 31​1⁄2 Inches of Mercury in the Barometer: nor does the least Weight fall short of 28​1⁄2: the greatest Difference in the Weights may be taken at 2 Inches: dividing 30 (nearly equal to the whole Weight) by 2, the Answer is 15. So that the under Parts of the Atmosphere being pressed upon by about a fifteenth Part less Weight at one Time, than at another; the specific Gravity of the Air will sometimes be a fifteenth Part lighter.

But the Height of the Atmosphere being estimated at 45 Miles, which is equipoised by about 30 Inches; when equipoised by a fifteenth Part less Weight; (that is, dividing 45 Miles by 15; which amounts to the same as if a fifteenth Part of the whole Height was taken away; the Answer is 3 Miles;) shews that the Atmosphere is 3 Miles higher at one Time than at another, over certain Places; indicated by the Barometer at those Places.

Such an Accumulation of Air, arising only from Pressure or specific Gravity in one Part of the Atmosphere, and not in another; by its Tendency to an Equilibrium; and when to this Tendency is added its elastic Force;—must be productive of winds, descending Torrents, Inundations of Air, or Storms, near the Surface of the Earth: and nearly such a Difference in the Barometer has been known to happen in a few Hours.

Such Accumulation, however, is not properly the Tide of Air.

291. At the New and Full Moon, the united Attractions of the Moon and Sun raise the Spring Tides in the Ocean to the average Height of 10 Feet and a half.⁠[93]

And in the Moon’s Quarters, the Moon drawing one Way, while the Sun draws another, viz. at a right Angle, made by Lines from the Sun and Moon to the Earth’s Center; the average Height of the Neap Tides in the Ocean will be 6 Feet 7 Inches.

The same Attraction which raises Water 10 Feet and a half, will raise Air, whose Density is 800 Times less, to almost one third of that to which the whole Pressure of the Atmosphere can raise Fluids:⁠[94] Now it has been before seen, that the Pressure of the Atmosphere raised the Air 45 Miles: so that the Air is raised by the united Actions of the Moon and Sun, at the New and Full Moon, to one-third Part of 45; i. e. to 15 Miles. And for the same Reason, the Air is raised at the Moon’s Quarters to 10 Miles:⁠[95] the Difference between which is 5 Miles.

There is consequently a real Tide of Air five Miles higher at each New and Full Moon, than at her Quarters: which Tide rolls with incredible Velocity along the Verge or highest Limit of the Atmosphere; and is generally productive of Wind below.

292. The Elasticity of the Air must likewise be brought into the Account, as contributing greatly to its Motion: the Spring of Air always increasing as the Pressure encreases.

Considerable Changes must therefore ensue in the inferior Parts of the Atmosphere.

For as the Effect of the Moon’s Attraction is to diminish the Weight of the Atmosphere (tho’ its Quantity be increased) by elevating the Column of Air in the Line of her Meridian; the Rarefaction of the Air is therefore encreased, first at the Top of the Atmosphere; afterwards it gradually descends to the Bottom, or Surface of the Earth: so that the incumbent Weight being diminished, the Air beneath will be greatly expanded.

At whatever Height therefore any Quantity of Vapour or superior Cloud rested, while the Moon was in her Quarter; it woud gradually descend at the Approach of the next New or Full: at which Times it woud remain suspended at a Height, where an Expansion took Place equivalent to the former Expansion, at the Moon’s Quarter: and, if the Height during the Moon’s Quarter was only equal to that of common Clouds; such Vapour woud, at the New and Full Moon, descend in Mist, Rain, Snow, or Wind.

293. Little Reliance is to be placed, in these Northern Climates, on the aggregate Weight (or elastic Power) of the Air, indicated by the Height of the Barometer, near the Times of the New and Full Moons: tho’, in general, it will descend about those Times.

These Things being so; it woud be improvident to undertake an aërial Excursion, either three Days before, or three Days after the Day, either of the New, or Full Moon: the Ascent shoud be forborne every other Week; at least till the ArtProper Days for Ascent. is a little more advanced.

The two remaining alternate Weeks in each Month, viz. when the Moon is in the Quarters, and the Tide of Air flowing throu’ the Atmosphere, is checked, counterbalanced, and equalized, by the lateral Attractions of the Moon and Sun, acting at right Angles, i. e. on different Parts of the Air, pendent on the Earth’s Surface;—more settled and regular Weather may be naturally expected; and particularly freer from the Extremes of Wind and Cold.

Moreover, as the Almanack, and Ephèmeris⁠[96] may be always consulted; the Day fixed on shoud not be marked with Conjunctions of the Planets.⁠[97] The Inequality of their united Attractions greatly deranges the Equilibrium of the upper Parts of the Atmosphere; producing sudden Squalls and Gusts of Wind: which, tho’ of short Continuance, perhaps a few Hours, are inauspicious to the successful Inflation and Ascent of a Balloon, during the Infancy of the Science. (See Section 211.)

CHAPTER LIII. — ON THE MEANS OF SUSTAINING A BALLOON ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, BY A TEMPORARY LOSS OF BALLAST: AND OF RECOVERING THE BALLAST. — A GENERAL OBSERVATION.

Sect. 294. Art. 1.THE two Inconveniencies arising from a Discharge of Ballast, while the Balloon is under the Pressure of a mediocèanal Column of Air, are,

1. First, lest the Balloon shoud rise too high; for by opening the Valve in order to descend; Gass escapes: which is an actual Loss: and the Balloon is rendered incapable of supporting its Burden at the same Height, as before.

2. The present Impossibility of resuming the Ballast, in order to descend, or check the Elevation, on approaching either Shore, or at any other Time.

294. 2. These Inconveniencies are to be remedied by the following Methods.

If Sand be the Ballast fixed on; put as much of it into a Bladder by Means of a Tin Funnel, as, when less than half blown, it will contain, without sinking below the Surface of fresh Water.

Prepare the intended Weight of Ballast, in Bladders, after the same Manner.

Also to each Bladder with Ballast, tye another Bladder without Ballast, half blown.

Tye fast each Set of Bladders, so prepared, with a leathern Thong; the Ends of which may be left a few Inches to spare.

The Grapple may remain in the Car.

294. 3. When the Balloon begins to descend over Water; lower out the Cable, by Degrees.

Tye a Pair of Bladders, one of which contains Ballast, very tight, round the End of the Cable.

Then a second Pair, at such a Distance that the intermediate Part of the Cable, will float.

Repeat this Process, till the proper Effect is obtained; or the whole Ballast is discharged.

294. 4. The Car and Balloon may be hauled or wound down to the Surface of the Water: and the Ballast resumed, as the Balloon approaches the Shore.

294. 5. If it be found necessary, the Ballast may be discharged by cutting the thongs, gradually: or the cable, at once.

294. 6. If the Wind be contrary, and the Weather moderate; the Tide, or Stream may, by Calculation and Foresight, be made to serve the Purpose of the Aironaut, in towing the Ballast which floats on its Surface: and thus checking, or gently drawing the Balloon after it.

294. 7. In such Cases, the Aironaut woud do well in applying his propulsive Machinery.

294. 8. To prevent the car of the Balloon from being drawn out of the Perpendicular, a Circumstance not infrequent; it is necessary to have some Contrivance, by which the Cable shall run throu’ a moveable Pulley, on a Swivel, in the Center above the Car; and that the Aironaut shall be able instantly, by a Screw, or otherways, to fasten the Pulley and Cable so tight, that the Stress shall remain on the Center above the Car, however forcibly the Cable may be stretched.

CHAPTER LIIII. — ANOTHER METHOD OF SUSTAINING A BALLOON OVER WATER, WITHOUT LOSS OF GASS, OR OF BALLAST.

Section 295. Let the Ballast consist of that Kind of Rope (wound on a Reel) that is either by Nature or Art, specifically lighter than fresh Water: as a hollow cylindrical Rope of Silk, in which Corks are thrust: the Silk to be dipped into elastic Varnish, to prevent the Absorption of Water into the Pores: or a common Rope well varnished; or covered over with a cylindric Case of varnished Silk, might answer the same Intention, if Corks or Bladders were tyed at proper Distances: in which Case, the Rope might, at the first Ascent of the Balloon, hang from the Center above the Car, at its full Extent, suppose a Mile or a Mile and half in Length, without the Encumbrance of a Reel.

If Bladders are used; those that hang near the Car shoud not be more than half blown.

By the above Expedient; as soon as the Balloon began to decline, from Evaporation of Gass, or Depression of the Atmosphere, and the lowest Part of the Rope touched the Water; the Balloon woud continue to levitate, in Proportion to the Quantity of Rope sustained on the Surface of the Water.

The Aironaut woud move less swift indeed, but more conveniently; as he woud not be obliged to rise above the Wind: but be able to lower, and raise himself at Pleasure: first, by pulling up a Part of the Rope into the Car; and having there made it fast;

Secondly, by cutting away, as he saw Occasion, the loose End, and Folds of the Rope so drawn into the Car with him.

CHAPTER LV. — ON THE NECESSITY OF ASCERTAINING THE PROPER MODES OF DIRECTION, BY DIFFERENT AND FREQUENT EXPERIMENTS.

Section 296. THE Necessity of making frequent Experiments, in order to prove how far the Balloon is capable of Direction, by different Combinations of the mechanical Powers, is so apparent; that no Balloon shoud rise a second Time, without the Application of Machinery to that End.

Each Candidate for Fame, as Proprietor of a Balloon for public Exhibition, ought to vie in his Pretensions to a Superiority of Manouvres.

Their respective Performances woud appear in the public Papers; and Decisions be made to the Advantage of the Art.

For it is probable, that by such Comparison chiefly;—the comparison of experimental Blunders and Mistakes, and not by an Union of Theory and Practice, cemented by liberal Patronage, the Balloon can arrive to any Degree of Perfection, in a Country, which is the Scene of perpetual Contention: where the Sum of Life seems devoted but to party; and where the precious Time of the great is sunk in Luxury, and their exalted Talents lost in the Labyrinth of Politics.

297. To strive against the Stream is proverbially impossible: and it woud be literally so, to attempt by any Kind of Machinery to force the large Surface of a Balloon, with any Degree of Velocity, against a Stream of air. (Section 201.)

Ships, which have the Aid of an Element 800 Times denser than the air, are obliged to wait in Port, till the Wind is favourable. But neither is this considered as an Argument against maritime Navigation: nor does the Perfection of the Balloon require its Ascent in a Storm: tho’ the Preference due to the Balloon, on such Occasion, woud be decisive in its Favour: as the latter woud presently surmount the Wind, and lie to, in the calm Air above it.

Sect. 298. Art. 1. By Wings, or some propulsive Machinery, acting forcibly in a Direction required, and with Ease to the Operator; two useful Manouvres may be attempted, and will frequently be found successful.

298. Art. 2. First, To retard the Course of the Balloon during its Descent; in such a Manner, as to prevent the Wind from damaging the Machine, or snapping the Cable: and thus to land with Safety, and at the smallest Distance beyond the Place assigned.

298. 3. A silken, or other light Rope is to be provided: and to run throu’ a snatch Block fastened to a rudder, or to the car, as in Crosbie’s Balloon.⁠[98]

Which Rope alone woud lessen immediate and unforeseen Danger, by using the Balloon as a Sail, if it actually alighted on the Water.

298. Art. 4. The same Rope being a Mile, or a Mile and Half in Length; the Whole, or a Part of it, might be suffered to run off the Wheel, and, falling on the Surface below, in misty Weather, woud serve as a Signal to determine whether the Aironaut was over Land, or Water.

Also by winding up his Wheel, he might, if the Weather was moderate, bring himself down to the Grapple, which might be so contrived as to run down the Rope, and remain at the Bottom, by Means of a Knot, or other Check.

He might also loose his Grapple, and rise again: or when down; pull the Valve-Cord, and land.

298. 5. With a second short Cable, snatch Block and Grapple, he woud be able to moor the Balloon, from which, he might, by procuring the Country People to load the Car with fresh Ballast equal in Weight to himself;—get out, and even leave the Balloon in their Care.

The Precaution of knowing whether he was over a fresh Water-Lake, (for he might hear the Sea) might be useful in misty and low cloudy Weather by Day, or during the Night; without expending Gass in the exploratory Descent.

298. 6. To facilitate the landing, the Signal-Rope may be used to the greatest Advantage, particularly in windy Weather; by lowering out a Part, or the Whole, whether a Mile, or Mile and half, so that the Grapple may take Effect on the Ground, at the Distance of its Length by Estimation, short of the Place where the Balloon is intended to land.

As soon as the Grapple holds; it is in the Option of the Aironaut, to tye Parcels of his Ballast loosely round the Cable, to run downwards along with it.

(For which Purpose, Iron-Rings with Spring-Swivels, which open by Pressure of the Fingers, and shut of themselves, might answer better than the leathern Thongs, as the former might be put, in an Instant, round the Cable, and woud run down quicker.)

These Parcels of Ballast are to be sent down, in Succession, till the Balloon has acquired such Degrees of false levity, as will be sufficient to counteract that Tendency which the Wind will have to depress the Car of the Balloon forcibly on the Surface, so long as it is connected with the Grapple on the Ground.

298. 7. When this Point is effected, the Balloon will remain suspended in the Air; and being acted upon by the Wind, will be pressed into a Direction approaching to an horizontal Line, in Proportion to the encreasing Power of the Wind.

And here the Necessity of having the Cable fastened to a Center above the Car, in order to retain its Perpendicularity, is most evident.

The Aironaut, in this Situation, may venture to wind up the Cable gradually, and descend, to the Grapple.

298. 8. Secondly: When the different Currents of Air, have been tried by Descent and Ascent of the Pioneer-Balloon,⁠[99] and found to be all unfavourable; the Aironaut is to rise still higher, into a Calm, pursue his Course horizontally in the blue serene, by propulsive Machinery: estimating the Velocity, by the evident Resistance of the half Mile white Flag described in Section 12, 13. and 12, 15. hanging at a proper Distance below, and of that which hangs loosely at the Side of the Car, to shew a Change in the Direction of the Wind, (then made by a Resistance of the Air): or he may judge o£ the Velocity and Direction, by the Flight of a Feather, repeatedly let loose at certain Intervals of Time.

CHAPTER LVI. — NEW MODE OF ASCENT, TO DETERMINE THE INSTANT THE BALLOON IS ARRIVED AT ANY GIVEN HEIGHT: TO MEASURE THE HEIGHTS: AND TO ESTIMATE THE DENSITIES OF THE AIR AT THE GIVEN HEIGHTS. ALSO, A METHOD OF ASCENDING TO A FIXED BAROMETRIC HEIGHT: THERE TO REMAIN SUSPENDED IN EQUILIBRIO.

Section 299. PREVIOUS to the Ascent, provide a Cord, which shall have sufficient Strength to support twice its own Weight, when so great a Quantity of it is coiled together, as, if extended, woud measure half a Mile or a Mile.

Weigh the whole Coil, or any Number of Yards, so as to obtain the whole Weight.

Mark the whole Length of the Cord, with different coloured Worsted, or otherways, at the Distance of every eight Yards: as a sounding Line.

Note the Marks in a Pocket-Book.

These Things being done; give the Balloon, by inflation, a Power of Levity at least equal to the known Weight of the Cord: which may be easily obtained by throwing into the Car, already ballasted and prepared, a Weight equal to the Aironaut, together with that of the Cord.

The Cord must also, previous to the Ascent, be rolled upon a Reel, (made fast in the Ground) whose Diameter shoud be two Feet: each Turn of the Wheel may be called two Yards.

A Barometer with an attached Thermometer fixed in the same Frame, also a second or detached Thermometer placed at the Distance of a Yard from the Frame, shoud remain upon the Ground during the Inflation.

The same Apparatus of Barometer with attached and detached Thermometer, shoud be suspended in the Car.

The Instant the Balloon ascends, an Observer below is to note in a Book the Point at which the Quicksilver stands in each of the three Tubes of the lower Apparatus, also the Time of Ascent: the Aironaut the same.

The Rope is, previous to the Ascent, to be tyed to a Center above the Car: and as soon as the Balloon has elevated the Car 100 Yards; the Observations, as before, are to be set down below, and by the Aironaut: and repeated at the Height of each 100 Yards: a Drum to beat; during the Time each Observation below is noting down; and the Balloon not suffered to rise, till the Drum has ceased. By such repeated Notice, and Silence; the Aironaut will know the exact Height, at which the Balloon is checked in its Elevation: and the exact Time during which its Elevation is impeded.

This Process is to continue, till the Rope is raised to its full Length.

At which Instant a double-barrel Gun is to be fired: the exact Time noted below: and the Time of hearing the Sound noted above.

These Notes are to be compared at the Aironaut’s arrival on Earth.

300. For such nice Experiments the Aironaut shoud ascend half an Hour before sunrise, or Sunset: and the Day chosen by the foregoing Rules.

The Air must be quite calm: but it is not necessary that it shoud be free from Clouds or Mist.

When the Rope is at its full Extent, the Operator below is to shorten it, by winding down the Balloon, 100 Yards: the Signals below, being repeated, till the Balloon is arrived within 100 Yards of the Ground.

301. While one Observer below is writing down the Observation to be made the Instant the Balloon has risen exactly 100 Yards; another Operator is to weigh, by Hand, with Spring Steel-Yards, the Force of Levity already acquired, which is to be noted down by a third Bystander.

This Process is to be repeated at every 100 Yards.

The Levity, it is true, will encrease as the Balloon rises, (probably in a geometric Progression;)⁠[100] yet the Cord, by rising with the Balloon, will greatly check it: if, however, it prove insufficient for that Purpose, and, lest the Cord shoud be in Danger of breaking; the Bottom of the Balloon must be opened, or the upper Valve drawn.

If the Cord, Rope, or Balancer, be sufficiently strong; there will be no Necessity for the Aironaut to throw out Ballast occasionally; nor for the Observations in the former Part of this Section: the Densities will likewise be more easily determined, by the Weights; which shew the Encrease of Levity and Expansion of the Balloon, at each of the given Heights: Allowance being made for the Weight of the Balance Rope, raised by the Balloon.

302. The Aironaut, may, at any Height, marked by looking at the Barometer, when at 24 Inches for Example, or as soon as he finds his Balloon sufficiently expanded, pull up the Rope over a Pulley; or, wind it upon a Reel of two Feet Diameter, within the Car; and continue to do so; till he finds that the Barometer begins to rise, (which is a Sign that the Balloon descends), by the additional Weight of the Balancer just brought into the Car: on which, by preconcerted Agreement, he may throw out a white Flag, prepared to hang a Yard below the Car.

On Sight of the Flag, the Person at the Reel below is to cut the Rope: which Rope, or a Part of it, is to be drawn into the Car.

The Balloon will rise no higher; but remain in Equilibrio in the Air, at that Height.

CHAPTER LVII. — ON BAL LOONS. THEIR DEFECTS AND FARTHER IMPROVEMENTS.

Section 303. These Defects are best known from the History: a Detail of which is given to the World in an entertaining, elegant, and scientific Manner, by a celebrated Writer on other Subjects, Mons. Faujas de Saint Fond, in two Volumes, 12mo. for the two last Years, illustrated with Engravings by the best Masters.

And he promises a Continuation, or annual Register of Experiments and Improvements.

The Title of the Book is, “Description des Experiences de la Machine aërostatique, &c. &c.”

304. Mr. Cavallo has favoured the British Nation with a cursory tho’ clear Account of the same, in his “History of Airostation:” a Continuation of which it were to be wished he woud likewise publish annually.

305. It might contribute greatly to the Improvement of the Art; if Mr. Faujas woud give Engravings on a large Scale, of the different Machinery, already used or invented to direct the Balloon, with their Proportions: particularly the moulinet of Blanchard: as well as that lately tried by Messrs. Auban and Vallet; whose Machinery is still more distinguished and effectual.

306. The Titles and Sizes of all useful Books written on the Subject, also the Places where they are to be had, might likewise be inserted, at the End of each annual Volume.

307. The principal Defects of the British Balloons are, in

1. The Construction.

2. Production of Gass.

3. Mode of Direction, and

4. Security of landing.

First, Defects of the Construction are both in the Form, and Composition.

The Form ought to be that of a right⁠[101] Cylinder,⁠[102] by which the Capacity is doubled without encreasing the Resistance: ending above and below, each in a Hemisphere. A cylindrical Trunk, 2 Feet in Diameter, being added to convey the Gass into the Balloon; and suffer it to escape, when too much expanded in the etherial Regions.

It shoud also be furnished with a Valve, at the Bottom, of equal Diameter with the Trunk: keeping itself Air-tight; and opening outwards by a given Resistance, (as that of ten Pounds Troy,) from the inside Gass.

There must be an upper Valve as usual: occasionally to promote a swift Descent.

308. The Form will likewise continue to be defective, till an interior Balloon for common Air is adopted, according to the Plan laid down by the ingenious Mons. Meunier, lately appointed by the French Academy of Sciences at Paris, one of the Commissioners for the Improvement of Airostation.

The Use of which interior Balloon by Compression of the surrounding Gass in the external Balloon, prevents, it is said, the Loss of Ballast and of Gass: two very considerable Advantages.

For the actual Sum total of Gass not being diminished; the Balloon will continue longer in the Air, before an Escape of Gass, throu’ the Pores of the Silk, makes it descend.

There will, on the same Account, be less Occasion to take in meer Ballast, for the Purpose of throwing it overboard, to prevent the Descent.

Therefore an equal Weight of Articles necessary to remain in the Car, may be substituted in Place of the Ballast.

309. Art. 1. And, since it is next to impossible, the Atmosphere shoud continue for 24 Hours together, of the same Density, Weight, and Temperature; or, in short, without Motion;—the Aironaut will have a Power of seeking, at different Heights, for that Current of Air, or Wind, which suits him best: or, in a very few Minutes, to rise above all Currents; become stationary, and lie to in the serene, waiting for a Wind: which, as before mentioned, he may readily find, by lowering out a Mile of Twine, and his white Flag: attending to it, with a small perspective Glass, or Magnifier.

309. 2. Another most material Advantage is to be able, in a high Wind, to chuse the Spot on which he proposes to alight: or wait for a favourable Opportunity to descend.

310. To compute the Height and Distance of the Balloon, by Means of a white Flag, or other visible Object, suspended from the Car, at a certain Distance below it.

Let the Observer take the Altitude of the Car with a Quadrant: and also the Altitude of the Object or Flag.

Then by a Case in plain Trigonometry; if the Altitude of the Car be by the Quadrant 59° = HAC, the Altitude of the Object 55° = HAO, and the Length of the Line veered out be 200 Yards, or otherwise = CO.

Then the Complement of HAO = AOH = 35°; and the Complement of the Angle HAC = ACH = 31°; and the Supplement of OAC + ACO = AOC = 145°.

Then, CAO 4° : CO 200 :: AOC 145° : AC; and Radius : AC :: CAH 59° : CH 1409 Yards, the Height of the Balloon taken at the Time.

Next, Radius : AC :: ACH 31° : AH 846 Yards, which is the horizontal Distance of the Place on the Earth from the Observer, over which the Balloon was then suspended.

This Method finds the Height truer than the Barometer, and with fewer Circumstances of Confusion.

And if the Balloon Art coud be perfected, so as to make them stationary at any Height; this Circumstance woud afford excellent Opportunities of proving the Heights by the Barometer: besides which, the Distance also has been obtained: a Point not before attempted.⁠[103]

CHAPTER LVIII. — OF THE AIR-BOTTLE BALLOON.

Section 311.TILL the Particulars of Meunier’s Invention are made public,⁠[104] an additional Air-tight Balloon, or Air Bottle, at least 15 Feet in Diameter, of a globular Form, appended below the Car, and furnished with a Condenser, to be worked by pulling upwards, or, as the Bellows of an Organ, by the alternate Motion of the Feet of the Aironaut, standing upright in the Car, may be used instead of the interior Balloon; to keep the great Balloon at a given Height: and consequently prevent the Aironaut from rising too high: to atchieve which Purpose, during the first Ascent; a Rope or Balancer may be used, a Mile and half long, fastened to the Car, and rising with the Balloon, (to check its Power of Ascent,) till an Equilibrium is produced: at which Instant, on Sight of the white Flag from the Car, the Balance-Rope is to be cut, by the Operator below. (Section 302.)

If the Aironaut perceives by the Rise of the Barometer, that the Balloon descends; he may throw out a little Ballast, (perhaps a Pound or two), and then wind up his Balancer, or suffer it to remain at any Length, at his Option.

312. By keeping the Balloon at a given Height only; no Gass is expended in preventing the necessary Tendency of Balloons to a perpetual Elevation: also, during the self Descent of the Balloon; by opening the Air-Bottle, the Aironaut will supersede the Necessity of throwing out Ballast, for a Re-ascent.

313. The Air-Bottle-Balloon shoud be covered by a strong light Net, of a Dimension rather less than the Bottle, which will hinder it from bursting: the Resistence of the condensed Air within, being then chiefly on the Net, and but little on the Bottle.

The Net may be made of Silk and Cotton Thread; lest the Meshes, by the Pressure of the Knots, shoud eat into the Bottle.

CHAPTER LIX. — SUPERIORITY OF THE AIR-BOTTLE TO AN INTERIOR BALLOON.

Section 314. THE Air-Bottle can be attended with no Sort of Danger. For, if it burst; the only Effect is to raise the Balloon: which is made to descend, at Pleasure, by opening either the lower or upper Valve.

Whereas an interior Balloon condensed with common Air, presses against the surrounding exterior Gass: and the Gass, against the inside of the great Balloon, when the latter is in an elevated and rarefied Atmosphere; which Atmosphere, in Proportion to its Height, makes less Resistance to the Outside of the great Balloon: and thereby encreases its Tendency to a Rupture.

By the Application of the Air-Bottle, which will be to a Balloon, what an Air-Bladder, or Swim is to a Fish; a concomitant Advantage is derivable.

For the common Balloon and Air-Bottle, which may be called a double balloon, will, in their present imperfect State, be able to remain a Day, or perhaps a Couple of Days in the Air: there being no Loss of Gass: unless by Evaporation, throu’ the Pores of the Silk.

And this Advantage of a double Balloon may be effected with little expence (except that of a complete Net) to the different Proprietors, who may make alternate Voyages, with the Balloons thus united: one being inflated with Gass; the other occasionally with three or more Atmospheres of common Air condensed.

CHAPTER LX. — HINTS FOR THE DIRECTION OF THE BALLOON.

Sect. 315. Art. 1. IN the London Chronicle, from the 20th to the 22d of August, 1785, is a Letter from Bury, containing an Account of Mr. Poole’s Balloon, with the following Circumstance, viz. “It was found necessary, before the Balloon was liberated, to cut away the Wings, intended to act as Sails, which had been constructed by an ingenious Piedmontese, patronized by lord orford, and which it was supposed, woud have contributed to facilitate the Direction of the Balloon, but were found greatly to retard the Celerity of its Motion.”

Now if any Credit can be given to Newspaper Accounts, (that of the Beccles Balloon being an entire Fable,) it is to be lamented that the Wings were cut away for the Reason assigned: as it seems the only one that could properly be offered for applying them.

315. 2. Balloons already rise like a Rocket, and press forward almost with the Celerity of the Wind: it is therefore evident, that these Celerities must be greatly retarded, in order to facilitate the Direction: and consequently that the Wings bid fair to have answered the Intention of their ingenious Projector. And why precipitately cut them away, before the Balloon was left to the Pleasure of the Winds? since no regular or safe Manouvres ought to have been attempted, till that Time.

There appears to have been much the same Reason for rejecting the Piedmontese Wings, that there was for condemning the use of a Parashute, to which a Dog being appended was killed in the Descent: because the Parashute was not let loose at a sufficient Height, nor was it properly distended.

315. 3. It seems, that as the Wings had greatly impeded the Balloon; a certain Addition to them might have nearly stopped it in the Air.

For the Balloon having once acquired an uniform Motion, by encreasing the Surface of the resisting Body, or Wings, the Balloon maybe retarded to a certain Point. But the Resistence encreasing woud raise the resisting⁠[105] Body above its Power of Action, and therefore, in Fact, lessen it; by which Means the Balloon woud continue to be propelled in the Direction of the Wind, with a Force equal to that Diminution.

Suppose, for Instance, that, instead of the half Mile Flag, which evidently checked the progressive Motion of the Balloon (Section 70) a larger square Surface, of varnished Silk, or a triangular Latteen Sail (like the Αρτεμων of Le Roi⁠[106]) was substituted, and kept stretched, by a hollow Cane, or Yard.⁠[107]

315. 4. Also, that by Means of a Fan or small Oar, acting as a Rudder, to be folded and taken back into the Car at Pleasure, the Balloon was compelled to move with a given Side foremost; that the Sail was let down below the Car, by strong silken Cords fastened to each Angle; and lastly, that leaden Weights, (each weighing an Ounce Averdupoise when widely perforated, and put throu’ the Ends of each Cord before it is fastened to the Car), be let down to each Angle; occasionally encreasing the Weights (or Sail) in Proportion to the Wind; which relative Weights (or Sail) will best be determined by repeated Experiments; will not such an Apparatus or Anemometer-Sail, acting as a Vis Inertiæ nearly at right Angles against the Force of the Wind, check the Balloon; till the encreasing Resistence raising the Sail upwards towards the Horizon diminishes its Power of Action? With this Sail therefore, which requires little Attention; and with the Assistance of Wings moved by Levers, pressed alternately downwards as the Bellows of an Organ, by the Feet of the Aironaut and mere Weight of his Body, standing upright near the Center of the Car; the Balloon may probably be, in some Respect, subject to Direction, and move obliquely against the Wind, or with Force in a Calm.

The Balloon and Anemòmeter-Sail, like the Earth and Moon will turn on their common Center of Gravity.

315. 5. It is possible to erect a light hollow Mast throu’ the Car, and throu’ the Balloon, by Means of a cylindrical Tube of varnished Silk, extending from Top to Bottom, in order to sustain the Balloon in an upright Situation, and make it keep Pace with the Car, when the latter is propelled by the Wings. The Mast shoud be covered with soft Cotton, to lessen the Roughness of the Friction. It may also contain within it, another slenderer hollow Mast, after the Manner of a Cane Fish-Rod; either to be lowered out, and placed horizontally across or below the Car, to serve as a Guard for the Bottom of the Anemòmeter-Sail; or to be let down to any Depth occasionally: and other Sails connected, by the usual wooden Rings, and kept tight by Cords running throu’ Blocks fastened to any Part of the equatorial Hoop, as used at first, by the gallant Admiral of the Air blanchard, and afterwards too precipitately rejected; since, in Case of a Rupture of Gass throu’ the upper Hemisphere of the Balloon; the equatorial Hoop preserves the Parashute complete: and for Want of which Hoop, young Arnold had certainly lost his Life, if the Water of the Thames had not broke his Fall.

During the Descent of the Balloon, the Sails are to be taken in, and the lower Mast projected into its Socket.

315. 6. Different Trials may be repeatedly made: the Effects of which, whether evidently useful or apparently otherwise, being carefully recorded and regularly published in Detail, may afford Data for the Prosecution of further Discoveries, and lay the Foundation for a rational Superstructure of airostatic Navigation.

Sect. 316. Art. 1. By adding Weights, and encreasing the Surface of Anemòmeter-Sails; the Vis Inertiæ will become so powerful in the Direction of the resisting Medium of the Air; that the Wind in the opposite Direction will force the Balloon out of its Vertical, and incline it to the Horizon. The Car will be a Fulcrum Axis or Center of Motion: on an imaginary Point of which, as on a Pivot, the Balloon and Sails will turn opposite Ways, balancing each other in every Situation.

316. 2. The Balloon must therefore be brought back into the Vertical by a counter Exertion of the Wings: to which the Vis Inertiæ must always be made to bear a just Proportion.

The Declination of the Balloon is the only Inconvenience foreseen to result from an Anemòmeter too large, or too heavily laden: and it is instantly remedied by slacking the Sail.

One Thing still remains to be mentioned.

317. Balloons durably Air-tight, and terminating in a Hemisphere above, (Section 307); ought to have their Dimensions such, that there shoud be no Occasion for more than their upper Hemisphere to be inflated. Under which Form, they may with Ease and Safety be pitched as Tents on the Ground; by Cords fastened at equal Distances to the equatorial Hoop; and on Occasion by the Aironaut himself, while in the Car: who may be provided with Iron Ring Stakes barbed, and fastened or ready to be fastened to each Balloon-Cord: and, as soon as the Balloon is moored by the Anchor, Grapple, and snatch Block, (Section 298, 3) with a light Axe drive down the Stakes round the Car, and regulate them when he alights from it, on the Ground.

CHAPTER LXI. — HINT FOR A VANE-SAIL TO PREVENT THE BALLOON FROM TURNING ROUND, WHILE THE WIND CONTINUES STEADY.

Section 318.TO the Block-Pulley in the equatorial Hoop, hoist a Sail, whose Shape is as follows.

From the equatorial Hoop, let fall a Perpendicular: and from the lowest circular Point in the Circumference of the Balloon, draw a Tangent, or horizontal Line, till it meet the former: these Lines, together with that Part of the Circumference intercepted between them, in the Points where they touch the Circle, forms a Space, which is the Shape sought.

The Sail may be kept steady by a hollow Cane or Bowsprit thrust out from the Car, and made fast with the usual Tackling.

319. Hint for an Umbrella-Pendulum or Valve-Swing, to project the Balloon in a Calm in the ethereal Regions, above the Station of Clouds; where the Resistence from the Air is much less than at the Surface of the Earth.

Let the Car of the Balloon be perforated so as to admit a light Gordon Mast, or Pole 18 or 20 Feet long, perpendicularly throu’ it. (315, 3.)

At the Distance of five Feet from the upper End of the Pole, a light hollow cylindric Tube of Iron, one Foot long, as a Bolt, shoud be put throu’ it, at right Angles: so as to play smoothly in two Iron Bends, fixed in the Car; one Bend so far moveable, as to rise with a Hinge to admit the End of the Bolt; the other Part of the Bend to be perforated: throu’ which a hollow Staple is to be fastened, with a spring Cotterel chained: this Apparatus will prevent the Pole from turning round.

Two light Frames of Wood, of a parallelogrammic Form, each twelve Feet by six, and covered with varnished Silk, are to be hooked, one on each of the opposite Sides of the Pole, from its lower End upwards; the Frames to be moveable in such a Manner, that on pressing the Pole one Way on the Axis or Bolt, the Frames shall lie close; but on recovering the Pressure, the Frames shall expand and open, so as to form an obtuse Angle with each other, or to lie almost in the same Plane, when the Recovery is made briskly, and with a Degree of Strength.

A Handle of Wood, the same Size with the Bolt, may be fastened throu’ the Substance of the Pole near its upper End.

The Operator is to stand in the Car, and work the Pole backwards and forwards, which will give a progressive Motion to the Balloon in a Calm.

This Method may possibly prove more effectual than the Umbrella-Wheels, on an horizontal Axis, of Mons. Carra;⁠[108] as the Umbrella-Pendulum is easily unrigged, removed, and brought into the Car, in Case of a Whirlwind; by Means of a circular Rope fastened to the Axis or Bolt, one End being in the Car, and the other put throu’ the Aperture at the Bottom, and brought up from the Outside again into the Car.

The Umbrella-Pendulum may be made to turn round horizontally on the Bolt; the Ends of the Bolt being fastened under a circular hinged Socket, or Groove, of Iron.

CHAPTER LXII. — DEFECTS, IN THE COMPOSITION FOR BALLOONS, REMEDIED. ALSO ON THE COCHUC-VARNISH.

Section 320. BALLOONS are defective in the Composition for the Varnish; which, till lately, was incapable of rendering the Balloon completely and durably Air-tight.

321. It was sometime ago reported at Paris, that Mr. Dutourny de Villiere had undertaken to construct a Balloon so truly impèrmeable, that he woud warrant the Duration of it, for several Weeks in the Air.

And it is since known that this Desideratum of the Art has been effected, in the Composition for the celebrated Balloon of Messrs. Auban and Vallet, first made subject to Direction.

322. Mr. Berniard, a French Chymist, has made curious tho’ unsuccessful Experiments, in order to melt the cochuc or elastic Bottle; as may be seen in the 17th Volume of the “Journal de Physique.”

Mr. Faujas and others made similar Trials.

323. The Writer, unacquainted with what had then been done in this Matter, coud not help remarking the striking Properties of the Cochuc in its present Form, to answer every Intention of the best Varnish, if its Price was lower;—viz. compact, pliant, unadhesive, and unalterable by Weather;—if it coud be dissolved, and afterwards made to recover its present unadhesive Form: an Art in which the East and West-Indians are still our Masters.

He has, however, after expensive Trials and Combinations, been able to reduce it into a limpid Liquor.

As it may prove a useful Ingredient for Air-tight Varnish; the Secret he now discovers to the World: and it is merely this.

324. “Take any Quantity of the Cochuc, as two Ounces Averdupois: cut it into small Bits, with a Pair of Scissars.

Put a strong Iron-Ladle (such as Plumbers or Glaziers melt their Lead in) over a common Pit-Coal or other Fire.

The Fire must be gentle, glowing, and without Smoke.

When the Ladle is hot, much below a red Heat; put a single Bit into the Ladle.

If black Smoke issues, it will presently flame, and disappear: or it will evaporate without Flame: the Ladle is then too hot.

When the Ladle is less hot, put in a second Bit, which will produce a white Smoke.

This white Smoke will continue during the Operation, and evaporate the Cochuc: therefore no Time is to be lost: but little Bits are to be put in, a few at a Time, till the whole are melted. It shoud be continually and gently stirred with an Iron or Brass Spoon.

The Instant the Smoke changes from white to black, take off the Ladle; or the whole will break out into a violent Flame, and be spoiled or lost.

(Care must be taken that no Water be added: a few Drops only of which, woud—on Account of its superior specific Gravity, for the Cochuc swims in Water—make it boil over furiously, with great Noise.)

At this Period of the Process; two Pounds, or one Quart of the best drying-oil, (or even of raw Linseed-Oil, which, together with a few Drops of Neat’s-Foot-Oil, must have stood a Month, or not so long, on a Lump of Quick-Lime, to make it more or less drying)—being poured off the Lime-Lees; is to be put into the melted Cochuc, and stirred till hot: and the whole poured into a glazed Vessel, throu’ a coarse Gauze, or fine Sieve.

When settled and clear, which will be in a few Minutes; it is fit for Use, either hot or cold.

The Silk shoud be stretched all Ways horizontally, by Pins or Tenter-Hooks, on Frames; which Frames, the greater they are in Length, the better: and the Varnish poured on cold, in hot Weather; and hot, in cold Weather.

It is perhaps best, always to lay it on, when cold.

The Art of laying it on properly, consists in making no intestine Motion in the Varnish, which woud create minute Bubbles. Therefore Brushes of every Kind are improper.

Each Bubble breaks in drying, and forms a small Hole, throu’ which the Air will transpire.

CHAPTER LXIII. — ON VARNISHES, CONTINUED.

Section 325. TO those, who are unacquainted with the Principles of Chemistry, or the Books which teach it; and yet are desirous to make Experiments, which may throw fresh Light on this curious and useful Art, when applied to Varnishes for Umbrellas or Balloons; the following detached Notes are recommended: which were communicated to the Author by different Artists; each eminent in his Profession.

326. To make copal Varnish.

Procure some bluish Flemish alcaline Ashes, (an Ounce suppose): pound them very fine, and lay them before the Fire, till they become hot and dry.

Put them, while hot and dry, into Oil of Turpentine, (a Pint or Pound for Instance): or, into the same Quantity of Spirits of Wine.

For by Means of the Alcaly,⁠[109] all the Water invisibly contained in the Oil or Spirits will be absorbed, and leave the Oil or Spirits, alcohol, that is, quite pure, and highly rectified: which Process is called alcalizing the Turpentine, or Spirits.

Put the Turpentine or Spirits so alcalized, into a Copper Vessel, with half an Ounce of yellow copal finely pounded and sifted.

Stir it, and the Copal will soon melt.

N. B. If you alcalize the Spirit of Turpentine, when the Copal is dissolving, add a little Spirit of Wine: and if you alcalize the Spirit of Wine, when the Copal is dissolving, add a little Spirit of Turpentine.

The sediment of the Varnish will dry on the Silk, in a few Hours.

The thicker the Varnish, the sooner it dries.

327. Article 1. To make an excellent thin Varnish.

To one Quart of cold raw Linseed-Oil poured off from the Lees made by a Lump of unslacked Lime on which the Oil has stood, ten or eight Days, at the least, in order to communicate a drying Quality: (or on brown Umber burnt and pounded, which will have the like Effect:)—add half an Ounce of Litharge.

Boil them for half an Hour.

Then add half an Ounce of the Copal Varnish.

327. 2. While the Ingredients are on the Fire, in a Copper Vessel; put in one Ounce of Chio Turpentine, or common Rezin: and a few Drops of neat’s-foot-oil: and stir the whole with a Knife, or any clean Thing.

When cold, it is ready for Use.

327. 3. The Neat’s-Foot-Oil prevents the Varnish from being sticky, or adhèsive: and may be put into the Linseed-Oil, at the same Time with the Lime, or burnt Umber.

327. 4. To make the above Varnish transparent, or white; use Mastic and Copal: to make it brown, use Seed or Shell-Lac, and browner still, use pounded burnt Umber.

327. 5. Rezin, or Chio Turpentine may be added, till the Varnish has obtained the desired Thickness.

327. 6. It must likewise be observed, that Litharge rots the Silk: therefore Trials must be made without the Use of Litharge.

327. 7. The longer the raw Linseed-Oil remains on the unslacked Lime, or Umber, the sooner will the Oil dry, after it is used.

If some Months; so much the better. Such Varnish will set, i. e. will not run, but keep its Place on the Silk, in four Hours.

The Silk may then be turned, and varnished on the other Side.

328. on gum mastic, sandarac, seed-lac, shell-lac, and copal.

328. 1. Gum Mastic dissolves, without pounding, by adding a few Drops of Oil of Vitriol: so do Gum Sandarac, and Gum Copal, when finely pounded and sifted.

328. 2. Gum Sandarac, and Gum Mastic are great Driers of themselves: and may be substituted for Litharge.

328. 3. The Mastic dissolved in the Oil of Vitriol, gives a sweet Smell to the Varnish.

328. 4. Sandarac will soon grow dusk in the Fire: it melts into a transparent Liquor.

328. 5. Sandarac, Seed-Lac, and Shell-Lac, must be finely pounded and sifted, before they are used.

329. The Author having examined different Kinds of varnished Silks, in different Places, does, from their Excellence, recommend those made by Fawkner, Umbrella-Maker, Alport-Street, Manchester; a Person wholly unknown to him, but from the Merit of the Work: which consists not only in the Varnish itself; but in the peculiar Method of applying it, which the Author is not at Liberty to make public.

Fawkner can warrant his Silk Air-tight; soft and unadhesive; durable, and unalterable by that Excess of Heat and Cold, to which the Balloon is, at the same Time, subject; viz. internally, to the hot depredating and caustic Fumes, rising with the Gass: and externally, to the Sun, Wet, Frost, and Drought.

CHAPTER LXIV. — HINTS ON IMPROVEMENT OF THE MACHINERY.

Section 330. IN order to make Improvements of the Balloon still more rapid and general; the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, who have given no particular Encouragement, in Imitation of that at Lyons, to the much-wished-for Art of directing the Balloon;—might offer a Premium for different Inventions of a propulsive Machinery, the Models of which are to be made at the Expence of the Society, within a certain limited Sum: and, without condemning what cannot be known unless by repeated Trials,—give Encouragement for such Trials: the Models to remain with the Society for public Exhibition.

331. Also, Figures and Explanations of such Machinery as have been tried, viz. the Fly or Moulinet of Blanchard; and of those which have not succeeded for Want of Trial; might be sent by the Inventors, in order to perpetuate the Invention, either to the Society of Arts; or to the Editors of creditable Magazines, who woud be glad of such ingenious Acquisitions, as it woud be a Means of procuring Purchasers, and circulate the Knowledge of this gigantic Infant Science.

Improvement woud then go on apace, and in a Chain: each Labourer forging and finishing his respective Link.

Whereas at present every one is obliged to find his own Materials, sink the Foundation, raise and finish the Building. And hence so little Work is done, worthy the Inspection of a skilful Architect.

CHAPTER LXV. — ON THE UTILITY OF BALLOONS: AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Sect. 332. Art. 1.IT seems a favourite Question, among those who take a Pleasure in objecting to every Thing they neither do nor will understand, to ask, “Of what Use can these Balloons be made?” and without waiting for an Answer, to say—“they pick the Pockets of the Public, risque the Lives of the Incautious, encourage Mobbing and Sharpers, and terrify all the World.” These trite Reasonings are all very true, but little to the Purpose: the Effects above described being merely those arising from Novelty. If, says one in an inferior Station; “they coud convert Balloons into common Stage Waggons; Goods might be carried with the greater Expedition:” or, “into Stage Coaches,” says another: or, “into Mail Coaches” says Palmer; “it woud be certainly very clever, as I have the Patent:”—“or into comfortable Carriages to step in out of the window, at a Moment’s Notice; that woud be something,” cries a Nobleman: “it woud save one a Couple of Sets of Horses, and woud eat Nothing: one might ride one’s own Balloon Matches, from one’s Window to Newmarket, and from Newmarket to town; dress for Court as we do, and make Nothing of it.”

Such are the different Ideas annexed by different Ranks of Men, to the Word utility when applied to Balloons.

332. 2. For once let the feeble Voice of a French Philosopher be heard, the Abbée Bertholon: who may perhaps assert that all this is not impossible.

A Series of Experiments only can determine: and let the following Remarks serve as an Introduction to his Opinions.

332. 3. It is certain that the Progress already made in the Improvement of Balloons, since their Invention only three Years ago, is far superior to the Acquirements in every other Art.

The Antients knew, that excited Amber attracted Straws, and certain other light Substances: but medical Electricity, and a Preservative from Lightening, were notwithstanding reserved for the Moderns.

They likewise attended to some striking Effects of the natural Loadstone: but were totally unacquainted with the artificial Magnet, and the amazing Powers conferrable by it in the Disorders of the Imagination: nor did they know the Polarity of its Needle, or Application of it in the Compass.

They had not combined Nitre and Sulphur with Charcoal: much less had they changed the Mode of War into Science, by establishing Founderies for Cannon, and the Study of Tactics. Yet some Nations with a Knowledge of the Moderns, as the Chinese, have not improved, even in the Construction of their Vessels, according to the European Manner; continuing still in practical Ignorance.

Nor have other Indians improved in Proportion to the Opportunities of Instruction in several Arts.

Those of America, for Example, who continue to hunt, fish, and scalp: neglecting the Plough, and other Arts of Property and Peace.

332. 4. And thus it has been with the British Nation on the Subject of Airostation.

Cavendish, Priestley, and others, had produced inflammable Air, weighed, and found it lighter than common Air: and all that had seen a bright Fire might conclude, if they reasoned at all, that hot Air was lighter than cold.

Yet if Montgolfier had not made, on a large scale the Application of hot Air, in a Bag open at the Bottom, and properly poised; Charles and Roberts woud probably not have thought of applying the Gass of Cavendish: and Mankind woud not yet have soared into the etherial Regions.

332. 5. In this the French are still before the English, and will continue so to be, without a laudable and unlooked-for Emulation in the latter. That the former admire Liberty, Montesquieu’s “Spirit of Laws” may determine; but they are not addicted to Politics. Their Nobility are endowed with a liberal and enterprizing Spirit. They join and patronize Men of Genius and Talents in the Cultivation of the Arts, and Improvement of every Kind of experimental Knowledge. Their Pleasure consists in a national Ambition to excel.

They have Leisure, and are sober.

Half that Time which Men of Fortune in France dedicate to Taste, Invention, and Refinement; Britons spend among the Beasts and Birds: the other half, at the Bottle, and in political Cabals.

Present Profit is almost the sole Motive for Excellence in Great-Britain: and Experiments⁠[110] not made with that View, are seldom repeated; are overlooked and forgotten.

CHAPTER LXVI. — ON THE UTILITY OF BALLOONS.

Section 333. THE Balloon opens a new and unlimited Field for Philosophical Discoveries.

334. The many curious and interesting Conjectures which Mons. de Luc (before the Invention of Balloons) throws out, in the Course of 4 large Volumes, on the Subject and Qualities of the Atmosphere; may now be determined by actual Trial.

335. The Abbée Bertholon wrote in 1784: and has particularly mentioned the following Points, as capable of ample Investigation, and. Discussion.

Sect. 336. Art. 1. The Temperature of the Air at different Heights.

Which will determine whether the Atmosphere be practically Navigable, at all Times and Places.

336. 2. The dissolvent Power of the Air by Means of an Atmometer for Evaporation.

Probably the Height may be determined, to which Clouds commonly ascend in order to find the proper horizontal Level, in which Balloons can move with the greatest Ease, Safety, and Expedition.

336. 3. Variations of the Barometer.

This will ascertain the exact Height, without Mensuration.

336. 4. The densities at different Heights.

A principal Object in de Luc’s abstruse and scientific Researches: not only useful but necessary to determine the Laws of Refraction; without which, Astronomy, and consequently navigation, must remain defective.

336. 5. The different Effects of Tastes and Odors, at different Heights: Experiments on Plants and Animals: also of sound.⁠[111]

These may produce new and salutary Effects on the human Body: and determine how far a Change from hot, putrid, and impure, to cool pure Air, impregnated with the invigorating aërial Acid, may contribute, without the Aid of Drugs, to the Recovery of the Sick, and Invalid: or promote Longevity.

336. 6. The Direction and Velocity of the Wind.

The different Currents and their different Heights, the Limitation of each Stratum of Wind, together with their different Temperatures at the same Time, will point out the proper Paths for the Balloon to move in, at all Times, and possibly without the Necessity of accurate Direction: the Mode of Ascent and Descent being already known, and proper Instructions given for a secure Landing.

336. 7. Electricity of the Air, meteors.

This may lead to the Birth Place of Lightening, and Methods how to avoid its Effects in the Air. Tho’ it be already known, that little Danger is to be apprehended, on Account of the mutual Repellency between the electric Fluid, inflammable Gass, and oiled Silk.

The Irides, the Coronaes, Haloes, and other Phenomena of Colours: the Generation and Solution of which may be investigated on the Spot.

336. 8. Geography may become a new Science.

336. 9. Use of the Balloon for Signals in the calm Air, above Molestation; above Winds still blowing below: to discover the Positions of an Army, or Navy.⁠[112]

336. 10. To throw principal Men into a Town: and convey others out of it.

336. 11. With the Montgolfier Balloon, to try Experiments on Light, and Fire: to transport great Weights: raise them out of the Water: draw up Piles, raise Trees, Vessels, &c.

336. 12. The Parashute to secure a Man from too precipitate a Fall, is to be 5 Yards in Diameter, when extended: the Man,—weighing 140 Pounds, and the Parashute weighing 10 Pounds, with a Surface of 150 square Feet,—woud, in that Case, feel no greater Shock than if he had fallen from the Height of six Feet.

336. 13. Compass and its Variations: also the different Branches in Astronomy.

His Hints on the Direction of the Machine are ingenious.

337. 1. Wheels furnished with Wings.

337. 2. Imitations of the Form and Motions of Fish.⁠[113]

337. 3. Vessels to condense Air, as the Bladders of Fish.

337. 4. Wind-Guns, Wind-Fountains.

337. 5. Elopile and Vapour Steam.

337. 6. Contrary Currents at different Heights: Proof of.

337. 7. New Hints for Balloons to be raised by Steam.

337. 8. Mons. Gouan’s Invention to go three hundred miles a day in a calm.

338. The general Use to which Balloons seem capable of being applied, with the Assistance of propulsive Machinery, in the Calm which exists above the Level of a contrary Wind; is that of a common Vehicle, not subject to the Inconvenience of Roads and Inns, between distant Places and Countries, for Passengers, properly accommodated in a Boat-shaped covered Car, furnished with Provisions, and occasional Siberian Cloathing: the Car to be surrounded with, and resting on Bladders, one fourth blown, and having each a few Drops of Water within, to keep them moist and elastic;—to prevent an accidental Shock in alighting on Land; and from sinking, if on Water.

Such a Conveyance (the Balloon being once made Air-tight, and furnished with an Air-Bottle to ascend and descend without Loss of Gass) is ready at all Seasons and Times: both Night and Day: for, as the Aironauts will enjoy continual Sunshine without a Cloud, from his Rising to his Setting: so, during the Night, the Light of the stars, always intercepted in its Passage to the Earth by Clouds or thick Vapours, will be greatly augmented, when above both: besides the probable Increase of Light reflected from the upper Fields of white Clouds shone on continually by the different Planets and Constellations: all which will afford an Illumination equal, if not greater, than that of a cloudless frosty Night, when the Ground is covered with Snow.

And such Light will be sufficient to read or write by: also to examine the Barometer,⁠[114] in order to know the Height and Level of the Balloon above the Surface of the Earth; and the compass for Direction.

If Aironauts propose to ascend by Night, and in the Moon’s Quarters; observing likewise the Precautions already given; it may be proper also to consult and take with them the Ephèmeris, in order to know the Time when the Moon rises, and also when she is at the highest, i. e. in the South, or has remained about half her Time above the Horizon.

The plainest Points, on which not only the Success of an Excursion, but the Lives of Aironauts may depend, are too frequently neglected, as unimportant and trivial.

CHAPTER LXVII. — THE PROCESS OF INFLATION.

Sect. 339. Art. 1.THREE cylindric wooden Vessels were sunk more than half their Depth into the Ground: two of them, each, 5 Feet Diameter, and 5 Feet high: the third, 8 Feet in Diameter, and 8 Feet high.

An oblong Hole, 4 Inches by 3, was made in each Vessel: and each Hole was furnished with a solid wooden Plug (made tapering) 6 Inches in Length: throu’ these the Vitriol was poured.

Besides which, there was an oblong Opening in each Vessel, large enough to admit a Workman, to distribute the Iron equally over the Bottom, and to pour in Buckets of Water: which Openings were well stopped, as soon as the Iron and Water were poured in.

As the vitriolic Acid is corrosive, burning the Skin or Cloaths; the following Precautions were taken.

An occasional moveable Tub was provided, 3 Feet high, and 3 wide: in the Center of whose Bottom was an oblong Aperture, equal to that in each of the Vessels: a corresponding Tin Tube, 6 Inches long, and narrowing to the Bottom, was nailed by its Border on the Inside of the occasional Tub; so as to go easily into any of the oblong Holes.

A Bottle of Vitriol being brought in its Basket by two Men, and made to rest on the Top of one of the fermenting Vessels; a third Assistant held the occasional Tub in his Hands, with the Plug-Staff fastened in the Aperture of the Tin Tube; and the Instant a fourth Person opened the Hole in the fermenting Vessel; the Assistant placed the Tin Tube in the Hole, keeping the Plug tight, to prevent the Escape of Gass.

The Bottle of Vitriol was then immediately poured into the occasional Tub: and the Bottle being removed, the Plug-Staff was taken out, and the Vitriol suffered to run into the fermenting Vessel: the Assistant watching for the Instant when the Vitriol was run out, in order to force in the Plug-Staff again, and prevent the Escape of Gass: after which, the Tub was rinced with a few Quarts of Water, let also into the Vessel.

The same Tub was then removed: the oblong Hole in the fermenting Vessel instantly covered; and, by driving down the solid wooden Plug, continued Air-tight; by Means of moist Clay, and a little Water, kept purposely on the Tops of each Vessel, to discover by the Bubbles, whether Gass escaped.

In these Vessels, early on the Morning of the Inflation, were distributed 20 Hundred Weight, at 120lb. Averdupoise to the Hundred, consisting of cast Iron-Filings, and of a Mixture of Cannon-Borings.

The Borings were bright and fresh when thrown into the Water: and any Bits of Wood that swam, were skimmed off.

Rusty Iron emits Gass, that is heavier than common Air, and therefore is improper.

At the same Time, 16 Bottles of concentrated vitriolic Acid, or as it is improperly called Oil of Vitriol, were brought in their Packages near the Place, to be ready for Use: each Bottle at an Average containing 112 Pounds Averdupoise, of Vitriol: each full Bottle and Package together weighing from 136 to 148 Pounds.

339. 2. To the Iron in each Vessel, was then poured a Quantity of Water, which was measured in the Proportion of about 4 to 1: i. e. 4 Pints of Water to one Pound, of the vitriolic Acid.

The Height of Water and Iron in each Vessel, being then gaged, was about 14 Inches.

In a Line with the two smaller Vessels, and between them, was fixed another wooden Vessel or Cistern, filled with Water.

(N. B. Fresh Water ought to have flowed continually into it, and to have run over the Top of the Cistern: for the same Quantity being once saturated, can no longer absorb the alcaline and fixed Air to be separated from the Gass before the latter enters the Balloon.)

In the Cistern was fixed a Stage, consisting of 4 long Feet, (reaching to the Bottom of the Cistern,) nailed at their upper Ends to the Inside of an inverted Tub or Funnel, so placed over the Center of the Cistern, that 3 Inches of the lower Part of the Rim of the Funnel were under the Surface of the Cistern-Water: the Funnel was cylindric, 3 Feet across, and 2 Feet high.

An Open was cut, 1 Foot Diameter, in the Bottom of the inverted Funnel: on the Circumference of which was nailed a Tin-Cylinder or common Conductor, 2 Feet high: and at a certain Angle, as most convenient, was soldered a cylindric Arm, of equal Diameter, and 1 Foot long; having a Lip, Ring or Rim, on its outward circular Edge.

Round this Rim was fastened a varnished Linen Tube, of equal Diameter with the Cylinder.

At a small Distance, about a Yard from the Cistern, stood a slender Stillage, 3 Feet high; on which was supported a detached Tin-Cylinder or Connecter, 1 Foot long and 1 Foot Diameter, made with a Rim at each End: in the Center of whose lower Side was soldered, at right Angles, another Tin-Cylinder or Evacuatory, 6 Inches long and 6 wide: its Use is to let out any Water, that the Heat of the Mixture might cause to boil and rise up out of the fermenting Vessels: and thus be evacuated, without entering the Balloon: or, if condensed in the Balloon, might run out by the same Orifice.

The opposite End of the varnished Linen Tube was fastened round one End of the detached Cylinder on the Stillage: and round the other, was tyed the Neck or Bottom-Opening of the Balloon.

Each of the 2 smaller fermenting Vessels was furnished with a cylindric Tin-Tube; each Tube 4 Inches and a half Diameter, nailed on the Outside of a circular Opening in the Top or Head of each Vessel; communicating by additional rectangular Bends under the Funnel and Water in the Cistern: the great fermenting Vessel had 2 Tubes, each 4 Inches and a half Diameter; communicating with the Funnel.

340. The Process woud have been more complete, if the fermenting Vessels had been sunk till their Tops were even with the Ground: and plaistered round their Outsides with soft moist Clay, six Inches thick, to keep them Air-tight.

Also, if the common Conductor had been only 1 Foot high: its horizontal or rectangular Arm only 6 Inches long: the Linen Trunk but 3 Feet, joining the Connecter on the Stillage 1 Foot high, to communicate with the Neck of the Balloon; which Neck shoud be 3 Yards in Length, and its circular Opening 1 Foot, at least in Diameter.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

Section 341.THE Process of inflating the Balloon began about X. in the Morning, by pouring 4 Bottles of Vitriol, immediately one after the other, into the occasional Tub, properly placed over one of the smaller fermenting Vessels: the Tub being instantly rinced with a few Quarts of Water, which was suffered to fall into the same Vessel.

The oblong Hole was left purposely open for a Minute, till the strong Smell of the Gass was perceived above the Orifice: i. e. till the Gass had pressed out all the common Air that remained floating over the Surface of the Mixture in the fermenting Vessel: which Smell being plainly perceived, the solid Plug was immediately driven down.

And presently the Gass was known to press forward with an elastic Force throu’ the Tin Conductor, by the Motion it communicated to the Surface of the Water in the Cistern: thence upwards throu’ the common Conductor: at its Departure from both of which throu’ the Linen Trunk, and Neck into the Balloon, the Gass makes a guggling obtuse Sound by quick Intervals according to the Quantity of Gass protruded.

And as the Intervals encreased, a Judgment was formed, that the Operation began to be less vigorous: and consequently that it became necessary, either to renew it by an Addition of more Vitriol and Water in the same Vessel, or to set the other small Vessel in Fermentation, the latter of which Mr. Lunardi preferred: this happened about half an Hour after the Vitriol was poured into the first Vessel.

342. After the second half Hour, eight Bottles were poured, by four at a Time, into the great Vessel.

And at one o’Clock, the Balloon, without any farther Trouble was beautifully inflated.

No Iron Rods were used to stir up the Borings or Filings at the Bottom of the Vessels: the Vitriol being found so heavy as to penetrate them as fast as the Iron, contiguous to the Vitriol, had parted with its Gass.

At each of the two former Inflations, a similar Accident happened which may be imputed to the same Cause.

343. During the first Inflation, the solid oblong wooden Plug fell into one of the fermenting Vessels: the hot Vapour, forcibly issuing from the Orifice, was condensed in the Form of a white Smoke; which being mistaken by the Company, a Cry was immediately heard of Fire, Fire: on which the Workmen retreated. Mr. Lunardi incautiously thrust his Arm into the Orifice to extract the Plug: at the same Time being much burnt, and failing in the Attempt; the Gass continued to escape, till a new Plug was prepared.

344. During the second Inflation, one of the Plugs being driven too forcibly; it was with Difficulty extricated, by the Strokes of a Hammer against the Sides of it, which tended at the same Time to displace the Boards forming the Top or Head of the Vessel: and, a little afterwards, occasioned it to burst, unexpectedly inwards,⁠[115] rendering the Vessel useless for the Purpose of Inflation.

Observation. Therefore instead of the solid oblong wooden Plug, a circular Hole, 4 Inches Diameter shoud be drilled in each Vessel: and a corresponding solid wooden Plug 8 Inches long, 5 Diameter at the upper Part, and tapering to near 3 at the Bottom, shoud be prepared by the Turner.

In the upper Part of the Solid shoud be turned an inside Screw, to which an outside Screw of the circular Plug-Staff, made of Oak, Ash, or other heavy Wood, 4 Feet long, and 4 Inches Diameter, shoud be adapted: the Worm of the Screw to be 5 Inches long.

A wooden Peg of Ash, about a Quarter of an Inch Diameter, may be put throu’ a Hole near the Top of the Staff, as a Handle.

A Lever of such a Length and Weight will probably answer every Intention, as no sudden Blows will be required to fasten or extract it.

The occasional Tub, Tube, Plug, and Staff, shoud be fashioned after this Model.

345. The Price of the Iron and Vitriol for Inflation.

Observation 1. A great Saving might be made by conducting the Process in a different Manner.

The Author making two Journies to Manchester, purposely to observe the Process by Mr. Sadler; found that his Balloon was inflated in two Hours each Time; by Means only of the two smaller identical fermenting Vessels which Mr. Lunardi afterwards purchased; but the Levity procured by the former, tho’ he also expended 16 Bottles, was by no Means so great as that gained with the Assistance of the great Vessel.

It has likewise been remarked by the Author, who has made several Experiments to this End, that the Vessels always continued in Fermentation and Ebullition, with a quick Pulsation, for at least 24, and commonly during 48 Hours, after the Inflation was completed.

And, that not more than the Depth of half an Inch of Filings had been calcined during the Operation: the rest being perfectly bright, and untouched by the Acid.

Observation. 2. If therefore one Inch in Depth of Filings, be spread over the Bottom of each of the smaller Vessels only; the proper Quantity of Water poured in; and not more than two Bottles of Acid used at once, in each Vessel; also, as soon as the Fermentation begins to decline; other two Bottles, and a proportionable Supply of Water be added; if suffered to work double, triple, or quadruple the Time;—the Inflation will be as great, if not greater, for Instance, in six Hours with eight Bottles, and two small Tubs, as it woud in three Hours, with 16 Bottles, in the same Vessels.

The small conducting Tin Tubes ought instead of four and a half, to be nine Inches Diameter: by which Means there will be no violent Pressure of Gass to endanger the Bursting of the Vessels: particularly if the Gass is not suffered to descend; but, on the contrary, according to Instructions already given, either to rise, or move, in an horizontal Direction, past the Evàcuatory, into the Balloon.

346. The Workmen may begin the Operation at twelve at Night, or at six in the Morning: and the Time previously fixed for the Exhibition, may be eight or ten Hours after the Operation has commenced.

The Necessity of a Current of fresh Water, throu’ a Pipe of at least half Inch Bore, the larger the better, to supply the overflowing Cistern, cannot be too much insisted on: as the Levity of the Gass almost wholly depends upon so trivial a Circumstance, as that of having a plentiful Supply of cold fresh and soft Water.

347. Observation 3. Supposing the Balloon air-tight, near half the Expence is thus saved in the Inflation.

Besides the greater Probability of calm Weather for the Inflation, if completed before X. in the Morning, more Time is given to remedy Accidents, and rectify Mistakes: the Warmth of the Air likewise encreases.

But above all; if an upper Current carry the Balloon to Sea, the Aironaut may, (as before mentioned) drop into the Sea-Breeze, which will waft him safe back till IV. in the Afternoon, or even later.

CHAPTER LXIX. — MENSURATION OF HEIGHTS.

Section 348.RULES for calculating the Height of Mountains, when applied to those elevated Stations in the Atmosphere attainable only by Means of the Balloon, will henceforward become more useful, and be more frequently practised: as the Lives of Aironauts may depend on a Knowledge of their Height above the Earth; which, not being determinable by Sight, in all Weathers, or at all Times, must be referred to the Barometer and Thermometers, they carry up with them.

De Luc, Horseley, Maskelyne, Shuckburgh, and Roy, have each written ably on the Subject, in the Transactions: tho’ few have either Leisure or Inclination to follow them.

Sir George Shuckburgh has made successful Attempts to smooth the Way, by Examples and Tables, yet is still too concise for actual Learners, and the Generality of those who will have Spirit enough to go before the Calculators in exploring the Atmosphere; but cannot dedicate sufficient Leisure to overtake them in their Studies.

Each may therefore assist the other.

349. Whoever is at the Trouble of comparing the Observations made by Shuckburgh, with the Directions here given, will find that the latter contains the Essentials of the former, with this material Difference, that the Investigation moves here by Steps, which are all pointed out to the Learner; and not by Strides.

Each Step is self evident: and, by carrying Conviction to the Mind, is just what the Mind itself woud make use of, in the Attainment of any distant Truth.

To do every Justice to Sir George, the Merit of whose Performance wants no Eulogium; his three Precepts are copied; tho’ rather as a Memorandum for those who understand the Methods; than as plain Directions for such as are yet to learn them.

It will be found likewise, that the first, second, and fourth Tables are greatly enlarged: being calculated for those extreme Temperatures, and Heights, which the Balloon only can attempt to reach: and the fourth Table, for greater Dispatch in computing the Expansion of the Air.

The Foundation and Construction of each Table, is also methodically traced and elucidated.

CHAPTER LXX. — METHODS TO ASCERTAIN THE TRUE HEIGHT.

Section 350.METHODS to be pursued on taking and comparing Heights, in order to ascertain the true Height of any Station in the Atmosphere, by the Barometer and Thermometers.

For this Purpose it is necessary, 1st, to provide a Barometer, (whose Bulb or Cistern is large enough to contain all the Quicksilver in the Tube;)—into the Frame of which, a Thermometer, on Farenheit’s Scale, is to be fixed or attached.

The Use of the attached Thermometer is to point out the Temperature of the Barometer.

2d. A second or detached Thermometer is also to be provided.⁠[117]

This is to be hung in the Shade at the Distance of a Yard (or two) from the other:—to shew the general Temperature of the Air at the same Time and Place: and may be called the Air Thermometer.

A proper Person, on the Ground, having a good Watch, with Pen Ink and Paper at Hand, is to attend the Instruments below every ten Minutes, (or at any other preconcerted Intervals of Time,) putting down,

1st. The Time of each Observation.

2d. The Point at which the Quicksilver stands in the Barometer.

3d. The Degree of Temperature of the attached Thermometer.

4th, and lastly, the Degree of Temperature of the detached or Air-Thermometer.

This Employment is to be carefully attended to; during the Time, that similar Observations, by preconcerted Agreement, are making, with three other similar Instruments, on the Top of the Mountain, or any elevated Station in the Atmosphere, by Means of the Balloon; and to be written with a red Lead Pencil, in a Patent Asses Skin Pocket Book.

Each single Observation, made with one Set of Instruments below, is to be compared with each single corresponding Observation, made with the other Set above.

And two Observations are said to correspond, when both are made nearly at the same Time, the one below, and the other above.

351. Take Shuckburgh’s first Example, (Ph. Tr. for 1777, 2d Part, Page 577.) viz.

“Let the Point at which the Quicksilver stands in the Barometer, on the Ground, be 29 Inches 4 tenths: the attached Thermometer 50 Degrees of Temperature, and the Air Thermometer, or general Temperature of the Air 45°: at the same Time, that at the Top of the Mountain, or other elevated Station in the Atmosphere, the Barometer stands at 25 Inches 19 Tenths, the attached Thermometer at 46°, and the Air Thermometer at 39° and 1⁄2: required the upper Height in English Feet.”

352. The Work is divided into three Stages.

The End proposed in this first Stage is to bring the colder Barometer, to the same Expansion or Temperature with the other.

353. 1st. Step. First, write down the Observation made on the Ground, or at the Bottom of the Mountain, thus:

Below. Barometer, 29 Inches 4 Tenths. attached Thermometer, 50 Degrees. Air Thermometer, 45°.

354. 2d. Step. Secondly, write down the Observation made at the Top of the Mountain, or upper Station in the Atmosphere, thus:

Above. Barometer, 25 Inches, .19 Tenths. attached Thermometer, 46°. Air Thermometer, 29​1⁄2.

355. 3d Step. Subtract the colder attached Thermometer, from the other attached Thermometer, thus: 46 colder from 50 warmer, and there remains 4° warmer, viz. the Number of Degrees of Temperature to which the colder Barometer must be expanded, before it becomes equal in Temperature to the warmer Barometer: each Barometer being always supposed equal in Temperature with its attached Thermometer.

356. 4th Step. Give the colder Barometer the same Temperature with the warmer: or, which amounts to the same, give the colder Barometer that Expansion which is communicated by the Addition of 4 Degrees of Temperature.

Both Barometers will then have the same Temperature, or Expansion, viz. an Expansion equal to the warmer Barometer.

This is to be done by referring to the first Table, for the Application of which there are separate Instructions: see the Explanation of the first Table.⁠[118]

CHAPTER LXXI. — USE AND PRACTICE OF THE FIRST TABLE, IN THE FIRST EXAMPLE. — The use . — The 4th Step, applied in the first Example. — The practice . — The 5th Step, applied in the first Example.

Section 357. TO find the Expansion of Quicksilver, and of the barometric Tube in which it is contained: or, in other Words, to find the Point to which the Quicksilver will rise in the Tube, (in Parts of an Inch) with a given additional Temperature, on Farenheit’s Scale.

The Question in the first Example is, (Ph. Tr. for 1777, Page 578;)

To find the Expansion that arises, with the Addition of 4 Degrees of Heat, on the colder Barometer resting at Inches 25 .19 Tenths, in order to give it an Expansion equal to that of another Barometer, 4 Degrees warmer than the former: the Temperature of each Barometer, being indicated by its respective attached Thermometer.

N. B. During the Application of the first Table, the Investigation moves forward two Steps only, viz. the 4th and 5th.

358. The Order to be observed in finding the Expansion of the Quicksilver, with 4 Degrees on Inches 25 .19 Tenths of the Barometer.

1st. Find the Expansion, With 4° on 25 Inches only.

Then in order to obtain with 4° on .19, begin

2d. With 4° on 1 Inch above 25 Inches, i. e. on the 26th Inch.

3d. With 4° on .1, i. e. one Tenth of an Inch above 25 Inches: and lastly,

4th. With 4° on .19, Tenths above 25 Inches.

359. 1st. In the first Table, with 4 Degrees on the left Hand vertical Column, and with 25 Inches, along the upper Range; at the Point of Meeting, is the Answer .0101⁠[119] viz. the Expansion, or Rise of the Quicksilver standing at 25 Inches, and receiving an additional Heat of 4°: the Answer .0101 being the Expression for the ten thousand one hundredth Part of an Inch, (viz. in Height, by Expansion.)

360. Add this Number, .0101, Part of an Inch, or Rise by Expansion, to the Barometer resting at Inches 25, .19 Tenths, Units under Units, &c. thus:    .0101.

361. 2d. Now, in order to obtain the Expansion with 4 Degrees, on .19 Tenths i. e. the nine hundred and tenth Part of an Inch of Quicksilver in the Tube (above 25 Inches,) it must be considered, where it ought to be found in the first Table.

Tenths of 1 Inch, above 25 Inches, it must be observed, are at some intermediate Point between 25 and 26 Inches; that is, above 25, yet not so high as 26, or more than 25, yet less than 26.

Therefore, to find the Expansion with 4 Degrees, on 1 Inch above 25, i. e. on the 26th Inch; look in the Table, first, with 4 Degrees on 25 Inches: then with 4 Degrees on 26 Inches. The respective Numbers are .0101 and .0105.

And by taking the Expansion with 4° on 25 Inches, from the Expansion, with 4° on 26 Inches, thus;

Expansion		.0101 on 25 Inches,
		.0105 on 26 Inches,
		——
The Remainder		.0004 is the Expansion with 4° on 1 Inch, above 25, i. e. on the 26th Inch.

362. 3d. To find the Expansion, with 4° on .1 above 25 Inches; add a Cypher and decimal Point to the former Answer, which then becomes .00004, viz. the Expansion, with 4° on one Tenth, above 25 Inches.

363. 4th. Lastly, to obtain the Expansion with 4°, on .19, above 25 Inches, say: If one Tenth of an Inch, above 25 Inches, gives this Expansion viz. .00004, what Expansion will nineteen Tenths above 25, give? answer .19 Tenths more; thus:

as many decimal Places in the Product as are contained both in the Multiplicand and Multiplier, add a Cypher and Point to the left, and the Product becomes .0000076 which, being divided by .1, gives a Cypher less. viz. the Expansion with 4° on .19 above 25 Inches.

364. Add this, to the former Expansion, thus:

viz. the Point at which the Quicksilver woud stand, in the coldest Barometer, when equally expanded, i. e. of the same Temperature with the warmer. Reject all but the first Decimal as too minute: this is seen by a Line drawn between the first and second Decimal.

Practice will shew how far to proceed, without computing the decimal Parts of an Inch, to more than 4 Places; but it is always more exact, to follow minutely the above Rules.

CHAPTER LXXII.

Section 365. HAVING therefore understood the Foundation, Construction, and Use of the first Table; in the present Case, having also added the decimal Parts of an Inch just found, for the Expansion,—to the Inches and Tenths, expressing the colder Barometer; which will then have the same Expansion, or Temperature with the warmer, thus;

366. 6th Step. Place both Barometers, now of equal Temperature with the warmer, together, first, the upper Barometer; and under it the lower, thus:

367. The Ends proposed in the second Stage of the Work, (the colder Barometer being now brought to the same Expansion or Temperature with the warmer,) are two: First, to find, (by the Application of the second Table) the Heights, in Feet and Tenths, in the Atmosphere, corresponding to the Points at which the Quicksilver stands in both Barometers, which have now the same Temperature, viz. that of the warmer equal to 50°: on a Supposition that they were both exposed to the Temperature of 31°.24, on Farenheit’s Scale, which is about the Standard or freezing Point, for which sole Purpose the 2d Table is calculated.

N. B. The Second Stage includes two Steps only, viz. the 7th and 8th.

368. 7th Step. The Barometers being placed in one View, as before directed, thus:

Upper Barometer, Inches 25 .2 Tenths.

Lower Barometer, Inches 29 .4; find, with the Temperature of 31°.24, the corresponding Heights in the Atmosphere.

This is to be done by referring to the 2d Table, for the Application of which there are separate Instructions: See the Explanation of the second Table.⁠[120]

CHAPTER LXXIII. — USE AND PRACTICE OF THE SECOND TABLE IN THE FIRST EXAMPLE. — The use . — The practice . The 7th Step applied in the first Example. — THE SECOND TABLE. — THE THIRD TABLE, OR TABLE FOR TENTHS:

Section 369. TO find the Heights, in Feet and Tenths, in the Atmosphere, corresponding to the Points at which the Quicksilver stands in both Barometers, which have now the same Temperature, viz. that of the warmer Barometer, on a Supposition that they were both exposed to the Standard-Temperature of 31°.24, on Farenheit’s Scale.

370. Look at the first Column, in the second Table, for

25.2, and the Answer is 6225.0 in the second Column; and for

29.4, and the Answer is 2208.2. The Answers are the Heights, in Feet and Tenths, in the Atmosphere, at which the Quicksilver stands in both Barometers, with the Temperature of 31°.24: corresponding to their respective Points, for which sole Purpose this Table is calculated.

371. 8th Step. Having placed the Barometers and their corresponding Heights in the Atmosphere, shewn by the second Table, at one View: subtract the lesser from the whole Height, and there will remain, secondly; (see Section 367) the greater Height, viz. the Height corresponding to the Barometer in the elevated Station, above the Height corresponding to the Barometer, on the Ground, (both being at the Temperature of 31°.24) thus:

viz. a Number in Feet and Tenths corresponding to the Height of the upper above the lower Barometer, both being in the Temperature of 31°.34.

The 1st Column shews the Quicksilver in the barometric Tube standing at each Inch from 1 to 10, and at each Tenth from 10 to 32 Inches.

The 2d Column shews the Height of the barometric Tube, above the imaginary Level at 32 Inches,—with the Temperature of 31.24;—in Feet and Tenths, answering to Inches and Tenths of the Barometer in the first Column.

The 3d Column shews the Height in Feet and Tenths, answering to a Tenth of an Inch on the Barometer, being the difference between each two adjoining Heights in the 2d Column.