AIROPAIDIA:CHAPTERI.Introduction.Section 1.THE Public have, for a considerable Time, been entertained with Accounts of aërial Voyages.Such Accounts are, in many Respects, vague and unsatisfactory: by no Means adequate to the Expectations and Wishes, which have been formed by those, who have not yet penetrated the profound Heights of the Atmosphere.Mistakes to be noticed, as Examples of Avoidance.2. The Voyagers have, now and then, been pretty accurate in Regard to Time Place Distance and Velocity: Circumstances highly worthy of Remark, in order to estimate the Improvement already made in this wonderful Discovery, and point out its Use: but neither ought theseveral Occasions of Failurein the Experimentsto be omitted; as they will be found to arise more from a Want of Prudence and Foresight in the Managers, than from any Defect in the Machine, or the Principle on which it acts. Such Failure ought therefore to throw an additional Light and Credit on the Art: and give a Spur to Ingenuity, which, it is not to be doubted, will continue to drive forwards with the same rapid Success; nor rest, till the Art itself is brought to the highest Degree of Perfection; till airostatic Ships make the Circuit of the Globe: aNavigationwhich, from its Novelty and Importance, deserves to be considered in a separate Treatise.Aërial Voyagers defective in their Descriptions.3. Balloon-Voyagers have likewise been particularly defective in their Descriptions of aërial Scenes and Prospects: those Scenes of majestic Grandeur which the unnumbered Volumes of encircling Clouds, in most fantastic Forms and various Hues, beyond Conception glowing and transparent,portray to a Spectator placed as in a Center of the Blue Serene above them: contemplating at the same Instant, andapparentlyat some Miles Distance immediately below, a most exquisite and ever-varying Miniature of thelittle Works of Man, heightened by the supreme Pencil of Nature, inimitably elegant, and in her highest Colouring.Such are the Scenes which, Ballooners all allow, constitute the true Sublime and Beautiful: inspire Ideas of rational Humiliation to a thinking Mind, and raise the most careless Mortal to an unknown Degree of enthusiastic Rapture and Pleasure.Every Beholder is a Judge of the Scenery around him: and no one, it is presumed, ever ascended into the Atmosphere on amild Day, with a sound and well ballasted Balloon, that did not wish to taste the Luxury of a second Voyage.Disappointment shoud excite the Ardor of the Scientific.4. Yet notwithstanding, as Ignorance is known to be the Parent ofFear, the Bulk of Mankind, which are by far the greater Number, will long continue to entertain absurd Apprehensions concerning it; to oppose and ridicule the Invention; as they will oppose every other Discovery, which they have neither TalentsInclinationor Leisure to understand.This Reflexion shoud, on the contrary, rather excite than check the Ardor of the Skilful and Scientific, to cherish and promote the Art.In the History of Airostation, each Event is yet new anduncompared.EveryCircumstance ought therefore to be carefully recorded: since it woud be unfair to fix Bounds to Science; or argue, that such Inferences, as shall demonstrate the great Utility of the Invention, may not be drawn from Circumstances which Inattention might pronounce to be most trifling and minute.The Reader cautioned.5. The Reader is requested to observe that, this Account being addressedto the Generality, and not to the Curious and Philosophic only; many Circumstances are added, which woud otherwise have been considered as superfluous: and some it was thought proper to repeat, in order to connect the Thread of the Narration, without the Necessity of frequent Reference to the Sections.Squalls of Wind the Day preceding the Ascent.6. An Agreement having been made with Mr. Lunardi, that he shoud resign his Balloon to Mr. Baldwin on Wednesday the 7th of September; an Advertisement to that Purpose appeared in the Chester Paper: and on Wednesday Morning, a great Number of Spectators assembled in the Castle-yard of the City of Chester: where many waited till half past IV in the Afternoon; Mr. Lunardi declaring that, on Account of the Violence and Unsteadiness of the Wind which blew from the South and South-West, it was dangerous to attempt the Inflation of his Balloon; and Mr. Baldwin continuingto assert that, if it coud be filled, he was willing to go up.The Weather wasthenmoderate: but Mr. Baldwin, thinking the Hour too late to begin the Inflation, which, judging from the two former Inflations, coud not probably have been completed till afterSunset; made a Proposal to Mr. Lunardi, that he shoud postpone the Exhibition till the next[1]Day. The latter, after some Reluctance, arising from a Fear lest the Public shoud disapprove his Conduct, politely complied with his Request, on Mr. Baldwin’s saying that he woud take the Blame on himself.
AIROPAIDIA:CHAPTERI.
AIROPAIDIA:
Introduction.
Section 1.THE Public have, for a considerable Time, been entertained with Accounts of aërial Voyages.
Such Accounts are, in many Respects, vague and unsatisfactory: by no Means adequate to the Expectations and Wishes, which have been formed by those, who have not yet penetrated the profound Heights of the Atmosphere.
Mistakes to be noticed, as Examples of Avoidance.
2. The Voyagers have, now and then, been pretty accurate in Regard to Time Place Distance and Velocity: Circumstances highly worthy of Remark, in order to estimate the Improvement already made in this wonderful Discovery, and point out its Use: but neither ought theseveral Occasions of Failurein the Experimentsto be omitted; as they will be found to arise more from a Want of Prudence and Foresight in the Managers, than from any Defect in the Machine, or the Principle on which it acts. Such Failure ought therefore to throw an additional Light and Credit on the Art: and give a Spur to Ingenuity, which, it is not to be doubted, will continue to drive forwards with the same rapid Success; nor rest, till the Art itself is brought to the highest Degree of Perfection; till airostatic Ships make the Circuit of the Globe: aNavigationwhich, from its Novelty and Importance, deserves to be considered in a separate Treatise.
Aërial Voyagers defective in their Descriptions.
3. Balloon-Voyagers have likewise been particularly defective in their Descriptions of aërial Scenes and Prospects: those Scenes of majestic Grandeur which the unnumbered Volumes of encircling Clouds, in most fantastic Forms and various Hues, beyond Conception glowing and transparent,portray to a Spectator placed as in a Center of the Blue Serene above them: contemplating at the same Instant, andapparentlyat some Miles Distance immediately below, a most exquisite and ever-varying Miniature of thelittle Works of Man, heightened by the supreme Pencil of Nature, inimitably elegant, and in her highest Colouring.
Such are the Scenes which, Ballooners all allow, constitute the true Sublime and Beautiful: inspire Ideas of rational Humiliation to a thinking Mind, and raise the most careless Mortal to an unknown Degree of enthusiastic Rapture and Pleasure.
Every Beholder is a Judge of the Scenery around him: and no one, it is presumed, ever ascended into the Atmosphere on amild Day, with a sound and well ballasted Balloon, that did not wish to taste the Luxury of a second Voyage.
Disappointment shoud excite the Ardor of the Scientific.
4. Yet notwithstanding, as Ignorance is known to be the Parent ofFear, the Bulk of Mankind, which are by far the greater Number, will long continue to entertain absurd Apprehensions concerning it; to oppose and ridicule the Invention; as they will oppose every other Discovery, which they have neither TalentsInclinationor Leisure to understand.
This Reflexion shoud, on the contrary, rather excite than check the Ardor of the Skilful and Scientific, to cherish and promote the Art.
In the History of Airostation, each Event is yet new anduncompared.EveryCircumstance ought therefore to be carefully recorded: since it woud be unfair to fix Bounds to Science; or argue, that such Inferences, as shall demonstrate the great Utility of the Invention, may not be drawn from Circumstances which Inattention might pronounce to be most trifling and minute.
The Reader cautioned.
5. The Reader is requested to observe that, this Account being addressedto the Generality, and not to the Curious and Philosophic only; many Circumstances are added, which woud otherwise have been considered as superfluous: and some it was thought proper to repeat, in order to connect the Thread of the Narration, without the Necessity of frequent Reference to the Sections.
Squalls of Wind the Day preceding the Ascent.
6. An Agreement having been made with Mr. Lunardi, that he shoud resign his Balloon to Mr. Baldwin on Wednesday the 7th of September; an Advertisement to that Purpose appeared in the Chester Paper: and on Wednesday Morning, a great Number of Spectators assembled in the Castle-yard of the City of Chester: where many waited till half past IV in the Afternoon; Mr. Lunardi declaring that, on Account of the Violence and Unsteadiness of the Wind which blew from the South and South-West, it was dangerous to attempt the Inflation of his Balloon; and Mr. Baldwin continuingto assert that, if it coud be filled, he was willing to go up.
The Weather wasthenmoderate: but Mr. Baldwin, thinking the Hour too late to begin the Inflation, which, judging from the two former Inflations, coud not probably have been completed till afterSunset; made a Proposal to Mr. Lunardi, that he shoud postpone the Exhibition till the next[1]Day. The latter, after some Reluctance, arising from a Fear lest the Public shoud disapprove his Conduct, politely complied with his Request, on Mr. Baldwin’s saying that he woud take the Blame on himself.