CHAPTERIX.OTHER AËRIAL SCENES DESCRIBED.Balloon Shadow traced on the Clouds.Section 56.DURING the Time that the Balloon from being stationary at 231⁄4 (corresponding to the Height of about a Mile and a half) began todecline, 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 itsShadowoverthe 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 anIrisencircling the wholeShadow, at some Distance round it. The Colours were remarkably brilliant.Thiscelestial Phantomattended the Aironaut for a few Minutes: conforming, as a Vessel at Sea, to the Change ofSurface; now plainly visible, now indistinct and disappearing; as it passedthrou’theluminousorshadowy Waveof Cloudsapparentlyat Rest.The Iris, a Frame to the pictured Land, vanishes.57. The Clouds, in which this Phenomenon continued, were of the superior or second Stratum in Height, as infair Weather; rare; of a transparentBlueand purestWhite, 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 ofthe Balloon-Shadow; whose Form first vanishing,the Irisremained, 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]Sun hottest when the Balloon was stationary.59. The Sun shone brighter and fiercer, when the Balloon was at its greatest Height: theHeatpiercing throu’ his Cloths, (which were of adarkColour;) while the Aironautstoodwith his Face from the Light.Lunardi’s Flag thrown out, at the Height of a Mile.The Mouth remaining open, it continuedto descend, as appeared by the Barometer which had risen nearly to 24 Inches: at which Instant Mr. Lunardi’scolouredFlag 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.The Flag was seen to descend for 3 Minutes.60. The Flag was seen by the Aironaut descend for three Minutes: at which Time it became invisible. It fell,notperpendicularly; 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.The Dove turned out.61. The Pigeon was then taken out of the Basket of Matting: Thermometer 54; Barometer 253⁄10. It trembledmuch. 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, asthe Ownerobserved, full half an Hour, in the Air.
CHAPTERIX.
Balloon Shadow traced on the Clouds.
Section 56.DURING the Time that the Balloon from being stationary at 231⁄4 (corresponding to the Height of about a Mile and a half) began todecline, 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 itsShadowoverthe 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 anIrisencircling the wholeShadow, at some Distance round it. The Colours were remarkably brilliant.
Thiscelestial Phantomattended the Aironaut for a few Minutes: conforming, as a Vessel at Sea, to the Change ofSurface; now plainly visible, now indistinct and disappearing; as it passedthrou’theluminousorshadowy Waveof Cloudsapparentlyat Rest.
The Iris, a Frame to the pictured Land, vanishes.
57. The Clouds, in which this Phenomenon continued, were of the superior or second Stratum in Height, as infair Weather; rare; of a transparentBlueand purestWhite, 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 ofthe Balloon-Shadow; whose Form first vanishing,the Irisremained, 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]
Sun hottest when the Balloon was stationary.
59. The Sun shone brighter and fiercer, when the Balloon was at its greatest Height: theHeatpiercing throu’ his Cloths, (which were of adarkColour;) while the Aironautstoodwith his Face from the Light.
Lunardi’s Flag thrown out, at the Height of a Mile.
The Mouth remaining open, it continuedto descend, as appeared by the Barometer which had risen nearly to 24 Inches: at which Instant Mr. Lunardi’scolouredFlag 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.
The Flag was seen to descend for 3 Minutes.
60. The Flag was seen by the Aironaut descend for three Minutes: at which Time it became invisible. It fell,notperpendicularly; 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.
The Dove turned out.
61. The Pigeon was then taken out of the Basket of Matting: Thermometer 54; Barometer 253⁄10. It trembledmuch. 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, asthe Ownerobserved, full half an Hour, in the Air.