CHAPTERV.ASCENT WITH 20lb. OF LEVITY.Ascent at 40M. past I, 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.Employments of the Aironaut.29. The Balloon well inflated, tower’d aloft in an upright and perpendicularDirection, 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 fromThings of Moment.Sensation of rising described.30. The Force of Ascent was, from the first, plainlypalpable: the Sensation being that of a strong Pressure from the Bottom of the Car, upwards against the Soles of the Feet.Caution against the vitriolic Acid Liquor.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.Attitude, and farther Employments.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 nosensible 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 thesuperior 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,openKnife, Scissars, Thermometer and Compass on his right Hand: the Barometer being swung above in Sight towards the left.Change of Attitude, and Observation of the reddish Vapour.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 visiblereddish 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 thereddishVapour 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 theredinto 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?The Gass not offensive.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.Attention to the Balloon, and Dimensions of the Car and Hoops.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.Stationary, and Notes made.36. He was aware that the Swelling of the Balloon, and copious Vapourthen 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 298⁄10, 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 231⁄4, and a little after at 231⁄2. Having looked again at his Watch, he put down “57 Minutes past I. became stationary: Barometer 231⁄4:Therm: still 65, sometimes lying in the Shade, and sometimes exposed to the Sun: the Balloon turning round frequently thro’ East to South.”Fluctuation of Barometer.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.The Compass traversed, but was useless.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]Aironaut first looked down at Leisure.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.Scenes below described.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 thenew perspective, diminished almost beyond the Bounds of Credibility.Yet so far were the Objects from losing their Beauty, thateachwasbrought upin 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 Changeof 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.Let down the white Flag, 2 Furlongs, equal to half the Length of the Twine on one Reel.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.The Reel defective.41. The circular Motion of the Balloon was communicated to the Loop in the Middle of one Side of the Lathor 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 Employment again suspended.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.The Beautiful preferred to the Sublime, in Prospects.42. But the Beautiful among the Objects below was still more attractive than the Sublime among those around.Inverted Firmament what.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 alongthe 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.Broad Turnpike Road a narrow Foot Path.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 awhiteColour, and strait as if drawn by a Line.River Dee red.44. Nothing however raised his Curiosity more than the Change in Colour of the RiverDee, Avon ddû, (i. e.Thee) which in the British Language signifies theblack 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 thegreenMincius of Virgil!—had now acquired the unvaried Colour ofred Lead. Nor coud he discover even the Appearance of Water; but merely that of abroad redLine, twining in Meanders infinitely more serpentine than are expressed in Maps.Cause of the Change conjectured.Whether the Change arose from the Transparency of its Waters, when seen at the Height which wasapparently7 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, thatthe 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, orartificialCascade 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 theredRays: 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.The City of Chesterblue.45.TheRednessof 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 aScale not larger than the Plan of it, in Burdett’s Map.The Town was entirelyblue.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 withLead, in the most elegant Taste.Strangers may wish to be informed, that in most of the Northern Counties, the Buildings are covered withblue StonescalledSlates[12]found in the Mountains; instead of artificialredTiles, as in London, and the South of England.
CHAPTERV.
Ascent at 40M. past I, 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.
Employments of the Aironaut.
29. The Balloon well inflated, tower’d aloft in an upright and perpendicularDirection, 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 fromThings of Moment.
Sensation of rising described.
30. The Force of Ascent was, from the first, plainlypalpable: the Sensation being that of a strong Pressure from the Bottom of the Car, upwards against the Soles of the Feet.
Caution against the vitriolic Acid Liquor.
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.
Attitude, and farther Employments.
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 nosensible 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 thesuperior 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,openKnife, Scissars, Thermometer and Compass on his right Hand: the Barometer being swung above in Sight towards the left.
Change of Attitude, and Observation of the reddish Vapour.
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 visiblereddish 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 thereddishVapour 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 theredinto 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?
The Gass not offensive.
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.
Attention to the Balloon, and Dimensions of the Car and Hoops.
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.
Stationary, and Notes made.
36. He was aware that the Swelling of the Balloon, and copious Vapourthen 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 298⁄10, 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 231⁄4, and a little after at 231⁄2. Having looked again at his Watch, he put down “57 Minutes past I. became stationary: Barometer 231⁄4:Therm: still 65, sometimes lying in the Shade, and sometimes exposed to the Sun: the Balloon turning round frequently thro’ East to South.”
Fluctuation of Barometer.
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.
The Compass traversed, but was useless.
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]
Aironaut first looked down at Leisure.
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.
Scenes below described.
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 thenew perspective, diminished almost beyond the Bounds of Credibility.
Yet so far were the Objects from losing their Beauty, thateachwasbrought upin 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 Changeof 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.
Let down the white Flag, 2 Furlongs, equal to half the Length of the Twine on one Reel.
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.
The Reel defective.
41. The circular Motion of the Balloon was communicated to the Loop in the Middle of one Side of the Lathor 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 Employment again suspended.
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.
The Beautiful preferred to the Sublime, in Prospects.
42. But the Beautiful among the Objects below was still more attractive than the Sublime among those around.
Inverted Firmament what.
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 alongthe 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.
Broad Turnpike Road a narrow Foot Path.
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 awhiteColour, and strait as if drawn by a Line.
River Dee red.
44. Nothing however raised his Curiosity more than the Change in Colour of the RiverDee, Avon ddû, (i. e.Thee) which in the British Language signifies theblack 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 thegreenMincius of Virgil!—had now acquired the unvaried Colour ofred Lead. Nor coud he discover even the Appearance of Water; but merely that of abroad redLine, twining in Meanders infinitely more serpentine than are expressed in Maps.
Cause of the Change conjectured.
Whether the Change arose from the Transparency of its Waters, when seen at the Height which wasapparently7 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, thatthe 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, orartificialCascade 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 theredRays: 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.
The City of Chesterblue.
45.TheRednessof 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 aScale not larger than the Plan of it, in Burdett’s Map.
The Town was entirelyblue.
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 withLead, in the most elegant Taste.
Strangers may wish to be informed, that in most of the Northern Counties, the Buildings are covered withblue StonescalledSlates[12]found in the Mountains; instead of artificialredTiles, as in London, and the South of England.