CHAPTERXXV.THIRD BALLOON-IRISBalloon-shadow.Section 135.THEsuccessiveOperations of untying the Neck, andrepeatedTrials of the Valve, brought the Observer so low, that he coud trace theImageof the Balloon on theupperSurface oflight silveryClouds beneath him.Third Balloon-Iris.136.Iris, a brightcelestialNymph, hisformerAttendant, deck’d in gay Attire as usual for the Bow, made herthirdAppearance: instantlyencirclingthe Balloon. Nor was herIris remained.Stay so short as before; as if torecompensethe Aironaut for the lostThe Earth disappeared.Sight of Earth and allterrestrialObjects, which then began todisappear.137. In less thana Minuteafter theDeflation; the Neck of the Balloon continuing to be held tight in the Hand; the Balloonquicklyencreased in Bulk, and soaredaloft, as before.Balloon alternately rising and falling.138. It continuedrisingas long as the Hand coudreachto hold the Necktight: and, on loosing itan Instant, made a rapid Descent: on Account of theGasswhich escaped, and of the atmosphericAirwhich rushed in by thesameOpening at the Bottom.The Play offastandlooserepeated.139. The alternate Play offast and loose, was frequently andsuccessfullyrepeated: the Balloon always rising till it swelled out of the Reachof the Hand: at which Time it was let go: and the Neck (as well as the Balloon) descending; waspresentlycaught in the Hand, and madeAir-tightas before.Manouvres seen at the Distance of 15 Miles.140. These Manouvres were performed, at a Heightfarabove the Level ofallClouds, and in Sight of Numbers of People: some of whom were at least 15 Miles distance: yet coud plainly, from an Eminence calledHoole-MillField, 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.”
CHAPTERXXV.
Balloon-shadow.
Section 135.THEsuccessiveOperations of untying the Neck, andrepeatedTrials of the Valve, brought the Observer so low, that he coud trace theImageof the Balloon on theupperSurface oflight silveryClouds beneath him.
Third Balloon-Iris.
136.Iris, a brightcelestialNymph, hisformerAttendant, deck’d in gay Attire as usual for the Bow, made herthirdAppearance: instantlyencirclingthe Balloon. Nor was herIris remained.Stay so short as before; as if torecompensethe Aironaut for the lostThe Earth disappeared.Sight of Earth and allterrestrialObjects, which then began todisappear.
137. In less thana Minuteafter theDeflation; the Neck of the Balloon continuing to be held tight in the Hand; the Balloonquicklyencreased in Bulk, and soaredaloft, as before.
Balloon alternately rising and falling.
138. It continuedrisingas long as the Hand coudreachto hold the Necktight: and, on loosing itan Instant, made a rapid Descent: on Account of theGasswhich escaped, and of the atmosphericAirwhich rushed in by thesameOpening at the Bottom.
The Play offastandlooserepeated.
139. The alternate Play offast and loose, was frequently andsuccessfullyrepeated: the Balloon always rising till it swelled out of the Reachof the Hand: at which Time it was let go: and the Neck (as well as the Balloon) descending; waspresentlycaught in the Hand, and madeAir-tightas before.
Manouvres seen at the Distance of 15 Miles.
140. These Manouvres were performed, at a Heightfarabove the Level ofallClouds, and in Sight of Numbers of People: some of whom were at least 15 Miles distance: yet coud plainly, from an Eminence calledHoole-MillField, 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.”