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diff --git a/75423-h/75423-h.htm b/75423-h/75423-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..95ceb51 --- /dev/null +++ b/75423-h/75423-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8352 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + My life and balloon experiences | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +sub {font-size: 50%;} +sup {font-size: 50%;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tiny {width: 10%; margin-left: 45%; margin-right: 45%;} +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +td {padding-left: 0.5em;} +.total {padding-left: 5em;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} +.tdc {text-align: center;} +.tdl {text-align: left;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} + +.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} + +div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} +div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} + +.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} +.large {font-size: 125%;} +.tiny {font-size: 50%;} +.small {font-size: 75%;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + +.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -2.5em; padding-left: 3em;} +.poetry .first {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} + +img.drop-cap +{ + float: left; + margin: -0.75em 0 0 0; +} + +img.drop-cap2 +{ + float: left; + margin: -1em 0 0 0; +} + +.x-ebookmaker-2 img.drop-cap +{ + display: none; +} + +.x-ebookmaker-2 img.drop-cap2 +{ + display: none; +} + +span.drop-cap +{ + color: transparent; + visibility: hidden; + margin-left: -0.9em; +} + +.x-ebookmaker-2 span.drop-cap +{ + color: inherit; + visibility: visible; + margin-left: 0; +} + + +.antiqua { + font-family: Blackletter, Fraktur, Textur, "Old English Text MT", "Olde English Mt", "Olde English", "Old English", + "Engravers Old English BT", "Collins Old English", "New Old English", Gothic, serif, sans-serif;} + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + padding: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowe28_125 {width: 28.125em;} + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75423 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<figure class="figcenter illowe28_125" id="frontispiece"> + <img class="w100" src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p class="caption">HENRY COXWELL.<br> + +(<i>From a Photograph by Messrs. Negretti & Zambra.</i>)</p></figcaption> +</figure> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/titlepage.jpg" alt="title page"></div> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="titlepage"> + +<h1>MY LIFE<br> + +<span class="tiny">AND</span><br> + +BALLOON EXPERIENCES,<br> + +<span class="tiny">WITH</span><br> + +<span class="small">A SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER</span><br> + +<span class="tiny">ON</span><br> + +<small>MILITARY BALLOONING.</small></h1> + +<p><span class="tiny">BY</span><br> + +<span class="xlarge">HENRY COXWELL.</span></p> + +<p><span class="large"><span class="antiqua">London:</span><br> +W. H. ALLEN & CO. 13 WATERLOO PLACE, S. W.<br> +1887.</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS.</h2> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/contents.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<table> + +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Boyhood and Youth</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1"> 1</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">First view of a Balloon</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_8"> 8</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Juvenile Conflicts</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11"> 11</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Launch at Chatham Dockyard</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_23"> 23</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">School-boy Observations of Green’s Balloon</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32"> 32</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Settling in Life</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_38"> 38</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">The Vauxhall Balloon</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_41"> 41</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Departure for Amsterdam</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43"> 43</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">First Ascent</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_48"> 48</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Lieutenant Gale’s Balloon</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_55"> 55</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Nocturnal Ascent</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_59"> 59</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Ascents from Chelmsford</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_66"> 66</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Engagements in Belgium</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_69"> 69</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">The Field of Waterloo</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_88"> 88</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Ascent at Cologne</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_108"> 108</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Exhibition at Berlin</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_116"> 116</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Narrow Escape in Hanover</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_131"> 131</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Ascent at Leipsig</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_147"> 147</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">1852</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_148"> 148</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">1853</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_155"> 155</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">The beginning of Military Ballooning</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167"> 167</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Military Ballooning during this Century</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_176"> 176</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Air Torpedoes and Bombshells</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_185"> 185</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Military Ballooning in the Year of Jubilee</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_189"> 189</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Remarkable Ascents during this Century</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_202"> 202</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Ascent, over five miles high, by Green and Rush</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_217"> 217</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">A Jump out of the Car in America</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_224"> 224</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">An Englishman’s Parachute Descent in 1839</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_225"> 225</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Channel Ballooning</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_227"> 227</a></td></tr> +</table> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">MY LIFE<br> +<span class="small">AND</span><br> +BALLOON EXPERIENCES.</h2> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/contents.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<div> + <img class="drop-cap" src="images/i_001.jpg" width="50" height="84" alt="N"> +</div> + +<p><span class="drop-cap">N</span>OT far from Rochester Castle, at Wouldham, on the +banks of the Medway, I first saw the light of day, +at the parsonage house, on March 2nd, 1819.</p> + +<p>Should this allusion to my birthplace lead to the +inference that I am the son of a clergyman it will not be +correct, although I am a grandson of the Rev. Charles +Coxwell, of Ablington House, Gloucestershire; but my +father was a naval officer who had seen a tolerable share of +active service, and who now sought repose in a secluded +spot which presented a striking contrast to the deck of a +man-of-war, and to those bustling scenes of warfare which +he had so far participated in as to sustain personal injury, +and to require retirement for the sake of his health.</p> + +<p>Before I was old enough to remember any of the +first associations of childhood in this rural abode at +Wouldham, our family changed residence, so that my +earliest recollections date from the time shortly after we +had left the parsonage and had taken up our abode on +board His Majesty’s ship “Colossus,” my father having +accepted command of the vessels in ordinary at Chatham. +Here we stayed for three years, and, young as I was, I do<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span> +not forget being ducked every morning from the stage of +the old seventy-four, nor the swinging round at tide-time +of the black old hulk, and of frequently being pulled +ashore in a dinghy to the marine stairs, where a landing +was effected on a plank.</p> + +<p>In taking a retrospective view of boyhood, the next +circumstance which impressed me was my being taken to a +school at the marine barracks, where one Sergeant W—— +superintended an elementary school for the sons of officers. +Our usher, a corporal, was said to have had a Cambridge +education, but I suppose he went wrong in some weak +point before he enlisted; an under teacher was the +master’s son, Jack W—— as he was familiarly styled, a +precocious lad who betrayed a decided proclivity for the +young gentlemen’s tarts, so that at last Jack was regarded +as a person who could instruct in <i>meum</i> and <i>tuum</i>, +but certainly did not set an example to the pupils in +distinguishing between them.</p> + +<p>After I had been some time at this school, an event +occurred which excited the curiosity of all the boys, and +which cannot well be forgotten by those who broke through +the rule of not leaving without permission. One morning, +Sergeant W—— and the second in command appeared +at their respective desks in full uniform rather earlier than +usual, and appointed W—— junior to be a monitor, as +some important duty, either on parade or in another +remote part of the barracks, was coming off. “Mind +nobody leaves his seat until we return,” was the last +injunction as the sergeant marched out followed by the +corporal, whose general appearance was more intellectual<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> +than martial; his red-tailed coat and black trowsers were +conspicuously a misfit, and as he wore a thin pair of +spectacles, no doubt rendered indispensable by university +studies, the usher did somehow or other disturb the +gravity assumed by the obedient scholars. Jack in office, +however, otherwise W—— junior, was fully equal to a +demonstrative attitude, and by a vigorous smack of the +cane on an old desk, that had never yet felt paint, struck +terror among us, so that for a few minutes order reigned +supreme. Some wicked wag, however, soon observed that, +for his part, all he was afraid of was that Jack would not +remain in office up to the dinner-hour, by which certain +vile insinuations as to the appropriation of cakes, &c., +were conveyed to the nearest boys; this caused an insubordinate +titter, which again brought down the sturdy +cane, this time with such a threatening thump that its +actual use on the hands was held to be highly probable, +especially as the talkative lad in the first class again +ventured a piece of undertoned information, albeit of a +graver kind.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you know,” he said, “it is punishment morning, +and the masters have left to witness the flogging.”</p> + +<p>Now before the lash was mitigated, or abolished, at +any rate when I was a youth, military floggings were of +such frequent occurrence that punishment morning was +generally once-a-week; the elder pupils knew all this, but +some of the new boys listened with eager attention, if not +with fear, to the announcement.</p> + +<p>“Hush,” cried one, who heard a tramp on the parade +ground, a fact which indicated that the Royal Marines<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> +were at that moment marching down to the rear, where the +halberts were invariably pitched, and where five or six +privates were not unfrequently strapped up in succession, +each to undergo from fifty to two hundred lashes, according +to the articles of war, as at that time interpreted. No +sooner was it buzzed about what was to take place than +one of my own class—I will not name the incorrigible—enquired +if there was any chance of having a peep.</p> + +<p>“No, it is not allowed,” said the big boy, “and anyone +found looking out of the barrack windows, commits a +serious offence; but if,” he continued, with a patronizing +air, “you can get behind the green baize near the door, +you and I will slip out and see what is going on.” An +opportunity having presented itself, we deserted forthwith. +I was then led to a hole in a window-frame which had been +plugged up, and evidently used on former occasions.</p> + +<p>The Chatham Division of Marines was now to be seen +drawn up in square. The red-painted triangle was ready +for the first delinquent, and we readily recognized the +portly frame of the sergeant-major whose voice disturbed the +stillness of the ranks, by saying, “Number one, strip!” +I was struck with the apparent alacrity with which the +man took off his undress jacket, pulled off his shirt, and +drew his belt tightly round his waist; it was the work of a +moment; there was no flinching, and he walked over to +the halberts, where his hands and feet were strapped, in a +firm way, which was very sensational and attractive to +us ensconced youngsters. A drummer was immediately at +hand in a white jacket, and the cat hung in his right hand +until the sergeant-major cried, “one” when suddenly the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> +drummer threw himself into position, and the cat flourished +high over his head and fell evenly between the white +shoulders, producing a foul red mark on the fair form +which shrugged perceptibly, but less so as the work proceeded, +so that by the time the first complement of +twenty-five lashes had disfigured the poor man’s flesh, he +appeared to be cat-hardened, for no cry or groan escaped +his lips, he took his hundred-and-fifty, and when cast +loose, his shirt and a great coat being thrown over his +back, he marched off under escort to the infirmary, for +another kind of dressing, with an amount of unflinching +courage worthy of a better cause.</p> + +<p>Number two was a different kind of man altogether; he +was stouter, and his skin looked redder, there was no +manifest fear in him; indeed, he assumed a defiant +swagger, and looked round as if for approbation during +the process of securing, nor did the first few strokes +make him writhe like his predecessor, but no sooner +had number twelve sounded, than a piercing groan was +uttered, when the fifes and drums were called into +requisition to drown his shrieks; and then, it may as +well be confessed, we withdrew to the schoolroom, after +witnessing that which did upset us, and was calculated to +sicken persons in more advanced life.</p> + +<p>The next incident mentally photographed on my mind +is one which took place at the village of Gillingham, +situated about three miles from Chatham. Our house had +a commanding view of the river Medway right away to +Sheerness. After leaving the “Colossus,” we had taken +up our quarters in the neighbourhood where a great<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> +number of officers resided. The guard-ship “Prince +Regent” lay at her moorings three-quarters of a mile +distant, and my eldest brother, a mate, was on board +awaiting a lieutenancy. He frequently came on shore and +visited us at home; but he had gone away to some foreign +station before the winter of 1827 set in, or he would have +accompanied my sisters to the Rochester ball, probably, in +the place of my father who generally required a little +persuasion on the part of the girls before mixing with the +red and blue coats when they were going in for dancing. +The forthcoming Rochester assembly was duly prepared +for, of course it was a carriage drive, and in those days +the return journey was not always considered safe, although +highway robbers were getting less frequent; still it was +well to be provided with firearms.</p> + +<p>A day or two before the said ball, I was myself an eyewitness +of sundry preparations in the domestic circle; +first, there was the coming and going of dressmakers, and +such sort, and on my respected parent’s side, there was an +inspection of small arms, and well I remember it; the +taking down of a naval trophy, very like a horse-pistol, +which was cleaned, and afterwards charged with powder +and ball, but the ammunition was not needed, for the +assembly took place, and the girls were safely housed +without any adventure.</p> + +<p>On their return the pistol had been placed on the top of +an old escritoire, and on the following Sunday, during +divine service in the parish church—and I may add in our +house as well, my mother being an invalid, and a younger +sister being therefore called upon to read prayers—just at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> +this serious moment I was wandering about the house, no +doubt in search of mischief, when I espied the pistol, and +enquired of Mary the housemaid who was busy bed-making, +what that was on the drawers. Mary had enough to do in +minding her own business, so that I was requested rather +pettishly not to bother her. I insisted, despite this protest +in the bed-room, and examined the pistol, asking the +domestic to allow me to snap the flint and steel in the +direction of her foot. I could not keep in check a desire +to embark in this little experimental trigger pulling; of +course I had not the slightest idea that my pistol could by +oversight or neglect have remained charged, nor was I +sufficiently practised in gunnery to see the propriety of +examining the pan, or thrusting down the ramrod to +ascertain if all was clear. My idea was to strike sparks +from the flint, and I did so, but “gracious goodness,” as +Mary exclaimed when she flew back as if killed—and no +sooner had she shrieked than my own mother and sister +followed suit—not only had I discharged the contents close +to the girl’s foot, but the bullet had gone right through the +floor, down into the room close to my parent’s sofa where +she was reclining. What consternation ensued I cannot +describe; had I shot anybody or wounded myself? Master +Henry was most frightened, I am sure, as the pistol fell +from my hand, and I stood pale and amazed, until +reassured that no one was hurt, and that I was not +supposed to have had any deliberate intention of shooting +Mary or my dear mother. It was a close shave for all +there, and I required protection on the maternal side after +my father returned from church.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span>“The young rascal,” he said, “had no business prowling +about on a Sunday morning; it was only a few days +previously,” he continued in a great rage, “that gunpowder +had exploded in his pocket.” This was a fact. I had +collected some half cartridges which the soldiers had +dropped at a review, and was about trying my hand at +springing a mine, when my father came in sight, and to +avoid detection I thrust a lighted slow match in my pocket, +when some loose powder ignited; being now called upon +for an explanation as to handling the pistol, I pleaded +ignorance as to its being loaded, &c., &c., and as the +fault lay really on my father’s side, I was pardoned, +and I believe kissed by Mary for not having deprived her +of existence.</p> + +<p>Scarcely six months had elapsed after this first experience +of shooting, ere the village talk turned upon a promised +balloon ascent from the Rochester Gasworks, by Mr. C. +Green; several of my schoolfellows and neighbours were +going over to witness the first event of the kind in that +part of Kent. My father had determined not to go to +Rochester, but to be satisfied with a distant view from +Chatham Lines, where I myself, and my brother and +sisters, were to assemble on the occasion. I had strict +orders to carry with all possible care an old spy glass, of +about sixteen inches round by two feet and a half in +length. Such a telescope under a boy’s arm now would +inevitably excite ridicule as to its much vaunted day and +night powers. I cannot speak very positively at the present +time, though I still possess the said instrument, and +occasionally hand it about as a curiosity, on account of its<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> +having been my father’s and the one that was taken to the +hill overlooking the gas-works to enable me to obtain a +good view of Mr. Green’s balloon, in the year 1828.</p> + +<p>It was my lot on that day, as youngest son, to stand +erect with back towards my father, with the spy glass on +my right shoulder to admit of his getting the first view +of the balloon. “There it is sure enough,” was the +intimation which only served to make me unsteady and +anxious to see what manner of thing a balloon could +be. “Steady young gentleman,” said the captain, “your +sisters and friends wish for a good view. Now then, take +your line straight over Master Henry’s shoulder, as if you +were aiming point blank at that black gas holder, you will +see the balloon half full.” After our party had taken +their turns and had commented on what they saw, I was +myself raised to the highest pitch of expectancy, and +could not for the life of me get a proper focus or catch +sight of the object for some time. At length I sighted the +variegated dome, and indulged in a long and selfish gaze; +so much so, that other boys with natural longing gave signs +of impatience by elbow digs, and at length shook the glass +and compelled me to look no longer.</p> + +<p>After the inflation was completed, we could perceive +the balloon being let up by ropes, and my father volunteered +the opinion that persons were in the car, though I +question whether the captain knew much of such affairs, +or whether he had ever been nearer a balloon than he +was that day.</p> + +<p>When the partial ascents were over, a number of old +naval officers, who appeared to be tired of waiting, gave it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> +out as their belief that the real ascent would not be long +delayed. I remember the steady gaze of my father, as he +held up the old glass with a fixed look. He was silent for +some time; at length he exclaimed “look out boys,” +a request we attended to and were not kept waiting as +in another ten seconds “she’s off, she’s off,” resounded on +all sides, and in less than a minute the balloon had risen +high into the atmosphere, and was gliding away over +Chatham Dockyard. Before the balloon reached the open +sea an upper current perceptibly wafted it inland; it seemed +to go on bravely in spite of danger, and many were the +speculations as to where it would fall. After being up for +more than half-an-hour it was pronounced to be over the +Thames, and it could be seen through the clear air until it +was reduced to a mere speck. We heard next day that it +alighted safely in Essex.</p> + +<p>It would, no doubt, be instructive to ascertain how far +an imposing spectacle influences the various members of a +juvenile community. A balloon ascent seen by children, +generally, cannot produce a desire for soaring, or aëronauts +would be as plentiful as blackberries. In my case, +young as I was, Mr. Green’s ascent, created an interest +which never left me. It was not long before I invested +my weekly allowance of pocket money in sundry sheets +of tissue paper, beginning on the housetops with tiny +parachutes, and progressing towards a rudely constructed +paper Montgolfier, which would not rise, and which did +burn, so that my first efforts, like those of most boys in +aërostatics, were unsuccessful; but, being taken with the +amusement, I stuck to it, not persistently, but with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> +frequent flashes of enthusiasm, which are evidence of a +strong taste in that direction.</p> + +<p>But there were other exciting pastimes in our seaport +town which soon proved as attractive as those +miniature balloon experiments. I must advert to a few +of them, after stating that it had been deemed a fit and +proper time to remove me from my first school and +to place me in one of a higher class, kept by the +Brothers B——, in Gibraltar Place, Chatham. The +boarders and day-scholars of this establishment were of +a mixed character, that is to say we had the military +element, the naval boys, and a fair contingent of +commercial lads—some from London, others from +Canterbury, Dover, Hythe, and various parts of the +country. Our masters had first-rate pretentions to classical +and mathematical proficiency, and although excellent +specimens of good teaching were to be found among our +ranks, yet there was one propensity which was very strong +among us, and that was pugnaciousness. I regret, even at +the present time, to avow that we were known under the +sobriquet of “B——’s bulldogs.” Not only individually +but collectively did we earn and deserve this title; whether +it was because there were two or three other schools in our +immediate vicinity whose playgrounds bordered upon our +own, and which led to competitive trials of strength, or +whether it was owing to a martial spirit bred in the very +bones of the officers’ boys, I really cannot now take upon +myself to decide, but that we were continually in hot water +there remains no manner of doubt; and when I think of +the efforts, the gigantic efforts—if large canes, veritable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +cats, and formidable birches are to be accounted as such—that +were made to cure us, I am surprised that more of +the fire was not taken out of us.</p> + +<p>Perhaps in that day and generation we were not +properly handled and tamed; something was wrong, that +is certain, or we should never have been known as +“B——’s bulldogs.” It is just possible that some of the +more grave and studious of my schoolfellows would object +to this undignified portraiture I am giving of a few +of our weak points, I beg to qualify my description by +adding that it does not follow that one and all were by +nature and habits addicted to fighting, but a large +proportion were that way inclined, and I may truthfully +add, that a certain number were known to belong to a +band of volunteers—not such as emulate the regulars in +the present day, but to a regiment of young aspirants +shouldering wooden guns and going forth to battle, the +exciting causes being some imaginary affront or some kind +of puerile knight-errantry, which would now be suppressed +as unbecoming and scandalous. No doubt certain +allowances should be made for the degenerate days of a +youth before the Reform Bill had passed; and as one or +two of my companions are now staid, distinguished men, +long passed the meridian of life, they will not blush at my +disclosures, for the history of my boyhood is not designed +to include by name any associate. All I aim at is to +describe the early scenes of my life, which cannot well be +omitted from this narrative, as they really occurred.</p> + +<p>As a specimen of the way in which we sometimes spent +our half-holidays, that is at the tender age of ten, I will<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +give the following anecdote, though I had better have +passed it over perhaps. On one occasion I had orders to +join the small army to which I belonged, as there +was some chance of active service being engaged in on +those wide-spread Chatham Lines, where the members of +our little force might, it was thought possible, on a certain +Wednesday afternoon, be provoked into mimic warfare. +We had recently, when exercising, suffered insult from the +wild half-ragged boys of Brompton, who were mostly +soldiers’ sons, and had a grudge against us on account of +our superior personal appearance, no less than for affecting +to be armed and equipped as if we were men, and equal to +doing battle as such if need be. Well, the said boys +guessing that we should be out for drill not far from the +trenches had there assembled.</p> + +<p>We fell in regardless of these tormentors, and Colonel +H——, that is our superior officer, who was the son of a +live infantry Hibernian colonel, had given orders to +“ground arms,” when with some truth, but much +sarcasm, one of the urchins cried out “ground broomsticks”—of +course in open defiance to us and our leader, +who had Irish blood in his veins.</p> + +<p>It was only a few seconds ere our next instructions were +to “shoulder arms, and prepare for action.” So far +from “broomsticks,” ours were wooden guns, in fair +imitation of muskets, and the officers had swords, +purchased from a pawnbroker, unless, as in my case, they +had been provided from home in the shape of naval or +military weapons, which had been worn by their fathers in +the days of Nelson or Wellington. Without much ado<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +or parley, we were preparing for close quarters, when to +our surprise, the enemy opened fire with stones, having +provided themselves with these formidable missiles with +which they assailed us at a disadvantage.</p> + +<p>Colonel H——, though hit at the outset in the hand, +motioned us to deploy and fall back temporarily towards +the sally-port, with a view of exhausting their resources, +before a retaliatory step was taken on our side.</p> + +<p>This strategic movement was well timed, as the ragged +ruffians redoubled their onslaught, but as anticipated, were +soon short of ammunition.</p> + +<p>Perceiving at a glance that they were pressing for the +bridge, in order to replenish their pockets with stones, the +word “Charge” was given, and away we darted at the +double, H——, himself, drawing his sword and cutting at +the thin air a slashing swish, just to let them see it was the +genuine cold steel he was leading us with, but—bless the +boys!—away they went, helter-skelter, before our colonel had +authorised us to use the butt-ends of our guns if necessary.</p> + +<p>They beat us, though, in activity, and kept up their +chaff while running away. H——, I remember overtook +the ringleader, who had a head like a mop, while his +garments, such as they were, happened to be made of +patches of old uniforms, partially tattered and torn.</p> + +<p>This fellow, with a jeer enough to provoke a saint, +exclaimed “Shure we’ll meet yer on Saturday afternoon, +at Tom-all-alones, ye know the locality, I believe.”</p> + +<p>“Agreed,” replied our leader, who brought us to the +halt with no great reluctance, being himself a stout lad of +about fifteen years of age.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>“We are masters of the field at any rate,” he said.</p> + +<p>Not one of our party failed to cheer at the unexpected +retreat of our opponents; we were ill-matched so far as +numbers, and stone-throwing powers were concerned, but +as H—— explained, we should have a better chance on +next meeting, as the soil was of clay at Tom-all-alones, +which is situated below the Brompton barracks, where +there were at that time model earth-works, and the sites +of recently sprung mines to take possession of.</p> + +<p>We agreed also upon the advisability of securing the +services of the naval brigade, which had among those +enrolled, some schoolfellows, including my brother, who +was just fifteen months my senior, and thoroughly in +advance of me, and indeed of his years, as regards acts of +downright daring.</p> + +<p>On the following half-holiday, the combined forces, +composed of day-scholars, proceeded in two divisions to +the proposed scene of action. As it happened, we were +the first on the ground, and no time was lost in taking +possession of an earth-work, or rather clay-work, not long +thrown up by Colonel Paisley and his Engineer detachment. +Guessing what would be the tactics of the rebels, +no time was lost in preparing a pile of balls, as in all +probability we should be attacked with such, at the +commencement of the expected onslaught.</p> + +<p>Having added to our numbers since the last brush, we +awaited with confidence an attack, nor were we long in +doubt as to the arrival of the enemy, as their outposts +were descried in the distance, and soon a scattered and +disorderly force appeared on the rising ground to our left;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> +on they rushed, without any apparent organisation, but +this time they had sticks in their hands, and some were +seen to have something in their pocket handkerchiefs which +were slung on one arm.</p> + +<p>The Brompton lads had evidently heard that we were +at the place appointed, but they halted on perceiving how +favourably we had established ourselves, and that we had +manufactured a conical heap of clay balls. It was not +long before they followed suit, their bull-headed leader, +who gave the challenge, being conspicuous by his clothes +and size. While thus preparing for an attack they withdrew +to a heap of moist clay, where they could be seen +pressing the earth into round shot. Some one of ours +proposed to sally out and disperse them, but H—— +thought we had better hold our own, as possession of an +earth-work was nine points in our favour.</p> + +<p>They were quicker and greater adepts at their work than +we had been, and the chances were that they would lick us +at out fighting, so that H—— sent, or sanctioned, a sortie +by way of diversion, when a party of our naval fellows +made a dash at them when least expected, but in numbers +our men, like the six hundred riding at the Russian +batteries, were quite unequal to the contest, and suffered +terribly; my brother and several others came in bleeding, +but our foes were disturbed and brought to close quarters, +where they resolutely let fly as if they expected to dislodge +us in no time, but we were several feet above them, and +they would have to scale our ramparts before driving us +out. In less than five minutes the exchange became +uncommonly smart and hot. I was also disfigured, as the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> +clay begrimed not only our jackets but our faces and +hands.</p> + +<p>No great length of time elapsed before it became as +plain as a pike-staff that we were getting the worst of it, +and no wonder. H—— discovered the reason, “those +ruffians,” he cried, “popped in stones beneath their clay, +we must at them at once; are you ready?”</p> + +<p>“Then hurrah, and away, show no quarter.”</p> + +<p>Down we rushed, the foul play that had been detected +animating us with the pluck and dash of adult warriors.</p> + +<p>“Let ’em have it,” cried H——, unmindful of a wound +in the head which caused the blood to flow copiously. I, +too, was hit, as indeed were one and all of us, but +“onwards boys,” was the word, and just as we were on +the point of crossing sticks and guns, they fell back +suddenly, but not before a personal exchange of compliments +came off between our colonel and the burly leader on the +enemy’s side. In fact H—— closed with him, and laid +hands on his throat which brought him to the ground.</p> + +<p>This incident gave a turn to the fortune of war, and at +the real tug which decides so many battles we were again +the victors, most unmistakeably so this time, as it became +a total rout, and the ringleader was not released until he +rendered up his stick and pledged himself never again to +oppose or make light of us while exercising.</p> + +<p>It was not very long after this scrimmage that a painful +circumstance occurred, and as it concerned three of us +who had fought in company, and who were shortly after +fated to have a difference among ourselves, I may as well +mention it at once. I do so with twinges of regret even<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> +at this distant period of time, as I was led, almost +unwittingly, into a fresh squabble which disfigured, I am +aware, my early doings.</p> + +<p>It was in this wise. My brother who was in the last +affair (not an elder brother who was in the Royal Navy), +had some high words with my colonel, H——, who had +led us twice into action as recounted. H——, by design +or inadvertence, had cast a slur on our father—not that +I heard it or was aware of it until John, my brother, +came in one day and said, “Henry, we are going to fight +H——.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed,” I cried with doubt and pain; “what for, he +is my colonel, I have had no quarrel with him?”</p> + +<p>“Well, it is all settled; he has insulted papa. Here’s +Johnson, he will tell you all about it, and when it is to +come off. Owing to H——’s size and age he is going to +take the pair of us.”</p> + +<p>“You see Master Henry,” said Johnson, who was a +marine bandsman, and who assisted, when off duty, in +our house, “the captain, your father, has been grossly +insulted.”</p> + +<p>“Only you make that clear, Johnson, and I am ready,” +was my reply.</p> + +<p>“Well, you had better step up into my room, young +gentlemen, at once, as time is on the wing, and will brook +no delay.”</p> + +<p>The bandsman having disclosed the nature of the +aspersion, and the hour having been fixed for the +encounter, I found myself with no way of escape consistent +with honour and respect for a parent; so that I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> +may as well make a clean breast of another blot on my +life’s history by avowing that, the same evening, in a back +yard, on suitable premises, rented by one McMollon, a +linesman, Johnson had arranged for the meeting to take +place; and for the better understanding of the why and +wherefore, as also of the respective characters of Johnson +and McMollon, I must unavoidably state that these worthies +were, to some extent, rivals, as Johnson was in our employ +and McMollon was not, though he wished to be. The +former, moreover, was a Royal Marine of the Chatham +Division, while the latter was of another cloth altogether: +and then again the bandsman was a Man of Kent, while the +soldier hailed from the other side of St. George’s Channel, +so that their brogue and tastes were quite opposed.</p> + +<p>McMollon considered that H—— had not insulted +Johnson’s “bhoys,” as he accentuated his allusion to us, +and the Englishman swore in strong Saxon that H—— had, +and that the affair should be fought out.</p> + +<p>Preliminaries having been settled, an adjournment took +place to Johnson’s private quarters, which were located +near our back garden, as was McMollon’s house and yard, +though they were fully a stone’s throw apart from the +bandsman’s rooms and from our place.</p> + +<p>On entering Johnson’s room, he threw off his coat, and +then drew with a piece of chalk a line across the floor, and +brought us up to the scratch, as he roughly named the +place of demarkation. He then threw himself into a +pugilistic attitude and thus addressed us:—</p> + +<p>“You are going to face, young gentlemen, a strapping +young fellow, whose hit may prove like the kick of a horse.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> +From what I know of you both, I have no fear whatever of +the issue, if you follow my advice; but if he lands his +left on Master Henry’s nose and his right between Master +John’s eyes, by taking you apart and dropping on to you +unawares, then I’ll not answer for the consequences. Now +look here! I’m your opponent; please to foot the chalk +line, and square up like men. Capital—anyhow as a +sample. Now, please not to forget that in round one +Master Henry must hit for the wind, and you, Master +John, must play for the face—left and right like a sledge-hammer. +No. 2 then recovers himself, and next pops in +another compliment on the nob, as we call it in the +classics; and if you land your blows, as I expect you will, +Col. H—— will be taken all aback, and round one will +soon be over.”</p> + +<p>“But hold; look here Johnson,” I said, “supposing +that when I aim at the wind I catch one in the eye, how +then?”</p> + +<p>“Oh! that’s what we’re coming to. If you, after a +spurt in sparring, throw your guard well over your face, +and butt in smartly at the same time, you score a shot +between wind and water, and then the figure-head is open +for master John. Come now, just go through it.”</p> + +<p>But without further shocking or harassing the refined +minds of my readers, suffice it to say that we were put +through these tactics ultimately to the satisfaction of +our accomplished instructor, and by the time we faced +H—— in McMollon’s yard, we came up with an air +of confidence which seemed to gladden the bandman’s +heart.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>H——, on being supported by McMollon, merely +buttoned his blue jacket, but we, in obedience to +Johnson’s request, took off ours and then tucked up +our sleeves. We cut a poor figure, however, in a physical +aspect, as opposed to our big antagonist, who smiled as if +he could knock us to pieces, if he were so disposed.</p> + +<p>“Faith, be jintle with them, Misther H——” said +McMollon, when Johnson—unmindful of swagger—put +us forward with calm assurance, and we lost no time in +obeying his orders; perceiving that we stood well as to +position, he cried out “Now lads,” when in I went, to the +astonishment of H—— and his second, while my brother +hit out well from the shoulder, as told to do at rehearsal.</p> + +<p>“Follow up, Master Henry,” cried Johnson, “ding +dong, go it, the pair of you.”</p> + +<p>But, at this interesting moment, a manly figure came +forward and, pushing our backer aside, he dealt us both +two sharp cuts on the back with his walking-stick. It was +my father!</p> + +<p>“Disgraceful!” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“How is this, Johnson, a pugilistic encounter?”</p> + +<p>“The truth is, it is all about yourself, Captain.”</p> + +<p>“Eh, what do you say, about me?”</p> + +<p>“Well, the fact is, Master H——, yonder, insulted +your good name, and the young gentlemen took it up.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! that’s it; well, I shall return in ten minutes, +and if all this is not over I shall be very angry.”</p> + +<p>Pater then, to the bandsman’s delight, went away; +an act which was interpreted to mean, “go in and +win,” which we did in a very short period of time, to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> +dismay of McMollon, who now rounded on Johnson, but +the royal marine, of the Chatham division, was nothing +daunted, though a much smaller man; his coat was off, +and he was well to the front in no time.</p> + +<p>“Shure the captain’s coming; don’t get yourself into +trouble, now,” cried McMollon, and with this excuse he +declined to be mixed up in the fray; and it is due to +H—— to admit that, after the contest, he explained that +his insinuations were entirely misunderstood, and that the +Coxwells were far too touchy. This remark had in it +some semblance of truth, perhaps, but the explanation +being accepted, we shook hands, and were as good, if not +better friends than ever.</p> + +<p>As a description of my boyish pranks will lead to an +inference that the game of soldiers was to me a labour of +love, still it must not be supposed that I was indifferent to +nautical pursuits and ship-building.</p> + +<p>There was a fine field at Chatham for youths who +aspired to serve their country, and who had a liking for +naval architecture. Much of my spare time was spent in +the machinery and dockyard departments. The parents of +some of my schoolfellows resided in the great naval depot, +and there were about half-a-dozen of us who inherited +a strong bent for everything appertaining to the wooden +walls of Old England.</p> + +<p>We had heard our fathers’ stories of sea fights, and +cutting out expeditions, of the days of two broad-sides and +board, of chasing foreign frigates, and of attacking the +combined fleets of France and Spain, until a lively interest +in such undertakings was pretty generally felt among us.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> +Ready access being afforded to see the dry and wet docks, +slips, and gun wharf, we were fairly posted up in all that +was going forward to maintain, at that time, our supremacy +on the seas.</p> + +<p>Although the dimensions of Chatham Dockyard have +vastly extended since the year 1831, still they were of no +small magnitude then. There was generally a first-rate +on Number One slip, and a couple of ninety gun ships +close at hand, while lower down the yard an eighty-four +and several frigates, corvettes, and brigs of war were to be +seen in different stages of advancement. The dry docks +too—especially a new stone one—were invariably occupied, +and in the river there was constantly a vessel in commission, +so that we frequently put off to visit the officers, +and to watch the progress of fitting out.</p> + +<p>We had been observing for some time the completion of +His Majesty’s ship “Monarch,” and were eagerly looking +out for her launch, not because it would be a novelty to us—for +we seldom omitted such ceremonies—but we had +agreed to be on board as she went off the stocks. From +some cause, better known to the Admiralty than to us, the +launch had been put off from time to time, until we grew +impatient. At last we noticed that the cradles were up, and +that a coat of yellow paint had been laid on, and finally +we ascertained that when the next spring tide served, +this splendid eighty-four was destined to take the water.</p> + +<p>The day having been fixed, we either obtained or <i>took</i> a +whole holiday—a half-holiday was no kind of use to us. +We did not care to arrive with the fashionable visitors who +gathered about half-an-hour before the christening. What<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> +we wanted was to be present during the preliminary +operations of removing the supports, and splitting out the +blocks from beneath the keel, and, in fact, of witnessing +the mechanical process of transferring the entire weight +of a stupendous ship on to the “ways” down which the +“Monarch” was to slide.</p> + +<p>From an early hour in the morning every available +shipwright was at his post accomplishing this task. It +would never do to remove the spars that propped up +each section of the enormous hull until the day of the +launch; the strain would be too great on the timbers were +this done until the cradles are driven tight by wedging, +which was just what we took delight in. All hands were +summoned for this office, when the blows from a thousand +hammers struck home and blended in one harmonious +sound.</p> + +<p>The master shipwright and Bardoe the pilot were to be +seen in company during these preparations. An important +personage was Bardoe; he was a bluff, stalwart seaman, +with a voice to be heard the other side of the Medway, a +Newcastle man by birth, and one to be obeyed, but gentle, +communicative, and a decided favourite with us boys.</p> + +<p>“Now young gentlemen,” said the pilot, “you are here +betimes, pray keep out of mischief and mind your heads, +they are just going to knock away some of those props; +and let’s see, you want to go with us, don’t you? I +hardly know what to say about it to-day; I shall have a +large gang of convicts aboard to assist in ‘bringing her +up,’ and my orders are to be strict about visitors.” “All +right Mr. Bardoe, you’ll find room for us I daresay.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span>The tide was now flowing freely, and the yard began to +be astir with strangers. Many persons, quite ignorant of +the details of shiplaunching, were seeking information, and +with no little pride we undertook to enlighten a few, +explaining the principle of launching, and then conducting +the inquirers to the dog-shores, comparatively small pieces +of timber, but forming the last connecting link, which, +being knocked away by falling pieces of iron, admit of the +vessel gliding into the stream.</p> + +<p>Around the bows, and on either side of the “Monarch,” +spacious stages were erected for the accommodation of the +public. Hosts of civilians in gay dresses were arriving, +and what with military uniforms, and a strong muster +of blue-coats, appearances were becoming uncommonly +lively.</p> + +<p>Nor was the scene less stirring afloat, as aquatic parties +were rowing hither and thither, and a long line of boats +began to take up their positions in close proximity, not +without peril, as the swell becomes great when a quantity +of water equal to the displacement of a man-of-war is set +in motion, and the boats’ crews have to look out in case of +being upset.</p> + +<p>As it was drawing near to one o’clock the Marine +band marched down, and began playing inspiriting tunes. +We then mounted the last ladder by the ship’s side, +and caught Bardoe’s eye; he was rather stiff with the +responsibilities of office, and had just given orders to clear +away the ladder which was moving already, so that no +further person could enter the ship. “Look alive young +gentlemen,” Bardoe sung out, “tumble in through<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> +a port-hole”; a privilege which we were not long in +availing ourselves of.</p> + +<p>A stir with Bardoe’s gang of convicts next drew our +attention. The pilot had ranged his men to let go the +anchors at a given order, and for this they had to hold +themselves in readiness. Presently a tremendous thumping +was heard under the “Monarch’s” bows, and then a +cheer arose. “Look out,” cried the pilot, “she is being +christened”; then all was silent, and a voice was heard, +“Are you all ready Bardoe”?</p> + +<p>“All ready, Sir,” was the prompt response.</p> + +<p>Another sound was then heard: “Down goes the +dog-shores!” exclaimed Bardoe; then followed a slight +tremble from stem to stern. “There she goes,” +resounded on all sides, as we began moving down the slip +with a pace which was at first easy, but which soon +became accelerated to a rapid, resistless, majestic descent, +increasing as we took the water, so that it seemed as if +nothing could check our way until we reached the opposite +bank of the river. Bardoe had his eye on the stream, +and at the proper moment sung out lustily, “Stand by, +my lads, let go,” when down fell a huge anchor, and then +a second one, which lessened our speed. “Pay away +handsomely,” exclaimed the pilot. “Port your helm +hard.” “Port it is, Sir,” by which movement the +“Monarch” was brought round skillfully, and prevented +from touching the river mud.</p> + +<p>There were two sentries on board having muskets loaded +with ball cartridge, as at times, an escaped convict would +swim the Medway and land unscathed on the Upnor Castle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +side of the river. Nothing of this kind was attempted, +however, on board the new line-of-battle ship which had +now entered her proper element, so that we landed in a +boat without having witnessed anything more sensational +than the launch. A passing reference to this scene may +be considered by the reader as inapplicable to the life +of a balloonist; but I cannot well omit subjects of the +kind, if I faithfully chronicle the incidents of my early +life, which I am determined to portray to the letter, even +if the general character of my boyhood suffers thereby.</p> + +<p>“Why not point out how you progressed with your +studies, where you and your friends worshipped, how many +prizes you had for good conduct, and such like?” asks +a well-wisher to whom I read some of these pages in MS.</p> + +<p>“The fact is,” I replied, “a very little of that sort of thing +will go a long way,” and we may come to it by and bye, +but as I was a lad of action, and have in after life stuck +to my colours, though it was thought I was cut out either +for a parson or a soldier officer; I must be true to my +bent, and as to pretending that I was studious, or +intellectually inclined—well I will not affect anything of +that sort, having ever alluded to myself as a practical +man; at the same time I do hope, that by being +straight-forward as to my plan and intentions, I may not +prove altogether dull in this truthful narrative.</p> + +<p>“Still harping upon those horrid uninteresting +experiences of your early life and doings?” yes, and I +must hark back upon a few other wild acts and thereby +risk further censure with an obtuseness deserving of +reprehension.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>In this fresh adventure, I was all alone in my glory, +having embarked single-handed in a little practice with +firearms.</p> + +<p>My first essay with a horse-pistol, already described, when +I nearly shot a servant and my own relations, did not produce +that dread that might have been expected. Certainly +I was now older, and had fought with a wooden gun, had +watched soldiers load, present, and fire, but the fright +attending my first efforts ought, by good right, to have +made me nervous on this score for many a year to come.</p> + +<p>In one of my father’s rooms which was not marked +strictly private, there were some guns, swords, pistols, and +a frightful old Spanish blunderbuss with a bell-mouthed +barrel and a bayonet affixed, which was kept down by +a catch. Whether it was that I had a coarse, depraved +taste in occasionally looking over this armoury, I cannot +say, but the blunderbuss took my fancy vastly. One day +I became bold enough to borrow it for a trial, and I +surreptitiously provided myself with ammunition, going +among the ramparts in quest of something to let fly at. +As may be guessed, I made a poor hand with birds, owing +to the bell-mouthed weapon scattering so much. Annoyed +at this, a packet of ball cartridge was undone and I +resolved to engage in target practice. Following a road +which led to the Spur battery, a disused sentry-box +presented itself, and as nobody appeared to be about, I +made a circle on one side, took aim, and fired!</p> + +<p>Just as I was examining the effect, a file of the guard +came in sight, and I was sorely perplexed as to how to +avoid detection, especially as I noticed that daylight was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> +let into the sentry-box on both sides; the ball having +penetrated through and through.</p> + +<p>There were deep trenches on one side of the road and +high palings on the other, so that escape was impossible. +Only one remedy was applicable, and that was to keep +moving with a view of diverting attention from the damaged +property; but the corporal was not to be hoodwinked, he +instantly detected what I had been at, and challenged me +to stand until I was overtaken.</p> + +<p>In less than a minute I was a prisoner, and was marched +off to the guard-house. Here I was examined by a +sergeant and sent with an escort to the upper barracks.</p> + +<p>On my way there I became the object of derision. +When I was taken into the presence of some officers on +duty, I felt my position the more keenly as Major O—— +was my father’s friend and frequently visited our house.</p> + +<p>It was impossible to suppress a smile at my grotesque +appearance, carrying as I did the old blunderbuss, and I +almost hoped that Major O—— did not recognise me, as +he turned his back and looked out of the window.</p> + +<p>The offence I had been guilty of having been notified, +Major O——, still gazing on to the parade, enquired if +any sentry was on duty at the time I fired. The information +tendered being in my favour, Major O——, without +deigning to inspect me, ordered the sergeant to proceed to +my parents, and to request that I should not be permitted +to handle so dangerous a weapon for the future.</p> + +<p>Slight as the sentence might have appeared, yet to me it +was a heavy one, as I was in no way prepared to face my +father under the circumstances.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>On my way home I explained to the sergeant that we +knew Major O——, and I asked if he would mind going +in the back way. To this proposition he assented, and +fortunately so, as the first person encountered was our +cook, who was a Scotchwoman and who espoused my cause, +and insisted that the sergeant should take some refreshment +in the kitchen before lodging his complaint in the +parlour.</p> + +<p>Cooky then stated that the captain was not at home, but +that she would undertake to deliver any message appertaining +to my delinquency, when the sergeant stated his +orders from Major O——.</p> + +<p>The cook observed that it was sure to be right, and that +the major would be at our house that evening to a party.</p> + +<p>Sure enough the major came, and I saw him, but the +cook had failed to see my father, and the reticent major +did not allude to the morning’s interview, but politely left +me in doubt as to whether he knew me or not.</p> + +<p>Among the various localities in which in some capacity +or another I well remember to have figured, was Gillingham +Reach; here we were accustomed to bathe, and three of +us, viz., my brother, self, and Stanley R——, a schoolfellow, +had been disporting ourselves one day for some time, +where the stream ran fast, and I got out of my depth.</p> + +<p>R—— was a splendid swimmer, and was far out in the +tide, but I disappeared and was beyond the reach of my +brother, who, like myself, could not swim.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for me my friend Rudd was just in time +to save my life, a service which I am proud to acknowledge +in these pages with his full name.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>Somewhat lower down, at a hard where boats could be +pulled up, my brother and I wandered one afternoon with +a view of going off to one of the ships in ordinary. We +waited for a long time hoping to see a waterman, but as no +one appeared we took French leave and rowed away in a +flat-bottomed boat which had previously been pulled up +high and dry.</p> + +<p>It happened to blow a strong westerly wind, but, boy-like, +we took little heed of this until we got well out into +the middle of the Medway. Then we discovered our +mistake, as the wind and tide were setting one way; we +missed the ship, and were swept down the river in the +direction of Long Reach. All the efforts we made to pull +were of no avail, but it so happened that our course was +towards the guard-ship “Prince Regent.” We managed +to row as nearly as possible in this direction with a view of +obtaining assistance, but the waves were very rough, and +had it not been for a seaman who hailed us out of the port +bow we should have been carried away to Sheerness, and +perhaps to sea.</p> + +<p>This worthy, perceiving that we had no control over the +boat, sung out lustily, “Pull in shore, my lads,” a piece +of advice which we were just enabled to put in practice; +by so doing, we crossed the river, and, although we were +taken a long way on the weather side, yet here we were +less exposed to the wind and tide. My brother then took +off his clothes, and pushed the boat up by the stern. It +was a long and tedious undertaking, but we got back safely +and deposited the boat as we found it, without complaint +or even detection.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>In the year 1832, my father was taken seriously ill with +a pulmonary complaint, brought on by injuries he received +in boarding a Spanish line-of-battle ship. Several of his +ribs were broken in this action, and he was never able to +go to sea again, as it brought on spitting of blood. In +the month of June he breathed his last, and as my mother +was an invalid, and the neighbourhood was not considered +to suit her case, we soon left the seaport and moved to +Eltham, which was not far distant from Woolwich, where +my eldest brother was previously stationed in a frigate. +A school was selected for myself and second brother in the +vicinity of Woolwich Common, where young gentlemen, +as at Chatham, were prepared for the Military College.</p> + +<p>During our stay at Eltham, I frequently used to spy +balloons in the air, as they came from some of the Metropolitan +gardens. Often have I watched them career along +with a degree of interest which fast gained upon me, so +that nothing would do, but I must go up to London and +see, if possible, Mr. Green.</p> + +<p>I was walking out one evening, when an object emerged +from the clouds, which was rapidly descending. I perceived +the grapnel at the end of a rope, and knew all about it in +a moment.</p> + +<p>Here was a chance of witnessing a descent. My heart +leaped with joy, and I stood still until I made out the +balloon’s course.</p> + +<p>That being settled, I struck out like a hunter over +hedges and ditches, and came up at the death before the +gas had been exhausted.</p> + +<p>It was Mr. Green’s balloon! The aëronaut was very<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> +busy, and, as I thought, rather ill tempered with the people +for not standing back as he ordered them.</p> + +<p>In my anxiety to get a close view, I first came in contact +with the celebrated aërial voyager. I was pushing my way +to the front ranks, and was looking at the valve, when I +was admonished for my pains, and informed that I had +better go to Greenwich Hospital. This advice raised a +laugh, though I was at a loss to understand the reason, +until my personal appearance became the subject of +observation; then I perceived the force of Mr. Green’s +remark.</p> + +<p>It appeared that my face was covered with scratches and +blood. I had unflinchingly taken the shortest route, and, +in my excitement, had bounded through every obstacle that +came in my way, even hedges and ditches, so that, without +knowing it, I was the veriest object among the crowd, my +clothes being bedaubed and torn; whilst my hands and +face were scored terribly.</p> + +<p>The ardent desire to have a close view of a balloon +having been gratified, I now determined to watch the +newspapers for the next ascent, and to be present at the +inflation; but as aërial voyages were not quite so frequent +about this time as they became a few years later, I had to +wait some months; and as a change had taken place in my +scholastic movements, I was not exactly master of my time, +having become a parlour boarder at a fresh school, viz., at +Northampton House, Camberwell.</p> + +<p>It seemed a very long while before I heard anything in +reference to an intended ascent. At last a placard caught +my eye as I was out exercising with my schoolfellows.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>Mr. Green was going up from the Surrey Zoological +Gardens, and as our playground was not more than a mile +distant in a straight line, I expected to get a tolerable +view, especially as there were some stately elms in our +grounds, which I was bent upon mounting.</p> + +<p>Long before there was any chance of catching sight of +the balloon, I had climbed up the highest tree by way of +reconnoitering. The boys generally manifested great interest +in the affair; but my zeal was acknowledged to be in +advance of the rest, and I was considered an authority on +the matter, and looked up to as one who could give +information of the proceedings.</p> + +<p>Twice had I perched myself on a lofty branch before I +could announce anything satisfactory; at last I perceived +the top of the balloon and communicated afterwards that +it was filling out and getting higher, so that there was a +general look-out, and when I signified that she was off, a +cheer arose greeting the information, and there was a cry +of “bravo Harry,” as if <i>I</i> had committed myself to the +realms of space instead of to the tree top as a mere look-out. +Not many days passed before the faculty of imitation +was brought into play, so far as we could manage it, in +the hour allotted to recreation.</p> + +<p>As to a balloon, we could not improvise one of any +magnitude, but I bethought me that a car might be +manufactured, and that we could attach this to a strong +branch of an elm, and swing off as if we were emulating +Mr. Green. A wooden construction was forthwith knocked +up, and cords attached to take an equal bearing, and then +a good thick rope was fastened to the whole and made fast<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> +to an elastic arm of the chosen tree; a second cord was +fixed to the body of the tree by which the car was drawn +in and secured. I then took my seat and invited a +passenger to accompany me; it wasn’t every lad who cared +about the venture, but I found a companion and let go the +side rope. We swung out to a considerable distance, and +fancied ourselves aëronauts; but the sport was cut short +by the head master who would not sanction that particular +kind of ballooning, as he considered it more perilous to +life and limb even than a more extended flight in <i>nubibus</i>.</p> + +<p>On the following Whit Monday I ascertained that +Mr. Green was to make another ascent from the Surrey +Gardens, and I obtained permission to devote that day to +aëronautics. On my arrival in the morning I found that I +was the first visitor, and that the gate had not been thrown +open. When I had hung about and paraded up and down +for more than an hour the gate-keeper took pity on me, +and I was allowed to enter; not of course without paying. +I found my way to the spot selected for filling, but no gas +had gone in as yet, in fact Mr. Green and some other men +were laying the balloon out, which suited me admirably, +as I wished, beyond all things, to see the process from its +commencement.</p> + +<p>I was wondering whether the aëronaut would recognise +me as the boy with a scratched face who made himself +conspicuous at his former descent. The aëronaut, however, +was intent upon his business and anxious to proceed with +it, as I inferred from repeated references to an enormous +silver watch.</p> + +<p>Presently a workman presented himself with a large<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> +iron key to the gas valve, and this man, although a rough +lazy-looking fellow, was pronounced by Mr. Green to be +the most welcome visitor he had seen yet, by which I took +it that he meant no offence to me, but that he was the +individual who could render him the most important service. +Shortly after the man with the key disappeared, the silk +began to rise, and the aëronaut was all astir in allowing +gas to flow towards the valve, and to expand the top part +first.</p> + +<p>I had a good opportunity of noticing every movement +that was made, and in my eagerness to gather information +I followed Mr. Green about, and almost fancied that he +looked upon me as if I were too officious. I would fain +have spoken to him, but there was a peculiar curl about +his lips which conveyed the idea that I had better mind +my own affairs, and leave him to himself. Still there was +something strongly characteristic about his bearing I +thought, he was very precise and skilful in his manipulations, +and looked to me like a man who engaged in his +vocation from motives of scientific interest, rather than +from those of vanity.</p> + +<p>I felt rather glad when the public began to assemble, +especially on the arrival of some of Mr. Green’s friends, as +I heard the passing conversation, and got some information +in that way.</p> + +<p>“Well Mr. Green,” said one gentleman, “who is going +up to-day”?</p> + +<p>“You are Sir, if you think proper, your twenty pounds +is just as good as another’s.”</p> + +<p>This interrogator confined himself to the one question,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> +only he seemed quite satisfied. For my part I received a +wet blanket to all my youthful aspirations. If that is the +fee I thought, it will be many a day and year before I can +think of ascending.</p> + +<p>Although there was a splendid collection of animals to +be seen, and many other things besides, yet I never left +the balloon until it was filled and away. I question +whether, among the young people assembled, there was a +more attentive visitor than myself. The only drawback to +the great pleasure I derived in seeing a balloon filled, was +the appearance and manners of those connected with the +undertaking.</p> + +<p>I had read of Pilatre de Rosier, a man of high attainments, +of Gay-Lussac, the eminent French chemist, and +of Lunardi, the Secretary of the Neapolitan Ambassador; +and I thought that the aërial party I had seen fell short of +my expectations in more respects than one; but if the +standard by which I ought to have judged was competency +and professional aptitude, then I felt that credit for all +that kind of thing was eminently due to the Greens.</p> + +<p>Some time before my visit to the Surrey Gardens I had +been amusing myself in making boats and in fitting them +up for a miniature race in a large fish pond.</p> + +<p>All my carpenter’s tools and ship-building knowledge +were now thrown aside for Montgolfiers and air balloons. +I could hold forth on aërostation and illustrate the +principles of that science with tolerable proficiency by the +time I was fifteen years of age. But I was devoting too +much time to this kind of work, that is, if the opinions of +my well wishers and friends were correct.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>My elder brother, who was a wise and good man, thought +it high time that more serious tastes appertaining to a +profession should take the place of mere airy nothings, +which appeared to absorb so much of my attention. It +was pointed out, that as our prospects in life had been +changed through certain property having passed into other +hands, and as our interest, owing to the death of my +father, was less likely than formerly to get myself and +second brother into the navy and army, we should prepare +ourselves, if need be, for commercial engagements, +which would, perhaps, prove more advantageous and +profitable than the kind of occupation we had been led to +expect that we should ultimately be engaged in.</p> + +<p>Although my eldest brother was a naval officer, yet he +was of a philosophical and religious turn of mind, and his +actions added such weight to his convictions, that he may +be said to have been our second father in all kinds of +excellent advice. It was not that he evinced the slightest +indifference to any branch of science, on the contrary, he +frequently used to converse with me about balloons, and +was, to a certain extent, pleased that I had possessed +myself of some information on the subject; but he laid +stress upon the folly of one in my position thinking very +much of such things, and I must needs own that his +arguments had their temporary influence, and subdued for +a while a passion which was seen to be growing by none +more than those who were near and dear to me.</p> + +<p>It was the year 1835, when I had shot up a few inches +and had changed a blue jacket for a black tail coat, that +the reality of life, and the importance of doing something,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> +came pretty strong upon my mind. My brother John had +already been despatched to a counting-house in Amsterdam, +he had finally given up all hope of going to sea, and knew +there was very little chance for me as regards the Army. +Family affairs, and what is called destiny, seemed to be +dead set against our serving our country, although no two +boys ever longed to do so more than ourselves.</p> + +<p>My eldest brother, too, had left the service, not on +account of natural distaste to it, for no officer was ever +more zealous, but, owing to religious scruples, he had +resigned his commission just as he had completed a course +of study on board the “Excellent.”</p> + +<p>These slight references to domestic matters being +essential, and indeed inseparable from my own life, I +mention them—though with all possible brevity.</p> + +<p>The tail coat and other indications of becoming a young +man, did not produce a positive and settled belief in any +special line of life for which I considered myself suited. +I was by no means quick in forming an opinion myself. +One of my sisters—I had two at that time—used to say I +should make a good clergyman. Perhaps I might have +done so, many a youth mistakes his calling; but the truth +is that I hardly knew what to turn to.</p> + +<p>In the meantime I used to indulge, oftentimes clandestinely, +in my favourite pastime by visiting the public +gardens of London; I should state by-the-bye, only to +see what was going on in the aëronautic way.</p> + +<p>During the following year something remarkable, in +that line, had engaged public attention. It was the +building of a very large balloon, at Vauxhall Gardens, by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> +Messrs. Gye and Hughes, under the personal superintendence, +and according to the plans of Mr. Green. This was +something new and absorbing, that diverted my fancy from +other affairs, and set me reading the papers and talking +about the matter, until I became a perfect bore to my +associates. I soon learnt full particulars, including the +number of yards of silk to be employed, its texture and +quality, the cubic contents of the balloon, and how many +people it would raise, &c., &c., all of which induced me +to believe that everybody was as interested in the affair as +myself.</p> + +<p>I prattled and enquired, until it occurred to the home +minister, in other words, to my elder brother, that some +step had better be taken to settle my mind in a solid and +business train of thought.</p> + +<p>Would I go to Holland, and become a merchant’s +clerk?</p> + +<p>No objection—I would try my hand at it, but I +questioned whether I could stand it.</p> + +<p>Was there anything to prevent my starting at once?</p> + +<p>Nothing particular, only I should like to see the first +ascent of that large balloon which was to ascend shortly.</p> + +<p>What were such vain and trifling affairs compared +with Henry’s future prospects? asked my sage mentor.</p> + +<p>“Just so, but a week’s delay won’t make much difference,” +was my answer, “especially as I have as yet no regular +engagement.”</p> + +<p>“Shall we arrange that you join your brother in +September, at Amsterdam?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, after the 9th, I shall be ready to leave.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>The launching of the Vauxhall balloon was a day “big +with fate,” and the morning was auspicious; but at two +o’clock the weather changed, and from that time until +half-past four it rained incessantly. Thirty-six policemen +were placed around the balloon during the inflation, each +taking charge of one of the cords connected with the network. +Forty-one iron weights, of fifty-six pounds each, +were attached to the cordage; these were soon three feet +from the ground, and the policemen were then compelled +to pass their staves through the meshes, to prevent the +cords cutting their hands. This combined resistance was, +however, found insufficient, and twenty other persons were +called to assist. By this time the netting and silk must +have absorbed 300 lbs. weight of water, besides a quantity +retained on the top of the balloon. The inflation was +completed in four hours and five minutes; twenty-four +bags of ballast, weighing together 400 lbs., were then +placed in the car, and the grapnel was attached with an +elastic cord of caoutchouc and hemp, which was designed +to prevent any sudden jerk in stopping the balloon.</p> + +<p>The aërial party consisted of nine persons, including five +of the family of the Greens, besides Captain Currie, +Mr. Hildyard, Mr. Holland, Mr. Edwin Gye and +Mr. William Hughes—sons of the proprietors of Vauxhall +Gardens.</p> + +<p>The appearance of the balloon was truly magnificent; +and, though ponderous, nothing could exceed its graceful +beauty. Mr. Green found that the ascending power was +considerably more than he had announced to the public, +he was therefore compelled to allow 15,000 cubic feet of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> +gas to escape before he could release the balloon from its +moorings, there not being room in the car for more +voyagers.</p> + +<p>All being ready, the ropes were loosened, and the +stupendous machine shot rapidly into the upper regions. +It proceeded at first to the east, but soon took a south-easterly +direction.</p> + +<p>The gardens, and every avenue leading to them, +appeared to be one solid mass of human beings; in fact +there was not an elevated spot within two miles which was +not covered with spectators.</p> + +<p>The course of the balloon was along the Thames, in the +direction of Gravesend. The grappling iron first touched +ground near the village of Cliffe, in Kent; and, after +slightly catching several times, took a firm hold. The +voyagers enjoyed themselves much.</p> + +<p>This imposing spectacle having passed off satisfactorily, +and a large amount of curiosity having been gratified on +my side, I was now ready to start for Amsterdam. +A berth was secured on board the “Romona,” and I left +St. Katherine’s Wharf in tolerable spirits; but in passing +Southend and Sheerness I fell into a dejected mood, +when I contrasted my youthful longings with the present +mercantile mission to Holland. It was of no use, our +interests with the Navy and Army authorities had been +neglected, the heads of the family had taken a more +serious turn, and it was absolutely necessary that I should +do something for my living.</p> + +<p>On leaving the Nore and getting well out to sea, our +passengers on deck had wonderfully decreased; there was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> +a stiff breeze on, and the attendance at dinner fell short of +the steward’s expectations. Those who were equal to +feeding became none the less sociable, and I was glad to +sit by the side of a communicative young merchant bound +for the Rhine. Among other topics, the subject of +aërostation was broached by my fellow-traveller; he, too, +had seen the ascent of the great balloon, and longed some +day, like myself, to have an aërial excursion.</p> + +<p>The more we got away from land, the stronger it came +on to blow, in fact we had a very dirty night of it, but +crossed the bar all right soon after daylight, and got up +to Rotterdam about the time we were expected. My +brother John, who was there to meet me, proposed that we +should go to the Dutch capital by a canal boat: I was +agreeably surprised to find how fluently he could chat to +the men, and with what apparent ease he smoked an +enormous pipe and drank black coffee.</p> + +<p>After a week’s wandering about Amsterdam, I was +introduced for the first time into a counting-house. +I made a great effort for some weeks to take an interest +in the proceedings and to do as I was requested, but +natural aptitude failed me. I did not take kindly to a +single duty and became conscious that I was looked upon +as a dunce. A sharp bilious attack followed my novitiate, +and it was pretty evident that whatever my element might +be, I was not in it at that particular time and place.</p> + +<p>As the long evenings came on, my brother used to read +and translate the newspapers.</p> + +<p>About the second week in November he observed some +intelligence which was sure to please and excite me.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span>“Now, do pay attention, Henry,” he added, “Mr. Green +has crossed the Channel, with two other gentlemen, in the +Vauxhall balloon, and landed in Germany.”</p> + +<p>“Read on, I am all attention John.”</p> + +<p>I then heard the full particulars of that extraordinary +voyage. The result was a balloon fever, which was by no +means suited to my position at that time.</p> + +<p>My brother and Herr von L—— observed in me a greater +distaste than ever to counting-house duties, and I was +heartily glad when an unexpected turn in our affairs was +brought about, by which we were to leave Amsterdam and +return home.</p> + +<p>A change of our family residence was the next movement +of any importance in my history. We had resolved +upon going up to London. My brother John was now +provided for, and I was to watch his advancement, and, +if possible, follow in his steps, as there would be no +difficulty in getting a berth for me.</p> + +<p>Eventually I tried my hand at it, but it was of no use; +I sickened and gave it up, much to the disappointment +of my friends.</p> + +<p>Whatever was to be done with me now? That, indeed, +was a serious question.</p> + +<p>“I think,” said an observing acquaintance one evening, +as he placed his hand towards his mouth as if in the act +of removing some artificial teeth, “I have thought of an +occupation that will suit Henry. This morning,” he said, +“I had occasion to visit my dentist, and he inquired if I +knew of any youth of a mechanical turn of mind who +would like to become his pupil.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>The idea was no sooner broached than it struck me as +being in the right direction.</p> + +<p>I caught at it and agreed to turn it over in my mind, nor +did I fail to do so. Forthwith I waited upon several +surgeon-dentists, and at last had an interview with a very +clever practitioner, who had formerly been a surgeon in +the navy. This gentleman was eminently calculated to +ingratiate himself, and to present to my notice the kind of +work which a dental student would have to perform.</p> + +<p>It was not long before an agreement was drawn up, and +I embarked in the undertaking.</p> + +<p>The right vein was here hit upon, it was thought. I +set to with a will, and ere many weeks had elapsed, I +brought home such specimens of workmanship as warranted +the expectation that I should soon take to, and excel in my +new vocation.</p> + +<p>As it happened, both departments of dental surgery +became equally attractive; that is the surgical as well as +the mechanical. By the time I was proficient and just of +age, I became entitled to an amount of cash, which enabled +me to order a brass plate and commence business with +patients on my own account. I had to form a connection, +however, and to bide my time for the coming in of fees.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, perhaps, this uphill beginning left a deal +of spare time on my hands, so that ever and anon I +required—or thought I did—a little recreation.</p> + +<p>In taking up a newspaper to see what was going on in +the way of rational amusement, I happened to observe an +advertisement of an intended balloon ascent by Mr. +Hampton.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span>This notice, coupled with a desire for change, led me to +decide upon an outing. My taste for ballooning grew apace, +and soon became a passion. Whenever an ascent was +advertised I was almost sure to be there, and, as a strong +liking for any adventurous and scientific calling leads to +acquaintance with kindred spirits, I became familiar with a +number of regular attendants at balloon <i>fêtes</i>, and soon +acquired a reputation for knowing as much—and some +said more—than many of those who had been brought +up to it.</p> + +<p>From my seventeenth up to my twentieth year I had +seen most of the aërostatic sights that had engaged public +attention near London. I had witnessed a balloon race +from Vauxhall, and saw the aërial competitors come in +actual collision without doing injury. I had seen Mrs. +Graham ascend and her husband as well. I had seen the +great Nassau balloon before and after it took Messrs. +Hollond, Green, and Mason to Germany, as already +described.</p> + +<p>In the year 1837 I went into ballooning with a will, and +my visits to the balloon grounds were regular, but I was +prevented from seeing Mr. Cocking’s parachute attached to +the great balloon, although I saw it suspended in the air +from London Bridge as it bore down Eltham way, and was +struck with its cumbrous and rigid convex form, so ill +adapted, I thought, to offer sufficient resistance, and to +possess adequate strength for reaching the ground in +safety.</p> + +<p>After the death of Mr. Cocking I saw Mr. Hampton +descend in a parachute from Bayswater, and this led to my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> +becoming acquainted with that gentleman some little time +afterwards.</p> + +<p>I was disappointed of an ascent with Mr. Hampton, as +his balloon “Albion,” which was rather small, would only +take the aëronaut when I wished to make my maiden +ascent. This was the year (1837), a period when I became +a diligent student in aërostatics, and, it is not too much to +say, that I had shown similar application in dental surgery, +indeed I found that all I was called upon to learn was +so easy and pleasurable in acquisition that I made light of +my duties, and failed not to devote considerable attention +to my hobby as well.</p> + +<p>One day I met Mr. Hampton in Westminster, full of +trouble and anxiety at the way he had been treated by +those who had reason, as he alleged, to be his friends. We +walked and talked together, entering upon a chapter of +misfortunes, which touched me much at the time, and +induced me not only to sympathize with him, but to use +my best endeavours to assist his cause.</p> + +<p>There is no necessity for entering into the way in which +he had lost his balloon, suffice it to say that I did all I +could to redeem it, and in return the aëronaut took great +pains to give me all the information he could about +aërostation, and he promised the moment he had a new +balloon to take me up with him, and he moreover presented +me with a good portrait of himself, the massive frame to +which was made by Mr. Hampton’s own hands. This +intimacy, and the espousal of the aëronaut’s cause, drew +upon me the frowns of several persons connected indirectly +and professionally with ballooning.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span>Knowing some of Mr. Charles Green’s friends I was +rather hankering to see more of the air-captain, as +the Germans style us, but I knew by experience that “two +of a trade seldom agree,” and I was naturally reluctant to +offend my patron by being intimate with Mr. Green, +whose fame was of long standing and very properly +universal.</p> + +<p>Circumstances soon brought us together, but on meeting +I was impressed with the belief that I was regarded as the +advocate of an opposition aëronaut, and not as one upon +whom Mr. Green would lavish his experience, or whom he +would take up either as a paying passenger or pupil. +I was evidently considered a dangerous fellow, and as +Mr. Hampton had once stated that he thought I should +one day become an aëronaut, although at the time I had +no serious intention of doing so, this was quite sufficient +to cause me to be shunned by all the family of the Greens, +or, if not exactly shunned, at least viewed with caution and +suspicion.</p> + +<p>For three years I was in the habit of meeting Mr. +Hampton and of talking over ballooning, until I grew well +nigh surfeited with the tongue part of aërial voyaging, +and longed for the reality, which was delayed until the +year 1844. Mr. Hampton was then enabled with my +assistance to start a new balloon, and I had an opportunity +of seeing the construction of it. His first engagement +with this was at the Old Vauxhall Gardens, in Birmingham, +and thither I went to be his companion, but, to my +mortification, the balloon would not raise two persons, so +that I had to remain on terra firma, and suffer the taunts<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> +of several spectators, who chose to attribute to motives +of fear my getting out of the car after having been once in +for the ascent.</p> + +<p>My third attempt was successful. Mr. Hampton was +solicited to make an ascent from the White Conduit +Gardens, Pentonville, on Monday, August 19th, 1844, and +I was without fail to accompany him.</p> + +<p>Many years had elapsed since the ascent of a balloon +from these famed gardens; the attraction was accordingly +very powerful.</p> + +<p>The balloon was filled at the Imperial Gas Works, +Battle-bridge, and the car placed on a cart, to which it +was secured by ropes; it was conveyed to the gardens by +six o’clock on Monday morning, an extra supply of gas +being provided to keep up the loss by condensation.</p> + +<p>Before the public entered the grounds, it was rumoured +by the privileged few who were present that a <i>Mr. Wells</i> +was to be the aëronaut’s companion, as that gentleman had +recently been disappointed at Birmingham. Some other +persons, mentioning my name, declared that Mr. Coxwell +was to be the favoured party.</p> + +<p>An appeal was then made to me for authentic information, +and as I was now within a stone’s throw of my residence +in the Barnsbury Road, Pentonville, where I had recently +commenced practice, it was expedient I should frankly +declare that I had previously assumed the name of Wells +in order to prevent anxiety among my friends, and that +the candidate <i>Wells</i> and the aspirant <i>Coxwell</i> were one and +the same person.</p> + +<p>This being understood, and the motives which actuated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> +me in taking upon myself an <i>alias</i> being respected, Mr. +Hampton, at six o’clock, accompanied by Mr. Wells (as +“the Illustrated News” recorded it), stepped into the car, +and the balloon rose in majestic style, travelling easterly +over the metropolis, and descended in a field belonging to +Mr. T. Rust, at East-ham Hall.</p> + +<p>This, then, was my first real ascent; but such was the +amount of thought I had bestowed on the subject in +previous imaginary flights, built upon the descriptive +accounts of others, that I seemed to be travelling an +element which I had already explored, although, in reality, +I was only for the first time realising the dreams of my +youth. In most respects I found the country beneath, +including the busy humming metropolis, the River Thames, +shipping, and distant landscape, pretty much as I expected, +and had been tutored to see in the mind’s eye; but the +extraordinary and striking feature of this ascent was the +enchanting way in which these appearances unfolded +themselves in a manner so opposite to what one would +picture by looking at a balloon in the sky. This is owing +to the peculiarly imperceptible way in which a balloon +rises, and herein consists the difference—the delightful, +fascinating difference—between heights accomplished by +balloon ascents, and altitudes attained by climbing hills, +mountains, monuments, and buildings. In Alpine travels +the process is so slow, and contact with the crust of the +earth so palpable, that the traveller is gradually prepared +for each successive phase of view as it presents itself; but +in the balloon survey, cities, villages, and vast tracts for +observation spring almost magically before the eye, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> +change in aspect and size so pleasingly, that bewilderment +first, and then unbounded admiration is sure to follow, +and when one reflects that all these wonderful panoramic +effects are produced by the noiseless, unobserved, ascension +of the balloon, we are reminded of the motion of the +earth which rolls us round the glorious sun, and the +heavenly orbs, so that they, the sun, stars, and planets, +appear to be rising and setting.</p> + +<p>It is just so with the balloon—a wide-spread carpet of +variegated country is changing form, hue, and dimensions, +or rather appearing to do so, as the observers rise and +descend, and assume various elevations.</p> + +<p>Our journey only lasted twenty-five minutes, but it +seemed to me when we descended that the balloon had not +been more than five minutes in the air. After we anchored +I felt that it was a tantalising short-lived piece of grandeur +and only enough to whet the appetite for more.</p> + +<p>But a second chance was at hand. Mr. Hampton had +been asked to ascend from Bromley, in Kent, where such +an exhibition was quite a novelty. The undertaking, however, +was of too formidable a character for the small gas-works +and diminutive pipes in that locality. Visitors who +congregated in a meadow selected for the festivities were +not gratified with the ascent on the day it was announced +to take place; consequently fresh exertions had to be made +in the production of gas, and not until the following evening +was the balloon fit to ascend, and, even then, it would +barely take two, so that I had another narrow escape of +being left behind after arranging to go. It was necessary +to part with very nearly all the ballast in order to rise.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>We started sluggishly, but got up two thousand feet, +and there had a splendid view over the garden of England, +as the county of Kent has not inaptly been styled. Short +and sweet was the order of this second trip of mine, but, +as we had a remarkably picturesque country to gaze upon, +I was much annoyed at not being longer aloft, and I don’t +know but that I vowed—at any rate the idea flashed +through my mind—that I would one day have a balloon of +my own, even if it were for unprofessional ascents, as +these hasty, short views were most aggravating and by +no means worth the expense.</p> + +<p>Shortly after my being thus initiated into practical +ballooning, Mr. Hampton undertook a tour to Ireland; +but there, in Dublin, he had the misfortune to descend +near a house, the chimney of which was on fire, and his +balloon, blown in that direction by a sharp breeze, ignited, +but the aëronaut happily escaped with his life.</p> + +<p>It was a long time before Mr. Hampton was in a condition +to ascend again. In the meantime other balloonists had +made my acquaintance, viz., Mr. Gypson, and Lieut. Gale, +both of whom sought co-operation, and frequently offered +me seats in their cars, as some acknowledgment for the +advice and assistance I had rendered them.</p> + +<p>Mr. C. Green invariably gave me the cold shoulder. I +was rather sensitive about this at the time, but in later +years, when I began to obtain a reputation for myself, I +came to the conclusion that it was the greatest compliment +the greatest aëronaut of the day could award me, inasmuch +as it indicated that I was somebody to be studiously kept +in the background for an obvious purpose.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>During the autumn of 1845, I projected and edited +“The Balloon or Aërostatic Magazine,” a publication +designed to advance aërostation. A good reception +greeted the little serial on the part of the press, but the +demand for information on this subject was not equal to +my enthusiasm, and as a monthly repository of travels by +air, it did not pay, so that its periodical appearance +was discontinued, and afterwards it was only published +occasionally.</p> + +<p>In the year 1847, three new balloons were constructed +by the aëronauts, Green, Gale, and Gypson, respectively. +Mr. Green, junr, also made one about this time, intending +to use it principally on the continent.</p> + +<p>With two out of these four balloons, I had a great deal +to do, as will soon be seen.</p> + +<p>Let us commence with Mr. Gypson’s, as it was the first +on the stocks, and the first to make a perilous ascent and +descent. When this balloon was finished, Mr. Gypson +and myself determined upon a private ascent; we desired +a long trip, and would not even object to cross the +Channel, if the breeze should waft us in that direction. +The Imperial Gas Works, at Haggerston, in London, was +the place we started from. The new machine was taken +there to be inflated on the day selected, which was +favourable, the wind being from the S.S.E., so that we +had a long run before us, and a good opportunity of +reaching Scotland.</p> + +<p>Owing to the close proximity of the balloon to the gas-holders, +the filling proceeded very rapidly; it appeared to +me that the inflation should be checked somewhat, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> +the aëronaut considered his arrangements equal to any +pressure that could be put on by Mr. Clarke, the gas-engineer. +It was soon evident that the network was +not liberated so quickly as it should have been; the +consequence was that a lateral and unequal strain began +to be imparted, and just as I had gone away to speak to +some gentlemen who had arrived, by invitation, the netting +began to break towards the lower part, but the damage was +not apparently sufficiently serious to prevent the ascent being +made. We therefore got into the car, and notwithstanding +several broken meshes, prepared for a start, but while +sitting in readiness, a sudden gust drove the silk with +considerable force towards the fractured cordage, which +continued breaking, until the lower part of the silken bag +protruded, and then, the entire balloon surged through the +opening, leaving the network behind, which dropped on +our heads, so that the balloon itself escaped, leaving us +in the car to receive the ironical congratulations of our +friends, who had come to see us go up.</p> + +<p>Not many seconds after the silken bag had bounded +away, it split up, and descended in a brickfield, not far +distant. It is almost impossible to imagine a more +ridiculous position for expectant voyagers to be placed in +than this.</p> + +<p>The assembled spectators pronounced it a mercy that we +had not ascended, and that the breakage had not happened +in the air. They believed we must have been killed had not +the balloon escaped just when it did; but I was of a different +opinion, believing that if once we had got away, no bad +results would have occurred while we were travelling aloft.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>The balloon was forthwith repaired, and a second private +attempt made on March 18th in the same year. This time +we had a successful day, and came down all right at +Hawkhurst, in Kent, not far from the residence of Sir +John Herschel. In the evening we were invited to Collingwood, +where we spent a most agreeable and instructive +time with the eminent astronomer.</p> + +<p>Soon after this event Lieutenant Gale’s balloon was +launched at the Rosemary Branch Gardens, Peckham.</p> + +<p>Here, too, I was invited, and almost persuaded to make +the first trip; but as I had condemned certain new fashioned +valve-springs, which I considered unsafe, I preferred to +witness rather than participate in the ascent. Mr. Gale +wished also to use a pair of supplementary small balloons +to receive the expanded gas; but these, I thought, were +open to objection, so that I could not possibly join the +lieutenant at the time he was applying appurtenances, +which I had pronounced dangerous.</p> + +<p>The balloon, a very fine one, was duly filled, and the +ascent nicely made. A Mr. Burn took my place, and I was +rather joked, I remember, when the new balloon floated +majestically in the still atmosphere.</p> + +<p>Events, however, soon took a sudden turn. Gale had +promised to travel far down towards the coast, and had, it +appeared, suddenly altered his mind, as the balloon began +descending fast.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps,” said some one, “he has forgotten something +as it is coming down so soon, and will go up again +and continue his journey.”</p> + +<p>But the rate of descent increased so rapidly, that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> +Mrs. Gale ran to me and inquired anxiously for my +opinion.</p> + +<p>I was obliged in candour to say, as I was considered an +authority, that I feared the flat valve-springs had not quite +answered Gale’s expectation; “but he will be all right,” +I said, encouragingly, “even if he has a good bump.”</p> + +<p>Ballast was soon observed to pour out profusely, and +there was no doubt of the voyagers being sensible of the +frightful pace at which they were coming down. The +lower part of the balloon was seen to contain no gas, so +that its collapsed condition was visible to everyone present.</p> + +<p>Several persons started off to see the cause of so sudden +a descent. As to myself I remained with Mrs. Gale, +making light of what really looked serious, in order to allay +her alarm.</p> + +<p>A messenger soon arrived to say that neither the aëronaut +nor his companion were seriously hurt, but that they +alighted with terrific force at Peckham Rye, owing to the +valve-springs not having acted properly.</p> + +<p>Gale, himself, soon put in an appearance, inquiring for +me. He said, “You are quite right as to those springs; +I will abandon them, and you shall ascend next time.”</p> + +<p>It was not long before I did so.</p> + +<p>Pleasure gardens in and about London were rather +numerous in the year ’47, and the Royal Albert Grounds, +near Hoxton, were just in their palmy days. It was here +I made the next ascent with Lieut. Gale, and one or two +with Mr. Gypson also; but as these gentlemen were competitors +for aëronautic fame, I was constantly risking the +displeasure of both by not adhering entirely to one.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>During the same summer I made a variety of aërial +journeys with each of these aëronauts, but, two especially, +were connected with considerable personal risk.</p> + +<p>The first was with Lieut. Gale, when we descended in a +rough wind in Gloucestershire, after having started from +Bristol.</p> + +<p>A new fangled grapnel was used in this trip, and one +ill adapted for arresting the progress of a balloon in a +strong wind. It was on the ball and socket principle; +but the socket, which was of brass, was inside the crown +of the prongs. I prophesied before any strain was thrown +upon the grapnel that it would break. It did so in trailing +over a field, when the balloon dashed into a large oak tree, +cutting asunder a thick branch, which ripped the silk +from bottom to top, so that the gas escaped instantly, +and we pitched to leeward of the tree with no trifling +concussion, by the way, but got no broken bones or serious +injury.</p> + +<p>The second affair was, without doubt, the most perilous +descent in the annals of aërostation.</p> + +<p>In the year 1847, the far-famed Vauxhall had not +altogether lost its <i>prestige</i>; but still, exciting amusements +were indispensable to its continued existence, and +aëronautics had enjoyed long-continued popular favour in +that establishment. But a nocturnal voyage with fireworks +displayed under the balloon, was not of frequent occurrence, +and a night ascent with Mr. Gypson’s balloon was +decided upon as an opportune attraction.</p> + +<p>My own seat in the car was owing to special invitation +on the part of the proprietor, but two other candidates—viz.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +Mr. Albert Smith and Mr. Pridmore, only secured +places on the afternoon of the ascent.</p> + +<p>Mr. Albert Smith at that time was a popular writer; +and, as he had already made a day ascent, he wished to +see London by night, and to give an account of it to +the public.</p> + +<p>When the balloon was filled during the afternoon, in the +Waterloo Grounds, the air was calm and hot, with every +prospect—as far as appearances went—of a fine summer +evening. It was just the sort of weather for an aërial +journey in the dark, there was no rustling of leaves, or +wild gusts to induce the least apprehension of a +disagreeable landing.</p> + +<p>The inflation was completed with the utmost ease, and +just before the variegated Vauxhall lamps were lighted, a +circular framework, with Darby’s fireworks attached, was +duly placed in position, so that it could be fixed on when +the moment arrived for starting.</p> + +<p>About this time it was observed that the atmosphere +became oppressive, and that a threatening murky mist +arose in the east; not long afterwards, distant thunder +rumbled, and people began to scan the firmament, as if it +looked uninviting, and as if the terrestrial sight-seers +would be safer that night than the air explorers. As for +us, we drew together and exchanged opinions, like mariners +before leaving a port when dirty weather was looming on +the horizon.</p> + +<p>The lessee of Vauxhall Gardens, Mr. Robert Wardell, +having noticed lightning playing over the city, came forth, +with other interested parties, to look around him; and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> +soon a grave discussion was going on near the car, for the +storm was fast brewing, and there was doubt as to whether +it would be safe to venture. In the midst of great diversity +of opinion, a direct appeal was made to me, and I +gave it in as my conviction that, if the ascent were +made quickly, and everything well managed, there need +be no apprehension.</p> + +<p>The fireworks—weighing over 60 lbs.—were now connected, +and gentlemen were requested to jump in; for +my own part, I decided upon jumping up on the hoop, so +as to see the neck clear, and report to Mr. Gypson when +the upper valve required opening.</p> + +<p>I had never made a night ascent previously, but had +formed my own opinions as to the particular line of action +desirable, and especially under existing circumstances, +when the air was highly charged with electricity, and when +a large amount of weight was about to be lost owing to the +combustion of the fireworks.</p> + +<p>We left in grand style. A salvo of garden artillery +announced the slip of the cable, and the most beautiful +red and green fires changed the hue of the silken globe as +it rose over the heads of the people; and just as these +grew faint the aërial pyrotechnics burst forth, and the +cheers rose lustily as each device engaged attention—for +every piece was artistically arranged; and when the +Roman candles shot out their many-coloured stars, and +petards burst with a crashing sound, and golden and silver +showers enlivened the darkness of mid-air, every spectator +seemed to be in ecstacy; nor was there a single shout of +dissatisfaction or fear, until nature—as if displeased with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> +man’s efforts to light up the elements—broke out in +apparent discontent; and a wide-spread flash, with deep-toned +thunder overhead, arrested public admiration, and +produced a death-like pause, both with us in the car and +those on the earth—all of whom had seen us enveloped, +apparently, in a flame of fire.</p> + +<p>Our own feelings at this critical period can very well be +imagined. We were now some 4000 feet high, in a storm +of thunder and lightning, our fireworks were hardly spent +and the balloon was mounting rapidly and was fully distended, +so that close watching, and a proper line of action, +could alone secure our safety.</p> + +<p>When, after another flash or two, the gas rushed out of +the safety valve, I looked at Mr. Gypson, wondering how +he intended to act, and it was not long before I came to +the conclusion that the upper valve ought to be opened so +as to remove a visible strain on the lower hemisphere of +the balloon. Had <i>I</i> seized the line and opened the valve +I should most assuredly not have done wrong, but I +simply, by pointing and hinting, endeavoured, with too +much deference, to persuade him to do as I thought +expedient.</p> + +<p>He was not, evidently, quite of the same way of thinking +as myself; at last I cried out, “if the valve is not opened +the balloon will burst.”</p> + +<p>Hardly had I uttered the warning when the car appeared +to drop suddenly some six or eight feet beneath the balloon.</p> + +<p>We all looked up, of course, affrighted, thinking that +the netting was giving way at the top, and Mr. Albert +Smith was impressed with the idea that I had pulled the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> +valve line, and broken the framework; but on looking +upwards the sparks from the expiring fireworks, aided by +a flash of lightning, disclosed the awful fact that the +balloon had rent fully sixteen feet, and that we were +falling headlong right over the west end of London, with +myriads of gas lamps beneath us, and houses in such close +proximity, that death stared us all in the face, and seemed +inevitable.</p> + +<p>Situated as I was, on the hoop, with a better opportunity +of observing the torn silk and network than the rest, I +noticed after the first shock to the nerves, that the line +which connected the neck of the balloon was unduly +tightened, and it immediately occurred to me if I cut +that, the lower part of the balloon would the more readily +form a resisting surface or parachute.</p> + +<p>Much against the wishes of my companions I severed +this cord, and a check was soon observable, but the sparks +from the paper cases shot up among the gas through the +tear in the silk, and once more the thunder roared, and +lightning flashed, so that a more frightful descent to the +earth could not possibly be imagined.</p> + +<p>As the gas-lit metropolis appeared to come up towards +us—for, strange as it may seem, there was no sense of +giddiness or dropping—we collected the ballast bags and +disconnected the grapnel rope in order to let them go just +as we came in contact with the ground.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, or rather say providentially, the balloon +fell in a newly formed street in the Belgrave Road, Pimlico, +while the network caught in some scaffold poles, which +helped to break the force of collision.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>Only one of the four of us was hurt, and that was +myself, who received a cut in the hand from a bystander +while he was trying to let us out of the network, which +fell over our heads when the car touched the road.</p> + +<p>Albert Smith and Mr. Pridmore lost no time in going +back to Vauxhall Gardens to assure people of our safety; +but the general public were not aware of the accident, +although some few, who narrowly watched the course of +the balloon, noticed that it appeared to be falling quickly +and surrounded with sparks.</p> + +<p>Almost the first person Albert Smith was said to have +encountered on entering Vauxhall, was his brother, +who looked amazed at seeing him, but observed a certain +pallor and other indications of something being out of +order.</p> + +<p>“Good gracious, Albert,” he said, “I could have +declared I saw you go in the balloon.”</p> + +<p>“So you did,” was the reply, “don’t be alarmed, an +accident happened, but no one is hurt. Come and tell +Mr. Wardell particulars.”</p> + +<p>After Mr. Gypson and I had returned with the luggage +on top of a cab, a consultation was held as to the cause of +the rupture; one thought the valve was broken, and +another that the balloon was struck with the electric fluid, +but the proprietor, as well as myself, knew the precise +cause of the burst, and when an examination was made on +the following morning, the valve line was found not to +have been pulled, so the rent could clearly have been +prevented had the valve been opened in time.</p> + +<p>Divested in this way of a great deal of the horror<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> +associated with the stormy state of the weather, the +accident assumed a more simple and comprehensible +form.</p> + +<p>No wonder, therefore, that after talking these points +over, Mr. Gypson and I agreed, that in order to demonstrate +that the balloon was not wanting in strength, it +would be well to make another ascent by night with fireworks. +Mr. Albert Smith was again invited, but a certain +pressure, exercised perhaps wisely, by his friends prevented +him from ascending again.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pridmore, too, although as brave as need be, did +not join us; but that very night week, with double the +weight of fireworks, we ascended again with the restored +balloon, and this time all went well, and we came down at +Acton, having with us a third voyager, in the person of a +captain, who had accompanied us under circumstances +characteristic of an Englishman, and, perhaps, worth +narrating.</p> + +<p>Some little time before starting the said captain applied +for a seat in the car, and I was asked to negotiate for him, +in doing which I thought it but right to explain that an +accident had happened the week previously and that Mr. +Gypson was by no means desirous of taking a third person +on the present occasion.</p> + +<p>After I had again alluded in unmistakable terms to the +perilous descent, the captain, in no way discouraged, said:</p> + +<p>“Well sir, you are taking a great deal of trouble to +inform me of that which is patent to everybody who reads, +but I suppose the odds are that to-night there will be no +smash.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span>“Just so,” I added encouragingly, when the gallant +gentleman stepped forward and took his place.</p> + +<p>After the balloon was packed up at Acton I fancied that +our companion looked as if he was happy and self-satisfied, +he begged of us to go with him to his club, adding that he +could well afford to offer an entertainment as he had made +a wager of one hundred pounds that he would ascend that +night, a decided opinion having prevailed at his club that +he dare not do so, as a terrible catastrophe would be sure +to take place, and so thought the public apparently, for +Vauxhall was filled to such an extent that the garden +officials described the crowd as so thick that one might +have walked on people’s heads.</p> + +<p>During the winter of 1847 Lieutenant Gale found that +the expenses of establishing himself in popular favour +were heavier than he had anticipated. He was associated +with two other gentlemen in the proprietorship of his +balloon, but his individual responsibilities caused a split, +so that the aëronaut and his partners separated.</p> + +<p>When Gale lost or threw up all controlling power over +the balloon, the then sole owners having as they said a +considerable amount of confidence in my judgment, called +upon me, and proposed that as I had ascended so +frequently and had encountered so many dangers, that +I should make a series of ascents on my own and on +their account, and that if I would manage the balloon +that was styled Gale’s, but which was really theirs, I +should have every facility for doing so, as Gale would +have nothing more to do with it.</p> + +<p>Such a thought never having entered my head, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> +being moreover engaged as a dentist, I at once declined, +but not without explaining that my relatives had always +discountenanced my balloon ascents, and would raise most +positively a great outcry if ever my name appeared in a +public capacity as a professed aëronaut.</p> + +<p>Shortly after this refusal we again met in company with +several of the admirers of aërostation, and whether by +design or casual conversation I know not, but certain it +was that gossip turned upon my former aërial adventures, +and upon the advisability of my making it at once a +business affair as well as a pastime. All the arguments I +raised against the proposal were swept away by overwhelming +opinions as to my aptitude and so forth.</p> + +<p>“Look,” said one, “you are certainly risking your life +without any profit, and the chances are you frequently +dip your hand pretty deeply into your pocket minus any +return.”</p> + +<p>“Again,” said another, “look at the hair-breath escapes +you have had, perhaps if you were to run alone these +would be diminished.”</p> + +<p>“And then,” suggested a third, “by being your own +pilot you might attain to success and honour.”</p> + +<p>This last inducement proved more weighty and seductive +than the two former, and when the question was simply +put whether if I would mind a run over to Brussels, just to +put them right there for one or two ascents, I consented, +but had no idea at the time that I was doing an act which +would lead to my becoming a practical balloonist.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1848, therefore, I agreed to manage +the said balloon, but before ascending I christened it the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> +“Sylph,” and that word was painted three times in giant +characters round the equator, so that wherever it appeared, +or whichever way it turned, the name was always prominent.</p> + +<p>My first ascent, as director in the Belgian capital, was +to take place in the month of May, but a voyage by private +arrangement was set on foot by way of a trial trip, and one +of the owners, a Mr. S——, was to entrust his life to my +care, and we were to go whither the winds blew us, on a +sort of pleasure trip. The “Sylph” received a good supply +of gas at the Independent Gas-works at Haggerston, +London, on April 10th; early in the afternoon we +ascended, and after being nearly three hours aloft came +down near Colchester, passing directly over the county +town of Essex.</p> + +<p>This led on our way back to a call at Chelmsford, and +as I knew several persons in that town who now learnt +that I was commanding officer of the good craft “Sylph,” +nothing would satisfy them but getting up an ascent there, +and although I was averse to any undertaking of the sort +in England, still I was over persuaded, and the rumour +rapidly gained circulation that I should make a public +ascent from the gas-yard of the town shortly, and that as +it would be the first thing of the kind from Chelmsford +for seventeen years, the inhabitants would hail such an +exhibition with much pleasure and good attendance.</p> + +<p>The first of my two ascents from this town took +place April 28th, 1848. The weather was not exactly +propitious, for the morning rose somewhat sulky.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="first">“And her sick head was bound about with clouds,</div> +<div class="verse">As if she threatened night e’er noon of day.”</div> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>In this state of things, a postponement was contemplated, +but soon after midday, the sun, “of this great +world the eye and soul,” scattered the clouds and revived +the preparations; there was, in fact, a complete revolution +in the weather, and the curious began to gather in and +take up their positions, while the bright eyes of many +Essex ladies were directed, not to the six points of +Chartism, just then famous, but to the one point where +the silken craft towered above the adjoining buildings, as +it was influenced by the breeze in the gas-works.</p> + +<p>The visitors having been treated with a series of partial +ascents, at six o’clock the balloon rose. In the car were +Mr. Chas. Livermore, of Felstead, and Mr. Isaac Livermore, +of Dunmow, together with Mr. Church, the engineer of +the gas-works.</p> + +<p>We were greeted in our course by thousands of +applauding voices—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="first">“Followed far by many a wond’ring eye,</div> +<div class="verse">They glide majestic ’twixt the earth and sky.”</div> +</div></div> + +<p>The “Sylph” took a direction over the Hanning fields, +and ultimately descended near Rettendon Common.</p> + +<p>On May the 5th, a second illustration was made from +the same locality. This time the atmosphere had all the +sunshine and softness of balmy spring, the visitors were +far more numerous than on the former occasion, and the +reserved seats were filled principally with ladies, many of +them from the leading families of the neighbourhood.</p> + +<p>Captive ascents were found to be impracticable this day, +but at length Mr. Ram, of Newland Hall, with two other<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> +gentlemen entered the car, and we mounted over the +irregular forces who garrisoned the housetops in rapid +style, and moved towards the Roothings.</p> + +<p>Strange to say, the descent was made near Good Easter, +where Mr. Ram lived, and here I kept the balloon all +night; the following morning, soon after sunrise, I +began taking people up, the length of the cable, and +after breakfast Mr. Ram’s daughters had a panoramic view +of the Hall and Park; the elder young lady would fain +have ascended altogether, but papa had made up his mind +to do so once more himself, so that soon after 11 o’clock +we started again with the same gas, and after being up +nearly an hour, descended at Forth-end, near Felstead.</p> + +<p>Before starting from the gas-works, on the 5th instant, +I made the following estimate of the weight of the +“Sylph” and its appendages:—</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdl">Balloon, netting, and car</td><td class="tdr"> 400</td><td class="tdc">lbs.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Mr. Ram</td><td class="tdr"> 160</td><td class="tdc">”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Two other gentlemen</td><td class="tdr"> 304</td><td class="tdc">”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Myself</td><td class="tdr"> 148</td><td class="tdc">”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Grapnel and rope</td><td class="tdr"> 52</td><td class="tdc">”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Coats, instruments, &c.</td><td class="tdr"> 30</td><td class="tdc">”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Ballast</td><td class="tdr"> 160</td><td class="tdc">”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr" colspan="2">—————</td></tr> +<tr><td class="total">Total</td><td class="tdr"> 1254</td><td class="tdc">lbs.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"></td><td class="tdr" colspan="2">=========</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>being the weight which 32,000 feet of carburetted hydrogen +gas would sustain at a specific gravity of about 440.</p> + +<p>The temperature of the air on the earth was sixty-two +degrees; at the greatest altitude, viz., three-quarters of a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> +mile, forty-nine degrees. Temperature of gas on the +earth, as obtained by placing a thermometer in the neck, +sixty-three degrees; ditto in mid-air, forty-four degrees. +Force of expansion, as indicated by the pressure gauge, +5·10, or half an inch; rate of travelling, twenty miles an +hour; direction of wind, N.W.</p> + +<p>About the middle of the merry month of May Mr. S—— +and I formed part of a group of passengers at London +Bridge Wharf, on our way to the Antwerp steam-boat.</p> + +<p>Everybody but ourselves was looking after the porters +and their luggage. We appeared to be gazing at the +clouds, but were in reality watching a large wicker basket +which was suspended some thirty feet under a crane, and +was ready to be swung in on deck directly the mate saw +all clear below, and sung out “lower away.”</p> + +<p>This basket, owing to its unusual size, attracted general +attention, a bystander, who took it for a large bread +basket, observed that the passengers would be well off for +the “staff of life,” even if they lacked delicacies. But +the interest taken in the huge basket rather increased than +diminished when the mate, a little angry with the seamen, +cried out “bear a hand there, stow away that balloon.”</p> + +<p>“Belongs to you Sir?” added the officer, directing a +patronizing glance towards me, whereupon a hundred eyes +or more followed suit, and my connection with the supposed +bread basket was established beyond the shadow of a doubt. +Assuming, rather than feeling, the required amount of +nerve to endure this introduction to the ship’s crew, I +nodded an affirmative, and tried to suppress a rush of +blood to the cheek, but it would not do. I looked ashamed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> +of this branch of publicity, and proposed to go below and +see after our berths.</p> + +<p>The first person I met in the chief cabin was an +acquaintance, but glad enough was I to find that he had +not noticed our luggage, and what was more, that he was +merely seeing a friend off to the continent. No sooner +had we deposited our portmanteaus in the sleeping berths +than I proposed to go on deck again, whispering to my +friend as we went up the companion ladder, “out of the +frying-pan into the fire.” “That gentleman,” I added, +“knows my family well, and I would rather not be +identified with the big basket so uncommonly close to +London Bridge.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all a matter of taste,” observed Mr. S—— +consolingly, “many men would be proud of the +position.”</p> + +<p>“But you know I am not, and you are aware of my +reasons for not caring about being thought a professional +aëronaut.”</p> + +<p>“All right Mr. Coxwell, take it quietly and pass for an +amateur.”</p> + +<p>The vessel had not rounded the Isle of Dogs when we +found ourselves in earnest conversation with an elderly +gentleman, who was much interested in aërostation. It +came out, too, that he had ascended himself, and that he +was intimate with some of the aëronautic celebrities of +the present century.</p> + +<p>“Do you know,” said our communicative fellow-traveller, +“I never could thoroughly understand the cause of the +fatal descent of that poor man Cocking; being abroad at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> +the time I had not the opportunity of keeping pace with +our home newspapers.”</p> + +<p>In reply I said, “You are aware that the principle of +his parachute was diametrically opposite to Garnerin’s, +which had descended successfully. Cocking’s was a sort +of inverted cone, while that previously employed was +more like an umbrella turned upside down with a weight +appended to the stick.”</p> + +<p>“Exactly,” said our intelligent acquaintance, “and the +tendency of a rush of air was not to collapse but rather +to keep it distended.”</p> + +<p>I fully agreed, and added that “Two objectionable +circumstances attended the use of Garnerin’s parachute, +namely, the length of time which elapsed before it +expanded, and the violent oscillating movement which +accompanied the descent. In order to obviate these +deficiencies a variety of plans had been proposed at +different times, amongst which was that of Cocking’s.” +The inverted cone principle, however, was not an idea +originating with Cocking, although he had lectured on the +subject in 1814 before the Society of Arts.</p> + +<p>“Towards the end of the last century this kind of +parachute was proposed in Paris, and revived by Sir George +Cayley, and again more fully developed by Mr. Kerr in the +Encyclopædia Edinensis.”</p> + +<p>“Pray,” inquired our friend, “do you happen to know +the weight and diameter of Cocking’s parachute?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; the computations which appeared in the public +press, previous to the inquest, were loose and incorrect. +They were to the effect that the entire weight was 393 lbs.,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> +whereas, from the evidence taken before the coroner, it +appeared that the apparatus weighed 413 lbs., and Mr. +Cocking 170 lbs. The terminal velocity, therefore, would +have been nearly twenty feet in a second had the parachute +not collapsed. Its diameter was thirty-four feet.”</p> + +<p>“Of course one of smaller dimensions on the concave +plan would descend less rapidly?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, certainly a parachute on the Garnerin principle +would bring a man down at the rate of twenty feet in a +second, even if it were fifteen feet in diameter.”</p> + +<p>“According to the most reliable tables of atmospheric +resistances, a weight of one pound under a square foot of +sustaining surface would cause it to descend at the rate of +1320 feet per second, or fifteen miles an hour.”</p> + +<p>“But as this is a far greater rate than is consistent +with safety, the diameter should be at least twenty-five +feet.”</p> + +<p>“Then how is it that scientific men and practical +aëronauts did not point out these faults?”</p> + +<p>“They did; but poor Cocking was so confident and +determined, that no sooner was a large balloon built by +the Vauxhall proprietors, Messrs. Gye and Hughes, than +he proposed appending a parachute to it, and he threatened +in the event of refusal, to construct another balloon and +offer opposition to Vauxhall.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed, and I have no doubt that pecuniary inducements +had their weight. But what did Mr. Green say?”</p> + +<p>“Green, to do him justice, never liked the experiment, +and he has been heard to say since, that for no amount of +money would he repeat his experience on July 24th, 1837.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>“He is said at first to have declined to connect his +name with it, but he was bound to ascend with the great +balloon when called upon by the proprietors, as there was +a legal difficulty in evading the ascent.”</p> + +<p>“It has been suggested, and with some show of +practicability, that he might by stratagem have brought +Cocking down without allowing him to descend with his +parachute alone, but Mr. Green distinctly stated on the +other hand, that his individual impression was, that +having withstood the pressure of the atmosphere in the +ascent, the parachute would go down safely.”</p> + +<p>“What with the danger to Mr. Green and his companion, +Mr. E. Spencer, owing to the loss of so great a +weight, it is evident that it was an ill-judged affair from +first to last.”</p> + +<p>“Most decidedly. Now please to tell me where this +frail structure gave way.”</p> + +<p>“The upper circle was made only of tin hooping, +soldered together, and this broke before even the ascent +was made.”</p> + +<p>“It transpired, afterwards, that Cocking in all probability +twisted the cord round his wrist, the better to enable +him to effect his liberation by pulling hard at the trigger; +in so doing it is conjectured that he was jerked against +the smaller circle at the apex of the cone, and that his +own body produced a fracture in the framework, which +added to its weakness.”</p> + +<p>“This concussion may have deprived him of sensibility +as well, a wound found on his temple tends to confirm this +view of the catastrophe.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>Thus ended our dissertation on parachutes; but long +ere our further chat had ceased, we had approached the +mouth of Father Thames, where a fresh breeze and a +lively motion caused many passengers to go below, and +others to obey the steward’s call to dinner. <i>We</i> responded, +and went through not only the ceremony, but the enjoyment +of, a generous repast, without feeling indisposed. On +landing at Antwerp an Englishman presented himself on +the quay, whom we took, and rightly so, for a gentleman +who had entered into the balloon speculation at Brussels, +and who had in consequence engaged my services to ascend.</p> + +<p>He was a red-haired, gaunt person, extremely short-sighted, +and wore a cap and close-fitting dress-coat, which +had seen more sunny days and was conspicuously short in +the sleeves. But, notwithstanding his optical infirmity, +he was a match for the sharpest porter, and by tact he +was soon up with the steward and ascertained our names +and errand with astonishing sharpness.</p> + +<p>In introducing himself, he brought his hand down upon +the great basket, or balloon car, with some degree of +familiarity, saying, “Well, here you are,” as if he had +been intimately acquainted with us previously.</p> + +<p>It was, however our first meeting, and was essentially +of a business character, but anything like a stiff commercial +view of this preliminary interview was soon +removed by a jaunty nonchalance on his part. He then +drew out a showy cigar case, and almost immediately +replaced it, saying, “Wait a bit, we will go over to the +hotel and breakfast first,” which we decided to do, after +his perceiving that the cigar case was empty.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>All doubt being then removed, Mr. S—— and I looked +at each other, as much as to say, perhaps he is a capital +fellow, notwithstanding his manner, looks, and short-comings.</p> + +<p>After refreshment, our long-haired short-sighted, short-sleeved +countryman proposed, or rather peremptorily +decided upon pushing on to Brussels forthwith.</p> + +<p>Matters were not quite so forward as he could wish, and +although the ascent was positively announced, and the +king had promised his patronage, still there was much to +be done, and for his part he had quite lost faith in +Frenchmen and Belgians. What all this meant, we could +only surmise and think over privately.</p> + +<p>On arriving at Brussels we found that the intended +balloon ascent had received such careless attention, that +the prospect of its taking place on the day announced was +doubtful in the extreme.</p> + +<p>It seemed that a company had been formed to carry out +this little enterprise, and that one Frenchman, two +Belgians, a Dutchman, and an Englishman, had united +their abilities and purses to put it into execution.</p> + +<p>The Englishman was clearly neither the treasurer nor +principal. The Frenchman had chiefly to do with the +Prado Gardens, whence the “Sylph” was to rise; +and whether the Dutchman or the Belgians were the +sleeping partners, or the capitalists, they deposed not, nor +could we gather, although it soon became evident that the +relative positions of each member of so complicated an +association, required to be well and at once understood by +me, before proceeding further in the matter.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span>I said, therefore, to the British representative of this +amalgamated balloon company, that I was under the +impression I was purely and solely engaged by the lessee +of the Prado to make these ascents, and that he was a +well-to-do and competent proprietor.</p> + +<p>“So I thought,” observed the seedy Englishman.</p> + +<p>“It appears to me that there are a prodigious number +of cooks to prepare this simple mess of broth, and I tell +you candidly,” I continued, “that unless the cash for the +first ascent, and the requisite supply of gas are forthcoming +within twenty-four hours I shall retire from +Brussels but not without publicly alleging as a reason, +that I have been deceived by the party inviting us to +come over.”</p> + +<p>On due inquiry, I ascertained that no pipes had been +brought into the gardens of adequate size for the inflation, +and that it was intended, without my approval or consent, +to accomplish that all important task at a distant gas-works, +outside the capital, and then before daybreak, to +pass it over the housetops, and finally deposit it in the +Prado, until such time as the public had assembled.</p> + +<p>Now, although this process is one which I have +frequently accomplished under favourable circumstances as +to wind and locality, still to drag a balloon through +Brussels, and risk its contact with high houses and +chimneys, was an injudicious beginning, and I protested +emphatically, and indeed declined it altogether.</p> + +<p>I had, however, stood out, according to the letter of my +own request, for cash and a supply of gas, and these terms, +after no small altercation, were agreed to.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>The cash was to be paid just when my part of the +contract was about to be fulfilled; but the gas could not +be delivered in the gardens, as the cost would be enormous, +no such large pipes as those required being in the +neighbourhood.</p> + +<p>When the Englishman, with short sleeves and sight, +first wrote to us in London, I was assured that “all the +customary facilities for filling balloons would be found in +the Vauxhall of Brussels,” and “that no doubt or hesitation +need be felt on that score.”</p> + +<p>But surely such discordant bickerings and confusion of +languages, as we had, never before preceded the arrangements +for this kind of work.</p> + +<p>There was no money, no head, no gas, and no order in +any step that had been taken, until I personally superintended +the whole affair.</p> + +<p>A certain amount of pressure and decision, however, +brought this heterogeneous mixture of nationalities entirely +to book, but they <i>had me</i> on one point, and at a tremendous +advantage, namely, I was driven to fill the “Sylph” at +the gas-works, and endeavour to transport it through the +town.</p> + +<p>This attempt was made in May, 1848, and on that +occasion grey-eyed morn broke in with a high dawn and a +reddish sky, an appearance which was interpreted as being +very fine by those who assembled for an exciting view +before breakfast.</p> + +<p>We soon beat to quarters, as nautical men say, and, +although we had “time by the forelock,” we were none too +soon, as I was most anxious to be moving before the morning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> +breezes were astir; and, though I had little time for +noticing the barometer, still I had observed a decided drop, +and did not altogether admire present appearances.</p> + +<p>No sooner was the gas turned on than the “Sylph” +began to display its proportions satisfactorily, and the +lookers on threw themselves into various postures indicative +of approbation.</p> + +<p>“<i>Ah! Monsieur Coxvel</i>,” said one of the party, stroking +down his beard, “<i>you vil hav vun vary fine day; no vind, +no nothink. Your transport vil no be difficile.</i>”</p> + +<p>Hereupon I glanced around the horizon, but returned +the weather wise Belgian no reply. He then looked with +such a scrutinizing glance, as to provoke an expression of +discontent.</p> + +<p>“<i>Ah! vat you mean</i>,” inquired he, “<i>vy you frown?</i>”</p> + +<p>The fact was, a small solitary, dark-looking cloud had +made its appearance to the westward; and, although a +goodly distance off, was wending its way up with great +rapidity. The configuration of this little intruder on the +blue sky was such as to forbode wind.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen,” said I to those who were helping, “there +is a fresh wind springing up, at no great distance from the +earth, and if it does not extend downwards before reaching +the gardens, we may consider ourselves fortunate.”</p> + +<p>Several bystanders protested against the probability of +this, and discussed the matter with flourishing action of +the hands and much useless talk.</p> + +<p>The Frenchman and the English agent grew quite warm +as they expressed opposite views about the matter; but the +Dutchman, who was one of the party, avowed his firm<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> +belief that squally weather was approaching, and the way +in which he gave a furtive and semi-nautical glance above, +showed at once that he shared my opinions and fears.</p> + +<p>Our attention was directed as quickly as possible to +securing the net lines to the hoop, so as to get a fair and +equal bearing from a strong centre, and we had just completed +this necessary precaution, when the long grass around +us bent to leeward with a low, murmuring sound, and in +less than half-an-hour after the first symptoms of an +approaching gale, one fitful gust broke upon us, creating, +as it acted upon the partially-filled balloon, a flapping, +blustering sort of music, which only loud Boreas is +accustomed to indulge in.</p> + +<p>Around the hoop and in the car were placed about forty +half-hundredweights, in order to steady the restless +machine, which on being filled and let up to the extent of +the netting rolled round in graceful sweeps over our heads.</p> + +<p>The manager of the gardens, a sturdy Frenchman, +was for a precipitate dash through the city, regardless of +all risk, but the adventurous Englishman asked “How +would Monsieur act if the balloon were his own property?”</p> + +<p>“<i>Vat you vil do?</i>” said the military looking Belgian, +who promised us “<i>no vind, no nothink</i>.”</p> + +<p>“Why Sir,” I replied, “the fact is we have to contend +with a most formidable opponent, and I think we can’t do +better than act purely on the defensive, the assaults of +this strong wind are quite as much as the balloon can bear, +and if we attempt to charge in the teeth of the wind we +shall only be repulsed, perhaps with heavy loss.”</p> + +<p>As there appeared to be some doubt about the correctness<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> +of my views, which required translation, I ordered a +general move forward, by way of demonstrating whether it +were possible to keep on or whether it was better to lay-to +until the wind dropped.</p> + +<p>Our forces, so to speak, were thus divided:—twenty +burly mechanics at the car, six to each guy-rope, about +thirty to two ropes fastened to the hoop with a view of +pulling the balloon along, myself in the car giving +directions, the Englishman, whose sleeves were shorter +than ever, at my right acting as interpreter, Mr. S—— on +my left pulling for example’s sake; the manager of the +Prado public garden, with subordinates, and small fry, +were at their posts shouting vociferously, and thereby +confounding the interpreter.</p> + +<p>Away we marched, to the infinite delight of the Frenchmen, +for a few steps right bravely, but suddenly, flap, +round, up, down, went the “Sylph,” upsetting several of +the party, and at last we were driven further back than we +had actually advanced, which proved sufficient to convince +everybody present as to who was right and who were wrong.</p> + +<p>We now essayed to move laterally towards a somewhat +sheltered spot, but here a fresh difficulty soon presented +itself in the shape of a file of soldiers, who drew up near +the balloon. An officer then advanced and summoned me +to his presence.</p> + +<p>There was something decidedly ominous in the undertoned +conversation betwixt the officer and myself. I could +perceive that all persons present preserved silence, and +displayed a large amount of curiosity to ascertain what +was going to happen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span>The effect of the wind, which was gradually increasing, +was not so apparent when the “Sylph” was sheltered +behind some trees as it was previously, when each blast +came upon us in its full fury, without break or hindrance. +I therefore betook myself to the car and stowed away the +sand-bags, getting rid of some half-hundredweights in +their stead. Lastly I attached my liberating iron to the +hoop, and passed into the hands of the workmen a rope +connected therewith, which they were requested to hold, +and I then informed the assistants that I wished to learn +what ascending power the gas had, to effect which it would +be necessary to allow the car to rise once or twice a few +feet above the ground.</p> + +<p>I noticed that the Belgians, Dutchman, and Frenchman, +who were most interested in these proceedings, stood aloof +in earnest conversation. Quite unexpectedly I found a +pair of long hands and bare wrists over the side of the car, +and before I could make the first trial with the balloon the +Englishman, although short-sighted be it remembered, had +vaulted in by my side, without explaining himself or +asking of me an explanation, but I guessed when I put +out a few bags of sand to equalize his weight that he knew +as much of my real intentions as I did myself.</p> + +<p>The moment I found the balloon had a buoyant tendency, +I suddenly and unexpectedly pulled the trigger, when away +went the “Sylph” with a bound, allowing the holders of +the rope to go head-over-heels, and everybody else to be +seized with the conviction that the balloon had broken +away from its moorings.</p> + +<p>My intrepid companion was not long in convincing me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> +that he overheard the officer’s secret request, which was, +that “owing to the then unsettled state of political affairs +persons were not allowed to collect in numbers in the +public thoroughfare, and that if I found it impossible to +reach the Prado, the authorities requested that I would let +out the gas and stop the proceedings.”</p> + +<p>“In what way did you pledge yourself to the official?” +asked my countryman, as he looked down upon the receding +knot of astonished spectators beneath.</p> + +<p>“Just allow me to let off a little gas, and I will tell +you; we are rising fast notwithstanding our rapid movement +forward. Replying to your question then, I merely +promised the officer that the balloon should be removed +with all possible expedition. It is not likely that I was +going to haul down my colours, or in other words, to let +out the gas without ascending.”</p> + +<p>“But my partners in this speculation, the Frenchman +and the others, will hardly comprehend this hasty +exit.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed they will,” I replied, “the officer will surely +intimate his instructions, and my own way of executing +his orders will not be displeasing in the long run.”</p> + +<p>“What a magnificent view of fair Brussels, but how +insignificant in size. Look at the Tower of Malines.”</p> + +<p>“And far beyond,” I added, “you can see Antwerp.”</p> + +<p>“I knew by your preparations you were going to ascend.”</p> + +<p>“Did you,” I observed, “well, I told no one of my +intentions, not even Mr. S——, I thought it would be +better to clear off first and explain afterwards. It would +have been useless to keep the balloon where it was, and I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> +have no doubt the friends with whom you are connected +will appreciate my motives by and bye.”</p> + +<p>“We are now passing over a village,” said my companion, +“which I have just recognised, and you will be +astonished to hear that we are least sixteen miles from +Brussels, and that we have not been up more than a +quarter of an hour.”</p> + +<p>“I am not surprised at our rate of travelling, but +rather at your good sight in picking out a place well +known to you.”</p> + +<p>“Ah,” said the Englishman, “mine is a long sight, +you will hardly believe that I command the entire panoramic +view as clearly as you do; for instance, do you see +anything besides those microscopic dots in that green +patch? I mean anything besides the cows which graze in +the meadows to the right of the farm-house.”</p> + +<p>I looked attentively, and just detected a number of +ducks, chiefly white ones, on the banks of a pond, but +should not have noticed them unless I had examined +minutely.</p> + +<p>“How far do you suppose those insignificant specks are +down?”</p> + +<p>“I should guess 3000 feet, but not having my +instruments I cannot accurately ascertain our height or +the temperature of the air; indeed, we have little time +even for landscape viewing, as I suppose we both wish to +make Brussels again to-night, there to account for our +unceremonious flight.”</p> + +<p>I now let off some gas, and in a few minutes we found +ourselves travelling with considerable velocity across a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> +large common, where there were canals and banks in +which the grapnel was likely to get hold.</p> + +<p>I prepared my companion for a rough landing, telling +him he must not mind it, as it was his own seeking.</p> + +<p>To do him justice he seemed to like the aërial mode of +transit, and when the iron took in a water-course and hung +fast in the bank, causing the balloon and car to roll over, +and then to break away again, he became conscious of the +terrible force of the wind, and prepared for a succession of +bumps and shocks.</p> + +<p>We were soon trailing along towards another canal, the +car keeping just clear of the ground, when I found that it +was a good spot to catch in, and begged my fellow-traveller +to keep fast and look out for squalls. Fortunately this +we held fast, but the wayward “Sylph” struggled hard +for freedom, and we were thrice driven down with +unpleasant violence before I crippled the balloon so as to +be able to get out.</p> + +<p>We lost no time in returning from whence we came.</p> + +<p>On the whole, people were well pleased, both those who +were present at the start and those who had only heard of +the peculiar circumstances under which it became expedient +to make the ascent thus early in the morning.</p> + +<p>The newspaper accounts of this first attempt of mine in +Belgium eulogised it as “daring and extraordinary.” Public +attention therefore was not only called to it, but to another, +which was spoken of as certain to take place, provided the +gas directors would bestir themselves for the public good.</p> + +<p>Thus politely challenged, how could they reasonably +refrain from obliging?</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>To do them justice, they came forward readily, and in +less than a week a six-inch main was introduced into the +Prado Gardens.</p> + +<p>On the 2nd of June a large attendance of the inhabitants +of Brussels testified the pleasure they derived from a close +inspection of the balloon. They were invited to see something +like novelty in connection with the ascent, as I had +undertaken to show, on a miniature scale, how practicable +it was to discharge aërial shells from a balloon, supposing +they were needed in warfare, when it was not possible to +bombard in the usual way, owing to the intervention of +hills, water, or other impediments.</p> + +<p>As there was hardly a breath of air stirring during +inflation, the “Sylph” stood proudly erect, and seemed +to bask in the sunshine, occasionally evincing a tendency +to rise into the upper air, as if to escape the heat below, +by soaring into the refreshing coolness of the skies.</p> + +<p>A Belgian pyrotechnist having made the explosive shells, +in strict accordance with my instructions, and in exact +imitation of a model to scale, I was rather anxious to have +them all brought out and adjusted before the last moment +of setting off.</p> + +<p>Great interest was manifested and some apprehension +felt about these fireworks, which I had promised to ignite +when 2,000 feet high.</p> + +<p>The danger connected with their use rested in a great +measure with the manufacturer.</p> + +<p>If my instructions were rigidly adhered to, they would +go off as certainly as a well-made military shell from a +mortar. I had taken the precaution of attaching them to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> +a separate battery, which was ready to lower when the +balloon left the earth, and I could then pass down a rope +ladder, something after the plan of Lieut. Gale, and by +communicating with a fuse at a safe distance from the gas, +the shells would be ignited.</p> + +<p>Being perfectly satisfied with the entire disposition of +this part of the contrivance, I invited my intended fellow +travellers to enter the car. These were Mr. N——, a +railway engineer, and Mr. S——. At eight o’clock p.m., +barometer 30·2 and thermometer 66°, we set out for +a calm, delightful journey.</p> + +<p>The “Sylph” rose almost perpendicularly, so that there +was no necessity for hurry in lowering the battery, or in +going down to fire the shells.</p> + +<p>In less than two minutes, a bluish outburst of smoke, +followed by a sharp sound, announced that the first aërial +shell had burst in mid-air; a second ring of smoke formed +higher up near the balloon, and then a third and fourth +exploded at about the original range, the rest following at +stated intervals, and with remarkable precision.</p> + +<p>Cheer succeeded cheer as each “bang” reached the +earth.</p> + +<p>“Look out for the next,” cried Mr. N—— as the twelfth +shell darted down towards the housetops, and then detonated +with a loud ringing report, which echoed in the still +air like distant artillery. “That, indeed, is a splendid +sight.”</p> + +<p>“And sound too,” added Mr. S——. “How many +more are there to go off now?”</p> + +<p>“As many more,” I replied, “but there is no danger,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> +they are all trimmed to a nicety, and made to fall at least +300 feet before exploding.”</p> + +<p>“If these things were used on a large scale, how would +you manage their ignition?” enquired the engineer.</p> + +<p>“That might be by concussion, supposing the shells +were formed like a pear, with two or three nipples at the +heavier end, and by fuse as well in case of failure when +striking, but we will speak of these matters by and bye; +please to note down, barometer 25·4 and thermometer +47° Fahrenheit; we have been so busy as not to +have observed the pressure and temperature, which were +considerable.”</p> + +<p>“It does not feel so much colder,” observed Mr. N——.</p> + +<p>“No,” I answered, “for my part, it appears to me +warmer, owing to my going up and down the ladder and +otherwise exerting myself; but pray notice our course: +you, as a resident, know all about that.”</p> + +<p>“I am much mistaken,” said the engineer, “if we are +not going direct for Waterloo. We are too, by Jove!”</p> + +<p>“Bravo,” I exclaimed; “how stands the barometer?”</p> + +<p>“About 5·800 feet, we will lower gradually, as we clear +the forest of Soignes so as to have a good bird’s-eye view +of the battle-fields.”</p> + +<p>Mr. S——, who had been looking through a telescope, +and who had only recently accompanied us to Waterloo, +now caught sight of the lion on the mound.</p> + +<p>“Sure enough,” he said, “we shall pass directly over.”</p> + +<p>A balloon view of Waterloo with the surrounding country, +and bold acclivities, fails entirely to convey the martial +associations, which those noted Belgic plains would be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> +expected to arouse. We felt hardly reconciled to the fact, +that, on that cluster of fields, which looked so rural, and +cultivated, the fate of Europe had been decided, in so +great and sanguinary a contest.</p> + +<p>As our survey happened to be made in the same month +as that on which the memorable battle was fought; the +general appearances of nature could not have been very +dissimilar to what they were on June 17th, 1815, just +when the British infantry bivouacked on the rising ground +near the village, and the cavalry rested in those hollows in +the rear.</p> + +<p>It is true we gazed upon a landscape which was +comparatively tame, when unenlivened by the armies of +Wellington, Blücher, and Napoleon.</p> + +<p>An aërial glance at that great historical picture would +indeed have been a sight worth seeing. But the mere +bird’s-eye view of the site was somewhat disappointing.</p> + +<p>Could we have seen the downtrodden corn and rye, the +clouds of smoke, the prancing horses, and helmeted +riders, the splendid French columns impetuously advancing +against the solid squares of red. Could we have heard +the din and roar of musketry and cannon, and the wild +hurrah of the last grand charge, then indeed the scene +would have appeared fresh and imposing. Our bird’s-eye +view of Waterloo, so far from being lively and soul-stirring, +was rather of a philosophical and contemplative +character.</p> + +<p>One could not pass over the ruins of Hougomont, or +the farm-house of La Haye Saint, without thinking of the +dust and ashes of countrymen and fees which were there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> +scattered in profusion; when we recollect that on the +small surface of two square miles, 50,000 men and horses +were ascertained to be lying, we can form some idea of the +mouldering remains which lie beneath the ripening crops, +which presented themselves to our view.</p> + +<p>The sun had just set on the peaceful plains in rosy and +majestic grandeur. The glorious King of Day declined +also on June 18th, thirty-three years before we passed +over in a balloon. But how different the scene!</p> + +<p>On that evening after the battle, when the cries of the +wounded filled the air, as the roar of artillery ceased, and, +as night approached, the earth was red dyed and sodden; +but on this—inviting cheers of welcome came to us on all +sides, and at Waterloo we met with a most friendly +reception.</p> + +<p>I made one more ascent in the year 1848, in Belgium; +this time from the Bourse, at Antwerp. The voyage +which was made under great disadvantages presented +a rare and remarkable feature. The Englishman, with +whom the reader has been made acquainted, was again commissioned +to negociate with the gas directors of Antwerp, +respecting an ample supply for the inflation; but it again +happened that the delivery was by no means equal to our +expectations. In fact, when the hour for departure +arrived, the “Sylph” was not half full.</p> + +<p>What was to be done? The visitors would be disappointed, +and my own name connected with a failure.</p> + +<p>“Well, that won’t do,” I remember saying, “if there +is any means of rising above the Exchange, and clearing +Antwerp, I must resort to it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>“Give me a supply of cordage, and let me tie a few +lines across the hoop, and see if there is gas enough to +take me up without a car. Do not say a word to anyone, +lest our plans are thwarted.”</p> + +<p>Having placed myself in the hoop, without any other +protection whatever, I found that the balloon would just +raise me. The spectators were not aware that I was about +to leave them, minus a car to sit in, so that, on mounting +over their heads, great surprise was at first manifested, +but followed quickly by expressions of approbation, when +my risky position was known to be owing to a determination +to fulfil my contract. I attained a great elevation during this +trip, but, being without a barometer, I could only estimate +it approximately at two and a half miles, and this was +done by observing that the balloon rose until it became +fully distended, and as it was not half inflated at starting, +I knew I was quite, if not over two and a half miles high, +because a volume of gas will double its bulk at an elevation +of nearly three miles and three-quarters.</p> + +<p>The excessive cold I experienced was no doubt to be +attributed to the current of air passing through the ring, +without being in any way broken either by a wicker car or +extra clothing.</p> + +<p>Not having any ballast to put out or to work with, I was +anxious to allow the balloon to rise and fall by alternate +expansion and condensation, without letting out gas +through the upper valve.</p> + +<p>My descent was safely made near Turnhout.</p> + +<p>A messenger from Brussels, direct from Callow’s Hotel, +arrived on the morning after the ascent, requesting an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +immediate interview on the part of a gentleman from +Prussia, who was anxious to take me over the Rhine.</p> + +<p>At the appointed hour, two cards were sent up, and a +local solicitor presented himself, and introduced me to +Herr Abraham Küpper, the proprietor of Johannisberg, +a celebrated <i>locale</i>, as it was styled, at Elberfeld.</p> + +<p>Herr Küpper, a fine stout fellow with an immense +beard, which spread over a spotless white waistcoat, was +one of those men who make a pleasing first impression.</p> + +<p>I conceived a decided prejudice in his favour before we +had entered much into matters of business, and as he was +willing to agree to my own terms for a certain number of +ascents, the services of the solicitor were soon brought +into requisition, and an agreement entered into which was +mutually satisfactory. Herr Küpper then requested the +favour of our company during the afternoon, and as a +carriage was at the door, he proposed a drive in the Park.</p> + +<p>Mr. S——, together with our friend, the roving Englishman, +whose personal appearance had improved, was pleased +to find that our prospects were brightening, and I ought to +state that the latter was not personally responsible, or at any +rate to be blamed, for the difficulties we had to contend +with in Brussels; all that should be placed to the account +of his associates in the badly-managed speculation. It +was the Dutchman, the Belgian, and the Frenchman who +were not up to their work, he now pointed out, and happy +was he to find that this fine bold Prussian, with whom we +were treating, was evidently a man of business, and he +further added, but not until we had partaken of champagne +as well as good claret, that he, Herr Küpper, clearly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span> +knew what he was about; but whether the Englishman +was alluding to the treat instead of the treaty he did not +say; but this much he let out, that he was so much taken +with our new acquaintance that he should be happy, at our +expense, to go with us to Elberfeld, but as Küpper could +neither speak French nor English, and as the rest of our +party could not say much in German, Mr. S—— pertinently +asked whether he wished to be engaged as interpreter or +companion.</p> + +<p>He was silenced at this enquiry, since none of us while +drinking success to the undertaking could understand or +properly reply to the caterer from Rhineland.</p> + +<p>However, we started with him after a day or two spent +in sight-seeing, but we left the Brussels agent at his +lodgings, committing ourselves to the care of Herr Küpper, +whose agreeable postures and friendly attentions, combined +with the most amusing efforts to do a little broken English, +made some amends for want of fluency on both sides, but +no sooner had we arrived at the Johannisberg Gardens at +Elberfeld, than the redoubtable proprietor called aloud, +over the heads of a large assemblage of visitors, for Mr. +B——, when a gentleman, wearing a white hat and green +coat, came forward and hailed us as countrymen, saying +how glad he was to see us, and confirming his honest +outburst with such a hearty shaking of hands that a cry of +“bravo!” burst from many of those present.</p> + +<p>Herr Küpper having thus introduced us, vociferated +for champagne, cigars, &c., though he need not have cried +so loud, as there were two or three <i>kelners</i> close behind +him; it had, however, to our way of thinking a grand and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> +welcome ring about it, and so thought Mr. B——, who +was none of your mock modest men, when good wine +stared him in the face.</p> + +<p>“Go it Dick,” cried another Englishman, who was +seated near our table, and what with the accent of this +familiar advice, backed with other pleasantries, we soon +felt at ease, if not at home.</p> + +<p>Herr Küpper, some time after our refreshment with +Mr. Dick B——, invited us to see the ball-room and the +grounds; we dined together somewhat later, and after an +excellent repast were present at the concert.</p> + +<p>Dick B—— was getting rather effusive in his explanations +as to the musicians, and becoming very red in the +face, but he impressed us as being a capital fellow under +the circumstances in which we were placed, and he was +considered as such by many of his pupils who were present, +and who rejoiced to see him happy.</p> + +<p>“You are not perhaps aware,” said Mr. B——, “that I +am a teacher of languages.”</p> + +<p>Nor were we—as I, for one, had put him down as an +equestrian or circus master; however, we had fortunately +not allowed the secret cogitations to escape our lips, so no +harm was done. Mr. B——, on our separating that +evening, promised to be “at our service” early next +morning, and sure enough Dick came to an early breakfast, +and had not, as we inferred, had very much sleep.</p> + +<p>“The early bird gets the worm,” said Mr. B——, as he +helped himself to some wurst, or smoked sausage, by way +of a patronising start.</p> + +<p>“Make yourselves at home, gentlemen. Do you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> +like raw ham and black bread?” “<i>I do</i>,” he added; +“have found out a thing or two since I left the great +city,” meaning London.</p> + +<p>Mr. S—— who had delicate digestive organs, and who +had not travelled much, failed in doing that justice to his +first German breakfast, which Mr. B—— tackled with such +gusto. He, however, partook of his coffee with a quiet nod +of approval, and was in the act of finishing his first cup +when the teacher of languages, looking S—— straight in +the face, said, “I suppose you had a smother of frogs at +Callow’s Hotel in Brussels;” but, perceiving that Mr. +S—— turned pale, he exclaimed, “My good fellow, what’s +the matter?”</p> + +<p>Poor S—— then ejected, almost in Mr. B——’s face, +the black contents of his white cup; he sprang up in a +nervous, bewildered state, when I had to do the amiable +by way of apology.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dick laughed, but stuck to his guns, and recommended +eggs, when Mr. Abraham Küpper’s voice was heard +approaching, who entered smiling, and was followed by a +waiter with beefsteaks well broiled, but small; there were +three of them, by the way.</p> + +<p>Mr. B—— rose to salute either the steaks or mine host, +and rubbed his hands with great glee.</p> + +<p>“Eh, vat Mein Herren?” asked Herr Küpper, looking +to B—— for a response, as to Mr. S——’s sad appearance.</p> + +<p>Dick, in German, assured the landlord that he had +saved the life of Mr. S—— who would positively starve +unless he had something of that kind to begin the +day with.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>“Donner wetter; what will he end with then?” asked +Küpper astonished; of course he knew S—— did not +understand the remark, which was made in German.</p> + +<p>Dick B—— next declared in point blank Saxon, that for +his part “he had got his second wind,” and the steaks +having restored Mr. S—— by their timely arrival, we +managed to pull through; the teacher having taught us +already more than one important lesson, and, what is more, +illustrated them with his own knife and fork, again fell +to with an appetite which was tremendous, considering +that he was generous with his coffee and had confessed +to a couple of seidels of Beirisch before he put in an +appearance.</p> + +<p>This, our first substantial breakfast went off very well +considering B——’s sallies and noble example.</p> + +<p>“Now to business,” he said, after receiving our thanks +for his service at table.</p> + +<p>Outside in the gardens, we could perceive one or two gas-men +with their chief engineer, and Abraham himself in his +smoking cap, and a long tight-fitting dressing gown, which +reached to his slippers; in this attire we noticed how sturdy +he was, and withal how commanding.</p> + +<p>“He turns sixteen and a half centners,” said B——, and +their weights are heavier than ours—“but come gentlemen, +I perceive Küpper is getting impatient.”</p> + +<p>We thought that B—— toned down a good deal as we +drew near to the monarch of Johannisberg, who puffed his +cigar, and then brushed off, or rather hit aside a bit of +steak adhering to B——’s coat.</p> + +<p>What a change in manner and deportment, I thought.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> +The fact was we had kept them all waiting to get instructions +as to the laying of the gas pipes, while the teacher +kept us pottering about inside, merely to gratify his own +inordinate propensity for creature comforts.</p> + +<p>“Meester Coxvel,” cried Küpper—one might have heard +his voice half round Elberfeld.</p> + +<p>B—— translated with a tremulous accent, as if he were +funky; the plain English of it was this—Would I point out, +or stamp my foot, to use Küpper’s definition, on the exact +spot where the pipes were to terminate in the inner circle, +just where the balloon was to be filled.</p> + +<p>Perceiving, with half an eye, what kind of man we had to +do with, I ran to the spot, stamped my foot firmly down, +and cried out “here.”</p> + +<p>“Sehr gut, now Herr Coxvel, (Mr. B—— translated) +where will you place the balloon?”</p> + +<p>The reply, sharp and emphatic on my part, was again +“<i>here</i>,” but I had moved in the meantime a few yards +farther on, and the smartness with which Küpper’s questions +were answered, elicited his approval, as he raised his +smoking cap, advanced towards me with a kindly greeting, +and drew forth his cigar case.</p> + +<p>“<i>You</i> have made a hit of it, if I have not,” cried B—— +who was now regaining self-possession.</p> + +<p>All the preparations having been made to the satisfaction +of Küpper, who was a bit of a Tartar in his own +domain, I was invited to accompany him down town at +midday, Mr. S—— being left to the care of B—— who +had begged a holiday from his pupils—they knowing, +presumably, that he would scarcely be equal to his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> +duties, until he had indulged in his first diversion of +ballooning.</p> + +<p>Abraham Küpper was great in riding, and he was also +great in walking, he stood over six feet without his glazed +boots, and when, after alighting from an open trap, he +placed his arm in mine, and again withdrew it to stroke +down his fine flowing beard, he attracted the attention +of those who were passing by, and further rivetted +it, by pronouncing my name in no undertone, so that +I heard several persons observe, “Abraham und der +Luftschiffer.”</p> + +<p>He then led me with stately deportment into a +confectioner’s, where in a private room we met several +professors, doctors, and merchants, most of them I was +relieved to find, speaking English; but Küpper on the way +had been polite enough to drill into me a rapid instalment +of his own language, although it was not high German, I +was told—still to me it had a most imposing utterance, +accompanied as it was, with considerable action.</p> + +<p>One of the party to whom I was introduced, asked the +pleasure of my company next day at their scientific +institution, as there were papers to be read and discussion +to follow on an interesting subject.</p> + +<p>Küpper agreed that I was to be there without asking if +I was that way disposed.</p> + +<p>He next hurried me on, goodness knows to how many +different places, and I could not but feel that his +attentions were of a superior order to what I had met with +in Brussels.</p> + +<p>At the Institution on the following day, I was at first<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> +disappointed, as the proceedings appeared to me of an +informal, and easy going kind.</p> + +<p>The room where we met was redolent with the perfumes +of tobacco, and coffee was being served, but I soon found +out that the proceedings were of a philosophical character, +being assisted with explanations in English from Herr +Buchmann, who spoke our language well.</p> + +<p>After the lecture I tried to get away, feeling much +ashamed of my inability to converse in German, but I was +retained by Herr Buchmann, who drew me out on my +own speciality, and I was glad to find by questions put +from different parts of the room that most of those +present could express themselves intelligibly in my native +tongue.</p> + +<p>“Had I any views of my own in writing?” Yes, I had +by me a pamphlet, which was read, and which referred to +military ballooning. My opinions so far commended +themselves to those present that I was invited to become +an honorary member, and of course signed my name.</p> + +<p>By the time announcements had gone forth as to the +first ascent, I had made so many acquaintances, that I +positively required a new hat after so often raising my old +one, according to the approved local fashion which they +managed with so much ease and frequency, that I +wondered how they could do so with such little wear and +tear to the rim.</p> + +<p>Mr. B—— informed me that he never could attain to +that mode of salutation, he prided himself on being a +Briton to the back bone, and satisfied himself, if not the +ladies by a semicircular move of the right hand from his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> +chest outwards. B—— was a favourite, I found, notwithstanding +his brusque address. I began to feel afraid +that he would neglect his own interests by devotion to +our cause.</p> + +<p>One day I overheard a protest from one of his +best patrons, which terminated with “that confounded +balloon,” but Dick always turned up when he was wanted, +and now and again when he had better have been engaged +elsewhere; he was a typical cockney of the unaffected, +commercial class, never having taught his own language +until he took up his abode in Elberfeld.</p> + +<p>Very early on the morning of the ascent, I mean by +5 a.m., the voice of Herr Küpper might be heard over the +housetops, and along the valley of the River Wupper. +Mr. B—— was in attendance, and trying to soothe +the lessee’s occasional irritability, but he had been upset +by one Peter, a <i>Kellerman</i> who was thought to have +imbibed his master’s beer, brewed on the premises. Out +of twenty workmen who had been told off for our assistance, +this Peter had been placed by me to hold the neck part of +the balloon, where the gas passes in through a hose.</p> + +<p>After doing his best for some time, poor Peter’s eyes +began to roll rather wildly, when Küpper, with more haste +than discretion, sent him to the right about, which caused +Peter to stumble against the balloon; Küpper, terribly +indignant at this, gave him such a lift under the “stern +sheets,” as the sailors say, that Peter impelled by the +motive power of the governor’s left leg, flew, as it were, +out of the enclosure; the incident caused some merriment, +and at the same time it induced me to examine the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +connecting links of the hose pipe. They were all right, +but below the hoop of the safety valve, Peter, in his +eagerness to hold fast, had sent his nails through the silk, +and had made a hole, so that the poor fellow was taking in +the fumes of gas, which accounted for his stupefaction.</p> + +<p>This explained—it is due to Küpper to say that Peter +was recalled, cheered up, and told to have his coffee and +something with it, on a table in the garden.</p> + +<p>I soon repaired the fracture, when Peter volunteered to +try again. I was not displeased with the proposal, and +took pains to explain the best method of manipulating +such delicate material.</p> + +<p>Peter’s efforts were now a masterpiece of caution +blended with dexterity, and his reappearance produced a +feeling of admiration and sympathy among all who were +assisting at the inflation.</p> + +<p>The flow of gas was much stronger than I had expected, +owing to our elevated position. An indication of perfect +satisfaction on my part, caused Herr Küpper to light his +morning cigar, an act which drew forth a flash of +disapproval in my eyes and face, so that the big man +almost quailed when I shouted that match striking so near +the balloon was highly dangerous. Küpper immediately +sent his sweet smelling cigar flying outside the circle; +when I explained that it was the flame, not the tobacco +that I considered risky.</p> + +<p>Mr. B——, Mr. S——, and the engineer were now +chuckling over the alternate indications of official temper, +which two of us as the chief actors had displayed in our +respective capacities.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>“A certain amount of this sort of thing <i>goes down</i> like +goose stuffing,” said Mr. B——.</p> + +<p>“And enforces authority and caution,” cried Mr. S——.</p> + +<p>“Precisely,” admitted the teacher, “but I do hope that +Küpper will restrain himself, his temper at times is +alarming; but see how soft and subdued he looks now +that Madame Küpper is approaching; no wonder, she has +announced that breakfast is ready.”</p> + +<p>“Meester Coxvel, Meinherren, beefsteak and coffee all +ready.”</p> + +<p>“No objection,” was the answer, as we were well ahead +with the filling, “suppose we stop for an hour, Mr. S—— +will keep watch until I return, and the men can have their +coffee brought out.”</p> + +<p>“And so I will,” said Mr. S——, “but I say B——, +not too much steak, and no frogs, mind that.”</p> + +<p>Mr. B—— simply waved his hand in reply, as the great +man Küpper inspired him with a certain amount of awe, +which there was no mistaking.</p> + +<p>My first ascent from Elberfeld was on July 16th, 1848. +It was almost a cloudless day, but not oppressively hot, +as a fresh wind blew which made it desirable to call in +thirty men to hold the netting.</p> + +<p>I had appointed Mr. B—— to be my first lieutenant, +and in order to assist me, he had obtained the permission +of his pupils, most of whom were present, as much, +probably, to see their preceptor in a new capacity, as to +patronize me and the balloon.</p> + +<p>The recreation grounds where the visitors had assembled, +were of an oblong form, and perfectly dry, with gravel<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> +beneath. A vast number of tables were arranged in rows, +so that families and parties of friends sat each at their own +quarters.</p> + +<p>The ladies were nearly all knitting or otherwise at +work, and during the instrumental performances, gentlemen +smoked their cigars, drank coffee, and conversed in a +quiet way, which struck one as making a pleasing contrast +with some of our out-door gatherings in England.</p> + +<p>Mr. Abraham Küpper occupied a central position at a +table fronting the balloon, and was surrounded by a choice +staff of patrons, who, as the afternoon advanced, preferred +sparkling wine to heavier beverage served in seidel glasses.</p> + +<p>Mr. B——, who had most heroically stood his ground +against the united force of a strong current of wind, which +had ever and anon distorted the symmetrical form of the +“Sylph,” and blown some of the men over, now sent to +me to allow him to retire for one minute, not that he +wished to relinquish his post of directing the men, +but that he required to speak, for one moment, to +Herr Küpper.</p> + +<p>On seeing Mr. B—— approach, the noble proprietor who +wore a plum coloured dress-coat, and a variegated smoking +cap, filled a bumper of hock, so that by the time Mr. B—— +had wiped his moist brow, and taken a seat by invitation, +he found himself confronted with friends, together with +an abundance of pungent snuff and cooling wine.</p> + +<p>“I wonder which he will take first,” asked Mr. S——, +watching Mr. B——’s movements askance.</p> + +<p>“It’s a hundred to one he drinks the wine,” said I, but +before I had finished speaking, his glass was empty, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> +quickly refilled by Herr Küpper, who, with a patronizing +pat of the back, called him “gut boy,” alluding not, of +course, to his smartness with the wine glass, but to his +arduous duties around the balloon, by which he drew forth +high encomiums from the spectators, as well as from Herr +Küpper and myself.</p> + +<p>Although Mr. B—— exceeded the time specified by +himself for his absence, still I declined to trouble him to +return, as I felt sure his physical exertions were already +more than he was accustomed to, and I had an object in +reserving his powers for the final effort, knowing that +when the balloon was let up to its full height, it would roll +about with great force, and require all the available strength +to hold it in check.</p> + +<p>The miniature bombardment, illustrative of the +applicability of aërial shells to military purposes, was to +take place on a larger scale than at Brussels.</p> + +<p>I rather hoped to have Mr. B——’s company in my +travels to Cloudland, but resolved not to propose it until +the last moment.</p> + +<p>When the car was being attached, Herr Küpper, and +Mr. B—— entered the inner enclosure, and every assistance +was tendered, but the wind unfortunately seemed late in +lulling, and we were frequently thrown into ludicrous +positions, by which the company was kept excited, and the +juveniles furnished with matter for laughter.</p> + +<p>Just before the shells and battery were fixed, Mr. B—— +became the “observed of all observers,” and created no +little merriment and clapping of hands.</p> + +<p>I had called him to the car to suggest his ascending, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> +at that moment a cruel gust blew the balloon almost down +to the ground, and upset Mr. B—— as he advanced, but +recovering himself with admirable agility, he seized the +netting by way of support, when the balloon again caught +the breeze, and rolled round on the other tack, carrying the +astonished teacher with it, so that, minus his hat, he was +suspended some altitude from the ground, but held on with +such resolute tenacity, that a cry was soon raised of “Bravo +B——, very brave,” and as the “Sylph” backed round on +the other side, Mr. B—— was rescued, and again led by +Herr Küpper to the refreshment table, where he composed +himself and received the congratulations of many of +his friends.</p> + +<p>“It will never do to take him up after that shaking,” +urged Mr. S——.</p> + +<p>“Right, I will start alone, next time there will be plenty +of candidates; please to attach the shells, as I shall slip +cable in five minutes.”</p> + +<p>The band now formed round the car; Messrs. Küpper, +and B—— held the last connecting link, and at six o’clock +I released the “Sylph,” immediately lowered the battery, +and on passing down the Jacob’s ladder, received a perfect +ovation.</p> + +<p>The shells fell quite regularly, and made an unusually +loud report, reverberating among the adjacent hills on +either side of the river Wupper.</p> + +<p>The sky being clear from cloud, the smoke which +followed each explosion produced a splendid effect, and +imparted a totally new aspect to the appearance of a +balloon in mid-air.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span>The “Sylph” not being fully inflated, and the car +without passengers, I had some difficulty in retracing my +steps after discharging the fireworks, whether the lookers +on observed this, I could not say, but on resting half way +up the rope ladder, I heard sounds more akin to a thrill of +horror than a cheer; no doubt the position of dangling +between the car and the battery, looked perilous, but it was +not more so than some of the acts of seamen, although +excessive height added of course to the risk.</p> + +<p>The subsequent journey was very enjoyable, being my +first aërial voyage in Prussia.</p> + +<p>I had been cautioned, before ascending, against some +large forests in the direction I should travel, and noticed +them around me, without any considerable opening to +come down in.</p> + +<p>Being quite alone I was naturally disinclined to extend +my journey beyond a reasonable distance, so I brought the +“Sylph,” after attaining an elevation of 1,500 yards, to +within a few hundred feet of the tree tops, and perceiving +an open space hard by with a plantation of young pines, I +dropped the grapnel just in an eligible clump of trees, and +was glad to find that the wind had lulled, and that I was +anchored firm and fast.</p> + +<p>The car lodged in the boughs and only the balloon +remained in sight; but as to whether there were people to +be found in so outlandish a spot I began to be doubtful, as +I had shouted for some time, and neither heard a human +voice nor footsteps.</p> + +<p>Repeated shouts had, however, some effect, as I perceived +a country girl without shoes or stockings, and one or two<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +men creeping along in attitudes of amazement towards the +plantation in which the “Sylph” was moored; a few +wood-cutters and children soon added to the number, and +when they got pretty close I shouted again, but it was +a wild English ye-upp, more like an omnibus driver’s +warning than a German call for help.</p> + +<p>The result was the people withdrew affrighted; if they +could have seen me it might have altered the case, but I +was ensconced in the trees, and my voice was neither +familiar nor understandable.</p> + +<p>Believing that curiosity would prevail, I contented +myself by keeping quiet in the car for some little time, +and before many minutes had elapsed I perceived the +bare-legged girl moving stealthily towards me, supported +by followers in the background; I purposely kept low and +let out gas, by which means the basket slipped towards the +ground as the girl pressed forward.</p> + +<p>Just as she got within range I sprang up in the basket +and seized the comely creature’s rounded arms, and drew +her very near to me; she was then clearly less frightened, +as she uttered a few guttural sounds accompanied with +looks of kindness.</p> + +<p>The men then ran up and helped to get the balloon +clear of the trees, so that I received plenty of attention; +and later, when I went to the damsel’s house, her mother +made coffee for me, after which I was driven some miles to +the railway station and returned to Elberfeld.</p> + +<p>My second ascent from Johannisberg took place on +July 24th. A third soon followed, but the fourth was +chiefly remarkable from the fact that Herr Küpper ascended<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +with me himself, although he had always said that no real +or imaginable inducement would get him up in a balloon.</p> + +<p>If Küpper’s courage was not in proportion to the bulk +of his body he pulled himself very well together at the +start. It was only when I left him alone to go down the +ladder that large drops of perspiration started from his +brow.</p> + +<p>I promised to be back soon.</p> + +<p>“Yah, aber mein Gott—if you go down headlong,” he +added, but I heard this not, and might not have understood +the German rendering if I had.</p> + +<p>When the bombardment of Elberfeld commenced certain +utterances did reach my ear in the second car below, but +whether I was being cheered or denounced, whether +Küpper was sick or joyful, I could not divine; this I +know, that when I returned or (to use parliamentary +language) when I was promoted from the lower house to +the upper, I certainly did notice that my sole companion +was in a pitiable plight so far as facial moisture was +concerned.</p> + +<p>A capacious handkerchief appeared drenched, and still +the drops were oozing fast from the expanded pores of his +skin. He must have lost a couple of pounds’ weight while +I was down below. A rapid recovery, however, took place, +especially after both of us had benefited by restoratives; +then was Abraham more composed, and anxious not to go +too far, as he looked forward, I could gather by his pointing +to, and his remarks about Johannisberg, that he wished to +get back as soon as convenient.</p> + +<p>I managed accordingly, and just as the ball-room lights<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> +appeared resplendent, and the band was tuning up for a +dance, we entered amidst cries of “Hoch Küpper;” +“Leben sie lang Herr Coxvel,” &c.; and great indeed +were the rejoicings which were, it is perhaps needless to +observe, participated in by Mr. B—— and Mr. S——, +<i>cum multis aliis</i>.</p> + +<p>During the autumn of this year (1848) I made a dozen +voyages from this place, and the confidence displayed by +the proprietor was felt also by Madame Küpper, her +daughter and sons, as also by Mr. B—— and a very long +list of ladies and gentlemen, who by watching the safe +return, and good reports of the pioneers who first ventured, +felt satisfied of the pleasure to be derived, and were +prepared to venture themselves.</p> + +<p>Before making the two concluding trips of the season, a +speculation was entered into by Herr Küpper, Mr. S——, +and myself, at Cologne, with a view of trying an ascent +during the grand visit of the late King of Prussia, on +the occasion of the 600th anniversary of the building of +the cathedral.</p> + +<p>I had no faith myself in the pecuniary success of this +undertaking, but the joint speculators were very sanguine +of a golden harvest.</p> + +<p>Although an immense number of strangers came into +Cologne, and the hotels were filled to overflowing, the +processions and religious ceremonies so engrossed public +attention that the balloon grounds, after expensive preparations, +were but poorly patronized.</p> + +<p>A large sum of money was lost by these ill-conceived +projects, which turned out a serious matter to us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>The last display but one was in the month of October +at Johannisberg, and it was a night ascent with fireworks +attached to the balloon—but fireworks altogether of a +different kind to the shells which I had detached previously. +In its way this might be called a grand pyrotechnic display +<i>á la</i> Vauxhall; but the specific gravity of the gas was not +as on former days, and a humid atmosphere at night-fall +increased the weight of the “Sylph” to such an extent +that it would not raise the fireworks. I found that the +whole weight would not ascend.</p> + +<p>A buzz of disappointment then began to arise, but it +was not of long duration, as I begged the firework maker +to cut away about one-third of the cases, and calling for +a rope some 300 feet long, which had been employed +before for partial ascents, I got into the ring without any +car, and gave directions to fire the fuse and let up to the +full extent of the cable.</p> + +<p>This was equally effective, and the people were much +more pleased than if I had made a bungling effort by +being overweighted.</p> + +<p>I had afterwards the honour of being carried round the +grounds and the ball-room on the shoulders of some of +the most respected citizens.</p> + +<p>There was yet one more aërostatic exhibition which I +was called upon to engage in, and that was in connection +with the annual <i>Shutzen Fest</i> at Barmen, an adjoining +neighbourhood, about three English miles from Herr +Küpper’s noted locale.</p> + +<p>These interesting gatherings are managed in a style of +magnificence peculiar to Germany.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>So far as the balloon was concerned it was not required +for an ordinary ascent, but rather as an aërial chariot to +do honour to the “King of the Feast,” and to afford a +panoramic view to as many as obtained tickets for the +privilege of being let up a tolerable altitude over the heads +of the assembled thousands.</p> + +<p>First came the king with cocked hat, feathers, and gay +costume; and then a large silver goblet and a bottle of +champagne were handed in; when we—that is the king +and the aëronaut only—were let up to drink <i>Hoch</i>, to the +success of the society.</p> + +<p>His majesty accorded me a most fraternal greeting, in +the midst of which the people cheered vociferously.</p> + +<p>As if to prolong the compliment, the king continued some +time with his arms round my shoulders, and this appeared +to be the signal for renewed cheering, but Dick B—— who +had charge of the ropes, and who knew how such German +salutations bothered and perplexed an Englishman, gave a +sudden jerk to the ropes, by which his majesty was reminded +that he did not occupy an earthly throne; and thus freed +from such distinguished favours, I gave the signal to +haul down, when other members of the club had, each +according to his merit, a ride in the balloon car.</p> + +<p>The festivities and the rope ascents were kept up all +that day and night. So far as the balloon was concerned, +its duties were at an end by daybreak, but as the +“Sylph” contained sufficient gas to raise me—although +it had not been replenished for forty-eight hours—I made +up my mind, instead of letting it out, to ascend to a great +height, and witness the sunrise.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>Although everybody appeared to be fagged out, and I +was more fitted myself for rest than travelling, still the +opportunity of so glorious a spectacle on a calm autumnal +morning was not to be lost.</p> + +<p>I therefore hurried on my departure; and slipped away +with an easy ascending power, travelling very low for a +few miles of country, when the gas began to expand more +rapidly, and the balloon mounted up with an accelerated +speed, as if it were a thing of life, apprehensive of being +late to usher in the cheering king of day.</p> + +<p>The barometer at starting was 29·70, and Reaumur’s +thermometer was 9°. Just before six o’clock the former +had fallen in the course of forty minutes to 17·50, and +the latter to -3° or seven degrees of frost according to +Fahrenheit. The effects of this amount of cold were +doubtless greater, owing to fatigue, damp boots, and a +want of exercise before starting.</p> + +<p>I have been up more than twice the elevation since, +without feeling the cold so severely, although Fahrenheit’s +thermometer has registered several degrees below zero.</p> + +<p>The sun’s rays in this morning ascent were clear, and +though they pass through space without imparting much +heat—unless they are reflected and radiated—yet it must +be remembered that the balloon itself is a diminutive +planet as it were, and intercepts the sun’s influence, if the +atmosphere is free from clouds.</p> + +<p>Before the sky had given the customary indication of +sunrise to the city below, it was grand and impressive to +contrast the high and rosy dawn, of which I had a view, +with the dark gloom still pervading the earth towards<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> +the east; and even when in blood-red majesty the +great luminary had risen above the ridge of the distant +horizon, the land beneath was as yet comparatively dark, +showing thereby the excessive elevation of the balloon.</p> + +<p>I determined very soon after witnessing sunrise to seek +a warmer atmosphere, and descended about 6000 feet +rather quickly; here I lost the sun, but immediately he +rose again for the second time, when a large looking tower, +a few miles ahead, came into view; and, as I had not +observed this place previously, I determined to get as near +as possible, and again used the valve pretty freely to +accomplish my object. When within 1200 feet of the +ground, I was astonished to find that my downward course +had been almost as rapid as the rising of the sun. He +was again very near the visible horizon. Grand and +singular were the views which I had on that memorable +morning.</p> + +<p>In this part of my experiences, I purposely abstain from +giving details of the variations of height and temperature, +because further on in the account of my life it will be quite +in place to do so.</p> + +<p>Even for scientific men, the constant repetition of +monotonous tables is calculated to mar the freshness of +continuous narrative. Besides, in public ascents for festive +purposes, it has never been the custom of aëronauts to dot +down more than occasionally the different states of the +atmosphere. Indeed, if they attend mechanically to the +requirements of the balloon, they have not much time for +this work, unless they have assistance.</p> + +<p>Without knowing what town it was in advance, I lowered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> +on the leeward side, and noticed a great many priests and +soldiers. As the grapnel trailed over a field, I heard a +scream, like the voice of a child. On turning to see if the +iron had caught anything, I saw a hare, hooked on to the +prongs, but it was knocked off again before the progress of +the balloon was arrested.</p> + +<p>The town proved to be Munster and after <i>déjeuner</i>, and +a description of the voyage to several of the good people +of the place, I felt the over-powering effects of change of +air, with no previous rest for two nights.</p> + +<p>Before dropping off to sleep, I asked the hours of the +post leaving. “If,” thought I, “the first is lost through +somnolency, I shall certainly be ready for the last;” but +it so happened that the two slipped past, and I did not +awake until aroused for <i>abend brod</i>.</p> + +<p>Early next day I wrote to Mr. S——, telling him of my +whereabouts, and inviting him to join me for a few days at +Munster. I received no reply, for the best of all reasons, +he had not received the news, but intelligence of a rather +gloomy character had reached Elberfeld, as it appeared by +the <i>Zeitung</i> of that town that I had been killed on my +aërial journey, having fallen out of the car near Dortmund, +half way between Barmen and Munster. On receipt of +this intelligence, Mr. S—— and another gentleman named +Drebes were despatched immediately to the spot where the +disaster was said to have happened, but no authentic +information could be obtained, beyond the fact that the +“Sylph” had passed overhead, at a great elevation, +between seven and eight o’clock <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span>, on the morning +referred to.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>The party in search then decided to go on to Munster, +but we fortunately met at Hamm railway junction, I having +lost no time, after being killed by the newspapers, in getting +back to establish my vitality.</p> + +<p>It may well be supposed, that the interview on my arrival, +was of an exciting order. It was not the first time that I had +received the congratulations of people who had believed me +dead, but this reception I met with was very sincere, and I am +not sure that it didn’t put some new life into one who had been +so sensationally deprived of existence by mere rumour.</p> + +<p>Ballooning being over for the season, Mr. S—— returned +to England, and as I was disposed to remain in Germany +for the winter, it was not long before a proposal was made, +that I should purchase the balloon and ascend entirely on +my own account.</p> + +<p>Having agreed to do so, I stayed at Elberfeld for the +winter.</p> + +<p>Before I left, the revolutionary movement had broken out +afresh in the Rhine Province, and I had an opportunity of +seeing a few shots fired, and a vast deal of excitement in +Elberfeld.</p> + +<p>After a great deal of agitation and discontent, a number +of Prussian soldiers were on their march to preserve order. +I was taking a stroll one day with Mr. B——, when it was +reported that the military were approaching. Barricades +had been formed already with the pavement stones from +the streets.</p> + +<p>There was a general uproar. We were spectators of the +riot, and saw the mob try to fire the Mayor’s house, and +eventually do a vast deal of injury.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>On the arrival of a battery of nine-pounders, and a few +companies of infantry, the barricades were manned, and +flags of defiance hung out. The soldiers drew up in the +principal square, and towards evening they moved forth, +when we were not far from the barricades.</p> + +<p>The street in which the first obstacle was raised, had +riflemen at the windows; a captain was shot, and several +soldiers killed or wounded before the discharge of cannon. +The defenders of this barricade were either frightened or +blown away much quicker than we expected, but as darkness +crept on, the military withdrew, expecting a reinforcement +in the morning from Düsseldorf.</p> + +<p>During the night, Mr. B—— and I visited the barricades, +it was not an easy matter to approach or enter them, but +everybody knew the <i>luftschiffer</i> or aëronaut, and the +English teacher, and no one supposed that we were spies +or combatants.</p> + +<p>Among the gaily decorated occupiers of the barricades, +were several of the men who had assisted as labourers at +the balloon ascents; some of these men claimed an intimate +acquaintanceship, and although they merely drank small +beer when engaged in our service, yet now that the tables +were turned, they invited us to drink something stronger, +and it was not advisable to offer them a slight by an +arrogant refusal.</p> + +<p>The hours we spent among the barricades, and in the +hotels which were behind them, proved entertaining and +instructive.</p> + +<p>At Easter in the year 1849, I made the first spring trip +at Barmen, but before midsummer I started for Berlin,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> +where notices were already out, to the effect that I would +ascend shortly from the far-famed Kroll’s Gardens.</p> + +<p>There were two points about my first exhibition in the +Prussian capital, which caused it to be well remembered. +The first was a public demonstration of the possibility of +discharging petards with safety. The second was a riot in +the <i>Thier Garten</i>, outside the Brandenburg Gate, where +considerable damage was done to the shrubs, and a quarrel +occurred with the constables, some of whom were severely +beaten. A detachment of soldiers was called in to restore +order, but General Wrangel was prevented from inspecting +my apparatus, and that illustrious soldier was stoned on his +way to the gardens, so that the police authorities prohibited +any more ascents, and I was ordered to remove the +cause of disorder, which was the balloon. But instead of +obeying the instructions of the two fierce looking messengers +from the President of Police, I caused them to be +referred to Miss Kroll, the proprietress. I then ascended, +as at Brussels, before the stated hour, offering as a reason, +the following morning, that it was easier and more congenial +with my feelings, to let out the gas at some distant +place, than to be compelled to do so on my first essay in +Berlin.</p> + +<p>On due application on the part of myself and Miss Kroll, +the prohibition against ascending again was withdrawn. I +not only did so on June 11th, but on the 19th instant as +well. This time the “Sylph” passed over Berlin, and was +becalmed for more than an hour, affording an excellent +opportunity for the Berliners to witness the bombardment.</p> + +<p>There was so little air stirring this evening, that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> +descent was made on the military exercising grounds, +outside the capital. It struck me on landing, that instead +of letting the gas off, I would move the balloon outside +the walls of Berlin, round to Kroll’s Gardens again, for +a second ascent.</p> + +<p>This was a difficult and tedious achievement, but the +weather was favourable for its accomplishment, and it was +my ambition to surprise and please the Garden visitors by +exploits which had never been carried out before.</p> + +<p>Miss Kroll’s brother accompanied me in the car, and +we directed a number of soldiers and civilians to march on +in the way considered best.</p> + +<p>The wonder was that the police did not stop the procession. +On arriving at a part of the outskirts, where some trees and +water presented a barrier to our transit, an idea struck me +that an immense amount of time and labour might be saved, +if I dared to strike straight through Berlin, but Mr. Kroll +was of opinion that the soldiers would not permit us to +pass the gates, unless we had authority to do so.</p> + +<p>“Let us try,” I urged, “we can beat an honourable +and masterly retreat when we are rejected.”</p> + +<p>The bold way in which we moved towards the nearest +gate, with the “Sylph” towering sixty feet from the +ground, completely astonished the sentinel, and the guard +as well, which turned out and confronted the mob now +becoming formidable.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kroll was asked, when he explained my object, if I +had my permission, to which I replied myself with, “here +it is,” bringing forth the police permission to ascend +that day.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>I was not bound, as an Englishman and a stranger, +to explain that the <i>erlaubnitz</i> said nothing about +<i>returning</i>, and as the good-natured soldiers principally +looked to dates, stamps, &c., the gates were opened to +let us through, but very few of our outside followers +were allowed to pass, excepting the blue-coats off duty, +who really were a protection.</p> + +<p>The “Sylph” thus passed straight through the city, +and was finally restored to the Gardens without accident +before daybreak. The small gas-works connected with +Kroll’s establishment was again set to work to generate +coal gas, and the next day after being duly replenished, I +ascended again.</p> + +<p>But there was one great drawback to Kroll’s Gardens, +and that was the long and weary time occupied in inflating. +Their little holder contained only 7000 feet, and what was +this towards 32,000 feet, the contents of the “Sylph.”</p> + +<p>I found too, that the confidence inspired by my already +numerous ascents secured me, if I could have taken +them, fellow travellers who were ready and eager to pay a +goodly premium for ascending under my guidance.</p> + +<p>It became desirable therefore to tax the full capabilities +of the balloon for passenger accommodation, and as a +slow-filling, with heavy gas, made a difference in the +lifting power, sometimes of two persons, it will be seen +that my interests were, in more ways than one, at stake, +and that a more fitting locality for the ascents became in +every way desirable.</p> + +<p>The <i>Schutzenhaus</i>, situated at the opposite side of +Berlin, was suggested as most suitable for the filling, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> +thither I accordingly went after an amount of delay and +circumlocution, which was damaging to my prospects +during the finest period of the year.</p> + +<p>Here I made a series of trips, always having a full cargo +of passengers. During their progress I was induced by a +speculative German to try a couple of ascents at Stettin, +a seaport and consequently an uninviting place. The +chances of success, however, were good, as there was a +well built gas-works there, and no ascent had taken +place previously.</p> + +<p>All my requirements were met in first-class style, and +the use of the gas-works yard, a new and commodious +place, was granted for the accommodation of the public.</p> + +<p>The first journey, which took place on September 2nd, +1849, was somewhat inland, but before the commencement +of the second on the 6th, there were grave apprehensions +that I should be driven out into the East Sea, and as the +wind was boisterous, good fortune appeared to draw me back +after going out, but I was favoured again before sunset, +as I crossed the Dammsischezee in safety with my two +companions and landed on the opposite side without +inconvenience. My visit to Stettin was thoroughly +remunerative and satisfactory. Having another ascent on +September 9th, at Berlin, I returned and made it, my +route after that being a long one, as it extended to Silesia.</p> + +<p>Ballooning was little known in Breslau, and if I rushed +on to that town there was no calculating what amount of +cash I might pocket. Making fair allowance for sanguine +expectations, and believing that something might be done, +I joined a Prussian merchant who had been a good deal in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +England, and we started with a business-like arrangement +which I had no cause to be dissatisfied with, when it came +to various settlements in thalers and bank-notes.</p> + +<p>Everything of a public character in Germany required a +large amount of patience, time, and good temper, there are +so many preliminaries and permissions to be thought of and +obtained, that one cannot positively say that he will ascend +at such and such a place until the invariable routine has +been gone through, and much tact employed in making +application without creating enemies. In my affairs there +were nearly always difficulties to be surmounted. It was +not easy to find a well sheltered ground where ladies as well +as gentlemen could assemble, nor was it usual to meet with +capacious gas pipes in a spot otherwise adapted for +gathering.</p> + +<p>We experienced the like drawback in Breslau, and, after +repeated efforts, were compelled to fall back on the gas-works +wherein to admit the inhabitants.</p> + +<p>I had obtained sanction for three ascents, and the first +took place on September 20th. The local newspapers +emphatically stated on the following day that all Breslau +turned out to see the English aëronaut mount to the skies.</p> + +<p>For the three different classes we had places varying in +comfort and price, but the first place with covered seats, +was not considered by some hundreds of the spectators, +half so favourable for seeing as a pile of coke, whereon both +sexes seated themselves, notwithstanding certain damage to +the gay dresses of the ladies. My companions were Herr +Firle, the director of the gas-works, and Herr Gendry, +a merchant.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>At starting, Reaumur’s thermometer stood at 10°, +barometer at 29·62, time 5h. 15m. The clouds stratus +were 900 feet thick, when at 5h. 32m., height 3911 feet +above the sea level, we broke into a clear space, but there +was a second tier of rain cloud above, where the barometer +read 23·4, the cold here was as low as 3¾ of Reaumur. We +came down near <i>Schönbankwitz</i>, about eighteen miles +from Breslau.</p> + +<p>The second exhibition took place on September 22nd. +The voyagers were Dr. Mettner, Herr Piller, and Herr +Schulz. The meteorological features were not so widely +different from the first, as to require special notice.</p> + +<p>At the village of <i>Klein-Mochbern</i> I let fall a parachute +with two rabbits in the car, and we descended near <i>Minkau</i>.</p> + +<p>The success of a third ascent would have been certain, +both as regards public patronage and pecuniary results, but +it was prevented from taking place by the owner of a small +potato field adjacent to the gas-works. The people +standing outside had done some damage, and the man +renting it lodged a complaint with the authorities, but +instead of simply asking me, as an Englishman would have +done, to purchase the stock or make some adequate compensation, +this selfish and mercenary fellow defeated himself; +having chosen his remedy he was bound to pursue it. +He was not aware that he would be outgeneralled himself. +In full expectation of another ascent, he gave out that +damages would be increased, and that he would then fall +upon the Englishman for immense compensation, which he +was sure to obtain.</p> + +<p>I had the crop duly surveyed, and no real injury had as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +yet been sustained so that I decided without letting anybody +know, besides a certain functionary whose approval +was necessary, to get my passport returned in order to +leave Breslau that very night. As the season was advancing +and I wished to take my balloon due north, it was of +importance that I should not be delayed by any vexatious +proceedings such as that mentioned.</p> + +<p>On the day following my departure, the potato dealer was +apprised of my having left with balloon, bag and baggage, +and that a third ascent would not take place, he then +became as may be surmised, terribly irate, and immediately +set on foot an enquiry whether the tradesmen employed by +me, had been swindled or paid.</p> + +<p>There is very little trouble in arriving at conclusions of +this sort on the Continent, and when it was found that a +good and highly flattering report from the police accompanied +my departure, the over-reaching dealer saw that he +had been completely done by a stranger, and that the act +was countenanced and facilitated by his own neighbours.</p> + +<p>The next town I was anxious to visit during the autumn +of 1849, was Hamburg. There were reasons why I should +entertain great expectations of doing well there.</p> + +<p>Firstly, there was abundance of gas to be had, and +secondly, there had been no ascent there for many years.</p> + +<p>Under these auspices, I started in company with the +Prussian with whom I had associated myself in Berlin, +and we took up our quarters near the Alster, quite +sanguine as to being able to find a public garden or other +locality from which to ascend.</p> + +<p>My first application was to President Gossler, the head<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> +official and senator, to whom I presented my credentials, I +was graciously promised every assistance, and was requested +to apply again when a convenient place was found.</p> + +<p>We rose early next morning with the express object of +exploring Hamburg. Two or three agents, with a view of +assisting in the enterprise, accompanied us, and it was not +long before a well enclosed plot of ground presented itself; +but obstacles arose as fast as localities sprang into view, +the chief of which was a consideration (pecuniary of course), +which was, no doubt, the custom of the country, but not at +all palatable to my taste in the loose way in which it was +required to be made; for instance—it was whispered, that +the golden key was the thing here to unlock all difficulties,—good, +so it is in most places: “But in what form do you +propose to apply it?” I enquired of our agent.</p> + +<p>“A few pounds to pave the way as a presentation would +be advisable.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed,” said I to our Hebrew-looking adviser, “I do +not understand that vague sort of trafficking; if the holder +of a piece of property will set a price on the letting of it, +I will say yes or no!”</p> + +<p>“They will let you have it for nothing, but you must be +polite and expend a few pounds first with those you wish +to help you.”</p> + +<p>“That is not my style of doing business, and I do not +approve of it.”</p> + +<p>“Then you will not be fortunate here.”</p> + +<p>“That,” I replied, “we can only know by and bye.”</p> + +<p>After days of laborious enquiry, we ascertained that there +was a great deal of truth in what we had heard.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>In communicating with the directors of the gas-works, +we were advised to do the best we could in view of existing +practices, but somehow we became irritated at them, and a +degree of obstinacy followed which was hardly, perhaps, in +accordance with worldly wisdom.</p> + +<p>“At any rate,” as I observed to my joint speculator, +“we will strike out alone, and try to do without these +Jewish negociators.”</p> + +<p>When we were seen to search about without companions +or agents, great was the laugh at such British stupidity +and meanness, but when we selected a piece of land, and +the builders with their carts and boards were seen to +assemble, and it became known that a vast <i>cirque</i> was to +be erected in the most charming locality, then it was +admitted that we were decidedly knowing, and had done +the smartest thing attempted in the free town for some +considerable time.</p> + +<p>Having then, without the co-operation or approval of the +German Jews, chosen an eligible plot upon which we were +permitted to erect a wooden enclosure of about 150 feet in +diameter; notices were posted that an ascent would take +place on the following Wednesday.</p> + +<p>The local press cheered the venture with the most +encouraging paragraphs, and took a retrospective glance +at my previous ascents in Germany. This act of kindness +was sufficient to ensure a successful campaign, the more +so as my first ascent in October went off with great <i>éclat</i>, +and I took with me two passengers, Mr. Ballheimer, and +Herr Rieck.</p> + +<p>These gentlemen, who journeyed with me into Holstein,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> +came back with such a stirring account of cloudland, that +I was safe as to passengers for the next three voyages. I +made altogether four before the close of the season, the +last on November 9th, was a remarkable trip, it will be +interesting therefore to append the more striking particulars.</p> + +<p>The final ascent was preceded by a number of captive +trips to the extent of a rope two hundred feet long.</p> + +<p>Many of the first-class people of Hamburg including the +president and some of the senators, went up thus far, but +the most popular candidate was a heroine weighing at least +nineteen stone, and attired in a humble cotton dress, with a +huge time-worn umbrella tucked under her left arm.</p> + +<p>I had just decided upon concluding these captive ascent +when the goodly dame burst out into an audible lamentation +that she had travelled, I don’t know how many miles, on +purpose to see the English balloon, and now her chance of +going up in it was lost.</p> + +<p>The spectators laughed heartily, and inferred by her +corpulent appearance that her chances for a ride were few +indeed. A policeman endeavoured to check her zeal, but +she saluted me with her umbrella, and in return for this +rough but well-meant compliment I left the enclosure and +offered the good soul my arm, escorting her to the car +amidst a roar of merriment which lasted for some minutes. +Orders were given to let out to the full extent of the rope, +and up we went amidst deafening cheers and lively music +when the lady returned thanks with her umbrella and +repeated the noddings from a shovel-shaped bonnet which +bespoke her humble—though at the moment elevated—position.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span>This little episode being completed, I summoned the +aspirants for aëronautic honours. They were Mr. H. Zeise +of Altona, Dr. Braun, and Herr Kruss.</p> + +<p>The barometer on the earth was 29.1½, and the +temperature 10° Reaumur. We were eighty-eight +Hamburg feet above the sea level where we started, and +the wind was south.</p> + +<p>The “Sylph” ascended soon after 2 p.m., and although +the breeze was fresh the sky was clear, so that a fine view +of the town, the Alster and the Elbe was to be had +immediately on rising. After letting go a parachute and +watching its downward course for ten minutes, Herr Zeise +drew forth a bottle of champagne which had been some +years in his cellar, and prepared us for a toast. It was not +to be one of a personal or flattering character, but a +heartfelt sentiment called forth by the country we were +going in the direction of.</p> + +<p>After discharging the cork which rolled away earthwards, +Herr Zeise with uplifted cap and radiant face which inspired +us all with enthusiasm, cried out “<i>Schleswig-Holstein lebe +hoch</i>.” The other Hamburgers cordially echoed the feelings +expressed, and I was ready myself to accord almost with +anything, seeing that my companions were so friendly and +communicative.</p> + +<p>After the glasses were replenished there was an interchange +of civilities in which the pilot was not neglected, +and at three o’clock we became rather more philosophical +and took down the following observations of elevation and +time, although these little records in no way interfered +with conviviality and enjoyment:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span></p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdc">Time.</td><td class="tdc"> Barometer.</td><td class="tdc"> Height in Feet.</td><td class="tdc"> Thermometer.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">3·  5</td><td class="tdl">     24·6·0</td><td class="tdc"> 3348</td><td class="tdc"> 10° R.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">3·10</td><td class="tdl">     24·3·2</td><td class="tdc"> 3628</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">3·15</td><td class="tdl">     23·0·4</td><td class="tdc"> 3911</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">3·20</td><td class="tdl">     23·10·7</td><td class="tdc"> 4084</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">3·25</td><td class="tdl">     23·11·3</td><td class="tdc"> 4923</td><td class="tdc"> 4° R.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">3·30</td><td class="tdl">     23·7·3</td><td class="tdc"> 5433</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">3·35</td><td class="tdl">     23·10·2</td><td class="tdc"> 4185</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">3·40</td><td class="tdl">     24·1·0</td><td class="tdc"> 3850</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">3·45</td><td class="tdl">     25·1·5</td><td class="tdc"> 3786</td><td class="tdc"> 6° R.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>As we knew our direction was towards Kiel, I arranged +just before 4 o’clock to descend, this was the more desirable +from the fact that we were surrounded with cloud and +could not see far ahead or beneath. When the balloon was +within 600 feet of the earth, the report of several small +arms aroused our attention, especially when the discharge +was followed by the whirring of flying visitors in the +shape of lead.</p> + +<p>“Is it possible we have been shot at?” asked Dr. Braun.</p> + +<p>I replied by begging the doctor to empty a bag of sand, +and did so myself as quickly as possible.</p> + +<p>There was little doubt in my own mind that we had +been made a target of, because I distinctly heard the +“Sylph” struck in the region of the equator, and discovered +holes in that part afterwards.</p> + +<p>Our downward course having been checked, we glided +in a slanting direction towards the earth; but the attitude +of the country people confirmed the belief that we were +viewed as hostile rather than friendly visitors, and instead +of the villagers greeting us as usual, they kept aloof, fired,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> +and were presently joined by others with rifles, and had I +not requested Herr Zeise to tell them we were friends +from Hamburg, we should no doubt have received another +volley directed at our own heads instead of the “Sylph.”</p> + +<p>When this was explained the people ran to us and stated +that they had taken us for Danish spies, and had really +shot at the balloon.</p> + +<p>I now proposed that instead of letting off the gas two of +us should go a little farther.</p> + +<p>Herr Zeise was allowed by general consent to have the +preference, the other gentlemen being anxious to get back +and report themselves.</p> + +<p>We took in some earth to make up for the loss of +weight, but the Holsteiners very correctly guessed that by +ascending again we were not over well satisfied with our +reception, notwithstanding the explanations about being +taken for Danes.</p> + +<p>We left the place where we were fired into at 4h. 27m., +after which the following readings were taken of the second +voyage:—</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdc">Time.</td><td class="tdc"> Barometer.</td><td class="tdc"> Height in Feet.</td><td class="tdc"> Thermometer.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">4·45 </td><td class="tdl">     24·6·0</td><td class="tdc"> 3306</td><td class="tdc"> 5° R.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">4·50 </td><td class="tdl">     23·7·3</td><td class="tdc"> 4378</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">4·55 </td><td class="tdl">     23·1·7</td><td class="tdc"> 4950</td><td class="tdc"> 3° R.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">5·  0 </td><td class="tdl">     23·6·8</td><td class="tdc"> 4430</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">5·15</td><td colspan="3"> descended near Kiel.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>It was only the lateness of the season that prevented the +repetition of my autumnal ascents; the public were anxious +that they should not cease, and the seats in the car were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> +bespoken for at least half-a-dozen trips. I determined +then to re-commence in the spring of 1850, and went back +to England in order to spend the winter at home.</p> + +<p>In the year 1850 I returned to Hamburg, and before +ascending gave lectures on aërostation at the <i>Ton Halle</i>, +after which a new cirque was erected outside the <i>Dammthor</i>, +where I made several ascents.</p> + +<p>When the fine weather commenced two or three distinguished +men came northward on purpose to accompany +me. The first was Count Schaffgotsch, of Berlin, a +scientific man and well-known amateur chemist. The +Count, by his own wish, was the only passenger on May +22nd, when we journeyed into Hanover.</p> + +<p>On May 26th Count Paul Esterhazy did me the honour +of taking a seat by my side, and opposite to us sat Captain +James, an Englishman, and a merchant of Hamburg.</p> + +<p>We had a splendid trip in the direction of Lubeck, and +there was one incident attending it which vastly pleased +the Hungarian nobleman, and produced no small amount +of excitement at our descent.</p> + +<p>As we were travelling rapidly in the direction of the +East Sea it was necessary to come to an anchorage, after +emerging rather suddenly from a dense cloud. On the +leeward side of a wood a good landing place was descried, +but in scudding over the tree tops the grapnel caught a +lofty branch, and the “Sylph” was brought up unexpectedly +while we were yet hovering over the forest. There were +only two courses open to us for getting free; the first was +to slip the cable and leave the grapnel behind; the second +remedy was for one passenger to descend the rope and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> +loosen the iron, and get down the tree as best he could. +My own duty consisted in remaining by the “Sylph,” for +the guidance of the remaining passengers, but fortunately +Captain James was ready for the emergency, and dashed +over the side of the car in British seaman fashion, lowering +himself away hand under hand as we cheered him down +until he was lodged in the branches, and reported that he +could push out the flukes of the grapnel in a “brace of +shakes.”</p> + +<p>The noble fellow lost his hat in descending, which was +blown away and stuck in a bough.</p> + +<p>Before the iron was pushed out, I asked what height +Captain James had to go down and whether he could +manage the tree.</p> + +<p>“Never mind me,” said the sailor, “look out for a +lurch and do not go far, as I shall be rather out of my +reckoning when I get below.”</p> + +<p>Having cleared the trees I threw open the valve to its +full extent, and we made good a landing not far from the +place where James landed on the tree top.</p> + +<p>Two or three men were immediately sent to the wood with +Mr. H——, our fellow voyager, to assist Captain James.</p> + +<p>Some hundreds of country people collected in an +incredibly short time, and before the gas had escaped, +another hundred or two bore down upon us with an object +of attraction in the shape of a sturdy but rather short +man with a white kerchief bound round his head. The +mob appeared to be impressed with the belief that the +robust stranger was either wrong in his head or injured in +that part.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>He came tripping along with a firm and buoyant gait, +but had evidently lost temper, and his hat into the bargain.</p> + +<p>“Do pray,” said Captain James, “assure these good +people, that I am uninjured, some of them saw me come +down the tree rather sharp, and no doubt take me for an +orang-outang, others imagine my figure-head is smashed—do +tell them I am all right, and as lively as a kitten.”</p> + +<p>“Of that I am sure they have had convincing proof; +remove your handkerchief and they will then see that your +head is as sound as need be.”</p> + +<p>The Captain did so, and when the country people +comprehended that he had lost his hat, a cap was tendered +for his use, which was accepted and paid for.</p> + +<p>After accomplishing other voyages from Hamburg, I +directed my steps to Hanover with the intention of +travelling south, so as to reach Vienna.</p> + +<p>The only spot in Hanover where an ascent was +practicable, happened to be a public garden, situated on +the Marien Island, and pretty well adapted for the +required purpose. One drawback only to this locality was +a formidable row of poplar trees, over which the balloon +would have to pass in case the wind blew towards them. +The very first time the “Sylph” was announced to rise +from Hanover, which was on July 3rd, the wind blew +fiercely in the direction of the high trees. The filling +took place about twenty yards from their base, and the +gas flowed freely, so that at the appointed time, the silken +globe was distended fully, and but one sentiment prevailed +throughout a large assemblage, which was the certainty of +the “Sylph” being dashed against the trees as it rose in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> +so strong a wind. To say that I did not share in this +grave apprehension would be untrue. I knew too well +that it was hardly possible to escape. The balloon rolled +round and round in an alarming way, after the retaining +bags had been removed, and I expedited the start, +calling upon my proposed companions to bestir themselves, +and hasten into the car. The wind freshened every +minute, and the tapered poplar tops bent in frightful +curves, showing the extreme pressure of the atmosphere, +and consequently, what was to be expected and guarded +against.</p> + +<p>I placed a passenger at either end of the car, +giving them each a large bag of ballast, with instructions +to discharge them the moment I said No. 1 and No. 2. +Then imparting a large amount of ascending power to +the “Sylph,” I waited as it rolled its huge volume +about, until I saw the tops of the trees comparatively +unmoved by the wind, instantly I pulled the trigger +and up we bounded. A general shriek burst forth, and +not without reason, for the upper part of the balloon +was struck by a sudden gust and in another second +it would have been wrecked among the trees had not the +orders to “let fall sand-bags” been splendidly executed; +for three of them, my own included, were plumped +out simultaneously, and there was a sharp vertical +spurt in consequence; this, however, did not altogether +clear us, as the lower hemisphere of the “Sylph” caught +the yielding boughs, but the silk was well protected by +cordage, and the whole passed safely over, eliciting a shout +of satisfaction of the true sensational order.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>We then bounded upwards with a pendulum-like movement, +caused by the car or centre of gravity being +disturbed by the collision with the branches; but this +soon ceased, and I found that in less than three minutes +we were 4000 feet high.</p> + +<p>I was glad that Herr Dorn, the director of the gas-works, +was with me, as he read the barometer while I took +the necessary precautions to allow for rapid expansion, +which was taking place fast, owing to the great weight we +had lost in order to get over the trees.</p> + +<p>When we steadied somewhat, and were moving in a +horizontal direction at an average height of about 6000 +feet, I raised myself into the ring, and, by a peep into the +neck outlet, I felt satisfied that we had sustained no +fracture in the envelope, and this fact enabled the +passengers to feel pleased and composed, so that our +feelings afterwards were of the happiest kind, and +when it was found that our descent at <i>Celle</i> was not +accompanied with unpleasantness, as our anchorage was +effected on a high bough with grass beneath, we had +every reason to feel satisfied with our own good +fortune and the behaviour of the “Sylph,” which so +nobly carried us over the trees and landed us without a +scratch.</p> + +<p>At Celle we heard from an attaché to the King of +Hanover that his majesty had witnessed the ascent, and +felt great concern for our safety during those anxious +moments when our lives were in jeopardy.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding that difficulty respecting the trees, a +second invitation went forth for another ascent on the 5th;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> +but this time all dread, as to a too intimate acquaintance +with the poplars, entirely ceased, as the air was in perfect +repose; so much so, that it was impossible to decide which +way we should go, there being no clouds to judge by, and +as to other signs—such as the direction of smoke and pilot +balloons—even these were not faithful guides, as they rose +straight up and inclined to no fixed course, but wandered +between north, south, east, and west, as if totally becalmed +in a balmy summer atmosphere.</p> + +<p>On being asked what sort of weather it was for aërial +travelling, I replied: “Superb! this is even a ladies’ day, +when the return to <i>terra firma</i> need not cause the crushing +of a daisy.”</p> + +<p>As the inflation proceeded, I requested it to be intimated +that at six o’clock I should commence partial ascents.</p> + +<p>Long before that time, the Marieninsel looked gay and +inviting, filled with a select company who were attentive to +the performances in the Summer Theatre, which forms +so delightful a speciality at the <i>alfresco</i> amusements in +Germany.</p> + +<p>At the various rows of tables, the ladies sat working, +and the fumes of the gentlemen’s cigars rose high in the +still air, while the strains of music burst sweetly on the +ears of the listeners, who calmly awaited their evening +enjoyments, as if nature and art were subdued by +oppressive heat, when the sun was declining behind the +western foliage.</p> + +<p>After the conclusion of the operatic piece, preparations +for a captive ascent drew a crowd of visitors to the lawn, +and a party of ladies was first formed, the young and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> +handsome having induced the middle-aged and portly to +treat and accompany them in a short tour.</p> + +<p>A blue-eyed English girl laughingly remarked: “If the +rope were to break, what should we do?”</p> + +<p>“You would be transported with delight,” was my answer.</p> + +<p>I was about to make some other silly observation, when +my assistants let up the balloon, and we were getting a +view of the housetops.</p> + +<p>Before our little pleasantry had ceased—in which one of +the matronly ladies took as lively a part as the British +maiden—we found ourselves being drawn down, when a +second party was ready, with this difference, that the sexes +were equally divided, two gentlemen having each a lady +in charge.</p> + +<p>Other parties were made up more quickly than they +could be accommodated, and altogether we had an hour +and a half of this kind of amusement, when the time for +my final departure arrived, and the gentlemen, who had +for days previously booked their places, came anxiously +forward, fearing, as they stated, that the heroic courage +displayed by the first occupants of the car might possibly +induce the aëronaut to forget the gentlemen, and bear +away with him the angels.</p> + +<p>This opportune bit of flattery having been accepted, +particularly by the ladies who first ascended, I beckoned +Herr Stecker and Herr Frischen to join me, and we +gently left the island at 7.30 amidst a salvo of guns; +and, after rising 600 feet perpendicularly, the “Sylph” +was wafted towards the palace, over which we remained +suspended for at least half-an-hour.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>Afterwards the balloon remained in sight until the +descent was made; by that time it had assumed a small, +dark, globular form, and was distant fifteen miles from the +place of setting out.</p> + +<p>After I had repeated these exhibitions, I went to +Dresden, and there had the use of the Schutzenhaus +Grounds.</p> + +<p>On my first appearance, I was honoured by the presence +of the Queen of Saxony, and the Royal Family, as also the +<i>élite</i> of Dresden, who were not disloyal, as can well be +imagined. Dr. Meisel, my fellow-traveller, had a pleasureable +journey near to Oberau, where we landed.</p> + +<p>On the 18th of August there was a second ascent +when an architect, by the name of Louis Prengel, was +captivated into the enjoyments of cloud scenery; this time +we alighted near Pilnitz.</p> + +<p>It must not be supposed that in this history I have +fully described the whole of my ascents; what I have +proposed to accomplish, is an outline of the more +prominent features of my experience. I have not, therefore, +entered into every trip, but have sufficiently traced +my movements from year to year, so as to connect my +travels from the time of my first ascent to the date of +writing my life. The conclusion with further particulars, +chiefly scientific, will, it is hoped, be published in a +subsequent volume.</p> + +<p>Although I had intended to reach Vienna before the close +of the season, taking it in regular order, and going next +to Prague, yet I found a number of difficulties in Bohemia +which induced me to reach Moravia as quickly as possible,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +in order that I might take Brünn and the Austrian capital +before it got too late for the inhabitants to assemble in +places of public resort.</p> + +<p>In Brünn, some weeks were spent before the necessary +<i>erlaubnitz</i> and other preparations could be made.</p> + +<p>At last I could find no better place than the gas-works, +and although the yard was not particularly sheltered from +general view, still I felt inclined to chance pecuniary +success, as a great deal of interest was manifested in the +visit, and I was assured that all would go prosperously if +I would but make the trial.</p> + +<p>I did so on September 22nd, and from the moment the +gates were opened there was an uninterrupted stream of +visitors, which left my own mind certain that I had not +misplaced confidence in those who advised me to speculate +with boldness.</p> + +<p>At a quarter to six, the “colossal machine,” as the +Moravians called the “Sylph,” rose towards the skies, +with two gentlemen besides the “air-captain.”</p> + +<p>The voyage terminated near the village of Babetz.</p> + +<p>Another successful ascent was made from the same spot +on October 7th, when Herr Alexander Spindler and Herr +Leopold Spitzer were my companions. We let down a +large parachute on this occasion, with a dog in the car.</p> + +<p>Leaving Brünn I made straightway for Vienna, where I +learnt that an exhibition would have to be made in the +Prater, and that on no account could I expect to have my +balloon in any other spot.</p> + +<p>Now the Prater was an excellent park-like ground for a +spring or summer gathering, but it was now getting late in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> +October, and my only chance was a more suitable locality +in the inner town.</p> + +<p>Just opposite the Palace was situated the Volks-garten, a +fashionable place of resort, well adapted for my purpose.</p> + +<p>The lessee of this famous garden was an Italian, and I +got a good introduction to him, and proposed that he +should have such an interest in our exhibition, as would +stimulate him to exertion, that is, to obtain from the +authorities permission to proceed.</p> + +<p>This course answered, but a fresh obstacle arose as to +the gas, there were no pipes large enough to fill the balloon, +but owing to the kindness of the gas superintendent, and +the readiness on my part to incur a large outlay, we surmounted +even this, and my first ascent came off towards +the latter end of October 1850.</p> + +<p>The Emperor had left Vienna when I was there, +otherwise he would have seen the balloon from the palace +windows.</p> + +<p>Before the upper part of it was seen above the trees, the +glacis around the ramparts was filled with thousands of +spectators.</p> + +<p>In the gardens, were a gaily attired assemblage of military +officers, civilians, ladies, and children, so pleasingly blended +as to costume and appearance, that an Englishman could +not fail to be struck with the scene.</p> + +<p>The applicant for a lofty view of Vienna was neither an +illustrious warrior, nor a robust citizen, but a fair young +lady whose parents were of respectable position, and who +had persuaded her papa to visit me at my hotel, and secure +the first seat for his daughter.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span>The father, an amiable, sensitive man, was averse +himself, as he candidly stated, to his child going up, +“but,” as he said with affectionate emphasis, “she has +been a good and dutiful daughter, and this, the fixed idea +of her life, must not be thwarted.”</p> + +<p>Several hours before the stated time, a rumour gained +ground, that the lovely Fraülein was about to become the +observed one at the Volks-garten.</p> + +<p>I fully expected that the young lady’s entrance to the +car would be the signal for a host of gallant fellows to step +forward and beg the privilege of a seat with so beautiful a +creature, but no one stood forth, and I felt almost certain +of having the honours entirely to myself, when a tug at +my coat from some one outside the car caused me to look +behind.</p> + +<p>I there beheld a young man looking pale and perplexed, +who wanted to know what the fee was for ascending. If +my memory serves me right, I mentioned a high price as +I was annoyed with this candidate for not presenting +himself sooner.</p> + +<p>The premium, however, did not deter the gentleman from +getting in by my side, and no sooner was he safely seated +than I liberated the “Sylph,” when loud and hearty were +the hurrahs, and numerous the raised hats and waving +handkerchiefs in honour of the fair voyager.</p> + +<p>Our course was directly over St. Stephen’s lofty tower, +which is much higher than St. Paul’s Cathedral, but which +soon looked diminutive beneath us.</p> + +<p>The lady, when I invited her to do so, was most observant, +but the gentleman regarded with indifference the opening<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +panorama, while I could not but notice that his attention +was engrossed by the Fraülein, and indeed to such an +extent that I proposed he should sit by her side so as to +relieve her from glances so direct and full of meaning.</p> + +<p>The gentleman assented readily to my proposition, and +sprang so quickly from my side to that of the young lady, +as fairly—or rather unfairly—to make the car spring +again.</p> + +<p>When we had passed over the city and were drifting +down the Danube, I called upon my passengers to observe +a fine view towards the East, the young lady already had +her eyes directed that way, but the gentleman never once +looked down, but continued to direct an admiring glance +towards the Fraülein’s features, exclaiming all the while, +“Beautiful, beautiful,” by which I very naturally inferred +that he did not mean the distant landscape, but the pleasing +form so near to him in a cloudless sky.</p> + +<p>Now when we lost the busy hum of the capital and +traversed a country route, I proposed the Fraülein’s health, +and, to do the gentleman credit, he complied with alacrity +to the suggestion and offered to do the honours to a bottle +of my own champagne, but before the cork was set at +liberty, a neat basket was uplifted by the young lady and in +a moment some delicious cakes and a bottle of Hungarian +wine diverted our gaze, and what to do the gentleman knew +not. He inclined, however, to the fair one’s wine; indeed, +we both patronized the refreshing draught, which was sweet +and unexpected.</p> + +<p>The Fraülein on her part was kind enough to say something +pretty about me and my kindness, but the gentleman<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> +never said Hoch! and I believe he wished he could have +managed the balloon himself and dispensed with my +services. However, though we had high words, we did not +fall out, but returned to terra-firma capital friends, and so +considerate was I of the heroine’s personal comfort, that +immediately on landing in a grass field, I begged the gentleman +to fetch a conveyance, and talked to her myself until +he returned; I then begged of him to convey the Fraülein +to the nearest hotel while I emptied the balloon, promising +to join them by the time coffee would be served at Kaiser-Ebersdorf +where we descended. There is only one other +point connected with this event, which it is absolutely +necessary to mention, and that is, that about six months +after this aërial excursion, my two companions were united +in the bonds of matrimony, and that on hearing of this, I +understood most fully why it was that the gentleman was +heedless of terrestrial objects, and so remarkably observant of +heavenly.</p> + +<p>After this admirable and romantic commencement in the +Austrian capital, my prospects for a continuance of good +fortune was as bright as could well be wished. The papers +and the public were as busy as possible about the adventure, +and wondering who would go up next; when I received an +intimation that the authorities would not permit another +ascent so close to the palace, as the collection of an +immense mass of people on the glacis must not be +repeated—the Emperor having returned—but that His +Majesty wished that I would ascend during the next +spring from the Prater.</p> + +<p>The order of the day was, of course, ready compliance,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> +but the cost to me was great, although the first attempt had +brought in a handsome return, and but for this prohibition +I might have realized another goodly sum.</p> + +<p>I now decided upon returning to Berlin for the winter; +but it was difficult to get away, as the principal railroad was +monopolized daily by the Austrian soldiery, who at that +time were about to demonstrate their forces in front of the +Prussians, without, however, coming to those heavy blows +which have been exchanged since, in battles fought on the +very ground I have travelled over in my balloon.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1851, instead of going home to see the +Great Exhibition, I followed up my advantages in Germany +and recommenced in Berlin, where I again made several +ascents. The most extraordinary as far as danger went, +was one from the Schutzenhaus in April.</p> + +<p>There was a Prussian labourer who became my inveterate +enemy, because I had engaged him as a right-hand man, +and had discharged him afterwards for bad conduct. From +urgent intercession I had taken him on again for a fresh +trial, and although I never liked the look of the fellow, yet +somehow he cajoled me, and being very handy and +ingenious, I suffered those unfailing first warnings to +go by unheeded.</p> + +<p>On a splendid evening I ascended in company with Mr. +Lacy, Mr. Accum, and Herr Henkel.</p> + +<p>When we reached an elevation of about 3000 feet, it +became expedient to open the valve; on pulling the +cord, one of the top shutters broke and remained open, +leaving an area for escape of twenty-six inches by +twelve, which allowed so large a volume to pass out that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +a rapid descent commenced, which all our ballast could +not check.</p> + +<p>I lost no time in doing everything that was possible for +our safety, but the escape of sustaining power became so +great that one-half of the “Sylph” was deprived of gas; +the result being, that our fall was so rapid and perilous, +that nothing short of a favourable open spot saved us from +broken bones. Fortunately, in one respect, we came down +in a well cultivated garden, and the car coming on to a fruit +tree the shock was lessened, so that none of us were hurt.</p> + +<p>It came out afterwards, that this scoundrel was seen to +tamper with, and indeed partially sever the connecting +lines of the valve, by which diabolical act we might all +have lost our lives.</p> + +<p>The next noteworthy voyage was from Berlin into +East Prussia, in the direction of Dantzig; a run of +nearly 200 miles in about five hours, characterized this +truly pleasurable tour.</p> + +<p>I had with me Herr Hildebrandt, artist to the King of +Prussia, and Herr Henkel.</p> + +<p>After we had been up twenty minutes, we came within +view of the river Oder. “So soon,” exclaimed Hildebrandt, +“why it is twenty-five English miles from the city, we +must be travelling at railway speed.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, we are, and a great deal faster than railway speed +in Germany.” Although the wind was strong, there was no +perceptible motion in the car. A stream of murky-looking +cloud was drifting along towards the Baltic, and fine moist +mist frequently surrounded us as we dipped into the +vapour, but the barometer showed that it was more than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +1600 feet thick, as we occasionally varied that much in +altitude without emerging into sunlight, or within view of +the earth.</p> + +<p>After we had been up two hours I let out some gas, to +see if any of the villages or landmarks would present a +familiar aspect to either of the voyagers; but they confessed +to having passed beyond any place they were +acquainted with.</p> + +<p>As we had far exceeded the ordinary limits of a public +trip, I proposed that we should go on all the time we +could see land in advance.</p> + +<p>By and bye, darkness set in apace, and we could just +discern—towards the north-west—a line of coast to the +left of our apparent route. From what we could make +out of the land, it was not highly cultivated or thickly +populated.</p> + +<p>There was a residence ahead which it was desirable to +approach, and I lowered with that intention.</p> + +<p>Our landing was rough but secure, and we were brought +up in a hedge surrounding a sort of common, with a house +distant a mile or so, having lights in the windows.</p> + +<p>When the gas was let off by our united aid, we steered +for the house, leaving the balloon on the ground until we +could get assistance.</p> + +<p>In proceeding up a cross country lane, no inhabitant of +the wild strange place was met, and we were anxious to +ascertain where we were, and how far we had travelled. +Not until the iron gates of a baronial-looking seat came +in view, did we hear voices.</p> + +<p>Neither our questions, bearing, nor manner were pleasing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +to the gate-keepers; they evidently regarded us with +suspicion; and when we stated that we came from the +clouds in a balloon, and had left Berlin that afternoon, +our story created doubt and caution.</p> + +<p>“If you will take my card to the Baron,” said Herr +Hildebrandt, “I daresay we shall be admitted to his +presence.”</p> + +<p>The card was sent up, and the Baron himself came +down, but further explanation was required before the +gates were widely opened. I happened to have the +Berlin “<i>National Zeitung</i>” in my pocket, of that +day’s impression, which could not have reached the +neighbourhood by the time we arrived.</p> + +<p>“But where is your balloon?” enquired the Baron, +“I have not seen or heard of it.”</p> + +<p>“We not long since descended on a barren waste of +land some half hour since.”</p> + +<p>“Enter gentlemen, and I will call together a number +of the household and assist you to recover the balloon and +bring it up to the Hall.”</p> + +<p>Lanterns were at once procured, a couple of horses with +a cart put to, and, with half-a-dozen followers, the Baron +and ourselves repaired to the common; but alas! all was +blank and desolate.</p> + +<p>The difficulty of finding the balloon then presented +itself to our minds, and we looked like the veriest impostors +when we were rather sharply interrogated as to where the +property was situated.</p> + +<p>As the only hope of finding it was by catching the +disagreeable odour of the gas, I volunteered myself to go<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +forth like a hound and endeavour to find it by the assistance +of the nasal organ.</p> + +<p>I was wandering almost in despair when I caught the +aroma, or whatever else one may style it, and cried out +lustily, “Here it is.” The searching party came up in +a trot, and when once the Baron ascertained the truthfulness +of our statements, he shook hands warmly and +escorted us to the Hall, where we were treated with every +kindness, and had beds provided, and a carriage in the +morning, until we came to a place where extra post was to +be met with.</p> + +<p>Several other ascents were made in Berlin before I left, +but being anxious to visit Prague I made the best of my way +thither while the summer was yet in its prime, and after +exhibiting the “Sylph” first of all partially filled with +atmospheric air I then arranged an ascent, and having in +that town a good friend in the person of Herr Leonhart, a +gentleman very fond of aërostation who had ascended with +me before, all went swimmingly, and my first appearance +before a Bohemian assemblage was made on the 13th of +July, when we ascended and travelled forty miles in two +hours.</p> + +<p>Two or three other ascents took place in Prague before +I left, but on reaching Vienna I was taken ill, and before +I recovered it became too late to avail myself of the +Emperor’s hint to visit the Prater.</p> + +<p>My next movements were directed to Leipsig, where I +intended to do business during the great October fair.</p> + +<p>My reputation, such as it was, preceded me, for I found +the newspapers already welcoming my arrival, and speaking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> +of my numerous ascents in Germany in a liberal and +encouraging tone.</p> + +<p>The gas-works’ yard was again the only available place +to get the balloon filled in quickly.</p> + +<p>Leipsig, after the business fair, wears a very animated +appearance. About 80,000 strangers visited the town at +this time, and everything good and legitimate in the way of +art and science is sure to meet with its reward.</p> + +<p>The date of my first experiment at the gas-works was +September 28th. Dr. v. Keller, an inhabitant of the town, +and a scientific man, was my first patron; he wrote an +excellent account of what he saw and felt, in one of the +local newspapers, and this had the effect of causing others +to ascend in the several journeys I made afterwards.</p> + +<p>On the second occasion, Dr. William Hamm joined me, +and subsequently Herr Andra, Herr Flinsch, and Herr +Gerber, were passengers.</p> + +<p>Before I left, an amusing novelty came off at the Great +Hall, in the shape of a balloon concert.</p> + +<p>The “Sylph” was about two-thirds inflated with a wind +machine in the centre of the Hall, and a regular band, +headed by myself, entered through the neck valve, one by +one, and then played a number of tunes to the delight of +a large company.</p> + +<p>This was my last undertaking in the year 1851, after +which, in order to comply with the earnest wishes of my +wife, whose health was delicate, and who craved for Old +England, I bade adieu to Germany, and resolved to pursue +ballooning in the country of my birth, notwithstanding the +discouraging taunts of a few of my relations.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span></p> + +<h3>1852.</h3> + +<p>The votaries of ballooning, like the followers of any +other pursuit, have their mutual jealousies. The +renowned Mr. C. Green was, at the above date, gradually +relinquishing aëronautic duties. Age was steadily creeping +upon the veteran, and ambition was prompting one or +two others to prove themselves competitors and scientific +successors. Lieutenant Gale had lost his life after +ascending from Bordeaux, and his patron, Mr. Goulston, +had determined to follow aërostation enthusiastically. This +latter gentleman was not what the public would style a +mere professional balloonist, but an aspirant, who was +well to do in the world as a floor-cloth manufacturer. +On returning from the continent, I gave Mr. Goulston a +friendly call, as we had more than once been up together, +and much enjoyed a chat about our favourite study. I +then learnt that it was his intention to make ascents from +Cremorne Gardens, as well as other places, and that the +probability being that I should go abroad again, he imagined +that we should not oppose each other.</p> + +<p>I distinctly remember objecting to this idea as to my +own movements, stating as a reason that I had myself +some tempting offers to ascend in and about the +Metropolis. I promised, moreover, if he was determined +to take the West, that I would try my fortune in the East +of London.</p> + +<p>Mr. Goulston was the proprietor of the balloon “La +Normandie,” and he had just built a new one of smaller +capacity, which was about to make its maiden ascent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +in the forthcoming Whitsun holidays, from Belle Vue +Gardens, Manchester.</p> + +<p>Strange to say, the very first attempt proved fatal. +Mr. Goulston, who ascended in a strong wind was dashed +against some stone walls, and lost his life.</p> + +<p>He had, it appeared, a very imperfect grapnel for +stopping the balloon, but whether he attempted to get out +of the car, or not, could hardly be ascertained, although +he was known to have determined upon some scheme by +which he thought it possible to let the balloon go to the +mercy of the wind, whilst endeavouring to save himself by +springing from the car.</p> + +<p>This untoward beginning was the means of bringing +the ill-fated balloon into my notice very shortly after this +sad event.</p> + +<p>Mr. Goulston had engaged to use it at Cremorne Gardens; +intimations of an intended ascent had been published in +the newspapers, and I was immediately applied to for an +ascent with my own balloon in the place of Mr. Goulston +who was killed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Simpson, the lessee, then informed me that Mrs. +Goulston had applied to him to purchase the balloons, but +he would be glad to have my judgement as to the value +and construction of the smaller balloon, in which the +aëronaut had lost his life.</p> + +<p>On examination, I found it to be of good make and +material, and when I was asked if I would ascend in it, I +unhesitatingly replied: “Certainly, provided I use my own +grapnel and ropes.”</p> + +<p>After I had made a few trips with it, the accident could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> +no longer be attributed to imperfections in the aërial machine, +and it was purchased by Mr. Simpson, and named the +“Prince of Wales.” It thus happened, most unexpectedly +on my part, that the West-end gardens, as well as those +in the East, were at my command.</p> + +<p>Having overcome the objection, which owing to family +scruples I had formerly felt, to appear professionally in +England, I made up my mind, that having once done so, +I would go ahead, and make as many ascents as possible +during the season of 1852.</p> + +<p>Although it was the year after the Exhibition, and there +was not much to be done, as my good advisers supposed, +yet I resolved to show that it was possible to make more +ascents in one year, than had been made by several aëronauts, +during the past three or four seasons.</p> + +<p>I made arrangements, therefore, to ascend from the New +Globe Gardens, Mile End Road, not far from the site of +the People’s Palace, also from the Eagle Establishment, +City Road, and from the new grounds, which had just been +started at North Woolwich, under the name of the Pavilion +Gardens.</p> + +<p>What with Cremorne and the above named localities, +I ascended three or four times in a week, and at the +termination of 1852, added thirty-six voyages to my +former ascents, which dated in rapid succession from my +first as an amateur in the year 1844.</p> + +<p>There was one peculiarity about the ballooning at +North Woolwich, which caused a fund of amusement on the +Thames and the garden esplanade; this consisted in +crossing over from the gas-works at Woolwich, the car<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> +being fastened in a ferry boat with a steam-tug ahead, +which towed the balloon across the river to the Pavilion +Gardens.</p> + +<p>On one occasion I was engaged somewhere else, when +the directors particularly wanted an ascent. I recommended +an aëronaut with whom I had long been acquainted, +and the way he acknowledged my kindness was by finding +fault with the manner I moved my balloon, offering at the +same time to show the real and scientific style of doing it +properly. But this aëronaut lost his balloon in the attempt, +it bounded away out of control, burst in the air, and came +down a wreck.</p> + +<p>My concluding ascents in 1852 took place at Glasgow. Mr. +Maxwell, my <i>compagnon de voyage</i> on the second ascension +on October 14th 1852, confirms the account descriptive of +our own feelings, and which is a very fair representation of +other people’s when they go up in a balloon. A few +extracts will be useful, as they apply generally to the subject.</p> + +<p>“Before taking a seat in the car for the first time, +imagination is busy picturing the scenes and sensations +which belong to an aërial voyage. However great one’s +courage may be, there are always little fears as to personal +safety, and it is owing to this feeling before starting, that +the first great impression is made on the mind, when the +traveller finds, on rising, that the transition is not accompanied +by any of those disagreeable emotions which most +persons are apt to connect with that mode of travelling. +As the balloon leaves the ground, two-fold astonishment +seizes the mind, first—as to the vastness and splendour of +the view, secondly—that the effect produced in looking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +down is not what would be supposed, judging from lofty +surveys on the tops of high buildings, in fact, fear is lost in +admiration, and there is a joyous consciousness of safety, +which favours calm observation.</p> + +<p>“The earth presented to our view an immense concave +surface, that part immediately beneath being the deepest, +this variegated picture may be compared to a map. A +certain degree of confusion, however, attends one’s early +efforts to recognise particular localities, and here it was +that the aëronaut surprised me by the facility with which +he pointed out the leading features of Glasgow, although +they were new to him.</p> + +<p>“First he directed attention to the Clyde, pointing out +the different ship-building yards, and mentioning the +names of the proprietors. Anon he took me round the +squares, along the streets, up to the railway station, and off +to the distant country. I was bold enough to inquire how +it was Mr. C—— was enabled to trace Glasgow and its surroundings +with such accuracy, having made only one ascent +previously. ‘I will tell you,’ he replied, ‘I always make it +my business before ascending, to acquire every possible +information as to a strange locality, much is to be obtained +from local maps, &c., but more from personal observations +as to public buildings, thoroughfares, roads, and other +conspicuous objects, which once seen, familiarise themselves +again in the bird’s-eye view, and thereby lead +to detection.’</p> + +<p>“So model-like and regular was the face of the city, that it +was difficult to reconcile the belief that there, beneath, lay +the thrifty, solid-built, populous port of Glasgow.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>“A view from on high is certainly a great leveller of +human distinction—the contrast of a splendid residence with +a humble dwelling is not very great when viewed from the +range of the clouds, nor do lofty spires, hallowed walls, or +public monuments, command, however much they deserve, +that respect which they are accustomed to receive below. +Everything is reduced to the smallest possible dimensions, +preserving, notwithstanding, distinctness of form and +outline.”</p> + +<p>We descended at the village of Cryston; Robert Kaye, Esq., +of Mill Brae, was present, rendering material assistance, +and invited us to take refreshment at his house.</p> + +<p>In a third trip from Glasgow, in which Mr. Maxwell +again accompanied me, Duncan McIntyre was initiated into +the enjoyments of ballooning; a few extracts of his own +version of the scene will sufficiently bring it within view.</p> + +<p>“After having witnessed the ascents made by Mr. H. +Coxwell on the 9th and 13th of October, I had no +hesitation in making arrangements for a trip with him on +the 18th instant.</p> + +<p>“Almost immediately on leaving, the aëronaut commenced +a most entertaining lecture on aërostation, and described +graphically, the beautiful scene which gradually opened out +to our view.</p> + +<p>“The tortuous winding of the Clutha, appeared like a +small rivulet, dotted here and there with Liliputian steamers. +Dumbarton with its ship-building yards and ancient Castle-Greenock, +in the distance, with its forest of shipping, were +all seen to great advantage, although on the same dwarfish +scale. On ascending still higher, the country, to my inexperienced<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> +eye, assumed a somewhat concave appearance, +reminding me of the plains of South America, and for +miles there was not apparently an eminence of a foot high; +but this deceitful appearance was fully explained by our +enterprising captain, who pointed out many places and +informed us of their height.</p> + +<p>“Near to Garscube bridge, Mr. Maxwell left the car, as +we wished to go much higher than we had been, and this +time the captain took a variety of observations with his +instruments, by which he told me of the degrees of cold, +and our height in feet, a few of which I put down in my +pocket book; for instance, just before we entered a cloud, +though I had not observed it overhead, I was requested to +button up my coat, as the thermometer had fallen fourteen +degrees, and we were three-quarters of a mile high, and in +another minute we should enter a cloud, and there it would +be ten degrees colder still. I remember he said we were +then more than a mile high.</p> + +<p>“Our descent was made in a masterly style about half a +mile west of Milngaire. It is worthy of remark that this +is the same field in which Mr. Sadler, twenty-nine years +ago, made his descent, and still more remarkable, it was +the same man who caught the rope of Mr. Sadler’s balloon, +who performed a similar service for us.”</p> + +<p>After the three ascents already recorded, I made one +more in conclusion, and it is no vain exaggeration to assert, +that my first season in London, besides my numerous +ascents previously as an amateur, did actually comprise a +greater number of trips than any three balloonists had +made, even in the preceding exhibition year.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span></p> + +<h3>1853.</h3> + +<p>During the summer months I maintained the interest in +aërostatics by numerous voyages, and although they did +not exceed twenty-two in number, still they furnished fresh +experiences, and enabled me to take up more than fifty +passengers.</p> + +<p>One of the most remarkable was an ascent from the New +Globe Pleasure Grounds, Mile End Road. The date fixed +for the fête was October 16th, but it was a wet and windy +morning, which caused postponement notices to be got out, +but no sooner were they delivered into the hands of the +bill-sticker and his assistants, than a gleam of sunshine +shot forth, and the drift of the clouds betokened a favourable +break, while a low, but steady, barometer, together with a +slight shift in the wind, induced all parties interested to +suspend movements until a consultation had been held, as +to what was to be the order of the day. The workmen +were at their posts ready to proceed, the foreman of the +gas-works was awaiting the word to turn on. My own +assistant stood by the balloon, anxious to unfold at a +moment’s notice.</p> + +<p>In the Board Room were myself, the gas-engineer, and +the proprietor of the gardens in earnest discussion, as to +whether or not it was too late to fill the balloon. Extra +pressure was promised, and a little pressure of another sort +was put on me, so that the decision was to proceed.</p> + +<p>Biscuits and a hasty glass of sherry were served, when +out we all sallied into the grounds, which were now +steaming from the rarefaction caused by the sun, which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> +had burst forth with an unmistakable intention of shining +uninterruptedly until sunset.</p> + +<p>I having raised my hand to go on, the “Sylph” was +brought forth, the tube was connected with all available +speed, and in less than an hour we presented a bold +aspect; it quickly buzzed abroad that the balloon was +filling, and that, despite rain and wind, the ascent would +be made. The bills, of course, were not posted.</p> + +<p>When six o’clock struck, and several watches were +examined, numerous were the shakes of the heads as to +the state of the balloon; it was not more than half full, +and as it rolled and flopped about in the high wind, everyone +saw that it was not in a fit state to ascend, and less +still, to offer a compact resistance to the freshening gusts. +Another half hour’s flow turned the tide in its favour, and +produced the required ascending power, but there was +nothing to spare, and when I let go the last connecting +cord, a violent puff of wind caught the balloon sideways, +driving it rather down than up, and although two bags of +sand were discharged, it still dashed along at a frightful +pace, when every beholder saw that a stack of chimnies and +the car must inevitably clash; and so they did—but I had +thrown myself into position just previous to the moment +of contact, and, although the bricks and mortar were hurled +downwards, the “Sylph” shot clear away and mounted +gaily to an immense elevation, so that by the time I was +over the Houses of Parliament, the wind being east, I +found my barometer had fallen five inches, and that +temperature had decreased just nineteen degrees, by which +I knew that I should continue an upward movement for at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> +least another six thousand feet, owing to the space left for +expansion, unless I confined the balloon to the same level +by the use of the valve. As I had no object in going very +high, I attempted with the cord a slight check, but neither +the customary pull nor an extra tug would open the valve. +It then struck me that in the hurry of making a beginning +my assistant had allowed a fold to form itself in the silk, +which prevented the valve-shutters from opening, on looking +up through the neck internally, I observed that this was the +case, so I determined to allow the balloon to rise and come +down without any interference on my part, but in so doing +I had to go nearly as far as Basingstoke, before a downward +inclination took place.</p> + +<p>Soon after the first dip, I noticed a splendid meteor, which +was below the level of the car, and apparently about six +hundred feet distant—it was blue and yellow, moving rapidly +in a north-easterly direction and became extinguished +without noise or sparks.</p> + +<p>It is just possible that the apparent closeness of this +meteor was illusory, and that the real distance was very +many miles; its size was half that of the moon, and I +could not but feel that if such another visitor were to cross +my path, the end of the “Sylph” and its master would +be at hand.</p> + +<p>The range of temperature was 35°, it being 54° at +starting, and 19° at the greatest elevation, viz, two and a +half miles.</p> + +<p>The car touched the earth soon after 8 o’clock, but it was +dark, and no signs of habitation were at hand; I shouted +lustily to see if any labourers were within hail, but no one<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> +appeared to hear me, or see the balloon. Being quite out +of my latitude and longitude, I was naturally curious to +ascertain my whereabouts.</p> + +<p>I resolved upon a last effort, and having charged my +lungs fully I cried out “Air balloon,” some half-dozen +times, but getting no encouragement by a response I made +up my mind to settle down in the car, and do the best I +could to procure rest.</p> + +<p>But there were matters requiring immediate attention and +of greater importance than sleep, the first was the reduction +of the “Sylph” in point of bulk; now it is not exactly +an easy matter to get all the gas out of a balloon single-handed; +when the valve drops to the ground the gas will +not escape unless it is pressed out by men holding down +the network, and, as I had no such assistance, I got thus +far and no farther; the wind, however, had abated, so that +my silken companion presented very much the appearance +of a whale.</p> + +<p>I drew some part of the loose folds over the car, and +then remembered the kind attention of Mr. Gardner, the +lessee of the Gardens, who always made up for me something +to comfort the inner man before I ascended. This +time there was a beef sandwich with a liberal supply of +mustard and pepper, but it was not too hot, nor was the +pocket pistol, containing brown brandy and water, at all +dangerous, for it was rather needed, the cold weather aloft +having chilled one somewhat; whilst good Mr. Gardner’s +basket, and its truly acceptable contents, produced a glow +of gratitude which prompted me, the moment I had unscrewed +the flask, to drink to his long life and happiness.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> +I did so twice, and after having taxed the reserve sandwich +I felt myself a fresher and more thoughtful man.</p> + +<p>The next question was, whether it would be well to turn +in where I was for the night, or strike out by the nearest +road for assistance.</p> + +<p>There would be no harm, I thought, in taking a short +reconnoitre as far as the boundaries of the field I was in +possession of; it being dark, I could only by close inspection +ascertain how the ground lay.</p> + +<p>At the further extremity I came upon a gate and a bye +lane; now if I pursued this, wouldn’t it lead to a farm +house? And if I placed a stone, or, as I did, a chalk +and flint opposite the gate in the centre of the lane, +shouldn’t I be able to see it on my return?</p> + +<p>The argument was conclusive, I struck out in a sanguine +spirit, and after a quarter of an hour’s cautious walking +came to a farm with a light in one window; bravo! +there was a yard wall surrounding the premises, but the +stile was visible, and I mounted step after step, determined +to knock or ring them up.</p> + +<p>But gracious goodness! what dark object was that +springing at my throat with a fierce growl?</p> + +<p>A bounding, unchained, Newfoundland dog had never +entered my dreams.</p> + +<p>I confess to being both surprised and alarmed, and to +having beat, or attempted to do so, one of the most +expeditious retreats on record. If recollection serves me +correctly I fairly bolted, but whether I stopped before the +flint stone tripped me up or not I cannot say.</p> + +<p>Halting at the outside of the gate, and seizing the big<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> +flint in my right hand, I breathed more freely, and was not +displeased when I ascertained that I had no followers.</p> + +<p>Having satisfied myself that the balloon was more quiet +than the hound, discretion preached an out-door discourse +as to being the better part of valour, and I assented by +making up my mind to experimentalise with sleep. A +ballast bag or two were now filled with hedge-row +gatherings to be used as pillows.</p> + +<p>I stretched myself nearly at full length in the car and +went earnestly in for a doze. I believe, too, that the first +stage of it was duly entered upon, when voices in the +distance were indistinctly heard through the wicker-work.</p> + +<p>I sprang up, casting aside the curtains of oiled silk, and +listened attentively. Yes, there were men in the next +field, they had doubtless seen and followed the balloon; to +welcome them would be most expedient.</p> + +<p>“Hallo there! here I am and the balloon as well.”</p> + +<p>No sooner had I delivered this piece of information +than I heard a voice say, “Hush!” Receding footsteps +in an irregular stampede followed, and I was left in +wonderment as to what it all meant.</p> + +<p>I came to the conclusion that a gang of poachers were +in the neighbourhood, and that I had disturbed their +operations at the very outset.</p> + +<p>After shouting again and again, I heard no more of the +strange voices or footsteps; I determined upon again +sallying forth, but this time in the opposite direction, when +I armed myself with the liberating iron, a powerful +weapon, and, if used dexterously, far more to be dreaded +than a policeman’s truncheon.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>Having again deposited another white stone in the lane +opposite the gate, I walked for at least a mile, when I came +to a village green having a pond at one side and cottages +in the distance.</p> + +<p>It had struck eleven o’clock when I heard some men +approaching, and although they were not exactly steady +still I was glad to meet with anyone for information’s +sake, and for assistance in the packing up.</p> + +<p>“Here my man, be good enough to inform me what +place this is, I am a stranger and require assistance.”</p> + +<p>“But you surely know where you are?”</p> + +<p>“No, the fact is I’ve just popped down here in a +balloon, and I require help.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s it; well, if you go to the ‘Red Lion’ down +the street I daresay you’ll get what you want; the +landlord is a retired fighting man, and he’ll put you to +rights in no time.”</p> + +<p>While I was in the act of laughing, my suspicious +adviser moved off in an evident state of doubt and alarm, +so I pressed forward down the street, and was glad to hear +the measured steps of a policeman.</p> + +<p>As he appeared I thus accosted him:—</p> + +<p>“Officer, I am glad to have met you, being a stranger +and not knowing what <i>county</i> I am in. I have just——.”</p> + +<p>The bull’s eye was immediately turned, and my +liberating iron scanned, when the policeman backed a step +or two and said, “Oh, you don’t know what county you’re +in, don’t ye. Well, I should think you know the county +gaol pretty well.”</p> + +<p>Whether it was the provoking way in which I burst out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> +laughing, or my close resemblance to some criminal +character, I cannot say, but the officer drew himself +together as if he were about to encounter a robber, and +before I could speak with becoming gravity he held up his +lantern and assured me that if I did not immediately move +off out of the village he should take me to the station +house.</p> + +<p>“That’s just where I am going either with or without +you as an escort,” I said; “but mind what you are about +officer, the fact is, I have descended in a balloon not far +from here this evening, and I have come for assistance. +Which, pray, is the ‘Red Lion’?”</p> + +<p>“I thought,” rejoined the policeman, “You didn’t know +what county you were in; we had quite enough of you +fellows a fortnight ago, and if you hang about here I +shall take you into custody.”</p> + +<p>“Do so at your peril,” I cried, holding up my iron +defiantly.</p> + +<p>The officer continued his beat as if he were perplexed as +to my business in that part of the country; I observed that +he kept his eye upon me, and turned round occasionally as +he went up the street.</p> + +<p>I failed to obtain an entrance into the “Red Lion,” nor +did I see anyone to ask where the station house was, and +as the persons met with appeared semi-savages, I became +anxious about the balloon, and decided upon going back +and having a parting word with the policeman.</p> + +<p>That official, however, was not to be seen, he had either +gone further on the road, or he was watching me from +some unseen place.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>On recognizing the stone, and regaining the field, sleep +was once more sought, and this time successfully.</p> + +<p>I did not awake until voices were faintly heard in the +morning.</p> + +<p>I then peeped from my cage, and found that farm +labourers were going to work.</p> + +<p>Feeling assured that they would pass the gate, notice +the stone, and then the balloon, I remained quiet, but +could clearly discern the men as they came to a dead +halt, as if paralyzed with astonishment at the strange +appearance in the field.</p> + +<p>“What be that Jim?” said the foremost man with +one leg raised on the gate.</p> + +<p>“Dang’d if I know,” said another, “either the owld’un +or sum’mut alive.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s over and see lads.”</p> + +<p>As the men approached the balloon their cautious +movements and general expression betokened fear.</p> + +<p>When they first reached the car, I threw aside my +covering, anxious to convince them without further doubt, +what it was they were gazing upon.</p> + +<p>Whether or not I was too energetic, and sprang up like +Jack in the box, I cannot say, but the moment their eyes +rested upon me they fled in dismay.</p> + +<p>I followed after them, urging that “it was only a +balloon,” but the affrighted ones jumped through a +hedge-gap, and it was not until they had drawn up on the +other side, as if ashamed of their fear, that they listened +to what I had to say, and on regaining self-possession +they went back and examined for themselves; after getting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +reassured they conducted me to their master, who invited +me to breakfast.</p> + +<p>While we were finishing our coffee, the farmer continually +apologized for the rude behaviour of his men, who were +not at all polite.</p> + +<p>Master Hector, the dog, kept eying and pawing me +as if he would be rough, but for the presence of the +farmer.</p> + +<p>After breakfast we drove over to Basingstoke, and called +at the “Red Lion” on our road to the railway station.</p> + +<p>The landlord had heard a knocking the previous night, +and had been warned by the policeman of a dangerous-looking +fellow being about, with a house-breaker’s +implement in his possession ready for use.</p> + +<p>I showed him the liberating iron and explained its +application, and who I was, &c., when the ex-pugilist was +much amused, and informed me why the villagers were +so cautious about strangers.</p> + +<p>A fortnight previously, I learnt, several of the shops had +been robbed by a gang of London thieves, and most of +them, as well as the police, were apprehensive of a second +visitation.</p> + +<p>“Another thing,” said the burly landlord, “You must +please not forget that you have come among the Hampshire +hogs, and that a grunt or two is all in character.”</p> + +<p>On putting me down at the railway station the farmer +expressed his regret that he had not heard my call when I +descended, and that the persons I sought information from +were so unfriendly.</p> + +<p>I told him that I had frequently met with almost similar<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +receptions, and that the treatment I had received was +owing to the balloon not having been seen in the air.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>As the story of my life represents thoughts and acts in +childhood, youth, and early experience, I have now to +account for a break in the narrative, which must leave off +while barely touching the year 1853. As there yet remains +five and thirty years of my career to describe it follows that +I cannot do so in the present volume, which, to be candid, +owes its appearance to a circumstance which requires +mentioning.</p> + +<p>I had supplied my publishers with an article on Military +Ballooning for one of their magazines. This led to the +question whether or not the matter would lend itself +to expansion for a small book, and as Military and +Meteorological Ballooning had revived in Paris, I expressed +myself ready to allude to the current topics of the day, +and further stated that I had written part of my life. It +was then decided to connect the two; but there is this +striking contrast between the narrative and the more +matured remarks which are added, viz, that the former gives +faithfully the buoyant allusions to my early ascents in a +gossiping, anecdotal strain, whereas the following chapters +are the more matured opinions of later years.</p> + +<p>I have noticed hitherto that ballooning best commends +itself to general readers when amusement is blended with +instruction, and especially if the scientific and practical +part is introduced incidentally, so as to avoid abstruse +treatment and long calculations.</p> + +<p>I must ask the reader’s indulgence to recollect that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +writer was born in 1819 (I ought perhaps, with becoming +loyalty, to add that considering this is the era of Her +Majesty’s Jubilee, I had the <i>honour</i> of being born in that +year). An apology is perhaps therefore due for a mixed +composition, and for the writer’s boyish views in the +earlier part, although it may not be unreasonably presumed +that as I have seen some service in trying to advance +Aëronautic Science and Military Ballooning, the latter +remarks may have more value.</p> + +<p>I may add that in a succeeding Volume my autobiography +will be continued and concluded.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_166.jpg" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak"><small>THE BEGINNING OF</small><br> +MILITARY BALLOONING.</h2> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/contents.jpg" alt=""></div> +<div> + <img class="drop-cap2" src="images/i_167.jpg" width="58" height="84" alt="M"> +</div> + +<p><span class="drop-cap">M</span>ANY articles have appeared on this subject, but they +are mostly concise compilations as to the dates of +the employment of war balloons, and there is yet +wanting a more simple and systematic arrangement of the +order and particulars under which the respective balloons +figured in early aëronautic history.</p> + +<p>I have endeavoured to supply these requirements and to +add a few practical and critical observations as to the merits +and faults of the various equipments and plans from an +aëronautic standpoint; as this kind of treatment may +interest military aëronauts, and assist civilians who are +studying the matter, and it may also prove more attractive +to general readers who like to know what professional men +have to say (in friendly rivalry) as to the ideas of naval and +military officers, who have devoted attention to ballooning.</p> + +<p>On the other hand military men, the young especially, +who are apt to conclude that veterans know very little +compared with modern tacticians, may find that in this +speciality they are somewhat mistaken, and that ballooning +is not to be “picked up,” so to speak, without having a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> +regular and legitimate schooling in an art which so very +few understand.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="verse">“One science only will one genius fit,</div> +<div class="verse">So vast is art, so narrow human wit.”</div> +</div></div> + +<p>The inventive genius of the French may be traced no less +than their intrepidity in their early efforts to apply the +balloon to purposes of warfare.</p> + +<p>In the year 1793, a scientific committee was formed in +Paris with this object, when it was suggested that balloons +should be used both for attack and defence, and for +ascertaining the movement of armies in the field, and to +get at the strength of fortified places.</p> + +<p>Here was a clear and comprehensive plan for a new +departure in military science which the leading nations of +Europe have been slow in imitating.</p> + +<p>A great deal of doubt and ridicule have been cast upon +those (myself included), who, in different countries had the +courage of their convictions to urge such a movement upon +the attention of those in power.</p> + +<p>Austria, whose forces first faced a war balloon at the +battle of Fleurus, directed her government not to neglect a +bird’s-eye view of the enemy.</p> + +<p>Russia took up the idea pretty early.</p> + +<p>Italy followed suit.</p> + +<p>Germany was slow to move in the air, but has been steady +and scientific in carrying out her projects.</p> + +<p>Old England, proverbially averse to new fangled notions, +resisted all overtures even from an experienced aëronaut +for many years, pooh-poohing this kind of feather-brained +mode of strategy as at that period imagined.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>At last, after experiments had been made by Colonel +Beaumont and myself at Aldershot and Woolwich, a balloon +corps was formed and permitted to try their hand with +calico balloons.</p> + +<p>This new force, however, ignoring the first instructors +most persistently, ventured to teach the British army without +recognized balloonists to aid them; but one day, in an +unfortunate hour, a war balloon, while taking a preliminary +canter, not, of course, in an official capacity, dashed off on +a dark December evening to sea, with an enterprising and +much lamented member of Parliament, who knew no fear, +but had a poor chance of being rescued from a watery grave.</p> + +<p>Then, after this calamity, the British balloon force +languished, but not for long, as war clouds were to be seen +in the East, where military balloons should have been sent, +particularly to Alexandria, but they were not, nor to other +places in which Lord Wolseley has himself admitted that +they might have proved very useful.</p> + +<p>Our own progress at home and the activity displayed +on the continent form an instructive contrast, but if we +want to ascertain and compare the present with the +past we must go back to the year 1793, and follow on +chronologically.</p> + +<p>The Committee of Public Safety (an excellent kind of +committee for London adoption) gave their approval on +condition that the gas should be prepared without using +sulphuric acid, as sulphur could ill be spared on account of +its being so much needed for the production of gunpowder.</p> + +<p>Guyton de Morveau showed that water could be +decomposed by being forced over red hot metal and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> +borings in a retort, the oxygen being thus separated from +the hydrogen which was alone required for an inflation.</p> + +<p>Experiments at Meudon were instituted under the +direction of Guyton de Morveau, Coutelle, and Conté. +Their report led to the formation of a company to be +named the <i>Aërostiers</i>, who boasted a captain, a sergeant-major, +one sergeant, two corporals, and twenty men.</p> + +<p>Coutelle was captain, and the aërostiers went to Meudon +to be practised in the aëronautic art. After the preliminary +experiments Coutelle was sent off to General Jourdan at +Maubeuge with material for the inflation, but he arrived +at the moment when General Chasal was under arrest for +being involved in a plot to deliver the place to the enemy. +Jourdan threatened to shoot him as a spy, but he softened +down, as De Fonvielle relates, when he saw that Coutelle +was not in the least disconcerted, and ended by congratulating +him on his zeal in the defence of his country.</p> + +<p>The balloon corps contained in its ranks, as indeed +some of the modern associations do, some rather singular +individuals. We are told in “Adventures in the Air” of +a priest of Montmorency, whom the Reign of Terror had +driven to take refuge in the camp, but who only waited the +advent of more peaceable times to resume his cassock.</p> + +<p>We may also mention Selles de Beauchamp, who entered +the corps under the name of Cavalier Albert, and who rose +to the rank of officer, and left interesting memoirs on the +experiences of military balloonists.</p> + +<p>The father of Beauchamp, an officer in one of the royal +regiments, was seriously wounded in Piedmont, where two +of his brothers were killed; he retired, moreover, and died<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +in 1781, leaving a child six years old, who, two years later, +lost his mother also. As an orphan of fortune, as soon as +he was old enough, he was sent to the Harcourt College, +where he was treated as a youth of quality.</p> + +<p>His tutor adopted zealously the revolutionary cause, +while Beauchamp stuck to the Court party. The latter, in +attempting to leave the country, was arrested and sent to +the army of the Loire, but rather than join it he engaged +among the military balloonists, of whose life, but for him, we +should have known nothing, for the memoirs of Coutelle, +though very valuable from a scientific point of view, are +too laconic, and enter into no details.</p> + +<p>To these various characters Coutelle added a certain +number of mechanics, whose services were indispensable. +His first lieutenant, Delaunay, was formerly a master mason, +and proved useful in the construction of furnaces, for it +required no less than 12,000 bricks to build the furnace +for the manufacture of gas.</p> + +<p>The process of inflation lasted from thirty-six to forty +hours. I may here call attention to the decided improvement +which appears to have been made in the generation +and storage of hydrogen gas for the English balloon force. +Compressed gas is now supplied at Chatham in metal +receivers, which can be sent abroad, as it was to Suakim. +This plan has its advantages and difficulties. It must be +very expensive, and the weight of the cylinders is an +objection where every ounce of impedimenta has to be +sometimes thought of.</p> + +<p>The French balloons were made of silk, and so efficiently +varnished that they retained the gas for two to three months.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span>In this important element we are behind the French, as +mere calico was the first fabric used in the construction +of the Woolwich balloons, and though professional +aëronauts for public ascents may sometimes resort to +cotton balloons, still for military objects, silk, although +the most costly, is, I should say, the lightest, strongest, +tightest, and best.</p> + +<p>We must allow for considerable exaggeration in the +much vaunted holding powers of the original French +balloons, and, for the matter of that, for the latest +productions as well, both in England and on the +continent. I must include the Channel balloonists.</p> + +<p>It is all very well to talk and write about such a volatile +substance as hydrogen, or even coal gas, remaining good +for three months or a month. Aëronauts deny it.</p> + +<p>Will a volume of the lightest known fluid be fit for +much after being a fortnight or even a week in either a +silk, skin, or so-called india-rubber envelopes.</p> + +<p>Until ballooning is divested of much that is absurd, +untruthful, and misleading, real progress will be slow.</p> + +<p>The balloon “Entreprenant” which was sent to the +army of the north was only twenty-seven feet in diameter, +and its lifting power was 500 pounds. It was held fast by +two ropes which were attached to some extra network at +the equator; but considering that in those days the network +did not cover much more than half of the balloon, +we should not fail to notice that at present balloons are +enveloped in much more extensive and elongated nets +which protect the lower hemisphere, and prevent the escape +of the balloon unless the network gives way. It is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> +generally made of thicker cord below, so that this danger +is more guarded against than it was in the year 1794.</p> + +<p>The army of the Meuse-Sambre had the “Céleste” +balloon, while the “Hercule” and “Intrepide” were sent +to the Rhine-Moselle.</p> + +<p>The recent Naval Jubilee Review reminds one how +interesting it would be could the aërial fleet of the last +century be inspected by the side of the latest style of war +balloons that England has produced.</p> + +<p>I am not at all sure that comparisons would be in our +favour. Fancy the British army under an amateur!</p> + +<p>On June 18th, when Coutelle reconnoitred the Austrian +position, the enemy fired at his balloon as it was ascending +and descending.</p> + +<p>From Maubeuge it was taken to Charleroi, floating at +such a height as to permit cavalry and other troops to pass +beneath.</p> + +<p>At the battle of Fleurus, in Belgium, on June 26th, +1794, two ascents were made, each of about four or five +hours, notwithstanding a strong wind; the success of the +French was said to be generally due to observations from +this balloon, as all movements were reported.</p> + +<p>The balloonists were again brought into requisition in +the campaign of 1795. The “Entreprenant” withstood +an amount of buffeting which would shatter a modern +balloon to shreds; we are reminded of this by a high +French authority, and I am not prepared to dispute this +bold assertion, when we remember of what material some +of the latest war balloons are composed.</p> + +<p>The strain on Coutelle’s balloon was lessened by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> +attaching the cable to horses and men, rather than to +fixed objects.</p> + +<p>Of course it was; there are secrets in every art, and I +may here mention a case in point as to the danger of a too +rigid holdfast, which happened to my large balloon, which +I made at my own cost for The British Association +Experiments, in the year 1862.</p> + +<p>While the committee at Wolverhampton, which included +Professor Tyndall, Lord Wrottesley, Dr. Lee, Mr. Glaisher, +and others, were watching the inflation during a high wind, +I left the grounds for a short time, the balloon being in +charge of my assistants, who were manœuvring at the +nozzle of the lower opening, as that is a part requiring +much care, and will not admit, without great risk, of being +held too fast; the late Colonel Sykes, M.P., considered +that if a crow-bar were driven in the ground, and +the cord were attached, it would prevent the men from +being rolled over occasionally, and his idea was put +to the test.</p> + +<p>I was surprised to observe from a distance, that the +balloon had been badly torn, and could not account for it +until I returned and saw that the neck valve had been +pulled completely away. Had it been kept as I left it, +with a give and take movement to obviate a sudden snatch, +the balloon would have escaped injury.</p> + +<p>It is really astonishing how the same ideas occur to +all amateurs and novices. Those who read much about +aërostatics must have noticed that a strong resemblance in +these notions is constantly to be observed; they one and +all begin with the valve and have ever since I can<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> +remember. Green’s and Coxwell’s notions are pronounced +old-fashioned and exploded.</p> + +<p>They all want to try india-rubber and other complicated +springs instead of the rat-trap principle, which is so very +simple, and cannot well fail to act in all weathers, whereas +india-rubber will relax in heat, and beadings and other +additions will swell and contract in the framework, if of +wood, according to atmospheric changes; but the plan, +which experienced aëronauts know to be the safest, is +almost sure to be cast aside until an accident, as I have +already pointed out, induces beginners to fall back upon +the approved plan.</p> + +<p>Then again, the varnishes are wrong, Mr. A. or Mr. M. +has a varnish which is perfectly impermeable, the old stories +and new pretensions are reiterated, while the old stager +knows very well that there are objections to most of the +new fancies, and that the colours and oils he has used are +like those of the old masters in painting, not so easily to +be surpassed, particularly in the present day, when most +pigments are so impure and adulterated.</p> + +<p>Thirdly, the grapnels are all wrong, but if the ropes and +balloon equipments of early days were to be put side by +side with many of the accessories of modern appliances, +I believe the balance would be in favour of the experts +of the last generation.</p> + +<p>In 1796, the “Intrepide” was sent to the army of the +Danube; a fifth balloon was prepared for the army of Italy, +but for some reason it was never sent out.</p> + +<p>In the year 1798, Napoleon took a balloon equipment to +Egypt, but unfortunately for the French, the English<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> +managed to capture the ship which contained the apparatus.</p> + +<p>After this, the aërostiers seem to have gradually died +out of notice, and the balloons were sold in 1804.</p> + +<p>It was said that the dissolution of the corps was due +more immediately to the displeasure of Napoleon at the +performance of a balloon which ascended at his coronation, +with a large crown suspended beneath it, which travelled +all the way to Rome, and deposited part of the crown on +the tomb of Nero.</p> + +<h3>MILITARY BALLOONING DURING THIS CENTURY.</h3> + +<p>After the Peace of Amiens was concluded in March 1802, +military aëronauts were less heard of, while professional and +scientific air explorers came more prominently into notice.</p> + +<p>In 1812, the Russians constructed a huge balloon at +Moscow, which was to hover over the French army and rain +forth shells and explosives, but their expectations rose +higher than their balloons, which refused to move off the +ground.</p> + +<p>The French soldiers found this in the Castle of Voronzoff +bearing many thousand pounds of gunpowder, which were +to have been launched upon them.</p> + +<p>General Count Philip de Segur says:—“This prodigious +balloon was constructed by command of Alexander, not far +from Moscow, under the direction of a German artificer.”</p> + +<p>In 1815 a balloon reconnaissance was made at Antwerp, +and in 1826 the subject was again mooted by the French, +and a balloon was sent to Algiers, but it was never disembarked.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>The Russians are said to have tried experiments at +Sebastopol in 1854.</p> + +<p>The French again used balloons in the Italian campaign +of 1859; they employed the civilian aëronaut Godard, and +a useful ascent was made the day before Solferino in a fire +balloon.</p> + +<p>When the Civil War in America broke out several +balloons were used in the operations. On October 4th, +1861, an aëronaut named La Montaine ascended from +McClellan’s camp on the Potomac; he was enabled to +make observation of their position and movements, and +afterwards returned to his own lines and communicated +results which were declared to be of the utmost importance.</p> + +<p>Later on the Federals instituted a regular balloon corps, +of which Colonel Beaumont, R.E., wrote an interesting +account in the Royal Engineer Papers. The balloons were +of two sizes, one of 13,000 cubic feet capacity, the other +double that size, but the large size was found most suitable, +a fact which our military balloonists should not overlook +in their desire to possess very light and small balloons for +easy transport.</p> + +<p>The American balloons were made of the best silk, the +upper part being composed of three or four thicknesses; +this was capable of retaining sufficient gas for an ascent +a fortnight after inflation, a statement which can more +readily be credited than the French accounts about +preserving it for <i>three months</i>.</p> + +<p>Hydrogen was used for inflation, and generated in the +old-fashioned way with scrap iron and sulphuric acid.</p> + +<p>In this chapter of facts and dates I have drawn freely on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +the exhaustive work called “<i>Astra Castra</i>,” by Lieutenant +Hatton Turnor, formerly of the 60th Rifles; also from +the indefatigable gleanings and able lecture by Lieutenant +Baden-Powell of the Scots Guards.</p> + +<p>De Fonvielle’s “Adventures in the Air” have furnished +valuable information and incidents worth mentioning; +Lieutenant Baden-Powell has so cleverly compressed his +matter that for the sake of brevity I am induced at times +to quote literally.</p> + +<p>Two of the American balloons and two generators were +taken each on a four horsed waggon, with one two horsed +acid cart.</p> + +<p>Earthworks could be distinguished at a distance of five +miles, while the piquets and supports of the enemy were +distinctly seen. A telegraphic wire was sometimes attached +to the balloon, so that the aëronaut could at once +communicate with the general, or even, as was done one +time, to the Government at Washington. Some photographs +were also taken of the enemy’s position.</p> + +<p>The aëronaut and the general each had maps similarly +divided into small squares, which were numbered, whereby +the communications were simplified.</p> + +<p>The “Times” correspondent said of the battle of +Chickahominy: “During the whole of the engagement, +Professor Lowe’s balloon hovered over the Federal lines at an +altitude of 2,000 feet, and maintained successful telegraphic +communication with General McClellan’s head-quarters.”</p> + +<p>In an attack on Mississippi Island, No. 10, Engineer +Aëronaut Allan, ascended and directed the artillery fire, +communicating the effect of each shot.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span>In July 1862, the first military balloon experiments in +England took place at Aldershot, and, as I had the honour +of accomplishing them, I will leave Lieut. Baden-Powell +to allude to the events in his own words.</p> + +<p>“The aëronaut, Mr. Coxwell, was employed to bring one +of his balloons which was filled at the gas-works, and made +several captive ascents, the highest being 2,200 feet. +Colonel Beaumont said that no large movement of troops +could take place within a radius of ten miles without being +seen. Later on, more experiments were made, a one-inch +rope being used as cable.</p> + +<p>“When the war between France and Germany broke out, +Mr. Coxwell went to manage some war balloons for the +Germans. He formed two companies (two officers and +forty-two men) at Cologne, and his assistant went on to +Strasbourg, but that town capitulated before much service +was rendered.”</p> + +<p>During the siege of Paris, balloons, it will be remembered, +were made use of in a more regular and extensive manner, +and with most important results.</p> + +<p>At first, two old balloons were anchored at Montmartre +and Montsouris, as observatories, to watch the Prussians. +They apparently accomplished but little, although one or +two new ideas were introduced. The messages from the +balloons were put in a little box which was attached to the +cable by a ring, so that the observations were delivered +straight to those who held the rope.</p> + +<p>Every twenty-four hours, six ascents were made, four by +day, and two by night, the latter to observe the camp fires, +etc., and it was proposed to use a search electric light.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>When the Parisians found themselves cut off from all +communication with the outer world, balloons were naturally +suggested as a means of escape.</p> + +<p>Several experienced aëronauts were in Paris as well as a +few balloons.</p> + +<p>The first aëronaut, Duruof, left in a leaky machine, which +owing to its imperfect condition, was sent up like a projectile, +as we are informed by De Fonvielle. It described a +parabola like that of a bombshell, and by sacrificing seven +hundredweight of ballast, the descent took place nineteen +miles from the Place St. Pierre, in the department of Eure, +not far from the Prussians, but still beyond their range.</p> + +<p>The “Ville de Florence” took, by way of trial, the first +pigeons intended for return with despatches. Paris learned, +with as much satisfaction as if it had been a victory, the +return of the first aërial messenger.</p> + +<p>Louis Godard had two small balloons, neither sufficient +for the purpose of escape, but he fixed one below the other, +and made a very successful voyage in the “Etats-Unis.”</p> + +<p>The last ready made balloon was the “Céleste,” which +was the first to take post cards.</p> + +<p>The Government then ordered a number of new balloons +to be at once constructed, they were turned out at the chief +railway stations, which for the time being were no longer +used as such.</p> + +<p>The balloons were made of strong cambric, oiled, and of +about 70,000 cubic feet capacity; they were filled with coal +gas, and could carry a load of 2,000 pounds, including 600 +pounds of ballast and 1,000 pounds of despatches.</p> + +<p>The first of these bore Gambetta, he was accompanied<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> +by his intimate friend, M. Spuller. The political results +of this voyage are well known.</p> + +<p>One balloon travelled to Norway. Many were fired at, +but few injured. Three balloons fell into the hands of the +enemy near Paris, and two in Germany. Two were lost +at sea, each manned by a sailor.</p> + +<p>The average distance travelled, was about 180 miles, and +the speed varied from seven to fifty miles an hour, and in +one instance, eighty miles.</p> + +<p>During four months, sixty-six balloons left Paris, of +which fifty-four were specially made by the administration +of posts and telegraphs.</p> + +<p>One hundred-and-sixty persons were carried over the +Prussian lines.</p> + +<p>Nine tons of despatches, or 3,000,000 letters were +successfully conveyed to their destinations. 360 pigeons +were taken up, of which, however, only fifty-seven returned +to Paris, these conveyed, as Lieut. Baden-Powell reminds +us, 100,000 messages.</p> + +<p>Wilfrid de Fonvielle gives us a vivid and thrilling +account of how he left Paris in a balloon.</p> + +<p>The members of the scientific commission, he informs +us, conceived the idea of sending off balloons by night. +He took his departure on the 20th of November; he was +apprehensive, owing to the weather, of some crushing +catastrophe.</p> + +<p>“The ‘Egalité’ began to show its graceful form and +bright colours. The sun was shining on the golden +sphere, which the wind was gracefully oscillating. I +was looking on the clouds, which had a direction inclining<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> +somewhere towards Prussian soil, when I heard people +shouting.</p> + +<p>“A large hole had been made by the copper end of +the pipe in the graceful fabric. It was too late to +think of mending it, and of ascending afterwards before +sunset.”</p> + +<p>On the following morning the weather was horrid. After +many delays, owing to this cause, De Fonvielle and his +companions started. They saw desolated fields, disappearing +one after another. He recognized different parts +where he had wandered during so many happy years. +Twice the Seine was crossed, that noble Seine! where +German horses will never drink! and he could see +distinctly where his old balloon had been taken by +German hands.</p> + +<p>He was looking at that spot when the first shot was heard, +but the balloon was more than 5,000 feet high. In less +than two hours they reached Louvain.</p> + +<p>A few days after this successful journey, another nocturnal +balloon went up on a moonless night. A brave sailor, +named Prince, was the sole occupant of the car.</p> + +<p>Next day, at dawn, some fishermen on the north coast +of Scotland, saw a globe disappear towards the west and +sink in the ocean. A poor mother and two sisters bewailed +the loss of the unfortunate waif.</p> + +<p>In June 1871, the English Government appointed +a committee, consisting of Colonel Beaumont, R.E., +Lieut. Grover, R.E., and Sir F. Abel, to enquire into the +use of balloons for warfare, and as Lieut. Baden-Powell, +in his lecture at the Royal United Service Institution, went<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +into the dates and progress made in military ballooning, +I shall regard him as a reliable authority in these +matters.</p> + +<p>In April 1879, the English Government instituted an +official balloon committee, consisting of Colonel Noble, R.E., +Sir F. Abel, and Captain Lee, R.E., with whom was +associated Captain Elsdale, R.E., and Captain Templer, of +the Middlesex Militia, the last mentioned having had +considerable experience in ballooning.</p> + +<p>Experiments were conducted at Woolwich, and four +balloons were made by the Royal Engineers of specially +woven fine <i>calico</i>, varnished.</p> + +<p>A portable furnace and boiler for the manufacture of +hydrogen gas was devised similar in principle to the one +used by the French in 1793, <i>but the apparatus did not prove +satisfactory</i>.</p> + +<p>And who could expect that a mere imitation after the +lapse of eighty-six years, would do much good or credit to +the British army. Had a competent man been appointed +consulting aëronaut, he would have pointed out that the +use of bricks, tiles, and red hot turnings, was resorted +to in France as a necessity when sulphur and sulphuric +acid were scarce, but as none of the above named officers +had ever ascended with me, or had my instructions, I +could only note, with regret, what appeared to be a useless +expenditure of money and time, and as to proper and +suitable material. I had in my store rooms at Seaford, +Sussex, a large quantity of stout, pure silk, made expressly +for balloons, and could have turned out for Government, +a typical war balloon, which would have been creditable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +to our country, and been in every way preferable to +<i>calico</i>.</p> + +<p>A few days after the first experiment, an unforeseen +adventure happened as one of the war balloons was being +towed, attached to a cart.</p> + +<p>The cable snapped and the balloon disappeared in the +clouds!</p> + +<p>In October, one of the balloons was tried free at a review +on Woolwich Common, but the wind was unfavourable.</p> + +<p>The next year, the “Crusader” figured at the Brighton +volunteer review, successfully.</p> + +<p>In September 1880, a whole company of Engineers (the +24th) went for instruction in ballooning to Aldershot, and +many experiments were made.</p> + +<p>English military ballooning, as I have pointed out +received a sudden check when the “Saladin” was lost in +the year 1881.</p> + +<p>If we turn to the French, we read quite a different story. +They established, in 1872, another aëronautical school. +An annual grant of £10,000 was made, since then, the +establishment has increased.</p> + +<p>Their balloons are spherical, ten metres in diameter, +made of the best silk, and covered with a varnish which +renders them so gas-tight, that they can remain inflated +for a month. So they assert.</p> + +<p>Twenty out of forty balloons had already been made.</p> + +<p>For captive ascents a kite screen is used. I suggested +something of this kind twenty-six years since, but I have +now a more simple and safer plan, with others for signalling +etc., should they ever be enquired after or wanted.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span></p> + +<h3>AIR TORPEDOES AND BOMBSHELLS.</h3> + +<p>If there is one branch of modern strategy which is +likely to be watched with keen interest during the next +Continental war it will be that of military ballooning. For +some time we have heard of such wonderful preparations +in this line on the other side of the Channel that the +public, both at home and abroad, will be moved by anxious +expectancy to take note whether the steering gas bags and +air torpedoes revolutionize warfare by developing a more +easy way of striking hostile forces, namely, from a vertical +position, in which they are so frequently vulnerable. The +aims of those who would merely employ balloons to see +what is going on behind the hills, and how their opponents +are disposed, seem insufficient to satisfy the ambition of +foreign engineers. A Frenchman has supplied the Russians +with an air torpedo that can be directed, so we are told, +with the accuracy of a submarine machine. It is to take up +eight hundredweight of dynamite, which can be discharged +on the heads, and on the magazines and fortresses of their +foes, so as to make short work with them by blowing them +up sky-high without subjecting the attacking party to risk, +owing to the remarkable guiding power of their aërial +cruiser, which is to strike and glide away with marvellous +rapidity, either as it emerges from the clouds, or springs +unseen above the smoke of battle, to let fall its destructive +cargo when least expected. All this sounds very terrific +and smart in theory, but the question is, can it be done +with the tact and certainty which we are asked to believe? +From an aërostatic standpoint such an enterprise would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> +entirely depend upon aërial navigation having been solved. +Certain inventors avow, and perhaps imagine, that this +consummation has been settled already by those preliminary +canters near Paris of which we heard so much two years +since. Now, it is not for me, or any other practical man, +to say that the pretensions put forth for “the conquest of +the air” are visionary; but this I do say, that the alleged +movements of the cigar-shaped balloons have not warranted +us in concluding that the art of steering and propelling +has been satisfactorily mastered. Had it been otherwise, +how is it that so magnificent an achievement has not been +forthwith applied to the more noble and remunerative arts +of peace and commerce, instead of being shelved for the +horrors of war? The moment air ships can be directed, +the probability is they will be seized upon immediately to +bring about results far more creditable than the annihilation +of our fellow creatures.</p> + +<p>Secondly. A bombardment from above might, and +possibly would, involve a contest in the air. If these +agents are available for attack they may be constructed for +defensive objects, for retaliation, and for reprisals. One +may swoop down like a hawk, but another may rise up like +a rocket and bring down its adversary like the stick. And +how about the latest arms of precision, chain-shot, and +shrapnel? A gas-inflated observatory can often be kept +well in the rear in a more secure captive state, but if these +flying torpedoes are going in for close quarters, as they +must to “spot” their victims, the hazards will be so great +that pressed men, rather than volunteers, will have to be +forced into the empyrean; and, so far as my experience<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +goes among officers, soldiers, and civilians, I never yet +noticed any exuberant bellicose tendency, or display of +pugnacity, while exploring in mid-air.</p> + +<p>I once took up a gentleman who was said to be very +daring, and among his accomplishments was a proficiency +with the gloves; a friend of his who was with us thought +fit in a moment of pardonable elation to indulge in playful +sparring with the reputed amateur boxer. I was rather +surprised to notice that he evinced an apparent distaste, +and even incompetency, for this sort of thing when aloft. +It certainly might have been that the narrow confines of +a wicker basket were not sufficiently capacious for +manœuvring, or that a passing nervousness took all the +fight out of him. He protested against his friend’s +familiarity, while casting an appealing glance at me. +“Recollect,” he cried, “where we are;” but on reaching +<i>terra firma</i> I observed that his facial expression was +decidedly more combative, and that he was quite ready +then for a friendly exchange of taps; this, with other +incidents I could mention, has led me to conclude that +the upper air is not altogether suitable or provocative for +belligerent performances.</p> + +<p>By way of illustration, I may state that Green more than +forty years since was engaged to attend with one of his +balloons at a park down in Staffordshire, where there was +to be an experiment with dropping shells from a battery +affixed to the hoop, but no one was to go up, and the +aëronaut’s services were only required for the preparatory +work, as the long range committee preferred to manage +matters themselves, so far as the adjustment and discharge<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> +of the petards went. They selected a central spot in a wood +as the area for their intended demolishment, but on setting +the balloon free they neglected Green’s hint to look out for +a veering current, in case they had not provided a remedy, +as he had, if his services had been retained for the most +critical part of the undertaking. Well, the experimentalists +disregarded the expert, but when the missiles were discharged +they flew bang at friendly spectators instead of the +camping ground of an ideal enemy, thus causing a helter-skelter +stampede, including a bevy of policemen—in short, +the whole affair was a fiasco; and it might have been so +easily prevented, as Green’s foresight had led him to think +of a compensating plan to cause the balloon to go straight +in the desired course; but the enthusiasts did not believe +that a past master was necessary for aëronautic transactions, +and it will not be surprising if some of the military +adventurers to whom we have been referring find themselves +similarly situated.</p> + +<p>Last year I read that two intrepid Frenchmen made a +trip to our shores from Cherbourg, and threw down as +they passed some yachts near the coast a number of cork +balls painted white, just, sportively of course, to see how +they would act as the lightest and most harmless of +grenades, without, as we may charitably conclude, any +ulterior designs such as the First Napoleon is credited +with when the aërial flotilla at Boulogne was talked about. +But, really, in the present day, when the blowing up of +ironclads is a recognized feature of warfare, and when +torpedo boats can dive and make straightway at a man-of-war +to strike below the belt, it is time to be on the <i>qui<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> +vive</i>, and though aëronauts may feel no great alarm about +an unexpected visit from a torpedo fleet, knowing, as they +do, that the air is more than eight hundred times lighter +than water, and that the difficulties to be first surmounted +are proportionately great, still, there is no denying that +the route overhead is open to all nations, and that a scare, +lest any unwelcome guests should arrive, has actually been +felt as to the possibility of their turning up from beneath +the Channel. We know that John Bull and all true +Britons would rather face an adversary from above, than if +he were to crawl and pounce upon us from below.</p> + +<p>But at present we need not quake as to the high or +subway route.</p> + +<h3>MILITARY BALLOONING IN THE YEAR OF JUBILEE.</h3> + +<p>One of the latest and most interesting phases of this +subject relates to Lord Wolseley’s maiden ascent from the +grounds at Lidsing, near Chatham, and to various active +preparations on the Continent which have a character of +their own, and are essentially dissimilar to the experiments +in Great Britain.</p> + +<p>An illustrious man undergoing his initiation in the +balloon car, forms an event which is not of every day +occurrence, and must prove very encouraging to the intrepid +engineer officers, and also to the general public, who like +to see the leading authority go now and again to the front +for the sake of thoroughly inspecting, and of obtaining +some practical acquaintance with any new branch of science +which may be on trial.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>The General’s declaration that “he believed <i>himself</i> in +novelties,” must have produced conflicting opinions in the +minds of many more conservative brother officers; but +what must have been the effect of the next assertion? +namely, “the more novelties the better.”</p> + +<p>Lord Wolseley believed in what Napoleon said: “You +must change your tactics frequently.”</p> + +<p>The first impression made by his ascent of 500 feet, +elicited the General’s approval.</p> + +<p>In the course of a conversation with one of his staff, +Lord Wolseley stated that “had he been able to employ +balloons in the earlier stages of the Soudan campaign, the +affair would not have lasted as many months as it did +years.”</p> + +<p>We get therefore a very high testimony as to the value +of the balloon for military objects, and as the exploits of +our war balloons do not amount, at present, to anything +particularly noteworthy, the General’s encouraging remarks +will have an excellent effect, it may fairly be presumed.</p> + +<p>The most recent effort in this line, near Dover, was +not successful.</p> + +<p>The balloon “Sentinel” was filled and essayed to +watch the volunteers, but was forced to retire with the +most eccentric capers—owing to the freaks of rude Boreas, +which was, after all, merely imparting useful instruction, +though not particularly pleasing, probably, to the officer +who occupied the seat of honour.</p> + +<p>It is, doubtless, a matter to rejoice over, that he was not +blown out over the adjacent coast line; had he been driven +away down Channel in a small skin balloon under the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> +influence of a north-easterly wind, he might have touched +the extreme corner of the French coast, or been sent down +betwixt the Channel Islands.</p> + +<p>Happily, however, there was no fresh fatality to lament +over, and the instructions imparted by the clerk of the +weather as to the impracticability of captive ascents during +strong winds will not be lost, and may prove of the greatest +importance, so that it is well worth while referring to it as +a warning for future caution.</p> + +<p>As the writer of this book holds it to be his province, +and his duty as a practical man to review both sides of +public opinion respecting his speciality, he considers it right +to state, that the representatives of the press, like the +representatives of our constituencies in parliament, do not +all take one and the same view about military ballooning; +neither do superior officers or the rank-and-file, who, in +these advanced days are quite capable of drawing their own +conclusions.</p> + +<p>A paragraph which I read in the Court Society Review, +was to this effect.</p> + +<p>“I have very little faith in military balloons for the +purposes of observation. In the Soudan no atmospheric +conditions, and many were tried, were found to be suitable, +for even when the air was dead-still, and brilliantly clear, +the balloon waggled to such an extent as to make telescopic +observation impossible, or, at any rate, practically useless. +At the Easter Monday fight, an infinitely more futile +attempt was made to employ the balloon in a stiffish breeze, +and the result was, of course, as worthless as the experiment +was dangerous.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>“All the same, for signalling, especially at night, captive +balloons might be made of immense use.”</p> + +<p>Secondly, we have another rather discouraging +experience, which ought not to be forgotten or omitted +in these pages.</p> + +<p>It is in McClellan’s own story, about their doings +on April 11th, 1862, and is rather amusing than +complimentary to the cause I have so long advocated.</p> + +<p>“I am just recovering,” the writer observes, “from a +terrible scare. Early this morning I was awakened by a +despatch from Fitz-John’s head-quarters, stating that Fitz +had made an ascension in the balloon this morning, and +that it had broken away and come to the ground some +three miles south-west, which would be within the enemy’s +lines.</p> + +<p>“You can imagine how I felt. I at once sent off to +the various pickets to find out what they knew, and tried +to do something to save him, but the order had no sooner +gone, than in walks Fitz, just as cool as usual. He had +luckily come down near my own camp, after actually +passing over that of the enemy.</p> + +<p>“You may rest assured of one thing,” was the remark: +“you won’t catch me in the confounded balloon, nor will +I allow any other General in it.”</p> + +<p>On the converse side, it should be mentioned that in +a telegram received at Washington during the Civil War, +it was stated, “that all the information received from +<i>balloons</i>, deserters, prisoners, &c., agrees in the statement +that the mass of the rebel troops were still in the +immediate vicinity of Richmond, ready to defend it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>As a pioneer myself in the service of military +ballooning, I heartily wish that something more had +been carried out in the decidedly important neighbourhood +of Suakim.</p> + +<p>I was constantly suggesting plans; among others, to +take out an apparatus and holder for the generation of +coal gas, feeling persuaded that at a short notice, an +enterprising private firm would have sent out an equipment +with the necessary men and coals, to generate gas +on the old quick and cheap plan, in addition to the +compressed hydrogen system. There are, certainly, some +advantages in employing the lighter gas, but several +counter and compensating results might be adduced on the +other side, one of which is, that in a hot climate, pure +hydrogen will escape quicker than the denser production, +and, I have no hesitation in saying, that a small skin +balloon behaves itself in a breeze with an infinitely less +steady action, than a more enlarged surface with greater +vertical power imparted to it, which is one out of many +of those secrets of success, which men of long experience +are well aware of, and I do believe that a certain amount +of co-operation between civilian experts, and the military +engineers would be attended with good results.</p> + +<p>I am not referring particularly to the English school +of balloonists, but to foreign corps as well.</p> + +<p>It is a regrettable fact that one cannot perceive in the +whole list of balloon transactions in warfare, either at +home or abroad, any deeds that are at present conspicuously +worth chronicling. The splendid exodus of +hastily organised balloonists, chiefly sailors, who went out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> +of Paris during the Franco-German War, can scarcely be +called military ballooning.</p> + +<p>There was no strategy, exceptional skill, or discoveries +to mark and dignify their departure or descent; only a +most valuable and timely postal and parcels delivery +transmission.</p> + +<p>This was excellent auxiliary aid, and altogether <i>sui +generis</i>, but it was not manœuvring with the enemy or +rendering fresh intelligence which could not be gained by +ordinary scouts, I mean in a strictly military sense. The +winged messengers (pigeons) were certainly helped in their +work by having a lift up on their outward journey; but +what we should like to hear of, when balloons show up in +war time, is that something important has been seen and +reported which would have escaped notice but for the +argus-eyed aëronauts.</p> + +<p>A considerable amount of bewilderment, as we have +said, accompanies a novice’s first glance of the earth’s +surface, when villages, fields, towns and fortresses, are +seen under a new aspect, with minimised proportions +reduced to the model size, and seen from above instead of +horizontally.</p> + +<p>It requires a trained observer to make heads, tails, and +relative proportions out of the new map, and if any altitude +has to be attained, very small machines will not do, they +may be light and of little capacity, but they are unable to +offer a powerful upward tug, which is indispensable for +steadying the balloon when telescopic observations have to +be made.</p> + +<p>The action of diminutive machines of this kind may not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> +inaptly be compared to the jerking, fitful movement, of +certain small birds, such as a tomtit, or a titlark, as +contrasted with the soaring power of an eagle, or the +steadied poise of a hawk.</p> + +<p>The balloon, under which Lord Wolseley took a bird’s-eye +view, is described as “a magnificent spic and span new +aërial machine, constructed of the new preparation of +<i>bullock’s skin</i>, and capable of containing 10,000 feet of +compressed gas,” by which is meant, I presume, 10,000 feet +of hydrogen gas that has been compressed and subsequently +liberated into the said balloon.</p> + +<p>If I were questioned as to the value of this kind of +material for the objects intended by the designers, I should, +certainly, not speak disparagingly of it, because I think +that skin may be very good in its way, but I believe that a +certain quality of silk, all things considered, is more reliable, +and if it is heavier than skin, it is more readily repaired in +case of fracture, and would better resist the shrivelling +effects of a hot atmosphere, and of sudden gusts of wind. +Silk is also less tempting to the gnawing of insects.</p> + +<p>If it is supposed that the use of skin is a new adaptation, +I can remove any false impression of that sort by stating +that half a century since, I saw and handled a huge balloon +composed of similar animal substance, which was called +Egg’s folly. The gunmaker had built an enormous fish +shaped affair, and it had, fish like, an air bladder to assist +it in rising and descending. I was asked to buy the lot +which had been laid by for some years, but it was not to my +taste; later on, however, after Mr. Barnum had brought over +the dwarf, Tom Thumb, to this country, an exhibition was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> +got up at the Surrey Zoological Gardens, and Mr. C. Green +was asked to provide a suitable balloon to take up Tom +Thumb for a captive ascent.</p> + +<p>The air bladder then cropped up, as it would lift fifty or +sixty pounds when filled with ordinary gas, and I well +remember witnessing the ascent, and shaking hands with +the occupant of the little car.</p> + +<p>I was informed afterwards by the veteran himself, that +Captain Currie, who was a frequent voyager at that time, +wished to train and lose weight, so that the skin balloon +would take him up, if filled with hydrogen instead of coal +gas.</p> + +<p>I do not think the trial came off, but I can vouch for it, +that the so-called bullock’s skin is by no means a novel +departure.</p> + +<p>We thus learn that history repeats itself, even in an art +which is practically little more than a century old.</p> + +<p>If we turn from the balloon force at home, and direct a +glance towards the continent, as much difference is to be +observed in their aërostatic pretensions, as there is between +our small and compact army, when compared with the +millions of bayonets (and good ones no doubt) that are +ready to do battle whenever the dogs of war shall be let +loose for slaughter.</p> + +<p>In England, preference is shown for exceedingly small +bullock’s skin balloons.</p> + +<p>In France they are cigar or cannon shaped, with steering +power and propelling machinery attached. I am referring, +now, to the war balloons at Meudon.</p> + +<p>Germany inclines to medium sized spherical balloons,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> +composed of silk by preference—and I think they are +right—to the calico or muslin balloons in store at +Chatham or Lidsing.</p> + +<p>Russia, if we may believe newspaper accounts, is provided +with an air torpedo, besides Montgolfier, and gas balloons. +The torpedo air ship can take up eight hundredweight +of dynamite, the application of which I have already +pictured.</p> + +<p>An American novelty consists of an electro dynamic air +ship, in the form of a cigar cut lengthways, which presents +a flat underside, and a rounded upper; it is constructed +of seven independent cells, which are divided longitudinally, +making fourteen separate compartments in all.</p> + +<p>Among the attractions proposed for the Paris exhibition +of 1889, is a captive balloon, having a capacity of 1,800,000 +cubic feet, which will take up one hundred passengers.</p> + +<p>Then comes the most wonderful invention of all, a +balloon which is to surpass in speed the Flying Scotchman. +The German Government is stated to have purchased this +monster for a million marks, and the constructor is to have +a handsome pension for life. I do not believe it!</p> + +<p>Now, if these formidable rivals are bent on mischief, +and find an opportunity of indulging their destructive +propensities, there will be lively and sensational diversions +overhead, no less than frightful work beneath, particularly +if the torpedoes act their part as expected.</p> + +<p>Many scientific men, and all the professional aëronauts, +with whom I am acquainted, regard this tall talk, not +altogether in a literal and serious light, but as a scare and +exchange of swagger between those powers who desire to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> +be thought most efficient in modern appliances for warfare. +Be that as it may, there can be no doubt that vast sums +of money have been expended, and extensive preparations +made, in aërostatic material.</p> + +<p>There is something about all this boasting and +threatening which is calculated to disturb the serenity of +susceptible persons, when they read of hundreds of pounds +of dynamite and chemical compounds being cast down +upon contending armies, and about forts blown up, +especially when it is remembered that no shields or +ramparts are ever raised, or dreamt of, to resist a vertical +onslaught from the regions above. This mode of attack +would, to all intents and purposes, prove a novelty, +and the question is, whether the lieutenants of our far +seeing general, who approves of new tactics, are prepared +to resist this kind of thing should a detachment of air +torpedoes swarm like wasps or locusts upon our numerically +small army, or should they even seek out our tiny war +balloons and demolish them with a fell swoop of explosives.</p> + +<p>The bare idea of such an ignominious extinction brings +us to the vital question of how such intruders could +be sent to the right about, or brought low by arms of +precision.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant B. Baden-Powell, in his able lecture at the +Royal United Service Institution, took the danger into +consideration; not I think under any apprehension about +the descent of dynamite shells, but simply of the customary +missiles which are discharged from cannon and small +arms. We may infer that air torpedoes and such like +were not dreaded.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>Mr. Baden-Powell starts from an apt and thrilling +commencement when he says—</p> + +<p>“First then, the chance of being wrecked by shots from +the enemy.</p> + +<p>“It must be remembered,” he goes on to say, “that the +balloon would generally be some way behind the first line, +and that the enemy would hardly, especially during the +heat of battle, pay much attention to it. It is well to +remember that if only hit by a few bullets it would not be +much damaged, and could be quickly repaired. Both at +Frankfort and at Frankenthal the balloons were penetrated +by bullets, at the latter place by nine, but the balloon +remained up three-quarters of an hour after. In some +experiments made at Tours, a balloon was penetrated by +bullets at 1,000 yards, but the escape of gas was very slow, +and the balloon remained up some time longer.</p> + +<p>“<i>Secondly</i>—and now comes a case in point which should +not be lightly passed over, it is this—</p> + +<p>“In 1880 the Siege Operations’ Committee made an +experiment at Dungeness with rather more disastrous +results for the balloon. An eight-inch howitzer was +directed on a captive balloon 2,000 yards off, and 800 feet +high. The first shot was unsuccessful, the exact range not +being known. The second shell, however, burst just in +front of the balloon and tore it open. But even then it +took fifteen minutes to descend, so that the aëronauts +would have been safe.” Later tests have also taken place.</p> + +<p>Many persons would think, and as many more might +argue with some show of common sense on their side, +that the actual safety of a party of balloonists after their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span> +machine had been torn open by a shell from an eight-inch +howitzer was perilous in the extreme; but the lecturer had +no such fears probably, as he went on with unmoved +visage, I daresay, to remark that “bullets made of spongy +platinum had been suggested as a means of igniting the +hydrogen in a balloon by mere contact.”</p> + +<p>But these stirring and well nigh nerve-testing +quotations need not be dwelt upon to any further extent, +they suffice to show that the risks, without taking into +consideration the doings of those horrid torpedoes, have +been fairly weighed.</p> + +<p>If the dynamiters put in an appearance, and manage by +skilful steering to be in at close quarters, then all I have +to say is Heaven help those who may be in their power.</p> + +<p>While contemplating this all important phase of +aërostatics, I sometimes wonder whether these and other +equally important ideas have ever entered into the fertile +brains of those, whose province it is to lead and direct the +military balloon tactics. There are, I have no hesitation +in saying, at this critical period of our national history, +uses for balloons even in this country, considering its +position and possible surroundings, which I could point +out if they would be listened to, and which at no distant +period may be found unprovided for when most needed.</p> + +<p>I recollect when first I talked over with Major Grover, +R.E., who went up with me, my plan for using small and +large balloons for destructive purposes, I had such a +friendly but scathing glance that I at once interpreted his +meaning to the effect that “anything of that sort would +not be countenanced at head-quarters.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>Well, I have lived to draw attention to the very +suggestions which were lightly esteemed a quarter of a +century since, but I will not allude to any fresh conceptions +at the present time.</p> + +<p>Sir Edward Birkbeck, M.P., has done useful service in +narrating not long since his experiences with me in the +year 1862. Observations for military purposes were +gone into, and our ascent made in the presence of His +Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duke +of Sutherland was narrated with spirit. Instructive +comments followed, and war balloons were referred to +which have since been spoken of in a pleasing letter, +wherein Sir Edward gave evidence that he still has a +taste for scientific ballooning.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_201.jpg" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">REMARKABLE ASCENTS<br> +<small>DURING THIS CENTURY.</small></h2> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/contents.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<div> + <img class="drop-cap" src="images/i_202.jpg" width="53" height="84" alt=""> +</div> + +<p><span class="drop-cap">A</span> T no time during my own recollection, has an attempt, +to reach a great height, been heralded with greater +stir and interest than the voyage by Messrs. Jovis +and Mallet from Paris, on August 13th, 1887.</p> + +<p>In England, scientific men, professional aëronauts, and +the public, regarded it with favour and admiration, that is, +so far as their spirited intentions were interpreted on this +side of the channel; and I may take upon myself to say, +that it was viewed with no envious feelings, it being clear, +that two enterprising men were desirous of trying their +hands at adding lustre to the annals of aëronautics, and, +that like a great many travellers in new and untried +latitudes, these courageous aëronauts would do their best +for their employers, and their own credit, or perish in the +struggle, which last they were not wholly unprepared +for, having disposed of their bodies in case of a fatal +issue.</p> + +<p>Of course, the press as a faithful mirror of public opinion,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> +was not entirely in accord with their aims, about which +some wrote severely and disparagingly, as it seemed to +them, that the most apparent motive for the ascent, was to +settle at what height animal life could exist; and other +reviewers went so far as to insinuate, that pigeons and +guinea-pigs were all very well, but in reality, it was a +thinly veiled international bit of rivalry, as to who should +go highest, Frenchmen or Englishmen.</p> + +<p>Well, even if there existed a limited amount of this sort +of thing, it was only friendly rivalry, which no true Briton +could possibly object to, or be afraid of; it was not, +however, to be expected that in France or England +another expedition, which might be ill-fated like Sivel’s +and Crose Spenelli’s, would be recognized without protest +and free writing. Still, on the whole, Captain Jovis and +Lieut. Mallet were well received, and I have little hesitation +in saying that if an aëronaut, in this country, had on his +own account or on that of a newspaper proprietor, done +the like, he would have been, in all probability, denounced +for his pains, as such an undertaking would not do here, +unless a scientific society, or some pre-eminent physicist +were to embark in totally fresh experiments.</p> + +<p>As an instance of this very natural spirit of emulation, +which is to be met with among enthusiastic air travellers, +I may mention, that after I had initiated the late lamented +Mr. Walter Powell, M.P., by taking him a long trip from +Ashford, in Kent, to Crediton, in Devonshire, he wished, +among other chivalrous schemes, not only to go straight +to Rome without let or hindrance, which was most +plucky and ambitious, but he wanted, without being duly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> +acclimatised, to go seven miles high. I took upon myself to +discountenance this and other suggestions, and was most +likely considered a slow old coach for my pains, but I +rather prided myself upon being properly cautious, and +as I considered my patron’s views rather too advanced for +me at my time of life, I gladly allowed that gentleman to +pass into other hands, and what occurred afterwards is a +matter not easily forgotten.</p> + +<p>In Messrs. Jovis and Mallet’s ascent, there was a +conspicuous omission in the first place, in not giving the +size of their balloon. This was neglectful and ominous, +as it is by figures and facts, that a fair and proper estimate +can be formed as to the competency of the aëronaut and +his balloon to do the work he takes in hand.</p> + +<p>M. Wilfrid de Fonvielle, by correct calculations, found +it too small for the intended elevation.</p> + +<p>Whether aëronauts of the highest rank, such as the +Tissandiers, Camille Flammarion, and de Fonvielle, were +too polite and forbearing, as to impossibilities, I am not +aware. The latter authority is known to be free from all +party prejudices, to have an opinion of his own, and to +utter it when necessary.</p> + +<p>De Fonvielle may well have had doubts, I remember +that Green had, as to the heights attained by Robertson +and Gay-Lussac, the former being credited with having +risen over 7,000 metres, while the latter reached 23,000 +feet—higher, be it observed, than the 22,960 feet reached +by Jovis.</p> + +<p>Green never could make out, to use his own words, +“how it was that they did it with balloons, as small as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> +were quoted in the accounts of Robertson’s and Gay-Lussac’s +experiments.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” as the veteran observed, “they used +hydrogen, but there must have been very little left of it +on returning to the earth, if the diameters of their small +balloons were no more than stated,” that is as Green +added with emphasis, “if they touched 22,000 or 23,000 +feet.”</p> + +<p>By the light of our present investigations and deductions, +it appears that many of the accounts of the early ascents in +this century, viz., in 1803 and 4, are unreliable statements, +and not altogether excusable.</p> + +<p>For instance, Robertson, in his journey from Hamburg, +said that “his head swelled, and that blood came from +his nose.”</p> + +<p>M. L’Hoest, his companion, was violently affected in a +similar way; he could not get his hat on.</p> + +<p>Mr. Glaisher’s head and mine were covered with caps, +but I did not notice any cerebral expansion, being very +intent upon the expansion of the gas; in short, we were +always sticking to more important business.</p> + +<p>“At their greatest elevation they could scarcely hear +each other speak.”</p> + +<p>Now I found at seven miles high, and at five and six, +that in the absence of all sounds it was not necessary to +speak much above a whisper, and that palpitations, watch-ticks, +&c., were audible with an increase of sound the +higher I got.</p> + +<p>Robertson and his friend “could scarcely resist a strong +inclination to sleep.”</p> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> + +<p>I not only knew the great importance of keeping <i>wide +awake</i>, but felt no desire to do otherwise.</p> + +<p>Robertson’s balloon contained only 9,000 cubic feet of +hydrogen.</p> + +<p>It weighed, with all its apparatus, 5 pood 2 pounds, or +a little over 200 pounds, and the weight of the whole was +18 pood 3 pounds.</p> + +<p>Now, unless these figures are incorrect, a man like +Charles Green might well feel doubtful.</p> + +<p>M. Gay-Lussac on September 15th, 1804, when he +attained 7016 metres, though well clothed, began to feel +cold, he was still “far from experiencing such uneasiness +as to oblige him to descend,” his pulse and respiration +were accelerated; these were all the inconveniences he felt, +and they read to my thinking more correct and natural +than Robertson’s.</p> + +<p>Green had no belief in what may be styled miraculous +ballooning, by that I mean in going up very high or +extremely far in a very diminutive balloon.</p> + +<p>Practically speaking, irrespective of exact mathematical +determinations, a sure and certain test is the amount of +ballast taken, together with the volume of gas in the +balloon at starting, and the space left for expansion, +supposing that the ascent is made with only a partial +inflation.</p> + +<p>It is useless to boast of distance or height, unless sand +equal to the occasion can be taken in the car; and if the +diameter and depth of the machine is not in conformity +with well established rules, no confidence should be placed +in unsupported vapourings, as all the accessories to which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> +I refer must be in order and bear comparison, one with +another.</p> + +<p>In a voyage this year by German officers from Berlin, +the exact number of bags of ballast they took up led me +to guess the capacity of the balloon, allowing for the +number of passengers, and the supposed weight of the +whole; I found that I was pretty near the mark, and +that the expenditure of sand was about in proportion +to my own when I took Mr. Walter Powell a journey of +250 miles.</p> + +<p>The balloon itself is no bad indicator of what can be +achieved, especially in vertical motion, that is by showing +the extent of expansion when the silk is throughout fully +distended, and if it be so, by the force with which the +gas rushes out of the safety valve; it in this way helps +and checks barometrical readings, and may at times +approximately take the place of that instrument for a +rough-and-ready intimation of the height. For example, +if a balloon mounts up when only half full at starting, +and afterwards rises so high that gas escapes from the +neck, then it must be between three and four miles high, +roughly speaking.</p> + +<p>It is of no use for a novice or an unscientific aëronaut +to tell a fanciful tale about his lofty flights to fabulous +elevations, when he is known to have taken only a moderate +amount of ballast, and only one person besides himself in +the car.</p> + +<p>If one hears a story that a small aërial affair has +been up miles high, or hundreds of miles horizontally, +even at a low altitude, do not take it for granted that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> +you have been told the truth, you can easily try and +prove it for yourself. Just ask a few questions as to +its size, next get at its displacement of air, as you +would judge in like manner of a ship’s displacement +of water when it has to carry so many thousand tons +of cargo.</p> + +<p>If you hear that a balloon of thirty or even forty feet in +diameter has been 20,000 feet high when filled with coal +gas, shake your head and fly to figures, remembering that +the following simple calculations will enable you to judge +for yourself. Make, in fact, yourself a balloon of tissue +or Chinese paper, and bear in mind at the outset the +proportion that the <i>diameter</i> bears to the circumference +of a circle.</p> + +<p>Say you make it of three feet diameter, or thirty-six +inches.</p> + +<p>In order to find the circumference, which is three times +and one-seventh the diameter, multiply the diameter +thirty-six by 3·1416—</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr">Then 3·1416</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">36</td><td class="tdl"> inches.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">———</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">188496</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">94248  </td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">————</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">113·0976</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">=======</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p> +<i>Secondly.</i>—By multiplying this +circumference 113, by +the diameter 36, it +gives the superficial +surface.</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">113</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">36</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">——</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">678 </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">339  </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">——</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl">Number of superficial inches on the surface</td><td class="tdr">4068</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">===</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>This multiplied by one-sixth gives the contents in cubic +inches—</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr">4068</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">6</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">———</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">24408</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">=====</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Then if 24408, the contents of a balloon three feet in +diameter is divided by 1728, the number of cubic inches +in a foot, you have fourteen cubic feet as the capacity of +a three feet balloon, thus—</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdl">1728)</td><td class="tdr"> 24408</td><td class="tdl"> (14 cubic feet</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">1728  </td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">——</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">7128</td><td class="center"> and</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">6912</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">——</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">216</td><td class="tdl"> inches over.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2">====</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p>If you want to find the internal capacity of a balloon +three feet in diameter, first multiply the three feet by +three feet to give the circumference (nine feet), which +gives twenty-seven, the surface.</p> + +<p>Then multiply by 5236 to ascertain the cubic contents.</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr">5236</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">27</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">———</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">36652</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">10472  </td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">————</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">14·1372</td><td class="tdl"> being 14 cubic feet and a fraction.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">=======</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">    14</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span>I will just give one more simple calculation of the +capacity and superficial surface of a balloon thirty-three—instead +of three—feet in diameter.</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr">33</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">33</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">——</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">99</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">99  </td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">——</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">1089</td><td class="tdl"> circumference.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">33</td><td class="tdl"> diameter.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">———</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">35937</td><td class="tdl"> surface.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">·5236</td><td class="tdl"> decimal numbers.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">———</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">215622</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">107811  </td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">71874    </td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">179685      </td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">—————</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">18816·6132</td><td class="tdl"> cubic contents.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdr">=========</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Carburetted hydrogen or coal gas, should raise from 402 +pounds, as 1,000 feet of light gas should raise 40 pounds +to the 1,000 cubic feet.</p> + +<p>If the reader is desirous of calculating either for model +balloons, or, as to the size, capacity, and power of larger +balloons, take note of this concise and abridged table of +the diameters, surfaces, and capacities, together with the +ascensive power for every foot capacity for hydrogen, so +that if coal gas is used, allowance must be made accordingly.</p> + +<p>First, for miniature paper or skin balloons.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span></p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdl">Feet, Diameter.</td><td class="tdc" colspan="2">Surface<br>in Square. </td><td class="tdc" colspan="2">Capacities<br>in Cubic Feet.</td><td class="tdc">Pounds<br>Ascensive Power.</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc">     1</td><td class="tdr">3</td><td class="tdl"><sup>1</sup><small>⁄</small><sub>10</sub></td><td class="tdr"> 0</td><td class="tdl"><sup>1</sup><small>⁄</small><sub>2</sub></td><td class="tdr">0</td><td class="tdl"><sup>2</sup><small>⁄</small><sub>32</sub></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">     3</td><td class="tdr">28</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">14</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">1</td><td class="tdl"> in nearly a pound.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">     6</td><td class="tdr">113</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">113</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">7</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">   10</td><td class="tdr">314</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">523</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">33</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">   20</td><td class="tdr">1,257</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">4,189</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">261</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="7">LARGER BALLOONS.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc">   30</td><td class="tdr">2,827</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">14,137</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">884</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">   40</td><td class="tdr">5,026</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">33,510</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">2,094</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">   50</td><td class="tdr">7,854</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">65,450</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">4,091</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">   80</td><td class="tdr">20,106</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">268,083</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">16,755</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">100</td><td class="tdr">31,416</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">523,599</td><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">32,725</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p>The striking advantage of enlarging balloons, arises +from the fact, that their powers increase faster than their +surfaces. When the diameter is doubled, four times as +much material is required, but you get eight times as much +capacity.</p> + +<p>I have now offered a few plain calculations in order to +assist those who feel interested in the subject, they may be +extended and more scientifically pursued in another +volume of my experiences, when they will be required, +perhaps, for illustration of other ascents.</p> + +<p>I am often asked, how high will a balloon go? Will it +mount higher and higher until gas is let off to stop it?</p> + +<p>My answer is, that when a balloon, after inflation, is +brought to an even balance, in other words, when so much +ballast is placed in the car, that it shows a very slight +tendency to move upwards, then the required ascending +power is increased by putting out more sand, say to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +amount of twenty, thirty, or forty pounds, according to +circumstances, I mean the strength of wind at the time, +and the proximity of adjacent objects, such as trees and +buildings.</p> + +<p>With either of these limited number of weights removed, +the balloon cannot rise very high, unless there is either a +large space for expansion, or a very much larger quantity +of sand is put out subsequently.</p> + +<p>I will simply try this position by asking the reader to +suppose that A and B, two rival aëronauts, are about to +engage at one and the same time with two balloons of +similar capacities to reach an elevation, say of six miles, +and that both balloonists have balloons that will contain +each 100,000 cubic feet of coal gas, and that they each +take up one person, so that the weight of their respective +balloons, each having to raise two persons, will altogether +be 1,000 pounds for A’s and the same for B’s machine.</p> + +<p>A’s balloon is to be quite filled with gas that lifts forty +pounds the 1,000 feet, but B’s balloon is to be only half +filled.</p> + +<p>On testing the lifting power, A’s being full, that is +containing 100,000 cubic feet of gas, will, after deducting +the weight of balloon and two persons calculated at 1,000 +pounds, with 3,000 pounds weight of ballast.</p> + +<p>But B’s balloon would only have a 1,000 pounds of +sand as compared with A’s, because B’s is only half full, +having only 50,000 feet of gas in it.</p> + +<p>Well, under these apparently opposite conditions, which +balloon, do you suppose, would attain the greatest height?</p> + +<p>I should say, paradoxical as it may appear, that they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> +would reach about the same height, because the space left +for expansion in B’s balloon, owing to its half filled state, +would admit of the gas doubling its volume, while A’s +balloon, being filled at starting, would from the first +irrecoverably lose gas from the neck, although it remained +full to the safety valve.</p> + +<p>B’s would hold its own 50,000 feet, and it would +quickly increase and multiply up to 100,000 cubic feet, +and thus equal A’s balloon.</p> + +<p>The store of ballast would soon be equal. A’s 3,000 +pounds would, at three and three quarter miles high, be +reduced to the level of B’s, which was 1,000 pounds at +starting, with only 50,000 cubic feet of gas.</p> + +<p>I have frequently adopted this system, but as I shall +advert in the next part of my experiences to cases in point, +I prefer now to refer to two of Mr. Green’s high ascents +in proof of the practicability and objects of this method, +which saves labour in casting out so much sand, and saves +expense as well.</p> + +<p>The two voyages of Green, which were made in the +years 1838-9, have altogether escaped notice in the recent +reviews of the most remarkable scientific ascents in the +present century.</p> + +<p>Robertson’s, Gay-Lussac’s, Bixio’s, and Barral’s having +been mentioned, but not those of Green, which came +after the ascents of above experimenters, and long before +the fatal one by Croce Spinelli and Sivel, and that lately +made by Captain Jovis and Lieutenant Mallet.</p> + +<p>On the 4th of September, 1838, the celebrated Nassau +balloon, which at that time was the property of Messrs.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> +Gye & Hughes, the proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens, +ascended from them with Mr. Green, Mr. Edward Spencer, +and Mr. Rush of Elsenham Hall, Essex, the latter gentleman +having engaged the balloon for experimental purposes, +and more particularly on this occasion for ascertaining the +greatest altitude that could with safety be attained with +three persons in the car; and further to ascertain the +changes of temperature that would take place at different +elevations, as well as the variations of the currents of air; +and finally, to establish the important fact, as to whether +the same difficulties with regard to respiration in a very +rarified atmosphere would be experienced by persons rising +in a balloon to any great altitude, as have been felt by +persons who have ascended lofty mountains, and by +previous aërial travellers in balloons to great heights.</p> + +<p>They left the earth at twenty-five minutes before 7 p.m. +with two barometers standing at thirty inches each.</p> + +<p>One of these instruments, as well as a thermometer, +was furnished by Mr. Rush, constructed on the most +accurate principles, and made expressly for the purpose.</p> + +<p>The thermometer stood at 66° Fahrenheit.</p> + +<p>The following were the variations:—</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdc" colspan="2">Barometer.</td><td class="tdc" colspan="2"> Thermometer.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdc">30</td><td class="tdc"> inches.</td><td class="tdc"> 66</td><td class="tdc"> degrees.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdc">23</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td><td class="tdc"> 56</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdc">21</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td><td class="tdc"> 53</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdc">19</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td><td class="tdc"> 46</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdc">18</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td><td class="tdc"> 42</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdc">17</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td><td class="tdc"> 39</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdc">16</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td><td class="tdc"> 35</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdc">15</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td><td class="tdc"> 25</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">Greatest altitude</td><td class="tdc"> 14·70</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td><td class="tdc"> 25</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> + +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>On first rising they took a north-westerly direction; at +2,500 it changed to the north, and shortly afterwards to +north-east.</p> + +<p>Their journey was pursued towards Epping, and they +were discharging ballast all the time. Leaving Dunmow +to their left they attained their greatest altitude, +namely, 19,335 feet, or three and a half miles and +855 feet.</p> + +<p>In consequence of the great quantity of sand discharged +after clearing the Metropolis their ascent became very +rapid, and, from the great expansion of the inflating +power, the gas rushed out from the lower valve in +considerable torrents.</p> + +<p>The velocity of their upward progress caused the +balloon to rotate in a spiral motion with astonishing +rapidity.</p> + +<p>During their trip about 1,200 pounds of ballast was +discharged, but they reserved 100 pounds by which to +regulate the descent.</p> + +<p>During their descent, when at 1,200 feet from the +earth, a heavy fall of snow was encountered, accompanied +by a sudden and very great reduction of temperature, +the thermometer dropping to 22°, or 10° below freezing +point. The mercury in the barometer at this moment +had risen to nineteen inches.</p> + +<p>I mention this circumstance for the purpose of showing +that sometimes sudden changes of temperature have been +experienced, not only by Green, but by Bixio and Barral +later on in the present century.</p> + +<p>The fatigue of the muscular powers, occasioned by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> +exertion in emptying ballast, did not occasion any serious +inconvenience in respect to difficulty in respiration.</p> + +<p>We shall see, in the next ascent which was still higher, +that the plan I have already exemplified as to allowing +considerable space for expansion was resorted to, and this +saved both the necessity for and the depression consequent +upon hard work, although a large volume of gas was +literally wasted, which might, in an economical point of +view, have been prevented; but it will serve to show that a +large balloon partially inflated, with a reduced amount of +sand, is for all practical and scientific purposes preferable +to a fully inflated balloon, that is, for very high ascents.</p> + +<p>The ordinary way of examining the specific gravity of +the different gases is by a simple method founded on +the principles of pneumatics, for discovering the relative +specific gravities of the aëriform fluids.</p> + +<p>This consists in observing the time that a given portion +of the gas, under a determined pressure, takes to escape +through a very small aperture. The density of the +gaseous fluid must be inversely as the square of the +interval that elapses.</p> + +<p>The weight of the balloon and all appendages must +evidently compress the included gas, and thereby render +it in some degree denser.</p> + +<p>To compute this minute effect, we have only to consider +that the pressure of a column of atmosphere at the mean +temperature, and near the level of the sea, is 1632 pounds +on a circle of a foot in diameter.</p> + +<p>Thus, in a balloon of sixty feet in diameter, if we suppose +the whole load to have been 6000 pounds, the compression<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> +of the bag would only amount to five-thirds of a pound +for each circle of a foot in diameter in the horizontal action, +or corresponding to the 979th part of the entire pressure +of the atmosphere.</p> + +<p>But the weight of the confined gas (hydrogen) being +1200 pounds, its buoyancy must have suffered a diminution +of somewhat more than a pound or one-eleventh from the +circumference opposed to it.</p> + +<p>But as I have purposely abstained from giving in this +first elementary part any computations of an abstruse +order by more learned and capable writers than myself, I +shall reserve further remarks on this particular head for +my subsequent volume.</p> + +<h3>ASCENT, OVER FIVE MILES HIGH, BY GREEN AND RUSH.</h3> + +<p>I have before me a mass of leading articles and newspaper +cuttings alluding to the ascent of Messrs. Jovis and +Mallet, in which honourable mention is made of the lofty +explorations by Robertson and L’Hoest, Gay-Lussac, Bixio, +and Barral, together with Mr. Glaisher’s and my own, but +Green’s with Rush are invariably omitted, and yet these +were quite as important, while the second was higher than +that made by the intrepid French balloonists, and, so far +as physical results go, the Englishmen do not appear to +have fainted or been much troubled.</p> + +<p>It is of immense importance to note this, as there can +be no doubt that a certain zone exists, in entering which +some persons are more susceptible than others to lessened +atmospheric pressure, and here they begin to feel the bad<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> +effects, which, by the way may come on without warning, +just as it is with Alpine travellers, although there are +marked distinctions between the two, but we cannot enter +upon that in detail in this chapter.</p> + +<p>This trip, by Green, was one of those which was +designed to add a fraction of knowledge to the already +existing stores of science. This fact is sufficient, even +according to those who are not great admirers of +ballooning, to warrant its encouragement when taken in +hand by those who do not affect to be mere aëronautic +performers, embarking in aërostatic pursuits for +sensational objects, or with the vain and delusive idea, +that it is not dangerous, and that it is a money-making +concern.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rush, assisted by the knowledge of his coadjutor, +threw a character of deep interest over the whole subject +of aërostation, and this trip, though lost sight of, at the +present moment, is well worthy of re-production, serving +as it does, two ends; firstly, to call attention to the +fact, that English aëronauts seem to get more toughened +by acclimatization to rarified air than Frenchmen, and +secondly, that they do such work with less ado, and +with equal, perhaps a little more, methodical foresight +and precision, than our more dashing and mercurial +neighbours.</p> + +<p>It was on the 10th of September (what a number of +exceptionable journeys were made in this month!) that the +highest ascent which had been made up to that date, came +off from the far-famed Vauxhall Gardens.</p> + +<p>The proprietors made arrangements with Mr. Rush for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> +it to take place in the afternoon, that gentleman engaging +the car for the occasion.</p> + +<p>The time allowed for preparation was limited. The +first object to be gained was that of diminishing the +weight of the apparatus to as low a point as due regard to +their personal safety would admit.</p> + +<p>A small car was substituted for that commonly used. +At five o’clock in the afternoon, Green ascertained the +power of the gas with which the “Nassau” balloon was +charged, the tranquil state of the weather rendered this an +easy operation.</p> + +<p>On examination, Green found that the whole weight of +the balloon and its appendages was 4,084 pounds thus +constituted:</p> + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdl">Balloon, netting and car</td><td class="tdr"> 700</td><td class="tdc"> pounds.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Ballast</td><td class="tdr"> 1,500</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Mr. Rush</td><td class="tdr"> 145</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Mr. Green</td><td class="tdr"> 145</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Light, grapnel and rope</td><td class="tdr"> 52</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Cloaks and barometers, &c.</td><td class="tdr"> 30</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl">Twenty-seven half-hundredweights<br>  slung round the hoop</td><td class="tdr"> 1,512</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">———</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="total">Total</td><td class="tdr">4,084</td><td class="tdc"> ”</td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr">======</td><td class="tdl"> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Please to note that Green then opened the upper valve, +and discharged a quantity of gas equal to the power of +the twenty-seven half-hundredweights, which were then +removed from the hoop.</p> + +<p>Why, you will ask, was this gas wasted, or put into the +balloon? I suppose for the sake of appearances and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> +symmetrical distention, but had Rush not been paymaster, +it would most assuredly never have entered.</p> + +<p>The departure took place with an ascending power of +112 pounds—very considerable indeed.</p> + +<p>Barometer stood at 30·50 just before leaving, and +thermometer at 60°; before seven minutes had elapsed, +they had fallen, the former to 20, and the latter to 36°, +equal to 11,000 feet or two miles.</p> + +<p>Had it not been for the miserable aspect the balloon +would have presented, more gas would have been let off +equal to an additional 1,000 pounds, and then not more +than 500 pounds of sand need have been shipped.</p> + +<p>At 11,000 feet they were driven south, after going +north-east.</p> + +<p>Green was continually casting out ballast; on attaining +16,000 feet—three miles—they entered a current blowing +at the estimated speed of sixty miles an hour, though they +never stated, more’s the pity, how under such a rocket-like +rush upwards, they found time to determine that this +wonderful current existed.</p> + +<p>The only inconvenience (this is noteworthy) Mr. Rush +sustained, arose from the constant escape of gas from +the rapid ascent.</p> + +<p>Mr. Green suffered severely from the cold in his hands +and feet.</p> + +<p>They were now exposed to the influence of roaring winds, +but from what I can make out, it was only the effect of +quick vertical ascent; here the aëronaut, owing to the +exertion he had to undergo, found it a matter of the +utmost difficulty to fetch his breath.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>The greatest altitude reached was 27,146 feet, indicating +an elevation from the earth of 5 miles and 746 feet, the +barometer, at this point having fallen from 30·50 to 11, +and the thermometer from 61° to 5° or 27° below the +freezing point.</p> + +<p>Ballast had been reduced to something under seventy +pounds, which Green resolved on preserving, and the +result of their descent, which was never minutely entered +into, proved the propriety of this reservation.</p> + +<p>In the descent, they discovered something which very +much bore the appearance and consistency of snow. +Mr. Rush’s attention was called to it, but after consideration +they were inclined to think that the substance was not snow, +but the dew and moisture congealed by the cold.</p> + +<p>It would be instructive to know how Captain Jovis, who +must have had the night dew on his balloon at the early +inflation in Paris, got on in this respect. His idea was +that the sun would dry the moisture, but I was under the +impression that there would scarcely be time for a globular +shaped machine to get dry all round during the inflation. +However, they may, like Green, have encountered a snow +storm without there being, as indeed was unlikely, any +damp clouds overhead at that elevation; what I mean +is, if the balloon itself shed and shook off innumerable +particles of frozen moisture, there can be no wonder that +such was noticed and mistaken for a fall of snow.</p> + +<p>After Rush and Green had hovered over Lewes in +Sussex, a descent was effected near Southover; there was +not much hovering <i>I should say</i>.</p> + +<p>In this ascent they had the double advantage of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> +witnessing the setting sun (prior to their quitting the +earth) and on their reaching 12,500 feet of being once +more within the sun’s rays.</p> + +<p>Another important consideration bearing upon this +chapter is the celerity with which balloons make their +ascent.</p> + +<p>It is obvious that the efficient power of ascension, or +the excess of the whole buoyant force above the absolute +weight of the apparatus, would, by acting constantly, +produce always an accelerated motion. But this is very +soon checked, and a uniform progress maintained by the +increasing resistance which the huge mass must encounter +in its passage through the air.</p> + +<p>The velocity which a balloon would gain from unobstructed +acceleration must, from the theory of dynamics, +be to that which a falling body acquires in the same time +as the efficient buoyancy is to the aggregate weight of the +apparatus and of the contained fluid. Thus, if a balloon +were to rise with a force equal to the eighth part of its +compound weight, the celerity resulting from a constant +acceleration would be expressed by multiplying four feet +into the number of seconds elapsed since it was launched +into the air. Its advance, however, being opposed, the +balloon though still affected with partial oscillations, the +final velocity is effected in perhaps little more than double +the time required without such obstruction.</p> + +<p>This final velocity, or the velocity at which the ascent +becomes uniform, the resistance from the air being then +equal to the efficient buoyancy of the balloon, is easily +calculated.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>The resistance a circle encounters in moving through any +fluid in the direction perpendicular to its plane, is measured +by the weight of a column of that fluid, having the circle for +its base, and an altitude equal to the height from which a +heavy body in falling would acquire the given celerity.</p> + +<p>Near the level of the sea, and at the mean temperature, +a column of atmospheric air seventeen feet high, and +incumbent on a circle of one foot in diameter, weighs a +pound avoirdupois, which is, therefore, the resistance that +a circle would suffer if carried forwards with the celerity +of thirty-three feet each second.</p> + +<p>According to the same theory, however, which we owe to +the sagacity of Newton, the resistance of a sphere is just +the half of that of its generating circle, and consequently +a velocity of forty-six and two-fifths feet in a second +through the air would in ordinary cases create a resistance +of one pound to a ball of one foot in diameter.</p> + +<p>In other circumstances, the quantity of resistance must +be proportional to the square of velocities, and of the +diameters. Whence, if the buoyant power were always +the same, the velocity of the ascent of a balloon would be +inversely as its diameter.</p> + +<p>I introduce these few observations, which are by a much +higher authority than my own, because it occurred to me +that my own remarks might be considered too homely for +some of those who may read these lines, but as I have +merely aimed at affording amusement with a moderate +portion of instruction, and do not write for scientific men, +but for general readers, I shall hope to gradually progress +in this treatment in a subsequent volume.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span></p> + +<h3>A JUMP OUT OF THE CAR IN AMERICA.</h3> + +<p>Among the numerous newspaper reports which are on +my table, are several relative to what, in plain unvarnished +English, we should describe as a parachute descent. But +the one I allude to was not like Cocking’s, Garnerin’s, +Le Turr’s, or Hampton’s, it had a size and peculiarity +worth notice.</p> + +<p>This American parachute had a very small and possibly +inferior covering; it was hardly equal to the man who is +sketched with herculean proportions, and required, one +would say, a more efficient support, especially as he +indulged in no car or wicker protection, but hung +earthwards with his hands grasping the hoop.</p> + +<p>The descent is described as successful, it was made +from a balloon on August 9th, at Rockaway, New York +State, U.S.A.</p> + +<p>The aëronaut’s name was Thomas S. Baldwin, and he +first ascended in his balloon the “City of Quincy,” which +rose to a height of over a 1,000 feet, when he grasped the +parachute and cut himself adrift from the balloon.</p> + +<p>The manœuvre shows a want of aëronautic common +sense which the newspaper description of “jumping out of +the car” tends to intensify.</p> + +<p>The time of his descent was one minute and twenty-four +seconds.</p> + +<p>It is said, that to the spectators below, a white cloud +seemed to fall. For a distance of seventy-five feet the +parachute gave no signs of expansion, and it was feared +that another death would be added to the roll of those who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +have made this perilous experiment. Then the umbrella-like +mass spread and hung like a white dome over the +aëronaut’s head.</p> + +<p>It soon rolled in circles with a slight rocking and +swaying motion from side to side, until at length +Mr. Thomas S. Baldwin was landed, or rather watered, +to a depth of only a few feet, apparently none the worse +after a renewed acquaintance with his mother earth.</p> + +<h3>AN ENGLISHMAN’S PARACHUTE DESCENT IN 1839.</h3> + +<p>Mr. John Hampton, with whom I first ascended, came +down three times in a newly constructed apparatus which +was in many respects superior to the American’s. The +upper part of Hampton’s parachute was, in all respects, in +the form of an umbrella, having whalebone ribs, and a +curtain besides, below the ribs, like the sunshades +patronized by the ladies not long since.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hampton determined, in the summer of 1839, to +outstrip all competition by descending, after leaving the +Montpelier Gardens, at Cheltenham, by stealth, in his +balloon “Albion.” The fate of Mr. Cocking, and the +censure which the proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens +incurred, induced the owner of the Montpelier Gardens +to withhold his consent to the experiment, but in order +to carry out Mr. Hampton’s firm resolve and to gratify +the curiosity of an immense number of spectators that +were assembled upon that occasion, the manager agreed +that the balloon and parachute should be exhibited, but +on no account should ascend higher than sixty feet from +the earth for fear of accident.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span>When Mr. Hampton had reached this altitude, he +severed the rope which held his balloon, and the +astonished spectators then beheld the intrepid aëronaut +majestically sailing towards the clouds previous to his +separation.</p> + +<p>At two miles from the earth (let us say, rather, at a +fair elevation), he determined upon cutting away; but +previously, he opened his parachute by means of a small +block and rope before he separated it from the balloon, and +by adopting that plan made an easy and safe descent at +Copperley.</p> + +<p>His second attempt was from Cremorne Gardens, +Chelsea, when he came down in fine style, and was +conducted back to the Gardens, accompanied by an +immense concourse of people, who were not sparing in +their approbation of his daring exploit.</p> + +<p>The third experiment was made from Bayswater, but +the parachute caught on one of the trees in Kensington +Gardens, and Mr. Hampton was thereby injured, but +soon recovered.</p> + +<p>He managed to split his balloon with a thin cord before +casting loose, and altogether his plans were unique.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHANNEL BALLOONING.</h2> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/contents.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<div> + <img class="drop-cap" src="images/i_227.jpg" width="49" height="85" alt="D"> +</div> + +<p><span class="drop-cap">D</span>URING the past six years some of our more daring +aëronauts have embarked in a succession of +voyages from Dover and Hythe to France and +Flushing, with the idea, it would seem, of rivalling the +memorable trip made by Mr. C. Green in company with +Messrs. Holland and Monck Mason, who journeyed from +Vauxhall Gardens, in the year 1836, to the Duchy of +Nassau.</p> + +<p>A recent ascent by Mr. Morton, who is called the +Birmingham Aëronaut, has had newspaper laudation, but +aëronautically speaking, it does not surpass or equal +Mr. Joseph Simmonds’ journeys in length and risky +surroundings, nor General Brine’s, and Mr. Dale’s +performance, nor the late Colonel Burnaby’s ascent from +Dover, which extended beyond Dieppe, and was made +in Mr. Thomas Wright’s balloon. Mr. Morton’s trip +is not equal to the preceding, though unexpectedly good +in its way.</p> + +<p>The laboured efforts and fatal results of some of the +later attempts to cross over do not raise the estimation in +which ballooning is held. They would have been better +left alone. Many of the mishaps, and they have been +frequent, point to perils which the old masters neither<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> +saw or complained about, whereas our modern heroes +ought to be more expert.</p> + +<p>We have also lately had a touch or two of what may be +correctly styled <i>Bogus Ballooning</i>. I refer to more than +one report about a cross-Channel run, which never +took place, as I have ascertained after ample enquiry. +However I am well aware that the press cannot always +escape this sort of imposition being practised upon +reporters who are not proof against a hoax. I remember +that when Henson’s flying machine was completed, a +morning newspaper of high standing contained thrilling +details of a first flight, which was merely a flight of fancy +after all, as the ponderous mass never budged an inch.</p> + +<p>In a later volume of my experiences I shall have to +notice, on arriving at the proper date, the impediments +and drawbacks to the advancement of ballooning.</p> + +<p>It is known to those who admire and aim at promoting +this subject that a few would-be inventors and so-called +scientific men, who trade and traffic in this and other cognate +arts actually retard instead of furthering aërostatics, they +hold out false hopes, hoist false colours, and deceive the +very elect, the result being that aërostation is at a stand +still, or, in fact, loses <i>caste</i> to some extent.</p> + +<p>Let us trust that these hints will lead to a new and +brighter era, when military and meteorological ballooning +will be further applied to useful objects, and that both +combined, aided by sincere and competent abettors, will +bring about the solution of aërial navigation.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> + +<p>Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> + +<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> + +<p>Some German words and phrases that are obviously misspelled have been +retained as printed.</p> + +<p>On page <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, it appears that a word is possibly missing in the sentence +beginning ‘Somewhat lower down, at a hard where boats could be pulled +up...’</p> + +<p>On page <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, ‘1320 feet per second’ should be ‘1320 feet per minute.’</p> +</div></div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75423 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + |