late Professor of Practical Astronomy in Glasgow. 285 



somewhat uncertain how far the thing might succeed upon trial. 

 But the thought being quite new to them, and the purpose to 

 be gained of some importance, they began to prepare for the 

 experiment in the spring of 1749 *. 



Mr WILSON'S house at Camlachie was the scene of all the 

 little bustle which now became necessary ; and both Mr MEL- 

 VILL and he, alike dexterous in the use of their hands, found 

 much amusement in going through the preliminary work, till, at 

 last, they finished half-a-dozen large paper-kites, from four to se- 

 ven feet in height, upon the strongest, and, at the same time, 

 upon the slightest construction the materials would admit of. 

 They had also been careful, in giving orders, early, for a very 

 considerable quantity of line, to be spun of such different sizes 

 and strength, as they judged would best answer their purpose ; 

 so that one fine day, about the middle of July, when favoured 

 by a gentle steady breeze, they brought out their whole appara- 

 tus into an adjoining field, amidst a numerous company, consist- 

 ing of their friends and others, whom the rumour of this new 

 and ingenious project had drawn from the town. 



They began with raising the smallest kite, which, being ex- 

 actly balanced, soon mounted steadily to its utmost limit, carry- 

 ing up a line very slender, but of a strength sufficient to com- 

 mand it. In the mean time, the second kite was made ready. 

 Two assistants supported it between them in a sloping direc- 

 tion, with its breast to the wind, and with its tail laid out even- 

 ly upon the ground behind, whilst a third person, holding part 

 of its line tight in his hand, stood at a good distance directly in 

 front. Things being so ordered, the extremity of the line be- 

 longing to the kite already in the air, was hooked to a loop at 



* As no public notice has hitherto been taken of this matter, though Mr WIL- 

 SON had always some thoughts of doing so, it is hoped the following detail will not 

 prove unacceptable or tedious to the reader. 



