Ict'laml 2S3 



ed In the production of hydrogen gas ; the sky was serene, • 

 and at mid-day the operation of filhng the balloon was corn- 

 pitted and every thing ready. M. Mosmcnt leapt into the 

 car ; and upon a signal being given the balloon was set at li- 

 berty, and ascended very rapidly into the air amidst the 

 shouts of the spectators. M. Mosmcnt repeatedly waved 

 his flag as he ascended, which was adorned with the imperial 

 eagle. The wind was northerly, and the balloon was car- 

 ried gently before it. At a certain height the aeronaut let go a 

 parachute to which an animal was attached, and the experi- 

 ment succeeded admirably. In the mean time the balloon 

 continued to ascend, and appeared as if exactly above the 

 town. At one o'clock it seemed to have encountered some 

 adverse winds. Something red was then seen slowly de-. 

 scending, which was picked up, and found to be the flag 

 which the aeronaut carried up with him. This however ex- 

 cited no disagreeable emotions, and all eyes were turned to, 

 the balloon, which soon ascended to such a height as to be- 

 come invisible. The crowd then began to disperse, perfectly 

 satisfied with the success of the experiment ; but a rumour 

 ran through. the populace, that the dead body of a man had 

 been found dreadfully mangled in one of the fosses of the 

 town. This excited some inquiry ; and upon inspecting the 

 body, it was found to be that of the unfortunate aeronaut, 

 but so covered with blood that it was with difiiculty he was. 

 recognised. 



This event gave rise to various conjectures ; but it is ge- 

 nerally supposed that the car was too shallov.-, and that M. 

 Mosnient had fallen asleep, as often happens to aeronauts 

 when in certain regions of the air, and had been shaken out 

 by the violence of the winds. U is possible also that one ot 

 the cords may have sllpt, and that M. xMosmeut losing las 

 balance had fallen out. The balloon has not yet been found ; 

 which prevents the real cause of the accident from beuig as- 

 certained. 



lCr.JLAx\D.. 



The Danish government is occupied in the anKlioradon 

 <;f Ihc lot of the" inhabitants of Iceland, a peoj)lc removed to 

 the confines of the polar circle, but interesting, on account 



of 



