834 Aerostation, 



west, artel the balloon rose in a majestic manner. It con* 

 tinned rapidly ascending, and the travellers finding them- 

 selves much inconvenienced from the number ot thingtl 

 with which the car was loaded, immediately began to make 

 the necessary arrangements tor their proposed experiments 

 ■ — in the course ol which the flag which had been held by 

 Mr. Beautov, and which he had placed behind him oa 

 the seat; unluckily fell over the side of the car, and was 

 picked up in Church-fields. Mr. Beaufoy describes the 

 scene which was now for the first time presented to his 

 view, in the most glowing terms, and says it far exceeded 

 anv thing the most fervent imagination could have pictured ; 

 and allhoush the prospect was considerably circumscribed 

 by a thick mist, he yet had a view of the Nore, and of all ' 

 the country in that direction; but froni the density of the 

 atmosphere towards London, he was unable to get a sight 

 of the metropolis. On their passing over Walthamstow, 

 they dcstintly licard the report of several minute guns, which 

 were discharged by Mr. Forsler the banker, in consequence 

 of previous concert. The concussion occasioned by this 

 noise, however, had no effect upon the balloon, which pur- 

 sued its course in the most majestic style. At about half- 

 past three, while over Chelmsford, it entered a cloud, which 

 was so extremely dense, that the earth was soon completely 

 hidden from the view of the aeronauts, who were now ex- 

 posed to tlie effects of a severe storm, which very much agi- 

 tated the balloon. 



While in this state they were visited by a hail storm, 

 which rattled against their vehicle with great violence, and, 

 from the subsequent melting of the stones, exposed them 

 to all the inconveniences of the water, which tr>ckled from 

 the balloon. Notwithstanding these difficulties, Mr. Beau- 

 foy expressed a desire to ascend still higher ; bui Mr. Sadler 

 observing by the compass that they were taking a direction 

 towards the sea, and apprehensive of falling in the water, 

 thought it expedient to descend without delay, which they 

 did by suffering a considerable quantity of gas to escape. 

 They soon once more gained a view of the earth, towards 

 which they rapidly approached. Throwing out a little bal- 

 last, they again ascended: but shortly afterwards ihey de- 

 termined to finish their course ; and taking measures ac- 

 cordin<dv, they threw out their grappling-irons, which 

 becoming firmly fixed. in a meadow near East Thorpe, they 

 got out of the car with perfect ease; and with the assistance 

 of the mullitude collected on the occasion, they emptied 



the 



