Aeronautic Ascent. 465 



with gas. When it was judged to be sufficiently inflated, a 

 large hoop, made of strong but flexible materials, was brought ; 

 and to it were speedily fastened, by means of a number of 

 steel swivel loops, the netting and cords above mentioned. 



Four strong leather straps, fastened to staples in the plat- 

 form, were attached to the hoop ; and together with the united 

 strength of a dozen men, held down the balloon while the 

 car w T as being fixed. 



The wind being high, with occasional gusts, induced the 

 assistants to remove the machine (after Mr. Graham and his 

 companion had taken their seats) by main force, as far from 

 the trees and houses as the platform would admit ; and then, 

 watching till the balloon was perfectly upright, they let go 

 their hold, and it rose majestically at 5 minutes past 6 o'clock. 



Bar. 29 in. 8 tenths ; ther. 66 ; hyg. 1 7 dry. Nothing could 

 exceed the grandeur of the scene witnessed by the gentlemen 

 in the car. 



The balloon itself seemed stationary ; not the slightest mo- 

 tion was perceptible ; all other objects appeared to sink from 

 it ; every part of the immense metropolis, and a considerable 

 portion of its environs, were distinctly visible ; not a street, 

 or square, or even house was concealed ; most of the former 

 being crowded with spectators whose cheers were plainly heard; 

 and as during the first two or three minutes objects had not 

 completely lost the appearance of height, St. Paul's and the 

 hills near London were peculiarly interesting. 



At 8^ min. past 6 ; bar. 27'4, or 2304 feet ; ther. 46 ; hyg. 

 15 dry, the balloon was directly above Waterloo-bridge; 

 when the beautiful distinctness with which every ship and 

 even boat on the Thames could be traced by the eye, was ex- 

 tremely gratifying : but objects having now lost all distinction 

 of height, the whole country was perfectly flat, like a mili- 

 tary map. 



At 12 min. past 6 ; bar. 25\5, or 4128 feet; ther. 45,— the 

 aeronauts passed through some very thin mist, which might 

 perhaps have been only the smoke from the metropolis, and 

 were now directly over Vauxh all-bridge. 



The balloon entered a current of air, which made it revolve 

 gently to the north ; occasioning a slight sensation of giddiness 

 and sickness to those in the car ; and immediately afterwards 

 became enveloped in clouds, when the watch was at 16 min. 

 past 6; bar. 23 in. 3 tenths, or 6240 feet; ther. 39 ; hyg. 20 dry. 



Until this moment every thing had been distinctly visible 



from the balloon ; trees, houses, ships, &c. had length and 



breadth, but no height : roads seemed like foot-paths, of an 



Vol. 63. No. SW.June 1824. 3 N orange 



