Aeronautic Ascent. 467 



southward, and being quite distended by the rays of the sun, 

 some of the gas escaped through the safety valve. 



At 18min. to 7, bar. 19 in. 5 tenths, or 9888 feet, ther. 31. 

 we caught a view of the country below ; the Thames seemed 

 diminished to a small stream, but reflecting the rays of the 

 sun brilliantly. 



This scene was interesting ; yet much inferior to the sight 

 of the vast expanse of silvery clouds. 



The descent was so extremely gradual, from Mr. Graham's 

 experience and excellent management, that it was only by 

 constantly throwing out small pieces of silver paper, it could 

 be ascertained whether the balloon was rising or falling. 



At 9 min. to 7, bar. 22-3, or 7200 feet; ther. 38; hyg. 23 dry, 

 the aeronauts found they were approaching the clouds ; and 

 at 5 min. to 7, bar. 24, or 5568 feet, they began to enter 

 them ; the appeai'ance being that of a thick white mist rising 

 up with great rapidity. 



At 4 min. to 7, bar. 24*5, or 5088 feet, the balloon got into 

 another current of air, and revolved slowly. The clouds be- 

 came much thicker and of a darker colour as they more com- 

 pletely enveloped the voyagers, giving a disagreeable impres- 

 sion of space without any object to rest the eye on. The 

 voices of the gentlemen now appeared much weaker and lower 

 to each other, than when either above or below the clouds ; 

 but unaccompanied by any oppression on the chest. 



At 7 o'clock, bar. 25 in., height 4608 feet, the machine 

 emerged from the clouds ; and experiencing a fresh current of 

 air, it again revolved. 



At 3 min. past 7, bar. 26 in. 5 tenths, or 3168 feet, objects 

 on the earth once more became distinctly visible ; so that even 

 the sheep (appearing like white dots on the green pasture) 

 could have been easily counted. 



Mr. Graham now let down his grappling-iron with a cord 

 of 160 yards, which thus became of a very considerable 

 weight, at the same time giving every necessary instruction to 

 his companion to ensure their safe landing. 



At 7 min. past 7, bar. 28 in. 3 tenths, or 1440 feet; ther. 

 50 ; hyg. 22 dry, the aeronauts first perceived any difference 

 of height on the face of the country : and descended with a 

 rapidity that seemed the greater, because they had now an op- 

 portunity of comparing it with surrounding objects. Several 

 persons were seen running towards the balloon, and the 

 grapple soon after grounded, passed through a hedge, and 

 held tight among the boughs of an oak, bringing the car al - 

 most instantaneously to the ground with considerable violence, 

 which shock the gentlemen avoided by hanging with their 



'i N 2 hand. 



