468 Aeronautic Ascent. 



hands on the hoop, and lifting up their legs. The balloon 

 rose again the height of the cord, with great elasticity ; but 

 the grapple holding tight, and several men coming to their 

 assistance, Mr. Graham and his companion, after three more 

 shocks against the ground, each less violent than the prece- 

 ding, stepped out of the car on the field of Mr. M. Wilkes, in 

 the parish of Tandridge, one mile from Godstone, and twenty- 

 two from London, at eight minutes past seven. 



The voyagers experienced the greatest civility and assist- 

 ance from the crowd of individuals who had collected; and 

 the machine, its car, and all the mathematical instruments, 

 were soon after placed in a chaise, perfectly uninjured ; another 

 pigeon being let loose, to carry the news of their safety to 

 London *. 



He and his companion arrived in Oxford Street perfectly 

 well, at eleven o'clock the same night. 



Remarks. — In the calculation of height, 96 feet has been 

 allowed to each tenth of an inch the quicksilver sunk in the 

 barometer, which is rather below than above the actual ele- 

 vation. 



Contrary to expectation, the atmosphere became drier as 

 the balloon ascended, (except at the height of 2304 feet, when 

 it was two degrees damper,) the hygrometer showing it to be 

 14 degrees drier when at the greatest elevation than when on 

 the ground. The compass was of no utility whatever, as it 

 revolved with the slightest movement in the car. 



A gentleman had given Mr. Graham a small inflated bladder 

 of Indian rubber, to be thrown out when at the greatest height 

 above the clouds ; in order to observe whether it would waft 

 from the large balloon altogether, or continue attracted to- 

 wards it, both rising and falling. Much to the regret of Mr. 

 Graham and his companion, this curious experiment was pre- 

 vented by the bladder getting damaged before the ascent. 



There is nothing disagreeable or appalling in looking at ob- 

 jects from the car, which are not immediately under it ; but 

 to keep the eye fixed on the grappling-iron, or any thing per- 

 pendicularly below, for more than a few seconds, turns the 

 head giddy. 



When at the greatest elevation, a slight degree of cold 

 was felt ; which went off* almost immediately the balloon be- 

 gan to descend. 



After the descent, when Mr. Graham's companion had 

 quitted the car, he had occasion to use his pocket handker- 

 chief; when the sound in his ears was like the report of a 



* Second pigeon sent up at the lime of the descent, reached home the 

 following morning. 



pistol : 



