1S14.] Journal of an Aerial Voyage. 2SS 



tumult in which we had been engaged, to the deathlike stillness that 

 reigned in the upper regions, only broken at intervals by tbc report 

 of a cannon at Walthamstow, tilled the mind with indescribable 

 sensations. It appeared difficult to persuade tlie mind that it was 

 a reality; and the mixed sensations of delight and astonishment 

 completely deprived me of the power of expressing my wonder at 

 the scene beneath the eye. It seemed a dream, and hardly possible 

 to be a reality. 



A few moments, however, were all that I allowed myself to feast 

 on the delightful scene; for the confusion that had taken place 

 around the car had compelled those that had taken charge of the 

 instruments to use very great exertions to convey them to us in the 

 car. They were accordingly lying in a distressing state of confusion 

 at the bottom of the car; though, on examination, fortunately with- 

 out having suffered the smallest injury. As soon therefore as the 

 usual ceremony of waving the farewell flag could be dispensed with, 

 I threw off my hat, and proceeded to arrange and suspend the in- 

 struments. To effect this it was necessary to have both hands at 

 liberty. I was desirous of disposing of the flag I held in my hand, 

 and accordingly thrust the staff through the back of the car ; but as 

 1 was obliged to stand upon the seat to fix the barometer sufficiently 

 high, the flag fell from its situation, and was afterwards picked up 

 at about a quarter of a mile from the place of ascent, though 

 neither of us missed it until some considerable time after the acci- 

 dent. The instruments being fixed in their respective situations, 

 the next care was to regulate the gauge of the barometer ; all 

 which several occupations consumed the first ten minutes of the 

 voyage. 



After having made the first set of observations, I had an oppor- 

 tunity of viewing at leisure the prospect from the balloon. The 

 first and most striking object was the Thames, which was seen 

 meandering in endless gigantic sinuosities through the long line of 

 country down as far as the Nore. The ships, and even boats, were 

 distinguishable on its mirror-like surface with astonishing minute- 

 ness ; and I have no doubt that, had the ascent been made with re- 

 ference to that particular object, the number of shipping afloat in 

 the river and wet clocks might have been most accurately counted. 



The sun shone full upon the river, and presented at once the 

 grandest and most delightful sight imaginable. It would be huit- 

 to attempt the description of the scene, though in candour it 

 must be acknowledged that it agreed precisely with the idea that I 

 had preconceived, and differed in no respect whatever from the 

 view from the summit of a lofty situation; except that it was infi- 

 nitely more ext< nded in its range; the eye embraced a larger field 

 within its scope ; and then that lUtles- sensation ol delight which is 

 ■ <i\ from the nature of the voyage itself. In short, a- has been 

 idy stated, the gratification arising from the situation is altoge- 

 indcscribable, but to such as have experiei ced it themselves. 

 Though moving with such wonderful velocity, the travellers are 



