1814.J Journal of an Aerial Voyage. 289 



the earth was perceptible, Mr. Sadler's conjectures proved jusi 3 

 as we saw, apparently at no great distance from us, the wide 

 expanse of the Northern Ocean. The sensation of deafness did not 

 go off for more than a quarter of an hour afterwards, even notwith- 

 standing the balloon had greatly decreased in point of elevation. 

 Until this trifling deafness, there did not appear to he the smallest 

 difference between the intensity of sound at the greatest elevation^ 

 and at the surface of the earth. We conversed in our usual tone of 

 voice, and any casual operation, such as drawing the cork of the 

 Champaigne, &c. was heard just as usual. If anything, the uni- 

 versal stillness invited rather a lower tone of voice than ordinary. 



Obs. 14. — Released the pigeon, No. 1, and placed it on the edge 

 of the car, which like the former did not attempt to escape till pushed 

 off from the car. 



Obs. 15. — Sent off the pigeon, No. 6 : saw a flock of sheep very 

 distinctly in the turnpike-road, going in a direction from Loudon. 



Obs. 16. — Sent off the pigeon, No. 5; Mr. Sadler now an- 

 nounced that it would be necessary to look out for some convenient 

 spot at which to attempt a landing; saw people below at plough; 

 called out to them ; but they did not seem to be within hearing, as 

 they did not appear to be aware of the balloon. 



Obs. 17. — Mr. Sadler now cautioned me that the instruments- 

 must be removed, and directed that they should be taken into my 

 lap. He told me likewise to be prepared, on his giving the word, to 

 heave overboard every thing that would admit of it, with a view of 

 breaking the force of the descent. Mr. Sadler and myself were also 

 to place our feet against the corners of the opposite seat, and then 

 raise ourselves as much as possible with our hands by clinging to 

 the ropes, taking care to raise our hands as high as possible above 

 our heads. 



Obs. 18. — Turned off the pigeon, No. 2 : this last flew away im- 

 mediately, but afterwards returned to the balloon, and flew round 

 it several times, but without attempting to settle on the car. The 

 live stock being thus reduced down to one, the bag that contained 

 it was tied to one of the cords of the car, and 1 then hastened to cut 

 away the ligatures by which the different instruments were secured. 

 Jn the mean time Mr. Sadler was lightening the balloon of part of 

 a bottle of Champaigne, and emptied out the remaining bottle of 

 water. 



The balloon was approaching the ground fast, when Mr. Sadler 

 «ve the order to lighten, while he held the valve with both his 

 hands to keep it open. 1 threw overboard the whole of the re- 

 maining ballast, and *ome two or three other useless articles. Mr. 

 Sadler, when be gave the word for lightening the balloon, at the 

 instant let go the grapnel. The grapnel continued to drag 

 • few hundred yards, and I had just time enough to place mv- 

 si If as directed to do, with the inatrumenti secured in the best way 

 the hui 1 y of the moment would admit, when the car bounded I'roin 

 the ground, and after passing over a hedge, and dragging a few feet 



Vol. IV. N° IV. T 



