430 REPORT—1868. 
the sight of the sun; shortly afterwards fine rain fell upon us. We then 
entered a dry fog, passed out of it at 12,000 feet, saw the sun again faintly 
for a short time, and then entered a wetting fog. 
At 15,000 feet we were still in fog, but it was not so wetting ; at 16,000 
feet we entered a dry fog; at 17,000 feet saw faint gleams of the sun, and 
heard a train. We were now about 3 miles high; at this time we were not 
in cloud, but clouds were below us; others on our level at a distance, and 
yet more above us. We looked with astonishment at each other, and said 
as we were rising steadily, we surely must soon pass through them. At 
17,500 feet we were-again enveloped in fog, which became wetting at 18,500 
feet; we left this cloud below at 19,600 feet.. At 20,000 feet the sun was 
just visible. We were now approaching 4 miles high; dense clouds were 
still above us; for a space of 2000 to 3000 feet we met with no fog, but on 
passing above 4 miles our attention was first attracted to a dark mass of cloud, 
and then to another on our level ; both these clouds had fringed edges, they were 
both nimbi. Without the slightest doubt both these dark clouds were regular 
rain-clouds ; whilst looking at them we again lost sight of everything, being 
enveloped in fog whilst passing upwards through 1000 feet. At 22,000 feet 
we again emerged, and were above clouds on passing above 23,000 feet. At 
6 minutes to 2 o’clock we heard a railway-train; the temperature here was 
18°. I wished still to ascend to find the limits of this vapour, but Mr. Coxwell 
said we are “too short of sand, I cannot go higher; we must not even stop 
here.” I was therefore most reluctantly compelled to abandon the wish, and 
looked searchingly around. At this highest point, in close proximity to us, 
were rain-clouds ; below us dense fog. I was again reminded that we must 
not stop. With a hasty glance everywhere, above, below, around, I saw the 
sky nearly covered with dark clouds of a stratus character, with cirri still 
higher, and small spaces of blue sky between them; the- blue was not the 
blue of 4 or 5 miles high as I had always before seen it, but a faint blue, as 
seen from the earth when the air is charged with moisture. 
Hastily glancing over the whole scene, there were no extensive, fine or pic- 
turesque views, as in such situations I had always before seen. The visible 
area was limited; the atmosphere was murky, the clouds were confused, and 
the aspect everywhere dull. I cannot avoid expressing the surprise I have 
felt at the extraordinary power which a situation like this calls forth, when 
a few moments only can be devoted to note down all appearances and all 
circumstances, and if not so rapidly gleaned they are lost for ever. Under 
such circumstances, every appearance of the most trivial kind is noticed ; the 
eye seems to become keener, the brain more active, and every sense increased 
in power to meet the necessities of the case; and when we look back after 
the lapse of time, it is wonderful how distinctly at any moment scenes so 
witnessed can be recalled, and made to reappear mentally in all their details. 
We then began our downward journey, wondering whether we should meet 
the same phenomena; soon we were enveloped in fog, but passed below it 
when at 22,000 feet, and saw the sun faintly. At 20,000 feet we were in a 
wetting fog and passed beneath it at 19,500 feet, experiencing great chilli- 
ness; fog was then above and below. I now wished to ascend into the fog 
again, to check the accuracy of my readings as to its temperature, and the 
reality of the chill we had felt, so we reascended. The temperature rose 
to its previous reading, and fell again on descending. From the same level, 
for a thousand feet, we passed down through a thick atmosphere, but not in 
cloud or fog. Looking below, all was dark and disturbed ; looking upwards, 
not much better. At the height of 18,000 feet we were again in fog. 
At 3 miles high we were still in fog, and on passing just below 3 miles 
