FLTINa MACHINES. 
7 
rose, until it reached the further end of the room, where there 
was canvas fixed to receive it. It frequently, during these 
experiments, rose after leaving the wire, as much as one in 
seven. At the request of the then proprietor of Cremorne, Mr. 
Ellis, who with two others went down to Chard to see the 
machine, Mr. Stringfellow repaired to those gardens with the 
two models, but it seems that not much better accommodation 
was afforded than he possessed at home. It was found that the 
larger model (Henson’s Patent) would run well upon the wire, 
but failed to support itself when liberated. Owing to unfulfilled 
engagements as to room, Mr. Stringfellow was preparing for 
departure, when a party of gentlemen, unconnected with the 
gardens, begged to see an experiment, and finding them able to 
appreciate his endeavours, he got up steam pretty high, and 
started the small model down the wire. When it arrived at the 
spot where it should leave the wire, it appeared to meet with 
some little obstruction, and threatened to come to the ground, 
but it soon recovered itself, and darted off in as fair a flight as 
it was possible to make, to a distance of about forty yards, 
further than which it could not proceed. 
Having now demonstrated the practicability of making a 
steam-engine fly, and finding nothing but a pecuniary loss, and 
little honour, this experimenter rested for a long time, satisfied 
with what he had effected. 
The subject, however, had to him its special charms, and he 
still contemplated the renewal of his experiments at some future 
day, but, he writes, ‘‘ it is doubtful if that day would ever have 
arrived, had not you (the writer) perse veringly called me into 
action.” The proposed exhibition of the Aeronautical Society, 
roused once more his old energies. 
In a paper read by Mr. F. H. Wenham, at the Society of Arts, 
on the occasion of a meeting of the Aeronautical Society, there 
occurred the following observation. Having remarked how 
thin a stratum of air is displaced beneath the wings of a bird 
in rapid flight, it follows, that in order to obtain the necessary 
length of plane for supporting heavy weights, the surfaces may 
be superposed, or placed in parallel rows, with an interval be- 
tween them. A dozen pelicans may fly one above the other, 
without mutual impediment, as if framed together ; and it is 
thus shown, how two hundredweight may be supported in a 
transverse distance of only ten feet.” 
Mr. Stria gfellow eagerly grasped this idea and set about con- 
structing the model which he exhibited at the Crystal Palace. 
The writer confesses to the feeling of disappointment which he 
experienced, upon his first introduction to this otherwise elegant 
little design. He had imagined, that the surest road to success, 
was that, by which a triumph had been previously achieved. 
