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Airopaidia

Chapter 56: CHAPTER XXVIII.
By Thomas Baldwin
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About This Book

The work presents a first-person account of an 18th-century balloon voyage launched from a regional town, pairing vivid descriptions of aerial scenes with practical instruction. The narrative records observations made during ascent and flight and is accompanied by engraved views; it also offers proposals for balloon design and a method of inflation by steam, precautions against descent over water, and inquiries into atmospheric conditions affecting direction. A clear, practical explanation of measuring height with the barometer is included, together with extensive tables. The material functions as an introduction to aërostatic navigation that mixes travel narrative, natural-philosophical observation, and engineering advice.

CHAPTER  XXVIII.

An uncommon Sound in the Air.

Section 162.AT 40 Minutes past III, when the Balloon was apparently some Miles above the Level and Summit of the Clouds; a sudden and uncommon Sound was heard for three or four Seconds only.

A Sort of hollow Wind seemed issuing from a Plain of Clouds in the North-East Quarter, greatly below the Balloon: which as suddenly ceased.

An unusual Motion communicated to the Balloon.

The Instant the Sound was heard; a gentle Motion was impressed on the Balloon, as if by a Hand touching it near the Top.

163. Clouds to the North-East appeared, for the first Time, in rapid Motion towards the Balloon.

They sailed directly under it: filled up the Chasm, and drew a white Veil over all terrestrial Objects.

164. It has been since imagined, that a fresh Wind descended from the South-West QuarterConjecture in the Cause of the Motion. in the upper Current, and was heard in the North-East, being ecchoed from the upper Tier of Clouds below: and that the Balloon, finding less Resistance than the range of Clouds, soon overtook and passed them: particularly as the lower Part of the white Flag vibrated only in the usual Direction.

165. The encreased progressive Motion of the Balloon was not perceived (Section 18): being considered as at Rest, and the apparent Motion referred to the Clouds.