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Airopaidia

Chapter 63: THE SEQUEL.
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  XXXIV.

THE SEQUEL.

Flights with the Balloon for three Hours longer.

Section 193. THE Sequel contains an Account of several Flights made, in Presence of the Aironaut, by different Persons, during three Hours, in the Car of the Balloon, viz. from the Time he alighted, till after sunset.

T. Baldwin Arm. del. et pinx.
Angus sculp.
A Balloon Prospect from above the Clouds see page IIII c.
Publish’d May 1st. 1766, by T.Baldwin Chester.
see Page IIII. d.
The Explanatory Print.

Rixton-Moss, Lancashire, IV. o’Clock P.M.

The Afternoon being fine, the Sun bright, and the Air calm; finding the Country People remarkably civilized and kind; and having dispatched a Messenger on Foot to return in a Post Chaise from Warrington; the Aironaut was resolved to gratify the Curiosity of his numerous Followers, and give the young People a Taste for Balloons, by treating them successively with an Airing.

194. Indeed it was no inconvenient Method of removing and conducting the Machine: and possibly different Positions of the Balloon might furnish a useful Hint.

The Aironaut indulged the People of the Country with Flights in the Balloon.

Having asked aloud who chose to ride, several answered in the Affirmative. So having pitched upon a young Fellow of less Weight than himself; bid him get up, between the Cords, over the Hoop, into the Car; stand near the Middle, and hold an opposite Cord in each Hand.

He obeyed with the greatest Alacrity: and seemed to be a noisy bold Adventurer.

The Aironaut first quitted the Car; but continued to conduct the Balloon.

195. The Aironaut then got out; and having suffered the Balloon to rise; fastened the End of the Cable to central Meshes of the Net, at the Bottom of the Car: ordering the strongest and tallest Man to hold the Cable, and let it go by Degrees till the Anchor or grappling Iron alone remained in his Hand.

Behaviour of different Adventurers.

The Balloon now rising above the Height of the Trees, and giving the Adventurer a new and extensive Prospect of the Country; he became silent; pale; his Countenance the Picture of Distress; looking down as if for Help.

The Conductor repeatedly bid him take Courage. But, in vain.

By lowering the Car within the Height of the Trees, he seemed to recover from his Dismay.