CHAPTER XXXVI.
Section 203. THE Sun set at 34 Minutes past VI. and, tho’ it was then near that Time, the Post-Chaise was not arrived.
204. On Enquiry for a dry smooth Meadow, he was recommended to proceed a little farther, to a Place on the Road within three Miles of Warrington.
205. Having by this Time gratified the Curiosity of the Country in admitting Boys and Girls to the Age of six or seven Years, into the Car; and being arrived after Sun-set at the Place appointed, viz. Milton’s Croft-Green; he ordered the Balloon to be laid on its Side along the Ground: having removed the Car, and opened the Mouth; the inflammable Air or Gass, was soon pressed out by Means of a long Pole rolled across it by two Men, standing one at each End of the Pole: beginning at the Top or upper Valve, which was held down close to the Ground; and ending at the Mouth or Neck.
It was then rolled up, put into the Car; and the whole Apparatus placed on the Top of the Chaise which arrived the Moment wanted.
206. The Operation was completed at 53 Minutes past VI: the Conductor having accompanied the Balloon on Foot exactly three Hours.
207. The Balloon had therefore continued floating in the Air, with different Persons, in the whole, for the Space of five Hours and a Quarter.
The Conductor, promising to accept the very polite Invitation offered him by Mr. Stanton, a Gentleman who is principally concerned in the Gunpowder-Works upon the Mersey; called at his House, and partook of some Refreshments.
He then drove to Warrington, where he was met by a Person whom Curiosity had inspired to follow the Balloon on Foot from Chester, as long as he coud keep it in View.
208. Mr. Lunardi likewise with great Civility dispatched his Servant to assist the Aironaut in the Care of the Balloon; but he did not arrive in Time; not reaching Warrington till VIII. at Night: having lost Sight of the Balloon about Daresbury, four Miles from Warrington.
209. Nor was it visible to any, at least very few, of the Inhabitants of that Town, which was equally hidden from the Aironaut: who, then ignorant of his Situation, must have remained a considerable Time suspended above the Clouds; which concealed both the Town and River.
He saw Warrington but twice when above: for a short Time, at a great Distance, and a mediate Altitude.
210. The following Day he returned to Chester: was met by the Militia-Music, and ushered with loud Huzzaes into his native City.
On his safe Arrival; besides the private and sincere Congratulations of his Relations and Friends; the Bells rang: his Flags were carried in Procession, and every public Demonstration of Joy was shewn on the Occasion.
THANKS.
THROU’ THE AIR.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
HINTS, and CONJECTURES,
on the
SUBJECT
of the
BALLOON and EXCURSION
OF THE WEATHER, IN THE VICINITY OF CHESTER, ABOUT THE TIME OF THE EXCURSION.
Section 211. FOR more than ten Days before the Balloon-Voyage, the Wind had blown (interruptedly on Account of the Sea-Breeze) from South and South by West.
Monday the 5th of September:
A Conjunction of the Planet Mercury and the Moon, at one in the Afternoon.
Tuesday the 6th:
A violent Hurricane in the South of England, at London, Portsmouth, &c.
The same Day at Chester North-North-West, and distant from London 182 Miles; South-Breeze; Rain most of the Day. Thermometer at Noon in the Shade, 62: and 14 Divisions colder each Night, than the following Day, at an Average of five Years. Barometer, below Much Rain, viz. at 28 Inches 9⁄10ths.
Wednesday the 7th:
Violent Squalls from South and South-West, with hazy Air, till half past IV in the Afternoon. Thermom. 58; Barom. Changeable, viz. 291⁄2.
Thursday the 8th, which was the Day of the Excursion:
Much bright Sun. (On Enquiry) calm below till half past III in the Afternoon, then West Sea-Breeze: South-West Breeze above till half past IV. Calm bright Evening.
Also the upper Stratum of Clouds thin and white, in quick Motion, when seen from below till Noon: at which Time the Sky was almost cloudless: and, from above the upper Stratum, were seen, interspersed, Multitudes of detached Thunder-Clouds in large Masses, rising at Intervals, in the Middle of the upper Surfaces of white Clouds, and stretching above them.
Friday and Saturday moderate: South and South-West Breeze.
Sunday the 11th. The Planet Mercury stationary.
Cloudy Morn. South-West Breeze. Thermom. at 60 at Noon. Barom. above, Changeable, viz. at 291⁄2. Much thunder and Rain in the Afternoon.
212. Quere, Had the Thunder-Clouds on Thursday, tho’ not remarked by any from below, yet visible to a great Extent from the Balloon above them,—any Connexion with the Thunder that happened three Days after?
Answer: It appears to the Observer, that the Thunder was gradually collecting in the Air from Thursday till Sunday: and if so; will not Balloons, when more frequent, prognosticate the Weather, by Sight, better than any other known Methods?