The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-10-15 00:00:00

M. GAMBETTA'S BALLOON RIDE.
The following are the particulars of 31.,llambetta's balloon
Journey:—

Be left the heights of Montmatre on Friday morn-
ing at eleven o'clock in a balloon called the "Armand.
Bar! accompanied by his secretary, H. Spnller,
and M. Trichet, an aeronaut. A second balloon also
ascended at the same time, in which were three Ame-
rican gtntlemen, the sub-prefect of Redon, and an
aeronaut. An immense crowd was collected to see the
departure of the two balloons. M. Gambetta was Sc.
companied lay several of his colleagues. All heartily
wished him success in his perilous enterprise, and in
the great mission he hal undertaken in the provinces.
M. Nader, who has directed the construction of the
balloons, superintended their departure. At first
the balloorui travelled nearly ride by aide, and
the travellers in the two cars could converse.
While passing above the Prussian lines, M. Gam-
betta and his companions escaped death twenty
times. The Prussians kept up a continual fire
upon them, and the balls flew whistling round the cars.
Up to three o'clock in the afternoon the two balloons
remained in view of sash other in the same direction.
At three o'clock they separated ; but they were already
very near the spot at which they might descend. One
of them, the "Georges Sand," descended without ob-
stacle near Roye. The " Armand-Barb4s" got caught
in a tree near Montdidier. The descent of M. Gam-
betta and H. Spuller was perilous in the extreme ; but
some peasants and a gentleman passing by in a car-
riage came to the assistance of the travellers. 111.
Gambetta only received a few scratches. It is needless
to say how warm a welcome the party received both
at Roye and itlontdidier. They arrived at Amiens in
the evening. The aeronauts brought three carrier
pigeons in a cage with them, to carry back to Paris the
news of M. Gausbetta's journey.

Mr Reynolds, of New York (one of the American gentle-
man referred to), gives the following account:—

- -
'The weather was fine, and the wind light. A
crowd was assembled to see um off—the membersof the
Government, M. Louis Blanc, &c. We rose amid
cries of • Vive la Republique !' 700 metres passing
over the Prussian lines. The wind falls ;we bear
cannon shots : we Bee signals ; a welleguatained fusillade
commences; the balls hiss on all sides. Gambetta's
balloon is above ours. Obtures are shot to try and burst
the balloon. The moment is a trying one. The wind
gets up. We advance rising, falling frequently to make
a reconnaissance of the Pruasians. At three o'clock we
lost sight of ambetta at CreiL He descended too near,
and was an object for the Prussian balls. The balloon
had a hole made Ln it, and his hand was grazed. At
four we reached land at Roye. The peasants were
terrified and would not come near, but soon the better
class came in their carriages and gave us a welcome
greeting. We found Gambetta at Amiens ; he de-
scended near a wood, on the other side, which was oc-
cupied by Prussians. At Amiens Gambetta received
an enthusiastic ovation. There is no discord in Paris."

From another account we learn that Mr. Reynolds
was accompanied by Mr. May, also an American
gentleman. Tneir joint report as to the condition of
Paris is that it is entirely quiet, and the population
and garrison are in the best spirits. The conduct of
the troops and the people is alike orderly and courage-
ous. There is no want of provisions anywhere pre-
crptible ; and the city, they think, can hold out inde-
finitely.