The Express.
London, England, 1864-06-20 00:00:00

TO THZ ZDITOR OF TUB ZIFIZIPS.

Eta, —The balloon left the gardens of the Crystal
Palace at 7 o'clock with a temperature of 62 deg., when
300 feet above the pound the temperature was 59 deg.,
and declined gradually to 514 at 3,100 feet ►bove the
level of the sea; we then demanded to 2,500 feet, where
the temperature was 53 deg., which declined to 46 dig.
on rising to 3,500 feet'; we remained at this elevation for
:10 minutes, and the variations in temperature were very
small. From 7h. 33m. to 7h. 50m. the height of the
balloon differed but little from 2,700 feet, with a
temperature ranging from 51 deg. to 52 deg., being the
same as when we first reached that elevatioo. At 7h. 54m.
the height was 2,000 feet, and from that time till reach.
lug the earth at Bh. 14w., the temperature wee 53 deg,
without variation ; on the ground it was found to be 531 deg.
The temperature on the earth during the Bight of the
balloon, had decreased from 9 deg. to 10 deg., the air at
600 feet above the sea bad decreased by about 6 deg. be.
twain the ascending and descending, bat at heights exceed-
ing 2,000 feet no change had taken place. The temperature
at which water was deposited on bright substances, was
44 deg. on the ground, 40 deg. at 2,500 feet, sod 38 deg. at
3,000 feet The degree of humidity of the air was 51 on
the ground before starting, complete saturation being
represented by 100 ; it was between 60 and 70 in the air,
till Th. 50m., and them increased to 77 on the pound.
A very delicate blackened bulb thermometer, in the full
rays of the sun, read from 1 deg. to 10 deg. above another
delicate thermometer placed near to it, with its bulb shaded.
At times when the sun did not shine on the blackened bulb,
the two thermometers read alike. The sky was cloudless,
and the air was clear, excepting in the direction of Leadoff,
and the successive views at the ordinary elevation we reached
were very beautiful. Shooter's-hill and the several known ele-
vations were dwarfed to plains. At the height of 3,000 feet
sheep were readily distinguished, but the earth seemed to be
without inhabitaate, the naked eye could with difficulty
distinguish man. The river was seas to it. mouth, end the
white cliffs at Mitigate were just visible through mist ; the
horizon was misty all round. The contrast between the
thickly studded towns and villages of Kent and the few in
Ewes eu very marked.
There were in the car besides Mr. Colwell sod myself,
the following officers :—The Hon. Reg. A. J. Talbot and
Charles Needham, Esq., ei the First Life Guards ; the Hon
A. W. B. Cast, Grenadier Guards; Captain Leslie If yllis:
B. B. Aldorly, Esq., Fred. Gus. Bortsby, Fp., H. Emerson
Weiner, Esq., and John Boswell, Esq., of the Royal Horse
Guards ; and Captain Tumor of the Rifle Brigade. All
thee* offioare enjoyed the magnificent views so much that at
times I think they forgot their position in the car, heirs
themselves insensible of any motion, sad all regretted our
proximity to Sea-reach, which compelled Mr. Cox well to
descend. The balloon touched the earth at squatter poet
eight on the farm of Mr. Squat, about five miles from
Brentwood. JAMES GLALSLIER.
Blackheath, June 13.