The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-06-19 00:00:00

VAUXIIALL.

The Vauxhall Gardens were, last night, crowded to
lexcess in consequence of the more than usual splendor of
their appearance in honour of the victory of NVaverleo.
Upwards of 14.000 additional lamps were displayed on the
occasion, in military and other deviegs, and a scene was
presented of greater brilliancy than could have been anti-
cipated, notwithstanding the day that was commemorated,l
and the names that were to be remembered. Among the
changes in the amusements of the evening we would par-
ticularly notice the Cennorama of the }little of \Vaterloo,
as exceedingly beautiful and interesting. The fire-works
were splended in the extreme, and in those also care was
taken to do honour to the heroes who conquered on the
itith of June.

BALLOON. ASCENT.

[ruaraza PASTICCLAILSI

CAPTAIN BEALTOTT At_C!►CNT OF HIS AERIAL

VOI .
Just before ascending, the barometer stood at 29 inches 8-10 the,
aurfonineter gee degree% the hygrometer 17 dry' ; tune of starting
precisely live minutes past six o'clock. The balloon row most ma.
jestically, and we were directly above Nt aterloo Bridge at eight
minutes and a half put nix. At this moment the barometer was
let 27 inches 4-Ioehs, and we could observe every street of the me-
tropolis from Blackwell to Kensington. The scene of the environs
was beautiful beyond description, anti every thing could be seen
distinctly ; every Object appearing as flat as on a msp.—even the
bills seemed to be sunk en the same level with the valleys. At 18
minutes past six the barotneter was at 23 inches 3.loths, and when
the thermometer was at 39 degrees, hygrometer 20 dry, we past
through the clouds, and getting into another current of air, the bal-
loon revolved gently, which caused a slight feeling of sickness
the clouds while we were passing through appeared like a mist, and
the hygrometer still shewed three degrees dryer than when on the
earth. We experienced now a disagreeable noise in the ear, what
is commonly called a " singing." which continued the whole time
after, and did not leave me till the next morning.
On ascending above the clouds, they appeared like a sea of
frozen snow, with dark fissures between, and in some ,places the
clouds opened, and gave us a distinct view of the city, and metro-
polls and its environs. The sky above was beautifully blue, and
' the sun shone brilliantly, tinging witlga silvery hue the tops of the
wide expanse of clouds, and particularly those that rose like mows-
tains above the others. There were still a few white clouds at a
great distance above us. The car again revolved in a current of
air. Barometer at 21 in 5-10ths. The highest point we attained
was by the barometer, 19 in 2.loths ; the hygrometer 32 dry
thermometer 39 degrees; time 20 minutes to 7. We now heard a
report of a gun, which we mad heard once or twice before. We
now let MIA pigeon from a basket, having fleet fastened a label to
it, on which we wrote " above the clouds." The pigeon, after
making two or three circles, darted through the clouds towards the
earth. Whenever we caught glimpses of the country through the
clouds, the view was beautiful and interesting, but the sight of the
silvery sea of clouds to the very verge of the horizon was truly
magnificent ; the sun shone on some parts of the Thames,
which were visible to us and was reflected beautitulle ; the
river itself seemed dwindled to a small stream, so much so,
that we could not distinguish any objects on it. The barometer
now stood at 19 inches 3-10ths ; thermometer thirty one de-
grees ; time 18 minutes to 7. The balloon had not hitherto sp.
peered to make much progress except in elevation, but now it
wafted rapidly to the south, and a small portion of gas being let
Out, we gradually commenced our descent. On repas‘ing the
cbutls the barometer was 22 inches 3-10ths ; thermometer 30 deg.;
hygrometer 23 dry ; time, three minutes to seven. The sensation
in the eats still continued. We now descended rapidly, which
gave a disagreeable impression of space without any cbject to rest
the eye on. the voice seemed weaker and lower than either above
or below the clouds. The balloon again revolved, anti at seven
o'clock every object became perfectly distinct, the sheep appeared
like dots and the trees like bushes. In three minutes after Mr.
Orahain 'threw out his grappling irons, and the balloon descended
with surprising rapidity, and we could see the people running to
meet us. The grappling-irons caught a hedge first, and next a
large oak tree, which brought us in a field belonging to Mr. M.
Wilke, in the pariah of Tunbridge, one mile from Iliodstone where
we safely arrived, without the least injury being dune to the balloon
Or Cat.

WI xnsoa (Fainay), Jerre ls.—The King, lecompa-
flied by his visitors, left the Royal Castle this morning.
soon after twelve o'clock, in four carriages and four, aril
passed through the town, on his way to Ascot races.—The
Duke of Wellington left' the Castle for London yesterday.
Yesterday evening the band of die royal horse guards at-
tended. and played at the Royal Castle.
Yesterday the Ifueliess of Gloucester, the Princess Au-
gusta, and the Princess Sophia, visited the fluke and
Duchess of Clarence, at their residence in the Stable-yard,
' St. James's. The Royal party partook of an elegant
tlejeun.
l'rince Leopold honoured the Earl and Countess of
Grosvenor with his company at dinner on Thursday, at
their residence in Upper I:rte.:tailor-street.
The Earl of Kerry (eldest son of the Marquis of Lanz-
down), we are happy to hear, is getting better.
Mr. Sinclair made his first appearance at Dublin on
Tuesday last, in the character of Orlando, in the opera of
The Ccldnet, and was extremely well received.
We perceive that Mr. Spring, the Box-book-keeper of
Drury-lane, takes his benefit on Tuesday next, when the
whole talent of the company will be displayed. We trust
that Mr. Spring will be rewarded for his unremitting at-
tentions to the public, with that which the performances
alone must command—a bumper.
A literal translation of Sheridan's School fir Scandal,
without any alteration in the intrigue, characters, &c. has
been lately announced in the bills of the theatre at Ver-
sailles. This piece is to make its appearance the end of
this month. It is a novelty to see an English comedy per-
formed in French without paraphrase. Several inhabitants
of Paris and Versailles, and a number of English families
have already hired boxes for the first representation. The
' theatre has been newly painted and richly embellished, and
lit is reported the company of performers arc very respect-
' able.