The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-31 00:00:00

THE FATAL BALLOON ACCIDENT:

Mr. Henry Coxwell, in a letter to a contemporary, says :
" Sir.—The evidence which was adduced at the late inquest
was generally considered t) be so clear and conclusive, each
link in the chain apparently exonerating me from blame,
that I had no idea that it would become my duty to offer a
separate explanation besides that which was given to the
coroner and jury at Arnold. A leading article or two in the
Nottingham papers, as also some strictures in the London
press, Permit me briefly to refer to
one or two features of the sad affair. The balloon I found,
compel me to do so.
upon trying its ascending power three times, would not lift
me; this is indisputable, therefore, by reason, and the laws
of mechanics, I could not ascend. My weight is 11 stone 6
pounds. At this moment poor Chambers stepped forward,
he
strated it by fair test, he nobly offered to take my place,
in
the 2st 61b. would give
him the advantage. In order that the simplest mind may
fully understood my position, I will illustrate it by stating
ara huavoing that observed
as
h e m
wasy difficulty, awl when I again demon-
only
9st.,
that a balloon is often brought to a simple balance before
starting, and then a few pounds weight taken out, more or
less, gives it the required ascending power. "Upon doing so
the unfortunate occupant of the oar was raised with about
151 b. of sand, and not with 2 stone weight, which would
have been nearly equivalent with the excess of my own
weight.
Now, as a balloon in its ascent may be said to bo a rever-
sal, so, of the laws of gravity, it may be com-
paredpair of scales,supposing that an oup-
ward
scales were the test of sufficiency in-
steadof a pound of a tea were thus estimated, and it was found
or
ot motionl o
a downward,the apparently
ac
of
tio nthe
as on a grocer's counter. If the weight
f a
that half an ounce less caused it go up, then it can more
readily be understood why 9st would rise, and list 61b
would remain stationary.
When I allowed this poor fellow to ascend, I might be
compared to the owner of a conveyance who was prevented
from running it home himself, but who permitted it to be
coached by one Who was not a novice, feeling sure that by
enjoining him to drive slow and sure he would reaoh the
destination.

I cannot possibly, now that the aeronaut is no more,
charge him
it with unskilfulness ; but I may be permitted, not-
withstanding, to do justice to myself. Again, then, I re-
peat that was not because I would not go myself, but be-
cause I could
not,i since the balloon three times refused to
lift me. I might here fall back upon past exploits which
are now historical, and, by comparison, show the absurdity
me with being reluctant to go a mere thousand
feet charging
highgi n
oz so, if the balloon would take me. It is not
however, in my nature to fall back upon my successes, but
rather to explain
my shortcomings. lam quite willing, and
indeed, anxious to admit that I had better have sent off my
balloon alone, and borne the scoff of the dissatisfied, than
risk any other life than my own. I have more than once
faced the world's dread laugh, which scarce the firm philo-
sopher can scorn ; and time, the groat revealer of truth, has
proved that I have not been wrong. If I deserve censure let
me have it; it is with me that the outcry should be
raised. The committee and the visitors I absolve from all
blame. There were no roughs in Basford-park, but
25,000 oi derly persons; and, in conclusion, I feel bound to
say that if those who feel called upon to censure felt as
shocked at the occurrence as I do they would think of sym-
pathy with the fatherless and widow, as well as of reproach,
and would, after having dipped their pens in gall, dip them
for the second time in their pockets, and thus join in mak-
ing amends for that which cannot now be prevented,

Full benefit of reduced duty obtained by pur-
chasing Ifornimaifs pure Tea; very choice at 3s. 4d. and
4s. "High Standard "at 4e. 4d. (formerly 4s. Sd.), is the
strongest and most delicious imported, Agon in 9very
town 'supply it in packete,