The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-14 00:00:00

Recent Balloon Experiments.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SEN.
SlR,—The aerial voyages which weremade during

,he past week in France and in England form a

memorable era in the history of aerostation. The

new French balloon has just attracted public atten-
tion owing to its enormous proportions, and it is to
be hoped that its future use will be well worthy of
its lofty structure. Just as the news arrived of the
first ascent of this aerial giant, your humble servant
was making his 500th ascent. Not, however, in a

public capacity was this undertaken, but from the
Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, where the chief spec-
tators were officers of the British army, together

with the rank and file of our nation, who were
marching out to be reconnoitred by engineer officers
who accompanied me. For some hours we remained
suspended at a height of 1,000 to 1,500 feet, and at
5 o'clock I set the balloon at liberty, when Captain
Beaumont and Lieut. Grover, of the Royal Engi-
neers, had a fine view of London by night. We
finally alighted at Finchley. Believe me, sir, I would
not exchange the position I had the honour of oc-
cupying that day with the great Parisian exhibi-
tion, because one was merely a test trip, with appa-
rently no higher objects in view, while ours was the
application of the balloon for most useful ends in
connection with military science.
The third remarkable ascent made last week was
from the Crystal Palace on Friday. A distinguished
gentleman from the United States, together with
Count Franz Schaffgotsch, from Berlin, had engaged
the car of my large balloon. Mr. Glaisher was in-
vited to join the party and take up his instruments.
Mr. Pliny Miles and Mr. Rowe increased the occu-
pants of the car to just half a dozen.
We left, the Palace grounds much later than we
desired—between 4 end 5 o'clock—and gradually
attained those various altitudes and temperatures
which were fully noted by Mr. Glaisher, and which
had better be left to the accurate meteorologist to
explain.
Our course was direct for the metropolis. An
aeronautic view of London had been the dream of
the Hon. J. W--'s life, and he now realised an
extensive view of the great city under a most fav-
ourable aspect. I had never seen the Thames and
surrounding country open out with finer view at so
late an hour. We could clearly discern the mouth
of the river and the sea coast beyond. The leading
buildings and striking objects were beautifully
conspicuous. Paul's and the Houses of Parlia-
dmiration, but actually
men Parlia-
ment nnn
n l y
elicited S t.
pro-
duced merriment at their tiny, toy-like appearance.
Having been previously examined by our Transat-
lantic friends, and their magnitude and magnifi-
cence perceived by a terrestrial view, it seemed
almost impossible that those vast edifices could now
appear so small and distinct. A similar charming
diminution pervaded the city and suburbs, but not
so as to prevent us from discerning all the great
leading features and buildings, which were pointed
out one after the other to the infinite delight of the

voyagers.
At one mile high the health of her INlajesty was
honours.
drunk with waving of flags and becoming
Then followed the respective Governments of our
German. These
b
companions, both American and
toasts were given in that road cosmopolitan spirit
which became men who, for the time present, had
left all nations, and felt a common love for the
human family and for those who direct their des-
tinies. It was therefore with heartfelt sincerity we
hoped that the calamities which afflicted some por-
tions of the great globe beneath us would speedily
cease, and that science and Christianity, instead of
strife and misery, may speedily prevail.
There were other appropriate interchanges of sen-
timent, and then the stars and stripes and the Eng-
lish flag waved harmoniously, and the setting sun,
too, as if approvingly, shed his parting lustre on a
range of gorgeous clouds in the east, and we tra-
velled on most merrily until darkness prevailed,
when we cast anchor at Potton, near Bedford, where
an easy descent was made. Amid the enjoyment
and sociality of this trip Mr. Glaisher was as busy
as over with his readings. Now and then his
gravity was disturbed with a passing joke, but a
good round of observations were made, and the
journey was by no means profitless. Our
two
Eng-
lish
ascents, then, as contrasted
with the great one
at Paris, do not suffer by comparison, nor are we
intimidated against further exertions.
It often happens that a gi • ant commands a passing
admiration when men of ordinary or even large sta-
ture pass unnoticed • but
, when the achievements
and the working
powers of each are weighed in the
balance, it sometimes happens that the smaller ves-
sels accomplish the most work.
My balloon, which I built last year at Tottenham
entirely from my own resources, is now surpassed
in size and in costliness of material. France, with
a dash of generosity which does her honour, emu-
lates us
with
a balloon valued at £6,000.
Notwithstanding these tremendous odds, I will

struggle to uphold the reputation of aerostation
with my own professional earnings in England.—
I remain, sir, obediently yours,
Tottenham, Oct. 12. HENRY COXWELL.

A SEA-BATII AT HOME.—Thcre are thousands
of persons to whom a sea-bath would be of the
greatest use, either as a restorative from sickness or for its
hygienic and invigorating qualities as a means of preserving,
health, who from one cause or another havo been unable to
obtain one. This difficulty is now obviated at once and for
ever. To enable everyone to enjoy the sea-bath without
even the expense of a journey to the coast, Messrs. Tidman
and Son have introduced to the public their sea salt, which
imparts to ordinary water the 58/13.5 qualities as are to bo
found in the water of the ocean. The sea salt is sold by all
chemists and grocers in small quantities, and cannot be too
highly recommended to the use of every family, and espe-
cially of those families to whom the faculty recommend
from time to time the use of sea-bathing. W. Scott,
Esq., the analyst, says regarding this salt •—..4 T L;dman s
salt is the best preparatiM of the kind, at .
nothing to kw
deed." id leaves little or

A 1-.MSPA PER
t
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Inauguration of the Memorial S ...,,..9+.!,.,---,,,/ . 1:412:4,
Prince Consort at Aberd:.:i,'N'tf.:-Z441,, 14;i4y
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ABERDEEN, '..--.%.' :,::, 1,7-s*,.•
4. tir
•
The ceremony of inaugurating the n oria 4
statue of his Royal Highness the late PriaCe Con-
sort
took place at Aberdeen to-day, in presence of
her Majesty and various other members of the royal
family. The ceremony excited great interek t, as
being the first occasion on which her Majesty has
appeared in public since her widowhood. The
statue, which was subscribed for by the city and.
county of Aberdeen, is of bronze, by Marochetti. It
is placed upon a polished granite pedestal, and re-
presents the good Albert seated, and wearing a field
marshal's uniform, with the robe of the Thistle over
it ; in one hand he holds a roll, and in the other the
field marshal's hat. Her Majesty arrived by special
train from Balmoral at 1.30 p.m., and was received
by the Duke of Richmond, the Lord Provost, and
the city and university officials. Prince Alfred ar-
rived from Edinburgh by a previous train ; and
there accompanied her Majesty, Princes Arthur and
Leopold, Princesses Helene and Louise, together
with the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia, and
the Prince and Princess of Hesse. Sir George Grey
was the Minister of State in attendance. A pro-
cession of carriages Was formed to the centre of the
city, where the statue stands. Previous to the un-
covering of the statue Mr. Anderson, provost of the
city, presented an address from the committee of
subscribers to the statue, in which they refer to the
honour conferred on this part of the kingdom by the
annual presence of the illustrious prince in thsr
county, and to the fact that the city a few years
ago (1859) was signally favoured by the exertion
of his great talents as president of the British Asso-
ciation at its meeting there.
The Queen, through Sir G. Grey, returned a
reply to the address as follows :
" Your loyal and affectionate address has deeply
touched me, and I thank you for it from my heart.
It is with feelings I should vainly seek words to
express that I determined to attend hero to-day to
ritness the uncoverieg of the statue which will re-
cord to future times the love and respect of the
people in this county and city for my great and be-
loved husband ; butl could not reconcile it to myself
to remain at Balmoral while such a tribute was
being paid to his memory without making an exer-
tion to assure you personally of the deep and heart-,
felt sense I entertain of your kindness and affection,
and at the same time to proclaim in public the un-
bounded reference and admiration, the devoted love
that fills my heart for him whose loss must throw a
lasting gloom over all my future life. Never can I
forget the circumstances to which you so feelingly
allude, that it was in this city he delivered his re•
markable address to the British Association only
four years ago—and that in this county we had for
se many years been in the habit of spending some
of the happiest days of our lives."
After the address and reply the Queen was pleased.
to confer the honour of knighthood upon the Lord
Provost, thenceforth Sir Alexander Anderson.
Prayer was then offered up by the Principal of
the Aberdeen University, and the statue was un-
covered in full view of her Majesty, who, along
with the members of the royal family, stood on a
balcony opposite. He Majesty gazed for a moment
with earnest emotion on the striking likeness of the
loved and lost one, and then retired.
Her Majesty loft for Balmoral soon after three.
Unfortunately it rained heavily during the whole
day. There was no cheering, and no display of
flags, except on the shipping, but denee crowds
thronged the streets through the day.

STATE or TRADE.

MANCIIESTER, Oct. 13.—We have had a very
excited market both for yarn and cloth. It was
expected that the large sales of cotton at Liverpool
yesterday (fully 30,000 bales), at L-d. to ld. per lb.
advance, and in some cases more, would produce
some impression here this morning, and meantime
telegrams from Bombay that cotton had advanced
1,1_,d per lb. (in the first telegram it was stated the
advance was 4d. per lb., but this has been since cor-
rected) have had the effect of adding to the excite-
ment at Liverpool. The advices from Liverpool at
noon were that the sales were likely to reach 20,000
bales again, and that prices were still advancing.
It would be difficult to describe the effect of this
news here; spinners have been asking Id. to 2d.
per lb. higher to-day, and manufacturers have been
asking in proportion. For shirtings for India and
coarse longcloths sellers have advanced their quota-
tions fully Id. per lb. as compared with Friday, and
for light goods from 211 b. upwards as much as 2d.
per lb, has been asked in advance in some cases. Of
course such a sudden and heavy advance to a very
great extent stops business. Buyers came into the
market this morning apparently disposed to operate
rather freely at last week's rates, but at the prices
proposed they are almost aghast. Telegrams from
Calcutta speak of shirtings having advanced, with
some excitement there, and a great demand for
wide makes of cloth. The advices would have led
to more or less business had the market here been
more favourable. In yarns business appears to be
quite as much checked as in cloth. We hear of
32's twist being sold as high as 2s. 61 d, per lb.
yesterday, and this morning sellers of 50's twist
Were asking 2s. 11d. per lb.
LEEDS, 13th.—At to-day's market there has been
a fair attendance, but the quantity of goods such as
are in current demand was rather less than usual,
which may be taken as an indication that as the
season is advancing manufacturers of heavy goods
are somewhat relaxing their exertions. It is cer-
tain, however, that there are still many large orders
unfulfilled of such goods for transatlantic shipment.
But chiefly they relate to the lower kinds, the pro-
ducers of which are kept busy to the very utmost of
their ability. A ready sale has continued to-day
for witneys, tweeds, and fancy meltons, the latter
of strong make. Black unions are less in favour,
but superfine old-fashioned blacks are taken in con-
siderable quantities into the warehouses. Within
the last few days considerable parcels of goods in
variety have been despatched to the Continent, and
further orders are confidently anticipated.
NOTTINGHAM, 13th.—There was a fair attend-
ance of merchants and manufacturers at this Ex-
change-hall to-day. The demand for lace yarns
was by no means brisk, as holders asked higher
prices. In the business done late rates were fully
paid. Hosiery yarns were in limited request at
quite as much money as heretofore. Silks are very
firm. The demand for brown nets was still very
flat, and makers arc unable to realise prima cost for
their goods.
RocHDALE, 12.—The rage for ilannels of medium
quality still continues, and all pieces which are
offered, whether in the normal state or having
passed through the dyer's hailds► are seized upon,
with avidity. Goods of the better and finer quali.
ised, There
sorts, an
ties are almost totally desp
disposition to deal in fancy
ford anyth exhibit
sake of
ing new designs are boug
novelty. Theht up
to of Yorkshire
erksphierrseegvooians still con-
tinues, and it
perseveringly main-
tained,is
but it has dearness
likely
little
effect on the activity of
buyers. The wool miir.ket is firm, and manufac-
turers, although
their stocks are low, and they are
running full time, with a sure prospect of continuing
i
to do so, only buy in small lots,
and not for purposes
of accumulation.