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

THE FATAL BALLOON ACCIDENT:

Mr. Henry Colwell, in a letter to a contemporary, says :
" Sir:—The evidence which was adduced at the late inquest
was generally considered to 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, compel me to do so. Permit me briefly to refer to
one or two features of the sad affair. The balloon I found,
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 having observed my difficulty, aLd when I again demon-
strated it by fair test, he nobly offered to take my place,
arguingwasln onlyor that the simplest mind may
uder
9st., the 2st 61b. would give
him
y the
understood
position,
I will illustrate it by stating
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
i advantage.
that
a s h
my
the unfortunate occupant of the car was raised with about
151 b. of sand, and not with 2 atone 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 be a rever-
sal, or apparently so, of the laws of gravity, it may be com-
pared to the action of a pair of scales,supposing that an up-
ward motion of the scales were the test of sufficiency in-
stead of a downward, as on a grocer's counter. If the weight
of a pound of a tea were thus estimated, and it was found
that half an ounce less caused it go up, then it can more
readily be understood why 9at 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 with unskilfulness ;
but I may be permitted, not-
withstanding, to do justice to myself. Again, then, I re-
peat that it was not because I would not go myself, but be-
cause I could not, since the
balloon three times refused to
lift me. I might here fall back upon past exploits which
aro now historical, and, by comparison, show the absurdity
of charging ma with being reluctant to go a mere thousand
feet high or 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 quiLe willing, and
indeed, anxious to admit that I had better have sent off toy
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 great 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 et derly persons ; •and, in conclusion, I feel bound to
Bfiy 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 Horniman's pure Tea; very choice at 3s. 4d. and
4s. "High Standard" at 4s. 4d. (formerly 4s. Bd.), is the
strongest and most delicious imported. Agents in every
town supply it in packets.