The Sun.
London, England, 1825-11-17 00:00:00

BALLOON ASCENT.

PLYMOUTH, Nov. 14.—For some weeks past
the public here have been on the tiptoe of expec-
tation to witness the ascent of Mrs. GRAHAM in
an elegant large balloon. After two disappoint-
ments, controuled by ungovernable circumstances,
this day the ascent was accomplished, and as.
suredly an imposing and gratifying spectacle it
was. The balloon was inflated in the market-
place, Storehouse, the gas being supplied from
Mill-bay gasometer. With their accustomed ur-
banity, the Earl and Countess of Morley patro-
nized the festive scene ; and a Committee of Gen-
tlemen superintended the ascent,which took place
about three o'clock this afternoon, in the presence
of at least 18,000 spectators. The wind blew fresh
off the land from N. N.W., but Mrs. Graham
had resolved not again to disappoint the public ;
all things, therefore, being prepared, she took her
place in the car, accompanied by Mr. Graham
and Mr. Grills, of our Dock-yard, who had paid
handsomely for a trip to the upper regions. It
was soon discovered that the machine was not
sufficiently filled to carry more than two persons,
and to administer more gas was considered. dan-
gerous to the occupants of the car, from the im-
possibility, in such case, of managing the pro-
gress of the balloon, and bearing it away from
the ocean, Mr. Grills was consequently left be-
hind. After being in the air about 15 minutes,
making an altitude of nearly a mile, the balloon
rapidly descended, Mr. Graham having evidently
expected to reach terra firma near the Mew-
stone, about seven miles distance. In this he
was most unfortunately disappointed. The bal-
loon dropped into the sea about a mile from the
shore. A boat belonging to Col. Vinecombe, of
the Marines, was seen instantly arriving to
the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Craham, who,
we are most happy to state, were landed in
safety at the Admiral's-yard, Storehouse. A
carriage being provided, the aeronauts proceeded
to the Crown Hotel, Devonport, where they ar-
rived before six o'clock. Subsequently (the
bell-man having announced their intention) they
attended the Theatre Royal here (one of the
most elegant provincials in the kingdom), when
they had the honour of a public welcome, on
their most providential rescue, by a crowded and
brilliant audience. The Earl and Countess of
Morley, and all our nobility and gentry, were
present. The public enjoyment and the proprie-
tors' profits were, of course, sadly diminished by
the circumstance of the balloon having been
blown to sea. After it got disentangled from the
car, it ascended to an unparalleled height over
the Channel, with a stong breeze towards the
French coast.

*,* We are informed this morning, that the
Balloon has been picked up at sea by some
fishermen off Plymouth.

MERCANTILE SHIPPING.

DEAL, NOV. 16.—Wind N.W. light breezes. and hazy.—
Arrived and sailed for the River, the Sisters, Bates, from Cata-
nia, and the Gleaner, —, from the Mediterranean. The
Alert, front the Mediterranean, remains for orders. Two
American ships and a Bark have come in from the westward
this evening, and remains—names unknown.
PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 16.—Wind N.N.W.—Arrived the
Hope, Taylor, from Quebec; and the Favourite, Duck, from
Waterford.
PLYmotrrH, Nov. 15.—Wind N.—Arrived the Sealark,
Warren, from Malaga; Fanny, Taylor, from Cadiz ; Vittoria
transport, Brown, from Portsmouth for Cadiz ; and the Argus.
Forster, from Miramichi.
FALMOUTH, Nov. IL—Wind variable, light breezes.—
Arrived the Union, Hoskins, from London. Sailed the En-
chantress, Drew, for Rio Janeiro, and Leslie Alexander,
Morris, for London. Off the Port the Ardent, Boyde, from
London for Belfast, with damage, having been run foul of.
LIVERPOOL, Nov. 15.—Wind N.—Arrived the Packet ship
John Wells, —, from New York, sailed the 24th October;
spoke on the 25th, the Silas, Richards, for New York ; Bala-
lutha, Salmon, from Oporto; and the Hardware, —, front
Lisbon.

Arrived off Dover the Harriet, Kindley, from Cam peachy in
70 days; on the Ist of October, in the Gulf of Florida, expe-
rienced a severe hurricane, and lost her bulwarks, boats, &c.
Arrived off Dartmouth the Trent. I‘l`Call, from Quebec.
Arrived off Dover the Lusitania, Gibbons, from Oporto.

Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East India
House, when the following Captains were sworn into the com-
mand of their respective ships, viz. Captain James IValker, of
the Alacqueen ; Captain William Haviside. Thames, for Ben-
gal and China ; Captain Edward Maxwell Daniell, Duchess of
Aaiun; and Captain Alexander Chrystie, Thomas Coutts, for
Bombay and China. The undermentioned ships were thus
timed—viz., the Prince Regent, Captain Henry Hosmer ;
Rose, Captain Thomas; Marquis and Marchioness of Ely,
Capt. Charles Edward Mangles, for Madras and Bengal, to be
afloat on the 22d February, sail to Gravesend on the Bth of
March, stay there 30 days, and be in the Downs on the llth of
May. The Asia, Capt. Thomas Francis Balderston, for Ben-
gal direct, to be afloat on the 21st of April, sail to Gravesend
on the Gth of May, stay there 30 days, and be in the Downs the
gth of June.

SHIP LIBRARIES.—The managers of the Port of Hull So-
ciety have issued a circular, soliciting donations of books, to-
wards the formation of libraries on board of merchant ships.—
Of the utility of this plan, under proper regulations, there can
be no qtiestion.

EFFECTS OF THE STORM.—WC learn that the late tern-
peStuous weather has been productive of serious losses in the
districts of Badenoch and Strathspey. Friday and Saturday
last, great quantities of snow fell on the hills, which sudden-
ly thawing, raised the Spey and its tributary streams to a
greater height than they had been for many years. All the
low lands about Belville and Laggan were flooded, and some
fields considerably injured. So sudden and rapid was the rise
of the waters, that numbers of cattle and sheep were carried
away before they could be driven in from the pasture. We
are sorry to add, that the fine bridge of two arches at Laggan,
on the Parliamentary-road, was, on Sunday morning, wholly
carried away ; and several injuries of a minor description have
been sustained on these roads and bridges. The Parliamen-
tary inspector in the Highlands having, however, been ma the
alert, we are assured that these casualties will be attended to
with the least possible delay.—(lnverness Courier.)