The Sun.
London, England, 1824-10-20 00:00:00

BALLOON FAILURE.

It was announced in the public prints of Sa-
turday, and by means of innumerable gaudy placards, that Mr.
GRAHAM, of aerostatie notoriety, wag to make kis 15th balloon
ascent, from the grounds of the Windsor Castle Tavern, Ham.
mersmith, at three o'clock on Monday, accompanied by his
friend, Mt. Adams,who went up with him from Sydney Gar-
dens, Bath, atm short time back. in consequence of this annun-
ciation, thehamlet was quite alive at an early honr, and several
persons from " the city", added to the concourse of expectant
gapers during the day. Signal guns were discharged at intervals
during the progress of inflation, which commenced at 7 o'clock
in the morning ; however, after a lapse of five or six hours,
it was found that the ponderous machine had not half ex-
panded itself, and according to the supply of gas, which then
came but slowly in, it was altogether impossible that any
ascent could be made, unless. the pressure was increased at
the gasometer. Mr. Graham, who appeared to view the pos-
sibility of a disappointment with very sensible uneasiness,
immediately set ofl to the Gas-works, at Brentfonl, a distance
of three miles ; and arrangements were made, under his sug-
gestion, to give better and speedier effect to the inflation ;
after which the gas was discovered to rush into the balloon
with considerable velocity ; but from the smallness of the
conductors (only three inches diameter in the bore), Mr. Gra-
bens announced to the company that no ascent could pos-
sibly take place until five o'clock, when he trusted every
arrangement would have been completed, so as to enable him to
make good his arrangement with the public. The extreme
beauty of the day, with the help of a tolerable, though petit
band of musicians, made the delay almost endurable for
another hour, when the tell-tale clock of the village church
proclaimed the hour of three, and that patience which had
hitherto kept silence, now began to wag its tongue in ra-
ther dissatisfied measures. Mr. Graham then came forward
Land stated, that in consequence of the severe frost, it was alto-
gether impossible to commence the inflation earlier than seven
o'clock, and which, from the smallness of the main, and the dis-
tance the gas 'had to come, he found that unless the pressure
was increased the balloon could not fill. He had taken measures
to ensure a quicker supply, and trusted that either himself or
Mr. Adams would be able to ascend at 5 o'clock. Disposed to
accommodate, the company continued to piomenade the little
muddy circle of the machine on the " tip-toe of expectation"
for another hour. At this period the upper part of the balloon
was quite full, and the zone began to expand itself, so that there
was then some hope. Just at this period, the issue of gas from
the pipe became slower, and the sun having nearly got below
the horizon, a very sensible decrease was visible in the body
of the machine. Mr. Graham once more came forward,
and stated, that he felt great pain and reluctance in say-
ing, that in 'consequence of the very insufficient supply
of gas which he had had (hiring the day, it was quite impossible
to thinlc of going up, and lie.therefore trusted that the company
wouldicindly forgive bins for a disappointment that he could
neither contemplate nor controul. Those who had honoured
him with their presence would receive money.ehecks at the door
for to-morrow's (yesterday's) ascent, which would inevitably
take place at an early hour, as the quantity of gas in the balloon
would be preserved, and of course a very short time would coin.
plete the inflation in the morning. 'With a few dissentients,
this announcement was passively received, and the company
dispersed.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. Graham again expressed his sorrow
at his inability to ascend, and said that the high wind rendered
his passage dangerous ; and, moreover, the small pressure of
gas rendered the journey impossible. He kindly added, that
be would throw open the gates, and allow the public free
entrance ; and that he would ascend, without fail, this day.