The Sun.
London, England, 1824-05-27 00:00:00

FURTHER PARTICULARS,

Yesterday the neighbourhood of Beddington, near Carshal-
ton, presented a remarkably agitated appearance in cmtse-
quence of the shocking accident that happened to Mr. Harris,
the aeronaut, and Miss Stocks, his companion. It appeared
that this lady, who is apparently about 19 years of age, was
one of the casual spectators in the Eagle Tavern Gardens,
and offered herself to accompany Mr. Harris, who readily
accepted the offer, and they set off on their aerial excursion
about half-past four o'clock; and about five o'clock, as
Anthony Geary, game-keeper to Mrs. Gee, of Beddington-
park, near C:arshalton, was standing under a tree in that park,
he heard a loud rumbling noise, as of thunder, and on looking
up he saw the balloon rapidly descending. It was then about
the height of two trees; almost instantly, it struck against the
tree about 40 yards from him, carrying away, a branch ; it
was then driving very rapidly in an elongated form, when
Geary put down his gun, and laid hold of the car, which was
partly covered with the balloon, then nearly emptied of gas.—
Several people came up, and Germ', on lifting up a part of the
balloon, heard a person moaning, viliont he discovered to be Miss
Stocks. She asked, in a moaning voice, " Where am I ?"
She was lifted out of the car and laid upon the grass, with her
head reclining on a cushion. The deceased was then discovered
in the bottom of the car, quite dead. He was taken out, and
Mr. Wallace, a surgeon, of Beddington, was sent for, who
promptly attended; but to attempt to restore life in Mr. Harris
was useless. Assistance was rendered to the lady, who was
carried in a state of insensibility to the.Plough public.house,
at Beddington, and put to bed. The body of Mr. Harris was
also carried there, and partially stripped. He had on a blue
suit of naval uniform, richly embroidered with gold. Mr.
allace continued his attentions to Miss Stocks, whom he
has not yet been able to pronounce out of danger. She is still
at the Plough, in the room next to the body of Mr. Harris,
of whose death she is perfectly ignorant, from the dis-
tress anti agitation in which she was in when carried from
the place when the balloon fell. Before the Coroner arriv-
ed, we were permitted to visit the room where she lies, and
she was cautiously interrogated by a gentleman who was of
the Committee to conduct the ascent, and she said, that after
the balloon had got through the clouds, Mr. Harris desired her
not to be alarmed, for they were going to descend ; she had
not then the least alarm, but she thought 11r. Harris seemed
to be alarmed. He gave her a drop of brandy, and soon after-
wards said, " Oh God, look out," which so affected her that
she fainted, and remembered nothing further until she was car-
ried to the Pough.
Previous to Mr. Harris's taking his seat in the car, he pre-
mised that he would descend and return to the Tavern in 2 hours
after his departure. The time was anxiously looked for, and
crowds were waiting inside and out to welcame his safe arrival ;
but when the time elapsed, and hours passing and no intelli-
gence whatever arriving of the safety of the adventurers, a
gloom seemed to pervade the assembled party. However, Mrs.
Harris expressed herself satisfied that nothing had befallen her
husband. Ten o'clock arrived, when a gentleman came by ex-
press, and gave secret information to 11r. Rossiter, of the death
of the intrepid young man. Mr. Rossiter kept the intelligence
secret from the rest of his friends, and instantly set out in a
post-chaise to the Plough Inn, at Carshalton.
About half-past four yesterday morning, the father of Miss
Stocks appeared at the gate of the Bagle, in the City-road, and
made anxious inquiries after the fate of his daughter. Some
of the .Gentlemen of the Committee, who were waiting up
for the return of those who had gone in a chaise and four to
Beddington, to ascertain the truth or fasehood of the report of
the fatal event, answered him with proper caution, and he went
away to his work (he is a millwright, and lives at No. 14, Henri-
etta-street, Vinegar-gardens, City-road), apparently satisfied.
He has six other children. At six o'clock one of the gentlemen
drove up to the gate of the Eagle, and jumping from the chaise,
was met by the eager inquiries of the gentlemen waiting ; his
feelings overcame him, and bursting into tears, he could only
say " It is too true ;" and sunk upon a sent.
Mr. Harris's balloon contained upwards of 9,000 cubic feet
of gas, and in the car were 1081 b. of ballast, in bags, sufficient,
it is presumed, to have prevented this fatal accident, if he had
had the presence of mind to throw out all the ballast; for in
that case the descent would not have been so rapid. He had
two carrier pigeons in the car, which were so stunned by the
concussion, that they could not fly when set at liberty.
It was owing to his having ascended with Mr. Graham from
Berwick-street, that Harris first got the notion into his head of
trying his skill, The former Gentleman had employed him as a
cabinet-maker to perform some part of,the work in his balloon,
and from his readiness and activity consented to his having a seat
in the car on that occasion. The success of that attempt led him
on in the career that has terminated so fatally. It is, we under-
stand, Mr. Graham's intention to ascend in his new balloon on
'Wednesday next, from White Conduit-house, and we learn
that it is his intention to give one-third of his profits to the
widow of Harris. The unfortunate man's wife, as may well
be supposed, is in a deplorable state.. • Harris's high courage
has been his death. He had been a sailor, and used to com-
batting with the elements.
Mr. Harris was well known for his scientific knowledge ;
some monthis since an Experiment was made by him before the
Navy Office at Somerset House, to protect ships from receiving
accidents from the electric fluid passing down the masts.
The balloon did not receive the slightest damage; but the
car, which was decorated with Genoa velvet and gold orna-
ments, was torn, and the wicker-work, with which it was ma-
nufactured, broken to pieces.