The Sun.
London, England, 1824-06-18 00:00:00

MR. GRAHAM'S BALLOON.

We announced last week the postponement of
Mr. GUAHAWB second ascension, this year, from the gardens
of White Conduit House.—Though he had suffered nearly fr.
whole week to elapse, the weather yesterday morning scarcely
appeared more favourable than on the day that he had declined
making his journey. His starting time was three, but the know-
ing ones, who knew how many gallons went to a balloon, drop-
ped in from four to five, and even then had time enough to
spare, as the preparations for ascending were not finally ar-
ranged till within a few minutes of six. The gardens, although
respectably attended, were by no means so full as at Mr.
Graham's ascent!on the 2d instant, and the neighbouring houses
did not give so much note of preparation as on the former day.
—The time. after five o'clock hung very heavily on hand, espe-
cially with those obliged to stand, in spite of the vigorous efforts
of a red jacketed band,-who,, for fear of missing the right one,
played on every possible key the genteelest tune of the day, the
airs being occasionally enlivened by a broadside of cannon six
incites long. - Old Mr-Sadler the aeronautic veteran, was there,
and seemed to observe with a curious eye the gradual inflation
of the lion of the day.' T 6 give all the speculations on tne pa.ss•
ing scene that we heard were impossible. • But it seemed the
general determination of all present, to make no allowance for
the amusement of the thing, for " what's the use of it ?" sooner
Or later, was asked by every person, whether_ soldier, sailor, .
tinker, or tailor. The crowd outside far exceeded the numbtr.
within. Every thing was done to accelerate the necessary steps,
but as the inflation did not commence till two o'clock, the ap-
pointed hour passed by, and four, five, and six came before every
thing was finally adjusted: these tedious hours proved the most
profitable part of the day, we should suspect to the worthy land-
lord : " waiter, waiter!" was incessantly called, and every body
seemed to complain of the want of this necessary medium be-
tween themselves and a pot of porter. Their Majesties from the.
Sandwich Islands had been expected to witness the ascension;
and had the balloon gone up on the day originally appointed,
they would most likely have been present; but accidents will
happen in the best regulated families; and their sable High-
nesses were, we understand, prevented from appearing by an
attack of the measles, which has laid them by the heels in the
merry month of June. At about a quarter past five the filling
of the balloon was completed, and the ring, to which the ends
of the net-work were to be fastened,- was introduced under
the neck of the balloon. This ring was formed of cane, bound
together by a strong leather casing, and tq the upper side were
attached 12 iron loops working with a spring, similar to that em-
ployed it: deg-chains, to which were inserted the twelve ends
of the net-work. On the under side of the hoop were six iron
loops to receive the cords that attached the car to the balloon.-7-
These loops however were without springs, their place being
supplied by the loops that were attached to,the upper end of the
cords. At a few minutes before -six, the car, which, together
with the balloon, we described in• our account of Mr. Graham's
former ascent, was brought immediately under the balloon, and
the business of fastening it to the ring was performed in about
ten minutes : the last - operation was fastening the six cords,
that had been the principal means of holding the balloon during
the inflation to the ring; and as soon as this was accomplished,
all was ready for starting. It had a fine efiect at this time to
watch the undulations of the balloon, as the wind buffetted
from side to side, while each motion caused a fresh portion or
the silk to catch the rays of the sun. A pilot ballon was dis-
pats.ed a few minutes before six, and remained in sight about
five minutes, taking nearly a due southerly direction. Shortly-
after six o'clock, Mr. Graham stepped into" the car, accom-
panied by the gentleman who was to be the companion of the
voyage, and whose name we understood to be Captain Beaufoy,
of the Coldstream Guards. •At five. minutes after six, every
thing being ready, the-balloon was loosened from the stage, to
which it had been attached by four strong straps, as well as
held down by half a dozen persons. and immediately mounted
into the sky with great rapidity. After a very few minutes,
however, it appeared staticr.ary as to height, and it was only
by its gradual diminution that its progress could be ascertained
For the first minute air. Graham stood up is the car, and
waved his flag, in which he was
,joined by the Captain. We
believe at this period that he opened the valve, anti allowed
some of the gas to escape, for the balicon still continued in
the same level, though its progress horizontally. appeared to be
very rapid. At eighteen minutes after six, when it had been
thirteen minutes in sight, the balloon entered-a broad band
of blue sky, and at this moment commenced to rise very
swiftly, we presumed from the • expansion of the gas,
as we could not perceive any discharge of ballast : in about
'three minutes it had crossed the clear blue,' and darted in-
stantaneously into a small cloud, in which it was lost for about
a minute, after which it again became apparent for a short time
.as it traversed a small patch of blue, and_ became finally lost to
sight at.twenty-three minutes after six, having been, with the
exception' already mentioned, eighteen minutes in sight, at first
a monstrous thing, to which our sight is hardly yet accustomed,
and then by degrees dwindling away-till a thin cloud had power
to eclipse its grandeur and magnificence. • ,

THE DESCENT.
Mr. Graham and his gallant companion alighted safe after theft
perilous journey. Mr. Graham gives the following account of his
Journey "A t Gth hour, 5 minutes p.m. I ascended, in company
with Capt. Beaufoy, from the Gardens of White Conduit House,
and in consequence of my friends making such ample and clue
arrangements, I was allowed to mount into the aerial regions
free from any restraint. I ascended with a.breeee from the north,
and such was the ascensive power of the machine, that in a few
moments I should have lost sight of the earth ; but being de-
sirous of affording the Metropolis a full view of the Bal-
loon I continued to skim over the tops of the houses amid
the Cheers of many thousands, who occupied every situation.
that could command a view ; to attain this object I pulled
the line, and opening the valve to a moderate extent, I-could
observe ourselves passing over Old Father Thames. Hav-
ing closed the valve we ascended with . great velocity, and in
about five minutes lost sight of the earth. The cloud which the
machine entered was to appearance particularly dense and
gloomy ; I was now suddenly seized with a violent sensation
of cold and dampness, shivering, and wet with the humidi-
ty of the atmosphere. Every moment seemed to be prolong-
ed in a tenfold ratio. The balloon, however, gradually
arose into a less heavy atmosphere, but beneath one the clouds
through which I had lately passed presented an appearance
'truly horrific and dis Mal much resembling huge mountainss,
of dirty ice ; the atmosphere-still looked gloomy, but at length
the clouds assumed an appearanceresembling pale blue, ting-
ed at the extremities with a beautiful vermillion. In passing
through the first gloomy clouds, I felt a very singular sensation,.
not unattended with pain. The machine now.ascended rapidly,
and I felt warmer; there were also occasional breezes; this,
continued for nearly half an hour, lied communicating my
intention to Captain Beaufoy, I pulled the valve line for the
purpose of descending. At this time I calculated we had
arrived at our greatest height, viz. two miles and a half.
Having opened the valve, I discovered we were descend-
ing, but were still making a considerable progress hori-
zontally. Now again the clouds around, above, and beneath
us, were of the most gloomy and hazy appearance ; but breaking
through them we entered others of a more serene appearance ;
Although Captain Beaufoy used his telescope lie could dis-
cern nothing but clouds piled on clouds, and he'in vain nought
for a glimpse of mother earth. I now found'myself in various
currents of air, which forced the machine to all porits of the
compass, still descending. I again felt a pain in my hued, when
suddenly Captain Bea ifoy informed me that he discovered our
native element—open plains anti verdant lawns appeared beneath
us. I passed quickly over, and throwing out the grapple arrived
safe in the village of Tunbridge, 33 miles froth London, at eight
minutes past seven o'clock, having been in the air one hour and
three minutes. Persons flocked to us immediately from all di-
rections, and we then discovered ourselves in a field belonging to
Mr. Willes, who was particularly attentive, and rendered us
every assistance in -his power. Here I also discovered the great
utility of strong iron spring hooks, which I had fastened to
the hoop ; to these the ropes of the netting were looped,
and thus avoided, not only the dangerous, but destructive
work of cutting the ropes to obtain my liberation from the car.
—Having left the car, we procured a post-chaise, and the
machine, having been lashed on the top, we shortly arrived
in Godstone. Here again we experienced the most kind
treatment. A gentleman favoured us with a large cloth, in
which I enclosed the balloon, and it having been lashed on
another chaise, we proceeded to town, and arrived there a short
time before eleven o'clock. Captain Beaufoy appeared much
pleased with his ascent.—To those Ladies and Gentlemen who
favoured me with their company, I return my most cordial
thanks, and, on a future occasion I shall feel most grateful for
their company."
Mr. GRAHAM arrived at his residence, in Poland-street,
Oxford-street, at half-past eleven last night.