The Sun.
London, England, 1824-05-26 00:00:00

AEROSTATIC EXCURSION.

Mr. HARRIS, the Gentleman who was the com-
panion of Mr. GRAHAM, in his aerial voyage from Berwick-
street, Soho, to the neighbourhood of Rochester, ascended
yesterday in a Balloon of his own property, and constructed
under his own immediate direction, from the gardens of the
Eagle Tavern, in the City-road. The Balloon was built at
tl.e Tennis-Court, in the Haymarket, and has been several
months in preparation. It was called " The Royal George,"
this title being inscribed upon it in large gold letters.—
By half-past three the gardens were nearly filled with well
dressed persons, amounting in number to at least one thou-
sand, and the City-road and other avenues were pretty well
crowded. About an hour before the ascent took place, a strong
degree of interest was excited by an announcement from
Mr. HARRIS'S Committee to the company assembled in
the gardens, that " a young Lady would ascend with Mr.
Harms." The young adventuress soon after made her ap-
pearance in the grounds, accompanied by Mrs. Mullis and
two other Ladies, and several of the Committee of Gentlemen.
She was dressed in a white muslin gown, straw bonnet, with a
wreath of roses, and a small green shawl, and wore her hair
turned back upon the temples, and braided. She appeared to be
about 18 years of age, of rather delicate frame and complexion,
and her appearance altogether was extremely interesting. Her
name is STOCKS, but the rank or situation in life of her or her
family was studiously concealed. She had only determined upon
the adventurous flight about two hours before it took place.—
Every thing being ready, Mr. HARRIS went to the Tavern to
escort his fair companion to her seat, and returned in a few mo-
ments with her leaning upon his arm, and preceded by a band
playing aslow air. The Committee, with several ladies, brought
up the rear. The intrepid girl mounted the stage with but a
slight appearance of fear in her manner, and was instantly
greeted with the warmest cheers from the spectators. She
curtsied in return, and Mr. HARRIS having entered the car,
the word was given for " the Lady." Having received an affec-
tionate farewel from several around her, she stepped into the.
car with firmness, and an unmoved countenance, and took
her seat amidst the cries of " Bravo !" and loud clap-
ping of hands. Mr. HARRIs gave the word, and the cords
being slipped, the immense vehicle ascended swiftly for a slitirt
distance, but suddenly stopped, and it was then discovered by
the spectators that one of the four cords by which it was fas-
tened to the earth had not been loosened from the pole, and
that of course the Balloon could ascend no further until
the rope was unfastened. A general feeling of alarm
prevailed for a few moments, which was increased by the
apparently perilous situation of the aeronauts at that mo-
ment, for the violent check which the adhering cord gave
to the balloon drew it into a position almost horizontal, and
the young Lady, whose . end of the car was dnwnwards, was
seen clinging to the sides, and seemed with difficulty to keep
her seat. There was a general cry of " Cut the rope, for God's
sake cut the rope !" but this was prevented by those who had
previously received their orders until a signal was given by
Mr. HAnitis by the waving of his flag, and the rope was then
severed in a moment, and the balloon, freed from all restraint,
ascended most majestically, the people below rending the air
with their cheerings,
.and Mr. HARR IS, and his fair and cou-
rageous companion, waving each a flag from the car. The
balloon took a south-westerly direction, and pursued its course
steadily for about seven or eight minutes, when it entered a
thick cloud, and was lost to the view of earthly gazers.