Star.
London, England, 1823-09-13 00:00:00

MR. GRAHAM'S SECOND ASCENTI

This Gentleman dfd his best yeeterdly to mend his
fortune on the ground of his former failure, viz. the'
White Conduit House, Pentonville. His evil stars,
however, still held sway over his endeavours on this
spot, at be obtained only partial success, and that not
ithout imminent risk to himself.
Notwithstanding the uncommon brilliancy of the
day, there were not above half the same number of
spectators, either within or without the grounds, as
attended on the last occasion. The inflation com-
menced about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and
proceeded with obviously greater rapidity than be-
fore. At half-past four the balloon was sufficiently
filled to have the car attached to it, and it was tied
on to the netting by a very elaborateprocess by Mr.
Sadler, jun. During the progress of this part of the.
work, great inconvenience was experienced from the
throng of persons who had intruded within the ring
formed for the protection of tire balloon. The con-
gables and police in attendance had not exerted
themselves early enough, until the evil had grown
too strong for them to cope with. All their efforts
were now unavailing to preserve the aeronauts and
their assistants unmolested in the last and most im-
portant part of their work. The utmost clamour and
confusion prevailed from this period to the conclu-
sion, and to this may be attributed the accident I
which eventually occurred.
It was originally intended that Mr. Sadler, jun.
and Mr. Graham should form, the burden of the
aerial machine. But in consequence of an offer of
forty guineas, made on the ground, by Capt. Basil
Hall, a Gentleman who commanded in the Embassy
of Lord Amherst to China, a change was effected in
the previous arrangements in favour of that Gentle-
man. By a quarter past five the Captain and Mr.
Graham stepped into the car, and amidst the shouts
and good wishes of all around, consigned themselves
to the air. In ascending, however, the balloon be-
came entangled with one of the guide ropes, which
had served to keep it from rising before. In this di-
lemma a hundred hands were employed, at the same
moment, to remove the evil. The vulgar saying,
that " too many cooks spoil the broth," proved to be
a true one here ; for, by the indiscreet zeal which was
evinced, one of the poles to which the ropes were
fixed, was snapped near the top, and the splinter
driven into the balloon. From the force of the falling
splinter, the balloon was sent back to the earth. The
moment the rent was perceived by the surrounding
crowd, the same humane but indiscreet spirit urged
them to hold down the machine and the aeronauts by
main force, under the apprehension that if allowed to
ascend, certain destruction awaited them. So forcible
was this impression, that a considerable time elapsed
before the people could be undeceived upon this
point. All spoke, and gave cautions, and commands,
whilst none listened to or obeyed. The confusion of
tongues at Babel could not have exceeded the cla-
mour which here existed, in which nothing was to be
heard or distinguished but the most determined re-
solution to pin the balloon and its inmates to the spot.
The friends of both parties strove, to the utmost of
their power, to secure their respective friends vi et
emit from entering upon their perilous. journey,—
The aeronauts, however, did not seem disposed to be
moved from their purpose.
In the midst of the stunning din which assailed
them on every side they preserved the most admit.;
able sengfroic/, and seemed resolved not to quit the
car, come what might. After ten minutes or a quar-
ter of an hour passed in this way, the aeronauts ob.
tanned permission to depart, but after one or two in-
effectual efforts on the part of the machine, it became
evident that two much gas had escaped, from the
time lost, for two persons to ascend. Captain Hall,
however, clung to the hope of ascending to the last
moment, and could not be persuaded to quit his seat
till his companion, Mr. Graham, assured him it
would be fruitless to retain it. The balloon then
mounted aloft, and was seen for some time moving
most majestically and slowly towards the north-west,
apd after continuing to ascend in that direction for
about five minutes, was observed to commence a very
rapid descent towards the earth. A feeling of great
alarm than began to pervade, and thousands were
seen hastening in the direction in which he appeared
to fall. They had soon, however, the. satisfaction to
learn that their fears were without foundation, and
that Mr. Graham ha 4 reached the ground in safety,
in a gravel•pit near arusbury-park: Some men who
were employed in making bricks in an adjacent field
immediately came to his assistance. Oae of them
was proceeding to roll himself up in the balloon in a
very foolish, but at the same title in a very destruc-
tive manner, when he was severely reprimanded by
his companions, and threatened with immediate
punishment if he did not desist. Mr. Graham im-
plored them to assist him is the preservation of his
propetty, and a party of them ttndertook to convey
the car, &c. to White Conduit House, where it ar-
rived in perfect safety a few minutes after six o'clock.
Mr. Graham reached the same place shortly after-
wards, attended by a considerable multitude, who
cheered him very loudly.
On arriving in the gardens, he endeavoured to ad-
dress the people, but was so overcome by the agita-
tion and fatigue which he had undergone during the
day, and also by the quantity of gas which he had
imbibed during his short flight into the air, as to be
unable to accomplish .the task which he had under-
' taken. His friends, therefore, gently forced him into
a private apartment, and ieft Mr. Sadler to return
thanks on his behalf, for the patronage which had that
day been bestowed upon him. That duty Mr. Sadler
performed in a very able manner, and elicited una-
eimous approbation, when he spoke of the great gal-
lantry with which Mr. Graham had hazarded his life
in a slit balloon, to avoid giving the Public a second
disappointment.
The balloon, from its size, is exceedingly beauti-
ful and majestic in the air, and, had it ascended du-
=the morning, when its colours would have been
ted in the rays of the sun, would have been seen
to great advantage.

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