The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-08-26 00:00:00

AEROSTATION EXTRAORDINARY.

ASCENT OF THE DUKE OF BRUNSWICK AND MR. GRAHAM.

(From a Correspondent of the Times.)

Yesterday afternoon His Serene Highness Duke Charles of
Brunswick accompanied Mrs. Graham, in her 15th ascent, with
her splendid new balloon, from the Flora Tea-gardens, Bays-
water, on which occasion the gardens were crowded by a highly
respectable company, among whom we noticed the Marquis of
Clanricarde, Lords Coventry and Charles Townsbeud, Lord
and Lady Charleville, Sir James and Lady Anson, Sir William
Abdy, Colonel Stanhope, Captains Currie, White, and Ogle,
and several other persons of rank and fashion. The early hour
of two o'clock having by the especial desire of his serene
Highness been appointed for the ascent, the process of infla-
tion commenced as early as eight o'clock, from a four-inch
pipe laid into the garden from the main of the-Imperial Gas
Company, but the supply of gas not being so strong as antici-
pated, the ascent was delayed until near four o'clock.
About half-past one o'clock, His Serene Highness arrived at
the gardens, accompanied by several gentlemen of his suite
and Captain Currie, when, having examined the balloon, and
had the use of the safety valve, &c., explained to him by Capt.
Currie and Mr. Graham, he adjourned to the Crown Tavern
close by. His Serene Highness was attended by four servants
in livery, carrying an extremely large cloak, a telescope, a
scarlet flag,. and a large umbrella. Shortly after three o'clock.
the car, which was a new one, built of cane, and lined with
yellow silk, was attached to the netting, and at half-past three
o'clock, everything being ready, the neck of the balloon was
detached from the gas-pipe, when the stupendous machine was
floated to the centre of the gardens, and the car fastened to the
top of a 4arge table, round which the company had some time
previoustyl-anged themselves. At twenty minutes to four
o'clock Mrs. Graham stepped into the car, followed by His
SOotte Highness, who at first exhibited slight symptoms of
trepidation, but in a few seconds he recovered his self-posses-
sion, and ordered the ballast to be removed, which having been
done, the balloon rose majestically amidst the cheers and
waving of hats of the persons assembled, who, including the
crowd on the outside of the gardens, must have amounted to
upwards of 10,000 persons. The balloon proceeded very steadi-
ly in a north-easterly direction, in which It continued as long as
it remained in sight, a period of not more than twenty minutes,
when it entered a dense cloud which totally obscured it. When
the balloon had reached the altitude of about 100 yards, the
Duke, who had placed in the car the articles brought by his
servants, pulled off his round hat, which he threw to his foot-
men on terra firma, and replaced it by an opera hat. He had
also with him a splendid velvet cap, embroidered with gold.
The descent was expected to take place in Essex, as Mr.
Graham immediately proceeded in a post-chaise in the direction
of Walthamstow.

(From another Correspondent.)
His Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick having felt
great disappointment in not going up with Mr. Green at
Vauxhall-gardens, expressed his desire to Mrs. Grab.= to ac-
company her on her next aerial voyage, which took place yes-
terday at the Flora Tea-gardens, Bayswater, a little before four
o'clock. The ascent was announced to take place at two
o'clock, but there was not sufficient gas at that hour.
The balloon was not a new one, as expressed in the bills, but
was nevertheless made of a beautiful rich silk of crimson and
yellow. The car (a small one) was lined with yellow, and had
two blue cushions.

His Royal Highness came on the ground a little after three
o'clock, accompanied by several elegantly dressed ladies, with
whom he entered into a lively conversation. He was dressed
in a chocolate coat, dark waistcoat, and light trousers, and blue
silk handkerchief with gold spots. His hat was of the Quaker
make.

Mrs. Graham wore a blue silk cottage bonnet, and green silk
pelisse. The Duke carried a red and Mrs. Graham a white and
red flag. When the Duke and Mrs. Graham entered the car
considerable applause took place, which his Serene Highness
graciously returned. His cheeks, which appeared flushed be-
fore entering, partook, we thought, ta paleness before he left
the Flora gardens.
The balloon on its rising took a north-easterly direction, and
kept in sight a considerable time, the Duke and Mrs. Graham
waving their flagsaintil they were lost sight of. Several of the
Duke friend's' hook hands with him at parting. It was rather
singular toobserve him take up an umbrella with him. Consi-
dering the shortness of the notice, there was a vast number of
persons collected, both in and outside the gardens.
Beames's band played several delightful airs. We understood
the Duke of Argyll and several of the nobility were in the
gardens. The gas was laid on by Mr. Richardson, but the
ground did not appear to be the best adapted for such a spectacle.
*** This appears to have been rather an amusing exhibition,
and to have fottnd very fit historians in our correspondents.

THE LATE ASCENT OF THE DUKE OF BRUNSWICK AND MRS.
GRA H A K.-.-MEL ANCHOLY ACCIDENT TO THE LATTER, AND
LOSS OP BALLOON.

In consequence of the announcement in the bills that Mrs.
Graham would return to the Flora Gardens after her descent
on Tuesday evening, a considerable number of persons re-
mained there until a late hour awaiting her arrival, which not
having taken place at 12 o'clock, great fears were entertained
for the safety of the intrepid aeronauts, which we regret to
state have proved too true as far as concerns Mrs. Graham, that
lady having sustained severe injuries in her descent, which
took place in the neighbourhood of Brentwood, Essex, about
five o'clock.

Without entering into the numerous reports afloat respect-
ing the unfortunate accident, we proceed to give the following
copy of a letter addressed by the Duke of Brunswick to Cap-
tam Currie (with which we have been kindly favoured by that
gentleman), which contains the only authentic particulars
known:—

" Converse Farm, near Brentwood,
" 9 o'clock p. m., Aug. 22.
"My dear Captain,—Uncertain whether you have or not
followed our balloon with Mr. Graham, as you intended, I
address these lines to your house, containing an exact account
of what has happened.
" After ascending a considerable height, it appeared to me
as if the balloon suddenly became motionless, neither ascend.
ing nor descending, and on my inquiring the reason of Mrs.
Graham, she replied, that when she ascended with a person who
had never before been with a balloon, she did not like going too
high for fear the effect would be disagreeable to them. I. an-
swered her, that I felt no unpleasant effect whatsoever from Ale
altitude we had attained, and that I wished to get out of sight
of the earth altogether. Mrs. Graham upon this threw out a
considerable quantity of ballast, and we then ascended to so
high a point a, completely to lose sight of terra fima; for al-
though I kept my telescope constantly to my eyes, I could per-
ceive no trace of it. I then remarked to Mrs. Graham, that
the position in which we then were was much more agreeable
to me than when the earth was visible, the car having the ap-
pearance of floating on the clouds, similar to a vessel on the
sea. Mrs. Graham at that moment drew my attention to a most
beautiful appearance in the clouds, which by the refraction of
the sun's rays gave a perfect reflection of the balloon and the
car, with ourselves, adding, that such a phenomenon was most
extraordinary, and very seldom witnessed. Much to my disap-
pointment, we soon regained sight of tha earth, when I again
expressed a desire to ascend higher ; but Mrs. Graham said she
was afraid we had not sufficient ascending power to do so that
day. She then discharged some ballast from the safety-bag,
but rather declined to accede- to my request to discharge all its
contents, which rendered its effects very slight, as we remained
nearly in equilibrium. Mrs. Graham, at my request, then ex-
plained to me the management of the valve of the balloon.
Shortly afterwards, I asked her if my rising on my seat to take
off my great coat would disturb the balance of the car, but upon
her assur inn me it would not, I did so, feeling it very warm.
" From that moment, in my opinion, we commenced our de-
scent, although Mrs. Graham thought the contrary, but she was
convinced of the error by paper being thrown out. At this
period Mrs. Graham asked me if I did not feel considerable pain
in my ears, and upon my assuring her of the contrary, she said
I was possessed of very strong nerves. I, however, soon ex-
perienced it to a very severe degree.
" The balloon at this moment commenced twirling round
like a top, in its continued descent, when Mrs. Graham asked
me if it was disagreeable, saying it was occasioned by our hav-
ing entered a different current of air. I replied that I did not
much admire it, but that I felt no giddiness from it. Mrs.
Graham then threw out the grapple on one side, and the safety-
bag on the other, the rope of which latter was so short that it
kept dangling about half a yard below the car, a circumstance
which appeared much to dissatify her. She then asked whe-
ther it would make me giddy to look down from the car and
observe chat the grappling iron was doing. I immediately did
so. and replied it had no effect upon me. -She next inquired if
Lremembered her informing me the balloon could be converted
into a parachute, and requested me to observe it was then in
thatlitate. I then saw her mount upon her seat and lay hold
of thatropes which fastened the car to the balloon. She desired
sue to do the same, observing we were coming down rather
faster than she wished. I followed her advice, although de-
liberately observing that we were at so great a distance from
the earth that I could not yet ciistinguish one object from ano-
ther, but I bad scarcely put myself in the position required when
I felt the car strike with the utmost violence on the ground and
overturn, the balloon itself touching the earth, and dragging us
about 30 yards, until it rose again. By the violence of the
shock I was thrown headforemost out of the car at the height
of about 18 feet, but I contrived to fall upon my hands, and
escape uninjured. flaying gained my feet, I had the great
grief of seeing Mrs. Graham fall from the car from a much
higher distance than I had fell • and from the apparently life-
less manner in which she lay I was at first fearful she was
killed. I immediately proceeded to" her, and found she had
fallen on her head, and was quite insensible. Mr. Amor, the
farmer on whose grounds we had fallen, with a number of his
people, soon came to my assistance, when the unfortunate lady
was conveyed to tbe- rrSidence of that gentleman, Convene
Farm, in the Parish of Doddinghurst, near the town of Brent-
wood, Essex, where she still remains. I instantly desired medi-
cal assistance might be sent for, and she was soon attended upon
by Mr. Barlow, a surgeon of the neighbourhood, whose opinion
at this moment is that there is a serious concussion of the brain,
and injury within the abdomen, but, notwithstanding her great
danger, be does not despair of her life. Since about live o'clock,
When the fall took place, until now I have been staying beside
her, and it is only within half an hour that she appears cow.
mencing the recovery of her 'lenses. I wish you would inform
Mr. Graham from me how distressed I am at what has happened,
and should he not have heard of the accident, I must beg of you
to prepare him by degrees for this sorrowful event.
"The balloon, with my great-coat, hat, telescope, &c., is gone
I know not where; I saw it rise to a great height after Mrs.
Graham had fallen from the car.
" active, my dear Captain, the assurance of my regard, &c.
" Duke of BRUNSWICK.
" Ptateurrie, Cambridge-terrace."
MR. GRAHAM'S STATEMENT.
The balloon descended on the farm of Mr. Amor, at Dod-
dington, near Brentwood, in Essex, at which time it was blow-
ing a sharp breeze. The Duke of Brunswick immediately got
out of the car with perfect safety. The loss of his weight caused
the balloon to ascend suddenly, and the grappling iron tore
away from the hedge, which Mrs. Graham hoped had been se-
cure, and, catching on the bank, caused a jerk which threw her
out upon the ground from a height of several feet. This was
attributable to her great anxiety respecting the duke, whom she
rerelooking at, fearing that the grappling-iron would strike
looking
and standing in the car without taking hold of the lines.
fain to say that no bones are broken, and that she is in
a fair
wa wayL of recovery. Nothing can exceed the kindness
Qrat,a2Y. Mr. Amor and his family, at whose residence Mrs.
rub a:4l ti,lin.staying. The benevolent clergyman of the pa-
., 4, p;rauVirtreeLalso unremitting in their attention to her.
" G. GRAHAM."

It is rumoured that 141 r ( .
of London, will offer hin;.4,-,2le,rorge Lyall, an etninent shipowner
Yarmouth, in the event or Ctrs' a candidate for the borough of
on the next election. Praed declining to come forward
SHEFFIELD ELECIION.--prida ,
nomination of a candidate to gor4t?iei,l the dAV fixed for the
cently appointed a Lord of the Tr..RnsuP4,cae
ii:rfeaNtirc.rParker, re.
"wNdal
sar: Bell:
bled. Mr. Parker was first patio i nominati
evening, that he declined
afterwards, who pledged himsel go to the
opnoil!ndlta
announced, in the course of the
ever,
iu other candidate -
g ing to the poll; and I _ having at I
p!ace as a matter of course. . '
Peare NI,
Atket's re-electit,u tout: