The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-07-29
Mr.. GRAHAM'S .ERIAL EXCURSION

On "Wednesday last, Mr.. Graham made
another ascent i'll his balloon, accompanied
by Mrs. Graham. The place fixed upon to
ascend from was White Conduit House, near
London. The fatal result Of the recent at
tempt of Mr.. Harris, had thrown about the
present degree of interest which would not
otherwise have attended it, and the number
of spectators was commcnsurately great.
From eleven O'Clock in the morning great
crowds were Fastening to the scene Of action,
and by three the gardens were nearly filled
with respectable company, and the concoursc
of people outside was immense. In every
direction, rs far as the eye could reach, the
crowd was as dcncc as it WAS possible tobc,
and the roofs Of the house which command
cd a view OF the gardens were covered with
spectators. About Il quarter before five
o'clock, Mr.. and Mrs. Graham came rom
the tav ern, and assembled the stage amid loud
plaudits. Mr.. Graham was dressed ina suit
of black, and wore a cap, and his lady was
attircd in "A pelissc and bonnet of white s1tin.
She seemed in delicate health but perfectly
collected and Cunverscd chccriullv with
those about her while the final preparations
were making. At - minutes past fvc Mr..
and Mrs. G. entered the car, and the sus-
pending cords having been brought up and
dashed to the balloon, his friends meanwhile
holding it down, and every thing being ready,
Mr.. G.. gave the word, and the balloon was
let CO. 1t ascendcd only five or six yards,
and then lowered to the ground, and there
were apprehcnsions that it would come IN
contact with row Of houses adjoining the
garden; but long rope had been attached
to the car, which WAS held by those upon the
stage and thev pulled with all their strength,
cleared it of the houses. and 1t asccndcd
steadily: they bowed repeatedly to,the crowd
below, and the cheering was loud and hearty.
The ballon proceeded rather slowly III q
south-wcstcrlv direction, and it had not ar
rived at Il great altitude, when Mr.. Graham
discharged a quantity of ballast and this he
repeated several times before the balloon
disappeared. The atmosphere was much
cloudcd and the balloon, after being II
minutes in sight, entered a dence cloud, and
was lost to the view 1t S impossible to CON
cevc Il finer ascent.
The cronauts descended at Cuckficld, in
Sussex, 40 miles from London, at five
minutes before seven O'Clock, having been
exactly one hour and - minutes on their
yoyage Soon after starting they got into a
dense cloud, which had such an effect on
them, as almost to prevent their hearing
each other ttlk. They alightcd in field
belonging to Mr.. Browne, farmer who rem
dcrcd every assistance. The thermometer
at quatcr-past Six was 1T freezing point,
and at half-past six so low as 90. They an
rived in POland-strcct at three O'Clock OH
Thursday morning, from whcEcc they in
stantly proceeded to White Conduit Gardens.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Graham were in good
health and spirits.
1t is singular coincidence, that at the
moment Mr.. Graham's balloon passcd over
Iottcnham- m-couit-road, the mourners OF Mr..
Harris we've returning from st. !amcs's
burialground where they had Just deposit
cd the remains, OF that unfortunate advcn-
tlrcr.