The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-07-21
BALLOON ASCENT.

On Saturday afternoon last, rif. II. lsoo-
ertson the son OF Professor Robertson ct Pa
ris. made an ascent in a balloon from the in
.crior of Castle Garden, New York, before
an immense concourse of spectators, among I
whom was tile Nations Guest and his suite.
4 proof slip from our correspondents of the
advocate furnishes the following particulars
of this Interesting eXhibtion:-
About three o'clock the apparatus was
nearly ready for filling the balloon with hy-
,lroaen gas.-Morc than dozen casks were
r,nged in the form of Il circle with tin |
pipcs leading into a large tub in the centre,
!, which was immersed casls of a similar
form to the first. Iron filings being placed
n the casks and the usual mixture OF five
parts Of water and one sulphuric acid being
thrown into them, decomposition accom-
nanied with Il considerable clfcrvesence, was
Then occasioncd. Thc oxygen gas remained
combined with the iron, while the hydrog-
en- gas escaped through the pipes to the cen
ire. and thence in a purified state into the
balloon, The casks to the right were first
nut in rcqusiton and as the gas was wan
ted, they continued producing it by the same
,,roccss round the circle. 1t takes consid
erable time to fill a body of any magnitude
with this species of gas, in consequence OF
the small proportion Of it which is contained
in water. In hundred parts of waters
there are eighty FIVE Of oxygen which must
continue with the iron Filings, and only a
bout fifteen parts of hydrogen with which
the balloon is filled. The process, howcv-
cr, of tccomposing the water and procur-
ing the gas, was SO new 70 many OF those
spectators in the interior OF the garden, that
they continued for the space of several hours
with great patience to witness the gradual
completion of the machine. About four
81, axhibitaI -
ancc of a young elephant, and one OF the
spectators fanclfully remarked, with his
proboscs. and q9ivcring about on the piece
ii canvass on which it was placed, as ifit
were Just beginning to become instinct with
life. 1t gradually grew in its dimensions
and by S o'clock the net work to which IS
suspended the CIR of the lEronaut, was
thrown ovor it, to prevent it from ascending
in the atmosphere. This net work ended in
about dozen small cords at Which as many
Young men and boys were stationed for the
purpose of holding it down. They were
evidently pleased with their office, and who
would not be pleased to be admitted within
the ring of science and there prevent the
thing almost alive from starting away to the
upper sky.
During the four hours occupied III filling
the balloon, the company crowded into the
garden IN one continual stream. The great
er proportion were females, who exhibited
il their countenanccs every symptom of
satisfaction. The front part OF the upper
terrace was soon crowded, and the lower
range of circular seats filled up with great
CELEBRITY. 1t has been said, that by the hour
at which the balloon assembled, the garden
contained within its ample bosom about five
thousand persons or more.
Towards seven o'clock the carriage of
General Lafayette and suite made its APP
pearance at the outskirts of the crowd on
the Battery. A shout of gratitude was then
raised and was prolonged until it reached
the very centre of the garden-'rhc car
riagcs made their way slowly to the gate of
the Castle, on which the venerable man dis
mounted and walked along the draw bridge
to the inner entrance. Near the bridge he
stopped tor few minutes, and bowed with
coudcscension to the crowd OH either side
which Immediately commenced their rap
turc to deafeaning peal. On entering the
Garden, he was received with the same over
whelming welcome, and while he proceeded
10 the canopy prepared for his reception,
the air rang with the shouts of the mingled
thousands which filled the place.
A. soon as Lafayette was seated Mr. Rob-
ertson fastened the process Of filling the bal
loon. The acids and the water were thrown
slant Jets and escaped into the reservoir; and
the balloon rose up and poised itself OIL the
circumambient air. The aronaut then APP
peared dressed in species of French uni
form and Il chapeau decorated with lace
In a few minutes preparations were made
to attach the car to the cords, and to place
there the couple of flags which he was to
carry TO the upper regions with him. This
was soon accomplished and in about hall
an hour after seven o'clock, the entcrpris-
ing traveller Of the air ascended the car, and
announced that all was ready for his tlcpar-
ture to the upper regions. Standing in the
car he then sailed round the interior of the
Garden, and approaching the canopy under
which General Lafayette STOOD made re-
spectacle bow to the veteran Hero and gave
him to understand his readiness for tlepar-
ture. At this moment every eye in the gar
den was intently directed to one spot, and
the interest now excited was astonishing
The word was accordingly given, and the
Gronaut assembled from the eastern side of
the garden, in the most majestic and impos-
ing style. He rose gradually amidst the
shouts Of the spectators, but as he assembled,
the balloon rolled its side against the flag
Staffby which it was whrled once or twice
as itrose. In rising over the western roof
Of the ball room, the Car almost came in