Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-08-30
BALLOON ASCENSION.

! RosToN TUESDAY, ARG. 26.--.}H. Duranfs Eie-
renM Ascension.-Yes terday afternoon. agreea-
! bly to previous notice. Mr.. Durant made his
eleventh grand ascension Git being his second
from Boston, from his amphtheatre on the CT
ty land west Of Charles street. The day was
! pleasant, and the wind was blowing with pref
| ty strong breeze, from the north cast.
At4 O'Clock, 80 minutes Mr.. Durant took his
place in his wicker-basket car, the cords which
! detained him were severed, and he rose majes-
tically from the amphitheatre amid the firing of
cannon and the benedictions OF the multitude.
He moved toward the northwest Before leav-
ing the ground, he had thrust out several bags
of sand and on rising 700 or 500 feet from the
ground he arrived at an elevation where there
was no wind at all, and he remained apparent
Iy stationary for some minutes He was then
observed to let out the sand from one of the bags
which was seen to descend like rain, and the
rays of the upon it gave it the appearance of
vapor descending in a vertical direction, and az
fOrding n beautiful appearance. He then cast
out what appeared to be the empty bag, which
descended slowly, and was mistaken by many
of the spectators tor the rabbit falling with the
parachute. He now discharged the sand from
several bags, which was seen to rain down in
Ike manner, and the balloon was observed to
rise. liz the meantime the gas was distinctly
seen escaping from the top of the balloon like
vapor. After being up about Is minutes the
balloon descended to lower stratum OF atmOS.
phere which set towards the northwest and it
then moved pretty fast towards Cambrdgeport.
At this time the rabbit was discharged with the
parachute, which was observed to fall gradual
y in, or near, Cambridgeport. The balloon
then rose again, and appeared nearly stationa-
nv for several minutes, when it again moved to-
wards the west. Every few minutes the sand
was distinctly seen showering down. and final
ly the balloon was observed to descend apparent
ly beyond Mount Auburn.
Sir O'Clock. We have this moment the salts
faction Of hearing Of Mr.. Durant's safe arrival
with the balloon at the fremont House, where
he was welcomed by the shouts and congratu-
lations of large collection OF people. We
learn that at h. m. he landed safely in field
west of Mount Auburn. and about six miles from
nutes in the air, and one hour and a half from
his starting to his arrival at the fremont House.
He brought the rabbit with him, and it was ex-
hbted in front ofthe fremont. The parachute
is in the shape Of large umbrella.
1t Happened that every thing was in readiness
for the ascension at an earlier hour than was
anticipated and consequently the balloon start
ed at half past instead Of 5 O'Clock, as had
been announced In consequence of this, we
regret to say that many people were too late to
see the balloon at starting. To enable such peo-
ole to witness the operation and to afford every
body another opportunity to see the magnificent
spectacle, it is hoped that Mr.. Durant will I'M
dertake a third ascension from Boston. AS the
balloon is uninjured, an early day would pro-
baby be convenient for the intreprepid aronaut
as it would be desirable to our citizens generally