The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-11-09
From tho London Courier of Sept. 10.

Ascent Of the great Bdilosn.-On no pre-
vious occasion in the annals Of aerostation
has public curiosity been so strongly excl
ted as on that of the ascent of the s.upen-
dous Royal Vauxhall Balloon" which took
place yesterday from the above fashionable
gardens. Although the price of admission
had Increased to half crown, long before
the doors were opened, which was not until
half past one o'clock, a large number Of
persons were in waiting for admission. On
the doors being thrown open, the balloon
was found to be already two thirds inflated;
the process, from the extraordinary size Of
the machine, having commenced as early
as ten o'clock. About two o'clock a sud
den change took place in the weather, and
from, that hour until half past four o'clock,
it rained necessarily; but the ardor of toe
lovers of aerostatics, appeared to be nothing
daunted by the untoward occurrence, for
they focked into the gardens regardless of
the "pelting of the pailess Storm" many
elegantly dressed women not even opening
their parasols to shield them from the rain,
f,r fear Of obscuring their view Of the bal
loon. Shortly after four o'clock, II favora-
BILE change appeared on the face Of the hea-
vens, at which time the balloon assumed
the form of an immense pear. About half
past four o'clock, the rain having subsided,
preparations for the ascent were com meme
ed !; they, however, occupied nearly two
hours, the power of the balloon several times
raising large part of the l.. division Of po-
lice, who had hold Of the netting, from the
ground, Notwithstanding near thirty half
hundred weights were also attached by ropes
to the stupendous machine. At five o'clock
large party of the nobility were admitted
by tickets within the arena, where the in
flation took place.-Among them were the
Duke of Beaufort, Lord Palmerstcn, the
Earl of Coventry, with party Of ladies',
Lord and Lady CharlevilIe. Count dor
say, Sir William Abby, Colonel and thc
Hon. l.. Stanhope, Captains White, Ogle,
Stopford, &c. Shortly afterwards the car,
which, on account of the weather, had bean
stripped Of its splendid purple velvet cover
ing and gilded eagles heads, was brought
forward with only a covering Of scarlet
cloth, and attached to the ring to which the
rope. Of the netting had been fastened.
Twenty -four bags Of ballast, each weighing
fourteen pounds, were put within It, as were
also six carrier pigeons, and number OF
other articles. At twenty minutes to SIX o.
clock every thing being then ready, the fol-
lowing persons entered the car MIR. and
Mrs. Charles Green, Mr.. J. Freen, Capt.
Currie, Mr.. Edwin Gye, one Of the proprie-
tor. Of the Gardens, Mr.. Hughes, and two
other gentlemen, Of the names Of Sheel and
Holland, as we are informed. Too strong
ropes we're then attached, one on each side
Of the car, which we're each held by up
wards Of fifty persons, on which Mr.. u.
Green commenced trying the power OF the
balloon, when he soon discovered he had
got too much gas After letting ecnsid-
cradle assntity escape, he called his niece,
Miss Mary Ann Green, daughter Of the late
Mr. William Green who Immediately, and
apparently very gladly, obeyed the sum-
mons, and jumped into the car, making the
ninth adventurous spirit within IT'S already
crowded INTERIOR The word was then gwen
| for the ropes to be loosensd, but before that
could be done, the rope across the hoop by
which the neck IF the balloon !. fastened,
broke with loud snap. The damage was,
however, soon repaired, aud after Mr.. Green
had allowed some sf the gas to escape, the
signal gun was fred, and exactly Mt quar-
ter past SIX the magnificent machine quit
ted terra firms, amids, the spcntsneou'