The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-07-12
A THRILLING YOYAGE.

A THRILLING VOYAGE.
Mr.. Joan Wise, the well known Arrouaul,
has addressed letter to the Editors of Phil
adclphia Inquirer, describing on ascent he re-
Gently made through dense cloud, from which
we extract the following passage Of thrilling in,
tcresi; the ascent was made from Carlisle.
N. Y. Tribune.
@When had reached point about two miles
east Of tho town, the balloon commenced rapid
and perpendicular ascent which soon brough,
inc 10 the base Of a huge black eloud and as i
has always created deep interest TO spectators
to see balloon passing through clouds, ] did MOI
hesitate on this occasion TO give my numerous
audience an exhibition ofthat kind, although
might have avoided it and kept beneath the
clouds, where the current would have taken me
10 Harrisburg, which place was already distinct
y in ny view. This part Of my adventure, I
bad reason soon AFTER 10 regreti although II the
present time it gives me more qualification 10
contemplate lis reality, than anything that has
lately transpired in my aerial adventures. The
details that shall here give Of this terrible
sceno may be relied on, as I kept myself sulIi~
eientlY composed to appreciate its grandeur,and
observe its physical operations, The cloud TO
he best Of my judgment, covered on area Of
from four 10 six miles in diameter Il appeared
Of circular form, and considerably depressed
liis lover suIhce--or might say, il presented
a great eoncayiy towards the earth, with lis
outer edges very ragged ltwas also ola dark
smoky color. noticed at SONIC distance from
where entered the cloud the appearance Of a
heavy shower. of rain. The first sensations
experienced when entering the cloud, were ox
trcmely unpleasant difficulty ofrcapiraiion'
almost TO sudooalion, followed by sickness Of
the stomach. This, however, somewhat nbated
for a short timo--iho cold in the mean time be-
coming intense, and every thing Of fbrous ma
turo thi,kly covered with boar frost. The
cloud at this point, which appeared to be in tic
midst Of it, had not the black appearance il pre-
scented underneath, but was Of a light milky col-
or, and yet so dense, that I could ONLY iaintly
sec The balloon above me--a distance Of sixteen
feet
From the intensity Of cold in this cloud, / con-
cluded that the gas would cundenso itself. and
the balloon would consequently soon descend
beneath il pgan, where the atmosphere was
much WERNER. In this oUeyer. I f und myself
mistaken; for; in few minutes after entering
the cloud J was whifIing upwards with fearful
rupldliy, the balloon gyraiing and the car dcs-
cribing large circle in the cloud nos, resem
bling the rushing ola thousand mill,dams, with
dismal moS ming noise Of wind, surrounded me
in this terrible flight. Whether this rushing
noise was oceasioned by tic hail and snow.
which Al the lime was mereilessly polling a.
rounf the billoon; am unable 10 tell was
in hopes that should soon he tossed out Of The
top Of T. c cleud, and there ENJOY the eoneenial
sunshine--sn pleasing above The clouds. But in
th is / was Disappointed, for aicr being hurled
ur. as / think many hundred feet, The balloon
appeared TO be suddenly released, and would
iail again with icurlul rlpidity, the lower pant
hurled 10 and fro, and then again driven up into
the cavity Of the upper ait, al the Time dischar
ging gas copiously from tie neck, and brcaku>
pes caused by Tho ice This hurnp up and
down was repeated eight OF len times. Every
thing that was not Off fbrous nature, such rs
the anchor, car, aud balloon became cnatsd with
smooth ice. An tho time that remained in
this cloud, which was twenty minutes, the stnrm
ragged with undated fury, end It was only by
the immense loss Of gas that became released
from lis tcrrors. ! iell an intense drowsiness
all the while, which thiak vas only overcome
By tic sickness Of The stomach. followed bv
powerful Fl Of vomiting. kaer this. I ft
somewhat easier, both in mind and in body .ffor
il is 0fmo use 10 say that was not considerably
slu-medl and graspsd fFmcr hold ofihe car.
determined 10 abide the result with as much
eamPasuie and observation. Is the nature Of he
eass wonld admit as it appeared evident thnt
The common discharge Of gas OF ballast. would 1
neither let mo down or up. through this hups /
tenant The air AfieF being tossed On and |
doNns a. before stated, vas finally released /
from lie cavcrns Of had, snow and icicles. and /
found myself between hand earth, receiving he /
benefits Of heavy and cold rain, coming down /
On TIE spontaneous parachute principle. with 1
pertion ofgas rcmlining in The balloon, suf6,
Gent % raise about ffyIpounds weight from he /
earth. made a final descent on M Cod
years Arm, Eve miles from Carlisle.