Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-05-16
Il am, sir, respectfully, &c,
"EDWARD ENERE EFT |"
From the London Atlas.
ErnerimeninL TIP of The ierial lachinr

Experimental Trip Of the Aerial Machine.
An account has been forwarded to from Scotland OF
experiment tined few days ago. Glasgow, with n
machine constructed the principle that of Mr.
Henson. The experiment made by Professor Geos,
foreigner, and but for accident 1t would have esab-
ishcd the principle contendcd for the cGpabity of
Nigatng the air. Not wishing, however make any
representation the point give the particulars from
n narrative drawn up by Professor Gcols himself. The
Professor, after stating that he constructed his machine
accordance with Mr. Hensons specifications and that
he had paid great all the circumstances conncc.
ted with the flight of birds, he fixed upon the hills of
Dumbuck, near Glasgow, tor the TRIAL lie then proceeds
/ thus:-
THE Wa machine properly placed altitude OF
$50 nea feet from tine EARTH fixed the top near the
flag post the usual way, being held by daggors perfectly
similar to those used by shpbuiders, and only requiring
one blow OF the maui tn free II and allow It TO flee.
AT 3h 35m y. NJ entered the cur and exactly 4.
3em. 59ec struck the dagger and liberated the machine
and away she shot the speed OF lightning Before she
reached half the extremity of the ways the mercury the
barometer had risen and halt tenhs, which exactly
conceded with my calculations and proved that the angle
OF the inclined plane 80 degrees.
son reaching the end OF the ways the velocity acquired
not only from descent down the pane but from the opera
ton Of the vertical tanners he engine having go
ing simultaneously with the precipitation of the dngge)
she had begun to lift, and clearing the brow had,
tact, risen few yards plainly indicated by the
falling again OF the mercury. This gave great conf
dence, and enabled make few necessary observa-
tons calmly than otherwise would have done had
matters succeeded so favoraby. On looking bnck /
observed that considerable distance from the hill
and in fact the ag scarcely distingushabe had
risen likewise 625 feet per barometer in addition the
which, stated being $50 feet made my present altitude
exactly 912 feet The thermometer here 80 de.
gees being two degrees below the freezing point on
account OF the great interest felt in what about
well from the slight heat emitted by the furnace en-
CINE, did not feel the cold all.
"G must speak of the engine, which did its duty
beyond any thing conceive describe The strokes
of the engine averaged 922 with pressure the safety
valve OF and half pounds the square inch and
the condenser OF and pounds
the speed, far judge by the imperfect
had being at the same time about fifty and a half
leagues per hourmy altitude, (per barometer exactly %
minutes after launching, being nearly mile. Matters thus
progressed altitude getting greater and greater and my
speed in proportion. However, must dis
covery that made this particular moment, and which,
but for the explanation that Immediately followed, would
have given considerable uncasiness and alarm. The
engine which, former had been AS have
stated 900 strokes per minute found only al
This, rs have said, niilg, and would have
Immediately determined descend the earth again
but that happily able account for il by discovering
through the application OF Professor Russe indicator
Incompetence Of the in the condenser which
likewise ascertnined TO be entirely owing the great
height had then ataned indeed found that the vacuum
reduced only six and quarter pounds and the ba.
rometer indicated the time that had attained
altitude Of nearly three miles from the earth From the
extreme rarity Of the this high elevation now un.
derwont the usual Rddness of feeling, similar that
scubed by those individuals who have assembled Mont
i Blanc and particularly by DIR. Hume Of ST. Petersburg
had in fact considerable headache and ringing my
so muchso that determined TO descend to height not
: greater than a mile and half from the earth,
"This easily effected by depressing the tail Of the ma.
chine, which to this moment had kept angle with
the horizon Of and three quarters Degrees to that of As
My course had not varied since leaving the hill; was
per compass Southwest and by West half West passing
y Ayrshire, and in direct line from Dumbuck to Aisa
i Cnig, WHITTIER indeed tending, with the view Of land.
ing the latter being admirably suited for launching the ma
chine In similar way to that adopted at Dumbuck my
= return home again.
daylight had broken, and the scene was most gor
geous passed many ships and in particular
but whose paltry speed in comparison with mine moth.
ing Ans! however this destined last, lust
hid shot ahead Of the steamer which steering w.
s. W.. something wrong with the machinery and the
tanners stopped. This did not all alarm mel for Ms de-
scrbod by Mr. Henson, these tanners only necessary
for propulsion, and not all requisite for maintaining the
, chine in the air. Unfortunately, however, perfectly for
in the hurry Of the moment the weights from
the nfeiyvalye, and the effects from this disastrous
in the extreme. The great accumulation Of steam that
place much for the pipes and consequently three
a them went bang AZ the same instant.
"Tho machine this feeling ia oquilibr.
IA um altered surEcd considerably, and the remaining pipes
necessarily followed the example Of the others, zZbzz-
whzz away they after the other like pop.guns-
Unfortunately Of these pipes IN flying of struck bamboo
strotchcr and shattered il that the machine losing bear
side, topplod over and became perfectly IN
4 manageable. she in fact whurcd and over In way
r. that may be imagined but which II altogether impossible
= to describe.
q" Of course was now descending with fearful rnpdity
and nothing left for contemplate but death and
destruction. can only compare my sensations this mo-
meni 10 those experienced nightmare. which every
knows not tho agreeable In the world. Sonsibiy
r now lorsoOk me- and, indeed this be- wondered
a. IN consequence Of the whirng Of the machine. Or
, coming to my again, found myself in bed with
headache and vomiting the usual accompnni
monts Of such flight through the air. but thanks Prov
" dcncc. am in fair way Of recovery, and willing {,
II perform the feat again"
II appears that the commander Of the steamer had sent
boat the assistance 81 the intrepid oxpcmonast ans
r. saved him, but the machine was lost
I'VE suppose that readers will require any hell
from us IN discovering that oil this is icGon-wha
people commonly call hoax Professor Geolls and his ay
ing machine never had any existence except on paper
y REVIEW pg THE NtApuprr a. a.