Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-09-16

The PoLTRooN THE BALLOON, AND TuR
IViRGiN.-The village of LaRoche was aLou
6O years since The scene of an occurrence
which sufficiently shows how isolated il was
and how completely ignorant i inhabi,-
ants were, of what was then causing the
llvelest sensation Throughout, the country.
was at the time when the discovery OF
acros,aion had begun to excite attention
when Blanchard, the aeronant, unworthy,
however, as he appeared of the title OF
"intrepid," which has always been the
property, de rigaeur, of those who sail the
skies, arrived at Liege. lie obtained from
The authorities permission TO construct his
balloon in the citadel aud establish labor
atory 10 supply BIN with the gas necessa-
ry for initiation. Every body in the city
and lis nelghborhood impatienlly awaited
the issue of an experiment fraught TO them
with so much novelty, and the lth of De-
cember, 1856, was fixed upon for the as
sent. On the day appointed the crowd TO
obtain admission to the citadel was SO grea,
that serious accident had nearly occurred
rom the great pressure ofthe people anx-
lous to secure the best places. 1t was,
however, happily averted, and the numer-
Gus specia orS, amongst whom were the
Prince, Bishop and all the municipal Off
GERS, were finally accommodated in safe
ty.
AT signal given by the discharge Of
artillery tie covering that concealed the
balloon was all at once withdrawn, and the
many-colored orb appeared, held down to
the earth, from which it seemed eager to
escape, by dozen men, who grasped the
cords. Blanchard was seated in the car
The immense machine was gently swayed
over TO where the prince was stationed and
Madame de Berlaimont, who sat beside
him, descended from the platform with a
boquet in her hand. which she presented 10
The aeronaut. Blanchard, affecting 10
stoop 10 receive il, desired the soldiers 10
cut the coros, and at The same lime thai,
the balloon flew up with the rapidty Of
lightning, quietly slid down to the ground
where he lay as if stunned by the fall.
The prince rose In anger, and turning
TO those who sat near him, exclaimed. II
was warned Of the trick which this fellow
intended 10 play US; but could not believe
that the impudent Frenchman would have
audacty enough TO sully his honor and
reputation by an act offensive 10 the whole
people" Then turning towards Blanch.
ard. who still pretended to be in a swoon,
81 am not the dupe of your miserable Jug
GARY" he added s'You shall not be los,
sight OF I'LL you have constructed another
balloon; and, if you do not 60 up in it, you
shall be handed over to the arm of Justice
and loos,, your head like a common rob-
ber." Having ut cred these words he i'm
medlaely got into his carriage and return
cd TO the palace
In the meantime the tenantless balloon
scared ma esticalIy into the air, was for
some time kept in view, and finally disap
pcared ia The direction of the Ardernes.-
Now,N happened 'sur YES en,refaiies,' that
sreai discussion had arisen in the little
village Of La Roche, in which pieiy and
poverty were at issue. The images of the
patron saint and the Holy Virgin were
DO h in pitiabe condition as regarded
costume, the inhabitants were too poor TO
supply the wants of each. A collection
was made but it did not Iell;ze more than
enough 10 purchase robe for one. Opin-
ions were divided, some declaring for the
patron saint, Others for our lady. The
pai.isans OF The former were IN The ma or
lty. and on the day Of his 'lete' he appeared
"clinquanlneux," in a garment OF grea,
splendor. Blu, scarcely had his image re-
ceived the honor due when wondrous OBJ.
jec, greeted the astouished eyes Of the viii
layers, by The appearance in the SKY Ct
an enormous globe Of respondent hue,
which desce nded directly upon the tower
OF the church. |, was found, on examina-
lion, 10 be composed of silk, and the inhab-
itants of La Roche were at once convinc-
ed that it was present from the Virgin to
deck her image! They acted Immediately
upon this impressions; the balloon was a,
once cut into peices, and series Of robes
was made that have honorably sustained
the credit of the Virgins ward robe from
that day 10 'hs.- [Costelo's Tour.
The DIGESTION ANSWERED. Of
the puritancal bigots who control the press