Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-09-18
Balloon Ascensions,

]
August, published in the Washington Republia
| thus describes two aerial FIGHTS; %
Among the other 7lmusements at which the
strangers now in the city hocked yesterday in
crowds, was the parachute by Madame Poifevin.
Few descents have been made at all, and none
whatever by a lady since 1885. They are the
most curious and interesting spectacies at which
have ever been present. At o'clock yester-
day afternoon, Madame Poitevn rode round the
yasy enclosure Of the Champ de Mars in the same
little team that makes weekly visits to the up-
per regions. She threw flowers to the specta-
tators she went, who eagerly seized and di-
Ivided them. c
She then took hepseat in the parachute. This
was altogether different from any hitherto con-
structed. The car was formed of osier, lattice
or open-worked, and exactly in the shape of a
broad brimmed hat. In the hollow was built a
sort of seat, and on the brim were. two handles
| by which TO maintain a firm position. From the
edges reached ten or "a dozen cords to the border
Of the parasol, which was made of that peculiar
stuff used in the manufacture of flags. There
was no frame work Of any kind. The centre Of
the oparasOl communicated by 40 rope passed
IthrouSh the bottom ofthe car oe the balloon with
the @ronauts, who at the proper time were to cut
it loose
Persons who have never seen parachute
Imagine it to be- spread while ascending dixie an
open umbrella. This is not the case. 1t hangs
like pocket handkerchief held by the middle.
and! the ends allowed to fall. At the height of
two thousand feet, or thereabouts, M. Poitevin
cut rope, and the parachute fellat least fifty
feet, lin desperately straight line, before Che
paHasol spread out its huge folds. 1t then slack
ened its, pace and dropped gracefully away be-
fore the wind. 1T was now evident that il would
regain the ground outside the Camp de Mars,
Iintead of inside, as was hoped. The stampede
that succeeded, defes description. All that had
legs prepared to use them. Half the spectators.
six thousand at'least, broke loose from all con-
Itr6l, oHertarning policemen and whatever obsta-
cles stopped theaway and made for the probable
scene OF the descent. 1t was like running to a
7fre, it seemed to take long to get there, and
;the distance appeared to increase instead of d-
tnsh.
The parachute reached the ground in a street
some quarter of mile from the place of eInbar-
katon. The parasol catching in an elm tree
broke the fall, and let the gently TO the earth
The crowd was now arriving, and the scene get
ting animated. Hurrahs, brayos, elapping of
hands, and other congratulations, were showed
upon the eroauntess. Many shook hands with
her, and | really expected that some enthusiast
would go so far as TO kiss her, particularly as
she is a. very pretty woman, with red cheeks
black eyes and white teeth. A troop of lancers
was soon on the spot, and the carriage of Nine
PotcIin whirled Rer OF from the ewes of her
excited attendants. She drove TO the President
box as he had requested her TO do, where he per-
.sonally fdctated her on the successful issue of
her hazardous undertaking. lnTetum she gave
him the boquct which she had held during the
ascent and descent. The btlloon was now al
mostinvisbe, the sudden loss of so great weight
having rendered much stronger jhe aseensional
power of tie gas.
But the parachute expenses of the day were
not yet over. The spectstors returning from the
Champ de Mars were gratiiied with another de-
scent which was not down in the bill. The bal
loon of the Hippodrome, which was rapidly ad-
vancing, cut loose the parachute of Louis God
ard, who was making his third atteInpt this sea.
son. There were evidently two currents a
different elevations, for, while the balloon con
tinued an easterly course, the parachute fell of
towards the west This set the parachutisth \
calculations al defiance. He had eXpectedto fal
in the Champ de Mars whereas ii was now evi
dent to every one, and probably to himself ,tha
he would descend phImp into the Seine. Th'
,orowds that are always promenading in that Vi
cinity feared a fatal accident, entangled as h'
; must be in the .oles and paraphernala of hi
parachute. The good swimmers prepared L
| undertak, rescue. % But the eronaut needle,
no assistance, Just as the car was on the poin
of touching the water, he sprang out, cleare,
the ropes, sank for several seconds, and theI
) came TO the surface. With the proyerbial cool
neess of his astonishing profession, he tucke,
his parachute under his arm, and quietly swan
ashore with it. You may suppose the two bank
of the river set up hearty shout as the darin
4 adventuTer touched the quay.
e II The new Temperance Hall, at Philadel
Q phia, Marion county, No. will be dedicated o