The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-09-04

onward and Eastward, gradually coming down
to get better view of the neither world un-
der the clouds, with view of making final
descent. The clouds being much broken be-
low, giving me a tolerably extensive view of
the earth and river; and referring to NV
chart, Judged that was about II or ii
miles north of Burlington, and going towards
the east, at the same time there was thun
der gust coming from the northwest. While
| was considering the probability of getting
into drenching rain if | should hurry NV
descent before the storm would reach me,
and also the uncertainty of meeting proper
landing place, and the next difficulty of GER
tainly getting into the whirlpool of the storm
if did not land at all hazards, allmonshed
me once more to seek refuge in the calmer
atmosphere above the regions of Jupitcr's do
minions. Accordingly ballast was quickly
discharged sufficient to send the Ulysses
mounting upward with majestic micn, and
turning my attention southwark | found a
storm coming directly under my path again.
Here now was presented an array of
meteorological display that seldom falls to
the lot of mortal man to behold. Invol-
UNFAIRLY there sprang from my bosom an
alteration of the God of nature through
the alteration of His works. and | was re-
( iniced | had not made the descent when
| first contemplated. Every thing at this
point conSpired to make this the grandest
voyage that was perhaps ever made in mod
crn times. Here were two tremendous thun-
der storms approaching each other rapidly
beneath me-ln the distance and all around
were piled in the most majestic and srote>que
forms masses of dense vapor-here and there
could be seen immense pillars and spires
>prin.ing up with enchanting beauty. ever
and anon there came the most terrible DIS
charges of electricity, the loud and frequent
thunder continuing with increasing tury-a
part of heavens heaviest artillery was rapid
" approaching in awful conilic;-the Il iy-
>c,'' was soaring above it, ,iistcnded TO It's ut
most tension. rocking in the unluationS of
the atmo> sphere like ship in heavy sea, tor
such was the power of the pea!lng thunder
that the atmosphere seemed TO be conrul>cd
to its very centre All this time my own
feelings were strung to the highest pitch OF
admiration. but thousand regrets yearned
III INV thoughts because had no companion
with me Ia share the grandeur OF the scene
iIiyh a. my feelings were now wrought IN
elements OF heaven. the most sublime >pccta-
rl, was Vet 10 follow.
Twice had the balloon attained an altitude
where She had become expanded 10 her ut
most tension, requiring the Discharge "t CO.
pIou> volumes ot gas 10 get her steady, and
while muuntn. 81 high the two storms had
canned on me the distance OF a mile or two
when thought | M Sht safely descend as al
ready .;.> enough had been discharged To brln.
me- down through the lower clouds. Before
had come down great distance | felt a sud
den check and also a sudden chill, and look
ing upward, discovered dlnYy!uuking
cioud-cap almost over mt, 81 much - tina,
the balloon fell into lis shadow, while at III,
same tim" the western edge OF the cloud va:
brilliantly illuminated 10y the sun, and til,
clear U.uc heaven w,t> unUtI>truCted tuwart
the west IL Tar IA the eve could STE al th,
height was then sailing; but all this time
Wa, under slight shower ut hail. Some
times | would fal far enough back, or west
ward OF the towering ciouG-cap 50 that IN,
sun would shine on the balloon iur moment
then again 1t would suddenly rock into tn,
shadow OF Ii, Here then | had magnticcn
view OF a thunder hail storm, from the side
or rather from behind it, at an immenS
elevation above the lower layer of clouds
and TO the minute description which | vii
HOW rive of it. | would call the earnest at
tcnton OF mcteorologists, and all person
who feel an interest III the investigation OF
the phenomena OF storms, As | shall dctal
every feature of 1t exactly as 1t presented
/. itself TO my observation.
This storm ranged at a much higher elcva
ton than the other two OF which have spo
: ken, and it seems to me TO have been com
5 pound storm formed from them. is it sprun
up 50 suddenly, and at point n"aa V, If no
quite, over the junction of the two whic
., came in contact with each other. At til
time it commenced forming, was in the &C
of gradual descent, As stated above, an
when discovered that it was really frc<
and third storm. the balloon was guickl ' re
licvcd from her descent by di>charging all til
remaining ballast left This raised me up t
level with the cloud-cap, and the halloo
again became completely filled This SUI
pri>cd me. As already so much gas had bee
: discharged that bv baromctrical calculations
D NV altitude would have been d, least thrc
miles. Upon reflection and observation,
came to the conclusion that the electrica
medium in which was floating was actin
upon the gas. and alternating it.
The clouds below me We're very thin an
somewhat detached, but the electrical di.
charges on them were vivid and in rapid SUE
: cession. While the balloon Was in tins pos
ton magnificent halo, or rather p,ri.,iier
J was formed On the cloud surface below an