Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-09-02
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
A. Hour in the car or a BalloOn.

-
An Hour In the Car OF a Balloon.
The following letter has been addressed TO the
editor of an English journal:
SIN: Although numerous have been the des-
criptions given Of the beauty aud delights expe-
rienced in a balloon voyage, still, perhaps, the
following account of my visit to the regions OF
space on Monday last in Mr.. Hampton's Erin
go-Braph. from the Rosemary Branch, lslington,
may not prove altogether uninterestng:
At a quarter past seven in the evening, every
thing being in readiness, we took our seats IN Inc
car. viz: Mr.. Hampton, Mr.. Dean, and myself;
and Just as the signal was given to let go, hir.
Coxwell, in the Sylph, which started from the
Eagle Tavern, passed directly over our heads,
but was almost Immediately afterwards lost sight
of in cloud Being released from our earthly
ties, we darted upward in pursuit OF our rlVal;
and it was not long before we followed his exam
pie, by entering the same cloud, and Tor some
time remained in considerable state OF doubt as
to whether he was above or below us; and al
though an aerial collision would have been a
novelty doubt much if it would have been very
agreeable.
We continued floating silently along in the
midst of a dense mass of scud, when suddenly
perceived before us, in a thin white yaporing
cloud, spectral-looking balloon, with car, pas
sengers, &c. "There's the Sylph,' instantly
exclaimed, but Mr.. Hampton knew better, for he
sharply replied, "No, no; look, look; tits the
reflection of ourselves in the clouds" and then
saluting the spectre eronaut by taking off his
cap, and waving the flag, which compliment was
as quickly returned, our ghostly companion
melted into thin air, and was seen no more.
Immediately afterward, we emerged from the
clouds into glorious sunshine, and the gas, thus
suddenly acted upon, changed color, from dirty
yellow to state Of perfect invisibility, at the
same time rapidly expanding, which caused us to
ascend with increased rapidity.
Such sight as was now presented to our as
tonished gaze was, perhaps, never before wit
messed for grandeur and magnihcence; it is al
most past the power of pen OF pencil to depict
with truthfulness the glory of that scene. To
the westward there appeared to be a range Of g-
gantic mountains, covered with snow, piled one
upon another, in frightfu confusion, and assum-
ing the most fantastic shapes, which were con-
stantly changing there were huge domes, lofty
spires, vast pyramids, giant castles, dashing
against and finally annihilating each other, but
only to take new forms. Above, in the clear blue
sky, myriads of little pink and white feecy clouds
hoated gently on, like fairies or angels of another
world; below, the vast city Of the EARTH with its
thousand steeples its countless streets, its bridges
its railways, its wide-stretching suburbs and its
noble river, winding like silver thread far, far
away into the rich verdant country. Up, up we
No, dHu dnOlntI ChduSc COuicS Ou tno
tops are FURNISHED with the brightest gold anon
another change, the sun sinks near them, and
they are on fre-yes, fierce volcanoes appear on
every peak, and molten lava runs down their
snowy sides and now the sun finally sinks to
rest in the midst of streams Of fire, shooting up
ward, brighter than the flight of q million rock
cts. Again change-the spell is broken, the
magic of the scene is past; the fierce fires rage
no more domes, spires, castles, fade away, and
naihin1 10 laf} h,t fba hr;n olry tba
little fairies and angels are gomez and mass Of
shapeless leaden clouds lazily floating far away
beneath US.
During my travels, in various parts of the
world, have seen many strange and beautiful
scenes. / was on one of the loftiest peaks of the
Alps on the night of the memorable storm which
passed over Switzerland, in the month of August,
1910; have seen many glorious sunset from
the summit of the Lebanon; the wild and strange
appearance of the sky while traversing tie burn
ing deserts of Egypt; moonlight night on the
calm Mediterranean, amid the Grecian Isles q
tempest on the broad Atlantic; but never can
call to my recollection scene OF such surprising
grandeur, magnifcence, and sublimity, as that |
which l witnessed from the car of that balloon
and firmly believe that, had the most skeptical |
man, with regard to the existence of Deity |
been present, that scene, so awfully grand would |
have done more to have convinced him that there |
is Supreme Being, than all the arguments and
preaching his fellow-man could bring forth.
Immediately after the setting of the sun, the
gas became condensed, and we began rapidly to
descend, and effected safe landing in a meadow, |
near Enfield, close to the Eastern Counties rail- |
way. Here we received every kindness and at
tention from the farmers peasants, and especially
the station master at Waltham, who acted in the |
most gentlemanly manner, and gave every facility
in forwarding the balloon to London.
The greatest height we attained was q bout two |
miles, and the time we were up exactly an hour.
In conclusion, must say that in this, as well as
former ascents have made with Mr. Hampton, i
have always found him the same-cool, resolute,
and careful in the extreme, and just the man for
person to make his first ascent with; and al
thought willnow be years. ii ever before Ihave the
pleasure Of taking another serial fight with him,
can never forget the hours have spent in the
car of his balloon.
am, sir, your obedient servant,
]. G. MOON.
London, July 81, 1852.