Washington sentinel., 1854-05-07
4otaI anO psrsonal.
we have seen the balloon The announce

CV+"" ""~ I" ~
We have seen the Balloon.- announce
ment of Mr.. George Elliott that he would mahe
an ascension yesterday afternoon, drew, as was
reasonable 10 anticipate, an immense concourse
OF people TO the vicinity Of the City Hall, near
which, in the hippodrome enclosure, was the
great scene of the balloon imitation. From eight
hundreds to a thousand persons (men, women, and
children) were inside, while probably fifteen times
that number surrounded the building. House
tops, windows, trees, and all other high places,
were occupied; and, Of course, intense solicitude
TO see the ascent everywhere prevailed. The
Nebraska Indians, in their fanciful costume, con-
s,ituted a prominent feature on the occasion.
The balloon is silk, white, red, and blue stripes,
and capable of containing seven thousand cubic
feet of gas; Iu owing TO the violence ofthe wind,
rent was M and large quantity escaped
AT five o'clock, all things seemed to be in readi-
ness. Pioneer balloons had been sent out, and
showed the wind TO be blowing violently from the
northwest, which, il was supposed, would carry the
north @ronaut TO the neighborhood Of the Long
Old Fields, in Maryland, or to Port Tobacco.
The wind, however, was too strong, and every
flaw which struck the balloon pressed out some
OF the gas, and thus lessened the ascensive power
1t was removed to the northwest corner of the
enclosure when Mr.. Elliott attached his car and
took his stand therein, and announced himself
ready for the fight Crowds pressed around him,
and not few persons good naturedly bade him
farewell. Cries Of {" Here she goesm "There
she goesm and deafening shouts, went up from
the assembled hundreds, while the marine band
played patriotic air.
The balloon was again shifted to the east of
the enclosure, and away it suddenly leaped over
the fencing, and would have struck against the
City Hall, had not some one in the dense crowd
below caught pendent rope and pulled it to the
ground which, however, required but little ef:
fort.
Such excitement as ensued is seldom witnessed
and the balloon was directly surrounded. Those
inside the enclosure rushed TO the upper seats,
and had a fair view of the scene below but we
regret to say that half dozen hats were blown
off just about this time, and that of the repor-
torial corps lost his castor without the least pros
pect Of recovering it,
But, as the balloon had failed to go up the OBJ
ject was to again bring it into the enclosure, and
as soon this was intimated some of the SOW
erings" began TO rip planks from the enclosure as
means Of their ingress; but, unfortunately for
not few Of this number, the police officers stop
ped their progress.
The balloon was reconveyed to.the hippodrome
building amid the shouts ofthe populace; the wind,
meantime, slapping its ribs and knocking out its
breath.
All were now anxious 10 know what would
be the next step, and were soon grati6ed. Mr..
Elliott stepped ont of the car, and hastened to
high seat of the " box tier" !" Hear ye ~ hear
ye" was shouted by himself and others, and this
Immediately drew'the crowd around him. Taking
of his hat, and giving; it wave, he said:
aGentlemen Of this great metropolis, certainly
feel indebted for the kindness and liberay which
you have shown towards me. respectfully ap-
peal to you as men, Americans TO say whether
have not done everything that was in my power
TO ascend. [Cries Of yes yes" you haye.1
II has not been my fault. Here bench broke, |
and, with the noise thus produced, were scream |
from a lady and the barking OF dog.] pledge |
you my honor as gentleman that will yet satisfy
you.
aSome five hundred tickets have been disposed |
of at twenty-five cents apiece The fence has
been broken down, and many have entered who |
did not pay. Under these circumstances, / can.
not refund the money Is that not SO? [Cries Of
Yes 'yes.1 But if you wany. any security |
censon, will give it to you in fifteen minutes.
IA voice: All right; we believe you're honest
about that1 promise you-- Here huzzas
were proposed and given right heartily have
one request TO make that you will not demolsh
my balloon. My word is my bond. appeal to
any scientific man TO say whether this was fit |
time for nrostation. I have been blown TO sea
and met with other accidents in craft not larger
than that. | repeat my promise to crafty you
next week, and again thank you for your kind |
ness and liberality.n
The crowd, disappointed, dispersed slowly; and |
in the course of fifteen minutes silence again pre-
vailed in and around the hippodrome. We have
seen the balloon!
Besides the cost of the imitation, which we learn
amounts to $3.50, the balloon was damaged TO
such an extend as to require at least week for
repairs. We also learn that Mr.. Ellicot requests
some person to suggest means to designate the |
purchasers of tickets on yesterday.
The "spiritualists'' In Tight Place
At the last conference Of believers held in |
Temperance Hall OF Friday night, several things |
which are worthy of public mention occurred |
The field Of discussion is open to any one who de-
sires to seek after truth, and the skepic is afforded
opportunity either to make set speech or TO
PROFOUND inquiries +" Investigation" is the motto
and Governor Tallmadge presides with becoming
dignity over the meeting. So far by way of intro
duction.
Looking in upon the conference between nine
and ten o'clock on the aforesaid Friday night, we
found DR.. Clayton, of Virginia, the floor, reply
ing TO the spiritual vagares of DIR. Cragin, OF
Georgetown, and in calm, respectful manner
overurning not the tables, but some of the absur
diiies advanced. He said, in substance, among
other things, g | believe, Mr. Chairman, that you