Washington sentinel., 1854-05-07
4otal anS 9srsonaI.
We have seen the Balloon,-Tbe anuou

We have seen the Balloon!-The announce
ment of Mr.. George Elliott, that he would mahe
an ascension yesterday afternoon, drew as was
reasonable TO anticipate, an immense concourse
of people to the vicinity of the City Hall, near
which, in the hppodrome enclosure, was the
great scene of the balloon imitation. From eight
hundred TO 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,
We're occupied; and, Of course, intense solicitude
10 see the ascent everywhere prevailed. The
Nebraska Indians, in their fanciful costume, con-
stiluted prominent feature on the occasion.
The balloon is silk, white, red, and blue stripes
and capable of containing seven thousand cubic
feet of gas sut owing to the violence ofthe wind,
rent was ~ 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 eronaut to the neighborhood Of the Long
Old Fields, in Maryland, or 10 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 flight. Crowds pressed around him,
and not few persons good naturedly babe him
farewell. Cries of g Here she goesw "There
she goes |" 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 bhe dense crowd
below caught pendent rope and pulled it TO the
ground which, however, required but little eff
fort.
Such excitement as ensued is seldom witnessed,
and the balloon was directly surrounded. Those
inside the enclosure rushed 10 The upper seats,
and had 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
toral 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
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 hppodrome
building amid the shouts ofthe populace; the wind,
meantime, slapping its ribs and knocking out its
breath
All were now anxious TO 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 y was shouted by himself and others, and this
Immediately drew the crowd around him. Taking
off his hat and giving; it wave, he said
"Gentlemen Of thjs great metropolis, certainly
feel indebted for the kindness and iberalty which
you have shown towards me. | respectfully ap
peal TO you as men, as Americans, to say whether
have not done everything that was in my power
TO ascend. [Cries Of yes yes" you have
and, with the noise thus produced were scream
from lady and the barking OF dog.l Ipledge
you my honor as gentleman that Twill yet satisfy
you
Some 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 syes1 But if you wany any security
that in the course Of week ! acW make the as
cension, will give it to you in fifteen minutes.
IA voice: All right; we believe you're honest
about that.'l promise YOU Here huzzas
were proposed and given right heartily have
one request TO make that you will not demolish
my balloon. My word is my bond. / appeal to
any scientific man to say whether this was fit
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."
The crowd, disappointed, dispersed slowly; and
in the course of fifteen minutes silence again pre-
vailed in and around the hppodrome. We have
seen the balloon.
Besides the cost of the imitation, which we learn
amounts to $3.50, the balloon was damaged 10
such an extend as to require at least one week for
repairs. We also learn that Mr.. Elcott 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 on 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 skeptic is afforded
an opportunity either 10 make set speech or 10
PROFOUND inquiries /" Investigation" is the motto,
and Governor Tallmadge presfdes 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 DIR. Clayton, of Virginia, the floor, reply
ing to the spiritual vagaries of DIR. Cragin, OF
Georgetown, and in calm, respectful manner
overturning not the tables but some of the absur-
dites advanced He said, in substance, among
other things, g ! believe, Mr.. Chairman, that you
and others are honest in what you say; have no
reason to believe that you would wilfully practise
u deception but why do noe not see these mani