The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-06-30

We do not deem any excuse necessary Tor
occupying so much space in narrative OF the
events and impressions of first voyage thro'
the ether above, swinging at the tail OF mon
ster balloon There is novelty enough in
such a trip to the actual participant to make
hiaS believe that if but a feeble pen attempt to
portray the things he saw, heard and felt, the
interest of the reader must be set aglow. But
this aside, we have not the time, however much
the disposition, to answer Individually the nu
merous questions propounded by friends on the
subject of balloon ASCENSION or ta0J ascen-
sions we had the pleasure of making last
Thursday-and as these questions may be very
generally answered by an article of the nature
of that which we propose writing, and as such
an article is expected, We at once commence,
not even apoogizing for egotism or illusions
to SELF absolutely indispensable.
Last summer when Mr.. Brooks made his
splendid ascension here, we were prepared to
accompany him-but the balloon would not
carry both. This time one part Of the ascen-
sion was rendered more certain from the fact,
that his balloon was nearly as large again as
the other, and we had positive contract in
case the balloon should not carry two, that
Mr.. Brooks would take his turn remaining be-
low, and let us have charge of the balloon
Thursday afternoon was exceedingly warm,
and the large canvass enclosure was for this
reason not so crowded as otherwise it would
have been, yet those within and the thousands
without defed the heat, in many cases for
hours, to witness the ascension. At four
o'clock the balloon was well filled, and Mr..
Brooks commenced the usual preparations
necessary orputting it in safe running order"
giving his personal attention to the tying of
every cord, &C., well knowing upon how
small tenure hangs human life, when swung
like a lamp in the heavens.
In three quarters of an hour,we stepped in the
basket cal, only intended to carry one and there
fore of contracted dimensions. The huge bal
= loon, with distended sides and rafting cordage
beayed and painted over our heads, as the war
steed snufing the battle from afar, chafes and
= stamps in eager impotence. Friends gathered
around, some we knew with slight anxiety in
theirhearts, but all apparently much interested
in the details Of preparation. Two large bags Of
ballast were crowded in and the barometer Their
mometer and compass, which we had provided
dor the occasion, properly arranged. After test
ing the power Of the balloon to lift its double
weight, we were suddenly freed from connec-
ton with the earth, Mr. Brooks in command
of gas and ballast and with double RESPONSE
bility on his shoulders in the shape Of two
lives and we having possession of the '.stars
and stripes" and instruments.
Almost the invariable question asked US, is
chow did you feel when you were first ris-
-ing?"-and we believe that there is really
more curiosity to understand the feelings Of
Eman ON making his first ascension, than to
hear the minor details Of his trip. We cannot
answer that question. Curiosity, the compare
son of the crowding and amazing realities with
the long anticipation, the thousands Of novel
and beautiful objects breaking upon the vision.
kthe shouts Of the multitude now around us,
= now beneath our feet, then sea of up
turned faces far in the distance-the over
whelrning rush of sound, and then the silence
! utterly unbroken-all these made us forget
any feeling we may have had before the car
was lifted from earth, or to think of ourself as
an identity separate from the glowing objects
aofinterest before our eyes, and the inexpressi-
BILE novelty of the position. In palmer words.
4we,had no time to think of self nor to indulge
in any other feelings than those created by OBJ
jects without. There was no time for fear or
for the play of any feeling which might only
be originated by thoughts connected with self.
There was no dizziness in the slightest degree
no effect upon the respiration by the sudden
rise--nothing in the physical feelings different
from its condition under ordinary circum-
stances. Tie impression that dizziness must
necessarily ensue, was so evidently wrong in
theory that we did not anticipate it.
In moment we were the sole gazers of a
panorama splendid beyond conception, and
such as we think no mortal eve ever beheld
except from a balloon. No view from a
mountain peak when the last rich rays of sun
set eyes golden sheet upon earth, and snowy
clouds are qeaying and embracing beneath the
feet, half observing the view. of villages. and
forests, and rivers, and distant mountain piles
beiow--even this could not equal the won
drous beauties which we looked directly down
upon, and saw melting away in the distance
beauty added upon beauty, and the glory of
God shining upon ALL till hidden in the i'm
mensity of space.