The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-07-14


How ~. Louis Looks from Balloon.
Mr.. HYDE, Of the st. Louis Republican,
accompanied Prof. WISE, in his recent ex-
cursion; and in the Republican Of the 7th,
we End highly interesting account from the
pen Of Mr.. H., Of bis adventures 10 the
clouds. Here is picture of st. Louis from
o balloon
The city Of st. Louis was an imposing
and magnificent spectacle, showing, that
large az knew her extent of territory to
be, filled up with the most substantial evi.
dences Of commercial power and wealth, l
had not, from passing through her streets
and viewing the mighty arteries throbbing
with all the elements Of busy life and trade,
formed any adequate conception Of her real
greatness. As II would not be easy to sketch
on canvas correct view Of city, as seen
from above, similarly difficult nut be the I'M
dertaking when essayed on paper. From
general appearance Of squattmess-th word
may not be very elegant, but is the only one
suggesting itself which conveys the idea
objects gradually became less clearly de-
fined the smoke from the foundries dsap-
peared in the sky; streets grew narrower
and darker until they seemed like thin
lines and finally the city faded into spot
by this time the barometer had fallen four
inches, and the balloon commanded an ex.
tended view Of the Mississippi, the Missouri
and Illinois rivers. Leaving the noblest Of
streams to the lett, had an opportunity to
realize, as much as is possible to practical
person, the meaning OF poetic dreamers when
attempting to portray the silvery glittriug
sheen Of the waters, produced by the rays OF
the declining sun. Nothing could be i'm
agined more gorgeously beautiful We
cracked bottle Of Ileidsick on behalf Of
the silvery, glittering sheen.
The strips Of timberland and fields Of new.
ly harvested grain OF that portion Of Illinois
over which our slken globe was gliding
were not grotesquely mingled as they might
be supposed to be when viewed from the dis
lance, but lay like a floor Of mosaic masonry
regular and square. To cur vision there
were no fields or valleys, every object ap.
pearing set upon level surface.
At ten minutes past eleven o'clock the
barometer stood at twenty four, and the
thermometer indicated S. deg. | had now
the singular sensation about the ears. which
has been described as the experience Of all
aerouauts on their first voyage. II was un.
pleasant and annoying but by no means
painful very much such feeling as one has
when, while bathing, these organs become
stopped up with water, making the tympan-
UNI crate rather harshly at any sound. The
monster vessel bad expanded good deal
since the ascension, and had acquireda more
rotund and symmetrical appearance than
that exhibited upon starting. In few
minutes gas was blown of from the tube at
the mouth of the balloon. the signal that it
had become inflated to lis fullest capacity.
Professor Wise, who had charge Of the rope
connecting with the valve at the top.
promptly gave a pull, and Immediately
thereafter quantity OF blush yapor tioated
of and circled upwards. This was at fifteen
minutes alter seven o'clock. A quarter OF
an hour later, the air.ship had descended
very considerably. the barometer indicating
.. inches and the thermometer 65 deg.
Every yestige Of st. Louis had now van.
ishcd from our sight, and We were drifting
At a wonderful rate OF speed towards our
ar.o,f destination. | do not think | ever
before experienced such exhiliration Of
spir,t-such real Joy. Our motion was per
iectly steady. There was no rocking OF the
boat or car, no rustling OF the silk, nothing.
indeed. but the rece,iug forests and fields
beneath. 10 tell us We were not poised be
tween earth and sky in u dead calm To
have been apprhensiye OF danger would
have been next to impossible-to have fell,
lear would have been, not cowardice, but
pusillanimity. My feeling was that bal,
looming, besides beng the most pleasan, and
swift, was the safest travel known. Steam
ing down rapid current in boat %
lovely evening, with sublime blufs, romantic
cayorns and green foliage on either .ide
glis,ening waves below and mild ky above
IS grand and delightful Sailing on an un-
ruAlei lake, parting the placid waters, AMI
skimming like gull with gentle tee,ness,
Is neffably glorious. But these enjoyable
methods OF travel iel,, yielding in point OF
dainty pleslsursbleness TO the bird-hke grace
and impressive Surroundings OF aerial navl.
cation. With Us no breath Of breepe vas
stirring The buoyant down Of a thistle,
released from ihc willow car, would have
fallen 20 the boat by is own specific gray.
lty In all tins c,lmness our monster bub
bl, seated through the clouds rsihgh,
wa, ~ the earth and gave a. the color OF