The Van Buren press., 1859-11-11

The GREAT BALLOON or Mn LowE-AP-
PRoAcHNG DEPARTURE FOR EURoPE.-The
monster balloon of Mr.. Lowe, now in the
course of construction in New York, is
nearly ready for a trial trip. 1t will be,
when completed, over three hundred feet in
diameter, and will require about 125 900
cnbic feet of gas to- expand its canvass sides
to their full dimensions Ordinary coal
gas will be required for its imitation. #
will be supplied with a stove heated by
slsckened lime, which will give out the re-
quisite heat without endangering the bal
loon by fire. A Propclling and steering
apparatus, propelled by an Ericsson caloric
engine, will be connected with the balloon
Mr.. l.. intends, says the New York
Times, as soon as possible, to attempt to
cross the A tlantic to Europe and to make
this part of the trip as safe as possible, he
has provided himself with numerous life
preservers. and Francis metallic life boat,
capable of sustaining forty men IN. any sea,
however rough. While the balloon is driv-
ing along at the rate of one hundred miles
an hour, it is easy to see that considerable
difficulty would attend debarkation.
Apparatus has been devised which, Mr..
L. says will SO retard the balloon that it
cannot progress at the rate Of more than
three or four miles an hour. Should ne
c.,s,.sity require the abandonment of the air
shin. it could be accomplished easily while
going at this speed. Casualties by land
have been equally provided against, and
that he may not be carried by his accelerat-
ed velocity over the British iSs!es ana the
continent of Europe into Asia, MIR. L. las
provided himself with several anchors.
Two of them are comparatively light,
weighing twenty pounds each. Another,
and the sheet anchor of the trip, weighs
sixty pounds and is made of spring steel.
This must stop the balloon when it reaches
England, or take the island along with it.
Instruments to determine the height of the
air ship from the water, and its velocity and
direction all of which will be available in
the darkest night will be taken along.
The process of filling will occupy about
a week Experiments will be made during
this time to insure the security of the en-
velope, and if it should be found that it
leaks, two or three additional coats of var
nish will be applied. The ascension will
be made as soon as possible after the balloon
is filled. All that Mr.. L. desires is clear,
still day; the most favorable time, he
thinks, will be Immediately after storm.
Then the air is likely to bc quiet for day
or two, and according to the theories Of
Merriam, Maury and Mitchell, Mr.. Lowe
says that two days of fair weather after q
storm, insure five or six of like character.
~A clergyman of Concord, N. H., so
says the Statesman of that place, met lit
tie boy of his acquaintance on the cars and
said to him:
This is quite stormy day. my son.
Yes, SIR said the boy, this Is very
WET rain. The boy answered that he nev.
er knew of any other. but he had read in a
certain book of time when it rained fire
and birthstone. and he guessed that was moi
. wet rain.
+ S 1t takes four things to make thor,
ough gentleman. You must be gentle
man in your principles, . gentleman In youl