The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-20


RorE-The experienced aeronaut, Mr.. Wise, is
making preparations to try voyage to Europe
in monster balloon, with view to solve the
question whether the air is navigable. Such
project has been thought of for long time,
and if any one can accomplish it we think
Wise is the man; for he has large experience,
having made some two hundred and fifty flights,
and devoted almost as much time and attention
to the theory Of the air currents as Maury has to
the TIDES and winds in connection with ocean ma
vigation. Wise ia an enthusiast but his enthu-
siasm seems to have taken q practical direction.
He has perfect confidence in the result of his
experiments-not the least Of which was his
remarkable aerial voyage from St. Louis to
Watertown, New York, in company with La
Mountain-and is willing to venture on trans
atlantic expedition, relying upon the correct
ness OF his theory, that at certain attitudes the
currents of the air run in certain directions
with unerring accuracy, and that thus tn globe
may be circumnavigated by balloon with as
much ease as by ship. This, of course, is
question the issue of which must be merely the
solution of q scientific and geographical pro-
blem, like the Arctic expedition now in con-
temptation by DR.. Hayes to settle the location
Of the North Pole, and determine the existence
of an open polar sea. The decision of either
question may have no practical result but if
they are worth solving at all-and we conceive
that they are-these expeditions should be
sustained by the wealthy portion of the COM
munity, to whom liberal contribution is
small matter compared with the satisfaction of
seeing these interesting scientific subjects fairly
tested.
Mr.. Wise is now engaged in making expert
mental trips and delivering lectures upon aerial
navigation, for the purpose Of raising funds to
carry out his expedition to Europe-some six or
seven thousand dollars being required for that
|purpose-and we hope tlrat he will be furnished
With means to make the attempt. We give an
account in another column, of his ascent from
'alace Garden yesterday. The Smithsonian In
titution will probably supply him with the me-
essary instruments to make his observations
nd experiments in upper air, or, if it does not,
e will doubtless procure them by some means,
nd we may anticipate some very interesting
Editions TO our knowledge of atmosphericphe
omena and the rules which govern the air.
.Trents.
Should Mr.. Wise succeed in travelling to Eu-
pe in two or three days, as he confidently ex-
ects to do, and should DR.. Hayes discover the
ben polar sea, about which he entertains no
,ubt, it will be a subject of much pride that
ese two scientific and geographical problems
all have been solved by Americans, and such
suits will be we'll worth the thirty or forty
,usard dollars expended on the expeditions
ey will both etart probably about the same
.e under the direction of men thoroughly
berienced in the kind of work they are un-
taking. Wise, as we have said, has devoted
host lifetime to the mysteries of aerial navi-
hon; DR.. Hayes was the companion of
ne in the last Grinnell expedition, and
bws exactly the dangers to be encountered,
the course to be pursued in the accom-
,hment of his object. They are both pre-
led to start on their different expeditionsfu full
buck and confidence; and when we findmen
d enough to run such risks for the sake Of
nee and discovery, it is but right that they
Md be provided with the pecuniary means
sssary to carry out their enterprises. Their
,ess will undoubtedly rebound greatly to
honor of the country.