The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-09
ADVENTURES Of AN EROWAVT,

-
Drop Too Much, and q Fall Into the
River.
On the afternoon of the Fourth Mons Auguste
bulslay' OF the gymnastic troupe whose elegant
and graceful execution of the most difficult
gymnastic feats at the New Bowery Theatre
have been attracting large and enthusiastic
audiences for the past two weeks, was advertised
TO make balloon ascension from Elm Park
Not only was he to ascend skyward, but during
his rise and progress he was to execute in mid
air, upon trdpeze pendent from the balloon
seme of the most difficult feats peculiar to his
profession. The accent was made and the feats
performed in accordance with the programme
but denouemoent was provided net set down in
the bills, which very nearly cost the daring ero-
naut his life.
His balloon, which is of the genus Montsolfer
differs from those we are accustomed to seeing
somewhat in its construction, but especially in
the manner in which it is filed. 1t is con-
suucted OF waterproof material, chemically
prepared, and is arranged with parachutes al
the point Of It's greatest bulge, which are closed
during the ascent but expanded when the gas
Is allowed to escape, and so retard the machine
I IN its descent bringing 1t 10 the ground with a
light and easy motion. The balloon is eighty
feet IN circumference, and is filed with rarlded
air made by burning straw and other light in
hammable substances beneath 1t. When filled
and loosed from its bonds it springs into the air
like shot from gun, and in the winking Of an
eye IS hundreds OF feet in the air, carrying with
1t whoever Is brave or fooIhardy enough to
accompany il in its heavenward fight. Below
this ball of rarihed air hangs the trdpeze on
which the gymnast performs his wonderful
teats. This is simply the ordinary two pieces OF
pendent rope supporting wooden bar, similar
to the apparatus to be found in every circus and
every gymnasium.
On the afternoon of the Fourth the Montgolfer
was duly tilled in the presence of large crowd
at Elm Park, and Notwithstanding the threat
ened storm and the counselling OF his friends,
the intrepid Frenchman resolved to carry out to
the letter his announcements. Accordingly at
few minutes past five o'clock he mounted the
Tdpeze, and giving the word to cut the balloon
loose, was speedily flying upwards with great
velocity. From the moment of leaving terra
fTmd the gymnast could be seen executing his
perllous teats upon the slender bar-feats of
agility, strength, and deXterity which usually
make an audience shiver with fright when
performed within few feet of the ground. As
long as the eye could see him, he continued
Ryrating and posing upon his dangerous perch
and 1t was almost a relief when he disappeared
from view, and his perilous situation no longer
made itself felt to those who witnessed the start
The balloon ascended to height of about 1000
teet drifting gradually towards the Jersey shore.
At this height, only about two-thirds OF the
altitude usually obtained, the balloon became
stationary for q few moments, and then began to
descend. This was owing to the dampness of
the atmosphere-a severe rain storm then pre-
vailing, which served to render dense the hot air
with which the balloon was inflated, and finally
to render imperative It's sustaining qualities.
The machine began to descend gradually &C.
quirng increased velocity with each foot of
space it traversed, until it finally began to de-
scend as lump OF lead, retarded only in its
downward course by the parachutes attached to
1t. 1t soon became apparent to Monsieur Buislay
that he had lost all control OF his apparatus and
that he must look to his individual safety when
nearing the earth again. Most fortunately Tor
him, the storm was driving him over the surface
Fearing the balloon would strike the water and
entangle him in its meshes, he when sixty feet
in the air, sprang from the rdpeze cleaving the
air like rocket IN his descent, and striking the
water feet foremost, disappeared beneath the
surface. This involuntary bath was taken near
the Jersey shore, and was witnessed by several
persons who, were sailing near the spot. Some
! OF these fastened towards The place, butlothers,
! less humane, proceeded on their way, apparently
not caring for the life of human being
Young Buisay, on coming to the surface after
his first plunge being fine swimmer as well as
gymnast, struck out manfully for the New York
shore. The wind and tide proved almost
too much for him, however, and had not Mr.
Kiator, of Claremont Garden, reached him as
soon as he dld, he must have been drowned.
Mr. Kiaor, on first seeing the difficulty in which
the balloonist was placed had fastened to
launch his boat and be ready to render such
assistance as might be required. When he
reached young Buislqy that gentleman was
nearly exhausted, by his efforts at both flying
! and swimming. He was taken to the shore, and
a few drops OF stimulating beverage served to
restore him to his acrobatic self. Efforts were
at once made to secure the unruly balloon,
which had meantime quietly descended into the
river, and the monster was finally landed, wet
and obstinate, but unniured.
Monsieur Buislay is in no wise discouraged by
this narrow escape fiom drowning, but will, on
: Saturday next, repeat the experiment AS there
! is every prospect of his disappearing beneath
the river Tor good and all, or dashing his brains
out on some convenient rock, OF breaking his
neck in some way, there will doubtless be large
crowd to witness the pleasant performance