The Cairo evening bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1868-1870, 1869-02-25
Across the Atlantic in a Balloon.
The Experiment. about Ia ne tried ny nm
Adventurous Frenchman.

from the y, y. Tribune Y f i'r. ..... ... ..'Ht
The fascinating problem of the navigation
of the atmosphere Is about to brought again
before the attention of the public by an at
tempt TO cross the Atlantic from New York
in balloon, which enterprise Is to be under.
taken by Mons. A. Chevalier, an aeronaut of
extended European reputation. NJ Cheva-
lier arrived in this country about fortnight
ago, and has already succeeded IN gaining the
confidence and support of some OF our first
scientific men. He Is by birth a Swiss, about
30 years of age, OF modest, yet seli-possessed
demeanOr short In stature. with black hair
eyes, and mustache, and pleasing and open
expression of countenance. For a dozen
years past, Chevalier has been enthusiastic
in aerostatics He spent his inherited for
tune for he is of noble extraction) on flying
machines, and has ever experienced on ac-
count OF his penchant succession Of ups and
downs in the extraordinary even for an aer-
onaut NJ Chevaier's latest invention is "a
steam flying machine, which may be briefly
described as being constructed after the mod
a of q biri-long, wing.likc sails project from
either side of the iron body OF the ship. and
a fan-likc arrangement" at the stern stands
in the place of the tail of the bird, and serves
its purpose In raising or depressing the ma.
chine ia its course through the air Looking
at the fine picture representing II soaring in
mid.air, over plains and mountains, as Il APP.
pcarssn "a French periodical, the only really
astonishing thing about the air-monster is,
that IL would not soar when Chevalicr tried
IL, but broke down and left its sanguine in.
vcntor dead broke" too.
This and similar accidents have not In the
least succeeded in disheartening him in his
life-search for the great solution of the great
problem they only throw stronger light
on the obstacles in the way. After such mis-.
haps, Chevalier abounds aloft elastically in
his balloon, for the delight of the million. on
some Jcto day in Paris, or MarSellles, or Ly.
ons or London, or Dublin, and thus repairs
The losses of his exchequer for a fresh over
hauling of his flying steamship, In this
way he has made hundred of ascents in
every country in Europe and in Australia.
Once he sailed his balloon from Paris beyond
the boundaries OF Russia, On another occa-
sion he crossed the St. Georges channel from
Dublin into England. In one ofhis trips he
made the extraordinary flight of 200 miles in
four hours In another ascent made for the
Marquis of Butte, Just before coming to this
country he was driven - miles In an hour.
One can readily believe, In looking at Chev-
alters clear, pleasant eyes, and firm, quiet
mouth that he is a stranger IL physical fear.
But, about this trans Atlantic trip from New
York-hc undertakes IL partly for the great
effect II will have, If successful, on his bus
mess, on the other side of the water and
not less 10 determine the existence ola con-
iinuous belt" of westerly currents which
the philosophers say must exist nj the height
OF 5000 to 10000 feet above the surface of the
earth. NJ. Chevelier has brought with him
in complete readiness, the balloon in which
he proposes to make his long and perilous
journey. IL Is of a peculiar shape, and Of
these dimensions % feet in height, $50
feet in diameter; capacity for gas $4,000
cubic feet. The car being made OF bamboo
and in the shape of house, resembles a
long bamboo hut, and will probably accom-
modate as many passen ers as will desire to
go upon the voyage. NJ. Chevalier Is desi.
rous of making the start at as early date as
possible, and, at all events, before the return
Of warm weather His reason for this Is
that the balloon would suffera dangerous loss
Of gas by expansion I'm the heat of the warm
suns. AS stated above, Chevalier has
shown some Of the scientific mon Of this city
that he Is not a mere Snowman has interest
cd them in his undertaking, and will proceed
TO perfect the preparations for his interested
and unprecedented voyage under proptious
circumstances