The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-01-28

vanished into air, III could not have
shot from my sight in more abrupt
| and instantaneous manner. Positively
there could not have intervened the
tenth part of second between the dis
engagement of the basket and its abso-
lutte disappearance with all that it con-
tained. My good wishes followed 1t to
the earth, but, of course, had no hope
that either cat er kittens would ever
live to tell the tale of their misfortune.
AT six o'clock, perceived great
portion of the earth's visible area to the
eastward involved in thick shadow,
which continued to advance with great |
rapidity, until, at five minutes before |
seven, the whole surface in view was
enveloped in the darknessof night. 1t
was not, however, until long after this
time that the rays of the setting sun
ceased to illumine the balloon and this
circumstance, although of course fully
anticipated, did not fail to give me an
infinite deal of pleasure 1T was evident
that, in the morning, L should behold
the rising luminary many hours at least
before the citizens of Rotterdam, in
spite of their situation so much farther
to the eastward, and thus, day after
day, in proportion to the height ascend
ed, would l enjoy the light of the sun
for longer and longer period. now
determined TO keep journal of my
passage, reckoning the days from one
to twenty.four hours continuously,wi
out taking into consideration the inter-
walls of darkness.
At ten O'Clock, feeling sleepy, l de-
: termined to lie down for the rest of the
night but here difficulty presented
:. itself, which, obvious as it may appear,
1 had escaped my attention up to the
very moment of which am now speak,
= ing. If went to sleep as proposed,
II how could the atmosphere in the cham
d ber be regenerated in the interin,P To
i breathe it for more than an hour, at the
:, bility or, if even this term could be
= extended to an hour and quarter, the
o most ruinous consequences might ensue,
l. The consideration of this dilemma gave
y me no little disquietude; and it will
1t hardly be believed, that, after the dan
1T gersI had undergone i should look upon
s. this business in so serious a light, as to
n give up all hope Of accomplishing my
y design, and finally make up my mind
1t to the necessity of a descent. But thi
ID hesitation was only momentary.
Mt reflected that man is the veriest slav
| nf hn N N
I'd routine of his existence are deemed es
t. sentiaUy important, which are only 81
y, at all by his having rendered then
lg habitual. 1t was very certain that
%. could not do without sleep; but nigh
ny easily bring myselfto feel'no inconver
on lience from being awakened at interval
or of an hour during the whole period {
et- my repose. 1t would require but tiy
cd minutes at most, to regenerate the a
IA mosphere in the fullest manner-an
he the only real difficulty was, to contriv
wv method of arOusing myself at tn
in proper moment for SO doing. But thi
le- was a question which, am willing t
er- confess, occasioned me no little troubl
mt in its solution. To be sure, had hear
an of the student who, to prevent his fall
b. ing asleep over his books, held in on
lie hand ball of copper, the din of who's
Is. descent into basin of the same meta
nv on the floor beside his chair, served el
IN, fectually to startle him up, if, at an.
ID, moment, he should be overcome wit
~. drowsiness. My own case, however
de was very different indeed, and left IN
ne no room for any similar idea; for / di
es, not wish to keep awake, but to be arou'
nd ed from slumber, at regular intervals {
m. time. at length hit upon the follow
N ing expedient, which, simple as it ma
en- seem, was hailed by me, at the momer
ws of discovery,as an invention fully equi
W. to that of the telescope, the steam er
is gine, or the art of printing itself.
er. It is necessary to premise, that tn
ay balloon, at the elevation now attained
all continued its course upwards with a
~ even and undertaking ascent, and III
ch car consequently followed with steat
of mess so perfect that it would have bee
ost impossi BILE to detect in it the slighte
re- vacillation. This circumstance favo
ny ed me greatly in the project l now d.
Ihs termin ed to adopt. My supply of wa
of er had been put on board in kegs col
uf- tanning five gallons each, and range
ne very securely around the interior of I'll
rs, car / uniastened one of these, an
ole taking two ropes, tied them tight
ny across the rim of the wicker-work fro
one side to the other; placing the
ed about foot apart and parallel, so as
81, form kind of shelf, upon which pla
H., cd the keg, and steadied it in horizon
aI tai position. About eight inches imm
q. diately below these ropes, and four fe
" from the bottom of the car, l fastenC
.a another shelf-but made of thin plan
-. being the only similar piece of wood
,a s had. Upon this latter shelf, and G,
''e %, actly beneath one of the rims of the kt
small eartben pitcher was deposite
~ now bored hole in the end Of the kt
,an over the pitcher, and fitted in Il plug
=, soft wood, cut in tapering or comic
~ -, shape, This plug pushed in or pulledo
not as might happen, until after few expe
ov iments, it arrived at that exact degr
- of tightness, at which the water, Oozii
,Ia from the hole, and falling into thepitc
'nd Wv, er below, would fill the latter to Il
,'n brim in the period of sixty minute
Oh This, of course, was matter briei
,n' and easily ascertained, by noticing t
n proportion OF the pitcher filed in al
% given time. Having arranged all tn
;n the rest of the plan is obvious. My b
. was SO contrived upon the floor of {
'na ''as' car, as to bring my head, in lying do,
w Immediately below the mouth of {
an 80 pitcher. 1t was evident, that, at {
,' expiration of an hour, the pitcher, g