The sun., 1873-09-09
THE AIR ToYAGE TO EUROPE.
Prof Wise Said TO be Unwilling 10 Make
the Transatlantic Trip-The Balloon as
seen on the CnpitoIinc Grounds.

The Ddiiv Graphic balloon was on exhi-
yesterday and from about noon until O'Clock
al night there was a fair attendance Of spccta-
tors Their number did not exceed three hun
drcd at any ono time but, as thorough
inspection Of the balloon and its appurtenances
did not occupy an hour, there was constant
coming and going, and the aggregate number OF
visitors must have been two thousand or more.
A large space in the centre of the enclosure was
roped and stakcd OF, the spectators fringing its
exterior. Within it lay the immense balloon on
its side, about one-thrd filled with air that had
been pumped into it with =. sD.cn angine and
air pump. when fred ~, the boiler was kept
covered with canvas, lest some stray spark
should find its way to the oiled and innammablo
surface OF the balloon, which swayed a ID surgcd
with every breath Of air. In the forenoon the
netting was placed over the half-nlled globe OF
muslin, IL being feared that the strain might
prove too much for the UNPROTECTED cloth. Tho
ropes which are to sustain the car are attached
to a circle OF sand bags, and cloth Is spread on
the ground to prevent abrasion by contact with
the uneven surface, The balloon IA avast, un-
shapely pile, about thirty feet high. and twice
that length, entirely lacking the form that 1t
will assume when fully inflated. The smaller
one, which was included in the original plan,
has not been built. IL was intended as an addt-
aionai seE1Srh c,GJ IN Gsse o' dc out pui 's
six-nch iron gas pipe loads into the grounds,
and from 1t about three hundred thousand feet
of gas will be let into the balloon.
glance was sufficient To take In the points of
the unwieldy balloon itself and II did not hold
the attention Of the visitors. In a large tent
| their curiosity was better gratihed by display
| Of the varied ad1uncts Of the air voyage. The
lifeboat Chicago. a pretty aquatic toy, yet
| good weather, was greatly adrlired. IL is small
er than the well known Red, White and Blue,
/ ttrh assh hR IA "A
| age, but t. probably safer and better appointed.
! liy the side of this boat were piled some water
! four life preserving mattresses. A little further
along stood the paper canoe Donaldson, III which
| its namcsake made the trip to Long Branch. Ii
is a light, trim little craft, but would be mere
! CocklcshCll on the ocean. a cage OF pretty, big
who admiringly surrounded them. Next to
| these the car, ready to DC attached 10
the balloon. 1t is formed Of rope and net
| work, kept in shape by Iron hoops, and has
| two compartments "A lower one for storage and
| ballast, and AN upper ono for the passengers
! One-hlLf Of the canvas covering was removed
| exposing the Interior which was carpeted and
furnished with chairs and table. Beside these
! things there was "a great variety Of scientific ap-
! paratus charts, life preserNers, torDedocs, &C.
all Of which were curiOusly examined 10y the
multitude. Nearly everything was piacarded
| with the advertisement of the maker, and CIV
ing the exhibition the air Of a fair. Donaldson,
the aeronaut, was In the tent short time, and
! was pestcred with all sorts of questions. but he
did not seem very ANXIOUS to- take advantage Of
the opportunity for self-glu lhCatiOn, and soon
withdrew. Prof. Wise Was not on the grounds
| yesterday.
The time hxed for the start Is between Ave
/ and six O'Clock to-morrow afternoon. At thai
| time the breeze sets seaward, and the balloon
/ VIII be carried cut even before reaching the al
| titude Of the theoretical eastward current
| Should the weather prove at all windy, how
! ever, a post tponement will be necessary, as The
/ great balloon, unNieldy under the most faNort
| bic circumsta until clear of the ground
| would he unmanagoable. The number OF pas
sengers has been liked at four. Ii Is said that
/ Mr.. Wise will not ON the voyage. He nndi
fault with some Of the details, aud this Is takeG
| by sOIne US pANlng tho way " decInlng To 20.