The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-13

At this point; Mr. Donaldson who had been
yawning during the entire interview quite aud
sions. SO the reporter lett, and Mr.. Donaldson
was snoring before the writer was out OF the room.
Professor Wise states His Case.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
AS my name has been prominently mentioned In
the public prints for numbers OF weeks past in
connection with the balloon built by the Daily
Graphic Company for the ostensible purpose or
attempting to cross the Atlantic, feel that Justice
to myself no less than to those who have honored
me with their confidence, requires that shall ex-
plain the reasons for my withdrawal from tho
Graphic'S enterprise. am an enthusiast but not
mere theorist, and my calculations Of the prOba-
biities of the successful transit of the Atlantic in q
balloon are based upon careful observations Of the
upper atmosphere extending over period or
nearly forty years. have never under estimated'
the risks which must be run by any one who woulR
undertake to demonstrate the feasibility ofcrossinga
the Atlantic in balloon; on the contrary
l have calculated, so FAR as 1t is prac-.
ticable to do so, all the chances OF failure.
Under the best auspices failure Is posstbles
for the experiment is an untried one; but \
believe now, as l have believed for more than
twenty years, that the probabilities are largely in
favor OF success, provided properly constructed
air vessel is furnished. Many persons considered
Columbus O fool when he started out to discover
the New World. He would have been a fool had he
started In rotten and leaky ship. may be mls:
! am not fool in endcavoring to give them :
practical test. ! would be ioOl II l was 70
whole matter in a nutshell. The Graphic Company
agreed 70 furnish me with well constructed gas
tight balloon They ala not DO So and tnat the
not mine. The Graphic balloon was not constructed
of the material l suggested nor In the mannerf
suggested. had no control over 1t, my functions
being merely advisory. On the contrary, my ad-
| vice. based on many years. practical experience as
although have hoped against hope up TO the last
moment, the unhappy finale to what promises
be scentc 3 exscy wSa
expected 1t would be weeks ago. 1t 10 sac
thing Tor me, when thought that the great cream cam,
an inglorious conclusion; but feel that no blame
can attach to me in the matter, ana mat an IN
| partial public will only blame me for not having
] abandoned the enterprise long ago. Perhaps am
to blame in this respect, but It was at least an
! amiabe weakness to hold on until the last minute
In the hope that the balloon might prove capable
Of making creditaole start, even ,i 4 is
@e Down IN the middle Of the Atlantic Ocean
faith IN my theory OF great easterly current is
positive scientific facts. am ready now as I
have been ready Tor the last thirty years, to risk
demand IS q reliable air ship. Had possessed the
means would have fitted one out long ago; but
the leanness OF my purse rather than any lack OF
inclination, has compelled me to defer the
enterprise as a private adventure II ! can
be- provided with gasgns balloon Of sae
| week, or next month"; or whenever the air ship Is
ready. do not wish to undertake such an expert
! ment as an exhibition for making money; on tho
contrary am bitterly opposed TO even an appear
ance of charlatanism in connection with what 1
believe will test important scientific fact, ana II
another attempt is made to start balloon upon
| voyage across the Atlantic, most sincerely hope
any attempts to make the expedition q money
| making affair." since mere pecuniary enterprise
must inevitably cause em n,oia wnlcp VIII
'D'p''A ''' ''''''' . '''''' JOHN WISE.