The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-06
THE COMET
Grand Gala Night OF Her
Celestial Highness=
Thousands OF Star
Gazers Abroad.
THE JERSEY BALLOON.
Sad Fate Of the Daring
Desperadoes.
MARK TWAIN'S ENTERPRISE
The Comet Chartered for a Trip
Among the Spheres.
The Cometary Influence on the
Country.
Sad Fate Of the Daring
Desperadoes.
MARK TwAIN's ENTERPRISE
The Cometary Influence on the
Country.

The comet has had benefit night ut last. Few
could complain OF the conditions under which she
appeared. The alterglow kept her invisible until
long past sunset, but close up to midnight she
might be with the naked eye as a grand and
beautiful phenomenon, which II may be hoped, as
She astronomers assure us that she is harmless,
will remain for few weeks longer to enchant and
enrapture the vision OF millions Of mOrtals here
below. Throughout the city lew eyes failed 10
gaze heavenward lOr the comet OF 1874
THE WONDERFUL BALLOON ASCENT.
The HERALD reporter, trine in the wake OF his
former enterprise regarding this comet, her prog.
ress, appearance habits, general character and
humane disposition, failed, owing 10 the lateness
OF the hour TO record the wonderful undertaking
OF Mr.. Joseph Brown, OF Montgomery street. Jersey
City. Since the frst appearance of her triple ban
nered highness the HERALD has carefully recorded
her progress from day to DAY, the condition Of her
health the sorrowful feeling that Overcame her at
being compelled to be present at the patriotic
orgies OF the Fourth OF July, but which she was
spared OF seeing through the gallant and consid-
crate interposJlon OF Jupiter Pluyius- She has
heard nothing OF the "rockets red glare the
bombs bursting IN air." and her nervous
aystem is IN more healthy condition.
But reuenorls q nos naOeuOns. Mr.. Joseph Brown,
OF the most respectable citizens OF Jersey, after
reading the accounts that appeared in the HER
AID regarding THIS WONDERFUL comet, ana Hndlfl1
that night after night the clouls hindered any
thing ike astronomical obsery alton, resolved
- apply TO Mr.. william shannon Tor the loan OF
his balloon. The contract was signed, sealed
and delivered Everything was put in readi
ness for the ascent. A wagon was en-
ployed. The balloon and every conceivable
instrument likely to bear upon the comet ana
bring forth fruit ut for an astronomers
table were packed into the wagon, and away in
She unioveiy twilight, gray and rainy, the party
Ated for the heights OF Weehawken. Mr.. Joseph
Brown was in command. He was accompanied 10y
MI. shannon, Mr.. KasquawsSi, MIR. Corlolanus
O'Rourke, Mr.. Hltzemagu Don Ribero Zuluetta,
Mr.. Thompson. and Mr.. Weller. OF Hoboken. They
we're
VERY JOLLY PATTY.
They overturned the wagon IN the Eiysian fields,
spilled several Kegs OF lager, intended as ba!ias.
for the balloon, smashed several glass mugs, pieces
OF which were mixed up with the telescopes, AID
IT. became troublesome JOB to separate them. The
adherence OF observation as recorded by the astro
nomer who eventually escaped, clearly shows
tRat some OF the telescopes were supplemented
with glass from the broken lager beer mugs. The
party at eight O'Clock precisely reached the sum-
NIT OF the Weehawken Heights, prepared to see
che comet or perish In the attempt. Much trouble
was experienced in initiating the balloon, as the
Teterts were imperectiy jomted; but, finally, the
whole party got away amid the widest cheers
from q group Of natives, whose knowledge OF
science was gained through the crowbar and
whose glimpses OF the stars were chiefly derived
through the deep perspective OF the Bergen
tnnnei
SECRETARY ROBEsoS's STUDIES.
They waited at Weehawken some time to re-
eeive an answer to a despatch from Secretary
Robson. who had been invited to accompany the
expedition and thus reflect greater honor on the
Jersey corps OF observation. reply was received
saying the Secretary was busiiy engaged invest
eating patent for "bOxng the compass without
the necessity OF employing professional boxer.
The cargo, as might be expected, was miscella-
neous. They had "a telescope, poa iscope, a
stetnescope, Jersey lightning riwnlskiscope, a
box OF sardines, several bags OF 1our and SAT-, a
Bible, "Liie OF Fulton" who first discovered
2rIal navigation up the hudson; two dozen copies
oil the organ Tor ballast, and also the "L.e OF
Mayor Havemeyer," coupled with the speeches. OF
the lammany Society. They were well provided IN
every regard, and they started, in an intellectual
Sense, under the brigh auspices.
Mr.. Joseph Brown, who
LIVES 70 TELL THE TALE,
relates with what velocity they drove northwest
and burst through the vaporous entertainments
above them, tue riwhisklscope being in active en-
plOyment all the time. Above the silver lined
clouds, without time given them to scrape of the
SILVER, they Witnessed sight winch, as dir. Brown
says, he could cheeriany give ten years his pros
pective longevity 70 see again. the clouds rolled
beneath them like d vast and iatnomess ocean,
vens revealed the stars IN AL their Respondent
glory.
II was here occurred the dispute which finally
proved SO disastrous TO the enterprise. Hall the
party. including Don Ribero Zuluetta were salts
miles aud see the comets tail without presenting
upon any closer acquaintance. Mr.. shannon was
ANXIOUS TO test the lungs OF the comet with his
kaleidoscope.
Mr. Brown said his riwhiskiscope would carry
them to the exact elevation where they could see
lstars of the fifteenth magnitude.
Mr. o'Rourke insisted that 1t was their duty, as
ycitizens, 10 seize hold OF the comets tal ana nod
her last until posse OF Jersey poiieemeD could De
lsent lor TO take heriD charge as vagrant.
: Amid all the angry tumult OF the hour, Mr. Weller
preserved his serenfty,sbut strange expression
fIniaht be detected IN BIS eyes He spoke little and
fhis glance directed TO the zenith. suddenly he
cried, "ihfow out the bag OF nour.n 1t was zone
IN an instant Throw ouI the sardine box" he
next demanded, with an energy of voice that
clearly showed ne was a man Of great force OF
viii. Throw out Thompson be then demanded
and poor Thompson, yielding 70 the inevitable.
went over the side OF the basket Win grace ana
TesgnatioD worthy OF better fate Then
THE DESPERATE NAM
paused for a moment nxed his eyes on Brown,
ibought he saw q quiverng OF tive ups and an
absence Of courage IN the comInanaer and yeneo
in the silent vastness, Throw out kroWn.' FOR
tunatey shannon TOOK in the stnatLoD ana pre-
sentlng his stethescOpe at Welier's Nreast toid
MN be would shoot MN on the spot II h,N dared 70
haul down Brown, who was In che rigg.Ng resu-
. Weller was brought TO bay. He said In a brier
speech that he did not desire to return TO Jersey
Lity without performing ms duty He hoped they
would be able 10 see this comet anu get aheaN OF
New York by extending ner an invitation 60 accept
the hospitallties OF the CITY Council oil which he we
bItcn on to tue tail OF that comet ana all our pal-
last must go overheard. Now let Us throw ina
every man IN this basket who ~ not member of
the Common Council Of Jersey City.D
SAD FATE OF BROWN co.
by this time the balloon had ascended 70 "A ire
mendous height, the spectr0scOpe being thrown
ASIDE for the riwhskiscOpe. Finally they got INTO
the tail OF The comet but the lady had already
Ognzed the party by the smell OF the Ilwiskiscope
rs coming rom Jersey Clty, and she gave her tail