Morris tribune., 1881-08-04
A DIvING.BELLE,

oOdYulu mloI
A DIvING.BELLE,
Or the Most Romantic Incident in My Life
By W. Payn, Esq.
Seventeen was just the age at which
first met Charlotte Elizabeth-under water
What think you of that? Are not such cir.
cumstances of first love new? Permit me
also to add, with my hand upon my heart
that they are moreover true.
1t was on Saturday afternoon, which
was holiday at our office in the city, and
was spen ding it in the improvement of my
mind at the Polytechnic Institute, London. ]
had sat in the stately hall-which is some
thing between theater and disseotine
room-to behold the wonders of science; ]
had gazed upon that wondrous apparatus
my limbs were on the point of striking
out" for an imaginary shore, and I had
gazed upon the electrical eel to repletion-
when great bell was rung, end sonorious
voice exclaimed: Experiments connected
with the diving bellr' Upon this
great rush was made from all parts of the
building to that circular pond of clear,
green water, the excessive depth of which
has always been a marvel to me. Into
whose cellar does it descend? What sewer
does it forever threaten with untimely
flushing? From what fountains do its
pelIucld waves arise? Then the intrepid
diver made his toilet in the presence of the
company, being loaded with heavy weights,
as though he were some desperate criminal,
and having oh his head helmet fixed, to
be presently screwed round by the assist
ants-a proceeding which appeared to the
unscienti6c eye like wringing his neck
Covered with polypi in the shape of india
rubber tubing, this monster tadpole clum-
silly descended by an iron ladder into the
pond, the bottom of which was already
strewed with half-pence. After these we
could plainly see him waddle and stoop,
made more hideous than before by the
watery medium-foreshortene at right
angles to himself, exaggerated. dispropor-
toned, slow-the most horrible picture of
cupldity that the mind is capable
of concerning. Above him arose
large and noisy bubbles. and now and
then he would emerge as to his head and
shoulders, and tap his metal helmet with
the half pence, to let us know-as though
we had not watched his horrid movements
all along-that he had picked them up. In
credible as it may appear, was attracted
toward this amphibious pursuit of his; 1
felt as though too should like to explore
those alrless depths, and make my business
In those mighty waters. When he came out
at last, like a two-trunked elephant,
and bowed in his repulsive manner to the
spectators, was almost afraid that he was
gong to offer ''any lady or gent" the loan
7 inf "
when saw it put away in cupboard, for
now no unnatural temptation
Amy lady or gent for the diving bell?"
exclaimed the sonorous voice. 1.-The ma
chine is now about to descend"
My heart came into my mouth, and then
retired about half way down my throat as I
should judge. My extremites became cold as
ice as I gasYed out: "Stop minute; take me
in, please do" The crowd that had already
surrounded the machine parted to left and
right to let me pass. There was not the
least hurry, of course; but if had not
spoken at once, should not have done so
ct all. 1 was the first volunteer for this
tremendous enterprise, and an object of
great public interest.
I wouldn't do it myself for 'underd
pound, observed one gentleman, for the
purpose of reassuring me, conclude; and
a friend of his replied: mo, nor yet fol-
two; it's what 1 call fool'ardy."
Ipassed the little barrier; gave the man
ager the requisite shilling for the submar-
inc passage; and I crept under the great
goggle-eyed bell amid quite popular ovo-
ton A narrow seat ran around the interior OF
the machine; the atmosphere seemed close
even as it was, and the light was dim, al
though we were as yet in the
land of the living. ] perceived, how
ever, shining substance immedi-
ataly opposite to me, which turned out to
be boy covered with buttons-the page of
the establishment, whose dreadful trade it
was to descend, don't know how many
times day, in company with subaqueous
amateurs. He had a rope in his hand, that
hung dowR from the top of the bell, and
which fondly imagined communicated
with the scientific authorities. SO that we
could be hoisted up again at moments
notice by signal; but this confidence
was entirely misplaced. A certain round
spot with number of little round holes
like the top of sink-was the sole orna-
ment OF the apartment in which we were;
and through this was to come the air we
breathed. To say that would gladly have
got out again and sacrificed nv shilling, is
to give very feeble idea of nv state OF
repentance. I would have given forty
shillings to be once more gazing-unde1
the light of heaven-at the least remark.
able object of interest in the
institution. All the crimes I ha6
ever committed during a checkered life
seemed to crowd in upon my recollection
made the most ardent resolutions for con.
Quoting myself for the future after diff.
ferent fashion-if I should only be per.
mltted to emerge alive out of that bell i
Is true that there was yet time for me to de-
SO, for the director was still teating fol
passengers, but hadn't the neral courage
Tor such step as this. I could not have
descended amid the same crowd which haG
applauded my intrepidity, to experience its
scornful jeers. perceived the same feel.
Ings were actuating two other individual,
who now Joined us; they, too, cast wistfu
glances at the mouth of the bell, and were
evidently contemplating in their minds thu
most salient points in their past wicked
lives.
You had better put your legs up, gen.
tlemen, said the page, there will be lesl
chance of falling out at the bottom wher
we get under water"
Less chance!" gasped I, as I FASTENED
to obey his suggestion. "Do you mean tt
say there is any chance?"
We'll, you must sit quite still, of course
or there's no knowing what will happen
You will be safe enough, however, lik,
this"
We had all got our feet in each others
laps, forming quite reticulation Of leo
beneath us, SO that. if we fell at all, it mus
needs have been altogether, when the di
rector suddenly exclaimed:
BY your leave, gentlemen, there's
lady coming"
A lady comingi Where on earth ia sh,
to come TOT" inquired L. There was mo
room for pins head to make its way anon,
us, and far less lady's.
LIS there no room?" inquired one of tn
sweetest vsices ever heard in my life.
Plenty of room, Miss. Legs down.
cried the conductor.
Then bonnet appeared, with one of tn
most lovely faces in it you can imagine an,
look OF tender appeal upon it, and findin,
the bell full of legs-which it was impos
sible to resist. sided nearer towards til,
page, In whom I had some sort of conf
dcnce, and made room for this charmin,