, 1890-06-26
ABOVE THE CLOUDS.
An AeronGut's Adventures
in the Orient.
He is NOW IN SPOKANE FALLS
Thrilling Adventures In the Sand
wioh Misunderstanding over
q Volcano--Etc.

! "
under the most favorable circum-
stauces,h said Professor Emil l..
Melville, noted aeronaut and gym
mast, to u REVIEW representative
who found him enjoying the COM
fort Of his quarters at the Grand
Central yesterday.
Professor Melville is Frenchman
by birth but u thorough American
by adoption. He Ia of medium
height, vivacious In temperament,
wiry and agile in action, but hus the
physique of a modern Hercules, and
Is particularly sfiable and pleasant
to converse with. His remarkable
strength of nerve aud presence OF
mind, so essential in his business,
and which have carriedhim through
50 many close perils, were endowed
to him by his father, VINO Is "A
famous French aeronaut, and at
present the superintendent Of the
aeronautical works of war under the
French government. He began his
studies under the tutorship of his
father when at the age of 4 years, at
tending college at the age of s years,
learning the required studies of
aerial navigation, photography, as
tronomical observation and little
Of astronomy.
HIS FIRST ASCENSION.
After mentioning the above brief
biography of himself, the professor
by request, related n few of his
thrilling adventures In the Sand
wlch Islands as tollows.
"My first balloon ascension was
at the age of IL, when l accom-
panied my father with IL committee
composed of the great French states
man Gambetla; Clarentic, the pres
ent editor of the French news
paper, Petit Journal; Durant, the
astroner Of the observatory OF Paris,
and General Negriz, all of whom
assembled for the purpose OF making
observations OF the Prussian ranks
during the Franco Prussian war.
We ascended from the promenade
Anglaize in the city Of Nice, on
June IL, 1915, and landed at the
Faubuurg OF Moscow on the 18th,
travelling ali told In various direc-
tions, about 5000 miles, and reach
ing, when passing Mount Blanc,
between switzerland and France, an
altitude of 5000 feet.
"My first ascension alone was at
the city oi Grenoble, one year and
hall after, when | travelled over $50
miles making observations, and
which gained for me an extensive
Shortly after this /
came to this country, where | have
been ever since, with the exception
of making several visits to different
parts pf tine world.
IN THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
"In all Of my nscensions in various
sections those in the Sandwich
islands were the most hazardous, the
"reminiscences OF which shall never
forget. IL WAS in March of last year,
and was the first aeronaut that
ever visited those Islands, although
the famous Professor |. l.. Van Tas-
sell visited that section afterward I
and made his famous parachute
jump into eternity ut Honolulu, |
which was at the same place where
L so narrowly escaped death.
On this trip l had with Inc
one of the largest balloons
made and parachute, both of
which made myself from japanese
silk. This balloon called Amer
leo 1hn Hr.t 4 I.
was In kapiolaui park, about four
miles from the city OF Honolulu. 1t |
had been the talk of the ty and /
country Tor days previous, the news
having spread rapidly and brought
out thousands of natives and many
white people. The women and chill /
dren were dressed in gay colors and /.
the sun shone beautifully over the .
vast masses, making the scene a de- I
lightful one when | arrived at o /
O'Clock In the morning. 1t was
nearly 4 O'Clock, however, before /
made the ascension, ard us the trade |
winds prevailed throughout the dDyi /
blowing mt the rate OF eighteen miles .
an hour, | experienced some dim. /
Guilty in getting away. When at last
the balloon was cut loose | shot |
up like "a cannon ball, amidst
enthusiastic claiming of hands ard
n urent hurrah' yoing annmt 4 NM
feet i'm the air. which Wns ahovo tbo
The wind tben carrIad
me seaward. when I dronned mt
the water outside tho I[nknn, ranf
amidst number of Chinese fshing
boats, who were so friph,.ueI thai
they would not come near m.
steam launch from The Rritish mar
ot.war came tn my rrsc,,e hnuaun.
and took me aboard. Nv h.Ilnon
was towed ashore, and the next dav
when | went on land the tendes.