Mr. Green's Ascent.
The Times, 1824-08-26T00:00:00

On Milondlay last, Alr. Green ascended fron Shrew sbury, amn idst an inmense concourse of spectators. Early in the morning the process of inflation commencel. In the cenrtre of the yard, a cistern ofsometlhitJg larger cireumtercnce than theballoon,and about l5t'eet in tepthi had been sunk to receive a new gasometer, and in this the balloon was placed, secured by the net.ropes, which were attached to small weights, ard in this position it slowly unierwent the process of in- flation by nneans of a tube, which passing fromT the gasometer under ground, canse out at the bottom of thecistern, and was there in- scrted in the mouth of the balloon. On tthe back of the cistern were inse.rted two posts, to which pulleys were attached, aldl througlh these a rope passed over the top of the balloon, whicl, was niatle fast to the ground, and thus completely fixed its position. As the balloon expantled, and waving in the cibtern seemed to srruggle to release itself from its I.lld, the small wcigtlts below became insufficient to holdl it, and several men de- scended into the cistern, who, by leaning on the lower extremity of thte net, kept it steady till the whole proicess of inflation was com- pletedt, which was about four 'clock. Mslr. Greeti then dtescenied, and began to attachl the car. This was but the business of a few moments, anti stepping into the car, he gave orders to the men tl let go, and in a few mninutes he cleared the cistern, witliout experiencing the slightest difficulty. The aeronaut now took in his ballast and rappling irons, but still continuedl within the yard for sotac time in this position to gratify the spectators with a closer view, the balloon beinlg held by onlly one man. Those within the yard now crovwded tountl the adventurous voyager with the most impatient curiosity, nxious to bid hitm a farewell, and vwish him a pleasant excur- siiOn1. The sun now shot forth its beams with an ititense heat in an unclotided sky, and scarcely was there a breath of air. ,At twenty minutes before five the only rope that lield was leto, and the aeronaut immediately clearing the- walls, ascen ed nearly perpendicularly, representing a sublime and magnificent ipectacle to the beholders below. From the caltnness and clearness af the sky, the balloon was vistble for nearly-three quarters of an. hour. After ascending a considerable height, it moved horizontally for some tine in the direction of WVellitngton, when it becamie an- visible. It was expected, in the course of the day, that some gentle- mian woiuld lhave ascended wiiia Mr. Green, but the latter was de- terinined not to hazard his safety, in company witi another, Without a pretty round sum. The consequence is, that few scientific men of' enterprise can go with him, and scietice'may therebv sustain some lisls. AIMr. WVhitney, a respectabl chCymist, of considerable scientific attainraents,caculating upon being able to accompany him, prepared himself for maLking sonne experiments on the dif'erent effects of' tie sir at difierent heights; but not being able to accommodate matters with Mr. Green, science tnay hare to regret that ite could not have profited by so f'air an opportunity. Shrewvsburv, Aug. 24. The following is Al\r. GreQn's account of hisi voyage:-" Soon atfter he started, which was twenty 1tainutes to ive, hiis course was directed nearly due East, then rising to a considerable altitude, he experienced different currents of air, from which, however, lie soon escaped, and his course was altered to South-east by East. After moving in this direction for ashort time hiscoursewas again changed, and took the direction of South-east by South. In this coarse he passeti to the left of the Wrekin Hills, taking in within his compass several villages. On leaving thegas-yard, at20minutes tofive,the barometer 3tood at 30 inches 2-lOths, and the thernometer at 72. At his greatest ltitude the barometer fill to 20 inches 5-10thL, thus leavitig the treatest heighit to which he rose a little above two miles, atnd the Lhermometer fell to 44. At times he felt it verv hot, but by no rneans so much so as most woulN have imagined, from the clearness ,f the day and the intense heat of the sun on the earth. This is ac- munted for by there being scarcely any or no clouds to reflect back the rays of the sun, and thus enable them to act with louble force. After an absenrce of two hours atid twenty minutes from tcree firma, he landetl at six o'clock ahout five miles from Wenlock, a snAil town it Slaropsliire, about 13 miles to the south-east of Shrewsbury. The deseent took place in a clover field itn the parish of Monkhampton, on Symblecot-ftarm, near the village of Westein, and situated on the estate of Lord Darnley. In an adjoit- ing field there were twelve men at work, who, seeing the balloon descend, hastened to Mr. Grecn's assistance, and in a fewv minutes he was disembarked perfeecly safe. Adjoining the spot of descent is the seat of a gentleman of the natiie of Mtoore, who bestowed a;zon the aeronaut the most hospitable attentions. There being ao inn in the imtnediate neighbourhood of his descent, lie liad to wait for the returnt of a chlaise by a man whoni he had des- patched to Wenlock. This occupied so anuch time, that it was half past 11 before he reached Wenlock, and he then tliought it too late to proceed further that nigist. Here te had every temptation to take up his niglit's abode, for the neighbouringgentletnelt, to the number ot tlhirty, apprised of his intended arrival, aisembled to meet him with a band of music, and having ordered a good supper, his aerial excursion was agreeably relieved by the social humour of the festive board. This morning lie started at nina o'clock, and arrivedl here at half past ten, where he was received by all the inhabitants with the most welcome gratulasions. He took up a pigeon with hlim, for the purpose of ascertaining the posrer of the wing in a rare atmosphere. When at an elevation of four thousand feet from the earth me opened the basket. The pigeon immediately got upeia the edge of the car, and there remained, till t ie aeronaut, attempting to catch hold of it, it moved off the edge, and fell (town rapidly ; but it soon recovered tise use of its wings, and atter moving to the rigist and left fOr a few mnoments, it darted off in the direction of Shrews. bury. Thought it is likely lthat it has arrived in the town, it bas not yet been found." AtIR. GREE'N'S ASCENV T.