The Sun. — 1862-09-20 (London, England)

THE MAMMOTH BALLOON.  In spite of gloomy and threatening weather,  there was a large attendance of spectators at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday, to witness what had been announced as the " last ascent for the season" of Mr. Cox well's mammoth balloon. When it had been duly inflated, under the superintendence of Mr. Ohren, the manager of the Crystal Palace District Gas Company, the balloon was conveyed to  that portion of the grounds from which it was intended to ascend. It had been publicly announced that " partial ascents " would be made, but so fresh a breeze was blowing that Mr. Coxwell at first declared it to be unsafe, and positively declined to make the attempt. Anxious, however, not to appear as if he bad broken faith with the public, he reconsidered his determination, and consented to make one partial ascent before setting off for the voyage in the evening. The car was quickly filled, some ladies being amongst the passengers, and the great balloon, fastened by loose ropes to the ground and to a tree, rose rapidly. IVhen the time arrived for her descent, it became plain that Mr. Coxwell's misgivings had been well founded. The monster swayed to and fro, and the men employed at the ropes, whether from nervousness or from stupidity, seemed at a loss what to do. Seeing that the balloon was descending at some little distance, and that no means were being taken either to break its fall or prevent it from reaseendiug, Mr. Glaisher, who was standing amongst the spectators, rushed forward, followed by one or two other gentlemen. The car struck the ground heavily ; the task of preventing it from rebounding was far too great for the strength of the few volunteers; and in less time than it takes to write these few lines, the balloon rose again, carrying Mr. Glaisher and two others into the air. Whilst one descended, hand-over-hand, by a rope, Mr Glaisher and another grasped the car as firmly as they could; and Mr. Coxwell, seeing his old companion in danger once more in a somewhat perilous position, gripped him by the collar. After a few minutes of painful suspense the balloon descended. By this time there were hands enough to hold her down, and Mr. Glaisher again reached terrajirtna in safety. His coat was torn, but he had sustained no personal injury. Had the men employed for the purpose shown but half the alacrity and courage ofa few amateurs, this scene need not have occurred. All the party, however, for the great ascent (11 in number) having taken their:seats—the grapnel having been secured, the ballast-bags counted, and the usual preparations made with even more than ordinary care, since it appeared likely enough that the journey would not be altogether free from danger—Mr. Coxwell at length gave the word to let go, and then, amidst the cheers of the crowd, the monster seemed okpi inngg. M ickkam to bound into the air. The descent, which occurred a few minutes before six, took place near on sloping ground in the parish of We understand that it is Mr. Coxwell's intention to make one more ascent from the Crystal Palace, several gentleman having been disappointed in obtaining seats. An ascent from Winchester, under the auspices of the officers there—some of whom shared in the expedition we have described—will take place on the Ist of October. The utmost height reached on Wednesday was IA little under a mile and a half' _  muRDER IN