Year: 1873

The Chicago Thi5un. claims to have
been annoyed ever since it has been
known that the Graphic people intend
ed to allow the representatives. OF few
leading papers to have berths in the
balloon with which they intend TO test
the feasibility if erial navigation to
Europe, by steady stream OF indlvid-
uals offering their services as correspon-
dents for the Tribune on this expedi-
ton. For the benefit OF these eager
volunteers it concocts sketch Of the
miseries and calamities that may
chance to befal the adventurous yoy-
ayers, which it hopes is sufficiently ter
rifying to diminish the number OF ap-
plicatious. After presenting the posi-
bility OF sundry outward accidents in
starting, it proceeds to discuss the dire
misiortunes that may occur, even
should it get off all right. A startling
scientific theory is propounded in terms
that are as clear as mud, and then a
series of most terrific evils are described
az follows:


"a local scientist of eminence, cele-
brated for his investigation into the
theory Of hot corn, has stated that as
the balloon goes up it gets a twist put
on it like billiard ball, and that it
goes spinning off at an angle, subteuded
by the plain of its own meridian, or
nearly go, and 'proportionate to the
earlh's parallsx at that particular mo-
ment Therefore, the balloon will
either reach Spitzbergen, if the twist
ia to the left, or point near the Congo
river, in Africa, II it is to the right
The notions OF the persons dwelling in
this last named country as to the
rights OF property and persons are not
very distinct to begin with, aud the
travellers may be stripped OF all they
have on. The heat OF the climate is
such that they will not mind this much,
but they will also be held as slaves
and put to hard work, which is not
pleasant, and will lower their opinion
of the colored race. Tney had better
read Captain Riley's narrative of his
adventures in Africa; and see what
time he hsd OF it.


But this is cakes and gingerbread
TO what will happen il they 60 to the
northeast on the way to the Polar sea.
Beneath them they see vast stretches OF
malt frozen water, broken by land firing
ed with icebergs and covered with
eternal snow. No hotels, DO markets,
no grocery stores, 10 place where they
can stop and buy even box OF sardines
or can Of oysters. tits positively dis.
t-essing. Provisions are nearly out.
Home is several miles away. 1t is
getting chilly. The gas is nearly exos-
mosed. They are coming down nearer
and nearer to earth whether they will
or no. Alter having eaten their vaIises
and their umbrellas, they will probably
cast lots as to who shall be-but let
the curtain drop here.


Then it is very possible thst the bal
loon may burst while it is high up in
the air, and the contents will run 8
lively race 10 the ocean. While they
are coming down they can amuse them
selves by estimating the height, and
then, multiplying their own height 10y
the square Of their velocity, get a fair
idea how hard they will hit OF course
this will not save their lives, but it will
serve to pass the time. Down they
will 90, unnoticed and uncared for, un-
less some ship should happen TO he sail
ing by and the captain should make 90
entry 10 the effect that several thinga,
supposed to be meteoric stones fell near
them that day. Every scientific reader
can imagine for himself the hazards 10
which one OF these great balloons is ex-
posed. Tranquil as the bright worlds
beyond the clouds may appear, they
are in state Of constant change. Tiny
spheres OF mater break up and dash
madly eastward, but are mostly consum
ed by reason OF the intense heat gene
rated by friction with the atmosphere,
before they reach the surface Just
fancy the consequences If one Of these
messengers Of wrath, more dangerous
than the angel with the fiery sword,
were to bit the balloon. 1t woul1
blaze in q minute, and the car would
come tumbnug down. Or the balloon
may fail them, and they may have 10
take to the life boat. 1t is delicate
operation. this swapping horses, and il
successfully done results in leaving q.
party Of people, mostly ueaccustomed
to sailing, afoat in a cockle-shell, pos
sibly to be becalmed far from vessels,
and to be driven to act as if they Eai
been caughtin Spitzbergen.


Besides, these volunteers do not seem
to remember that when they get in
higher regions which the balloon must
necessarily traverse in order to get the
benefit OF the great sir.river, they reach
place where the cold is go intense and
constant that the chilliest davs OF last
winter are as nothing toit. It's worse
than standing on Randolph-street
bridge when the west wind blows
Here, too, it is always blowing a steady
gale OF about five hundred miles an
hour-an irresistible torrent, which
will sweep the balloon before i! no one
knows whittier. 1t msy be borne into
some airy malelstrom that lies far away
beyond the uppermost stare. 1t may
be hurried beyond the bounds OF space
and wrecked on the shores Of unknown
worlds, whence the newspaper repre-
sen,stives could zee the sun that lights
US az a mere point in the infinite dis
lance. Let these young men reflect
how they will feel when they are up
alo!t, wild winds screaming and howl
ing through the cordage OF the balloon,
they themselves lashed tightly TO the
car to keep from being blown out the
thermometer sinking lower and lower,
until the air itself becomes glittering
crystals which sting their facea, and
their liteblood running more and more