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172
Wonderful Balloon Ascents; Or, The Conquest of the Skies
·
Fulgence Marion
36
The
conveyance
of
the
balloon
to
the
Champ
de
Mars
was
a
most
singular
spectacle.
A
vanguard,
with
lighted
torches,
preceded
it;
it
was
surrounded
by
special
attendants,
and
was
followed
by
detachments
of
night-patrols
on
foot
and
mounted.
The
size
and
shape
of
this
structure,
which
was
escorted
with
such
pomp
and
precaution--the
silence
that
prevailed--the
unearthly
hour,
all
helped
to
give
an
air
of
mystery
to
the
proceedings.
At
last,
having
passed
through
the
principal
thoroughfares,
it
arrived
at
the
Champ
de
Mars,
where
it
was
placed
in
an
enclosure
prepared
for
its
reception.
When
the
dawn
came,
and
the
balloon
had
been
fixed
in
its
place
by
cords,
attached
around
its
middle
and
fixed
to
iron
rings
planted
in
the
earth,
the
final
process
of
inflation
began.
The
Champ
de
Mars
was
guarded
by
troops,
and
the
avenues
were
also
guarded
on
all
sides.
As
the
day
wore
on
an
immense
crowd
covered
the
open
space,
and
every
advantageous
spot
in
the
neighborhood
was
crowded
with
people.
At
five
o’clock
the
report
of
a
cannon
announced
to
the
multitudes,
and
to
scientific
men
who
were
posted
on
elevations
to
make
observations
of
the
great
event,
that
the
grand
moment
had
come.
The
cords
were
withdrawn,
and,
to
the
vast
delight
and
wonder
of
the
crowd
assembled,
the
balloon
shot
up
with
such
rapidity
that
in
two
minutes
it
had
ascended
488
fathoms.
At
this
height
it
was
lost
in
a
cloud
for
an
instant,
and,
reappearing,
rose
to
a
great
height,
and
was
again
lost
in
higher
clouds.
The
ascent
was
a
splendid
success.
The
rain
that
fell
damped
neither
the
balloon
nor
the
ardor
of
the
spectators.
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