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172
Wonderful Balloon Ascents; Or, The Conquest of the Skies
·
Fulgence Marion
43
Montgolfier
at
once
began
a
new
balloon.
A
few
days
only
were
at
his
disposal;
but,
assisted
by
friends,
he
worked
with
such
ardour
and
success
that
he
was
able,
on
the
date
appointed,
to
produce
a
magnificent
spherical
balloon,
much
stronger
than
the
former,
constructed
of
good
strong
cotton
cloth,
and
painted
in
distemper.
It
is
proper
here
to
remark
that
the
first
balloons
were
much
more
elegant
in
appearance
than
those
afterwards
made.
The
coloured
prints
and
engravings
of
the
period
enable
us
to
form
an
opinion
of
the
splendour
of
their
ornamentation
and
the
beauty
of
their
design.
Sometimes
the
figures
painted
upon
them
represented
scenes
from
the
heathen
mythology,
and
sometimes
historical
scenes;
while
rich
embroideries,
royal
insignia,
and
gaily-coloured
draperies
added
much
to
the
general
effect.
The
Versailles
balloon
was
painted
blue,
with
ornaments
of
gold,
and
it
presented
the
form
of
a
richly
decorated
tent.
It
was
fifty-seven
feet
in
height,
and
sixty-seven
in
diameter.
It
was
first
tried
at
Paris,
and
succeeded
perfectly.
On
the
morning
of
the
19th
it
was
carried
to
Versailles,
where
due
preparation
had
been
made
for
its
reception
In
the
great
court
of
the
castle
a
sort
of
theatre
had
been
temporarily
erected
with
a
scaffolding,
covered
throughout
with
tapestry
In
the
middle
was
an
opening
more
than
fifteen
feet
in
diameter,
in
which
was
spread
a
banquet
for
those
who
had
constructed
the
balloon.
A
numerous
guard
formed
a
double
cordon
around
the
structure.
A
raised
platform
was
used
for
the
fire
by
means
of
which
the
balloon
was
to
be
inflated;
a
covered
funnel
or
chimney
of
strong
cloth,
painted,
was
suspended
over
the
fire-place,
and
received
the
hot
smoke
as
it
arose.
Through
this
funnel
the
heated
air
ascended
straight
up
into
the
balloon.
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