Wonderful Balloon Ascents; Or, The Conquest of the Skies

“(h) Pilot’s room. “(1) An observatory, containing the compasses and other scientific instruments for taking the latitude. “(g) A room fitted up for recreations, walking, and gymnastics. “(m) The kitchen, far removed from the balloon. It is the only place where a fire shall be permitted. “(p) Medicine room. “(v) A theatre, music room, &c. “--The study. “(x) The tents of the air-marines, &c. &c.” This balloon is certainly the most marvellous that has ever been imagined--quite a town, with its forts, ramparts, cannon, boulevards, and galleries. One can understand the many squibs and satires which so Utopian a notion provoked. Chapter V. First Aerial Voyage in England--Blanchard Crosses the Sea in a Balloon. In spite of their known powers of industry and perseverance, the English did not throw themselves with any great ardour into the exploration of the atmosphere. From one cause or another it is the French and the Italians that have chiefly distinguished themselves in this art. The English historian of aerostation gives some details of the first aerial voyage made in this country by the Italian, Vincent Lunardy. The balloon was made of silk covered with a varnish of oil, and painted in alternate stripes--blue and red. It was three feet in diameter. Cords fixed upon it hung down and were attached to a hoop at the bottom, from which a gallery was suspended. This balloon had no safety-valve--its neck was the only opening by which the hydrogen gas was introduced, and by which it was allowed to escape. In September, 1784, it was carried to the Artillery Ground and filled with gas. After being two-thirds filled, the gallery was attached with its two oars or wings, and Lunardy, accompanied by Biggin and Madame Sage, took his place; but it was found that the balloon had not sufficient lifting power to carry up the whole three, and Lunardy went up alone, with the exception of the pigeon, the cat, and the dog, that were with him.