CHAPTER XII.

[Sidenote: Beautiful Effects of the _white_ Vapour on the Prospects below.]

Section 71. From 28 Minutes after II, till the Balloon had passed over the _Forest_ of +Delamere+, and the steep Crag of +Helsbye-Hill+; thin light semi-transparent Vapours, which seemed to be collecting at a _vast Depth below_; moving slowly in all Directions; rising to great Heights, falling, melting away, and again condensing;—(the Land, one while covered with a +white+ _Veil_; then _caught_ thro’ Openings for a few Seconds; the Objects appearing more distinct and _coloured_, from being seen in detached Groupes and single _Pictures framed_ and _enshrined_ in fleecy +Vapour+; _now again_ discovered by a Glance of the Eye, and _then_ repeatedly escaping from the Sight;)—+wonderfully+ heightened the Grandeur, Gaiety and _inimitable_ Beauty of the _ever varying_ Prospects.

An Illustration taken from Scenes _abroad_.

72. Appearances of a similar Kind are frequent in the _noble and venerable_ Structures appropriated for divine Worship _abroad_: whose Walls are decorated with the _finest Paintings_; the Subjects solemn and _engaging_; suited to inspire a _chearful Devotion_.

While the inferior Clerics perfume the Garments of the _Priests_ officiating and offering Incense before the _high Altar_; which is ornamented with _full-Length Portraits_ in the richest Drapery, of Persons whether male or female, reputed of sound Morals and exemplary Piety; accompanied by Guardian Saints and happy Angels;—Columns of _white_ Smoke, wafted from _Silver_ Censers, rise to a certain Height in slow _majestic_ Movement, before the Eyes of the _kneeling_ Suppliants, who are _instantly shut out_ from the _enchanting_ View; till the Clouds dispersing, shew by _Intervals_, a Glympse of the _celestial_ Prospect, and of the _higher_ Orders of Beings, who _look down_ with _Complacency_ upon them; and seem _actually_ +descending+ throu’ Openings of the Clouds which _appear_ at Rest.