CHAPTER XVI.
BALLOON DESCENDING.
[Sidenote: Air chilly. Therm. 55; Barom. 26½.]
Section 92. No sooner had the Balloon _descended_ within the Influence of the _Sea Breeze_, than it became +instantly+ _condensed_ by a certain +chilliness+ which +then+ began to prevail.
[Sidenote: Balloon in the _under_ Current.]
93. This Height has _since_ been considered as the +Level+ of +fleecy Vapour+, +Scud+, or lowest Stratum of Clouds, in +bright+ and +warm+ Weather.[28]
No _visible_ Clouds were presented _near_ the Spectator. On the contrary, they seemed to _shrink back_ to the Distance of a Mile round the Eye; and then _immediately_ appear above it, the Balloon continuing to descend. Nor did any _circular_ Horizon of the Earth shew itself; till the Balloon had reached below this Level: viz. Barom. 26½, Thermom. 55. i.e. Temperate.
Prospects were most +extensive+ and beautiful at this Altitude: which the Barometer estimates at full half a Mile.[29]
Looking again at the Barometer, scarce a Minute afterwards; it had risen to 27.
[Sidenote: Sudden Effect of cool moist Air on the Balloon.]
94. The Condensation by Chill and Moisture, and quick Contraction of _its_ Dimensions acted like a _Charm_ on the _Balloon_.
In a Moment; as if dropped from the Clouds, the +Sea+ suddenly presented itself.[30] It seemed +near+, and of a +red+ Colour. _Circular_ Landscapes of the _distant_ Countries filled the Eye.
Almost the whole Extent of the Channel was a perfect Calm: and rather _dazled_ the Sight. But from the Peninsula of Hale to that of Runcorn, and upwards, a _partial_ +Breeze+ from the North-West _ruffled_ the Surface (which was there of a _dark_ and menacing Complexion;) and seemed in its Course to have reached and _influenced_ the Balloon: whose Descent proving _more_ rapid than was expected; the Sand-Bag tyed up, weighing 12 Pounds, was opened, and the Sand _dispersed_.
[Sidenote: Ballast thrown down, 12lb. and 12lb.]
95. The Aironaut continuing as before to _stand_ upright in the Car, and having resumed his Card and Pencil; Thermometer _again_ at 55°, on finding the Descent not _sufficiently_ retarded, wrote swiftly, “+no more remarks, mind the ship+:” meaning the Balloon: and briskly stooping for the second Bag of Sand, weighing likewise 12 Pounds, _dispersed_ it by _Handfulls_ in the same Manner.
[Sidenote: Descent at first rapid.]
96. The circular Mouth of the Balloon continuing wide open, at about 18 Inches Diameter; so much _cool_ and _moist_ Air rushed in during the Descent; that, tho’ its Momentum or acquired Motion was retarded by _Dispersion_ of the Ballast, it had not yet recovered an +actual levity+: being too near the Ground before the second Bag was discharged.
_Presuming_ however that 24 Pounds Weight of Ballast thrown out, was sufficient to break the Fall, tho’ in a cool moist _condensing_ Atmosphere of _pure defloguisticated_ Air; the Event of _landing_ was _waited for_.
[Sidenote: A _depressing_ Torrent of Air on the Balloon.]
It has been _since_ imagined that a _heavy_ +depressing+ torrent of _cool_ Air took Place from the North-West at a certain Height over the Water, and _assisted_ the Descent of the Balloon.
[Sidenote: The Balloon descended with a _rushing_ Noise.]
97. In order to judge with what Rapidity the Balloon descended, when so +low+ as to be within the Influence of the _under_ Current, while the _cool moist_ Air rushed in at the Bottom, and most probably pressed out the Gass; the following Intelligence has been communicated by a Person of Veracity.
[Sidenote: Anecdote shewing the Rapidity of Descent, at first.]
As two credible Farmers were working, with their Servants, in the +harvest+; on hearing a hollow, rushing Sound in the Air, which they took to be a _Whirl-wind_, or _distant Thunder_, and which seemed every Moment to encrease and approach them; they all retreated under a large Oak. While there, they first perceived the swift Descent of the Balloon. Two, who were afraid of Thunder, then began to take Courage, boldly exclaiming they shoud never fear Thunder again, since the _Falling_ of a Balloon coud be attended with so _terrible_ a Noise.