CHAPTER XXVI.
SENSATIONS ACCOMPANYING THE BALLOON.
[Sidenote: Situation safe and pleasant.]
Section 141. The alternate Elevation and Descent of the Balloon gave sufficient Leisure to reflect on the +security+ and +pleasure+ of his Situation, thus _wafted_ on the _Pinions_, and _merging_ in the _Ocean_ of Air.
Indeed the whole Excursion was a Continued Scene of Pleasure.
The Eye and the Imagination were beyond Measure delighted.
142. If there had been any Thing to wish for, it was the _living_ Pencil of +Angelica+,[39] or some other celebrated Painter: in order to gratify the World with the _bright Miniatures_ and _Colouring_ of so much _variegated_ Beauty.
143. As it woud be difficult, if not impossible, by _mere_ Description, to convey an adequate Idea of the different +Sensations+ experienced while in the Car; (for Pleasure is itself unspeakable;) yet the Fancy may possibly, without Censure, be a Moment _indulged_, in its Allusions to such familiar Subjects as approach nearest to +them+: so as not to leave the _public_ Mind _wholly_ in the Dark, with Respect to the above Points of natural and general Curiosity.
[Sidenote: The _Swing_ a favourite Amusement.]
144. Most young People, whenever they have Opportunity, amuse themselves on the +slack rope+, or Swing: the Pleasure _encreases_ in Proportion to the _Loftiness of Ascent_ they are _able_ to acquire.
[Sidenote: The Mogul enjoys the Air without Fatigue, by Means of the _Swing_.]
145. In the East, where the Heat of the Climate forbids robust Exercises; the _Swing_ is considered as a princely Diversion: and of which the +Mogul+ himself _condescends_ to partake. He is swung by Slaves: and thus enjoys the _pure_ Air _without_ Fatigue.
[Sidenote: The Balloon and Swing compared.]
146. The Ascent of the Balloon is not unlike what is felt, in the _ascending_ half of the Swing: and the Descent is attended with that agreeable Sensation known to those who _sink_ throu’ the _descending_ half.
[Sidenote: A favourite Diversion among the Russians.]
[Sidenote: Artificial Declivity of _waved_ Ice.]
147. A Diversion similar to the above is peculiar to the _North of Europe_, practised by the Russians, particularly the Inhabitants of Zarsko Zelo; and accompanied with a Sensation _so delightful_, that they seek it in the _open_ Air, amidst the _utmost Severity_ of the _Frost_. It is a Sort of Boat or _Car_, in which they _glide_, for a considerable Distance, _down_ an _artificial_ Declivity of _waved_ and _polished_ Ice: being drawn up by Servants; they launch precipitately forwards, and _down_ again as before.
[Sidenote: Amusements of Gestation in common with the Balloon.]
148. _Sledges_ drawn _swiftly_ over the undulated Surface of a _snowy_ Country, a favourite Diversion in many Parts of Germany, in Lapland, and Siberia: Skaiting on _level_ Ice; the Motion of a Vessel on _smooth_ Water; of a _fleet_ Horse; also of Wheel-Carriages rolling over +even+ Gravel, or a _grassy_ Plain, are each a _Luxury_ of the same Kind; and _grateful_ to the Nerves.
[Sidenote: Vertical Flying-Coach.]
149. There is yet another Amusement, which is said to be of _German_ Extraction, still frequent in the North of England, called the _vertical_ +Flying-Coach+.[40]
Two Persons are required to turn the Machine (when full): which moves like the four Sails of a Windmill: a Seat being placed at the End of each Sail.
150. The _Pleasure_ communicated to the _Nerves during_ the Descent, is to some Constitutions so _exquisite_, as to be full as much as the human Frame can support: others are affected by it in a _gentler_ Manner.
These different Diversions, flowing from the same Principle in common with the Balloon, viz. that of _being carried with a gentle Motion_, are _one or other_ suited to all Ranks and Ages.
151. The Pleasure of the double Slack Ropes, when seated in the Car appended between them, is perhaps in itself _superior_ to that of most others.
152. The _vertical Flying-Coach_[41] compleats the _Circle_, of which the Slack Rope describes but the lower _Half_.
[Sidenote: Balloon and Vertical Flying-Coach compared.]
153. The Sensations communicated by the Motion of the Balloon, come nearest those of the vertical flying Coach, tho’ _more_ gentle, and if possible, _more_ pleasing.
[Sidenote: No Sickness or Giddiness in the Balloon.]
At Sea, the most experienced Mariner is sometimes _sick_ or _giddy_.
154. Nothing of the Kind happens in the Balloon: where an infinite Variety charms the Imagination.
[Sidenote: The Spirits raised.]
155. The Spirits are raised by the _Purity_ of the Air[43], and _rest_ in a _chearful_ Composure.
[Sidenote: The Greatest Height conveys no Fear of falling.]
156. Even when _stationary_ above the Clouds, the _Height_ conveys with it no _Danger_ of _falling_: any more than _when_ in a Vessel at Sea, (as off the West-India Islands, for Example) the _Fish_ are seen gliding over the clear _white rocky_ Bottom, at the Depth of twenty Fathom: as the Aironaut seems perfectly unconnected with the Earth, and unconcerned about it.
[Sidenote: The Depth below the Clouds gives no Idea of Distance.]
157. Nor does the Depth _below the Clouds_ give an Idea of _Distance_. On the contrary, the _smooth chequered Lawns_ which form the Surface of the Earth, are presented to the Eye, as on a _Level_ with the _Clouds_ themselves: _at least_ +come up+ to their +undersides+, and appear so much a Part of _them_; that the _Clouds_ occupy the Place of _Earth_: and the Aironaut seems able to descend from the _Car_ upon the _Clouds_, and to walk from Side to Side over the _empty_ Space, as over a Sheet of _transparent_ Ice, across a _River_, whose Depth is equal to the _small_ but indefinite Thickness of the Clouds.
158. It is from _frequent_ +experience+ only that the _Diminution of Objects_ presuppose their _Distance_.