CHAPTER XXX.

Section 169. The Summer Scenes of Fairy-Land below, being soon eclipsed by the _quick_ Intervention of a _Range_ of Clouds; the +sudden+ Contrast of which was highly pleasing to the Imagination; a Prospect of +mid winter+ instantaneously succeeded.

[Sidenote: The Center filled up in an Instant.]

170. The Earth’s _Surface_ throu’ an immeasurable Crater of Vapour accumulated round the Aironaut, who was suspended, and seemed fixed in the Center above it, _no longer existed_. And, if it will not be allowed, that a _new_ Earth, and a _new_ +sky+ appeared; at least, let the Imagery and Resemblance of what was really seen, be taken from that +earth+, which in Fact did _not_ appear.

A +world+ of _Clouds_, +greater+ than the +one+ below, became, for the first Time the _sole_ Object that engrossed the Sight. (See Section 144.)

[Sidenote: View of the Clouds taken from _above them_.]

171. The Balloon was _apparently_ raised some Miles above the _Surface_ of a _concave shallow_ Plate, or Shell, or rather an immense Plain, _which_ was in general smooth and well defined: but the _dense_ tonìtruous Masses, rising here and there _above_ the Rest, greatly resembled steep and +rugged mountains+ seen in Perspective, at different Distances from 5 and 10 to at least a hundred Miles.[45]

An unvaried deep cerùlean and pellucid Azure, without a Cloud above, enclosed the +novel earth+: whose Surface, whether Valley, Plain, or +mountain+ _in Appearance_; seemed as if covered to a prodigious Depth, by successive Falls of Snow, driven and polished by the Winds and Frost, and dazzling to the Sight: the Sun still shining above all, with +white+, unremitting and invigorating Rays.[47]