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[[image - drawing of Petin's huge flying machine]]]]
[[caption]] M. PETIN'S "SYSTEM OF AERIAL NAVIGATION!" [[caption]]

THE BALLON 

"A ballon, a ballon!" hark the little ones shout, 
And the villagers all from their houses run out;
"Where is it, where is it?" all anxiously cry,
And turn their inquiring eyes to the sky. 

"Don't you see? it is rising there, higher and higher, 
A little this way now, just over the spire;
Stand here! You will see it above yon tall tree,--
Pshaw! look where I point--'tis as plain as can be."

The blacksmith lays down his huge hammer awhile, 
With eager delight and a curious smile,
And the girl leaves the infant to scream on the floor,
While she stands open-mouthed at the jessamined door.

The schoolboys are all at the window arrayed,
To the horror and wrath of the master so staid,
Who even himself to the easement must creep,
To snatch at the sight, though disdainful, a peep.

"I wonder, young Tom, what your master would say,
If he knew you were idling about in this way?
And you, Master Baker, your mistress will scold;
If you loiter much longer your pie will be cold."

It lessens, it fades, it no longer is seen,
And the curious group return home from the green,
Each one with his labor the better in tune,
For his fortune in seeing the wondrous ballon.


BATAVIA, JULY 27, 1850. 

Commenced the inflation at half past 11 o'clock, cut loose from the moorings at 4 o'clock 5 minutes. The Balloon being new and well filled ascended very rapidly and in the space of 3 minutes I was entirely hidden from the multitude in the dense cloud, which were about half a mile high, and appeared to be very much agitated by the wind. After passing entirely through the clouds the sun shone in all its splendor upon me. At 4 o'clock 10 minutes I reached a current of air which appeared to blow from the south-east, and wafted me with great velocity. At 4 o'clock 13 minutes I reached a current of wind which caused my Balloon to vibrate and make a quick rotary motion, which gave me the disagreeable sensation of what is called by sailors "sea sickness;" but in about 2 minutes I passed through this flaw of wind--the mercury standing at this time at 30. At 4 o'clock 18 minutes my Balloon became fully distended, the hydrogen escaping at the lower orifice, which was intentionally left open, I immediately opened the valve and let a portion of gas escape to ease her, which did in a measure, but did not seem to check her upward flight, for,like the proud eagle, she soared a float as if determined to leave all mist and fog below, which she had now nearly accomplished.

At 4 o'clock 20 minutes, I found I had reached the eastern current of air and was passsing eastward with great rapidity, although unconscious of any motion. I considered myself at this time about 10,000 feet from the earth, and still ascending with great velocity

A scene here presented itself far beyond my ability to describe, and I will not attempt it only in outline. About 3000 feet below me the clouds appeared like a vast ocean of down in continual motion, as far as the eye could extend, and of the purest white; and above me not a cloud to be seen--nothing but the blue canopy of heaven, which contrasted beautifully with the silvery clouds beneath. The sun was now about two hours above the horizon.

I cast my eye to the east, and saw the shadow of my Balloon on the clouds beneath, surrounded by a broad halo displaying all the tints of the rainbow. While contemplating the scene, Morpheus invited me to his arms and for a few moments I was wrapped in slumber, from which I was awakened by the hydrogen escaping from the lower orifice of the Balloon, and coming in contact with my oldactory nerves. Looking at my watch and finding I had slept five minutes I immediately opened the valve. The escape of the gas resembled that of the escape pipe of an engine.

I judged myself at this time 13,000 feet from the earth. My body appeared to be very much distended, breathing unnatural although not difficult, and my eyes so much distended as as not to endure the rays of the sun without giving me pain. My hearing was also very acute, as I could hear the looing of cattle, and the rumbling noise produced by carriages. 

At 4 o'clock 40 minutes I began calculating my probable, position, and from the course I had come I concluded I must be near my own home, and determined to descend and ascertain the result of my calculations.

I opened the valve and came down into a dark dense cloud, so dark as to render me unable to see the top of my Balloon.- When in this position, I again got into a contrary wind which caused my car to vibrate violently and again brought on seasickness and vomiting.
 
At 4 o'clock 53 minutes I has descended through this dense cloud and found that was in sight of Canadico and Hemlock Lake's, and making directly for the centre of the former. I immediately inflated my life preserver to be in readiness in case I were to have a watery alighting place; but happily the wind changed and I came down on the farm of Horace Hoppoug, in the town of Canadice, Ontario Co., and three miles from my own house, at precisely 5 o'clock, being 55 minutes from the time of starting, travelling a distance of 45 miles, and only 5 minutes in sight of the earth during the voyage. 

As I descended through the clouds I was observed by my friends, among whom were Wm. B. Lemon, J.E. Remington, D. H. Hanchett, H, Gregg, and others, and although at a distance of 3 miles from, I had scarcely time enough to secure my Balloon before these gentlemen were in attendance with carriages to convoy me home.

This kindness which has been so often shown me on previous occasions I now take great pleasure in acknowledging. 

This is my twelfth arial voyage 

IRA J. THURSTON. 

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