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[[image continued from previous page]] [[caption continued from previous page]][[?]]ANDS WITH HIS WIFE. any difference, when Connor laughingly said "It might cause the balloon to burst and spill him out." Shortly after 4 o'clock, Mr. Conner, deeming that he had sufficient gas in the balloon, called a number of gentlemen around him, and giving each one a rope, directed that the balloon be allowed to gradually rise until the basket only rested upon the ground. This was done, but the balloon was very restive, being rocked about by the wind in a frightful manner. The top of it appeared very full, but the throat seemed flabby. The audience again urged Mr. C. not to make the ascension, but he laughed at their fears. Bidding an affectionate adieu to his wife and intimate friends, Mr. Connor entered his car and called upon those who held the ropes to close up and take a strong hold upon the basket, which they did. Everything being in readiness, at a preconcerted signal every man relaxed his hold, but the balloon, instead of rising perpendicularly from the ground, lunged off in a westerly direction. The monster body, driven by the squall that just then arose, demolished a large transparency with which it came in contact, and, striking the metal cornich of the ball and concert building, bent it like so much thin lead. The wind subsiding, the balloon rose above the high ornaments on the building referred to, and then suddenly collapsed, and with its basket and occupant instantly disappeared from sight. A scene of the wildest confusion now ensued, Mrs. Connor, and a female relative who accompanied her, fainting and falling helpless upon the ground. Loud shrieks rent the air, both inside and outside of the Garden, and the frantic people rushed hither and thither without knowing why or wherefore. Many people, under the impression that the balloon had fallen into the yards of the houses on Fourteenth street, or had risen and landed upon the roofs of the neighbouring buildings, attempted to gain admission to said premises, but were repulsed by some Policemen. Officer Rabineau of the Sixteenth Ward, and Officer Westerfield of the Ninth, succeeded in gaining the roof of the Concert Hall, where they found young Connor lying in an insensible condition, covered with the wreck of his balloon. With great difficulty he was removed to the hall, and examined by a physician, who pronounced him injured internally, and in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of his recovery. Mr. Connor continued to sink very rapidly, and expired at 11 o'clock last night in the arms of his wife. His injuries were of an internal nature, and were received by his striking against the ornaments on the building. The balloon was torn into shreds, and the car badly broken. From what we have gleaned from those present, it appears that Mr. Connor made a contract with Mr. Wise to furnish him with a balloon large enough to carry two persons, and Mr. W. had sold him the "Venus," which is not much larger than the Ganymede, and will only accommodate one. Mr. C. had commenced a suit against Mr. Wise, which we believe was tried yesterday. Previous to leaving Court, Mr. Connor remarked jokingly to the defendant, "I'm going up to-day, and I suppose you'll be glad if I never come back," verifying the old adage "that there's many a true word spoken in jest." The Daily British Whig. "Opifer per Orbem Dicor." WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 23, 1860. Professor Wise. This celebrated Aeronaut, who is both a gentleman and an artist, was driven away from Kingston, after going to great expense, in preparing for the Ascension and in bringing the Victoria Balloon to Canada, by conduct the most shameful that has ever disgraced a community at large, and which must ever reflect upon Kingston and its officials. Sooner than enter into any low competition, Mr. Wise gave up the field to his unprofessional rival, and left the country. So there will be only one Ascension tomorrow, and even that one very doubtful. Three several falsehoods were industriously circulated here, to the injury of Professor Wise. 1st. That he had previously disappointed the people of Kingston. This is not so, for the Aeronauts who disappointed the people of Kingston last fall, were Messrs. Stayner and La Mountain. 2nd. That Mr. Keenan was in the field at Kingston before him. This is not so, for about Christmas time last, Mr. Huntingdon came from Watertown to Kingston to make arrangements for the ascension, but though he enquired about the Gas, he did not secure it by giving a positive order. 3rd. That the Balloon he brought here was his little Balloon. This is not so, for though the 'Victoria' is not so large as Mr. Keenan's, it is still his large Balloon, and quite large enough for all practical purposes. When another scientific gentleman of character visits Kingston, we hope he may receive better treatment than that accorded to Professor Wise. On the score of fair play and of fair play only, we allow this letter to appear, holding the opinion that Mr. Keenan's conduct is indefensible, tho' not so much so, as that of his supporters:- PROFESSOR KEENAN AND HIS BALLOON PRINCE OF WALES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH WHIG SIR,—It is an old saying, and a true one, that fair play is boney play. The old saw never was more fairly applied, than in the case of Professor Keenan and his New and Magnificent Balloon and the 'Prince of Wales.' I refer to the attempts made by the æronaut Wise to force Keenan off the track, with his Balloon, on the Queen's Birth Day. It seems that Professor Wise came over here, under the patronage of Mr. Angel, United States Consular Agent, to exhibit his Balloon here, on the 24th instant. Keenan not being made aware of Mr. Wise's intention, also came over, and engaged with Mr. Kerr, of the Gas Company, for a supply of gas to be used in his ascension on the Queen's Birth Day. When this came to the ear of Professor Wise, he insisted that Keenan should retire, and when he found out that he could not frighten him, then his friends and agents endeavoured to slander and vilify Professor Keenan, stating that he was no artist, and was only humbugging the people ; all this in the face of the fact that the Prince of Wales Balloon is by far the finer of the two, and further, that the daring æronaut, the gallant LaMountain was to make the ascension. Now sir, both of these parties are Americans, and would it not be well to allow them to fight their own battles, instead of interfering in the quarrel and injuring a very clever and able artist. It is owing to the liberality of a few gentlemen of the city, that Mr. Keenan has succeeded and will make his grand ascension on Thursday next. The desire to see fair play has caused the success of Professor Keenan and I am not sorry for it. FAIR PLAY. Kingston, May 22nd, 1860. THE BALLOON ASCENSION After all the strife, doubt, and hopes deferred in the matter of a Balloon Ascension at Kingston, it may be considered, weather permitting, a settled fact that we are to enjoy the novel sight of seeing a man wafted to the region of the clouds on the morrow. It appears that Prof. Wise, unwillingly to cause two failures by a double ascension, proposed to withdraw from the enterprize [[ enterprise ]] and give Mr. Keenan a clear field, provided Mr. Huntington would relieve him of his obligation to carry out the programme [[ program ]] as advertised, to which Mr. H. generously gave his consent, and at once transferred his interest and assistance to Mr. Keenan's ascension. As Mr. Hungington has had more experience in arranging and engineering ascensions, and Mr. Keenan manifests a goodly degree of "pluck" and perseverance, there is a fair prospect of their success. From the fact that these young men have devoted much time and money to the completion of their project, it is to be hoped our citizens will cheerfully give the patronage they merit. Let every citizen contribute his mite, by paying their grounds a visit, and it will be returned ten-fold by the thousands of dollars which will be left in our city by visitors, attracted here by our first Balloon Ascension. By reference to a card in another column will be found the Arrangements for securing tickets in advance, thus avoiding the unpleasant crowd at the regular ticket office. The Daily British Whig. "Opifer per Orbem Dicor." FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 25, 1860. THE QUEEN'S BIRTH DAY. Yesterday was a great day in Kingston, so far as a splendid day and an immense crowd of visitors could make it great. It was also a day of great disappointments in more ways than one. The Annual Military Parade took place on Barriefield Common. Full 300 of the R.C. Rifles were in the field, under command of Col.Bourchier. These veterans looked uncommonly well and marched particularly so. Nothing like old soldiers for good marching. When the guns of Fort Henry at
