Viewing page 106 of 182

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

LOCAL MATTERS.

THE BALLOON ASCENSION. - The ascension advertised by Mr. CARRIER to take place yesterday evening, came off - or rather went off - in very grand style. It was a remarkably beautiful one-not surpassed by any we ever saw. Mr. Carrier is the intrepid æronaut who took Mr. Elliott's place without his permission, by playing a trick on him, at the ascension from the Armory during the Agricultural Fair.

An immense crowd assembled to witness the ascension near the balloon, while the house tops and porches in view were employed by hundreds as places of observation, and on the prominent points of Church Hill were gathered many people, all anxiously watching to see the balloon, which was swaying like an elephant, take its upward course. That "machine," as Mr. Carrier called it, was well supplied with gas. It was named "Pochahontas" by the maker - and was a very pretty affair.

About 4 o'clock Mr. C. ascended a little way and informed the crowd that it took money to make the machine rise, and unless more was subscribed it couldn't go up After going a little higher and throwing out a few pamphlets, he came down and took on some more ballast in shape of the hard lumps of clay so abundant on the hill. A short interval elapsed, during which we hope Mr. C. got enough subscribed to remunerate him. 

A little after four he again ascended and throwing off some of the dirt which he had now a little too much for ballast, he shot upwards, cheered by the multitude in the most vociferous manner, he waving his flag and raining down his pamphlets He first went westwardly a short distance - then remained nearly stationary - then moved eastwardly, and so slowly as to be a long time over the city. Finally he took a course a little north of east, prety much in the direction of Mr. Sydnor's, which has become such a popular stopping place of balloonist that we wouldn't wonder if our CARRIER pigeon alighted there. It should be called "æronauts rest" We have every confidence in our young æronaut, and are sure, although inexperienced, that he has coolness and tact to take care of himself. If he wasn't cool in the upper air yesterday, it certainly was not the fault of the atmosphere, for he went up to a most exalted position - the lookers on guessed from one to five miles above the earth. We should not forget to mention that among the pamphlets which were showered upon the people were those valuable publications known as "Carter's Spanish Mixture" Almanacs. The bare distribution of them saved many who had stood for hours on the wet ground from taking cold!

The balloon, while over the city reflecting back the rays of the sun, looked like a ball of gold suspended in the air. The shades of evening were fast gathering around as we saw the car still reflecting the lingering gleams of day, pursuing its solitary way.

Up to the hour of going to press, we received no intelligence of the descent of Mr. Carrier.