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TORONTO, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1874. Vol. VI.—NO. 19. BARNUM'S BALLOON. The Transatlantic Problem to be Solved--Barnum to Wise: Greeting. We have already announced that as the crowning achievement of an eventful career Mr. P. T. Barnum proposes to solve the problem of the easterly current, and demonstrate, if possible, the feasibility of crossing the ocean by balloon. Undismayed by the lamentable failure of the Graphic venture, the veteran showman has full faith in the success of the undertaking, and has made arrangements accordingly. An ARGUS reported having been favored with a glance at the correspondence which has passed between Messrs. Barnum and Wise on the subject, it is here reproduced for the benefit of those who may be curious to know somewhat of the inner history of a gigantic and tremendous undertaking. The correspondence is as follows: BARNUM TO WISE. TRAVELLING WORLD'S FAIR, } September, 1873. } Professor John Wise: DEAR SIR: The transatlantic voyage can and must be accomplished. Will you do it? Yours, P.T. BARNUM. WISE TO BARNUM. NEW YORK, September, 1873. P.T. Barnum, Esq: DEAR SIR: Yes. Truly yours, JOHN WISE. BARNUM TO WISE. State your conditions. BARNUM. WISE TO BARNUM. That you furnish me with such a balloon as I desire; let me build it myself; permit me to choose my own crew; fix the time to set sail, and to assume all the responsibility of the voyage. WISE. BARNUM TO WISE. Granted. You are the man I want. BARNUM. WISE TO BARNUM. How soon are we to commence operations? WISE. BARNUM TO WISE. I am going to Europe to make arrangements. Will you come on if I cable you? BARNUM. WISE TO BARNUM. Yes, instantly, if the balloon is to be built in Europe. WISE. BARNUM TO WISE. Should we determine to build it in New York will forward the silk at once. BARNUM. WISE TO BARNUM. Success attend you. I devote my life to the enterprise. WISE. The above looks like business, talks like business, and means business. If the dear public has any idea to the contrary let the dear public disabuse its mind at once of any lingering doubts. Don't for a moment imagine that Mr. Barnum is moved by a feeling of exalted devotion to the interests of science. The "gate money," it is calculated by that shrewd manipulator of humbugs numerous and varied, and caterer to the public pleasure, will more than reimburse him for all outlay. The scientific share of the undertaking will be left entirely to Professor Wise. Every essential requisite to complete success will be provided. Failure from inferior or incomplete equipment can hardly be looked for. Professor Donaldson will, very probably, not be of the party of daring aerenauts whose names are to be inscribed on highest clouds, and go down to an admiring posterity bathed in impenetrable mist. In order to put a quietus upon the agitation which threatens to involve the whole scientific world over the question of the eastern "air current," Mr. Barnum will expend an unlimited amount of filthy lucre, sure that in the end, the "balance" will be on the right side; and in the serene consciousness that in the declining years of life he has conferred a lasting boon upon humanity, he will "fold his tent like the Arabs," and "quietly steal away" to hunt up another sensation. The transatlantic problem must be solved. Mr. Barnum proposes to solve it. FROM CLOUDLAND. Trip of the Balloon Ontario. THE GREAT EASTERN CURRENT. A Scientific Fact Established. (From our own Reporter.) STRATFORD, Aug 4—The assembled spectators who witnessed the ascension of Professor Wise in the balloon Ontario this afternoon could not have exceeded four thousand. The balloon was inflated in the driving Park situated at the western limits of the town. The whole enclosure comprises about twenty acres. About half an acre in the centre was staked off and protected by ropes, and within this circle the balloon and the apparatus for filling it was placed. At one o'clock, Prof Wise and his son, Charles E Wise, accompanied by several other persons. appeared on the ground and superintended the inflation. Shortly after five o'clock the canvas was filled, and was found to contain about 7,000 cubic feet of gas The ballon was below the ordinary size, being only thirty-five feet in height, while the basket attachment made up a total height of fifty feet. The transverse diameter amounted to twenty-five feet. The net-work was secured by the means of sand bags, and when the canvas was filled the basket was attached. The intention of a member of THE LEADER staff to ascend with the æronaut was frustrated for the two simple reasons, 1st, that the balloon was not of sufficient capacity to elevate two person, and again, because there was no car attached but a small basket capable of holding only one person. About twenty minutes after five o'clock Mr Stanley Day explained that the Professor was too unwell to ascend, but that Mr Charles E Wise would take his place. This was accordingly done. A picture was taken of the ærial structure just before starting. After some difficulty in arranging the proper amount of ballast, the balloon rose away at an angle of 45 degrees, in a south-westerly breeze. The cheering was loud and prolonged. In response, the æronaut stood up upon the perilous edge of the basket, waved his hat and returned cheer for cheer. While it was lessening in the distance, Prof Wise delivered a short address, explaining his balloon experience, and pictured what might yet be accomplished by ærial navigation. One hour after its ascension, the balloon was seen to rapidly descend about due east of Stratford. At 9 in the evening intelligence was received that Prof Wise had returned to town. It was found in interview with him that he had risen steadily till he reached an attitude of 13,000 feet, when he struck the great eastern current which was very cold. Having been borne along in its for some time, the balloon began to lose gas at the neck, and in consequence a rapid descent took place. There being no ballast in the basket he could do nothing but await the result. As he neared the earth the grappling iron was thrown out, but it caught suddenly in a fence and broke the cable. In a few minutes afterwards the balloon came down with a dash in a wheat field belonging to Mr John Millar, farmer, some three miles fram Tavistock. It dragged on the ground and was at last secured by some parties engaged in putting up lightning rods. This occurred about eight miles from Stratford, and as the gentlemen were returning to town to-night they loaded up the balloon and carried it and its fearless occupant with them. It is worthy of consideration as a scientific fact that Mr. Wise was forty minutes in the great eastern current, of the existence of which both himself and his father have entertained a firm belief. By this current they assert it possible to reach Europe.