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[[Advertising poster, and three columns of clippings below]]

[[Large, black and white advertising poster, varying type size, centered]]

SIXTEENTH NIGHT of SUBSCRIPTION.
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Theatre-Royal, Richmond-Green,
This present MONDAY, July 11, 1785,
Will (by Desire) be presented (for the second Time) a Comic Opera call'd
The DUENNA.
Ferdinand by Mr. PALMER,
Isaac by Mr. WEWITZER,
Don Jerome by Mr. FEARON,
Antonio by Mr. DAVIES,
Father Paul by Mr. PHILLIMORE,
Lopez by Mr. WILLIAMES,
Servants by Mess. SHADE, PERKINS, &c.
And Carlos by Mrs. WATTS,
Louisa by Mrs. PALMER,
Duenna by Miss WILLIS,
And Clara (second Time) by Miss MARIA PALMER,
[[italics]] (From the Theatre-Royal, Dublin,) [[/italics]]
To which will be added (acted here but Twice) a NEW
PANTOMIME,
CALL'D THE
POWERS OF MAGIC:
OR,
HARLEQUIN'S HOLIDAY.
With the ASCENSION of a REAL
AIR BALLOON.
Harlequin by Mr. PITT,
PANTALOON by Mr. DAVIES,
Clown by Mr. WEWITZER,
Principal Singing Witch by Mr. PALMER,
Lover Mr. PHILLIMORE, Blueskin (the Butcher) Mr. SHADE,
Spright by Mrs. BOLTON,
And Columbine by Mrs. WATTS,
To Conclude with a Country Dance by the Characters.
BOXES 4s. PIT 2s. GALLERY 1s.
The Doors to be opened at Six and begin precisely at Seven o'Clock, [[italics]] Vivant Rex & Regina. [[/italics]]
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Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr. ROGERSON, at the Stage Door of the Theatre.
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BLANCHARD'S ASCENSION IN HOLLAND.
[[italics]] Hague 13th of July, 1785. [[/italics]]
"Yesterday at a few minutes before five o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Blanchard, ascended with his new balloon, accompanied by the Marquis de Breuilpont, Captain of the French dragoons, (who went from London with Mr. Blanchard to Holland) and Mr. d'Horindhein, Captain in the legion of the Comte de Maillebois; the machine arose with great majesty, and the wind being N. W. and nearly calm, afforded the spectators a beautiful sight for a long time.

"The Stadtholder and his whole Court were present, as well as the French Ambassador and our new [[italics]] Dutch French [[/italics]] General Le Comte de Maillebois, and a vast number of the nobility, who testified their approbation at the inflation of the aerostat, which although very large, was completely filled in less than two hours.

"As this was the  first [[italics]] Spectacle [[/italics]] in aeroflation in this country, it drew an immense concourse of people, indeed more than was ever collected together at any particular time in the memory of the oldest man; who testified their wonder and admiration at this new and brilliant experiment."
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BLANCHARD's ASCENSION
[[italics]] From the [[/italics]] HAGUE
We are under the necessity of contradicting the article in our paper of Monday last, which asserted that Mr. Blanchard ascended from the Hague at five on the preceding Tuesday, accompanied by two foreign gentlemen. The mistake arose from the following circumstance - the Hague Gazette (from which it was copied) was printed off previous to the hour of Mr. Blanchard's departure, and from the size of the balloon, no doubt was entertained of the event, unfortunately, however, it was found unequal to the burden of three passengers. The following we have received as an authentic account of his ascent, the other particulars were as stated in the Herald of Wednesday.

Hague, July 13.
About three o'clock yesterday afternoon, Mr. BLANCHARD began the process of filling his balloon. The apparatus consisted of twenty-four casks, communicated by means of tin tubes, with two large tubs or recipients, and the materials used for the production of the inflammable air were vitriolic acid, and zinc. It had been previously calculated that two hours would be sufficient to fill the aerostat, but from the bad construction of their tubes, and their being very ill soldered, the inflation took up a much
longer time, When it was about two thirds full, Mr. Blanchard perceiving the approach of evening, resolved to depart with one companion only. The drawing of lots was fixed upon by the PRINCE and PRINCESS of ORANGE, and the French Ambassador, as the most equitable mode of determination, to this M. de Breilpont and M. Honinchoun (the rival candidates) con[[?]], and the Katter became the favourite of fortune. He immediately entered the gondola, and a half after seven was launched with his intrepid companion, the one waving the flag of Holland, and the other the colours of the Legion de Maillebois, of which he is an officer.
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By advice from Holland we hear, that Mr. Blanchard descended at a village called Zevenhuit, two leagues from Rotterdam, in a meadow at a distance from any house; that the country people, armed with stakes and pitchforks had in a most violent manner seized upon the car and broken it to pieces, and stolen the materials of which it was made, which they divided among themselves in spite of the endeavours of the Aeronauts to prevent them. Not content with this, the farmer in whose meadow they alighted, had the insolence to demand 10 ducats for damages supposed to have been done to his ground. Mr. Blanchard, however had sufficient presence of mind to tell him that he had not so much about him, but offered to give him a note payable next day at the Hague. This the farmer accepted, after repeatedly threatening to demolish the balloon. It was then put in a boat with the fragments of the car, and in two hours the travellers arrived at Rotterdam, from whence they returned next day to the Hague, and waited on the Prince Stadtholder, who kept them to dinner. The farmer has not yet been to demand the payment of his note.

The promisory note, delivered by Mr. Blanchard to the greedy Dutch Cannibal, who did not understand French, was worded as follows:
" I hereby certify, that I took ground at nine o'clock in the evening, in a lonesome meadow, belonging to a man who has suffered no manner of inconvenience by my descent; and who, nevertheless, has had the meanness to insist upon my engaging to give him ten ducats, after he had been assisting in destroying my car and globe."
(Signed)      BLANCHARD

July 12, 1785
Our Rotterdam correspondent further says that upon hearing of the extortionary demands alluded to,Blanchard exclaimed, - "What unconscionable rascals are these Myn-Hoeren! - It is true I got little, but I paid nothing!"

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^[[June 25.]] To the PUBLIC. ^[[1785.]]
MR. BLANCHARD's sudden departure from London was owing to unforeseen circumstances, which, before it is long, will be fully explained to the world and shew that gentleman's conduct in its proper light; till then the public are requested not to listen to the private insinuations of invidious and designing persons, who may rejoice at Mr. Blanchard's misfortune: but their enjoyment will be of short duration, Mr. Blanchard hopes to convince soon his friends that he is worthy of their esteem, and his enemies, that he is above the attacks of envy and malevolence.
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^[[1785]]
[[italics]] Hague, July 4 [[/italics]] The few people who have already seen Mr. Blanchard's balloon, which is exhibited in the Grand Saloon of the Old Court, admire it very much in every respect; and we do not doubt but this gentleman will, if the subscriptions for the necessary expences fill, fulfil his engagements with the Public, and make an aerial voyage from this place, we hope with the same success of those he has already taken from other countries. Immediately after his intended journey, Mr. Blanchard will go to Frauckfort on the Main, where a subscription is already "opened, and half filled, in his favour.
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The uninformed people of Holland, imagine that Blanchard's balloon, was nothing more than a prodigious large bladder, filled with an infusion of quicksilver, on the principle of a school-boy's tricks with a dumplin.

The treatment poor [[italics]] Blanchard [[/italics]] has received in Holland, is sufficient indeed to make him exclaim, " that he found himself in the [[italics]] Low [[/italics]] Countries!"
^[[July 1785]]
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^[[1785]]
[[italics]] Extract of a Letter from the Hague, Aug. 2.[[/italics]]
"Mr. Blanchard ascended on the 30th of last month from Rotterdam, in the same balloon in which he crossed the Channel, at half an hour after six o'clock in the afternoon, and descended at Yffelstein, near Utrecht, at nine o'clock exactly, where the reception he met with overbalanced the rough treatment he experienced at Zevenhuisen. Mr. Blanchard, says this was the most dangerous aerial voyage he ever took, as he was met by a strong whirlwind, and passed through several thunderclouds, and was at one time, as nearly as he could calculate, 16,000 feet high."
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The peasant at Zevenhuysen, against whom an action has been brought, for damages done to Mr. Blanchard's balloon, in his defence, proved that he understood LOGIC better than AEROSTATION. He thus addressed his Judges: " Gentlemen, it is an established point in law, that whatever falls from the clouds becomes the property of the owner of the land on which it falls:
"Mr. Blanchard and his balloon fell in my field.
" Ergo, Mr. Blanchard and his balloon both became my property, which I permitted him to re-purchase for ten ducats, to which I am justly entitled."
This curious syllogism, which appeared irrefragable, diverted the Court exceedingly; and Mr. Blanchard was one of the first to join the laugh. ^[[Aug. 11.1785]]
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^[[1785.]] LISLE, AUG.26: Mr. Blanchard and his companion, after a various course, occassioned by the different currents of air which they encountered in their elevation, were carried full 189 English miles from the place of their departure, and descended at a village in the province of Clermont. Having placed their balloon in security, on the fourth day after their departure a courier arrived here to announce their approach. Prince R - dispatched a messenger to desire they would retard their arrival hour, in which time the six regiments were drawn out, who, on their entering the city, saluted the intrepid aeronauts with military honours. The aerial voyagers were then carried to the Prince's chateau; where they received every refreshment, and in the evening he accompanied them to the theatre. Blanchard was placed on his right side, and the Chevalier on his left, and a song composed to their honour was sung by one of the actors, who placed a laurel crown on the head of each. The whole audience joined in the chorus, and testified every emotion of admiration. The evening concluded at the Prince's where every person of rank was invited, and the highest festivity prevailed - The voyage was performed in less than 7 hours.
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^[[73 - handwritten in pencil]]