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GARNERIN's AERIAL VOYAGE FROM RANELAGH.
^[[June 29, 1802 - handwritten in ink]]
This interesting event took place about five yesterday evening, being delayed from the originally intended hour of three, in consequence of the procession of His Majesty to the House of Lords, which, however, prevented many persons of distinction from attending. The balloon was about thirty feet in diameter, and about forty-five in height; the car, about six feet by four, and about two feet and a half in depth, with a seat at each end, and a space between for ballast, hung from the extremity of the netting with which the balloon was covered, at a distance of nearly eight feet, suspended by no more than four cords, so that when the number of accidents that every day are heard of, by falling overboard ships, encompassed as they are with rigging, and familiarised as men are with them, were considered, the most lively anxiety prevailed for the safety of the daring adventurers who were to ascend.  The figure and proportions of the balloon were grand and beautiful; its colours alternate sections of dark green and yellow, diversified by the netting.  The vessels in which were contained the materials from which the gas was generated, the tubes by which it was conveyed to the balloon, the most minute part of the instruments, and the process, were examined with the most particular attention that wonder and curiosity could excite.  The day, which had held fair till the people were gratified with the sight of their beloved Sovereign, became somewhat gloomy, when they proceeded towards Ranelagh, in search of a pleasure less moral and affecting, though certainly innocent and interesting.  A slight dropping of rain, and the evident approach of a heavy shower, gave rise to some apprehensions in breasts less bold than those of Garnerin and his companion (and probably such were those of all present but the adventurers themselves), that the ascent would not take place; but a few minutes before five, all the preparations being completed, a signal was given by the firing of a gun, and the company hastened from the Rotunda to the spot where the balloon was moored.  Garnerin, with an alacrity astonishing on such an occasion, took leave of his friends; and Captain Sowden, of the Navy, now resolved to navigate a new element (which, we trust, if ever it becomes completely practicable, will, like the proper element of Captain Sowden, be ruled by the British flag), mounted the car.  This was a moment of keen anxiety to the great number of spectators unskilled in the nature and management of balloons.  The cords by which the balloon had been secured were untied, the men who had held it down had let go their hold; and though the car rested still on the earth, the body floating in the air seemed ready every moment to ascend into the clouds with a man totally unacquainted with the regions into which he would be hurried, and having nothing to depend upon for his safety but a courage which, after this day's treat, may be fairly said to be inaccessible to fear.  In this situation the balloon was detained for some few minutes, by the weight of the sand in the car; but Garnerin having thrown out as much as was necessary to give way, stepped on board; his assistants again laid hold of the cord, and the balloon, now completely afloat, was borne three times round the circle, amidst the universal and loud applauses of the assembly, and the unanimous wish of a happy voyage and a safe return.  The balloon was now entirely loosed, Garnerin and his brave companion pronounced their adieu, and mounted into the air, followed by the eyes, and the animating exclamations of the company within the gardens, and the immense multitude which crouded the surrounding places.  Mutual expressions of kindness were exchanged, as long as articulation could be distinguished; and when the voices of the adventurers could no longer be heard, the cheering shouts of the admiring assemblage below ascended to them, and was replied to by kissing their hands, and waving their hats; and when even that was no longer distinguishable, by flourishing the flags which they held in their hands.  A more sublime, and interesting sight, was never witnessed, than that which was afforded by the moments between the entrance of Captain Sowden into the car, and the time when the balloon attained its full elevation; the ascent was not rapid, but rather easy and majestic, till the voyagers, having cleared the trees, and given facility to their flight, by throwing out an additional quantity of their ballast, rose beyond the power of the naked eye, and were no longer discernable, except as a dark mass, moving in the atmosphere.  This interval was about 20 minutes, and attention was still fixed on the object, continually diminishing by distance, and approaching to invisibility, when a heavy fall of rain compelled the company to take refuge in the Rotunda, not without a sincere feeling of concern for the voyagers.
Garnerin is of the middle size, with an expressive countenance and a quick eye, extremely active and alert, and particularly so in the moment of ascending.  Capt. Sowden is of a tall manly figure; he seemed rather to feel a solemn and decided resolution than a thoughtless gaiety, insensible of the value of what it exposes.
The company in the gardens consisted of about 1200 persons, almost universally of fashion.  They began to assemble about two: nearly at three the Duchesses of Manchester and Gordon, with Lady Georgina Gordon, arrived, with a party, at the Water Gate, having come in a pleasure barge from Whitehall Stairs.  Their Graces were saluted, on landing, with a volley from the soldiers on duty in the gardens.  At half past three arrived the Duchesses of Devonshire and Leeds, Lord and Lady Morpeth, Lord Carlisle, Lady H. Cavendish, Marquisses Lorne and Hartington; Sirs John Shelly, and John Riddell; Lords Camelford, Cholmondeley, Mount Edgecumbe, Stanhope, Cooper, Ossulstone; Col. Greville; Messrs. Maddocks, W. Maddocks, Mitford, Dawkins; Mrs. Fitzherbert, Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan, &c. &c.  At four the company partook of the refreshments, which were excellent; the wines were of the first quality and flavour, particularly the Burgundy, Champagne, and Claret, in the gallery, where none but the members of the Pic Nic Society, and those who had tickets from them, were admitted.
Among the rumours on the scene, it was mentioned that Colonel Greville wished very much to be du voyage; and that when he was informed that the car could not admit three, he had endeavoured to persuade Captain Sowden to resign his place to him.  A lively conversation was said to have taken place on the subject, in which each of these gentlemen displayed much anxiety for the safety of the other, and for his own glory.  It was said that Captain Pollen [[?]] offered 50 guineas to be permitted to terminate the dispute, by being himself the companion of Garnerin, and that Captain Sowden actually paid 100 guineas for being allowed to retain his seat.
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Such are the particulars (within the gardens) of the second Fete of the Pic Nic Society, at Ranelagh.  The whole expence of the two, including 500l. paid to Garnerin, was 3000l.  The money paid for tickets, and for admission at the doors, amounted only to 2000l. consequently the subscribers have 1000l. to make good.
Without the gardens every window, every housetop, every tree, was filled; Chelsea gardens were crowded, the river was covered with boats; while the banks on both sides, and every avenue from town towards Ranelagh were so thronged, it was difficult to find a passage through them.  The great road from Buckingham gate was absolutely impassable, or at least the carriages, which formed an unbroken chain from the turnpike to Ranelagh door, could only advance so slowly that many persons preferred getting out on the way, and struggling through the crowd at any risque.  It is in fact impossible to form an idea of the numbers who went out to view this sublime and novel sight. --- Those who were unable, or unwilling, to go to the spot, were extremely fortunate in seeing it pass over the town, so low, as to be perfectly seen; Mr. Garnerin and Captain Sowden saluting as they passed along, and seeming to contrive, by the management of their ballast, &c. to remain purposely at that elevation, from which the whole City would be likely to have the best view.  From Ranelagh, the balloon took its direction towards Westminster, passing over Duke-street, whence it kept its line, between the river, and the Strand, Fleet-street, Ludgate-hill, and St. Paul's Church-yard, &c. Garnerin's intention, if the weather answered his wishes, was to have run a course of three hours, in which time he expected to go a length of 50 miles; the state of the day did probably not permit him to go that length.
In addition to the above particulars, we are enabled to add from another correspondent, that Garnerin said in the Gardens, previous to his departure, he would probably be obliged to make a long voyage, in consequence of the freshness of the breeze, which would carry him, and this turned out the fact, as he went too far to return last night; it was, in consequence, unknown where he landed; probably thirty or forty miles in Essex.  He will, certainly, however, be in the Pantheon, this day, at one o'clock, and the whole town will be crowding to see him.
No balloon that ever before went up, took a course so directly over London (from West to East) as Garnerin's yesterday.  He passed over Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's, and could be distinctly seen above every street.  Every house and shop was totally deserted; every soul flocked into the street as if there had been an earthquake. --- He could be distinctly seen waving the flags, and at one time he came very low, upon which he threw out ballast, ascended and was lost behind a cloud.  Soon after this a smart shower fell, and we suppose he had not the most comfortable voyage.  The weather was very hazy: had it been clear, the sight, passing so directly over London, and so low, would have been one of the most beautiful ever seen.  The sight produced a great sensation in town; great astonishment and anxiety. Every inhabitant saw it, and never had any spectacle so many spectators.
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^[[St. James's Chronicle June 30, 1802 - handwritten in ink]]
THE BALLOON.
M. Garnerin has favoured the public with the following additional particulars of his aerial voyage: - At the moment of departure, the balloon directed its course across St. James's Park, and went over the river between Westminster and Blackfriar's-bridge. Perceiving then that the aerostatic vehicle was descending, Mr. G. threw out some ballast; he then rose much above St. Paul's, and the travellers had an opportunity of viewing at one sight the city of London and its suburbs.  The temperature was already 15 degrees colder.  Mr. G. and Mr. S. felt quite chilly.  London soon disappeared by crossing a cloud, which, being surmounted, made them likewise lose sight of the earth.  The temperature was milder.  The inflammable air began then to dilate: and the aeronauts provided the means of safety by procuring every necessary emission of air.  Dinner was then introduced, and eaten with pleasure and appetite; at the desert, Mr. G. informed Capt. S. that their journey was drawing to a conclusion, and it was necessary to prepare for a descent extremely hazardous, on account of the excessive violence of the wind, which was likely to precipitate the travellers and the machine on the trees, on the hedges, on the houses, and, in fact, on every thing that would obstruct their passage.
The travellers had been exploring the atmosphere upwards of half an hour only, and having no idea of being at such a distance, thought it nevertheless expedient to come down.  Mr. G. opened the soupape, or aperture of his Balloon, to cross again the same cold and dark clouds already mentioned.  The earth became visible as well as the sea, which they saw very close, and arm of which they even crossed in various parts.  The anchor and cordage were ready for landing; the fury of the wind made the Balloon bounce from place to place as it grounded, and dragged the travellers through fields, trees, and bushes, by which their hands were torn to pieces.  The anchor now and then caught ground, and fastened at last to a hedge near a house, whose inhabitants, frightened at the sight of the aerial machine, not only declined to give assistance, but actually offered to fire on the venturesome Travellers.  At this juncture, the rope that fastens to the anchor broke, and the machine was carried with additional violence against a tree, by which Mr. S. received a severe blow on the head. The Balloon, however, having been torn in the lower part, both the cords and netting of the railing of the car broke, and the wind again forced away these Gentlemen from the tree they were strongly clasping, but with the assistance of a new though last exertion, the aerials had an opportunity of leaving the Car and Balloon, which fell upwards of 200 yards further.
Mr. G and S. were then four miles beyond Colchester; they went over Epping Forest, &c. and performed this long and arduous journey, in the short space of three quarters of an hour.
Mr. G. mentions in the handsomest terms the courage Capt. S. evinced in this new instance, and with peculiar expressions of gratitude and acknowledgements of the preseverance with which he voluntarily shared in the dangers attending their landing, as he could several times have extricated himself from the car, which he never thought of leaving without his pilot.
He has unfortunately received some contusions; but we are happy to hear, that they are of no consequence.
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^[[111 - handwritten in pencil at the bottom of the page.]]