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THE WONDER

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the body for money - was, however, abandoned, but the sixpences were demanded for inspecting the parachute up to the time when the constable made his appearance with instructions from the proper authorities to take charge of all the materials until the inquest was terminated. This was a proceeding quite indispensable, for such was the indecent curiosity of those who came to the spectacle, that they carried off portions of the basket work, and, had not a stop been put to the depradations, there is reason to believe the whole would have speedily disappeared.
The balloon descended about nine o'clock, within a few miles of Maidstone. Mr. Green and Mr.S penser alighted in perfect safety, and passed the night near the place where they descended. the melancholy fate of their companion did not  reach them until yesterday morning, when they instantly set off for Lee-green, and there received a confirmation of the distressing event.

ADDITIONAL AND LATEST PARTICULARS
The death of the unfortunate Mr. Robert Cocking, under the appalling circumstances detailed in our journal, has created a deep and painful sympathy in the minds of the public. The catastrophe has happily not been extended to a further loss of life, as was fearfully anticipated on Monday night. After the parachute was divided from the car, the balloon rose rapidly, and gained an altitude of more than three miles. When about five miles on the other side of Maidstone, Mr. Green and his companion (Mr. Spenser)effected a safe descent. From the circumstance of the balloon entering some dense clouds immediately after the fastenings of the parachute were loosened, neither Mr. Green or his friend were able to make any observations as to the fatal consequences that ensued, and it was not until yesterday morning that intelligence reached them, through Mr. Charles Gye, of the dire calamity that had taken place, when they immediately started off for Lee, and arrived at the Tiger's Head inn about half-past ten o'clock yesterday afternoon. The statements which have appeared are in some respects incorrect. The ill-fated Mr. Cocking did not fall out of the basket attached to the parachute, but fell with the machine, and when first discovered was jammed in the basket, some of the wicker work being nearly forced through by, apparently, the knees of the sufferer. A number of eyes were on the balloon at the moment the division took place between it and the parachute, and it had not descended more than a few seconds, when so fearful an oscillation took place that the fatal result was fully anticipated. Before reaching the earth the parachute turned over several times with great rapidity. Those who were at the time noticing with what frightful velocity the machine came down to earth, were not aware that a fellow creature was about to undergo a dreadful death. Some labouring men in the employ of Mr. Norman first arrived on the spot, when the sad reality was apparent. The unfortunate gentleman was not quite dead; he opened his eyes and moved his lips, and having drawn a deep sigh, expired. His body was removed to the Tiger's Head inn, where several medical gentlemen attended, but all human aid was unavailing. The melancholy result of the experiment is satisfactorily attributed, by Mr. Green and other competent judges, to the deceased not having maintained an upright position in the basket, but leaning on the side, caused the lower part to be suddenly raised; by which the adventurous aeronaut lost his equilibrium, and the rapid oscillation immediately ensuing brought the machine, which weighed more than 500lbs. with the most tremendous velocity to the earth. In the opinion of the surgeons, death was caused by the dreadful concussion the system met with. The greatest appearance of external violence is about the upper part of the head and chest. It is stated by Mr.
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Green, that at the time the parachute was separated from the car, the altitude was about a mile; and from the time of the oscillation commencing, until the machine reached the earth not more than a minute could have elapsed. The parachute, the dimensions and construction of which have been described in the public journals more than once, now lies in a room at the inn. It is in a very mutilated condition, and Mr. Gye positively asserts that great portions of it have been taken away. This the above gentleman attributes to the public being allowed to inspect it. A charge of sixpence for the admission of each individual having been improperly made by the landlord of the house. The corpse of the ill-fated and lamented gentleman was also intended to be exhibited to public gaze, for the above stated sum, but was prevented by some respectable influential individuals of the place. On the arrival of the two Mr. Gyes, they put a stop to any charge being made for the inspection of the parachute.
Mr. Cocking was in his 62d year He was an artist by profession, and a gentleman of considerable scientific attainments. He had made several ascents with Mr. Green. He places the greatest reliance upon the full success of the experiment, which has ended so disasterously. On the evening of the fatal ascent, he expressed the utmost confidence to his friends; and when it was suggested to him that it was not too late to retract, but give up the experiment, at least until a future day, he said he would not forego his intention for any consideration. Mr. Cocking has left a widow but no family.

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