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[[start page]] 2 THE MAN IN THE MOON in the powerful language of Cremorne) to the realms of air, to see if there was anything there that had not yet been used up. We were also anxious to pay a visit to the real MAN IN THE MOON, and present him with a copy of our work, in person; we wished to experience a new sensation; and we thought that it was time our efforts should take a higher flight than we had hitherto essayed. We were ready also for a lark, and we thought the skied the best place to find one. A friend wished us to accommodate him by taking up some bills, which the ascending power of the great Nassau could do to any amount: in the present dearth of theatrical talent - especially after Macready's late failure at the Princess's - we wanted to see what stars were out of engagements; and above all, a fair friend had requested as to procure her a sky terrier. And so, with all these inducements, we did not dissent to the ascent, but made our will with the aid of sixpenny worth of "plain instructions," and prepared for the worst. [[Black and white image left of the balloon in flight with passengers, the inflatable part forming the letter 'O' of the writing to the right]] n Monday, the seventh of the past June, we had they opportunity of taking the air in a manner we had never before experienced - of filling the office of overseer of every parish in London at once - of adding our name to the list of daring Balloonatics who had preceded us, and descended again safely enough to be our Airshire legatees had we required them: of meeting Mr. Green in his own element; and with our companions, full of spirits, appropriately turning into car-boys. Cremorne, for the benefit of our readers in the country, is a baronial residence, situated two minutes to the west of Battersea-bridge, with a fine track of county surrounding it, the principal productions of which are polkas, fireworks, balloons, comic songs, and sherry-cobbers; forming the principal articles of commerce. An extensive trade is also carried in tea and shrimps, both of [[end page]] [[start page]] THE MAN IN THE MOON 3 which are admitted without duty, the landing place a free port. The port of the Gardens, however, is not altogether free - from foreign substances; but the greater part of the champagne, from the adjacent healthy nurseries of Battersea, may be drunk with impunity, being unadulterated with any foreign substances. Dinners of fish on the same scale - or rather the same scales - as those at Blackwall may be had; but it is worth while to mention that you pay nearly the same whether you have cold meat and salad, or salmon and broiled fowl: the proprietor's notions of "1 Dinner" being limited to the fact of ordering anything on the carte, within reason. Our first view of the balloon was nearly that which we have represented at the head of this narrative. From the Gardens it looked something like the dome of St. Paul's out on a spree, and rather overcome with drink; for it rolled about vaguely, restless of confinement, and now and then took a rise out of the hands of the stalwart men who held it, and behaved in a manner altogether unbecoming, when the important trust about to be confided to it was considered. [[Black and white image - balloon basket being held down by several men with ropes]] THE DISGRACEFUL LEVITY OF THE BALLOON.