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[[start left-hand column]] [[start clipping 1 of 8]] ENGLISH BALLOON. ^[[Aug.14 1802 - handwritten in ink]] ACCORDING to the intelligence which we received at a late hour last night, this experiment was considered to have completely failed. The Balloon was not filled at six o'clock, nor did it appear that those who had the management of it could fill it, as the Gas escaped as fast as it was let in. A pledge was given on the preceding day, that the Balloon should positively ascend yesterday at three o'clock; but three hours having elapsed after that time, and no probability appearing of the Balloon's ascending, it seemed to be a waste of time to remain at Greenwich any longer. Balloons, under the present system of management, (and perhaps there is no other) are of little or no use, they serve only for the purpose of making amusing experiments; but when the Public are induced by the promises of an Aeronaut to attend day after day only to witness the failure of an ill-judged experiment, and to be irritated by disappointment, it becomes a subject worthy of serious consideration. The eagerness of the great mass of the People to run in crowds to witness the result of any experiment that wears the appearance of novelty, or of which the novelty is not yet worn off, is too well known; it is therefore of considerable importance, that the time of the Public should not be trifled with, and that if an experiment of that kind is to be performed, it should be carried into effect promptly, and at the appointed time. We do not make these reflections out of any ill will towards those who conducted the business of yesterday, but we think it a subject of too great importance to the Public to be passed over in silence. There ought to have been a well grounded conviction of success founded on actual experiment, in the minds of those who had the conduct of it, before they ventured to summon the attendance of the Public. Success should have been as certain as it could have been rendered by human exertions before the People in general were called upon to witness the result. A Fire Balloon, of considerable magnitude, passed over a part of the Town between seven and eight yesterday evening, which was mistaken by many for the Balloon which was expected to ascend from Greenwich. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 8]] At no public exhibition do we ever recollect such a complete want of management as at Mr. Barrett's Balloon; the entrance to Mr. Andrade's close, from which the balloon ascended, is in a very narrow lane, and so many of the neighbours speculated on erecting scaffolds, letting their houses, &c. and there being no direction for the public to Mr. Andrade's grounds, as advertised, hundreds of persons were deluded out of their money, by active persons being stationed in the lane, concerned with those who let their houses, scaffolds, &c. and when they paid their money, they supposed they were going to the ground where the balloon was to ascend from. The only entrance to the ground was by an old shattered gate, fastened by a rope and an old rusty staple, which frequently was not strong enough to resist the pressure of the mob, and numbers got in without paying, and others got on the ground without paying by jumping from other premises. Coal heavers were mixed with Ladies elegantly dressed who came in their carriages, and paid 5s. for admission, brickmakers, brewers, draymen, sailors, and persons of the lowest order mixing with those of the first respectability. ^[[Aug. 16 1802 -handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 8]] The French Papers triumph over us about the failure of Mr. BARRETT, and say, that no Englishman was ever able to make a Balloon ascend. This assertion is as true, as French assertions are in general. We could, if it were necessary, give a long list of Englishmen who have constructed, and ascended with Balloons; but to correct French ignorance, and refute French falsehoods, would be an endless task. ^[[Nov. 1802 - handwritten in ink]] It is said that the French have sent us plenty of Game, in return for our Pigeons, but they certainly made game of those Pigeons. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 8]] Mr. BARRET and Mr. TODD seem to possess powers so congenial, that it is a pity they do not unite in experimental excursions. The one will never grow dizzy by rising, and the other is likely to keep his head above water. ^[[Oct. 16. 1802 -handwritten in ink]] DIOGENES, the Cynic, we are told, always lived in a tub, but it fared rather worse poor TODD, who hardly escaped being drowned in one. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 5 of 8]] Mr. BARRETT brought his Cradle in hopes of being rocked by the winds; but, after all, it only turned out to be a puff. It was very proper to suspend a child's cradle to Mr. BARRETT's Balloon, as the whole of the affair displayed the ignorance of a babe. ^[[Aug. 1802 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 6 of 8]] The next time Mr. Barrett determines to attempt an ascension, we recommend him to fill [[underlined]] his Balloon [[/underlined]] at the Lottery Office. The art of puffing is now carried to such perfection that it is a shame for an Apothecary to appear ignorant in any species of it. Several of our Quacks have blown themselves higher than this occult philosopher was able to send up his empty cradle. ^[[Aug. 1802 -handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 7 of 8]] The yawn of the Abbé Sieyes upon the reading of the last Constitution, and the smile of M. Garnerin at [[underlined]] Barrett's Balloon, [[/underlined]] are of the same family, however different their features. The fate, however, of the Constitution materially differs from that of the Balloon, as the latter was not able to elevate one individual over the heads of the rest of the people. ^[[Aug. 1802 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 8 of 8]] The rocking which GARNERIN experienced under the Parachute was not of a kind to lull either himself or his spectators to sleep; for this purpose there is nothing equal to Mr. BARRETT's cradle! [[end clipping]] [[end column]] [[start centre column]] [[start clipping 1 of 7]] [[Decorative banner with instruments and leaves with the title POETS CORNER]] ^[[Aug 26. - handwritten in ink]] For The ST. JAMES'S CHRONICLE. On the late Failure of the [[underlined]] ENGLISH AERONAUTS. [[/underlined]] ^[[1802 -handwritten in ink]] YOU ask how Monsieur's art prevail'd, Where British genius tried and fail'd: True British metal rarely flies, Tho' Gallick vapours reach the skies! [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 7]] SWANSEA, SEPT. 8. ^[[1802 - handwritten in ink]] BARRETT, the Greenwich Balloonist, is attempting to make the people here believe that his Balloon is to ascend on Saturday next, the 11th. The town is full of people, and of novelties exclusive of the above: the Theatre is now opened, under the Management of the Veteran MASTERMAN--the Ventriloquist LEE SUGG - the Phantasmagoria - Concerts and Assemblies - Puppet Shows, &c. &c. all contribute to our amusement. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 7]] Mr. BARRETT, it is said, will ascend with his Balloon in a few days from Swansea in Glamorganshire, when he intends to cross the Bristol Channel. It is also said, that he has planned some curious machinery to enable him to vary considerably from the direct current of the wind, which it is supposed will partially answer the purpose of steering the Balloon. ^[[Sept. 1802 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 7]] One of the Papers informs us, that Mr. Barrett proposes to mount in his Balloon from the sea-side in Wales. Perhaps this machine is like the West Indian's horse, which would go perfectly well by sea, though by land it would not go at all. ^[[Sept. 11. 1802 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 5 of 7]] ^[[1802 - handwritten in ink]] "SWANSEA, October 6. "Mr. Barrett, this day (after having disappointed us twice before with his Fire Balloons) in consequence of advertisements being circulated in every part of the Principality, assembled near 20,000 persons. The balloon was to ascend at a quarter past one o'clock, with Mr. Barrett and Dr. Turton, of this town. "The day was as fine as could be wished, with a gentle breeze to the Westward. Great preparations were seemingly making by Mr. Barrett and assistants: the tubes, barrels, iron filings, &c. were on the ground the preceding night. The fields, the hills, the houses, the ships in the harbour, every place was crouded with people from the most distant parts of the country; the town never was so full. "They began to fill the balloon about eight o'clock; from that time to eleven, they got on but very slowly. At this time a complete stop was put to the process by the want of vitriol. The Chemist, who had let Mr. Barrett have six hundred weight, would not furnish any more without the cash. Time was now getting on; the balloon had no appearance of any thing being in it; messages and messengers now passed between Mr. Barrett and the Chemist till three o'clock, when the assemblage of persons on the spot (at least 8000) began to be unruly. "Mr. Barrett now came forward on the stage to make an apology, when just as he said - "Ladies and Gentlemen" - down fell the stage with a most tremendous crash, and Mr. Barrett and his balloon with it, with a great number of persons. Many were severely hurt. One boy had his legs broken; the balloon was torn in its fall, and Mr. Barrett was hurt. He now attempted to harangue the populace, laying the blame on the Chemist, and promising to make another attempt in a day or two; but the fame he had acquired at Greenwich had reached this place, and hootings and howlings were the result. He begged them not to destroy the balloon, which they permitted him at last to take away. "The town is in an uproar; every horse and post-chaise was engaged between the Bristol Passage and Milford. Mr. Barrett threatens to bring an action against the Chemist!" [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 6 of 7]] GARNERIN cannot raise a Subscription at Bristol, and, therefore, very naturally refuses to raise his balloon. Some Irish Gentlemen having observed that Mr. BARRET has never been able to fill above half his Balloon, have proposed that he should take over one of the halves of it to Dublin, where they have no doubt but that he will succeed in filling and ascending with it. ^[[Oct. 1802 -handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 7 of 7]] Some of the Welsh people, it is said, think that Mr. BARRET'S Balloon was bewitched; but others are of opinion that he himself was bewitched in attempting to send it up. ^[[Oct. 1802 - handwritten in ink]] Whatever may be the feelings of Mr. BARRET, the soi-disant Balloonist, it is very evident he is not by success inflated. [[end clipping]] [[end column]] [[start right-hand column]] [[start clipping 1 of 2]] ^[[oct. 22. 1802. - handwritten in ink]] MR. BARRETT's BALLOON. A long Letter from Mr. BARRETT, appeared in an Evening Paper of last night, in which, after giving a very minute and detailed Account of his operations, subsequent to his arrival at Swansea, he proceeds thus: "Accordingly, last Friday, (the 15th instant), was the day fixed, and after getting the Stage repaired, and all other materials ready, the day before, we commenced filling precisely at a quarter before ten o'clock; and by half past twelve, the Balloon was sufficiently inflated barely to carry up my own weight. About this time a cask, which had been just charged with vitriol and water burst, and let out the materials: this occasioned some delay; as well as a smart breeze, which sprung up from the North-East, occasioned a rent in the lower part of the Balloon, owing to the great strain of part of the net across the silk of the machine to keep it steady: we lost a great deal of gas; but soon repaired this trifling accident. From the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient number of casks, we were obliged to empty and again charge the small casks, while our large refrigeratory, consisting of eleven tubes and larger casks, were at work. About half-past one, I went to my lodgings to get some roast leg of mutton, part of which I secured and put up in my pocket handkerchief, in case of descending where no meat was to be had. I returned to the field; but in that space of time (about fifteen minutes), could not perceive much alteration in the size of the Balloon, I gave directions for the car to be slung. As our vitriol was all out, and the tubes flaccid, a little before three, I got into the car, with fifty pounds ballast, a bottle of brandy, and a pound of leg of mutton, and bread, flags, &c. all of which I threw out before the Balloon began to ascend, but the bottle, and that went soon after, to enable me to clear a hedge which the Balloon got foul of: the populace then came up and bore me and the Balloon upon their shoulders to the extremity of the field, when I found myself rising gradually, and for the first time in my life abandoned to a new element. - However, the pleasure I enjoyed in the prospect of the town and its environs, as well as rising amidst the acclamations and applause of near 10,000 people, was but very short lived, for at the moment I was whirling round my cap to take leave of the multitude below me, to my very great mortification and disappointment I found the Balloon descending, which it continued to do until it lighted gently about four fields distance, after which it alternately ascended and descended for the space of a quarter of an hour, carrying me over fields, trees, and hedges, and sometimes skimming a few feet above the surface of the earth. Finding all my endeavours to re-ascend ineffectual, I got out of my cradle, and after opening the valve, the Balloon, which was now lightened by 130lb. ascended with great velocity, till it appeared not larger than an acorn, taking its course directly over the sea, where it remained stationary, but soon after met with a different current of wind, which brought it within six miles of the place it first ascended from, where it fell gently in the middle of a field, after being up three hours, and all the while in sight. The Balloon was seized by the country people, and cut through the middle to let me out, as they alledged, whom they supposed nearly, or quite dead. "FRAN. BARRETT." _____________ Mr. BARRETT began to interest himself in the making of Balloons, so far back as the ascent of LUNARDI, but with his experience it does not appear that he has risen in knowledge. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 2]] ^[[1802 - handwritten in ink]] COUNTRY NEWS. Swansea, Oct 15. About a fortnight ago Mr. Barrett intended ascending in [[underline]] his Balloon [[/underline]], but not being then furnished with sufficient materials to inflate it, he deferred it till a future period, being in hopes, through the liberality of the publick, who had never witnessed any thing of the kind in this part of the country, to obtain every necessary article. Individual exertion and the support of the publick were not wanting: and Mr. Barrett, through these means, about eight o'clock this morning, began to inflate his Balloon; but although the inflation continued from that time till four in the evening, it was not above half full. The casks were supplied with every necessary article, and the inflammable air seemed to be conveyed in an abundant quantity through the tubes, and yet the Balloon continued in an imperfect state; there was, no doubt, a fault in the machine itself, for the gas must have escaped, owing to the silk being badly connected. A few minutes after four, the car being attached to the balloon, every spectator was filled with anxious expectation, and the surrounding hills were covered with multitudes, when the Aeronaut took his seat. The signal was given to set it at liberty, but it had no inclination to ascend: Mr. Barrett then threw out a quantity of ballast, and at last the whole. The balloon then ascended, but with no rapidity, and not going above twenty yards in height, he descended among a row of trees. Through the exertions of the populace, the Aeronaut and his balloon were drawn again into the plain, and it had a fair opportunity of re-ascending - but it still came down, and Mr. Barrett, evidently despairing of success, at last quitted his seat, and set the balloon off itself. It then ascended to a very considerable height, and after remaining up nearly an hour, descended about four miles from this place, where it was taken up by two labourers, who, thinking they could make a better use of it than Mr. Barrett, went through the simple operation of cutting it in two, each taking his half. This is the third time Mr. Barrett has failed in his attempt in the science of Aerostation, and we hope it will be the last. In short, he does not seem to possess a sufficient knowledge of chemistry to inflate his balloon properly, or there must have been a great defect in the machine, and being now convinced of his inability, he ought not to persevere in what to him at least must be an idle and useless speculation. [[end clipping]] [[end column]] [[end page]] ^[[145 - handwritten in pencil in bottom of page]]
