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^[[M. Post. Aug.14 1802 - handwritten in ink]]
Mr. BARRETT's BALLOON, GREENWICH.  
   Notwithstanding the disappointment of the day before, the curiosity of the public was sufficiently strong to bring together an immense crowd yesterday in the full expectation that every thing would be so far forwarded in the course of the intervening time as to render the ascent inevitable. A day altogether as favourable as the preceding one afforded the same enjoyment in the prospect of the country, and promised a most advantageous view of the balloon. The hills in the park were covered at an early hour, as well as the stages adjoining Mr. Andrade's ground. The walls, house-tops and chimneys, and even the spires of the college had numbers of persons upon them. The ground itself did not begin to fill till three, and a sensible disappointment was observed, when it was found that no progress had hitherto been made in the preparation. It was only then that the balloon was brought on the stage, and the process commenced; but whether from some defect in the materials, some imperfection in the machinery, or (what is more probable) from unskilfulness in the operators, the filling went on very slowly. The persons who conducted it, said, that the vitriol was not of the proper strength, and that too much water had been put to it, on the presumption that it was of the standard quality. Others were of opinion, and among them some of Mr. Barrett's best friends, that Mr. Barrett had undertaken a task to which he was not equal; and, we understand, it was resolved among them, at an early hour, that if (after the continuation of the process till near dark) the balloon was found incapable of carrying up the travellers, or any one of them, it should at last be let off by itself, in order to appease the multitude, which, it was thought, would feel justly offended at a second disappointment. M. and Madame Garnerin, with Mr. Harrington, came on the ground about four, and having waited near two hours, departed, leaving the company in despair; for they considered his departure as a declaration from the best authority, that the case was hopeless.
  We understand M. Garnerin said to some of those about him, that from the state in which the balloon was, at the time when he entered the ground, it could not possibly be sufficiently inflated to carry up three persons at an earlier hour than two in the morning. Captain Sowden, however, continued his exertions with all that zeal and activity which he has manifested since the opening of the plan of Mr. Barrett's expedition; and the public has to lament that the balloon was unequal to the task of taking him up, for, in all probability, he would have amused us by describing Greenwich park as a hawthorn, the muslin gowns being the blossoms. After many hours of the most tiresome expectation, the balloon was not yet above half inflated, and the looks of the assembly were evidently expressive of great dissatisfaction. The ground, a kind of a fallow garden, was by this time trodden into a dust, which was continually raised by the motion of the feet, so as to be extremely incommoding; no seats had been erected, except one solitary bench on one side, and as this was taken possession of early, the genteelest part of the company, which, as usual, was that which arrived latest, had no other means of rest than by sitting on the bare earth. Madame Garnerin, by the attention of her friends, had the luxury of a little straw to sit on. No refreshments were brought on the ground, and to venture out amidst the press, an immense mob, interspersed with large gangs of pick pockets, was an enterprise which only a few of the most hardy of the men were equal to.
  The ladies were under the necessity of enduring every hardship and inconvenience to the end. The number of persons who paid for entrance was not very great; there were some persons of fashion; and among the females there, not a few of very extraordinary beauty. Of all the public meetings that we have witnessed, this was unexceptionably the most dull; a number of persons very capable of enjoying pleasure, and possessing full ability to afford it to each other, under any circumstances less adverse, were imprisoned and debarred from every agreeable sensation that could be derived, either from the fineness of the day, the beauty of the country, or their own good humour. One thing only it was pleasant to observe; that animal, so much censored as the most ill tempered and unmanageable in the world, an English mob, preserved throughout the whole of this vexatious business the most exemplary good order. There was not even a shout, except two or three in the exultation of honesty, when about that number of pickpockets, who had forced their way into the ground and commenced business, were detected and secured. About four, there was a momentary alarm, in consequence of the fall of a blacksmith's shed close to the entrance of the ground. A vast number had got on the roof of this shed; and its stability, under so great a burthen, had been long suspected. It stood so long, however, that every fear with respect to it had subsided, when it suddenly gave way with a horrible crash: every countenance at this moment displayed the most lively anxiety; but the distress was immediately removed, for the frame of the roof came down whole, and the tiles having fallen through the insterstices, the gentlemen above found themselves safe lodged on the timbers, without the smallest injury to any one. Some few more crashes were heard, but equally exempt from mischief: a paling near the door gave way, and afforded admission to a great number; and the door itself, after being lowered from a crown to half a crown, was at length thrown open, and every person who did not prefer the superior accommodation of a stage on the outside, came into the ground. About eight o'clock at length the balloon appeared to be somewhat more than half filled; the approach of night, and the previous determination to make some atonement to the people, induced Mr. Barrett and his friend to make every possible exertion to render the balloon adequate to taking up at least one of them. About a quarter past eight it was nearly dusk, the car had been tied on, but Mr. Glassford, who had been very active about the balloon from the early part of the day, on stepping into the car, and ordering the labourers to quit their
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ropes, found it was incapable of carrying a single person. Mr. Barrett appearing to retain some hope till the latest moment; presented himself on the verge of the stage, and flourished his flags. It was then thought that he was to ascend, but in a short time after, to the astonishement of those to whom the flourish had given a new hope, the balloon was let off without a single person, with only a flag at each end of the car. The people at a little distance, incapable, from the darkness, of distinguishing clearly, and seeing the flags flying outside, thought there were at least two persons, and applauded accordingly. The people in the park held this opinion to the last; and even when the balloon was seen descending in about twenty minutes after its rise, the persuasion was, that the fate of two at least was connected with it. The balloon came down somewhere near Blackwall by the evaporation of the air.-
It was of a large size, and was shaped in the pear form: it looked very well going up, but in a very few minutes, the filling being extremely incomplete, it was blown into every form. It was of an extremely party-coloured texture, resembling a patchwork counterpane in every thing but regularity.-
On the whole we are bound to say for John Bull, that he received he greatest provocation, which he endured with the greatest possible patience. The roads continued crowded till a late hour, and the last coaches did not return till the public houses of Greenwich and Deptford could afford no farther accommodation. The whole passed off without the smallest riot or disturbance. By the failure of this expedition M. Garnerin has, in a manner, acquired an exclusive title to balloonery.
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ENGLISH BALLOON.  ^[[Aug. 13 1802 - handwritten in ink]]
   We regret that under this title we have only to record Disappointment - a disappointment, which as it was evident to the Parties concerned must occur, ought to have been made known to the Public at an earlier hour. It being positively stated in the Advertisements and Posting-bills that the Balloon would ascend at four o'clock yesterday afternoon, an immense crowd flocked to Greenwich for the purpose of witnessing the Experiment. A great number of persons arrived there between two and three, and several having attempted to gain admittance into the ground from which the Balloon was to have ascended, they were informed that the experiment would not take place until to-morrow (this day), at three o'clock. They naturally inquired why the circumstance had not been publicly made known - in answer to which they were informed, that the Crier had been sent out to give public notice, that the Balloon would not ascend till the next day. With this novel mode, however, of informing the Public of such a circumstance, many who had trudged nine or ten miles, were not very well satisfied, nor did they fail to exercise very freely the privilege of grumbling. Grumbling being of no use, they were forced to content themselves with the satisfaction of having had their walk for their pains, and to turn their attention to their journey homewards.
  About three o'clock a written Bill was posted up, close in the neighbourhood of the Ground from which the Balloon was to have ascended, in which it was stated that Mr. BARRETT respectfully informed the Inhabitants of Greenwich, and the Public at large, that in consequence of an unavoidable disappointment, the Ascension of the Balloon would not take place, till this day at three o'clock. This, however, was only information to the neighbouring Inhabitants, and to those who had already come from London, who, though extremely numerous, were but few in comparison with those who were still upon the Road. Many even of the Inhabitants of Greenwich remained ignorant for some time afterwards, that the experiment would not take place. An immense crowd continued flocking to Greenwich in coaches, chairs, on horseback, and on foot, from three till half past four, fully expecting to be gratified by a sight of the English Balloon.- Several stationed themselves on the Road, with Telescopes in their hands, expecting to gain a sight of it as it passed. The disappointment was of course the greater, as it was wholly unexpected.
  The reason given for the disappointment was, that the Balloon could not have been properly filled, before nine o'clock in the evening, which of course rendered an ascent with it out of the question; but why this circumstance was not discovered, and publicly communicated at an earlier period, we could not learn.
  A few who left Greenwich, at three o'clock, informed several, whom they met, of the postponement of the experiment; but most of them who received the information, only answered that they were not to be hoaxed, and then hastened onwards, certain in their own minds of becoming spectators of the exhibition, as they had met with no public contradiction of what had been publicly announced.
  The Balloon is, we understand, extremely superb in its appearance, and about fifty feet in height.
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^[[Aug. 14. 1802 - handwritten in ink]]
   The publick rage of seeing [[underline]] Balloons [[/underline]] was carried to such a pitch in the pursuit after Mr. Barrett's Balloon on Friday, that between three and four hundred persons were assembled on both galleries of St. Paul's Cathedral. They began to assemble about three o'clock, and many continued till it was so dark that they could hardly find their way down the staircase. Numbers were likewise on the Monument.
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   The Times,in its balloon account yesterday, says, "that part of the River, near Greenwich, was covered with boats, and the Essex shore on the opposite side crowded with people." This is very well for a paper that placed Tripoli  in Egypt. The same Paper adds - "Several persons were also employed to inflate the balloon with common air, for which purpose they had procured two pair of large bellows, and were in hopes that it would be filled by one o'clock." 
^[[1802 - handwritten in ink]]
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   The idea of ascending in a cradle was certainly sublime ; and, had it proved successful, there can be little doubt that the same train of ideas carried into the higher regions would have converted Greenwich into the delectable appearance of a cheesecake or gooseberry-tart. 
^[[Aug. 16. 1802 - handwritten in ink]]
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^[[Aug. 14 1802 - handwritten in ink]]
Mr. BARRETT's BALLOON. 
   At a meeting held at Mr. Andrade's house, at Greenwich, of Mr. Barrett's friends, on Thursday night, it was recommended by Mr. Andrade and others, to Mr. Barrett, to relinquish the ascension; and it was nearly given up, advertisements being written to send to the different newspapers, to inform the public of the determination; but Captain Sowden stepped forward, and said that he thought himself thoroughly qualified to undertake the superintendance of the filling of the balloon; in consequence of which, the ascension as announced for this day should be prepared with all possible dispatch, under the direction of the Captain; and it was resolved that one of the valves, which had been improperly made, should be altered. Other necessary preparations were set about with all possible dispatch; but so little did the planner of this aerial expedition know of the nature of a balloon, as to be thoughtess enough to announce his intention to ascend on Thursday, at four o'clock, and again yesterday at three. Yet, with all the exertions of his friends, so far from being ready to ascend at three, that it was not even ready to begin filling at that hour. It was near four o'clock before a number of women had finished sewing some parts of the balloon, and making some silk tubes, after which it was necessary that the works should be oiled. It was near four o'clock before it was deemed finished, when Captain Sowden appeared on the stage erected for the purpose, and gave the necessary directions for filling the balloon with gas. In emptying two of the bottles of vitriol into a tub, they were unfortunately broken. The filling commenced, but evidently very slowly.
  The filling had not commenced long before Captain Sowden discovered there were not funnels enough, and gave directions for more to be got, but so completely at a loss was every one concerned, with respect to management, that nobody knew where to get any; but after a considerable time some were got, and the filling proceeded, although very slowly. Mr. Best, a wine-merchant, but who has made chemistry his particular study, superintended the mixing the vitriol, iron filings, and water, to produce the gas, but soon found that the iron filings and vitriol were extremely bad, so much so that out of five tin tubes only two of them worked. About five o'clock it was strongly suspected that, on account of the balloon filling so very slowly, the gas got vent; the balloon was examined, and it was the opinion of many that it was not properly oiled, and in the examination a small hole was discovered, which was immediately mended. Soon after six o'clock it was discovered that the balloon did not fill; and on another examination it was found the vitriol was exhausted in consequence of the breaking of the two bottles, and there was none to replenish; two more bottles were sent for express, and about seven o'clock, the filling proceeded, but after every possible exertion, at half past seven it was not above three-fourths filled, nor were any hopes entertained of the completion of their object. The car was therefore affixed, and every exertion made to accomplish the ascent with the balloon, although in that unfilled state, it being the wish of the gentlemen to go, altho' at such a late hour, that the public might not be again disappointed. When the car was properly fixed and decorated with several handsome flags, Mr. Barrett, Capt. Sowden, Mr. Maddox, the son of an eminent brewer, in the Borough, and a Major Curlough, attempted to step in, but Mr. Maddox intreated him not to persist as it was impossible the balloon should rise with so many. The spectators gave them three cheers, and an attempt was made to let the balloon rise, but in vain; Mr. Maddox proposed to throw the ballast out, which was objected to by Captain Sowden, but was at length agreed to. Finding the balloon would not ascend, the grapling irons were thrown out; finding this to no effect, Mr. Maddox and Captain Sowden both got out, it being Mr. Barrett's determination to ascend at any rate, if the balloon would rise with him, that the Public might not be again disappointed, and so far did he carry his resolution, that finding the balloon would not rise with him alone, only one more resource remained - trying a lighter car. To answer this purpose a child's cradle was procured from Mr. Andrade's house, the head broke off, and it was fastened to the balloon. It was now about 8 o'clock. Before he attempted this desperate undertaking, he addressed the spectators, but they were so extremely clamorous, he could not be heard. He took his seat in the cradle, in hopes that with so light a machine he might gain his object; but all to no purpose - the balloon would not rise. His case became desperate, and his friends advised him to get out, and let the balloon take its course, to escape the fury of the populace, who now began to shew symptoms of violence. Mr. Barrett accordingly took their advice, left the cradle, and escaped from the stage to Mr. Andrade's house, and the balloon ascended without any body in it nearly perpendicular: it was seen for near ten minutes; and in about ten minutes after, it was observed descending in a direction supposed to be for Woolwich, when a number of gentlemen took horses to go in pursuit of it, to prevent, if possible, the fury of the mob from destroying it.
  When Mr. Barrett got into the cradle he was evidently much agitated, and great apprehensions were entertained by his friends for his safety. He was going to ascend without having the command of the ropes of the valves, but Mr. Maddox forced the rope of the inside valve into his hand.
  When the public discovered that there was no person in the car when the balloon ascended, they expressed their disapprobation by hissings and hootings.
  Numbers of candidates offered to ascend with Mr. Barrett. Among them was Mr. Jones, of Deptford, who offered 30l. to go.
  About half past three o'clock a large building adjoining the entrance to the ground fell in, at the time when there were about forty persons on it. It was supposed by those who observed the fall, that several must inevitably be killed; but providentially they were all got out of the ruins without any limbs being broke, but a number of severe bruises.
  Mr. and Madame Garnerin, likewise Mr. Glassford were on the ground. It was the wish of the latter to have gone up with Mr. Barrett.
  The well-known gang of London pickpockets infested the entrance to the ground, and plundered great numbers. Several gentlemen caught their hands in their pockets; but the gang being so very numerous, they escaped; however, several were secured by the constables, and lodged in the watchhouse. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Goodhew, a Magistrate of that district, for his exertions to defeat the nefarious purposes of this disgraceful gang; two of them were pointed out to him on the ground, and he had them turned out. The spectators vented their fury, when they found the balloon was gone without any body in it, by destroying the car, and some netting and other things employed in filling the balloon.
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