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^June [[?]][[heading]]THE BALLOON[[/heading]] 
At seven o'clock, and by the time the sports had terminated, it was announced that the balloon was about to ascent, when he crowd, headed by the committee and preceded by a band of music, and flags flying, bent their steps in the direction of the scene. The area, where the balloon was inflated, was inclosed with ropes, in order to prevent the great pressure of the crowd from without; but notwithstanding this precaution and the exertions of several constables, the succeeded in effecting an entrance before the immediate ascent of the balloon, to the impediment of those engaged in holding it down. The dimensions of the balloon were 112 feet in circumference, 60 feet high, and required 18,000 gallons of gas to fill it for the ascent, which was provided from the neighbouring works by Mr Grafton, who superintended the arrangement. A London aeronaut had been specially engaged, reserving to himself the right of a passenger, should any be found hazardous enough to venture with him on a voyage. His speculations in this respect were disappointed, for the particular class of persons whom he most affected, namely, "those with light heads and heavy purses," were not so plentiful in Cambridge as he anticipated. It must have been under this impression that he made the modest demand of 20l. for the excursion. But though the name of a university has a charm, it loses much of that magic in vacation time, and he was placed in the position of Goldsmith, when expecting the appearance of the pasty a dinner, which never arrived - "In the middle by a place where the pasty was - not." In fact there were scarce any university men to be seen, except those immediately engaged in regulating the proceedings of the day. After all efforts to secure a compangnon de voyage had failed, it was intimated that his own wife would accompany him. This added a double charm to the effect, as it was thought appropriate to the day on which a Queen was crowned, that one of her own sex should tempt the heavens in honour of the event. It may be said that the practical utility of balloons is very doubtful that 
"Caelum ipsum petimus stultitia." 
but nevertheless, as the sight is one of great interest, and accompanied with a certain depress of danger, which whether it be for good, or evil, has the power of attracting public attention, we doubt not but that such exhibitions will long continue to delight the votaries of fetes and festivities. Ballooning  has now become a fashionable amusement, and though "a voyage to the moon" may seem somewhat chimerical, a voyage to the Duchy of Nassau, in Germany, has been proved practicable. Since this memorable occurrence, nothing of any consequence has been attempted, although enthusiasts in aeronautics express a confident beliefs in the feasibility of an attempt upon a much more extended sphere. "To measure the intensity of blue," has engaged the attention of a Humbolat, but he must give way at once to the aetherial aspira- [[aspiration]] of Mrs. Green and over whom even the blue-eyed maid of Wisdom can scarcely claim precedence. Mrs. Green has careered through the heavens with the swiftness of a goddess, and breathed an atmosphere more pure and attenuated than any of us poorer mortals, at least while sojourners upon earth, can ever hope to inhale. If we must not envy, we cannot help admiring the intrepidity of such undertakings. We are not such profound utilitarians as to reason upon the exact use of a thing provided it may conduce to amusement, and we think it is sufficient to guard against its abuse.
Whatever doubt might have previously existed as to the authenticity of the original balloon, there could be non in the appearance of the present spectacle. As the balloon was inflated and swayed from side to side replete with the glory of gas, the conversation of the crowd formed an entertaining interlude previously to its ascent. We heard a wag ejaculate a pious prayer, that his sides might be filled out with the same graceful fulness every day in the year. Indeed with utmost good humour seemed to prevail throughout the whole of the day, and the amusements were so arranged and distributed as to create universal satisfaction. As soon as the balloon was filled, the car was attached, and the aeronant and his wife entered amid tremendous cheering and waving of hats. After some little time, which was taken up in adjusting the apparatus, connected with the balloon, the rope was let go, when it bounded from the earth and proceeded through the air with a steady motion, accompanied by the cheers and good wishes of the vast numbers assembled on the Common. The lady turned round in the car, and fearlessly looking down, continued to waive a handkerchief, until from the elevation reached by the balloon, she becams, with her companion imperceptible. It took a south-easterly direction, and continued in sight for a long time, notwithstanding the density of the atmosphere. We were subsequently informed that it descended in perfect safety at Fulbourn, about seven miles from Cambridge.
[[heading]]THE FIRE WORKS.[[/heading]]
This anxiously looked for display commenced at ten o'clock, on that quarter of Parker's Piece near the town gaol, and lasted for upwards of an hour. The taste and ingenuity of the artist, Mr. Deck, were universally admired. Rockets ascending to a glorious height, and falling in all sorts of lights, blue, green, red, and other like showers of gold, hissing serpents, shooting stars, fiery wheels, emblems of royalty, loyal inscriptions in gigantic letters of flame, &c. &c., and crowning all the crown of England itself, above a glorious star, inscribed with with the nation's prayer for its stabibility, and its royal wearer, illuminated the darkness in quick succession, and were received by the plaudits of the assembled thousands, who seemed to be as merry and as numerous as during the earlier period of the festivities. Many of the younger branches, anxious no doubt to shew "the young idea how to shoot," had pre-determinded on establishing a system of pyrotechnics on their own account, which they did in various directions of Parker's Piece, in the shape of vagrant and indiscriminate squibs and crackers, to the occasional annoyance of some venturous invalids and timorous elders, who had sortied to enjoy the cool night breeze and to view the spectacle. During the progress of the fire works the band continued to play on the rotunda. Before midnight the various groups had left the ground and retired to rest. [[end page]]
[[start page]]^[[1838?]]Under the Especial Patronage of her Majesty.
ROYAL GARDENS, VAUXHALL. 
ASCENT OF THE ROYAL NASSAU BALLOON.
On MONDAY NEXT, July 2, A GRAND FETE in honour of her Majesty's Coronation will be given; on which occasion the ASCENT of the ROYAL NASSAU BALLOON will be combined with the attractions of the evening entertainments. For full particulars, see the [[bill?]] of the day.
Doors open at half-past four. Balloon Ascent at half-past five. Fire works at half-past ten. Admission to the whole One Shilling and [[Sixpeace?]]; or, after the Ascent. One Shilling. :
N.B. The Nobility and Gentry can be accommodated with seats with[[in?]] the Balloon enclosure.