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^[[Sept 26  1860 -handwritten in ink]]
ASCENT of the NASSAU BALLOON

Thanks to that Prince of Aeronauts, Mr. Charles Green, and to his no less princely-spirited patron and friend, Richard Crawshay, Esq. the public of Norwich were on Thursday afternoon last, gratified with one of the most magnificent balloon ascents, that ever took place, from any spot, we will venture to say, since Aerostation was invented-certainly the finest we ourselves ever beheld.
   The readers of this paper are already aware that the original intention of Mr. Green, in fixing on this city for the scene of his enterprise since he became proprietor of the Great Nassau Balloon, was to make thence, in company with as numerous a party as the Car would commodiously hold, the traverse of England in a south western direction. For the last fortnight that scientific and experienced Artist, after making all necessary preparations, has literally been "waiting for a wind." - But the weathercocks have all the time been nailed as it were to exactly the wrong quarter; and despairing of any immediate change favourable to their cherished project of an inland voyage, Mr. Green and Mr. Crawshay determined to take advantage of at least sunny skies and calm weather, to inflate their "glorious orb," and take the chance of a longer or shorter voyage.  Accordingly in pursuance of arrangements previously made with Mr. Tadman, engineer of the Norwich Gas Company's Works, (whose attention and skill on the occasion of last year had been particularly marked and meritorious), the process of filling commenced about nine o'clock on Thursday morning.  The Balloon had been removed from the Corn Exchange Hall, to a spacious meadow bordering on the River near Bishopgate-bridge, where a main pipe for the conveyance of gas had been laid on from the works, and a neat marquee pitched as a repository for the apparatus, and the accommodation of the parties.
   By half-past two, such progress had been made, that the buoyant power of the subtle fluid demanded a restraining strength of not less than sixty able bodied men, aided by several tons of iron weights, to hold on, & keep the cloud-aspiring colossus from escaping before its appointed time of departure.  The quantity of gas required was estimated between 70 and 80 thousand cubic feet, and this proved to agree with the quantity of 10,000 feet calculated to be infused into the balloon per hour; for by about half-past three, this all-important operation was accomplished; and a globular formed body, with pear-like finish at the lower extremity, never presented itself, in more perfect symmetry, on so stupendous scale, than did this monarch of the air at the moment in question to the admiring gaze of assembled thousands.  It was impossible to witness this slow but interesting process of inflation without being sensibly struck with the arduous and fatiguing task which devolved throughout on the directing genius of the Aeronaut; who not only superintended the preparations in general, but also took a personal share in the minutest details, connected with the well-working of the complex machine, and essential to the comfort as well as the safety of his fellow-voyagers. - Mr. Green's cool methodical and workmanlike demeanour in conducting these preliminaries is equalled only by his often tested yet never failing courage and self-possession in the hour of danger, except it be indeed by the intelligence of his mind, his unpretending manner and obliging disposition.  In Mr. Crawshay he, of course found on this as on other occasions the generous friend no less than the able and zealous coadjutor. -  And here we shall be rendering only justice to that gentlemen, in alluding to the circumstance of his having so handsomely allowed gratuitous admission not only to individuals of respectability but also to all persons of decent appearance into the ground which he had engaged as the arena of the ascent; and over which he very properly reserved to himself for the time being the exercise of an independent right.
   Amongst the numerous company within the inclosure we observed the Lord Bishop of Norwich, the Mayor of Norwich and Mrs. Money, the Rev. Prebendary Wodehouse, Professor Sedgwick, Mrs. Crawshay and the Misses Crawshay, the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of Honingham, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Weston and the Misses Weston, the Recorder of Norwich and Miss Jermy, Mr. Bignold and the Misses Bignold, Mr. and Mrs. P.N. Scott, Mr. Booth, Mrs. W. and Mrs. Seppings, the Rev. P. Booth, the Rev. S. Titlow, the Rev. -- Goodwin, Mr. Henry Browne, Officers of the 8th Hussars, Mr. Hudson, Dr. Lubbock, Mr. T. Steward, Mr. Hi Willett, &c. &c.
   During the period of preparation, by the polite permission of the Commanding Officer, at the Cavalry Barracks, the Band of the Royal Hussars were present, and performed several pieces of military and other music, in their accustomed style of masterly effect.  At four o'clock all was ready - a cannon fired and the Balloon went up.  In the car were Mr. Green, R. Crawshay, Esq. and his two younger Sons, (Mr. Frederick and Mr. Edward Crawshay), Nicholas Bacon, Esq. Mr. Shalders, and Mr. Andrews.
   The military band, at this exciting moment, struck up "God save the Queen."
   Nothing could surpass either the majesty and beauty of the ascent, or the intensity of interest and delight with which it was viewed by the immediately surrounding multitude, who hailed with loud acclaims the starting movement of this first-rate vessel of our Aerial Navy as she rose upright and rapidly with her gallant crew of seven.  Mr. Crawshay and one of his sons waved each a flag; one the British Union the other the Royal Standard of England; and the display was responsively saluted by another discharge of cannon.  In magnitude a giant, in alacrity a lark, the splendid vessel pursued her upward course, and "high poised in air," seemed for a while to rest upon "the wings of the wind."  Still ascending, her proportions enormous as they had appeared whilst "on earth," soon dwindled into a miniature circle of sombre hue on the blue ether through which she floated far-away.  The loveliness of the weather, in harmony with the animated features of the landscape, thickly studded with the outpouring population, a picturesque composition of hill and valley, stream and meadow, rural heights, and urban architecture - 
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the venerable Cathedral towering above its ancient precincts - and the Norman Keep, in restored perfectedness, girded at its base with a dense zone of spectators.  These were amongst the varied constituents of the scene which exhibited itself on this memorable occasion, and imparted to the whole a charm impossible to be described, yet not easily to be forgotten.
   The extent of the voyage was Metton, near Felbrigg Park, on the estate of Wm. Howe Windham, Esq.  The descent took place about half-past five o'clock in a farm, in the occupation of Mr. Bartram, a tenant of Mr. Windham.
   At the moment of reaching the earth the grapnel laid firm hold tree, but without communicating any jerk or concussion to the balloon, the iron, which is a fine piece of workmanship, on a peculiar construction, and of unusual size, having been attached to an elastic cable, the property of R. Rush, Esq. of Elsenham Hall, Essex.  This grapnel line had been sent down by that gentleman to Mr. Green, expressly to be used on his ascent with Mr. Crawshay, from Norwich.  It is made on a new principle, being composed of nearly one-third Caoutchouc, or India-rubber, which renders it capable of a tension, of near 20 feet in the hundred.
   Mr. Windham, who had been attentively watching the direction of the Balloon, arrived at the spot in company with Lady Sophia, just as the alighting was effected; and every assistance was promptly and efficiently rendered to the Aeronauts by that Hon. Gentleman.
   Mr. Rutherford, Superintendent of Police at Aylsham, also rode after the balloon, and was soon at the place of descent, where he afforded essential service, in securing the huge machine from all risk of injury, which might have ensued, in the well meant but sometimes indiscreet zeal of the peasantry; who in this instance crowded from all points, but whose conduct was unexceptionably good and orderly.
   The grapnel having been removed from the tree, the balloon was safely drawn into an adjoining meadow; where the party alighted with perfect ease and comfort.  Indeed as a conclusive proof of the facility and calmness with which the landing was accomplished, it only requires to be mentioned that Mr. Crawshay, who had been the first to reach the earth descending by the rope, sustained with his sole personal strength, and without inconvenience to himself, the whole downward pressure of the car, containing six passengers, and about six hundred weight of ballast, to say nothing of the action of the machine itself.
   The unprofessional Aeronauts unite in characterising their voyage as having been truly delightful, and one and all of them are loud in their praises of the Veteran Balloonist, in whose hands they had confidently entrusted themselves, as their brave and skilful Palinurus, for better and for worse.
   The greatest altitude is estimated to have been about 8000 feet (5200 feet being a mile.)  When at their highest elevation they found themselves becalmed for about a quarter of an hour.
   The course of the balloon, immediately on leaving Norwich, was over the line of road to Frettenham, thus affording an unique prospect of that district of country, which includes Spixworth park, (the seat of John Longe, Esq.) Stratton Strawless, (the seat of R. Marsham, Esq.) &c. - It afterwards passed directly over the splendid domain of Lord Suffield's, at Gunton, at the same time presenting as on a vast map, the bird's-eye view of all the other noblemen's and gentlemen's residences, in the neighborhood for twenty miles round.
   The sea - "the open sea" was visible in its bright and boundless expanse to our air-sailing adventurers, from almost the first period of their ascent - and as they continued to approach the coast, numerous vessels upon it, gliding amidst the sunshine that glittered on their spreading sails, were a striking feature in the grand panorama; whose ensemble of sublimity and beauty none but aeronauts can imagine; and even they must fail in the attempt to pourtray a combination so wonderful and so eminently calculated to impress on them a sense of man's calculated to impress on them a sense of man's insignificance and of God's greatness in nature's works.
   Mr. Windham most kindly and politely invited the whole party to dinner and to stay the night at Felbrigg Hall, but they were desirous of returning to this city, which they did immediately the Balloon &c. had been safely deposited.
   Mr. Charles Crawshay, Mr. Bradshaw, jun. and Mr. S. Bignold, jun. started in a carriage and four taking the direction of Aylsham.  Having changed horses at that place, they proceeded to the spot where the balloon descended, and arrived shortly after the Aeronauts had alighted once more on terra firma.
   Mr. Crawshay, Mr. Green, Mr. Nicholas Bacon, and their companions, reached this city about ten o'clock, and drove up to the Norfolk Hotel, were they were heartily greeted by their friends.
   The dimensions and weight of the balloon are as follow:- diameter 51 feet - height 68 feet without the car - 80 feet with the car attached - circumference 159 feet.  Weight of the balloon's contents of carburetted hydrogen gas (specific gravity 355)- 2285 lbs. - Weight of the balloon with its grappling iron, and appendages, ballast and passengers, 4090 lbs.
   The gas was as good as it was abundant, and on no occasion, Mr. Green says, had he known the Balloon to be better filled than it was for this trip, under the superindendence of Mr. Tadman, of the gas works.
   In concluding our hasty and unavoidably imperfect sketch of proceedings, connected with this memorable event, it is incumbent on us to add, that Messrs. Crawshay and Green are desirous of expressing their warm acknowledgments for the valuable assistance which they received, and for the uniform kindness they experienced, from all ranks of people.
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