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[[start left-hand column]] CHRONOLOGY OF THE ART OF FLYING. For many centuries - dating back, we presume, to the age of Icarus - the theory of flying with wings was indulged in by mankind. "To swim," says Dr. Johnson, "is to fly in a grosser fluid: to fly is to swim in a subtler." In the middle ages many plans were devised for imitating the motions of birds: even Friar Bacon and Albertus Magnus are said to have indulged in those aerial speculations. In the 16th century an Italian attempted to fly from the walls of Stirling Castle to France, but unluckily he no sooner expanded his wings than he fell and broke his leg. He said that the next time he would try eagle's feathers; but he never tried again. In 1617, Heyder, rector of a grammar school at Firbingen, delivered a lecture on flying, which induced a learned monk to make wings on Heyder's principle, but the moment he committed himself to them, he fell and broke both his legs. At last - no wonder - the experiment was altogether abandoned. A very profound Italian mathematician and anatomist wrote a book to prove that the weakness of the pectoral muscles in man rendered it impossible for him to fly. Good master anatomist, was that the only reason? Does specific gravity go for nothing, in the absence of the air-cells that assist the birds? The indefatigable Jesuits were the next speculators in the art of ascending through the air. But they devised the more practicable mode of traversing the winds by balloons, although their first attempts were awkward enough. One Father Laurns [he was no doubt an Irishman, and his proper name was Laurence] in 1630 asserted that a spherical bag filled with dew, and exposed to the sun at noon, would ascend. Marry why? because the dew came from Heaven by night, and ascended by day! He illustrated this curious theory by a goose egg, which filled with dew would, he asserted, rise up and remain suspended in the air. His disciples tried the experiment, and were wofully disappointed to see the egg lie like a stone on the ground. The next attempt was that of a bag filled with smoke, having valves and a boat attached to it. This was the nearest approach to the modern balloon - but it failed. In 1690, Francis Lama, a worthy Jesuit, proposed the union of four copper balls, each twenty-five feet in diameter, and only the 225th part of an inch in thickness. These balls would be of themselves lighter than air; but being filled with rarified air he assumes that they would rise with a force equal to 1,220 lbs. But Lama could find no backer, and he was himself too poor to make the experiment. As a plate, Father Lama's design looks very imposing. A Dominican friar (it would seem that the ecclesiastics of those days had a strong passion for soaring) devised an aeronautic machine in 1755, on a scale of magnitude much greater than his predecessors had dreamt of. His plan was to collect the purest atmospheric air, and place it in a bag of sailcloth, the dimensions of which should be more than a mile every way. The ascensive force of this studpendous vessel would, he contended, transport through the air a whole army, with its artillery, waggons, horses, provisions, and all other appendages. Like the Dom Kirche of Cologne, this enormous project was abandoned for want of means. But by such experiments as these we are brought at last to the invention of the practicable balloon which originated in France in 1782. Two ingenious mechanics, Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier, had long contemplated the construction of the balloon apparatus, and at length Joseph Montgolfier formed a small silk bag in the form of a parabelopipedon, having a capacity of forty-five cubic feet, filled with the smoke of burnt paper. The bag, when freed of its stay rose instantly. He then constructed a globe thirty-five feet in diameter, and lighted a fire within to keep up the rarification of the air. It rose with a force of 500lb. Having thus satisfied themselves, to their inexpressible delight, they made the first public experiment in the presence of their townsmen on the 5th of June, 1783. As the balloon arose the feelings of delight and astonishment, not unmingled with awe, of the villagers, were indescribable. The news rapidly spread to Paris, where, in the following August, M.F. de St. Fond sent up a balloon filled with hydrogen gas, but owing to the awkwardness of the men, it did not answer the purpose. The Parisians, however, were delighted, and on the next day another balloon was sent up to the height of 3,000 feet in two minutes amidst the firing of cannon and then cheering of the multitude. The Montgolfiers were now invited to Paris, and sent up a balloon filled in eleven minutes with the smoke of burnt straw and wool. It rose to the height of 1,500 feet, taking in the basket which hung from it a sheep, a cock, and a duck, the first animals that had ever left the earth in such a vehicle. The globe descended at the end of eight minutes, and then animals came down unhurt. Montgolfier then made a balloon of epheroidal form, forty-five feet in diameter, and seventy-five feet high, and in the same month Piloter de Rozier, an eminent naturalist, ascended in it, having the honour of being the first aeronaut. In a few days after he was accompanied in another ascent by Marquis d'Arlan. Each time they had straw with them to supply the fire in the balloon. A few holes were burnt in the balloon, but by the application of wet sponges they prevented the combustion from extending, and having traversed six miles in twenty-five minutes they descended in safety. Meantime honours and riches were heaped on the fortunate Montgolfiers. The Academy of Sciences gave them an annual prize of 600 livres. The elder brother received the badge of St. Michael, and a patent of nobility; and a pension of 4,000 livres was conferred on the other. Several ascents were now made with success. On the 1st of December, 1783, a balloon filled with hydrogen gas took up aeronauts for the first time in the persons of M.M. Charles and Robert. On the 19th of January, 1784, the elder Montgolfier ascended from Lyons in a balloon, 134 feet high and 109 feet wide. The dimensions of this have not been equalled since. It took up eighteen cwt. of ballast, besides six voyagers. This balloon, in dimensions, expense, and decorations, has far exceeded all succeeding ones. In the same year, Madame Thible ascended at Lyons before the King of Sweden. She was the first aeronaute. On the 19th of September, M. Robert and the Duke of Orleans ascended from Paris, and travelled 135 miles in five hours, during which his royal highness was frightened almost out of his senses. This is the longest voyage ever made in a balloon. On the 18th of June 1786, M. Festin ascended from Paris, and remained a whole night in the sky. Previous to the darkness he descended and re-ascended several times. On the 25th of November, 1783, the first ascent in England was made by Count Zambecarri, an Italian, in a gilt balloon, from the Woolwich artillery-ground. On the 21st of September, 1784, the Chevalier Lunardi made the first ascent from London. On the 7th of January, 1785, M. Blanchard and Dr. Jeffries, an American physician, ascended at Dover, and descended in a forest near Calais, having crossed the English Channel in two hours and three quarters. M. Pilater de Rozier and M. Romaine, anxious to return the visit to the English nation ascended from Boulogne June 15, 1785. The better to regulate their course, they suspended a smoke balloon from that filled with hydrogen gas; but they had not been up more than a quarter of an hour when the spectators were paralysed by terror at seeing the lower balloon take fire and communicate the flames to the upper one. In a minute the car was without support, and the helpless aeronauts were precipitated from the height of a mile, and dashed to pieces on the sea shore. Since that calamity, smoke balloons have not been used. in August, 1785, Blanchard used a parachute for the first time. He sent down a dog in it, which reached the earth in safety. Blanchard made more money by his excursions than any other aeronaut. On the 2d Sept., 1802, M. Garnerin, a Frenchman, ascended from London, and attempted to come down in a parachute; but he was nearly dashed to pieces against the chimnies of St. Pancras, and he was found in an adjoining field almost without life. Balloons have been occasionally used in military service. The French republican armies had a balloon attached to each division, for the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy. The decisive defeat of the Austrians, and Gen. Jourdan, in June, 1794, is attributed to the information conveyed by a balloon, which made two ascents before the battle. As it went up the second time the enemy fired several balls at it, but in vain. After all, balloons have not justified the expectations they raised. They have conferred little or no value upon science, and their principal value is derived from the opportunity they give of seeing almost a whole kingdom at a glance. The aeronaut has only the power of ascending and descending. Nor can he reach any given point, unless the current of wind in which he happens to sail sets directly towards it. [[end column]] [[start centre column]] [[clipping 1 of 2]] For the MORNING HERALD. AIR BALLOONS. ^[[Sept - 1784 - handwritten in ink]] Mr. EDITOR, THE public has sometimes been seized with a rage, which, while it evinced only the fashionable folly of individuals, was highly beneficial to trade: this therefore might well be called an innocent and harmless rage. But, Sir, another species of mania has lately broke out, which so far from being harmless, really threatens the country with imminent danger: the people seem at present balloon mad. I am no enemy to the trying of experiments in the air; but I would have them confined to persons well versed in physics, in whose hands balloons might be perhaps of public utility: but when these aerostatic machines are let off in every street in town, and at night too, it is high time for people to look to the safety of their houses; for should these globes alight upon hay ricks on corn stacks, or on thatched out houses, no man could foresee the extent of the mischief that might ensue: houses burnt down, and families reduced to beggary, might be the melancholy consequences; and thus what was intended as a pastime to some thoughtless young men, might be the ruin of the most industrious and useful part of the community. This is not the only country in which this balloon rage has shewn itself; but the wisdom of foreign princes soon extinguished it in their dominions. The Archduke Leopold, sovereign of the Grand Dutchy of Tuscany soon checked it by an edict, which enjoined all persons in his territories, of what rank or condition whatever, not to let off an air balloon, without his express licence; which licence however, for the sake of philosophy, he declared he would not refuse to persons properly qualified by their learning in physics to conduct aerial experiments. France, where the balloon took its birth, and where the sovereign encouraged by his presence, the launching of more than one into the atmosphere, soon perceived the necessity of following the example of the Grand Duke of Tuscany; and by a royal edict, the King forbad the general and indiscriminate use of ballons, with an exception however in favor of the learned, under whose auspices aerial navigations may still be undertaken. Would not such a policy as this be worthy the adoption of our magistrates? The security of houses and ships from fire calls for it. Some may imagine that there is no law under the authority of which, the magistrates can prevent the general use of balloons and recourse must be had to the sovereign power, to make a law for that purpose: but this is a mistake; the public safety is at stake; and that is a law in itself superior to any that can be made by the legislature: balloons sent up with a lighted candle are nuisances, but still greater at night; the favorite time with the young and giddy for launching them; and those who make use of them might consequently be indicted for them, exclusive of their being answerable in a pecuniary way, for the damages that might be occasioned by them. I thought it my duty to say this much, in order to set people on their guard, and put them in mind of the consequences that may possibly attend their amusements: let those whose peculiar duty it is to watch over the public safety, take the hint and see that - ne quid detrimenti respublica capiat. VIGIL [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 2]] for 1784 Sept. 18-21 UTILITY of the AIR BALLOONS. THE state of the atmosphere has been hitherto very imperfectly understood; and the trivial discoveries made in it already sufficiently compensate all the industry and expence attending the air balloons. The different direction of the air, in proportion to its altitude, is an object which cannot but interest the attention of the curious and scientific. The degrees of heat and cold which it passes as it approximates, or recedes from the earth, with a great variety of other qualities which belong to that subtle fluid, may also be ascertained with precision by an indefatigable prosecution of these aerostatic researches. It has long been an established idea, at least among the vulgar, that so strongly did the air act on the human frame, when raised to any considerable height, that the blood vessels were unable to resist the impulse, and consequently burst by the violence. Philosophers, affected by this apprehension, have refused to ascend mountains of any extraordinary altitude, as deeming it madness to attempt an experiment which they believed themselves certain of not surviving. Our aerostatic expeditions which have yet been followed with no great or insurmountable inconvenience arising from a difference or extremity of temperature, express sufficiently the absurdity of this prepossession. For except the chilness perceived by the Roberts, and an accidental whirlwind in the course of a subsequent voyage, it does not appear that the lungs or circulation of the human blood are at all impeded or affected by any height to which advenurers have hitherto been able to ascend. Over and above all these, who knows what advantages may be derived from air balloons by armies or fleets in the operations of war, in besieging towns, reconnoitring localities, detecting ambushes, taking distances, marking charts, discovering water, provender, and forage, for camps in an unknown country, not to mention the utilities it may afford to physic, navigation, and astronomy. Though no one advantage were to be the consequence of this discovery, which could entitle it to a place among the necessary, it would still have a claim to be classed among the elegant arts of life. For surely it unites the beautiful and grand in an uncommon degree. What more pleasing than to see the machine ascending and descending with a motion so easy, graceful, and charming. It brings to our ideas the remembrance of ancient times, when the inhabitants of the upper world visited and revisited ours. [[end column]] [[start right hand column]] [[clipping 1 of 4 - continuation from previous column]] But the sublimity of the spectacle is altogether unparalleled - an object thus spacious, ponderous, and magnificent, rising or springing perpendicularly upwards, as if to rival the eagle in her flight, must be viewed with sensations peculiarly awful and affecting. It is not only a new sight, but a sight the most surprising and extraordinary, that ever the eye beheld. O Art, how wide and extensive is thy dominion! how potent and universal thy energies! how numerous, how necessary, how interesting thy utilities! No element is either so violent or so subtle, so yielding or so sluggish, as to prove superior to thy direction. Thou dreadedst not the fierce impetuosity of fire, but hast rendered its qualities both obedient and useful. Thou hast softened the stubbor[n] tribe of minerals, so as to answer many valuable ends, by assuming innumerable shapes hence weapons, armour, coin, and previous to these, all those tools and instruments which empower thee to proceed to further ends more excellent. To thee we owe whatever we derive from all the improvements of navigation. The seas and waves are thus made subservient to man, by thy assistance. The yielding element of water thou hast taught to bear us; and the rolling ocean henceforth promotes that intercourse of nations which ignorance would imagine it was destined to intercept. Nor is the subtle air less obedient to they power. Whether thou willest it to be a minister to our pleasure, or a hand-maid to our necessity. At thy command it giveth birth to sounds which charm the soul with all the powers of harmony. It exports our superfluities to supply the wants of others; and it brings to our doors and the riches, the dainties, and luxuries of afar. And when the great modern scheme of aerostatic failing is perfected, who can tell what innumerable benefits may still result from thy unwearied endeavours to direct, improve, and accommodate human life? [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 4]] Though the present age lays such strong claims to the reputation of having invented the art of aerostation, if we may believe ancient writers (says a correspondent) that ingenious discovery is by no means of modern date; but is to be ascribed to a Jesuit of Brasil, named Barthlelimi de Guamo, who in the year 1620, made the following experiment in the presence of John V. the whole royal family, and a vast concourse of people: he contrived a machine which, by means of a particular kind of fire produced by an elaborate process, he caused to float in the air without any other support than that element; upon a signal given, it presently surmounted the altitude of all the circumjacent buildings; and rose to a level with the cornice of the palace; to prevent the machine being carried above the clouds by the winds, cords were attached to it, being held by people below, but they not managing these cords according to the direction of the artist, a gust of wind forced it againft the cornice of the palace, which occasioning it to burst, the contents evaporated, and it fell. Father Guamo signified an intention of repeating the above experiment but was obliged to abandon that design, on account of the populace being enraged against him from a supposition that this philosophical discovery was a proof of his being a practitioner in sorcery. ^[[June 6 1785 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 4]] LONDON. ^[[1785 - handwritten in ink]] The invention of air balloons, is, we are assured, by accounts from Paris, likely to turn out of much more utility than it has hitherto been supposed those ingenious machines would accomplish. M. Le Roy, of the Royal Academy of Belles Lettres, has for some time past been making experiments with them in the navigation of boats and small vessels, and has proved, to the satisfaction of the Academicians, that a boat directed by a balloon is infinitely safer from being overset, than by any sails hitherto made use of. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 4]] BALLOONS. THE idea of constructing a machine, which should enable us to rise into, and sail through, the air, would seem to have occupied the human mind even in ancient times, but it was never realized till within the last fifty years. The first who appears to have speculated rationally upon the subject was the celebrated Friar Bacon; he flourished in the thirteenth century, and described a machine, consisting of two hollow globes of thin copper, exhausted of air, which answered the expectations of the inventor. About the year 1630, Bishop Wilkins suggested the idea of constructing a chariot upon mechanical principles, in which it would be possible to traverse the regions of air. Contemporary with him was Francis Lana, a Jesuit, who proposed a method similar to that of Bacon. In 1709, Gusman, a Portuguese friar, constructed a machine in the form of a bird, with tubes and bellows to supply the wings with air; the inventor was rewarded with a liberal pension, but his machine failed. Gusman, however, was not discouraged, for in 1736 he constructed a wicker basket, seven feet in diameter, and covered with paper, which rose to the height of two hundred feet in the air. The success of the experiment procured for him the reputation of being a sorcerer. Twenty years after this, however, the science of Aerostation began to be studied upon philosophical principles. Among the first who wrote upon this subject was Joseph Gallien, of Avignon, who, in 1755, published a treatise, in which he recommended the employment of a bag of cloth or leather, filled with air lighter than that of the atmosphere. The discovery of hydrogen gas, by Mr. Cavendish, in 1766, was, however, the nearest approach to success. Mr. Cavallo made trial of this gas in 1782; and Messrs. Mongolfier, in the same year, discovered the art of raising balloons by fire. The first public ascent of a fire-balloon took place at Annonay, in France, in June, 1783; and, encouraged by the success of this experiment, Messrs. Robert constructed a balloon of thin silk, varnished with a solution of India rubber, which they filled with hydrogen gas; its inflation occupied several days. When completed, it was conveyed by torchlight to the Champ de Mars, and, on the 27th of August, ascended in the presence of an immense multitude of spectators; after floating in air for three quarters of an hour, it descended in a field, fifteen miles from the place of its ascent. [[end clipping]] [[end column]] [[425 handwritten in pencil at bottom of page]]
