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[[start left-hand column]] [[start clipping 1 of 5]] A [[underlined]] Balloon [[/underlined]], launched from Westminster, on the 6th of this month, at half-past two o'clock, was found lying in the warren of Mr. Thomas Gibbs, of Batcomb, about three miles from Crawley, at a quarter before four o'clock the same day; having travelled a distance of 36 miles in one hour and a quarter. ^[[Mar. 19. 1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 5]] A RUSSIAN FETE. An article from St. Petersburgh, dated on the 5th ult. says:- The name-day of the Empress's Mother was celebrated on the 3d with unusual magnificence. All the foreign ambassadors, and other persons of distinction, dined with the Imperial Family at Peterhoff: in the evening were a public masquerade and supper. The garden was superbly illuminated, and the water-works played - at least 30,000 persons were in the garden in the evening, and 7000 at the masquerade. At 11 o'clock the Imperial Family, after driving round the garden, appeared at a balcony, whence there was a view of the sea, on which lay five yatchts finely illuminated, the middle one with the initials of the EMPRESS, in coloured lamps. At the same moment, [[underlined]] two air balloons [[/underlined]], of transparent fire, rose from the edge of the water; - sparks of fire fell from the lower one, and suddenly a beautiful fire-work arose from the gondola; - at length the lower balloon took fire, threw forth a flaming shower of various colours, and then set on fire the balloon which floated above, and a sudden explosion destroyed both. The sight was very fine. The two balloons cost 3000 roubles, and the whole fete 30,000. ^[[Sept. 1803 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 5]] AEROSTATION. - Professor ROBERTSON, of Hamburgh, accompanied by M. LHOERT, has lately made a second aerial excursion, which has confirmed many of their former experiments, and produced some new and interesting results. M. ROBERTSON has ascertained that sounds may be conveyed upwards to the height of 1200 feet, while downwards they can be conveyed only half that distance. - When about seven thousand two hundred feet from the earth, he enclosed, in an instrument invented by M. HEZ, four inches of the surrounding air, along with mercury, and marked exactly the point where the air and the mercury were united; and when he returned to the earth, he found that the mercury filled the whole tube within a tenth. This important experiment seems to prove, that in the upper regions there exists nothing but vapours, and no atmospheric air. ^[[Oct. 3. 1803 -handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 5]] AERIAL ASCENSION. ^[[1804 - handwritten in ink]] ST. PETERSBURGH, JULY 17. - The ascension in the air, undertaken by the desire of the Academy of Sciences, to make experiments, has had the desired effect. The famous chymist, SACHAROFF, and Professor ROBERTSON, ascended in a favourable state of the weather, from the garden of the cadet-corps, at 25 minutes after 7 o'clock in the evening. The members of this learned body, who so much interest themselves for the advancement of sciences, attended, and witnessed the ascension, the most beautiful yet seen in Russia. The three small balloons sent into the air as guides, or to reconnoitre the wind, went first to the south, but soon afterwards to the east, and towards the Baltic. This did not prevent the aeronauts from ascending, having with them several instruments to make experiments. The balloon floated over the Baltic Sea for upwards of an hour. Two different winds were felt blowing in opposition. From the city a manoeuvre was observed, which had for its object to cut through the upper wind, and by it procure the travellers an opportunity of getting to the southward, and over the land. Afterwards they ascended higher and higher, until ten o'clock, when the balloon was entirely lost sight of, even by the persons following it with the telescopes from the Observatory. The next day an express brought the President of the Academy of Sciences information, that the aeronauts had, without any accident, arrived at Siwaretz, 60 wersts, or near 26 leagues from this capital. They descended forty-five minutes past ten in the English Garden opposite the castle of General DEMIDOFF, who received and entertained the aerial travellers with the greatest hospitality. The result of this ascension, undertaken only for scientific experiments, will soon be published, and found very interesting as well as instructive. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 5 of 5]] ^[[Jan. 1806 -handwritten in ink]] An attempt was lately made by Messrs. Pauli and Lemercier, of Paris, which proved, that balloons can be steered and directed, according to the pleasure of the aeronaut. They invented machinery, by which they moved the wings attached to the [[underlined]] balloon [[/underlined]], and the rudder resembling the tail of a bird. On ascending they were conveyed by a gentle East wind; and, on working the machinery, they made way slowly against it. At length after a voyage of five hours, they descended at Denouville, near Chartres, convinced of the practicability of their experiment. [[end column]] [[start centre column]] [[start clipping 1 of 9]] Mr. GARNERIN has published his opinion, that Mr. MOSMENT, who lately fell from a balloon in France, and was dashed to pieces, met his death from his own negligence. "The car in which he ascended (says Mr. GARNERIN), was too shallow; the cords by which it was attached to the balloon were too far apart; and it is probable, that when Mr. MOSMENT was leaning over to let an animal drop in a parachute, that he lost his balance, and was precipitated to the earth." ^[[June 2. 1806 -handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start 2 of 9]] Paris, April 22. The balloon in which the unfortunate M. Mosment ascended, was found complete between Charleville and Charleroi. In the car attached to it, which had likewise received no damage, a pistol was found, with a small loaf and some meat; the cords by which the car was attached to the balloon were also entire. ^[[1806. - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 9]] Yesterday se'nnight, a curious experiment was made at Woolwich with [[underlined]] balloons [[/underlined]], intended to carry dispatches from one post to another, when the wind serves. A match is put in one part of them, which at the end of a certain time, sets fire to a string sustaining a parachute, or other contrivance; and when the string is consumed, the parachute and dispatches fall to the ground, and are picked up by the centry, who is on the watch for them at some distant post. The length of time that the match is to burn, is regulated by the velocity of the wind, and the distance the balloon has to travel. ^[[April 1807. -handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 9]] A small inflammable balloon, which was sent up from Hackney on the day of the Jubilee, was found two hours and five minutes after the time of its ascent at Wilbraham, near Cambridge; thus it must have travelled at the rate of about 25 miles an hour at least. ^[[1809 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 5 of 9]] FLIGHTY EXPERIMENTS. The art of rising and moving in the air, by means of wings, continues to engage the attention of a number of persons in Germany. At Vienna, the watchmaker DEGEN, aided by a liberal subscription, is occupied in perfecting his discovery. He has recently taken several public flights in the Prater, which will be detailed in one of our subsequent numbers. At Berlin, CLAUDIUS, a wealthy manufacturer of oil-cloth, is engaged in like pursuits; he rises in the air without difficulty, and can move in a direct line at the rate of four miles an hour; but his wings are unwieldy, and he cannot turn round in them. At Ulm, a tailor, named Berblinger, announced on the 24th April, that he had, after great sacrifice of money, labour, and time, invented a machine in which he would, on the 12th May, rise in the air and fly twelve miles. ^[[1811 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 6 of 9]] BALLOONS - A whimsical person is preparing an apparatus composed of two small balloons, which will support the weight of his body, permitting his feet just to touch the ground; these are joined as boys join bladders, or corks for learning to swim, and are to be fastened under the arms in the same manner, the weight of the body being supported by the balloons; he expects, with the addition of a couple of wings, to be able to walk, run, or fly, at pleasure. ^[[Oct. 1811 - handwritten in ink vertically on left side of clipping]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 7 of 9]] The ascension of the Mechanician, BITTORF, from Manheim, was truly disastrous. When he had risen to a considerable height, he perceived, too late, that his balloon was damaged, and had no other resource than to open the pump. The balloon descended with extreme velocity, but, owing to the wind, without preserving its gravity: the inflammable matter which it contained kindled, the shreds caught fire, and fell upon M. BITTORF'S head, arms, and breast, which were much burnt. - On a sudden, his crazy vehicle struck upon the roof of a house, two stories high, from which he was precipitated, with a gondola, attached to the balloon. The inhabitants took him up, and carried him, covered with wounds, to his own house, where he died the next day in great agony. ^[[1812 -handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 8 of 9]] Mr. Robertson made, on the 19th of Oct. his forty-eighth ascension, at Liege. At a certain height he launched a parachute, which descended safely with a live rabbit. In about a quarter of an hour, meeting with a contrary current of wind, he determined on descending; but when the balloon touched the ground, it rose thirty feet, and rebounded against a tree. Having thrown out his grappling irons without success, Mr. Robertson seized on the topmost branches, abandoned his balloon, and alighted safely at the entrance of the little city of Vise. ^[[1812 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 9 of 9]] ROYALTY THEATRE. THIS EVENING, Nov. 9, will be performed, a Burletta founded on KING LEAR and his Three Daughters. To conclude with a Burletta, called The BALLOON, taken from the Farce of the Mogul Tale. LONDON. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1812. [[end column]] [[start right-hand column]] [[start clipping 1 of 6]] AEROSTATIC, OR IMPROVED BALLOON. THE exhibiting of BALLOONS, ever since the Ascension of Mr. Lunardi, in the year 1782, has been continued, without any success in directing their course, which has always been a matter of regret with the Public. It is therefore presumed that an attempt to construct a Balloon, so as to be elevated or depressed at pleasure, and capable also of being conducted to a given point, varying from that to which the wind directly blows, if but making an angle of twenty degrees (though it is expected that it may be directed to form an angle of forty-five), which constitutes four points of the compass, will meet with general encouragement, and should this be accomplished, may, by practical experiment, be improved so as to become of great utility, and the gratification of thousands; which will undoubtedly be the case, if we should ever step into the car attached to a Balloon with the same confidence of a safe arrival at a given place, as we now step into any land or water carriage. However distant and chimerical this may appear, the attempt is submitted to the Public. The expence of such an undertaking is evidently too great, except for an opulent individual; the Public are therefore informed, that a Subscription is opened, of Five Shillings, which will entitle each Subscriber to the view of a Model, explaining the apparatus by means of which the Balloon is to be guided, elevated, or depressed at pleasure; the current air discovered, at different heights; and, it is hoped, the dreadful consequences, in case the Balloon should burst, prevented by a gradual and safe descent. Should the Community be inclined to encourage this undertaking, and enable the Projector to complete the Balloon he has in contemplation to construct, it is hoped they will manifest their approbation, as the Subscription is intended to be closed early in June. This new Aerostatic Balloon will be constructed under the direction of Henry Williams, many years Drawing-master to Carlisle House School, Lambeth. For the accommodation of such of the Nobility and Gentry that are disposed to promote Aerostation by a more liberal subscription, and to whom the utility and pleasure may be accessible, Subscriptions of Ten Pounds and upwards are received at Messrs. Biddulphs and Co, Charing-cross; Mr. Waud, confectioner, Bond-street; and at S. Burton's, stationer, No. 156, Leadenhall-street, where a Model of the Balloon is left for the inspection of the Subscribers, of whom it is requested to leave their Address, that notice may be sent them of the time and place of ascension, to prevent depredations and mischief that may occur from the great concourse of the populace, if made known by public Advertisement. And admitting the Subscriptions by the 1st of June should not be sufficient for defraying the expence of the undertaking, that they may be consulted whether to continue advertising, or each to receive a Dividend of the Subscription, after deducting what money has been expended in Advertisements. H. WILLIAMS, Carlisle House, Lambeth. ^[[handwriting illegible]] Of S. Burton, at No. 156, Leadenhall-street, Directions may be had for playing Eight new Variations of the Game of Drafts, under the title of Constitutional Checks, by which the vivacity and interest of Play are considerably diversified and increased. The Polish and common Games are hereby combined and improved, and the Game is susceptible of being played by Two, Three, or Four Persons at the same time: peculiarly adapted to the amusement of seafaring gentlemen. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 6]] IMPROVED AIR BALOON. ^[[20 May 1813 - handwritten in ink]] MR. EDITOR - As I am a constant Reader of your excellent Paper, I observe that it is open to literary and scientific as well as political correspondents; I am, therefore, induced to solicit the attention of the curious to a proposed improvement in the construction of Air Baloons by a Mr. Williams, (a model of which is now exhibiting at Mr. Burton's, stationer, Leadenhall-street), whereby the aeronauts in the car will be able to vary their course from the wind, in an angle of 20 or 30 degrees, by means of a movable sail; and also to elevate and depress it at pleasure, by a different movement of the same sail, without the loss of any of the gas, therefore the same balloon and gas will serve for several ascensions. I was so much pleased by the inspection of the model, that I determined to send on this imperfect outline of the invention, in hopes of attracting the attention, and having the opinion of some of your learned Correspondents. In my humble opinion it promises to obviate all the difficulties which have hitherto prevented the management of balloons. If, Mr. Editor, you think the foregoing worthy of insertion, you will greatly oblige A FRIEND. May 17, 1813. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 6]] THE Nobility and Gentry, and those of the Public, who have generously declined the return of their Subscription for defraying the expence of constructing a Balloon that could be elevated, depressed, and directed at the pleasure of the aeronaut, with other advantages too numerous here to mention, are informed, that their receipts will entitle them to admission to the inflating and ascension of a Balloon constructed on the principle of that which was intended to have been exhibited on his Majesty's Birth-day, that is expected to ascend to the course of the present month of June, from the Bowling-green of the Horns Tavern, Kennington. It is requested that those Subscribers who mean to avail themselves of this privilege, to apply at the bar of the Horns to have their receipts certified and sealed, where tickets of admission are to be had, at 5s. each, as no money will be taken at the entrance to the Green, not even on the day of ascension, it being presumed that this mode of proceeding will prevent the depredations usually committed on these occasions, as the holders of tickets and subscribers will be the only persons interested in these exhibitions. The Model at No. 156, Leadenhall-street; and the Drawing at Mr. Waud's, Confectioner, Bond-street, remain on view to Non-Subscribers, 1s. each. ^[[1813 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 6]] THE FIRM of Messrs. BIDDULPH and Co Charing-cross, decline receiving Subscriptions of Ten Pounds and upwards, for the accommodation of the Nobility and Gentry, which is advertised every evening in The Statesman; as the intention of that Subscription is wholly to promote Scientific Knowledge. It is no longer a question if BALLOONS can be directed, but if the amount of the Subscription will be sufficient to enable the Projector, H. Williams, to put it in practice by the 1st of June? A Drawing, that will clearly demonstrate the practicability, is to be seen at Mr. Waud's, Confectioner, Bond-street, where Subscriptions of Five Shillings are received, for which a receipt is to be given, that will admit each Subscriber to the first Ascension, and to view the Model, now exhibiting at 136, Leadenhall-street. The Public are requested, for particulars, to see the Advertisement in the Evening Paper. ^[[May 1813 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 5 of 6]] ^[[Sept 13 1813 - handwritten in ink]] M. Degen took an [[underlined]] aerial flight [[/underined]] in Paris, on 15th August. He ascended in a balloon about three in the afternoon, from a platform raised in the middle of the Seine, between the bridge of Concord and the bridge Royal. Assisted by his wings, he moved horizontally from the platform to the bridge Royal, when he rose nearly perpendicularly to the height of 5400 feet, following the direction of the Seine through Paris, lest he should experience any accident, and was successful in guiding the balloon by means of his wings against the wind, which was very strong. Throughout he evinced much coolness and courage. At six o'clock he descended in the plain of St. Maude; at eight he returned to Paris. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 6 of 6]] ON THE BALLOON, EXHIBITED IN HONOUR OF NAPOLEON'S BIRTH-DAY. Apt emblem of Usurper's pow'r, It rises with much toil and trouble; Then, soaring, swelling, its short hour, It sinks a breathless, worthless, bubble! KING JOE'S RELIGION. Poor Joe's Religion's such, 'tis said, That he would mock his Maker; But, when from Wellington be fled, 'Tis thought he turn'd a Quaker! ^[[1813 -handwritten in ink]] [[end column]] ^[[419 handwritten in pencil at bottom of page]]
