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[[start left-hand column]] [[start clipping 1 of 7]] ^[[Jan. 13. 1785 ? - note handwritten in ink vertically on the right side of the clipping]] By a Gentleman just arrived from Paris, we hear that the rage for [[underlined]] ballooning [[/underlined]] is so various and extensive in that capital, that several showmen have what they call balloon stands round the Bouvelards, where, for a livre or two, any body who chuses is let up to a certain height, and pulled down by a string attached to the balloon for that purpose. An accident happened, however, a few days since, which had made people a little more cautious; which was, the string gave way, and the balloon took its flight half over Paris, before gas enough had been expended for it to descend. The person who went up was a young man about 19. He very fortunately came down in a Nobleman's court-yard; and as the servants saw his descension, they had prepared for it by getting together a parcel of beds, straw, &c. by which he escaped unhurt, though almost frightened to death. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 7]] On Friday evening, about six o'clock, a new Aquatic Balloon was sunk, a little above Westminster-bridge; the inventor was in it. A tube was fixed at the top for air; the Balloon drifted with the tide as far as Lambeth stairs. In the interim, two signals were made; the first denoted that all was well; but the 2d, that he wanted instant assistance; upon which the boatmen who attended, instantly hauled up the balloon, and found the man nearly drowned. It seems, that through some mistake, the water got in: However the inventor purposes making a second experiment. ^[[ap. 3. 1785 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 7]] ^[[1785 - handwritten in ink]] A letter from Portsmouth hath the following article, dated May 13, "We were last night, about nine o'clock, shocked on [[underlined]] an air balloon [[/underlined]] passing over this town all in flames, for we apprehended by the course it took that it would fall in the dock-yard, which might have been attended with fatal consequences to us all, for had it fell amongst any combustibles it might have done great damage, not only there but perhaps to the town. But the wind blowing brisk it carried it into the middle of the harbour, where it fell, and the water soon extinguished the flames." [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 7]] IRELAND. Tralee, June 15. ^[[1785 - handwritten in ink]] YEsterday morning some young Gentlemen near this town floated a large balloon, called a Montgolfier, which ascended to a considerable height, but taking fire, it descended on a farm-house at about two miles distance, and a dwelling, stable, with two horses, and haggard, in which was a great quantity of corn, were totally destroyed. [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 5 of 7]] Extract of a Letter from Dublin, June 22. ^[[1785 - handwritten in ink]] "The liberating of lamp balloons is become now such a common practice that no less than 20 or 30 are let off almost every night, to the great fear and terror of the inhabitants of this city; a deal-yard in Engine-alley, on Tuesday night, narrowly escaped being consumed by one of them falling among the timber, and would have certainly done it but for the timely assistance of the neighbours. "As the inutility of fire balloons is now evident, and the extreme danger of liberating them has been manifested by the conflagration at Tullamore, &c. it is praise-worthy in the Lord Mayor to have issued his mandate against them, especially when hay and corn may shortly be exposed to the utmost danger." [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 6 of 7]] Last night was performed at ASTLEY'S, a Musical Piece called the Cobler and the Air-Balloon, which was originally written by Mr. A. to shew there was some danger in Aerostatic Experiments; the song by the Cobler, which concludes the piece, produced a good effect. - Mr. Astley's indefatigable industry in bringing forward so great a number of favorite pieces, deserves the highest commendation. ^[[29 June 1785 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 7 of 7]] A correspondent informs us, that on Saturday night the new uncovered buildings on the Surry side of Black-friars bridge, were set on fire by a balloon sent into the atmosphere by the smoak of burning spirits. The immense frame-work of the building designed for the corn-mills, on which thousands of pounds have been already expended, were thus on the point of being consumed by this childish sport. By good fortune timely assistance was procured, and the fire seasonably extinguished before it had got head. ^[[Sept: 27. 1785 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[end column]] [[start centre column]] [[start clipping 1 of 4]] Some little time since a mercer and linen-draper at [[underlined]] Evesham [[/underlined]] in Worcestershire, who had long time harboured in his breast a passion for soaring aloft, having bought a large parcel [[of]] remnants of silk of a brother shop-keeper who ha[[d?]] run on the wrong side of the post, formed a resolution of fabricating [[underlined]] a balloon [[/underlined]] therewith, which he speedily effected, and by the help of an ingenious auctioneer of the town, who had the character of being a great adept in the doctrine of inflammable air, soon filled the balloon, and on Tuesday the 4th instant, the mercer and linen-draper made an attempt to ascend, which he did for a few yards, but owing, as it is conjectured, to too great a quantity of inflammable air being introduced into his balloon, a tension ensued, his balloon burst, and the ambitious aeronaut fell with great rapidity against one of the battlements at the gable end of the Corporation-hall, and so much hurt himself, that it is thought he will for ever hereafter relinquish all airy flights, and confine himself to the exercise of his yard at home, like an industrious linen-draper, an employm[[ent]] more congenial to the sphere of his groveli[[ng]] terrestrial capacity!!! ^[[Oct. 26. 1785 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 4]] Mr. Van Dan Bergen, a Major in the Dutch guards, ascended in a balloon, 56 yards by 30, on the 1st inst. at Amsterdam, taking with him a parachute, a dog, a cock, and a pigeon, the former of which was let down, and appeared to descend gradually for some time, but afterwards went off in a horizontal course, and became invisible to the spectators. At two hours and forty-three minutes after his ascension, Mr. Van Bergen became invisible to the anxious spectators, and though the merchants and other vessels stretched out to sea, and every other method both by land and water was exerted to get intelligence of his descent, no tidings have as yet been heard of him, and great apprehensions are entertained for the valuable life of this brave and distinguished officer. To add to the melancholy catastrophe of this tragic event, Major Van Bergen was shortly to have been married to Madam Rossola, daughter of the Governor-General of the Spice Isles, who upon hearing the event became distracted, and has since utterly lost the power of speech. The States have proclaimed a reward of one thousand pounds sterling to whosoever shall bring the body or balloon of Major Van Bergen, and prohibited on pain of death any further aerial experiments in Holland. ^[[Dec. 1785 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 4]] It is said a certain aerial voyager has proferred Mr. Astley to take his extraordinary monkey with him on his next excursion, and by that means, immortalize him for ever, as he has done his dog and cat, provided he will let the creature perform six nights at the Pantheon, either before or after the journey. Whether this proposition has been accepted, is not known, but if we might judge from our own inclinations, supposing we had such an extraordinary and invaluable creature in our possession, we should imagine Mr. Astley has not been agreeable to risk the life of the family, as many foolish Generals and Admirals have done, merely to gain immortality. What recompence would it be to Mr. Astley that the monkey should be dead and immortal, for the loss he would sustain for his life, and consequently, the performance of seats that fill his Amphitheatre every night with the most crouded audiences? If he be wise, we are assured he has rejected with disdain a proposition that has no possible advantage in prospect to tempt his acceptance. ^[[1785 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 4]] Balloons are still seen flying in the air of an evening, notwithstanding the manifest danger attending this very silly and childish amusement. Parents of children ought to discourage them from pursuing it. It is a duty they owe to society. ^[[1785 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[end column]] [[start right-hand column]] [[start clipping 1 of 5]] "It is an ill wind that blows nobody good," for although the breeze of Tuesday evening would not raise the [[underlined] Ranelagh Balloon [[/underlined]], yet it wasted many of the disappointed spectators to Vauxhall, where they drowned their chagrin in the juice of the grape, and the essence of Batavia. ^[[July 21. 86 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 2 of 5]] To be balloonified is all the ton, especially among the belles of twenty, whose enormous protuberances present to the mind an idea of extreme rarification. ^[[Morning Post. Aug. 23. 1786 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 3 of 5]] A Letter from Newcastle-upon-Lyne, dated Sept. the 19th, confirms the melancholy Account in the Postscript of this Paper last Week, of Mr. Heron being killed by falling from a Balloon; and further says, "Conceive the Astonishment that seized every one present, particularly the Crowds which were upon St. John's Church Steeple, St. Nicholas's, and all the high Places in the Neighbourhood, to behold a Person suspended by his Arm at the End of a Rope, ascend so prodigious a Height so quick, and tumble down as quickly: No Person knew at first who it was, but the Alarm soon was given of its being poor Mr. Heron: His Father, Mother, and Sisters, with their Friends, were in a Scaffold just by; the Ground was deserted, and the Cries of the Spectators were distressing. He fell partly erect upon a Tree, from thence in the same Situation upon a Flower Bed of soft Mould, into which he sunk nearly Knee-deep, and there stuck fast. Every Person went Home sorrowful. "What has become of Lunardi, I cannot tell you; but I fancy he made as good a Retreat as he possibly could, for Fear of the Fury of the enraged Populace. Whether the Balloon took Fire from Lunardi's Ignorance or Negligence, is best known to himself - but every one before the Balloon burst seemed to think he was very dilatory in performing the Operation; and I need not inform you, that this Misfortune will be a sad Memento to this Town and its Neighbourhood. "Mr. Heron was between 21 and 22 Years of Age; was not out of his Clerkship with his Father, who is an Attorney, and the Under Sheriff for the County of Northumberland." ^[[1786 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 4 of 5]] On Thursday last Mr. St. Croix ascended in [[underlined]] his balloon from [[/underlined]] Mr. Hutchins's yard, near St. Martin's church, amidst the acclamations of a prodigious multitude of all ranks assembled on the occasion. The balloon was of silk, large, beautifully transparent, and adorned with a pleasing variety of colours in stripes. Its shape nearly that of a pear, round at the top, and verging to a point at its lower extremity. Over the whole was thrown a strong net, and some cords to which the car was appended. About two o'clock, the weather being remarkably fine, the aeronaut took his station in the car, and after performing two or three manoeuvres, consigned himself to the air. The wind blowing lightly from the West, his ascent was magnificently slow, and beautiful beyond description, impressing on every beholder the most aweful and lively sensations of grandeur, astonishment, and admiration. Every heart felt, and every tongue spoke in praise of the dauntless adventurer, who courteusly waved his flag, and bowing his hat, gallantly bade the wondering spectators adieu! He continued to ascend about three quarter of an hour longer, soon after which he began to descend, and about twenty minutes after three o'clock he alighted in perfect safety about half a mile from Romsey, and the next morning returned to this city. ^[[1786 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[start clipping 5 of 5]] A Frizeur in Oxford Road, has got written in his window, balloon tetes - a very necessary recommendation this; for on considering its ascension, it ought to have some innate power to keep itself in a stationary position. ^[[1786 - handwritten in ink]] [[end clipping]] [[/end column]] [[end page]] ^[[415 - handwritten note in pencil in bottom right corner of the page]]
