Viewing page 261 of 323

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[start left-hand column]]
[[clipping 1 of 2]]
Extract of a Letter from Beceles, in Suffolk, dated October 7. ^[[1785 - handwritten in ink]]
"Our expectations have been amply gratified by the ascention of the balloon constructed by the [[underlined]]Rev. Peter Routh,[[/underlined]] of this place, on Tuesday last, at three o'clock in the afternoon. Every thing necessary  being prepared for filling this amazing sphere, whose diameter was 36 feet; - the most scientific Gentlemen of this town and neighbourhood, such as Mr. Peter Routh, Mr. James Algar, Mr. P. Blowers, the Rev. Mr. Holden, &c. attended the filling it. A process that required so much skill and attention was assigned principally to M. Holden, Mr. Algar, and Dr. Carter, and in about three hours the balloon was perfectly inflated. A gallery, constructed by Mr. Peter King, was attached to it, lined with crimson sattin, and ornamented with gold fringe; in which it was proposed that Mr. Routh, Miss Fanny Shouldham, and Mr. Rober Davy, should ascend; but after liberating the machine, it preserved for some time an exact equilibrium, and to effect its ascension it was judged expedient to lessen the weight contained in the gallery, by Miss Shouldham getting out, and Mrs. Hines, who was desirous to accompany the Gentlemen, and less corpulant, taking her place, the balloon instantly rose, tho' gradually, exhibiting to the beholders assembled in the adjacent fields, a magnificent spectacle; for I should have informed you that a large field was the spot made choice of to make the experiment; and Mr. Holden, with his accustomed liberality, promised the farmers in his parish, a remission of half a year's tythes, in consideration of the damage which they might sustain, by so great a concourse of people on their lands. 
At an elevation of about two hundred yards, Mrs. Hines gracefully bowed to the spectators, waving her handkerchief, as did the gentlemen; and the balloon took a direction towards the sea still rising in its progress. Whether the valve was unfortunately obstructed, or want of management was the cause, the people of Yarmouth observed the balloon approaching the ocean very rapidly at an immense height, and with a wind too high to render any assistance from boats possible; and at the approach of evening it was wholly lost to their view. Every one lamented the probable fate of the adventrous aeronauts, and the next day there appeared burned upon every countenance an anxiety to learn some favourable account of them; but it was not till the following day that news arrived of a Dutch vessel, commanded by Captain Andrew Van Swieten, having luckily taken them up at sea, near the coast of Holland, the car gliding on the surface of the water, and the balloon, like a guardian angel, wafting them in security. Mr. Davy fortunately spoke a little Dutch, and through the assistance of e passenger on board from Amsterdam, who was a little acquainted with the English, was enabled by a kind of mixed language to relate the particulars of their expedition. The lady, who you know is noted for the excellence of her spirits, supported by her example her fellow-voyagers to the last. 
"They were conducted this day to Beccles, amidst the acclamations of some thousands of spectators, and each wore a laurel crown, inscribed in the front on a gilt label, "The favoured of Heaven."
"An elegant marble slab, with an inscription written by the Rev. Mr. Amos. will be placed in the choir of the Church here, to perpetuate this singular act of courage, and instance of divine protection. 
"When at the most altitude, Mr. Routh penned the following lines, with as great fality, he declared, as he ever wrote.
 
WHEN floating in the vast expanse, 
We own'd they gracious care, 
For 'twas alone thy Providence, 
That chas'd away our fear!

Supported by thy mighty arm;
When dangers threaten'd round, 
Compos'd we sat, secure from harm, 
And perfect safety found!"
[[end clipping]]

[[start clipping 2 of 2]]
All degrees and professions have now been riding balloons. A son of the church, the Rev. Peter Routh closes the list. He took a female too with him, providential to be sure; but it does not appear that he approached Heaven with greater facility than other balloonists. 
Master Peter Routh got dabbling at Poetry when aloft. His verses are rather of the Sternhold and Hopkins cast to be sure. Mister Peter and his friends are, however of opinion, that they may be sung to the music of Spheres.
[[end column]]

[[start right-hand column]]
[[clipping 1 of 2]]
[[1785 - handwritten in ink]]
-Bury, October 19, Saturday being the day appointed for the ascension of [[underlined]] Mrs. [Boof's][[/underlined]] Balloon from this place, the largest concourse of people assembled ever known upon any occasion, - About twelve o'clock a great number of persons of fashion occupied the ground, who expressed the highest satisfaction at the process of filling the balloon, which was conducted under the immediate inspection of Mr. Blake, who ascended with Major Money and Mr. Lockwood from Tottenham-court-road, and our intrepid aeronaut, who during the whole time shewed a degree of coolness scarcely to be paralleled. The balloon being sufficiently inflated, (which circumstance was ascertained by weights affixed to the bottom) the car was suspended, and Mr. Poole got in, quite collected and composed. It was not found necessary to cut away the wings, intended to act as sails, which had been constructed by an ingenious Piedmontese, patronised by Lord Orford, and which, it was supposed, would have contributed to facilitate the direction of the balloon, but were found greatly to retard the celerity of its motion. 
This circumstance being effected, about two o'clock, Mr. Poole ascended with great rapidity, amidst the acclamations of thousands, whose raptures on the occasion were indescribable, and which were returned in the most polite manner by the aerial voyager, who for a long time saluted them by taking off his hat, and waving his flag. 
The following particulars are given by Mr. Pool himfelf:
"Immediately after my balloon was liberated, I found myself ascending with an East by North course, a serene day, a very beautiful sky, and the sensation of ascent exceedingly pleasing. On entering the first cloud, I found the mercury in the barometer had fallen four inches and a half, which stated my elevation at three quarters of a mile and about 146 yards. 
"Although my ascension was rapid, the clouds were of so unequal a height, that I did not pass them in less than four minutes; I then found myself parallel with their tops, which wore a snowy whiteness. I now began to feel cold, although the sun shone with uninterrupted splendour; my balloon was now considerably expanded, and having ascended beyond the reach of sound from below, I was struck with the silence, which prevailed to such a degree, that I heard the watch beating in my pocket. - Notwithstanding the cloud, which was considerable, I continued to mount, until my barometer had fallen 14 inches and a quarter, which I since find, by comparing with my table of altitudes, is three miles and 133 yards. My Balloon was expanded to a degree of tension, and on drawing the appendice to me, I found the gas was issuing very copiously; I had now a confined and unpleasant sensation in my ears - On considering my elevation, I was astonished to find that looking to the earth was not attended with the smallest disagreeable sensation, although I have always experienced it on looking down a precipice. 
"Having been up 50 minutes, and knowing that I had made a considerable progress to the eastward, I was surprized at not being able to discover the sea through the interval of the clouds; I was about to descend below them for information, when I discovered a beautiful meandring river, bearing by my compass South East by East, and by tracing its course, discovered the termination of the land in that quarter. I could now alfo perceive the ocean in an eaftern direction, the point to which I was advancing; it had rather an opaque than a luminous appearance; and judging it not be very distant, I thought proper to descend; I opened my valve, which acted very well, and by keeping it open from little time, found the surface of the Mercury become convex light up downy feathers which had hither to descend, began to take a contrary direction. - My descent was gradual, I soon after alighted in a small piece of ground at Earl Soham, in this county, without injury either to myself or balloon. 
"I was very hospitably received by Major Dade, who lives in that neighbourhood, and found my distance from Bury to be 28 miles, having been in the air above one hour and eleven minutes." ^[[1785 - handwritten in ink]]
[[end clipping]]

[[start clipping 2 of 2]]
Mr. Poole ascended Wednesday at one o'clock from Cambridge, with a balloon. There were a number of people of the first fashion of that part of the world present. He descended at Denson, about 12 miles from Newmarket, and 24 from Cambridge. ^[[23 Nov. 1785 - handwritten in ink]]
[[end column]]

[[413 habdwritten in pencil at bottom of page]]