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[[image: hand-drawn sketches, of the heads of eleven men grouped and titled or numbered. For those numbered 1-7, see key in last paragraph of article.]] [[group of three men at right of image:]] Mr. Oliver Lord Henry Fitzgerald Mr. Thornton [[man at bottom of image:]] Sir Richd. Macgwire. [[start centre clipping]] THE PRESERVATION OF Sir RICHARD MAC GWIRE. on Thursday the 12th of May, 1785, Mr. MACGWIRE, then a student in the University of Dublin, ascended from the barrack of that city, in lieu of a gentleman of the name of CROSBIE, who had constructed a large balloon, and proposed to ascend himself; but had the mortification to be disappointed from the weight of his person. The balloon at first took a westerly direction over the country; 'till a higher current of air carried it easterly, and over the sea. Mr. Mc.G, observing the balloon to be greatly distended, endeavoured to relieve it by opening the valve, but unfortunately the rope broke, and presently after the balloon burst. At this interesting moment, he noted the barom. to stand at 20 inches, and the therm. at 32; this latter being the freezing point suprized him much, as he did not feel a corresponding coldness in his person. Perceiving that he still ascended, he determined if possible to let more gas escape, and with great difficulty contrived to reach and make several punctures in the balloon; in consequence of which it descended with such velocity as to throw him out of the car or boat, and immediately re-ascending, the suspending ropes held him by one foot, with his head lying in the water; but by a desperate effort his shoe providentially came off, and he disengaged himself. All his endeavours to overtake the balloon were fruitless; and he could not see the land. Being an excellent swimmer, he turned upon his back to rest himself, and was inly ruminating what course to pursue, when he was aroused by a cheer from the crew of the Blithe Anne*, who happily preserved him, and brought him on shore; where his Grace the late Duke of RUTLAND, then Lord Lieutenant, and her Grace the Duchess, received him with that politeness and attention for which they were so justly distinguished: he was immediately conveyed to town by Mr. UNIACKE, in her Grace's carriage. Indeed the dangerous situation of Mr. Mc. G was sensibly felt by all, and most of the Nobility followed him to the sea side, where those gentlemen whose portraits are given, embarked in the small boat to his relief, but not without a bribe of ten guineas to engage the boatmen in so humane an act; and in the distant boat were Lord JOCELYN, Lord EDWARD FITZGERALD, Mr. UNIACKE, and Mr. JAMES. On the Sunday following this event, Mr. MACGWIRE was attended by his fellow students, from the University to the Castle of Dublin: where his Grace the Duke of RUTLAND was pleased to confer the honour of knighthood on him;- and the Nobility rewarded the brave fellows who preserved his life, with a purse of one hundred guineas. Sir RICHARD MACGWIRE is at present a lieutenant of foot on the Irish establishment, admired for his intrepidity, and greatly esteemed by all who have the honour of knowing him. The Portraits of the Boatmen are as follow: No. 1. the young man, John Landen,who first discovered Sir R. Mc.G. No. 2. John Marks, No.3. George Marks; No. 4.William Reed; No. 5. James Murray; No. 6. William Murray; No. 7. George Landen, whose zeal had indangered his own life, but for the activity and care of his brother boatmen. *One of the two pilot-boats maintained by the ballast office in Dublin, for the sole purpose of succouring ships in distress. [[end clipping]] [[bottom of page]] [[start left-hand clipping]] TO THE CONDUCTORS OF THE HIBERNIAN JOURNAL. GENTLEMEN, THE Attention paid to the intrepid Youth who made the Aerial Excursion, filled the Breast of the Spectators with Feelings which does Honour to the human Heart, as he triumphed through the Streets of this Metropolis. The Scene of his Ascension was "in the Mind's Eyes." The Anxiety for his Safety, when his Course turned towards the Sea; the Dread of his perishing, when it was known he had plunged into that merciless Element, all formed those internal Workings, which are impossible to be described, but I trust every one felt. When we rejoice at his Safety, let us not forget those Men who were the Means of it. Some of them were in Town Yesterday, when surrounding Crouds listened with the greatest Avidity to their Artless Tale. I wished for the Purse of a Rumbold, to reward them for the Service they had done. Rome bestowed Honours on the Man who saved the Life of a Citizen; let Dublin follow her Example; let her Sons, not less deficient in Courage, be not wanting in Gratitude. I therefore hum- [[end clipping]] [[continued in centre clipping]] bly propose the following Recompence to the Crew of the Wherry, belonging to Clontarf, who took up Mr. Maguire at the Moment he was perishing, and secured him from the Jaws of Death: A small pecuniary Reward should be given them; when Men in their Line of Life get Money into their Hands, it is seldom properly applied; a more lasting Benefit to them, will be, to raise by Subscription a Sum for building a large Fishing Wherry, and furnish it compleatly with Nets and every necessary Tackling. Any Nobleman or Gentleman may receive the Subscriptions, and apply it to the above Purpose. Allow me the Liberty to name the Right Hon. William Burton Conyngham, (the Father of our Fisheries in this Kingdom) to direct the Application; it is to be hoped he will not decline the pleasing Task. This Mode of Recompence will, in a small Degree,be useful to the Country, and Reward Individuals who deserve it from the Public. Enquiry has been made into the Characters of the Crew belonging to the Wherry - the Result is, that they are the most active and expert Seamen we have on this Coast, several of them having rowed in the Boat that gained the Prize some Years ago, given by a Gentleman of this Place. May 14, 1785. PHILOPATRIA. [[end centre clipping]] [[start right-hand clipping]] For the HIBERNIAN JOURNAL. ^[[May 18. 1785 - handwritten in ink]] On the late ascension of the AIR BALLOON. By WALLEY CHAMB. OULTON, Esq; (Author of the Haunted Castle, &c.) NOW smile IERNE - now rejoice to see, How very great thy youthful sons can be! Behold their Genius bright - their Courage true! In ev'ry Art - their Valour may we view! Tho' distant Blanchard pleas'd an English Croud, And of Lunardi's skill, they speak aloud - Which, like our McGWIRE can such Honour claim, Who in a moment bought his lasting fame? What Bliss below to see the Youth above! He gain'd our Pray'rs - deservedly, our Love. The wond'ring Numbers gaz'd with vast Delight, 'Till Tears of Fear and Joy had dimm'd their Sight. And as the gallant Hero dar'd to rise, So was his Name up-lifted to the Skies! He dauntless soar'd, and at his Journey's End, To brave the Ocean did the Youth descend! Then smile IERNE - Smile with Joy to hear, Of such a brave--AERIAL VOLUNTEER. [[end clipping]] ^[[149]]