AIR WARMER ABOVE THAN BELOW.
Section 126. IT was a Matter both of Surprize and Pleasure to observe that the Thermometer had risen again to 60, when the Balloon had soared above the Sea-Breeze; as the Aironaut had expected to feel the extreme Rigour of Winter; and had made Preparations against intense Cold.
Nor did he find any Difficulty in Respiration during the Excursion; which may possibly be accounted for from the Warmth of the Air.
The Breath not visible during the Excursion.
That the Breath[37] was not visible at any one Time, and particularly while the Balloon was elevated above the under Current, might it not be owing to the uncommon dryness of the Air, which woud dissipate the Vapour at the Instant of Exposure?
Encreased Shadows seem to raise the Objects.
127. It was remarked, some little Time before, and during the last Glance of the Prospect taken at the highest Elevation, that the House at Aston was still visible, and the dark coloured Line forming its diminutive Shadow seemed thicker in Proportion to the Plan, than when the Mansion was first seen before the Re-ascent. And it had a sensible Effect in apparently raising it above the common Level.
Prospects below noted.
128. The Circuit of the Land-Abyss below was also greatly contracted: and a Haziness inclining to a dark Green seemed to cover the outward Verge round the Lawn.
The red River Wever only appeared.
The Channel and broad Branch of the River Mersey towards Warrington, had long since vanished.
The Lawn itself, which composed the Ground-View, was full of innumerable Enclosures almost close to each other; with much Wood:—dwindling to the Down View like the Pattern of a Turkey-Carpet.Pattern of an elegant Turkey-Carpet: which, according to Principles of Mahommedan Faith, tho’ wrought in gay and vivid Colours, is made to exhibit no exact[38] Resemblance to the Works either of Art or Nature.
The Earth glowing with primary Colours only.
129. The Colours, of which the Ground Work was principally formed (except white; also the roughened Sea, which alone was black; and Shadows, which constantly gave a transparent violet) were four simple and primary ones, viz. red, yellow, green, and blue: all which seemed to glow, tho’ in a less Degree, like the Colours of the Prism.
This unmixed Coloration of Objects, to be seen from a vertical Situation only, to be seen without Refraction, is a new singular and pleasing Phenomenon.
Cromátic view of the Earth, an Appearance peculiar to the Balloon.
130. A View, taken above the Level of the Clouds, may, from this Circumstance, without Impropriety, be called a chromatic view or the Earth: of which, the Print is an Example: delineating the Extent of the aërial Excursion; and placed at the End of the second Part, including the Re-ascent.
