CHAPTER XIV.
39 Minutes past II, Frodsham Town and Bridge seen.
Section 77.AT 39 Minutes after II, Thermometer 60, Barometer 233⁄4, corresponding to the Height of a little more than a Mile.[22] the Vapours dispersing, discovered the Town of Frodsham, and Bridge over the Wever distant from the Town one Mile: the Balloon still continuing at a vast Height; having risen imperceptibly from the Time that the Ballast was thrown down.
From a Conversation held the next Morning at Frodsham, with some intelligent Persons who had descried it gliding gently throu’ the Air; the Balloon appeared so extremely minùte, that it was thought impossible to be the one expected the same Day to rise at Chester with an Aironaut.
| R. Newton |  | design et pinx. |
| T. Baldwin Arm. |
Stothard delin.
Sharp sculps.
The BALLOON over HELSBYE HILL in CHESHIRE see [page IIII] b.
Published May 1st. 1786, by T. Baldwin Chester.
To use their own Expression, “it coud not have been larger than a Bladder, if they had seen it on the Ground.”Half Mile white Flag like a Feather. The same Persons observed the white Flag, like a Feather about 8 Yards Distance from the Balloon.
A second Air Bottle was thrown down.
Course of the Balloon traced to shew the Manner in which it was affected by the Water.
78. The Town of Kingsley being to the East; Frodsham-Bridge half a Mile to the West; the Conflux of the Rivers Wever, and the wide Mersey falling into the Sea one Mile farther Westward; the Balloon proceeding in its usual Course over the Country in the upper Current; began to be impeded, on its vertical Approach across the Meadows to the Wever; was actually stopped; and being entangled by the River, evidently changed its former Direction: imitating, if possible, its Meanders; or at least making Gyrations in Circles of different Diameters, at the same Time turning different Ways round its Axis: describing Curves, something similar to that of the Moon round the Earth in her Orbit; or of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, as those Curves are delineated in the Prints of Long’s Astronomy:[23] the Course of the River being its changeable Center.
79. It is to be observed, that if the Balloon had continued to pursue its former Course; no Danger was to be apprehended of its falling on the Sea, or on the broad Branch of the River Mersey towards Warrington.
On the contrary, it must have gone into the Heart of the adjoining County, and passed near Manchester.
It is likewise worthy of remark; that unless a Fragment of light Vapour intervened for a few Seconds; the Country immediately below the Observer was continually illuminated by the Sun’s Rays: tho’ none but the larger Objects were distinguishable at the Bottom of the profound Abyss, more than two Miles in Diameter at one View: that being the utmost Boundary of the circular Prospect below.
80. The Sea tho’ known to be near by the Dashing of its WavesCircularity of Prospect below, bounded by Vapour. upon the Shore, which were plainly heard, was totally eclipsed: as if by Haze or Vapour, which began to be accumulated only at a certain Height below the Balloon; yet in such a Manner as not to prevent the solar Rays from penetrating throu’, and shining bright upon the Water.
81. There was now sufficient Leisure to trace the incredible Variety of most beautiful Curves, into which the Stream had worked the Bed of the River Wever in a Course of Time, and in the Compass of a few Miles: an Appearance which demonstrates the Incorrectness of Maps.
Some actual Clouds presented themselves in detached Groupes over the Land: and the Land itself shone plainer throu’ the Intervals, than in Places near which no Clouds appeared.
82. On reconnoitring the scattered Town of Frodsham, which like Chester was of a light Blue; the Balloon moving by Intervals round its Axis, the Prospect seemed to open on a sudden; and the Aironaut coud discover theSight of Warrington. Town of Warrington: the Plan of which was small, neat, but of a darker Blue, inclining to Grey: the Slates[24] there used being almost peculiar to the County of Lancaster.
83. From this Enlargement of the Prospect over Land, he imagined that the Balloon was either gently descending; or that it appeared throu’ the clear Intervals of actual Clouds below him.
84. He had Time however to make the following Remarks. Cattle, if grazing in the Meadows, were not distinguishable; or at least were not distinguished. It was in vain to look for Sheaves of Corn, or Hattocks on the Ground: possibly from a Sameness of Colour like the growing Stalks, and Field: or protruding but a small Degree of Elevation; tho’ the Shadow even at twelve o’Clock[25] was something longer than the perpendicular Height of each Object.[26] Noises of Carriages along the great public Road; especially Waggons and Carts heavily laden; (the Gratings of whose Wheels against the Stones seemed uncommonly harsh;)Pleasurable Circumstance peculiar to the Balloon. were discriminately heard, tho’ not discoverable by the Eye. Numbers of human Voices were almost continually huzzaeing: except while stationary at the first Rise; when all around was wrapt in the Sublimity of Silence; which afforded a pleasurable Contrast;—diffusing a delicious Calm.
A third Bottle of Air was thrown out.
