CHAPTER XX.
Breathed freely. Thermometer 60.
Section 114. REspiration at so great an Altitude was perfectly free and easy: forced Trials being made for Information on that Point: a Sensation of Levity seemed rather to be communicated by the Air to the Lungs: but this might be the Effect of the Imagination. It was however a curious Circumstance to find the Breath not visible; the Thermometer rising again to 60. Nor did the Pulse seem to be quicker than usual, in this elevated tho’ inactive Situation.
Thunder-Clouds as before.
115. The Perspective of a vast Series of Thunder-Clouds of a sulphúreous and metallic Tinge, placing themselves in Ranks, each beyond the other, in bright and tremendous Order, and a Sort of Battle-Array, beyond Conception grand yet beautiful; coud not pass under him without Notice. The immense circular and visible Distance of the nebulous Horizon, extended now 102 Miles at the least round the Eye, as already mentioned ([Sect. 52]); was a grand Source of the Sublime.Fairy Landscapes striking. Nor did the contracted View of the Landscape below fail, in Turn, to regain an Attention to its indiscriminate yet pleasing Scenery.
116. On a sudden he was called back to himself.
Bladders crackling.
Several of the Bladders, which were tyed round the Car, in Case the Balloon shoud alight on the Sea, and were dry on the Outside, began at the same Instant to crackle; being greatly distended by the Air within. When pressed with the Hands and Fingers, they felt extremely hard, and ready to burst.
Balloon bloated.
On looking upwards at the Balloon, it appeared greatly inflated: the external Pressure of the surrounding Air being much lessened, in so elevated and rarified a State of the Atmosphere.
Balloon quilted by internal Pressure.
117. The Balloon pressed in an unusual Manner throu’ the Meshes of the Net, quite round.
Balloon shorter and broader.
118. The Shape was much altered by this Distention of the Sides: and its perpendicular Diameter shorter than before.
Neck 8 Feet above the Car.
119. The Neck or Mouth, which was tyed, had actually risen upwards, and was then near eight Feet above the Bottom of the Car.
Neck cut off in a former Excursion.
120. It was not known till afterwards, that Mr. Lunardi on his second aërial Voyage from Liverpool, had been obliged to cut off the lower Part of the Neck, weighing upwards of two Pounds and a half, in order to lighten his Descent near Tarporley in Cheshire; and that he had not Silk sufficient to repair the Loss.
