CHAPTER XXX.
Section 169. THE Summer Scenes of Fairy-Land below, being soon eclipsed by the quick Intervention of a Range of Clouds; the sudden Contrast of which was highly pleasing to the Imagination; a Prospect of mid winter instantaneously succeeded.
The Center filled up in an Instant.
170. The Earth’s Surface throu’ an immeasurable Crater of Vapour accumulated round the Aironaut, who was suspended, and seemed fixed in the Center above it, no longer existed. And, if it will not be allowed, that a new Earth, and a new sky appeared; at least, let the Imagery and Resemblance of what was really seen, be taken from that earth, which in Fact did not appear.
A world of Clouds, greater than the one below, became, for the first Time the sole Object that engrossed the Sight. (See [Section 144].)
View of the Clouds taken from above them.
171. The Balloon was apparently raised some Miles above the Surface of a concave shallow Plate, or Shell, or rather an immense Plain, which was in general smooth and well defined: but the dense tonìtruous Masses, rising here and there above the Rest, greatly resembled steep and rugged mountains seen in Perspective, at different Distances from 5 and 10 to at least a hundred Miles.[45]
An unvaried deep cerùlean and pellucid Azure, without a Cloud above, enclosed the novel earth: whose Surface, whether Valley, Plain, or mountain in Appearance; seemed as if covered to a prodigious Depth, by successive Falls of Snow, driven and polished by the Winds and Frost, and dazzling to the Sight: the Sun still shining above all, with white, unremitting and invigorating Rays.[47]
