SENSATIONS ACCOMPANYING THE BALLOON.
Situation safe and pleasant.
Section 141. THE alternate Elevation and Descent of the Balloon gave sufficient Leisure to reflect on the security and pleasure of his Situation, thus wafted on the Pinions, and merging in the Ocean of Air.
Indeed the whole Excursion was a Continued Scene of Pleasure.
The Eye and the Imagination were beyond Measure delighted.
142. If there had been any Thing to wish for, it was the living Pencil of Angelica,[39] or some other celebrated Painter: in order to gratify the World with the bright Miniatures and Colouring of so much variegated Beauty.
143. As it woud be difficult, if not impossible, by mere Description, to convey an adequate Idea of the different Sensations experienced while in the Car; (for Pleasure is itself unspeakable;) yet the Fancy may possibly, without Censure, be a Moment indulged, in its Allusions to such familiar Subjects as approach nearest to them: so as not to leave the public Mind wholly in the Dark, with Respect to the above Points of natural and general Curiosity.
The Swing a favourite Amusement.
144. Most young People, whenever they have Opportunity, amuse themselves on the slack rope, or Swing: the Pleasure encreases in Proportion to the Loftiness of Ascent they are able to acquire.
The Mogul enjoys the Air without Fatigue, by Means of the Swing.
145. In the East, where the Heat of the Climate forbids robust Exercises; the Swing is considered as a princely Diversion: and of which the Mogul himself condescends to partake. He is swung by Slaves: and thus enjoys the pure Air without Fatigue.
The Balloon and Swing compared.
146. The Ascent of the Balloon is not unlike what is felt, in the ascending half of the Swing: and the Descent is attended with that agreeable Sensation known to those who sink throu’ the descending half.
A favourite Diversion among the Russians.
147. A Diversion similar to the above is peculiar to the North of Europe, practised by the Russians, particularly the Inhabitants of Zarsko Zelo; and accompanied with a Sensation so delightful, that they seek itArtificial Declivity of waved Ice. in the open Air, amidst the utmost Severity of the Frost. It is a Sort of Boat or Car, in which they glide, for a considerable Distance, down an artificial Declivity of waved and polished Ice: being drawn up by Servants; they launch precipitately forwards, and down again as before.
Amusements of Gestation in common with the Balloon.
148. Sledges drawn swiftly over the undulated Surface of a snowy Country, a favourite Diversion in many Parts of Germany, in Lapland, and Siberia: Skaiting on level Ice; the Motion of a Vessel on smooth Water; of a fleet Horse; also of Wheel-Carriages rolling over even Gravel, or a grassy Plain, are each a Luxury of the same Kind; and grateful to the Nerves.
Vertical Flying-Coach.
149. There is yet another Amusement, which is said to be of German Extraction, still frequent in the North of England, called the vertical Flying-Coach.[40]
Two Persons are required to turn the Machine (when full): which moves like the four Sails of a Windmill: a Seat being placed at the End of each Sail.
150. The Pleasure communicated to the Nerves during the Descent, is to some Constitutions so exquisite, as to be full as much as the human Frame can support: others are affected by it in a gentler Manner.
These different Diversions, flowing from the same Principle in common with the Balloon, viz. that of being carried with a gentle Motion, are one or other suited to all Ranks and Ages.
151. The Pleasure of the double Slack Ropes, when seated in the Car appended between them, is perhaps in itself superior to that of most others.
152. The vertical Flying-Coach[41] compleats the Circle, of which the Slack Rope describes but the lower Half.
Balloon and Vertical Flying-Coach compared.
153. The Sensations communicated by the Motion of the Balloon, come nearest those of the vertical flying Coach, tho’ more gentle, and if possible, more pleasing.
No Sickness or Giddiness in the Balloon.
At Sea, the most experienced Mariner is sometimes sick or giddy.
154. Nothing of the Kind happens in the Balloon: where an infinite Variety charms the Imagination.
The Spirits raised.
155. The Spirits are raised by the Purity of the Air[43], and rest in a chearful Composure.
The Greatest Height conveys no Fear of falling.
156. Even when stationary above the Clouds, the Height conveys with it no Danger of falling: any more than when in a Vessel at Sea, (as off the West-India Islands, for Example) the Fish are seen gliding over the clear white rocky Bottom, at the Depth of twenty Fathom: as the Aironaut seems perfectly unconnected with the Earth, and unconcerned about it.
The Depth below the Clouds gives no Idea of Distance.
157. Nor does the Depth below the Clouds give an Idea of Distance. On the contrary, the smooth chequered Lawns which form the Surface of the Earth, are presented to the Eye, as on a Level with the Clouds themselves: at least come up to their undersides, and appear so much a Part of them; that the Clouds occupy the Place of Earth: and the Aironaut seems able to descend from the Car upon the Clouds, and to walk from Side to Side over the empty Space, as over a Sheet of transparent Ice, across a River, whose Depth is equal to the small but indefinite Thickness of the Clouds.
158. It is from frequent experience only that the Diminution of Objects presuppose their Distance.
