But as I have purposely abstained from giving in this first elementary part any computations of an abstruse order by more learned and capable writers than myself, I shall reserve further remarks on this particular head for my subsequent volume.
ASCENT, OVER FIVE MILES HIGH, BY GREEN AND RUSH.
I have before me a mass of leading articles and newspaper cuttings alluding to the ascent of Messrs. Jovis and Mallet, in which honourable mention is made of the lofty explorations by Robertson and L’Hoest, Gay-Lussac, Bixio, and Barral, together with Mr. Glaisher’s and my own, but Green’s with Rush are invariably omitted, and yet these were quite as important, while the second was higher than that made by the intrepid French balloonists, and, so far as physical results go, the Englishmen do not appear to have fainted or been much troubled.
It is of immense importance to note this, as there can be no doubt that a certain zone exists, in entering which some persons are more susceptible than others to lessened atmospheric pressure, and here they begin to feel the bad effects, which, by the way may come on without warning, just as it is with Alpine travellers, although there are marked distinctions between the two, but we cannot enter upon that in detail in this chapter.
This trip, by Green, was one of those which was designed to add a fraction of knowledge to the already existing stores of science. This fact is sufficient, even according to those who are not great admirers of ballooning, to warrant its encouragement when taken in hand by those who do not affect to be mere aëronautic performers, embarking in aërostatic pursuits for sensational objects, or with the vain and delusive idea, that it is not dangerous, and that it is a money-making concern.
Mr. Rush, assisted by the knowledge of his coadjutor, threw a character of deep interest over the whole subject of aërostation, and this trip, though lost sight of, at the present moment, is well worthy of re-production, serving as it does, two ends; firstly, to call attention to the fact, that English aëronauts seem to get more toughened by acclimatization to rarified air than Frenchmen, and secondly, that they do such work with less ado, and with equal, perhaps a little more, methodical foresight and precision, than our more dashing and mercurial neighbours.
It was on the 10th of September (what a number of exceptionable journeys were made in this month!) that the highest ascent which had been made up to that date, came off from the far-famed Vauxhall Gardens.
The proprietors made arrangements with Mr. Rush for it to take place in the afternoon, that gentleman engaging the car for the occasion.
The time allowed for preparation was limited. The first object to be gained was that of diminishing the weight of the apparatus to as low a point as due regard to their personal safety would admit.
A small car was substituted for that commonly used. At five o’clock in the afternoon, Green ascertained the power of the gas with which the “Nassau” balloon was charged, the tranquil state of the weather rendered this an easy operation.