We experienced the like drawback in Breslau, and, after repeated efforts, were compelled to fall back on the gas-works wherein to admit the inhabitants.
I had obtained sanction for three ascents, and the first took place on September 20th. The local newspapers emphatically stated on the following day that all Breslau turned out to see the English aëronaut mount to the skies.
For the three different classes we had places varying in comfort and price, but the first place with covered seats, was not considered by some hundreds of the spectators, half so favourable for seeing as a pile of coke, whereon both sexes seated themselves, notwithstanding certain damage to the gay dresses of the ladies. My companions were Herr Firle, the director of the gas-works, and Herr Gendry, a merchant.
At starting, Reaumur’s thermometer stood at 10°, barometer at 29·62, time 5h. 15m. The clouds stratus were 900 feet thick, when at 5h. 32m., height 3911 feet above the sea level, we broke into a clear space, but there was a second tier of rain cloud above, where the barometer read 23·4, the cold here was as low as 3¾ of Reaumur. We came down near Schönbankwitz, about eighteen miles from Breslau.
The second exhibition took place on September 22nd. The voyagers were Dr. Mettner, Herr Piller, and Herr Schulz. The meteorological features were not so widely different from the first, as to require special notice.
At the village of Klein-Mochbern I let fall a parachute with two rabbits in the car, and we descended near Minkau.
The success of a third ascent would have been certain, both as regards public patronage and pecuniary results, but it was prevented from taking place by the owner of a small potato field adjacent to the gas-works. The people standing outside had done some damage, and the man renting it lodged a complaint with the authorities, but instead of simply asking me, as an Englishman would have done, to purchase the stock or make some adequate compensation, this selfish and mercenary fellow defeated himself; having chosen his remedy he was bound to pursue it. He was not aware that he would be outgeneralled himself. In full expectation of another ascent, he gave out that damages would be increased, and that he would then fall upon the Englishman for immense compensation, which he was sure to obtain.
I had the crop duly surveyed, and no real injury had as yet been sustained so that I decided without letting anybody know, besides a certain functionary whose approval was necessary, to get my passport returned in order to leave Breslau that very night. As the season was advancing and I wished to take my balloon due north, it was of importance that I should not be delayed by any vexatious proceedings such as that mentioned.
On the day following my departure, the potato dealer was apprised of my having left with balloon, bag and baggage, and that a third ascent would not take place, he then became as may be surmised, terribly irate, and immediately set on foot an enquiry whether the tradesmen employed by me, had been swindled or paid.
There is very little trouble in arriving at conclusions of this sort on the Continent, and when it was found that a good and highly flattering report from the police accompanied my departure, the over-reaching dealer saw that he had been completely done by a stranger, and that the act was countenanced and facilitated by his own neighbours.