Section 296. THE Necessity of making frequent Experiments, in order to prove how far the Balloon is capable of Direction, by different Combinations of the mechanical Powers, is so apparent; that no Balloon shoud rise a second Time, without the Application of Machinery to that End.
Each Candidate for Fame, as Proprietor of a Balloon for public Exhibition, ought to vie in his Pretensions to a Superiority of Manouvres.
Their respective Performances woud appear in the public Papers; and Decisions be made to the Advantage of the Art.
For it is probable, that by such Comparison chiefly;—the comparison of experimental Blunders and Mistakes, and not by an Union of Theory and Practice, cemented by liberal Patronage, the Balloon can arrive to any Degree of Perfection, in a Country, which is the Scene of perpetual Contention: where the Sum of Life seems devoted but to party; and where the precious Time of the great is sunk in Luxury, and their exalted Talents lost in the Labyrinth of Politics.
Precautions to secure a Landing.
297. To strive against the Stream is proverbially impossible: and it woud be literally so, to attempt by any Kind of Machinery to force the large Surface of a Balloon, with any Degree of Velocity, against a Stream of air. ([Section 201].)
Ships, which have the Aid of an Element 800 Times denser than the air, are obliged to wait in Port, till the Wind is favourable. But neither is this considered as an Argument against maritime Navigation: nor does the Perfection of the Balloon require its Ascent in a Storm: tho’ the Preference due to the Balloon, on such Occasion, woud be decisive in its Favour: as the latter woud presently surmount the Wind, and lie to, in the calm Air above it.
Sect. 298. Art. 1. By Wings, or some propulsive Machinery, acting forcibly in a Direction required, and with Ease to the Operator; two useful Manouvres may be attempted, and will frequently be found successful.
First Manouvre: to secure the Landing in windy Weather.
298. Art. 2. First, To retard the Course of the Balloon during its Descent; in such a Manner, as to prevent the Wind from damaging the Machine, or snapping the Cable: and thus to land with Safety, and at the smallest Distance beyond the Place assigned.