CHAPTER LXV.
ON THE UTILITY OF BALLOONS:
AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
Sect. 332. Art. 1.IT seems a favourite Question, among those who take a Pleasure in objecting to every Thing they neither do nor will understand, to ask, “Of what Use can these Balloons be made?” and without waiting for an Answer, to say—“they pick the Pockets of the Public, risque the Lives of the Incautious, encourage Mobbing and Sharpers, and terrify all the World.” These trite Reasonings are all very true, but little to the Purpose: the Effects above described being merely those arising from Novelty. If, says one in an inferior Station; “they coud convert Balloons into common Stage Waggons; Goods might be carried with the greater Expedition:” or, “into Stage Coaches,” says another: or, “into Mail Coaches” says Palmer; “it woud be certainly very clever, as I have the Patent:”—“or into comfortable Carriages to step in out of the window, at a Moment’s Notice; that woud be something,” cries a Nobleman: “it woud save one a Couple of Sets of Horses, and woud eat Nothing: one might ride one’s own Balloon Matches, from one’s Window to Newmarket, and from Newmarket to town; dress for Court as we do, and make Nothing of it.”
Such are the different Ideas annexed by different Ranks of Men, to the Word utility when applied to Balloons.
332. 2. For once let the feeble Voice of a French Philosopher be heard, the Abbée Bertholon: who may perhaps assert that all this is not impossible.
A Series of Experiments only can determine: and let the following Remarks serve as an Introduction to his Opinions.
332. 3. It is certain that the Progress already made in the Improvement of Balloons, since their Invention only three Years ago, is far superior to the Acquirements in every other Art.
The Antients knew, that excited Amber attracted Straws, and certain other light Substances: but medical Electricity, and a Preservative from Lightening, were notwithstanding reserved for the Moderns.
They likewise attended to some striking Effects of the natural Loadstone: but were totally unacquainted with the artificial Magnet, and the amazing Powers conferrable by it in the Disorders of the Imagination: nor did they know the Polarity of its Needle, or Application of it in the Compass.