Heath sculpt.
A view from the Balloon at its
Greatest elevation see [Page IIII.] a.
Publish’d May 1st. 1786, by T. Baldwin Chester.
Note: the Print, representing a circular View from the Balloon at its greatest Elevation, is taken from a Scene described in the above Chapter.
CHAPTER IX.
OTHER AËRIAL SCENES DESCRIBED.
Balloon Shadow traced on the Clouds.
Section 56. DURING the Time that the Balloon from being stationary at 231⁄4 (corresponding to the Height of about a Mile and a half) began to decline, which it must have done with a brisk Motion, imperceptible to the Aironaut at the Time, tho’ since recognized, on Account of the great Opening at the Bottom; he traced its Shadow over the Tops of Volumes of Clouds below. It was at first small: in Size and Shape like an Egg: but soon encreased to the Magnitude of the Sun’s Disk; and woud have made a solar Eclipse to a Spectator looking from the Cloud: still growing larger, as the Balloon descended, or Clouds arose. But his Attention was presently called to another equally novel, but more captivating Appearance; that of an Iris encircling the whole Shadow, at some Distance round it. The Colours were remarkably brilliant.
This celestial Phantom attended the Aironaut for a few Minutes: conforming, as a Vessel at Sea, to the Change of Surface; now plainly visible, now indistinct and disappearing; as it passed throu’ the luminous or shadowy Wave of Clouds apparently at Rest.
The Iris, a Frame to the pictured Land, vanishes.