57. The Clouds, in which this Phenomenon continued, were of the superior or second Stratum in Height, as in fair Weather; rare; of a transparent Blue and purest White, alternate. At the End of four Minutes they dispersed, so as to admit an unexpected Sight of the pictured Land thro’ them, and thro’ the Place of the Balloon-Shadow; whose Form first vanishing, the Iris remained, for a few Seconds, complete, and in resplendent Beauty.
58. Írides, of the same Kind, tho’ of less vivid Colours, are seen round the Moon, in a mild Evening; as thin light Clouds move slowly under it.[20]
Sun hottest when the Balloon was stationary.
59. The Sun shone brighter and fiercer, when the Balloon was at its greatest Height: the Heat piercing throu’ his Cloths, (which were of a dark Colour;) while the Aironaut stood with his Face from the Light.
Lunardi’s Flag thrown out, at the Height of a Mile.
The Mouth remaining open, it continued to descend, as appeared by the Barometer which had risen nearly to 24 Inches: at which Instant Mr. Lunardi’s coloured Flag was thrown out, for the Information of a Friend; and that Spectators below might judge what was nearly the perpendicular Height of a Mile in the Air, according to Halley’s Table.
The Flag was seen to descend for 3 Minutes.
60. The Flag was seen by the Aironaut descend for three Minutes: at which Time it became invisible. It fell, not perpendicularly; but in large Spirals, and by Jerks; darting first on one Side, then on the other. The Resistance of the Air made it act as a Parashute. The Flag was instantly pursued, and taken up in a Field one Mile distant from Chester. The Descent of the Balloon must have been retarded, being four Pounds and a half lighter.
The Dove turned out.
61. The Pigeon was then taken out of the Basket of Matting: Thermometer 54; Barometer 253⁄10. It trembled much. Being turned loose, it looked frequently up at the Car; but flew downwards in cylindrical Gyrations eight or ten Yards in Diameter, according to the Turn of its Head to the right, which seemed to rest in an oblique Attitude: the Wings and Tail continuing extended as much as possible, but without Motion, during its Descent. The Bird was out of Sight in a few Minutes: but continued, as the Owner observed, full half an Hour, in the Air.