Stothard delin.
Sharp sculps.

The BALLOON over HELSBYE HILL in CHESHIRE see [page IIII] b.
Published May 1st. 1786, by T. Baldwin Chester.

To use their own Expression, “it coud not have been larger than a Bladder, if they had seen it on the Ground.”Half Mile white Flag like a Feather. The same Persons observed the white Flag, like a Feather about 8 Yards Distance from the Balloon.

A second Air Bottle was thrown down.

Course of the Balloon traced to shew the Manner in which it was affected by the Water.

78. The Town of Kingsley being to the East; Frodsham-Bridge half a Mile to the West; the Conflux of the Rivers Wever, and the wide Mersey falling into the Sea one Mile farther Westward; the Balloon proceeding in its usual Course over the Country in the upper Current; began to be impeded, on its vertical Approach across the Meadows to the Wever; was actually stopped; and being entangled by the River, evidently changed its former Direction: imitating, if possible, its Meanders; or at least making Gyrations in Circles of different Diameters, at the same Time turning different Ways round its Axis: describing Curves, something similar to that of the Moon round the Earth in her Orbit; or of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, as those Curves are delineated in the Prints of Long’s Astronomy:⁠[23] the Course of the River being its changeable Center.

79. It is to be observed, that if the Balloon had continued to pursue its former Course; no Danger was to be apprehended of its falling on the Sea, or on the broad Branch of the River Mersey towards Warrington.

On the contrary, it must have gone into the Heart of the adjoining County, and passed near Manchester.

It is likewise worthy of remark; that unless a Fragment of light Vapour intervened for a few Seconds; the Country immediately below the Observer was continually illuminated by the Sun’s Rays: tho’ none but the larger Objects were distinguishable at the Bottom of the profound Abyss, more than two Miles in Diameter at one View: that being the utmost Boundary of the circular Prospect below.

80. The Sea tho’ known to be near by the Dashing of its WavesCircularity of Prospect below, bounded by Vapour. upon the Shore, which were plainly heard, was totally eclipsed: as if by Haze or Vapour, which began to be accumulated only at a certain Height below the Balloon; yet in such a Manner as not to prevent the solar Rays from penetrating throu’, and shining bright upon the Water.