95. The Aironaut continuing as before to stand upright in the Car, and having resumed his Card and Pencil; Thermometer again at 55°, on finding the Descent not sufficiently retarded, wrote swiftly, “no more remarks, mind the ship:” meaning the Balloon: and briskly stooping for the second Bag of Sand, weighing likewise 12 Pounds, dispersed it by Handfulls in the same Manner.
Descent at first rapid.
96. The circular Mouth of the Balloon continuing wide open, at about 18 Inches Diameter; so much cool and moist Air rushed in during the Descent; that, tho’ its Momentum or acquired Motion was retarded by Dispersion of the Ballast, it had not yet recovered an actual levity: being too near the Ground before the second Bag was discharged.
Presuming however that 24 Pounds Weight of Ballast thrown out, was sufficient to break the Fall, tho’ in a cool moist condensing Atmosphere of pure defloguisticated Air; the Event of landing was waited for.
A depressing Torrent of Air on the Balloon.
It has been since imagined that a heavy depressing torrent of cool Air took Place from the North-West at a certain Height over the Water, and assisted the Descent of the Balloon.
The Balloon descended with a rushing Noise.
97. In order to judge with what Rapidity the Balloon descended, when so low as to be within the Influence of the under Current, while the cool moist Air rushed in at the Bottom, and most probably pressed out the Gass; the following Intelligence has been communicated by a Person of Veracity.
Anecdote shewing the Rapidity of Descent, at first.
As two credible Farmers were working, with their Servants, in the harvest; on hearing a hollow, rushing Sound in the Air, which they took to be a Whirl-wind, or distant Thunder, and which seemed every Moment to encrease and approach them; they all retreated under a large Oak. While there, they first perceived the swift Descent of the Balloon. Two, who were afraid of Thunder, then began to take Courage, boldly exclaiming they shoud never fear Thunder again, since the Falling of a Balloon coud be attended with so terrible a Noise.