CHAPTER XX.
Breathed freely. Thermometer 60.
Section 114. REspiration at so great an Altitude was perfectly free and easy: forced Trials being made for Information on that Point: a Sensation of Levity seemed rather to be communicated by the Air to the Lungs: but this might be the Effect of the Imagination. It was however a curious Circumstance to find the Breath not visible; the Thermometer rising again to 60. Nor did the Pulse seem to be quicker than usual, in this elevated tho’ inactive Situation.
Thunder-Clouds as before.
115. The Perspective of a vast Series of Thunder-Clouds of a sulphúreous and metallic Tinge, placing themselves in Ranks, each beyond the other, in bright and tremendous Order, and a Sort of Battle-Array, beyond Conception grand yet beautiful; coud not pass under him without Notice. The immense circular and visible Distance of the nebulous Horizon, extended now 102 Miles at the least round the Eye, as already mentioned ([Sect. 52]); was a grand Source of the Sublime.Fairy Landscapes striking. Nor did the contracted View of the Landscape below fail, in Turn, to regain an Attention to its indiscriminate yet pleasing Scenery.
116. On a sudden he was called back to himself.
Bladders crackling.
Several of the Bladders, which were tyed round the Car, in Case the Balloon shoud alight on the Sea, and were dry on the Outside, began at the same Instant to crackle; being greatly distended by the Air within. When pressed with the Hands and Fingers, they felt extremely hard, and ready to burst.
Balloon bloated.