Such Accounts are, in many Respects, vague and unsatisfactory: by no Means adequate to the Expectations and Wishes, which have been formed by those, who have not yet penetrated the profound Heights of the Atmosphere.
Mistakes to be noticed, as Examples of Avoidance.
2. The Voyagers have, now and then, been pretty accurate in Regard to Time Place Distance and Velocity: Circumstances highly worthy of Remark, in order to estimate the Improvement already made in this wonderful Discovery, and point out its Use: but neither ought the several Occasions of Failure in the Experiments to be omitted; as they will be found to arise more from a Want of Prudence and Foresight in the Managers, than from any Defect in the Machine, or the Principle on which it acts. Such Failure ought therefore to throw an additional Light and Credit on the Art: and give a Spur to Ingenuity, which, it is not to be doubted, will continue to drive forwards with the same rapid Success; nor rest, till the Art itself is brought to the highest Degree of Perfection; till airostatic Ships make the Circuit of the Globe: a Navigation which, from its Novelty and Importance, deserves to be considered in a separate Treatise.
Aërial Voyagers defective in their Descriptions.
3. Balloon-Voyagers have likewise been particularly defective in their Descriptions of aërial Scenes and Prospects: those Scenes of majestic Grandeur which the unnumbered Volumes of encircling Clouds, in most fantastic Forms and various Hues, beyond Conception glowing and transparent, portray to a Spectator placed as in a Center of the Blue Serene above them: contemplating at the same Instant, and apparently at some Miles Distance immediately below, a most exquisite and ever-varying Miniature of the little Works of Man, heightened by the supreme Pencil of Nature, inimitably elegant, and in her highest Colouring.
Such are the Scenes which, Ballooners all allow, constitute the true Sublime and Beautiful: inspire Ideas of rational Humiliation to a thinking Mind, and raise the most careless Mortal to an unknown Degree of enthusiastic Rapture and Pleasure.
Every Beholder is a Judge of the Scenery around him: and no one, it is presumed, ever ascended into the Atmosphere on a mild Day, with a sound and well ballasted Balloon, that did not wish to taste the Luxury of a second Voyage.
Disappointment shoud excite the Ardor of the Scientific.
4. Yet notwithstanding, as Ignorance is known to be the Parent of Fear, the Bulk of Mankind, which are by far the greater Number, will long continue to entertain absurd Apprehensions concerning it; to oppose and ridicule the Invention; as they will oppose every other Discovery, which they have neither Talents Inclination or Leisure to understand.
This Reflexion shoud, on the contrary, rather excite than check the Ardor of the Skilful and Scientific, to cherish and promote the Art.