Suddenly came in Sight the spacious open of the Mersey above Runcorn Gap: which appeared of a A Glympse of Runcorn Gap.ruddy Colour, and very near: as if the Balloon had again felt the Influence of the River.
Balloon-Geography first suggested for Maps.
167. A new System, that of Balloon-Geography here suggested itself: in which the Essentials of Proportion and Bearings woud be far more accurate, than by the present Method, both for Maps and Charts, viz. To make Drawings by sight, from the Car of a Balloon with a Camera Obscura, aided by a Micrometer applied to the under Side of the transparent Glass.
The Season proper for such an aironautic Expedition, would be any calm bright Day:Air presumed to be warm with South-West Wind long continued. the Wind having blown from the South West Quarter, for some Days before, which is frequently the Case: the Air, at such Conjuncture probably remaining warm, to the Height of a Mile or more, unless in the very Midst of Winter.
168. And particularly for Charts, which in a maritime Country are most useful:Balloon Geography for Charts. as Balloons have an extraordinary Predilection to become stationary over Channels and Rivers; altho’ a very strong Gale of Wind, shoud continue the whole Time to blow in an horizontal Course directly under the Balloon.
Of which Event the Writer of this Account was an Eye-Witness,Balloon in a Calm with a strong Wind below. in the Case of Mr. Lunardi: who was detained above 20 Minutes over the broad Bend of the River Mersey, near Ince, in Cheshire, the Day he landed between Tarporley and Beeston-Castle, ascending from the New Fort at Liverpool. He quitted his Station by the Escape of Gass, and descended into the Stream of Wind, which continued as violent as before.
CHAPTER XXX.
Section 169. THE Summer Scenes of Fairy-Land below, being soon eclipsed by the quick Intervention of a Range of Clouds; the sudden Contrast of which was highly pleasing to the Imagination; a Prospect of mid winter instantaneously succeeded.
The Center filled up in an Instant.