170. The Earth’s Surface throu’ an immeasurable Crater of Vapour accumulated round the Aironaut, who was suspended, and seemed fixed in the Center above it, no longer existed. And, if it will not be allowed, that a new Earth, and a new sky appeared; at least, let the Imagery and Resemblance of what was really seen, be taken from that earth, which in Fact did not appear.
A world of Clouds, greater than the one below, became, for the first Time the sole Object that engrossed the Sight. (See [Section 144].)
View of the Clouds taken from above them.
171. The Balloon was apparently raised some Miles above the Surface of a concave shallow Plate, or Shell, or rather an immense Plain, which was in general smooth and well defined: but the dense tonìtruous Masses, rising here and there above the Rest, greatly resembled steep and rugged mountains seen in Perspective, at different Distances from 5 and 10 to at least a hundred Miles.[45]
An unvaried deep cerùlean and pellucid Azure, without a Cloud above, enclosed the novel earth: whose Surface, whether Valley, Plain, or mountain in Appearance; seemed as if covered to a prodigious Depth, by successive Falls of Snow, driven and polished by the Winds and Frost, and dazzling to the Sight: the Sun still shining above all, with white, unremitting and invigorating Rays.[47]
CHAPTER XXXI.
Brilliant Colouring of dense Clouds.
Section 172.A Thunder Cloud in most grotesque Form;—of superior Magnitude, Density, and brightness—a celestial Colouring; Aironaut lost in the blue Fields of Air, by the Intervention of Clouds below him: which prevented all farther Knowledge of his Situation, and also a Sight of the Earth itself.and whose Shade was itself a Colour of semi-transparent and transcendent Blue and Violet-Purple;—remaining for several Minutes, exactly under the Balloon, tempted the Aironaut to descend into it; and, if possible, investigate its Structure and Composition.
Blanchard, he knew, had passed throu’ many without Danger: any Fears that might otherwise have been entertained on that Head were therefore groundless: particularly as Gass, i. e. inflammable Air and the electric Fluid (supposing an electric Atmosphere had surrounded the Thunder Cloud) mutually repel each other. He however declined the Trial: among other Reasons which then offered; that the temporary and apparent Rest of both Balloon and Clouds portended his Situation to be over the Center of some Water: so that if Gass had been let out in order to descend; enough might not have remained to make Choice of a proper Place to land.