Gentle Landing of the Balloon.
This had the desired Effect: and the Balloon continuing to descend with a Motion uniformly retarded, alighted, as the down of a Thistle, in the gentlest Manner, without any Rebound.
Anchor and Cable not made use of.
184. There being scarcely a Breath of Air abroad, the Aironaut made no Use of his Anchor and Cable: but continued as from the first, standing upright in the Car; which, having moved a Yard or two only along the Ground, rested in a perpendicular Situation.
The Balloon, suspended over him like a vast Umbrella, levitated vertically in the grandest Manner.
185. He was alone when he alighted: but, in a few Minutes, found himself surrounded by the Country-People, who had waded above Ancle-deep, and came running from all Parts, to see the wonder, and contribute their Assistance.
Landed at 53 Minutes past III. Thermometer 59.
186. He landed exactly, at 7 Minutes before IV: Thermometer 59: but where he coud not tell.
The first Question was “Pray where am I?” And the Answer;—in Lancashire.
On asking the nearest Distance to a Turnpike-Road; the People said he was within two Fields of one, and offered to conduct him thither.