A Voyage in a Balloon | Page 2

our ascension was that of the great fair of September, which
attracts all the world to Frankfort. The apparatus for filling was
composed of six hogsheads arranged around a large vat, hermetically
sealed. The hydrogen gas, evolved by the contact of water with iron
and sulphuric acid, passed from the first reservoirs to the second, and
thence into the immense globe, which was thus gradually inflated.
These preparations occupied all the morning, and about 11 o'clock, the
balloon was three-quarters full; sufficiently so;--for as we rise, the
atmospheric layers diminish in density, and the gas, confined within the
aerostat, acquiring more elasticity, might otherwise burst its envelope.
My calculations had furnished me with the exact measurement of gas
required to carry my companions and myself to a considerable height.
We were to ascend at noon. It was truly a magnificent spectacle, that of
the impatient crowd who thronged around the reserved enclosure,
inundated the entire square and adjoining streets, and covered the
neighbouring houses from the basements to the slated roofs. The high
winds of past days had lulled, and an overpowering heat was radiating
from an unclouded sky; not a breath animated the atmosphere. In such
weather, one might descend in the very spot he had left.
I carried three hundred pounds of ballast, in bags; the car, perfectly
round, four feet in diameter, and three feet in height, was conveniently
attached; the cord which sustained it was symmetrically extended from
the upper hemisphere of the aerostat; the compass was in its place, the
barometer suspended to the iron hoop which surrounded the supporting
cord, at a distance of eight feet above the car; the anchor carefully
prepared;--all was in readiness for our departure.
Among the persons who crowded around the enclosure, I remarked a
young man with pale face and agitated features. I was struck with his
appearance. He had been an assiduous spectator of my ascensions in
several cities of Germany. His uneasy air and his extraordinary
pre-occupation never left him; he eagerly contemplated the curious
machine, which rested motionless at a few feet from the ground, and
remained silent.
The clock struck twelve! This was the hour. My compagnons du

voyage had not appeared. I sent to the dwelling of each, and learned
that one had started for Hamburg, another for Vienna and the third, still
more fearful, for London. Their hearts had failed them at the moment
of undertaking one of those excursions, which, since the ingenious
experiments of aeronauts, are deprived of all danger. As they made, as
it were a part of the programme of the fête, they had feared being
compelled to fulfil their agreements, and had fled at the moment of
ascension. Their courage had been in inverse ratio to the square of their
swiftness in retreat.
The crowd, thus partly disappointed, were shouting with anger and
impatience. I did not hesitate to ascend alone. To re-establish the
equilibrium between the specific gravity of the balloon and the weight
to be raised, I substituted other bags of sand for my expected
companions and entered the car. The twelve men who were holding the
aerostat by twelve cords fastened to the equatorial circle, let them slip
between their fingers; the car rose a few feet above the ground. There
was not a breath of wind, and the atmosphere, heavy as lead, seemed
insurmountable.
"All is ready!" exclaimed I; "attention!"
The men arranged themselves; a last glance informed me that
everything was right.
"Attention!"
There was some movement in the crowd which seemed to be invading
the reserved enclosure.
"Let go!"
The balloon slowly ascended; but I experienced a shock which threw
me to the bottom of the car. When I rose, I found myself face to face
with an unexpected voyager,--the pale young man.
"Monsieur, I salute you!" said he to me.
"By what right?"--
"Am I here? By the right of your inability to turn me out."
I was confounded. His assurance disconcerted me; and I had nothing to
say in reply. I looked at him, but he paid no regard to my astonishment.
He continued:
"My weight will disturb your equilibrium, Monsieur: will you permit
me--"
And without waiting for my assent, he lightened the balloon by two

bags of sand which he emptied into the air.
"Monsieur," said I, taking the only possible course, "you are here,--well!
you choose to remain,--well! but to me alone belongs the management
of the aerostat."
"Monsieur," replied he, "your urbanity is entirely French; it is of the
same country with myself! I press in imagination the hand which you
refuse me. Take your measures,--act as it may seem good to you; I will
wait till you have ended--"
"To--"
"To converse with you."
The barometer had fallen to twenty-six inches; we had attained a height