A Voyage in a Balloon | Page 4

at the
risk of burning the machine, and the air, growing warmer, gave to the
balloon a new ascensional force. The two bold navigators ascended, on
the 21st of November, 1783, from the gardens of La Muette, which the
Dauphin had placed at their disposal. The aerostat rose majestically,
passed the Isle des Cygnes, crossed the Seine at the Barrière de la
Conference, and, directing its way between the dome of the Invalides
and L'Ecole Militaire, approached St. Sulpice; then the aeronauts
increased the fire, ascended, cleared the Boulevard, and descended
beyond the Barrière d'Enfer. As it touched the ground, the collapsed,
and buried Pilatre des Rosiers beneath its folds."
"Unfortunate presage!" said I, interested in these details, which so
nearly concerned me.
"Presage of his catastrophe," replied the unknown, with sadness. "You
have experienced nothing similar?"
"Nothing!"
"Bah! misfortunes often arrive without presage." And he remained
silent.
We were advancing towards the south; the magnetic needle pointed in
the direction of Frankfort, which was flying beneath our feet.
"Perhaps we shall have a storm," said the young man.

"We will descend first."
"Indeed! it will be better to ascend; we shall escape more surely;" and
two bags of sand were thrown overboard.
The balloon rose rapidly, and stopped at twelve hundred metres. The
cold was now intense, and there was a slight buzzing in my ears.
Nevertheless, the rays of the sun fell hotly on the globe, and, dilating
the gas it contained, gave it a greater ascensional force. I was stupified.
"Fear nothing," said the young man to me.
"We have three thousand five hundred toises of respirable air. You
need not trouble yourself about my proceedings."
I would have risen, but a vigorous hand detained me on my seat.
"Your name?" asked I.
"My name! how does it concern you?"
"I have the honour to ask your name."
"I am called Erostratus or Empedocles,--as you please. Are you
interested in the progress of aerostatic science?"
He spoke with icy coldness, and I asked myself with whom I had to do.
"Monsieur," continued he, "nothing new has been invented since the
days of the philosopher Charles. Four months after the discovery of
aerostats, he had invented the valve, which permits the gas to escape
when the balloon is too full, or when one wishes to descend; the car,
which allows the machine to be easily managed; the network, which
encloses the fabric of the balloon, and prevents its being too heavily
pressed; the ballast, which is used in ascending and choosing the spot
of descent; the coat of caoutchouc, which renders the silk impermeable;
the barometer, which determines the height attained; and, finally, the
hydrogen, which, fourteen times lighter than air, allows of ascension to
the most distant atmospheric layers, and prevents exposure to aerial
combustion. On the 1st of December, 1783, three hundred thousand
spectators thronged the Tuileries. Charles ascended, and the soldiers
presented arms. He travelled nine leagues in the air: managing his
machine with a skill never since surpassed in aeronautic experiments.
The King conferred on him a pension of two thousand livres, for in
those days inventions were encouraged. In a few days, the subscription
list was filled; for every one was interested in the progress of science."
The unknown was seized with a violent agitation.
"I, Monsieur, have studied; I am satisfied that the first aeronauts guided

their balloons. Not to speak of Blanchard, whose assertions might be
doubted, at Dijon, Guyton-Morveaux, by the aid of oars and a helm,
imparted to his machines perceptible motions, a decided direction.
More recently, at Paris, a watchmaker, M. Julien, has made at the
Hippodrome convincing experiments; for, with the aid of a particular
mechanism, an aerial apparatus of oblong form was manifestly
propelled against the wind. M. Petin placed four balloons, filled with
hydrogen, in juxtaposition, and, by means of sails disposed horizontally
and partially furled, hoped to obtain a disturbance of the equilibrium,
which, inclining the apparatus, should compel it to an oblique path. But
the motive power destined to surmount the resistance of currents,--the
helice, moving in a movable medium, was unsuccessful. I have
discovered the only method of guiding balloons, and not an Academy
has come to my assistance, not a city has filled my subscription lists,
not a government has deigned to listen to me! It is infamous!"
His gesticulations were so furious that the car experienced violent
oscillations; I had much difficulty in restraining him. Meanwhile, the
balloon had encountered a more rapid current. We were advancing in a
southerly direction, at 1200 metres in height, almost accustomed to this
new temperature.
"There is Darmstadt," said my companion. "Do you perceive its
magnificent chateau? The storm-cloud below makes the outlines of
objects waver; and it requires a practised eye to recognise localities."