A Voyage in a Balloon | Page 6

society.' All
these inventions excited laughter. But before long, if my days were not
numbered, these projects should become realities."
We were visibly descending; he did not perceive it!
"See this game of balloons; it contains the whole history of the
aerostatic art. This game, for the use of educated minds, is played like
that of the Jew; with dice and counters of any value agreed upon, which
are to be paid or received, according to the condition in which one
arrives."
"But," I resumed, "you seem to have valuable documents on
aerostation?"
"I am less learned than the Almighty! That is all! I possess all the
knowledge possible in this world. From Phaeton, Icarus, and Architas. I

have searched all, comprehended all! Through me, the aerostatic art
would render immense services to the world, if God should spare my
life! But that cannot be."
"Why not?"
"Because my name is Empedocles or Erostratus!"
II.
The Company of Aerostiers--The Battle of Fleurus--The Balloon over
the Sea--Blanchard and Jefferies--A Drama such as is rarely seen--3000
Metres--The Thunder beneath our Feet--Gavnerin at Rome--The
Compass gone--The Victims of Aerostation--Pilatre--At 4000
Metres--The Barometer gone--Descents of Olivari, Mosment, Bittorf,
Harris, Sadler, and Madame Blanchard--The Valve rendered
useless--7000 Metres--Zambecarri--The Ballon (sic)
Wrecked--Incalculable Heights--The Car
Overset--Despair--Vertigo--The Fall--The Dénouement.
I shuddered! Fortunately the balloon was approaching the earth. But the
danger is the same at 50 feet as at 5000 metres! The clouds were
advancing.
"Remember the battle of Fleurus, and you will comprehend the utility
of aerostats! Coulee, by order of the government, organized a company
of aerostiers. At the siege of Maubeuge, General Jourdan found this
new method of observation so serviceable, that twice a day,
accompanied by the General himself, Coutelle ascended into the air; the
correspondence between the aeronaut and the aerostiers who held the
balloon, was carried on by means of little white, red, and yellow flags.
Cannons and carbines were often aimed at the balloon at the moment of
its ascension, but without effect. When Jourdan was preparing to invest
Charleroi, Coutelle repaired to the neighbourhood of that place, rose
from the plain of Jumet, and remained taking observations seven or
eight hours, with General Morelot. The Austrians came to deliver the
city, and a battle was fought on the heights of Fleurus. General Jourdan
publicly proclaimed the assistance he had received from aeronautic
observations. Well! notwithstanding the services rendered on this
occasion, and during the campaign with Belgium, the year which
witnessed the commencement of the military career of balloons, also
saw it terminate. And the school of Meuon, founded by government,
was closed by Bonaparte, on his return from Egypt. 'What are we to

expect from the child which has just been born?' Franklin had said. But
the child was born alive! It need not have been strangled!"
The unknown hid his forehead in his hands, reflected for a few
moments, then, without raising his head, said to me:
"Notwithstanding my orders, you have opened the upper valve!"
I let go the cord.
"Fortunately" continued he, "we have still two hundred pounds of
ballast."
"What are your plans?" said I, with effort.
"You have never crossed the sea?"
I grew frightfully pale, terror froze my veins.
"It is a pity," said he, "that we are being wafted towards the Adriatic!
That is only a streamlet. Higher! we shall find other currents!"
And without looking at me, he lightened the balloon by several bags of
sand.
"I allowed you to open the valve, because the dilatation of the gas
threatened to burst the balloon. But do not do it again."
I was stupified.
"You know the voyage from Dover to Calais made by Blanchard and
Jefferies. It was rich in incident. On the 7th of January, 1785, in a
northeast wind, their balloon was filled with gas on the Dover side;
scarcely had they risen, when an error in equilibrium compelled them
to threw out their ballast, retaining only thirty pounds. The wind drifted
them slowly along towards the shores of France. The permeability of
the tissue gradually suffered the gas to escape, and at the expiration of
an hour and a half, the voyagers perceived that they were descending.
'What is to be done?' said Jefferies.--'We have passed over only
three-fourths of the distance,' replied Blanchard 'and at a slight
elevation. By ascending we shall expose ourselves to contrary winds.
Throw out the remainder of the ballast.' The balloon regained its
ascensional force, but soon re-descended. About midway of the voyage,
the aeronauts threw out their books and tools. A quarter of an hour
afterwards, Blanchard said to Jefferies: 'The barometer?'--'It is rising!
We are lost; and yet there are the shores of France!' A great noise was
heard. 'Is the balloon rent?' asked Jefferies.--'No! the escape of the gas
has collapsed