The Kentucky Gazette

BALANCE.
EUROPE.
England
LONDON, July 2.
M. GARNERIN's TOUR
Capt. Snowden's Account.

Mr. Editor,

As numberless questions have been put to me, respecting the sensations I experienced while in the upper regions, I think it a duty incumbent on me to inform the public, and to set them right as to the erroneous ideas they may have of an aërostatic voyage. On the first ascending we felt a few drops of rain. After we had gained the height of about 3000 feet, I desired M. Garnerin not to ascend any higher till he had passed the metropolis, that the inhabitants might be gratified with a fair view of us. When we had got at a small distance from London, we ascended through some very thick clouds, of which I could perceive three distinct rows, at the lower end of one of which, we found the quick silver of the thermometer at 45 deg. and I was obliged to put on my great coat; but on ascending still higher, we found the air more temperate, and the quick-silver to rise gradually to 5 degs. above summer heat. We then seemed to be stationary, and felt no more motion than one would feel in sitting in a chair in a room. I then proposed to M. Garnerin to overhaul our lockers, where we found a ham, a cold fowl, a cake and two bottles of orgeat, wines or spirits being dangerous to take, owing to the rarefaction of the air. The chill of the clouds having given us an appetite, we made a table on our knees with the seats of the car, and eat a very hearty meal. The clouds then dispersed from under us, and we had a delightful view of the country. Whether it is owing to the rarefaction of the air, or to the strong light thrown on the earth, I cannot determine, but I found my sight, which at all times is rather weak, become so strong, that I could easily distinguish the minutest objects on the earth: it appeared like a vast panorama or map, of about fifty miles in circumference, where we could not only follow with our eyes the different cross roads and intersections on it, but even distinguish the ruts on them, and the very furrows on the field. The sense of hearing was stronger here than on earth; for at the height of fifteen thousand feet, we could distinctly hear the rattling of carriages on the roads, the lowing of the cattle, and the acclamations of the people who saw us; though at the same time we could hardly hear ourselves speak; and I am persuaded, that a person on the earth, with a strong voice and a speaking trumpet, might make himself perfectly understood by any person at that height in the air. I have observed, that almost every sensation I experienced while in the upper regions, was exactly the contrary to what is the general opinion of the public. I was assured by a number of the most celebrated literati, who pretended to be very learned on that subject, that I should find the cold increase, the higher I ascended: instead of which I found the heat increase, to that degree, that I was obliged to take my great coat and jacket off. It is also the general opinion, that looking down from so stupendous a height, renders a person so giddy as not to be able to keep his feet. On the contrary, I found that I could look down with a vast deal of pleasure, and without experiencing that inconvenience; whereas, looking round on the vast expanse that surrounded us, rendered my eyes so dim, that I was sometimes a few minutes before I could perfectly recover my sight. I experienced no difficulty of breathing, or inconvenience from the motion of the balloon: for tho' we moved with immense velocity, we felt not the least wind or pressure of air, it being so perfectly calm that the flags in our hands, and those with which the balloon was decorated, hung supine, nor did they stir. I observed that between every row of clouds, not only the atmosphere, but the wind varied several degrees; for on passing through the first cloud after leaving London, the wind, which had before been nearly South West, changed to South South East, by which means we found ourselves over St. Albans, in Hertfordshire. On ascending still higher, the wind became West, which drove us over Epping Forest, which I distinguished very plainly: it appeared like a gooseberry bush. I then pointed out the course to M. Garnerin on the map, and observed to him that we should soon perceive the sea, which in a short time we saw very plainly. M. Garnerin then told me we had not a moment to lose, and must descend with all possible speed: at the same time pointing out a very heavy cloud to me nearly under us; and said—'Il faut que nous passions a travers de ce drôle la, accrochez vous bien car nous allons nous casser le col.' I answered—'De tout mon cœur.' He then opened the valve, and we descended with rapidity.—On rushing into the cloud, I found, as he had conjectured, it contained as violent a squall of wind and rain as I ever experienced. The attraction of the water, the force of the wind, and the constant emission of gas from the valve, hurled us with such velocity towards the earth, that I expected to see his prediction verified, tho' I can assure you, my ideas at that time did not coincide with the answer I made him. M. Garnerin still retained all his coolness and presence of mind; and while we were descending with that extreme swiftness, desired me, the moment I should find the car about to touch the earth, to catch hold of the hoop which was fastened to the bottom of the net to which the car was suspended, and lift myself into the net, by which means we saved ourselves from being dashed to pieces. The balloon did not re-ascend immediately, but dragged us along the ground, with astonishing swiftness, for the length of three fields, before the grappling iron took good hold, & then we thought ourselves safe, being close to a farm house, from which several persons came out to see us; but though we threw out ropes to them, and called for help, they were so consternated, that neither threats nor entreaties could prevail on them to come to our assistance: for, as I afterwards heard, they took us to be sorcerers, it being rather an unusual thing to see two men coming down post haste from the clouds.—We were for about three minutes in that situation, till another gust of wind broke our cable, and we ascended again nearly six thousand feet.

In the bustle of preparing the ropes for the farmers, M. Garnerin let the rope belonging to the valve, slip out of his hand, by which means the bottom of the balloon was pressed upwards by the wind. M. Garnerin desired me to try to regain it, which I at last effected, by climbing up into the net, though the force of the wind struck the tin tubes fastened at the bottom of the balloon, and through which the rope led, with such violence against my face, that it had nearly stunned me. Having recovered, we descended, but were borne with such violence across the country, sometimes along the ground, sometimes in the air, that I several times proposed to M. Garnerin to abandon the balloon, and to save ourselves: but he continually objected to it, and reminded me of my promise not to quit him. In the mean time we were dashed against several trees one of which had nearly destroyed us, being with my back towards it, I received a blow on the head, which threw me at full length at the bottom of the car. M. Garnerin, in attempting to assist me, was nearly thrown overboard; two of the cords that held the car broke, and at the same time some of the branches tore the balloon; upon which M. Garnerin cried out, 'the balloon is torn, and we are saved.' Another gust of wind disengaged us from the tree, and we touched the ground once more, with a less violent shock than before. We then got out, but so exhausted with our numerous exertions, that we had hardly strength to follow the balloon, which fell about 200 paces further, when we completely mastered it, by throwing ourselves upon it, and by that means pressing out the remainder of the gas. It rained so very hard, that I proposed to M. Garnerin to leave the balloon in the field, and go in search of some shelter and refreshment. We accordingly made the best of our way to a house, which we espied about half a mile off, belonging to Mr. Kingsberry; and here a very curious mistake took place.—When we enquired for the master of the house, Mr. Kingsberry appeared, but seeing two persons so strange in appearance (M. Garnerin having a French hat on, with the national cockade, bearing the tri-coloured flag, and myself being in a sailor's dress, with the Union Jack in my hand) he imagined we came on account of the election; and before we could address him, he said: 'Gentlemen, though I am a freeholder, I have made a determination not to vote for one side or the other.' So much was he impressed with this idea, that it was some time before we could make him sensible that we had nothing to do with the election, but that we came in a balloon in three quarters of an hour from London, that we were very much bruised and tired, and that we required his assistance and shelter. He then received us in the most hospitable manner, not only providing us with refreshments and dry clothes, but even offered us beds, the use of his house and horses, and sent immediately some farmers with a cart, to carry the balloon from the field, and convey it to a place of safety; and as we expressed a wish to get to Colchester that night, he sent for a post chaise to convey us thither, where we were received with loud exclamations by the inhabitants. The next day we returned to Fingringhoe, where we had left the balloon, and after drying it on the grass, packed it up, and made the best of our way to town, where we arrived about 4 o'clock the next morning.

I cannot help admiring the coolness and presence of mind M. Garnerin preserved even in the most imminent danger; and I am so confident of his great skill and talents in conducting a balloon, that I would venture to go to the end of the world with him.

This is as near a statement as I can recollect: and I should take it as a favor if you would insert it in your paper, as you will thereby save me a great deal of trouble, having hardly breath enough to answer the numerous enquiries concerning our aërial excursion.

I am, sir, yours, &c.
R.C. SNOWDEN.
July 4.