Virginia Argus

LONDON, August 4.

M. GARNERIN.

The weather, which has hitherto been extremely unfavorable to M. Garnerin's aerial experiments, has at last proved propitious. About five o'clock yesterday, the different avenues to Vauxhall were nearly filled, but the crowd was by no means so great as that which assembled in the neighborhood of Lord's cricket ground; and partly from the nature of the place, and partly from the prudent precautions adopted by the proprietors of Vauxhall gardens, the inconveniences and accidents which attended M. Garnerin's last ascension were prevented. There was no temptation for the crowd to press close to the gardens for the height of the trees would in that case have precluded all hope of seeing the balloon till it had attained a considerable elevation. For the same reason, or because the people in the neighborhood of Vauxhall were not fraudulently disposed, there were scarcely any scaffolds erected. Constables were provided to keep the people out of the adjacent fields, and one large one adjoining to Vauxhall was kept for the company who were in the gardens, (the luxuriant foliage of which soon intercepted the view of the balloon) to withdraw into, from which they could see it in its progress. In the centre of one of the large walks of the gardens, a platform was erected about five feet high, on which the balloon was placed, the barrels from which it was filled were placed at some distance from the platform, and the rarified air was conveyed into it through long oil skin tubes. The hour at which M. Garnerin was to ascend, was stated in the advertisements to be half past six, but it was nearer seven before the adventurous travellers ascended the platform. They were received with great acclamations. Madame Garnerin and Mr. Glassford having taken their seats in the car, and M. Garnerin having made the signal arrangements, got in also. The persons on the platform then let go, and the balloon rose with the most majestic slowness through the trees, amidst the loudest acclamations. Mr. Glassford and M. Garnerin, waved the flags of England and France; and Madame Garnerin, who appeared not the least alarmed upon the occasion, kissed her hand, and bid the spectators adieu with the greatest gaiety.—When the balloon had attained a considerable height, and was apparently over the river, a cat, suspended to a parachute, was dropped from the car. She descended for several yards with great velocity; but the parachute soon expanded, and pulsated in perfect safety between Milbank and Chelsea. The number of persons in the gardens at the time the balloon went off, was supposed to be about 1500. M. Garnerin hovered for about 20 minutes over St. James's Park. At first the rapid descent of the balloon seemed to indicate his intention of descending within the iron railings. In consequence of which thousands jumped over, which prevented M. Garnerin from executing his apparent project. However, to gratify the multitude, he waved his flag, and remained for a long time in the same position. The balloon afterwards took a direction towards Tottenham-court road. The balloon passed over the Tottenham-court-road about half past seven. It appeared to be descending very rapidly, in consequence of which an immense crowd of people hastened along the different streets leading to the New-road with the utmost expedition, regardless of the sultry heat of the evening, expecting the balloon to descend very nearly in that neighborhood. For about a quarter of an hour it appeared to make little or no progress, which, added to its evident descent, strengthened the general idea of the aerial voyagers finally landing in that part of the town; the crowd increased from all quarters, the New road and the streets leading to it were nearly impassable: the tops of the adjoining houses, and every spot where it was possible to obtain a sight of the balloon, were crowded to excess. Many had ran through the streets for a considerable distance, fully expecting to be repaid for all their exertions, by seeing the descent of the balloon, either in or near the New Road. Disappointment, however, succeeded to all this eagerness of expectation; instead of descending near the new road, the aerial travelers proceeded in a direction towards Edgeware. Several horsemen galloped on, determined to be in at the descent, but the greater part of the pedestrians slowly measured back their steps, faint and weary with their previous exertions. The publicans alone in that neighborhood displayed smiling faces, and were highly gratified at the unexpected benefits which they derived from the balloon. About eight o'clock M. Garnerin, seeing a favorable place, descended in perfect safety, on one of the earl of Rosslyn's fields, on the south side of Hampstead. All the three travellers landed in perfect spirits, highly delighted with their journey; and taking a post chaise at Hampstead, returned to Vauxhall gardens about ten o'clock at night, where they received the congratulations of their friends.