The Daily Advertiser

Extract of a letter from Mr. Blanchard, dated Basil, in Switzerland, April 25.

Retired in a castle near the gates of Basil, I have been many months making two wings, composed of whalebone, and covered with taffety, which are exactly like those of birds, and notwithstanding they cover a space of 9 feet, their lightness, joined with the force I have borrowed from the powers of mechanism, enables me to use them so easily, that I can mount with the least motion. On Monday the 5th of May, I will make a public attempt in this city, at the Margrave of Baden's, and mount myself from the court of the Palace. I shall at my first trial take my parachute with me with a small balloon, about 15 feet in diameter, which I will raise, and keep ready to spread when wanted. I may perhaps, have a second of the same size for other experiments. Many motives have engaged me to perfect and execute this piece of mechanism; 1st. To find some method of direction, by a considerable diminution of the volume of the balloon; 2dly. To reduce of course the expenses of an experiment to a mere nothing; 3dly. To avoid all the dangers which my ascension among a number of inaccessible mountains will expose me to, if carried by a balloon only, and driven by a bad wind, I should reach the summit of those mountains which no mortal ever arrived at; whereas I now no longer fear those desolate places, but shall be very glad to see them, as I can easily leave them by flying. After this essay nothing will be difficult to me, and I dare promise the success of my wings beforehand, from the observations I have made in the different experiments. I have tried for these 14 or 15 years with machines far from the perfection of my present piece of mechanism. I flatter myself I shall yet have the satisfaction of returning to Paris on a fixed day, flying in the air.

Blanchard made his 30th experiment on the 5th instant, at Basil. He ascended, in the presence of the Margrave of Baden, without the usual boat, his wings or parachute, owing to an opening of about six inches towards the equatorial part of the balloon, which prevented its being completely filled. All the efforts to raise the boat or basket being fruitless, he tied four of the ropes at the bottom of the aerostat, and in that manner mounted the airy regions, inspiring a general consternation and terror all around. A mournful silence, expressive of their inward anxiety, seized all the numerous spectators, and it was only the colors, waved in the air by Blanchard, that tranquilized their minds. His elevation was soon at such a height, that he hardly distinguished the mountains he was soaring above, but as he was not sufficiently clothed, he could not long resist the severity of the cold. The heavens were calm and not the least cloud obstructed the majestic expansive view. On that endless circle of mountains the eye enjoyed one of the most glorious spectacles of the atmosphere. It was with regret that he was forced to quit that enchanting scene, after an excursion of about half an hour. He examined his balloon, and perceived the fracture that had prevented its being completely filled, and rendered abortive his efforts to raise the boat, &c. then pulled the valve's string, and immediately felt he was descending. The objects began to be more visible, and for fear of falling on the tops of some houses, or the neighboring forest, he pulled the string a second time. By this second pull the valve unluckily gave way; the inflammable air began to fly, and he was hurried down about 200 fathoms with a violent rapidity. His feet received the first impression, and by good luck received no other injury, but a sprain in one of his ankles. It was certainly a miraculous escape, for the balloon afterwards was found hardly able to support itself. The Senate of Basil have placed the colors in the archives of the town, in remembrance of so daring an ascent, and so dangerous a descent.