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diff --git a/old/16085.txt b/old/16085.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a4b42cb..0000000 --- a/old/16085.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1331 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Voyage in a Balloon (1852), by Jules Verne, -et al, Translated by Anne T. Wilbur - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: A Voyage in a Balloon (1852) - - -Author: Jules Verne - - - -Release Date: June 17, 2005 [eBook #16085] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A VOYAGE IN A BALLOON (1852)*** - - -E-text prepared by Norm Wolcott - - - -A VOYAGE IN A BALLOON (1852) - -by - -Jules Verne - - - - - - - -REDACTOR'S NOTE - -From _Sartain's Union Magazine of Literature and Art_ (Philadelphia: -1849-1852): May 1852: VOL. X. No. 5: p. 389-395. - -John Sartain (1808-1897) was an English artist and engraver skilled -in the art of mezzotint who emigrated to the United States; in 1848 -he purchased a one-half interest in the "Union Magazine", a New York -periodical, which he transferred to Philadelphia. The name was changed -to "Sartain's Union Magazine", and during the four years of its -existence the journal became widely known, publishing works of Poe and -other literati. The article here is a translation of "La science en -famille / Un voyage en ballon. / (Reponse a l'enigme de juillet.)", In: -_Musee des Familles. Lectures du soir_, Paris, seconde serie. vol. 8, -no. 11 (August 1851), pp. 329-336 (5 illustrations by A. de Bar, two -chapters). This is a different version from the one published by Hetzel; -"Un drame dans les airs", in: _Le Docteur Ox_, 19 October 1874, (ed. C & -D) (6 illustrations by Emile Bayard, only one chapter!). - -In this early work we see the ingredients of Verne's later _Voyages -Extraordinaires_; characters brought or thrown together on a journey to -afar; introduction of new characters part way through the story; careful -scientific explanation of critical events (the ascension, filling -the balloon, rising and falling, ballast); use of dialogue to convey -scientific information (the history of ballooning); use of scientific -instruments (barometer, compass); chapter heads to presage the -story; escapes from perilous events caused by scientific or natural -catastrophes. - -One may also wonder why Hetzel removed the description of the inflation -of the balloon with hydrogen gas. In fact hydrogen is barely mentioned -in the revised story. Could it be that while Hetzel approved of Verne's -scientific descriptions of impossible undertakings, when it came to real -exploits such as ballooning he did not want his juvenile readers -experimenting with the "hogsheads of sulphuric acid and nails" to -produce explosive hydrogen? In fact in the Hetzel version the lifting -gas hydrogen is replaced with "illuminating gas", an inferior, though -lighter than air material, but one which his readers would find -difficult to use for deadly experimentation. - -It may also be that Verne had little to do with this volume; Hetzel may -have edited the collection so that it would count as one of the required -volumes Verne was to produce annually. The correspondence archives may -shed some light. - -Ms. Wilbur also translated other articles on ballooning from the French. -It is also interesting that she retained in her translation the original -units which Verne used (metre, feet, leagues), a practice forgotten -until recently. This may be the first appearance of a work by Jules -Verne in the English language. - -Norman M. Wolcott -Rockville, Maryland - - - - -A VOYAGE IN A BALLOON - -by - -JULES VERNE - -Translated from the French by Anne T. Wilbur - -1852 - - - - - - - -I. - - -My Ascension at Frankfort--The Balloon, the Gas, the Apparatus, the -Ballast--An Unexpected Travelling Companion--Conversation in the -Air--Anecdotes--At 800 Metres[A]--The Portfolio of the Pale Young -Man--Pictures and Caricatures--Des Rosiers and d'Arlandes--At 1200 -Metres--Atmospheric Phenomena--The Philosopher -Charles--Systems--Blanchard--Guyton-Morveaux--M. Julien--M. Petin--At -1500 Metres--The Storm--Great Personages in Balloons--The Valve--The -Curious Animals--The Aerial Ship--Game of Balloons. - -[Footnote A: A metre is equal to 39.33 English inches.] - -In the month of September, 1850, I arrived at Frankfort-on-the-Maine. My -passage through the principal cities of Germany, had been brilliantly -marked by aerostatic ascensions; but, up to this day, no inhabitant of -the Confederation had accompanied me, and the successful experiments at -Paris of Messrs. Green, Godard, and Poitevin, had failed to induce the -grave Germans to attempt aerial voyages. - -Meanwhile, hardly had the news of my approaching ascension circulated -throughout Frankfort, than three persons of note asked the favour of -accompanying me. Two days after, we were to ascend from the Place de la -Comedie. I immediately occupied myself with the preparations. My -balloon, of gigantic proportions, was of silk, coated with gutta percha, -a substance not liable to injury from acids or gas, and of absolute -impermeability. Some trifling rents were mended: the inevitable results -of perilous descents. - -The day of our ascension was that of the great fair of September, which -attracts all the world to Frankfort. The apparatus for filling was -composed of six hogsheads arranged around a large vat, hermetically -sealed. The hydrogen gas, evolved by the contact of water with iron and -sulphuric acid, passed from the first reservoirs to the second, and -thence into the immense globe, which was thus gradually inflated. These -preparations occupied all the morning, and about 11 o'clock, the balloon -was three-quarters full; sufficiently so;--for as we rise, the -atmospheric layers diminish in density, and the gas, confined within the -aerostat, acquiring more elasticity, might otherwise burst its envelope. -My calculations had furnished me with the exact measurement of gas -required to carry my companions and myself to a considerable height. - -We were to ascend at noon. It was truly a magnificent spectacle, that of -the impatient crowd who thronged around the reserved enclosure, -inundated the entire square and adjoining streets, and covered the -neighbouring houses from the basements to the slated roofs. The high -winds of past days had lulled, and an overpowering heat was radiating -from an unclouded sky; not a breath animated the atmosphere. In such -weather, one might descend in the very spot he had left. - -I carried three hundred pounds of ballast, in bags; the car, perfectly -round, four feet in diameter, and three feet in height, was conveniently -attached; the cord which sustained it was symmetrically extended from -the upper hemisphere of the aerostat; the compass was in its place, the -barometer suspended to the iron hoop which surrounded the supporting -cord, at a distance of eight feet above the car; the anchor carefully -prepared;--all was in readiness for our departure. - -Among the persons who crowded around the enclosure, I remarked a young -man with pale face and agitated features. I was struck with his -appearance. He had been an assiduous spectator of my ascensions in -several cities of Germany. His uneasy air and his extraordinary -pre-occupation never left him; he eagerly contemplated the curious -machine, which rested motionless at a few feet from the ground, and -remained silent. - -The clock struck twelve! This was the hour. My _compagnons du voyage_ -had not appeared. I sent to the dwelling of each, and learned that one -had started for Hamburg, another for Vienna and the third, still more -fearful, for London. Their hearts had failed them at the moment of -undertaking one of those excursions, which, since the ingenious -experiments of aeronauts, are deprived of all danger. As they made, as -it were a part of the programme of the fete, they had feared being -compelled to fulfil their agreements, and had fled at the moment of -ascension. Their courage had been in inverse ratio to the square of -their swiftness in retreat. - -The crowd, thus partly disappointed, were shouting with anger and -impatience. I did not hesitate to ascend alone. To re-establish the -equilibrium between the specific gravity of the balloon and the weight -to be raised, I substituted other bags of sand for my expected -companions and entered the car. The twelve men who were holding the -aerostat by twelve cords fastened to the equatorial circle, let them -slip between their fingers; the car rose a few feet above the ground. -There was not a breath of wind, and the atmosphere, heavy as lead, -seemed insurmountable. - -"All is ready!" exclaimed I; "attention!" - -The men arranged themselves; a last glance informed me that everything -was right. - -"Attention!" - -There was some movement in the crowd which seemed to be invading the -reserved enclosure. - -"Let go!" - -The balloon slowly ascended; but I experienced a shock which threw me to -the bottom of the car. When I rose, I found myself face to face with an -unexpected voyager,--the pale young man. - -"Monsieur, I salute you!" said he to me. - -"By what right?"-- - -"Am I here? By the right of your inability to turn me out." - -I was confounded. His assurance disconcerted me; and I had nothing to -say in reply. I looked at him, but he paid no regard to my astonishment. -He continued: - -"My weight will disturb your equilibrium, Monsieur: will you permit -me--" - -And without waiting for my assent, he lightened the balloon by two bags -of sand which he emptied into the air. - -"Monsieur," said I, taking the only possible course, "you are -here,--well! you choose to remain,--well! but to me alone belongs the -management of the aerostat." - -"Monsieur," replied he, "your urbanity is entirely French; it is of the -same country with myself! I press in imagination the hand which you -refuse me. Take your measures,--act as it may seem good to you; I will -wait till you have ended--" - -"To--" - -"To converse with you." - -The barometer had fallen to twenty-six inches; we had attained a height -of about six hundred metres, and were over the city; which satisfied me -of our complete quiescence, for I could not judge by our motionless -flags. Nothing betrays the horizontal voyage of a balloon; it is the -mass of air surrounding it which moves. A kind of wavering heat bathed -the objects extended at our feet, and gave their outlines an -indistinctness to be regretted. The needle of the compass indicated a -slight tendency to float towards the south. - -I looked again at my companion. He was a man of thirty, simply clad; the -bold outlines of his features betokened indomitable energy; he appeared -very muscular. Absorbed in the emotion of this silent suspension, he -remained immovable, seeking to distinguish the objects which passed -beneath his view. - -"Vexatious mist!" said he, at the expiration of a few moments. - -I made no reply. - -"What would you? I could not pay for my voyage; I was obliged to take -you by surprise." - -"No one has asked you to descend!" - -"A similar occurrence," he resumed, "happened to the Counts of Laurencin -and Dampierre, when they ascended at Lyons, on the 15th of January, -1784. A young merchant, named Fontaine, scaled the railing, at the risk -of upsetting the equipage. He accomplished the voyage, and nobody was -killed!" - -"Once on the earth, we will converse!" said I, piqued at the tone of -lightness with which he spoke. - -"Bah! do not talk of returning!" - -"Do you think then that I shall delay my descent?" - -"Descent!" said he, with surprise. "Let us ascend!" - -And before I could prevent him, two bags of sand were thrown out, -without even being emptied. - -"Monsieur!" said I, angrily. - -"I know your skill," replied he, composedly; "your brilliant ascensions -have made some noise in the world. Experience is the sister of practice, -but it is also first cousin to theory, and I have long and deeply -studied the aerostatic art. It has affected my brain," added he, sadly, -falling into a mute torpor. - -The balloon, after having risen, remained stationary; the unknown -consulted the barometer, and said: - -"Here we are at 800 metres! Men resemble insects! See, I think it is -from this height that we should always look at them, to judge correctly -of their moral proportions! The Place de la Comedie is transformed to an -immense ant-hill. Look at the crowd piled up on the quays. The Zeil -diminishes. We are above the church of Dom. The Mein is now only a white -line dividing the city, and this bridge, the Mein-Brucke, looks like a -white thread thrown between the two banks of the river." - -The atmosphere grew cooler. - -"There is nothing I will not do for you, my host," said my companion. -"If you are cold, I will take off my clothes and lend them to you." - -"Thanks!" - -"Necessity makes laws. Give me your hand, I am your countryman. You -shall be instructed by my company, and my conversation shall compensate -you for the annoyance I have caused you." - -I seated myself, without replying, at the opposite extremity of the car. -The young man had drawn from his great coat a voluminous portfolio; it -was a work on aerostation. - -"I possess," said he, "a most curious collection of engraving, and -caricatures appertaining to our aerial mania. This precious discovery -has been at once admired and ridiculed. Fortunately we have passed the -period when the Mongolfiers sought to make factitious clouds with the -vapour of water; and of the gas affecting electric properties, which -they produced by the combustion of damp straw with chopped wool." - -"Would you detract from the merit of these inventions?" replied I. "Was -it not well done to have proved by experiment the possibility of rising -in the air?" - -"Who denies the glory of the first aerial navigators? Immense courage -was necessary to ascend by means of those fragile envelopes which -contained only warm air. Besides, has not aerostatic science made great -progress since the ascensions of Blanchard? Look, Monsieur." - -He took from his collection an engraving. - -"Here is the first aerial voyage undertaken by Pilatre des Rosiers and -the Marquis d'Arlandes, four months after the discovery of balloons. -Louis XVI. refused his consent to this voyage; two condemned criminals -were to have first attempted aerial travelling. Pilatre des Rosiers was -indignant at this injustice and, by means of artifice, succeeded in -setting out. This car, which renders the management of the balloon easy, -had not then been invented; a circular gallery surrounded the lower part -of the aerostat. The two aeronauts stationed themselves at the -extremities of this gallery. The damp straw with which it was filled -encumbered their movements. A chafing-dish was suspended beneath the -orifice of the balloon; when the voyagers wished to ascend, they threw, -with a long fork, straw upon this brazier, 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 Barriere 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 Barriere -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." - -"You are certain that it is Darmstadt?" - -"Undoubtedly; we are six leagues from Frankfort." - -"Then we must descend." - -"Descend! you would not alight upon the steeples!" said the unknown, -mockingly. - -"No; but in the environs of the city." - -"Well, it is too warm; let us remount a little." - -As he spoke thus, he seized some bags of ballast. I precipitated myself -upon him; but, with one hand, he overthrew me, and the lightened balloon -rose to a height of 1500 metres. - -"Sit down," said he, "and do not forget that Brioschi, Biot, and -Gay-Lussac, ascended to a height of seven thousand metres, in order to -establish some new scientific laws." - -"We must descend;" resumed I, with an attempt at gentleness. "The storm -is gathering beneath our feet and around us; it would not be prudent." - -"We will ascend above it, and shall have nothing to fear from it. What -more beautiful than to reign in heaven, and look down upon the clouds -which hover upon the earth! Is it not an honour to navigate these aerial -waves? The greatest personages have travelled like ourselves. The -Marquise and Comtesse de Montalembert, the Comtesse de Potteries, Mlle. -La Garde, the Marquis of Montalembert, set out from the Faubourg St. -Antoine for these unknown regions. The Duc de Chartres displayed much -address and presence of mind in his ascension of the 15th of July, 1784; -at Lyons, the Comtes de Laurencin and de Dampierre; at Nantes, M. de -Luynes; at Bordeaux, D'Arbelet des Granges; in Italy, the Chevalier -Andreani; in our days, the Duke of Brunswick; have left in the air the -track of their glory. In order to equal these great personages, we must -ascend into the celestial regions higher than they. To approach the -infinite is to comprehend it." - -The rarefaction of the air considerably dilated the hydrogen, and I saw -the lower part of the aerostat, designedly left empty, become by degrees -inflated, rendering the opening of the valve indispensable; but my -fearful companion seemed determined not to allow me to direct our -movements. I resolved to pull secretly the cord attached to the valve, -while he was talking with animation. I feared to guess with whom I had -to do; it would have been too horrible! It was about three-quarters of -an hour since we had left Frankfort, and from the south thick clouds -were arising and threatening to engulf us. - -"Have you lost all hope of making your plans succeed?" said I, with -great apparent interest. - -"All hope!" replied the unknown, despairingly. "Wounded by refusals, -caricatures, those blows with the foot of an ass, have finished me. It -is the eternal punishment reserved for innovators. See these caricatures -of every age with which my portfolio is filled." - -I had secured the cord of the valve, and stooping over his works, -concealed my movements from him. It was to be feared, nevertheless, that -he would notice that rushing sound, like a waterfall, which the gas -produces in escaping. - -"How many jests at the expense of the Abbe Miolan! He was about to -ascend with Janninet and Bredin. During the operation, their balloon -took fire, and an ignorant populace tore it to pieces. Then the -caricature of _The Curious Animals_ called them _Maulant, Jean Mind, and -Gredin_." - -The barometer had began to rise; it was time! A distant muttering of -thunder was heard towards the south. - -"See this other engraving," continued he, without seeming to suspect my -manoeuvres. "It is an immense balloon, containing a ship, large castles, -houses, &c. The caricaturists little thought that their absurdities -would one day become verities. It is a large vessel; at the left is the -helm with the pilot's box; at the prow, _maisons de plaisance_, a -gigantic organ, and cannon to call the attention of the inhabitants of -earth or of the moon; above the stern the observatory and pilot-balloon; -at the equatorial circle, the barracks of the army; on the left the -lantern; then upper galleries for promenades, the sails, the wings; -beneath, the cafes and general store-houses of provisions. Admire this -magnificent announcement. 'Invented for the good of the human race, -this globe will depart immediately for the seaports in the Levant, and -on its return will announce its voyages for the two poles and the -extremities of the Occident. Every provision is made; there will be an -exact rate of fare for each place of destination; but the prices for -distant voyages will be the same, 1000 louis. And it must be confessed -that this is a moderate sum, considering the celerity, convenience, and -pleasure of this mode of travelling above all others. While in this -balloon, every one can divert himself as he pleases, dancing, playing, -or conversing with people of talent. Pleasure will be the soul of the -aerial 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 Denouement. - -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 the lower part of the balloon'--'But we -are still descending. We are lost! Everything not indispensable must be -thrown overboard!' Their provisions, oars and helm were thrown out into -the sea. They were now only 100 metres in height. 'We are remounting,' -said the Doctor.--' No, it is the jerk caused by the diminution of -weight. There is not a ship in sight! Not a bark on the horizon! To the -sea with our garments!' And the unfortunate men stripped, but the -balloon continued to descend. 'Blanchard,' said Jefferies, 'you were -to have made this voyage alone; you consented to take me; I will -sacrifice myself to you! I will throw myself into the water, and the -balloon, relieved, will re-ascend!'--' No, no, it is frightful.' The -balloon collapsed more and more, and its concavity forming a parachute, -forced the gas against its sides and accelerated its motion. 'Adieu, my -friend,' said the Doctor. 'May God preserve you!' He was about to have -taken the leap, when Blanchard detained him. 'One resource remains to -us! We can cut the cords by which the car is attached, and cling to the -network? perhaps the balloon will rise. Ready! But the barometer falls! -We remount! The wind freshens! We are saved!' The voyagers perceived -Calais! Their joy became delirium; a few moments later, they descended -in the forest of Guines. I doubt not," continued the unknown, "that in -similar circumstances you would follow the example of Doctor Jefferies." - -The clouds were unrolling beneath our feet in glittering cascades; the -balloon cast a deep shadow on this pile of clouds, and was surrounded by -them as with an aureola! The thunder growled beneath our feet! All this -was frightful! - -"Let us descend!" exclaimed I. - -"Descend, when the sun is awaiting us yonder! Down with the bags!" And -he lightened the balloon of more than fifty pounds. At 3000 metres we -remained stationary. The unknown talked incessantly, but I scarcely -heard him; I was completely prostrated, while he seemed in his element. - -"With a good wind, we shall go far, but we must especially go high!" - -"We are lost!" - -"In the Antilles there are currents of air which travel a hundred leagues -an hour! On the occasion of Napoleon's coronation, Gavnerin let off a -balloon illuminated with coloured lamps, at eleven o'clock in the -evening! The wind blew from the N.N.E.; the next morning at daybreak the -inhabitants of Rome saluted its passage above the dome of St. Peter's. -We will go farther." - -I scarcely heard him; everything was buzzing around me! There was an -opening in the clouds! - -"See that city, my host;" said the unknown. "It is Spire. Nothing else!" - -I dared not lean over the railing of the car. Nevertheless I perceived a -little black spot. This was Spire. The broad Rhine looked like a riband, -the great roads like threads. Above our heads the sky was of a deep -azure; I was benumbed with the cold. The birds had long since forsaken -us; in this rarefied air their flight would have been impossible. We -were alone in space, and I in the presence of a strange man! - -"It is useless for you to know whither I am taking you," said he, and he -threw the compass into the clouds. "A fall is a fine thing. You know -that there have been a few victims from Pilatre des Rosiers down to -Lieutenant Gale, and these misfortunes have always been caused by -imprudence. Pilatre des Rosiers ascended in company with Remain, at -Boulogne, on the 13th of June, 1785. To his balloon, inflated with gas, -he had suspended a _mongolfier_ filled with warm air, undoubtedly to -save the trouble of letting off gas, or throwing out ballast. It was -like putting a chafing-dish beneath a powder-cask. The imprudent men -rose to a height of four hundred metres, and encountered opposing winds, -which drove them over the ocean. In order to descend, Pilatre attempted -to open the valve of the aerostat; but the cord of this valve caught in -the balloon, and tore it so that it was emptied in an instant. It fell -on the mongolfier, overturned it, and the imprudent men were dashed to -pieces in a few seconds. It is _frightful, is_ it not?" said the -unknown, shaking me from my torpor. - -I could reply only by these words: - -"In pity, let us descend! The clouds are gathering around us in every -direction, and frightful detonations reverberating from the cavity of -the aerostat are multiplying around us." - -"You make me impatient!" said he. "You shall no longer know whether we -are ascending or descending." - -And the barometer went after the compass, along with some bags of sand. -We must have been at a height of four thousand metres. Some icicles were -attached to the sides of the car, and a sort of fine snow penetrated to -my bones. Meanwhile a terrific storm was bursting beneath our feet. We -were above it. - -"Do not fear," said my strange companion; "it is only imprudence that -makes victims. Olivari, who perished at Orleans, ascended in a -mongolfier made of paper; his car, suspended below the chafing-dish, and -ballasted with combustible materials, became a prey to the flames! -Olivari fell, and was killed. Mosment ascended at Lille, on a light -platform; an oscillation made him lose his equilibrium. Mosment fell, -and was killed. Bittorf, at Manheim, saw his paper balloon take fire in -the air! Bittorf fell, and was killed. Harris ascended in a balloon -badly constructed, the valve of which was too large to be closed again. -Harris fell, and was killed. Sadler, deprived of ballast by his long -stay in the air, was dragged over the city of Boston, and thrown against -the chimneys. Sadler fell, and was killed. Cocking descended with a -convex parachute which he pretended to have perfected. Cocking fell, and -was killed. Well, I love them, those noble victims of their courage! and -I will die like them! Higher! higher!" - -All the phantoms of this necrology were passing before my eyes! The -rarefaction of the air and the rays of tile sun increased the dilatation -of the gas; the balloon continued to ascend! I mechanically attempted to -open the valve; but the unknown cut the cord a few feet above my head. I -was lost! - -"Did you see Madame Blanchard fall?" said he to me. "I saw her, I--yes, -I was at Tivoli on the 6th of July, 1819. Madame Blanchard ascended in a -balloon of small size, to save the expense of filling; she was therefore -obliged to inflate it entirely, and the gas escaped by the lower -orifice, leaving on its route a train of hydrogen. She carried, -suspended above her car, by an iron wire, a kind of firework, forming an -aureola, which she was to kindle. She had often repeated this -experiment. On this occasion she carried, besides, a little parachute, -ballasted by a firework terminating in a ball with silver rain. She was -to launch this apparatus, after having lighted it with a _lance a feu_, -prepared for the purpose. She ascended. The night was dark. At the -moment of lighting the firework, she was so imprudent as to let the -lance pass beneath the column of hydrogen, which was escaping from the -balloon. My eyes were fixed on her. Suddenly an unexpected flash -illuminated the darkness. I thought it a surprise of the skilful -aeronaut. The flame increased, suddenly disappeared, and re-appeared at -the top of the aerostat under the form of an immense jet of burning gas. -This sinister light projected over the Boulevard, and over the quarter -Montmartre. Then I saw the unfortunate woman rise, twice attempt to -compress the orifice of the balloon, to extinguish the fire, then seat -herself in the car and seek to direct its descent; for she did not fall. -The combustion of the gas lasted several minutes. The balloon, -diminishing by degrees, continued to descend, but this was not a fall! -The wind blew from the northeast, and drove her over Paris. There were, -at that time, in the neighbourhood of the house No. 16 Rue de Provence, -immense gardens. The aeronaut might have fallen there without danger. -But unhappily the balloon and the car alighted on the roof of the house. -The shock was slight. 'Help!' cried the unfortunate woman. I arrived in -the street at that moment. The car slid along the roof, and encountered -an iron hook. At this shock, Madame Blanchard was thrown out of the car, -and precipitated on the pavement! She was killed!" - -These histories of fatal augury froze me with horror. The unknown was -standing upright, with bare head, bristling hair, haggard eyes. - -Illusion was no longer possible. I saw at last the horrible truth. I had -to deal with a madman! - -He threw out half the ballast, and we must have been borne to a height -of 7000 metres! Blood spouted from my nose and mouth. - -"What a fine thing it is to be martyrs to science! They are canonized by -posterity!" - -I heard no more. The unknown looked around him with horror, and knelt at -my ear. - -"On the 7th of October, 1804, the weather had began to clear up a -little; for several days preceding, the wind and rain had been -incessant. But the ascension announced by Zambecarri could not be -postponed! His idiot enemies already scoffed at him. To save himself and -science from public ridicule, it became necessary for him to ascend. It -was at Bologna! No one aided him in filling his balloon; he rose at -midnight, accompanied by Andreoli and Grossetti. The balloon ascended -slowly; it had been rent by the wind, and the gas escaped. The three -intrepid voyagers could observe the state of the barometer only by the -aid of a dark lantern. Zambecarri had not eaten during twenty-four -hours; Grossetti was also fasting. - -"'My friends,' said Zambecarri, 'I am benumbed with the cold; I am -exhausted; I must die;' and he fell senseless in the gallery. - -"It was the same with Grossetti. Andreoli alone remained awake. After -long efforts he succeeded in arousing Zambecarri from his stupor. - -"'What is there new? Where are we going? In which direction is the wind? -What time is it?' - -"' It is two o'clock!' - -"' Where is the compass?' - -"'It has fallen out.' - -"' Great God! the lamp is extinguished!' - -"' It could not burn longer in this rarefied air!' said Zambecarri. - -"The moon had not risen; the atmosphere was plunged in horrible -darkness. - -"' I am cold, I am cold, Andreoli! What shall we do?' - -"The unfortunate men slowly descended through a layer of white clouds. - -"'Hush!' said Andreoli; 'do you hear--' - -"' What?' replied Zambecarri. - -"'A singular noise!' - -"'You are mistaken!' - -"'No!--Do you see those midnight travellers, listening to that -incomprehensible sound? Have they struck against a rower? Are they about -to be precipitated on the roofs? Do you hear it? It is like the sound of -the ocean!' - -"'Impossible!' - -"' It is the roaring of the waves!' - -"' That is true!--Light! light!' - -"After five fruitless attempts, Andreoli obtained it. It was three -o'clock. The sound of the waves was heard with violence; they almost -touched the surface of the sea. - -"' We are lost!' exclaimed Zambecarri, seizing a bag of ballast. - -"' Help!' cried Andreoli. - -"The car touched the water, and the waves covered them breast high. To -the sea with instruments, garments, money! The aeronauts stripped -entirely. The lightened balloon rose with frightful rapidity. Zambecarri -was seized with violent vomiting. Grossetti bled freely. The unhappy men -could not speak; their respiration was short. They were seized with -cold, and in a moment covered with a coat of ice. The moon appeared to -them red as blood. After having traversed these high regions during half -an hour, the machine again fell into the sea. It was four o'clock in the -morning: the bodies of the wretched aeronauts were half in the water, -and the balloon, acting as a sail, dragged them about during several -hours. At daybreak, they found themselves opposite Pesaro, five miles -from the shore; they were about to land, when a sudden flow of wind -drove them back to the open sea. They were lost! The affrighted barks -fled at their approach. Fortunately, a more intelligent navigator hailed -them, took them on board; and they landed at Ferrara. That was -frightful! Zambecarri was a brave man. Scarcely recovered from his -sufferings, he recommenced his ascensions. In one of them, he struck -against a tree; his lamp, filled with spirits of wine, was spilled over -his clothes, and they caught fire; he was covered with flame; his machine -was beginning to kindle, when he descended, half burned. The 21st -September, 1812, he made another ascension at Bologna; his balloon -caught in a tree; his lamp set fire to it. Zambecarri fell, and was -killed! And in presence of these high facts, shall we still hesitate? -No! The higher we go the more glorious will be our death." - -The balloon, entirely unballasted, we were borne to incredible heights. -The aerostat vibrated in the atmosphere; the slightest sound re-echoed -through the celestial vaults; the globe, the only object which struck my -sight in immensity, seemed about to be annihilated, and above us the -heights of heaven lost themselves in the profound darkness! - -I saw the unknown rise before me. - -"This is the hour!" said he to me. "We must die! We are rejected by -men! They despise us! let us crush them!" - -"Mercy!" exclaimed I. - -"Let us cut the cords! let this car be abandoned in space! The -attractive force will change its direction, and we shall land in the -sun!" - -Despair gave me strength! I precipitated myself upon the madman, and a -frightful struggle took place! But I was thrown down! and while he held -me beneath his knee, he cut the cords of the car! - -"One!" said he. - -"Mercy! O, God!" - -"Two! three!" - -One cord more, and the car was sustained only on one side. I made a -superhuman effort, rose, and violently repulsed this insensate. - -"Four!" said he. - -The car was overset. I instinctively clung to the cords which held it, -and climbed up the outside. - -The unknown had disappeared in space! - -In a twinkling the balloon ascended to an immeasurable height! A -horrible crash was heard. The dilated gas had burst its envelope! I -closed my eyes. A few moments afterwards, a moist warmth reanimated me; -I was in the midst of fiery clouds! The balloon was whirling with -fearful rapidity! I felt myself swooning! Driven by the wind, I -travelled a hundred leagues an hour in my horizontal course; the -lightnings flashed around me! - -Meanwhile my fall was not rapid. When I opened my eyes, I perceived the -country. I was two miles from the sea, the hurricane urging me on with -great force. I was lost, when a sudden shock made me let go; my hands -opened, a cord slipped rapidly between my fingers, and I found myself on -the ground. It was the cord of the anchor, which, sweeping the surface -of the ground, had caught in a crevice! I fainted, and my lightened -balloon, resuming its flight, was lost beyond the sea. - -When I recovered my senses, I was in the house of a peasant, at -Harderwick, a little town of Gueldre, fifteen leagues from Amsterdam, on -the banks of the Zuyderzee. - -A miracle had saved me. But my voyage had been but a series of -imprudences against which I had been unable to defend myself. - -May this terrific recital, while it instructs those who read it, not -discourage the explorers of the routes of air. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A VOYAGE IN A BALLOON (1852)*** - - -******* This file should be named 16085.txt or 16085.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/0/8/16085 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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