one of the Cannons (a Six-pounder) was first fired in the Castle-yard,
to inform the City and Neighbourhood, that the necessary Preparations
were making to inflate the Balloon.
Till VIII that Morning, the Air had been hazy: but was then clear,
bright and calm _below_, with an upper Tier of light Clouds in the
Zenith moving from South-West by West, and dense ones rising in the
Horizon.
[Sidenote: At X, the Inflation began with a small Balloon.]
8. At X o’Clock, the Process began with the Inflation of an airostatic
Globe eighteen Feet in Circumference, of Silk Tiffany, made the latter
End of the Year 1783, and decorated with Painting, Mottoes and Devices:
in the Performance of which little Work, Mr. Baldwin was (in the
modern Phrase) the sole Projector, Architect Workman and Chymist.
[Sidenote: An airostatic Globe liberated as Pioneer to the great one.]
9. The Airostat was presently liberated by the Hands of Mr. Lunardi;
and continuing to turn gently the same Way round its own Axis, afforded
a beautiful Spectacle to the Beholders: remaining in Sight about half
an Hour. It was intended to serve as a Sort of Pioneer, to delineate
the Track of the great Balloon.
[Sidenote: Its Fate.]
10. It fell at some Miles Distance, ’tis said unfortunately on a Hedge,
and was presently torn to Pieces by the Eagerness and Avarice of the
Pursuers, who expected and undeservedly obtained the Reward promised in
the Letter appended to it.
[Sidenote: Second Cannon at XII.]
11. At XII the Cannon fired a second Time, to announce that the Process
was in a proper Degree of Forwardness.
At this Time Mr. Baldwin went, with some Friends, to take an early
Dinner: he also recapitulated the Articles, to be certain that Nothing
was omitted.
[Sidenote: Inventory for the Voyage.]
12. The following Inventory, with which he ascended, may be of Use to
future Aironauts; to whom _only_ it is addressed.
The Cable and Grapple are considered as Part of the Balloon. (See