brother and I wandered one afternoon with a view of going off to one
of the ships in ordinary. We waited for a long time hoping to see a
waterman, but as no one appeared we took French leave and rowed away in
a flat-bottomed boat which had previously been pulled up high and dry.
It happened to blow a strong westerly wind, but, boy-like, we took
little heed of this until we got well out into the middle of the
Medway. Then we discovered our mistake, as the wind and tide were
setting one way; we missed the ship, and were swept down the river in
the direction of Long Reach. All the efforts we made to pull were of no
avail, but it so happened that our course was towards the guard-ship
“Prince Regent.” We managed to row as nearly as possible in this
direction with a view of obtaining assistance, but the waves were very
rough, and had it not been for a seaman who hailed us out of the port
bow we should have been carried away to Sheerness, and perhaps to sea.
This worthy, perceiving that we had no control over the boat, sung out
lustily, “Pull in shore, my lads,” a piece of advice which we were just
enabled to put in practice; by so doing, we crossed the river, and,
although we were taken a long way on the weather side, yet here we
were less exposed to the wind and tide. My brother then took off his
clothes, and pushed the boat up by the stern. It was a long and tedious
undertaking, but we got back safely and deposited the boat as we found
it, without complaint or even detection.
In the year 1832, my father was taken seriously ill with a pulmonary
complaint, brought on by injuries he received in boarding a Spanish
line-of-battle ship. Several of his ribs were broken in this action,
and he was never able to go to sea again, as it brought on spitting of
blood. In the month of June he breathed his last, and as my mother was
an invalid, and the neighbourhood was not considered to suit her case,
we soon left the seaport and moved to Eltham, which was not far distant
from Woolwich, where my eldest brother was previously stationed in a
frigate. A school was selected for myself and second brother in the
vicinity of Woolwich Common, where young gentlemen, as at Chatham, were
prepared for the Military College.
During our stay at Eltham, I frequently used to spy balloons in the
air, as they came from some of the Metropolitan gardens. Often have I
watched them career along with a degree of interest which fast gained
upon me, so that nothing would do, but I must go up to London and see,
if possible, Mr. Green.
I was walking out one evening, when an object emerged from the clouds,
which was rapidly descending. I perceived the grapnel at the end of a
rope, and knew all about it in a moment.
Here was a chance of witnessing a descent. My heart leaped with joy,
and I stood still until I made out the balloon’s course.
That being settled, I struck out like a hunter over hedges and ditches,
and came up at the death before the gas had been exhausted.
It was Mr. Green’s balloon! The aëronaut was very busy, and, as I
thought, rather ill tempered with the people for not standing back as
he ordered them.
In my anxiety to get a close view, I first came in contact with the
celebrated aërial voyager. I was pushing my way to the front ranks,
and was looking at the valve, when I was admonished for my pains, and
informed that I had better go to Greenwich Hospital. This advice raised
a laugh, though I was at a loss to understand the reason, until my
personal appearance became the subject of observation; then I perceived
the force of Mr. Green’s remark.
It appeared that my face was covered with scratches and blood. I had
unflinchingly taken the shortest route, and, in my excitement, had
bounded through every obstacle that came in my way, even hedges and
ditches, so that, without knowing it, I was the veriest object among
the crowd, my clothes being bedaubed and torn; whilst my hands and face
were scored terribly.
The ardent desire to have a close view of a balloon having been
gratified, I now determined to watch the newspapers for the next
ascent, and to be present at the inflation; but as aërial voyages
were not quite so frequent about this time as they became a few years
later, I had to wait some months; and as a change had taken place in
my scholastic movements, I was not exactly master of my time, having
become a parlour boarder at a fresh school, viz., at Northampton House,
Camberwell.
It seemed a very long while before I heard anything in reference to
an intended ascent. At last a placard caught my eye as I was out
exercising with my schoolfellows.
Mr. Green was going up from the Surrey Zoological Gardens, and as our
playground was not more than a mile distant in a straight line, I
expected to get a tolerable view, especially as there were some stately
elms in our grounds, which I was bent upon mounting.
Long before there was any chance of catching sight of the balloon,
I had climbed up the highest tree by way of reconnoitering. The
boys generally manifested great interest in the affair; but my zeal
was acknowledged to be in advance of the rest, and I was considered
an authority on the matter, and looked up to as one who could give
information of the proceedings.
Twice had I perched myself on a lofty branch before I could announce
anything satisfactory; at last I perceived the top of the balloon and
communicated afterwards that it was filling out and getting higher, so
that there was a general look-out, and when I signified that she was
off, a cheer arose greeting the information, and there was a cry of
“bravo Harry,” as if _I_ had committed myself to the realms of space
instead of to the tree top as a mere look-out. Not many days passed
before the faculty of imitation was brought into play, so far as we
could manage it, in the hour allotted to recreation.
As to a balloon, we could not improvise one of any magnitude, but
I bethought me that a car might be manufactured, and that we could
attach this to a strong branch of an elm, and swing off as if we were
emulating Mr. Green. A wooden construction was forthwith knocked up,
and cords attached to take an equal bearing, and then a good thick
rope was fastened to the whole and made fast to an elastic arm of the
chosen tree; a second cord was fixed to the body of the tree by which
the car was drawn in and secured. I then took my seat and invited a
passenger to accompany me; it wasn’t every lad who cared about the
venture, but I found a companion and let go the side rope. We swung
out to a considerable distance, and fancied ourselves aëronauts; but
the sport was cut short by the head master who would not sanction that
particular kind of ballooning, as he considered it more perilous to
life and limb even than a more extended flight in _nubibus_.
On the following Whit Monday I ascertained that Mr. Green was to make
another ascent from the Surrey Gardens, and I obtained permission to
devote that day to aëronautics. On my arrival in the morning I found
that I was the first visitor, and that the gate had not been thrown
open. When I had hung about and paraded up and down for more than an
hour the gate-keeper took pity on me, and I was allowed to enter; not
of course without paying. I found my way to the spot selected for
filling, but no gas had gone in as yet, in fact Mr. Green and some
other men were laying the balloon out, which suited me admirably, as I
wished, beyond all things, to see the process from its commencement.
I was wondering whether the aëronaut would recognise me as the boy with
a scratched face who made himself conspicuous at his former descent.
The aëronaut, however, was intent upon his business and anxious to
proceed with it, as I inferred from repeated references to an enormous
silver watch.
Presently a workman presented himself with a large iron key to the
gas valve, and this man, although a rough lazy-looking fellow, was
pronounced by Mr. Green to be the most welcome visitor he had seen yet,
by which I took it that he meant no offence to me, but that he was the
individual who could render him the most important service. Shortly
after the man with the key disappeared, the silk began to rise, and the
aëronaut was all astir in allowing gas to flow towards the valve, and
to expand the top part first.
I had a good opportunity of noticing every movement that was made, and
in my eagerness to gather information I followed Mr. Green about, and
almost fancied that he looked upon me as if I were too officious. I
would fain have spoken to him, but there was a peculiar curl about his
lips which conveyed the idea that I had better mind my own affairs, and
leave him to himself. Still there was something strongly characteristic
about his bearing I thought, he was very precise and skilful in his
manipulations, and looked to me like a man who engaged in his vocation
from motives of scientific interest, rather than from those of vanity.
I felt rather glad when the public began to assemble, especially on
the arrival of some of Mr. Green’s friends, as I heard the passing
conversation, and got some information in that way.
“Well Mr. Green,” said one gentleman, “who is going up to-day”?
“You are Sir, if you think proper, your twenty pounds is just as good
as another’s.”
This interrogator confined himself to the one question, only he
seemed quite satisfied. For my part I received a wet blanket to all my
youthful aspirations. If that is the fee I thought, it will be many a
day and year before I can think of ascending.
Although there was a splendid collection of animals to be seen, and
many other things besides, yet I never left the balloon until it was
filled and away. I question whether, among the young people assembled,
there was a more attentive visitor than myself. The only drawback
to the great pleasure I derived in seeing a balloon filled, was the
appearance and manners of those connected with the undertaking.
I had read of Pilatre de Rosier, a man of high attainments, of
Gay-Lussac, the eminent French chemist, and of Lunardi, the Secretary
of the Neapolitan Ambassador; and I thought that the aërial party I
had seen fell short of my expectations in more respects than one; but
if the standard by which I ought to have judged was competency and
professional aptitude, then I felt that credit for all that kind of
thing was eminently due to the Greens.
Some time before my visit to the Surrey Gardens I had been amusing
myself in making boats and in fitting them up for a miniature race in a
large fish pond.
All my carpenter’s tools and ship-building knowledge were now
thrown aside for Montgolfiers and air balloons. I could hold forth
on aërostation and illustrate the principles of that science with
tolerable proficiency by the time I was fifteen years of age. But I was
devoting too much time to this kind of work, that is, if the opinions
of my well wishers and friends were correct.
My elder brother, who was a wise and good man, thought it high time
that more serious tastes appertaining to a profession should take the
place of mere airy nothings, which appeared to absorb so much of my
attention. It was pointed out, that as our prospects in life had been
changed through certain property having passed into other hands, and
as our interest, owing to the death of my father, was less likely than
formerly to get myself and second brother into the navy and army, we
should prepare ourselves, if need be, for commercial engagements, which
would, perhaps, prove more advantageous and profitable than the kind
of occupation we had been led to expect that we should ultimately be
engaged in.
Although my eldest brother was a naval officer, yet he was of a
philosophical and religious turn of mind, and his actions added such
weight to his convictions, that he may be said to have been our second
father in all kinds of excellent advice. It was not that he evinced
the slightest indifference to any branch of science, on the contrary,
he frequently used to converse with me about balloons, and was, to a
certain extent, pleased that I had possessed myself of some information
on the subject; but he laid stress upon the folly of one in my position
thinking very much of such things, and I must needs own that his
arguments had their temporary influence, and subdued for a while a
passion which was seen to be growing by none more than those who were
near and dear to me.
It was the year 1835, when I had shot up a few inches and had changed
a blue jacket for a black tail coat, that the reality of life, and
the importance of doing something, came pretty strong upon my mind.
My brother John had already been despatched to a counting-house in
Amsterdam, he had finally given up all hope of going to sea, and
knew there was very little chance for me as regards the Army. Family
affairs, and what is called destiny, seemed to be dead set against our
serving our country, although no two boys ever longed to do so more
than ourselves.
My eldest brother, too, had left the service, not on account of natural
distaste to it, for no officer was ever more zealous, but, owing to
religious scruples, he had resigned his commission just as he had
completed a course of study on board the “Excellent.”
These slight references to domestic matters being essential, and indeed
inseparable from my own life, I mention them--though with all possible
brevity.
The tail coat and other indications of becoming a young man, did not
produce a positive and settled belief in any special line of life for
which I considered myself suited. I was by no means quick in forming an
opinion myself. One of my sisters--I had two at that time--used to say
I should make a good clergyman. Perhaps I might have done so, many a
youth mistakes his calling; but the truth is that I hardly knew what to
turn to.
In the meantime I used to indulge, oftentimes clandestinely, in my
favourite pastime by visiting the public gardens of London; I should
state by-the-bye, only to see what was going on in the aëronautic way.
During the following year something remarkable, in that line, had
engaged public attention. It was the building of a very large balloon,
at Vauxhall Gardens, by Messrs. Gye and Hughes, under the personal
superintendence, and according to the plans of Mr. Green. This was
something new and absorbing, that diverted my fancy from other affairs,
and set me reading the papers and talking about the matter, until I
became a perfect bore to my associates. I soon learnt full particulars,
including the number of yards of silk to be employed, its texture
and quality, the cubic contents of the balloon, and how many people
it would raise, &c., &c., all of which induced me to believe that
everybody was as interested in the affair as myself.
I prattled and enquired, until it occurred to the home minister, in
other words, to my elder brother, that some step had better be taken to
settle my mind in a solid and business train of thought.
Would I go to Holland, and become a merchant’s clerk?
No objection--I would try my hand at it, but I questioned whether I
could stand it.
Was there anything to prevent my starting at once?
Nothing particular, only I should like to see the first ascent of that
large balloon which was to ascend shortly.
What were such vain and trifling affairs compared with Henry’s future
prospects? asked my sage mentor.
“Just so, but a week’s delay won’t make much difference,” was my
answer, “especially as I have as yet no regular engagement.”
“Shall we arrange that you join your brother in September, at
Amsterdam?”
“Yes, after the 9th, I shall be ready to leave.”
The launching of the Vauxhall balloon was a day “big with fate,” and
the morning was auspicious; but at two o’clock the weather changed, and
from that time until half-past four it rained incessantly. Thirty-six
policemen were placed around the balloon during the inflation, each
taking charge of one of the cords connected with the network. Forty-one
iron weights, of fifty-six pounds each, were attached to the cordage;
these were soon three feet from the ground, and the policemen were
then compelled to pass their staves through the meshes, to prevent the
cords cutting their hands. This combined resistance was, however, found
insufficient, and twenty other persons were called to assist. By this
time the netting and silk must have absorbed 300 lbs. weight of water,
besides a quantity retained on the top of the balloon. The inflation
was completed in four hours and five minutes; twenty-four bags of
ballast, weighing together 400 lbs., were then placed in the car, and
the grapnel was attached with an elastic cord of caoutchouc and hemp,
which was designed to prevent any sudden jerk in stopping the balloon.
The aërial party consisted of nine persons, including five of the
family of the Greens, besides Captain Currie, Mr. Hildyard, Mr.
Holland, Mr. Edwin Gye and Mr. William Hughes--sons of the proprietors
of Vauxhall Gardens.
The appearance of the balloon was truly magnificent; and, though
ponderous, nothing could exceed its graceful beauty. Mr. Green found
that the ascending power was considerably more than he had announced to
the public, he was therefore compelled to allow 15,000 cubic feet of
gas to escape before he could release the balloon from its moorings,
there not being room in the car for more voyagers.
All being ready, the ropes were loosened, and the stupendous machine
shot rapidly into the upper regions. It proceeded at first to the east,
but soon took a south-easterly direction.
The gardens, and every avenue leading to them, appeared to be one solid
mass of human beings; in fact there was not an elevated spot within two
miles which was not covered with spectators.
The course of the balloon was along the Thames, in the direction of
Gravesend. The grappling iron first touched ground near the village of
Cliffe, in Kent; and, after slightly catching several times, took a
firm hold. The voyagers enjoyed themselves much.
This imposing spectacle having passed off satisfactorily, and a large
amount of curiosity having been gratified on my side, I was now ready
to start for Amsterdam. A berth was secured on board the “Romona,”
and I left St. Katherine’s Wharf in tolerable spirits; but in passing
Southend and Sheerness I fell into a dejected mood, when I contrasted
my youthful longings with the present mercantile mission to Holland.
It was of no use, our interests with the Navy and Army authorities
had been neglected, the heads of the family had taken a more serious
turn, and it was absolutely necessary that I should do something for my
living.
On leaving the Nore and getting well out to sea, our passengers on
deck had wonderfully decreased; there was a stiff breeze on, and the
attendance at dinner fell short of the steward’s expectations. Those
who were equal to feeding became none the less sociable, and I was glad
to sit by the side of a communicative young merchant bound for the
Rhine. Among other topics, the subject of aërostation was broached by
my fellow-traveller; he, too, had seen the ascent of the great balloon,
and longed some day, like myself, to have an aërial excursion.
The more we got away from land, the stronger it came on to blow, in
fact we had a very dirty night of it, but crossed the bar all right
soon after daylight, and got up to Rotterdam about the time we were
expected. My brother John, who was there to meet me, proposed that
we should go to the Dutch capital by a canal boat: I was agreeably
surprised to find how fluently he could chat to the men, and with what
apparent ease he smoked an enormous pipe and drank black coffee.
After a week’s wandering about Amsterdam, I was introduced for the
first time into a counting-house. I made a great effort for some weeks
to take an interest in the proceedings and to do as I was requested,
but natural aptitude failed me. I did not take kindly to a single duty
and became conscious that I was looked upon as a dunce. A sharp bilious
attack followed my novitiate, and it was pretty evident that whatever
my element might be, I was not in it at that particular time and place.
As the long evenings came on, my brother used to read and translate the
newspapers.
About the second week in November he observed some intelligence which
was sure to please and excite me.
“Now, do pay attention, Henry,” he added, “Mr. Green has crossed the
Channel, with two other gentlemen, in the Vauxhall balloon, and landed
in Germany.”
“Read on, I am all attention John.”
I then heard the full particulars of that extraordinary voyage. The
result was a balloon fever, which was by no means suited to my position
at that time.
My brother and Herr von L---- observed in me a greater distaste
than ever to counting-house duties, and I was heartily glad when an
unexpected turn in our affairs was brought about, by which we were to
leave Amsterdam and return home.
A change of our family residence was the next movement of any
importance in my history. We had resolved upon going up to London. My
brother John was now provided for, and I was to watch his advancement,
and, if possible, follow in his steps, as there would be no difficulty
in getting a berth for me.
Eventually I tried my hand at it, but it was of no use; I sickened and
gave it up, much to the disappointment of my friends.
Whatever was to be done with me now? That, indeed, was a serious
question.
“I think,” said an observing acquaintance one evening, as he placed his
hand towards his mouth as if in the act of removing some artificial
teeth, “I have thought of an occupation that will suit Henry. This
morning,” he said, “I had occasion to visit my dentist, and he inquired
if I knew of any youth of a mechanical turn of mind who would like to
become his pupil.”
The idea was no sooner broached than it struck me as being in the right
direction.
I caught at it and agreed to turn it over in my mind, nor did I fail to
do so. Forthwith I waited upon several surgeon-dentists, and at last
had an interview with a very clever practitioner, who had formerly
been a surgeon in the navy. This gentleman was eminently calculated to
ingratiate himself, and to present to my notice the kind of work which
a dental student would have to perform.
It was not long before an agreement was drawn up, and I embarked in the
undertaking.
The right vein was here hit upon, it was thought. I set to with a
will, and ere many weeks had elapsed, I brought home such specimens of
workmanship as warranted the expectation that I should soon take to,
and excel in my new vocation.
As it happened, both departments of dental surgery became equally
attractive; that is the surgical as well as the mechanical. By the
time I was proficient and just of age, I became entitled to an amount
of cash, which enabled me to order a brass plate and commence business
with patients on my own account. I had to form a connection, however,
and to bide my time for the coming in of fees.
Unfortunately, perhaps, this uphill beginning left a deal of spare time
on my hands, so that ever and anon I required--or thought I did--a
little recreation.
In taking up a newspaper to see what was going on in the way of
rational amusement, I happened to observe an advertisement of an
intended balloon ascent by Mr. Hampton.
This notice, coupled with a desire for change, led me to decide upon an
outing. My taste for ballooning grew apace, and soon became a passion.
Whenever an ascent was advertised I was almost sure to be there, and,
as a strong liking for any adventurous and scientific calling leads to
acquaintance with kindred spirits, I became familiar with a number of
regular attendants at balloon _fêtes_, and soon acquired a reputation
for knowing as much--and some said more--than many of those who had
been brought up to it.
From my seventeenth up to my twentieth year I had seen most of the
aërostatic sights that had engaged public attention near London. I had
witnessed a balloon race from Vauxhall, and saw the aërial competitors
come in actual collision without doing injury. I had seen Mrs. Graham
ascend and her husband as well. I had seen the great Nassau balloon
before and after it took Messrs. Hollond, Green, and Mason to Germany,
as already described.
In the year 1837 I went into ballooning with a will, and my visits to
the balloon grounds were regular, but I was prevented from seeing Mr.
Cocking’s parachute attached to the great balloon, although I saw it
suspended in the air from London Bridge as it bore down Eltham way, and
was struck with its cumbrous and rigid convex form, so ill adapted,
I thought, to offer sufficient resistance, and to possess adequate
strength for reaching the ground in safety.