appearance that her chances for a ride were few indeed. A policeman
endeavoured to check her zeal, but she saluted me with her umbrella,
and in return for this rough but well-meant compliment I left the
enclosure and offered the good soul my arm, escorting her to the car
amidst a roar of merriment which lasted for some minutes. Orders were
given to let out to the full extent of the rope, and up we went amidst
deafening cheers and lively music when the lady returned thanks with
her umbrella and repeated the noddings from a shovel-shaped bonnet
which bespoke her humble--though at the moment elevated--position.
This little episode being completed, I summoned the aspirants for
aëronautic honours. They were Mr. H. Zeise of Altona, Dr. Braun, and
Herr Kruss.
The barometer on the earth was 29.1½, and the temperature 10° Reaumur.
We were eighty-eight Hamburg feet above the sea level where we started,
and the wind was south.
The “Sylph” ascended soon after 2 p.m., and although the breeze was
fresh the sky was clear, so that a fine view of the town, the Alster
and the Elbe was to be had immediately on rising. After letting go a
parachute and watching its downward course for ten minutes, Herr Zeise
drew forth a bottle of champagne which had been some years in his
cellar, and prepared us for a toast. It was not to be one of a personal
or flattering character, but a heartfelt sentiment called forth by the
country we were going in the direction of.
After discharging the cork which rolled away earthwards, Herr Zeise
with uplifted cap and radiant face which inspired us all with
enthusiasm, cried out “_Schleswig-Holstein lebe hoch_.” The other
Hamburgers cordially echoed the feelings expressed, and I was ready
myself to accord almost with anything, seeing that my companions were
so friendly and communicative.
After the glasses were replenished there was an interchange of
civilities in which the pilot was not neglected, and at three o’clock
we became rather more philosophical and took down the following
observations of elevation and time, although these little records in no
way interfered with conviviality and enjoyment:--
Time. Barometer. Height in Feet. Thermometer.
3· 5 24·6·0 3348 10° R.
3·10 24·3·2 3628
3·15 23·0·4 3911
3·20 23·10·7 4084
3·25 23·11·3 4923 4° R.
3·30 23·7·3 5433
3·35 23·10·2 4185
3·40 24·1·0 3850
3·45 25·1·5 3786 6° R.
As we knew our direction was towards Kiel, I arranged just before 4
o’clock to descend, this was the more desirable from the fact that we
were surrounded with cloud and could not see far ahead or beneath. When
the balloon was within 600 feet of the earth, the report of several
small arms aroused our attention, especially when the discharge was
followed by the whirring of flying visitors in the shape of lead.
“Is it possible we have been shot at?” asked Dr. Braun.
I replied by begging the doctor to empty a bag of sand, and did so
myself as quickly as possible.
There was little doubt in my own mind that we had been made a target
of, because I distinctly heard the “Sylph” struck in the region of the
equator, and discovered holes in that part afterwards.
Our downward course having been checked, we glided in a slanting
direction towards the earth; but the attitude of the country people
confirmed the belief that we were viewed as hostile rather than
friendly visitors, and instead of the villagers greeting us as usual,
they kept aloof, fired, and were presently joined by others with
rifles, and had I not requested Herr Zeise to tell them we were friends
from Hamburg, we should no doubt have received another volley directed
at our own heads instead of the “Sylph.”
When this was explained the people ran to us and stated that they had
taken us for Danish spies, and had really shot at the balloon.
I now proposed that instead of letting off the gas two of us should go
a little farther.
Herr Zeise was allowed by general consent to have the preference, the
other gentlemen being anxious to get back and report themselves.
We took in some earth to make up for the loss of weight, but the
Holsteiners very correctly guessed that by ascending again we were
not over well satisfied with our reception, notwithstanding the
explanations about being taken for Danes.
We left the place where we were fired into at 4h. 27m., after which the
following readings were taken of the second voyage:--
Time. Barometer. Height in Feet. Thermometer.
4·45 24·6·0 3306 5° R.
4·50 23·7·3 4378
4·55 23·1·7 4950 3° R.
5· 0 23·6·8 4430
5·15 descended near Kiel.
It was only the lateness of the season that prevented the repetition
of my autumnal ascents; the public were anxious that they should
not cease, and the seats in the car were bespoken for at least
half-a-dozen trips. I determined then to re-commence in the spring of
1850, and went back to England in order to spend the winter at home.
In the year 1850 I returned to Hamburg, and before ascending gave
lectures on aërostation at the _Ton Halle_, after which a new cirque
was erected outside the _Dammthor_, where I made several ascents.
When the fine weather commenced two or three distinguished men came
northward on purpose to accompany me. The first was Count Schaffgotsch,
of Berlin, a scientific man and well-known amateur chemist. The Count,
by his own wish, was the only passenger on May 22nd, when we journeyed
into Hanover.
On May 26th Count Paul Esterhazy did me the honour of taking a seat by
my side, and opposite to us sat Captain James, an Englishman, and a
merchant of Hamburg.
We had a splendid trip in the direction of Lubeck, and there was one
incident attending it which vastly pleased the Hungarian nobleman, and
produced no small amount of excitement at our descent.
As we were travelling rapidly in the direction of the East Sea it was
necessary to come to an anchorage, after emerging rather suddenly from
a dense cloud. On the leeward side of a wood a good landing place
was descried, but in scudding over the tree tops the grapnel caught
a lofty branch, and the “Sylph” was brought up unexpectedly while we
were yet hovering over the forest. There were only two courses open
to us for getting free; the first was to slip the cable and leave the
grapnel behind; the second remedy was for one passenger to descend the
rope and loosen the iron, and get down the tree as best he could. My
own duty consisted in remaining by the “Sylph,” for the guidance of
the remaining passengers, but fortunately Captain James was ready for
the emergency, and dashed over the side of the car in British seaman
fashion, lowering himself away hand under hand as we cheered him down
until he was lodged in the branches, and reported that he could push
out the flukes of the grapnel in a “brace of shakes.”
The noble fellow lost his hat in descending, which was blown away and
stuck in a bough.
Before the iron was pushed out, I asked what height Captain James had
to go down and whether he could manage the tree.
“Never mind me,” said the sailor, “look out for a lurch and do not go
far, as I shall be rather out of my reckoning when I get below.”
Having cleared the trees I threw open the valve to its full extent, and
we made good a landing not far from the place where James landed on the
tree top.
Two or three men were immediately sent to the wood with Mr. H----, our
fellow voyager, to assist Captain James.
Some hundreds of country people collected in an incredibly short time,
and before the gas had escaped, another hundred or two bore down upon
us with an object of attraction in the shape of a sturdy but rather
short man with a white kerchief bound round his head. The mob appeared
to be impressed with the belief that the robust stranger was either
wrong in his head or injured in that part.
He came tripping along with a firm and buoyant gait, but had evidently
lost temper, and his hat into the bargain.
“Do pray,” said Captain James, “assure these good people, that I am
uninjured, some of them saw me come down the tree rather sharp, and no
doubt take me for an orang-outang, others imagine my figure-head is
smashed--do tell them I am all right, and as lively as a kitten.”
“Of that I am sure they have had convincing proof; remove your
handkerchief and they will then see that your head is as sound as need
be.”
The Captain did so, and when the country people comprehended that he
had lost his hat, a cap was tendered for his use, which was accepted
and paid for.
After accomplishing other voyages from Hamburg, I directed my steps to
Hanover with the intention of travelling south, so as to reach Vienna.
The only spot in Hanover where an ascent was practicable, happened to
be a public garden, situated on the Marien Island, and pretty well
adapted for the required purpose. One drawback only to this locality
was a formidable row of poplar trees, over which the balloon would
have to pass in case the wind blew towards them. The very first time
the “Sylph” was announced to rise from Hanover, which was on July 3rd,
the wind blew fiercely in the direction of the high trees. The filling
took place about twenty yards from their base, and the gas flowed
freely, so that at the appointed time, the silken globe was distended
fully, and but one sentiment prevailed throughout a large assemblage,
which was the certainty of the “Sylph” being dashed against the trees
as it rose in so strong a wind. To say that I did not share in this
grave apprehension would be untrue. I knew too well that it was hardly
possible to escape. The balloon rolled round and round in an alarming
way, after the retaining bags had been removed, and I expedited the
start, calling upon my proposed companions to bestir themselves, and
hasten into the car. The wind freshened every minute, and the tapered
poplar tops bent in frightful curves, showing the extreme pressure of
the atmosphere, and consequently, what was to be expected and guarded
against.
I placed a passenger at either end of the car, giving them each a large
bag of ballast, with instructions to discharge them the moment I said
No. 1 and No. 2. Then imparting a large amount of ascending power to
the “Sylph,” I waited as it rolled its huge volume about, until I saw
the tops of the trees comparatively unmoved by the wind, instantly I
pulled the trigger and up we bounded. A general shriek burst forth, and
not without reason, for the upper part of the balloon was struck by
a sudden gust and in another second it would have been wrecked among
the trees had not the orders to “let fall sand-bags” been splendidly
executed; for three of them, my own included, were plumped out
simultaneously, and there was a sharp vertical spurt in consequence;
this, however, did not altogether clear us, as the lower hemisphere of
the “Sylph” caught the yielding boughs, but the silk was well protected
by cordage, and the whole passed safely over, eliciting a shout of
satisfaction of the true sensational order.
We then bounded upwards with a pendulum-like movement, caused by the
car or centre of gravity being disturbed by the collision with the
branches; but this soon ceased, and I found that in less than three
minutes we were 4000 feet high.
I was glad that Herr Dorn, the director of the gas-works, was with me,
as he read the barometer while I took the necessary precautions to
allow for rapid expansion, which was taking place fast, owing to the
great weight we had lost in order to get over the trees.
When we steadied somewhat, and were moving in a horizontal direction
at an average height of about 6000 feet, I raised myself into the
ring, and, by a peep into the neck outlet, I felt satisfied that we
had sustained no fracture in the envelope, and this fact enabled
the passengers to feel pleased and composed, so that our feelings
afterwards were of the happiest kind, and when it was found that our
descent at _Celle_ was not accompanied with unpleasantness, as our
anchorage was effected on a high bough with grass beneath, we had every
reason to feel satisfied with our own good fortune and the behaviour
of the “Sylph,” which so nobly carried us over the trees and landed us
without a scratch.
At Celle we heard from an attaché to the King of Hanover that his
majesty had witnessed the ascent, and felt great concern for our safety
during those anxious moments when our lives were in jeopardy.
Notwithstanding that difficulty respecting the trees, a second
invitation went forth for another ascent on the 5th; but this time all
dread, as to a too intimate acquaintance with the poplars, entirely
ceased, as the air was in perfect repose; so much so, that it was
impossible to decide which way we should go, there being no clouds
to judge by, and as to other signs--such as the direction of smoke
and pilot balloons--even these were not faithful guides, as they rose
straight up and inclined to no fixed course, but wandered between
north, south, east, and west, as if totally becalmed in a balmy summer
atmosphere.
On being asked what sort of weather it was for aërial travelling, I
replied: “Superb! this is even a ladies’ day, when the return to _terra
firma_ need not cause the crushing of a daisy.”
As the inflation proceeded, I requested it to be intimated that at six
o’clock I should commence partial ascents.
Long before that time, the Marieninsel looked gay and inviting,
filled with a select company who were attentive to the performances
in the Summer Theatre, which forms so delightful a speciality at the
_alfresco_ amusements in Germany.
At the various rows of tables, the ladies sat working, and the fumes of
the gentlemen’s cigars rose high in the still air, while the strains
of music burst sweetly on the ears of the listeners, who calmly
awaited their evening enjoyments, as if nature and art were subdued by
oppressive heat, when the sun was declining behind the western foliage.
After the conclusion of the operatic piece, preparations for a captive
ascent drew a crowd of visitors to the lawn, and a party of ladies was
first formed, the young and handsome having induced the middle-aged
and portly to treat and accompany them in a short tour.
A blue-eyed English girl laughingly remarked: “If the rope were to
break, what should we do?”
“You would be transported with delight,” was my answer.
I was about to make some other silly observation, when my assistants
let up the balloon, and we were getting a view of the housetops.
Before our little pleasantry had ceased--in which one of the matronly
ladies took as lively a part as the British maiden--we found ourselves
being drawn down, when a second party was ready, with this difference,
that the sexes were equally divided, two gentlemen having each a lady
in charge.
Other parties were made up more quickly than they could be
accommodated, and altogether we had an hour and a half of this kind
of amusement, when the time for my final departure arrived, and the
gentlemen, who had for days previously booked their places, came
anxiously forward, fearing, as they stated, that the heroic courage
displayed by the first occupants of the car might possibly induce the
aëronaut to forget the gentlemen, and bear away with him the angels.
This opportune bit of flattery having been accepted, particularly
by the ladies who first ascended, I beckoned Herr Stecker and Herr
Frischen to join me, and we gently left the island at 7.30 amidst a
salvo of guns; and, after rising 600 feet perpendicularly, the “Sylph”
was wafted towards the palace, over which we remained suspended for at
least half-an-hour.
Afterwards the balloon remained in sight until the descent was made; by
that time it had assumed a small, dark, globular form, and was distant
fifteen miles from the place of setting out.
After I had repeated these exhibitions, I went to Dresden, and there
had the use of the Schutzenhaus Grounds.
On my first appearance, I was honoured by the presence of the Queen of
Saxony, and the Royal Family, as also the _élite_ of Dresden, who were
not disloyal, as can well be imagined. Dr. Meisel, my fellow-traveller,
had a pleasureable journey near to Oberau, where we landed.
On the 18th of August there was a second ascent when an architect, by
the name of Louis Prengel, was captivated into the enjoyments of cloud
scenery; this time we alighted near Pilnitz.
It must not be supposed that in this history I have fully described the
whole of my ascents; what I have proposed to accomplish, is an outline
of the more prominent features of my experience. I have not, therefore,
entered into every trip, but have sufficiently traced my movements from
year to year, so as to connect my travels from the time of my first
ascent to the date of writing my life. The conclusion with further
particulars, chiefly scientific, will, it is hoped, be published in a
subsequent volume.
Although I had intended to reach Vienna before the close of the season,
taking it in regular order, and going next to Prague, yet I found a
number of difficulties in Bohemia which induced me to reach Moravia as
quickly as possible, in order that I might take Brünn and the Austrian
capital before it got too late for the inhabitants to assemble in
places of public resort.
In Brünn, some weeks were spent before the necessary _erlaubnitz_ and
other preparations could be made.
At last I could find no better place than the gas-works, and although
the yard was not particularly sheltered from general view, still I
felt inclined to chance pecuniary success, as a great deal of interest
was manifested in the visit, and I was assured that all would go
prosperously if I would but make the trial.
I did so on September 22nd, and from the moment the gates were opened
there was an uninterrupted stream of visitors, which left my own mind
certain that I had not misplaced confidence in those who advised me to
speculate with boldness.
At a quarter to six, the “colossal machine,” as the Moravians called
the “Sylph,” rose towards the skies, with two gentlemen besides the
“air-captain.”
The voyage terminated near the village of Babetz.
Another successful ascent was made from the same spot on October
7th, when Herr Alexander Spindler and Herr Leopold Spitzer were my
companions. We let down a large parachute on this occasion, with a dog
in the car.
Leaving Brünn I made straightway for Vienna, where I learnt that an
exhibition would have to be made in the Prater, and that on no account
could I expect to have my balloon in any other spot.
Now the Prater was an excellent park-like ground for a spring or summer
gathering, but it was now getting late in October, and my only chance
was a more suitable locality in the inner town.
Just opposite the Palace was situated the Volks-garten, a fashionable
place of resort, well adapted for my purpose.
The lessee of this famous garden was an Italian, and I got a good
introduction to him, and proposed that he should have such an interest
in our exhibition, as would stimulate him to exertion, that is, to
obtain from the authorities permission to proceed.
This course answered, but a fresh obstacle arose as to the gas, there
were no pipes large enough to fill the balloon, but owing to the
kindness of the gas superintendent, and the readiness on my part to
incur a large outlay, we surmounted even this, and my first ascent came
off towards the latter end of October 1850.
The Emperor had left Vienna when I was there, otherwise he would have
seen the balloon from the palace windows.
Before the upper part of it was seen above the trees, the glacis around
the ramparts was filled with thousands of spectators.
In the gardens, were a gaily attired assemblage of military officers,
civilians, ladies, and children, so pleasingly blended as to costume
and appearance, that an Englishman could not fail to be struck with the
scene.
The applicant for a lofty view of Vienna was neither an illustrious
warrior, nor a robust citizen, but a fair young lady whose parents were
of respectable position, and who had persuaded her papa to visit me at
my hotel, and secure the first seat for his daughter.
The father, an amiable, sensitive man, was averse himself, as he
candidly stated, to his child going up, “but,” as he said with
affectionate emphasis, “she has been a good and dutiful daughter, and
this, the fixed idea of her life, must not be thwarted.”
Several hours before the stated time, a rumour gained ground, that
the lovely Fraülein was about to become the observed one at the
Volks-garten.
I fully expected that the young lady’s entrance to the car would be
the signal for a host of gallant fellows to step forward and beg the
privilege of a seat with so beautiful a creature, but no one stood
forth, and I felt almost certain of having the honours entirely to
myself, when a tug at my coat from some one outside the car caused me
to look behind.
I there beheld a young man looking pale and perplexed, who wanted to
know what the fee was for ascending. If my memory serves me right, I
mentioned a high price as I was annoyed with this candidate for not
presenting himself sooner.
The premium, however, did not deter the gentleman from getting in by my
side, and no sooner was he safely seated than I liberated the “Sylph,”
when loud and hearty were the hurrahs, and numerous the raised hats and
waving handkerchiefs in honour of the fair voyager.
Our course was directly over St. Stephen’s lofty tower, which is much
higher than St. Paul’s Cathedral, but which soon looked diminutive
beneath us.
The lady, when I invited her to do so, was most observant, but the
gentleman regarded with indifference the opening panorama, while I
could not but notice that his attention was engrossed by the Fraülein,
and indeed to such an extent that I proposed he should sit by her side
so as to relieve her from glances so direct and full of meaning.
The gentleman assented readily to my proposition, and sprang so
quickly from my side to that of the young lady, as fairly--or rather
unfairly--to make the car spring again.
When we had passed over the city and were drifting down the Danube, I
called upon my passengers to observe a fine view towards the East, the
young lady already had her eyes directed that way, but the gentleman
never once looked down, but continued to direct an admiring glance
towards the Fraülein’s features, exclaiming all the while, “Beautiful,
beautiful,” by which I very naturally inferred that he did not mean the
distant landscape, but the pleasing form so near to him in a cloudless
sky.
Now when we lost the busy hum of the capital and traversed a country
route, I proposed the Fraülein’s health, and, to do the gentleman
credit, he complied with alacrity to the suggestion and offered to do
the honours to a bottle of my own champagne, but before the cork was
set at liberty, a neat basket was uplifted by the young lady and in a
moment some delicious cakes and a bottle of Hungarian wine diverted our
gaze, and what to do the gentleman knew not. He inclined, however, to
the fair one’s wine; indeed, we both patronized the refreshing draught,
which was sweet and unexpected.
The Fraülein on her part was kind enough to say something pretty about
me and my kindness, but the gentleman never said Hoch! and I believe
he wished he could have managed the balloon himself and dispensed with
my services. However, though we had high words, we did not fall out,
but returned to terra-firma capital friends, and so considerate was I
of the heroine’s personal comfort, that immediately on landing in a
grass field, I begged the gentleman to fetch a conveyance, and talked
to her myself until he returned; I then begged of him to convey the
Fraülein to the nearest hotel while I emptied the balloon, promising to
join them by the time coffee would be served at Kaiser-Ebersdorf where
we descended. There is only one other point connected with this event,
which it is absolutely necessary to mention, and that is, that about
six months after this aërial excursion, my two companions were united
in the bonds of matrimony, and that on hearing of this, I understood
most fully why it was that the gentleman was heedless of terrestrial
objects, and so remarkably observant of heavenly.