my prospects for a continuance of good fortune was as bright as could
well be wished. The papers and the public were as busy as possible
about the adventure, and wondering who would go up next; when I
received an intimation that the authorities would not permit another
ascent so close to the palace, as the collection of an immense mass
of people on the glacis must not be repeated--the Emperor having
returned--but that His Majesty wished that I would ascend during the
next spring from the Prater.
The order of the day was, of course, ready compliance, but the cost
to me was great, although the first attempt had brought in a handsome
return, and but for this prohibition I might have realized another
goodly sum.
I now decided upon returning to Berlin for the winter; but it was
difficult to get away, as the principal railroad was monopolized daily
by the Austrian soldiery, who at that time were about to demonstrate
their forces in front of the Prussians, without, however, coming to
those heavy blows which have been exchanged since, in battles fought on
the very ground I have travelled over in my balloon.
In the spring of 1851, instead of going home to see the Great
Exhibition, I followed up my advantages in Germany and recommenced in
Berlin, where I again made several ascents. The most extraordinary as
far as danger went, was one from the Schutzenhaus in April.
There was a Prussian labourer who became my inveterate enemy, because I
had engaged him as a right-hand man, and had discharged him afterwards
for bad conduct. From urgent intercession I had taken him on again for
a fresh trial, and although I never liked the look of the fellow, yet
somehow he cajoled me, and being very handy and ingenious, I suffered
those unfailing first warnings to go by unheeded.
On a splendid evening I ascended in company with Mr. Lacy, Mr. Accum,
and Herr Henkel.
When we reached an elevation of about 3000 feet, it became expedient
to open the valve; on pulling the cord, one of the top shutters broke
and remained open, leaving an area for escape of twenty-six inches
by twelve, which allowed so large a volume to pass out that a rapid
descent commenced, which all our ballast could not check.
I lost no time in doing everything that was possible for our safety,
but the escape of sustaining power became so great that one-half of the
“Sylph” was deprived of gas; the result being, that our fall was so
rapid and perilous, that nothing short of a favourable open spot saved
us from broken bones. Fortunately, in one respect, we came down in a
well cultivated garden, and the car coming on to a fruit tree the shock
was lessened, so that none of us were hurt.
It came out afterwards, that this scoundrel was seen to tamper with,
and indeed partially sever the connecting lines of the valve, by which
diabolical act we might all have lost our lives.
The next noteworthy voyage was from Berlin into East Prussia, in the
direction of Dantzig; a run of nearly 200 miles in about five hours,
characterized this truly pleasurable tour.
I had with me Herr Hildebrandt, artist to the King of Prussia, and Herr
Henkel.
After we had been up twenty minutes, we came within view of the river
Oder. “So soon,” exclaimed Hildebrandt, “why it is twenty-five English
miles from the city, we must be travelling at railway speed.”
“Yes, we are, and a great deal faster than railway speed in Germany.”
Although the wind was strong, there was no perceptible motion in the
car. A stream of murky-looking cloud was drifting along towards the
Baltic, and fine moist mist frequently surrounded us as we dipped into
the vapour, but the barometer showed that it was more than 1600 feet
thick, as we occasionally varied that much in altitude without emerging
into sunlight, or within view of the earth.
After we had been up two hours I let out some gas, to see if any of the
villages or landmarks would present a familiar aspect to either of the
voyagers; but they confessed to having passed beyond any place they
were acquainted with.
As we had far exceeded the ordinary limits of a public trip, I proposed
that we should go on all the time we could see land in advance.
By and bye, darkness set in apace, and we could just discern--towards
the north-west--a line of coast to the left of our apparent route. From
what we could make out of the land, it was not highly cultivated or
thickly populated.
There was a residence ahead which it was desirable to approach, and I
lowered with that intention.
Our landing was rough but secure, and we were brought up in a hedge
surrounding a sort of common, with a house distant a mile or so, having
lights in the windows.
When the gas was let off by our united aid, we steered for the house,
leaving the balloon on the ground until we could get assistance.
In proceeding up a cross country lane, no inhabitant of the wild
strange place was met, and we were anxious to ascertain where we
were, and how far we had travelled. Not until the iron gates of a
baronial-looking seat came in view, did we hear voices.
Neither our questions, bearing, nor manner were pleasing to the
gate-keepers; they evidently regarded us with suspicion; and when we
stated that we came from the clouds in a balloon, and had left Berlin
that afternoon, our story created doubt and caution.
“If you will take my card to the Baron,” said Herr Hildebrandt, “I
daresay we shall be admitted to his presence.”
The card was sent up, and the Baron himself came down, but further
explanation was required before the gates were widely opened. I
happened to have the Berlin “_National Zeitung_” in my pocket, of that
day’s impression, which could not have reached the neighbourhood by the
time we arrived.
“But where is your balloon?” enquired the Baron, “I have not seen or
heard of it.”
“We not long since descended on a barren waste of land some half hour
since.”
“Enter gentlemen, and I will call together a number of the household
and assist you to recover the balloon and bring it up to the Hall.”
Lanterns were at once procured, a couple of horses with a cart put to,
and, with half-a-dozen followers, the Baron and ourselves repaired to
the common; but alas! all was blank and desolate.
The difficulty of finding the balloon then presented itself to our
minds, and we looked like the veriest impostors when we were rather
sharply interrogated as to where the property was situated.
As the only hope of finding it was by catching the disagreeable
odour of the gas, I volunteered myself to go forth like a hound and
endeavour to find it by the assistance of the nasal organ.
I was wandering almost in despair when I caught the aroma, or whatever
else one may style it, and cried out lustily, “Here it is.” The
searching party came up in a trot, and when once the Baron ascertained
the truthfulness of our statements, he shook hands warmly and escorted
us to the Hall, where we were treated with every kindness, and had beds
provided, and a carriage in the morning, until we came to a place where
extra post was to be met with.
Several other ascents were made in Berlin before I left, but being
anxious to visit Prague I made the best of my way thither while the
summer was yet in its prime, and after exhibiting the “Sylph” first of
all partially filled with atmospheric air I then arranged an ascent,
and having in that town a good friend in the person of Herr Leonhart, a
gentleman very fond of aërostation who had ascended with me before, all
went swimmingly, and my first appearance before a Bohemian assemblage
was made on the 13th of July, when we ascended and travelled forty
miles in two hours.
Two or three other ascents took place in Prague before I left, but on
reaching Vienna I was taken ill, and before I recovered it became too
late to avail myself of the Emperor’s hint to visit the Prater.
My next movements were directed to Leipsig, where I intended to do
business during the great October fair.
My reputation, such as it was, preceded me, for I found the newspapers
already welcoming my arrival, and speaking of my numerous ascents in
Germany in a liberal and encouraging tone.
The gas-works’ yard was again the only available place to get the
balloon filled in quickly.
Leipsig, after the business fair, wears a very animated appearance.
About 80,000 strangers visited the town at this time, and everything
good and legitimate in the way of art and science is sure to meet with
its reward.
The date of my first experiment at the gas-works was September 28th.
Dr. v. Keller, an inhabitant of the town, and a scientific man, was my
first patron; he wrote an excellent account of what he saw and felt, in
one of the local newspapers, and this had the effect of causing others
to ascend in the several journeys I made afterwards.
On the second occasion, Dr. William Hamm joined me, and subsequently
Herr Andra, Herr Flinsch, and Herr Gerber, were passengers.
Before I left, an amusing novelty came off at the Great Hall, in the
shape of a balloon concert.
The “Sylph” was about two-thirds inflated with a wind machine in the
centre of the Hall, and a regular band, headed by myself, entered
through the neck valve, one by one, and then played a number of tunes
to the delight of a large company.
This was my last undertaking in the year 1851, after which, in order to
comply with the earnest wishes of my wife, whose health was delicate,
and who craved for Old England, I bade adieu to Germany, and resolved
to pursue ballooning in the country of my birth, notwithstanding the
discouraging taunts of a few of my relations.
1852.
The votaries of ballooning, like the followers of any other pursuit,
have their mutual jealousies. The renowned Mr. C. Green was, at the
above date, gradually relinquishing aëronautic duties. Age was steadily
creeping upon the veteran, and ambition was prompting one or two others
to prove themselves competitors and scientific successors. Lieutenant
Gale had lost his life after ascending from Bordeaux, and his patron,
Mr. Goulston, had determined to follow aërostation enthusiastically.
This latter gentleman was not what the public would style a mere
professional balloonist, but an aspirant, who was well to do in the
world as a floor-cloth manufacturer. On returning from the continent,
I gave Mr. Goulston a friendly call, as we had more than once been up
together, and much enjoyed a chat about our favourite study. I then
learnt that it was his intention to make ascents from Cremorne Gardens,
as well as other places, and that the probability being that I should
go abroad again, he imagined that we should not oppose each other.
I distinctly remember objecting to this idea as to my own movements,
stating as a reason that I had myself some tempting offers to ascend in
and about the Metropolis. I promised, moreover, if he was determined to
take the West, that I would try my fortune in the East of London.
Mr. Goulston was the proprietor of the balloon “La Normandie,” and he
had just built a new one of smaller capacity, which was about to make
its maiden ascent in the forthcoming Whitsun holidays, from Belle Vue
Gardens, Manchester.
Strange to say, the very first attempt proved fatal. Mr. Goulston, who
ascended in a strong wind was dashed against some stone walls, and lost
his life.
He had, it appeared, a very imperfect grapnel for stopping the balloon,
but whether he attempted to get out of the car, or not, could hardly be
ascertained, although he was known to have determined upon some scheme
by which he thought it possible to let the balloon go to the mercy of
the wind, whilst endeavouring to save himself by springing from the car.
This untoward beginning was the means of bringing the ill-fated balloon
into my notice very shortly after this sad event.
Mr. Goulston had engaged to use it at Cremorne Gardens; intimations
of an intended ascent had been published in the newspapers, and I was
immediately applied to for an ascent with my own balloon in the place
of Mr. Goulston who was killed.
Mr. Simpson, the lessee, then informed me that Mrs. Goulston had
applied to him to purchase the balloons, but he would be glad to have
my judgement as to the value and construction of the smaller balloon,
in which the aëronaut had lost his life.
On examination, I found it to be of good make and material, and
when I was asked if I would ascend in it, I unhesitatingly replied:
“Certainly, provided I use my own grapnel and ropes.”
After I had made a few trips with it, the accident could no longer be
attributed to imperfections in the aërial machine, and it was purchased
by Mr. Simpson, and named the “Prince of Wales.” It thus happened, most
unexpectedly on my part, that the West-end gardens, as well as those in
the East, were at my command.
Having overcome the objection, which owing to family scruples I had
formerly felt, to appear professionally in England, I made up my mind,
that having once done so, I would go ahead, and make as many ascents as
possible during the season of 1852.
Although it was the year after the Exhibition, and there was not much
to be done, as my good advisers supposed, yet I resolved to show that
it was possible to make more ascents in one year, than had been made by
several aëronauts, during the past three or four seasons.
I made arrangements, therefore, to ascend from the New Globe Gardens,
Mile End Road, not far from the site of the People’s Palace, also from
the Eagle Establishment, City Road, and from the new grounds, which had
just been started at North Woolwich, under the name of the Pavilion
Gardens.
What with Cremorne and the above named localities, I ascended three or
four times in a week, and at the termination of 1852, added thirty-six
voyages to my former ascents, which dated in rapid succession from my
first as an amateur in the year 1844.
There was one peculiarity about the ballooning at North Woolwich, which
caused a fund of amusement on the Thames and the garden esplanade; this
consisted in crossing over from the gas-works at Woolwich, the car
being fastened in a ferry boat with a steam-tug ahead, which towed the
balloon across the river to the Pavilion Gardens.
On one occasion I was engaged somewhere else, when the directors
particularly wanted an ascent. I recommended an aëronaut with whom I
had long been acquainted, and the way he acknowledged my kindness was
by finding fault with the manner I moved my balloon, offering at the
same time to show the real and scientific style of doing it properly.
But this aëronaut lost his balloon in the attempt, it bounded away out
of control, burst in the air, and came down a wreck.
My concluding ascents in 1852 took place at Glasgow. Mr. Maxwell, my
_compagnon de voyage_ on the second ascension on October 14th 1852,
confirms the account descriptive of our own feelings, and which is
a very fair representation of other people’s when they go up in a
balloon. A few extracts will be useful, as they apply generally to the
subject.
“Before taking a seat in the car for the first time, imagination is
busy picturing the scenes and sensations which belong to an aërial
voyage. However great one’s courage may be, there are always little
fears as to personal safety, and it is owing to this feeling before
starting, that the first great impression is made on the mind, when
the traveller finds, on rising, that the transition is not accompanied
by any of those disagreeable emotions which most persons are apt to
connect with that mode of travelling. As the balloon leaves the ground,
two-fold astonishment seizes the mind, first--as to the vastness and
splendour of the view, secondly--that the effect produced in looking
down is not what would be supposed, judging from lofty surveys on the
tops of high buildings, in fact, fear is lost in admiration, and there
is a joyous consciousness of safety, which favours calm observation.
“The earth presented to our view an immense concave surface, that part
immediately beneath being the deepest, this variegated picture may be
compared to a map. A certain degree of confusion, however, attends
one’s early efforts to recognise particular localities, and here it was
that the aëronaut surprised me by the facility with which he pointed
out the leading features of Glasgow, although they were new to him.
“First he directed attention to the Clyde, pointing out the different
ship-building yards, and mentioning the names of the proprietors. Anon
he took me round the squares, along the streets, up to the railway
station, and off to the distant country. I was bold enough to inquire
how it was Mr. C---- was enabled to trace Glasgow and its surroundings
with such accuracy, having made only one ascent previously. ‘I will
tell you,’ he replied, ‘I always make it my business before ascending,
to acquire every possible information as to a strange locality,
much is to be obtained from local maps, &c., but more from personal
observations as to public buildings, thoroughfares, roads, and other
conspicuous objects, which once seen, familiarise themselves again in
the bird’s-eye view, and thereby lead to detection.’
“So model-like and regular was the face of the city, that it was
difficult to reconcile the belief that there, beneath, lay the thrifty,
solid-built, populous port of Glasgow.
“A view from on high is certainly a great leveller of human
distinction--the contrast of a splendid residence with a humble
dwelling is not very great when viewed from the range of the clouds,
nor do lofty spires, hallowed walls, or public monuments, command,
however much they deserve, that respect which they are accustomed
to receive below. Everything is reduced to the smallest possible
dimensions, preserving, notwithstanding, distinctness of form and
outline.”
We descended at the village of Cryston; Robert Kaye, Esq., of Mill
Brae, was present, rendering material assistance, and invited us to
take refreshment at his house.
In a third trip from Glasgow, in which Mr. Maxwell again accompanied
me, Duncan McIntyre was initiated into the enjoyments of ballooning; a
few extracts of his own version of the scene will sufficiently bring it
within view.
“After having witnessed the ascents made by Mr. H. Coxwell on the 9th
and 13th of October, I had no hesitation in making arrangements for a
trip with him on the 18th instant.
“Almost immediately on leaving, the aëronaut commenced a most
entertaining lecture on aërostation, and described graphically, the
beautiful scene which gradually opened out to our view.
“The tortuous winding of the Clutha, appeared like a small rivulet,
dotted here and there with Liliputian steamers. Dumbarton with its
ship-building yards and ancient Castle-Greenock, in the distance, with
its forest of shipping, were all seen to great advantage, although on
the same dwarfish scale. On ascending still higher, the country, to my
inexperienced eye, assumed a somewhat concave appearance, reminding me
of the plains of South America, and for miles there was not apparently
an eminence of a foot high; but this deceitful appearance was fully
explained by our enterprising captain, who pointed out many places and
informed us of their height.
“Near to Garscube bridge, Mr. Maxwell left the car, as we wished to go
much higher than we had been, and this time the captain took a variety
of observations with his instruments, by which he told me of the
degrees of cold, and our height in feet, a few of which I put down in
my pocket book; for instance, just before we entered a cloud, though I
had not observed it overhead, I was requested to button up my coat, as
the thermometer had fallen fourteen degrees, and we were three-quarters
of a mile high, and in another minute we should enter a cloud, and
there it would be ten degrees colder still. I remember he said we were
then more than a mile high.
“Our descent was made in a masterly style about half a mile west of
Milngaire. It is worthy of remark that this is the same field in which
Mr. Sadler, twenty-nine years ago, made his descent, and still more
remarkable, it was the same man who caught the rope of Mr. Sadler’s
balloon, who performed a similar service for us.”
After the three ascents already recorded, I made one more in
conclusion, and it is no vain exaggeration to assert, that my first
season in London, besides my numerous ascents previously as an amateur,
did actually comprise a greater number of trips than any three
balloonists had made, even in the preceding exhibition year.
1853.
During the summer months I maintained the interest in aërostatics
by numerous voyages, and although they did not exceed twenty-two in
number, still they furnished fresh experiences, and enabled me to take
up more than fifty passengers.
One of the most remarkable was an ascent from the New Globe Pleasure
Grounds, Mile End Road. The date fixed for the fête was October 16th,
but it was a wet and windy morning, which caused postponement notices
to be got out, but no sooner were they delivered into the hands of
the bill-sticker and his assistants, than a gleam of sunshine shot
forth, and the drift of the clouds betokened a favourable break,
while a low, but steady, barometer, together with a slight shift in
the wind, induced all parties interested to suspend movements until a
consultation had been held, as to what was to be the order of the day.
The workmen were at their posts ready to proceed, the foreman of the
gas-works was awaiting the word to turn on. My own assistant stood by
the balloon, anxious to unfold at a moment’s notice.
In the Board Room were myself, the gas-engineer, and the proprietor of
the gardens in earnest discussion, as to whether or not it was too late
to fill the balloon. Extra pressure was promised, and a little pressure
of another sort was put on me, so that the decision was to proceed.
Biscuits and a hasty glass of sherry were served, when out we all
sallied into the grounds, which were now steaming from the rarefaction
caused by the sun, which had burst forth with an unmistakable
intention of shining uninterruptedly until sunset.
I having raised my hand to go on, the “Sylph” was brought forth, the
tube was connected with all available speed, and in less than an hour
we presented a bold aspect; it quickly buzzed abroad that the balloon
was filling, and that, despite rain and wind, the ascent would be made.
The bills, of course, were not posted.
When six o’clock struck, and several watches were examined, numerous
were the shakes of the heads as to the state of the balloon; it was
not more than half full, and as it rolled and flopped about in the
high wind, everyone saw that it was not in a fit state to ascend, and
less still, to offer a compact resistance to the freshening gusts.
Another half hour’s flow turned the tide in its favour, and produced
the required ascending power, but there was nothing to spare, and when
I let go the last connecting cord, a violent puff of wind caught the
balloon sideways, driving it rather down than up, and although two
bags of sand were discharged, it still dashed along at a frightful
pace, when every beholder saw that a stack of chimnies and the car
must inevitably clash; and so they did--but I had thrown myself into
position just previous to the moment of contact, and, although the
bricks and mortar were hurled downwards, the “Sylph” shot clear away
and mounted gaily to an immense elevation, so that by the time I
was over the Houses of Parliament, the wind being east, I found my
barometer had fallen five inches, and that temperature had decreased
just nineteen degrees, by which I knew that I should continue an upward
movement for at least another six thousand feet, owing to the space
left for expansion, unless I confined the balloon to the same level
by the use of the valve. As I had no object in going very high, I
attempted with the cord a slight check, but neither the customary pull
nor an extra tug would open the valve. It then struck me that in the
hurry of making a beginning my assistant had allowed a fold to form
itself in the silk, which prevented the valve-shutters from opening,
on looking up through the neck internally, I observed that this was
the case, so I determined to allow the balloon to rise and come down
without any interference on my part, but in so doing I had to go nearly
as far as Basingstoke, before a downward inclination took place.