Airopaidia

Such Accounts are, in many Respects, vague and unsatisfactory: by no Means adequate to the Expectations and Wishes, which have been formed by those, who have not yet penetrated...

Section 7. On Thursday the 8th of September 1785, at IX in the Morning, one of the Cannons (a Six-pounder) was first fired in the Castle-yard, to inform the City and Neighbourho...

A _strong_ Iron double Grapple, moving on a Swivel, fastened to a _Rope_,[5] half a Mile, or better _a Mile_ long: and, if not all; a Part of which at least, at the Distance and...

Section 22. Before half past I, Mr. Lunardi had inflated his Balloon in the finest Manner; and having, with the most obliging and spirited Attention, made such Preparations, and...

Section 28. At 40 Minutes past I, the Balloon having a Levity which not less than 20 Pounds Weight woud counterpoise, Mr. Baldwin was liberated by the Hands of Mr. Lunardi, who...

Section 46. Before a farther Description of aërial Scenes is attempted, it woud be improper not to mention a Circumstance which happened on the first Ascent of the Balloon: and...

Section 47. A Few Seconds of Time before the Balloon had attained its greatest Height; the Velocity of Ascent being every Instant retarded by the Escape of Gass thro’ the Openin...

The lowest Bed of Vapour that _first_ put on the Appearance of Cloud was of _a pure white_; in detached Fleeces; encreasing as they rose. They presently coalesced, and were aggr...

Section 56. During the Time that the Balloon from being stationary at 23¼ (corresponding to the Height of about a Mile and a half) began to _decline_, which it must have done wi...

Section 62. At 10 Minutes and a half past II. o’Clock, the fourth or last Cannon, a Six-pounder (to announce, by preconcerted Agreement, that the Balloon began to be invisible t...

A Handful of Feathers were sent adrift, which fell quick: demonstrating _likewise_ the Ascent of the Balloon, a second Time: but, tho’ 12 Pounds lighter, it did not seem to rega...

Section 71. From 28 Minutes after II, till the Balloon had passed over the _Forest_ of +Delamere+, and the steep Crag of +Helsbye-Hill+; thin light semi-transparent Vapours, whi...

The Air did _not_ at that Height oppose a Resistance sufficient to break the Stream into _small_ Drops. Nor did they seem to coalesce: remaining, while they continued in Sight,...

Section 77. At 39 Minutes after II, Thermometer 60, Barometer 23¾, corresponding to the Height of a little more than a Mile,[22] _the Vapours dispersing_, discovered the Town of...

86. A Wind was heard +below+ for a few Seconds: and the Air felt a _little cool_. Thermometer 55, or Temperate: Barometer 25½, corresponding to the Height of near a Mile.[27]

No _visible_ Clouds were presented _near_ the Spectator. On the contrary, they seemed to _shrink back_ to the Distance of a Mile round the Eye; and then _immediately_ appear abo...

The Balloon _stooping_, and declining from the North-West Breeze, drew the _upper_ Hoop out of the Perpendicular: by which Means, the Bottom of that Division of the Barometer-Fr...

The Balloon being now 31 Pound lighter; taking a Direction +from+ the Sea-Breeze into the Country, and _again_ towards Aston-Hall[33]; mounted up like a Sky-Rocket, with acceler...

Section 107. The Balloon being now _wholly_ unconfined, continued to _rise_ with _great_ Rapidity: crossed the Meadow in the Sea-Breeze, and remained as _before_, for 6 or 8 Min...

Section 114. Respiration at so great an Altitude was perfectly free and _easy_: _forced_ Trials being made for Information on that Point: a Sensation of Levity seemed _rather_ t...

Section 121. In vain did the Aironaut strive to reach the _Neck_ of the Balloon, from the _Car_. Attempting to put his Feet on the _opposite_ Sides of the _lower_ Hoop, by grasp...

Section 122. Being cautious how he suffered the +lightest+ Gass to escape throu’ the Top of the Balloon, which must have happened in drawing down the String of the Valve; yet ap...

Section 126. It was a Matter both of Surprize and Pleasure to observe that the Thermometer had risen +again+ to 60, when the Balloon had soared _above_ the Sea-Breeze; as the Ai...

132. In Consequence of having _held tight_ the Neck of the Balloon, the Gass _within_ began _again_ to expand, and the Machine became _more bloated_ than when _stationary_ at th...

Section 135. The _successive_ Operations of untying the Neck, and _repeated_ Trials of the Valve, brought the Observer so low, that he coud trace the _Image_ of the Balloon on t...

Section 141. The alternate Elevation and Descent of the Balloon gave sufficient Leisure to reflect on the +security+ and +pleasure+ of his Situation, thus _wafted_ on the _Pinio...

Section 159. It was remarkable that, the lower Parts of the Balloon regularly adopted a _similar_ Form at each Descent: not unlike a _Ship’s Bottom_; looking up, at the Head or...

Section 162. At 40 Minutes past III, when the Balloon was _apparently_ some Miles above the Level and Summit of the Clouds; a +sudden+ and uncommon _Sound_ was heard for three o...

Section 166. In a few Minutes, a Side-Break throu’ the Clouds discovered a long ill-formed narrow Line or Ditch, something less than a Foot in Breadth, extending several Ways: a...

Section 169. The Summer Scenes of Fairy-Land below, being soon eclipsed by the _quick_ Intervention of a _Range_ of Clouds; the +sudden+ Contrast of which was highly pleasing to...

Section 172. A Thunder Cloud in most grotesque Form;—of superior Magnitude, Density, and +brightness+—a _celestial Colouring_; and whose _Shade_ was itself a _Colour_ of semi-tr...

The Map of the Country which had been so carefully studied, was _now_ consulted for the first Time, but coud not bring to his Recollection any Traces of the extraordinary Curves...

It was a large Tract of unenclosed +wet+ Land, above four Miles long and above two broad, intersected by Ditches or Water Courses, which divide the Moss into Fields of a _modera...

Section 193. The Sequel contains an Account of _several Flights_ made, in Presence of the Aironaut, by different Persons, during _three_ Hours, in the Car of the Balloon, viz. f...

Section 196. The Route of the Balloon being now throu’ a _flat woody_ Country, with _tall_ Trees growing in the Hedge Rows; a Difficulty occurred, how to conduct the Cable, when...

205. Having by this Time gratified the Curiosity of the Country in admitting Boys and Girls to the Age of six or seven Years, into the Car; and being arrived after Sun-set at th...

The same Day at Chester North-North-West, and distant from London 182 Miles; South-Breeze; Rain most of the Day. Thermometer at Noon in the Shade, 62: and 14 Divisions colder ea...

Section 213. The highest visible _white_ Clouds, often seen in detached Streaks, during the finest and also in the worst Weather, (if not intercepted by lower Clouds) and which,...

CONJECTURES ON THE CAUSES OF THE CIRCULAR TRANSPARENCY TO A CERTAIN DISTANCE BELOW THE BALLOON, AND OF THE RED LIGHT FROM THE SEA AND RIVERS, WHEN SEEN ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE SU...

ON THE EXCESSIVE DIMINUTION OF OBJECTS ON THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH, TO A SPECTATOR SITUATED ABOVE THE REGION OF CLOUD, AT THE BAROMETRIC HEIGHT OF NEAR A MILE AND HALF, PERPENDI...

And woud probably have gone out to Sea, if the ascensive Power had not presently raised it above the Influence of the Water; into an upper Current of Air, which was visible at t...

Section 231. Article 1. So long as Gass escapes from the Balloon; it will be instantly and _reciprocally_ attracted, throu’ the _Crevices_, by the Moisture contained in the _Air...

Section 232. Whoever consults Antiquity,[54] or is acquainted with modern Mèteorism, will ascent to the Truth of the Facts there recited, viz. That the Storms of +dispersion+ ca...

240. The sultry Climate of Egypt, whose Situation is that of an extensive Meadow watered by a _broad_ River, and enclosed by Mountains to the East and West; consequently not sub...

Section 243. Intimations of depressing Columns in moderate Weather, are the _sluggish_ Clouds, which often make their _first_ Appearance, and remain longest, nay almost continua...

Section 254. The Subject of +depressing torrents+ requires an accurate Investigation: as it will serve to point out the proper Time of Day or Night, when an Aironaut ought so to...

In a distinct Chapter, treating of the Variation of the Barometer, which he allows has Need of farther Explanation; he asks (Page 308) what Reasons can be assigned, why the _Eas...

Section 260. Before the Subject of mediocèanal Accumulation and Depression of Air, is wholly quitted; it may be well mention and compare a few Facts and Observations, which will...

Section 265. With Respect to Mountains: on reading what Travellers have written, particularly Ullòa;[74] they seem to answer the Intention of supplying cool Air to the surroundi...

Sect. 268. Art. 1. The Author is well informed, that, during an Engagement at Sea;—in _ten_ Minutes after the Action has commenced;—tho’ it blew a _Gale_ before; (that is, tho’...

Section 275. If then this Reasoning be allowed; aërial Travellers will not be subject, when, at a considerable Height, even in Winter, to great Degrees of Cold, supposing that t...

Section 285. As the _safest Hour_ of the Day has been already pointed out, for the Ascent of those Aironauts, who propose to cross a Channel, or Arm of the Sea, in a Balloon _Ai...

1. First, lest the Balloon shoud rise too _high_; for by opening the Valve in order to descend; Gass escapes: which is an _actual Loss_: and the Balloon is rendered incapable of...

Section 295. Let the Ballast consist of that Kind of Rope (wound on a Reel) that is either by Nature or Art, _specifically_ lighter than fresh Water: as a _hollow cylindrical_ R...

Section 296. The Necessity of making frequent Experiments, in order to prove how far the Balloon is capable of Direction, by different Combinations of the mechanical Powers, is...

NEW MODE OF ASCENT, TO DETERMINE THE INSTANT THE BALLOON IS ARRIVED AT ANY GIVEN HEIGHT: TO MEASURE THE HEIGHTS: AND TO ESTIMATE THE DENSITIES OF THE AIR AT THE GIVEN HEIGHTS.

Section 303. These Defects are best known from the History: a Detail of which is given to the World in an entertaining, elegant, and scientific Manner, by a celebrated Writer on...

Section 311. Till the Particulars of Meunier’s Invention are made public,[104] an additional _Air-tight_ Balloon, or Air Bottle, at least 15 Feet in Diameter, of a _globular_ Fo...

Section 314. The Air-Bottle can be attended with no Sort of Danger. For, if it burst; the only Effect is to raise the Balloon: which is made to descend, at Pleasure, by opening...

Sect. 315. Art. 1. In the London Chronicle, from the 20th to the 22d of August, 1785, is a Letter from Bury, containing an Account of Mr. Poole’s Balloon, with the following Cir...

From the equatorial Hoop, let fall a Perpendicular: and from the lowest circular Point in the Circumference of the Balloon, draw a Tangent, or horizontal Line, till it meet the...

321. It was sometime ago reported at Paris, that Mr. Dutourny de Villiere had undertaken to construct a Balloon so truly _impèrmeable_, that he woud warrant the Duration of it,...

Section 325. To those, who are unacquainted with the Principles of Chemistry, or the Books which teach it; and yet are desirous to make Experiments, which may throw fresh Light...

Section 330. In order to make Improvements of the Balloon still more rapid and general; the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, who have given no particular Encouragement, in...

Sect. 332. Art. 1. It seems a favourite Question, among those who take a Pleasure in objecting to every Thing they neither do nor will understand, to ask, “Of what Use can these...

334. The many curious and interesting Conjectures which Mons. de Luc (before the Invention of Balloons) throws out, in the Course of 4 large Volumes, on the Subject and Qualitie...

Sect. 339. Art. 1. Three cylindric wooden Vessels were sunk more than half their Depth into the Ground: two of them, each, 5 Feet Diameter, and 5 Feet high: the third, 8 Feet in...

Section 341. The Process of inflating the Balloon began about X. in the Morning, by pouring 4 Bottles of Vitriol, immediately one after the other, into the occasional Tub, prope...

Section 348. Rules for calculating the Height of Mountains, when applied to those elevated Stations in the Atmosphere _attainable_ only by Means of the Balloon, will henceforwar...

For this Purpose it is necessary, 1st, to provide a Barometer, (whose Bulb or Cistern is _large_ enough to contain all the Quicksilver in the Tube;)—into the Frame of which, a T...

Section 357. To find the Expansion of Quicksilver, and of the barometric Tube in which it is contained: or, in other Words, to find the Point to which the Quicksilver will rise...

Section 365. Having therefore understood the Foundation, Construction, and Use of the first Table; in the present Case, having also added the decimal Parts of an Inch just found...

Section 369. To find the Heights, in Feet and Tenths, in the Atmosphere, corresponding to the Points at which the Quicksilver stands in both Barometers, which have _now_ the _sa...

Section 379. To shew in Feet, and Tenths, what is the Expansion of Air on each thousand Feet, from 1000 to 9000 Feet, _with_ each Degree of Temperature from 1 to 100 Degrees, on...

Section 386. The Point at which the Quicksilver stood in the Tube of the Barometer on the Mountain, or in the Car of the Balloon, being Inches 24.178 Tenths; its _attached_ Ther...

Section 391. The _Order_ to be observed in finding the Expansion _with_ 4°.6, i.e. with 4 Degrees, .6 Tenths of Heat, on 24.178, i.e. 24 Inches, .178 Tenths of the coldest Barom...

Section 410. _Below_: Barom. Inches 30, .0168: Attached Therm. 60°.6; Air-ditto, 60°.2: _Above_: Barom. - - Inches 29, .5218: Attached Therm. 56°.6; Air-ditto, 57°. Subtract the...

Section 419. Attached Therm. _below_, 71°.0 Attached Therm. _above_, 70 .5 ————— Subtract, and there remains .5 Tenths of a Degree of Heat to be added to the _colder_ Barometer...

There being no attached Thermometers; the _first_ Table is useless: the Barometer below is therefore supposed to be of the same Temperature as when above; the detached Thermomet...

Mons. Lavoisier, by the Application of Steam to Iron Filings enclosed in a Copper Retort, has generated inflammable Air, or light Gass:[136] and Dr. Priestley, by converting a G...

[108] Mons. Carra proposed to ascend with two Balloons. One, a seventh Part less than the other, is to be connected by a Rope, throu’ a Pulley fixed in the equatorial Hoop of th...