Part 9

I had the crop duly surveyed, and no real injury had as yet been sustained so that I decided without letting anybody know, besides a certain functionary whose approval was necessary, to get my passport returned in order to leave Breslau that very night. As the season was advancing and I wished to take my balloon due north, it was of importance that I should not be delayed by any vexatious proceedings such as that mentioned.

On the day following my departure, the potato dealer was apprised of my having left with balloon, bag and baggage, and that a third ascent would not take place, he then became as may be surmised, terribly irate, and immediately set on foot an enquiry whether the tradesmen employed by me, had been swindled or paid.

There is very little trouble in arriving at conclusions of this sort on the Continent, and when it was found that a good and highly flattering report from the police accompanied my departure, the over-reaching dealer saw that he had been completely done by a stranger, and that the act was countenanced and facilitated by his own neighbours.

The next town I was anxious to visit during the autumn of 1849, was Hamburg. There were reasons why I should entertain great expectations of doing well there.

Firstly, there was abundance of gas to be had, and secondly, there had been no ascent there for many years.

Under these auspices, I started in company with the Prussian with whom I had associated myself in Berlin, and we took up our quarters near the Alster, quite sanguine as to being able to find a public garden or other locality from which to ascend.

My first application was to President Gossler, the head official and senator, to whom I presented my credentials, I was graciously promised every assistance, and was requested to apply again when a convenient place was found.

We rose early next morning with the express object of exploring Hamburg. Two or three agents, with a view of assisting in the enterprise, accompanied us, and it was not long before a well enclosed plot of ground presented itself; but obstacles arose as fast as localities sprang into view, the chief of which was a consideration (pecuniary of course), which was, no doubt, the custom of the country, but not at all palatable to my taste in the loose way in which it was required to be made; for instance--it was whispered, that the golden key was the thing here to unlock all difficulties,--good, so it is in most places: “But in what form do you propose to apply it?” I enquired of our agent.

“A few pounds to pave the way as a presentation would be advisable.”

“Indeed,” said I to our Hebrew-looking adviser, “I do not understand that vague sort of trafficking; if the holder of a piece of property will set a price on the letting of it, I will say yes or no!”

“They will let you have it for nothing, but you must be polite and expend a few pounds first with those you wish to help you.”

“That is not my style of doing business, and I do not approve of it.”

“Then you will not be fortunate here.”

“That,” I replied, “we can only know by and bye.”

After days of laborious enquiry, we ascertained that there was a great deal of truth in what we had heard.

In communicating with the directors of the gas-works, we were advised to do the best we could in view of existing practices, but somehow we became irritated at them, and a degree of obstinacy followed which was hardly, perhaps, in accordance with worldly wisdom.

“At any rate,” as I observed to my joint speculator, “we will strike out alone, and try to do without these Jewish negociators.”

When we were seen to search about without companions or agents, great was the laugh at such British stupidity and meanness, but when we selected a piece of land, and the builders with their carts and boards were seen to assemble, and it became known that a vast _cirque_ was to be erected in the most charming locality, then it was admitted that we were decidedly knowing, and had done the smartest thing attempted in the free town for some considerable time.

Having then, without the co-operation or approval of the German Jews, chosen an eligible plot upon which we were permitted to erect a wooden enclosure of about 150 feet in diameter; notices were posted that an ascent would take place on the following Wednesday.

The local press cheered the venture with the most encouraging paragraphs, and took a retrospective glance at my previous ascents in Germany. This act of kindness was sufficient to ensure a successful campaign, the more so as my first ascent in October went off with great _éclat_, and I took with me two passengers, Mr. Ballheimer, and Herr Rieck.

These gentlemen, who journeyed with me into Holstein, came back with such a stirring account of cloudland, that I was safe as to passengers for the next three voyages. I made altogether four before the close of the season, the last on November 9th, was a remarkable trip, it will be interesting therefore to append the more striking particulars.

The final ascent was preceded by a number of captive trips to the extent of a rope two hundred feet long.

Many of the first-class people of Hamburg including the president and some of the senators, went up thus far, but the most popular candidate was a heroine weighing at least nineteen stone, and attired in a humble cotton dress, with a huge time-worn umbrella tucked under her left arm.

I had just decided upon concluding these captive ascent when the goodly dame burst out into an audible lamentation that she had travelled, I don’t know how many miles, on purpose to see the English balloon, and now her chance of going up in it was lost.

The spectators laughed heartily, and inferred by her corpulent 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.