back, difcovered a cryftal oven, where they could not go for want of time. They alfo perceived, at the height of fixty or eighty fathoms above them, another peak, which they were compelled to leave unexplored, as they wanted both leifure and inftruments to cut fteps on the ice that furrounded it on all fides. By the report of thofe two men, and the measurement of the top of the Mont Blanc, they reached to the height of 2346 fathoms.

The reafon given by Mr Bourret why the heat experienced by the two travel fers fhould act fo powerfully on the body, and yet not diffolve the fnow, is, that the amazing whitenefs of the latter repels the rays of the fun, which, on the contrary, are entirely abforbed by the body.

Particular Account of Mr Blanchard and Dr Jeffries's Voyage in the Atmosphere, from Dover Cajlle to France, in a BalLoon.

.

THofe skilful and enterprising philofo

phers, Meff. Blanchard and Jeffries, after waiting at Dover from the 25th of December 1784, their apparatus being then ready for the experiment, for a favourable gale to reach the Continent, determined on Friday morning, Jan. 7. 1785, to prepare for their voyage; the fky being clear, the weather moderate, and the wind at N. N. W. At eight o'clock the fignal-gun was fired, the flag hoifted at the castle, and it was fuppofed they would make their afcent in about four hours.-Expreffes were dispatched to every place where it was poffible that company could have notice, and arrive in time to fee the balloon go off. Soon after twelve o'clock, the balloon was fuf. ficiently filled for the experiment; the form was a long oval, fuppofed to be equal to ninety-four feet in circumfe rence, covered with ftrong net-work half way over it, from whence the cords were continued, by which the paffengers and their carriage were to be fufpended. -The gas was fupplied from thirty butts, which it is fuppofed could have filled the balloon in much lefs than two hours if it had been neceffary; the inflammable air was conveyed in tin-pipes from each butt, which terminated in two receivers at the lower part of the balloon; the whole apparatus was exceedingly well adapted, and much credit was due to the chemift through the whole procefs of filling. The

cords from the net-work were held by ten or a dozen men, till the boat, which was seven feet and a half long, three feet and a half wide, and two feet nine inches deep, was placed in its proper, fituation to be fufpended. Dr Jeffries then feated himfelf at the head, taking with him a barometer and flag, and, pulling off his coat, put on a loose flannel jacket. The active and ingenious little Frenchman, who had on a great coat, and flanneltrowfers faftened to his fhoes, foon followed him, and taking up the hoop which was fattened to the boat by eight or ten strong fahlines, about eighteen inches long, began to take in the cords from each perfon who held them, and made them faft at equal diftances round the hoop, tying every knot himself, and obferving with the greatest care and precifion, that every loon, that the boat might be equally ba ftring bore alike on the body of the bal lanced. Some few articles of provifios were taken in, with a pocket-bottle of fpirits, two large parcels of bladders inflated, and two cork jackets, which latter were intended to have afforded fome afliftance in cafe of diftrefs; but thefe, alas, were trivial aids, if any unfavourable current fhould drive them to the im menfe ocean.-Juft at their departure, a paper, the purport of which was to certify to the court of France, that thefe gentlemen were launched with a balloon from Dover cliffs on that day at leven minutes past one o'clock, figned by upwards of fixty spectators, was put into Mr Blanchard's hand; and now the awful moment came, every remaining cord was loofened, and this large stupendous body feemed ftruggling to get loofe to float in purer climes. The particolar friends of our two aerial heroes on each fide of the boat, kept it gently gliding on the ground till it came to the utmost edge of the Cliff.-Then was realized that famous defeription of Shakespeare, in his tragedy of King Lear, when Glofter is about to throw himself from the Cliff on the other fide of the town;

"How fearful "And dizzy 'tis, to caft one's eyes fo low! "I'll look no more,

"Left my brain turn, and the deficient fight "Turn me down headlong

From a precipice like this let the admiring world be told, that thefe two men were launched to fwim in air-or meet inevitable death; and from this precipice, to the rapturous aftonishment of

thousands

thousands of spectators, these bold adventurers floated safe in the atmosphere, buoyed up by a power lighter than air itfelf.-The fight was truly fublime; the fpectators were all eyes, and their hearts all feeling. The ferenity and compofure vifible on the countenances of thefe two extraordinary characters, the display of two beautiful flags, the red ensign of England and the royal ftandard of France, the elegance of the little wherry that fuftained the passengers, the expanfion of the filken oars, and the ftupendous magnificence of the balloon itself, with the fun-beams full upon them, was a fight which leaves all defcription at a diftance, and requires, indeed, a thoufand witneffes to establish the truth of this most wonderful spectacle to the abfent public.

The falutations from the castle, the beach, the forts, and the town, were ge neral, and gracefully returned by the two aeronauts moving their hats and waving their flags; this was repeated again and again, whilft, by an almost imperceptible tranfition, they gradually leffened to the tye. At the distance of about half-feas over they defcended fo rapidly, that the fpectators were exceedingly alarmed, apprehenfive that fome accident had befallen them; but in a few minutes they were relieved from their apprehenfion by their re afcending higher than before, though the elevation of the balloon at no time appeared more than half a mile or three quarters from the furface of the sea. The wind at the time of their croffing was favourable, and the fky was fo clear, that the French land and town of Calais were plainly difcernible, and the eye fcarcely loft fight of the voyagers for near an hour and a half, and with good glaffes they were feen till fafe within the oppofite coaft. When the balloon first moved, it is fuppofed to have rifen with between five and fix hundred lb. wt.-The balloon reached the continent between Calais and Bulogne, and defcended, at twenty-five minutes paft three, at Banni.

expended the whole of our ballaft. At about five or fix miles from the French coaft we were again falling rapidly towards the fea, on which occafion my noble little Captain gave orders, and fet the example, by beginning to strip our aerial car, firft of our filk and finery; this, not giving us fufficient release, we caft one wing, then the other; after which I was obliged to unferue and caft away our moulinet; yet ftill approaching the fea very fast, and the boats being much alarmed for us, we, though unwillingly, caft away firft one anchor, then the other; after which, my little hero ftripped, and threw away his coat (great coat). On this I was compelled to follow his example. Then he ftripped, and caft away his trowfers. We put on our cork jackets, and were, God knows how, but as merry as grigs, to think how we should fplatter in the water. We had a fixed cord, &c. to mount into our upper ftory, and I believe both of us, as though infpired, felt ourselves confident of fuccefs in the event. Luckily, at this inftant, we found the mercury beginning to fall in the barometer, and we foon afcended much higher than ever before, and made a most beautiful and lofty entree into France exactly at three o'clock. We entered rifing, and to fuch a height, that the arch we defcribed brought us down juft twelve miles into the country, when we defcended moft tranquilly into the midst of the foreft De Felmores, almost as naked as the trees, not an inch of cord or rope left, no anchor, or any thing elfe to help us, nor a being within feveral miles. My good little Captain begged for all my exertion to ftop at the top of the first tree I

could reach. I fucceeded beyond my comprehenfion, and you would have laughed to fee us, each without a coat of any fort, Mr Blanchard affifting at the valve, and I holding the top of a lofty tree, and the balloon playing to and fro over us, holding almoft too fevere a conteft for my arms. It took exactly twenty-eight minutes to let out air enough to relieve the balloon without injury.

We

Calais, Jan. 8.

Heaven has crowned my utmost wishes with fuccefs. I cannot defcribe to you the magnificence of our voyage. When about mid channel, and at a high elevation, we had fuch a profpect of the Country, as furpaffes my defcriptive faculties. When two thirds over, we had VOL. XLVII.

footmen, horfemen, &c. and received every poffible affiftance from them. I was foon well mounted, and had a fine gallop of feven miles. We were invited to the chateau or feat of Monfieur de Sandrouin, where we received every polite attention, and were led through a noble fuite of apartments to partake of an E

elegant

elegant refreshment, &c. and at nine o'clock fent away in an elegant chariot and fix horses, but under a promise that we would call at the chateau of Mr Brou not, at Arainghan, where we ftaid a bout an hour, and then fet off again as before towards Calais, where we arrived between one and two o'clock this morning. I was furprised to find the difficulties of accefs; five very ftrong gates, bridges, &c. the guards very vigilant, but had all orders to let us pafs, the Commandant having fat up for us. We vifited him, and were very politely received; but the attentions of M. Mouron and his family exceeded all defcription. This morning the Mayor, Governor, Commandant, the officers in a body, the King's Attorney General, &c. have been to pay us a congratulatory vifit, and we have been complimented, as they compliment the King alone, by fending us the wine of the city. A patent is now making out to make my Captain a citizen of Calais. We are receiving honours and attentions much above our merit. Extract of a letter from Mr Blanchard,

dated, Calais, Jan. 8.

We arrived here fafe and well, and are at this moment with Mr Mouron, to whofe houfe we came laft night. At the inftant of my writing to you, the magi ftrates are bufy in preparing a patent to make me a citizen of Calais. To this fingular honour, they have added that of fending me the wine of the city, a compliment paid only to royalty, and inviting me to a public dinner. I cannot exprefs my feelings on thofe marks of favour, which honour me far more highly than my feeble efforts have deferved.

Mr le Commandant, who had fo politely attended our arrival, and made the gates of the city to be opened to us, has behaved in a manner not lefs flattering. They drew out their cannon to falute us immediately on our appearing above the French coaft; and I can fcarcely finish this fhort billet, fo eager are they to felicitate me on an event which has doubtlefs been attended with much danger; for we were two hours on the fea, and had never reached hither, but by ftripping ourselves of all our clothes. I am, &c.

BLANCHARD.

Mr Harper's aerial journey. Birmingham Jan. 6. On Tuefday morning laft, though it rained inceffantly, and was remarkab y hazy and foggy, a moft numerous affemblage of people appeared

in this town to fee Mr Harper afcend with his balloon. About 11 o'clock the bells rung, as an intimation that the balloon was filling, which was completed by twelve. Twenty minutes after twelve, the adventurer took his feat, in a very increaling rain. Near a quarter of an hour was employed in making a proper equipoife, and in taking leave of fome particular friends; when the filken cords that kept the machine from rifing were loofened by two ladies, and the whole apparatus rofe with the greatest majefty, gratifying the most unbounded withes by the fublimity of the fpectacle. An immenfe number of the populace being in an adjacent field, our aerial traveller lowered himself amongst them, as if to take a friendly farewell; and having heaved out fome ballaft he re-afcended, whilst the sky re-echoed the plaudits of the admiring multitude, distancing the view of every human object in two minutes. For the first fix minutes the rain increased to an uncommon degree, but in four minutes more he thot above every cloud, and enjoyed the influence of the fun and pure æther, making fuch obfervations as were dictated by the scientific. There, however, the compass was continually varying, as the currents of air changed.

The barometer at the time of its afcent ftood at 28 inches and three eighths, which indicated a degree of rarity of the atmosphere not frequently known, which together with the large quantity of water that had accumulated upon the balloon, and its furrounding net, very confiderably diminished the power of the afcent of the machine. The cold was by no means fo intenfe as might naturally have been expected, as the thermometer at no time was lower than 28 degrees on Fahrenheit's fcale; at its afcent it ftood at 40. He gradually afcended for the space of 30 minutes, at which time he was elevated 4300 feet above the earth.

In the progrefs of this aerial excurfion, Mr Harper experienced no other inconvenience than what might be expected in the change of climates, wet, and funfhine, except a temporary deafness.

About 2 o'clock he defcended at Millflone green, near Newcastle, in Staffordfhire, near 50 miles from this town. He arrived at Litchfield the fame evening, poft, with his balloon and car; the latter of which, with fome of his inftruments, we learn, were injured in anchoring at Millitoné-green, and yesterday he artived here, amidit the unbounded plaudits

of

Again the Princess stopped; again the received an order to proceed; till at last, faint and breathlefs, fhe was forced to complain. Then did this excellent parent exhort her daughter to forbear how the indulged herfelt in eafe, while the fuffered her attendants to endure unneceflary fatigue.

of the inhabitants, the populace taking the horfes from his carriage, and driving him in triumph through the principal ftreets. At Trentham, Mr Harper indulged himself with a view of Lord Gower's, and feeing a perfon at fome diftance, hail ed him with his fpeaking trumpet, to know how far he was from Birmingham ? He was answered, " About 40 miles, Mafter, but you are going the wrong way." On Jan. 31 Mr Harper attempted a fecond aerial voyage from the fame place; but the balloon, in afcending, happening to ftrike against the upper part of an adjoining houfe, it received fo much da mage, that he was obliged to be taken out, and a boy got into the car, to af fift in weighing the balloon down to be repaired; but it was no fooner cleared from the houfe, than it rofe with the boy; who behaved with the greatest courage, waving his hat, by way of faluting the company. The balloon being damaged, he was foon landed at a small distance, without receiving the leaft hurt.

Anecdote of Queen Caroline. THE memory of Queen Caroline is re

vered for the excellence of her domeftic character. As a mother, the thone in a confpicuous manner, by the attention which the paid to cultivating the difpofitions of her children. Of her Majefly's fuperior talent for that tender office, of her adroitnefs in feizing the happy moment to inftil virtuous principles, the following anecdote records an inftance, which ought never to be forgotten. The Princess Royal was accustomed, at going to reft, to employ one of the ladies of the Court in reading aloud to her, till the fhould drop afleep. It happened, one evening, that the lady who was appointed to perform this office, being indifpofed, could not, without great inconvenience, endure the fatigue of standing; yet the Princess was inattentive to her fituation, and fuffered her to continue reading till the fell down in a fwoon. The Queen was informed of this the next morning. Her Majefty said nothing upon the fubject; but at night, when the was in bed, fent for the Princefs, and faying that the wifhed to be lulled to reft, commanded her Royal Highnefs to read aloud. After fome time, the Princefs began to be tired of standing, and paufed, in hope of receiving an order to feat herfelf." Proceed," said her Majefty, In a fhort time a fecond ftop feemed to plead for reft." Read on," faid the Queen.

SIR,

Have fent you a fcale of natural beings, which I fhould be glad any of your correfpondents would improve or correct. If any one is offended at finding the monkey fo near to ourselves, I beg he would obferve, that we confider man here merely as an animal, not as a rational or moral being. Swift gave much offence by his voyage to the Houyhnhnms, becaufe his defign was totally mifunderftood; and our unbounded folly and felfifhnefs make us offended at whatever is defigned to correct our vices or failings. P. B. C. A Scale of Natural Beings.

ΜΑΝ.

Orang-Outang.
Monkeys.
QUADRUPEDS.
Flying Squirrel.
Bat.
Ourich.
BIRDS.
Water-Birds.
Amphibious Birds.
Flying Filh.
Fish *.
Eels.
Water-Snakes,
Serpents.
Naked Snails,
Slugs.
Snails.
Shell Fish.
Scropulæ.
Moths.
INSECTS.
Gall Infects.
Tœnia, or Tape-
Worm.

Polypes.
ZoOPHYTES.

Senfitive Plants. VEGETABLES. Liverworts.

Muthrooms.

Trufles.

LITHOPHYTES.

Abclus.

Talc, Gypfum, Selenites.

Slate.

Stones.

Figured Stones.
Cryitallifations.

Salts.
Vitriols.

or Metals.

Semi-metals .

Sulphurs.
Bitumens.

Earths.

Pure Earth.
Water.
Air.

Whales, and other cetaceous fish, form the connecting link between quadrupeds and fith; as trogs, toads, and other reptiles, do between quadrupeds and ferpents.

Zine is the connecting link between the metals and femi-metals; and black lead, or wadd, connects thefe with the fulphurs. Innumerable points of union of the fame kind may be obferved in all parts of nature E 2 Remarkable