But whatever ill-feeling might have existed
was swept away by Professor Charles with a compliment. When he
was ready to ascend, he walked up to Montgolfier, and, with the
true instinct of French politeness, presented him with a little
balloon, saying at the same time--
"It is for you, monsieur, to show us the way to the skies."
The exquisite taste and delicacy of this incident touched the
bystanders as with an electric shock, and the place at once rang
out with the most genuine and hearty applause The little balloon
thrown up by Montgolfier sped away to the north-east, its
beautiful emerald colour showing to fine effect in the sun.
From this point let us follow the narrative of Professor Charles
himself.
"The balloon," he says, "which escaped from the hands of M.
Montgolfier, rose into the air, and seemed to carry with it the
testimony of friendship and regard between that gentleman and
myself, while acclamations followed it. Meanwhile, we hastily
prepared for departure. The stormy weather did not permit us to
have at our command all the arrangements which we had
contemplated the previous evening; to do so would have detained
us too long upon the earth. After the balloon and the car were
in equilibrium, we threw over 19 lbs.
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