It rose at Paris, and three hours
afterwards it was found near Basville, about thirty miles from
the capital.
On the 15th of the same month Cellard de Chastelais sent up a
paper balloon. Heated air was supplied on this occasion by a
paper roll, enclosing a sponge, and soaked in oil, spirits of
wine, and grease. A cage, which contained a cat, was attached to
this air globe. In thirty-five minutes it had mounted so high
that it looked but like the smallest star, and in two hours it
had flown a distance of forty-six miles from the place where it
was thrown off. The cat was dead, but it was not discovered from
what cause.
The first balloon that traversed the English channel was sent off
at Sandwich, in Kent, on the 22nd of February, 1784. It was five
feet in diameter, and was inflated with hydrogen gas. It rose
rapidly, and was carried toward France by a north-west wind. Two
hours and a half after it had been let off it was found in a
field about nine miles from Lille. The balloon carried a letter,
instructing the finder of the balloon to communicate with William
Boys, Esq., Sandwich, and to state where and at what time it was
found. This request was complied with.
On the 19th of February a similar balloon, five feet in diameter,
was sent up from Queen's College, Oxford.
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