and the extremities of the Occident.  Every provision is made; there will be an exact rate of fare for each place of destination; but the prices for distant voyages will be the same, 1000 louis.  And it must be confessed that this is a moderate sum, considering the celerity, convenience, and pleasure of this mode of travelling above all others.  While in this balloon, every one can divert himself as he pleases, dancing, playing, or conversing with people of talent.  Pleasure will be the soul of the aerial society.’  All these inventions excited laughter.  But before long, if my days were not numbered, these projects should become realities.”

We were visibly descending; he did not perceive it!

“See this game of balloons; it contains the whole history of the aerostatic art.  This game, for the use of educated minds, is played like that of the Jew; with dice and counters of any value agreed upon, which are to be paid or received, according to the condition in which one arrives.”

“But,” I resumed, “you seem to have valuable documents on aerostation?”

“I am less learned than the Almighty!  That is all!  I possess all the knowledge possible in this world.  From Phaeton, Icarus, and Architas.  I have searched all, comprehended all!  Through me, the aerostatic art would render immense services to the world, if God should spare my life!  But that cannot be.”

“Why not?”

“Because my name is Empedocles or Erostratus!”

II.

The Company of Aerostiers—­The Battle of Fleurus—­The Balloon over the Sea—­Blanchard and Jefferies—­A Drama such as is rarely seen—­3000 Metres—­The Thunder beneath our Feet—­Gavnerin at Rome—­The Compass gone—­The Victims of Aerostation—­Pilatre—­At 4000 Metres—­The Barometer gone—­Descents of Olivari, Mosment, Bittorf, Harris, Sadler, and Madame Blanchard—­The Valve rendered useless—­7000 Metres—­Zambecarri—­The Ballon (sic) Wrecked—­Incalculable Heights—­The Car Overset—­Despair—­Vertigo—­The Fall—­The Denouement.

I shuddered!  Fortunately the balloon was approaching the earth.  But the danger is the same at 50 feet as at 5000 metres!  The clouds were advancing.

“Remember the battle of Fleurus, and you will comprehend the utility of aerostats!  Coulee, by order of the government, organized a company of aerostiers.  At the siege of Maubeuge, General Jourdan found this new method of observation so serviceable, that twice a day, accompanied by the General himself, Coutelle ascended into the air; the correspondence between the aeronaut and the aerostiers who held the balloon, was carried on by means of little white, red, and yellow flags.  Cannons and carbines were often aimed at the balloon at the moment of its ascension, but without effect.  When Jourdan was preparing to invest Charleroi, Coutelle repaired to the neighbourhood of that place, rose from the plain of Jumet, and remained