The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 327 pages of information about The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 1.
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The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 1 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 327 pages of information about The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 1.

The Journal here ceases.  Some particulars of the descent were communicated, however, by Mr. Ainsworth to Mr. Forsyth.  It was nearly dead calm when the voyagers first came in view of the coast, which was immediately recognized by both the seamen, and by Mr. Osborne.  The latter gentleman having acquaintances at Fort Moultrie, it was immediately resolved to descend in its vicinity.  The balloon was brought over the beach (the tide being out and the sand hard, smooth, and admirably adapted for a descent,) and the grapnel let go, which took firm hold at once.  The inhabitants of the island, and of the fort, thronged out, of course, to see the balloon; but it was with the greatest difficulty that any one could be made to credit the actual voyage — the crossing of the Atlantic.  The grapnel caught at 2, P.M., precisely; and thus the whole voyage was completed in seventy-five hours; or rather less, counting from shore to shore.  No serious accident occurred.  No real danger was at any time apprehended.  The balloon was exhausted and secured without trouble; and when the MS. from which this narrative is compiled was despatched from Charleston, the party were still at Fort Moultrie.  Their farther intentions were not ascertained; but we can safely promise our readers some additional information either on Monday or in the course of the next day, at farthest.

This is unquestionably the most stupendous, the most interesting, and the most important undertaking, ever accomplished or even attempted by man.  What magnificent events may ensue, it would be useless now to think of determining.

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{*1} Note. — Mr. Ainsworth has not attempted to account for this phenomenon, which, however, is quite susceptible of explanation.  A line dropped from an elevation of 25,000 feet, perpendicularly to the surface of the earth (or sea), would form the perpendicular of a right-angled triangle, of which the base would extend from the right angle to the horizon, and the hypothenuse from the horizon to the balloon.  But the 25,000 feet of altitude is little or nothing, in comparison with the extent of the prospect.  In other words, the base and hypothenuse of the supposed triangle would be so long when compared with the perpendicular, that the two former may be regarded as nearly parallel.  In this manner the horizon of the æronaut would appear to be on a level with the car.  But, as the point immediately beneath him seems, and is, at a great distance below him, it seems, of course, also, at a great distance below the horizon.  Hence the impression of concavity; and this impression must remain, until the elevation shall bear so great a proportion to the extent of prospect, that the apparent parallelism of the base and hypothenuse disappears — when the earth’s real convexity must become apparent.

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MS. FOUND IN A BOTTLE

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The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 1 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.