Edinburgh Bookshelf

Kay's Originals Vol. 1

Search

80 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. gave the signal at ten minutes to three, when the balloon ascended in a S.S.E. direction, “ in the most grand and magnificent manner,” amid the acclamations of the people. He passed over the city at a great height, waving his flag as he proceeded. According to Lunardi’s own account, “ the balloon, after rising, took a northeast direction, and, near to the Island of Inchkeith, came down almost to the sea ; he then threw out some ballast, and the balloon rose higher than before. A current of mind carried him east to North Berwick; a different current then changed his course, and brought him over between Leven and Largo. After this, a S.S.W. breeze brought him to the place where he descended,” which was on the estate of the Hon. John Hope, a mile east from Ceres. “When the balloon was at its highest elevation (about three miles) the barometer stood at eighteen inches five-tenths. Mr. Lunardi at this time felt no difficulty in respiration. He passed through several clouds of snow, and lost sight at times both of sea and land. His excursion took about an hour and a half; and it would appear he passed over upwards of forty miles of sea, and about ten of land.” On his descending, Mr, Lunardi was first welcomed by Mr. Robert Christie, and next by the Rev. Robert Arnot, who came running, with a crowd of people after him. He wag accompanied to Ceres by a body of gentlemen who soon collected, where he was “ received by the acclamations of a prodigious multitude, his flag being carried in procession before him, and the church-bell ringing in honour of such a visitant.” At the manse of Ceres he drank a few glasses of wine, and both there and at the house of Mr. Melville he received the compliments of a great many ladies and gentlemen. The same evening he started for Cupar, having been invited by the authorities, where the most enthusiastic reception awaited him. After having been next day entertained at dinner, and presented with the freedom of the burgh, he proceeded to St. Andrews, to which place he had been invited by the Club of Gentlemen Golfers, where he was made a citizen, and had, by diploma, the honour of “ Knight of the Beggar’s Benison ” conferred upon him. Such is a brief account of Lunardi’s first aerial trip in Scotland. Brilliant it certainly was, and it is as unquestionable, that although half a century has since elapsed, it has not been surpassed.’ Many anecdotes are told of the surprise and terror of the peasantry on first beholding the balloon. Some reapers in a field near to Ceres were dreadfully alarmed-judging from so uncommon an appearance, and the sound of Lunardi’s trumpet, that the end of all things was at hand. Certain it is, however, that the Rev, Mr. Arnot, who was previously aware of Lunardi’s ascent, required considerable persuasion to convince the people that they might approach the object of their terror without fear of supernatural injury. Mr. Lunardi’s next adventure took place at Kelso on the 22d of October. In t,his flight he did not ascend above a mile, keeping constantly in view of the * An eye-witness informs us “that there has been no exhibition nearly so grand as Lunardi’s first ascent. All the other ascents since his time have been dosing, sluggish-looking exhibitions, whereas Lunardi went off in the grandest style, precisely resembling a sky-rocket.”
Volume 8 Page 115
  Shrink Shrink   Print Print