82 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ing alighted at Campsie, about twelve miles distant, where he was received by
the Rev. Mr. Lapsley, minister of that place, who transmitted an account of his
descent to one of the Glasgow journals.
The fifth ascent of Lunardi in Scotland, and the second at Edinburgh, again
occurred at Heriot’s Hospital Green. He made offer of the profits of this second
exhibition for the benefit of the Charity Workhouse, but the directors politely
declined accepting his offer, on the ground that, however desirous they might be
to promote the interest of the institution, they were unwilling that any one
should rbk his Zife for its benefit. On Tuesday the 20th December, Lunardi took
his flight a few minutes before one o’clock. On this occasion he was dressed in
the uniform of the Scots Archers, having been previously admitted an honorary
member of that body, as well as having had the freedom of Edinburgh conferred
upon him. He was also provided with a cork jacket, as on the former occasion
furnished by Dr. Rae, togeLher with other precautionary means of safety, in case
of an immersion in the German Ocean.’ These, as it happened, were not without
their use. The balloon ascended with great rapidity, taking a more easterly
direction than formerly, and was seen, by means of a telescope, about two
o’clock, in rather a perilous situation, about two miles north-east of Gullanness.
Not far from this place, it appears the balloou had descended so low as to immerse
the car in the water, when some fishermen observing the occurrence, imniediately
proceeded to his rescue. Owing, however, to the rapidity with which
the car was dragged, nearly three quarters of an hour elapsed before they were able
to render any assistance ; and when they came up, Lunardi was breast deep in the
water, and benumbed with cold. They were then five or sib miles from land.
He would have cut away the balloon, but seeing the fishermen approaching, he
was unwilling to lose it by doing so. On leaving the car for the boat, however,
the balloon, being thus lightened, rose with great force, carrying every appendage
with it in its flight. hir. Lunardi was then taken to Mr. Nisbet’s of Dirleton,
where he spent the evening. In a letter dated that night to the magistrates of
Edinburgh, he speaks lightly of his danger, expresses reget at losing the balloon,
but was hopeful that the people would be satisfied with his conduct. Fortunately
the balloon was picked up next day by the May cutter, about twelve miles
off Anstruther.
Lunardi then returned to England, exhibiting his aerial ingenuity in the provincial
towns (having been in London some time previous to his arrival in Scotland);
A very unfortunate occurrence took place on his ascending at Newcastle :
-A Mr. Heron having hold of one of the ropes, incautiously twisted it round
his arm, and not being able to disentangle himself in time, he was lifted up to a
considerable height, when the rope giving way, he fell, and was killed on the
spot. Mr. Heron was on the eve of marriage, and at the time the accident
occurred the lady of his affections-was by his side.
wind, that he would be driven into the German Ocean.
me up.” Fortunately for him somebody didpick him up.
On this occasion, says our informant, Lunardi was positively assured, from the diction of the
“ Me don’t mind that-somebody will pick
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 83
Mr. Lunardi again visited Edinburgh the year following (1 786), and ascended
the third time from Heriot’s Hospital Green, on the 31st of July. On this
occasion a lady (Mrs. Lamash, an actress) was to have accompanied him, and had
actually taken her seat in the car ; but the balloon being unable to ascend with
both, Lunardi ascended alone. In consequence of little wind, he came down
about two miles distant. On his return to the city in the evening, he was
carried through the streets in his car by the populace, and received other
demonstrations of admiration,
Very little is known of Mr. Lunardi’s personal history, save that he was a
native of Italy, and some time Secretary to the then late Neapolitan ambassador.
In 1786, he published an account of his aerial voyages in Scotland, which he
dedicated to the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. This small volume, although
proving him to be a man of education, and some talent as a writer, throws very
little light upon his history. It consists of a series of letters addressed to his
guardian, (‘ Chevalier Gerardo Compagni.” These letters were evidently written
under the impulse of the moment, and afford a connected detail of his progress in
Scotland. They are chiefly interesting at this distance of time, as showing;the
feelings and motives of one, who, whether his “labours were misdirected” or
not, obtained an extraordinary degree of notoriety. In short, the volume is
amusing in this particular, and adds another proof to the many, that few, very
few, seek the advancement of society, or of the sciences, for humanity’s sake
alone, Fame is the grand stimulus. A portrait of the author is prefixed, which
corresponds extremely well with Mr. Kay’s sketches of him. Lunardi must have
been at that time a very young man.
The young adventurer, on his arrival in the Scottish capital, is much pleased
with its ancient and romantic appearance. He expresses himself with great
animation on all he sees around him, and apparently with great sincerity. As
a specimen of the man and his opinions, we are induced to make one or two
extracts. In the first letter, after describing his arrival, he says :-
“ I have apartments in Walker’s Hotel, Prince’s Street, from whence I behold
innumerable elegant baildings, and my ears are saluted with the sounds of
industry from many others similarly arising. It
vibrates more forcibly on the chords of my heart than the most harmonious
notes of music, and gives birth to sensations that.1 would not exchange for all
the boasted pleasures of luxury and dissipation.”
These sentiments would have done credit to one less gay and youthful than
Lunardi. In another letter he says, ‘‘ I am now happy in the acquaintance of
the Hon. Henry Erskine, Sir William Forbes, and Major Fraser.” True to his
clime, however, the letters of Lnnardi betray in him all the volatility and passion
ascribed to his countrymen. At one moment he is in ecstasy, the other in
despair, He had chosen George Square for his first display, and had contracted
with Isaac Braidwood of the Luckenbooths, who had actually begun to enclose
the area, when an order from the Magistrates stopped farther proceedings. The
Hail to the voice of labour !
