ure. A raised platform was used for the fire by means of which
the balloon was to be inflated; a covered funnel or chimney of strong
cloth, painted, was suspended over the fire-place, and received the hot
smoke as it arose. Through this funnel the heated air ascended straight
up into the balloon.

At six in the morning, the road from Paris to Versailles was covered
with carriages. Crowds came from all parts, and at noon the avenues,
the square of the castle, the windows, and even the roofs of the houses,
were crowded with spectators. The noblest, the most illustrious, and
most learned men in France were present, and the splendour of the scene
was complete when their majesties and the royal family entered within
the enclosure, and went forward to inspect the balloon, and to make
themselves familiar with the preparations for the ascent.

In a short time the fire was lit, the funnel extended over it, and the
smoke rose inside, while the balloon, unfolding, gradually swelled to
its full size, and then, drawing after it the cage, in which a sheep
and some pigeons were enclosed, rose majestically into the air. Without
interreruption, it ascended to a vast height, where, inclining toward
the north, it seemed to remain stationary for a few seconds, showing
all the beauty of its form, and then, as though possessed of life, it
descended gently upon the wood of Vaucresson, 10,200 feet from the point
of its departure. Its highest elevation, as estimated by the astronomers
Le Gentil and M. Jeaurat, Jeaurat, was about 1,700 feet.

Chapter VIII. Men and Balloons.

It is not natural that the human mind should stop upon the way to the
solution of a problem, especially when it seems to be on the point of
arriving at a satisfactory conclusion to its labours. The osier cage
of Versailles very soon transformed itself into a car, bearing human
passengers, and the age of the "Thousand and One Nights" was expected
to come back again. It was resolved to continue experiments, with the
direct object of finding out whether it was impossible or desperately
dangerous for man to travel in balloons. Montgolfier returned from
Versailles, and constructed a new machine in the gardens of the Faubourg
St. Antoine. It was completed on the 10th of October Its form was oval,
its height 70 feet, its diameter 46 feet and its capacity 60,000 cubic
feet. The upper part, embroidered with fleurs-de-lis, was further
ornamented with the twelve signs of the zod