true instinct of French politeness, presented him with a
little balloon, saying at the same time--

"It is for you, monsieur, to show us the way to the skies."

The exquisite taste and delicacy of this incident touched the bystanders
as with an electric shock, and the place at once rang out with the most
genuine and hearty applause The little balloon thrown up by Montgolfier
sped away to the north-east, its beautiful emerald colour showing to
fine effect in the sun.

From this point let us follow the narrative of Professor Charles
himself.

"The balloon," he says, "which escaped from the hands of M. Montgolfier,
rose into the air, and seemed to carry with it the testimony of
friendship and regard between that gentleman and myself, while
acclamations followed it. Meanwhile, we hastily prepared for departure.
The stormy weather did not permit us to have at our command all the
arrangements which we had contemplated the previous evening; to do so
would have detained us too long upon the earth. After the balloon and
the car were in equilibrium, we threw over 19 lbs. of ballast, and we
rose in the midst of silence, arising from the emotion and surprise felt
on all sides.

"Nothing will ever equal that moment of joyous excitement which filled
my whole being when I felt myself flying away from the earth. It was not
mere pleasure; it was perfect bliss. Escaped from the frightful torments
of persecution and of calumny, I felt that I was answering all in rising
above all.

"To this sentiment succeeded one more lively still--the admiration of
the majestic spectacle that spread itself out before us. On whatever
side we looked, all was glorious; a cloudless sky above, a most
delicious view around. 'Oh, my friend,' said I to M. Robert, 'how great
is our good fortune! I care not what may be the condition of the earth;
it is the sky that is for me now. What serenity! what a ravishing scene!
Would that I could bring here the last of our detractors, and say to the
wretch, Behold what you would have lost had you arrested the progress of
science.'

"Whilst we were rising with a progressively increasing speed, we
waved our bannerets in token of our cheerfulness, and in order to give
confidence to those below who took an interest in our fate. M.
Robert made an inventory of our stores; our friends had stocked our
commissariat as for a long voyage--champagne and other wines, garments
of fur and other articles of clothing.

"'Good,' I