the surface at option, to announce his situation below;
but, none appearing, Mr. Blake, who was near at hand in a barge,
began to entertain some suspicion. He kept a strict lookout, and
at the time appointed, neither the buoys nor the vessel coming
up, he applied to the _Orpheus_ frigate, which lay just off the
barge, for assistance. The captain with the most ready
benevolence supplied them with everything in his power to seek
for the ship. Mr. Blake, in this alarming situation was not
content with the help of the _Orpheus_ only; he made immediate
application to Lord Sandwich (who happened to be at Plymouth) for
further relief. His Lordship with great humanity ordered a number
of hands from the dock-yard, who went with the utmost alacrity
and tried every effort to regain the ship, but unhappily without
effect.

Thus ended this unfortunate affair. Mr. Blake had not experience
enough to judge of all possible contingencies, and he had now
only to lament the credulity with which he listened to a
projector, fond of his own scheme but certainly not possessed of
skill enough to guard against the variety of accidents to which
he was liable. The poor man has unfortunately shortened his days;
he was not however tempted or influenced by anybody; he confided
in his own judgment, and put his life to the hazard upon his own
mistaken notions.

Many and various have been the opinions on this strange, useless,
and fatal experiment, though the more reasonable part of mankind
seemed to give it up as wholly impracticable. It is well-known,
that pent-up air, when overcharged with the vapours emitted out
of animal bodies, becomes unfit for respiration; for which
reason, those confined in the diving-bell, after continuing some
time under water are obliged to come up, and take in fresh air,
or by some such means recruit it. That any man should be able
after having sunk a vessel to so great a depth, to make that
vessel at pressure, so much more specifically lighter than water,
as thereby to enable it to force its way to the surface, through
the depressure of so great a weight, is a matter not hastily to
be credited. Even cork, when sunk to a certain depth will, by the
great weight of the fluid upon it, be prevented from rising.

The English of the _Annual Register_