first observe the state of his companion, in consequence of his having
had to ascend into the ring of the balloon to disentangle the
valve-line, which had become twisted. Hitherto Mr Glaisher had
retained the power of moving the muscles of his back and neck, but
suddenly this was lost to him. He saw Mr Coxwell dimly in the ring,
and attempted to speak to him, but could not do so. A moment later
intense black darkness surrounded him--the optic nerve had lost its
power! He was still conscious, however, and with his brain as active as
at other times. He fancied he had been seized with asphyxia, and that
death would quickly ensue unless they descended without delay. Suddenly
the power of thought ceased, and he became unconscious. All these
extraordinary and alarming sensations, he calculated, must have taken
place within five or six minutes.

While still powerless he heard the words "temperature" and
"observation," and knew that Mr Coxwell was in the car endeavouring to
arouse him. Presently he heard him speak more emphatically, but could
neither see, reply, nor move. Then he heard him say, "Do try now, do,"
after which vision slightly returned, and in a short time he saw clearly
again, rose from his seat, looked round, and said to Mr Coxwell, "I
have been insensible." His friend replied, "You have, and I too, very
nearly." Mr Coxwell had lost the use of his hands, which were black;
Mr Glaisher, therefore, poured brandy over them. His companion then
told him that, on descending from the ring, he thought he had laid
himself back to rest, but noticing that his legs projected, and his arms
hung down by his side, it struck him there was something wrong, and he
attempted to go to his assistance, but felt insensibility coming over
himself. He tried to open the valve, so that they might descend, but,
having lost the use of his hands, could not. In this critical moment he
seized the cord with his teeth, dipped his head two or three times, and
thus succeeded in opening the valve, and descending from those dangerous
regions of attenuated atmosphere!

At first they went down at the tremendous rate of twenty miles an hour,
but after descending three miles in nine minutes, the balloon's progress
was checked, and they finally alighted safely in a grass field, where
their appearance so terrified the country folk that it required a good
deal of coaxing in plain English to convince them that the aeronauts
were not inhabitants