y rent it into numberless
fragments and tatters. It withstood the storm for twenty-four hours;
then, however, the paper came peeling off, and this beautiful structure
was a wreck."

Chapter VII. Fourth Experiment.

(Versailles, 19th September, 1783, in presence of Louis of XVI.)

Of course another balloon was wanted for the fete at Versailles. The
king had demanded an ascent for the 19th, a week after the disaster at
the Faubourg St. Antoine. Already the possibility of a man going up with
the balloon was discussed, and people indulged in visions of splendid
aerial trips; but the king would not hear of the proposal. Balloons were
novelties, not offering sufficient security, and he was unwilling that
any of his subjects should risk their lives in attempting the unknown.
He consented, however, to a proposal that animals might be sent up in
the first instance, by way of experiment, suspended in an osier cage
attached to the neck of the balloon.

Montgolfier at once began a new balloon. A few days only were at his
disposal; but, assisted by friends, he worked with such ardour
and success that he was able, on the date appointed, to produce
a magnificent spherical balloon, much stronger than the former,
constructed of good strong cotton cloth, and painted in distemper.

It is proper here to remark that the first balloons were much more
elegant in appearance than those afterwards made. The coloured prints
and engravings of the period enable us to form an opinion of the
splendour of their ornamentation and the beauty of their design.
Sometimes the figures painted upon them represented scenes from
the heathen mythology, and sometimes historical scenes; while rich
embroideries, royal insignia, and gaily-coloured draperies added much
to the general effect. The Versailles balloon was painted blue, with
ornaments of gold, and it presented the form of a richly decorated tent.
It was fifty-seven feet in height, and sixty-seven in diameter.

It was first tried at Paris, and succeeded perfectly. On the morning of
the 19th it was carried to Versailles, where due preparation had been
made for its reception In the great court of the castle a sort of
theatre had been temporarily erected with a scaffolding, covered
throughout with tapestry In the middle was an opening more than fifteen
feet in diameter, in which was spread a banquet for those who had
constructed the balloon. A numerous guard formed a double cordon around
the struct