a fallen balloon, there is clearly no rising again, and the life
of the balloon in this its wrong element is not likely to be a
long one. The globe of gas may under favourable circumstances
continue to float for some while, but the open wicker car is the
worst possible boat for the luckless voyagers, while to leave it
and cling to the rigging is but a forlorn hope, owing to the
massof netting which surrounds the silk, and which would prove a
death-trap in the water. There are many instances of lives
having been lost in such a dilemma, even when help was near at
hand.

Our voyagers, whom we left in mid-air and stream, were soon
descending again, and this time they threw out their
tackle--anchor, ropes, and other gear, still without adequately
mending matters. Then their case grew desperate. The French
coast was, indeed, well in sight, but there seemed but slender
chance of reaching it, when they began divesting themselves
of clothing as a last resort. The upshot of this was
remarkable, and deserves a moment's consideration. When a
balloon has been lightened almost to the utmost the discharge
of a small weight sometimes has a magical effect, as is not
difficult to understand. Throwing out ten pounds at an early
stage, when there may be five hundred pounds more of
superfluous weight, will tell but little, but when those five
hundred pounds are expended then an extra ten pounds scraped
together from somewhere and cast overboard may cause a balloon
to make a giant stride into space by way of final effort; and
it was so with M. Blanchard. His expiring balloon shot up and
over the approaching land, and came safely to earth near the
Forest of Guiennes. A magnificent feast was held at Calais to