In a very few minutes it arrived near enough to be accurately
discerned. It appeared to be- yes! it was undoubtedly a species of
balloon; but surely no such balloon had ever been seen in Rotterdam
before. For who, let me ask, ever heard of a balloon manufactured
entirely of dirty newspapers? No man in Holland certainly; yet here,
under the very noses of the people, or rather at some distance above
their noses was the identical thing in question, and composed, I
have it on the best authority, of the precise material which no one
had ever before known to be used for a similar purpose. It was an
egregious insult to the good sense of the burghers of Rotterdam. As to
the shape of the phenomenon, it was even still more reprehensible.
Being little or nothing better than a huge foolscap turned upside
down. And this similitude was regarded as by no means lessened when,
upon nearer inspection, there was perceived a large tassel depending
from its apex, and, around the upper rim or base of the cone, a circle
of little instruments, resembling sheep-bells, which kept up a
continual tinkling to the tune of Betty Martin.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25