It is just what I stated to you some time back respecting Coxwell, and getting the balloon from Gale, and you will find I fear that he, Coxwell, will work Gale of out Goulston’s favour, and I think it will not take much to do this from what I hear when I was in London. Mr Goulston has been a good friend to Gale, but Gale has not acted as he ought, so it is stated. What he will do I cannot think, he has a large family to support.
I shall do my best to bring out the new fire balloon this summer, if I can do so. I have got my model done and shall try it in a day or two. You misunderstand me respecting the placing of the fire. I never thought of putting it so high as the zone of the balloon, for two reasons, one is that I should scorch the top of the balloon while the lower part would receive the heat. If I have the pleasure of seeing you soon, you then shall see all my plans, and you will then judge accordingly.
From J. MacSweeny Esq., Cork, March 6, 1850.
The book by Monck Mason, so far mentioned a number of times, was titled Aeronautica; Or, Sketches Illustrative of the Theory and Practice of Aerostation: Comprising an Enlarged Account of the Late Aerial Expedition to Germany. It was published in 1838 and gained its author a certain notoriety. Mason was by profession a musician and never piloted a balloon, always travelling as a passenger.
I received your communication, and also the Leeds newspaper, and have to return many thanks. I know nothing about Dr Potain’s ascent at Dublin, except what has appeared in Monck Mason’s book. If you go on as you have gone on you will certainly have the most complete list of ascents in England.
I suppose that you have seen the programme of Mr Hampton’s lecture in Limerick. I should like to see the programme of Lieut. Gale’s lecture in Leeds, and also a sketch of his flying machine.6 When it will be convenient ←60 | 61→to you, I would wish that you would send me the account of the voyage from Boulgone by Godard in September 1848.
With regard to the decomposition of water, it can be done by magnetic electricity. Small machines for the decomposition of water have been on sale in London for many years at the shops of makers of philosophical instruments.
From Mr George Burcher Gale, Aeronaut, 24 Mansion House Street, Kennington, March 20, 1850.
A professional balloonist, Gale’s practice of ascending astride a horse, with the animal standing on a platform, had brought him into disrepute in England, and while he discontinued the practice on home ground he still performed this equine stunt for continental audiences. Gale was an alcoholic and constantly pressed for funds. Edwin Dipple was a London publisher and print seller. H. W. Darby, a pyrotechnic, was contracted to construct Sheppard’s message balloons for use by the Franklin Relief Expedition.
I feel that you must think me not only neglectful but ungrateful, in not writing to you before this. On my return to town I found my affairs at odds and ends, parties had been interfering with my name and correspondence with the Admiralty, in fact the whole corps of aeronauts, together with several pyrotechnics, amongst whom is my friend Darby, have taken advantage of my absence to lay their schemes before the Lords Commissioners, all founded upon my principles, and in fact Darby has got the contract for supplying the balloons, and it is not as yet settled whether my services will be required. However, I am to see Captain Austin on tomorrow, after which you shall hear from me again.
I have seen Mr Dipple, on the subject of your records, and he declined publishing at present, having so much in hand.
I have had three sittings for my portrait with Mr Croper of King William Street, London Bridge. The original drawing will be finished the latter end of this week and a copy will be made immediately for you. In the meantime will you be kind enough to forward to me the lecture as I have to deliver in on Monday and Tuesday next, which I did not know of until today. I have made an engagement to ascend from Ipswich on Easter Monday, the particulars of which I will forward to you.
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I saw Coxwell before he left town. I mentioned you to him and gave him your address, he said he would send you some accounts from the continent. He proceeded to Hamburg, where his balloon was and from there he would go to Berlin. Please write to me on the receipt of this, and believe me to be your much obliged friend.
From Mr Hampton, 23 Jervis Street, Dublin, March 24, 1850.
I am sorry to hear that you will not be able to come to Dublin as you thought, but I hope we shall meet before the summer is over, either by my coming to England or you to Ireland. As for my model balloon, I have been very busy on it, and was preparing the top when your letter came. I shall have a ground trial of it in a day or two, indeed I meant to put off the trial till you came, but I must now send you all the particulars when it takes place. I have availed myself of the address of the party you sent me that makes the fire-proof calico and if he can supply it cheap, I shall give him the order. I have not yet heard from him. The fuel I intend to use is spirits of wine. This is cheaper than naphtha and has not the disagreeable smell. I shall have much to contend with, but this I must expect this will present sparks, etc but I fear it will not produce heat enough. The weather has been very fine, indeed too much so for the time of year.
I thought Gale had given up lecturing. Have you sent his book? If so has he sent the cash he had of you? Has he sent for his paintings? If so, has he got them? If not his lecture will not be much. As for any aeronaut interfering with his name, I beg to say it would be of little use for anyone to do so I fear, and this he will find I think. As for his going out, I can tell him he will not, without he means to take the berth of a common man – if he offers to do this he may stand some chance, as they may think he will answer two purposes, that is, to work the ship and attend to the balloons, but as for reward, he will find that this will be small, but I doubt even at this sacrifice he will go out. As for the French aeronaut, he seems to be a mountebank, in fact ballooning will soon come to this, I fear.7
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I wish to God I could get some spirited fellow that would join me in a trip from Dublin to the continent, I would at once fit up my Erin Go Bragh for it and would, I have not a doubt, keep up one night and a day, but the expense is too much for one to risk – fitting out and getting back would be great, and would depend much on the direction we might go.
I have this week received a letter from Lady Franklin. It is a very kind one, but she states that she regrets to say that she fears the Lords Commissioners will not do more than send out the messenger balloons, and this can be managed by the officers. Therefore, I do think poor Gale has not much chance. I think I may say I have been as favourably received by Lady Franklin and their Lordships as any of the corps of aeronauts, having received a letter of thanks from their Lordships, and three letters from Lady Franklin, and was also kindly received by Lady Franklin and their Lordships when I was in London. I do not think Mr Gale can say this. I could have had my name much more in the papers and my drawing in The London News had I thought proper, but this I did not wish at present.
Let me hear from you soon, stating all you know respecting poor Gale, and if he has got his paintings, etc. etc.
From Mr Hampton, 23 Jervis Street, Dublin, April 3, 1850.
In my last letter to you I said I had written to the gentleman about the fire-proof calico, the address I put on my letter was Mr Notts, Dundee, Scotland. I wrote on the 23rd of March but received no