INTELLIGENCE OF IMPORTANCE Almiralty-Office, July 20. Letter from Capt. Sir H. POPHAM to Sir E. NEPEAN, Bart. dated at Calcutta, Nov. 18, 1801 Sir, I have much pleasure in tranfmitting you a copy of Capt. Collier's letter of the 10th September, for the information of my Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty, giving a very detailed account of his finking the French National Ship La Fleche, of 22 guns and 170 men. The refult of Capt. Collier's unremitting perfeverance under every trying circumftance, and his determined condect in warping the Victor into Mahe harbour, is likely to be of very material fervice to the commerce of India, as La Fleche was unquestionably intended to cruife in the Bay of Bengal.

the enemy to be on fire. Lieutenant Smith and other officers were then fent with proper affiftance; but, juft as they had fucceeded in extinguishing the fire, the fell on her larboard bilge into deeper water, and funk. She proves to have been the French national corvette La Fleche, mounting twenty long French eight-pounders, answering to Englith nines, with two ftern chafers, though it appears all her guns were not mounted in the first action; was larger than the Victor in dimenfions, perfectly new, a remarkable fait failer, and not four months from France, commanded by Cant. Bonamy, Lieut. De Vaiffeau, with four Lieutenants, and a complement of one hundred and forty-five men, fome of whom had been left fick Bourbon. From a number of dead and dying men reported to be found on her forecastle, as well as two along fide, I am induced to believe the carnage was great, though only four are acknowledged by the French Captain. She had 20 men to affift at her guns, forming a part of the crew of the French frigate La Chiffonne, captured here a few days fince by his Majesty's fhip

La Sybille, Capt. Adam. The obftinate defence made by La Fleche was on the fuppofition of the Victor being a privateer. From the length of time elapsed ere this bufinefs was brought to a close, I have felt it neceffary to be thus particular in my detail; and I trust for your excuse should I dwell longer, as I feel I should do an injuftice to every officer and man on board, did I neglect paying a just tribute to the cool and determined bravery they evinced : even men labouring under a lingering fever (of which I had unfortunately thirty) felt a proportionate zeal. I beg leave to recommend to your notice Lieut. M'Lean; as well as folicit your interest for the confirmation of my fecond, Mr. Smith, as alfo Mr. Hyde, gunner, obferving, that whenever Mr. Middleton or Mr. Graves, (both having paffed for Lieutenants), fhall obtain the rank, they will do equal credit to your patronage. In this action I most fortunately had not a man either killed or wounded; our hull, rigging, and boats, have fuffered much, befides having fome shot between wind and water. GEORGE R. COLLIER.

AERONAUTIC EXPEDITIONS OF M. GARNERIN. Monday, June 28. This day an elegant afternoon break faft was given at Ranelagh by the directors of the Pic- Nic Society, of which about 2000 perfons of the firtt diftinction partook. The Duchefs of Devonfhire, the Countess of Cholmondeley, Vifcounters Melbourne, Lord and Lady Pomfret, Lady Louifa Manners, and all the fashionables that remain in town, graced with their prefence the rational and fumptuous fcene. The company, after promenading for fome time, fat down to a moft elegant entertainment, confifting of every delicacy of the feafon, and of a defert of the choiceft fruits that could he procured, The tables were all extremely well arranged, and the general difpofition of the scene afforded univerfal fatisfaction. The Duke of York's band attended, and played a variety of favourite airs. About 5 o'clock, Mr. Garnerin, the celebrated aeronaut, accompanied by Captain Sowden, of the navy, afcended in his Balloon, which, for neatnefs of construction, as well as for the admirable philofophic principles by which it is diftingu.fhed, far furpaties any thing of the kind ever before witneffed in this country. Its afcent was, in the first inftance, very gradual, in order that all poflible gratification might be afforded to the crowd of fashionable and admirable fpectators who attended on the occafion; and the interest which the fcene excited in every mind, seemed great beyond all power of defcription. Having evinced his unrivalled skill in the management of his ftupendous vehicle, by manoeuvring for a few

minutes immediately over the gardens, M. Garnerin took his leave of the company, and faluting them with a flag which he held in his hand, proceeded upon his aëial voyage, in a North-Eaftern direction over the town, at fo moderate a height as to be diftinctly observed in every part of the metropolis. The atmosphere being exceedingly clouded and heavy, he was under the neceflity of parting with the greater part of his ballaft to enable him to afcend to the defired height. This, however, in very fhort time he effected; but the numerous clouds, which from the unfavourable state of the weather he had to encounter, in the courfe of 15 minutes entirely obfcured him from our view; nor did he from that time prefent himself again to the fight of the multitude, who, with the utmost interest, continued for a confiderable time to gaze for him amidit the ponderous clouds. The Balloon was about 30 feet in diameter, and about 45 in height; the car, about fix feet by four, and about two feet and a half in depth, with a feat at each end, and a space between for ball it, hung from the extre mity of the netting with which the Balloon was covered, at a diftance of nearly eight feet, fufpended by no more than four cords; fo that, when the number of accidents that every day are heard of, by falling overboard fhips, encompaffed as they are with rigging, and familiarifed as men are with them, were confidered, the most lively anxiety prevailed for the fafety of the daring adven turers who were to afcend. The figure and proportions of the Balloon were grand and

beautiful;

beautiful; its colours alternate fe&tions of dark green and yell w, diverfified by the netting. The vet Is in which were contained the materials from which the gas was generated, the tubes hy which it was conveyed to the Balloon, the most minute part of the inftruments, and the process, were examined with the most particular attention that wonder and curiofity could excite. Garnerin is of the middle fize, with an expreffive countenance and a quick eye, extremely active and alert, and particularly fo in the moment of afcending. Capt. Sowden is a tall manly figure; he seemed rather to feel a folemn and decided refolution than a thoughtiefs galery, infenfible of the value of what it expofes. The intereft of the fcere was increafed by the great anxiety fhewn for him by a lady, who, on her knees and with tears, implored him not to venture, but in vain. At their firit afcent Capt. Sowden was feated; but M. Garnerin, for what reafon we know not, defired him to rife, or the confequences might be fatal to him. Near the gardens every window, every houfe-top, every tree, was filled; Chelfea gardens were crowded; the river was covered with boats; while the banks on both fides, and every avenue from towards Ranelagh, were to thronged, it was difficult to find a paffage through them. The great road from Buckingham-gate was abfolutely impaffable; or at leaft the carriages, which formed an unbroken chain from the turnpike to Ranelagh door, could only advance fo flowly that many perfors preferred getting out on the way, and firuggling through the crowd at any rifque. It is in fact impoffible to form an idea of the numbers who went out to view this fublime and novel fight. Those who were unable, or unwilling to go to the spot, were extremely fortunate in feeing it pafs over the town, fo flow as to be perfectly feen; M. Garner and Capt. Sowden faluting as they paited along, and feeming to contrive, by the management of their ballaft, &c. to remain purpofely at that elevation, from which the whole city would be likely to have the best view.

From Ranelagh, the Balloon took its direction towards Weftminster, pathing over Duke-freet, whence it kept its line, between the river, and the Strand, Feetfreet, Ludgate-bill, and St. Paul's Church Yard, &c No Balloon that ever before went up took a courfe fo directly over London (from Weft to Eaft) as M. Garnerin's did. He palled over Wellmutter Abbey and St. Paul's, and could he dittinctly feen above every freet. Every house and fhop was totally deferted; every foul flocked into the freet as if there had been an earthquake. He could be diftin&ly feen waving the flags, and at one time he came very low; upon which he threw out ballet, afcended, and was loft behind a cloud. Soon

after this a smart fhower fell, and we fuppofe he had not the most comfortable voyage. The weather was very haży ; had it been clear, the fight, paffing fo directly over Lorden, and fo flow, would have been one of the most beautiful ever feen. The fight produced a great fenfation in town; great aftonishment and anxiety. Every inhabitant faw it; and never had any fpectacle fo many fpectators.

Next morning the following letter was received from M Garnerin, dited Colchefter, June 29, one o'clock in the morning. "It ke the earliest opportunity of inform ing you, that after a very pleasant journey, but the most dangerous defcent I ever made, on account of the boisterous weather, and the vicinity of the fea, we alighted at a diftance of four miles from this place, and 60 from Ranelagh. We were only three quarters of an hour on the way. To night I intend to be in London with the Balloon, which is torn to pieces. We ourselves are all over bruifes."

Colchester is 51 miles from London, in an Eaft-Nor h-Faft direction; fo that the velocity cannot be eftimated at less than 70 miles in the hour.

The appearance of the Balloon excited the utmost aftonishment among the country people, and in Colchefter. That town was in an uproar all Monday night and tilt Tuefday afternoon; and the two travellers were much delighted with their reception.

We think it right to preferve Capt. Sowden's Narrative of this truly extraordinary journey.

"As numberless questions have been put to me, respecting the fenfations I experienced while in the upper regions, I think it a duty incumbent on me to inform the publick, and to fet them right as to the erroneous ideas they have of an aeroftatic voyage. On our firit afcending, we felt å few drops of rain. After we had gained the height of about 3cco feet, I defired Mr. Garnerin not to afcend any higher till he had paff d the Metropolis, that the inhabitants might be gratified with a fair view of us. When we had got at a small distance from London, we afcended through fome very thick clouds, of which I could perceive three dihet rows, at the lower one of which we found the quickfilver of the thermometer at 15 deg, and I was obliged to put on my great coat; but on afcending ftill higher we found the air more temperate, and the quickfilver rife gradually to

deg. above fummer heat. We then feemed to be stationary, and felt no more inction than one would feel in fitting in a chor in a room. I then propofed to Mr. Garnerin to overhaul our lockers, where we found a ham, a cold fowl, a cake, and two bottles of orgeat, wines or fpirits being dangerous to take, owing to the rarefication of the air. The chill of the clouds having given

us an appetite, we made a table on our knees with the feats of the car, and eat a very hearty meal. The clouds then difperfed from under us, and we had a delightful view of the country. Whether it is owing to the rarefication of the air, or to the ftrong light thrown on the earth, I cannot determine, but I found that my fight, which at all times is rather weak, became to strong, that I could easily diftinguish the minuteft objects on the earth: it appeared like a vatt panorama, or map, of about fifty miles in circumference, where we could not only follow with our e, es the different cross roads and interfections on it, but even diftinguith the ru s on them, and the very furrows in the field. The fenie of bearing was ftronger here than on earth; for, at the height of 15,000 feet, we could diftinctly hear the rattling of the carriages on the roads, the lowing of cattle, and the acclamations of the people who faw us; though at the fame time we could hardly hear ourselves fpeak; and I am perfuaded, that a perfon on the es eth, with a frong voice and a speaking trumpet, might make himfelf perfectly understood by any perfon at that height in the air. I have obferved, that almost every fenfation I experienced while in the upper regions was exactly the contrary to what is the general opinion of the publick. I was affured by a number of the most celebrated literati, was pretenced to be very learned on that fubject, that I fhould find the cold wereafe, the higher I afcended; instead of which, I found the heat incre de to that degree, that I was obliged to take both my great coat and jacket off. It is alfo the general opinion, that looking down from fo ftupendous a height renders a perfon fo giddy as not to be able to keep his feat: on the contrary, I found that I could look down with a vaft deal of pleafure, and without experiencing that Inconvenience; whereas looking round on the vast expance that furrounded us rendered my eyes fo dim, that I was fometimes a few minutes before I could perfectly recover my fight. I experienced no difficulty of breathing, or inconvenience from the motion of the Balioon; for, though we moved with immenfe velocity, we felt not the leaft wind or preffure of air, it being to perfectly calm, that the flags in our hands, and thofe with which the Balloon was decorated, hung fupine, nor did they ftir. 1 oblerved, that between every row of clouds, not only the atmosphere, but the wind, varied feveral degrees; for, on our paffing through the first cloud after leaving London, the wind, which had before been nearly South-Weft, changed to SouthSouth-Eaft, by which means we found ourfelves over St. Alban's, in Hertfordshire. On afcending ftill higher, the wind became nearly Weft, which drove us over Epping GENT. MAG. July, 1802.

JO

I then

Foreft, which I distinguished very plainly; it appeared like a gooseberry-bush. pointed out our courfe to Mr. Garnerin on the map, and obferved to him that we fhould foon perceive the fea, which in a fhort time we faw very plainly. Mr. Garnerin then told me we had not a moment to lofe, and muft defcend with all poffible fpeed; at the fame time pointing out a very heavy cloud to me, nearly under us; and Laid- il faut que nous passions a travers de ce drole la accrochéz vous ferme car nous allons nous caffer le col." I answered-De tout. mon cœur," We then opened the valve, and we defcended with rapidity. On ruthing into the cl ud, I found, as he had conjectured, it contained as violent a fquall of wind and rain as ever I experienced. The attraction of the water, the force of the wind, and the conftant emiffion of gas from the valve, hurled us with fuch velocity towards the earth, that I expected to see his prediction verified, though, I can affure you, my ideas at that time did not coincide with the anfwer I made him. Mr. Garnerin till retained all his coolness and prefence of mind; and, while we were defcending with that extreme fwiftnefs, defired me, the moment I should find the car abour to touch the earth, to catch hold of the hoop which was fattened to the bottom of the net, to which the car was fufpended, and thift myself up into the net; by which means we laved ourselves from being dashed to pieces. The Balloon did not re-afcend immediately, but dragged us along the ground, with aftonishing fw if nef, for the length of nearly three field, before the grappling i on took good hold, and then we thought ourfe.ves fafe, being clofe to a farm-houfe, from which feveral perfons came out to fee us; but though we threw out ropes to them, and called for help, they were to confternated that neither threats not intreaties could prevail on them to come to our affiftance; for, as I afterwards heard, they took us to be two forcerers, it being rather an unusual thing to fee two men coming down poit-hatte from the clouds, We were for about three minutes in that fituation, till another gust of wind broke our cable, and we afcended again nearly 600 feet. In the bustle of preparing the ropes for the farmers, Mr. Garnerin had let the rope belonging to the valve flip out of his hand, by which means the bottom of the Balloon was preffed upwards by the wind. Mr. Garneria defired me to try to regain it, which I at last effected by climbing up into the net, though the force of the wind ftruck the tia tubes faftened at the bottom of the Balloon, and thro' which the rope led, with fuch violence againit my face, that it had nearly stunned me. Having recovered, we re-defcended, but were borne with fuck violence across the country, fome

times