Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1873 — Across the Atlantic in a Balloon. [ARTICLE]

Across the Atlantic in a Balloon.

According to the New York Sun, an aeronaut by the name of Donaldson is now* Constructing a series of balloons with which he purposes to cross the Atlantic next summer, starting from Union Square in this city. He claims that a flying machine is within the range of possibility, and is not discouraged by the many failures in this field. His theory is plausible. He remarks that when Fulton built the steamboat to run in water he aid not imi- , tate the action" of Jjje fish, and then he 1 expresses the opinion that to navigate the air it is not necessary to comply too closely with.the movements of birds. Theflyi ing bird represents aerial locomotion in its primitive state. The idea is to im- . prove upon this, just as the steam engine ; is an, improvement upon the power and : speed of the horse. Having had large experiencp in ballooning, Mr. Donaldson ! is earcc-st in the belief that he can travel from the. setting sun at all times, “fqr at a certain height, say two and a half miles, there is a constant current of air blowing toward the East.” JBy ascending to the required altitude, he is confident that .this strong current will safely bear his ship , from New) York to the shores of England. He is also of the opinion that, when on The other side, he will find another current which will waft him home again.

We may pronounce the attempt to cross the ocean in a balloon foolhardy; but let us not -forger that “such “foolhardy” efforts heretofore have led to tho most important discoveries. Science requires her sacrifices. If we never ventured out of the old grooves wc -Would make no progress. If we ever succeed in constructing machines which will navigate the air, it will be through that spirit of daring which animates the bosom of Mr. Donaldson! If he attempts the proposed feat and perishes in thc,juidertaking, we hope that his failure will not deter others from making dangerous experiments in the same direction.— Turf , Field and Farm.