54                           TRAVELS IN THE AIR.

tion," and I knew Mr. Coxwell was in the car, speaking to and
endeavouring to rouse me,—therefore consciousness and hearing had
returned.: I then heard him speak more emphatically, but could not
see, speak, or move. I heard. him again say, " Do try; now do."
Then-the instruments became dimly visible, then Mr. Coxwell, and
very shortly I saw clearly. ^Next I arose in my seat and looked
around as though waking from sleep, though not refreshed, and said
to Mr. Coxwell, " I have been insensible." He said, " You have, and
I too, very nearly.'' I then drew up my legs, which had been
extended,, and took a pencil in my hand to begin observations.
Mr. Coxwell told me that he had lost the use of his hands, which
were black, and I poured brandy over them.

I resumed my observations at 2h. 7m.,- recording the barometer
reading at 11*53 inches, and temperature minus 2°. It is probable
that three or four minutes passed from the time of my hearing the
words " temperature " and " observation," till I began to observe ; if
so, returning consciousness came at 2h. 4m. p.m., and this gives seven
minutes for total insensibility. I found the water in the vessel
supplying the wet-bulb thermometer one solid mass of ice, though
I: had, by frequent disturbance, kept it from freezing. It did not all
melt until we had been.on the ground some time. Mr. Coxwell told
me that while in the ring he felt, it piercingly cold, that hoarfrost
was all round the neck of the balloon, and that on attempting to leave
the ring he found his hands frozen. He had, therefore, to place his
arms on the ring, and drop down. When he saw me he thought for a
moment that I had lain back to rest myself, and he spoke to me
without eliciting a reply; he then noticed that my legs projected and
my arms hung down by my side, and saw that my countenance w^as
serene and placid, without the earnestness and anxiety he had observed
before going into the ring : then it struck him that I^was insensible.
He wished to approach me, but could not; and when he felt insensi¬
bility coming over him too, he became anxious to open the valve.
But in consequence of having lost the use of his hands he could not
do this; ultimately he succeeded, by seizing the cord with his teeth,
and dipping his head two or three times, until the balloon took a.
decided turn downward.

ISTo inconvenience followed my insensibility; and when we dropped
it was in a country where no conveyance of any kind could be
obtained, so I had to walk between seven and eight miles.

During the descent, which was at first very rapid, the wind was
easterly. To check the rapidity of the descent, sand was thrown out
at 2h. 30m.    The wet bulb seemed to be free from ice at this time,