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WONDERFUL BALLOON ASCENTS.

is probable that, by the addition of a Montgolfière, he wished to free himself from the necessity of having to throw over ballast when he wished to ascend and to let off this gas when he wished to descend. The fire of the Montgolfière might, he probably supposed, be so regulated as to enable him to rise or fall at will.

Pilatre de Roziers.

This mixed system has been justly blamed. It was simply "putting fire beside powder," said Professor Charles to Roziers; but the latter would not listen, and depended for everything on his own intrepidity and scientific skill of