MY FIRST AIRSHIP CRUISES (1898)
All was useless. The aeronauts had never seen a dirigible balloon start off. They could not admit of its starting under other conditions than those of a spherical balloon, in spite of the essential difference between the two. As I was alone against them all I had the weakness to yield.
I started off from the spot they indicated, and within a second's time I tore my air-ship against the trees, as I had feared I should do. After this deny if you can the existence of a fulcrum in the air.
This accident at least served to show the effectiveness of my motor and propeller in the air to those who doubted it before.
I did not waste time in regrets. Two days later, on September 20th, I actually started from the same open space, this time choosing my own starting-point.
I passed over the tops of the trees without mishap, and at once began sailing around them, to give on the spot a first demonstration of the air-ship to the great crowd of Parisians that had assembled. I had their sympathy and applause then, as I have ever had it since; the Parisian public has always been a kind and enthusiastic witness of my efforts.
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