Strangers may wish to be informed, that in most of the Northern Counties, the Buildings are covered with _blue Stones_ called +Slates+[12] found in the Mountains; instead of artificial _red_ Tiles, as in London, and the South of England. CHAPTER VI. BALLOON VERGING TO THE SEA. [Sidenote: Sympathy of the Spectators, on seeing the Aironaut verging towards the Sea.] Section 46. Before a farther Description of aërial Scenes is attempted, it woud be improper not to mention a Circumstance which happened on the first Ascent of the Balloon: and too strongly called forth the tender sympathetic Feelings, by raising, in the Minds of the Spectators, _alarming Apprehensions_ for the Safety of the Aironaut, on seeing the Balloon move gently towards the Sea. They were however, in a great Measure, soon relieved from their Anxiety: for, by rising into another Current, he escaped the Danger: skirting the Coasts of the River Mersey; which coud not be seen from the Balloon at the Distance of little more than a League, tho’ the Sun was supposed to shine the whole Time on the Water. The upper Current was, in Fact, rendered visible to the aërial Traveller, for more than two Hours before, and at the Time of his Ascent; by lofty Clouds of the second Stratum, flying in a safe Direction. CHAPTER VII. [Sidenote: Aërial Scenes continued.] Section 47. A Few Seconds of Time before the Balloon had attained its greatest Height; the Velocity of Ascent being every Instant retarded by the Escape of Gass thro’ the Opening;—the _remarkable Stillness_ which prevailed in so elevated a State of the Atmosphere, _apparently_ many Miles above all visible Vapour, far beyond the Sight of every living Creature, and where the human Voice was no longer heard from below; the larger Objects, with which the Surface of the distant Earth was covered, as Rivers Woods Inclosures, diminishing to the View, yet encreasing in their Beauty;—coud not but make a lively Impression on the Mind of the Aironaut. The striking Contrast and Novelty of his Situation filled him with unusual and pleasing Sensations. He had just left, for the first Time, his native Earth, where he had continued for a while the central Object to some _thousand_ Spectators; whose Eyes, he knew, were still turned towards him; that he was still the Subject of their Conversation: yet no human Figure met his Sight; no human Sound vibrated on his Ear. An universal Silence reigned! an empyrèan Calm! unknown to Mortals _upon Earth_. The Sky was painted with a purer, and more transparent Azure. The Sun shone hot, and with a brighter Lustre. His Beams were _white_ and sparkling: not surrounded with Haze or Vapour: but too fierce for the human Eye to look upon a second Time with Pleasure.[13] [Sidenote: Objects which filled the Mind of the Aironaut with Wonder and Delight.] 48. A Chearful Serenity filled the Breast of the Aironaut.