For their +polite attention+ on the Day of Ascent, and Preservation of +order+ during the +inflation+: on which, the Success of aërial Experiments so much depends, and throu’ the Want of which, so many have already failed; for the kind Anxiety manifested during his Absence; and for their friendly +congratulations+, on his safe Return; the following Account of the Balloon-Excursion, written at their Request, is, by their Permission, with all Gratitude, Esteem and Respect, +dedicated+, by their most obliged, and most obedient Servant +the+ AIRONAUT. AN ACCOUNT OF THE PLATES; WITH DIRECTIONS FOR PLACING THEM. 1st. _An Account of the Plates._ 1. (_a_) _A Circular View from the Balloon at its greatest Elevation_, (Page 58.) The Spectator is supposed to be in the Car of the Balloon, suspended above the _Center_ of the View: looking _down_ on the Amphitheatre or _white_ Floor of Clouds, and seeing the _City of Chester_, as it appeared throu’ the _Opening_: which discovers the Landscape _below_, limited, by surrounding Vapour, to something less than _two_ Miles in Diameter. The Breadth of the _blue_ Margin _defines_ the _apparent_ Height of the Spectator in the Balloon (viz. 4 Miles) _above_ the _white_ Floor of Clouds, as he hangs in the Center, and looks _horizontally_ round, into the _azure_ Sky. 2. (_b_) _The Balloon over Helsbye-Hill in Cheshire_, at half past II. on Thursday the 8th of September, 1785. (Page 78.) It is seen in the _South-west-Quarter_. The View was taken in a _high_ Field, at the End of Sutton-Causeway. Helsbye-Hill, tho’ upwards of 600 _Feet high_, appeared from the Car of the Balloon, to be on the _same Level_ with the _Grounds below_. 3. (_c_) _A Balloon-Prospect from above the Clouds_, (Page 154,) or _Chromatic_ View of the Country between Chester, Warrington and Rixton-Moss in Lancashire: shewing the whole Extent of the aërial Voyage; with the _meandering_ Track of the Balloon throu’ the Air. 4. _The Explanatory Print_ (_d_), (Page 155:) which elucidates the former by giving the Names of the principal Places mentioned in the Excursion. N. B. _The Circular View_ is seen to the best Advantage, when placed _flat_ on a Table or Chair, and _rather_ in the Shade: the Eye looking _directly_ down upon the Picture. Whoever will be at the Trouble of viewing _distinct_ Parts of the _Balloon-Prospect_, throu’ a very small Opening, made by rolling a Sheet of Paper into the Form of a hollow Tube, and applying it close to either Eye, at the same Time shutting the other; or by looking throu’ the Hand, held a little open, and close to the Eye; may form a very accurate Idea of the Manner, in which the _Prospect below_ was represented _gradually in Succession_, to the Aironaut; whose Sight was bounded by a Circularity of Vapour, as in Section 79, 221.