70. As there was a Peculiarity attending the Situation of the _half Mile_ Flag, which may prove of singular Use in Airostation; it ought not to be passed over in Silence. The half Mile Flag hanging loosely from the Car; not perpendicularly under, but following it, frequently at an Angle of about 45 Degrees; shews that the Flag met a Resistance from the Air, unfelt by the Balloon: which out strip’d it, in Proportion to the _greater_ Surface which the Balloon exposed to the Wind. Taking also into the Account, that the Balloon remained in Equilibrio; while the Flag was subject to the Force of Gravity: which Force was restrained from Exertion, otherwise than as a _Vis Inertiæ_, to keep it always in a perpendicular Situation. The Resistance of the Air, acting in an horizontal Direction against the _Vis Inertiæ_ of the Flag, must have a Tendency to drive it back: which being ineffectual; the Flag must consequently _rise_; and in rising _will retard the Balloon_. A Power may therefore be communicated to a Balloon, in the Direction of the Wind, which shall _retard_ its Progress throu’ the Air: a Subject which seems capable of farther Prosecution. CHAPTER XII. [Sidenote: Beautiful Effects of the _white_ Vapour on the Prospects below.] Section 71. From 28 Minutes after II, till the Balloon had passed over the _Forest_ of +Delamere+, and the steep Crag of +Helsbye-Hill+; thin light semi-transparent Vapours, which seemed to be collecting at a _vast Depth below_; moving slowly in all Directions; rising to great Heights, falling, melting away, and again condensing;—(the Land, one while covered with a +white+ _Veil_; then _caught_ thro’ Openings for a few Seconds; the Objects appearing more distinct and _coloured_, from being seen in detached Groupes and single _Pictures framed_ and _enshrined_ in fleecy +Vapour+; _now again_ discovered by a Glance of the Eye, and _then_ repeatedly escaping from the Sight;)—+wonderfully+ heightened the Grandeur, Gaiety and _inimitable_ Beauty of the _ever varying_ Prospects. An Illustration taken from Scenes _abroad_. 72. Appearances of a similar Kind are frequent in the _noble and venerable_ Structures appropriated for divine Worship _abroad_: whose Walls are decorated with the _finest Paintings_; the Subjects solemn and _engaging_; suited to inspire a _chearful Devotion_.