81. There was now sufficient Leisure to trace the incredible Variety of most beautiful _Curves_, into which the Stream had worked the Bed of the River Wever in a Course of _Time_, and in the Compass of a few Miles: an Appearance which _demonstrates_ the Incorrectness of +Maps+. Some _actual_ Clouds presented themselves in detached Groupes over the Land: and the _Land_ itself _shone_ plainer throu’ the Intervals, than in Places near which _no_ Clouds appeared. [Sidenote: Sight of Warrington.] 82. On reconnoitring the scattered Town of Frodsham, which like Chester was of a _light_ +Blue+; the Balloon moving _by Intervals_ round its Axis, the Prospect seemed to _open_ on a _sudden_; and the Aironaut coud discover the Town of Warrington: the Plan of which was small, neat, but of a _darker Blue_, inclining to _Grey_: the Slates[24] there used being almost peculiar to the County of Lancaster. 83. From this _Enlargement_ of the Prospect over Land, he imagined that the Balloon was either _gently_ descending; or that it appeared throu’ the _clear_ Intervals of _actual_ Clouds _below_ him. [Sidenote: Pleasurable Circumstance peculiar to the Balloon.] 84. He had Time however to make the following Remarks. Cattle, if grazing in the Meadows, were not distinguishable; or at least were not distinguished. It was in vain to look for Sheaves of Corn, or Hattocks on the Ground: possibly from a Sameness of _Colour_ like the growing _Stalks_, and _Field_: or _protruding_ but a small Degree of +Elevation+; tho’ the _Shadow_ even at _twelve o’Clock_[25] was something _longer_ than the _perpendicular_ Height of +each+ Object.[26] Noises of Carriages along the great public Road; especially Waggons and Carts +heavily+ laden; (the Gratings of whose _Wheels_ against the _Stones_ seemed uncommonly _harsh_;) were discriminately heard, tho’ not _discoverable_ by the Eye. Numbers of human Voices were almost +continually+ huzzaeing: except while +stationary+ at the first Rise; when +all around+ was wrapt in the Sublimity of +Silence+; which afforded a pleasurable Contrast;—diffusing a +delicious Calm+. A third Bottle of Air was thrown out. CHAPTER XV. [Sidenote: Balloon over Aston-House, at 4 Minutes past III, and near a Mile high.] Section 85. At 4 Minutes past III, the Balloon remained _vertically_ over the River, and over the elegant Mansion called Aston. [Sidenote: Wind _below_.] 86. A Wind was heard +below+ for a few Seconds: and the Air felt a _little cool_. Thermometer 55, or Temperate: Barometer 25½, corresponding to the Height of near a Mile.[27] [Sidenote: The Balloon going to Sea, determined the Aironaut to _descend_, in Hopes of finding a Sea-Breeze in _Time_.]