Section 121. In vain did the Aironaut strive to reach the _Neck_ of the Balloon, from the _Car_. Attempting to put his Feet on the _opposite_ Sides of the _lower_ Hoop, by grasping the _upper_ with his Hands; he coud not in _that_ Situation raise himself so high _as before_; nor let go his Hold with _either_ Hand. He then stepped _down_ into the Car. The Agitation of _which_, brought within the Reach of his Hand, the loose _End_ of the Twine (_purposely tyed on a Bow or Slip Knot_) that had stuck to one of the Side-Cords, and held the _Center_ of the _Neck_ rather _out_ of the Perpendicular. CHAPTER XXII. BALLOON AT ITS GREATEST HEIGHT. [Sidenote: Mouth of the Balloon opened.] Section 122. Being cautious how he suffered the +lightest+ Gass to escape throu’ the Top of the Balloon, which must have happened in drawing down the String of the Valve; yet apprehending the +Possibility+ of an immediate Rupture at its +present greatest+ Elevation;—glancing his Eyes _around_ to take a +farewel+ View;—he _pulled_ the Twine, that tyed the +Neck+. [Sidenote: Balloon _shrunk_ to its usual _Shape_.] 123. _Instant_ Relief was given to the Balloon: which shrunk into the Shape which it had assumed in the former Ascent, when the Gass began to issue in visible Vapour, the _Neck_ likewise _lowering_ itself to the Height of his Shoulders, as in Section 35. [Sidenote: Mouth _opened_ at 41 Minutes past III.] 124. On stooping he found the Time 41 Minutes after III, and the Thermometer 57. [Sidenote: No _visible_ Vapour escaped.] Nor was he surprised that no _visible_ Vapour escaped; as he had imagined that much _common_ Air had been pressed into the _Mouth_ of the Balloon: and which, being _heavier_ than Gass, woud _go out first_. [Sidenote: Why the _Valve_ at the Top is not to be _opened_.] On that Ground he was confirmed in his Resolution _not_ to open the Valve at the top, which always emits the _lightest_ Gass. [Sidenote: The _Neck_ being made _Air-tight_, the Balloon rose _again_.] 125. As soon however as the Neck of the Balloon reached his Shoulder, he _gathered_ the Silk in his Hand, and held it _Air-tight_ tho’ untyed, to prevent Evaporation of much _real_ Gass: presuming that if any Levity remained; the Balloon woud presently _rise_ again, and _swell_. And he was pleased to find the Event answer his Expectations. CHAPTER XXIII. AIR WARMER ABOVE THAN BELOW. Section 126. It was a Matter both of Surprize and Pleasure to observe that the Thermometer had risen +again+ to 60, when the Balloon had soared _above_ the Sea-Breeze; as the Aironaut had expected to feel the extreme Rigour of Winter; and had made Preparations against _intense_ Cold. Nor did he find any Difficulty in Respiration _during_ the Excursion; which may possibly be accounted for from the _Warmth_ of the Air. [Sidenote: The Breath not visible during the Excursion.]