The Author being likewise familiarized to judge of Heights; having been on several of the chief Mountains in Europe: also, of comparative Distances, from his Situation near a large City, in a populous, enclosed Country; on a high Plain, within View of the Sea, Mountains, Hills, Enclosures, Buildings, and Objects whose Magnitude and Distances were known. 227. The Balloon itself, a Globe twenty-five Feet in Diameter, was seen in the Air on the Day of Ascent, at the Distance of 19 Miles. [Sidenote: The Magnitude of Objects seen from the Balloon compared with those of the Sun or Moon near the Meridian, when seen from below.] 228. The Reason already given, for the Solution of the famous Question concerning the apparent Magnitude of the horizontal Moon, seems no less applicable to Objects on the Earth’s Surface, when seen from the Balloon: which _Diminution_ of Objects _below_ confirms the Defect of Dr. Smith’s Hypothesis. For, as they appeared _extremely bright_; being shone on by the Sun, and seen throu’ the Air in a perpendicular Line, containing the least possible Quantity of Vapour; the Brightness must have exceeded that of the same Objects, when seen along the Ground: and consequently the Miniatures of the former must have been less than the latter, and also their respective Distances _seem greater_. CHAPTER XXXXI. CONJECTURES ON THE CAUSES WHICH INFLUENCE THE DESCENT OF BALLOONS IN THEIR PASSAGE OVER WATER. [Sidenote: Recapitulation of Facts.] 1. Conjectures concerning the regular Tendency of the Balloon to _descend_ on its _Approach_ towards +water+. 2. Its _greatest_ Descent, when in the Zenith, over the Middle of Rivers. 3. Recovery and _Re-ascent_ to the former Level, as it _recedes_ from them. Section 229. Article 1. On the first Ascent in the Castle-Yard, Chester, the Balloon gently moved towards the River Dee, and the Sea. And woud probably have gone out to Sea, if the ascensive Power had not presently raised it above the Influence of the Water; into an upper Current of Air, which was visible at that Time, and for two Hours before the Ascent, by the Motion of superior Clouds in a safe Direction towards the Land. 229. 2. The Balloon was _affected_ in passing across the River Goway, and Trafford Meadows, which are a Mile wide: first moving Westward, and again towards the Sea; making several Curves: then resting and _lingering_ between Great and Little Barrow: as the Aironaut was _well_ informed by Persons of _Veracity_, who observed it: his Attention being engaged at that Time by other Objects. 229. 3. A proportionable Effect was observed in _crossing_ a small Brook near Alvanley. 229. 4. The River Wever and its broad Meadows above Frodsham-Bridge actually stopped the farther Progress of the Balloon: tho’ its Course was _merely_ +across+ the River.