The two remaining alternate Weeks in each Month, viz. when the Moon is in the Quarters, and the Tide of Air flowing throu’ the Atmosphere, is checked, counterbalanced, and equalized, by the lateral Attractions of the Moon and Sun, acting at right Angles, i.e. on different Parts of the Air, pendent on the Earth’s Surface;—more settled and regular Weather may be naturally expected; and particularly freer from the Extremes of _Wind_ and _Cold_. Moreover, as the Almanack, and Ephèmeris[96] may be always consulted; the Day fixed on shoud not be _marked_ with Conjunctions of the Planets.[97] The Inequality of their united Attractions greatly deranges the Equilibrium of the upper Parts of the Atmosphere; producing sudden Squalls and Gusts of Wind: which, tho’ of short Continuance, perhaps a few Hours, are inauspicious to the successful Inflation and Ascent of a Balloon, during the Infancy of the Science. (See Section 211.) CHAPTER LIII. ON THE MEANS OF SUSTAINING A BALLOON ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, BY A TEMPORARY LOSS OF BALLAST: AND OF RECOVERING THE BALLAST. Sect. 294. Art. 1. The two Inconveniencies arising from a _Discharge_ of Ballast, while the Balloon is under the _Pressure_ of a mediocèanal Column of Air, are, 1. First, lest the Balloon shoud rise too _high_; for by opening the Valve in order to descend; Gass escapes: which is an _actual Loss_: and the Balloon is rendered incapable of supporting its Burden at the same Height, as before. 2. The present Impossibility of resuming the Ballast, in order to _descend_, or _check the Elevation_, on approaching either Shore, or at any other Time. 294. 2. These Inconveniencies are to be remedied by the following Methods. If _Sand_ be the Ballast fixed on; put as much of it into a Bladder by Means of a Tin Funnel, as, when _less_ than _half_ blown, it will contain, without sinking below the Surface of +fresh+ _Water_. _Prepare_ the intended Weight of Ballast, in Bladders, after the same Manner. Also to +each+ Bladder _with Ballast_, tye another Bladder _without Ballast_, half blown. Tye fast each Set of Bladders, so prepared, with a _leathern_ Thong; the Ends of which may be left a few Inches to _spare_. The Grapple may remain in the Car. 294. 3. When the Balloon _begins_ to descend over Water; lower out the Cable, by Degrees. Tye a Pair of Bladders, one of which contains Ballast, very tight, round the End of the Cable. Then a second Pair, at such a Distance that the intermediate Part of the Cable, will _float_. Repeat this Process, till the proper Effect is obtained; or the whole Ballast is discharged. 294. 4. The Car and Balloon may be _hauled_ or wound _down_ to the Surface of the Water: and the Ballast resumed, as the Balloon approaches the Shore. 294. 5. If it be found necessary, the Ballast may be _discharged_ by cutting the +thongs+, _gradually_: or the +cable+, _at once_.