The majestic machine rose slowly to the height of about eight feet, amid the most enthusiastic cheers, when it rolled over among some trees, amid the most frantic laughter. Mr. Hampton, with singular presence of mind, threw out every ounce of ballast, which caused the balloon to ascend a few feet higher, when a tremendous gust of easterly wind took us triumphantly out of the gardens, the palings of which we cleared with considerable nicety. The scene at this moment was magnificent; the silken monster, in a state of flabbiness, rolling and fluttering above, while below us were thousands of spectators, absolutely shrieking with merriment. Another gust of wind carried us rapidly forward, and, bringing us exactly in a level with a coach-stand, we literally swept, with the bottom of our car, every driver from off his box, and, of course, the enthusiasm of a British audience almost reached its climax. We now encountered the gable-end of a station-house, and the balloon being by this time thoroughly collapsed, our aerial trip was brought to an abrupt conclusion. I know nothing more of what occurred, having been carried on a shutter, in a state of [Illustration: SUSPENDED ANIMATION,] to my own lodging, while my companion was left to fight it out with the mob, who were so anxious to possess themselves of some _memento_ of the occasion, that the balloon was torn to ribbons, and a fragment of it carried away by almost every one of the vast multitude which had assembled to honour him with their patronage. I have the honour to be, yours, &c. A. SPOONEY. * * * * * FEARFUL STATE OF LONDON! A country gentleman informs us that he was horror-stricken at the sight of an apparently organised band, wearing fustian coats, decorated with curious brass badges, bearing exceedingly high numbers, who perched themselves behind the Paddington omnibuses, and, in the most barefaced and treasonable manner, urged the surrounding populace to open acts of daring violence, and wholesale arson, by shouting out, at the top of their voices, "O burn, the City, and the Bank." * * * * * "WHO ARE TO BE THE LORDS IN WAITING." "We have lordlings in dozens," the Tories exclaim, "To fill every place from the throng; Although the cursed Whigs, be it told to our shame, Kept us _poor lords in waiting_ too long." * * * * * LOOKING ON THE BLACK SIDE OF THINGS. The Honourable Sambo Sutton begs us to state, that he is not the Honourable ---- Sutton who is announced as the Secretary for the Home Department. He might have been induced to have stepped into Lord Cottenham's shoes, on his [Illustration: RESIGNING THE SEALS.] * * * * * AWFUL CASE OF SMASHING!--FRIGHTFUL NEGLIGENCE OF THE POLICE Feargus O'Connor _passed his word_ last week at the London Tavern. * * * * * NEW SWIMMING APPARATUS.