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succeeding centuries； became so popular。
After numerous experiments the public were invited to witness the
inflation of a particularly huge balloon； over 30 feet in diameter。 This was
accomplished over a fire made of wool and straw。 The ascent was
successful； and the balloon； after rising to a height of some 7000 feet； fell
to earth about two miles away。
It may be imagined that this experiment aroused enormous interest in
Paris； whence the news rapidly spread over all France and to Britain。 A
Parisian scientific society invited Stephen Montgolfier to Paris in order
that the citizens of the metropolis should have their imaginations excited
by seeing the hero of these remarkable experiments。 Montgolfier was not a
rich man； and to enable him to continue his experiments the society
granted him a considerable sum of money。 He was then enabled to
construct a very fine balloon； elaborately decorated and painted； which
ascended at Versailles in the presence of the Court。
To add to the value of this experiment three animals were sent up in a
basket attached to the balloon。 These were a sheep； a cock； and a duck。 All
sorts of guesses were made as to what would be the fate of the 〃poor
creatures〃。 Some people imagined that there was little or no air in those
higher regions and that the animals would choke； others said they would
be frozen to death。 But when the balloon descended the cock was seen to
be strutting about in his usual dignified way； the sheep was chewing the
cud； and the duck was quacking for water and worms。
At this point we will leave the work of the brothers Montgolfier。 They
had succeeded in firing the imagination of nearly every Frenchman； from
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THE MASTERY OF THE AIR
King Louis down to his humblest subject。 Strange； was it not； though
scores of millions of people had seen smoke rise； and clouds float； for
untold centuries； yet no one； until the close of the eighteenth century；
thought of making a balloon？
The learned Franciscan friar； Roger Bacon； who lived in the thirteenth
century； seems to have thought of the possibility of producing a
contrivance that would float in air。 His idea was that the earth's
atmosphere was a 〃true fluid〃； and that it had an upper surface as the
ocean has。 He quite believed that on this upper surfacesubject； in his
belief； to waves similar to those of the seaan air…ship might float if it
once succeeded in rising to the required height。 But the difficulty was to
reach the surface of this aerial sea。 To do this he proposed to make a large
hollow globe of metal； wrought as thin as the skill of man could make it；
so that it might be as light as possible； and this vast globe was to be filled
with 〃liquid fire〃。 Just what 〃liquid fire〃 was； one cannot attempt to
explain； and it is doubtful if Bacon himself had any clear idea。 But he
doubtless thought of some gaseous substance lighter than air； and so he
would seem to have； at least； hit upon the principle underlying the
construction of the modern balloon。 Roger Bacon had ideas far in advance
of his time； and his experiments made such an impression of wonder on
the popular mind that they were believed to be wrought by black magic；
and the worthy monk was classed among those who were supposed to be
in league with Satan。
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THE MASTERY OF THE AIR
CHAPTER III The First Man to Ascend in a
Balloon
The safe descent of the three animals； which has already been related；
showed the way for man to venture up in a balloon。 In our time we marvel
at the daring of modern airmen； who ascend to giddy heights； and； as it
were； engage in mortal combat with the demons of the air。 But；
courageous though these deeds are； they are not more so than those of the
pioneers of ballooning。
In the eighteenth century nothing was known definitely of the
conditions of the upper regions of the air； where； indeed； no human being
had ever been； and though the frail Montgolfier balloons had ascended and
descended with no outward happenings； yet none could tell what might be
the risk to life in committing oneself to an ascent。 There was； too； very
special danger in making an ascent in a hot…air balloon。 Underneath the
huge envelope was suspended a brazier； so that the fabric of the balloon
was in great danger of catching fire。
It was at first suggested that two French criminals under sentence of
death should be sent up； and； if they made a safe descent； then the way
would be open for other aeronauts to venture aloft。 But everyone
interested in aeronautics in those days saw that the man who first traversed
the unexplored regions of the air would be held in high honour； and it
seemed hardly right that this honour should fall to criminals。 At any rate
this was the view of M。 Pilatre de Rozier； a French gentleman； and he
determined himself to make the pioneer ascent。
De Rozier had no false notion of the risks he was prepared to run； and
he superintended with the greatest care the construction of his balloon。 It
was of enormous size； with a cage slung underneath the brazier for heating
the air。 Befors making his free ascent De Rozier made a trial ascent with
the balloon held captive by a long rope。
At length； in November； 1783； accompanied by the Marquis
d'Arlandes as a passenger； he determined to venture。 The experiment
aroused immense excitement all over France； and a large concourse of
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THE MASTERY OF THE AIR
people were gathered together on the outskirts of Paris to witness the risky
feat。 The balloon made a perfect ascent； and quickly reached a height of
about half a mile above sea…level。 A strong current of air in the upper
regions caused the balloon to take an opposite direction from that intended；
and the aeronauts drifted right over Paris。 It wou