aside as useless in this respect, for it was found that they could go only with the wind.

The first adventure of the kind, made by the Germans, was at Berlin, by Professor Jungius, in 1805 and 1806. Professor Reichard and his wife followed him, at a later period.--Even in Constantinople one or more aërial voyages have been made.

In 1819, Madame Blanchard, the widow of the celebrated aëronaut of the same name, made an ascent from Paris, in the night. Her car was most brilliantly ornamented, in true French style, and she took her departure amidst fire-works and showers of rockets. One of the latter being misdirected, penetrated the balloon and set on fire the gas it contained. The flames burst forth from every side, and the unfortunate woman fell from an

immense height in the presence of thousands of spectators who were pierced with pain and grief at her cries and helpless situation. Her lifeless body was found soon after in one of the public streets of Paris.

BALLOONS IN THE UNITED STATES.The first aërial voyage made in the United States was by Mr. Blanchard, Jan. 9, 1793. He ascended from Philadelphia in the presence of many thousand spectators, among whom was President Washington. Mr. Blanchard continued in the air forty-five minutes, and descended near Woodbury, in New Jersey, about 17 miles from Philadelphia.

Aërial voyages have now become very common, in Europe and America. In the latter country, no one, we believe, has been more distinguished than C. F. Durant. This gentleman, since 1830,

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ands of anxious spectators that filled the amphitheatre and covered the Common, was a sight truly imposing.

At first the wind was favourable for carrying the balloon toward Salem; but as it rose higher, it met with currents which wafted it over the ocean; and after a voyage of about 20 miles, he alighted in the water, about 7 miles from Marblehead. Here, after many perils, being in one instance completely immersed in water about half a minute, he was taken on board a schooner, and arrived at Boston, next morning.

The balloon, which during his struggle with the waves had been much injured, was at length repaired, and another ascension was made from the same spot, Aug. 25th. This was a drier excursion than the former, but not less successful. The aërostat was carried to the westward across Cambridgeport and Cambridge, to Mount Auburn, about six miles from Boston, where, after an excursion of about 40 minutes, he landed. When over Cambridge, he sent down a rabbit, by means of a parachute, which safely reached terra firma. Mr. D. ascended at half past four, and reached his lodgings again at six o'clock.

In the former of these voyages, the balloon is supposed to have risen about a mile and a half. In the latter not over a mile.

will find a picture of his ascent, on the following page.

One of the most famous aëronauts now in the United States is Mr. Lauriat. He has ascended many times in various parts of our country, and two or three times, of late, in or near Boston. His most splendid performance was on July 4th, the day of celebrating our Independence. His ascent was from East Boston. A brisk wind wafted him over the harbor, and carried him across to Scituate and Duxbury, nearly 40 miles. He alighted safely at Duxbury, having been on the journey about an hour, and having ascended, so he states, about 17,000 feet.

One of the most daring aëronauts in the United States is Mr. Clayton, of Cincinnati. This gentleman once had the hardihood to ascend without a car, and with the string that opens the valve for the escape of the gas, beyond his reach.

Whether there is any possibility of ever travelling in the atmosphere with the same facility that we now navigate the ocean, remains to be determined. For ourselves, we have little hope of any such result. Balloons must, we think, always be more or less at the disposition of the wind, human art and effort to the contrary, notwithstanding. Still, we are not prepared to say that the art, as now understood, may not, in some instances, be turned to very great advantage in the promotion of human

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STORY OF JULIA BRACE,

THE DEAF, DUMB, AND BLIND GIRL.

JULIA BRACE, the deaf, dumb, and blind girl, was born in Hartford, Conn., June 13, 1807; and is now 30 years old. Until she was four years and five months old, she could see and hear like other people; but at this time she was seized with typhus fever, which totally destroyed her senses of sight and hearing.

Before she was sick, she had learned to sew and knit a little, and to read and spell words of one or two syllables, and to say her prayers. For some time after she became blind, she continued to spell words to herself, to ask for things she wanted, to call her friends by name, and to say her prayers; and she had also learned from a bad companion to say some bad words. Her knitting and sewing she has never forgotten to this day. She thought for a long time after she became blind, that it was only night, though she thought it was a very long night. She used sometimes to say,

Why don't you light a lamp? It will never be day. But poor girl! she little knew that there was to be no more day to her in this world. It was a long time before she lost, entirely, the use of her speech.

When she recovered her strength again, after her sickness, she took great pleasure in examining, by the senses of feeling and smell, the things around her. Soon she learned to distinguish every article of her own apparel, and to carry such as were not hers to the right own

er.

She also delighted in having a place for every thing, and in having every thing kept in its place.

As she grew older, she was very fond of taking care of her younger brothers and sister. She would sometimes wash their hands and faces, or undress and put them to bed, or correct them if they did not behave well. She would rock the babe, in the cradle, and feel of its eyes to ascertain if it was asleep; and if it cried, she would sometimes give it sugar.

Of stran

For many years after her sickness, and even up to the present time, Julia was very healthy. She was usually obedient to her mother, though her mother greatly indulged her. gers, especially men, she was cautious and fearful. Her notions about the right of property were very correct. She would never take what belonged to others, without leave; and if her own things were disturbed, she was disturbed or afflicted; and sometimes she resented it.

When any members of the family were sick, Julia was unwearied in her kindness. She would smooth down the bed clothes, put her hands softly upon their faces, and sometimes spread a little table, and bring it to the bed-side, with a cup or two upon it to contain drinks. In these and many other ways would she try to show her sorrow and her willingness to relieve them.

When she was eighteen years of age, the Directors of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, in Hartford, received her un