The Balloon Work of the Late Mr. Henry Coxwell

Extract

In the last number of this journal, it was my sad duty to chronicle the death of Mr. Coxwell. In another part of the same issue some aeronautical suggestions from the celebrated balloonist, bearing on the present war, appeared, showing that he maintained the ardour in aerial affaire that characterised his life to its very end.

Henry Coxwell was born on March 2nd, 1819, at Wouldham. He was the son of a gallant naval officer. From the day that, through a telescope, he espied the balloon ascent of Mr. Green, at Rochester, he conceived the passion for aeronautics, that in later years transformed the pastime into a profession, and bore results which have considerably influenced both military and scientific ballooning.

Young Coxwell began earnest life as a dentist, and for some years, combined a considerable amount of balloon experience as an amateur with this profession. But the earnestness of his aeronautical talents prevailed, and in time he became the professional aeronaut, devoting himself to that calling with the utmost ardour.