the contrary, much to record, and we would desire to give full
credit to his admirable courage and perseverance. It was with
a certain national and pardonable pride that the young Italian
planned his bold exploit, feeling with a sense of self-
satisfaction, which he is at no pains to hide, that he aimed
at winning honour for his country as well as for himself. In a
letter which he wrote to his guardian, Chevalier Gherardo
Compagni, he alludes to the stolid indifference of the English
people and philosophers to the brilliant achievements in
aeronautics which had been made and so much belauded on the
Continent. He proclaims the rivalry as regards science and art
existing between France and England, attributing to the latter
an attitude of sullen jealousy. At the same time he is fully
alive to the necessity of gaining English patronage, and sets
about securing this with tactful diplomacy. First he casts
about for a suitable spot where his enterprise would not fail
to enlist general attention and perhaps powerful patrons, and
here he is struck by the attractions and facilities offered by
Chelsea Hospital. He therefore applies to Sir George Howard,
the Governor, asking for the use of the famous hospital, to
which, on the occasion of his experiments, he desires that
admittance should only be granted to subscribers, while any
profits should be devoted to the pensioners of the hospital.
His application having been granted, he assures his guardian
that he "still maintains his mental balance, and his sleep is
not banished by the magnitude of his enterprise, which is
destined to lead him through the path of danger to glory."

This letter was dated the 15th of July, and by the beginning of
August his advertisement was already before the public,