inviting subscribers and announcing a private view of his
balloon at the Lyceum, where it was m course of construction,
and was being fitted with contrivances of his own in the shape
of oars and sails. He had by this time not only enlisted the
interest of Sir George Howard, and of Sir Joseph Banks, but had
secured the direct patronage of the King.

But within a fortnight a most unforeseen mishap had occurred,
which threatened to overwhelm Lunardi in disappointment and
ruin. A Frenchman of the name of Moret, designing to turn to
his own advertisement the attention attracted by Lunardi's
approaching trials, attempted to forestall the event by an
enterprise of his own, announcing that he would make an ascent
with a hot air balloon in some gardens near Chelsea Hospital,
and at a date previous to that fixed upon by Lunardi. In
attempting, however, to carry out this unworthy project the
adventurer met with the discomfiture he deserved. He failed to
effect his inflation, and when after fruitless attempts
continued for three hours, his balloon refused to rise, a large
crowd, estimated at 60,000, assembled outside, broke into the
enclosure, committing havoc on all sides, not unattended with
acts of violence and robbery.

The whole neighbourhood became alarmed, and it followed as a
matter of course that Lunardi was peremptorily ordered to
discontinue his preparations, and to announce in the public
press that his ascent from Chelsea Hospital was forbidden.
Failure and ruin now stared the young enthusiast in the face,
and it was simply the generous feeling of the British public,
and the desire to see fair play, that gave him another chance.