Thomas Beddoes to an Unidentified Correspondent, 10 June 1790 (fragment)
An experiment with which he amused the University in the following June, shall be related in his own words, as contained in a letter dated on the 10th of that month.
Last night I astonished this part of England with sending up an air balloon; filled, partly with light, partly with heavy inflammable air. I was desirous to try whether such a mass of inflammable air, burning at a considerable height in the atmosphere, would produce any imitation of fiery meteors. It was fired at about three miles distance from the place of starting, and probably somewhat less than a mile high. This was done by touch-paper, and it was contrived that the case should be torn and thrown off, as soon as the blaze was communicated to it. We saw this distinctly. On the demolition of the case the colour of the flame changed, and the ball of inflammable air, being freed from the load, rose sensibly and suddenly. It continued compact and burnt away with a lambent flame, ’till it was diminished to a very small size. It was one of the most perfect and beautiful experiments I have ever seen. I have never beheld an igneous meteor, and as descriptions of such objects are very ill calculated to convey accurate ideas, I cannot pretend to ascertain the resemblance or difference. The manner of burning, as I conceive, is not unlike.
Published: Stock, p. 27