The frolic; its consequences—Windsor Castle—St. Paul's—College of Physicians—Undertakers, sextons, &c., almost ruined—Industry of the apothecaries¹.  
THE FROLIC.
 
This famous sling² makes the possessor equal to any task he is desirous of performing.
 
I made a balloon of such extensive dimensions, that an account of the silk it contained would exceed all credibility; every mercer's shop and weaver's stock in London, Westminster, and Spitalfields contributed to it: with this balloon and my sling I played many tricks, such as taking one house from its station, and placing another in its stead, without disturbing the inhabitants, who were generally asleep, or too much employed to observe the peregrinations of their habitations. When the sentinel at Windsor Castle heard St. Paul's clock strike thirteen, it was through my dexterity³; I brought the buildings nearly together that night, by placing the castle in St. George's Fields, and carried it back again before daylight, without waking any of the inhabitants; notwithstanding these exploits, I should have kept my balloon, and its properties a secret, if Montgolfier had not made the art of flying so public.
 
On the 30th of September, when the College of Physicians chose their annual officers, and dined sumptuously⁴ together, I filled my balloon, brought it over the dome⁵ of their building, clapped the sling round the golden ball at the top, fastening the other end of it to the balloon, and immediately ascended⁶ with the whole college to an immense height, where I kept them upwards⁷ of three months. You will naturally inquire what they did for food............