Sketch of Mr Lunardi's Hot Air Balloon

© JRUL

Mary Hamilton’s sketch of Mr Lunardi’s hot air balloon, in her diary for 13 August 1784. Ref. HAM/2/13. The balloon was being demonstrated by Lunardi at the Lyceum, and was to have been the first hot-air balloon ascent in London. Tickets to view the balloon were priced up to one guinea. However, the balloon was unable to ascend because of rain, and Hamilton describes how the 'mob' was so angered that they set fire to it and destroyed it.