Paris, July 18.

This morning, being Sunday, I sent my servant for a coach to carry me to the Champ de Mars; but he returned without any, with this intelligence from the coachman, viz. that they were all forbid to move a coach that day, by reason of the great multitude of people that was to convene; as it was supposed, that many would be crushed to death if they were allowed to ride in coaches. The nobility, gentry, and commonalty, were therefore all obliged to walk to the Champ de Mars; at which place I took a seat, a little to the left of the National Assembly, where I had a fine prospect. There was the greatest multitude of people collected that I ever saw at one time, and they behaved with decency and good order. The Marquis de la Fayette rode at the head of the army, and was frequently honoured with huzzas, loud acclamations, and other demonstrations of joy. Among the bands of music was a very large drum, that seemed to make the earth tremble when it was beat.

I took a seat about ten, and tarried about five hours. About half past one, an air balloon, of a large magnitude, ascended to the southward of the Champ de Mars. It was conducted by a great number of men, who held its lines, over the place where I was sitting. It descended on our heads, and the French cried, En bas, en bas, Monsieur: Down, down, Sir. I bowed myself almost to the ground, to prevent being hurt; but arose, and pushed the balloon upwards with my hand: It ascended, and went to the northward; but descended again several times, and afterwards passed to the southward by the National Assembly, almost in a horizontal direction. When it had got at a little distance from the Champ de Mars, the inflammable air took fire, and the balloon split, with a report something like that of a cannon. It was said that several persons were considerably burnt when the balloon burst. I understood the next day, that some of the French supposed, that a great blessing will follow those upon whom the balloon descended.

After I had left the Champ de Mars, I dined at a grand hotel, where thirty-two tables were spread in one room. At this place a French lady viewed me with an amorous eye; and I perceived by some of her motions, after I had dined, that she had an inclination to lead me into temptation: but I was soon off with myself, and was thereby delivered from evil.

In the evening I went to the Italian opera, where sixty-two persons appeared on the stage at the first view. The vocal and instrumental music was excellent, and the other performances very entertaining.