17 
" 'For some weeks past, preparations have been making for a 
repetition of an experiment of photography from a balloon. 
We had previously made a rather unsuccessful attempt at 
Providence, in consequence of the sky becoming overcast of 
clouds before the balloon was ready to ascend, throwing 
such a shade on the earth that to take instantaneous impres 
sions with any distinctness was impossible. Nevertheless, 
we accomplished sufficient at that time to convince us that 
under favorable circumstances we could overcome all diffi 
culties, and finally bring the experiment to a successful 
result. We determined to persevere, and on Saturday last-- 
the prospects of a fine day being very flattering—Mr. Black, 
the eminent photo artist--of the firm of Black and Batchelder 
--and I, as on the former occasion, ascended together. First 
of all, we arose to 1,200 feet by means of a stout rope 
attached to a windlass, and, while remaining staitionary at 
this height, succeeded in getting some fine views of differ 
ent parts of Boston 
The pictures--made on wet colodian plates--met with great 
acclaim. One of these remarkable photographs, which shows the busi 
ness district and the masts of square-rigged ships (Figure 9) was 
immortalized by Oliver Wendell Holmes, who described it with the phrase: 
"Boston--as seen by the eagle and the wild goose."