Atlas Nightshade

Day 110

“At six o’clock, I perceived a great portion of the earth’s

visible area to the eastward involved in thick shadow, which

continued to advance with great rapidity, until, at five minutes

before seven, the whole surface in view was enveloped in the

darkness of night. It was not, however, until long after this

time that the rays of the setting sun ceased to illumine the

balloon; and this circumstance, although of course fully

anticipated, did not fail to give me an infinite deal of

pleasure. It was evident that, in the morning, I should behold

the rising luminary many hours at least before the citizens of

Rotterdam, in spite of their situation so much farther to the

eastward, and thus, day after day, in proportion to the height

ascended, would I enjoy the light of the sun for a lo