Designed as a History for the Common Reader, and Guide to the Student of the Art ; in Three Parts ; Containing an Account of the Various Attempts in the Art of Flying by Artificial Means, from the Earliest Period Down to the Discovery of the Aeronautic Machine by the Montgolfiers, in 1782, and to a Later Period ; with a Brief History of the Author's Fifteen Years' Experience in Aerial Voyages ; Also, Full Instructions in the Art of Making Balloons, Parachutes, Etc. Etc., as Adapted to the Practice of Aerial Navigation, and Directions to Prepare Experimental Balloons