An Aerial Hotel

The latest thing in hotels is suggested by the ingenious correspondent of the 'Galveston News'. It is to be called the Aerial Sanitarium. It is to be a huge balloon, firmly secured by strong attachments at a proper height. "Galveston," he says, "is within one mile of the most delightful climate in the world, and this climate is directly overhead." To the enormous balloon there is to be attached a frame-work of sufficiently strong wire, fitted up to accomodate one hundred guests. This airy saloon will be reached by a smaller balloon acting as an elevator. When the barometer indicates disturbing weather, the gas can be let off and the whole establishment brought down to solid earth. We can imagine a caravansary of this kind perfectly delightful. Owing to the purity of the air the chambermaids would bloom in perpetual youth; and in such vicinity to the immortal gods every man-waiter would develop into a Gannymede and every table-girl into a Hebe. As for the gentlemanly clerk, what limit would there be to his celestial gifts and graces? And here would the landlord grow solid, impressive, and jovial as Jove himself! So near the moon and stars what more charming place could there be for flirting? And when we call to mind how easily the bores could be thrown over, we feel we need say no more. [The Star (Christchurch, New Zealand), Issue 1776, November 5, 1873, page 3]