'The cube, product of the plane multiplied by itself, corresponds with
locomotion in the air, where the aeronaut, being surrounded on every
side by fulcra furnished by the various strata of the atmosphere,
moves at will in every direction; pressing on the higher strata in
ascending, on the lower in descending, on the lateral in turning to
the right or to the left, and thus commanding a sphere of locomotion
whose extent and facilities, compared with those afforded by the
water, are as the cube to the plane.
'Aerial navigation being thus, according to his theory, the highest
form of locomotion, M. Petin considers himself as justified in
assuming, _a priori_, that this mode of transportation will offer
facilities superior to those of every other in point of safety, speed,
power, and cheapness; but on condition of its being carried into
effect upon a scale commensurate with the vastness of its field and
the importance of its results.
'To convince ourselves that such is really the intention of
Providence, and that balloons are destined to transport the heaviest
loads, we have only, continues M.
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