Filling a balloon with hydrogen gas Size:S: 45 x 30cm William Thompson (1792-1854) was Lord

William Thompson (1792-1854) was Lord Mayor of London in 1828-1829

Sheriff 1837-8 standing in ceremonial robes

Ordnance office for the Palace of Westminster

View of the bridge with bascules closed and various river vessels in the foreground

Filling a balloon with hydrogen gas Size:S: 45 x 30cm William Thompson (1792-1854) was LordScene showing the inflation of a balloon by hydrogen gas piped from a barrel. The gas was produced by the reaction of sulphuric acid and iron. A preliminary balloon of this type was flown at the Champ de Mars in Paris, France on the 27 August 1783 an event witnessed by Benjamin Franklin. Plate 3 from the book Description des expriences de la machine arostatiques de MM. de Montgolfier, by Faujas de Saint Fond (Paris, 1783). Inscribed below : 'Bertault