the 20th day of August, 1825, about
midnight
This peculiarity has , perhaps , had some effect in giving their writers a magniloquence of style , something like that which so laudably characterises our Fourth of July Orations and Funeral Panegyrics : that composition being thought the finest in which the words stand highest . Another advantage of this mode of writing is , that they can crowd more in a small page , so that a long discourse , if it is also very eloquent , may be compressed in a single page . I have left some of the manuscripts with the publisher of this work , for the gratification of the public curiosity . Having taken either respectful or affectionate leave of all , and got every thing in readiness , on the 20th day of August , 1825 , about midnight we again entered our copper balloon , if I may so speak , and rose from the moon with the same velocity as we had formerly ascended from the earth . Though I experienced somewhat of my former sensations , when I again found myself off the solid ground , yet I soon regained my self-possession ; and , animated with the hope of seeing my children and country , with the past success of our voyage , and -LRB- I will not disguise it , -RRB- with the distinction which I expected it would procure me from my countrymen , I was in excellent spirits . The Brahmin exhibited the same mild equanimity as ever . As the course of our ascent was now less inclined from the vertical line than before , in proportion as the motion of the moon on its axis , is slower than that of the earth , we for some hours could see the former , only by the light reflected from our planet ; and although the objects on the moon 's surface were less distinct , they appeared yet more beautiful in my eyes than they had done in the glare of day .