”..A few minutes later, while still in the valley of the Tiber, we entered a bank of clouds and saw a marvelous sight. Clouds had formed rapidly in a vast basin like the crater of a huge volcano, and through a rift in them we saw, 1900 feet below us, a curve of the river, like a broad silver band, reflecting the moon, which shone with extraordinary refulgence..
..Presently to our wonder and delight, there appeared on the white wall of vapor opposite and a little lower than our car, a perfect reflection of the balloon, rigging, car, and occupants, as clearly defined as in a magic lantern. All around the great shadow balloon was a radiant lunar rainbow. Straight below it was another bright little circular rainbow..
..For a few seconds the shadow picture seemed immovable; then the scene dissolved as swiftly as it came, and we were borne away on the freshened current of the southwest wind..”
From “Ballooning by Moonlight - Narrative Of A Woman’s Trip Over The Apennines”
by Countess Grace Di Campello Della Spina
The Century Magazine, May 1907
