A companion print to BMSat 6701, 6702, 6703. A balloon in the form of a grinning face wearing a fool's cap across which is etched: 
<p><br><br>'An English Balloon [the title] 
<br>1784 
<br>When the World is all Mad, it is sure the best rule 
<br>To go smooth with the current in playing the Fool 
<br>'Tis a lesson in practice by simple John Bull
<br>O the Mad Folks of Old England &amp;c. 
<br>I wish some wise Doctor wou'd point it out plain 
<br>How the Gas or Mad Merc'ry enters the Brain 
<br>Then I wish he wou'd cure it, but fear it's vain 
<br>O the Mad Folks of Old England &amp;c.'
<br><br>Asses' ears project from the cap, and on the front, above the inscription, are two figures facing each other in profile: a clown (left) and Punch blowing soap-bubbles (right). The balloon or head is suspended between two platforms on a rope slung from masts supported by pulleys; a flag flies from one of them (right). 'Inflammable air' or gas is being pumped into the balloon by two large bellows, one on each platform, worked by men using levers. On each platform are well-dressed spectators; through the space between the platforms a crowd of more distant spectators is seen; behind them is the façade of Bethlehem Hospital (Bedlam). Behind each platform is a group of trees. Flames appear to issue from the back of the balloon.  1784
</p>
<br>Etching and aquatint
1784<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1784-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1904-0819-719">https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1904-0819-719</a>