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The Ascent of Balloons from the Esplanade of the Invalides, 1856. Paris celebrates the birth of Prince Louis Napoleon, heir to the French throne. 'Among the entertainments provided for the working classes at the fete on Sunday, the flight of balloons showering bon-bons afforded most amusement. Three hundred balloons were let off in the Esplanade in the course of the afternoon, and at about five a large balloon was sent up, from which bags of bon-bons were thrown down amongst the crowd. Everything passed over with great good humour, and the people seemed delighted with the amusements provided for them, favoured as they were by the fineness of the weather'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.