1

CHAPTERI
CHAPTERII
CHAPTERIII
CHAPTERIV
CHAPTERV
CHAPTERVI
CHAPTERVII
CHAPTERVII
CHAPTERIX
CHAPTERX
CHAPTERXI
CHAPTERXII
CHAPTERXIII
CHAPTERXIV
CHAPTERXV
CHAPTERXVI
CHAPTERXVII
CHAPTERXVIII
CHAPTERXIX

CHAPTERXX
CHAPTERXXI
CHAPTERXXII
CHAPTERXXIII
FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON
CHAPTERXXIV
CHAPTERXXV
CHAPTERXXVI
CHAPTERXXVII
CHAPTERXXVIII
CHAPTERI
CHAPTERII
CHAPTERIII
CHAPTERIV
CHAPTERV
CHAPTERVI
CHAPTERVII
CHAPTERVIII
CHAPTERIX
CHAPTERX
CHAPTERXI
CHAPTERXII
CHAPTERXIII
CHAPTERXIV
CHAPTERXV
CHAPTERXVI
CHAPTERXVII
CHAPTERXVIII
CHAPTERXIX
CHAPTERXX
CHAPTERXXI
CHAPTERXXII
CHAPTERXXIII

FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON

By Jules Verne
TableofContents
I.TheGunClub
II.PresidentBarbicane'sCommunication
III.EffectofthePresident'sCommunication

IV.ReplyFromtheObservatoryofCambridge
V.TheRomanceoftheMoon
VI.ThePermissiveLimitsofIgnoranceandBeliefintheUnitedStates
VII.TheHymnoftheCannonBall
VIII.HistoryoftheCannon
A TRIP AROUND IT
IX.TheQuestionofthePowders
X.OneEnemyV.TwentyFiveMillionsofFriends
XI.FloridaandTexas
XII.UrbietOrbi
XIII.StonesHill
XIV.PickaxeandTrowel
XV.TheFeteoftheCasting
XVI.TheColumbiad
XVII.ATelegraphicDispatch
XVIII.ThePassengeroftheAtlanta
XIX.AMonsterMeeting
XX.AttackandRiposte
XXI.HowAFrenchmanManagesAnAffair
XXII.TheNewCitizenoftheUnitedStates
XXIII.TheProjectileVehicle
XXIV.TheTelescopeoftheRockyMountains
XXV.FinalDetails
XXVI.Fire!
XXVII.FoulWeather
XXVIII.ANewStar

A TRIP AROUND IT
PreliminaryChapterRecapitulatingtheFirstPartofThisWork,andServingasaPrefacetotheSecond

I.FromTwentyMinutesPastTentoFortySevenMinutesPastTenP.M.
II.TheFirstHalfHour
III.TheirPlaceofShelter
IV.ALittleAlgebra
A TRIP AROUND IT
V.TheColdofSpace
VI.QuestionandAnswer
VII.AMomentofIntoxication
VIII.AtSeventyEightThousandFiveHundredandFourteenLeagues
IX.TheConsequencesofADeviation
X.TheObserversoftheMoon
XI.FancyandReality
XII.OrographicDetails
XIII.LunarLandscapes
XIV.TheNightofThreeHundredandFiftyFourHoursandAHalf
XV.HyperbolaorParabola
XVI.TheSouthernHemisphere
XVII.Tycho
XVIII.GraveQuestions
XIX.AStruggleAgainsttheImpossible
XX.TheSoundingsoftheSusquehanna
XXI.J.T.MastonRecalled
XXII.RecoveredFromtheSea
XXIII.TheEnd

FROMTHEEARTHTOTHEMOON
CHAPTER I

CHAPTER I
THEGUNCLUB
DuringtheWaroftheRebellion,anewandinfluentialclubwasestablishedinthecityofBaltimoreinthe
StateofMaryland.Itiswellknownwithwhatenergythetasteformilitarymattersbecamedeveloped
amongthatnationofshipowners,shopkeepers,andmechanics.Simpletradesmenjumpedtheircounters
tobecomeextemporizedcaptains,colonels,andgenerals,withouthavingeverpassedtheSchoolof
InstructionatWestPoint;nevertheless;theyquicklyrivaledtheircompeersoftheoldcontinent,and,like
them,carriedoffvictoriesbydintoflavishexpenditureinammunition,money,andmen.

ButthepointinwhichtheAmericanssingularlydistancedtheEuropeanswasinthescienceofgunnery.
Not,indeed,thattheirweaponsretainedahigherdegreeofperfectionthantheirs,butthatthey
exhibitedunheardofdimensions,andconsequentlyattainedhithertounheardofranges.Inpointof
grazing,plunging,oblique,orenfilading,orpointblankfiring,theEnglish,French,andPrussianshave
nothingtolearn;buttheircannon,howitzers,andmortarsaremerepocketpistolscomparedwiththe
formidableenginesoftheAmericanartillery.
Thisfactneedsurprisenoone.TheYankees,thefirstmechaniciansintheworld,areengineersjust
astheItaliansaremusiciansandtheGermansmetaphysiciansbyrightofbirth.Nothingismore
natural,therefore,thantoperceivethemapplyingtheiraudaciousingenuitytothescienceofgunnery.
WitnessthemarvelsofParrott,Dahlgren,andRodman.TheArmstrong,Palliser,andBeaulieuguns
werecompelledtobowbeforetheirtransatlanticrivals.
NowwhenanAmericanhasanidea,hedirectlyseeksasecondAmericantoshareit.Iftherebethree,
theyelectapresidentandtwosecretaries.Givenfour,theynameakeeperofrecords,andtheofficeis
readyforwork;five,theyconveneageneralmeeting,andtheclubisfullyconstituted.Sothingswere
managedinBaltimore.Theinventorofanewcannonassociatedhimselfwiththecasterandtheborer.
Thuswasformedthenucleusofthe"GunClub."Inasinglemonthafteritsformationitnumbered
1,833effectivemembersand30,565correspondingmembers.
Oneconditionwasimposedasasinequanonuponeverycandidateforadmissionintotheassociation,
andthatwastheconditionofhavingdesigned,or(moreorless)perfectedacannon;or,indefaultofa
cannon,atleastafirearmofsomedescription.Itmay,however,bementionedthatmereinventorsof
revolvers,fireshootingcarbines,andsimilarsmallarms,metwithlittleconsideration.Artillerists
alwayscommandedthechiefplaceoffavor.
Theestimationinwhichthesegentlemenwereheld,accordingtooneofthemostscientificexponents
oftheGunClub,was"proportionaltothemassesoftheirguns,andinthedirectratioofthesquare
ofthedistancesattainedbytheirprojectiles."
TheGunCluboncefounded,itiseasytoconceivetheresultoftheinventivegeniusoftheAmericans.
Theirmilitaryweaponsattainedcolossalproportions,andtheirprojectiles,exceedingtheprescribed
limits,unfortunatelyoccasionallycutintwosomeunoffendingpedestrians.Theseinventions,infact,
leftfarintherearthetimidinstrumentsofEuropeanartillery.
ItisbutfairtoaddthattheseYankees,braveastheyhaveeverprovedthemselvestobe,didnotconfine

themselvestotheoriesandformulae,butthattheypaidheavily,inpropriapersona,fortheirinventions.Among
themweretobecountedofficersofallranks,fromlieutenantstogenerals;militarymenofeveryage,fromthose
whowerejustmakingtheirdebutintheprofessionofarmsuptothosewhohadgrownoldintheguncarriage.
Manyhadfoundtheirrestonthefieldofbattlewhosenamesfiguredinthe"BookofHonor"oftheGunClub;
andofthosewhomadegoodtheirreturnthegreaterproportionborethemarksoftheir

CHAPTER I

indisputablevalor.Crutches,woodenlegs,artificialarms,steelhooks,caoutchoucjaws,silvercraniums,
platinumnoses,werealltobefoundinthecollection;anditwascalculatedbythegreatstatisticianPitcairn
thatthroughouttheGunClubtherewasnotquiteonearmbetweenfourpersonsandtwolegsbetweensix.
Nevertheless,thesevaliantartilleriststooknoparticularaccountoftheselittlefacts,andfeltjustlyproudwhen
thedespatchesofabattlereturnedthenumberofvictimsattenfoldthequantityofprojectilesexpended.
Oneday,howeversadandmelancholyday!peacewassignedbetweenthesurvivorsofthewar;thethunder
ofthegunsgraduallyceased,themortarsweresilent,thehowitzersweremuzzledforanindefiniteperiod,the
cannon,withmuzzlesdepressed,werereturnedintothearsenal,theshotwererepiled,allbloodyreminiscences
wereeffaced;thecottonplantsgrewluxuriantlyinthewellmanuredfields,allmourninggarmentswerelaid
aside,togetherwithgrief;andtheGunClubwasrelegatedtoprofoundinactivity.

Somefewofthemoreadvancedandinveteratetheoristssetthemselvesagaintoworkupon
calculationsregardingthelawsofprojectiles.Theyrevertedinvariablytogiganticshellsand
howitzersofunparalleledcaliber.Stillindefaultofpracticalexperiencewhatwasthevalueofmere
theories?Consequently,theclubroomsbecamedeserted,theservantsdozedintheantechambers,the
newspapersgrewmouldyonthetables,soundsofsnoringcamefromdarkcorners,andthemembers
oftheGunClub,erstwhilesonoisyintheirseances,werereducedtosilencebythisdisastrouspeace
andgavethemselvesupwhollytodreamsofaPlatonickindofartillery.
"Thisishorrible!"saidTomHunteroneevening,whilerapidlycarbonizinghiswoodenlegsinthe
fireplaceofthesmokingroom;"nothingtodo!nothingtolookforwardto!whataloathsomeexistence!
Whenagainshallthegunsarouseusinthemorningwiththeirdelightfulreports?"
"Thosedaysaregoneby,"saidjollyBilsby,tryingtoextendhismissingarms."Itwasdelightfulonce
uponatime!Oneinventedagun,andhardlywasitcast,whenonehastenedtotryitinthefaceofthe
enemy!ThenonereturnedtocampwithawordofencouragementfromShermanorafriendlyshake
ofthehandfromMcClellan.Butnowthegeneralsaregonebacktotheircounters;andinplaceof
projectiles,theydespatchbalesofcotton.ByJove,thefutureofgunneryinAmericaislost!"
"Ay!andnowarinprospect!"continuedthefamousJamesT.Maston,scratchingwithhissteelhookhis
guttaperchacranium."Notacloudonthehorizon!andthattooatsuchacriticalperiodintheprogressof
thescienceofartillery!Yes,gentlemen!Iwhoaddressyouhavemyselfthisverymorningperfectedamodel
(plan,section,elevation,etc.)ofamortardestinedtochangealltheconditionsofwarfare!"

"No!isitpossible?"repliedTomHunter,histhoughtsrevertinginvoluntarilytoaformer
inventionoftheHon.J.T.Maston,bywhich,atitsfirsttrial,hehadsucceededinkillingthree
hundredandthirtysevenpeople.
"Fact!"repliedhe."Still,whatistheuseofsomanystudiesworkedout,somanydifficultiesvanquished?
It'smerewasteoftime!TheNewWorldseemstohavemadeupitsmindtoliveinpeace;andourbellicose
Tribunepredictssomeapproachingcatastrophesarisingoutofthisscandalousincreaseofpopulation."

"Nevertheless,"repliedColonelBlomsberry,"theyarealwaysstrugglinginEuropetomaintainthe
principleofnationalities."
"Well?"
"Well,theremightbesomefieldforenterprisedownthere;andiftheywouldacceptourservices"
"Whatareyoudreamingof?"screamedBilsby;
"workatgunneryforthebenefitofforeigners?"

CHAPTER I

"Thatwouldbebetterthandoingnothinghere,"returnedthecolonel.
"Quiteso,"saidJ.T.Matson;"butstillweneednotdreamofthatexpedient."
"Andwhynot?"demandedthecolonel.
"BecausetheirideasofprogressintheOldWorldarecontrarytoourAmericanhabitsofthought.
Thosefellowsbelievethatonecan'tbecomeageneralwithouthavingservedfirstasanensign;which
isasmuchastosaythatonecan'tpointagunwithouthavingfirstcastitoneself!"
"Ridiculous!"repliedTomHunter,whittlingwithhisbowieknifethearmsofhiseasychair;"butif
thatbethecasethere,allthatisleftforusistoplanttobaccoanddistillwhaleoil."
"What!"roaredJ.T.Maston,"shallwenotemploytheseremainingyearsofourlifeinperfecting
firearms?Shallthereneverbeafreshopportunityoftryingtherangesofprojectiles?Shalltheair
neveragainbelightedwiththeglareofourguns?Nointernationaldifficultyeverarisetoenableusto
declarewaragainstsometransatlanticpower?ShallnottheFrenchsinkoneofoursteamers,orthe
English,indefianceoftherightsofnations,hangafewofourcountrymen?"
"Nosuchluck,"repliedColonelBlomsberry;"nothingofthekindislikelytohappen;andevenifitdid,
weshouldnotprofitbyit.Americansusceptibilityisfastdeclining,andweareallgoingtothedogs."

"Itistootrue,"repliedJ.T.Maston,withfreshviolence;"thereareathousandgroundsforfighting,
andyetwedon'tfight.Wesaveupourarmsandlegsforthebenefitofnationswhodon'tknowwhatto
dowiththem!Butstopwithoutgoingoutofone'swaytofindacauseforwardidnotNorth
AmericaoncebelongtotheEnglish?"
"Undoubtedly,"repliedTomHunter,stampinghiscrutchwithfury.
"Well,then,"repliedJ.T.Maston,"whyshouldnotEnglandinherturnbelongtotheAmericans?"
"Itwouldbebutjustandfair,"returnedColonelBlomsberry.
"GoandproposeittothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,"criedJ.T.Maston,"andseehowhewill
receiveyou."
"Bah!"growledBilsbybetweenthefourteethwhichthewarhadlefthim;"thatwillneverdo!"
"ByJove!"criedJ.T.Maston,"hemustn'tcountonmyvoteatthenextelection!"
"Noronours,"repliedunanimouslyallthebellicoseinvalids.
"Meanwhile,"repliedJ.T.Maston,"allowmetosaythat,ifIcannotgetanopportunitytotrymynew
mortarsonarealfieldofbattle,IshallsaygoodbytothemembersoftheGunClub,andgoandbury
myselfintheprairiesofArkansas!"
"Inthatcasewewillaccompanyyou,"criedtheothers.
Matterswereinthisunfortunatecondition,andtheclubwasthreatenedwithapproachingdissolution,

whenanunexpectedcircumstanceoccurredtopreventsodeplorableacatastrophe.
Onthemorrowafterthisconversationeverymemberof
theassociationreceivedasealedcircularcouchedin

CHAPTER I

thefollowingterms:
BALTIMORE,October3.ThepresidentoftheGunClubhasthehonortoinformhiscolleaguesthat,
at the meeting of the 5th instant, he will bring before them a communication of an extremely
interestingnature.Herequests,therefore,thattheywillmakeitconvenienttoattendinaccordance
withthepresentinvitation.Verycordially,IMPEYBARBICANE,P.G.C.
CHAPTER II

CHAPTER II
PRESIDENTBARBICANE'SCOMMUNICATION
Onthe5thofOctober,ateightp.m.,adensecrowdpressedtowardthesaloonsoftheGunClubatNo.21Union
Square.AllthemembersoftheassociationresidentinBaltimoreattendedtheinvitationoftheirpresident.As
regardsthecorrespondingmembers,noticesweredeliveredbyhundredsthroughoutthestreetsofthecity,and,
largeaswasthegreathall,itwasquiteinadequatetoaccommodatethecrowdofsavants.Theyoverflowedinto
theadjoiningrooms,downthenarrowpassages,intotheoutercourtyards.Theretheyranagainstthevulgarherd
whopresseduptothedoors,eachstrugglingtoreachthefrontranks,alleagertolearnthenatureofthe
importantcommunicationofPresidentBarbicane;allpushing,squeezing,crushingwiththatperfectfreedomof
actionwhichissopeculiartothemasseswheneducatedinideasof"selfgovernment."
OnthateveningastrangerwhomighthavechancedtobeinBaltimorecouldnothavegainedadmissionforlove
ormoneyintothegreathall.Thatwasreservedexclusivelyforresidentorcorrespondingmembers;nooneelse
couldpossiblyhaveobtainedaplace;andthecitymagnates,municipalcouncilors,and"selectmen"were
compelledtominglewiththemeretownspeopleinordertocatchstraybitsofnewsfromtheinterior.

Neverthelessthevasthallpresentedacuriousspectacle.Itsimmenseareawassingularlyadaptedtothe
purpose.Loftypillarsformedofcannon,superposeduponhugemortarsasabase,supportedthefine
ironworkofthearches,aperfectpieceofcastironlacework.Trophiesofblunderbuses,matchlocks,
arquebuses,carbines,allkindsoffirearms,ancientandmodern,werepicturesquelyinterlacedagainst
thewalls.Thegaslitupinfullglaremyriadsofrevolversgroupedintheformoflustres,whilegroups
ofpistols,andcandelabraformedofmusketsboundtogether,completedthismagnificentdisplayof
brilliance.Modelsofcannon,bronzecastings,sightscoveredwithdents,platesbatteredbytheshotsof
theGunClub,assortmentsoframmersandsponges,chapletsofshells,wreathsofprojectiles,garlands
ofhowitzersinshort,alltheapparatusoftheartillerist,enchantedtheeyebythiswonderful
arrangementandinducedakindofbeliefthattheirrealpurposewasornamentalratherthandeadly.
Atthefurtherendofthesaloonthepresident,assistedbyfoursecretaries,occupiedalargeplatform.
Hischair,supportedbyacarvedguncarriage,wasmodeledupontheponderousproportionsofa32
inchmortar.Itwaspointedatanangleofninetydegrees,andsuspendedupontruncheons,sothatthe
presidentcouldbalancehimselfuponitasuponarockingchair,averyagreeablefactintheveryhot
weather.Uponthetable(ahugeironplatesupporteduponsixcarronades)stoodaninkstandof
exquisiteelegance,madeofabeautifullychasedSpanishpiece,andasonnette,which,whenrequired,
couldgiveforthareportequaltothatofarevolver.Duringviolentdebatesthisnovelkindofbell
scarcelysufficedtodrowntheclamoroftheseexcitableartillerists.
Infrontofthetablebenchesarrangedinzigzagform,likethecircumvallationsofaretrenchment,
formedasuccessionofbastionsandcurtainssetapartfortheuseofthemembersoftheclub;andon

thisespecialeveningonemightsay,"Alltheworldwasontheramparts."Thepresidentwas
sufficientlywellknown,however,foralltobeassuredthathewouldnotputhiscolleaguesto
discomfortwithoutsomeverystrongmotive.
ImpeyBarbicanewasamanoffortyyearsofage,calm,cold,austere;ofasingularlyseriousandself
containeddemeanor,punctualasachronometer,ofimperturbabletemperandimmovablecharacter;
bynomeanschivalrous,yetadventurouswithal,andalwaysbringingpracticalideastobearuponthe
veryrashestenterprises;anessentiallyNewEnglander,aNortherncolonist,adescendantoftheold
antiStuartRoundheads,andtheimplacableenemyofthegentlemenoftheSouth,thoseancient
cavaliersofthemothercountry.Inaword,hewasaYankeetothebackbone.
CHAPTER II

10

Barbicanehadmadealargefortuneasatimbermerchant.Beingnominateddirectorofartillery
duringthewar,heprovedhimselffertileininvention.Boldinhisconceptions,hecontributed
powerfullytotheprogressofthatarmandgaveanimmenseimpetustoexperimentalresearches.
Hewaspersonageofthemiddleheight,having,byarareexceptionintheGunClub,allhislimbs
complete.Hisstronglymarkedfeaturesseemeddrawnbysquareandrule;andifitbetruethat,in
ordertojudgeaman'scharacteronemustlookathisprofile,Barbicane,soexamined,exhibitedthe
mostcertainindicationsofenergy,audacity,andsangfroid.
Atthismomenthewassittinginhisarmchair,silent,absorbed,lostinreflection,sheltered
underhishighcrownedhatakindofblackcylinderwhichalwaysseemsfirmlyscrewed
upontheheadofanAmerican.
Justwhenthedeeptonedclockinthegreathallstruckeight,Barbicane,asifhehadbeensetin
motionbyaspring,raisedhimselfup.Aprofoundsilenceensued,andthespeaker,inasomewhat
emphatictoneofvoice,commencedasfollows:
"Mybrave,colleagues,toolongalreadyaparalyzingpeacehasplungedthemembersoftheGunClub
indeplorableinactivity.Afteraperiodofyearsfullofincidentswehavebeencompelledtoabandon
ourlabors,andtostopshortontheroadofprogress.Idonothesitatetostate,baldly,thatanywar
whichwouldrecallustoarmswouldbewelcome!"(Tremendousapplause!)"Butwar,gentlemen,is
impossibleunderexistingcircumstances;and,howeverwemaydesireit,manyyearsmayelapse
beforeourcannonshallagainthunderinthefieldofbattle.Wemustmakeupourminds,then,toseek
inanothertrainofideassomefieldfortheactivitywhichweallpinefor."
Themeetingfeltthatthepresidentwasnowapproachingthecriticalpoint,andredoubledtheir
attentionaccordingly.
"Forsomemonthspast,mybravecolleagues,"continuedBarbicane,"Ihavebeenaskingmyself
whether,whileconfiningourselvestoourownparticularobjects,wecouldnotenteruponsomegrand
experimentworthyofthenineteenthcentury;andwhethertheprogressofartillerysciencewouldnot
enableustocarryitouttoasuccessfulissue.Ihavebeenconsidering,working,calculating;andthe
resultofmystudiesistheconvictionthatwearesafetosucceedinanenterprisewhichtoanyother
countrywouldappearwhollyimpracticable.Thisproject,theresultoflongelaboration,istheobjectof
mypresentcommunication.Itisworthyofyourselves,worthyoftheantecedentsoftheGunClub;and
itcannotfailtomakesomenoiseintheworld."
Athrillofexcitementranthroughthemeeting.

Barbicane,havingbyarapidmovementfirmlyfixedhishatuponhishead,calmlycontinuedhisharangue:

"Thereisnooneamongyou,mybravecolleagues,whohasnotseentheMoon,or,atleast,heard
speakofit.Don'tbesurprisedifIamabouttodiscoursetoyouregardingtheQueenoftheNight.Itis
perhapsreservedforustobecometheColumbusesofthisunknownworld.Onlyenterintomyplans,
andsecondmewithallyourpower,andIwillleadyoutoitsconquest,anditsnameshallbeaddedto
thoseofthethirtysixstateswhichcomposethisGreatUnion."
"ThreecheersfortheMoon!"roaredtheGunClub,withonevoice.
"Themoon,gentlemen,hasbeencarefullystudied,"continuedBarbicane;"hermass,density,andweight;her
constitution,motions,distance,aswellasherplaceinthesolarsystem,haveallbeenexactlydetermined.
Selenographicchartshavebeenconstructedwithaperfectionwhichequals,ifitdoesnotevensurpass,thatof

CHAPTER II

11

ourterrestrialmaps.Photographyhasgivenusproofsoftheincomparablebeautyofoursatellite;allis
known regarding the moon which mathematical science, astronomy, geology, and optics can learn
abouther.Butuptothepresentmomentnodirectcommunicationhasbeenestablishedwithher."
Aviolentmovementofinterestandsurpriseheregreetedthisremarkofthespeaker.
"Permitme,"hecontinued,"torecounttoyoubrieflyhowcertainardentspirits,startingonimaginary
journeys,havepenetratedthesecretsofoursatellite.IntheseventeenthcenturyacertainDavidFabricius
boastedofhavingseenwithhisowneyestheinhabitantsofthemoon.In1649aFrenchman,oneJean
Baudoin,publisheda`JourneyperformedfromtheEarthtotheMoonbyDomingoGonzalez,'aSpanish
adventurer.AtthesameperiodCyranodeBergeracpublishedthatcelebrated`JourneysintheMoon'
whichmetwithsuchsuccessinFrance.SomewhatlateranotherFrenchman,namedFontenelle,wrote`The
PluralityofWorlds,'achefd'oeuvreofitstime.About1835asmalltreatise,translatedfromtheNewYork
American,relatedhowSirJohnHerschel,havingbeendespatchedtotheCapeofGoodHopeforthe
purposeofmakingtheresomeastronomicalcalculations,had,bymeansofatelescopebroughttoperfection
bymeansofinternallighting,reducedtheapparentdistanceofthemoontoeightyyards!Hethendistinctly
perceivedcavernsfrequentedbyhippopotami,greenmountainsborderedbygoldenlacework,sheepwith
hornsofivory,awhitespeciesofdeerandinhabitantswithmembranouswings,likebats.Thisbrochure,the
workofanAmericannamedLocke,hadagreatsale.But,tobringthisrapidsketchtoaclose,Iwillonly
addthatacertainHansPfaal,ofRotterdam,launchinghimselfinaballoonfilledwithagasextractedfrom
nitrogen,thirtyseventimeslighterthanhydrogen,reachedthemoonafterapassageofnineteenhours.
Thisjourney,likeallpreviousones,waspurelyimaginary;still,itwastheworkofapopularAmerican
authorImeanEdgarPoe!"

"CheersforEdgarPoe!"roaredtheassemblage,electrifiedbytheirpresident'swords.
"Ihavenowenumerated,"saidBarbicane,"theexperimentswhichIcallpurelypaperones,andwholly
insufficienttoestablishseriousrelationswiththeQueenoftheNight.Nevertheless,Iamboundtoaddthat
somepracticalgeniuseshaveattemptedtoestablishactualcommunicationwithher.Thus,afewdaysago,a
GermangeometricianproposedtosendascientificexpeditiontothesteppesofSiberia.There,onthosevast
plains,theyweretodescribeenormousgeometricfigures,drawnincharactersofreflectingluminosity,
amongwhichwasthepropositionregardingthe`squareofthehypothenuse,'commonlycalledthe`Ass's
Bridge'bytheFrench.`Everyintelligentbeing,'saidthegeometrician,`mustunderstandthescientific
meaningofthatfigure.TheSelenites,dotheyexist,willrespondbyasimilarfigure;and,acommunication

beingthusonceestablished,itwillbeeasytoformanalphabetwhichshallenableustoconversewiththe
inhabitantsofthemoon.'SospoketheGermangeometrician;buthisprojectwasneverputintopractice,
anduptothepresentdaythereisnobondinexistencebetweentheEarthandhersatellite.Itisreservedfor
thepracticalgeniusofAmericanstoestablishacommunicationwiththesiderealworld.Themeansof
arrivingthitheraresimple,easy,certain,infallibleandthatisthepurposeofmypresentproposal."

Astormofacclamationsgreetedthesewords.Therewasnotasinglepersoninthewholeaudience
whowasnotovercome,carriedaway,liftedoutofhimselfbythespeaker'swords!
Longcontinuedapplauseresoundedfromallsides.
Assoonastheexcitementhadpartiallysubsided,Barbicaneresumedhisspeechinasomewhatgravervoice.
"Youknow,"saidhe,"whatprogressartillerysciencehasmadeduringthelastfewyears,andwhatadegreeof
perfectionfirearmsofeverykindhavereached.Moreover,youarewellawarethat,ingeneralterms,theresisting
powerofcannonandtheexpansiveforceofgunpowderarepracticallyunlimited.Well!startingfromthis
principle,Iaskmyselfwhether,supposingsufficientapparatuscouldbeobtainedconstructedupontheconditions
ofascertainedresistance,itmightnotbepossibletoprojectashotuptothemoon?"

CHAPTER II

12

Atthesewordsamurmurofamazementescapedfromathousandpantingchests;thensucceededa
momentofperfectsilence,resemblingthatprofoundstillnesswhichprecedestheburstingofa
thunderstorm.Inpointoffact,athunderstormdidpealforth,butitwasthethunderofapplause,or
cries,andofuproarwhichmadetheveryhalltremble.Thepresidentattemptedtospeak,butcould
not.Itwasfullytenminutesbeforehecouldmakehimselfheard.
"Suffermetofinish,"hecalmlycontinued."Ihavelookedatthequestioninallitsbearings,Ihave
resolutelyattackedit,andbyincontrovertiblecalculationsIfindthataprojectileendowedwithan
initialvelocityof12,000yardspersecond,andaimedatthemoon,mustnecessarilyreachit.Ihavethe
honor,mybravecolleagues,toproposeatrialofthislittleexperiment."
CHAPTER III

13

CHAPTER III
EFFECTOFTHEPRESIDENT'SCOMMUNICATION
Itisimpossibletodescribetheeffectproducedbythelastwordsofthehonorablepresidentthecries,
theshouts,thesuccessionofroars,hurrahs,andallthevariedvociferationswhichtheAmerican
languageiscapableofsupplying.Itwasasceneofindescribableconfusionanduproar.Theyshouted,
theyclapped,theystampedonthefloorofthehall.Alltheweaponsinthemuseumdischargedatonce
couldnothavemoreviolentlysetinmotionthewavesofsound.Oneneednotbesurprisedatthis.
Therearesomecannoneersnearlyasnoisyastheirownguns.
Barbicaneremainedcalminthemidstofthisenthusiasticclamor;perhapshewasdesirousofaddressinga
fewmorewordstohiscolleagues,forbyhisgestureshedemandedsilence,andhispowerfulalarumwas
wornoutbyitsviolentreports.Noattention,however,waspaidtohisrequest.Hewaspresentlytornfrom
hisseatandpassedfromthehandsofhisfaithfulcolleaguesintothearmsofanolessexcitedcrowd.

NothingcanastoundanAmerican.Ithasoftenbeenassertedthattheword"impossible"innota
Frenchone.Peoplehaveevidentlybeendeceivedbythedictionary.InAmerica,alliseasy,allissimple;

andasformechanicaldifficulties,theyareovercomebeforetheyarise.BetweenBarbicane's
propositionanditsrealizationnotrueYankeewouldhaveallowedeventhesemblanceofadifficultyto
bepossible.Athingwiththemisnosoonersaidthandone.
Thetriumphalprogressofthepresidentcontinuedthroughouttheevening.Itwasaregulartorchlight
procession.Irish,Germans,French,Scotch,alltheheterogeneousunitswhichmakeupthepopulation
ofMarylandshoutedintheirrespectivevernaculars;andthe"vivas,""hurrahs,"and"bravos"were
intermingledininexpressibleenthusiasm.
Justatthiscrisis,asthoughshecomprehendedallthisagitationregardingherself,themoonshoneforthwith
serenesplendor,eclipsingbyherintenseilluminationallthesurroundinglights.TheYankeesallturnedtheirgaze
towardherresplendentorb,kissedtheirhands,calledherbyallkindsofendearingnames.Betweeneighto'clock
andmidnightoneopticianinJones'FallStreetmadehisfortunebythesaleofoperaglasses.

Midnightarrived,andtheenthusiasmshowednosignsofdiminution.Itspreadequallyamongall
classesofcitizensmenofscience,shopkeepers,merchants,porters,chairmen,aswellas
"greenhorns,"werestirredintheirinnermostfibres.Anationalenterprisewasatstake.Thewhole
city,highandlow,thequaysborderingthePatapsco,theshipslyinginthebasins,disgorgedacrowd
drunkwithjoy,gin,andwhisky.Everyonechattered,argued,discussed,disputed,applauded,from
thegentlemanlounginguponthebarroomsetteewithhistumblerofsherrycobblerbeforehimdown
tothewatermanwhogotdrunkuponhis"knockmedown"inthedingytavernsofFellPoint.
AbouttwoA.M.,however,theexcitementbegantosubside.PresidentBarbicanereachedhishouse,bruised,
crushed,andsqueezedalmosttoamummy.Herculescouldnothaveresistedasimilaroutbreakof
enthusiasm.Thecrowdgraduallydesertedthesquaresandstreets.ThefourrailwaysfromPhiladelphiaand
Washington,HarrisburgandWheeling,whichconvergeatBaltimore,whirledawaytheheterogeneous
populationtothefourcornersoftheUnitedStates,andthecitysubsidedintocomparativetranquility.
Onthefollowingday,thankstothetelegraphicwires,fivehundrednewspapersandjournals,daily,weekly,
monthly,orbimonthly,alltookupthequestion.Theyexamineditunderallitsdifferentaspects,physical,
meteorological,economical,ormoral,uptoitsbearingsonpoliticsorcivilization.Theydebatedwhetherthe
moonwasafinishedworld,orwhetheritwasdestinedtoundergoanyfurthertransformation.Diditresemble
theearthattheperiodwhenthelatterwasdestituteasyetofanatmosphere?Whatkindofspectaclewouldits
hiddenhemispherepresenttoourterrestrialspheroid?Grantingthatthequestionatpresentwassimplythatof

CHAPTER III

14

sendingaprojectileuptothemoon,everyonemustseethatthatinvolvedthecommencementofaseriesof
experiments.AllmusthopethatsomedayAmericawouldpenetratethedeepestsecretsofthatmysterious
orb;andsomeevenseemedtofearlestitsconquestshouldnotsensiblyderangetheequilibriumofEurope.

Theprojectonceunderdiscussion,notasingleparagraphsuggestedadoubtofitsrealization.Allthe
papers,pamphlets,reportsallthejournalspublishedbythescientific,literary,andreligioussocieties
enlargeduponitsadvantages;andtheSocietyofNaturalHistoryofBoston,theSocietyofScienceand
ArtofAlbany,theGeographicalandStatisticalSocietyofNewYork,thePhilosophicalSocietyof
Philadelphia,andtheSmithsonianofWashingtonsentinnumerablelettersofcongratulationtotheGun
Club,togetherwithoffersofimmediateassistanceandmoney.
FromthatdayforwardImpeyBarbicanebecameoneofthegreatestcitizensoftheUnitedStates,a
kindofWashingtonofscience.Asingletraitoffeeling,takenfrommanyothers,willservetoshow

thepointwhichthishomageofawholepeopletoasingleindividualattained.
SomefewdaysafterthismemorablemeetingoftheGunClub,themanagerofanEnglishcompanyannounced,at
theBaltimoretheatre,theproductionof"MuchadoaboutNothing."Butthepopulace,seeinginthattitlean
allusiondamagingtoBarbicane'sproject,brokeintotheauditorium,smashedthebenches,andcompelledthe
unluckydirectortoalterhisplaybill.Beingasensibleman,hebowedtothepublicwillandreplacedtheoffending
comedyby"Asyoulikeit";andformanyweeksherealizedfabulousprofits.

CHAPTER IV

15

CHAPTER IV
REPLYFROMTHEOBSERVATORYOFCAMBRIDGE
Barbicane,however,lostnotonemomentamidalltheenthusiasmofwhichhehadbecometheobject.
HisfirstcarewastoreassemblehiscolleaguesintheboardroomoftheGunClub.There,aftersome
discussion,itwasagreedtoconsulttheastronomersregardingtheastronomicalpartoftheenterprise.
Theirreplyonceascertained,theycouldthendiscussthemechanicalmeans,andnothingshouldbe
wantingtoensurethesuccessofthisgreatexperiment.
Anotecouchedinpreciseterms,containingspecialinterrogatories,wasthendrawnupandaddressed
totheObservatoryofCambridgeinMassachusetts.Thiscity,wherethefirstuniversityoftheUnited
Stateswasfounded,isjustlycelebratedforitsastronomicalstaff.Therearetobefoundassembledall
themosteminentmenofscience.Hereistobeseenatworkthatpowerfultelescopewhichenabled
BondtoresolvethenebulaofAndromeda,andClarketodiscoverthesatelliteofSirius.This
celebratedinstitutionfullyjustifiedonallpointstheconfidencereposedinitbytheGunClub.So,
aftertwodays,thereplysoimpatientlyawaitedwasplacedinthehandsofPresidentBarbicane.
Itwascouchedinthefollowingterms:
TheDirectoroftheCambridgeObservatorytothePresidentoftheGunClubatBaltimore.
CAMBRIDGE,October7.Onthereceiptofyourfavorofthe6thinstant,addressedtothe
ObservatoryofCambridgeinthenameofthemembersoftheBaltimoreGunClub,ourstaffwas
immediatelycalledtogether,anditwasjudgedexpedienttoreplyasfollows:
Thequestionswhichhavebeenproposedtoitarethese
"1.Isitpossibletotransmitaprojectileuptothemoon?
"2.Whatistheexactdistancewhichseparatestheearthfromitssatellite?
"3.Whatwillbetheperiodoftransitoftheprojectilewhenendowedwithsufficientinitialvelocity?
and,consequently,atwhatmomentoughtittobedischargedinorderthatitmaytouchthemoon
ataparticularpoint?
"4.Atwhatprecisemomentwillthemoonpresentherselfinthemostfavorablepositiontobereached
bytheprojectile?
"5.Whatpointintheheavensoughtthecannontobeaimedatwhichisintendedtodischargetheprojectile?

"6.Whatplacewillthemoonoccupyintheheavensatthemomentoftheprojectile'sdeparture?"
Regardingthefirstquestion,"Isitpossibletotransmitaprojectileuptothemoon?"
Answer.Yes;provideditpossessaninitialvelocityof1,200yardspersecond;calculationsprovethattobe
sufficient.Inproportionaswerecedefromtheearththeactionofgravitationdiminishesintheinverseratio
ofthesquareofthedistance;thatistosay,atthreetimesagivendistancetheactionisninetimesless.
Consequently,theweightofashotwilldecrease,andwillbecomereducedtozeroattheinstantthatthe
attractionofthemoonexactlycounterpoisesthatoftheearth;thatistosayat47/52ofitspassage.Atthat
instanttheprojectilewillhavenoweightwhatever;and,ifitpassesthatpoint,itwillfallintothemoonby
thesoleeffectofthelunarattraction.Thetheoreticalpossibilityoftheexperimentisthereforeabsolutely

CHAPTER IV

16

demonstrated;itssuccessmustdependuponthepoweroftheengineemployed.
Astothesecondquestion,"Whatistheexactdistancewhichseparatestheearthfromitssatellite?"
Answer.Themoondoesnotdescribeacircleroundtheearth,butratheranellipse,ofwhichourearth
occupiesoneofthefoci;theconsequence,therefore,is,thatatcertaintimesitapproachesnearerto,andat
othersitrecedesfartherfrom,theearth;inastronomicallanguage,itisatonetimeinapogee,atanotherin
perigee.Nowthedifferencebetweenitsgreatestanditsleastdistanceistooconsiderabletobeleftoutof
consideration.Inpointoffact,initsapogeethemoonis247,552miles,andinitsperigee,218,657milesonly
distant;afactwhichmakesadifferenceof28,895miles,ormorethanoneninthoftheentiredistance.The
perigeedistance,therefore,isthatwhichoughttoserveasthebasisofallcalculations.

Tothethirdquestion.
Answer.Iftheshotshouldpreservecontinuouslyitsinitialvelocityof12,000yardspersecond,it
wouldrequirelittlemorethanninehourstoreachitsdestination;but,inasmuchasthatinitial
velocitywillbecontinuallydecreasing,itwilloccupy300,000seconds,thatis83hrs.20m.in
reachingthepointwheretheattractionoftheearthandmoonwillbeinequilibrio.Fromthispoint
itwillfallintothemoonin50,000seconds,or13hrs.53m.20sec.Itwillbedesirable,therefore,to
dischargeit97hrs.13m.20sec.beforethearrivalofthemoonatthepointaimedat.
Regardingquestionfour,"Atwhatprecisemomentwillthemoonpresentherselfinthemost
favorableposition,etc.?"
Answer.Afterwhathasbeensaidabove,itwillbenecessary,firstofall,tochoosetheperiodwhenthe
moonwillbeinperigee,andalsothemomentwhenshewillbecrossingthezenith,whichlatterevent
willfurtherdiminishtheentiredistancebyalengthequaltotheradiusoftheearth,i.e.3,919miles;the
resultofwhichwillbethatthefinalpassageremainingtobeaccomplishedwillbe214,976miles.But
althoughthemoonpassesherperigeeeverymonth,shedoesnotreachthezenithalwaysatexactlythe
samemoment.Shedoesnotappearunderthesetwoconditionssimultaneously,exceptatlongintervals
oftime.Itwillbenecessary,therefore,towaitforthemomentwhenherpassageinperigeeshall
coincidewiththatinthezenith.Now,byafortunatecircumstance,onthe4thofDecemberinthe
ensuingyearthemoonwillpresentthesetwoconditions.Atmidnightshewillbeinperigee,thatis,at
hershortestdistancefromtheearth,andatthesamemomentshewillbecrossingthezenith.
Onthefifthquestion,"Atwhatpointintheheavensoughtthecannontobeaimed?"

Answer.Theprecedingremarksbeingadmitted,thecannonoughttobepointedtothezenithoftheplace.
Itsfire,therefore,willbeperpendiculartotheplaneofthehorizon;andtheprojectilewillsoonestpass
beyondtherangeoftheterrestrialattraction.But,inorderthatthemoonshouldreachthezenithofagiven
place,itisnecessarythattheplaceshouldnotexceedinlatitudethedeclinationoftheluminary;inother
words,itmustbecomprisedwithinthedegrees0@and28@oflat.N.orS.Ineveryotherspotthefiremust
necessarilybeoblique,whichwouldseriouslymilitateagainstthesuccessoftheexperiment.

Astothesixthquestion,"Whatplacewillthemoonoccupyintheheavensatthemomentofthe
projectile'sdeparture?"
Answer.Atthemomentwhentheprojectileshallbedischargedintospace,themoon,whichtravelsdaily
forward13@10'35'',willbedistantfromthezenithpointbyfourtimesthatquantity,i.e.by52@41'20'',a
spacewhichcorrespondstothepathwhichshewilldescribeduringtheentirejourneyoftheprojectile.But,
inasmuchasitisequallynecessarytotakeintoaccountthedeviationwhichtherotarymotionoftheearthwill
imparttotheshot,andastheshotcannotreachthemoonuntilafteradeviationequalto16radiioftheearth,

CHAPTER IV

17

which,calculateduponthemoon'sorbit,areequaltoaboutelevendegrees,itbecomesnecessarytoadd
theseelevendegreestothosewhichexpresstheretardationofthemoonjustmentioned:thatistosay,in
roundnumbers,aboutsixtyfourdegrees.Consequently,atthemomentoffiringthevisualradiusapplied
tothemoonwilldescribe,withtheverticallineoftheplace,anangleofsixtyfourdegrees.

TheseareouranswerstothequestionsproposedtotheObservatoryofCambridgebythemembersof
theGunClub:
Tosumup
1st.Thecannonoughttobeplantedinacountrysituatedbetween0@and28@ofN.orS.lat.
2nd.Itoughttobepointeddirectlytowardthezenithoftheplace.
3rd.Theprojectileoughttobepropelledwithaninitialvelocityof12,000yardspersecond.
4th.Itoughttobedischargedat10hrs.46m.40sec.ofthe1stofDecemberoftheensuingyear.
5th.Itwillmeetthemoonfourdaysafteritsdischarge,preciselyatmidnightonthe4thofDecember,
atthemomentofitstransitacrossthezenith.
ThemembersoftheGunClubought,therefore,withoutdelay,tocommencetheworksnecessaryfor
suchanexperiment,andtobepreparedtosettoworkatthemomentdeterminedupon;for,ifthey
shouldsufferthis4thofDecembertogoby,theywillnotfindthemoonagainunderthesame
conditionsofperigeeandofzenithuntileighteenyearsandelevendaysafterward.
ThestaffoftheCambridgeObservatoryplacethemselvesentirelyattheirdisposalinrespectofall
questionsoftheoreticalastronomy;andherewithaddtheircongratulationstothoseofalltherestof
America.FortheAstronomicalStaff,J.M.BELFAST,DirectoroftheObservatoryofCambridge.
CHAPTER V

CHAPTER V

18

THEROMANCEOFTHEMOON
Anobserverenduedwithaninfiniterangeofvision,andplacedinthatunknowncenteraroundwhichthe
entireworldrevolves,mighthavebeheldmyriadsofatomsfillingallspaceduringthechaoticepochofthe
universe.Littlebylittle,asageswenton,achangetookplace;agenerallawofattractionmanifesteditself,
towhichthehithertoerrantatomsbecameobedient:theseatomscombinedtogetherchemicallyaccordingto
theiraffinities,formedthemselvesintomolecules,andcomposedthosenebulousmasseswithwhichthe
depthsoftheheavensarestrewed.Thesemassesbecameimmediatelyenduedwitharotarymotionaround
theirowncentralpoint.Thiscenter,formedofindefinitemolecules,begantorevolvearounditsownaxis
duringitsgradualcondensation;then,followingtheimmutablelawsofmechanics,inproportionasitsbulk
diminishedbycondensation,itsrotarymotionbecameaccelerated,andthesetwoeffectscontinuing,the
resultwastheformationofoneprincipalstar,thecenterofthenebulousmass.

Byattentivelywatching,theobserverwouldthenhaveperceivedtheothermoleculesofthemass,
followingtheexampleofthiscentralstar,becomelikewisecondensedbygraduallyaccelerated
rotation,andgravitatingrounditintheshapeofinnumerablestars.ThuswasformedtheNebulae,of
whichastronomershavereckonedupnearly5,000.
Amongthese5,000nebulaethereisonewhichhasreceivedthenameoftheMilkyWay,andwhich
containseighteenmillionsofstars,eachofwhichhasbecomethecenterofasolarworld.
Iftheobserverhadthenspeciallydirectedhisattentiontooneofthemorehumbleandlessbrilliantof
thesestellarbodies,astarofthefourthclass,thatwhichisarrogantlycalledtheSun,allthe
phenomenatowhichtheformationoftheUniverseistobeascribedwouldhavebeensuccessively
fulfilledbeforehiseyes.Infact,hewouldhaveperceivedthissun,asyetinthegaseousstate,and
composedofmovingmolecules,revolvingrounditsaxisinordertoaccomplishitsworkof
concentration.Thismotion,faithfultothelawsofmechanics,wouldhavebeenacceleratedwiththe
diminutionofitsvolume;andamomentwouldhavearrivedwhenthecentrifugalforcewouldhave
overpoweredthecentripetal,whichcausesthemoleculesalltotendtowardthecenter.
Anotherphenomenonwouldnowhavepassedbeforetheobserver'seye,andthemoleculessituated
ontheplaneoftheequator,escapinglikeastonefromaslingofwhichthecordhadsuddenly
snapped,wouldhaveformedaroundthesunsundryconcentricringsresemblingthatofSaturn.In
theirturn,again,theseringsofcosmicalmatter,excitedbyarotarymotionaboutthecentralmass,
wouldhavebeenbrokenupanddecomposedintosecondarynebulosities,thatistosay,intoplanets.
Similarlyhewouldhaveobservedtheseplanetsthrowoffoneormoreringseach,whichbecamethe
originofthesecondarybodieswhichwecallsatellites.
Thus,then,advancingfromatomtomolecule,frommoleculetonebulousmass,fromthatto
principalstar,fromstartosun,fromsuntoplanet,andhencetosatellite,wehavethewholeseries
oftransformationsundergonebytheheavenlybodiesduringthefirstdaysoftheworld.
Now,ofthoseattendantbodieswhichthesunmaintainsintheirellipticalorbitsbythegreatlawof
gravitation,somefewinturnpossesssatellites.Uranushaseight,Saturneight,Jupiterfour,Neptune
possiblythree,andtheEarthone.Thislast,oneoftheleastimportantoftheentiresolarsystem,wecallthe
Moon;anditisshewhomthedaringgeniusoftheAmericansprofessedtheirintentionofconquering.
Themoon,byhercomparativeproximity,andtheconstantlyvaryingappearancesproducedbyher
severalphases,hasalwaysoccupiedaconsiderableshareoftheattentionoftheinhabitantsoftheearth.

CHAPTER V

19

FromthetimeofThalesofMiletus,inthefifthcenturyB.C.,downtothatofCopernicusinthe
fifteenthandTychoBraheinthesixteenthcenturyA.D.,observationshavebeenfromtimetotime
carriedonwithmoreorlesscorrectness,untilinthepresentdaythealtitudesofthelunarmountains
havebeendeterminedwithexactitude.Galileoexplainedthephenomenaofthelunarlightproduced
duringcertainofherphasesbytheexistenceofmountains,towhichheassignedameanaltitudeof
27,000feet.AfterhimHevelius,anastronomerofDantzic,reducedthehighestelevationsto15,000
feet;butthecalculationsofRicciolibroughtthemupagainto21,000feet.
AtthecloseoftheeighteenthcenturyHerschel,armedwithapowerfultelescope,considerablyreducedthe
precedingmeasurements.Heassignedaheightof11,400feettothemaximumelevations,andreducedthe
meanofthedifferentaltitudestolittlemorethan2,400feet.ButHerschel'scalculationswereintheirturn
correctedbytheobservationsofHalley,Nasmyth,Bianchini,Gruithuysen,andothers;butitwasreserved
forthelaborsofBoeerandMaedlerfinallytosolvethequestion.Theysucceededinmeasuring1,905
differentelevations,ofwhichsixexceed15,000feet,andtwentytwoexceed14,400feet.Thehighestsummit
ofalltowerstoaheightof22,606feetabovethesurfaceofthelunardisc.Atthesameperiodthe
examinationofthemoonwascompleted.Sheappearedcompletelyriddledwithcraters,andheressentially
volcaniccharacterwasapparentateachobservation.Bytheabsenceofrefractionintheraysoftheplanets
occultedbyherweconcludethatsheisabsolutelydevoidofanatmosphere.Theabsenceofairentailsthe
absenceofwater.Itbecame,therefore,manifestthattheSelenites,tosupportlifeundersuchconditions,
mustpossessaspecialorganizationoftheirown,mustdifferremarkablyfromtheinhabitantsoftheearth.
Atlength,thankstomodernart,instrumentsofstillhigherperfectionsearchedthemoonwithoutintermission,
notleavingasinglepointofhersurfaceunexplored;andnotwithstandingthatherdiametermeasures2,150miles,
hersurfaceequalstheonefifteenthpartofthatofourglobe,andherbulktheonefortyninthpartofthatofthe
terrestrialspheroidnotoneofhersecretswasabletoescapetheeyesoftheastronomers;andtheseskillfulmen
ofsciencecarriedtoanevengreaterdegreetheirprodigiousobservations.

Thustheyremarkedthat,duringfullmoon,thediscappearedscoredincertainpartswithwhitelines;
and,duringthephases,withblack.Onprosecutingthestudyofthesewithstillgreaterprecision,they
succeededinobtaininganexactaccountofthenatureoftheselines.Theywerelongandnarrow
furrowssunkbetweenparallelridges,borderinggenerallyupontheedgesofthecraters.Theirlength
variedbetweentenand100miles,andtheirwidthwasabout1,600yards.Astronomerscalledthem
chasms,buttheycouldnotgetanyfurther.Whetherthesechasmswerethedriedupbedsofancient
riversornottheywereunablethoroughlytoascertain.
TheAmericans,amongothers,hopedonedayorothertodeterminethisgeologicalquestion.Theyalso
undertooktoexaminethetruenatureofthatsystemofparallelrampartsdiscoveredonthemoon's
surfacebyGruithuysen,alearnedprofessorofMunich,whoconsideredthemtobe"asystemof
fortificationsthrownupbytheSeleniticengineers."Thesetwopoints,yetobscure,aswellasothers,
nodoubt,couldnotbedefinitelysettledexceptbydirectcommunicationwiththemoon.
Regardingthedegreeofintensityofitslight,therewasnothingmoretolearnonthispoint.Itwasknown
thatitis300,000timesweakerthanthatofthesun,andthatitsheathasnoappreciableeffectuponthe
thermometer.Astothephenomenonknownasthe"ashylight,"itisexplainednaturallybytheeffectofthe
transmissionofthesolarraysfromtheearthtothemoon,whichgivetheappearanceofcompletenesstothe
lunardisc,whileitpresentsitselfunderthecrescentformduringitsfirstandlastphases.

Suchwasthestateofknowledgeacquiredregardingtheearth'ssatellite,whichtheGunClub

undertooktoperfectinallitsaspects,cosmographic,geological,political,andmoral.
CHAPTER VI

20

CHAPTER VI
PERMISSIVELIMITSOFIGNORANCEANDBELIEFINTHEUNITEDSTATES
TheimmediateresultofBarbicane'spropositionwastoplaceupontheordersofthedayallthe
astronomicalfactsrelativetotheQueenoftheNight.Everybodysettoworktostudyassiduously.One
wouldhavethoughtthatthemoonhadjustappearedforthefirsttime,andthatnoonehadever
beforecaughtaglimpseofherintheheavens.Thepapersrevivedalltheoldanecdotesinwhichthe
"sunofthewolves"playedapart;theyrecalledtheinfluenceswhichtheignoranceofpastages
ascribedtoher;inshort,allAmericawasseizedwithselenomania,orhadbecomemoonmad.
Thescientificjournals,fortheirpart,dealtmoreespeciallywiththequestionswhichtouched
upontheenterpriseoftheGunClub.TheletteroftheObservatoryofCambridgewas
publishedbythem,andcommenteduponwithunreservedapproval.
Untilthattimemostpeoplehadbeenignorantofthemodeinwhichthedistancewhichseparatesthemoon
fromtheearthiscalculated.Theytookadvantageofthisfacttoexplaintothemthatthisdistancewas
obtainedbymeasuringtheparallaxofthemoon.Thetermparallaxproving"caviaretothegeneral,"they
furtherexplainedthatitmeanttheangleformedbytheinclinationoftwostraightlinesdrawnfromeither
extremityoftheearth'sradiustothemoon.Ondoubtsbeingexpressedastothecorrectnessofthismethod,
theyimmediatelyprovedthatnotonlywasthemeandistance234,347miles,butthatastronomerscouldnot
possiblybeinerrorintheirestimatebymorethanseventymileseitherway.

Tothosewhowerenotfamiliarwiththemotionsofthemoon,theydemonstratedthatshepossesses
twodistinctmotions,thefirstbeingthatofrotationuponheraxis,thesecondbeingthatof
revolutionroundtheearth,accomplishingbothtogetherinanequalperiodoftime,thatistosay,in
twentysevenandonethirddays.
Themotionofrotationisthatwhichproducesdayandnightonthesurfaceofthemoon;savethatthereisonly
onedayandonenightinthelunarmonth,eachlastingthreehundredandfiftyfourandonethirdhours.But,
happilyforher,thefaceturnedtowardtheterrestrialglobeisilluminatedbyitwithanintensityequaltothatof
fourteenmoons.Astotheotherface,alwaysinvisibletous,ithasofnecessitythreehundredandfiftyfourhours
ofabsolutenight,temperedonlybythat"paleglimmerwhichfallsuponitfromthestars."

Somewellintentioned,butratherobstinatepersons,couldnotatfirstcomprehendhow,ifthemoon
displaysinvariablythesamefacetotheearthduringherrevolution,shecandescribeoneturnround
herself.Tosuchtheyanswered,"Gointoyourdiningroom,andwalkroundthetableinsuchawayas
toalwayskeepyourfaceturnedtowardthecenter;bythetimeyouwillhaveachievedonecomplete
roundyouwillhavecompletedoneturnaroundyourself,sinceyoureyewillhavetraversed
successivelyeverypointoftheroom.Well,then,theroomistheheavens,thetableistheearth,andthe
moonisyourself."Andtheywouldgoawaydelighted.
So,thenthemoondisplaysinvariablythesamefacetotheearth;nevertheless,tobequiteexact,itis
necessarytoaddthat,inconsequenceofcertainfluctuationsofnorthandsouth,andofwestandeast,
termedherlibration,shepermitsrathermorethanhalf,thatistosay,fivesevenths,tobeseen.
Assoonastheignoramusescametounderstandasmuchasthedirectoroftheobservatoryhimselfknew,they

begantoworrythemselvesregardingherrevolutionroundtheearth,whereupontwentyscientificreviews
immediatelycametotherescue.Theypointedouttothemthatthefirmament,withitsinfinitudeofstars,maybe
consideredasonevastdialplate,uponwhichthemoontravels,indicatingthetruetimetoalltheinhabitantsof
theearth;thatitisduringthismovementthattheQueenofNightexhibitsherdifferentphases;thatthemoonis
fullwhensheisinoppositionwiththesun,thatiswhenthethreebodiesareonthesame

CHAPTER VI

21

straightline,theearthoccupyingthecenter;thatsheisnewwhensheisinconjunctionwiththesun,
thatis,whensheisbetweenitandtheearth;and,lastlythatsheisinherfirstorlastquarter,whenshe
makeswiththesunandtheearthanangleofwhichsheherselfoccupiestheapex.
Regardingthealtitudewhichthemoonattainsabovethehorizon,theletteroftheCambridge
Observatoryhadsaidallthatwastobesaidinthisrespect.Everyoneknewthatthisaltitudevaries
accordingtothelatitudeoftheobserver.Buttheonlyzonesoftheglobeinwhichthemoonpassesthe
zenith,thatis,thepointdirectlyovertheheadofthespectator,areofnecessitycomprisedbetweenthe
twentyeighthparallelsandtheequator.Hencetheimportanceoftheadvicetotrytheexperimentupon
somepointofthatpartoftheglobe,inorderthattheprojectilemightbedischargedperpendicularly,
andsothesoonestescapetheactionofgravitation.Thiswasanessentialconditiontothesuccessofthe
enterprise,andcontinuedactivelytoengagethepublicattention.
Regardingthepathdescribedbythemooninherrevolutionroundtheearth,theCambridge
Observatoryhaddemonstratedthatthispathisareenteringcurve,notaperfectcircle,butan
ellipse,ofwhichtheearthoccupiesoneofthefoci.Itwasalsowellunderstoodthatitisfarthest
removedfromtheearthduringitsapogee,andapproachesmostnearlytoitatitsperigee.
SuchwasthentheextentofknowledgepossessedbyeveryAmericanonthesubject,andofwhichno
onecoulddecentlyprofessignorance.Still,whiletheseprincipleswerebeingrapidlydisseminated
manyerrorsandillusoryfearsprovedlesseasytoeradicate.
Forinstance,someworthypersonsmaintainedthatthemoonwasanancientcometwhich,indescribing
itselongatedorbitroundthesun,happenedtopassneartheearth,andbecameconfinedwithinhercircle
ofattraction.Thesedrawingroomastronomersprofessedtoexplainthecharredaspectofthemoona
disasterwhichtheyattributedtotheintensityofthesolarheat;only,onbeingremindedthatcometshave
anatmosphere,andthatthemoonhaslittleornone,theywerefairlyatalossforareply.

Othersagain,belongingtothedoubtingclass,expressedcertainfearsastothepositionofthemoon.
Theyhadhearditsaidthat,accordingtoobservationsmadeinthetimeoftheCaliphs,herrevolution
hadbecomeacceleratedinacertaindegree.Hencetheyconcluded,logicallyenough,thatan
accelerationofmotionoughttobeaccompaniedbyacorrespondingdiminutioninthedistance
separatingthetwobodies;andthat,supposingthedoubleeffecttobecontinuedtoinfinity,themoon
wouldendbyonedayfallingintotheearth.However,theybecamereassuredastothefateoffuture
generationsonbeingapprisedthat,accordingtothecalculationsofLaplace,thisaccelerationofmotion
isconfinedwithinveryrestrictedlimits,andthataproportionaldiminutionofspeedwillbecertainto
succeedit.So,then,thestabilityofthesolarsystemwouldnotbederangedinagestocome.
Thereremainsbutthethirdclass,thesuperstitious.Theseworthieswerenotcontentmerelytorestinignorance;
theymustknowallaboutthingswhichhadnoexistencewhatever,andastothemoon,theyhadlongknownall
abouther.Onesetregardedherdiscasapolishedmirror,bymeansofwhichpeoplecouldseeeachotherfrom
differentpointsoftheearthandinterchangetheirthoughts.Anothersetpretendedthatoutofonethousandnew
moonsthathadbeenobserved,ninehundredandfiftyhadbeenattendedwithremarkabledisturbances,suchas

cataclysms,revolutions,earthquakes,thedeluge,etc.Thentheybelievedinsomemysteriousinfluenceexercised
byheroverhumandestiniesthateverySelenitewasattachedtosomeinhabitantoftheearthbyatieof
sympathy;theymaintainedthattheentirevitalsystemissubjecttohercontrol,etc.Butintimethemajority
renouncedthesevulgarerrors,andespousedthetruesideofthequestion.AsfortheYankees,theyhadnoother
ambitionthantotakepossessionofthisnewcontinentofthesky,andtoplantuponthesummitofitshighest
elevationthestarspangledbanneroftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.

CHAPTER VII

22

CHAPTER VII
THEHYMNOFTHECANNONBALL
TheObservatoryofCambridgeinitsmemorableletterhadtreatedthequestionfromapurely
astronomicalpointofview.Themechanicalpartstillremained.
PresidentBarbicanehad,withoutlossoftime,nominatedaworkingcommitteeoftheGunClub.The
dutyofthiscommitteewastoresolvethethreegrandquestionsofthecannon,theprojectile,andthe
powder.Itwascomposedoffourmembersofgreattechnicalknowledge,Barbicane(withacasting
vote in case of equality), General Morgan, Major Elphinstone, and J. T. Maston, to whom were
confidedthefunctionsofsecretary.Onthe8thofOctoberthecommitteemetatthehouseofPresident
Barbicane,3RepublicanStreet.Themeetingwasopenedbythepresidenthimself.
"Gentlemen,"saidhe,"wehavetoresolveoneofthemostimportantproblemsinthewholeofthe
noblescienceofgunnery.Itmightappear,perhaps,themostlogicalcoursetodevoteourfirstmeeting
tothediscussionoftheenginetobeemployed.Nevertheless,aftermatureconsideration,ithas
appearedtomethatthequestionoftheprojectilemusttakeprecedenceofthatofthecannon,andthat
thedimensionsofthelattermustnecessarilydependonthoseoftheformer."
"Suffermetosayaword,"herebrokeinJ.T.Maston.Permissionhavingbeengranted,"Gentlemen,"saidhe
withaninspiredaccent,"ourpresidentisrightinplacingthequestionoftheprojectileaboveallothers.Theball
weareabouttodischargeatthemoonisourambassadortoher,andIwishtoconsideritfromamoralpointof
view.Thecannonball,gentlemen,tomymind,isthemostmagnificentmanifestationofhumanpower.If
Providencehascreatedthestarsandtheplanets,manhascalledthecannonballintoexistence.LetProvidence
claimtheswiftnessofelectricityandoflight,ofthestars,thecomets,andtheplanets,ofwindandsoundwe
claimtohaveinventedtheswiftnessofthecannonball,ahundredtimessuperiortothatoftheswiftesthorsesor
railwaytrain.Howgloriouswillbethemomentwhen,infinitelyexceedingallhithertoattainedvelocities,weshall
launchournewprojectilewiththerapidityofsevenmilesasecond!Shallitnot,gentlemenshallitnotbe
receiveduptherewiththehonorsduetoaterrestrialambassador?"

Overcomewithemotiontheoratorsatdownandappliedhimselftoahugeplateofsandwichesbeforehim.

"Andnow,"saidBarbicane,"letusquitthedomainofpoetryandcomedirecttothequestion."
"Byallmeans,"repliedthemembers,eachwithhismouthfullofsandwich.
"Theproblembeforeus,"continuedthepresident,"ishowtocommunicatetoaprojectileavelocityof
12,000yardspersecond.Letusatpresentexaminethevelocitieshithertoattained.GeneralMorgan
willbeabletoenlightenusonthispoint."
"Andthemoreeasily,"repliedthegeneral,"thatduringthewarIwasamemberofthecommitteeof

experiments.Imaysay,then,thatthe100pounderDahlgrens,whichcarriedadistanceof5,000yards,
impressedupontheirprojectileaninitialvelocityof500yardsasecond.TheRodmanColumbiadthrew
ashotweighinghalfatonadistanceofsixmiles,withavelocityof800yardspersecondaresultwhich
ArmstrongandPalisserhaveneverobtainedinEngland."
"This,"repliedBarbicane,"is,Ibelieve,themaximumvelocityeverattained?"
"Itisso,"repliedthegeneral.
"Ah!"groanedJ.T.Maston,"ifmy
mortarhadnotburst"

CHAPTER VII

23

"Yes,"quietlyrepliedBarbicane,"butitdidburst.Wemusttake,then,forourstartingpoint,this
velocityof800yards.Wemustincreaseittwentyfold.Now,reservingforanotherdiscussionthemeansof
producingthisvelocity,Iwillcallyourattentiontothedimensionswhichitwillbepropertoassigntothe
shot.Youunderstandthatwehavenothingtodoherewithprojectilesweighingatmostbuthalfaton."

"Whynot?"demandedthemajor.
"Becausetheshot,"quicklyrepliedJ.T.Maston,"mustbebigenoughtoattractthe
attentionoftheinhabitantsofthemoon,ifthereareany?"
"Yes,"repliedBarbicane,"andforanotherreasonmoreimportantstill."
"Whatmeanyou?"askedthemajor.
"Imeanthatitisnotenoughtodischargeaprojectile,andthentakenofurthernoticeofit;wemust
followitthroughoutitscourse,uptothemomentwhenitshallreachitsgoal."
"What?"shoutedthegeneralandthemajoringreatsurprise.
"Undoubtedly,"repliedBarbicanecomposedly,"orourexperimentwouldproducenoresult."
"Butthen,"repliedthemajor,"youwillhavetogivethisprojectileenormousdimensions."
"No!Besogoodastolisten.Youknowthatopticalinstrumentshaveacquiredgreatperfection;with
certaininstrumentswehavesucceededinobtainingenlargementsof6,000timesandreducingthemoonto
withinfortymiles'distance.Now,atthisdistance,anyobjectssixtyfeetsquarewouldbeperfectlyvisible.

"If,then,thepenetrativepoweroftelescopeshasnotbeenfurtherincreased,itisbecausethatpower
detractsfromtheirlight;andthemoon,whichisbutareflectingmirror,doesnotgivebacksufficient
lighttoenableustoperceiveobjectsoflessermagnitude."
"Well,then,whatdoyouproposetodo?"askedthegeneral."Wouldyougiveyourprojectilea
diameterofsixtyfeet?"
"Notso."
"Doyouintend,then,toincreasetheluminouspowerofthemoon?"
"Exactlyso.IfIcansucceedindiminishingthedensityoftheatmospherethroughwhichthemoon's
lighthastotravelIshallhaverenderedherlightmoreintense.Toeffectthatobjectitwillbeenoughto
establishatelescopeonsomeelevatedmountain.Thatiswhatwewilldo."
"Igiveitup,"answeredthemajor."Youhavesuchawayofsimplifyingthings.Andwhatenlargement
doyouexpecttoobtaininthisway?"
"Oneof48,000times,whichshouldbringthemoonwithinanapparentdistanceoffivemiles;and,in
ordertobevisible,objectsneednothaveadiameterofmorethanninefeet."
"So,then,"criedJ.T.Maston,"ourprojectileneednotbemorethanninefeetindiameter."

"Letmeobserve,however,"interruptedMajor
Elphinstone,"thiswillinvolveaweightsuchas"

CHAPTER VII

24

"Mydearmajor,"repliedBarbicane,"beforediscussingitsweightpermitmetoenumeratesomeofthe
marvelswhichourancestorshaveachievedinthisrespect.Idon'tmeantopretendthatthescienceof
gunneryhasnotadvanced,butitisaswelltobearinmindthatduringthemiddleagestheyobtainedresults
moresurprising,Iwillventuretosay,thanours.Forinstance,duringthesiegeofConstantinopleby
MahometII.,in1453,stoneshotof1,900poundsweightwereemployed.AtMalta,inthetimeoftheknights,
therewasagunofthefortressofSt.Elmowhichthrewaprojectileweighing2,500pounds.And,now,what
istheextentofwhatwehaveseenourselves?Armstronggunsdischargingshotof500pounds,andthe
Rodmangunsprojectilesofhalfaton!Itseems,then,thatifprojectileshavegainedinrange,theyhavelost
farmoreinweight.Now,ifweturnoureffortsinthatdirection,weoughttoarrive,withtheprogresson
science,attentimestheweightoftheshotofMahometII.andtheKnightsofMalta."

"Clearly,"repliedthemajor;"butwhatmetaldoyoucalculateuponemploying?"
"Simplycastiron,"saidGeneralMorgan.
"But,"interruptedthemajor,"sincetheweightofashotisproportionatetoitsvolume,anironballof
ninefeetindiameterwouldbeoftremendousweight."
"Yes,ifitweresolid,notifitwerehollow."
"Hollow?thenitwouldbeashell?"
"Yes,ashell,"repliedBarbicane;"decidelyitmustbe.Asolidshotof108incheswouldweighmore
than200,000pounds,aweightevidentlyfartoogreat.Still,aswemustreserveacertainstabilityfor
ourprojectile,Iproposetogiveitaweightof20,000pounds."
"What,then,willbethethicknessofthesides?"askedthemajor.
"Ifwefollowtheusualproportion,"repliedMorgan,"adiameterof108incheswouldrequiresidesof
twofeetthickness,orless."
"Thatwouldbetoomuch,"repliedBarbicane;"foryouwillobservethatthequestionisnotthatofa
shotintendedtopierceanironplate;itwillsufficetogiveitsidesstrongenoughtoresistthepressure
ofthegas.Theproblem,therefore,isthisWhatthicknessoughtacastironshelltohaveinorder
nottoweightmorethan20,000pounds?Ourcleversecretarywillsoonenlightenusuponthispoint."
"Nothingeasier."repliedtheworthysecretaryofthecommittee;and,rapidlytracingafew
algebraicalformulaeuponpaper,amongwhichn^2andx^2frequentlyappeared,hepresentlysaid:

"Thesideswillrequireathicknessoflessthantwoinches."
"Willthatbeenough?"askedthemajordoubtfully.
"Clearlynot!"repliedthepresident.
"Whatistobedone,then?"saidElphinstone,withapuzzledair.
"Employanothermetalinsteadofiron."

"Copper?"saidMorgan.
"No!thatwouldbetooheavy.Ihave
betterthanthattooffer."

CHAPTER VII

25

"Whatthen?"askedthemajor.
"Aluminum!"repliedBarbicane.
"Aluminum?"criedhisthreecolleaguesinchorus.
"Unquestionably,myfriends.Thisvaluablemetalpossessesthewhitenessofsilver,theindestructibility
ofgold,thetenacityofiron,thefusibilityofcopper,thelightnessofglass.Itiseasilywrought,isvery
widelydistributed,formingthebaseofmostoftherocks,isthreetimeslighterthaniron,andseemsto
havebeencreatedfortheexpresspurposeoffurnishinguswiththematerialforourprojectile."

"But,mydearpresident,"saidthemajor,"isnotthecostpriceofaluminumextremelyhigh?"
"Itwassoatitsfirstdiscovery,butithasfallennowtoninedollarsapound."
"Butstill,ninedollarsapound!"repliedthemajor,whowasnotwillingreadilytogivein;"even
thatisanenormousprice."
"Undoubtedly,mydearmajor;butnotbeyondourreach."
"Whatwilltheprojectileweighthen?"askedMorgan.
"Hereistheresultofmycalculations,"repliedBarbicane."Ashotof108inchesindiameter,and
twelveinchesinthickness,wouldweigh,incastiron,67,440pounds;castinaluminum,itsweightwill
bereducedto19,250pounds."
"Capital!"criedthemajor;"butdoyouknowthat,atninedollarsapound,thisprojectilewillcost"
"Onehundredandseventythreethousandandfiftydollars($173,050).Iknowitquitewell.Butfear
not,myfriends;themoneywillnotbewantingforourenterprise.Iwillanswerforit.Nowwhatsay
youtoaluminum,gentlemen?"
"Adopted!"repliedthethreemembersofthecommittee.Soendedthefirstmeeting.The
questionoftheprojectilewasdefinitelysettled.
CHAPTER VII

26

CHAPTER VII
HISTORYOFTHECANNON
Theresolutionspassedatthelastmeetingproducedagreateffectoutofdoors.Timidpeopletookfright
attheideaofashotweighing20,000poundsbeinglaunchedintospace;theyaskedwhatcannoncould
evertransmitasufficientvelocitytosuchamightymass.Theminutesofthesecondmeetingwere
destinedtriumphantlytoanswersuchquestions.Thefollowingeveningthediscussionwasrenewed.
"Mydearcolleagues,"saidBarbicane,withoutfurtherpreamble,"thesubjectnowbeforeusisthe
constructionoftheengine,itslength,itscomposition,anditsweight.Itisprobablethatweshallendby
givingitgiganticdimensions;buthowevergreatmaybethedifficultiesintheway,ourmechanicalgenius
willreadilysurmountthem.Begoodenough,then,togivemeyourattention,anddonothesitatetomake

objectionsattheclose.Ihavenofearofthem.Theproblembeforeusishowtocommunicateaninitialforce
of12,000yardspersecondtoashellof108inchesindiameter,weighing20,000pounds.Nowwhena
projectileislaunchedintospace,whathappenstoit?Itisacteduponbythreeindependentforces:the
resistanceoftheair,theattractionoftheearth,andtheforceofimpulsionwithwhichitisendowed.Letus
examinethesethreeforces.Theresistanceoftheairisoflittleimportance.Theatmosphereoftheearthdoes
notexceedfortymiles.Now,withthegivenrapidity,theprojectilewillhavetraversedthisinfiveseconds,
andtheperiodistoobrieffortheresistanceofthemediumtoberegardedotherwisethanasinsignificant.
Proceding,then,totheattractionoftheearth,thatis,theweightoftheshell,weknowthatthisweightwill
diminishintheinverseratioofthesquareofthedistance.Whenabodylefttoitselffallstothesurfaceofthe
earth,itfallsfivefeetinthefirstsecond;andifthesamebodywereremoved257,542milesfurtheroff,in
otherwords,tothedistanceofthemoon,itsfallwouldbereducedtoabouthalfalineinthefirstsecond.
Thatisalmostequivalenttoastateofperfectrest.Ourbusiness,then,istoovercomeprogressivelythis
actionofgravitation.Themodeofaccomplishingthatisbytheforceofimpulsion."

"There'sthedifficulty,"brokeinthemajor.
"True,"repliedthepresident;"butwewillovercomethat,fortheforceofimpulsionwilldependonthe
lengthoftheengineandthepowderemployed,thelatterbeinglimitedonlybytheresistingpowerof
theformer.Ourbusiness,then,todayiswiththedimensionsofthecannon."
"Now,uptothepresenttime,"saidBarbicane,"ourlongestgunshavenotexceededtwentyfivefeetin
length.Weshallthereforeastonishtheworldbythedimensionsweshallbeobligedtoadopt.Itmust
evidentlybe,then,agunofgreatrange,sincethelengthofthepiecewillincreasethedetentionofthe
gasaccumulatedbehindtheprojectile;butthereisnoadvantageinpassingcertainlimits."
"Quiteso,"saidthemajor."Whatistheruleinsuchacase?"
"Ordinarilythelengthofagunistwentytotwentyfivetimesthediameteroftheshot,andits
weighttwohundredandthirtyfivetotwohundredandfortytimesthatoftheshot."
"Thatisnotenough,"criedJ.T.Mastonimpetuously.
"Iagreewithyou,mygoodfriend;and,infact,followingthisproportionforaprojectileninefeetin
diameter,weighing30,000pounds,thegunwouldonlyhavealengthoftwohundredandtwentyfive
feet,andaweightof7,200,000pounds."
"Ridiculous!"rejoinedMaston."Aswelltakeapistol."

CHAPTER VII

27

"Ithinksotoo,"repliedBarbicane;"thatiswhyIproposetoquadruplethatlength,andtoconstruct
agunofninehundredfeet."
Thegeneralandthemajorofferedsomeobjections;nevertheless,theproposition,activelysupported
bythesecretary,wasdefinitelyadopted.
"But,"saidElphinstone,"whatthicknessmustwegiveit?"
"Athicknessofsixfeet,"repliedBarbicane.
"Yousurelydon'tthinkofmountingamasslikethatuponacarriage?"askedthemajor.
"Itwouldbeasuperbidea,though,"saidMaston.
"Butimpracticable,"repliedBarbicane."No,Ithinkofsinkingthisengineintheearthalone,bindingitwith
hoopsofwroughtiron,andfinallysurroundingitwithathickmassofmasonryofstoneandcement.Thepiece
oncecast,itmustbeboredwithgreatprecision,soastoprecludeanypossiblewindage.Sotherewillbenoloss
whateverofgas,andalltheexpansiveforceofthepowderwillbeemployedinthepropulsion."

"Onesimplequestion,"saidElphinstone:"isourguntoberifled?"
"No,certainlynot,"repliedBarbicane;"werequireanenormousinitialvelocity;andyouarewell
awarethatashotquitsarifledgunlessrapidlythanitdoesasmoothbore."
"True,"rejoinedthemajor.
Thecommitteehereadjournedforafewminutestoteaandsandwiches.
Onthediscussionbeingrenewed,"Gentlemen,"saidBarbicane,"wemustnowtakeinto
considerationthemetaltobeemployed.Ourcannonmustbepossessedofgreattenacity,great
hardness,beinfusiblebyheat,indissoluble,andinoxidablebythecorrosiveactionofacids."
"Thereisnodoubtaboutthat,"repliedthemajor;"andasweshallhavetoemployanimmense
quantityofmetal,weshallnotbeatalossforchoice."
"Well,then,"saidMorgan,"Iproposethebestalloyhithertoknown,whichconsistsofonehundred
partsofcopper,twelveoftin,andsixofbrass."
"Iadmit,"repliedthepresident,"thatthiscompositionhasyieldedexcellentresults,butinthepresent
caseitwouldbetooexpensive,andverydifficulttowork.Ithink,then,thatweoughttoadopta
materialexcellentinitswayandoflowprice,suchascastiron.Whatisyouradvice,major?"
"Iquiteagreewithyou,"repliedElphinstone.
"Infact,"continuedBarbicane,"castironcoststentimeslessthanbronze;itiseasytocast,itruns
readilyfromthemouldsofsand,itiseasyofmanipulation,itisatonceeconomicalofmoneyandoftime.
Inaddition,itisexcellentasamaterial,andIwellrememberthatduringthewar,atthesiegeofAtlanta,
someirongunsfiredonethousandroundsatintervalsoftwentyminuteswithoutinjury."

"Castironisverybrittle,though,"repliedMorgan.
"Yes,butitpossessesgreatresistance.Iwillnowask
ourworthysecretarytocalculatetheweightofa

CHAPTER VII

28

castirongunwithaboreofninefeetandathicknessofsixfeetofmetal."
"Inamoment,"repliedMaston.Then,dashingoffsomealgebraicalformulaewithmarvelous
facility,inaminuteortwohedeclaredthefollowingresult:
"Thecannonwillweigh68,040tons.And,attwocentsapound,itwillcost"
"Twomillionfivehundredandtenthousandsevenhundredandonedollars."
Maston,themajor,andthegeneralregardedBarbicanewithuneasylooks.
"Well,gentlemen,"repliedthepresident,"IrepeatwhatIsaidyesterday.Makeyourselveseasy;the
millionswillnotbewanting."
Withthisassuranceoftheirpresidentthecommitteeseparated,afterhavingfixedtheirthird
meetingforthefollowingevening.
CHAPTER IX

29

CHAPTER IX
THEQUESTIONOFTHEPOWDERS
Thereremainedforconsiderationmerelythequestionofpowders.Thepublicawaitedwithinterest
itsfinaldecision.Thesizeoftheprojectile,thelengthofthecannonbeingsettled,whatwouldbethe
quantityofpowdernecessarytoproduceimpulsion?
ItisgenerallyassertedthatgunpowderwasinventedinthefourteenthcenturybythemonkSchwartz,
whopaidforhisgranddiscoverywithhislife.Itis,however,prettywellprovedthatthisstoryoughtto
berankedamongthelegendsofthemiddleages.Gunpowderwasnotinventedbyanyone;itwasthe
linealsuccessoroftheGreekfire,which,likeitself,wascomposedofsulfurandsaltpeter.Fewpersons
areacquaintedwiththemechanicalpowerofgunpowder.Nowthisispreciselywhatisnecessarytobe
understoodinordertocomprehendtheimportanceofthequestionsubmittedtothecommittee.
Alitreofgunpowderweighsabouttwopounds;duringcombustionitproduces400litresofgas.This
gas,onbeingliberatedandacteduponbytemperatureraisedto2,400degrees,occupiesaspaceof
4,000litres:consequentlythevolumeofpowderistothevolumeofgasproducedbyitscombustionas1
to4,000.Onemayjudge,therefore,ofthetremendouspressureonthisgaswhencompressedwithina
space4,000timestooconfined.Allthiswas,ofcourse,wellknowntothemembersofthecommittee
whentheymetonthefollowingevening.
ThefirstspeakeronthisoccasionwasMajorElphinstone,whohadbeenthedirectorofthe
gunpowderfactoriesduringthewar.
"Gentlemen,"saidthisdistinguishedchemist,"Ibeginwithsomefigureswhichwillserveasthebasis
ofourcalculation.Theold24poundershotrequiredforitsdischargesixteenpoundsofpowder."
"Youarecertainofthisamount?"brokeinBarbicane.

"Quitecertain,"repliedthemajor."TheArmstrongcannonemploysonlyseventyfivepoundsofpowder
foraprojectileofeighthundredpounds,andtheRodmanColumbiadusesonlyonehundredandsixty
poundsofpowdertosenditshalftonshotadistanceofsixmiles.Thesefactscannotbecalledinquestion,
forImyselfraisedthepointduringthedepositionstakenbeforethecommitteeofartillery."

"Quitetrue,"saidthegeneral.
"Well,"repliedthemajor,"thesefiguresgotoprovethatthequantityofpowderisnotincreasedwiththe
weightoftheshot;thatistosay,ifa24poundershotrequiressixteenpoundsofpowder;inotherwords,if
inordinarygunsweemployaquantityofpowderequaltotwothirdsoftheweightoftheprojectile,this
proportionisnotconstant.Calculate,andyouwillseethatinplaceofthreehundredandthirtythree
poundsofpowder,thequantityisreducedtonomorethanonehundredandsixtypounds."

"Whatareyouaimingat?"askedthepresident.
"Ifyoupushyourtheorytoextremes,mydearmajor,"saidJ.T.Maston,"youwillgettothis,thatas
soonasyourshotbecomessufficientlyheavyyouwillnotrequireanypowderatall."
"OurfriendMastonisalwaysathisjokes,eveninseriousmatters,"criedthemajor;"butlethimmakehis
mindeasy,Iamgoingpresentlytoproposegunpowderenoughtosatisfyhisartillerist'spropensities.Ionly
keeptostatisticalfactswhenIsaythat,duringthewar,andfortheverylargestguns,theweightofthe
powderwasreduced,astheresultofexperience,toatenthpartoftheweightoftheshot."

CHAPTER IX

30

"Perfectlycorrect,"saidMorgan;"butbeforedecidingthequantityofpowdernecessarytogivethe
impulse,Ithinkitwouldbeaswell"
"Weshallhavetoemployalargegrainedpowder,"continuedthemajor;"itscombustionismore
rapidthanthatofthesmall."
"Nodoubtaboutthat,"repliedMorgan;"butitisverydestructive,andendsbyenlargingthe
boreofthepieces."
"Granted;butthatwhichisinjurioustoagundestinedtoperformlongserviceisnotsotoour
Columbiad.Weshallrunnodangerofanexplosion;anditisnecessarythatourpowdershouldtake
fireinstantaneouslyinorderthatitsmechanicaleffectmaybecomplete."
"Wemusthave,"saidMaston,"severaltouchholes,soastofireitatdifferentpointsatthesametime."
"Certainly,"repliedElphinstone;"butthatwillrendertheworkingofthepiecemoredifficult.Ireturnthento
mylargegrainedpowder,whichremovesthosedifficulties.InhisColumbiadchargesRodmanemployeda
powderaslargeaschestnuts,madeofwillowcharcoal,simplydriedincastironpans.Thispowderwashard
andglittering,leftnotraceuponthehand,containedhydrogenandoxygeninlargeproportion,tookfire
instantaneously,and,thoughverydestructive,didnotsensiblyinjurethemouthpiece."

UptothispointBarbicanehadkeptalooffromthediscussion;helefttheotherstospeakwhilehe
himselflistened;hehadevidentlygotanidea.Henowsimplysaid,"Well,myfriends,whatquantity
ofpowderdoyoupropose?"
Thethreememberslookedatoneanother.

"Twohundredthousandpounds."atlastsaidMorgan.
"Fivehundredthousand,"addedthemajor.
"Eighthundredthousand,"screamedMaston.
Amomentofsilencefollowedthistripleproposal;itwasatlastbrokenbythepresident.
"Gentlemen,"hequietlysaid,"Istartfromthisprinciple,thattheresistanceofagun,constructed
underthegivenconditions,isunlimited.IshallsurpriseourfriendMaston,then,bystigmatizinghis
calculationsastimid;andIproposetodoublehis800,000poundsofpowder."
"Sixteenhundredthousandpounds?"shoutedMaston,leapingfromhisseat.
"Justso."
"Weshallhavetocomethentomyidealofacannonhalfamilelong;foryousee1,600,000pounds
willoccupyaspaceofabout20,000cubicfeet;andsincethecontentsofyourcannondonotexceed
54,000cubicfeet,itwouldbehalffull;andtheborewillnotbemorethanlongenoughforthegasto
communicatetotheprojectilesufficientimpulse."
"Nevertheless,"saidthepresident,"Iholdtothatquantityofpowder.Now,1,600,000poundsof
powderwillcreate6,000,000,000litresofgas.Sixthousandmillions!Youquiteunderstand?"
"Whatistobedonethen?"saidthegeneral.

CHAPTER IX

31

"Thethingisverysimple;wemustreducethisenormousquantityofpowder,whilepreserving
toititsmechanicalpower."
"Good;butbywhatmeans?"
"Iamgoingtotellyou,"repliedBarbicanequietly.
"Nothingismoreeasythantoreducethismasstoonequarterofitsbulk.Youknowthatcuriouscellular
matterwhichconstitutestheelementarytissuesofvegetable?Thissubstanceisfoundquitepureinmany
bodies,especiallyincotton,whichisnothingmorethanthedownoftheseedsofthecottonplant.Now
cotton,combinedwithcoldnitricacid,becometransformedintoasubstanceeminentlyinsoluble,
combustible,andexplosive.Itwasfirstdiscoveredin1832,byBraconnot,aFrenchchemist,whocalledit
xyloidine.In1838anotherFrenchman,Pelouze,investigateditsdifferentproperties,andfinally,in1846,
Schonbein,professorofchemistryatBale,proposeditsemploymentforpurposesofwar.Thispowder,now
calledpyroxyle,orfulminatingcotton,ispreparedwithgreatfacilitybysimplyplungingcottonforfifteen
minutesinnitricacid,thenwashingitinwater,thendryingit,anditisreadyforuse."

"Nothingcouldbemoresimple,"saidMorgan.
"Moreover,pyroxyleisunalteredbymoistureavaluablepropertytous,inasmuchasitwouldtake
severaldaystochargethecannon.Itignitesat170degreesinplaceof240,anditscombustionissorapid
thatonemaysetlighttoitonthetopoftheordinarypowder,withoutthelatterhavingtimetoignite."

"Perfect!"exclaimedthemajor.
"Onlyitismoreexpensive."
"Whatmatter?"criedJ.T.Maston.
"Finally,itimpartstoprojectilesavelocityfourtimessuperiortothatofgunpowder.Iwillevenadd,
thatifwemixitwithoneeighthofitsownweightofnitrateofpotassium,itsexpansiveforceisagain
considerablyaugmented."
"Willthatbenecessary?"askedthemajor.
"Ithinknot,"repliedBarbicane."So,then,inplaceof1,600,000poundsofpowder,weshallhavebut
400,000poundsoffulminatingcotton;andsincewecan,withoutdanger,compress500poundsof
cottonintotwentysevencubicfeet,thewholequantitywillnotoccupyaheightofmorethan180feet
withintheboreoftheColumbiad.Inthiswaytheshotwillhavemorethan700feetofboretotraverse
underaforceof6,000,000,000litresofgasbeforetakingitsflighttowardthemoon."
AtthisjunctureJ.T.Mastoncouldnotrepresshisemotion;heflunghimselfintothearmsofhisfriend
withtheviolenceofaprojectile,andBarbicanewouldhavebeenstoveinifhehadnotbeenboomproof.

Thisincidentterminatedthethirdmeetingofthecommittee.
Barbicaneandhisboldcolleagues,towhomnothingseemedimpossible,hadsucceedinginsolvingthe
complexproblemsofprojectile,cannon,andpowder.Theirplanwasdrawnup,anditonlyremained

toputitintoexecution.
"Amerematterofdetail,abagatelle,"saidJ.T.Maston.

CHAPTER X

32

CHAPTER X
ONEENEMYv.TWENTYFIVEMILLIONSOFFRIENDS
TheAmericanpublictookalivelyinterestinthesmallestdetailsoftheenterpriseoftheGunClub.It
followeddaybydaythediscussionofthecommittee.Themostsimplepreparationsforthegreat
experiment,thequestionsoffigureswhichitinvolved,themechanicaldifficultiestoberesolvedinone
word,theentireplanofworkrousedthepopularexcitementtothehighestpitch.
Thepurelyscientificattractionwassuddenlyintensifiedbythefollowingincident:
WehaveseenwhatlegionsofadmirersandfriendsBarbicane'sprojecthadralliedrounditsauthor.
Therewas,however,onesingleindividualaloneinalltheStatesoftheUnionwhoprotestedagainst
theattemptoftheGunClub.Heattackeditfuriouslyoneveryopportunity,andhumannatureis
suchthatBarbicanefeltmorekeenlytheoppositionofthatonemanthanhedidtheapplauseofall
theothers.Hewaswellawareofthemotiveofthisantipathy,theoriginofthissolitaryenmity,the
causeofitspersonalityandoldstanding,andinwhatrivalryofselfloveithaditsrise.
ThisperseveringenemythepresidentoftheGunClubhadneverseen.Fortunatethatitwasso,fora
meetingbetweenthetwomenwouldcertainlyhavebeenattendedwithseriousconsequences.This
rivalwasamanofscience,likeBarbicanehimself,ofafiery,daring,andviolentdisposition;apure
Yankee.HisnamewasCaptainNicholl;helivedatPhiladelphia.
MostpeopleareawareofthecuriousstrugglewhicharoseduringtheFederalwarbetweentheguns
andarmorofironplatedships.Theresultwastheentirereconstructionofthenavyofboththe
continents;astheonegrewheavier,theotherbecamethickerinproportion.TheMerrimac,the
Monitor,theTennessee,theWeehawkendischargedenormousprojectilesthemselves,afterhavingbeen
armorcladagainsttheprojectilesofothers.Infacttheydidtoothersthatwhichtheywouldnotthey
shoulddotothemthatgrandprincipleofimmortalityuponwhichreststhewholeartofwar.
NowifBarbicanewasagreatfounderofshot,Nichollwasagreatforgerofplates;theonecastnight
anddayatBaltimore,theotherforgeddayandnightatPhiladelphia.AssoonaseverBarbicane
inventedanewshot,Nichollinventedanewplate;eachfollowedacurrentofideasessentiallyopposed
totheother.Happilyforthesecitizens,sousefultotheircountry,adistanceoffromfiftytosixtymiles
separatedthemfromoneanother,andtheyhadneveryetmet.Whichofthesetwoinventorshadthe
advantageovertheotheritwasdifficulttodecidefromtheresultsobtained.Bylastaccounts,however,
itwouldseemthatthearmorplatewouldintheendhavetogivewaytotheshot;nevertheless,there
werecompetentjudgeswhohadtheirdoubtsonthepoint.
AtthelastexperimentthecylindroconicalprojectilesofBarbicanestucklikesomanypinsinthe
Nichollplates.OnthatdaythePhiladelphiaironforgerthenbelievedhimselfvictorious,andcouldnot
evincecontemptenoughforhisrival;butwhentheotherafterwardsubstitutedforconicalshotsimple
600poundshells,atverymoderatevelocity,thecaptainwasobligedtogivein.Infact,theseprojectiles
knockedhisbestmetalplatetoshivers.
Matterswereatthisstage,andvictoryseemedtorestwiththeshot,whenthewarcametoanendon
theverydaywhenNichollhadcompletedanewarmorplateofwroughtsteel.Itwasamasterpieceof

itskind,andbiddefiancetoalltheprojectilesoftheworld.ThecaptainhaditconveyedtothePolygon
atWashington,challengingthepresidentoftheGunClubtobreakit.Barbicane,peacehavingbeen
declared,declinedtotrytheexperiment.
CHAPTER X

33

Nicholl,nowfurious,offeredtoexposehisplatetotheshockofanyshot,solid,hollow,round,or
conical.Refusedbythepresident,whodidnotchoosetocompromisehislastsuccess.
Nicholl, disgustedbythis obstinacy, triedto tempt Barbicane by offeringhim everychance. He
proposedtofixtheplatewithintwohundredyardsofthegun.Barbicanestillobstinateinrefusal.A
hundredyards?Notevenseventyfive!
"Atfiftythen!"roaredthecaptainthroughthenewspapers."Attwentyfiveyards!andI'llstandbehind!"

Barbicanereturnedforanswerthat,evenifCaptainNichollwouldbesogoodastostandinfront,he
wouldnotfireanymore.
Nichollcouldnotcontainhimselfatthisreply;threwouthintsofcowardice;thatamanwhorefused
tofireacannonshotwasprettynearbeingafraidofit;thatartilleristswhofightatsixmilesdistance
aresubstitutingmathematicalformulaeforindividualcourage.
TotheseinsinuationsBarbicanereturnednoanswer;perhapsheneverheardofthem,soabsorbed
washeinthecalculationsforhisgreatenterprise.
WhenhisfamouscommunicationwasmadetotheGunClub,thecaptain'swrathpassedallbounds;
withhisintensejealousywasmingledafeelingofabsoluteimpotence.Howwashetoinventanything
tobeatthis900feetColumbiad?Whatarmorplatecouldeverresistaprojectileof30,000pounds
weight?Overwhelmedatfirstunderthisviolentshock,hebyandbyrecoveredhimself,andresolved
tocrushtheproposalbyweightofhisarguments.
HethenviolentlyattackedthelaborsoftheGunClub,publishedanumberoflettersinthenewspapers,
endeavoredtoproveBarbicaneignorantofthefirstprinciplesofgunnery.Hemaintainedthatitwas
absolutelyimpossibletoimpressuponanybodywhateveravelocityof12,000yardspersecond;thateven
withsuchavelocityaprojectileofsuchaweightcouldnottranscendthelimitsoftheearth'satmosphere.
Furtherstill,evenregardingthevelocitytobeacquired,andgrantingittobesufficient,theshellcouldnot
resistthepressureofthegasdevelopedbytheignitionof1,600,000poundsofpowder;andsupposingitto
resistthatpressure,itwouldbelessabletosupportthattemperature;itwouldmeltonquittingthe
Columbiad,andfallbackinaredhotshowerupontheheadsoftheimprudentspectators.

Barbicanecontinuedhisworkwithoutregardingtheseattacks.
Nichollthentookupthequestioninitsotheraspects.Withouttouchinguponitsuselessnessinallpointsof
view,heregardedtheexperimentasfraughtwithextremedanger,bothtothecitizens,whomightsanction
bytheirpresencesoreprehensibleaspectacle,andalsotothetownsintheneighborhoodofthisdeplorable
cannon.Healsoobservedthatiftheprojectiledidnotsucceedinreachingitsdestination(aresultabsolutely
impossible),itmustinevitablyfallbackupontheearth,andthattheshockofsuchamass,multipliedbythe
squareofitsvelocity,wouldseriouslyendangereverypointoftheglobe.Underthecircumstances,therefore,
andwithoutinterferingwiththerightsoffreecitizens,itwasacasefortheinterventionofGovernment,
whichoughtnottoendangerthesafetyofallforthepleasureofoneindividual.

Inspiteofallhisarguments,however,CaptainNichollremainedaloneinhisopinion.Nobodylistened
tohim,andhedidnotsucceedinalienatingasingleadmirerfromthepresidentoftheGunClub.The
latterdidnoteventakethepainstorefutetheargumentsofhisrival.
Nicholl,drivenintohislastentrenchments,andnotabletofightpersonallyinthecause,resolvedto
fightwithmoney.Hepublished,therefore,intheRichmondInquireraseriesofwagers,conceivedin
theseterms,andonanincreasingscale:
CHAPTER X

34

No.1($1,000).ThatthenecessaryfundsfortheexperimentoftheGunClubwillnotbeforthcoming.
No.2($2,000).Thattheoperationofcastingacannonof900feetisimpracticable,andcannot
possiblysucceed.
No.3($3,000).ThatisitimpossibletoloadtheColumbiad,andthatthepyroxylewill
takefirespontaneouslyunderthepressureoftheprojectile.
No.4($4,000).ThattheColumbiadwillburstatthefirstfire.
No.5($5,000).Thattheshotwillnottravelfartherthansixmiles,andthatitwillfallbackagain
afewsecondsafteritsdischarge.
Itwasanimportantsum,therefore,whichthecaptainriskedinhisinvincibleobstinacy.Hehadno
lessthan$15,000atstake.
Notwithstandingtheimportanceofthechallenge,onthe19thofMayhereceivedasealedpacket
containingthefollowingsuperblylaconicreply:"BALTIMORE,October19."Done."BARBICANE."

CHAPTER XI

35

CHAPTER XI
FLORIDAANDTEXAS
Onequestionremainedyettobedecided;itwasnecessarytochooseafavorablespotforthe
experiment.AccordingtotheadviceoftheObservatoryofCambridge,thegunmustbefired
perpendicularlytotheplaneofthehorizon,thatistosay,towardthezenith.Nowthemoondoesnot
traversethezenith,exceptinplacessituatedbetween0@and28@oflatitude.Itbecame,then,
necessarytodetermineexactlythatspotontheglobewheretheimmenseColumbiadshouldbecast.
Onthe20thofOctober,atageneralmeetingoftheGunClub,Barbicaneproducedamagnificent
mapoftheUnitedStates."Gentlemen,"saidhe,inopeningthediscussion,"Ipresumethatweareall
agreedthatthisexperimentcannotandoughtnottobetriedanywherebutwithinthelimitsofthesoil
oftheUnion.Now,bygoodfortune,certainfrontiersoftheUnitedStatesextenddownwardasfaras
the28thparallelofthenorthlatitude.Ifyouwillcastyoureyeoverthismap,youwillseethatwe
haveatourdisposalthewholeofthesouthernportionofTexasandFlorida."
Itwasfinallyagreed,then,thattheColumbiadmustbecastonthesoilofeitherTexasorFlorida.The
result,however,ofthisdecisionwastocreatearivalryentirelywithoutprecedentbetweenthe
differenttownsofthesetwoStates.

The28thparallel,onreachingtheAmericancoast,traversesthepeninsulaofFlorida,dividingitinto
twonearlyequalportions.Then,plungingintotheGulfofMexico,itsubtendsthearcformedbythe
coastofAlabama,Mississippi,andLouisiana;thenskirtingTexas,offwhichitcutsanangle,it
continuesitscourseoverMexico,crossestheSonora,OldCalifornia,andlosesitselfinthePacific
Ocean.Itwas,therefore,onlythoseportionsofTexasandFloridawhichweresituatedbelowthis
parallelwhichcamewithintheprescribedconditionsoflatitude.
Florida,initssouthernpart,reckonsnocitiesofimportance;itissimplystuddedwithfortsraisedagainst
therovingIndians.Onesolitarytown,TampaTown,wasabletoputinaclaiminfavorofitssituation.
InTexas,onthecontrary,thetownsaremuchmorenumerousandimportant.CorpusChristi,inthe
countyofNueces,andallthecitiessituatedontheRioBravo,Laredo,Comalites,SanIgnacioontheWeb,
RioGrandeCityontheStarr,EdinburghintheHidalgo,SantaRita,Elpanda,BrownsvilleintheCameron,
formedanimposingleagueagainstthepretensionsofFlorida.So,scarcelywasthedecisionknown,when
theTexanandFloridandeputiesarrivedatBaltimoreinanincrediblyshortspaceoftime.Fromthatvery
momentPresidentBarbicaneandtheinfluentialmembersoftheGunClubwerebesiegeddayandnightby
formidableclaims.IfsevencitiesofGreececontendedforthehonorofhavinggivenbirthtoaHomer,here
weretwoentireStatesthreateningtocometoblowsaboutthequestionofacannon.

Therivalpartiespromenadedthestreetswitharmsintheirhands;andateveryoccasionoftheir
meetingacollisionwastobeapprehendedwhichmighthavebeenattendedwithdisastrousresults.
HappilytheprudenceandaddressofPresidentBarbicaneavertedthedanger.Thesepersonal
demonstrationsfoundadivisioninthenewspapersofthedifferentStates.TheNewYorkHeraldand
theTribunesupportedTexas,whiletheTimesandtheAmericanReviewespousedthecauseofthe
Floridandeputies.ThemembersoftheGunClubcouldnotdecidetowhichtogivethepreference.
Texasproduceditsarrayoftwentysixcounties;Floridarepliedthattwelvecountieswere
betterthantwentysixinacountryonlyonesixthpartofthesize.
Texasplumeditselfuponits330,000natives;Florida,withafarsmallerterritory,boastedofbeing
muchmoredenselypopulatedwith56,000.
CHAPTER XI

36

TheTexans,throughthecolumnsofthe Herald claimedthatsomeregardshouldbehadtoaState

whichgrewthebestcottoninallAmerica,producedthebestgreenoakfortheserviceofthenavy,and
containedthefinestoil,besidesironmines,inwhichtheyieldwasfiftypercent.ofpuremetal.
TothistheAmericanReviewrepliedthatthesoilofFlorida,althoughnotequallyrich,affordedthebest
conditionsforthemouldingandcastingoftheColumbiad,consistingasitdidofsandandargillaceousearth.
"Thatmaybeallverywell,"repliedtheTexans;"butyoumustfirstgettothiscountry.Nowthe
communicationswithFloridaaredifficult,whilethecoastofTexasoffersthebayofGalveston,which
possessesacircumferenceoffourteenleagues,andiscapableofcontainingthenaviesoftheentireworld!"

"Aprettynotiontruly,"repliedthepapersintheinterestofFlorida,"thatofGalvestonbay below
the29thparallel!HavewenotgotthebayofEspirituSanto,openingpreciselyuponthe28thdegree,
andbywhichshipscanreachTampaTownbydirectroute?"
"Afinebay;halfchokedwithsand!"

"Chokedyourselves!"returnedtheothers.
Thusthewarwentonforseveraldays,whenFloridaendeavoredtodrawheradversaryawayonto
freshground;andonemorningtheTimeshintedthat,theenterprisebeingessentiallyAmerican,it
oughtnottobeattempteduponotherthanpurelyAmericanterritory.
TothesewordsTexasretorted,"American!arewenotasmuchsoasyou?WerenotTexasand
FloridabothincorporatedintotheUnionin1845?"
"Undoubtedly,"repliedtheTimes;"butwehavebelongedtotheAmericanseversince1820."
"Yes!"returnedtheTribune;"afterhavingbeenSpaniardsorEnglishfortwohundredyears,you
weresoldtotheUnitedStatesforfivemilliondollars!"
"Well!andwhyneedweblushforthat?WasnotLouisianaboughtfromNapoleonin1803atthe
priceofsixteenmilliondollars?"
"Scandalous!"roaredtheTexasdeputies."AwretchedlittlestripofcountrylikeFloridatodareto
compareitselftoTexas,who,inplaceofsellingherself,assertedherownindependence,droveoutthe
MexicansinMarch2,1846,anddeclaredherselfafederalrepublicafterthevictorygainedbySamuel
Houston,onthebanksoftheSanJacinto,overthetroopsofSantaAnna!acountry,infine,which
voluntarilyannexeditselftotheUnitedStatesofAmerica!"
"Yes;becauseitwasafraidoftheMexicans!"repliedFlorida.
"Afraid!" From this moment the state of things became intolerable. A sanguinary encounter
seemeddailyimminentbetweenthetwopartiesinthestreetsofBaltimore.Itbecamenecessaryto
keepaneyeuponthedeputies.
PresidentBarbicaneknewnotwhichwaytolook.Notes,documents,lettersfullofmenacesshowered
downuponhishouse.Whichsideoughthetotake?Asregardedtheappropriationofthesoil,the
facilityofcommunication,therapidityoftransport,theclaimsofbothStateswereevenlybalanced.
Asforpoliticalprepossessions,theyhadnothingtodowiththequestion.
Thisdeadblockhadexistedforsomelittletime,when
Barbicaneresolvedtogetridofitallatonce.Hecalled

CHAPTER XI

37

ameetingofhiscolleagues,andlaidbeforethemapropositionwhich,itwillbeseen,was
profoundlysagacious.
"Oncarefullyconsidering,"hesaid,"whatisgoingonnowbetweenFloridaandTexas,itisclearthat
thesamedifficultieswillrecurwithallthetownsofthefavoredState.Therivalrywilldescendfrom
Statetocity,andsoondownward.NowTexaspossesseseleventownswithintheprescribedconditions,
whichwillfurtherdisputethehonorandcreateusnewenemies,whileFloridahasonlyone.Igoin,
therefore,forFloridaandTampaTown."
Thisdecision,onbeingmadeknown,utterlycrushedtheTexandeputies.Seizedwithanindescribable
fury,theyaddressedthreateningletterstothedifferentmembersoftheGunClubbyname.The
magistrateshadbutonecoursetotake,andtheytookit.Theycharteredaspecialtrain,forcedthe
Texansintoitwhethertheywouldorno;andtheyquittedthecitywithaspeedofthirtymilesanhour.
Quickly,however,astheyweredespatched,theyfoundtimetohurlonelastandbittersarcasm
attheiradversaries.
AlludingtotheextentofFlorida,amerepeninsulaconfinedbetweentwoseas,theypretendedthatit
couldneversustaintheshockofthedischarge,andthatitwould"bustup"attheveryfirstshot.
"Verywell,letitbustup!"repliedtheFloridans,withabrevityofthedaysofancientSparta.
CHAPTER XII

38

CHAPTER XII
URBIETORBI
Theastronomical,mechanical,andtopographicaldifficultiesresolved,finallycamethequestionof
finance.Thesumrequiredwasfartoogreatforanyindividual,orevenanysingleState,toprovide
therequisitemillions.
PresidentBarbicaneundertook,despiteofthematterbeingapurelyAmericanaffair,torenderitone
ofuniversalinterest,andtorequestthefinancialcooperationofallpeoples.Itwas,hemaintained,the
rightanddutyofthewholeearthtointerfereintheaffairsofitssatellite.Thesubscriptionopenedat
BaltimoreextendedproperlytothewholeworldUrbietorbi.
Thissubscriptionwassuccessfulbeyondallexpectation;notwithstandingthatitwasaquestionnotof
lendingbutofgivingthemoney.Itwasapurelydisinterestedoperationinthestrictestsenseofthe
term,andofferednottheslightestchanceofprofit.
Theeffect,however,ofBarbicane'scommunicationwasnotconfinedtothefrontiersoftheUnitedStates;it
crossedtheAtlanticandPacific,invadingsimultaneouslyAsiaandEurope,AfricaandOceanica.The
observatoriesoftheUnionplacedthemselvesinimmediatecommunicationwiththoseofforeigncountries.Some,
suchasthoseofParis,Petersburg,Berlin,Stockholm,Hamburg,Malta,Lisbon,Benares,Madras,andothers,
transmittedtheirgoodwishes;therestmaintainedaprudentsilence,quietlyawaitingtheresult.Asforthe
observatoryatGreenwich,secondedasitwasbythetwentytwoastronomicalestablishmentsofGreatBritain,it
spokeplainlyenough.Itboldlydeniedthepossibilityofsuccess,andpronouncedinfavorofthetheoriesof
CaptainNicholl.ButthiswasnothingmorethanmereEnglishjealousy.

Onthe8thofOctoberPresidentBarbicanepublishedamanifestofullofenthusiasm,inwhichhe
madeanappealto"allpersonsofgoodwilluponthefaceoftheearth."Thisdocument,translated
intoalllanguages,metwithimmensesuccess.
SubscriptionlistswereopenedinalltheprincipalcitiesoftheUnion,withacentralofficeatthe
BaltimoreBank,9BaltimoreStreet.
Inaddition,subscriptionswerereceivedatthefollowingbanksinthedifferentstatesofthetwocontinents:

AtVienna,withS.M.deRothschild.AtPetersburg,StieglitzandCo.AtParis,TheCreditMobilier.
AtStockholm,TottieandArfuredson.AtLondon,N.M.RothschildandSon.AtTurin,Ardouinand
Co.AtBerlin,Mendelssohn.AtGeneva,Lombard,OdierandCo.AtConstantinople,TheOttoman
Bank.AtBrussels,J.Lambert.AtMadrid,DanielWeisweller.AtAmsterdam,NetherlandsCredit
Co.AtRome,TorloniaandCo.AtLisbon,Lecesne.AtCopenhagen,PrivateBank.AtRiode
Janeiro,PrivateBank.AtMontevideo,PrivateBank.AtValparaisoandLima,ThomaslaChambre
andCo.AtMexico,MartinDaranandCo.
ThreedaysafterthemanifestoofPresidentBarbicane$4,000,000werepaidintothedifferenttownsofthe
Union.WithsuchabalancetheGunClubmightbeginoperationsatonce.Butsomedayslateradvices
werereceivedtotheeffectthatforeignsubscriptionswerebeingeagerlytakenup.Certaincountries
distinguishedthemselvesbytheirliberality;othersuntiedtheirpursestringswithlessfacilityamatterof
temperament.Figuresare,however,moreeloquentthanwords,andhereistheofficialstatementofthe
sumswhichwerepaidintothecreditoftheGunClubatthecloseofthesubscription.
Russiapaidinashercontingenttheenormoussumof368,733roubles.Nooneneedbesurprisedatthis,who
bearsinmindthescientifictasteoftheRussians,andtheimpetuswhichtheyhavegiventoastronomical

CHAPTER XII

39

studiesthankstotheirnumerousobservatories.
France began by deriding the pretensions of the Americans. The moon served as a pretext for a
thousandstalepunsandascoreofballads,inwhichbadtastecontestedthepalmwithignorance.But
asformerlytheFrenchpaidbeforesinging,sonowtheypaidafterhavinghadtheirlaugh,andthey
subscribedforasumof1,253,930francs.Atthatpricetheyhadarighttoenjoythemselvesalittle.
Austriashowedherselfgenerousinthemidstofherfinancialcrisis.Herpubliccontributions
amountedtothesumof216,000florinsaperfectgodsend.
FiftytwothousandrixdollarsweretheremittanceofSwedenandNorway;theamountislargefor
thecountry,butitwouldundoubtedlyhavebeenconsiderablyincreasedhadthesubscriptionbeen
openedinChristianasimultaneouslywiththatatStockholm.Forsomereasonorotherthe
NorwegiansdonotliketosendtheirmoneytoSweden.
Prussia,byaremittanceof250,000thalers,testifiedherhighapprovaloftheenterprise.
Turkeybehavedgenerously;butshehadapersonalinterestinthematter.Themoon,infact,regulatesthe
cycleofheryearsandherfastofRamadan.Shecouldnotdolessthangive1,372,640piastres;andshe
gavethemwithaneagernesswhichdenoted,however,somepressureonthepartofthegovernment.

Belgiumdistinguishedherselfamongthesecondratestatesbyagrantof513,000francsabouttwo
centimesperheadofherpopulation.
Hollandandhercoloniesinterestedthemselvestotheextentof110,000florins,onlydemandingan
allowanceoffivepercent.discountforpayingreadymoney.
Denmark,alittlecontractedinterritory,gavenevertheless9,000ducats,provingherlovefor
scientificexperiments.
TheGermanicConfederationpledgeditselfto34,285florins.Itwasimpossibletoaskformore;
besides,theywouldnothavegivenit.
Thoughverymuchcrippled,Italyfound200,000lireinthepocketsofherpeople.Ifshehadhad
Venetiashewouldhavedonebetter;butshehadnot.
TheStatesoftheChurchthoughtthattheycouldnotsendlessthan7,040Romancrowns;andPortugal
carriedherdevotiontoscienceasfaras30,000cruzados.Itwasthewidow'smiteeightysixpiastres;
butselfconstitutedempiresarealwaysrathershortofmoney.
Twohundredandfiftysevenfrancs,thiswasthemodestcontributionofSwitzerlandtotheAmericanwork.One
mustfreelyadmitthatshedidnotseethepracticalsideofthematter.Itdidnotseemtoherthatthemere
despatchofashottothemooncouldpossiblyestablishanyrelationofaffairswithher;anditdidnotseem
prudenttohertoembarkhercapitalinsohazardousanenterprise.Afterall,perhapsshewasright.
AstoSpain,shecouldnotscrapetogethermorethan110reals.Shegaveasanexcusethatshehadherrailwaysto
finish.Thetruthis,thatscienceisnotfavorablyregardedinthatcountry,itisstillinabackwardstate;and
moreover,certainSpaniards,notbyanymeanstheleasteducated,didnotformacorrectestimateofthebulkof
theprojectilecomparedwiththatofthemoon.Theyfearedthatitwoulddisturbtheestablishedorderofthings.
Inthatcaseitwerebettertokeepaloof;whichtheydidtothetuneofsomereals.
ThereremainedbutEngland;andweknowthe
contemptuousantipathywithwhichshereceived
Barbicane's

CHAPTER XII

40

proposition.TheEnglishhavebutonesoulforthewholetwentysixmillionsofinhabitantswhich
GreatBritaincontains.TheyhintedthattheenterpriseoftheGunClubwascontrarytothe
"principleofnonintervention."Andtheydidnotsubscribeasinglefarthing.
AtthisintimationtheGunClubmerelyshruggeditsshouldersandreturnedtoitsgreatwork.When
SouthAmerica,thatistosay,Peru,Chili,Brazil,theprovincesofLaPlataandColumbia,had
pouredforththeirquotaintotheirhands,thesumof$300,000,itfounditselfinpossessionofa
considerablecapital,ofwhichthefollowingisastatement:
UnitedStatessubscriptions,..$4,000,000Foreignsubscriptions...$1,446,675Total,....
$5,446,675
SuchwasthesumwhichthepublicpouredintothetreasuryoftheGunClub.
Letnoonebesurprisedatthevastnessoftheamount.Theworkofcasting,boring,masonry,thetransport
ofworkmen,theirestablishmentinanalmostuninhabitedcountry,theconstructionoffurnacesand
workshops,theplant,thepowder,theprojectile,andincipientexpenses,would,accordingtotheestimates,
absorbnearlythewhole.CertaincannonshotsintheFederalwarcostonethousanddollarsapiece.This
oneofPresidentBarbicane,uniqueintheannalsofgunnery,mightwellcostfivethousandtimesmore.

Onthe20thofOctoberacontractwasenteredintowiththemanufactoryatColdspring,nearNew
York,whichduringthewarhadfurnishedthelargestParrott,castironguns.Itwasstipulatedbetween
thecontractingpartiesthatthemanufactoryofColdspringshouldengagetotransporttoTampaTown,
insouthernFlorida,thenecessarymaterialsforcastingtheColumbiad.Theworkwasboundtobe
completedatlatestbythe15thofOctoberfollowing,andthecannondeliveredingoodconditionunder
penaltyofaforfeitofonehundreddollarsadaytothemomentwhenthemoonshouldagainpresent
herselfunderthesameconditionsthatistosay,ineighteenyearsandelevendays.
Theengagementoftheworkmen,theirpay,andallthenecessarydetailsofthework,devolved
upontheColdspringCompany.
Thiscontract,executedinduplicate,wassignedbyBarbicane,presidentoftheGunClub,oftheone
part,andT.MurchisondirectoroftheColdspringmanufactory,oftheother,whothusexecutedthe
deedonbehalfoftheirrespectiveprincipals.
CHAPTER XIII

41

CHAPTER XIII
STONESHILL
WhenthedecisionwasarrivedatbytheGunClub,tothedisparagementofTexas,everyonein
America,wherereadingisauniversalacquirement,settoworktostudythegeographyofFlorida.Never
beforehadtherebeensuchasaleforworkslike"Bertram'sTravelsinFlorida,""Roman'sNatural
HistoryofEastandWestFlorida,""William'sTerritoryofFlorida,"and"ClelandontheCultivationof
theSugarCaneinFlorida."Itbecamenecessarytoissuefresheditionsoftheseworks.

Barbicanehadsomethingbettertodothantoread.Hedesiredtoseethingswithhisowneyes,andto
marktheexactpositionoftheproposedgun.So,withoutamoment'slossoftime,heplacedatthe

disposaloftheCambridgeObservatorythefundsnecessaryfortheconstructionofatelescope,and
enteredintonegotiationswiththehouseofBreadwillandCo.,ofAlbany,fortheconstructionofan
aluminumprojectileoftherequiredsize.HethenquittedBaltimore,accompaniedbyJ.T.Maston,
MajorElphinstone,andthemanageroftheColdspringfactory.
Onthefollowingday,thefourfellowtravelersarrivedatNewOrleans.Theretheyimmediatelyembarked
onboardtheTampico,adespatchboatbelongingtotheFederalnavy,whichthegovernmenthadplacedat
theirdisposal;and,gettingupsteam,thebanksofLouisianaspeedilydisappearedfromsight.
Thepassagewasnotlong.Twodaysafterstarting,theTampico,havingmadefourhundredandeighty
miles,cameinsightofthecoastofFlorida.OnanearerapproachBarbicanefoundhimselfinviewofalow,
flatcountryofsomewhatbarrenaspect.Aftercoastingalongaseriesofcreeksaboundinginlobstersand
oysters,theTampicoenteredthebayofEspirituSanto,whereshefinallyanchoredinasmallnatural
harbor,formedbytheembouchureoftheRiverHillisborough,atsevenP.M.,onthe22dofOctober.

Ourfourpassengersdisembarkedatonce."Gentlemen,"saidBarbicane,"wehavenotimetolose;
tomorrowwemustobtainhorses,andproceedtoreconnoiterthecountry."
BarbicanehadscarcelysethisfootonshorewhenthreethousandoftheinhabitantsofTampaTown
cameforthtomeethim,anhonorduetothepresidentwhohadsignalizedtheircountrybyhischoice.
Declining,however,everykindofovation,BarbicaneensconcedhimselfinaroomoftheFranklinHotel.

OnthemorrowsomeofthesmallhorsesoftheSpanishbreed,fullofvigorandoffire,stoodsnorting
underhiswindows;butinsteadoffoursteeds,herewerefifty,togetherwiththeirriders.Barbicane
descendedwithhisthreefellowtravelers;andmuchastonishedweretheyalltofindthemselvesin
themidstofsuchacavalcade.Heremarkedthateveryhorsemancarriedacarbineslungacrosshis
shouldersandpistolsinhisholsters.
Onexpressinghissurpriseatthesepreparations,hewasspeedilyenlightenedbyayoung
Floridan,whoquietlysaid:
"Sir,thereareSeminolesthere."
"WhatdoyoumeanbySeminoles?"
"Savageswhoscourtheprairies.Wethoughtitbest,therefore,toescortyouonyourroad."
"Pooh!"criedJ.T.Maston,
mountinghissteed.

CHAPTER XIII

42

"Allright,"saidtheFloridan;"butitistrueenough,nevertheless."
"Gentlemen,"answeredBarbicane,"Ithankyouforyourkindattention;butitistimetobeoff."
ItwasfiveA.M.whenBarbicaneandhisparty,quittingTampaTown,madetheirwayalongthecoastin
thedirectionofAlifiaCreek.ThislittleriverfallsintoHillisboroughBaytwelvemilesaboveTampaTown.
Barbicaneandhisescortcoastedalongitsrightbanktotheeastward.Soonthewavesofthebay
disappearedbehindabendofrisingground,andtheFloridan"champagne"aloneoffereditselftoview.

Florida,discoveredonPalmSunday,in1512,byJuanPoncedeLeon,wasoriginallynamedPascha
Florida.Itlittledeservedthatdesignation,withitsdryandparchedcoasts.Butaftersomefewmilesof
tractthenatureofthesoilgraduallychangesandthecountryshowsitselfworthyofthename.
Cultivatedplainssoonappear,whereareunitedalltheproductionsofthenorthernandtropicalfloras,
terminatinginprairiesaboundingwithpineapplesandyams,tobacco,rice,cottonplants,andsugar
canes,whichextendbeyondreachofsight,flingingtheirrichesbroadcastwithcarelessprodigality.
Barbicaneappearedhighlypleasedonobservingtheprogressiveelevationoftheland;andin
answertoaquestionofJ.T.Maston,replied:
"Myworthyfriend,wecannotdobetterthansinkourColumbiadinthesehighgrounds."
"Togetnearerthemoon,perhaps?"saidthesecretaryoftheGunClub.
"Notexactly,"repliedBarbicane,smiling;"doyounotseethatamongtheseelevatedplateausweshall
haveamucheasierworkofit?Nostruggleswiththewatersprings,whichwillsaveuslongexpensive
tubings;andweshallbeworkingindaylightinsteadofdownadeepandnarrowwell.Ourbusiness,
then,istoopenourtrenchesupongroundsomehundredsofyardsabovethelevelofthesea."
"Youareright,sir,"struckinMurchison,theengineer;"and,ifImistakenot,weshallerelongfinda
suitablespotforourpurpose."
"Iwishwewereatthefirststrokeofthepickaxe,"saidthepresident.
"AndIwishwewereatthelast,"criedJ.T.Maston.
AbouttenA.M.thelittlebandhadcrossedadozenmiles.Tofertileplainssucceededaregionofforests.There
perfumesofthemostvariedkindsmingledtogetherintropicalprofusion.Thesealmostimpenetrableforests
werecomposedofpomegranates,orangetrees,citrons,figs,olives,apricots,bananas,hugevines,whose
blossomsandfruitsrivaledeachotherincolorandperfume.Beneaththeodorousshadeofthesemagnificent
treesflutteredandwarbledalittleworldofbrilliantlyplumagedbirds.
J.T.Mastonandthemajorcouldnotrepresstheiradmirationonfindingthemselvesinthepresenceofthe
gloriousbeautiesofthiswealthofnature.PresidentBarbicane,however,lesssensitivetothesewonders,wasin
hastetopressforward;theveryluxurianceofthecountrywasdispleasingtohim.Theyhastenedonward,
therefore,andwerecompelledtofordseveralrivers,notwithoutdanger,fortheywereinfestedwithhuge
alligatorsfromfifteentoeighteenfeetlong.Mastoncourageouslymenacedthemwithhissteelhook,butheonly
succeededinfrighteningsomepelicansandteal,whiletallflamingosstaredstupidlyattheparty.

Atlengththesedenizensoftheswampsdisappearedintheirturn;smallertreesbecamethinlyscattered
amonglessdensethicketsafewisolatedgroupsdetachedinthemidstofendlessplainsoverwhich
rangedherdsofstartleddeer.
CHAPTER XIII

43

"Atlast,"criedBarbicane,risinginhisstirrups,"hereweareattheregionofpines!"
"Yes!andofsavagestoo,"repliedthemajor.
Infact,someSeminoleshadjustcameinsightuponthehorizon;theyrodeviolentlybackwardand
forwardontheirfleethorses,brandishingtheirspearsordischargingtheirgunswithadullreport.
Thesehostiledemonstrations,however,hadnoeffectuponBarbicaneandhiscompanions.
Theywerethenoccupyingthecenterofarockyplain,whichthesunscorchedwithitsparchingrays.
Thiswasformedbyaconsiderableelevationofthesoil,whichseemedtooffertothemembersofthe
GunCluballtheconditionsrequisitefortheconstructionoftheirColumbiad.
"Halt!"saidBarbicane,reiningup."Hasthisplaceanylocalappellation?"
"ItiscalledStonesHill,"repliedoneoftheFloridans.
Barbicane,withoutsayingaword,dismounted,seizedhisinstruments,andbegantonotehispositionwith
extremeexactness.Thelittleband,drawnupintherear,watchedhisproceedingsinprofoundsilence.

Atthismomentthesunpassedthemeridian.Barbicane,afterafewmoments,rapidlywrotedownthe
resultofhisobservations,andsaid:
"Thisspotissituatedeighteenhundredfeetabovethelevelofthesea,in27@7'N.lat.and5@7'W.
long.ofthemeridianofWashington.Itappearstomebyitsrockyandbarrencharactertoofferallthe
conditionsrequisiteforourexperiment.Onthatplainwillberaisedourmagazines,workshops,
furnaces,andworkmen'shuts;andhere,fromthisveryspot,"saidhe,stampinghisfootonthe
summitofStonesHill,"henceshallourprojectiletakeitsflightintotheregionsoftheSolarWorld."
CHAPTER XIV

44

CHAPTER XIV
PICKAXEANDTROWEL
ThesameeveningBarbicaneandhiscompanionsreturnedtoTampaTown;andMurchison,theengineer,
reembarkedonboardtheTampicoforNewOrleans.Hisobjectwastoenlistanarmyofworkmen,andto
collecttogetherthegreaterpartofthematerials.ThemembersoftheGunClubremainedatTampaTown,
forthepurposeofsettingonfootthepreliminaryworksbytheaidofthepeopleofthecountry.
Eightdaysafteritsdeparture,theTampicoreturnedintothebayofEspirituSanto,withawholeflotillaof
steamboats.Murchisonhadsucceededinassemblingtogetherfifteenhundredartisans.Attractedbythe
highpayandconsiderablebountiesofferedbytheGunClub,hehadenlistedachoicelegionofstokers,
ironfounders,limeburners,miners,brickmakers,andartisansofeverytrade,withoutdistinctionofcolor.
Asmanyofthesepeoplebroughttheirfamilieswiththem,theirdepartureresembledaperfectemigration.

Onthe31stofOctober,atteno'clockinthemorning,thetroopdisembarkedonthequaysofTampa

Town;andonemayimaginetheactivitywhichpervadedthatlittletown,whosepopulationwasthus
doubledinasingleday.
Duringthefirstfewdaystheywerebusydischargingthecargobroughtbytheflotilla,themachines,
andtherations,aswellasalargenumberofhutsconstructedofironplates,separatelypiecedand
numbered.AtthesameperiodBarbicanelaidthefirstsleepersofarailwayfifteenmilesinlength,
intendedtouniteStonesHillwithTampaTown.OnthefirstofNovemberBarbicanequittedTampa
Townwithadetachmentofworkmen;andonthefollowingdaythewholetownofhutswaserected
roundStonesHill.Thistheyenclosedwithpalisades;andinrespectofenergyandactivity,itmight
havebeenmistakenforoneofthegreatcitiesoftheUnion.Everythingwasplacedunderacomplete
systemofdiscipline,andtheworkswerecommencedinmostperfectorder.
Thenatureofthesoilhavingbeencarefullyexamined,bymeansofrepeatedborings,theworkof
excavationwasfixedforthe4thofNovember.
OnthatdayBarbicanecalledtogetherhisforemenandaddressedthemasfollows:"Youarewellaware,
myfriends,oftheobjectwithwhichIhaveassembledyoutogetherinthiswildpartofFlorida.Our
businessistoconstructacannonmeasuringninefeetinitsinteriordiameter,sixfeetthick,andwithastone
revetmentofnineteenandahalffeetinthickness.Wehave,therefore,awellofsixtyfeetindiametertodig
downtoadepthofninehundredfeet.Thisgreatworkmustbecompletedwithineightmonths,sothatyou
have2,543,400cubicfeetofearthtoexcavatein255days;thatistosay,inroundnumbers,2,000cubicfeet
perday.Thatwhichwouldpresentnodifficultytoathousandnavviesworkinginopencountrywillbeof
coursemoretroublesomeinacomparativelyconfinedspace.However,thethingmustbedone,andI
reckonforitsaccomplishmentuponyourcourageasmuchasuponyourskill."

Ateighto'clockthenextmorningthefirststrokeofthepickaxewasstruckuponthesoilofFlorida;
andfromthatmomentthatprinceoftoolswasneverinactiveforonemomentinthehandsofthe
excavators.Thegangsrelievedeachothereverythreehours.
Onthe4thofNovemberfiftyworkmencommenceddigging,intheverycenteroftheenclosedspaceonthe
summitofStonesHill,acircularholesixtyfeetindiameter.Thepickaxefirststruckuponakindofblackearth,
sixinchesinthickness,whichwasspeedilydisposedof.Tothisearthsucceededtwofeetoffinesand,whichwas
carefullylaidasideasbeingvaluableforservingthecastingoftheinnermould.Afterthesandappearedsome
compactwhiteclay,resemblingthechalkofGreatBritain,whichextendeddowntoadepthoffourfeet.Thenthe
ironofthepicksstruckuponthehardbedofthesoil;akindofrockformedofpetrifiedshells,verydry,very
solid,andwhichthepickscouldwithdifficultypenetrate.Atthispointtheexcavation

CHAPTER XIV
exhibitedadepthofsixandahalffeetandtheworkofthemasonrywasbegun.
Atthebottomoftheexcavationtheyconstructedawheelofoak,akindofcirclestronglyboltedtogether,
andofimmensestrength.Thecenterofthiswoodendiscwashollowedouttoadiameterequaltothe
exteriordiameteroftheColumbiad.Uponthiswheelrestedthefirstlayersofthemasonry,thestonesof
whichwereboundtogetherbyhydrauliccement,withirresistibletenacity.Theworkmen,afterlayingthe
stonesfromthecircumferencetothecenter,werethusenclosedwithinakindofwelltwentyonefeetin
diameter.Whenthisworkwasaccomplished,theminersresumedtheirpicksandcutawaytherockfrom
underneaththewheelitself,takingcaretosupportitastheyadvanceduponblocksofgreatthickness.At
everytwofeetwhichtheholegainedindepththeysuccessivelywithdrewtheblocks.Thewheelthensank
littlebylittle,andwithitthemassiveringofmasonry,ontheupperbedofwhichthemasonslabored

45

incessantly,alwaysreservingsomeventholestopermittheescapeofgasduringtheoperationofthecasting.
Thiskindofworkrequiredonthepartoftheworkmenextremenicetyandminuteattention.Morethanone,
indiggingunderneaththewheel,wasdangerouslyinjuredbythesplintersofstone.Buttheirardornever
relaxed,nightorday.Bydaytheyworkedundertheraysofthescorchingsun;bynight,underthegleamof
theelectriclight.Thesoundsofthepicksagainsttherock,theburstingofmines,thegrindingofthe
machines,thewreathsofsmokescatteredthroughtheair,tracedaroundStonesHillacircleofterrorwhich
theherdsofbuffaloesandthewarpartiesoftheSeminolesneverventuredtopass.Nevertheless,theworks
advancedregularly,asthesteamcranesactivelyremovedtherubbish.Ofunexpectedobstaclestherewas
littleaccount;andwithregardtoforeseendifficulties,theywerespeedilydisposedof.

Attheexpirationofthefirstmonththewellhadattainedthedepthassignedforthatlapseoftime,
namely,112feet.ThisdepthwasdoubledinDecember,andtrebledinJanuary.
DuringthemonthofFebruarytheworkmenhadtocontendwithasheetofwaterwhichmadeitsway
rightacrosstheoutersoil.Itbecamenecessarytoemployverypowerfulpumpsandcompressedair
enginestodrainitoff,soastocloseuptheorificefromwhenceitissued;justasonestopsaleakon
boardship.Theyatlastsucceededingettingtheupperhandoftheseuntowardstreams;only,in
consequenceofthelooseningofthesoil,thewheelpartlygaveway,andaslightpartialsettlement
ensued.Thisaccidentcostthelifeofseveralworkmen.
Nofreshoccurrencethenceforwardarrestedtheprogressoftheoperation;andonthetenthofJune,twenty
daysbeforetheexpirationoftheperiodfixedbyBarbicane,thewell,linedthroughoutwithitsfacingof
stone,hadattainedthedepthof900feet.Atthebottomthemasonryresteduponamassiveblockmeasuring
thirtyfeetinthickness,whileontheupperportionitwaslevelwiththesurroundingsoil.

PresidentBarbicaneandthemembersoftheGunClubwarmlycongratulatedtheirengineer
Murchison;thecyclopeanworkhadbeenaccomplishedwithextraordinaryrapidity.
DuringtheseeightmonthsBarbicaneneverquittedStonesHillforasingleinstant.Keepingevercloseby
theworkofexcavation,hebusiedhimselfincessantlywiththewelfareandhealthofhisworkpeople,and
wassingularlyfortunateinwardingofftheepidemicscommontolargecommunitiesofmen,andso
disastrousinthoseregionsoftheglobewhichareexposedtotheinfluencesoftropicalclimates.

Manyworkmen,itistrue,paidwiththeirlivesfortherashnessinherentinthesedangerouslabors;but
thesemishapsareimpossibletobeavoided,andtheyareclassedamongthedetailswithwhichthe
Americanstroublethemselvesbutlittle.Theyhaveinfactmoreregardforhumannatureingeneral
thanfortheindividualinparticular.
Nevertheless,Barbicaneprofessedoppositeprinciplestothese,andputtheminforceateveryopportunity.
So,thankstohiscare,hisintelligence,hisusefulinterventioninalldifficulties,hisprodigiousandhumane

CHAPTER XIV

46

sagacity,theaverageofaccidentsdidnotexceedthatoftransatlanticcountries,notedfortheir
excessiveprecautionsFrance,forinstance,amongothers,wheretheyreckonaboutoneaccidentfor
everytwohundredthousandfrancsofwork.
CHAPTER XV

CHAPTER XV

47

THEFETEOFTHECASTING
Duringtheeightmonthswhichwereemployedintheworkofexcavationthepreparatoryworksofthe
castinghadbeencarriedonsimultaneouslywithextremerapidity.AstrangerarrivingatStonesHill
wouldhavebeensurprisedatthespectacleofferedtohisview.
At600yardsfromthewell,andcircularlyarrangedarounditasacentralpoint,rose1,200reverberating
ovens,eachsixfeetindiameter,andseparatedfromeachotherbyanintervalofthreefeet.The
circumferenceoccupiedbythese1,200ovenspresentedalengthoftwomiles.Beingallconstructedonthe
sameplan,eachwithitshighquadrangularchimney,theyproducedamostsingulareffect.

Itwillberememberedthatontheirthirdmeetingthecommitteehaddecidedtousecastironforthe
Columbiad,andinparticularthewhitedescription.Thismetal,infact,isthemosttenacious,themost
ductile,andthemostmalleable,andconsequentlysuitableforallmouldingoperations;andwhen
smeltedwithpitcoal,isofsuperiorqualityforallengineeringworksrequiringgreatresistingpower,
suchascannon,steamboilers,hydraulicpresses,andthelike.
Castiron,however,ifsubjectedtoonlyonesinglefusion,israrelysufficientlyhomogeneous;anditrequires
asecondfusioncompletelytorefineitbydispossessingitofitslastearthlydeposits.Solongbeforebeing
forwardedtoTampaTown,theironore,molteninthegreatfurnacesofColdspring,andbroughtinto
contactwithcoalandsiliciumheatedtoahightemperature,wascarburizedandtransformedintocastiron.
Afterthisfirstoperation,themetalwassentontoStonesHill.Theyhad,however,todealwith136,000,000
poundsofiron,aquantityfartoocostlytosendbyrailway.Thecostoftransportwouldhavebeendouble
thatofmaterial.ItappearedpreferabletofreightvesselsatNewYork,andtoloadthemwiththeironin
bars.This,however,requirednotlessthansixtyeightvesselsof1,000tons,averitablefleet,which,quitting
NewYorkonthe3rdofMay,onthe10thofthesamemonthascendedtheBayofEspirituSanto,and
dischargedtheircargoes,withoutdues,intheportatTampaTown.Thencetheironwastransportedbyrail
toStonesHill,andaboutthemiddleofJanuarythisenormousmassofmetalwasdeliveredatitsdestination.

Itwilleasilybeunderstoodthat1,200furnaceswerenottoomanytomeltsimultaneouslythese60,000
tonsofiron.Eachofthesefurnacescontainednearly140,000poundsweightofmetal.Theywereall
builtafterthemodelofthosewhichservedforthecastingoftheRodmangun;theyweretrapezoidalin
shape,withahighellipticalarch.Thesefurnaces,constructedoffireproofbrick,wereespecially
adaptedforburningpitcoal,withaflatbottomuponwhichtheironbarswerelaid.Thisbottom,
inclinedatanangleof25degrees,allowedthemetaltoflowintothereceivingtroughs;andthe1,200
convergingtrenchescarriedthemoltenmetaldowntothecentralwell.
Thedayfollowingthatonwhichtheworksofthemasonryandboringhadbeencompleted,Barbicanesettowork
uponthecentralmould.Hisobjectnowwastoraisewithinthecenterofthewell,andwithacoincidentaxis,a
cylinder900feethigh,andninefeetindiameter,whichshouldexactlyfillupthespacereservedfortheboreofthe
Columbiad.Thiscylinderwascomposedofamixtureofclayandsand,withtheadditionofalittlehayandstraw.
Thespaceleftbetweenthemouldandthemasonrywasintendedtobefilledupbythemoltenmetal,whichwould
thusformthewallssixfeetinthickness.Thiscylinder,inordertomaintainitsequilibrium,hadtobeboundby
ironbands,andfirmlyfixedatcertainintervalsbycrossclampsfastenedintothestonelining;afterthecastings
thesewouldbeburiedintheblockofmetal,leavingnoexternalprojection.

Thisoperationwascompletedonthe8thofJuly,andtherunofthemetalwasfixedforthefollowingday.
"Thisfeteofthecastingwillbeagrandceremony,"
saidJ.T.MastontohisfriendBarbicane.

CHAPTER XV

48

"Undoubtedly,"saidBarbicane;"butitwillnotbeapublicfete"
"What!willyounotopenthegatesoftheenclosuretoallcomers?"
"Imustbeverycareful,Maston.ThecastingoftheColumbiadisanextremelydelicate,nottosaya
dangerousoperation,andIshouldpreferitsbeingdoneprivately.Atthedischargeoftheprojectile,a
feteifyouliketillthen,no!"
Thepresidentwasright.Theoperationinvolvedunforeseendangers,whichagreatinfluxofspectatorswould
havehinderedhimfromaverting.Itwasnecessarytopreservecompletefreedomofmovement.Noonewas
admittedwithintheenclosureexceptadelegationofmembersoftheGunClub,whohadmadethevoyageto
TampaTown.AmongthesewasthebriskBilsby,TomHunter,ColonelBlomsberry,MajorElphinstone,General
Morgan,andtherestofthelottowhomthecastingoftheColumbiadwasamatterofpersonalinterest.J.T.
Mastonbecametheircicerone.Heomittednopointofdetail;heconductedthemthroughoutthemagazines,
workshops,throughthemidstoftheengines,andcompelledthemtovisitthewhole1,200furnacesoneafterthe
other.Attheendofthetwelvehundredthvisittheywereprettywellknockedup.

Thecastingwastotakeplaceattwelveo'clockprecisely.Thepreviouseveningeachfurnacehadbeen
chargedwith114,000poundsweightofmetalinbarsdisposedcrosswaystoeachother,soastoallowthe
hotairtocirculatefreelybetweenthem.Atdaybreakthe1,200chimneysvomitedtheirtorrentsofflameinto
theair,andthegroundwasagitatedwithdulltremblings.Asmanypoundsofmetalasthereweretocast,so
manypoundsofcoalweretheretoburn.Thustherewere68,000tonsofcoalwhichprojectedinthefaceof
thesunathickcurtainofsmoke.Theheatsoonbecameinsupportablewithinthecircleoffurnaces,the
rumblingofwhichresembledtherollingofthunder.Thepowerfulventilatorsaddedtheircontinuousblasts
andsaturatedwithoxygentheglowingplates.Theoperation,tobesuccessful,requiredtobeconductedwith
greatrapidity.Onasignalgivenbyacannonshoteachfurnacewastogiveventtothemoltenironand
completelytoemptyitself.Thesearrangementsmade,foremenandworkmenwaitedthepreconcerted
momentwithanimpatiencemingledwithacertainamountofemotion.Notasoulremainedwithinthe
enclosure.Eachsuperintendenttookhispostbytheapertureoftherun.

Barbicaneandhiscolleagues,perchedonaneighboringeminence,assistedattheoperation.Infrontof
themwasapieceofartilleryreadytogivefireonthesignalfromtheengineer.Someminutesbefore
middaythefirstdribletsofmetalbegantoflow;thereservoirsfilledlittlebylittle;and,bythetimethat
thewholemeltingwascompletelyaccomplished,itwaskeptinabeyanceforafewminutesinorderto
facilitatetheseparationofforeignsubstances.
Twelveo'clockstruck!Agunshotsuddenlypealedforthandshotitsflameintotheair.Twelvehundred
meltingtroughsweresimultaneouslyopenedandtwelvehundredfieryserpentscrepttowardthecentral
well,unrollingtheirincandescentcurves.There,downtheyplungedwithaterrificnoiseintoadepthof900
feet.Itwasanexcitingandamagnificentspectacle.Thegroundtrembled,whilethesemoltenwaves,
launchingintotheskytheirwreathsofsmoke,evaporatedthemoistureofthemouldandhurleditupward
throughtheventholesofthestoneliningintheformofdensevaporclouds.Theseartificialcloudsunrolled
theirthickspiralstoaheightof1,000yardsintotheair.Asavage,wanderingsomewherebeyondthelimits
ofthehorizon,mighthavebelievedthatsomenewcraterwasforminginthebosomofFlorida,although
therewasneitheranyeruption,nortyphoon,norstorm,norstruggleoftheelements,noranyofthose
terriblephenomenawhichnatureiscapableofproducing.No,itwasmanalonewhohadproducedthese
reddishvapors,thesegiganticflamesworthyofavolcanoitself,thesetremendousvibrationsresemblingthe
shockofanearthquake,thesereverberationsrivalingthoseofhurricanesandstorms;anditwashishand

whichprecipitatedintoanabyss,dugbyhimself,awholeNiagaraofmoltenmetal!

CHAPTER XVI

49

CHAPTER XVI
THECOLUMBIAD
Hadthecastingsucceeded?Theywerereducedtomereconjecture.Therewasindeedeveryreasonto
expect success, since the mould has absorbed the entire mass of the molten metal; still some
considerabletimemustelapsebeforetheycouldarriveatanycertaintyuponthematter.
ThepatienceofthemembersoftheGunClubwassorelytriedduringthisperiodoftime.Butthey
coulddonothing.J.T.Mastonescapedroastingbyamiracle.Fifteendaysafterthecastingan
immensecolumnofsmokewasstillrisingintheopenskyandthegroundburnedthesolesofthefeet
withinaradiusoftwohundredfeetroundthesummitofStonesHill.Itwasimpossibletoapproach
nearer.Alltheycoulddowastowaitwithwhatpatiencetheymight.
"Hereweareatthe10thofAugust,"exclaimedJ.T.Mastononemorning,"onlyfourmonthsto
the1stofDecember!Weshallneverbereadyintime!"Barbicanesaidnothing,buthissilence
coveredseriousirritation.
However,dailyobservationsrevealedacertainchangegoingoninthestateoftheground.Aboutthe15thof
Augustthevaporsejectedhadsensiblydiminishedinintensityandthickness.Somedaysafterwardthe
earthexhaledonlyaslightpuffofsmoke,thelastbreathofthemonsterenclosedwithinitscircleofstone.
Littlebylittlethebeltofheatcontracted,untilonthe22ndofAugust,Barbicane,hiscolleagues,andthe
engineerwereenabledtosetfootontheironsheetwhichlayleveluponthesummitofStonesHill.

"Atlast!"exclaimedthepresidentoftheGunClub,withanimmensesighofrelief.
Theworkwasresumedthesameday.Theyproceededatoncetoextracttheinteriormould,forthe
purposeofclearingouttheboringofthepiece.Pickaxesandboringironsweresettoworkwithout
intermission.Theclayeyandsandysoilshadacquiredextremehardnessundertheactionoftheheat;
but,bytheaidofthemachines,therubbishonbeingdugoutwasrapidlycartedawayonrailway
wagons;andsuchwastheardorofthework,sopersuasivetheargumentsofBarbicane'sdollars,that
bythe3rdofSeptemberalltracesofthemouldhadentirelydisappeared.
Immediatelytheoperationofboringwascommenced;andbytheaidofpowerfulmachines,afew
weekslater,theinnersurfaceoftheimmensetubehadbeenrenderedperfectlycylindrical,andthe
boreofthepiecehadacquiredathoroughpolish.
Atlength,onthe22dofSeptember,lessthanatwelvemonthafterBarbicane'soriginalproposition,the
enormousweapon,accuratelybored,andexactlyverticallypointed,wasreadyforwork.Therewasonly
themoonnowtowaitfor;andtheywereprettysurethatshewouldnotfailintherendezvous.

TheecstasyofJ.T.Mastonknewnobounds,andhenarrowlyescapedafrightfulfallwhilestaring
downthetube.ButforthestronghandofColonelBlomsberry,theworthysecretary,likeamodern
Erostratus,wouldhavefoundhisdeathinthedepthsoftheColumbiad.
Thecannonwasthenfinished;therewasnopossibledoubtastoitsperfectcompletion.So,onthe6thofOctober,
CaptainNichollopenedanaccountbetweenhimselfandPresidentBarbicane,inwhichhedebitedhimselftothe

latterinthesumoftwothousanddollars.Onemaybelievethatthecaptain'swrathwasincreasedtoitshighest
point,andmusthavemadehimseriouslyill.However,hehadstillthreebetsofthree,four,andfivethousand
dollars,respectively;andifhegainedtwooutofthese,hispositionwouldnotbeverybad.Butthemoney
questiondidnotenterintohiscalculations;itwasthesuccessofhisrivalincastingacannonagainstwhichiron
platessixtyfeetthickwouldhavebeenineffectual,thatdealthimaterribleblow.

CHAPTER XVI

50

Afterthe23rdofSeptembertheenclosureofStoneshillwasthrownopentothepublic;anditwillbe
easilyimaginedwhatwastheconcourseofvisitorstothisspot!Therewasanincessantflowofpeopleto
andfromTampaTownandtheplace,whichresembledaprocession,orrather,infact,apilgrimage.

Itwasalreadycleartobeseenthat,onthedayoftheexperimentitself,theaggregateofspectators
wouldbecountedbymillions;fortheywerealreadyarrivingfromallpartsoftheearthuponthis
narrowstripofpromontory.EuropewasemigratingtoAmerica.
Uptothattime,however,itmustbeconfessed,thecuriosityofthenumerouscomerswasbutscantily
gratified.Mosthadcounteduponwitnessingthespectacleofthecasting,andtheyweretreatedto
nothingbutsmoke.Thiswassorryfoodforhungryeyes;butBarbicanewouldadmitnoonetothat
operation.Thenensuedgrumbling,discontent,murmurs;theyblamedthepresident,taxedhimwith
dictatorialconduct.Hisproceedingsweredeclared"unAmerican."Therewasverynearlyariot
roundStonesHill;butBarbicaneremainedinflexible.When,however,theColumbiadwasentirely
finished,thisstateofcloseddoorscouldnolongerbemaintained;besidesitwouldhavebeenbadtaste,
andevenimprudence,toaffrontthepublicfeeling.Barbicane,therefore,openedtheenclosuretoall
comers;but,truetohispracticaldisposition,hedeterminedtocoinmoneyoutofthepubliccuriosity.
Itwassomething,indeed,tobeenabledtocontemplatethisimmenseColumbiad;buttodescendintoits
depths,thisseemedtotheAmericanstheneplusultraofearthlyfelicity.Consequently,therewasnot
onecuriousspectatorwhowasnotwillingtogivehimselfthetreatofvisitingtheinteriorofthisgreat
metallicabyss.Basketssuspendedfromsteamcranespermittedthemtosatisfytheircuriosity.There
wasaperfectmania.Women,children,oldmen,allmadeitapointofdutytopenetratethemysteriesof
thecolossalgun.Thefareforthedescentwasfixedatfivedollarsperhead;anddespitethishigh
charge,duringthetwomonthswhichprecededtheexperiment,theinfluxofvisitorsenabledtheGun
Clubtopocketnearlyfivehundredthousanddollars!
ItisneedlesstosaythatthefirstvisitorsoftheColumbiadwerethemembersoftheGunClub.This
privilegewasjustlyreservedforthatillustriousbody.Theceremonytookplaceonthe25thofSeptember.A
basketofhonortookdownthepresident,J.T.Maston,MajorElphinstone,GeneralMorgan,Colonel
Blomsberry,andothermembersoftheclub,tothenumberofteninall.Howhotitwasatthebottomofthat
longtubeofmetal!Theywerehalfsuffocated.Butwhatdelight!Whatecstasy!Atablehadbeenlaidwith
sixcoversonthemassivestonewhichformedthebottomoftheColumbiad,andlightedbyajetofelectric
lightresemblingthatofdayitself.Numerousexquisitedishes,whichseemedtodescendfromheaven,were
placedsuccessivelybeforetheguests,andtherichestwinesofFranceflowedinprofusionduringthis
splendidrepast,servedninehundredfeetbeneaththesurfaceoftheearth!
Thefestivalwasanimated,nottosaysomewhatnoisy.Toastsflewbackwardandforward.Theydrankto
theearthandtohersatellite,totheGunClub,theUnion,theMoon,Diana,Phoebe,Selene,the"peaceful
courierofthenight!"Allthehurrahs,carriedupwarduponthesonorouswavesoftheimmenseacoustic
tube,arrivedwiththesoundofthunderatitsmouth;andthemultituderangedroundStonesHillheartily
unitedtheirshoutswiththoseofthetenrevelershiddenfromviewatthebottomofthegiganticColumbiad.

J.T.Mastonwasnolongermasterofhimself.Whetherheshoutedorgesticulated,ateordrankmost,
wouldbeadifficultmattertodetermine.Atallevents,hewouldnothavegivenhisplaceupforan
empire,"notevenifthecannonloaded,primed,andfiredatthatverymomentweretoblowhimin
piecesintotheplanetaryworld."
CHAPTER XVII

51

CHAPTER XVII
ATELEGRAPHICDISPATCH
ThegreatworksundertakenbytheGunClubhadnowvirtuallycometoanend;andtwomonthsstill
remainedbeforethedayforthedischargeoftheshottothemoon.Tothegeneralimpatiencethese
twomonthsappearedaslongasyears!Hithertothesmallestdetailsoftheoperationhadbeendaily
chronicledbythejournals,whichthepublicdevouredwitheagereyes.
Justatthismomentacircumstance,themostunexpected,themostextraordinaryandincredible,occurredto
rouseafreshtheirpantingspirits,andtothroweverymindintoastateofthemostviolentexcitement.

Oneday,the30thofSeptember,at3:47P.M.,atelegram,transmittedbycablefromValentia(Ireland)
toNewfoundlandandtheAmericanMainland,arrivedattheaddressofPresidentBarbicane.

Thepresidenttoreopentheenvelope,readthedispatch,and,despitehisremarkablepowersofself
control,hislipsturnedpaleandhiseyesgrewdim,onreadingthetwentywordsofthistelegram.
Hereisthetextofthedispatch,whichfiguresnowinthearchivesoftheGunClub:
FRANCE,PARIS,30September,4A.M.Barbicane,TampaTown,Florida,UnitedStates.
Substituteforyoursphericalshellacylindroconicalprojectile.Ishallgoinside.Shallarriveby
steamerAtlanta.MICHELARDAN.
CHAPTER XVIII

52

CHAPTER XVIII
THEPASSENGEROFTHEATLANTA
Ifthisastoundingnews,insteadofflyingthroughtheelectricwires,hadsimplyarrivedbypostinthe
ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment. He would have held his
tongueaboutit,bothasameasureofprudence,andinordernottohavetoreconsiderhisplans.This
telegrammightbeacoverforsomejest,especiallyasitcamefromaFrenchman.Whathumanbeing
wouldeverhaveconceivedtheideaofsuchajourney?and,ifsuchapersonreallyexisted,hemustbe
anidiot,whomonewouldshutupinalunaticward,ratherthanwithinthewallsoftheprojectile.
Thecontentsofthedispatch,however,speedilybecameknown;forthetelegraphicofficialspossessed
butlittlediscretion,andMichelArdan'spropositionranatoncethroughouttheseveralStatesofthe
Union.Barbicane,had,therefore,nofurthermotivesforkeepingsilence.Consequently,hecalled
togethersuchofhiscolleaguesaswereatthemomentinTampaTown,andwithoutanyexpressionof
hisownopinionssimplyreadtothemthelaconictextitself.Itwasreceivedwitheverypossiblevariety
ofexpressionsofdoubt,incredulity,andderisionfromeveryone,withtheexceptionofJ.T.Maston,

whoexclaimed,"Itisagrandidea,however!"
WhenBarbicaneoriginallyproposedtosendashottothemooneveryonelookedupontheenterprise
assimpleandpracticableenoughamerequestionofgunnery;butwhenaperson,professingtobea
reasonablebeing,offeredtotakepassagewithintheprojectile,thewholethingbecameafarce,or,in
plainerlanguageahumbug.
Onequestion,however,remained.Didsuchabeingexist?ThistelegramflashedacrossthedepthsoftheAtlantic,
thedesignationofthevesselonboardwhichhewastotakehispassage,thedateassignedforhisspeedyarrival,all
combinedtoimpartacertaincharacterofrealitytotheproposal.Theymustgetsomeclearernotionofthe
matter.Scatteredgroupsofinquirersatlengthcondensedthemselvesintoacompactcrowd,whichmadestraight
fortheresidenceofPresidentBarbicane.Thatworthyindividualwaskeepingquietwiththeintentionofwatching
eventsastheyarose.Buthehadforgottentotakeintoaccountthepublicimpatience;anditwaswithnopleasant
countenancethathewatchedthepopulationofTampaTowngatheringunderhiswindows.Themurmursand
vociferationsbelowpresentlyobligedhimtoappear.Hecameforward,therefore,andonsilencebeingprocured,a
citizenputpointblanktohimthefollowingquestion:"Isthepersonmentionedinthetelegram,underthename
ofMichelArdan,onhiswayhere?Yesorno."

"Gentlemen,"repliedBarbicane,"Iknownomorethanyoudo."
"Wemustknow,"roaredtheimpatientvoices.
"Timewillshow,"calmlyrepliedthepresident.
"Timehasnobusinesstokeepawholecountryinsuspense,"repliedtheorator."Haveyoualteredthe
plansoftheprojectileaccordingtotherequestofthetelegram?"
"Notyet,gentlemen;butyouareright!wemusthavebetterinformationtogoby.The
telegraphmustcompleteitsinformation."
"Tothetelegraph!"roaredthecrowd.
Barbicanedescended;andheadingtheimmenseassemblage,ledthewaytothetelegraphoffice.Afew
minuteslateratelegramwasdispatchedtothesecretaryoftheunderwritersatLiverpool,requesting
answerstothefollowingqueries:
CHAPTER XVIII

53

"AbouttheshipAtlantawhendidsheleaveEurope?HadsheonboardaFrenchmannamedMichelArdan?"

TwohoursafterwardBarbicanereceivedinformationtooexacttoleaveroomforthesmallest
remainingdoubt.
"ThesteamerAtlantafromLiverpoolputtoseaonthe2ndofOctober,boundforTampaTown,
havingonboardaFrenchmanborneonthelistofpassengersbythenameofMichelArdan."
ThatveryeveninghewrotetothehouseofBreadwillandCo.,requestingthemtosuspendthecastingofthe
projectileuntilthereceiptoffurtherorders.Onthe10thofOctober,atnineA.M.,thesemaphoresofthe
BahamaCanalsignaledathicksmokeonthehorizon.Twohourslateralargesteamerexchangedsignals
withthem.thenameoftheAtlantaflewatonceoverTampaTown.Atfouro'clocktheEnglishvessel
enteredtheBayofEspirituSanto.AtfiveitcrossedthepassageofHillisboroughBayatfullsteam.Atsix

shecastanchoratPortTampa.Theanchorhadscarcelycaughtthesandybottomwhenfivehundredboats
surroundedtheAtlanta,andthesteamerwastakenbyassault.Barbicanewasthefirsttosetfootondeck,
andinavoiceofwhichhevainlytriedtoconcealtheemotion,called"MichelArdan."

"Here!"repliedanindividualperchedonthepoop.
Barbicane,witharmscrossed,lookedfixedlyatthepassengeroftheAtlanta.
Hewasamanofaboutfortytwoyearsofage,oflargebuild,butslightlyroundshouldered.Hismassive
headmomentarilyshookashockofreddishhair,whichresembledalion'smane.Hisfacewasshortwitha
broadforehead,andfurnishedwithamoustacheasbristlyasacat's,andlittlepatchesofyellowishwhiskers
uponfullcheeks.Round,wildisheyes,slightlynearsighted,completedaphysiognomyessentiallyfeline.His
nosewasfirmlyshaped,hismouthparticularlysweetinexpression,highforehead,intelligentandfurrowed
withwrinkleslikeanewlyplowedfield.Thebodywaspowerfullydevelopedandfirmlyfixeduponlong
legs.Musculararms,andageneralairofdecisiongavehimtheappearanceofahardy,jolly,companion.He
wasdressedinasuitofampledimensions,looseneckerchief,openshirtcollar,disclosingarobustneck;his
cuffswereinvariablyunbuttoned,throughwhichappearedapairofredhands.

Onthebridgeofthesteamer,inthemidstofthecrowd,hebustledtoandfro,neverstillforamoment,
"dragginghisanchors,"asthesailorssay,gesticulating,makingfreewitheverybody,bitinghisnails
withnervousavidity.Hewasoneofthoseoriginalswhichnaturesometimesinventsinthefreakofa
moment,andofwhichshethenbreaksthemould.
Amongotherpeculiarities,thiscuriositygavehimselfoutforasublimeignoramus,"like
Shakespeare,"andprofessedsupremecontemptforallscientificmen.Those"fellows,"ashecalled
them,"areonlyfittomarkthepoints,whileweplaythegame."Hewas,infact,athorough
Bohemian,adventurous,butnotanadventurer;aharebrainedfellow,akindofIcarus,only
possessingrelaysofwings.Fortherest,hewaseverinscrapes,endinginvariablybyfallingonhisfeet,
likethoselittlefigureswhichtheysellforchildren'stoys.Inafewwords,hismottowas"Ihavemy
opinions,"andtheloveoftheimpossibleconstitutedhisrulingpassion.
SuchwasthepassengeroftheAtlanta,alwaysexcitable,asifboilingundertheactionofsomeinternal
firebythecharacterofhisphysicalorganization.Ifevertwoindividualsofferedastrikingcontrastto
eachother,thesewerecertainlyMichelArdanandtheYankeeBarbicane;both,moreover,being
equallyenterprisinganddaring,eachinhisownway.
ThescrutinywhichthepresidentoftheGunClubhadinstitutedregardingthisnewrivalwasquickly
interruptedbytheshoutsandhurrahsofthecrowd.Thecriesbecameatlastsouproarious,andthepopular
enthusiasmassumedsopersonalaform,thatMichelArdan,afterhavingshakenhandssomethousandsof

CHAPTER XVIII
times,attheimminentriskofleavinghisfingersbehindhim,wasfainatlasttomakeaboltforhiscabin.

Barbicanefollowedhimwithoututteringaword.
"YouareBarbicane,Isuppose?"saidMichelArdan,inatoneofvoiceinwhichhewouldhave
addressedafriendoftwentyyears'standing.
"Yes,"repliedthepresidentoftheGunClub.

54

"Allright!howd'yedo,Barbicane?howareyougettingonprettywell?that'sright."
"So,"saidBarbicanewithoutfurtherpreliminary,"youarequitedeterminedtogo."
"Quitedecided."
"Nothingwillstopyou?"
"Nothing.Haveyoumodifiedyourprojectileaccordingtomytelegram."
"Iwaitedforyourarrival.But,"askedBarbicaneagain,"haveyoucarefullyreflected?"
"Reflected?haveIanytimetospare?Ifindanopportunityofmakingatourinthemoon,andImean
toprofitbyit.Thereisthewholegistofthematter."
Barbicanelookedhardatthismanwhospokesolightlyofhisprojectwithsuchcompleteabsenceofanxiety.
"But,atleast,"saidhe,"youhavesomeplans,somemeansofcarryingyourprojectintoexecution?"

"Excellent,mydearBarbicane;onlypermitmetoofferoneremark:Mywishistotellmystoryonce
forall,toeverybody,andthenhavedonewithit;thentherewillbenoneedforrecapitulation.So,ifyou
havenoobjection,assembleyourfriends,colleagues,thewholetown,allFlorida,allAmericaifyoulike,
andtomorrowIshallbereadytoexplainmyplansandansweranyobjectionswhateverthatmaybe
advanced.YoumayrestassuredIshallwaitwithoutstirring.Willthatsuityou?"
"Allright,"repliedBarbicane.
Sosaying,thepresidentleftthecabinandinformedthecrowdoftheproposalofMichelArdan.Hiswordswere
receivedwithclappingsofhandsandshoutsofjoy.Theyhadremovedalldifficulties.Tomorroweveryone
wouldcontemplateathiseasethisEuropeanhero.However,someofthespectators,moreinfatuatedthanthe
rest,wouldnotleavethedeckoftheAtlanta.Theypassedthenightonboard.AmongothersJ.T.Mastongothis
hookfixedinthecombingofthepoop,anditprettynearlyrequiredthecapstantogetitoutagain.

"Heisahero!ahero!"hecried,athemeofwhichhewasnevertiredofringingthechanges;"andwe
areonlylikeweak,sillywomen,comparedwiththisEuropean!"
Astothepresident,afterhavingsuggestedtothevisitorsitwastimetoretire,hereenteredthe
passenger'scabin,andremainedtheretillthebellofthesteamermadeitmidnight.
Butthenthetworivalsinpopularityshookhandsheartily
andpartedontermsofintimatefriendship.

CHAPTER XIX

55

CHAPTER XIX
AMONSTERMEETING
OnthefollowingdayBarbicane,fearingthatindiscreetquestionsmightbeputtoMichelArdan,wasdesirousof
reducingthenumberoftheaudiencetoafewoftheinitiated,hisowncolleaguesforinstance.Hemightaswell
havetriedtochecktheFallsofNiagara!hewascompelled,therefore,togiveuptheidea,andlethisnewfriend
runthechancesofapublicconference.Theplacechosenforthismonstermeetingwasavastplainsituatedinthe
rearofthetown.Inafewhours,thankstothehelpoftheshippinginport,animmenseroofingofcanvaswas
stretchedovertheparchedprairie,andprotecteditfromtheburningraysofthesun.Therethreehundred
thousandpeoplebravedformanyhoursthestiflingheatwhileawaitingthearrivaloftheFrenchman.Ofthis
crowdofspectatorsafirstsetcouldbothseeandhear;asecondsetsawbadlyandheardnothingatall;andasfor
thethird,itcouldneitherseenorhearanythingatall.Atthreeo'clockMichelArdanmadehisappearance,
accompaniedbytheprincipalmembersoftheGunClub.HewassupportedonhisrightbyPresidentBarbicane,
andonhisleftbyJ.T.Maston,moreradiantthanthemiddaysun,andnearlyasruddy.Ardanmounteda
platform,fromthetopofwhichhisviewextendedoveraseaofblackhats.

Heexhibitednottheslightestembarrassment;hewasjustasgay,familiar,andpleasantasifhewere
athome.Tothehurrahswhichgreetedhimherepliedbyagracefulbow;then,wavinghishandsto
requestsilence,hespokeinperfectlycorrectEnglishasfollows:
"Gentlemen,despitetheveryhotweatherIrequestyourpatienceforashorttimewhileIoffersome
explanationsregardingtheprojectswhichseemtohavesointerestedyou.Iamneitheranoratornoraman
ofscience,andIhadnoideaofaddressingyouinpublic;butmyfriendBarbicanehastoldmethatyou
wouldliketohearme,andIamquiteatyourservice.Listentome,therefore,withyoursixhundred
thousandears,andpleaseexcusethefaultsofthespeaker.Nowpraydonotforgetthatyouseebeforeyoua
perfectignoramuswhoseignorancegoessofarthathecannotevenunderstandthedifficulties!Itseemedto
himthatitwasamatterquitesimple,natural,andeasytotakeone'splaceinaprojectileandstartforthe
moon!Thatjourneymustbeundertakensoonerorlater;and,asforthemodeoflocomotionadopted,it
followssimplythelawofprogress.Manbeganbywalkingonallfours;then,onefineday,ontwofeet;then
inacarriage;theninastagecoach;andlastlybyrailway.Well,theprojectileisthevehicleofthefuture,
andtheplanetsthemselvesarenothingelse!Nowsomeofyou,gentlemen,mayimaginethatthevelocitywe
proposetoimparttoitisextravagant.Itisnothingofthekind.Allthestarsexceeditinrapidity,andthe
earthherselfisatthismomentcarryingusroundthesunatthreetimesasrapidarate,andyetsheisamere
loungeronthewaycomparedwithmanyothersoftheplanets!Andhervelocityisconstantlydecreasing.Is
itnotevident,then,Iaskyou,thattherewillsomedayappearvelocitiesfargreaterthanthese,ofwhich
lightorelectricitywillprobablybethemechanicalagent?

"Yes,gentlemen,"continuedtheorator,"inspiteoftheopinionsofcertainnarrowmindedpeople,who
wouldshutupthehumanraceuponthisglobe,aswithinsomemagiccirclewhichitmustneveroutstep,
weshallonedaytraveltothemoon,theplanets,andthestars,withthesamefacility,rapidity,and
certaintyaswenowmakethevoyagefromLiverpooltoNewYork!Distanceisbutarelative
expression,andmustendbybeingreducedtozero."
Theassembly,stronglypredisposedastheywereinfavoroftheFrenchhero,wereslightlystaggered
atthisboldtheory.MichelArdanperceivedthefact.

"Gentlemen,"hecontinuedwithapleasantsmile,"youdonotseemquiteconvinced.Verygood!Letusreason
thematterout.Doyouknowhowlongitwouldtakeforanexpresstraintoreachthemoon?Threehundreddays;
nomore!Andwhatisthat?Thedistanceisnomorethanninetimesthecircumferenceoftheearth;andthereare
nosailorsortravelers,ofevenmoderateactivity,whohavenotmadelongerjourneysthanthatintheirlifetime.
AndnowconsiderthatIshallbeonlyninetysevenhoursonmyjourney.Ah!Iseeyou

CHAPTER XIX

56

arereckoningthatthemoonisalongwayofffromtheearth,andthatonemustthinktwicebefore
makingtheexperiment.Whatwouldyousay,then,ifweweretalkingofgoingtoNeptune,which
revolvesatadistanceofmorethantwothousandsevenhundredandtwentymillionsofmilesfromthe
sun!Andyetwhatisthatcomparedwiththedistanceofthefixedstars,someofwhich,suchas
Arcturus,arebillionsofmilesdistantfromus?Andthenyoutalkofthedistancewhichseparatesthe
planetsfromthesun!Andtherearepeoplewhoaffirmthatsuchathingasdistanceexists.Absurdity,
folly,idioticnonsense!WouldyouknowwhatIthinkofourownsolaruniverse?ShallItellyoumy
theory?Itisverysimple!Inmyopinionthesolarsystemisasolidhomogeneousbody;theplanets
whichcomposeitareinactualcontactwitheachother;andwhateverspaceexistsbetweenthemis
nothingmorethanthespacewhichseparatesthemoleculesofthedensestmetal,suchassilver,iron,or
platinum!Ihavetheright,therefore,toaffirm,andIrepeat,withtheconvictionwhichmustpenetrate
allyourminds,`Distanceisbutanemptyname;distancedoesnotreallyexist!'"
"Hurrah!"criedonevoice(needitbesaiditwasthatofJ.T.Maston)."Distancedoesnotexist!"And
overcomebytheenergyofhismovements,henearlyfellfromtheplatformtotheground.Hejustescaped
aseverefall,whichwouldhaveprovedtohimthatdistancewasbynomeansanemptyname.
"Gentlemen,"resumedtheorator,"Irepeatthatthedistancebetweentheearthandhersatelliteisamere
trifle,andundeservingofseriousconsideration.Iamconvincedthatbeforetwentyyearsareoveronehalf
ofourearthwillhavepaidavisittothemoon.Now,myworthyfriends,ifyouhaveanyquestiontoputto
me,youwill,Ifear,sadlyembarrassapoormanlikemyself;stillIwilldomybesttoansweryou."

UptothispointthepresidentoftheGunClubhadbeensatisfiedwiththeturnwhichthediscussion
hadassumed.Itbecamenow,however,desirabletodivertArdanfromquestionsofapracticalnature,
withwhichhewasdoubtlessfarlessconversant.Barbicane,therefore,hastenedtogetinaword,and
beganbyaskinghisnewfriendwhetherhethoughtthatthemoonandtheplanetswereinhabited.
"Youputbeforemeagreatproblem,myworthypresident,"repliedtheorator,smiling."Still,menof
greatintelligence,suchasPlutarch,Swedenborg,BernardindeSt.Pierre,andothershave,ifImistake
not,pronouncedintheaffirmative.Lookingatthequestionfromthenaturalphilosopher'spointofview,I
shouldsaythatnothinguselessexistedintheworld;and,replyingtoyourquestionbyanother,Ishould
venturetoassert,thatiftheseworldsarehabitable,theyeitherare,havebeen,orwillbeinhabited."

"Noonecouldanswermorelogicallyorfairly,"repliedthepresident."Thequestionthenrevertsto
this:Aretheseworldshabitable?FormyownpartIbelievetheyare."
"Formyself,Ifeelcertainofit,"saidMichelArdan.
"Nevertheless,"retortedoneoftheaudience,"therearemanyargumentsagainstthehabitabilityofthe
worlds.Theconditionsoflifemustevidentlybegreatlymodifieduponthemajorityofthem.To
mentiononlytheplanets,weshouldbeeitherbroiledaliveinsome,orfrozentodeathinothers,
accordingastheyaremoreorlessremovedfromthesun."

"Iregret,"repliedMichelArdan,"thatIhavenotthehonorofpersonallyknowingmycontradictor,forIwould
haveattemptedtoanswerhim.Hisobjectionhasitsmerits,Iadmit;butIthinkwemaysuccessfullycombatit,as
wellasallotherswhichaffectthehabitabilityofotherworlds.IfIwereanaturalphilosopher,Iwouldtellhim
thatiflessofcaloricweresetinmotionupontheplanetswhicharenearesttothesun,andmore,onthecontrary,
uponthosewhicharefarthestremovedfromit,thissimplefactwouldalonesufficetoequalizetheheat,andto
renderthetemperatureofthoseworldssupportablebybeingsorganizedlikeourselves.IfIwereanaturalist,I
wouldtellhimthat,accordingtosomeillustriousmenofscience,naturehasfurnisheduswithinstancesuponthe
earthofanimalsexistingunderveryvaryingconditionsoflife;thatfishrespireinamediumfataltoother
animals;thatamphibiouscreaturespossessadoubleexistenceverydifficult

CHAPTER XIX

57

ofexplanation;thatcertaindenizensoftheseasmaintainlifeatenormousdepths,andtheresupportapressure
equaltothatoffiftyorsixtyatmosphereswithoutbeingcrushed;thatseveralaquaticinsects,insensibleto
temperature,aremetwithequallyamongboilingspringsandinthefrozenplainsofthePolarSea;infine,thatwe
cannothelprecognizinginnatureadiversityofmeansofoperationoftentimesincomprehensible,butnottheless
real.IfIwereachemist,Iwouldtellhimthattheaerolites,bodiesevidentlyformedexteriorlyofourterrestrial
globe,have,uponanalysis,revealedindisputabletracesofcarbon,asubstancewhichowesitsoriginsolelyto
organizedbeings,andwhich,accordingtotheexperimentsofReichenbach,mustnecessarilyitselfhavebeen
enduedwithanimation.Andlastly,wereIatheologian,IwouldtellhimthattheschemeoftheDivine
Redemption,accordingtoSt.Paul,seemstobeapplicable,notmerelytotheearth,buttoallthecelestialworlds.
But,unfortunately,Iamneithertheologian,norchemist,nornaturalist,norphilosopher;therefore,inmy
absoluteignoranceofthegreatlawswhichgoverntheuniverse,Iconfinemyselftosayinginreply,`Idonotknow
whethertheworldsareinhabitedornot:andsinceIdonotknow,Iamgoingtosee!'"

WhetherMichelArdan'santagonisthazardedanyfurtherargumentsornotitisimpossibletosay,for
theuproariousshoutsofthecrowdwouldnotallowanyexpressionofopiniontogainahearing.On
silencebeingrestored,thetriumphantoratorcontentedhimselfwithaddingthefollowingremarks:
"Gentlemen,youwillobservethatIhavebutslightlytoucheduponthisgreatquestion.Thereisanother
altogetherdifferentlineofargumentinfavorofthehabitabilityofthestars,whichIomitforthepresent.I
onlydesiretocallattentiontoonepoint.Tothosewhomaintainthattheplanetsarenotinhabitedonemay
reply:Youmightbeperfectlyintheright,ifyoucouldonlyshowthattheearthisthebestpossibleworld,in
spiteofwhatVoltairehassaid.Shehasbutonesatellite,whileJupiter,Uranus,Saturn,Neptunehaveeach
several,anadvantagebynomeanstobedespised.Butthatwhichrendersourownglobesouncomfortable
istheinclinationofitsaxistotheplaneofitsorbit.Hencetheinequalityofdaysandnights;hencethe
disagreeablediversityoftheseasons.Onthesurfaceofourunhappyspheroidwearealwayseithertoohot
ortoocold;wearefrozeninwinter,broiledinsummer;itistheplanetofrheumatism,coughs,bronchitis;
whileonthesurfaceofJupiter,forexample,wheretheaxisisbutslightlyinclined,theinhabitantsmay
enjoyuniformtemperatures.Itpossesseszonesofperpetualsprings,summers,autumns,andwinters;every
Jovianmaychooseforhimselfwhatclimatehelikes,andtherespendthewholeofhislifeinsecurityfrom
allvariationsoftemperature.Youwill,Iamsure,readilyadmitthissuperiorityofJupiteroverourown
planet,tosaynothingofhisyears,whicheachequaltwelveofours!Undersuchauspicesandsuch
marvelousconditionsofexistence,itappearstomethattheinhabitantsofsofortunateaworldmustbein
everyrespectsuperiortoourselves.Allwerequire,inordertoattainsuchperfection,isthemeretrifleof
havinganaxisofrotationlessinclinedtotheplaneofitsorbit!"

"Hurrah!"roaredanenergeticvoice,"letusuniteourefforts,inventthenecessarymachines,and
rectifytheearth'saxis!"

Athunderofapplausefollowedthisproposal,theauthorofwhichwas,ofcourse,nootherthanJ.T.
Maston.And,inallprobability,ifthetruthmustbetold,iftheYankeescouldonlyhavefoundapoint
ofapplicationforit,theywouldhaveconstructedalevercapableofraisingtheearthandrectifyingits
axis.Itwasjustthisdeficiencywhichbaffledthesedaringmechanicians.
CHAPTER XX

58

CHAPTER XX
ATTACKANDRIPOSTE
Assoonastheexcitementhadsubsided,thefollowingwordswereheardutteredinastrongand
determinedvoice:
"Nowthatthespeakerhasfavoreduswithsomuchimagination,wouldhebesogoodasto
returntohissubject,andgiveusalittlepracticalviewofthequestion?"
Alleyesweredirectedtowardthepersonwhospoke.Hewasalittledriedupman,ofanactivefigure,
withanAmerican"goatee"beard.Profitingbythedifferentmovementsinthecrowd,hehadmanaged
bydegreestogainthefrontrowofspectators.There,witharmscrossedandsterngaze,hewatchedthe
heroofthemeeting.Afterhavingputhisquestionheremainedsilent,andappearedtotakenonoticeof
thethousandsoflooksdirectedtowardhimself,norofthemurmurofdisapprobationexcitedbyhis
words.Meetingatfirstwithnoreply,herepeatedhisquestionwithmarkedemphasis,adding,"Weare
heretotalkaboutthemoonandnotabouttheearth."
"Youareright,sir,"repliedMichelArdan;"thediscussionhasbecomeirregular.Wewillreturntothemoon."

"Sir,"saidtheunknown,"youpretendthatoursatelliteisinhabited.Verygood,butifSelenitesdo
exist,thatraceofbeingsassuredlymustlivewithoutbreathing,forIwarnyouforyourownsake
thereisnotthesmallestparticleofaironthesurfaceofthemoon."
AtthisremarkArdanpusheduphisshockofredhair;hesawthathewasonthepointofbeing
involvedinastrugglewiththispersonupontheverygistofthewholequestion.Helookedsternlyat
himinhisturnandsaid:
"Oh!sothereisnoairinthemoon?Andpray,ifyouaresogood,whoventurestoaffirmthat?
"Themenofscience."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Sir,"repliedMichel,"pleasantryapart,Ihaveaprofoundrespectformenofsciencewhodopossess
science,butaprofoundcontemptformenofsciencewhodonot."
"Doyouknowanywhobelongtothelattercategory?"
"Decidedly.InFrancetherearesomewhomaintainthat,mathematically,abirdcannotpossibly
fly;andotherswhodemonstratetheoreticallythatfisheswerenevermadetoliveinwater."

"Ihavenothingtodowithpersonsofthatdescription,andIcanquote,insupportofmystatement,
nameswhichyoucannotrefusedeferenceto."
"Then,sir,youwillsadlyembarrassapoorignorant,who,besides,asksnothingbetterthantolearn."
"Why,then,doyouintroducescientificquestionsifyouhaveneverstudiedthem?"askedthe
unknownsomewhatcoarsely.
CHAPTER XX

59

"Forthereasonthat`heisalwaysbravewhoneversuspectsdanger.'Iknownothing,itistrue;
butitispreciselymyveryweaknesswhichconstitutesmystrength."
"Yourweaknessamountstofolly,"retortedtheunknowninapassion.
"Allthebetter,"repliedourFrenchman,"ifitcarriesmeuptothemoon."
Barbicaneandhiscolleaguesdevouredwiththeireyestheintruderwhohadsoboldlyplacedhimselfin
antagonismtotheirenterprise.Nobodyknewhim,andthepresident,uneasyastotheresultofsofreea
discussion,watchedhisnewfriendwithsomeanxiety.Themeetingbegantobesomewhatfidgetyalso,forthe
contestdirectedtheirattentiontothedangers,ifnottheactualimpossibilities,oftheproposedexpedition.

"Sir,"repliedArdan'santagonist,"therearemanyandincontrovertiblereasonswhichprovethe
absenceofanatmosphereinthemoon.Imightsaythat,apriori,ifoneeverdidexist,itmusthave
beenabsorbedbytheearth;butIprefertobringforwardindisputablefacts."
"Bringthemforwardthen,sir,asmanyasyouplease."
"Youknow,"saidthestranger,"thatwhenanyluminousrayscrossamediumsuchastheair,theyare
deflectedoutofthestraightline;inotherwords,theyundergorefraction.Well!Whenstarsareoccultedby
themoon,theirrays,ongrazingtheedgeofherdisc,exhibitnottheleastdeviation,noroffertheslightest
indicationofrefraction.Itfollows,therefore,thatthemooncannotbesurroundedbyanatmosphere.

"Inpointoffact,"repliedArdan,"thisisyourchief,ifnotyouronlyargument;andareallyscientific
manmightbepuzzledtoanswerit.Formyself,Iwillsimplysaythatitisdefective,becauseitassumes
thattheangulardiameterofthemoonhasbeencompletelydetermined,whichisnotthecase.Butlet
usproceed.Tellme,mydearsir,doyouadmittheexistenceofvolcanoesonthemoon'ssurface?"
"Extinct,yes!Inactivity,no!"
"Thesevolcanoes,however,wereatonetimeinastateofactivity?"
"True,but,astheyfurnishthemselvestheoxygennecessaryforcombustion,themerefactoftheir
eruptiondoesnotprovethepresenceofanatmosphere."
"Proceedagain,then;andletussetasidethisclassofargumentsinordertocometodirect
observations.In1715theastronomersLouvilleandHalley,watchingtheeclipseofthe3rdofMay,
remarkedsomeveryextraordinaryscintillations.Thesejetsoflight,rapidinnature,andoffrequent
recurrence,theyattributedtothunderstormsgeneratedinthelunaratmosphere."
"In1715,"repliedtheunknown,"theastronomersLouvilleandHalleymistookforlunarphenomena

somewhichwerepurelyterrestrial,suchasmeteoricorotherbodieswhicharegeneratedinourown
atmosphere.Thiswasthescientificexplanationatthetimeofthefacts;andthatismyanswernow."

"Onagain,then,"repliedArdan;"Herschel,in1787,observedagreatnumberofluminous
pointsonthemoon'ssurface,didhenot?"
"Yes! but without offering any solution of them. Herschel himself never inferred from them the
necessityofalunaratmosphere.AndImayaddthatBaeerandMaedler,thetwogreatauthorities
uponthemoon,arequiteagreedastotheentireabsenceofaironitssurface."
Amovementwasheremanifestamongtheassemblage,
whoappearedtobegrowingexcitedbythearguments

CHAPTER XX

60

ofthissingularpersonage.
"Letusproceed,"repliedArdan,withperfectcoolness,"andcometooneimportantfact.AskillfulFrench
astronomer,M.Laussedat,inwatchingtheeclipseofJuly18,1860,probedthatthehornsofthelunarcrescent
wereroundedandtruncated.Now,thisappearancecouldonlyhavebeenproducedbyadeviationofthesolar
raysintraversingtheatmosphereofthemoon.Thereisnootherpossibleexplanationofthefacts."

"Butisthisestablishedasafact?"
"Absolutelycertain!"
Acountermovementheretookplaceinfavoroftheheroofthemeeting,whoseopponentwasnow
reducedtosilence.Ardanresumedtheconversation;andwithoutexhibitinganyexultationatthe
advantagehehadgained,simplysaid:
"You see, then, my dear sir, we must not pronounce with absolute positiveness against the
existence of an atmosphere in the moon. That atmosphere is, probably, of extreme rarity;
neverthelessatthepresentdaysciencegenerallyadmitsthatitexists."
"Notinthemountains,atallevents,"returnedtheunknown,unwillingtogivein.
"No!butatthebottomofthevalleys,andnotexceedingafewhundredfeetinheight."
"Inanycaseyouwilldowelltotakeeveryprecaution,fortheairwillbeterriblyrarified."
"Mygoodsir,therewillalwaysbeenoughforasolitaryindividual;besides,oncearrivedupthere,I
shalldomybesttoeconomize,andnottobreatheexceptongrandoccasions!"
Atremendousroaroflaughterrangintheearsofthemysteriousinterlocutor,whoglaredfiercely
roundupontheassembly.
"Then,"continuedArdan,withacarelessair,"sinceweareinaccordregardingthepresenceofa
certainatmosphere,weareforcedtoadmitthepresenceofacertainquantityofwater.Thisisa
happyconsequenceforme.Moreover,myamiablecontradictor,permitmetosubmittoyouone
furtherobservation.Weonlyknowonesideofthemoon'sdisc;andifthereisbutlittleaironthe
facepresentedtous,itispossiblethatthereisplentyontheoneturnedawayfromus."
"Andforwhatreason?"
"Becausethemoon,undertheactionoftheearth'sattraction,hasassumedtheformofanegg,which
welookatfromthesmallerend.Henceitfollows,byHausen'scalculations,thatitscenterofgravityis
situatedintheotherhemisphere.Henceitresultsthatthegreatmassofairandwatermusthavebeen
drawnawaytotheotherfaceofoursatelliteduringthefirstdaysofitscreation."
"Purefancies!"criedtheunknown.
"No!Puretheories!whicharebaseduponthelawsofmechanics,anditseemsdifficulttometorefute
them.Iappealthentothismeeting,andIputittothemwhetherlife,suchasexistsupontheearth,is
possibleonthesurfaceofthemoon?"

Threehundredthousandauditorsatonceapplaudedtheproposition.Ardan'sopponenttriedtoget
inanotherword,buthecouldnotobtainahearing.Criesandmenacesfelluponhimlikehail.
CHAPTER XX

61

"Enough!enough!"criedsome.
"Drivetheintruderoff!"shoutedothers.
"Turnhimout!"roaredtheexasperatedcrowd.
Buthe,holdingfirmlyontotheplatform,didnotbudgeaninch,andletthestormpasson,which
wouldsoonhaveassumedformidableproportions,ifMichelArdanhadnotquieteditbyagesture.He
wastoochivalroustoabandonhisopponentinanapparentextremity.
"Youwishedtosayafewmorewords?"heasked,inapleasantvoice.
"Yes,athousand;orrather,no,onlyone!Ifyoupersevereinyourenterprise,youmustbea"
"Veryrashperson!Howcanyoutreatmeassuch?me,whohavedemandedacylindroconical
projectile,inordertopreventturningroundandroundonmywaylikeasquirrel?"
"But,unhappyman,thedreadfulrecoilwillsmashyoutopiecesatyourstarting."
"Mydearcontradictor,youhavejustputyourfingeruponthetrueandonlydifficulty;nevertheless,I
havetoogoodanopinionoftheindustrialgeniusoftheAmericansnottobelievethattheywillsucceed
inovercomingit."
"Buttheheatdevelopedbytherapidityoftheprojectileincrossingthestrataofair?"
"Oh!thewallsarethick,andIshallsoonhavecrossedtheatmosphere."
"Butvictualsandwater?"
"Ihavecalculatedforatwelvemonth'ssupply,andIshallbeonlyfourdaysonthejourney."
"Butforairtobreatheontheroad?"
"Ishallmakeitbyachemicalprocess."
"Butyourfallonthemoon,supposingyoueverreachit?"
"Itwillbesixtimeslessdangerousthanasuddenfallupontheearth,becausetheweightwill
beonlyonesixthasgreatonthesurfaceofthemoon."
"Stillitwillbeenoughtosmashyoulikeglass!"
"Whatistopreventmyretardingtheshockbymeansofrocketsconvenientlyplaced,andlightedat
therightmoment?"
"Butafterall,supposingalldifficultiessurmounted,allobstaclesremoved,supposingeverythingcombined

tofavoryou,andgrantingthatyoumayarrivesafeandsoundinthemoon,howwillyoucomeback?"

"Iamnotcomingback!"
Atthisreply,almostsublimeinitsverysimplicity,theassemblybecamesilent.Butitssilencewasmore
eloquentthancouldhavebeenitscriesofenthusiasm.Theunknownprofitedbytheopportunityandonce

CHAPTER XX

62

moreprotested:
"Youwillinevitablykillyourself!"hecried;"andyourdeathwillbethatofamadman,useless
eventoscience!"
"Goon,mydearunknown,fortrulyyourpropheciesaremostagreeable!"
"Itreallyistoomuch!"criedMichelArdan'sadversary."IdonotknowwhyIshouldcontinuesofrivolousa
discussion!Pleaseyourselfaboutthisinsaneexpedition!Weneednottroubleourselvesaboutyou!"

"Praydon'tstanduponceremony!"
"No!anotherpersonisresponsibleforyouract."
"Who,mayIask?"demandedMichelArdaninanimperioustone.
"Theignoramuswhoorganizedthisequallyabsurdandimpossibleexperiment!"
Theattackwasdirect.Barbicane,eversincetheinterferenceoftheunknown,hadbeenmakingfearful
effortsofselfcontrol;now,however,seeinghimselfdirectlyattacked,hecouldrestrainhimselfno
longer.Herosesuddenly,andwasrushingupontheenemywhothusbravedhimtotheface,whenall
atoncehefoundhimselfseparatedfromhim.
Theplatformwasliftedbyahundredstrongarms,andthepresidentoftheGunClubsharedwithMichel
Ardantriumphalhonors.Theshieldwasheavy,butthebearerscameincontinuousrelays,disputing,
struggling,evenfightingamongthemselvesintheireagernesstolendtheirshoulderstothisdemonstration.

However,theunknownhadnotprofitedbythetumulttoquithispost.Besideshecouldnothavedone
itinthemidstofthatcompactcrowd.Thereheheldoninthefrontrowwithcrossedarms,glaringat
PresidentBarbicane.
Theshoutsoftheimmensecrowdcontinuedattheirhighestpitchthroughoutthistriumphantmarch.
MichelArdantookitallwithevidentpleasure.Hisfacegleamedwithdelight.Severaltimestheplatform
seemedseizedwithpitchingandrollinglikeaweatherbeatenship.Butthetwoherosofthemeetinghad
goodsealegs.Theyneverstumbled;andtheirvesselarrivedwithoutduesattheportofTampaTown.

MichelArdanmanagedfortunatelytoescapefromthelastembracesofhisvigorousadmirers.He
madefortheHotelFranklin,quicklygainedhischamber,andslidunderthebedclothes,whilean
armyofahundredthousandmenkeptwatchunderhiswindows.
Duringthistimeascene,short,grave,anddecisive,tookplacebetweenthemysteriouspersonage
andthepresidentoftheGunClub.

Barbicane,freeatlast,hadgonestraightathisadversary.
"Come!"hesaidshortly.
Theotherfollowedhimonthequay;andthetwopresentlyfoundthemselvesaloneattheentranceof
anopenwharfonJones'Fall.
Thetwoenemies,stillmutuallyunknown,gazedateachother.

CHAPTER XX

63

"Whoareyou?"askedBarbicane.
"CaptainNicholl!"
"SoIsuspected.Hithertochancehasneverthrownyouinmyway."
"Iamcomeforthatpurpose."
"Youhaveinsultedme."
"Publicly!"
"Andyouwillanswertomeforthisinsult?"
"Atthisverymoment."
"No!Idesirethatallthatpassesbetweenusshallbesecret.Theirisawoodsituatedthreemilesfrom
Tampa,thewoodofSkersnaw.Doyouknowit?"
"Iknowit."
"Willyoubesogoodastoenterittomorrowmorningatfiveo'clock,ononeside?"
"Yes!ifyouwillenterattheothersideatthesamehour."
"Andyouwillnotforgetyourrifle?"saidBarbicane.
"Nomorethanyouwillforgetyours?"repliedNicholl.
Thesewordshavingbeencoldlyspoken,thepresidentoftheGunClubandthecaptainparted.
Barbicanereturnedtohislodging;butinsteadofsnatchingafewhoursofrepose,hepassedthenight
inendeavoringtodiscoverameansofevadingtherecoiloftheprojectile,andresolvingthedifficult
problemproposedbyMichelArdanduringthediscussionatthemeeting.
CHAPTER XXI

64

CHAPTER XXI
HOWAFRENCHMANMANAGESANAFFAIR
Whilethecontractofthisduelwasbeingdiscussedbythepresidentandthecaptainthisdreadful,
savageduel,inwhicheachadversarybecameamanhunterMichelArdanwasrestingfromthe
fatiguesofhistriumph.Restingishardlyanappropriateexpression,forAmericanbedsrival
marbleorgranitetablesforhardness.
Ardanwassleeping,then,badlyenough,tossingaboutbetweentheclothswhichservedhimforsheets,
andhewasdreamingofmakingamorecomfortablecouchinhisprojectilewhenafrightfulnoise
disturbedhisdreams.Thunderingblowsshookhisdoor.Theyseemedtobecausedbysomeiron
instrument.Agreatdealofloudtalkingwasdistinguishableinthisracket,whichwasrathertooearly
inthemorning."Openthedoor,"someoneshrieked,"forheaven'ssake!"Ardansawnoreasonfor

complyingwithademandsoroughlyexpressed.However,hegotupandopenedthedoorjustasitwas
givingwaybeforetheblowsofthisdeterminedvisitor.ThesecretaryoftheGunClubburstintothe
room.Abombcouldnothavemademorenoiseorhaveenteredtheroomwithlessceremony.
"Lastnight,"criedJ.T.Maston,exabrupto,"ourpresidentwaspubliclyinsultedduringthemeeting.
Heprovokedhisadversary,whoisnoneotherthanCaptainNicholl!Theyarefightingthismorning
inthewoodofSkersnaw.IheardalltheparticularsfromthemouthofBarbicanehimself.Ifheis
killed,thenourschemeisatanend.Wemustpreventhisduel;andonemanalonehasenough
influenceoverBarbicanetostophim,andthatmanisMichelArdan."
WhileJ.T.Mastonwasspeaking,MichelArdan,withoutinterruptinghim,hadhastilyputonhisclothes;and,in
lessthantwominutes,thetwofriendsweremakingforthesuburbsofTampaTownwithrapidstrides.

ItwasduringthiswalkthatMastontoldArdanthestateofthecase.Hetoldhimtherealcausesofthe
hostilitybetweenBarbicaneandNicholl;howitwasofolddate,andwhy,thankstounknownfriends,
thepresidentandthecaptainhad,asyet,nevermetfacetoface.Headdedthatitarosesimplyfroma
rivalrybetweenironplatesandshot,and,finally,thatthesceneatthemeetingwasonlythelong
wishedforopportunityforNicholltopayoffanoldgrudge.
NothingismoredreadfulthanprivateduelsinAmerica.Thetwoadversariesattackeachotherlike
wildbeasts.ThenitisthattheymightwellcovetthosewonderfulpropertiesoftheIndiansofthe
prairiestheirquickintelligence,theiringeniouscunning,theirscentoftheenemy.Asinglemistake,a
moment'shesitation,asinglefalsestepmaycausedeath.OntheseoccasionsYankeesareoften
accompaniedbytheirdogs,andkeepupthestruggleforhours.
"Whatdemonsyouare!"criedMichelArdan,whenhiscompanionhaddepictedthisscenetohim
withmuchenergy.
"Yes,weare,"repliedJ.T.modestly;"butwehadbettermakehaste."
ThoughMichelArdanandhehadcrossedtheplainsstillwetwithdew,andhadtakentheshortest
routeovercreeksandricefields,theycouldnotreachSkersnawinunderfivehoursandahalf.
Barbicanemusthavepassedtheborderhalfanhourago.
Therewasanoldbushmanworkingthere,occupiedinsellingfagotsfromtreesthathadbeenleveled
byhisaxe.
CHAPTER XXI
Mastonrantowardhim,saying,"Haveyouseenamangointothewood,armedwitharifle?
Barbicane,thepresident,mybestfriend?"
TheworthysecretaryoftheGunClubthoughtthathispresidentmustbeknownbyalltheworld.
Butthebushmandidnotseemtounderstandhim.
"Ahunter?"saidArdan.
"Ahunter?Yes,"repliedthebushman.
"Longago?"

65

"Aboutanhour."
"Toolate!"criedMaston.
"Haveyouheardanygunshots?"askedArdan.
"No!"
"Notone?"
"Notone!thathunterdidnotlookasifheknewhowtohunt!"
"Whatistobedone?"saidMaston.
"Wemustgointothewood,attheriskofgettingaballwhichisnotintendedforus."
"Ah!"criedMaston,inatonewhichcouldnotbemistaken,"Iwouldratherhavetwentyballsinmy
ownheadthanoneinBarbicane's."
"Forward,then,"saidArdan,pressinghiscompanion'shand.
Afewmomentslaterthetwofriendshaddisappearedinthecopse.Itwasadensethicket,inwhichrose
hugecypresses,sycamores,tuliptrees,olives,tamarinds,oaks,andmagnolias.Thesedifferenttreeshad
interwoventheirbranchesintoaninextricablemaze,throughwhichtheeyecouldnotpenetrate.Michel
ArdanandMastonwalkedsidebysideinsilencethroughthetallgrass,cuttingthemselvesapath
throughthestrongcreepers,castingcuriousglancesonthebushes,andmomentarilyexpectingtohear
thesoundofrifles.AsforthetraceswhichBarbicaneoughttohaveleftofhispassagethroughthe
wood,therewasnotavestigeofthemvisible:sotheyfollowedthebarelyperceptiblepathsalongwhich
Indianshadtrackedsomeenemy,andwhichthedensefoliagedarklyovershadowed.
Afteranhourspentinvainpursuitthetwostoppedinintensifiedanxiety.
"Itmustbeallover,"saidMaston,discouraged."AmanlikeBarbicanewouldnotdodgewithhis
enemy,orensnarehim,wouldnotevenmaneuver!Heistooopen,toobrave.Hehasgonestraight
ahead,rightintothedanger,anddoubtlessfarenoughfromthebushmanforthewindtopreventhis
hearingthereportoftherifles."
"Butsurely,"repliedMichelArdan,"sinceweenteredthewoodweshouldhaveheard!"
"Andwhatifwecametoolate?"cried
Mastonintonesofdespair.

CHAPTER XXI

66

ForonceArdanhadnoreplytomake,heandMastonresumingtheirwalkinsilence.Fromtime
totime,indeed,theyraisedgreatshouts,callingalternatelyBarbicaneandNicholl,neitherof
whom,however,answeredtheircries.Onlythebirds,awakenedbythesound,flewpastthemand
disappearedamongthebranches,whilesomefrighteneddeerfledprecipitatelybeforethem.
Foranotherhourtheirsearchwascontinued.Thegreaterpartofthewoodhadbeenexplored.Therewas
nothingtorevealthepresenceofthecombatants.Theinformationofthebushmanwasafteralldoubtful,
andArdanwasabouttoproposetheirabandoningthisuselesspursuit,whenallatonceMastonstopped.

"Hush!"saidhe,"thereissomeonedownthere!"
"Someone?"repeatedMichelArdan.
"Yes;aman!Heseemsmotionless.Hisrifleisnotinhishands.Whatcanhebedoing?"
"Butcanyourecognizehim?"askedArdan,whoseshortsightwasoflittleusetohiminsuchcircumstances.

"Yes!yes!Heisturningtowardus,"answeredMaston.
"Anditis?"
"CaptainNicholl!"
"Nicholl?"criedMichelArdan,feelingaterriblepangofgrief.
"Nichollunarmed!Hehas,then,nolongeranyfearofhisadversary!"
"Letusgotohim,"saidMichelArdan,"andfindoutthetruth."
Butheandhiscompanionhadbarelytakenfiftysteps,whentheypausedtoexaminethe
captainmoreattentively.Theyexpectedtofindabloodthirstyman,happyinhisrevenge.
Onseeinghim,theyremainedstupefied.
Anet,composedofveryfinemeshes,hungbetweentwoenormoustuliptrees,andinthemidstofthis
snare,withitswingsentangled,wasapoorlittlebird,utteringpitifulcries,whileitvainlystruggledto
escape.Thebirdcatcherwhohadlaidthissnarewasnohumanbeing,butavenomousspider,
peculiartothatcountry,aslargeasapigeon'segg,andarmedwithenormousclaws.Thehideous
creature,insteadofrushingonitsprey,hadbeatenasuddenretreatandtakenrefugeintheupper
branchesofthetuliptree,foraformidableenemymenaceditsstronghold.
Here,then,wasNicholl,hisgunontheground,forgetfulofdanger,tryingifpossibletosavethevictim
fromitscobwebprison.Atlastitwasaccomplished,andthelittlebirdflewjoyfullyawayanddisappeared.

Nicholllovinglywatcheditsflight,whenheheardthesewordspronouncedbyavoicefullofemotion:
"Youareindeedabraveman."
Heturned.MichelArdanwasbeforehim,repeatinginadifferenttone:

"Andakindhearted
one!"

CHAPTER XXI

67

"MichelArdan!"criedthecaptain."Whyareyouhere?"
"Topressyourhand,Nicholl,andtopreventyoufromeitherkillingBarbicaneorbeingkilledbyhim."
"Barbicane!"returnedthecaptain."Ihavebeenlookingforhimforthelasttwohoursinvain.
Whereishehiding?"
"Nicholl!"saidMichelArdan,"thisisnotcourteous!weoughtalwaystotreatanadversarywith
respect;restassureedifBarbicaneisstillaliveweshallfindhimallthemoreeasily;becauseifhehas
not,likeyou,beenamusinghimselfwithfreeingoppressedbirds,hemustbelookingforyou.Whenwe
havefoundhim,MichelArdantellsyouthis,therewillbenoduelbetweenyou."
"BetweenPresidentBarbicaneandmyself,"gravelyrepliedNicholl,"thereisarivalrywhichthe
deathofoneofus"
"Pooh,pooh!"saidArdan."Bravefellowslikeyouindeed!youshallnotfight!"
"Iwillfight,sir!"
"No!"
"Captain,"saidJ.T.Maston,withmuchfeeling,"Iamafriendofthepresident's,hisalterego,his
secondself;ifyoureallymustkillsomeone,shootme!itwilldojustaswell!"
"Sir,"Nichollreplied,seizinghisrifleconvulsively,"thesejokes"
"OurfriendMastonisnotjoking,"repliedArdan."Ifullyunderstandhisideaofbeingkilledhimself
inordertosavehisfriend.ButneitherhenorBarbicanewillfallbeforetheballsofCaptainNicholl.
IndeedIhavesoattractiveaproposaltomaketothetworivals,thatbothwillbeeagertoacceptit."
"Whatisit?"askedNichollwithmanifestincredulity.
"Patience!"exclaimedArdan."IcanonlyrevealitinthepresenceofBarbicane."
"Letusgoinsearchofhimthen!"criedthecaptain.
Thethreemenstartedoffatonce;thecaptainhavingdischargedhisriflethrewitoverhisshoulder,
andadvancedinsilence.Anotherhalfhourpassed,andthepursuitwasstillfruitless.Mastonwas
oppressedbysinisterforebodings.HelookedfiercelyatNicholl,askinghimselfwhetherthecaptain's
vengeancehadalreadybeensatisfied,andtheunfortunateBarbicane,shot,wasperhapslyingdeadon
somebloodytrack.ThesamethoughtseemedtooccurtoArdan;andbothwerecastinginquiring
glancesonNicholl,whensuddenlyMastonpaused.
Themotionlessfigureofamanleaningagainstagiganticcatalpatwentyfeetoffappeared,halfveiled
bythefoliage.
"Itishe!"saidMaston.
Barbicanenevermoved.Ardanlookedatthecaptain,buthedidnotwince.Ardanwentforwardcrying:

"Barbicane!
Barbicane!"

CHAPTER XXI

68

Noanswer!Ardanrushedtowardhisfriend;butintheactofseizinghisarms,hestoppedshortand
utteredacryofsurprise.
Barbicane,pencilinhand,wastracinggeometricalfiguresinamemorandumbook,whilehis
unloadedriflelaybesidehimontheground.
Absorbedinhisstudies,Barbicane,inhisturnforgetfuloftheduel,hadseenandheardnothing.
WhenArdantookhishand,helookedupandstaredathisvisitorinastonishment.
"Ah,itisyou!"hecriedatlast."Ihavefoundit,myfriend,Ihavefoundit!"
"What?"
"Myplan!"
"Whatplan?"
"Theplanforcounteringtheeffectoftheshockatthedepartureoftheprojectile!"
"Indeed?"saidMichelArdan,lookingatthecaptainoutofthecornerofhiseye.
"Yes!water!simplywater,whichwillactasaspringah!Maston,"criedBarbicane,"youherealso?"
"Himself,"repliedArdan;"andpermitmetointroducetoyouatthesametimetheworthyCaptainNicholl!"
"Nicholl!"criedBarbicane,whojumpedupatonce."Pardonme,captain,IhadquiteforgottenIamready!"

MichelArdaninterfered,withoutgivingthetwoenemiestimetosayanythingmore.
"Thankheaven!"saidhe."Itisahappythingthatbravemenlikeyoutwodidnotmeetsooner!we
shouldnowhavebeenmourningforoneorotherofyou.But,thankstoProvidence,whichhas
interfered,thereisnownofurthercauseforalarm.Whenoneforgetsone'sangerinmechanicsorin
cobwebs,itisasignthattheangerisnotdangerous."
MichelArdanthentoldthepresidenthowthecaptainhadbeenfoundoccupied.
"Iputittoyounow,"saidheinconclusion,"aretwosuchgoodfellowsasyouaremadeonpurposeto
smasheachother'sskullswithshot?"
Therewasin"thesituation"somewhatoftheridiculous,somethingquiteunexpected;MichelArdan
sawthis,anddeterminedtoeffectareconciliation.
"Mygoodfriends,"saidhe,withhismostbewitchingsmile,"thisisnothingbutamisunderstanding.Nothing
more!well!toprovethatitisalloverbetweenyou,acceptfranklytheproposalIamgoingtomaketoyou."

"Makeit,"saidNicholl.
"OurfriendBarbicanebelievesthathisprojectilewillgostraighttothemoon?"

"Yes,certainly,"repliedthe
president.

CHAPTER XXI

69

"AndourfriendNichollispersuadeditwillfallbackupontheearth?"
"Iamcertainofit,"criedthecaptain.
"Good!"saidArdan."Icannotpretendtomakeyouagree;butIsuggestthis:Gowithme,andsosee
whetherwearestoppedonourjourney."
"What?"exclaimedJ.T.Maston,stupefied.
Thetworivals,onthissuddenproposal,lookedsteadilyateachother.Barbicanewaitedforthe
captain'sanswer.Nichollwatchedforthedecisionofthepresident.
"Well?"saidMichel."Thereisnownofearoftheshock!"
"Done!"criedBarbicane.
Butquicklyashepronouncedtheword,hewasnotbeforeNicholl.
"Hurrah!bravo!hip!hip!hurrah!"criedMichel,givingahandtoeachofthelateadversaries."Nowthat
itisallsettled,myfriends,allowmetotreatyouafterFrenchfashion.Letusbeofftobreakfast!"

CHAPTER XXII

70

CHAPTER XXII
THENEWCITIZENOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
ThatsamedayallAmericaheardoftheaffairofCaptainNichollandPresidentBarbicane,aswellasits
singulardenouement.Fromthatdayforth,MichelArdanhadnotonemoment'srest.Deputationsfrom
allcornersoftheUnionharassedhimwithoutcessationorintermission.Hewascompelledtoreceive
themall,whetherhewouldorno.Howmanyhandsheshook,howmanypeoplehewas"hailfellow
wellmet"with,itisimpossibletoguess!Suchatriumphalresultwouldhaveintoxicatedanyother
man;buthemanagedtokeephimselfinastateofdelightfulsemitipsiness.
Amongthedeputationsofallkindswhichassailedhim,thatof"TheLunatics"werecarefulnottoforget
whattheyowedtothefutureconquerorofthemoon.Oneday,certainofthesepoorpeople,sonumerousin
America,cametocalluponhim,andrequestedpermissiontoreturnwithhimtotheirnativecountry.
"Singularhallucination!"saidhetoBarbicane,afterhavingdismissedthedeputationwithpromisestoconvey
numbersofmessagestofriendsinthemoon."Doyoubelieveintheinfluenceofthemoonupondistempers?"

"Scarcely!"
"NomoredoI,despitesomeremarkablerecordedfactsofhistory.Forinstance,duringanepidemicin
1693,alargenumberofpersonsdiedattheverymomentofaneclipse.ThecelebratedBaconalways
faintedduringaneclipse.CharlesVIrelapsedsixtimesintomadnessduringtheyear1399,sometimes
duringthenew,sometimesduringthefullmoon.Gallobservedthatinsanepersonsunderwentan
accessionoftheirdisordertwiceineverymonth,attheepochsofnewandfullmoon.Infact,numerous
observationsmadeuponfevers,somnambulisms,andotherhumanmaladies,seemtoprovethatthe

moondoesexercisesomemysteriousinfluenceuponman."
"Butthehowandthewherefore?"askedBarbicane.
"Well,IcanonlygiveyoutheanswerwhichAragoborrowedfromPlutarch,whichisnineteen
centuriesold.`Perhapsthestoriesarenottrue!'"
Intheheightofhistriumph,MichelArdanhadtoencounteralltheannoyancesincidentaltoamanof
celebrity.Managersofentertainmentswantedtoexhibithim.Barnumofferedhimamilliondollarsto
makeatouroftheUnitedStatesinhisshow.Asforhisphotographs,theyweresoldofallsize,andhis
portraittakenineveryimaginableposture.Morethanhalfamillioncopiesweredisposedofinan
incrediblyshortspaceoftime.
Butitwasnotonlythemenwhopaidhimhomage,butthewomenaswell.Hemighthavemarriedwella
hundredtimesover,ifhehadbeenwillingtosettleinlife.Theoldmaids,inparticular,offortyyearsand
upward,anddryinproportion,devouredhisphotographsdayandnight.Theywouldhavemarriedhimby
hundreds,evenifhehadimposeduponthemtheconditionofaccompanyinghimintospace.Hehad,
however,nointentionoftransplantingaraceofFrancoAmericansuponthesurfaceofthemoon.

Hethereforedeclinedalloffers.
Assoonashecouldwithdrawfromthesesomewhatembarrassingdemonstrations,hewent,accompaniedbyhis
friends,topayavisittotheColumbiad.Hewashighlygratifiedbyhisinspection,andmadethedescenttothe
bottomofthetubeofthisgiganticmachinewhichwaspresentlytolaunchhimtotheregionsofthemoon.Itis
necessaryheretomentionaproposalofJ.T.Maston's.WhenthesecretaryoftheGunClubfoundthat
BarbicaneandNichollacceptedtheproposalofMichelArdan,hedeterminedtojointhem,andmakeoneofa

CHAPTER XXII

71

smugpartyoffour.Soonedayhedeterminedtobeadmittedasoneofthetravelers.Barbicane,
painedathavingtorefusehim,gavehimclearlytounderstandthattheprojectilecouldnotpossibly
containsomanypassengers.Maston,indespair,wentinsearchofMichelArdan,whocounseledhim
toresignhimselftothesituation,addingoneortwoargumentsadhominem.
"Yousee,oldfellow,"hesaid,"youmustnottakewhatIsayinbadpart;butreally,between
ourselves,youareintooincompleteaconditiontoappearinthemoon!"
"Incomplete?"shriekedthevaliantinvalid.
"Yes,mydearfellow!imagineourmeetingsomeoftheinhabitantsupthere!Wouldyouliketogivethem
suchamelancholynotionofwhatgoesondownhere?toteachthemwhatwaris,toinformthemthatwe
employourtimechieflyindevouringeachother,insmashingarmsandlegs,andthattooonaglobewhich
iscapableofsupportingahundredbillionsofinhabitants,andwhichactuallydoescontainnearlytwo
hundredmillions?Why,myworthyfriend,weshouldhavetoturnyououtofdoors!"

"Butstill,ifyouarrivethereinpieces,youwillbeasincompleteasIam."
"Unquestionably,"repliedMichelArdan;"butweshallnot."
Infact,apreparatoryexperiment,triedonthe18thofOctober,hadyieldedthebestresultsandcaused
themostwellgroundedhopesofsuccess.Barbicane,desirousofobtainingsomenotionoftheeffectof

theshockatthemomentoftheprojectile'sdeparture,hadprocureda38inchmortarfromthearsenal
ofPensacola.HehadthisplacedonthebankofHillisboroughRoads,inorderthattheshellmightfall
backintothesea,andtheshockbetherebydestroyed.Hisobjectwastoascertaintheextentofthe
shockofdeparture,andnotthatofthereturn.
Ahollowprojectilehadbeenpreparedforthiscuriousexperiment.Athickpaddingfastenedupona
kindofelasticnetwork,madeofthebeststeel,linedtheinsideofthewalls.Itwasaveritablenest
mostcarefullywadded.
"WhatapityIcan'tfindroominthere,"saidJ.T.Maston,regrettingthathisheightdidnotallowof
histryingtheadventure.
Withinthisshellwereshutupalargecat,andasquirrelbelongingtoJ.T.Maston,andofwhich
hewasparticularlyfond.Theyweredesirous,however,ofascertaininghowthislittleanimal,
leastofallotherssubjecttogiddiness,wouldendurethisexperimentalvoyage.
Themortarwaschargedwith160poundsofpowder,andtheshellplacedinthechamber.Onbeingfired,
theprojectilerosewithgreatvelocity,describedamajesticparabola,attainedaheightofaboutathousand
feet,andwithagracefulcurvedescendedinthemidstofthevesselsthatlaythereatanchor.
Withoutamoment'slossoftimeasmallboatputoffinthedirectionofitsfall;somediversplungedintothe
waterandattachedropestothehandlesoftheshell,whichwasquicklydraggedonboard.Fiveminutesdidnot
elapsebetweenthemomentofenclosingtheanimalsandthatofunscrewingthecoverlidoftheirprison.

Ardan,Barbicane,Maston,andNichollwerepresentonboardtheboat,andassistedattheoperation
withaninterestwhichmayreadilybecomprehended.Hardlyhadtheshellbeenopenedwhenthecat
leapedout,slightlybruised,butfulloflife,andexhibitingnosignswhateverofhavingmadeanaerial
expedition.Notrace,however,ofthesquirrelcouldbediscovered.Thetruthatlastbecame
apparentthecathadeatenitsfellowtraveler!
CHAPTER XXII

72

J.T.Mastongrievedmuchforthelossofhispoorsquirrel,andproposedtoadditscasetothat
ofothermartyrstoscience.
Afterthisexperimentallhesitation,allfeardisappeared.Besides,Barbicane'splanswouldensure
greaterperfectionforhisprojectile,andgofartoannihilatealtogethertheeffectsoftheshock.Nothing
nowremainedbuttogo!
TwodayslaterMichelArdanreceivedamessagefromthePresidentoftheUnitedStates,anhonorof
whichheshowedhimselfespeciallysensible.
Aftertheexampleofhisillustriousfellowcountryman,theMarquisdelaFayette,the
governmenthaddecreedtohimthetitleof"CitizenoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica."
CHAPTER XXIII

CHAPTER XXIII
THEPROJECTILEVEHICLE
OnthecompletionoftheColumbiadthepublicinterestcenteredintheprojectileitself,thevehicle

73

whichwasdestinedtocarrythethreehardyadventurersintospace.
ThenewplanshadbeensenttoBreadwillandCo.,ofAlbany,withtherequestfortheirspeedy
execution.Theprojectilewasconsequentlycastonthe2ndofNovember,andimmediatelyforwarded
bytheEasternRailwaytoStonesHill,whichitreachedwithoutaccidentonthe10thofthatmonth,
whereMichelArdan,Barbicane,andNichollwerewaitingimpatientlyforit.
Theprojectilehadnowtobefilledtothedepthofthreefeetwithabedofwater,intendedtosupporta
watertightwoodendisc,whichworkedeasilywithinthewallsoftheprojectile.Itwasuponthiskindof
raftthatthetravelersweretotaketheirplace.Thisbodyofwaterwasdividedbyhorizontalpartitions,
whichtheshockofthedeparturewouldhavetobreakinsuccession.Theneachsheetofthewater,from
thelowesttothehighest,runningoffintoescapetubestowardthetopoftheprojectile,constituteda
kindofspring;andthewoodendisc,suppliedwithextremelypowerfulplugs,couldnotstrikethe
lowestplateexceptafterbreakingsuccessivelythedifferentpartitions.Undoubtedlythetravelerswould
stillhavetoencounteraviolentrecoilafterthecompleteescapementofthewater;butthefirstshock
wouldbealmostentirelydestroyedbythispowerfulspring.Theupperpartsofthewallswerelined
withathickpaddingofleather,fasteneduponspringsofthebeststeel,behindwhichtheescapetubes
werecompletelyconcealed;thusallimaginableprecautionshadbeentakenforavertingthefirstshock;
andiftheydidgetcrushed,theymust,asMichelArdansaid,bemadeofverybadmaterials.
Theentranceintothismetallictowerwasbyanarrowaperturecontrivedinthewallofthecone.This
washermeticallyclosedbyaplateofaluminum,fastenedinternallybypowerfulscrewpressure.The
travelerscouldthereforequittheirprisonatpleasure,assoonastheyshouldreachthemoon.
Lightandviewweregivenbymeansoffourthicklenticularglassscuttles,twopiercedinthecircularwall
itself,thethirdinthebottom,thefourthinthetop.Thesescuttlesthenwereprotectedagainsttheshockof
departurebyplatesletintosolidgrooves,whichcouldeasilybeopenedoutwardbyunscrewingthemfrom
theinside.Reservoirsfirmlyfixedcontainedwaterandthenecessaryprovisions;andfireandlightwere
procurablebymeansofgas,containedinaspecialreservoirunderapressureofseveralatmospheres.They
hadonlytoturnatap,andforsixhoursthegaswouldlightandwarmthiscomfortablevehicle.
Therenowremainedonlythequestionofair;forallowingfortheconsumptionofairbyBarbicane,histwo
companions,andtwodogswhichheproposedtakingwithhim,itwasnecessarytorenewtheairoftheprojectile.
Nowairconsistsprincipallyoftwentyonepartsofoxygenandseventynineofnitrogen.Thelungsabsorbthe
oxygen,whichisindispensableforthesupportoflife,andrejectthenitrogen.Theairexpiredlosesnearlyfiveper
cent.oftheformerandcontainsnearlyanequalvolumeofcarbonicacid,producedbythecombustionofthe
elementsoftheblood.Inanairtightenclosure,then,afteracertaintime,alltheoxygenoftheairwillbereplaced
bythecarbonicacidagasfataltolife.Thereweretwothingstobedonethenfirst,toreplacetheabsorbed
oxygen;secondly,todestroytheexpiredcarbonicacid;botheasyenoughtodo,bymeansofchlorateofpotassium
andcausticpotash.Theformerisasaltwhichappearsundertheformofwhitecrystals;whenraisedtoa
temperatureof400degreesitistransformedintochlorureofpotassium,andtheoxygenwhichitcontainsis
entirelyliberated.Nowtwentyeightpoundsofchlorateofpotassiumproducessevenpoundsofoxygen,or2,400
litresthequantitynecessaryforthetravelersduringtwentyfourhours.

Causticpotashhasagreataffinityforcarbonicacid;anditissufficienttoshakeitinorderforitto
seizeupontheacidandformbicarbonateofpotassium.Bythesetwomeanstheywouldbeenabledto
restoretothevitiatedairitslifesupportingproperties.
CHAPTER XXIII
Itisnecessary,however,toaddthattheexperimentshadhithertobeenmadeinanimavili.Whatever

74

itsscientificaccuracywas,theywereatpresentignoranthowitwouldanswerwithhumanbeings.
ThehonorofputtingittotheproofwasenergeticallyclaimedbyJ.T.Maston.
"SinceIamnottogo,"saidthebraveartillerist,"Imayatleastliveforaweekintheprojectile."
Itwouldhavebeenhardtorefusehim;sotheyconsentedtohiswish.Asufficientquantityofchlorate
ofpotassiumandofcausticpotashwasplacedathisdisposal,togetherwithprovisionsforeightdays.
Andhavingshakenhandswithhisfriends,onthe12thofNovember,atsixo'clockA.M.,afterstrictly
informingthemnottoopenhisprisonbeforethe20th,atsixo'clockP.M.,hesliddowntheprojectile,
theplateofwhichwasatoncehermeticallysealed.Whatdidhedowithhimselfduringthatweek?They
couldgetnoinformation.Thethicknessofthewallsoftheprojectilepreventedanysoundreaching
fromtheinsidetotheoutside.Onthe20thofNovember,atsixP.M.exactly,theplatewasopened.The
friendsofJ.T.Mastonhadbeenallalonginastateofmuchanxiety;buttheywerepromptlyreassured
onhearingajollyvoiceshoutingaboisteroushurrah.
PresentlyafterwardthesecretaryoftheGunClubappearedatthetopoftheconeinatriumphant
attitude.Hehadgrownfat!
CHAPTER XXIV

75

CHAPTER XXIV
THETELESCOPEOFTHEROCKYMOUNTAINS
Onthe20thofOctoberintheprecedingyear,afterthecloseofthesubscription,thepresidentofthe
GunClubhadcreditedtheObservatoryofCambridgewiththenecessarysumsfortheconstructionof
agiganticopticalinstrument.Thisinstrumentwasdesignedforthepurposeofrenderingvisibleonthe
surfaceofthemoonanyobjectexceedingninefeetindiameter.
AttheperiodwhentheGunClubessayedtheirgreatexperiment,suchinstrumentshadreachedahigh
degreeofperfection,andproducedsomemagnificentresults.Twotelescopesinparticular,atthistime,
werepossessedofremarkablepowerandofgiganticdimensions.Thefirst,constructedbyHerschel,
wasthirtysixfeetinlength,andhadanobjectglassoffourfeetsixinches;itpossessedamagnifying
powerof6,000.ThesecondwasraisedinIreland,inParsonstownPark,andbelongstoLordRosse.
Thelengthofthistubeisfortyeightfeet,andthediameterofitsobjectglasssixfeet;itmagnifies6,400
times,andrequiredanimmenseerectionofbrickworkandmasonryforthepurposeofworkingit,its
weightbeingtwelveandahalftons.
Still,despitethesecolossaldimensions,theactualenlargementsscarcelyexceeded6,000timesin
roundnumbers;consequently,themoonwasbroughtwithinnoneareranapparentdistancethan
thirtyninemiles;andobjectsoflessthansixtyfeetindiameter,unlesstheywereofvery
considerablelength,werestillimperceptible.
Inthepresentcase,dealingwithaprojectileninefeetindiameterandfifteenfeetlong,itbecame
necessarytobringthemoonwithinanapparentdistanceoffivemilesatmost;andforthatpurposeto
establishamagnifyingpowerof48,000times.
SuchwasthequestionproposedtotheObservatoryofCambridge,Therewasnolackoffunds;the
difficultywaspurelyoneofconstruction.
Afterconsiderablediscussionastothebestformandprincipleoftheproposedinstrumentthework

wasfinallycommenced.AccordingtothecalculationsoftheObservatoryofCambridge,thetubeofthe
newreflectorwouldrequiretobe280feetinlength,andtheobjectglasssixteenfeetindiameter.
Colossalasthesedimensionsmayappear,theywerediminutiveincomparisonwiththe10,000foot
telescopeproposedbytheastronomerHookeonlyafewyearsago!
Regardingthechoiceoflocality,thatmatterwaspromptlydetermined.Theobjectwastoselectsome
loftymountain,andtherearenotmanyoftheseintheUnitedStates.Infacttherearebuttwochains
ofmoderateelevation,betweenwhichrunsthemagnificentMississippi,the"kingofrivers"asthese
RepublicanYankeesdelighttocallit.
EastwardsrisetheAppalachians,theveryhighestpointofwhich,inNewHampshire,doesnot
exceedtheverymoderatealtitudeof5,600feet.
Onthewest,however,risetheRockyMountains,thatimmenserangewhich,commencingattheStraights
ofMagellan,followsthewesterncoastofSouthernAmericaunderthenameoftheAndesorthe
Cordilleras,untilitcrossestheIsthmusofPanama,andrunsupthewholeofNorthAmericatothevery
bordersofthePolarSea.Thehighestelevationofthisrangestilldoesnotexceed10,700feet.Withthis
elevation,nevertheless,theGunClubwerecompelledtobecontent,inasmuchastheyhaddeterminedthat
bothtelescopeandColumbiadshouldbeerectedwithinthelimitsoftheUnion.Allthenecessaryapparatus
wasconsequentlysentontothesummitofLong'sPeak,intheterritoryofMissouri.

CHAPTER XXIV

76

NeitherpennorlanguagecandescribethedifficultiesofallkindswhichtheAmericanengineershadto
surmount,oftheprodigiesofdaringandskillwhichtheyaccomplished.Theyhadtoraiseenormous
stones,massivepiecesofwroughtiron,heavycornerclampsandhugeportionsofcylinder,withan
objectglassweighingnearly30,000pounds,abovethelineofperpetualsnowformorethan10,000feet
inheight,aftercrossingdesertprairies,impenetrableforests,fearfulrapids,farfromallcentersof
population,andinthemidstofsavageregions,inwhicheverydetailoflifebecomesanalmostinsoluble
problem.Andyet,notwithstandingtheseinnumerableobstacles,Americangeniustriumphed.Inless
thanayearafterthecommencementoftheworks,towardthecloseofSeptember,thegiganticreflector
roseintotheairtoaheightof280feet.Itwasraisedbymeansofanenormousironcrane;aningenious
mechanismallowedittobeeasilyworkedtowardallthepointsoftheheavens,andtofollowthestars
fromtheonehorizontotheotherduringtheirjourneythroughtheheavens.
Ithadcost$400,000.Thefirsttimeitwasdirectedtowardthemoontheobserversevincedboth
curiosityandanxiety.Whatweretheyabouttodiscoverinthefieldofthistelescopewhichmagnified
objects48,000times?Wouldtheyperceivepeoples,herdsoflunaranimals,towns,lakes,seas?No!
therewasnothingwhichsciencehadnotalreadydiscovered!andonallthepointsofitsdiscthe
volcanicnatureofthemoonbecamedeterminablewiththeutmostprecision.
ButthetelescopeoftheRockyMountains,beforedoingitsdutytotheGunClub,renderedimmense
servicestoastronomy.Thankstoitspenetrativepower,thedepthsoftheheavensweresoundedtothe
utmostextent;theapparentdiameterofagreatnumberofstarswasaccuratelymeasured;andMr.
Clark,oftheCambridgestaff,resolvedtheCrabnebulainTaurus,whichthereflectorofLordRosse
hadneverbeenabletodecompose.
CHAPTER XXV

CHAPTER XXV

77

FINALDETAILS
Itwasthe22ndofNovember;thedeparturewastotakeplaceintendays.Oneoperationaloneremainedto
beaccomplishedtobringalltoahappytermination;anoperationdelicateandperilous,requiringinfinite
precautions,andagainstthesuccessofwhichCaptainNichollhadlaidhisthirdbet.Itwas,infact,nothing
lessthantheloadingoftheColumbiad,andtheintroductionintoitof400,000poundsofguncotton.Nicholl
hadthought,notperhapswithoutreason,thatthehandlingofsuchformidablequantitiesofpyroxylewould,
inallprobability,involveagravecatastrophe;andatanyrate,thatthisimmensemassofeminently
inflammablematterwouldinevitablyignitewhensubmittedtothepressureoftheprojectile.

TherewereindeeddangersaccruingasbeforefromthecarelessnessoftheAmericans,butBarbicane
hadsethisheartonsuccess,andtookallpossibleprecautions.Inthefirstplace,hewasverycareful
astothetransportationoftheguncottontoStonesHill.Hehaditconveyedinsmallquantities,
carefullypackedinsealedcases.ThesewerebroughtbyrailfromTampaTowntothecamp,and
fromthenceweretakentotheColumbiadbybarefootedworkmen,whodepositedthemintheir
placesbymeansofcranesplacedattheorificeofthecannon.Nosteamenginewaspermittedtowork,
andeveryfirewasextinguishedwithintwomilesoftheworks.
EveninNovembertheyfearedtoworkbyday,lestthesun'sraysactingontheguncottonmightleadto
unhappyresults.Thisledtotheirworkingatnight,bylightproducedinavacuumbymeansofRuhmkorff's
apparatus,whichthrewanartificialbrightnessintothedepthsoftheColumbiad.Therethecartridgeswere
arrangedwiththeutmostregularity,connectedbyametallicthread,destinedtocommunicatetothemall
simultaneouslytheelectricspark,bywhichmeansthismassofguncottonwaseventuallytobeignited.
Bythe28thofNovembereighthundredcartridgeshadbeenplacedinthebottomoftheColumbiad.Sofarthe
operationhadbeensuccessful!Butwhatconfusion,whatanxieties,whatstruggleswereundergonebyPresident
Barbicane!InvainhadherefusedadmissiontoStonesHill;everydaytheinquisitiveneighborsscaledthe
palisades,someevencarryingtheirimprudencetothepointofsmokingwhilesurroundedbybalesofguncotton.
Barbicanewasinaperpetualstateofalarm.J.T.Mastonsecondedhimtothebestofhisability,bygiving
vigorouschasetotheintruders,andcarefullypickingupthestilllightedcigarendswhichtheYankeesthrew
about.Asomewhatdifficulttask!seeingthatmorethan300,000personsweregatheredroundtheenclosure.
MichelArdanhadvolunteeredtosuperintendthetransportofthecartridgestothemouthoftheColumbiad;but
thepresident,havingsurprisedhimwithanenormouscigarinhismouth,whilehewashuntingouttherash
spectatorstowhomhehimselfofferedsodangerousanexample,sawthathecouldnottrustthisfearlesssmoker,
andwasthereforeobligedtomountaspecialguardoverhim.

Atlast,Providencebeingpropitious,thiswonderfulloadingcametoahappytermination,Captain
Nicholl'sthirdbetbeingthuslost.ItremainednowtointroducetheprojectileintotheColumbiad,
andtoplaceitonitssoftbedofguncotton.
Butbeforedoingthis,allthosethingsnecessaryforthejourneyhadtobecarefullyarrangedinthe
projectilevehicle.Thesenecessarieswerenumerous;andhadArdanbeenallowedtofollowhisown
wishes,therewouldhavebeennospaceremainingforthetravelers.Itisimpossibletoconceiveofhalf
thethingsthischarmingFrenchmanwishedtoconveytothemoon.Averitablestockofuselesstrifles!
ButBarbicaneinterferedandrefusedadmissiontoanythingnotabsolutelyneeded.Several
thermometers,barometers,andtelescopeswerepackedintheinstrumentcase.
Thetravelersbeingdesirousofexamingthemooncarefullyduringtheirvoyage,inordertofacilitatetheir
studies,theytookwiththemBoeerandMoeller'sexcellentMappaSelenographica,amasterpieceofpatienceand

observation,whichtheyhopedwouldenablethemtoidentifythosephysicalfeaturesinthemoon,with

CHAPTER XXV

78

whichtheywereacquainted.Thismapreproducedwithscrupulousfidelitythesmallestdetailsofthe
lunarsurfacewhichfacestheearth;themountains,valleys,craters,peaks,andridgeswereall
represented,withtheirexactdimensions,relativepositions,andnames;fromthemountainsDoerfel
andLeibnitzontheeasternsideofthedisc,totheMarefrigorisoftheNorthPole.
Theytookalsothreeriflesandthreefowlingpieces,andalargequantityofballs,shot,andpowder.
"Wecannottellwhomweshallhavetodealwith,"saidMichelArdan."Menorbeastsmaypossibly
objecttoourvisit.Itisonlywisetotakeallprecautions."
Thesedefensiveweaponswereaccompaniedbypickaxes,crowbars,saws,andotherusefulimplements,not
tomentionclothingadaptedtoeverytemperature,fromthatofpolarregionstothatofthetorridzone.
Ardanwishedtoconveyanumberofanimalsofdifferentsorts,notindeedapairofeveryknownspecies,
ashecouldnotseethenecessityofacclimatizingserpents,tigers,alligators,oranyothernoxiousbeastsin
themoon."Nevertheless,"hesaidtoBarbicane,"somevaluableandusefulbeasts,bullocks,cows,horses,
anddonkeys,wouldbearthejourneyverywell,andwouldalsobeveryusefultous."

"Idaresay,mydearArdan,"repliedthepresident,"butourprojectilevehicleisnoNoah'sark,from
whichitdiffersbothindimensionsandobject.Letusconfineourselvestopossibilities."
Afteraprolongeddiscussion,itwasagreedthatthetravelersshouldrestrictthemselvestoasporting
dogbelongingtoNicholl,andtoalargeNewfoundland.Severalpacketsofseedswerealsoincluded
amongthenecessaries.MichelArdan,indeed,wasanxioustoaddsomesacksfullofearthtosow
themin;asitwas,hetookadozenshrubscarefullywrappedupinstrawtoplantinthemoon.
Theimportantquestionofprovisionsstillremained;itbeingnecessarytoprovideagainstthepossibilityoftheir
findingthemoonabsolutelybarren.Barbicanemanagedsosuccessfully,thathesuppliedthemwithsufficient
rationsforayear.Theseconsistedofpreservedmeatsandvegetables,reducedbystronghydraulicpressureto
thesmallestpossibledimensions.Theywerealsosuppliedwithbrandy,andtookwaterenoughfortwomonths,
beingconfident,fromastronomicalobservations,thattherewasnolackofwateronthemoon'ssurface.Asto
provisions,doubtlesstheinhabitantsoftheearthwouldfindnourishmentsomewhereinthemoon.Ardannever
questionedthis;indeed,hadhedoneso,hewouldneverhaveundertakenthejourney.

"Besides,"hesaidonedaytohisfriends,"weshallnotbecompletelyabandonedbyourterrestrial
friends;theywilltakecarenottoforgetus."
"No,indeed!"repliedJ.T.Maston.
"Nothingwouldbesimpler,"repliedArdan;"theColumbiadwillbealwaysthere.Well!wheneverthe
moonisinafavorableconditionastothezenith,ifnottotheperigee,thatistosayaboutonceayear,
couldyounotsendusashellpackedwithprovisions,whichwemightexpectonsomeappointedday?"
"Hurrah!hurrah!"criedJ.T.Matson;"whataningeniousfellow!whatasplendididea!Indeed,
mygoodfriends,weshallnotforgetyou!"
"Ishallreckonuponyou!Then,yousee,weshallreceivenewsregularlyfromtheearth,andweshall

indeedbestupidifwehituponnoplanforcommunicatingwithourgoodfriendshere!"
Thesewordsinspiredsuchconfidence,thatMichelArdancarriedalltheGunClubwithhiminhis
enthusiasm.Whathesaidseemedsosimpleandsoeasy,sosureofsuccess,thatnonecouldbeso
sordidlyattachedtothisearthastohesitatetofollowthethreetravelersontheirlunarexpedition.
CHAPTER XXV

79

Allbeingreadyatlast,itremainedtoplacetheprojectileintheColumbiad,anoperation
abundantlyaccompaniedbydangersanddifficulties.
TheenormousshellwasconveyedtothesummitofStonesHill.There,powerfulcranesraisedit,and
helditsuspendedoverthemouthofthecylinder.
Itwasafearfulmoment!Whatifthechainsshouldbreakunderitsenormousweight?Thesuddenfall
ofsuchabodywouldinevitablycausetheguncottontoexplode!
Fortunatelythisdidnothappen;andsomehourslatertheprojectilevehicledescendedgentlyintothe
heartofthecannonandrestedonitscouchofpyroxyle,averitablebedofexplosiveeiderdown.Its
pressurehadnoresult,otherthanthemoreeffectualrammingdownofthechargeintheColumbiad.
"Ihavelost,"saidthecaptain,whoforthwithpaidPresidentBarbicanethesumofthreethousanddollars.
Barbicanedidnotwishtoacceptthemoneyfromoneofhisfellowtravelers,butgavewayatlastbefore
thedeterminationofNicholl,whowishedbeforeleavingtheearthtofulfillallhisengagements.

"Now,"saidMichelArdan,"Ihaveonlyonethingmoretowishforyou,mybravecaptain."
"Whatisthat?"askedNicholl.
"Itisthatyoumayloseyourtwootherbets!Thenweshallbesurenottobestoppedonourjourney!"
CHAPTER XXVI
80

CHAPTER XXVI
FIRE!
ThefirstofDecemberhadarrived!thefatalday!for,iftheprojectilewerenotdischargedthatvery
nightat10h.48m.40s.P.M.,morethaneighteenyearsmustrollbybeforethemoonwouldagain
presentherselfunderthesameconditionsofzenithandperigee.
Theweatherwasmagnificent.Despitetheapproachofwinter,thesunshonebrightly,andbathedinits
radiantlightthatearthwhichthreeofitsdenizenswereabouttoabandonforanewworld.
Howmanypersonslosttheirrestonthenightwhichprecededthislongexpectedday!Allheartsbeatwith
disquietude,saveonlytheheartofMichelArdan.Thatimperturbablepersonagecameandwentwithhis
habitualbusinesslikeair,whilenothingwhateverdenotedthatanyunusualmatterpreoccupiedhismind.
Afterdawn,aninnumerablemultitudecoveredtheprairiewhichextends,asfarastheeyecanreach,round
StonesHill.Everyquarterofanhourtherailwaybroughtfreshaccessionsofsightseers;and,accordingtothe
statementoftheTampaTownObserver,notlessthanfivemillionsofspectatorsthrongedthesoilofFlorida.

Forawholemonthpreviously,themassofthesepersonshadbivouackedroundtheenclosure,andlaidthe
foundationsforatownwhichwasafterwardcalled"Ardan'sTown."Thewholeplainwascoveredwith
huts,cottages,andtents.Everynationunderthesunwasrepresentedthere;andeverylanguagemightbe
heardspokenatthesametime.ItwasaperfectBabelreenacted.AllthevariousclassesofAmerican
societyweremingledtogetherintermsofabsoluteequality.Bankers,farmers,sailors,cottonplanters,
brokers,merchants,watermen,magistrates,elbowedeachotherinthemostfreeandeasyway.Louisiana
CreolesfraternizedwithfarmersfromIndiana;KentuckyandTennesseegentlemenandhaughty
VirginiansconversedwithtrappersandthehalfsavagesofthelakesandbutchersfromCincinnati.Broad
brimmedwhitehatsandPanamas,bluecottontrousers,lightcoloredstockings,cambricfrills,wereallhere
displayed;whileuponshirtfronts,wristbands,andneckties,uponeveryfinger,evenupontheveryears,
theyworeanassortmentofrings,shirtpins,brooches,andtrinkets,ofwhichthevalueonlyequaledthe
execrabletaste.Women,children,andservants,inequallyexpensivedress,surroundedtheirhusbands,
fathers,ormasters,whoresembledthepatriarchsoftribesinthemidstoftheirimmensehouseholds.
AtmealtimesallfelltoworkuponthedishespeculiartotheSouthernStates,andconsumedwithanappetite
thatthreatenedspeedyexhaustionofthevictualingpowersofFlorida,fricasseedfrogs,stuffedmonkey,fish
chowder,underdone'possum,andraccoonsteaks.Andasfortheliquorswhichaccompaniedthisindigestible
repast!Theshouts,thevociferationsthatresoundedthroughthebarsandtavernsdecoratedwithglasses,
tankards,andbottlesofmarvelousshape,mortarsforpoundingsugar,andbundlesofstraws!"Mintjulep"
roarsoneofthebarmen;"Claretsangaree!"shoutsanother;"Cocktail!""Brandysmash!""Realmintjulepin
thenewstyle!"Allthesecriesintermingledproducedabewilderinganddeafeninghubbub.

Butonthisday,1stofDecember,suchsoundswererare.Noonethoughtofeatingordrinking,andat
fourP.M.therewerevastnumbersofspectatorswhohadnoteventakentheircustomarylunch!And,a
stillmoresignificantfact,eventhenationalpassionforplayseemedquelledforthetimeunderthe
generalexcitementofthehour.
Uptillnightfall,adull,noiselessagitation,suchasprecedesgreatcatastrophes,ranthroughthe
anxiousmultitude.Anindescribableuneasinesspervadedallminds,anindefinablesensation
whichoppressedtheheart.Everyonewisheditwasover.
However,aboutseveno'clock,theheavysilencewasdissipated.Themoonroseabovethehorizon.Millionsof
hurrahshailedherappearance.Shewaspunctualtotherendezvous,andshoutsofwelcomegreetedheron

CHAPTER XXVI

81

allsides,asherpalebeamsshonegracefullyintheclearheavens.Atthismomentthethreeintrepid
travelersappeared.Thiswasthesignalforrenewedcriesofstillgreaterintensity.Instantlythevast
assemblage,aswithoneaccord,struckupthenationalhymnoftheUnitedStates,and"Yankee
Doodle,"sungbyfivemillionofheartythroats,roselikearoaringtempesttothefarthestlimitsofthe
atmosphere.Thenaprofoundsilencereignedthroughoutthecrowd.
TheFrenchmanandthetwoAmericanshadbythistimeenteredtheenclosurereservedinthecenterofthe
multitude.TheywereaccompaniedbythemembersoftheGunClub,andbydeputationssentfromallthe
EuropeanObservatories.Barbicane,coolandcollected,wasgivinghisfinaldirections.Nicholl,with
compressedlips,hisarmscrossedbehindhisback,walkedwithafirmandmeasuredstep.MichelArdan,
alwayseasy,dressedinthoroughtraveler'scostume,leatherngaitersonhislegs,pouchbyhisside,inloose
velvetsuit,cigarinmouth,wasfullofinexhaustiblegayety,laughing,joking,playingprankswithJ.T.
Maston.Inoneword,hewasthethorough"Frenchman"(andworse,a"Parisian")tothelastmoment.

Teno'clockstruck!Themomenthadarrivedfortakingtheirplacesintheprojectile!Thenecessary
operationsforthedescent,andthesubsequentremovalofthecranesandscaffoldingthatinclinedover
themouthoftheColumbiad,requiredacertainperiodoftime.
BarbicanehadregulatedhischronometertothetenthpartofasecondbythatofMurchisonthe
engineer,whowaschargedwiththedutyoffiringthegunbymeansofanelectricspark.Thusthe
travelersenclosedwithintheprojectilewereenabledtofollowwiththeireyestheimpassiveneedle
whichmarkedtheprecisemomentoftheirdeparture.
Themomenthadarrivedforsaying"goodby!"Thescenewasatouchingone.Despitehisfeverishgayety,
evenMichelArdanwastouched.J.T.Mastonhadfoundinhisowndryeyesoneancienttear,whichhe
haddoubtlessreservedfortheoccasion.Hedroppeditontheforeheadofhisdearpresident.

"CanInotgo?"hesaid,"thereisstilltime!"
"Impossible, old fellow!" replied Barbicane. Afewmoments later, the three fellowtravelers had
ensconcedthemselves intheprojectile, and screwed down the plate whichcoveredthe entrance
aperture.ThemouthoftheColumbiad,nowcompletelydisencumbered,wasopenentirelytothesky.
Themoonadvancedupwardinaheavenofthepurestclearness,outshininginherpassagethetwinkling
lightofthestars.ShepassedovertheconstellationoftheTwins,andwasnownearingthehalfwaypoint
betweenthehorizonandthezenith.Aterriblesilenceweighedupontheentirescene!Notabreathofwind
upontheearth!notasoundofbreathingfromthecountlesschestsofthespectators!Theirheartsseemed
afraidtobeat!AlleyeswerefixedupontheyawningmouthoftheColumbiad.

Murchisonfollowedwithhiseyethehandofhischronometer.Itwantedscarcefortysecondstothe
momentofdeparture,buteachsecondseemedtolastanage!Atthetwentieththerewasageneral
shudder,asitoccurredtothemindsofthatvastassemblagethattheboldtravelersshutupwithinthe
projectilewerealsocountingthoseterribleseconds.Somefewcrieshereandthereescapedthecrowd.
"Thirtyfive!thirtysix!thirtyseven!thirtyeight!thirtynine!forty!FIRE!!!"
InstantlyMurchisonpressedwithhisfingerthekeyoftheelectricbattery,restoredthecurrentofthe
fluid,anddischargedthesparkintothebreechoftheColumbiad.
Anappallingunearthlyreportfollowedinstantly,suchascanbecomparedtonothingwhateverknown,noteven
totheroarofthunder,ortheblastofvolcanicexplosions!Nowordscanconveytheslightestideaoftheterrific
sound!Animmensespoutoffireshotupfromthebowelsoftheearthasfromacrater.Theearth

CHAPTER XXVI

82

heavedup,andwithgreatdifficultysomefewspectatorsobtainedamomentaryglimpseofthe
projectilevictoriouslycleavingtheairinthemidstofthefieryvapors!
CHAPTER XXVII

83

CHAPTER XXVII
FOULWEATHER
Atthemomentwhenthatpyramidoffirerosetoaprodigiousheightintotheair,theglareofflamelit
upthewholeofFlorida;andforamomentdaysupersedednightoveraconsiderableextentofthe

country.Thisimmensecanopyoffirewasperceivedatadistanceofonehundredmilesoutatsea,and
morethanoneship'scaptainenteredinhislogtheappearanceofthisgiganticmeteor.
ThedischargeoftheColumbiadwasaccompaniedbyaperfectearthquake.Floridawasshakento
itsverydepths.Thegasesofthepowder,expandedbyheat,forcedbacktheatmosphericstrata
withtremendousviolence,andthisartificialhurricanerushedlikeawaterspoutthroughtheair.
Notasinglespectatorremainedonhisfeet!Men,womenchildren,alllayprostratelikeearsofcorn
underatempest.Thereensuedaterribletumult;alargenumberofpersonswereseriouslyinjured.J.
T.Maston,who,despitealldictatesofprudence,hadkeptinadvanceofthemass,waspitchedback120
feet,shootinglikeaprojectileovertheheadsofhisfellowcitizens.Threehundredthousandpersons
remaineddeafforatime,andasthoughstruckstupefied.
Assoonasthefirsteffectswereover,theinjured,thedeaf,andlastly,thecrowdingeneral,wokeup
withfrenziedcries."HurrahforArdan!HurrahforBarbicane!HurrahforNicholl!"rosetotheskies.
Thousandsofpersons,nosesinair,armedwithtelescopesandraceglasses,werequestioningspace,
forgettingallcontusionsandemotionsintheoneideaofwatchingfortheprojectile.Theylookedin
vain!Itwasnolongertobeseen,andtheywereobligedtowaitfortelegramsfromLong'sPeak.The
directoroftheCambridgeObservatorywasathispostontheRockyMountains;andtohim,asa
skillfulandperseveringastronomer,allobservationshadbeenconfided.
Butanunforeseenphenomenoncameintosubjectthepublicimpatiencetoaseveretrial.
Theweather,hithertosofine,suddenlychanged;theskybecameheavywithclouds.Itcouldnothave
beenotherwiseaftertheterriblederangementoftheatmosphericstrata,andthedispersionofthe
enormousquantityofvaporarisingfromthecombustionof200,000poundsofpyroxyle!
Onthemorrowthehorizonwascoveredwithcloudsathickandimpenetrablecurtainbetweenearth
andsky,whichunhappilyextendedasfarastheRockyMountains.Itwasafatality!Butsincemanhad
chosensotodisturbtheatmosphere,hewasboundtoaccepttheconsequencesofhisexperiment.
Supposing,now,thattheexperimenthadsucceeded,thetravelershavingstartedonthe1stof
December,at10h.46m.40s.P.M.,weredueonthe4that0h.P.M.attheirdestination.Sothatupto
thattimeitwouldhavebeenverydifficultafteralltohaveobserved,undersuchconditions,abodyso
smallastheshell.Thereforetheywaitedwithwhatpatiencetheymight.
Fromthe4thtothe6thofDecemberinclusive,theweatherremainingmuchthesameinAmerica,
thegreatEuropeaninstrumentsofHerschel,Rosse,andFoucault,wereconstantlydirectedtoward
themoon,fortheweatherwasthenmagnificent;butthecomparativeweaknessoftheirglasses
preventedanytrustworthyobservationsbeingmade.
Onthe7ththeskyseemedtolighten.Theywereinhopesnow,buttheirhopewasofbutshortduration,
andatnightagainthickcloudshidthestarryvaultfromalleyes.
Matterswerenowbecomingserious,whenonthe9ththesunreappearedforaninstant,asifforthepurposeof
teasingtheAmericans.Itwasreceivedwithhisses;andwounded,nodoubt,bysuchareception,showeditself

CHAPTER XXVII
verysparingofitsrays.

84

Onthe10th,nochange!J.T.Mastonwentnearlymad,andgreatfearswereentertainedregardingthe
brainofthisworthyindividual,whichhadhithertobeensowellpreservedwithinhisguttaperchacranium.
Butonthe11thoneofthoseinexplicabletempestspeculiartothoseintertropicalregionswasletloosein
theatmosphere.Aterrificeastwindsweptawaythegroupsofcloudswhichhadbeensolonggathering,
andatnightthesemidiscoftheorbofnightrodemajesticallyamidthesoftconstellationsofthesky.

CHAPTER XXVIII

85

CHAPTER XXVIII
ANEWSTAR
Thatverynight,thestartlingnewssoimpatientlyawaited,burstlikeathunderboltovertheUnited
StatesoftheUnion,andthence,dartingacrosstheocean,ranthroughallthetelegraphicwiresofthe
globe.Theprojectilehadbeendetected,thankstothegiganticreflectorofLong'sPeak!Hereisthe
notereceivedbythedirectoroftheObservatoryofCambridge.Itcontainsthescientificconclusion
regardingthisgreatexperimentoftheGunClub.
LONG'SPEAK,December12.TotheOfficersoftheObservatoryofCambridge.Theprojectiledischarged
bytheColumbiadatStonesHillhasbeendetectedbyMessrs.BelfastandJ.T.Maston,12thofDecember,
at8:47P.M.,themoonhavingenteredherlastquarter.Thisprojectilehasnotarrivedatitsdestination.It
haspassedbytheside;butsufficientlyneartoberetainedbythelunarattraction.

Therectilinearmovementhasthusbecomechangedintoacircularmotionofextremevelocity,andit
isnowpursuinganellipticalorbitroundthemoon,ofwhichithasbecomeatruesatellite.
Theelementsofthisnewstarwehaveasyetbeenunabletodetermine;wedonotyetknowthevelocityofits
passage.Thedistancewhichseparatesitfromthesurfaceofthemoonmaybeestimatedatabout2,833miles.

However,twohypothesescomehereintoourconsideration.

1. Eithertheattractionofthemoonwillendbydrawingthemintoitself,andthetravelerswill
attaintheirdestination;or,

2. Theprojectile,followinganimmutablelaw,willcontinuetogravitateroundthemoontilltheendoftime.
Atsomefuturetime,ourobservationswillbeabletodeterminethispoint,buttillthentheexperimentofthe
GunClubcanhavenootherresultthantohaveprovidedoursolarsystemwithanewstar.J.BELFAST.

Tohowmanyquestionsdidthisunexpecteddenouementgiverise?Whatmysteriousresultswasthe
futurereservingfortheinvestigationofscience?Atallevents,thenamesofNicholl,Barbicane,and
MichelArdanwerecertaintobeimmortalizedintheannalsofastronomy!
WhenthedispatchfromLong'sPeakhadoncebecomeknown,therewasbutoneuniversalfeelingof
surpriseandalarm.Wasitpossibletogototheaidoftheseboldtravelers?No!fortheyhadplaced
themselvesbeyondthepaleofhumanity,bycrossingthelimitsimposedbytheCreatoronhisearthly
creatures.Theyhadairenoughfortwomonths;theyhadvictualsenoughfortwelve;butafterthat?
Therewasonlyonemanwhowouldnotadmitthatthesituationwasdesperatehealonehad
confidence;andthatwastheirdevotedfriendJ.T.Maston.

Besides,heneverletthemgetoutofsight.HishomewashenceforththepostatLong'sPeak;his
horizon,themirrorofthatimmensereflector.Assoonasthemoonroseabovethehorizon,he
immediatelycaughtherinthefieldofthetelescope;heneverlethergoforaninstantoutofhissight,
andfollowedherassiduouslyinhercoursethroughthestellarspaces.Hewatchedwithuntiring
patiencethepassageoftheprojectileacrosshersilverydisc,andreallytheworthymanremainedin
perpetualcommunicationwithhisthreefriends,whomhedidnotdespairofseeingagainsomeday.
"Thosethreemen,"saidhe,"havecarriedintospacealltheresourcesofart,science,andindustry.
Withthat,onecandoanything;andyouwillseethat,someday,theywillcomeoutallright."
CHAPTER XXVIII

86

ROUNDTHEMOON
ASEQUELTO
FROMTHEEARTHTOTHEMOON
ROUNDTHEMOON
PRELIMINARYCHAPTER
THEFIRSTPARTOFTHISWORK,ANDSERVINGASAPREFACETOTHESECOND
Duringtheyear186,thewholeworldwasgreatlyexcitedbyascientificexperimentunprecedentedin
theannalsofscience.ThemembersoftheGunClub,acircleofartillerymenformedatBaltimoreafter
theAmericanwar,conceivedtheideaofputtingthemselvesincommunicationwiththemoon!yes,
withthemoonbysendingtoheraprojectile.Theirpresident,Barbicane,thepromoterofthe
enterprise,havingconsultedtheastronomersoftheCambridgeObservatoryuponthesubject,tookall
necessarymeanstoensurethesuccessofthisextraordinaryenterprise,whichhadbeendeclared
practicablebythemajorityofcompetentjudges.Aftersettingonfootapublicsubscription,which
realizednearlyL1,200,000,theybeganthegiganticwork.
AccordingtotheadviceforwardedfromthemembersoftheObservatory,thegundestinedtolaunch
theprojectilehadtobefixedinacountrysituatedbetweenthe0and28thdegreesofnorthorsouth
latitude,inordertoaimatthemoonwhenatthezenith;anditsinitiatoryvelocitywasfixedattwelve
thousandyardstothesecond.Launchedonthe1stofDecember,at10hrs.46m.40s.P.M.,itoughtto
reachthemoonfourdaysafteritsdeparture,thatisonthe5thofDecember,atmidnightprecisely,at
themomentofherattainingherperigee,thatishernearestdistancefromtheearth,whichisexactly
86,410leagues(French),or238,833milesmeandistance(English).
TheprincipalmembersoftheGunClub,PresidentBarbicane,MajorElphinstone,thesecretary
JosephT.Maston,andotherlearnedmen,heldseveralmeetings,atwhichtheshapeandcomposition
oftheprojectilewerediscussed,alsothepositionandnatureofthegun,andthequalityandquantityof
powdertobeused.Itwasdecided:First,thattheprojectileshouldbeashellmadeofaluminumwitha
diameterof108inchesandathicknessoftwelveinchestoitswalls;andshouldweigh19,250pounds.
Second,thatthegunshouldbeaColumbiadcastiniron,900feetlong,andrunperpendicularlyinto
theearth.Third,thatthechargeshouldcontain400,000poundsofguncotton,which,givingoutsix
billionsoflitresofgasinrearoftheprojectile,wouldeasilycarryittowardtheorbofnight.
ThesequestionsdeterminedPresidentBarbicane,assistedbyMurchisontheengineer,tochooseaspot

situatedinFlorida,in27@7'Northlatitude,and77@3'West(Greenwich)longitude.Itwasonthis
spot,afterstupendouslabor,thattheColumbiadwascastwithfullsuccess.Thingsstoodthus,whenan
incidenttookplacewhichincreasedtheinterestattachedtothisgreatenterpriseahundredfold.
AFrenchman,anenthusiasticParisian,aswittyashewasbold,askedtobeenclosedintheprojectile,inorder
thathemightreachthemoon,andreconnoiterthisterrestrialsatellite.Thenameofthisintrepidadventurerwas
MichelArdan.HelandedinAmerica,wasreceivedwithenthusiasm,heldmeetings,sawhimselfcarriedin
triumph,reconciledPresidentBarbicanetohismortalenemy,CaptainNicholl,and,asatokenofreconciliation,
persuadedthembothtostartwithhimintheprojectile.Thepropositionbeingaccepted,theshapeofthe
projectilewasslightlyaltered.Itwasmadeofacylindroconicalform.Thisspeciesofaerialcarwaslinedwith
strongspringsandpartitionstodeadentheshockofdeparture.Itwasprovidedwithfoodforayear,waterfor
somemonths,andgasforsomedays.Aselfactingapparatussuppliedthethreetravelerswithairtobreathe.At
thesametime,ononeofthehighestpointsoftheRockyMountains,theGunClubhada

CHAPTER XXVIII

87

gigantictelescopeerected,inorderthattheymightbeabletofollowthecourseoftheprojectilethrough
space.Allwasthenready.
Onthe30thofNovember,atthehourfixedupon,fromthemidstofanextraordinarycrowdof
spectators,thedeparturetookplace,andforthefirsttime,threehumanbeingsquittedtheterrestrial
globe,andlaunchedintointerplanetaryspacewithalmostacertaintyofreachingtheirdestination.
Theseboldtravelers,MichelArdan,PresidentBarbicane,andCaptainNicholl,oughttomakethe
passageinninetysevenhours,thirteenminutes,andtwentyseconds.Consequently,theirarrivalonthe
lunardisccouldnottakeplaceuntilthe5thofDecemberattwelveatnight,attheexactmomentwhen
themoonshouldbefull,andnotonthe4th,assomebadlyinformedjournalistshadannounced.
Butanunforeseencircumstance,viz.,thedetonationproducedbytheColumbiad,hadtheimmediateeffect
oftroublingtheterrestrialatmosphere,byaccumulatingalargequantityofvapor,aphenomenonwhich
exciteduniversalindignation,forthemoonwashiddenfromtheeyesofthewatchersforseveralnights.
TheworthyJosephT.Maston,thestaunchestfriendofthethreetravelers,startedfortheRockyMountains,
accompaniedbytheHon.J.Belfast,directoroftheCambridgeObservatory,andreachedthestationofLong's
Peak,wherethetelescopewaserectedwhichbroughtthemoonwithinanapparentdistanceoftwoleagues.The
honorablesecretaryoftheGunClubwishedhimselftoobservethevehicleofhisdaringfriends.

Theaccumulationofthecloudsintheatmospherepreventedallobservationonthe5th,6th,7th,8th,9th,
and10thofDecember.Indeeditwasthoughtthatallobservationswouldhavetobeputofftothe3dof
Januaryinthefollowingyear;forthemoonenteringitslastquarteronthe11th,wouldthenonlypresent
aneverdecreasingportionofherdisc,insufficienttoallowoftheirfollowingthecourseoftheprojectile.
Atlength,tothegeneralsatisfaction,aheavystormclearedtheatmosphereonthenightofthe11thand
12thofDecember,andthemoon,withhalfilluminateddisc,wasplainlytobeseenupontheblacksky.
ThatverynightatelegramwassentfromthestationofLong'sPeakbyJosephT.MastonandBelfasttothe
gentlemenoftheCambridgeObservatory,announcingthatonthe11thofDecemberat8h.47m.P.M.,the
projectilelaunchedbytheColumbiadofStonesHillhadbeendetectedbyMessrs.BelfastandMastonthatit
haddeviatedfromitscoursefromsomeunknowncause,andhadnotreacheditsdestination;butthatithad
passednearenoughtoberetainedbythelunarattraction;thatitsrectilinearmovementhadbeenchangedtoa
circularone,andthatfollowinganellipticalorbitroundthestarofnightithadbecomeitssatellite.Thetelegram
addedthattheelementsofthisnewstarhadnotyetbeencalculated;andindeedthreeobservationsmadeupona

starinthreedifferentpositionsarenecessarytodeterminetheseelements.Thenitshowedthatthedistance
separatingtheprojectilefromthelunarsurface"might"bereckonedatabout2,833miles.

Itendedwiththedoublehypothesis:eithertheattractionofthemoonwoulddrawittoherself,and
thetravelersthusattaintheirend;orthattheprojectile,heldinoneimmutableorbit,would
gravitatearoundthelunardisctoalleternity.
Withsuchalternatives,whatwouldbethefateofthetravelers?Certainlytheyhadfoodforsome
time.Butsupposingtheydidsucceedintheirrashenterprise,howwouldtheyreturn?Couldthey
everreturn?Shouldtheyhearfromthem?Thesequestions,debatedbythemostlearnedpensofthe
day,stronglyengrossedthepublicattention.
Itisadvisableheretomakearemarkwhichoughttobewellconsideredbyhastyobservers.Whenapurely
speculativediscoveryisannouncedtothepublic,itcannotbedonewithtoomuchprudence.Nooneisobligedto
discovereitheraplanet,acomet,orasatellite;andwhoevermakesamistakeinsuchacaseexposeshimselfjustly
tothederisionofthemass.Farbetterisittowait;andthatiswhattheimpatientJosephT.Mastonshouldhave
donebeforesendingthistelegramforthtotheworld,which,accordingtohisidea,told

CHAPTER XXVIII

88

thewholeresultoftheenterprise.Indeedthistelegramcontainedtwosortsoferrors,aswasproved
eventually.First,errorsofobservation,concerningthedistanceoftheprojectilefromthesurfaceofthe
moon,foronthe11thofDecemberitwasimpossibletoseeit;andwhatJosephT.Mastonhadseen,or
thoughthesaw,couldnothavebeentheprojectileoftheColumbiad.Second,errorsoftheoryonthe
fateinstoreforthesaidprojectile;forinmakingitasatelliteofthemoon,itwasputtingitindirect
contradictionofallmechanicallaws.
OnesinglehypothesisoftheobserversofLong'sPeakcouldeverberealized,thatwhichforesawthecase
ofthetravelers(ifstillalive)unitingtheireffortswiththelunarattractiontoattainthesurfaceofthedisc.

Nowthesemen,ascleverastheyweredaring,hadsurvivedtheterribleshockconsequentontheir
departure,anditistheirjourneyintheprojectilecarwhichishererelatedinitsmostdramaticas
wellasinitsmostsingulardetails.Thisrecitalwilldestroymanyillusionsandsurmises;butitwill
giveatrueideaofthesingularchangesinstoreforsuchanenterprise;itwillbringoutthescientific
instinctsofBarbicane,theindustriousresourcesofNicholl,andtheaudacioushumorofMichel
Ardan.Besidesthis,itwillprovethattheirworthyfriend,JosephT.Maston,waswastinghistime,
whileleaningoverthegigantictelescopehewatchedthecourseofthemoonthroughthestarryspace.
CHAPTER I

89

CHAPTER I
TWENTYMINUTESPASTTENTOFORTYSEVENMINUTESPASTTENP.M.
Asteno'clockstruck,MichelArdan,Barbicane,andNicholl,tookleaveofthenumerousfriendsthey
wereleavingontheearth.Thetwodogs,destinedtopropagatethecanineraceonthelunarcontinents,
werealreadyshutupintheprojectile.
Thethreetravelersapproachedtheorificeoftheenormouscastirontube,andacraneletthemdown
totheconicaltopoftheprojectile.There,anopeningmadeforthepurposegavethemaccesstothe
aluminumcar.Thetacklebelongingtothecranebeinghauledfromoutside,themouthofthe
Columbiadwasinstantlydisencumberedofitslastsupports.

Nicholl,onceintroducedwithhiscompanionsinsidetheprojectile,begantoclosetheopeningbymeansof
a strongplate,heldinpositionbypowerfulscrews.Otherplates,closelyfitted,covered thelenticular
glasses,andthetravelers,hermeticallyenclosedintheirmetalprison,wereplungedinprofounddarkness.
"And now, my dear companions," said Michel Ardan, "let us make ourselves at home; I am a
domesticatedmanandstronginhousekeeping.Weareboundtomakethebestofournewlodgings,and
makeourselvescomfortable.Andfirstletustryandseealittle.Gaswasnotinventedformoles."

Sosaying,thethoughtlessfellowlitamatchbystrikingitonthesoleofhisboot;andapproachedthe
burnerfixedtothereceptacle,inwhichthecarbonizedhydrogen,storedathighpressure,sufficedfor
thelightingandwarmingoftheprojectileforahundredandfortyfourhours,orsixdaysandsix
nights.Thegascaughtfire,andthuslightedtheprojectilelookedlikeacomfortableroomwiththickly
paddedwalls,furnishedwithacirculardivan,andaroofroundedintheshapeofadome.
MichelArdanexaminedeverything,anddeclaredhimselfsatisfiedwithhisinstallation.
"Itisaprison,"saidhe,"butatravelingprison;and,withtherightofputtingmynosetothewindow,
Icouldwellstandaleaseofahundredyears.Yousmile,Barbicane.Haveyouanyarrierepensee?Do
yousaytoyourself,`Thisprisonmaybeourtomb?'Tomb,perhaps;stillIwouldnotchangeitfor
Mahomet's,whichfloatsinspacebutneveradvancesaninch!"
WhileMichelArdanwasspeaking,BarbicaneandNichollweremakingtheirlastpreparations.
Nicholl'schronometermarkedtwentyminutespasttenP.M.whenthethreetravelerswerefinally
enclosedintheirprojectile.Thischronometerwassetwithinthetenthofasecondbythatof
Murchisontheengineer.Barbicaneconsultedit.
"Myfriends,"saidhe,"itistwentyminutespastten.AtfortysevenminutespasttenMurchisonwilllaunchthe
electricsparkonthewirewhichcommunicateswiththechargeoftheColumbiad.Atthatprecisemomentwe
shallleaveourspheroid.Thuswestillhavetwentysevenminutestoremainontheearth."

"Twentysixminutesthirteenseconds,"repliedthemethodicalNicholl.
"Well!"exclaimedMichelArdan,inagoodhumoredtone,"muchmaybedoneintwentysixminutes.
Thegravestquestionsofmoralsandpoliticsmaybediscussed,andevensolved.Twentysixminuteswell
employedareworthmorethantwentysixyearsinwhichnothingisdone.SomesecondsofaPascalora
Newtonaremorepreciousthanthewholeexistenceofacrowdofrawsimpletons"
"Andyouconclude,then,youeverlastingtalker?"askedBarbicane.

CHAPTER I

90

"Iconcludethatwehavetwentysixminutesleft,"repliedArdan.
"Twentyfouronly,"saidNicholl.
"Well,twentyfour,ifyoulike,mynoblecaptain,"saidArdan;"twentyfourminutesin
whichtoinvestigate"
"Michel,"saidBarbicane,"duringthepassageweshallhaveplentyoftimetoinvestigatethemost
difficultquestions.Forthepresentwemustoccupyourselveswithourdeparture."
"Arewenotready?"
"Doubtless;buttherearestillsomeprecautionstobetaken,todeadenasmuchaspossiblethefirstshock."

"Havewenotthewatercushionsplacedbetweenthepartitionbreaks,whoseelasticitywill
sufficientlyprotectus?"
"Ihopeso,Michel,"repliedBarbicanegently,"butIamnotsure."
"Ah,thejoker!"exclaimedMichelArdan."Hehopes!Heisnotsure!andhewaitsforthemoment
whenweareencasedtomakethisdeplorableadmission!Ibegtobeallowedtogetout!"
"Andhow?"askedBarbicane.
"Humph!"saidMichelArdan,"itisnoteasy;weareinthetrain,andtheguard'swhistlewill
soundbeforetwentyfourminutesareover."
"Twenty,"saidNicholl.
Forsomemomentsthethreetravelerslookedateachother.Thentheybegantoexaminethe
objectsimprisonedwiththem.
"Everythingisinitsplace,"saidBarbicane."Wehavenowtodecidehowwecanbestplaceourselves
toresisttheshock.Positioncannotbeanindifferentmatter;andwemust,asmuchaspossible,prevent
therushofbloodtothehead."
"Justso,"saidNicholl.
"Then,"repliedMichelArdan,readytosuittheactiontotheword,"letusputourheadsdownand
ourfeetintheair,liketheclownsinthegrandcircus."
"No,"saidBarbicane,"letusstretchourselvesonoursides;weshallresisttheshockbetterthatway.
Rememberthat,whentheprojectilestarts,itmatterslittlewhetherweareinitorbeforeit;itamounts
tomuchthesamething."
"Ifitisonly`muchthesamething,'Imaycheerup,"saidMichelArdan.
"Doyouapproveofmyidea,Nicholl?"askedBarbicane.

"Entirely,"repliedthecaptain."We'vestillthirteenminutesandahalf."
"ThatNichollisnotaman,"exclaimedMichel;"heis
achronometerwithseconds,anescape,andeight

CHAPTER I

91

holes."
Buthiscompanionswerenotlistening;theyweretakinguptheirlastpositionswiththemostperfectcoolness.
Theywereliketwomethodicaltravelersinacar,seekingtoplacethemselvesascomfortablyaspossible.

WemightwellaskourselvesofwhatmaterialsaretheheartsoftheseAmericansmade,towhomthe
approachofthemostfrightfuldangeraddednopulsation.
Threethickandsolidlymadecoucheshadbeenplacedintheprojectile.NichollandBarbicaneplaced
theminthecenterofthediscformingthefloor.Therethethreetravelersweretostretchthemselves
somemomentsbeforetheirdeparture.
Duringthistime,Ardan,notbeingabletokeepstill,turnedinhisnarrowprisonlikeawildbeastin
acage,chattingwithhisfriends,speakingtothedogsDianaandSatellite,towhom,asmaybeseen,
hehadgivensignificantnames.
"Ah,Diana!Ah,Satellite!"heexclaimed,teasingthem;"soyouaregoingtoshowthemoondogsthe
goodhabitsofthedogsoftheearth!Thatwilldohonortothecaninerace!Ifeverwedocomedown
again,Iwillbringacrosstypeof`moondogs,'whichwillmakeastir!"
"Iftherearedogsinthemoon,"saidBarbicane.
"Thereare,"saidMichelArdan,"justastherearehorses,cows,donkeys,andchickens.Ibetthatwe
shallfindchickens."
"Ahundreddollarsweshallfindnone!"saidNicholl.
"Done,mycaptain!"repliedArdan,claspingNicholl'shand."But,bythebye,youhavealreadylostthreebets
withourpresident,asthenecessaryfundsfortheenterprisehavebeenfound,astheoperationofcastinghasbeen
successful,andlastly,astheColumbiadhasbeenloadedwithoutaccident,sixthousanddollars."

"Yes,"repliedNicholl."Thirtysevenminutessixsecondspastten."
"It is understood, captain. Well, before another quarter of an hour you will have to count nine
thousand dollars to the president; four thousand because the Columbiad will not burst, and five
thousandbecausetheprojectilewillrisemorethansixmilesintheair."
"Ihavethedollars,"repliedNicholl,slappingthepocketofthiscoat."Ionlyasktobeallowedtopay."
"Come,Nicholl.Iseethatyouareamanofmethod,whichIcouldneverbe;butindeedyouhave
madeaseriesofbetsofverylittleadvantagetoyourself,allowmetotellyou."
"Andwhy?"askedNicholl.
"Because,ifyougainthefirst,theColumbiadwillhaveburst,andtheprojectilewithit;andBarbicane
willnolongerbetheretoreimburseyourdollars."
"MystakeisdepositedatthebankinBaltimore,"repliedBarbicanesimply;"andifNichollisnot
there,itwillgotohisheirs."

"Ah,youpracticalmen!"exclaimedMichelArdan;"Iadmireyouthemorefornotbeingableto
understandyou."
CHAPTER I

92

"Fortytwominutespastten!"saidNicholl.
"Onlyfiveminutesmore!"answeredBarbicane.
"Yes,fivelittleminutes!"repliedMichelArdan;"andweareenclosedinaprojectile,atthebottomof
agun900feetlong!Andunderthisprojectilearerammed400,000poundsofguncotton,whichis
equalto1,600,000poundsofordinarypowder!AndfriendMurchison,withhischronometerinhand,
hiseyefixedontheneedle,hisfingerontheelectricapparatus,iscountingthesecondspreparatoryto
launchingusintointerplanetaryspace."
"Enough,Michel,enough!"saidBarbicane,inaseriousvoice;"letusprepare.Afewinstantsalone
separateusfromaneventfulmoment.Oneclaspofthehand,myfriends."
"Yes,"exclaimedMichelArdan,moremovedthanhewishedtoappear;andthethreebold
companionswereunitedinalastembrace.
"Godpreserveus!"saidthereligiousBarbicane.
MichelArdanandNichollstretchedthemselvesonthecouchesplacedinthecenterofthedisc.
"Fortysevenminutespastten!"murmuredthecaptain.
"Twentysecondsmore!"Barbicanequicklyputoutthegasandlaydownbyhiscompanions,and
theprofoundsilencewasonlybrokenbythetickingofthechronometermarkingtheseconds.

Suddenlyadreadfulshockwasfelt,andtheprojectile,undertheforceofsixbillionsoflitres
ofgas,developedbythecombustionofpyroxyle,mountedintospace.
CHAPTER II

93

CHAPTER II
THEFIRSTHALFHOUR
Whathadhappened?Whateffecthadthisfrightfulshockproduced?Hadtheingenuityofthe
constructorsoftheprojectileobtainedanyhappyresult?Hadtheshockbeendeadened,thankstothe
springs,thefourplugs,thewatercushions,andthepartitionbreaks?Hadtheybeenabletosubduethe
frightfulpressureoftheinitiatoryspeedofmorethan11,000yards,whichwasenoughtotraverseParisor
NewYorkinasecond?Thiswasevidentlythequestionsuggestedtothethousandspectatorsofthismoving
scene.Theyforgottheaimofthejourney,andthoughtonlyofthetravelers.AndifoneofthemJosephT.
Mastonforexamplecouldhavecastoneglimpseintotheprojectile,whatwouldhehaveseen?

Nothingthen.Thedarknesswasprofound.Butitscylindroconicalpartitionshadresisted
wonderfully.Notarentoradentanywhere!Thewonderfulprojectilewasnotevenheatedunderthe
intensedeflagrationofthepowder,norliquefied,astheyseemedtofear,inashowerofaluminum.

Theinteriorshowedbutlittledisorder;indeed,onlyafewobjectshadbeenviolentlythrowntowardthe
roof;butthemostimportantseemednottohavesufferedfromtheshockatall;theirfixtureswereintact.
Onthemovabledisc,sunkdowntothebottombythesmashingofthepartitionbreaksandtheescapeof
the water, three bodies lay apparently lifeless. Barbicane, Nicholl, and Michel Ardan did they still
breathe?orwastheprojectilenothingnowbutametalcoffin,bearingthreecorpsesintospace?

Someminutesafterthedepartureoftheprojectile,oneofthebodiesmoved,shookitsarms,liftedits
head,andfinallysucceededingettingonitsknees.ItwasMichelArdan.Hefelthimselfallover,gave
asonorous"Hem!"andthensaid:
"MichelArdaniswhole.Howabouttheothers?"
ThecourageousFrenchmantriedtorise,butcouldnotstand.Hisheadswam,fromtherushofblood;
hewasblind;hewasadrunkenman.
"Burr!"saidhe."ItproducesthesameeffectastwobottlesofCorton,thoughperhapsless
agreeabletoswallow."Then,passinghishandseveraltimesacrosshisforeheadandrubbinghis
temples,hecalledinafirmvoice:
"Nicholl!Barbicane!"
Hewaitedanxiously.Noanswer;notevenasightoshowthattheheartsofhiscompanionswerestill
beating.Hecalledagain.Thesamesilence.
"Thedevil!"heexclaimed."Theylookasiftheyhadfallenfromafifthstoryontheirheads.Bah!"he
added,withthatimperturbableconfidencewhichnothingcouldcheck,"ifaFrenchmancangetonhis
knees,twoAmericansoughttobeabletogetontheirfeet.Butfirstletuslightup."
Ardanfeltthetideoflifereturnbydegrees.Hisbloodbecamecalm,andreturnedtoitsaccustomedcirculation.
Anothereffortrestoredhisequilibrium.Hesucceededinrising,drewamatchfromhispocket,andapproaching
theburnerlightedit.Thereceiverhadnotsufferedatall.Thegashadnotescaped.Besides,thesmellwouldhave
betrayedit;andinthatcaseMichelArdancouldnothavecarriedalightedmatchwithimpunitythroughthe
spacefilledwithhydrogen.Thegasmixingwiththeairwouldhaveproducedadetonatingmixture,andthe
explosionwouldhavefinishedwhattheshockhadperhapsbegun.Whentheburnerwaslit,Ardanleanedoverthe
bodiesofhiscompanions:theywerelyingoneontheother,aninert

CHAPTER II

94

mass,Nichollabove,Barbicaneunderneath.
Ardanliftedthecaptain,proppedhimupagainstthedivan,andbegantorubvigorously.Thismeans,
usedwithjudgment,restoredNicholl,whoopenedhiseyes,andinstantlyrecoveringhispresenceof
mind,seizedArdan'shandandlookedaroundhim.
"AndBarbicane?"saidhe.
"Eachinturn,"repliedMichelArdan."Ibeganwithyou,Nicholl,becauseyouwereonthetop.Nowlet
uslooktoBarbicane."Sayingwhich,ArdanandNichollraisedthepresidentoftheGunClubandlaid
himonthedivan.Heseemedtohavesufferedmorethaneitherofhiscompanions;hewasbleeding,but
Nichollwasreassuredbyfindingthatthehemorrhagecamefromaslightwoundontheshoulder,a

meregraze,whichheboundupcarefully.
Still,Barbicanewasalongtimecomingtohimself,whichfrightenedhisfriends,whodidnotsparefriction.

"Hebreathesthough,"saidNicholl,puttinghiseartothechestofthewoundedman.
"Yes,"repliedArdan,"hebreatheslikeamanwhohassomenotionofthatdailyoperation.Rub,Nicholl;letus
rubharder."AndthetwoimprovisedpractitionersworkedsohardandsowellthatBarbicanerecoveredhis
senses.Heopenedhiseyes,satup,tookhistwofriendsbythehands,andhisfirstwordswere

"Nicholl,arewemoving?"
NichollandArdanlookedateachother;theyhadnotyettroubledthemselvesabouttheprojectile;
theirfirstthoughthadbeenforthetraveler,notforthecar.
"Well,arewereallymoving?"repeatedMichelArdan.
"OrquietlyrestingonthesoilofFlorida?"askedNicholl.
"OratthebottomoftheGulfofMexico?"addedMichelArdan.
"Whatanidea!"exclaimedthepresident.
Andthisdoublehypothesissuggestedbyhiscompanionshadtheeffectofrecallinghimtohissenses.Inany
casetheycouldnotdecideonthepositionoftheprojectile.Itsapparentimmovability,andthewantof
communicationwiththeoutside,preventedthemfromsolvingthequestion.Perhapstheprojectilewas
unwindingitscoursethroughspace.Perhapsafterashortriseithadfallenupontheearth,oreveninthe
GulfofMexicoafallwhichthenarrownessofthepeninsulaofFloridawouldrendernotimpossible.
Thecasewasserious,theprobleminteresting,andonethatmustbesolvedassoonaspossible.Thus,highly
excited,Barbicane'smoralenergytriumphedoverphysicalweakness,andherosetohisfeet.Helistened.
Outsidewasperfectsilence;butthethickpaddingwasenoughtointerceptallsoundscomingfromtheearth.
ButonecircumstancestruckBarbicane,viz.,thatthetemperatureinsidetheprojectilewassingularlyhigh.The
presidentdrewathermometerfromitscaseandconsultedit.Theinstrumentshowed81@Fahr.

"Yes,"heexclaimed,"yes,wearemoving!Thisstiflingheat,penetratingthroughthepartitionsofthe
projectile,isproducedbyitsfrictionontheatmosphericstrata.Itwillsoondiminish,becauseweare
alreadyfloatinginspace,andafterhavingnearlystifled,weshallhavetosufferintensecold.
"What!"saidMichelArdan."Accordingtoyour
showing,Barbicane,wearealreadybeyondthelimitsof
the

CHAPTER II

95

terrestrialatmosphere?"
"Withoutadoubt,Michel.Listentome.Itisfiftyfiveminutespastten;wehavebeengoneabout
eightminutes;andifourinitiatoryspeedhasnotbeencheckedbythefriction,sixsecondswouldbe
enoughforustopassthroughthefortymilesofatmospherewhichsurroundstheglobe."
"Justso,"repliedNicholl;"butinwhatproportiondoyouestimatethediminutionofspeedbyfriction?"
"Intheproportionofonethird,Nicholl.Thisdiminutionisconsiderable,butaccordingtomycalculationsit
isnothingless.If,then,wehadaninitiatoryspeedof12,000yards,onleavingtheatmospherethisspeed
wouldbereducedto9,165yards.Inanycasewehavealreadypassedthroughthisinterval,and"

"Andthen,"saidMichelArdan,"friendNichollhaslosthistwobets:fourthousanddollars
becausetheColumbiaddidnotburst;fivethousanddollarsbecausetheprojectilehasrisenmore
thansixmiles.Now,Nicholl,payup."
"Letusproveitfirst,"saidthecaptain,"andwewillpayafterward.Itisquitepossiblethat
Barbicane'sreasoningiscorrect,andthatIhavelostmyninethousanddollars.Butanewhypothesis
presentsitselftomymind,anditannulsthewager."
"Whatisthat?"askedBarbicanequickly.
"Thehypothesisthat,forsomereasonorother,firewasneversettothepowder,andwehavenot
startedatall."
"Mygoodness,captain,"exclaimedMichelArdan,"thathypothesisisnotworthyofmybrain!It
cannotbeaseriousone.Forhavewenotbeenhalfannihilatedbytheshock?DidInotrecallyouto
life?Isnotthepresident'sshoulderstillbleedingfromtheblowithasreceived?"
"Granted,"repliedNicholl;"butonequestion."
"Well,captain?"
"Didyouhearthedetonation,whichcertainlyoughttobeloud?"
"No,"repliedArdan,muchsurprised;"certainlyIdidnothearthedetonation."
"Andyou,Barbicane?"
"NorI,either."
"Verywell,"saidNicholl.
"Wellnow,"murmuredthepresident"whydidwenothearthedetonation?"
Thethreefriendslookedateachotherwithadisconcertedair.Itwasquiteaninexplicable
phenomenon.Theprojectilehadstarted,andconsequentlytheremusthavebeenadetonation.
"Letusfirstfindoutwhereweare,"saidBarbicane,"andletdownthispanel."

Thisverysimpleoperationwassoon
accomplished.

CHAPTER II

96

Thenutswhichheldtheboltstotheouterplatesoftherighthandscuttlegavewayunderthepressureofthe
Englishwrench.Theseboltswerepushedoutside,andthebufferscoveredwithIndiarubberstoppedupthe
holeswhichletthemthrough.Immediatelytheouterplatefellbackuponitshingeslikeaporthole,andthe
lenticularglasswhichclosedthescuttleappeared.Asimilaronewasletintothethickpartitiononthe
oppositesideoftheprojectile,anotherinthetopofthedome,andfinallyafourthinthemiddleofthebase.
Theycould,therefore,makeobservationsinfourdifferentdirections;thefirmamentbythesideandmost
directwindows,theearthorthemoonbytheupperandunderopeningsintheprojectile.
Barbicaneandhistwocompanionsimmediatelyrushedtotheuncoveredwindow.Butitwaslitbynorayof
light.Profounddarknesssurroundedthem,which,however,didnotpreventthepresidentfromexclaiming:

"No,myfriends,wehavenotfallenbackupontheearth;no,norarewesubmergedintheGulfof
Mexico.Yes!wearemountingintospace.Seethosestarsshininginthenight,andthatimpenetrable
darknessheapedupbetweentheearthandus!"
"Hurrah!hurrah!"exclaimedMichelArdanandNichollinonevoice.
Indeed,thisthickdarknessprovedthattheprojectilehadlefttheearth,forthesoil,brilliantlylitbythe
moonbeamswouldhavebeenvisibletothetravelers,iftheyhadbeenlyingonitssurface.Thisdarkness
alsoshowedthattheprojectilehadpassedtheatmosphericstrata,forthediffusedlightspreadintheair
wouldhavebeenreflectedonthemetalwalls,whichreflectionwaswanting.Thislightwouldhavelitthe
window,andthewindowwasdark.Doubtwasnolongerpossible;thetravelershadlefttheearth.

"Ihavelost,"saidNicholl.
"Icongratulateyou,"repliedArdan.
"Herearetheninethousanddollars,"saidthecaptain,drawingarollofpaperdollarsfromhispocket.
"Willyouhaveareceiptforit?"askedBarbicane,takingthesum.
"Ifyoudonotmind,"answeredNicholl;"itismorebusinesslike."
Andcoollyandseriously,asifhehadbeenathisstrongbox,thepresidentdrewforthhisnotebook,
toreoutablankleaf,wroteaproperreceiptinpencil,datedandsigneditwiththeusualflourish,[1]
andgaveittothecaptain,whocarefullyplaceditinhispocketbook.MichelArdan,takingoffhishat,
bowedtohistwocompanionswithoutspeaking.Somuchformalityundersuchcircumstanceslefthim
speechless.Hehadneverbeforeseenanythingso"American."
[1]ThisisapurelyFrenchhabit.
Thisaffairsettled,BarbicaneandNichollhadreturnedtothewindow,andwerewatchingthe
constellations.Thestarslookedlikebrightpointsontheblacksky.Butfromthatsidetheycouldnot
seetheorbofnight,which,travelingfromeasttowest,wouldrisebydegreestowardthezenith.Its
absencedrewthefollowingremarkfromArdan:
"Andthemoon;willsheperchancefailatourrendezvous?"

"Donotalarmyourself,"saidBarbicane;"ourfutureglobeisatitspost,butwecannotseeherfrom
thisside;letusopentheother."
"AsBarbicanewasaboutleavingthewindowtoopenthe
oppositescuttle,hisattentionwasattractedbythe

CHAPTER II

97

approachofabrilliantobject.Itwasanenormousdisc,whosecolossaldimensioncouldnotbe
estimated.Itsface,whichwasturnedtotheearth,wasverybright.Onemighthavethoughtitasmall
moonreflectingthelightofthelargeone.Sheadvancedwithgreatspeed,andseemedtodescribean
orbitroundtheearth,whichwouldintersectthepassageoftheprojectile.Thisbodyrevolveduponits
axis,andexhibitedthephenomenaofallcelestialbodiesabandonedinspace.
"Ah!"exclaimedMichelArdan,"Whatisthat?anotherprojectile?"
Barbicanedidnotanswer.Theappearanceofthisenormousbodysurprisedandtroubledhim.Acollision
waspossible,andmightbeattendedwithdeplorableresults;eithertheprojectilewoulddeviatefromits
path,orashock,breakingitsimpetus,mightprecipitateittoearth;or,lastly,itmightbeirresistiblydrawn
awaybythepowerfulasteroid.Thepresidentcaughtataglancetheconsequencesofthesethreehypotheses,
eitherofwhichwould,onewayortheother,bringtheirexperimenttoanunsuccessfulandfatal
termination.Hiscompanionsstoodsilentlylookingintospace.Theobjectgrewrapidlyasitapproached
them,andbyanopticalillusiontheprojectileseemedtobethrowingitselfbeforeit.

"ByJove!"exclaimedMichelArdan,"weshallrunintooneanother!"
Instinctivelythetravelersdrewback.Theirdreadwasgreat,butitdidnotlastmanyseconds.Theasteroid
passedseveralhundredyardsfromtheprojectileanddisappeared,notsomuchfromtherapidityofits
course,asthatitsfacebeingoppositethemoon,itwassuddenlymergedintotheperfectdarknessofspace.

"Ahappyjourneytoyou,"exclaimedMichelArdan,withasighofrelief."Surelyinfinityofspace
is large enough for a poor little projectile to walk through without fear. Now, what is this
portentousglobewhichnearlystruckus?"
"Iknow,"repliedBarbicane.
"Oh,indeed!youknoweverything."
"Itis,"saidBarbicane,"asimplemeteorite,butanenormousone,whichtheattractionoftheearthhas
retainedasasatellite."
"Isitpossible!"exclaimedMichelArdan;"theearththenhastwomoonslikeNeptune?"
"Yes,myfriends,twomoons,thoughitpassesgenerallyforhavingonlyone;butthissecondmoonisso
small,anditsspeedsogreat,thattheinhabitantsoftheearthcannotseeit.Itwasbynoticingdisturbances
thataFrenchastronomer,M.Petit,wasabletodeterminetheexistenceofthissecondsatelliteandcalculate
itselements.Accordingtohisobservations,thismeteoritewillaccomplishitsrevolutionaroundtheearthin
threehoursandtwentyminutes,whichimpliesawonderfulrateofspeed."

"Doallastronomersadmittheexistenceofthissatellite?"askedNicholl.
"No,"repliedBarbicane;"butif,likeus,theyhadmetit,theycouldnolongerdoubtit.Indeed,Ithink
thatthismeteorite,which,haditstrucktheprojectile,wouldhavemuchembarrassedus,willgiveus
themeansofdecidingwhatourpositioninspaceis."
"How?"saidArdan.

"Becauseitsdistanceisknown,andwhenwemetit,wewereexactlyfourthousandsixhundred
andfiftymilesfromthesurfaceoftheterrestrialglobe."
CHAPTER II

98

"MorethantwothousandFrenchleagues,"exclaimedMichelArdan."Thatbeatstheexpress
trainsofthepitifulglobecalledtheearth."
"Ishouldthinkso,"repliedNicholl,consultinghischronometer;"itiseleveno'clock,anditisonly
thirteenminutessincewelefttheAmericancontinent."
"Onlythirteenminutes?"saidBarbicane.
"Yes,"saidNicholl;"andifourinitiatoryspeedoftwelvethousandyardshasbeenkeptup,we
shallhavemadeabouttwentythousandmilesinthehour."
"Thatisallverywell,myfriends,"saidthepresident,"buttheinsolublequestionstillremains.Why
didwenothearthedetonationoftheColumbiad?"
Forwantofananswertheconversationdropped,andBarbicanebeganthoughtfullytoletdownthe
shutterofthesecondside.Hesucceeded;andthroughtheuncoveredglassthemoonfilledthe
projectilewithabrilliantlight.Nicholl,asaneconomicalman,putoutthegas,nowuseless,andwhose
brilliancypreventedanyobservationoftheinterplanetaryspace.
Thelunardiscshonewithwonderfulpurity.Herrays,nolongerfilteredthroughthevaporyatmosphereof
theterrestrialglobe,shonethroughtheglass,fillingtheairintheinterioroftheprojectilewithsilvery
reflections.Theblackcurtainofthefirmamentinrealityheightenedthemoon'sbrilliancy,whichinthis
voidofetherunfavorabletodiffusiondidnoteclipsetheneighboringstars.Theheavens,thusseen,
presentedquiteanewaspect,andonewhichthehumaneyecouldneverdreamof.Onemayconceivethe
interestwithwhichtheseboldmenwatchedtheorbofnight,thegreataimoftheirjourney.

Initsmotiontheearth'ssatellitewasinsensiblynearingthezenith,themathematicalpointwhichit
oughttoattainninetysixhourslater.Hermountains,herplains,everyprojectionwasasclearly
discernibletotheireyesasiftheywereobservingitfromsomespotupontheearth;butitslightwas
developedthroughspacewithwonderfulintensity.Thediscshonelikeaplatinummirror.Ofthe
earthflyingfromundertheirfeet,thetravelershadlostallrecollection.
ItwascaptainNichollwhofirstrecalledtheirattentiontothevanishingglobe.
"Yes,"saidMichelArdan,"donotletusbeungratefultoit.Sinceweareleavingourcountry,letour
lastlooksbedirectedtoit.Iwishtoseetheearthoncemorebeforeitisquitehiddenfrommyeyes."
Tosatisfyhiscompanions,Barbicanebegantouncoverthewindowatthebottomoftheprojectile,which
wouldallowthemtoobservetheearthdirect.Thedisc,whichtheforceoftheprojectionhadbeatendownto
thebase,wasremoved,notwithoutdifficulty.Itsfragments,placedcarefullyagainstawall,mightserve
againuponoccasion.Thenacirculargapappeared,nineteeninchesindiameter,hollowedoutofthelower
partoftheprojectile.Aglasscover,sixinchesthickandstrengthenedwithupperfastenings,closedit
tightly.Beneathwasfixedanaluminumplate,heldinplacebybolts.Thescrewsbeingundone,andthebolts
letgo,theplatefelldown,andvisiblecommunicationwasestablishedbetweentheinteriorandtheexterior.

MichelArdankneltbytheglass.Itwascloudy,seeminglyopaque.
"Well!"heexclaimed,"andtheearth?"
"Theearth?"saidBarbicane."Thereitis."
"What!thatlittlethread;that
silvercrescent?"

CHAPTER II

99

"Doubtless,Michel.Infourdays,whenthemoonwillbefull,attheverytimeweshallreachit,the
earthwillbenew,andwillonlyappeartousasaslendercrescentwhichwillsoondisappear,andfor
somedayswillbeenvelopedinutterdarkness."
"Thattheearth?"repeatedMichelArdan,lookingwithallhiseyesatthethinslipofhisnativeplanet.
TheexplanationgivenbyPresidentBarbicanewascorrect.Theearth,withrespecttotheprojectile,
wasenteringitslastphase.Itwasinitsoctant,andshowedacrescentfinelytracedonthedark
backgroundofthesky.Itslight,renderedbluishbythethickstrataoftheatmospherewaslessintense
thanthatofthecrescentmoon,butitwasofconsiderabledimensions,andlookedlikeanenormous
archstretchedacrossthefirmament.Somepartsbrilliantlylighted,especiallyonitsconcavepart,
showedthepresenceofhighmountains,oftendisappearingbehindthickspots,whichareneverseen
onthelunardisc.Theywereringsofcloudsplacedconcentricallyroundtheterrestrialglobe.
Whilethetravelersweretryingtopiercetheprofounddarkness,abrilliantclusterofshootingstarsburstupon
theireyes.Hundredsofmeteorites,ignitedbythefrictionoftheatmosphere,irradiatedtheshadowofthe
luminoustrain,andlinedthecloudypartsofthediscwiththeirfire.Atthisperiodtheearthwasinitsperihelion,
andthemonthofDecemberissopropitioustotheseshootingstars,thatastronomershavecountedasmanyas
twentyfourthousandinanhour.ButMichelArdan,disdainingscientificreasonings,preferredthinkingthatthe
earthwasthussalutingthedepartureofherthreechildrenwithhermostbrilliantfireworks.

Indeedthiswasalltheysawoftheglobelostinthesolarworld,risingandsettingtothegreatplanets
likeasimplemorningoreveningstar!Thisglobe,wheretheyhadleftalltheiraffections,wasnothing
morethanafugitivecrescent!
Longdidthethreefriendslookwithoutspeaking,thoughunitedinheart,whiletheprojectilesped
onwardwithaneverdecreasingspeed.Thenanirresistibledrowsinesscreptovertheirbrain.Wasit
wearinessofbodyandmind?Nodoubt;foraftertheoverexcitementofthoselasthourspassedupon
earth,reactionwasinevitable.
"Well,"saidNicholl,"sincewemustsleep,letussleep."
Andstretchingthemselvesontheircouches,theywereallthreesooninaprofoundslumber.
Buttheyhadnotforgottenthemselvesmorethanaquarterofanhour,whenBarbicanesatup
suddenly,androusinghiscompanionswithaloudvoice,exclaimed
"Ihavefoundit!"
"Whathaveyoufound?"askedMichelArdan,jumpingfromhisbed.
"ThereasonwhywedidnothearthedetonationoftheColumbiad."
"Anditis?"saidNicholl.
"Becauseourprojectiletraveled
fasterthanthesound!"

CHAPTER III

100

CHAPTER III
THEIRPLACEOFSHELTER
Thiscuriousbutcertainlycorrectexplanationoncegiven,thethreefriendsreturnedtotheirslumbers.
Couldtheyhavefoundacalmerormorepeacefulspottosleepin?Ontheearth,houses,towns,cottages,and
countryfeeleveryshockgiventotheexterioroftheglobe.Onsea,thevesselsrockedbythewavesarestillin
motion;intheair,theballoonoscillatesincessantlyonthefluidstrataofdiversdensities.Thisprojectile
alone,floatinginperfectspace,inthemidstofperfectsilence,offeredperfectrepose.

Thusthesleepofouradventuroustravelersmighthavebeenindefinitelyprolonged,ifanunexpected
noisehadnotawakenedthemataboutseveno'clockinthemorningofthe2ndofDecember,eight
hoursaftertheirdeparture.
Thisnoisewasaverynaturalbarking.
"Thedogs!itisthedogs!"exclaimedMichelArdan,risingatonce.
"Theyarehungry,"saidNicholl.
"ByJove!"repliedMichel,"wehaveforgottenthem."
"Wherearethey?"askedBarbicane.
Theylookedandfoundoneoftheanimalscrouchedunderthedivan.Terrifiedandshakenbythe
initiatoryshock,ithadremainedinthecornertillitsvoicereturnedwiththepangsofhunger.Itwas
theamiableDiana,stillveryconfused,whocreptoutofherretreat,thoughnotwithoutmuch
persuasion,MichelArdanencouragingherwithmostgraciouswords.
"Come,Diana,"saidhe:"come,mygirl!thouwhosedestinywillbemarkedinthecynegeticannals;
thouwhomthepaganswouldhavegivenascompaniontothegodAnubis,andChristiansasfriendto
St.Roch;thouwhoartrushingintointerplanetaryspace,andwiltperhapsbetheEveofallSelenite
dogs!come,Diana,comehere."
Diana,flatteredornot,advancedbydegrees,utteringplaintivecries.
"Good,"saidBarbicane:"IseeEve,butwhereisAdam?"
"Adam?"repliedMichel;"Adamcannotbefaroff;heistheresomewhere;wemustcallhim.
Satellite!here,Satellite!"
ButSatellitedidnotappear.Dianawouldnotleaveoffhowling.Theyfound,however,thatshewasnotbruised,
andtheygaveherapie,whichsilencedhercomplaints.AstoSatellite,heseemedquitelost.Theyhadtohunta
longtimebeforefindinghiminoneoftheuppercompartmentsoftheprojectile,whithersomeunaccountable
shockmusthaveviolentlyhurledhim.Thepoorbeast,muchhurt,wasinapiteousstate.

"Thedevil!"saidMichel.

Theybroughttheunfortunatedogdownwithgreatcare.Itsskullhadbeenbrokenagainstthe
roof,anditseemedunlikelythathecouldrecoverfromsuchashock.Meanwhile,hewasstretched
comfortablyonacushion.Oncethere,heheavedasigh.
CHAPTER III

101

"Wewilltakecareofyou,"saidMichel;"weareresponsibleforyourexistence.Iwouldratherlose
anarmthanapawofmypoorSatellite."
Sayingwhich,heofferedsomewatertothewoundeddog,whoswalloweditwithavidity.
Thisattentionpaid,thetravelerswatchedtheearthandthemoonattentively.Theearthwasnowonly
discerniblebyacloudydiscendinginacrescent,rathermorecontractedthanthatoftheprevious
evening;butitsexpansewasstillenormous,comparedwiththatofthemoon,whichwasapproaching
nearerandnearertoaperfectcircle.
"ByJove!"saidMichelArdan,"Iamreallysorrythatwedidnotstartwhentheearthwasfull,that
istosay,whenourglobewasinoppositiontothesun."
"Why?"saidNicholl.
"Becauseweshouldhaveseenourcontinentsandseasinanewlightthefirstresplendentunderthe
solarrays,thelattercloudyasrepresentedonsomemapsoftheworld.Ishouldliketohaveseenthose
polesoftheearthonwhichtheeyeofmanhasneveryetrested.
"Idaresay,"repliedBarbicane;"butiftheearthhadbeenfull,themoonwouldhavebeennew;that
istosay,invisible,becauseoftheraysofthesun.Itisbetterforustoseethedestinationwewishto
reach,thanthepointofdeparture."
"Youareright,Barbicane,"repliedCaptainNicholl;"and,besides,whenwehavereachedthemoon,weshall
havetimeduringthelonglunarnightstoconsideratourleisuretheglobeonwhichourlikenessesswarm."

"Ourlikenesses!"exclaimedMichelArdan;"TheyarenomoreourlikenessesthantheSelenitesare!
Weinhabitanewworld,peopledbyourselvestheprojectile!IamBarbicane'slikeness,and
BarbicaneisNicholl's.Beyondus,aroundus,humannatureisatanend,andwearetheonly
populationofthismicrocosmuntilwebecomepureSelenites."
"Inabouteightyeighthours,"repliedthecaptain.
"Whichmeanstosay?"askedMichelArdan.
"Thatitishalfpasteight,"repliedNicholl.
"Verywell,"retortedMichel;"thenitisimpossibleformetofindeventheshadowofareasonwhywe
shouldnotgotobreakfast."
Indeedtheinhabitantsofthenewstarcouldnotlivewithouteating,andtheirstomachsweresuffering
fromtheimperiouslawsofhunger.MichelArdan,asaFrenchman,wasdeclaredchiefcook,an
importantfunction,whichraisednorival.Thegasgavesufficientheatfortheculinaryapparatus,and
theprovisionboxfurnishedtheelementsofthisfirstfeast.
Thebreakfastbeganwiththreebowlsofexcellentsoup,thankstotheliquefactioninhotwaterofthoseprecious

cakesofLiebig,preparedfromthebestpartsoftheruminantsofthePampas.Tothesoupsucceededsome
beefsteaks,compressedbyanhydraulicpress,astenderandsucculentasifbroughtstraightfromthekitchenof
anEnglisheatinghouse.Michel,whowasimaginative,maintainedthattheywereeven"red."

Preservedvegetables("fresherthannature,"saidtheamiableMichel)succeededthedishofmeat;
andwasfollowedbysomecupsofteawithbreadandbutter,aftertheAmericanfashion.
CHAPTER III

102

Thebeveragewasdeclaredexquisite,andwasduetotheinfusionofthechoicestleaves,ofwhichthe
emperorofRussiahadgivensomechestsforthebenefitofthetravelers.
Andlastly,tocrowntherepast,ArdanhadbroughtoutafinebottleofNuits,whichwasfound"by
chance"intheprovisionbox.Thethreefriendsdranktotheunionoftheearthandhersatellite.
And,asifhehadnotalreadydoneenoughforthegenerouswinewhichhehaddistilledontheslopes
ofBurgundy,thesunchosetobepartoftheparty.Atthismomenttheprojectileemergedfromthe
conicalshadowcastbytheterrestrialglobe,andtheraysoftheradiantorbstruckthelowerdiscof
theprojectiledirectoccasionedbytheanglewhichthemoon'sorbitmakeswiththatoftheearth.

"Thesun!"exclaimedMichelArdan.
"Nodoubt,"repliedBarbicane;"Iexpectedit."
"But,"saidMichel,"theconicalshadowwhichtheearthleavesinspaceextendsbeyondthemoon?"
"Farbeyondit,iftheatmosphericrefractionisnottakenintoconsideration,"saidBarbicane."But
whenthemoonisenvelopedinthisshadow,itisbecausethecentersofthethreestars,thesun,the
earth,andthemoon,areallinoneandthesamestraightline.Thenthenodescoincidewiththephases
ofthemoon,andthereisaneclipse.Ifwehadstartedwhentherewasaneclipseofthemoon,allour
passagewouldhavebeenintheshadow,whichwouldhavebeenapity."
"Why?"
"Because,thoughwearefloatinginspace,ourprojectile,bathedinthesolarrays,willreceivelight
andheat.Iteconomizesthegas,whichisineveryrespectagoodeconomy."
Indeed,undertheserayswhichnoatmospherecantemper,eitherintemperatureorbrilliancy,the
projectilegrewwarmandbright,asifithadpassedsuddenlyfromwintertosummer.Themoon
above,thesunbeneath,wereinundatingitwiththeirfire.
"Itispleasanthere,"saidNicholl.
"Ishouldthinkso,"saidMichelArdan."Withalittleearthspreadonouraluminumplanetweshouldhave
greenpeasintwentyfourhours.Ihavebutonefear,whichisthatthewallsoftheprojectilemightmelt."

"Calmyourself,myworthyfriend,"repliedBarbicane;"theprojectilewithstoodaverymuchhigher
temperaturethanthisasitslidthroughthestrataoftheatmosphere.Ishouldnotbesurprisedifitdid
notlooklikeameteoronfiretotheeyesofthespectatorsinFlorida."
"ButthenJ.T.Mastonwillthinkweareroasted!"

"Whatastonishesme,"saidBarbicane,"isthatwehavenotbeen.Thatwasadangerwehadnotprovidedfor."

"Ifearedit,"saidNichollsimply.
"Andyounevermentionedit,mysublimecaptain,"exclaimedMichelArdan,claspinghisfriend'shand.
Barbicanenowbegantosettlehimselfintheprojectileasifhewasnevertoleaveit.Onemustrememberthat
thisaerialcarhadabasewithasuperficiesoffiftyfoursquarefeet.Itsheighttotheroofwastwelvefeet.
Carefullylaidoutintheinside,andlittleencumberedbyinstrumentsandtravelingutensils,whicheachhad

CHAPTER III

103

theirparticularplace,itleftthethreetravelersacertainfreedomofmovement.Thethickwindow
insertedinthebottomcouldbearanyamountofweight,andBarbicaneandhiscompanionswalked
uponitasifitweresolidplank;butthesunstrikingitdirectlywithitsrayslittheinteriorofthe
projectilefrombeneath,thusproducingsingulareffectsoflight.
Theybeganbyinvestigatingthestateoftheirstoreofwaterandprovisions,neitherofwhichhadsuffered,
thankstothecaretakentodeadentheshock.Theirprovisionswereabundant,andplentifulenoughtolast
thethreetravelersformorethanayear.Barbicanewishedtobecautious,incasetheprojectileshouldland
onapartofthemoonwhichwasutterlybarren.Astowaterandthereserveofbrandy,whichconsistedof
fiftygallons,therewasonlyenoughfortwomonths;butaccordingtothelastobservationsofastronomers,
themoonhadalow,dense,andthickatmosphere,atleastinthedeepvalleys,andtherespringsandstreams
couldnotfail.Thus,duringtheirpassage,andforthefirstyearoftheirsettlementonthelunarcontinent,
theseadventurousexplorerswouldsufferneitherhungernorthirst.

Nowabouttheairintheprojectile.There,too,theyweresecure.ReisetandRegnaut'sapparatus,
intendedfortheproductionofoxygen,wassuppliedwithchlorateofpotassiumfortwomonths.They
necessarilyconsumedacertainquantityofgas,fortheywereobligedtokeeptheproducingsubstance
atatemperatureofabove400@.Butthereagaintheywereallsafe.Theapparatusonlywantedalittle
care.Butitwasnotenoughtorenewtheoxygen;theymustabsorbthecarbonicacidproducedby
expiration.Duringthelasttwelvehourstheatmosphereoftheprojectilehadbecomechargedwiththis
deleteriousgas.NicholldiscoveredthestateoftheairbyobservingDianapantingpainfully.The
carbonicacid,byaphenomenonsimilartothatproducedinthefamousGrottodelCane,hadcollected
atthebottomoftheprojectileowingtoitsweight.PoorDiana,withherheadlow,wouldsufferbefore
hermastersfromthepresenceofthisgas.ButCaptainNichollhastenedtoremedythisstateofthings,
byplacingonthefloorseveralreceiverscontainingcausticpotash,whichheshookaboutforatime,and
thissubstance,greedyofcarbonicacid,sooncompletelyabsorbedit,thuspurifyingtheair.
Aninventoryofinstrumentswasthenbegun.Thethermometersandbarometershadresisted,allbut
oneminimumthermometer,theglassofwhichwasbroken.Anexcellentaneroidwasdrawnfromthe
waddedboxwhichcontaineditandhungonthewall.Ofcourseitwasonlyaffectedbyandmarkedthe
pressureoftheairinsidetheprojectile,butitalsoshowedthequantityofmoisturewhichitcontained.
Atthatmomentitsneedleoscillatedbetween25.24and25.08.
Itwasfineweather.
Barbicanehadalsobroughtseveralcompasses,whichhefoundintact.Onemustunderstandthatunder
presentconditionstheirneedleswereactingwildly,thatiswithoutanyconstantdirection.Indeed,atthe
distancetheywerefromtheearth,themagneticpolecouldhavenoperceptibleactionupontheapparatus;

buttheboxplacedonthelunardiscmightperhapsexhibitsomestrangephenomena.Inanycaseitwouldbe
interestingtoseewhethertheearth'ssatellitesubmittedlikeherselftoitsmagneticinfluence.

Ahypsometertomeasuretheheightofthelunarmountains,asextanttotaketheheightofthesun,
glasseswhichwouldbeusefulastheynearedthemoon,alltheseinstrumentswerecarefullylooked
over,andpronouncedgoodinspiteoftheviolentshock.
AstothepickaxesanddifferenttoolswhichwereNicholl'sespecialchoice;astothesacksofdifferent
kindsofgrainandshrubswhichMichelArdanhopedtotransplantintoSeleniteground,theywere
stowedawayintheupperpartoftheprojectile.Therewasasortofgranarythere,loadedwiththings
whichtheextravagantFrenchmanhadheapedup.Whattheywerenooneknew,andthegood
temperedfellowdidnotexplain.Nowandthenheclimbedupbycrampironsrivetedtothewalls,but
kepttheinspectiontohimself.Hearrangedandrearranged,heplungedhishandrapidlyintocertain
mysteriousboxes,singinginoneofthefalsestofvoicesanoldFrenchrefraintoenliventhesituation.
CHAPTER III

104

Barbicaneobservedwithsomeinterestthathisgunsandotherarmshadnotbeendamaged.These
wereimportant,because,heavilyloaded,theyweretohelplessenthefalloftheprojectile,whendrawn
bythelunarattraction(afterhavingpassedthepointofneutralattraction)ontothemoon'ssurface;a
fallwhichoughttobesixtimeslessrapidthanitwouldhavebeenontheearth'ssurface,thankstothe
differenceofbulk.Theinspectionendedwithgeneralsatisfaction,wheneachreturnedtowatchspace
throughthesidewindowsandthelowerglasscoverlid.
Therewasthesameview.Thewholeextentofthecelestialsphereswarmedwithstarsandconstellationsof
wonderfulpurity,enoughtodriveanastronomeroutofhismind!Ononesidethesun,likethemouthofa
lightedoven,adazzlingdiscwithoutahalo,standingoutonthedarkbackgroundofthesky!Ontheother,
themoonreturningitsfirebyreflection,andapparentlymotionlessinthemidstofthestarryworld.Then,a
largespotseeminglynailedtothefirmament,borderedbyasilverycord;itwastheearth!Hereandthere
nebulousmasseslikelargeflakesofstarrysnow;andfromthezenithtothenadir,animmenseringformed
byanimpalpabledustofstars,the"MilkyWay,"inthemidstofwhichthesunranksonlyasastarofthe
fourthmagnitude.Theobserverscouldnottaketheireyesfromthisnovelspectacle,ofwhichnodescription
couldgiveanadequateidea.Whatreflectionsitsuggested!Whatemotionshithertounknownawokeintheir
souls!Barbicanewishedtobegintherelationofhisjourneywhileunderitsfirstimpressions,andhourafter
hourtooknotesofallfactshappeninginthebeginningoftheenterprise.Hewrotequietly,withhislarge
squarewriting,inabusinesslikestyle.
DuringthistimeNicholl,thecalculator,lookedovertheminutesoftheirpassage,andworkedoutfigures
withunparalleleddexterity.MichelArdanchattedfirstwithBarbicane,whodidnotanswerhim,andthen
withNicholl,whodidnothearhim,withDiana,whounderstoodnoneofhistheories,andlastlywith
himself,questioningandanswering,goingandcoming,busywithathousanddetails;atonetimebentover
thelowerglass,atanotherroostingintheheightsoftheprojectile,andalwayssinging.Inthismicrocosmhe
representedFrenchloquacityandexcitability,andwebegyoutobelievethattheywerewellrepresented.
Theday,orrather(fortheexpressionisnotcorrect)thelapseoftwelvehours,whichformsadayuponthe
earth,closedwithaplentifulsuppercarefullyprepared.Noaccidentofanynaturehadyethappenedto
shakethetravelers'confidence;so,fullofhope,alreadysureofsuccess,theysleptpeacefully,whilethe
projectileunderanuniformlydecreasingspeedwascrossingthesky.

CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER IV

105

ALITTLEALGEBRA
Thenightpassedwithoutincident.Theword"night,"however,isscarcelyapplicable.
Thepositionoftheprojectilewithregardtothesundidnotchange.Astronomically,itwasdaylighton
thelowerpart,andnightontheupper;sowhenduringthisnarrativethesewordsareused,they
representthelapseoftimebetweenrisingandsettingofthesunupontheearth.
Thetravelers'sleepwasrenderedmorepeacefulbytheprojectile'sexcessivespeed,foritseemedabsolutely
motionless.Notamotionbetrayeditsonwardcoursethroughspace.Therateofprogress,howeverrapiditmight
be,cannotproduceanysensibleeffectonthehumanframewhenittakesplaceinavacuum,orwhenthemassof
aircirculateswiththebodywhichiscarriedwithit.Whatinhabitantoftheearthperceivesitsspeed,which,
however,isattherateof68,000milesperhour?Motionundersuchconditionsis"felt"nomorethanrepose;and
whenabodyisinreposeitwillremainsoaslongasnostrangeforcedisplacesit;ifmoving,itwillnotstopunless
anobstaclecomesinitsway.Thisindifferencetomotionorreposeiscalledinertia.

Barbicaneandhiscompanionsmighthavebelievedthemselvesperfectlystationary,beingshutupin
theprojectile;indeed,theeffectwouldhavebeenthesameiftheyhadbeenontheoutsideofit.Had
itnotbeenforthemoon,whichwasincreasingabovethem,theymighthaveswornthattheywere
floatingincompletestagnation.
Thatmorning,the3rdofDecember,thetravelerswereawakenedbyajoyousbutunexpectednoise;it
wasthecrowingofacockwhichsoundedthroughthecar.MichelArdan,whowasthefirstonhisfeet,
climbedtothetopoftheprojectile,andshuttingabox,thelidofwhichwaspartlyopen,saidinalow
voice,"Willyouholdyourtongue?Thatcreaturewillspoilmydesign!"
ButNichollandBarbicanewereawake.
"Acock!"saidNicholl.
"Whyno,myfriends,"Michelansweredquickly;"itwasIwhowishedtoawakeyoubythisrural
sound."Sosaying,hegaveventtoasplendidcockadoodledoo,whichwouldhavedonehonortothe
proudestofpoultryyards.
ThetwoAmericanscouldnothelplaughing.
"Finetalentthat,"saidNicholl,lookingsuspiciouslyathiscompanion.
"Yes,"saidMichel;"ajokeinmycountry.ItisveryGallic;theyplaythecocksointhebestsociety."
Thenturningtheconversation:
"Barbicane,doyouknowwhatIhavebeenthinkingofallnight?"
"No,"answeredthepresident.
"OfourCambridgefriends.YouhavealreadyremarkedthatIamanignoramusinmathematicalsubjects;
anditisimpossibleformetofindouthowthesavantsoftheobservatorywereabletocalculatewhat
initiatoryspeedtheprojectileoughttohaveonleavingtheColumbiadinordertoattainthemoon."

CHAPTER IV

106

"Youmeantosay,"repliedBarbicane,"toattainthatneutralpointwheretheterrestrialandlunar
attractionsareequal;for,startingfromthatpoint,situatedaboutninetenthsofthedistancetraveled
over,theprojectilewouldsimplyfalluponthemoon,onaccountofitsweight."
"Sobeit,"saidMichel;"but,oncemore;howcouldtheycalculatetheinitiatoryspeed?"
"Nothingcanbeeasier,"repliedBarbicane.
"Andyouknewhowtomakethatcalculation?"askedMichelArdan.
"Perfectly.NichollandIwouldhavemadeit,iftheobservatoryhadnotsavedusthetrouble."
"Verywell,oldBarbicane,"repliedMichel;"theymighthavecutoffmyhead,beginningatmyfeet,
beforetheycouldhavemademesolvethatproblem."
"Becauseyoudonotknowalgebra,"answeredBarbicanequietly.
"Ah,thereyouare,youeatersofx^1;youthinkyouhavesaidallwhenyouhavesaid`Algebra.'"
"Michel,"saidBarbicane,"canyouuseaforgewithoutahammer,oraplowwithoutaplowshare?"
"Hardly."
"Well,algebraisatool,liketheploworthehammer,andagoodtooltothosewhoknowhowtouseit."
"Seriously?"
"Quiteseriously."
"Andcanyouusethattoolinmypresence?"
"Ifitwillinterestyou."
"Andshowmehowtheycalculatedtheinitiatoryspeedofourcar?"
"Yes,myworthyfriend;takingintoconsiderationalltheelementsoftheproblem,thedistancefromthecenterof
theearthtothecenterofthemoon,oftheradiusoftheearth,ofitsbulk,andofthebulkofthemoon,Icantell
exactlywhatoughttobetheinitiatoryspeedoftheprojectile,andthatbyasimpleformula."

"Letussee."
"Youshallseeit;onlyIshallnotgiveyoutherealcoursedrawnbytheprojectilebetweenthemoon
andtheearthinconsideringtheirmotionroundthesun.No,Ishallconsiderthesetwoorbsas
perfectlymotionless,whichwillanswerallourpurpose."
"Andwhy?"
"Becauseitwillbetryingtosolvetheproblemcalled`theproblemofthethreebodies,'forwhichthe
integralcalculusisnotyetfarenoughadvanced."

"Then,"saidMichelArdan,inhisslytone,"mathematicshave
notsaidtheirlastword?"

CHAPTER IV

107

"Certainlynot,"repliedBarbicane.
"Well,perhapstheSeleniteshavecarriedtheintegralcalculusfartherthanyouhave;and,bythebye,
whatisthis`integralcalculus?'"
"Itisacalculationtheconverseofthedifferential,"repliedBarbicaneseriously.
"Muchobliged;itisallveryclear,nodoubt."
"Andnow,"continuedBarbicane,"aslipofpaperandabitofpencil,andbeforeahalfhourisoverI
willhavefoundtherequiredformula."
HalfanhourhadnotelapsedbeforeBarbicane,raisinghishead,showedMichelArdanapage
coveredwithalgebraicalsigns,inwhichthegeneralformulaforthesolutionwascontained.
"Well,anddoesNichollunderstandwhatthatmeans?"
"Ofcourse,Michel,"repliedthecaptain."Allthesesigns,whichseemcabalistictoyou,formthe
plainest,theclearest,andthemostlogicallanguagetothosewhoknowhowtoreadit."
"Andyoupretend,Nicholl,"askedMichel,"thatbymeansofthesehieroglyphics,moreincomprehensible
thantheEgyptianIbis,youcanfindwhatinitiatoryspeeditwasnecessarytogivetheprojectile?"

"Incontestably,"repliedNicholl;"andevenbythissameformulaIcanalwaystellyouitsspeedatany
pointofitstransit."
"Onyourword?"
"Onmyword."
"Thenyouareascunningasourpresident."
"No,Michel;thedifficultpartiswhatBarbicanehasdone;thatis,togetanequationwhichshallsatisfy
alltheconditionsoftheproblem.Theremainderisonlyaquestionofarithmetic,requiringmerelythe
knowledgeofthefourrules."
"Thatissomething!"repliedMichelArdan,whoforhislifecouldnotdoadditionright,andwho
definedtheruleasaChinesepuzzle,whichallowedonetoobtainallsortsoftotals.
"Theexpressionvzero,whichyouseeinthatequation,isthespeedwhichtheprojectilewillhaveon
leavingtheatmosphere."
"Justso,"saidNicholl;"itisfromthatpointthatwemustcalculatethevelocity,sinceweknowalready
thatthevelocityatdeparturewasexactlyoneandahalftimesmorethanonleavingtheatmosphere."

"Iunderstandnomore,"saidMichel.
"Itisaverysimplecalculation,"saidBarbicane.

"NotassimpleasIam,"retortedMichel.
"Thatmeans,thatwhenourprojectilereachedthe
limitsoftheterrestrialatmosphereithadalreadylost

CHAPTER IV

108

onethirdofitsinitiatoryspeed."
"Asmuchasthat?"
"Yes,myfriend;merelybyfrictionagainsttheatmosphericstrata.Youunderstandthatthefasterit
goesthemoreresistanceitmeetswithfromtheair."
"ThatIadmit,"answeredMichel;"andIunderstandit,althoughyourx'sandzero's,andalgebraic
formula,arerattlinginmyheadlikenailsinabag."
"Firsteffectsofalgebra,"repliedBarbicane;"andnow,tofinish,wearegoingtoprovethegiven
numberofthesedifferentexpressions,thatis,workouttheirvalue."
"Finishme!"repliedMichel.
Barbicanetookthepaper,andbegantomakehiscalculationswithgreatrapidity.Nicholllooked
overandgreedilyreadtheworkasitproceeded.
"That'sit!that'sit!"atlasthecried.
"Isitclear?"askedBarbicane.
"Itiswritteninlettersoffire,"saidNicholl.
"Wonderfulfellows!"mutteredArdan.
"Doyouunderstanditatlast?"askedBarbicane.
"DoIunderstandit?"criedArdan;"myheadissplittingwithit."
"Andnow,"saidNicholl,"tofindoutthespeedoftheprojectilewhenitleavestheatmosphere,we
haveonlytocalculatethat."
The captain, as a practical man equal to all difficulties, began to write with frightful rapidity.
Divisionsandmultiplicationsgrewunderhisfingers;thefigureswerelikehailonthewhitepage.
Barbicanewatchedhim,whileMichelArdannursedagrowingheadachewithbothhands.
"Verywell?"askedBarbicane,aftersomeminutes'silence.
"Well!"repliedNicholl;everycalculationmade,vzero,thatistosay,thespeednecessaryforthe
projectileonleavingtheatmosphere,toenableittoreachtheequalpointofattraction,oughttobe"
"Yes?"saidBarbicane.
"Twelvethousandyards."
"What!"exclaimedBarbicane,starting;"yousay"
"Twelvethousandyards."

"Thedevil!"criedthepresident,
makingagestureofdespair.

CHAPTER IV

109

"Whatisthematter?"askedMichelArdan,muchsurprised.
"Whatisthematter!why,ifatthismomentourspeedhadalreadydiminishedonethirdby
friction,theinitiatoryspeedoughttohavebeen"
"Seventeenthousandyards."
"AndtheCambridgeObservatorydeclaredthattwelvethousandyardswasenoughatstarting;
andourprojectile,whichonlystartedwiththatspeed"
"Well?"askedNicholl.
"Well,itwillnotbeenough."
"Good."
"Weshallnotbeabletoreachtheneutralpoint."
"Thedeuce!"
"Weshallnotevengethalfway."
"Inthenameoftheprojectile!"exclaimedMichelArdan,jumpingasifitwasalreadyonthepointof
strikingtheterrestrialglobe.
"Andweshallfallbackupontheearth!"
CHAPTER V

110

CHAPTER V
THECOLDOFSPACE
Thisrevelationcamelikeathunderbolt.Whocouldhaveexpectedsuchanerrorincalculation?
Barbicanewouldnotbelieveit.Nichollrevisedhisfigures:theywereexact.Astotheformulawhich
haddeterminedthem,theycouldnotsuspectitstruth;itwasevidentthataninitiatoryvelocityof
seventeenthousandyardsinthefirstsecondwasnecessarytoenablethemtoreachtheneutralpoint.
Thethreefriendslookedateachothersilently.Therewasnothoughtofbreakfast.Barbicane,with
clenchedteeth,knittedbrows,andhandsclaspedconvulsively,waswatchingthroughthewindow.
Nichollhadcrossedhisarms,andwasexamininghiscalculations.MichelArdanwasmuttering:
"Thatisjustlikethesescientificmen:theyneverdoanythingelse.Iwouldgivetwentypistolesifwe
couldfallupontheCambridgeObservatoryandcrushit,togetherwiththewholelotofdabblersin
figureswhichitcontains."
Suddenlyathoughtstruckthecaptain,whichheatoncecommunicatedtoBarbicane.
"Ah!"saidhe;"itisseveno'clockinthemorning;wehavealreadybeengonethirtytwohours;more
thanhalfourpassageisover,andwearenotfallingthatIamawareof."

Barbicanedidnotanswer,butafterarapidglanceatthecaptain,tookapairofcompasseswherewith
tomeasuretheangulardistanceoftheterrestrialglobe;thenfromthelowerwindowhetookanexact
observation,andnoticedthattheprojectilewasapparentlystationary.Thenrisingandwipinghis
forehead,onwhichlargedropsofperspirationwerestanding,heputsomefiguresonpaper.Nicholl
understoodthatthepresidentwasdeductingfromtheterrestrialdiametertheprojectile'sdistance
fromtheearth.Hewatchedhimanxiously.
"No,"exclaimedBarbicane,aftersomemoments,"no,wearenotfalling!no,wearealreadymorethan
50,000leaguesfromtheearth.Wehavepassedthepointatwhichtheprojectilewouldhavestoppedif
itsspeedhadonlybeen12,000yardsatstarting.Wearestillgoingup."
"Thatisevident,"repliedNicholl;"andwemustconcludethatourinitialspeed,underthepowerof
the400,000poundsofguncotton,musthaveexceededtherequired12,000yards.NowIcan
understandhow,afterthirteenminutesonly,wemetthesecondsatellite,whichgravitatesroundthe
earthatmorethan2,000leagues'distance."
"Andthisexplanationisthemoreprobable,"addedBarbicane,"Because,inthrowingoffthewater
enclosedbetweenitspartitionbreaks,theprojectilefounditselflightenedofaconsiderableweight."
"Justso,"saidNicholl.
"Ah,mybraveNicholl,wearesaved!"
"Verywellthen,"saidMichelArdanquietly;"aswearesafe,letushavebreakfast."
Nichollwasnotmistaken.Theinitialspeedhadbeen,veryfortunately,muchabovethatestimatedby
theCambridgeObservatory;buttheCambridgeObservatoryhadneverthelessmadeamistake.

Thetravelers,recoveredfromthisfalsealarm,breakfastedmerrily.Iftheyateagooddeal,they
talkedmore.Theirconfidencewasgreaterafterthanbefore"theincidentofthealgebra."
CHAPTER V

111

"Whyshouldwenotsucceed?"saidMichelArdan;"whyshouldwenotarrivesafely?Weare
launched;wehavenoobstaclebeforeus,nostonesintheway;theroadisopen,moresothanthatofa
shipbattlingwiththesea;moreopenthanthatofaballoonbattlingwiththewind;andifashipcan
reachitsdestination,aballoongowhereitpleases,whycannotourprojectileattainitsendandaim?"
"Itwillattainit,"saidBarbicane.
"IfonlytodohonortotheAmericans,"addedMichelArdan,"theonlypeoplewhocouldbringsuchan
enterprisetoahappytermination,andtheonlyonewhichcouldproduceaPresidentBarbicane.Ah,now
wearenolongeruneasy,Ibegintothink,Whatwillbecomeofus?Weshallgetrightroyallyweary."

BarbicaneandNichollmadeagestureofdenial.
"ButIhaveprovidedforthecontingency,myfriends,"repliedMichel;"youhaveonlytospeak,andI
havechess,draughts,cards,anddominoesatyourdisposal;nothingiswantingbutabilliardtable."

"What!"exclaimedBarbicane;"youbroughtawaysuchtrifles?"

"Certainly,"repliedMichel,"andnotonlytodistractourselves,butalsowiththelaudable
intentionofendowingtheSelenitesmokingdivanswiththem."
"Myfriend,"saidBarbicane,"ifthemoonisinhabited,itsinhabitantsmusthaveappearedsomethousands
ofyearsbeforethoseoftheearth,forwecannotdoubtthattheirstarismucholderthanours.Ifthenthese
Seleniteshaveexistedtheirhundredsofthousandsofyears,andiftheirbrainisofthesameorganizationof
thehumanbrain,theyhavealreadyinventedallthatwehaveinvented,andevenwhatwemayinventin
futureages.Theyhavenothingtolearnfromus,andwehaveeverythingtolearnfromthem."

"What!"saidMichel;"youbelievethattheyhaveartistslikePhidias,MichaelAngelo,orRaphael?"
"Yes."
"PoetslikeHomer,Virgil,Milton,Lamartine,andHugo?"
"Iamsureofit."
"PhilosopherslikePlato,Aristotle,Descartes,Kant?"
"Ihavenodoubtofit."
"ScientificmenlikeArchimedes,Euclid,Pascal,Newton?"
"Icouldswearit."
"ComicwriterslikeArnal,andphotographerslikelikeNadar?"
"Certain."
"Then,friendBarbicane,iftheyareasstrongasweare,andevenstrongertheseSeleniteswhy
havetheynottriedtocommunicatewiththeearth?whyhavetheynotlaunchedalunarprojectileto
ourterrestrialregions?"
"Whotoldyouthattheyhaveneverdoneso?"saidBarbicane
seriously.

CHAPTER V

112

"Indeed,"addedNicholl,"itwouldbeeasierforthemthanforus,fortworeasons;first,becausethe
attractiononthemoon'ssurfaceissixtimeslessthanonthatoftheearth,whichwouldallowa
projectiletorisemoreeasily;secondly,becauseitwouldbeenoughtosendsuchaprojectileonlyat
8,000leaguesinsteadof80,000,whichwouldrequiretheforceofprojectiontobetentimeslessstrong."
"Then,"continuedMichel,"Irepeatit,whyhavetheynotdoneit?"
"AndIrepeat,"saidBarbicane;"whotoldyouthattheyhavenotdoneit?"
"When?"
"Thousandsofyearsbeforemanappearedonearth."
"Andtheprojectilewhereistheprojectile?Idemandtoseetheprojectile."
"Myfriend,"repliedBarbicane,"theseacoversfivesixthsofourglobe.Fromthatwemaydrawfivegood
reasonsforsupposingthatthelunarprojectile,ifeverlaunched,isnowatthebottomoftheAtlanticorthe
Pacific,unlessitspedintosomecrevasseatthatperiodwhenthecrustoftheearthwasnotyethardened."

"OldBarbicane,"saidMichel,"youhaveananswerforeverything,andIbowbeforeyourwisdom.
Butthereisonehypothesisthatwouldsuitmebetterthanalltheothers,whichis,theSelenites,being
olderthanwe,arewiser,andhavenotinventedgunpowder."
AtthismomentDianajoinedintheconversationbyasonorousbarking.Shewasaskingforherbreakfast.

"Ah!"saidMichelArdan,"inourdiscussionwehaveforgottenDianaandSatellite."
Immediatelyagoodsizedpiewasgiventothedog,whichdevouredithungrily.
"Doyousee,Barbicane,"saidMichel,"weshouldhavemadeasecondNoah'sarkofthisprojectile,
andbornewithustothemoonacoupleofeverykindofdomesticanimal."
"Idaresay;butroomwouldhavefailedus."
"Oh!"saidMichel,"wemighthavesqueezedalittle."
"Thefactis,"repliedNicholl,"thatcows,bulls,andhorses,andallruminants,wouldhavebeenveryuseful
onthelunarcontinent,butunfortunatelythecarcouldneitherhavebeenmadeastablenorashed."

"Well,wemighthaveatleastbroughtadonkey,onlyalittledonkey;thatcourageousbeastwhichold
Silenuslovedtomount.Ilovethoseolddonkeys;theyaretheleastfavoredanimalsincreation;they
arenotonlybeatenwhilealive,butevenaftertheyaredead."
"Howdoyoumakethatout?"askedBarbicane."Why,"saidMichel,"theymaketheirskinsintodrums."
BarbicaneandNichollcouldnothelplaughingatthisridiculousremark.Butacryfromtheirmerry
companionstoppedthem.ThelatterwasleaningoverthespotwhereSatellitelay.Herose,saying:

"MygoodSatelliteisnolongerill."

"Ah!"said
Nicholl.

CHAPTER V

113

"No,"answeredMichel,"heisdead!There,"addedhe,inapiteoustone,"thatisembarrassing.I
muchfear,mypoorDiana,thatyouwillleavenoprogenyinthelunarregions!"
IndeedtheunfortunateSatellitehadnotsurviveditswound.Itwasquitedead.MichelArdan
lookedathisfriendswitharuefulcountenance.
"Onequestionpresentsitself,"saidBarbicane."Wecannotkeepthedeadbodyofthisdogwithusfor
thenextfortyeighthours."
"No!certainlynot,"repliedNicholl;"butourscuttlesarefixedonhinges;theycanbeletdown.We
willopenone,andthrowthebodyoutintospace."
Thepresidentthoughtforsomemoments,andthensaid:
"Yes,wemustdoso,butatthesametimetakingverygreatprecautions."
"Why?"askedMichel.
"Fortworeasonswhichyouwillunderstand,"answeredBarbicane."Thefirstrelatestotheairshut
upintheprojectile,andofwhichwemustloseaslittleaspossible."
"Butwemanufacturetheair?"
"Onlyinpart.Wemakeonlytheoxygen,myworthyMichel;andwithregardtothat,wemustwatchthatthe
apparatusdoesnotfurnishtheoxygenintoogreataquantity;foranexcesswouldbringusveryserious
physiologicaltroubles.Butifwemaketheoxygen,wedonotmaketheazote,thatmediumwhichthelungsdonot
absorb,andwhichoughttoremainintact;andthatazotewillescaperapidlythroughtheopenscuttles."

"Oh!thetimeforthrowingoutpoorSatellite?"saidMichel.
"Agreed;butwemustactquickly."
"Andthesecondreason?"askedMichel.
"Thesecondreasonisthatwemustnotlettheoutercold,whichisexcessive,penetratetheprojectile
orweshallbefrozentodeath."
"Butthesun?"
"Thesunwarmsourprojectile,whichabsorbsitsrays;butitdoesnotwarmthevacuuminwhichwe
arefloatingatthismoment.Wherethereisnoair,thereisnomoreheatthandiffusedlight;andthe
samewithdarkness;itiscoldwherethesun'sraysdonotstrikedirect.Thistemperatureisonlythe
temperatureproducedbytheradiationofthestars;thatistosay,whattheterrestrialglobewould
undergoifthesundisappearedoneday."
"Whichisnottobefeared,"repliedNicholl.
"Whoknows?"saidMichelArdan."But,inadmittingthatthesundoesnotgoout,mightitnothappen
thattheearthmightmoveawayfromit?"

"There!"saidBarbicane,"thereisMichelwithhisideas."

CHAPTER V

114

"And,"continuedMichel,"dowenotknowthatin1861theearthpassedthroughthetailofacomet?
Orletussupposeacometwhosepowerofattractionisgreaterthanthatofthesun.Theterrestrial
orbitwillbendtowardthewanderingstar,andtheearth,becomingitssatellite,willbedrawnsucha
distancethattheraysofthesunwillhavenoactiononitssurface."
"Thatmighthappen,indeed,"repliedBarbicane,"buttheconsequencesofsuchadisplacementneed
notbesoformidableasyousuppose."
"Andwhynot?"
"Becausetheheatandcoldwouldbeequalizedonourglobe.Ithasbeencalculatedthat,hadourearthbeen
carriedalonginitscoursebythecometof1861,atitsperihelion,thatis,itsnearestapproachtothesun,it
wouldhaveundergoneaheat28,000timesgreaterthanthatofsummer.Butthisheat,whichissufficientto
evaporatethewaters,wouldhaveformedathickringofcloud,whichwouldhavemodifiedthatexcessive
temperature;hencethecompensationbetweenthecoldoftheaphelionandtheheatoftheperihelion."

"Athowmanydegrees,"askedNicholl,"isthetemperatureoftheplanetaryspacesestimated?"
"Formerly,"repliedBarbicane,"itwasgreatlyexagerated;butnow,afterthecalculationsofFourier,of
theFrenchAcademyofScience,itisnotsupposedtoexceed60@Centigradebelowzero."

"Pooh!"saidMichel,"that'snothing!"
"Itisverymuch,"repliedBarbicane;"thetemperaturewhichwasobservedinthepolarregions,at
MelvilleIslandandFortReliance,thatis76@Fahrenheitbelowzero."
"IfImistakenot,"saidNicholl,"M.Pouillet,anothersavant,estimatesthetemperatureofspaceat
250@Fahrenheitbelowzero.Weshall,however,beabletoverifythesecalculationsforourselves."

"Notatpresent;becausethesolarrays,beatingdirectlyuponourthermometer,wouldgive,onthe
contrary,averyhightemperature.But,whenwearriveinthemoon,duringitsfifteendaysofnightat
eitherface,weshallhaveleisuretomaketheexperiment,foroursatelliteliesinavacuum."
"Whatdoyoumeanbyavacuum?"askedMichel."Isitperfectlysuch?"
"Itisabsolutelyvoidofair."
"Andistheairreplacedbynothingwhatever?"
"Bytheetheronly,"repliedBarbicane.
"Andpraywhatistheether?"
"The ether, my friend, is an agglomeration of imponderable atoms, which, relatively to their
dimensions,areasfarremovedfromeachotherasthecelestialbodiesareinspace.Itistheseatoms
which,bytheirvibratorymotion,producebothlightandheatintheuniverse."
TheynowproceededtotheburialofSatellite.Theyhadmerelytodrophimintospace,inthesamewaythat
sailorsdropabodyintothesea;but,asPresidentBarbicanesuggested,theymustactquickly,soastoloseas

littleaspossibleofthatairwhoseelasticitywouldrapidlyhavespreaditintospace.Theboltsoftherightscuttle,
theopeningofwhichmeasuredabouttwelveinchesacross,werecarefullydrawn,whileMichel,quitegrieved,
preparedtolaunchhisdogintospace.Theglass,raisedbyapowerfullever,whichenableditto

CHAPTER V

115

overcomethepressureoftheinsideaironthewallsoftheprojectile,turnedrapidlyonitshinges,and
Satellite was thrown out. Scarcely a particle of air could have escaped, and the operation was so
successfulthatlateronBarbicanedidnotfeartodisposeoftherubbishwhichencumberedthecar.
CHAPTER VI

116

CHAPTER VI
QUESTIONANDANSWER
Onthe4thofDecember,whenthetravelersawokeafterfiftyfourhours'journey,thechronometer
markedfiveo'clockoftheterrestrialmorning.Intimeitwasjustoverfivehoursandfortyminutes,
halfofthatassignedtotheirsojournintheprojectile;buttheyhadalreadyaccomplishednearly
sevententhsoftheway.Thispeculiaritywasduetotheirregularlydecreasingspeed.
Nowwhentheyobservedtheearththroughthelowerwindow,itlookedlikenothingmorethanadarkspot,
drownedinthesolarrays.Nomorecrescent,nomorecloudylight!Thenextday,atmidnight,theearth
wouldbenew,attheverymomentwhenthemoonwouldbefull.Above,theorbofnightwasnearingthe
linefollowedbytheprojectile,soastomeetitatthegivenhour.Allaroundtheblackvaultwasstudded
withbrilliantpoints,whichseemedtomoveslowly;but,atthegreatdistancetheywerefromthem,their
relativesizedidnotseemtochange.Thesunandstarsappearedexactlyastheydotousuponearth.Asto
themoon,shewasconsiderablylarger;butthetravelers'glasses,notverypowerful,didnotallowthemas
yettomakeanyusefulobservationsuponhersurface,orreconnoiterhertopographicallyorgeologically.

Thusthetimepassedinneverendingconversationsallaboutthemoon.Eachonebroughtforward
hisowncontingentofparticularfacts;BarbicaneandNichollalwaysserious,MichelArdanalways
enthusiastic.Theprojectile,itssituation,itsdirection,incidentswhichmighthappen,theprecautions
necessitatedbytheirfallontothemoon,wereinexhaustiblemattersofconjecture.
Astheywerebreakfasting,aquestionofMichel's,relatingtotheprojectile,provokedratheracurious
answerfromBarbicane,whichisworthrepeating.Michel,supposingittoberoughlystopped,whilestill
underitsformidableinitialspeed,wishedtoknowwhattheconsequencesofthestoppagewouldhavebeen.

"But,"saidBarbicane,"Idonotseehowitcouldhavebeenstopped."
"Butletussupposeso,"saidMichel.
"Itisanimpossiblesupposition,"saidthepracticalBarbicane;"unlessthatimpulsiveforcehadfailed;
buteventhenitsspeedwoulddiminishbydegrees,anditwouldnothavestoppedsuddenly."

"Admitthatithadstruckabodyinspace."
"Whatbody?"
"Whythatenormousmeteorwhichwemet."

"Then,"saidNicholl,"theprojectilewouldhavebeenbrokenintoathousandpieces,andwewithit."
"Morethanthat,"repliedBarbicane;"weshouldhavebeenburnedtodeath."
"Burned?"exclaimedMichel,"byJove!Iamsorryitdidnothappen,`justtosee.'"
"Andyouwouldhaveseen,"repliedBarbicane."Itisknownnowthatheatisonlyamodificationof
motion.Whenwateriswarmedthatistosay,whenheatisaddedtoititsparticlesaresetinmotion."
"Well,"saidmichel,"thatisaningenioustheory!"

CHAPTER VI

117

"Andatrueone,myworthyfriend;foritexplainseveryphenomenonofcaloric.Heatisbutthemotion
ofatoms,asimpleoscillationoftheparticlesofabody.Whentheyapplythebraketoatrain,thetrain
comestoastop;butwhatbecomesofthemotionwhichithadpreviouslypossessed?Itistransformed
intoheat,andthebrakebecomeshot.Whydotheygreasetheaxlesofthewheels?Topreventtheir
heating,becausethisheatwouldbegeneratedbythemotionwhichisthuslostbytransformation."
"Yes,Iunderstand,"repliedMichel,"perfectly.Forexample,whenIhaverunalongtime,whenI
amswimming,whenIamperspiringinlargedrops,whyamIobligedtostop?Simplybecausemy
motionischangedintoheat."
BarbicanecouldnothelpsmilingatMichel'sreply;then,returningtohistheory,said:
"Thus,incaseofashock,itwouldhavebeenwithourprojectileaswithaballwhichfallsinaburning
stateafterhavingstruckthemetalplate;itisitsmotionwhichisturnedintoheat.ConsequentlyI
affirmthat,ifourprojectilehadstruckthemeteor,itsspeedthussuddenlycheckedwouldhaveraised
aheatgreatenoughtoturnitintovaporinstantaneously."
"Then,"askedNicholl,"whatwouldhappeniftheearth'smotionweretostopsuddenly?"
"Hertemperaturewouldberaisedtosuchapitch,"saidBarbicane,"thatshewouldbeatonce
reducedtovapor."
"Well,"saidMichel,"thatisawayofendingtheearthwhichwillgreatlysimplifythings."
"Andiftheearthfelluponthesun?"askedNicholl.
"Accordingtocalculation,"repliedBarbicane,"thefallwoulddevelopaheatequaltothatproducedby
16,000globesofcoal,eachequalinbulktoourterrestrialglobe."
"Goodadditionalheatforthesun,"repliedMichelArdan,"ofwhichtheinhabitantsofUranusor
Neptunewoulddoubtlessnotcomplain;theymustbeperishedwithcoldontheirplanets."
"Thus, my friends," said Barbicane, "all motion suddenly stopped produces heat. And this theory
allowsustoinferthattheheatofthesolardiscisfedbyahailofmeteorsfallingincessantlyonits
surface.Theyhaveevencalculated"
"Oh,dear!"murmuredMichel,"thefiguresarecoming."
"Theyhaveevencalculated,"continuedtheimperturbableBarbicane,"thattheshockofeach
meteoronthesunoughttoproduceaheatequaltothatof4,000massesofcoalofanequalbulk."
"Andwhatisthesolarheat?"askedMichel.
"Itisequaltothatproducedbythecombustionofastratumofcoalsurroundingthesuntoa
depthoffortysevenmiles."
"Andthatheat"
"Wouldbeabletoboiltwobillionsninehundredmillionsofcubicmyriameters[2]ofwater."

[2]Themyriameterisequaltorathermore
than10,936cubicyardsEnglish.

CHAPTER VI

118

"Anditdoesnotroastus!"exclaimedMichel.
"No,"repliedBarbicane,"becausetheterrestrialatmosphereabsorbsfourtenthsofthesolarheat;
besides,thequantityofheatinterceptedbytheearthisbutabillionthpartoftheentireradiation."
"Iseethatallisforthebest,"saidMichel,"andthatthisatmosphereisausefulinvention;forit
notonlyallowsustobreathe,butitpreventsusfromroasting."
"Yes!"saidNicholl,"unfortunately,itwillnotbethesameinthemoon."
"Bah!"saidMichel,alwayshopeful."Ifthereareinhabitants,theymustbreathe.Iftherearenolonger
any,theymusthaveleftenoughoxygenforthreepeople,ifonlyatthebottomofravines,whereitsown
weightwillcauseittoaccumulate,andwewillnotclimbthemountains;thatisall."AndMichel,
rising,wenttolookatthelunardisc,whichshonewithintolerablebrilliancy.
"ByJove!"saidhe,"itmustbehotupthere!"
"Withoutconsidering,"repliedNicholl,"thatthedaylasts360hours!"
"Andtocompensatethat,"saidBarbicane,"thenightshavethesamelength;andasheatis
restoredbyradiation,theirtemperaturecanonlybethatoftheplanetaryspace."
"Aprettycountry,that!"exclaimedMichel."Nevermind!IwishIwasthere!Ah!mydearcomrades,
itwillberathercurioustohavetheearthforourmoon,toseeitriseonthehorizon,torecognizethe
shapeofitscontinents,andtosaytooneself,`ThereisAmerica,thereisEurope;'thentofollowit
whenitisabouttoloseitselfinthesun'srays!Bythebye,Barbicane,havetheSeleniteseclipses?"
"Yes,eclipsesofthesun,"repliedBarbicane,"whenthecentersofthethreeorbsareonaline,the
earthbeinginthemiddle.Buttheyareonlypartial,duringwhichtheearth,castlikeascreenuponthe
solardisc,allowsthegreaterportiontobeseen."
"Andwhy,"askedNicholl,"istherenototaleclipse?Doesnottheconeoftheshadowcastbytheearth
extendbeyondthemoon?"
"Yes,ifwedonottakeintoconsiderationtherefractionproducedbytheterrestrialatmosphere.No,if
wetakethatrefractionintoconsideration.Thusletlowercasedeltabethehorizontalparallel,andp
theapparentsemidiameter"
"Oh!"saidMichel."Dospeakplainly,youmanofalgebra!"
"Verywell,repliedBarbicane;"inpopularlanguagethemeandistancefromthemoontotheearthbeing
sixtyterrestrialradii,thelengthoftheconeoftheshadow,onaccountofrefraction,isreducedtolessthan
fortytworadii.Theresultisthatwhenthereareeclipses,themoonfindsitselfbeyondtheconeofpure
shadow,andthatthesunsendsheritsrays,notonlyfromitsedges,butalsofromitscenter."

"Then,"saidMichel,inamerrytone,"whyarethereeclipses,whenthereoughtnottobeany?"
"Simplybecausethesolarraysareweakenedbythisrefraction,andtheatmospherethroughwhich
theypassextinguishedthegreaterpartofthem!"

"Thatreasonsatisfiesme,"repliedMichel."Besidesweshallseewhenwegetthere.Now,tellme,
Barbicane,doyoubelievethatthemoonisanoldcomet?"
CHAPTER VI

119

"There'sanidea!"
"Yes,"repliedMichel,withanamiableswagger,"Ihaveafewideasofthatsort."
"ButthatideadoesnotspringfromMichel,"answeredNicholl.
"Well,then,Iamaplagiarist."
"Nodoubtaboutit.Accordingtotheancients,theArcadianspretendthattheirancestorsinhabitedtheearth
beforethemoonbecamehersatellite.Startingfromthisfact,somescientificmenhaveseeninthemoona
cometwhoseorbitwillonedaybringitsoneartotheearththatitwillbeheldtherebyitsattraction."

"Isthereanytruthinthishypothesis?"askedMichel.
"Nonewhatever,"saidBarbicane,"andtheproofis,thatthemoonhaspreservednotraceofthe
gaseousenvelopewhichalwaysaccompaniescomets."
"But,"continuedNicholl,"Beforebecomingtheearth'ssatellite,couldnotthemoon,wheninher
perihelion,passsonearthesunasbyevaporationtogetridofallthosegaseoussubstances?"
"Itispossible,friendNicholl,butnotprobable."
"Whynot?"
"BecauseFaithIdonotknow."
"Ah!"exclaimedMichel,"whathundredofvolumeswemightmakeofallthatwedonotknow!"
"Ah!indeed.Whattimeisit?"askedBarbicane.
"Threeo'clock,"answeredNicholl.
"Howtimegoes,"saidMichel,"intheconversationofscientificmensuchasweare!Certainly,IfeelI
knowtoomuch!IfeelthatIambecomingawell!"
Sayingwhich,Michelhoistedhimselftotheroofoftheprojectile,"toobservethemoonbetter,"he
pretended.Duringthistimehiscompanionswerewatchingthroughthelowerglass.Nothingnewtonote!

WhenMichelArdancamedown,hewenttothesidescuttle;andsuddenlytheyheardan
exclamationofsurprise!
"Whatisit?"askedBarbicane.
Thepresidentapproachedthewindow,andsawasortofflattenedsackfloatingsomeyardsfromthe
projectile.Thisobjectseemedasmotionlessastheprojectile,andwasconsequentlyanimatedwith
thesameascendingmovement.

"Whatisthatmachine?"continuedMichelArdan."Isitoneofthebodieswhichourprojectilekeeps
withinitsattraction,andwhichwillaccompanyittothemoon?"
"Whatastonishesme,"saidNicholl,"isthatthespecificweightofthebody,whichiscertainlyless
thanthatoftheprojectile,allowsittokeepsoperfectlyonalevelwithit."
CHAPTER VI

120

"Nicholl,"repliedBarbicane,afteramoment'sreflection,"Idonotknowwhattheobjectit,butI
doknowwhyitmaintainsourlevel."
"Andwhy?"
"Becausewearefloatinginspace,mydearcaptain,andinspacebodiesfallormove(whichisthesame
thing)withequalspeedwhateverbetheirweightorform;itistheair,whichbyitsresistancecreatesthese
differencesinweight.Whenyoucreateavacuuminatube,theobjectsyousendthroughit,grainsofdustor
grainsoflead,fallwiththesamerapidity.Hereinspaceisthesamecauseandthesameeffect."

"Justso,"saidNicholl,"andeverythingwethrowoutoftheprojectilewillaccompanyituntilit
reachesthemoon."
"Ah!foolsthatweare!"exclaimedMichel.
"Whythatexpletive?"askedBarbicane.
"Becausewemighthavefilledtheprojectilewithusefulobjects,books,instruments,tools,etc.We
couldhavethrownthemallout,andallwouldhavefollowedinourtrain.Buthappythought!Why
cannotwewalkoutsidelikethemeteor?Whycannotwelaunchintospacethroughthescuttle?What
enjoymentitwouldbetofeeloneselfthussuspendedinether,morefavoredthanthebirdswhomust
usetheirwingstokeepthemselvesup!"
"Granted,"saidBarbicane,"buthowtobreathe?"
"Hangtheair,tofailsoinopportunely!"
"Butifitdidnotfail,Michel,yourdensitybeinglessthanthatoftheprojectile,youwouldsoon
beleftbehind."
"Thenwemustremaininourcar?"
"Wemust!"
"Ah!"exclaimedMichel,inaloadvoice.
"Whatisthematter,"askedNicholl.
"Iknow,Iguess,whatthispretendedmeteoris!Itisnoasteroidwhichisaccompanyingus!Itisnota
pieceofaplanet."
"Whatisitthen?"askedBarbicane.

"Itisourunfortunatedog!ItisDiana'shusband!"
Indeed,thisdeformed,unrecognizableobject,reducedtonothing,wasthebodyofSatellite,flattened
likeabagpipewithoutwind,andevermounting,mounting!
CHAPTER VII

121

CHAPTER VII
AMOMENTOFINTOXICATION
Thusaphenomenon,curiousbutexplicable,washappeningunderthesestrangeconditions.
Everyobjectthrownfromtheprojectilewouldfollowthesamecourseandneverstopuntilitdid.
Therewasasubjectforconversationwhichthewholeeveningcouldnotexhaust.
Besides,theexcitementofthethreetravelersincreasedastheydrewneartheendoftheirjourney.
Theyexpectedunforseenincidents,andnewphenomena;andnothingwouldhaveastonishedthemin
theframeofmindtheythenwerein.Theiroverexcitedimaginationwentfasterthantheprojectile,
whosespeedwasevidentlydiminishing,thoughinsensiblytothemselves.Butthemoongrewlargerto
theireyes,andtheyfanciediftheystretchedouttheirhandstheycouldseizeit.
Thenextday,the5thofNovember,atfiveinthemorning,allthreewereonfoot.Thatdaywastobethe
lastoftheirjourney,ifallcalculationsweretrue.Thatverynight,attwelveo'clock,ineighteenhours,
exactlyatthefullmoon,theywouldreachitsbrilliantdisc.Thenextmidnightwouldseethatjourney
ended,themostextraordinaryofancientormoderntimes.Thusfromthefirstofthemorning,throughthe
scuttlessilveredbyitsrays,theysalutedtheorbofnightwithaconfidentandjoyoushurrah.

Themoonwasadvancingmajesticallyalongthestarryfirmament.Afewmoredegrees,andshe
wouldreachtheexactpointwherehermeetingwiththeprojectilewastotakeplace.
Accordingtohisownobservations,Barbicanereckonedthattheywouldlandonhernorthern
hemisphere,wherestretchimmenseplains,andwheremountainsarerare.Afavorablecircumstanceif,
astheythought,thelunaratmospherewasstoredonlyinitsdepths.
"Besides,"observedMichelArdan,"aplainiseasiertodisembarkuponthanamountain.ASelenite,
depositedinEuropeonthesummitofMontBlanc,orinAsiaonthetopoftheHimalayas,wouldnot
bequiteintherightplace."
"And,"addedCaptainNicholl,"onaflatground,theprojectilewillremainmotionlesswhenithas
oncetouched;whereasonadeclivityitwouldrolllikeanavalanche,andnotbeingsquirrelswe
shouldnotcomeoutsafeandsound.Soitisallforthebest."
Indeed,thesuccessoftheaudaciousattemptnolongerappeareddoubtful.ButBarbicanewaspreoccupied
withonethought;butnotwishingtomakehiscompanionsuneasy,hekeptsilenceonthissubject.
Thedirectiontheprojectilewastakingtowardthemoon'snorthernhemisphere,showedthathercoursehad
beenslightlyaltered.Thedischarge,mathematicallycalculated,wouldcarrytheprojectiletotheverycenterof
thelunardisc.Ifitdidnotlandthere,theremusthavebeensomedeviation.Whathadcausedit?Barbicane
couldneitherimaginenordeterminetheimportanceofthedeviation,fortherewerenopointstogoby.

Hehoped,however,thatitwouldhavenootherresultthanthatofbringingthemnearertheupper
borderofthemoon,aregionmoresuitableforlanding.
Withoutimpartinghisuneasinesstohiscompanions,Barbicanecontentedhimselfwithconstantlyobservingthe
moon,inordertoseewhetherthecourseoftheprojectilewouldnotbealtered;forthesituationwouldhave
beenterribleifitfailedinitsaim,andbeingcarriedbeyondthediscshouldbelaunchedintointerplanetary
space.Atthatmoment,themoon,insteadofappearingflatlikeadisc,showeditsconvexity.Ifthesun'srayshad
struckitobliquely,theshadowthrownwouldhavebroughtoutthehighmountains,which

CHAPTER VII

122

wouldhavebeenclearlydetached.Theeyemighthavegazedintothecrater'sgapingabysses,and
followedthecapriciousfissureswhichwoundthroughtheimmenseplains.Butallreliefwasasyet
leveledinintensebrilliancy.Theycouldscarcelydistinguishthoselargespotswhichgivethemoonthe
appearanceofahumanface.
"Face,indeed!"saidMichelArdan;"butIamsorryfortheamiablesisterofApollo.Averypittedface!"
Butthetravelers,nowsoneartheend,wereincessantlyobservingthisnewworld.Theyimagined
themselveswalkingthroughitsunknowncountries,climbingitshighestpeaks,descendingintoitslowest
depths.Hereandtheretheyfanciedtheysawvastseas,scarcelykepttogetherundersorarefiedan
atmosphere,andwatercoursesemptyingthemountaintributaries.Leaningovertheabyss,theyhopedto
catchsomesoundsfromthatorbforevermuteinthesolitudeofspace.Thatlastdayleftthem.

Theytookdownthemosttriflingdetails.Avagueuneasinesstookpossessionofthemastheyneared
theend.Thisuneasinesswouldhavebeendoubledhadtheyfelthowtheirspeedhaddecreased.It
wouldhaveseemedtothemquiteinsufficienttocarrythemtotheend.Itwasbecausetheprojectile
then"weighed"almostnothing.Itsweightwaseverdecreasing,andwouldbeentirelyannihilatedon
thatlinewherethelunarandterrestrialattractionswouldneutralizeeachother.
Butinspiteofhispreoccupation,MichelArdandidnotforgettopreparethemorningrepastwithhisaccustomed
punctuality.Theyatewithagoodappetite.Nothingwassoexcellentasthesoupliquefiedbytheheatofthegas;
nothingbetterthanthepreservedmeat.SomeglassesofgoodFrenchwinecrownedtherepast,causingMichel
Ardantoremarkthatthelunarvines,warmedbythatardentsun,oughttodistillevenmoregenerouswines;that
is,iftheyexisted.Inanycase,thefarseeingFrenchmanhadtakencarenottoforgetinhiscollectionsome
preciouscuttingsoftheMedocandCoted'Or,uponwhichhefoundedhishopes.

ReisetandRegnaut'sapparatusworkedwithgreatregularity.Notanatomofcarbonicacidresistedthe
potash;andastotheoxygen,CaptainNichollsaid"itwasofthefirstquality."Thelittlewateryvapor
enclosedintheprojectilemixingwiththeairtemperedthedryness;andmanyapartmentsinLondon,
Paris,orNewYork,andmanytheaters,werecertainlynotinsuchahealthycondition.
Butthatitmightactwithregularity,theapparatusmustbekeptinperfectorder;soeachmorningMichel
visitedtheescaperegulators,triedthetaps,andregulatedtheheatofthegasbythepyrometer.Everything
hadgonewelluptothattime,andthetravelers,imitatingtheworthyJosephT.Maston,begantoacquirea
degreeofembonpointwhichwouldhaverenderedthemunrecognizableiftheirimprisonmenthadbeen
prolongedtosomemonths.Inaword,theybehavedlikechickensinacoop;theyweregettingfat.

InlookingthroughthescuttleBarbicanesawthespecterofthedog,andotherdiversobjectswhich
had been thrown from the projectile, obstinately following them. Diana howled lugubriously on
seeingtheremainsofSatellite,whichseemedasmotionlessasiftheyreposedonsolidearth.

"Doyouknow,myfriends,"saidMichelArdan,"thatifoneofushadsuccumbedtotheshockconsequenton
departure,weshouldhavehadagreatdealoftroubletoburyhim?WhatamIsaying?to etherizehim,ashere
ethertakestheplaceofearth.Youseetheaccusingbodywouldhavefollowedusintospacelikearemorse."

"Thatwouldhavebeensad,"saidNicholl.
"Ah!"continuedMichel,"whatIregretisnotbeingabletotakeawalkoutside.Whatvoluptuousness
tofloatamidthisradiantether,tobatheoneselfinit,towraponeselfinthesun'spurerays.If
Barbicanehadonlythoughtoffurnishinguswithadivingapparatusandanairpump,Icouldhave
venturedoutandassumedfancifulattitudesoffeignedmonstersonthetopoftheprojectile."
CHAPTER VII

123

"Well,oldMichel,"repliedBarbicane,"youwouldnothavemadeafeignedmonsterlong,forinspite
ofyourdiver'sdress,swollenbytheexpansionofairwithinyou,youwouldhaveburstlikeashell,or
ratherlikeaballoonwhichhasrisentoohigh.Sodonotregretit,anddonotforgetthisaslongaswe
floatinspace,allsentimentalwalksbeyondtheprojectileareforbidden."
MichelArdanallowedhimselftobeconvincedtoacertainextent.Headmittedthatthethingwas
difficultbutnotimpossible,awordwhichheneveruttered.
Theconversationpassedfromthissubjecttoanother,notfailinghimforaninstant.Itseemedtothe
threefriendsasthough,underpresentconditions,ideasshotupintheirbrainsasleavesshootatthe
firstwarmthofspring.Theyfeltbewildered.Inthemiddleofthequestionsandanswerswhichcrossed
eachother,Nichollputonequestionwhichdidnotfindanimmediatesolution.
"Ah,indeed!"saidhe;"itisallverywelltogotothemoon,buthowtogetbackagain?"
Histwointerlocutorslookedsurprised.Onewouldhavethoughtthatthispossibilitynowoccurredto
themforthefirsttime.
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat,Nicholl?"askedBarbicanegravely.
"Toaskformeanstoleaveacountry,"addedMichel,"Whenwehavenotyetarrivedthere,
seemstomeratherinopportune."
"Idonotsaythat,wishingtodrawback,"repliedNicholl;"butIrepeatmyquestion,andIask,`How
shallwereturn?'"
"Iknownothingaboutit,"answeredBarbicane.
"AndI,"saidMichel,"ifIhadknownhowtoreturn,Iwouldneverhavestarted."
"There'sananswer!"criedNicholl.
"IquiteapproveofMichel'swords,"saidBarbicane;"andadd,thatthequestionhasnoreal
interest.Later,whenwethinkitisadvisabletoreturn,wewilltakecounseltogether.Ifthe
Columbiadisnotthere,theprojectilewillbe."
"Thatisastepcertainly.Aballwithoutagun!"

"The gun," replied Barbicane, "can be manufactured. The powder canbe made. Neither metals,
saltpeter,norcoalcanfailinthedepthsofthemoon,andweneedonlygo8,000leaguesinordertofall
upontheterrestrialglobebyvirtueofthemerelawsofweight."
"Enough,"saidMichelwithanimation."Letitbenolongeraquestionofreturning:wehavealready
entertainedittoolong.Astocommunicatingwithourformerearthlycolleagues,thatwillnotbedifficult."

"Andhow?"
"Bymeansofmeteorslaunchedbylunarvolcanoes."
"Wellthoughtof,Michel,"saidBarbicaneinaconvincedtoneofvoice."Laplacehascalculatedthata
forcefivetimesgreaterthanthatofourgunwouldsufficetosendameteorfromthemoontothe
earth,andthereisnotonevolcanowhichhasnotagreaterpowerofpropulsionthanthat."
CHAPTER VII

124

"Hurrah!"exclaimedMichel;"thesemeteorsarehandypostmen,andcostnothing.Andhowweshall
beabletolaughatthepostofficeadministration!ButnowIthinkofit"
"Whatdoyouthinkof?"
"Acapitalidea.Whydidwenotfastenathreadtoourprojectile,andwecouldhaveexchanged
telegramswiththeearth?"
"Thedeuce!"answeredNicholl."Doyouconsidertheweightofathread250,000mileslongnothing?"
"Asnothing.TheycouldhavetrebledtheColumbiad'scharge;theycouldhavequadrupledor
quintupledit!"exclaimedMichel,withwhomtheverbtookahigherintonationeachtime.
"Thereisbutonelittleobjectiontomaketoyourproposition,"repliedBarbicane,"whichisthat,
duringtherotarymotionoftheglobe,ourthreadwouldhavewounditselfrounditlikeachainona
capstan,andthatitwouldinevitablyhavebroughtustotheground."
"BythethirtyninestarsoftheUnion!"saidMichel,"Ihavenothingbutimpracticableideastoday;
ideasworthyofJ.T.Maston.ButIhaveanotionthat,ifwedonotreturntoearth,J.T.Mastonwillbe
abletocometous."
"Yes,he'llcome,"repliedBarbicane;"heisaworthyandacourageouscomrade.Besides,whatis
easier?IsnottheColumbiadstillburiedinthesoilofFlorida?Iscottonandnitricacidwanted
wherewithtomanufacturethepyroxyle?WillnotthemoonpassthezenithofFlorida?Ineighteen
years'timewillshenotoccupyexactlythesameplaceastoday?"
"Yes,"continuedMichel,"yes,Mastonwillcome,andwithhimourfriendsElphinstone,Blomsberry,
allthemembersoftheGunClub,andtheywillbewellreceived.Andbyandbytheywillruntrainsof
projectilesbetweentheearthandthemoon!HurrahforJ.T.Maston!"
Itisprobablethat,iftheHon.J.T.Mastondidnothearthehurrahsutteredinhishonor,hisearsat
leasttingled.Whatwashedoingthen?Doubtless,postedintheRockyMountains,atthestationof
Long'sPeak,hewastryingtofindtheinvisibleprojectilegravitatinginspace.Ifhewasthinkingofhis
dearcompanions,wemustallowthattheywerenotfarbehindhim;andthat,undertheinfluenceofa

strangeexcitement,theyweredevotingtohimtheirbestthoughts.
Butwhencethisexcitement,whichwasevidentlygrowinguponthetenantsoftheprojectile?Their
sobrietycouldnotbedoubted.Thisstrangeirritationofthebrain,mustitbeattributedtothepeculiar
circumstancesunderwhichtheyfoundthemselves,totheirproximitytotheorbofnight,fromwhich
onlyafewhoursseparatedthem,tosomesecretinfluenceofthemoonactingupontheirnervous
system?Theirfaceswereasrosyasiftheyhadbeenexposedtotheroaringflamesofanoven;their
voicesresoundedinloudaccents;theirwordsescapedlikeachampagnecorkdrivenoutbycarbonic
acid;theirgesturesbecameannoying,theywantedsomuchroomtoperformthem;and,strangetosay,
theynoneofthemnoticedthisgreattensionofthemind.
"Now,"saidNicholl,inashorttone,"nowthatIdonotknowwhetherweshalleverreturnfromthe
moon,Iwanttoknowwhatwearegoingtodothere?"
"Whatwearegoingtodothere?"repliedBarbicane,stampingwithhisfootasifhewasinafencing
saloon;"Idonotknow."
"Youdonotknow!"exclaimedMichel,withabellow
whichprovokedasonorousechointheprojectile.

CHAPTER VII

125

"No,Ihavenoteventhoughtaboutit,"retortedBarbicane,inthesameloudtone.
"Well,Iknow,"repliedMichel.
"Speak,then,"criedNicholl,whocouldnolongercontainthegrowlingofhisvoice.
"Ishallspeakifitsuitsme,"exclaimedMichel,seizinghiscompanions'armswithviolence.
"Itmustsuityou,"saidBarbicane,withaneyeonfireandathreateninghand."Itwasyouwhodrew
usintothisfrightfuljourney,andwewanttoknowwhatfor."
"Yes,"saidthecaptain,"nowthatIdonotknowwhereIamgoing,IwanttoknowwhyIamgoing."
"Why?"exclaimedMichel,jumpingayardhigh,"why?Totakepossessionofthemooninthenameofthe
UnitedStates;toaddafortiethStatetotheUnion;tocolonizethelunarregions;tocultivatethem,topeople
them,totransportthitheralltheprodigiesofart,ofscience,andindustry;tocivilizetheSelenites,unless
theyaremorecivilizedthanweare;andtoconstitutethemarepublic,iftheyarenotalreadyone!"

"AndiftherearenoSelenites?"retortedNicholl,who,undertheinfluenceofthisunaccountable
intoxication,wasverycontradictory.
"WhosaidthattherewerenoSelenites?"exclaimedMichelinathreateningtone.
"Ido,"howledNicholl.
"Captain,"saidMichel,"donotrepreatthatinsolence,orIwillknockyourteethdownyourthroat!"
Thetwoadversariesweregoingtofalluponeachother,andtheincoherentdiscussionthreatenedto
mergeintoafight,whenBarbicaneintervenedwithonebound.
"Stop,miserablemen,"saidhe,separatinghistwocompanions;"iftherearenoSelenites,wewilldo
withoutthem."
"Yes,"exclaimedMichel,whowasnotparticular;"yes,wewilldowithoutthem.Wehaveonlyto
makeSelenites.DownwiththeSelenites!"
"Theempireofthemoonbelongstous,"saidNicholl.
"Letusthreeconstitutetherepublic."
"Iwillbethecongress,"criedMichel.
"AndIthesenate,"retortedNicholl.
"AndBarbicane,thepresident,"howledMichel.
"Notapresidentelectedbythenation,"repliedBarbicane.
"Verywell,apresidentelectedbythecongress,"criedMichel;"andasIamthecongress,

youareunanimouslyelected!"
"Hurrah!hurrah!hurrah!forPresidentBarbicane,"exclaimed
Nicholl.

CHAPTER VII

126

"Hip!hip!hip!"vociferatedMichelArdan.
Thenthepresidentandthesenatestruckupinatremendousvoicethepopularsong"Yankee
Doodle,"whilefromthecongressresoundedthemasculinetonesofthe"Marseillaise."
Thentheystruckupafranticdance,withmaniacalgestures,idioticstampings,andsomersaultslike
thoseofthebonelessclownsinthecircus.Diana,joininginthedance,andhowlinginherturn,jumped
tothetopoftheprojectile.Anunaccountableflappingofwingswasthenheardamidmostfantastic
cockcrows,whilefiveorsixhensflutteredlikebatsagainstthewalls.
Thenthethreetravelingcompanions,acteduponbysomeunaccountableinfluenceabovethatof
intoxication,inflamedbytheairwhichhadsettheirrespiratoryapparatusonfire,fellmotionlessto
thebottomoftheprojectile.
CHAPTER VIII

127

CHAPTER VIII
ATSEVENTYEIGHTTHOUSANDFIVEHUNDREDANDFOURTEENLEAGUES
Whathadhappened?Whencethecauseofthissingularintoxication,theconsequencesofwhichmighthave
beenverydisastrous?AsimpleblunderofMichel's,which,fortunately,Nichollwasabletocorrectintime.
Afteraperfectswoon,whichlastedsomeminutes,thecaptain,recoveringfirst,sooncollectedhisscattered
senses.Althoughhehadbreakfastedonlytwohoursbefore,hefeltagnawinghunger,asifhehadnoteaten
anythingforseveraldays.Everythingabouthim,stomachandbrain,wereoverexcitedtothehighestdegree.He
gotupanddemandedfromMichelasupplementaryrepast.Michel,utterlydoneup,didnotanswer.

Nichollthentriedtopreparesometeadestinedtohelptheabsorptionofadozensandwiches.Hefirst
triedtogetsomefire,andstruckamatchsharply.Whatwashissurprisetoseethesulphurshinewith
soextraordinaryabrilliancyastobealmostunbearabletotheeye.Fromthegasburnerwhichhelit
roseaflameequaltoajetofelectriclight.
ArevelationdawnedonNicholl'smind.Thatintensityoflight,thephysiologicaltroubleswhichhad
ariseninhim,theoverexcitementofallhismoralandquarrelsomefacultiesheunderstoodall.
"Theoxygen!"heexclaimed.
Andleaningovertheairapparatus,hesawthatthetapwasallowingthecolorlessgastoescapefreely,
lifegiving,butinitspurestateproducingthegravestdisordersinthesystem.Michelhadblunderingly
openedthetapoftheapparatustothefull.
Nichollhastenedtostoptheescapeofoxygenwithwhichtheatmospherewassaturated,whichwouldhavebeen
thedeathofthetravelers,notbysuffocation,butbycombustion.Anhourlater,theairlesschargedwithit
restoredthelungstotheirnormalcondition.Bydegreesthethreefriendsrecoveredfromtheirintoxication;but
theywereobligedtosleepthemselvessoberovertheiroxygenasadrunkarddoesoverhiswine.

WhenMichellearnedhisshareoftheresponsibilityofthisincident,hewasnotmuchdisconcerted.
Thisunexpecteddrunkennessbrokethemonotonyofthejourney.Manyfoolishthingshadbeensaid

whileunderitsinfluence,butalsoquicklyforgotten.
"Andthen,"addedthemerryFrenchman,"Iamnotsorrytohavetastedalittleofthisheadygas.Doyou
know,myfriends,thatacuriousestablishmentmightbefoundedwithroomsofoxygen,wherepeople
whosesystemisweakenedcouldforafewhoursliveamoreactivelife.Fancypartieswheretheroomwas
saturatedwiththisheroicfluid,theaterswhereitshouldbekeptathighpressure;whatpassioninthesouls
oftheactorsandspectators!whatfire,whatenthusiasm!Andif,insteadofanassemblyonlyawholepeople
couldbesaturated,whatactivityinitsfunctions,whatasupplementtolifeitwouldderive.Froman
exhaustednationtheymightmakeagreatandstrongone,andIknowmorethanonestateinoldEurope
whichoughttoputitselfundertheregimeofoxygenforthesakeofitshealth!"

Michelspokewithsomuchanimationthatonemighthavefanciedthatthetapwasstilltooopen.
ButafewwordsfromBarbicanesoonshatteredhisenthusiasm.
"Thatisallverywell,friendMichel,"saidhe,"butwillyouinformuswherethesechickenscamefrom
whichhavemixedthemselvesupinourconcert?"
"Thosechickens?"

CHAPTER VIII

128

"Yes."
Indeed,halfadozenchickensandafinecockwerewalkingabout,flappingtheirwingsandchattering.
"Ah,theawkwardthings!"exclaimedMichel."Theoxygenhasmadethemrevolt."
"Butwhatdoyouwanttodowiththesechickens?"askedBarbicane.
"Toacclimatizetheminthemoon,byJove!"
"Thenwhydidyouhidethem?"
"Ajoke,myworthypresident,asimplejoke,whichhasprovedamiserablefailure.Iwantedtoset
them free on the lunar continent, without saying anything. Oh, what would have been your
amazementonseeingtheseearthlywingedanimalspeckinginyourlunarfields!"
"Yourascal,youunmitigatedrascal,"repliedBarbicane,"youdonotwantoxygentomounttothe
head.Youarealwayswhatwewereundertheinfluenceofthegas;youarealwaysfoolish!"
"Ah,whosaysthatwewerenotwisethen?"repliedMichelArdan.
Afterthisphilosophicalreflection,thethreefriendssetaboutrestoringtheorderoftheprojectile.
Chickensandcockwerereinstatedintheircoop.Butwhileproceedingwiththisoperation,Barbicane
andhistwocompanionshadamostdesiredperceptionofanewphenomenon.Fromthemomentof
leavingtheearth,theirownweight,thatoftheprojectile,andtheobjectsitenclosed,hadbeensubject
toanincreasingdiminution.Iftheycouldnotprovethislossoftheprojectile,amomentwouldarrive
whenitwouldbesensiblyfeltuponthemselvesandtheutensilsandinstrumentstheyused.
Itisneedlesstosaythatascalewouldnotshowthisloss;fortheweightdestinedtoweighttheobject
wouldhavelostexactlyasmuchastheobjectitself;butaspringsteelyardforexample,thetensionof
whichwasindependentoftheattraction,wouldhavegivenajustestimateofthisloss.
Weknowthattheattraction,otherwisecalledtheweight,isinproportiontothedensitiesofthe
bodies,andinverselyasthesquaresofthedistances.Hencethiseffect:Iftheearthhadbeenalonein
space, if the other celestial bodies had been suddenly annihilated, the projectile, according to
Newton'slaws,wouldweighlessasitgotfartherfromtheearth,butwithouteverlosingitsweight
entirely,fortheterrestrialattractionwouldalwayshavemadeitselffelt,atwhateverdistance.
But,inreality,atimemustcomewhentheprojectilewouldnolongerbesubjecttothelawofweight,after
allowingfortheothercelestialbodieswhoseeffectcouldnotbesetdownaszero.Indeed,theprojectile's
coursewasbeingtracedbetweentheearthandthemoon.Asitdistancedtheearth,theterrestrialattraction
diminished:butthelunarattractionroseinproportion.Theremustcomeapointwherethesetwo
attractionswouldneutralizeeachother:theprojectilewouldpossessweightnolonger.Ifthemoon'sandthe
earth'sdensitieshadbeenequal,thispointwouldhavebeenatanequaldistancebetweenthetwoorbs.But
takingthedifferentdensitiesintoconsideration,itwaseasytoreckonthatthispointwouldbesituatedat
47/60thsofthewholejourney,i.e.,at78,514leaguesfromtheearth.Atthispoint,abodyhavingnoprinciple
ofspeedordisplacementinitself,wouldremainimmovableforever,beingattractedequallybybothorbs,
andnotbeingdrawnmoretowardonethantowardtheother.

Nowiftheprojectile'simpulsiveforcehadbeencorrectlycalculated,itwouldattainthispointwithout
speed,havinglostalltraceofweight,aswellasalltheobjectswithinit.Whatwouldhappenthen?
Threehypothesespresentedthemselves.
CHAPTER VIII

129

1. Eitheritwouldretainacertainamountofmotion,andpassthepointofequalattraction,andfall
uponthemoonbyvirtueoftheexcessofthelunarattractionovertheterrestrial.

2. Or,itsspeedfailing,andunabletoreachthepointofequalattraction,itwouldfalluponthemoon
byvirtueoftheexcessofthelunarattractionovertheterrestrial.

3. Or,lastly,animatedwithsufficientspeedtoenableittoreachtheneutralpoint,butnotsufficientto
passit,itwouldremainforeversuspendedinthatspotlikethepretendedtombofMahomet,between
thezenithandthenadir.
Suchwastheirsituation;andBarbicaneclearlyexplainedtheconsequencestohistraveling
companions,whichgreatlyinterestedthem.Buthowshouldtheyknowwhentheprojectilehad
reachedthisneutralpointsituatedatthatdistance,especiallywhenneitherthemselves,northeobjects
enclosedintheprojectile,wouldbeanylongersubjecttothelawsofweight?
Uptothistime,thetravelers,whileadmittingthatthisactionwasconstantlydecreasing,hadnotyet
becomesensibletoitstotalabsence.
Butthatday,abouteleveno'clockinthemorning,Nichollhavingaccidentallyletaglassslipfromhis
hand,theglass,insteadoffalling,remainedsuspendedintheair.
"Ah!"exclaimedMichelArdan,"thatisratheranamusingpieceofnaturalphilosophy."
Andimmediatelydiversotherobjects,firearmsandbottles,abandonedtothemselves,held
themselvesupasbyenchantment.Dianatoo,placedinspacebyMichel,reproduced,butwithoutany
trick,thewonderfulsuspensionpracticedbyCastonandRobertHoudin.Indeedthedogdidnotseem
toknowthatshewasfloatinginair.
Thethreeadventurouscompanionsweresurprisedandstupefied,despitetheirscientificreasonings.Theyfelt
themselvesbeingcarriedintothedomainofwonders!theyfeltthatweightwasreallywantingtotheirbodies.If
theystretchedouttheirarms,theydidnotattempttofall.Theirheadsshookontheirshoulders.Theirfeetno
longerclungtotheflooroftheprojectile.Theywerelikedrunkenmenhavingnostabilityinthemselves.

Fancyhasdepictedmenwithoutreflection,otherswithoutshadow.Butherereality,bytheneutralizations
ofattractiveforces,producedmeninwhomnothinghadanyweight,andwhoweighednothingthemselves.
SuddenlyMichel,takingaspring,leftthefloorandremainedsuspendedintheair,likeMurillo'smonkofthe

CusinedesAnges.
Thetwofriendsjoinedhiminstantly,andallthreeformedamiraculous"Ascension"inthe
centeroftheprojectile.
"Isittobebelieved?isitprobable?isitpossible?"exclaimedMichel;"andyetitisso.Ah!if
Raphaelhadseenusthus,whatan`Assumption'hewouldhavethrownuponcanvas!"

"The`Assumption'cannotlast,"repliedBarbicane."Iftheprojectilepassestheneutralpoint,
thelunarattractionwilldrawustothemoon."
"Thenourfeetwillbeupontheroof,"repliedMichel.
"No,"saidBarbicane,"becausetheprojectile'scenter
ofgravityisverylow;itwillonlyturnbydegrees."

CHAPTER VIII

130

"Thenallourportableswillbeupsetfromtoptobottom,thatisafact."
"Calmyourself,Michel,"repliedNicholl;"noupsetistobefeared;notathingwillmove,forthe
projectile'sevolutionwillbeimperceptible."
"Justso,"continuedBarbicane;"andwhenithaspassedthepointofequalattraction,itsbase,
beingtheheavier,willdrawitperpendicularlytothemoon;but,inorderthatthisphenomenon
shouldtakeplace,wemusthavepassedtheneutralline."
"Passtheneutralline,"criedMichel;"thenletusdoasthesailorsdowhentheycrosstheequator."
AslightsidemovementbroughtMichelbacktowardthepaddedside;thencehetookabottleandglasses,
placedthem"inspace"beforehiscompanions,and,drinkingmerrily,theysalutedthelinewithatriple
hurrah.Theinfluenceoftheseattractionsscarcelylastedanhour;thetravelersfeltthemselvesinsensibly
drawntowardthefloor,andBarbicanefanciedthattheconicalendoftheprojectilewasvaryingalittle
fromitsnormaldirectiontowardthemoon.Byaninversemotionthebasewasapproachingfirst;thelunar
attractionwasprevailingovertheterrestrial;thefalltowardthemoonwasbeginning,almostimperceptibly
asyet,butbydegreestheattractiveforcewouldbecomestronger,thefallwouldbemoredecided,the
projectile,drawnbyitsbase,wouldturnitsconetotheearth,andfallwitheverincreasingspeedontothe
surfaceoftheSelenitecontinent;theirdestinationwouldthenbeattained.Nownothingcouldpreventthe
successoftheirenterprise,andNichollandMichelArdansharedBarbicane'sjoy.

Thentheychattedofallthephenomenawhichhadastonishedthemoneaftertheother,particularly
theneutralizationofthelawsofweight.MichelArdan,alwaysenthusiastic,drewconclusionswhich
werepurelyfanciful.
"Ah,myworthyfriends,"heexclaimed,"whatprogressweshouldmakeifonearthwecouldthrow
offsomeofthatweight,someofthatchainwhichbindsustoher;itwouldbetheprisonersetat
liberty;nomorefatigueofeitherarmsorlegs.Or,ifitistruethatinordertoflyontheearth's
surface,tokeeponeselfsuspendedintheairmerelybytheplayofthemuscles,thererequiresa
strengthahundredandfiftytimesgreaterthanthatwhichwepossess,asimpleactofvolition,a
caprice,wouldbearusintospace,ifattractiondidnotexist."
"Justso,"saidNicholl,smiling;"ifwecouldsucceedinsuppressingweightastheysuppress
painbyanaesthesia,thatwouldchangethefaceofmodernsociety!"
"Yes,"criedMichel,fullofhissubject,"destroyweight,andnomoreburdens!"
"Wellsaid,"repliedBarbicane;"butifnothinghadanyweight,nothingwouldkeepinitsplace,not
evenyourhatonyourhead,worthyMichel;noryourhouse,whosestonesonlyadherebyweight;nora
boat,whosestabilityonthewavesisonlycausedbyweight;noteventheocean,whosewaveswouldno
longerbeequalizedbyterrestrialattraction;andlastly,noteventheatmosphere,whoseatoms,being
nolongerheldintheirplaces,woulddisperseinspace!"
"Thatistiresome,"retortedMichel;"nothinglikethesematteroffactpeopleforbringingonebackto
thebarereality."
"Butconsoleyourself,Michel,"continuedBarbicane,"forifnoorbexistsfromwhencealllawsof

weightarebanished,youareatleastgoingtovisitonewhereitismuchlessthanontheearth."
"Themoon?"

CHAPTER VIII

131

"Yes,themoon,onwhosesurfaceobjectsweighsixtimeslessthanontheearth,aphenomenon
easytoprove."
"Andweshallfeelit?"askedMichel.
"Evidently,astwohundredpoundswillonlyweighthirtypoundsonthesurfaceofthemoon."
"Andourmuscularstrengthwillnotdiminish?"
"Notatall;insteadofjumpingoneyardhigh,youwillriseeighteenfeethigh."
"ButweshallberegularHerculesesinthemoon!"exclaimedMichel.
"Yes,"repliedNicholl;"foriftheheightoftheSelenitesisinproportiontothedensityoftheirglobe,
theywillbescarcelyafoothigh."
"Lilliputians!"ejaculatedMichel;"IshallplaythepartofGulliver.Wearegoingtorealizethefableof
thegiants.Thisistheadvantageofleavingone'sownplanetandoverrunningthesolarworld."

"Onemoment,Michel,"answeredBarbicane;"ifyouwishtoplaythepartofGulliver,onlyvisitthe
inferiorplanets,suchasMercury,Venus,orMars,whosedensityisalittlelessthanthatoftheearth;
butdonotventureintothegreatplanets,Jupiter,Saturn,Uranus,Neptune;fortheretheorderwill
bechanged,andyouwillbecomeLilliputian."
"Andinthesun?"
"Inthesun,ifitsdensityisthirteenhundredandtwentyfourthousandtimesgreater,andthe
attractionistwentyseventimesgreaterthanonthesurfaceofourglobe,keepingeverythingin
proportion,theinhabitantsoughttobeatleasttwohundredfeethigh."
"ByJove!"exclaimedMichel;"Ishouldbenothingmorethanapigmy,ashrimp!"
"Gulliverwiththegiants,"saidNicholl.
"Justso,"repliedBarbicane.
"Anditwouldnotbequiteuselesstocarrysomepiecesofartillerytodefendoneself."
"Good,"repliedNicholl;"yourprojectileswouldhavenoeffectonthesun;theywouldfallback
upontheearthaftersomeminutes."
"Thatisastrongremark."
"Itiscertain,"repliedBarbicane;"theattractionissogreatonthisenormousorb,thatanobject
weighing70,000poundsontheearthwouldweighbut1,920poundsonthesurfaceofthesun.Ifyou
weretofalluponityouwouldweighletmeseeabout5,000pounds,aweightwhichyouwould
neverbeabletoraiseagain."
"Thedevil!"saidMichel;"onewouldwantaportablecrane.However,wewillbesatisfiedwiththe

moonforthepresent;thereatleastweshallcutagreatfigure.Wewillseeaboutthesunbyandby."
CHAPTER IX

132

CHAPTER IX
THECONSEQUENCESOFADEVIATION
Barbicanehadnownofearoftheissueofthejourney,atleastasfarastheprojectile'simpulsiveforcewas
concerned;itsownspeedwouldcarryitbeyondtheneutralline;itwouldcertainlynotreturntoearth;it
wouldcertainlynotremainmotionlessonthelineofattraction.Onesinglehypothesisremainedtobe
realized,thearrivaloftheprojectileatitsdestinationbytheactionofthelunarattraction.

Itwasinrealityafallof8,296leaguesonanorb,itistrue,whereweightcouldonlybereckonedat
onesixthofterrestrialweight;aformidablefall,nevertheless,andoneagainstwhicheveryprecaution
mustbetakenwithoutdelay.
Theseprecautionswereoftwosorts,sometodeadentheshockwhentheprojectileshouldtouchthe
lunarsoil,otherstodelaythefall,andconsequentlymakeitlessviolent.
Todeadentheshock,itwasapitythatBarbicanewasnolongerabletoemploythemeanswhichhadso
ablyweakenedtheshockatdeparture,thatistosay,bywaterusedasspringsandthepartitionbreaks.

Thepartitionsstillexisted,butwaterfailed,fortheycouldnotusetheirreserve,whichwasprecious,
incaseduringthefirstdaystheliquidelementshouldbefoundwantingonlunarsoil.
Andindeedthisreservewouldhavebeenquiteinsufficientforaspring.Thelayerofwaterstoredinthe
projectileatthetimeofstartingupontheirjourneyoccupiednolessthanthreefeetindepth,and
spreadoverasurfaceofnotlessthanfiftyfoursquarefeet.Besides,thecisterndidnotcontainonefifth
partofit;theymustthereforegiveupthisefficientmeansofdeadeningtheshockofarrival.Happily,
Barbicane,notcontentwithemployingwater,hadfurnishedthemovablediscwithstrongspringplugs,
destinedtolessentheshockagainstthebaseafterthebreakingofthehorizontalpartitions.Theseplugs
stillexisted;theyhadonlytoreadjustthemandreplacethemovabledisc;everypiece,easytohandle,
astheirweightwasnowscarcelyfelt,wasquicklymounted.
Thedifferentpieceswerefittedwithouttrouble,itbeingonlyamatterofboltsandscrews;tools
werenotwanting,andsoonthereinstateddisclayonsteelplugs,likeatableonitslegs.One
inconvenienceresultedfromthereplacingofthedisc,thelowerwindowwasblockedup;thusitwas
impossibleforthetravelerstoobservethemoonfromthatopeningwhiletheywerebeing
precipitatedperpendicularlyuponher;buttheywereobligedtogiveitup;evenbythesideopenings
theycouldstillseevastlunarregions,asanaeronautseestheearthfromhiscar.
Thisreplacingofthediscwasatleastanhour'swork.Itwaspasttwelvewhenallpreparationswere
finished.Barbicanetookfreshobservationsontheinclinationoftheprojectile,buttohisannoyanceit
hadnotturnedoversufficientlyforitsfall;itseemedtotakeacurveparalleltothelunardisc.Theorb
ofnightshonesplendidlyintospace,whileopposite,theorbofdayblazedwithfire.
Theirsituationbegantomakethemuneasy.
"Arewereachingourdestination?"saidNicholl.

"Letusactasifwewereaboutreachingit,"repliedBarbicane.
"Youaresceptical,"retortedMichelArdan."We
shallarrive,andthat,too,quickerthanwelike."

CHAPTER IX

133

ThisanswerbroughtBarbicanebacktohispreparations,andheoccupiedhimselfwithplacingthe
contrivancesintendedtobreaktheirdescent.Wemayrememberthesceneofthemeetingheldat
TampaTown,inFlorida,whenCaptainNichollcameforwardasBarbicane'senemyandMichel
Ardan'sadversary.ToCaptainNicholl'smaintainingthattheprojectilewouldsmashlikeglass,
Michelrepliedthathewouldbreaktheirfallbymeansofrocketsproperlyplaced.
Thus,powerfulfireworks,takingtheirstartingpointfromthebaseandburstingoutside,could,by
producingarecoil,checktoacertaindegreetheprojectile'sspeed.Theserocketsweretoburninspace,
itistrue;butoxygenwouldnotfailthem,fortheycouldsupplythemselveswithit,likethelunar
volcanoes,theburningofwhichhasneveryetbeenstoppedbythewantofatmosphereroundthemoon.
Barbicanehadaccordinglysuppliedhimselfwiththesefireworks,enclosedinlittlesteelguns,which
couldbescrewedontothebaseoftheprojectile.Inside,thesegunswereflushwiththebottom;outside,
theyprotrudedabouteighteeninches.Thereweretwentyofthem.Anopeningleftinthediscallowed
themtolightthematchwithwhicheachwasprovided.Alltheeffectwasfeltoutside.Theburning
mixturehadalreadybeenrammedintoeachgun.Theyhad,then,nothingtodobutraisethemetallic
buffersfixedinthebase,andreplacethembytheguns,whichfittedcloselyintheirplaces.
Thisnewworkwasfinishedaboutthreeo'clock,andaftertakingalltheseprecautionsthereremainedbut
towait.Buttheprojectilewasperceptiblynearingthemoon,andevidentlysuccumbedtoherinfluencetoa
certaindegree;thoughitsownvelocityalsodrewitinanobliquedirection.Fromtheseconflicting
influencesresultedalinewhichmightbecomeatangent.Butitwascertainthattheprojectilewouldnotfall
directlyonthemoon;foritslowerpart,byreasonofitsweight,oughttobeturnedtowardher.

Barbicane'suneasinessincreasedashesawhisprojectileresisttheinfluenceofgravitation.The
Unknownwasopeningbeforehim,theUnknownininterplanetaryspace.Themanofsciencethought
hehadforeseentheonlythreehypothesespossiblethereturntotheearth,thereturntothemoon,or
stagnationontheneutralline;andhereafourthhypothesis,bigwithalltheterrorsoftheInfinite,
surgedupinopportunely.Tofaceitwithoutflinching,onemustbearesolutesavantlikeBarbicane,a
phlegmaticbeinglikeNicholl,oranaudaciousadventurerlikeMichelArdan.
Conversationwasstarteduponthissubject.Othermenwouldhaveconsideredthequestionfroma
practical point of view; they would have asked themselves whither their projectile carriage was
carryingthem.Notsowiththese;theysoughtforthecausewhichproducedthiseffect.
"Sowehavebecomedivertedfromourroute,"saidMichel;"butwhy?"
"Iverymuchfear,"answeredNicholl,"that,inspiteofallprecautionstaken,theColumbiadwasnot
fairlypointed.Anerror,howeversmall,wouldbeenoughtothrowusoutofthemoon'sattraction."

"Thentheymusthaveaimedbadly?"askedMichel.
"Idonotthinkso,"repliedBarbicane."Theperpendicularityofthegunwasexact,itsdirectiontothe
zenithofthespotincontestible;andthemoonpassingtothezenithofthespot,weoughttoreachitat
thefull.Thereisanotherreason,butitescapesme."
"Arewenotarrivingtoolate?"askedNicholl.

"Toolate?"saidBarbicane.
"Yes,"continuedNicholl."TheCambridgeObservatory'snotesaysthatthetransitoughttobeaccomplishedin
ninetysevenhoursthirteenminutesandtwentyseconds;whichmeanstosay,thatsoonerthemoonwillnot

CHAPTER IX

134

beatthepointindicated,andlateritwillhavepassedit."
"True,"repliedBarbicane."Butwestartedthe1stofDecember,atthirteenminutesandtwentyfive
secondstoelevenatnight;andweoughttoarriveonthe5thatmidnight,attheexactmomentwhenthe
moonwouldbefull;andwearenowatthe5thofDecember.Itisnowhalfpastthreeintheevening;
halfpasteightoughttoseeusattheendofourjourney.Whydowenotarrive?"
"Mightitnotbeanexcessofspeed?"answeredNicholl;"forweknownowthatitsinitialvelocitywas
greaterthantheysupposed."
"No!ahundredtimes,no!"repliedBarbicane."Anexcessofspeed,ifthedirectionoftheprojectile
hadbeenright,wouldnothavepreventedusreachingthemoon.No,therehasbeenadeviation.We
havebeenturnedoutofourcourse."
"Bywhom?bywhat?"askedNicholl.
"Icannotsay,"repliedBarbicane.
"Verywell,then,Barbicane,"saidMichel,"doyouwishtoknowmyopiniononthesubjectoffinding
outthisdeviation?"
"Speak."
"Iwouldnotgivehalfadollartoknowit.Thatwehavedeviatedisafact.Wherewearegoing
matterslittle;weshallsoonsee.Sincewearebeingbornealonginspaceweshallendbyfallinginto
somecenterofattractionorother."
MichelArdan'sindifferencedidnotcontentBarbicane.Notthathewasuneasyaboutthefuture,buthe
wantedtoknowatanycostwhyhisprojectilehaddeviated.
Buttheprojectilecontinueditscoursesidewaystothemoon,andwithitthemassofthingsthrown
out.Barbicanecouldevenprove,bytheelevationswhichservedaslandmarksuponthemoon,
whichwasonlytwothousandleaguesdistant,thatitsspeedwasbecominguniformfreshproof
thattherewasnofall.Itsimpulsiveforcestillprevailedoverthelunarattraction,butthe
projectile'scoursewascertainlybringingitnearertothemoon,andtheymighthopethatata
nearerpointtheweight,predominating,wouldcauseadecidedfall.
Thethreefriends,havingnothingbettertodo,continuedtheirobservations;buttheycouldnotyetdetermine
thetopographicalpositionofthesatellite;everyreliefwasleveledunderthereflectionofthesolarrays.

Theywatchedthusthroughthesidewindowsuntileighto'clockatnight.Themoonhadgrownso
largeintheireyesthatitfilledhalfofthefirmament.Thesunononeside,andtheorbofnightonthe
other,floodedtheprojectilewithlight.

AtthatmomentBarbicanethoughthecouldestimatethedistancewhichseparatedthemfromtheir
aimatnomorethan700leagues.Thespeedoftheprojectileseemedtohimtobemorethan200yards,
orabout170leaguesasecond.Underthecentripetalforce,thebaseoftheprojectiletendedtoward
themoon;butthecentrifugalstillprevailed;anditwasprobablethatitsrectilinealcoursewouldbe
changedtoacurveofsomesort,thenatureofwhichtheycouldnotatpresentdetermine.
Barbicanewasstillseekingthesolutionofhisinsolubleproblem.Hourspassedwithoutanyresult.The
projectilewasevidentlynearingthemoon,butitwasalsoevidentthatitwouldneverreachher.Astothe

CHAPTER IX

135

nearestdistanceatwhichitwouldpassher,thatmustbetheresultoftwoforces,attractionand
repulsion,affectingitsmotion.
"Iaskbutonething,"saidMichel;"thatwemaypassnearenoughtopenetratehersecrets."
"Cursedbethethingthathascausedourprojectiletodeviatefromitscourse,"criedNicholl.
And,asifalighthadsuddenlybrokeninuponhismind,Barbicaneanswered,"Thencursedbethe
meteorwhichcrossedourpath."
"What?"saidMichelArdan.
"Whatdoyoumean?"exclaimedNicholl.
"Imean,"saidBarbicaneinadecidedtone,"Imeanthatourdeviationisowingsolelytoourmeeting
withthiserringbody."
"Butitdidnotevenbrushusasitpassed,"saidMichel.
"Whatdoesthatmatter?Itsmass,comparedtothatofourprojectile,wasenormous,andits
attractionwasenoughtoinfluenceourcourse."
"Solittle?"criedNicholl.
"Yes,Nicholl;buthoweverlittleitmightbe,"repliedBarbicane,"inadistanceof84,000leagues,it
wantednomoretomakeusmissthemoon."
CHAPTER X

136

CHAPTER X
THEOBSERVERSOFTHEMOON
Barbicanehadevidentlyhitupontheonlyplausiblereasonofthisdeviation.Howeverslightitmight
havebeen,ithadsufficedtomodifythecourseoftheprojectile.Itwasafatality.Theboldattempt
hadmiscarriedbyafortuitouscircumstance;andunlessbysomeexceptionalevent,theycouldnow
neverreachthemoon'sdisc.
Wouldtheypassnearenoughtobeabletosolvecertainphysicalandgeologicalquestionsuntilthen
insoluble?Thiswasthequestion,andtheonlyone,whichoccupiedthemindsoftheseboldtravelers.
Astothefateinstoreforthemselves,theydidnotevendreamofit.

Butwhatwouldbecomeofthemamidtheseinfinitesolitudes,thesewhowouldsoonwantair?Afew
moredays,andtheywouldfallstifledinthiswanderingprojectile.Butsomedaystotheseintrepidfellows
wasacentury;andtheydevotedalltheirtimetoobservethatmoonwhichtheynolongerhopedtoreach.
The distance which had then separated the projectile from the satellite was estimated at about two
hundredleagues.Undertheseconditions,asregardsthevisibilityofthedetailsofthedisc,thetravelers
werefartherfromthemoonthanaretheinhabitantsofearthwiththeirpowerfultelescopes.
Indeed,weknowthattheinstrumentmountedbyLordRosseatParsonstown,whichmagnifies6,500times,brings
themoontowithinanapparentdistanceofsixteenleagues.Andmorethanthat,withthepowerfulonesetupat
Long'sPeak,theorbofnight,magnified48,000times,isbroughttowithinlessthantwoleagues,andobjects
havingadiameterofthirtyfeetareseenverydistinctly.Sothat,atthisdistance,thetopographicaldetailsofthe
moon,observedwithoutglasses,couldnotbedeterminedwithprecision.Theeyecaughtthevastoutlineofthose
immensedepressionsinappropriatelycalled"seas,"buttheycouldnotrecognizetheirnature.Theprominenceof
themountainsdisappearedunderthesplendidirradiationproducedbythereflectionofthesolarrays.Theeye,
dazzledasifitwasleaningoverabathofmoltensilver,turnedfromitinvoluntarily;buttheoblongformofthe
orbwasquiteclear.Itappearedlikeagiganticegg,withthesmallendturnedtowardtheearth.Indeedthemoon,
liquidandpliableinthefirstdaysofitsformation,wasoriginallyaperfectsphere;butbeingsoondrawnwithin
theattractionoftheearth,itbecameelongatedundertheinfluenceofgravitation.Inbecomingasatellite,shelost
hernativepurityofform;hercenterofgravitywasinadvanceofthecenterofherfigure;andfromthisfactsome
savantsdrawtheconclusionthattheairandwaterhadtakenrefugeontheoppositesurfaceofthemoon,whichis
neverseenfromtheearth.Thisalterationintheprimitiveformofthesatellitewasonlyperceptibleforafew
moments.Thedistanceoftheprojectilefromthemoondiminishedveryrapidlyunderitsspeed,thoughthatwas
muchlessthanitsinitialvelocitybuteightorninetimesgreaterthanthatwhichpropelsourexpresstrains.The
obliquecourseoftheprojectile,fromitsveryobliquity,gaveMichelArdansomehopesofstrikingthelunardisc
atsomepointorother.Hecouldnotthinkthattheywouldneverreachit.No!hecouldnotbelieveit;andthis
opinionheoftenrepeated.ButBarbicane,whowasabetterjudge,alwaysansweredhimwithmercilesslogic.

"No,Michel,no!Wecanonlyreachthemoonbyafall,andwearenotfalling.Thecentripetalforce
keepsusunderthemoon'sinfluence,butthecentrifugalforcedrawsusirresistiblyawayfromit."
ThiswassaidinatonewhichquenchedMichelArdan'slasthope.
Theportionofthemoonwhichtheprojectilewasnearingwasthenorthernhemisphere,thatwhichthe
selenographicmapsplacebelow;forthesemapsaregenerallydrawnaftertheoutlinegivenbytheglasses,and
weknowthattheyreversetheobjects.SuchwastheMappaSelenographicaofBoeerandMoedlerwhich
Barbicaneconsulted.Thisnorthernhemispherepresentedvastplains,dottedwithisolatedmountains.

CHAPTER X

137

Atmidnightthemoonwasfull.Atthatprecisemomentthetravelersshouldhavealighteduponit,ifthe
mischievousmeteorhadnotdivertedtheircourse.Theorbwasexactlyintheconditiondeterminedbythe
CambridgeObservatory.Itwasmathematicallyatitsperigee,andatthezenithofthetwentyeighth
parallel.AnobserverplacedatthebottomoftheenormousColumbiad,pointedperpendicularlytothe
horizon,wouldhaveframedthemooninthemouthofthegun.Astraightlinedrawnthroughtheaxisofthe
piecewouldhavepassedthroughthecenteroftheorbofnight.Itisneedlesstosay,thatduringthenightof
the5th6thofDecember,thetravelerstooknotaninstant'srest.Couldtheyclosetheireyeswhensonear
thisnewworld?No!Alltheirfeelingswereconcentratedinonesinglethought:See!Representativesofthe
earth,ofhumanity,pastandpresent,allcenteredinthem!Itisthroughtheireyesthatthehumanracelook

attheselunarregions,andpenetratethesecretsoftheirsatellite!Astrangeemotionfilledtheirheartsas
theywentfromonewindowtotheother.Theirobservations,reproducedbyBarbicane,wererigidly
determined.Totakethem,theyhadglasses;tocorrectthem,maps.
Asregardstheopticalinstrumentsattheirdisposal,theyhadexcellentmarineglassesspeciallyconstructed
forthisjourney.Theypossessedmagnifyingpowersof100.Theywouldthushavebroughtthemoonto
withinadistance(apparent)oflessthan2,000leaguesfromtheearth.Butthen,atadistancewhichforthree
hoursinthemorningdidnotexceedsixtyfivemiles,andinamediumfreefromallatmospheric
disturbances,theseinstrumentscouldreducethelunarsurfacetowithinlessthan1,500yards!

CHAPTER XI

138

CHAPTER XI
FANCYANDREALITY
"Haveyoueverseenthemoon?"askedaprofessor,ironically,ofoneofhispupils.
"No,sir!"repliedthepupil,stillmoreironically,"butImustsayIhavehearditspokenof."
Inonesense,thepupil'swittyanswermightbegivenbyalargemajorityofsublunarybeings.How
manypeoplehaveheardspeakofthemoonwhohaveneverseenitatleastthroughaglassora
telescope!Howmanyhaveneverexaminedthemapoftheirsatellite!
Inlookingataselenographicmap,onepeculiaritystrikesus.Contrarytothearrangementfollowedforthat
oftheEarthandMars,thecontinentsoccupymoreparticularlythesouthernhemisphereofthelunarglobe.
Thesecontinentsdonotshowsuchdecided,clear,andregularboundarylinesasSouthAmerica,Africa,and
theIndianpeninsula.Theirangular,capricious,anddeeplyindentedcoastsarerichingulfsandpeninsulas.
TheyremindoneoftheconfusionintheislandsoftheSound,wherethelandisexcessivelyindented.If
navigationeverexistedonthesurfaceofthemoon,itmusthavebeenwonderfullydifficultanddangerous;
andwemaywellpitytheSelenitesailorsandhydrographers;theformer,whentheycameuponthese
perilouscoasts,thelatterwhentheytookthesoundingsofitsstormybanks.

Wemayalsonoticethat,onthelunarsphere,thesouthpoleismuchmorecontinentalthanthenorth
pole.Onthelatter,thereisbutoneslightstripoflandseparatedfromothercontinentsbyvastseas.
Towardthesouth,continentsclothealmostthewholeofthehemisphere.Itisevenpossiblethatthe
Seleniteshavealreadyplantedtheflagononeoftheirpoles,whileFranklin,Ross,Kane,Dumont,
d'Urville,andLamberthaveneveryetbeenabletoattainthatunknownpointoftheterrestrialglobe.
Astoislands,theyarenumerousonthesurfaceofthemoon.Nearlyalloblongorcircular,andasiftraced
withthecompass,theyseemtoformonevastarchipelago,equaltothatcharminggrouplyingbetween
GreeceandAsiaMinor,andwhichmythologyinancienttimesadornedwithmostgracefullegends.
InvoluntarilythenamesofNaxos,Tenedos,andCarpathos,risebeforethemind,andweseekvainlyfor
Ulysses'vesselorthe"clipper"oftheArgonauts.SoatleastitwasinMichelArdan'seyes.Tohimitwasa
Grecianarchipelagothathesawonthemap.Totheeyesofhismatteroffactcompanions,theaspectof
thesecoastsrecalledrathertheparceledoutlandofNewBrunswickandNovaScotia,andwherethe
Frenchmandiscoveredtracesoftheheroesoffable,theseAmericansweremarkingthemostfavorable
pointsfortheestablishmentofstoresintheinterestsoflunarcommerceandindustry.
Afterwanderingoverthesevastcontinents,theeyeisattractedbythestillgreaterseas.Notonlytheirformation,
buttheirsituationandaspectremindoneoftheterrestrialoceans;butagain,asonearth,theseseasoccupythe

greaterportionoftheglobe.Butinpointoffact,thesearenotliquidspaces,butplains,thenatureofwhichthe
travelershopedsoontodetermine.Astronomers,wemustallow,havegracedthesepretendedseaswithatleast
oddnames,whichsciencehasrespecteduptothepresenttime.MichelArdanwasrightwhenhecomparedthis
maptoa"Tendrecard,"gotupbyaScudaryoraCyranodeBergerac."Only,"saidhe,"itisnolongerthe
sentimentalcardoftheseventeenthcentury,itisthecardoflife,veryneatlydividedintotwoparts,onefeminine,
theothermasculine;therighthemisphereforwoman,theleftforman."

Inspeakingthus,Michelmadehisprosaiccompanionsshrugtheirshoulders.BarbicaneandNicholl
lookeduponthelunarmapfromaverydifferentpointofviewtothatoftheirfantasticfriend.
Nevertheless,theirfantasticfriendwasalittleintheright.Judgeforyourselves.
Inthelefthemispherestretchesthe"SeaofClouds,"wherehumanreasonissooftenshipwrecked.Notfaroff
liesthe"SeaofRains,"fedbyallthefeverofexistence.Nearthisisthe"SeaofStorms,"wheremanisever

CHAPTER XI

139

fightingagainsthispassions,whichtoooftengainthevictory.Then,wornoutbydeceit,treasons,infidelity,and
thewholebodyofterrestrialmisery,whatdoeshefindattheendofhiscareer?thatvast"SeaofHumors,"
barelysoftenedbysomedropsofthewatersfromthe"GulfofDew!"Clouds,rain,storms,andhumorsdoes
thelifeofmancontainaughtbutthese?andisitnotsummedupinthesefourwords?

Therighthemisphere,"dedicatedtotheladies,"enclosessmallerseas,whosesignificantnamescontain
everyincidentofafeminineexistence.Thereisthe"SeaofSerenity,"overwhichtheyounggirlbends;
"TheLakeofDreams,"reflectingajoyousfuture;"TheSeaofNectar,"withitswavesoftenderness
andbreezesoflove;"TheSeaofFruitfulness;""TheSeaofCrises;"thenthe"SeaofVapors,"whose
dimensionsareperhapsalittletooconfined;andlastly,thatvast"SeaofTranquillity,"inwhichevery
falsepassion,everyuselessdream,everyunsatisfieddesireisatlengthabsorbed,andwhosewaves
emergepeacefullyintothe"LakeofDeath!"
Whatastrangesuccessionofnames!Whatasingulardivisionofthemoon'stwohemispheres,joinedtoone
anotherlikemanandwoman,andformingthatsphereoflifecarriedintospace!Andwasnotthefantastic
Michelrightinthusinterpretingthefanciesoftheancientastronomers?Butwhilehisimaginationthus
rovedover"theseas,"hisgravecompanionswereconsideringthingsmoregeographically.Theywere
learningthisnewworldbyheart.Theyweremeasuringanglesanddiameters.

CHAPTER XII

140

CHAPTER XII
OROGRAPHICDETAILS
Thecoursetakenbytheprojectile,aswehavebeforeremarked,wasbearingittowardthemoon'snorthern
hemisphere.Thetravelerswerefarfromthecentralpointwhichtheywouldhavestruck,hadtheircourse
notbeensubjecttoanirremediabledeviation.Itwaspastmidnight;andBarbicanethenestimatedthe
distanceatsevenhundredandfiftymiles,whichwasalittlegreaterthanthelengthofthelunarradius,and
whichwoulddiminishasitadvancednearertotheNorthPole.Theprojectilewasthennotatthealtitudeof
theequator;butacrossthetenthparallel,andfromthatlatitude,carefullytakenonthemaptothepole,
Barbicaneandhistwocompanionswereabletoobservethemoonunderthemostfavorableconditions.
Indeed,bymeansofglasses,theabovenameddistancewasreducedtolittlemorethanfourteenmiles.The
telescopeoftheRockyMountainsbroughtthemoonmuchnearer;buttheterrestrialatmospheresingularly
lesseneditspower.ThusBarbicane,postedinhisprojectile,withtheglassestohiseyes,couldseizeupon

detailswhichwerealmostimperceptibletoearthlyobservers.
"Myfriends,"saidthepresident,inaseriousvoice,"Idonotknowwhitherwearegoing;Idonotknowifwe
shalleverseetheterrestrialglobeagain.Nevertheless,letusproceedasifourworkwouldonedaybyusefulto
ourfellowmen.Letuskeepourmindsfreefromeveryotherconsideration.Weareastronomers;andthis
projectileisaroomintheCambridgeUniversity,carriedintospace.Letusmakeourobservations!"

Thissaid,workwasbegunwithgreatexactness;andtheyfaithfullyreproducedthedifferent
aspectsofthemoon,atthedifferentdistanceswhichtheprojectilereached.
Atthetimethattheprojectilewasashighasthetenthparallel,northlatitude,itseemedrigidlytofollowthe
twentiethdegree,eastlongitude.Wemustheremakeoneimportantremarkwithregardtothemapbywhich
theyweretakingobservations.Intheselenographicalmapswhere,onaccountofthereversingoftheobjectsby
theglasses,thesouthisaboveandthenorthbelow,itwouldseemnaturalthat,onaccountofthatinversion,the
eastshouldbetothelefthand,andthewesttotheright.Butitisnotso.Ifthemapwereturnedupsidedown,
showingthemoonasweseeher,theeastwouldbetotheleft,andthewesttotheright,contrarytothatwhich
existsonterrestrialmaps.Thefollowingisthereasonofthisanomaly.Observersinthenorthernhemisphere(say
inEurope)seethemooninthesouthaccordingtothem.Whentheytakeobservations,theyturntheirbacksto
thenorth,thereversepositiontothatwhichtheyoccupywhentheystudyaterrestrialmap.Astheyturntheir
backstothenorth,theeastisontheirleft,andthewesttotheirright.Toobserversinthesouthernhemisphere
(Patagoniaforexample),themoon'swestwouldbequitetotheirleft,andtheeasttotheirright,asthesouthis
behindthem.Suchisthereasonoftheapparentreversingofthesetwocardinalpoints,andwemustbearitin
mindinordertobeabletofollowPresidentBarbicane'sobservations.

WiththehelpofBoeerandMoedler'sMappaSelenographica,thetravelerswereableatonceto
recognizethatportionofthediscenclosedwithinthefieldoftheirglasses.
"Whatarewelookingat,atthismoment?"askedMichel.
"Atthenorthernpartofthe`SeaofClouds,'"answeredBarbicane."Wearetoofarofftorecognize
itsnature.Aretheseplainscomposedofaridsand,asthefirstastronomermaintained?Orarethey
nothingbutimmenseforests,accordingtoM.WarrendelaRue'sopinion,whogivesthemoonan
atmosphere,thoughaverylowandaverydenseone?Thatweshallknowbyandby.Wemustaffirm
nothinguntilweareinapositiontodoso."
This"SeaofClouds"isratherdoubtfullymarkedoutuponthemaps.Itissupposedthatthesevastplainsare
strewnwithblocksoflavafromtheneighboringvolcanoesonitsright,Ptolemy,Purbach,Arzachel.Butthe
projectilewasadvancing,andsensiblynearingit.Soonthereappearedtheheightswhichboundthisseaatthis

CHAPTER XII

141

northernlimit.Beforethemroseamountainradiantwithbeauty,thetopofwhichseemedlostinan
eruptionofsolarrays.
"Thatis?"askedMichel.
"Copernicus,"repliedBarbicane.
"LetusseeCopernicus."
Thismount,situatedin9@northlatitudeand20@eastlongitude,rosetoaheightof10,600feetabove

thesurfaceofthemoon.Itisquitevisiblefromtheearth;andastronomerscanstudyitwithease,
particularlyduringthephasebetweenthelastquarterandthenewmoon,becausethentheshadows
arethrownlengthwaysfromeasttowest,allowingthemtomeasuretheheights.
ThisCopernicusformsthemostimportantoftheradiatingsystem,situatedinthesouthernhemisphere,
accordingtoTychoBrahe.Itrisesisolatedlikeagiganticlighthouseonthatportionofthe"SeaofClouds,"which
isboundedbythe"SeaofTempests,"thuslightingbyitssplendidraystwooceansatatime.Itwasasight
withoutanequal,thoselongluminoustrains,sodazzlinginthefullmoon,andwhich,passingtheboundarychain
onthenorth,extendstothe"SeaofRains."Atoneo'clockoftheterrestrialmorning,theprojectile,likeaballoon
borneintospace,overlookedthetopofthissuperbmount.Barbicanecouldrecognizeperfectlyitschieffeatures.
Copernicusiscomprisedintheseriesofringedmountainsofthefirstorder,inthedivisionofgreatcircles.Like
KeplerandAristarchus,whichoverlookthe"OceanofTempests,"sometimesitappearedlikeabrilliantpoint
throughthecloudylight,andwastakenforavolcanoinactivity.Butitisonlyanextinctonelikeallonthatside
ofthemoon.Itscircumferenceshowedadiameterofabouttwentytwoleagues.Theglassesdiscoveredtracesof
stratificationproducedbysuccessiveeruptions,andtheneighborhoodwasstrewnwithvolcanicremainswhich
stillchokedsomeofthecraters.

"Thereexist,"saidBarbicane,"severalkindsofcirclesonthesurfaceofthemoon,anditiseasytosee
thatCopernicusbelongstotheradiatingclass.Ifwewerenearer,weshouldseetheconesbristlingon
theinside,whichinformertimesweresomanyfierymouths.Acuriousarrangement,andonewithout
anexceptiononthelunardisc,isthattheinteriorsurfaceofthesecirclesisthereverseoftheexterior,
andcontrarytotheformtakenbyterrestrialcraters.Itfollows,then,thatthegeneralcurveofthe
bottomofthesecirclesgivesasphereofasmallerdiameterthanthatofthemoon."
"Andwhythispeculiardisposition?"askedNicholl.
"Wedonotknow,"repliedBarbicane.
"Whatsplendidradiation!"saidMichel."Onecouldhardlyseeafinerspectacle,Ithink."
"Whatwouldyousay,then,"repliedBarbicane,"ifchanceshouldbearustowardthesouthernhemisphere?"

"Well,Ishouldsaythatitwasstillmorebeautiful,"retortedMichelArdan.
Atthismomenttheprojectilehungperpendicularlyoverthecircle.ThecircumferenceofCopernicus
formedalmostaperfectcircle,anditssteepescarpmentswereclearlydefined.Theycouldeven
distinguishasecondringedenclosure.Aroundspreadagrayishplain,ofawildaspect,onwhichevery
reliefwasmarkedinyellow.Atthebottomofthecircle,asifenclosedinajewelcase,sparkledforone
instanttwoorthreeeruptivecones,likeenormousdazzlinggems.Towardthenorththeescarpments
wereloweredbyadepressionwhichwouldprobablyhavegivenaccesstotheinteriorofthecrater.
Inpassingoverthesurroundingplains,Barbicanenoticed
agreatnumberoflessimportantmountains;and

CHAPTER XII

142

amongothersalittleringedonecalledGuyLussac,thebreadthofwhichmeasuredtwelvemiles.
Towardthesouth,theplainwasveryflat,withoutoneelevation,withoutoneprojection.Towardthenorth,
onthecontrary,tillwhereitwasboundedbythe"SeaofStorms,"itresembledaliquidsurfaceagitatedby
astorm,ofwhichthehillsandhollowsformedasuccessionofwavessuddenlycongealed.Overthewholeof
this,andinalldirections,laytheluminouslines,allconvergingtothesummitofCopernicus.

Thetravelersdiscussedtheoriginofthesestrangerays;buttheycouldnotdeterminetheirnature
anymorethanterrestrialobservers.
"Butwhy,"saidNicholl,"shouldnottheseraysbesimplyspursofmountainswhichreflectmore
vividlythelightofthesun?"
"No,"repliedBarbicane;"ifitwasso,undercertainconditionsofthemoon,theseridgeswouldcast
shadows,andtheydonotcastany."
Andindeed,theseraysonlyappearedwhentheorbofdaywasinoppositiontothemoon,and
disappearedassoonasitsraysbecameoblique.
"Buthowhavetheyendeavoredtoexplaintheselinesoflight?"askedMichel;"forIcannot
believethatsavantswouldeverbestrandedforwantofanexplanation."
"Yes,"repliedBarbicane;"Herschelhasputforwardanopinion,buthedidnotventuretoaffirmit."
"Nevermind.Whatwastheopinion?"
"Hethoughtthattheseraysmightbestreamsofcooledlavawhichshonewhenthesunbeatstraight
uponthem.Itmaybeso;butnothingcanbelesscertain.Besides,ifwepassnearertoTycho,weshall
beinabetterpositiontofindoutthecauseofthisradiation."
"Doyouknow,myfriends,whatthatplain,seenfromtheheightweareat,resembles?"saidMichel.
"No,"repliedNicholl.
"Verywell;withallthosepiecesoflavalengthenedlikerockets,itresemblesanimmensegameof
spelikansthrownpellmell.Therewantsbutthehooktopullthemoutonebyone."
"Dobeserious,"saidBarbicane.
"Well,letusbeserious,"repliedMichelquietly;"andinsteadofspelikans,letusputbones.Thisplain,
would then be nothing but an immense cemetery, on which would repose the mortal remains of
thousandsofextinctgenerations.Doyoupreferthathighflowncomparison?"
"Oneisasgoodastheother,"retortedBarbicane.
"Myword,youaredifficulttoplease,"answeredMichel.
"Myworthyfriend,"continuedthematteroffactBarbicane,"itmattersbutlittlewhatitresembles,
whenwedonotknowwhatitis."

"Wellanswered,"exclaimedMichel."Thatwillteachmeto
reasonwithsavants."

CHAPTER XII

143

Buttheprojectilecontinuedtoadvancewithalmostuniformspeedaroundthelunardisc.The
travelers,wemayeasilyimagine,didnotdreamoftakingamoment'srest.Everyminutechangedthe
landscapewhichfledfrombeneaththeirgaze.Abouthalfpastoneo'clockinthemorning,theycaught
aglimpseofthetopsofanothermountain.Barbicane,consultinghismap,recognizedEratosthenes.
Itwasaringedmountainninethousandfeethigh,andoneofthosecirclessonumerousonthissatellite.
Withregardtothis,BarbicanerelatedKepler'ssingularopinionontheformationofcircles.Accordingto
thatcelebratedmathematician,thesecraterlikecavitieshadbeendugbythehandofman.

"Forwhatpurpose?"askedNicholl.
"Foraverynaturalone,"repliedBarbicane."TheSelenitesmighthaveundertakentheseimmense
worksanddugtheseenormousholesforarefugeandshieldfromthesolarrayswhichbeatupon
themduringfifteenconsecutivedays."
"TheSelenitesarenotfools,"saidMichel.
"Asingularidea,"repliedNicholl;"butitisprobablethatKeplerdidnotknowthetruedimensionsofthese
circles,forthediggingofthemwouldhavebeentheworkofgiantsquiteimpossiblefortheSelenites."

"Why?ifweightonthemoon'ssurfaceissixtimeslessthanontheearth?"saidMichel.
"ButiftheSelenitesaresixtimessmaller?"retortedNicholl.
"AndiftherearenoSelenites?"addedBarbicane.
Thisputanendtothediscussion.
SoonEratosthenesdisappearedunderthehorizonwithouttheprojectilebeingsufficientlynearto
allowcloseobservation.ThismountainseparatedtheApenninesfromtheCarpathians.Inthelunar
orographytheyhavediscernedsomechainsofmountains,whicharechieflydistributedoverthe
northernhemisphere.Some,however,occupycertainportionsofthesouthernhemispherealso.
Abouttwoo'clockinthemorningBarbicanefoundthattheywereabovethetwentiethlunarparallel.
Thedistanceoftheprojectilefromthemoonwasnotmorethansixhundredmiles.Barbicane,now
perceivingthattheprojectilewassteadilyapproachingthelunardisc,didnotdespair;ifnotof
reachingher,atleastofdiscoveringthesecretsofherconfiguration.
CHAPTER XIII

CHAPTER XIII
LUNARLANDSCAPES
Athalfpasttwointhemorning,theprojectilewasoverthethirteenthlunarparallelandatthe
effectivedistanceoffivehundredmiles,reducedbytheglassestofive.Itstillseemedimpossible,
however,thatitcouldevertouchanypartofthedisc.Itsmotivespeed,comparativelysomoderate,
wasinexplicabletoPresidentBarbicane.Atthatdistancefromthemoonitmusthavebeen
considerable,toenableittobearupagainstherattraction.Herewasaphenomenonthecauseof

144

whichescapedthemagain.Besides,timefailedthemtoinvestigatethecause.Alllunarreliefwas
defilingundertheeyesofthetravelers,andtheywouldnotloseasingledetail.
Undertheglassesthediscappearedatthedistanceoffivemiles.Whatwouldanaeronaut,borneto
thisdistancefromtheearth,distinguishonitssurface?Wecannotsay,sincethegreatestascension
hasnotbeenmorethan25,000feet.
This,however,isanexactdescriptionofwhatBarbicaneandhiscompanionssawatthisheight.Large
patchesofdifferentcolorsappearedonthedisc.Selenographersarenotagreeduponthenatureofthese
colors.Thereareseveral,andrathervividlymarked.JuliusSchmidtpretendsthat,iftheterrestrialoceans
weredriedup,aSeleniteobservercouldnotdistinguishontheglobeagreaterdiversityofshadesbetween
theoceansandthecontinentalplainsthanthoseonthemoonpresenttoaterrestrialobserver.Accordingto
him,thecolorcommontothevastplainsknownbythenameof"seas"isadarkgraymixedwithgreenand
brown.Someofthelargecraterspresentthesameappearance.BarbicaneknewthisopinionoftheGerman
selenographer,anopinionsharedbyBoeerandMoedler.Observationhasprovedthatrightwasontheir
side,andnotonthatofsomeastronomerswhoadmittheexistenceofonlygrayonthemoon'ssurface.In
somepartsgreenwasverydistinct,suchassprings,accordingtoJuliusSchmidt,fromtheseasof"Serenity
andHumors."Barbicanealsonoticedlargecraters,withoutanyinteriorcones,whichshedabluishtint
similartothereflectionofasheetofsteelfreshlypolished.Thesecolorsbelongedreallytothelunardisc,and
didnotresult,assomeastronomerssay,eitherfromtheimperfectionintheobjectiveoftheglassesorfrom
theinterpositionoftheterrestrialatmosphere.

NotadoubtexistedinBarbicane'smindwithregardtoit,asheobserveditthroughspace,andso
couldnotcommitanyopticalerror.Heconsideredtheestablishmentofthisfactasanacquisitionto
science.Now,weretheseshadesofgreen,belongingtotropicalvegetation,keptupbyalowdense
atmosphere?Hecouldnotyetsay.
Fartheron,henoticedareddishtint,quitedefined.Thesameshadehadbeforebeenobservedatthe
bottomofanisolatedenclosure,knownbythenameofLichtenburg'scircle,whichissituatednearthe
Hercynianmountains,onthebordersofthemoon;buttheycouldnottellthenatureofit.
Theywerenotmorefortunatewithregardtoanotherpeculiarityofthedisc,fortheycouldnotdecide
uponthecauseofit.
MichelArdanwaswatchingnearthepresident,whenhenoticedlongwhitelines,vividlylightedupby
thedirectraysofthesun.Itwasasuccessionofluminousfurrows,verydifferentfromtheradiationof
Copernicusnotlongbefore;theyranparallelwitheachother.
Michel,withhisusualreadiness,hastenedtoexclaim:
"Lookthere!cultivatedfields!"
"Cultivatedfields!"repliedNicholl,
shrugginghisshoulders.

CHAPTER XIII

145

"Plowed,atallevents,"retortedMichelArdan;"butwhatlaborersthoseSelenitesmustbe,and
whatgiantoxentheymustharnesstotheirplowtocutsuchfurrows!"
"Theyarenotfurrows,"saidBarbicane;"theyarerifts."
"Rifts?stuff!"repliedMichelmildly;"butwhatdoyoumeanby`rifts'inthescientificworld?"
Barbicaneimmediatelyenlightenedhiscompanionastowhatheknewaboutlunarrifts.Heknewthat
theywereakindoffurrowfoundoneverypartofthediscwhichwasnotmountainous;thatthese
furrows,generallyisolated,measuredfrom400to500leaguesinlength;thattheirbreadthvaried
from1,000to1,500yards,andthattheirborderswerestrictlyparallel;butheknewnothingmore
eitheroftheirformationortheirnature.
Barbicane,throughhisglasses,observedtheseriftswithgreatattention.Henoticedthattheirborderswere
formedofsteepdeclivities;theywerelongparallelramparts,andwithsomesmallamountofimaginationhe
mighthaveadmittedtheexistenceoflonglinesoffortifications,raisedbySeleniteengineers.Ofthesedifferent
riftssomewereperfectlystraight,asifcutbyaline;otherswereslightlycurved,thoughstillkeepingtheir
bordersparallel;somecrossedeachother,somecutthroughcraters;heretheywoundthroughordinarycavities,
suchasPosidoniusorPetavius;theretheywoundthroughtheseas,suchasthe"SeaofSerenity."
Thesenaturalaccidentsnaturallyexcitedtheimaginationsoftheseterrestrialastronomers.Thefirstobservations
hadnotdiscoveredtheserifts.NeitherHevelius,Cassin,LaHire,norHerschelseemedtohaveknownthem.It
wasSchroeterwhoin1789firstdrewattentiontothem.Othersfollowedwhostudiedthem,asPastorff,
Gruithuysen,Boeer,andMoedler.Atthistimetheirnumberamountstoseventy;but,iftheyhavebeencounted,
theirnaturehasnotyetbeendetermined;theyarecertainlynotfortifications,anymorethantheyaretheancient
bedsofdrieduprivers;for,ononeside,thewaters,soslightonthemoon'ssurface,couldneverhavewornsuch
drainsforthemselves;and,ontheother,theyoftencrosscratersofgreatelevation.

Wemust,however,allowthatMichelArdanhad"anidea,"andthat,withoutknowingit,hecoincided
inthatrespectwithJuliusSchmidt.
"Why,"saidhe,"shouldnottheseunaccountableappearancesbesimplyphenomenaofvegetation?"
"Whatdoyoumean?"askedBarbicanequickly.
"Donotexciteyourself,myworthypresident,"repliedMichel;"mightitnotbepossiblethatthe
darklinesformingthatbastionwererowsoftreesregularlyplaced?"
"Yousticktoyourvegetation,then?"saidBarbicane.
"Ilike,"retortedMichelArdan,"toexplainwhatyousavantscannotexplain;atleastmyhypotheses
hastheadvantageofindicatingwhytheseriftsdisappear,orseemtodisappear,atcertainseasons."
"Andforwhatreason?"
"Forthereasonthatthetreesbecomeinvisiblewhentheylosetheirleaves,andvisibleagainwhenthey
regainthem."

"Yourexplanationisingenious,mydearcompanion,"repliedBarbicane,"butinadmissible."
"Why?
"

CHAPTER XIII

146

"Because,sotospeak,therearenoseasonsonthemoon'ssurface,andthat,consequently,the
phenomenaofvegetationofwhichyouspeakcannotoccur."
Indeed,theslightobliquityofthelunaraxiskeepsthesunatanalmostequalheightineverylatitude.Above
theequatorialregionstheradiantorbalmostinvariablyoccupiesthezenith,anddoesnotpassthelimitsof
thehorizoninthepolarregions;thus,accordingtoeachregion,therereignsaperpetualwinter,spring,
summer,orautumn,asintheplanetJupiter,whoseaxisisbutlittleinclineduponitsorbit.

Whatorigindotheyattributetotheserifts?Thatisaquestiondifficulttosolve.Theyarecertainly
anteriortotheformationofcratersandcircles,forseveralhaveintroducedthemselvesbybreaking
throughtheircircularramparts.Thusitmaybethat,contemporarywiththelatergeologicalepochs,
theyareduetotheexpansionofnaturalforces.
Buttheprojectilehadnowattainedthefortiethdegreeoflunarlatitude,atadistancenotexceeding
40miles.Throughtheglassesobjectsappearedtobeonlyfourmilesdistant.
Atthispoint,undertheirfeet,roseMountHelicon,1,520feethigh,androundabouttheleftrosemoderate
elevations,enclosingasmallportionofthe"SeaofRains,"underthenameoftheGulfofIris.Theterrestrial
atmospherewouldhavetobeonehundredandseventytimesmoretransparentthanitis,toallowastronomersto
makeperfectobservationsonthemoon'ssurface;butinthevoidinwhichtheprojectilefloatednofluid
interposeditselfbetweentheeyeoftheobserverandtheobjectobserved.Andmore,Barbicanefoundhimself
carriedtoagreaterdistancethanthemostpowerfultelescopeshadeverdonebefore,eitherthatofLordRosseor
thatoftheRockyMountains.Hewas,therefore,underextremelyfavorableconditionsforsolvingthatgreat
questionofthehabitabilityofthemoon;butthesolutionstillescapedhim;hecoulddistinguishnothingbutdesert
beds,immenseplains,andtowardthenorth,aridmountains.Notaworkbetrayedthehandofman;notaruin
markedhiscourse;notagroupofanimalswastobeseenindicatinglife,eveninaninferiordegree.Innopartwas
therelife,innopartwasthereanappearanceofvegetation.Ofthethreekingdomswhichsharetheterrestrial
globebetweenthem,onealonewasrepresentedonthelunarandthatthemineral.

"Ah,indeed!"saidMichelArdan,alittleoutofcountenance;"thenyouseenoone?"
"No,"answeredNicholl;"uptothistime,notaman,notananimal,notatree!Afterall,whetherthe
atmospherehastakenrefugeatthebottomofcavities,inthemidstofthecircles,orevenonthe
oppositefaceofthemoon,wecannotdecide."
"Besides,"addedBarbicane,"eventothemostpiercingeyeamancannotbedistinguishedfartherthanthree
andahalfmilesoff;sothat,ifthereareanySelenites,theycanseeourprojectile,butwecannotseethem."

Towardfourinthemorning,attheheightofthefiftiethparallel,thedistancewasreducedto300miles.To
theleftranalineofmountainscapriciouslyshaped,lyinginthefulllight.Totheright,onthecontrary,laya
blackhollowresemblingavastwell,unfathomableandgloomy,drilledintothelunarsoil.

Thisholewasthe"BlackLake";itwasPluto,adeepcirclewhichcanbeconvenientlystudiedfromthe
earth,betweenthelastquarterandthenewmoon,whentheshadowsfallfromwesttoeast.
Thisblackcolorisrarelymetwithonthesurfaceofthesatellite.Asyetithasonlybeenrecognizedin
thedepthsofthecircleofEndymion,totheeastofthe"ColdSea,"inthenorthernhemisphere,andat
thebottomofGrimaldi'scircle,ontheequator,towardtheeasternborderoftheorb.

Plutoisanannularmountain,situatedin51@northlatitude,and9@eastlongitude.Itscircuitis
fortysevenmileslongandthirtytwobroad.
CHAPTER XIII

147

Barbicaneregrettedthattheywerenotpassingdirectlyabovethisvastopening.Therewasanabyssto
fathom,perhapssomemysteriousphenomenontosurprise;buttheprojectile'scoursecouldnotbealtered.
Theymustrigidlysubmit.Theycouldnotguideaballoon,stilllessaprojectile,whenonceenclosedwithin
itswalls.Towardfiveinthemorningthenorthernlimitsofthe"SeaofRains"wasatlengthpassed.The
mountsofCondamineandFontenelleremainedoneontheright,theotherontheleft.Thatpartofthedisc
beginningwith60@wasbecomingquitemountainous.Theglassesbroughtthemtowithintwomiles,less
thanthatseparatingthesummitofMontBlancfromthelevelofthesea.Thewholeregionwasbristlingwith
spikesandcircles.Towardthe60@Philolausstoodpredominantataheightof5,550feetwithitselliptical
crater,andseenfromthisdistance,thediscshowedaveryfantasticalappearance.Landscapeswere
presentedtotheeyeunderverydifferentconditionsfromthoseontheearth,andalsoveryinferiortothem.
Themoonhavingnoatmosphere,theconsequencesarisingfromtheabsenceofthisgaseousenvelope
havealreadybeenshown.Notwilightonhersurface;nightfollowingdayanddayfollowingnightwith
thesuddennessofalampwhichisextinguishedorlightedamidprofounddarknessnotransitionfrom
coldtoheat,thetemperaturefallinginaninstantfromboilingpointtothecoldofspace.

Anotherconsequenceofthiswantofairisthatabsolutedarknessreignswherethesun'sraysdonot
penetrate.Thatwhichonearthiscalleddiffusionoflight,thatluminousmatterwhichtheairholdsin
suspension,whichcreatesthetwilightandthedaybreak,whichproducestheumbraeandpenumbrae,
andallthemagicofchiarooscuro,doesnotexistonthemoon.Hencetheharshnessofcontrasts,which
onlyadmitoftwocolors,blackandwhite.IfaSeleniteweretoshadehiseyesfromthesun'srays,the
skywouldseemabsolutelyblack,andthestarswouldshinetohimasonthedarkestnight.Judgeofthe
impressionproducedonBarbicaneandhisthreefriendsbythisstrangescene!Theireyeswere
confused.Theycouldnolongergrasptherespectivedistancesofthedifferentplains.Alunarlandscape
withoutthesofteningofthephenomenaofchiarooscurocouldnotberenderedbyanearthlylandscape
painter;itwouldbespotsofinkonawhitepagenothingmore.
Thisaspectwasnotalteredevenwhentheprojectile,attheheightof80@,wasonlyseparatedfromthe
moonbyadistanceoffiftymiles;norevenwhen,atfiveinthemorning,itpassedatlessthantwentyfive
milesfromthemountainofGioja,adistancereducedbytheglassestoaquarterofamile.Itseemedasif
themoonmightbetouchedbythehand!Itseemedimpossiblethat,beforelong,theprojectilewouldnot
strikeher,ifonlyatthenorthpole,thebrilliantarchofwhichwassodistinctlyvisibleontheblacksky.

MichelArdanwantedtoopenoneofthescuttlesandthrowhimselfontothemoon'ssurface!Avery
useless attempt; for if the projectile couldnot attainany point whatever of the satellite, Michel,
carriedalongbyitsmotion,couldnotattainiteither.
Atthatmoment,atsixo'clock,thelunarpoleappeared.Thedisconlypresentedtothetravelers'gazeone
halfbrilliantlylitup,whiletheotherdisappearedinthedarkness.Suddenlytheprojectilepassedthelineof
demarcationbetweenintenselightandabsolutedarkness,andwasplungedinprofoundnight!

CHAPTER XIV

CHAPTER XIV

148

THENIGHTOFTHREEHUNDREDANDFIFTYFOURHOURSANDAHALF
Atthemomentwhenthisphenomenontookplacesorapidly,theprojectilewasskirtingthemoon'snorth
poleatlessthantwentyfivemilesdistance.Somesecondshadsufficedtoplungeitintotheabsolute
darknessofspace.Thetransitionwassosudden,withoutshade,withoutgradationoflight,without
attenuationoftheluminouswaves,thattheorbseemedtohavebeenextinguishedbyapowerfulblow.

"Melted,disappeared!"MichelArdanexclaimed,aghast.
Indeed,therewasneitherreflectionnorshadow.Nothingmorewastobeseenofthatdisc,formerlyso
dazzling.Thedarknesswascomplete.andrenderedevenmoresobytheraysfromthestars.Itwas
"thatblackness"inwhichthelunarnightsareinsteeped,whichlastthreehundredandfiftyfour
hoursandahalfateachpointofthedisc,alongnightresultingfromtheequalityofthetranslatory
androtarymovementsofthemoon.Theprojectile,immergedintheconicalshadowofthesatellite,
experiencedtheactionofthesolarraysnomorethananyofitsinvisiblepoints.
Intheinterior,theobscuritywascomplete.Theycouldnotseeeachother.Hencethenecessityofdispellingthe
darkness.HoweverdesirousBarbicanemightbetohusbandthegas,thereserveofwhichwassmall,hewas
obligedtoaskfromitafictitiouslight,anexpensivebrilliancywhichthesunthenrefused.

"Deviltaketheradiantorb!"exclaimedMichelArdan,"whichforcesustoexpendgas,insteadof
givingushisraysgratuitously."
"Donotletusaccusethesun,"saidNicholl,"itisnothisfault,butthatofthemoon,whichhas
comeandplacedherselflikeascreenbetweenusandit."
"Itisthesun!"continuedMichel.
"Itisthemoon!"retortedNicholl.
Anidledispute,whichBarbicaneputanendtobysaying:
"Myfriends,itisneitherthefaultofthesunnorofthemoon;itisthefaultoftheprojectile,which,
insteadofrigidlyfollowingitscourse,hasawkwardlymissedit.Tobemorejust,itisthefaultofthat
unfortunatemeteorwhichhassodeplorablyalteredourfirstdirection."
"Well,"repliedMichelArdan,"asthematterissettled,letushavebreakfast.Afterawholenightof
watchingitisfairtobuildourselvesupalittle."
Thisproposalmeetingwithnocontradiction,Michelpreparedtherepastinafewminutes.Butthey
ateforeating'ssake,theydrankwithouttoasts,withouthurrahs.Theboldtravelersbeingborneaway
intogloomyspace,withouttheiraccustomedcortegeofrays,feltavagueuneasinessintheirhearts.
The"strange"shadowsodeartoVictorHugo'spenboundthemonallsides.Buttheytalkedoverthe
interminablenightofthreehundredandfiftyfourhoursandahalf,nearlyfifteendays,whichthelaw
ofphysicshasimposedontheinhabitantsofthemoon.
Barbicanegavehisfriendssomeexplanationofthecausesandtheconsequencesofthiscuriousphenomenon.
"Curiousindeed,"saidthey;"for,ifeachhemisphereofthemoonisdeprivedofsolarlightforfifteendays,that
abovewhichwenowfloatdoesnotevenenjoyduringitslongnightanyviewoftheearthsobeautifully

CHAPTER XIV

149

litup.Inawordshehasnomoon(applyingthisdesignationtoourglobe)butononesideofherdisc.
Nowifthiswerethecasewiththeearthif,forexample,Europeneversawthemoon,andshewasonly
visibleattheantipodes,imaginetoyourselftheastonishmentofaEuropeanonarrivinginAustralia."
"Theywouldmakethevoyagefornothingbuttoseethemoon!"repliedMichel.
"Verywell!"continuedBarbicane,"thatastonishmentisreservedfortheSeleniteswhoinhabitthefaceof
themoonoppositetotheearth,afacewhichiseverinvisibletoourcountrymenoftheterrestrialglobe."

"Andwhichweshouldhaveseen,"addedNicholl,"ifwehadarrivedherewhenthemoonwasnew,
thatistosayfifteendayslater."
"Iwilladd,tomakeamends,"continuedBarbicane,"thattheinhabitantsofthevisiblefaceare
singularlyfavoredbynature,tothedetrimentoftheirbrethrenontheinvisibleface.Thelatter,asyou
see,havedarknightsof354hours,withoutonesingleraytobreakthedarkness.Theother,onthe
contrary,whenthesunwhichhasgivenitslightforfifteendayssinksbelowthehorizon,seeasplendid
orbriseontheoppositehorizon.Itistheearth,whichisthirteentimesgreaterthanthediminutive
moonthatweknowtheearthwhichdevelopesitselfatadiameteroftwodegrees,andwhichshedsa
lightthirteentimesgreaterthanthatqualifiedbyatmosphericstratatheearthwhichonly
disappearsatthemomentwhenthesunreappearsinitsturn!"
"Nicelyworded!"saidMichel,"slightlyacademicalperhaps."
"Itfollows,then,"continuedBarbicane,withoutknittinghisbrows,"thatthevisiblefaceofthedisc
mustbeveryagreeabletoinhabit,sinceitalwayslooksoneitherthesunwhenthemoonisfull,oron
theearthwhenthemoonisnew."
"But,"saidNicholl,"thatadvantagemustbewellcompensatedbytheinsupportableheatwhich
thelightbringswithit."
"Theinconvenience,inthatrespect,isthesameforthetwofaces,fortheearth'slightisevidently
deprivedofheat.Buttheinvisiblefaceisstillmoresearchedbytheheatthanthevisibleface.Isay
thatforyou,Nicholl,becauseMichelwillprobablynotunderstand."
"Thankyou,"saidMichel.
"Indeed,"continuedBarbicane,"whentheinvisiblefacereceivesatthesametimelightandheatfrom
thesun,itisbecausethemoonisnew;thatistosay,sheissituatedbetweenthesunandtheearth.It
follows,then,consideringthepositionwhichsheoccupiesinoppositionwhenfull,thatsheisnearerto
thesunbytwiceherdistancefromtheearth;andthatdistancemaybeestimatedatthetwohundredth
partofthatwhichseparatesthesunfromtheearth,orinroundnumbers400,000miles.Sothat
invisiblefaceissomuchnearertothesunwhenshereceivesitsrays."
"Quiteright,"repliedNicholl.
"Onthecontrary,"continuedBarbicane.
"Onemoment,"saidMichel,interruptinghisgravecompanion.

"Whatdoyouwant?"
"Iasktobeallowedtocontinue
theexplanation."

CHAPTER XIV

150

"Andwhy?"
"ToprovethatIunderstand."
"Getalongwithyou,"saidBarbicane,smiling.
"Onthecontrary,"saidMichel,imitatingthetoneandgesturesofthepresident,"onthecontrary,
whenthevisiblefaceofthemoonislitbythesun,itisbecausethemoonisfull,thatistosay,
oppositethesunwithregardtotheearth.Thedistanceseparatingitfromtheradiantorbisthen
increasedinroundnumbersto400,000miles,andtheheatwhichshereceivesmustbealittleless."
"Verywellsaid!"exclaimedBarbicane."Doyouknow,Michel,that,foranamateur,youareintelligent."

"Yes,"repliedMichelcoolly,"weareallsoontheBoulevarddesItaliens."
Barbicanegravelygraspedthehandofhisamiablecompanion,andcontinuedtoenumeratethe
advantagesreservedfortheinhabitantsofthevisibleface.
Amongothers,hementionedeclipsesofthesun,whichonlytakeplaceonthissideofthelunardisc;since,in
orderthattheymaytakeplace,itisnecessaryforthemoontobeinopposition.Theseeclipses,causedbythe
interpositionoftheearthbetweenthemoonandthesun,canlasttwohours;duringwhichtime,byreasonofthe
raysrefractedbyitsatmosphere,theterrestrialglobecanappearasnothingbutablackpointuponthesun.

"So,"saidNicholl,"thereisahemisphere,thatinvisiblehemispherewhichisveryillsupplied,veryill
treated,bynature."
"Nevermind,"repliedMichel;"ifweeverbecomeSelenites,wewillinhabitthevisibleface.Ilikethelight."

"Unless,byanychance,"answeredNicholl,"theatmosphereshouldbecondensedontheotherside,as
certainastronomerspretend."
"Thatwouldbeaconsideration,"saidMichel.
Breakfastover,theobserversreturnedtotheirpost.Theytriedtoseethroughthedarkenedscuttlesby
extinguishingalllightintheprojectile;butnotaluminoussparkmadeitswaythroughthedarkness.

OneinexplicablefactpreoccupiedBarbicane.Why,havingpassedwithinsuchashortdistanceofthe
moonabouttwentyfivemilesonlywhytheprojectilehadnotfallen?Ifitsspeedhadbeenenormous,
hecouldhaveunderstoodthatthefallwouldnothavetakenplace;but,witharelativelymoderatespeed,
thatresistancetothemoon'sattractioncouldnotbeexplained.Wastheprojectileundersomeforeign
influence?Didsomekindofbodyretainitintheether?Itwasquiteevidentthatitcouldneverreachany
pointofthemoon.Whitherwasitgoing?Wasitgoingfartherfrom,ornearing,thedisc?Wasitbeing
borneinthatprofounddarknessthroughtheinfinityofspace?Howcouldtheylearn,howcalculate,in
themidstofthisnight?AllthesequestionsmadeBarbicaneuneasy,buthecouldnotsolvethem.

Certainly,theinvisibleorbwasthere,perhapsonlysomefewmilesoff;butneitherhenorhis
companionscouldseeit.Iftherewasanynoiseonitssurface,theycouldnothearit.Air,thatmedium
ofsound,waswantingtotransmitthegroaningsofthatmoonwhichtheArabiclegendscall"aman

alreadyhalfgranite,andstillbreathing."
Onemustallowthatthatwasenoughtoaggravatethemostpatientobservers.Itwasjustthatunknown
hemispherewhichwasstealingfromtheirsight.Thatfacewhichfifteendayssooner,orfifteendayslater,had

CHAPTER XIV

151

been,orwouldbe,splendidlyilluminatedbythesolarrays,wasthenbeinglostinutterdarkness.In
fifteendayswherewouldtheprojectilebe?Whocouldsay?Wherewouldthechancesofconflicting
attractionshavedrawnitto?Thedisappointmentofthetravelersinthemidstofthisutterdarkness
maybeimagined.Allobservationofthelunardiscwasimpossible.Theconstellationsaloneclaimedall
theirattention;andwemustallowthattheastronomersFaye,Charconac,andSecchi,neverfound
themselvesincircumstancessofavorablefortheirobservation.
Indeed,nothingcouldequalthesplendorofthisstarryworld,bathedinlimpidether.Itsdiamondssetin
theheavenlyvaultsparkledmagnificently.TheeyetookinthefirmamentfromtheSouthernCrosstothe
NorthStar,thosetwoconstellationswhichin12,000years,byreasonofthesuccessionofequinoxes,will
resigntheirpartofthepolarstars,theonetoCanopusinthesouthernhemisphere,theothertoWegainthe
northern.ImaginationlosesitselfinthissublimeInfinity,amidwhichtheprojectilewasgravitating,likea
newstarcreatedbythehandofman.Fromanaturalcause,theseconstellationsshonewithasoftluster;
theydidnottwinkle,fortherewasnoatmospherewhich,bytheinterventionofitslayersunequallydense
andofdifferentdegreesofhumidity,producesthisscintillation.Thesestarsweresofteyes,lookingoutinto
thedarknight,amidthesilenceofabsolutespace.

Longdidthetravelersstandmute,watchingtheconstellatedfirmament,uponwhichthemoon,likea
vastscreen,madeanenormousblackhole.Butatlengthapainfulsensationdrewthemfromtheir
watchings.Thiswasanintensecold,whichsooncoveredtheinsideoftheglassofthescuttleswitha
thickcoatingofice.Thesunwasnolongerwarmingtheprojectilewithitsdirectrays,andthusitwas
losingtheheatstoredupinitswallsbydegrees.Thisheatwasrapidlyevaporatingintospaceby
radiation,andaconsiderablylowertemperaturewastheresult.Thehumidityoftheinteriorwas
changedintoiceuponcontactwiththeglass,preventingallobservation.
Nichollconsultedthethermometer,andsawthatithadfallentoseventeendegrees(Centigrade)below
zero.[3]Sothat,inspiteofthemanyreasonsforeconomizing,Barbicane,afterhavingbeggedlight
from the gas, was also obliged to beg for heat. The projectile's low temperature was no longer
endurable.Itstenantswouldhavebeenfrozentodeath.
[3]1@Fahrenheit.
"Well!"observedMichel,"wecannotreasonablycomplainofthemonotonyofourjourney!Whatvariety
wehavehad,atleastintemperature.Nowweareblindedwithlightandsaturatedwithheat,likethe
IndiansofthePampas!nowplungedintoprofounddarkness,amidthecold,liketheEsquimauxofthe
northpole.No,indeed!wehavenorighttocomplain;naturedoeswondersinourhonor."

"But,"askedNicholl,"whatisthetemperatureoutside?"
"Exactlythatoftheplanetaryspace,"repliedBarbicane.
"Then,"continuedMichelArdan,"wouldnotthisbethetimetomaketheexperimentwhichwe
darednotattemptwhenweweredrownedinthesun'srays?

"Itisnowornever,"repliedBarbicane,"forweareinagoodpositiontoverifythetemperatureof
space,andseeifFourierorPouillet'scalculationsareexact."
"Inanycaseitiscold,"saidMichel."See!thesteamoftheinterioriscondensingontheglasses
ofthescuttles.Ifthefallcontinues,thevaporofourbreathwillfallinsnowaroundus."
"Letusprepareathermometer,"saidBarbicane.

CHAPTER XIV

152

Wemayimaginethatanordinarythermometerwouldaffordnoresultunderthecircumstancesin
whichthisinstrumentwastobeexposed.Themercurywouldhavebeenfrozeninitsball,asbelow
42@Fahrenheitbelowzeroitisnolongerliquid.ButBarbicanehadfurnishedhimselfwithaspirit
thermometeronWafferdin'ssystem,whichgivestheminimaofexcessivelylowtemperatures.
Beforebeginningtheexperiment,thisinstrumentwascomparedwithanordinaryone,andthen
Barbicanepreparedtouseit.
"Howshallwesetaboutit?"askedNicholl.
"Nothingiseasier,"repliedMichelArdan,whowasneverataloss."Weopenthescuttlerapidly;throwout
theinstrument;itfollowstheprojectilewithexemplarydocility;andaquarterofanhourafter,drawitin."

"Withthehand?"askedBarbicane.
"Withthehand,"repliedMichel.
"Well,then,myfriend,donotexposeyourself,"answeredBarbicane,"forthehandthatyoudraw
inagainwillbenothingbutastumpfrozenanddeformedbythefrightfulcold."
"Really!"
"Youwillfeelasifyouhadhadaterribleburn,likethatofironatawhiteheat;forwhethertheheat
leavesourbodiesbrisklyorentersbriskly,itisexactlythesamething.Besides,Iamnotatallcertain
thattheobjectswehavethrownoutarestillfollowingus."
"Whynot?"askedNicholl.
"Because,ifwearepassingthroughanatmosphereoftheslightestdensity,theseobjectswillberetarded.
Again,thedarknesspreventsourseeingiftheystillfloataroundus.Butinordernottoexposeourselvesto
thelossofourthermometer,wewillfastenit,andwecanthenmoreeasilypullitbackagain."

Barbicane'sadvicewasfollowed.Throughthescuttlerapidlyopened,Nichollthrewouttheinstrument,
whichwasheldbyashortcord,sothatitmightbemoreeasilydrawnup.Thescuttlehadnotbeen
openedmorethanasecond,butthatsecondhadsufficedtoletinamostintensecold.
"Thedevil!"exclaimedMichelArdan,"itiscoldenoughtofreezeawhitebear."
Barbicanewaiteduntilhalfanhourhadelapsed,whichwasmorethantimeenoughtoallowthe
instrumenttofalltothelevelofthesurroundingtemperature.Thenitwasrapidlypulledin.
Barbicanecalculatedthequantityofspiritsofwineoverflowedintothelittlevialsolderedtothelower
partoftheinstrument,andsaid:
"AhundredandfortydegreesCentigrade[4]belowzero!"
[4]218degreesFahrenheitbelowzero.
M.PouilletwasrightandFourierwrong.Thatwastheundoubtedtemperatureofthestarryspace.

Suchis,perhaps,thatofthelunarcontinents,whentheorbofnighthaslostbyradiationalltheheat
whichfifteendaysofsunhavepouredintoher.
CHAPTER XV

153

CHAPTER XV
HYPERBOLAORPARABOLA
Wemay,perhaps,beastonishedtofindBarbicaneandhiscompanionssolittleoccupiedwiththe
futurereservedforthemintheirmetalprisonwhichwasbearingthemthroughtheinfinityof
space.Insteadofaskingwheretheyweregoing,theypassedtheirtimemakingexperiments,asif
theyhadbeenquietlyinstalledintheirownstudy.
Wemightanswerthatmensostrongmindedwereabovesuchanxietiesthattheydidnottroublethemselves
aboutsuchtriflesandthattheyhadsomethingelsetodothantooccupytheirmindswiththefuture.

Thetruthwasthattheywerenotmastersoftheirprojectile;theycouldneithercheckitscourse,nor
alteritsdirection.
Asailorcanchangetheheadofhisshipashepleases;anaeronautcangiveaverticalmotiontohis
balloon.They,onthecontrary,hadnopowerovertheirvehicle.Everymaneuverwasforbidden.
Hencetheinclinationtoletthingsalone,orasthesailorssay,"letherrun."
Wheredidtheyfindthemselvesatthismoment,ateighto'clockinthemorningofthedaycalledupon
theearththe6thofDecember?Verycertainlyintheneighborhoodofthemoon,andevennearenough
forhertolooktothemlikeanenormousblackscreenuponthefirmament.Astothedistancewhich
separatedthem,itwasimpossibletoestimateit.Theprojectile,heldbysomeunaccountableforce,had
beenwithinfourmilesofgrazingthesatellite'snorthpole.
Butsinceenteringtheconeofshadowtheselasttwohours,hadthedistanceincreasedordiminished?
Everypointofmarkwaswantingbywhichtoestimateboththedirectionandthespeedoftheprojectile.
Perhapsitwasrapidlyleavingthedisc,sothatitwouldsoonquitthepureshadow.Perhaps,again,ontheother
hand,itmightbenearingitsomuchthatinashorttimeitmightstrikesomehighpointontheinvisible
hemisphere,whichwoulddoubtlesslyhaveendedthejourneymuchtothedetrimentofthetravelers.

Adiscussionaroseonthissubject,andMichelArdan,alwaysreadywithanexplanation,gaveitashis
opinionthattheprojectile,heldbythelunarattraction,wouldendbyfallingonthesurfaceofthe
terrestrialglobelikeanaerolite.
"Firstofall,myfriend,"answeredBarbicane,"everyaerolitedoesnotfalltotheearth;itisonlya
smallproportionwhichdoso;andifwehadpassedintoanaerolite,itdoesnotnecessarilyfollow
thatweshouldeverreachthesurfaceofthemoon."
"Buthowifwegetnearenough?"repliedMichel.
"Puremistake,"repliedBarbicane."Haveyounotseenshootingstarsrushthroughtheskyby
thousandsatcertainseasons?"
"Yes."

"Well,thesestars,orrathercorpuscles,onlyshinewhentheyareheatedbyglidingovertheatmospheric
layers.Now,iftheyentertheatmosphere,theypassatleastwithinfortymilesoftheearth,buttheyseldomfall
uponit.Thesamewithourprojectile.Itmayapproachveryneartothemoon,andnotyetfalluponit."
"Butthen,"askedMichel,"Ishallbecurioustoknowhow
ourerringvehiclewillactinspace?"

CHAPTER XV

154

"Iseebuttwohypotheses,"repliedBarbicane,aftersomemoments'reflection.
"Whatarethey?"
"Theprojectilehasthechoicebetweentwomathematicalcurves,anditwillfollowoneortheother
accordingtothespeedwithwhichitisanimated,andwhichatthismomentIcannotestimate."
"Yes,"saidNicholl,"itwillfolloweitheraparabolaorahyperbola."
"Justso,"repliedBarbicane."Withacertainspeeditwillassumetheparabola,andwitha
greaterthehyperbola."
"Ilikethosegrandwords,"exclaimedMichelArdan;"oneknowsdirectlywhattheymean.Andpray
whatisyourparabola,ifyouplease?"
"Myfriend,"answeredthecaptain,"theparabolaisacurveofthesecondorder,theresultofthe
sectionofaconeintersectedbyaplaneparalleltooneofthesides."
"Ah!ah!"saidMichel,inasatisfiedtone.
"Itisverynearly,"continuedNicholl,"thecoursedescribedbyabomblaunchedfromamortar."
"Perfect!Andthehyperbola?"
"Thehyperbola,Michel,isacurveofthesecondorder,producedbytheintersectionofaconicsurface
andaplaneparalleltoitsaxis,andconstitutestwobranchesseparatedonefromtheother,both
tendingindefinitelyinthetwodirections."
"Isitpossible!"exclaimedMichelArdaninaserioustone,asiftheyhadtoldhimofsomeserious
event."WhatIparticularlylikeinyourdefinitionofthehyperbola(Iwasgoingtosayhyperblague)
isthatitisstillmoreobscurethanthewordyoupretendtodefine."
NichollandBarbicanecaredlittleforMichelArdan'sfun.Theyweredeepinascientificdiscussion.What
curvewouldtheprojectilefollow?wastheirhobby.Onemaintainedthehyperbola,theothertheparabola.
Theygaveeachotherreasonsbristlingwithx.Theirargumentswerecouchedinlanguagewhichmade
Micheljump.Thediscussionwashot,andneitherwouldgiveuphischosencurvetohisadversary.

ThisscientificdisputelastedsolongthatitmadeMichelveryimpatient.
"Now,gentlemencosines,willyouceasetothrowparabolasandhyperbolasateachother'sheads?I
wanttounderstandtheonlyinterestingquestioninthewholeaffair.Weshallfollowoneortheother
ofthesecurves?Good.Butwherewilltheyleadusto?"
"Nowhere,"repliedNicholl.
"How,nowhere?"
"Evidently,"saidBarbicane,"theyareopencurves,whichmaybeprolongedindefinitely."

"Ah,savants!"criedMichel;"andwhatareeithertheoneortheothertousfromthemomentwe
knowthattheyequallyleadusintoinfinitespace?"
CHAPTER XV

155

BarbicaneandNichollcouldnotforbearsmiling.Theyhadjustbeencreating"artforart'ssake."
Neverhadsoidleaquestionbeenraisedatsuchaninopportunemoment.Thesinistertruthremained
that,whetherhyperbolicallyorparabolicallyborneaway,theprojectilewouldneveragainmeeteither
theearthorthemoon.
Whatwouldbecomeoftheseboldtravelersintheimmediatefuture?Iftheydidnotdieofhunger,if
theydidnotdieofthirst,insomedays,whenthegasfailed,theywoulddiefromwantofair,unlessthe
coldhadkilledthemfirst.Still,importantasitwastoeconomizethegas,theexcessivelownessofthe
surroundingtemperatureobligedthemtoconsumeacertainquantity.Strictlyspeaking,theycoulddo
withoutitslight,butnotwithoutitsheat.FortunatelythecaloricgeneratedbyReiset'sandRegnaut's
apparatusraisedthetemperatureoftheinterioroftheprojectilealittle,andwithoutmuch
expendituretheywereabletokeepitbearable.
Butobservationshadnowbecomeverydifficult.thedampnessoftheprojectilewascondensedonthe
windowsandcongealedimmediately.Thiscloudinesshadtobedispersedcontinually.Inanycasethey
mighthopetobeabletodiscoversomephenomenaofthehighestinterest.
Butuptothistimethediscremaineddumbanddark.Itdidnotanswerthemultiplicityofquestionsput
bytheseardentminds;amatterwhichdrewthisreflectionfromMichel,apparentlyajustone:
"Ifeverwebeginthisjourneyoveragain,weshalldowelltochoosethetimewhenthemoonisatthefull."

"Certainly,"saidNicholl,"thatcircumstancewillbemorefavorable.Iallowthatthemoon,immersed
inthesun'srays,willnotbevisibleduringthetransit,butinsteadweshouldseetheearth,which
wouldbefull.Andwhatismore,ifweweredrawnroundthemoon,asatthismoment,weshouldat
leasthavetheadvantageofseeingtheinvisiblepartofherdiscmagnificentlylit."
"Wellsaid,Nicholl,"repliedMichelArdan."Whatdoyouthink,Barbicane?"
"Ithinkthis,"answeredthegravepresident:"Ifeverwebeginthisjourneyagain,weshallstartatthe
sametimeandunderthesameconditions.Supposewehadattainedourend,woulditnothavebeen
bettertohavefoundcontinentsinbroaddaylightthanacountryplungedinutterdarkness?Wouldnot
ourfirstinstallationhavebeenmadeunderbettercircumstances?Yes,evidently.Astotheinvisible
side,wecouldhavevisiteditinourexploringexpeditionsonthelunarglobe.Sothatthetimeofthefull
moonwaswellchosen.Butweoughttohavearrivedattheend;andinordertohavesoarrived,we
oughttohavesufferednodeviationontheroad."
"Ihavenothingtosaytothat,"answeredMichelArdan."Hereis,however,agoodopportunity
lostofobservingtheothersideofthemoon."
Buttheprojectilewasnowdescribingintheshadowthatincalculablecoursewhichnosightmark
wouldallowthemtoascertain.Haditsdirectionbeenaltered,eitherbytheinfluenceofthelunar
attraction,orbytheactionofsomeunknownstar?Barbicanecouldnotsay.Butachangehadtaken
placeintherelativepositionofthevehicle;andBarbicaneverifieditaboutfourinthemorning.
Thechangeconsistedinthis,thatthebaseoftheprojectilehadturnedtowardthemoon'ssurface,andwasso

heldbyaperpendicularpassingthroughitsaxis.Theattraction,thatistosaytheweight,hadbroughtabout
thisalteration.Theheaviestpartoftheprojectileinclinedtowardtheinvisiblediscasifitwouldfalluponit.

Wasitfalling?Werethetravelersattainingthatmuchdesiredend?No.Andtheobservationofa
signpoint,quiteinexplicableinitself,showedBarbicanethathisprojectilewasnotnearingthe
moon,andthatithadshiftedbyfollowinganalmostconcentriccurve.
CHAPTER XV

156

Thispointofmarkwasaluminousbrightness,whichNichollsightedsuddenly,onthelimitofthe
horizonformedbytheblackdisc.Thispointcouldnotbeconfoundedwithastar.Itwasareddish
incandescencewhichincreasedbydegrees,adecidedproofthattheprojectilewasshiftingtowardit
andnotfallingnormallyonthesurfaceofthemoon.
"Avolcano!itisavolcanoinaction!"criedNicholl;"adisembowelingoftheinteriorfiresofthe
moon!Thatworldisnotquiteextinguished."
"Yes,aneruption,"repliedBarbicane,whowascarefullystudyingthephenomenonthroughhis
nightglass."Whatshoulditbe,ifnotavolcano?"
"But,then,"saidMichelArdan,"inordertomaintainthatcombustion,theremustbeair.Sothe
atmospheredoessurroundthatpartofthemoon."
"Perhapsso,"repliedBarbicane,"butnotnecessarily.
Thevolcano,bythedecompositionofcertainsubstances,canprovideitsownoxygen,andthusthrowflamesinto
space.Itseemstomethatthedeflagration,bytheintensebrilliancyofthesubstancesincombustion,isproduced
inpureoxygen.Wemustnotbeinahurrytoproclaimtheexistenceofalunaratmosphere."

Thefierymountainmusthavebeensituatedaboutthe45@southlatitudeontheinvisiblepartofthedisc;
but,toBarbicane'sgreatdispleasure,thecurvewhichtheprojectilewasdescribingwastakingitfarfrom
thepointindicatedbytheeruption.Thushecouldnotdetermineitsnatureexactly.Halfanhourafterbeing
sighted,thisluminouspointhaddisappearedbehindthedarkhorizon;buttheverificationofthis
phenomenonwasofconsiderableconsequenceintheirselenographicstudies.Itprovedthatallheathadnot
yetdisappearedfromthebowelsofthisglobe;andwhereheatexists,whocanaffirmthatthevegetable
kingdom,nay,eventheanimalkingdomitself,hasnotuptothistimeresistedalldestructiveinfluences?The
existenceofthisvolcanoineruption,unmistakablyseenbytheseearthlysavants,woulddoubtlessgiverise
tomanytheoriesfavorabletothegravequestionofthehabitabilityofthemoon.

Barbicaneallowedhimselftobecarriedawaybythesereflections.Heforgothimselfinadeepreverie
inwhichthemysteriousdestinyofthelunarworldwasuppermost.Hewasseekingtocombinetogether
thefactsobserveduptothattime,whenanewincidentrecalledhimbrisklytoreality.Thisincident
wasmorethanacosmicalphenomenon;itwasathreateneddanger,theconsequenceofwhichmightbe
disastrousintheextreme.
Suddenly,inthemidstoftheether,intheprofounddarkness,anenormousmassappeared.Itwaslike
amoon,butanincandescentmoonwhosebrilliancywasallthemoreintolerableasitcutsharplyonthe
frightfuldarknessofspace.Thismass,ofacircularform,threwalightwhichfilledtheprojectile.The
formsofBarbicane,Nicholl,andMichelArdan,bathedinitswhitesheets,assumedthatlividspectral
appearancewhichphysiciansproducewiththefictitiouslightofalcoholimpregnatedwithsalt.

"ByJove!"criedMichelArdan,"wearehideous.Whatisthatillconditionedmoon?"
"Ameteor,"repliedBarbicane.
"Ameteorburninginspace?"
"Yes."
Thisshootingglobesuddenlyappearinginshadowatadistanceofatmost200miles,ought,accordingto
Barbicane,tohaveadiameterof2,000yards.Itadvancedataspeedofaboutonemileandahalfpersecond.

CHAPTER XV

157

Itcuttheprojectile'spathandmustreachitinsomeminutes.Asitapproacheditgrewto
enormousproportions.
Imagine,ifpossible,thesituationofthetravelers!Itisimpossibletodescribeit.Inspiteoftheir
courage,theirsangfroid,theircarelessnessofdanger,theyweremute,motionlesswithstiffenedlimbs,
apreytofrightfulterror.Theirprojectile,thecourseofwhichtheycouldnotalter,wasrushing
straightonthisignitedmass,moreintensethantheopenmouthofanoven.Itseemedasthoughthey
werebeingprecipitatedtowardanabyssoffire.
Barbicanehadseizedthehandsofhistwocompanions,andallthreelookedthroughtheirhalfopen
eyelidsuponthatasteroidheatedtoawhiteheat.Ifthoughtwasnotdestroyedwithinthem,iftheir
brainsstillworkedamidallthisawe,theymusthavegiventhemselvesupforlost.
Twominutesafterthesuddenappearanceofthemeteor(tothemtwocenturiesofanguish)theprojectile
seemedalmostabouttostrikeit,whentheglobeoffireburstlikeabomb,butwithoutmakinganynoise
inthatvoidwheresound,whichisbuttheagitationofthelayersofair,couldnotbegenerated.

Nichollutteredacry,andheandhiscompanionsrushedtothescuttle.Whatasight!Whatpencan
describeit?Whatpaletteisrichenoughincolorstoreproducesomagnificentaspectacle?
Itwasliketheopeningofacrater,likethescatteringofanimmenseconflagration.Thousandsof
luminousfragmentslitupandirradiatedspacewiththeirfires.Everysize,everycolor,wasthere
intermingled.Therewereraysofyellowandpaleyellow,red,green,grayacrownoffireworksof
allcolors.Oftheenormousandmuchdreadedglobethereremainednothingbutthesefragments
carried in all directions, now become asteroids in their turn, some flaming like a sword, some
surroundedbyawhitishcloud,andothersleavingbehindthemtrainsofbrilliantcosmicaldust.
Theseincandescentblockscrossedandstruckeachother,scatteringstillsmallerfragments,someof
whichstrucktheprojectile.Itsleftscuttlewasevencrackedbyaviolentshock.Itseemedtobe
floatingamidahailofhowitzershells,thesmallestofwhichmightdestroyitinstantly.
Thelightwhichsaturatedtheetherwassowonderfullyintense,thatMichel,drawingBarbicaneand
Nicholltohiswindow,exclaimed,"Theinvisiblemoon,visibleatlast!"
Andthroughaluminousemanation,whichlastedsomeseconds,thewholethreecaughtaglimpseofthat
mysteriousdiscwhichtheeyeofmannowsawforthefirsttime.Whatcouldtheydistinguishatadistance
whichtheycouldnotestimate?Somelengthenedbandsalongthedisc,realcloudsformedinthemidstofa
veryconfinedatmosphere,fromwhichemergednotonlyallthemountains,butalsoprojectionsofless

importance;itscircles,itsyawningcraters,ascapriciouslyplacedasonthevisiblesurface.Thenimmense
spaces,nolongeraridplains,butrealseas,oceans,widelydistributed,reflectingontheirliquidsurfaceall
thedazzlingmagicofthefiresofspace;and,lastly,onthesurfaceofthecontinents,largedarkmasses,
lookinglikeimmenseforestsundertherapidilluminationofabrilliance.

Wasitanillusion,amistake,anopticalillusion?Couldtheygiveascientificassenttoanobservation
sosuperficiallyobtained?Daredtheypronounceuponthequestionofitshabitabilityaftersoslighta
glimpseoftheinvisibledisc?
Butthelightningsinspacesubsidedbydegrees;itsaccidentalbrilliancydiedaway;theasteroids
dispersedindifferentdirectionsandwereextinguishedinthedistance.
Theetherreturnedtoitsaccustomeddarkness;thestars,eclipsedforamoment,againtwinkledin
thefirmament,andthedisc,sohastilydiscerned,wasagainburiedinimpenetrablenight.

CHAPTER XVI

158

CHAPTER XVI
THESOUTHERNHEMISPHERE
Theprojectilehadjustescapedaterribledanger,andaveryunforseenone.Whowouldhavethoughtof
suchanencounterwithmeteors?Theseerringbodiesmightcreateseriousperilsforthetravelers.Theywere
tothemsomanysandbanksuponthatseaofetherwhich,lessfortunatethansailors,theycouldnotescape.
Butdidtheseadventurerscomplainofspace?No,notsincenaturehadgiventhemthesplendidsightofa
cosmicalmeteorburstingfromexpansion,sincethisinimitablefirework,whichnoRuggiericouldimitate,
hadlitupforsomesecondstheinvisiblegloryofthemoon.Inthatflash,continents,seas,andforestshad
becomevisibletothem.Didanatmosphere,then,bringtothisunknownfaceitslifegivingatoms?Questions
stillinsoluble,andforeverclosedagainsthumancuriousity!
Itwasthenhalfpastthreeintheafternoon.Theprojectilewasfollowingitscurvilineardirectionroundthemoon.
Haditscourseagainbeenalteredbythemeteor?Itwastobefearedso.Buttheprojectilemustdescribeacurve
unalterablydeterminedbythelawsofmechanicalreasoning.Barbicanewasinclinedtobelievethatthiscurve
wouldberatheraparabolathanahyperbola.Butadmittingtheparabola,theprojectilemustquicklyhavepassed
throughtheconeofshadowprojectedintospaceoppositethesun.Thiscone,indeed,isverynarrow,theangular
diameterofthemoonbeingsolittlewhencomparedwiththediameteroftheorbofday;anduptothistimethe
projectilehadbeenfloatinginthisdeepshadow.Whateverhadbeenitsspeed(anditcouldnothavebeen
insignificant),itsperiodofoccultationcontinued.Thatwasevident,butperhapsthatwouldnothavebeenthe
caseinasupposedlyrigidlyparabolicaltrajectoryanewproblemwhichtormentedBarbicane'sbrain,
imprisonedashewasinacircleofunknownswhichhecouldnotunravel.
Neitherofthetravelersthoughtoftakinganinstant'srepose.Eachonewatchedforanunexpectedfact,which
mightthrowsomenewlightontheiruranographicstudies.Aboutfiveo'clock,MichelArdandistributed,under
thenameofdinner,somepiecesofbreadandcoldmeat,whichwerequicklyswallowedwithouteitherofthem
abandoningtheirscuttle,theglassofwhichwasincessantlyencrustedbythecondensationofvapor.

Aboutfortyfiveminutespastfiveintheevening,Nicholl,armedwithhisglass,sightedtowardthe
southernborderofthemoon,andinthedirectionfollowedbytheprojectile,somebrightpointscutupon
thedarkshieldofthesky.Theylookedlikeasuccessionofsharppointslengthenedintoatremulousline.
Theywereverybright.Suchappearedtheterminallineofthemoonwheninoneofheroctants.

Theycouldnotbemistaken.Itwasnolongerasimplemeteor.Thisluminousridgehadneithercolor
normotion.Norwasitavolcanoineruption.AndBarbicanedidnothesitatetopronounceuponit.

"Thesun!"heexclaimed.
"What!thesun?"answeredNichollandMichelArdan.
"Yes,myfriends,itistheradiantorbitselflightingupthesummitofthemountainssituatedonthe
southernbordersofthemoon.Weareevidentlynearingthesouthpole."
"Afterhavingpassedthenorthpole,"repliedMichel."Wehavemadethecircuitofoursatellite,then?"

"Yes,mygoodMichel."
"Then,nomorehyperbolas,nomoreparabolas,nomoreopencurvestofear?"
"No,butaclosed
curve."

CHAPTER XVI

159

"Whichiscalled"
"Anellipse.Insteadoflosingitselfininterplanetaryspace,itisprobablethattheprojectilewill
describeanellipticalorbitaroundthemoon."
"Indeed!"
"Andthatitwillbecomehersatellite."
"Moonofthemoon!"criedMichelArdan.
"Only,Iwouldhaveyouobserve,myworthyfriend,"repliedBarbicane,"thatwearenonetheless
lostforthat."
"Yes,inanothermanner,andmuchmorepleasantly,"answeredthecarelessFrenchmanwithhismost
amiablesmile.
CHAPTER XVII

160

CHAPTER XVII
TYCHO
Atsixintheeveningtheprojectilepassedthesouthpoleatlessthanfortymilesoff,adistanceequal
tothatalreadyreachedatthenorthpole.Theellipticalcurvewasbeingrigidlycarriedout.
Atthismomentthetravelersoncemoreenteredtheblessedraysofthesun.Theysawoncemorethose
starswhichmoveslowlyfromeasttowest.Theradiantorbwassalutedbyatriplehurrah.Withits
lightitalsosentheat,whichsoonpiercedthemetalwalls.Theglassresumeditsaccustomed
appearance.Thelayersoficemeltedasifbyenchantment;andimmediately,foreconomy'ssake,the
gaswasputout,theairapparatusaloneconsumingitsusualquantity.
"Ah!"saidNicholl,"theseraysofheataregood.WithwhatimpatiencemusttheSelenites
waitthereappearanceoftheorbofday."
"Yes,"repliedMichelArdan,"imbibingasitwerethebrilliantether,lightandheat,alllifeis
containedinthem."
Atthismomentthebottomoftheprojectiledeviatedsomewhatfromthelunarsurface,inordertofollow
theslightlylengthenedellipticalorbit.Fromthispoint,hadtheearthbeenatthefull,Barbicaneandhis
companionscouldhaveseenit,butimmersedinthesun'sirradiationshewasquiteinvisible.Another
spectacleattractedtheirattention,thatofthesouthernpartofthemoon,broughtbytheglassestowithin
450yards.Theydidnotagainleavethescuttles,andnotedeverydetailofthisfantasticalcontinent.

MountsDoerfulandLeibnitzformedtwoseparategroupsverynearthesouthpole.Thefirstgroup
extendedfromthepoletotheeightyfourthparallel,ontheeasternpartoftheorb;thesecond
occupiedtheeasternborder,extendingfromthe65@oflatitudetothepole.
Ontheircapriciouslyformedridgeappeareddazzlingsheets,asmentionedbyPereSecchi.Withmore
certaintythantheillustriousRomanastronomer,Barbicanewasenabledtorecognizetheirnature.

"Theyaresnow,"heexclaimed.
"Snow?"repeatedNicholl.
"Yes,Nicholl,snow;thesurfaceofwhichisdeeplyfrozen.Seehowtheyreflecttheluminousrays.Cooledlava
wouldnevergiveoutsuchintensereflection.Theremustthenbewater,theremustbeaironthemoon.Aslittle
asyouplease,butthefactcannolongerbecontested."No,itcouldnotbe.AndifeverBarbicaneshouldsee
theearthagain,hisnoteswillbearwitnesstothisgreatfactinhisselenographicobservations.

ThesemountainsofDoerfulandLeibnitzroseinthemidstofplainsofamediumextent,whichwere
boundedbyanindefinitesuccessionofcirclesandannularramparts.Thesetwochainsaretheonly
onesmetwithinthisregionofcircles.Comparativelybutslightlymarked,theythrowuphereand
theresomesharppoints,thehighestsummitofwhichattainsanaltitudeof24,600feet.
Buttheprojectilewashighaboveallthislandscape,andtheprojectionsdisappearedintheintense
brilliancyofthedisc.Andtotheeyesofthetravelerstherereappearedthatoriginalaspectofthe
lunarlandscapes,rawintone,withoutgradationofcolors,andwithoutdegreesofshadow,roughly
blackandwhite,fromthewantofdiffusionoflight.
CHAPTER XVII

161

Butthesightofthisdesolateworlddidnotfailtocaptivatethembyitsverystrangeness.Theywere
movingoverthisregionasiftheyhadbeenborneonthebreathofsomestorm,watchingheightsdefile
undertheirfeet,piercingthecavitieswiththeireyes,goingdownintotherifts,climbingtheramparts,
soundingthesemysteriousholes,andlevelingallcracks.Butnotraceofvegetation,noappearanceof
cities;nothingbutstratification,bedsoflava,overflowingspolishedlikeimmensemirrors,reflecting
thesun'srayswithoverpoweringbrilliancy.Nothingbelongingtoalivingworldeverythingtoadead
world,whereavalanches,rollingfromthesummitsofthemountains,woulddispersenoiselesslyatthe
bottomoftheabyss,retainingthemotion,butwantingthesound.Inanycaseitwastheimageofdeath,
withoutitsbeingpossibleeventosaythatlifehadeverexistedthere.
MichelArdan,however,thoughtherecognizedaheapofruins,towhichhedrewBarbicane'sattention.It
wasaboutthe80thparallel,in30@longitude.Thisheapofstones,ratherregularlyplaced,representeda
vastfortress,overlookingalongrift,whichinformerdayshadservedasabedtotheriversofprehistorical
times.Notfarfromthat,rosetoaheightof17,400feettheannularmountainofShort,equaltotheAsiatic
Caucasus.MichelArdan,withhisaccustomedardor,maintained"theevidences"ofhisfortress.Beneathit
hediscernedthedismantledrampartsofatown;herethestillintactarchofaportico,theretwoorthree
columnslyingundertheirbase;fartheron,asuccessionofarcheswhichmusthavesupportedtheconduitof
anaqueduct;inanotherpartthesunkenpillarsofagiganticbridge,runintothethickestpartsoftherift.
Hedistinguishedallthis,butwithsomuchimaginationinhisglance,andthroughglassessofantastical,that
wemustmistrusthisobservation.Butwhocouldaffirm,whowoulddaretosay,thattheamiablefellowdid
notreallyseethatwhichhistwocompanionswouldnotsee?
Momentsweretooprecioustobesacrificedinidlediscussion.Theselenitecity,whetherimaginaryornot,
hadalreadydisappearedafaroff.Thedistanceoftheprojectilefromthelunardiscwasontheincrease,
andthedetailsofthesoilwerebeinglostinaconfusedjumble.Thereliefs,thecircles,thecraters,andthe
plainsaloneremained,andstillshowedtheirboundarylinesdistinctly.Atthismoment,totheleft,lay
extendedoneofthefinestcirclesoflunarorography,oneofthecuriositiesofthiscontinent.ItwasNewton,
whichBarbicanerecognizedwithouttrouble,byreferringtotheMappaSelenographica.

Newtonissituatedinexactly77@southlatitude,and16@eastlongitude.Itformsanannular
crater,therampartsofwhich,risingtoaheightof21,300feet,seemedtobeimpassable.
Barbicanemadehiscompanionsobservethattheheightofthismountainabovethesurroundingplain
wasfarfromequalingthedepthofitscrater.Thisenormousholewasbeyondallmeasurement,and
formedagloomyabyss,thebottomofwhichthesun'srayscouldneverreach.There,accordingto
Humboldt,reignsutterdarkness,whichthelightofthesunandtheearthcannotbreak.Mythologists
couldwellhavemadeitthemouthofhell.
"Newton,"saidBarbicane,"isthemostperfecttypeoftheseannularmountains,ofwhichtheearth
possessesnosample.Theyprovethatthemoon'sformation,bymeansofcooling,isduetoviolent
causes;forwhile,underthepressureofinternalfiresthereliefsrisetoconsiderableheight,thedepths
withdrawfarbelowthelunarlevel."
"Idonotdisputethefact,"repliedMichelArdan.
SomeminutesafterpassingNewton,theprojectiledirectlyoverlookedtheannularmountainsof
Moret.ItskirtedatsomedistancethesummitsofBlancanus,andatabouthalfpastseveninthe
eveningreachedthecircleofClavius.
Thiscircle,oneofthemostremarkableofthedisc,issituatedin58@southlatitude,and15@east
longitude. Its height is estimated at 22,950 feet. The travelers, at a distance of twentyfour miles
(reducedtofourbytheirglasses)couldadmirethisvastcraterinitsentirety.
CHAPTER XVII

162

"Terrestrialvolcanoes,"saidBarbicane,"arebutmolehillscomparedwiththoseofthemoon.
MeasuringtheoldcratersformedbythefirsteruptionsofVesuviusandEtna,wefindthemlittle
morethanthreemilesinbreadth.InFrancethecircleofCantalmeasuressixmilesacross;atCeyland
thecircleoftheislandisfortymiles,whichisconsideredthelargestontheglobe.Whatarethese
diametersagainstthatofClavius,whichweoverlookatthismoment?"
"Whatisitsbreadth?"askedNicholl.
"Itis150miles,"repliedBarbicane."Thiscircleiscertainlythemostimportantonthemoon,but
manyothersmeasure150,100,or75miles."
"Ah!myfriends,"exclaimedMichel,"canyoupicturetoyourselveswhatthisnowpeacefulorbofnight
musthavebeenwhenitscraters,filledwiththunderings,vomitedatthesametimesmokeandtonguesof
flame.Whatawonderfulspectaclethen,andnowwhatdecay!Thismoonisnothingmorethanathin
carcaseoffireworks,whosesquibs,rockets,serpents,andsuns,afterasuperbbrilliancy,haveleftbutsadly
brokencases.Whocansaythecause,thereason,themotiveforceofthesecataclysms?"
BarbicanewasnotlisteningtoMichelArdan;hewascontemplatingtheserampartsofClavius,formedby
largemountainsspreadoverseveralmiles.Atthebottomoftheimmensecavityburrowedhundredsof
smallextinguishedcraters,riddlingthesoillikeacolander,andoverlookedbyapeak15,000feethigh.

Aroundtheplainappeareddesolate.Nothingsoaridasthesereliefs,nothingsosadastheseruinsof
mountains,and(ifwemaysoexpressourselves)thesefragmentsofpeaksandmountainswhich
strewedthesoil.Thesatelliteseemedtohaveburstatthisspot.

Theprojectilewasstilladvancing,andthismovementdidnotsubside.Circles,craters,anduprooted
mountainssucceededeachotherincessantly.Nomoreplains;nomoreseas.AneverendingSwitzerlandand
Norway.Andlastly,inthecanterofthisregionofcrevasses,themostsplendidmountainonthelunardisc,
thedazzlingTycho,inwhichposteritywilleverpreservethenameoftheillustriousDanishastronomer.
Inobservingthefullmooninacloudlessskynoonehasfailedtoremarkthisbrilliantpointofthesouthern
hemisphere.MichelArdanusedeverymetaphorthathisimaginationcouldsupplytodesignateitby.Tohim
thisTychowasafocusoflight,acenterofirradiation,acratervomitingrays.Itwasthetireofabrilliantwheel,
anasteriaenclosingthediscwithitssilvertentacles,anenormouseyefilledwithflames,aglorycarvedfor
Pluto'shead,astarlaunchedbytheCreator'shand,andcrushedagainstthefaceofthemoon!
Tychoformssuchaconcentrationoflightthattheinhabitantsoftheearthcanseeitwithoutglasses,thoughata
distanceof240,000miles!Imagine,then,itsintensitytotheeyeofobserversplacedatadistanceofonlyfifty
miles!Seenthroughthispureether,itsbrilliancywassointolerablethatBarbicaneandhisfriendswereobliged
toblackentheirglasseswiththegassmokebeforetheycouldbearthesplendor.Thensilent,scarcelyutteringan
interjectionofadmiration,theygazed,theycontemplated.Alltheirfeelings,alltheirimpressions,were
concentratedinthatlook,asunderanyviolentemotionalllifeisconcentratedattheheart.

Tychobelongstothesystemofradiatingmountains,likeAristarchusandCopernicus;butitisofallthe
mostcompleteanddecided,showingunquestionablythefrightfulvolcanicactiontowhichtheformationof
themoonisdue.Tychoissituatedin43@southlatitude,and12@eastlongitude.Itscenterisoccupiedby
acraterfiftymilesbroad.Itassumesaslightlyellipticalform,andissurroundedbyanenclosureof
annularramparts,whichontheeastandwestoverlooktheouterplainfromaheightof15,000feet.Itisa
groupofMontBlancs,placedroundonecommoncenterandcrownedbyradiatingbeams.
Whatthisincomparablemountainreallyis,withalltheprojectionsconvergingtowardit,andtheinterior
excrescencesofitscrater,photographyitselfcouldneverrepresent.Indeed,itisduringthefullmoonthat

CHAPTER XVII

163

Tychoisseeninallitssplendor.Thenallshadowsdisappear,theforeshorteningofperspectivedisappears,
andallproofsbecomewhiteadisagreeablefact:forthisstrangeregionwouldhavebeenmarvelousif
reproducedwithphotographicexactness.Itisbutagroupofhollows,craters,circles,anetworkofcrests;
then,asfarastheeyecouldsee,awholevolcanicnetworkcastuponthisencrustedsoil.Onecanthen
understandthatthebubblesofthiscentraleruptionhavekepttheirfirstform.Crystallizedbycooling,they
havestereotypedthataspectwhichthemoonformerlypresentedwhenunderthePlutonianforces.
ThedistancewhichseparatedthetravelersfromtheannularsummitsofTychowasnotsogreatbutthatthey
couldcatchtheprincipaldetails.EvenonthecausewayformingthefortificationsofTycho,themountains
hangingontotheinteriorandexteriorslopingflanksroseinstorieslikegiganticterraces.Theyappearedtobe
higherby300or400feettothewestthantotheeast.Nosystemofterrestrialencampmentcouldequalthese
naturalfortifications.Atownbuiltatthebottomofthiscircularcavitywouldhavebeenutterlyinaccessible.

Inaccessibleandwonderfullyextendedoverthissoilcoveredwithpicturesqueprojections!Indeed,
naturehadnotleftthebottomofthiscraterflatandempty.Itpossesseditsownpeculiarorography,a
mountainoussystem,makingitaworldinitself.Thetravelerscoulddistinguishclearlycones,central
hills,remarkablepositionsofthesoil,naturallyplacedtoreceivethechefsd'oeuvreofSelenite
architecture.Therewasmarkedouttheplaceforatemple,herethegroundofaforum,onthisspotthe
planofapalace,inanothertheplateauforacitadel;thewholeoverlookedbyacentralmountainof
1,500feet.Avastcircle,inwhichancientRomecouldhavebeenheldinitsentiretytentimesover.

"Ah!"exclaimedMichelArdan,enthusiasticatthesight;"whatagrandtownmightbeconstructedwithin
thatringofmountains!Aquietcity,apeacefulrefuge,beyondallhumanmisery.Howcalmandisolated
thosemisanthropes,thosehatersofhumanitymightlivethere,andallwhohaveadistasteforsociallife!"

"All!Itwouldbetoosmallforthem,"repliedBarbicanesimply.
CHAPTER XVIII

164

CHAPTER XVIII
GRAVEQUESTIONS
ButtheprojectilehadpassedtheenceinteofTycho,andBarbicaneandhistwocompanionswatchedwith
scrupulousattentionthebrilliantrayswhichthecelebratedmountainshedsocuriouslyoverthehorizon.

Whatwasthisradiantglory?Whatgeologicalphenomenonhaddesignedtheseardentbeams?This
questionoccupiedBarbicane'smind.
Underhiseyesraninalldirectionsluminousfurrows,raisedattheedgesandconcaveinthecenter,sometwelve
miles,othersthirtymilesbroad.Thesebrillianttrainsextendedinsomeplacestowithin600milesofTycho,and
seemedtocover,particularlytowardtheeast,thenortheastandthenorth,thehalfofthesouthernhemisphere.
OneofthesejetsextendedasfarasthecircleofNeander,situatedonthe40thmeridian.Another,byaslight
curve,furrowedthe"SeaofNectar,"breakingagainstthechainofPyrenees,afteracircuitof800miles.Others,
towardthewest,coveredthe"SeaofClouds"andthe"SeaofHumors"withaluminousnetwork.Whatwasthe
originofthesesparklingrays,whichshoneontheplainsaswellasonthereliefs,atwhateverheighttheymight
be?Allstartedfromacommoncenter,thecraterofTycho.Theysprangfromhim.Herschelattributedtheir
brilliancytocurrentsoflavacongealedbythecold;anopinion,however,whichhasnotbeengenerallyadopted.
Otherastronomershaveseenintheseinexplicableraysakindofmoraines,rowsoferraticblocks,whichhadbeen
thrownupattheperiodofTycho'sformation.

"Andwhynot?"askedNichollofBarbicane,whowasrelatingandrejectingthesedifferentopinions.
"Becausetheregularityoftheseluminouslines,andtheviolencenecessarytocarryvolcanicmatter
tosuchdistances,isinexplicable."
"Eh!byJove!"repliedMichelArdan,"itseemseasyenoughtometoexplaintheoriginoftheserays."
"Indeed?"saidBarbicane.
"Indeed,"continuedMichel."Itisenoughtosaythatitisavaststar,similartothatproducedbya
ballorastonethrownatasquareofglass!"
"Well!"repliedBarbicane,smiling."Andwhathandwouldbepowerfulenoughtothrowaballtogive
suchashockasthat?"
"Thehandisnotnecessary,"answeredNicholl,notatallconfounded;"andastothestone,letus
supposeittobeacomet."
"Ah!thosemuchabusedcomets!"exclaimedBarbicane."MybraveMichel,yourexplanationisnotbad;
butyourcometisuseless.Theshockwhichproducedthatrentmusthavesomefromtheinsideofthestar.

Aviolentcontractionofthelunarcrust,whilecooling,mightsufficetoimprintthisgiganticstar."

"Acontraction!somethinglikealunarstomachache."saidMichelArdan.
"Besides,"addedBarbicane,"thisopinionisthatofanEnglishsavant,Nasmyth,anditseems
tometosufficientlyexplaintheradiationofthesemountains."
"ThatNasmythwasnofool!"repliedMichel.

CHAPTER XVIII

165

Longdidthetravelers,whomsuchasightcouldneverweary,admirethesplendorsofTycho.Their
projectile,saturatedwithluminousgleamsinthedoubleirradiationofsunandmoon,musthave
appearedlikeanincandescentglobe.Theyhadpassedsuddenlyfromexcessivecoldtointenseheat.
NaturewasthuspreparingthemtobecomeSelenites.BecomeSelenites!Thatideabroughtuponce
morethequestionofthehabitabilityofthemoon.Afterwhattheyhadseen,couldthetravelerssolve
it?Wouldtheydecidefororagainstit?MichelArdanpersuadedhistwofriendstoformanopinion,
andaskedthemdirectlyiftheythoughtthatmenandanimalswererepresentedinthelunarworld.
"Ithinkthatwecananswer,"saidBarbicane;"butaccordingtomyideathequestionoughtnotto
beputinthatform.Iaskittobeputdifferently."
"Putityourownway,"repliedMichel.
"Hereitis,"continuedBarbicane."Theproblemisadoubleone,andrequiresadoublesolution.Is
themoonhabitable?Hasthemooneverbeeninhabitable?"
"Good!"repliedNicholl."Firstletusseewhetherthemoonishabitable."
"Totellthetruth,Iknownothingaboutit,"answeredMichel.
"AndIanswerinthenegative,"continuedBarbicane."Inheractualstate,withhersurrounding
atmospherecertainlyverymuchreduced,herseasforthemostpartdriedup,herinsufficientsupplyof
waterrestricted,vegetation,suddenalternationsofcoldandheat,herdaysandnightsof354hours
themoondoesnotseemhabitabletome,nordoessheseempropitioustoanimaldevelopment,nor
sufficientforthewantsofexistenceasweunderstandit."
"Agreed,"repliedNicholl."Butisnotthemoonhabitableforcreaturesdifferentlyorganizedfromourselves?"

"Thatquestionismoredifficulttoanswer,butIwilltry;andIaskNichollifmotionappearstohim
tobeanecessaryresultoflife,whateverbeitsorganization?"
"Withoutadoubt!"answeredNicholl.
"Then,myworthycompanion,Iwouldanswerthatwehaveobservedthelunarcontinentatadistanceof
500yardsatmost,andthatnothingseemedtoustomoveonthemoon'ssurface.Thepresenceofanykind
oflifewouldhavebeenbetrayedbyitsattendantmarks,suchasdiversbuildings,andevenbyruins.And
whathaveweseen?Everywhereandalwaysthegeologicalworksofnature,nevertheworkofman.If,then,
thereexistrepresentativesoftheanimalkingdomonthemoon,theymusthavefledtothoseunfathomable
cavitieswhichtheeyecannotreach;whichIcannotadmit,fortheymusthavelefttracesoftheirpassageon
thoseplainswhichtheatmospheremustcover,howeverslightlyraiseditmaybe.Thesetracesarenowhere
visible.Thereremainsbutonehypothesis,thatofalivingracetowhichmotion,whichislife,isforeign."

"Onemightaswellsay,livingcreatureswhichdonotlive,"repliedMichel.
"Justso,"saidBarbicane,"whichforushasnomeaning."
"Thenwemayformouropinion?"saidMichel.

"Yes,"repliedNicholl.
"Verywell,"continuedMichelArdan,"theScientificCommissionassembledintheprojectileoftheGunClub,
afterhavingfoundedtheirargumentonfactsrecentlyobserved,decideunanimouslyuponthequestion

CHAPTER XVIII

166

ofthehabitabilityofthemoon`No!themoonisnothabitable.'"
ThisdecisionwasconsignedbyPresidentBarbicanetohisnotebook,wheretheprocessofthesitting
ofthe6thofDecembermaybeseen.
"Now,"saidNicholl,"letusattackthesecondquestion,anindispensablecomplementofthefirst.Iaskthe
honorablecommission,ifthemoonisnothabitable,hassheeverbeeninhabited,CitizenBarbicane?"

"Myfriends,"repliedBarbicane,"Ididnotundertakethisjourneyinordertoformanopinionon
thepasthabitabilityofoursatellite;butIwilladdthatourpersonalobservationsonlyconfirmmein
thisopinion.Ibelieve,indeedIaffirm,thatthemoonhasbeeninhabitedbyahumanraceorganized
likeourown;thatshehasproducedanimalsanatomicallyformedliketheterrestrialanimals:butI
addthattheseraces,humanandanimal,havehadtheirday,andarenowforeverextinct!"
"Then,"askedMichel,"themoonmustbeolderthantheearth?"
"No!"saidBarbicanedecidedly,"butaworldwhichhasgrownoldquicker,andwhoseformationand
deformationhavebeenmorerapid.Relatively,theorganizingforceofmatterhasbeenmuchmore
violentintheinteriorofthemoonthanintheinterioroftheterrestrialglobe.Theactualstateofthis
cracked,twisted,andburstdiscabundantlyprovesthis.Themoonandtheearthwerenothingbut
gaseousmassesoriginally.Thesegaseshavepassedintoaliquidstateunderdifferentinfluences,and
thesolidmasseshavebeenformedlater.Butmostcertainlyourspherewasstillgaseousorliquid,
whenthemoonwassolidifiedbycooling,andhadbecomehabitable."
"Ibelieveit,"saidNicholl.
"Then,"continuedBarbicane,"anatmospheresurroundedit,thewaterscontainedwithinthis
gaseousenvelopecouldnotevaporate.Undertheinfluenceofair,water,light,solarheat,andcentral
heat,vegetationtookpossessionofthecontinentspreparedtoreceiveit,andcertainlylifeshoweditself
aboutthisperiod,fornaturedoesnotexpendherselfinvain;andaworldsowonderfullyformedfor
habitationmustnecessarilybeinhabited."
"But,"saidNicholl,"manyphenomenainherentinoursatellitemightcramptheexpansionofthe
animalandvegetablekingdom.Forexample,itsdaysandnightsof354hours?"
"Attheterrestrialpolestheylastsixmonths,"saidMichel.
"Anargumentoflittlevalue,sincethepolesarenotinhabited."
"Letusobserve,myfriends,"continuedBarbicane,"thatifintheactualstateofthemoonitslongnights
andlongdayscreateddifferencesoftemperatureinsupportabletoorganization,itwasnotsoatthe
historicalperiodoftime.Theatmosphereenvelopedthediscwithafluidmantle;vapordepositeditselfinthe
shapeofclouds;thisnaturalscreentemperedtheardorofthesolarrays,andretainedthenocturnal
radiation.Light,likeheat,candiffuseitselfintheair;henceanequalitybetweentheinfluenceswhichno

longerexists,nowthatatmospherehasalmostentirelydisappeared.AndnowIamgoingtoastonishyou."

"Astonishus?"saidMichelArdan.
"Ifirmlybelievethatattheperiodwhenthemoonwasinhabited,thenightsanddaysdidnotlast354hours!"
"Andwhy?"askedNicholl
quickly.

CHAPTER XVIII

167

"Becausemostprobablythentherotarymotionofthemoonuponheraxiswasnotequaltoherrevolution,
anequalitywhichpresentseachpartofherdiscduringfifteendaystotheactionofthesolarrays."
"Granted,"repliedNicholl,"butwhyshouldnotthesetwomotionshavebeenequal,astheyarereallyso?"
"Becausethatequalityhasonlybeendeterminedbyterrestrialattraction.Andwhocansaythatthisattraction
waspowerfulenoughtoalterthemotionofthemoonatthatperiodwhentheearthwasstillfluid?"

"Justso,"repliedNicholl;"andwhocansaythatthemoonhasalwaysbeenasatelliteoftheearth?"
"Andwhocansay,"exclaimedMichelArdan,"thatthemoondidnotexistbeforetheearth?"
Theirimaginationscarriedthemawayintoanindefinitefieldofhypothesis.Barbicanesoughttorestrainthem.

"Thosespeculationsaretoohigh,"saidhe;"problemsutterlyinsoluble.Donotletusenteruponthem.Let
usonlyadmittheinsufficiencyoftheprimordialattraction;andthenbytheinequalityofthetwomotions
ofrotationandrevolution,thedaysandnightscouldhavesucceededeachotheronthemoonasthey
succeedeachotherontheearth.Besides,evenwithouttheseconditions,lifewaspossible."

"Andso,"askedMichelArdan,"humanityhasdisappearedfromthemoon?"
"Yes,"repliedBarbicane,"afterhavingdoubtlessremainedpersistentlyformillionsofcenturies;by
degreestheatmospherebecomingrarefied,thediscbecameuninhabitable,astheterrestrialglobewill
onedaybecomebycooling."
"Bycooling?"
"Certainly,"repliedBarbicane;"astheinternalfiresbecameextinguished,andtheincandescent
matterconcentrateditself,thelunarcrustcooled.Bydegreestheconsequencesofthesephenomena
showedthemselvesinthedisappearanceoforganizedbeings,andbythedisappearanceofvegetation.
Soontheatmospherewasrarefied,probablywithdrawnbyterrestrialattraction;thenaerialdeparture
ofrespirableair,anddisappearanceofwaterbymeansofevaporation.Atthisperiodthemoon
becominguninhabitable,wasnolongerinhabited.Itwasadeadworld,suchasweseeittoday."
"Andyousaythatthesamefateisinstorefortheearth?"
"Mostprobably."
"Butwhen?"
"Whenthecoolingofitscrustshallhavemadeituninhabitable."
"Andhavetheycalculatedthetimewhichourunfortunatespherewilltaketocool?"
"Certainly."
"Andyouknowthesecalculations?"
"Perfectly."

"Butspeak,then,myclumsysavant,"exclaimedMichel
Ardan,"foryoumakemeboilwithimpatience!"

CHAPTER XVIII

168

"Verywell,mygoodMichel,"repliedBarbicanequietly;"weknowwhatdiminutionoftemperature
the earth undergoes in the lapse of a century. And according to certain calculations, this mean
temperaturewillafteraperiodof400,000years,bebroughtdowntozero!"
"Fourhundredthousandyears!"exclaimedMichel."Ah!Ibreatheagain.ReallyIwasfrightenedto
hearyou;Iimaginedthatwehadnotmorethan50,000yearstolive."
BarbicaneandNichollcouldnothelplaughingattheircompanion'suneasiness.ThenNicholl,who
wishedtoendthediscussion,putthesecondquestion,whichhadjustbeenconsideredagain.
"Hasthemoonbeeninhabited?"heasked.
Theanswerwasunanimouslyintheaffirmative.Butduringthisdiscussion,fruitfulinsomewhat
hazardoustheories,theprojectilewasrapidlyleavingthemoon:thelineamentsfadedawayfromthe
travelers'eyes,mountainswereconfusedinthedistance;andofallthewonderful,strange,andfantastical
formoftheearth'ssatellite,theresoonremainednothingbuttheimperishableremembrance.

CHAPTER XIX

169

CHAPTER XIX
ASTRUGGLEAGAINSTTHEIMPOSSIBLE
ForalongtimeBarbicaneandhiscompanionslookedsilentlyandsadlyuponthatworldwhichthey
hadonlyseenfromadistance,asMosessawthelandofCanaan,andwhichtheywereleavingwithouta
possibilityofeverreturningtoit.Theprojectile'spositionwithregardtothemoonhadaltered,andthe
basewasnowturnedtotheearth.
Thischange,whichBarbicaneverified,didnotfailtosurprisethem.Iftheprojectilewastogravitate
roundthesatelliteinanellipticalorbit,whywasnotitsheaviestpartturnedtowardit,asthemoon
turnsherstotheearth?Thatwasadifficultpoint.
Inwatchingthecourseoftheprojectiletheycouldseethatonleavingthemoonitfollowedacourseanalogous
tothattracedinapproachingher.Itwasdescribingaverylongellipse,whichwouldmostlikelyextendtothe
pointofequalattraction,wheretheinfluencesoftheearthanditssatelliteareneutralized.

SuchwastheconclusionwhichBarbicaneveryjustlydrewfromfactsalreadyobserved,aconviction
whichhistwofriendssharedwithhim.
"Andwhenarrivedatthisdeadpoint,whatwillbecomeofus?"askedMichelArdan.
"Wedon'tknow,"repliedBarbicane.
"Butonecandrawsomehypotheses,Isuppose?"
"Two,"answeredBarbicane;"eithertheprojectile'sspeedwillbeinsufficient,anditwillremain
foreverimmovableonthislineofdoubleattraction"
"Iprefertheotherhypothesis,whateveritmaybe,"interruptedMichel.

"Or,"continuedBarbicane,"itsspeedwillbesufficient,anditwillcontinueitsellipticalcourse,to
gravitateforeveraroundtheorbofnight."
"Arevolutionnotatallconsoling,"saidMichel,"topasstothestateofhumbleservantstoamoon
whomweareaccustomedtolookuponasourownhandmaid.Sothatisthefateinstoreforus?"
NeitherBarbicanenorNichollanswered.
"Youdonotanswer,"continuedMichelimpatiently.
"Thereisnothingtoanswer,"saidNicholl.
"Istherenothingtotry?"
"No,"answeredBarbicane."Doyoupretendtofightagainsttheimpossible?"
"Whynot?DooneFrenchmanandtwoAmericansshrinkfromsuchaword?"
"Butwhatwouldyoudo?"
"Subduethismotionwhichis
bearingusaway."

CHAPTER XIX

170

"Subdueit?"
"Yes,"continuedMichel,gettinganimated,"orelsealterit,andemployittotheaccomplishmentof
ourownends."
"Andhow?"
"Thatisyouraffair.Ifartillerymenarenotmastersoftheirprojectiletheyarenotartillerymen.Ifthe
projectileistocommandthegunner,wehadbetterramthegunnerintothegun.Myfaith!finesavants!
whodonotknowwhatistobecomeofusafterinducingme"
"Inducingyou!"criedBarbicaneandNicholl."Inducingyou!Whatdoyoumeanbythat?"
"Norecrimination,"saidMichel."Idonotcomplain,thetriphaspleasedme,andtheprojectileagrees
withme;butletusdoallthatishumanlypossibletodothefallsomewhere,evenifonlyonthemoon."

"Weasknobetter,myworthyMichel,"repliedBarbicane,"butmeansfailus."
"Wecannotalterthemotionoftheprojectile?"
"No."
"Nordiminishitsspeed?"
"No."
"Notevenbylighteningit,astheylightenanoverloadedvessel?"
"Whatwouldyouthrowout?"saidNicholl."Wehavenoballastonboard;andindeeditseemsto
methatiflighteneditwouldgomuchquicker."
"Slower."
"Quicker."
"Neitherslowernorquicker,"saidBarbicane,wishingtomakehistwofriendsagree;"forwefloat
isspace,andmustnolongerconsiderspecificweight."
"Verywell,"criedMichelArdaninadecidedvoice;"thentheirremainsbutonethingtodo."
"Whatisit?"askedNicholl.
"Breakfast,"answeredthecool,audaciousFrenchman,whoalwaysbroughtupthissolutionat
themostdifficultjuncture.
Inanycase,ifthisoperationhadnoinfluenceontheprojectile'scourse,itcouldatleastbetried
withoutinconvenience,andevenwithsuccessfromastomachicpointofview.CertainlyMichelhad
nonebutgoodideas.

Theybreakfastedthenattwointhemorning;thehourmatteredlittle.Michelservedhisusualrepast,crowned
byagloriousbottledrawnfromhisprivatecellar.Ifideasdidnotcrowdontheirbrains,wemustdespairofthe
Chambertinof1853.Therepastfinished,observationbeganagain.Aroundtheprojectile,ataninvariable

CHAPTER XIX

171

distance,weretheobjectswhichhadbeenthrownout.Evidently,initstranslatorymotionroundthe
moon,ithadnotpassedthroughanyatmosphere,forthespecificweightofthesedifferentobjects
wouldhavecheckedtheirrelativespeed.
Onthesideoftheterrestrialspherenothingwastobeseen.Theearthwasbutadayold,havingbeen
newthenightbeforeattwelve;andtwodaysmustelapsebeforeitscrescent,freedfromthesolarrays,
wouldserveasaclocktotheSelenites,asinitsrotarymovementeachofitspointsaftertwentyfour
hoursrepassesthesamelunarmeridian.
On the moon's side the sight was different; the orb shone in all her splendor amid innumerable
constellations,whosepuritycouldnotbetroubledbyherrays.Onthedisc,theplainswerealready
returning to the dark tint which is seen from the earth. The other part of the nimbus remained
brilliant,andinthemidstofthisgeneralbrilliancyTychoshoneprominentlylikeasun.
Barbicanehadnomeansofestimatingtheprojectile'sspeed,butreasoningshowedthatitmustuniformly
decrease,accordingtothelawsofmechanicalreasoning.Havingadmittedthattheprojectilewasdescribing
anorbitaroundthemoon,thisorbitmustnecessarilybeelliptical;scienceprovesthatitmustbeso.No
motivebodycirculatingroundanattractingbodyfailsinthislaw.Everyorbitdescribedinspaceiselliptical.
AndwhyshouldtheprojectileoftheGunClubescapethisnaturalarrangement?Inellipticalorbits,the
attractingbodyalwaysoccupiesoneofthefoci;sothatatonemomentthesatelliteisnearer,andatanother
fartherfromtheorbaroundwhichitgravitates.Whentheearthisnearestthesunsheisinherperihelion;
andinheraphelionatthefarthestpoint.Speakingofthemoon,sheisnearesttotheearthinherperigee,and
farthestfromitinherapogee.Touseanalogousexpressions,withwhichtheastronomers'languageis
enriched,iftheprojectileremainsasasatelliteofthemoon,wemustsaythatitisinits"aposelene"atits
farthestpoint,andinits"periselene"atitsnearest.Inthelattercase,theprojectilewouldattainits
maximumofspeed;andintheformeritsminimum.Itwasevidentlymovingtowarditsaposeleniticalpoint;
andBarbicanehadreasontothinkthatitsspeedwoulddecreaseuptothispoint,andthenincreaseby
degreesasitnearedthemoon.Thisspeedwouldevenbecomenil,ifthispointjoinedthatofequalattraction.
Barbicanestudiedtheconsequencesofthesedifferentsituations,andthinkingwhatinferencehecoulddraw
fromthem,whenhewasroughlydisturbedbyacryfromMichelArdan.

"ByJove!"heexclaimed,"Imustadmitwearedownrightsimpletons!"
"Idonotsaywearenot,"repliedBarbicane;"butwhy?"
"Becausewehaveaverysimplemeansofcheckingthisspeedwhichisbearingusfromthemoon,and
wedonotuseit!"
"Andwhatisthemeans?"
"Tousetherecoilcontainedinourrockets."
"Done!"saidNicholl.
"Wehavenotusedthisforceyet,"saidBarbicane,"itistrue,butwewilldoso."

"When?"askedMichel.
"Whenthetimecomes.Observe,myfriends,thatinthepositionoccupiedbytheprojectile,anoblique
positionwithregardtothelunardisc,ourrockets,inslightlyalteringitsdirection,mightturnitfrom
themooninsteadofdrawingitnearer?"
CHAPTER XIX

172

"Justso,"repliedMichel.
"Letuswait,then.Bysomeinexplicableinfluence,theprojectileisturningitsbasetowardtheearth.
Itisprobablethatatthepointofequalattraction,itsconicalcapwillbedirectedrigidlytowardthe
moon;atthatmomentwemayhopethatitsspeedwillbenil;thenwillbethemomenttoact,andwith
theinfluenceofourrocketswemayperhapsprovokeafalldirectlyonthesurfaceofthelunardisc."
"Bravo!"saidMichel."Whatwedidnotdo,whatwecouldnotdoonourfirstpassageatthe
deadpoint,becausetheprojectilewasthenendowedwithtoogreataspeed."
"Verywellreasoned,"saidNicholl.
"Letuswaitpatiently,"continuedBarbicane."Puttingeverychanceonourside,andafterhaving
somuchdespaired,ImaysayIthinkweshallgainourend."
ThisconclusionwasasignalforMichelArdan'shipsandhurrahs.Andnoneoftheaudaciousboobies
rememberedthequestionthattheythemselveshadsolvedinthenegative.No!themoonisnotinhabited;
no!themoonisprobablynothabitable.Andyettheyweregoingtotryeverythingtoreachher.
Onesinglequestionremainedtobesolved.Atwhatprecisemomenttheprojectilewouldreachthepointof
equalattraction,onwhichthetravelersmustplaytheirlastcard.Inordertocalculatethistowithinafew
seconds,Barbicanehadonlytorefertohisnotes,andtoreckonthedifferentheightstakenonthelunar
parallels.Thusthetimenecessarytotraveloverthedistancebetweenthedeadpointandthesouthpole
wouldbeequaltothedistanceseparatingthenorthpolefromthedeadpoint.Thehoursrepresentingthe
timetraveledoverwerecarefullynoted,andthecalculationwaseasy.Barbicanefoundthatthispoint
wouldbereachedatoneinthemorningonthenightofthe7th8thofDecember.Sothat,ifnothing
interferedwithitscourse,itwouldreachthegivenpointintwentytwohours.

Therocketshadprimarilybeenplacedtocheckthefalloftheprojectileuponthemoon,andnowthey
weregoingtoemploythemforadirectlycontrarypurpose.Inanycasetheywereready,andtheyhad
onlytowaitforthemomenttosetfiretothem.
"Sincethereisnothingelsetobedone,"saidNicholl,"Imakeaproposition."
"Whatisit?"askedBarbicane.
"Iproposetogotosleep."
"Whatamotion!"exclaimedMichelArdan.
"Itisfortyhourssinceweclosedoureyes,"saidNicholl."Somehoursofsleepwillrestoreourstrength."

"Never,"interruptedMichel.

"Well,"continuedNicholl,"everyonetohistaste;Ishallgotosleep."Andstretchinghimselfonthe
divan,hesoonsnoredlikeafortyeightpounder.
"ThatNichollhasagooddealofsense,"saidBarbicane;"presentlyIshallfollowhisexample."
Somemomentsafterhiscontinuedbasssupportedthecaptain'sbaritone.
"Certainly,"saidMichelArdan,findinghimselfalone,"thesepracticalpeoplehave
sometimesmostopportuneideas."
CHAPTER XIX

173

Andwithhislonglegsstretchedout,andhisgreatarmsfoldedunderhishead,Michelsleptinhisturn.
Butthissleepcouldbeneitherpeacefulnorlasting,themindsofthesethreemenweretoomuch
occupied,andsomehoursafter,aboutseveninthemorning,allthreewereonfootatthesameinstant.

Theprojectilewasstillleavingthemoon,andturningitsconicalpartmoreandmoretowardher.
Anexplicablephenomenon,butonewhichhappilyservedBarbicane'sends.
Seventeenhoursmore,andthemomentforactionwouldhavearrived.
The day seemed long. However bold the travelers might be, they were greatly impressed by the
approachofthatmomentwhichwoulddecidealleitherprecipitatetheirfallontothemoon,or
foreverchaintheminanimmutableorbit.Theycountedthehoursastheypassedtooslowfortheir
wish;BarbicaneandNichollwereobstinatelyplungedintheircalculations,Michelgoingandcoming
betweenthenarrowwalls,andwatchingthatimpassivemoonwithalongingeye.
Attimesrecollectionsoftheearthcrossedtheirminds.TheysawoncemoretheirfriendsoftheGunClub,andthe
dearestofall,J.T.Maston.Atthatmoment,thehonorablesecretarymustbefillinghisposton theRocky
Mountains.Ifhecouldseetheprojectilethroughtheglassofhisgigantictelescope,whatwouldhethink?

Afterseeingitdisappearbehindthemoon'ssouthpole,hewouldseethemreappearbythenorthpole!
Theymustthereforebeasatelliteofasatellite!HadJ.T.Mastongiventhisunexpectednewstothe
world?Wasthisthedenouementofthisgreatenterprise?
Butthedaypassedwithoutincident.Theterrestrialmidnightarrived.The8thofDecemberwas
beginning.Onehourmore,andthepointofequalattractionwouldbereached.Whatspeedwould
thenanimatetheprojectile?Theycouldnotestimateit.ButnoerrorcouldvitiateBarbicane's
calculations.Atoneinthemorningthisspeedoughttobeandwouldbenil.
Besides,anotherphenomenonwouldmarktheprojectile'sstoppingpointontheneutralline.Atthat
spotthetwoattractions,lunarandterrestrial,wouldbeannulled.Objectswould"weigh"nomore.
Thissingularfact,whichhadsurprisedBarbicaneandhiscompanionssomuchingoing,wouldbe
repeatedontheirreturnundertheverysameconditions.Atthisprecisemomenttheymustact.
Alreadytheprojectile'sconicaltopwassensiblyturnedtowardthelunardisc,presentedinsuchaway
astoutilizethewholeoftherecoilproducedbythepressureoftherocketapparatus.Thechanceswere
infavorofthetravelers.Ifitsspeedwasutterlyannulledonthisdeadpoint,adecidedmovement
towardthemoonwouldsuffice,howeverslight,todetermineitsfall.

"Fiveminutestoone,"saidNicholl.
"Allisready,"repliedMichelArdan,directingalightedmatchtotheflameofthegas.
"Wait!"saidBarbicane,holdinghischronometerinhishand.
Atthatmomentweighthadnoeffect.Thetravelersfeltinthemselvestheentiredisappearanceof
it.Theywereveryneartheneutralpoint,iftheydidnottouchit.
"Oneo'clock,"saidBarbicane.
MichelArdanappliedthelightedmatchtoatrainincommunicationwiththerockets.Nodetonationwas
heardintheinside,fortherewasnoair.But,throughthescuttles,Barbicanesawaprolongedsmoke,the

CHAPTER XIX

174

flamesofwhichwereimmediatelyextinguished.
Theprojectilesustainedacertainshock,whichwassensiblyfeltintheinterior.
Thethreefriendslookedandlistenedwithoutspeaking,andscarcelybreathing.Onemighthave
heardthebeatingoftheirheartsamidthisperfectsilence.
"Arewefalling?"askedMichelArdan,atlength.
"No,"saidNicholl,"sincethebottomoftheprojectileisnotturningtothelunardisc!"
Atthismoment,Barbicane,quittinghisscuttle,turnedtohistwocompanions.Hewasfrightfully
pale,hisforeheadwrinkled,andhislipscontracted.
"Wearefalling!"saidhe.
"Ah!"criedMichelArdan,"ontothemoon?"
"Ontotheearth!"
"Thedevil!"exclaimedMichelArdan,addingphilosophically,"well,whenwecameintothis
projectilewewereverydoubtfulastotheeasewithwhichweshouldgetoutofit!"
Andnowthisfearfulfallhadbegun.Thespeedretainedhadbornetheprojectilebeyondthedeadpoint.
Theexplosionoftherocketscouldnotdivertitscourse.Thisspeedingoinghadcarrieditovertheneutral
line,andinreturninghaddonethesamething.Thelawsofphysicscondemnedittopassthroughevery
pointwhichithadalreadygonethrough.Itwasaterriblefall,fromaheightof160,000miles,andno
springstobreakit.Accordingtothelawsofgunnery,theprojectilemuststriketheearthwithaspeed
equaltothatwithwhichitleftthemouthoftheColumbiad,aspeedof16,000yardsinthelastsecond.

Buttogivesomefiguresofcomparison,ithasbeenreckonedthatanobjectthrownfromthetopofthe
towersofNotreDame,theheightofwhichisonly200feet,willarriveonthepavementataspeedof
240milesperhour.Heretheprojectilemuststriketheearthwithaspeedof115,200milesperhour.
"Wearelost!"saidMichelcoolly.

"Verywell!ifwedie,"answeredBarbicane,withasortofreligiousenthusiasm,"theresultsofour
travelswillbemagnificentlyspread.ItisHisownsecretthatGodwilltellus!Intheotherlifethesoul
willwanttoknownothing,eitherofmachinesorengines!Itwillbeidentifiedwitheternalwisdom!"
"Infact,"interruptedMichelArdan,"thewholeoftheotherworldmaywellconsoleusfortheloss
ofthatinferiororbcalledthemoon!"
Barbicanecrossedhisarmsonhisbreast,withamotionofsublimeresignation,sayingatthesametime:
"Thewillofheavenbe
done!"

CHAPTER XX

175

CHAPTER XX
THESOUNDINGSOFTHESUSQUEHANNA
Well,lieutenant,andoursoundings?"
"Ithink,sir,thattheoperationisnearingitscompletion,"repliedLieutenantBronsfield."Butwhowould
havethoughtoffindingsuchadepthsonearinshore,andonly200milesfromtheAmericancoast?"
"Certainly,Bronsfield,thereisagreatdepression,"saidCaptainBlomsberry."Inthisspotthereisasubmarine
valleywornbyHumboldt'scurrent,whichskirtsthecoastofAmericaasfarastheStraitsofMagellan."
"Thesegreatdepths,"continuedthelieutenant,"arenotfavorableforlayingtelegraphiccables.Alevel
bottom,likethatsupportingtheAmericancablebetweenValentiaandNewfoundland,ismuchbetter."

"Iagreewithyou,Bronsfield.Withyourpermission,lieutenant,wherearewenow?"
"Sir,atthismomentwehave3,508fathomsoflineout,andtheballwhichdrawsthesoundinglead
hasnotyettouchedthebottom;forifso,itwouldhavecomeupofitself."
"Brook'sapparatusisveryingenious,"saidCaptainBlomsberry;"itgivesusveryexactsoundings."
"Touch!"criedatthismomentoneofthemenattheforewheel,whowassuperintendingtheoperation.
Thecaptainandthelieutenantmountedthequarterdeck.
"Whatdepthhavewe?"askedthecaptain.
"Threethousandsixhundredandtwentysevenfathoms,"repliedthelieutenant,enteringitinhisnotebook.
"Well,Bronsfield,"saidthecaptain,"Iwilltakedowntheresult.Nowhaulinthesoundingline.Itwillbe
theworkofsomehours.Inthattimetheengineercanlightthefurnaces,andweshallbereadytostartas
soonasyouhavefinished.Itisteno'clock,andwithyourpermission,lieutenant,Iwillturnin."

"Doso,sir;doso!"repliedthelieutenantobligingly.
ThecaptainoftheSusquehanna,asbraveamanasneedbe,andthehumbleservantofhisofficers,
returnedtohiscabin,tookabrandygrog,whichearnedforthestewardnoendofpraise,andturned
in,notwithouthavingcomplimentedhisservantuponhismakingbeds,andsleptapeacefulsleep.
Itwasthentenatnight.TheeleventhdayofthemonthofDecemberwasdrawingtoacloseina
magnificentnight.
TheSusquehanna,acorvetteof500horsepower,oftheUnitedStatesnavy,wasoccupiedintaking
soundingsinthePacificOceanabout200milesofftheAmericancoast,followingthatlongpeninsula
whichstretchesdownthecoastofMexico.
Thewindhaddroppedbydegrees.Therewasnodisturbanceintheair.Thepennanthungmotionless

fromthemaintopgallantmasttruck.
CaptainJonathanBlomsberry(cousingermanofColonelBlomsberry,oneofthemostardentsupportersof
theGunClub,whohadmarriedanauntofthecaptainanddaughterofanhonorableKentuckymerchant)

CHAPTER XX

176

CaptainBlomsberrycouldnothavewishedforfinerweatherinwhichtobringtoaclosehisdelicate
operationsofsounding.Hiscorvettehadnotevenfeltthegreattempest,whichbysweepingawaythe
groupsofcloudsontheRockyMountains,hadallowedthemtoobservethecourseofthefamousprojectile.

Everythingwentwell,andwithallthefervorofaPresbyterian,hedidnotforgettothankheavenfor
it.TheseriesofsoundingstakenbytheSusquehanna,hadforitsaimthefindingofafavorablespot
forthelayingofasubmarinecabletoconnecttheHawaiianIslandswiththecoastofAmerica.
Itwasagreatundertaking,duetotheinstigationofapowerfulcompany.Itsmanagingdirector,the
intelligentCyrusField,purposedevencoveringalltheislandsofOceanicawithavastelectrical
network,animmenseenterprise,andoneworthyofAmericangenius.
TothecorvetteSusquehannahadbeenconfidedthefirstoperationsofsounding.Itwasonthenight
ofthe11th12thofDecember,shewasinexactly27@7'northlatitude,and41@37'westlongitude,
onthemeridianofWashington.
Themoon,theninherlastquarter,wasbeginningtoriseabovethehorizon.
AfterthedepartureofCaptainBlomsberry,thelieutenantandsomeofficerswerestandingtogether
onthepoop.Ontheappearanceofthemoon,theirthoughtsturnedtothatorbwhichtheeyesofa
wholehemispherewerecontemplating.Thebestnavalglassescouldnothavediscoveredtheprojectile
wanderingarounditshemisphere,andyetallwerepointedtowardthatbrilliantdiscwhichmillionsof
eyeswerelookingatatthesamemoment.
"Theyhavebeengonetendays,"saidLieutenantBronsfieldatlast."Whathasbecomeofthem?"
"Theyhavearrived,lieutenant,"exclaimedayoungmidshipman,"andtheyaredoingwhatall
travelersdowhentheyarriveinanewcountry,takingawalk!"
"Oh!Iamsureofthat,ifyoutellmeso,myyoungfriend,"saidLieutenantBronsfield,smiling.
"But,"continuedanotherofficer,"theirarrivalcannotbedoubted.Theprojectilewastoreachthemoonwhen
fullonthe5thatmidnight.Wearenowatthe11thofDecember,whichmakessixdays.Andinsixtimestwenty
fourhours,withoutdarkness,onewouldhavetimetosettlecomfortably.IfancyIseemybravecountrymen
encampedatthebottomofsomevalley,onthebordersofaSelenitestream,nearaprojectilehalfburiedbyits
fallamidvolcanicrubbish,CaptainNichollbeginninghislevelingoperations,PresidentBarbicanewritingouthis
notes,andMichelArdanembalmingthelunarsolitudeswiththeperfumeofhis"

"Yes!itmustbeso,itisso!"exclaimedtheyoungmidshipman,workeduptoapitchofenthusiasm
bythisidealdescriptionofhissuperiorofficer.
"Ishouldliketobelieveit,"repliedthelieutenant,whowasquiteunmoved."Unfortunatelydirect
newsfromthelunarworldisstillwanting."

"Begpardon,lieutenant,"saidthemidshipman,"butcannotPresidentBarbicanewrite?"
Aburstoflaughtergreetedthisanswer.
"Noletters!"continuedtheyoungmanquickly."Thepostaladministrationhassomethingtoseetothere."
"Mightitnotbethetelegraphicservicethatisat
fault?"askedoneoftheofficersironically.

CHAPTER XX

177

"Notnecessarily,"repliedthemidshipman,notatallconfused."Butitisveryeasytosetupa
graphiccommunicationwiththeearth."
"Andhow?"
"BymeansofthetelescopeatLong'sPeak.Youknowitbringsthemoontowithinfourmilesofthe
RockyMountains,andthatitshowsobjectsonitssurfaceofonlyninefeetindiameter.Verywell;let
ourindustriousfriendsconstructagiantalphabet;letthemwritewordsthreefathomslong,and
sentencesthreemileslong,andthentheycansendusnewsofthemselves."
Theyoungmidshipman,whohadacertainamountofimagination,wasloudlyapplauded;Lieutenant
Bronsfieldallowingthattheideawaspossible,butobservingthatifbythesemeanstheycouldreceive
newsfromthelunarworldtheycouldnotsendanyfromtheterrestrial,unlesstheSeleniteshad
instrumentsfitfortakingdistantobservationsattheirdisposal.
"Evidently,"saidoneoftheofficers;"butwhathasbecomeofthetravelers?whattheyhavedone,what
theyhaveseen,thataboveallmustinterestus.Besides,iftheexperimenthassucceeded(whichIdonot
doubt),theywilltryitagain.TheColumbiadisstillsunkinthesoilofFlorida.Itisnowonlyaquestionof
powderandshot;andeverytimethemoonisatherzenithacargoofvisitorsmaybesenttoher."

"Itisclear,"repliedLieutenantBronsfield,"thatJ.T.Mastonwillonedayjoinhisfriends."
"Ifhewillhaveme,"criedthemidshipman,"Iamready!"
"Oh!volunteerswillnotbewanting,"answeredBronsfield;"andifitwereallowed,halfofthe
earth'sinhabitantswouldemigratetothemoon!"
ThisconversationbetweentheofficersoftheSusquehannawaskeptupuntilnearlyoneinthemorning.We
cannotsaywhatblunderingsystemswerebroached,whatinconsistenttheoriesadvancedbythesebold
spirits.SinceBarbicane'sattempt,nothingseemedimpossibletotheAmericans.Theyhadalreadydesigned
anexpedition,notonlyofsavants,butofawholecolonytowardtheSeleniteborders,andacompletearmy,
consistingofinfantry,artillery,andcavalry,toconquerthelunarworld.

Atoneinthemorning,thehaulinginofthesoundinglinewasnotyetcompleted;1,670fathomswere
stillout,whichwouldentailsomehours'work.Accordingtothecommander'sorders,thefireshad
beenlighted,andsteamwasbeinggotup.TheSusquehannacouldhavestartedthatveryinstant.
Atthatmoment(itwasseventeenminutespastoneinthemorning)LieutenantBronsfieldwaspreparingtoleave
thewatchandreturntohiscabin,whenhisattentionwasattractedbyadistanthissingnoise.Hiscomradesand
himselffirstthoughtthatthishissingwascausedbythelettingoffofsteam;butliftingtheirheads,theyfound
thatthenoisewasproducedinthehighestregionsoftheair.Theyhadnottimetoquestioneachotherbeforethe
hissingbecamefrightfullyintense,andsuddenlythereappearedtotheirdazzledeyesanenormousmeteor,
ignitedbytherapidityofitscourseanditsfrictionthroughtheatmosphericstrata.

Thisfierymassgrewlargertotheireyes,andfell,withthenoiseofthunder,uponthebowsprit,
whichitsmashedclosetothestem,andburieditselfinthewaveswithadeafeningroar!
Afewfeetnearer,andtheSusquehannawouldhavefounderedwithallonboard!

AtthisinstantCaptainBlomsberryappeared,halfdressed,andrushingontotheforecastledeck,whither
alltheofficershadhurried,exclaimed,"Withyourpermission,gentlemen,whathashappened?"

CHAPTER XX

178

Andthemidshipman,makinghimselfasitweretheechoofthebody,cried,"Commander,itis
`they'comebackagain!"
CHAPTER XXI

179

CHAPTER XXI
J.T.MASTONRECALLED
"Itis`they'comebackagain!"theyoungmidshipmanhadsaid,andeveryonehadunderstoodhim.
NoonedoubtedbutthatthemeteorwastheprojectileoftheGunClub.Astothetravelerswhichit
enclosed,opinionsweredividedregardingtheirfate.
"Theyaredead!"saidone.
"Theyarealive!"saidanother;"thecraterisdeep,andtheshockwasdeadened."
"Buttheymusthavewantedair,"continuedathirdspeaker;"theymusthavediedofsuffocation."
"Burned!"repliedafourth;"theprojectilewasnothingbutanincandescentmassasit
crossedtheatmosphere."
"Whatdoesitmatter!"theyexclaimedunanimously;"livingordead,wemustpullthemout!"
But Captain Blomsberry had assembled his officers, and "with their permission," was holding a
council.Theymustdecideuponsomethingtobedoneimmediately.Themorehastyoneswerefor
fishinguptheprojectile.Adifficultoperation,thoughnotanimpossibleone.Butthecorvettehadno
propermachinery,whichmustbebothfixedandpowerful;soitwasresolvedthattheyshouldputinat
thenearestport,andgiveinformationtotheGunCluboftheprojectile'sfall.
Thisdeterminationwasunanimous.Thechoiceoftheporthadtobediscussed.Theneighboringcoasthadno
anchorageon27@latitude.Higherup,abovethepeninsulaofMonterey,standstheimportanttownfromwhich
ittakesitsname;but,seatedonthebordersofaperfectdesert,itwasnotconnectedwiththeinteriorbya
networkoftelegraphicwires,andelectricityalonecouldspreadtheseimportantnewsfastenough.

SomedegreesaboveopenedthebayofSanFrancisco.Throughthecapitalofthegoldcountry
communicationwouldbeeasywiththeheartoftheUnion.AndinlessthantwodaystheSusquehanna,
byputtingonhighpressure,couldarriveinthatport.Shemustthereforestartatonce.
Thefiresweremadeup;theycouldsetoffimmediately.Twothousandfathomsoflinewerestillout,
whichCaptainBlomsberry,notwishingtoloseprecioustimeinhaulingin,resolvedtocut.
"wewillfastentheendtoabuoy,"saidhe,"andthatbuoywillshowustheexactspotwherethe
projectilefell."
"Besides,"repliedLieutenantBronsfield,"wehaveoursituationexact27@7'northlatitudeand

41@37'westlongitude."
"Well,Mr.Bronsfield,"repliedthecaptain,"now,withyourpermission,wewillhavethelinecut."
Astrongbuoy,strengthenedbyacoupleofspars,wasthrownintotheocean.Theendoftherope
wascarefullylashedtoit;and,leftsolelytotheriseandfallofthebillows,thebuoywouldnot
sensiblydeviatefromthespot.
Atthismomenttheengineersenttoinformthecaptainthatsteamwasupandtheycouldstart,for
whichagreeablecommunicationthecaptainthankedhim.Thecoursewasthengivennorthnortheast,
andthecorvette,wearing,steeredatfullsteamdirectforSanFrancisco.Itwasthreeinthemorning.

CHAPTER XXI

180

Fourhundredandfiftymilestocross;itwasnothingforagoodvesselliketheSusquehanna.Inthirty
sixhoursshehadcoveredthatdistance;andonthe14thofDecember,attwentysevenminutespast
oneatnight,sheenteredthebayofSanFrancisco.
Atthesightofashipofthenationalnavyarrivingatfullspeed,withherbowspritbroken,publiccuriosity
wasgreatlyroused.Adensecrowdsoonassembledonthequay,waitingforthemtodisembark.

Aftercastinganchor,CaptainBlomsberryandLieutenantBronsfieldenteredaneightparedcutter,
whichsoonbroughtthemtoland.
Theyjumpedontothequay.
"Thetelegraph?"theyasked,withoutansweringoneofthethousandquestionsaddressedtothem.
Theofficeroftheportconductedthemtothetelegraphofficethroughaconcourseofspectators.
BlomsberryandBronsfieldentered,whilethecrowdcrushedeachotheratthedoor.
SomeminuteslaterafourfoldtelegramwassentoutthefirsttotheNavalSecretaryatWashington;the
secondtothevicepresidentoftheGunClub,Baltimore;thethirdtotheHon.J.T.Maston,Long'sPeak,
RockyMountains;andthefourthtothesubdirectoroftheCambridgeObservatory,Massachusetts.

Itwaswordedasfollows:
In20@7'northlatitude,and41@37'westlongitude,onthe12thofDecember,atseventeenminutes
pastoneinthemorning,theprojectileoftheColumbiadfellintothePacific.Sendinstructions.
BLOMSBERRY,CommanderSusquehanna.
FiveminutesafterwardthewholetownofSanFranciscolearnedthenews.Beforesixintheevening
thedifferentStatesoftheUnionhadheardthegreatcatastrophe;andaftermidnight,bythecable,
thewholeofEuropeknewtheresultofthegreatAmericanexperiment.Wewillnotattempttopicture
theeffectproducedontheentireworldbythatunexpecteddenouement.
OnreceiptofthetelegramtheNavalSecretarytelegraphedtotheSusquehannatowaitinthebay
ofSanFranciscowithoutextinguishingherfires.Dayandnightshemustbereadytoputtosea.
TheCambridgeobservatorycalledaspecialmeeting;and,withthatcomposurewhichdistinguishes
learnedbodiesingeneral,peacefullydiscussedthescientificbearingsofthequestion.AttheGunClub

therewasanexplosion.Allthegunnerswereassembled.VicePresidenttheHon.Wilcomewasinthe
actofreadingtheprematuredispatch,inwhichJ.T.MastonandBelfastannouncedthatthe
projectilehadjustbeenseeninthegiganticreflectorofLong'sPeak,andalsothatitwasheldby
lunarattraction,andwasplayingthepartofundersatellitetothelunarworld.
Weknowthetruthonthatpoint.
ButonthearrivalofBlomsberry'sdispatch,sodecidelycontradictingJ.T.Maston'stelegram,twopartieswere
formedinthebosomoftheGunClub.Ononesidewerethosewhoadmittedthefalloftheprojectile,and
consequentlythereturnofthetravelers;ontheother,thosewhobelievedintheobservationsofLong'sPeak,
concludedthatthecommanderoftheSusquehannahadmadeamistake.Tothelatterthepretendedprojectile
wasnothingbutameteor!nothingbutameteor,ashootingglobe,whichinitsfallhadsmashedthebowsofthe
corvette.Itwasdifficulttoanswerthisargument,forthespeedwithwhichitwasanimatedmusthavemade
observationverydifficult.ThecommanderoftheSusquehannaandherofficersmighthavemadeamistakeinall
goodfaith;oneargumenthowever,wasintheirfavor,namely,thatiftheprojectilehadfallenon

CHAPTER XXI

181

theearth,itsplaceofmeetingwiththeterrestrialglobecouldonlytakeplaceonthis27@north
latitude,and(takingintoconsiderationthetimethathadelapsed,andtherotarymotionoftheearth)
betweenthe41@andthe42@ofwestlongitude.Inanycase,itwasdecidedintheGunClubthat
Blomsberrybrothers,Bilsby,andMajorElphinstoneshouldgostraighttoSanFrancisco,andconsult
astothemeansofraisingtheprojectilefromthedepthsoftheocean.
Thesedevotedmensetoffatonce;andtherailroad,whichwillsooncrossthewholeofCentralAmerica,
tookthemasfarasSt.Louis,wheretheswiftmailcoachesawaitedthem.Almostatthesamemomentin
whichtheSecretaryofMarine,thevicepresidentoftheGunClub,andthesubdirectoroftheObservatory
receivedthedispatchfromSanFrancisco,theHonorableJ.T.Mastonwasundergoingthegreatest
excitementhehadeverexperiencedinhislife,anexcitementwhicheventheburstingofhispetgun,which
hadmorethanoncenearlycosthimhislife,hadnotcausedhim.Wemayrememberthatthesecretaryof
theGunClubhadstartedsoonaftertheprojectile(andalmostasquickly)forthestationonLong'sPeak,in
theRockyMountains,J.Belfast,directoroftheCambridgeObservatory,accompanyinghim.Arrivedthere,
thetwofriendshadinstalledthemselvesatonce,neverquittingthesummitoftheirenormoustelescope.We
knowthatthisgiganticinstrumenthadbeensetupaccordingtothereflectingsystem,calledbytheEnglish
"frontview."Thisarrangementsubjectedallobjectstobutonereflection,makingtheviewconsequently
muchclearer;theresultwasthat,whentheyweretakingobservation,J.T.MastonandBelfastwereplaced
intheupperpartoftheinstrumentandnotinthelower,whichtheyreachedbyacircularstaircase,a
masterpieceoflightness,whilebelowthemopenedametalwellterminatedbythemetallicmirror,which
measuredtwohundredandeightyfeetindepth.
Itwasonanarrowplatformplacedabovethetelescopethatthetwosavantspassedtheirexistence,execratingthe
daywhichhidthemoonfromtheireyes,andthecloudswhichobstinatelyveiledherduringthenight.

What,then,wastheirdelightwhen,aftersomedaysofwaiting,onthenightofthe5thofDecember,theysaw
thevehiclewhichwasbearingtheirfriendsintospace!Tothisdelightsucceededagreatdeception,when,
trustingtoacursoryobservation,theylaunchedtheirfirsttelegramtotheworld,erroneouslyaffirmingthat
theprojectilehadbecomeasatelliteofthemoon,gravitatinginanimmutableorbit.

Fromthatmomentithadnevershownitselftotheireyesadisappearanceallthemoreeasily
explained,asitwasthenpassingbehindthemoon'sinvisibledisc;butwhenitwastimeforitto

reappearonthevisibledisc,onemayimaginetheimpatienceofthefumingJ.T.Mastonandhisnot
lessimpatientcompanion.Eachminuteofthenighttheythoughttheysawtheprojectileoncemore,
andtheydidnotseeit.Henceconstantdiscussionsandviolentdisputesbetweenthem,Belfast
affirmingthattheprojectilecouldnotbeseen,J.T.Mastonmaintainingthat"ithadputhiseyesout."
"Itistheprojectile!"repeatedJ.T.Maston.
"No,"answeredBelfast;"itisanavalanchedetachedfromalunarmountain."
"Well,weshallseeittomorrow."
"No,weshallnotseeitanymore.Itiscarriedintospace."
"Yes!"
"No!"
Andatthesemoments,whencontradictionsrainedlikehail,thewellknownirritabilityofthesecretaryofthe
GunClubconstitutedapermanentdangerfortheHonorableBelfast.Theexistenceofthesetwotogetherwould
soonhavebecomeimpossible;butanunforseeneventcutshorttheireverlastingdiscussions.

CHAPTER XXI

182

Duringthenight,fromthe14thtothe15thofDecember,thetwoirreconcilablefriendswerebusy
observingthelunardisc,J.T.MastonabusingthelearnedBelfastasusual,whowasbyhisside;the
secretaryoftheGunClubmaintainingforthethousandthtimethathehadjustseentheprojectile,and
addingthathecouldseeMichelArdan'sfacelookingthroughoneofthescuttles,atthesametime
enforcinghisargumentbyaseriesofgestureswhichhisformidablehookrenderedveryunpleasant.
AtthismomentBelfast'sservantappearedontheplatform(itwastenatnight)andgavehima
dispatch.ItwasthecommanderoftheSusquehanna'stelegram.
Belfasttoretheenvelopeandread,andutteredacry.
"What!"saidJ.T.Maston.
"Theprojectile!"
"Well!"
"Hasfallentotheearth!"
Anothercry,thistimeaperfecthowl,answeredhim.HeturnedtowardJ.T.Maston.Theunfortunate
man,imprudentlyleaningoverthemetaltube,haddisappearedintheimmensetelescope.Afalloftwo
hundredandeightyfeet!Belfast,dismayed,rushedtotheorificeofthereflector.
Hebreathed.J.T.Maston,caughtbyhismetalhook,washoldingonbyoneoftheringswhich
boundthetelescopetogether,utteringfearfulcries.
Belfastcalled.Helpwasbrought,tacklewasletdown,andtheyhoistedup,notwithoutsome
trouble,theimprudentsecretaryoftheGunClub.

Hereappearedattheupperorificewithouthurt.
"Ah!"saidhe,"ifIhadbrokenthemirror?"
"Youwouldhavepaidforit,"repliedBelfastseverely.
"Andthatcursedprojectilehasfallen?"askedJ.T.Maston.
"IntothePacific!"
"Letusgo!"
AquarterofanhourafterthetwosavantsweredescendingthedeclivityoftheRockyMountains;and
twodaysafter,atthesametimeastheirfriendsoftheGunClub,theyarrivedatSanFrancisco,
havingkilledfivehorsesontheroad.
Elphinstone,thebrothersBlomsberry,andBilsbyrushedtowardthemontheirarrival.
"Whatshallwedo?"theyexclaimed.
"Fishuptheprojectile,"repliedJ.T.
Maston,"andthesoonerthebetter."

CHAPTER XXII

183

CHAPTER XXII
RECOVEREDFROMTHESEA
Thespotwheretheprojectilesankunderthewaveswasexactlyknown;butthemachinerytograspitand
bringittothesurfaceoftheoceanwasstillwanting.Itmustfirstbeinvented,thenmade.American
engineerscouldnotbetroubledwithsuchtrifles.Thegrapplingironsoncefixed,bytheirhelptheywere
suretoraiseitinspiteofitsweight,whichwaslessenedbythedensityoftheliquidinwhichitwasplunged.

Butfishinguptheprojectilewasnottheonlythingtobethoughtof.Theymustactpromptlyinthe
interestofthetravelers.Noonedoubtedthattheywerestillliving.
"Yes,"repeatedJ.T.Mastonincessantly,whoseconfidencegainedovereverybody,"ourfriendsare
cleverpeople,andtheycannothavefallenlikesimpletons.Theyarealive,quitealive;butwemust
makehasteifwewishtofindthemso.Foodandwaterdonottroubleme;theyhaveenoughforalong
while.Butair,air,thatiswhattheywillsoonwant;soquick,quick!"
Andtheydidgoquick.TheyfitteduptheSusquehannaforhernewdestination.Herpowerfulmachinery
wasbroughttobearuponthehaulingchains.Thealuminumprojectileonlyweighed19,250pounds,a
weightveryinferiortothatofthetransatlanticcablewhichhadbeendrawnupundersimilarconditions.
Theonlydifficultywasinfishingupacylindroconicalprojectile,thewallsofwhichweresosmoothasto
offernoholdforthehooks.OnthataccountEngineerMurchisonhastenedtoSanFrancisco,andhadsome
enormousgrapplingironsfixedonanautomaticsystem,whichwouldneverlettheprojectilegoifitonce
succeededinseizingitinitspowerfulclaws.Divingdresseswerealsoprepared,whichthroughthis
imperviouscoveringallowedthediverstoobservethebottomofthesea.Healsohadputonboardan
apparatusofcompressedairverycleverlydesigned.Therewereperfectchamberspiercedwithscuttles,
which,withwaterletintocertaincompartments,coulddrawitdownintogreatdepths.Theseapparatuses
wereatSanFrancisco,wheretheyhadbeenusedintheconstructionofasubmarinebreakwater;andvery
fortunatelyitwasso,fortherewasnotimetoconstructany.Butinspiteoftheperfectionofthemachinery,
inspiteoftheingenuityofthesavantsentrustedwiththeuseofthem,thesuccessoftheoperationwasfar
frombeingcertain.Howgreatwerethechancesagainstthem,theprojectilebeing20,000feetunderthe
water!Andifevenitwasbroughttothesurface,howwouldthetravelershavebornetheterribleshock
which20,000feetofwaterhadperhapsnotsufficientlybroken?Atanyratetheymustactquickly.J.T.
Mastonhurriedtheworkmendayandnight.Hewasreadytodonthedivingdresshimself,ortrytheair
apparatus,inordertoreconnoiterthesituationofhiscourageousfriends.
Butinspiteofallthediligencedisplayedinpreparingthedifferentengines,inspiteoftheconsiderable
sumplacedatthedisposaloftheGunClubbytheGovernmentoftheUnion,fivelongdays(five
centuries!)elapsedbeforethepreparationswerecomplete.Duringthistimepublicopinionwasexcitedto
thehighestpitch.Telegramswereexchangedincessantlythroughouttheentireworldbymeansofwires
andelectriccables.ThesavingofBarbicane,Nicholl,andMichelArdanwasaninternationalaffair.Every
onewhohadsubscribedtotheGunClubwasdirectlyinterestedinthewelfareofthetravelers.

Atlengththehaulingchains,theairchambers,andtheautomaticgrapplingironswereputonboard.
J.T.Maston,EngineerMurchison,andthedelegatesoftheGunClub,werealreadyintheircabins.
Theyhadbuttostart,whichtheydidonthe21stofDecember,ateighto'clockatnight,thecorvette
meetingwithabeautifulsea,anortheasterlywind,andrathersharpcold.ThewholepopulationofSan

Franciscowasgatheredonthequay,greatlyexcitedbutsilent,reservingtheirhurrahsforthereturn.
Steamwasfullyup,andthescrewoftheSusquehannacarriedthembrisklyoutofthebay.
Itisneedlesstorelatetheconversationsonboardbetweentheofficers,sailors,andpassengers.Allthesemenhad
butonethought.Alltheseheartsbeatunderthesameemotion.Whiletheywerehasteningtohelpthem,

CHAPTER XXII

184

whatwereBarbicaneandhiscompanionsdoing?Whathadbecomeofthem?Weretheyabletoattempt
anyboldmaneuvertoregaintheirliberty?Nonecouldsay.Thetruthisthateveryattemptmusthave
failed!Immersednearlyfourmilesundertheocean,thismetalprisondefiedeveryeffortofitsprisoners.

Onthe23rdinst.,ateightinthemorning,afterarapidpassage,theSusquehannawasdueatthefatal
spot.Theymustwaittilltwelvetotakethereckoningexactly.Thebuoytowhichthesoundinglinehad
beenlashedhadnotyetbeenrecognized.
Attwelve,CaptainBlomsberry,assistedbyhisofficerswhosuperintendedtheobservations,tookthe
reckoninginthepresenceofthedelegatesoftheGunClub.Thentherewasamomentofanxiety.Her
positiondecided,theSusquehannawasfoundtobesomeminuteswestwardofthespotwherethe
projectilehaddisappearedbeneaththewaves.
Theship'scoursewasthenchangedsoastoreachthisexactpoint.
Atfortysevenminutespasttwelvetheyreachedthebuoy;itwasinperfectcondition,andmusthave
shiftedbutlittle.
"Atlast!"exclaimedJ.T.Maston.
"Shallwebegin?"askedCaptainBlomsberry.
"Withoutlosingasecond."
Everyprecautionwastakentokeepthecorvettealmostcompletelymotionless.Beforetryingtoseize
theprojectile,EngineerMurchisonwantedtofinditsexactpositionatthebottomoftheocean.The
submarineapparatusdestinedforthisexpeditionwassuppliedwithair.Theworkingoftheseengines
wasnotwithoutdanger,forat20,000feetbelowthesurfaceofthewater,andundersuchgreat
pressure,theywereexposedtofracture,theconsequencesofwhichwouldbedreadful.
J.T.Maston,thebrothersBlomsberry,andEngineerMurchison,withoutheedingthesedangers,took
theirplacesintheairchamber.Thecommander,postedonhisbridge,superintendedtheoperation,
readytostoporhaulinthechainsontheslightestsignal.Thescrewhadbeenshipped,andthewhole
powerofthemachinerycollectedonthecapstanwouldhavequicklydrawntheapparatusonboard.
Thedescentbeganattwentyfiveminutespastoneatnight,andthechamber,drawnunderbythe
reservoirsfullofwater,disappearedfromthesurfaceoftheocean.
Theemotionoftheofficersandsailorsonboardwasnowdividedbetweentheprisonersintheprojectileand
theprisonersinthesubmarineapparatus.Astothelatter,theyforgotthemselves,and,gluedtothewindows
ofthescuttles,attentivelywatchedtheliquidmassthroughwhichtheywerepassing.

Thedescentwasrapid.Atseventeenminutespasttwo,J.T.Mastonandhiscompanionshadreached
thebottomofthePacific;buttheysawnothingbutanariddesert,nolongeranimatedbyeitherfauna

orflora.Bythelightoftheirlamps,furnishedwithpowerfulreflectors,theycouldseethedarkbedsof
theoceanforaconsiderableextentofview,buttheprojectilewasnowheretobeseen.
Theimpatienceofthesebolddiverscannotbedescribed,andhavinganelectricalcommunication
with the corvette, they made a signal already agreed upon, and for the space of a mile the
Susquehannamovedtheirchamberalongsomeyardsabovethebottom.
Thustheyexploredthewholesubmarineplain,deceivedateveryturnbyopticalillusionswhichalmostbroke
theirhearts.Herearock,thereaprojectionfromtheground,seemedtobethemuchsoughtforprojectile;but

CHAPTER XXII

185

theirmistakewassoondiscovered,andthentheywereindespair.
"Butwherearethey?wherearethey?"criedJ.T.Maston.Andthepoormancalledloudlyupon
Nicholl,Barbicane,andMichelArdan,asifhisunfortunatefriendscouldeitherhearoranswerhim
throughsuchanimpenetrablemedium!Thesearchcontinuedundertheseconditionsuntilthevitiated
aircompelledthediverstoascend.
Thehaulinginbeganaboutsixintheevening,andwasnotendedbeforemidnight.
"Tomorrow,"saidJ.T.Maston,ashesetfootonthebridgeofthecorvette.
"Yes,"answeredCaptainBlomsberry.
"Andonanotherspot?"
"Yes."
J.T.Mastondidnotdoubtoftheirfinalsuccess,buthiscompanions,nolongerupheldbythe
excitementofthefirsthours,understoodallthedifficultyoftheenterprise.WhatseemedeasyatSan
Francisco,seemedhereinthewideoceanalmostimpossible.Thechancesofsuccessdiminishedinrapid
proportion;anditwasfromchancealonethatthemeetingwiththeprojectilemightbeexpected.
Thenextday,the24th,inspiteofthefatigueofthepreviousday,theoperationwasrenewed.The
corvetteadvancedsomeminutestowestward,andtheapparatus,providedwithair,borethesame
explorerstothedepthsoftheocean.
Thewholedaypassedinfruitlessresearch;thebedoftheseawasadesert.The25thbroughtnoother
result,northe26th.
Itwasdisheartening.Theythoughtofthoseunfortunatesshutupintheprojectilefortwentysixdays.
Perhapsatthatmomenttheywereexperiencingthefirstapproachofsuffocation;thatis,iftheyhad
escapedthedangersoftheirfall.Theairwasspent,anddoubtlesswiththeairalltheirmorale.
"Theair,possibly,"answeredJ.T.Mastonresolutely,"buttheirmoralenever!"
Onthe28th,aftertwomoredaysofsearch,allhopewasgone.Thisprojectilewasbutanatom
intheimmensityoftheocean.Theymustgiveupallideaoffindingit.
ButJ.T.Mastonwouldnothearofgoingaway.Hewouldnotabandontheplacewithoutatleast

discoveringthetombofhisfriends.ButCommanderBlomsberrycouldnolongerpersist,andinspite
oftheexclamationsoftheworthysecretary,wasobligedtogivetheordertosail.
Onthe29thofDecember,atnineA.M.,theSusquehanna,headingnortheast,resumedhercoursetothe
bayofSanFrancisco.
Itwasteninthemorning;thecorvettewasunderhalfsteam,asitwasregrettingtoleavethespot
wherethecatastrophehadtakenplace,whenasailor,perchedonthemaintopgallantcrosstrees,
watchingthesea,criedsuddenly:
"Abuoyontheleebow!"
Theofficerslookedinthedirectionindicated,andbythe
helpoftheirglassessawthattheobjectsignalledhad

CHAPTER XXII

186

theappearanceofoneofthosebuoyswhichareusedtomarkthepassagesofbaysorrivers.But,
singularlytosay,aflagfloatingonthewindsurmounteditscone,whichemergedfiveorsixfeetoutof
water.Thisbuoyshoneundertheraysofthesunasifithadbeenmadeofplatesofsilver.Commander
Blomsberry,J.T.Maston,andthedelegatesoftheGunClubweremountedonthebridge,examining
thisobjectstrayingatrandomonthewaves.
Alllookedwithfeverishanxiety,butinsilence.Nonedaredgiveexpressiontothethoughtswhichcame
tothemindsofall.
Thecorvetteapproachedtowithintwocables'lengthsoftheobject.
Ashudderranthroughthewholecrew.ThatflagwastheAmericanflag!
Atthismomentaperfecthowlingwasheard;itwasthebraveJ.T.Mastonwhohadjustfallenallina
heap.Forgettingontheonehandthathisrightarmhadbeenreplacedbyanironhook,andonthe
otherthatasimpleguttaperchacapcoveredhisbrainbox,hehadgivenhimselfaformidableblow.
Theyhurriedtowardhim,pickedhimup,restoredhimtolife.Andwhatwerehisfirstwords?
"Ah!treblybrutes!quadruplyidiots!quintuplyboobiesthatweare!"
"Whatisit?"exclaimedeveryonearoundhim.
"Whatisit?"
"Come,speak!"
"Itis,simpletons,"howledtheterriblesecretary,"itisthattheprojectileonlyweighs19,250pounds!"
"Well?"
"Andthatitdisplacestwentyeighttons,orinotherwords56,000pounds,andthatconsequentlyitfloats!"

Ah!whatstresstheworthymanhadlaidontheverb"float!"Anditwastrue!All,yes!allthese
savantshadforgottenthisfundamentallaw,namely,thatonaccountofitsspecificlightness,the
projectile,afterhavingbeendrawnbyitsfalltothegreatestdepthsoftheocean,mustnaturallyreturn
tothesurface.Andnowitwasfloatingquietlyatthemercyofthewaves.
Theboatswereputtosea.J.T.Mastonandhisfriendshadrushedintothem!Excitementwasatitsheight!
Everyheartbeatloudlywhiletheyadvancedtotheprojectile.Whatdiditcontain?Livingordead?

Living,yes!living,atleastunlessdeathhadstruckBarbicaneandhistwofriendssincetheyhadhoisted
theflag.Profoundsilencereignedontheboats.Allwerebreathless.Eyesnolongersaw.Oneofthe
scuttlesoftheprojectilewasopen.Somepiecesofglassremainedintheframe,showingthatithadbeen
broken.Thisscuttlewasactuallyfivefeetabovethewater.
Aboatcamealongside,thatofJ.T.Maston,andJ.T.Mastonrushedtothebrokenwindow.
Atthatmomenttheyheardaclearandmerryvoice,thevoiceofMichelArdan,exclaiminginan

accentoftriumph:
"Whiteall,Barbicane,whiteall!"

CHAPTER XXII

187

Barbicane,MichelArdan,andNichollwereplayingatdominoes!
CHAPTER XXIII

188

CHAPTER XXIII
THEEND
Wemayremembertheintensesympathywhichhadaccompaniedthetravelersontheirdeparture.Ifatthe
beginningoftheenterprisetheyhadexcitedsuchemotionbothintheoldandnewworld,withwhat
enthusiasmwouldtheybereceivedontheirreturn!Themillionsofspectatorswhichhadbesetthepeninsula
ofFlorida,wouldtheynotrushtomeetthesesublimeadventurers?Thoselegionsofstrangers,hurrying
fromallpartsoftheglobetowardtheAmericanshores,wouldtheyleavetheUnionwithouthavingseen
Barbicane,Nicholl,andMichelArdan?No!andtheardentpassionofthepublicwasboundtorespond
worthilytothegreatnessoftheenterprise.Humancreatureswhohadlefttheterrestrialsphere,and
returnedafterthisstrangevoyageintocelestialspace,couldnotfailtobereceivedastheprophetElias
wouldbeifhecamebacktoearth.Toseethemfirst,andthentohearthem,suchwastheuniversallonging.

Barbicane,MichelArdan,Nicholl,andthedelegatesoftheGunClub,returningwithoutdelayto
Baltimore,werereceivedwithindescribableenthusiasm.ThenotesofPresidentBarbicane'svoyage
werereadytobegiventothepublic.TheNewYorkHeraldboughtthemanuscriptatapricenotyet
known,butwhichmusthavebeenveryhigh.Indeed,duringthepublicationof"AJourneytothe
Moon,"thesaleofthispaperamountedtofivemillionsofcopies.Threedaysafterthereturnofthe
travelerstotheearth,theslightestdetailoftheirexpeditionwasknown.Thereremainednothingmore
buttoseetheheroesofthissuperhumanenterprise.
TheexpeditionofBarbicaneandhisfriendsroundthemoonhadenabledthemtocorrectthemanyadmitted
theoriesregardingtheterrestrialsatellite.Thesesavantshadobserveddevisu,andunderparticular
circumstances.Theyknewwhatsystemsshouldberejected,whatretainedwithregardtotheformationofthat
orb,itsorigin,itshabitability.Itspast,present,andfuturehadevengivenuptheirlastsecrets.Whocould
advanceobjectionsagainstconscientiousobservers,whoatlessthantwentyfourmilesdistancehadmarkedthat
curiousmountainofTycho,thestrangestsystemoflunarorography?Howanswerthosesavantswhosesighthad
penetratedtheabyssofPluto'scircle?Howcontradictthoseboldoneswhomthechancesoftheirenterprisehad
borneoverthatinvisiblefaceofthedisc,whichnohumaneyeuntilthenhadeverseen?Itwasnowtheirturnto
imposesomelimitonthatselenographicscience,whichhadreconstructedthelunarworldasCuvierdidthe
skeletonofafossil,andsay,"Themoonwasthis,ahabitableworld,inhabitedbeforetheearth.Themoonisthat,
aworlduninhabitable,andnowuninhabited."

To celebrate the return of its most illustrious member and his two companions, the Gun Club
decidedupongivingabanquet,butabanquetworthyoftheconquerors,worthyoftheAmerican
people,andundersuchconditionsthatalltheinhabitantsoftheUnioncoulddirectlytakepartinit.
AlltheheadlinesofrailroadsintheStateswerejoinedbyflyingrails;andonalltheplatforms,lined
withthesameflags,anddecoratedwiththesameornaments,weretableslaidandallservedalike.At
certainhours,successivelycalculated,markedbyelectricclockswhichbeatthesecondsatthesame
time,thepopulationwereinvitedtotaketheirplacesatthebanquettables.Forfourdays,fromthe5th
tothe9thofJanuary,thetrainswerestoppedastheyareonSundaysontherailwaysoftheUnited
States,andeveryroadwasopen.Oneengineonlyatfullspeed,drawingatriumphalcarriage,hadthe
rightoftravelingforthosefourdaysontherailroadsoftheUnitedStates.

Theenginewasmannedbyadriverandastoker,andbore,byspecialfavor,theHon.J.T.Maston,secretaryof
theGunClub.ThecarriagewasreservedforPresidentBarbicane,ColonelNicholl,andMichelArdan.Atthe
whistleofthedriver,amidthehurrahs,andalltheadmiringvociferationsoftheAmericanlanguage,thetrain
lefttheplatformofBaltimore.Ittraveledataspeedofonehundredandsixtymilesinthehour.Butwhatwas
thisspeedcomparedwiththatwhichhadcarriedthethreeheroesfromthemouthoftheColumbiad?

CHAPTER XXIII

189

Thustheyspedfromonetowntotheother,findingwholepopulationsattableontheirroad,salutingthemwith
thesameacclamations,lavishingthesamebravos!TheytraveledinthiswaythroughtheeastoftheUnion,
Pennsylvania,Connecticut,Massachusetts,Vermont,Maine,andNewHampshire;thenorthandwestbyNew
York,Ohio,Michigan,andWisconsin;returningtothesouthbyIllinois,Missouri,Arkansas,Texas,and
Louisiana;theywenttothesoutheastbyAlabamaandFlorida,goingupbyGeorgiaandtheCarolinas,visiting
thecenterbyTennessee,Kentucky,Virginia,andIndiana,and,afterquittingtheWashingtonstation,reentered
Baltimore,whereforfourdaysonewouldhavethoughtthattheUnitedStatesofAmericawereseatedatone
immensebanquet,salutingthemsimultaneouslywiththesamehurrahs!Theapotheosiswasworthyofthese
threeheroeswhomfablewouldhaveplacedintherankofdemigods.

Andnowwillthisattempt,unprecedentedintheannalsoftravels,leadtoanypracticalresult?Will
directcommunicationwiththemooneverbeestablished?Willtheyeverlaythefoundationofa
travelingservicethroughthesolarworld?Willtheygofromoneplanettoanother,fromJupiterto
Mercury,andafterawhilefromonestartoanother,fromthePolartoSirius?Willthismeansof
locomotionallowustovisitthosesunswhichswarminthefirmament?
Tosuchquestionsnoanswercanbegiven.ButknowingtheboldingenuityoftheAngloSaxonrace,
noonewouldbeastonishediftheAmericansseektomakesomeuseofPresidentBarbicane'sattempt.
Thus,sometimeafterthereturnofthetravelers,thepublicreceivedwithmarkedfavortheannouncementofa
company,limited,withacapitalofahundredmillionofdollars,dividedintoahundredthousandsharesofa
thousanddollarseach,underthenameofthe"NationalCompanyofInterstellaryCommunication."President,
Barbicane;vicepresident,CaptainNicholl;secretary,J.T.Maston;directorofmovements,MichelArdan.
AndasitispartoftheAmericantemperamenttoforeseeeverythinginbusiness,evenfailure,theHonorable
HarryTrolloppe,judgecommissioner,andFrancisDrayton,magistrate,werenominatedbeforehand!

Afreeebookfromhttp://manybooks.net/