CHAPTERI
THEGUNCLUB
DuringtheWaroftheRebellion，anewandinfluentialclubwasestablishedinthecityofBaltimoreintheStateofMaryland。
Itiswellknownwithwhatenergythetasteformilitarymattersbecamedevelopedamongthatnationofship-owners，shopkeepers，andmechanics。Simpletradesmenjumpedtheircounterstobecomeextemporizedcaptains，colonels，andgenerals，withouthavingeverpassedtheSchoolofInstructionatWestPoint；
nevertheless；theyquicklyrivaledtheircompeersoftheoldcontinent，and，likethem，carriedoffvictoriesbydintoflavishexpenditureinammunition，money，andmen。
ButthepointinwhichtheAmericanssingularlydistancedtheEuropeanswasinthescienceofgunnery。Not，indeed，thattheirweaponsretainedahigherdegreeofperfectionthantheirs，butthattheyexhibitedunheard-ofdimensions，andconsequentlyattainedhithertounheard-ofranges。Inpointofgrazing，plunging，oblique，orenfilading，orpoint-blankfiring，theEnglish，French，andPrussianshavenothingtolearn；buttheircannon，howitzers，andmortarsaremerepocket-pistolscomparedwiththeformidableenginesoftheAmericanartillery。
Thisfactneedsurprisenoone。TheYankees，thefirstmechaniciansintheworld，areengineers——justastheItaliansaremusiciansandtheGermansmetaphysicians——byrightofbirth。
Nothingismorenatural，therefore，thantoperceivethemapplyingtheiraudaciousingenuitytothescienceofgunnery。
WitnessthemarvelsofParrott，Dahlgren，andRodman。
TheArmstrong，Palliser，andBeaulieugunswerecompelledtobowbeforetheirtransatlanticrivals。
NowwhenanAmericanhasanidea，hedirectlyseeksasecondAmericantoshareit。Iftherebethree，theyelectapresidentandtwosecretaries。Givenfour，theynameakeeperofrecords，andtheofficeisreadyforwork；five，theyconveneageneralmeeting，andtheclubisfullyconstituted。SothingsweremanagedinBaltimore。Theinventorofanewcannonassociatedhimselfwiththecasterandtheborer。Thuswasformedthenucleusofthe\"GunClub。\"Inasinglemonthafteritsformationitnumbered1，833effectivemembersand30，565correspondingmembers。
Oneconditionwasimposedasa_sinequanon_uponeverycandidateforadmissionintotheassociation，andthatwastheconditionofhavingdesigned，ormoreorlessperfectedacannon；or，indefaultofacannon，atleastafirearmofsomedescription。Itmay，however，bementionedthatmereinventorsofrevolvers，fire-shootingcarbines，andsimilarsmallarms，metwithlittleconsideration。Artilleristsalwayscommandedthechiefplaceoffavor。
Theestimationinwhichthesegentlemenwereheld，accordingtooneofthemostscientificexponentsoftheGunClub，was\"proportionaltothemassesoftheirguns，andinthedirectratioofthesquareofthedistancesattainedbytheirprojectiles。\"
TheGunCluboncefounded，itiseasytoconceivetheresultoftheinventivegeniusoftheAmericans。Theirmilitaryweaponsattainedcolossalproportions，andtheirprojectiles，exceedingtheprescribedlimits，unfortunatelyoccasionallycutintwosomeunoffendingpedestrians。Theseinventions，infact，leftfarintherearthetimidinstrumentsofEuropeanartillery。
ItisbutfairtoaddthattheseYankees，braveastheyhaveeverprovedthemselvestobe，didnotconfinethemselvestotheoriesandformulae，butthattheypaidheavily，_inpropriapersona_，fortheirinventions。Amongthemweretobecountedofficersofallranks，fromlieutenantstogenerals；militarymenofeveryage，fromthosewhowerejustmakingtheir_debut_
intheprofessionofarmsuptothosewhohadgrownoldinthegun-carriage。Manyhadfoundtheirrestonthefieldofbattlewhosenamesfiguredinthe\"BookofHonor\"oftheGunClub；andofthosewhomadegoodtheirreturnthegreaterproportionborethemarksoftheirindisputablevalor。Crutches，woodenlegs，artificialarms，steelhooks，caoutchoucjaws，silvercraniums，platinumnoses，werealltobefoundinthecollection；anditwascalculatedbythegreatstatisticianPitcairnthatthroughouttheGunClubtherewasnotquiteonearmbetweenfourpersonsandtwolegsbetweensix。
Nevertheless，thesevaliantartilleriststooknoparticularaccountoftheselittlefacts，andfeltjustlyproudwhenthedespatchesofabattlereturnedthenumberofvictimsatten-foldthequantityofprojectilesexpended。
Oneday，however——sadandmelancholyday！——peacewassignedbetweenthesurvivorsofthewar；thethunderofthegunsgraduallyceased，themortarsweresilent，thehowitzersweremuzzledforanindefiniteperiod，thecannon，withmuzzlesdepressed，werereturnedintothearsenal，theshotwererepiled，allbloodyreminiscenceswereeffaced；thecotton-plantsgrewluxuriantlyinthewell-manuredfields，allmourninggarmentswerelaidaside，togetherwithgrief；andtheGunClubwasrelegatedtoprofoundinactivity。
Somefewofthemoreadvancedandinveteratetheoristssetthemselvesagaintoworkuponcalculationsregardingthelawsofprojectiles。Theyrevertedinvariablytogiganticshellsandhowitzersofunparalleledcaliber。Stillindefaultofpracticalexperiencewhatwasthevalueofmeretheories？
Consequently，theclubroomsbecamedeserted，theservantsdozedintheantechambers，thenewspapersgrewmouldyonthetables，soundsofsnoringcamefromdarkcorners，andthemembersoftheGunClub，erstwhilesonoisyintheirseances，werereducedtosilencebythisdisastrouspeaceandgavethemselvesupwhollytodreamsofaPlatonickindofartillery。
\"Thisishorrible！\"saidTomHunteroneevening，whilerapidlycarbonizinghiswoodenlegsinthefireplaceofthesmoking-room；\"nothingtodo！nothingtolookforwardto！whataloathsomeexistence！Whenagainshallthegunsarouseusinthemorningwiththeirdelightfulreports？\"
\"Thosedaysaregoneby，\"saidjollyBilsby，tryingtoextendhismissingarms。\"Itwasdelightfulonceuponatime！
Oneinventedagun，andhardlywasitcast，whenonehastenedtotryitinthefaceoftheenemy！ThenonereturnedtocampwithawordofencouragementfromShermanorafriendlyshakeofthehandfromMcClellan。Butnowthegeneralsaregonebacktotheircounters；andinplaceofprojectiles，theydespatchbalesofcotton。ByJove，thefutureofgunneryinAmericaislost！\"
\"Ay！andnowarinprospect！\"continuedthefamousJamesT。
Maston，scratchingwithhissteelhookhisgutta-perchacranium。
\"Notacloudonthehorizon！andthattooatsuchacriticalperiodintheprogressofthescienceofartillery！Yes，gentlemen！
Iwhoaddressyouhavemyselfthisverymorningperfectedamodelplan，section，elevation，etc。ofamortardestinedtochangealltheconditionsofwarfare！\"
\"No！isitpossible？\"repliedTomHunter，histhoughtsrevertinginvoluntarilytoaformerinventionoftheHon。J。T。Maston，bywhich，atitsfirsttrial，hehadsucceededinkillingthreehundredandthirty-sevenpeople。
\"Fact！\"repliedhe。\"Still，whatistheuseofsomanystudiesworkedout，somanydifficultiesvanquished？It\'smerewasteoftime！TheNewWorldseemstohavemadeupitsmindtoliveinpeace；andourbellicose_Tribune_predictssomeapproachingcatastrophesarisingoutofthisscandalousincreaseofpopulation。\"
\"Nevertheless，\"repliedColonelBlomsberry，\"theyarealwaysstrugglinginEuropetomaintaintheprincipleofnationalities。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Well，theremightbesomefieldforenterprisedownthere；andiftheywouldacceptourservices——\"
\"Whatareyoudreamingof？\"screamedBilsby；\"workatgunneryforthebenefitofforeigners？\"
\"Thatwouldbebetterthandoingnothinghere，\"returnedthecolonel。
\"Quiteso，\"saidJ。T。Matson；\"butstillweneednotdreamofthatexpedient。\"
\"Andwhynot？\"demandedthecolonel。
\"BecausetheirideasofprogressintheOldWorldarecontrarytoourAmericanhabitsofthought。Thosefellowsbelievethatonecan\'tbecomeageneralwithouthavingservedfirstasanensign；whichisasmuchastosaythatonecan\'tpointagunwithouthavingfirstcastitoneself！\"
\"Ridiculous！\"repliedTomHunter，whittlingwithhisbowie-knifethearmsofhiseasychair；\"butifthatbethecasethere，allthatisleftforusistoplanttobaccoanddistillwhale-oil。\"
\"What！\"roaredJ。T。Maston，\"shallwenotemploytheseremainingyearsofourlifeinperfectingfirearms？Shallthereneverbeafreshopportunityoftryingtherangesofprojectiles？
Shalltheairneveragainbelightedwiththeglareofourguns？
Nointernationaldifficultyeverarisetoenableustodeclarewaragainstsometransatlanticpower？ShallnottheFrenchsinkoneofoursteamers，ortheEnglish，indefianceoftherightsofnations，hangafewofourcountrymen？\"
\"Nosuchluck，\"repliedColonelBlomsberry；\"nothingofthekindislikelytohappen；andevenifitdid，weshouldnotprofitbyit。
Americansusceptibilityisfastdeclining，andweareallgoingtothedogs。\"
\"Itistootrue，\"repliedJ。T。Maston，withfreshviolence；
\"thereareathousandgroundsforfighting，andyetwedon\'tfight。
Wesaveupourarmsandlegsforthebenefitofnationswhodon\'tknowwhattodowiththem！Butstop——withoutgoingoutofone\'swaytofindacauseforwar——didnotNorthAmericaoncebelongtotheEnglish？\"
\"Undoubtedly，\"repliedTomHunter，stampinghiscrutchwithfury。
\"Well，then，\"repliedJ。T。Maston，\"whyshouldnotEnglandinherturnbelongtotheAmericans？\"
\"Itwouldbebutjustandfair，\"returnedColonelBlomsberry。
\"GoandproposeittothePresidentoftheUnitedStates，\"criedJ。T。Maston，\"andseehowhewillreceiveyou。\"
\"Bah！\"growledBilsbybetweenthefourteethwhichthewarhadlefthim；\"thatwillneverdo！\"
\"ByJove！\"criedJ。T。Maston，\"hemustn\'tcountonmyvoteatthenextelection！\"
\"Noronours，\"repliedunanimouslyallthebellicoseinvalids。
\"Meanwhile，\"repliedJ。T。Maston，\"allowmetosaythat，ifI
cannotgetanopportunitytotrymynewmortarsonarealfieldofbattle，Ishallsaygood-bytothemembersoftheGunClub，andgoandburymyselfintheprairiesofArkansas！\"
\"Inthatcasewewillaccompanyyou，\"criedtheothers。
Matterswereinthisunfortunatecondition，andtheclubwasthreatenedwithapproachingdissolution，whenanunexpectedcircumstanceoccurredtopreventsodeplorableacatastrophe。
Onthemorrowafterthisconversationeverymemberoftheassociationreceivedasealedcircularcouchedinthefollowingterms:
BALTIMORE，October3。
ThepresidentoftheGunClubhasthehonortoinformhiscolleaguesthat，atthemeetingofthe5thinstant，hewillbringbeforethemacommunicationofanextremelyinterestingnature。Herequests，therefore，thattheywillmakeitconvenienttoattendinaccordancewiththepresentinvitation。Verycordially，IMPEYBARBICANE，P。G。C。
CHAPTERII
PRESIDENTBARBICANE\'SCOMMUNICATION
Onthe5thofOctober，ateightp。m。，adensecrowdpressedtowardthesaloonsoftheGunClubatNo。21UnionSquare。
AllthemembersoftheassociationresidentinBaltimoreattendedtheinvitationoftheirpresident。Asregardsthecorrespondingmembers，noticesweredeliveredbyhundredsthroughoutthestreetsofthecity，and，largeaswasthegreathall，itwasquiteinadequatetoaccommodatethecrowdof_savants_。Theyoverflowedintotheadjoiningrooms，downthenarrowpassages，intotheoutercourtyards。Theretheyranagainstthevulgarherdwhopresseduptothedoors，eachstrugglingtoreachthefrontranks，alleagertolearnthenatureoftheimportantcommunicationofPresidentBarbicane；allpushing，squeezing，crushingwiththatperfectfreedomofactionwhichissopeculiartothemasseswheneducatedinideasof\"self-government。\"
OnthateveningastrangerwhomighthavechancedtobeinBaltimorecouldnothavegainedadmissionforloveormoneyintothegreathall。Thatwasreservedexclusivelyforresidentorcorrespondingmembers；nooneelsecouldpossiblyhaveobtainedaplace；andthecitymagnates，municipalcouncilors，and\"selectmen\"werecompelledtominglewiththemeretownspeopleinordertocatchstraybitsofnewsfromtheinterior。
Neverthelessthevasthallpresentedacuriousspectacle。
Itsimmenseareawassingularlyadaptedtothepurpose。
Loftypillarsformedofcannon，superposeduponhugemortarsasabase，supportedthefineironworkofthearches，aperfectpieceofcast-ironlacework。Trophiesofblunderbuses，matchlocks，arquebuses，carbines，allkindsoffirearms，ancientandmodern，werepicturesquelyinterlacedagainstthewalls。Thegaslitupinfullglaremyriadsofrevolversgroupedintheformoflustres，whilegroupsofpistols，andcandelabraformedofmusketsboundtogether，completedthismagnificentdisplayofbrilliance。Modelsofcannon，bronzecastings，sightscoveredwithdents，platesbatteredbytheshotsoftheGunClub，assortmentsoframmersandsponges，chapletsofshells，wreathsofprojectiles，garlandsofhowitzers——inshort，alltheapparatusoftheartillerist，enchantedtheeyebythiswonderfularrangementandinducedakindofbeliefthattheirrealpurposewasornamentalratherthandeadly。
Atthefurtherendofthesaloonthepresident，assistedbyfoursecretaries，occupiedalargeplatform。Hischair，supportedbyacarvedgun-carriage，wasmodeledupontheponderousproportionsofa32-inchmortar。Itwaspointedatanangleofninetydegrees，andsuspendedupontruncheons，sothatthepresidentcouldbalancehimselfuponitasuponarocking-chair，averyagreeablefactintheveryhotweather。Uponthetableahugeironplatesupporteduponsixcarronadesstoodaninkstandofexquisiteelegance，madeofabeautifullychasedSpanishpiece，andasonnette，which，whenrequired，couldgiveforthareportequaltothatofarevolver。
Duringviolentdebatesthisnovelkindofbellscarcelysufficedtodrowntheclamoroftheseexcitableartillerists。
Infrontofthetablebenchesarrangedinzigzagform，likethecircumvallationsofaretrenchment，formedasuccessionofbastionsandcurtainssetapartfortheuseofthemembersoftheclub；andonthisespecialeveningonemightsay，\"Alltheworldwasontheramparts。\"Thepresidentwassufficientlywellknown，however，foralltobeassuredthathewouldnotputhiscolleaguestodiscomfortwithoutsomeverystrongmotive。
ImpeyBarbicanewasamanoffortyyearsofage，calm，cold，austere；ofasingularlyseriousandself-containeddemeanor，punctualasachronometer，ofimperturbabletemperandimmovablecharacter；bynomeanschivalrous，yetadventurouswithal，andalwaysbringingpracticalideastobearupontheveryrashestenterprises；anessentiallyNewEnglander，aNortherncolonist，adescendantoftheoldanti-StuartRoundheads，andtheimplacableenemyofthegentlemenoftheSouth，thoseancientcavaliersofthemothercountry。Inaword，hewasaYankeetothebackbone。
Barbicanehadmadealargefortuneasatimbermerchant。
Beingnominateddirectorofartilleryduringthewar，heprovedhimselffertileininvention。Boldinhisconceptions，hecontributedpowerfullytotheprogressofthatarmandgaveanimmenseimpetustoexperimentalresearches。
Hewaspersonageofthemiddleheight，having，byarareexceptionintheGunClub，allhislimbscomplete。Hisstronglymarkedfeaturesseemeddrawnbysquareandrule；andifitbetruethat，inordertojudgeaman\'scharacteronemustlookathisprofile，Barbicane，soexamined，exhibitedthemostcertainindicationsofenergy，audacity，and_sang-froid_。
Atthismomenthewassittinginhisarmchair，silent，absorbed，lostinreflection，shelteredunderhishigh-crownedhat——akindofblackcylinderwhichalwaysseemsfirmlyscrewedupontheheadofanAmerican。
Justwhenthedeep-tonedclockinthegreathallstruckeight，Barbicane，asifhehadbeensetinmotionbyaspring，raisedhimselfup。Aprofoundsilenceensued，andthespeaker，inasomewhatemphatictoneofvoice，commencedasfollows:
\"Mybrave，colleagues，toolongalreadyaparalyzingpeacehasplungedthemembersoftheGunClubindeplorableinactivity。
Afteraperiodofyearsfullofincidentswehavebeencompelledtoabandonourlabors，andtostopshortontheroadofprogress。
Idonothesitatetostate，baldly，thatanywarwhichwouldrecallustoarmswouldbewelcome！\"Tremendousapplause！
\"Butwar，gentlemen，isimpossibleunderexistingcircumstances；
and，howeverwemaydesireit，manyyearsmayelapsebeforeourcannonshallagainthunderinthefieldofbattle。Wemustmakeupourminds，then，toseekinanothertrainofideassomefieldfortheactivitywhichweallpinefor。\"
Themeetingfeltthatthepresidentwasnowapproachingthecriticalpoint，andredoubledtheirattentionaccordingly。
\"Forsomemonthspast，mybravecolleagues，\"continuedBarbicane，\"Ihavebeenaskingmyselfwhether，whileconfiningourselvestoourownparticularobjects，wecouldnotenteruponsomegrandexperimentworthyofthenineteenthcentury；andwhethertheprogressofartillerysciencewouldnotenableustocarryitouttoasuccessfulissue。Ihavebeenconsidering，working，calculating；andtheresultofmystudiesistheconvictionthatwearesafetosucceedinanenterprisewhichtoanyothercountrywouldappearwhollyimpracticable。Thisproject，theresultoflongelaboration，istheobjectofmypresentcommunication。
Itisworthyofyourselves，worthyoftheantecedentsoftheGunClub；anditcannotfailtomakesomenoiseintheworld。\"
Athrillofexcitementranthroughthemeeting。
Barbicane，havingbyarapidmovementfirmlyfixedhishatuponhishead，calmlycontinuedhisharangue:
\"Thereisnooneamongyou，mybravecolleagues，whohasnotseentheMoon，or，atleast，heardspeakofit。Don\'tbesurprisedifIamabouttodiscoursetoyouregardingtheQueenoftheNight。ItisperhapsreservedforustobecometheColumbusesofthisunknownworld。Onlyenterintomyplans，andsecondmewithallyourpower，andIwillleadyoutoitsconquest，anditsnameshallbeaddedtothoseofthethirty-sixstateswhichcomposethisGreatUnion。\"
\"ThreecheersfortheMoon！\"roaredtheGunClub，withonevoice。
\"Themoon，gentlemen，hasbeencarefullystudied，\"continuedBarbicane；\"hermass，density，andweight；herconstitution，motions，distance，aswellasherplaceinthesolarsystem，haveallbeenexactlydetermined。Selenographicchartshavebeenconstructedwithaperfectionwhichequals，ifitdoesnotevensurpass，thatofourterrestrialmaps。Photographyhasgivenusproofsoftheincomparablebeautyofoursatellite；allisknownregardingthemoonwhichmathematicalscience，astronomy，geology，andopticscanlearnabouther。Butuptothepresentmomentnodirectcommunicationhasbeenestablishedwithher。\"
Aviolentmovementofinterestandsurpriseheregreetedthisremarkofthespeaker。
\"Permitme，\"hecontinued，\"torecounttoyoubrieflyhowcertainardentspirits，startingonimaginaryjourneys，havepenetratedthesecretsofoursatellite。IntheseventeenthcenturyacertainDavidFabriciusboastedofhavingseenwithhisowneyestheinhabitantsofthemoon。In1649aFrenchman，oneJeanBaudoin，publisheda`JourneyperformedfromtheEarthtotheMoonbyDomingoGonzalez，\'aSpanishadventurer。AtthesameperiodCyranodeBergeracpublishedthatcelebrated`JourneysintheMoon\'whichmetwithsuchsuccessinFrance。
SomewhatlateranotherFrenchman，namedFontenelle，wrote`ThePluralityofWorlds，\'a_chef-d\'oeuvre_ofitstime。About1835
asmalltreatise，translatedfromtheNewYork_American_，relatedhowSirJohnHerschel，havingbeendespatchedtotheCapeofGoodHopeforthepurposeofmakingtheresomeastronomicalcalculations，had，bymeansofatelescopebroughttoperfectionbymeansofinternallighting，reducedtheapparentdistanceofthemoontoeightyyards！Hethendistinctlyperceivedcavernsfrequentedbyhippopotami，greenmountainsborderedbygoldenlace-work，sheepwithhornsofivory，awhitespeciesofdeerandinhabitantswithmembranouswings，likebats。This_brochure_，theworkofanAmericannamedLocke，hadagreatsale。But，tobringthisrapidsketchtoaclose，IwillonlyaddthatacertainHansPfaal，ofRotterdam，launchinghimselfinaballoonfilledwithagasextractedfromnitrogen，thirty-seventimeslighterthanhydrogen，reachedthemoonafterapassageofnineteenhours。Thisjourney，likeallpreviousones，waspurelyimaginary；still，itwastheworkofapopularAmericanauthor——
ImeanEdgarPoe！\"
\"CheersforEdgarPoe！\"roaredtheassemblage，electrifiedbytheirpresident\'swords。
\"Ihavenowenumerated，\"saidBarbicane，\"theexperimentswhichIcallpurelypaperones，andwhollyinsufficienttoestablishseriousrelationswiththeQueenoftheNight。Nevertheless，I
amboundtoaddthatsomepracticalgeniuseshaveattemptedtoestablishactualcommunicationwithher。Thus，afewdaysago，aGermangeometricianproposedtosendascientificexpeditiontothesteppesofSiberia。There，onthosevastplains，theyweretodescribeenormousgeometricfigures，drawnincharactersofreflectingluminosity，amongwhichwasthepropositionregardingthe`squareofthehypothenuse，\'commonlycalledthe`Ass\'sBridge\'bytheFrench。`Everyintelligentbeing，\'saidthegeometrician，`mustunderstandthescientificmeaningofthatfigure。TheSelenites，dotheyexist，willrespondbyasimilarfigure；and，acommunicationbeingthusonceestablished，itwillbeeasytoformanalphabetwhichshallenableustoconversewiththeinhabitantsofthemoon。\'SospoketheGermangeometrician；buthisprojectwasneverputintopractice，anduptothepresentdaythereisnobondinexistencebetweentheEarthandhersatellite。ItisreservedforthepracticalgeniusofAmericanstoestablishacommunicationwiththesiderealworld。Themeansofarrivingthitheraresimple，easy，certain，infallible——andthatisthepurposeofmypresentproposal。\"
Astormofacclamationsgreetedthesewords。Therewasnotasinglepersoninthewholeaudiencewhowasnotovercome，carriedaway，liftedoutofhimselfbythespeaker\'swords！
Long-continuedapplauseresoundedfromallsides。
Assoonastheexcitementhadpartiallysubsided，Barbicaneresumedhisspeechinasomewhatgravervoice。
\"Youknow，\"saidhe，\"whatprogressartillerysciencehasmadeduringthelastfewyears，andwhatadegreeofperfectionfirearmsofeverykindhavereached。Moreover，youarewellawarethat，ingeneralterms，theresistingpowerofcannonandtheexpansiveforceofgunpowderarepracticallyunlimited。
Well！startingfromthisprinciple，Iaskmyselfwhether，supposingsufficientapparatuscouldbeobtainedconstructedupontheconditionsofascertainedresistance，itmightnotbepossibletoprojectashotuptothemoon？\"
Atthesewordsamurmurofamazementescapedfromathousandpantingchests；thensucceededamomentofperfectsilence，resemblingthatprofoundstillnesswhichprecedestheburstingofathunderstorm。Inpointoffact，athunderstormdidpealforth，butitwasthethunderofapplause，orcries，andofuproarwhichmadetheveryhalltremble。Thepresidentattemptedtospeak，butcouldnot。Itwasfullytenminutesbeforehecouldmakehimselfheard。
\"Suffermetofinish，\"hecalmlycontinued。\"Ihavelookedatthequestioninallitsbearings，Ihaveresolutelyattackedit，andbyincontrovertiblecalculationsIfindthataprojectileendowedwithaninitialvelocityof12，000yardspersecond，andaimedatthemoon，mustnecessarilyreachit。Ihavethehonor，mybravecolleagues，toproposeatrialofthislittleexperiment。\"
CHAPTERIII
EFFECTOFTHEPRESIDENT\'SCOMMUNICATION
Itisimpossibletodescribetheeffectproducedbythelastwordsofthehonorablepresident——thecries，theshouts，thesuccessionofroars，hurrahs，andallthevariedvociferationswhichtheAmericanlanguageiscapableofsupplying。Itwasasceneofindescribableconfusionanduproar。Theyshouted，theyclapped，theystampedonthefloorofthehall。Alltheweaponsinthemuseumdischargedatoncecouldnothavemoreviolentlysetinmotionthewavesofsound。Oneneednotbesurprisedatthis。
Therearesomecannoneersnearlyasnoisyastheirownguns。
Barbicaneremainedcalminthemidstofthisenthusiasticclamor；perhapshewasdesirousofaddressingafewmorewordstohiscolleagues，forbyhisgestureshedemandedsilence，andhispowerfulalarumwaswornoutbyitsviolentreports。
Noattention，however，waspaidtohisrequest。Hewaspresentlytornfromhisseatandpassedfromthehandsofhisfaithfulcolleaguesintothearmsofanolessexcitedcrowd。
NothingcanastoundanAmerican。Ithasoftenbeenassertedthattheword\"impossible\"innotaFrenchone。Peoplehaveevidentlybeendeceivedbythedictionary。InAmerica，alliseasy，allissimple；andasformechanicaldifficulties，theyareovercomebeforetheyarise。BetweenBarbicane\'spropositionanditsrealizationnotrueYankeewouldhaveallowedeventhesemblanceofadifficultytobepossible。Athingwiththemisnosoonersaidthandone。
Thetriumphalprogressofthepresidentcontinuedthroughouttheevening。Itwasaregulartorchlightprocession。Irish，Germans，French，Scotch，alltheheterogeneousunitswhichmakeupthepopulationofMarylandshoutedintheirrespectivevernaculars；
andthe\"vivas，\"\"hurrahs，\"and\"bravos\"wereintermingledininexpressibleenthusiasm。
Justatthiscrisis，asthoughshecomprehendedallthisagitationregardingherself，themoonshoneforthwithserenesplendor，eclipsingbyherintenseilluminationallthesurroundinglights。TheYankeesallturnedtheirgazetowardherresplendentorb，kissedtheirhands，calledherbyallkindsofendearingnames。Betweeneighto\'clockandmidnightoneopticianinJones\'-FallStreetmadehisfortunebythesaleofopera-glasses。
Midnightarrived，andtheenthusiasmshowednosignsofdiminution。
Itspreadequallyamongallclassesofcitizens——menofscience，shopkeepers，merchants，porters，chair-men，aswellas\"greenhorns，\"
werestirredintheirinnermostfibres。Anationalenterprisewasatstake。Thewholecity，highandlow，thequaysborderingthePatapsco，theshipslyinginthebasins，disgorgedacrowddrunkwithjoy，gin，andwhisky。Everyonechattered，argued，discussed，disputed，applauded，fromthegentlemanlounginguponthebarroomsetteewithhistumblerofsherry-cobblerbeforehimdowntothewatermanwhogotdrunkuponhis\"knock-me-down\"inthedingytavernsofFellPoint。
AbouttwoA。M。，however，theexcitementbegantosubside。
PresidentBarbicanereachedhishouse，bruised，crushed，andsqueezedalmosttoamummy。Herculescouldnothaveresistedasimilaroutbreakofenthusiasm。Thecrowdgraduallydesertedthesquaresandstreets。ThefourrailwaysfromPhiladelphiaandWashington，HarrisburgandWheeling，whichconvergeatBaltimore，whirledawaytheheterogeneouspopulationtothefourcornersoftheUnitedStates，andthecitysubsidedintocomparativetranquility。
Onthefollowingday，thankstothetelegraphicwires，fivehundrednewspapersandjournals，daily，weekly，monthly，orbi-monthly，alltookupthequestion。Theyexamineditunderallitsdifferentaspects，physical，meteorological，economical，ormoral，uptoitsbearingsonpoliticsorcivilization。
Theydebatedwhetherthemoonwasafinishedworld，orwhetheritwasdestinedtoundergoanyfurthertransformation。Diditresembletheearthattheperiodwhenthelatterwasdestituteasyetofanatmosphere？Whatkindofspectaclewoulditshiddenhemispherepresenttoourterrestrialspheroid？Grantingthatthequestionatpresentwassimplythatofsendingaprojectileuptothemoon，everyonemustseethatthatinvolvedthecommencementofaseriesofexperiments。AllmusthopethatsomedayAmericawouldpenetratethedeepestsecretsofthatmysteriousorb；andsomeevenseemedtofearlestitsconquestshouldnotsensiblyderangetheequilibriumofEurope。
Theprojectonceunderdiscussion，notasingleparagraphsuggestedadoubtofitsrealization。Allthepapers，pamphlets，reports——allthejournalspublishedbythescientific，literary，andreligioussocietiesenlargeduponitsadvantages；andtheSocietyofNaturalHistoryofBoston，theSocietyofScienceandArtofAlbany，theGeographicalandStatisticalSocietyofNewYork，thePhilosophicalSocietyofPhiladelphia，andtheSmithsonianofWashingtonsentinnumerablelettersofcongratulationtotheGunClub，togetherwithoffersofimmediateassistanceandmoney。
FromthatdayforwardImpeyBarbicanebecameoneofthegreatestcitizensoftheUnitedStates，akindofWashingtonofscience。
Asingletraitoffeeling，takenfrommanyothers，willservetoshowthepointwhichthishomageofawholepeopletoasingleindividualattained。
SomefewdaysafterthismemorablemeetingoftheGunClub，themanagerofanEnglishcompanyannounced，attheBaltimoretheatre，theproductionof\"MuchadoaboutNothing。\"Butthepopulace，seeinginthattitleanallusiondamagingtoBarbicane\'sproject，brokeintotheauditorium，smashedthebenches，andcompelledtheunluckydirectortoalterhisplaybill。
Beingasensibleman，hebowedtothepublicwillandreplacedtheoffendingcomedyby\"Asyoulikeit\"；andformanyweeksherealizedfabulousprofits。
CHAPTERIV
REPLYFROMTHEOBSERVATORYOFCAMBRIDGE
Barbicane，however，lostnotonemomentamidalltheenthusiasmofwhichhehadbecometheobject。Hisfirstcarewastoreassemblehiscolleaguesintheboard-roomoftheGunClub。
There，aftersomediscussion，itwasagreedtoconsulttheastronomersregardingtheastronomicalpartoftheenterprise。
Theirreplyonceascertained，theycouldthendiscussthemechanicalmeans，andnothingshouldbewantingtoensurethesuccessofthisgreatexperiment。
Anotecouchedinpreciseterms，containingspecialinterrogatories，wasthendrawnupandaddressedtotheObservatoryofCambridgeinMassachusetts。Thiscity，wherethefirstuniversityoftheUnitedStateswasfounded，isjustlycelebratedforitsastronomicalstaff。Therearetobefoundassembledallthemosteminentmenofscience。HereistobeseenatworkthatpowerfultelescopewhichenabledBondtoresolvethenebulaofAndromeda，andClarketodiscoverthesatelliteofSirius。ThiscelebratedinstitutionfullyjustifiedonallpointstheconfidencereposedinitbytheGunClub。
So，aftertwodays，thereplysoimpatientlyawaitedwasplacedinthehandsofPresidentBarbicane。
Itwascouchedinthefollowingterms:
_TheDirectoroftheCambridgeObservatorytothePresidentoftheGunClubatBaltimore。_
CAMBRIDGE，October7。
Onthereceiptofyourfavorofthe6thinstant，addressedtotheObservatoryofCambridgeinthenameofthemembersoftheBaltimoreGunClub，ourstaffwasimmediatelycalledtogether，anditwasjudgedexpedienttoreplyasfollows:
Thequestionswhichhavebeenproposedtoitarethese——
\"1。Isitpossibletotransmitaprojectileuptothemoon？
\"2。Whatistheexactdistancewhichseparatestheearthfromitssatellite？
\"3。Whatwillbetheperiodoftransitoftheprojectilewhenendowedwithsufficientinitialvelocity？and，consequently，atwhatmomentoughtittobedischargedinorderthatitmaytouchthemoonataparticularpoint？
\"4。Atwhatprecisemomentwillthemoonpresentherselfinthemostfavorablepositiontobereachedbytheprojectile？
\"5。Whatpointintheheavensoughtthecannontobeaimedatwhichisintendedtodischargetheprojectile？
\"6。Whatplacewillthemoonoccupyintheheavensatthemomentoftheprojectile\'sdeparture？\"
Regardingthe_first_question，\"Isitpossibletotransmitaprojectileuptothemoon？\"
_Answer。_——Yes；provideditpossessaninitialvelocityof1，200yardspersecond；calculationsprovethattobesufficient。
Inproportionaswerecedefromtheearththeactionofgravitationdiminishesintheinverseratioofthesquareofthedistance；
thatistosay，_atthreetimesagivendistancetheactionisninetimesless。_Consequently，theweightofashotwilldecrease，andwillbecomereducedto_zero_attheinstantthattheattractionofthemoonexactlycounterpoisesthatoftheearth；thatistosayat47/52ofitspassage。Atthatinstanttheprojectilewillhavenoweightwhatever；and，ifitpassesthatpoint，itwillfallintothemoonbythesoleeffectofthelunarattraction。
The_theoreticalpossibility_oftheexperimentisthereforeabsolutelydemonstrated；its_success_mustdependuponthepoweroftheengineemployed。
Astothe_second_question，\"Whatistheexactdistancewhichseparatestheearthfromitssatellite？\"
_Answer。_——Themoondoesnotdescribea_circle_roundtheearth，butratheran_ellipse_，ofwhichourearthoccupiesoneofthe_foci_；theconsequence，therefore，is，thatatcertaintimesitapproachesnearerto，andatothersitrecedesfartherfrom，theearth；inastronomicallanguage，itisatonetimein_apogee_，atanotherin_perigee_。Nowthedifferencebetweenitsgreatestanditsleastdistanceistooconsiderabletobeleftoutofconsideration。Inpointoffact，initsapogeethemoonis247，552miles，andinitsperigee，218，657milesonlydistant；afactwhichmakesadifferenceof28，895miles，ormorethanone-ninthoftheentiredistance。Theperigeedistance，therefore，isthatwhichoughttoserveasthebasisofallcalculations。
Tothe_third_question。
_Answer。_——Iftheshotshouldpreservecontinuouslyitsinitialvelocityof12，000yardspersecond，itwouldrequirelittlemorethanninehourstoreachitsdestination；but，inasmuchasthatinitialvelocitywillbecontinuallydecreasing，itwilloccupy300，000seconds，thatis83hrs。20m。inreachingthepointwheretheattractionoftheearthandmoonwillbe_inequilibrio_。Fromthispointitwillfallintothemoonin50，000seconds，or13hrs。53m。20sec。Itwillbedesirable，therefore，todischargeit97hrs。13m。20sec。beforethearrivalofthemoonatthepointaimedat。
Regardingquestion_four_，\"Atwhatprecisemomentwillthemoonpresentherselfinthemostfavorableposition，etc。？\"
_Answer。_——Afterwhathasbeensaidabove，itwillbenecessary，firstofall，tochoosetheperiodwhenthemoonwillbeinperigee，and_also_themomentwhenshewillbecrossingthezenith，whichlattereventwillfurtherdiminishtheentiredistancebyalengthequaltotheradiusoftheearth，_i。e。_
3，919miles；theresultofwhichwillbethatthefinalpassageremainingtobeaccomplishedwillbe214，976miles。Butalthoughthemoonpassesherperigeeeverymonth，shedoesnotreachthezenithalways_atexactlythesamemoment_。Shedoesnotappearunderthesetwoconditionssimultaneously，exceptatlongintervalsoftime。Itwillbenecessary，therefore，towaitforthemomentwhenherpassageinperigeeshallcoincidewiththatinthezenith。Now，byafortunatecircumstance，onthe4thofDecemberintheensuingyearthemoon_will_presentthesetwoconditions。Atmidnightshewillbeinperigee，thatis，athershortestdistancefromtheearth，andatthesamemomentshewillbecrossingthezenith。
Onthe_fifth_question，\"Atwhatpointintheheavensoughtthecannontobeaimed？\"
_Answer。_——Theprecedingremarksbeingadmitted，thecannonoughttobepointedtothezenithoftheplace。Itsfire，therefore，willbeperpendiculartotheplaneofthehorizon；
andtheprojectilewillsoonestpassbeyondtherangeoftheterrestrialattraction。But，inorderthatthemoonshouldreachthezenithofagivenplace，itisnecessarythattheplaceshouldnotexceedinlatitudethedeclinationoftheluminary；inotherwords，itmustbecomprisedwithinthedegrees0@and28@oflat。N。orS。Ineveryotherspotthefiremustnecessarilybeoblique，whichwouldseriouslymilitateagainstthesuccessoftheexperiment。
Astothe_sixth_question，\"Whatplacewillthemoonoccupyintheheavensatthemomentoftheprojectile\'sdeparture？\"
_Answer。_——Atthemomentwhentheprojectileshallbedischargedintospace，themoon，whichtravelsdailyforward13@10\'35\'\'，willbedistantfromthezenithpointbyfourtimesthatquantity，_i。e。_by52@41\'20\'\'，aspacewhichcorrespondstothepathwhichshewilldescribeduringtheentirejourneyoftheprojectile。
But，inasmuchasitisequallynecessarytotakeintoaccountthedeviationwhichtherotarymotionoftheearthwillimparttotheshot，andastheshotcannotreachthemoonuntilafteradeviationequalto16radiioftheearth，which，calculateduponthemoon\'sorbit，areequaltoaboutelevendegrees，itbecomesnecessarytoaddtheseelevendegreestothosewhichexpresstheretardationofthemoonjustmentioned:thatistosay，inroundnumbers，aboutsixty-fourdegrees。Consequently，atthemomentoffiringthevisualradiusappliedtothemoonwilldescribe，withtheverticallineoftheplace，anangleofsixty-fourdegrees。
TheseareouranswerstothequestionsproposedtotheObservatoryofCambridgebythemembersoftheGunClub:
Tosumup——
1st。Thecannonoughttobeplantedinacountrysituatedbetween0@and28@ofN。orS。lat。
2nd。Itoughttobepointeddirectlytowardthezenithoftheplace。
3rd。Theprojectileoughttobepropelledwithaninitialvelocityof12，000yardspersecond。
4th。Itoughttobedischargedat10hrs。46m。40sec。ofthe1stofDecemberoftheensuingyear。
5th。Itwillmeetthemoonfourdaysafteritsdischarge，preciselyatmidnightonthe4thofDecember，atthemomentofitstransitacrossthezenith。
ThemembersoftheGunClubought，therefore，withoutdelay，tocommencetheworksnecessaryforsuchanexperiment，andtobepreparedtosettoworkatthemomentdeterminedupon；for，iftheyshouldsufferthis4thofDecembertogoby，theywillnotfindthemoonagainunderthesameconditionsofperigeeandofzenithuntileighteenyearsandelevendaysafterward。
ThestaffoftheCambridgeObservatoryplacethemselvesentirelyattheirdisposalinrespectofallquestionsoftheoreticalastronomy；andherewithaddtheircongratulationstothoseofalltherestofAmerica。
FortheAstronomicalStaff，J。M。BELFAST，DirectoroftheObservatoryofCambridge。
CHAPTERV
THEROMANCEOFTHEMOON
Anobserverenduedwithaninfiniterangeofvision，andplacedinthatunknowncenteraroundwhichtheentireworldrevolves，mighthavebeheldmyriadsofatomsfillingallspaceduringthechaoticepochoftheuniverse。Littlebylittle，asageswenton，achangetookplace；agenerallawofattractionmanifesteditself，towhichthehithertoerrantatomsbecameobedient:
theseatomscombinedtogetherchemicallyaccordingtotheiraffinities，formedthemselvesintomolecules，andcomposedthosenebulousmasseswithwhichthedepthsoftheheavensarestrewed。
Thesemassesbecameimmediatelyenduedwitharotarymotionaroundtheirowncentralpoint。Thiscenter，formedofindefinitemolecules，begantorevolvearounditsownaxisduringitsgradualcondensation；then，followingtheimmutablelawsofmechanics，inproportionasitsbulkdiminishedbycondensation，itsrotarymotionbecameaccelerated，andthesetwoeffectscontinuing，theresultwastheformationofoneprincipalstar，thecenterofthenebulousmass。
Byattentivelywatching，theobserverwouldthenhaveperceivedtheothermoleculesofthemass，followingtheexampleofthiscentralstar，becomelikewisecondensedbygraduallyacceleratedrotation，andgravitatingrounditintheshapeofinnumerablestars。
Thuswasformedthe_Nebulae_，ofwhichastronomershavereckonedupnearly5，000。
Amongthese5，000nebulaethereisonewhichhasreceivedthenameoftheMilkyWay，andwhichcontainseighteenmillionsofstars，eachofwhichhasbecomethecenterofasolarworld。
Iftheobserverhadthenspeciallydirectedhisattentiontooneofthemorehumbleandlessbrilliantofthesestellarbodies，astarofthefourthclass，thatwhichisarrogantlycalledtheSun，allthephenomenatowhichtheformationoftheUniverseistobeascribedwouldhavebeensuccessivelyfulfilledbeforehiseyes。
Infact，hewouldhaveperceivedthissun，asyetinthegaseousstate，andcomposedofmovingmolecules，revolvingrounditsaxisinordertoaccomplishitsworkofconcentration。Thismotion，faithfultothelawsofmechanics，wouldhavebeenacceleratedwiththediminutionofitsvolume；andamomentwouldhavearrivedwhenthecentrifugalforcewouldhaveoverpoweredthecentripetal，whichcausesthemoleculesalltotendtowardthecenter。
Anotherphenomenonwouldnowhavepassedbeforetheobserver\'seye，andthemoleculessituatedontheplaneoftheequator，escapinglikeastonefromaslingofwhichthecordhadsuddenlysnapped，wouldhaveformedaroundthesunsundryconcentricringsresemblingthatofSaturn。Intheirturn，again，theseringsofcosmicalmatter，excitedbyarotarymotionaboutthecentralmass，wouldhavebeenbrokenupanddecomposedintosecondarynebulosities，thatistosay，intoplanets。Similarlyhewouldhaveobservedtheseplanetsthrowoffoneormoreringseach，whichbecametheoriginofthesecondarybodieswhichwecallsatellites。
Thus，then，advancingfromatomtomolecule，frommoleculetonebulousmass，fromthattoprincipalstar，fromstartosun，fromsuntoplanet，andhencetosatellite，wehavethewholeseriesoftransformationsundergonebytheheavenlybodiesduringthefirstdaysoftheworld。
Now，ofthoseattendantbodieswhichthesunmaintainsintheirellipticalorbitsbythegreatlawofgravitation，somefewinturnpossesssatellites。Uranushaseight，Saturneight，Jupiterfour，Neptunepossiblythree，andtheEarthone。Thislast，oneoftheleastimportantoftheentiresolarsystem，wecalltheMoon；anditisshewhomthedaringgeniusoftheAmericansprofessedtheirintentionofconquering。
Themoon，byhercomparativeproximity，andtheconstantlyvaryingappearancesproducedbyherseveralphases，hasalwaysoccupiedaconsiderableshareoftheattentionoftheinhabitantsoftheearth。
FromthetimeofThalesofMiletus，inthefifthcenturyB。C。，downtothatofCopernicusinthefifteenthandTychoBraheinthesixteenthcenturyA。D。，observationshavebeenfromtimetotimecarriedonwithmoreorlesscorrectness，untilinthepresentdaythealtitudesofthelunarmountainshavebeendeterminedwithexactitude。Galileoexplainedthephenomenaofthelunarlightproducedduringcertainofherphasesbytheexistenceofmountains，towhichheassignedameanaltitudeof27，000feet。AfterhimHevelius，anastronomerofDantzic，reducedthehighestelevationsto15，000feet；butthecalculationsofRicciolibroughtthemupagainto21，000feet。
AtthecloseoftheeighteenthcenturyHerschel，armedwithapowerfultelescope，considerablyreducedtheprecedingmeasurements。
Heassignedaheightof11，400feettothemaximumelevations，andreducedthemeanofthedifferentaltitudestolittlemorethan2，400feet。ButHerschel\'scalculationswereintheirturncorrectedbytheobservationsofHalley，Nasmyth，Bianchini，Gruithuysen，andothers；butitwasreservedforthelaborsofBoeerandMaedlerfinallytosolvethequestion。Theysucceededinmeasuring1，905differentelevations，ofwhichsixexceed15，000feet，andtwenty-twoexceed14，400feet。Thehighestsummitofalltowerstoaheightof22，606feetabovethesurfaceofthelunardisc。Atthesameperiodtheexaminationofthemoonwascompleted。Sheappearedcompletelyriddledwithcraters，andheressentiallyvolcaniccharacterwasapparentateachobservation。
Bytheabsenceofrefractionintheraysoftheplanetsoccultedbyherweconcludethatsheisabsolutelydevoidofanatmosphere。
Theabsenceofairentailstheabsenceofwater。Itbecame，therefore，manifestthattheSelenites，tosupportlifeundersuchconditions，mustpossessaspecialorganizationoftheirown，mustdifferremarkablyfromtheinhabitantsoftheearth。
Atlength，thankstomodernart，instrumentsofstillhigherperfectionsearchedthemoonwithoutintermission，notleavingasinglepointofhersurfaceunexplored；andnotwithstandingthatherdiametermeasures2，150miles，hersurfaceequalstheone-fifteenthpartofthatofourglobe，andherbulktheone-forty-ninthpartofthatoftheterrestrialspheroid——notoneofhersecretswasabletoescapetheeyesoftheastronomers；andtheseskillfulmenofsciencecarriedtoanevengreaterdegreetheirprodigiousobservations。
Thustheyremarkedthat，duringfullmoon，thediscappearedscoredincertainpartswithwhitelines；and，duringthephases，withblack。Onprosecutingthestudyofthesewithstillgreaterprecision，theysucceededinobtaininganexactaccountofthenatureoftheselines。Theywerelongandnarrowfurrowssunkbetweenparallelridges，borderinggenerallyupontheedgesofthecraters。Theirlengthvariedbetweentenand100
miles，andtheirwidthwasabout1，600yards。Astronomerscalledthemchasms，buttheycouldnotgetanyfurther。Whetherthesechasmswerethedried-upbedsofancientriversornottheywereunablethoroughlytoascertain。
TheAmericans，amongothers，hopedonedayorothertodeterminethisgeologicalquestion。Theyalsoundertooktoexaminethetruenatureofthatsystemofparallelrampartsdiscoveredonthemoon\'ssurfacebyGruithuysen，alearnedprofessorofMunich，whoconsideredthemtobe\"asystemoffortificationsthrownupbytheSeleniticengineers。\"Thesetwopoints，yetobscure，aswellasothers，nodoubt，couldnotbedefinitelysettledexceptbydirectcommunicationwiththemoon。
Regardingthedegreeofintensityofitslight，therewasnothingmoretolearnonthispoint。Itwasknownthatitis300，000timesweakerthanthatofthesun，andthatitsheathasnoappreciableeffectuponthethermometer。Astothephenomenonknownasthe\"ashylight，\"itisexplainednaturallybytheeffectofthetransmissionofthesolarraysfromtheearthtothemoon，whichgivetheappearanceofcompletenesstothelunardisc，whileitpresentsitselfunderthecrescentformduringitsfirstandlastphases。
Suchwasthestateofknowledgeacquiredregardingtheearth\'ssatellite，whichtheGunClubundertooktoperfectinallitsaspects，cosmographic，geological，political，andmoral。
CHAPTERVI
PERMISSIVELIMITSOFIGNORANCEANDBELIEFINTHEUNITEDSTATES
TheimmediateresultofBarbicane\'spropositionwastoplaceupontheordersofthedayalltheastronomicalfactsrelativetotheQueenoftheNight。Everybodysettoworktostudyassiduously。
Onewouldhavethoughtthatthemoonhadjustappearedforthefirsttime，andthatnoonehadeverbeforecaughtaglimpseofherintheheavens。Thepapersrevivedalltheoldanecdotesinwhichthe\"sunofthewolves\"playedapart；theyrecalledtheinfluenceswhichtheignoranceofpastagesascribedtoher；inshort，allAmericawasseizedwithselenomania，orhadbecomemoon-mad。
Thescientificjournals，fortheirpart，dealtmoreespeciallywiththequestionswhichtouchedupontheenterpriseoftheGunClub。
TheletteroftheObservatoryofCambridgewaspublishedbythem，andcommenteduponwithunreservedapproval。
Untilthattimemostpeoplehadbeenignorantofthemodeinwhichthedistancewhichseparatesthemoonfromtheearthiscalculated。
Theytookadvantageofthisfacttoexplaintothemthatthisdistancewasobtainedbymeasuringtheparallaxofthemoon。
Thetermparallaxproving\"caviaretothegeneral，\"theyfurtherexplainedthatitmeanttheangleformedbytheinclinationoftwostraightlinesdrawnfromeitherextremityoftheearth\'sradiustothemoon。Ondoubtsbeingexpressedastothecorrectnessofthismethod，theyimmediatelyprovedthatnotonlywasthemeandistance234，347miles，butthatastronomerscouldnotpossiblybeinerrorintheirestimatebymorethanseventymileseitherway。
Tothosewhowerenotfamiliarwiththemotionsofthemoon，theydemonstratedthatshepossessestwodistinctmotions，thefirstbeingthatofrotationuponheraxis，thesecondbeingthatofrevolutionroundtheearth，accomplishingbothtogetherinanequalperiodoftime，thatistosay，intwenty-sevenandone-thirddays。
Themotionofrotationisthatwhichproducesdayandnightonthesurfaceofthemoon；savethatthereisonlyonedayandonenightinthelunarmonth，eachlastingthreehundredandfifty-fourandone-thirdhours。But，happilyforher，thefaceturnedtowardtheterrestrialglobeisilluminatedbyitwithanintensityequaltothatoffourteenmoons。Astotheotherface，alwaysinvisibletous，ithasofnecessitythreehundredandfifty-fourhoursofabsolutenight，temperedonlybythat\"paleglimmerwhichfallsuponitfromthestars。\"
Somewell-intentioned，butratherobstinatepersons，couldnotatfirstcomprehendhow，ifthemoondisplaysinvariablythesamefacetotheearthduringherrevolution，shecandescribeoneturnroundherself。Tosuchtheyanswered，\"Gointoyourdining-room，andwalkroundthetableinsuchawayastoalwayskeepyourfaceturnedtowardthecenter；bythetimeyouwillhaveachievedonecompleteroundyouwillhavecompletedoneturnaroundyourself，sinceyoureyewillhavetraversedsuccessivelyeverypointoftheroom。Well，then，theroomistheheavens，thetableistheearth，andthemoonisyourself。\"
Andtheywouldgoawaydelighted。
So，thenthemoondisplaysinvariablythesamefacetotheearth；nevertheless，tobequiteexact，itisnecessarytoaddthat，inconsequenceofcertainfluctuationsofnorthandsouth，andofwestandeast，termedherlibration，shepermitsrathermorethanhalf，thatistosay，five-sevenths，tobeseen。
Assoonastheignoramusescametounderstandasmuchasthedirectoroftheobservatoryhimselfknew，theybegantoworrythemselvesregardingherrevolutionroundtheearth，whereupontwentyscientificreviewsimmediatelycametotherescue。
Theypointedouttothemthatthefirmament，withitsinfinitudeofstars，maybeconsideredasonevastdial-plate，uponwhichthemoontravels，indicatingthetruetimetoalltheinhabitantsoftheearth；thatitisduringthismovementthattheQueenofNightexhibitsherdifferentphases；thatthemoonis_full_
whensheisin_opposition_withthesun，thatiswhenthethreebodiesareonthesamestraightline，theearthoccupyingthecenter；thatsheis_new_whensheisin_conjunction_withthesun，thatis，whensheisbetweenitandtheearth；and，lastlythatsheisinher_first_or_last_quarter，whenshemakeswiththesunandtheearthanangleofwhichsheherselfoccupiestheapex。
Regardingthealtitudewhichthemoonattainsabovethehorizon，theletteroftheCambridgeObservatoryhadsaidallthatwastobesaidinthisrespect。Everyoneknewthatthisaltitudevariesaccordingtothelatitudeoftheobserver。Buttheonlyzonesoftheglobeinwhichthemoonpassesthezenith，thatis，thepointdirectlyovertheheadofthespectator，areofnecessitycomprisedbetweenthetwenty-eighthparallelsandtheequator。Hencetheimportanceoftheadvicetotrytheexperimentuponsomepointofthatpartoftheglobe，inorderthattheprojectilemightbedischargedperpendicularly，andsothesoonestescapetheactionofgravitation。Thiswasanessentialconditiontothesuccessoftheenterprise，andcontinuedactivelytoengagethepublicattention。
Regardingthepathdescribedbythemooninherrevolutionroundtheearth，theCambridgeObservatoryhaddemonstratedthatthispathisare-enteringcurve，notaperfectcircle，butanellipse，ofwhichtheearthoccupiesoneofthe_foci_。Itwasalsowellunderstoodthatitisfarthestremovedfromtheearthduringits_apogee_，andapproachesmostnearlytoitatits_perigee_。
SuchwasthentheextentofknowledgepossessedbyeveryAmericanonthesubject，andofwhichnoonecoulddecentlyprofessignorance。Still，whiletheseprincipleswerebeingrapidlydisseminatedmanyerrorsandillusoryfearsprovedlesseasytoeradicate。
Forinstance，someworthypersonsmaintainedthatthemoonwasanancientcometwhich，indescribingitselongatedorbitroundthesun，happenedtopassneartheearth，andbecameconfinedwithinhercircleofattraction。Thesedrawing-roomastronomersprofessedtoexplainthecharredaspectofthemoon——adisasterwhichtheyattributedtotheintensityofthesolarheat；only，onbeingremindedthatcometshaveanatmosphere，andthatthemoonhaslittleornone，theywerefairlyatalossforareply。
Othersagain，belongingtothedoubtingclass，expressedcertainfearsastothepositionofthemoon。Theyhadhearditsaidthat，accordingtoobservationsmadeinthetimeoftheCaliphs，herrevolutionhadbecomeacceleratedinacertaindegree。
Hencetheyconcluded，logicallyenough，thatanaccelerationofmotionoughttobeaccompaniedbyacorrespondingdiminutioninthedistanceseparatingthetwobodies；andthat，supposingthedoubleeffecttobecontinuedtoinfinity，themoonwouldendbyonedayfallingintotheearth。However，theybecamereassuredastothefateoffuturegenerationsonbeingapprisedthat，accordingtothecalculationsofLaplace，thisaccelerationofmotionisconfinedwithinveryrestrictedlimits，andthataproportionaldiminutionofspeedwillbecertaintosucceedit。
So，then，thestabilityofthesolarsystemwouldnotbederangedinagestocome。
Thereremainsbutthethirdclass，thesuperstitious。
Theseworthieswerenotcontentmerelytorestinignorance；
theymustknowallaboutthingswhichhadnoexistencewhatever，andastothemoon，theyhadlongknownallabouther。Onesetregardedherdiscasapolishedmirror，bymeansofwhichpeoplecouldseeeachotherfromdifferentpointsoftheearthandinterchangetheirthoughts。Anothersetpretendedthatoutofonethousandnewmoonsthathadbeenobserved，ninehundredandfiftyhadbeenattendedwithremarkabledisturbances，suchascataclysms，revolutions，earthquakes，thedeluge，etc。Thentheybelievedinsomemysteriousinfluenceexercisedbyheroverhumandestinies——thateverySelenitewasattachedtosomeinhabitantoftheearthbyatieofsympathy；theymaintainedthattheentirevitalsystemissubjecttohercontrol，etc。Butintimethemajorityrenouncedthesevulgarerrors，andespousedthetruesideofthequestion。AsfortheYankees，theyhadnootherambitionthantotakepossessionofthisnewcontinentofthesky，andtoplantuponthesummitofitshighestelevationthestar-
spangledbanneroftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。
CHAPTERVII
THEHYMNOFTHECANNON-BALL
TheObservatoryofCambridgeinitsmemorableletterhadtreatedthequestionfromapurelyastronomicalpointofview。Themechanicalpartstillremained。
PresidentBarbicanehad，withoutlossoftime，nominatedaworkingcommitteeoftheGunClub。Thedutyofthiscommitteewastoresolvethethreegrandquestionsofthecannon，theprojectile，andthepowder。Itwascomposedoffourmembersofgreattechnicalknowledge，Barbicanewithacastingvoteincaseofequality，GeneralMorgan，MajorElphinstone，andJ。T。
Maston，towhomwereconfidedthefunctionsofsecretary。Onthe8thofOctoberthecommitteemetatthehouseofPresidentBarbicane，3RepublicanStreet。Themeetingwasopenedbythepresidenthimself。
\"Gentlemen，\"saidhe，\"wehavetoresolveoneofthemostimportantproblemsinthewholeofthenoblescienceofgunnery。
Itmightappear，perhaps，themostlogicalcoursetodevoteourfirstmeetingtothediscussionoftheenginetobeemployed。
Nevertheless，aftermatureconsideration，ithasappearedtomethatthequestionoftheprojectilemusttakeprecedenceofthatofthecannon，andthatthedimensionsofthelattermustnecessarilydependonthoseoftheformer。\"
\"Suffermetosayaword，\"herebrokeinJ。T。Maston。
Permissionhavingbeengranted，\"Gentlemen，\"saidhewithaninspiredaccent，\"ourpresidentisrightinplacingthequestionoftheprojectileaboveallothers。Theballweareabouttodischargeatthemoonisourambassadortoher，andIwishtoconsideritfromamoralpointofview。Thecannon-ball，gentlemen，tomymind，isthemostmagnificentmanifestationofhumanpower。IfProvidencehascreatedthestarsandtheplanets，manhascalledthecannon-ballintoexistence。LetProvidenceclaimtheswiftnessofelectricityandoflight，ofthestars，thecomets，andtheplanets，ofwindandsound——weclaimtohaveinventedtheswiftnessofthecannon-ball，ahundredtimessuperiortothatoftheswiftesthorsesorrailwaytrain。
Howgloriouswillbethemomentwhen，infinitelyexceedingallhithertoattainedvelocities，weshalllaunchournewprojectilewiththerapidityofsevenmilesasecond！Shallitnot，gentlemen——shallitnotbereceiveduptherewiththehonorsduetoaterrestrialambassador？\"
Overcomewithemotiontheoratorsatdownandappliedhimselftoahugeplateofsandwichesbeforehim。
\"Andnow，\"saidBarbicane，\"letusquitthedomainofpoetryandcomedirecttothequestion。\"
\"Byallmeans，\"repliedthemembers，eachwithhismouthfullofsandwich。
\"Theproblembeforeus，\"continuedthepresident，\"ishowtocommunicatetoaprojectileavelocityof12，000yardspersecond。
Letusatpresentexaminethevelocitieshithertoattained。
GeneralMorganwillbeabletoenlightenusonthispoint。\"
\"Andthemoreeasily，\"repliedthegeneral，\"thatduringthewarIwasamemberofthecommitteeofexperiments。Imaysay，then，thatthe100-pounderDahlgrens，whichcarriedadistanceof5，000yards，impressedupontheirprojectileaninitialvelocityof500yardsasecond。TheRodmanColumbiadthrewashotweighinghalfatonadistanceofsixmiles，withavelocityof800yardspersecond——aresultwhichArmstrongandPalisserhaveneverobtainedinEngland。\"
\"This，\"repliedBarbicane，\"is，Ibelieve，themaximumvelocityeverattained？\"
\"Itisso，\"repliedthegeneral。
\"Ah！\"groanedJ。T。Maston，\"ifmymortarhadnotburst——\"
\"Yes，\"quietlyrepliedBarbicane，\"butitdidburst。Wemusttake，then，forourstartingpoint，thisvelocityof800yards。
Wemustincreaseittwenty-fold。Now，reservingforanotherdiscussionthemeansofproducingthisvelocity，Iwillcallyourattentiontothedimensionswhichitwillbepropertoassigntotheshot。Youunderstandthatwehavenothingtodoherewithprojectilesweighingatmostbuthalfaton。\"
\"Whynot？\"demandedthemajor。
\"Becausetheshot，\"quicklyrepliedJ。T。Maston，\"mustbebigenoughtoattracttheattentionoftheinhabitantsofthemoon，ifthereareany？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedBarbicane，\"andforanotherreasonmoreimportantstill。\"
\"Whatmeanyou？\"askedthemajor。
\"Imeanthatitisnotenoughtodischargeaprojectile，andthentakenofurthernoticeofit；wemustfollowitthroughoutitscourse，uptothemomentwhenitshallreachitsgoal。\"
\"What？\"shoutedthegeneralandthemajoringreatsurprise。
\"Undoubtedly，\"repliedBarbicanecomposedly，\"orourexperimentwouldproducenoresult。\"
\"Butthen，\"repliedthemajor，\"youwillhavetogivethisprojectileenormousdimensions。\"
\"No！Besogoodastolisten。Youknowthatopticalinstrumentshaveacquiredgreatperfection；withcertaininstrumentswehavesucceededinobtainingenlargementsof6，000
timesandreducingthemoontowithinfortymiles\'distance。
Now，atthisdistance，anyobjectssixtyfeetsquarewouldbeperfectlyvisible。
\"If，then，thepenetrativepoweroftelescopeshasnotbeenfurtherincreased，itisbecausethatpowerdetractsfromtheirlight；andthemoon，whichisbutareflectingmirror，doesnotgivebacksufficientlighttoenableustoperceiveobjectsoflessermagnitude。\"
\"Well，then，whatdoyouproposetodo？\"askedthegeneral。
\"Wouldyougiveyourprojectileadiameterofsixtyfeet？\"
\"Notso。\"
\"Doyouintend，then，toincreasetheluminouspowerofthemoon？\"
\"Exactlyso。IfIcansucceedindiminishingthedensityoftheatmospherethroughwhichthemoon\'slighthastotravelIshallhaverenderedherlightmoreintense。Toeffectthatobjectitwillbeenoughtoestablishatelescopeonsomeelevatedmountain。
Thatiswhatwewilldo。\"
\"Igiveitup，\"answeredthemajor。\"Youhavesuchawayofsimplifyingthings。Andwhatenlargementdoyouexpecttoobtaininthisway？\"
\"Oneof48，000times，whichshouldbringthemoonwithinanapparentdistanceoffivemiles；and，inordertobevisible，objectsneednothaveadiameterofmorethanninefeet。\"
\"So，then，\"criedJ。T。Maston，\"ourprojectileneednotbemorethanninefeetindiameter。\"
\"Letmeobserve，however，\"interruptedMajorElphinstone，\"thiswillinvolveaweightsuchas——\"
\"Mydearmajor，\"repliedBarbicane，\"beforediscussingitsweightpermitmetoenumeratesomeofthemarvelswhichourancestorshaveachievedinthisrespect。Idon\'tmeantopretendthatthescienceofgunneryhasnotadvanced，butitisaswelltobearinmindthatduringthemiddleagestheyobtainedresultsmoresurprising，Iwillventuretosay，thanours。
Forinstance，duringthesiegeofConstantinoplebyMahometII。，in1453，stoneshotof1，900poundsweightwereemployed。AtMalta，inthetimeoftheknights，therewasagunofthefortressofSt。