Theywerethenoccupyingthecenterofarockyplain，whichthesunscorchedwithitsparchingrays。Thiswasformedbyaconsiderableelevationofthesoil，whichseemedtooffertothemembersoftheGunCluballtheconditionsrequisitefortheconstructionoftheirColumbiad。
\"Halt！\"saidBarbicane，reiningup。\"Hasthisplaceanylocalappellation？\"
\"ItiscalledStonesHill，\"repliedoneoftheFloridans。
Barbicane，withoutsayingaword，dismounted，seizedhisinstruments，andbegantonotehispositionwithextremeexactness。Thelittleband，drawnupintherear，watchedhisproceedingsinprofoundsilence。
Atthismomentthesunpassedthemeridian。Barbicane，afterafewmoments，rapidlywrotedowntheresultofhisobservations，andsaid:
\"Thisspotissituatedeighteenhundredfeetabovethelevelofthesea，in27@7\'N。lat。and5@7\'W。long。ofthemeridianofWashington。Itappearstomebyitsrockyandbarrencharactertoofferalltheconditionsrequisiteforourexperiment。Onthatplainwillberaisedourmagazines，workshops，furnaces，andworkmen\'shuts；andhere，fromthisveryspot，\"saidhe，stampinghisfootonthesummitofStonesHill，\"henceshallourprojectiletakeitsflightintotheregionsoftheSolarWorld。\"
CHAPTERXIV
PICKAXEANDTROWEL
ThesameeveningBarbicaneandhiscompanionsreturnedtoTampaTown；andMurchison，theengineer，re-embarkedonboardtheTampicoforNewOrleans。Hisobjectwastoenlistanarmyofworkmen，andtocollecttogetherthegreaterpartofthematerials。
ThemembersoftheGunClubremainedatTampaTown，forthepurposeofsettingonfootthepreliminaryworksbytheaidofthepeopleofthecountry。
Eightdaysafteritsdeparture，theTampicoreturnedintothebayofEspirituSanto，withawholeflotillaofsteamboats。
Murchisonhadsucceededinassemblingtogetherfifteenhundredartisans。AttractedbythehighpayandconsiderablebountiesofferedbytheGunClub，hehadenlistedachoicelegionofstokers，iron-founders，lime-burners，miners，brickmakers，andartisansofeverytrade，withoutdistinctionofcolor。Asmanyofthesepeoplebroughttheirfamilieswiththem，theirdepartureresembledaperfectemigration。
Onthe31stofOctober，atteno\'clockinthemorning，thetroopdisembarkedonthequaysofTampaTown；andonemayimaginetheactivitywhichpervadedthatlittletown，whosepopulationwasthusdoubledinasingleday。
Duringthefirstfewdaystheywerebusydischargingthecargobroughtbytheflotilla，themachines，andtherations，aswellasalargenumberofhutsconstructedofironplates，separatelypiecedandnumbered。AtthesameperiodBarbicanelaidthefirstsleepersofarailwayfifteenmilesinlength，intendedtouniteStonesHillwithTampaTown。OnthefirstofNovemberBarbicanequittedTampaTownwithadetachmentofworkmen；andonthefollowingdaythewholetownofhutswaserectedroundStonesHill。Thistheyenclosedwithpalisades；andinrespectofenergyandactivity，itmighthavebeenmistakenforoneofthegreatcitiesoftheUnion。Everythingwasplacedunderacompletesystemofdiscipline，andtheworkswerecommencedinmostperfectorder。
Thenatureofthesoilhavingbeencarefullyexamined，bymeansofrepeatedborings，theworkofexcavationwasfixedforthe4thofNovember。
OnthatdayBarbicanecalledtogetherhisforemenandaddressedthemasfollows:\"Youarewellaware，myfriends，oftheobjectwithwhichIhaveassembledyoutogetherinthiswildpartofFlorida。Ourbusinessistoconstructacannonmeasuringninefeetinitsinteriordiameter，sixfeetthick，andwithastonerevetmentofnineteenandahalffeetinthickness。Wehave，therefore，awellofsixtyfeetindiametertodigdowntoadepthofninehundredfeet。Thisgreatworkmustbecompletedwithineightmonths，sothatyouhave2，543，400cubicfeetofearthtoexcavatein255days；thatistosay，inroundnumbers，2，000cubicfeetperday。Thatwhichwouldpresentnodifficultytoathousandnavviesworkinginopencountrywillbeofcoursemoretroublesomeinacomparativelyconfinedspace。However，thethingmustbedone，andIreckonforitsaccomplishmentuponyourcourageasmuchasuponyourskill。\"
Ateighto\'clockthenextmorningthefirststrokeofthepickaxewasstruckuponthesoilofFlorida；andfromthatmomentthatprinceoftoolswasneverinactiveforonemomentinthehandsoftheexcavators。Thegangsrelievedeachothereverythreehours。
Onthe4thofNovemberfiftyworkmencommenceddigging，intheverycenteroftheenclosedspaceonthesummitofStonesHill，acircularholesixtyfeetindiameter。Thepickaxefirststruckuponakindofblackearth，sixinchesinthickness，whichwasspeedilydisposedof。Tothisearthsucceededtwofeetoffinesand，whichwascarefullylaidasideasbeingvaluableforservingthecastingoftheinnermould。Afterthesandappearedsomecompactwhiteclay，resemblingthechalkofGreatBritain，whichextendeddowntoadepthoffourfeet。
Thentheironofthepicksstruckuponthehardbedofthesoil；
akindofrockformedofpetrifiedshells，verydry，verysolid，andwhichthepickscouldwithdifficultypenetrate。Atthispointtheexcavationexhibitedadepthofsixandahalffeetandtheworkofthemasonrywasbegun。
Atthebottomoftheexcavationtheyconstructedawheelofoak，akindofcirclestronglyboltedtogether，andofimmensestrength。
ThecenterofthiswoodendiscwashollowedouttoadiameterequaltotheexteriordiameteroftheColumbiad。Uponthiswheelrestedthefirstlayersofthemasonry，thestonesofwhichwereboundtogetherbyhydrauliccement，withirresistibletenacity。
Theworkmen，afterlayingthestonesfromthecircumferencetothecenter，werethusenclosedwithinakindofwelltwenty-onefeetindiameter。Whenthisworkwasaccomplished，theminersresumedtheirpicksandcutawaytherockfromunderneaththewheelitself，takingcaretosupportitastheyadvanceduponblocksofgreatthickness。Ateverytwofeetwhichtheholegainedindepththeysuccessivelywithdrewtheblocks。Thewheelthensanklittlebylittle，andwithitthemassiveringofmasonry，ontheupperbedofwhichthemasonslaboredincessantly，alwaysreservingsomeventholestopermittheescapeofgasduringtheoperationofthecasting。
Thiskindofworkrequiredonthepartoftheworkmenextremenicetyandminuteattention。Morethanone，indiggingunderneaththewheel，wasdangerouslyinjuredbythesplintersofstone。Buttheirardorneverrelaxed，nightorday。Bydaytheyworkedundertheraysofthescorchingsun；bynight，underthegleamoftheelectriclight。Thesoundsofthepicksagainsttherock，theburstingofmines，thegrindingofthemachines，thewreathsofsmokescatteredthroughtheair，tracedaroundStonesHillacircleofterrorwhichtheherdsofbuffaloesandthewarpartiesoftheSeminolesneverventuredtopass。
Nevertheless，theworksadvancedregularly，asthesteam-cranesactivelyremovedtherubbish。Ofunexpectedobstaclestherewaslittleaccount；andwithregardtoforeseendifficulties，theywerespeedilydisposedof。
Attheexpirationofthefirstmonththewellhadattainedthedepthassignedforthatlapseoftime，namely，112feet。ThisdepthwasdoubledinDecember，andtrebledinJanuary。
DuringthemonthofFebruarytheworkmenhadtocontendwithasheetofwaterwhichmadeitswayrightacrosstheoutersoil。
Itbecamenecessarytoemployverypowerfulpumpsandcompressed-airenginestodrainitoff，soastocloseuptheorificefromwhenceitissued；justasonestopsaleakonboardship。Theyatlastsucceededingettingtheupperhandoftheseuntowardstreams；only，inconsequenceofthelooseningofthesoil，thewheelpartlygaveway，andaslightpartialsettlementensued。Thisaccidentcostthelifeofseveralworkmen。
Nofreshoccurrencethenceforwardarrestedtheprogressoftheoperation；andonthetenthofJune，twentydaysbeforetheexpirationoftheperiodfixedbyBarbicane，thewell，linedthroughoutwithitsfacingofstone，hadattainedthedepthof900feet。Atthebottomthemasonryresteduponamassiveblockmeasuringthirtyfeetinthickness，whileontheupperportionitwaslevelwiththesurroundingsoil。
PresidentBarbicaneandthemembersoftheGunClubwarmlycongratulatedtheirengineerMurchison；thecyclopeanworkhadbeenaccomplishedwithextraordinaryrapidity。
DuringtheseeightmonthsBarbicaneneverquittedStonesHillforasingleinstant。Keepingeverclosebytheworkofexcavation，hebusiedhimselfincessantlywiththewelfareandhealthofhisworkpeople，andwassingularlyfortunateinwardingofftheepidemicscommontolargecommunitiesofmen，andsodisastrousinthoseregionsoftheglobewhichareexposedtotheinfluencesoftropicalclimates。
Manyworkmen，itistrue，paidwiththeirlivesfortherashnessinherentinthesedangerouslabors；butthesemishapsareimpossibletobeavoided，andtheyareclassedamongthedetailswithwhichtheAmericanstroublethemselvesbutlittle。Theyhaveinfactmoreregardforhumannatureingeneralthanfortheindividualinparticular。
Nevertheless，Barbicaneprofessedoppositeprinciplestothese，andputtheminforceateveryopportunity。So，thankstohiscare，hisintelligence，hisusefulinterventioninalldifficulties，hisprodigiousandhumanesagacity，theaverageofaccidentsdidnotexceedthatoftransatlanticcountries，notedfortheirexcessiveprecautions——France，forinstance，amongothers，wheretheyreckonaboutoneaccidentforeverytwohundredthousandfrancsofwork。
CHAPTERXV
THEFETEOFTHECASTING
Duringtheeightmonthswhichwereemployedintheworkofexcavationthepreparatoryworksofthecastinghadbeencarriedonsimultaneouslywithextremerapidity。AstrangerarrivingatStonesHillwouldhavebeensurprisedatthespectacleofferedtohisview。
At600yardsfromthewell，andcircularlyarrangedarounditasacentralpoint，rose1，200reverberatingovens，eachsixfeetindiameter，andseparatedfromeachotherbyanintervalofthreefeet。Thecircumferenceoccupiedbythese1，200ovenspresentedalengthoftwomiles。Beingallconstructedonthesameplan，eachwithitshighquadrangularchimney，theyproducedamostsingulareffect。
ItwillberememberedthatontheirthirdmeetingthecommitteehaddecidedtousecastironfortheColumbiad，andinparticularthewhitedescription。Thismetal，infact，isthemosttenacious，themostductile，andthemostmalleable，andconsequentlysuitableforallmouldingoperations；andwhensmeltedwithpitcoal，isofsuperiorqualityforallengineeringworksrequiringgreatresistingpower，suchascannon，steamboilers，hydraulicpresses，andthelike。
Castiron，however，ifsubjectedtoonlyonesinglefusion，israrelysufficientlyhomogeneous；anditrequiresasecondfusioncompletelytorefineitbydispossessingitofitslastearthlydeposits。SolongbeforebeingforwardedtoTampaTown，theironore，molteninthegreatfurnacesofColdspring，andbroughtintocontactwithcoalandsiliciumheatedtoahightemperature，wascarburizedandtransformedintocastiron。
Afterthisfirstoperation，themetalwassentontoStonesHill。
Theyhad，however，todealwith136，000，000poundsofiron，aquantityfartoocostlytosendbyrailway。Thecostoftransportwouldhavebeendoublethatofmaterial。ItappearedpreferabletofreightvesselsatNewYork，andtoloadthemwiththeironinbars。This，however，requirednotlessthansixty-
eightvesselsof1，000tons，averitablefleet，which，quittingNewYorkonthe3rdofMay，onthe10thofthesamemonthascendedtheBayofEspirituSanto，anddischargedtheircargoes，withoutdues，intheportatTampaTown。ThencetheironwastransportedbyrailtoStonesHill，andaboutthemiddleofJanuarythisenormousmassofmetalwasdeliveredatitsdestination。
Itwilleasilybeunderstoodthat1，200furnaceswerenottoomanytomeltsimultaneouslythese60，000tonsofiron。Eachofthesefurnacescontainednearly140，000poundsweightofmetal。
TheywereallbuiltafterthemodelofthosewhichservedforthecastingoftheRodmangun；theyweretrapezoidalinshape，withahighellipticalarch。Thesefurnaces，constructedoffireproofbrick，wereespeciallyadaptedforburningpitcoal，withaflatbottomuponwhichtheironbarswerelaid。Thisbottom，inclinedatanangleof25degrees，allowedthemetaltoflowintothereceivingtroughs；andthe1，200convergingtrenchescarriedthemoltenmetaldowntothecentralwell。
Thedayfollowingthatonwhichtheworksofthemasonryandboringhadbeencompleted，Barbicanesettoworkuponthecentralmould。Hisobjectnowwastoraisewithinthecenterofthewell，andwithacoincidentaxis，acylinder900feethigh，andninefeetindiameter，whichshouldexactlyfillupthespacereservedfortheboreoftheColumbiad。Thiscylinderwascomposedofamixtureofclayandsand，withtheadditionofalittlehayandstraw。Thespaceleftbetweenthemouldandthemasonrywasintendedtobefilledupbythemoltenmetal，whichwouldthusformthewallssixfeetinthickness。Thiscylinder，inordertomaintainitsequilibrium，hadtobeboundbyironbands，andfirmlyfixedatcertainintervalsbycross-clampsfastenedintothestonelining；afterthecastingsthesewouldbeburiedintheblockofmetal，leavingnoexternalprojection。
Thisoperationwascompletedonthe8thofJuly，andtherunofthemetalwasfixedforthefollowingday。
\"This_fete_ofthecastingwillbeagrandceremony，\"saidJ。
T。MastontohisfriendBarbicane。
\"Undoubtedly，\"saidBarbicane；\"butitwillnotbeapublic_fete_\"
\"What！willyounotopenthegatesoftheenclosuretoallcomers？\"
\"Imustbeverycareful，Maston。ThecastingoftheColumbiadisanextremelydelicate，nottosayadangerousoperation，andIshouldpreferitsbeingdoneprivately。Atthedischargeoftheprojectile，a_fete_ifyoulike——tillthen，no！\"
Thepresidentwasright。Theoperationinvolvedunforeseendangers，whichagreatinfluxofspectatorswouldhavehinderedhimfromaverting。Itwasnecessarytopreservecompletefreedomofmovement。NoonewasadmittedwithintheenclosureexceptadelegationofmembersoftheGunClub，whohadmadethevoyagetoTampaTown。AmongthesewasthebriskBilsby，TomHunter，ColonelBlomsberry，MajorElphinstone，GeneralMorgan，andtherestofthelottowhomthecastingoftheColumbiadwasamatterofpersonalinterest。J。T。Mastonbecametheircicerone。
Heomittednopointofdetail；heconductedthemthroughoutthemagazines，workshops，throughthemidstoftheengines，andcompelledthemtovisitthewhole1，200furnacesoneaftertheother。Attheendofthetwelve-hundredthvisittheywereprettywellknockedup。
Thecastingwastotakeplaceattwelveo\'clockprecisely。
Thepreviouseveningeachfurnacehadbeenchargedwith114，000
poundsweightofmetalinbarsdisposedcross-waystoeachother，soastoallowthehotairtocirculatefreelybetweenthem。
Atdaybreakthe1，200chimneysvomitedtheirtorrentsofflameintotheair，andthegroundwasagitatedwithdulltremblings。
Asmanypoundsofmetalasthereweretocast，somanypoundsofcoalweretheretoburn。Thustherewere68，000tonsofcoalwhichprojectedinthefaceofthesunathickcurtainofsmoke。
Theheatsoonbecameinsupportablewithinthecircleoffurnaces，therumblingofwhichresembledtherollingofthunder。Thepowerfulventilatorsaddedtheircontinuousblastsandsaturatedwithoxygentheglowingplates。Theoperation，tobesuccessful，requiredtobeconductedwithgreatrapidity。Onasignalgivenbyacannon-shoteachfurnacewastogiveventtothemoltenironandcompletelytoemptyitself。Thesearrangementsmade，foremenandworkmenwaitedthepreconcertedmomentwithanimpatiencemingledwithacertainamountofemotion。Notasoulremainedwithintheenclosure。Eachsuperintendenttookhispostbytheapertureoftherun。
Barbicaneandhiscolleagues，perchedonaneighboringeminence，assistedattheoperation。Infrontofthemwasapieceofartilleryreadytogivefireonthesignalfromtheengineer。
Someminutesbeforemiddaythefirstdribletsofmetalbegantoflow；thereservoirsfilledlittlebylittle；and，bythetimethatthewholemeltingwascompletelyaccomplished，itwaskeptinabeyanceforafewminutesinordertofacilitatetheseparationofforeignsubstances。
Twelveo\'clockstruck！Agunshotsuddenlypealedforthandshotitsflameintotheair。Twelvehundredmelting-troughsweresimultaneouslyopenedandtwelvehundredfieryserpentscrepttowardthecentralwell，unrollingtheirincandescentcurves。
There，downtheyplungedwithaterrificnoiseintoadepthof900feet。Itwasanexcitingandamagnificentspectacle。
Thegroundtrembled，whilethesemoltenwaves，launchingintotheskytheirwreathsofsmoke，evaporatedthemoistureofthemouldandhurleditupwardthroughthevent-holesofthestoneliningintheformofdensevapor-clouds。Theseartificialcloudsunrolledtheirthickspiralstoaheightof1，000yardsintotheair。Asavage，wanderingsomewherebeyondthelimitsofthehorizon，mighthavebelievedthatsomenewcraterwasforminginthebosomofFlorida，althoughtherewasneitheranyeruption，nortyphoon，norstorm，norstruggleoftheelements，noranyofthoseterriblephenomenawhichnatureiscapableofproducing。
No，itwasmanalonewhohadproducedthesereddishvapors，thesegiganticflamesworthyofavolcanoitself，thesetremendousvibrationsresemblingtheshockofanearthquake，thesereverberationsrivalingthoseofhurricanesandstorms；
anditwashishandwhichprecipitatedintoanabyss，dugbyhimself，awholeNiagaraofmoltenmetal！
CHAPTERXVI
THECOLUMBIAD
Hadthecastingsucceeded？Theywerereducedtomereconjecture。
Therewasindeedeveryreasontoexpectsuccess，sincethemouldhasabsorbedtheentiremassofthemoltenmetal；stillsomeconsiderabletimemustelapsebeforetheycouldarriveatanycertaintyuponthematter。
ThepatienceofthemembersoftheGunClubwassorelytriedduringthisperiodoftime。Buttheycoulddonothing。J。T。Mastonescapedroastingbyamiracle。FifteendaysafterthecastinganimmensecolumnofsmokewasstillrisingintheopenskyandthegroundburnedthesolesofthefeetwithinaradiusoftwohundredfeetroundthesummitofStonesHill。Itwasimpossibletoapproachnearer。Alltheycoulddowastowaitwithwhatpatiencetheymight。
\"Hereweareatthe10thofAugust，\"exclaimedJ。T。Mastononemorning，\"onlyfourmonthstothe1stofDecember！Weshallneverbereadyintime！\"Barbicanesaidnothing，buthissilencecoveredseriousirritation。
However，dailyobservationsrevealedacertainchangegoingoninthestateoftheground。Aboutthe15thofAugustthevaporsejectedhadsensiblydiminishedinintensityandthickness。
Somedaysafterwardtheearthexhaledonlyaslightpuffofsmoke，thelastbreathofthemonsterenclosedwithinitscircleofstone。Littlebylittlethebeltofheatcontracted，untilonthe22ndofAugust，Barbicane，hiscolleagues，andtheengineerwereenabledtosetfootontheironsheetwhichlayleveluponthesummitofStonesHill。
\"Atlast！\"exclaimedthepresidentoftheGunClub，withanimmensesighofrelief。
Theworkwasresumedthesameday。Theyproceededatoncetoextracttheinteriormould，forthepurposeofclearingouttheboringofthepiece。Pickaxesandboringironsweresettoworkwithoutintermission。Theclayeyandsandysoilshadacquiredextremehardnessundertheactionoftheheat；but，bytheaidofthemachines，therubbishonbeingdugoutwasrapidlycartedawayonrailwaywagons；andsuchwastheardorofthework，sopersuasivetheargumentsofBarbicane\'sdollars，thatbythe3rdofSeptemberalltracesofthemouldhadentirelydisappeared。
Immediatelytheoperationofboringwascommenced；andbytheaidofpowerfulmachines，afewweekslater，theinnersurfaceoftheimmensetubehadbeenrenderedperfectlycylindrical，andtheboreofthepiecehadacquiredathoroughpolish。
Atlength，onthe22dofSeptember，lessthanatwelvemonthafterBarbicane\'soriginalproposition，theenormousweapon，accuratelybored，andexactlyverticallypointed，wasreadyforwork。Therewasonlythemoonnowtowaitfor；andtheywereprettysurethatshewouldnotfailintherendezvous。
TheecstasyofJ。T。Mastonknewnobounds，andhenarrowlyescapedafrightfulfallwhilestaringdownthetube。ButforthestronghandofColonelBlomsberry，theworthysecretary，likeamodernErostratus，wouldhavefoundhisdeathinthedepthsoftheColumbiad。
Thecannonwasthenfinished；therewasnopossibledoubtastoitsperfectcompletion。So，onthe6thofOctober，CaptainNichollopenedanaccountbetweenhimselfandPresidentBarbicane，inwhichhedebitedhimselftothelatterinthesumoftwothousanddollars。Onemaybelievethatthecaptain\'swrathwasincreasedtoitshighestpoint，andmusthavemadehimseriouslyill。
However，hehadstillthreebetsofthree，four，andfivethousanddollars，respectively；andifhegainedtwooutofthese，hispositionwouldnotbeverybad。Butthemoneyquestiondidnotenterintohiscalculations；itwasthesuccessofhisrivalincastingacannonagainstwhichironplatessixtyfeetthickwouldhavebeenineffectual，thatdealthimaterribleblow。
Afterthe23rdofSeptembertheenclosureofStoneshillwasthrownopentothepublic；anditwillbeeasilyimaginedwhatwastheconcourseofvisitorstothisspot！TherewasanincessantflowofpeopletoandfromTampaTownandtheplace，whichresembledaprocession，orrather，infact，apilgrimage。
Itwasalreadycleartobeseenthat，onthedayoftheexperimentitself，theaggregateofspectatorswouldbecountedbymillions；fortheywerealreadyarrivingfromallpartsoftheearthuponthisnarrowstripofpromontory。EuropewasemigratingtoAmerica。
Uptothattime，however，itmustbeconfessed，thecuriosityofthenumerouscomerswasbutscantilygratified。Mosthadcounteduponwitnessingthespectacleofthecasting，andtheyweretreatedtonothingbutsmoke。Thiswassorryfoodforhungryeyes；butBarbicanewouldadmitnoonetothatoperation。
Thenensuedgrumbling，discontent，murmurs；theyblamedthepresident，taxedhimwithdictatorialconduct。Hisproceedingsweredeclared\"un-American。\"TherewasverynearlyariotroundStonesHill；butBarbicaneremainedinflexible。When，however，theColumbiadwasentirelyfinished，thisstateofcloseddoorscouldnolongerbemaintained；besidesitwouldhavebeenbadtaste，andevenimprudence，toaffrontthepublicfeeling。
Barbicane，therefore，openedtheenclosuretoallcomers；but，truetohispracticaldisposition，hedeterminedtocoinmoneyoutofthepubliccuriosity。
Itwassomething，indeed，tobeenabledtocontemplatethisimmenseColumbiad；buttodescendintoitsdepths，thisseemedtotheAmericansthe_neplusultra_ofearthlyfelicity。
Consequently，therewasnotonecuriousspectatorwhowasnotwillingtogivehimselfthetreatofvisitingtheinteriorofthisgreatmetallicabyss。Basketssuspendedfromsteam-cranespermittedthemtosatisfytheircuriosity。Therewasaperfectmania。Women，children，oldmen，allmadeitapointofdutytopenetratethemysteriesofthecolossalgun。
Thefareforthedescentwasfixedatfivedollarsperhead；
anddespitethishighcharge，duringthetwomonthswhichprecededtheexperiment，theinfluxofvisitorsenabledtheGunClubtopocketnearlyfivehundredthousanddollars！
ItisneedlesstosaythatthefirstvisitorsoftheColumbiadwerethemembersoftheGunClub。Thisprivilegewasjustlyreservedforthatillustriousbody。Theceremonytookplaceonthe25thofSeptember。Abasketofhonortookdownthepresident，J。T。Maston，MajorElphinstone，GeneralMorgan，ColonelBlomsberry，andothermembersoftheclub，tothenumberofteninall。Howhotitwasatthebottomofthatlongtubeofmetal！Theywerehalfsuffocated。Butwhatdelight！
Whatecstasy！AtablehadbeenlaidwithsixcoversonthemassivestonewhichformedthebottomoftheColumbiad，andlightedbyajetofelectriclightresemblingthatofdayitself。
Numerousexquisitedishes，whichseemedtodescendfromheaven，wereplacedsuccessivelybeforetheguests，andtherichestwinesofFranceflowedinprofusionduringthissplendidrepast，servedninehundredfeetbeneaththesurfaceoftheearth！
Thefestivalwasanimated，nottosaysomewhatnoisy。Toastsflewbackwardandforward。Theydranktotheearthandtohersatellite，totheGunClub，theUnion，theMoon，Diana，Phoebe，Selene，the\"peacefulcourierofthenight！\"Allthehurrahs，carriedupwarduponthesonorouswavesoftheimmenseacoustictube，arrivedwiththesoundofthunderatitsmouth；andthemultituderangedroundStonesHillheartilyunitedtheirshoutswiththoseofthetenrevelershiddenfromviewatthebottomofthegiganticColumbiad。
J。T。Mastonwasnolongermasterofhimself。Whetherheshoutedorgesticulated，ateordrankmost，wouldbeadifficultmattertodetermine。Atallevents，hewouldnothavegivenhisplaceupforanempire，\"notevenifthecannon——loaded，primed，andfiredatthatverymoment——weretoblowhiminpiecesintotheplanetaryworld。\"
CHAPTERXVII
ATELEGRAPHICDISPATCH
ThegreatworksundertakenbytheGunClubhadnowvirtuallycometoanend；andtwomonthsstillremainedbeforethedayforthedischargeoftheshottothemoon。Tothegeneralimpatiencethesetwomonthsappearedaslongasyears！Hithertothesmallestdetailsoftheoperationhadbeendailychronicledbythejournals，whichthepublicdevouredwitheagereyes。
Justatthismomentacircumstance，themostunexpected，themostextraordinaryandincredible，occurredtorouseafreshtheirpantingspirits，andtothroweverymindintoastateofthemostviolentexcitement。
Oneday，the30thofSeptember，at3:47P。M。，atelegram，transmittedbycablefromValentiaIrelandtoNewfoundlandandtheAmericanMainland，arrivedattheaddressofPresidentBarbicane。
Thepresidenttoreopentheenvelope，readthedispatch，and，despitehisremarkablepowersofself-control，hislipsturnedpaleandhiseyesgrewdim，onreadingthetwentywordsofthistelegram。
Hereisthetextofthedispatch，whichfiguresnowinthearchivesoftheGunClub:
FRANCE，PARIS，30September，4A。M。
Barbicane，TampaTown，Florida，UnitedStates。
Substituteforyoursphericalshellacylindro-conicalprojectile。
Ishallgoinside。ShallarrivebysteamerAtlanta。
MICHELARDAN。
CHAPTERXVIII
THEPASSENGEROFTHEATLANTA
Ifthisastoundingnews，insteadofflyingthroughtheelectricwires，hadsimplyarrivedbypostintheordinarysealedenvelope，Barbicanewouldnothavehesitatedamoment。Hewouldhaveheldhistongueaboutit，bothasameasureofprudence，andinordernottohavetoreconsiderhisplans。Thistelegrammightbeacoverforsomejest，especiallyasitcamefromaFrenchman。
Whathumanbeingwouldeverhaveconceivedtheideaofsuchajourney？and，ifsuchapersonreallyexisted，hemustbeanidiot，whomonewouldshutupinalunaticward，ratherthanwithinthewallsoftheprojectile。
Thecontentsofthedispatch，however，speedilybecameknown；
forthetelegraphicofficialspossessedbutlittlediscretion，andMichelArdan\'spropositionranatoncethroughouttheseveralStatesoftheUnion。Barbicane，had，therefore，nofurthermotivesforkeepingsilence。Consequently，hecalledtogethersuchofhiscolleaguesaswereatthemomentinTampaTown，andwithoutanyexpressionofhisownopinionssimplyreadtothemthelaconictextitself。Itwasreceivedwitheverypossiblevarietyofexpressionsofdoubt，incredulity，andderisionfromeveryone，withtheexceptionofJ。T。Maston，whoexclaimed，\"Itisagrandidea，however！\"
WhenBarbicaneoriginallyproposedtosendashottothemooneveryonelookedupontheenterpriseassimpleandpracticableenough——amerequestionofgunnery；butwhenaperson，professingtobeareasonablebeing，offeredtotakepassagewithintheprojectile，thewholethingbecameafarce，or，inplainerlanguageahumbug。
Onequestion，however，remained。Didsuchabeingexist？
ThistelegramflashedacrossthedepthsoftheAtlantic，thedesignationofthevesselonboardwhichhewastotakehispassage，thedateassignedforhisspeedyarrival，allcombinedtoimpartacertaincharacterofrealitytotheproposal。
Theymustgetsomeclearernotionofthematter。Scatteredgroupsofinquirersatlengthcondensedthemselvesintoacompactcrowd，whichmadestraightfortheresidenceofPresidentBarbicane。
Thatworthyindividualwaskeepingquietwiththeintentionofwatchingeventsastheyarose。Buthehadforgottentotakeintoaccountthepublicimpatience；anditwaswithnopleasantcountenancethathewatchedthepopulationofTampaTowngatheringunderhiswindows。Themurmursandvociferationsbelowpresentlyobligedhimtoappear。Hecameforward，therefore，andonsilencebeingprocured，acitizenputpoint-blanktohimthefollowingquestion:\"Isthepersonmentionedinthetelegram，underthenameofMichelArdan，onhiswayhere？Yesorno。\"
\"Gentlemen，\"repliedBarbicane，\"Iknownomorethanyoudo。\"
\"Wemustknow，\"roaredtheimpatientvoices。
\"Timewillshow，\"calmlyrepliedthepresident。
\"Timehasnobusinesstokeepawholecountryinsuspense，\"
repliedtheorator。\"Haveyoualteredtheplansoftheprojectileaccordingtotherequestofthetelegram？\"
\"Notyet，gentlemen；butyouareright！wemusthavebetterinformationtogoby。Thetelegraphmustcompleteitsinformation。\"
\"Tothetelegraph！\"roaredthecrowd。
Barbicanedescended；andheadingtheimmenseassemblage，ledthewaytothetelegraphoffice。AfewminuteslateratelegramwasdispatchedtothesecretaryoftheunderwritersatLiverpool，requestinganswerstothefollowingqueries:
\"AbouttheshipAtlanta——whendidsheleaveEurope？HadsheonboardaFrenchmannamedMichelArdan？\"
TwohoursafterwardBarbicanereceivedinformationtooexacttoleaveroomforthesmallestremainingdoubt。
\"ThesteamerAtlantafromLiverpoolputtoseaonthe2ndofOctober，boundforTampaTown，havingonboardaFrenchmanborneonthelistofpassengersbythenameofMichelArdan。\"
ThatveryeveninghewrotetothehouseofBreadwillandCo。，requestingthemtosuspendthecastingoftheprojectileuntilthereceiptoffurtherorders。Onthe10thofOctober，atnineA。M。，thesemaphoresoftheBahamaCanalsignaledathicksmokeonthehorizon。Twohourslateralargesteamerexchangedsignalswiththem。thenameoftheAtlantaflewatonceoverTampaTown。Atfouro\'clocktheEnglishvesselenteredtheBayofEspirituSanto。AtfiveitcrossedthepassageofHillisboroughBayatfullsteam。AtsixshecastanchoratPortTampa。TheanchorhadscarcelycaughtthesandybottomwhenfivehundredboatssurroundedtheAtlanta，andthesteamerwastakenbyassault。Barbicanewasthefirsttosetfootondeck，andinavoiceofwhichhevainlytriedtoconcealtheemotion，called\"MichelArdan。\"
\"Here！\"repliedanindividualperchedonthepoop。
Barbicane，witharmscrossed，lookedfixedlyatthepassengeroftheAtlanta。
Hewasamanofaboutforty-twoyearsofage，oflargebuild，butslightlyround-shouldered。Hismassiveheadmomentarilyshookashockofreddishhair，whichresembledalion\'smane。
Hisfacewasshortwithabroadforehead，andfurnishedwithamoustacheasbristlyasacat\'s，andlittlepatchesofyellowishwhiskersuponfullcheeks。Round，wildisheyes，slightlynear-sighted，completedaphysiognomyessentiallyfeline。
Hisnosewasfirmlyshaped，hismouthparticularlysweetinexpression，highforehead，intelligentandfurrowedwithwrinkleslikeanewly-plowedfield。Thebodywaspowerfullydevelopedandfirmlyfixeduponlonglegs。Musculararms，andageneralairofdecisiongavehimtheappearanceofahardy，jolly，companion。Hewasdressedinasuitofampledimensions，looseneckerchief，openshirtcollar，disclosingarobustneck；
hiscuffswereinvariablyunbuttoned，throughwhichappearedapairofredhands。
Onthebridgeofthesteamer，inthemidstofthecrowd，hebustledtoandfro，neverstillforamoment，\"dragginghisanchors，\"asthesailorssay，gesticulating，makingfreewitheverybody，bitinghisnailswithnervousavidity。Hewasoneofthoseoriginalswhichnaturesometimesinventsinthefreakofamoment，andofwhichshethenbreaksthemould。
Amongotherpeculiarities，thiscuriositygavehimselfoutforasublimeignoramus，\"likeShakespeare，\"andprofessedsupremecontemptforallscientificmen。Those\"fellows，\"ashecalledthem，\"areonlyfittomarkthepoints，whileweplaythegame。\"
Hewas，infact，athoroughBohemian，adventurous，butnotanadventurer；ahare-brainedfellow，akindofIcarus，onlypossessingrelaysofwings。Fortherest，hewaseverinscrapes，endinginvariablybyfallingonhisfeet，likethoselittlefigureswhichtheysellforchildren\'stoys。Inafewwords，hismottowas\"Ihavemyopinions，\"andtheloveoftheimpossibleconstitutedhisrulingpassion。
SuchwasthepassengeroftheAtlanta，alwaysexcitable，asifboilingundertheactionofsomeinternalfirebythecharacterofhisphysicalorganization。Ifevertwoindividualsofferedastrikingcontrasttoeachother，thesewerecertainlyMichelArdanandtheYankeeBarbicane；both，moreover，beingequallyenterprisinganddaring，eachinhisownway。
ThescrutinywhichthepresidentoftheGunClubhadinstitutedregardingthisnewrivalwasquicklyinterruptedbytheshoutsandhurrahsofthecrowd。Thecriesbecameatlastsouproarious，andthepopularenthusiasmassumedsopersonalaform，thatMichelArdan，afterhavingshakenhandssomethousandsoftimes，attheimminentriskofleavinghisfingersbehindhim，wasfainatlasttomakeaboltforhiscabin。
Barbicanefollowedhimwithoututteringaword。
\"YouareBarbicane，Isuppose？\"saidMichelArdan，inatoneofvoiceinwhichhewouldhaveaddressedafriendoftwentyyears\'standing。
\"Yes，\"repliedthepresidentoftheGunClub。
\"Allright！howd\'yedo，Barbicane？howareyougettingon——
prettywell？that\'sright。\"
\"So，\"saidBarbicanewithoutfurtherpreliminary，\"youarequitedeterminedtogo。\"
\"Quitedecided。\"
\"Nothingwillstopyou？\"
\"Nothing。Haveyoumodifiedyourprojectileaccordingtomytelegram。\"
\"Iwaitedforyourarrival。But，\"askedBarbicaneagain，\"haveyoucarefullyreflected？\"
\"Reflected？haveIanytimetospare？Ifindanopportunityofmakingatourinthemoon，andImeantoprofitbyit。Thereisthewholegistofthematter。\"
Barbicanelookedhardatthismanwhospokesolightlyofhisprojectwithsuchcompleteabsenceofanxiety。\"But，atleast，\"
saidhe，\"youhavesomeplans，somemeansofcarryingyourprojectintoexecution？\"
\"Excellent，mydearBarbicane；onlypermitmetoofferoneremark:
Mywishistotellmystoryonceforall，toeverybody，andthenhavedonewithit；thentherewillbenoneedforrecapitulation。
So，ifyouhavenoobjection，assembleyourfriends，colleagues，thewholetown，allFlorida，allAmericaifyoulike，andto-morrowIshallbereadytoexplainmyplansandansweranyobjectionswhateverthatmaybeadvanced。YoumayrestassuredIshallwaitwithoutstirring。Willthatsuityou？\"
\"Allright，\"repliedBarbicane。
Sosaying，thepresidentleftthecabinandinformedthecrowdoftheproposalofMichelArdan。Hiswordswerereceivedwithclappingsofhandsandshoutsofjoy。Theyhadremovedalldifficulties。
To-morroweveryonewouldcontemplateathiseasethisEuropeanhero。
However，someofthespectators，moreinfatuatedthantherest，wouldnotleavethedeckoftheAtlanta。Theypassedthenightonboard。AmongothersJ。T。Mastongothishookfixedinthecombingofthepoop，anditprettynearlyrequiredthecapstantogetitoutagain。
\"Heisahero！ahero！\"hecried，athemeofwhichhewasnevertiredofringingthechanges；\"andweareonlylikeweak，sillywomen，comparedwiththisEuropean！\"
Astothepresident，afterhavingsuggestedtothevisitorsitwastimetoretire，here-enteredthepassenger\'scabin，andremainedtheretillthebellofthesteamermadeitmidnight。
Butthenthetworivalsinpopularityshookhandsheartilyandpartedontermsofintimatefriendship。
CHAPTERXIX
AMONSTERMEETING
OnthefollowingdayBarbicane，fearingthatindiscreetquestionsmightbeputtoMichelArdan，wasdesirousofreducingthenumberoftheaudiencetoafewoftheinitiated，hisowncolleaguesforinstance。HemightaswellhavetriedtochecktheFallsofNiagara！hewascompelled，therefore，togiveuptheidea，andlethisnewfriendrunthechancesofapublicconference。Theplacechosenforthismonstermeetingwasavastplainsituatedintherearofthetown。Inafewhours，thankstothehelpoftheshippinginport，animmenseroofingofcanvaswasstretchedovertheparchedprairie，andprotecteditfromtheburningraysofthesun。TherethreehundredthousandpeoplebravedformanyhoursthestiflingheatwhileawaitingthearrivaloftheFrenchman。Ofthiscrowdofspectatorsafirstsetcouldbothseeandhear；asecondsetsawbadlyandheardnothingatall；andasforthethird，itcouldneitherseenorhearanythingatall。Atthreeo\'clockMichelArdanmadehisappearance，accompaniedbytheprincipalmembersoftheGunClub。HewassupportedonhisrightbyPresidentBarbicane，andonhisleftbyJ。T。Maston，moreradiantthanthemiddaysun，andnearlyasruddy。Ardanmountedaplatform，fromthetopofwhichhisviewextendedoveraseaofblackhats。
Heexhibitednottheslightestembarrassment；hewasjustasgay，familiar，andpleasantasifhewereathome。Tothehurrahswhichgreetedhimherepliedbyagracefulbow；then，wavinghishandstorequestsilence，hespokeinperfectlycorrectEnglishasfollows:
\"Gentlemen，despitetheveryhotweatherIrequestyourpatienceforashorttimewhileIoffersomeexplanationsregardingtheprojectswhichseemtohavesointerestedyou。Iamneitheranoratornoramanofscience，andIhadnoideaofaddressingyouinpublic；butmyfriendBarbicanehastoldmethatyouwouldliketohearme，andIamquiteatyourservice。Listentome，therefore，withyoursixhundredthousandears，andpleaseexcusethefaultsofthespeaker。Nowpraydonotforgetthatyouseebeforeyouaperfectignoramuswhoseignorancegoessofarthathecannotevenunderstandthedifficulties！Itseemedtohimthatitwasamatterquitesimple，natural，andeasytotakeone\'splaceinaprojectileandstartforthemoon！
Thatjourneymustbeundertakensoonerorlater；and，asforthemodeoflocomotionadopted，itfollowssimplythelawofprogress。
Manbeganbywalkingonall-fours；then，onefineday，ontwofeet；theninacarriage；theninastage-coach；andlastlybyrailway。Well，theprojectileisthevehicleofthefuture，andtheplanetsthemselvesarenothingelse！Nowsomeofyou，gentlemen，mayimaginethatthevelocityweproposetoimparttoitisextravagant。Itisnothingofthekind。Allthestarsexceeditinrapidity，andtheearthherselfisatthismomentcarryingusroundthesunatthreetimesasrapidarate，andyetsheisamereloungeronthewaycomparedwithmanyothersoftheplanets！Andhervelocityisconstantlydecreasing。
Isitnotevident，then，Iaskyou，thattherewillsomedayappearvelocitiesfargreaterthanthese，ofwhichlightorelectricitywillprobablybethemechanicalagent？
\"Yes，gentlemen，\"continuedtheorator，\"inspiteoftheopinionsofcertainnarrow-mindedpeople，whowouldshutupthehumanraceuponthisglobe，aswithinsomemagiccirclewhichitmustneveroutstep，weshallonedaytraveltothemoon，theplanets，andthestars，withthesamefacility，rapidity，andcertaintyaswenowmakethevoyagefromLiverpooltoNewYork！
Distanceisbutarelativeexpression，andmustendbybeingreducedtozero。\"
Theassembly，stronglypredisposedastheywereinfavoroftheFrenchhero，wereslightlystaggeredatthisboldtheory。
MichelArdanperceivedthefact。
\"Gentlemen，\"hecontinuedwithapleasantsmile，\"youdonotseemquiteconvinced。Verygood！Letusreasonthematterout。
Doyouknowhowlongitwouldtakeforanexpresstraintoreachthemoon？Threehundreddays；nomore！Andwhatisthat？
Thedistanceisnomorethanninetimesthecircumferenceoftheearth；andtherearenosailorsortravelers，ofevenmoderateactivity，whohavenotmadelongerjourneysthanthatintheirlifetime。AndnowconsiderthatIshallbeonlyninety-
sevenhoursonmyjourney。Ah！Iseeyouarereckoningthatthemoonisalongwayofffromtheearth，andthatonemustthinktwicebeforemakingtheexperiment。Whatwouldyousay，then，ifweweretalkingofgoingtoNeptune，whichrevolvesatadistanceofmorethantwothousandsevenhundredandtwentymillionsofmilesfromthesun！Andyetwhatisthatcomparedwiththedistanceofthefixedstars，someofwhich，suchasArcturus，arebillionsofmilesdistantfromus？Andthenyoutalkofthedistancewhichseparatestheplanetsfromthesun！Andtherearepeoplewhoaffirmthatsuchathingasdistanceexists。
Absurdity，folly，idioticnonsense！WouldyouknowwhatIthinkofourownsolaruniverse？ShallItellyoumytheory？Itisverysimple！Inmyopinionthesolarsystemisasolidhomogeneousbody；theplanetswhichcomposeitareinactualcontactwitheachother；andwhateverspaceexistsbetweenthemisnothingmorethanthespacewhichseparatesthemoleculesofthedensestmetal，suchassilver，iron，orplatinum！Ihavetheright，therefore，toaffirm，andIrepeat，withtheconvictionwhichmustpenetrateallyourminds，`Distanceisbutanemptyname；distancedoesnotreallyexist！\'\"
\"Hurrah！\"criedonevoiceneeditbesaiditwasthatofJ。T。Maston。\"Distancedoesnotexist！\"Andovercomebytheenergyofhismovements，henearlyfellfromtheplatformtotheground。Hejustescapedaseverefall，whichwouldhaveprovedtohimthatdistancewasbynomeansanemptyname。
\"Gentlemen，\"resumedtheorator，\"Irepeatthatthedistancebetweentheearthandhersatelliteisameretrifle，andundeservingofseriousconsideration。Iamconvincedthatbeforetwentyyearsareoverone-halfofourearthwillhavepaidavisittothemoon。Now，myworthyfriends，ifyouhaveanyquestiontoputtome，youwill，Ifear，sadlyembarrassapoormanlikemyself；stillIwilldomybesttoansweryou。\"
UptothispointthepresidentoftheGunClubhadbeensatisfiedwiththeturnwhichthediscussionhadassumed。
Itbecamenow，however，desirabletodivertArdanfromquestionsofapracticalnature，withwhichhewasdoubtlessfarlessconversant。Barbicane，therefore，hastenedtogetinaword，andbeganbyaskinghisnewfriendwhetherhethoughtthatthemoonandtheplanetswereinhabited。
\"Youputbeforemeagreatproblem，myworthypresident，\"
repliedtheorator，smiling。\"Still，menofgreatintelligence，suchasPlutarch，Swedenborg，BernardindeSt。Pierre，andothershave，ifImistakenot，pronouncedintheaffirmative。
Lookingatthequestionfromthenaturalphilosopher\'spointofview，Ishouldsaythatnothinguselessexistedintheworld；
and，replyingtoyourquestionbyanother，Ishouldventuretoassert，thatiftheseworldsarehabitable，theyeitherare，havebeen，orwillbeinhabited。\"
\"Noonecouldanswermorelogicallyorfairly，\"repliedthepresident。\"Thequestionthenrevertstothis:Aretheseworldshabitable？FormyownpartIbelievetheyare。\"
\"Formyself，Ifeelcertainofit，\"saidMichelArdan。
\"Nevertheless，\"retortedoneoftheaudience，\"therearemanyargumentsagainstthehabitabilityoftheworlds。Theconditionsoflifemustevidentlybegreatlymodifieduponthemajorityofthem。Tomentiononlytheplanets，weshouldbeeitherbroiledaliveinsome，orfrozentodeathinothers，accordingastheyaremoreorlessremovedfromthesun。\"
\"Iregret，\"repliedMichelArdan，\"thatIhavenotthehonorofpersonallyknowingmycontradictor，forIwouldhaveattemptedtoanswerhim。Hisobjectionhasitsmerits，Iadmit；butI
thinkwemaysuccessfullycombatit，aswellasallotherswhichaffectthehabitabilityofotherworlds。IfIwereanaturalphilosopher，Iwouldtellhimthatiflessofcaloricweresetinmotionupontheplanetswhicharenearesttothesun，andmore，onthecontrary，uponthosewhicharefarthestremovedfromit，thissimplefactwouldalonesufficetoequalizetheheat，andtorenderthetemperatureofthoseworldssupportablebybeingsorganizedlikeourselves。IfIwereanaturalist，Iwouldtellhimthat，accordingtosomeillustriousmenofscience，naturehasfurnisheduswithinstancesupontheearthofanimalsexistingunderveryvaryingconditionsoflife；
thatfishrespireinamediumfataltootheranimals；thatamphibiouscreaturespossessadoubleexistenceverydifficultofexplanation；thatcertaindenizensoftheseasmaintainlifeatenormousdepths，andtheresupportapressureequaltothatoffiftyorsixtyatmosphereswithoutbeingcrushed；thatseveralaquaticinsects，insensibletotemperature，aremetwithequallyamongboilingspringsandinthefrozenplainsofthePolarSea；infine，thatwecannothelprecognizinginnatureadiversityofmeansofoperationoftentimesincomprehensible，butnotthelessreal。IfIwereachemist，Iwouldtellhimthattheaerolites，bodiesevidentlyformedexteriorlyofourterrestrialglobe，have，uponanalysis，revealedindisputabletracesofcarbon，asubstancewhichowesitsoriginsolelytoorganizedbeings，andwhich，accordingtotheexperimentsofReichenbach，mustnecessarilyitselfhavebeenenduedwithanimation。Andlastly，wereIatheologian，IwouldtellhimthattheschemeoftheDivineRedemption，accordingtoSt。Paul，seemstobeapplicable，notmerelytotheearth，buttoallthecelestialworlds。But，unfortunately，Iamneithertheologian，norchemist，nornaturalist，norphilosopher；therefore，inmyabsoluteignoranceofthegreatlawswhichgoverntheuniverse，Iconfinemyselftosayinginreply，`Idonotknowwhethertheworldsareinhabitedornot:andsinceIdonotknow，Iamgoingtosee！\'\"
WhetherMichelArdan\'santagonisthazardedanyfurtherargumentsornotitisimpossibletosay，fortheuproariousshoutsofthecrowdwouldnotallowanyexpressionofopiniontogainahearing。
Onsilencebeingrestored，thetriumphantoratorcontentedhimselfwithaddingthefollowingremarks:
\"Gentlemen，youwillobservethatIhavebutslightlytoucheduponthisgreatquestion。Thereisanotheraltogetherdifferentlineofargumentinfavorofthehabitabilityofthestars，whichIomitforthepresent。Ionlydesiretocallattentiontoonepoint。Tothosewhomaintainthattheplanetsare_not_
inhabitedonemayreply:Youmightbeperfectlyintheright，ifyoucouldonlyshowthattheearthisthebestpossibleworld，inspiteofwhatVoltairehassaid。Shehasbut_one_
satellite，whileJupiter，Uranus，Saturn，Neptunehaveeachseveral，anadvantagebynomeanstobedespised。Butthatwhichrendersourownglobesouncomfortableistheinclinationofitsaxistotheplaneofitsorbit。Hencetheinequalityofdaysandnights；hencethedisagreeablediversityoftheseasons。
Onthesurfaceofourunhappyspheroidwearealwayseithertoohotortoocold；wearefrozeninwinter，broiledinsummer；
itistheplanetofrheumatism，coughs，bronchitis；whileonthesurfaceofJupiter，forexample，wheretheaxisisbutslightlyinclined，theinhabitantsmayenjoyuniformtemperatures。
Itpossesseszonesofperpetualsprings，summers，autumns，andwinters；everyJovianmaychooseforhimselfwhatclimatehelikes，andtherespendthewholeofhislifeinsecurityfromallvariationsoftemperature。Youwill，Iamsure，readilyadmitthissuperiorityofJupiteroverourownplanet，tosaynothingofhisyears，whicheachequaltwelveofours！
Undersuchauspicesandsuchmarvelousconditionsofexistence，itappearstomethattheinhabitantsofsofortunateaworldmustbeineveryrespectsuperiortoourselves。Allwerequire，inordertoattainsuchperfection，isthemeretrifleofhavinganaxisofrotationlessinclinedtotheplaneofitsorbit！\"
\"Hurrah！\"roaredanenergeticvoice，\"letusuniteourefforts，inventthenecessarymachines，andrectifytheearth\'saxis！\"
Athunderofapplausefollowedthisproposal，theauthorofwhichwas，ofcourse，nootherthanJ。T。Maston。And，inallprobability，ifthetruthmustbetold，iftheYankeescouldonlyhavefoundapointofapplicationforit，theywouldhaveconstructedalevercapableofraisingtheearthandrectifyingitsaxis。Itwasjustthisdeficiencywhichbaffledthesedaringmechanicians。
CHAPTERXX
ATTACKANDRIPOSTE
Assoonastheexcitementhadsubsided，thefollowingwordswereheardutteredinastronganddeterminedvoice:
\"Nowthatthespeakerhasfavoreduswithsomuchimagination，wouldhebesogoodastoreturntohissubject，andgiveusalittlepracticalviewofthequestion？\"
Alleyesweredirectedtowardthepersonwhospoke。Hewasalittledried-upman，ofanactivefigure，withanAmerican\"goatee\"beard。Profitingbythedifferentmovementsinthecrowd，hehadmanagedbydegreestogainthefrontrowofspectators。
There，witharmscrossedandsterngaze，hewatchedtheheroofthemeeting。Afterhavingputhisquestionheremainedsilent，andappearedtotakenonoticeofthethousandsoflooksdirectedtowardhimself，norofthemurmurofdisapprobationexcitedbyhiswords。Meetingatfirstwithnoreply，herepeatedhisquestionwithmarkedemphasis，adding，\"Weareheretotalkaboutthe_moon_andnotaboutthe_earth_。\"
\"Youareright，sir，\"repliedMichelArdan；\"thediscussionhasbecomeirregular。Wewillreturntothemoon。\"
\"Sir，\"saidtheunknown，\"youpretendthatoursatelliteisinhabited。
Verygood，butifSelenitesdoexist，thatraceofbeingsassuredlymustlivewithoutbreathing，for——Iwarnyouforyourownsake——
thereisnotthesmallestparticleofaironthesurfaceofthemoon。\"
AtthisremarkArdanpusheduphisshockofredhair；hesawthathewasonthepointofbeinginvolvedinastrugglewiththispersonupontheverygistofthewholequestion。Helookedsternlyathiminhisturnandsaid:
\"Oh！sothereisnoairinthemoon？Andpray，ifyouaresogood，whoventurestoaffirmthat？
\"Themenofscience。\"
\"Really？\"
\"Really。\"
\"Sir，\"repliedMichel，\"pleasantryapart，Ihaveaprofoundrespectformenofsciencewhodopossessscience，butaprofoundcontemptformenofsciencewhodonot。\"
\"Doyouknowanywhobelongtothelattercategory？\"
\"Decidedly。InFrancetherearesomewhomaintainthat，mathematically，abirdcannotpossiblyfly；andotherswhodemonstratetheoreticallythatfisheswerenevermadetoliveinwater。\"
\"Ihavenothingtodowithpersonsofthatdescription，andI
canquote，insupportofmystatement，nameswhichyoucannotrefusedeferenceto。\"
\"Then，sir，youwillsadlyembarrassapoorignorant，who，besides，asksnothingbetterthantolearn。\"
\"Why，then，doyouintroducescientificquestionsifyouhaveneverstudiedthem？\"askedtheunknownsomewhatcoarsely。
\"Forthereasonthat`heisalwaysbravewhoneversuspectsdanger。\'
Iknownothing，itistrue；butitispreciselymyveryweaknesswhichconstitutesmystrength。\"
\"Yourweaknessamountstofolly，\"retortedtheunknowninapassion。
\"Allthebetter，\"repliedourFrenchman，\"ifitcarriesmeuptothemoon。\"
Barbicaneandhiscolleaguesdevouredwiththeireyestheintruderwhohadsoboldlyplacedhimselfinantagonismtotheirenterprise。
Nobodyknewhim，andthepresident，uneasyastotheresultofsofreeadiscussion，watchedhisnewfriendwithsomeanxiety。
Themeetingbegantobesomewhatfidgetyalso，forthecontestdirectedtheirattentiontothedangers，ifnottheactualimpossibilities，oftheproposedexpedition。
\"Sir，\"repliedArdan\'santagonist，\"therearemanyandincontrovertiblereasonswhichprovetheabsenceofanatmosphereinthemoon。Imightsaythat，_apriori_，ifoneeverdidexist，itmusthavebeenabsorbedbytheearth；butI
prefertobringforwardindisputablefacts。\"
\"Bringthemforwardthen，sir，asmanyasyouplease。\"
\"Youknow，\"saidthestranger，\"thatwhenanyluminousrayscrossamediumsuchastheair，theyaredeflectedoutofthestraightline；inotherwords，theyundergorefraction。Well！
Whenstarsareoccultedbythemoon，theirrays，ongrazingtheedgeofherdisc，exhibitnottheleastdeviation，noroffertheslightestindicationofrefraction。Itfollows，therefore，thatthemooncannotbesurroundedbyanatmosphere。
\"Inpointoffact，\"repliedArdan，\"thisisyourchief，ifnotyour_only_argument；andareallyscientificmanmightbepuzzledtoanswerit。Formyself，Iwillsimplysaythatitisdefective，becauseitassumesthattheangulardiameterofthemoonhasbeencompletelydetermined，whichisnotthecase。
Butletusproceed。Tellme，mydearsir，doyouadmittheexistenceofvolcanoesonthemoon\'ssurface？\"
\"Extinct，yes！Inactivity，no！\"
\"Thesevolcanoes，however，wereatonetimeinastateofactivity？\"
\"True，but，astheyfurnishthemselvestheoxygennecessaryforcombustion，themerefactoftheireruptiondoesnotprovethepresenceofanatmosphere。\"
\"Proceedagain，then；andletussetasidethisclassofargumentsinordertocometodirectobservations。In1715theastronomersLouvilleandHalley，watchingtheeclipseofthe3rdofMay，remarkedsomeveryextraordinaryscintillations。
Thesejetsoflight，rapidinnature，andoffrequentrecurrence，theyattributedtothunderstormsgeneratedinthelunaratmosphere。\"
\"In1715，\"repliedtheunknown，\"theastronomersLouvilleandHalleymistookforlunarphenomenasomewhichwerepurelyterrestrial，suchasmeteoricorotherbodieswhicharegeneratedinourownatmosphere。Thiswasthescientificexplanationatthetimeofthefacts；andthatismyanswernow。\"
\"Onagain，then，\"repliedArdan；\"Herschel，in1787，observedagreatnumberofluminouspointsonthemoon\'ssurface，didhenot？\"
\"Yes！butwithoutofferinganysolutionofthem。Herschelhimselfneverinferredfromthemthenecessityofalunaratmosphere。
AndImayaddthatBaeerandMaedler，thetwogreatauthoritiesuponthemoon，arequiteagreedastotheentireabsenceofaironitssurface。\"
Amovementwasheremanifestamongtheassemblage，whoappearedtobegrowingexcitedbytheargumentsofthissingularpersonage。
\"Letusproceed，\"repliedArdan，withperfectcoolness，\"andcometooneimportantfact。AskillfulFrenchastronomer，M。
Laussedat，inwatchingtheeclipseofJuly18，1860，probedthatthehornsofthelunarcrescentwereroundedandtruncated。
Now，thisappearancecouldonlyhavebeenproducedbyadeviationofthesolarraysintraversingtheatmosphereofthemoon。Thereisnootherpossibleexplanationofthefacts。\"
\"Butisthisestablishedasafact？\"
\"Absolutelycertain！\"
Acounter-movementheretookplaceinfavoroftheheroofthemeeting，whoseopponentwasnowreducedtosilence。Ardanresumedtheconversation；andwithoutexhibitinganyexultationattheadvantagehehadgained，simplysaid:
\"Yousee，then，mydearsir，wemustnotpronouncewithabsolutepositivenessagainsttheexistenceofanatmosphereinthemoon。
Thatatmosphereis，probably，ofextremerarity；neverthelessatthepresentdaysciencegenerallyadmitsthatitexists。\"
\"Notinthemountains，atallevents，\"returnedtheunknown，unwillingtogivein。
\"No！butatthebottomofthevalleys，andnotexceedingafewhundredfeetinheight。\"
\"Inanycaseyouwilldowelltotakeeveryprecaution，fortheairwillbeterriblyrarified。\"
\"Mygoodsir，therewillalwaysbeenoughforasolitaryindividual；besides，oncearrivedupthere，Ishalldomybesttoeconomize，andnottobreatheexceptongrandoccasions！\"
Atremendousroaroflaughterrangintheearsofthemysteriousinterlocutor，whoglaredfiercelyroundupontheassembly。
\"Then，\"continuedArdan，withacarelessair，\"sinceweareinaccordregardingthepresenceofacertainatmosphere，weareforcedtoadmitthepresenceofacertainquantityofwater。
Thisisahappyconsequenceforme。Moreover，myamiablecontradictor，permitmetosubmittoyouonefurtherobservation。
Weonlyknow_one_sideofthemoon\'sdisc；andifthereisbutlittleaironthefacepresentedtous，itispossiblethatthereisplentyontheoneturnedawayfromus。\"
\"Andforwhatreason？\"
\"Becausethemoon，undertheactionoftheearth\'sattraction，hasassumedtheformofanegg，whichwelookatfromthesmallerend。Henceitfollows，byHausen\'scalculations，thatitscenterofgravityissituatedintheotherhemisphere。
Henceitresultsthatthegreatmassofairandwatermusthavebeendrawnawaytotheotherfaceofoursatelliteduringthefirstdaysofitscreation。\"
\"Purefancies！\"criedtheunknown。
\"No！Puretheories！whicharebaseduponthelawsofmechanics，anditseemsdifficulttometorefutethem。Iappealthentothismeeting，andIputittothemwhetherlife，suchasexistsupontheearth，ispossibleonthesurfaceofthemoon？\"
Threehundredthousandauditorsatonceapplaudedtheproposition。
Ardan\'sopponenttriedtogetinanotherword，buthecouldnotobtainahearing。Criesandmenacesfelluponhimlikehail。
\"Enough！enough！\"criedsome。
\"Drivetheintruderoff！\"shoutedothers。
\"Turnhimout！\"roaredtheexasperatedcrowd。
Buthe，holdingfirmlyontotheplatform，didnotbudgeaninch，andletthestormpasson，whichwouldsoonhaveassumedformidableproportions，ifMichelArdanhadnotquieteditbyagesture。Hewastoochivalroustoabandonhisopponentinanapparentextremity。
\"Youwishedtosayafewmorewords？\"heasked，inapleasantvoice。
\"Yes，athousand；orrather，no，onlyone！Ifyoupersevereinyourenterprise，youmustbea——\"
\"Veryrashperson！Howcanyoutreatmeassuch？me，whohavedemandedacylindro-conicalprojectile，inordertopreventturningroundandroundonmywaylikeasquirrel？\"
\"But，unhappyman，thedreadfulrecoilwillsmashyoutopiecesatyourstarting。\"
\"Mydearcontradictor，youhavejustputyourfingeruponthetrueandonlydifficulty；nevertheless，IhavetoogoodanopinionoftheindustrialgeniusoftheAmericansnottobelievethattheywillsucceedinovercomingit。\"
\"Buttheheatdevelopedbytherapidityoftheprojectileincrossingthestrataofair？\"
\"Oh！thewallsarethick，andIshallsoonhavecrossedtheatmosphere。\"
\"Butvictualsandwater？\"
\"Ihavecalculatedforatwelvemonth\'ssupply，andIshallbeonlyfourdaysonthejourney。\"
\"Butforairtobreatheontheroad？\"
\"Ishallmakeitbyachemicalprocess。\"
\"Butyourfallonthemoon，supposingyoueverreachit？\"
\"Itwillbesixtimeslessdangerousthanasuddenfallupontheearth，becausetheweightwillbeonlyone-sixthasgreatonthesurfaceofthemoon。\"
\"Stillitwillbeenoughtosmashyoulikeglass！\"
\"Whatistopreventmyretardingtheshockbymeansofrocketsconvenientlyplaced，andlightedattherightmoment？\"
\"Butafterall，supposingalldifficultiessurmounted，allobstaclesremoved，supposingeverythingcombinedtofavoryou，andgrantingthatyoumayarrivesafeandsoundinthemoon，howwillyoucomeback？\"
\"Iamnotcomingback！\"