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！"