From the Earth to the moon; and, round the moonVerne, Jules
Science
From the Earth to the moon; and, round the moon
Verne, Jules
Manned space flight -- Fiction; Moon -- Fiction; Science fiction; Space flight to the moon -- Fiction; Space ships -- Fiction
The effect, however, of Barbicane’s communication was not confined to
the frontiers of the United States; it crossed the Atlantic and
Pacific, invading simultaneously Asia and Europe, Africa and Oceanica.
The observatories of the Union placed themselves in immediate
communication with those of foreign countries. Some, such as those of
Paris, Petersburg, Berlin, Stockholm, Hamburg, Malta, Lisbon, Benares,
Madras, and others, transmitted their good wishes; the rest maintained
a prudent silence, quietly awaiting the result. As for the observatory
at Greenwich, seconded as it was by the twenty- two astronomical
establishments of Great Britain, it spoke plainly enough. It boldly
denied the possibility of success, and pronounced in favor of the
theories of Captain Nicholl. But this was nothing more than mere
English jealousy.
On the 8th of October President Barbicane published a manifesto full of
enthusiasm, in which he made an appeal to “all persons of good will
upon the face of the earth.” This document, translated into all
languages, met with immense success.
Subscription lists were opened in all the principal cities of the
Union, with a central office at the Baltimore Bank, 9 Baltimore Street.
In addition, subscriptions were received at the following banks in the
different states of the two continents:
At Vienna, with S. M. de Rothschild.
At Petersburg, Stieglitz and Co.
At Paris, The Credit Mobilier.
At Stockholm, Tottie and Arfuredson.
At London, N. M. Rothschild and Son.
At Turin, Ardouin and Co.
At Berlin, Mendelssohn.
At Geneva, Lombard, Odier and Co.
At Constantinople, The Ottoman Bank.
At Brussels, J. Lambert.
At Madrid, Daniel Weisweller.
At Amsterdam, Netherlands Credit Co.
At Rome, Torlonia and Co.
At Lisbon, Lecesne.
At Copenhagen, Private Bank.
At Rio de Janeiro, Private Bank.
At Montevideo, Private Bank.
At Valparaiso and Lima, Thomas la Chambre and Co.
At Mexico, Martin Daran and Co.
Three days after the manifesto of President Barbicane $4,000,000 were
paid into the different towns of the Union. With such a balance the Gun
Club might begin operations at once. But some days later advices were
received to the effect that foreign subscriptions were being eagerly
taken up. Certain countries distinguished themselves by their
liberality; others untied their purse-strings with less facility—a
matter of temperament. Figures are, however, more eloquent than words,
and here is the official statement of the sums which were paid in to
the credit of the Gun Club at the close of the subscription.
Russia paid in as her contingent the enormous sum of 368,733 roubles.
No one need be surprised at this, who bears in mind the scientific
taste of the Russians, and the impetus which they have given to
astronomical studies—thanks to their numerous observatories.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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