The moon hoax : $b or, A discovery that the moon has a vast population of human beings — John Locke — John Shaqi
The moon hoax : $b or, A discovery that the moon has a vast population of human beings
John Locke · en
shaped like the upper front outline of a cap known to the ladies as
Mary Queen of Scots' cap, lifted and lowered by means of the ears. It
immediately occurred to the acute mind of Dr. Herschel, that this was
a providential contrivance to protect the eyes of the animal from the
great extremes of light and darkness to which all the inhabitants of
our side of the moon are periodically subjected.
The next animal perceived would be classed on earth as a monster. It
was of a bluish lead color, about the size of a goat, with a head and
beard like him, and a _single horn_, slightly inclined forward from
the perpendicular. The female was destitute of the horn and beard, but
had a much longer tail. It was gregarious, and chiefly abounded on the
acclivitous glades of the woods. In elegance of symmetry it rivalled
the antelope, and like him it seemed an agile sprightly creature,
running with great speed, and springing from the green turf with all
the unaccountable antics of a young lamb or kitten. This beautiful
creature afforded us the most exquisite amusement. The mimicry of its
movements upon our white painted canvass was as faithful and luminous
as that of animals within a few yards of the camera obscura, when seen
pictured upon its tympan. Frequently when attempting to put our fingers
upon its beard, it would suddenly bound away into oblivion, as if
conscious of our earthly impertinence; but then others would appear,
whom we could not prevent nibbling the herbage, say or do what we would
to them.
On examining the centre of this delightful valley, we found a large
branching river, abounding with lovely islands, and water-birds of
numerous kinds. A species of grey pelican was the most numerous; but
a black and white crane, with unreasonably long legs and bill, were
also quite common. We watched their pisciverous experiments a long
time, in hopes of catching sight of a lunar fish; but although we were
not gratified in this respect, we could easily guess the purpose with
which they plunged their long necks so deeply beneath the water. Near
the upper extremity of one of these islands we obtained a glimpse
of a strange amphibious creature, of a spherical form, which rolled
with great velocity across the pebbly beach, and was lost sight of in
the strong current which set off from this angle of the island. We
were compelled, however, to leave this prolific valley unexplored,
on account of clouds which were evidently accumulating in the lunar
atmosphere, our own being perfectly translucent. But this was itself
an interesting discovery, for more distant observers had questioned or
denied the existence of any humid atmosphere in this planet.