"April 19th , to my great joy, about nine o'clock, the surface moon being frightfully near, and my apprehensions excited utmost, the pump condenser gave evident tokens of an alteration atmosphere By ten, I had reason its density considerably increased By eleven, very little labor was necessary apparatus; and at twelve o'clock, with some hesitation, I ventured to unscrew the tourniquet, when, finding no inconvenience from having done so, I finally threw open the gum-elastic chamber, and unrigged it from around the car As expected, spasms and violent headache were the immediate consequences of an experiment so precipitate and full of danger But these and other difficulties attending respiration, were by no means so great as me in peril life, I determined to endure as I best could, in consideration leaving them behind me momently in my approach denser strata near the moon This approach, however, was still impetuous extreme; and it soon became alarmingly certain that, although I had probably not been deceived expectation of an atmosphere dense in proportion mass satellite, still I wrong in supposing this density, even surface, at all adequate support great weight contained car balloon Yet this the case, and in an equal degree as surface earth, the actual gravity of bodies at either planet supposed ratio atmospheric condensation not the case, however, my precipitous downfall gave testimony enough; why not so, can only be explained by reference possible geological disturbances formerly alluded At all events now close planet, and coming down most terrible impetuosity I lost not moment, accordingly, in throwing overboard first my ballast, then my water-kegs, then my condensing apparatus and gum-elastic chamber, and finally every article car But all to no purpose I still fell with horrible rapidity, and was now not more than half mile surface As last resource, therefore, having got rid coat, hat, and boots, I cut loose balloon the car itself, of no inconsiderable weight, and thus, clinging with both hands net-work, I had barely time to observe whole country, as far eye could reach, was thickly interspersed with diminutive habitations, ere I tumbled headlong very heart of fantastical-looking city, and middle of vast crowd of ugly little people, who uttered single syllable, or gave themselves the least trouble to render me assistance, but stood, like parcel of idiots, grinning in ludicrous manner, and eyeing me and my balloon askant, with their arms set a-kimbo I turned in contempt, and, gazing upward earth so lately left, and left perhaps for ever, beheld it like huge, dull, copper shield, about two degrees in diameter, fixed immovably heavens overhead, and tipped on one edges with crescent border most brilliant gold No traces of land or water discovered, whole was clouded with variable spots, and belted with tropical and equatorial zones

"Thus, may it please your Excellencies, after series of great anxieties, unheard of dangers, and unparalleled escapes, I had, , nineteenth day departure from Rotterdam, arrived in safety conclusion of voyage undoubtedly the most extraordinary, most momentous, ever accomplished, undertaken, or conceived by any denizen of earth But my adventures yet remain related And indeed your Excellencies may well imagine that, after residence of five years upon planet deeply interesting in its own peculiar character, but rendered doubly so by its intimate connection, in capacity of satellite, world inhabited by man, intelligence private ear States' College of Astronomers of far more importance details, however wonderful, mere voyage which so happily concluded , , the case much -- which it would the greatest pleasure to communicate much climate planet; wonderful alternations of heat and cold, of unmitigated and burning sunshine fortnight, and more than polar frigidity next; of constant transfer of moisture, by distillation like that in vacuo, point beneath the sun point the farthest ; of variable zone of running water, people themselves; manners, customs, and political institutions; peculiar physical construction; ugliness; want of ears, those useless appendages in an atmosphere so peculiarly modified; consequent ignorance use and properties of speech; substitute for speech in singular method of inter-communication; incomprehensible connection between each particular individual moon with some particular individual earth -- connection analogous with, and depending upon, that orbs planet satellites, and the lives and destinies inhabitants one are interwoven lives and destinies inhabitants other; and above all, so please your Excellencies -- above all, dark and hideous mysteries which lie outer regions moon -- regions which, owing almost miraculous accordance satellite's rotation on its own axis with its sidereal revolution earth, have never yet been turned, and, by God's mercy, never shall be turned, scrutiny telescopes of man All this, and more- much more -- would I most willingly detail But, brief, my reward pining for return to my family and to my home, and price of any farther communication on my part -- in consideration light which it in my power to throw upon many branches of physical and metaphysical science -- solicit, influence of your honorable body, pardon crime guilty death creditors upon my departure from Rotterdam This, then, object present paper Its bearer, an inhabitant moon, whom prevailed upon, and properly instructed, my messenger earth, will await your Excellencies' pleasure, and return pardon , can, in any manner, be obtained

" the honor , etc , your Excellencies' very humble servant,

HANS PFAALL "

Upon finishing the perusal very extraordinary document, Professor Rub-a-dub, said, dropped his pipe ground extremity surprise, and Mynheer Superbus Von Underduk having taken off his spectacles, wiped them, and deposited them pocket, forgot both himself dignity, as round three times upon his heel quintessence of astonishment and admiration -- the pardon obtained So swore, with round oath, Professor Rub-a-dub, and so finally thought the illustrious Von Underduk, as the arm brother in science, and without saying word, began to best way home to deliberate measures adopted Having reached the door, however, burgomaster's dwelling, the professor ventured to messenger had thought proper to disappear -- frightened to death savage appearance burghers of Rotterdam -- the pardon of little use, as no one but man moon would undertake voyage to so vast distance truth observation the burgomaster assented, matter was therefore at an end Not so, however, rumors and speculations The letter, having been published, gave rise to variety of gossip and opinion over-wise even made themselves ridiculous by decrying the whole business; as nothing better than hoax But hoax, sort of people, is, I believe, general term for all matters above their comprehension part, conceive upon what data founded such an accusation what they say:

Imprimus That certain wags in Rotterdam have certain especial antipathies to certain burgomasters and astronomers

Don't understand at all

Secondly That an odd little dwarf and bottle conjurer, both of whose ears, for some misdemeanor, cut off close head, missing for neighboring city of Bruges

Well -- what ?

Thirdly newspapers which were stuck all over the little balloon were newspapers of Holland, and therefore made moon They were dirty papers -- very dirty -- and Gluck, the printer, would take his Bible oath having been printed in Rotterdam

mistaken -- undoubtedly -- mistaken

Fourthly, That Hans Pfaall himself, the druken villain, three very idle gentlemen styled his creditors, were all seen, no longer than , in tippling house suburbs, having just returned, with money in their pockets, from trip beyond the sea

Don't believe it -- don't believe word of it

Lastly an opinion very generally received, or which generally received, College of Astronomers city of Rotterdam, as other colleges in all other parts world, -- not to mention colleges and astronomers in general, -- are, the least matter, not whit better, nor greater, nor wiser than they

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Notes to Hans Pfaal