more persons were actually gulled "Moon-Hoax" than willing to acknowledge the fact, it may here afford some little amusement to show why no one deceived-to point out those particulars story which sufficient to establish its real character Indeed, however rich the imagination displayed ingenious fiction, it wanted much force which given it by more scrupulous attention to facts and to general analogy public were misled, even for an instant, merely proves the gross ignorance so generally prevalent upon subjects of an astronomical nature

The moon's distance earth is, in round numbers, 240,000 miles If to ascertain how near, apparently, lens would bring the satellite (or any distant object), we, , have but to divide the distance magnifying or, more strictly, space-penetrating power glass Mr L makes his lens have power of 42,000 times divide 240,000 (the moon's real distance), and five miles and five sevenths, apparent distance No animal at all seen ; much less the minute points particularized story Mr L speaks about Sir John Herschel's perceiving flowers (the Papaver rheas, etc ), and even detecting the color shape eyes of small birds Shortly before, too, he has himself observed lens render perceptible objects of eighteen inches in diameter; but even this, as said, is giving the glass by far too great power It observed, in passing, prodigious glass is said molded glasshouse of Messrs Hartley and Grant, in Dumbarton; but Messrs H and G 's establishment had ceased operations for many years previous publication hoax

On page 13, pamphlet edition, speaking of "a hairy veil" over the eyes of species of bison, the author says: "It immediately occurred acute mind of Dr Herschel was providential contrivance to protect the eyes animal great extremes of light and darkness all the inhabitants side moon are periodically subjected " But thought very "acute" observation Doctor's The inhabitants side moon have, evidently, no darkness at all, so there nothing "extremes" mentioned absence sun light earth equal of thirteen full unclouded moons

The topography throughout, even when professing to accord with Blunt's Lunar Chart, is entirely at variance or lunar chart, and even grossly at variance with itself The points compass, too, are in inextricable confusion; the writer appearing ignorant that, on lunar map, these in accordance with terrestrial points; the east being left, etc

Deceived, perhaps, vague titles, Mare Nubium, Mare Tranquillitatis, Mare Faecunditatis, etc , given dark spots by former astronomers, Mr L has entered into details regarding oceans and other large bodies of water moon; whereas no astronomical point more positively ascertained than that no such bodies exist there In examining the boundary between light and darkness ( crescent or gibbous moon) where this boundary crosses any dark places, the line of division is found rough and jagged; but, were these dark places liquid, it would evidently be even

The description wings man-bat, on page 21, is but literal copy of Peter Wilkins' account wings flying islanders This simple fact induced suspicion, , it thought

On page 23, the following: "What prodigious influence must our thirteen times larger globe have exercised satellite when an embryo womb , the passive subject of chemical affinity ! " very fine; but it observed that no astronomer made such remark, especially to any journal of Science; earth, sense intended, is thirteen, but forty-nine times larger moon similar objection applies whole concluding pages, where, by way of introduction to some discoveries in Saturn, the philosophical correspondent enters into minute schoolboy account planet -- this "Edinburgh journal of Science ! "

But one point, , which betrayed the fiction imagine the power actually possessed of seeing animals moon's surface -- what would first arrest the attention of an observer earth ? Certainly neither their shape, size, nor such peculiarity, so soon as their remarkable situation appear walking, with heels up and head down, manner of flies on ceiling The real_ observer uttered an instant ejaculation of surprise (however prepared by previous knowledge) singularity position; the fictitious observer even mentioned the subject, but speaks of seeing the entire bodies creatures, when demonstrable that he seen only the diameter heads !

It might be remarked, in conclusion, size, and particularly the powers man-bats (for example, their ability to fly in so rare an atmosphere--if, indeed, the moon have any), with most other fancies in regard to animal and vegetable existence, are at variance, generally, with all analogical reasoning themes; analogy here will often amount to conclusive demonstration , perhaps, scarcely necessary to add, that all the suggestions attributed to Brewster and Herschel, beginning article, about "a transfusion of artificial light focal object of vision," etc , etc , belong species of figurative writing which comes, most properly, under the denomination of rigmarole

real and very definite limit to optical discovery stars--a limit whose nature need only be stated understood If, indeed, the casting of large lenses were all required, man's ingenuity would ultimately prove equal task, and them of any size demanded But, unhappily, in proportion increase of size lens, and consequently of space-penetrating power, diminution of light object, by diffusion rays And evil no remedy within human ability; for an object is seen light alone which proceeds from itself, whether direct or reflected Thus the only "artificial" light which could avail Mr Locke, some artificial light which to throw-not "focal object of vision," but real object viewed-to wit: moon easily calculated that, light proceeding from star becomes so diffused be as weak natural light proceeding whole stars, in clear and moonless night, then the star is no longer visible for any practical purpose

The Earl of Ross's telescope, lately constructed in England, has _speculum with reflecting surface of 4,071 square inches; the Herschel telescope having one of only 1,811 The metal Earl of Ross's is 6 feet diameter; 5 1/2 inches thick edges, and 5 centre The weight is 3 tons The focal length is 50 feet

lately read singular and somewhat ingenious little book, whose title-page runs thus: "L'Homme dans la lvne ou le Voyage Chimerique fait au Monde de la Lvne, nouuellement decouuert par Dominique Gonzales, Aduanturier Espagnol, autremt dit le Courier volant Mis en notre langve par J B D . Paris, chez Francois Piot, pres la Fontaine de Saint Benoist Et chez J Goignard, au premier pilier de la grand'salle du Palais, proche les Consultations, MDCXLVII " Pp 76

The writer professes translated his work English of one Mr D'Avisson (Davidson ? ) although terrible ambiguity statement "J' en ai eu," says he "l'original de Monsieur D'Avisson, medecin des mieux versez qui soient aujourd'huy dans la cnoissance des Belles Lettres, et sur tout de la Philosophic Naturelle Je lui ai cette obligation entre les autres, de m' auoir non seulement mis en main cc Livre en anglois, mais encore le Manuscrit du Sieur Thomas D'Anan, gentilhomme Eccossois, recommandable pour sa vertu, sur la version duquel j' advoue que j' ay tir le plan de la mienne "

After some irrelevant adventures, much manner of Gil Blas, and which occupy the first thirty pages, the author relates that, being ill during sea voyage, the crew abandoned him, together with negro servant, island of St Helena To increase the chances of obtaining food, the two separate, and live as far apart as possible This brings about training of birds, the purpose of carrier-pigeons By and are taught to carry parcels of some weight-and this weight is gradually increased the idea is entertained of uniting the force of great number birds, with view to raising the author himself machine is contrived , and minute description of it, materially helped out by steel engraving Here we perceive the Signor Gonzales, with point ruffles and huge periwig, seated astride something which resembles very closely broomstick, and borne aloft by multitude of wild swans (ganzas) who had strings reaching from their tails machine