human
Gentlemen, said he,
gpt
Suffer me to say a word, here broke in J. T. Maston. Permission having been granted,
human
Gentlemen, said he, with an inspired accent,
gpt
And now, said Barbicane,
human
By all means,
gpt
The problem before us, continued the president,
human
And the more easily, replied the general,
gpt
This, replied Barbicane,
human
It is so,
gpt
Ah! groaned J. T. Maston,
human
Yes, quietly replied Barbicane,
gpt
Why not?
human
Because the shot, quickly replied J. T. Maston,
gpt
Yes, replied Barbicane,
human
What mean you?
gpt
I mean that it is not enough to discharge a projectile, and then take no further notice of it; we must follow it throughout its course, up to the moment when it shall reach its goal.
human
What?
gpt
Undoubtedly, replied Barbicane composedly,
human
But then, replied the major,
gpt
No! Be so good as to listen. You know that optical instruments have acquired great perfection; with certain telescopes we have succeeded in obtaining enlargements of 6000 times and reducing the moon to within forty miles' distance. Now, at this distance, any objects sixty feet square would be perfectly visible. If, then, the penetrative power of telescopes has not been further increased, it is because that power detracts from their light; and the moon, which is but a reflecting mirror, does not give back sufficient light to enable us to perceive objects of lesser magnitude.
human
Well, then, what do you propose to do? asked the general.
gpt
Would you give your projectile a diameter of sixty feet?
human
Not so.
gpt
Do you intend, then, to increase the luminous power of the moon?
human
Exactly so. If I can succeed in diminishing the density of the atmosphere through which the moon's light has to travel I shall have rendered her light more intense. To effect that object it will be enough to establish a telescope on some elevated mountain. That is what we will do.
gpt
I give it up, answered the major.
human
You have such a way of simplifying things. And what enlargement do you expect to obtain in this way?
gpt
One of 48,000 times, which should bring the moon within an apparent distance of five miles; and, in order to be visible, objects need not have a diameter of more than nine feet.
human
So, then, cried J. T. Maston,
gpt
Let me observe, however, interrupted Major Elphinstone,
human
My dear major, replied Barbicane,
gpt
Clearly, replied the major;
human
Simply cast iron,
gpt
But, interrupted the major,
human
Yes, if it were solid, not if it were hollow.
gpt
Hollow? then it would be a shell?
human
Yes, a shell, replied Barbicane;
gpt
What, then, will be the thickness of the sides?
human
If we follow the usual proportion, replied Morgan,
gpt
That would be too much, replied Barbicane;
human
Nothing easier,