I have every reason to believe that we shall succeed, but at present let us see what speeds we have already obtained; General Morgan can edify us upon that subject." "So much the more easily," answered the general, "because during the war I was a member of the Experiment Commission.

The 100-pound cannon of Dahlgren, with a range of 5,000 yards, gave their projectiles an initial speed of 500 yards a second." "Yes; and the Rodman Columbiad ?" (the Americans gave the name of "Columbiad" to their enormous engines of destruction) asked the president.
"The Rodman Columbiad, tried at Fort Hamilton, near New York, hurled a projectile, weighing half a ton, a distance of six miles, with a speed of 800 yards a second, a result which neither Armstrong nor Palliser has obtained in England." "Englishmen are nowhere!" said J.T.Maston, pointing his formidable steel hook eastward.
"Then," resumed Barbicane, "a speed of 800 yards is the maximum obtained at present." "Yes," answered Morgan.
"I might add, however," replied J.T.Maston, "that if my mortar had not been blown up--" "Yes, but it was blown up," replied Barbicane with a benevolent gesture.
"We must take the speed of 800 yards for a starting point.

We must keep till another meeting the discussion of the means used to produce this speed; allow me to call your attention to the dimensions which our projectile must have.

Of course it must be something very different to one of half a ton weight." "Why ?" asked the major.
"Because," quickly answered J.T.Maston, "it must be large enough to attract the attention of the inhabitants of the moon, supposing there are any." "Yes," answered Barbicane, "and for another reason still more important." "What do you mean, Barbicane ?" asked the major.
"I mean that it is not enough to send up a projectile and then to think no more about it; we must follow it in its transit." "What ?" said the general, slightly surprised at the proposition.
"Certainly," replied Barbicane, like a man who knew what he was saying, "or our experiment will be without result." "But then," replied the major, "you will have to give the projectile enormous dimensions." "No.

Please grant me your attention.