THE CONTENTS OF THE NOTE-BOOK.
The book seized by the Baltimore police contained thirty pages,
sprinkled with formulæ, multiplications, equations, and finally the
general results of J. T. Maston’s calculation. It was a work of the
higher mechanics, appreciable only by mathematicians. One of the
equations was the—
V^2 - (V_{0})^2 = 2_g_(_r__{0})^2(1/_r_ - 1/_r__{0})
of which we heard in the Moon Voyage.
The “general reader” could make neither head nor tail of Maston’s
performances; but they could understand the results as communicated to
the newspapers a few days afterwards.
There was nothing wrong with J. T. Maston’s working, the Commission
reported. The calculations had been made with such precision that the
Commission had no doubt as to their accuracy and consequences. If the
operation was effected, the terrestrial axis would be undoubtedly
changed, and then the catastrophes foreseen would be accomplished in all
their plenitude.
“The object,” said the official communication to the newspapers, “of the
directorate of the North Polar Practical Association is the substitution
of a new axis of rotation for the old one; and it is proposed to attain
this object by means of the recoil of an apparatus fixed in some agreed
upon point of the Earth’s circumference. If the core of this apparatus
is firmly fixed in the ground, there can be no doubt but that it would
communicate its recoil to the mass of our planet.
“The apparatus adopted by the Association is a monster cannon, which
would have no effect if discharged vertically. To produce the maximum
effect it must be aimed horizontally towards the north or south, and it
is this latter direction which has been decided on by the Association.
In this way the recoil will produce a shock towards the north of the
nature of that given to a billiard-ball when struck on the side.”
Exactly as Alcide had foreseen!
“As soon as the explosion takes place, the centre of the Earth will be
displaced in a direction parallel to that of the impetus, and a change
will ensue in the plane of the orbit, and consequently in the length of
the year; but this will be so slight as to be of no appreciable amount.
At the same time the Earth would take a movement of rotation around an
axis, supposing that no rotation existed previous to the shock. But as
the rotation in the line of the Poles already exists, it will combine
with the accessory rotation produced by the recoil, and result in a new
axis. If the gun is fired at the moment when the Equator and the
Ecliptic are in intersection, and if the recoil is enough to displace
the Pole 23° 28′, then the new axis will become perpendicular to the
plane of the orbit.
“The consequences of this perpendicularity were clearly stated by Impey
Barbicane at the meeting on the 22nd of December.
“Given the mass of the Earth and the amount of movement it possesses,
can a gun be produced having a recoil sufficient to produce such a
displacement of the Pole as 23° 28′?
“Undoubtedly, if a gun, or series of guns, be constructed in accordance
with the laws of mechanics, or if the inventors possess an explosive of
the necessary power. Such an explosive they unfortunately possess. It
was discovered by Captain Nicholl. Its name is meli-melonite, but all
that is known of it is that it is a mixture of organic substances with
nitric acid. A certain number of monatomic radicles are substituted for
the same number of atoms of hydrogen, and a powder is obtained, which,
like fulmi-cotton, is formed by combination, and not by mechanical
mixture of the principal comburents and combustibles.
“Whatever this explosive may be, the force it possesses is sufficient to
carry a projectile weighing 180,000 tons beyond the terrestrial
attraction, and it is hoped by the Association that the recoil will have
the effect of displacing the Pole, and forming a new axis perpendicular
to the plane of the ecliptic. From which would result the catastrophes
at which the inhabitants of the Earth have taken alarm.
“There is a chance that humanity may yet escape the consequences of an
operation which would bring about such regrettable geographical and
meteorological changes in the surface of the globe.
“Is it possible to construct a cannon of the dimensions required?
“We are of opinion that it is very doubtful if it can be done.
“It is well known that the two chief directors of the North Polar
Practical Association have left Baltimore and America, probably for the
purpose of attempting the manufacture of this cannon in some distant
part of the world.
“Where they have gone to is unknown, and consequently it is impossible
to secure the malefactors who would upset the world under pretence of
opening up new coal-fields.
“Evidently the place was indicated on the last page of the note-book
captured by the police from J. T. Maston. But this last page had
disappeared, having been swallowed by the said J. T. Maston, now in
prison at Baltimore.
“Such is the position. If Impey Barbicane can make his cannon and his
projectile, he will change the earth’s axis, and within the next six
months the earth will be subjected to his reckless assault.
“A date has been chosen for the discharge of the projectile, the date on
which the shock would have its maximum of effect on the terrestrial
spheroid.
“This date is the 22nd of September, twelve hours after the passage of
the Sun across the meridian of the place _x_.
“This place it is impossible from the calculations to discover.
“There is nothing in J. T. Maston’s note-book to show the position of
the new axis.
“It is therefore impossible to state what territories or seas will be
affected by the attempt.
“The difference of level will be considerable. After the shock the
surface of the sea will take the form of an ellipsoid of revolution, and
the level will change nearly all over the globe.
“In fact the intersection of the level of the old sea with the level of
the new sea, of two equal surfaces of revolution with the axes
intersecting, will be of two curved planes, and the maxima of elevation
or abasement will exceed 25,000 feet.
“It is worthy of remark that the ancient Pole will be immersed under
more than 9000 feet of water, so that the district acquired by the North
Polar Practical Association will be flooded unless there exists at the
Pole a plateau of more than that number of feet of elevation.
“Where the maximum of alteration of land will take place is unknown.
There is in the equation an unknown quantity, which no known formula can
value. This unknown is the position of _x_, where the shock is to be
applied. This _x_ is the secret of the promoters of this deplorable
affair.
“In conclusion, it is desirable to point out that all the inhabitants of
the Earth are interested in unravelling the secret, for all are menaced
by the proceedings of the Association.
“Notice is therefore given to the inhabitants of all parts of the world
to keep a strict watch over all operations regarding the founding of
cannons, or the fabrication of powders or projectiles taking place on
their territories, and to report the appearance of any stranger
connected therewith to the Commission of Inquiry at Baltimore, U.S.A.
“It is urgently necessary that the information should reach the
Commission before the 22nd of September next, the date on which the
established order of the terrestrial system is so seriously menaced.”