Preface: A Defense

Since it has come to our ears that some persons have doubted the truth of this story, and that, consequently, the publisher of the subterranean voyage has gotten, here and there, a bad reputation, we have, to prevent all false accusations, held it advisable to prefix to this new edition certificates from men whose honesty and sincerity are raised above all distrust, and whose evidence will secure the publisher against all opposition. The first two of these witnesses we know to have been contemporary with our hero; the rest flourished at a period immediately subsequent; and all are generally known as people venerable in virtue and honesty, whose cool and sound judgments effectually preclude the blandishments of cajolery, while their noble candor and undeviating uprightness forbid the sanction of their names to whatever is, in its nature, deceitful or fictitious. With the testimony of such respectable persons, we shall bind the tongues of all false, prejudiced and sneering critics, and, before these signatures, oblige them to acknowledge their folly and take back their heedless accusations. The certificate sent to my brother and myself reads thus:

We have heard that some people doubt the truth of this story. As a result, the publisher of the underground voyage has gained a bad reputation in some quarters. To prevent all false accusations, we thought it wise to begin this new edition with statements from trustworthy men. Their honesty and sincerity are beyond all doubt, and their testimony will protect the publisher against all opposition. We know that the first two witnesses lived at the same time as our hero. The others lived in the period immediately afterward. All are widely known as people worthy of respect for their virtue and honesty. Their calm, sound judgment makes them immune to flattery and persuasion. Their noble frankness and unwavering integrity prevent them from lending their names to anything deceitful or fictional. With testimony from such respected people, we shall silence all dishonest, prejudiced, and sneering critics. Faced with these signatures, those critics will have to admit their foolishness and withdraw their careless accusations. The statement sent to my brother and me reads as follows:

We hope by such distinguished and authentic testimony to remove all doubt; but should there be found any stubborn enough to persist in their suspicions, in spite of these certificates, we will anticipate their objections, and endeavor to subdue their incredulity with other weapons.

We hope such distinguished and reliable testimony will remove all doubt. But some may be stubborn enough to remain suspicious despite these certificates. If so, we will anticipate their objections and try to overcome their disbelief with other weapons.

It is a known fact, that in a section of Norway, called Finnmark, exist people who have advanced so far in the study and practice of natural witchcraft, (a science into which other nations have scarcely looked,) that they can excite and subdue storms; transform themselves to wolves; speak several, and in our world entirely unknown, languages; and travel from the north to the south pole in less time than one hour. One of these Finns, by name Peyvis, came lately to Bergen, and exhibited so many strange proofs of his art and science, that all present deemed him worthy of a doctor's hat: at the same time a fierce critic came out with a review of the "Subterranean Travels," which he assumptively tagged to the long list of "old women's stories;" the honor of the Klims being thus impugned, and his own by implication, Peyvis, through our influence, obtained permission to collect materials and prepare himself for a voyage under ground. He commenced by publishing a card, wherein he exalted his abilities in the following expressions:

It is a known fact that people in a part of Norway called Finnmark have mastered natural witchcraft. Other nations have barely studied this science. These people can raise and calm storms, turn themselves into wolves, and speak several languages entirely unknown in our world. They can also travel from the north pole to the south pole in less than an hour. One of these Finns, named Peyvis, recently came to Bergen. He gave so many strange demonstrations of his art and science that everyone present thought he deserved a doctor's hat. At the same time, a harsh critic published a review of the "Subterranean Travels." The critic presumptuously added the book to the long list of "old women's stories." This attack challenged the honor of the Klims and, by implication, Peyvis's own honor. So, with our help, Peyvis obtained permission to gather materials and prepare for a journey underground. He began by publishing a notice in which he praised his own abilities in the following words:

Everybody shuddered from fear at hearing these incredible assumptions. The Finn immediately prepared himself for the voyage, undressed, and, strange sight! suddenly transformed to an eagle, raised himself into the air and soon vanished. After a full month's absence, our wonderful doctor, early on a morning, re-appeared, entirely exhausted, his forehead streaming with sweat. When sufficiently recovered from his fatigue, he commenced a description of his adventures on his air passage and in the subterranean lands. He told us that on his arrival below, war was raging between the established government and the opposition, in which the party of Klim got the ascendancy, and reinstated the son of our Niels on the throne; our kinsman had for a long time borne the sceptre, under the administration of his mother; but now, old and glorified for many great feats, reigned alone over the whole subterranean world, with the name of Niels the Second.

Everyone shuddered with fear on hearing these incredible claims. The Finn immediately prepared for the journey and undressed. Then, what a strange sight! He suddenly turned into an eagle, rose into the air, and soon vanished. After a full month away, our remarkable doctor returned early one morning, utterly exhausted, with sweat streaming down his forehead. Once he had recovered enough, he began describing his adventures in the air and in the underground lands. He told us that when he arrived below, war was raging between the established government and the opposition. Klim's supporters gained the upper hand and restored the son of our Niels to the throne. Our relative had ruled for a long time under his mother's guidance. But now, old and honored for his many great deeds, he ruled the entire underground world alone as Niels the Second.

Now, take shame to yourselves, ye incredulous mortals! and learn hereafter, in important matters, to proceed with more caution. Be ashamed, ye scoffers! and ask pardon for your unfounded accusations, your atrocious sneers. Stand abashed, finally, ye hyper-critics! and know that the learned world shall no longer suffer from your audacious and unreasonable judgments; then silence your stunted progeny at their birth, or if you will, yourselves!

Now be ashamed of yourselves, you doubting mortals! And learn to be more careful in important matters from now on. Be ashamed, you mockers! And ask forgiveness for your baseless accusations and vicious sneers. Finally, hang your heads in shame, you faultfinding critics! Know that the world of learning will no longer suffer from your brazen and unreasonable judgments. Then silence your stunted offspring at birth, or, if you prefer, silence yourselves!