The Grand Lunar

The penultimate message describes, with occasionally elaborate detail, the encounter between Cavor and the Grand Lunar, who is the ruler or master of the moon. Cavor seems to have sent most of it without interference, but to have been interrupted in the concluding portion. The second came after an interval of a week.

The second-to-last message describes Cavor's meeting with the Grand Lunar, the ruler or master of the moon. It is sometimes very detailed. Cavor seems to have sent most of the message without interference, but he seems to have been interrupted near the end. The second came a week later.

The first message begins: “At last I am able to resume this—” it then becomes illegible for a space, and after a time resumed in mid-sentence.

The first message begins: “At last I can continue this.” The writing then becomes unreadable for a while. When it becomes legible again, it resumes in the middle of a sentence.

The missing words of the following sentence are probably “the crowd.” There follows quite clearly: “grew ever denser as we drew near the palace of the Grand Lunar—if I may call a series of excavations a palace. Everywhere faces stared at me—blank, chitinous gapes and masks, eyes peering over tremendous olfactory developments, eyes beneath monstrous forehead plates; and undergrowth of smaller creatures dodged and yelped, and helmet faces poised on sinuous, long-jointed necks appeared craning over shoulders and beneath armpits. Keeping a welcome space about me marched a cordon of stolid, scuttle-headed guards, who had joined us on our leaving the boat in which we had come along the channels of the Central Sea. The quick-eyed artist with the little brain joined us also, and a thick bunch of lean porter-insects swayed and struggled under the multitude of conveniences that were considered essential to my state. I was carried in a litter during the final stage of our journey. This litter was made of some very ductile metal that looked dark to me, meshed and woven, and with bars of paler metal, and about me as I advanced there grouped itself a long and complicated procession.

The missing words of the following sentence are probably “the crowd.” What follows is quite clear: “grew ever denser as we approached the palace of the Grand Lunar, if I may call a series of excavations a palace. Everywhere, faces stared at me. There were blank, gaping mouths and masks of chitin, eyes peering over enormous noses, and eyes beneath monstrous forehead plates. Smaller creatures dodged and yelped like undergrowth beneath the crowd. Helmet-like faces on long, flexible, jointed necks craned over shoulders and beneath armpits. A cordon of stolid, scuttle-headed guards marched around me, keeping a welcome space clear. They had joined us when we left the boat that had carried us along the channels of the Central Sea. The quick-eyed artist with the little brain joined us too. A dense group of lean porter-insects swayed and struggled under the many conveniences thought essential to my status. I was carried in a litter during the final stage of our journey. It was made of a very flexible metal that looked dark to me, woven into a mesh with bars of paler metal. As I moved forward, a long and complicated procession gathered around me.

“In front, after the manner of heralds, marched four trumpet-faced creatures making a devastating bray; and then came squat, resolute-moving ushers before and behind, and on either hand a galaxy of learned heads, a sort of animated encyclopedia, who were, Phi-oo explained, to stand about the Grand Lunar for purposes of reference. (Not a thing in lunar science, not a point of view or method of thinking, that these wonderful beings did not carry in their heads!) Followed guards and porters, and then Phi-oo’s shivering brain borne also on a litter. Then came Tsi-puff in a slightly less important litter; then myself on a litter of greater elegance than any other, and surrounded by my food and drink attendants. More trumpeters came next, splitting the ear with vehement outcries, and then several big brains, special correspondents one might well call them, or historiographers, charged with the task of observing and remembering every detail of this epoch-making interview. A company of attendants, bearing and dragging banners and masses of scented fungus and curious symbols, vanished in the darkness behind. The way was lined by ushers and officers in caparisons that gleamed like steel, and beyond their line, so far as my eyes could pierce the gloom, the heads of that enormous crowd extended.

“In front, like heralds, marched four trumpet-faced creatures, making a devastating bray. Then came squat ushers, moving with determination, both ahead and behind. On either side was a galaxy of learned heads, a kind of living encyclopedia. Phi-oo explained that they were to stand around the Grand Lunar for reference. (There was not a single fact in lunar science, or a viewpoint or way of thinking, that these wonderful beings did not carry in their heads!) Next came guards and porters, followed by Phi-oo’s shivering brain, also carried on a litter. Then came Tsi-puff in a slightly less important litter. After him came me, on a litter more elegant than any other, surrounded by my food and drink attendants. More trumpeters followed, splitting the ears with their violent cries. Then came several big brains, whom one might well call special correspondents or historians. Their task was to observe and remember every detail of this momentous interview. Behind them, a company of attendants disappeared into the darkness. They carried and dragged banners, masses of scented fungus, and curious symbols. Ushers and officers lined the way, dressed in coverings that gleamed like steel. Beyond their line, the heads of the enormous crowd stretched as far as my eyes could see through the gloom.

“I will own that I am still by no means indurated to the peculiar effect of the Selenite appearance, and to find myself, as it were, adrift on this broad sea of excited entomology was by no means agreeable. Just for a space I had something very like what I should imagine people mean when they speak of the ‘horrors.’ It had come to me before in these lunar caverns, when on occasion I have found myself weaponless and with an undefended back, amidst a crowd of these Selenites, but never quite so vividly. It is, of course, as absolutely irrational a feeling as one could well have, and I hope gradually to subdue it. But just for a moment, as I swept forward into the welter of the vast crowd, it was only by gripping my litter tightly and summoning all my will-power that I succeeded in avoiding an outcry or some such manifestation. It lasted perhaps three minutes; then I had myself in hand again.

“I admit that I am still far from used to the strange effect of the Selenites’ appearance. Being, as it were, adrift on this broad sea of excited insect life was far from pleasant. For a little while, I felt something very like what I imagine people mean by the ‘horrors.’ I had felt it before in these lunar caverns. At times I had found myself without a weapon, my back unprotected, among a crowd of Selenites. But I had never felt it quite so vividly. Of course, the feeling is as irrational as any could be, and I hope to overcome it gradually. But for a moment, as I was carried forward into the turmoil of the vast crowd, I nearly cried out or showed my fear in some other way. Only by gripping my litter tightly and summoning all my willpower did I avoid it. The feeling lasted perhaps three minutes. Then I had myself under control again.

“We ascended the spiral of a vertical way for some time, and then passed through a series of huge halls dome-roofed and elaborately decorated. The approach to the Grand Lunar was certainly contrived to give one a vivid impression of his greatness. Each cavern one entered seemed greater and more boldly arched than its predecessor. This effect of progressive size was enhanced by a thin haze of faintly phosphorescent blue incense that thickened as one advanced, and robbed even the nearer figures of clearness. I seemed to advance continually to something larger, dimmer, and less material.

“We climbed a spiral passage for some time. Then we passed through a series of huge, richly decorated halls with domed roofs. The approach to the Grand Lunar was clearly designed to impress visitors with his greatness. Each cavern we entered seemed larger and had a more daringly curved roof than the one before it. A thin haze of faintly glowing blue incense made the caverns seem to grow even larger. The haze grew thicker as we went on, blurring even the figures nearby. I seemed to be moving steadily toward something larger, dimmer, and less solid.

“I must confess that all this multitude made me feel extremely shabby and unworthy. I was unshaven and unkempt; I had brought no razor; I had a coarse beard over my mouth. On earth I have always been inclined to despise any attention to my person beyond a proper care for cleanliness; but under the exceptional circumstances in which I found myself, representing, as I did, my planet and my kind, and depending very largely upon the attractiveness of my appearance for a proper reception, I could have given much for something a little more artistic and dignified than the husks I wore. I had been so serene in the belief that the moon was uninhabited as to overlook such precautions altogether. As it was I was dressed in a flannel jacket, knickerbockers, and golfing stockings, stained with every sort of dirt the moon offered, slippers (of which the left heel was wanting), and a blanket, through a hole in which I thrust my head. (These clothes, indeed, I still wear.) Sharp bristles are anything but an improvement to my cast of features, and there was an unmended tear at the knee of my knickerbockers that showed conspicuously as I squatted in my litter; my right stocking, too, persisted in getting about my ankle. I am fully alive to the injustice my appearance did humanity, and if by any expedient I could have improvised something a little out of the way and imposing I would have done so. But I could hit upon nothing. I did what I could with my blanket—folding it somewhat after the fashion of a toga, and for the rest I sat as upright as the swaying of my litter permitted.

“I must admit that the whole crowd made me feel terribly shabby and unworthy. I was unshaven and untidy. I had brought no razor, and a coarse beard covered my mouth. On earth, I have always tended to look down on caring about my appearance beyond keeping properly clean. But my circumstances were exceptional. I was representing my planet and my kind, and my reception depended largely on how attractive I looked. I would have given a great deal for something more artistic and dignified than the rags I wore. I had been so certain the moon was uninhabited that I had neglected such precautions altogether. As it was, I wore a flannel jacket, knickerbockers, and golfing stockings, stained with every kind of dirt the moon offered. I also wore slippers, the left one missing its heel, and a blanket with my head poking through a hole. (I still wear these clothes.) Sharp stubble does nothing to improve my features. An unmended tear at the knee of my knickerbockers stood out as I squatted in my litter. My right stocking also kept slipping down around my ankle. I am fully aware of how unfairly my appearance represented humanity. If I could have found any way to improvise something a little unusual and imposing, I would have done so. But I could think of nothing. I did what I could with my blanket, folding it somewhat like a toga. Otherwise, I sat as upright as the swaying of my litter allowed.

“Imagine the largest hall you have ever been in, imperfectly lit with blue light and obscured by a grey-blue fog, surging with metallic or livid-grey creatures of such a mad diversity as I have hinted. Imagine this hall to end in an open archway beyond which is a still larger hall, and beyond this yet another and still larger one, and so on. At the end of the vista, dimly seen, a flight of steps, like the steps of Ara Coeli at Rome, ascend out of sight. Higher and higher these steps appear to go as one draws nearer their base. But at last I came under a huge archway and beheld the summit of these steps, and upon it the Grand Lunar exalted on his throne.

“Imagine the largest hall you have ever been in, dimly lit by blue light and shrouded in grey-blue fog. It teems with metallic or livid-grey creatures, as wildly varied as I have suggested. Imagine an open archway at the end of the hall, leading to an even larger one. Beyond that is another, larger still, and so on. At the far end, a flight of steps rises out of sight, barely visible in the distance. The steps are like those of Ara Coeli in Rome. As you approach their base, they seem to rise higher and higher. But at last I passed under a huge archway and saw the top of the steps. There the Grand Lunar sat high on his throne.

“He was seated in what was relatively a blaze of incandescent blue. This, and the darkness about him gave him an effect of floating in a blue-black void. He seemed a small, self-luminous cloud at first, brooding on his sombre throne; his brain case must have measured many yards in diameter. For some reason that I cannot fathom a number of blue search-lights radiated from behind the throne on which he sat, and immediately encircling him was a halo. About him, and little and indistinct in this glow, a number of body-servants sustained and supported him, and overshadowed and standing in a huge semicircle beneath him were his intellectual subordinates, his remembrancers and computators and searchers and servants, and all the distinguished insects of the court of the moon. Still lower stood ushers and messengers, and then all down the countless steps of the throne were guards, and at the base, enormous, various, indistinct, vanishing at last into an absolute black, a vast swaying multitude of the minor dignitaries of the moon. Their feet made a perpetual scraping whisper on the rocky floor, as their limbs moved with a rustling murmur.

“He sat in what was, by comparison, a blaze of brilliant blue light. The light and the darkness around him made him seem to float in a blue-black void. At first he looked like a small, glowing cloud, brooding on his gloomy throne. His braincase must have been many yards across. For some reason I cannot understand, several blue searchlights shone out from behind his throne. A halo surrounded him. Around him, small and indistinct in the glow, several personal servants held and supported him. Below him, in his shadow, his intellectual subordinates stood in a huge semicircle. These were his record keepers, calculators, researchers and servants, along with all the distinguished insects of the moon’s court. Ushers and messengers stood still lower, and guards lined the countless steps of the throne. At its base was a vast, swaying multitude of the moon’s lesser dignitaries. They were enormous, varied and indistinct, and finally vanished into absolute darkness. Their feet made a constant scraping whisper on the rocky floor, while their limbs moved with a rustling murmur.

“As I entered the penultimate hall the music rose and expanded into an imperial magnificence of sound, and the shrieks of the news-bearers died away....

“As I entered the next-to-last hall, the music swelled into a magnificent, regal sound. The shrieks of the news-bearers faded away....

“I entered the last and greatest hall....

“I entered the last and greatest hall....

“My procession opened out like a fan. My ushers and guards went right and left, and the three litters bearing myself and Phi-oo and Tsi-puff marched across a shiny darkness of floor to the foot of the giant stairs. Then began a vast throbbing hum, that mingled with the music. The two Selenites dismounted, but I was bidden remain seated—I imagine as a special honour. The music ceased, but not that humming, and by a simultaneous movement of ten thousand respectful heads my attention was directed to the enhaloed supreme intelligence that hovered above me.

“My procession spread out like a fan. My ushers and guards went to either side. The three litters carrying me, Phi-oo, and Tsi-puff moved across the shiny, dark floor to the foot of the giant stairs. Then a deep, throbbing hum began, mingling with the music. The two Selenites got down, but I was told to remain seated. I imagine this was a special honor. The music stopped, but the humming continued. Ten thousand respectful heads turned at once, directing my attention to the haloed supreme intelligence hovering above me.

“At first as I peered into the radiating glow this quintessential brain looked very much like an opaque, featureless bladder with dim, undulating ghosts of convolutions writhing visibly within. Then beneath its enormity and just above the edge of the throne one saw with a start minute elfin eyes peering out of the glow. No face, but eyes, as if they peered through holes. At first I could see no more than these two staring little eyes, and then below I distinguished the little dwarfed body and its insect-jointed limbs shrivelled and white. The eyes stared down at me with a strange intensity, and the lower part of the swollen globe was wrinkled. Ineffectual-looking little hand-tentacles steadied this shape on the throne....

“At first, as I peered into the spreading glow, this brain in its purest form looked much like an opaque, featureless bladder. Dim, ghostly folds writhed visibly inside it. Then, beneath its enormous bulk and just above the edge of the throne, I suddenly saw tiny, elfin eyes peering from the glow. There was no face, only eyes, as if they were peering through holes. At first I could see nothing more than those two staring little eyes. Then, below them, I made out a tiny, stunted body with shriveled, white limbs that had joints like an insect’s. The eyes stared down at me with a strange intensity. The lower part of the swollen globe was wrinkled. Little hand-tentacles that looked too weak to be useful held this figure steady on the throne....

“It was great. It was pitiful. One forgot the hall and the crowd.

“It was magnificent. It was heartbreaking. You forgot the hall and the crowd.

“I ascended the staircase by jerks. It seemed to me that this darkly glowing brain case above us spread over me, and took more and more of the whole effect into itself as I drew nearer. The tiers of attendants and helpers grouped about their master seemed to dwindle and fade into the night. I saw that shadowy attendants were busy spraying that great brain with a cooling spray, and patting and sustaining it. For my own part, I sat gripping my swaying litter and staring at the Grand Lunar, unable to turn my gaze aside. And at last, as I reached a little landing that was separated only by ten steps or so from the supreme seat, the woven splendour of the music reached a climax and ceased, and I was left naked, as it were, in that vastness, beneath the still scrutiny of the Grand Lunar’s eyes.

“I went up the staircase in jerks. As I drew nearer, the darkly glowing brain case above us seemed to spread over me. It seemed to dominate more and more of the scene. The tiers of attendants and helpers grouped around their master seemed to shrink and fade into the darkness. I saw shadowy attendants spraying the great brain with a cooling mist. They were also patting and supporting it. I sat gripping my swaying litter and staring at the Grand Lunar, unable to look away. At last, I reached a small landing only ten steps or so from the supreme seat. The woven splendor of the music reached a climax and stopped. I was left, as if naked, in that vast space, beneath the Grand Lunar’s steady gaze.”

“He was scrutinising the first man he had ever seen....

“He was studying the first man he had ever seen....

“My eyes dropped at last from his greatness to the ant figures in the blue mist about him, and then down the steps to the massed Selenites, still and expectant in their thousands, packed on the floor below. Once again an unreasonable horror reached out towards me.... And passed.

“At last, I looked down from his greatness to the ant-like figures in the blue mist around him. Then I looked down the steps to the thousands of Selenites packed on the floor below, still and expectant. Once again, an unreasonable horror reached out toward me.... And passed.

“After the pause came the salutation. I was assisted from my litter, and stood awkwardly while a number of curious and no doubt deeply symbolical gestures were vicariously performed for me by two slender officials. The encyclopaedic galaxy of the learned that had accompanied me to the entrance of the last hall appeared two steps above me and left and right of me, in readiness for the Grand Lunar’s need, and Phi-oo’s pale brain placed itself about half-way up to the throne in such a position as to communicate easily between us without turning his back on either the Grand Lunar or myself. Tsi-puff took up a position behind him. Dexterous ushers sidled sideways towards me, keeping a full face to the Presence. I seated myself Turkish fashion, and Phi-oo and Tsi-puff also knelt down above me. There came a pause. The eyes of the nearer court went from me to the Grand Lunar and came back to me, and a hissing and piping of expectation passed across the hidden multitudes below and ceased.

“After the pause came the greeting. I was helped out of my litter and stood awkwardly. Two slender officials performed a number of curious gestures on my behalf, no doubt rich in symbolism. The encyclopedic galaxy of learned beings who had accompanied me to the entrance of the last hall now appeared around me. They stood two steps above me, to my left and right, ready to serve the Grand Lunar. Phi-oo’s pale brain took its place about halfway up to the throne. From there, he could communicate easily between us without turning his back on either the Grand Lunar or me. Tsi-puff took up a position behind him. Skillful ushers sidled toward me, keeping their faces turned toward the Grand Lunar. I sat down cross-legged, and Phi-oo and Tsi-puff also knelt above me. There was a pause. The eyes of those nearest the court turned from me to the Grand Lunar and back again. A hiss and a piping sound of expectation passed through the hidden multitudes below, then died away.

“That humming ceased.

“That humming stopped.

“For the first and last time in my experience the moon was silent.

“For the first and last time I ever knew, the moon was silent.

“I became aware of a faint wheezy noise. The Grand Lunar was addressing me. It was like the rubbing of a finger upon a pane of glass.

“I heard a faint wheezing sound. The Grand Lunar was speaking to me. The sound was like a finger rubbing against a pane of glass.

“I watched him attentively for a time, and then glanced at the alert Phi-oo. I felt amidst these slender beings ridiculously thick and fleshy and solid; my head all jaw and black hair. My eyes went back to the Grand Lunar. He had ceased; his attendants were busy, and his shining superficies was glistening and running with cooling spray.

“I watched him closely for a while, then glanced at the alert Phi-oo. Among these slender beings, I felt ridiculously thick, fleshy, and solid. My head seemed to be all jaw and black hair. I looked back at the Grand Lunar. He had stopped. His attendants were busy, and cooling spray glistened and ran over his shiny surface.

“Phi-oo meditated through an interval. He consulted Tsi-puff. Then he began piping his recognisable English—at first a little nervously, so that he was not very clear.

“Phi-oo thought for a while. He consulted Tsi-puff. Then he began speaking in his high-pitched, recognizable English. At first, he was a little nervous, so he was not very clear.

“‘M’m—the Grand Lunar—wished to say—wishes to say—he gathers you are—m’m—men—that you are a man from the planet earth. He wishes to say that he welcomes you—welcomes you—and wishes to learn—learn, if I may use the word—the state of your world, and the reason why you came to this.’

“‘M’m, the Grand Lunar wanted to say, wants to say, he understands that you are, m’m, men. That you are a man from the planet Earth. He wants to say that he welcomes you, welcomes you. He wishes to learn, learn, if I may use the word, what your world is like and why you came to this.’

“He paused. I was about to reply when he resumed. He proceeded to remarks of which the drift was not very clear, though I am inclined to think they were intended to be complimentary. He told me that the earth was to the moon what the sun is to the earth, and that the Selenites desired very greatly to learn about the earth and men. He then told me no doubt in compliment also, the relative magnitude and diameter of earth and moon, and the perpetual wonder and speculation with which the Selenites had regarded our planet. I meditated with downcast eyes, and decided to reply that men too had wondered what might lie in the moon, and had judged it dead, little recking of such magnificence as I had seen that day. The Grand Lunar, in token of recognition, caused his long blue rays to rotate in a very confusing manner, and all about the great hall ran the pipings and whisperings and rustlings of the report of what I had said. He then proceeded to put to Phi-oo a number of inquiries which were easier to answer.

“He paused. I was about to reply when he began again. What he said was not very clear, though I think he meant it as a compliment. He told me that the earth was to the moon what the sun is to the earth. He said that the Selenites greatly wanted to learn about the earth and men. He then told me how the earth and moon compared in size and diameter. No doubt he meant this as a compliment too. He also described the constant wonder and speculation with which the Selenites had regarded our planet. I lowered my eyes and thought. I decided to reply that men too had wondered what might lie in the moon. They had judged it dead, with little idea of the magnificence I had seen that day. The Grand Lunar turned his long blue rays in a very confusing way to acknowledge my reply. All around the great hall, news of what I had said spread in pipings, whispers, and rustlings. He then went on to ask Phi-oo a number of questions that were easier to answer.

“He understood, he explained, that we lived on the surface of the earth, that our air and sea were outside the globe; the latter part, indeed, he already knew from his astronomical specialists. He was very anxious to have more detailed information of what he called this extraordinary state of affairs, for from the solidity of the earth there had always been a disposition to regard it as uninhabitable. He endeavoured first to ascertain the extremes of temperature to which we earth beings were exposed, and he was deeply interested by my descriptive treatment of clouds and rain. His imagination was assisted by the fact that the lunar atmosphere in the outer galleries of the night side is not infrequently very foggy. He seemed inclined to marvel that we did not find the sunlight too intense for our eyes, and was interested in my attempt to explain that the sky was tempered to a bluish colour through the refraction of the air, though I doubt if he clearly understood that. I explained how the iris of the human eyes can contract the pupil and save the delicate internal structure from the excess of sunlight, and was allowed to approach within a few feet of the Presence in order that this structure might be seen. This led to a comparison of the lunar and terrestrial eyes. The former is not only excessively sensitive to such light as men can see, but it can also see heat, and every difference in temperature within the moon renders objects visible to it.

“He explained that he understood we lived on the earth’s surface, with our air and sea outside the globe. His astronomical specialists had already told him about the air and sea. He was eager for more details about what he called this extraordinary state of affairs. Because the earth was solid, there had always been a tendency to regard it as uninhabitable. He first tried to learn the extremes of temperature we earth beings were exposed to. My description of clouds and rain interested him deeply. It helped him imagine them that the lunar atmosphere in the outer galleries of the night side is often very foggy. He seemed inclined to marvel that we did not find the sunlight too intense for our eyes. He was interested when I tried to explain that the air refracted the light, making the sky a softer blue. But I doubt he clearly understood that. I explained how the iris of the human eye can contract the pupil. This protects the delicate internal structure from too much sunlight. I was allowed to come within a few feet of the Presence so that this structure could be seen. This led to a comparison of lunar and terrestrial eyes. The lunar eye is not only extremely sensitive to the light humans can see, but it can also see heat. Every difference in temperature within the moon makes objects visible to it.

“The iris was quite a new organ to the Grand Lunar. For a time he amused himself by flashing his rays into my face and watching my pupils contract. As a consequence, I was dazzled and blinded for some little time....

“The iris was a completely new organ to the Grand Lunar. For a while, he amused himself by flashing his rays into my face and watching my pupils contract. As a result, I was dazzled and blinded for a short time....

“But in spite of that discomfort I found something reassuring by insensible degrees in the rationality of this business of question and answer. I could shut my eyes, think of my answer, and almost forget that the the Grand Lunar has no face....

“But despite that discomfort, I gradually found the logic of asking and answering questions reassuring. I could close my eyes, think of my answer, and almost forget that the Grand Lunar had no face....

“When I had descended again to my proper place the Grand Lunar asked how we sheltered ourselves from heat and storms, and I expounded to him the arts of building and furnishing. Here we wandered into misunderstandings and cross-purposes, due largely, I must admit, to the looseness of my expressions. For a long time I had great difficulty in making him understand the nature of a house. To him and his attendant Selenites it seemed, no doubt, the most whimsical thing in the world that men should build houses when they might descend into excavations, and an additional complication was introduced by the attempt I made to explain that men had originally begun their homes in caves, and that they were now taking their railways and many establishments beneath the surface. Here I think a desire for intellectual completeness betrayed me. There was also a considerable tangle due to an equally unwise attempt on my part to explain about mines. Dismissing this topic at last in an incomplete state, the Grand Lunar inquired what we did with the interior of our globe.

“When I had returned to my proper place, the Grand Lunar asked how we sheltered ourselves from heat and storms. I explained how we built and furnished our homes. We fell into misunderstandings and talked at cross-purposes. I must admit that this was largely because I expressed myself imprecisely. For a long time, I had great difficulty making him understand what a house was. To him and his attendant Selenites, it must have seemed utterly absurd that men built houses instead of going underground. I made matters more complicated by trying to explain that men had first made their homes in caves. I also explained that they were now moving their railways and many establishments beneath the surface. Here, I think my desire to give a complete explanation led me astray. I also caused considerable confusion by making an equally unwise attempt to explain mines. At last, we left the subject without finishing it, and the Grand Lunar asked what we did with the interior of our globe.

“A tide of twittering and piping swept into the remotest corners of that great assembly when it was at last made clear that we men know absolutely nothing of the contents of the world upon which the immemorial generations of our ancestors had been evolved. Three times had I to repeat that of all the 4000 miles of distance between the earth and its centre men knew only to the depth of a mile, and that very vaguely. I understood the Grand Lunar to ask why had I come to the moon seeing we had scarcely touched our own planet yet, but he did not trouble me at that time to proceed to an explanation, being too anxious to pursue the details of this mad inversion of all his ideas.

“A wave of twittering and piping swept through every corner of the great assembly. At last, they understood that we men knew absolutely nothing about the inside of our world. Our ancestors had evolved on that world over countless generations. Three times I had to repeat that the distance from the earth’s surface to its center was 4,000 miles. Of that distance, men knew only the first mile, and even that very vaguely. As I understood it, the Grand Lunar asked why I had come to the moon when we had scarcely explored our own planet. But he did not ask me to explain then. He was too eager to learn more about this mad reversal of all his ideas.

“He reverted to the question of weather, and I tried to describe the perpetually changing sky, and snow, and frost and hurricanes. ‘But when the night comes,’ he asked, ‘is it not cold?’

“He returned to the question of weather, and I tried to describe the constantly changing sky, snow, frost, and hurricanes. ‘But when night comes,’ he asked, ‘isn't it cold?’

“I told him it was colder than by day.

“I told him it was colder than during the day.

“‘And does not your atmosphere freeze?’

“‘And doesn't your atmosphere freeze?’

“I told him not; that it was never cold enough for that, because our nights were so short.

“I told him no. It was never cold enough for that because our nights were so short.

“‘Not even liquefy?’

“‘Not even turn to liquid?’

“I was about to say ‘No,’ but then it occurred to me that one part at least of our atmosphere, the water vapour of it, does sometimes liquefy and form dew, and sometimes freeze and form frost—a process perfectly analogous to the freezing of all the external atmosphere of the moon during its longer night. I made myself clear on this point, and from that the Grand Lunar went on to speak with me of sleep. For the need of sleep that comes so regularly every twenty-four hours to all things is part also of our earthly inheritance. On the moon they rest only at rare intervals, and after exceptional exertions. Then I tried to describe to him the soft splendours of a summer night, and from that I passed to a description of those animals that prowl by night and sleep by day. I told him of lions and tigers, and here it seemed as though we had come to a deadlock. For, save in their waters, there are no creatures in the moon not absolutely domestic and subject to his will, and so it has been for immemorial years. They have monstrous water creatures, but no evil beasts, and the idea of anything strong and large existing ‘outside’ in the night is very difficult for them....”

“I was about to say ‘No,’ but then I remembered that one part of our atmosphere does sometimes freeze. Its water vapor sometimes turns to liquid and forms dew, and sometimes freezes and forms frost. This is much like the freezing of the moon’s entire outer atmosphere during its longer night. I explained this, and the Grand Lunar then began to speak with me about sleep. The need for sleep that comes so regularly every twenty-four hours to all things is also part of our earthly inheritance. On the moon they rest only at rare intervals and after unusual exertions. Then I tried to describe the soft splendors of a summer night. From there, I went on to describe the animals that prowl by night and sleep by day. I told him about lions and tigers, and here we seemed to reach a dead end. For apart from those in their waters, there are no creatures on the moon that are not completely domesticated and subject to his will. And so it has been for countless years. They have monstrous water creatures, but no evil beasts. The idea of anything strong and large living ‘outside’ in the night is very difficult for them....”

[The record is here too broken to transcribe for the space of perhaps twenty words or more.]

[The record is too damaged here to transcribe perhaps twenty words or more.]

“He talked with his attendants, as I suppose, upon the strange superficiality and unreasonableness of (man) who lives on the mere surface of a world, a creature of waves and winds, and all the chances of space, who cannot even unite to overcome the beasts that prey upon his kind, and yet who dares to invade another planet. During this aside I sat thinking, and then at his desire I told him of the different sorts of men. He searched me with questions. ‘And for all sorts of work you have the same sort of men. But who thinks? Who governs?’

“He spoke with his attendants, I suppose, about how shallow and unreasonable (man) is. Man lives only on the surface of a world, exposed to waves, winds, and all the hazards of space. He cannot even unite to defeat the beasts that prey on his kind, yet he dares to invade another planet. While they spoke, I sat thinking. Then, at his request, I told him about the different kinds of men. He questioned me closely. ‘And you have the same kind of men for all kinds of work. But who thinks? Who governs?’

“I gave him an outline of the democratic method.

“I gave him a brief explanation of how democracy works.

“When I had done he ordered cooling sprays upon his brow, and then requested me to repeat my explanation conceiving something had miscarried.

“When I had finished, he ordered cooling sprays for his forehead. Then he asked me to explain again, thinking something had gone wrong.

“‘Do they not do different things, then?’ said Phi-oo.

“‘Don't they do different things, then?’ said Phi-oo.

“Some, I admitted, were thinkers and some officials; some hunted, some were mechanics, some artists, some toilers. ‘But all rule,’ I said.

“I admitted that some were thinkers and some were officials. Some hunted, some were mechanics, some were artists, and some were workers. ‘But all rule,’ I said.

“‘And have they not different shapes to fit them to their different duties?’

“‘And don't they have different shapes to suit their different jobs?’

“‘None that you can see,’ I said, ‘except perhaps, for clothes. Their minds perhaps differ a little,’ I reflected.

“‘None that you can see,’ I said, ‘except perhaps their clothes. Perhaps their minds are a little different,’ I thought.

“‘Their minds must differ a great deal,’ said the Grand Lunar, ‘or they would all want to do the same things.’

“‘Their minds must be very different,’ said the Grand Lunar, ‘or they would all want to do the same things.’

“In order to bring myself into a closer harmony with his preconceptions, I said that his surmise was right. ‘It was all hidden in the brain,’ I said; but the difference was there. Perhaps if one could see the minds and souls of men they would be as varied and unequal as the Selenites. There were great men and small men, men who could reach out far and wide, men who could go swiftly; noisy, trumpet-minded men, and men who could remember without thinking....’” [The record is indistinct for three words.]

“To bring myself more in line with his expectations, I said his guess was right. ‘It was all hidden in the brain,’ I said, but the difference was there. Perhaps, if we could see men’s minds and souls, they would be as varied and unequal as the Selenites. There were great men and small men, men who could reach far and wide, men who could move quickly, noisy, trumpet-minded men, and men who could remember without thinking....’” [The record is unclear for three words.]

“He interrupted me to recall me to my previous statements. ‘But you said all men rule?’ he pressed.

“He interrupted me to remind me of what I had said earlier. ‘But you said all men rule?’ he insisted.

“‘To a certain extent,’ I said, and made, I fear, a denser fog with my explanation.

“‘To some extent,’ I said, though I fear my explanation only made things more confusing.

“He reached out to a salient fact. ‘Do you mean,’ asked, ‘that there is no Grand Earthly?’

“He focused on a key fact. ‘Do you mean,’ he asked, ‘that there is no Grand Earthly?’

“I thought of several people, but assured him finally there was none. I explained that such autocrats and emperors as we had tried upon earth had usually ended in drink, or vice, or violence, and that the large and influential section of the people of the earth to which I belonged, the Anglo-Saxons, did not mean to try that sort of thing again. At which the Grand Lunar was even more amazed.

“I thought of several people, but finally assured him there was no one. I explained that the autocrats and emperors we had tried on earth had usually ended up drinking, indulging in vice, or acting violently. I belonged to the Anglo-Saxons, a large and influential section of the people of the earth. We had no intention of trying that sort of thing again. This made the Grand Lunar even more amazed.

“‘But how do you keep even such wisdom as you have?’ he asked; and I explained to him the way we helped our limited [A word omitted here, probably “brains.”] with libraries of books. I explained to him how our science was growing by the united labours of innumerable little men, and on that he made no comment save that it was evident we had mastered much in spite of our social savagery, or we could not have come to the moon. Yet the contrast was very marked. With knowledge the Selenites grew and changed; mankind stored their knowledge about them and remained brutes—equipped. He said this...” [Here there is a short piece of the record indistinct.]

“‘But how do you keep even the wisdom you have?’ he asked. I explained how we used libraries of books to help our limited [A word is missing here, probably “brains.”]. I explained how our science was growing through the combined work of countless little men. He made only one comment on that. Clearly, we had mastered a great deal despite our social savagery, or we could not have come to the moon. Yet the contrast was striking. The Selenites grew and changed as they gained knowledge. Mankind stored knowledge around them and remained brutes, though equipped. He said this...” [Here a short part of the record is unclear.]

“He then caused me to describe how we went about this earth of ours, and I described to him our railways and ships. For a time he could not understand that we had had the use of steam only one hundred years, but when he did he was clearly amazed. (I may mention as a singular thing, that the Selenites use years to count by, just as we do on earth, though I can make nothing of their numeral system. That, however, does not matter, because Phi-oo understands ours.) From that I went on to tell him that mankind had dwelt in cities only for nine or ten thousand years, and that we were still not united in one brotherhood, but under many different forms of government. This astonished the Grand Lunar very much, when it was made clear to him. At first he thought we referred merely to administrative areas.

“He then asked me to describe how we traveled around our earth, and I told him about our railways and ships. For a while, he could not understand that we had used steam for only one hundred years. But when he did understand, he was clearly amazed. (I may mention one curious thing. The Selenites count by years, just as we do on earth, though I cannot make sense of their number system. That does not matter, though, because Phi-oo understands ours.) I went on to tell him that mankind had lived in cities for only nine or ten thousand years. I also told him that we were still not united in one brotherhood, but lived under many different forms of government. This astonished the Grand Lunar greatly, once he understood it. At first, he thought we meant only administrative areas.

“‘Our States and Empires are still the rawest sketches of what order will some day be,’ I said, and so I came to tell him....” [At this point a length of record that probably represents thirty or forty words is totally illegible.]

“‘Our states and empires are still only the roughest sketches of what order will someday be,’ I said, and so I began to tell him....” [At this point, a section of the record, probably thirty or forty words long, is completely illegible.]

“The Grand Lunar was greatly impressed by the folly of men in clinging to the inconvenience of diverse tongues. ‘They want to communicate, and yet not to communicate,’ he said, and then for a long time he questioned me closely concerning war.

“The Grand Lunar was struck by the foolishness of people who held on to the inconvenience of different languages. ‘They want to communicate, and yet not to communicate,’ he said. Then he questioned me closely about war for a long time.

“He was at first perplexed and incredulous. ‘You mean to say,’ he asked, seeking confirmation, ‘that you run about over the surface of your world—this world, whose riches you have scarcely begun to scrape—killing one another for beasts to eat?’

“At first, he was puzzled and disbelieving. ‘Do you mean to say,’ he asked, seeking confirmation, ‘that you run around on the surface of your world, killing one another for beasts to eat? And you have barely begun to scrape the riches from this world?’

“I told him that was perfectly correct.

“I told him that was exactly right.

“He asked for particulars to assist his imagination.

“He asked for details to help him imagine it.

“‘But do not ships and your poor little cities get injured?’ he asked, and I found the waste of property and conveniences seemed to impress him almost as much as the killing. ‘Tell me more,’ said the Grand Lunar; ‘make me see pictures. I cannot conceive these things.’

“‘But don't ships and your poor little cities get damaged?’ he asked. The loss of property and comforts seemed to affect him almost as much as the killing. ‘Tell me more,’ said the Grand Lunar. ‘Help me picture it. I cannot imagine these things.’

“And so, for a space, though something loath, I told him the story of earthly War.

“And so, for a while, though I was reluctant, I told him the story of war on Earth.

“I told him of the first orders and ceremonies of war, of warnings and ultimatums, and the marshalling and marching of troops. I gave him an idea of manoeuvres and positions and battle joined. I told him of sieges and assaults, of starvation and hardship in trenches, and of sentinels freezing in the snow. I told him of routs and surprises, and desperate last stands and faint hopes, and the pitiless pursuit of fugitives and the dead upon the field. I told, too, of the past, of invasions and massacres, of the Huns and Tartars, and the wars of Mahomet and the Caliphs, and of the Crusades. And as I went on, and Phi-oo translated, the Selenites cooed and murmured in a steadily intensified emotion.

“I told him about the first orders and ceremonies of war, the warnings and ultimatums, and the gathering and marching of troops. I gave him an idea of military maneuvers and positions, and of battle beginning. I told him about sieges and assaults, starvation and hardship in the trenches, and sentries freezing in the snow. I told him about defeats and surprises, desperate last stands and faint hopes, and the merciless pursuit of those fleeing and the dead on the battlefield. I also told him about the past, about invasions and massacres, the Huns and Tartars, the wars of Mahomet and the Caliphs, and the Crusades. As I went on and Phi-oo translated, the Selenites cooed and murmured with steadily growing emotion.

“I told them an ironclad could fire a shot of a ton twelve miles, and go through 20 feet of iron—and how we could steer torpedoes under water. I went on to describe a Maxim gun in action, and what I could imagine of the Battle of Colenso. The Grand Lunar was so incredulous that he interrupted the translation of what I had said in order to have my verification of my account. They particularly doubted my description of the men cheering and rejoicing as they went into battle.

“I told them that an ironclad could fire a one-ton shell twelve miles and through 20 feet of iron. I also told them how we could steer torpedoes underwater. I went on to describe a Maxim gun in action and what I could imagine of the Battle of Colenso. The Grand Lunar was so disbelieving that he interrupted the translation to ask me to confirm my account. They especially doubted my description of the men cheering and celebrating as they went into battle.

“‘But surely they do not like it!’ translated Phi-oo.

“‘But surely they don't like it!’ translated Phi-oo.

“I assured them men of my race considered battle the most glorious experience of life, at which the whole assembly was stricken with amazement.

“I assured them that men of my race regarded battle as the most glorious experience in life. The whole assembly was amazed by this.

“‘But what good is this war?’ asked the Grand Lunar, sticking to his theme.

“‘But what good is this war?’ asked the Grand Lunar, sticking to his point.

“‘Oh! as for good!’ said I; ‘it thins the population!’

“‘Oh! As for good!’ I said, ‘it reduces the population!’”

“‘But why should there be a need—?’

“‘But why would there be a need...?’

“There came a pause, the cooling sprays impinged upon his brow, and then he spoke again.”

“There was a pause. The cooling sprays touched his forehead, and then he spoke again.”

“...interrogated me very closely upon my secret. I was able in a little while to get to an understanding with them, and at last to elucidate what has been a puzzle to me ever since I realised the vastness of their science, namely, how it is they themselves have never discovered Cavorite.’ I find they know of it as a theoretical substance, but they have always regarded it as a practical impossibility, because for some reason there is no helium in the moon, and helium...”

“...questioned me very closely about my secret. Before long, I was able to reach an understanding with them. At last, I learned why they had never discovered Cavorite.’ This had puzzled me ever since I realized how vast their scientific knowledge was. I find they know of Cavorite as a theoretical substance, but they have always regarded it as impossible to make. This is because, for some reason, there is no helium on the moon, and helium...”