a journey in other worlds-第12章
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Mars and Jupiter； when in opposition； within one thousand and ten
thousand miles； respectively； so that we study their physical
geography and topography； and we have good maps of Jupiter； and
even of Saturn； notwithstanding their distance and atmospheric
envelopes； and we are able to see the disks of third…magnitude
stars。
〃It seems as if； when we wish any particular discovery or
invention； in whatever field； we had but to turn our efforts in
its direction to obtain our desire。 We seem； in fact； to have
awakened in the scenes of the Arabian Nights； yet the mysterious
genius which we control； and which dims Aladdin's lamp； is the
gift of no fairy godmother sustained by the haze of dreams； but
shines as the child of science with fadeless and growing
splendour； and may yet bring us and our little planet much closer
to God。
〃We should indeed be happy； living as we do at this apex of
attained civilization； with the boundless possibilities of the
future unfolding before us； on the horizon of which we may fairly
be said to stand。
〃We are freed from the rattling granite pavement of only a
century ago； which made the occupant of an omnibus feel like a
fly inside of a drum； from the domination of our local politics
by ignorant foreigners； and from country roads that either filled
the eyes； lungs； and hair of the unfortunates travelling upon
them with dust； or； resembling ploughed and fertilized fields；
saturated and plastered them with mud。 These miseries； together
with sea…sickness in ocean travelling； are forever passed； and we
feel that 'Excelsior！' is indeed our motto。 Our new and
increasing sources of power have so stimulated production and
manufacturing that poverty or want is scarcely known； while the
development of the popular demand； as a result of the supplied
need； is so great that there is no visible limit to the
diversification of industry or the possibilities of the arts。
〃It may seem strange to some that apparently so disproportionate
a number of inventions have been made in the last century。 There
are several reasons。 Since every discovery or advance in
knowledge increases our chance of obtaining more； it becomes
cumulative； and our progress is in geometric instead of
arithmetical ratio。 Public interest and general appreciation of
the value of time have also effectively assisted progress。 At
the beginning of each year the President； the Governors of the
States； and the Mayors of cities publish a prospectus of the
great improvements needed； contemplated； and under way within
their jurisdictionit may be planning a new boulevard； a new
park； or an improved system of sewers； and at the year's end they
issue a resume of everything completed； and the progress in
everything else； and though there is usually a great difference
between the results hoped for and those attained； the effect is
good。 The newspapers publish at length the recommendations of
the Executives； and also the results obtained； and keep up public
interest in all important matters。
〃Free to delve in the allurement and fascination of science；
emancipated man goes on subduing Nature； as his Maker said he
should； and turning her giant forces to his service in his
constant struggle to rise and become more like Him who gave the
commandments and showed him how he should go。
〃Notwithstanding our strides in material progress； we are not
entirely content。 As the requirements of the animal become fully
supplied； we feel a need for something else。 Some say this is
like a child that cries for the moon； but others believe it the
awakening and craving of our souls。 The historian narrates but
the signs of the times； and strives to efface himself； yet there
is clearly a void； becoming yearly more apparent； which
materialism cannot fill。 Is it some new subtle force for which
we sigh； or would we commune with spirits？ There is； so far as
we can see； no limit to our journey； and I will add； in closing；
that； with the exception of religion； we have most to hope from
science。〃
CHAPTER VI。
FAR…REACHING PLANS。
Knowing that the rectification of the earth's axis was
satisfactorily begun； and that each year would show an increasing
improvement in climate； many of the delegates； after hearing
Bearwarden's speech； set out for their homes。 Those from the
valley of the Amazon and the eastern coast of South America
boarded a lightning express that rushed them to Key West at the
rate of three hundred miles an hour。 The railroad had six
tracks； two for through passengers； two for locals； and two for
freight。 There they took a 〃water…spider；〃 six hundred feet long
by three hundred in width； the deck of which was one hundred feet
above the surface； which carried them over the water at the rate
of a mile a minute； around the eastern end of Cuba； through
Windward Passage； and so to the South American mainland； where
they continued their journey by rail。
The Siberian and Russian delegates； who； of course； felt a keen
interest in the company's proceedings； took a magnetic
double…ender car to Bering Strait。 It was eighteen feet high；
one hundred and fifty feet long； and had two stories。 The upper；
with a toughened glass dome running the entire length； descended
to within three feet of the floor； and afforded an unobstructed
view of the rushing scenery。 The rails on which it ran were ten
feet apart； the wheels being beyond the sides； like those of a
carriage； and fitted with ball bearings to ridged axles。 The
car's flexibility allowed it to follow slight irregularities in
the track； while the free； independent wheels gave it a great
advantage in rounding curves over cars with wheels and axle in
one casting； in which one must slip while traversing a greater or
smaller arc than the other； except when the slope of the tread
and the centrifugal force happen to correspond exactly。 The fact
of having its supports outside instead of underneath； while
increasing its stability； also enabled the lower floor to come
much nearer the ground； while still the wheels were large。
Arriving in just twenty hours； they ran across on an electric
ferry…boat； capable of carrying several dozen cars； to East Cape；
Siberia； and then； by running as far north as possible； had a
short cut to Europe。
The Patagonians went by the all…rail Intercontinental Line；
without change of cars； making the run of ten thousand miles in
forty hours。 The Australians entered a flying machine； and were
soon out of sight； while the Central Americans and members from
other States of the Union returned for the most part in their
mechanical phaetons。
〃A prospective improvement in travelling；〃 said Bearwarden； as he
and his friends watched the crowd disperse； 〃will be when we can
rise beyond the limits of the atmosphere； wait till the earth
revolves beneath us； and descend in twelve hours on the other
side。〃
〃True；〃 said Cortlandt； 〃but then we can travel westward only；
and shall have to make a complete circuit when we wish to go
east。〃
A few days later there was a knock at President Bearwarden's
door； while he was seated at his desk looking over some papers
and other matters。 Taking his foot from a partly opened desk
drawer where it had been resting； he placed it upon the handle of
a handsome brass…mounted bellows； which proved to be
articulating； for； as he pressed； it called lustily； 〃Come in！〃
The door opened； and in walked Secretary of State Stillman；
Secretary of the Navy Deepwaters； who was himself an old sailor；
Dr。 Cortlandt； Ayrault。 Vice…President Dumby； of the T。 A。 S。
Co。； and two of the company's directors。
〃Good…morning；〃 said Bearwarden； as he shook hands with his
visitors。 〃Charmed to see you。〃
〃That's a great invention；〃 said Secretary Stillman； examining
the bellows。 〃We must get Congress to make an appropriation for
its introduction in the department buildings in Washington。 You
have no idea how it dries my throat to be all the time shouting；
'Come in！'〃
〃Do you know； Bearwarden；〃 said Secretary Deepwaters； 〃I'm afraid
when we have this millennium of c
