by Mark Wicks
CHAPTER XXIX
WHAT HAPPENED UPON OUR RETURN HOME--RESULTS OF THE MOST RECENTOBSERVATIONS OF MARS--PROFESSOR LOWELL'S IMPORTANT DISCOVERY
_ADDENDUM_
(_Written by John Yiewsley Claxton, Esq., of Norbury, in the CountyBorough of Croydon, Surrey_)
In accordance with the desire of my old friend, Wilfrid Poynders, I amnow about to publish the book which was handed to me by Merna on themorning of our departure from Mars.
I knew that my dear old friend's thoughts and aspirations ever soaredtowards the skies; but, as his last testament shows, his sympathiesembraced all humanity, and I am somewhat reluctant to add anything whichmust necessarily bring the subject down to a lower plane.
As a narrative of his own personal experiences in connection with ourtrip to Mars, the Professor's work is quite complete; still I thoughthis readers would wish to know how it fared with his colleagues afterthey left Mars, and have accordingly appended a few pages furnishingthis information.
I am quite convinced that, in deciding to remain behind on the planet,the Professor, as M'Allister remarked, "did the right thing"; but afterthe many years we have spent together in the closest and truestfriendship, I miss him--ah, more than I can say.
It was really a tremendous wrench, that parting with my two oldfriends, the Professor and Merna, and leaving them behind on Mars,although I fully appreciated the Professor's desire to end his days withhis dear son, to whom he had been so strangely reunited.
We started that morning directly after our farewell, and found a largeconcourse of people assembled, who had come from all parts of the planetto see us off.
Soranho and many other high officers of state whom we knew were present,and, of course, the Professor, Merna, Eleeta, and Siloni, as well asmany others whom we had come to regard as personal friends; and they didnot allow us to depart empty-handed.
Merna handed me the packet which the Professor had referred to. We hadno formal farewell with the Professor--that was all over; but he cameforward at the last moment, and we parted from him with a lovinghand-clasp.
After a most affectionate leave-taking with our other friends, with whomI took good care to include Siloni, we boarded the _Areonal_. M'Allisterat once took charge of the machinery, switched on the power, and weimmediately rose into the air, amidst shouts of farewell and repeatedgood wishes from the assembled multitude.
We rose rapidly; but, so long as we kept in view of the place, we couldsee the people still waving their adieus to us, and I frequentlyresponded to their signals.
At last, when these lovable and hospitable Martians were lost to sight,I went into the _Areonal_, closing and bolting the outer door, which wasnever again to be opened until we reached our destination--our home inold England.
I have no doubt that, long after we lost sight of them, many of theMartians kept the _Areonal_ in view with their telescopes, and followedits course far into space.
I then directed M'Allister to set our course for our own world; and whenhe had done so, he looked up at me and said, "Heh, mon, yon Martians arerare good folk, and I'm right sorry to leave them!"
"Yes, so am I, M'Allister," I answered. He again looked at me keenly,with a queer smile on his face; and remarked, "Mon, I'm thinking you arethat, and that you have left something behind you!"
I knew he meant that I had left my heart behind me, for I was thinkingthe very same thing; but I turned away from him with a sigh, withoutanswering. The matter was not one about which I cared to speak justthen, for I felt very sad and heartsore.
Our journey passed off without any exciting incidents, everything on the_Areonal_ working most satisfactorily. On the 4th February, 1910, wepassed within forty-one million miles of the sun, and the heat at thisstage of our journey was terrific, but we had a magnificent view of thesunspots, the corona, and other solar surroundings. In spite of allprecautions for counteracting the tremendous pull of the sun, we weredrawn considerably out of our direct course, so the journey occupiedthree days longer than we had anticipated. A large proportion of ourtime was spent in the air-chamber, in order to prepare us for breathingthe atmosphere of our native world.
We passed across the orbit of Venus on two occasions, and had a nearview of this splendid planet (and also of Mercury), for many days; butapart from its larger apparent size and intense brilliancy, we did notsee anything more than we could from the earth with a good telescope.The dense atmosphere and its glowing light prevented us from seeing anydefinite details upon its surface.
Only three days late, we arrived at our home at Norbury on Monday the21st March 1910, about an hour before daylight. We descended quiteunobserved, and having stowed away our good ship _Areonal_ in its shedand made all secure, we astonished Mrs. Challen by walking into thehouse very soon after she had risen.
She seemed truly delighted to see us back again after our long andunprecedented voyage through space, and as soon as our greetings wereover she asked, "Where is Mr. Poynders?"
I said we would tell her all the news whilst we had breakfast, so shebustled about and got the meal ready very quickly. When we sat down shelistened with intense interest to our long story, expressing greatastonishment when I told her about our discovery of Merna upon Mars. Ihad tried to keep her from asking about Mr. Poynders, but at length shequestioned me so directly that I was compelled to answer, though Idreaded the effect the news would have upon her.
So, as gently as I could, I explained that Mr. Poynders, having foundhis son a native of Mars, could not risk bringing him to such a climateas ours, and, as he was unable to leave him, had decided to remain onMars.
Poor Mrs. Challen was so upset upon learning this that she threw up herhands, exclaiming, "Then I shall never see my dear old master again!"and putting her handkerchief to her streaming eyes, she hastened out ofthe room to conceal her emotion.
I felt very sorry for her, as I knew she had a great respect and likingfor Mr. Poynders, with whom she had been so many years.
During the day I called upon the Professor's solicitors, in accordancewith his instructions, and handed them the letter he had entrusted tome. They read it with many exclamations of surprise, for the news itcontained was enough to startle even staid lawyers out of theirequanimity.
One of them rang a bell, which was answered by the managing clerk, whowas requested to bring in the sealed packet of papers left by Mr.Poynders before he went away. This was quickly brought, and, whenopened, found to contain documents settling an annuity of L150 per annumupon Mrs. Challen, a deed of gift of the sum of L200 to M'Allister, andanother deed settling all the residue of his estate upon his old friendJohn Yiewsley Claxton.
There was also a will to the same effect, in case he might die beforethe papers were claimed; everything being properly signed and in dueorder.
The solicitors both shook hands with me, congratulating me on thissubstantial addition to my estate; but I told them I already possessedsufficient for my wants, and would greatly prefer that Mr. Poyndersshould be here to enjoy his own.
I gave them some particulars of our adventures, and we had quite a longchat; then, taking a cordial leave of them, I returned to Norbury.
I at once acquainted Mrs. Challen with her good fortune, but she wasnot to be comforted, saying she would very much rather have her oldmaster back again; and, as this was exactly my own feeling in thematter, I expressed agreement with her.
However, she calmed down after a while, and I then asked her to considerwhat she would desire to do in the future. If she liked to remain in thehouse and look after my welfare, I should be very glad to have her as myown housekeeper; but said it was entirely for her to decide the matter,and she could take her own time to do so.
She replied that she had neither relatives nor friends to trouble about,so there was no need to take any time over it, for she would only be toopleased to retain her old position, and would do her best to make mecomfortable. I assured her that I had no doubt whatever upon that point;thus it was all settled there and then, and she h
as remained with meever since.
My aunt was long since dead, but my two cousins, James and TimothySnayleye, lived in London: so I thought I would go over to apprise themof my return home. They, however, received me so very coldly that,beyond saying I had been to Mars and back again, and giving a fewdetails of what we had seen there, I did not tell them very much.
They asked a few questions now and then, but evinced very littleinterest in my affairs, though I noticed them frequently exchanging nodsand winks with each other. I soon left, but after such a reception, wasrather surprised when James Snayleye walked into my house the next dayand asked to be allowed to call in a day or two and bring with him acouple of friends who were interested in Mars, and would like to hearanything I could tell them. I did not altogether care about discussingmy adventures with entire strangers, but, as he was so very pressing, inthe end I agreed to see them.
When they arrived I was greatly surprised to find that, instead of beingpersons of about the same age as my cousin, both were elderly men. Onewas introduced to me as Mr. Josias Googery, a Justice of the Peace, andthe other as Dr. Loonem.
We had no sooner sat down than the doctor started the conversation byasking, in an unctuous tone of voice, several questions about mytrip--"Whether, ah, it was really true that I had, ah, travelled all theway to Mars and back again in, ah, a vessel of our own construction?"
All the time he was speaking he was performing the operation known as"washing the hands with invisible soap," a trick which always has anirritating effect upon my nerves.
In answer to his question I said, "It was quite true that I had been toMars," and mentioned a few particulars of our trip.
Mr. Googery then put a few questions to me, and, as I replied, heinterjected after almost every sentence that I spoke, "Ah! h'm, yes,just so," James Snayleye sitting by all the time with a sneering grinupon his face which I found very aggravating.
When I had told them as much as I thought necessary, they both startedcross-examining me in such an impertinent and sceptical manner that atlength I became extremely irritated, and declined to answer any morequestions. Whereupon Dr. Loonem proceeded to wash his hands again,saying in an oily manner, as though addressing a child, "Pray, ah, don'texcite yourself, my dear sir; don't, ah, excite yourself! You know, ah,it's not good for you!"
This was too much for flesh and blood to bear, so I rose and said thatas I had an important engagement to attend to, I could not spare anymore time that day, at the same time ringing the bell for Mrs. Challento show them out.
She did so, and returned in a state of indignation, saying, she did notlike those people at all, they were so rude; and that as they werepassing through the doorway she heard the doctor say, "It's a clear caseenough; did you notice the gleam in his eyes? that alone is sufficientto settle it!" To this Mr. Googery had replied, "Ah, h'm, yes, just so!"
"Well, Mrs. Challen," I said, "please understand that if either of thosepeople calls again, I am not at home."
"Certainly, sir," she answered with great alacrity, as she went out ofthe room.
It was no mere excuse, but perfectly correct, when I told those people Ihad an important engagement to attend to. An old friend of mine, SirLockesley Halley, was President of the Dedlingtonian AstronomicalSociety, and, after hearing my account of Mars, said he would be veryglad if I could attend the meeting of his Society on the followingevening and give a short address on the subject.
I was rather averse from this, as the Society was not a large one,though it had several clever men in it, and I knew that theprofessionals who controlled it, and also the majority of the members,prided themselves on being exponents of what they termed "sane andunsensational astronomy"; which in some cases amounted to saying thatthey were a long way behind the times.
It is an interesting fact that we owe a large proportion of ourknowledge of planetary detail to the work of enthusiastic amateurobservers. In this Society, indeed, nearly all the best observationalwork was done by the non-professional class; and when, as the result oftheir systematic and painstaking work, they noted on their planetarydrawings some lines or markings which had not previously been recorded,one would have thought their original work would have been commended. Itwas, however, not unusual in such cases for a professional to rise andcalmly declare that the new markings were only illusions, such as he hadoften predicted would be claimed as discoveries.
Thus the amateurs were kept in their proper places; but theprofessionals did not always prove to be correct in their strictures andpronouncements.
In these circumstances, I did not expect much credence to be given toanything fresh that might be stated in my address, and therefore Irather demurred to Sir Lockesley's proposal. He, however, made such apersonal matter of it that, as he was an extremely able man and a goodfellow, I at last consented to do as he wished.
M'Allister accompanied me to the meeting and sat among the audience.After a few introductory remarks from Sir Lockesley, I gave my address,which lasted about half-an-hour; but it was received even morechillingly than I had anticipated, and the few comments made by themembers were nearly all indicative of scepticism of my statements andunbelief in my _bona fides_. A scientific audience is usually rathercold and unenthusiastic; but, in the present case, except for one or twoisolated hand-claps, the vote of thanks was allowed to pass _subsilentio_. Sir Lockesley, of course, could not help this, and I saw thathe was much annoyed at my reception.
The meeting then split up into groups, lingering here and there todiscuss my statements as they moved toward the door; and M'Allister toldme that, as he stood near a group, he heard one man exclaim, "It's allarrant nonsense! five minutes with my 12-1/16-inch reflector wouldconvince any sane man that there are no fine lines to be seen on Mars,because none exist!" This brought a murmur of assent; then some one elsesaid, "Well, I certainly see some of the lines with my 7-1/2-inch, butregard them as illusions"; and he also received some support.
Another man then spoke up, remarking, "My experience does not agree withyours, gentlemen, for when I used a 6-inch refractor I could see some ofthe lines, yet felt doubtful of their actuality; but since I have used a12-inch reflector my opinion has entirely changed. The lines are visiblewhenever the atmospheric conditions are favourable, and are seen with somuch certainty that I have long abandoned my doubts of theirrepresenting real markings!" "Hear, hear!" said several, "and in aclearer atmosphere you would see still more!"
This was the Martian controversy in a nut-shell: for so much dependsupon individual eyesight, instrumental power, and good atmosphericconditions. Even the finest instruments fail when observationalconditions are unfavourable!
Many other people to whom I spoke about my trip to Mars exhibited thesame incredulity as those at the meeting. I showed two persons, whom Ithought would be open to conviction, some photographic views in theirnatural colours, which I had brought home with me. One of them looked atthe pictures, then handed them to his friend, with the remark: "Cleverfakes, aren't they? you can do almost anything with the cameranowadays!"
Similar opinions were either expressed or implied by others who sawthem, so now I keep all such things to myself.
Two days after the meeting Sir Lockesley called to have a chat with me,and, whilst we were conversing, Mrs. Challen announced that two meninsisted upon seeing me, although she told them I was engaged.
"Well," I said, "show them into the next room and I will soon dispose ofthem"; then asking Sir Lockesley to excuse me a few minutes, I passedthrough the folding doors which separated the two rooms.
The men were perfect strangers to me, and clearly not of a class withwhich I should care to make acquaintance.
"To what do I owe this visit?" I inquired, as I entered the room.
"Beg pardon, sir," said one of the men, "but we wished to see you onurgent business, and ask you to come with us. There is a carriage at thedoor!"
"But who are you, and where do you wish me to go?" I inquired.
He hummed and haa-ed, then said, "A fr
iend desired to see me at once,and it was only a short journey!"
"Well," I replied, "I am at present engaged with a gentleman, but I mustcertainly decline to accompany you at all without further and definiteparticulars as to why you wish me to do so."
Then the other man advanced, and said, "As you won't come quietly,there's no help for it; so just look at these papers and you will seeyou must come!"
He showed me several documents, and, on reading them, I was astounded tofind one was an order for my removal to a private lunatic asylum, thepapers being signed by Josias Googery, J.P., and Dr. Loonem; and otherscontained statements of the evidences of my insanity, signed by my twocousins.
Of course I was furious, and refused to go with them, whereupon theyrushed forward to seize hold of me. I shouted for Sir Lockesley to cometo my assistance, and he at once dashed into the room. The two men,however, immediately warned him not to interfere, as they were acting ina perfectly legal manner.
This he had to admit when the matter was fully explained to him; then heurged me to accept the situation and go quietly, and he would takeimmediate action to secure my release.
As it was clearly useless to resist a legalised process, I gave in, andthus was I, a perfectly sane man, incarcerated in a lunatic asylum!There I had to remain while Sir Lockesley saw my solicitors,communicated with the Commissioners in Lunacy and others, and after muchcorrespondence and innumerable interviews, at last secured my release;but not until I had endured more than a week's confinement in thathorrible place.
It was all a scheme concocted by my scapegrace cousins to have medeclared insane, and thus secure control of my fortune, they being myonly living relatives. But for Sir Lockesley's presence and influencetheir precious plot might have proved quite successful.
I do not attach much blame to the magistrate and doctor, although theymight have exercised more care; but no doubt the Snayleyes had made suchsuggestions to them that they were prepared to find insanity in anythingI did or said.
Mrs. Challen, who had been much affected and distressed at my beingcarried off in this fashion, was delighted when at last I returned homesafe and sound after my release, and told her the trouble was all over.
M'Allister had intended going on to Glasgow during the previous week,but had remained at home at Norbury to assist in securing my release;doing yeoman's service in seeing various people and carrying messages.When things had quite settled down again he went to Scotland and stayedwith his wife for three weeks.
Upon his return we discussed our future arrangements, and agreed tobecome partners for the purpose of securing and working patents forvarious machines which we had studied upon Mars; and this has proved alucrative business for us, besides supplying our engineers andmanufacturers with greatly improved machinery.
Ever since our return home we have eagerly read all the scientific newsconcerning Mars that has been published, for we were anxious to learnwhether there had been any verification of the Professor's forecasts asto what was likely to be seen from the earth at the opposition of Marsin 1909. The result is very gratifying to us, not only as proving thecorrectness of the Professor's pronouncements, but also as testifying tothe keen-sightedness of some of our astronomers and their carefulnessand accuracy as observers; though, of course, there are stilldivergences of opinion as to the meaning of what has been seen.
_Drawn by T.E.R. Phillips_ Plate XV
MARS, AS SEEN THROUGH A 12-INCH TELESCOPE ON 16TH AUGUST, 1909
The south polar snow-cap is seen at the top, and as it is early June onthis part of Mars, the snow-cap has become small. The dark line acrossit is a wide rift, the ice having commenced to break up at this part;and the dark shading round it is water from the melting snow. Thecircular light area near the centre is "Hellas," and the darkwedge-shaped area is "Syrtis Major." The protuberance usually seen onthe eastern side of Syrtis Major has this year almost disappeared, andbut little detail is visible anywhere.]
For instance, M. Antoniadi, of Juvisy Observatory, near Paris, haspublished a very interesting account of his own observations with thefine Meudon refractor, which has an object glass 32.7 inches indiameter; and he has also furnished several beautifully executeddrawings of what he has seen. The most noticeable new features observedwere two large detached pieces of the south polar snow-cap, the alteredshape of the Solis Lacus and other dark areas, numerous dark roundedspots on the dark areas, much detail along the lines of the canals, andthe observation of scattered markings instead of lines.
M. Antoniadi lays great stress on the advantages of large telescopes;and, whilst making frank admission that the drawings of Professor Lowellshow the outlines of the Martian details more accurately than thedrawings of any other observer, he dissents entirely from his viewsrespecting the actuality of the canal lines.
With regard to M. Antoniadi's observation of dark rounded spots, it hasbeen suggested by another writer that these are volcanoes, and,moreover, that the canal lines are really cracks in the solid icecovering frozen oceans and seas. These contentions involve thesupposition that Mars is still in the stage when volcanic action isprevalent, and also that what have hitherto been supposed to be desertlands are really fields of ice. Mars has passed far beyond the stage ofvolcanic activity; and the theory does not account for the ochre colourof the frozen oceans, which are exactly the same colour as our desertsappear when viewed from a great distance, for the sandstorms sofrequently observed, nor for the general absence of any indications offrost over a large portion of the Martian surface. It is also verydifficult to imagine the existence of a profuse growth of vegetationalong cracks in solid ice; and I am afraid this theory, like manyothers, fails to fit in with the observed facts.
I may remind my readers that the Professor suggested that many more darkrounded spots would, under favourable conditions, be discovered on thedark areas of the planet, and he has stated what they are.
As a result of his recent observations, M. Antoniadi has boldly declaredthat the supposed canal lines are really separate spots and markingswhich, when seen with instruments of lesser power than the one he used,appear to be lines, the network of canal lines being an illusion. Hecontends that the markings he has seen are beyond the power of ProfessorLowell's telescope to resolve, and that what he has seen forms anunanswerable objection to the canal theory and stops all discussion!
This argument has, however, been fully met in this book by anticipation;and, as will be seen later on, Professor Lowell completely refutes itand shows that M. Antoniadi is mistaken. It has also been pointed outthat, if we could secure perfect seeing, the lines might really appearas separate markings, and that apparent breaks and irregularities areexactly what we might expect to find in connection with canals. I gatherfrom a recent remark made by Professor Lowell that he also holds thisview.
Moreover, a discreet silence is observed with regard to the progress ofvegetation on Mars being from the poles towards the equator, instead offrom the equator towards the poles, as is the case on our earth.
This mode of progression can only be accounted for by the flow of waterfrom the poles, and such flow extending beyond the equator involves theartificial propulsion of the water, as the flow is contrary togravitation.
Professor Lowell's statements as to this peculiar growth of thevegetation do not depend upon the results of a few casual observations,for he has given the matter most systematic and prolonged attention, andnoted upon hundreds of charts the dates when the vegetation has firstappeared in various places and latitudes after the passage of the waterdown the canals.
This is such a hard nut for the opponents of the canal theory to crack,that I am quite prepared to learn that all these careful observationsare merely illusions.
Professor Hale, of Mount Wilson Observatory, in California, has takensome photographs of Mars which do not show any canal lines; and thesehave been eagerly seized upon as another proof that the canals have noexistence.
Unfortunately, these photographs do not show many well authenticateddetails whic
h are seen with comparative ease, nor the new details seenby M. Antoniadi. It is, therefore, no matter of wonder that they do notshow the much fainter canal lines. If the absence of the canal linesfrom the photographs is proof that the canals do not exist, then thephotographs must still more emphatically prove that these much moreconspicuous details--which have been seen and drawn by M. Antoniadi andscores of other observers--are also illusions and have no objectiveexistence. Those who seek the support of these photographs for theirviews must be left to extricate themselves as best they can from thedilemma in which they are now placed in regard to the observations anddrawings of those highly skilled observers.
The photographs were taken with a sixty-inch telescope, and possiblythis very large aperture was not stopped down sufficiently to secure onthe photographic plates such very fine detail as the canal lines; on theother hand, the atmospheric conditions at the moments of exposure of theplates may have been unfavourable for good definition. However good thephotographs may be, the deductions drawn from them are erroneous.
Against such purely negative evidence--which never affords good groundfor argument--we must set the positive evidence of Professor Lowell'snumerous photographs, which do show many of the canal lines and alsoconfirm the drawings of observers.
Professor Schiaparelli, who has been appealed to on the subject, stillmaintains the objectivity of the canal lines which he was the first todiscover, and repudiates the suggestion that the new photographs supplyany evidence against them. He remarks that during the last thirty yearsmany other astronomers, using more perfect telescopes than his, haveobserved and drawn these canal lines, and have taken photographs whichreproduce an identical disposition of the lines. He adds that acollective illusion on the part of so many astronomers is impossible,and that the photographs which do show the canals cannot be illusions.
Professor Lowell controverts M. Antoniadi's claim to have proved thatthe lines are non-existent, and that the only markings are smallseparate shadings which are illusively seen as lines. He points out thatwhat M. Antoniadi has seen is exactly what would be seen when using avery large telescope, and that it indicates poor seeing instead of gooddefinition. He remarks that when using such large instruments, which areso much more affected by atmospheric conditions than smaller ones, thediffraction rings round a star (which should appear as completeconcentric circles) begin to waver, then break up into fragments--a sortof mosaic--and finally end in an indiscriminate assemblance of points.In certain kinds of bad seeing the parts may seem quite steady, but thefact that the mosaic exists is proof positive of poor seeing. Whathappens to the rings in such circumstances must also happen to finelines! the mosaic effect seen by M. Antoniadi is therefore "the exacttheoretic effect that a large aperture should produce on continuouslines, such as the canals, and always does produce in the case of therings in the image of a star!"
It has been stated that Professor Lowell had admitted the illusorynature of the canal lines. His reply, however, is emphatic: "I havenever made any retractation as to the reality and geometricism of thecanals; they are marvellous beyond conception, and are only doubted bythose who never observed the planet itself sufficiently well."
Seeing an announcement that Professor Lowell had arrived in England forthe purpose of lecturing on "Planetary Photography" at the RoyalInstitution of Great Britain, M'Allister and I made up our minds to bepresent at the lecture, a resolution which, I am glad to say, we carriedinto effect.
In the course of his lecture Professor Lowell gave an account of themethods of planetary photography initiated and carried on with suchsuccess at the Lowell Observatory; and then proceeded to give someinteresting particulars of his observations of Mars at the opposition of1909, which resulted in one of the most important discoveries everrecorded in connection with that planet.
He stated that on the 30th September, 1909, when the region of thedesert to the east of Syrtis Major came into view, after its periodicsix weeks' invisibility due to the unequal length of the days of theearth and Mars, some long new canals were plainly observed which had notbeen visible when the region was previously in view. A long and carefulinvestigation of fifteen years' records proved absolutely that not onlyhad these canals never been seen before, but that they could not haveexisted. They are on a region which is frequently very favourablysituated for observation, and could not possibly have been overlooked,for they are now the most conspicuous objects on that part of theplanet. It is beyond question that they are not only new to us but newto Mars!
The two main canals run in a south-easterly direction from Syrtis Major,and with them are associated two smaller ones and at least two newoases; while, from their inter-connection, they are all clearly parts ofone and the same addition to the general canal system; for they now fitin with the system as though they had always formed part of it. Thesenew canals were not only seen and drawn, but several photographs weretaken at different times.
Consider what this great discovery really means! In a region which hasnever been anything but a desert during the whole period over which ourobservational knowledge of Mars has extended, there are now strips ofland many hundreds of miles in length and miles wide that have becomefertile almost under our very eyes; and this result has been broughtabout by the passage through them of water which has artificially beencarried there for the purpose of irrigation! We know this is so, forwhat we see is the growth of vegetation; and the systematic way in whichthe new canals have been fitted into the existing canal scheme provesthe artificiality of the whole system.
Some sensational statements in the Press have fostered in many minds theidea that all these hundreds of miles of new canals were constructedwithin the very short period of six weeks! This is altogether wrong. Itis the _vegetation_ that has _grown_ in six weeks, in consequence of theturning on of the water to the irrigation works. We have good scientificreasons for believing that irrigation works on Mars could beaccomplished much quicker than on the earth; but, as the telescope doesnot enable us to see the works, we do not know how long they may havetaken to construct. It may have been months, or years. We only see the_results_ of the works when actually in operation.
When we consider these works and their results, surely it becomesimpossible to resist the evidence of intelligent design which theyfurnish; while if we also remember the very recent development of thesecanals, the existence of life upon Mars at the present time seems to bedemonstrated beyond the possibility of reasonable doubt! In whatphysical form that life is enshrined even our science must fail toreveal. Professor Lowell, however, pointed out that the inhabitants ofMars are not necessarily human beings, but their work clearly provesthat they are beings endowed with a very high degree of intelligence. Astudy of the canal system reveals a marvellous conception marvellouslycarried into effect.
Observers at Flagstaff have, therefore, practically seen the completionof a work which is the creation of intelligent beings on Mars; and inthe remarkable photographs shown we were, so to speak, able to look uponthe results of that work--fertility in a region which had previouslybeen an arid desert.
The water, as the lecturer remarked, was probably not in all casesconveyed by means of canals dug out of the soil, but we know that insome way--whether by canals, or by trunk lines of pipes and smallersubsidiary pipes, or otherwise--the land has been artificially irrigatedand fertilised by water, which could not possibly have taken the courseit has without being intelligently directed. Tunnelling would be easy onMars.
Professor Lowell spoke of these matters in well-weighed and well-chosenphrases, which carried conviction of his earnestness and sincerity tothe minds of his hearers; and we observed that the audience wasevidently profoundly impressed by the importance of his statements. Thisfact seemed to us very significant, as he was addressing one of the mostbrilliant assemblies--representing many branches of science--evergathered within the walls of the Royal Institution. The numerousphotographs showing the Martian canal lines were projected on to thescreen by a lantern, and thus their convincing evide
nce was clearlybrought before the whole of that vast audience.
Another very interesting series of photographs showed the coming andgoing of the first frost of the season in the antarctic regions of Mars.This frost was first observed and photographed at Flagstaff on the 16thNovember, 1909, and other photographs were taken on the 22nd of thatmonth.
In connection with these, Professor Lowell quaintly remarked that, "Tochronicle thus the very weather on our neighbour will convince any onethat interplanetary communication has already commenced; and that, too,after the usual conventional manner by mundane greetings."
Referring to the photographs, it was pointed out that the human eye cansee at least ten times as much as a photograph can show as regardsplanetary detail. This, though not generally known, is perfectly true,and it may be explained thus: We know that in terrestrial photographythe camera will reveal many details which the eye is apt to overlook;and, by very long exposures, even celestial photography will give asimilar result. In _planetary_ photography, however, exposures must bevery short, and the picture obtained is so very tiny that it cannot showall that the eye could see. Under good conditions, therefore, the eye atthe telescope will always see immensely more of the finer details on aplanet than any camera could show.
The great value of the photographs of Mars lies in the fact that theydemonstrate beyond the possibility of doubt the existence of certainfine markings which many observers have seen and drawn, but as to thereality of which others, less skilled or less favourably situated, havebeen extremely sceptical. If the fine lines had no existence on theplanet they could not be photographed.
In drawing attention to the details on these photographs ProfessorLowell emphatically declared that, "The lines you see are'_certainties_,' not matters admitting of the slightest question, forall their strange regularity. Not only I, but all my assistants, haveseen them thousands of times the same, and sometimes with all theclearness and sharpness of etchings or steel engravings.
"An optical mistake," he then remarked, "which has latterly been hailedas showing that the lines were not lines but a series of dots, was madethe other day in France. The observer saw perfectly correctly, but onewith knowledge of the optics of a telescope should have known that theeffect observed was the inevitable result of using an aperture which theseeing did not warrant; as he could easily have assured himself bylooking at the shattered rings round the synchronous image of a star."
It may here be pointed out that these weighty and well-considereddeclarations--which are a complete answer to M. Antoniadi's boldclaim--were made by the most experienced observer of Mars, who, as evenhis opponents admit, possesses the finest site in the world for hisastronomical work, and is equipped with a very perfect instrument.
Besides the splendid photographs of Mars, many views of Jupiter andSaturn were shown, exhibiting clearly numerous fine details, markings,and wisps as to which much doubt had been expressed when some observershad shown them on their drawings. These beautiful and convincing resultsof the clever and original methods of planetary photography adopted atFlagstaff appeared to come as a complete revelation to the majority ofthose present, notwithstanding their scientific experience.
Probably never before had anything so wonderful as these results ofskill, patience, and prolonged research been exhibited, even in thatgreat and historic home of science. As Professor Lowell remarked in afine peroration: "They exhibited something of the advance recentlyachieved in our knowledge of solar science; on the other hand, theyconstituted in themselves the beginning of a set of records in which thefuture of the planet might be confronted with its achieved past, andwhich should endure after those who first conceived such registry hadlong passed away.... They were histories of the planets written bythemselves--their autobiographies penned by light; and in their grandhistorical portrait-gallery astronomers yet to come might see theearlier stages of the great cosmic drama which was slowly but surelyworking itself out!"
At the conclusion of this most interesting lecture M'Allister turned tome and said, "How I wish our old friend the Professor could have beenhere to-night; he would have keenly appreciated what we have heard."
"Yes, he would indeed," I answered; "but remember, he knows more nowthan any one we see here could tell him about Martian matters!"
Before concluding, it may be of interest to state that Professor Lowellstill maintains the accuracy of the discovery made at Flagstaff that theexistence of water vapour on Mars is demonstrated by the photographicspectrum of the Martian atmosphere; and he asserts that the attempt todisprove it has failed. A further discovery has since been made at thesame observatory, viz. that oxygen also is present in the atmosphere ofMars!
During the observations in 1909 several observers noted that, at times,very large areas on the surface of Mars had been so obscured by ayellowish veiling that all details were entirely blotted out. Theannouncement of this fact gave rise to sensational statements that aterrible catastrophe had occurred on the planet. The explanation is,however, very simple--seasonal mists arising from the canals, with theaddition of clouds of sand particles in the upper air, as the result ofdesert sandstorms, caused a temporary obscuration of certain parts ofthe planet as viewed from the earth. Only this, and nothing more!
We have been interested to note that an English observer, the Rev.Theodore E.R. Phillips, has observed some new details on Mars in theregion where the new canals were discovered. Mr. Phillips has in pastyears given considerable attention to this region, and observed severalchanges in the Lacus Moeris, to the east of Syrtis Major. The lakedisappeared altogether for some considerable time, then reappeared. LastSeptember he saw it again, and it was evident some further changes hadoccurred; and he also saw some dusky shadings on the adjacent desert ofLybia. There seems little doubt but that he actually saw, thoughimperfectly, the new canals which Professor Lowell's much cleareratmosphere and larger instrument enabled him to see clearly.
From what has been related in the last few pages it will be seen thatmany of the forecasts, as set forth in this book by our old friend theProfessor, and his statements as to the Martians being actively engagedin altering, extending, and developing their canal system, have beenamply verified by the observations of our astronomers; and I amconfident that his other prognostications will also be fulfilled incourse of time.
Turning now from scientific matters to others affecting ourselvespersonally, I may say that I have heard nothing more of my cousins theSnayleyes; and, after the failure of their mean attempt upon my libertyand fortune, it is not likely that I shall again be troubled by them,for they will naturally take good care to keep out of my way.
As the days and weeks pass by I often think of those we left behind uponthat far distant world: wondering how they are faring, and whether theyhave attempted to transmit any influences or communications to us, forup to the present we have not been conscious of any such influences.
Kenneth M'Allister is a thoroughly happy man, as he is working for hisown benefit, congenially and fully occupied with matters connected withhis beloved machinery. He is on the high road to making a very largefortune; indeed, we are both doing remarkably well, and are, therefore,able to give financial aid to many projects in which we are interested,having for their objects the uplifting of the people, and theimprovement of social conditions generally. It was only yesterday thatM'Allister remarked to me, "Heh, mon, if we continue to go ahead at thesame rate as we are going now, we shall both be millionaires before verylong!"
Yes, we are doing well--there is no doubt about that; but,notwithstanding my present very satisfactory circumstances and thecertainty of a brilliant future if I stay here, ideas have long andpersistently been running in my mind that it would be far better for meto go back to Mars, and--by Jove! strange indeed that I never thought ofit before!--perhaps those very persistent ideas are actually the outcomeof Martian influences!!
The wonderful music I heard upon Mars still rings in my ears; and, attimes, so thrilling and peculiar is its effect upon me, that I f
eel asthough I were being almost irresistibly impelled to return to thatplanet. Well, I should very much like to see the dear old Professor andMerna again, and also my many Martian friends. Then there's Siloni, whomI can never forget, for mentally her image is ever before me. What anice girl she was! If I were to return to Mars, I wonder whether----?
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FOOTNOTES:
[1] The exact diameters of the planets are difficult to measure owing toirradiation, and estimates of various authorities differ, especiallywith regard to the more distant planets.
[2] Most probably the larger planets possess satellites which have yetto be discovered.
[3] It is not yet ascertained with certainty whether Mercury and Venusrotate in about twenty-four hours, or whether the period is the same asthat of their revolution round the sun. The evidence seems to point tothe latter period.
[4] The "terminator" is the boundary between the lighted and the darkportion of the disc.
[5] Those who have seen the undercliff in the Isle of Wight will be ableto form some idea of the terraces of the lunar ring-mountains, as theyare very similar formations.
[6] This is the case as regards separate satellites; but it may bepointed out that a similar thing must occur in regard to the rings ofSaturn. The rings are composed of swarms of satellites so small thatthey can only be termed particles, and these particles at the inner edgeof the "crape ring" revolve round Saturn in 5 hours and 33 minutes, theinner edge of the ring being only about 47,000 miles from the centre ofthe planet. The planet itself revolves on its axis in 10-1/4 hours.Thus, an immense number of these minute satellites must revolve roundthe planet in less time than it takes the planet to make one rotation.It is calculated that the particles in the outer edge of the next ringcomplete one revolution round the planet in 14 hours and 28 seconds.