The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-31
HRSCR[L NOON HOAX
Recalled as Showing the
Credulity of Mankind
AS TO THINGS SCIENTIFIC
1t Was, the Worthy Ancestor
of the Modern Fake.
AS TO THINGS SCIENTIFIC

most remarkable characteristic Of this
unbelieving age No charlatan, NEGRO
mancer, or astrologer Of three centuries
ago commanded more respectful attention
person can be scientific authority; he
has but TO call himself by that title and
every one will give him respectful atten-
ton Numerous instances can be adduc-
ed from the experience Of very recent
years to show how true are these re-
marks. We have had the Keely motor
and the liquid air power schemes for
making something out of nothing. Ex-
tracing gold from sea water has been
duly heralded ON scientific authority as
an easy source of fabulous wealth for
the million. Hard-headed business men
not only believe in such things but act
ually invest in them their most valued
possession capital. Vendors of nostrums
and proprietary medicines acquire wealth
as If by magic, though it needs but a
moments reflection to realize that these
persons cannot possibly be in the posses
sion of any drugs or secret methods Of
compromising drugs that are unknown to
scientific chemists.
If the world. then, will persistently IN
trust it's health and wealth into the safe
keeping of charlatans, what can we ex-
pect when things supposedly of far less
value are at stake? The famous Moon
Hoax. as we now call it is truly a classic
piece of lying Though it dates from as
long ago as 1885. it has never had an
equal as a piece Of modern Journalism :"
Nothing could be more useful than to
recall 1t to public attention at least once
every decade; for it teaches an important
lesson that needs to be iterated again
and again.
On November b. 1888, Sir John Herschel
embarked on the Mountstuart Elphin-
stone, bound for the Cape Of Good Hope
He took with him a collection of astro-
nomical instruments. with which he in
tended to study the heavens Of the south
ern hemisphere and thus extend his ia
theirs great work TO che south polar
stars. An earnest student Of astronomy.
he asked no better than to be left in
peace to seek the truth in his own fash
ion. Little did he think that his Sexpedi-
ton would be made the basis for fab,
rication of alleged astronomical discov-
cries destined to startle a hemisphere
Yet that is precisely what happened
Some time about the middle Of the year
1885 the ew York Sun began the publica-
ton of certain articles, purporting to
give an account of Great Astronomical
Discoveries, lately made by Sir John
Herschel at the Cape of Good Hope" 1t
was alleged that these articles were
taken from a supplement to the Edin-
burgh Journal of Science; yet there Is no
doubt that they were manufactur en-
tirely in the United States, and probably
in New York.
The hoax begins at once in a graudIlo-
quent style, calculated to attract popular
attention, and well fitted to the marvels
about to be related. Here an inroduct-
DRY remark, as specimen: TT has been
POLITICALLY said that the stars of heaven
are the hereditary regalia of man as the
intellectual sovereign of the animal crea-
ton. He may now fold the zodiac around
him with a loftier consciousness Of his
mental supremacy Then follows a cir
cumstantial and highly plausible account
Of the manner in which early and excIus-
i've information was obtained from the
Cape. This was. Of course, important In
order TO make the people believe In the
genuineness Of the whole: but we pass
at once to the more interesting account
Of Herschel's supposed instrument.
Nothin could be more skillful than the
way in which an air of truth IS cast over
the coming account of marvellous discov-
cries by explaining in detail the construc-
tir0 NF CT,
ment Sir John Is supposed to have had
an interesting conversation in England
with Sir David Brewster upon the mer-
its Of some ingenious suggestions BY the
latter n his article on optics in the Ed
inburgh Encyclopedia o. e4A for i'm
provements in the ewtonian refectors"
The exact reference to a particular mage
is here quite delightful After soma fur
Their talk, 1.-The conversation became d.
rected 10 that all-invincible enemy. the
paucity of light in powerful rna-nifers.
After a few moments silent thought.
Sir John difTidentlv inquired whether il
would not be possible 70 effect a trarsf1I.
sion Of artificial light through the focal
object of vision. Sir David. somewhat
startled at the originality 81 the idea.
paused a while. ard then hesitatingIv re-
ferred to the refrangibility Of rays. and
the angle Of incidence. Sir John .coatin-
ued: why cannot the illuminated micro
scope, say the hydro-oSygen. be applied
to render distinct. and. II necessary. 70
magnify the focal object2'' Sir David
spranE from his chair in an ecstasy os
conviction. and Ieaping half way 70 the
ceiling. exclaimed: Thou art the man
This absurd imaginary conversation con
tsius nothing but an assen1blaze az or
teal larson. pat together wfthou. the
slightest intention Of conveying any IN
telligible meaning 20 scientific psopie
Yet &c was well ADAPTED to deceive tas
public; ana we should not bs SURPRISED
II II would be credited by many newspa-
Per readers today
The authors 20 on 70 exrlzfu Row
money was raised 20 build the rev in
strument. and then describe Fe-srhel's
embarkaaon ard the difficulties connect
chimes - the nlacs se7ec.e for ire ,b
serving station. sir John accomplished
the ascent u the plains b. n,eaus y
two reliet teams Of oxen. ~ eizatsaa
each, IN about four DAYS. and. aided hv
several companies 81 Dutch toars tsscf
proceeded al once 70 ire erecting % rs
gigantic fabric =" The Place really select
ed BY Hs-schel cannot be described 49,
ter than in hos own words, contained IN
genuine letter dated Isnnarv q 1s75:
"A perfect psradise n rich ard zssgrif-
cent mountain scenery. sheltered fro-r
al winds, must reserve Tor nv
next al description q tha gorgeous dis
play q flowers which s3ern this srler-
did country. as well as the astonlsAlag
bvilliancy Of the cancellations TIE
author o. the hoax cca,d have had 70