Page:A trip to the moon (IA triptomoon00mcde).pdf/90

 such Travelling, but intended to go thither after the following Manner.

We already know, said I, the Height of the Moon's Atmosphere, and know how Gun-Powder will raise a Ball of any Weight to any Height: Now I design to place myself in the Middle of ten wooden Vessels, placed one within another, with the Outermost strongly hooped with Iron, to prevent its breaking. This I will place over 7000 Barrels of Powder, which I know will raise me to the Top of the Atmosphere. I should here observe, that there were several Mountains out of which they dug Gun-Powder, which was made fit for use, as Salt is on the Earth, by exposing it to the intense Heat of the Sun in some Parts that are very near the Equator. The Mountains were called Psefwhthbz, or the Devil's Warts. But before I blow myself up, I'll provide myself with a large Pair of Wings, which I will fasten to my Arms in my Resting-Place; by the Help of which I will fly down to the Earth.

Here he objected that both the Vessels and I would be set on EireFire [sic]. To this I answered, that I had a Remedy to prevent that; for, said I, between the Vessels I will pour a Quantity of Water, which will prevent the burning any but the Outermost, by boring Holes in the Sides of all the Innermost, excepting that in which I stand, thro' which the Water may freely pass to quench the Outer, which, I believe, will be fir'd; that which is in the Middle shall have no Holes in it, that so the Water may not come near me: The upper Part of my Tubs I will cover with two Plates of Tin, between which I will place a Quantity of wet Sand to prevent the lowermost Plate from setting the Wood on Fire: This Cover shall be fastned by me on the Inside, so as that I can throw it off when I think that I am got out of the Smoak. I'll supply the