On the top of the
copper chest and on the outside, we had as much of the lunar metal
(which I shall henceforth call _lunarium_) as we found by
calculation and experiment, would overcome the weight of the machine,
as well as its contents, and take us to the moon on the third day. As
the air which the machine contained, would not be sufficient for our
respiration more than about six hours, and the chief part of the space
we were to pass through was a mere void, we provided ourselves with a
sufficient supply, by condensing it in a small globular vessel, made
partly of iron and partly of lunarium, to take off its weight. On my
return, I gave Mr. Jacob Perkins, who is now in England, a hint of
this plan of condensation, and it has there obtained him great
celebrity. This fact I should not have thought it worth while to
mention, had he not taken the sole merit of the invention to himself,
at least I cannot hear that in his numerous public notices he has ever
mentioned my name.
"But to return. A small circular window, made of a single piece of
thick clear glass, was neatly fitted on each of the six sides. Several
pieces of lead were securely fastened to screws which passed through
the bottom of the machine as well as a thick plank. The screws were so
contrived, that by turning them in one direction, the pieces of lead
attached to them were immediately disengaged from the hooks with which
they were connected.
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