The demand appeared quite simple, and offered no difficulty.  The orator resumed his speech.

“The following, gentlemen, is the speed of the different planets.  I am obliged to acknowledge that, notwithstanding my ignorance, I know this small astronomical detail exactly, but in two minutes you will be as learned as I. Learn, then, that Neptune goes at the rate of 5,000 leagues an hour; Uranus, 7,000; Saturn, 8,858; Jupiter, 11,675; Mars, 22,011; the earth, 27,500; Venus, 32,190; Mercury, 52,520; some comets, 14,000 leagues in their perihelion!  As to us, veritable idlers, people in no hurry, our speed does not exceed 9,900 leagues, and it will go on decreasing!  I ask you if there is anything to wonder at, and if it is not evident that it will be surpassed some day by still greater speeds, of which light or electricity will probably be the mechanical agents?”

No one seemed to doubt this affirmation.

“Dear hearers,” he resumed, “according to certain narrow minds—­that is the best qualification for them—­humanity is inclosed in a Popilius circle which it cannot break open, and is condemned to vegetate upon this globe without ever flying towards the planetary shores!  Nothing of the kind!  We are going to the moon, we shall go to the planets, we shall go to the stars as we now go from Liverpool to New York, easily, rapidly, surely, and the atmospheric ocean will be as soon crossed as the oceans of the earth!  Distance is only a relative term, and will end by being reduced to zero.”

The assembly, though greatly in favour of the French hero, was rather staggered by this audacious theory.  Michel Ardan appeared to see it.

“You do not seem convinced, my worthy hosts,” he continued with an amiable smile.  “Well, let us reason a little.  Do you know how long it would take an express train to reach the moon?  Three hundred days.  Not more.  A journey of 86,410 leagues, but what is that?  Not even nine times round the earth, and there are very few sailors who have not done that during their existence.  Think, I shall be only ninety-eight hours on the road!  Ah, you imagine that the moon is a long way from the earth, and that one must think twice before attempting the adventure!  But what would you say if I were going to Neptune, which gravitates at 1,147,000,000 leagues from the sun?  That is a journey that very few people could go, even if it only cost a farthing a mile!  Even Baron Rothschild would not have enough to take his ticket!”

This argument seemed greatly to please the assembly; besides, Michel Ardan, full of his subject, grew superbly eloquent; he felt he was listened to, and resumed with admirable assurance—­