HKB
James Carpenter, then of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The volcanoes and craters, and general landscape scenery of the Moon, had to be photographed and engraved, and this caused great labour.
At length the book, entitled The Moon, considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite, appeared in November 1874. It was received with much favour and passed into a second edition. A courteous and kind review of the book appeared in the Edinburgh; and the notices in other periodicals were equally favourable. I dedicated the volume to the Duke of Argyll, because I had been so long associated with him in geological affairs, and also because of the deep friendship which I entertained for his Grace. I presented the volume to him as well as to many other of my astronomical friends. I might quote their answers at great length, from the Astronomer-Royal downwards. But I will quote two--one from a Royal Academician and another from a Cardinal. The first was from Philip H. Calderon. He said:
"Let me thank you many times for your kind letter, and for your glorious book. It arrived at twelve to-day, and there has been no painting since. Once having taken it up, attracted by the illustrations, I could not put it down again. I forgot everything; and, indeed, I have been up in the Moon. As soon as these few words of thanks are given, I am going up into the Moon again. What a comfort it is to read a scientific work which is quite clear, and what a gift it is to write thus!
"The photographs took my breath away. I could not understand how you did them, and your explanation of how you built the models from your drawings only changed the wonder into admiration. Only an artist could have said what you say about the education of the eye and of the hand. You may well understand how it went home to me. Ever gratefully yours,
PHILIP H. CALDERON."
I now proceed to the Cardinal. I was present at one of the receptions of the President of the Royal Society at Burlington House, when I was introduced to Cardinal Manning as "The Steam Hammer!" After a cordial reception he suddenly said, "But are you not also the Man in the Moon?" Yes, your Eminence. I have written a book about the Moon, and I shall be glad if you will accept a copy of it?" "By all means," he said, "and I thank you for the offer very much." I accordingly sent the copy, and received the following answer:
"MY DEAR MR.NASMYTH--When I asked you to send me your book on the Moon, I had no idea of its bulk and value, and I feel ashamed of my importunity, yet more than half delighted at my sturdy begging.
"I thank you for it very sincerely. My life is one of endless work, leaving me few moments for reading. But such books as yours refresh me like a clover field.
"I hope I may have an opportunity of renewing our conversation. Believe me always truly yours, HENRY, CARDINAL MANNING."
I may also mention that I received a charming letter from Miss Herschel, the daughter of the late Astronomer.
"Is it possible," she said, "that this beautiful book is destined by you as a gift to my most unworthy self? I do not know, indeed, how sufficiently to thank you, or even to express my delight in being possessed of so exquisite and valuable a work, made so valuable, too, by the most kind inscription on the first page! I fear I shall be very very far from understanding the theories developed in the book, though we have been endeavouring to gather some faint notion of them from the reviews we have seen; but it will be of the greatest interest for us to try and follow them under your guidance, and with the help of these perfectly enchanting photographs, which, I think, one could never be tired of looking at.