Off on a Comet
Off on a Comet
Jules Verne
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME NINE, THE WORKS OF JULES VERNE
BOOK I
CHAPTER I. A CHALLENGE
CHAPTER II. CAPTAIN SERVADAC AND HIS ORDERLY
CHAPTER III. INTERRUPTED EFFUSIONS
CHAPTER IV. A CONVULSION OF NATURE
CHAPTER V. A MYSTERIOUS SEA
CHAPTER VI. THE CAPTAIN MAKES AN EXPLORATION
CHAPTER VII. BEN ZOOF WATCHES IN VAIN
CHAPTER VIII. VENUS IN PERILOUS PROXIMITY
CHAPTER IX. INQUIRIES UNSATISFIED
CHAPTER X. A SEARCH FOR ALGERIA
CHAPTER XI. AN ISLAND TOMB
CHAPTER XII. AT THE MERCY OF THE WINDS
CHAPTER XIII. A ROYAL SALUTE
CHAPTER XIV. SENSITIVE NATIONALITY
CHAPTER XV. AN ENIGMA FROM THE SEA
CHAPTER XVI. THE RESIDUUM OF A CONTINENT
CHAPTER XVII. A SECOND ENIGMA
CHAPTER XVIII. AN UNEXPECTED POPULATION
CHAPTER XIX. GALLIA’S GOVERNOR GENERAL
CHAPTER XX. A LIGHT ON THE HORIZON
CHAPTER XXI. WINTER QUARTERS
CHAPTER XXII. A FROZEN OCEAN
CHAPTER XXIII. A CARRIER-PIGEON
CHAPTER XXIV. A SLEDGE-RIDE
BOOK II
CHAPTER I. THE ASTRONOMER
CHAPTER II. A REVELATION
CHAPTER III. THE PROFESSOR’S EXPERIENCES
CHAPTER IV. A REVISED CALENDAR
CHAPTER V. WANTED: A STEELYARD
CHAPTER VI. MONEY AT A PREMIUM
CHAPTER VII. GALLIA WEIGHED
CHAPTER VIII. JUPITER SOMEWHAT CLOSE
CHAPTER IX. MARKET PRICES IN GALLIA
CHAPTER X. FAR INTO SPACE
CHAPTER XI. A FETE DAY
CHAPTER XII. THE BOWELS OF THE COMET
CHAPTER XIII. DREARY MONTHS
CHAPTER XIV. THE PROFESSOR PERPLEXED
CHAPTER XV. A JOURNEY AND A DISAPPOINTMENT
CHAPTER XVI. A BOLD PROPOSITION
CHAPTER XVII. THE VENTURE MADE
CHAPTER XVIII. SUSPENSE
CHAPTER XIX. BACK AGAIN
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME NINE, THE WORKS OF JULES VERNE
Among so many effective and artistic tales, it is difficult to give a preference to one over all the rest. Yet, certainly, even amid Verne’s remarkable works, his “Off on a Comet” must be given high rank. Perhaps this story will be remembered when even “Round the World in Eighty Days” and “Michael Strogoff” have been obliterated by centuries of time. At least, of the many books since written upon the same theme as Verne’s, no one has yet succeeded in equaling or even approaching it.
In one way “Off on a Comet” shows a marked contrast to Verne’s earlier books. Not only does it invade a region more remote than even the “Trip to the Moon,” but the author here abandons his usual scrupulously scientific attitude. In order that he may escort us through the depths of immeasurable space, show us what astronomy really knows of conditions there and upon the other planets, Verne asks us to accept a situation frankly impossible. The earth and a comet are brought twice into collision without mankind in general, or even our astronomers, becoming conscious of the fact. Moreover several people from widely scattered places are carried off by the comet and returned uninjured. Yet further, the comet snatches for the convenience of its travelers, both air and water. Little, useful tracts of earth are picked up and, as it were, turned over and clapped down right side up again upon the comet’s surface. Even ships pass uninjured through this remarkable somersault. These events all belong frankly to the realm of fairyland.
If the situation were reproduced in actuality, if ever a comet should come into collision with the earth, we can conceive two scientifically possible results. If the comet were of such attenuation, such almost infinitesimal mass as some of these celestial wanderers seem to be, we can imagine our earth self-protective and possibly unharmed. If, on the other hand, the comet had even a hundredth part of the size and solidity and weight which Verne confers upon his monster so as to give his travelers a home— in that case the collision would be unspeakably disastrous— especially to the unlucky individuals who occupied the exact point of contact.
But once granted the initial and the closing extravagance, the departure and return of his characters, the alpha and omega of his tale, how closely the author clings to facts between! How closely he follows, and imparts to his readers, the scientific probabilities of the universe beyond our earth, the actual knowledge so hard won by our astronomers! Other authors who, since Verne, have told of trips through the planetary and stellar universe have given free rein to fancy, to dreams of what might be found. Verne has endeavored to impart only what is known to exist.