# The Columbiad explained — From the Earth to the Moon

> Chapter companion for From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne.

## What happens

The chapter describes the completion of the Columbiad, the public's intense curiosity and the Gun Club's decision to charge admission for visitors to descend into the cannon, the rapid growth of Tampa Town into a bustling 'Moon-City,' the cooling and finishing of the cannon, and Captain Nicholl's payment of a bet to Barbicane.

## Themes in this chapter

### Public Enthusiasm and Media Hype

The chapter highlights the massive public interest, with millions expected for the launch, visitors paying to descend into the cannon, and the transformation of Tampa into 'Moon-City.'

### Human Ambition and Exploration

The completion of the Columbiad and the Gun Club's relentless drive to reach the moon exemplify human ambition and the pursuit of exploration despite obstacles.

## Character check-ins

### Impey Barbicane

President of the Gun Club, oversees the completion of the Columbiad, opens the enclosure to the public, and receives payment from Captain Nicholl.

### J. T. Maston

Secretary of the Gun Club, nearly falls into the Columbiad, and is intensely impatient during the cooling period.

### Captain Nicholl

Pays off a 2,000-dollar bet to Barbicane after the cannon's successful casting, causing him great anger and illness.

### Major Elphinstone

Among the first members of the Gun Club to descend into the Columbiad during the reception ceremony.

### General Morgan

Participates in the reception ceremony inside the Columbiad.

### Colonel Blomsberry

Saves J. T. Maston from falling into the Columbiad with his right arm.

## Key lines

> There was nearly a riot round Stony Hill, but Barbicane was not to be moved.

A near-riot occurred at Stony Hill, but Barbicane remained steadfast.

_Illustrates Barbicane's firm leadership and the public's frustration with restricted access._

> The price for the descent was fixed at five dollars a head, and, notwithstanding this high charge, during the two months that preceded the experiment, the influx of visitors allowed the Gun Club to pocket nearly 500,000 dollars!

Despite the five-dollar fee, the Gun Club earned nearly half a million dollars from visitors in the two months before the launch.

_Shows the commercial exploitation of public curiosity and the scale of interest._

> J. T. Maston could contain himself no longer. Whether he shouted or ate, gesticulated or talked most would be difficult to determine.

J. T. Maston was so excited that it was hard to tell if he was shouting, eating, gesturing, or talking more.

_Captures Maston's exuberant personality during the celebration inside the Columbiad._

> It was this loop-line that was prolonged as far as Tampa Town, awakening in its passage the dead or sleeping portions of Central Florida.

The railway extension to Tampa Town revitalized previously dormant areas of Central Florida.

_Describes the transformative impact of the Gun Club's project on regional infrastructure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/from_the_earth_to_the_moon_se/chapters/the-columbiad
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/from_the_earth_to_the_moon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/from_the_earth_to_the_moon_se/chapters