# XXIII: The Eclipse of the 18th July 1860 explained — The Fur Country

> Chapter companion for The Fur Country by Jules Verne.

## What happens

The chapter describes the anxious lead-up to the total solar eclipse on July 18, 1860, as astronomer Thomas Black fears cloudy weather will ruin his observation. Despite Hobson's growing unease about the strange geography of Cape Bathurst, the colonists gather on the promontory. The sky clears just in time, and the eclipse proceeds, but at the critical moment of totality, Black's observation is interrupted by a shocking discovery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Scientific Curiosity

Thomas Black's obsessive preparation for the eclipse and his detailed explanation of future eclipses highlight the drive for astronomical knowledge.

### The Sublime and Uncanny Nature

Hobson's presentiments about the strange geography—lack of stones, low tides, and the clear-cut coast—underscore the uncanny and unsettling aspects of the Arctic environment.

## Character check-ins

### Lieutenant Jaspar Hobson

Expresses deep unease about the uncanny nature of Cape Bathurst, noting the absence of stones, the clear-cut coast, and anomalously low tides; he confides his presentiments to Mrs. Barnett.

### Mrs. Paulina Barnett

Attempts to reassure Hobson about the colony's health and resources, and later tries to soothe Thomas Black's anxiety about the eclipse.

### Thomas Black

The astronomer is in a feverish state of anxiety over the weather, fearing he will miss the eclipse; he explains to Mrs. Barnett the rarity of observing a total eclipse in high latitudes.

### Sergeant Long

Mentioned as one who cannot understand Black's distress over 'love of the moon.'

## Key lines

> I conclude that it is not so easy to get to Cape Bathurst or to Fort Hope as we could wish.

Hobson suggests that the difficulty of reaching the fort is a sign of something unusual about the location.

_Hobson's growing suspicion about the isolation of Cape Bathurst._

> What do I ask? what do I ask? Only one little corner of the sky free from clouds! only the small space in which the eclipse is to take place! And for how long? For four short minutes!

Black desperately pleads for a small clear patch of sky to observe the eclipse for its brief duration.

_Black's anxiety and single-minded focus on the eclipse._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-i-xxiii-the-eclipse-of-the-18th-july-1860
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters