cities of the United States, with a central office in the Bank of Baltimore, at 9 Baltimore Street, and were then opened in various countries on both sides of the Atlantic, with the following firms:
VIENNA:
S. M. Rothschild
SAINT PETERSBURG:
Stieglitz & Co.
PARIS:
Crédit Mobilier
STOCKHOLM:
Tottie & Arfuredson
LONDON:
N. M. Rothschild & Son
TURIN:
Ardouin & Co.
GENEVA:
Lompard, Odier & Co.
CONSTANTINOPLE:
the Ottoman Bank
BRUSSELS:
S. Lambert
MADRID:
Daniel Weisweller
AMSTERDAM:
the Netherlands Credit Association
ROME:
Torlonia & Co.
LISBON:
Lecesne & Co.
COPENHAGEN:
the Private Bank
BUENOS AIRES:
the Maua Bank
RIO DE JANEIRO:
same firm
MONTEVIDEO:
same firm
VALPARAISO:
Thomas La Chambre & Co.
MEXICO CITY:
Matrin Darin & Co.
LIMA:
Thomas La Chambre & Co.
Within three days after Barbicane’s manifesto, four million dollars had been deposited in the different American cities. With such a first installment, the Gun Club was already able to get under way.
A few days later there were dispatches telling America that the foreign subscriptions had been eagerly covered. Some countries had distinguished themselves by their generosity; others did not loosen their purse strings so easily. It was a matter of temperament.
Figures are more eloquent than words, so here is the official tabulation of the sums that were deposited to the account of the Gun Club after the subscription was closed:
For her share, Russia paid the enormous sum of 368,733 rubles ($272,875). This will be surprising only if one is unfamiliar with the Russians’ strong scientific inclination and the progress they have made in astronomical studies, thanks to their many observatories, the most important one of which cost two million rubles.
France began by laughing at the Americans’ pretensions.The moon served as a pretext for countless tired puns and a score of vaudeville numbers whose bad taste was equaled only by the ignorance they displayed. But just as the French formerly paid after having sung, they now paid after having laughed, and they subscribed the sum of 1,253,932 francs ($231,980). At that price they were entitled to a little merriment.
Austria showed sufficient generosity in the midst of her financial troubles. Her contribution was 216,000 florins ($96,200), which was welcome.
Sweden and Norway contributed 52,000 rixdalers ($54,450). It was a large sum in relation to the population, but would surely have been still larger if the subscription had taken place in Christiania as well as in Stockholm. For one reason or another, the Norwegians do not like to send their money to Sweden.
Prussia showed her approval of the project by sending 250,000 thalers ($173,440). Her observatories readily contributed a sizable sum and were the most ardent in encouraging Barbicane.
Turkey behaved generously, but she had a personal interest in the matter: the moon governs the course of her years and her fast of Ramadan. She could do no less than to give 1,372,640 piasters ($63,300), although she gave it with an eagerness which betrayed a certain pressure from the Ottoman government.
Belgium distinguished herself among the smaller countries by a gift of 513,000 francs ($94,900), or a little more than two cents per inhabitant.
Holland and her colonies put 10,000 florins ($43,500) into the project, asking only that they be given a five-percent discount, since they were paying cash.
Although a little cramped in her territory, Denmarkgave 9,000 ducats ($21,720), which proves the Danes’ love of scientific expeditions.
The Germanic Confederation agreed to give 34,385 florins ($13,320). She could not have been asked for more; and anyway, she would not have given it.
Italy, though in straitened circumstances, managed to scrape up 200,000 lire ($37,000) by turning her children’s pockets inside out. If she had had Venetia she would have done better; but she did not have it.
The Papal States felt it their duty to contribute no
VIENNA:
S. M. Rothschild
SAINT PETERSBURG:
Stieglitz & Co.
PARIS:
Crédit Mobilier
STOCKHOLM:
Tottie & Arfuredson
LONDON:
N. M. Rothschild & Son
TURIN:
Ardouin & Co.
GENEVA:
Lompard, Odier & Co.
CONSTANTINOPLE:
the Ottoman Bank
BRUSSELS:
S. Lambert
MADRID:
Daniel Weisweller
AMSTERDAM:
the Netherlands Credit Association
ROME:
Torlonia & Co.
LISBON:
Lecesne & Co.
COPENHAGEN:
the Private Bank
BUENOS AIRES:
the Maua Bank
RIO DE JANEIRO:
same firm
MONTEVIDEO:
same firm
VALPARAISO:
Thomas La Chambre & Co.
MEXICO CITY:
Matrin Darin & Co.
LIMA:
Thomas La Chambre & Co.
Within three days after Barbicane’s manifesto, four million dollars had been deposited in the different American cities. With such a first installment, the Gun Club was already able to get under way.
A few days later there were dispatches telling America that the foreign subscriptions had been eagerly covered. Some countries had distinguished themselves by their generosity; others did not loosen their purse strings so easily. It was a matter of temperament.
Figures are more eloquent than words, so here is the official tabulation of the sums that were deposited to the account of the Gun Club after the subscription was closed:
For her share, Russia paid the enormous sum of 368,733 rubles ($272,875). This will be surprising only if one is unfamiliar with the Russians’ strong scientific inclination and the progress they have made in astronomical studies, thanks to their many observatories, the most important one of which cost two million rubles.
France began by laughing at the Americans’ pretensions.The moon served as a pretext for countless tired puns and a score of vaudeville numbers whose bad taste was equaled only by the ignorance they displayed. But just as the French formerly paid after having sung, they now paid after having laughed, and they subscribed the sum of 1,253,932 francs ($231,980). At that price they were entitled to a little merriment.
Austria showed sufficient generosity in the midst of her financial troubles. Her contribution was 216,000 florins ($96,200), which was welcome.
Sweden and Norway contributed 52,000 rixdalers ($54,450). It was a large sum in relation to the population, but would surely have been still larger if the subscription had taken place in Christiania as well as in Stockholm. For one reason or another, the Norwegians do not like to send their money to Sweden.
Prussia showed her approval of the project by sending 250,000 thalers ($173,440). Her observatories readily contributed a sizable sum and were the most ardent in encouraging Barbicane.
Turkey behaved generously, but she had a personal interest in the matter: the moon governs the course of her years and her fast of Ramadan. She could do no less than to give 1,372,640 piasters ($63,300), although she gave it with an eagerness which betrayed a certain pressure from the Ottoman government.
Belgium distinguished herself among the smaller countries by a gift of 513,000 francs ($94,900), or a little more than two cents per inhabitant.
Holland and her colonies put 10,000 florins ($43,500) into the project, asking only that they be given a five-percent discount, since they were paying cash.
Although a little cramped in her territory, Denmarkgave 9,000 ducats ($21,720), which proves the Danes’ love of scientific expeditions.
The Germanic Confederation agreed to give 34,385 florins ($13,320). She could not have been asked for more; and anyway, she would not have given it.
Italy, though in straitened circumstances, managed to scrape up 200,000 lire ($37,000) by turning her children’s pockets inside out. If she had had Venetia she would have done better; but she did not have it.
The Papal States felt it their duty to contribute no
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