THE MARQUIS AND THE MOON - A STORY

Cleveland: Robert Clarke & Co. Very Good+. 1888. First Edition. Hardcover. (4), 5-39, (1) pages; Clean and secure in original black cloth binding with gilt lettering at front board, geometric patterned endpapers printed in green. A very nice example of this scarce item. OCLC 2401091 Wright (III) 3394 Wonderful dedication: "Fraternally Dedicated to all other Lunatics" The story of a voyage to the moon and the fantastic inhabitants there. This fascinating volume begins with a discussion of the soul, or spirit between a German artist and an Italian sculptor at an outdoor Cafe in Rome. An eccentric Marchessa from Naples approaches a neighboring table and asks his acquaintance to introduce him to his American friend (the narrator of the story). Their conversation eventually turns to telegraphy and the Marchessa speculates what powers might be derived from the "cold, dull rays of an American moon" compared to that above Italy. First taught by Iranian priests, he learned that bodies of considerable weight can be transmitted along the moon's rays at great speed, "the motive power being a preparation of 'green electricity' in a highly concentrated form." The Marchessa and the American thence proceed to travel to the Moon and visit the Palace of the Princess. Immediately enamored of the Princess the American experiences an awkward out of body experience and is told he must return to Rome. Upon returning to the Cafe in Rome, discovers he has arrived at 6:30pm, 25 minutes Before they had left. The experience has affected him physically as well as spiritually, as he left a part of his heart on the Moon; the Marchessa alludes to the fact that the poet Coleridge in an earlier such journey left part of his brain on the Moon. .