On the 8th of October President Barbicane issued a manifesto, full of enthusiasm, in which he made appeal to “all persons on the face of the earth willing to help.”  This document, translated into every language, had great success.

Subscriptions were opened in the principal towns of the Union with a central office at the Baltimore Bank, 9, Baltimore street; then subscriptions were opened in the different countries of the two continents:—­At Vienna, by S.M. de Rothschild; St. Petersburg, Stieglitz and Co.; Paris, Credit Mobilier; Stockholm, Tottie and Arfuredson; London, N.M. de Rothschild and Son; Turin, Ardouin and Co.; Berlin, Mendelssohn; Geneva, Lombard, Odier, and Co.; Constantinople, Ottoman Bank; Brussels, J. Lambert; Madrid, Daniel Weisweller; Amsterdam, Netherlands Credit Co.; Rome, Torlonia and Co.; Lisbon, Lecesne; Copenhagen, Private Bank; Buenos Ayres, Mana Bank; Rio Janeiro, Mana Bank; Monte Video, Mana Bank; Valparaiso, Thomas La Chambre and Co.; Lima, Thomas La Chambre and Co.; Mexico, Martin Daran and Co.

Three days after President Barbicane’s manifesto 400,000 dollars were received in the different towns of the Union.  With such a sum in hand the Gun Club could begin at once.

But a few days later telegrams informed America that foreign subscriptions were pouring in rapidly.  Certain countries were distinguished by their generosity; others let go their money less easily.  It was a matter of temperament.

However, figures are more eloquent than words, and the following is an official statement of the sums paid to the credit of the Gun Club when the subscription was closed:—­

The contingent of Russia was the enormous sum of 368,733 roubles.  This need astonish no one who remembers the scientific taste of the Russians and the impetus which they have given to astronomical studies, thanks to their numerous observatories, the principal of which cost 2,000,000 roubles.

France began by laughing at the pretensions of the Americans.  The moon served as an excuse for a thousand stale puns and a score of vaudevilles in which bad taste contested the palm with ignorance.  But, as the French formerly paid after singing, they now paid after laughing, and subscribed a sum of 1,258,930 francs.  At that price they bought the right to joke a little.

Austria, in the midst of her financial difficulties, was sufficiently generous.  Her part in the public subscription amounted to 216,000 florins, which were welcome.

Sweden and Norway contributed 52,000 rix-dollars.  The figure was small considering the country; but it would certainly have been higher if a subscription had been opened at Christiania as well as at Stockholm.  For some reason or other the Norwegians do not like to send their money to Norway.

Prussia, by sending 250,000 thalers, testified her approbation of the enterprise.  Her different observatories contributed an important sum, and were amongst the most ardent in encouraging President Barbicane.