bered has known, was the so-called
"Moon-Hoax," published in the columns of the "New York Sun," in the
months of August and September, 1835. The sensation created by this
immense imposture, not only throughout the United States, but in every
part of the civilized world, and the consummate ability with which it
was written, will render it interesting so long as our language shall
endure; and, indeed, astronomical science has actually been indebted to
it for many most valuable hints--a circumstance that gives the
production a still higher claim to immortality.

At the period when the wonderful "yarn" to which I allude first
appeared, the science of astronomy was engaging particular attention,
and all works on the subject were eagerly bought up and studied by
immense masses of people. The real discoveries of the younger Herschel,
whose fame seemed destined to eclipse that of the elder sage of the same
name, and the eloquent startling works of Dr. Dick, which the Harpers
were republishing, in popular form, from the English edition, did much
to increase and keep up this peculiar mania of the time, until the whole
community at last were literally occupied with but little else than
"star-gazing." Dick's works on "The Sidereal Heavens," "Celestial
Scenery," "The improvement of Society," etc., were read with the utmost
avidity by rich and poor, old and young, in season and out of season.
They were quoted in the parlor, at the table, on the promenade, at
church, and even in the bedroom, until it absolutely seemed as though
the whole community had "Dick" upon the brain. To the highly educated
and imaginative portion of our good Gothamite population, the Doctor's
glowing periods, full of the grandest speculations as to the starry
worlds around us, their wondrous magnificence and ever-varying aspects
of beauty and happiness were inexpressibly fascinating. The author's
well-reasoned conjectures as to the majesty and beauty of their
landscapes, the fertility and diversity of their soil, and the exalted
intelligence and comeliness of their inhabitants, found hosts of
believers; and nothing else formed the staple of conversation, until the
beaux and belles, and dealers in small talk generally, began to grumble,
and openly express their wishes that the Dickens had Doctor Dick and all
his works.

It was at the very height of the furor above mentioned, that one morning
the readers of the "Sun"--at that time only twenty-five hundred in
nu