The more notable objects and features of the lunar surface being disposed of, we had next to say a few words upon some residual phenomena, chiefly upon the colour of lunar surface details, and upon their various degrees of brightness or reflective power. And, inasmuch as varying brightness seemed to us to be related to varying antiquity, we were thence led to the question of the chronology of selenological formations, and to the disputation upon the continuance of volcanic action upon the moon in recent years. We regarded this question from the observational and the inferential points of view, and were led to the conclusion that the moon’s surface arrived at its terminal condition ages ago, and that it is next to hopeless to look for evidence of existing change.
Thus far our work dealt with the moon as a planetary body merely. It occurred to us, however, that we might add to the interest attaching to our satellite were we to regard it for a time as a world, and consider its conditions as respects fitness for habitation by beings like ourselves. The arguments against the possibility of the moon being thus fitted for human creatures, or, indeed, for any high organism, were decisive enough to require little enforcing. It appeared to us, nevertheless, that much might be learnt by imagining one’s self located upon the moon during a period embracing one lunar day (a month of our reckoning), with power to comprehend the peculiar circumstances and conditions of such a situation. We therefore attempted a description of an imaginary sojourn upon the moon, and pointed out some of the more striking aspects and phenomena which we know by legitimate inference would be there manifested. We trust, that while our modest efforts in the chapter referring to this branch of our subject may prove in some degree entertaining, they may be in a greater degree instructive, inasmuch as certain facts are brought into prominence which would not unnaturally be overlooked in contemplating the moon from the earth, the only _real_ stand-point that is available to us.