“Now coal has become the source of all modern industry. To say nothing of the fuel used for heating purposes, or of its employment for the production of steam and electricity, I may direct your attention to its derivatives, the aniline colours, the perfumes, the picrates, salicylic acid, naphtol, phenol, antipyrin, benzin, naphthalin, pyrogallic acid, tannin, saccharin, tar, asphalt, pitch, lubricating oils, varnish, yellow prussiate of potass, cyanide, bitters, &c., &c.”
And after this enumeration, which had been given with great rapidity, the orator paused like an exhausted runner to take a long breath. Then he continued,—
“It is indubitable that coal will in time be exhausted. Before five hundred years the mines in operation to-day—”
“Three hundred!” shouted one of the crowd.
“Two hundred!” roared another.
“Let us say a delay more or less restricted,” said Barbicane, “and put ourselves in a position to see what new coal-fields then remain, supposing that the present fields are exhausted at the close of this century.”
Here he paused to enable his audience to concentrate their attention. Then he continued,—
“Now, fellow-shareholders, follow me, and let us start for the North Pole.”
And the audience rose as if to pack their baggage ready for shipboard.
An observation from Major Donellan put a sudden stop to this movement of enthusiasm.