The story of the Sun, New York, 1833-1918 / by Frank M. O'Brien.

RICHARD ADAMS LOCKE'S MOON HOAX 87

Perhaps at the Sun office, perhaps in the tap-room
of the Washington Hotel, Finn met Locke, and they
went socially about to public places. Finn told Locke
of the work on which he was engaged, and said that,
as the moon story was already being put into type at the
Journal office, it was likely that it would be printed on
the morrow.
" Don't print it right away," said Locke. "I wrote
it myself."
The next day the Journal, instead of being silently
grateful for the warning, denounced the alleged discoveries as a hoax. Mr. Bennett, who by this time
had the Herald once more in running order, not only
cried " Hoax! " but named Locke as the author.
Probably Locke was glad that the suspense was over.
He is said to have told a friend that he had not intended the story as a hoax, but as satire.
" It is quite evident," he said, as he saw the whole
country take the marvellous narrative seriously, " that
it is an abortive satire; and I am the best self-hoaxed
man in the whole community."
But while the Sun's rivals denounced the hoax, the
Sun was not quick to admit that it had gulled not only
its own readers but almost all the scientific world. Barring the casual conversation between Locke and Finn,
there was no evidence plain enough to convince the layman that it was a hoax. The Sun fenced lightly and
skilfully with all controverters. On September 16,
more than two weeks after the conclusion of the story,
it printed a long editorial article on the subject of the
authenticity of the discoveries, mentioning the widespread interest that had been displayed in them:
Most of those who incredulously regard the whole
narrative as a hoax are generously enthusiastic in
panegyrizing not only what they are pleased to denomi