The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-06-17
MoRsE's TELEGRAPH.

MORSE'S TELEGRAPH.
The Washington Correspondent of the New York
Evening Post furnishes that paper with the following
particulars Of the modus operandi of that wonderful
iuventlon paid vsi: yesterday to the room III
which Professor Morse is directing operations and
permens on this and most wonderful plan of
communication. This invention has been frequent
ly and fully described that could not hope TO give
cearer idea o. it than your readers have. But
in no account is the mode Of writing indicated. The
pen used may BIO called three pronged fork, SO
many little pointed steel screws: the ink is eectrici.
ty In speaking of it then you may say that you write
with steel pen and forked tightening.
The manner of writing is this. The photographer
takes hold of the loose end of the magnetic wire. lie
dips this end in little deposite of mercury quicl,
silver which communicates the electric spark, and
this spark of chain lightning passes along the wire
with the speed Of thought Possessing sufficient force
opress the steel points have alluded to, down up
on piece of paper made TO pass beneath them. The
distance travelled by the fluid along the wire w enty-
two miles and back upon the Other is of forty
four miles. The speed Of its passage is indicated by
the fact that the very instant the end Of the wire is
seen 10 dip into the quicksilver the little points are
pressed to the paper-n other words, there is no
perceptibe interval between its starting upon and re-
turn from its trip of forty -four miles 1t would go
round the globe in one seventh Of second
But now to the charuciers employed in this new
scheme of calligraphy II is evident that the mere
pressure OF the points on the paper would produce
only dots But when it Is wished to make q CON-
munication, slip Of paper is made pass along
from roller, under these points The letters, the
words, the phrases desired to he expressed are ind
Gated by the length Of the marksor by the frequency
paucity Of dots made. Thus suppose the letter A
10 be represented by three dots, the writer dips the
point of The wire in aud withdraws ii as quickly as
possible that the points only strike the paper & in
stnnty fly back. They thus make, il is obvious the
least possible impression, that is, only dot for each
point. But suppose to be represented by lines
half an inch long The writer has only 10 keep the
end of the wire in the quicksilver until the paper has
passed along that distance under the points which
pressing upon it. OF course is made It will be
perceived that the usefulness of this system of COM
municaton depends in great degree upon the efica-
cy> of the plum of stenography devised. For if the
distinctive characters employed not more COM
pete comprehensive in their separate Specification
Than the letters of the alphabet person could convey
very little information in day.
Another writer speaking of the Telegraph says
Gas one goes from Washington he will see by the
side of the railroad for 80 miles, posts erected 20
feet high, between which two wires extended con-
tnuously, the whole distance At its termination in
the Capitol he will see the Of these wires. Here
without any Inconvenience, he hold conversation
with man at the other end of the wires with the
greatest ease. and about fast rs man can set type
or about 10 letters per minute. And this process
might be carried on hour after hour, so that have
not the least doubt that the time is not distant when
in New York you will be setting the types for the
Presidents Messages and valuable speeches, while
they are being delivered The cost per mile of en-
tending the wires, as Understand, will not exceed
$50 dollars " .t....