The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-07
MAGNETIC TELEGRAPHS-SCI |
ENTIFIC DESCRIPTION.

The rapidity Of communication is
truly astonishing: it is Simultaneous
The rate at which the electro mag
nctic fluid passes, according to Mr..
Wheatstone, is 28s thousand miles
(equal to ia times round the globe) in
one second. We see the 'streak' OF
lightning in the Heavens, but it leaves
no trace; the stream of electricity has
passed in less than the twinkling of an
eye, and is gone far beyond our sight.
In the same manner, with equal swift
ness, the electromagnetic fluid uner.
ringly conveys the intelligence intrust-
ed to its operation.
A new field is thus laid open for the
researches of science, and new dlscove-
ries may yet be expected. Experiments
have already been made in the country,
with wires of 16O miles in length, in
sulated in coils, with perfect success.
A small battery of 100 pairs of plates
was sufficient for the operation of the
whole distance. In efecting the trans
mission of intelligence by the telegraph,
the artificial magnet, created by cleo
tricity, sets in motion an apparatus,
which gives on paper certain charac-
ters, representing certain letters of the
alphabet. Communications are thus
recorded, either by day or night, on a
revolving cylinder, without even super
intendance, and may be transcribed at
leisure. The medium employed
is simply a copper wire insula-
ted and extended. on posts, at an
expense not exceeding $50 per mile.
1t is confidently believed that proprie-
tors will thus connect their dwellings
with the places of their mechanical
operations. How easily, for instance,
could Boston and Lowell be thus con-
nected. The same posts, too, would
answer for many lines of communica-
ton. Each wire, however, must be
insulated; and strange as it may seem,
if two wires are placed horizontally at
some distance apart, and one is charg-
ed, a similar effect will be produced on
the other.
Among the most curious effects at
tending this discovery is the transmits
sion ofinteligence througha single wire
at the same time, from opposite points.
Thus, on wire reaching from Wash
ington to Baltimore, Il messenger, by
electricity, will pass another traversing
in contrary direction, turning out as
itwere, without any detention. Like
the rays of light, electricity, too, is ex-
tremeiy subtle, Nor is the fact less
astonishing that The ground itself is
good conductor. ond supplies the place
Of another wire, which is necessary in
ordinary cases before any affect is pro-
duced.
The advantage of this mode of com
munication must be obvious, both in
arand peace. The east and the west
the north and the south, san enjoy the
earliest intelligence of the markets, and
thus be prepared against speculation.
Criminals will be deferred from the
commission of crimes, under the hope
of escaping upon the ''iron horse;" for
the mandate Of justice outrunning their
flight, will greet their arrival at the
first stopping place.
Intimately connected with this
branch Of science employed in cffec-
ting the results obtained by the tele-
graph, are the medical applications by|
the magnetic battery. The same won
derfub agent--the electromagnetic
iluid--vhich also gilds the metals, and
separates the beautiful ores, dissolves
the calculus (stone in the bladdef with
ont pain; rescuing thus many victims,
otherwise doomed to lingering death
or the sad alternative OF more excru-
ciaiing operation.--The facility with