The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-07-11
Magnetic Telegraph.

Magnetic Telegraph.
We copy the following amusing accoun
of the operation ofthe Telegraph from the
Washington Union.
The following extraordinary dramatic
scene, we will venture to say, has never had
its parallel on this earth, and is the Legitimate
offspring that strange. invention, the mag.
netic telegraph, an invention 10 which the
public attention at this moment is so much
and so universally attracted.
On Saturday evening last, June t. Profess.
or Morse, the inventor and superintendent
ofthe magnetic telegraph, and his assistant
Mr. VAIL in their Office at Washington, wished
to test the integrity ofthe Geographic line The
whole distance through from Washington "a
! New York, distance ofno less than 26C
miles.
The better to understand the singlIlarity of
the scene we are about TO record, the reader
must imagino four individuals, one at the of.
fee i'll Washington, one AT Baltimore, &C
miles distant, one at Philadelphia, IOS miles
| further, and one at New-York, Tor rather
Jersey City, opposite Ncw-York,) ll2 miles
further. The telegraphc line passes through
the instruments at the offices at each of these
places,and u communication despatched from
any one is written and understood instantly
at all the others. We shall designate the op-
orators by the names ofthe places at which
they are stationed. ..
WdShingion.- Baltimorc,a are YOU in connex-
ion with Philadelphia?
Bdttimore.-Yes.
HGsh.-Put me in conneXon with Phila-
delpha. .....
BdH.-Ay, ay, sir; wait n minute. (After "a
pause.) Go ahead. You can now talk with
Philadelphia.
Wdsh-How do YOU do Philadelphia?
I'ha.-Prelty well. Is that you Washing
ton?
Wash-Ay, ay; are you connected with
New York?
Pha.-rYes.
Udsh.-Put me in connexion with New
York.
Pha-Ay, ny; wait minute. (After a
pauscl Go ahead. Now iorit.
Udsl.-New York, how are you?
New York does not answerl '...
Phl-Ilallo, New York, Washington is
talking 10 you. Don't you hear him? Why
don't you answer?
W York. don't get anything from him.
Udsh.-l get that from New York.
Phd.-New York, Washington says he
gets that from you.
BaH.-How is it that Washington hears
from New York and New York does not hear
from Washington?
Phh-There's where am hoored.
BdH.-What is the, reason, Washington?
UdSh.-Because n. York las not proper
ly adjusted his magnet.
Phil have been hard at work all day. [
feel like bricks. Had no supper. | have
had a stiffevcning's work. there have heen so
many messages to- night-one alone that give
us seventeen dollars. | want TO 60
WdSh.-Wait little.
BdH.-Go it ye cripples
Pha-Who is writing?
WGSh-Don't talk all at once
Bat.-Mary Rogers are case, so are Sal
ly Thompson,
Gen. Jackson are n hoss so are
Colonel Johnson.
Phd.-Who is that? | will discuss that
pint.
Wash--Baltimore. keep quiet. Philadel-
phia, tell New York to ask me to write dots,
THAT is to adjust his magnet.)
FhH--Ay, ay, sir; wait a little. New York, |
ask Washington TO write dots.
NJ Yoh-Ay, ay. Washington, write
dots Washington begins to write dots. -
That's it: o. X. Now have got YOU; 90 u
head.
Wash.-Do you now get what send you?
NJ York.-Ay, oy.
WdSh.-Did you get Prof Morse's message
or his daughter?
NJ Rorh.-Yes, from Philadelphia; but it is
90 late to send it over the river tonight
I'm all alone: the two boys are gone.
Wash.-Very well; no matter.
Bah.-Good night; Pm going.
Wdsh-Good night all.
W York-Good night.
And SO ends this curious scene; not an inn
ginary one, but one of actual occurrence
let any one rehecl upon the fact, that all
hese questions and answers occurred in
pace of time but little longer than that in
which this unique drama has been related.