Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-11-29
TIE LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN.
BLACKBOARD. rowNLEY Il CO,
PRoFEiErOEs.
IyNcuByigG NOVEMBER 20 1910.
THE MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.


author Is evidently a man Of science and familiar
with the whole subject of electricity, and has
devoted to this subject, and TO some excellent and
striking prefatorv remarks far more space than
10 the Telegraph itself The scientific disSerta-
ton is not better than can be found in almost any
elementary work on electricity, magnetism and
eectro-magnetlsm, and we think the title OF The
article scarcely applicable We hoped and ex-
pected 10 see the great invention of the age pop
ularly described, and speculations hazarded as 10
IFS influence upon society. The writer dlsap-
points us, since he avoids a minute description of
the entire machinery of the Telegraph, and com
fines himself 10 an explanation of its characeriS-
tics as an electrical contrivance
No investigation as 10 priority of invention is
entered into. Two forthcoming works are an
nounced upon The subject of the Telegraph-one
by Genevese NJ. de la Rive, and the other by
British electrician. Reference for further in
formation is made to Knights "Companion TO the
British Almanack for 1913 and lS49-and to the
"Rereur dcs deu1 .Nondes" for August. The
only systematic work on the Telegraph, yet be-
fore the public, is alleged to be from the pen of
NJ. Moigno, Frenchman. II is said to be 'pe-
| cuarly valuable for its ample discussion of the
relative merits Of the different eminent men who
have contributed 10 the perfection of the Tele-
graph. We desire TO Sh7w the value of the o.
plnlon Of this lively Frenchman upon this point
by quoting a w sentences from the Review
"lle is little hard in the body of his treatise
upon Prolc sor Morse, Of America, whom he ac-
cuses Of claiming too undertaking by way Of JUS
iltication alike of the Professor and of his own
judgment upon him, thai Frere Jonathnn est tres
erahe, dr. sa nature" Bnt h. frankly acknowl-
edges, in postscript that he has been straps Sc
rere enpers NJ Morse and for this and certain 9th
er ha>y but not deliberately mgenerous iudg-
men's, cheeriulIy apologies on the plea OF ma
! niracHe."
We do not see in this any evidence Of the
"imparality' for which the reviewer bad Just
before applauded Nj. Moigno. His "viyacity'
cannot b" accepted as an excuse for his inius-
ticc. Mr. Morse has never alleged any claims
which were not well grounded and which be has
not maintained. This is the ONLY mention made
in the article of Mr.. Morse and looks very like
a manifestation of national Jealousy, unworthy a
man of science.
Passing over the question of priority of inven-
ton, and combining himself 10 the relative merits
oil the contrlylnces of WhratStone and Morse for
the purpose transmitting information, we should
think no intelligent man could hesitate 10 yield
our countrvman S the palm of superiority. We
certainly feel a full share of national pride in the
| COMPARISON whilst we are astonShed that peo-
pie like the English, should persist in employing
a machine so very far inferior in all respects to
that used generally in his-counhy. We sup
posed that Nheatstones continuance had been
Improved, but il seems, from the article in the
Review, that, as first invented it is used at this
day, in Enghnd. We must endeavor to give
the reader general idea of the invention II is
based upon a discovery of the Danish philoso.
pher, 0ersted that current Of electricity though
OF not much intensity. passing near magnet, dis
furhs lis polarity and causes it 10 defect to the
east or to the west, according to the direction in
which 1t Is sent. Suppose insulated wire-that is
wire wrapped with thread-to be coiled round
the case OF surveyors compass, and its ends
connected with battery. BY sending the cur
rent IN one direction the needle suddenly turns
10 the east-bv sending il to another, TO the west
whilst, breaking the connexion with the bate
~, II points, as at first TO the north Practical
ly, it was found to be more convenient to have
the magnet vertical, This is done by placing
two magnets, Of exactly the like dimensions, on
the same axis, with their poles reversed, and the
effect ol the EarthS magnetism thus nentraliZed
Two magnets, thus arranged and surrounded by
"A coil, are not more attracted to one point than
another and by making one end a little heavier
are kept in perpendicular position free 10 move
TO the right or left BY contlivance, very COM
pliCated, and which we have not space TO de-
! scribe, nor could describe without drawing, the
current Is cut Off let on and reversed at the
at each end OF the wire in London and Edinburg,
Tor instance, and at all the intermediate stations.
\ signal being given by sending througha cur
rent which rings bell, the operator in London
/ forms conneXon of the circuit. Instantly the
vertical needle defects to the right, which mo-
ton IN the alphabet signifies N. He breaks the
conneXlon and the needle points to the zenith -
lie makes the conneXon again, in reverse man.
ncr, and the needle inclines to the left. which
means \. The following is a specimen of the
alphabet:
"A. one movement left.
Ii. two left.
c. three left
ID. four left.
+. one left one right
+. one left, two right &c, Sc
NOW ceraln y TO any one familiar with Morse's
instrument, this seems very clumSv mode of
SignaIizIng intelligence. 1t appeals to the sight
altogether The observer must be wide awake
or ne Will miss what is passing on the dial Morse's
instrument, on the contrary, records its signs and
moreover speaks langua e which the ear of the
attendant soon learns TO interpret We have seen
conversations carried on by the operators, when
no reference was made 10 the slip of paper but
reliance placed altogether upon the click of the
machine On the score of speed, we should
thlnk ten words or letters, might be Transmitted
hy Morse's 10 one by Wbeatstone's invention
NO reference rs made, throughout the article 10
Morse's Telegraph and, of course. no Dissertation
IA Tine