The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-25

HOME AGAN.-Our esteemed toWnsman, " ~.
Cohen, ESQ.,, OF the firm OF Tart 4 Co., corner
King and Markets streets, who has been absent in
Europe during the past eighteen months, ret1rn-
ed on Saturday, we are glad to say, much improv-
ed in health.
TIE THEArRE.-The repetition Of the "Seven
Sisters" on Saturday night was happy hit and
the long rolls of applause proved that the mingled
song, dance and buresque speech had struck
merry vein. After the Sisters came a roaring
farce, which had but one fault-it was too funny.
The bill for tonight is an attractive one, as a
glance at the advertisement will show.
ANTE-DELUv1AN.-Rev. Nh. Grardeau last eve
ming delivered another of his series of discourses
on the Deluge, at Mt. Zion Church. A very large
audience was in attendance. The learned divine
did not again touch upon any Of the questions in
volved in the discussion that has grown out of the
famous pamphlet written by "Ariel," but treated
of the deluge and the buildinge Of the Aux in
purely biblical and typical sense. These evening
sermons delivered by Mr. Girardeau increase in in
terest, and the ability which he brings to bear
upon his theme is attracting large and intelligent
audiences of white citizens, besides the ordinary
oolored congregation.
1t is generally understood that the exhaustive
argument delivered week since by MIR. Girardeau
in reply to "Ariel," will be published in pamphlet
form.
The TELEGRAPH CoMPANY.-Long before the
electric telegraph had been imagined, the art of
rapidly conveying intelligence from point to point
had occupied the attention Of mankind, and var1-
GUS e1pedients for the accomplishment of this OBJ
ject had been devised. The most primitive modes
Of telegraphing were by means Of signal fires,
torches, or trumpets. In the year 1874, the sema-
phore or serial telegraph was first used, and all
other methods we're abandoned, but the idea OF
employing electricity had been long entertained,
and experiments to ascertain tie practcability OF
electrical communication between distant places
we're early made by scientific men throughout the
civilized world.
The power Of electricity was discovered IN l747,
and it was observed that o shock passing through
1000 feet of wire affected persons placed at either
extremity about the same time. The idea OF the
instantaneous passage OF electricity was then first
received, bus it required many years and num-
ber of experiments before the power OF electricity
was brought within the control Of the telegraphic
operator. In 1874, the registering telegraph OF
Professor S. F. B. Morse, employing the electro
magnet, was introduced upon line between Bal
timore and Washington, distance OF forty miles,
and was soon in successful operation. The impor-
tance of this invention soon attracted the public
attention, and numerous lines were soon formed
connecting the different cities in the Union.
number of new patents were taken out, and the re-
cent inventions improved and perfected, until the
present complete system Of telegraph1ng was at
tanned.
The telegraphic agency in this city has kept pace
with the improvements Of the age. From con-
tracted, dingy Office in State street, near Broad, it
was moved to different localities, each move being
progressive until, after the close Of the war, the
present large and commodious Office opposite the
Charleston Hotel was obtained. At the present
time the Office is in q Hourishing condition, and
the telegraphing business has rapidly increased.
Before the war two lines were more than sufficient
for all purposes but four now in full operation,
and through line between this city and New
York is now being constructed. Since the opening
of the cable lines large business has been done
with fol eign countries, which is in every instance
payable in gold Messages have been sent to
Liverpool and answers received in three and half
hours, while telegraphic correspondence with
Havana can be effected in one hour.
A number Of changes have been recently made
that are designed to lessen the expense and to
benefit the business portion of the community.
Among these is what is known as the night tele-
graph, that is, messages received during the day
are sent when the line has ceased working at night
and at half rates. When dispatch is not impor-
ant this change is very acceptable, as the mes
sageis received many hours before the mail arriv-
ais At the South Carolina and Northeastern Rail-
road Depots, and at the Citadel, branch Offices
have been opened and though the lines are not
under the immediate control of the main Office,
they can be made available il any arrangement
should occur.
The Charleston Office is at present under the
following management Mr.. D. O'Keefe, superin-
tendent and Manager; D. NJ. Driscol Cashier; three
operators and fvo messengers. This is more than
double the force employed before the war, as it
then consisted Of but one chief operator, one as
sistant and two MESSENGERS