Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-08-09
The Telephone.
SEpGwICK, Me-, July 80, 1877.

SEDGwIcE, Ne, July 80, 1877.
To the Editor Of The american:
Hardly thoughtful man exists but at
times seriously asks himself the question
Ia view OF what has been accomplished
well, what ne1tI" The thousand and one
applications Of steam to the varied purposes
of life. the inventions to utilize electricity
and the great perfection 10 which this
agent in Nature has been brought, 70 con-
tribute TO the necessities OF man, are all
marvellous. and the most thoughtful man
will ask. what nexti" But wonders will
never cease. nor will the depths 10 which
the human mind will penetrate in its search
after the hidden mysteries OF Nature ever
be iathomed. we may well suppose In
view OF the new aud strange discoveries Of
the day. The Telephone" IS the latest
discovery. and this cannot be explained,
only it, results or workings. saw to-day
its operation. and also examined the little
instrument which directly conveys the
sound Of the distant human voice TO the
ear, a. the words are articulated. The ex-
pertinent WAS tried between two points,
say 20 RODS apart. The experiment was
successful; aud this when the Introduction
of three persons was made TO complete the
circuit, the sound seemingly passing
through the bodies of these as readily as
through the wires.
On Saturday the experiment was made
between this point and Bluehill, and a con.
versaiion carried on with J. T. Hinckley,
Esq. familiarity known As Tom Hinckley.'
Whether he told one Of his funny stories or
not is not related. But his words were as
distinctly heard here, as they would have
been if he was only two rods distant, in
stead of being miles. The voice is also
recognized. if it is familiar TO the listener.
| had the curiosity 10 ask for an exam
this marvel. The outside is wood, say six
inches long. one end made 10 adapt TO the
ear or mouth, something like the mouth
piece OF a speaking trumpet. Under this
mouth piece, which is fastened by screws
to the main piece, is a circular piece Of
thin sheet iron. so thin, that as you speak
through the mouth piece the sound cause.
II TO vibrate, il acting like the drIm Of the
ear. Under this, but not touching ii, is
magnet, square shaped. running down
through the piece OF wood. Surrounding
the head of the magnet, directly the mem.
brane is a small coil OF insulated wire, the
extremities of which pass down through
the instrument terminating in two screw
cups, to which the wires are attacked.
In the experiment Of to-day the wire was
unfastened from the instrument and wound
around the hand Of gentleman from
Bangor, whose left hand was clasped by
another person, who in turn took hold Of
the point Of the instrument. which delivers
the message. In this condition the con
versation was conducted as readily as
when the wire WINS directly connected with
the instrument.
The following, in brief. is the result o
my apytrsation with the gentleman
Mr.. Cover Of Providence through ,his in
strument. who is introducing this new dis
covery being associated with Prof Bell,
of Boston.
CUES How long since this was diseov-
cred, and by whomf
Ans The experiment has been going
on for some little time, but the instrument
now used has only just been completed,by
Prof G. Bell. OF Boston.
CUES What distance has it been tested?
Ans:-Between Boston and New York,
2eO miles.
CUES Are business men taking an in.
terest in the discovery?
Ans:-very great. The demand cannot
readily be supplied.
Mr.. Cover says that the electrical cur
rent disturbs or retards the communication
OF sound. so that 1t needs wire used for
this alone. to make the communication per-
feet This is indeed wonderful discov-
cry, and one that puzzles scientists to ex-
plain. Verify, there are more things 10
Heaven and earth than our philosophy has
vet dreamed Of n K SAWYER