Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-06

English, chaLEel, between the mainland and
two islands;S theFlat Holm and the Steep
Holm, the first over three miles and the
second five and one-half miles from the
shore. Wires were erected along the main
land shore and along the island shore, but
no wires crossed over or under the water.
An alternating current was used and Morse
signals were exchanged by means of Morse
key AMI a telephone. Quite distinct signals
were received by Mr.. Preece from the Flat
Holm, which island was stationed Mr..
Gavey. engineer Of the South Wales division
of the postal telegraph. The first message
announced the death of Mr.. Graves of the
technical department.
A DEFINITION OF GENIUS.
What might be called the personal life OF
the scientist is as interesting as his public
life, although the line of demarcation ie
sometimes very difficult to define. In many
respects his habits simply prove DR.. John
sons definition of genius, /. e., capacity for
hard work. Like all men of very active
brain he takes but little sleep. He is at
one with Thomas A. Edison in partakinG
of the Napoleonic prescription Of five hour,
day. Herbert Laws Webb recently asked
him how he managed to accomplish so much
work as he is known to do in one day
well" he replied, 81 always go to bed
regularly at IL O'Clock at night, and always
awake regularly at o'clock in the morning
Before l gave up smoking ! was always
drowSy on awaking. j stopped smoking
seven eight years ago and now | wake
instantly and am ready for work sit up
in bed and put in from four to seven hours
at whatever have in hand. 1t is n splendid
way of adding 40 per cent to the working
day." Whatever he has in hand" may be
the process Of a new invention monograph
on some scientific subject, or an argument
on ocean telephony. Nearly all his original
papers were written in this manner. But
when he goes to the postofiice he endeavorS
N his aarly Morning work Tor the
time being at least. The evening Is gener-
ally put in in lecturing or at the meeting
OF some scientific society.
TOOK A FLYING live.
Speaking of his athletic tendencies, they
were well illustrated by an affair which took
place at Southampton some years ago
Preece arrived late for the train. 1t was. in
fact Just moving out of the station in ono
OF the compartments OF carriage were
several of his friends. He was not going to-
be left behind. The door of the compartment
was locked but the window was open. He
shouted to his friends to make ready, and
running swiftly down the platform he cal
culated his distance and made flying dive
straight at the window. He sailed through
the air cleared the window and landed in
the arms of his friends. He Is quite proud
OF his athletic feats. But to return to Gothic
lodge. Mr., Preece claims 1t to have been the
second house In England to be lighted by
electricity. The installation was completed
numerous plgrimages to Canada. H is sister,
who kept house for him, begged him not to
turn on the current until he returned. She
perhaps thought it might explode, or do
some other thing equally dangerous. Instead
OF complying with her wishes. he on the
contrary turned off the gas and left the
whole installation In charge Of the gardener.
He had the satisfaction OF learning when he
returned that not breakdown of any kind
had occurred while he was away"
The m la nf ba
mented by pointing out the further entice-
ments of Gothic ledge. Here. after all, must
his heart be- for here dwell his children
his girls and boys. whose reverence for their
parent rests not only on simple love, but
also on the substantial belief that he is the
being who, In their eyes at least. has done
and can do all things. These same children
preserve as a sacred relic a large box full
OF kilograms OF congratulation which came
pouring In from all over The world when
their father was made a Companion of the
Bath. The dignity was conveyed In an au-
tograph letter from Gladstone. written on
the veteran statesman's S4th birthday. The
spirit OF Preece peryades his home. 1t is
found In the electric plant out In the gar
den, In the Photographic studio installed in
an clubhouse. in the Ispahan. hangings, in
the curios from Persia South Africa and
Australia, but most OF all in the geniality,
which is the principal part OF this IDEAL
home. Herein the man himself shines out.
THEODORE WATERS.