Year: 1874

was an expression vi uFIHueSS duouG Ills Woutll
that showed a strong will and habit of hav.
ing his own way. When he spoke it was
with the air of man who knew the ground
upon which he stood, and his manners were
those of one who felt that he was the inferior
of no man.


The ianitor having been dismissed, and the
door locked, Mr.. Blonger proceeded to ex-
plain to those present why he had called them
! together His young American friend, he
said, had convinced him that he was in pos
session of prodigious secret, of the magni-
tude of which they could judge when it was
presented to them.


The whole affair at this point came near
being broken off in disgust, by an unexpected
requirement which the unknown stranger ex-
acted. He declined to proceed, unless all
present entered into an agreement not to
communicate what they might witness to any
living person. for period of ten years, with
out gaining his consent. The Right Honora-
BILE G. - was on his mettle at once. He
washed his hands of the whole matter, and
desired to retire Immediately. The Others
were equally indignant, and expressions not
considered elegant in high society were heard.
1t required all Mr.. Blonger's sagacity to quell
the storm. But the young man was immov-
able, and at last, at the earnest solicitation of
Mr.. Blonger, the guarantee was given. The
stranger then took the stage, and his auditors
the seats Immediately in front Of him.


"Gentlemen," he began, "from what l have
seen Of your incredulity this evening, [ am
satisfied that if should inform you that the
attraction of gravitation could beso suspend.
ed, that objects upon the earths surface would
have absolutely no weight, and, further, that
l was in possession Of the simple means where
by this end could be accomplished you would
greet my assertion with jeers and ridicule. |
shall, therefore, show you what can do first,
and talk afterward. You see in my hands
this coil of wire, blue, like tempered steel.
This cannon weigh nearly three tons. 1wrap
the wire round it. If you listen carefully you
will hear burning sound, similar to that
made by an electric machine. But that has
nothing to do with the matter. The ends of
the wire are joined. This cannon now weighs
no more than a soap bubble. You see move
it about the air with my hand, with two fin
gers, with one. Here is a strong oaken chair.
place the cannon upon it, and when [ with
draw the wire, mark the result. The chair
goes crushing to pieces on the floor, under the
weight of three tons of IRON"


This conclusive proof Of the grandest dis
covery ever yet made by man, brought every
person present to his feet Mr.. Blonger stood
apart in triumph. The young exhibitor alone
remained unmoved. "How is it done?" cried
they ALL "How did you make this wonderful
discovery" They now looked upon him
with the awe one feels in the presence of a su-
perior being.


He raised his hand and requested silence.
"The action Of this simple wire" said he, "is
not confined to metallic substances. Its effect
on all objects is the same. l put it around
this wooden bench, as you see, and the bench
weighs nothing; around this chair, and the
result is the same. Here is this large iron
shaft and these wheels. You perceive that it
! affects ali alike. Perhaps you think that it
has no power over living substances. You
are mistaken. l will agree to put this little
wire round my waist, and step from the dome
Of St. Paul's. l will show YOU"


A ladder extended from the floor to the
lofty ceiling of the hall. The stranger climbed
to its very summit, adjusted his belt, and
sprung boldly off, He slowly unclasped the
ends of the wire, so that they scarcely came
in contact, and descended gradually and safe
ly to the ground, to the infinite relief of the
spectators, who gazed horrow-struck at the
scene.


"Thus you see, gentlemen said he, again
ascending the stage, "what powers lie hidden
in nature, until they are accidentally stun
bled upon You all think there is some power
contained in this wire. | must tell you that
the wire has but little to do with it. And yet
| will agree to 20 down to any Of your sea.
ports, and put this wire or one like it, round
any one of your old seventy four-gun ships we
read of, and lift it into dry dock, with u line
no stronger than a pack-thread, if the wind
is not blowing at the time. This wire, at
which you all gaze so curiously, has no power
in ITSELF 1t is only the means of cummunca'
ting power; still, no man shall examine it,
except under certain conditions; and this
brings me to the point intended to make by
calling gentlemen of your high standing and
intelligence here tonight. wish to sell my
knowledge to the English government" t."


"And why to the government" ?" cried the
Right Honorable b and the honorable
Mr.. s. in a breath.


because no private individual is rich
enough to buy it. | once thought to dispose
oft to my own government, that ofthe United
States, but | shall not enter into the reasons
why l abandoned that idea and came here.
Besides, it becomes public property after ten
years. | would not agree to sell the right
under any conditions for longer time. The
benefits Of the discovery are universal, and in
justice belong to mankind, and mankind shall
have them"


Said member of:thc cabinet: "Iour idea
of selling such discovery to the government
Of Great Britain seems chimercal, and | may
add, it savors of sclfshneSs to keep your
knowledge from the world. But may beper.
mitted to ask how much do you demand for
your knowledge"


Here the young man rose to his feet in an
excited manner. "You talk Of selfishness,
said he 81 know what it is to labor and to
suffer, and to be lost amid mountains and
tormented with thirst upon deserts. | have
labored hundreds Of feet under ground, with
pick and shovel, for my daily bread. | got
tired of this swore off: hold in my pos
session what will make me independent for
lfe besides conferng inestimabc benefits
upon my fellow men, and | intend to use it SC
far. Sclfshncss, indeed What did Morse
or Fulton make from their inventions, except
what was given them almost as charity, after
they let their knowledge 60 out Of their hands
No charity for me. hold my discovery
alone, and will part with it only on my own
terms You ask me what demand for it.
want s5,000,000."


give millions is rather large sum-" Pro
fessor T-venturcd to remark


"a large sum- Have you taken into con
sideration what this discovery is destined tC