[ ^^5 ] 



prefented as an incidental than when introduced as a primary 

 confideration. At prefent 1 fliall not attempt to enter upon fuch 

 an extenfive enquiry as into the means of forming an univerfal 

 language, but at fome future period I hope to offer my thoughts 

 upon this fubjed; to the Royal Irifh Academy. 



Having flightly mentioned the contrivances made ufe of by 

 the antients for conveying intelligence fwiftly, and having 

 pointed out fome of the various important ufes to which- this 

 art may be applied, I fhall endeavour to give a clear view of 

 my attempts on this fubjedl. 



Models of the French Telegraph have been fo often exhi- 

 bited, and the machine itfelf is fo well known, that it is not 

 ncceflary to defcribe it minutely in this place. — It is fufEcient to 

 fay that it confifts ©f a tall pole, with three moveable arms, 

 which may be feen at a confiderable diflance through telefcopes ; 

 thefe arms may be fet in as many different pofitions as are re- 

 quifite to exprefs all the letters of the alphabet : — By a fucceflive 

 combination of letters fliewn in this manner words and fen- 

 tences are formed and intelligence communicated. No doubt 

 can be made of the utility of this machine, as it has been ap- 

 plied to the mofl important purpofes. It is obvioufly liable to 

 miftakes, from the number of changes requifite for each word, 

 and from the velocity with which it muft be moved to convey 

 intelligence with any tolerable expedition. 



The 



