[ '28 J 



The eye can eafily perceive the eight different pofitions in 

 which one of the pointers is reprefented, plate II. fig. i. by 

 ' turning the eye to the circle A. 



A SIMILAR circle may be imagined round each of the point- 

 ers, by which the numbers which they are intended tc exprefs 

 may be difcovered with much facility. 



Of thefe eight pofitions feven only are employed to = denote 

 figures, the upright pofition of the hand or pointer being re- 

 ferved to reprefent O or Zero. The figures thus denoted refer 

 to a vocabulary, in which all the words are numbered. Of the 

 four pointers, plate I. that which appears to the left hand of 

 the obferver reprefents thoufands, the others hundreds, tens 

 and units, in fuccefllon, as in common numeration. 



* In the annexed plate the four large pointers ftand at 2774, 

 which in the common arrangement of my vocabulary denotes 



the 



* I infert, plate II, fig. 2, a line defcribed by telegraphs as an example. — It is 

 the firft line of the following verfes written on the profpeft of correfponding be- 

 tween England and Ireland by the Telegraph : 



Hark from Bafaltic rocks and giant walls, 

 To Britain's fliores the glad Hibernia calls ; 

 Her voice no longer waits retarding tides, 

 The meeting coafts no more the fea divides. 

 Quick, at the voice of fortune or of fame, 

 Kindles from fliore to fhore the patriot flame, 

 Hov'ring in air, each kindred genius fmiles. 

 And binds with clofer bands the filter Ifles. 

 The numbers are, 2645, 2331, 573, 1113, 244, 241 1, 6336. 



4 



