[ ^38 ] 



WnisN this Paper was firfl: prefented to the Academy I had 

 determined to try an experiment acrofs the channel from Donagh- 

 adee to Port Patrick. I was ambitious of being the firfl: perfon 

 who fliould conned the iflands more clofely by facihtating their 

 mutual intercourfe. Public bufinefs prevented me from going to 

 the fea fide at the time I had intended, and prevented me from 

 carrying on a feries of converfations by day and night between 

 the two kingdoms ; but Mr. Lovell Edgeworth, my fon, had the 

 fatisfadion of fending four meffages acrofs the channel at four 

 o'clock P. M. on the 24th of Augufl; 1795, and of receiving im- 

 mediate anfwers, before a vaft concourfe of people. The ma- 

 chines by which this communication was made were thirty feet 

 high, and fifteen feet at the bafe. A child of four years could 

 turn them. Mifly weather prevented them from being feen for 

 two or three days ; but when the weather cleared up a pointer 

 of twelve feet high could have been plainly diftinguifhed acrofs 

 the channeL 



Though I have beftowed much attention and labour upon 

 this fubjed, I do not pretend to fay that the means of Tello- 

 graphic communication which I have invented are the befl: that 

 can be devifed. Imitations without end may be attempted ; 

 pointers of various (hapes and materials may be employed ; real 

 improvements will alfo probably be made, and perhaps new prin- 

 ciples may be adopted. The varieties of art arc infinite, and 

 none but perfons of narrow underftanding, who feel a want of 

 refources in their own invention, are jealous of competition and 



difpofed 



