APPENDIX. 



THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH. 



The Atlantic Cable quietly rests on its plateau, and tlie laying 

 of it lias been celebrated with a pomp and circumstance seldom if 

 ever witnessed on any occasion in tliis country before. It is a 

 great achievement, and is so considered by the people of all 

 Christendom. Every thing that contributed toward its accom- 

 plishment is now possessed of that peculiar interest which attaches 

 to the history of great events. 



' It is in some sort a result arising from our knowledge concern- 

 ing the physics of the sea, and a short account of it may be given 

 here without prejudice to the specialties of this work. 



On the 1st September, before an immense assembly of people 

 in the Crystal Palace of New York, the history of this telegraphic 

 enterprise was given, in a speech of much beauty and eloquence, 

 by David Dudley Field, for and in behalf of the company — he 

 being one of the original projectors. 



In 1854 he and his associates had under consideration a line 

 from our own shores to ISTewfoundland, when the idea of extend- 

 ing it across the Atlantic was suggested ; but before they decided 

 upon any thing they wrote, said the orator, '' to Lieutenant Maury 

 to inquire about the practicability of submerging a cable, and 

 consulted Professor Morse about the possibility of telegraphing 

 through it. Their answers were favorable. On receiving them 

 it was decided to ' go ahead.' " 



It thus appeares that this new department of science embodied 

 in the term " Physical Greography of the Sea" has already contrib- 

 uted to the advancement and success of one of the grandest and 

 most interesting practical problems which this age of mind and in- 

 telligence has been called on' to demonstrate. 



In the summer of 1857, the United States steamer Niagara and 

 H. B. M. steamer Agamemnon were assigned by their respective 

 governments to the duty of receiving on board and laying the 



