136 WAR. 



The transmission of a message from London to 

 Portsmouth during the war, usually took place in 15 

 minutes, but by an experiment tried for the purpose, 

 a single signal has been transmitted to Plymouth and 

 back again in three minutes, which by the telegraph 

 route was at least 500 miles. In this instance notice 

 had been given to make ready, and each captain was 

 at his post.* 



The number of signals conveyed by the English 

 telegraph is 63, by which they represent the ten 

 digits, the letters of the alphabet, many generic 

 words, and all the numbers expressed by the com- 

 bination of the digits 63 ways. The observers at 

 the telegraphs are not required to keep their eye 

 constantly at the glass, but only to look every five 

 minutes for the signal to make ready. The expense 

 of 64 stations at 150/. per annum each, was about 

 10,000/. yearly. 



general preparation make ready 

 message not understood 

 affirmative yes 

 no negative and annul 

 ship's name 

 j alphabet 



Giving Quarter. 



This phrase originates from an agreement between 

 the Dutch and Spaniards, that the ransom of an 



* The electric fluid has been conducted by a wire four 

 miles in length apparently instantaneously, and without any 

 diminution of effect. If this should be found to be the case 

 with the Galvanic circuit, an instantaneous telegraph might be 

 constructed by means of wires and compasses. 



