NEEDLE ALPHABETS. 241 



The following is the alphabet (with numbers) once in use on the South- 

 Eastern Railway for the double-needle instrument. The table is taken from 

 Mr. Walker's translation of De la Rive's work on Electricity and Magnetism. 



A is signified by two movements of left needle to left. 



B by three 



C (and fig. i) by two right first, then left. 



D (and fig. 2) by two left first, then right 



E (and fig. 3) by one to the right 



F by two 



G by three 



H (and fig. 4) by one right needle to the left 



I by two 



J (same as G). 



by three 



L (and fig. 5) by two right and left 



M (and fig. 6) by two left and right 



N (and fig. 7) by one to the right 



O by two 



P by three 

 Q (same as K). 



R (and fig. 8) by one parallel movement of lower points, both needles to the left. 



S by two 



T by three 



U (and fig. 9) by two first right, then left. 



V (and fig. o) by two first left, then right. 



W by one movement of both needles (lower points) to right. 



X by two 



Y by three 

 Z (same as S) or specially. 



The Morse system of telegraphy was first brought out in 1844, and 

 was worked by means of a Voltaic battery, an electro-magnet being used at 

 the receiving station. This magnet attracted an " armature," and by it dots 

 or lines are marked on a moving paper band by a point at the other end of 

 the wire, on the register in which the paper is carried by rollers which move 

 out by clockwork. The lever being "tapped" down in fast or slow pressures 

 will give a corresponding series of dots or lines (according as the pressure is 

 long or short) upon the moving strip of paper at the receiving station. Three 

 taps will give C, one tap and a pause will make A. The dots are "taps" on 

 the key, the lines brief " rests " on it, as will be seen from the alphabet 

 below, which is given as a specimen. 



MORSE ALPHABET. 



S... 

 T 

 U. . 

 V.. . 



X '. - . . 



I. . 3-.. - 5 - 9- 



o 



16 



