100 RESOLUTION TO LEAVE THE PUBLIC SERVICE. 



When the junction of the meanwhile completed 

 Belgian telegraph-line with the Prussian had been ef- 

 fected in Verviers, I received an invitation to Brussels, 

 to give a lecture before King Leopold on electric tele- 

 graphy. I found the whole royal family assembled in 

 the Brussels palace, and delivered a long lecture ac- 

 companied by experiments, which they followed with 

 close attention and quick understanding, as was evid- 

 enced by the discussion which followed. 



The final decision of the question what turn I 

 should give to my future life had now to be made. The 

 military authorities had only with reluctance accorded 

 the prolongation of my order for service with the 

 ministry of commerce, and had emphatically declared 

 that an extension of the same would not be granted. 

 I had the choice either of stepping back into active 

 military service, or of going over to government- 

 telegraphy, in which my position as managing engineer 

 was assured, or lastly of renouncing every position of 

 public service, and devoting myself entirely to private 

 scientific and technical activity. 



I decided for the last. To return to the military 

 garrison service, after the exciting and successfully 

 active life which I had behind me, I should have found 

 altogether impossible. The civil service did not at 

 all content me. There was wanting in it the feeling 

 of comradeship, which mitigates arid renders endurable 

 the oppressive differences of rank and power, there 

 was wanting in it also the plain-spoken candour, which 

 reconciles one even with the bluntness, which is tra- 



