TELEGRAPHIC CABLES. 397 



up, it is only prudent not to be too venturesome in 

 an element for which we are not adapted. 



Standing on the shore, we look with wonder on 

 that cable fixed to the rocks, and slowly unrolling 

 from a chain carried by a ship steaming seaward. 

 It would almost look as if the hardy seaman had 

 shrunk from trustim^ himself to a desert without a 

 landmark, and hacf contrived this means of preserv- 

 ing his communication with the shore. But we 

 know well enough that he has no need of that 

 thread to guide him safely over the vast labyrinth 

 of watei-jj. That cable means something quite dif- 

 ferent. If we choose to examine the shore-end, 

 we shall find that a few copper wires care- 

 fully enveloped in gutta-percha occupy the centre. 

 Around this nucleus is a firmly-twisted cord of iron. 

 The heart of the cable is thus protected so that 

 nothing may interrupt the track destined for the 

 transmission of thought. When resting on the 

 bottom of the ocean, this simple apparatus shall 

 serve as the medium of communication between one 

 human being and another who wish to converse 

 together though thousands of miles apart. 



While a just pride may be felt in the audacity 

 and good fortune which has enabled man to make a 

 pathway for thought over the bottom of the abyss, 

 there is yet much in this very achievement to make 



