ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. 



From statistical data collected by tlie secretary, it was found 

 that in 1853 the annual consumption and cost of these materials 

 was as follows : 



These returns, including only the results of the lines worked by 

 the Morse instruments, about nine-tenths of the whole, would 

 require to be increased by a ninth to obtain the total consumption. 



It appears, therefore, that on the lines of the United States, 

 the number of telegraphic messages transmitted in 1853 exceeded 

 ELEVEN MILLIONS! 



THE TJSES OF THE ELECTKIC TELEGRAPH. 



242. To form an estimate of the uses to which the electric 

 telegraph subserves, it would be necessary to obtain a report of 

 the subjects of the messages classified, with the relative number 

 of each class, which are transmitted from and received by the 

 chief telegraphic stations. Although we have not been able to 

 procure to any great extent such data, some notion may be collected 

 as to the way in which this new social, commercial, and political 

 agent is employed, from such scattered statements and notices as 

 we have been enabled to collect from various sources. 



It appears that the prevailing subjects of the dispatches 

 vary according to the station from or to which they are sent. 

 Thus, as might naturally be expected, in large commercial marts, 

 such as Liverpool and Glasgow, they are chiefly engrossed by 

 messages of mercantile firms and business. Their prevailing 

 subjects also vary much with the season of the year. Thus, in 

 summer, the messages of tradesmen are greatly multiplied in con- 

 sequence of the number transmitted by dealers in perishable 

 articles, such as fish, fruit, &c., which must be supplied in 

 regulated quantities with the greatest promptitude. 



We have obtained from the manager of the English and 

 Irish magnetic telegraph company, the following classification of 

 76 



