THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. 



is very analogous to that of compositors in a printing-office, who, 

 as is well known, go through, their work mechanically, without 

 giving the least attention to the subject. 



260. A sort of verbal ciphers, or abbreviations, are much in use, 

 however, by mercantile houses. This is practised more for the 

 sake of economy than secrecy, although the latter purpose is also 

 attained. The firm and its correspondents have a key in which 

 are tabulated a number of single words, each of which expresses a 

 phrase or sentence, such as is of frequent occurrence in such com- 

 munications. The following example of such a commercial 

 despatch is given by Mr. Jones. The despatch to be sent consisted 

 of 68 words, as follows : 



" Flour Market for common and fair brands of western is lower, 

 with moderate demand for home trade and export. Saks, 8000 

 bbls. Genesee at 5 dols. 12. Wheat, prime in fair demand, market 

 firm, common description dull, with a downward tendency, sales, 

 4000 bushels at 1 dol. 10. Corn, foreign news unsettled the market; 

 no sales of importance made. The only sale made was 2500 busheh 

 at 67 c." 



This despatch, when converted into the verbal cipher, was 

 expressed in nine words, as follows : 



" Bad came aft keen dark ache lain fault adapt." 



261. Complicated systems of cipher were invented for the trans- 

 mission of parliamentary and law reports, and those of public 

 meetings. When the tolls, however, were reduced by competition, 

 this system was abandoned, and the reports were sent in full, 

 or with such abbreviations only as are obvious. 



262. The large quantity of telegraphic news which is published 

 daily in the New York journals is explained by the fact, that seven 

 of the principal journals of that city formed an association to 

 telegraph in common, sharing the expense. Each journal was, 

 however, at liberty to order for itself any extra intelligence, 

 giving the others, or any of them, the option of sharing it. 



263. Mr. Jones relates that one of the earliest telegraph feats, 

 after the extension of the telegraph lines west to Cincinnati, was 

 brought about by the agency of the * ' New York Herald," and before 

 any regular association of the press was formed in New York. 



" It became known that Mr. Clay would deliver a speech in 

 Lexington (Ky.), on the Mexican war, which was then exciting 

 much public attention. Mr. Bennett, editor and proprietor of the 

 ' Herald,' desired us to have Mr. Clay's speech reported for the 

 paper. "We at once proceeded," says Mr. Jones, " to make arrange- 

 ments to carry it into effect. We had a regular and efficient 

 reporter already employed in Cincinnati, a Mr. Or. Bennett ; we 

 also had a Mr. Thompson in Philadelphia in co-operation with us 

 94 



