AMERICAN" TELEGRAPHIC LINES. 



of a London newspaper of the largest size, averaging almost two 

 columns per day. 



Supposing six papers to be associated together, the share of 

 each would annually amount to about $5000, or WOOL, for two 

 columns of telegraphic intelligence daily. 



Commercial men use the electric telegraph in their transactions 

 to a very great extent. In 1852 there were transmitted by one 

 of the three telegraph lines that connect New York and Boston, 

 between 500 and 600 messages daily. The sums paid on this line 

 by some of the principal commercial houses who used it averaged 

 in 1852 for each from $60 (12J.) to $80 (16Z.) per month. 



On other lines the leading commercial houses were estimated to 

 pay from $500 to $1000 (100/. to 200/.) per annum for telegraphic 

 despatches. 



Interruptions occur most frequently from the interference of 

 atmospheric electricity; in summer they are estimated to take 

 place on an average twice a week, but many contrivances have 

 been adopted for obviating this inconvenience, such as lightning 

 arresters, &c., which are generally known; the number of inter- 

 ruptions have been thereby reduced about 30 per cent. 



Other accidental causes of interruption occur irregularly from tha 

 falling of the poles, the breaking of the wires by falling trees, and, 

 particularly in winter, from the accumulated weight of snow or ice. 



The electric current is made to act through long distances, by 

 using local and branch circuits, and relay magnets, in those systems 

 where it would be otherwise too weak to operate effectually. 



In Mr. Bain's system, a weak current is found sufficient for very 

 long distances ; between New York and Boston, a distance of 270 

 miles, no branch or local circuit is required. In some cases, where 

 both Morse's and Bain's telegraphs are used by an amalgamated 

 company in the same office, it is found convenient, in certain 

 conditions of the [atmosphere, to remove the wires from Morse's 

 instruments, and connect them with Bain's, on which it is 

 practicable to operate when communication by Morse's system 

 is interrupted. 



It is generally believed that by laying insulated wires under- 

 ground the interruptions will be reduced so as to be altogether 

 inconsiderable. The expense of the process, however, is regarded 

 as a great impediment in the United States, where cheapness of 

 construction is an object of the highest consideration. 



The application of the electric telegraph is not confined to 

 the transmission of messages from one part of the States to 

 another: in the form of a local or municipal telegraph, it is 

 employed as an important instrument of regulation and intelli- 

 gence in the internal administration of towns. 



K 2 131 



