AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 627 



extend it from tlience to St. Petersburgh, is a feat worthy of a 

 Czar. Let him but give the order for its construction to the 

 same enterprising American mechanics who have planned and 

 built his great lines of railway, and we may be sure of its com- 

 pletion. Nearly the whole of this proposed line will be above 

 water, always accessible, and easily repaired. In its operation 

 " relay batteries" could be used, and thus the old adage would be 

 verified on the grandest scale, " the longest way around is the 

 surest way home." 



The progress of commerce and civilization will soon demand 

 not only this (instanter) line to Europe, but a southern branch to 

 Asia, extending perhaps to the very heart of the Celestial Empire. 

 Let us then expedite the construction of the Cis-Pacific telegraph, 

 and trust to the ever rising energy of Russia for its completion in 

 the old world. 



Prof Hildreth said there were, no doubt great irregularities in 

 the bottom of the ocean route for the telegraph. 



A conversation between Messrs. Tillman, Hildreth and Roose- 

 velt, relative to the rival claims of Morse and Jackson to tele- 

 graph discovery ensued. Mr. Tillman believed Morse's claim to 

 be established beyond a doubt, by the long and close investiga- 

 tion it has undergone in courts of justice and out of them. 



Mr. Roosevelt proposed that the Club at some meeting, discuss 

 the claims of Jackson, and also of Fitch as to steamboats. 



Mr. Clark, of Manchester, in New Hampshire, exhibited his 

 patent window shades, fire proof, and explained them. The laths 

 are of thin cast iron. Patented last April. 



Mr. Chase, exhibited a model window blind, whose latlis 

 incline from the middle of a window to its sides at an angle 

 of about thirty degrees, presenting when closed, the angle in the 

 middle. Mr. Chase claims that view of the streets, &c., is easy 

 through the laths ! and they do not keep the dust as parallel 

 blinds do. He also suggested that laths may be arranged in fanc^ 

 forms to please some tastes. 



Subject for next meeting, " Steamships." 



At 10^ o'clock P. M., the Club adjourned. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



