v1 PREFACE 
sions. A British view of the cable experiments, phrased in 
persuasive English, is available in the writings of Sir Charles 
Bright, son of Sir Charles T. Bright, chief engineer in the 
early attempts before the Civil War. 
Because of Field’s public services and picturesque achieve- 
ments, numerous other sources are still extant, such as con- 
temporary articles in newspapers and periodicals, both Ameri- 
can and British. Most of these, however, were written from 
too close a point of view and lack a sense of proportion. A 
number of them are mentioned in the text. I wish to thank 
the present descendants of the family for their aid and kind- 
ness, especially Colonel Cyrus Field Judson of Ardsley-on- 
Hudson, son of Isabella Field Judson and grandson of Cyrus 
Field. I am also indebted to the Western Union Telegraph 
Company, the New York Historical Society, New York Uni- 
versity, and the New York Public Library, for use of books 
and records. 
Puitip B. McDONALD 
New York University 
April 10, 1937 
