56 On the Electric Telegraph of Prof. Morse. 
whose simplicity is more wonderful than their effects; its excel- 
lence is its easy practicability, requiring but small capital nec 
mental or pecuniary. 
For a considerable period three lines have been in coamntacie 
Although they have failed to realize the sanguine expectations of 
the public, they have already rendered themselves indispensable to 
the business community. This apparent want of success dees not 
detract from the excellence of the invention, as it has arisen from 
the inadequacy “of the structures to supply the wants of the pub- 
lic. The invention, in its application, must like steam pass through 
stages of progress before it secures mane public confidence. — 
The lines to which I refer connect New York with Was ashington, 
Boston and Buffalo. All have been built with limited capital and 
experience, and all are imperfect and liable to accident. Hence 
there is never a positive certainty of communicating between any 
two points at any given time. If there were, and if the assu- 
rance continued for any length of time, experience proves that 
four _— the ines of wires and operatives would be scarce 
sufficient to disp t Betts oA - business. For the 
full perme of. the sen A ata of our telegraph, its advanta- 
ges, practicability, and the obstacles nie difficulties which have 
hitherto rendered it unreliable, a brief description of the appara- 
tus in its application seems necessary, even pein sani ee 
familiar to some readers. i ebhegad 
Fig. iy Sia! 
‘e"Phe accompanying figure (1) presents a view of the eseuniiie 
of the “register,” the recorder of the telegraph character. mm 
represents its main feature. the electro-magnet, whose armature in 
its alternate cannes and withdrawal gives motion to the lever 
b of which it is a part. The other end of the lever carries’ 
corresponding. movement the steel point s, which peste = tote 
) with a groove in the roller) indents at each up 
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