Ixiv REPORT—1858. 
the conditions of success, and that every cause of failure, well ascertained, 
is an encouragement to the repetition of the trial. Every practieal phy- 
sicist, therefore, was prepared to expect a certain number of instructive 
failures in the attempt to carry out the grandest philosophical experiment 
on record—the most stupendous which mortal mind ever ventured to pro- 
pose to itself. Our surprise is, that the failures were so few,—the success 
so speedy. But the persevering and determined men who achieved this 
success, temporary as it has been, were animated by the spirit in which Lord 
Bacon tells us experimental philosophy should be entered upon:—“ For 
there is no comparison,” he writes, “between that which we may lose by 
not trying and by not succeeding; since by not trying we throw away the 
chance of an immense good, by not succeeding we only incur the loss of a 
little human labour.” 
On the 6th of August, 1858, the laying down of upwards of 2000 nautical 
miles of the telegraphic cord, connecting Newfoundland and Ireland, was 
successfully completed ; and shortly after, a message of thirty-one words was 
transmitted in thirty-five minutes along the sinuosities of the submerged hills 
and valleys forming the bed of the great Atlantic. This first message 
ended by expressing—“ GLory To Gop IN THE HIGHEST: ON EARTH 
Peace, GoopwiLt TowARDS Men.” Never since the foundations of the 
world were laid could it be more truly said, ‘“ The depths of the sea praise 
Him!” 
More remains to be done before the far-stretching, thought-bearing engine 
can be got into full working order; but the capital fact, viz., the practica- 
bility of bringing America into electrical communication with Europe has 
been demonstrated ; consequently a like power of instantaneous interchange 
of thought between the civilized inhabitants of every part of the globe 
becomes only a question of time. The powers and benefits thence to ensue 
for the human race can be but dimly and inadequately foreseen. Some 
results stand out more prominently than others. 
The investigator of natural laws manifests his success by the degree in 
which he elicits and substitutes latent natural force for manual labour in effect- 
ing his purpose. Sennacherib, as we see on the slabs from Nineveh, added the 
lever to traction in the transport of the colossal symbolic statues of his majesty ; 
but the power by which he worked both mechanical adjustments was slaves 
stimulated by the stick. Hundreds of human beings were sacrificed in the 
operation. Warr achieved an equal effect by the scientifie eduction and 
direction of the latent foree contained in a few pounds of coal. 
If this test be applied to the present state of the science of governing 
peoples, it would seem to show but little progress therein. The conscription 
committee of France for 1858 proposed a levy of 100,000 men, because 
less would not suffice to keep up the requisite army of 500,000 men; 
Europe being at peace. Even the United States of America have pro- 
gressively increased their standing army to a present total of 17,000 men. 
