March 25, 1880] 



NATURE 



497 



the conversation between Edward and John is ended, 

 they each hang up their telephones and press upon the 



In posts where there are 500 or 600 subscribers the 

 numbers are arranged in order on tables containing each 

 500 to 100 doors ; special arrangements are then em- 

 ployed to bring the series into communication with each 

 other. At New York the central office makes not less 

 than 6,000 communications daily, and everything is con- 

 ducted to the complete satisfaction of the subscribers. The 

 telephone has become for them as indispensable as the 

 omnibus or hansom for London. Every month a list of 

 subscribers is distributed from the central office. The 

 Chicago list already forms a small volume. The Ameri- 



Fig. 2. — Switchman corresponding with a subscriber. 



knobs, when the number of each is again exposed at the 

 central post. The employe then knows that the conver- 

 sation between the two subscribers is ended : he raises 



Fig. 3. — Another cutpltyt raising the waroiog si J ual. 



\ne door, suppresses communication between Edward 

 and John, and all is ready for a new call. 



Fig. 4. — Telephone fitted up 



can District Telegraph Company has greatly extended 

 its services, and informs its subscribers that in three 

 minutes after they call a liveried servant will be at their 

 doors to distribute notes, circulars, &c, carry parcels, 

 accompany a lady or a child to any place desired, or go 

 for them, cany umbrellas to the children at school on a 

 wet day, fetch the doctor, a cab, &c, &c, at any hour. 

 We believe a beginning has been made in London of this 

 invaluable means of communication ; we trust that some 

 arrangement will be come to with the Post Office autho- 

 rities that will permit of its becoming universal. Its 

 advantages are patent. 



AN AMERICAN SEA-SIDE LABORATORY 



THERE are some persons who, in their enthusiasm 

 for doing a good thing, are led to mistake the name 

 for the deed and to make as much fuss and general con- 

 gratulation over an utterly inadequate representation of 

 the good thing aimed at as would only be justified by the 

 accomplishment of the good thing itself. One would 

 have no special remark to offer on such curious self- 

 deception, were it not that very frequently harm is done 

 in connection with it in consequence of the enthusiastic 

 individuals deceiving not only themselves but the public. 

 Thus a worthy object is liable to be shelved or put aside 

 from public attention on the ground that it has been 

 accomplished, when really there has been only the most 

 ridiculous pretence (consisting in the use of empty 

 words), of attaining a long-desired and important end. 

 Not only this, but such shams having once passed cur- 

 rently for the real things, the name of which has been 



