90 THE PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



and on that day a message of 31 words was, transmitted in 36 minutes 

 along tbe sinuosities of the submerged hills and valleys forming the 

 bed of the great Atlantic. This first message expressed ' Grlory to 

 God in the highest ; on earth peace, good will towards men.' 

 Never, since the foundations of the world were laid, could it more 

 truly be said, ' The depths of the sea praise him ! ' " 



Since these eloquent lines were penned this great triumph of 

 modern science has received a check in the temporary failure of the 

 cable, but the scientific problem has been satisfactorily solved, and 

 the practicability of the scheme established beyond all doubt. Even 

 we in Canada have had proof of the successful working of this won- 

 drous agency ; for among the messages transmitted during the too 

 brief period of the Company's operations, was one countermanding 

 the order for the embarkation of troops from Canada for India, upon 

 the receipt of the intelligence at home that a great check had been 

 given to the Indian Eebellion. 



Eor the ultimate success, then, of this great enterprise, we need 

 have no fear ; the perseverance and energy of its promoters must 

 overcome all obstacles, and, with the Divine blessing on their labors, 

 we may hope, ere this year is out, to see the electric chain once more 

 uniting the old and the new world. 



Let us turn now to our own country, and see what progress we in 

 Canada have been making during the past year ; how far we have 

 borne a part in advancing the outposts of science, or added in any 

 way to the general stock of knowledge : and, first, I would call your 

 attention to the contributions which have lately been made to our 

 knowledge of the geography and natural characteristics of a part of 

 North America hitherto but very imperfectly known. !For some time 

 past the attention of the people of this country has been drawn to the 

 consideration of the practicability of establishing a direct communica- 

 tion between Canada, the Eed River settlement, the valley of the As- 

 siniboine,the Saskatchewan, and the British possessions octhe Pacific; 

 and a Company has already been chartered with very extensive powers, 

 under an Act of the Provincial Legislature, for the purpose of opening 

 up this communication. The route which I believe it has been 

 proposed to follow, would lead from the shores of Lake Superior to 

 Bed Eiver, from Eed Eiver to Carleton House on the Saskatchewan, 

 from Carleton House to Edmonton House at the head of navigatiou 

 on the Saskatchewan, and thence across the Eocky Mountains to the 



