340 THE president's address. 



strength of the impulses, and the articulate sound as of a person 

 speaking is produced at the other end. 



Another American, Mr. Elisha P. Gray, of Chicago, who since 

 Professor Bell first called attention five years ago to the tele- 

 graphy of sound, has been working in the same direction, has 

 succeeded, by a different instrument, and proceeding upon 

 different principles from Professor Bell's, in transmitting sound 

 to a distance of 284 miles, thus operating to a greater distance 

 than Professor Bell. 



Mr. G-ray's telephone produces the sound it transmits, and is a 

 sort of telegraphic piano. It does not, like Professsor Bell's 

 telephone, transmit the various tones and articulations of the 

 human voice over wires, after the manner of telegraphic trans- 

 mission, but aims at prodticing sounds by a sort of telegraphic 

 blow ; and he is now at work on an instrument designed to make 

 every tone print a letter ; if the letter A is sent, A will be printed 

 at the receiving end. Analysis of sound is said to be the 

 governing principle. If successfully completed, printed messages 

 will probably supersede the instruments now in use, since they 

 will be more rapid. 



We are living in days when " many run to and fro, and know- 

 ledge is increased," and each new discovery ought to make us 

 wonder that we are permitted to know so much, and humble be- 

 cause we must as yet know so little. 



British Association. 



The approach to the borders of this county of such an important 

 body of scientific men as the British Association in August next, 

 is a fact to be noticed as one which must in many ways be an 

 advantage to the objects of our Institution, and our members 

 should exert themselves to help forward the success of such 

 a meeting in every way, and should prove that Cornwall still 

 maintains its old love for every branch of mechanical skill and 

 practical science, and can display a marked advance in science, 

 art, and literature, and in the appreciation and use of its natural 

 resources since the British Association visited Plymouth, 37 years 

 ago, in 1841, and we must give a hospitable welcome to the 

 scientific men who may honour us with a visit. 



