£98 Of Telegraphic Communication . 
to whom it is directed. This first signal is only to give 
notice that both parties are ready and attentive ; then the 
torch or other light must be taken away, and the cocks 
set open. When the interval, that is, that part of the stick 
where the event of which notice is to be given is written, 
shall be fallen to a level with the vessels, then the man 
who gives the signal lifts up his torch ; and, on the other 
side, the correspondent signal maker immediately turns 
the cock of his vessel, and looks at what is writ on that 
part of the stick which touches the mouth of the vessel ; 
on which occasion, if every thing has been executed ex- 
actly and equally on both sides, both will read the same 
thing. 
Although this method differs from that which was prac- 
tised in early ages, in which men agreed only upon a 
single signal, which was to denote the event the other 
party desired to be informed of, anti which had been 
agreed upon, it nevertheless was too vague and indeter- 
minate ; for it is impossible to foresee all the accidents 
that may happen in a war; and though they could be 
foreseen, there would be no possibility of writing them all 
on a piece of stick. Besides, when any unexpected ac- 
cident should happen, how could notice be given of it ac- 
cording to this method? To this I may add, that the in- 
scription on the stick is no ways exact and circumstan- 
tial. We are not told how many horse and foot are come; 
what part of the country they are in ; how many ships 
are arrived ; nor the quantity of provisions they have : 
for before these several particulars could be written on 
the stick, they must have been foreseen, which was alto- 
gether impossible, though most essential ; and how can 
succours be sent, when it is not known how many ene- 
mies are to be opposed, nor in what part of the country 
they are ? How must a party either confide in or doubt 
their owti strength ? In a word, how will they know 
