10 The Atlantic Cable. 
paigns so conclusively, that it may well claim to be the 
most perfect weapon in existence. © This perfection is due 
to the ‘needle’ system of ignition. The mechanical ar- 
rangement of the breech might possibly be improved upon 
although it is difficult to see where the improvement is to 
come from. 
“This is written pro honaris causa. The writer would be 
pleased to show his guns, &c., to gentlemen wishing to 
inspect them.” 
THE: ATRANTIC -CABEE: 
HE progress of the Great Eastern is being watched 
with the utmost anxiety by the general public, as 
well as by those who have ventured their money in this 
new attempt to unite the old and new world. At the time 
we are writing the great ship with its precious freight is 
traversing the deepest part of its course, and we are quite 
sensible that could we defer our article a few days later, 
we might adopt an exultant strain or be compelled to 
lament some untoward accident which had again postponed 
our hopes. Joining, then, most cordially in the sincere 
wishes that accompany the Great Eastern, and meet her 
half way from the other side, we take the opportunity of 
the interest excited to glance at some of the scientific 
problems involved in this undertaking. 
It was shown as long ago as 1858 that it is quite pos- 
sible not only to lay a cabie in deep water, but to lift it 
from the bottom. Then we have the fact that one cable 
has already been completed, and several messages compris- 
ing upwards of 4,000 words have been transmitted across 
the Atlantic. Its failure afterwards was most likely due to 
electric faults before it was laid, and these with the new 
appliances can scarcely again escape detection. Then 
came the failure of last year caused by damage done to the 
insulation of the conductor as it left the ship. To guard 
against this every effort will no doubt be made; besides 
which arrangements have been made to enable the ship at 
any moment to put back and haul the cable in again. Up to 
the present the cable continues to be paid out satisfactorily, 
