94 
THE TELEGRAPH 
document, first explaining the circumstance from which it 
arose. In 1843 a report presented to the Chamber of Deputies 
by Pouillet led to Dr. Guyot obtaining a grant of 30,000 
francs (£1,200) for the erection of his night telegraph between 
Paris and Dijon. But Guyot’s system, which was the result of 
long labours, was, like Chappe’s telegraph, set aside by the 
introduction of the electric telegraph, and his expectation of 
seeing his system extended in France vanished with the recent 
decision of the government. The following is what Dr. Guyot 
said in 1846 :— 
“ In just the same degree as the electric telegraph is interest¬ 
ing as a scientific study, and as a luxury applied to the wants 
of large establishments, so may it likewise be termed ridiculous 
as a means of government. Ridiculous is the proper w T ord, if 
those who cry it up are in earnest, and know no better; but 
culpable is the right term for those who do so with under¬ 
standing. 
“But if the electric telegraph should work perfectly, a thing 
which is far from having been proved, it is without any possible 
protection, and the executive would be at the mercy of any 
popular commotion, and subject to the slightest caprice of any 
good-for-nothing fellow who might chance to approach the line. 
What would happen to frail wires under such circumstances ? 
Our country would indeed have reason to blush with shame, if 
she permitted the dictates of common sense to be thus opposed, 
and allowed the works of genius to be destroyed, for methods 
so feeble, and considerations so slight. The two brothers 
Chappe are still living ; they ought to have died before, that 
they might not have witnessed these outrages on the great 
discovery to which their name is attached, and which for the 
last fifty years has rendered so many services to the country. 
“.Be that as it may, gentlemen, the electric tele¬ 
graph is not a proper government telegraph, and the day is not 
far distant when the truth will be fully proved. The folly of 
this electric telegraph business is so evident, that it must have 
struck even those most prepossessed in its favour. The director- 
in-chief (Foy) has felt it necessary to answer my objections in 
anticipation, in the explanation of the reasons for the change 
put forth by the minister, who informed me that he referred 
matters of telegraphy to the director.” 
