a small sword, and patent-leather shoes or boots completed the dress of ordinary mortals like Brother Goodrich, but for extraordinary mortals, like my humble republican self, I was bedizened with all my orders, seven decorations, covering my left breast.  If thus accoutred I should be seen on Broadway, I should undoubtedly have a numerous escort of a character not the most agreeable, but, as it was, I found myself in very good and numerous company, none of whom could consistently laugh at his neighbors.”

After describing the ceremony of presentation he continues:—­

“Occasionally both the emperor and empress said a few words to particular individuals.  When my name was mentioned the emperor said to me, ’Your name, sir, is well known here,’ for which I thanked him; and the empress afterwards said to me, when my name was mentioned, ’We are greatly indebted to you, sir, for the Telegraph,’ or to that effect.  Afterwards Mr. Bennett, the winner of the yacht race, engaged for a moment their particular regards.... [I wonder if the modest inventor appreciated the irony of this juxtaposition.] After the dancers were fully engaged, the refreshment-room, the Salon of Diana, was opened, and, as in our less aristocratic country, the tables attracted a great crowd, so that the doors were guarded so as to admit the company by instalments.  I had in vain for some time endeavored to gain admittance, and was waiting patiently quite at a distance from the door, which was thronged with ladies and high dignitaries, when a gentleman who guarded the door, and who had his breast covered with orders, addressed me by name, asking me if I was not Professor Morse.  Upon replying in the affirmative, quite to my surprise, he made way for me to the door and, opening it, admitted me before all the rest.  I cannot yet divine why this special favor was shown to me.

“The tables were richly furnished.  I looked for bonbons to carry home to the children, but when I saw some tempting looking almonds and candies and mottoes, to my surprise I found they were all composed of fish put up in this form, and the mottoes were of salad.”

It is good to know that Morse, ever willing to forgive and forget, was again on terms of friendly intercourse with Cyrus W. Field, who was then in London, as the following letter to him, dated March 1, 1867, will show:—­

“Singular as it may seem, I was in the midst of your speech before the Chamber of Commerce reception to you in New York, perusing it with deep interest, when my valet handed me your letter of the 27th ulto.

“I regret exceedingly that I shall not have the great pleasure I had anticipated, with other friends here, who were prepared to receive you in Paris with the welcome you so richly deserve.  You invite me to London.  I have the matter under consideration.  March winds and that boisterous channel have some weight in my decision, but I so long to take you by the hand and to get posted upon Telegraph matters at home, that I feel disposed to make the attempt.  But without positively saying ‘yes,’ I will see if in a few days I can so arrange my affairs as to have a few hours with you before you sail on the 20th.