Morse was now forty-one years old; he had spent three delightful years in France and Italy; had matured his art by the intelligent study of the best of the old masters; had made new friends and cemented more strongly the ties that bound him to old ones; and he was returning to his dearly loved native land and to his family with high hopes of gaining for himself and his three motherless children at least a competence, and of continuing his efforts in behalf of the fine arts.

From Mr. Cooper’s and Mr. Habersham’s reminiscences we must conclude that, in the background of his mind, there existed a plan, unformed as yet, for utilizing electricity to convey intelligence.  He was familiar with much that had been discovered with regard to that mysterious force, through his studies under Professors Day and Silliman at Yale, and through the lectures and conversation of Professors Dana and Renwick in New York, so that the charge which was brought against him that he knew absolutely nothing of the subject, can be dismissed as simply proving the ignorance of his critics.

Thus prepared, unconsciously to himself, to receive the inspiration which was to come to him like a flash of the subtle fluid which afterwards became his servant, he went on board the good ship Sully, Captain Pell commanding, on the 1st of October, 1832.  Among the other passengers were the Honorable William C. Rives, of Virginia, our Minister to France, with his family; Mr. J.F.  Fisher, of Philadelphia; Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, who was destined to play a malign role in the subsequent history of the telegraph, and others.  The following letter was written to his friend Fenimore Cooper from Havre, on the 2d of October:—­

“I have but a moment to write you one line, as in a few hours I shall be under way for dear America.  I arrived from England by way of Southampton a day or two since, and have had every moment till now occupied in preparations for embarking.  I received yours from Vevay yesterday and thank you for it.  Yes, Mr. Rives and family, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Palmer and family, and a full cabin beside accompany me.  What shall I do with such an antistatistical set?  I wish you were of the party to shut their mouths on some points.  I shall have good opportunity to talk with Mr. Rives, whom I like notwithstanding.  I think he has good American feeling in the main and means well, although I cannot account for his permitting you to suffer in the chambers (of the General).  I will find out that if I can.

“My journey to England, change of scene and air, have restored me wonderfully.  I knew they would.  I like John’s country; it is a garden beautifully in contrast with France, and John’s people have excellent qualities, and he has many good people; but I hate his aristocratic system, and am more confirmed in my views than ever of its oppressive and unjust character.  I saw a great deal of Leslie; he is the same good fellow that he always was.