“I have not failed to let the English know how I was treated in regard to my application for a patent in England, and contrasted the conduct of the French in this respect to theirs.  I believe they felt it, and I think it was Lord Aylmer, but am not quite sure, who advised that the subject be brought up in Parliament by some member and made the object of special legislation, which he said might be done, the Attorney-General to the contrary notwithstanding.  I really believe, if matters were rightly managed in England, something yet might be done there, if not by patent, yet by a parliamentary grant of a proper compensation.  It is remarkable that they have not yet made anything like mine in England.  It is evident that neither Wheatstone nor Davy comprehended my mode, after all their assertions that mine had been published.

“If matters move slower here than with us, yet they gain surely.  I am told every hour that the two great wonders of Paris just now, about which everybody is conversing, are Daguerre’s wonderful results in fixing permanently the image of the camera obscura, and Morse’s Electro-Magnetic Telegraph, and they do not hesitate to add that, beautiful as are the results of Daguerre’s experiments, the invention of the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph is that which will surpass, in the greatness of the revolution to be effected, all other inventions.  Robert Walsh, Esq., who has just left me, is beyond measure delighted.  I was writing a word from one room to another; he came to me and said:—­’The next word you may write is IMMORTALITY, for the sublimity of this invention is of surpassing grandeur. I see now that all physical obstacles, which may for a while hinder, will inevitably be overcome; the problem is solved; MAN MAY INSTANTLY CONVERSE WITH HIS FELLOW-MEN IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD.’”

This prophecy of the celebrated American author, who was afterwards Consul-General to France for six years, is noteworthy considering the date at which it was made.  There were indeed many “physical obstacles which for a while hindered” the practical adoption of the invention, but they were eventually overcome, and the problem was solved.  Five years of heart-breaking struggle, discouragement and actual poverty had still to be endured by the brave inventor before the tide should turn in his favor, but Robert Walsh shared with Morse the clear conviction that the victory would finally be won.

Reference having been made to Lord Elgin, the following letter from him will be found interesting:—­

Paris, 12th March, 1839.

Dear Sir,—­I cannot help expressing a very strong desire that, instead of delaying till your return from America your wish to take out a patent in England for your highly scientific and simple mode of communicating intelligence by an Electric Telegraph, you would take measures to that effect at this moment, and for that purpose take your model now with you to London.  Your discovery is now much known as