In conclusion, I will only add a few remarks as to ocean steamers, on which subject, as on the invention of the engine, there is considerable difficulty in awarding the honours to any single individual.  The Americans were the first to employ steamers along the coast, and the “Savannah,” built by them in 1819, was the first vessel that crossed the ocean employing steam in any way as an assistant.  But in her the steam was a very small auxiliary power, and upon the sails the vessel mainly depended.  She cannot, therefore, fairly be called an ocean steamer.  The “Enterprise,” a vessel of 500 tons burden, with two 120 horse-power engines, started from London for Calcutta, touching at the Cape of Good Hope, about the year 1826; and may be fairly considered as the first vessel that made an ocean journey essentially dependent on steam.  Subsequently the “Royal William,” built at Quebec, after running between that port and Halifax from 1831 to 1833, started in the fall of the latter year for Falmouth; and to her belongs the honour of being the first bona fide paddle-wheel steamer that crossed the Atlantic.  She was afterwards sold to the Portuguese government, and fitted up as a man-of-war steamer, under the name of the “Dona Isabella.”

If, however, it be asked, where oceanic communication took its rise, unquestionably that honour belongs to Bristol and the “Great Western,” a steamer of 210 feet in length, 1240 tons, fitted with two engines of 210 horse-power each.  This vessel started on the 8th of March, 1838, under the command of Captain Hosken, reached New York in thirteen days ten hours, and made the return passage in fifteen days.  Since that date ocean steamers and steam companies have risen up like mushrooms.  England and America have established a kind of weekly Derby, Cunard entering one horse and Collins the other.  Unquestionably the Americans have been pioneers in improving the build, and a rivalry has sprung up which is as useful as it is honourable.

The English boats adhere to a greater proportion of sail, in case of accidents to the engine; the Americans carry less sail than we do, for the sake of increasing the speed.  As to relative comfort on board the two boats, an American gentleman, who had made several voyages, told me the only difference he ever discovered was, the same as exists between the hotels of the respective countries.—­To return to litigation.

Another claim frequently set up in America is the invention of the telegraph.  Even in the Census Report—­which I suppose may be considered a Government work—­I read the following:—­“It is to American ingenuity that we owe the practical application of the telegraph.  While the honour is due to Professor Morse for the practical application and successful prosecution of the telegraph, it is mainly owing to the researches and discoveries of Professor Henry, and other scientific Americans, that he was enabled to perfect so valuable an invention.”