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6-4 to denote that book; and then immediately answers by the sign for number 4, which means yes, or by number 1, which is no. The whole operation may be set down as in the following table; in which the explanations are added in words, for the convenience of the reader, though in the actual operation nothing but the figures would be written down by the observer:

Question by the first Observer:

Numbers by the Indicator.

Numbers by the Arms of the Telegraph.

(Elford's Book) 6–4 | 4324 Have you anything to communicate?

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The second book is a very copious Appendix to Elford's Book, by Mr. Parker; who, in order to extend its usefulness, has very judiciously added, in a distinct column, the Numerals, Phrases, &c. of the Holyhead Telegraphic Establishment in Great Britain; which is highly important to the interests of British and American commerce; there being a line of Telegraphs along the coast of England, from Holyhead to Liverpool. Mr. Parker's Book also is designated by the Indicator; not however by one fixed and invariable number, but by several different combinations of numbers, each of which at once directs the observer to a particular subdivision or letter of the dictionary, instead of the entire work; and under the letter designated by such numbers will be found the principal or important word of the sentence. For instance; suppose the indicator should give the numbers 1-5. Now as this number does not denote Elford's Book (which is 6-4,) nor the Boston Harbor Signal Book (which is 6-5,) it follows, that the observer is to look into Parker's Appendix. that it will accordingly be found, that the numbers 1-5 denote the subdivision or letter D, under which the principal word or subject of inquiry will be seen.

In

After this,

if the following numbers, for example, should be given by the arms of the Telegraph-2,-6,-4,-the observer would find against that number under the letter D, the following: 2, 6, 4, is in great DISTRESS and requires immediate assistance.'

The Harbor Signal Book is designated by the numerals 6-5, by the Indicator. Each of the three books, therefore, having its appropriate name in figures, no embarrassment can ever arise as to the particular one to which the observer is to tefer.

In order further to illustrate a telegraphic operation, as practised in this port, I subjoin (in a note) an actual case which happened not long since, and in which the rapid communication, by the aid of the Telegraph, was the means of relieving and preserving the lives of the seamen. Several other real cases, some of them of extreme urgency and distress, might also be mentioned.*

The Telegraph at the Observatory on Central Wharf communicates with three stations in our lower harbor; one upon George's Island; another at Point Alderton, Nantasket Heights; and the third at Rainsford Island, the Quarantine establishment. The distance of this whole

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line is about twelve miles-and intelligence may be conveyed through the line in about two minutes.*

Thus far I have given you an account of telegraphic operations by land, where we can erect elevated objects, and have a distinct view of the arms or signal boards of a telegraph. But it is obvious this method would be impracticable at sea.

To supply this deficiency, an essential improvement has of late years been introduced, by means of flags, and called the Marine Telegraph. The use of flags rests upon the same principle with the arms of the land telegraph. They are six in number, and correspond to the six positions of the arms of the land telegraph; denoting the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,—they are each blue and white, and all of the same size; with duplicate numbers of each flag. To these is added a Conversation Flag, which, like the Indicator of the land telegraph, shows that the ship making the signal wishes to converse. Nearly ten thousand

*This establishment was commenced seven years since; and employs five persons constantly on duty from sunrise to sunset, who never quit their stations at any interval without giving previous notice to all the other stations of their intended absence, by a concerted signal to that effect.

The following abstract statement gives an annual account of the aggregate number of vessels whose arrivals have been announced and reported to the commercial interests in this city, from September, 1824, to March, 1833.

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To exemplify more fully the great utility of the Flags, or Marine Telegraph, I am happy to add the following communication from an intelligent navigator and merchant of this port, BRYENT P. TILDEN, Esq., whose authority as a practical man gives the greatest weight to his statements and opinions.

The first time (by way of illustration) I experienced the advantage of flag conversation was in the year 1815, on board the ship Canton, in south latitude, less than three months after the war with England.

We saw five big ships spread in line, by signal orders, to prevent our passing them. Having proper documents to inform of peace, we ran up our colors and stood for the centre ship. The boarding officer, on being satisfied, said, "Run up your ensign in the fore rigging. That is our signal agreed upon to inform the squadron that peace between our two nations has been made; and it will save you the trouble of being overhauled, and detention."

'After informing the officer of Bonaparte's escape from the island of Elba, he directed us to hoist the ensign in the main rigging, saying, "That is a signal to inform of news." The seventy-four and four frigates were at the time sailing in a

changes or combinations can be made, designating the words and phrases in the books above-mentioned. By these means, ships at sea can communicate with each other even at the distance of several miles; and when they approach the coast, can hold communication with the land telegraph.

From this illustration of the uses of the telegraph by land and sea, you will be able to form some judgment of its vast importance to a great commercial country, possessed of such an extensive sea-coast as ours, and having a constant intercourse with all parts of the globe. I say nothing of its incalculable value in case of a war, when a rapid communication of intelligence may be of vital importance to the whole population of a town, a city, or even of the country at large; but in ordinary times of peace, and in the usual course of commercial business, when we consider its utility, in the preservation of property, and above all, the lives of our sea-faring brethren, we cannot sufficiently appreciate the great value of this invention. I cannot forbear alluding once more to a case which actually happened not long since in this port,-the case of the Boston. When that vessel was relieved by means of a telegraphic communication, the wind was blowing so strong off shore, that it would have taken her boat several hours to have come up to the city for assistance; it would have been night time, too, when she reached the wharf; then there would have been the delay and trouble of getting ready the necessary articles to be sent down to her, which would have required in the whole several hours;

lazy cruising manner, but immediately on seeing our last signal, the Admiral began conversation with the fleet; and, as if by magic, up went top-gallant-mast yards and booms, and in twenty minutes they were under a crowd of canvas. The officer, seeing the signals from the Admiral, said, "That is for me to go on board, and for all hands to get to Old England as soon as we can." Without these talking flags it would have taken hours to have communicated three such important points by means of boats or otherwise.

'One more instance happened a year before the last, when I was going in company with several English captains from Macao to Whampoa in an English schooner packet. When in sight of the shipping, the tide turned down river, and it being calm, we came to anchor. Fortunately, the packet had conversation flags, and on signal being made, down came four boats to take us up to Canton, where otherwise we should not have reached until the next tide.

'Sometimes a boat cannot live upon the sea, and it may blow a gale, which prevents speaking. Our Conversation Flags, in such cases, obviate all difficulties.'

and, perhaps, by the time assistance had reached the spot, the vessel, with her exhausted crew, would have been swallowed up in the depths of the ocean. But by means of the telegraph, which despatches its intelligence without regarding either winds or waves, requisite information reached our city in about ten minutes; and in the short space of fifty-five minutes from its arrival, a boat was fitted out with every necessary for the occasion, and in about two hours was actually on the spot, affording the desired relief to our perishing brethren.

[TO BE CONCLUDED IN OUR NEXT.]

THE SOM NAMBULIST.

THE following communication is from a distinguished physician of Worcester, (Mass.) where the young woman, the subject of so much interest, of late, is residing.

To the Editor of the Tracts and Lyceum.

WORCESTER, JAN. 29, 1834.

Audubon, in a late letter to a friend, thanks him for his present of 'Smith on Fishes,' and says that he nevertheless prefers fowl to fish. You, on the contrary, very naturally prefer fish to fowl. Let me assure you that I deal

in neither.

You have, of course, heard the wonderful stories told of the somnambulist; and it would not surprise me were you to have considered it all as an ingenious device, or as cunning trickery. It is neither. I have had some opportunity of observing the wonderful phenomena in the case of this young woman; and, without entering into any discussion or speculations, I will no longer delay my intention of briefly stating to you what I know of this case, and leave you to draw your own conclusions.

I was at the hospital one day soon after her arrival, when the Dr. (Woodward) informed me that Jane was in a paroxysm. I went with him to her room, and found her apparently in a disturbed broken sleep, sitting in a low

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