I
well recollect the impression which was then made upon my mind. I
rejoiced to think that I lived in such a day, and my mind contemplated
the future in which so grand and mighty an agent was about to be
introduced for the benefit of the world. Before leaving the room in
which I beheld for the first time this magnificent invention, I asked
Professor Morse if he intended to make an experiment on a more extended
line of conductors. He replied that he did, but that he desired
pecuniary assistance to carry out his plans. I promised him assistance
provided he would admit me into a share of the invention, to which
proposition he assented. I then returned to my boarding-house, locked
the door of my room, threw myself upon the bed, and gave myself up to
reflection upon the mighty results which were certain to follow the
introduction of this new agent in meeting and serving the wants of the
world. With the atlas in my hand I traced the most important lines
which would most certainly be erected in the United States, and
calculated their length. The question then rose in my mind, whether
the electro-magnet could be made to work through the necessary lengths
of line, and after much reflection I came to the conclusion that,
provided the magnet would work even at a distance of eight or ten miles,
there could be no risk in embarking in the enterprise.
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