Great Britain, having reference more particularly to the provinces of the Canadas, New-Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward's Island. The crest, an American eagle, erect with out stretched wings, standing upon a silken wreath, azure, gules and argent. In eagle's beak a scroll, on which is inscribed "E pluribus unum." In rear of eagle, cloud proper, from which issue the orders of cuspidated lightning; in rear of escutcheon, the staffs of two United States flags cross at centre, and the colors unfurling-top the staffs, spears and three tassels. The whole being surmounted with a garter, on which is inscribed, AMERICAN TELEGRAPH CONFEDERATION. In the arrangement of this splendid composition of science and art, we have enjoyed the gratification of having the aid of Prof. H. Hays, formerly of one of the principal Heraldic Colleges of England, who is now extensively engaged in his profession at 341 Broadway, New-York. Prof. Hays has, in the execution of this engraving-and also many others which he has engraved for lines of Telegraph-excelled in talents and genius anything of the kind we have ever before had the pleasure of seeing. As a scholar in Heraldry he is eminently worthy of the highest mark of distinction. We thus speak frankly and voluntarily our indebtedness for the valuable and novel information he has so kindly imparted to us relative to this beautiful and antique science and art.

Having given a description of the seal according to heraldic rule, we shall proceed to give the origin and history of the several devices, grouped in its formation. We will then give their explanation as compounded and their application to the telegraph enterprise, and argue, that by a just fulfilment of their teachings, the system of telegraphing would be that which we all deem essential for success and universal satisfaction.

Nations, societies, and enterprises have, from time immemorial, adopted devices as mottoes to infuse into their followers zeal and love for the cause espoused. To see an army of men, battling with another, each with the most restless determination, one army following a flag with a cross and the other army a crescent, we would readily know they were under dif ferent religions, the former Christians and the latter Mohammedans. The sight of a nation's flag rearing from the battlements of a defeated foe, is one of the most powerful incentives in war. Where can there be found a soul living within the pale of the American Union, whose heart is not filled with pride, chivalry and enthusiasm, on hearing the touching lines written by a bard of Maryland during the late war, when the enemy was not far distant from the commercial metropolis of his native State-his native land? The poet spoke those lines

on the Star-Spangled Banner, as though his soul was enveloped in a sea of glory.

So it is with other nations. The poets seem to be inspired, and the same inspiration spreads from heart to heart, until all feel brimful of joy in the achievements of their arms. Not only nations adopt devices around which the people rally, but also religious sects, societies, &c., have symbols peculiar to the principles which give them birth and existence.

Without further comment as to the practice or custom of the past and present ages, uniting in the use of the science of heraldry, we shall proceed to give an account of the different orders of honor, preparatory to the history of the Garter, which surrounds the escutcheon of the grand seal of the American Telegraph Confederation. In giving the history and legitimate meaning of the Garter, we shall also include the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew, the symbolic flag of the Canadas, New-Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or British Provinces. In considering these subjects, we shall transfer in many instances the language of authorities which we have extensively consulted, in studying the complicated subject.

The grounds and causes of founding societies and knightly orders were several and different, though all terminated in one end. Among the principal objects creating these orders were, a desire or love of honor, and therein chiefly to excite and promote virtue by suitable rewards. Such was the design of King Arthur, when he formed himself and other martial men into a fellowship, which he styled "Knights of the Round Table." Another cause of the origination of the orders was to redress the incursions and robberies of the Saracens and barbarians, to vindicate the oppressed, redeem the enslaved, and to entertain and relieve pilgrims and strangers, which were a part of the duties of the Knights-Hospitallers and Templars. Another reason for their establishment was to fight in defence of the Christian faith, against pagans and infidels. Lastly, when sovereign princes perceived themselves embroiled in wars or dangerous factions, the erection of orders tended to create a tie, restore peace, quiet all jealousies, unite affections, and secure a lasting friendship and powerful assistance, both for their own and their country's safety. To this end badges of several orders were devised and worn.

With a view to illustrate the further origin of the orders, a few of these will be noticed.

KNIGHTS-TEMPLARS.-About the year 1117 this order originated. Baldwin II. then reigning in Jerusalem, nine gentlemen, of whom two were of noble.extraction, Hugh de Paganes and Godfrey de St. Osmer, came in devotion to the Holy Land. They were called Brothers of the Militia of the Temple, ordina

rily Knights-Templars, from the habitation assigned them out of a part of the king's own palace, adjoining the temple of Solomon of Jerusalem. Their first undertaking was to guard the most dangerous ways about that city against the violence and robberies of the Saracens, which made them acceptable to all, and for which they had remission of their sins; but for the first nine years they were yet so poor, that they lived upon the alms of others, and wore clothes bestowed in charity upon them. In memory of their primitive poverty, their seal had the impress in Math. Pans. A. D. 1127. They had rules assigned them, drawn up by St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, by the appointment of Pope Honorius II., and Stephen, Patriarch of Jerusalem. They made their vows of obedience, poverty and charity. Their garb was white, to which in the time of Eugenius III. they added the red cross, and of the same form as worn by the Hospitallers. For a long time, in conjunction with the Holy Sepulchre Hospitallers, they defended and supported the kingdom of Jerusalein, but when their riches increased and their revenues augmented, they grew proud, fell from the obedience of the Patriarch to join with the Pope, and at last, 1370, all the Knights of this order in France were in one hour seized and imprisoned by Philip le Bel, king of France, with consent of Pope Clement V., being charged with the most infamous and damnable crimes. In England, Anno 1. Ed. 2, they were also apprehended afterwards, rendered convicts, and all their possessions seized into the king's hands. Two years after, many of these knights were burned in France, and Jaques de la Maule, the last Grand Master, suffered the fate of being burnt at the stake in the year 1320. This Grand Master having seen his noble order dissolved forever, as he thought, he cared but little how soon his end might come. Their lands were annexed to the Hospitallers.

Thus fell for a time the noble order of Knights-Templars, no less famous for martial achievements and renown in the East, than their wealth in the West. They held 16,000 lordships in Europe, and their revenue was two millions of francs yearly. There can be no doubt but what their end was the result of ambition in the bosom of Philip, king of France, and no historian attempts to screen that king from accomplishing the wicked act by suborning witnesses to sustain the points of his restless and ill-designed ambition. The order remained dormant for a long time, but there were a few who escaped from the fatal axe, and in a few years they formed associations, 'continuing in this private manner to retain their existence for many years; they ultimately became blended with the ancient and honorable fraternity of Free Masons, and to this day hold with singular affection to the ancient rites practised hundreds of years ago.

Editorial.

THE COMPANION.-The first number of the COMPANION, New Series, has been sent forth to the patrons of the work, and thus far has met universal approval. We feel gratified at this result, as we are fully aware of the difficulties attending a publication of this character. We cannot commend all, nor can we do justice to many questions of decided merit. Many subscribers did not receive their number timely, owing to the loss of nearly the entire publication by fire, just as it was ready for the mail. It has been reprinted, and we hope for better luck in future. We need all the patronage of the enterprise, and we hope that these losses will induce those who wish to subscribe, to do so at once. Every operator, president, superintendent, director, and agent of a Telegraph Company ought to be a bona fide subscriber to the Companion, and besides, render all the aid in their power to make the work useful to the rising generation of telegraphers.

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN ON PATENTS.-Our remarks in the January number of the COMPANION, relative to the hostility of this publication to the Morse Patents, seemed to have fired up its editor with horrible indignation, and his answer is couched in language neither creditable to the writer, nor respectful to the dignity of the paper.

In the notice of the COMPANION, no disrespect was intended, and the language cannot be interpreted to be otherwise than courteous. We knew his article did do Morse injustice, and the editor of a daily paper in the City of New-York, who, having read the paper charging Morse with being associated with others, to buy his renewal through Congress, as insinuated by the Scientific American, stated, that he was inclined to believe it, and suggested, that the best means of a contradiction, would be for Prof. Morse to contradict it through the press. We heard a friend of the Scientific American, and an enemy of Morse, rejoicing over the article in question, in a hotel in New-York, referring to the paper for proof of his assertions. There were others who interpreted the article as we did. We may not have sufficient intelligence to comprehend the writings in the above paper, but we are certain of one fact, that is, that we know how to treat and respect the writings of a cotemporary with gentlemanly manners.

REGULATIONS OF COMPANIES.-We have received the rules and regulations of several Telegraph Companies, and for which we thank our friends for placing such valuable information into our hands. We design, in the next number,

to review the rules of the Atlantic and Ohio Telegraph Company, and such others as we may have room for, intending to embrace the regulations of every Company in America ere we are done. We think that it will tend to bring about a uniformity of system.

BATTERIES.-We have received several articles on galvanic batteries, applicable to the Electro Telegraph, but for want of room they are deferred for the next number. We are always glad to hear from gentlemen on subjects pertaining to the Telegraph.

SIZE OF THIS NUMBER.-Owing to the delay in business resulting from the late fire, and our own illness, the present number contains only 48 pages.

NEW-YORK AND BOSTON LINE.-Since our last number went to press, we have had opportunities of witnessing the working of this line. It has been very generally repaired, the old iron insulators removed, and the brimstone insulators banished from the face of the earth. Think of it, gentlemen westward of the Mountains, of a line between two of the principal cities of the United States, having brimstone insulators! Can any one marvel why this line has worked so badly? The wonderful and untiring zeal of Mr. Wood has already redeemed the line from that gloomy mantle that seemed to inclose in its folds the whole line. With Mr. Wood as Superintendent, and Mr. Smith at New-York, and Mr. Richards at Boston, the old pioneer line from Boston to New-York can ere long, if not now, rival in splendor the working of any line in the world. They are competent telegraphers, and capable of mastering any difficulty. Besides these, there are others on the line whose skill and ability are not a shade behind the best corps of operators in the Union

ENGRAVINGS AND NEW REGISTER.-The number for March will contain some very fine engravings of a new Register, designed for universal use. It will be one of the most complete pieces of machinery ever presented for use on any line. Companies needing new Registers, would do well to wait until they hear fully as to this one. The engravings of the Relay Magnets will be in the next number also, as well as the keys and such other parts as we may deem necessary. We are progressing finely in furnishing supplies for the respective lines, and with a little effort to get all things moving correctly at first, we anticipate much good to result from our arrangements, enabling lines to procure materials at reduced rates.

NATIONAL LINES.-The range of lines known by the above title is composed of several companies, commencing at No. 23 Wall St., New-York; they run to Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, Vicksburg, Natchez, to New-Orleans. This is termed the Southern and Eastern connection, and is the only range having two or more wires the entire distance. Lines to Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, &c., &c., diverge from points mentioned on the above route. The business from New-York and other Eastern cities with New-Orleans on these lines is very great, and the public