cability of both routes, but as these telegraph isles are so beautifully arranged, and located at short distances from each other, and within a moderate climate, we have fixed upon that direction as the best for the purposes in view.

ALEUTIAN ISLES.-Proceeding from the eastern coast of Kamtchatka with the electric telegraph to the American çontinent, we propose to occupy these islands. They are in the possession of Russia. Many of them will not be used, because their respective proximity preclude the necessity. Such of them as may be deemed advantageous, will be employed for the enterprise. Many of them are surrounded with shoal water, broken and projecting rocks, rendering them] inaccessible. There are many fine islands among them, well suited for the landing of a cable. If deep water be required, there are those that can be approached with deep water. If shallow water be required, then we can select those suited for that purpose. If inhabited islands should be required only, then we can select those alone, and if not, we can select those few upon which there are no people.

The inhabitants of these islands are very well informed, and are perhaps better disposed, than the people of any other part of the northern hemisphere. Their pursuits are directed, mostly in fishing and hunting. Cattle are grazed on some of them, and the products of the earth are, also, cultivated to a moderate

extent.

The Aleutian Isles are divided into four divisions-the Blignie group is composed of four islands, the Rat Islands compose several more, the Andréanoff Isles compose another group, and the next are the Fox Islands, composed of several which extend to the Aliask Peninsula of the American continent.

We do not deem it necessary to go into details, as to the character of these islands. That can be done in the future. They are scattered across the Pacific Ocean, from Kamtchatka to America, at distances varying from one to fifty miles apart, and they are from one to eighty miles in length. Some of them are quite low, and others are composed of immense mountains, exceeding in height the great Ural Mountains. Some of the higher peaks are covered with perpetual snow. Some contain volcanoes and abound with hot springs. The volcanoes continually issue smoke, and one of the higher peaks contain a large lake of boiling water.

These islands have been examined, and we have before us very correct data as to their topographical features, the geolological formations of the earth, the latitude and the longitude of each; the depth of the water around each, the products, the in

habitants, and the climate of the whole. With this information we think we can safely come to proper conclusions, as to their fitness for the purposes of the telegraph. We have studied them very carefully, and the line can be carried by this route with the utmost facility.

Landing the line upon the western end of the Aliask Peninsula, which projects many miles into the ocean, from America, we will follow its most favourable formations. The length of the peninsula is 330 miles, and from 25 to 90 miles in breath. On this peninsula are high mountains, and a peak towering high in the heavens, on the summit of which is a volcano, that will equal in grandeur the Hecla, Vesuvius and Etna. There are not many inhabitants on the land, perhaps not more than 10,000, but they are good and useful people.

The line will run around the head of Cooke's Inlet, proceeding south along the coast, to the British possessions, latitude 54° 40. The whole country between Cooke's Inlet and the British boundary is of varied formations, mostly hilly, having a few streams entering the ocean. The streams can be easily crossed, and the mountains in the interior are gradual in ascent, rendering them accessible to travellers, sufficiently so, at least, for the construction of a telegraph. The coast is more or less populated, having some 11,000 people scattered over the country.

The lands are capable of producing wheat, barley, oats, &c., and the climate favours their growth. With a better management of the people from that which is exercised over them now by the Fur Company, will make the inhabitants advance in the cultivation of the products of the earth. Their main commodity is fur, and that is the marketable article. If they would devote more attention to the cultivation of grains, the country would very soon change in its appearance, and where the fox and other fur tribes inhabit, the plough would occasion the coast to be beautified with the useful products of the earth.

Passing from the Russian territory in America across the British, to the United States, at 49° 50, we enter a country well understood by the people of the present age. We do not deem it necessary to speak of this country, nor of the people; as the character of both are well known to be favourable to the construction of a telegraph. The maintenance of the line is another question. In that we shall have trouble from the Indians. The rapid settlements of the whites along the coastwise territory, will occasion, perhaps, the hostility from the savage tribes; but a few years will dispel these fears. The Indians will be compelled to go into the interior, and the coast will be thickly settled by the enterprising whites. Ten years

will perhaps place a million of people in this country, scattered all along the coast! Proceeding along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, south to San Francisco, all the important towns will be placed in communication with the Atlantic, European and Asiatic people.

At San Francisco the line will connect with the great Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph, which is under arrangement of construction by the American people. For the particulars as to the plans of this gigantic enterprise, reference is requested to the article upon that subject in the second number of the present volume of the Companion.

From St. Louis, Missouri, we will have two connections with the Atlantic Ocean; one through the States and the other through Canada, via Chicago. If the Atlantic Ocean telegraph starts from Labrador, a line on the north side of the St. Lawrence can be run to make a connection, and another through the Provinces, Newfoundland, and thence to Labrador. These connections can be readily completed, as much of the lines are at present in operation.

We have devoted room enough to the consideration of this subject in the present number. Facts have been given sufficient to convince any one that a telegraph can be constructed around the world. We have shown that the country through which the line will run is well suited for the construction of the telegraph, that the climate is not unfavorable, and that the people are not barbarous, as has been slanderously promulgated to the world by conceited writers, but by people who are the best in the world, inhabiting the entire country, except, perhaps, the American coast where the savage tribes of Indians roam. There is no part of the route more covered with lakes, swamps, and inundations, than some parts of America where we have constructed lines of telegraph, and where they have been in operation for many years. We are sure there is no country through which the line will run so unfavorable, so difficult either to build or maintain a telegraph, as upon Newfoundland, where the energy of our people is rapidly approaching the Atlantic coast with the electric wires. As to the Atlantic Ocean section, we refer the reader to the article on that subject in the present number of the COMPANION. We have been as brief as we possibly could in the discussion of the subject. We have omitted many facts which would greatly favor the proposition, but we could not say all in a volume of less than five hundred pages. A route of thirty thousand miles over a country presumed to be but little known, circling the whole earth, cannot be discussed within a few pages. We do not address these remarks to the

mind limited by narrow boundaries, poisoned with envy, selfishness, and prejudice. We seek for the consideration of those persons who are imbued with a liberal state of patriotism, and a zeal commensurate with the progressive state of the age. They alone can grasp with justness and competency the vastness of this magnificent and stupendous enterprise. That it will be consummated, we have no doubt. That it will subserve the welfare of all nations, and be calculated to bless generations to come, we earnestly believe. So far as we can devote our energies to the realization of these hopes, we intend to prosecute the cause to the end of life, or until the enterprise is complete, and the world circled with one continuous stream of the electric flame!

ART. VII.-THE TRANSATLANTIC SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.

EUROPE AND AMERICA TO BE CONNECTED BY THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHA COMPANY FORMED-PROGRESS OF THE ENTERPRISE.

THE connection of the eastern and western hemispheres, by electric telegraph, has been a subject of grave discussion for many years. More than a year ago, we announced to the American people that we were engaged in the earnest prosecution of that undertaking, and that we intended to adhere to it until success was triumphant. Of course, we have many times calcuculated the cost of the enterprise, as regards money, time and life. So far as we command these requirements, the undivided energies of our future life will be directed to this object. That we shall ultimately be successful, there can be no doubt. We care not for opposition, as we are confident none can arrest us in the satisfactory prosecution of the enterprise. There may be a few ambitious persons who are ready to grasp a favorable opportunity to make a noise, for a prospective gain, hoping to have their silence bought; but we can assure all such, that any vain boasting of great wealth and power, only occupies in our mind that consideration which is generally allotted to the music of "sounding brass and tinkling cymbal."

In order to consummate this vast undertaking, we need no high-sounding names of men who have figured in the affairs of state, in the Bourse, Lombard-street, Wall-street, or in any de

partment of fancy life. A select group, of men from any one section of the world, will not be sufficient to carry out an enterprise of such magnitude. In its management the best and most experienced telegraph skill that can be employed from the whole world will be required in its prosecution. Money will be indispensable in its aid; but money, without the experience and knowledge of the science and art of telegraphing, will be of no avail.

It is often the case, that gentlemen embark in telegraphing, and because they are possessed of a few dollars, they imagine that in a few hours a thorough knowledge of the art and science of telegraphing can be comprehended. That which requires the devotion of years to obtain by the practical telegrapher, a man of money sometimes conceives he can grasp with his self-conceited genius-in a few days. Such men are to be dreaded in any enterprise. They are like so many vampires upon the cause, however important. Public welfare never receives their solicitude; but, it is their own selfish ends that must be gratified before all others, even at the sacrifice of the public weal. All such men we are determined to eschew, and give no concern. in the management of this grand undertaking. We would much prefer seeing the whole enterprise fail, than in the hands of speculators, who enter into the company solely for speculative gain, for the present, regardless of the future.

We are not particular in our feelings as to the proper place of running this submarine cable, though we are firm in the conviction, that it will be best to adopt the Greenland and Iceland route. Nevertheless, we desire that all shall be thoroughly examined and judged upon, before the final adoption of any. We desire to see a cable stretched from continent to continent, that will endure all time; one that will never fail, and be the means of advancing the interests of the people of all nations. We hope to see its management liberal and international. We do not seek any advantages for the American people, and we hope none will be sought for the people of any other country. The communication should be free to all alike and co-operatively under the shield of every nation of the globe. We hope to see it beyond the possibility of interruption through the power of the elements of nature; and also free from that most dreadful destroyer, the god of war. the god of war. It is the uplifted sabre of this monster that gives us more fear than the combined elements of natural creation. With the pledged faith of nations, that this intellectual flame shall not be quenched, we can confide in the triumphant creation of a power, that can say, "there shall be peace and good will among men."