CHAPTER XXXI.
JUNE 28, 1844--OCTOBER 9, 1846 Fame and fortune now assured .-- Government declines purchase of telegraph .-- Accident to leg gives needed rest .-- Reflections on ways of Providence .-- Consideration of financial propositions .-- F.O.J.

Smith's fulsome praise .-- Morse's reply .-- Extension of telegraph proceeds slowly.
-- Letter to Russian Minister .-- Letter to London "Mechanics' Magazine" claiming priority and first experiments in wireless telegraphy .-- Hopes that Government may yet purchase .-- Longing for a home .-- Dinner at Russian Minister's .-- Congress again fails him .-- Amos Kendall chosen as business agent .-- First telegraph company .-- Fourth voyage to Europe .-- London, Broek, Hamburg .-- Letter of Charles T.Fleischmann .-- Paris .-- Nothing definite accomplished.
Morse's fame was now secure, and fortune was soon to follow.

Tried as he had been in the school of adversity, he was now destined to undergo new trials, trials incident to success, to prosperity, and to world-wide eminence.

That he foresaw the new dangers which would beset him on every hand is clearly evidenced in the letters to his brother, but, heartened by the success which had at last crowned his efforts, he buckled on his armor ready to do battle to such foes, both within and without, as should in the future assail him.

Fatalist as we must regard him, he believed in his star; or rather he went forward with sublime faith in that God who had thus far guarded him from evil, and in his own good time had given him the victory, and such a victory! For twelve years he had fought on through trials and privations, hampered by bodily ailments and the deep discouragements of those who should have aided him.