I should wish to keep clear of them.

It will only tend to harass and vex when you should be left quiet and undisturbed to pursue your improvements and the enjoyment of what is most gratifying to you." And Morse, writing to Vail somewhat later in this same year, exclaims: "You say you hope I shall not forget that we have spent many hours together.

You might have added 'happy hours.' I have tried you, dear Vail, as a friend, and think I know you as a zealous and honest one." Still earlier, on March 18, 1845, in one of his reports to the Postmaster-General, Cave Johnson, he adds: "In regard to the salary of the 'one clerk at Washington--$1200,' Mr.Vail, who would from the necessity of the case take that post, is my right-hand man in the whole enterprise.

He has been with me from the year 1837, and is as familiar with all the mechanism and scientific arrangements of the Telegraph as I am myself....

His time and talent are more essential to the success of the Telegraph than [those of] any two persons that could be named." Returning now to the letters to his brother Sidney, I shall give the following extracts:-- "_March 29, 1847._ I am now in New York permanently; that is I have no longer any official connection with Washington, and am thinking of _fixing_ somewhere so soon as I can get my telegraphic matters into such a state as to warrant it; but my patience is still much tried.