This morning at 3.45 the cable parted, and we shall soon be on our way back to England." Thus ended the first attempt to unite the Old World with the New by means of an electric nerve.

Authorities differ as to who was responsible for the disaster, but the cause was proved to be what Morse had foreseen when he wrote: "Too sudden a check would inevitably snap the cable." While, of course, disappointed, he was not discouraged, for under date of August 13, he writes:-- "Our accident will delay the enterprise but will not defeat it.

I consider it a settled fact, from all I have seen, that it is perfectly practicable.

It will surely be accomplished.

There is no insurmountable difficulty that has for a moment appeared, none that has shaken my faith in it in the slightest degree.