"I am glad you have had such good news from your good husband. I shall be astonished if he reports well of the canal, and should be well satisfied to be assured of a healthy life until the first ship sailed through the great ditch. I am quite curious to know what he will say about it." Mr. Field returned to London on May 1st, and that same day was at a public meeting of Americans held "in order to give expression to their feelings respecting the late distressing intelligence from America"--the assassination of President Lincoln. Mr. Adams, the American minister, presided, and Mr. Field closed his speech with these words: "Just before leaving America I called to see President Lincoln, and I know how deeply he desired peace in America and peace in all the world. I trust, therefore, that everything calculated to stir up ill-feeling between North and South--even the last sad deeds--or between England and America, will be allowed to die with the good man who has been taken away and will be buried in his grave forever. If Mr. Lincoln could speak to-day he would urge upon every one to do all he could to allay the passions which have been excited in America; and I hope all will comply with what I believe would be his wish." The weeks passed rapidly in active preparation for the summer's attempt to lay another cable. This account is from the London _Star_ of May 30th: "At ten minutes past five yesterday afternoon the new telegraphic cable, destined once more to connect England with America, was completed. The last thread of wire was twisted, the last revolution of the engine accomplished, and the mechanism of that subtle and silent speech which henceforth is to unite two continents was ready to be put in operation.... It was not to be expected that such a propitious occasion should be allowed to pass without the celebration of a dinner. No true-born Englishman could have lent his countenance to a scheme which was not so inaugurated, and therefore, towards evening, the gentlemen who had visited the works of Messrs. Glass & Elliott proceeded westward to the Ship Tavern, where a very princely entertainment had been provided. John Pender, Esq., M. P., was in the chair. One of the toasts was: "Cyrus W. Field, Esq.--may his energy and perseverance in behalf of the Atlantic Telegraph Company be rewarded by the permanent success of the cable." What follows is the beginning of a long article in the London _Times_ of June 19th: