"It has been said that the greatest boons conferred on mankind have been due to men of one idea. If the laying of the Atlantic cable be among those benefits, its consummation may certainly be attributed to the man who, having many ideas, devoted himself to work out one idea, with a gentle force and patient vigor which converted opposition and overcame indifference. Mr. Field maybe likened either to the core or the external protection of the cable itself. At times he has been its active life, again he has been its iron-bound guardian. Let who will claim the merit of having first said the Atlantic cable was possible, to Mr. Field is due the inalienable merit of having made it possible and of giving to an abortive conception all the attributes of healthy existence." "_Friday evening, 29th May._ "_My dear Mr. Field_,--I had hoped to see you to-day, but I have been a prisoner.... If I do not see you before you leave to-morrow, I pray God to bestow His best favor on you and the noble work in which you are so fervently engaged. "You will be remembered by very many who will not cease to implore success on your undertaking from Him who holds the winds and the waves. Please present my best regards to Captain Anderson. "Hoping for your safe return, with all the triumph which you have so richly deserved, "I remain, my dear sir, "Your affectionate friend and pastor, "W. ADAMS." The great ship was ready to sail on the day that had been named so many months before, and the London papers had daily messages from her: "MARGATE, _July 1st_. "The _Great Eastern_, with the Atlantic telegraph cable on board, passed here at half-past 3 P.M." "VALENTIA, _July 6th_. "Shore end of the Atlantic cable successfully landed at 3 P.M. Tests perfect. The _William Corey_ proceeding to sea, paying out slowly. Weather fine. Cable of 1865 tested at noon to-day; is perfect as when laid." "VALENTIA, _July 8th_. "Vessels _Blackbird_, _Pedler_, _Skylark_, and _William Corey_ returned to Berehaven at 3.30 A.M. All vessels will complete coaling at Berehaven to-morrow night, and will proceed to sea to splice main cable to shore end on Wednesday morning, weather permitting. All going well. "The _Great Eastern_, with the Atlantic cable on board, has arrived at Berehaven, a natural haven on the western coast of Ireland, near Foilhommerum Bay, from whence the proposed electric communication is to start seawards towards America. Another vessel, the _William Corey_, has had confided to it the duty of laying the shore end, and it was intended when that was completed that the _Great Eastern_ should run round at once, make the splice, and begin its work." "VALENTIA, _July 12th_.