"I write all this privately to you. It is not from a Cabinet minister, but from an old friend of yours, who is a member of the English Parliament, and who has taken some interest in the affairs of your country. You will consider what I say, therefore, as in no degree expressing any opinion but my own. I have abstained from writing or speaking in public on the subject of the dispute. I could say something to the purpose probably if I thought men on your side were in a mood to listen and to think calmly. But after what has happened in connection with the convention I think we can only wait for some intimation from your side. "There is a good opinion existing here with regard to your government, and especially as regards your Secretary of State. I hope he may have the honor of assisting with a wise moderation to the settlement of the disputes on which so much has been said and written and so little done.... "Believe me always sincerely your friend, "JOHN BRIGHT." He answered this letter on September 14th: "I regret Mr. Sumner's speech and his course about the _Alabama_ claims more than I can express, and shall do all I can to counteract the effect of his actions, and you can help me, I think, very much, if you will take the trouble to write your views fully.... I am anxious to do all in my power to keep good feeling between England and America." And on November 1st he wrote again to Mr. Bright: "I do hope and pray that all matters in dispute between England and America will be honorably settled, and I felt encouraged when I read the sentence in your letter, 'I feel sure that some more successful attempt at settlement cannot be far off.'" Dean Stanley's words, spoken at the breakfast given to him by the Century Club on his visit to New York in 1878, describe Mr. Field's life during these years: "The wonderful cable, on which it is popularly believed in England that my friend and host Mr. Cyrus W. Field passes his mysterious existence, appearing and reappearing at one and the same moment in London and New York." CHAPTER XIV INTERNATIONAL POLITICS--RAPID TRANSIT (1870-1880) The journey to England in December, 1869, was taken in order, if possible, to effect the consolidation of the Anglo-American and the Atlantic Cable companies; this was done, the latter losing its name and being absorbed in the other. Mr. Field also made a working arrangement between the Anglo-American Telegraph Company, the French Cable Company, and the New York, Newfoundland, and London Company, and a division of revenue was arranged between the three companies. He returned to his home in February, and he was in Washington in March, and while there had a talk with Mr. Sumner on the settlement of the _Alabama_ claims. The New York _Herald_ of March 22d says: