I telegraph the words thus--that I number the letters of the alphabet and then transmit their numbers-- 1 beat = _a_. 2 beats = _b_. 3 " = _c_. 4 " = _d_. 5 " = _e_, &c. _z_ would accordingly be designated by twenty-five beats. This number of beats would, however, appear wasteful of time, and would be uncertain in counting, wherefore I employ for every five beats a dactyl-beat (Dactylusschlag), and there results [Illustration:--~ ~] for _e_. [Illustration:--~ ~] and one beat for _f_, &c. _z_, = [Illustration:--~ ~,--~ ~,--~ ~,--~ ~,--~ ~] which is more quickly and easily executed and easier to understand. It is still better if the letters are represented by numbers which are in inverse proportion to the frequency of their occurrence. Phil. Reis, Teacher at L. F. Garnier’s Institute for boys. Friedrichsdorf, near Homburg-by-the-Height, August 1863. [The foregoing “Prospectus” was accompanied by a further document printed as a postscript by Reis, at the top of which the figure of the instrument was repeated, and which ran as follows:--] “P. P., “Since two years ago I succeeded in effecting the possibility of the reproduction of tones by the galvanic current, and in setting up a convenient apparatus therefor, the circumstance has found such a recognition from the most celebrated men of science, and so many calls to action have come to me, that I have since striven to improve my originally very incomplete apparatus, so that the experiments might thereby become accessible to others. “I am now in the position to offer an apparatus which fulfils my expectations, and with which each physicist may succeed in repeating the interesting experiments concerning reproduction of tones at distant stations. “I believe I shall fulfil the wish of many if I undertake to bring these improved instruments into the possession of the [physical] cabinets. Since the preparation of the same requires a complete acquaintance with the leading principles and a tolerable experience in this matter, I have decided myself to prepare the most important parts of the same, and to leave the fashioning of the accessory parts, as also of the external adornments, to the mechanician. “The distribution of the same I have made over to Herr J. Wilh. Albert, mechanician, in Frankfort-on-the-Main, and have placed him in the position to deliver these instruments in two qualities, differing only in external adornment, at the prices of 21 florins and 14 florins (12 thalers and 8 thalers current), inclusive of packing. Moreover, the instruments can also be obtained direct from me at the same prices, upon a cash remittance of the amount.