Mr. Field was despatched to England, as there were no firms established for the manufacture of submarine cables in the United States, to order the necessary work to be done, and to raise money. He previously ordered specimens of cable to be made, so that when he landed in England they were ready for his inspection; and soon after his arrival he entered into a contract with Messrs. Küper & Co. (subsequently Glass, Elliot, & Co.) for a cable to be laid across the Gulf of St. Lawrence. He held interviews with eminent engineers and electricians, among whom were Mr. Brunel, Mr. (now Sir C.) Bright, Mr. Brett, and Mr. Whitehouse, respecting his larger project, which led to extended and valuable experiments. The cable for Newfoundland was formed in three strands, and had three conducting wires; and Mr. Field undertook to lay it, under the direction of Mr. Canning. In August, 1855, the first attempt was made; but off Cape Ray a violent gale arose, and it was deemed necessary by the master of the vessel to cut the cable. This disappointment was not in the least a discouragement. Another contract was made by Mr. Field with Messrs. Küper & Co. to make and lay a cable at their own risk, which was executed by Mr. Canning in the Propontis the following year. The station is at Point-au-Basque, near the western extremity of Newfoundland, and the telegraph runs across the island to Trinity Bay. The opportunities for scientific experiments afforded by the manufacture of these cables were not neglected. The possibility of transmitting signals under water without fatal loss of power from the increased length of circuit was the first fact determined. The attention of the experimentalists was then directed to ascertain whether, having regard to existing theories, it would be possible to carry even a single conductor across the Atlantic without the aid of a cable so ponderous and so costly as to render it useless in a commercial point of view. A series of direct experiments were at once undertaken, which resulted in the establishment of the following facts:--first, that retardation of movement, in consequence of increasing distance, did not occur at a rate which could seriously affect a cable across the Atlantic; secondly, that increased dimensions in insulated marine conductors augmented the difficulties in obtaining velocity, so that bulk in a cable would not be requisite; and, thirdly, that a velocity and facility which would satisfy all mere commercial and financial requirements in a line crossing the Atlantic, might be attained in the largest circuits. The next step was to actually make signals through 2000 miles of wire. This was accomplished through the kindness of the directors of the English and Irish Magnetic Company, who placed at the disposal of the experimentalists 5000 miles of under-ground wire. On the 9th of October, 1856, in the quiet of the night time, the experiment was tried successfully. Signals were distinctly and satisfactorily telegraphed