'Telegraph and travel. A narrative of the formation and development of telegraphic communication between England and India, under the orders of Her Majesty's Government, with incidental notices of the countries traversed by the lines.' [‎6] (37/782)

c
TELEGRAPH AND TRAVEL.
"The Bengal Famine," conveyed by Indo-European
Telegraph via Tehran," and addressed from Calcutta at
7.35 of the previous night.
Such direct and conclusive testimony might be con
sidered sufficient answer to the augurers of ill; to say
nothing of the marvellous instances of instantaneous
working obtained from tests made, within the last four
years, by the London Offices in communication with
those of Persia and India. But it is no less common to
ascribe to chance and good fortune the successful issues
of mental and physical toil, than to censure and condemn
ill-starred agents for mishaps and reverses due to adverse
circumstances beyond all human foresight and control.
And, as in the case of the Government Telegraph to
India a full statement of proceedings was judged offi
cially advisable, the requirement became still more
urgent on general grounds. It was therefore no regret
table accident that the pressure of travel and other
duties incidental to his appointment compelled the
Chief Director to defer the looked-for report until giving
over charge in 1870, preparatory to availing himself of
one year's respite from work. That he was, afterwards,
called away during the same year to political duty and
employed until March 1873 in the settlement of
boundary questions, must explain the further delay
apparent in submitting the volume to the public. A few
explanatory words, in conclusion, on the book itself.
Those who knew Colonel Patrick Stewart, personally
or by repute, during his short but active career, will not
need to be told why the opening chapter should be
devoted to a sketch of his life. He it was who, during
the conduct of Indian affairs by Sir Charles Wood (now
Lord Halifax), was chosen to give practical effect to the