'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.' [‎25] (58/782)

i.j MEMOIR OF COLONEL PATRICK STEWART. 25
except iiis signallers,—and so young, that his appointment was
received with a feeling of surprise. Let our readers remember
how impossible a large combined operation is in this country,
how frequently the most explicit instructions are misunder
stood, and how great a danger existed of wires, men, and ma
chinery all turning up anywhere except in juxta-position, and
they will appreciate the nature of the task. Mr. Stewart's
energy, perseverance, and good temper accomplished this most
annoying duty. By dint of endless correspondence, which in
cluded the Military Board and the executive Engineers, all was
placed in train. The artificers were despatched by steamer to
the depots, and reached them. The wire was carried by steamer
and bullock-carts to thirty-two different places between Cal-
ciHta and Benares alone, all at unequal distances, and all,
therefore, requiring their special length of coil. The straighten
ing machines did not arrive in time, and they were made at the
Kidderpur iron-yard, under Mr. Stewart's immediate super
intendence. Throughout the line there was not, we believe, a
blunder, or a single day's delay, and when Dr. O'Shaughnes'sy
aimed, he found himself able to drive on the work as rapidly
as if he himself had been upon the spot. We think it just that,
in meting out their praise for this great undertaking, the public
should not forget the officer who so successfully performed a
task, none the less irksome that it was from its nature unat
tended by publicity or credit.
" It may not be unnecessary to state that we are not indebted
for any of our facts to Mr. Stewart."
Towards the close of the year 1853 an incident
occurred which, though unconnected with official pro-
gress or proceedings, is too remarkable to be omitted
from the present brief memoir. Narratives of perilous
encounter and marvellous escape are common enough to
students in the annals of Indian Shikar, but seldom has
the hero of an adventure such as the following lived to
tell his own tale.
Stew ait had left the Lieutenarit-Governoi's camp at