ph was originally 105l. per mile for
two wires. Experience now enables it to be done for 50l., and that in
a far more durable and efficient manner than is practised in the United
States. The cost of laying down a submarine telegraph is stated to be
about 230l. per mile for six wires, and 110l. for single wires.

One feature in which the telegraphs of Great Britain differ materially
from those of America and all other countries, is, the great extent of
underground lines. There are nearly 17,000 miles of wire placed
underground in England, the cost of which is six times greater than that
of overground lines; but it has the inestimable advantage of being never
interrupted by changes of weather or by accidents, while the cost of its
maintenance is extremely small. This fact must be borne in mind, when
we come to consider the relative expense of the transmission of messages
in England and the States.

In the foregoing lines we have shown, that England possesses, miles of
line, 8,298; miles of wire, 44,845; the United States possesses, miles
of lines, 16,735; miles of wire, 23,281.

We thus see, that the telegraph in the United States extends over more
than twice as much ground as the British lines; while on the other hand
the system of telegraph in England is so much more fully developed, that
nearly double the quantity of wire is in actual use. On the English
lines, which are in the hands of three companies only, from 25,000 to
30,000 miles are worked on Cook and Wheatstone's system; 10,000 on the
magnetic system--without batteries;--3000 on Bain's chemical
principle--which is rapidly extending;--and the remainder on Morse's
plan.

The price of the transmission of messages is less in America than in
England, especially if we regard the distance of transmission. In
America a message is limited to ten words; in England to twenty words;
and the message is delivered free within a certain distance from the
station.

In both countries the names and addresses of the sender and receiver are
sent free of charge. The average cost of transmission from London to
every station in Great Britain is 13/10 of a penny per word per 100
miles. The average cost from Washington to all the principal towns in
America is about 6/10 of a penny per word per 100 miles. The ordinary
scale of charges for twenty words in England is 1s. for fifty miles
and under; 2s. 6d. between fifty miles and 100 miles; all distances
beyond that, 5s. with a few ex