the time in considerable mental agitation) having the honour of
fitting out the _Elba_ for that purpose." [On this occasion, the
_Elba_ has no cable to lay; but] "is going out in the beginning of May
to endeavour to fish up the cables Mr. ---- lost. There are two ends
at or near the shore: the third will probably not be found within 20
miles from land. One of these ends will be passed over a very big
pulley or sheave at the bows, passed six times round a big barrel or
drum; which will be turned round by a steam-engine on deck, and thus
wind up the cable, while the _Elba_ slowly steams ahead. The cable is
not wound round and round the drum as your silk is wound on its reel,
but on the contrary never goes round more than six times, going off at
one side as it comes on at the other, and going down into the hold of
the _Elba_, to be coiled along in a big coil or skein.

"I went down to Gateshead to discuss with Mr. Newall the form which
this tolerably simple idea should take, and have been busy since I
came here drawing, ordering, and putting up the
machinery--uninterfered with, thank goodness, by any one. I own I like
responsibility; it flatters one, and then, your father might say, I
have more to gain than to lose. Moreover I do like this bloodless,
painless combat with wood and iron, forcing the stubborn rascals to do
my will, licking the clumsy cubs into an active shape, seeing the
child of to-day's thought working to-morrow in full vigour at his
appointed task.

"_May 12._

"By dint of bribing, bullying, cajoling, and going day by day to see
the state of things ordered, all my work is very nearly ready now; but
those who have neglected these precautions are of course disappointed.
Five hundred fathoms of chain [were] ordered by ---- some three weeks
since, to be ready by the 10th without fail; he sends for it
to-day--150 fathoms all they can let us have by the 15th--and how the
rest is to be got, who knows? He ordered a boat a month since, and
yesterday we could see nothing of her but the keel and about two
planks. I could multiply instances without end. At first one goes
nearly mad with vexation at these things; but one finds so soon that
they are the rule, that then it becomes necessary to feign a rage one
does not feel. I look upon it as the natural order of things, that if
I order a thing, it will not be done--if by accident it gets do