o aid the success of the cable
which has made famous for all time the subject of this narrative.
Matthew is also a somewhat noted and successful politician. Another
brother, Timothy, entered the navy, and we doubt not would have become
equally distinguished but for his untimely death. Cyrus West, was born
at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, November 30th, 1819. Unlike the
Appletons, Harpers and numerous other noted families, the Fields seemed
to discard the idea "in union is there strength," each selecting his own
calling, to become individually singled out and honored.

As heretofore shown, almost the entire Field family have made history,
but upon Cyrus does the world bestow the greatest distinction. He was
the only brother choosing a mercantile life, and at the age of fifteen,
nearly sixteen, he was apprenticed to the great A. T. Stewart. After his
apprenticeship he returned to Massachusetts and started a small
paper-mill, and still later came to New York again, this time to open a
paper warehouse, but for some reason failed. One feature of the great
success which has attended Mr. Field was his stick-to-it-iveness which
enabled him to 'fight it out on that line if it took all summer.' He
accordingly compromised the matter with his creditors, re-established
the business, profited by his past mistakes, and in the course of eleven
or twelve years had amassed an ample fortune. Accordingly, about 1853,
he decided to retire, and spent six months traveling in South America,
not, however, until he had enclosed a check to each of his old
creditors, thereby discharging a moral obligation, although not legally
bound.

In the meantime, a Mr. Gibson had enlisted the sympathy of his brother
Matthew, the engineer, in a transatlantic telegraph company, which was
to be carried on by a co-operation of the telegraph, and a system of
fast ocean steamers. Although adverse to all thought of resuming _any_
business this brother obtained for Mr. Gibson an audience, and he
presented to Mr. Field his scheme which involved a telegraphic
communication between New York and St. John; hence, by fast ocean
steamers, Mr. Gibson left without gaining his object, but upon
reflection Mr. Field suddenly exclaimed: "Why not run a wire through the
ocean itself, instead of ending it at St. John?" Although it is claimed
that Field had never heard of such an idea, yet it did not originate
with him. In fact, a cable was then in operation between Dover and
Calais,