connecting England and France. Having become imbued with this
plan he at once consulted his brother David as to what legal obstacles
might possibly arise, and being satisfied on that score, he set about
the accomplishment of his purpose.

He saw Peter Cooper and several other moneyed men and solicited their
aid, forming a company, with Peter Cooper as president. Matthew was now
interested as chief engineer, and David as counsel. These will be
remembered as two of the famous brothers. The burden of the work,
however, fell upon our hero. He seemed to be everywhere. First in
Newfoundland, where he bought the rights of a rival company then before
the Provincial Government, where his influence secured the consent of
the legislature of Newfoundland. Then he is over in England, where he is
successful in not only securing the necessary rights and privileges to
occupy British territory, but the special favor of the Queen and the
capital stock of about $1,680,000, which it was hoped could be placed in
England, was taken in a few weeks, and not only this but the British
government agreed to pay an annual subsidy of about $68,000, for the use
of the cable by that government and ships, not only for surveying but to
help lay the cable.

Mr. Field now ordered the cable made, and again set sail for America,
and is soon at the national capitol trying to enlist the sympathy and
aid of our country. The lobby and other influences seemed to be against
him, and he met with the cold shoulder at every turn, but nothing
dismayed this man. At last the bill passed the Senate by the majority of
but one vote, and in the Lower House by an absolutely small majority,
but after a hard fight it became a fixed thing, and received the
signature of President Buchanan.

Reader, look back upon the trials of Cyrus Field as you have followed
them thus far; imagine if you can the trouble, vexation and
disappointments which have thus far attended him, and when you think
that he had all this trouble to get PERMISSION to lay the cable, and
that while he had already passed through much; yet his disappointments
were destined to be tenfold greater ere success attended him; will you
say he is undeserving of that success? The rights are secure; the stock
taken; the cable is done and all seems fair sailing.

The Agamemnon of the Royal Mary and the Niagara, furnished by the United
States government, started with their precious burden. The paying out
machine kept up