its steady revolutions. Slowly, but surely, the cable
slips over the side and into the briny deep. Many eminent men were
eagerly watching with Mr. Field on the Niagara; a gradual solemnity took
possession of the entire ship's company. Who would not be interested?
Who would not feel the powerful pressure of responsibility, and when at
last the too sudden application of a break parted the cable, and it
wholly disappeared from view, the shock was too much for the stoutest
nerves. All appeared to feel that a dear friend had just slipped the
cable of life, and had gone to make his grave beneath the deep waters.

But of all that sad company, Mr. Field is the least dismayed. He
recognized that a most expensive and disastrous accident had happened;
but the belief was firmly fixed in his mind that the plan was
practicable. He was now offered the position of General Manager, at a
salary of $5,000 per year. The position he accepted, but declined the
salary.

In 1858 the second attempt was begun, but when about two hundred miles
had been laid, the cable parted, and the result of months of labor and
large capital was remorsefully swallowed up by the mighty deep. But
while all seemed ready to give up, Cyrus Field seemed to be everywhere.
His activity seemed to exceed the bounds of human endurance. Many were
the successive twenty-four hours in which he had no sleep, and his
friends were alarmed lest he and the new enterprise should break
together.

By his assiduousness the work was recommenced this same year, and on the
5th of August, 1858, was completed. Messages were exchanged between
Queen Victoria and President Buchanan, and for about a month the cable
worked perfectly, amid great rejoicing, when all at once it stopped; the
cable refused to respond. Few thought the project would be prosecuted
further, but they miscalculated the power of endurance, the possession
of which has brought the success of that man whom they now envy,
"because fortune has smiled upon him more especially than them."

How often do we find ourselves wishing we were as rich as some person,
or as influential as another; when we have but to follow their example,
do as they have done, endure what they have endured to acquire the
coveted success.

If we would stop to consider that seventy-three per cent. of our great
men were poor boys, we would readily see that those we now envy are only
enjoying the fruit of their own toil.

The civil war broke out and al