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378
The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph
·
Henry M. Field
224
Such
was
the
cable
which
this
eminent
firm
offered
to
manufacture,
and
to
lay
across
the
Atlantic,
and
that
on
terms
so
favorable,
that
it
seemed
as
if
it
could
not
be
difficult
to
raise
the
capital
and
proceed
with
the
work.
Indeed,
a
contract
was
partially
made
to
that
effect.
So
confident
was
Mr.
Field,
who
was
then
in
London,
that
an
expedition
would
sail
the
following
summer,
that
he
insured
his
stock,
part
of
it
only
against
ordinary
sea-risks,
but
part
also
to
be
laid
and
to
work!
But
hardly
had
he
left
England
before
there
was
some
unforeseen
hitch
in
the
arrangements,
the
money
was
not
forthcoming,
or
some
of
the
conditions
were
not
complied
with,
and
he
had
the
mortification
to
receive
letters,
saying
that
the
whole
enterprise
was
postponed
for
another
year!
This
was
indeed
discouraging.
Yet
this
sudden
dropping
of
the
scheme
did
not
imply
a
loss
of
interest
or
of
faith
on
the
part
of
those
embarked
in
it.
They
believed
in
it
as
much
as
ever.
But
the
general
public
did
not
respond
to
the
call
for
more
capital.
Alas
that
the
noblest
enterprises
should
so
often
be
delayed
or
defeated
by
the
want
of
money!
Capital
is
always
cautious
and
timid,
and
follows
slowly
in
the
path
of
great
discoveries.
If
Columbus,
instead
of
the
patronage
of
a
Queen
full
of
womanly
enthusiasm,
had
depended
on
a
stock
company
for
the
means
for
his
expedition,
he
might
never
have
sailed
from
the
shores
of
Spain.
Happy
was
it
for
mankind
that
his
faith
and
patience
did
not
wear
out,
while
going
from
court
to
court,
and
kingdom
to
kingdom,
and
almost
begging
his
way
from
door
to
door!
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