The Century of Inventions of the Marquis of Worcester / from the Original MS., with Historical and Explanatory Notes and a Biographical Memoir

by Marquis of Edward Somerset Worcester

No. VI.

How, at a window, as far as eye can discover black from white, a man may hold discourse with his correspondent, without noise made or noise taken; being, according to occasion given and means afforded, ex re natâ, and no need of provision beforehand; though much better if foreseen, and means prepared for it, and a premeditated course taken by mutual consent of parties.

NOTE.

The telegraph, though not generally used in Europe till the commencement of the French revolution, appears to have been well known to the ancients. Polybius describes a method of communication, which was invented by Cleoxenus, which answered both by day and night. Kircher and Scott likewise allude to its use; but the description given by the Marquis is evidently superior to any that had preceded him; and, indeed, must have nearly resembled that in use at the present period.