“ ‘Great Eastern,’
“Heart’s Content, August 7, 1866.
“My dear Mrs. Field,—Thanks for your kind note of July 30th. I am, of course, much pleased that the result of all these efforts of thought, and concentration of experiences, and long-continued indomitable energy, and expenditure of such heaps of gold, has been a success. It was very, very near failing. Do what you will, the laying of cables (threads!!!) across deep oceans of great breadth will always be speculative; although when laid, so far as we can conjecture or reason from scientific knowledge or all that is known of physical geography, there is no one reason having any sound basis in it that can tell us in what direction to apprehend any danger, always excepting man’s malice or enmity. The very thing we proved last voyage, and go to verify in a few days, proves that any enemy well equipped can destroy what has cost all these years to accomplish.
“I have no fear of completing the cable of 1865, although I never quite got rid of the feeling that it is a very odd thing to do, and we can fancy bad weather exhausting our stock of coals, materials, and perhaps hopes, by frequent breakages; but we have 7700 tons of coal, twenty miles of ropes for grappling, three ships fully coaled and provisioned and equipped for the purpose. Two ships are now on the ground. Given, then, the opportunity, there is no known reason to prevent us being here a fortnight hence with the double success. Then what next? God knows. But Mr. Field is not one bit quieter than he was in London. He wants a third cable laid, and two complete lines from here to New York, before he will be satisfied. The success of this one will make the others comparatively easy, but I am not sure if he will even then take the repose both he and you deserve. He is very well; but how he stands the endless excitement I do not know. One thing I may give you now as a sound opinion: he would not stand many more London campaigns without you or one of your daughters with him. He takes absolutely no repose when in London, and it is only because he cannot help himself that he gets it at sea. I heartily congratulate him and you upon this good termination to the real foundation of future oceanic telegraphy; he deserves all honor from his countrymen.... To your husband especially belong the creation and the perseverance that have moved so many into the vortex.... With every kind wish to you and yours,
“Sincerely yours,
“James Anderson.”
Bishop Mullock wrote on August 6th:
“In my answer to a society who addressed me yesterday on the occasion of my departure for Europe I alluded to your example as a great lesson of perseverance, showing that to a man of good energy nothing almost is impossible, and telling them in all difficulties to have the example of Mr. Cyrus W. Field before their eyes.
“May God grant that you may be able to resuscitate the old cable. I have myself no doubt but that you will accomplish it, and exhibit to future generations the greatest example of energy and perseverance ever shown by an individual.
“You ought to be a proud man, for like the name of Columbus, yours will be in Europe and America a household word.”
Whittier’s “Cable Hymn” responds to the feeling experienced at this time:
“O lonely bay of Trinity,
O dreary shores, give ear!
Lean down unto the white-lipped sea,
The voice of God to hear.