“With great respect and kind regards to your family,
“I remain, my dear Mr. Bright,
“Very truly your friend,
“Cyrus W. Field.”
It was while he was in London, in December, 1872, that Mr. Junius Morgan said to him that he had just received a letter from Mr. John Taylor Johnston about the Cesnola collection, then in London, and he asked him, if he had the time to do so, to examine it and give him his opinion. Mr. Field went at once to see it, and he was much impressed with its value. Of this time General Cesnola writes:
“The officers of the British Museum had already examined the collection, and it was perhaps on their report that Mr. Gladstone came to see the collection; but whether he came with a view to securing it for the British Museum or not I cannot say. Your father asked me to drive back with him to Mr. Morgan’s office, and suggested to Mr. Morgan (as agent for Mr. Johnston) to close the purchase of the collection with me verbally at once, and a payment was made on account without delay, and without waiting for the papers to be drawn up.
“It was through your father that my collection became the property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was he who introduced me to Mr. Gladstone, Earl Granville, Mr. Adams, then United States minister in London; also to the Dean of Westminster and Lady Augusta Stanley, and to many other of his English friends. He invited a large party to meet me at dinner, and also brought many to see my Cypriote collection. I doubt if, without the great personal interest shown by your father, it would ever have become the property of the Metropolitan Museum; because it was only after this that the London press went wild over securing it for England.
“I have said, and shall always say, that it is chiefly, if not wholly, due to Cyrus W. Field that my discoveries are in this city to-day.”
The sale of the New York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company was made early in this year, and on July 2, 1873, he writes to Mr. Orton, the president of the Western Union Telegraph Company:
“The New York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company, having been consolidated with the Anglo-American Telegraph Company, Limited, drafts will hereafter be made upon your company, and communications made in the name of the said Anglo-American Telegraph Company, Limited.”
Among the cable messages sent during the autumn of this year these are of interest:
“September 19th.—Great panic here in money market.”
“September 20th.—Confidently believed, reliable quarter, government will take measures relieve market before Monday, but thus far panic has exceeded anything ever known.”