Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Engineering, Technology, Manufactories, Discovery, Heroism, Patronage, Nationalism

    Relishes news that Cyrus W Field has been awarded a medal from the 'American Parliament' 'for having made the Electric Telegraph between England and the States'. While stating that Punch would be the last to deny that 'alone Field did it', the writer implicity questions Field's role by sarcastically suggesting that he 'invented electricity, and telegraphy' and 'perfected the Cable which is now laid', as well as single-handedly building the paying-out machinery, launching the Great Eastern, and tying the Newfoundland end of the rope. Insists that 'the most modest space' on Field's medal should bear the names of Frederick N Gisborne, Richard A Glass, George Elliot, James Anderson, and Samuel Canning.