Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, War

    Begins by considering the belief that one of the advantages of the electric telegraph is that it only conveys good news. Argues that since 'no news is good news' and since 'news that you are certain will be contradicted to-morrow is very much like no news at all', then the news conveyed by the electric telegraph is certainly good news. Insisting that telegrams are not to be feared 'when you are used to [them]', presents some specimen messages that John Bull is likely to receive in connection with Britain's military campaign against Abyssinia. (162)