The Galvanic apparatus has been repeatedly tried in place--that is by
exploding cartridges in the very chambers of the rock prepared for the
powder--with the batteries at 1200 feet distance they are in full form
and act admirably so that I see but little fear of failure on that
head.
They have been rehearsing the explosions on the plan I most strongly
recommended, that is--to fire each chamber by an independent battery
and circuit and to discharge the three batteries simultaneously by
signal or word of command which answers well and "no mistake."
I shall write to Sir John Herschel to-day, and remain
My dear Sir,
Very truly yours,
W. CUBITT.
G.B. Airy, Esq.
* * * * *
The following extracts are from letters to his wife written in Ireland
when on his journey to consider the determination of the longitude of
Valencia.
SKIBBEREEN,
_1843, July 28_.
By the bye, to shew the quiet of Ireland now, I saw in a newspaper at
Cork this account. At some place through which a repeal-association
was to pass (I forget its name) the repealers of the place set up a
triumphal arch.
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